The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Mask mandate continues in Pasco schools

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The Pasco County School Board has extended the district’s mask policy through the end of the school year.

The action came during the board’s Nov. 17 meeting, at the recommendation of Superintendent Kurt Browning.

It also followed an afternoon workshop involving Pasco County Schools staff and the Florida Department of Health-Pasco County, covering the district’s response to COVID-19.

Pasco County School Board member Megan Harding supports keeping masks in schools for now, but wants the district to move away from that — if conditions improve to the point where that would be safe. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

According to agenda materials, the proposed rule “is required to protect the health, safety and welfare of students and staff.”

It “mandates and requires that all employees, contractors, visitors, and students wear a mask or other face covering while on school property and/or engaged in school activities.”

The policy also “requires that proper social distancing must always be observed to the maximum extent possible.” Also, “whenever feasible and possible, students, staff, and visitors must remain six (6) feet away from persons that are not members of their household.”

School board member Megan Harding addressed the issue during the board’s evening session.

“I know that COVID-19 is real,” Harding said. “People in our community have suffered from it. People in my family have suffered from it and people in our school family have suffered from it.

“There no manual that has taught us how to run our school district during a pandemic. Our superintendent and staff have done an amazing, amazing job in making sure our students and teachers are the safest that they can be. Our principals have been tasked with a huge undertaking to keep their students and staff safe. Hours upon hours of work, and for that I am so grateful.

“I truly believe that we have done a great job of keeping our schools open and functioning for our students.

“Nobody likes wearing a mask. They’re uncomfortable, and our students can’t see their teachers or principals’ smiling faces.

“While many students aren’t struggling with keeping them on, I have seen firsthand, the added layer of stress, making sure they are properly being worn, and the reminders that teachers are faced with having to give their students, daily.

“However, it is our job to keep our students safe, and our staff safe, along with ensuring they receive the world-class education they deserve.

“I’m not a doctor or a health official. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is still recommending that masks are worn, local government still has a mandate in place and our local health officials are recommending we still wear them.

“We saw that today, in the workshop — all of the data. We know that we can’t properly social distance our students in the classroom, and the cafeterias and the hallways, due to square footage. This is another layer of protection.

“I want our teachers to feel supported and safe, when they’re coming to work. “And, I want our students to feel safe coming to school,” she said, and she wants parents to know that their children are safe.

“Mr. Browning, we’ve done such an amazing job in including our parents in many of our discussions around COVID-19, and for that I’m thankful.

“We’ve allowed our parents to choose whether it felt safe enough to send their child back to brick-and-mortar, or whether they wanted to do MySchool Online. I truly hope that we continue, with the support of the health department — that we keep our parents involved in those conversations,” she said.

Harding said she knows that COVID fatigue is real, and she would like to see the district move toward allowing: students to collaborate more; live performances with limited audiences; staff breakfasts; and, group staff meetings.

She said she understands that any changes must be done safely.

However, she added: “I really want our children to go to school. I want our children to participate in sports, the arts, field trips and events, but most importantly, I want our children to be safe.”

She asked for assurances that the district could change its policy if conditions improve, and she was assured that it could.

She’s in favor of relaxing the rule, as soon as it’s safe to do so.

“I don’t want our students to go to school forever with a mask on,” Harding said.

Pasco commissioners delay hiring decision

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The Pasco County Commission wants the county to advertise a top administrative position before deciding who should get the job.

Commissioners made that decision during their Nov. 17 meeting, when they were asked to confirm the selection of Gary Joiner to be the director of administration in the county’s building and construction services department.

The job pays $125,000.

Sally Sherman, assistant county administrator for development services, spoke in glowing terms of Joiner’s qualifications and “fit” for the job. He has 30 years of professional experience, including as Pasco’s county property appraiser. He initially filed for reelection, but failed to qualify in the race for the seat that was won by Mike Wells Jr., who just left the county board.

County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, however, wasn’t so sure that Joiner is the right choice for the job.

“I have a little reservation with this selection, just from my own personal interaction when I found something that wasn’t correct, in his world of property appraising,” Starkey said.

She said she brought the issue to Joiner’s attention repeatedly and it wasn’t corrected.

“It took me talking to Dr. (Marc) Bellas (performance management director) about it, to get it fixed, and it cost this county tens of thousands of dollars.

“The inaction, of fixing the problem, does not sit well with me,” Starkey said.

She suggested: “I think we maybe need to keep looking.”

Commissioner Ron Oakley was willing to support Joiner’s hiring, noting that he trusted County Administrator Dan Biles’ selection. But, Oakley’s motion to confirm the appointment died, for a lack of a second.

Newly elected Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick asked if the position was advertised.

Biles said it was not.

Commissioner Mike Moore observed: “Typically, on a director-level position, from my memory, unless it’s an internal promotion, they are always publicized. I don’t remember one time, when we did not publicize an opening, unless it was an internal promotion.”

Biles responded: “In general, we would.”

In this case, however, he and Sherman believed that Joiner “specifically had the skills and experience necessary to do the job.”

Biles also noted that Joiner “was already effectively a Pasco County employee, as the property appraiser.

“It just made sense to just go directly to him, and not go through the process, when I already knew who I thought we needed to hire,” Biles said.

The county administrator continued: “Anytime you go through that (hiring) process, you put other people through time and effort to get through that. If you already know who you think you want to hire, it probably makes sense to go straight to the end result.”

Fitzpatrick asked if the board could put off the decision until its Dec. 8 meeting, to provide the time to advertise to be sure that the county had the best person for the job.

Moore told Fitzpatrick that the decision could be delayed.

Biles told Fitzpatrick that he would prefer not to do that.

“The board obviously can direct us to what the board wants us to do. I will go back to the hiring and firing of the county employees is an operational decision. We bring the directors and above to board for confirmation,” Biles said.

But, Commissioner Jack Mariano said, he, too, supported advertising the job.

“I think we’re best serving the people of Pasco by looking at everybody out there. Let’s go look at the talent that’s out there, and who wants this job, and find out what’s best for the position,” Mariano said.

Starkey again expressed her dissatisfaction with Joiner’s response in her previous interaction.

“It wasn’t my role to fix it. I brought it to the attention of someone in a leadership position that should have fixed it. I brought it to his attention multiple times, and it never got fixed on their end. That, to me, is a lack of leadership. I think you need leadership in that position,” Starkey said.

Sherman assured Starkey if an issue arose, it would be addressed.

But, Fitzpatrick made a motion to delay the issue until the board’s next meeting, with the position to be advertised to ensure the best candidate is selected. Starkey seconded the motion, which passed on a 5-0 vote.

Moore noted the board’s action does not take Joiner out of the running for the job.

Published November 25, 2020

Pasco commissioners reject process used to select lobbyist

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The Pasco County Commission has rejected the process used by county staff to recommend an outside lobbyist.

Instead, commissioners want to hear a 10-minute presentation from each of the three firms vying for the work, before making their selection.

The proposed contract calls for a maximum of $60,000 a year for the services, with the option of up to three one-year renewals. County Administrator Dan Biles would be designated to authorize the optional annual extensions.

Initially, Corcoran and Associates, doing business as Corcoran Partners; Shawn Foster LLC, doing business as Sunrise Consulting Group; and Shumaker Advisers Florida LLC, responded to the request for qualifications to compete for the work.

A four-member committee met and evaluated all of the proposals, they scored the Corcoran Partners’ proposal as the highest. The committee, which ranked the proposals, was made up of Biles, Cathy Pearson, Paula Baracaldo and Ralph Lair.

But, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey raised objections to the process.

“So, I’m not happy with the way this was done,” Starkey said. “When we picked our last lobbyist, we had presentations and the board selected the lobbyist. I’m not comfortable with the way that this went down.”

Starkey made a motion to delay the selection until the board’s Dec. 8 meeting, during which the three firms each will be invited to make a 10-minute presentation, followed by the board’s selection.

Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick seconded Starkey’s motion.

Commissioner Jack Mariano asked Starkey if she was OK with the lobbyist missing a couple of weeks while lawmakers are in Tallahassee.

Starkey responded: “I know time is of the essence, but I think this is — did you hear the presentations? Was there a presentation? I don’t know. But, I think it’s not staff’s lobbyist. I think we’re the policymakers. I think it’s more appropriate that we hear the presentation. So, I’m disappointed that the process that was set in place last time was changed. I think we should have been asked about the process.

“Dec. 8, we listen and we pick, and we get them to work right away,” Starkey said.

Commissioner Ron Oakley said he thinks there may have been a miscommunication between the board and the staff.

“I think they actually did a process based on us giving direction to reach out to lobbyists for this. Maybe we were not as clear as we should have been and said we wanted presentations. I don’t remember us talking about this,” Oakley said.

Erik Breitenbach, assistant county administrator for internal services, said the county staff followed the standard request for qualifications process.

He said the committee did not receive any presentations from the firms, but rather discussed and ranked the submittals.

Starkey has been pushing hard for the county to have outside lobbyists to represent the county both at the state and national levels. She said having someone to represent the county’s interests will create more opportunities to obtain state or federal funding or grants.

Board members approved Starkey’s motion to delay choosing a lobbyist until the Dec. 8 meeting, voting 5-0.

Published November 25, 2020

Boundaries to be set soon for Starkey Ranch K-8

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The Pasco County School Board is scheduled to set boundaries for the new Starkey Ranch K-8 school at the board’s Dec. 1 meeting.

The school — part of a complex that includes a theater, library and cultural center — is scheduled to open in the 2021-2022 school year.

The board held a public hearing on the proposed boundaries during its Nov. 17 meeting, with no one stepping forward to offer public comment.

“Starkey Ranch K-8 is built to house about 1,500 students. Initially, the school will open with kindergarten through seventh-grade students. The plan is to grandfather rising eighth-graders to their existing school,” Chris Williams, the district’s planning director told the school board during the public hearing.

“Staff put together a plan to rezone about 450 students from Longleaf and Odessa elementary schools to Starkey Ranch.

“In addition, approximately 100 students from River Ridge Middle School are proposed to be rezoned to Starkey Ranch,” he said, noting the students assigned to Starkey Ranch K-8 live in the development.

“With the Starkey Ranch development continuing to build houses for the next couple of years, we expect growth of about 200 K-8 students per year, so with growth, we anticipate approximately 750 K-7 (kindergarten through seventh grade) zoned students upon opening.

“That leaves quite a few seats open for magnet school. However, we will be working to make sure we keep seats available and open for growth, in that area,” Williams added.

District staff had an open house to explain the boundary proposals, and also accepted comments via the district’s Let’s Talk portal, Williams said.

Six comments were received via Let’s Talk.

“One person requested Asturia to be zoned for Starkey Ranch; one requested the Woodlands neighborhood of Longleaf to be zoned for Starkey Ranch. Others had questions about Starkey Ranch registration and grade configurations,” Williams said.

The district also is recommending a slight boundary shift affecting the Watergrass and Wesley Chapel elementary schools.

The change is being made as a result of the Epperson Ranch subdivision, Williams said.

“That area of Epperson Ranch being developed goes all of the way up to Tindale Road.

“You’ll also notice a small sliver above Tindale Road that has a few houses. Originally, when we were developing this plan, there were no elementary children who lived there who were attending the zone of Wesley Chapel elementary, but come August, one student did move into that area. We’ve been talking among ourselves. They will be rezoned to Watergrass Elementary, but if they choose to remain at Wesley Chapel Elementary, we plan on accommodating them,” Williams said.

Additionally, Superintendent Kurt Browning does not intend to reset school choice for any of these schools that are affected by the boundary changes and grandfather children in with transportation.

The final public hearing on the proposed boundary changes for Starkey K-8, as well as Watergrass and Wesley Chapel elementary, is set for 9:30 a.m., on Dec. 1, in the board chambers at district headquarters, 7205 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Published November 25, 2020

Business Digest 11/25/2020

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Holding shovels, from left: Jay Vogel, supervisory committee chair; Billy Cowan, Consultants & Builders Inc.; Jack Vogel, board chair; Tim Baldwin, director; Bob Hatfield of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ office; and Patty Sarne, the credit union’s president & CEO.
(Courtesy of San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union)

New operations center
The San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union had a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Operations Center on Nov. 13. The 11,000-square-foot facility is expected to open in late 2021. It is next to the credit union’s branch in San Antonio, at 12552 Curley St., according to a news release.

“Building this facility is an example of our commitment to our members, our staff and our communities,” Patty Sarne, president and CEO, said in the release.

“As our membership and our communities continue to grow, this facility will help us attract highly talented individuals to join our team, provide additional job opportunities and advancement for our current staff, and expand our footprint in our membership field,” she added, noting the credit union is proud to build a new center in the town where it began.

Greater Zephyrhills chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce is having its business breakfast on Dec. 3 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 38421 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills. The fee is $10, and includes a continental breakfast. A tree auction will be held, so businesses can buy a tree to decorate their business. Danny Burgess, just elected to represent District 20 in the Florida Senate, will be the guest speaker.

YMCA and KIA join forces
The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA and KIA of Wesley Chapel are working together on a bike drive to benefit the YMCA youth at Sulphur Springs K-8 Community School.

The community is asked to donate new bikes to students in need. A collection drop-off will be available Dec. 18 to Dec. 20, at KIA of Wesley Chapel, 28555 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel.

Hours are Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“We wanted to team up with the Y to provide kids with a different type of ride – a new bike. Besides putting a smile on their faces during what could be a difficult holiday season financially for their families, what better way to stay healthy, get outside, and ride with their friends to school or the park,” Emily Brun, Community Coordinator, KIA of Wesley Chapel, said in a news release.

Survey shows most Americans won’t travel for holidays
The hotel industry is renewing its calls to Congress to pass another COVID Relief Bill, citing the findings of a new national survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association. That survey shows that 72% of Americans are unlikely to travel for Thanksgiving and 69% are unlikely to travel for Christmas, according to a news release from the hotel and lodging association.

Foundation Chiropractic has a new home
Foundation Chiropractic recently had a ribbon cutting to celebrate its new location in Northpointe Village. Those attending the open house could enjoy refreshments and had a chance to win prizes. Foundation Chiropractic is at 16541 Pointe Village Drive., No. 207, in Lutz.

IERNA’S receives national honor
IERNA’s Heating & Cooling Inc. of Lutz, and Florida and Trotter Air Services LLC of Plano, Texas were named the 2020 Charles Bryant Award winners.

The Charles Bryant Award, named for the company’s founder, recognizes loyal Bryant Factory Authorized Dealers (FAD) that epitomize the characteristics of Charles Bryant, including professionalism, quality, reliability and community spirit, according to the news release.

Bryant, a leading supplier of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, is a part of Carrier Global Corporation.

“We’re so proud to have been named a 2020 Charles Bryant Award winner,” Charlene Ierna, owner, IERNA’s Heating & Cooling Inc., said in the release. “We pride ourselves on providing our customers with reliable, quality equipment that is installed and serviced by a team of skilled and courteous technicians. So, it’s truly wonderful to be recognized for how we conduct business. Our relationship with Bryant has been fantastic since we first opened our doors in 2003,3 and we make sure we are doing ‘Whatever it Takes’ for our customers each and every day.”

Business specializes in short-term rentals
A new company, based in Wesley Chapel, specializes in full-service short-term rental property management and marketing. The company helps homeowners increase their income, while delivering boutique-level service to its homeowners and guests. The company’s service area is expected to include Wesley Chapel, Winter Haven, Lakeland, Brandon, Land O’ Lakes Lutz, Zephyrhills, San Antonio and Dade City.

To find out more, visit floridalakes.itrip.co, or email or .

Retired marine gets surprise bench

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Otis Felder, a retired U.S. Marine, was already having a pretty good Veterans Day — even before he made his daily trek to the dog park at the Land O’ Lakes Recreational Complex, off Collier Parkway.

He’d started the day by catching up with some of his fellow Marines on Facebook, and was feeling pretty good about that.

Then, when he and his basset hound, Chopper, arrived at the dog park, his day got even better.

Judy Hudson arrived early at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex’s dog park on Veterans Day because she wanted to put up these patriotic balloons along the chain-link fence of the compound. (B.C. Manion)

Patriotic balloons bobbed from the perimeter of the chain-link fence at the compound, and there was a big surprise waiting inside.

His friends, Judy Hudson and Leslie Friedel, of Wesley Chapel, shouted out greetings to Felder.

“What’s up?” Felder asked, as he entered the dog park’s gates.

Hudson encouraged him to check out the new bench there.

As he approached it, he realized that the bench was dedicated to him.

“In honor of Otis Felder,” it says. “Thank you for 20 years of service.”

Below those words there’s an image of a flapping American flag.

“Holy mackerel,” the 84-year-old Felder said.  “I’m really impressed. Wow.

“I never expected anything like that.

“Well, who did this?” he asked.

Hudson was not forthcoming: “I guess, God,” she replied.

“It’s awesome,” said the veteran, whose 20 years in the Marine Corps included two tours of duty in Vietnam, and assignments in such places as California, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Virginia, Hawaii, North Carolina and Michigan.

Otis Felder finds out that the new bench at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex’s dog park is dedicated to him. The surprise presentation happened on Nov. 11, which is Veterans Day. Felder served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 20 years.

Planning for the Nov. 11 surprise started a few months ago, Hudson said.

That’s when she began reaching out to see if she could persuade a company to donate a bench to honor Felder.

It took persistence, but the work paid off when Polly Products, a company based in Mulliken, Michigan, agreed to provide the bench.

Next, Tommy D’Iorio, a park site supervisor for the Pasco County parks, recreation and natural resources department, made sure his team assembled the bench for the big surprise.

They even wrapped it up, to make sure no one sat on it before Felder.

Hudson and Susan Bernardino, another one of Felder’s friends, chipped in to pay the shipping costs for the bench.

The parks department spruced up the dog park, too, in honor of Felder’s special day.

As a finishing touch, Hudson brought a chocolate sheet cake, decked out with frosting depicting an American flag.

The three friends and their dogs, enjoyed their time together — despite a light, persistent  rain.

Otis Felder, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 20 years, tests out a bench that honors his military service. It’s in the dog park at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, which Felder visits daily.

Hudson, who has known Felder for 10 years, was pleased to pay tribute to her friend.

“It’s my honor to do it for him,” she said.

People come and go to the dog park, as they move into and out of the area — but some who have moved away still make it a point to come back to see Felder, she said.

Even some who have lost their dog continue to drop by to chat with him, she added.

“He’s become a fixture,” Hudson said.

Friedel, a user of the dog park for four years, speaks fondly of Felder.

“I love Uncle Otis. He’s great. I love his stories,” she said.

She’s happy that he was honored.

“I freaking love it,” she said. “I think that’s awesome.”

Felder, who has been married 54 years to his wife, Janet, lives in Land O’ Lakes. Their son, Otis, is an attorney in California and their son, Dallas, is an architect in Chicago. A third son, Jason, is deceased.

Besides retiring from his military career, Felder worked for 21 years in the brewery industry, before retiring and doing some additional contract work in that field. He also was a chauffeur and an armored car driver, before he finally stopped working at the age of 72.

With such a full life, he has plenty of tales to share and he often shares them with his friends at the dog park.

Hudson said Felder is particularly fond of telling people: “That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.”

For her part, she thinks Felder is a special man, whose story is worth sharing.

Published November 18, 2020

Their stories — and foods — are varied

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A small group of entrepreneurs gathered recently to sell their goods at a drive-thru vendor fair at the University of Florida/Pasco County Extension’s One Stop Shop, at 15029 14th St., in Dade City.

Those wishing to make a purchase could swing by on Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., to order items and purchase them, from the comfort of their cars.

Hillbilly Farms prepares gluten-free foods. The company’s founders sold the storefront, but are still selling items prepared at an incubator commercial kitchen in Dade City. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)

The idea was to support the small businesses, while providing a safe place to shop, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participating vendors included Hillbilly Farms Bakery Shops, Charm City Eats, Lanky Lassie’s Shortbread, Superfood Bakeshop, and Chef Sweets of Luminous Concession.

The stories, shared by some small business owners taking part in the event, are as varied as the foods they sold.

Rhoda Mazerolle, of Hillbilly Farms Bakery, previously sold her gluten-free foods from a storefront that she operated with her husband. They have sold that store and have scaled down, but she continues to prepared wholesale foods at the SMARTstart commercial kitchen, at the One Stop Shop.

The commercial kitchen initiative is the result of a partnership between the Pasco Extension Office, which is part of the University of Florida Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences, Pasco County and Pasco County Economic Development Council Inc., with assistance from Welbilt, an industrial kitchen company.

Amy Henninger, of Charm City Eats, is a newcomer to the Pasco County area — moving here less than two months ago.

She said the commercial kitchen allows her food truck — which specializes in authentic Maryland cuisine — to operate.

Charm City Eats offers authentic Baltimore cuisine. The company was one of the vendors taking part in a recent drive-thru vendor fair at the One Stop Shop in Dade City.

Charm City Eats offers such foods as broiled crab cakes, slow-smoked pit beef, Baltimore fried chicken, hot chicken and hand-cut fries.

Getting into the food business is a big departure for her, she said, noting she used to run a copier company in Baltimore.

But, the pandemic has been a turning point, she said.

“I’m going to be turning 40 soon, and I was just sick of the corporate world, and quotas and nonsense, and stress and all of that. I just wanted to do something different and work for myself,” Henninger said.

Plus, her fiancé loves to cook.

Like Henninger, Mary Katherine Mason Souter — who owns Lanky Lassie’s Shortbread — was greatly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, the entrepreneur said she’s had her shortbread business for years, but it was always a “very, very side hustle, hobby.”

It turned into a full-time career, she said, “100% because of COVID.”

The owner of Lanky Lassie’s estimates she’s baked about 5,000 pounds of shortbread since being laid off from her previous full-time job of doing interior designs and selecting furniture for hotels.

Before turning all of her attention to running a baking company, she did interior designs and selected furniture for hotels.

That came to a halt earlier this year, when she was furloughed in April, then laid off in July.

“Since April, I have made about 5,000 pounds of shortbread,” said the baker, who uses her maiden name, Mason, on her business documents.

Her company’s slogan — “Long legs, short bread” — is a reference to her height, of 6 feet.

She’s grateful for the SMARTstart kitchen.

“Without that kitchen, I would not be able to have my business because in order to be able to ship legally and sell legally online, you have to have your manufacturing license.

“The only way you can have your manufacturing license is to have your commercial kitchen, and it has to be inspected by the Department of Agriculture,” she said.

It turns out that the kitchen is just 2 miles away from where she lives in Dade City.

Dan Mitchell, Pasco EDC’s SMARTstart program coordinator, said “the drive-thru vendor fair was a way for our community to experience the new food businesses that have been developing at the incubator.”

It also gave entrepreneurs a chance to get some feedback and hone their skills, Mitchell added.

Whitney C. Elmore, director of Pasco County Extension, said she’s proud of the vendors who produce their foods at the incubator kitchen.

“They’ve persevered during the pandemic – some had lost their job as a result and we were there, along with Pasco EDC, to provide the resources they needed to start their business,” she said.

“Our vendors provide phenomenal products,” Elmore added, “We were excited to showcase them in a drive-through vendor fair at our One Stop Shop in Dade City.”

Published November 18, 2020

Reaching out to help others at Thanksgiving

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The Metropolitan Ministries donation tent is open, and accepting food and donations at Keystone Community Church, 21010 State Road 54 in Lutz.

The tent is open Nov. 20 to Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on weekdays and Saturdays, and noon to 3 p.m., on Sundays.

On Thanksgiving Day — a free take-out meal will be provided between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All are welcome.

Unlike the past 25 years, the Benedictine Sisters of Florida will not be hosting its annual community Thanksgiving meal, according to a newsletter published by the Sisters.

Instead of organizing the traditional gathering, the Sisters are involved in an effort to provide Thanksgiving baskets for those in need. They joined a collaboration formed with First Presbyterian Church, of Dade City. The idea for the baskets originated with Fr. Ed Lamb, of Saint Mark’s Parish. The Knights of Columbus donated $1,520 and gift cards, and the Benedictine Sisters of Florida donated $1,305 from their monthly personal allowances.

The Saint Leo University Social Service Club faculty advisor Dr. Veronika Ospina-Kammerer stepped up, as always, to raise money and supermarket gift cards for the cause.

Another outreach effort involves Life Church at 6224 Old Pasco Road. It is providing a turkey and box of food, on a first-come, first-served basis from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Nov. 24.

The Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger also is doing its part to help brighten Thanksgiving for those in need.

The effort is expected to involve at least 300 volunteers to deliver more than 1,000 Thanksgiving meals, including turkey and stuffing.

The meals are being taken to families that are homebound or do not have access to transportation. Deliveries were set to begin at 10 a.m., on Nov. 17.

In addition to accepting donations for Thanksgiving, the Metropolitan Ministries tent at Keystone Community Church also will be accepting Christmas holiday donations, which will occur on Dec. 12 and Dec. 13, and from Dec. 18 through Dec. 23.

Want to help?
Metropolitan Ministries has a donation tent at Keystone Community Church, 21010 State Road 54 in Lutz.

Donations are being accepted Nov. 20 to Nov. 24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on weekdays and Saturdays, and noon to 3 p.m., on Sundays. The tent will reopen for Christmas holiday donations on Dec. 12 and Dec. 13, and from Dec. 18 through Dec. 23.

Items most needed are: Canned fruit, vegetables, beans, yams, stuffing, penne pasta, instant potatoes, rice, pasta sauces, canned tuna, chicken, boxed cereal, protein bars, frozen turkeys, hams and gift cards.

Published November 18, 2020

Hillsborough offers special slate of caregiver programs

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In conjunction with National Family Caregiver Month, Hillsborough County has scheduled a series of virtual sessions this week.

They are intended to offer family caregivers support, resources and camaraderie, according to a flyer publicizing the sessions.

For more information and registration details, visit HCFLGov.net/Caregiving.

Here is a synopsis of the remaining sessions scheduled this week.

Self-care through yoga and meditation
Nov. 18 at 10 a.m.: Maryann Bakht, yoga instructor from Hillsborough County Well4Life, teaches beginner yoga poses and meditation techniques to help participants relax, de-stress and find calm in a way that is simple and flexible to fit your schedule.

Cooking demonstration
Nov. 19, 3 p.m.: Brian Taylor, a registered dietitian with aging services, shares his tips for creating nutritious and delicious meals.

Ask the Doctor, a one-hour Q&A
Nov. 20, 1 p.m.: Dr. Jean Fels, director of the University of South Florida Memory Disorder Clinic, will answer caregiver questions about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia-related disorders.

Making a gratitude list
Nov. 20, 3 p.m.: Debbie Selsavage, founder of Coping with Dementia LLC, will teach about the importance of gratitude.

Published November 18, 2020

West Nile Virus case confirmed in Hillsborough County

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The Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County (DOH-Hillsborough) has confirmed a human case of the West Nile Virus, according to a health department news release.

The health department also reported an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity, and has announced a heightened concern that additional residents may become ill.

The Hillsborough County department of Mosquito Control and Hillsborough’s health department are continuing surveillance and prevention efforts.

A human case of West Nile Virus has been confirmed in Hillsborough County. Health officials urge residents to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites. (File)

The health department is reminding residents and visitors to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes and to take basic precautions to help limit exposure.

Remember the key words, drain and cover, when taking action to protect yourself.

Be sure to drain standing water to prevent mosquitoes from multiplying.

Items that should be drained include: Garbage cans, house gutters, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected.

Other steps that should be taken:

  • Discard old tires, drums, bottles, cans, pots and pans, broken appliances and other items that aren’t being used.
  • Empty and clean birdbaths and pet’s water bowls at least once or twice a week.
  • Protect boats and vehicles from rain with tarps that don’t accumulate water.
  • Keep pools in good condition, and be sure they are appropriately chlorinated.
  • Empty plastic swimming pools when not in use.

Also, protect yourself by covering your skin with clothing, or a repellent.

When in an area where mosquitoes are present, be sure to wear shoes, socks, and long pants and long sleeves.

Also, be sure to apply mosquito repellent to bare skin and clothing.

Use mosquito netting to protect children younger than 2 months old.

Always be sure to read the label directions on the repellent to be sure you are applying a proper amount, to people in the appropriate age group, to the right places.

Keep mosquitoes out of your house by repairing broken screens on doors or windows.

For more information on what repellent is right for you, consider using the Environmental Protection Agency’s search tool to help you choose skin-applied repellent products.

The Florida Department of Health is continuing to conduct statewide surveillance for mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile virus infections, Eastern equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, malaria, chikungunya and dengue.

Residents of Florida are encouraged to report dead birds, via the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s site.

West Nile Virus, symptoms and treatments

  • Eight out of 10 people infected with West Nile virus do not develop symptoms.
  • About one in five of those who are infected develop a fever with some other symptoms, such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash.
    • Most people with West Nile virus disease recover completely, but some can experience fatigue and weakness that can last for weeks or months.
  • About one in 150 people who are infected develop a severe illness affecting the central nervous system such as encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain, or meningitis, which is inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

In cases of severe illness, symptoms include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.

Severe illness can occur in people of any age, but those over age 60 are at a greater risk.

Also, people with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants, also are at greater risk.

Recovery from severe illness might take several weeks or months. Some effects to the central nervous system might be permanent.

About one out of 10 people who develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system die.

See your health care provider if you develop symptoms described above. Your health care provider can order tests to look for West Nile virus infection.

There is no vaccine or specific antiviral treatments for West Nile virus infection.

Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to reduce fever and relieve some symptoms.

In severe cases, patients often need to be hospitalized to receive supportive treatment, such as intravenous fluids, pain medication, and nursing care.

If you think you or a family member might have West Nile virus disease, talk with your health care provider.

To learn more about treatment, visit our Healthcare Providers page.

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Published November 18, 2020