B.C. Manion

Historian sheds light on German POWs in Dade City

July 22, 2015 By B.C. Manion

The recent death of Eva Martha (Goddard) Knapp has sparked memories of the work she did to trace the history of German prisoners of war who lived and worked in the Dade City area during World War II.

Knapp, who died on June 20, 2015 in St. Petersburg, was a noted historian in the Pasco County Historical Society.

This photo was taken during the 1995 dedication of a historic marker to record the fact that German prisoners of war lived in Dade City during World War II and served as laborers. They were paid the prevailing wages, but the U.S. government deducted money to cover expenses for housing and feeding them. (Courtesy of Fivay.org) — This photo was taken during the 1995 dedication of a historic marker to record the fact that German prisoners of war lived in Dade City during World War II and served as laborers. They were paid the prevailing wages, but the U.S. government deducted money to cover expenses for housing and feeding them.
(Courtesy of Fivay.org)

She was particularly known for the research she did about the German POW camps, including a camp housed in an area now known as Pyracantha/Naomi Jones Park.

Knapp donated many of her materials to the University of South Florida, according to local historians Madonna Wise and Eddie Herrmann, who put together some background information about Knapp, following her death, which they shared with The Laker/Lutz News.

According to their research, a biographical excerpt on Knapp in the USF collection details Knapp’s involvement in collecting information about the German POWs.

The USF excerpt says that during the 1991-1992 school year, Knapp was teaching English at Hernando High School in Brooksville, and her 10th-grade class read Betty Greene’s novel, “The Summer of My German Soldier.”

Eva Martha Knapp, former president of the Pasco Historical Society, did extensive work to trace the history of the German prisoners of war who lived in Dade City during World War II. (Courtesy of Madonna Wise) — Eva Martha Knapp, former president of the Pasco Historical Society, did extensive work to trace the history of the German prisoners of war who lived in Dade City during World War II.
(Courtesy of Madonna Wise)

After reading the book, Knapp’s students interviewed family members and acquaintances that were old enough to remember World War II to see if they knew if German prisoners of war had been held in Pasco County, the excerpt says.

During those interviews, they heard that some German prisoners had worked at the Pasco Packing Company, the excerpt adds.

So, two students visited the company and learned from company executives that German POWs indeed had worked there.

The class also was able to locate some of the men who had been prisoners in Florida camps, and who had remained in Florida after the war.

The class received a letter from a former prisoner, detailing some of his experiences.

Ludeke Herder, a prisoner who was a Protestant, shares his memories of one Christmas in a letter dated Jan. 9, 1992.

Because it was Christmas, the prisoners were allowed to go to a “Protestant-Lutheran Church in Tampa,” he writes.

“Our guards were inside the church too, without guns. After the worship, our guard told us to leave the church through the same door, like we came in, but the vicar told us to go through the door at the side of the church. Our guard was mad, but allowed us to take the other door,” he adds.

The story of the German prisoners of war who lived in Dade City is recorded on this historic marker. (Courtesy of Fivay.org) — The story of the German prisoners of war who lived in Dade City is recorded on this historic marker.
(Courtesy of Fivay.org)

As they came through a small door, he continues, “the people gave us cakes, candy and coffee and it was a wonderful Christmas day and I never can forget such a kind gesture.”

Letters such as this one are the types of items contained in the collection at USF, which resulted from the students’ and Knapp’s research efforts.

The archive also contains photocopies of material gathered by Knapp during her research, including copies of official documents from the National Archives, correspondence with former German prisoners of war, photocopies of Der P.O.W. Zeit-Spiegel (a publication) and other materials.

Knapp worked extensively with Herrmann to archive the information.

Herrmann shared some of his knowledge about the German prisoners during a recent interview.

The men lived in the Dade City camp, but went out to do jobs, Herrmann recalled.

“They went out every day. They rode a bus to go to work in Brooksville,” he said. They dug lime rock at a mine that was used in building construction.

“They worked in the orange groves,” Herrmann added. “They got to be friendly with people. They even worked in people’s yards.”

Additional details of the prisoners’ experiences in Dade City are contained on a historical marker Branch Camp No. 7, placed there in 1995 by the Pasco County Historical Preservation Committee.

The marker explains that the demands of World War II created a shortage of agricultural workers here at home.

To reduce that problem, the United States Army established about 500 prisoner-of-war camps to supply laborers.

Camp Blanding, near Starke, was headquarters for the 22 camps in Florida, with the Dade City camp being designated Branch Camp No. 7, according to the marker.

The Dade City camp began in March 1944 and housed about 250 men, many who had been involved with Rommel’s famed AfrikaKorps.

The camp was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It had a three-tent mess hall, which was also used for church services, classes and movies.

It also had a canteen attached to a small day room; a larger day room with table tennis and a piano; sleeping quarters and latrines, according to the marker.

The prisoners handled a variety of jobs, according to the marker. They worked at the McDonald Mine in Brooksville, where they made limestone bricks for Pasco Packing Building No. 7, and at Cummer Sons Cypress Mill in Lacoochee.

The prisoners’ spiritual needs were attended to by a minister of the Zion Lutheran Church of Tampa and by priests from nearby Saint Leo Abbey.

Knapp developed lasting friendships with the prisoners and even traveled to Germany to visit them.

She was long-time member of the Pasco Historical Society, where she served as president of the society in 2002.

She presented to the society in May of 1995 on her research about the prisoner of war camp and Pasco Packing.

She also participated as a costumed docent, demonstrating, and teaching spinning and weaving skills at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village.

She is survived by two sisters, Margaret Allen and Jane McDavitt; three children, Diana Neff, Roberta Stalvey and Howard Knapp; eleven grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pasco Historical Society or the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village.

More information is available at EastPascoHistoricalSociety.com/pascomurals.html or WarLinks.com/memories/knapp.

Published July 22, 2015

Score one for the girls!

July 22, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Team USA Women’s World Cup 5-2 victory over Japan drew an estimated 22.8 million viewers, shattering television ratings records for a soccer game in the United States.

The Wesley Chapel Soccer Club wants to give girls a chance to learn about soccer. In this exercise, the girls are practicing dribbling skills. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — The Wesley Chapel Soccer Club wants to give girls a chance to learn about soccer. In this exercise, the girls are practicing dribbling skills.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

And, in interviews leading up to the game, moms of the soccer players often told commentators that their daughter had been dreaming of playing in a World Cup final since they were little girls.

World Cup has focused more attention on women’s soccer, but the number of boys playing the game still far outnumbers girls’ participation, said Altin Ndrita, of the Wesley Chapel Soccer Club.

Ndrita hopes a free program offered on Saturday mornings this summer can help to begin to change that.

The program is geared toward teaching girls, between the ages of 5 and 7, the fundamentals of the game. The sessions are from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., at Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road.

Seven-year-old Kate Henderson loves soccer. Her mom, Leanne Henderson, does, too. She attended college in Mississippi on a soccer scholarship.

Ndrita, a former professional soccer player, leads the sessions.

“We try to make it fun. We try to make it enjoyable for them. And, at the same time, teach them fundamental skills that will make them successful later on,” he said.

“When you don’t know what the game is, you might have a wrong perception, and you think you don’t like it,” he said.

Ndrita teaches the girls skills such as dribbling, passing, changing direction and shooting.

But, he uses a series of age-appropriate games to help the girls learn the fundamentals, while still having fun.

For example, he teaches the girls how to keep the ball moving, while keeping it under close control, in a game he calls Park Ranger.

Ndrita believes in encouraging the girls to take an interest in the sport.

“All of them, at this age — as long as they are athletic, they are promising prospects. We can add the skills that they need. We can complete them,” he said.

Seven-year-old Kayla Leonard is pleased with a kick that knocked over a cone during a game aimed at teaching the girls soccer passing skills.

The pace is active, but Ndrita gives the girls frequent water and rest breaks.

There’s no stress involved. Players come to the session if they can.

So far, about 30 different girls have shown up. Some have come back every week. Others haven’t.

The program gets high marks from parents.

Kristen Leonard said her 7-year-old daughter, Kayla, loves the sessions.

“She’s getting to play with girls. That’s really important to us. A lot of the programs around here are coed. We want her to play with girls,” she said.

Leonard said her older daughter, Emily, has played on coed teams, and she has observed that girls can be treated differently by their male counterparts.

“We noticed with her (Emily’s teams), sometimes the boys don’t want to pass to the girls. Or they don’t realize that girls can play. They underestimate their skills.

“That would frustrate her a lot.

“I think from a confidence standpoint, it’s important that they (girls) get to play with girls,” Leonard said.

Nadia Gonzalez is developing a real love for soccer, says her mother, Ginger Gonzalez. Her first introduction to the game came earlier this summer at free Saturday morning sessions offered by the Wesley Chapel Soccer Club.

Emily Leonard, who was there with her mom, said that coaches sometimes underestimate girls, too — choosing to leave them on the bench more often, or to sub them out more frequently than the boys.

Leanne Henderson, of Wesley Chapel, is pleased that her 7-year-old daughter, Kate, is taking advantage of the opportunity.

“I started when I was this age. It just became my life,” said Henderson, who attended college on a soccer scholarship in Mississippi. “It’s a great sport.”

Eight-year-old Nadia Gonzalez and her 6-year-old sister, Neleia, wanted to try out a new sport, so came to the first free session, said their mom, Ginger Gonzalez, of Wesley Chapel.

“We came out, and they absolutely fell in love with it,” she said. They liked it so much, they signed up for a soccer camp, too.

Two dads were also out watching their daughters at the session.

Kevin Sowles said his daughter, Lexi, is learning skills he didn’t learn until he was 14 or 15.

“These are the girls that want to be here. These girls are really focused, and they’re listening, and they’re really engaged,” he said.

Robert Licciardello, whose daughter Olivia, was on the field, agreed.

“They get good training. They get the basics down, first.

“I love it,” Licciardello said.

Ndrita said the whole idea is to give girls a chance to find out what soccer is all about.

He doesn’t care what program they join, but he hopes they’ll keep playing.

“As long as they play soccer, that is our goal. As long as they know the game is beautiful,” he said.

Soccer training for girls
What: Wesley Chapel Soccer Club is offering free soccer lessons on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Why: To give girls a chance to learn about soccer.
Who: The program is for girls, age 5 through age 7
Where: Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel
How much: Free
For information, visit WesleyChapelSC.com.

Published July 22, 2015

Higher school impact fees coming to Pasco?

July 22, 2015 By B.C. Manion

A discussion has begun in Pasco County that could lead to higher impact fees paid by new residential development to address growing demands for school construction.

Increased school impact fees might provide a source of revenue that could help plug the growing gap between the revenue the district receives and its construction needs, according to district officials.

But the idea of an increased school impact fee is a long way from reality.

The swarm of students passing through school corridors at Wiregrass Ranch High School is like a traffic jam. (Courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch HIgh School) — The swarm of students passing through school corridors at Wiregrass Ranch High School is like a traffic jam.
(Courtesy of Wiregrass Ranch HIgh School)

Any increase would have to be recommended by the Pasco School Board and adopted by the Pasco County Commission.

The last time the school board sought a school impact fee increase in 2007 it fell flat.

The current rate is $4,356 per single-family unit. A recommendation was made in 2007 to increase the single-family home impact feet to $8,606.

That proposed increase was rejected.

No new rate has been proposed yet, but the district has hired Tischler Bise, to conduct an impact fee update study.

Tischler Bise has done work on these issues for a number of Florida school districts, including DeSoto, Lee, Manatee and Seminole counties. It also did the Pasco school district’s study in 2007.

Carson Bise of Tischler Bise gave school board members an overview of the current situation at a July 7 workshop.

The district’s school construction funding has been declining for a variety of reasons, Bise said.

Property value declines have led to lower revenues, he said. For instance, in 2007-2008, the district received $42.3 million for capital projects, compared to the $32.4 million in 2014-2015, Bise said.

Other sources of state funding have been cut drastically, or eliminated entirely, he added.

The sluggish economy also reduced Penny for Pasco proceeds, Bise said.

The first time the optional penny sales tax passed, the school district’s share yielded $145.1 million.

The second penny, which took effect in 2015, is expected to generate about $226 million. But, that money cannot be spent on new school construction. It can only be spent on maintenance and new technology.

School impact fees, which are collected only from new residential development, can be spent to purchase land, to buy buses, furniture and portables, to construct facilities or for debt service.

As of the end of 2014, the district has collected $120 million in school impact fees.

Since 2002, however, the district has built 22 new schools at a cost of $301 million, Bise said.

Oakstead Elementary, Dr. John Long Middle, Double Branch Elementary, Charles S. Rushe Middle, Wiregrass Ranch High, Sunlake High, New River Elementary, Veterans Elementary, Watergrass Elementary and Connerton Elementary schools are the new schools that have opened in The Laker/Lutz News’ coverage area since 2002.

Elementary School W in Wiregrass Ranch is slated to open in 2016, and Elementary B in Bexley Ranch South and High School GGG on Old Pasco Road are scheduled to open in 2017.

Bise told officials that impact fee revenue must earmark money for specific capital projects, which encourages disciplined capital improvement planning.

He also noted that the revenues help to ensure adequate public facilities, which is a plus for homebuilders who are seeking to attract buyers to a particular market.

“In our experience, the smart developers like impact fees because it (the fee) guarantees that they’re going to be in business,” Bise said. “They get the fact that having a great school system, or a great road network or a great park system makes the community attractive and makes their product marketable, and also helps from an economic development perspective, as well.”

It’s not difficult to see that more schools will be needed, as growth ramps up in Pasco County.

During a discussion of the district’s construction plan, immediately prior to the impact fee workshop, school board member Alison Crumbley voiced concerns about providing schools for children who will be living in the new subdivisions that are on the drawing boards, or sprouting up in the county’s State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor.

Superintendent Kurt Browning echoed those sentiments.

Even without that new construction, the district is feeling the squeeze.

This fall, Wiregrass Ranch High School is expected to have around 2,500 students. It is going to a 10-period day to help manage the number of students on its campus. The entire student body will be there just three periods of the day, with the impacts lessened because roughly 500 of those students will be eating lunch during any particular time.

Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd told school board members that district already is making efforts to ensure that the building community is part of the impact fee discussion.

Bise also reminded school board members that even their support would not be enough.

“Although you are your own taxing entity, you don’t control your destiny in terms of impact fees. The Board of County Commissioners sets that rate for you,” he said.

He also noted that Florida is the only state where his firm does impact fee studies where that’s the case.

Published July 22, 2015

Growth spurs school construction

July 15, 2015 By B.C. Manion

When Pasco County School Board member Alison Crumbley considers anticipated growth along the State Road 54/56 corridor, she said, she is “taken aback.”

She worries about the school district’s ability to provide schools for all of the students who will be moving into the new communities that are taking shape along that corridor.

Construction continues at Sanders Memorial Elementary School, which is set to focus on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — Construction continues at Sanders Memorial Elementary School, which is set to focus on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

Superintendent Kurt Browning shares that sentiment.

“That 54 corridor concerns me greatly,” Browning said, during a recent school board workshop on the district’s construction plans.

“Our need certainly outpaces our resources,” the superintendent said. “When you look at the 54 corridor, from really, Little Road to just beyond Wiregrass, that’s Curley Road — there is so much growth and projected growth.

“Even up on Curley, there’s master-planned communities.

“As superintendent, it concerns me, because I know moms and dads don’t want their kids in crowded classrooms. And I don’t want their kids in crowded classrooms.

“Nor, do I want to build new schools and, the next thing you know, you see portables being pulled up on those school campuses,” Browning said.

The lack of revenue has prompted the school district to launch an impact fee study, which could lead to higher school impact fees paid for new construction of residential properties in Pasco County.

Meanwhile, the district is engaged in numerous construction projects and have others planned in the near future.

Chris Williams, director of planning, outlined those projects during the board’s workshop. He also provided additional details during a separate interview.

Crews at Sanders Memorial Elementary School work to ensure that the county’s first magnet school opens on schedule in August.

Sanders Memorial Elementary School is getting a massive makeover — and the Land O’ Lakes Elementary School is getting more than a brand new look. It is also becoming Pasco County’s first magnet school.

When Sanders opens in the fall, it will offer a curriculum that emphasizes science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.

Quail Hollow Elementary, set to reopen in August, has a new floor plan that established individual classrooms in the formerly “open” school. The school also will have updated building systems, technology on par with any new elementary school in the district and a new cafeteria with a stage.

The school district also is in the process of designing three new schools, Elementary W in Wiregrass Ranch, Elementary B in Bexley Ranch, and High School GGG on Old Pasco Road, which will open as a school for sixth grade through 12th grade.

The district also is planning additional schools in the Wesley Chapel area.

“Elementary W is the first of potentially three or four in Wiregrass,” Williams said during the board workshop.

The district is working on a new design for Elementary B in Bexley Ranch, because it wants the school to accommodate more students than a typical district elementary school, Williams said.

Bexley Ranch will provide substantial relief for Oakstead and Odessa elementary schools, Williams said.

Other future schools are proposed for the Bexley Ranch area, and a future elementary school is planned for Starkey Ranch. A future middle school is also proposed for Starkey Ranch, Williams said.

The district also already has purchased land for a future school on the south side of State Road 54.

The biggest concern about middle school capacity is in the Wesley Chapel area, Williams said.

High School GGG, which will serve grades six through 12, will provide significant relief to Wesley Chapel area middle schools and high schools.

Wiregrass Ranch High has so many students, it is going to a 10-period day for the next two years to manage the number of students on campus at one time.

High School GGG will have a capacity of 1,900 students. It is expected to draw students from areas now assigned to Wiregrass Ranch and Wesley Chapel high schools, and Weightman and Long middle schools.

The district is using this approach because it can’t afford to build both a high school and a middle school. As population grows and demand increases, the district plans to build Middle School HH at the same location.

The boundary process for High School GGG and Elementary School B is expected to begin in about 18 months, the planning director said.

Williams said he is concerned about the ability of Mitchell, Sunlake and Land O’ Lakes high schools to absorb anticipated future enrollment.

“Land O’ Lakes (High), hopefully, when we remodel that school, we can add some capacity. It’s not going to be enough for long-term,” Williams said.

“We do have a high school site promised to us in Bexley Ranch. That potentially is going to have a big impact, especially on Sunlake.

“I continue to look for two additional high school sites, one in the Land O’ Lakes area and one in the (State Road) 54/Suncoast Parkway area,” Williams said.

But he added: “Those are hard to come by.”

“There is a high school site promised in the River Landing area, that could potentially impact Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass and Zephyrhills,” Williams said.

“It would be along the extension of State Road 56. It would be east of Mansfield, but on the west side of Morris Bridge Road. Zephyr Egg Property, if you’d ever heard of that,” he said.

School Board member Allen Altman said he’s worried that the increasing need to spend money on new construction will make it that much harder for the district to maintain the buildings it has.

It’s a known fact that proper maintenance saves taxpayers money in the long term, but the district doesn’t have a choice. It must spend money to provide school capacity, he said.

While the district considers its long-range plans and short-term needs, construction continues.

Elementary W, being built between John Long Middle School and Wiregrass Ranch High, is set to open in 2016.

When it opens, it will be possible for students to attend elementary school through college on the same street, since Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch is just down the road.

Williams expects the school boundary process for Elementary W to begin in October or November.

That school will help relieve crowding at Seven Oaks and Double Branch elementary schools, but the particulars of how that will be achieved have not been determined yet.

“Seven Oaks really popped this year,” Williams said.

Meanwhile, in East Pasco, the school district will be building a new cafeteria, and doing parking and traffic improvements at Cox Elementary.

Pasco Elementary also is getting some improvements, as plans call for remodeling several buildings, Williams said.

Published July 15, 2015

Wesley Chapel company expects to expand to new markets

July 15, 2015 By B.C. Manion

KeriCure Inc., a Wesley Chapel company, has secured a patent that is expected to open new doors for partnerships with pharmaceutical and medical device companies.

“Our foundation of the company was actually built around this nanoparticle drug delivery technology that I helped to create at the University of South Florida,” said Kerriann Greenhalgh, who operates the company from her Wesley Chapel home.

Kerriann Greenhalgh shows off the products her company has developed which are sold online and in stores. She expects a much broader array of uses for her product, now that she has secured a new patent. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Kerriann Greenhalgh shows off the products her company has developed which are sold online and in stores. She expects a much broader array of uses for her product, now that she has secured a new patent.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

The company, which launched in 2011, has been offering consumer products to help promote the healing of cuts and wounds on people and pets, through liquid bandages sprayed on the skin.

The polymer retains its elasticity, protecting the wound and allowing the cut to heal.

The products for people are sold under the names Natural Seal Liquid Bandage, Natural Seal and Natural Seal on the Go, and are available at Publix, Kroger, Price Choppers, Marsh and Meijer, and in natural product stores throughout the United States.

The pet products are known as Tough Seal for Pets and Champion Seal, and are available online and at some feed stores.

The company also has a professional line of liquid bandage products, under the name of KeriCure’s Advanced Seal — Rx for Medical Use. That formulation is used by physicians in various cosmetic, dermatological, burn, wound care and post-surgical applications.

With a patent granted in June, Greenhalgh expects her unique polymer to be used in a much broader array of applications.

The patent “gives us the opportunity to talk to larger pharmaceutical companies — who have products, drugs, bioactives that they want to deliver topically — and tell them we have a great, FDA-cleared system in place now, and that we can incorporate their drug into and provide very sustained release with our product,” Greenhalgh explained.

“One area that we’re looking at is in the anti-cancer area,” she said.

“We would incorporate a very well-known anti-cancer drug into our polymer system,” she said. Or, her product could be used to apply radiation seeds topically.

Patients could benefit from her company’s product, she said.

“The beauty of this is that they wouldn’t have to be getting exposed to massive amounts of radiation. It would be extremely targeted,” she said. “So, you would get rid of a lot of the side effects that happen with radiation.

“That is a very serious opportunity,” she said.

KeriCure is currently talking to various companies that have an interest in its technology, Greenhalgh said, including 3M. “They have a couple of projects that they’re interested in having us collaborate on.”

Greenhalgh said she launched the company as a consumer products company because it was the smoothest way to raise revenue.

“We really want to grow in the biotech space and create products for advanced wound care, like chronic wounds and burn wounds,” Greenhalgh said. “We’re actually in talks with a couple of large wound care companies, as a private label. We do have a very interesting opportunity in front of us right now.”

“We’ve just been asked to go to CVS and present to its private label group of buyers, so they’re interested in bringing the product on as a CVS product,” she said.

“We just got picked up by Cardinal Health. They’re the largest medical product distributor in the U.S.,” she said, adding her company will be attending Cardinal Health’s trade show in Las Vegas this month.

It also is presenting at Winn-Dixie’s local buyer division this week.

Greenhalgh grew up in New Tampa and graduated from Wharton High School before obtaining her bachelor’s degree and doctorate from USF.

The scientist lives with her husband, Daniel Opp, and their son, Nolan Opp, near Quail Hollow.

Published July 15, 2015

Peering into the world of medicine

July 8, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Students who are interested in potential medical careers had a chance to get an up-close look at them during the B.E.S.T. Academy Camp Program at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills.

Greg Mathis, program director for the B.E.S.T. Academy Camp Program at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, poses with student Emily Daffron, one of 20 students taking part in the academy. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — Greg Mathis, program director for the B.E.S.T. Academy Camp Program at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, poses with student Emily Daffron, one of 20 students taking part in the academy.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

The camp, which concluded on June 26, gave 20 students a chance to work side-by-side with experienced health care professionals to see for themselves if the world of medicine is right for them.

The students were selected through a competitive process, said Greg Mathis, of Pasco County Schools, the program coordinator for the B.E.S.T. program in Zephyrhills.

“The program is new here in Pasco County. It’s been in Hillsborough County for 10 years,” Mathis said.

Dr. Dexter Frederick initiated the program at Florida Hospital Tampa because of a desire to give kids a chance to enter the arena of medicine to see that it’s a dream they could make come true for themselves, Mathis said.

It was expanded to Florida Hospital Zephyrhills this year, after Camille Watkins, assistant principal at Zephyrhills High School, inquired into the possibility of bringing the program to Pasco County students.

Watkins’ twin sons, Abera and Addelove, both attended the Florida Hospital Tampa program last year, Mathis said.

TeNiiyah Gore, a participant at the B.E.S.T. Academy Camp Program at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, said the program ‘gives us a chance to discover what we want to be.’

Both said they benefited from the experience they had in the B.E.S.T. Academy Program at Florida Hospital Tampa last year. And, they helped with the program at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills this year.

Abera Watkins said he wants to specialize in pediatrics, while his twin brother, Addelove, wants to specialize in cardiology.

Both of them said they are willing to do the work and take on the debt to make those dreams a reality.

Early exposure to potential health care career options is critical, Mathis said.

“Kids may never even think about medicine, because mom and dad didn’t go to college,” Mathis said.

But, he added, if they become aware of options they want to explore, they can be sure to take the proper classes to enable them to lay the groundwork for those careers.

The Zephyrhills program accepted freshmen through seniors, who were selected through a process that considered a variety of factors, including their academic record and interviews with them and their parents, Mathis said.

Students taking part in the Pasco program came from Zephyrhills, Pasco and Wiregrass Ranch high schools.

Joan Conrad, director of patient experience at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, coordinated the hospital’s participation.

Program participant Alexayra Classen enjoyed observing the hospital’s operating room. ‘It’s really fast. No one bumps into each other. That was interesting, how they all kind of work around each other,’ she said.

“I think it’s fantastic,” Conrad said. It can help give kids a road map to pursuing their dreams, she said, noting some kids know they want something, but have no idea how to pursue it.

By observing and talking to people who work in the field, students get a real feel for possible careers in health care, Conrad said. In some cases, they may find out that a field they thought they wanted to pursue isn’t exactly what they had pictured. In other cases, they may be exposed to a career that they find captivating.

Mathis, who is a teacher for Pasco County Schools, is delighted with Florida Hospital’s support of the program.

“I can’t say enough about Florida Hospital, and what they’re doing. I am thrilled, overwhelmed,” Mathis said.

Activities in the program included hospital rotations, classroom instruction, guest speakers and workshops on health careers and health issues.

“The good thing is that now we have a lot of kids who say, ‘This is possible.’ ” Mathis said.

“It’s a lot of hard work. That’s been stressed. Don’t think that anything you feel is worthwhile in life is going to be easy,” Mathis said. “We’re not only preaching medicine, medicine, medicine. We’re preaching professionalism, courtesy, hard work.

“It’s hands-on. That’s the beautiful part of it,” Mathis said.

The students are exposed to different health careers and different options, to see which one best fits them.

“Like today, we have kids in the OR (operating room), OB (obstetrics), ICU (intensive care unit), post-cardiac care, dietary. They’re everywhere,” Mathis said.

Jenny Craig, will be a sophomore at Pasco High, was enjoying the experience.

Jenny Craig said she took part in the program because she thought it ‘would be a great opportunity to get some experience in OB (obstetrics), as well as the other departments.’

“I’ve always been interested in medicine. I thought this would be a great opportunity to get some experience in OB (obstetrics), as well as the other departments.

“Today, I was on a PT (physical therapy) rotation. I thought it was really cool,” she said.

TeNiiyah Gore, will be a junior at Zephyrhills High School, said the experience is beneficial for students.

“I think it gives us a chance to discover what we want to be. It helps us to see what it’s like to be in the medical field and whether you want to be here or not,” Gore said.

Alexayra Classen, who will be a senior at Pasco High School, said she’s leaning toward a career in neonatal nursing.”

She enjoyed observing the way things work in the hospital’s operating room.

“It’s really fast. No one bumps into each other. That was interesting, how they all kind of work around each other,” Classen said.

Emily Daffron, who will be a senior at Zephyrhills High School, knows that her future holds a career in the health care arena.

“I’m really dead set on pursuing a medical career. I don’t have any other backup plans,” Daffron said. “I really want to be a nurse. I want to interact with patients and I want to have an impact on their lives.”

In addition to gaining from the experience, the students got scrubs with the B.E.S.T. logo on them, and also a medical starter kit.

The starter kit contains thermometers, litmus testers, gloves, a stethoscope and other medical equipment.

The two-week B.E.S.T. program began on June 15 and concluded with a graduation ceremony on June 26.

B.E.S.T. Academy participants
These students took part in the inaugural B.E.S.T. Academy program at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills: Lyndsey Lee, Alexayra Classen, TeNiiyah Gore, Eve Faison, Sandra Garcia, Janessa Barbar, Jamiqua Mutcherson, Keith Brockington, Nora Ripley, Alec Troidl, Jamie Howard, Tabria James, John First, Bailey Douberley, Kiaria Singleton, Dahian Iozada, Jenny Craig, Maycalla Hicks, Emily Daffron and Christy Saji.

Published July 8, 2015

Fourth of July sparkles with patriotism

July 8, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Patriotism was on full display at the Independence Day festivities in Lutz.

Whether they were part of the parade, or on the sidelines watching, people came wearing red, white and blue — and were ready to celebrate.

The nation’s colors showed up everywhere.

Jennifer Rankin wins the honorary title of Lutz Guv’na 2015. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — Jennifer Rankin wins the honorary title of Lutz Guv’na 2015.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

They were on flags, in hair ribbons, on cowboy boots and emblazoned on the front of semi-trucks.

The parade, a community tradition, included the usual suspects.

There were Boy Scout troops, Girl Scout troops, elementary school kids and military veterans, too.

The veterans arrived in Jeeps and trucks, on motorcycles and some, riding stylishly, in a motorcade of Corvettes.

Adults and kids rode on floats featuring local businesses and area churches and sports teams.

Belly dancers jiggled their way down the parade route, while dancers from Dancercise showed off smooth moves and kids from martial arts studios broke boards with their hands and feet.

There were even some inflatable characters, including one representing the Civil Air Patrol and the Michelin man, who was there to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Dumas Tire Pros, a Lutz tire and auto repair shop.

Boy Scout Troop 12 has been a mainstay at the Lutz Fourth of July parades for decades.

“We like to support our community,” said DeWitt Dumas, of Dumas Tire Pros, and the company appreciates the community’s support, he added.

Lots of spectators arrived early to get a nice, shady spot.

Sam Calco was there early, staking out a spot for his family.

“We’ve lived in Lutz since ’87. We’ve made it every year, except for when we were out of town,” said Calco, who found a choice spot, under an oak, next to the library.

Now, with 4-year-old grandson, Leo McCullers, the event is even more fun, Calco said, noting, “He enjoys the beads and the candy and the fire trucks and the police cars.”

Karen Lucchese, another Lutz resident, said the parade is a great way to start Independence Day.

“To me, this is what it’s about. It’s all about hometown America. It’s exactly what you’re supposed to do for the Fourth of July, and it gives you a real sense of community,” said Lucchese, who was at the parade with her husband, Phil, her son, Tyler, his girlfriend, Lexi Neth and some other friends.

Little kids and adults lined the parade route, vying to take home some swag. There were beads, of course, but all kinds of candy, too. Some people walking down the parade route were handing out sunscreen and cardboard fans — welcome gifts on a sunny, sweltering day.

The parade wasn’t the only attraction.

There were amusement games and pony rides for kids, a cake and pie auction.

The cake and pie contest drew 28 entries, including a 5-pound apple pie, a cake shaped like a fish and another with the look of the community’s iconic train depot.

Wilma Lewis had eight entries in the competition.

Military officers rode in style during the Fourth of July in Lutz.

“I’m thinking she’s wanting one of those blue ribbons,” said Karen D’Amico, who coordinated the competition this year, under the tutelage of Marilyn Wannamaker.

Shirley Simmons entered her famous, made-from-scratch pound cake, which fetched $75 in the auction after the parade.

Another highlight of the day was the swearing-in of Jennifer Rankin, as the honorary Lutz Guv’na for 2015.

It was a moment that Rankin has desired since she was a student at Lutz Elementary School.

Of course, at that time, she thought it was a real political race.

Once she learned it was to raise money for community organizations, she was even more enthused, she said while on the campaign trail.

As a Lutz native who grew up in the family business, Al’s Lawn Care on North Dale Mabry Highway, Rankin said she was pleased to represent the family business which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

She thanked her family members for all of their hard work in helping her to win the race, and she thanked everyone who donated to the cause.

Others competing for the title were Cheryl Lynn Ayers and KarenSue Molis.

Ayers raised more than $2,800 in her bid for the title, Molis raised more than $7,300 and Rankin raised more than $9,200.

“These ladies are awesome,” said Suzin Carr, a two-time Guv’na, who announced the new Guv’na.

“Every penny, nickel, dime — counts,” Carr said. “Last year there were more than 20 local charities here that got a piece of this pie.”

Lutz wasn’t the only place hosting celebrations during Independence Day weekend. The Shops at Wiregrass and the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel hosted the fourth annual Wesley Chapel Freedom Festival, and the Pasco County Fairgrounds had its annual Sparklebration celebration.

Published July 8, 2015

Read-a-thon celebrates literary event

July 8, 2015 By B.C. Manion

When Harper Lee’s novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” was published in 1960, it captured the Pulitzer Prize, became an American classic in literature and was made into an Oscar-winning film, starring Gregory Peck.

Now, the sequel to that book is scheduled for release on July 14 and Barnes & Noble bookstores throughout the United States are celebrating the literary event by staging read-a-thons of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

The Barnes & Noble at The Shops at Wiregrass will have its read-a-thon on July 13, on the second floor of the bookstore, near the fiction section, said Karen Dietz, store manager.

The event will begin at 10 a.m., and volunteers will continue reading passages from the book until they have finished reading the entire novel.

It is expected to take between nine and 11 hours to complete the book, Dietz said.

“Of course, it’s available in audio, so we kind of gauged it by that,” Dietz said.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” deals with the serious issues of rape and racial inequality. Its narrator is Scout, a 10-year-old tomboy.

Lee’s other novel, “Go Set a Watchman,” revolves around the now-adult Scout, returning to her native Alabama from New York to visit her father.

The book was written before “To Kill a Mockingbird” but was only recently discovered.

Dietz said she was very excited when she learned that Lee had a second book.

“Go Set a Watchman,” Dietz said, “is being called the biggest literary event in our lifetime.”

She said her store is lining up volunteers for the read-a-thon.

“We would love to have as many people as possible, to celebrate this event,” Dietz said.

The plan is for each person to read 20 minutes to 30 minutes, but the length could vary based on how many people sign up.

The book, “Go Set a Watchman,” will not go on sale until the next day.

“We have been waiting over 50 years for this book. So, it’s a big deal,” Dietz said.

The new book’s release comes amidst conflicting reports over when the manuscript was discovered and by whom.

According to published accounts, publisher Harper Collins and Lee’s lawyer, Tonja B. Carter, have said that Carter stumbled upon the novel last August, but another report claims that it was first discovered in 2011 by a rare books expert from Sotheby’s auction house.

What: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ read-a-thon
Where: The Barnes & Noble bookstore at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28152 Paseo Drive, Suite 100 in Wesley Chapel.
When: The read-a-thon begins at 10 a.m. on July 13 and is expected to last between 9 hours and 11 hours.
To find out more, call (813) 907-7739 or email .

‘Go Set a Watchman’ goes on sale
Where: Barnes & Noble store at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28152 Paseo Drive, Suite 100, in Wesley Chapel.
When: 7 a.m. on July 13
Details: Those buying the book during the special event will receive a free cup of coffee from the bookstore’s café. The first 20 people to purchase the book will also receive a ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ tote bag.

Published July 8, 2015

Getting food on families’ tables faster

July 1, 2015 By B.C. Manion

A Feeding America Tampa Bay facility in Land O’ Lakes is being repurposed, meaning it will no longer be a place where local agencies can pick up food for their pantries.

That will be an adjustment for local agencies — such as Daystar Hope Center of Pasco County Inc., in Dade City — that have been picking up food from the Land O’ Lakes facility to pack in bags and boxes to give to people in need.

Sister Jean Abbott, who oversees Daystar Hope Center of Pasco County Inc., said she hopes that changes being made by Feeding America Tampa Bay will allow her agency to pick up donations from food suppliers closer to her food pantry. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — Sister Jean Abbott, who oversees Daystar Hope Center of Pasco County Inc., said she hopes that changes being made by Feeding America Tampa Bay will allow her agency to pick up donations from food suppliers closer to her food pantry.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

But Thomas Mantz, executive director of Feeding America Tampa Bay, said he believes the new system that will be used in Pasco will help deliver more food to family dinner tables faster.

Under the new system, Feeding America Tampa Bay will pick up food from suppliers and deliver goods to local agencies directly, or will facilitate arrangements between local agencies and local food suppliers, Mantz said.

“We did this in Pinellas County two years ago,” he said, and the organization’s experiences have demonstrated that the model works.

The change will not mean less food going to feed the poor in Pasco County, Mantz said. “We are invested in Pasco.”

In 2013, 3 million pounds of food was distributed in Pasco. In 2014, the amount increased to 4.5 million pounds of food.

Still, there needs to be more, Mantz said.

“There’s not enough food in Pasco County to feed everybody,” Mantz said.

The Land O’ Lakes facility will stop providing food to local agencies in early July, Mantz said.

These are some of the items stocked in the pantry at Daystar Hope Center of Pasco County Inc. The inventory changes, based on what’s available, said Sister Jean Abbott, who oversees the food pantry.

It will be put to a different use, and that use will support the organization’s overall mission, Mantz said.

One possible use would be a chophouse, where fruits and vegetables would be chopped and bagged, to keep the foods fresh for longer periods, Mantz said.

Sister Jean Abbott, who oversees Daystar’s operations, said she would welcome arrangements that allow her pantry to pick up food items directly from local grocers.

“It eliminates them running their trucks all over the road. It eliminates us running our trucks all over the road,” she said.

“We used to go to Sweetbay. We went there twice a week,” she said. We’d gladly do that again. That was a sweet deal for us. We loved it,” she said.

In fact, when Kash’n Karry rebranded to Sweetbay, they got rid of all of the stuff that said Kash’n Karry,” Abbott said.

“We had two or three truckloads of stuff — out of their freezers, off their shelves, packaged things.

“Merciful heavens, we had stuff. It was wonderful,” Abbott said.

Published July 1, 2015

Charter school finds a home

July 1, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Garden Montessori Charter School has signed a five-year lease on a new 22,000-square-foot home in a former fitness facility in Wesley Chapel.

“It’s a beautiful property,” John Selover, a consultant for the charter school said. “We’re really excited about it.”

Garden Montessori Charter School has signed a five-year lease on the property now known as Sports and Field, at 2029 Arrowgrass Drive. (Photos courtesy of Garden Montessori Charter School) — Garden Montessori Charter School has signed a five-year lease on the property now known as Sports and Field, at 2029 Arrowgrass Drive.
(Photos courtesy of Garden Montessori Charter School)

In addition to the building at the Sports and Field Inc. location, at 2029 Arrowgrass Drive, there’s a large fenced play area, Selover said.

“When we move in there this year, we’ll have temporary walls and partitions, with the idea that we’ll make that more permanent down the road,” he said.

The school is opening this fall with an enrollment of around 215 children, in kindergarten through second grade.

Selover said many people believe that Montessori education is a private-school only type of situation.

But Garden Montessori School is a charter school, meaning there’s no tuition for children attending the school.

The Sports and Field building, which has been leased to Garden Montessori Charter School, has an exterior rock wall.

The same is true for Countryside Montessori Charter School, which is located in Land O’ Lakes.

Garden Montessori School has its roots in a private preschool and kindergarten that has been offering the Montessori approach to education since 2009.

Parents of some of those children were interested in continuing to pursue that type of education in elementary school, and the school sought permission from Pasco County to open a charter elementary school.

There are still some seats available at Garden Montessori Charter School.

General information and enrollment details can be found at GMCSWC.weebly.com.

Published July 1, 2015