The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Christine Holtzman

Holiday break offers plenty of fun

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Victor Jaime, of Wesley Chapel, gives his 6-year-old daughter, Aly, a push as she rides one of the swings at the Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road. Aly is looking forward to celebrating her seventh birthday with her family during the holiday break. The father-daughter duo visited the park with Aly’s mom Bri, her sisters Julia and Aubry, brother Victor Jr., and grandfather Jorge. (Christine Holtzman)

Janelle Keller, of Wesley Chapel, left, watches as her husband, Jordan, guides their 2-year-old son Dalton’s golf swing, while having an afternoon of family fun near the universally inclusive playground at the Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road. The Kellers were also at the park with their other children – Canon, Masyn and Brooklyn. Their daughter, Brooklyn, has Down Syndrome, and they said that the fact this local park has an all-inclusive playground is wonderful, because it is for all children, including those with mobility issues or disabilities.

 

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

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Holiday scenes abound throughout The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. Whether it’s an iconic community landmark, a street scene, a subdivision entrance or a single string of lights along a roof line — signs of good cheer are evident everywhere. Here’s wishing our readers a safe, enjoyable and festive season. Happy 2020!

Passersby of the LakeShore Ranch community, off of U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes, can experience a touch of Florida, with this cluster of palm trees dressed up for the holidays. (Christine Holtzman)
Large wooden holiday postcards welcome visitors to the iconic Old Lutz School, 18819 N. U.S. 41. Beyond sharing season’s greetings, the cards convey a sense of the tradition and civic pride that persists in this community, north of Tampa.

Signs of good cheer

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The Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City, is an impressive structure any day of the year — but during the holidays, it gets dressed up — with bows and wreaths, and a tree out front — to express a message of seasonal cheer. (Christine Holtzman)
The historic Capt. H.B. Jeffries House, 38537 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills, features candy canes, poinsettias and a giant Christmas tree in its holiday display.
This view of a stretch of Fifth Avenue offers a sense of the holiday spirit on display at the shops in downtown Zephyrhills.

Delving into the world of pottery

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Glenn Woods knows a thing or two about pottery.

The Indiana native has been a potter since 1974.

Inside the kiln room, Pottery Boys Studio owner Glenn Woods, center, shows off a piece belonging to Martha Grover, of Wellman & Welsch Pottery in Lutz. The piece is ready to be fired in a bisque kiln. Also seen: Diana Reichert, left, and Carol Schubert, both of Largo. (Christine Holtzman)

Now, he and Keith Herbrand are co-owners of Pottery Boys, a studio on Bogie Lane in Palm Harbor.

The studio is in a converted garage — filled with pottery wheels, pounds of clay and batches of handmade glazes.

And, on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8, it was one of five studio stops on the 12th annual Tampa Bay Tour De Clay.

The event featured studio presentations, which included demos, kiln openings and discussions.

Besides Pottery Boys, other stops on the tour were Hidden Lake Pottery, Odessa; Schiemann Pottery, St. Petersburg; Wellman & Welsch Pottery, Lutz; and, San Antonio Pottery, San Antonio.

This year’s Tour De Clay  featured 33 guest artists, each offering an array of unique pieces.

One of the highlights at Pottery Boys was a crystalline kiln opening.

A wall of pottery, belonging to the Pottery Boys Studio owner Glenn Woods, is displayed during the 12th annual Tampa Bay Tour De Clay. Woods and the guest artists had pieces available for sale during the tour.

During the kiln opening, Woods pulled fired pieces out of both a glossy and a matte glaze kiln. He brought a few of the pieces out to discuss his glazes and technique, how clay variations can effect the glaze’s behavior, and the trial-and-error process he experiences while perfecting his recipe.

One of the special guests during the event was Judy Wenig-Horswell from Indiana, who was  Woods’ art teacher at Northridge High School in Middlebury, Indiana.

Guest artists at Pottery Boys Studio, included Larry Allen, from Birmingham, Alabama, who said the events of Sept. 11 inspired him to incorporate a unity design in all his pieces.

Jennifer McCurdy from Martha’s Vineyard was another featured artist.

Ellen Cole, of Tarpon Springs, right, smiles with her husband of 57 years, Sonny, as she greets visitors of the Tour De Clay at Pottery Boys Studio in Palm Harbor. The Tarpon Springs resident works exclusively with the medium silver metal clay to create one-of-a-kind jewelry. A former potter, she now works in small batches of this medium because of the effects that Lyme Disease has had on her body.

Her porcelain pieces are wheel thrown, then altered, carved and sanded by hand before being fired bare (without a glaze) to cone 10. Cone 10 temperature allows the porcelain to become nonporous and translucent.

There was also another guest artist, Ellen Cole, of Tarpon Springs.

Cole was a potter until she contracted Lyme Disease about 20 years ago, while hiking. Because of her weakened condition, she no longer had the strength in her wrists or legs to work with traditional clay.

About 15 years ago, she attended a class at the Dunedin Fine Art Center, where she learned about a medium called fine silver clay. This medium involves using small batches of the material, not much larger than a postage stamp. Because of its small size, Cole found she could tolerate working with her hands again.

She now creates very intricate jewelry — sometimes taking months to complete a single piece.

She often incorporates complicated layers over layers of fine silver clay, and uses items such as empty ball point pens and an antique broach to produce various textures in her designs.

Published December 18, 2019

Veterans group dedicates new flagpoles at Zephyr Park

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Three flagpoles were dedicated in honor of veterans who have received Purple Hearts, during a ceremony at Zephyr Park on Dec. 15. The lighted flagpoles will be part of the permanent memorial at the park, located at 38116 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills. Efforts for a permanent memorial devoted to Purple Heart recipients began around five years ago, with the addition of a monument and two benches. Guy Patterson, of Dade City, commander of the East Pasco Chapter 705 of The Military Order of the Purple Heart group, headed the ceremony. The event included the dedication and a flag ceremony, led by the Zephyrhills High School JROTC. Patterson also presented a special recognition award to John Daff, the president of the Eagle Riders Group and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aeries 3752. These two organizations were instrumental in raising thousands of dollars for the project.

Seventeen-year-old Zephyrhills High School JROTC Captain Carmelo Mendoza, left, and his second in command, 15-year-old Sgt. 1st Class James Laferriere, are seen raising the Purple Heart flag during the flag ceremony on Dec. 15. Three flagpoles were dedicated during the ceremony, with this one being dedicated to World War II veterans and Purple Heart recipients Mel Cunningham, Earl Angel and Ronald Bohm. The men were honored for their efforts with this project. (Christine Holtzman)
East Pasco Chapter 705 Military Order of the Purple Heart members James Baldree of Zephyrhills, left, and Ernie Rice, also of Zephyrhills, salute the American Flag that was being raised on the center pole. Both Baldree and Rice are Vietnam War Veterans and Purple Heart recipients. This pole was dedicated to all the Patriots of Chapter 705. A third pole, flying a POW flag, was dedicated to Louis Colandria.
John Daff, president of the Eagle Riders Group and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aeries 3752, left, receives a special recognition award from Guy Patterson, the commander of the East Pasco Chapter 705 of The Military Order of the Purple Heart group and the recipient of three Purple Hearts. Daff’s organizations were instrumental with raising thousands of dollars for the project.

Learning survival skills

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After reading the wilderness survival novel, ‘Hatchet,’ by Gary Paulsen, and preparing ahead of time in class, fourth-graders at the Academy at the Lakes in Land O’ Lakes got to experience what it might take to survive a simulated plane crash in the wilderness. They conducted the survival exercise on vacant land owned by the school off of 20 Mile Level Road in Land O’ Lakes. The program was the brainchild of teacher Steph Huff, who teaches reading and writing at the independent private school.

Nine-year-old Flynn Cummings, of Land O’ Lakes, feels his way around the shelter building module, while suffering from a simulated eye injury. Cummings and his classmates were building a shelter that would keep them dry, by gathering pine needles, grass and sticks, to create an overhang under an uprooted tree. (Christine Holtzman)
Ten-year-old Raelynn Wornor, of Wesley Chapel, searches through bags of supplies that survived the simulated plane crash, looking for items that could be helpful to start a fire. The bags contained items that would typically be found packed in suitcases. Among the items used to try to build a fire: magnifying glasses, batteries, paper cups, Spanish moss, grass, tissues and sticks.
Using an old water bottle, paper towels, dead leaves, fresh grass and charcoal, students were able to filter dirty, murky water into drinkable water. Lisa Picard’s science class prepared the students ahead of time in the process of water filtration. During this exercise, she provided PH level test strips so that the students could test the safety of their water.

Groovin’ in Land O’ Lakes

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Thousands recently had a groovy time at the Peace, Love & Funk Festival, at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The event featured music from three acts: George Pennington & The Odyssey, American Idol contestant Shevonne Philidor (with her band The Force), and the Black Honkeys. The event also hosted a Bizarre Bazaar, which offered a wide variety of rare and unique items. Proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit Armed Forces and veteran support group, the Stano Foundation, and the Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes.

Karen ‘Sunray’ Coletti, of St. Petersburg, a professional dance artist with Hip Expressions Studio, dances with fire in a performance art form known as Fire Poi. Coletti also performed with a flaming scimitar sword. (Christine Holtzman)
Terry Clark, the trumpet player with The Black Honkeys, performs a solo during his band’s performance of Chicago’s hit song, ‘Beginnings.’
Feeling festive in his Santa hat, John Black, of Land O’ Lakes, flashes the peace sign as he dances to The Black Honkey’s rendition of the Hall & Oates song, ‘I Can’t Go for That.’ Black’s wife, Laurie, was enjoying the music, too.
Ken Paine, left, and his friend, Darrell Stollings, share a few laughs as they enjoy some cold brews in the crowd near the stage. Paine is from England but lives in Tampa part-time, and Stollings is from Tampa.
Enjoying a picnic snack on their blanket, Lori McDermott, of Lutz, right, pets her black lab dog, Pepper, while her daughter Olivia, looks on.

Want to get in the holiday mood?

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If you’re in the market for holiday cheer, drop by The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel. There’s a nightly lights show, photos with Santa are available, there’s ice skating on synthetic ice, rides on the Wiregrass Express steam train, and performances by local groups.

The Symphony in Lights, The Shops at Wiregrass’ annual holiday show, features holiday décor decked out with dazzling lights — choreographed to dance to the holiday music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The free show is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., until Dec. 31. (Christine Holtzman)
During a recent evening at The Shops at Wiregrass, the Wiregrass Express takes passengers for a leisurely cruise down Paseo Drive at sunset. The train is being driven by engineer David Waite, of Wesley Chapel, who has worked at The Shops for three years. The retired banker said that his job is fun because he likes to put a smile on the face of everyone riding the train.
Twelve-year-old singer Larkin Mainwaring’s performance of ‘Silent Night,’ captivated the audience at The Shops at Wiregrass. The singer, from Dade City, was performing as part of the Graham Music Studios’ holiday show at the Wesley Chapel regional mall.

Teach-In offers glimpse into diverse career paths

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Schools across Pasco County welcomed speakers from wide-ranging professions to talk to students about their jobs at the annual Great American Teach-In, held during November. Most speakers visited schools on a single day, but others came on other days that week. Forty-three speakers, in wide-ranging professions, gave 30-minute to 45-minute presentations at Pine View Elementary, at 5333 Parkway Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Jennifer Leon, director of outreach for Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, shows off the bite marks and claw marks on a ball that was played with by one of their resident leopards. Leon talked to fourth-graders in Elizabeth Schmitt’s and Dawn Otto’s classes, explaining the rescue’s mission, the cats in their care, and how the children can aid with the preservation of big cats. (Christine Holtzman)
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Ed Ether shares a photo of a payphone to a group of fifth-graders in Kelley Hepner’s and Sara Martin’s classes. The officer showed the photo, while talking about vast changes in technology during his 26-year career in law enforcement.
Busch Gardens zoo educators Miguel Reynel, left, and his colleague Lexie Dobert speak to students in Tiffany Randall’s fifth grade class during the Great American Teach-In program on Nov. 20. The pair spoke about the responsibilities of being a zoo educator. Reynel is seen holding ‘Tequista,’ an American alligator that resides at Busch Gardens.

Library brings in the island sound

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Visit the Hugh Embry Branch Library on a Tuesday morning, and close your eyes and listen to the sweet strumming sounds coming from the weekly Ukulele jam. It would be easy to picture yourself at a beach luau in Hawaii. Karen and Peter Sears lead the program, after falling in love with the ukulele two years ago. They credit the Tampa Bay Ukulele Society, YouTube instructional videos, the Zephyrhills-based Hunter’s Run jam group, and hours of daily practice, for helping them master the instrument. The branch library, at 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, hosts the weekly jam every Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. to noon. To find out more, call (352) 567-3576.

Sue Dombrowski, center, is clearly feeling holiday cheer, as she plays ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.’ Also, from left: Rozanne Henrich of Dade City, Joanne Allen of Zephyrhills, and Janet Ness of Zephyrhills (on Sue’s right). (Christine Holtzman)
Pam Lain, of Zephyrhills, strums and sings along to the group’s performance of the song, ‘Silver Bells.’ Lain, a piano player, began to learn the instrument about five months ago.
Ukulele Jam instructors Peter Sears, of Dade City, left, and his wife Karen perform the song, ‘Let it Snow,’ during a recent Christmas-themed jam at the Hugh Embry Branch Library. The instructors used sheet music on an iPad, but the music also was projected on the screen for others playing in the room.
Janet Ness, of Zephyrhills, carefully inspects how her fingers change cords, during a performance of the song, ‘Silver Bells.’ Ness has only been playing for three weeks, and seems to be picking it up rather quickly. Instructor Karen Sears said the hardest part of learning to play involves switching cords.