The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

‘I’m always up for a challenge,’ teacher says

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As students head off for summer vacation, Becky Cicione will simply be changing her teaching venue.

The Connerton Elementary School teacher will spend her summer teaching in Pasco County Schools’ science camp for children at Title 1 schools.

“When I do my work in the summertime, it’s an outdoor science camp that’s enhanced by iPads. It’s held through district. We go to different locations.

Becky Cicione helps Alice Clark as she tries to get her electronic device to work. Meanwhile, Matthew Graves tries to work through a mathematics problem. Students at Connerton are allowed to bring their own electronic devices, with a parent’s permission, Cicione said. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Becky Cicione helps Alice Clark as she tries to get her electronic device to work. Meanwhile, Matthew Graves tries to work through a mathematics problem. Students at Connerton are allowed to bring their own electronic devices, with a parent’s permission, Cicione said.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“Every week, I have a new school. I spend four days with those kids,” she said, doing hands-on experiments.

When she’s not teaching the summer classes, though, she teaches fifth-graders at Connerton Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes.

Her favorite age group is between 9 and 14, she said.

“That’s the age group where they start to develop their real personalities,” she said. She enjoys trying to teach them crucial information as they begin to exhibit “that teen attitude,” she said. “I’m always up for a challenge.”

She also enjoys using technology in her classroom to help students learn.

She doesn’t use technology every day because the school doesn’t have enough equipment to make that happen, but she sees its value.

During a recent mathematics class, for instance, Cicione posed a number of questions, which students worked out on iPads, which had been checked out for the class.

Except for some technical glitches, the students worked quickly through a series of problems.

Cicione projected the work and the answers on a board, so students could see the results.

At the same time, the computers tracked the students’ work — giving the teacher a tool she can use to help her pinpoint which students are struggling, as well as to see who is staying on pace or excelling.

She used an app called NearPod that allows her to see and save each child’s response to her questions. She can use the information she gleans to provide immediate support when students need it.

The teacher thinks that her use of technology may have contributed to her recognition by Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet during a spring meeting at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

Cicione doesn’t know who nominated her for the Shine Award, but she was pleased by the recognition.

The Governor presents medals to the recipients throughout the year, to show appreciation for Florida’s exceptional teachers and for their commitment to improving the state’s education system.

Cicione said someone from the state Department of Education called Connerton Principal Aimee Boltz informing her that Cicione had been nominated and asking if the teacher was a worthy candidate.

“My principal (Aimee Boltz) goes, ‘Absolutely,’ ” Cicione said.

“She called me right away. She said, ‘You would not believe this. You have been nominated for the Shine award.’ ”

Then the principal announced it over the school intercom.

“My kids start cheering and jumping up and down.” Cicione said.

When Cicione returned to the school with the medal, her students were excited, the teacher said.

“The kids wanted to see it. They wanted to touch it. They were like, ‘Mrs. Cicione, you have to hang it up.’ ”

She told her students: “This is for you guys because I’m here, for you.”

Now in her fifth year of teaching, Cicione said the award was a shock.

“I kept thinking to myself, ‘I’m so young. I just turned 28.’ ”

Many of the other recipients, she said, had been teaching for decades.

At Connerton, she teaches mathematics and science to fifth-graders.

She thoroughly enjoys her job.

“I just love kids. I love working with them. They take you for who you are. They love you no matter what, and all they want is love,” Cicione said.

She recalls beginning to develop a love for math during second grade.

Her teacher was amazing, she said.

“He just was so kind. He made math so much fun,” she said.

One of the things she likes about teaching math is that it is a universal language.

She’s had students who were still learning English, but their eyes light up when they see that they’re facing math problems, she said.

“They’re like, ‘Ah, numbers. I get it.’ ”

Because math came easy to her, she said she’s been able to find ways to help make it easier for her students.

“I do a lot of small group. I do a lot of one-on-one,” she said.

She also pairs kids up as study buddies, to help each other.

“Kids learn well from each other. In order to learn better yourself, teaching it kind of reinforces those concepts.”

But she’s also mindful that some children are ahead of the curve and need more challenging work.

When she encounters that, she gives those students more difficult work and while they’re busy with that, she’ll use time to give struggling students additional help.

“It’s a balancing act. Every group of kids, it’s different,” she said.

As much as she enjoys teaching, there’s a job she would like even more.

She’d love to give teachers the technology support they need, she said.

“When things break down, we need it fixed right away. I’m very tech savvy. I love to fix things,” she said.

She’d also love to teach teachers how to use technology and to tap into all of the ways it can help to enrich lessons.

“If you don’t have someone to show you the way, you’re kind of lost,” she said.

At one point, Pasco County Schools had positions that were designed to do the kind of work she’d like to do, but those positions were eliminated by budget cuts.

With the increasing use of technology in schools, Cicione thinks that kind of position will one day be restored.

“That’s like my dream job. I know it will come back,” Cicione said.

Published June 3, 2015

Educator says caring is key to helping others learn

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It doesn’t take a detective to figure out Julie Hiltz’s philosophy of education.

The media specialist spells it out, quite literally, on a sign displayed in the media center at Lutz Elementary School.

Students coming into her domain will see a sign listing six declarations.

Julie Hiltz, a media specialist at Lutz Elementary School, was honored in the spring by Gov. Rick Scott for her work in education. She has worked at Lutz Elementary for 12 of her 13 years as an educator. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Julie Hiltz, a media specialist at Lutz Elementary School, was honored in the spring by Gov. Rick Scott for her work in education. She has worked at Lutz Elementary for 12 of her 13 years as an educator.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“I believe in you. I trust in you. I will listen to you. I care for you. You are important. You will succeed,” Hiltz concludes the list by adding a red heart, followed by her name.

Apparently, Hiltz’s ability to help others succeed has helped her to be successful, too.

She received a Shine Award for her work in education from Gov. Rick Scott, during a spring Florida Cabinet meeting at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

She doesn’t know who nominated her for the recognition, but she believes the award may have been linked to her work as a Teacherpreneur, with the Center for Teaching Quality.

For the past two years, Hiltz has divided her time between Lutz Elementary and the Center for Teaching Quality.

“It’s considered a hybrid teaching role,” said Hiltz, an educator for 13 years.

As a Teacherpreneur, Hiltz has worked with teachers and professional development groups in Volusia, Seminole, Highlands, Lake and Escambia counties.

The hybrid approach gives educators a chance to keep a foot in the classroom and take on a leadership role, without having to leave the classroom entirely to become an administrator, she explained.

The idea is to find ways to keep good teachers teaching by providing an avenue for them to help shape education beyond their classroom’s walls, she said.

“We want to find a way to keep good teachers in the classroom. There’s got to be a way for them to have some kind of additional influence and additional challenges, without saying ‘You need to go into administration,’ ” she said.

In some ways, teaching hasn’t changed much over generations. Teachers go about their day teaching, mostly in isolation, she said.

“We pass each other in the hallway, but we’re not able to get into one another’s classrooms to see people teaching, to find out what they’re doing,” she said.

“As a teacher, you don’t know (that) what you’re doing is spectacular or wonderful. You just assume everybody is doing it,” Hiltz said.

“Maybe they’re just this one step away from being a master teacher. Maybe there’s just one thing, if they added, would take them to the next level,” she said.

The Center for Teaching Quality celebrates effective teachers, encourages them to share their expertise and offers opportunities for growth, she said.

Hiltz said she has enjoyed her experience as a Teacherpreneur, noting that besides working with teachers and professional development teams, the experience also gave an opportunity to broaden her understanding of state funding, policies and regulations.

But after a two-year stint in that hybrid role, she’s ready to return full-time to Lutz Elementary.

She said she wants to use her skills to help both students and teachers.

The use of technology has changed the delivery of instruction, she said.

In her work as a media specialist, she said, “there’s been a lot more emphasis of not just book circulation and literature appreciation, but research skills, accessing online resources, using the technology that they’re using in the classrooms — providing support for that.”

In an increasingly digital world, students take in information differently than they did in the past, she said. There’s also been a shift away from rote memorization and an increased emphasis on being able to solve problems, in multiple ways.

Despite those changes, though, Hiltz believes the key to effective teaching remains the same.

“It goes back to basic relationship building with your students,” she said.

“Early on, I had a mentor who said, ‘Kids don’t care what you know, until they know you care,” Hiltz said.

It’s important to find a hook to engage students in a lesson, she said.

But it goes deeper.

“You’ve got to find what motivates them and why they’re going to care about what you have to tell them,” she said.

“The students in your rooms have different needs. They learn different ways,” she said.

And, while it’s hard to watch students struggle, that’s part of the learning process, Hiltz added.

“They need to know it’s OK to make mistakes. They need to know how to treat each other and, frankly, how to treat themselves,” she said.

Hiltz said she was honored by the governor’s award.

That recognition, however, appears to be icing on the cake for the educator.

“I love my job. I cannot imagine doing anything else,” Hiltz said.

Published June 3, 2015

Making music in the night

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They come strolling in, carrying instrument cases.

They settle themselves in — around the band room at Thomas Weightman Middle School — and begin tuning up.

As more musicians arrive, the practice glides into full gear.

Luis Rosado plays with intensity during a practice session of the Wesley Chapel Wind Ensemble. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Luis Rosado plays with intensity during a practice session of the Wesley Chapel Wind Ensemble.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

This is a group that calls itself the Wesley Chapel Wind Ensemble, and they’re rehearsing for a performance called “Broadway Comes to Pasco” which is scheduled for June 13 at 7 p.m.

In addition to medleys from Broadway musicals, the program includes special guest Dana P. Rowe, who is a Broadway composer. The evening will include the debut of an original arrangement of Jeremy Silverman, former professor of music at Saint Leo University.

June Hammond, an associate professor of music at Saint Leo University, directs the ensemble.

During a recent rehearsal, she put the musicians through their paces.

She coaxed and cajoled the musicians as they rehearsed — urging them to hit proper notes with precise timing.

Hammond has directed the group for about a year-and-a-half.

“One of my goals has been to grow the musicians. Challenge them mentally. Challenge them physically. Teach them new things. I’m always looking for pieces that are going to push them, not only musically, but intellectually,” Hammond said.

At the same time, she said, “you have to temper that with pieces that are going to keep their interest.”

When people hear the ensemble perform, she said, they “are usually quite surprised by the wide range of music that we play,” she said.

Besides challenging the musicians, Hammond also enjoys passing along tidbits of her musical knowledge.

She may share a fact about Baroque music history, or tell them about Beethoven’s habit of counting the coffee beans in his grinder, she said. Or, maybe she’ll reveal that Beethoven’s favorite food was macaroni and cheese, or that he routinely enjoyed fish and potatoes on Fridays.

The Wesley Chapel Wind Ensemble began in 2007, when Glenn Weatherly, a newcomer from Michigan, decided to try to form a brass quintet.

“It actually started as a church outreach program,” said Weatherly, who was then attending the former Crossroads United Methodist Church.

Over the years, the group has evolved.

In the beginning, it rehearsed in a backroom of the Hyundai dealership in Wesley Chapel and then at the church. It has been meeting regularly at Weightman, which is located on Wells Road in Wesley Chapel, since 2012.

The ensemble, which now has roughly 40 members, has grown mostly through word of mouth, Weatherly said.

It is made up of people from all walks of life — including a banker, a caterer, a doctor, a teacher, to name just a few.

For Weatherly, the practices are close to home. He lives in Wesley Chapel. Others make the trek from communities including Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Dade City and Zephyrhills.

They are of assorted ages and skill levels.

“Our oldest member is 85, and we have several high school students. Both of my daughters play with us from time to time,” Weatherly said.

Molly Bacon, a bassoon player, thinks it’s nice that parents can make music with their kids. “My son plays tuba here,” said Bacon, who also plays in three other musical groups.

Most of the musicians played in high school, and some played in college.

Some, like Bacon, play in several groups.

Others, like Dr. Sandy Lamphier hadn’t played their instrument for ages, before they picked it up again.

The group rehearses every Thursday night — except for several weeks in the summer. Typically, they practice for about two hours.

For some, the ensemble is their only chance to make music with a group.

“We have one home-schooled student. She studies privately, but this gives her a group to play in,” Weatherly said.

The ensemble is made up of mainly brass, woodwind and percussion instruments.

But, Weatherly said, “We have one violin.” The group previously had a cello player, too.

Dues are $25 a year to cover costs for sheet music and other expenses.

The show they are preparing for includes music from West Side Story, Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar and the Wizard of Oz.

“We have a special guest coming in, Dana P. Rowe. He is a professional Broadway composer,” Weatherly said.

Rowe composed the original music for Zombie Prom, the Witches of Eastwick and Brother Russia, Weatherly added.

“Because we have Dana Rowe coming to town, we actually hired Jeremy Silverman to work with Dana, and he actually arranged an original piece just for our group.

“This is a medley of Dana’s music. This has never been played before,” Weatherly said.

While the musicians look forward to performances, they enjoy their rehearsals, too.

Lamphier, who plays French horn, said she played the instrument when she was in middle school and high school, but then not again for more than 30 years.

Since joining the ensemble, “I, personally, have improved my abilities about 5,000 percent,” she said, via email.

“But that’s not saying much,” she added, “because I started at a very rudimentary level.”

She enjoys improving her skills.

“We do a lot of sight reading and are constantly challenged with more difficult music,” she said.

She enjoys the challenge.

“I look forward to being there each week,” Lamphier said.

Broadway Comes to Pasco
What: Wesley Chapel Wind Ensemble performs an evening of music, with special guest Broadway composer Dana P. Rowe and the debut of an original arrangement of Jeremy Silverman.
When: 7 p.m., June 13
Where: Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 37015 Orange Valley Lane, Dade City.
Who: All are welcome
How much: Free admission

Published May 27, 2015

Barnes & Noble showcases local authors

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If you enjoy stories about second chances, about family life or about history, a selection of books by local authors at an upcoming authors’ event may be right up your alley.

Barnes & Noble at The Shops at Wiregrass is hosting its annual Local Author Signing on May 30 at 2 p.m., at the bookstore, at 28152 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel.

Book lovers will have a chance to meet the authors, chat with them and get their books signed.

Some of the authors scheduled to be at the Barnes & Noble annual Local Authors Signing have taken part in the event in previous years. Shown here, from left are Susan Noe Harmon, Madonna Jervis Wise, Evelyn Taylor and Jamie Elizabeth Tingen. (Courtesy of Madonna Wise)
Some of the authors scheduled to be at the Barnes & Noble annual Local Authors Signing have taken part in the event in previous years. Shown here, from left are Susan Noe Harmon, Madonna Jervis Wise, Evelyn Taylor and Jamie Elizabeth Tingen.
(Courtesy of Madonna Wise)

Local authors featured at the event offer a wide range of titles.

Author Leigh Kenyon tells an adventure story about a girl who trains Zebras in her book, “The Zebra Riders.”

She wrote that book while attending Centennial Middle School.

Now a student at Land O’ Lakes High School, Kenyon has written a second book, “The Essence of Fear,” a young adult fictional account that explores darker themes.

Local author Susan Noe Harmon transports readers to mid-19th century Appalachia in her book, “Under the Weeping Willow.” The book features three generations of women whose strength prevails despite poverty, floods and tragedy.

In another book, “To Hide the Truth,” the author tells a story about a disturbing relationship between a daughter and her father during an era when family abuse and alcoholism were taboo topics for discussion.

Author Jamie Elizabeth Tingen writes about making the most of second chances in her book, “Butterfly Messages.”

Author Madonna Wise shares her knowledge of local history in a book she wrote about Dade City for Arcadia Publishing’s iconic Images of America series.

Wise, a retired educator, has written a number of other books, including “Tapestry,” “Wildcat Creek Kids,” “Sam & Company,” and “Juanita in Blue.”

She’s also co-author of “Kachina and the Bully.”

Wise said Barnes & Noble does an excellent job of giving local authors a place to sell books, sign books and chat with readers.

The writers enjoy meeting each other, too, Wise said.

Wise also enjoys meeting aspiring writers who drop by to ask questions about writing and get advice on publishing their work.

Other authors who will be featured at the bookstore’s event include Federico and Ruby Agnir, Jenice Armstead, Shelby Bender, Liz Dunham, Shea Ford, Chonta Haynes, Jack Hipple, C.M. Johnson, Evelyn Johnson-Taylor, Jim Kay, Judie McCarty, Ria Prestia, Elizabeth Rivera, Dave Robbins, Telisha Thompson, Jamie Elizabeth Tingen, Vincent Vinas and Paul Wartenberg.

Annual Local Author Signing
More than 20 local authors will be on hand to sign copies of their books and chat with patrons.
When: May 30 at 2 p.m.
Where: Barnes & Noble at Shops at Wiregrass, 28152 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel
How much: Free admission

Published May 27, 2015

Land O’ Lakes student captures top art prize

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For the second consecutive year, a Land O’ Lakes High School student has won top honors in U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ Congressional Art Competition.

By winning the competition, Izzie Brown will receive two free airline tickets to Washington D.C., to attend a reception, and her work will be on display at the Capitol building for a year.

Izzie Brown, a sophomore at Land O’ Lakes High School, won Best of Show with this entry in U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ Congressional Art Competition. (Courtesy of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis)
Izzie Brown, a sophomore at Land O’ Lakes High School, won Best of Show with this entry in U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ Congressional Art Competition.
(Courtesy of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis)

Last year, Trevor Nichols won the honor for a pencil drawing of Coach Kris Keppel, who was suffering from pancreatic cancer at the time. Keppel died on Jan. 25, and the portrait that Nichols did was on prominent display at the coach’s funeral at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Land O’ Lakes.

The Congressional Art Competition included artworks by students in Pasco, Pinellas and Hernando counties.

Brown won Best of Show for a work entitled “Moods of Izzie.”

Bilirakis commented on the annual contest, in a news release.

“I believe the arts are an important component of a well-rounded education, as they stimulate creativity and innovation while allowing students the opportunity to express themselves in a meaningful way,” he said.

“I am glad to be able to bring this special opportunity to the students in my district,” Bilirakis added.

Besides her artistic pursuits at Land O’ Lakes High, Brown also has her own business called Word Tangles.

That business grew out of an assignment from her eighth-grade art teacher at Rushe Middle School. The teacher asked her to create a portrait of the Jamaican singer Bob Marley, which Brown did — using the titles of Marley’s songs to form his image.

Since then, Brown has created portraits of numerous famous personalities using words or, in the case of Albert Einstein, numbers, to shape the image.

Brown said she hasn’t had much time to devote to her business lately because she’s been quite busy doing the work she needs to complete for her Advanced Placement Art class.

She credits her teacher, Cynthia Smith, for helping her manage her time to meet the Advanced Placement workload requirements.

Brown is looking forward to her trip to Washington D.C.

“My mom will be with me in D.C., for the ceremony,” said the high school sophomore, who plans to spend some additional time in the area for vacation.

After leaving Washington D.C., she’ll travel to the national Future Business Leaders of America competition.

While she still has two years left of high school, Brown is already thinking ahead to college.

At the moment, she’s interested in studying abroad at the University of Oslo.

She thinks that would be her ideal school. However, she knows that the competition will be stiff.

“They only accept 60 international students,” she said.

Published May 20, 2015

Giving youths a healthy place to hang out

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It’s a Saturday morning and the sound of a basketball hitting the court reverberates throughout the gym in the Saint John Paul II Youth Center.

Sneakers squeak, as players race back and forth down the court in a pickup game during the center’s open gym.

It’s quiet outside of the St. John Paul II Youth Center now, but once programming gets into full swing, the foot traffic is expected to pick up. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
It’s quiet outside of the St. John Paul II Youth Center now, but once programming gets into full swing, the foot traffic is expected to pick up.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Located on the campus of St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lutz, the center officially opened on the Feast Day of Saint Timothy in late January.

The 18,000-square-foot facility was built with kids in mind.

Besides basketball, the court can be used for volleyball, kickball and other games.

The youth center also has a café, a recording center, a game room, multiple gathering spaces and a sound system that plays throughout the building.

There’s also a patio area and a green space for outdoor events.

While others were busy playing basketball, 9-year-old Gabe Linder and 10-year-old Aviva Banks were playing a game of Ladder Toss, which involves tossing two balls connected by a string to try to land them on the rung of a ladder.

The kids seemed to be having fun.

The two were good-natured competitors, with Linder coaching Banks, as they went along.

“Try it underhand,” he suggested.

Whenever one of them had a good shot, they were both enthusiastic.

In another room at the center, musicians have a chance to jam and, once it is soundproofed, to record music.

CJ Linder, 10, was in that room — banging out a drum solo.

He paused, briefly, to offer his assessment of the youth center. “I think it’s pretty cool,” he said.

In terms of programming, the center is in its infancy, said Judy Anderson, the youth ministry coordinator.

When its fully up and running, she envisions a place that is teeming with activity.

Besides offering places to play sports and make music, there are also places to play board games, to watch big-screen TVs, to grab a snack, just hang out and chat, or attend Faith Formation classes.

“This is a dream come true,” said Anderson, noting it has been one of St. Timothy’s goals for at least a decade. It’s just an answer to prayer, I tell you.

“We haven’t had a dedicated space for youth only. We’ve had to modify the adult space, over in the parish hall. Now, we have this dedicated space,” Anderson said.

The total cost of the center is about $2.3 million, including furnishings. The cost of the construction is being funded by St. Timothy parishioners via the Forward in Faith Campaign, which is also raising funds for Diocesan projects, including the Mother Teresa of Calcutta school and other projects.

The furnishings for the center have been funded, or donated, by parishioners and through fundraising activities such as the March Madness Auction Dinner and the Family Fall Festival.

The idea was to create a magnet for youths.

“Kids were going other places, and we wanted to figure out, ‘Well, how can we attract them?’ ” Anderson said.

Diane Elsen, a longtime church volunteer, believes the youth center will have a huge impact.

“I just think it’s going to transform youth ministry at St. Timothy’s,” Elsen said.

“It gives them (youths), just the ability to have somewhere to hang — because that is so important to people their age,” Elsen said.

Parents welcome the center, too, Elsen said.

“They know how important it is for kids to have a place to gather,” she said.

The youth center will help with the church’s outreach efforts, too, both Anderson and Elsen said.

“We want to make it available to our community at St. Timothy’s, and we want them to bring their friends,” Anderson said. “Our Pope Francis has made it very clear. We need to be welcoming to everybody.”

Elsen added: “It gives us a chance to evangelize others. Friends can come.”

The youth center’s décor includes posters of saints, so visitors can learn about them and, Anderson hopes, be influenced by their examples.

“We take the time, and we talk about Jesus, in between sports. It’s a great segue to learn about their faith and have fun at the same time in this space,” Anderson said.

The youth center also will provide an indoor gym for students attending the Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School.

The school, formerly known as Most Holy Redeemer Catholic School is now located at 302 E. Linebaugh Ave., in Tampa, but is moving this fall to St. Tim’s campus at 17512 Lakeshore Road in Lutz.

Anderson coached at Most Holy Redeemer for 14 years.

She recalls practicing outdoors on 90-degree days, when her players could barely keep hydrated enough to have a decent workout.

There were other issues, too, such as highway noise and court conditions.

“We had to sweep the leaves and the nuts off each time we practiced. We had to haul water out there,” she said.

Anderson is pleased that Mother Teresa of Calcutta teams will have an indoor gym. It’ll also be nice for after-school sports and for indoor gym on rainy days, she said.

But that doesn’t mean the kids will play inside all of the time.

“We want them to still be outside for fresh air,” Anderson said.

Published May 20, 2015

Speakers shed light on health care challenges

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U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis

Patients and providers offered insights into obstacles relating to the treatment of people living with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis during a recent roundtable hosted by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

Bilirakis, who is a member of the Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Health, hosted a roundtable focusing on neurological conditions on May 6 at the Carrollwood Cultural Center.

Bilirakis asked panelists and members of the audience to talk about challenges facing patients and their families, and obstacles thwarting providers. He also asked those gathered to share information about clinical trials and breakthroughs.

Ron Hall, who has Alzheimer’s disease told Bilirakis, “probably the biggest thing is the unknown —trying to figure out what you’re going to do to keep your life normal as possible.”

The hard part, he said, is “just not knowing what’s coming your way.

“With all of these other diseases out there, you can say, ‘I’m going to fight it. I’m going to beat it.’ With Alzheimer’s, there’s no beating it.”

Hall’s wife, Diane, said “we’ve never been to a neurologist, just a geriatric doctor and had tests performed.

“Sometimes, we think, maybe we should go, and then we ask ourselves: ‘Do you really want to know how far along you are?’ ” she said.

Dr. Charles Brock, another panelist, told the couple: “I think visiting the neurologist is helpful. It’s empowering because that physician is likely to know there may be drug trials going on, there may be new treatments, there may be new supportive measures that would be helpful to you and at least give you the opportunity to make a decision about what you want, which gives you more control.”

Dr. Jessica Banko, associate institute director for the University of South Florida’s Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute, agreed with Brock.

“Having some of that knowledge of where in the journey you lie may open doors to additional measures, not always necessarily pharmacological,” Banko said. “There are caregiver interventions to minimize stress and burden, and improve quality of life; there are behavioral measures and other ways to get involved in, maybe in validating new diagnostic tools.”

Dr. Juan Sanchez-Ramos, who serves as the medical director of the Parkinson’s Research Foundation Center of Excellence at the Morsani College of Medicine, said “one of the big obstacles in moving forward in finding new treatments is the difficulties that we often encounter in the recruitment for clinical trials.

“People have a misconception about clinical trials. They’re worried, ‘Well, I might get the sugar pill.’ ‘I might get a placebo.’ Or, ‘I don’t want to be a guinea pig.’ ”

The physician said he always thought it would be easy to recruit patients for specific clinical studies, but he has learned that is not the case.

“I know, in my clinic, when I see a patient, I bring up the possibility of clinical studies and describe what’s available in Tampa and what’s available in other parts of the state, and what’s available in the United States,” he said.

Banko noted: “The truth is, the only access we have right now to new treatment measures for Alzheimer’s disease is through clinical trial participation.”

She added that the government hosts a website called ClinicalTrials.gov that lists anywhere from 20 to 60 trials, at any given time, that are enrolling for different kinds of treatment options for various stages of the disease.

Sanchez-Ramos said physicians are another source of information.

“Ask the physician if he or she is aware of any research going on involving new medications, new interventions, new surgical procedures for that specific condition,” he advised.

In the arena of Alzheimer’s disease, a huge frustration is the fact that even though amyloid imaging was a huge advancement, it is only available to patients through clinical trials, Banko said.

Dr. Rob Norman, who treats patients in long-term care facilities, expects the challenges to increase.

As Baby Boomers age, “we have what I call a silver tsunami going on.”

He said health care providers must rise to that challenge.

“We want to have, not just more treatments, but prevention and a vaccine. We shouldn’t settle for anything less than that.”

One caregiver in the audience urged Bilirakis to seek increased continuing education requirements for physicians and nurses, to improve the diagnosis and care of people who have neurological conditions.

It’s not just a lack of resources, said Diane Hall.

Some people who suffer from a neurological condition, such as Alzheimer’s, don’t want others to know about it.

“We can’t find a cure for it, if people don’t raise their hand and let everyone know there is such a need,” she said. “It’s going to be 10 to 20 times (as bad) with Baby Boomers coming up.

“Don’t be afraid, and don’t stay in a closet,” she urged. “It’s got to come out. We’ve got to find a way.”

Published May 13, 2015

Giving these beauties a home of their own

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For years, Jim Hawk was all about roses.

But then, he just couldn’t take it anymore.

Florida’s humidity is conducive to black spot, and Hawk got tired of waging a chemical war to protect his floral beauties.

“Even though I would spray every week, I would still lose the battle,” said Hawk, who lives in Odessa.

Jim Hawk’s orchid collection began with just a few and has grown into nearly 300. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Jim Hawk’s orchid collection began with just a few and has grown into nearly 300.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“I didn’t like the fact that I would have to put on a mask and get a backpack spray, and go out in the yard and be walking around in a cloud of fumes. I thought it was probably killing me,” he said..

So, around 2003, he gave up on roses and made the switch to orchids.

At first, he had just a few.

The Hillsborough County master gardener reasoned that he should have a sampling, so he could learn more about them.

“Well, it got infectious, and I just couldn’t stop myself,” said Hawk, who is the corresponding secretary of the Tampa Orchid Club.

“Of course, you have to really protect orchids at about 45 degrees,” Hawk said. So, every time he heard a weather report that the temperature would be dipping into the 40s, he’d get busy.

“I would have to haul the orchids around the house — because I was growing them here in the pool cage — and put them in the garage,” he said.

That’s no problem when you just have a few orchids, but it gets tougher when you have 100 or 200 – or roughly 300, like he has.

Hawk decided to create a new environment for the orchids in his care.

He replaced his old pool cage with a greenhouse.

It’s large enough to hold the family’s pool and its waterfall. It includes a place to eat meals and to entertain guests. And, there’s plenty of room for his vast orchid collection.

Many of his orchids sit in pots on shelves. Others suspend from hangers, with their roots dangling out.

All are under Hawk’s watchful eye.

He makes sure they get water – but not too much. He shields them from the cold.

“In the winter, if I close the windows in midday, I’ve never seen it get below 54 degree,” Hawk said.

The family still uses the pool, but it serves another role, too.

“What this, in essence, is now, is a 15,000-gallon humidifier for the orchids,” Hawk said.

As his collection has grown, so has Hawk’s knowledge about these plants with the exotic blooms and complex names.

“Orchids, generally speaking, like to be warm — not hot, but warm. They don’t like temperatures in the 40s,” Hawk said. “They like to be humid. They like to be watered, but they don’t like to sit in too much water. I think watering is probably one of the biggest killers of orchids — poor watering techniques.

“Orchids are, generally speaking, shade lovers,” he said. There are some, though, that prefer the sun.

“You need to read about them, and find out what they like and what they don’t like.

“Just like with all plants, I think people go to nurseries and buy stuff because it looks pretty,” he said. Unfortunately, he said, many people “don’t take the time to research the plant. They just don’t care for it properly.”

Hawk enjoys experimenting.

He has one orchid growing in a natural sponge he purchased in Tarpon Springs. Another is nestled in a small log that he bought in the lizard section at a pet store.

Orchids are epiphytes, meaning they need air.

“Orchid pots have slits up on the side, not only the hole in the bottom. That increases the air that you get in there. Instead of using dirt, you use bark or stones or chunks of tree fern and things like that.

“Plastic pots are really kind of a no-no. Clay pots breathe,” Hawk said.

There is a nearly endless variety of orchids.

“There are more orchids than any other plant. They come from all over the world, except for major deserts and Antarctica. There are orchids growing in the wild everywhere,” Hawk said.

Hybridizing orchids require specialized equipment and expertise, Hawk said.

“I just buy, and grow and enjoy,” Hawk said.

Published May 13, 2015

A show of compassion for the Ivie family

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When Pasco High School has its talent show on May 8, it will be dedicated to Jordan Ivie, a 17-year-old whose death has caused hearts to break — as well as to expand — in Dade City.

The high school senior was riding in a 2002 Ford Mustang being driven by Austin Thomas Council on the morning of April 24, when it was involved in a crash, according to a news release from the Florida Highway Patrol.

Customers lined up both inside and down the block at Olga’s Bakery and Deli in downtown Dade City. The business donated 100 percent of the proceeds of its business on April 29 to help the Ivie family. (Richard Riley/Photo)
Customers lined up both inside and down the block at Olga’s Bakery and Deli in downtown Dade City. The business donated 100 percent of the proceeds of its business on April 29 to help the Ivie family.
(Richard Riley/Photo)

Council was traveling south, toward the center of Smith Road, when a sport utility vehicle approached from the other direction, the report says.

Council veered to the right and lost control of the car, which struck a mailbox and four trees before coming to a stop, the report says.

Council and Ivie were transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, where Ivie died on April 26.

Both Council and Ivie were wearing seatbelts and no alcohol was involved, according to the FHP report.

An investigation is ongoing and any charges would be pending its completion, which will likely be in three months to six months, said Sgt. Steve Gaskins, of the FHP.

After Ivie’s death, hundreds gathered at Pasco High School on the evening of April 26 to honor her. The high school senior had been set to graduate on May 29.

Family, friends and loved ones gathered again on April 30 at a memorial service for her at Pasco Middle School.

Social media sites reveal the family and community’s deep sense of loss.

In a 7:27-minute video posted by Jeff Jeter on YouTube, scenes from Jordan Abigail Ivie’s life flash across the screen, as she grows from infant to little girl to young woman.

Her blonde hair and blue eyes are a constant, and her bright smile conveys a joy for life.

In another YouTube post, Cora Zone, shares her grief about Ivie’s passing.

“God has gained a new angel today,” says Zone, ending her video with happy photographs of Ivie.

The video concludes with this quote, attributed to Ivie: “Don’t give up, focus on the positives, and be kind always. Seek out the most in every precious, beautiful day you are given.”

Others across Dade City were also moved by the young woman’s death.

At Olga’s Bakery and Deli, all of the proceeds from items sold on April 29 were donated to the family to help them cover expenses.

“We were open until our normal time of 2 p.m. We had run out of baked goods and materials to bake with,” said Chris Dious, the bakery’s owner.

The shop donated more than $5,000 to the family from its sales, along with $3,000 in direct donations, Dious said. Some employees also contributed their daily wages to the cause.

When people found out what the bakery was doing, they came out in droves.

“I was impressed with our customers. The line was long, and everybody was very patient,” Dious said. “This was busier than any other day we have ever had, including the Kumquat Festival. It was a very long day, but worth it.”

In Facebook posts, Ivie’s father, Alfred, apologizes for being unable to respond to all of the messages that have been sent to the family. He also expresses gratitude for the community’s response.

“Our family is truly overwhelmed by grief. However, we are also overwhelmed by the love and support we have received from our community.

“Your compassion towards us has made such a difference in our grief and we (will) always be grateful for your many acts of kindnesses and kind words,” he wrote.

To help relieve the family’s financial strain, two crowdfunding pages have been set up at GoFundMe.com.

—Richard Riley contributed to this report.

Published May 6, 2015

Hillsborough faces huge traffic challenges

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Go Hillsborough is an initiative aimed at engaging the public to find solutions for deteriorating infrastructure and traffic-clogged roads.

The effort is a collaboration involving the Hillsborough County Commission, the mayors of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City, and the chairman of the board for the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit system.

Those visiting a community open house could learn about the transportation challenges facing Hillsborough County and jot down potential solutions. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Those visiting a community open house could learn about the transportation challenges facing Hillsborough County and jot down potential solutions.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Organizers have been making the rounds to places across Hillsborough County for months, inviting the public to help pinpoint the problems and weigh in on potential solutions.

On April 30, they made a stop at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lutz.

At this session, they invited members of the public to look at informational placards throughout the room, to watch a video on a continuous loop, to ask questions of people stationed throughout the room and to offer their input in writing.

At this session, the focus was on making choices.

The next series of workshops will focus on finding consensus.

The idea is to invite public participation in both identifying problems and suggesting solutions.

Both the slideshow and placards set up around the room made it clear that the county has no shortage of problems, when it comes to its transportation network.

For one thing, it’s a big job.

In Hillsborough County alone, for instance, there are more than 7,000 lane miles of road, as well as 254 bridges and 315 signalized intersections.

And, of that, “more than 30 percent of county roads are at or approaching poor condition,” according to information on display.

Lack of transit is another issue.

“As of today, 58 percent of county residents and 38 percent of our jobs are not served by transit,” a display says.

Paying for improvements won’t be cheap, either.

The county is facing $750 million in transportation backlogs.

So far, feedback has shown that different parts of the county have different priorities.

For instance, transit ranks as a top priority in West Tampa, while new roads ranks as a top priority in South County. In Northwest Hillsborough, new roads and wider roads are the top priority, while resurfacing ranks second.

There’s no easy solution for funding improvements, either.

Choices include user fees, such as gas taxes or tolls; charging developers a fair share; and a sales tax.

The next set of meetings will focus on attempting to build a community consensus on which problems to attack and how to pay for them.

In addition to four meetings that are scheduled around the county, there will be a telephone town hall on May 21 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call (877) 229-8493. The Pin number is 11031.

For more information, visit GoHillsborough.org.

Published May 6, 2015