The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mike Camunas

2022 Sunshine Athletic Conference Fall 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 2022 Fall 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.

Football
Team Champion: Zephyrhills
Offensive Player of the Year: Tayshaun Balmir, Pasco
Defensive Player of the Year: D.J. Pickett, Zephyrhills
Coach of the Year: Alphonso Freeney, Pasco

Pasco High senior running back Tayshaun Balmir was named the East Sunshine Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,835 yards, which was ranked 10th in the state. (Mike Camunas)

First Team
Quarterback – Jack Niemann, Cypress Creek
Running back – Tayshaun Balmir, Pasco
Running back – Rodney Smith, Zephyrhills
Wide receiver – D.J. Pickett, Zephyrhills
Wide receiver – Bryson Rodgers, Cypress Creek
Tight end – Dylan Lolley, Cypress Creek
Offensive line – Jaeden Ortiz, Wiregrass Ranch
Offensive line – Aiden Marsh, Land O’ Lakes
Offensive line – Kiah’eze Russell, Pasco
Offensive line – Austin Slusher, Cypress Creek
Offensive line – Gabe Coveny, Zephyrhills
Defensive line – Marcell Tucker, Zephyrhills
Defensive line – Breck Petty, Cypress Creek
Defensive line – Anthony Pratt, Pasco
Defensive line – Aiden Marsh, Land O’ Lakes
Linebacker – Josh Poleon, Wesley Chapel
Linebacker – Matt Hensley, Wiregrass Ranch
Linebacker – Kevin Marks, Land O’ Lakes
Linebacker – Alex Dulaski, Cypress Creek
Defensive back – D.J. Pickett, Zephyrhills
Defensive back – Zyon Davis, Cypress Creek
Defensive back – Angel Miles, Pasco
Kicker – Sean Myatt, Land O’ Lakes
Punter – Will Fotopoulos, Sunlake
Athlete – Fred Adams, Zephyrhills

Land O’ Lakes junior outside hitter Bella Horruitiner had a team-high 284 kills and helped lead the Gators to the Class 6A state tournament. (Courtesy of Ike Klauka)

Volleyball
Team Champion: Wesley Chapel
Player of the Year: Bella Horruitiner, Land O’ Lakes
Coach of the Year: Ike Klauka, Land O’ Lakes

First Team
Chloe Danielson, Wesley Chapel
Jenna Ly, Wesley Chapel
Haley Strawser, Wiregrass Ranch
Carissa Mixon, Land O’ Lakes
Madeline Snyder, Sunlake
Sydney Rolfe, Land O’ Lakes
Bella Horruitiner, Land O’ Lakes

Boys Golf
Team Champion: Sunlake
Golfer of the Year: Trey Sasser, Cypress Creek
Coach of the Year: Daniel Adams, Sunlake

First Team
Trey Sasser, Cypress Creek
Alex Dodd, Sunlake
Evan Bagniuk, Sunlake
Grant Sallengs, Land O’ Lakes
Max Haines, Sunlake

Girls Golf
Team Champion: Cypress Creek
Golfer of the Year: Alyssa Mixon, Sunlake
Coach of the Year: Rick Boswell, Wesley Chapel

First Team
Alyssa Mixon, Sunlake
Carmen Phousirith, Cypress Creek
Annamarie Ratican, Cypress Creek
Hailey Stricker, Sunlake
Nikki Watson, Wesley Chapel

Zephyrhills junior distance runner Will Poe broke the school record for a 5K, running it at the Sunshine Athletic Conference tournament by posting a 15:53 on Oct. 15. (Mike Camunas)

Boys Cross-Country
Team Champion: Sunlake
Runner of the Year: Will Poe, Zephyrhills
Coach of the Year: Randall Reeves, Sunlake

First team
William Poe, Zephyrhills
Jaime Candeleria, Wiregrass Ranch
Hunter Boggs, Wiregrass Ranch
Liam Ballard, Sunlake
Christian Hindman, Sunlake
Dylan Powell, Cypress Creek
Cade Culpepper, Sunlake

Girls Cross-Country
Team Champion: Sunlake
Runner of the Year: Abigail Williams, Sunlake
Coach of the Year: Randall Reeves, Sunlake

First Team
Abigail Williams, Sunlake
Ava Schmitt, Wiregrass Ranch
Carlie Ortiz, Cypress Creek
Ally Moyer, Sunlake
Aileen Castillo, Land O’ Lakes
Landyn Williams, Wiregrass Ranch
Meaghan Ballard, Sunlake

Boys Swimming
Team Champion: Sunlake
Swimmer of the Year: Alex Thai, Sunlake
Diver of the Year: Gabriel Loechelt, Land O’ Lakes
Coach of the Year: Guerby Ruuska, Sunlake

First Team
200 Medley Relay – Huy Duong, Alex Thai, Jackson Houck, Juan Benitez, Sunlake
200 Freestyle – Cayden DeTillo, Sunlake
200 Individual Medley – Garret McNab, Land O’ Lakes
50 Freestyle – Alex Thai, Sunlake
100 Freestyle – Connor Harrie, Pasco
100 Butterfly – Michael McCloskey, Land O’ Lakes
500 Freestyle – Reid Knuckles, Wiregrass Ranch
200 Freestyle Relay – Michael McCloskey, Awab El Ghissassi, Aidyn Rosochowicz, Garret McNab, Land O’ Lakes
100 Backstroke – Michael McCloskey, Land O’ Lakes
100 Breaststroke – Alex Thai, Sunlake
400 Freestyle Relay – Juan Benitez, Alex Thai, Tien Duong, Cayden DeTillio, Sunlake

Girls Swimming
Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes
Swimmer of the Year: Madi Houck, Sunlake
Diver of the Year: Jessica Roehrig, Wesley Chapel
Coach of the Year: Jill Hebert, Land O’ Lakes

First Team
200 Medley Relay – Jena Ruste, Jennah Hafsi, Ava Edwards, Madi Houck, Sunlake
200 Freestyle – Jena Ruste, Sunlake
200 Individual Medley – Abigail Hahm, Land O’ Lakes
50 Freestyle – Jordyn Rolle, Wesley Chapel
100 Freestyle – Madi Houck, Sunlake
100 Butterfly – Ava Edwards, Sunlake
500 Freestyle – Sadie Minich, Wesley Chapel
200 Freestyle Relay – Sadie Minich, Aubrey Vaile, Savannah Stevens, Jordyn Rolle, Wesley Chapel
100 Backstroke – Madi Houck, Sunlake
100 Breaststroke – Jennah Hafsi, Sunlake
400 Freestyle Relay – Ava Adriani, Abigail Hahm, Sandali Edippili-Pathiran, Emelia D’Alessio, Land O’ Lakes

Published November 30, 2022

Senior Outdoor Walk

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Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., in New Port Richey, covers more than 8,300 acres and its multi-purpose trail consists of 7.3 miles of paved surface for bike riding, rollerblading, jogging or walking. (Courtesy of Rebekah Jenkins)

Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources department will host a Senior Outdoor Walk and Talk about Pine Trees on Dec. 1 at 8 a.m., at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., in New Port Richey.

Cost is $3 per person and registration is required.

The talk will cover the different types of pine trees in the park, and the wildlife that makes use of them. The walk will be on a paved trail, of about 1.5 miles.

The group will meet at Parking Lot No. 8. Those attending are encouraged to wear close-toed shoes and to bring water and bug spray. No pets are allowed on the walk.

Register at Secure.rec1.com/FL/pasco-county-fl/catalog (Look for the Pasco Outdoor Adventures Tab).

The program is subject to cancellation due to weather. An email notice will be sent out in the event of a cancellation.

For questions, email Rebekah at .

Come ‘Explore’ this new Zephyrhills mural

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Main Street Zephyrhills continues to paint the town.

On Nov. 16, the nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing certain elements of downtown, unveiled its latest mural in its ongoing series, presenting “Explore Our Hometown” — featuring large letters, including artistic images — on the side of the brick building housing Fraternity of Eagles 3752, at 38421 Fifth Ave.

‘Explore Our Hometown’ is the newest mural in Historic Downtown Zephyrhills. It was unveiled on Nov. 16 by artist Trinity Rivard, who took several well-known elements that represent the largest municipality in Pasco County and displayed them in the letters of ‘EXPLORE.’ (Mike Camunas)

It’s a vibrant, colorful piece of art designed and painted by artist Trinity Rivard, a Tampa native who said he’s been to Zephyrhills many times, but still really researched Pasco County’s largest municipality.

“I took my own experiences here, and did a lot of research, as well, and based on those two things, it was the elements (I chose) on here that resonated with me,” Rivard said at the ceremony unveiling the mural. “And it’s also which elements were going to be more dynamic, really stand out and something that I can have some fun with.

“I wanted the historical elements to be in there and I wanted to show what the city has to offer, recreationally, now — things that Zephyrhills is really known for.”

The mural, which is on the building wall adjacent to Seventh Street, focuses on themes in each in the letters of “EXPLORE.” They are skydiving, the Military History Museum, the Train Depot, golf and tennis, and the skate and water parks.

Rivard estimates it took him about 150 hours to complete the project that required him battling the heat, weather (including a hurricane), needing a scissor lift to reach the heights on the building and, of course, patience.

Artist Trinity Rivard stands in front of his mural, ‘Explore Our Hometown,’ the brand new painting in historic downtown Zephyrhills that took Rivard about 150 hours to complete.

“I’m honored to be able to add to this city and leave my mark,” Rivard said. “A lot of times, I was on the lift and people would drive by and sometimes you hear someone yelling at you and you don’t know if it’s good or bad.

“But sometimes they’ll pull over and stop and say, ‘Good job!’ or ‘Looks great!’ and it’s those little things that really helped while I was creating the mural.”

City Manager Billy Poe said at the unveiling that “Our downtown just became a little more colorful, but really hits on the history, too. … A mural is important because it builds a sense of community, it makes you want to go there, not just to see it, but to experience the community. … This, people will drive or walk by it and it starts a conversation.”

Main Street Board of Directors & Design Committee Chair Christine Bennett said the mural cost $10,000 to commission, with that coming from donations and other fundraising throughout the year.

This is the second of several murals Main Street has planned throughout historic downtown. The first was Ocea, which also is on Seventh Street and was painted by lead artist Jonathan Sierra and assistant artist Fonz Eljaiek. The mural centers around the idea that water is restorative and connects to the life that it has touched.

There are other murals already in downtown, including “Splash on 5th,” the “unnamed mural on 5th” that Bennett and volunteers helped paint and the “Wall of Memories” or Centennial Mural that is painted on the Fifth Avenue-adjacent wall of the Hynes Discount Mobile Homes building.

Bennett said the plan was always to try to get 10 new murals downtown in the series, but fellow board member Gail Hamilton says they won’t put a limit on how many murals are commissioned as long as they can be funded.

Bennett also added the next mural will be a crosswalk painting that will be in front of the Zephyrhills Public Library on Eighth street.

Main Street hopes to have that completed and unveiled in January.

Published November 23, 2022

Land O’ Lakes Branch Library has a new look

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The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library is ready for patrons to come and take advantage of the upgraded facility. It underwent a complete renovation that includes a new look, updated technology and new meeting spaces. (Mike Camunas)

After being closed for 15 months, the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, reopened on Nov. 14.

Patrons and area residents were there to check out the $4.75-million renovation.

The branch added new adult, teens and kids’ spaces; new meeting spaces; an expanded lobby; renovated makerspace; a new central service area; improved landscaping and outdoor patios; and upgraded the drive-through.

In all, the 18,169-square-foot branch got a complete, floor-to-ceiling remodel thanks to the General Obligation Bond (GO Bond) Referendum Pasco voters passed in 2018.

While the Land O’ Lakes Branch has reopened, work continues to upgrade the Hugh Embry Branch Library, at 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, and the South Holiday Branch Library, at 4649 Mile Stretch Drive.

The Land O’ Lakes Branch began as a small section of a county building on U.S. 41, but later was moved to a larger location because of its popularity. In 1980, it became an official part of the Pasco County Library Collective and moved into a Land O’ Lakes plaza storefront in 1988.

The branch at its current location was built through a $10-million bond referendum passed by Pasco County voters in 1986 to improve public library services and build new parks countywide.

The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library opened to the public on Dec. 12, 1991.

Published November 23, 2022

Community celebrates 50 years

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This community is golden, and has been for 50 years.

Weslyn Stevens, left, and Jaxson Oberhaus take a slow ride on a couple of mini ponies at the Lake Padgett Estates East 50th Anniversary Founder’s Day Festival on Nov. 12. (Mike Camunas)

Lake Padgett Estates East, the bustling Land O’ Lakes neighborhood that consists of 1,125 properties, a middle and elementary school, and a popular hiking, camping and exploring area, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with gratitude and aplomb.

“You really can’t slow this community down,” Community Association Manager Robert Stone said. “The residents, they love this neighborhood and the activities it does, and it shows when they all come out, no matter what we do.”

Established Nov. 17, 1972, Stone says the community celebrates this Founder’s Day every five years, but he was still impressed by the showing of residents for the 50th Anniversary Festival on Nov. 12.

Michael Zaniewski takes a fun selfie with his daughter, Zori, during a train ride at the Lake Padgett Estates East 50th Anniversary Founder’s Day Festival on Nov. 12, at the Land O’ Lakes community’s clubhouse and recreation center.

The event had fun activities such as a rock-climbing wall, a wipe out attraction and a trackless train brought by AirFun Games; a petting zoo and mini pony rides by A Thomas Pony Rides & Petting Zoo; a continuous hayride by Mandell’s Tree Service; a car show by Let’s Roll Promotions; a silent auction by the Founder’s Day Committee; plus food trucks, local vendors, face painting and more.

“The car show was a big draw, for sure,” Stone said. “It always seems to be in this area, but the turnout was great. If I’m being honest, we got more people than we expected.”

Set up by the Founder’s Day Committee, which consists of Kori Brown, Bobbi Clay, Sherril Burnite and Mei-Ling Miranda, the event’s proceeds go back into the community and fund the next community event, which will be cookies with Santa.

And for the longtime community that also includes a restaurant/clubhouse, swimming pool, track, tennis, basketball, racquetball and hand-ball courts, batting cage, playground and dog park, that seems to be just fine for the residents over the years.

“Everyone loves these events,” Stone said. “They’re always well-received, and it’s great to see anyone who comes out and enjoys being part of this community.”

Published November 23, 2022

Natalie Jones, of Lake Padgett Estates East, cunningly, and laughably, avoids a rotating foam obstacle course at the Land O’ Lakes community’s 50th anniversary celebration on Nov. 12.
While at the Lake Padgett Estates East 50th Anniversary Founder’s Day Festival in Land O’ Lakes, Cooper Schembri gets friendly with a petting zoo goat.
Hayrides were available at the Lake Padgett Estates East 50th Anniversary Founder’s Day Festival.
From left: Keith Schwingle, Bill Pawson, Reggie Causey and Don Bentley look over and discuss an engine of a classic car at the Lake Padgett Estate East 50th Anniversary Founder’s Day Festival on Nov. 12.

Pump-king of the compost hill

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They posted about compost.

Students at Learning Gate Community School in Lutz held a competition to see who could collect the most discarded Halloween pumpkins, and then they composted them with soil.

Learning Gate Community School students unload the discarded pumpkins they helped collect from the community as part of a composting project. (Steve Warrener)

Led by Environmental Science Teacher Steve Warrener, the project set up five drop-off locations around Lutz where locals could donate pumpkins.

Warrener then held a Tik Tok competition, posting videos each day. He competed against “Farm Boy James” — a popular composting personality over in St. Johns County.

“He and I posted several videos calling each other out, but the kids really got into seeing what Farm Boy James would say next and how our totals were stacking up,” Warrener said.
The competition ended in a tie: Farm Boy collected 2 tons of pumpkins, as did Warrener and his students.

“The main premise for us was to inspire and educate people to the benefits of dealing with the 100 billion pounds of food wasted annually,” Warrener said. “And why not start with a food that is about 99% wasted? — pumpkins!

“If we do it again next year, I want the county involved. We could do 20 tons by having locations to drop off at every library. That could be really fun.”

Warrener set up five drop-off locations, starting with one at Learning Gate’s campuses: the main one on Hanna Road and its sister site on Lutz Lake Fern Road; other locations included Sunlake Academy of Math and Science, Al’s Lawn Care and Happy Farm.

Warrener and the students picked up pumpkins from these locations between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15. One pickup involved a bulk donation from Watermelon Swim School that had unsold inventory from its annual pumpkin patch.

About half of the pumpkins were composted at Learning Gate’s Hanna Campus, while the other half were composted at Happy Farm.

Learning Gate Community School students proudly stand atop a pile of pumpkins that was part of the 2 tons they collected from the Lutz community for a composting project.

To compost the pumpkins, students smashed them with shovels and mixed it with soil and mulch from the school’s last tree-trimming job.

“Then we let our class chickens dig through it and spread it around — the chickens are mixing it for us — and then we can pile it back up and let it turn into better soil for our little farm,” Warrener said.

“It ended up being a much bigger project than I had planned thanks to the community involvement and the help from (Learning Gate’s) Michele Northup and The Laker/Lutz News getting the word out.”

In the end, the project taught the students a lot about the importance of composting and recycling.

When students posed questions to one another, each had a unique take on the experience.

Michael Bishop asked, “Why is composting beneficial?” and Colton Ownby replied, “Instead of throwing it away, we put it into the soil.”

Seannah McCarty said, “I learned that you can make very good soil from composting.”

Amy Cook added, “We are going to help the soil (and) to build a garden with it.”

Students agreed, when asked about their favorite part of the project.

“Smashing the pumpkins!” Max Perez said, excitedly.

Ella Couture agreed: “I loved smashing the pumpkins.”

Published November 23, 2022

From left, Learning Gate Community School students Ava Klein, Charlotte Schoeman and Kamryn Whitmore take turns smashing pumpkins for a composting project. Students reached out to the community and collected 2 tons of discarded Halloween pumpkins.
Learning Gate Community School Environmental Science Teacher Steve Warrener shows off the piles of discarded pumpkins he and students collected to compost.

All You Need Is Love

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You don’t need a ticket to ride — or to enter.

At Penny Lane: The Ultimate Beatles Museum in downtown Dunedin, it is absolutely free to peruse the very large collection of Beatles memorabilia. The museum houses many extremely rare and highly collectible mementos from signed guitars to Yellow Submarine paraphernalia to Beatles puppets and pins from a serape once owned by Ringo Starr.

Penny Lane, the Beatles Museum in downtown Dunedin, has hundreds of rare memorabilia, posters, pictures, toys — even strands of the musicians’ hair — all on display with free admission. (Mike Camunas)

There are even strands of the musicians’ hair on display.

So, while strolling the small museum on the second floor of Stirling Commons and in the back of a local art gallery, you can see plenty of memorabilia, while Beatles tunes fill your ears.

Got a good reason?
The Penny Lane Beatles Museum is as good as any reason to take a daytrip to Dunedin.

The museum was created by longtime Dunedin resident and humanitarian Dr. Robert Entel, who founded it in January 2017. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit museum was co-founded by Colin Bissett, who grew up in Liverpool and went to school with Pete Best’s brother (Beatles first drummer). He attended many performances at the Cavern Club and Casbah in the early ’60s before the band became a worldwide phenomenon known as The Beatles.

A signed guitar by Beatles’ legend Paul McCartney.

Throughout the museum, collections are spread out through their albums and the eras the band experienced. There are sections dedicated to the British Invasion to Yellow Submarine, to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, to Abbey Road and their final album, Let It Be, released in 1970 a month after the band broke up.

Several signed instruments also are on display, as are the band’s gold records.

And just when you think some sort of trinket or toy was never made of The Beatles, well, Penny Lane will prove you wrong.

Also, one of the museum’s volunteers will be glad to give a tour, dispense more Beatles knowledge and trivia and even answer questions.

Such as if that is actually Lucy in the sky with diamonds.

Come Together
To be fair, enjoying Penny Lane will not take up a whole day. While it is a very impressive collection and a fun attraction, you might find yourself done quicker than expected.

Penny Lane, the Beatles Museum in downtown Dunedin, is surrounded by several local artists galleries, all of which are free to peruse.

Not to fear — you’ll already be in downtown Dunedin, with its several restaurants and craft beer breweries, its many shops and parks, too. Check out the pier at Josiah Cephas Weaver Park, the fine arts district, or a minor league baseball game at TD Ballpark. Or, if you’re still feeling cheeky from The Beatles, there’s Rosie’s Tavern. It has a British Pub feel to it and is right downstairs from Penny Lane.

Eight Days a Week
Sadly, that is not the case for Penny Lane and its availability. It’s open just Thursdays through Sundays, but as mentioned previously, admission is completely free. The museum’s purpose is to engage and teach longtime fans or even just the casual ones more about arguably the most influential band of all time. It’s also a great place to celebrate the legacy of John, Paul, George and Ringo.

So, get back and go yesterday, if you can. Because for the museum and its memorabilia, there’s nowhere else it can be that isn’t where it’s meant to be.

Penny Lane: The Ultimate Beatles Museum
Where: 730 Broadway, Second Floor, Dunedin
When: Open Thursdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: A permanent collection with hundreds of rare Beatles memorabilia, from signed guitars, posters, pictures, toys, merchandise and even strands of the musicians’ hair.
Info: Visit PennyLaneBeatlesMuseum.com, or call 727-281-8130, or email .

Published November 23, 2022

Penny Lane, the Beatles Museum in downtown Dunedin, has hundreds of memorabilia of the Beatles from different eras and albums of the band, including a section dedicated to their eighth album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
A British phone booth replica sits outside the building that houses Penny Lane, the Beatles Museum in downtown Dunedin. It also lists the other nearby shops and businesses.
A very lifelike miniature statue of Beatles frontman John Lennon.

 

Zephyrhills community keeps on collecting food

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Frances Fusco doesn’t have to bug anyone.

She doesn’t have to knock on doors or solicit or even beg.

“They just do it,” the longtime resident of Southport Springs Golf & Country Club in Zephyrhills said.

Fusco is referring to her neighbors and community friends — the same ones, without hesitation, that brought large helpings of food and goods and other pantry donations for the annual food drive she heads up just before Thanksgiving.

First Presbyterian Church of Zephyrhills Reverend Denise Lay, left, and one of her parishioners, Tom Hannold, sort through the donated foods and goods that were brought by residents during Southport Springs Golf & Country Club food drive on Nov. 9. (Mike Camunas)

On Nov. 9, Fusco, and about a dozen helpers, stationed themselves at the community’s clubhouse and welcomed anyone from Southport — and neighboring communities — who were willing to donate to the food banks of nearby churches.

The food drive is in its fifth year and has always benefited St Joseph’s Catholic Church, First United Methodist Church of Zephyrhills and Chancey Road Christian Church. First Presbyterian Church of Zephyrhills was added to the congregation this year.

Fusco and company loaded up car trunks and backseats, while Reverend Denise Lay, of First Presbyterian, brought the church’s van and was able to take back plenty of food, including a frozen turkey.

“Any drive is very huge for us,” Lay said, “but this one, being included this year, has been wonderful. We’re thankful for it, as we are for all our food that comes in the door and then goes right back out.”

Lay said there has been high demand at her church’s food bank, which is why it is planning two Thanksgiving meal giveaways. One will be before the holiday, with those in need able to pick up to-go meals. The church also will host a Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 24.

Southport Springs Golf & Country Club food drive coordinator Frances Fusco loads some donated goods into a car that will eventually go to First United Methodist Church. For five years now, Fusco and other residents of the Zephyrhills community have reached out and collected food and other goods for food pantries of nearby churches. On Nov. 9, about eight cars and a large van from First Presbyterian Church of Zephyrhills were loaded up with donations that were brought up to the community’s clubhouse from residents and other Zephyrhills citizens.

“Our food ministry has risen up to serve and we’ve served so many,” Lay said.

The Southport community runs several fundraisers or charitable activities throughout the year. In January, they’ll host one to benefit Caterpillars to Butterflies, the Dade City charity that supports at-risk children.

At Southport, Fusco says, the residents have the full support of the community management group, Sun Communities, which “gives us a general manager who is so open and responsive to all that we do as a community,” she added.

Fusco said everyone is made well aware of the food drive, from it being in the neighborhood newsletter, email blasts and reminders at the weekly coffee social.

Fusco, a former nurse in the Air Force who served in Vietnam, is proud of her community for stepping up, especially since promoting the food drive was pretty unnecessary.

Here,” she said, “you don’t have to bug people to donate, or beg from them. They have enough that they’re willing to donate their food, as well as their time and talents, to help out.

“I think more communities should do this, because this is one of the great things about Southport.”

First Presbyterian Church of Zephyrhills Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Where: 5510 19th St., Zephyrhills
When: Nov. 24, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Details: Meals will be served inside the church’s Fellowship Hall to those who are alone or need a meal. No reservations required for the event. Meals will be served until all are served or food runs out.

Published November 23, 2022

Local golfers swing into state tournaments

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Several local high school golfers competed in Florida High School Athletic Association state tournaments over the past few weeks, with a few of them doing quite well.

The Cypress Creek boys golf team advanced to the Class 2A state tournament for the second-straight season, this year finishing in 13th place. (Courtesy of Dennis Martin)

The tournaments were held at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, with individual golfers and full teams competing over two rounds. Boys golfers played on the 6,762-yard, par-72 El Campeon Course, while the girls hit the links on the par-72 Las Colinas Course, tapping out at 5,455 yards.

In Class 3A action played on Nov. 9, the Sunlake High girls team sent two players to the state tournament.

Junior Alyssa Mixon finished tied for eighth, shooting back-to-back 75s (six over), just one spot below her seventh-place tie she grabbed at the 2021 tournament. It’s the third-straight state tournament appearance for Mixon, who also placed 32nd in 2020 as a freshman.

Her Seahawks teammate, fellow junior Hailey Striker, joined her at the state tournament and shot a two-round 168 for a 51st-place finish.

On the boys side of 3A, Steinbrenner High’s Jack Vanderschuur was the only local golfer to play in the state tournament from this class. The sophomore finished tied for 61st after shooting back-to-back 81s for an 18-over score.

Cypress Creek junior golfer Connor Newbold finished 49th at the Class 2A state tournament. (Courtesy of Rob Patterson)

In the Class 2A tournament played Nov. 15 and Nov. 16, both Cypress Creek boys and girls teams, once again, advanced to the state tournament, giving each back-to-back appearances.

On the boys side, the Coyotes finished 13th, with a team score of 689. They were led by senior Joaquin Parrilla, who shot a team-best 165 (+21), while junior Connor Newbold finished six spots behind him at 49th, shooting a two-round 166.

Both Levi Wade and Trey Sasser finished at 74th place with scores of 180, while freshman Maximus Knight finished at 89th, shooting a 188.

In 2021, Cypress Creek boys finished sixth as a team, with Newbold placing fifth overall in the field.

For the girls, the Coyotes finished 14th, with a team score of 752. They were led by senior Carmen Phousirith, who shot a team-best 159 (+15), while fellow senior Annamarie Ratican finished eight spots behind her at 30th, shooting a two-round 165.

Rounding out the five-player team, Skylar Lee finished 86th (210), Addison Noll finished 91st (218) and Jillian Scott finished 94th (226).

Last season, Cypress Creek girls finished seventh as a team, with Phousirith placing 17th overall in the field.

Published November 23, 2022

The Cypress Creek girls golf team advanced to the Class 2A state tournament for the second-straight season, this year finishing in 14th place. (Courtesy of Rob Patterson)
The Sunlake High girls golf team finished as the Class 3A-District 9 runner-up, but did advance two players to the state tournament, with junior Alyssa Mixon placing eighth overall. (Courtesy of Sunlake High Athletics)
Cypress Creek senior golfer Annamarie Ratican finished 30th at the Class 2A state tournament. (Courtesy of Rob Patterson)

Local ballplayer added to MLB roster

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Dustin Harris

Dustin Harris, a 2017 Land O’ Lakes High grad, was added to the Texas Rangers’ 40-man roster on Nov. 15, which, in turn, protected the player from the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 7.

Players who signed their first professional contract at age 18 or younger must be added to 40-man rosters within five seasons or they become eligible to be drafted by other organizations through the Rule 5 process. The Rule 5 Draft allows clubs without a full 40-man roster to select certain non-40-man roster players from other clubs.

Harris was an 11th round pick of the Oakland A’s in the 2019 draft, and was acquired by the Rangers in 2020 for a player to be named later.

Earlier this summer, Harris was featured in the 2022 MLB All-Star Futures Game. The game features the top minor league players from all the teams, in a seven-inning game to showcase their talents.

Harris, who was an outfielder for the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate for the Rangers, went 2-for-3 with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base during the game played on July 17.

This season for the RoughRiders, Harris batted .257 with 17 homers and 66 RBI.

As a senior with the Gators, he batted .473 with 44 hits, 20 RBI and 29 runs scored before enrolling at nearby St. Petersburg College. He was traded to the Rangers organization in 2020.