Plant City Observer 11.01.12

FREE • thuRsday, NOVEMBER 1, 2012

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Plant Cityfaces Newsomethis Friday.PAGE 13

Crossword ......... 19 Obituaries ......... 12 Opinion ................8 Sports ............... 15Vol. 1, No. 18 | one section

PlantCityObserver.com

+ Director returns to alma mater

Plant City Photo Archives and History Center Executive Director gil gott attended recently the 50th reunion of his U.S. Air Force class of 1962 graduation from the Chinese Language Program at the Institute of Far Eastern Languages, Yale University, in New Haven, Conn.

The 20 veterans were treated to a guided tour of parts of the campus and lunch at Yale Commons.

Robert Bonds, assistant director of the Association of Yale Alumni, and henry Kwan, director of Shared Interest Group Relations, led the group to the spot where they stood in 1962 as Honor Guard for President John F. Kennedy, who delivered the commencement speech June 11, 1962.

Although things have changed in the past 50 years, Gott managed to locate his old dorm room in St. Elmo’s Hall, now called Rosenfeld Hall.

OUR TOWN

iNDEX

HOMETOWN HERO by amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

More than 700 Lynn Univer-sity college students entered the lottery to win a ticket to the last 2012 presidential debate that took place on the Boca Raton campus.

Plant City native Riley Andreu was one of 500 students who showed up the day before the Oct. 22 debate for the drawing. Remarkably, she was drawn as the first alternate ticket winner, making her the last person to re-ceive a ticket to the event.

“It was the most exciting thing that has happened (to me) here,” the freshman said. “I’ve never ex-perienced anything like it.”

Andreu always has enjoyed politics. She has watched other presidential debates on TV but said the debates translate differ-ently in person than on TV.

“Being able to watch the can-didates expressions first-hand, you don’t have to rely on cam-era angles to show you what’s going on or what the candidate is thinking,” Andreu said. “You

durant alum wins final ticket to debate

politics by amber Jurgensen | Associate Editor

Riley Andreu was one of only about 100 Lynn University students to receive a ticket to the presidential debate.

sEE tiCKEt / pAgE 6

When U.S. Army Pfc. Jordan Williams was told to meet his mother at the Plant City Police Department on his way home Sept. 28, from Fort Bragg, N.C., he found it a bit strange. But he went along with her request.

Just two weeks before, Jor-dan had set his feet back on American soil after serving a tour in Afghanistan.

Jordan knew his mother, Sandi Williams, and fam-

ily would be happy to see him. Little did he know the town of Plant City would be happy, too.

Upon arriving at the police department, Jordan received a police escort from the fire department, down Alexander Street, to his church, Victory Baptist Church, on South Bap-tist Church Road. Police offi-cers stood along the streets and saluted the serviceman. People Jordan didn’t even know lined

the streets with signs, yelling, “Welcome home, Jordan,” and “Thank you,” at his caravan.

“It was a complete surprise,” Jordan says. “I was not expect-ing it.”

Sandi had invited friends and family to welcome Jordan home that day. But she had no idea it would explode into a crowd of about 200 people

HOME SWEETHOME

HOMETOWN HEROESHometown Heroes is a recurring feature in the Plant City Observer in which we profile veterans from

Plant City. If you have a loved one currently serving or who has served in the past, please contact Managing Editor Michael Eng by email at [email protected] or by phone at 704-6850.

Photos courtesy of Endless Dreams Photography

U.S. Army Pfc. Jordan Williams and his nephew, Caden Roberts, embraced in a tear-filled hug upon Jordan’s return to Plant City after a tour in Afghanistan. Top: The Williams family: Michael Williams, Jessica Williams, sandi Williams, Jordan Williams, greg Williams (holding Charlie Roberts), Matthew Roberts (holding nephew Caden Roberts) and samantha Roberts

U.s. Army pfc. Jordan Williams received a hero’s welcome when he returned to plant City following a tour in Afghanistan.

Courtesy photo

Riley andreu said she plans to vote for Republican Gov. Mitt Romney.

sEE WilliAMs / pAgE 6

+ Webelos earngeologist badges

The Webelo Scouts of Plant City Boy Scouts Troop 14 attended the Tampa Bay Mineral and Science Club show Oct. 21, at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds.

For attending the show, the troop completed the Geologist Merit Badge. The scouts were able to talk to lapidaries and observe them creating beads and jewelry. An amethyst vendor from Brazil also had been a scout and was happy to talk to the boys.

Plant city observerTHURSDAY, novembeR 1, 20122 PlantCityObserver.com

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Screenings 8am-noonCalling All Women! Mammogram - Must have a physician’s prescription to receive a screening mammogram. South Florida Baptist Hospital Breast Center Main Hospital Cost: $45 Calling All Men! Prostate/PSA Test - Prostate exam including digital rectal exam (DRE) and PSA blood test. Screening provided by Satish Dholakia, MD, and Randy Heysek, MD.Heysek and Kepes Radiation Oncology Cost: $20

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PlantCityObserver.com 3 Plant city observerTHURSDAY, novembeR 1, 2012

As a U.S. Air Force airman during the Cold War, Rotarian George Banning was expecting a stereotypical experience before he set out for a three-week trip to Russia this summer. But his per-ceptions changed as he traveled around the large country with fellow Plant City Rotarians.

The infamous goulash pris-ons were converted to suit more peaceful purposes such as mon-asteries. And although there were some small, dilapidated houses from the Communist era, many people lived in houses similar to American floor plans. And Rus-sians ate pizza, cheese, bread and other common cuisine.

Banning, along with his step-son, Greg Flinn, and fellow Rotar-ians Bill and Ann Dolan and Alan and Melanie Feldman, traveled to Russia as part of the Rotary Friendship Exchange. The group visited about nine different Ro-tary Clubs in Russia while they toured the country.

“This was a chance for us to visit and see what Rotary is doing in Russia,” Banning said.

The group started in Moscow and traveled to eight different cities, including Chess City, St. Petersburg and Omsk in Siberia. They stayed with host families who also were Rotarians.

“It was intense,” Banning said. “Every day, we were traveling by train, boat, plane — you name it.”

A history buff, Banning was ex-cited to see the Kremlin, the Red Square and visit museums. His favorite city was St. Petersburg, where he walked through the ornate halls of Peter the Great’s summer palace. He viewed the surrounded gardens, which boasted 150 fountains and gave him ideas for his own award-winning garden back home in Plant City.

“A great part of Russia was de-stroyed during World War II, but rather than destroy St. Peters-burg, the Germans encircled it, so a lot of palaces are still intact,” Banning said.

The group also visited Cath-erine the Great’s palace. The impressive art collection, gold-

leaf designs and ex-quisite chandeliers overwhelmed Ban-ning.

In addition to Rus-sia’s rich history, the group experienced some off-the-grid living. They visited an organic com-mune, where locals farmed their own food and existed without electricity.

As the Rotarians traveled, Banning took 1,200 photos of all the things they saw: Putin’s office standing tall, orthodox Russian churches with colorful, iconic domes, a Don Quixote ballet, and much more.

Venturing into one Moscow restaurant, the Rotarians par-ticipated in a tradition during

which they rubbed salt on their hands and took a piece of bread from a tra-ditionally dressed waitress before sit-ting down to eat.

After visiting the largest Bud-dhist monastery, they spun prayer wheels, which were placed in a row at the front of the spiritual building.

They even got to zip around on a high-speed train.

But perhaps the most impor-tant things they did while in Russia were sticking close to the Rotarian purpose — community service.

Banning and his club mem-bers participated in a friendship tree planting by the Black Sea.

They planted the tree in a park that the local Russian club is revi-talizing for the community.

Another club presented 22 wheelchairs to children in an orphanage in Omsk, where Ban-ning and his group were present to help. Some of the children lived in the orphanage, while others came during the day and went home at night.

“These kids were thrilled,” Banning said. “They didn’t have anything, and then all of a sud-den, they were wheeling around everywhere.”

At a school similar to Simmons Career Center, another club pro-vided sewing machines and sup-port with woodworking shop and other classes, as well as providing clothes to those in need.

Contact Amber Jurgensen at [email protected].

Two trophies are up for grabs, and there’s only one way to win them — shake your stuff.

The Plant City Noon Rotary Club is hosting its fifth Dancing with the Locals charity competi-tion Nov. 9, at the John R. Trinkle Center. Rotarians hope to raise about $30,000, which will go into the Rotary’s fundraiser account to help the community in the future.

“It’s a great event,” Rotarian Jim Scott said. “It’s been well received by the community.”

The nine couples prepare for the event by taking 10 weeks of classes. They are free to find their own instructor, but Susan Stan-ton and Kevin Rios are the go-to choreographers for the contest.

This year’s judges include Nata-sha Davis, of Plant City Mortgage; James Surrency, superintendent for Wetherington Tractor Service; and Traci Walding, a zumba in-structor at the Plant City YMCA and the owner of Face Place.

In the past, the event has been held at the Red Rose Inn. But after the inn closed, the fundraiser had to find a new location.

“We’re very excited about the new venue for this year’s event,” Rotary President Billy Keel said. “But that is not the only thing that is new this year. For the first time, the event will have two new em-cees, Gary and Tina Pike.”

Out of the two winning tro-phies last year, the Pikes won the judges’ trophy. The other trophy is won by raising the most mon-ey. Olan Deguzman and Tracy Connell, of South Florida Baptist Hospital, took home the gold in that division.


if YoU goWHen: 6:30 p.m. nov. 9WHere: John R. Trinkle Center, 1206 n. Park RoadticKets: $100 per seat; Call for sponsorship pricingcontact: (863) 412-2880

Dancers prepare for battleDancers will dazzle the audience at the fifth Dancing with the Locals event nov. 9.

tHe Dancerstommy and Jennifer o’nealMike and angela sessaKaren Fuentes and eric randalllori rogers and Michael JohnsonHeather coats and alan FiggaMaribel lorenzo and William lasseterclay and caitlin rollysonvictoria Garren and Kyle GarrenGail lyons and larry roth

tHe JUDGesnatasha DavisJames surrencytraci Walding

STeP bY STeP by amber Jurgensen | Associate editor

Fresh off her win as Miss Feb-ruary in the Calendar Girls pag-eant at Plant City High School, Maddy Keene is excited to con-tinue her career as a pageant girl in Plant City’s most famous competition, the Florida Straw-berry Festival Queen’s Pageant.

Like many other contenders, this is Keene’s first time compet-ing in the 83-year-old Pageant.

“I love picking out a pretty dress, doing my hair and make up and walking on the stage,” Keene said about her favorite parts of the Calendar Girls pag-eant.

Growing up in Plant City, Keene remembers seeing beau-tiful Strawberry Queens and their graceful court at events around town.

“It’s really exciting to think that I could be one of the court

members or the Queen,” Keene said.

And although Keene has hopes of winning the competi-tion, she is doing the Pageant mostly for fun and to be part of the long-standing tradition.

To compete in the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen’s

Pageant, which is sponsored by the Plant City Lions Club, com-petitors like Keene must attend a mandatory orientation Nov. 4.

At the orientation, hopefuls will receive an application and learn if they meet the criteria to enter the Pageant. They must have a 3.0 grade-point aver-age and live within certain geo-graphical boundaries in Plant City.

Pageant chairwoman Gail Ly-ons is hoping to select around 35 girls and two alternates.

“Every girl in this community looks forward to becoming the Strawberry Queen,” Lyons said. “They start them out in pageants young in this community.”

The Lions Club starts planning for the pageant in July, polishing the application and preparing for the mandatory meeting. Af-

ter the girls complete their ap-plications, all information is ver-ified, and the selected girls meet at a social in December. There, they are matched randomly with a sponsor.

Rehearsals for the opening dance begin in early January. The girls have less than a month to learn the routine.

“They have fun with it,” Lyons said. “We keep it simple.”

The pageant is on Jan. 26, at the Evelyn and Batista Madonia Agricultural Center. Interviews start at 10 a.m. and usually end at around 4 p.m. The girls return for the finale later in the evening.

Judges’ identities aren’t re-vealed until the day of the show, but all are Miss America judges from out of town.

“I wish I could crown all of the girls Queen,” Lyons said of the contestants.


to russia, with loveAs part of Rotary’s international program, six locals ventured across the world to experience Russian culture.

travel loGPlant City Rotarians traveled to eight cit-ies during their trip:moscowvologradelista Chess CityKrasnadornovorossiyskomskSt. Petersburg

Courtesy photoThe Plant City Rotarians met some of their Russian counterparts during their trip.

world travelers by amber Jurgensen | Associate editor

Road to Queen’s crown begins SundayTRADiTion by amber Jurgensen | Associate editor

To compete in the florida Strawberry festival Queen’s Pageant competitors must attend a mandatory orientation nov. 4.

mAnDAToRY meeTingWHen: 4 p.m. nov. 4WHere: florida Strawberry festival expo HallinForMation: Applicants must be accompanied to the orientation by a parent or guardiancontact: Kerrie gafford, (863) 670-6272


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Although she’s just 6 years old, Madison Brewer has the ambition of a veteran professional and a heart of gold. Brewer has started her own fundraiser for families in need in Plant City during the holidays.

“I want to help a family and give them Christmas pres-ents,” Brewer said.

Brewer learned about missionaries during Sunday School at First Baptist Church of Dover this summer. She said the stories of children in need inspired her to do something to help others.

In August, she asked her parents, Deanna and Ryan, for an empty milk jug so she could collect money in it for families in need. Brewer decorated the two-gallon jug with blue clouds and birds.

“We realized how seri-ous she was about it, so we started Madison’s Mission,” Deanna said.

The family gathered 12 smaller milk jugs and hand-ed them out to seven friends and businesses to collect money. One of those busi-nesses is Sisters & Company in downtown Plant City.

“There’s been a lot of response,” owner Devony Scott said about the jug that sits next to the cash register at the store’s front counter. “I’ve had people say, ‘I don’t have any cash, but can you run my debit card for it?’”

Scott will hold a sale Nov. 3, during which a percentage of Vera Bradley sales will go to Madison’s Mission. Vera Bradley has donated $175 in merchandise to be raffled off for the mission.

A family friend, Scott helped the Brewers create the logo for Madison’s Mission, which features a pink cross with a heart in the center.

“My inspiration for the logo was Madison,” Scott said. “She basically picked out everything on the computer. She knew what she wanted.”

Scott also helped Madison’s Mission launch online with a blog and Facebook page Oct. 6. Since the charity has gone online, more people have taken notice. Within the first week of its online presence, Madison’s Mission earned $100.

Since August, the mission has collected $521.83. The money will go to pay for a Thanksgiving meal for a family at Bailey Elementary, Madison’s school. After Thanksgiv-ing, Brewer will continue to carry around her large milk jug everywhere she goes to collect money for another family for Christmas.

Deanna always knew Madison had a generous heart but believes church has influenced Brewer to make an impact in the community.

“I’m proud that at 6 years old, she realizes how impor-tant it is to give back,” Deanna said. “Also, this teaches her she can accomplish anything when she sets her mind to it.”

The Brewers hope to continue collecting money for families after the holidays and throughout next year to have a bigger donation for Thanksgiving and Christmas 2013.

For more, visit helpmadisonsmission.blogspot.com.Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityob-

server.com.

Elementary student launchesnew fundraiserWith a dream and a milk jug, Madison Brewer has started a holiday tradition.

SAnTA’S liTTle HelpeR by amber Jurgensen | Associate editor

Amber Jurgensen

Madison brewer loves Sisters & Company for helping her out with her mission.

HoW To HelpWant to help madison’s mission? visit helpmadisons-mission.blogspot.com or send donations to:

Madison brewerp.o. box 1533Dover, Fl 33527

NEW

SBRIEFS + Driver receives 15

years for hit-and-run timoteo Gabriel DeJesus, of

plant City, has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison after accepting a plea agreement in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed one teenager and left another seriously injured ear-lier this year.

According to plant City police Department reports, at about 7:40 p.m. Jan. 22, officers responded to the area of Turkey Creek Road about one-half mile north of State Road 574 in reference to two juveniles who were struck by a vehicle.

When officers arrived, they found 16 year-old brandon sullivan deceased. Fifteen-year-old erick Gonzalez, who was picked up by a passerby, was not at the scene when officers arrived. He had been taken to South Florida baptist Hospital with a broken leg.

investigators said Sullivan and Gonzalez were walking south-bound along the west side of Turkey Creek Road when they were struck by a 1995 lincoln Town Car, driven by DeJesus. The teens were walking to the conve-nience store at Turkey Creek Road and State Road 574 and had just left Sullivan’s home prior to being

struck. After the crash, DeJesus fled the scene and eluded police for more than 24 hours.

DeJesus was subsequently located and taken into custody Jan. 23, after a plant City police K-9 found him hiding in a pile of debris at his place of employ-ment.

DeJesus was charged with leaving the scene of a traffic

crash involving death, leaving the scene of a crash involving seri-ous injury, and driving without a driver’s license resulting in death. DeJesus pleaded guilty to those charges oct. 29.

in addition to his 15-year sentence, DeJesus will serve five years probation and will be deported from the United States.

+ Plant City manarrested for robbery

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s office investigators arrested last week a plant City man in connec-tion with the robbery of a Dover Hess express.

According to Sheriff’s office reports, Michael Dean croft, 41, of plant City, entered the gas station at about 7:39 p.m. oct. 6, and asked the store clerk for change. When the clerk opened the cash register, Croft reached into the register drawer and removed an undisclosed amount of cash.

+ CorrectionThe Arts Council of plant City

is hosting the concert by classical pianist eleonora lvov. The con-cert will be at 6:30 p.m. nov. 2, at plant City photo Archives and History Center, 106 S. evers St.

Meetings &agendas Plant city commission — 7:30 p.m., second and fourth mondays, 302 W. Reynolds St., plant City

Hillsborough county commission — 9 a.m., first and third Wednesdays, Second floor of County Center, 601 e. Kennedy blvd., Tampa

Hillsborough county school board — 3 p.m., second and fourth Tuesdays, 901 e. Kennedy blvd., Tampa

Walden lake community association — 6 p.m., third mondays, 3035 Griffin blvd., Walden lake


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Hillsborough County Commissioner Al Hig-ginbotham invited his Plant City constituents to a complimentary breakfast Oct. 29, at Johnson Barbecue.

Higginbotham is run-ning against Democrat Mark Nash and inde-pendent Joy Green for Hillsborough County Commission District 4.

Higginbotham held the breakfast at Johnson’s because of his history with the restaurant. It was there that he held his first kickoff party six years ago, when he entered the political arena.

“I am 100% behind Al,” restaurant

owner Fred Johnson said.

Higginbotham has been putting in 16-hour days on the campaign trail.

“I’m more tired than excited,” Higginbotham said. “I think any can-didate would be lying if they didn’t say they were tired at the end of a race.

But we’re right on target.”Attendees included Plant City Com-

missioner Dan Raulerson and Rich Glorioso, who served four terms in the Florida House of Representatives and is now running for Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections.

Al Higginbotham serves upbreakfast at Johnson barbecue

campaign trail by amber Jurgensen | Associate editor

veronica ProstkoDevon and al Higginbotham and Fred Johnson

Sweetbay Supermarket was filled with Burney El-ementary School students after school Oct. 26. They roamed the aisles of the 507 S. Wheeler St. grocery store, counting, spying and searching for items for a math worksheet scavenger hunt.

The Math Day was orga-nized by math coach Kristy Fisher. Students from kin-dergarten to fifth grade were given a worksheet with math questions. The students were asked to find foods that were packaged in dozens, estimate the cost to make nachos and

find items that are squares, circles and triangles. After the students finished their sheets, they could get a de-

licious piece of cake made in Sweetbay’s bakery.

“Anytime we can show parents what they’re work-ing on in school can be ap-plied to everyday life is a good thing,” Fisher said.

Fisher collaborated with Sweetbay’s office coordina-tor Richie Long to create the successful event.

“The kids get to come out into the ‘real world’ and not just learn in a classroom,” Long said. “And it’s fun for us, too.”

This is the second year Burney students have stormed the aisles of Sweet-bay to count and learn.

Sweetbay, Burney partnershipadds up to success for students

AiSle ARiTHmeTic by amber Jurgensen | Associate editor

sabrina Grover and her mom, Kaletha, thought math Day was a great idea.

Fourth-grade teachers Keyonna richardson and becki Martin had fun helping student elizabeth Martin with her math skills.

owen Johnson and rich Glorioso showed their support.


who gathered to celebrate his re-turn.

“It just grew and grew,” Sandi says. “Neighbors would hear about it and ask if they could in-vite people. And people on Face-book saw it and just came.”

Even students and faculty from Plant City High School, Jordan’s alma mater, ran across the park-ing lot to greet the soldier as he passed.

When Jordan spotted his grand-mother crying in the crowd, he stopped the entire caravan to go hug her.

“It meant the world to me,” he says about his welcome-home parade. “When you’re in Afghani-stan, you think you’re doing it for not. But this was a big boost. It let me know people appreciated us.”

SURPRISE DEPLOYMENTJordan only had been enlisted

in the Army for 10 months before being deployed to Afghanistan in

February. After boot camp and airborne school, Jordan was sup-posed to be stationed in Germany. But the Army needed more men on the ground in dusty Afghani-stan. He was sent to his perma-nent duty station in Fort Bragg to train for combat.

There, he was qualified on the M240 Bravo machine gun and learned how to drive military ve-hicles. Then, he was sent to the California desert for a mock de-ployment which he says was simi-lar to the real thing.

Sandi still remembers the day she said good-bye to her son be-fore he boarded a military aircraft for the Middle East. She sat in the car and watched as the soldiers were suited with their guns and equipment.

“It was very difficult,” Sandi re-members. “I realized my little boy was going to war.”

Sandi didn’t want to get out of the car after seeing children pull-ing on the pant legs of their par-ents who were going to war.

“I would have lost it,” Sandi says. “My heart hurts when I think about what I saw.”

DOING HIS DUTYJordan first joined the Army in

April 2011. He was torn on which branch to join, because his fa-ther, Greg Williams, served in the U.S. Navy and another military role model served in the Marines. However, although he had diffi-culty deciding which uniform to wear, Jordan never wavered on his decision to serve in some capac-ity.

“I believe everyone should serve at least four years,” Jordan says. “I always used to dress as a soldier for Halloween and look through my dad’s scrapbook of him in the military, and that motivated me.

“I chose the Army because I thought the Army did cooler things,” Jordan says.

And Jordan has done a lot of “cool” things. As part of his train-ing as a military police officer, Jordan went to airborne school,

where he learned how to jump out of planes.

“It’s fun and scary,” Jordan says. “It’s probably one of the most nerve-wracking things — seeing the ground 800 feet below.”

In Afghanistan, Jordan also in-teracted with the locals.

“I was expecting to go over there and see explosions and guns,” Jor-dan says. “But we spent a lot of time helping people. For all the people who say we’re not doing anything over there, I’ve seen the good we’re doing in the commu-nity there.”

Jordan helped hand food out to children and push out insurgents threatening the civilians.

While in Afghanistan, Jordan earned a combat action badge. He engaged in combat a couple of times while working security detail for Col. Brian Mennis. As a gunner, he was responsible for lo-cating any shooters.

“You’re training just kicks in,” Jordan says. “You don’t really get the shakes until after.”

RETURN FROM WARJordan returned from Afghani-

stan Sept. 15. Before continuing to Fort Bragg, his plane stopped at a small Massachusetts airport, where he was greeted by com-plete strangers, ecstatic for his return.

“It was one of the best feelings in my life,” Jordan says about set-ting his feet on American soil.

His mother met him in North Carolina.

“The wheels touched down, and I thought, ‘Oh my God. He is home,’” Sandi remembers. “When Jordan came home from Afghanistan, I was just so happy and overwhelmed.”

Jordan marched down a red carpet with a traditional Army song playing in the air.

“My family has been a huge help,” Jordan says. “It definitely takes a strong family to support someone in the military.”


can see it for yourself.”Sitting eight rows back from

the stage, Andreu was able to get a good view of Gov. Mitt Romney, the GOP candidate.

Although the debate was con-sidered a tie, Andreu thought President Barack Obama per-formed better in this debate than he had in the previous debates.

“I don’t think it was a landslide win,” Andreu said. “But I wouldn’t be shocked if he won some votes from this debate.”

Andreu turned 18 at the end of August and can’t wait to vote

for the first time. Her candidate: Romney.

“I find that the economy is the biggest issue, and I haven’t been too impressed with Obama’s eco-nomic policies,” Andreu said. “I think Romney can do a better job because of his business experi-ence.”

As a student athlete, Andreu was especially impressed with the transformation of the gym into a media center. The floor was carpeted. Dozens of monitors, screens, desks and chairs were set up around a mess of cords con-necting to cameras, microphones and computers.

The school of about 2,000 stu-dents nearly doubled in size as media members descended upon the small, private college which fascinated Andreu, who is study-ing radio, TV and Internet media.

“It was cool to see it first-hand,” Riley said. “I did TV production in high school so I am used to being around cameras and equipment, but I’ve never seen it on that big of a scale.”

Although only about 100 stu-dents won tickets in the lottery, Andreu was able to watch it sitting alongside four other girls from her soccer team, which she described as a great experience.

Because of the debate, Lynn University focused its curriculum around politics. In the days lead-ing up to the event, the university scheduled mock debates and ac-tivities, such as a movie night and 5K run. On the day of the debate, students, the public and ticket-holders were invited to viewings, a pool party and dinners.

Student ticket-holders were asked to meet at 3:45 p.m. on the day of the event to get on several charter buses, which took them across the street to the Perform-ing Arts Center, which students call the “Wold Center.”

“It was funny we only had to

go across the street, but I guess, because of security reasons, we could not walk to the center,” An-dreu said.

The students were allowed to walk around the center before the debate started. Andreu and oth-ers were able to sit in First Lady Michelle Obama’s reserved seat in the front row before it started.

“The whole setup was amazing, because we had never seen the center like that before,” Andreu said. “Tons of people were taking pictures to document the experi-ence.”


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The following information was gathered from incident and arrest reports obtained from the Plant City Police Department.

OCT. 17 A LITTLe TIPSY

4000 block of amberjack boulevard. Driving Under the Influence. The suspect was arrested for DUI after he crashed into several parked trailers while at-tempting to leave Amberjack Boule-vard. The suspect’s breath-alcohol con-tent was .215 and .218. The suspect was turned over to Orient Road Jail.

OCT. 19 HoT WHeeLS

300 east calhoun street. Commercial Burglary. Unknown suspect(s) entered the towing company by cutting a hole in the fence on the east side of the proper-ty. Once inside, the suspect(s) stole a red 2006 Shanghai scooter. The scooter was recovered in two pieces near the railroad tracks off Warnell Street south of East Reynolds Street.

WACKY TobACKY1100 block of north alexander street.

Drug Investigation/Arrest. Officers con-ducted a traffic stop on a Chrysler 300 after observing the vehicle running a red light. After smelling the odor of mari-juana, a small bag of marijuana was ob-served in plain view on the floorboard underneath the suspect’s feet. The sus-pect was arrested and released on his own recognizance.

OCT. 20 CAnIne CRIme

400 block of West Dr. Martin luther King Jr. boulevard. Theft. Officers were flagged down by victim, who stated the suspect stole his dog by untying it and leaving the location. Officers were able

to apprehend the suspect and return the pet to the victim.

CHeCK’S In THe mAIL200 block of Waller street. Battery. The

victim reported his landlord became up-set because of late rent. While the land-lord was mowing the grass of the apart-ments, she came toward the victim and touched him twice on the face against his will with her finger. The landlord de-nied the contact via phone.

meAT mAn500 block of south Wheeler street.

Shoplifting. Officers responded to the grocery store, where security had de-tained the suspect after he concealed a steak worth $13.99, attempted to leave the store and then pushed the manager in an attempt to flee. The suspect was arrested and transported to Orient Road Jail.

UnWAnTeD GUeST1900 block of east timberlane Drive.

Attempted Burglary. The victim said an unknown subject, from a house party next door, attempted to enter their resi-dence through a locked sliding-glass door. The victim and her husband con-fronted the suspect and advised him the police were en route. He fled the loca-tion. The physical description provided by victim allowed police to make contact with the suspect. The victim positively identified him after he was located. He denied ever going to the residence and was uncooperative with officers. He was transported to Orient Road Jail.

CoPS CoRneRPLANT CITY

visit PlantCityobserver.com for more Cops Corner reports.


The political buzz today, of course, is all about the presi-dential election. Rightfully so. The course of America, if not the world, is at stake.

And so is your individual liberty.

When you think through the existing conditions in America today and the consequences of this election, at the national level, it may indeed determine the out-come of what has been a long-running — but more intense over these past four years — War on Individual Liberty.

It’s simple: When the rulers burden you and your future generations with $16 trillion in national debt (and growing), this is a tightening noose around the neck of freedom. It cuts off the oxygen to your abilities to pursue your happiness. You (we) become slaves to the burdens sanctioned by government.

This War on Individual Liberty is not just at the national level. The roots of it begins here at home, in our neighborhoods, our schools, city and county commis-sions and at the state Capitol.

So here, we offer the Plant City Observer’s recommendations for president, state and local offices.

President of the United StatesOur nation’s selection of a

president for the next four years bears directly on our local well-being. Most of our candidates for state and local office have included in their platforms sup-porting the business community, job development and economic development. The Plant City Observer agrees with these goals, and we also believe those we elect locally will be greatly impacted in their pursuit of these goals by the person we elect to the White House.

To provide maximum support for local economic development will require a president who un-derstands the private sector, how to grow a business and how to create permanent jobs. And it will take a president who believes the bedrock of America’s economic strength lies in the private sector.

Only one candidate meets these criteria.

Recommendation: Gov. Mitt Romney

Florida Senate, District 24Though a newcomer to elec-

tive politics, Democrat Elizabeth Belcher is offering to serve in the Florida Senate based on experi-ence as a community activist. During 37 years of federal em-ployment as a criminal investi-gator with the Internal Revenue Service, Belcher was prevented by federal law from running for public office. Upon her retire-ment, she became involved in a several community issues. She worked to establish the Seffner/Mango Library and served as president of the Friends of Sef-fner/Mango Library.

Republican Tom Lee returns to politics after six years of concen-tration on the construction firm his family owns, Sabal Homes. He points to his nearly 25 years of continuous work in that business as helping him understand the needs of business owners and how government can best sup-port those needs. Lee previously served for 10 years in the Florida Senate, from 1996 to 2006, and served his last two as president.

Lee’s previous service as a state senator, Senate president and his

25-year career as an executive and owner in the construction industry make him our clear choice.

Recommendation: Lee

Florida House, District 58Jose Vazquez has spent most of

his life in Puerto Rico. The jobs he held there, which he believes have prepared him to be a state representative, include security guard, driver for the mayor of a city, paramedic, Department of Education, Health, Families, and Children’s worker, and campaign manager for a political party working for United States state-hood for Puerto Rico.

Sixth-generation Floridian Dan Raulerson earned a bach-elor’s degree in accounting from Florida State University and later opened an accounting branch business in Plant City and then started his own accounting firm. He has served for five years in elective office as a city commis-sioner of Plant City, two of them as mayor. If elected, Raulerson wants to concentrate on making it easier for businesses to reach their potential, streamlining the system and making it easier for people to understand policies and regulations.

Although we are intrigued by the diverse background Vazquez possesses, Raulerson is the only true choice in this race.

Recommendation: Raulerson

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections

Craig Latimer spent 36 years in law enforcement, rising from crime scene investigator to major with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. He retired from the Sheriff’s Office in 2008 and coordinated former Supervisor of Elections Phyllis Busansky’s campaign for election to that office. After her election, she appointed him chief of staff in 2009. After Busansky’s death in office, gubernatorially appointed Interim Supervisor of Elections Earl Lennard retained Latimer as chief of staff.

After a career in the United States Air Force as a pilot and as an information technology ad-ministrator, Rich Glorioso retired as a colonel and entered a career in electoral politics. He served for eight years as a commissioner in Plant City. He was then elected for four terms in the Florida House of Representatives. He was term-limited out of that office this year.

Although Latimer served with distinction in a career in law enforcement and security, Glorioso’s Air Force assignments in information technology management relate more closely to the large data-management functions of this office. Moreover, Glorioso’s service on the Plant City Commission required him to view and weigh many issues that encompassed the entire breadth of the city.

Recommendation: Glorioso

Hillsborough County Property Appraiser

When a long-serving incum-bent loses a primary battle, it sometimes brings out a number of candidates who may have been eyeing the position them-selves.

Democrat Bob Henriquez served a full eight-year period in the Florida House of Represen-tatives District 58, from 1998 to

2006. In 2008, he won gubernato-rial appointment as Sixth Judicial Circuit administrator. Until 2011, he headed the Department of Children and Families efforts in Pinellas and Pasco counties.

Non-partisan candidate James DeMio earned a bachelor’s de-gree from Ohio State University and from 1990 to 2000 served as an administrator and officer of the Housing Court Division of the Cleveland Municipal Court.

Non-partisan candidate Rob Townsend lists employment as a farm owner, miner and working in a combined cycle, power-plant operation among his qualifica-tions. He says a return to the agriculture and business sched-ule is a must with a mandatory compliance of the new Value Adjustment Board rules.

With her father stationed in Germany and Turkey, Republican Ronda Storms grew up overseas as a military brat. She taught English at Bloomingdale High, before earning a law degree from Stetson University. After practic-ing law, Storms was elected to the Hillsborough County com-mission from 1998 to 2006. She then won election to the Florida Senate in 2006.

In her elective service, Storms has earned a reputation as an outspoken advocate for issues in which she believes, and we be-lieve Storms will bring the same support here.

Recommendation: Storms

Hillsborough County Commission District 4

Nonpartisan candidate Joy Green has garnered much of her volunteer service in Aglow Inter-national, a worldwide Christian outreach program. Green has worked her way up to be regional director in charge of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina projects and leads about 3,000 women to drive grassroots move-ments and community events.

Democrat Mark Nash grew up in Brandon, earned a degree at Florida State University and spent his career with the Gillette Company, managing various business accounts across the eastern half of the country. He returned to Hillsborough County in 1997 to manage the Gillette shaving business at Publix Super-markets.

Republican incumbent Coun-ty Commissioner Al Higginbo-tham has worked as a congres-sional aide in Washington, D. C., and as an executive assistant to the Florida treasurer and insur-ance commissioner. From 2003 to 2006, he served as chairman of the Hillsborough County Republican Party, and in 2006, he was elected to the county commission. He lists helping in the creation of a new court-house in Plant City, assisting in the preservation of the Bealsville community and creating more private sector-jobs in any year in the last decade.

We believe Higginbotham’s experience in Washington, Talla-hassee and Hillsborough County — and his six years of service on the commission itself — make him the clear choice in this race.

Recommendation: Higginbo-tham

Hillsborough County Commission District 6

In what has become the most bitter race in Hillsborough Coun-ty, Democrat incumbent Kevin

Beckner faces a feisty opponent in Margaret Iuculano.

Recently, the race took a nasty turn as supporters (and oppo-nents) of both candidates slung a fair amount of mud.

Developer consultant David Campo pulled into the spotlight Beckner’s time on the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County. The agency’s CEO recently was forced out following reports of questionable spending and no-bid contracts. Beckner maintains those contracts did not require board approval.

Iuculano has faced her own challenges. Beckner and his sup-porters have publicized her and her husband’s 2007 bankruptcy and two tax liens as examples of money mismanagement.

However, beyond the rhetoric, the two candidates are more alike than headlines would lead you to believe. As one of only two Dem-ocrats on a seven-member board, Beckner worked with his Repub-lican counterparts to reduce the county’s budget by $1 billion. Iuculano, who served as CEO of TechSherpas, a local technical software training company, also brings her own expertise in small business and local economics.

To date, Beckner’s campaign contributions total (nearly $300,000) is about three times what Iuculano has raised. And al-though it would seem Iuculano is fighting an uphill battle here, we believe her business experience, combined with her life experi-ences as a product of the foster care system and as founder of the non-profit Angels for Foster Kids, makes her uniquely qualified to represent Hillsborough County.

Recommendation: Iuculano

Hillsborough County School Board District 7

It became clear after the Au-gust primary that Hillsborough County voters have lost trust in the current Hillsborough County School Board.

At that time, six candidates were vying for this countywide seat. And in the end, incumbent Carol Kurdell, who has served on the board since 1992, only garnered 35.99% of the votes.

That total has forced this runoff between Kurdell and candidate Terry Kemple.

Kemple has been a fixture in School Board meetings in the past year, largely in a campaign against the Council on Ameri-can-Islamic Relations. A CAIR representative spoke to a class at Steinbrenner High School about a year ago. Kemple maintains the group harbors ties with terrorists.

He has a point. In 2009, federal judge Jorge A. Solis upheld the Justice Department’s decision to identify the organization as one with ties to the Holy Land Foundation, the Islamic Associa-tion for Palestine and the Hamas militant group.

We do support Kemple’s platform of School Board fiscal responsibility, parents’ rights and revamping accountability mea-sures, but we also have concern about how effective his voice ultimately would be as one on a seven-member board.

Still, two decades is a long time to serve on a board, and we be-lieve Kemple’s presence could be the beginning of a shift toward a board that would strengthen the family and its relationship to the school district.

Recommendation: Kemple

our view | endorsements

We recommend ... “If we are to build a better world, we must remember that the guiding

principle is this — a policy of freedom for the individual is the only truly

progressive policy.” Friedrich Hayek

“Road to Serfdom,” 1944

ObserverPLANT CITY

Publisher / Felix Haynes, [email protected]

Managing Editor / Michael Eng, [email protected]

Assistant Managing Editor / Jess Eng, [email protected]

Associate Editors / (Community) Amber Jurgensen, [email protected]; (Sports) Matt Mauney, [email protected] Advertising Executives / Veronica Prostko, [email protected]; Ronda Kyler, [email protected]

Advertising Coordinator / Linda Lancaster, [email protected]

Accounting Manager / Petra Kirkland, [email protected]

Advertising-Production Operations Manager / Kathy Payne, [email protected]

Advertising-Production Coordinator / Brooke Schultheis, [email protected]

Advertising Graphic Designers / Monica DiMattei, [email protected]; Marjorie Holloway, [email protected]; Luis Trujillo, [email protected]; Chris Stolz, [email protected]

President / Felix HaynesDirectors / Nate Kilton, Ed Verner,

Matt Walsh110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100A

Plant City, Fla. 813-704-6850

www.PlantCityObserver.com

The Plant CityObserver LLC

Locally OwnedPublisher of the Plant City Observer and

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©Copyright Plant City Observer LLC 2012 All Rights Reserved

to aDvertiseCall veronica Prostko or ronda Kyler at 704-6850.

senD Us yoUr neWsWe want to hear from

you. Let us know about your community events, celebrations and family member achievements. To contact us, send your information via: email: michael eng, [email protected]

mail: The Plant City observer, 110 e. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A, Plant City, FL 33563

contact UsThe Plant City observer is published once weekly,

on Thursdays. It provides free home delivery to several neighborhoods in Plant City. The Plant City observer also can be found in many commercial locations throughout Plant City and at our office, 110 e. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A.

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


ou can’t getany closer tohome thanSunshine State.

We are Plant City’s oldest and largest hometown financial

institution. We’ve been helping our neighbors since 1954.

We make all decisions locally and offer all the modern banking

services you expect.

If you like the idea of doing business close to home, visit us

and see how easy and friendly hometown banking can be.

“Banking on a First Name Basis”

PLANT CITY – Main Office, 102 W. Baker Street, 752-6193 • WALDEN WOODS – 2400 Jim Redman Parkway, 754-1844

Also offices in: BRANDON, RIVERVIEW and ZEPHYRHILLS

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The Youth Alliance hosted the Jeans and Jacket Gala at the Strawberry Festival Expo Hall Oct. 27.

The event featured a buffet dinner, live auction and the 2012 Mike Storter award presentation to Tommy Warnock, who has been a staff member for Plant City’s First Baptist Church since 1984 and served as an associate pastor since 2005.

The event also included special guests, including former Harlem Globetrotter Seth Franco, former Tampa Bay Lightning player Jassen Cullimore, radio personality Mark Cook, inspirational speakers Reggie Dabbs and Chris Hollyfield and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Anthony McFar-land, Earnest Graham and Tony Mayberry.

The Youth Alliance is an organization that works with students across the coun-

try to provide the necessary tools and en-couragement needed to achieve their full potential.

Youth Alliance throws gala

DReSSeD FoR SUCCeSS by amber Jurgensen | Associate editor

Clockwise from top:

Mike and terri Fisher, and Kay and steve Morris

Dusty Willis, Margie Willis, sylvia Knox and lisa Hughes

Jamie Davis, right, spoke at the event. He is the brother-in-law of award namesake Mike storter. From left: bethany catlin, Jamie Davis and Storter’s kids Hope and taryn.

tommy and Pam Warnock

barie Fry and tristyn steele with State Attorney Mark ober

cheryl Johnston, linda Pickern, Justin Pippin, selina Keely and Dolores stropazel

Plant city observerTHURSDAY, novembeR 1, 201210 PlantCityObserver.com PlantCityObserver.com 11

Plant city observerTHURSDAY, novembeR 1, 2012

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We have available for you all year round Paradise Candied Fruit * Dixie Lilly Flour • Meal-Grits * Dry Beans *Hoover Flour * Carvel Ice Cream Cakes

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Fresh Lean Boston Butt pork roasT

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FreshTurkey wings

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Fresh Leanpork picnic

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Essential Sugar 4 lb. Bag ..........................................................2 for $5.00Dakin Milk GALLON .......................................................................... $2.99Family Style Bread 20 oz. Loaf .......................................................... $.99Canilla Rice 20 lb. Bag ..................................................................... $9.99Paradise Cherry-Pineapple Mix 5 lb. Box .................................$15.99Hoovers Corn Meal 5 lb. Bag ........................................................... $3.99

Full CutBone In

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Collard Greens Bunch....................................................................... $2.99Russett Potatoes 5 lb. Bag ................................................................. $1.29Bananas ......................................................................................... $.49 lb.Washington Red Delicious Apples 5 lb. Bag.................................... $3.99Baby Carrots 1 lb. Bag ............................................................. $.99 eachMushrooms 8 oz. Pkg. ............................................................. $.99 eachSpinach 12 oz. Cello Bag ........................................................$1.89 eachCarrots 2 lb. Pkg. ...................................................................$1.29 eachCabbage ........................................................................................ $.39 lb.

Smoked Pork Country Style Ribs ............................................... $2.29 lb.Fresh Deli Ham ............................................................................$1.69 lb.Hormel liver Cheese ................................................................. $3.59 lb.

Boneless cHicken breasT & boneLess THigHs

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FALL FRoLICPlant City fell into fall fun with a plethora of events last

week.Bailey Elementary hosted its Family Harvest Night Oct.

25, and Trapnell Elementary School students and families enjoyed a festive evening at the school’s Fall Festival Oct. 26.

Plant City’s First Baptist Church and Hope Lutheran Church also offered plenty of fun at their Trunk-or-Treat events Oct. 27, and Planteen Recreation Center offered an evening of festivities at its sixth annual Halloween

Spooktacular later that night.Families also flocked to the Fox Squirrel Corn Maze, 3002 Charlie Taylor Road N., which will remain open

through Nov. 12.

Katelyn and Megan trejo and alexa lopez were clever with their rock, paper, scissors costumes at the Planteen Recreation Center.

Left: Mr. bG the clown created balloon animals for all the guests at First baptist Church’s festival.

bailey elementary fifth-graders abby richner and Hailey Kerrigan came dressed as the Wicked Witch and Dorothy from “The Wizard of oz.”

Jonathan and Julianna Ferguson cheerfully waited in line for some fun games at the Planteen Recreation Center.

Payton taylor, 18 months, didn’t want to stop playing with the ducks at Trapnell’s Fall Festival.

Kenley connell, 7, had a purr-fect time at First baptist Church’s festival.

connie creamer brought her kids, addyson and brady Haskins, to the corn maze all the way from Pinellas.

vincent and adrianna taylor had fun at the Planteen center. Triplets brooke, brock and blake Purkey rode through the Trapnell Fall Festival in style.

Kaylee Greatens helped her family pass out candy at at Hope Lutheran Church’s Trunk-or-Treat.

chloe Popnoe, aka Snow White, loved zooming down this inflatable slide at First baptist Church’s festival

bailey elementary second-graders terrina robinson and sara swingle were elegant prin-cesses.

luke black enjoyed the nice day at the maze with his son, Jayden.

eamyen Harrison, 7, aimed carefully during his turn at the dunk tank at Trapnell’s Fall Festival.

HoLIDAYSPoTLIgHT by the Plant city observer staff


9348

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Brown’s Floral ShopDeborah ClarkOWNER106 E. Reynolds Stwww.brownsfloralshopfl.com813-752-5189

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Karen Sykes Ed.D, Owner

813-481-5671

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• Cat Care • Pet Taxi

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110 West Reynolds St. #217

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SAGEProfessional Christian Counseling Center, LLC

NaNcy L. EgbErt, LcSWMental Health Therapist / Owner110 E. Reynolds St. Ste. 807Plant City, FL 33563Voice: (813) 704-0755

www.sage7000.comProverbs 4:7 Wisdom is supreme...Office: (813) 752-7000Fax: (813) 759-6871

PROVISION CLEANING SERVICECommercial Only

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CITYPROPERTIESCOMPANY

MANAGEMENT • SALES • RENTALSYour Hometown Property Management Company

40 years in Plant City • Philip Balliet - Manager

(813) 752-5262Post Office Box 1118 • Plant City, FL 33584

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Drive-Thru

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Sun 7:00am-2:00pmOwners:

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Securities Offered Through LPL FinancialMember FINRA/SIPC

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ANNA’S

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813-764-9811LIVE MUSIC

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With gratitude and deep appreciation for our veterans,Haught Funeral Home proudly salutes all whom have bravely served

in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

Since the birth of our great country, the willingness of these young Americans to fightfor our freedom, even at great personal cost and sacrifice to ensure the rights and

privileges that we enjoy today, humble us and remind us that some have given all.

May God bless you and your families as our country remembers andhonors your faithful service.

VeteransSalute Your Veteran

HAUGHT FUNERAL HOME’s

David & Cynthia Wolf,OWNERs, HAUGHT FUNERAL HOME

Tim & Jo Haught FOUNDERs

708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.Plant City, FL 33563 | 813-717-9300

OBSERVEROBITUARIESFay Elizabeth Blanton

Fay Elizabeth Blanton, 83 of Thonotosas-sa, died Oct. 22.

Born Oct. 23, 1928, in Birmingham, Ala., to the late Claude and Beulah Wade Han-cock. She was preceded in death by her hus-band, Dalton, in August.

Survivors include children, Robert, Rod-ney, Danny, and Jimmy Blanton, Sharon Tournade and Shelia Watson; sisters, Clau-dine Loden, Gladys May and Trella “Joyce” Bradford; 17 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was Oct. 26, at Haught Funeral Home Chapel.

Online condolences may be made at haughtfuneralhome.com.

Betty Catherine BurtonBetty Catherine Burton, 62, of Plant City,

died Oct. 25.Born July 14, 1950, in Plant City, she was

the daughter of the late Roy Pennington and Peggy Cooper Boyles. She was the wife of Jack Burton for 41 years.

Survivors include sons, William, Phillip and David Burton; daughter, Amanda Bur-ton; sister, JoAnn Smith; and grandchildren, Cassidy Burton, Hailey Hicks, Kaitlyn Bur-ton and Alexander Ortiz.

She was predeceased by brother, David Pennington.

The family has asked that in lieu of flow-ers donations be made in Mrs. Burton’s memory to LifePath Hospice.


Juanita Carolyn ForbesJuanita Carolyn Forbes, 94, of Plant City,

died Oct. 26, at her home.Born Aug. 12, 1918, in Arlington, Ga., she

was the daughter of the late Sam Weathers and the late Clara Flowers. She was the wife of Don Forbes.


Basilia Santana JimenezBasilia Santana Jimenez, 75, of Plant City,

died Oct. 22, at Saint Joseph Hospital in Tampa.

Born Sept. 13, 1937, in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, she was the daughter of the late Agustin Jimenez Davila and the late Lydia Rivera Santana. She was the wife of Rafael Santana.

Survivors include a son, Rafael Santana; daughters, Joyce Baytar and Jessica Davis; and sisters, Delores DeJesus, Josephine Pena and Judy Jimenez.


Juanita B. ‘Nita’ MurrayJuanita B. “Nita”” Murray, 94, of Plant City,

died Oct. 24. She was born Dec. 11, 1917. She was pre-

ceded in death in 1985 by William Charles Murray, after 49 years of marriage.

Mrs. Murray was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Plant City. She and her husband were the owners of Mur-ray Service and Supply. She enjoyed fishing and knitting. She knitted afghans, scarfs and booties, some of which were knitted for the Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop. She also stuffed baby socks with catnip for the S.P.C.A.

Survivors include a son, James “Toby” and his wife, Mary Murray; daughter, Vicki Lynn Shivers; grandchildren Toby Murray Jr., Kelly Murray Dinicolantio, Jana Evers, Jake and Matt Shivers; 11 great-grandchil-dren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a nephew Carl Roberts.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Grace Archer and Lorene Roberts.

If so desired, contributions may be made to the S.P.C.A. of Lakeland, 5850 Brannen Road S., Lakeland, FL 33813; or LifePath Hospice, 12973 N. Telecom Parkway, Suite 100 Temple Terrace, FL 33637.


The Durant High School vol-leyball team entered the season with hopes to return the pro-gram to the success of the past. It’s a program that has won three state championships and fin-ished as runner-up twice since the school opened in 1995.

All season, the motto for the team was “November” — to get past the Class 8A District 7 tournament and begin to work

its way through regionals and then, hopefully, through the state tournament.

Durant fell short of winning their first district title since 2007 this year, losing in the semifi-nals to Wharton last week and

missing its shot at regionals. But even for a team with the rich history of the Lady Cougars, they can’t view the season as a major disappointment.

Durant only featured two seniors on this year’s squad — Raelynn Nichols and Macie Jones. Both were strong lead-ers and key parts of Durant’s 12-5 final record, but two of the Lady Cougars’ strongest players — Lexi Thompson and Isabella Anzalone — are only juniors.

District 7 was as competitive this year as ever, with the race between Wharton, Plant, Durant and Bloomingdale neck and neck. Durant fell to both Whar-ton — the regular season district champs — and Bloomingdale this season, but picked up a 3-1 win over Plant, the eventual dis-trict tournament champions.

The Lady Cougars took the

Y O U T H | H I G H S C H O O L | G O L F | S E N I O R S | C O M M U N I T Y | T E N N I S

SportsATHLETE OF

THE WEEKRodriguez leads

Plant City High in digs this year. 16

SHOW ME THE MAUNEY

MATTMAUNEY

Tough draw for Durant volleyball

Coming off back-to-back trips to regionals, the Plant City girls’ soccer team is building a win-ning tradition for a program that had not seen much success in the past.

PCHS alum Caleb Roberts is stepping in as the new head coach of the Lady Raiders and plans to keep the program mov-ing in the right direction.

“This year, we absolutely want to win districts again, and to be

honest, we’re not writing state out of the cards,” said Roberts, who played center-mid for Plant City from 2000 to 2004, before playing in college at Palm Beach Atlantic University, in West Palm Beach. “We’re expecting to keep building on regionals and see what happens.”

Roberts’ family moved to Plant City in the late 1990s, and all three of his brothers also played for the Raiders. The old-

est played from 1997 to 2000, and the youngest just wrapped up his high school career last spring.

Roberts said he always had an interest in education — he was a business major in college and teaches business at PCHS — and said he wanted to use coaching as a way to give back to his com-munity.

Lady Raiders building winning tradition

Coaching legend Vince Lom-bardi once said the “difference between a successful per-son and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowl-edge, but rather a lack of will.”

Despite being one of the youngest teams in the county, this year’s Plant City team has no shortage of the last one.

Just ask their head coach.“They’re all a bunch of re-

silient kids,” Wayne Ward said about the Raiders come-from-behind 22-20 win at Brandon last week. “Even when they were down, they never looked at it as being down. They just looked at it as missed opportu-nities.”

Plant City trailed 14-6 at the half against Brandon but fought back in the second half and eventually took a two-

point lead on a 35-yard field goal by Jorge Navarrette after a 14-play, seven-minute drive in the fourth quarter.

That win snapped a three-game losing streak and brings the Raiders to .500 on the sea-son at 4-4 overall and in Class 7A District 8 play at 2-2. Given the circumstances, that’s prom-ising news for the program as it moves forward.

Youth and inexperience has been a theme for the young Plant City football team all sea-son, after losing 22 seniors to graduation. The Raiders cur-rently have 12 underclassmen (freshmen or sophomores) on their varsity roster, and a hand-ful of juniors that saw little to no varsity experience last year. Plant City’s quarterback, se-nior Nick Rodriguez, didn’t play last season after playing his sophomore year. Rodriguez has passed for 1,325 yards this year.

File photo

New Plant City girls’ soccer head coach Caleb Roberts is optimistic about the continued growth and success for the Lady Raiders program.

soccer by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

The Plant City High girls soccer squad welcomes this year a new coach, who has deep ties with the school.

Michael EngThe Raiders fought back to win a 22-20 game at Brandon last week.

SEE SOCCER / PAGE 15

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2012PLANTCITYObSERvER.COM

SEE MAUNEY / PAGE 15

by Matt Mauney | Associate Editor

GAME OF THE WEEKPlant City at newsome | 7:30 P.m. nov. 2

A WILL TO WINDespite being young and inexperienced at times, Plant City’s fight to win is well beyond its years.

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Through all of that, this Raiders team has persevered and overcame adversity at times this season.

“This is by far the youngest group I’ve ever coached,” said Ward, who is in his third season as Plant City’s head coach after a stint as an as-sistant with his alma mater. “This group believes they can win and have a will to win.”

Coming into the year, Ward knew the running back situation was go-ing to be a wide-open race, but call-ing it a running back by committee is an understatement. Ward said there are seven legitimate tailbacks currently on the depth chart, with two of those injured and another — freshman Ervin Micheal — sus-pended.

Micheal was a key part of the Raid-ers’ success early on this season, with 427 yards through four games before suffering a knee injury. Ward said Micheal is currently suspended from the team but wouldn’t elabo-rate on the reason or length of the suspension.

Jordan Robinson and Colby Diers have been taking the majority of the snaps in Micheal’s absence. Rob-inson carried the ball 16 times last week for 80 yards and a score. Both he and Diers have around 200 yards rushing this season.

Freshman Sterling Day was ex-pected to be a big contributor to the team but is currently bat-tling an elbow injury. According to Ward, freshman Emmitt Stephens is also expected to see an increased amount of carries in the next two weeks.

“We have a lot of those,” Ward said of the amount of freshman be-ing asked to play varsity minutes.

The Raiders travel this week to

oTHeR AReA ACTIonDurant at riverview

last week: Durant improved to 8-0 and clinched their second straight Class 7A District 8 title last week with a 28-3 win over east bay. The Cougars trailed at the end of the first quarter and held a 11-3 lead at halftime before increasing the mar-gin in the second half. Jamarlon Hamilton had two rushing touchdowns, and kicker Daniel bowers made two field goals from 36 and 26 yards out. Cris Atkins also had a rushing touchdown on the night. Riverview still is searching for its first district win after falling to newsome last week 42-6. Riverview held newsome scoreless in the first quarter before giving up four touch-downs in the second.

last meeting: Durant rolled over Riverview 63-13 at home last season.

strawberry crest at Jefferson last week: Strawberry Crest had oppor-

tunities against Sickles last week, but after tying the game at 17 in the second half, the Chargers gave up 21 unanswered points in the 38-17 road loss. Quarterback Tristan Hyde was injured on the second to last play of the second quarter and left the game with a concussion. According to SCHS head coach John Kelly, Hyde was cleared by doctors to play, but his status this week will remain questionable until Friday. Wide receiver Karel Hamilton split time at quarterback with Austin Carswell last week in the second half. Hamilton, who received his first college offer from Samford (Ala.) last week, finished the game with 32 receiving yards, 50 rushing yards and 82 kickoff/punt return yards. Jefferson improved to 4-4 on the year with a 39-6 win over Leto. Deiondre Porter had 232 passing yards with four touchdowns and an interception. Shaquille Speights carried the ball nine times for 84 yards.

last meeting: Jefferson defeated the Chargers 48-7 in Dover last season.

game/

SEE GAME / PAGE 15


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No. 4 seed into the District 7 tournament, which was hosted by Durant. Durant beat New-some 3-0 in the opening round, before falling to Wharton in the semifinals. A win would have set up a rematch with Plant for the district title and would have ex-tended Durant’s season into the regional round, because the top two district tournament finish-ers qualify. Durant lost to Plant — a 10-time state champion — in the district tournament finals last season.

Durant’s last district title came in 2007, when the team went on to finish as state runner-up. Its last state title came back in 2002, following championships in 1999 and 2001.

It’s always tough to look back and think “what if,” but it’s hard not to look at what Durant accomplished this season and think of what could have been.

The Lady Cougars picked up some impressive non-district wins this year, including 3-0 wins over geographic rivals Plant City and Strawberry Crest, both which are headed to re-gionals after finishing second in Class 7A District 8 and Class 6A District 11, respectively.

Durant opened the 2012 regu-lar season with a 3-1 win over Riverview, which beat Plant City last week for the Class 7A District 8 title. The Lady Cougars carried that theme with two wins over Sickles, which held off Straw-berry Crest 3-1 last week to win its third straight district title.

To recap, that’s four regular-season wins over eventual district champions and two wins over district runners-up. Not bad for a team with just two seniors.

Durant will lose Nichols, a senior captain, along with Jones, Durant’s setter, but will return captains and outside hitters Anzalone and Thompson, both of whom have family ties to the winning tradition of Durant volleyball. Anzalone’s sister and Thompson’s aunt played for Durant.

The Lady Cougars coach, Brittany Wilson, wrapped up her second season with Durant last week. Wilson was a member of the 2002 state championship team.

Durant may be the only area volleyball team not playing in a regional tournament this week, but the future of the Lady Cougars appears to be as bright as any.

“I grew up here through middle school and high school, and my family all went here,” Roberts said. “I knew I wanted to teach, so when a job opened up here at Plant City, I put my name in the hat for it and when (the coaching job) opened up, I knew it was something I wanted to do. I’m excited to be making an impact on the youth of our community.”

The Lady Raiders only lost a handful of seniors to graduation and have only three this year, so the group will once again be a fairly young one, but Roberts said there is plenty of talent and experience with this group.

“We have a strong junior class and a strong fresh-man class that’s coming in,” he said.

Several of those freshmen will be stepping in and contributing right away, according to Roberts, in-cluding defender Deanna Rodriguez.

“She’ll be an impact freshman for us,” he said.Rodriguez said she is excited to contribute to the

team early. “I’m looking forward to getting to start and help-

ing out the team any way I can,” she said. Sophomore Taylor Michael returns in goal for

Plant City. She saw some time at the position last year as a freshman, splitting time with senior Kies-tra Castagno.

Kellee Brown is one of three seniors on this year’s squad. The center back has seen the progression of the Plant City girls’ program first hand.

“When I came here as a freshman, no one expect-ed us to be good, because we never won,” Brown said. “We started winning some that year and got better every year after that.”

Plant City managed just its second winning sea-son in school history Brown’s sophomore season and advanced to regionals with a 2-0 win over East Bay in districts. The Lady Raiders improved on that last year, once again advancing to regionals and winning a game, defeating Tarpon Springs 3-1 in the quarterfinals before losing a close match to Seminole.

Brown credited strong freshman classes and the fact that more players now play club ball on the side as reasons for the turnaround.

“Everybody knows the game a lot better, and that helped us gel as a team and as friends,” Brown said.

Also returning are juniors Ericka Lott and Stepha-nie Galloway, two of the leading scorers from last season.

Roberts said his group should be strong defen-sively as with past teams but said the offense could also be a strong point as well.

“We’re going to be really tough, as we have been in recent years,” he said. “Our defense is going to be incredibly strong, but I think we are going to sur-prise some people with our offense and ability to score goals. We’ve been more of a defensive minded team in the past, and I think we’ll surprise some people this year.”

The Lady Raiders open the regular season against Wharton at 7 p.m. tonight.

Contact Matt Mauney at [email protected]

soccer/PaGe 13

face Newsome in their last dis-trict game of the season. Even at 2-2 in the district, Plant City still has a chance of snatch-ing the No. 2 position and a spot in regionals. Newsome

is currently in that spot at 3-1 in district play, so a win would put the Raiders in a tie with the Wolves, with PCHS holding the tiebreaker.

East Bay, a team that upend-ed the Raiders 32-12 on Plant City’s Homecoming, is also sit-

ting at 2-2 and faces Brandon this week.

“We’re still there; we just have to go out there and be-lieve,” Ward said.

Contact Matt Mauney at [email protected].

MaUney/PaGe 13

GaMe/PaGe 14

michael eng

The Raiders showed plenty of fight in their big win over brandon High School oct. 26.


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How long have you been playing vol-leyball?

About 11 years

That’s a long time. What got you into playing it?

My best friend’s big sister has been play-ing ever since she was 5, and we always went to her games. I just decided that I wanted to try it out.

What do you like about volleyball?I love that it’s a mental game and that

it never gets boring. There’s always something different, and you never know what to expect.

How long have you played libero?

Since 10th grade. I was actu-ally a hitter before, but as we got older, everyone got taller, and I just kind of stayed the same height. Then, one of my coaches suggested that I play defense, and I just fell in love with it.

What appeals to you about playing defense?

When to know what to

do and making the right choices.

You had a new coach this year in Jessica Thornton. How has that been?

I couldn’t have asked for a better coach. I’ve had so many coaches, and I was wor-ried about getting a new coach, but it’s been great, and I’ve learned so much from her.

For what club team do you play?Plant City Elite. My mom actually started

it. This will be the third year.

How has your mom helped you with your volleyball?

She always has input and construc-tive criticism for me.

What is something you do with your team to bond?

We’re always eating together. We’re all best friends and are

like a family. We don’t really need it to bond, but we’re

always eating together.

What are some of your favorite travel destinations?

Mexico was really cool. I also went to St.

Thomas on a cruise, and we went to a beach, and

the waves were enormous. I didn’t think they existed that

big, to be honest.

ATHleTe of THe week by Matt Mauney | Associate editor

Danielle RoDRiguezAlthough they may not always get the attention they deserve, players that play the li-

bero position in volleyball are vital members of a team and are looked upon to provide defensive leadership. Plant City High junior libero Danielle Rodriguez has been a key part of the success of the Lady Raiders this season. Rodriguez leads her team with 156 digs this season, including 37 in the district tournament last week, as Plant City moved on to regionals.


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2012

1. Two seniors were quipping about their recent birthdays. One cleverly commented, “Age is simply a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.”

2. A duck went to make some purchases at a local market. When he got to the checkout counter with his bag, he said to put the charge on his bill.

Two of three area boys soccer teams ad-vanced to regionals last season, with Plant City winning Class 4A District 9, beating Strawberry Crest in the district champi-onship game. Plant City fell to Clearwa-ter 5-4 in a penalty shootout, while Strawberry Crest fell to Seminole High 7-0 in the regional semifi-nals.

Durant finished the year under .500 but returns a solid group from last season.

All three coaches have

close ties with their schools. Plant City’s Chris Black enters his second year as head coach after serving as an assistant for both his brother and his father. Black also played on the very first PCHS boys soccer

team during the 1981-82 season. Durant’s Will Tunstall also enters his second year with

his alma mater, while Strawberry Crest’s Scott Vomacka has been with the Chargers since the school opened in 2009.

PLAnT CITYcoach: Chris blackexperience: entering second year as head coach

2011-12 overall record: 18-3-3District finish: Won Class 4A District

9; lost in regional quarterfinals number of starters returning: FourKey players returning: evan Storie,

junior, GK; Juan navarrette, senior, mid-forward; Gersen Herrera, senior, for-ward; edgar morales, senior, center-mid

Key players lost: Cameron Roberts, 43 goals last season

team strengths: According to black, the Raiders have a lot of depth, despite returning only four starters. The Raiders will be able to rotate in a lot of players

and keep legs fresh, according to black. team weaknesses: experience will be

an issue for Plant City, after losing nine seniors and seven starters, including Roberts, who led the team in goals last season.

outlook: Plant City will certainly miss Roberts, who is now playing for Palm beach Atlantic University, the alma mater of his big brother, PCHS girls coach Caleb Roberts. Storie was the backup goalkeeper last season, and black is excited of what he will contribute to that position this season. navarrette (11 goals, 8 assists) and Herrera (15 goals, 4 assists) will be key offensive threats for the Raiders. morales is a four-year starter that will be looked upon for leadership.

First game: Durant oct. 6

DURAnTcoach: Will Tunstallexperience: entering second year as head coach

2011-12 overall record: 5-8-5District finish: Went 2-3-1 in Class

5A District 7 and lost in first round of district tourney to newsome.

number of starters returning: SixKey players returning: Caleb Wallis,

senior, forward; Joshua mansilla, senior, center-mid; ben eisenhauer, senior, mid; James bricker, senior, stopper; Duncan Fisher, junior, sweeper

Key players lost: Jacob brumbeloe, mid and forward

team strengths: According to Tunstall, the Cougars possess great communica-tion on the field and several players

have shown good leadership qualities, helping out younger players. Tunstall also said this team has a lot of speed up front and have pretty good size.

team weaknesses: Tunstall said he doesn’t want to focus on any weakness-es, as his team hopes to put forth a good season and move on from last year.

outlook: Tunstall, a former player at Durant, enters his second season as head coach of the Cougars. Durant returns 12 players, including five to six players that saw significant min-utes last season. Tunstall will look to Wallis to provide some offense for the Cougars, a team that averaged 2.3 goals a game last year. Tunstall also said that brickner will be a key defensively, as he plays “aggressively, the right way.”

First game: At Plant City oct. 6

STRAWbeRRY CReSTcoach: Scott vomacka experience: entering fourth year with SCHS

2011-12 overall record: 7-7-3District finish: Runner-up in Class 4A

District 9; lost in regional quarterfinalsnumber of starters returning: eightKey players returning: mazeed Aro-

Lambo, senior, forward; noah Shaffer, senior, center-mid

Key players lost: Rueben Godinez, GK

team strengths: The Chargers look to be strong up the middle, with four seniors and senior forward Aro-Lambo. Those five players have played together since they were freshmen, according to vomacka, as well as playing club together.

team weaknesses: vomacka said it is too early to tell where his team stands as far as needs for improvement, but said that the goal is to keep improving as a program, something the Chargers have done each year under vomacka.

outlook: The Chargers have gotten better as a team each of the three years of the program’s existence, including making its first regionals appearance last season. Strawberry Crest loses its goalkeeper in Godinez, who had 165 saves last season. According to vomacka, nick Kubecka will fill that spot. Seniors Aro-Lambo and Shaffer return. The pair were a keys offensively, with Aro-Lambo leading in goals (13) and points (29) and Shaffer leading the team in assists with 10.

First game: At King oct. 6

boys soccer squads kick off new season

soccer by Matt Mauney | Associate editor


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at Jarrett-Scott Ford

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$25Mail - in reBate onMotorcraft® tested tough® Max and plus BatteriesStarting at $89.95

Dealer - installed retail purchases only. With exchange.Taxes and installation extra. Rebate must be submitted by 12/31/12

See participating dealership for vehicle applicationsand rebate details through 11/30/12

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SWImmInG

+ Area swimmers qualify for region meets

Several area swimmers are moving on to regionals following the high school district swimming meets.

Plant City High will be sending three swim-mers to regionals. Senior Kelsey Fry, junior bailey bowden and freshman Parker smith all qualified for two events each at the 3A District 4 meet oct. 27, at bobby Hicks Pool in Tampa. on the girls side, Fry qualified in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle, while bowden won the 200 free and 500 free. on the boys side, Smith qualified in the 200 and 500 free.

For Durant High, Molly Holland qualified in the 100 breast. and sean White qualified for the 50 free and 100 free.

All five swimmers will compete in the Class 3A Region 2 meet nov. 2, at the Long Center, in Tarpon Springs.

For Strawberry Crest High School, four relay teams and six individuals are headed to regionals after their performances at the Class 2A District 8 meet oct. 28.

The SCHS girls and boys 200 medley team will advance, as well as the boys 200 free relay and the girls 400 free relay team.

angelina Gallastegui qualified for the 200 and 500 free, while savannah bradley quali-fied for the 50 free and 100 breast. virginia Gibbs qualified for the 100 butterfly and the 100 free.

on the boys side, alonzo biala advanced in the 200 Im and the 100 backstroke, cole Wisecarver qualified in the 50 and 100 free, and Zach Kitzis qualified for the 500 free and 100 back.

Those four relay teams and six individuals will compete in the Class 2A Region 3 meet

at the north Shore Pool in Dunedin Saturday. Plant City natives chloe Wineinger and

carson Knox each qualified for regionals in Class 1A District 5 for Lakeland Christian School. Wineinger, a freshman, placed second in the 100-yard backstroke and third in the 200 freestyle. She was also a member of a relay team that won two events.

Knox, a sophomore, was district champion in 100 backstroke and second in the 100 fly. His medley team took second.

both athletes will advance to the regional meet Saturday at Indian River State College, in Ft. Pierce.

voLLeYbALL

+ Plant City falls short of title, begins regionals

The Plant City volleyball team fell short of claiming the Class 7A District 8 champion-ship oct. 25, falling Riverview 3-1.

Kelly Drake had 40 assists for Plant City, while Danielle rodriguez led the team in digs with 18. alex arnold had 15 kills, noelle Dietrich had 12, and Kasi Maguire tallied 10.The Lady Raiders began the Region 8 tournament Wednesday against George Jenkins. That game occurred after press time. Please visit PlantCityobserver.com and follow @PlantCitySports on Twitter for coverage.

+ Strawberry Crest held off by Sickles, begins regionals

Strawberry Crest lost to Lakewood Ranch 3-0 Tuesday in the 6A Region 8 quarterfinals in manatee County. That loss ended the Lady Chargers season at 14-8 overall.

The Lady Chargers fell 3-1 to Sickles oct. 25, in the Class 6A District 11 tournament championship. Freshman terra brooks led the Lady Chargers with 412 kills this season. She also led in blocks with 40. Senior Jamee townsend had 220 digs on the year and briana sanchez led the team in assists (411) and aces (40).

SIDELINES


CROSSWORD_110112

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

Edited by Timothy E. Parker

CRYPTOGRAMS

1. L S N R D E U N O R S D O D P J U T T U E M V X N J L L Q D U O O D B D E L

X U O L Q C V Z R . N E D B A D I D O A Z B N F F D E L D C , “ V M D U R R U F T A Z V

P J D R L U N E N K F U E C N I D O F V L L D O . U K Z N J C N E ’ L F U E C , U L

C N D R E ’ L F V L L D O . ”

2. D S J M A T K R I I P H D A K L P H K F J N M W D L K L D I D E P M D E H D N A K I .

T W K R W K Q P I I P I W K M W K M A P J I M P J R I K N T G I W W G L X D Q , W K

L D G S I P F J I I W K M W D N Q K P R W G L X G E E .

ACROSS 1 Cause of strain pain 7 They’re sought for

illnesses 12 Less abundant 19 Browning works 20 Like a feeble old

woman 21 Football helmet

feature 22 Hanukkah food 24 Like a car full of

money 25 Promise at the altar 26 Former Steelers

coach Chuck 27 Strike 28 Not a happy

camper 29 Funny lady 34 Type of porters in

“Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds”

37 Flattened at the poles

38 April Fool’s act 39 Mexican restaurant

offerings 40 Goes for the gold 41 Wide-ranging, as

tastes 44 Witch feature,

stereotypically 45 Form of intolerance 48 Dandy Brummell 49 First grandkid of

Adam 51 Architects’

extensions 52 Source of great

wealth 55 What Peter Pan lost 60 Boxer nicknamed

“The Greatest” 61 Deity with goats’

legs 63 Abbreviation on

tires in Greece? 64 Lasting power 65 Caffeine capsule,

perhaps 67 Leave without an

answer 69 Melonlike tropical

fruits (var.) 70 Head-swelling

activity 71 Charitable concert

word 72 Loamy fertilizer 73 “Well, ___-di-dah!” 74 Change the identity

of 75 Occupants of

barracks 78 “Try this” 79 Winter blanket 81 Misfortunes 82 Scottish

landowners 84 Cougar 88 Not neat 91 Browse, in a way 92 Some gemstones 94 Cost of ___ business 95 Country music

legend Chet 98 Spot for doodles 100 Acknowledged

point 104 Egyptian boy king 105 Timeline units 106 Crossword answer

direction 107 Not an amateur 108 Third-party vote, at

times 110 Piece of Peter

Piper’s peck 116 Was of use 117 Person who handles

the introductions 118 Film editor’s gizmo 119 Landlord’s

supporters 120 It gets belted quite

often 121 Nook’s companion

dOwn 1 Bad luck 2 Put in a crypt 3 Chromosome

molecule

4 The Wallendas don’t use one

5 Four-time Prime Minister Hirobumi

6 Nile snake 7 Maker of cameras

and copiers 8 Aunt’s mate 9 Iranian currency 10 Large deer 11 “Now you ___ me,

now you don’t!” 12 Mukluk material 13 Jeweler’s weight 14 Deodorized spot 15 It’s between pi and

sigma 16 Napoleon’s

birthplace 17 First lady Roosevelt 18 Most visibly

embarrassed 19 ___ and Span

(household cleanser)

23 Bay State cape 27 South Carolina river

to the Atlantic 30 Graceland man 31 Lectern platform 32 List entry 33 Ending for “employ”

or “honor” 34 Before, before a

word 35 ___ du Flambeau,

Wis. 36 Raven’s call 38 Certain holiday

dessert 41 Undulating fish 42 Hardly a dream date 43 Top-billing sharer 45 He’s grim 46 Declare without

proof 47 Like some ties 48 “___ appetit!” 50 Head-and-

shoulders wrap 52 Swallow greedily 53 “Real” attachment 54 “Tuck” partner 56 Roadie’s load 57 Telemarketer’s tool 58 “___, Christian

Soldiers” 59 Spinning loads

61 Businesses 62 Roswell visitors,

supposedly 64 Some luxury hotel

amenities 66 Grp. concerned

with curriculum 67 Brazil’s ___ Paulo 68 “___ death do us ...” 72 Half a married

couple 75 Emulates an eagle 76 Sick 77 Cambridgeshire’s

___ Cathedral 78 Oldies players 80 Seasoned veterans 82 Renaissance

instrument 83 Boats like Noah’s 84 Occurring after

1945, e.g. 85 Rising trend, on a

graph 86 Sci-fi character 87 Pie ___ mode 89 Routing term 90 Word with “tight” or

“loose” 91 ___ fly (RBI earner) 93 “Remington ___”

(Pierce Brosnan series)

96 Japanese name of Japan

97 How some are missed

99 Town employee of yore

100 Some colas 101 It can barely give a

hoot 102 Texas-to-Wisconsin

dir. 103 Nick’s partner in

“The Thin Man” 106 Caesar’s 701 109 ___ for tat 110 It might have

hymnals on it111 “___ Little Teapot”112 Rap’s Run-___113 “Un momento, ___

favor”114 A Gabor sister115 Seamstress’ sticker

EAT THOSE P’S! by Milton J. Ruff

2

Customers and former employees of Plant City Outback Steakhouse

If you or someone you know has experience with a slippery floor at the Plant City Outback Steakhouse or if you are a former employee of Outback or know a former employee of Outback and have information about slippery floors at the Plant City Outback please contact:

WITNESSES NEEDED!!!

Mike HamiltonCel l 813-477-1911Fax 813-907-1476

onep i23@gmai l .com

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Plant City Observer 11.01.12

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Transcript of Plant City Observer 11.01.12