Mike Camunas

Oh, baby, it’s cold inside

November 28, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Check out this very cool attraction.

It happens every year, during the holiday season, and it’s just a stone’s throw away from the “Most Magical Place on Earth.”

It’s ICE!. Literally.

Over at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, the hotel constructs its ICE! Attraction and Alpine Village. It’s a holiday spectacle that draws thousands of visitors for the 52-day run of its showing.

‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ when walking through ICE!, Gaylord Palms’ yearly winter wonderland spectacle and attraction in Kissimmee. While this year’s theme is scenes from the beloved TV special ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ visitors can grab a parka and check out the sculptures hand-carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice. The ICE! Attraction, which runs daily through Jan. 3, also includes ice slides, and music and dialogue from the Charlie Brown TV special play throughout the venue. (Mike Camunas)

It’s ice sculptures, winter fun, shopping and more, all family and couple-friendly, while bringing holiday cheer to those, young and old.

And, it’s totally worth the trip.

Jingle Bells, Santa Claus and ho ho ho
Merry Christmas, Peanuts fans!

You have come to the right place, whether that be wanting to see ice sculptures in Florida, life-size scenes from the beloved TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” or both. Gaylord Palms, each year, chooses a different theme, and this year, it has gone back to the tried-and-true classic of the aforementioned lead character, his “going commercial” dog, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and the rest of the Peanuts gang.

Before entering the ICE! exhibit, visitors will be given a comfy parka because the 16,000-square-foot cold room stays at a very chilly 9 degrees thanks to seven air handlers. Gaylord Palms employs a team of 35 ice artisans to shape the 300-pound blocks of ice into sculptures, spending 12,000 hours transforming the 6,000 blocks into spectacular ice scenes.

The attraction features nearly 2 million pounds of ice that come to life through the exquisite sculptures.

Keeping it at a very chilly 9 degrees, ICE! at Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, will give visitors parkas to keep warm as they walk through the ice sculpture attraction that draws thousands annually.

There’s Charlie Brown and Linus picking out the little tree, the gang goofing off at rehearsal for the Christmas play and even when Snoopy wins first place in the “commercialized” decorating contest.

Ah, but there’s more.

Visitors can also head down ice slides, perfect for videos and pictures. Of course, everyone can pose with their favorite characters and spend as much time with the sculptures — depending on how long you can stand the cold.

Going commercial
While going into the ICE! area is the main attraction, there is still plenty more to see and do, thanks to the Alpine Village, in which visitors exit out into from the chilly exhibit.

Hard to miss will be the indoor Snow Flow Mountain, a tubing experience that requires additional tickets and can be bundled with other attractions. Those include the game Snowball Build and Blast, photos with Santa, storytime with Mrs. Claus, Elf Training Academy (a toy workshop), gingerbread house decorating and even a Snoopy Scavenger Hunt.

Even made of ice, it’s still not a bad little tree, as Charlie Brown and Linus pick out the perfect, but least expensive one that will be featured in Peanuts’ annual Christmas play at Gaylord Palms’ ICE! sculpture exhibit.

There also is a gift shop — what central Florida attraction wouldn’t have one? — where there’s plenty of Peanuts’ and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas souvenirs, as well as other Christmas knick-knacks, like ornaments and snow globes.

Additionally, there’s a snack bar and, for all you weary parents out there, mercifully, a bar.

Not a bad little exhibit after all
In the final scene in “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” the Peanuts gang comes together and fixes up the little tree Charlie Brown thought “he killed.” But they do it just right, finding out, as Linus says, “it wasn’t a bad little tree after all.”

Gaylord Palms does the same thing, bringing to life its convention center with a holiday classic, and some winter fun, with ice, flair and holiday cheer. Even if someone hasn’t seen the TV Special, or hasn’t seen it in years, after leaving this exhibit, they’ll want to watch it as soon as they get home.

Snoopy jams out on the guitar, ruining rehearsal for his owner, Charlie Brown, in a classic scene from a beloved holiday TV special, but this time in ice sculpture form at Gaylord Palms’ yearly attraction, ICE!

Because, after all, during this holiday season, seeing this icy attraction is absolutely worth the trip.

ICE! and Alpine Village
Where: Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, in Kissimmee
When: Daily, running through Jan. 3, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Prices vary on dates, but start as low as $20 for children under 12 and $30 for adults.
Details: ICE! is Gaylord Palms yearly, signature holiday attraction, and this season features favorite scenes from the beloved TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The television special is brought to life in magnificent sculptures hand-carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice. The attraction also includes Alpine Village, which is chock full of options. Visitors to the village can shop, eat and drink, get pictures with Santa, tube down the indoor Snow Flow Mountain, play games, see storytime with Mrs. Claus, enroll at the Elf Training Academy (toy building and painting) and even decorate Gingerbread Houses.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.marriott.com/all-activities.

Published November 29, 2023

Shouldn’t everything be 5 cents? Certainly the psychiatric help Charlie Brown is supposedly getting from Lucy should.

Visitors to ICE! — Gaylord Palms’ chilly, annual attraction in Kissimmee — can wear a comfy parka, as they enjoy a ride on an ice slide.

Visitors can enjoy dancing in some ‘snow’ at the Alpine Village at Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee.

Local nonprofit gives — with grace and gratitude

November 28, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Michelle Bergeron has been down on her luck.

She’s been stuck between a rock and a hard place, so she knows just what it’s like to need assistance — and to humbly ask for help.

That’s why the Land O’ Lakes resident wants to help, in any way she can.

Grace, Gratitude & Giving founder Michelle Bergeron, left, and Kelli Copeland, wife of fellow board member Jessie Copeland, work on building blessing bags, which includes essential items such as toothbrushes, soap and more as part of one of the nonprofit’s initiatives. Bergeron started the Land’ O Lakes-based nonprofit in January to create a community of giving help to those who are going through a hard time — such as an inability to pay for groceries — but who make “too much” to qualify for assistance. (Courtesy of Michelle Bergeron)

“I was going through struggles as a single parent, and working, with not a lot of benefits and just couldn’t get assistance (because I made too much money),” Bergeron said. “During that time, I had friends help, but not everyone has someone to turn to for help — or have a hard time even asking or getting past the humiliation of being in that situation.

“I had wanted to start a nonprofit for years because I really just wanted to help people in the community.”

In January, Bergeron founded Grace, Gratitude & Giving — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit creating a community of giving help to those going through a hard time, such as being unable to pay rent or buy groceries, but also making “too” much money to qualify for assistance. The charity helps people during hard times, in-between paydays or if emergencies arise.

Bergeron — along with fellow board members, Lutz resident Jessie Copeland and the Jacksonville-based Michael Mundy — have collected small donations to help others.

They’ve helped with medical bills for a family whose 12-year-old had cancer. Sadly, they also assisted with funeral expenses when the child passed away a few months later, raising $600 total. The small nonprofit also filled the gap for a single mother when she needed help to pay rent. They partnered with Metropolitan Ministries that gave her $1,000, in addition to the $250 she needed, which the charity provided.

“When there is an emergency, and they have to decide to pay a bill or buy food, we want to be there to assist,” Bergeron said. “They can apply for assistance, but when they say, ‘You make enough money, so we can’t help you,’ that’s where we come in.”

Bergeron says anyone can reach out to the nonprofit.

They won’t turn anyone away, but they will focus on helping those in Land O’ Lakes, Pasco County and Tampa Bay, primarily. They also have extended that reach to assist Feed My Sheep CFL in Lakeland with its homeless mission by providing blessing bags that include essential items. The group also did a shoe drive out of the UPS Store in The Shoppes of Sunlake Centre in Land O’ Lakes.

With Grace, Gratitude & Giving, when someone comes for assistance — whether it be a single parent, a married couple or anyone that just needs help getting through hard times — the group won’t make anyone jump through hoops for help. There’s no filling out endless forms, requiring a background check or having to conduct a home interview and the like.

“If we have the resources to help, we hope to always help them,” Bergeron said. “Maybe they are taking advantage of us, maybe they’re not, but we’re not not going to help them. We’re going to try no matter what.”

The charity relies on donations, as well as getting the word out.

Grace, Gratitude & Giving Jessie Copeland, right, and his wife, Kelli, work on assembling blessing bags, which contain essentials such as toothbrushes, soap and more.

Copeland, who runs a tech company out of Lutz, set up the charity’s online presence and social media channels, but said Bergeron put in the legwork networking and getting the word of mouth out in the community.

“I’m the nerd behind the nonprofit,” Copeland said, jokingly. “I help volunteering with hands-on help, too, but it’s really (Michelle) and she is well aware that it’s so much work to get our name out there. I just gave her a platform to do it online.

“We’ve known each other a long time,” he added, “and I wanted to be a part of it, too. I said, ‘Let me do the nerdy stuff,’ but it was an easy decision to also join up with her so we can help those who really need (help) and just can’t seem to get it.”

Bergeron, who is an Uber driver, says she passes out business cards to each of her passengers and has contacted every resource hub possible to get the word out.

She realizes people who need help may not know where to look or even who to ask.

That’s because Bergeron has been there.

“It is rewarding (helping people), but at the same time, I still get sad,” Bergeron said. “Why do we have so much of this in the world, which is a joy and a blessing, but sometimes not the ability to help someone now? It just can feel like it’s not enough.

“There are so many people that need that help — that’s why I started this nonprofit. Need is need, and we want to help that need.”

Grace, Gratitude & Giving
Details: A 501(c)(3) nonprofit creating a community of giving help to those going through a hard time, such as unable to pay rent or buy groceries, but also make “too” much money to qualify for assistance. It partners with several other charitable organizations, such as Metropolitan Ministries and Feed My Sheep CFL in Lakeland, in which they put together blessing bags that contain essential items.
Info: Visit WeareGraceAndGratitude.comWeareGraceAndGratitude.com. Parties interested in donation can also email or , or call 813-501-7651.

Published November 29, 2023

More spores springing up at Zephyrhills farm

November 28, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Eric Roman is a fun guy who likes fungi.

The Zephyrhills resident likes mushrooms so much, he started a farm, specifically just to grow them.

Zephyrgills Mushroom Farm has several rooms where owner Eric Roman grows a variety of fungi, shrooms at his property in Zephyrhills. Roman, is a one-man farming operation. He sells his mushrooms to local stores, restaurants and markets in the East Pasco area. (Mike Camunas)

“I enjoy growing things, lots of things,” Roman said. “I just want to grow things, for now it’s mushrooms. Eventually, I want to do more but I’m focusing on the mushrooms now.

“Mushrooms, when I say that to you, what do people think?” Roman continued. “Probably the ones that grow in their yard or flower beds — unwanted ones. There’s so much more to mushrooms though. There’s a whole industry to them, and even health benefits, and more and more different ways to cook them.

“Anyways, I think (growing mushrooms) is cool.”

That’s probably a good thing since Roman is the man behind Zephyrgills Mushroom Farm, which he has been operating, and growing, for more than four years now.

He’s doing well, producing at a great pace — about 800 blocks that grow mushrooms a month. He sells his crops to local markets and stores and also attends some out-of-town markets, including The Villages, where he sells mushrooms, too.

Roman said he learned how to start and grow mushrooms from attending lectures delivered by experts and by watching YouTube videos.

Zephyrgills Mushroom Farm cultivator and owner Eric Roman works on selling some of his home-grown mushrooms during a market at Agnes Lamb Park in Dade City on Nov. 4.

And he runs his farm all by himself.

“It’s all organic — I don’t use any chemicals (on the property),” Roman said. “I have a steady source (of materials to grow mushrooms), and the mushroom farm is key. It’s integral to getting the rest going because I want the farm, eventually, to do so much more.”

Growing mushrooms starts with mycelium, or a network of fungal threads, and it connects to everything. Roman creates organic blocks with mycelium, and then places them in one of his three grow houses, which are damp, dark and cool.

Growth time varies, depending on the type of mushroom, such as shiitake or Lion’s mane. It could take days, or weeks, but Roman keeps a diligent eye on his fungi, knowing they are a valuable commodity.

Mushrooms are now being considered a superfood, thanks to its health benefits depending on which mushrooms are consumed. They need to be fully cooked, Roman said, as eating raw mushrooms is not recommended.

Zephyrgills Mushroom Farm, located in Zephyrhills, uses cooled and dark grow rooms to get its shrooms to sprout.

Certain mushrooms are said to boost health properties such as being anti-inflammatory, helping with growing good gut bacteria and helping cognitive functions.

“Mushrooms are even being drunk now in tea and even coffee,” Roman added. “It’s just a massive industry, and I’m happy to be a part of it with my little farm here in Zephyrhills.

“With mycelium,” he added, “it was just learning about how it works and what it does. All the really cool stuff about mycelium got me intrigued into growing mushrooms and just learning more about it. It was all very fascinating.”

Roman also has learned many different ways mushrooms can be cooked, prepared and served. He also knows that mushrooms aren’t a universally desired food, with many flat out refusing to eat them.

But he also knows that he can change minds — because, after all, he’s a fungi guy.

“I feel challenged when people say they don’t like them, but I didn’t either,” Roman said. “I can find a way to cook them or prepare them that you’ll like them — I mean, just look at what everyone does with meat. They find a way people like that, so you can do it with mushrooms.

“People even make mushroom tacos now, so it’s like a super food. You don’t get addicted to it, but the effect it has on you — a great effect — is great for you, and it’s mushrooms, believe it or not.”

Zephyrgills Mushroom Farm
Details: A small, but thriving mushroom farm run by Eric Roman in Zephyrhills. All the mushrooms grown on Roman’s property are organic and locally sold at stores, restaurants and markets.
Info: Visit Zephyrgills.com.

Published November 29, 2023

Eric Roman, Zephyrgills Mushroom Farm owner, looks over some fungi and shrooms in a plant bed on his property.

Zephyrgills Mushroom Farm owner Eric Roman prepares another bag of mycelium, which eventually will produce sprout fungi and mushrooms.

Life finds a way, as a tiny shroom sprout breaks through in a grow room at Zephyrgills Mushroom Farm.

’Tis the season for sawing

November 28, 2023 By Mike Camunas

For 37 years, Tony and Debbie Harris have told people to ‘get real’ and come out to their property where, every year, they grow and sell live trees to locals and even those from nearby areas such as Polk and Hernando counties. The Harrises will sell Christmas trees that can be picked out and sawed down until Christmas Eve or when they run out, which is usually about a week before Dec. 25. For more information or updates, visit ErgleTrees.com the farm’s Facebook page.

Kimberly Kirsop, left, and Kat Ableman, both of Lakeland, put in the work to finish sawing off their Christmas tree at Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, 3331 Treiman Blvd., in Dade City. (Mike Camunas)

Janie Firzsell, back, and Isabella Aguilar, both of Auburndale, weave through rows of trees, trying to find the perfect one to take home from their outing to Ergle Christmas Tree Farm.

Debbie Harris, left, co-owner of Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, and employee Tracy Sanderson go over some of the holiday items available for purchase at the longstanding farm and market.

From left: Aaron, Oaklee and Jessica Elliot, of Melbourne, seek to find the perfect tree to saw down and take home for the holidays.

Land O’ Lakes resident Mary Burke finds a perfect Christmas tree ornament in the shop at Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, in Dade City.

Lakeland resident Ron Myers has a good laugh as he and his family try to find the perfect tree to cut down and bring home from at Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, in Dade City.

Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, in Dade City, attracts local residents and those from a distance to find the perfect tree to chop down and bring home for the holidays.

Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, in Dade City has been selling holiday trees for 37 years. Customers pick out the tree they desire, chop it down and take it home to decorate.

Tony Harris, co-owner of Ergle Christmas Tree Farm, drives a tractor on his property in Dade City. The farm has been selling holiday trees to those willing to chop them down themselves for almost four decades.

Local club is all fenced in

November 28, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Alex Kossmann took a stab at starting a fencing club — with just a little poke.

Land O’ Lakes 10-year-old fencing student Arianna Bobe works on her en garde, attack and parry moves during a session of the Land O’ Lakes Fencing Academy, which meets twice a week at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center. The fencing academy, which began in the Summer of 2023, provides instruction for experienced and novice fencers, teaching them techniques and helping them hone their skills for competitions. (Mike Camunas)

“I just thought it was time to try something new — to, as a club, I needed to branch out and do my own thing,” the Land O’ Lakes resident said. “I just felt it was time to start (a fencing club) here (in Land O’ Lakes).”

Kossmann started the Land O’ Lakes Fencing Academy, in early summer with his goal to expand off the club, Tampa Bay Fencing (TBF), which has been operating out of Northdale for about 30 years. While both clubs have dual members — with Kossmann’s expanding steadily — the new club is providing space and opportunities for local fencing enthusiasts, both new and experienced, to hone their skills, compete against others and prepare for competitions.

“The TBF has been there 30 years,” Kossmann said. “As much as I have helped them and coached there with them, I just wanted to start a new club out here.

“We’re here (at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex) and we’re practicing and teaching,” he added. “It depends on the day, in which when we start warming up, if they’re doing well, there won’t really be a lesson, but if they’re not, then maybe a quick lesson. They may ask me for some lessons, but usually I’ll bout them myself and we’ll work on techniques.

Isabelle Bobe, left, and Land O’ Lakes Fencing Academy founder and instructor Alex Kossmann parry with each other during a session at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center on Nov. 11.

“It’s all about having a place and club and meetup for fencers, and one in this area.”

Kossmann, who fenced at the University of South Florida, has been fencing most of his adult life. He grew up watching his father, Raymond, fence and who also instructs at the academy.

“I kind of — kind of — taught him everything. Well, not everything, but most of it (laughs),” Raymond said. “I don’t think I can teach him anymore, but it’s great to watch him here and with Tampa Bay Fencers in Northdale.

“It’s incredible to see him start a club here (in Land O’ Lakes).”

Raymond appreciates the academy focuses on actual techniques and forms, especially since some new, younger members have just taken up the sport and are there to prepare for competitions locally and out of state.

“A lot of people think it’s just swatting around, but there’s plenty of technique, plenty of strategy,” Raymond said. “If you ever watch Olympic fencing, it’s kind of hard to keep up with it because they are so good. But like I was saying, I think that most people don’t realize how much goes into it.

Land O’ Lakes Fencing Academy meets twice weekly at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center, 3032 Collier Parkway.

“Not just practicing, but again, not just swatting at people or opponents. There’s a dance to it and it’s fun to watch, even if you don’t know the moves.”

The new academy has about a dozen members so far and meets twice a week, with Alex hoping to get in more meetups and sessions weekly. Raymond, who has been fencing for about 20 years, understands that it’s a hard sport to get into, not just because of its difficulty, but also the cost.

Like many other high-end sports — equestrian, rowing and even golf — expenses add up, including swords — foils, épées and sabres, all of which are electronic to connect with the scoring machine — and the gear, from coats to masks.

“It is expensive, but a lot of sports are,” Raymond added. “If you’re passionate, though, you find a way, and you’d be surprised how many people end up loving fencing.”

With the Land O’ Lakes Fencing Academy, there’s even a youth movement. Local youngsters are taking up “the blade,” donning a mask and finding themselves readying to compete in swashbuckling fashion.

Just ask this pair of siblings.

Land O’ Lakes Fencing Academy instructor Raymond Kossmann takes a poke during a lesson.

“I have a cousin who fences,” 10-year-old Land O’ Lakes resident Arianna Bobe said. “That’s why we started doing it, but we really like it now. It’s fun to be able to fence against our cousin and others, too.”

Her sister, Isabelle, 13, agrees.

“It’s fun — we really do like fencing,” she added. “What other sport is there where you get to poke someone?!”

Land O’ Lakes Fencing Academy
When: Tuesdays and Saturdays
Where: Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway
Cost: $20 per session; $5 for college students
Details: The sessions are run by Alex Kossmann, a two-time Central Florida Division Champion, and Raymond Kossmann, runner-up for veterans (40+) Central Florida Divisional Championship. Experienced and budding fencers are able to attend the sessions to learn the sport and hone their skills.
Info: Visit LandOLakesFencingAcademy.com, or contact Alex Kossmann at 813-841-0984 or .

Published November 29, 2023

Steinbrenner swimmer brings home medals

November 28, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Jayden Repak, a senior swimmer at Steinbrenner High, did something remarkable.

While he might have brought home two medals from the Class 4A state championship at Florida Aquatics Swimming & Training complex in Ocala on Nov. 10, he did so after breaking his finger and tearing some ligaments in an earlier race.

“It takes a lot of mental and physical toughness to be able to compete at that level, let alone win a championship with a newly broken finger,” his coach, Kristyn Fada, said.

Firstly, Repak was able to secure second place in the 50 freestyle, grabbing himself a silver medal thanks to a 20.81 finish. However, he would then compete in the 100 breaststroke with that new injury.

But Repak swam through it and the pain, finishing that race with a 55.66 and a gold medal to secure himself as a state champion.

Igniting a fire of learning in these students

November 21, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Don’t expect these students to burn out.

They’re high-schoolers enrolled at the Fire Science Academy — a direct career path to prepare them for a future in firefighting. During this three-year program at Fivay High in Hudson, they’ll live, eat and breathe like any recruit entering the traditional fire academy.

Senior Damen Bouchard, center, and junior Jacob Iovino listen to Fire Science Academy instructor Lou Staggs, left, during a practice drill on an apparatus that can simulate blocked doors firefighters might encounter on the scene of a blaze. Staggs, a former firefighter, leads the academy at Fivay High in Hudson, as the classes prepare students for a career pathway in firefighter and as emergency medical responders (EMRs). (Mike Camunas)

They’ll do it as teenagers, as part of elective courses in addition to their core high school classes. When they graduate, they’ll be several steps ahead of other fire academy recruits and even capable of becoming a firefighter before they turn 20.

And, that’s all because they chose to be part of this program — to be firefighters.

“I never thought I’d be in a firefighter program in high school,” said Isaiah Ferrell, a junior. “It’s amazing that it’s offered because I’ve wanted to be a firefighter my whole life. My mom would take me to the fire stations, look at the fire trucks and stuff, but when I saw this when getting ready for high school, I thought it was perfect and I just fell in love with it in the first year.

“It’s great they have a program like this.”

Students will learn through classroom and work-based learning experience about fire vehicles, equipment, fire behavior, fire streams, fundamentals of extinguishment, ventilation, rescue, water supplies, medical techniques and more.

Fire Science Academy instructor and former firefighter Lou Staggs speaks to his students as they work on a drill that demonstrates the proper technique to wedge in and bust open a stuck door that might be on site during an emergency call.

They get hands-on experience, in the school’s “firehouse,” with live hose work, ladder rescues and navigating a smoke-filled maze. The academy even can even have prop fires to practice extinguisher work. It also has a stuck-door apparatus that allows for different scenarios to give trainees the experience of using an ax or wedge tool to bust down the door.

The program is led by Lou Staggs, a 20-year, retired lieutenant with the Dunedin Fire Department. He’s been training new firefighter recruits for most of his career, but is now preparing both young men and women in a feeder system into the Pasco Fire Rescue Department.

“They’re not certified, though since (most are) under age of 18, and part of (certification training) is live firefighting in an environment that is hazardous to life and death, they miss out on that portion,” Staggs said. “But after three years in this program, they have about five steps up on any other recruit going to the fire academy because they’re learning all the materials with hands-on experience more than someone walking in brand new.

John Randazzo, left, and Ja’heim Ellenwood work on a drill to open a stuck-door apparatus at the Fire Science Academy’s ‘firehouse.’

“Pasco County Fire Rescue comes out once a month and does some hands-on training and drills with them,” he added. “That’s kind of the direction I try to steer them, so we are a feeder system for Pasco County. They’re expanding the department and getting ready to hire hundreds of people, but thanks to this program, they can be a firefighter by the time they are 19.”

The academy, however, isn’t just hand-on training while wearing firefighting gear donated by Pasco Fire Rescue. It’s classwork — it’s testing and studying, too.

The academy’s students do that in a nearby classroom that also features the back end of an ambulance designed to teach them basic first aid and even get Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) certified.

Staggs, in his first year as academy instructor, loves this job. Academy students chose to be there, chose to set in motion a career toward firefighter or EMR.

When they show up to class or the “firehouse” or even need to do physical training, they’re ready and motivated.

“I personally feel that I’m blessed with the students I have because they chose this path and (were) not stuck with this class,” Stags said. “They still have their core classes, but this is an elective, like art or culinary, which we have and is fantastic. But these kids chose Fire Science Academy.

“Students absolutely love it, and they want to be here.”

Ferrell agrees.

While searching through some heavy, fabricated smoke, Fire Science Academy senior Damen Bouchard looks for a door apparatus during a drill in the academy’s ‘firehouse’ at Fivay High in Hudson.

“Everything you do in Firefighting I, you do here, stretched out over 2-3 years. You learn responsibility and stuff like that, too, because you have to be on the lookout for the other guys because you’re part of a team, you’re a family. You learn teamwork.

“All the knowledge I’m learning, it’ll make me a firefighter after I graduate.”

Fire Science Academy

Where: Fivay High, 12115 Chicago Ave., in Hudson

Details: Fire Science Academy is a career pathway to prepare students for a future in firefighting. Students in the academy learn what it takes for careers in firefighting and as emergency medical responders through classroom instruction and hands-on lessons. The experience includes learning about fire vehicles, apparatus and equipment; fire behavior; fire streams; fundamentals of extinguishment; ventilation; rescue; water supplies; medical techniques, and more. The program is open to students throughout Pasco County, but those interested must apply to attend by utilizing the Pasco Pathways School Choice Application.

Info: Visit tinyurl.com/36m9usve.

Published November 22, 2023

Junior Isaiah Ferrell, left, goes over his helmet at the Fire Science Academy with fellow junior Jacob Iovino.

Junior Jacob Iovino, a student at the Fire Science Academy at Fivay High in Hudson, uses an ax to pound in a wedge tool during a drill in the academy’s ‘firehouse,’ wherestudents practice skills needed to become a firefighter.

Fire Science Academy junior Aaron Roxberry uses a wedge tool on an apparatus that simulates a blocked door during a fire. The instructor, Lou Staggs, has a smoke machine to make the environment more realistic.

Federal funds will help address sewage treatment upgrade in Dade City

November 21, 2023 By Mike Camunas

The city of Dade City has received $1.75 million in federal funds to help relocate and upgrade its current wastewater treatment plant.

The funds are coming through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and were secured by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022, according to a news release from Bilirakis’ office.

The project is one of 483 water infrastructure projects funded in communities across the country, according to the release.

Bilirakis favors reining in federal spending, but at the same time supports giving local communities their fair share, the release notes.

“I am proud to have secured this funding for a project Dade City and the residents of Mickens-Harper have hoped for since 2011, and I’ll keep working to address water quality issues throughout Florida’s 12th Congressional District,” Bilirakis said, in the release.

This relocation project will provide significant environmental benefits to the area, given that the current site is adjacent to the Green Swamp, where the Withlacoochee River meets the Hillsborough River watersheds, the release says.

The relocation will better protect adjacent waterways due to the use of a three-stage biological nutrient removal process, the release adds.

At the same time, it will improve conditions for the Mickens-Harper neighborhood, the release adds, noting such benefits as reduced noise, traffic and odors, while creating more open space and improving aesthetics, the release continues.

The city also has asserted the project will provide economic benefits and create 150 new jobs during the construction process.

“The City of Dade City is grateful for our partnership with Congressman Bilirakis and his advocacy in securing funding to upgrade and relocate the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant,” City Manager Leslie Porter said, in the release.

“The funding makes it possible to fast-track this important project. The current plant, constructed in the 1950s, was built in the Historic Mickens-Harper neighborhood. As Dade City continues moving in a forward direction, relocating the plant will address that environmental injustice.

“The city is committed to providing our residents in this community a better quality of life. As our existing plant nears capacity, the new facility will accommodate growth while protecting our watershed and water bodies. This benefits us all,” Porter said.

Published November 22, 2023

Land O’ Lakes Boulevard undergoing repaving

November 21, 2023 By Mike Camunas

The Florida Department of Transportation began the 3 ¼-mile repaving of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard/U.S. 41, beginning at Bell Lake Road in Land O’ Lakes and heading south to County Line Road/Willow Bend Parkway on Nov. 13. FDOT also will repave a quarter mile of State Road 54, heading west from U.S. 41 until Knight Road. (Mike Camunas)

The Florida Department of Transportation recently announced two projects have been combined to be built under one construction contract, with the new project beginning Nov. 13.

FDOT began construction on repaving both directions of 3.25 miles of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard/U.S. 41, beginning at Bell Lake Road in Land O’ Lakes and heading south, ending at County Line Road/Willow Bend Parkway.

Additionally, FDOT also will repave both directions of a quarter-mile stretch of State Road 54, heading west and ending at Knight Road.

The improvements in this project include milling and resurfacing, pavement reconstruction, pavement markings, drainage improvements, pedestrian/bicyclist enhancements, signage and sidewalk repairs.

According to FDOT, over the construction duration, drivers can expect many nights of lane closures between 7:30 p.m. and 7 a.m. There also will be a few areas with around-the-clock lane closures, but the same number of travel lanes are planned to be maintained by constructing temporary pavement and shifting traffic.

No timeline was provided for completion of the $13 million project,

For weekly scheduled closures, drivers are encouraged to visit the project webpage at https://www.fdottampabay.com/project/759/441659-1-52-01-441658-1-52-01 and sign up to receive free project email alerts.

Published November 22, 2023

Slurping up spaghetti super fast

November 21, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Over two rounds on Nov. 12, about a dozen contestants tried to wolf down as much spaghetti as they could in 3 minutes, during the first annual Spaghetti Eating Contest at Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market, 5648 Post Oak Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, for prizes and, apparently, bragging rights. The top eater, Anthony Argentino, was awarded four tickets to a Tampa Bay Lightning game and a signed Victor Hedman hockey stick.