B.C. Manion

Taylor Hicks to perform in Land O’ Lakes

March 2, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Before he became nationally known, Taylor Hicks spent years in relative obscurity, sharing his music at any venue where he could get a booking.

“I would play everything from small venues to clubs to honky-tonks, to roadhouses to juke joints — you name it, I was playing it,” Hicks said.

Over the years, he played concerts and club dates with widely known musicians, but he didn’t get his big break until he won Season 5 of American Idol.

Taylor Hicks said he loves performing, and it’s something he expects he will always continue to do. He will be performing on March 11 in Land O’ Lakes at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Music Festival & Expo. (Photos courtesy of Taylor Hicks) — Taylor Hicks said he loves performing, and it’s something he expects he will always continue to do. He will be performing on March 11 in Land O’ Lakes at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Music Festival & Expo.
(Photos courtesy of Taylor Hicks)

Hicks said he hadn’t really been planning to audition for the popular television show, now celebrating its farewell season.

He had gone to a wedding and was stranded by Hurricane Katrina, and he wound up getting a free ticket to fly anywhere in the country, he explained.

“So, I flew to Vegas on a whim,” he said. That just happened to be where American Idol was holding auditions, so Hicks decided to get in line.

That was the beginning of Hicks’ rise to national fame.

He went on to become America’s favorite.

“The season that I was on (American Idol) was their biggest season. With all of that attention, it was pretty amazing,” Hicks said.

After winning the title, doors opened for him, and he remains grateful.

“The Idol platform has set me up to be able to do a lot of different things,” he said.

Less than three weeks after winning Idol, his debut single, “Do I Make You Proud,” entered at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, Pop 100, and Single Sales Charts.

He penned “Heart Full of Soul,” an autobiography published by Random House, and starred in the role of Teen Angel in the Broadway musical “Grease.”

Now, he also has a hand in barbecue, as co-owner of a barbecue restaurant in Birmingham.

“I keep busy,” Hicks said.

He also continues to tour, with upcoming concerts planned in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Missouri.

His Florida appearance will be at the Land O’ Lakes Spring Music Festival on March 11.

He’s looking forward to the concert, noting he enjoys a nice following from his Florida fans, who tend to travel.

Taylor Hicks’ interest in music dates back to his teenage years, when he taught himself to play the harmonica. He later learned how to play acoustic guitar and piano.

“I love performing,” Hicks said. “I think that’s something I’ll always do. Entertaining and making people feel music, that’s something that I just really love doing.”

Hicks is the featured performer in a new event the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is launching, aimed at giving people an annual music festival they can enjoy, while area businesses showcase their goods and services.

The festival is a new take on the chamber’s annual business expo that has been held for two decades at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

This festival runs for two days, March 11 and March 12, with Hicks performing on the opening night, following Solar Exposure, the opening act. The second day of the festival features a business expo and other musical acts.

Tickets for Hicks’ concert are still available, said David Gainer, co-chairman of the event. They cost $40 for reserved seating, and $25 for lawn seating.

Food and beverage will be available for purchase, and no coolers will be allowed.

Gainer also noted that all of the slots for the business vendors for the expo on March 12 have been sold.

Hicks said he is looking forward to the Land O’ Lakes event, and he hopes he’ll see some of his loyal fans.

He said his interest in music dates back to his teenage years, when he taught himself how to play the harmonica.

At 16, he taught himself acoustic guitar and then moved on to piano later on, and then began writing songs, he said.

“I think it was a natural progression,” Hicks said.

His early experience helped prepare him for life after winning American Idol, he said.

“I think a lot of the touring as a kid kind of help me set my own experience up,” he said.

“When it happened, the transition from obscurity to notoriety was kind of an easy transition because, I’d been doing it (touring) a lot, since I was a kid,” he said.

“Experience always helps,” he added.

“I think you just kind of get in a groove with notoriety. You start understanding your place in society as a public figure. And then, you just have to reinvent yourself and stay out there, and work as much as you can,” he said.

As American Idol concludes its television run this year, Hicks said the show is exiting on a high note.

“I think it’s bittersweet, but I think the way that Idol is ending its run is a pretty classy way to do it,” Hicks said. “I think 15 years of television is quite respectable.”

Spring Music Festival & Expo
Where: Fraternal Order of Police Pasco Lodge 29 property, 21735 YMCA Camp Road, in Land O’ Lakes.
When: March 11, gates open at 6 p.m.: Taylor Hicks is the featured act, following a performance by Solar Exposure. There will be food trucks, beer and wine. Reserved seating, $40; open lawn seating, $25.
And, on March 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Business expo featuring more than 100 local businesses, numerous musical acts and fun family activities. Admission to the expo is free.
For concert tickets or more information, call (813) 909-2722, or visit CentralPascoChamber.com.

Published March 2, 2016

‘Trial by Fire’ seeks to spark social movement

March 2, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Documentary filmmaker Charles Mattocks hopes to inspire a social movement to help people suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and other rare diseases.

Mattocks — who is the nephew of famed reggae artist Bob Marley — has produced “Trial by Fire,” a documentary that tells the story of his mother’s eight-year struggle with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, called CRPS for short.

It’s a rare condition that is not widely understood, Mattocks said.

“I was totally confused, really, on what this thing was,” Mattocks said. “I used to tell my mother, ‘Mom, you’ve got to walk it off. You’ve got to go to the gym.’”

Fifteen-year-old Natalia Rijos has been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It’s a condition that is characterized by prolonged pain that may be constant and, in some people, extremely uncomfortable or severe. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Fifteen-year-old Natalia Rijos has been diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It’s a condition that is characterized by prolonged pain that may be constant and, in some people, extremely uncomfortable or severe.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Mattocks said while he didn’t initially know what CRPS was, as he delved into the topic and observed his mom, he knew something must be done to give people suffering from the condition a voice.

“It’s agony,” Mattocks said.

The key symptom is prolonged pain that may be constant and, in some people, extremely uncomfortable or severe, according to information published on the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s website.

The pain can spread through the body, the pain can travel from limb to limb and there often is increased sensitivity in the affected area, such that even light touch or contact is painful, the website says.

People with CRPS also experience constant or intermittent changes in temperature, skin color, and swelling of the affected limb, the website says.

Other common features of CRPS include:

Changes in skin texture
Abnormal sweating
Changes in nail and hair growth patterns
Stiffness in affected joints
Problems coordinating muscle movement
Abnormal movement in the affected limb

Fifteen-year-old Natalia Rijos, who is also featured in the film, is quite familiar with CRPS.

There’s a clear line of demarcation in her life.

One day, she was a typical 12-year-old, enjoying the normal activities of girls her age.

But, that changed on Dec. 15, 2012.

That was the day she was horsing around with her dad, showing off some karate moves.

Her dad grabbed her leg, she began to fall, and as she went to brace herself from the fall, she injured her left hand.

Initially, her mom, Myrna Concepcion, thought it was just a sprain.

But, the girl’s hand became swollen and discolored, and didn’t heal properly.

In ensuing months, the pain became unbearable and doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong.

It took three months to get a diagnosis.

According to Concepcion, in one sense, the family was lucky. In can sometimes take years to get a proper diagnosis.

In Rijos’ case, the situation was complicated by an accident. She suffered additional injuries when she was riding in a school bus and a car plowed into it.

The teenager, who lives with her family in Lutz, has been living out of wheelchair for two years. She is fed through a feeding tube.

Rijos attends Steinbrenner High for some classes, but is educated by telephone at home for other classes.

People with CRPS not only suffer with the pain, but they also struggle with the failure of others to understand their condition, Concepcion said.

People tend to discount the pain, Concepcion said. They think they are exaggerating, or that the problem is just psychological, she said.

That’s why the disease is sometimes called the “suicide disease,” Rijos said. Some with CRPS can no longer bear the pain, lose hope that their condition will ever improve, and they choose to end their lives, she said.

Rijos compared the pain she experiences to someone placing their hand on a hot burner and leaving it there.

It’s like having a pain switch that never goes off, her mother said.

The documentary has been accepted by six film festivals, and recently won ‘best director’ and ‘most impactful topic’ in a documentary at the Hollywood Florida Film Festival.

The Tampa Bay area is fortunate, because there are two doctors who treat patients with CRPS, Mattocks said, noting his documentary also includes a Land O’ Lakes woman in her 40s who is suffering from the disease.

Increased awareness of CRPS is needed, not only by the general public, but also by the medical community, Mattock said.

“I know people who live in Long Island, who have to go to Philly for treatment,” he said.

Mattocks said that CRPS is just one of the rare conditions that people face, without anyone giving voice to their struggles.

“There are over 350 million worldwide who suffer from rare disease. If you think about it, if there is no Ice Bucket Challenge, how can these people have a voice? It’s not just about CRPS. “It’s about rare disease in general,” Mattocks said.

To that end, he plans to be an advocate and hopes to inspire others.

“I believe that this is, in a sense, divine,” he said, noting additional screenings of “Trial by Fire” are expected.

“We have several distribution offers on the table,” Mattocks said.

Published March 2, 2016

Nature’s way to have fun, decompress

March 2, 2016 By B.C. Manion

The Hillsborough River State Park — just a short drive south of Zephyrhills — is one of Florida’s first state parks.

It’s a place where nature lovers can explore trails, where fishing enthusiasts can cast their lines, where families and friends can host special gatherings, and where campers can call the place home — for up to 14 days at a time.

A variety of events take place at Fort Foster, which is across the street from the Hillsborough River State Park. Despite the fact that roughly a quarter-million people visit the park, perhaps only 10,000 of them are aware of Fort Foster, says Brian Pinson, park manager. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — A variety of events take place at Fort Foster, which is across the street from the Hillsborough River State Park. Despite the fact that roughly a quarter-million people visit the park, perhaps only 10,000 of them are aware of Fort Foster, says Brian Pinson, park manager.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

The park opened in 1938, as one of the nation’s original Civilian Conservation Corps parks.

The Hillsborough River — the park’s namesake — was named in the late 1700s for Wills Hills, the British Colonial Secretary and Lord Earl of Hillsborough, according to the park’s website.

The Civilian Conservation Corps established the area surrounding the river rapids as a public park during the 1930s.

The 3,600-acre park is divided by the Hillsborough River.

It features seven miles of nature trails and boasts 15 ecosystems, said Brian Pinson, park manager.

Nature enthusiasts have a chance to explore Florida’s wild side, with its ever-changing seasonal shows of wildflowers. They can also see wildlife such as deer, raccoons and rabbits, and birds such as owls, wood storks, woodpeckers, roseate spoonbills, and painted bunting.

Alligators sunning themselves are a common sight at Hillsborough River State Park. (Courtesy of Florida State Parks) — Alligators sunning themselves are a common sight at Hillsborough River State Park.
(Courtesy of Florida State Parks)

Alligators are a common sight, as they sun themselves along the banks of the Hillsborough River.

Those who enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool can take advantage of the park’s fully accessible pool, which is open seasonally.

The park also has 117 campsites, which are extremely popular with northern visitors during the winter, Pinson said.

The campsites are also a popular draw on weekends during other parts of the year, he said.

The park draws roughly 250,000 visitors a year, and they come from all over.

During a recent campground coffee, there were visitors from as far away as Switzerland and Nova Scotia, and others from Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Pinson said.

Park manager Brian Pinson describes what life was like for inhabitants at Fort Foster, a reconstructed fort on the east side of U.S. 301, across the road from the Hillsborough River State Park.

The park also includes the Fort Foster State Historic Site, which is not widely known — even to visitors at the park, Pinson said.

The fort is on the east side of U.S. 301, and is only opened for guided tours on weekends and special events.

Fort Foster is a reconstructed fort from the Second Seminole War. Rangers lead tours of the site on the weekends, for $2 per person.

Despite its long-time presence at the park, Fort Foster is little-known, said Brian Pinson, park manager.

“Our annual attendance is about 250,000 people a year. Of that 250,000 a year, I’ll bet 240,000 of them have never heard of Fort Foster,” he said.

But, he’s trying to change that.

“We’re trying to get the word out on Fort Foster,” he said.

“What we’ve recently started doing is a dinner at the fort. We do it once a month. We sell tickets online. It’s like a four-star dining experience. We light the entire fort up with candles. We have re-enactors that come over, on the Seminole side, as well as the military side. And, you sit at a picnic table with a couple of strangers, but you get to sit down with somebody who is playing the part of a military lieutenant from 1835. It’s $25 per person.

“We do it the third Saturday of every month through the winter. (November through April).

The dinners are limited to 25 people.

Visitors have plenty of places to picnic at the park.

People who want to learn more about Fort Foster and the Second Seminole War also can visit the Interpretive Center, which was the park’s original ranger station. There, visitors can see more than 100 artifacts from the Fort Foster site.

Pinson, who became the park manager just months ago, is working to increase the number of reasons for people to come to the park, and to help visitors take full advantage of what it has to offer.

For instance, every other Wednesday at 6 p.m., the park holds a potluck supper.

“It’s like loaves and fishes. We just eat and eat, and there’s always enough food,” Pinson said. “We’ve got meals from all over the country, sometimes all over the world.”

On March 19, the park is having a community yard sale. Anyone who wants to sell their items can rent out a table for $10, he said.

Pinson also plans to add a stage, to accommodate music in the park.

While there’s plenty to do, the park also is a great place to unplug, relax and recharge, Pinson said.

For some, the park is a sanctuary; for others, a meditation room, he said.

“This is an outlet for people to just do nothing,” Pinson said.

What: Hillsborough River State Park, a state park with nature trails, campsites, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, picnicking, fishing and special events.
Where: 15402 US 301 N., Thonotosassa, FL 33592
How much: Admission is $6 per vehicle (2 to 8 people); $4 for single occupant; $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers. Separate charges for camping, equipment rentals and event rentals.
More information: (813) 987-6771, or visit FloridaStateParks.org.

Published March 2, 2016

Parent input sought for grant application

March 2, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County Schools is seeking federal grant money for a before- and after-school program for some students at Cox and Quail Hollow elementary schools, and wants to hear from parents during the process.

The application requires community input, said Tony Harroun, a senior grant writer for Pasco County Schools.

So, a community night is planned for March 3 at 6 p.m., at R.B. Cox Elementary School, at 37615 Martin Luther King Blvd., Dade City.

Quail Hollow’s community night was set for earlier in the week, on March 1.

The idea is to give parents a chance to weigh in on what they would like to see offered as part of the program, Harroun said.

The emphasis of the before- and after-school program will be on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics, he said.

But, children may be interested in specific topics in science or other subjects, and the district would like to hear parents’ suggestions, Harroun said.

If the district receives the grant, he estimates that the program at Cox and at Quail Hollow possibly could accommodate about 50 children each.

The district hopes to receive funding for both schools, so it can provide additional ways to engage children in learning and make it more interesting and fun for them, Harroun said.

The district already has this program at one elementary school and at an afternoon program at three middle schools, including Stewart Middle School, Harroun said.

The application will be submitted for a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant.

The program it would fund is called STAR, which stands for Success Through Academic Readiness.

Children from private schools also are eligible for the before- and after-school program, but the school district would not be able to transport them, Harroun said.

Parents of private school children who are interested in learning more about the program and who would like to offer suggestions about the programming are invited to the community meeting, he said.

What: Community meeting
Why: To solicit parent input on a potential before- and after-school program.
Where: Cox Elementary School, 37615 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Dade City
When: March 3 at 6 p.m.

Published March 2, 2016

Helping homeless people reclaim sense of dignity

February 24, 2016 By B.C. Manion

In the spiritual realm, preachers often talk about being cleansed by the healing power of Jesus.

But, members of Vine Church in Zephyrhills, also want to share their love of the Lord in a more practical, down-to-earth way.

Members of the church at 4743 Allen Road already routinely feed the homeless.

Their latest quest has been a fundraising campaign to raise money for a mobile shower unit.

The idea came while sharing food with the hungry, said Pastor Carlos Santana.

Santana said some of his “homeless brothers and sisters” told him what they would really like is a nice, hot shower.

Initially he thought a shower could be built in someone’s barn.

But, then he realized that homeless people would have a hard time getting to the shower.

So, then he thought: “Why don’t we make it mobile?”

“Through a lot of prayer, we found out that FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) uses these mobile showers every time they have a disaster.”

So, now the church is raising money to buy a mobile unit with four shower stalls.

To help things along, it is planning a movie night behind the church on Feb. 26. Donations of $10 are requested, but people are welcome if they can’t afford to pay, Santana said. And, donations exceeding $10 would be gratefully accepted, he said.

The church needs $30,000. So far, it has raised about $4,000.

Vine Church, which began about two years ago, is a nondenominational Christian church, with about 45 members, ranging in age from infants to around age 70.

“Our basic mission as a church is to love God fully and people unconditionally. That’s our mission. That’s our vision. To love people unconditionally,” Santana said.

“We started feeding the homeless. Some of them in Zephyrhills,” he said.

They also feed the hungry at Sims Park in New Port Richey.

“We go out there every Saturday, and we feed them breakfast. And then, one Saturday a month, we also do lunch,” he said.

“Now, we’re collecting clothing. So, we’re also giving clothing and toiletries,” he said.

Eventually, Santana hopes the church can buy several of the portable shower units.

“When people look at homeless people, for some reason, they look at them like they’re not people, they’re not human,” he said.

A hot shower may seem like a simple thing, Santana said. But, a hot shower, a meal and clean clothing can go along way toward helping to restore someone’s sense of dignity.

He hopes other churches follow Vine’s lead.

“I really would like for this to be something that all churches would pick up on. If we all just come together, we could make a real difference.

“It’s really God’s church. It’s one church. One body,” he said.

He said his church feels called to get out and help others in need. When they see the love of Christ in action, they will come to see that it’s true, Santana added.

“We’re not called to sit in a church and warm up pews,” Santana said.

“He (Jesus) told his disciples, ‘Get up and go.’

“That’s what we’re doing,” Santana said.

Shower fundraiser
What: A showing of ‘The War Room,’ a movie about prayer, to raise money to purchase a portable shower unit to help the homeless.
When: Feb. 26 at 7 p.m.
Where: Behind Vine Church, 4743 Allen Road in Zephyrhills
How much: A donation of $10 is suggested. Less will be accepted, and more will be appreciated.
Details: Popcorn and hotdogs and other refreshments will be available for purchase. Movie-goers should bring their own chairs.

Published February 24, 2016

Human trafficking often unseen problem

February 24, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Edie Rhea said she was just 10, when her mother’s boyfriend began sexually abusing her and selling her to strangers for sex.

Others may have never suspected what was going on, because Rhea said she lived in a four-bedroom, two-bath house in a nice neighborhood. She also went to school, like other kids, she said.

Even though there were opportunities to tell someone else, Rhea said she was too frightened, because the man who was trafficking her had threatened to kill her.

And, she believed he would.

Edie Rhea said she spent several years of her life as a victim of human trafficking, being sold for sex, from the time she was 10 until she was 17. She now leads Healing Root Ministry, based at First Baptist Church of Lutz. The ministry is striving to raise money to build a transitional house for women rescued from human trafficking. Rhea wants to help those women reclaim their lives. A fundraiser is planned on March 5 to help raise money for the house, which will be called The Gate. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Edie Rhea said she spent several years of her life as a victim of human trafficking, being sold for sex, from the time she was 10 until she was 17. She now leads Healing Root Ministry, based at First Baptist Church of Lutz. The ministry is striving to raise money to build a transitional house for women rescued from human trafficking. Rhea wants to help those women reclaim their lives. A fundraiser is planned on March 5 to help raise money for the house, which will be called The Gate.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

She finally escaped the situation when she was 17, and her mom kicked the boyfriend out of the house, but Rhea was kicked out, too.

She then found a boyfriend, got pregnant and the couple married, she said.

But, the problems didn’t end there.

“The first 10 years of our marriage was bad news,” she said, noting she was using drugs and alcohol, and was involved in marital affairs.

At one point, she was hooked on prescription drugs, she said. And, she attempted suicide several times.

Rhea said her husband wanted a divorce after 10 years of marriage, but gave her another chance.

One of her turning points came when her husband’s mother invited them to church.

“We accepted the Lord. The pastor told me, ‘You know, Edie, you really need to seek some counseling,’” she said.

She began counseling sessions to work on guilt, shame and trust issues, she said.

“The big doozy was when she (the counselor) told me we were going to start working on forgiveness. I told her, ‘I’ll never do that. I’m not going to do that.’’’

The counselor told her: “You need to learn to forgive yourself before you can forgive others,” Rhea said.

“That was a huge, huge, piece,” she said.

Six years ago, the man who had trafficked Rhea was in the hospital and asked to see her, she said.

She said she did go to see him, and told him she had forgiven him.

She also shared the gospel with him, she said.

“He accepted the Lord, and a couple of weeks later, he passed away,” Rhea said.

Four years ago, she launched Healing Root Ministry, a survivor-founded, survivor-run organization aimed at preventing human trafficking and advocating for survivors.

“We originally started, just bringing awareness and prevention,” she said.

But, then she felt called to share her story, and to open a home for rescued women.

The ministry aims to build a house, to provide a transitional home for rescued women.

The house, which will be called The Gate, is intended to serve women from Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, said Rhea, who is a member of First Baptist Church of Lutz, where the ministry is based.

“It’s an 18-month program, for women 18 and older. Once they come in, they can pursue their G.E.D. (General Educational Development exam), life skills, job skills,” she said.

The idea is to help these women to reclaim their lives, Rhea said.

“We want restoration. We want them to see that there is hope and that we believe in them,” Rhea said.

Human trafficking is a real problem, that is often unseen, she said.

People have the false notion that the problem is limited to other countries, she said.

They can’t imagine the problem happening to their daughter, or to the daughter of someone they know, she added.

They have no idea that Florida ranks third in the nation for human trafficking, and that Tampa ranks No. 1 in Florida, she added.

Rhea wants to change those statistics.

She also wants the ministry she leads to live up to the words that are written on her business card: “Empowering Women to Live the Lives that God Chose for Them.”

If you would like to help the ministry, or would like more information about it, call Rhea at (813) 458-5970, or visit HealingRootMinistry.com.

2016 Somebody’s Daughter fundraiser
When: March 5 from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Museum of Science & Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa
What: A gala including a dinner, dancing, exhibits at MOSI, a 50/50, and a silent auction featuring sports memorabilia, vacation packages and other items. Christopher Gregory, of Homeland Security, will be the keynote speaker.
Why: The event will raise money for Healing Root Ministry, a nonprofit organization seeking to raise money to build a transition house for women rescued from human trafficking.
For more information, or to register, go to HealingRootMinistry.com.

To report a case or suspected case of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at (888) 373-7888.
To find out more about human trafficking, visit TraffickingResourceCenter.org.

Published February 24, 2016

Easy Business Software wins regional award

February 24, 2016 By B.C. Manion

A company that was born out of the necessity to help a sick 2-year-old in the family recently won third place in Bright House Networks Regional Business Awards.

This recognition comes in addition to the Land O’ Lakes’ company’s top honors in Business Technology from the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., last year, and its recent placement on the semifinalist list in the statewide Florida Companies to Watch program.

From left, Gary Gorsline, his wife, Mary Lynn, and their daughter, Leana, are shown during a Bright House Networks Regional Business Awards celebration. Their company, Easy Business Solutions, captured third place honors. (Courtesy of Gary Gorsline) — From left, Gary Gorsline, his wife, Mary Lynn, and their daughter, Leana, are shown during a Bright House Networks Regional Business Awards celebration. Their company, Easy Business Software, captured third place honors.
(Courtesy of Gary Gorsline)

Gary Gorsline is CEO, and his wife, Mary Lynn, is vice president of the company called Easy Business Software.

The software product that the company is known best for was inspired by their daughter Chelsea’s illness.

She was born with skin allergies that were so severe that they were life-threatening, Mary Lynn said.

As a result, the young girl’s medical chart was loaded with information, Mary Lynn said.

But, one day, when she took her daughter to the doctor’s office, the chart was flat — the records had been misplaced.

In addition to dealing with the missing information, Mary Lynn found herself feeling frustrated as she constantly repeated the story about her daughter’s illness to about 40 different doctors. She was worried she might give doctors inaccurate information, as the family pursued an effective treatment for Chelsea.

Mary Lynn said she turned to Gary to see if he could use his technology know-how to figure out a way that the information could be shared.

Gary, who developed an expertise in computer programming while working for the government, took on the challenge.

The goal of interoperability is to connect different clinical and health care IT systems, so they can exchange and use a patient’s medical history to create better care at lower costs, he said.

The result of his efforts was X-link Medical Software, an interfacing technology that pulls systems and data together. X-link provides the capability to bi-directionally exchange data.

Easy Business Software, which goes by EBS for short, also provides consulting services to health care organizations.

That information can help the providers reduce costs and improve patient care, Gary said.

Leana Gorsline, director of business development, said the company’s prospects are bright, as both medical technology and health care gain greater public attention.

Gary said he sees enormous potential for the collection and analysis of data to lead to improved health care.

“The connectivity that we dreamed of so many years ago is finally on the verge of mass adoption,” he said.

Gary and Mary Lynn, who live in Lutz, also are the owners of Copperstone Executive Suites, a Land O’ Lakes office complex, at 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

The office complex has full-time tenants, part-time tenants, and a room that can be rented for luncheons, business meetings, parties, church services or other events. The Laker/Lutz News is among the companies leasing space at Copperstone.

Gary is the president of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers, Suncoast Chapter and serves on a number of advisory boards.

Mary Lynn has been actively involved in the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce for years, and also serves on the Heritage Park Foundation, an organization that is working to get a stage for the arts built at Land O’ Lakes Community Park.

Published February 24, 2016

Editor Note: The name of the company was incorrect in the print edition on 2/24/2016. The correct company name is Easy Business Software.

Thrift store seeks to push up sales

February 24, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Christian Social Services of Lutz & Land O’ Lakes Inc., gets a lot of visitors, as people bring donations to the thrift store at 5514 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., which resembles a large red barn.

But, the charity had been trying to figure out a way to capture some of that traffic, before it headed back onto Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, said Jacquie Petet, executive director of the charitable organization.

Jacquie Petet and Patty Byers work at Christian Social Services Thrift Store. The nonprofit organization provides help, in a variety of ways, to people who are struggling. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — Jacquie Petet and Patty Byers work at Christian Social Services Thrift Store. The nonprofit organization provides help, in a variety of ways, to people who are struggling.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

That’s when they came up with the idea of issuing $3 in Red Barn Bucks to anyone who brings in a donation, Petet said.

The store needs to sell more merchandise to help cover payroll, utilities and other expenses, Petet said.

“We are a very low-budget organization. If you look around, you could probably find three things in this office that we actually paid money for. We just wait until it comes through the back door,” Petet said.

There are four employees and about two dozen regular volunteers. It also gets help, periodically, from youth groups and community organizations.

Despite its small staff, the organization provides great services, said Loretta Parker, who was at the thrift store recently to pick up some food from the pantry.

“If it hadn’t been for this place, I would be so far under,” Parker said. “They are great with every kind of help,” she said.

Volunteers Nancy Taylor, Beverly Maples and Mary Whitaker said they enjoy helping out.

Taylor was busy sorting bakery items on a recent day, while Maples and Whitaker stocked shelves in the food pantry.

“I like doing it,” Maples said. “I love the people here.”

Christian Social Services Thrift Store, 5514 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., is trying to encourage people who drop off donations to come inside and shop away. They’re giving $3 in Red Barn Bucks to spend in the store to anyone who makes a donation.

The food and other services that Christian Social Services provides are much-needed in the community, Taylor said.

Patty Byers said she first became acquainted with the thrift store when she needed help.

“That was 13 years ago,” she said.

When Byers got back on her feet, she became a volunteer, and then she became a part-time employee.

“It’s a lovely place to work,” Byers said.

“We see people coming in that can’t feed their children, and when they leave, their shoulders are little more up, their head is a little higher,” Byers said.

“It’s a wonderful place,” she said.

Byers said they can also provide encouragement and remind those who are struggling that, “even though things seem bad, they can get better.”

People who enjoy thrift shopping will find much to peruse at the thrift shop, including clothing, housewares, interior décor, books, china and other items.

Christian Social Services opened its doors in August 1987. It is supported by churches in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes, and serves families and individuals in north Hillsborough and Central Pasco counties.

Loretta Parker was at Christian Social Services Thrift Store recently to pick up some groceries. She said the charitable organization has been a saving grace for her.

The organization provides backpacks, school supplies and clothing for school-aged children; food, clothing, household necessities for families, support services to people in crisis, and holiday food baskets and Christmas toys to families in need.

The organization also partners with FUMC-Lutz and Mission Tampa to provide free dental care for people in need within the community.

And, it sponsors and coordinates National Day of Prayer activities.

Its member churches are All Saints Lutheran, Candlewood Community Church, Church of the Lakes, First Baptist of Lutz, First United Methodist of Land O’ Lakes, First United Methodist of Lutz, Grace Family Church, Harvester United Methodist Church, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Idlewild Baptist, Land O’ Lakes Church of God and Tims Memorial Church.

Additional churches that provide support are Church of the Suncoast, Cornerstone Presbyterian, Heritage Christian Center, Keystone Community, and Village Presbyterian.

The thrift store is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The emergency food pantry is open during those hours, too.

Christian Social Services Thrift Store
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What: Clothing, linens, shoes, dishes, jeans, small appliances, jewelry, books, home décor
Where: 5514 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
Deals: Every month, items marked with a different color are on sale. Everyone who donates goods receives a $3 coupon to spend in the store.
For more information: (813) 995-0088

Published February 24, 2016

It’s Pasco County Fair time

February 17, 2016 By B.C. Manion

At first glance, it may seem to be all about the rides.

After all, there are a lot of them.

Or, perhaps it’s all about the food.

Fried anything, anyone?

Or, maybe it would seem to be about the games or entertainment.

There are certainly plenty of choices.

Fried foods of every variety are available at the Pasco County Fair. Of course, there are other fair favorites, too. (Photos courtesy of Pasco County Fair) — Fried foods of every variety are available at the Pasco County Fair. Of course, there are other fair favorites, too.
(Photos courtesy of Pasco County Fair)

But really, the stars of the Pasco County Fair are the kids and their livestock.

At least that’s how Clark Converse, general manager of the fair, sees it.

“The biggest thing about our fair is that we maintain our roots in agriculture in the community. That’s what really we’re about … it’s about the agriculture and the kids,” he said.

“We have great participation in that. There are probably 300 to 400 livestock entries in the fair,” he said.

“They’re all from Pasco County,” he added, with no small measure of pride.

The fair, at 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City, is rooted in the desire to promote Pasco County’s youth and its other resources.

Although fairs had been held in the community dating back to around 1915, one hadn’t been held there for years until a group of local businessmen got together in 1947 and decided to begin hosting the annual event, according to the fair’s website.

San Antonio rancher D.E. Cannon led the group, which included agriculture agent Jimmy Higgins and businessmen George Nikolai, Bob Williams and Joe Collura. They found a 40-acre tract along State Road 52 and raised $3,500 to purchase the site.

The Hoppers, a widely known gospel singing group, are set to perform on Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. in the Dan Cannon Auditorium.

The first documented Pasco County Fair took place between Jan. 20 and Jan. 24, 1948.

Besides giving families a chance to enjoy themselves, and visitors a chance to gorge on fair food, the event also provides a platform for youths to showcase their skills.

“We’re growing kids. That’s the focus,” Converse said.

“It’s important for me to give the kids in our county a chance to show off their talents and their skills,” he said.

“They can do their stuff at school … and the only people who see it are people who come to the school. But, to be able to put that out into the public at a fair is a great opportunity for these kids. They don’t have anyplace else,” he said.

At the fairgrounds, there is a huge school exhibit building where kids’ works are on display.

There’s also a Lego competition this year, “which is something new and different,” Converse said.

The fair also is reviving its bluegrass night and its gospel night.

Little Roy and Lizzy are scheduled to perform on Feb. 17 at 6 p.m., in the Dan Cannon Auditorium.

“We’re bringing back Little Roy and Lizzie, which is a perennial crowd favorite in the bluegrass industry,” he said. Their show will be Feb. 17 at 6 p.m., at the Dan Cannon Auditorium.

“On Thursday night, we have an internationally known gospel group called The Hoppers, along with a quartet that’s actually part of the family, too, called The Hoppers 2.0,” Converse said.

That show will be on Feb. 18 at 6 p.m., at the Dan Cannon Auditorium.

The Hoppers are widely known, Converse said.

“We’re really excited about having them, because they’re a bigger name act than we normally get at this fair, because we’re just a small, country fair,” he said.

“Bringing the gospel (night) back, to me, is a big thing,” Converse added.

The fair, which runs through Feb. 21, also has a few other new twists.

There are some new rides on the Midway, there’s a new Disc-Connected K9s, Frisbee-dog show, and there’s a firefighter’s show that’s both educational and entertaining, Converse said.

The community pitches in to put on the fair, Converse noted.

“Over the course of the fair, between the directors and the committee chair people and all of the volunteers who help, there’s probably 400, maybe as many as 500 people.

“We’re all volunteers. None of us get paid for doing this. So, it’s a labor of love,” he said.

But, he thinks it’s the worth the time, effort and energy he invests in it.

“For me, agriculture in Florida is a very vital part of Florida’s economy and what Florida is. People aren’t aware of it.

“It’s important for me, and for us, to make sure that kids are educated in agricultural things, and understand that milk doesn’t come from Winn-Dixie and eggs don’t come from Publix, they come from cows and chickens, those kinds of things,” Converse said.

Pasco County Fair
When: Through Feb. 21 (hours vary, check the website at PascoCountyFair.com)
What: Rides, food, games, entertainment, livestock and exhibits.
Where: Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52
How much: Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children 6 through 12; parking is free. Wristbands are available for unlimited rides. Parking is free. (On Feb. 21, one child is admitted free with each adult)

Published February 17, 2016

Zika virus cases keep growing

February 17, 2016 By B.C. Manion

The news on the Zika virus keeps evolving, as the number of travel-associated cases in the United State continues to grow.

As of Feb. 10, there were 52 travel-associated cases of Zika virus in the United States, including 16 in Florida, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Feb. 3 directed state Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong to declare a public health emergency in Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Lee and Santa Rosa counties relating to travel-associated cases of Zika virus found in those counties.

At the time, those counties had reported a total of nine travel-associated cases of the Zika virus.

The Zika virus is spread through bites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the same mosquito that spreads the dengua and chikunguna viruses. (File Photo) — The Zika virus is spread through bites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the same mosquito that spreads the dengua and chikunguna viruses.
(File Photo)

The Zika virus is spread through the bites of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the same species that spreads dengue and chikungunya viruses, according to the CDC.

It also can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, the CDC reports. It also notes that cases have been reported of the Zika virus spreading through blood transfusion or sexual contact.

There is no vaccine available for the Zika virus.

The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. The illness is usually mild, with symptoms lasting several days to a week. Hospitalization is uncommon.

There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly in babies of mothers who had Zika virus while pregnant, according to the CDC. Knowledge of the link between Zika and birth defects is evolving, but until more is known, CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women.

Microcephaly is a birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than expected, when compared to babies of the same sex and age, the CDC says. Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that might not have developed properly, according to the CDC.

The Zika virus also has been associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare disorder in which a person’s own immune system damages his or her nerve cells, but the CDC says more information is needed.

The Brazil Ministry of Heath has reported an increased number of people who have been infected with the Zika virus who also have Guillain-Barre syndrome. The CDC is working with Brazil to study a possible link.

The CDC recommends that people protect themselves by avoiding the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which bites primarily during the day.

To help protect yourself, the CDC recommends people:

Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants
Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out
Sleep under a mosquito net if you are outdoors or unable to keep mosquitoes out
Use repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Follow product label instructions
Reapply as directed

It also offers these additional tips: Do not spray repellent on skin under clothing, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent and do not apply insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months.

To protect your child, dress him or her in clothing that covers the arms and legs. Also, do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth or cut or irritated skin, the CDC says.

CDC Advisory
The Centers for Disease Control has issued an advisory for women who are pregnant or who are trying to become pregnant.

Women who are pregnant should consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. If they do travel to one of those areas, they should talk to their doctor or other health care provider first, and be sure to follow steps to avoid mosquito bites.

Women who are trying to become pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant should consult with their health care provider before traveling and should follow steps to avoid mosquito bites.

Also, the CDC notes that it is safe for pregnant women to use mosquito repellent. It is safe for women who are breastfeeding to use mosquito repellent, too. Anyone using a repellent should choose one that is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Source: Centers for Disease Control

Q&A

Should a woman who has traveled to an area with Zika virus be tested for the virus?
She should see her health care provider if she develops a rash, fever, joint pain or red eyes within two weeks of traveling to a country where Zika virus cases have been reported.
Can a previous Zika virus infection cause someone who later becomes pregnant to have an infant with microcephaly?
We do not know the risk to the baby if a woman is infected with the Zika virus while she is pregnant. However, Zika virus infection doesn’t pose a risk of birth defects for future pregnancies.

Source: Centers for Disease Control

Published February 17, 2016