The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kevin Weiss

Saint Leo player to play on Great Britain national team

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Saint Leo women’s basketball rising sophomore Gina Brierley was selected as one of 12 players to represent Great Britain at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) U20 Women’s European Championships (Division B).

The tournament runs from July 8 to July 16, in Eilat, Israel.

Saint Leo’s Gina Brierley will represent Great Britain’s national team. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

“I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to be selected for the Great Britain U20 squad,” Brierley said, in a release. “It’s always an honor to get a call from your home nation; it’s the icing on the cake of what has been a fantastic year for me. I just want to take the opportunity to thank the coaching staff at Saint Leo, especially Coach (Anthony) Crocitto, who gave me the chance to further my sporting career at an amazing university.”

Brierley and her squad will first face Ireland on July 8. They will also face Romania, Israel, Belarus and Croatia in consecutive days as part of group play. The other group will include Germany, Iceland, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, Greece and Ukraine.

The native of Manchester, England finished her freshman season at Saint Leo averaging 6.9 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

The 5-foot-7 guard also scored in double figures four times, including a season-high 22 points at Eckerd on Dec. 10.

“I’m so proud to see Gina represent and make this team,” Saint Leo head coach Anthony Crocitto said. “She has mentally and physically put in the work this summer and deserves this opportunity. We are all excited to follow Gina’s success.”

Meanwhile, Brierley’s teammates will be student-athletes from Louisiana State, Illinois State, Lipscomb, Loyola University Maryland, and others from around Great Britain.

Aloha!

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(Courtesy of Pennye Garcia)

Members of the Sunlake High School varsity cheerleading team participated in the 16th annual Cheer Hawaii USA Summer Invitational at the University of Hawaii in June. Just 139 cheerleaders and nine coaches from across the United States were selected to participate in the prestigious camp this year. The Sunlake cheerleaders learned new chants and cheers, and also had the opportunity to stunt with Penn State University cheerleaders. From left: Savannah Bobik, Brooke Hodge, Cheer Hawaii co-director Lee Ann Akina, Sunlake coach Pennye Garcia, Lacey Saling, Alexandra Cristofaro and Brynn Schiller.

Vietnam veteran receives overdue honor

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One Vietnam veteran has finally received his long-deserved welcome.

The Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Land O’ Lakes Satellite Club recognized George Voorhes on June 23 as its first recipient of the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemorative Lapel Pin.

Voorhes, 82, retired from the army in 1974, following 20 years of service.

He served in the Korean War and had three tours of duty in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star.

On June 23, the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Land O’ Lakes Satellite Club presented George Voorhes as its first recipient of the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemorative Lapel Pin. Voorhes, now 82, retired from the army in 1974, after 20 years of service. (Kevin Weiss)

A Missouri native, who now lives in Land O’ Lakes, Voorhes joined the military when he was 17.

Eventually, he rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class E7.

Along the way, he worked as a banker, chef and nightclub manager.

During his last 10 years of service, he was a general’s aide.

Despite the decades that have passed, details of war remain vivid in Voorhes’ mind.

Most notably is the passing of his brother-in-law, who succumbed to Agent Orange.

“I miss him,” Voorhes said, holding back tears.

“He was only a brother-in-law, but he was more like a brother to me,” he said.

The first U.S. combat troops were sent to Vietnam in 1965.

More than 9 million Americans served during the Vietnam War, representing 10 percent of their generation.

They marked the oldest and best-educated force that America ever sent into harm’s way.

The last remaining troops were withdrawn in 1973.

George Voorhes served in the Korean War and had three tours of duty in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star. He entered the service at 17 years old, and rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class E7. He also worked as a banker, chef and nightclub manager.
Over the last 10 years of his service, he worked as a general’s aide. (Courtesy of Sandy Graves)

Though 97 percent would be honorably discharged, 58,307 service members died in the war, and more than 1,600 are still considered missing in action.

Upon their return to America, Vietnam troops often were greeted with silence — or worse — for having served in the controversial war.

Unlike soldiers returning from World War I and World War II, there were no ticker tape parades or triumphant marches for veterans returning from Vietnam.

Despite painful memories and personal losses, though, Voorhes remains proud of his service.

“It’s an honor to serve my country,” he said, “and I’d do it again, if I had to.”

The Rotary Club’s commemorative ceremony and breakfast was held at the Copperstone Executive Suites in Land O’ Lakes.

Voorhes received the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemorative Lapel Pin from Chief George McDonald, of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. McDonald is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel.

Throughout the hour-long event, Voorhes was lavished with applause, warm greetings and countless thank-you’s from dozens of Rotarians and their guests.

Voorhes also received a dedication message and certificate form the staff of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

The congressman, who represents Florida’s 12th District and is vice chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, even had an American flag flown over the United States Capitol to honor Voorhes’ service.

Michael J. Cimmina, of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ office, presented Voorhes with an American flag, which was flown over the United States Capitol in honor of his service. (Kevin Weiss)

In a letter to Voorhes, Bilirakis wrote, “There are no words that can adequately express the gratitude, admiration and respect that your military service during the Korean and Vietnam Wars has earned.”

The congressman also noted that members of the Armed Forces “who served bravely” during the Vietnam War “were caught in the crossfire of public debate regarding our nation’s involvement and did not receive the warm welcome that you all deserved.”

The Vietnam War Commemoration is a government-led initiative, engaging 10,000 event partners, ranging from the Boy Scouts of America to the NFL.

In 2012, President Barack Obama signed a proclamation creating the Vietnam War Commemoration. Obama called on communities across the country to come together and hold events between then and Veteran’s Day 2025 to recognize the 7 million living Vietnam veterans.

To date, the commemoration has reached more than 1.4 million Vietnam veterans and their family members.

Voorhes was chosen as the Rotary Club’s first recipient after his wife of 57 years, Jean Voorhes, reached out to the service organization, inquiring about the program.

The satellite Rotary Club had just recently become an official commemoration partner, through the United States Department of Defense.

That application process took about a year, said Sandy Graves, a member of the satellite club who helped coordinate the ceremony for Voorhes.

“The club’s worked very hard to become a commemorative partner with the government and do these ceremonies for Vietnam vets that kind of didn’t get that when they came home,” Graves said.

Moving forward, the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Land O’ Lakes Satellite Club plans to organize two Vietnam Commemoration ceremonies each year.

Graves said the satellite club will likely host a dinner ceremony sometime this fall, to honor multiple Rotarians that served in Vietnam.

“It’s a wonderful thing,” Graves said of the Vietnam commemoration program. “My father served in the military, I have many friends that served in the military and every night I would just implore everyone to, when you do lay down to go to sleep, think about how come you’re able to do that, and be very thankful for those that made (freedom) possible for us.”

Vietnam War (1954-1975)
U.S. Troop Statistics:
8,744,000 – Total number of U.S. Troops that served worldwide during Vietnam
3,403,000 served in Southeast Asia
2,594,000 served in South Vietnam

The total of American servicemen listed as POW/MIA at the end of the war was 2,646.

Death Toll
58,307- Total U.S. Deaths (Average age of 23.1 years old)
1.3 million – Total military deaths for all countries involved
1 million – Total civilian deaths
–Figures compiled by the U.S. Department of Defense

Published July 5, 2017

 

Family seeks help for their 5-year-old son

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Priscilla Avila-Posey knew early on her son, Julian, was unique from others.

He looks like a typical 5-year-old, but suffers from many severe developmental and medical issues.

He has a rare micro-chromosome deletion that has been diagnosed as autism.

He is stuck mentally at the level of a toddler. He suffers from mixed expressive receptive language disorder, auditory processing disorder, sensory processing disorder and severe anxiety.

Julian Posey is pictured with his father, Mike, and mother, Priscilla. The 5-year-old suffers from many severe developmental and medical issues, including a rare micro-chromosome deletion that has been diagnosed as autism.
(Kevin Weiss)

He cannot talk, potty train, dress himself or brush his teeth.

He cannot attend school, either.

For treatment, Julian sees multiple therapists — speech, occupational, physical and applied behavioral analysis — totaling about 46 hours each week.

But, that’s not enough.

To develop the skills he needs for a normal life, additional therapy is needed at the family’s Zephyrhills home, his mother said.

However, the family’s insurance plan won’t cover the therapeutic equipment that’s needed.

Avila-Posey was forced to quit her part-time job in 2014 in order to care for Julian. Her husband, Mike, works full-time.

To help with the family’s financial needs, Avila-Posey created a GoFundMe page in May.

She set a goal of $3,000 to purchase eight items, ranging from a sensory pod to a therapeutic listening program.

She didn’t expect any donations.

But, by June 30, more than $1,300 had been raised.

Donations have poured in from friends, family members, and former teachers at Zephyrhills High School.

Even perfect strangers have pitched in.

“It was very nice to see the reaction we got, and to see that people cared,” Avila-Posey said. “It makes me happy, because I know somebody is taking time out of their day to think about him.”

Already, the Posey family has used funds to purchase a Yogibo, for deep sensory input; a platform swing and stand, for sensory integration; and, a bubble column, used as a calming mechanism during therapy.

“We didn’t want people to think that we’re just asking for money,” Avila-Posey said. “We’re fine with donations, second-hand — if anybody even wanted to have us purchase them at like a cheaper rate or reused, we’re all for that.”

Besides cognitive handicaps, Julian also has numerous health problems.

Perhaps the worst is erythromelalgia, a rare condition characterized by episodes of pain, redness and swelling in various parts of the body, particularly the hands and feet.

The episodes are usually triggered by increased body temperature, which may be caused by exercise or entering a warm room.

In the Florida heat, especially the summer, Julian can only be outside for a few minutes at a time before symptoms arise.

“He has to play somewhere where there’s A/C, in order to be physically active,” Avila-Posey explained.

Julian also suffers from asthma, acid reflux, chronic constipation, chronic sinusitis, allergies, an immune system deficiency and gait disturbance.

All told, Julian sees over eight specialists for his health issues, and has already undergone six surgeries.

He goes to doctor’s appointments all over the place — from Zephyrhills to Odessa, to St. Petersburg and Orlando.

“If it’s not one thing, it’s literally the other,” Avila-Posey said.

“It’s been like nonstop. He almost doesn’t catch a break.”

Avila-Posey acknowledges there are “bad days,” when her son screams and cries endlessly — with no solution to console him.

“It’s so sad,” she said, “because it almost makes you think you’re not doing something right because you can’t fix it.”

Formerly a childcare day care professional, Avila-Posey had experience working with special needs adolescents.

That, she said, has made caring for her son “a lot less scary.”

Still, it breaks her heart to see him struggle.

The hardest obstacle, she said, is Julian’s limited understanding.

“Some days he doesn’t know what you’re saying to him,” she said.

Forming a bond with Julian wasn’t automatic from birth.

“I had to earn that,” Avila-Posey explained. “It took years to form that bond, and it’s super strong now.

“I feel like that makes it even more special, because I had to work for it. It wasn’t unconditional. It is now, but I had to establish that.”

For the most part, Julian is a happy, fun-loving boy.

It’s evident when he visits entertainment centers like Chuck E. Cheese’s, Bangin’ Bungee Kidz Zone and 2Infinity Extreme Air Sports.

He also gets a kick out of movie monsters, dinosaurs, minions and superheroes, Avila-Posey said.

“He’s got a cute little sense of humor,” she said, joyfully. “He’s got like 20 different laughs.”

Meanwhile, her son’s various obstacles create a whole new perspective on life.

“It almost humbles you a little bit,” Avila-Posey said. “It makes you step back and take a check at your attitude, like, ‘Really, what are you complaining about today? Is your day that hard?’”

In caring for Julian, Avila-Posey takes one day at a time, finding ways to make his life easier.

She also maintains her faith in him, regardless what others may say.

“Sometimes you’re your only child’s advocate and cheerleader,” she said. “Always be their voice.”

To donate, visit GoFundMe.com/supportbabyjulian.
The Posey family will also accept second-hand items, including an adaptive stroller, tablet, therapeutic listening program, climb and slide, sensory pod, crash pad and abilitation jigglers.

Published July 5, 2017

Wiregrass Ranch football loses two playmakers

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The 2017 football season is two months away, but one of Pasco County’s top teams already has taken a hit.

In a week’s span, two varsity standouts from Wiregrass Ranch High School — cornerback Shamaur McDowell and quarterback/safety Raymond Woodie III — have exited the rising program, which last season finished Class 7A, District 8 runner-up, making its first playoff appearance since 2010.

Senior cornerback Shamaur McDowell has transferred to IMG Academy, a boarding school and sport-training destination in Bradenton. (File)

On June 16, Woodie III, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound junior, announced he was enrolling at Sheldon High School in Eugene, Oregon, a move that allows him to reconnect with his father, an assistant football coach at the University of Oregon.

“…I would like to thank everyone at Wiregrass for taking me in and giving me the opportunity to be successful on and off the football field,” Woodie III said, in a statement. “I will forever be grateful to the coaches and players, and wish them nothing but the best this season. With that being said, my family and I have decided it is best for me to move out to Oregon with them and attend Sheldon High School.”

Just four days later, McDowell, a 5-foot-11, 184-pound senior, announced his intention to transfer to IMG Academy, a boarding school and sport-training destination in Bradenton.

“My parents and I felt like it was the best decision,” McDowell said, in a statement. “It will allow me to focus on being the best student-athlete I can be. It will also prepare me for the next stage in my life.”

Both are widely regarded as elite prospects for their respective classes.

And, noteworthy losses for Wiregrass Ranch, which figures to be one of the better teams in Pasco in 2017.

Woodie III, who landed at Wiregrass Ranch after transferring from Carrollwood Day School in the offseason, is rated by 247Sports as a three-star prospect and the nation’s eighth-best dual-threat quarterback for the 2019 class, and boasts scholarship offers from over 20 Division I football programs.

McDowell, a three-year varsity player for the Bulls and verbal commit to the University of Minnesota, is rated by 247Sports as a three-star prospect and ranked among the state’s top 300 players for the 2018 class; he also holds scholarship offers from nearly 20 Division I schools.

Junior quarterback/safety Raymond Woodie III has transferred to Sheldon High School in Eugene, Oregon, a move that allows him to reconnect with his father, an assistant football coach at the University of Oregon. (File)

For McDowell, the transfer to IMG Academy offers an opportunity to further enhance his skills, and raise his national profile.

The academy, ranked as the top prep program in Florida, typically plays a national schedule.

This season, IMG Academy (11-0 in 2016) will play games in Arizona, California, Maryland, Washington D.C., Utah, Alabama and Virginia, facing some of the nation’s other top prep football schools.

Throughout the school year, McDowell will receive training inside state-of-the art facilities from a staff of full-time coaches, trainers and nutritionists.

He will also compete alongside other top talent — IMG’s entire roster is actively recruited by FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) schools.

Meanwhile, the Bulls remain stockpiled with impact players, even with the two departures.

It all starts with senior defensive back Jordan Miner.

The four-star prospect is ranked one of the state’s top 50 players for the 2018 recruiting class, and claims nearly 30 Division I scholarship offers, including Penn State University, University of Maryland, University of North Carolina and University of Tennessee, among others.

Last season for the Bulls, the 6-foot-1, 177-pound Miner tallied 38 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and 12 passes defensed.

He also racked up nearly 500 all-purpose yards on offense, defense and special teams.

Besides Miner, the Bulls have numerous players with standing college scholarships offers, including wide receiver/safety Daniel Biglow (Fort Lewis College), safety/running back Kwesi Littlejohn (Webber International University), tight end/defensive end Devaun Roberts (Warner University, Webber International) and wide receiver/slot back Adrian Thomas (Webber International).

The return of 1,000-yard rusher Da Da McGee and a potential breakout campaign from junior quarterback Grant Sessums should also help mask the exodus of Woodie III and McDowell.

Save for anymore unforeseen departures from the program, the Bulls look to build on last season’s success, under third-year coach Mark Kantor.

Kantor, who previously coached at Hudson High School, orchestrated an impressive turnaround from 2015 (2-8 record) to 2016 (7-3 record).

But, the upcoming season won’t be easy.

Besides facing tough district opponents like Plant, Gaither and Wharton high schools, the Bulls kick off the 2017 slate against nondistrict opponents Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel and Sunlake high schools — which went a combined 22-7 last season.

The challenging schedule may come in handy near playoff time, however.

The Florida High School Athletic Association’s new playoff system for football stresses strength of schedule, along with overall record. After the four district champs in Class 7A, Region 2, the other four playoff teams will be determined by a points-based system.

In preparation for the rigors of a demanding 2017 schedule, Kantor arranged a May 19 spring game against Tampa Catholic (33-27 loss) and August 18 preseason classic against Clearwater Central Catholic (9-2 record in 2016).

—Stats were supplied by coaches on Maxpreps.com

Wiregrass Ranch High 2017 football schedule
Aug. 18 – at Clearwater Central Catholic
Aug. 25 – Zephyrhills High School
Sept. 1- at Wesley Chapel High School
Sept. 8 – Sunlake High School
Sept. 15 – at Sickles High School
Sept. 22 – Wharton High School
Oct. 6 – at Gaither High School
Oct. 13 — at Freedom High School
Oct. 20 — Leto High School
Oct. 27 — Plant High School
Nov. 3 – at Auburndale High School

Published July 5, 2017

District Champs!

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(Courtesy of Terence Doohen)

The Land O’ Lakes Little League All-Stars (10-11 year-olds) won the Florida District 25 championship on June 21 by defeating North Seminole 18 to 7. The all-star team begins sectional play on July 7 in Lakewood Ranch. Front row, left to right: Tony Padilla, Hunter Stahl, Isaac Doohen, Korbin Baskind and Zack Rock. Back row, left to right: Michael Souza, Diezel Brown, Chandler Norrie, Logan Koslin, Nick Cameron, Vinny VerPault, Jacob Flynn and Ovani Santiago. Coaches, from left: Bill Baskind, Tom Ketterer and Terence Doohen.

Saint Leo women’s golf coach resigns; accepts position at Colorado State

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Saint Leo head women’s golf coach Tommy Baker has resigned from his role at the university to accept an assistant coaching position at Colorado State University, a Division I program in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Baker exits Saint Leo after four seasons, having turned the Lions into a top-10 program over the past two seasons.

Saint Leo University’s head women’s golf coach Tommy Baker resigned from the university, to accept a coaching position at Colorado State University. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

“All of us at Saint Leo are grateful for Coach Baker’s contributions to the growth of the women’s golf program and to our overall women’s athletics program,” Saint Leo athletic director Francis X. Reidy said, in a release. “He has laid a great foundation for the future growth of Saint Leo women’s golf, and we will now look for a successor to build on Tommy’s work over the last four years. Tommy has been a tremendous asset to our department, and I wish him all the best in his new role at Colorado State.”

The Lions qualified for the NCAA South Super Regional in each of Baker’s four seasons at the helm. His 2015-16 squad earned the program’s first team qualifier into the national championship and finished in a tie fourth place, while Saint Leo produced individual qualifiers in 2014 and 2017.

Baker coached senior Marie Coors, Division II’s top-ranked player throughout much of 2016-2017, to the individual title at the 2017 NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championship in Findlay, Ohio – Saint Leo’s first NCAA national championship, team or individual, in women’s athletics.

Coors capped the season by earning 2017 Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) Division II Player of the Year honors, as well as being named the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Division II Academic All-America of the Year in the At-Large category, and the Division II Honda Athlete of the Year nominee in women’s golf.

Coors was one of three WGCA All-Americans who was coached by Baker over his four seasons at Saint Leo, two of whom he recruited.

Also during Baker’s time as head coach, the Lions’ four-player team stroke average dropped from 309.59 in his first season down to 297.64 in 2016-17, and Saint Leo’s 74.46 adjusted scoring average in 2016-17 was fourth lowest in all of Division II according to GolfStat.

“I have enjoyed my time at Saint Leo University and feel extremely grateful for the knowledge and friendships that I have gained over the past four years. I am forever grateful for the opportunity the university provided me,” said Baker. “I want to personally thank Dr. Arthur Kirk and Dr. William Lennox (former and current Saint Leo presidents), Fran Reidy, and the Saint Leo community for allowing and trusting me to be an influential part of the daily lives of our student-athletes. I wish the university, the athletics department, and the Saint Leo women’s golf program continued success.”

Prior to Saint Leo, Baker served as the head golf coach at Coker College, in Hartsville, South Carolina, and assistant golf coach at University of North Carolina-Pembroke.

Area signings and commitments

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  • Wharton High School offensive tackle Lavel Dumont verbally committed to the University of Toledo, a Division I school in Ohio. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound rising senior is a consensus three-star recruit and claims over a dozen scholarship offers, mostly from mid-major programs. According to 247Sports, Dumont is one of the nation’s top 100 offensive tackle prospects for the 2018 football recruiting class.

    Wharton High’s Lavel Dumont has committed to the University of Toledo. (Courtesy of Rivals.com)
  • Wesley Chapel High School utility/designated hitter Hunter Moye has signed to play baseball at Central Lakes College, a junior college in Brainerd, Minnesota. Moye was named to the SAC (Sunshine Athletic Conference) East All-County Second-Team in 2016.
  • Wiregrass Ranch High School third baseman Hunter Brown has committed to play baseball at Glenville State College, a Division II school in West Virginia. Brown posted a .232 batting average and .338 on-base percentage in 2017.

 

Using food to fight aging effects

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They learned about ‘superfoods,’ and then they cooked with them.

Humana Zephyrhills hosted a nutrition talk and cooking demonstration for seniors on June 12, focusing on foods that may help fight the effects of aging.

Impacts from aging can include vision and memory loss, decreased brain function, and other chronic health problems such as heart disease and high blood pressure.

Jen Wead, a Zephyrhills-based caterer, exhibited the ease of preparing quick, superfood-based recipes from scratch. She used a compact culinary station to create a grilled tuna and bean salad, and strawberry-ricotta, whole-grain bruschetta. (Kevin Weiss)

During the interactive discussion, a roomful of guests studied the various health benefits of 10 types of superfoods, including, berries; cold-water, fatty fish; extra-virgin olive oil; dark, leafy greens; nuts and seeds; legumes; whole grains; sweet potatoes; plain yogurt; and, dark chocolate.

Superfoods, considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being, are usually rich in antioxidants — chemicals believed to help protect the body from the damaging effects of free radicals.

Antioxidants are present in foods in the form of vitamins, minerals, flavonoids and polyphenols.

Rhea Paul, a Humana health educator, offered numerous tips on incorporating superfoods into daily diets, while highlighting the importance of doing so.

Though impossible to completely stop aging, Paul noted superfoods can “help slow down the disease process.”

As a general rule, she said produce in “dark, deep, rich, vibrant colors” contains the most antioxidants.

Blueberries and strawberries, kale and broccoli, and sweet potatoes are some examples.

Spinach, turnips and mustard greens are others.

“You want a rainbow a day when you’re eating your food,” Paul said. “That’s really, really important.”

Paul explained fresh or frozen — opposed to canned or processed — fruits and veggies are the ideal option, to avoid added preservatives and other harmful substances.

“When you get your (fruits), don’t get the sweetened kind. You don’t want them to have the sugar added to it,” Paul advised.

“You have to be very careful about reading labels.”

From easy-to-make smoothies and salads, to topping off on cereals, Paul said, “the possibilities are endless” for incorporating fruits and veggies, daily.

Paul also went into detail about other superfoods, including plain, unsalted nuts (walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios) and legumes (beans, peas, lentils).

Each provide excellent sources of plant-based protein and fiber — which Paul noted is lacking in typical American diets.

They can seamlessly be supplemented to soups, salads, pastas and crockpot dishes.

They’re economical, too.

“It’s great if you’re on a budget,” Paul said, “because you can get a bag of dried beans, and it could last.”

Besides preventing age-related issues, the listed superfoods can help lower bad cholesterol levels and stabilize blood sugar levels, to maintain a healthy weight.

But, even with all the benefits, Paul warned foods should be eaten in moderation — especially high-caloric olive oil and dark chocolate, plus fish, whole grains and yogurt.

“You don’t need a lot,” she warned.

Paul suggests eating the smallest meal of the day in the evening, and drinking plenty of water to properly absorb vitamins and minerals.

She also recommends consulting a doctor regarding the right amount of certain nutrients, before making drastic dietary changes.

After the lecture, it was time to cook.

Chef Jen Wead, a Zephyrhills-based caterer, exhibited the ease of preparing quick, superfood-based recipes from scratch.

She used a compact culinary station — equipped with a George Foreman grill and toaster oven — to craft a grilled tuna and bean salad, and strawberry-ricotta, whole-grain bruschetta.

Both dishes were served in less than 45 minutes combined.

And, they were packed with nutrients.

Wead operates Catering by The Rose and teaches monthly healthy cooking classes for Humana community locations in Central Florida, including Kissimmee, Port Richey and Spring Hill.

She said cooking healthily can be done inexpensively, despite conventional belief.

Buying in bulk and purchasing seasonal produce helps keep costs down, she said.

The tuna steaks used in the salad recipe, for example, were purchased for less than $2 each.

“It’s not really accurate to say it’s more expensive to eat healthy,” she said. “If you do it correctly, it isn’t.”

Eating healthy can also be fun, by putting your own spin on recipes.

Wead, for instance, substituted brown sugar with honey and used skim milk ricotta cheese on the bruschetta.

She also substituted basil with mint.

“There are no rules,” she stated. “Get crazy with it.”

Wead, meanwhile, provided some tips on cooking for just one or two people.

She advises keeping it simple —using five ingredients or less per dish, and staying organized — keeping a list, and labeling freezer bags and Tupperware.

She also suggests following the FIFO (First In, First Out) principle. “Make things you don’t mind having leftovers the next day,” she said.

Those looking for healthy recipes, Wead recommends PickledPlum.com, Food.com and FoodNetwork.com.

Humana community locations are open to the public Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information on events, programs and activities at Humana’s Zephyrhills location, visit Humana.com/ZephyrhillsCommunity.

Published June 28, 2017

Saint Leo coach seeks to ‘win at a high level’

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Rick O’ Dette won nearly 500 games coaching baseball in the Midwest — now he’s looking for similar results down south in Pasco County.

O’ Dette, who coached at Division II Saint Joseph’s College of Indiana for 17 seasons, was named Saint Leo University’s new baseball coach on June 15.

He replaces Saint Leo alumnus Sean O’ Connor, who surprisingly was let go after a 23-26 record in 2017 — his first losing campaign in five seasons (155-90-1 record).

Rick O’ Dette was named Saint Leo’s new baseball coach on June 15. He replaces Sean O’ Connor, who was let go following a 23-26 losing season. O’ Dette coached the past 17 years at Division II Saint Joseph’s College of Indiana, where he amassed a 494-407-4 overall record. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

O’ Dette, 41, most recently steered Saint Joseph’s to a 35-22 record and the program’s fourth berth in the NCAA Midwest Regional — despite the knowledge that the university would be suspending all operations following the 2016-2017 academic year.

The achievement earned him Great Lakes Valley Conference’s 2017 Coach of the Year. He also was selected as HERO Sports Division II Coach of the Year by a fan poll.

Other college programs expressed interest in his services, but O’ Dette picked Saint Leo, calling it a “hidden gem” among the Division II baseball ranks.

Besides the sunny Florida climate, O’ Dette pointed to Saint Leo’s conference affiliation (the highly competitive Sunshine State Conference), the university’s facilities and resources, and its academic reputation as key reasons the gig is so attractive.

“I thought it was an extremely appealing place…that we could win, and win at a high level,” he said.

He’s done plenty of that.

At Saint Joseph’s College, O’ Dette amassed a 494-407-4 overall record.

In fact, he will begin his first season in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) ranked fourth among active SSC head coaches in total wins behind University of Tampa’s Joe Urso (744), Rollins College’s Jon Sjogren (680), and Barry University’s Juan Ranero (542).

Throughout his 17-year ledger at Saint Joseph’s, O’ Dette coached 56 All-GLVC (Great Lakes Valley Conference) selections, 25 All-Region honorees and four Division II All-Americans.

Moreover, 24 of his players have gone on to play professional baseball, including eight who were drafted or signed as free agents by Major League Baseball teams.

Victories on the diamond aren’t the only hallmark of O’ Dette’s squads.

His players also are known for their classroom success.

Every baseball student-athlete that exhausted his eligibility — during O’ Dette’s tenure at Saint Joseph’s College — has earned a degree.

Additionally, 84 players have earned GLVC Academic All-Conference honors during O’ Dette’s time at the helm of Puma baseball. His most recent squad finished the academic year with a 3.38 team grade point average.

It’s a trend he plans to continue at Saint Leo.

“We want to make sure they’re well-rounded,” O’ Dette said. “It’s just not going to be majoring in baseball, they’re going to have to do something when baseball is over.”

He continued: “We have to recruit the right students. If we’re chasing that guy to go to class, we’re wasting time.”

O’ Dette, meanwhile, can best be described as a baseball lifer.

He was a 15th round pick of the Boston Red Sox in the 1997 MLB First-Year Player Draft, and played at four different levels within the Red Sox organization, until injuries halted his career.

He began his coaching career at 23 years old, almost immediately after his playing days ended.

O’ Dette worked as a professional instructor for Championship Sports Academy in Tinley Park, Illinois, as well as the Chicago White Sox Training Center. He spent two summers as the head coach for the Upper Deck Cougars Baseball Organization out of Palos, Illinois, guiding the club to consecutive fourth place finishes at the World Championships.

O’ Dette also spent the 1999-2000 academic year as the pitching coach for Andrean High School in Merrillville, Indiana.

In a release, Saint Leo athletic director Francis X. Reidy said O’ Dette “was exactly the type of coach we were looking for” in the hiring search.

“He has proven his ability to develop a program built on academic success, athletic excellence and a commitment to the Division II ideal, and I am confident he will bring Saint Leo baseball back to the upper echelon of Sunshine State Conference baseball,” Reidy said.

Additionally, several of O’ Dette’s former players expressed support for the hire on Facebook and Twitter, while fans and alums of Saint Joseph’s College lauded his coaching acumen.

The hire also received support from industry leaders in the sport, including University of Illinois head baseball coach Dan Hartleb, the 2015 Big Ten Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year finalist.

“Rick O’ Dette is an outstanding hire for Saint Leo. He’s one of the most respected recruiters in the Midwest and Chicagoland area,” Hartleb said, in a statement.

“He is a tireless worker, develops great relationships with players, with people in the community and from a recruiting standpoint. Rick will develop the same type of recruiting relationships and reputation in Florida in a short amount of time. Rick will do whatever it takes to ethically build Saint Leo’s program into a national contender.”

Interestingly, O’ Dette isn’t the first ball coach to make the trek from Rensselaer, Indiana, to east Pasco County.

Academy at the Lakes varsity softball coach Diane Stephenson worked for Saint Joseph’s College in 2014 and 2015. She was hired by Academy at the Lakes in July 2016, and last season she led the private school to a 20-3 mark and the Class 2A regional finals.

Published June 28, 2017