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FREE • THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2021
PUBLIC HEARINGS AHEAD
A variety of public hearings at next week’s city commission meeting highlight the city’s focus on prepared and planned growth.
BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
A handful of public hearings will be held next Monday at the city commission meeting, including one that will potentially create a new future land use category in response to the city’s projected growth. The population of Plant City is growing at an exponential rate and the Imagine 2040: Plant City Comprehensive Plan projects that by its horizon year there will be more than 70,000 people calling the municipality home. As the growth continues, there is a need to create a larger swath of future land use plan categories “to implement the vision and devel-
opment pattern desired by the residents of Plant City,” according to the city. Currently Plant City has just over half of the future land use plan categories available for consideration as the City of Tampa. Planning Commission staff has developed several new categories over the years, including Light Commercial/Office and Mixed-Use Gateway and Residential-9 — which filled the gap between Residential-6 and Residential-12 since they were the maximum allowable densities at the time — and now they are prepared to present another category. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
SALUTE TO AGRICULTURE AGRI-BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is a federalstate-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences; and to make that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. The UF/IFAS mission is state-wide but this Agribusiness award recognizes the contributions of UF/IFAS to our local agriculture community. Hillsborough County is among a few Florida counties in which all UF/IFAS functions exist; Teaching, Research, and Extension. Plant City is one of several statewide locations through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) offering degree programs. Students can earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida without moving to Gainesville and giving up a job or family. The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at Plant City has programs in Agricultural Education and Communication, Food and Resource Economics, and Geomatics. There are two UF/IFAS research facilities in Hillsborough County. The Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, in Balm, develops knowledge and technology that will assist Florida’s producers to be competitive, both nationally and in the world economy. The Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, in Ruskin, supports the tropical ornamental aquaculture industry in Florida. The Hillsborough County Extension Office is one of the most comprehensive in Florida. Its 14 Extension Faculty provide education programs in all the major topic areas including agriculture and natural resources, urban and commercial horticulture, family and consumer sciences, and 4-H youth development. These programs are available to all county residents, businesses and organizations.
BIOS PROVIDED BY THE GREATER PLANT CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Photos courtesy of Vicky Saunders
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2021
NEWS BRIEFS
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Courtesy of HCSO
Body of missing Plant City man, first repo ted missing in July, found near home On Friday, Aug. 13, Christopher McCullough, 88, was located deceased in a field n ar his residence after fi st being reported missing on July 23, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Officer. “Since the morning Mr. McCullough was last seen, his family, volunteers and HCSO personnel searched several areas on multiple occasions looking for him,” sheriff Chad Chronister said. “We are heartbroken at this outcome, and will keep all those who knew and loved Mr. McCullough in our thoughts during this difficult ti .” McCullough was last seen at approximately 1 a.m. on July 23. At the time, the sheriff’s office reported that he was suffering from dementia and atrial fibri lation, could only hear with the assistance of a hearing aid and was overdue for his medication.
Hillsborough County Deputy delivers baby According to a report from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, a county deputy successfully delivered a baby early Tuesday morning. On Aug. 17, just before 5:30 a.m., dispatchers received a call from a man in the 7-Eleven parking lot located at Hwy 60 and Dover Road. According to the caller, the man’s wife was in labor and he did not think that they would make it to the hospital. Deputies arrived at the scene and minutes later Deputy Jordan Ream helped deliver a baby boy. The mother and child were transported to the hospital and are doing well, per the report from HCSO. “Without hesitation, Deputy Ream jumped into action to assist this mother in labor,” sheriff Chad Ch onister said. “While a car is hardly a place anyone would want to give birth in, Deputy Ream repeatedly reassured the new mom that she was in
good hands. Immediately, his training kicked in and he was able to deliver the healthy baby while keeping mom safe too. I wish Mom, Dad, and their new baby boy all the happiness. Congratulations!”
Plant City Scouts welcome family pack, first all female Scout BSA troop In last week’s edition of news briefs we mentioned that several scout packs, including Pack 734, Pack 744 and High Adventure Crew 734 are getting geared up for the fall as sign ups drew closer. In addition to the aforementioned packs, Plant City’s American Legion Post 26 is also home to Pack 5 (a family pack open to both boys and girls), Troop 5 (all boy), and the fi st all female Scout BSA troop. Pack 5 will meet on Mondays at 6:30 at the American Legion, 2207 W. Baker St., near Tomlin Jr. High.
The all female and all male Scouts BSA troops will meet on Mondays at 7:30 at their American Legion. For more information on Pack 5 or either troop, contact Steven Johns at pack5. plantcity@gmail.com or (813) 732-2493 or visit the pack web site at facebook.com/ Pack5PlantCityFlorida/.
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SALUTE TO AGRICULTURE
AG EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Hillsborough County Ag Venture
Fall Ag Venture is a two-week agricultural education program for Hillsborough County third graders, held at the Florida State Fairgrounds. This hands-on learning experience is designed to teach elementary students about the importance of agriculture and to help them develop an understanding and appreciation for where their food comes from. Each day, a new group of students rotate between five stations, learning about agriculture, the economy, and agriculture and allied industry careers. This year the traditional format faced challenges due to COVID and school safety plans. The Ag Venture team quickly pivoted and developed an alternative: Ag Venture in a box. The idea was to create a virtual learning experience modeled after the Ag Venture that teachers have come to know and love. As a result, youth increased awareness of agriculture and agriculture-related jobs. They also utilized technology for learning while completing activities in a safe learning environment. One unique feature of Ag Venture is the shared expertise among public and private partners, which enriches the learning experience for students. The team includes Judi Whitson, Brandy Yancy, Charles Poliseno, Kerri Lefler and Lynann Hudson. YOUNG AGRICULTURALIST OF THE YEAR
Ryan Gill
Ryan is the sixth generation in his agricultural family. Ryan lives in rural southeastern Hillsborough County in the small community of Fort Lonesome. His family has owned, lived and worked the same lands for over 100 consecutive years. The Gill family lands were designated by the State of Florida as a ‘Century Pioneer Family Farm” and Ryan works alongside his family in the multi-generational family business.
They run a commercial cow/calf operation in several counties known as Lonesome G Ranch, a u-pick Florida peach orchard known as The Southern Peach Company, Southern Developers and Earth moving, Inc. a land reclamation and environmental company and the Southern Grace Barn, which is a founding member of Florida Agritourism where they host beautiful award winning weddings and farm tours on the old homestead. They are members of the Fresh From Florida Program. Ryan feels very humbled as he and his wife Kaylie are blessed with four wonderful children Eli Justin, Ella Jae, Cutter Doc and Emma Grace. Ryan currently serves as the Chairman of the Florida Strawberry Festival Beef Breed Show, Committee member of the Hillsborough County Cattlemen’s Beef Expo, County Cattlemen’s Association, where Ryan enjoys working along with fellow HCCA members to host Military Veteran Turkey Hunts on the ranch. Ryan enjoys hunting fishing, boating and being able to be a mentor while coaching
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his son’s baseball teams and hosting father and son Christian retreats at the ranch.
2021 AGRICULTURALISTS OF THE YEAR
SUPPORTER OF YOUTH IN AGRICULTURE
Ed and Myrtle Lou were introduced on a blind date in 1947. They were married in 1950, they have two sons, four grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Both grew up in agricultural families and continue to be involved in farming and in the timber business. The only time the Swindles have not lived in the Plant City community was when Ed was in the military during the Korean War. They have always been active in their church, First Baptist of Dover One of their most valued contributions was when Ed served on the Florida FFA Foundation Board. His tireless efforts to support the Leadership Training Center through fundraising, donations and remodeling the Villas will not only benefit FFA students today but will make a huge impact on their future. The Swindles have been vital supporters of the Florida Strawberry Festival. They have supported the livestock sales through purchasing and also donating the funds to help build one of the Livestock Barn Pavilions. This will be a lasting symbol of their commitment to the youth and agriculture industry in our community. The Swindles have also been active and important members of the South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation, where they donated funds to construct the Swindle Diagnostic Center and continue to support the Foundation in numerous ways.
Brian Shepherd
Brian is an Area Manager for Triangle Chemical Co, a supplier to the Agricultural Community. He is married to his lovely wife Kari of 32 years and has three grown children Tyler, Tori (Trent) Page and Alyssa (Quinton) Rodgers and one granddaughter, Ella Grace Page. Brian’s family has been a part of the Plant City community for almost 200 years. He has been volunteering and supporting the youth in agriculture of our community for over 38 years. Agriculture and the youth programs of the Plant City community have made a positive impact on him, and he feels obligated to continue supporting these programs to impact the future of our community and to make positive impacts and influences on our youth. Brian serves the community through the Strawberry Festival where he is now an Associate Director, Chairman of the Swine Committee, member of the Plant and Steer committees and a member of the
agricultural oversight committee for the Festival. He also volunteers his time and availability to help promote and judge at local chapters of FFA and 4H as well as sub district and district contest.
Ed & Myrtle Lou Swindle
Photos courtesy of Vicky Saunders
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2021
Agribiz of Year BY J. SCOTT ANGLE jangle@ufl.edu @IFAS_VP
The faculty of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences win so many awards that it’s hard to keep them all straight. It’s less common for the organization that makes their excellence possible--UF/IFAS — to win an award as an organization. That’s what makes it so special that the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce recognized UF/IFAS as its 2021 Agri-Business of the Year. It recognizes the full sweep of UF/IFAS’s contributions to the community. UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Director Stephen Gran, who presented the award to me at the event on August 12 at the Grimes Agricultural Center, explained that UF/IFAS delivers on all three aspects of the land-grant mission locally: Education: the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Plant City Program. Research & Extension: the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm and the UF/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Lab in Ruskin. Extension: UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County in Seffner. The Chamber’s award is especially meaningful for a few reasons. First, UF/IFAS is a huge organization that operates in all 67 Florida counties, but we measure our impact
by county, by community and by farm. The Chamber award tells us we’re making an impact here, that we’re achieving the relevancy we seek in your lives and in your economy. Second, the Chamber traditionally offers its Agri-Business of the Year Award to a business. I sometimes hear critics suggest that the university should run more like a business. For the Chamber to recognize UF/IFAS as an economic driver validates that we already operate like a business, serving customers and creating jobs. I thank Chamber President Christine Miller and agriculture committee chair Wesley Joyner for thinking outside the box with a non-traditional selection in a sector with a long history. Personally, it was also a pleasure to visit with the families of other award winners such as Ed and Myrtle Lou Swindle and Ryan Gill, and of course, Farm Bureau legend, Judi Whitson. Kudos to Brian Shepherd, too, for the recognition he received for working with Plant City youth. I was glad to see UF/IFAS represented by Jason Steward and Debra Barry of our Plant City Program and professor and Extension veterinarian Roy Yanong of the aquaculture lab (TAL Director Craig Watson could not be there. He was away receiving an award for “Outstanding Contributions in Promoting the Growth of U.S. Aquaculture” from the National Aquaculture Association.). UF/IFAS has so many ways we can work together for a better Plant City and Hillsborough County:
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Consider UF/IFAS CALS Plant City for your sons and daughters’ higher education — a UF education without having to leave Hillsborough County. Enroll in an in-person or online Extension class and learn a new skill. Visit our Gulf Coast REC or Tropical Aquaculture Lab for a tour or field day. Tell your elected officials that public science matters to your community. Let us know what UF/IFAS can do for you! I look forward to visiting Plant City again, to tour our college program and to reconnect with Hillsborough Community College Plant City campus President Martyn Clay, whom I enjoyed meeting at the event. Plant City benefits from and supports a thriving agricultural economy. It’s our honor at UF/IFAS to be a part of that. J. Scott Angle is the University of Florida’s Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources and leader of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
Ricardo passed away on August 2, 2021. He was a valued member of our team, the Plant City Observer, for more than 8 years as a paper carrier and will be missed. Please keep
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Some of the public hearings on Aug. 23 will focus on a proposed addition to North Park Isle while another will discuss the addition of a new residential land use plan category. FROM PAGE 1 STAFF WRITER
The City of Plant City requested Planning Commission staff develop another residential land use plan category to fill another gap. Right now we have Residential-12 and Residential-20. Obviously that’s a massive difference in density so the new category, Residential-16, is being floated that would allow for densities of up to 16 dwelling units per gross acre. A report from the city said that staff is “currently unaware of any proposed developments that would be seeking such a density threshold in the City of Plant City.” The proposed text for the new future land use plan category says the developments, ““…should offer safe, quiet and attractive environments for people to live. In exchange for less personal space, the area should offer benefits such as more immediate accessibility to work and shopping areas…” The housing allowed would typically include townhouses or multi-family dwellings, although single-family attached and detached homes are allowed. There are a variety of development parameters included with this proposed category that are very similar to what is currently allowed in Residential-20. The transmittal public hearing on the proposed new category will be Aug. 23 at City Hall. The commission meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. Two other public hearings will be regarding a site located west of N. Wilder Road, north of E. Sam Allen Road and south of S. Wilder Loop that is approximately 0.94 acres. As a result of annexation this property is located in the northeast quadrant of Plant City. In the first public hearing, the applicant has requested to change its future land use designation for the land from Hillsborough
County Residential-1 to Plant City Residential-6. According to the city, “a couple of major factors supporting this proposed amendment are: 1) Provides for the same future land use designation and density of adjacent parcels to the north, west and south of PC/CPA 21-01. 2) Eliminates an isolated pocket of land in unincorporated Hillsborough County, thus promoting efficient service delivery, compact growth and the orderly expansion of the municipal boundaries of Plant City.” The property is located north of the interchange of North Park Road and I-4, which is identified as a major commercial activity center for Plant City. Around that center a variety of densities are envisioned for residential developments as they annex into the City of Plant City. The preferred land use as is identified in the Northeast Plant City Area Master Plan has a designation of Residential-4. Planning commission staff analyzed the proposal since the request is not for an R-4, but for an R-6. The public hearing will be held on Aug. 23. Following that is a public hearing on an ordinance to rezone that same 0.94 acres on N. Wilder Road and a “major modification and specific approvals to the North Park Isle Planned Development District.” This would take its rezoning from Agricultural Single Family-1 to Planned Development district (North Park Isle PD). It’s being incorporated into NPI for single-family development. By adding this small site it could potentially add five units within that area. However, the rezoning and
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PD modification proposes to add Village 6 but does not request additional dwelling units, only to transfer dwelling units between Village 5 into Village 6.” Essentially this would increase the total acreage of NPI from 718 to 719 acres and they would retain the previously approved number of dwellings units at 2,600. This is broken down to 2,350 single-family and 250 townhomes. The specific approvals they are requesting for Village 6 simply mimic the approvals they received for Village 5, which includes topics like relief from a section to allow a reduced side-yard setback of five feet, relief from a section to permit up to 30 percent of the lots to be 50 feet wide and relief from a section permitting driveways accessing local roads to be spaced five feet from the edge of the property line.
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PERIPHERY MEDIA SETS STAGE FOR NEW ART EXHIBITION This will be the third live exhibition from the Plant City-based media company.
TAYLOR JENKINS STAFF WRITER
In partnership with the Humanities Institute at the University of South Florida, the Plant City-based media company Periphery Media will launch AIRShow, their third live art exhibition later in the month. AIRShow will feature 25 different pieces of art from 24 different local artists across a variety of mediums that includes oil and acrylic painting, multimedia, digital media, ceramics and fiber arts. The theme for the exhibition will focus on artists in recovery, whether from any illness, trauma or ordeal, mental or physical. The exhibition is something that founders Clay Hollenkamp and Shelby Baerwalde have had in mind since starting Periphery Media in 2018 and was originally intended to come to life in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic put their plans on hold. “It didn’t initially have anything to do with COVID at all,” Hollenkamp said. “And then it happened to turn out that it may be even more prescient now because there have been so many people who have dealt with recovery from COVID and recover from all of the peripheral things that have come from it. The mental health issues, the other societal ills and all of that kind of different stuff. It’s a show that just focuses on art on the theme of recovery and the process that surrounds it.” AIRShow will debut at the QUAID Gallery, 5128 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa, on Friday, Aug. 20 with a free reception from 6 to 9 p.m. The event
will then continue on Aug. 21, 22 and 28 from 12 to 5 p.m. and by appointment on Aug. 28. And although the exhibition will largely take place outdoors, it is requested that masks be worn by those in attendance. Periphery Media began when two artists and Plant City natives in Baerwalde and Hollenkamp met in a coffee shop and shared a dream of giving locals a new opportunity to view art, as well as giving artists a new opportunity for their work to be seen. Their first live exhibition was independently put together and hosted at The Bing Rooming House Museum in Plant City. “We just decided that we wanted to put on an art exhibition here in Plant City, to try something different,” Hollenkamp said. “Because there isn’t a whole lot of art exhibitions and opportunities for people to view conceptual art. That was our goal for the first show, to put on a conceptual art show here in Plant City.” Periphery Media then partnered with USF’s Humanities Institute to hold their second live exhibit, Shelter, at the Portico in Tampa, an event venue for not-for-profit groups, festivals, art exhibits, concerts, social interest groups and community service projects. Since then, the duo has held two other online exhibitions. “Both of us had a desire to create opportunities for artists in Tampa Bay,” Hollenkamp said. “Opportunities to exhibit their work and we also try to connect artists with new opportunities to connect with new audiences.”
Photos Courtesy of Periphery Media.
AUGUST 19, 2021
SPORTS
Strawberry Crest, Plant City Football take the field Read the article online
MARK COOK PASSES AWAY AT 50 Plant City native and long-time Bucs beat writer Mark Cook passed away last week at the age of 50. TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER
Mark Cook had previously written for publications such as the Tampa Tribune and In The Field Magazine, but spent the last decade as an editor and Bucs beat writer for Pewter Report. I first met him as a senior at USF, interviewing for an internship with Pewter Report. I overdressed, with polished shoes and a Ralph Lauren dress shirt tucked into my slacks. Mark, on the other hand, was wearing shorts and a hat and a polo, along with his signature Vans sneakers. Mark was gruff and curmudgeonly but in the best possible way, a persona that he wore proudly like they were just another one of his Florida State or Hurley baseball caps. He was honest. He’d give me blunt criticism about my writing or my reporting, sometimes whether I wanted it or not. Then he’d turn around on occasion and lift me up with sincere words of encouragement when I least expected it, sometimes when I didn’t even know that I needed it. Mark was always the funniest person in the room, he could truly make you laugh like no one else could. He made everyone around him feel comfortable and welcome and I think that’s what drew so many to him. He saw people as people, he’d go the extra mile for you, he cared and he loved. He loved his Florida State Seminoles, telling stories about Bobby Bowden and reliving that 2013 National Championship as he ribbed my USF fandom or squabbled over rivalry games with our former colleague Trevor Sikkema, a University of Florida grad.
He loved long-time sports writer Tom McEwen. He loved playing guitar, watching a sunset on the beach at Anna Maria Island and fishing. He never missed the chance to throw out a line, whether that be in a retention pond along the side of the road in Wesley Chapel, just minutes before we were scheduled to record an old episode of the Pewter Report Podcast, or in a water hazard at wide receiver Mike Evans’ charity golf tournament. And no, I’m not kidding. He rode around that beautiful course all day on a golf cart, fishing pole in hand. Mark loved Plant City. He never missed a chance to show off that grainy photo of himself laced up for the Pinecrest Pilots in 1978, with a red bowl cut haircut to top it off, or threaten to throw on his old Plant City Raiders’ jersey for some Oklahoma drills in the parking lot when he was fired up. A southern boy at heart, Mark loved smoked mullet and black eyed peas and collard greens. Actually, he loved most homestyle cooking when I think back about it. He loved Merle Haggard and George Jones and The Drive-By Truckers. Mark loved the Buccaneers, following them since 1977 when he first started watching football with his dad. He would recall the 1979 Bucs team that came within 10 points of a Super Bowl, the anguish of years and years of losing football and he loved to bring up the old creamsicle-colored Bucs footie pajamas that he wore as a kid, ordered straight out of a Sears catalog. It almost seems beautiful in a way, that the last game Mark attended while cov-
ering the Bucs was a Super Bowl victory, right here at home in Tampa. In Mark’s world, the Bucs will forever be champions. But more than anything, Mark loved his family. He loved his long-time girlfriend Daisey and his son Douglas, a recent graduate of Durant High School, he was so proud of him. Mark loved a lot, but I saw very few things, if any, that could light up his face like the two of them could. After Mark passed I thought a lot about a quote that he had pinned to his Twitter account for the longest time, a quote from one of his favorite writers, Lewis Grizzard. “Don’t forget to call your mama, I wish I could still call mine.” It made me think about how Mark never let his mother’s birthday or the anniversary of her passing go by without tweeting out a picture or saying how much he missed her. It also made me think about how many people, myself included, wish that they could still call him one more time. Mark was proud of his Plant City upbringing and a long-time staple at One Buc Place, the Bucs training facility. He left an impact on all those who were lucky enough to know him or even just read his writing over the years, and that’s abundantly evident by the outpouring of love from friends, family, fans, former players, front office members and the Buccaneers organization itself over the past week. Mark was a great man and a great friend. He was a loving father, brother, son and partner and he will forever be missed. Rest in Peace.
Photos courtesy of Scott Reynolds/Pewter Report
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We asked Plant City: Thousands of kids across Hillsborough County are having to quarantine
due to COVID exposures in school. What do you think school districts should do in response? “How about class size reduction and reduce the amount of kids on buses. Three to a seat in every row is not safe in any manner!” - Melanie Houseworth “Mandate masks. Actually mandate them. Mandate vaccines for teachers and eligible students.” - Maegan Bledsoe
“Require vaccination like they do for every other infectious disease when you start school” - John Parke “If they would enforce their mask policy that would be a good start.” - Diana Michelle
“About 5,600 children are out with COVID-19. There are about 233,000 students in Hillsborough County schools… so we have 2.5% of students out with Covid. My advice let parents decide what measures they want to take - virtual, masks, no mask, etc No mandates this is America” - Jeremy Burris
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Mark J. Cook, 50, of Brandon, Fla., born in Gross-Umstadt, Germany on Oct. 26, 1970, entered into eternal rest on Aug. 12, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.
Rafael Lozano Medina
Wanda Ann Ayscue
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Josefa Medina Hiracheta
Deborah Smith Butler
Josefa Medina Hiracheta, 81, of Plant City, Fla., born on Jan. 29, 1940 in Nuevo León, Mexico entered into eternal rest on Aug. 11, 2021. Expressions of condolences at HopewellFuneral. com.
Deborah Smith Butler, 63, of Lithia, Fla., born in Tampa on Aug. 22, 1957, entered into eternal rest on Aug. 15, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.
Rafael Lozano Medina, 60, of Lakeland, Fla., born Nov, 13, 1960 in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, entered into eternal rest Aug. 9, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.
Wanda Ann Ayscue, 69, of Plant City, Fla., born on Nov. 24, 1951, entered into eternal rest on Aug. 14, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.
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William ‘Bill’ Cherry, Jr. William “Bill” Cherry, Jr., 52, of Plant City, Fla., born in Memphis, Tenn. on June 27, 1969, entered into eternal rest on Aug. 10, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.
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Tammy Smith Tammy Smith, 59, of Plant City, Fla., born in Blytheville, Ark. on April 25, 1962, entered into eternal rest on Aug. 10, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.
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Marshal Lee Colvin
Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Debra Osborne Eugene Bowman Debra Osborne, 61, of Ronald “Ronnie” Eugene Bowman, 69, of Plant City, Florida, born in Bristol, Virginia on February 29, 1952, entered into eternal rest on August 15, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 19 2021
Plant City, Fla., passed away on Aug. 15, 2021. The family will receive friends Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, from 12:30 to 1 p.m. at Harmony Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught.care.
OBITUARIES
Mark J. Cook
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Marshal Lee Colvin, 65, of Plant City, Fla., passed away on Aug. 12, 2021. Services will be held privately. Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.
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Grady Edward Tadlock
Freddie
Grady Edward Tadlock, Lugene Margaret Ann 93, of Plant City, Fla., Mobley Kempf passed away on Aug. 9, 2021. Grady was a United Freddie Lugene Mobley, Margaret Ann Kempf, 69, States Navy Veteran. 49, of Plant City, Fla. passed of Plant City, Fla. passed Funeral services were away on Saturday, Aug. away on Aug. 13, 2021. Marheld Aug. 16, 2021 at 14, 2021. Freddie was born garet was born May 13, 1952 Haught Funeral Home March 16, 1972 in Tampa, in Lakeland, Fla. Visitation Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Fla. Fond memories and will be 10 a.m., with service we’re dedicated to helping families create a W E ’ R E P R O U D TO S E RV E our community unique andof meaningful memorial that trulyat 11 a.m., on Aug. 21, 2021 with Jr. personal, compassionate 1896. Luther King Blvd., Plantcare since expressions sympathy celebrates the life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, City, FL 33563.> 100% Service Guarantee may> National be shared at www. at Wellswe’re Memorial Funeral dedicated to helping families create a WPlan E ’ RE PTransferability RO U D TO S E RV E our community Travel Assistance > The Compassion Helpline® > Bereavement unique and meaningful memorial that truly with personal, compassionate 1896. Online condolences may WellsMemorial.com for thecare since Home. celebrates the life it represents. As your Dignity Memorial professionals, be left for the family at Mobley family. Fond memories and exR > 100% Service Guarantee > National Plan Transferability haught.care. pressions sympathy may > TheofCompassion Helpline® > Bereavement Travel Assistance Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival. be shared at www.WellsMeR morial.com for the Kempf Proudly supporting the Plant City Strawberry Festival. family.
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Josephine ‘Josie’ Virgilio Martinez Mary Banks Virgilio Martinez, 68 of Josephine “Josie” Mary Banks, 69, of Plant City, Fla., formerly of Land O’ Lakes, born in New London, Conn. on Sep. 5, 1951, entered into eternal rest on August 13, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral. com.
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Auburndale, born on June WELLSMEMORIAL.COM 9, 1953 in Nuevo León, Mexico entered into eternal Wells MeMorial & event Center WELLSMEMORIAL.COM HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM PlanT CiTy rest on Aug. 10, 2021. 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com Expressions of CondoWells MeMorial & event Center PlanT CiTy lences at HopewellFuneral. 813-752-1111 WellsMemorial.com com. M2313_4832_Wells_PNT_Comm_7-25x9-75_C.indd 1
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PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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SATURDAY, AUG. 21 STRAWBERRY CLASSIC CRUISE-IN 3 to 6:30 p.m. at 102 N. Palmer St. The Plant City Classic Cruise-In is back on Saturday, Aug. 21, rain or shine. Cars and trucks manufactured in or before 1996 can register for free starting at 3 p.m. Live music will be provided by DJ John Paul Gasca.
FRIDAY, AUG. 20
PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS
RETRO MOVIE NIGHT
7:30 to 9 a.m. Join the Plant City Toastmasters for breakfast, laughs, and fun; there's no better way to start your Thursday mornings. Bring a chair and a mask. The Toastmasters also offer Zoom meetings for those who can’t make it in person. Visit the Facebook page, facebook.com/ PlantCityToastmasters, for meeting locations and information.
d
85
ed free
SATURDAY, AUG. 21 BILLY MCKNIGHT LIVE
7 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E. J Arden Mays Blvd. Fresh off the Strawberry Festival Stage, Billy McKnight brings his talent to the loft at Krazy Kup. The winner of the 'People's Choice' Talent
Water 24-HR. 24-HR. Water Extractions Extractions 50c per sq.ft. Storm, Storm, Broken Pipes, Broken Pipes, etc. etc. Steam Cleaned
MONDAY, AUG. 23
7 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E. J Arden Mays Blvd. Head to the loft at Krazy Kup the third Friday of every month for Retro Movie Night. Bring the family, grab a treat from downstairs, relax and watch a new movie selection each month. August’s movie will be The Lego Batman Movie.
Emergency TILE & GROUT Emergency
8/19/21 Keiser - Lakeland 231-1965-PCO-Lakeland-YCSH-HC-5x6
HANDCRAFTS: BATH KIT All day, while supplies last at 302 W. McLendon St. Head to the Bruton Memorial Library to make your own “soapy splendor”, for yourself or as a gift. Take and Make kits will be available at the library while supplies last.
Plant City Observer 5x6 DL 7/22/21
YOUR CAREER STARTS HERE
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 25 SUNSET SOUNDS
6 to 8 p.m. at 5202 Thonotosassa Rd. Sunset Sounds is a summer music series featuring acoustic music from local artists. Head over to Keel & Curley Winery every Wednesday evening to enjoy music, food, drinks and sunshine on their patio.
START YOUR FUTURE AT KEISER UNIVERSITY Health care programs include: Health Services Administration • Health Science Exercise Science • Nursing • Radiologic Technology Dietetics and Nutrition
CARPETS
TILE & GROUT
3 Rooms $85
50c per sq.ft.
Steam Cleaned
Steam Cleaned
includes Hallway cleaned free
Water Extraction 24-Hr Service | Carpet Dyeing & Repairs
www.AllSaintscc.com 813-986-1266 813-986-1266 www.AllSaintscc.com 813-986-1266 www.AllSaintscc.com
| Carpet Dyeing & Repairs
ntscc.com
Award at this year's Strawberry Festival, this is a show that you don't want to miss and will entertain audiences of all ages. There is no cover and no charge, but donations are encouraged.
BEST BET
THURSDAY, AUG. 19
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2021
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Online programs available
888.588.7604 KeiserUniversity.edu
813-986-1266 Keiser University is a private, not-for-profit university
PLANT CITY OBSERVER
PlantCityObserver.com
FORECAST
Send your photo submissions to staff writer Taylor Jenkins at tjenkins@plantcityobserver.com or hashtag #iloveplantcity on Instagram for @igersplantcity to feature.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 19
THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2021
SUNRISE/SUNSET
Sunrise Sunset
Thursday, August 19
7:00a
8:02p
High: 94 Low: 74 Chance of rain: 20%
Friday, August 20
7:01a
8:01p
Saturday, August 21
7:01a
8:00p
Sunday, August 22
7:02a
7:59p
FRIDAY, AUGUST 20
Monday, August 23
7:02a
7:58p
Tuesday, August 24
7:03a
7:57p
Wednesday, August 25 7:04a
7:56p
High: 92 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 54%
MOON PHASES
SATURDAY, AUGUST 21 High: 93 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 31%
SUNDAY, AUGUST 22 High: 93 Low: 76 Chance of rain: 24%
MONDAY, AUGUST 23 Barbara Tetro took this photo of a blue heron in Plant City.
ONLINE
Follow us on social media: @PCObserver on Instagram, @PlantObserver on Twitter and Plant City Observer on Facebook.
High: 92 Low: 75 Chance of rain: 35%
(C) 2021 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.
Across 1 Bobbleheads, e.g. 6 Jury decision 11 Pair of Grammys? 14 “It’s __ time!” 15 Old photo tint 16 Dwarf who mixes up his words 17 Angry reaction 19 “This American Life” host Glass 20 Meeting goal often not achieved 21 Nuclear energy device 23 Lip 26 Firefighter’s tool 27 Indian noble 31 Surly
35 Soft palate projection 37 Not what one would expect 38 It went down in history 40 Connects with 44 Mexican bread 46 Single-master 47 Stable cleaner 51 Tolkien tree creatures 52 Palm tree superfood 53 Ancient home 55 Predator with a heartshaped face 59 Card game with trumps 64 Hurricane season mo. 65 “The Shawshank Redemption” event, and what’s hidden in four
puzzle rows 68 Cravat or ascot 69 Like Caspar Milquetoast 70 Give a false idea of 71 Low 72 Deposit in the attic, say 73 Cheerleaders’ assortment Down 1 “James and the Giant Peach” author 2 Wind heard in Dion’s “Abraham, Martin and John” 3 Desolate 4 Organ in a chest 5 Decides to leave alone
6 Biblical mount 7 Harmless cyst 8 Imitator 9 Slope 10 It may be crunched 11 Spell-checker, say 12 Lacking in joy 13 Rustled (up) 18 Bangkok native 22 Private laugh 24 Golfing mishaps 25 Camera type, briefly 27 Rural road feature 28 Prefix with fauna 29 Stick (out) 30 2019 Mena Massoud title role 32 Free of commissions, as a mutual fund 33 Young Darth 34 Cookie containers 36 Indigo plant 39 Having four sharps 41 Absalom, to David 42 “PAW Patrol” fan 43 Special ___ 45 Caviar 47 Clogs 48 Thorny shrub 49 Made a sudden move 50 Rounded hammer part 54 Lumpy, as a knit fabric 56 Comes down on one side of something 57 Court order 58 Ride to the prom 60 Algonquin language 61 Severe criticism 62 Fence crosspiece 63 Manages to get, with “out” 66 Military address 67 “To Autumn,” for one
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Sep. 6 New
Sep. 13 First
Aug. 22 Full
Aug. 30 Last
RAINFALL LAST WEEK:
MONTH TO DATE:
1.06in.
4.46 in.
YEAR TO DATE:
AUG. AVERAGE:
35.67 in.
AVOCADO Shipping point: South Florida $12.00-$26.00
Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
8.32 in.
WEATHER
I LOVE PLANT CITY
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PLANT CITY OBSERVER
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2021
PlantCityObserver.com
BLESSING
Teachers and ALL Students Invited
Photo Op with the DeLorean DMC-12 Time Machine.
Plant City COG
Plant City Church of God 2103 Mud Lake Rd 813.752.4591 www.plantcitycog.com