The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mike Camunas

Adapting to the right fit

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There are no physical limits.

Especially for these Adaptive CrossFit athletes.

At CrossFit AERO in Lutz, trainers have developed a modified program allowing individuals with permanent physical disabilities or severe injuries to complete the Workout of the Day, or WOD, and become comfortable with the fundamentals of functional movement.

Stephanie Beaver, of Wesley Chapel, does a deadlift at CrossFit AERO during a session of Adaptive CrossFit. The program provides sessions for people with permanent physical disabilities or severe injuries to help them become comfortable with the fundamentals of functional movement. (Mike Camunas)

“The way we see it, with CrossFit, everything is scalable,” said Ellaine Sapin-Ancheta, the AERO Adaptive CrossFit director and head trainer.

“So, if there is a workout of the day — say its rowing — every single person that walks in the door, we want them to be able to do that, no matter what your ability or disability is,” Sapin-Ancheta said.

“As soon as they walk through the door, we try to modify it from what we see and what they tell us — that’s the beauty of CrossFit: to have functional fitness, safety for longevity, and to have fun with it.

“It may look different when they’re doing it, but they’re still working the same muscle groups,” she added.

Stephanie Beaver, a Wesley Chapel resident born with spina bifida, works handles connected to a fan bike at CrossFit AERO to get in her cardio during a session of Adaptive CrossFit.

Wesley Chapel resident Stephanie Beaver always thought she was in shape, until she tried Adaptive CrossFit, modified for her body.

“I’ve come a long way,” said the athlete who was born with spina bifida.

“The movements we do here translate into the things I have to do every day, from moving around at home or to picking things up. It just translates into everyday life for me, so that really helps a lot,” Beaver said.

“Never in a million years I thought I would ever be doing the things I am doing today while at CrossFit,” she added.

Sapin-Ancheta explained: “She thought she was fit, but she was always falling to the side with a certain move, so we worked really, really hard on core strength and she worked really, really hard to improve that.

Wesley Chapel resident Stephanie Beaver, who was born with spina bifida, gets in her wall ball reps with a medicine ball at CrossFit AERO.

“Sure, she looks good and she’s ripped, even now, but getting back into the chair from the floor is way easier for her than before, too.

“So, she has no function of her legs, so we just modify (workout moves) for her or all of our adaptive athletes. They might be doing something different, but we’re still trying to simulate the same function and growth as any other athlete.”

Indeed, Adaptive CrossFit athletes will perform traditional CrossFit moves — such as deadlifts, overhead presses, wall balls, even rowing — however, the modifications are individually customized for each athlete.

Beaver, for example, will use special handles attached to a fan bike that allow her to perform cardio exercises.

CrossFit AERO head coach and Adaptive and Inclusive Certified Trainer Ellaine Sapin-Ancheta watches intently as Stephanie Beaver works during a one-on-one Adaptive CrossFit session.

“When people see the things that I am doing here, they immediately want more information and, unfortunately, it is not at every gym,” Beaver said.

“And the community here is really nothing I’ve ever been a part of before,” Beaver added. “I don’t feel any different when I’m here, not like other gyms where I feel like I stand out. Everyone just sees me as another athlete here.”

With CrossFit, inclusivity is — and always has been — key. It’s no different with Adaptive CrossFit.

“I think that, like all of CrossFit, that really it’s about inclusivity,” AERO CrossFit owner Josh Willis said. “CrossFit is really about everyone being able to do it, so that means those with disabilities, too, and they are always welcomed into a CrossFit community.”

“I’m a physical therapist,” Sapin-Ancheta said. “I have always loved working with (people with disabilities), but (CrossFit) was not available to them and why not? They want to work out and be part of the community, as well.”

And it’s true — they just want to work out, too.

“It’s still CrossFit,” Beaver said, with a sly smile. “We still get our WOD in like anyone else.”

Adaptive CrossFit
Where: CrossFit AERO, 4450 Pet Lane, Suite 102, Lutz
Details: An athletic program that focuses on individuals with permanent physical disabilities or severe injuries. Sessions provide additional support and experience so impaired individuals can become comfortable with the fundamentals of functional movement. Sessions are open to every type of physical disability: amputation, limb salvage, neurological damage, sensory impairment or traumatic brain injury, and with or without mobility aids such as wheelchairs, hand crutches and so on.
Info: Email trainer Ellaine Sapin-Ancheta at ./">, or visit CrossFitAero.com.

Published September 21, 2022

Hockey champs at Center Ice

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(Courtesy of Nick Mancini)

The Tampa Bay Crunch competed in the Blue Line Hockey Labor Day Weekend Barn Burner at AdventHealth Center Ice, and of the 11 Crunch teams competing in eight divisions, five emerged as champions.

Team winners and their coaches included 10/12U A Girls Crunch (Kristin Folch); 14U A Blue Crunch (Paul McDuffie); 14U AA Crunch (Garrett Brown); 12U A Blue (Stan Neckar); 14U A White (Tommy Burgess).

Collectively, the Tampa Bay Crunch, also hosts at the Barn Burner, had a 34-15-4 showing at the tournament.

Dade City’s inaugural art walk will celebrate local artists

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Get ready to walk into a new kind of arts scene — within the shops and businesses in the heart of Dade City’s historic downtown.

From Sept. 17 through Sept. 24, downtown Dade City businesses will feature local artists and their works in their storefronts on the town’s historic streets. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

The Dade City Center for the Arts and the Dade City Merchants Association are hosting the inaugural Dade City Art Walk from Sept. 17 through Sept. 24.

The week-long event is a celebration of local artists and their work, as well as a chance to mesh business and the arts, in a creative new collaboration.

“As someone who grew up here (in Dade City), I can say that sometimes you don’t always go to the downtown of your hometown,” said Jasmine Wright, a board member at the arts center. “So this all started as, ‘How do we get people to come see what our downtown has?’ and ‘How could we do something with the small businesses in town?’

“We thought it was just the perfect way to get people out and walking around our historic, beautiful downtown, which is very walkable,” Wright said. “And, it turns out everyone was very excited and willing to be a part of it.”

The Art Walk will feature 22 artists, each one in a different one of 22 select businesses that line the streets of downtown Dade City, such as Meridian Avenue and Seventh Street.

The event kicks off with a Sept. 17 opening ceremony at 5 p.m., at the Florida National Guard Armory, 38017 Live Oak Ave., in Dade City.

The artists will be on hand for a meet-and-greet, plus to sell some of their work. There also will be the “PreCasso” Kids Art Zone, where children can make their own art, and foster children from Caterpillars to Butterflies Charitable Foundation will display art they created.

Wright, who is owner and operator of Treehouse Mercantile on Meridian Avenue, said she and other arts center members were genuinely surprised at the enthusiastic response from artists and businesses that wanted to participate.

“From the start, we said and thought, if we got 10 people to do this, then we could make it work,” Wright said. “Then, we had so many that we had to stop, but people were already asking us about doing it next year!”

Once all the artists and businesses were slated to participate, Wright set about pairing the artists with businesses. She took into account the type of art each artist would feature, as well as the style, vibe and type of business that would be the perfect match.

“It came down to what the store offers and who was going to be in that store, customer-wise,” said Wright, who also will feature an artist in her store.

“There are going to be all kinds of arts and, I think, we did a pretty good job of which artist is going to fit in perfectly with a certain store,” she said.

“And we’re all really excited to see everyone walking around to see some art and shop.”

Dade City Art Walk
When: Sept. 17 to Sept. 24; hours vary
Where: Downtown Dade City
Details: Works from 22 local artists will be on display at downtown Dade City businesses for a week. An opening ceremony is planned on Sept. 17 at 5 p.m., at the Florida National Guard Armory, 38017 Live Oak Ave. Artists will meet-and-greet those attending and will have works available for purchase. A “PreCasso” Kids Art Zone will give children a chance to make their own art.
Info: Contact the Dade City Center for the Arts at 813-363-4385 or .

Published September 14, 2022

Curl up with this different type of sport

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It’s a sport that typically only gains attention during the Winter Olympics, but curling is becoming a more popular sport, locally.

Russ Thor, of New Tampa, slides a stone across the ice on a rink at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel during a practice session of the Tampa Bay Curling Club. The club’s fall season began on Sept. 10 and runs through November. New people looking to take up the sport are encouraged to join at any time. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

It’s a pursuit that looks a little like shuffleboard on ice, with a splash of household cleaning.

And, there are opportunities to try your hand at it at AdventHealth Center Ice, at 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

That’s the home of The Tampa Bay Curling Club (TBCC), which offers league play.

It’s also where people who are interested can give it a try, in Learning to Curl sessions.

“It’s a great sport because it doesn’t matter how old or how athletic you are, anyone can curl,” said John Drysdale, a hockey and curling coach at Center Ice. “A lot of people even do it as a date night — I know my wife and I do! It’s a very social sport, too. You can come out and chat, and interact with everyone, so it’s a very cordial atmosphere out here.

“So they come out thinking it looks easy on TV, and everything looks easy on TV, but they find out it’s also a blast to play.”

When Center Ice started the curling club in 2017, it came with a huge distinction: the largest curling club in the Southeast, even if Drysdale can’t remember the exact number it started with. However, the club has reached as high as numbers as 16 teams and 150 players.

“It’s something different,” he said. “It’s something unique and, in the time anyone does it — an hour to an hour and a half — they realize just how fun it is, too.”

The TBCC gains new members all the time, usually after they get hooked thanks to Learning To Curl classes hosted Saturday evenings before league play begins.

Andy LaRosa, of the curling team, I Swept With Your Wife, holds a perfect position, as he slides a stone down the ice at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, as part of the Tampa Bay Curling Club. The league hosts play on Saturday evenings. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

Cost is $30 per class, and Drysdale says he sees a lot of people trying it as a fun group activity, only to want to join the club, once learning about it.

“I guess it is a little like bowling,” Drysdale admitted. “A lot of teams, they’ll get here a little early, go up and get something to eat and drink at (the restaurant) Top Shelf, and then you come down and play.

“Then after the match, you go back up with all the teams and eat and drink some more maybe, then leave around midnight and the whole thing is very social — and a lot of fun.”

The Learning to Curl classes touch on the basics of curling, along with safety, etiquette and techniques. Teams of four slide a 38-pound to 44-pound stone, or rock, down the sheet that is 150 long and 16 feet wide, to the target, or house. Brooming techniques are taught, too, as they are used to speed up and slow down the stone.

Kyle Van Der Meyden, of the curling team, Mount Brushmore, works with his sweeping and stone sliding form during a practice session of the Tampa Bay Curling Club at AdventHealth Center Ice. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

While Learning to Curl is a very popular activity at Center Ice, Drysdale does admit every time the Winter Olympics coverage pops up, curling interest also increases.

“The Winter Olympics creates a boom (in participation) because there’s a lot of curling coverage during the Olympics, and sure, they probably showed it ironically back in the day, but it’s (well-watched now). People see it and they’re like, ‘Oh, I want to try that,’ and then realize, ‘Hey, it’s right here in Wesley Chapel!’”

Which is exactly how Mike Valentine, of the curling team, Athletic Calves, came from Clearwater to curl.

Ryan Schleich, of the curling team, Athletic Calves, directs his teammates where to slide the stone during a practice session of the Tampa Bay Curling Club. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

“It’s hard to find in Florida,” Valentine said. “I took a couple of classes of Learning to Curl and just got hooked. … (People) have no clue, really, (about curling) and you have to explain it to them. Sure, you’ve seen it on the Winter Olympics, but it’s harder and more fun than you see on TV.”

Other curlers didn’t need the Olympics to spur their interest.

Lutz resident Charles Lauricello, with the club since nearly the beginning, said: “I love curling because it’s like chess on ice.

“You’ve got to strategize a lot,” he said. “I don’t think people realize how much strategizing goes into curling, but I love it.”

Tampa Bay Curling Club
When: League play and practice is on Saturday evenings.
Where: AdventHealth Center Ice, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Wesley Chapel
Details: The Tampa Bay Curling Club promotes and supports the growth of the sport in the Tampa Bay and surrounding area. It provides education and training to curlers 15 years or older via instructional programs and league play. All experience levels are welcome, however, it is recommended curlers bring their own brooms and shoe sliders. Participants are encouraged to dress warm.
AdventHealth Center Ice also hosts Learning to Curl sessions prior to league play on Saturday evenings. Cost is $30 per class and new curlers are recommended to attend at least three sessions before joining the club.
Cost: $1,000 per team per season ($25 per player per game), plus there is an annual membership fee of $85 per player.
Info and registration: Visit TampaBayCurling.com, or email .

Published on September 14, 2022

Brain aneurysm awareness

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The Trinity Love Hoblit Foundation has announced that Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a proclamation declaring September as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month in the state of Florida, according to a news release.

A sudden severe headache is a common warning sign that someone may be suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm. Other signs include dilated pupils, blurred vision, pain behind the eye, weakness and numbness, and difficulty speaking.

Risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, family history of brain aneurysm, age 40 and older, female, person of color, and drug use (particularly cocaine).

According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, approximately one in 50 people has an unruptured brain aneurysm. Every 18 minutes, a brain aneurysm ruptures, and when it does, death or lifelong disabilities often result, the release said.

“Awareness is the beginning of prevention,” said Olivia Hobbit, president and founder of the foundation, in the release.

To learn more about brain aneurysms and the foundation, or to donate, visit TrinityHoblit.org.

Clearing a path for golfers

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These sandhill cranes seemed to have had enough of this little gator and banded together to drive the creature back into the lake. Donald Cera snapped the photo on the Lexington Golf Course in Wesley Chapel.

Lilo is endlessly patient and kind

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Lilo is an Amstaff mix who comes from Ohio. A few years ago, the Snodgrass family was throwing around the idea of their first family dog, to hopefully help their son with autism. They stumbled across a floppy-eared dog picture posted online by Lilo’s foster parents. The family instantly fell in love, and within a few minutes of meeting Lilo, they knew how incredibly special she was. Everyone who meets her says she is the sweetest, friendliest dog they have ever met. Lilo always has a huge smile and a wagging tail. Nothing makes her happier than chewing on one of her stuffed dog toys or chasing her laser light around. She loves walks, meeting new people and staring at squirrels wistfully from afar. Lilo lives in Land O’ Lakes with the Snodgrass family: Chris, Kendra, Blaine and Braxton, and Charlie McCarthy.

Chalk Talk 09/14/2022

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Decades of education support

(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club donated a mountain of school supplies to three local schools — Lutz Elementary, Denham Oaks Elementary and Miles Elementary — to help both stu- dents and teachers. The woman’s club has been supporting local schools and libraries since its inception in 1960. For information, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org or its Facebook page.

 

 

(Courtesy of Andy Taylor)

Alumni association wins award

The Pasco Chapter of the USF (University of South Florida) Alumni Association was honored with an Excellence in Fundraising Award by the USF Alumni Association. The chapter was recognized for its creativity in a scholarship fundraising campaign called Gimme Five, which encourages all alumni to give $5 to the fund. The Pasco Chapter leadership team of Andy Taylor and Bobby Smith, left, accept the award from USF Alumni Association Board Chairman Braulio Colon. To learn more about the Pasco Chapter, visit Facebook.com/USFPasco.

 

Pasco Schools hiring event
Pasco County Schools will host two non-instructional hiring events, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.:

  • Sept. 14, at Land O’ Lakes (District Office-Building 2)
  • Sept. 15, at Wesley Chapel High School

Those interested can meet hiring managers from district departments. Job opportunities include instructional assistants, bus drivers, food service, and custodians. Starting pay is $15 an hour, with the potential to make more based on years of experience. Register at EventBrite.com.

Technical school recognized
Wendell Krinn Technical High School in New Port Richey has been recognized as a Nationally Certified Demonstration Magnet School by Magnet Schools of America, according to a news release.

Nationally certified magnet schools provide high-quality, innovative educational options to families and students that promote choice, diversity, and academic excellence.

Magnet Schools of America created the national certification process to recognize the nation’s exemplary magnet schools (which offer specialized courses in themes designed to attract students from outside of traditional school boundaries) and to help them continue providing high-quality magnet programs.

Wendell Krinn provides access to 14 in-demand career and technical education programs, including auto service, biomedical sciences, commercial art, computer systems, pharmacy tech, cybersecurity, digital cinema, electricity, HVAC, robotics, welding and more.

Goddard School opens
The Goddard School, a childhood education franchise, has opened its first location in Land O’ Lakes, at 16718 Balance Cove, and is owned by a local family, according to a news release.

The play-based learning experience offered at the school uses the most current, academically endorsed methods in early childhood education so children can explore, learn and discover through different subjects and enrichement classes.

Children also can learn to communicate using sign language, as well as practice yoga and mindfulness.

The school features a 10,700-square-foot early education center with an indoor gym, as well as two outdoor playgrounds. Ten classrooms can provide care and education for about 160 children from infants to prekindergarteners.

For more information, visit GoddardSchool.com.

Discovery Crew contest
AAA – The Auto Club Group is bringing back its contest for eighth-graders, and the winners will be taken on a weeklong educational river cruise in Europe (March 12 to March 19, 2023).

There is no cost to enter the contest, and the prize includes the cruise, airfare, travel insurance and money for passports (for the student and a parent or guardian).

The “Discovery Crew” contest runs to Sept. 23.

Students must be at least 13 years old (at the start of the contest); be entering the eighth grade and in good standing; be willing to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 at the time of the cruise; and reside in select states (visit AAA.com/DiscoveryCrew to confirm eligibility).

Winners will be selected on a creative selfie that showcases their passion for travel, and their answers to three essay questions about travel.

Winning students will bring one parent or legal guardian to serve as a chaperone, and each pair will share a cabin while sailing on the AmaWaterways “AmaLucia” ship.

Winners will be notified in October.

For official rules, prize descriptions, and eligible zip codes, visit AAA.com/DiscoveryCrew.

Early release dates for Pasco
Pasco County Schools is utilizing a monthly, two-hour early release time again this year, to allow for staff to engage in professional development aligned with student needs, and district and school priorities, according to a news release.

Scheduled early release days for the 2022-2023 school year are: Oct. 5, Nov. 2, Dec. 7, Jan. 11, Feb. 1, March 8 and April 12.

On each of these days, students will be release two hours early. The bell times and early release times for each school, can be found at Pasco.k12.fl.us/site/pcs_bell_schedule.

Student achievements

  • Kali Anderson, Lutz: Master of Science, The University of Alabama
  • Jennifer Nalley, Odessa: President’s List, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester
  • Amanda Pollard, Lutz: Master of Science in Nursing, The University of Alabama
  • Masum Rahman, Odessa: President’s List, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester
  • Michael Selfe, Odessa: President’s List, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester
  • Victory High School in New Port Richey has announced that two of its students have almost perfect attendance and have passed seven classes between the two of them. The school has an incentive program for its students to earn a $25 gift card for each class they pass.

Basketball classes

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Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes, will host Fundamental Basketball Training Classes for boys and girls players, ages 8 to 14, on Monday evenings from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The recurring class will be at the gym and is for players looking to improve speed and agility, ball-handling, passing, shooting and defense.

Cost is $45 per class or $145 for a four-class discount. Payment can be made in person or online at https://secure.rec1.com/FL/ pasco-county-fl/catalog.

For more information, call 813-929-1220.

Class instructors sought

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Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex is seeking potential instructors to teach new classes that are not already offered at its facility, at 7727 Boyette Road.

Interested individuals can email the recreation coordinator at .