02.28.13 PLCO

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PLANT CITY

You. Your neighbors. Your neighborhood.

NEWS

FESTIVAL FUN

Plant City girl battles life with brittle bones.

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OUR TOWN + See you at the Strawberry Festival!

Throughout the entire 2013 Florida Strawberry Festival, make sure you surf into PlantCityObserver.com for exclusive coverage, video packages and more.

Our photographers will be on-site daily to capture all the sights and faces at this year’s festival, so make sure you stop by to say hello.

And for the first time, you’ll also be able to purchase our photos from our online store, plantcityobserver.smugmug. com.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

The Plant City Observer wishes you a fun-filled, rain-free festival!

SPORTS

Plant City's DI Polo hosts charity classic.

PAGE 1B

down to business

around the world By Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

TRIP OF A

Dart throws anniversary celebration

LIFETIME

The company has operated in Plant City for 30 years.

+ Durant squad gets down on YouTube The Harlem Shake craze has hit Plant City.

Members of the baseball team from Durant High School posted recently a video of their own rendition of the Internet sensation. So far, the Cougars seem to be knocking it out of the park online, garnering more than 2,000 views in less than two days.

To view the video, visit PlantCityObserver.com.

Courtesy photos

Skyler and Jordan McDonald said good-bye to their normal day-to-day routines to travel the globe.

+ Local church gets snuggly Members of Hope Lutheran Church brought a few extraspecial guests with them Feb. 17, to celebrate the church’s annual Teddy Bear Sunday.

This event, led by Hope’s Human Care Ministry Team, challenges Hope members to bring teddy bears to church with them to be donated to those in need. In previous years, Hope has donated bears to the Plant City police and fire departments, Hope members serving in Iraq, children in New York City following the 9/11 attacks, United Food Bank and Baptist Children’s Homes.

This year, the church donated about 250 bears to South Florida Baptist Hospital. They will be given to patients in the ER, pediatrics unit and more.

For more, call Hope Lutheran at (813) 752-4622.

Two Plant City natives are on a year-long journey across the world after leaving their day jobs in the dust.

Skyler McDonald certainly had done her homework.

She devised preliminary budgets and itineraries; she had read the trials and tribulations of those who had come before her. She knew the answers to every possible question.

After all, when you’re telling your parents you and your new husband are quitting your jobs and abandoning your stateside lives to travel around the world for an entire year, you need to come prepared.

Plant City natives Skyler and her husband, Jordan, boarded Jan. 10 a plane bound for Bangkok, Thailand.

Theirs were one-way tickets.

Currently, the couple is in Cambodia, with Vietnam planned for March. The McDonalds are chronicling their journey via their blog, 180degreeswest.com.

And what lies ahead ... Well, that’s for them to decide.

TRAVEL COMPANIONS

Jordan and Skyler met at Plant City High School and both attended the University of Florida, where their relationship blossomed. In May 2008, they had a small wedding in Plant City.

Skyler graduated from law school and landed a job with a large firm in Atlanta, where she and Jordan found a home for a few years. Jordan — who majored in industrial engineering — worked as a consultant.

According to Skyler’s mom, Peggy Smith, her daughter always has been adventurous.

“She’s always liked to travel,” she remembers. “This (the world trip) was all her idea — and that came as no surprise to me.”

THE ITINERARY January: Thailand February: Laos and Cambodia March: Vietnam April: Thai Islands, Malaysia, Singapore May: India June: Middle East (Jordan, Israel, possibly Egypt) July: Turkey and Greece August to September: Eastern Europe Late September: Oktoberfest in Munich October 1 to 13: Repositioning cruise from Copenhagen to Miami Late October: Possibly South America (Peru, Argentina and Chile

SEE TRAVEL / PAGE 2

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

Neighbor......................2

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

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

Dart Container sure knows how to throw a party.

Several bounce houses kept kids occupied as they slid down a slide to get their picture taken with Spiderman and Tinkerbell. Employees of Dart Container came out to the site at 4610 Airport Road for lunch during the Plant City office’s Dart Container 30th anniversary party.

Those in attendance included Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, Mayor Mike Sparkman and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

“We just wanted to show an appreciation for our employees and their families,” Plant Manager Jimmy Rigdon said.

Rigdon has been with Dart Container for 46 years and with the Plant City office since the beginning. He transferred from a Georgia facility to start the Plant City location. Distribution started in October 1982, and production started shortly after in 1983.

“It was hard work and took some long hours to get going,” Rigdon said.

The Plant City location started with just 35 employees. It is now up to 250 employees.

Before the recession, numbers reached around 300 employees.

“We do seem to be rebounding from the economic downturn,” Rigdon said.

Dart Container started as a small machine shop in Mason, Mich. Established in 1937, it was known as Dart Manufac-

SEE DART / PAGE 2

Amber Jurgensen

Dart’s celebration featured plenty of family friendly fun.

Vol. 1, No. 1 | One section PlantCityObserver.com

2 PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

Thursday, February 28, 2013

NEIGHBORS

Ben Rawnsley Like many working professionals, Ben Rawnsley has a home office. But instead of paperwork piled high on his desk, Rawnsley has awardnominated DVD copies of movies that aren’t even released yet, sent directly to him by the Screen Actors Guild.

And on his wall are pictures of movie stars, autographed to him. Even more impressive, pictures of him and movie stars posing for the shot, nonchalantly on set.

In fact, Rawnsley himself is a movie star. One Google search yields hundreds of results, including an impressive IMBd filmography, where he appears in 23 titles, including movies starring Tom Hanks and Tom Selleck. And not even all of his appearances are listed on the IMBd site.

Despite his success, Rawnsley wasn’t always an actor.

He was working in TV sales in Ohio, while his friend, Bob Smith, was working as a model in Chicago. Eventually, Smith talked Rawnsley into doing a shoot —an advertisement for the company that owned Yellow Pages southern Ohio. He didn’t get paid, but the shoot piqued his interest in modeling.

After the shoot, Rawnsley flipped through magazines looking at other male models.

“I saw dads, I saw farmers, (and) I thought, ‘I could do this,’” Rawnsley said.

Rawnsley had caught the acting bug. He did local commercials for department stores in Dayton. Then he set his eyes on a bigger city.

Rawnsley and his wife, Jayne, moved to Chicago, where he got an agent.

Rawnsley had amazing beginner’s luck. In industry terms, he just had the look. He booked national spots, including McDonalds, several beer companies and Oscar Meyer commercials.

Chicago allowed Rawnsley to become a working actor.

But when Jayne was offered a transfer to Los Angeles with her real estate management company, the two jumped at the opportunity.

Los Angeles is where Rawnsley was able to shine. TV shows and movies paid better than commercials, and he was getting roles in both. Rawnsley has played everything from a detective to a butcher.

In 1986, starred in a minor roles one of the advertising representatives alongside Tom Hanks. The movie, “Nothing in Common,” was directed

by Garry Marshall. Rawnsley was in a softball league with Marshall.

“I said, ‘Gary, here’s my

What do A-listers Tom Hanks and Madonna have in common? They both have shared the silver screen with Walden Lake resident and actor Ben Rawnsley.

résumé. I’ll never bother you again,’” Rawnsley said.

Marshall must have appreciated Rawnsley’s frankness.

He asked Rawnsley to come read for the part. While on the movie, Rawnsley played poker with Hanks. They called it “Extras Poker.”

“He’s like a buddy you’ve known your whole life,” Rawnsley said. “A very easy guy to work with.”

Rawnsley also worked with Madonna on the film, “Who’s that Girl.” During a break, he sat next to her for lunch.

“She was talking and everyone was laughing at what she was saying,” Rawnsley said.

“She turned to me and said, ‘Isn’t it funny how everything I say is funny?’”

Rawnsley’s filmography also includes “Continental Divide” and “An Innocent Man. Rawnsley also worked on several TV shows, including the “Young and the Restless” and “Golden Girls.”

To this day, Rawnsley still gets residual checks from an episode airing. He also gets phone calls from friends

saying they saw him on the “Golden Girls” as Dr. Jerry.

“It’s still fun to get a call from time to time,” Jayne said.

Rawnsley and Jayne moved to Plant City to be between Orlando and Tampa for gigs, but he no longer acts. Instead, he works on his video business, producing wedding videos, commercials and even a documentary on the strawberry season.

“You don’t work a day in you life if you love what you do,” Jayne said.

— Amber Jurgensen

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We make all decisions locally and offer all the modern banking services you expect.

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“Banking on a First Name Basis”

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PlantCityObserver.com

Thursday, February 28, 2013

3

education

By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Science students earn bids to national contests Students from Durant High School flexed their mental muscle at two different competitions last weekend.

The Plant City community is coming together to help raise money for 12-year-old Breanna Coleman.

Courtesy photo

Broken bones ... not a broken heart BRAVE GIRL

By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Breanna Coleman, diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta, has broken 37 bones in her life. She will travel in March to West Virgina for surgery.

Twelve-year-old Breanna Coleman has had 37 broken bones and undergone 14 surgeries. She lives every day is lived with caution — and with an impending accident looming over her head. Something as simple as pulling a Band Aid off her arm could break it.

And it has.

Breanna has osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition she was born with that causes fragile bones. Known more commonly as brittle bones, the disease is caused by defect in the gene that produces type 1 collagen. In Breanna’s case, her disease resulted in a genetic mutation, but in most cases, it is inherited from the parent.

“It’s a learning experience,” Breanna’s mother, Samantha, said. “I’ve got to do things I never thought I would do or be strong enough to do.”

The smaller than average Shiloh Charter School sixth-grader is confined to a power wheelchair. Although she is labeled “brittle,” Breanna’s outlook on life remains resilient. Munching on mac-andcheese at Panera Bread, a pretty orange, pink and purple bow in her hair, Breanna chatted about enjoying drawing, reading “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” watching Harry Potter and learning Spanish in her class, which is “kind of hard, kind of easy.”

But as she goes through life, Breanna has to balance surgeries and injuries.

Breanna will travel in March, to West Virginia for her next major surgery consultation. The surgery will be to straighten her back, which has severe sclerosis. If her spine isn’t corrected, then her organs can be pushed together, and she could go into bronchial arrest.

But, the surgery is costly.

“I’m not really sure how it’s all going to work out,” Samantha, a pharmacy technician at Walmart, said. “I’m not one to ask for money, but I could probably buy a house for the price it’s going to cost me.”

SUPPORT

Samantha, a concerned mother, has

Want to help?

Want to help Breanna raise money for her surgery? Email her mother, Samantha, at brelifechange@yahoo.com.

given everything out of love for her daughter. A patient at Shriners Hospital for Children in Tampa since birth, Breanna has received pamidronate IV treatment that helps strengthen her bones.

But only one doctor in the Tampa area has performed this type of back surgery.

Through their support group, Samantha learned about a more experienced doctor in West Virginia. She knew that doctor was the one she would trust with the life of her daughter.

Already, the Plant City community has come together to help the Colemans.

Samantha’s uncle, Dennis Barnhart, is a member of the Plant City Elks Lodge.

During the annual Wild Game Cookout earlier this month, he spread the word about Breanna. The Elks Lodge ended up raising $2,400 for the surgery.

Barnhart brought the cash over to the Colemans without them knowing and dumped it on Breanna’s head.

“I was surprised,” Breanna said. “I was happy.”

“You don’t realize how much people care,” Samantha said.

Samantha and Breanna have put collection buckets out at area businesses and Shiloh Charter School is having classes collect lose change for Breanna.

BECOMING BREANNA

Breanna was born Sept. 14, 2000, by cesarian section. Her legs were broken and spread unnaturally apart. But, even before her birth, Samantha had been expecting a unique baby girl.

During one of her sonograms early in Samantha’s pregnancy, the doctor left the room. Samantha knew something was wrong. When the doctor came back,

they shared that they thought her baby may have dwarfism because of her short legs.

“At this point, my doctor discussed me having an abortion — it was almost like he recommended it,” Samantha wrote in story for her church during her first Mother’s Day. “I was mad, angry, upset, confused. I wanted to know, ‘Why me?

Why my baby?’

“Then one of God’s miracles occurred,” she wrote. “She moved. At that point, I knew I could not have an abortion — no matter what was wrong with her. She became Breanna to me that day.”

ONE DAY AT A TIME

Growing up has been a challenge. Since she was 2 years old, Breanna has been in a wheelchair. The Colemans have had to build wheelchair ramps at their house, and Breanna has an aide at school. Now, she has a power chair to help.

“It’s a lot easier,” Breanna said. “And I can go up and down, too.”

“It gave her her independence, because she wasn’t strong enough to move the manual chair,” Samantha said. “Now she can be a normal 12-year-old.”

When she’s not in her chair, she scoots around on the floor. But she hasn’t always been confined. With physical therapy, Breanna was up and walking in 2011, before she underwent arm surgery to put rods in for strengthen purposes.

“There’s never a dull moment,” Samantha said.

Breanna has broken many bones.

Twice she’s broken both her legs at the same time. She broke her tibia trying to stand up in the car. Another time, her little sister, Katelynn, bumped into a fireplace grate which fell on top of Breanna.

“Basically, it’s being careful and always knowing our surrounds,” Samantha said.

“Sometimes, it’s just one day at a time, one hour at a time.”

But still, the soon to be teenager always finds a way to heal.

Her advice to other young women dealing with adversity or challenges: “When something brings you down, don’t let it stop you. Keep going.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.

Bill Nye the science guy has nothing on Durant High School’s Science Club.

Two teams from the Plant City school competed at two separate science events last weekend, and both placed.

Moreover, one already is guaranteed a spot in a national competition.

Durant’s National Ocean Science Bowl team won the regional science bowl, held Feb. 23, at the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus. They will be representing the region at the national event that will take place in Milwaukee, Wis. There are two regions in Florida and 25 in the nation.

“We’re extremely proud of the team and fully expect them to represent Durant very well,” Science Club sponsor Jeremy Lynch said.

This will be the fourth time Durant has qualified for the national competition.

The National Ocean Science Team includes seniors Macie Jones, Jamie Neylan and Ricardo Areingdale; junior Eduardo Areingdale; and sophomore Chris Springfield. Their coach is Kelly Cook.

The National Ocean Science Bowl is a jeopardy-style quiz competition.

“Ocean science is more interesting than the others,” Jones said. “I like the animals and the chemistry of it.”

Durant also had two second-place finishes and one third-place finish at the regional competition for the Science Olympiad at the Hillsborough County Community College Campus, in Brandon.

“We will find out soon if this will be sufficient to qualify for the state competition,” Lynch said.

Durant participants included seniors Steven Aubain, Jennifer Callejas, Marianna Curcio, Brian Daley, Jesse Mathis, Lexi Vandenberg and Brandy Bradell; juniors Daniel Butler, Jennifer Butler, Shelby Januzys, Nick Wilbur and Jahvon Johnson; sophomores Cassandra Hanlon and Sara Skapyak; and freshmen Irwing Nieto and Jake Raschke. Their coach is Missy Allison.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.

THREE’S COMPANY Another Durant High School team will be competing in the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science’s National Science Bowl March 9, at Cypress Bay High School, in Weston. The winner of the regional competition will advance to the National Science Bowl, which the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science hosts annually to encourage today’s youth to pursue careers in science and math.

Like the National Ocean Science Bowl, the National Science Bowl is a jeopardystyle competition. Students competing include seniors Natalie Raschke and Jacob Bernier; junior Brent Hovan; sophomore Ashley Womer; and freshman Aidan McFarland. Their coach is Jeremy Lynch.

A team from Strawberry Crest High School also will be competeing in the National Science Bowl.

4 PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2013

NEWSBRIEFS The Plant City Police Department arrested 82-year-old Efrain Rosa Vargas, of Plant City, on charges of sexual battery on a victim under 12 years old, lewd and lascivious molestation on a victim under 12 years old, lewd and lascivious exhibition, lewd and lascivious molestation, and showing obscene materials to a minor.

Vargas’ arrest stems from allegations that he engaged in inappropriate behavior with two minor children on Feb. 15.

+ South Florida Baptist hosts annual celebration South Florida Baptist Hospital honored many of its staff members during the annual Awards Banquet Celebration Feb. 21, at the HCC John R. Trinkle Center.

The banquet featured remarks from COO Steve Nierman. Chris Russ was recognized as Team Member of the Year. The hospital also honored employees who have been with the company for five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years, as well as those who had perfect attendance.

+ Plant City car crash kills one Members of the Plant City Police Department’s Traffic Management Unit continue to investigate a fatal traffic crash that occurred at about 9 p.m. Feb. 20, at the intersection of West State Road 574 and Elnor Street around 9 p.m. last night.

According to investigators, Hildiberto Salmeron, of Seffner, was traveling eastbound along S.R. 574 when he lost control of his 2000 Toyota and crossed the double yellow line. Linda Washington Box, a Plant City resident, was driving westbound on S.R. 574 in a 1996

Dodge approaching Salmeron.

According to witnesses, Box swerved to avoid a collision but was too late.

Salmeron struck Box head-on.

Plant City Fire Rescue extricated Box from the vehicle and transported her to South Florida Baptist Hospital. She was later pronounced dead as a result of the injuries she sustained in the crash.

Salmeron sustained minor injuries.

The investigation continues at this time, and more information will be released as it becomes available. No charges have been filed as of this release.

Anyone with any information about this traffic crash is encouraged to call Sgt. Al VanDuyne, of the Plant City Police Department’s Traffic Management Unit, at (813) 757-9200.

+ Ross to host office hours in Plant City U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross’s staff will host mobile office hours the second Tuesday of every month all across Florida’s 15th Congressional District.

An aide will be available from 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. at Plant City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St., Plant City.

The mobile office hours are scheduled to serve as a convenience to constituents to assist with federal agencies.

For more information, call the district office, (863) 644-8215.

+ First Church of God presents gospel concert Gospel performers Woody and Vonnie Wright will perform at 6 p.m. March 3, at the First Church of God, 601 N. Gordon St., Plant City.

Woody Wright is a regular on the Gaither Homecoming videos and one of the country’s foremost Gospel songwriters.

The guardsmen will travel first to the mobilization site in Camp Shelby, Miss.

National Guardsmen leave Plant City HQ Plant City residents showed their patriotism and support Feb. 23, as about 120 guardsmen of the Florida Army National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery left their Plant City headquarters for a nine-month deployment to Qatar, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Before crossing the ocean, the guardsmen will head to the mobilization site in Camp Shelby, Miss. After training for about 40 days, the battalion will depart for Qatar, a sovereign Arab state, located on the Arabian Peninsula off the border of Saudi Arabia.

The Plant City Elks Lodge showed its support for the guardsmen.

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+ Man, 82, arrested on molestation charges

godspeed By Michael Eng | Managing Editor

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2013

5

NUMBERS GAME By Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Former Mayor Randy Larson hits the open road for PSI Randy Larson traveled to 85 PSI offices throughout the country as part of his motivational tour to double the company’s revenue.

Randy Larson made the 20,000-mile trip solo.

“Seriously, this ‘500 in Five’ has been the greatest thing ever in the whole 12plus years that I have been with PSI,” Bob Hart, with construction services at the St. Louis office, said to Larson. “Now, I can really feel a connection between the offices, and seeing the faces and all of the pictures makes us more ‘human’ to each other and not just a voice on the phone or an email across the states.”

Larson made the solo tour in his 45-foot diesel pusher. The hardest part of the trip for him was driving the long stretches between some of the western offices. When he made the trip to California, his first stop from Florida was in El Paso, Texas, which took three days to reach. On the opposite extreme, driving in congested city streets also was challenging, but he managed to parallel park the monster motor coach at least a dozen times.

“I actually found the time to be very therapeutic,” Larson said. “I was by myself quite a bit of the time, a lot of ‘thought’ time. I saw parts of the country that I had only seen previously from 30,000 feet. It was good to see the USA from the ground.”

To Larson, the five-month trip did its job of inspiring the offices and connecting them on the roadmap to success.

“PSI has set the stage for growth and created awareness (for) each and every employee by how they do or don’t do their job impacts growth and success,” Larson said. “PSI executive management is confident in the direction we are headed and that we will meet our goal. The good news is that (more than) 50% of PSI’s offices are currently growing at the rate required to make ‘500 in Five’ a reality. And, we are taking strategic actions to build on this and get everyone growing.”

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.

Courtesy photos

PSI’s Dallas employees loved having President Randy Larson visit their office in the Lone Star State.

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Although Randy Larson only has served as president of Professional Service Industries since October 2011, his presence is felt throughout the company.

Early on, he set a large goal for the company: Grow from a $200 million business in 2011 to a $500 million business in five years. As motivation for his “500 in Five” plan, Larson drove his own Monaco Signature Series motor coach more than 20,000 miles to all of PSI’s 85 offices to visit his teams.

“This is a big goal for the company, and sometimes, you need a big goal to get the attention of management and staff to take actions to significantly grow and take market share,” Larson said. “Although the goal may be big, it is certainly realistic and achievable. Regardless of the economic and political environment, some firms grow and outperform both the marketplace and its competitors. PSI intends to be this type of firm.”

Larson was Plant City’s mayor from 1996 to 1999. He served on the commission for nine years until 2002. Now as PSI’s president, he splits his time between the Tampa office and its corporate office in Chicago. For Larson, there isn’t much of a difference between running a city and running a business.

“When I was mayor, I always considered the citizens as ‘shareholders’ of the company,” Larson said. “Decisions were always made in the best interest of the shareholders and the company. I was generally not swayed by the ‘volume of the few.’”

The idea to take a tour of PSI’s offices came from discussions with PSI’s CEO and CMO. They wondered how they could get a new president to meet and learn more about PSI. “It evolved into bus tour and wrapping the bus to be a rolling growth billboard for the company,” Larson said.

The tour started June 4, 2012, in Pensacola, and ended Nov. 14, in Riviera Beach.

Larson traveled from coast to coast, visiting offices from California to Massachusetts. At each office, he explained “500 in Five,” discussed growth strategies and how to target clients. He had coffee, asked questions, answered questions and met with management teams and inspectors.

“This was a big deal for PSI and our offices and brought the entire company together as one,” Larson said. “The offices very much looked forward to my visits and were exceptionally receptive to the message of growth and optimism — and to working together as a team to improve and succeed.”

Many offices came up with meals and mementos for Larson to take with him, such as a giant gold hammer. One employee even wrote and sang a song about PSI achieving “500 in Five.”

6 PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2013

cerns. For Wally and his wife, Diane McDonald, it was affordability.

“That’s the million-dollar question,” Wally says. “They don’t seem to be too concerned about it, and I guess that’s a good thing. They’re both responsible and have good heads on their shoulders.”

According to Peggy, there is no more perfect a timne than now for a trip of such magnitude. The couple has no kids, no house (they rented) and were able to figure out life’s other “tie downs.”

Skyler sold her car, Jordan gifted his to his parents (to eliminate car insurance costs), they paid off all debts placed their valuables in long-term storage.

The only commitment they left behind is their beloved dog, Heidi, whom Skyler’s parents are watching during the journey.

TRAVEL / FROM PAGE 1 In high school, Skyler says her ambition was limited to getting into a good college and snagging a cute boyfriend.

“Check and check,” she says.

While in high school, Skyler studied abroad in New Zealand — an experience she says changed her life.

“It was an incredible experience,” she says. “Something I’d recommend to anyone interested in travel.”

While at Florida, Skyler convinced Jordan to backpack through Europe for a month during his last winter break. It was just six months before the couple married.

“On that trip, we met loads of Aussies and Brits taking a ‘gap year’ between high school and university or university and professional life to travel the world,” Jordan says. “I had no idea people did such a thing, but I thought it sounded great.”

All that led to one Friday night out at one of the couple’s favorite spots in Atlanta.

EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER

she was prepared to drop delicate hints, making Jordan think it was his idea. But, what actually happened was anything but subtle.

“I blurted out, ‘Sooo, I’ve been thinking that we should quit our jobs and travel the world for a year,’” she wrote in her blog.

It took only a few more conversations before Skyler had Jordan convinced.

“It was very organic, and before I knew it, the idea of abandoning the trip was just as crazy as the idea to begin with,” Skyler says.

MEET THE PARENTS

As one can imagine, the McDonalds’ toughest task was the conversations with Mom and Dad. But, by the time Jordan and Skyler broke the news, it was no longer an idea. The trip already was planned.

“It was a done deal at that point,” Peggy says. “It’s certainly surprising for two kids from a small town to shut down their lives and travel the world.”

They had the expected con-

Dart Container has offices around the U.S. and the world including Florida, Georgia, Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, Brazil and Argentina.

Every year, Dart Container gives a specified amount of funds to each office to give to schools or organizations through its the Dart Foundation. For the company’s 50th anniversary in 2010, the Plant City office was given $25,000, which they directed at STEM, science and technology programs in schools. Burney Elementary School received interactive whiteboards, and Walden Lake Elementary School

received technology equipment.

“It’s very important,” Rigdon said of the program. “It sends a message to the community about what Dart is about. Its not just a company that is here to make money. It’s also a company that wants to be part of the community.”

Rigdon also loves the security and the way the company operates.

“The Dart family has always impressed me with their business decisions and by surrounding themselves with good people,” Rigdon said.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver. com.

Dart Container donates to the local community through its foundation.

Courtesy photos

Skyler McDonald enjoyed all the historic sights in Thailand.

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turing Company. The business prospered through the manufacture of products such as plastic key cases, steel tape measures and identification tags for the armed services. Subsequent experimentation with expandable polystyrene in the late 1950s led to a line of high quality insulated foam cups. Customers took a liking to foam cups, and sales took off.

Dart manufactures a broad range of quality single-use products for the food-service, retail/ consumer and food packaging industries. It is the world’s largest manufacturer of foam cups.

my own experience or the experience of anyone I know.

“Every day is a challenge — figuring out the unfamiliar,” she says. “We’re constantly in a new place, where we don’t know the language, or how to get from place to place, or how to order a meal. That’s both exciting and exhausting.”

Jordan and Skyler spent February in Laos and Cambodia, with Vietnam on the itinerary for March, followed by the Tai Islands, Malaysia and Singapore.

Other destinations include, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and possibly South America.

As with anything, plans always can change. The full year for the trip is more of a goal than a set in stone plan. Skyler says one of the hardest parts so far has been not to splurge, because this is no typical vacation, where such spending habits are common.

“We have to impose limits on ourselves, our budget and our lifestyle,” she says. “To do otherwise would leave us broke, fat and miserable.”

Through it all, they say they highly suggest this to anyone that has ever given it consideration.

“Whether your crazy idea is to travel the world, to write a book, to restore an old car, whatever, think carefully and strategically about how to make it happen,” Jordan says. “Think about what’s stopping you and question whether that’s important.”

Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver. com.

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DART / FROM PAGE 1

The Plant City Observer will be revisiting with the McDonalds throughout their journey. You also can follow Jordan and Skyler on their blog, 180degreeswest.com.

After a 22-hour flight, Jordan and Skyler spent about 22 days in Thailand to begin their trip.

“The street food scene in Bangkok is incredible,” Jordan says. “On every corner of the city, with a population greater than New York City, there are men and women cooking up these incredible dishes at insanely cheap prices.”

The couple spent the most money on food and drinks in Thailand, spending $507.81, significantly more than lodging, which cost only $360.37. The couple breaks down spending and budget updates on the blog as a reference for others who may want to follow in their footsteps.

For Skyler, her favorite moments so far have been a two-day Mekong River boat trip, the majestic Angkor Wat, in Cambodia, and the street food in Bankok.

“I simply didn’t know what to expect,” Skyler says.

“Traveling for a year is outside

THE PLAN

It was at The Porter, a beer pub that has an interior resembling a wooden ship, where Skyler shared the idea. It was something that she had been considering for a few months before letting her other half know.

“My biggest worry was Jordan dismissing the idea as too risky or crazy,” she says. “Thankfully, I married someone with the same love for travel as me, and he was ecstatic about the idea.”

The convincing argument? Cuisine.

“He’s a food addict,” says Jordan’s dad, Wally McDonald.

“They both grew up in the country, but he always loved to try different foods.”

Skyler wrote in her blog that

STAY IN TOUCH

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2013

TRIBUTE

7

health matters By Michael Eng | Managing Editor

by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Family remembers Mobile office brightens smiles 100 students from Bryan Elementary School Neva Wilson Merckle About received dental care through a countywide program.

Smiles at Bryan Elementary will be a little brighter, thanks to a new countywide dental program.

Through a partnership among the Florida Department of Health of Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Tampa Family Health Centers, Suncoast Community Health Centers and MORE Health Inc., two mobile dental offices visited eight Title 1 schools throughout the county to offer preventative care to second-graders.

Suncoast Community Health Centers Director and dentist Dr. Randy Valdez led the mobile unit dedicated to Eastern Hillsborough County, which rolled into Plant City Feb. 18, to serve about 100 students at Bryan. Valdez and his team of assistants examined and treated each student. Those with permanent teeth also received a dental sealant that can protect the teeth for as long as 10 years.

Exams required parental consent.

“We’re very delighted,” Valdez said of the program. “We’ve had a very high percentage of parent consent.”

The mobile unit’s visit to Bryan was the culmination of the program that began in the classroom with a mascot and story, titled “Mojo’s Dental Sealant Day,” and other tools designed to enhance education, said Kim Herremans, community dental health coordinator Department of Health.

The program targets secondgraders, because that is the age in which students get their first permanent teeth. It also is the perfect age in which to cement good dental habits, Herremans said.

The program began as an initiative to target pediatric dental

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disease. The mobile aspect of the Hillsborough program allows the agencies to combat the largest barriers to children receiving care: time and logistics.

“For many of these parents, transportation is an issue,” Herremans said. “And for the population we serve, if they miss a

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The treatment, made possible by a $386,000 grant from the state, was added Feb. 20, said Kim Herremans, community dental health coordinator Department of Health.

The Plant City Commission debated the project for more than five years. In 2010, commissioners voted to pursue the state grant, which was obtained last summer.

The commission will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. March 1, at the corner of Cherry Street and Wilder Road.

day of work, they may not have that job when they get back.”

Bryan Assistant Principal Jarrod Haneline said he is pleased with the program.

“This is a luxury that these students don’t normally have,” he said. “For many of our parents, missing a day of work ... means no meal.”

Surprisingly, Herremans said about 80% of the students the program served this year actually carried dental insurance or Medicaid coverage. In those cases, the program billed the providers directly. For those who are not insured, a $184,000 federal grant is utilized to cover costs.

In addition to Bryan, the program visited Cork Elementary in Plant City, as well as six other schools, Gibsonton, Mort, Ruskin, Shaw, Sulphur Springs and Witter elementary schools.

In March, Herremans will present statistics to the Hillsborough County School Board for evaluation. She hopes to expand the program next year.

Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.

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Suncoast Community Health Centers Director and dentist Dr. Randy Valdez led the mobile unit dedicated to Eastern Hillsborough County.

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graduation, Mrs. Merckle and DeShong began to barrel racing. Mrs. Merckle became a champion rider.

When Roy Thacker opened the small First Federal Savings & Loan Neva Wilson Merckle was the at the Plant City Arcade, Mrs. Merfirst and only branch manager at ckle became its first employee. The the Plant City office of the Clerk bank is now known as Sunshine of Circuit Court. The position was State Federal Savings.

Mrs. Merckle and DeShong diretired with her in 2001, after 32 vorced, and Mrs. Merckle met her years of service.

Mrs. Merckle died Feb. 14, Valen- second husband, Arden Mays Mertine’s Day, after a battle with Lou ckle, at the luncheon counter at McCrory’s. They married in 1961.

Gehrig’s disease.

Arden Mays Merckle already had “Neva passed two children from a previous marfrom this world into riage. After returning to Plant City heaven to be with from Tennessee, where Arden atthe Lord and is now tended law school, the two built a out of pain, young house in the country and had their and running the first son, Arden Mays Merckle Jr., in show, I am sure,” 1964. her son, Arden Mays Neva Merckle Mrs. Merckle returned to work at Merckle, said.

First Federal, and Merckle Sr. beIn February 2011, Mrs. Merckle was diagnosed with came a judge. The two also began amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, to show Arabian horses. In 1969, known more commonly as Lou the couple showed some of Wayne Gehrig’s disease. She was given Newton’s horses in the National three to five years to live, seven at Arabian Horse Show. Horse ribbons covered their two-story enmost.

“She was brave and kept her trance room.

In 1969, Mrs. Merckle began her smile and tried her best during the last two years of her life,” Arden career with the Clerk of Circuit Court in Plant City. There were Mays Merckle said.

Mrs. Merckle was born Neva Jac- only five employees at the time.

Mrs. Merckle and Merckle Sr. queline Wilson, in Bartow, to Roland Coston Wilson and Beryl No- divorced in 1974, and Mrs. Merrine Forbes. Her father died when ckle and her son moved out of she was just 18 months old, leav- their country home. She kept her ing her mother to raise her alone. A son busy in activities such as the nurse at Tampa General Hospital, school band, the church as an Acoher mother fell on hard times and lyte at St. Peter’s Episcopal, scoutgave Mrs. Meckle to her parents to ing and his studies — all while running the Clerk of Circuit Court’s be raised.

Mrs. Merckle grew up in Zeph- office. By then end of the 1970s, yrhills until 1951, when she met the office had grown with 30 to 40 her first husband, Marshall Ed- employees.

In 2008, her son, who had lived ward DeShong, at an ice skating rink. The couple moved to Plant in Atlanta to pursue his career as City, and she graduated with hon- an artist, moved back to Plant City ors in 1953, from Plant City High to help her manage her health and School. She was a member of the open a business in town.

“There will never be another National Honors Society.

Mrs. Merckle loved horses. After Neva,” her son said.

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After a battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease, Neva Merckle died Feb. 14.

8 PlantCityObserver.com PlantCityObserver.com

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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.”

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Founding Publisher / Felix Haynes General Manager and 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 Executive / Veronica Prostko, vprostko@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

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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.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER Plant city observer

Thursday, February 28, 2013 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

by Michael eng | Managing Editor in focus PAST & PRESENCE Mary Jane was crowned by Mary Linda Clapham, co-winner of the 1955 National Strawberry Queen contest, and Mayor J.J. Huntley, becoming the first National Strawberry Queen at the second National Strawberry Queen competition, Aug. 11, 1956.

Durant’s ricardo reyes is excited to She immediately telephoned to be participating in this year’s inform Blain and the supporting parades.

Jaycees in Plant City that she had won. It was nearly 2 a.m. in Plant City. Blain, Jaycees President Bill Gunn and others awaiting the call were jubilant, as was the entire city when the news spread.

At 10:30 a.m. Aug. 12, Mary Jane, now National Strawberry Queen, and the other contestants rode in a Plymouth convertible motorcade to Strawberry Park, where she sat on the newly conlionsstructed Club Tailthrone TwisterforDavid vick is photographs. a retired clown.

The attendants and Wes Tenbrook joined in for the final celebration.

After the photo session, Mary Jane and her mother flew off to Hollywood for an all-expensesStrawberry Crest’s Genesis cedeño put on clown makeup for the first time. paid tour of the city, including radio and TV appearances, movie studio tours, visits to Courtesy of the Plant City Photo Archives celebrated restaurants and hoNational Strawberry Queen Mary Jane Jackson, of Plant City, sits on the new throne in Strawberry Park in tels, Disneyland, Knotts Berry Glenwood Springs, Colo., alongside Wesley Tenbrook, pageant chairman, and the seven other competing Farm and much more. An agent Strawberry Queens, Aug. 12, 1956.

For first-timers, took about an hour offered toitmanage Mary Jane’s to apply their her makeup.

Eventually, career; mother responded, they’ll“She be able to do it in is already in 15 theminutes. theater.”

(Mary Jane worked in the conBelow: The Durant leos Club particistandparades. at the State Thepatedcession in last year’s atre in Plant City.)

Students from the Leos Clubs When they returned home, the Durant and Strawberry Crest Not to be left idle, Tampa Times announced their This is the conclusion of the some hiking onat Aug. 10, followed deo activities. schools were busy story about Plant City’s Mary Jane by a banquet athigh the Hotel Coloratheclowning queens were shuttled off to a arrival, and they were met by the around Feb. built 16, in ski preparation Jackson who, along with seven do, a magnificent structure lift event at 4 p.m. and back in Jaycees and Mary Jane’s proud for the upcoming Strawother Strawberry Queens, each in 1893. The Glenwood Springs Florida time for a 6:30 p.m. evening meal. grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. berry Festival from a different state, competed Chamber of Commerce had parades. arSlipping into their formal Doug Sims, who escorted them students, the leadin the second annual Naranged forThe escorts for theunder gowns, the queens attended a to a grand reception at the Hotel of Plant Citydance Lions at Club tional Strawberry Queen queens,ership some apparently 9:30 p.m., followed by Plant. Ben Rawlins had contactTailU.S. Twister a retired contest in August 1956, in from the Air David Force Vick, the Parade of Queens for the final ed Gov. Leroy Collins, who then clown, learningjudging. the artMary of Jane remembered contacted Colorado Gov. Edwin Glenwood Springs, Colo.

Academy in are Colorado They willthe participate Pageant officials met them Springs.clowning.

With the queens, telegram received from Bud- Johnson. Both governors sent both the Civitan Club Youth in Denver and drove them escorts, inchaperones and dy Blain shortly before the com- congratulations. Mayor Otis AnParade and the Parade to Glenwood Springs. committee officials and Grand petition: “RELAX IT IS JUST A drews proclaimed it “Mary Jane and will offer balloon creations Wesley Tenbrook, the staff, there were more CONTEST WE ARE BEHIND YOU Jackson Day.” Mary Jane smiled nicole Perez helped fellow plenty of laughs the Desoto-Plymouth dealerDurant leo betsy than 50and individuals joinSOalong SMILE.” and exclaimed, “There’s no place Posadas with her the makeup. parade routes. who convinced Plyming in the festivities.

She smiled. like Plant City.”

GIL outh Motor Company to The next day began Master of Ceremonies Jerry Note: After serving the unexGOTT sponsor the contest and with the Kiwanis Pancake Fitch called the name of the sec- pired term as Florida Strawberry the weeklong, all-expensBreakfast on Grand Av- ond runner-up, “Miss West Vir- Queen, Mary Jane and the late

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor es-paid trip to Hollywood for the enue and featured Aunt Jemima ginia, Patricia Loraine Kelley.” Bill Parolini were married in May queen and her chaperone, led the herself as the hostess. The parade Then, he read the name of the 1957. motorcade to Glenwood Springs started at the Hotel Colorado and first runner-up, “Miss New York, Sources: Mary Jane Jackson Pain new Plymouth convertibles proceeded to the Hot Springs Penny Marrano.” rolini, Panky Morgan Snow Papers with the smiling queens and Pool for the swimsuit judging, Mary Jane thought she was out in the Plant City Photo Archives chaperones aboard. organized by Jerry Fitch and Roy of the running but was relieved it and History Center Library, Plant Finally in Glenwood Springs, Vanderhoof, after brief greet- was almost over. Fitch called out, City Courier, Tampa Daily Times, after the 160-mile trip, the queens ings from Mayor J.J. Huntley and “Meet the new National Straw- Tampa Morning Tribune, Glenwere taken to Hanging Lake for a Chamber President Mike Bosco. berry Queen, Miss Florida, Mary wood Post and Glenwood Springs boat ride and a little rafting on a By 2 p.m., the group found itself Janeevery Jackson.”

Chamber of Commerce.

Residents of Whispering event featuring food, fun and munity events quarter. tributary of the Colorado at The a Lions Club-sponsored Rodeo She wasfeatured stunned.

Gil Gott is executive director of Woods got a little taste River. of friends.

Plant City neigh- The Pardi Gras event Contestants enjoyed a trip borhood, to at thelocated city ballpark, whereauthentic the Pa“It’s you, MaryasJane,” calledDiaz, out 3,the Plant Cityfood Photo Archives & Cajun culture Feb. 16, duroff East dishes such Joselyn loved all the — espethe mountains for a fish fry and rade of Queens preceded the roMildred Jackson.

“Stand up!”

History Center. cially the chocolate-covered strawberries. ing Pardi Gras, a community Alexander Street, hosts com- gumbo and jambalaya.

CLOWNING

aroUnD A real queen she was

Sizzlin’ SoiREE

Whispering Woods adds N’Awlins spice to Plant City spotlight by Amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Teachers take center stage at Knights Elementary show Knights Elementary students gathered in the cafeteria Feb. 20, to watch their favorite teachers sing, perform skits and act silly during the second annual Teacher Talent Show.

The show benefits Relay for Life. Last year, Knights raised $8,000 for Relay for Life with events such as the talent show. Throughout the night, students purchased glow sticks, food and “shout outs,” which were read onstage during the show.

Becky Cooper and fifth-gradaer Cory Nelson performed a duet.

This Zumba-dancing Granny had the audience in hysterics.

Clockwise from above: Dave, Missy and Kaylee thurston and Mackenzie, Kennedy, shane and amy steele brent Meyers, DR Horton Sales Director Paula Meyers and builder Kevin Dindial Jeanette Green and her grandson, Milly and edgar Molina with their nephew, J.J. Gonzalez Joshua Marrero, performed a salsa.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2013

9

SWEET SATURDAY By Michael Eng | Managing Editor

Turkey Creek Middle hosts Relay U-pick event Dozens of strawberry lovers sweetened their Saturday at Turkey Creek Middle School’s Strawberry Project U-pick event.

The school hosted a benefit for Relay for Life. Proceeds from the berry sales will benefit the American Cancer Society.

Matilda Jackson, 18 months, picked strawberries for the first time.

Kenneth Hattaway and Savannah Trapnell loved being out in the strawberry field.

Ava Hasting, 7, worked at the U-pick event.

Megan Baccamazzi worked hard to pick the perfect berries.

Kareen McCollough filled his family’s box to the top.

Save $2.00 on Adult & $1.00 on Youth General Admission Tickets at Sweetbay Supermarkets!

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Teacher Debra Jacobs and Kayden, 2, had a blast at the U-pick event.

Thu. Feb. 28 10:30 Thu. Feb. 28 3:30 Thu. Feb. 28 7:30

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Seating at 3:30 & 7:30pm is on a first come, Mobile App. first seated basis.

BELLE CITY MIDWAY HIGHLIGHTS Thu. Feb. 28 Ride-A-Thon - $20 - Noon - 11 pm Fri. Mar. 1 Sweetbay Supermarket Day on the Midway - Noon - 10 pm. Present any “My Essentials” non-perishable item at gate. Get $4 off Fun Pack Ride Coupon Book Moonlight Magic - $20 - 10 pm - 2 am Sat. Mar. 2 Kid’s Day - All Day Free Admission for Kids through High School Sun. Mar. 3 Mountain Dew Family Day - $5 off

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

Thursday, February 28, 2013

OBSERVEROBITUARIES Carol Jean Breglia

Carol Jean Breglia, 77, of Plant City, died Feb. 23, at her home.

Born Dec. 4, 1935, in Hartford, Conn., she was the daughter of the late Dennis Chaplin and the late Sara Leonard Chaplin.

She was the wife of the late Patrick Breglia.

Survivors include sons, Thomas Breglia and Vincent Breglia; sisters, Delores Tavshanjian and Marilyn Hancock; and three grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her brother, Ralph Chaplin.

The family has not planned any services at this time.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com

A.W. “Britt” Brittingham

A.W. “Britt” Brittingham, 69, of Plant City, died Feb. 21.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Charmaine, and daughter, Hope Elizabeth.

Survivors include his children, Dana Lynn Myers, William Edward Brittingham (Tish) and Robert Bruce Brittingham (Robin); sister, Rosie Mae Lewis; grandchildren, Lila, Nicholas, Austin, and Reagan; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, cancer.org.

Online condolences may be made at hopewellfuneral.com.

Thomas L. Deblieck

Thomas L. Deblieck, 63, of Plant City, died Feb. 24.

He was born on March 2, 1949, in Geneseo, Ill., to Ralph and Marguerite (Park) Deblieck.

Mr. Deblieck worked as a buyer/director of produce for Sweetbay Supermarkets. He loved to play golf at Walden Lake Golf and Country Club and was a member of the St.

Clement Catholic Church in Plant City.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kathleen (Tell) Deblieck; one daughter, Amber Deblieck; and three brothers, Kenneth, Randy and Dennis Deblieck.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m.

March 4, at St. Malachy Catholic Church, in Geneseo. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at wellsmemorial.com.

Dennis L. Foti

Dennis L. Foti, 67, died Feb. 6.

A memorial service was held Feb. 22, at Wells Memorial and Event Center.

Condolences may be offered at wellsmemorial.com.

Marvin L. Goodson

Marvin L. Goodson, 77, of Plant City, died Feb. 21, 2013.

He was retired from the U.S. Navy.

Survivors include his wife, Vera Goodson.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. March 3, at Pleasant Grove Assembly of God Church, 7051 S. Turkey Creek Road, Plant City.

Elbert S. Haynes Sr.

Elbert S. Haynes Sr., 67, of Lakeland, died Feb. 19, under the care of hospice.

He was born in Louisville, Ky., to Gilbert and Mildred (Pipes) Haynes. He worked as a general manager for Sparky’s Convenience Stores for 30 years.

Survivors include two sons, Shaun Haynes and Elbert Samuel Haynes, Jr.; daughter, Pamela Haynes; brother, Ronald Haynes; sister, Ruby Ham; niece, Cynthia Haynes; one great niece; two great neph-

ews; and eight grandchildren.

Condolences may be offered at wellsmemorial.com.

Danny Lee Hilliard

Danny Lee Hilliard, 57 of Ohatchee, Ala., formerly of Plant City, died at his home Feb. 18.

Born March 15, 1955, in Plant City, he was the son of the late R. L. Hilliard and the late Rosie Hersey Hilliard.

He served in the U.S. Army.

Survivors include a son, Danny Hilliard Jr.; daughter, Emily Rose Hilliard; sisters, Nancy Wingate, Janice Hilliard and Judy Coykendall; and grandchildren, Ashlee and John Newsome.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.

Alwyn H. Kendrick

Alwyn H. Kendrick, 94, died Feb. 18, at home.

He was born April 16, 1918, in Clermont.

He was married for 64 years to his wife, Maxine, who died in 2006. He was a founding member of the Turkey Creek First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for several years.

He is survived by three sons, Henry (Judy), Ronald and Robert (Wanda) Kendrick; two daughters, Faye Dixon (Gail) and Carolyn Miller (Charles); 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and three greatgreat-grandchildren.

William Jackson Lister Jr.

William Jackson Lister Jr., 91, of Plant City, died Feb. 20.

Known to all as “Junior,” he was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He served as a mail clerk during World War II and then in the Naval Reserves, retiring in 1984.

In his second career, Mr. Lister worked as a postal worker for 30 years in the United

States Post Office in Plant City and retired in 1985. His last career was cooking breakfast, with eggs as his specialty, at McDonald’s Restaurant on Thonotosassa Road, from which he retired in 2005.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 71 years, Lillian.

He is survived by his sons and daughtersin-law, William “Sonny” and Elaine Lister, and Ferrell and Lynne Lister; eight grandchildren, Lori (Mark) Robinson, Wendee (Jay) Chesser, Joy (Tim) Harrell, Kara (Michael) Monte, Rob (Raquel) Blair, Lizabeth (Bruce) Ferguson, Jessica Moore and Jennifer (Chad) Parish; 22 great-grandchildren, Andrew and Katherine Robinson, Sarah and Caleb Chesser, Nathan, Grace and Audrey Harrell, Emily and Max Monte, Leif, Oisin, Aliyah, and Eden Blair, Alexandria, Danielle and Phillip Ferguson, Michael, Moriah, Madison and Matthew Moore, Abigail and Asher Parish; and sisters-in-law, Kathleen Lister, Bonnie Connell and Elizabeth (Grady) Tadlock.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Plant City’s First Baptist Church or The Florida Baptist Children’s Home, in Lakeland.

Online condolences may be made at hopewellfuneral.com.

Donald Charles Washom

Donald Charles Washom, 88, of Plant City, died Feb. 19, at Sun City Center Hospice House.

Born Sept. 19, 1924 in Chitwood, Mo., he was the son of the late Haywood Washom and the late Minnie Wilkerson Washom. He was the husband of the late Virginia Hetherington Washom.

Don was a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving as chief petty officer in the SeaBees during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was a member of the VFW, the American Legion and the Rod and Gun Club.

Survivors include his son, Darrell Washom; daughter, Deborah Bunker; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK XX XX XX. 13

PLANTCITYObserver.com

show me the mauney

Classic opens eyes to new sport

As I drove down Cowart Road Saturday to arrive at the DI Polo Complex, I still wasn’t sure what to expect.

I’ve covered a wide variety of sports in my still young career, from lacrosse and rugby to Le Mans racing, but the game of polo was still foreign to me.

Rows of exotic cars and private limousines reinforced the notion that polo was, indeed, “the sport of kings.”

But, it is so much more — and offers an experience unlike any other in sports.

Picture an elegant dinner party cenMATT tered around MAUNEY a sport that features the speed and intensity of ice hockey — only on horseback.

For many attendees of the the second annual Reeves Charity Polo Classic, this, too, was their first polo match. The girls seemed to love getting dolled up in sun dresses and decorative hats. There was a moment where I thought this might be the closest I ever get to attending the Kentucky Derby, a lifelong dream.

I can’t say enough about the guests at the event. Everyone was welcoming and cordial.

They also were happy to have their photos taken for the local newspaper, making my job a whole lot easier.

While waiting around for the match to start, I began wonder what exactly it would be like. I’ve seen equestrian shows before, but nothing like this.

The first thing I noticed was the size of the playing field.

At nine times the size of an American football field. It was larger than any other I had ever seen. However, although it was hard to closely follow what was happening at certain times, players were always in sight.

Once the action started, I picked the brain of player Brandi Smith under a sideline tent. As I already knew, you can only learn so much about something from reading. As I saw the match play out and began looking for good camera angles for photos, more questions came to mind.

Smith was friendly and accommodating. Being the

SEE MAUNEY / PAGE 12

THURSDAY, february 28, 2013

update By Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Olympians show support for softball ISF and IBAF officials hope to meet with MLB in coming weeks to determine what level of involvement the league will have in 2020 Olympics if bid is approved.

Olympians Michele Smith and Dot Richardson joined International Softball Federation president Don Porter Feb. 22, at the ISF headquarters in Plant City, for a presentation to local dignitaries on the progress of getting softball back into the Olympic Programme.

It’s a process Porter and others have been hard at work to accomplish after the sport was voted out of the Olympics in 2005, in Singa-

pore.

With the competition of Olympic bids at an all-time high, Porter and the ISF took a big stride last December when they joined with the International Baseball Federation to form the World Baseball Softball Confederation. The joint effort came about as a unified vision to get both sports back in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games on a single bid, with each sport representing a separate discipline.

Porter is the co-president of the WBSC, along with IBAF president Riccardo Fraccari.

“After exploring options, we saw that combining with baseball would give us added value for our bid to be approved,” Porter said to Plant City officials at the meeting, including Mayor Mike Sparkman and City Manager Greg Horwedel.

SUPPORT SYSTEM

With the inclusion of baseball

in the bid, the task then became to find out what level of support and participation professional leagues around the world would have with the WBSC, namely Major League Baseball.

“The International Olympic Committee has a great interest in whether or not MLB will participate in the Olympics,” Porter said.

WBSC officials met with the

SEE SOFTBALL / PAGE 13

flag football by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Photos by Matt Mauney

cutline Below:

Girls on the

Gridiron After winning a district championship four out of the last five years, Plant City could have its deepest team yet, according to head coach Larry Langston.

From soccer and softball players to cheerleaders and calendar girls, the Plant City High School flag football team features a wide range of skill sets.

It’s the main reason why head coach Larry Langston said this may be his deepest and most

talented team yet, despite being young at several positions.

“We have a lot of youth in key positions,” he said. “But I think we have more athletes than ever before.”

The Lady Raiders have established themselves as one of

the best teams in Hillsborough County since flag football was sanctioned as a sport in 2007 by the Florida High School Association. Plant City has claimed district championships in 2008,

SEE FLAG / PAGE 12

12 PlantCityObserver.com

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2013

FIELD GENERAL

FLAG / FROM PAGE 11 2009, 2011 and 2012.

Those four district titles are matched only by East Bay — a District 13 team — in Hillsborough County.

“We were the first to four because we got ours on a Tuesday and they got theirs on a Wednesday,” Langston said.

“That’s our little poke to them.”

Plant City will open the season at home March 19 against that East Bay team.

One of the most important spots to fill going into the season was behind center, after losing three-year starting quarterback Katie Evans to graduation.

But for Langston, there wasn’t much doubt who would take on that role.

“Everyone loved Katie and she was a great leader, but Avery has that same knack,” Langston said of new starter Avery Brown, the starting point guard for the PCHS girls basketball team. “Her mechanics are very good.”

Brown, a s o p h o m o re who was a key contributor as a wide receiver last season, will become just the third quarterback in the eightyear history of the flag football program at PCHS. “We’ve been fortunate not to have a lot of turnover at the quarterback position,” Langston said.

A soft-spoken leader, Brown played quarterback for the Lady Raiders last summer, giving her some experience for the varsity spring season.

“I’ve learned just to keep your head up and eyes down the field,” she said.

Despite her age, Brown has earned the trust of her teammates.

“Everyone knows that she is

our main girl,” said senior captain Ali Grimmel, who is also a cheerleader and a calendar girl at PCHS. “Last year, we saw that she was a star player at wide receiver, and now, she’s our star quarterback, and everyone knows to look up to her now.”

RARE ADDITION

Because they are both spring sports, it is rare to have softball players share their time with a school’s flag football team. The Lady Raiders are fortunate to have three players — Kristen Wyckoff, Shae Coughlin and Kacie Booth — share time.

“She’s been very accommodating to us,” Langston said of softball coach Amanda Sawyer.

“We’re glad we’ve got three great girls.”

A senior committed to play softball for the University of South Florida, Wyckoff should be the biggest addition to Langston’s team. With her speed and acceleration, Wyckoff instantly became one of the fastest on the team, and Langston plans to use her in a variety of skill positions.

“She’s going to be kind of like our utility player,” he said.

“She’s just so fast. She’s quicker than a lot of the boys out here.”

COMPETITIVE RIVALRY

Plant City’s biggest competition in District 14 is regional rival Durant.

“It’s come down to us and them the past few years,” Langston said.

The Lady Raiders have defeated the Lady Cougars for the majority of their district titles.

“That’s our rival team and the district trophy has kind of

PLANT CITY RAIDERS Head Coach: Larry Langston 2012 record: 11-2 Key Players: Avery Brown, Samantha Black, Ali Grimmel, Kristen Wyckoff, Kacie Booth and Shay Wright.

Notable games: East Bay March 19; Strawberry Crest March 21; and Durant April 11

become our rivalry trophy,” Grimmel said. “We love our trophy, and we plan to keep it.”

Durant will be hungry to break that steak. The entire Durant roster returns this season after going 9-2 last season and 6-0 in district play, before the loss to Plant City in the district championship.

Three-year starting quarterback Jessica McClernan will be a key asset for the Lady Cougars.

“She’s undoubtedly one of the best athletes in the county,” said head coach Bradley Brunson.

McClernan also plays safety and punts. The junior captain is Durant’s all-time passing leader, with 1,853 yards.

Durant also will seek leadership from senior Sydney Millard, the Lady Cougars all-time sack leader. Sophomore wide receiver/cornerback Ashley Piechowiak will also be another key player.

“Speed has been the main focus of our team this offseason and I believe that speed puts us in the best position to win games,” Brunson said.

Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@plantcityobserver. com.

MAUNEY / FROM PAGE 11 sports nerd I am, I came up with all sorts of inquiries, some I’m sure she’s never even considered, such as, “Can a defender run behind and through the goal posts to block a shot?”

As you can imagine, the answer was no, but I thought I’d ask.

I found two things most interesting: the terminology and the rules.

A chukker is what hockey fans would call a period. There’s usually six in a regulation match but only four were played for the exhibition Charity Polo Classic, so you may think of each chukker as a quarter in football, in that case.

Horses are swapped off after each chukker, to keep them fresh.

After each goal, the teams switch sides. This is unlike most sports, that switch sides at the end of each period or quarter, or at halftime in sports such as soccer.

I was fascinated by the speed of polo. Reading facts like the ball can travel over 90 mph and the horses can run up to 35 mph is one thing, but as they say, seeing is believing.

I couldn’t believe how close to the action got to spectators, as players would chase the ball toward the sidelines where they were standing.

For what it is, polo is a very fan-friendly sport. Although some preferred to stay under the shade of the big white tent, others stood on the sideline for the entirety of the match,.

The traditional divot stomp was something that was fun to witness, as my only other experience with it was the film “Pretty Woman,” and I didn’t see anyone stomp the “steaming divot.”

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2013

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

PlantCityObserver.com

13

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

TRENT ROBERTSON Born in Hawaii before moving to Washington and later Kenosha, Wis., where he lived for about 13 years, Trent Robertson found a home in Florida playing basketball for Durant High School. The guard led the Cougars this year with 20.3 points per game, along with five rebounds, 2.8 steals and 3.3 assists. He recently committed to NAIA Coastal Georgia, where he’ll join former Strawberry Crest standout Reggie Burke.

Did you grow up playing basketball in Wisconsin?

Yes, and I also played football when I was younger, too. I focused more on basketball once I got to high school.

Did you play for your high school up there?

Yes, I started on varsity my freshman and sophomore year before moving down.

What brought you down to Florida?

My aunt was diagnosed with brain cancer, so my mom decided she wanted a job transfer so she could live with her sister as long as possible. We came down here and helped out with that and she ended up passing away six months after we moved down here. That was tough, but overall, I think moving to Florida was the best thing that’s ever happened to me, sportswise.

What was the biggest difference between the style of play?

There’s a big difference with the athleticism down here. There’s too many athletes down here, where in Wisconsin, it’s more of a half court team set game.

How did the college recruiting process go?

I didn’t have many offers at first but began picking up more once my name got out there. Coastal Georgia just seemed to be the most interested through the whole process.

How did you see your senior season at Durant?

I was able to adjust to the Florida system a little bit more. It’s faster paced and more offense, so I think I was able to improve a lot. I looked to score more, and I know my team needed me to score. I know we improved a lot, record-wise.

Do you know what you want to study in college?

I want to follow my mom and dad and pursue criminal justice.

105010

What do they do?

My mom works for U.S. Immigration out of Tampa, and my dad is a U.S. air marshal with the Department of Homeland Security.

Do you know specifically what you want to do?

My mom’s job has always been interesting to me, so probably something with immigration.

MLB last October and gained their support for the joint bid and the return to the Olympics.

If the MLB agrees to participate, it will make the stock grow for the WBSC, as Olympic baseball could include wellknown professional players, much like the National Basketball Association’s involvement with the Olympic Games.

“They’re positive in wanting to support us, it’s just a matter of what the support is,” Porter said.

Porter said the WBSC and MLB are trying to come up with a meeting time in March to discuss the involvement and relationship with the bid.

MOVING FORWARD

Currently the joint baseball and softball bid is up against seven other sports — climbing, karate, roller sport, squash, wakeboard, wushu and wrestling — for a spot in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

That number will be narrowed down to three sports in May, by the IOC, before voting for the inclusion of one of the sports at its session in Buenos Aires in September.

There is no requirement or regulation to how many sports can be on the Summer Olympic Programme, but the IOC seems committed to keeping the number at 28, compared to just seven for the Winter Games.

“That seems to be the magic number for them,” Porter said.

Originally seven bids, the number became eight recently, after wrestling was voted off the Olympic Programme Feb. 19, a move that surprised Porter and others.

“Many suspected that it would either be tae kwon do or (modern) pentathlon,” he said. “A lot of people were in total shock.”

This creates another challenge for the WBSC, because wrestling almost automatically becomes one of the favorites to be reinstated in 2020. Wrestling has been a mainstay in the Olympics since 1896, but the secret ballot by the IOC to exclude it from a guaranteed slot beginning in 2020 was reportedly to “modernize” the Olympics.

SAVING FUTURE DREAMS

“I was fortunate enough to have my opportunity,” said Smith, a two-time Olympian, at the Feb. 22 presentation.

Smith played for Team USA in 1996 and 2000. She now does softball color commentary for ESPN at the NCAA Women’s College World Series and World Cup of Softball.

“It’s heartbreaking to see young girls that have had their Olympic dreams taken away,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if those girls would make it or not. The point is that they no longer have that chance.”

Richardson, who won two gold medals with Smith for Team USA in Atlanta and Sydney, shares her passion for the sport and wants young girls to be able to have the same dream she once had.

“It’s one thing to have a dream, and it’s another to have a girl collapse in your arms crying, because there is no opportunity for her,” Richardson said. “This is about the opportunity to fulfill dreams and also about teaching the fundamentals of softball and the life lessons of the game.”

Contact Matt Mauney at mmauney@ plantcityobserver.com.

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8 PlantCityObserver.com 14 PlantCityObserver.com MARCO … POLO!

Plant CITY city OBSERVER observer PLANT

THURSDAY,FEBRUARY JANUARY 28, 26, 2013 2012 THURSDAY,

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

Charity Polo Classic gallops into Plant City Women in floppy hats, men dressed to impress, champagne flowing and one of the world’s most fascinating sports painted the scene Feb. 23, at the second annual Reeves Charity Polo Classic at the DI Polo field, located off Cowart Road in Plant City.

The event raised an estimated $150,000 for three Tampa Bay area charities: the Chil-

dren’s Cancer Center, Wheels for Success and Starting Right Now. The event featured a gourmet lunch, a charity raffle and, of course, an exhibition polo match, including special guest player John Walsh, host of “America Most Wanted.”

The Golf Channel’s Lauren Thompson was one of the emcees for the event.

The players were introduced before the match.

The Golf Channel’s lauren thompson and polo player riviere thomas entertained guests.

The DI Polo club in Plant City regularly has polo matches.

Plant City resident Dardo iglesias has been playing polo for 26 years.

Mark sofia, Jacqui cairone, Children’s Cancer Center COO Patty o’leary and andy McDonald

John Walsh, host of “America’s Most Wanted,” was the special guest player for the event.

You Read It HeRe FIRST! at the Plant City observer, our award-winning editorial staff is committed to delivering the most comprehensive, timely news source in Plant City.

2013 Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court Simmons Career Center renames access road Leslie Morris Lane Plant City Motorsports rumbles into Plant City dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural arts Festival dean’s Ride at the Plant City Family YMCa tampa Hillsborough edC appoints Jake austin as Plant City project manager Highland Packaging Solutions begins move to Plant City Springhead Pta officer arrested for stealing $25,000 from the Pta account

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22 Retirement advice (Part 1) 23 Retirement advice (Part 2) 25 Risk takers, in Hollywood 27 Early Japanese immigrant 28 Do lawn work 29 Mata Hari, for one 30 “Goldengirl” Susan 32 Early Mongolian 36 Willing sacrifice 38 Like some glasses?

44 Japanese delicacy 46 Smells 48 Chicago paper 49 1 of 100 in D.C. 50 “Uh-huh, uh-huh” 53 “I ___ Symphony” (Supremes hit) 55 Act of gluttony 56 Field’s companion?

58 “Dynamic” prefix 60 Broken-bone stabilizer 63 Bride’s path 64 “Ninotchka” name 66 Fencer’s blade 67 Weeder’s tool 70 Cold War news agency 71 Retirement advice (Part 3) 73 Champagne type 74 Manning at QB 75 Geese formations 76 1,000 millimes 77 An ancient truth?

78 Animals with black-tipped tails

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French mineral beverage town “Ready or not!” game What you will, perhaps Composed, as a letter End-of-year reward It’s spotted in a casino Bit of ocean flora Get more mileage out of, so to speak Formicaries Retirement advice (Part 4) Retirement advice (Part 5) Signs up to serve Compensation in a lawsuit Done in, as a dragon Most nimble Hip sunglasses “In case you ___ noticed ...”

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71 “Mogambo” actress Gardner 72 Flamenco band, The ___ Kings 73 Hulk Hogan neckwear 77 Pole to extend a sail 79 Lost it 80 Hollywood award 83 Metric speedometer letters 84 “Richard ___” (Shakespeare) 86 Greeting for Caesar 87 Thanksgiving dessert 88 It looks good on paper 90 “Halt!” on the seas 93 Bowie collaborator Brian 94 Banned bug-killer 96 Feline zodiac sign 98 Cousin of the tilde and umlaut 100 Parched 102 Slithering hissers 103 Jingles 105 See red 107 Poem describing the siege of Troy 108 Small and sprightly 109 Voiced approval, in a vote 110 Unaccompanied 111 ___ Stream (warm current) 113 Approx. takeoff times 114 Home to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir 115 “Brave New World” feel-good drug 117 Chopped diner side 118 Dispatched 120 “Verb” or “malt” add-on 121 QB protectors 122 Setting at 0 degrees long.

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

Thursday, February 28, 2013

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16 PlantCityObserver.com