Plant City Times&

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INDEX

OUR TOWN

YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.A PARTNERSHIP WITH

This week’s winner isJennifer Closshey

See her photo onPAGE .

Calendar.....................2A Crossword.................. Obituaries.................. Sports.........................5A Weather.....................

FREE • FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

+ Juniors standout at conferenceFour juniors represented

Plant City High School atthe 2015 Leadership andEthics Conference presentedby West Point Society FloridaWest Coast Chapter.The event was held at theUniversity of Tampa, VaughnCenter. Ethics issues facingtoday’s young people andleadership were covered.The students

were: Madison Manley,Shelby Baerwalde, KendallJohnson and Chase Lott.

+ Chili cook-offwinners announcedThe Arts Council brought

back its event, “Supportingthe Culinary Arts throughChili and Chocolate,”Saturday, March 28, atthe train depot in HistoricDowntown.The winners of the chili

cook-off are:

MILDFirst: Dance ConnectionSecond: Walden Lake CarWash

SPICYFirst: Plant CityEntertainmentSecond: David and LisaGalloway

NOVELTYFirst: RW Willaford TrainMuseumSecond: Walden Lake CarWash

PEOPLE’S CHOICELouis Ginn

+ Yvonne Fryselected as chair

Yvonne Fry has been elect-ed to serve as the chair forthe Florida Commission onthe Status of Women for the2015-2016 year.She will

take officeApril 1. Theelectiontook placeduring theCommission’sfirst quartermeeting in TallahasseeFry was first appointed to

FCWS in 2012 by AttorneyGeneral Pam Bondi and isworking to increase aware-ness on women’s issues.The FCSW is dedicated to

supporting women of all agesas they strive to achieve theirfullest potential.

PEELING PAINTDowntownmuralis being erasedfromP.C. history.PAGE

RAZORSHARPP.C. artisancreates unique,customknives.PAGE 3A

Vol.2,No.28 | Twosections

COACHED UPRandy Cronetakes over DHSflag football.PAGE 5A

The Plant City Police De-partment grew Friday, March27, as four officers were swornin on premises that afternoon.

Paul Snider, VinceWise, BillyHarvester and Dylan Cowartare the newest additions to thepolice force, and Police ChiefEd Duncan didn’t hesitate tolet the officers know how val-ued they are.

“Do not think for one min-ute that we took your applica-tions lightly,” Duncan said to

Anyone looking for an up-scale apartment in Plant Citywon’t have to look hard any-more.

Lakehouse Luxury Apart-ments, at 3003 S. FrontageRoad, is getting ready to openits doors June 1 and show resi-dents of the Winter StrawberryCapital of the World how theycan live in luxury without buy-ing a big home.

“It’s going to be a place wherepeople can come home andrelax,” property director Bren-da Rodriguez says. “A relaxing

Fueled by their goal to helpfamilies around the world es-cape the poverty cycle, twoyoung residents of Plant Cityhave already enacted a plan toprovide necessities for mothersand their children.

The students’ ability to addthe positions of CSO and CEO

to their resumes is just an add-ed bonus.

Last semester, Bijen Patel,who was valedictorian at PlantCity High School in 2012, heardabout the Hult Prize, which isa competition for social en-trepreneurship start-ups. Hewanted to enter and began

putting together a team.“He wanted to work with me,

since I’ve been in school withhim since first grade, so we gottogether with some of our oth-er friends from University ofTampa,” Trent Lott, also a 2012graduate of PCHS, said.

Theothertwoteammembersare Vignesh Parameswaran, a

It was the first time since2008 that two candidatesran for the same seat onthe city commission, andincumbent Mary ThomasMathis was able to hold onto it.

According to the mostrecent numbers availableat press time, Mathis won1,062 votes (71.71%), andthe defeated candidate,Hasani Jackson, won 419votes (28.29%). There was a7.88% turnout.

“Some people may say,‘Well, why again?’ Let metell you, I love what I do,”Mathis said. “I do it be-

cause of the passion. I do itbecause of each of you, theconstituents. I do it becauseI’ve been able to see change,and I want to continue that.In this position, you haveto have experience to makechange.”

Mathis first got involvedwith political campaignswhen she was in college,and she knew she would liketo run for an office someday.The year after her mentor,Commissioner Sadye GibbsMartin, died, Mathis de-cided to run for commissionand use the knowledge thathad been passed onto her.

Mathis won her first elec-tion in, 2000, by just sevenvotes.

“In this position, I amthere to serve you, to makethis city, this community,the best it can be,” she said.

At a debate betweenMathis and Jackson Thurs-day, April 2, the candidateshad the opportunity to ex-press their views on a num-ber of issues, in response toquestions posed by a panel.

Mathis discussed someof the projects in the worksto bring economic develop-ment to Plant City. In theMidtown district there are

vacant buildings, such asthe former Sweetbay. Mathishas talked to representativesfrom a few Plant City busi-nesses who might want toexpand and move into thatspace, but city employeeshave also been correspond-ing with Walmart about apotential grocery store.

She and the city are alsoworking on getting a num-ber of sites “shovel-ready,”meaning that water andsewer lines are being put inplace so that businesses canstart building. One of these

MATHIS WINS

Catherine Sinclair

Mary Thomas Mathis spoke about her experience and future goals at a debate before the election.

Incumbent Mary Thomas Mathis ran against HasaniJackson in the election for a city commission seat,and Plant City voted for her to serve another term.

PCPDswearsin fourofficersPaul Snider, VinceWise, Billy Harvesterand Dylan Cowartwere sworn into thePlant City PoliceDepartment onFriday, March 27.

SERVE AND PROTECTby Justin Kline |StaffWriter

LakehouseLuxuryApartmentsopening soon

Plant City High School grads launchinternational business to end poverty

SEE OFFICERS / PAGE 4A

LAP OF LUXURYby Justin Kline |StaffWriter

SEE LAKEHOUSE / PAGE 4A

Courtesy photo

The BamBoost team is: Trent Lott (CSO), Bijen Patel (CEO),Caio Amaral (CLO) and Vignesh Parameswaran (COO), all stu-dents at University of Tampa.

BamBoost fulfills the need for hygiene whilehelping children develop skills from an early age.

ENTREPRENEURS by Catherine Sinclair |StaffWriter

SEE BAMBOOST / PAGE 4A

“

election by Catherine Sinclair |StaffWriter

SEE MATHIS / PAGE 4A

“

Let me tell you, I love what I do. I do it because of the passion.I do it because of each of you, the constituents. I do it because

I’ve been able to see change, and I want to continue that.

COMMUNITYCALENDARFRIDAY, APRIL 1041st Annual Wild GameCookout — takes place from 6to 10 p.m. Friday, April 10, stillin the woods between Forbesand Thonotosassa roads. Rotarysponsors the stag-only feast.For tickets call Jeremy Burris at(813) 365-8161.Acoustic Happy Hour — musictakes place from 5:30 to8:30 p.m. Friday, April 10, atO’Brien’s Irish Pub and FamilyRestaurant, 1701 S. AlexanderSt. (813) 764-8818.Christian Contemporary Music— takes place from 6:33 to8:13 p.m. Friday, April 10, atKrazy Kup, 101 E. J. ArdenMays Blvd. (813) 752-1220.Munn Park Saints Live! — takesplace from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday,April 10, at Keel and CurleyWinery, 5210 ThonotosassaRoad. (813) 752-9100.

SATURDAY, APRIL 112015 Annual GTE/VERIZONReunion — takes place from 10a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April11, at the home of Sam andCarol Conrad, 3510 E. KeysvilleRoad. Bring your favorite dish-es, drinks and lawn chairs.Florida Opry — takes placebeginning at 6 p.m. Saturday,April 11, at 605 N. Collins St.Entertainment will be Hwy 41,Simple Faith and The Masters

Four. (813) 757-9226.Los Dos Live! — takes placefrom 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday,April 11, at Keel and CurleyWinery, 5210 ThonotosassaRoad. (813) 752-9100.Sporting Clays Fundraiser— takes place from 8 a.m.to 12 p.m. Saturday, April11, at FishHawk SportingClays, 13505 HobsonSimmons Road, Lithia. Thefundraiser will benefit the

Durant High School MusicBooster. There will also beraffles, awards, lunch anddoor prizes. Facebook.com/events/1544659549130770/.Spring Thing 2015 — takesplace from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Saturday, April 11, on Draneand Palmer streets. The eventis presented by the DowntownPC Business and MerchantsAssociation. For more informa-tion, contact Benny Lubrano

at (813) 545-1207 or blubra-nojr@gmail.com.Young Adult Nite — takesplace from 7:33 to 10:33 p.m.Saturday, April 11, at KrazyKup, 101 E. J. Arden MaysBlvd. Enjoy live music fromlocal artists. (813) 752-1220.

SUNDAY, APRIL 12United Food Bank of Plant CityCar Wash — takes place from9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April12, at Walden Lake Car Wash,1414 S. Alexander Street. Fora $15 donation get a squeaky-clean car. 100% of proceedsbenefit the food bank. Enjoy a$3 hamburger or hot dog withsoda while you wait. (813) 764-0625.

MONDAY, APRIL 13Knights Community ClubQuarterly Meeting — takesplace beginning at 7 p.m.Monday, April 13, at 1306McLin Drive. The meetingbegins with a covered dish sup-per. Dave Rowe, field rep for theWoodmen of the World, will bespeaking on ways the Woodmenhelp communities and organiza-tions. Rowe will also present theclub with a new American flag.

TUESDAY, APRIL 14The Recovery for Life — takesplace from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, April 14, at the LorenaJaeb Rainbow House, 504 N.Palm Drive. It is a 12-stepBible-based program to helpfree individuals from all formsof addiction. Debbie Ray, (813)763-1562.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15Cristi Massey Live! — takesplace from 6 to 10 p.m.Wednesday, April 15, at Keeland Curley Winery, 5210Thonotosassa Road. (813) 752-9100.New Member Reception —takes place from 3:30 to 5 p.m.Wednesday, April 15, at theGreater Plant City Chamber ofCommerce, 106 N. Evers St.Open Mic Night — takes placebeginning at 8 p.m. Wednesday,April 15, at O’Brien’s Irish Puband Family Restaurant, 1701S. Alexander St. (813) 764-8818.Plant City Local Harvest FarmersMarket — takes place from 4 to8 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, atMcCall Park, 100 N. Collins St.PCLocalHarvestFarmersMarket.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 16Cornhole Tournament —takes place from 6 to 9 p.m.Thursday, April 16, at Keeland Curley Winery, 5210Thonotosassa Road. (813) 752-9100.

Social Security Seminar —takes place beginning at 6p.m. Thursday, April 16,at Edward Jones, 2501Thonotosassa Road. The pre-sentation will educate you onthe many decisions involvedin claiming social security, aswell as the consequences, andprovide strategies to maximizethe benefits received. Seatingis limited RSVP to 813-759-1491.

FRIDAY, APRIL 17Acoustic Happy Hour — musictakes place from 5:30 to8:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, atO’Brien’s Irish Pub and FamilyRestaurant, 1701 S. AlexanderSt. (813) 764-8818.Christian Contemporary Music— takes place from 6:33 to8:13 p.m. Friday, April 17, atKrazy Kup, 101 E. J. ArdenMays Blvd. (813) 752-1220.Health and Fitness Challenge— takes place from 9 a.m. to 5p.m. Friday, April 17, at MikeSansone Park, 1702 N. ParkRoad. Teams will compete in atrike race, football challenge,tug-of-war and more.NWFT Heritage Banquet —takes place beginning at 6p.m. Friday, April 17, at PlntCity’s Hillsborough CommunityCollege campus, 1206 N. ParkRoad. Contact Nick Ciccarelloat (813) 967-3858.

To publicize your event in our Community Calendar, pleasesend by mail: 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-A, Plant City, FL33563; or by email: ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com. Photosare welcome. Deadline is noon Thursday.

BEST BETRelay for Life — takes place beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, March10, and ending at 12 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at Plant CityHigh School, 1 Raider Place. Join Plant City Relay for Lifeteams in the fight for cancer. Enjoy games, dancing, a spe-cial princess booth, entertainment, food and more. DuringLuminaria, light a candle and remember those who have died.Facebook.com/PlantCityRelay.

A few weeks ago, a studentwho was new to SimmonsCareer Center found herselfin the office of Andrea Thur-ston, a guidance counselorat Simmons. Overwhelmedby the process of transferringand acclimating to her newacademic responsibilities,she told Thurston she didn’tthink she could do it.

Thurston told the studentthat this kind of negativitywas not allowed in her of-fice. Her role is to encourageher students and ensure theystay on track and becomesuccessful.

“Now this fire has been litin her, and she’s finishingclasses, and she can see her-self graduating,” Thurstonsaid.

Thurston’s dedicated sup-port for students such as thisis one of the reasons she waschosen as High School Coun-selor of the Year by the Hill-sborough School CounselorAssociation.

Thurston was nominatedfor the award by Janis Perfet-to and Laroseate Hill-Lucas,both teen parent teachers atSimmons. Perfetto was theone who called Thurston toshare the exciting news thatshe had been chosen.

“I thought maybe she waskidding, playing around, andthen the next morning, I gotthe official call,” Thurstonsaid. “Knowing how manyhigh school counselors thereare in the district ... I was re-ally shocked, but honoredthat they chose someonefrom a career center.”

Soon after the announce-ment, Thurston’s studentshad decorated her office withsigns saying “Congratula-tions,” and some of the staffat Simmons arranged a smallsurprise party for her. There’sno question that the studentsand faculty at the school ap-preciate Thurston and whatshe does.

Thurston earned a bach-elor’s degree in psychol-ogy and a master’s degree inschool counseling from Uni-versity of South Florida.

“I come from a family ofeducators. My mom alwaystold me if I decided to go intoeducation, to find somethingthat’s not necessarily in the

classroom,” she said.Thurston has about 18 to-

tal years of counseling expe-rience, and she has been onstaff at Simmons since it re-located to its current campusin 2004. Her daily responsi-bilities include helping stu-dents with scheduling, grad-uation status, preparation forstatewide assessments andmore.

As a general counselor forthe career center students,as well as the counselor forstudents in the teen par-ents program at Simmons,Thurston guides about 150students. Compared withprevious schools where shehas worked, where she wasresponsible for up to 500 stu-dents, it is easier for her toget to know the students on apersonal level, she said.

“Some of our students justovercome so many differentchallenges,” Thurston said.“Just to see them start believ-ing in themselves because webelieve in them and we showthem on a regular basis ...you start to see the lightbulbsgo off.”

Many of the staff at Sim-mons will be joining Thur-ston at an awards ceremonyand reception Monday, April13, where she will be hon-ored with the other sevenaward winners.

Contact Catherine Sinclairat csinclair@plantcityobserv-er.com.

Dan Piergallini walks afine line between crafts-man and artist. Thoughhe makes knives that

are displayed in a Plant City artgallery, he is careful to remindthose who admire his workthat they are meant to be tools.

“There’s not a person in thisworld who doesn’t use a knifeevery day,” Piergallini said.

Whether that is a butterknife, a pair of scissors or abutcher knife, these tools area common necessity. But Pier-gallini’s custom knives are one-of-a-kind works of beauty.

Piergallini’s interest in knivesbegan long ago when he was aCub Scout.

“We had strict rules in thescouts about safety of knives ...and we had training programs,which I still abide by,” Piergal-lini said.

As he grew older, his interestand knowledge grew, and heregularly attended knife shows,where he saw all types of hand-made knives.

“Being a carpenter by trade,I thought, ‘I can make those,’”Piergallini said. “It only tookme 15 years to figure out how.”

About 25 years ago, he beganmaking knives. He observedthe masters and picked up tipshere and there, but he mostlytaught himself.

Though knife making wasalways a hobby for Piergallini,it soon became a lifestyle. He isa voting member of the Knife-maker’s Guild, a prestigiousinternational organization.At a more local level, he is thepresident of the Gator CutleryClub of Tampa Bay.

Piergallini’s wife, Sandy, isthe secretary of the Gator Cut-lery Club. She didn’t have muchof an interest in knives beforeshe met her husband, but hispassion was contagious.

They are also knife pur-veyors. They have about 450knives at the moment andare always buying, selling andtrading. They travel through-out the eastern United Statesto attend about 12 knife showseach year.

Start to FinishPiergallini estimates that he

has made about 400 knives inhis lifetime, and each takes 10to 40 hours to complete. Buteach one is a unique combina-tion of materials, function anddesign. They are all made byhand.

He labels himself a purist.“I’m old-fashioned,” Piergal-

lini said.The first step of the process is

to draw a sketch of the knife onpaper. The sketch is transferredto plexiglass and then cut out.

The plexiglass template isset on top of steel, and a scribeis used to scratch the outlineinto the steel. Then Piergalliniuses a band saw to cut the basicshape out of the steel.

Piergallini hollows the bladeto create a concave effect notseen on flat tools such as butch-er knives. He finishes by attach-ing the handle and embellish-ments.

“No one touches the knifebut me, start to finish,” he said.

Piergallini uses a varietyof materials for his handles,sourced from plants, animalsand manmade materials.

One of those handle materi-als is mastodon bone, but deerantlers are more common.Piergallini said it has takenyears of experience to be able toidentify the bones he finds outin the wild.

“Most of the bones and thingsthat we use are in the groundfrom thousands of years ago,”he said.

Piergallini’s knives are avail-able at the Art Lounge Gallery, aco-op of artists at 119 E. Reyn-olds St.

“They allowed me in hereas an artist,” Piergallini said. “Itold them I’m a craftsman, andthey said, ‘No, your stuff is art-worthy.’”

He also makes appointmentsat his home for people whoare interested in purchasing acustom knife. Piergallini is alsoknown as one of the best localknife sharpeners to businesses,such as The Corner Store andHicks Custom Meats.

It has been a great year forLittle Miss Plant City 2014Queen Lacie Collins and hercourt, but it is time for her topass on that title to anothergirl who will have the oppor-tunity to represent her townfor the next year.

Though Little Miss PlantCity, sponsored by the PlantCity Junior Woman’s Club,bears some resemblance to apageant, its intention is dif-ferent from other competi-tions of poise and personality.

“This really isn’t a pageant,”event chairwoman StephanieEisenbach said. “It’s more of a

contest for us, because thesegirls are going to representour club throughout the year.”

The main rules for enteringare that contestants must be8 to 10 years old as of Feb. 1,2015, and they must live with-in the geographical bounds ofPlant City. In fact, if the queenmoves outside of Plant Cityduring her reign, she mustforfeit the remainder of herreign.

The maximum number ofcontestants is 50. This year,there will be 30 girls compet-ing. They are judged basedon their poise, stage presenceand overall confidence. Pag-eant dresses are not allowed,so the girls wear dresses in-tended for parties or church.

“People tend to like the in-troductions of the girls, whenthey get on stage and say their

name and do their 30-secondintro,” Eisenbach said.

Intermission is also a well-liked part of the Little MissPlant City event. During thistime, there is a formal farewellfor the previous year’s queenand court, with a slideshowand presentation.

The contest is a fundraiserfor the Shoe Project, throughwhich the club donates shoesand socks to children in need.This year, the club expectsto donate about 700 pairs ofshoes and socks, distributedamong 14 Plant City-area el-ementary schools.

Throughout their reign, thequeen and court will repre-sent the Junior Woman’s Clubat community events such as

the Florida Strawberry Fes-tival Grand Parade. At someof these events, they activelyparticipate in raising moremoney for the Shoe Project.

“They get out there andthey have their little collec-tion buckets ... and they loveit, too,” Eisenbach said.

Each contestant receivesfour free tickets but anyonemay attend the contest for$10.

Contact Catherine Sinclairat csinclair@plantcityobserv-er.com.

Simmons CareerCenter counselorwins district award

Little Miss Plant City to be crowned next weekThis will be the47th year for thisJunior Woman’sClub tradition.

IF YOU GODate: 6 p.m. Saturday,April 18Location: Plant City HighSchool, 1 Raider PlaceTickets: $10 at the doorMore information: gfwc-plantcityjuniors.com

File photo

Lacie Collins was crowned queen at last year’s Little Miss PlantCity contest.

SMILEANDWAVE by Catherine Sinclair |StaffWriter

Andrea Thurston was named HighSchool Counselor of the Year forHillsborough County Public Schools.

Catherine Sinclair

Andrea Thurston has been a counselor at Simmons for about10 years.

EDUCATION by Catherine Sinclair |StaffWriter

“ “

Some of our studentsjust overcome somany differentchallenges. Justto see them startbelieving inthemselves becausewe believe in themand we show themon a regular basis ...you start to see thelightbulbs go off.— Andrea Thurston

A CUTABOVE

Dan Piergallini is a knife maker and enthusiastwhose custom pieces are available in Plant City.

Handle: Black palm woodBlade: Damascus steelFunction: Fighter

Handle: India stag boneBlade: Damascus steelFunction: Art knife

Handle: Water buffalo hornBlade: Damascus steelFunction: Japanese tanto

Handle: Micarta (man-made material)Blade: Stainless steelFunction: Skinner

cutlery by Catherine Sinclair |StaffWriter

LOOKING SHARP

Photos by Catherine Sinclair

Dan Piergallini’s knives are available at the Art Lounge Gallery on Reynolds Street in the Historic Downtown District.

More information aboutPiergallini’s work, andhis contact information,can be found atPiergalliniKnives.com.

graduate student from Chen-nai, India, and Caio Amaral, anundergraduate student fromSão Paulo, Brazil. All of the menon the team are studying disci-plines related to business.

Patel, Lott and the otherteam members started meet-ing regularly last fall to brain-storm ideas for their business.

They decided to produce hy-giene kits containing diapers,sanitary pads and toilet bags.A $3 kit provides a month’ssupply of these products. Thekits are affordable for impov-erished people living in theworld’s urban slums because

the products are made frombamboo. Bamboo is inexpen-sive because it regrows quicklyand sustainably.

The hygiene products meet aneed that people in the slumsare able to immediately recog-nize. But many of these fami-lies do not spend what littlemoney they have on educatingtheir children, especially chil-dren younger than age 6.

“We know that they are so be-hind when they get to primaryschool that they can’t keep up,and they continue through thepoverty cycle,” Lott said.

That is why BamBoost kitsalso include early childhoodeducation materials. Some ex-amples are: a flute, to increasecognitive abilities and developlistening skills; a ball-in-a-cupgame, to promote concentra-

tion and motor skills; and achalkboard, to develop writinginstrument grip and creativity.All of the educational materialsare also made of bamboo.

The team used their connec-tions in Asia and Brazil to formpartnerships with internation-al manufacturers, distributorsand sales representatives. Theytested BamBoost in the slumsof Rio de Janeiro, and the 30families who purchased theinitial kits reported that theyloved the products.

The plan is to start with Bra-zil and India, and eventuallyexpand to East Africa.

BamBoost won the Hult Prizecompetition at University ofTampa, beating out nine otherteams. When the team movedon to the regional competitionin Boston, they came in sec-

ond, placing higher than teamsfrom many Ivy League schools.

Only the first place winner inBoston continued to the finals,but the BamBoost team hasn’tgiven up hope. There is still achance for them to advance asthe “wild card” if their fundrais-ing campaign on indiegogo.com is more successful thanthe other competitors’. Theirfundraising deadline in May 8,2015.

Even if they do not secure thewild card spot, Lott, Patel andthe team expect to keep Bam-Boost running.

“Right now we’re trying ourbest to raise as much moneyas possible. If we do have asuccessful campaign ... wecan start operations and starthelping families in Brazil,” Lottsaid.

JOIN INThe BamBoost team

is trying to fundraise asmuch support as possibleby May 8 to make it to thenext level of the Hult Prizecompetition. But they alsoask for support on socialmedia.Donate: Indiegogo.com(search “BamBoost”)Like and Share: Facebook.com/BamBoostLifeFollow and Retweet: @BamBoostEduWebsite: BamBoost.life

CHALLENGEDEach year, the Hult Prize

contest challenges partici-pants with a specific goal.This year’s goal was for thewinner’s project to reachand educate 10 millionchildren by the year 2020.

Courtesy photo

BamBoost produces early childhood education tools for impoverished families living in urban slums.

BAMBOOST / PAGE 1A

focus areas is along County LineRoad.

“The area on County LineRoad, it is a project that in fouryears will be paid for, but af-ter that it will be a $24 millionrevenue, 10 years after it’s been

paid for,” Mathis said.Some of the panelists asked

questions related to crime andthe police department. Mathishad only support to show forPolice Chief Ed Duncan.

“We have hired a phenom-enal police chief that is makingchanges,” Mathis said.

She praised Duncan on hisefforts to maintain a partner-ship with Hillsborough CountySheriff’s Office, the ways he ad-dressed gang and drug issuesand his foresight in preparingfor potential crises.

Mathis will return to her fa-miliar spot in City Hall at 7:30

p.m. Monday, April 13, for thefirst City Commission meetingof her new term.

“I live in your community,”Mathis said. “I work in yourcommunity ... I am at yourcommission meetings, I amat events,” Mathis said. “I amthere. I listen to the citizens.”

MATHIS / PAGE 1A

place, yet it’s luxury.”Although the leasing office

isn’t officially opening untilnext month, Rodriguez hasreleased the details of whatprospective renters can expectfrom this community.

All but 12 of the units willbe located on the commu-nity’s lakefront, and many ofthem will be designated asnon-smoking buildings. Thereare 60 one-bedroom and 60two-bedroom apartment unitsavailable, as well as five three-bedroom townhomes that

are available for renting only.Renting cost runs from $900 to$1,700 per month, with leasingterms that run from seven to 24months.

The gated community’s mostpublicized feature has been itslakefront area, which includesa dock, several fishing areasand fish cleaning stations, grilland picnic areas and a fire pit.It will also feature a spa, a fit-ness center, a dog park andmore.

The units will come fur-nished with dishwashers, gar-bage disposals, microwaves,washer and dryer units, and

each has a screened-in bal-cony. Pets are allowed to live inthe units.

For more information aboutthe apartments, visit Lake-HouseLuxuryApartments.comor call Rodriguez at (813) 756-5800.

PLANTATIONATWALDENLAKELakehouse Luxury Apart-

ments isn’t the only commu-nity offering something newin Plant City, as another apart-ment complex in town hasmade some changes.

What was formerly calledHunters Ridge is now Planta-

tion at Walden Lake. Beyondthe name change, Plantationhas also given its buildings afresh coat of paint and newflooring inside.

The community has one, twoand three-bedroom units avail-able for rent, starting at $720 forthe 556-square foot Magnoliaone-bedroom units, and eachcomes fully furnished with ap-pliances. The community itselfhas a pool, tennis court, busi-ness center, spa and more.

For more information, visitPlantationAtWaldenLake.com.

Contact Justin Kline atjkline@plantcityobserver.com.

the men. “I have high expec-tations for all of you, and I’mconfident that you will exceedthem.”

Of the four officers, Sniderhas the most experience inpublic safety. He spent muchof the last 11 years with PolkCounty Fire Rescue, workingas a paramedic, and comes toPlant City after one year withthe Pinellas County Sheriff’sOffice. He decided to come toPlant City to escape the big citylife in St. Petersburg.

“I live in Walden Lake,” Snid-er said. “Love the area. I thinkit’s great that it’s a small com-munity — I like that better. Igrew up in a big city and wasn’tinterested in being in a big cityanymore.”

Wise, who has family in PlantCity, comes from Atlanta, Geor-gia after five years with the Cityof Atlanta Police Department.Before then, he did not work inthe public safety field.

He chose to come to PlantCity to be closer to the peoplehe loves and to settle down andraise a family without the hus-tle and bustle of Atlanta.

“My parents live here,” Wisesaid. “I’ve got friends and fam-ily here, and it’s a great place toraise a child. I’ve got a 10-year-old little girl.”

Harvester, a Tampa native,spent the last 10 years workingfor the Hillsborough County

Sheriff’s Office. He worked inthe communications bureauas a civilian and decided toswitch gears last summer.

“I left in July, went to the po-lice academy, and here I amnow,” he said.

He chose to come to PlantCity for several reasons, andcouldn’t be more excited to be-gin his career as a police officerin the Winter Strawberry Capi-tal of the World.

“I was ready to come overhere to a smaller agency,”

Harvester said. “The chiefis phenomenal, and I knowsome good guys that workover here. They can’t talkhighly enough about theagency, so I thought it was agreat place to start.”

Cowart is the only Plant Citynative of the bunch. At 21, he’salso the youngest member ofthe group.

After completing policeacademy, Cowart served as adeputy with the Polk CountySheriff’s Office for 10 months.

He chose to come to Plant Citybecause it seemed like the rightthing for him to do.

“I was born and raised inPlant City,” he says. “My wholefamily lives here. I wanted tocome to Plant City and giveback to my community.”

Cowart is looking forward tobeing a part of the PCPD fam-ily and to making a differencein the town where it all beganfor him.

Contact Justin Kline atjkline@plantcityobserver.com.

OFFICERS / PAGE 1A

Justin KlineBilly Harvester, Dylan Cowart, Vince Wise and Paul Snider await their new badges.

Lakehouse Luxury Apartments offers lakeside living and plenty of amenities.

LAKEHOUSE / PAGE 1A

Now that winter’sofficially gone, it’sabout time to getoutdoors and take ad-vantage of that warmFlorida weather.

School’s coming toan end soon. Aroundthe same time, adultswill look outside andbrainstorm any ex-cuse to get out of theoffice. I would love to spendmy days wakeboarding.

I want to give youall motivation to gooutside and enjoy your-selves, no matter whatyou like to do.

And since we’re allinterested in differentthings, I could use yourhelp.

I’m looking foryour tales of outdooradventures, and if

you’re qualified to give it,your advice for anyone who

wants to try their hand atyour preferred outdoor sport.It doesn’t matter what you do,as long as it’s done outsideand presents some kind ofchallenge.

Are you an avid angler? Doyou like to spend every mo-ment you can in the springand summer out on thewater, catching whatever youcan? I don’t care if you fishfreshwater, saltwater or both:Drop me a line. I want to hear

your tips and tricks for land-ing the big ones, your favoritespots to fish (if they’re notclosely-guarded secrets) andsee what you’ve caught in thepast. I don’t fish as often as Iused to, but I know fully wellhow valuable a good day onthe water can be.

Is hunting more of yourforte? Sure, most animals inFlorida aren’t going to be inseason this summer. But withmore options opening up in

August, maybe we can helpmotivate some readers whoare on the fence about get-ting a license to go and giveit a shot. If you hunt aroundFlorida, I want to hear fromyou — no matter what yourweapon of choice is.

Do you love watersports?Is the cable park your secondhome over the spring andsummer? Or do you just takeadvantage of the nearest lakeyou can find whenever youhave the chance? I want to

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

SportsDo you have a good sports

scoop for us? Email JustinKline at jkline@plantcityob-server.com, or Tweet us at @PCTOSports.

SOCCER

+ P.C. to host StateCup gamesThe 2015 Florida Youth

Soccer Association StateCup is underway, and theaction will be headed toPlant City this weekend.On Saturday, April 11,

and Sunday, April 12, theOtis M. Andrews SportsComplex will be the placefor local soccer fans to beto watch the round of 32action unfold. The tourna-ment field consists of boysand girls U13-U19 teams,including the Plant CityLancers’ U13 and U16 boysteams. The complex is locat-ed at 2602 E. Cherry St.The games will be played

from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. bothdays. For more informationon the State Cup series, visitFYSA.com/events/state_cup/.

FOOTBALL

+ Durant planningclay shoot fundraiserThis April, friends of the

Durant High School footballteam can both help theprogram out and satisfy anitchy trigger finger.The program has

announced the first annualDurant Football Cougar ClayShoot Out for Sunday, April26. The event will be heldfrom 9:30 a.m. to noon atthe Fishhawk Sporting Claysshooting range, 13505Hobson Simmons Road,Lithia.On-site registration will

be held at 8:30 a.m., andsafety instructions will bereviewed at 9:15 a.m.Prizes will be awarded to

the top male and femaleshooters in the competition,as well as the top youth(18 and younger) and teamshooters. Lunch will also beprovided.Individuals can register

for $60, and a team offour can sign up for $220.The registration cost cov-ers 50 clay targets and abarbecue lunch. Gun rentalsand shells will be available.Those who wish to attendbut not shoot can do so for$10. Checks can be madeout to Durant Football, orthe fees can be paid bycredit or debit card the dayof the event.For more information,

contact head coach MikeGottman by phone at (813)323-4347 or by email atmichael.gottman@sdhc.k12.fl.us, or Debbie Fabrizio at(813) 917-2171 or debbief-abrizio@mac.com.

HOCKEY

+Waldenwrapsupseason inNewJerseyDurant High senior Clint

Walden moved to NewJersey to play for a top youthhockey team.The North Jersey

Avalanche wrapped up its2014-15 season, finishingas one of the top U18 Tier1 teams in the country. Ithad the best regular-seasonrecord in the country, at60-10-6, and won theAtlantic Youth HockeyLeague and Atlantic Districtchampionships beforefinishing as runner-up inthe USA Hockey NationalChampionships.Walden finished with 20

goals and 15 assists (35points), and plans to returnto New Jersey next season.

SIDELINES

ATHLETEOFTHEWEEK

AshleyPiechowiakkeepsDurant’s flagfootball rolling.7A

SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM

football by Justin Kline |StaffWriter

They say that Rome wasn’tbuilt in a day, and thesame rings true of thenew Antioch Redskins.

Like any good team presi-dent, Benji Sikes puts in longhours working at the AntiochRedskins’ park throughoutthe week. This sometimeskeeps him on the grounds un-til after sunset. But the resultshe’s seeing make it all worth-while.

Sikes, his wife, Emily, andthe rest of the new board ofdirectors will not rest untilthe new part of the programidentity is firmly entrenchedin the minds of the Antiochcommunity. There isn’t goingto be another season cancel-lation, as there was in fall2014. On top of that, childrenwho wish to play football willbe able to do so in a positiveenvironment.

And, the best part? Sikes al-ready confirms that there willbe fall football in Antioch this

year, as more than enoughplayers have pre-registeredfor the season.

“These are probably thebest numbers that we’velooked at in a long time,” hesays.

TIME FOR CHANGEThe Redskins had been

around for roughly 50 years in2014, but participation num-bers had been declining. Theyhit their all-time low beforethe fall season, with only 11players signed up before thecut-off date.

Then-president MikeWilkinson attributed the de-cline to an interest in base-ball, and it wasn’t long beforehe left his position.

The team held a footballfundamentals camp, ledby Adam Cain, for any areayouths interested in learningthe game. The team, in con-junction with the Tri-CountyYouth Football and Cheer-

leading Conference, hostedseveral TCYFCC footballgames and cheer competi-tions to raise money for theRedskins program during theseason.

But there was much morehappening behind the scenes.

When Sikes was installedas team president, he made ithis goal to put as much effortas he could into turning theprogram around, even if he’sspent more time some weeksworking at the field than at hisreal job, as he and his wife say.

“We were able to pull thispark out of a financial deficit,out of a numbers deficit forkids, and basically, what we’vedone is build a park on classand respect,” he says.

THE “NEW” REDSKINSTo get participation num-

bers back up, Sikes knew thata lot of things had to change.One of the biggest areas forimprovement was in the at-

titude of the program: If hecould get the right people inthe right positions, and putforth enough effort, peoplewould be drawn back to theprogram.

“We just couldn’t let it goaway,” he says. “It was one ofthose things where, if we justkind of stuck in there, if wegot everything right, it moreor less was a lesson we couldteach kids on how to not giveup on something. If you workthrough it, it can happen.”

On the football side, the An-tioch program continued thefootball fundamentals campsand was able to find enoughplayers to get involved in8-on-8 arena football actionthis spring. That was huge,as Antioch previously had nosuch program.

“If kids wanted to play foot-ball in the spring, they wouldgo to other parks,” Sikes says.

FLAGFOOTBALL by Justin Kline |StaffWriter

SEE KLINE / PAGE 7A

PLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

If anyone knew what thisyoung Durant flag footballteam was capable of this year,it was Randy Crone.

His input has so far provento be exactly what the teamneeded this spring, after los-ing a number of key seniors tograduation and longtime headcoach Brad Brunson. Workingwith just four seniors, Croneled the Lady Cougars to a 4-1start this year. And the team

was ready to battle Blooming-dale for one of the high seedsin the playoffs last Thursday.

“I love working with thegirls,” Crone says. “They’reeager to learn, and they wantto play. I love it.”

A FOOTBALL LIFECrone, a San Diego, Califor-

nia native, has been around thegame of football for most of hislife. After playing linebacker at

Mira Mesa High School, Croneattended San Diego State Uni-versity, put on some weight andplayed on the Aztecs’ defensiveline. When he graduated fromcollege, Crone spent some timeworking as a store manager at aJust for Feet store.

But he eventually foundhimself back in the game.Crone left the position tocoach freshman and JV foot-ball at his alma mater, which

was also possible thanks to acareer change into the field ofeducation. He started coach-ing in 2002 and moved toFlorida in 2005 to be closer tohis wife’s family.

Crone now teaches U.S.History and AP World His-tory at Durant, and has beeninvolved in both football

Crone keeps Durant winningafter coaching changeBrad Brunson had a great seven years coaching the Durant High flagfootball team, but the future was uncertain when he stepped downthis year. Randy Crone has given Durant fans what they hoped for.

Courtesy Photo

Randy Crone has spent much of the last decade coaching flag foot-ball, after many years in the boys game.

Since Benji and Emily Sikes took over the Antioch Redskins in 2014, the programhas done everything possible to become the new and improved Redskins program.

FOR THE KIDSAccording to Vice President

Emily Sikes, the AntiochRedskins program will befriendly to all kids who wantto play football, even if theirfamilies would have troubleaffording it.None of the money that

the team gains through fun-draisers goes back into thepark. Instead, it goes towardsponsorships for kids whosefamilies would otherwise beunable to pay.“We don’t turn any kids

away,” she says. “If there’s fivekids that need sponsorships,we have car washes, we’ve hadsome coaches go up to the BigTop Flea Market — donationsonly — these kids are gettingcovered. We figure it out.”Kids also get help in the

classroom and can go to thepark for a meal whenever theteam makes them available.“We’ve adopted all of these

kids,” Sikes says.For more informa-

tion about the team, visitAntiochRedskins.org.

WHAT’S ON KLINE’S MIND?

SEE CRONE / PAGE 7A

Justin Kline.The Antioch Redskins staff strives to make players and parents feel like part of a family.

FAMILYBYFOOTBALL

JUSTINKLINE

Let’s hear about the great outdoors

SEE REDSKINS / PAGE 7A

General Manager/Executive Editor / Michael Eng, meng@PlantCityObserver.comGeneral Manager/Advertising / Stacey Hudson, shudson@tampabay.comManaging Editor / Amber Jurgensen, ajurgensen@PlantCityObserver.comAssistant Managing Editor / Jess Eng, jeng@PlantCityObserver.comStaff Writers / Justin Kline, jkline@PlantCityObserver.com; Catherine Sinclair,csinclair@PlantCityObserver.comAdvertising Executive / Veronica Prostko, vprostko@PlantCityObserver.com;Circulation/Office Manager / Linda Lancaster, llancaster@PlantCityObserver.com

110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100-APlant City, FL 33563(813) 704-6850www.PlantCityObserver.com

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SEND USYOUR NEWSWe want to hear from you. Letus know about your events,celebrations and achievements.

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Mail: The Plant City Observer, 110 E. ReynoldsSt., Suite 100-A, Plant City, FL 33563

CONTACT USThe Plant City Times &Observer is publishedonce weekly, on Fridays.

It provides free home delivery toseveral neighborhoods in Plant City.The Plant City Times & Observer alsocan be found in many commerciallocations throughout Plant City and atour office, 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite100-A.

If you wish to discontinue homedelivery or if you wish to suspendhome delivery temporarily, call LindaLancaster at 704-6850.

“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

THISWEEK’S CROSSWORDANSWERS

THISWEEK’S CRYPTOQUIZ ANSWERS1) Railway Air Brake 2) Reversible Frog 3) Induction Motor 4)War of Currents 5) The Castle. George Westinghouse

Little League season in full swingPlant City Little League is

halfway through its regularseason, and competition isheating up.

With games being playedjust about every other day,now is as good a time as any togo see Plant City’s future base-ball and softball stars do theirthing on the diamond. For allgame schedules, visit Eteamz.com/PlantCityll.

hey batter by Justin Kline |StaffWriter

Left: The pitcher-batterstaredown is one of the mostintense in all of sports.

A pitcher gets the game-play from her coachbefore taking the mound.

This player watches the actionunfold while waiting his turnto bat.

programs during his time inthe Plant City area. He wasthe JV football coach for oneyear before taking some timeaway from the sport and get-ting more involved with hisdaughter’s athletic career.

“She plays girls soccer, shedoes ice skating and gymnas-tics, and she got really intoit,” Crone says. “So, I’d beentrying to learn how to coachgirls. I figured this might bemy first job, and I’ve stuckwith it ever since.”

PROGRAM VETERANCrone came aboard Du-

rant’s program in 2008, atthe same time Brunson tookover as head coach. The twomen worked to take the teamto highs it hadn’t previouslyreached.

“He’s been very successful,so it’s been really hard shoesto fill,” Crone says. “I think he’sfifth in the county in all-timewins. We’ve come a long way.”

Though the team has only

won the district title once, ithas won several runner-upawards. Last year’s team, ledby senior quarterback JessicaMcClernan, enjoyed an unde-feated regular season beforelosing to Bloomingdale in thedistrict championship game.

Even though many of thatteam’s top players left, Croneknew he had good reason towant to step up and take overthe team.

“I was just real comfortabledoing it,” he says. “A lot of thegirls, I’ve been working withthem since they were fresh-men. So the fit was real easy.This year we only have fourseniors, so I went with a youthmovement to try and buildthe program even more.”

The team has 18 playerson the roster this season, upfrom its usual 10 or 11. Plentyof sophomores, such as quar-terback Megan Mooney, areseeing a lot of playing time onthe field. And on JV, the rosteris packed with 22 girls.

“The sport is really expand-ing,” Crone says. “Especially

here at Durant. A lot moregirls are getting interested init. It’s been good.”

For the moment, all signsbode well for this programgoing forward under Crone’sleadership. All Cougar fanshave to hope for now is agood playoff showing, and itsounds like this young team isready to go.

“These girls, they love toplay at a high level,” Cronesays. “These girls take it seri-ously.”

Contact Justin Kline atjkline@plantcityobserver.com.

CATCH A GAMEAfter next week’s game

at East Bay High School,the Durant flag footballteam will have one homegame left before playofftime. The game begins at7 p.m. Thursday, April 23,against Armwood. For fanswho missed Thursday’sBloomingdale game, thiswill be one to watch.

CRONE / PAGE 5A

“So, once they would experi-ence a good time with anoth-er park, we would never getthe kids back.”

Much of the Redskins staffis also new, and Sikes says thateach member was thoroughlyvetted before they were hiredto be sure that each personwas the right fit for the pro-gram. On the field, only twofootball coaches and thecheerleading director remainfrom the previous presidency.On the administrative board,several new members havebeen installed, and the team’sboard meetings are now opento the public.

The camps sometimes ca-

tered to only two kids in anight, and sometimes haddouble-digit participants, butthe Redskins kept the lightson and stayed on the field nomatter what those numberslooked like. Now, many ofthose campers have signed upto play for the fall season —even some who hadn’t playedfootball before.

“We may have four return-ing players that have playedfor Antioch,” Sikes says. “A lotof these kids come from alldifferent walks of life. Someof them are basketball play-ers, some of them are soccerplayers and some of them arefootball players that haven’tplayed in a while, but theycome out here, and we’ve

been able to arrange fivecompetitive teams after a sea-son with no numbers. Whatwe’re doing is working.”

So enter the new AntiochRedskins: a program that isgoing to be 100% for the kids,even if other things come be-fore football.

“We want to take these kidsand turn them into good peo-ple,” Sikes says. “Even beforewe teach them how to playfootball. Based on what weused to do this for: to keepkids off the streets, makethem good people, help themthrough high school and getthem to the next level.”

Contact Justin Kline atjkline@plantcityobserver.com.

ASHLEY PIECHOWIAKATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY COURTNEY PAAT | STATE FARM

Durant’s flag football team is rolling, even after losing key starters and dealing witha head coaching change. Part of the Lady Cougars’ success comes from the play ofsenior Ashley Piechowiak, a two-way player who went into Thursday’s game againstBloomingdale with 6 touchdown receptions and 6 interceptions on the season.

What first drew you toflag football?

I started my freshmanyear. I played varsity. It’sbeen a long journey. Ithink I’ve gotten better,the team’s gotten better,and we’ve gotten close.

How far have you seenthis team come over thepast four years?

We’ve had our goodseasons and our badseasons, but this sea-son, I think it’s going tobe really well. The teamworks well together. Thequarterback (MeganMooney), a sophomore,she just started. She’sbeen doing really good,really getting chemistrywith the wide receiversand tight ends.

Last year was a senior-heavy team, and nowit’s a very young teamwith four seniors. What’sit been like, helping theyounger girls get better?

I feel like a rolemodel becauseI’ve been herefor four years,but they re-ally look upto me. I’vetaken prior-ity in mak-ing theteam lookup to me.

You all gotoff to a 4-1start thisseason — notbad for ayoung team.What’s beenthe key to suc-cess?

I thinkdefense hasgone reallywell. We’veshut themdown, mostof the time.It’s just not let-ting them score,making intercep-tions and pullingthe flag the firsttime.

What’s the coolestthing you think you’veever done on a footballfield?

Well, I’m not reallysure. I do a lot of longruns, and I make a lotof long catches. I feellike if I make a longcatch and run it in for atouchdown, that’s prettymuch the best achieve-ment I’ve got.

What’s been your fa-vorite moment of your

flag football career?A couple years ago, we

beat Plant City, which is abig rival of ours.

Do you play any othersports?

I play soccer, too. Allfour years of high school.

Which do you prefer?I like flag football more.

I feel like there’s not a lotof cliques, like there wasin soccer. Most play-ers play for club teams,in soccer, so they havetheir own groups. In flag

football, we don’t reallyhave club teams, so we’renot really cliquey like insoccer.

What do you do for funoutside of those sports?

I like to go bowling.I’m in a league, actually,with my friends. EveryWednesday night, we gobowling, My average is160, and my best gamewas a 234. It was a monthago, I think.

What’s your favoritesubject in school?

I love math. I’m takingcalculus right now. I wantto be an engineer.

Do you know where youwant to go to college?

Yeah, I’ve already de-cided: USF.

What are your favoritemovies?

I like “Pirates of theCaribbean.” I like theShrek movies — that’s mykid side.

Is there a sportyou’ve never triedbefore, but alwayswanted to?

Volleyball … Iplayed it eighth-grade year, at Tur-key Creek MiddleSchool. But I’mreally inexperi-

enced in that.

Who’s your fa-vorite athlete of alltime?

Probably DirkNowitzki. I don’tknow — he has acool name, and hehas a cool shot.

Do you have abond with otherathletes with lastnames that peoplehave a hard timepronouncing?

Oh yeah, definitely.

How do you pronounceyour last name, for all ofthe readers who are goingto have trouble with it?

Puh-ho-vee-ak.

What are some of yourgoals for this year?

I want to get somescholarships. That’ll helpmy college tuition. I justwant to graduate. I’m justtrying to get A’s in all ofmy classes, even thoughour GPAs are frozen. MyGPA is a 5.5, right now.

know where the best spotsare, hear some tips for per-forming tricks and anythingelse you think people shouldknow about doing what youdo. If you’re great at dealing

with those dastardly driverswho just love to throw peopleoff of their tubes, your advicecould help many readers.

Even if none of theseapplies to you, I still wantto hear from you if you’reout there doing something

people should know about.As always, I can be reachedby email at jkline@plantci-tyobserver.com, or you canstop by the Plant City Times &Observer’s downtown office at110 E. Reynolds St., Mondaythrough Friday.

REDSKINS / PAGE 5A

KLINE / PAGE 5A

Paul Hetrick spent thesummer of 2009 outsidein the relentless Floridasun, with a paintbrushin his hand and a com-

munity-driven motivation inhis heart. He had been askedto produce a mural that wouldbring life to an ordinary wall indowntown Plant City.

This week, Hetrick returnedto the 14-by-70-foot work ofart that took him 400 hours tocomplete. But he wasn’t thereto admire his piece. Instead, hewas trying to assess the deteri-oration that has been plaguingthe mural for the last year.

“It’s perplexing to me, be-cause I’ve painted a lot of brickwalls in my years of sign paint-ing, and this one has respond-ed differently than many ofthem,” Hetrick said.

An Ignited HistoryIn 1974, local artist John

Briggs was commissioned topaint a mural as a tribute toPlant City’s iconic railroad his-tory on an exterior wall of ahistoric, multi-business build-ing on Collins Street.

But the mural barely lived tosee its 30th birthday.

In 2005, Angelica Ruth Lock-ett was charged with sevencounts of arson after tossing alit cigarette onto some beddingin the back of a shop owned byher ex-boyfriend, Mark Simp-son. The shop was in the 100block of South Collins Street,where Briggs’ mural was lo-cated.

While investigating the case,detectives said Lockett hadintended to cause damage toSimpson’s shop, but the flames

got out of hand and burned allof the building’s seven busi-nesses to the ground.

The mural suffered smokedamage, but its wall was theonly part of the building thatremained standing.

Three years later, the wallwas torn down. The mural wasnot protected as a historicalpiece, and city officials decidedit would be in the best interestof safety to demolish the wall.

Some Plant City residentsthought the mural could havebeen salvaged.

“A lot of people here aren’thappy that they tore that walldown,” Valerie DeArmond,owner of Valerie’s Attic, said.“One night it was there, andthe next morning, it wasn’t.”

DeArmond’s shop, whichopened in 2013, is just acrossthe street from the former siteof the burned building. Now itis a parking lot and park areabehind Whistle Stop GourmetCoffee and Eatery and KrazyKup.

In 2009, Jerry Lofstrom,owner of Whistle Stop, decidedto organize a committee andplan a new mural that wouldalso depict Plant City’s history,as a replacement for the muralthat had been destroyed.

Briggs said he had beenasked to paint the new mural,but he refused to take on theproject unless the wall was firstprepared with stucco. Afterdesignating this condition, hedid not receive a call back, hesaid.

Paul Hetrick, owner of Paul’sHand Lettering Service, wascommissioned for the newmural, to be painted on the

rear exterior wall of WhistleStop. Lofstrom’s mural com-mittee comprised himself,Hetrick, Scott Anderson, FredJohnson and Sandee Sytsma(chairwoman).

The committee had to fun-draise for the mural and Het-rick’s labor. Donations primar-ily came from the families ofthe community members whoare depicted in the mural.

The mural, named “TheHeart of Plant City,” was com-pleted and dedicated to thecity in January 2010.

A Deteriorating PresentIn recent months, some

downtown business ownersand other community mem-bers have noticed that the mu-ral is in poor condition.

“It should be lasting, but it’speeling right off,” DeArmondsaid.

She said she has also seensome people going up to themural and purposely pullingoff chunks of paint that havestarted to peel.

The end result is a torn andtattered work of art in need ofintervention.

Lofstrom said he noticed thedamage about five months agoand discussed it with Sytsmaabout three months ago.

Though the wall had beensealed two years ago so that thepaint would retain its brightcolors, the committee has justrecently become aware thatthe base material was funda-mentally problematic.

“Not being aware that therewere two different kinds ofbrick, we decided to start onthe new mural ... but it’s not

the kind of brick, apparently,that can be painted on,” Syts-ma said.

Sytsma said there is somemoney in the committee’sbudget, leftover from the initialfundraising. But it is not quiteenough.

“We’re not exactly sure whatwe’re going to do at this point,”Sytsma said. “I don’t have themoney to completely paintover it and start again.”

Though the city passed anordinance in 2009 to ban anynew murals in the historic dis-trict, the ordinance did not af-fect maintenance of existingmurals.

Hetrick said the peelingpaint is only one of the issuesat hand. Below the surface,the grout and even the bricksthemselves are deterioratinginto a sand-like consistency.

“It’s just pouring out ofthere,” Hetrick said. “You canrub your finger back and forthand it’s coming out.”

The mural originally costabout $25,000. To redo it wouldcost at least this sum, or more,if the committee decided toresurface the wall with stuccothis time.

Hetrick said he has recentlybeen in contact with the com-mittee and hopes to meet withthem soon to determine thebest course of action.

“There’s a lot of money spenton that mural, and if there’ssomething we could do thatwould permanentize it ... that’swhat I really want to happen,”Hetrick said.

Contact Catherine Sinclairat csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.

REAL ESTATE | PLANT CITY LIFE | OBITUARIES | GAMES | FAITH

NeighborhoodPLANTCITYOBSERVER.COM FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015

BROKEN-HEARTEDTIMELINE1974: JohnBriggs paintedthe original muralon the 100 blockof South CollinsStreet.

2005: The build-ing on which theoriginal muralwas paintedburned down, butthe mural wallremained standing.

2008: The muralwall was demol-ished.

2009: A com-mittee formed tomake plans for anew mural on therear exterior wallof Whistle StopGourmet Coffee andEatery.

January 2010:The new mural,painted by PaulHetrick, was dedi-cated.

February 2010:A replica of theoriginal muralwas permanentlyinstalled at theFlorida StrawberryFestival.

‘The Heart of Plant City’ mural was painted on brick that was not made to sustain a work of art.

Photos by Catherine Sinclair

Evelyn Madonia, former ownerof the Red Rose Inn andSuites, is among the 53 com-munity figures in the “Heart ofthe Plant City” mural.

The mural’s paint is peelingaway to reveal the bare brickunderneath.

The parking lot and green space near the mural replaced a building that burned in 2005.

RESTORATION by Catherine Sinclair |StaffWriter

Each summer, the RotaryClubs of Plant City sponsorstudents from Plant City HighSchool to attend prestigiousleadership programs bothin and out of state, and thisyear’s participants have re-cently been selected and an-nounced.

Rotary clubs in Florida mayeach send one student to Sem-inar For Tomorrow’s Leaders(S4TL) and one student to theWorld Affairs Youth Council.Because there are two RotaryClubs in Plant City, two PlantCity High School students willbe able to attend each of theseprograms this summer.

Kendall Johnson and ShelbyBaerwalde will participate inS4TL, a week-long program atFlorida Southern College in

Lakeland, where students willhear from guest speakers, in-cluding successful Rotarians,about leadership and commu-nity service.

“They call it a pep rally. It’sa leadership conference,” JodiStevens, a member of PlantCity Noon Rotary Club whooversees the selection of PlantCity students for these pro-grams, said.

Madison Manley and Vale-ria Ruiz will participate in theWorld Affairs Youth Council,which is also a week long buttakes place at Auburn Universi-ty. Students become delegatesfor a country and debate issuesfrom the viewpoints of thosecountries.

“That is a basic United Na-tions forum, and it examines

real-world issues,” Stevenssaid.

Nine students submittedapplications for S4TL and theWorld Affairs Youth Council,and they were interviewed byStevens and other Rotarians.Stevens said it was not onlytheir personalities and achieve-ments that mattered, but alsotheir potential for effective andmeaningful leadership.

All of the girls who werechosen have achieved highhonors in their academic andextra-curricular endeavors, buteach has a unique perspectiveto take to these summer pro-grams.

Johnson has a heart for ser-vice close to home. She oftenworks with Bell Shoals Churchof Christ in Brandon to distrib-

ute food and clothing to low-income families, and she tutorselementary-age children inPlant City. She is not sure whatshe’ll study in college, but mathand science are some of her topacademic interests.

“Leadership is a key com-ponent to success, and I amhappy that I have been giventhe opportunity to learn moreabout leadership over the sum-mer,” Johnson said.

Baerwalde is passionateabout the arts and has earnedawards for film, photographyand literature. She has servedPlant City through Relay forLife, Empty Bowls and variousprojects with the PCHS Civi-nettes.

Manley has a vision for giv-ing back and serving those with

immediate medical needs. Sheis actively involved in raisingmoney for Relay for Life andALS. She hopes to go to medi-cal school and eventually workin developing nations, to servechildren whose deformities in-hibit them from functioning intheir cultures.

“Leadership to me is hum-bling yourself before othersand becoming an inspirationfor young people all around theworld to pursue their dreamsand rise above their adversi-ties,” Manley said.

Ruiz is a member of the Civi-nettes and Health OccupationsStudents of America, and haspreviously be involved withKey Club and Latin Quarters atPCHS. She is actively involvedat St. Clement Catholic Church.She hopes to study criminologyat University of South Floridaand eventually earn a PhD.

After the students have re-

turned from their summer pro-grams, they will give presenta-tions at Plant City Rotary Clubmeetings to discuss what theylearned. Johnson and Manleywill appear at Daybreak Rotary,and Baerwalde and Ruiz willappear at Noon Rotary.

Contact Catherine Sinclairat csinclair@plantcityobserver.com.

CUTESTCRITTERTank, the pure bred

Cane Corso ItalianMastiff puppy, is a very

big baby and a gentle giant.Turkey Creek Animal

Hospital and Animal Well-ness Center have partneredto present a weekly CutestCritter Contest. Entering issimple: Just submit a high-resolution photo (200 dpior better) and a sentenceor two about why your petis the cutest. Include yourname and contact infor-mation. Winners will beshowcased in the Plant CityTimes & Observer and willreceive a free bag of dentalchews to be picked up atTurkey Creek Animal Hos-pital and Animal WellnessCenter.

Submit your entries toManaging Editor AmberJurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com;subject line: Cutest CritterContest. Good luck!

Rotary selects students for leadership programsSUMMED UPDuring their interviews,

the students were askedto choose one word todescribe themselves. Theirwords were:Shelby Baerwalde:AcceptingKendall Johnson:CompromiserMadison Manley: HumbleValeria Ruiz: Vivacious

Four high school students will have the opportunity to participate inprograms at Florida Southern College and Auburn University this summer.

BOOK’SBESTFRIEND by Catherine Sinclair |StaffWriter

From 4 to 5 p.m. everyWednesday, children can visitwith Bonnie the Therapy Dogat Bruton Memorial Library.Children, typically betweenage 3 and fifth grade, canchoose a story to read to Bon-nie.

When they are finished,they receive a sticker, andolder children can also re-ceive bookmarks. Bonnie’sowner is Cassandra Banning,and the pair also regularlyvisits patients at South Flori-da Baptist Hospital.

Bonnie’s mom, CassandraBanning, lets children choosefrom among many stickerdesigns.

Left: Children sit next toBonnie while they read aloudto her.

Some children like to return week after week to see Bonnie.

building the future by Catherine Sinclair |StaffWriter

Bonnie the therapy dogbarks up right library shelf

The home at 925 Cow-ard Road sold March 30, for$319,400. Built in 2002, it hastwo bedrooms, two and onehalf baths and 1,536 squarefeet of living space on fiveacres. The price per square footis $207.94.

Alexander WoodsThe home at 2108 Grayson

Woods Court sold March 6, for$120,000. Built in 2015, it hasthree bedrooms, two and onehalf baths and 1,789 squarefeet of living area. The price persquare foot is $67.08.

Ancient OakThe home at 3812 Ancient

Oak Trail sold March 6, for$245,000. Built in 1987, it hasthree bedrooms, two bathsand 1,827 square feet of livingarea on one acre. The price persquare foot is $135.10.

Avondale GrovesThe home at 4324 Avondale

Groves St. sold March 6, for$225,000. Built in 2006, it hasfour bedrooms, three bathsand 2,447 square feet of livingarea on one acre. The price persquare foot is $91.95.

Berry CreekThe home at 2206 Berry

Road sold March 6, for $85,000.Built in 1997, it has three bed-rooms, two baths and 2,356square feet of living area ontwo acres. The price per squarefoot is $36.08.

Bracewell HeightsThe home at 1604 N. Gordon

St. sold March 27, for $139,900(REO/bank owned). Built in2001, it has three bedrooms,two baths and 1,585 squarefeet of living area on one acre.The price per square foot is$88.26.

Citrus LandingThe home at 202 Citrus

Landing Drive sold March 9,for $150,000 (short sale). Builtin 2005, it has five bedrooms,three baths and 2,291 squarefeet of living area on one acre.The price per square foot is$65.47.

Country Breeze EstatesThe home at 3015 Country

Breeze Drive sold March 24,for $185,000. Built in 2002, ithas three bedrooms, two bathsand 1,502 square feet of livingarea on one acre. The price persquare foot is $123.17.

Country Brooks EstatesThe home at 2910 Country

Trails Drive sold March 27, for$295,000. Built in 2005, it hasfour bedrooms, two and onehalf baths and 2,571 squarefeet of living area on one acre.The price per square foot is$114.74.

Country HillsThe home at 4617 Cop-

per Lane sold March 20, for$130,000 (REO/bank owned).Built in 1998, it has three bed-rooms, two baths and 1,439square feet of living area onone acre. The price per squarefoot is $90.34.

The home at 4641 Cop-per Lane sold March 31, for$125,500. Built in 2001, it hasthree bedrooms, two bathsand 1,266 square feet of livingarea on one acre. The price persquare foot is $99.13.

The home at 4330 CountryHills Blvd. sold March 31, for$122,000. Built in 2003, it hasthree bedrooms, two bathsand 1,340 square feet of livingarea on one acre. The price persquare foot is $91.04.

The home at 2705 HuntsCourt sold March 31, for$115,000 (short sale). Built in1997, it has three bedrooms,two baths and 1,388 squarefeet of living area on one quar-ter acre. The price per squarefoot is $82.85.

The home at 4617 Summer-winds Court sold March 20,for $111,000. Built in 1985, ithas three bedrooms, two bathsand 1,240 square feet of livingarea on one acre. The price persquare foot is $89.52.

Country TrailsThe home at 4708 Char-

ro Lane sold March 13, for$175,000. Built in 1985, it hasthree bedrooms, two and onehalf baths and 1,515 squarefeet of living area on one acre.The price per square foot is$115.51.

Crystal Springs ColonyThe home at 10575 Paul Bu-

chman Highway sold March20, for $245,000. Built in 1993, ithas three bedrooms, two bathsand 1,640 square feet of livingarea on 11 acres. The price persquare foot is $149.39.

Eagle GreensThe home at 2643 Eagle

Greens Drive #22 sold March31, for $137,500. Built in 2000,it has two bedrooms, two baths

and 1,236 square feet of livingarea. The price per square footis $11.25.

EastgateThe home at 2306 Gatewood

St. sold March 11, for $97,500(REO/bank owned). Built in1984, it has three bedrooms,two baths and 1,506 squarefeet of living area on one quar-ter acre. The price per squarefoot is $64.74.

Eastridge PreserveThe home at 3407 Ranch-

dale Drive sold March 30, for$299,900. Built in 2015, it hasfour bedrooms, three bathsand 2,641 square feet of livingarea on one half acre. The priceper square foot is $107.88.

EdgarThe home at 2314 How-

ell Road sold March 27, for$52,500. Built in 2010, it hastwo bedrooms, two baths and990 square feet of living areaon one acre. The price persquare foot is $90.91.

Export FarmsThe home at 4206 Web-

ber Road sold March 6, for$160,000 (REO/bank owned).Built in 2006, it has two bed-rooms, two baths and 1,305square feet of living area ontwo acres. The price per squarefoot is $122.61.

Forest ParkThe home at 122 Plum St.

sold March 16, for $48,000

(short sale). Built in 1925, ithas three bedrooms, one bathand 1,527 square feet of livingarea on one acre. The price persquare foot is $31.43.

Gilchrist HeightsThe home at 1109 N. Knights

St. sold March 31, for $75,000.Built in 1968, it has four bed-rooms, two baths and 1,926square feet of living area onone quarter acre. The price persquare foot is $38.94.

HillsboroughThe home at 4113 N. Forbes

Road sold March 13, for$165,000. Built in 1985, it hastwo bedrooms, two baths and1,232 square feet of living areaon one acre. The price persquare foot is $133.93.

The home at 19 S. MarylandAve. sold March 10, for $78,000.Built in 1979, it has three bed-rooms, two baths and 1,700square feet of living area onone quarter acre. The price persquare foot is $45.88.

The home at 3402 MurrayFarms Road sold March 31,for $130,000. Built in 1966,it has three bedrooms, two

baths and 1,899 square feetof living area on one quarteracre. The price per squarefoot is $68.46.

The home at 2019 PleasantAcre Drive sold March 10, for$115,000. Built in 1962, it hastwo bedrooms, two baths and1,516 square feet of living areaon one half acre. The price persquare foot is $75.86.

The home at 5010 W. SamAllen Road sold March 25, for$289,000. Built in 1910, it hasthree bedrooms, two baths and1,857 square feet of living areaon two acres. The price persquare foot is $155.63.

The home at 2502 SamHicks Road sold March 27, for$40,280. Built in 1996, it hasthree bedrooms, one bath and1,048 square feet of living areaon two acres. The price persquare foot is $38.44.

The home at 4308 Thonoto-sassa Road sold March 5, for$220,000. Built in 1984, it hasfour bedrooms, three bathsand 3,036 square feet of livingarea on one half acre. The priceper square foot is $76.46.

HobbyThe home at 3815 Kirk-

land Road sold March 25, for$85,000 (REO/bank owned).Built in 1963, it has three bed-rooms, two baths and 1,672square feet of living area ontwo acres. The price per squarefoot is $50.84.

Holloway EstatesThe home at 4411 Holloway

Meadow Lane sold March 2, for$190,000 (REO/bank owned).Built in 2005, it has four bed-rooms, three and one halfbaths and 2,240 square feet ofliving area on one acre. Theprice per square foot is $84.82.

Island Pond EstatesThe home at 3902 W. Sam

Allen Road sold March 5, for$122,000. Built in 2006, it hasfour bedrooms, three bathsand 2,673 square feet of livingarea on one half acre. The priceper square foot is $104.29.

Little Alafia Creek EstatesThe home at 3623 Little Ala-

fia Creek Estates sold March30, for $275,000. Built in 1987,

it has three bedrooms, twobaths and 1,360 square feet ofliving area on one quarter acre.The price per square foot is$111.76.

Magnolia GreenThe home at 3840 Crys-

tal Dew St. sold March 4, for$207,850. Built in 2014, it hasfive bedrooms, two and onehalf baths and 2,807 squarefeet of living area on one quar-ter acre. The price per squarefoot is $74.05.

The home at 3846 CrystalDew St. sold March 17, for$199,000. Built in 1987, it hasfour bedrooms, two and onehalf baths and 2,342 squarefeet of living area on one quar-ter acre. The price per squarefoot is $81.83.

The home at 3847 CrystalDew St. sold March 25, for$198,490. Built in 2014, it hasfour bedrooms, two and onehalf baths and 2,432 squarefeet of living area on one quar-ter acre. The price per squarefoot is $81.62.

The home at 3851 CrystalDew St. sold March 25, for$169,990. Built in 2014, it hasthree bedrooms, two bathsand 1,672 square feet of liv-ing area on one quarter acre.The price per square foot is$101.67.

ManningThe home at 1084 Cow-

art Road sold March 24, for$290,000. Built in 1996, it hasfour bedrooms, three bathsand 2,663 square feet of livingarea on one acre. The price persquare foot is $108.90.

McWetherbee JunctionThe home at 3411 Ne-

smith Road sold March 21, for$250,000 (REO/bank owned).Built in 2006, it has three bed-rooms, two baths and 2,216square feet of living area onone acre. The price per squarefoot is $2,216.

Oakland HeightsThe home at 3003 Paul Bu-

chman Highway sold March11, for $87,900 (REO/bankowned). Built in 1997, it hasthree bedrooms, two bathsand 1,264 square feet of livingarea on one acre. The price persquare foot is $69.54.

OakrestThe home at 2804 Oak

Crest Drive sold March 25, for$175,000. Built in 1986, it hasthree bedrooms, two baths and1,695 square feet of living areaon one quarter acre. The priceper square foot is $103.24.

Oakwood EstatesThe home at 1750 Oakwood

Estates sold March 23, for$212,000. Built in 2005, it hasfour bedrooms, three bathsand 2,385 square feet of livingarea on one acre. The price persquare foot is $88.89.

PaddocksThe home at 2608 Bridle

Drive sold March 24, for$172,500 (REO/bank owned).Built in 1986, it has three bed-rooms, two baths and 2,302square feet of living area on

SNAPSHOTMin Sale Price: $24,000Max Sale Price: $319,400Average Sale Price:$162,505Median Sale Price:$160,000

A5-acre farm tops real estate sales inMarchRESIDENTIAL TRANSACTIONS by Amber Jurgensen |ManagingEditor

Amber Jurgensen

This home, which has two bedrooms, two and one half baths and 1,536 square feet of livingspace on five acres, sold for $319,400.

one quarter acre. The price persquare foot is $94.88.

The home at 2749 Horse-shoe Drive sold March 25, for$210,000. Built in 1988, it hasfour bedrooms, two and onehalf baths and 2,232 squarefeet of living area on one quar-ter acre. The price per squarefoot is $94.09

Pine Dale EstatesThe home at 1001 Men-

donsa Road sold March 18, for$223,860. Built in 1988, it hasfour bedrooms, two and onehalf baths and 3,600 squarefeet of living area on one halfacre. The price per square footis $62.18.

RoachThe home at 402 Eunice

Drive sold March 13, for$129,900. Built in 1972, it hasthree bedrooms, two baths and1,898 square feet of living areaon one quarter acre. The priceper square foot is $68.44.

Seminole Lake EstatesThe home at 3305 N. Lake

Drive sold March 27, for$72,404 (REO/bank owned).Built in 1989, it has three bed-rooms, two and one half bathsand 1,320 square feet of livingarea on one acre. The price persquare foot is $54.85.

SpringfieldThe home at 3207 San An-

dreas Drive sold March 16, for$271,717. Built in 2015, it hasfive bedrooms, three baths

and 2,827 square feet of livingarea on one acre. The price persquare foot is $96.11.

Stafford OaksThe home at 6504 Stafford

Oaks Terrace sold March 26, for$186,500. Built in 1989, it hasthree bedrooms, two and onehalf baths and 2,530 squarefeet of living area on one acre.The price per square foot is$73.72.

Stewart AcresThe home at 2804 Stew-

art Acres sold March 3, for$120,000. Built in 1930, it hasthree bedrooms, two baths and1,558 square feet of living areaon one quarter acre. The priceper square foot is $77.02.

Trapnell RidgeThe home at 3709 Trapnell

Grove Loop sold March 6, for$134,00. Built in 2006, it hasthree bedrooms, two bathsand 1,545 square feet of livingarea on one acre. The price persquare foot is $86.73.

The home at 3432 TrapnellRidge Drive sold March 13, for$120,852 (REO/bank owned).Built in 2006, it has four bed-rooms, two baths and 1,544square feet of living area onone acre. The price per squarefoot is $78.27.

Walden LakeThe home at 4110 Barret Ave.

sold March 16, for $164,900.Built in 1989, it has three bed-rooms, two baths and 1,781

square feet of living area onone quarter acre. The price persquare foot is $92.59.

The home at 1907 Car-riage Court sold March 27, for$175,000. Built in 1988, it hasthree bedrooms, two baths and2,155 square feet of living areaon one quarter acre. The priceper square foot is $81.21.

The home at 2819 Club-house Drive sold March 2, for$235,000. Built in 1994, it hasthree bedrooms, two baths and2,192 square feet of living areaon one quarter acre. The priceper square foot is $107.21.

The home at 2906 Club-house Drive sold March 9, for$238,000. Built in 1992, it hasfour bedrooms, two baths and2,490 square feet of living areaon one quarter acre. The priceper square foot is $95.58.

The home at 2917 Club-house Drive sold March 25, for$218,500. Built in 1992, it hasthree bedrooms, two baths and2,072 square feet of living areaon one quarter acre. The priceper square foot is $105.45.

The home at 103 DoradoCourt sold March 12, for$55,000 (short sale). Built in1980, it has three bedrooms,two baths and 1,542 squarefeet of living area. The price persquare foot is $35.67.

The home at 3108 Emer-son Place sold March 16, for$159,900. Built in 1992, it hasthree bedrooms, two baths and1,856 square feet of living areaon one quarter acre. The priceper square foot is $86.15.

The home at 2859 Ham-mock Drive sold March 4, for$288,000. Built in 1985, it hasfour bedrooms, three and onehalf baths and 2,668 squarefeet of living area on one halfacre. The price per square footis $107.95.

The home at 2867 Ham-mock Drive sold March 24 for$300,527. Built in 1985, it hasthree bedrooms, two and onehalf baths and 2,813 squarefeet of living area on one quar-ter acre. The price per squarefoot is $106.84.

The home at 3314 Kilm-er Place sold March 13, for$165,000. Built in 1993, it hasfour bedrooms, two baths and2,400 square feet of living areaon one half acre. The price persquare foot is $68.75.

The home at 4101 Longfel-low Drive sold March 6, for$160,000. Built in 1990, it hasthree bedrooms, two baths and1,641 square feet of living areaon one quarter acre. The priceper square foot is $97.50.

The home at 1420 Sandal-wood Drive sold March 12, for$145,000. Built in 1979, it hasthree bedrooms, two baths and1,850 square feet of living areaon one half acre. The price persquare foot is $94.59.

The home at 3438 Silver-stone Court sold March 6, for$175,000. Built in 1997, it hasthree bedrooms, two baths and1,360 square feet of living areaon one quarter acre. The priceper square foot is $111.76.

The home at 2904 Sutton

Oaks Court sold March 27, for$235,000. Built in 1998, it hasthree bedrooms, two baths and2,248 square feet of living areaon one half acre. The price persquare foot is $104.54.

The home at 3045 SuttonWoods Drive sold March 31, for$271,500. Built in 1999, it hasthree bedrooms, two and onehalf baths and 2,259 squarefeet of living area on one quar-ter acre. The price per squarefoot is $120.19.

The home at 1904 Teak-wood Drive sold March 20, for$193,000. Built in 1976, it hasthree bedrooms, two baths and2,183 square feet of living areaon one quarter acre. The priceper square foot is $96.17.

Walden PointeThe home at 1813 Via Chi-

anti St. sold March 24, for$209,938. Built in 2014, it hasthree bedrooms, two baths and1,360 square feet of living areaon one quarter acre. The priceper square foot is $111.76.

The home at 2017 Via NapoliSt. sold March 6, for $258,000.Built in 2012, it has three bed-rooms, two baths and 2,073square feet of living area onone quarter acre. The price persquare foot is $124.46

Walden ReserveThe home at 3303 Aaron

Elias Court sold March 20, for$284,000. Built in 2007, it hasfour bedrooms, three bathsand 2,578 square feet of liv-ing area on one quarter acre.

The price per square foot is$110.16.

The home at 3515 WaldenReserve Drive sold March 27,for $237,000. Built in 2013,it has four bedrooms, twoand one half baths and 2,444square feet of living area onless than one acre. The priceper square foot is 96.97.

Walden WoodsThe home at 2038 Green-

wood Valley Drive sold March27, for $119,000. Built in 2008,it has three bedrooms, threebaths and 1,572 square feet ofliving area on one quarter acre.The price per square foot is$75.70.

The home at 2308 TanbarkRidge Place sold March 20, for$92,000 (short sale). Built in2008, it has two bedrooms, twobaths and 1,185 square feetof living area. The price persquare foot is $77.64.

Washington ParkThe home at 1105 E. Tomlin

St. sold March 25, for $118,500.Built in 1928, it has three bed-rooms, two and one half bathsand 1,292 square feet of livingarea on one acre. The price persquare foot is $91.72.

Woodards ManorThe home at 5304 Cindy

Kay Drive sold March 13, for$152,000. Built in 1987, it hasthree bedrooms, two baths and1,360 square feet of living areaon one quarter acre. The priceper square foot is $111.76.

Rev. William Allen IIIRev. William Allen III, 52,

of Lithia/Plant City, diedMarch 31, 2015, at his home.

A native of Lithia, he wasthe son of the late WilliamLeroy Allen Jr. and BarbaraRoney; she survives. Mr. Al-len was the former pastor atCalvary Missionary BaptistChurch in Ft. Meade.

Other survivors includehis beloved wife, PamelaJenkins Allen; children, Aus-tin Allen and Evelyn (Daniel)Hernandez; brother, DonaldAllen; and grandchildren,Samuel, Jacob, Gabriel andAaron.

Funeral services wereheld April 3, at WelcomeBaptist Church. Online con-dolences may be made atHaughtFuneralHome.com.

Minnie Yvonne BagleyMinnie Yvonne Bagley, 76,

of Plant City, and born inLithia, died April 1, 2015.

She loved her family andenjoyed reading. She is sur-vived by her son, BenjaminOdis Bagley; grandchildren,Aysha Bagley (fiance, Mark)and Jessica Bagley; siblings,Henry R. “Junior” Bagley,Vera Daniels, Carrie Budd,Joyce Jones (Herman) andJerry Bagley (Linda); andgreat-grandchildren, Bry-an, Eric and Christopher.She was preceded in deathby her parents, Henry andCarrie Bagley; and siblings,Trenton Bagley, Annie Pical-lo, Thelma Phillips and JohnBagley.

A celebration of life washeld April 4, at HopewellFuneral Home. Intermentat Springhead Cemetery.Online condolences may bemade at HopewellFuneral.com.

Sibyl Bullock ConnellSibyl Bullock Connell, 85

of Plant City, died April 1,2015.

She was born on hergrandparents’ farm in Hast-ings. She graduated fromMellon High School in Pal-atka, and received her bach-elor’s in education fromFlorida State University andher master’s from PeabodyCollege. Her teaching careerbegan at the Bardin Schoolin Palatka. She then becamea home economics teacherat Brandon High School,moving on to become thedean of girls at TomlinJunior High. She retiredfrom Hillsborough CountySchools in 1984. Mrs. Con-nell loved traveling, camp-ing, her First Baptist Churchfamily, working at the Flor-ida Strawberry Festival andfamily gatherings.

She is survived by chil-dren, Jody Connell (Judy)and PamWarnock (Tommy);

grandchildren, Joel Connell(Erika), Jana Williams (TJ),Jessica Young (Mike), TreyWarnock and Brooke War-nock; great-grandchildren,Kenley, Ella, Colt, Reid, JanieGrace, Parker and Patti Lyn;sister, Opal Wilkinson (Wal-ter); nieces, Amy Lanningand Amanda Sweat; neph-ew, Travis Wilkinson (Adri-anne); and numerous great-nieces and nephews. She ispreceded in death by par-ents, Carson and Nettie Ra-gin Bullock; her husband of30 years, Robert Joel “Buck”Connell; and daughter, PattiConnell.

A celebration of life washeld April 6, at First BaptistChurch of Plant City. Inter-ment at Memorial Park. Inlieu of flowers, memorialcontributions may be madeto First Baptist Plant City’sBuilding Fund, and/or Life-Path Hospice, DevelopmentDept., 12470 Telecom Drive,Suite 300, Temple Terrace,Florida, 33637. Online con-dolences may be made atHopewellFuneral.com.

Shirley DaltonShirley Dalton, 78, of Val-

rico, died March 25, 2015.She was predeceased by

her husband, Charlie JoeDalton; and sons, Carl Pat-rick Dalton and Mark Fred-erick Dalton. She is survivedby her son, Bruce Dalton;and nine grandchildren and14 great-grandchildren.

A funeral was held April 4,at Hillsboro Memorial Fu-neral Home. Entombmentat Hillsboro Memorial Gar-dens. Online condolencesmay be made at Hillsbo-roMemorial.com.

Pamela “Michele” DeesPamela “Michele” Dees,

48, of Plant City, died April6, 2015.

She loved her family andanimals, and she enjoyedhelping those less fortu-nate. She is survived by herparents, Ed and Karen Dees,and Gloria Lariscy Dykstra;sisters, Julie Buser Potter(Nick) and Emily Dees Grif-fin (Josh); nephews, JohnCihaner, Bret D’Avignon, Ja-mal Cihaner, Melik Cihaner,Sammy Cihaner and JaxsonD’Avignon; niece, IrelandGriffin; and many otheraunts, uncles, family andfriends.

A celebration of life will beheld at 11 a.m. Friday, April10, at Hopewell FuneralHome, where the family willreceive friends beginning at10 a.m. Interment to followat Hopewell Memorial Gar-dens. Online condolencesmay be made at Hopewell-Funeral.com.

Christopher KlinkChristopher Klink, 49, of

Carbon Hill, Alabama, andformerly of Plant City, diedMarch 30, 2015.

He is survived by hiswife, Kelly Godfrey Klink;children, Kyle Klink, JohnJones and Ivie Leigh Klink;step-children, Evan Castleand Emily Tucker; parents,Jim and Betty Klink; sisters,Cherie Klink Trybalski andCandace Klink; and ninegrandchildren, five neph-ews and four nieces.

Services were held April3, at Salem Primitive BaptistChurch in Dover. Intermentat Salem Cemetery. Onlinecondolences may be madeat HopewellFuneral.com.

Eileen MaginnisEileen Maginnis, of Lithia,

died March 22, 2015.After a valiant two-year

fight, Mrs. Maginnis losther battle to cancer thisweek. After a 30-year ca-reer as a nurse in New York,Mrs. Maginnis found newfriends, new interests andthe Tampa Bay Lightning.She leaves behind hundredsof saddened hearts, all ofwhom are better for theirtime with her. Not only wasshe a great friend, she alsoserved as a role model forhow to live a fun-filled, gen-erous life.

She leaves behind herdevastated husband of 30plus years, Patrick; daugh-ter, Michelle; son, Jesse; andfive loving brothers, foursisters-in-law, 11 nieces andfour nephews.

A celebration of life washeld at Serenity MeadowsFuneral Home in Riverview.In lieu of flowers, pleasemake donations to theWounded Warrior Projectto honor the country sheloved.

Mary Josephine PetersenMary Josephine Petersen,

93, of Plant City, died April5, 2015, at her home.

A native of Wichita, Kan-sas, she was the daughter ofthe late George and GraceHoenscheidt French. Ms.Petersen was a member ofFreewill Baptist Church ofSeffner.

Survivors include daugh-ters, Anita Hebert (William)and Marcia Bolton (Tom);and 19 grandchildren, 15great-grandchildren andtwo great-great-grandchil-dren. She was preceded indeath by her son, GeorgePetersen; and daughter,Debra Newkirk.

The family will be hav-ing private services. Onlinecondolences may be madeat haughtfuneralhome.com.

OBITUARIESOBSERVER

Al Berry was honored at thePhoto Archives and HistoryCenter’s annual “An Eveningof Picture Perfect Memories”Thursday, March 26.

Berry has been a radiopersonality, a Florida Straw-berry Festival director for 43years, Outstanding Citizen ofthe Year, served as presidentof the Strawberry Festival,Plant City Lions Club, DoverCivic Club and the Plant CityBand Parents Association,and was even named the city’sCivil Defense Director duringthe Cuban Missile Crisis andVietnam War.

Currently, Berry remainsactive in the Lions Club andserves as a director emeritusfor the Strawberry Festival.On March 2, he served as theGrand Parade Marshal forthe first time. He’s also beenhelping the Greater Plant CityChamber with video work,serving on the Contact Break-fast Committee and more.

The evening included achampagne reception, pianomusic, dinner and a specialphoto exhibit.

Berry has picture-perfect evening

Above:Honoree AlBerry with hiswife, Patsy,and Gil Gott

Left: Richand JudyGlorioso andLinda Smith

SNAPSHOT by Amber Jurgensen |ManagingEditor

SUNRISE SUNSETFriday, April 10 7:09 a.m. 7:50 p.m.Saturday, April 11 7:08 a.m. 7:51 p.m.Sunday, April 12 7:07 a.m. 7:51 p.m.Monday, April 13 7:06 a.m. 7:52 p.m.Tuesday, April 14 7:05 a.m. 7:52 p.m.Wednesday, April 15 7:04 a.m. 7:53 p.m.Thursday, April 16 7:03 a.m. 7:54 p.m.

MOONPHASES

PLANT CITYWEATHER

HIGH LOWFriday, April 10 92 69Saturday, April 11 90 68Sunday, April 12 91 69Monday, April 13 92 70Tuesday, April 14 92 70Wednesday, April 15 91 67Thursday, April 16 90 68

TEMPERATURES

RAIN

April 25

SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

May 3

April 11

(INCHES)

April 18 Jennifer Closshey took this photo of a sunset over Walden Lake.

The Plant City Times & Observer and Grimes Hardware have partnered to hostthe I Love Plant City Photo Contest. Winners will have their photo featuredand receive a $15 gift certificate to Grimes Hardware’s Strawberry Town Cafe!To enter, email your photo, along with a caption, to Editor Amber Jurgensen,ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com; subject line: I Love Plant City. Winners canpick up their prize at Grimes Hardware.

THURS.April 20.00

FRI.April 30.00

SAT.April 40.00

SUN.April 50.00

MON.April 60.00

TUES.April 70.00

WED.April 80.00

6.28(2014: 4.75)

APRILTO DATE0.00

YEARTO DATE

(2014: 0.22)

BLUEBERRIES

$17 TO $20

Courtesy of theUnited States

Department ofAgriculture

SHIPPING POINT: Orlando

CROSSWORD CATCH by Bill Bobb

ACROSS1 Brief quarrel6 Some Morse code sounds10 Unit of loudness14 Ottoman title (var.)18 Windblown19 Jacob’s twin brother, in theBible20 Beat decisively21 Hard punch22 Deceptive pitch24 Alert26 “Have some”27 It makes silk pink28 Toys with tails30 He took two tablets31 Gets going after a crash33 ___ one’s time (was patient)34 Some rodents35 Type of sea bird36 Bluefins37 Kimono wearers40 Lose one’s footing43 Billiards game45 ___ out (decline)46 Kind of phone47 Kind of flush49 River to the Missouri50 Vice president under Jefferson51 Campus VIP52 Musketeer weapon53 Bering or Caspian54 ___ Minor55 Loosen, as laces57 Articulates61 One way to be responsible63 Fancy pitcher65 Dismiss with disdain66 Sound of thunder67 Went up, as a mountain70 Nonverbal72 Sum76 Toy boat setting77 D.C.’s Constitution, e.g.79 Grinding tooth81 Common hound handle82 Quarters by the road83 Chop finely86 Fire87 Accomplishment88 Psychoanalysis subject89 Party hard91 Ratify93 Seedless mandarin orange95 Knotty swellings96 “To ___ is human ...”97 Land measure98 Parts of some portfolios99 Most cautious103 They sing near sopranos105 Its capital is Nairobi106 Like many floors107 Cool109 Colorful ammo111 Tenpins need114 Trig function115 Opera solo116 Concerning the congregation117 Fatal

118 Units of work119 Hasenpfeffer, e.g.120 “Cogito ___ sum”121 Contents of some urns

DOWN1 Salvaging aid2 Extract through use of a solvent3 Behavioral quirk4 Chinese, e.g.5 Casual spectators6 Mazar and Thomas7 Wise ___ owl8 “2001” nemesis9 Bummed10 Expresses displeasure11 Put an edge on12 Double-play pair13 Mathematician’s ordinal14 High monks15 Horticulturist’s building16 Bugs Bunny’s home17 Cobblers’ tools18 Barely get (with “out”)23 Superlative finale25 Internet messages29 Its license plates say “Famous

potatoes”32 Parts of parks, sometimes33 Military troop increases34 Lifer’s dream36 Fragrant hybrid bloom37 Type of plum38 Showery month39 Like some cats40 Common houseplant41 Gobs42 Crew member44 Low in pitch46 PC “brain”48 Hither’s partner50 The sun, essentially56 Lamb’s mama58 Cashew, e.g.59 Disintegrates60 Joins up62 Meal starter64 Japanese protein source66 Noted New York hotel67 Secretly watches68 Latin-American dance69 Footnoting, e.g.70 Characteristic carrier71 Pie ___ mode

73 Wedding cake layer74 First man75 Parking place78 “___ Las Vegas”80 Some ballot items84 Vatican dogma85 Black89 “Back Street” novelist Fannie90 Available, in a way92 Iceboxes94 British biscuits98 Contradict99 “Roger” follower, in ham lingo100 “Thrilla in Manila” participant101 What a parasol provides102 Places for bills103 Recessed area104 Habitat of wild animals105 Go-___ (four-wheeled racer)106 Bit of kindling108 Work at busily110 Undergrad degs.112 Propel a boat113 “___, humbug!”

4

6 8 1 5

5 1 8 3

2 5 1 4

4 6 7 1

9 4 5 3

2 1 4 8

5 7 2 8

3

SUDOKUSolve the puzzle by placing the numbers 1 through9 in each row, column and box.

CRYPTOQUIZEach of the following cryptograms is a clue tothe identity of a prolific inventor. Using thehints G=A and F=R, decipher the clues to namethe inventor.

1. F G V M K G C G V F D F G WU

2. F U Q U F Z V D M U P F A S

3. V B J I R H V A B N A H A F

4. K G F A P R I F F U B H Z

5. H L U R G Z H M U

This inventor transformed railroad travel:

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