Plant City Observer 02.07.13

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PLANT CITY

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

FREE • THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

INSIDE

SPORTS

UPCOMING

Blueberry Fest to host its first pageant.

Durant softball Buc pep rally revs up Trapnell team seeks repeat magic. Elementary students.

OUR TOWN + Former mayors’ offspring engaged State Rep. Dan Raulerson and his wife, Shirley, of Plant City, announced the engagement of their daughter, Jaclyn, to U.S. Marine Capt. Jarod Dicks, son of former Plant City Mayor John Dicks and his wife, Sharon.

A graduate of Durant High School, Jaclyn Raulerson is a senior telecommunications major at the University of Florida. She is a former Strawberry Queen Court member and Miss Florida 2010.

Dicks attended Plant City High School, is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and is an FA-18 pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is currently stationed in South Carolina.

Both Raulerson and Dicks were born and raised in Plant City, and their fathers each served as mayor of Plant City.

The wedding date is tentative.

new role

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by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Plant City Chamber names new chairman Jim Scott, of Jarrett-Scott Ford, hopes to help the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce get ahead of the curve.

+ Do you have a love story?

Was it love at first sight?

Did you overcome an awesome obstacle to be with your spouse?

If so, we want to hear from you! The Plant City Observer is planning a special edition for Valentine’s Day, and we want to hear your love story.

You could win a one-night stay in a suite at Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport Westshore, plus dinner for two at St. James Restaurant.

Contact General Manager Michael Eng, at 813-7046850 or meng@plantcityobserver.com.

Family Resource Center helps Plant City families The newest of six locations, the East County Family Resource Center provides free education programs to parents and children.

+ And the winner of our contest is ...

Stephanie Karr won the Plant City Observer’s social contest for two tickets to the Plant City Elks Lodge Wild Game Cookout. Karr gave the tickets to her boyfriend, Michael Alexander, who plans to take his brother, Howard, to the all-male event.

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Mike Eng

In his speech at the Chairman’s Banquet, Jim Scott spoke of having the chamber be on the cutting edge of technology.

The passing of the gavel is a 31-year tradition. Jim Scott became part of that tradition Jan. 31, when the gavel passed from former chamber Chairman Matt Buzza’s hands to his, at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce’s Chairman’s Banquet.

Scott’s first line of business is to revolutionize the chamber’s website and bring it not just into the modern age of technology, but make it cutting edge and ahead of the curve.

“I want to give members a greater value for their membership,” Scott said.

The new and improved website will be the start of that greater value. Scott wants to have the website show up in the top-three hits on the first page when the chamber or Plant City

See a list of the 2013 board and directors / PAGE 2 businesses are Googled. His plan to make this goal come alive is to use search engine optimization (SEO), or specific keywords that help bump the chamber higher in search results, drawing potential customers to the chamber members’ businesses.

“Some small businesses might not even have a website, and some can’t spend the money to pay for SEO on their websites,” Scott said. “So, what we’re doing is pooling our resources to spend money on search engine optimization, which will benefit everybody.”

Scott said this move would help all chamber members, but

especially those business members who don’t attend Business After Hours or Contact Breakfasts to network.

The website will also have a new modern look that is more user-friendly.

The idea first came about in October, at the board retreat.

Since then, the chamber has established a technology committee. Yvonne Fry and Aaron Davis are co-chairs.

“They are new board members who have hit the ground running,” Scott said.

A couple of months ago, the chamber launched its new mobile site, which is configured to display on phones and tablets in a more simplified version of

SEE SCOTT / PAGE 2

INDEX Briefs...................4

From free vision and hearing screenings for children to CPR certification training for adults, the new East County Family Resource Center has something for everybody. The Children’s Board made the decision to open a center in Plant City after it saw a need in eastern Hillsborough County.

“There were a lot of people from this area going to our Brandon location and there were other areas around that weren’t being reached,” said Marcia Cedano, center manager for the East County Family Center, located in the shopping center behind Walmart next to Beverly’s Consignment.

The East County location opened its doors Oct. 1, 2012, and is the newest of six Family Resource Centers throughout Hillsborough County. The Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County administers the Children’s Board Family Resource Centers, and Champions for Children manages the East County location.

The center provides family services at no cost. Services include parental classes and developmental play groups.

“We’re here for both the children and the parents to learn and grow,” Cedano explained.

In January, Baby Bungalow began offering child-development services at the center. Trained facilitators lead those classes.

Programs include Baby and Me, a five-week developmental playgroup for infants that targets free exploration and play, as well as caregiver/child bonding.

SEE RESOURCE / PAGE 2 Vol. 1, No. 31 | One section

Crossword ......... 18

Obituaries ......... 14

Sports............... 15

2

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

SCOTT / FROM PAGE 1 the website. “The chamber was behind,� Scott said. “We don’t just want to catch up, but we want to be ahead of the curve.�

This isn’t Scott’s first run as a chamber chairman. In 2004, he was the chairman for the Dade City Chamber of Commerce after serving three years on its board. “Whatever town I’m in, I just gravitate toward the chamber,� Scott said. “I love being involved in chambers because it involves business and has to do with commerce. You want all the members of the chamber to do well because that means businesses are doing well.

So, it’s just exciting to be part of something like that.�

Scott is originally from the suburbs of Detroit. He graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in

general business administration. After graduating, Scott made it a goal to work for one of the “big three� automakers.

Scott’s uncle and grandfather worked for Chrysler, but Scott branched out on his own to work for Ford Motor Company. “Ford was a bit of a departure,� Scott said. “Everybody roots for each other, though.�

In 1996, Scott was transferred to Orlando. In 2000, when he became partners with the Jarrett family in Dade City, he moved to the franchise side of the company. Then, in 2004, he partnered again with the Jarrett family to run the Plant City dealership.

Scott has been married to his wife, Leigh, for 11 years. They have two children, Nick, 7, and Connor, 6. He has been president of the Rotary service club and is a past chairman of the YMCA.

BOARD AND DIRECTORS The 2013 chamber board and directors were also announced at the banquet.

CHAIRMAN Jim Scott, Jarrett-Scott Ford

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS DIVISION Janet Kelly, Rita Staffing

CHAIRMAN-ELECT Nate Kilton, Sedita Kilton and Company

DIRECTORS Aaron Davis, Hillsborough Title Inc.; Yvonne Fry, Lines of Communication; Michael Gottesman, CenterState Bank Edwena Haney, Hopewell Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens; Charles Harries, Holiday Inn Express and Suites Bradley Herremans, Suncoast Community Health Centers Pediatrics; Vicki Houllis, Sunshine State Federal Savings and Loan; Jason Jones, Advantage Restoration Inc. Advantage Contracting LLC; Gail Lyons, Regions Bank; Steve Nierman, South Florida Baptist Hospital; Michael Watkins, V&R Insurance

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Matt Buzza, Platinum Bank TREASURER Michael Cameron, Cameron Financial Management ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Phil Waldron, Waldron Consulting Services MEMBERSHIP DIVISION Brian West, Publix Super Markets Inc. COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS DIVISION Keith Smith, Trinkle, Redman, Coton, Davis and Smith P.A.

RESOURCE / FROM PAGE 1 Little Amigos, which Cedano said is one of the more popular programs at the center, is a five-week program for 2- to 4-yearolds that exposes English-speaking children to Spanish through music, singing, rhymes and other activities. “It’s like an interactive ‘Dora the Explorer’ learning program,� Cedano noted.

The center also offers parental classes, including CPR and first aid training. A hands-on car-seat safety program is also offered. During this class, parents learn how to pick the appropriate car seat and correctly secure it. “We even will provide families with a car seat after taking the class,� Cedano said. Before the center began offering programs, it offered services, including vision and hearing screenings. Prevent Blindness Florida provides vision screenings for children ages 2 to 18 and hearing screenings for newborns to 18-year-olds. “The first time we offered hearing screenings, we had 12 kids, and eight had ear infections, some of which were severe,�

Cedano said. “This just shows how much these services were needed in this area.�

Cedano said preventative dental services

EAST COUNTY FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER Address: 639 Alexander St., Plant City; Behind Walmart in shopping plaza Phone: 813-752-8700 Services: Parental classes, mobile clinic services, car-seat safety, computer access, vision and hearing screenings, developmental play groups and CPR and first aid certification Cost: All services provided free of charge Web: familysupporthc.org

East County Family Resource Center Manager Marcia Cedano, Blanca, Cruz and Damian Flores and family resource specialist II America Arevalo are already offered at some centers in the county and will be offered at the East County location soon. Nutrition classes teaching healthy eating habits are currently offered.

Children who are uninsured and on Medicaid can receive free immunizations and school physicals by appointment with the Mobile Health Clinic.

Mobile clinic services is something that Cedano said was addressed as a need in this area, because some clients in outlining rural areas such as Dover and Beesville have no way to get to the centers. “This gives us the opportunity to refer people and provide outside service to those areas that need them,� Cedano said.

The East County center also offers a computer lab for children and adults for educational and professional use. “We have adults come in to apply to jobs, and students who may not have a computer at home come in to use ours to do homework,� Cedano said.

According to Cedano, all services and programs are provided at no charge and are available to anyone, no matter financial standing. “We are all about taking care of the wellbeing of the child and instructing the parents on how to do that in the best way,� she said.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

ROOTS

harsh reality

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Taking a bite out of dog fighting Last week, an anonymous tip busted a dog-fighting operation on Colson Road.

Amber Jurgensen

The congregation purchased the present site of Allen Chapel AME Church, 1109 E. Laura St., in 1919 for $1,000.

Allen Chapel AME Church celebrates 120th anniversary A Founders Day celebration will be held Feb. 9 and Feb. 10.

It’s been 120 years since the Allen Chapel AME Church held its first church service in a one-room framed house located between Laura, Alabama and Lake streets.

The area was known as the Roux Mill. The congregation used boxes for benches and flaming torches for lights. The church is deep-rooted in history and tradition.

The congregation of the Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church will get to celebrate its history Feb. 9 and Feb. 10, during its 120th anniversary celebration.

On Saturday, Feb. 9, the church will celebrate with a gospel concert called “An Evening in His Presence.”

It will feature a Tampa singing trio, Women of Grace, as well as a Christian rap artist.

“It is a big day for us,” said Floyd Cook, the church’s public-relations representative. “Every year the Founders Day celebration is always a huge celebration.”

Floyd expects 300 people to attend the celebration.

A group of families that in-

do your part

IF YOU GO ALLEN CHAPEL AME CHURCH 120TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION Where: 1109 E. Laura St. When: 7 p.m. Feb. 9; 11 a.m.

Feb. 10 Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for youth Contact: Allen Chapel AME Church, 813-752-7389 Floyd Cook, 863-409-0769. cludes the Ashfords, the Pages, the Cummingses, the Williamses, the Strongs, the Johnsons, and the Byneses founded the Allen Chapel AME Church in 1983. The Marshalls, the Carmichaels, the Smallses, the Houstons, the Andersons, the Isoms, the Robertses, the Romeos, the Byrds and the Members also joined the congregation shortly after the founding.

The Rev. A. L. Bronson was the first pastor appointed to Allen Cha-

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Charity golf tournament needs teams, sponsors The first Junior Woman’s Club golf tournament will be held April 6.

Get ready to tee off. On April 6, the Junior Woman’s Club is hosting a charity golf tournament to help fund its Plant City Shoe Project.

This year, the club was able to give shoes and socks to 500 children, at 14 different schools in the Plant City area.

Working with Payless ShoeSource, the budget for the project is $6,000, but it has decreased in the last few years.

“We do a lot of farming in Plant City, so there’s a lot of migrant workers and a lot of children who can benefit,” project Chairwoman Stephanie Eisenbach said.

The Junior Woman’s Club gets a list of children in need from a school counselor. Club members fit the students for shoes, buy the proper size and then revisit the students to put the shoes on the children and make sure they fit properly.

“It’s shocking, but wonderful to see their faces light up,” Eisenbach

said. “They stomp their feet and ask if the shoes will make them run faster. Some children desperately need them. They’re wearing shoes that are two sizes too small.”

The golf tournament will be at the Walden Lake Golf and Country Club, 2001 Country Club Drive. It starts with a shotgun start at 8 a.m.

The competition includes a putting contest, closest to pin, longest drive, 50/50 cash prize and raffle prizes. The Tampa Bay Lighting Cheerleaders will also make a special appearance.

The cost for individual players is $75; a standard foursome is $300.

There are other entry combinations that include super packs in the entry fees. Super packs have five raffle tickets, one 50/50, one putting contest and two mulligans. All entries will receive refreshments, goodie bags, continental breakfast and lunch from O’Brien’s Irish Pub. “We’re hoping to get around 20 to 25 teams sign up,” tournament Chairwoman Kendelle Jimenez said.

Souvenir flag sponsorships and tee sponsorships are also needed.

pel; Bishop Daniel A. Payne, the first bishop, appointed him.

In 1905, the members began looking for a more comfortable location. The Benbows donated land on Laura Street across from Southland Frozen Food Plant.

The congregation purchased the present site of Allen Chapel, 1109 E. Laura St., in 1919 for $1,000. The members bought four lots to make space for their growing congregation. In 1923, before building the church, they built a parsonage. Rowena Ferrell Brady was the first child born there. The church was built in 1925.

In 2011, the current pastor, the Rev. Ricky Polk, and his wife, Judy, came to Allen Chapel.

“Our founding fathers planted seeds of faith, and even today, we continue to harvest God’s richest blessing from those seeds,” Polk wrote in a prepared statement for the celebration. “The yield of those seeds has flourished into great oaks, and many are finding spiritual shade underneath their branches.”

IF YOU GO CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT SIGN UPS Deadline: March 15 Contact: Kendelle Jimenez, 813-997-3359, or kendellejimenez@yahoo.com or Tyger Jimenez, 813-507-8127, tygerjimenez@gmail.com Mail entry form and payment to P.O. Box 1466, Plant City, Fla., 33564.

Make checks payable to Plant City Junior Woman’s Club, Attention: Erica Taylor.

March 15 is the deadline to register.

The 25-member Junior Woman’s Club also hosts the Baby Parade and Little Miss Plant City Pageant as major fundraisers.

“We just wanted to branch out,” Jimenez said. “Talking to other people, we learned golf tournaments can raise quite a bit of money.”

Jimenez was responsible for bringing shoes to Pinecrest Elementary during the project.

“It’s a really awesome experience,” Jimenez said. “I think it’s touching for the girls who do it their first time.

You think that all kids have what they need. There’s always more than 500 students who need the shoes.”

But the rings aren’t limVenturing beyond a rickety privacy fence Jan. 28, ited to just rural areas. The Hillsborough County Ani- rings can move around mal Services discovered 26 — and do move around to pit bull terriers chained and avoid discovery.

There are three different living in appalling conditions. The dogs were part levels of dog fighting: street, of a suspected dog-fighting hobbyist and professional. ring. The privacy fence was Street fighting is more inlocated in the middle of a formal and impromptu, field, behind a house on often taking place in alleys.

Hobbyist fighters are more Colson Road.

“A lot of these dogs had organized with the intent to make money and significant wounds, provide entertainwere extremely ment. Professionbloody, intertwined als have a large in chains and im- To report number of animals mobilized,” said suspicious and earn money Marti Ryan, animal activfrom breeding, services public in- ity, call the selling and fighting formation officer. “It Hillsborough the dogs. was clear that some County Ryan said there of them had just Animal Services are a number of been in a scrap.” mobile intelligence The dogs were an- at 813units that animal chored to rebar with 744-5660. services works with short heavy chains.

Their unstable shelters were to find out about the rings. made of wood pallets.

Many of the dogs were Rescued: the next step Rescuing animals from females used for breeding.

With dog-fighting rings, rings or abusive situations is breeding females aren’t just the first step in the long used as much for fight- process of rehabilitation.

Once animal control reing. Other dogs were also younger and in better con- moves the animals from an dition. They had new col- abusive situation, they are lars, some with the tags still provided with immediate on, which caused animal medical care.

Dogs rescued from fightservices to the question if this was a new ring begin- ing rings often live in squalor and are susceptible to ning to take shape.

Hillsborough County parasites and infections.

Animal Services received an Blood conditions are comanonymous tip about the mon illnesses found in the ring, which led to the search. rescued animals.

The animal will stay in The owners of the house weren’t home at the time of animal control’s care while the search. No charges have animal control seeks custobeen filed yet, but Ryan said dy of it in the court system.

Without custody of the anthat doesn’t mean there won’t be charges. The case imal, animal control can not care for it further, but once is still active.

“It’s very sad, it’s very custody is granted, the agendisturbing, but we take it cy can assess the animal for seriously, and it is never ig- behavior and temperament, and it can be spayed or neunored,” Ryan said. tered. The process of custody The profile can take months.

Dog-fighting rings such Animal control receives as this happen all over about 21,000 animals per the nation and transcend year. When a group of anigender, cultural and eth- mals comes in all at once, nic lines. According to The they take up more spots in Humane Society, there are the shelter. more than 40,000 people in“All these things can volved with organized dog strain our resources,” Ryan fighting in the U.S. said. “There’s a responsibilHillsborough County ity on staff to feed the aniAnimal Services has an mals and clean the shelter.

11,000-square-mile area to We don’t just have animals manage, not just for animal from rings or abuse, but fighting, but for abused and we have homeless animals, homeless animals, too. people who drop off their “It’s a barbaric sport that is pets because they’re movever present,” Ryan said. “It ing or in the military.” occurs through a wide demoAfter they learn more graphic of people. This is not information about the something that is new to us.” animal’s behavior, it can The Jan. 26 bust was only be placed in a more open the most recent ring to be situation where it can go on discovered in eastern Hill- walks or socialize with other sborough County. Just two animals, if it is deemed safe. months ago, another ring in Instead of going to the pet Seffner was discovered, and store to buy a pet, Ryan enseven dogs were rescued. courages people to come to But, there were potentially the shelter. hundreds of dogs that had “In the path for justice, been buried on site. it is important for the pub“Rings are often held in ru- lic to come to the shelter ral areas because it is easy to and pick out their next best deflect and hide,” Ryan said. friend,” Ryan said.

INFO

4

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

NEWSBRIEFS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

+ Yard-sale fundraiser takes place Saturday

+ Valentine’s Day romance is in the air

Shiloh Baptist Church will hold a yard-sale fundraiser from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, to benefit the church preschool.

The sale will include clothes, toys, furniture, household items and more, and takes place at the Family Life Center, Gym Building B, 905 W. Terrace Drive, Plant City.

Dine and dance with your sweetie at a Valentine’s Day Dance from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, at the Ramada Ballroom, 3260 U.S. Highway 98 N., Lakeland.

Tickets are $30 for single admission and $60 per couple in advance, and $35 for singles and $70 per couple at the door. Price includes a buffet with three meat entrees to choose from as well as sides, salad and dessert.

New 2 U-The Mix will perform.

Susan Stanton, a Plant City choreographer who has choreographed dances for Dancing with the Locals and taught classes at the Red Rose Inn and Suites, is hosting the event.

For tickets, contact Stanton at 863-604-5060.

+ Photojournalism contest opens today The fourth Plant City Photo Archives and History Center Photojournalism Contest is open for Plant City High School students.

Each student can submit one or more photographs and write a 300- to 600-word story about the subject of the photograph.

The deadline to submit entries is March 1.

The winners will receive cash prizes from $50 to $100, and their entries will be displayed at the Photo Archives. The winners will be announced March 21.

For information, contact Sherrie Mueller, college and career counselor at Plant City High School, or the Photo Archives, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, at 813-754-1578.

+ Plant City Entertainment presents ‘A Catered Affair’ Plant City Entertainment will tell the story of a young couple’s wedding in “A Catered Affair,�

Feb. 15 to Feb. 17 and Feb. 21 to Feb. 23, on Plant City Entertainment’s stage, 1501 N.

IT’S READ EVERYWHERE

Wheeler St. Show times are 8 p.m. nightly, except for Feb. 17 when there will be a 2 p.m. matinee.

Doors open at 7 p.m. for the nightly shows and 1 p.m. for the Sunday matinee. Ticket prices are $10 for members, $12 for seniors and students and $14 for general admission. For information, contact 813-754-4929.

Sean Walker, his wife, Danielle, and their Chihuahua, Charlie, took their Plant City Observer along for the long car ride in January to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

If you want to be featured in It’s Read Everywhere, snap a photo of you with the paper at your destination of choice and email it to Michael Eng, meng@ plantcityobserver.com. Make sure you include your full name and where the photo was taken.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

pageant patrol

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

New pageant in bloom The first annual Blueberry Pageant will be April 13.

Move over strawberries, there’s a new fruit in town — the blueberry. As part of Keel and Curley Winery’s Blueberry Festival, the first annual Blueberry Festival Pageant will be hosted April 13. The next live sign-ups will be at the winery, Feb. 23.

“It’s just going to be a fun, fun pageant,” organizer Julie Hasting said.

The pageant is also part of a campaign for childhood-cancer awareness. As an elementary student with cancer, contestant Morgan Pierce has become an integral part of the pageant. She wants to act as an advocate for cancer and will be made an honorary blueberry princess.

“We wanted to honor her not because she has cancer, but because she doesn’t let it stop her,” Hasting said. “She’s done the Junior Royalty pageant and now this.”

A portion of the proceeds will go to Morgan’s foundation. She has a cookbook she wants to sell at the pageant.

In addition to the blueberry princess title, there are seven age categories with a queen and first maid winners in each category: Mini Blueberry Bud, 3- and 4-year olds; Tiny Miss, 5- and 6-year olds; Little Miss, 7- to 9-year-olds; Pre-Teen, 10- to 12-year-olds; Junior, 13- to 15-year olds; Teen 16- to 18-year olds; and Miss, 19- to 23-year-olds.

Each contestant is required to submit a “non-glitz” photograph with her application. The photograph will be used to judge “most photogenic” in each age division.

The pageant will consist of 60-second opening introductions of each contestant, an evening-gown portion and on-stage questions. For the younger divisions, 3to 12-year-olds, the question will be the same. For the older divisions, contestants will pick their questions from a fish bowl.

The contestants will be judged on poise and grace on stage, natural beauty, overall appearance, introduction and the onstage question. Judges will be from out of town.

“It’s not all about beauty,” organizer Brigittia Long said. “They need to be able to speak well and have confidence.”

Each girl will get a crown, T-shirt and goodie bag for participating.

“If they have the courage to be there and compete, they should get something,” Hasting said.

Milee Hasting is the blueberry pageant spokesmodel.

LIVE SIGN UPS WHEN: 1 to 6 p.m. April 13; the first workshop for the pageant will be held Feb. 24.

WHERE: Keel and Curley Winery, 5202 W. Thonotosassa Road, Plant City COST: $40 INFO: You can also access the application online at keelandcurleywinery. com/ blueberryfestival/royalty/ “We feel like every child is a winner, so we want to give them a winning gift.”

This is the sixth annual Blueberry Festival, but Clay Keel, the events and marketing manager for the winery, had wanted to do a blueberry pageant for the past few years.

“I thought, ‘What would I name them?

Miss Keel and Curley? Everyone is usually named after a state or city,” Long said.

“Then I said, ‘We’re going to just do it, we’re going to give them a Blueberry Queen.’”

The Blueberry Queens will have to make an appearance at the Blueberry Festival, April 27 and April 28.

Sponsors that have stepped up to give prizes include Anna Maria Island Resort, Busciglio Smiles, Kendall Nickerson Photography and Chili’s, but Long and Hasting are still looking for more.

Hasting and Long both have daughters who participate in pageants. Long has been a Miss USA Florida preliminary director.

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cooking it up

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Celebrity chef to cook during United Food Bank fundraiser Join Whitney Miller, winner of the first America’s MasterChef competition, Feb. 15, at the Trinkle Center.

“I never thought about doing anything with TV, but it I wanted to do something in the food industry,” Miller said.

During the month-and-a-half of filming, Miller was up against competitors with more experience.

“It was mentally and physically exhausting,” Miller said.

Her hardest challenge was to make a chocolate soufflé during a pressure challenge between her and another teammate.

Whoever lost the challenge would be eliminated. Miller had never made a dessert soufflé, but, before she left for the competition, she memorized several recipes based on challenges she thought she might get. The soufflé was one of them. The rest is history. She won the pressure challenge and stayed in the competition.

Since the competition, Miller has traveled all over the world, including China, South Africa and even the Sundance Film Festival, in Utah, to do cooking demonstrations, book signings and charity events.

The 25-year-old will also have a book signing at the United Food Bank Fundraiser.

Since the fundraiser started in 2009, it has increased the number of funds it raises every

Whitney Miller

Courtesy

FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD

year. Last year, the dinner raised about $53,000.

The food bank served 477 people last month and remains a charity staple in the Plant City community.

“The numbers are through the roof,” West said. “It’s just a great charity. There are people who come to the food bank who you’d never realize needed help.

It’s very sobering.”

Maddy Keene

When: Feb. 15; cocktails at 7 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Road Tickets: $100 per individual, table sponsorships start at $800 Contact: Gail Lyons, 813659-2185, or Christine Miller, 813-757-9809

NOW LEASING

2013

STRAWBERRY

Independent

Court

Retirement

Living... and so MUCH MORE! 62+ Active Independent Living Community Retirement Living at its Finest

We are very proud of you!

nters Make Hu r Home Creek You me.

Sweet Ho

Model Home Hours M-F 10am-5pm | Sat. by Appt.

784 Hunter Creek Dr. | Plant City, FL 33563 I-4 to S. Alexander St. (Exit 21) Left onto W. Grant St. Go 1 mile, Turn Right onto Hunter St. - Community on Left.

813.752.9300

www.wishfarms.com

www.gracemanorhunterscreek.com

facebook.com/wishfarms

Minutes away from our Famous Strawberry Festival

s AND "EDROOM 6ILLAS s 'ATED %NTRY s 0AVED 7ALKING 0ATHS s &ITNESS #ENTER s 3WIMMING 0OOL s 3PACIOUS -ASTER 3UITES s 3INGLE #AR 'ARAGE s #OVERED #OURTYARD !REA s :ERO %NTRY 3HOWER s 2OOMY 7ALK )N #LOSETS s &ULL !PPLIANCE 0ACKAGE

Including Washer and Dryer s 7HEELCHAIR !CCESSIBLE s 0ETS 7ELCOME

FUTURE ASSISTED LIVING AT HUNTERS CREEK COMING SOON

103288

cakes as the showcase dish and the dessert. Miller will also be doing a demonstration of how to make strawberry snacks. The cupcakes are featured on the cover of her cookbook, “Modern Hospitality.”

Also on the menu is her baconwrapped sirloin steak, buttermilk pan-fried chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, carrot soufflé and jalapeno cornbread.

One of her most popular items, the buttermilk pan-fried chicken, has a special story. During a challenge on MasterChef, Miller accidentally dropped the chicken and had to cook another one in just seven minutes.

“I think that’s what made me stand out to the judges,” Miller said. “They thought, ‘Whoa, if she could cook this in seven minutes, then that’s a big deal.’”

Miller said she tried to cook it again at home in seven minutes, but it didn’t turn out nearly as good as the miracle she pulled off on the show.

When she was on the show, Miller was a 22-year-old University of Southern Mississippi senior. At the time, her major was dietetics, but she wanted to do more with food and less with the health industry. So, just two weeks before the casting call, she decided to audition for the show.

103044

First United Food Bank Board Member, Brian West, has been a fan of FOX’s MasterChef cooking competition show since it premiered in 2010. When he picked his favorite contestant for the first season, Whitney Miller, he didn’t know that she would go on to take first prize despite being the youngest person on the show. So, when the board was brainstorming new chefs to bring in for the annual Food Bank fundraiser, For the Love of Food dinner Feb. 15, West submitted Miller’s name.

“Whitney had made a name for herself from the TV show, and I have always been a fan of the show,” West said. “She is just a sweet country girl who has all the right values.”

Miller has done charity events for organizations such as the American Heart Association and the Multiple Sclerosis Association.

“It just sounds like such a good event,” Miller said. “I like to use my cooking talents in any way that I can, especially for charity events.”

Not realizing that Plant City was the winter strawberry capital of the world until talking with board members and event organizers, Miller decided to choose her strawberry cream-filled cup-

7

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

Know Your Heart During Heart Month Heart Health Check Screening Event

Screenings Blood Profile - Lipid panel, complete metabolic profile, complete blood count. Cost: $20 Bone Density - Measures bone density using a painless heel scan. Cost: Free Carotid Doppler Ultrasound - Detects plaque in carotid artery, a risk factor for stroke. Cost: $20 CT Heart Score - Detects plaque in arteries, a risk factor for heart disease. Cost: $150 (regularly $300) Mammogram - Must have a doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prescription to have screening. This is a screening mammogram only. Cost: $45 Peripheral Vascular Leg Screen - Detects peripheral vascular disease that causes leg pain when walking. Cost: $20 Prostate Cancer - Test includes DRE and PSA. Cost: $20

Get to Know Your Heart at the Heart Health Check on Friday and Saturday, February 15-16 | 8am-12pm South Florida Baptist Hospital 301 N. Alexander St. | Plant City

Skin Cancer - Cost: Free

Day & Date

Screenings

Location

Time

Friday, February 15

Skin Cancer

Cancer Resource Center

8am-12pm

Friday, February 15

Bone Density

Cancer Resource Center

8am-12pm

Friday, February 15 Saturday, February 16

Blood Profile

Main Hospital

8am-12pm

Saturday, February 16

Carotid Doppler Ultrasound

Main Hospital

8am-12pm

Saturday, February 16

Peripheral Vascular Leg Screen

Main Hospital

8am-12pm

Register today:

Saturday, February 16

CT Heart Score

Main Hospital

8am-12pm

Saturday, February 16

Prostate Cancer

Main Hospital

8am-12pm

(813) 402-2311

Saturday, February 16

Mammogram

Main Hospital

8am-12pm

102580

Registration and prepayment are required.

Space is limited.

BC1300215-0113

KnowYourHeart.org

8

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

Observer

PLANT CITY

“If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly progressive policy.”

kids being kids

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Friedrich Hayek “Road to Serfdom,” 1944

Founding Publisher / Felix Haynes Managing Editor / Michael Eng, meng@PlantCityObserver.com Assistant Managing Editor / Jess Eng, jeng@PlantCityObserver.com Associate Editors / (Community) Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@ PlantCityObserver.com; (Sports) Matt Mauney, mmauney@PlantCityObserver. com Advertising Executives / Veronica Prostko, vprostko@PlantCityObserver. com; Ronda Kyler, rkyler@ PlantCityObserver.com Advertising Coordinator / Linda Lancaster, llancaster@PlantCityObserver.com Accounting Manager / Petra Kirkland, pkirkland@PlantCityObserver.com Advertising-Production Operations Manager / Kathy Payne, kpayne@ yourobserver.com Advertising-Production Coordinator / Brooke Schultheis, bschultheis@ yourobserver.com Advertising Graphic Designers / Peter Carlson, pcarlson@yourobserver. com; Monica DiMattei, mdimattei@ yourobserver.com; Marjorie Holloway, mholloway@yourobserver.com; Luis Trujillo, ltrujillo@yourobserver.com; Chris Stolz, cstolz@yourobserver.com

Payton Carlisle takes the plunge on the bouncy slide.

Walden Lake students frolic at annual Eagle Extravaganza Students at Walden Lake Elementary played and socialized at the annual Eagle Extravaganza Carnival Friday, Feb. 1. Students jumped in bounce houses, navigated obstacle courses and played carnival-style games, including musical chairs and a ring toss.

CONTACT US

Zachary Shinneman tries his hand at the bean-bag toss.

The Plant City Observer is published once weekly, on Thursdays. It provides free home delivery to several neighborhoods in Plant City. The Plant City Observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A. If you wish to discontinue home delivery or if you wish to suspend home delivery temporarily, call Linda Lancaster at 704-6850.

TO ADVERTISE Call Veronica Prostko or Ronda Kyler at 704-6850.

SEND US YOUR NEWS

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

To contact us, send your information via: Email: Michael Eng, meng@plantcityobserver.com Mail: The Plant City Observer, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100A, Plant City, FL 33563

The ring toss was one of Makinley Jensen’s favorite games.

TAILORED WALK

Genesis Ramirez’s pink shirt matched the bouncy slide.

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Every ‘buddy’s’ beautiful at event The Plant City High School cosmetology department hosted its annual Every Buddy’s Beautiful Fashion Show Friday, Feb. 1.

The department partnered with Exceptional Student Education students (ESE), who have

disabilities and are gifted, to put on the show. The audience roared with applause while ESE students sang popular songs, including “Thriller” and “You Are So Beautiful,” and strutted their stuff down the catwalk alongside their cosmetology buddies.

The Plant City Observer LLC Locally Owned

Publisher of the Plant City Observer and PlantCityObserver.com

President / Felix Haynes Directors / Nate Kilton, Ed Verner, Matt Walsh

110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100A Plant City, Fla. 813-704-6850 www.PlantCityObserver.com

A former Strawberry Queen makes a special appearance at the request of one buddy.

A student opens up the show with his rendition of “You Are So Beautiful.”

This hot-pink dress was a crowd favorite.

9

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

PLANT CITY

CORNER

JAN. 8

JAN. 9

SHOPPING SPREE

GUN GRAB

500 block of East Devane Street. Residential Burglary. Unknown person(s) entered a residence and stole a 32-inch Phillips TV, Bright House cable box and 10 pairs of women’s jeans. The property is valued at about $530.

700 block of West Saunders Street. Vehicle Burglary/Theft of a Firearm. Sometime overnight, unknown suspect(s) entered an unlocked Ford SUV and stole a Cobra .38-caliber pistol.

FASHION FAUX PAS 300 block of South Frontage Road.

Trespass Complaint. A manager advised that an unknown Hispanic male, wearing a wig, women’s underwear and sunglasses, had been seen inside a vacant room and was suspected to be sleeping in there.

The male was gone upon the officer’s arrival.

ODD SELECTIONS MISSING WHEELS 2800 block of James L. Redman Parkway. Petit Theft. The victim locked up her bike and left it in the parking lot of a store.

When she returned, she found unknown person(s) cut the lock and stole the bike.

The bike was described as a girl’s purple Avalon bike, valued at $150.

NEW WARDROBE 1500 block of East Baker Street. Retail Theft. An unknown suspect removed three shirts, valued at $31.50, from the shelf and exited the store without paying for them.

The suspect fled prior to police arrival.

FAST CASH 500 block of Seminole Lake Boulevard.

Grand Theft. The victim advised the suspect made several ATM withdrawals, totaling $800, from her account. The suspect admitted to making the withdrawals and was arrested.

RIGHT OUT THE FRONT DOOR

Area near Paul Buchman Highway and Interstate 4. Theft. Unknown person(s) stole two weed-eaters and a hedge trimmer from the victim’s work trailer, while he was cutting grass in the area. The property was valued at more than $300.

JAN. 11 ONE FELL SWOOP

DINE AND DASH 3010 block of James L. Redman Parkway. Defrauding an Innkeeper/Petit Theft.

The server advised two male suspects ate dinner and left the business without paying. The server confronted the males in the parking lot, and they refused to pay.

The total cost of the meal was $45.

1700 block of Horseshoe Drive. Vehicle Burglaries. Unknown person(s) rummaged through unlocked vehicles at the address and stole coins, a golf club, a folding knife with a four-inch blade and a multi-purpose tool from one of the vehicles. There was no damage to any of the vehicles.

SYSTEM SHOCK 1100 block of West Warren Street. Vehicle Burglary. Unknown suspect(s) broke the driver’s-side window of the victim’s 1998 Dodge truck and stole the JVC stereo and an equalizer.

510 block of East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Business Burglary. Unknown person(s) entered the business by pushing in the A/C unit at the rear of the building. An Apple MacBook Pro, valued at $3,500, was stolen.

JAN. 10

QUICK STRIKE

JAN. 12

STEAL DIFFERENT

1500 block of East Calhoun Street.

Burglary. The victim stated unknown suspect(s) stole a washing machine and scuba equipment from his shed.

2600 block of James L. Redman Parkway. Grand Theft. A white male walked out of the store with a large flat-screen TV without paying. When confronted by store personnel, the suspect fled in a UHaul truck prior to police arrival.

2610 block of Waver Street. Criminal Mischief. Unknown suspect(s) threw a brick and a log at a vehicle parked at the residence and broke a window.

ABANDONED IN THE SHED 1200 block of West Washington Street.

Found Firearm. A resident found a .22-caliber revolver in the outside shed.

THE OL’ SWITCHEROO

GET YOUR GUN 2600 block of Bridle Drive. Vehicle Burglary. Unknown person(s) stole a Taurus 9 mm handgun from a vehicle at this location.

TV TROUBLE 2000 block of South Frontage Road.

Grand Theft. A hotel employee reported a 42-inch LG flat-screen TV was missing from room 312.

1860 block of James L. Redman Parkway. Stolen Vehicle and Recovery of Stolen Vehicle. An employee of an office supplies store parked his white 1999 Dodge Caravan in the parking lot at 2:25 p.m. and discovered it stolen at 7:35 p.m. A 2000 Chrysler Town & Country van, listed as stolen by St. Petersburg Police Department, was located in the same parking space from which the Dodge was taken.

JAN. 13

POCKET PROTECTOR

WORKOUT WOES

1900 block of West Reynolds Street.

Vehicle Burglary. Unknown suspect(s) entered a Chevrolet Silverado through an unlocked door and stole a Colt .45-caliber handgun from the storage pocket on the driver’s door.

2400 block of James L. Redman Parkway.

Vehicle Burglary. Unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle while he was inside the gym and stole his wallet, which contained $200 in cash and credit and debit cards.

CITY PROPERTIES COMPANY -!.!'%-%.4 s 3!,%3 s 2%.4!,3

Your Hometown Property Management Company David & Cynthia Wolf, Tim & Jo Haught FOUNDERS

708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

Plant City, FL 33563 | 813-717-9300

Philip Balliet - Manager

(813) 752-5262 103309

OWNERS, HAUGHT FUNERAL HOME

40 years in Plant City

0OST /FlCE "OX s 0LANT #ITY &,

103221

COPS

SENSELESS ACT

JAN. 13

10

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

let it snow

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Knights students play it cool at festival Despite the 70-degree weather, Saturday, Jan. 26, the students of Knights Elementary enjoyed winter fun in the snow during their annual Winter Festival.

Snow machines misted the ground with flurries while students slid down a blowup slide into a pool of fluffy white powder. Students cooled off with cotton candy and sno-cones, bowling and crafts. And, of course, no festival would be complete without a bounce house.

Cesar Cantellano gives his best throw.

Layla Marler gets trapped in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;jail.â&#x20AC;?

Photos by Amber Jurgensen

Alana Kicklighter cools off with a sno-cone.

Gerald Williams bowls a scoring ball.

Friends Briana Green, Naarah Miller and Caitlynn Ralyea explore the festival together.

Taylor Barfield gets crafty at one of the booths.

Kristina Cannoles loved the snow.

Your Community Full Service Discount Pharmacy.

Fast & Friendly PHARMACY Â&#x201E; 7ITHSTANDS 7INDS 5P 4O MPH Â&#x201E; -ANY 3TYLES #OLORS !VAILABLE Â&#x201E; 7E )NSTALL IN 3TATES

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WALK IN G I B N O

s #ALL US TO ARRANGE PICKUP OF YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS s FREE DELIVERY OF PRESCRIPTIONS AND PERSONAL AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS FROM OUR NEW STORE

=djhZ]daY >iZbh! 8aZVc^c\ Hjeea^Zh! EZghdcVa 8VgZ >iZbh! ;ddY! EZi Hjeea^Zh & Baby Items for ONLY

1

$ .00

THE WORKS PACKAGE Includes up to 7 quarts of synthetic blend oil, 31 point VCU inspection, Check and top off all fluids, Tire pressure check, Four tire rotation.

Must present coupon at time of write up. May not be used with any other coupon or store special. Shop supplies and tax extra.

Most cars and light trucks excludes diesels.

Expires 2/28/13

s $URABLE -EDICAL %QUIPMENT $IABETIC 3UPPLIES

Open 7 days Monday - Sunday 10AM â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;til 9PM

Smoking & Non Smoking Section

3 JackPots Daily Starts March 1st Bolt Bingo Friday and Saturday 9:30PM â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;til ???

Auto service just got better!

2995

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Using Code: PCO

Life is better in the Quick Lane. $

s !LL INSURANCES ACCEPTED INCLUDING -EDICARE -EDICAID AND 7ORKERS #OMPENSATION

50 OFF

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FULL SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE

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Most cars and light trucks up to 7 quarts.

Must present coupon at time of write up.

May not be used with any other coupon or store special.

Shop supplies and tax extra.

Expires 2/28/13

(813) 757-6429 2000 East Baker St. Plant City, FL 33563

at Jarrett-Scott Ford

Service Hours Mon. - Fri. 7am - 7pm Sat. 7am - 3pm

www.jarrettscottford.com

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s 0RESCRIPTIONS lLLED WITHIN MINUTES 7AIT COMFORTABLY IN OUR AIR CONDITIONED STORE

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)%) Cdgi] 6aZmVcYZg HigZZi Â&#x2122; EaVci 8^in! ;A ((*+(

11

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

WHY THE OBSERVER? The Plant City Observer has created quite a positive stir within the Plant City community. Through our activities with many local families, we hear nothing but praise for the local coverage. Everyone enjoys seeing the articles but also the many photographs — in color — that bring the paper to life every week. Their efforts to reach us immediately with event coverage through social media is well received.

The Plant City Observer is a great addition to our local way of keeping in touch with the happenings of the Plant City area.

JACK HOLLAND

Director, Plant City Recreation & Parks Department

What I love about the Plant City Observer is that it is a great paper with big, vibrant, beautiful pictures and stories from the heart about great local hometown people. The local sports coverage is second to none and covers a variety of local sports. Best hometown newspaper ever.

RICHIE LONG 102916

Reader

Observer Plant City. Longboat. East County. Sarasota. Pelican Press.

Longboat Observer and Sarasota Observer were named Local Media Association’s 2012 Newspapers of the Year.

Observer PLANT CITY

You. Your Neighbors. Your Neighborhood.

OMG has brought its AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM to Plant City.

12

all business

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

by Michael Eng | Managing Editor

Chamber installs its 2013 officers The Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce installed its new officers and directors at the 31st Chairmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Banquet Thursday, Jan. 31, at the HCC John R. Trinkle Center.

Interim Plant City Commissioner Billy Keel served as the emcee for the evening.

Following dinner, outgoing Chairman Matt Buzza conducted the ceremonial passing of the gavel to 2013 Chairman Jim Scott, of Jarrett-Scott Ford.

Jim Scott receives the gavel from outgoing Chairman Matt Buzza.

Photos by Michael Eng

Above: Interim City Commissioner Billy Keel served as the emcee for the evening.

Right: The new board and directors take the oath to work hard for the chamber and its members this year.

New Chairman Jim Scott, right, and the rest of the 2013 board of directors take the stage.

2013 CHAMBER The 2013 chamber board and directors are: CHAIRMAN Jim Scott, Jarrett-Scott Ford CHAIRMAN-ELECT Nate Kilton, Sedita Kilton and Company IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Matt Buzza, Platinum Bank TREASURER Michael Cameron, Cameron Financial Management ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL Phil Waldron, Waldron Consulting Services MEMBERSHIP DIVISION Brian West, Publix Super Markets Inc. COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS DIVISION Keith Smith, Trinkle, Redman, Coton, Davis and Smith P.A. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS DIVISION Janet Kelly, Rita Staffing DIRECTORS Aaron Davis, Hillsborough Title Inc. Yvonne Fry, Lines of Communication Michael Gottesman, CenterState Bank Edwena Haney, Hopewell Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens Charles Harries, Holiday Inn Express and Suites Bradley Herremans, Suncoast Community Health Centers Pediatrics Vicki Houllis, Sunshine State Federal Savings and Loan Jason Jones, Advantage Restoration Inc.; Advantage Contracting LLC Gail Lyons, Regions Bank Steve Nierman, South Florida Baptist Hospital Michael Watkins, V&R Insurance

7E ARE 0LANT #ITY S OLDEST AND LARGEST HOMETOWN lNANCIAL INSTITUTION 7E VE BEEN HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS SINCE 7E MAKE ALL DECISIONS LOCALLY AND OFFER ALL THE MODERN BANKING SERVICES YOU EXPECT )F YOU LIKE THE IDEA OF DOING BUSINESS CLOSE TO HOME VISIT US AND SEE HOW EASY AND FRIENDLY HOMETOWN BANKING CAN BE

0,!.4 #)49 n -AIN /FlCE 7 "AKER 3TREET s 7!,$%. 7//$3 n *IM 2EDMAN 0ARKWAY

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2)6%26)%7 AND :%0(92(),,3

103432

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Banking on a First Name Basisâ&#x20AC;?

13

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

buc wild

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

The Bucs mascot, Capt. Fear, was a hit at the pep rally.

Photos by Matt Mauney

Bucs pep rally comes to Trapnell Elementary

Emma Stephens improves her speed with an agility drill.

Cassie Kilcoyne was one of two Buccaneers cheerleaders at the pep rally.

First-grader Amalia Deeson with Capt.

Fear

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools, held a pep rally with the Buccaneer cheerleaders and mascot Friday, Feb. 1, at Trapnell Elementary School.

The pep rally was the result of Trapnell’s participation in a program in which students and staff sold tickets to a Tampa Bay Bucs game. Five dollars from each ticket sold went back to the school, and the top 30 schools in sales were rewarded with a pep rally.

According to Principal Alan Black, students and staff sold about 130 tickets. Also, 60 students were carefully selected to take part in a football-skills camp after the pep rally.

“It’s a win-win situation,” Black said. “It’s a great program for the Bucs and helps to bring money back to our school.”

OUR NEW LOCATION IN RIVERVIEW IS NOW OPEN!

Tampa Bay Bucs cheerleader Norie Miyata dances with students during a freeze-dance competition.

1401 MLK BLVD. PLANT CITY, FL 33563 813.752.7763

Karsyn Hadsall shined in the skills activities.

Alexandra Fryer shows off her agility during the skills camp.

LAKELAND :: WINTER HAVEN :: BARTOW :: RIVERVIEW

103624

www.FredsSouthernKitchen.com

14

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

OBSERVEROBITUARIES Marian Annette ‘Ann’ Churchwell

Marian Annette “Ann” Churchwell, 77, of Plant City, died Jan. 21.

Mrs. Churchwell was born March 18, 1935, in Dover.

She was an entrepreneur and owned several businesses in her lifetime. She worked in real estate for more than 30 years and was most recently working for KP Realty in Plant City. She was a lifetime member of Mount Zion Assembly of God Church.

Mrs. Churchwell was a devoted and caring mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Janell Walden.

She is survived by her daughter, Denise Williams (Paul); son, Randall Churchwell; grandson, David Lupton and his fiancee, Jessica Osmanski; granddaughter, Alison Rousos (Greg); sister, Carolyn Churchwell; brothers, Joel Walden (Janette) and Roy Walden (Teala); and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at wellsmemorial. com.

Willis Frank Ekhoff

Willis Frank Ekhoff, 94, of Plant City, died Jan. 23, in Brandon.

Born Dec. 1, 1918, in Nokomis, Ill., he was the son of the late Richard Ekhoff and Emma Bald Ekhoff. He was

the husband of Hazel Vaudine Ekhoff.

Mr. Ekhoff was an entrepreneur and had owned funeral homes, car lots, a nursery and orange groves. He had been a farmer and remained a farmer at heart.

Mr. Ekhoff served as a first sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

He was preceded in death by brothers Ralph Ekhoff and Harold Ekhoff.

Survivors include his wife, Hazel Vaudine Ekhoff; daughters, Carol Stock, Barbara Galiunas and Patricia Bailey; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 20, at Haught Funeral Home, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.

Daryle Wayne Hall

Daryle Wayne Hall, 50, of Plant City, died Jan. 30.

Born May 14, 1962, in Elkhart, Ind., he was the son of the late Niles Hall and Yvonne Woodworth Hall. He served in the U.S. Army from 1982 until 1984.

Mr. Hall is survived by his daughter, Melanie Ann Brock; brothers, Jeff (Trish) and Randy (Shayne) Hall; and grandchildren,

Lloyd Aloysius Jarboe, 84, of Plant City and Lupton, Mich., died Jan. 29, at his home in Plant City.

Born May 22, 1928, in Flint, Mich., he was the son of the late Charles Jarboe and the late Winifred Brockriede Jarboe. He was the husband of Helen Frey Jarboe.

There are no local services planned. The family will be holding services when it returns to Michigan.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.

Ralph James ‘Ken’ Kendrick

Ralph James “Ken” Kendrick, 90, of Plant City, died Feb. 1.

He was born Sept. 8, 1922, to the late Claude and Mae Pelham Kendrick.

Mr. Kendrick was a man of many interests and trades throughout his life. He was a veteran of the United States Coast Guard, serving during World War II, and had been involved with insurance sales, accounting and had even spent time as a cashier and bagger at Publix. He was a member of Mount Zion Assembly of God Church, in Plant City.

Mr. Kendrick was the husband of Betty Hoppes Kendrick.

He is survived by his son, Larry Kendrick; daughter, Denise Maloney; seven grandchildren; and eight greatgrandchildren.

A funeral service with military honors was held Wednesday, Feb. 6, at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 S.W. 102nd Ave., Bushnell.

Online condolences may be made to the family at haughtfuneralhome.com

Frederick W. Ludwig, 88, died Jan. 26, in Tampa.

Mr. Ludwig was born April 8, 1924, in New York. He served in the U.S. Navy for six years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Ludwig; and daughter, Robin Craft.

He is survived by two sons, Fred Ludwig II and Richard Ludwig; brother, Jim Ludwig; seven grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

DY REA ET RE

A.I .M. A. AME

AN RIC

TS MARTIAL AR

Conceal Carry Classes ONLY

Lloyd Aloysius Jarboe

Frederick W. Ludwig

OMBAT PROV NC EN BA ST UR

IS RA ELI

Zachary Brock and Ethan Samson.

A memorial service was held Saturday, Feb. 2, at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, located at 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City.

Online condolences may be made to the family at haughtfuneralhome.com

25

$

Charles M. Stone

Charles M. Stone, 90, of Plant City, died Jan. 21, surrounded by family and friends.

Mr. Stone was born Jan. 3, 1923, in Guilford, Conn., to the late Eliot W. Stone and Beatrice Brusie. He graduated from Wesleyan University in 1944.

Mr. Stone retired in 1979 to Florida after 20 years in the insurance business. He served in World War II, was a charter member of the Guilford VFW and a member of the Rotary Club, with 56 years of perfect attendance.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Bill, and sister, Doris.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Margaret; sons, Leverett (Kathy), Wesley, Gary (Sally) and Greg; daughter, Laurie; grandchildren, Christopher, Benjamin, Jamie, Kelly, Katie, Kyle, Danielle and Michael; and five great-grandchildren.

A private service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Arlington Academy of Hope, P.O. Box 7694, Arlington, Va., 22207. Online condolences may be offered at wellsmemorial.com.

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PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM

SHOW ME THE MAUNEY

SOFTBALL PREVIEW

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Baseball will always hold a special place I have a confession to make.

I am a nerd.

Not the kind who dresses up as a Klingon and attends Star Trek conventions, but the kind who knows all 270 Division I college football programs (including their mascots) and the MLB Cy Young award winners for the past 20 years.

That’s right, I’m a sports nerd.

The kind of person who will watch bowling or competitive darts on TV instead of the latest hit reality series.

It’s what fuels what I do for a living.

In this business, you’re not supposed to play favorites.

Every team and every sport wants to be viewed as equal, but it’s against human nature not to play favorites.

I have an appreciation and respect for all sports and certainly try to give every sport and every team the coverage they deserve.

But, there is one sport that will always hold a special place in my heart — MATT baseball.

MAUNEY I played baseball, and it was also one of my first beats as a reporter in college. I grew up on Atlanta Braves baseball and remember summer nights spent tuned into TBS with the rest of the Southeast to watch the Braves and their historic run in the ’90s.

In addition to covering my college team and playing a year of club ball, I had an internship in college for which I was selected to scout players and write features for Scout.com and FoxSports.com for the Savannah Sand Gnats, a minor-league affiliate of the New York Mets.

I got to meet major-league players and future stars and spent almost every day that summer at the ballpark.

I already had a deep knowledge of the game, but seeing the day-to-day operations of a team, stadium and front office gave me even more insight into the game I love.

One of the most common arguments I hear against baseball is that the game is too slow.

I guess there might have been a point when I would agree with that, but I’ve developed such an appreciation and understanding of the game that I now can watch every pitch without looking away.

And I am not just talking professional baseball, but also college, high school and youth ball.

Baseball is a wonderful game that is fascinating to watch and analyze.

If you are one of those people who thinks it’s too slow and boring, I urge you to give it another chance.

Go check out a game or practice of a local team or catch an MLB spring training game in a nearby city.

The family-type atmosphere you’ll find is greater than any other sport.

Go check it out. When it clicks, you’ll see what I mean.

Matt Mauney

Durant returns a solid group from last year’s state championship team. Back row: Kennedy Dean, Shannon Bell, Kelli Tidwell, Brooke Freeman and Alyssa Colding. Sitting: Paige Davis and Payton Lewis.

TARGETED COUGARS After an emotionally charged state championship run, the Durant softball team seeks repeat magic with its returners and newcomers.

I

n sports, team chemistry is important.

In girls high school softball, chemistry can be the single factor that separates a championship team from one that didn’t live up to its potential.

Through a tragic loss last season, the softball team at Durant High School came together in a way many teams never experience, and the result was a historic state

championship run, the first in program history.

“The camaraderie is there.

It’s hard to get 18 to 20 girls to get along, especially when half of them are going to be starters and half won’t,” says head coach Matt Carter. “I think they all truly get along. It’s a team and takes a team effort, and that’s what you have to focus on. We’ve been doing a good job of that so far.”

NATURAL RIVALRIES

The Lady Cougars lost four seniors and return four this season, including three — third baseman Kennedy Dean, catcher Alyssa Colding and pitcher Paige Davis — who were starters on last year’s title team.

They also return juniors right fielder Brooke Freeman, center fielder Shannon Bell, first baseman Kelli Tidwell and second baseman Payton Lewis.

“We’re just looking forward to coming back this year and being competitive with a good group of girls,” says Colding, who hit .325 with 11 RBIs last season. “We’re getting along really well and are practicing hard to just win as many games as we can.”

Carter will look to Davis, who was the ace for the Lady Cougars

SEE SOFTBALL / PAGE 16

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Football coaches reflect on realignment Class 7A District 8 now includes five teams, including all three area schools.

7A DISTRICT 8 FOOTBALL • • • •

Brandon Durant East Bay Plant City Strawberry Crest Note: Changes will take effect for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

It may only be February, but the buzz about fall’s high school football season is at an all-time high.

The Florida High School Association approved the final 201314 and 2014-15 football state series assignments Jan. 25, after hearing appeals from member schools, following a tentative realignment, were released in December.

The FHSAA goes through a realignment process every two years, classifying schools based on student

population and geography.

Although some districts in Hillsborough County remain mostly intact, others saw significant changes.

One that saw a dramatic shift is 7A District 8, which might as well be renamed to the Plant City District.

The new five-team district will include all three area schools — Plant City, Durant and Strawberry Crest. Plant City and Durant have spent the last realignment cycle in 7A District 8, along with East Bay and Brandon, but the next two years will bring a much different look when it comes to district play.

The district loses 2012 run-

ner-up Newsome, along with Riverview. Both will make the move up to 8A District 6.

East Bay and Brandon will remain in the district, with the addition of Strawberry Crest, which will be moving up from 6A District 8.

The Chargers spent the last two years competing with perennial powers Armwood, Hillsborough and Sickles, along with King and Jefferson — which have had competitive teams in the past.

SCHS went 4-6 last season after winning just one game its first year in the district.

John Kelly, who will enter his

SEE FOOTBALL / PAGE 16

16

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

SOFTBALL / FROM PAGE 15

FOOTBALL / FROM PAGE 15

OVERVIEW

pitching staff last season, to fill that role again as a senior. Davis pitched 181 of the 193 innings last season and finished with a 2.44 ERA and a 22-4 record.

“I wasn’t surprised by our success, but I was a little shocked at the way we kept coming back,” Davis says of her team’s late-inning heroics.

Those come-from-behind wins propelled Durant through the postseason, beginning in the 8A District 7 tournament championship against Alonso, in which the Lady Cougars battled back from an 11-0 deficit to win 15-14.

Durant went on to come back in the region quarters and semis against East Lake and Palm Harbor University before shutting out Timber Creek 2-0 in the region finals and beating Mandarin 7-2 in the Final Four.

In the state championship, Durant fell behind 2-0 in the first inning before going on to an 8-2 win.

According to many of the Durant players, that inspiration to push through came from above.

On May 4, just a week before the Lady Cougars began the state playoffs, Antoinette Cuellar, “Momma C,” lost her battle with breast cancer.

Cuellar’s daughter, Olivia, was a senior shortstop for Durant.

“She was our guardian angel and we played every game for her,” Davis says.

When it comes to defending their title, the current Durant seniors say they don’t feel any added pressure.

“We just love to play the game, so we just take it when it comes and take one game at a time,” says Dean, who led the team with three home runs last season, along with Tidwell.

After losing three starters, Carter says there will be some position changes, but says that there is plenty of offensive talent, so a defensive spot may be made to add more offensive firepower.

“You’ve got to have hits,” he says. “You can’t put the best defense out there, but, if you don’t score runs, you’re not going to win. There’s some changes out there, but everybody is adjusting really well.”

Durant’s title defense began Tuesday, with a season opening win at East Bay.

PLANT CITY

Coach: Amanda Sawyer 2012 record: 17-6 Postseason: Runner-up in 7A District 8; lost to Bartow in regional quarterfinals Top players returning: SS Kristen Wyckoff (Sr.), LF Nan Lawson (Sr.), 2B Kacie Booth (Jr.) Outlook: First-year head coach Amanda Sawyer inherits a young, but talented, team that made a regionals appearance last year.

The Lady Raiders are heavy on both sides of youth and experience with seven freshmen and five seniors on the 17-player squad.

Plant City will be young in the pitching department with sophomore Noelle Dietrich and freshman Alexis Williams. Wyckoff returns for her senior season and will certainly be an essential part of the offense.

The South Florida commit had a .592 batting average and stole 42 bases last season, which was fourth in the state.

Lawson and Booth will both be other keys to success, according to Sawyer.

STRAWBERRY CREST Coach: Mindy Miltner 2012 record: 18-6 Postseason: Lost in district semifinals Top players returning: C Mia Fung (Jr.), SS Megan Reed (Jr.), 1B Savannah Bradley (Sr.), CF Cacey Simmons (Jr.), P Sammy Tyler (Jr.), P/OF Jordan Bowers (Jr.), 3B Trystan Reibsome (Jr.) Outlook: A program on the rise since its first season in 2010, Strawberry Crest went 18-6 overall and 9-1 in 6A District 11 last year, before being upset in the district tournament semifinals by Leto.

Every player from that team returns this season, as the Lady Chargers go for a deep postseason run.

The Lady Chargers hit .443, as a team, in 2012, being led by Reibsome (.537), Reed (. 493), Bowers (.492) and Bradley (.483).

second year with the Chargers this fall, said that although the realignment ultimately doesn’t have an effect on performance, it should help the program from a geographic and community standpoint.

“It’s one of those things that’s out of your hands and you have to line up and play whoever is across from you,” Kelly said. “But, being able to play teams closer to us and to have a district composed of mostly eastern Hillsborough teams is a neat thing.”

Strawberry Crest will also be moving from a seven-team district to a fiveteam district, which means more nondistrict games and a district schedule that carries even more weight, with just four district games deciding which two teams move on to regionals.

“It’s an interesting situation because there is a higher percentage of your team making the playoffs, but the percentage of error goes up,” Kelly said.

The move should also benefit Durant, the back-to-back 7A District 8 champion. Newsome, the runner-up last season, eliminated the Cougars in the region semifinals, snapping their 11-0 record. With Newsome now in 8A, Durant will be one of the favorites out of the district and region.

According to head coach Mike Gottman, the Cougars can’t take any game lightly, especially district games and what looks to be a brutal non-district schedule that could have Durant facing teams such as Armwood, Hillsborough, Tampa Bay Tech and a heated rivalry with Newsome.

“The district will be wide open, but we’re pleased where we’re at,” he said.

“We have to get ready to play the better teams in Hillsborough County and hopefully stay healthy through those non-district games.”

According to Plant City head coach Wayne Ward, the new district will be

File photo

Strawberry Crest will benefit from a better geographical alignment. The Chargers had to travel to Sickles last season, a three-hour round-trip. a positive thing for his football team and the Plant City community. Durant and Brandon are already archrivals for the Raiders, and with the addition of Strawberry Crest, he said it should make for an interesting two years.

“We’ve got a lot of good teams in this district,” Ward said. “Durant is still the top dog, and bringing in Strawberry Crest creates a rivalry all the way through the district. I feel like it’s pretty even across the board and anybody can win on any given night.”

Ward is no stranger to competitive districts. When he played for the Raiders, Plant City was in a district considered by many to be the toughest in the state, if not one of the toughest in the nation.

“We had Plant City, Brandon, Lakeland, Riverview (Sarasota), Manatee (Bradenton) and Southeast (Bradenton),” he said. “Nine times out of 10 the team that came out of that district went on to win the state title. There were no let-down games when it came to that district.”

With just four district games deciding postseason fates, there certainly won’t be any “let down” games for area teams the next two years.

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17

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

BASEBALL PREVIEW

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Coaches set high expectations for 2013

SIDELINES

Two schools are coming off winning seasons while another has a new coach who wants to put the program back on the winning track.

RUNNING

The 2013 high school baseball season should be a memorable one.

Durant and Strawberry Crest are both coming off above .500 seasons, while Plant City ushers in a new era under head coach Mike Fryrear.

There’s plenty of talent to go around, as well, with this crop of area teams, most notably Durant pitcher and third baseman Tyler Danish, a University of Florida commit and a projected first- or second-round MLB draft pick.

The 5K run/walk Distance Challenge kicks off at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 9, at Walden Lake followed by the Strawberry Dash at 8:15 a.m.

To register, visit strawberrydistancechallenge.com.

Race-day registration will begin at 6:30 a.m.

Each participant registered by Jan. 30 will receive an official 2013 Strawberry Distance Challenge Dri-FIT shirt.

Additional shirtsmay be purchased for friends and family, if available.

Medals will be awarded for the overall male and female, overall masters male and female (40 and older) and for the top-three finishers in each age group (11 and under to 70-plus).

DURANT

COACH: Butch Valdes YEAR AT SCHOOL: Eighth; fifth as head

coach

2012 RECORD: 16-10 DISTRICT RECORD: 5-5 in 8A District 7 TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: RHP/INF Ty-

ler Danish (Sr.); RHP/OF Luke Heyer (Jr.); LHP/1B Chaz Fowler (Sr.); OF Paxton Sims (Jr.) OUTLOOK: There’s no doubting that Danish will be the ace of the Cougars’ staff this season. Already committed to Florida, Danish can consistently throw in the low 90s and possesses good off-speed pitches.

Danish will replace Trey Oest (0.48 ERA), now at the University of Virginia. Durant will also have to replace catcher John Coglianese.

In addition to Danish, the Cougars will return Fowler, who logged 31.1 innings in 2012 with a 1.56 ERA in 14 appearanc-

es. Heyer had a breakout sophomore campaign last season at the plate, hitting .384 with eight RBIs and seven runs scored.

“Our goal this year is a state title,” says Valdes, who has guided the Cougars to the regionals three out of the four years as head coach. “Keys to do that include execution and team chemistry.”

PLANT CITY

COACH: Mike Fryrear YEAR AT SCHOOL: First year 2012 RECORD: 12-14 DISTRICT RECORD: 4-6 in 7A District 8 TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: RHP/3B Kev-

in Long (Sr.); 2B/INF Sergio Garcia (Sr.); LHP/RF Nick Robriguez (Sr.); CF/RHP Mike Wells (Jr.); UTL Zach Mondoux (Jr.) OUTLOOK: Fryrear was hired last summer and wasted no time bettering the program at PCHS. On top of getting the field and facilities in top-notch conditions, Fryrear has brought a hard-working and prideful attitude to the program, with the goal of creating an “all-around program,” both in the classroom and on the field.

“Our team motto this year is ‘yet?’” Fryrear says. “What have we done yet as a program, community and a teammate in the baseball program? Our goal is simple: Represent our family, school and community with being

accountable, prideful and acting professionally and as young men.”

The Raiders have plenty of talent returning, including Long, who hit .438 as a junior. Garcia will hit in the two hole or in the middle of the order, according to Fryrear, while Rodriguez will be a leader on the team as captain. Wells and Mondoux are two athletic and versatile players who will also be keys for success.

STRAWBERRY CREST

COACH: Eric Beattie YEAR AT SCHOOL: Fourth year 2012 RECORD: 14-10 DISTRICT RECORD: 5-5 in 6A District 11 TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: RHP/1B Tan-

ner Thompson (Sr.); RHP Ben Welch (Jr.); OF Flabio Garcia (Jr.); 2B Nick Brocato (Sr.) OUTLOOK: The Chargers enter their fourth year under Beattie after their first winning season in program history.

SCHS lost a handful of pitchers to graduation, including All-County selection Matthew Lemons (1.52 ERA, .333 BA) and will be without 2012 leading hitters Jose Molina (.377) and Jordan Fameree (.318).

Thompson and Welch will likely fill those key spots lost on the mound, while Beattie expects Garcia and Brocato to also have strong seasons.

For Beattie, the key to success will be staying healthy and focusing on the process.

“If we focus on the process, good results will follow,” he says. “That covers pitching, defense, offense and a good mental approach.”

The Strawberry Dash and Strawberry Distance Challenge

SOCCER

Youth Soccer registration open until Feb. 13 Registration is under way for the Plant City Recreation and Parks Department/Optimist Club Youth Soccer Program and its 37th season of play.

All area youths ages 4 to 18 are eligible to participate in 11 age groups: co-ed 4, co-ed 5, co-ed 6, co-ed 7; boys 8 to 9; girls 8 to 9; boys 10 to 11; girls 10 to 11; boys 12 to 14; girls 12 to 14; and co-ed 15 to 19). Age is determined as of July 1, 2013, with a birth certificate required.

More than 1,200 players participated on 100 teams last season. They played games at the Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex. The season is late March through the end of May, with games mostly on Saturdays for the 4 to 11 age groups and weeknights for the older age groups.

The $35 registration fee covers all expenses, including jersey and supplemental accident insurance.

Registrations will be accepted by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, by mail or in person at the Recreation and Parks administration office, 1904 S. Park Road, Plant City.

For more information, contact youth athletics coordinator Danny Smith at dsmith@plantcitygov.com or 813659-4200, Ext. 4313.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

MAZEED ARO-LAMBO

JUST THE STATS

After moving to Florida from Brooklyn, N.Y., when he was 7 years old, Mazeed Aro-Lambo became involved in karate and soccer after school. His mother urged him to pick one to stick with, and he has been playing soccer ever since. Aro-Lambo recently wrapped up his senior season with the Strawberry Crest soccer team; he led the Chargers with 18 goals. His focus now is academics — he is near the top of his class. The senior has a full academic scholarship to Northwestern University where he plans to major pre-med.

What do you like most about soccer?

I’m a forward, so scoring goals is definitely one of the best feelings. Also, playing with my teammates. The bond we have on and off the field is strong, so spending time with them is a great experience.

Looking back, what are some memories you will take with you?

When I came here in 2009, it was a brand-new school, so I had a chance to be a part of a program from the ground up. During these past four years, I’ve seen the program improve as a whole, and I’ve had the chance to set a few records, such as scoring the first goal in school history; first hat trick; and the most goals. All the seniors, Tarek, Noah, Patrick, Rahul and Ernesto, have seen this program grow as a whole.

How did your scholarship with Northwestern come to fruition?

I applied through this program called Quest Bridge. Their goal is to link low-income students with high-ranked colleges. I started applying early and found out that I got a full ride to Northwestern around late November, early December. I didn’t really have the chance to look at many other offers, so I knew where I was going pretty early, and I was fine with that.

What did you do when you found out you had the offer?

I started researching the school like crazy, and I’ve been doing as much research as I can. Every time I get something in the mail from them, I just get really excited. As soon as I got the letter, the next day I ordered a bunch of gear.

Do you plan to play soccer at Northwestern?

I got in contact with the coach there, and I’m going to try and walk on. They are in the Big-10, so I know it will be a challenge, but I’m excited.

ACROSS

Edited by Timothy E. Parker

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Number of area high school football players who signed letters of intent on National Signing Day Wednesday. Players include: DL Devyn Salmon (Plant City/ Michigan State), DL Quentin Robinson (Plant City/Ridgewater College), DL Tranard Styles (Plant City/Ridgewater), WR Dontavius “Tae” Johnson (Plant City/Ridgewater), LB Chris Smith (Durant/Florida A&M) and Karel Hamilton (Strawberry Crest/Samford).

Durant FB Jamarlon Hamilton (FAMU) and Plant City OL Seth Crowell (Florida Tech/Miami preferred walk-on) are both pending commitments.

3

Number of Strawberry Crest boys basketball players who recorded double figures in the Chargers’ 75-51 win against Lennard in the regular season finale. Malik Channer led SCHS with 19 points, while Devin Diggs had 15, and Karel Hamilton scored 11.

140.5

Points the Durant High School Wrestling team scored at the Class 3A District 6 tournament Saturday. The Cougars finished second overall behind host Brandon High.

SPREAD IT ON THICK by Rob Lee

O B S E RV E R C RO S S WO R D

2. Q L J L N

File photo

Plant City's Devyn Salmon (55) made his longtime commitment to Michigan State official Wednesday.

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SAVE MORE GREEN AT BLACKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

Promos Plant City Owned & Operated

LV4878

P werful

120 N. Collins Street Plant City, FL 33563

PENS s MUGS s SHIRTS s BAGS HATS s AWARDS s PINS s ETC...

Pain & Stress Relief

Commercial Only

Don & Tina Cribbs Owners LV 4

88 4

Providing Clean Service You Expect!

provisioncleaning1@gmail.com

(813) 764-4039 Licensed & Insured Family Owned & Operated

Central Florida Massage Reg. 1 hr massage $65

Est. 1985

February Special: 1 hr Massage $50 Judy Fulmer, lmt mmp, MA6278 www.jaflmt@gmail.com 1801 Thonotosassa Rd. Suite 2 Plant City, FL 33563 Bus. (813) 752-5943 Cell (813) 629-5455

y a D s â&#x20AC;&#x2122; e n i t n e l a V y p Hap 101895

PROVISION CLEANING SERVICE

LV4879

www.Bpowerfulpromos.com Ph (813) 737-4600 Cell (813) 764-5535

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013

103573

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