Issuu

FREE • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

VOLUME 6, NO. 164

COMMISSION ROUNDUP: NEW FIRE RESCUE VEHICLE, BUDGET APPROVED FOR PLANT CITY Tuesday’s commission meeting also included special proclamations in recognition of Gil Gott and driver/medic Bill Saunders. TAYLOR JENKINS STAFF WRITER

The Plany City Commission meeting on Tuesday began with two proclamations, recognizing Gil Gott’s retirement as Executive Director of the Plant City Photo Archives along with the special recognition of Plant City Fire Department’s driver/ medic Bill Saunders. After moving to Florida in 1985 and serving as the vice president of government

affairs and economic development for the Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce, Gott relocated and served as the president of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce in 1995. Since then, Gott has also worked with the East Hillsborough Historical Society, has taught history and political science at Hillsborough Community College and for the past 21 years has worked with the Photo Archives.

On Aug. 27, Saunders was alerted by his neighbor of an accident with a trailer that left the individual’s grandson severely injured. Saunders responded and relayed necessary information to emergency response while providing life-saving measures to the child while first responders made their way to the scene. The child was transported to Tampa General hospital where he remained in

critical condition for over three weeks. He has undergone several surgeries and although still recovering, survived the incident. Saunders was honored with the special recognition and a meritorious commendation bar before the commission and several of his colleagues.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

PLANT CITY COMES UP SHORT IN HARD-FOUGHT BATTLE AGAINST JESUIT PLANT CITY DROPPED TO 2-2 FOLLOWING THEIR LOSS TO THE NATIONALLY-RANKED JESUIT TIGERS ON FRIDAY.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

NEWS BRIEFS

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

Photo courtesy of South Florida Baptist Hospital

Chaplaincy Care to hold third annual Banquet of Heroes fundraiser Stingray Chevrolet to host “Coffee With A Cop” event In partnership with local law enforcement, including Plant City Police Department, Stingray Chevrolet will host to their “Coffee With A Cop” event in Plant City this October. The event is an opportunity for citizens to meet and speak with local law enforcement professionals. The agencies will also bring equipment and vehicles for the public to see and discuss with officers. The event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 6 from 7 to 10 a.m. at 2002 N. Frontage Rd.

Courtesy of Judy Wise

Chaplaincy Care will hold their third annual Banquet of Heroes fundraiser dinner, aimed at helping the non-profit organization continue to support area first responders. The Banquet of Heroes will feature stories from local first responders as they share stories of strength, courage and faith and several local first responders will be in attendance. This year’s keynote speaker is Retired Major General Doug Carver, U.S. Army. In addition, the first responder musical group The New Floridians will perform. The festivities will also include a silent auction featuring a signed jersey from Erik Cernak of the Stanley Cupwinning Tampa Bay Lightning. Chaplaincy Care’s mission is to protect the heart of the warrior with mentoring, resiliency, training and counseling and trauma clearing to law enforcement, fire-rescue, security and military heroes in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Tickets are still available at https://www.chaplaincycare.org/banquet-of-heroes-2021.

Great Job! See why we were voted one of the Best

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

The Estates at Carpenters is a Life Plan Community offering independent living to active older adults, with the safety net of assisted living and skilled nursing care – all at our Lakeland community. Our work environment is warm and welcoming, and we love what we do. Regardless of role, every employee’s job is to make each day better for those who live at The Estates. In return, we’re loved and appreciated by coworkers and those we serve: the residents. Also, We Enjoy Continuing to Thrive and Grow, Offering Great Benefits: • Competitive pay • Great hours • Flexible schedules • Still enjoy your weekends • Mission-driven organization

• Safe environment • Relaxed culture • Holiday bonuses • College Scholarship program • On-site fitness program

South Florida Baptist hospital has recognized their Team Member of the Month for September and their Team Member of the Year for 2020. Chelsey Wade, a nurse with the cardiopulmonary rehab department, was named the Team Member of the Year for 2020. Additionally, Wade was also the August Team Member of the Month last year. “She has been willing to learn any task and teach others,” Wade’s nomination statement said. “She is solution-oriented and able to work with all staff and patient populations without conflict. Chelsey finds creative ways to express the appreciation of others.” South Florida Baptist Hospital’s Team Member of the Month for August is Claudia Lopez, a member of the hospital’s admitting/registration department. “Over the years, I have observed Claudia as an extremely positive and hard-working woman who will go the extra mile, always, to make sure she does the best job she can possibly do,” one team member said.” The patients, and her co-workers as well, love her compassion and caring attitude. She is there for her department wherever and whenever she is needed.”

The Estates at Carpenters is hiring for positions throughout our award-winning community, with new openings in all departments!

Places to Work by FORTUNE Magazine!

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Good, reliable people. We value employees of all ages and life situations. We hire students, retirees, Veterans, seasoned professionals and first-time job applicants.

South Florida Baptist recognizes Team Member of the Month, Year

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WHY WE Love WHAT WE GET TO DO “Each day packs a new adventure.” – Marco, Wellness Coordinator

“Good food and fellowship are what we’re all about.” – Dean, Director of Dining Services

“My team creates a fun atmosphere!” – Marise, Director of Resident Lifestyles

TO APPLY FOR A TERRIFIC FUTURE, CALL OR VISIT 863-547-1066 ESTATESHEROES.COM

1001 Carpenters Way | Lakeland, FL 33809 | EstatesAtCarpenters.com

Like Us on

A WORD ABOUT COVID The Estates at Carpenters has been recognized for successfully navigating the current pandemic. We’ve taken proactive steps to protect residents and staff and to ensure a safe environment.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

BRUTON’S CIGAR SHOP COMING SOON

THE FIRST CIGAR BAR IN DOWNTOWN PLANT CITY IS NEARING COMPLETION AND EXPECTS TO OPEN ITS DOORS SOON.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

Tobacco enthusiasts will soon have a new place to shop and lounge. Following the amendment to the city’s code that allows for cigar bars to sell alcohol downtown, David Verner, owner/operator of the upcoming Bruton’s Cigar Shop, said he and his father, Ed Verner, jumped at the opportunity to bring a long-held dream of theirs to life. Named in honor of Judge James D. Bruton Jr., Bruton’s Cigar Shop will act as a cigar lounge and bar for those who value cigar and pipe tobacco and are searching for a local venue to enjoy a smoke with their friends. “Bruton’s Cigar Shop is going to be an interesting mix, we are a retail tobacco store so we will sell cigars by the stick or box as well as accompaniments and pipe tobacco, but we also will have the bar element that will really provide the perfect spot for you to sit down and just have a relaxing smoke,” David Verner said. “Most cigar lounges do not have the bar element, they don’t provide a full service for its customers. If we weren’t able to do that we would not have ever opened this.” Verner said they wanted to create an establishment like this for years, but without the city code allowing liquor to be served they felt it was a futile mission. When commissioners altered the code in June they were the first to submit an application. The ordinance “allows up to two Cigar Bars in the Downtown Core provided the Cigar Bar meets the following: has a 4COP alcoholic beverage license; must not be closer than 200 feet from an established church, public or private school, public recreation area or day care center; and is at

least 250 feet from another 4COP licensed establishment. The ordinance also limits the square footage available for the consumption of alcoholic beverages to 600 square feet.” This will be one of the two allowed in the downtown core. The shop will be on the corner of Reynolds Street and Collins Street and will feature front patio seating, an internal bar/lounge and a rooftop patio element. Inside there is also a humidor and lockers for customers. Verner said the lockers will be available for rent within the first 90 days of the business opening. Everything is themed after Bruton, who was a circuit judge and a prominent member of the Plant City community for years. Bruton moved to Plant City in 1918 and was a graduate of Plant City High School’s class of 1926. He practiced law in Plant City from 1931 to 1961 and was elected to a twoyear term in the Florida House of Representatives in 1934. He was a Plant City municipal judge from 1937 to 1957, a county judge in 1961 and became a Hillsborough County circuit judge in 1964. He died in 2005. The indoor bar/lounge area is called the Judges Sidebar, the humidor is the Judges Chambers and other legal themed nicknames will be attached to the outdoor seating and patios. The logo features the legendary homburg hat Bruton was never seen without as well as a smoking cigar, which was never far from his hand. Verner said he was magnanimous in the county and a foundation of the community, hence the desire to use the establishment to pay homage to such a core part of the city’s history.

The historic building has been refurbished from top to bottom and outfitted with leather, hand carved wood, brass, Edison bulbs and pressed tin to match the historic feel of downtown. Even the humidor was hand built inside the venue. Verner compared the aesthetic to that of Winston Churchill’s library and said every piece of the design and decor will match a classic and timeless theme. Three smoke eaters as well as two exhaust ventilators will ensure that smoke never lingers in the room. Verner said even those who don’t like smoke should have no issue being comfortable in the establishment. With the bar, those wanting to pop in for a drink are able to do so, regardless of if they want to partake in tobacco or not. There will be a conservative selection of offerings at the bar, but Verner said there will be a variety of liquors as well as a few craft beers. “We are 70 percent done and looking forward to opening soon,” Verner said. “I think this really will become a place for people to come and relax and watch a game or take a moment to themselves before they have to get back to work or head to a meeting. Our hours will begin before the rush lunch so that way if you’re a lawyer or banker or something like that and you need a quiet place on a Monday morning, we will be here ready to offer that escape.” Verner added the timing could not be more perfect for bringing this type of establishment to downtown. With all of the movement on Evers Street, the upcoming Wheeler Street Station and the other proposed developments in the surrounding blocks there

will soon be an influx of patrons to downtown. “All of us want this town to succeed and we all thrive off of friendly competition with one another,” Verner said. “There’s so much coming. It’s the right time to do something like this. This is perfectly primed at this moment to jump on the train of Plant City’s downtown revitalization.

We want to be a part of that and help this community succeed. I think there is a hole in Plant City for this kind of market that needs to be filled.” Initially the plan is to be open from Monday to Saturday. You can stay up-to-date on the business by following Bruton’s Cigar Shop on Facebook, Instagram or its website.

COPS CORNER

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

PLANT CITY

Observer

This week on Cops Corner: Plant City Police investigate a stolen cooler, a burglarized vehicle that

Publisher / Karen Berry KBerry@PlantCityObserver.com

resulted in stolen guns and a

Managing Editor / Sarah Holt SHolt@PlantCityObserver.com

crime from years past. istock

SEPT. 17

SEPT. 19

STICKY FINGERS

WIDE LOAD

1500 block of E. Baker St. Retail theft: Officers met with the store manager at the listed location who advised them that approximately $105 worth of items had been stolen.

500 block of County Line Road Grand theft: Officers met with the victim at a gas station who reported the theft of a semi-trailer.

AND BY THE WAY...

2000 block of Cedar Run Drive Theft: Officers met with the victim who reported a theft of jewelry.

1500 block of E. Baker St. Retail theft (delayed): The store manager whom officers met with for the previously listed incident advised them of a theft from the store that occured on Sept. 11, 1988. COOLER HEADS PREVAIL 1700 block of S. Alexander St. Theft: Officers met with a victim outside of a business at the listed location who advised them that a Yeti cooler had been taken from the bed of a pickup truck.

Sports Writer / Taylor Jenkins tjenkins@plantcityobserver.com

TOOL TIME

GOLD BLOODED

SEPT. 20

2600 block of James L Redman Pkwy. Petit theft: Officers met with the employee of a rental company who reported the theft of tools. BYE-CYCLE 1000 block of W. McLendon St. Bicycle theft: Officers met with the victim who stated that his tricycle had been stolen by an unknown suspect from the apartment complex at the listed location overnight.

SEPT. 21

BEER, BEER, BEER HERE 1700 block of James L. Redman Pkwy. Theft: Officers responded to a business at the listed location in response to a report of stolen beer.

SEPT. 22

Advertising Graphic Designer / Juan Alvarez

SODA POPPED

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

3600 block of W. Baker St. Theft: Officers responded to the location where the victim alerted them that a Coca Cola sign had been stolen.

TO ADVERTISE Call (813) 704-6850

Advertising / Richard Brame richard@plantcityobserver.com

TIME FRAMED 2600 block of Eagle Green Dr. Theft: Officers met with the victim who advised them that their home had been burglarized some time between April and September.

Advertising / Karen Berry kberry@plantcityobserver.com

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

GUN RUNNER 2000 block of N. Park Rd. Vehicle burglary: Officers met with the victim at a hotel at the listed location who reported that his vehicle’s window had been smashed and that the vehicle had subsequently been burglarized, resulting in stolen firearms.

SEND US YOUR NEWS

We want to hear from you. Let us know about your events, celebrations and achievements. To contact us, send your information via: Email: Sarah Holt, SHolt@ PlantCityObserver.com. Mail: The Plant City Observer, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100B, Plant City, FL 33563

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This week’s Crossword answers This week’s answers Jumbles:

O Plant City Observer

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

110 E. Reynolds, Suite 100B Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 704-6850

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PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

COMMISSION VOTES TO FORGIVE INTERFUND LOAN FROM FIRE IMPACT FEE FUND

The option is available due to excess funds from the city’s Solid Waste Department

TAYLOR JENKINS STAFF WRITER

The following action by the committee was a resolution authorizing the purchase of a 2022 Pierce Saber Fire Rescue Pumper. The total cost for the new fire rescue vehicle would cost a total of $534,226 with a 5.5 percent discount. The cost had already been included in the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 and the purchase would not be processed until after Oct. 1, 2021. The purchase would replace a similar 1998 fire rescue vehicle that has accrued 128,000 miles and would take 14 months to build once the order was completed. The motion ultimately passed by a vote of 5-0. The next action was a resolution that approved the interfund loan between Plant City’s Solid Waste Department and their Fire Impact Fee Fund for the construction of Fire Station #3. Construction of the Fire Station has been completed and the

loan has already been taken off of the books for the Solid Waste Department which remains working with excess funds. City manager Bill McDaniel offered another option, one that forgives the loan. The proposition comes with the understanding that the Solid Waste Department was able to withstand the financial burden from the excess income they have received from service fees. The Fire Impact Fee Fund on the other hand would be impacted for 15 years if the interfund loan payments were continued, well into a time frame when the department may very well be looking to already build Fire Station #4. Vice-Mayor Michael Sparkman showed hesitation with the motion due to the fact that funds from the Solid Waste Department are accrued from fees paid by citizens, however Commissioner Nathan Kilton argued that given the quality and relatively low prices of the services provided by the department and the excess

funds that they were able to accrue with those factors considered, it was fair to utilize those funds to aid another governmental department that was in need. The motion ultimately passed by a vote of 4-1. After two previous public hearings that included detailed presentations laying out and explaining the proposed budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the commission held one last public hearing on the final milage rate and final budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The resolution went without public comment and passed unanimously. The commission then touched on a transmittal public hearing for a text amendment that creates a Property Rights Element for the Imagine 2040: Plant City Comprehensive Plan. The new element was drafted and focused on private property rights and designed it to comply with the requirements of the recentlysigned House Bill 59.

As proposed, the staff would consider these provisions and property rights issues when advising and formulating their recommendations on land use and the adoption of the element is required to be adopted to avoid the penalty of imposed delays to the Comprehensive Plan. An important note is that the commission has historically been mindful of these matters and protecting the private property rights of its’ residents, therefore the impact of the new element is expected to be limited. The motion was touched on largely as a formality and ultimately passed 5-0 without comment. The remainder of the commission meeting largely dealt with zoning. There was then a public hearing for a final plat for associated waivers from phases of construction within North Park Isle. The first waiver was relatively simple, allowing for the construction of dead-end streets in lieu of the required cul-de-sac for those

areas that will later connect to other phases. The waiver was simply a formality as the streets are already building and connecting, however since platting the affected phase separate from the entire subdivision, there is an appearance of dead-end streets. The second waiver was requested to waive the required reclaimed water lines within Phase 1 of North Park Isle’s construction, a plat that would impact roughly a 155-lot single-family residential subdivision. With the construction plans approved in 2020, not requiring reclaimed water to be installed, the subdivision has been built and completed without them. Commissioner William Dodson wanted his opposition to a waiver of the required reclaimed water noted on the record, however the motion ultimately passed unanimously.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

PHOTO ARCHIVES & HISTORY CENTER SELECTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Samantha Poirier has been selected to replace long-serving Executive Director Gil Gott following his upcoming retirement.

BREANNE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER

The Plant City Photo Archives & History Center has officially named Executive Director Gil Gott’s successor. Samantha Poirier officially began training under Gott this month and will act as an understudy for a few months before transitioning fully into the role by the end of the year. She previously served as the director of the Leavenworth County Historical Society in Kansas, is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Western Missouri State University, and of the University of West Florida and receiving the Outstanding Public History Graduate Student Award. She has also worked with the Pensacola Museum of Art and the Florida Public Archaeology Network. “She’s got a very good educational background, very good work experience, she’s very bright and really knows how to make this work well for the community and that’s one of the things we really look for,” Gott said. “Some people in the history and archives field, they really focus more on what we do and on the archiving of things, but don’t think about the people. What we

do is gather information and gather history and then make sure it’s accessible to the public. People come in and we sit down with them and help them find anything they want. We find out the information for that, if we can, and Samantha loves to do that. She has a passion for history and for helping people find out about history. I think It’s going to be a great fit. Though her introduction to the community is just beginning she’s quickly picked up the ropes at the archives and is spending her day training under Gott’s tutelage. By the time he retires Poirier will be ready to take the helm and help continue to connect people to Plant City’s intricate past. “From what I’ve seen over the last couple of days that I’ve been here I really think I’ll be continuing the focus on getting more community involvement at the archives,” Poirier said. “I know it’s something they have been pushing for and I’d love to see more of that. There’s also a generational gap in those that do get involved here and I would like to see if we can get more engagement from the younger generations. I think people sometimes struggle with how to connect with history. People are trying to find their personal identities and I truly believe history really helps with that jour-

ney. I would love to play a role in helping people fall in love with history here and be that bridge that can help connect them to the knowledge we have here.” Poirier fell in love with diving into the history of a region as a child. She was born in Oklahoma to a military family and moved eight times before her father retired to Kansas when she was around 11 years old. She said every time they would pick up and move she would suddenly find herself in a new location with an entirely different culture and group of people. It didn’t take long to learn that by delving into the history of her new home she could soon understand it. “In school I loved learning and reading and got caught up in stories and art,” Poirier said. “I was an art student my entire career and thought I would work in museums. I ended up studying history and focusing on understanding culture and how keeping a detailed account of someone or some place’s history can act as that connector between the past and the present. I would consider myself to be a culture and a people historian and I love being able to take what I learn and put it in terms the general public can understand. That’s what pushed me toward this type of career, whether through

writing or exhibits I love people able to create something that people enjoy and want to learn more about.” Her introduction to Plant City has been an immediate deep dive and Poirier said she’s loved learning about the community’s many layers. History has undoubtedly been made time and again in this strawberry town and the intricate records housed at the Photo Archives & History Center are a treasure trove for those hoping to learn more about the community. Down the road she said the goal is to have a variety of new programs and experiences for the community to be able to be a part of and she wants to hopefully be able to highlight the accessibility of the wealth of knowledge found at the archives. “She shares our goal, to have the ability to see how best we can preserve photos and information and how best we can make sure people have access to it,” Gott said. “We focus on making sure our outreach programs are working and if people reach out we respond quickly and help in the best way we can. We want to not just collect history, but make it accessible. And I think she’s going to be a great fit for that.”

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

OVERHAULED LEXUS IS 350 IS MORE ALLURING THAN EVER!

Courtesy of Nitish S. Rele

NITISH S. RELE

This is one of our favorite compact sport sedans. Why? It is just a real fun car to drive, ready totake off in an instant, nimble in traffic and swift to merge on busy highways. In figures: 0 to 60 in barely 5.6 seconds, ¼-mile in 13.8 seconds and top speed of 143 mph. What makes the IS350 even better for 2021 are the numerous changes Lexus has made inside out though the powervtrain stays as is. Length and width are up by 1.8 inches though height is unchanged. Under the unitized steel body still resides a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that cranks out 311 horsepower @ 6600 rpm and 280 pounds-feet of torque @ 4800 rpm. Equipped with the IS F high-performance model’s eight-speed auto gearbox, it can be driven in eco, normal, sport or snow modes. Though our test was a rear-wheel drive, you can opt for an electronically controlled all-weather drive for firmer grip and traction. Suspension is handled by an independent double wishbone front and a multilink rear system to smoothen breaks, bumps and turns on the road. The rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assist is quick, precise and wellweighted. Slimmer LED headlights and daytime running lights flank the massive and redesigned spindle grille, a color-coordinated front functional air intake with full-width tail lamps and dual chrome

IS350 (RWD) Tires: 235/40R19 front, 265/35R19 rear Wheelbase: 110.2 inches Length: 185.4 inches Width: 72.4 inches Height: 56.5 inches Fuel capacity: 17.4 gallons City: 20 mpg Highway: 28 mpg Weight: 3,748 pounds Base price: $42,900 Price as tested: $55,050 Web site: www.lexus.com

tips in the rear. Now that all IS 350s will have standard F Sport features, the front and rear bumpers receive a distinctive look as does the grille surround and rocker moldings. Niceties include dual auto a/c, 60/40 rear seat, 10-way power and eight-way front-passenger heated/cooled seats, moon roof, LFA-inspired 8-inch TFT instrument cluster with sliding bezel, silver-metallic analog clock, and a power tilt/telescopic steering column. A mouse-like, easy-to-use Remote Touch enables the driver to toggle navigation, climate, audio and phone controls, which are displayed on a 10.3-inch screen. Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, front knee airbags, vehicle stability and traction controls, front/rear crumple zones, four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert, daytime running lights and a tire pressure monitoring system are standard. Add in a pre-collision system that detects pedestrians, lane departure assist and dynamic cruise control, all part of the no-cost Lexus Safety Sense+. Looking for a little bit of gusto in your ride? Then the rev-happy and powerful IS 350 will be more than delighted to oblige. A lavish cabin and respectable fuel economy should help seal the deal.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

DOCTOR’S NOTE:

“FIND BALANCE IN YOUR LIFE”

As COVID-19 remains an obstacle in our everyday lives, our daily exercise and movement routines are often overlooked or forgotten. However, research has shown that engaging in physical activities can boost your immune system as well as increase lung capacity. Consequently, recent studies have demonstrated that individuals that prioritize daily exercise have a greater chance at fighting COVID-19. Individuals of all ages can benefit from practicing movement through proper physical activities that help to maintain energy levels and the overall well-being of your body. In addition, it prevents increased risks that come from sedentary lifestyles such as falling, elevated blood pressure and mental health issues. Although this could happen at any age, older adults are at a higher risk of falling due to balance disorders. Over the course of the pandemic, 1 in 4 individuals ranging from age 50 to 80, have reported one or more instances of falling. This aligns with the idea that 37 percent of individuals, in that 50 to 80 age range, also reported a decrease in time spent engaged in physical activity throughout the pandemic. As a result, physicians and physical therapists are advising people to seek proper physical activity and/or therapy if you or a loved one starts to experience difficulty balancing. It’s time to live life - balanced! At Florida E.N.T. & Allergy, patients are seen by a board-certified physician for balance evaluations. Their physicians understand the challenges that individuals encounter with maintaining balance and mobility and want to implicate change to increase their independence.    

Fall Risk Assessment Gait Assessment Functional Training Balance Retraining

tions, dizziness can also play a factor. For patients who suffer from dizziness and balance loss due to complications in the inner ear, feelings may be described as:

 Lightheadedness  Blurry Vision  Sudden feeling that your head is spin-

ning (Vertigo)  Lack of balance when walking  Nausea  Serious ear complications such as ringing or hearing loss

Symptoms can appear anytime without warning and range from mild to severe. Florida E.N.T. & Allergy is dedicated to helping you, and your loved ones, safely achieve movement goals and get back to those everyday activities. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please call (813) 879-8045 or click this link: https://floridaentandallergy.com/contact/schedule-anappointment/ The physicians of Florida E.N.T. & Allergy have served the Tampa Bay community for over 45 years. Their board-certified physicians and doctors of audiology have completed extensive education and clinical training as well as specialized training in their area(s) of expertise. From pediatric allergies to fitting hearing aids, their caring and experienced providers specialize in ear, nose and throat care for the entire family using comprehensive, cutting edge technologies.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please call 813-879-8045 While most older adults develop balance disorders due to age and static posi- or visit Florida E.N.T. & Allergy online at www.FloridaENTandAllergy.com.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

3 S H O W I N G S O N LY

OCTOBER 3-5 // 7PM

Call church office at (813) 752-4591 for more information!

2103 Mud Lake Rd. Plant City, FL 33566 (813) 752-4591 // plantcitycog.com Connect with us! // @plantcitycog

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

SPORTS LOCAL PREPS

SCOREBOARD Football - Sept. 24

PLANT CITY SHOWS GROWTH IN CONTEST AGAINST TOP OPPONENT

DURANT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 SICKLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 JESUIT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 PLANT CITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 FREEDOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 STRAWBERRY CREST. . . . . . . 28

Volleyball - Sept. 23 DURANT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 NEWSOME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 BRANDON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 PLANT CITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 STRAWBERRY CREST . . . . . . . 3 KING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

Volleyball - Sept. 27 FREEDOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 DURANT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 PLANT CITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 WHARTON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 STRAWBERRY CREST . . . . . . . 3 EAST BAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

Plant City hosted the nationally-ranked Jesuit Tigers on Friday, falling by a final score of 35-13. After a disappointing start to the season in which the Raiders fell to Tampa Bay Tech by a score of 42-0, Plant City bounced back strong with two shutout victories of their own in a 21-0 win over Jefferson and a 35-0 win over Riverview. Despite the lopsided score, the Raiders team that played Jesuit this past week was a completely different team than the one that took on the Titans a month prior. In fact, Plant City was trailing by just nine points in the fourth quarter, with the ball inside of the Jesuit red zone and a chance to make it a one possession game. “I think that our kids are bought in to what we want to do, I think there’s growth, I think they’re taking this week-by-week and learning from mistakes and that’s what we want to see,” head coach James Booth said. “We want to see progress through the season. I told them after that we have two weeks before we get into district play and those are the games that really matter. What I was happy to see was our kids fight and compete and play hard against [a team like Jesuit.] Now we have two more games to kind of fix those mental mistakes and assignment errors, we want to be flawless going into district play.” Plant City won the opening coin toss and deferred, giving Jesuit the ball to start the game. It was a long, methodical drive to open the game for the Tigers but they ultimately took an early lead with a one-yard touchdown run from junior running back Joquez Smith. The Raiders answered with an impressive first drive of their own, marching down the field and into Jesuit territory before defensive back Wade Woodaz hauled in an interception for the Tigers and gave Jesuit the ball back. A few plays later, set up just outside of the Plant City redzone, Jesuit made a mistake of their own as a botched snap on third down left them settling for a punt. The Raiders notched a single first down on the next drive before sending the punt team out when Woodaz struck again. Plant

The Raiders have just two more games before district play begins against Durant on Oct. 15.

City’s punt was blocked, ultimately recovered by Woodaz and returned for a touchdown. The two point conversion was good and the Tigers had built a 15-0 lead early into the second quarter. Receiver Sincere Williams immediately put Plant City in a solid starting position with a kickoff return to the Raiders’ 40 yard line. Quarterback Clint Danzey then completed a pass over the middle and a personal foul penalty on Jesuit added 15 yards and moved the Raiders over midfield. A few plays later Danzey found Jaylen Gadson on an out route to the left sideline and Gadson was off, breaking one tackle and streaking down the field for a long touchdown reception. The extra point attempt was blocked but the Raiders had cut the Jesuit lead to 15-6. Jesuit had a short field goal blocked by Plant City on the next drive and despite a 31-yard completion to Williams, getting Plant City out from the shadow of their own goalpost, the Raiders punted back to the Tigers and left them with a short field. Jesuit took advantage on another short touchdown run from Smith and extended their lead to 22-6 with 2:42 left in the half. In their two-minute drill the Raiders moved right down the field with a big run from Reggie Bush Jr. that moved Plant City over midfield and a catch and run over the middle from Williams that moved them into the red zone. With just seven second remaining in the half, Danzey rolled out to his right and fired a strike to Gasdon in the corner of the end zone, his second score of the night, bringing Plant City back to within nine at 22-13. “We knew that there were going to be some shots that we wanted to take advantage of,” Booth said. “Sincere’s doing a great job, really coming along, and a couple of our receivers are injured so we’re relying heavily on him. And Jaylen Gadson, I thought he made a tremendous catch on the sideline and then scores in the corner of the end zone going into the half, he’s stepping up. I think Clint’s progress through these four games has been tremendous. He’s understanding where to go with the football a lot better and just experience for him is going to help out a lot.” The game then remained without another score until the fourth, and not to

go without mention, Plant City’s defense played fast and stood tall repeatedly, holding the Tigers to just 15 points through three quarters. Despite one special teams mishap that resulted in a Jesuit scoop and score early, the Raiders’ defense continued to give the team an opportunity to stay within reach late. With a touch of familiarity, defensive coordinator Kyle Jones joined Plant City’s staff in 2020 after previously serving as a linebackers coach at Jesuit. “Our defense, again, is starting to buy in and understand what we want to do,” Booth said. “We were disguising some things up on them and they were flying to the football. They’re starting to understand and I think that we’ve kind of got our pieces in place where those guys can really focus on what their job is, handle that task and do it as fast as they can. They played tremendous tonight, gave us opportunities and put us in position offensively to make this a ballgame.” Still down just nine, Plant City was threatening early in the fourth quarter when misfortune struck. As the Raiders moved into the Jesuit red zone, Danzey was forced to leave the game with cramps, one of several players to go down with dehydration issues throughout the contest. Following two plays out of the wildcat formation with defensive back/wide receiver Romello Jones under center, the Raiders were quickly backed up to third-and-11 before Danzey re-entered the game. But an eightyard scramble on third down and a failed conversion on fourth-and-short ended the Raiders’ scoring opportunity. As momentum fell for Plant City, Jesuit began to pull away late as they tacked on two more touchdowns late in the game and closed out the 35-13 victory, moving to 5-0 on the season as Plant City fell to 2-2 with two more games until district play begins against Durant on Oct. 15. The Raiders will head to Chamberlain next Friday as they take on the Chiefs. “I thought that our kids played hard,” Booth said. “Talking to them after the game I thought that they competed well. We had the ball inside the red zone, kind of second guessing myself, should I have kicked the field goal to make it a one-score game? We went for it on fourth, had an open slant and

just missed him and got sacked. I think that if we score there then that kind of changes the game, it’s a one-score game going into the fourth quarter… But again, I thought that our kids played really hard. I thought that they played tough, they hung tough and we had ourself in a position to win it.”

Taylor Jenkins is the Sports Writer at the Plant City Observer. Email: tjenkins@ plantcityobserver.com.

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

CARLSON GRACIE PLANT CITY FIGHTS CANCER THROUGH CENTRAL FLORIDA JIU-JITSU TOURNAMENT For the second consecutive year, the Plant City-based jiu-jitsu gym was the highest fundraising team at the event.

Photo courtesy of Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

TAYLOR JENKINS SPORTS WRITER

Earlier in the month, several members of Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Plant City made their way to Winter Haven to take part in the Tap Cancer Out Central Florida BJJ Open. Several of the 15 members that competed out of the gym - led by Sam Kimmel - took gold at the event. But perhaps more importantly than their individual athletic achievements, the gym finished as the top fundraising team for the second consecutive year dating back to 2019, not including 2020 due to COVID-19. “This is a big thing for a small Plant City gym because this is all over Central Florida,” Kimmel said. “It was in Winter

Haven but there are teams from Kissimmee, Orlando, all over Central Florida.” In an event that featured hundreds of participants in the men’s, women’s and under-16 divisions from several gyms throughout the Central Florida region, Carlson Gracie Plant City not only had the top fundraising team, but the top fundraising individual as well in Rocco Musto. Together the team raised $12,200 for Tap Cancer Out, a non-profit organization that aims to motivate and empower the Brazilian jiu-jitsu community to raise awareness and funds for cancer fighting organizations. “We just have some awesome students that wanted to be a part of this amazing

cause,” Kimmel said. “Because they give 100 percent of the proceeds straight to like Alex’s Lemonade Stand [Foundation for Childhood Cancer] and stuff like that. They do great things so it was just a great benefit and a good thing to bring the team together for a good cause.” In the past, Carlson Gracie Plant City has held events like car washes at local businesses to raise money, however this year the money was largely raised through social media efforts to rally donations. “I’m just proud of my team,” Kimmel said. “We just have an awesome group of people, I mean, $12,000 is just an astronomical amount of money for such a small gym like ourselves. We have quite a few

people but we’re smaller in comparison to some of the gyms that have hundreds of students and I think we did great.” Carlson Gracie Plant City will now aim their sights at the next tournament, planning to participate in an event held by the North American Grappling Association in November.

Taylor Jenkins is the Sports Writer at the Plant City Observer. Email: tjenkins@ plantcityobserver.com.

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

YOUR AROUND TOWN SPONSOR AROUND TOWN

289704-1

We asked Plant City: What’s a fun event or attraction that you would like to see brought to Plant City? “When I was growing up we would go to a place in North Carolina. It had a puttputt golf course, a skating rink and an area to play games. All at the same complex. It gave kids options. We need a safe place for the kids and families to do things together in our town. Parents shouldn’t have to go to another town to spend their money on activities because the town we live in doesn’t have a place for them. We need things families with kids can do.” Janet Surrency “A big monthly farmer’s market/craft market. Not just the few stalls they have at the foodtruck rally.” - Jan Boarman

“Get a professional baseball team back in the stadium for spring training.” - Brad Dennis “A nice playground like they have in Lakeland.” - Cheryl Taylor Hyde “A rodeo venue, like the old Ellis Arena!” - Candace Fulford Harrell Dave and Busters. Putt-putt golf, a skating rink, a bowling alley with restaurant.” - Linda Wise “Concerts at the Strawberry Festival grounds all year round.” - Anthony Festa

OBITUARIES

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

Joyce Herring Ingebretson

Otoniel Navarro Espinoza

Joyce Herring Ingebretson, 85, of Riverview, Fla., born in Plant City on Dec. 10, 1935, entered into eternal rest on September 17, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Otoniel Navarro Espinoza, 54, of Mexico, born Aug. 14, 1967 in Michoacan, Mexico, entered into eternal rest September 9, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Mary Helen Sheffield Mary Helen Sheffield, 83, of Plant City, Florida, born in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 22, 1937, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 18, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

J “Jaybird” Thomason J “Jaybird” Thomason, 47, of Ruskin, Fla. born in Portsmouth, Va. on June 1, 1974, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 20, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Suelema Conde Estrada Suelema Conde Estrada, 53, of Dover, Fla., born in Findlay, Ohio on Sept. 9, 1968, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 17, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Ralph Eugene Chancey Ralph Eugene Chancey, 77, of Valrico, Fla., born in Plant City on March 8, 1944, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 10, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Ethan Adrian Bakkes Ethan Adrian Bakkes, 14, of Plant City, Florida, born in Lakeland, on November 8, 2006, entered into eternal rest on September 21, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Rebecca Howard Keller Rebecca Howard Keller, 68, of Plant City, Florida, born on February 20, 1953, entered

into eternal rest on September 25, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Ricky D. Ballard Ricky D. Ballard, 60, of Plant City, Fla., born on Dec. 10, 1960, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 20, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Lance Albert Walker Lance Albert Walker, 67, of Mulberry, Fla., born in Orlando on Oct. 31, 1953, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 22, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Cesar Resendez

Cesar Resendez, 41, of Mulberry, Fla., born June 6, 1980 in Harlington, Tex., entered into eternal rest on Sept. 20, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

Timothy “Allan” O’Keefe Timothy “Allan” O’Keefe, 47, of Valrico, Fla., born in Tampa on March 13, 1974, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 21, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Martha Antonia Dormann Martha Antonia Dormann, 81, of Plant City, Fla., born in Havana, Cuba on Feb. 19, 1940, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 17, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Martin Guerrero Martin Guerrero, 62, of Plant City, Fla., born in Nuevo Leon, Mexico on April 27, 1959, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 16, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Maricela Martinez Almaraz Maricela Martinez Almaraz, 29, of Plant City, Fla., born Nov. 30, 1991 in Oaxaca, Mexico, entered into eternal rest Sept.16, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Teresa Paulette Scott Teresa Paulette Scott, 66, of Tampa, Fla., born in Mount Airy, N.C. on Sept. 25, 1954, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 23, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

Janet Lucille Hamilton Guice Janet Lucille Hamilton Guice, 73, of Ft. Meade, Fla., born in Illinois on October 15, 1947, entered into eternal rest on Sept. 23, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.

HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

ALL OBITUARIES ARE SUBMITTED AND EDITED BY FAMILIES OR FUNERAL HOMES HOPEWELLFUNERAL.COM

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

James Stanaland

Daniel Pardo Daniel Pardo, 43, of Plant City, Fla., passed away on Sept. 24, 2021. Funeral services were held Sept. 27, 2021 at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563. Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.

Herman Wayne Lehman

Funeral services will follow at 7 p.m. Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

Maurice Jack Lefler

Herman Wayne Lehman, 75 formerly of Plant City Maurice Jack Lefler, 77, passed away suddenly on of Plant City, Fla., passed Monday, Sept. 6, 2021. He away on Sept. 19, 2021. attended Plant City area Services will be held priHAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM schools until he joined the vately. United States Army and Online condolences may served in Vietnam. Valdemar ‘Valde’ be left for the family at He was a born “saleshaught.care. Muniz man” and could sell ice to Eskimos. If you knew Valdemar “Valde” MuWayne you knew he was niz, 36, of Plant City, Fla., HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM a “character”. He will be passed away on Sept. 22, HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM missed by wife Sissy, chil2021. Funeral services were HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM dren, Louie, Charity, and held Sept. 28, 2021 at San Edward David Josh, eight grandchildren, Juan Diego Mission, 3238 Henry Allen Hill Sr. and one great-grandchild. San Jose Mission Dr., Dover, Henry Allen Weeks He is survived locally by FL 33527. Edward David Hill Sr., age Weeks his sister Nora (Mack) McOnline condolences may 74, of Plant City, FL passed Henry Allen Weeks, 70, Clendon. be left for the family at away on Sept. 27, 2021. The of Plant City, Fla., passed Henry Allen Weeks, 70, Online condolences may haught.care. family will receive friends away on Sept. 20, 2021. of Plant City, Fla., passed be left for the family at Sept. 30, 2021 from 6 to 8 Services will be held priaway on Sept. 20, 2021. haught.care. p.m. at First Thonotosassa vately. Services will be held priMissionary Baptist Church, Online condolences may vately. HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM 10650 McIntosh Road, be left for the family at Online condolences may Thonotosassa, FL 33592. haught.care. be left for the family at A Funeral Service will take haught.care. place Oct. 1, 2021 at 11 a.m. the First Thonotosassa MisHAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM sionary Baptist Church. HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM Online condolences may be left for the family at Kevin Wayne haught.care. James Stanaland, 60, of Plant City, Fla., passed away on Sept. 28, 2021. Services will be held privately. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught.care.

Shirley Lefevere Shirley Lefevere, 94, of Plant City, Fla., had her silver chord broken by her Father and is now with her Savior Jesus Christ. She is survived by three children and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses, great-grand children, brothers, nephews and niece. We are confident, I say and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with Jesus Christ.

Browning

HAUGHTFUNERALHOME.COM

Kevin Wayne Browning, 49, of Lutz, Fla., passed away on Sept. 21, 2021. The family will receive friends Thursday, Sept.30, 2021 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563.

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

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

OBITUARIES

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PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

YOUR CALENDAR

BEST BET THURSDAY, OCT. 7 PLANT CITY MAIN STREET TOPGOLF TOURNAMENT

5 to 8 p.m. at 10690 Palm River Road, Tampa, FL 33619. Head to Topgolf with Plant City Main Street for three hours of fun and networking at their 3rd Annual Topgolf Tournament. Topgolf is a high-tech, state-of-the-art interactive driving range and entertainment complex that includes climate-controlled hitting bays and fun for golfers of all skill levels. In addition to the tournament, attendees will enjoy a dinner buffet and open bar served in a private VIP room. Sponsorship opportunities are available and you can register online at www.plantcitymainstreet.com. For more information, email Director@plantcitymainstreet.com.

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PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

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.

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WELLS MEMORIAL & EVENT CENTER

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THURSDAY, SEPT. 30

time in the military, retired or non-retention, and would like to review your benefits please take advantage of free assistance at the Bing House Museum, 205 Allen St., every Wednesday. Walk-ins welcomed or call 813-704-5800 to set a specific time.

SUNSET SOUNDS

SATURDAY, OCT. 2

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.

PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE

THURSDAY, OCT. 7

PLANT CITY

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WELLS MEMORIAL & EVENT CENTER PLANT CITY

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6 to 9:30 p.m. at 4401 Promenade Blvd. DJ Ken will be hosting the Plant City Social Dance every Saturday throughout the month of October at the Strawberry Square Dance Center. Ballroom music will be available for ballroom dancers from 6 to 6:30 and the regular dance will follow from 6:30 to 9:30. Cups and water will be available and the event’s cost is $7 per person. For more information or a chance to look at sample playlists, visit www.djkenmiller.com.

PLANT CITY TOASTMASTERS

MONDAY, OCT. 4

FRIDAY, OCT. 8

READING ADVENTURE KITS

MOVIE TRIVIA NIGHT -

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bruton Memorial Library, 302 W. McLendon St. Head down to the Bruton Memorial Library to pick up your Reading Adventure Kits. The kits are available for children ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade while supplies last and will include puzzles, literacy activities, crafts and more. The kits will be available each Monday throughout October and this month’s kits will feature trains, robots, pumpkins and candy.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6 SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS WITH ESTRANGED FAMILIES

6:30 to 8 p.m. at GracePoint Church, 1107 Charlie Griffin Rd. Join other parents who are estranged from their adult children. PEAK (Parents of Estranged Adult Kids) group provides a safe place to listen, share and support others going through the hurt of adult family abandonment. Meetings will include group discussions, self-care and positivelyinfluenced activities to help cope with the situation. Meetings are the first Wednesday of each month. For more information, visit www.peaksupportgroup.com.

7 to 8:30 p.m. at 101 E J. Arden Mays Blvd. October’s Movie Trivia Night at Krazy Kup is “Witches, Gremlins and Goblins, SpooKee Movie Trivia.” Brings your friends and family to grab a cup of coffee and head up to the loft to show off your movie knowledge or just to cheer on your loved ones with a chance to win a price. AS always, the event is family friendly and free.

SATURDAY, OCT. 9 PLANT CITY SOCIAL DANCE

FREE ASSISTANCE FOR MILITARY VETERANS 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Federal, state and local opportunities are constantly changing. If you’ve served any

! E V A S O T K E E W T LAS

PLANT CITY FAMILY YMCA 1507 YMCA Pl., Plant City

| 813 757 6677

tampaymca.org

IN JO ODAY! T

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, SEPT 30 High: 89 Low: 69 Chance of rain: 8%

FRIDAY, OCT 1 High: 90 Low: 70 Chance of rain: 7%

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

SUNRISE/SUNSET Sunrise Sunset Thursday, Sept 30

7:21a

7:15p

Friday, Oct 1

7:21a

7:14p

Saturday, Oct 2

7:22a

7:13p

Sunday, Oct 3

7:22a

7:11p

Monday, Oct 4

7:23a

7:10p

Tuesday, Oct 5

7:23a

7:09p

Wednesday, Oct 6

7:24a

7:08p

WEATHER

I LOVE PLANT CITY

MOON PHASES

SATURDAY, OCT 2 High: 88 Low: 69 Chance of rain: 10%

SUNDAY, OCT 3 High: 88 Low: 68 Chance of rain: 12%

MONDAY, OCT 4 Christy Slocum took this photo of a butterfly in her Plant City garden.

ONLINE

High: 89 Low: 69 Chance of rain: 8%

Oct. 6 New

Oct. 12 First

Oct. 20 Full

Oct. 28 Last

RAINFALL LAST WEEK:

MONTH TO DATE:

0.20 in.

6.78 in.

YEAR TO DATE:

SEP. AVERAGE:

43.44 in.

7.09 in.

BEANS

Shipping point: South Florida $12.00-$14.00

Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

Your One Stop Shop For All Parties, Events & Reunions! Choice Meats • Meat Bundles • Specialty Meats • Produce • Smoke House • Groceries 617 N. Maryland Ave. • Plant City 813-752-1548 (C) 2021 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.

Across 1 MS-__ 4 He’s Santa in “Elf” 9 Fish-and-chips fish 12 Andean stew tubers 14 Geoffrey of fashion 15 “You have a point” 16 Hanukkah moolah 17 Cut with sharp teeth 18 Greasy spoon sign 19 Board game endings 21 Dudes 22 Sonora flora 23 Jungian inner self 24 Anti-apartheid org. 25 Actor Werner of “Fahrenheit 451” 26 Element #50

27 More squalid 30 Scrape (out) 31 Crackerjack 32 Restricted road area 33 High-__ image 34 Red variety of this puzzle’s circles 36 Larry __, former Phillies All-Star shortstop who was 2001 N.L. Manager of the Year 39 Meat-eating aids 40 River to the Baltic 44 “Invisible Cities” author Calvino 46 Copper orgs.? 47 Happy, but not cheerful or upbeat?

48 Spoonful, say 50 Was in the cards 51 Group with rackets 53 Long __ 54 Slightly cracked 56 Glass-half-empty sort 58 Computer giant 61 “Amen!” 62 Memorable mission 63 Director Kazan 64 “I’m up for it!” 65 Sashimi selection 66 Initial request for an answer? Down 1 Church doctrines 2 Airline on “Lost”

3 With 9-Down, crispy go-with for this puzzle’s circles 4 Washboard __ 5 Sailor’s skill 6 White variety of this puzzle’s circles 7 Doesn’t mumble 8 Press in a gym, say 9 See 3-Down 10 Scene not meant to be seen 11 Wish list items, e.g. 13 Stern’s opposite 15 They’re often in hot water 20 Bossa nova ancestor 22 Chick of jazz 28 Family member 29 Tolkien’s Quickbeam et al. 34 Adaptable ducks 35 “I get it now” 36 Two diamonds, possibly 37 Ioway relative 38 Store whose first three letters come from its founder’s name 41 Ones “in distress” 42 Before, before 43 “Mayberry __”: ‘60s sitcom 45 Body blow reaction 47 Simpson outburst 49 12-point type 50 El Pollo __: chain in the U.S. and Mexico 52 “The Clan of the Cave Bear” heroine 53 Hendrix at Woodstock 54 Leatherwork tool 55 Film noir coffee 57 “I’ll pass” 59 Tyler who played Arwen in the “Lord of the Rings” films 60 Catcher behind the plate?

LL Wiiiams & Karen Davis OWNERS OF FELTON'S

PLANT CITY OBSERVER

PlantCityObserver.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

Protect your family and yourself. Get vaccinated and stay safe. Protecting your loved ones and yourself is more important than ever. The new Delta variant of COVID-19 is 50 percent more contagious and it’s spreading rapidly through our communities, ﬁlling our hospitals with sicker, younger patients. The COVID-19 vaccine has proved to be the best option to help avoid serious complications and hospitalization from the coronavirus. Continue to mask up and practice social distancing, but give your family and yourself the best chance to stay well by getting the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine. Protect yourself and the ones you love. Learn more: BayCare.org/GetVaccinated

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