The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mike Camunas

Rejuvenation planned for Polly Touchton Park

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Polly Touchton would be proud.

Ruth Embry “Miss Polly” Touchton is the namesake of the small, but beloved park in Dade City. She’s also the grandmother of Tom Touchton, a native of Dade City and the person spearheading a much-anticipated initiative for the park situated between Fifth and Seventh streets, and Bougainvillea and Southview avenues.

Polly Touchton Park, located between Fifth and Seventh streets, and Bougainvillea and Southview avenues, in Dade City, is set to have a full renovation and redesign. Besides sprucing up the park, the improvements include adding sidewalks, a small separation wall, swing benches, new benches and tables for picnics, and parking. (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

Touchton unveiled impressive renovation plans for the park during the May 23 Dade City Commission meeting. The project will completely redesign the park that hugs the Dade City Garden Club and greets drivers at the apex of U.S. 98 and Seventh Street.

“This could really become the jewel of the city,” Touchton said to the commissioners and a packed room of supporters, including many garden club members. “This park already welcomes you into the city and honors my family, which came to Dade City 125 years ago.”

The all-encompassing design for the improvements include rebuilding the iconic sign seen on Seventh Street. The biggest change, however, involves the installation of a small separation wall that essentially will split the park in half. 

The wall is climbable for children and includes two sets of stairs that lead down to serpentine sidewalks. The park also will have swing benches and new picnic areas.

Tom Touchton, who is Polly’s grandson, spearheaded the effort for the renovation of the small park in Dade City. (Mike Camunas)

City commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the renovation plan.

It joins eight other projects, totaling about $30 million in city funds, that are currently in the works in Dade City.

The Touchton Renovation Project has a “budget (that) is an ongoing moving target with the addition of stormwater improvements,” according to Jason Warrenfeltz, the city’s public works director.

“We really wanted to keep the beauty and the trees of the park, which provide a nice canopy, and also some memorial trees and some of the oldest in the city,” Tom Touchton said. “For four generations now, my family has been involved in parks and projects in Dade City. It was important to me, with the park’s renovation, to recognize the positive influences and values of my family throughout my life here, as well as the examples they set through their civic and business contributions to Dade City over many decades.”

Ruth Embry ‘Miss Polly’ Touchton is the namesake of the small, but beloved park in Dade City. (Courtesy of Tom Touchton)

The park is named after “Miss Polly” Touchton, when the city named it in 1986. With the renovation, plaques will be installed giving the history of the Touchtons in Dade City, as well as honoring Tom’s grandparents — Polly and Charles Floyd Touchton Sr. — and his parents — Charles Jr. and Thelma Touchton.

More than 125 years ago, Tom Touchton’s great-grandparents arrived by train in Dade City, with eight kids in tow — seven boys and one girl, Polly.

Polly was a charter member of the Dade City’s Woman’s Club in 1909, a Red Cross volunteer in World War I, the longest surviving member (77 years) of the First Presbyterian Church of Dade City where she was a Sunday School teacher and, of course, also a charter member of the Dade City Garden Club.

The city commissioners were blown away by the redesign plans.

“I think this will beautify the gateway to the city,” Mayor Jim Shive said. “It’s already seen when you enter the city from U.S. 301 and now it will be an incredibly beautiful park to welcome people to Dade City.”

Fellow commissioner Ann Cosentino agreed.

“Seeing these plans and this presentation, it’s like Christmas morning all over again,” she said. “It’s just beautiful to see (the plans) laid out for us, and I think every Dade City resident is going to love it.”

Published June 07, 2023

Take a turn at Durney Key

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Pasco County has its very own Beer Can Island.

It just has a different name.

In Pasco, it’s called Durney Key — a small island off the coast of Port Richey — just a mile west of the Pithlachascotee (Cotee) River.

Durney Key, off the coast of Port Richey in the Gulf of Mexico, is a small island a mile west of the Pithlachascotee (Cotee) River and a popular hangout for boaters, kayakers and water adventurers. Durney Key is not a designated park or preserve, but is a popular spot for visitors, especially on the weekends. They drop anchors and spend the day on the beach with families, pets, water crafts, activities and cooking out. (Mike Camunas)

It is not a designated park or preserve.

In fact, one could call it ‘No Man’s Land,’ however, that would be misleading because it is quite popular and generally has someone hanging around it, be it men, women, kids, even pets.

It’s a modest spoil island that is lush with trees and vegetation. Its shallow water is perfect for swimming, snorkeling or just doing what Floridians do best: hanging around in the water.

It’s an easy boat or watercraft ride out to Durney Key and it even includes a little bit of state history.

Visiting this small island is definitely worth the trip.  

A key from the mayor
Durney Key is named after John Durney, who was mayor of Port Richey from 1967 to 1975 and also mayor of New Port Richey from 1978 to 1980.

During his tenures, Durney was a strong advocate for dredging the boat channel from the Pithlachascotee River into the Gulf of Mexico. When it was finally done, Durney Key was created as a spoil area.

Oddly enough, Pasco County does not claim ownership of Durney Key, however, according to a sign on the small island, it is owned by Florida.

It did not gain official status until 2007 when the U.S. Board of Geographic Names voted to accept the name locals have always used.

Durney Key is a small island, but has a couple of short trails, plenty of tree coverage and large enough trees to hang hammocks and seating apparatuses. It even has a couple of fire pits.

That being said, no one regulates the spot, which may explain its popularity.

No permits are required to anchor, hang out, even camp on the small island. There is nothing to prohibit temporary shelters, cooking, bringing alcoholic beverages or pets.

It’s good fishing, too.

Surrounding grass flats harbor lots of trout, while snook use the clean western beach for summer spawning. Mackerel and sharks patrol the perimeter during spring and summer, while schools of big redfish often gather nearby.

Reaching Durney Key requires a watercraft, and most are outboard motor boats or pontoon boats. But there are plenty of kayakers and paddle boarders who make the trek, including yours truly.

The most convenient launch point is nearby Brasher Park, at the west end of Koons Road or at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, located off U.S. 19.

It should be noted, however, that this paddling trip, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, is for more experienced paddlers.

Stilt houses, built in the early 1900s, sporadically dot around Durney Key off the coast of Port Richey. Working fishermen built these camps above the water, both as a place to store the mullet they caught and to seek shelter during storms. At one point, there were 24 stilt homes. Now, just eight remain.

Stilted history
While there is plenty of sun and fun at Durney Key, there’s also a bit of history.

Dotted around the small island are historic stilt houses that are a reminder of the working Florida fishermen, who built camps above the water, both as a place to store the mullet they caught and to seek shelter during storms. 

Originally built in the early 1900s, there were about 24 on the water, but Hurricane Gladys destroyed many of them in 1968. Just eight remain now.

All are privately owned and have been grandfathered in by the state Legislature, which holds the leases to the land. No new houses can be built, though damaged ones can be repaired. Sadly there are none available for rent and climbing onto the houses is not allowed.

Paddling and snorkeling around the houses, however, is allowed.

Seclusion by popularity
Durney Key is basically an island paradise that can be enjoyed by all, especially those that come out and claim it for the afternoon or sunny day. 

It can get a little crowded, maybe even a little rowdy, but boaters and visitors are remarkably diligent in keeping this slice of watery exploration and paradise pristine. 

While it’s still not a real park, with say trash cans, there is no trash, as everyone is very good about taking out what they bring in. Visitors are also very respectable by working to make sure the island doesn’t erode over time, or with use, either.

Though no one or agency might own Durney Key, it does belong to everyone.

It is, as a paradise should be, available to everyone.

Durney Key
Details: A small island off the coast of New Port Richey that has become a popular docking spot for boaters, as well as kayakers and paddleboarders. Salty Dog Kayak Rentals, which operates out of Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, occasionally will take a paddling tour out there. Making the trek is recommended only for experienced kayakers and paddlers. For more information on kayak tours, visit SaltyDogKayakRentals.com.

Published June 07, 2023

A large piece of driftwood makes for a picturesque, and unofficial marker, of Durney Key off the coast of Port Richey.
Durney Key can be reached by kayak or paddleboard, with docking spots at nearby Brasher Park and Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or more to paddle out to the small island.

Dade City swears in new city commissioner

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It didn’t take long for Dade City to fill its city commissioner vacancy.

After interviewing five candidates, the city commission selected Lisa Simon and swore in the fairly new town resident on May 23.

Simon, who moved to Dade City from Jacksonville in 2021, fills the Group 4 position vacated by Knute Nathe.

Lisa Simon is sworn in as Dade City Commissioner Group 4 position at the May 23 City Commission Meeting. (Mike Camunas)

Nathe, a Dade City native, resigned to serve as a Pasco County Judge on April 13, and his term was set to end in April 2024.

Nathe also was mayor pro tem.

Simon, a former preschool teacher and a real estate agent, joins Mayor Jim Shive and commissioners Normita Woodard, Scott Black and Ann Cosentino on the panel.

“I would like to thank her family because this can also be a time-consuming position,” Shive told the packed city commission meeting room. “We are thankful and grateful for her stepping up and helping her community.”

Simon has been attending city commission meetings regularly, since she and her husband of 39 years moved to Dade City.

“I decided to put my money where my mouth is and I couldn’t be more excited to get started,” Simon said. “It’s a little daunting, but I am really ready to get to work.”

Others who were interviewed for the city commission seat were Clyde Carter, Jere Ferguson, Michael Stout and Steve Van Gordon.

In joining the commission, Simon expressed her appreciation for the support of her family, friends and the city, as well as her fellow commissioners.

Before moving to town, she and her husband looked all over for a new home. They decided on Dade City because they fell in love with its small-town feel.

“And then we pull up and come into town seeing all the signs that said, ‘Keep Dade City Rural’ and we’re like, ‘Uh oh. What have we done?’” Simon said. “But I started going to meetings and getting involved and just met some great people. What I learned from them is that they were concerned that the city was moving in the right direction and making sure that growth in Dade City was done the right way.”

In her first meeting after being sworn in, the New Orleans native, mother of five and soon-to-be grandma of five was able to partake in a handful of votes.

Those actions included approving:

  • Renovation plans for Polly Touchton Park
  • A name change from Garvin Place Road to Finnerty Way
  • A unanimous promotion of commissioner Woodard to the position of mayor pro tem

Published June 07, 2023

Gators continue softball dominance with state tourney appearance 

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For Mitch Wilkins, and his Land O’ Lakes High Softball Team, it’s all about expecting the unexpected.

That’s what keeps the team grounded. And it’s also what keeps the Gators a dominant force season after season, including this year when they made a Class 6A state semifinal appearance for the second time in the past three seasons.

“We do have high expectations every year, but we don’t play the season that way,” the longtime coach said.

The Land O’ Lakes High Softball Team traveled to Clermont to play in the Class 6A state semifinal on May 26 vs. Pace, but ultimately lost 3-0. They finished the season with a 19-12 record. (Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes High Athletics)

“We look at it one game at a time and at the beginning of every season, we tell the girls, we’re not going to talk about (the postseason) until we get there. We look at each game individually — we take it one opponent at a time.

“And they may talk about it amongst themselves,” Wilkins added. “They might say to each other that it will be cool to (go back to the state semifinals) and have their own expectations, but we just don’t go looking too far ahead into the season.

“Because anything can happen.”

Despite that, as well as being written off as a team that couldn’t make it as far as the Gators did, Land O’ Lakes made it back to the Class 6A state tournament. However, the Gators ultimately fell 3-0 to Pace High on May 26, in a game in which their bats were held at bay and their batters struck out 17 times. 

“In that game, at the plate, we didn’t make the adjustments to finally break through,” Wilkins said. “We did get runners to second and third (base), but couldn’t get that key hit.”

Pace’s Jayden Heavener was the culprit that kept Land O’ Lakes (19-12) scoreless and held to just a single hit by senior Hannah Purcell. Heavener has been a thorn in the Gators side since she was a freshman in 2021, when two years ago, in the same 6A state semifinal, Heavener struck out 10 Gators.

However, Land O’ Lakes was able to get to the pitcher in the seventh and advance to the state championship, though had to settle for being the 6A runner up.

“We kept in the game,” Wilkins said. “We kept it close. As a coach, you can’t ask for more from your players.”

That was in big part due to senior pitcher Aliana Mercado, who, as Wilkins put it, “pitched her heart out.”

The Gators advanced to the Class 6A state final four with a 3-0 win over Bloomingdale on May 19. (Courtesy of Chantalle Spencer)

Mercado pitched the whole game, allowing three runs on three hits. She struck out seven. The Sunshine Athletic Conference East Pitcher of the Year finished the season with a 15-6 record, 167 strikeouts and a 2.02 ERA.

“I’d love to brag about my girls and how well they’ve done, but they still had to go out there and earn the respect and the wins,” Wilkins said.

“And this season, I think they did.”

And brag Wilkins will, as humble as he can still be.

While Wilkins is losing eight graduating seniors, he knows that players such as catcher Makenna Bellaire (.400 avg., 38 hits, 17 RBI, 9 doubles, 3 triples, 3 homers), second baseman Jadyn Spencer (.333 avg., 30 hits, 10 RBI, 7 doubles) and Purcell (.341 avg., 29 hits, 17 RBI, 8 doubles, triple, 3 homers) were key players for the Gators, especially down the stretch.

This also includes the return of centerfielder Nicol Werking, who was able to make it back in time for a postseason push after breaking her hand at the start of the season. Wilkins says getting Werking back was a stabilizing force in the outfield. But he reiterated injuries like this are among the factors that can influence a team’s performance each season.

Senior pitcher Aliana Mercado finished her final season as a Gator with a 15-6 record. She struck out 167 batters with a 2.02 ERA and three shutouts. (Courtesy of Chantalle Spencer)

“This is why you just look at one game at a time because you never know what could happen,” he said. “Plus, it’s a challenge to get (to the state tournament) and that is why we play a tough schedule every year, not to just prepare them for the postseason, but because strength of schedule helps us get into regionals without winning the district tournament.”

Indeed, the Gators did not win a district championship this season and were the No. 5 seed in the region tournament.

Wilkins feels losing 7-6 in 10 innings to Sickles in the district tournament told the players all they needed to know about advancing deep into the postseason once again.

“We did it without some of our key players (Mercado and third baseman Jailal Mitchell)” he added. “After that, they knew they could play with anyone.”

Which is how Wilkins and the returning Gators feel headed into this offseason. Even though they still won’t look too far ahead to what’s in store for 2024.

“I will tell you, next year, we will be competitive, and that’s the most you’ll get out of me,” Wilkins said with a laugh. “We’re not going to get too ahead of ourselves and say we’ll be great and, to me, that’s not being humble — it’s just where we need to be.

“We can come out with high expectations and small things can happen again and you’re not as good as you expected.

“But I’m really proud of our girls,” he added. “They give themselves an opportunity every year to compete at the highest levels and it takes skill, and a little bit of luck to go (as far as we did). Once they get to the playoffs, they really turn it up a notch and I love seeing that every year.”

Published June 07, 2023

2022-2023 Sunshine Athletic Conference Winter Awards

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The Sunshine Athletic Conference, which is made up of the 14 public high school athletic programs in Pasco County, announced its 2023 Spring All-Conference Teams and Players, voted on by the sports’ respective coaches. The awards are split into East and West divisions of the county. Here are the East Division first teams and the players and coaches of the year.

Baseball
​​Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch
Player of the Year: Maddox McDougall, Wiregrass Ranch
Coach of the Year: Calvin Baisley, Land O’ Lakes

First Team
Pitcher: Maddox McDougall, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Catcher: Guillermo Rivera, Wesley Chapel, junior
Infielder: Max Menendez, Cypress Creek, senior
Infielder: Isaiah Fudge, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Infielder: Austin Dobbins, Zephyrhills, senior
Infielder: Bradon Durfee, Land O’ Lakes, senior
Outfielder: J.P. Pennella, Land O’ Lakes, senior
Outfielder: Cameron Oliver, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Outfielder: Maddox Rivera, Zephyrhills, senior
Utility/Designated Hitter: Mills Carrillo, Wesley Chapel, freshman

Land O’ Lakes senior pitcher Aliana Mercado (Courtesy of Maddie McGinty)

Softball
Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes
Player of the Year: Courtney Marks, Wesley Chapel
Pitcher of the Year: Aliana Mercado, Land O’ Lakes
Coach of the Year: Mitch Wilkins, Land O’ Lakes

First Team
Pitcher: Aliana Mercado, Land O’ Lakes, senior
Catcher: Makenna Bellaire, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore
Infielder: Kylee Johnson, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Infielder: Hannah Davila, Wesley Chapel, senior
Infielder: Mia Fields, Sunlake, junior
Infielder: Cat Durden, Pasco, junior
Outfielder: Courtney Marks, Wesley Chapel, junior
Outfielder: Ahmari Arca, Wesley Chapel, senior
Outfielder: Laila Woolfolk, Zephyrhills, sophomore
Utility/Designated Hitter, Designated Player: Ava Blakely, Wesley Chapel, junior

Boys Tennis
Team Champion: Wiregrass Ranch
Player of the Year: Ninad Raut, Wiregrass Ranch
Coach of the Year: David Wilson, Wiregrass Ranch

From left: Jeremy Caruso, Belal Mansour, Vlad Shumakov, Zak Herrmann and Ninad Raut are the Class 3A boys tennis team state champions. (Courtesy of Dave Wilson)

First Team
Ninad Raut, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Vlad Shumaker, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Zak Herrmann, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Belal Mansour, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Neil Patil, Land O’ Lakes, senior

Girls Tennis
Team Champion: Pasco
Player of the Year: Sofiya Janos, Land O’ Lakes
Coach of the Year: Jennifer Gaete, Land O’ Lakes

First Team
Kasey Lang, Pasco, junior
Madu Chander, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
Sofiya Janos, Land O’ Lakes, junior
Andria Wang, Land O’ Lakes, senior
Sydney West, Wiregrass Ranch, senior

Boys Track & Field
Team Champion: Sunlake
Track Athlete of the Year:  Alex Pena, Sunlake
Field Athlete of the Year: Aidan Marsh, Land O’Lakes
Coach of the Year: Randall Reeves

Land O’ Lakes senior lifter Aidan Marsh, left, and Gators weightlifting coach Tyler Farr. (Courtesy of Krissie Marsh)

First Team
4 x 800 meter: Drew Zevin, freshman; Christian Hindman, freshman; Joshua Hindman, junior; Alex Pena, senior, Sunlake
110 meter hurdles: Jared Ryder, Sunlake, sophomore
100 meter: Damien Pickett Jr., Zephyrhills, sophomore
1600 meter: Zack Poekert, Cypress Creek, senior
4 x 100 meter: Jaylen Smith, junior; Benjamin Raines, sophomore; Roosevelt Miller, freshman; Jeremiah Bland, senior, Zephyrhills
400 meter: Damien Pickett Jr., Zephyrhills, sophomore
400 meter hurdles – Aiden Taylor, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
800 meter – Alex Pena, Sunlake, senior
200 meter – Damien Pickett Jr., Zephyrhills, sophomore
3200 meter:Cade Culpepper, Sunlake, sophomore
4 x 400 meter: Mason Spearin, junior; Jaime Candelaria, senior; Wyatt Chapman, senior; Tyler Dana, sophomore, Wiregrass Ranch
Shot put: Vincent Tre, Cypress Creek, senior
Pole vault: Nathan Lee, Sunlake, Senior
High jump: Kyden Wiley, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore
Long jump: Damien Pickett Jr., Zephyrhills, sophomore
Triple jump: Jakobe Campbell, Zephyrhills, junior
Discus: Devin Gilbertson, Land O’ Lakes, junior
Javelin: Jack Niemann, Cypress Creek, junior

Girls Track & Field
Team Champion: Sunlake
Track Athlete of the Year: Aniyah Kitt, Land O’ Lakes
Field Athlete of the Year: Evyana Tavo, Land O’Lakes
Coach of the Year: Brett Hodros

First Team
4 x 800 meter: Kailyn Ford, freshman; Ally Moyer, junior; Annie Winborn, senior; , Abigail Williams, junior, Sunlake
100 meter hurdles: Victoria Fleming, Wiregrass Ranch, freshman
100 meter: Aniyah Kitt, Land O’ Lakes, junior
1600 meter: Ava Schmitt, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
4 x 100 meter: Layla Martinez, junior; Aniyah Kitt, junior; Taylor Graves, senior; Rebeca Quezada, junior, Land O’ Lakes
400 meter: Tiffany Colin, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
400 meter hurdles: Victoria Fleming, Wiregrass Ranch, freshman
800 meter: Ava Schmitt, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
200 meter: Aniyah Kitt, Land O’ Lakes, junior
3200 meter: Ava Schmitt, Wiregrass Ranch, junior
4 x 400 meter: Dalyn Brown, sophomore; Kenzye Gainey, senior; Victoria Fleming, freshman; Tiffany Colin, senior, Wiregrass Ranch
Shot put: Gainy Ruiz, Sunlake, junior
Pole Vault: Adoniyah Pearson, Cypress Creek, senior
High jump: Emma Stephens, Sunlake, sophomore
Long jump: Mackenzie Lachance, Cypress Creek, freshman
Triple jump: Taylor Graves, Land O’ Lakes, senior
Discus: Evyana Tavo, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore
Javelin: Marley Garrett, Land O’ Lakes, senior

Boys Lacrosse
Team Champion: Mitchell
Offensive Player of the Year: Anthony Iserino, Wesley Chapel
Defensive Player of the Year: Charlie Fisher, Mitchell
Coach of the Year: Ethan Quinn, Mitchell

First Team
Attack: Anthony Iserino, Wesley Chapel, junior
Attack: Garrett Schwartz, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Attack: Noah Radle, Mitchell, senior
Midfielder: Chris Ferrini, Mitchell, senior
Midfielder: Jackson Payton, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Midfielder: Riley Hagland, Mitchell, senior
Defender: Logan Falk, Cypress Creek, senior
Defender: Charlie Fisher, Mitchell, senior
Defender: Wyatt Quaife, Mitchell, senior
Goalie: Jacob Briggs, Land O’ Lakes, junior
Face-Off: Finn Hudson, Mitchell, sophomore

Girls Lacrosse
Team Champion: Mitchell
Offensive Player of the Year: Eva Risinger, Mitchell
Defensive Player of the Year: Carline Johnson, Mitchell
Coach of the Year: Linsey Hoskins, Mitchell

First Team
Offense: Megan Holleran, Wesley Chapel, senior
Offense: Isabella Colon, River Ridge, senior
Offense: Avery Smith, Cypress Creek, senior
Offense: Eva Risinger, Mitchell, senior
Offense: Paige Peters, Mitchell, senior
Offense: Jerianne Morris, Mitchell, senior
Defense: Ashlynn Hunter, Cypress Creek, junior
Defense: Ysabella Carbone, Cypress Creek, junior
Defense: Olivia Jacinto, Sunlake, senior
Defense: Olivia Dusch, Mitchell, senior
Defense: Julie Michael, Mitchell, senior
Goalie: Caroline Johnson, Mitchell, senior

Boys Weightlifting
Olympic Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes
Traditional Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes
Olympic Lifter of the Year: Malachi Woodard, Zephyrhills
Traditional Lifter of the Year: Aidan Marsh, Land O’ Lakes
Coach of the Year: Tyler Fara, Land O’ Lakes

Traditional First Team
119: Ethan Cantanas, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore
129: Carlo Picciurro, Pasco, sophomore
139: Payton Cox, Wesley Chapel, senior
154: Malachi Woodard, Zephyrhills, sophomore
169: Diego Luna, Cypress Creek, senior
183: Tynan Lacrye, Zephyrhills, senior
199: Josh Poleon, Wesley Chapel, senior
219: Dean Gilbertson, Land O’ Lakes, junior
238: Justin Leivas, Land O’ Lakes, senior
Heavyweight: Aidan Marsh, Land O’ Lakes, senior

Olympic First Team
119: Ethan Cantanas, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore
129: Jayden Cruzado, Cypress Creek, sophomore
139: Payton Cox, Wesley Chapel, senior
154: Malachi Woodard, Zephyrhills, sophomore
169: Tyler Hitchner, Zephyrhills, junior
183: Marcell Tucker, Zephyrhills, senior
199: Rodney Smith, Zephyrhills, junior
219: Devin Gilbertson, Land O’ Lakes, junior
238: Devin Leathers, Wiregrass Ranch, senior
Heavyweight: Aidan Marsh, Land O’ Lakes, senior

Published May 31, 2023

Local pitcher honored

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(Courtesy of Saint Leo Athletics)

Saint Leo University (SLU) baseball relief pitcher Nick Jennings was named to the All-South Region Second Team by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers of America (NCBWA) on May 17.

Jennings, a former Land O’ Lakes High ballplayer who graduated from SLU on May 13, finished fourth in saves for the season, with a 1.42 ERA through 31.2 innings. Jennings ended the season with a 4-1 record over 18 appearances and struck out 35 batters and allowed only 20 hits.

Jennings also was named to the All-Sunshine State Conference Second Team for relievers.

Outdoor Adventures Challenge

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(Courtesy of Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department)

The Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department will begin its Summer Outdoor Adventures Challenge on June 1 and run through Aug. 31 for participants to earn a Blazin’ Hot Summer Challenge patch.

Cost is $20 for those who sign up to complete 75 miles of any combination of biking, hiking, paddling or swimming. The challenge will help fund support for the Pasco Outdoor Adventures programming, allowing the department to hire more outdoor recreation staff, offer more programs and purchase more equipment.

To learn more or sign up, visit tinyurl.com/bp65sjmt.

Guv’na candidates launch campaigns

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Campaign season has begun.

And, the three candidates vying to become Lutz’s newest Guv’na are revving up their campaign promises, their playful mudslinging and, of course, their fundraising skills in an effort to raise the most money to help various local causes.

The 2023 Lutz Guv’na candidates met at the Old Lutz School on May 13 for the annual ‘debate’ in a quest for the coveted Guv’na sash. The title of Lutz Guv’na goes to the candidate raising the most cash to help the community and local charities. This year’s slate includes Tim Davis, left, Jerome Smalls (not pictured) and Sharon Monahan, right. (Mike Camunas)

“It’s a community event that means so much to Lutz and is so much commitment and love for Lutz,” said Stephanie Ensor, who won the race in 2010 and is a committee chairperson for this year’s competition. “We can’t do it without it being all about the Lutz community and, each year, I think all the candidates, whoever ends up winning, really embodies what Lutz is all about.”

This year’s candidates are Tim Davis, president of the Lutz Chiefs Football and Cheer Organization; Sharon Monahan, a local exceptional education teacher; and Jerome Smalls, founder and owner of the Lutz-based soccer instructional academy, SoccerGemz.

The Lutz Guv’na Campaign Season kicked off May 13 with the annual “debate” at the Old Lutz School. Suzin Carr, the only two-time Guv’na winner, moderated the debate.

Atlas Cortecero, the reigning Guv’na, led the festivities.

The current crop of candidates answered over-the-top and somewhat topical questions which were passed around to the crowd — friends, family and members of GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club. The questions are designed to elicit humorous responses and spoof actual politics.

The debate featured Davis, Monahan and Smalls’ daughters — Ivoryele, 14, and Anora, 9 — who filled in for their dad because he could not attend.

Impromptu Guv’na debate moderator Suzin Carr, the only Guv’na to hold the office twice, holds up ‘cryptocurrency’ made by the daughters of Jerome Smalls — Anora, 9, left, and Ivoryele, 14, right — during the Guv’na debate on May 13 at the Old Lutz School. On the left, fellow Guv’na candidate Tim Davis approves of the design. The girls were filling in for the dad, who wasn’t able to make it to the event.

The candidates answered questions to earn “points” or monies awarded to each’s cause. Candidates also competed to see who could fling a dried-out cow patty the farthest.

The whole process — the campaigns, the debates, the speeches and promises — is  tongue-in-cheek, mocking real-life politics that often flood the news cycle.

Despite beginning in the 1950s, the annual tradition has only been historically tracked since 1991 when the Lutz Civic Association began managing the annual contest.

Each campaign season, which begins May 1, candidates raise several thousand dollars for about 20 Lutz nonprofit beneficiaries.

Cortecero followed in the steps of his wife, Michele Northrup, the 2007 Guv’na.

He raised $11,919.11 in 2022, while his wife still retains the record of raising the most money in the history of the Guv’na — nearly $17,000.

In 2022, candidates raised a total of $25,079.07 used to help worthy causes.

Whomever is crowned Guv’na earmarks 10% of the proceeds to a Lutz charitable organization of his or her choice.

Davis and Smalls have yet to pick a specific charity for the 10%, but Monahan said hers will go to Lutz K-8, which is close to her heart because both of her children went to school there.

Cortecero gave money to several organizations, but his 10% went to the Old Lutz School, which benefited from several window replacements in 2022.

Now, Davis, Monahan and Smalls are working diligently on the campaigns and promises, such as Davis teaching everyone the “Lutz Song” or Monahan “looking forward to having fun” but also “refuting ridiculous claims by my opponents.”

“I’m very excited to run again,” Ivoryele Smalls said for her absentee dad, who has run previously. “(Speaking for myself), I’ve been here ever since I was a little girl and this area means a lot to my family and I.

“And we hope that second time’s the charm!”

After the debate, the candidates will be busy raising campaign funds by having raffles, car washes, lunches or other events. The candidates can even panhandle during the parade, in the final push to raise cash for the sash.

The campaign season culminates when the candidate with the most successful fundraising effort is announced as the winner. The announcement comes shortly after the community’s annual parade concludes. The swearing-in ceremony is held on the stage of the train depot building, at Lutz Lake Fern Road and U.S. 41.

At the debate, Cortecero, who is wrapping up his reign as this year’s Guv’na, expressed his gratitude for the experience.

“It’s been an amazing year, as Guv’na, with all the support of the Lutz community,” Cortecero told the crowd at the Lutz School. “I just want to say thank you for the beautiful results of the past year that went by so fast.

Sharon Monahan

“I absolutely loved being your Guv’na.”

MEET THE CANDIDATES 

Sharon Monahan
Bio: As a teacher of exceptional education for 26 years, Sharon Monahan has taught at Tim’s preschool, Maniscalco K-8 and Gaither High, and she now serves as a district resource teacher with Hillsborough County Schools. Her husband of 21 years is a local photographer with James Monahan Photography. The couple have a son, who is a U.S. Marine and an Eagle Scout from Troop 12. They also have a daughter, who is a junior at Gaither High School and a member of the school’s cheerleading squad.
Quotable: “Don’t be alone-a; vote for Sharon-a!”

Jerome Smalls
Bio: Jerome Smalls, who moved to Tampa in 2005, opened SoccerGemz in 2012. The program teaches the basic skills and fundamentals of soccer for children 18 months to 8 years old in the Lutz community. Smalls was aided by his two daughters, who filled in for him at the Guv’na debate on May 13. He’s a very active member with Lutz First Baptist.
Quotable: “This is my second time running for Guv’na so hopefully second time’s a charm!”

Tim Davis

Tim Davis
Bio: Tim Davis is the president of the Lutz Chiefs Football and Cheer Organization and a partner at McNary Bergeron and Associates, an engineering firm specializing in construction of complex bridges. The entire Davis family is active at the Lutz Chiefs and have also played Lutz Baseball and Rangers Soccer. The candidate acknowledges that his wife, Anne, does all the work at the Chiefs, while he gets all of the credit. Their kids play football, cheer, hockey, wrestle and occasionally work concessions.
Quotable: “I don’t know — I just live here!”

Past Lutz Guv’nas
2022 – Atlas Cortecero
2019 – Amy Lancaster
2018 – Domenic Difante
2017 – Kori Rankin
|2016 – Greg Gilbert
2015 – Jennifer Rankin
2014 – Dr. Cindy Perkins
2013 – Suzin Carr
2012 – Karen D’Amico
2011 – Kevin White
2010 – Stephanie Ensor
2009 – Suzin Carr
2008 – Teri Burgess
2007 – Michele Northrup
2006 – Edwina Kraemer
2005 – Liz Iaconetti
2004 – Dean Rivett
2003 – Joni Cagle
2002 – Brett Montegny
2001 – Helen Kinyon
2000 – Vince Arcuri
1999 – Danny Neeley
1998 – Sandy Ruberg
1997 – Earl Smith
1996 – Ben Nevel
1995 – Kay Dahman
1994 – Lorraine Dabney
1993 – Leslie Dennison
1992 – Betty Neeley
1991 – Jo Van Bebber

Published May 31, 2023

Starkey Ranch families prevail in cell tower fight

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First, families from Starkey Ranch battled the Pasco County School Board over a proposed easement that would grant access to a proposed cell tower.

After they lost that battle, they set their sights on the Pasco County Commission, which was considering the actual lease for the tower, at the county board’s May 23 meeting.

(Mike Camunas)

Cell tower opponents wore red, cited research and spoke passionately about their concerns about the potential negative health consequences that could result, if the cell tower was allowed so close to Starkey Ranch K-8. The proposed site is on the south side of the Starkey Ranch District Park’s football and soccer field. 

The proposed agreement involved a cell tower ground lease agreement between the county and a company called Vertex, which would have allowed a cell tower on property that’s part of a four-party shared-use agreement between the county, the school board, the county library system and the developer.

Speaker after speaker offered reasons why allowing a cell tower there could be harmful, or, at the very least, risky.

Opponents also submitted a petition signed by hundreds of Starkey Ranch residents.

Some parents threatened to pull their children from the school, if the cell tower went through. Community residents said they’d move away.

Speakers also raised questions about potential negative impacts on property values.

Speaker after speaker after speaker addressed the issue — essentially taking up much of the morning, before the county board broke for lunch.

During the lunch break, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey conferred with Keith Wiley, director of the county’s parks, recreation and natural resources department.

She said Wiley said an alternative location could be found at the park to accommodate the cell tower.

The county said it would share the proceeds from the leasing agreement with the school district, since that was part of the original plan.

The county said a delay for 120 days also would allow another solicitation for bids to occur, which needs to happen, if the site is shifted. Vertex is the only company that submitted a bid at the first location.

Board members voted 4-0 to approve the delay.

Given the potential for relocating the cell tower, it now appears the issue has been resolved — provided, of course, that actually happens.

If it doesn’t, it’s fairly safe to assume that another large crowd will be back to address the board, and it’s also likely they will have plenty to say.

Published May 31, 2023

Hitting the gym — and the century mark

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Roy Caldwood is a risk taker — a rebel.

And, a humanitarian.

The 100-year-old veteran — who regularly stays fit and active by working out with a trainer at AdventHealth Wellness Center in Wesley Chapel — served as a Buffalo Soldier in World War II, encountering German infantry and Third Reich soldiers in Italy. He was a medic, caring for his brothers in arms in the 92nd Infantry Division Reconnaissance Troop Second Platoon.
“I will say this, it was a hell of an experience, a once in a lifetime experience, and what I learned was how it felt to live in a free society and a colorless society — because in Italy, it was color blind. You never heard the word ‘color’ in the two years I spent in Italy,” Caldwood said.

Roy Caldwood, a 100-year-old World War II veteran, works out with Mike Guerdan, a trainer at AdventHealth Wellness Center in Wesley Chapel, where Caldwood comes to stay active and in shape. The gym gave the New Tampa resident an honorary membership to thank him for his World War II service as a Buffalo Soldier in the 92nd Infantry Division Reconnaissance Troop Second Platoon and, well, also because he’s the only centenarian who works out at the Wellness Center. (Mike Camunas)

Nearly 80 years later, Caldwood has long been retired and has resided in New Tampa now for about a year. His wife of 73 years, Muriel, passed in the summer of 2022.

He stays active by gardening and still does some traveling, and he works out with a hands-on trainer at AdventHealth Wellness Center, in Wesley Chapel.

The gym recently honored Caldwood, for his service and for being its only 100-year-old member, by giving him an honorary membership.

His daughter, Diane Royer, who also works out at the gym, thought it was a good way for him to remain active. But she also knew that this “risk taker” would need some guidance (a.k.a supervision).

“My role is to safeguard him, but if it was up to him, he would go (too) hard because he’s a risk taker, but also a humanitarian,” Royer said. “He’d be in here (at the gym) trying to help other people, which is all well and good, but I would feel bad if something happened to him.”

Caldwood works out with Wellness Trainer Mike Guerdan. The trainer keeps Caldwood grounded, even if the centenarian willingly does more than required.

“It can be tough to make sure he doesn’t do too much given his age, so I just want to make sure he doesn’t do anything too irresponsible and hurts himself,” Guerdan said. “He’s like a vintage automobile — you’ve got to drive him carefully.”

Royer worries her father might do too much — knowing his history as both a soldier and humanitarian.

Caldwood was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions in the war.

While in Italy, with the village his unit was occupying under imminent German attack, he and other medics volunteered to help the Italian villagers, but he also undertook a very dangerous mission.

New Tampa centenarian Roy Caldwood stays active and fit thanks to regular workouts at AdventHealth Wellness Center in Wesley Chapel, where he was bestowed an honorary membership as a thank you for his service in World War II.

He volunteered to escort a group of Italian women to go grocery shopping. They needed to pass through a section called “Purple Heart Stretch” because entering that war zone meant risking death.

“The Germans thought my actions were completely suicidal,” Caldwood recalled.

“That’s just Roy being Roy — always wanting to help somebody somehow, but also taking the road less traveled,” his daughter added. “For him, it’s go big or go home.”

When Caldwood finally did go home to his native New York, he spent more than 21 years in the New York City prison system as an assistant deputy warden and program director at Rikers Island. He worked in that system until 1976.

During that time, he was among six guards who were taken hostage during the 1972 Rikers Island Riot. Caldwood helped negotiate a peaceful resolution.

“Sometimes, you have to take a risk to help others,” said the author of “Making the Right Moves: Rikers Island & NYC Corrections.”

Roy Caldwood, at 100, still works out regularly with weights at AdventHealth Wellness Center, in Wesley Chapel.

The book recounts the story of the 1972 riot. In 2001, he was awarded the New York City Commissioner’s Award for Bravery and in 2016 received the New York City Department of Correction Guardian Association Medal of Honor, Valor & Merit.

Now, as he walks through the gym, sometimes wearing clothing honoring his Buffalo Soldier notoriety, Royer is still surprised no one notices.

“No one said anything when I put the year 1922 on the forms when signing him up,” she said. “I thought maybe they’re used to it — but here’s a 100-year-old Buffalo Soldier at this gym and no one knew! Which is okay because he’s working out and staying active.”

Guerdan agrees.

“It’s inspiring to see his work,” the trainer said. “It’s still pretty amazing to see him in the gym and handing him weights and he’s slinging it above his head and doing more than what I asked him to do.

“I hope I can still do that when I’m 100 or even younger!”

Caldwood — a rebellious, risk-taking humanitarian — doesn’t feel his age.

“I love this gym — and I like Mike (laughs),” Caldwood said. “But I don’t feel 100 — I’ve never been 100 before, so I don’t know what it’s supposed to feel like!

“But I’m going to keep working out and hopefully I’ll reach 101.”

Published May 24, 2023