The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mike Camunas

A memorable march in D.C.

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They’ve got their marching orders.

The Pasco High Band is set to march, and perform, on the biggest stage ever for the program, now in its 80th year, at Pasco County’s oldest high school.

The Pirates will travel to Washington D.C., after being honorably invited to be in the annual 2023 American Veterans Center National Memorial Day Parade, which will also air on television nationwide the weekend of June 4.

Senior horn player Fredrick Steiert and his fellow bandmates from the Pasco High Marching Band are headed to Washington D.C., to represent Florida in the annual 2023 American Veterans Center National Memorial Day Parade, which also will air on television nationwide the weekend of June 4. The 80-plus-member band was invited after being nominated by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis. They raised more than $100,000 for the trip. (Mike Camunas)

Being selected to take part in the parade is the highest honor the school’s band program has ever received, according to Kyle Spence, the band director. It’s also the biggest and longest trip the program has ever taken.

“This is really big for us — for this program because, I think, (the band’s) last big trip was 2004 and to Atlanta,” said Spence, now in his fourth year as band director at Pasco High. “To go (to D.C) for the parade, for Memorial Day, that’s a big deal. In our county, as a smaller high school band, it’s a huge accomplishment.

“We’re all pumped for it — even for me, this is a big deal.”

Spence, a Land O’ Lakes High grad and former Gators band member, admits he never had a trip like his while playing for his alma mater, adding, “The furthest I ever went was Disney (World).”

However, Spence says he’s also “terrified — but in a good way,” as he embarks upon the trip, accompanied by chaperones, 84 musicians and members of the color guard.

The performers will take part in the parade and also in a “Concert on the Lawn” performance, where the band will play in front of one of the many memorials scattered throughout the District of Columbia.

Freshman flute player Alanna Davis leads one of the Pasco High Marching Band lines during a practice for the annual American Veterans Center National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C.

“This is my first job out of college (USF), and the program was not in the best of place when I took over, in my opinion,” Spence said. “We worked hard and this accomplishment, as well as a few over the past couple of years, shows how far we’ve come.”

When Spence took over, he said there were between 40 and 45 band members and the program lacked direction. It took some overhauling, but over time, the Pirates’ improvements became evident.

It placed third at the Tarpon Springs Outdoor Marching Festival, third at the Wiregrass Ranch Marching Festival and received a Superior Rating at the District Marching Band Florida Bandmasters Association assessment. It also placed 12th in state at the Florida Marching Band Competition (FMBC) championships.

The Pasco High Marching Band works on its formation technique outside its band room in Dade City in preparation for the annual American Veterans Center National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C.

For two years in a row, Spence says, the program has received straight superior ratings, the highest rating possible. Those are the reasons U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis nominated the band to the parade. 

The Pirates will be Florida’s lone representative.

“This band was started in 1943,” Spence said. “In that time, eight of the plaques earned by the program are just in my four years. We earned straight superior awards for the first time in program history.

“The trip shows our improvement,” the band director added. “In the first two years, we only graduated a handful of seniors. Then last year, we graduated 14 and this year (there are) 17 seniors graduating.

“Clearly, we’re doing something right.”

One of those things was to lean into the parade’s patriotic theme. This school year, one of the band’s performances is “Heroes,” which honors the military, law enforcement, first responders, health care frontline workers, and teachers.

Pasco High Marching Band freshman and horn player Gabby Young works on her instrument and formation techniques during a practice outside the band’s room in Dade City.

The band also worked hard to raise the more than $100,000 to cover expenses to get the ensemble to Washington D.C. The band raised $50,000 through fundraisers; the rest came from donations from family and friends.

To earn money for the trip, the band ran the parking at the Renaissance Festival in Dade City for the seven weekends it was in town. The band also sold chocolates and ran parking at Pirate football games.

“It’s exciting they picked us because we’re a small program, but we’re also a strong program, too,” said Betily Garrett, a senior flute and piccolo player. “We have a lot of sound for such a small, but mighty band — and the patriotic pieces can be difficult, in that they’re older and everyone knows them, but there’s pressure to do them perfectly, especially on this stage.”

Spence said the band will perform patriotic pieces such as “Washington Post” by John Philip Sousa, as well as “My Country, Tis of Thee” and “America The Beautiful.”

And the band has embraced the long march — one that has taken all school year and will end up at the Nation’s Capital.

“From last year to this year, we’ve taken ourselves a step further with our playing ability, which has vastly improved because Mr. Spence has done a wonderful job with us,” said Conway Theel, a sophomore percussionist. “(We’re a band program) that just (went) from, ‘Oh, it’s just Pasco High School’ and its being an ‘eh’ music program to being the superior band program we are now — we know we earned it.”

Garrett agrees.

“I love performing. I love marching — I’m definitely not nervous,” she added. “I’m really excited to perform and show the nation how good our band is now.

“That is, to toot our own horns — literally!”

American Veterans Center National Memorial Day Parade
Details: The 2023 National Memorial Day Parade television special will premiere the weekend of June 4 – nationwide on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW stations, and to our military personnel worldwide on American Forces Network. The National Memorial Day Parade runs down Constitution Avenue between Seventh and 17th streets.
For information, visit tinyurl.com/35xm5sr4. For more about the Pasco High band, visit PHS.pasco.k12.fl.us/classes.

Published May 24, 2023

The Pasco High Marching Band enthusiastically practices for the 2023 National Memorial Day Parade, where it will be the band representative for the state of Florida.
Pasco High March Band freshman Olivia Frye stands at attention with her instrument during practice in Dade City.
Sophomore Deborah Urban stands at attention with her instrument during a Pasco High Marching Band practice in Dade City.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director of Bands and Color Guards Kyle Spence, right, leads members of the Pasco High Marching Band, as they practice in preparation for the annual American Veterans Center National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C. Spence, in his fourth year as director, says it’s the biggest honor the band has received in program history.
Freshman bass drummer Ruth Colon is ready to represent Pasco High, Dade City and the state of Florida at the 2023 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C.
Freshman Tristan Hinkle plays the saxophone during band practice.

 

Connerton Elementary competes at world finals

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They’re set to take a real odyssey — not just one of the mind.

Connerton Elementary School’s Odyssey of the Mind team is competing at the World Finals, from May 24 and through May 27 at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

It’s a major accomplishment for a relatively new team.

Connerton Elementary’s Odyssey of the Mind team is headed to the World Finals starting May 24 in East Lansing, Michigan. The team competed in the state finals at the Orlando Convention Center in April, winning with their skit about an outer space restaurant. The team consists of students Abigail Sherburne, Alaina Marsh, Grayson Eaton, Mallory Zoller, McKinley Ruland, Noah Philpot and Riley Ruland, and coaches Krissie Marsh, Tricia Sherburne and Deidre Ruland. (Courtesy of Krissie Marsh)

Team members collaborated to use creative problem-solving to tackle a predefined long-term problem, involving many months of writing, design, construction and then, a theatrical performance.

“Usually, Odyssey of the Mind teams, they’re together for four or five years, and never make it this far (to the World Finals),” Connerton co-coach Deidre Ruland said. “For them to do this well and make it this far in the first year, we’re so proud.

“It is a pretty big deal,” she added. “They use everything they learn in school towards this and it involves a lot of thinking on their feet and problem-solving, so it just shows how well they all work together.”

The Connerton team won at the state finals at the Orlando Convention Center in April, securing a trip to the exciting event in Michigan. The team also came in third at regionals, held at Thomas E. Weightman Middle School in February.

The team is made up of five third-graders and two fifth-graders. Team members are Abigail Sherburne, Alaina Marsh, Grayson Eaton, Mallory Zoller, McKinley Ruland, Noah Philpot and Riley Ruland. The coaches are Krissie Marsh, Tricia Sherburne and Ruland

“They really had to work hard, together, to figure it out,” Krissie Marsh said. “They used it as a way to find their voices, their wits, their charm and creativity and once they did figure it all out, they did so well.

“Just seeing how they came up with making everything for the skit and all the writing, it was very creative.”

The team started on their project, or skit, back in October, with the first month dedicated to team building. During that time, they came up with a theme and plot, then started working on a script. Then, they moved on to designing the props and costumes for their skit.

Their dramatic performance is set against a rocket ship backdrop, to create a place called Zlupnark’s. There, an outer space restaurant patron is continuously ignored, unable to get what she wants from the establishment.

“The team is very theatrical, especially since we have a lot of great actresses,” Sherburne said. “I think that if the boys had their way, they would have done a lot more Lego building, but all the boys are great actors, too.

“So, as a project and as a team, they use everything from math, engineering, reading and writing, and then they’ll practice and practice and make sure all the props and costumes are done, so it’s a lot of work — and a lot of it on the weekends — all year-long.”

Odyssey of the Mind competitions, and judges, are keen on teams using creative problem-solving and on recycling materials to create sets, props, costumes and anything else their skit may need.

Connerton’s team accomplished that.

The students used Doritos bags, pool noodles, milk crates and other items “nearly considered trash” to design everything they needed — constantly refining the various elements until the next competition, the coaches said.

“All the kids, they look like aliens in their costumes,” Sherburne said. “Then they had to go online and research dramatic styles — both comedy and drama — as well as research ideas on how to use recycled materials. They did all the research and then figured it out themselves before winning the (state) competition.”

The team also must be prepared to stand in front of judges to respond to situations where they’ll need to problem solve, on the fly. That section of the competition is intended to demonstrate their ability to think on their feet.

“It’s a lot of critical thinking, but they are a very creative, quick-thinking team,” Sherburne added.

That will come in handy at the World Finals, a once-in-a-life trip for the team that needed to raise nearly $15,000 to attend.

Ruland said the achievement and the opportunity are huge.

Odyssey of the Mind is “an extracurricular activity that uses a lot of academics and problem-solving, so for a small team from Land O’ Lakes to go to the World Finals, it’s very impressive.

“Especially since they never quit, figured it all out and did it on their own.”

Odyssey of the Mind World Finals
When: May 24 to May 27
Where: Michigan State University
Details: A creative problem-solving program where team members present their solution at a competition to a predefined long-term problem that takes many months to complete and involves writing, design, construction and theatrical performance. A spontaneous portion of the competition requires the team to generate solutions to a problem it has not seen before.
Info: Visit OMWorldFinals.com.

Published May 24, 2023

Five ways to make Memorial Day weekend memorable

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Late in May, many of us get a three- or -four-day weekend thanks to the yearly tradition of honoring our late veterans for Memorial Day.

Why not make this year’s a memorable one and get away with a nice, fun-filled day trip to a nearby attraction or adventure?

Here are some suggestions to help you create lasting memories:

(Note: This is a recap of some of the places we’ve featured in our Worth The Trip series)

(Mike Camunas)

Dames Caves and the Lizzie Heart Sink Loop
Details: Dames Caves is a set of 37 discovered caves in the Citrus Tract area of the Withlacoochee State Forest in Lecanto. There are several to climb into, including Vandal Cave and Peace Cave. These caves are situated on the Lizzie Heart Sink Loop, a nearly 4-mile trail that’s considered a moderately challenging route, takes an average of about 90 minutes to complete, and is a popular trail for hiking, biking and even a little motocross. The trail is open year-round and leashed dogs are welcome.
Where: 10701 S. Lecanto Highway (Note: this is an unofficial parking lot)
Cost: There is no charge to visit Dames Caves.
For full article, visit LakerLutzNews.com/2022/09/105455. 

The Chassahowitzka River and Seven Sisters Springs
Details: It’s the Chaz, for short, or, translated to “pumpkin hanging place.” It also is a spring-fed, 6-mile river that features hidden lagoons, boating, rentals, swimming and more in southwestern Citrus County. A popular hanging spot is the spring heads of Seven Sisters Springs, however, most visitors are drawn to one of the river’s first tributaries. That leads to Baird Creek, which will eventually narrow basically to a shallow creek you must paddle for about one-fourth mile, maybe less. It’ll be worth the trip when the creek becomes ankle deep and brings you to “The Crack” on The Chaz: a deep, turquoise spring that looks like a paradise lagoon, secluded by lush palms and other trees.
Where: Chassahowitzka River Campground and Boat Launch, 8600 W. Miss Maggie Drive, Homosassa
When: Boat rentals are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but the boat launch is available from dawn until dusk.
Cost: Parking is $5; parking with a trailer is $7. Watercraft rentals start at $30 for the day.
Info: Call 352-382-2200, or visit ChassahowitzkaFlorida.com.
For full article, visit LakerLutzNews.com/2022/08/101799.

Tampa Baseball Museum at the Al Lopez House
Details: Step inside the museum set up in Al Lopez’s House, and 135 years of Tampa baseball history and heritage greets visitors. It’s a place where 89 professional baseball players with Tampa roots are honored. The impressive and immersive exhibit displays the rich and diverse stories dating back to long before the Tampa Bay area received a major league franchise. There’s a continuous running video presentation and various timelines of the different aspect of baseball in Tampa, including Tampa Bay receiving the expansion Devil Rays, the Negro Leagues and baseball during wartime. Oh, and there probably will be roosters greeting you at the front steps.
Where: 2003 N. 19th St., Tampa
When: Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $12 adults, $10 Military, Seniors 65+, Students 18+ (ID required), $6 children
Info: Call 813-400-2353, or visit TampaBaseballMuseum.org
For full article, visit LakerLutzNews.com/2022/04/100012.

Bonnet Springs Park
Details: A once-abandoned rail yard, from the 1980s, was idle until a group of community investors and developers came together to bring new life to the historic site. The park, which opened in October 2022, represents a collaboration of local developer David Bunch, retired Lakeland Parks and Recreation Director Bill Tinsley, and Carol and Barney Barnett. The redeveloped site is a 168-acres park just outside of downtown Lakeland, between West Memorial Boulevard and George Jenkins Boulevard on the east side of Lake Bonnet. It features several amenities including a Welcome Center, a cafe, coffee and gift shops, event venues, play areas, nature centers, a children’s museum, a treehouse, boardwalks, botanical and butterfly gardens, and more. The park is dog-friendly.
Where: 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland
When: Open daily from 6 a.m. to dusk.
Coffee Shop in the Welcome Center: Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Depot Cafe: Open 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Rooftop Garden Bar: Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Info: Visit BonnetSpringsPark.com.
For full article, visit LakerLutzNews.com/2023/04/113327. 

King’s Landing
Details: Considered one of the top paddling destinations in Florida, King’s Landing, located on Rock Springs Run, is part of the Wekiva River. King’s Landing is just the launch area, which offers an easily accessible dock, self-guided tours, kayak and paddleboard rentals and guided tours, too. There is a small shop with some snacks and drinks, plus souvenirs or necessities, but bringing a lunch is recommended. Also, pets and tubes are not allowed. Once out on the water, King’s Landing allows access to Rock Springs Run, which is part of the Wekiva River — and its crystal clear, 72-degree, gorgeous freshwater, with 26,000 gallons pumped out of the ground every minute.
Where: 5722 Baptist Camp Road, Apopka
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily
Info: Visit KingsLandingFl.com.
For full article, visit LakerLutzNews.com/2023/03/112766.

Published May 24, 2023

Community input sought on Zephyr Park update

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Zephyrhills’ largest, and most beloved, park is moving toward an upgrade.

But first, the city needed to reassure the public that plans had not yet been decided. City officials had to set the record straight because rumors were flying after an old rendering of renovations to Zephyr Park was shared on social media — sending the town into a tizzy.

Zephyr Park is a 34-acre park that features the Alice Hall Community Center, five lighted tennis courts, handball, fishing, picnic pavilions with picnic tables, barbecue grills, horseshoe pits, playground equipment and a 5/8-mile fitness path. Zephyr Park includes many Civil War Era large oak trees that provide plenty of shade and a peaceful setting for recreation and relaxation. A $5 million renovation is tentatively planned by the city of Zephyrhills. (Mike Camunas)

Residents packed the City Council Room at Town Hall on April 27 to share their concerns and their desires for the park — with worries expressed about the potential for diminishing and dismissing the history associated with the 34-acre park on Fifth Avenue.

Zephyr Park is a popular gathering place for locals, featuring the Alice Hall Community Center, five lighted tennis courts, handball, fishing, picnic pavilions with picnic tables, barbecue grills, horseshoe pits, playground equipment, and a 5/8-mile lakeside fitness path. Some of its trees date back to the Civil War era.

And here is a community consensus improvements are needed at the park. But speakers raised concerns about the possibility of the Veterans Memorial being removed from the park.

Gail Hamilton, director of Community Redevelopment Agency, and other city officials, including City Manager Billy Poe, squashed that and other rumors circulating because of the social media post.

Residents turned out in force to an April 27 meeting at Zephyrhills City Hall to share their thoughts on a planned renovation of Zephyr Park, the city’s largest public park. (Mike Camunas)

Hamilton and Poe assured the crowd the Veterans Memorial will not be removed, but said it likely will be upgraded when the park renovations occur.

Poe said there had been some talk about moving the memorial to nearby Veterans Memorial Park, but he added that was only talk — no plan had been made to move it.

Another rumor involved the potential loss of the park’s five tennis courts at Zephyr Park. Poe refuted that, too.

“I’m just going to say it right out, nothing is happening to the memorial or the tennis courts,” Poe said. “They’re not going anywhere.”

Speakers also expressed their desires for the park’s upgrade. They’d like to see updates to Alice Hall, the restrooms and the splash pad.

Other suggestions include new amenities such as an adaptive playground, a disc golf course and a snack bar or recreational club room at Alice Hall.

They’d also like to see more amenities geared for older youth and teens, better park maintenance and an increased police presence at the park.

This 2016 rendering represents one vision of a Zephyr Park renovation, but the City of Zephyrhills is seeking public input to update the master plan to better reflect current desires, keeping in mind today’s economy. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

Hamilton said planning for the park’s upgrade is at the beginning stage — starting with finding out the community’s current desires.

“We hear you,” she assured the crowd. “We also see you with this turnout today at this input meeting, and we appreciate the passion of this community for this park.”

The artist rendering shared on social media was done several years and never reached fruition because of higher priorities, economic conditions and COVID-related issues.

City officials do have a budget in mind — as they requested $5 million in grants from the state — but were mainly focused on their new park project: Hercules Park, the other nearly $5 million project that will be adjacent to Woodland Elementary and behind the WaWa gas station on Gall Boulevard.

City and park planning officials want to be on the same page as to what should be done at Zephyr Park, as well as making sure none of it overlaps at Hercules Park.

Officials want to make sure having the same or similar amenities at both or either parks makes sense. However, they say further study and public input is needed, all of which will come over time and “several, several more meetings,” Hamilton added.

“This is not a shovel-ready project,” Hamilton said. “It’s not even really a ‘ready’ project because we are looking for more input. That’s where we are right now — looking for input from you (the residents).”

Published May 17, 2023

Hugh Embry Library to reopen May 30

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With construction and renovation nearly complete, Pasco County Libraries officials told The Laker/Lutz News the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City will reopen May 30.

Hugh Embry Branch Library, at 14215 Fourth St. in Dade City, is nearly complete with its $2 million renovation, and is set to reopen to patrons May 30. While some items are still on backorder, technology installation has begun and Pasco County Libraries officials say, ‘We are excited to show off the new look of the library!’ (Mike Camuans)

Officials also said “there are some final touches,” including partial furniture installation, which is scheduled with some items on backorder, while the next steps include installation and testing of public computers and technology.

The final steps involve the team members and librarians moving into the branch and planning service offerings, but officials added, “We are excited to show off the new look of the library!”

In early to mid-2021, Hugh Embry was cleared of its contents for the $2 million renovation to begin.

The Hugh Embry Library’s makeover will be a floor-to-ceiling remodel, and will include new furnishings, updated technology, faster broadband and other improvements.
(Courtesy of Pasco County Library Cooperative)

The renovation includes a complete overhaul and remodel of the branch, including new furnishings, lighting, computer, printers and even faster broadband.

It was the first time the branch received renovation work since 1991, when the library was expanded through a $10 million bond referendum passed by Pasco County voters in 1986 to improve public library services and build new parks countywide.

Founded in 1904, the Hugh Embry Library is the oldest in Pasco County. Its namesake, the then 25-year-old Embry, had exhausted books he could borrow from friends. He raised $50 to start a library and called it the Shakespeare Club. He chose books and ran the library out of his family home until his death from tuberculosis in 1907.

The Pasco Library Association was established to manage the library, and aided by The Dade City Woman’s Club. In 1927, the woman’s club began loaning books to the general population for free, out of a room in the Herbert Massey Building. Within a month of its opening, the library had attracted 440 registered borrowers.

For years, the library was unincorporated, though it continued to grow. It wasn’t until 1952 that Dade City gave property across the street from City Hall for a library building, and in 1953, the City took over responsibility for the library.

It would take another 10 years before the library finally moved to its current location.

After the Pasco County Library Cooperative was founded in 1980, it began operating and maintaining the Hugh Embry Branch under a no-cost lease. In 1988, the Dade City Commission sold the library to Pasco County for $150,000.

Published May 17, 2023

A step up to giddy up

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There was no neigh about it.

Not from the horses, or from the kiddos, either.

Ten-year-old Kam Venkat, of Wesley Chapel, straps on a helmet and gets ready to ride a friendly stallion with the help of Tammy Sliger during Saddle Up for Autism on April 29, at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson. Venkat, and a handful of other kiddos with special needs, had a fun afternoon that included feeding farm animals, riding and grooming horses, and playing on the ranch compound. (Mike Camunas)

The youngsters, who have special needs, spent the afternoon on April 29 taking part in SaddleUp for Autism at Kiddy Up Ranch, in Hudson.

The event was one of various inclusive activities offered by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department during April, which is Autism Awareness Month.

Children and their parents were able to spend time on the small farm, interacting with and feeding farm animals, riding and grooming horses, including friendly painting them and just playing on the grounds on an overcast afternoon.

“I really liked riding the horse,” said 16-year-old Oliver Rice, from Oldsmar.

He recalled that he had rode on a horse when he was 3 and was scared at that time, but said he enjoyed the experience this time.

Kiddy Up Ranch staff, led by founder and owner Tammy Sliger, guided helmet-clad kiddos around on horses. In addition to helping them with the horses, Sliger also helped the children interact with bunnies, hogs, goats and other animals on the compound.

Sliger started Kiddy Up Ranch more than 12 years ago as a way to provide horse therapy to kiddos with special needs, as well as those suffering traumas, such as PTSD in veterans and those who have survived human trafficking.

“The number of people suffering human trafficking in this county keeps growing,” Sliger said. “Horse therapy really helps them and these kids with special needs.”

Saddle Up For Autism was the final inclusive activity the parks department put on in April, following the Adaptive Sports Day at Wesley Chapel District Park and the “At Bat 4 Autism” Home Run Derby at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

Senior Recreation Coordinator Kimberly Miller runs these inclusive activities through the department’s Pasco Adaptive & Inclusive Recreation (P.A.I.R) program, which provides active events and activities for those with disabilities. 

For more information on Kiddy Up Ranch, call 727-868-5433. For more information on P.A.I.R, visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Published May 17, 2023

Nine-year-old Daniel Sosa, of Riverview, straps on a helmet and gets ready to ride a friendly stallion with the help of staff at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson on April 29 during Saddle Up For Autism.
Chas Sahadi, a 3-year-old from Wesley Chapel, initially was wary about taking a horseback ride at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson. But he gradually warmed up to the adventure during Saddle Up For Autism, an event put on by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Department on April 29.
Tampa resident Elisa Sisk, left, laughs with her 6-year-old son, Oliver, as he feeds a goat at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson on April 29.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five-year-old Lucas Aguiar, of Wesley Chapel, takes his time and paints the side of a very patient horse at the Saddle Up For Autism, on April 29.
Pasco County Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources Senior Recreation Coordinator Kimberly Miller snaps a pic of Oliver Sisk as he eagerly is ready for a guided horseback ride at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson.
A horse named Sugar tries to grab a peak over her stall at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wesley Chapel youngster Kason Devries flashes a smile during Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson.
Oliver Rice, 16, of Oldsmar, wasn’t so sure he wanted to go for a ride during Saddle Up For Autism, but ultimately, he enjoyed the experience and other activities at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson.
Local youngsters with special needs had a fun afternoon riding horses at Kiddy Up Ranch in Hudson, which has provided horse therapy for those with special needs and also for suffering traumas, such as PTSD in veterans and survivors of human trafficking.
Land O’ Lakes resident Andrew Perry holds onto his son, Jaxton, 8, during the Saddle Up For Autism.

New Zephyrhills VA clinic ready to help veterans

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The road was long and sometimes uncertain, but after nearly four years, the new Zephyrhills Veterans Clinic is finally open.

Ground was broken for the $16 million clinic on June 7, 2019. But after the long wait, the new clinic marked its opening with a celebration on the morning of May 6.

Government officials, veterans and well-wishers gathered to welcome the new 14,000-square-foot facility, at 37827 Eiland Blvd.

The Zephyrhills Veterans Clinic, at 37827 Eiland Blvd., is now open, after nearly four years in the making. Government officials, veterans and well-wishers turned out for the May 6 ceremony, where they had a chance to tour the $16 million facility. (Mike Camunas)

It’s one of 16 clinics operated by James A. Haley Veterans Hospital (JAHVH) and will help address the health needs of veterans in Zephyrhills, the largest municipality in Pasco County.

“This facility will have all the stops under one roof for convenience,” JAHVH Director David Dunning said. “We believe in the qualities of the upgrades at this location in Zephyrhills, which was very much needed, and we will continue to provide our hallmark treatment and services known with the Veterans Hospital.”

The clinic is designed to accommodate people with disabilities and will offer new services such as podiatry and physical therapy.

Additional services it will provide include hearing aid repair, social work, food and nutrition and tele-health. Each patient will have an assigned patient-aligned care team that will consist of a physician, nurse, social worker and a mental health provider.

Patients needing surgeries and extensive therapy will be referred to the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital for those services.

Ten rooms will be used for primary care. Six rooms are devoted to mental health treatment, which aligns with the VA’s efforts to provide improved access to psychiatric care services.

People who need care but lack transportation will be able to take advantage of a service that provides free rides to appointments.

“I’m excited about the new clinic because it’s going to enhance the patient experience for our veterans,” Dr. Scott Knoeppel, chief medical officer of Zephyrhills Community Based Outpatient Clinic, said in a statement in January to The Laker/Lutz News. “The new clinic will be nearly triple in size, so we now have the capacity to add some high-demand specialty care services, such as physical therapy, podiatry and hearing aid repair.

A large physical therapy room will be used to provide services at the Zephyrhills VA clinic.

“Additionally, our mental health providers will be seeing patients in the new building, as well. Offering these services in one building will be of convenience to our veterans. Lastly, we will be expanding parking capacity, which had been a challenge at the previous location.”

The clinic’s construction was finished in late 2022, but supply chain issues delayed the opening.

Additionally, the Tampa VA had an unprecedented amount of construction activities occurring at the same time, swamping officials with a logjam of projects.

The main hospital unveiled a Bed Tower of 240,000 square feet and 150 beds on Jan. 21, the VA clinic in New Port Richey expanded to serve up to 24,000 veterans and Lakeland broke ground on a new 93,000-square-foot facility in April 2022.

Now, services at the Zephyrhills clinic will get underway led by a staff of more than 50 medical professionals.

David Issacks, director of Veterans Integrated Services Network 8, said the importance of the new clinic and its services are invaluable. 

“With everything and all the services we provide under one roof, people will walk through the doors of this great facility and always reflect on every veteran that served and made a facility like this, that is for them, possible.”

Published May 17, 2023

Going about it the Ehrhard way

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Drew Ehrhard already was a legacy player before he crafted his own legacy.

As he grew up, the Wharton High School graduate and standout baseball player dreamed of following in his dad’s footsteps — by joining the perennial national championship contender University of Tampa (UT) Spartans’ baseball program.

University of Tampa sixth-year senior first baseman Drew Ehrhard has spent his career as a Spartan moving around to different positions. The 2019 national champion started at second base, also played third and shortstop, but then spent the entire 2022 season at catcher, a first for the Wharton High graduate. On May 11, Ehrhard hit a homer in a win vs. Newberry College to give him 340 career hits, the new program record. (Courtesy of University of Tampa Athletics)

His father, Rodney, played at UT from 1986 to 1987, before he went on to play in the New York Yankees organization. He was inducted into the UT’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016.

“Drew’s a Spartan, through and through,” longtime UT baseball coach Joe Urso said.

Ehrhard had some other college offers, while he was at Wharton, but his mind was made up — he was set on being a Spartan.

Drew Ehrhard hugs his teammates after the Spartans won the 2019 Division II Baseball National Championship in Cary, North Carolina — the program’s eighth title. (Courtesy of University of Tampa Athletics)

“I always knew UT was where I wanted to be,” Ehrhard said. “I’ve been truly blessed with my time here at Tampa — from the players to coach Urso to the fans and the support staff — truly a blessing.”

Ehrhard has blessed the Spartans, actually.

In six seasons (he got an extra because of the 2020 COVID season), he’s a .335 career hitter. He broke the program record for most career hits — with a homer on May 11 vs. Newberry College, marking career hit 340 to surpass Ronnie Merrill.

“That’s been something I’ve been trying to do for a long time,” Ehrhard said. “Around Year 5 (2022), and when I realized there was going to be a Year 6 (this season), I started to realize that I had a chance when I needed around 70 hits and had already had a couple of 70-hit seasons.

“Everything that has happened in my career here has just been amazing.”

That includes becoming a national champion. In 2019, the Spartans defeated Colorado Mesa University in Cary, North Carolina, for the program’s eighth Division II National Championship.

Back then, he was playing second base, his original position. He had stints at third and shortstop, but when the 2022 season came around, Urso asked Ehrhard to play catcher, something he’d never done.

“He’s jumped around wherever we’ve needed him and always done well,” Urso said. “He started out at second base, but ended up catching the whole year. Then, when he’s back at second, we moved him to first (due to another player injury). He’s done an amazing job because Drew will jump through hoops for this university. He really cares about the uniform.”

Spartans first baseman Drew Ehrhard holds the records for most hits (340) in program history. (Courtesy of University of Tampa Athletics)

“I’ve always made it very clear that I’ll do whatever is best for the team,” Ehrhard added. “Coach heard me and took it to heart — he gave me a shot at catching, and it was a really cool experience. I’m having a lot of fun with the challenge of playing first, but second base will always have a special place in my heart (laughs).”

During his entire baseball playing career, Ehrhard has put his team first. Doing so has earned him numerous accolades. 

As a senior at Wharton, he won the Tony Saladino Award, which is presented annually to the top senior player in Hillsborough County, after batting .422 with 35 hits, 24 RBI, nine doubles and four homers.

Scott Hoffman, the former Wharton coach who guided Ehrhard’s Wildcat years, is one of Ehrhard’s biggest fans.

As a senior at Wharton High, Drew Ehrhard was bestowed the Tony Saladino Award, which is presented annually to the top senior player in Hillsborough County, after batting .422 with 35 hits, 24 RBI, nine doubles and four homers. (Courtesy of Jarrett Guthrie)

“I’ve said this to pretty much anyone who would listen: Drew is what every coach or team needs,” Hoffman said. “He is, to me, what a student-athlete should be. Not everyone is wired that way, but if there was a picture of a student-athlete in the dictionary, it would be Drew.”

That’s why Urso turns to Ehrhard, as a leader, but also to run the offense. Ehrhard is asked to do the little things — to lay down bunts, take pitches for steals or set the lineup in motion as the No. 2 hitter.

“That’s the best part — others around him learn from his leadership and love for UT,” Urso said. “We were lucky because he grew up a Spartan and wanted to follow in (his) dad’s footsteps. He’s done his family and university proud.

“He’s really the truest team player and it’s easy for me to continue to build on the winning tradition when I have players like Drew who put everything into UT.”

Ehrhard will look to guide the Spartans back to the Division II World Series. The Spartans will need to be one of the eight regional champs, with No. 3 Tampa (40-9) playing in the South Region starting May 18.

Ehrhard, who is batting .375 with 37 RBI this season, wants a second ring to go with his from 2019.

Which, of course, would just add to his legacy.

“Job’s not done yet,” Ehrhard said. “We’ve still got a lot more left to play.”

Published May 17, 2023

A legacy built for a King

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Christopher King hails from blues music royalty.

His grandfather, B.B. King, is the legendary blues musician, and while Christopher is not a musician — he spent much of his life around it.

Zephyrhills resident Christopher King has spent a decade blazing his own trail and shying away from the spotlight that shined bright on his grandfather, legendary blues guitarist B.B. King. He did spend time working for his grandfather before he passed in 2015, but Christopher has branded himself as an anti-human trafficking advocate by starting a nonprofit called The Gentlemen’s Course. (Mike Camunas)

But the 40-year-old Zephyrhills man devoted himself to a different passion.

He has spent a decade raising awareness about human trafficking and has become a champion for proper etiquette and human rights.

He’s created his own brand — a program called The Gentleman’s Course — and uses lessons learned from B.B. King, such as: “The knowledge you learn, people can’t take from you.”

“He taught me that they can take your house, car or guitar, but not your knowledge, and the application of knowledge is wisdom,” Christopher elaborated. “It’s the things he taught me and applying it that has made my brand because I wanted to blaze my own path and help people.”

The Gentlemen’s Course, a 501c3 nonprofit, focuses on educating youth in proper etiquette and manners in association with Human Rights Education and Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts. It also helps those who have survived human trafficking to reintegrate into society.

Christopher has helped human trafficking victims, raised awareness about the evils and devastating impacts of the exploitation, and provided programs to help those who have suffered and survived to move forward.

“I don’t lead with (I’m B.B. King’s grandson). It’s — it’s not in my introduction,” Christopher said. “I tell people because they usually end up asking about my (B.B King) pin (I always wear) to keep him with me. I still have my brand and it’s not something I lose if I break a finger and can’t play guitar.

“I’m proud of my brand because of how many people it has helped.”

Learning on the road
Christopher has been on tours.

He spent 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a combat veteran.

Christopher King, a combat veteran, served 10 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. (Courtesy of Christopher King)

Then, he became an assistant road manager on tour with B.B. King.

Being on tour with his grandfather gave him a chance to learn the business side of the entertainment industry and, of course, to sell the King brand.

It was an opportunity to learn and soak up knowledge that would come in handy later. An experience he had at the White House inspired him to create The Gentleman’s Course.

“We get to dinner with this whole formal setting, and I say, ‘Pop Pop, I don’t know what any of this is,’” Christopher said.

He decided to change that.

“I started to take protocol classes to learn that and more about fashion, which is important to me,” he said. “It all helped me build the platform of what we teach to those we want to help.”

When B.B. King passed, at 89, in 2015, Christopher needed to find work.

“The (tour) bus wasn’t moving anymore,” he explained.

Initially, he leaned heavily into his knowledge of the fashion side — selling and marketing high-end clothing.

Christopher King, and his grandfather, legendary blues guitarist, B.B. King are seen here back when Christopher worked as his grandfather’s assistant road manager before the musician’s death in 2015.
(Courtesy of Christopher King)

At one point, he was asked to host a fashion show that would benefit a Tampa group home for those victimized by human trafficking. He was profoundly moved when he learned all of the models in the show were residents at that home.

But he had not found his calling, nor felt fulfilled or happy.

Tina Cox, his manager at the time, suggested he might want to transition into something that gave him a chance to give back and help kids.

He decided to volunteer at the same group home.

Through research and his first-hand experience around human trafficking victims, he learned about how pervasive and destructive human trafficking is in Florida.

He wanted to make a difference.

He decided to help people who had been trafficked to learn social and life skills to help them become functioning members of society. Soon after, people started asking: ‘What about the children in the community who could use etiquette training?’

So, he created courses and began doing speaking engagements to reach youth that might not gain that kind of knowledge in school or at home.

“I had one women ask me, ‘Why does my daughter need to know how to tie a tie?’” Christopher recalled. “A lot of women in the world today are single mothers and have a son, but no man to teach the son to tie a tie. It’s a sad thing, and we’re not promoting single-parent homes, but we live in a world where it exists.

“Also, women like wearing ties, too.”

Teaching on the road
Christopher is now involved in public speaking engagements across the state of Florida, focusing on proper etiquette and human trafficking awareness. He also touches on the importance of knowing life and social skills, such as those taught in The Gentlemen’s Course.

Christopher King visits schools and universities across Florida, giving talks to increase awareness about human trafficking and to share how his programs aim to help survivors of trafficking. (Courtesy of Florida Memorial University)

People who are rescued from human trafficking are also suffering mental trauma, said Kimberley Michele, the Gentlemen’s Course purpose coach. “Helping them reintegrate back in (to society) is about how I can help them find their independence.”

She also helps them understand the traumatic experience they survived does not define them. It’s just one chapter in their story, she said.

Michele said she loves working with “a powerful organization” that “can shape this generation.” She said it’s fulfilling to teach “young men and women how to walk with purpose.”

“We’re teaching them how to carry themselves as young adults,” she added.

Christopher has brought his program to Pasco County and partners with the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center in Zephyrhills. He soon will work with the center’s junior mentors.

“Chris is going to do The Gentlemen’s Course with our junior mentors and coaches and make them become better leaders,” center executive director Nick Walton said. “If we can help Chris raise awareness (of human trafficking) in Zephyrhills and Pasco that exists right here in our backyard, then that’s a great added value to our junior programs.”

Responsible for the road ahead
Christopher feels responsible to educate people on the 30 human rights contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights created in 1948 by the United Nations. One of those rights, Human Right No. 26, is the right to education. That right leads to Human Right No. 29: Responsibility.

Christopher believes his nonprofit has a responsibility to help others learn about all 30 human rights.

“He doesn’t do it for fame — nor does he do it while saying who his grandfather is,” Michele said. “He’s always in the community and standing up for (ending) human trafficking. He does it for the people, and even though he’s in a small town, he  makes sure the word gets out.”

In the end, playing a guitar doesn’t chase Christopher’s blues away — helping people does.

“I meet a lot of people and kids who I can help,” he said. “It began by raising awareness about human trafficking, but it has grown so far beyond that. We’re actually affecting people’s lives and bringing back the person they either were or supposed to be.

“And, I truly love it.”

The Gentlemen’s Course
Details: A 501c3 nonprofit that focuses on educating youth in proper etiquette and manners in association with Human Rights Education and Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts. It also helps survivors of human trafficking to reintegrate into society. The program includes lessons on proper attire and etiquette, strengthening social skills and the toolkit needed to help land a job.
Info: Visit TheGentCourse.com.

Published May 10, 2023

A remarkable reunion

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For years, Orlando has been known as the place to take your family.

For Lynette Anderson, it’s where she found her family.

Anderson was given up for adoption when she was young, and as she grew older, she longed to find her birth family — specifically her birth mother.

“She was just 23 when she gave me up,” the 57-year-old Land O’ Lakes resident said. “I always told my husband that if I did (find her) I’d reach out, and even if I didn’t meet her, I’d just tell her, ‘I’m OK,’ and close that chapter of my life.”

After years of searching, it turns out her birth mother was closer than she could have imagined.

After years of searching, Land O’ Lakes resident Lynette Anderson, center, found her birth mother, Sandy Teal, right, and her half-sister, Megan Teal. Thanks to a DNA test, Anderson, who grew up in Oregon, found out that Sandy and Megan live just two hours away in a north Orlando suburb. (Courtesy of Lynette Anderson)

As Anderson was visiting her daughter and grandkids in Orlando in December 2022, she got an email from the popular DNA testing kit, 23andMe. They found a direct match — to a cousin.

It took one phone call to connect, then learn her birth mother — plus a half-sister — were, incredibly, just 20 minutes away.

“It was a whirlwind from there,” Anderson said. “I opened the results and in a few hours I’m talking to a new family member and already planning a meeting. 

“What are the chances they live so close, but I was in the same town when I found out about them?!”

Anderson’s birth mother, Sandy Teal, and her half-sister, Megan Teal, live in the north Orlando suburb of Longword.

In less than 24 hours of receiving the email — and after searching for more than 30 years — Anderson’s family expanded.

Adopting a search
Anderson, growing up in Oregon, had always noticed the difference.

She was adopted, but so were two of her three siblings.

“My friend asked me in Pre-K why I didn’t look like my parents, so I asked my parents and they told me I was adopted,” Anderson said. “I didn’t look like my siblings either. As I got older, I told my best friend I was adopted, and she’s been obsessed with finding my birth mother — she just looked in Yellow Pages, but I was like, ‘I don’t know her name!’”

Anderson and her best friend kept looking.

Oregon opened its adoption records in 1991 to public searches — if parties involved in the adoptions consented. Almost immediately, Anderson went back to the adoption agency and requested those records.

But nothing ever revealed itself, even when she moved to Florida in 2004.

They had been looking in the wrong place — because they had the wrong age and birth year for Sandy, Anderson explained.

“It was all miscommunication,” Anderson said. “Because they requested records, too, and neither one of us ever got them even though, when I moved, I requested any updates. It just never happened.”

Anderson lived her life, got married, raised her children and became a grandmother.

But she never stopped looking.

Her best friend — the one who had initially encouraged her search — also persuaded her to take the DNA test.

“The test sat in the drawer for a while, and when I did it, I didn’t even tell my husband,” Anderson said. “When I got that email and called my friend, she was like, ‘Open it, open it, open it!’ and, yeah, I was nervous, but when we met, it was emotional, but I think it was more emotional for (Sandy and Megan). 

“I could tell, for Sandy, it was.”

“It was all very exciting,” Sandy said, “and it was something I had looked forward to for a long time — I really did think it would never happen.”

Family matters
Anderson had a great family life.

Her adoptive parents provided for her, lovingly.

Finding her birth parents was never about the fear of what she missed out on — it was always about just getting a little closure and putting to rest any remaining curiosity that lingered for decades.

Land O’ Lakes resident Lynette Anderson, left, with her recently found birth mother, Sandy Teal, who lives in Longwood, just north of Orlando.

“She made the right decision to not be a single mom and put me up for adoption,” Anderson said. “I had a great upbringing in a very idyllic home and family with friends and everything.

“I’m more happy for her, because it brings it to a closure and now she has the answer of if she made the right decision.”

Megan Teal said gaining a new sister has been an “incredible gift.”

“I didn’t know I had a sister until my mom told me, geez, 20 years ago about the adoption,” Megan added. “I didn’t know the DNA test could be so fast and outreaching, but in the matter of a day, I had a half-sister. … And to just see the resemblance, it was remarkable when we met.”

Anderson agrees.

“Megan is very much like my personality,” she added. “When I met Megan, I really clicked with her — because she is a lot like me. I can see it.

“In an adoptive family, you are nothing like your parents and siblings, but here is someone I just met and we’re so much alike!”

Now, this newly formed family will spend time getting to know one another.

Anderson, in seeking closure, is now bonding with her birth mother — and Sandy is delighted.

“It’s just been so exciting, but it was such a wonderful gift to get more family,” Sandy said. “Some people might not think getting more family is — but I do. It was so good to hear she had a great family, a great life growing up, so I don’t think — ‘What if?’ — anymore.

“The weight is off my shoulders now.”

Published May 10, 2023