The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mike Camunas

Benefit concert to feature patriotic music, fun

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It’s taking a village to start a new village.

In December, ground broke for the Let Us Do Good Village, a 75-acre mortgage-free community of homes for catastrophically injured veterans, surviving widows and children of fallen military and first responders. It’s located in Land O’ Lakes, right off Parkway Boulevard, about a half-mile east of Ehren Cutoff.

Ground has been broken and work is underway on the Let Us Do Good Village, a neighborhood in Land O’ Lakes devoted to giving mortgage-free homes to catastrophically injured veterans, and for surviving widows and children of fallen military and first responders. (Mike Camunas)

Now, the Land O’ Lakes and Pasco County “villages” are coming together to help the organization — the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation —  with a free benefit concert.

On May 28, at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, there will be the patriotic Let’s Do Good Memorial Day Concert, featuring numerous musical acts, vendors, special guests, activities and more.

“While looking at Heritage Park, the name really felt like it went with Memorial Day,” said Kevin Wright, who, with Chandler Entertainment LLC, organized the event. “Because Memorial Day is a special day to honor those who have given their lives to our country and special effort is made to remember them. … I thought (a benefit concert) was the perfect way to not only show support for these (veterans), but for neighbors to learn more about the neighbors that will soon be here.”

The foundation was overjoyed when Wright approached it wanting to host a benefit concert and event. While the foundation has its own fleet of volunteers, the foundation’s volunteer coordinator in Florida, Christa Vutera, said Wright and his handful of volunteers are handling the whole show.

“We had about 200 volunteers approach us to work this event, but we just don’t need that many,” Vutera said. “We’ll be there, but they’ve graciously taken care of everything.

“When Kevin came to us with the idea for a concert benefiting the village, we were like, ‘Yes, please! Thank you so much for putting this together!’ Because it has been nothing but extraordinary to see how the public has come forward and embraced a mission that benefits people who need (the village). Because it takes a village to put on these events.”

Ground for the village broke back in December, with the first of 110 houses estimated to be completed and given to a veteran by this December.

The foundation provides mortgage-free homes for recipients in its Smart Home, Fallen First Responders and Gold Star Family programs. They are specially designed Smart Homes, which are one-floor homes and built on 100-foot-wide lots. The neighborhood also will feature brand-new amenities, including an indoor basketball court, pool, tennis court, an ADA-accessible gym, a theater, an outdoor playground, a game room and more. 

The neighborhood will be the first of its kind in the country.

The foundation is named after Stephen Siller, a firefighter who had finished his shift and was on his way home when the Sept. 11 attacks occurred at the Twin Towers. Siller was one of 343 firefighters who perished that day.

He left behind five young children.

Wright says ever since he heard that story and about the foundation’s Let Us Do Good Village, he just felt the need to help in any way possible.

Especially when he learned the parcel of land on which the neighborhood will be located was donated by the Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation.

“I just thought it would be a great, patriotic way for residents and people around here to express their gratitude and show support for its veterans, who have given so much for this country,” Wright said. “(The foundation which donated the land), they could have sold that and made beaucoup bucks, but they instead gave it to a great cause.

“I just thought (the concert) would give the community a chance to show how much they support these people. That’s what this is really all about,” he said.

Let’s Do Good Memorial Day Concert
Where: Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
When: May 28, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Details: A free concert, along with vendors, special guests and other activities. The event will benefit the Let Us Do Good Village, a 75-acre mortgage-free community of homes for catastrophically injured veterans and their families in Land O’ Lakes and Corsos For Heroes, which provides service dogs for disabled veterans and first responders.
Featured music acts: Soul Circus Cowboys (headliner), Fred Chandler, Charles Goodwin, Cruz Er Mac, Elizabeth Ayres and Travis White
Info: Rain date is Sept. 10. Visit Tunnel2Towers.org and CorsosForHeroes.com for more information or to donate to either charity.

Published on May 25, 2022.

A good morning, for barbecue

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Anthony and Allison Fonseca are used to being up early.

Not only are the firefighter and former schoolteacher new parents, but rising early comes with the territory of cooking barbecue.

Anthony and Allison Fonseca, owners of Station House BBQ in Lutz, were chosen to compete in the Ultimate Pitmaster Contest on ‘Good Morning, America,’ appearing on the show live on May 13 from Old McMickey’s Farm in Odessa. (Courtesy of Allison Fonseca)

So when the Temple Terrace couple and owners of Station House BBQ, at 16319 N. Florida Ave., in Lutz, were asked to compete in the Ultimate Pitmaster Contest on “Good Morning, America (GMA),” they had no problem being up before sunrise.

“Making barbecue definitely comes with seeing the sun rise, so it’s something we’re used to, even if it meant being on national television,” Allison said. “What a huge blessing from God to be asked to be on ‘Good Morning, America.’”

On May 13, GMA, along with host Sam Champion, came down to Old McMickey’s Farm in Odessa and set up the competition. The Fonsecas were pitted against another husband-and-wife barbecue duo: Johnny Ray and Pamela Smith.

Johnny Ray is a former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back, and his wife Pamela, is a former Bucs cheerleader. They own Jazzy’s BBQ, at 5703 W. Waters Ave., in Town N’ Country.

“We had never met them before, but we’d heard good things about their barbecue,” Anthony said. “I think it never really sunk in — being on national television — and still really hasn’t. It was a fun experience that I’m so glad we got to be a part of.”

The competition had each couple prepare a popular dish and side. Jazzy’s prepared its ribs with a spicy barbecue sauce and signature baked beans, while Station House prepared its 14-hour smoked brisket and apple slaw.

It was then down to the judges: former Buccaneers and Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks; chef Joe Isidori, who owns JoToro restaurant at Sparkman Wharf in Tampa; and WWE star and local philanthropist Titus O’Neil. 

The first vote was from Brooks, who selected Jazzy’s. Then it was Isidori, the chef, who chose Station House. On the final vote from O’Neil, he chose Jazzy’s.

Anthony and Allison said they were disappointed not to win, but were extremely encouraged and grateful that the chef judge chose Station House over Jazzy’s.

“We really liked that!” Allison said. “We were swayed to make the slaw for the side, but, in retrospect, maybe we should have gone with the mac and cheese!”

The show gave backgrounds on both couples, too. The Smiths have been running Jazzy’s for 26 years, while Anthony and Allison started out as a catering and food truck company, using modified fire trucks. They opened the restaurant right at the start of the pandemic, but have thrived, even as Anthony juggles his time with the restaurant and working at Station No. 40 in Lutz.

In the end though, the Fonsecas still felt like winners.

The owners of Station House BBQ in Lutz, Anthony and Allison Fonseca, prepared their 14-hour brisket and apple slaw to be judged live on ‘Good Morning, America’ on May 13. (Courtesy of Allison Fonseca)

“There are no real losers in this competition,” Anthony said. “Yeah, we would’ve been overjoyed to win, but being on (the show) shines a light on both businesses, on the community and on great barbecue. Everyone won, really.”

Published May 25, 2022.

Bulldog blazes to track state title

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Maguire Neal got over one extra hurdle, to reach the top of the podium.

Zephyrhills High’s Maguire Neal took home the gold for the Class 3A 300-meter hurdles on May 13, giving him the first state title for that event in school history. Neal, who is committed to play football and run track for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, won the event with a time of 37.31 seconds. (Mike Camunas)

That hurdle was a disappointing performance in the 110-meter hurdles. Had the Zephyrhills High senior track star done better, he’s not sure he would have had the drive to become the first Zephyrhills High athlete to bring home the 300-meter hurdles state title.

“When I did the 110, I didn’t do so hot,” the senior sprinter explained.

“(Doing poorly on the 110) pushed me harder to do better in the 300. I knew I’d have to go hard.

“I was nervous in the blocks, but once I was out of those, everything was smooth.”

“Honestly, it was a blessing in disguise — that he didn’t do so well in the 110 hurdles,” said Bryan Thomas, Neal’s coach. “I feel he would’ve been more complacent if he had been able to get on the podium.

“So not taking that podium (for the 110), he went out and ran the 300 with that edge that really helped. I’d never seen him attack the hurdles that way.”

Neal competed in four events at the Class 3A track and field state championships on May 13, at the Florida-Percy Beard Track Stadium at the University of Florida, in Gainesville.

In addition to the 110- and 300-meter hurdles, he also ran in the 100-meter and the 4×100-meter relay. 

It was finishing 10th in the 110 hurdles that proved to be the extra motivation.

“I’d been running the 300 hurdles since freshman year,” Neal said. “I was thinking, yeah, by senior year I should be close to or getting a state championship.”

He credits his sister, Maya, for helping him to become a better hurdler.

Indeed, Maya, was a track star at Zephyrhills, finishing in the Top 5, when she was a senior.

“Maya was great for us here at Zephyrhills, but she was like, ‘My brother is better,’” Thomas recalled. “She used to show me videos of him and say, ‘He’s going to come here and run — he’s at Centennial Middle!’ … Just seeing him develop over the years, I knew he was going to be something special. Seeing him become a state champ was just icing on the cake for him.

“It has been a blessing to coach this kid,” the coach added.

Thomas is no stranger to the track and field state championships. After winning the long jump state title in 2006 (and playing college football for the University of Florida and North Alabama), he returned to his alma mater as an assistant football coach in 2016.

Neal is the second state champ that Thomas has coached. The first was Cartrell Strong, who won the triple jump state title in 2019.

Thomas acknowledged that not only does running track run in the Neal family, but that the family support system was key for Maguire.

“As a coach, you wish every athlete had that,” Thomas said. “They’re at every event, they ask if they can help out the team with tents and water — they’re unbelievable. A lot of what he does on the field and on the track is for his family.”

Maguire said the support he receives from his family has been invaluable.

“My whole family has always had my back and has been at every race. “I couldn’t’ve (won states) without them,” he said.

Maguire Neal let his grandma, Leona Hiatt, wear his gold medal after he won the 300-meter hurdles state title on May 13. (Courtesy of Maguire Neal).

Initially, he couldn’t believe that he’d won the race.

“When I crossed the (finish) line I was just in shock, really. It finally hit me when the medal was put around my neck,” he said.

The athlete’s future is filled with possibilities.

He’s committed to play football, and run track, at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

He left for Charlotte on May 20, but will be back to attend Zephyrhills’ graduation at the University of South Florida on June 9. 

Now, as he graduates, he’ll leave high school with a little extra hardware.

On the podium

Several other track and field athletes shined during the state meets in May. Here are a list of the individuals that placed in the top three, in their respective events:

First (Gold)

Class 1A

300-meter hurdles – Camila Garaton – Carrollwood Day – Sr. – 44.88

Class 4A

1600 meter – Brooke Reif – Wharton – Sr. – 4:53.27

Second (Silver)

Class 3A

1600 meter – Alex Pena – Sunlake – Jr. – 4:14.18

3200 meter – Zack Poekert – Cypress Creek – Jr. – 9:16.93

Discus – Isaiah Tavo – Land O’ Lakes – Sr. – 51.59m

Class 4A

400-meter – Serenity Brazell – Wharton – Jr. – 55.03

Third (Bronze)

Class 1A

Discus – Leighann Hanley – Carrollwood Day – So. – 34.80m

Class 3A

Javelin – Aiden Marsh – Land O’ Lakes – Jr. – 52.32m

Published May 25, 2022

On the ‘Main(e)’ strip

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Looking to add a little flair to its establishment, Welton Brewing Company and Oyster Bar, at 2624 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, opted to spruce up the outside of its building — the one that has been several different local water holes in its lifetime.

Owner Sean Welton tapped local artist Lindsi Werner to paint her first mural on the front of the building. Sticking with the oyster bar theme, Werner’s piece is titled “Main(e) Hangout” and features notable landmarks and themes from the northern state. Werner, who spent nearly 30 hours painting the mural, opted for the theme because Welton hails from Maine.

This is now one of three murals on local businesses on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard between State Road 54 and Bell Lake Drive. The other two are on neighboring brewery In The Loop Brewing Company and longtime barbecue restaurant Hungry Harry’s.

Published on May 25, 2022.

Land O’ Lakes artist Lindsi Werner puts the finishing touches on her mural, ‘Maine Hangout’ on the outside of Welton Brewing Company and Oyster Bar, at 2624 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. (Mike Camunas)

Ms. Staney retires for a second time, this time at 75

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As staff members arrive at Sand Pine Elementary each day, they know one thing for certain: Corey Staney already will be there.

The 75-year-old second-grade teacher is first to arrive in the morning and the last to leave at the end of the day.

“Her work ethic — it’s legendary,” said Shay Peck, a fellow second-grade teacher.

Ms. Staney is also known for her warmth.

Sand Pine Elementary second-grade teacher Corey Staney, 75, speaks to her classroom about proper grammar and elements of an article during a lesson. Stanley has been an educator for 53 years, has been at Sand Pine since 2007, and plans to retire at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. (Mike Camunas)

“When I first started here (at Sand Pine), I was 25 and she was so welcoming,” Peck said. “She taught me to be kind, always.”

Staney’s presence is comforting, too.

“Every school needs a grandma,” Peck said, jokingly, but also lovingly.

Ms. Staney has been a teacher for 53 years, spending the last 15 at the elementary school tucked inside the Meadow Pointe Community.

Her career as an educator may be coming to an end, but she expects to return again.

Well, in a way.

“Oh, she’s already figured out when she can come back — about a year after retiring — to volunteer,” Sand Pine Principal Christina Twardosz said.

Ms. Staney is invested.

The principal said Ms. Staney is the first to say: “‘They (the kids) need us. I need to be here.

“And she is always here. She’s never sick — basically perfect attendance, but she’s also always there for the kids, academically and emotionally,” Twardosz said.

The principal added: “I mean, she’s been teaching longer than I have been here — not (just) at the school — (but) alive in this world!”

The teacher’s colleague, Nathan Moore, said: “People her age, they’d be out on an island or living it up, but she loves what she does.

“You don’t replace Ms. Staney.

“What’s awesome about her is that she cares about her students like no one I’ve ever seen,” Moore said. “She always has her kids on her mind. That’s her passion to not only help them academically, but as a person — to see them grow to their fullest potential.

“To have her as a mentor, it’s been amazing,” he added.

Ms. Staney began teaching, alongside her husband, Joe — a former teacher and assistant principal — in Worcester, Massachusetts.

They met at Worcester State University, formerly Worcester State College, at a time when Ms. Staney was certain she’d be a teacher for life.

But then she had some second thoughts.

“When I was a sophomore, I said to my dad that I didn’t know if I wanted to be a teacher.

“I even left school.

Longtime elementary school educator Corey Staney, left, speaks with Sand Pine Elementary Principal Christina Twardosz. Staney is 75 years old and has been an educator for 53 years. She plans to retire at the end of this school year.

“I went to work for an insurance company and knew right away that wasn’t for me.

“I knew I wanted to be a teacher for sure, so I went back to school, right away, and have been at school ever since.”

After spending 36 years as a teacher in Massachusetts, Ms. Staney and her husband decided in 2005 that they wanted to retire early and move to Florida. The couple had two children and three grandchildren.

The retirement, however, was short-lived.

After being in Florida for just two weeks down here, her husband required quadruple bypass surgery and then an angioplasty soon after.

Ms. Staney had help from her daughter, Lisa, to care for her husband, but she needed to find work and needed medical coverage for her husband.

She tutored in the neighborhood and did the same thing at the nearby Kids ‘R’ Kids Learning Academy of Meadow Pointe.

That turned into a preschool teaching position and then she joined Sand Pine as a second-grade teacher.

Over the years, she’s touched thousands of lives, and has even kept in touch with some of them.

Students in her class speak highly of Ms. Staney.

“She’s a perfect teacher,” 8-year-old Kaylanis Rodriguez said. “She’s nice and she always makes us learn new things that we always love to learn about.”

“She has a lot of stories,” added 8-year-old Evan Kalojiannis. “I didn’t know she had been a teacher for so long, but she has a lot of funny stories that help us learn.”

Saying goodbye is never easy, Ms. Staney said, adding it will be especially difficult this year.

Teaching children has been such a source of joy for her.

“They’ll just make your whole day,” said Ms. Staney, flashing a broad smile.

“It’s worth it to get up and see the kids first thing in the morning. I loved every minute of it.”

Published May 18, 2022

Zephyrhills says: ‘Goodbye, final dirt road’

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Now, it’s no longer dust in the wind.

The City of Zephyrhills and its Public Works Department have completed the work to pave the very last dirt road maintained by the city within its limits.

Jennifer Lane was a dusty road about the length of a city block located just west of Oakside Cemetery.

Residents of Jennifer Lane would often complain about how dusty it could be to travel what was the last dirt road in Zephyrhills city limits. (Courtesy of Zephyrhills Public Works)

Now, it’s completely paved.

The city wrapped up the $163,000 project on May 13.

“Being the only unimproved (and dirt) road in Zephyrhills, it was a thorn in my side for a long time,” said Shane LeBlanc, the city’s public works director.

“We had a resident of Jennifer Lane always calling to tell us how dusty it was — that there was so much dust. So, this was a short project, and now that it’s done, one that is very welcome.

“There are no more dirt roads in the City of Zephyrhills, and I’m very proud of that,” LeBlanc said.

Pavement and minor renovations were recently completed on Jennifer Lane, the last dirt road maintained by the City of Zephyrhills.

Zephyrhills now has more than 70 miles of paved lane roads.

There are some dirt roads remaining in Zephyrhills, but those are maintained by Pasco County, not the city of Zephyrhills.

LeBlanc says he constantly fields calls about dirt roads, but is unable to respond because those are a county issue.

“Now, when I get a call about a dirt road, I know it’s not a city issue because they are all paved,” LeBlanc said, with a laugh.

The final walkthrough inspection occurred the morning of May 13, and the project was completed well within the 120-day contract.

LeBlanc said the weather cooperated, enabling the pavement project to be done in less than 30 days.

“This was knocked out real quick, with no big disruption to the residents or the city,” the public works director said. “There was a little inconvenience, but, again, they are now overly pleased because there is no more dust!”

Published May 18, 2022

Building up Dade City, block by block

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Larry Guilford uses a block party as one of the ways he pays for his charitable endeavors.

There’s a street party on the second Friday of the month, next to The Block, a venue at 14307 Seventh St., that features a brewery, a restaurant, a CrossFit gym and 5,000 square feet of event space.

The Block takes up a whole city block, right in historic downtown Dade City.

Larry Guilford stands in front of the mural at The Block, the historic building that housed automobile dealerships in the 1920s and has been renovated to create a venue space, a brewhouse, a restaurant, a CrossFit gym and more. (Mike Camunas)

Guilford, a longtime commercial real estate agent in Pasco County, is the founder and owner of The Block, housed in a historic building that was an auto dealership in the 1920s, originally operated by Highlands Motor Company.

Guilford also is founder and president of Make a Difference Inc., his 501c nonprofit organization.

The charitable organization that Guilford founded in 2007 is dedicated to helping Pasco County with social, economic and educational resources to improve the quality of life for individuals in need.

“You see the need, but we don’t judge,” Guilford said. “We want to help as many people as we can, especially in East Pasco. You never know that one day you might be in the line waiting for food.”

Make a Difference provides a Mobile Pantry, distributing food in prepacked boxes or through a farmer’s market-style distribution; Shoes 4 School, which is dedicated to providing new shoes to children in the Pasco County school system; and Pasco Difference Makers, which moderates monthly networking meetings to assist local charities in East Pasco.

“What I wanted to do was come back (to Pasco County), to get back into real estate, so I came to Dade City,” Guilford said. “I wanted to do that and make some money to put back into charity work down the road.

“But I always liked this brick building. I always joke with people that its Armature Works, without the $20 million.”

Indeed, Guilford buying and renovating the old building into The Block has essentially revitalized the “North Side” of Dade City just above Meridian Avenue. It has inspired more businesses to consider downtown Dade City and brought a monthly “block party” held every second Friday. Crowds have been out in droves to enjoy food, drinks, entertainment and music.

The Venue at The Block has capacity of 150 to 200 and has been fully renovated. (Courtesy of The Block)

After the third block party on April 8, Guilford said: “They’re getting bigger and better each month! That was part of my vision: to be able to walk Dade City.”

Before, when people reached the corner of Seventh Street and Meridian Avenue, “there was nothing to see,” he said.

Guilford’s impact on the county dates back decades, especially since he helped develop some of the original and early businesses back before Wesley Chapel’s burgeoning growth.

When he arrived, from Michigan, during the late 1970s, he saw the growth that could happen in Wesley Chapel and helped set up the commercial side of State Road 54, including the Comfort Inn and McDonald’s, which still stand today.

“There really wasn’t much out there in Wesley Chapel,” Guilford recalls. “But back then, I was known as the Honorary Mayor of Wesley Chapel.”

After developing that fledgling town in the early 2000s, Guilford decided to focus solely on charitable work and opted to help less-fortunate countries. The work took him back and forth overseas to the Philippines, Columbia and Ukraine, to name a few. Guilford has been doing work tirelessly in the Ukraine since 2003. He helped rebuild orphanages, including restoring buildings and putting in 1,500 beds.

“It’s really tough to see what’s going on there now,” he said.

Eventually, it was time to come back to the states on a more permanent basis, as he did when he decided to take a look at Dade City — a historic town that was begging for revitalization.

“He truly has been a blessing for Dade City,” said Camille Hernandez, the city’s longtime mayor before she stepped away from political life on April 26.

“He always has his thinking cap on — how can I help Dade City? And he hasn’t stopped. He’s that trailblazer, that spark, that leap of faith that’s given confidence to others to invest in this community, too.”

The Block, at 14307 Seventh St., has thrived despite some COVID-related delays. It is bringing new life to an area in historic downtown Dade City.

Guilford isn’t stopping.

Soon, just across the street from The Block, will be ZoneWorx Coworking Space, which will allow businesses to rent office space and amenities. It is, of course, also in a historic building that used to be a car dealership.

“He’s just such a visionary,” said James Shive, who recently became Dade City’s mayor. “To be able to envision (The Block) and be that successful with it and his whole career — it’s just made a huge difference in the downtown north corridor. People are now discovering Dade City, and its bringing in a more youthful group and more young families are coming and moving out here.

“He’s such an amazing person and has given so much to be thankful for. I honestly can’t say enough about him, and what he’s done and going to do for our community.”

Without a doubt, downtown Dade City has seen a boom in businesses from Lanky Lassie’s Shortbread, Dade City BBQ and Ice Cream Company, Uptown Creamery, Prelude Academy of the Arts, the Brew House, and even more to come.

“There has been an influx of about 30 businesses,” Shive said. “I’ve lived here my whole life, I’ve raised a family here, and I think back to all the eclectic shops that used to be in Dade City and you’re seeing that come back.”

Shive noted that the city’s redevelopment agency has plugged more than $4 million into improvements of downtown buildings, while there are 19 more projects on the books. Shive expects that in five to 10 years, Dade City’s population will triple.

“We’re going to develop the city, but go about it the way to preserve the integrity of the small town and its history,” Shive said. “The way (Larry’s) done it.”

Guilford said he visualized downtown Dade City’s possibilities years ago.

“What we had going for us was the historic aspect of downtown,” he said. “Plus the growth corridor (that is Wesley Chapel). It’s coming and maybe even already here, and it’s spreading into Dade City. We’re going to benefit from Wesley Chapel.”

Guilford can already picture his next project, and others are eagerly waiting to find out what it will be.

“He’s just been truly an asset and a blessing to Dade City and to me!” Hernandez said. “He’s so solution-oriented on how we can get it done and make it happen.

“I just can’t wait for his next project — and it’s a secret!”

For more information on Dade City, log onto DiscoverDadeCity.com.

The Block
Where: 14313 Seventh St., in Dade City
Details: Dade City Brew House, KÄN SEPT, CrossFit HCP, Venue at the Block.
Info: Call 352-437-3059, or visit TheBlockDadeCity.com.

UPCOMING
The Venue at The Block is holding a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony on June 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will cater food and cake tasting, a cocktail bar, wedding vendor booths, music and more. It is free and open to the public.

Published May 18, 2022

City manager shares Zephyrhills’ plans to address growth

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The history of Zephyrhills stretches back more than a century, but it wasn’t until recent times that the city was declared the largest municipality in Pasco County.

The city’s burgeoning growth is prompting it to make a number of improvements and to take on new projects, which City Manager Billy Poe talked about at a breakfast meeting on May 10, with members of the East Pasco Networking Group.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe briefed members of the East Pasco Networking Group about projects and improvements planned in Zephyrhills. He made his remarks during a breakfast meeting with the group on May 10. (Mike Camunas)

One of the latest developments in the city, which now boasts more than 18,000 residents, is the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center, at 6585 Simons Road.

That’s where the breakfast meeting took place and is a facility that Poe described as a “jewel” of the city.

The tennis complex is a project that was built through a public-private partnership. It features outdoor tennis courts, outdoor pickleball courts, outdoor padel courts, an outdoor multipurpose turf field, and a clubhouse featuring a full-service restaurant/cafe, fitness center, salt room, yoga room, cryotherapy chamber and pro shop.

Now, plans call for expanding the facility with the aim of including more outdoor tennis courts and a 27,000-square-foot multipurpose indoor facility. Cost of this expansion is approximately $4.66 million, of state-appropriated funds.

Poe, who has been city manager since 2019, highlighted some other projects that are underway, or coming soon:

  • Roadway improvements: The installation of a traffic signal at the Eiland Boulevard/Simons Road intersection; connecting Simons Road to Fort King Road (about 800 feet of pavement at a cost of $2.2 million); the extension of Dairy Road north to Kossick Road; and, linking Kossick Road to Wire Road, to establish an east-west connector
  • Extending the runway at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport runway (That project, expected to be completed in June, will allow the airport to accommodate larger planes and up to 22-seat-passenger corporate jets.)
  • Helping to lay the groundwork for a $25-million Armory Complex, which is expected to be completed by 2026
  • Seeking contractors for the renovation and redesign of Hercules Park, at the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard (Improvements are expected to include new trails, nature play, disc golf, splash pad and more.)
  • Upgrading the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant’s filter system that treats 1.7 million gallons of waste per day (One upgrades involves an Adenosine Triphosphate Process (ATP) that removes more nitrogen from the water, for a cost of $7.5 million.)
  • Adjusting the city’s water-use permit, which may call for converting agricultural wells into private-use wells
  • Processing additional requests for new subdivisions and apartment developments

Zephyrhills also continues to expand its city limits, through annexations.

Published May 18, 2022

Splash for the cash

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Wyatt Deaton just kept swimming.

For 2 miles — raising $5,900 through his persistence.

“This makes me — it just makes me super proud,” said his mother, Michelle, a cancer survivor. “I know he’s doing it for me, so it just means the world.”

Wyatt Deaton, 11, of Wesley Chapel, swims at the pool at the North Shore Aquatic Complex in St. Petersburg during the Swim Across America fundraising event on May 7. Deaton swam 2 miles (or 30 laps in the pool) and raised $5,900 (and counting), the most for this swim event. (Mike Camunas)

The 11-year-old was powering through laps as part of Swim Across America (SAA), the nationwide fundraising event for cancer research, clinical trials and patient programs.

He did it for his mom who has secretory breast carcinoma, a rare form of cancer.

“I just wanted to do my part to raise money for cancer (research), because my mom’s cancer is very rare, and this helps finding rare cancers and helping people, like my mom, who have it,” Wyatt said.

With SAA, participants set a goal to raise a certain amount of money and distance they’ll swim — ranging from a half-mile to up to 2 miles.

Events are held both on open water and in aquatic center pools.

Wyatt planned to swim 2 miles in the Gulf of Mexico on May 7, however, poor weather changed those plans — forcing the event to be moved to the North Shore Aquatic Complex in St. Petersburg.

Wyatt Deaton, 11, of Wesley Chapel, is all smiles before hitting the pool at the North Shore Aquatic Complex in St. Petersburg during the Swim Across America fundraising event on May 7. He raised more than $5,900 for cancer research, clinical trials and patient programs.

Buoys were set up in the pool, creating a circular track for the swimmers.

Wyatt was the youngest swimmer to swim 2 miles.

He set a fundraising goal of $2,000, but so far he’s raised $5,900, and counting.

He was the top fundraiser for the Tampa Bay SAA event.

“As a coach, it’s my job to set big scary goals, sometimes, for kids,” said Wyatt’s coach Brian Ahern, of the Tampa Elite Aquatics Mantarays (TEAM).

“Raising that much money was a big scary goal; swimming that far was a big scary goal, too, but I told him, if he raised that much money, I’d swim the 2 miles with him.

“The fact that he raised more than double that is just incredible,” Ahern said.

Wyatt Deaton gives his mom, Michelle, a loving look prior to the Swim Across America fundraising event on May 7. Michelle, a cancer survivor, is the reason Wyatt raised more than $5,900 for cancer research, clinical trials and patient programs.

Wyatt has been swimming since about age 5; he was in first grade when he found out about his mom’s cancer diagnosis.

“He was devastated, so he just read every book to learn more about it,” Michelle said. “I think that being able to do something as a child that makes a difference means a lot to him, and I can see him doing (SAA) for years and years to come.”

Wyatt is a straight-A, fifth-grader at Family of Christ Christian School in New Tampa.

He also competes with TEAM, which, as a team, has raised nearly $30,000 for SAA. The Tampa Bay event raised more than $136,000 for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Perhaps surprisingly, Wyatt didn’t take to the water quickly.

“When he came in, he had to learn the competitive strokes,” Ahern said.

In this year’s SAA swim, Wyatt and his coach completed their pledge swim on a warm Saturday morning, with Wyatt alternating between freestyle stroke and his on-the-nose but favorite stroke: “Yep, that’s the breaststroke,” he said with a smile and nod to his mom.

This was Wyatt’s third SAA, and he has already set a lofty goal for next year’s event.

He wants to raise $10,000.

Swim Across America
Info: There are several swim events across the country and state throughout the year. There is an upcoming swim at Hunters Green Pool in New Tampa at a date yet to be announced.
To donate to Wyatt’s fundraising, visit SwimAcrossAmerica.org/goto/Wyatt.

To learn more about Swim Across America or to donate directly to the organization, visit SwimAcrossAmerica.org.

Published May 18, 2022

Wyatt Deaton, 11, of Wesley Chapel, swims 2 miles at the North Shore Aquatic Complex in St. Petersburg prior to the Swim Across America fundraising event on May 7 with his Tampa Elite Aquatics Mantarays (TEAM) swim team coach Brian Ahern. TEAM has raised more than $29,000 for cancer research, with Deaton individually raising more than $5,900 of that total.
Michelle Deaton takes a photo of her son, Wyatt (green shirt, kneeling), with the rest of his Tampa Elite Aquatics swim team at North Shore Aquatic Complex in St. Petersburg, prior to the Swim Across America fundraising event on May 7.
Michelle Deaton, center, is all smiles as her husband, Rick, both look on as their son, Wyatt, 11, of Wesley Chapel, is interviewed by Swim Across America CEO Rob Butcher about raising over $5,900 — the most of any individual swimmer in the area.

Lutz Guv’na race is all about fun — and money

By

The Guv’na is back.

The race for Lutz Guv’na, that is.

The campaign is a community tradition that was put on a two-year pause because of the pandemic.

That meant that current Guv’na Amy Lancaster became the first one-term Guv’na to serve beyond a single year.

From left, 2022 Lutz Guv’na candidates Atlas Cortecero, Stacee Campbell and David Penzer share a laugh, while making their outrageous campaign promises during the Lutz Guv’na debate on April 30 at the Old Lutz School House. (Mike Camunas)

Lancaster is eager to join others, to turn her sash over to whomever can claim the honorary title.

“I think that everyone is just ready to get back to it — it’s part of the community; its tradition!” said Stephanie Ensor, who serves on the Lutz Guv’na committee.

Ensor knows how it feels to hold the title.

She won it in 2010.

“It means a lot to a lot of people, and to the candidates, who do it to raise money for charities, nonprofits and the community,” Ensor said.

The whole process — the campaigns, the debates, the speeches and promises — is all tongue-in-cheek, mocking the real-life politics that often flood the news cycle. Even though it’s been going on since the 1950s, it’s only been more historically tracked since 1991 when the Lutz Civic Association took over. Each campaign season, which begins May 1, candidates raise several thousand dollars for about 20 Lutz nonprofit beneficiaries.

The campaign season culminates when the candidate who has raised the most money is announced and awarded a “sash” during the annual Lutz Fourth of July festivities.

The announcement takes place following the community’s annual parade. The Guv’na is sworn-in on the stage of the train depot building, at Lutz Lake Fern Road and U.S. 41.

“Couldn’t do it without the parade,” Ensor said. “People are so glad to get back out, to be able to contribute and, of course, celebrate it all with the parade. And let me tell you, we did not have to hunt to find candidates.”

This year’s contest features candidates Stacee Campbell, Atlas Cortecero and David Penzer. Whomever is crowned Guv’na gets to earmark 10% of the proceeds to a Lutz charitable organization of his or her choice.

“It’s been a crazy couple of years, so it’s great to do anything again, plus raise money for good causes,” said Penzer, wearing an American Flag shirt. “Let’s have some fun with it!”

“It’s so great to be able to do this again and raise money for local nonprofits,” Campbell said. “That’s what being Guv’na is all about!”

“It was frustrating not to be able to fundraise and raise money for charities,” Cortecero added. “It’s so good to be able to do this again.”

As for these candidates’ false promises and ridiculous rhetoric, they were able to put that on full display during the annual debate held on April 30 at the Old Lutz School House.

Over-the-top and somewhat topical questions were passed around to the crowd — friends, family and members of GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club.

The questions are designed to elicit humorous responses and spoof actual politics.

There’s a talent portion, too, and this year’s included a cow patty toss — to see which candidate could fling the dried-out patty the farthest.

Donations and monetary prizes are awarded during the debate.

After the debate, the candidates raise campaign funds by having raffles, car washes, lunches or other events.

They can also “panhandle” in the parade, in a final push to cash in for the sash.

“Like real politics, the candidates will make promises they don’t intend to keep and they will tell other lies, as well,” said Guv’na Committee’s Marion Smith, who has been involved with this event for 20 years.

“Quite a few years ago, a candidate who was an Elvis impersonator was asked who he would make his assistant Guv’na. He named his mother and spoke fondly of her, just like the real Elvis would have responded!” Smith said.

MEET THE CANDIDATES

Stacee Campbell
Bio: Campbell has been a Lutz resident since 2009 when her family moved to Florida from Indiana. She took right to the small town, especially because of close proximity to Tampa and the beaches. In 2014, Campbell opened Mascot Universe, which is a school spirit wear store that lets kids and parents try on apparel specially made for their schools. Not wanting to stop there, Campbell also opened Lutz Scoops, the small ice cream shop in the Lutz Lake Crossing Shopping Plaza.
Campaign Slogan: Make life in Lutz sweet!
Quotable: “It’s so nice to see people back out in the community and enjoying things, but I also do want that sash!”

Atlas Cortecero
Bio: Born and raised in São Paulo/Brazil with a Spanish/Portuguese family, Cortecero says it’s been a dream to live in America since childhood. He’s the lead singer in a country-rock band and a music producer. He also holds a degree in social work based on nonprofit organizations and office administration. As an entrepreneur, he and his wife, Michele Northrup (The Saucy Queen), sell a line of gourmet hot sauces locally.
Campaign Slogan: Keep Lutz saucy!
Quotable: “My beautiful wife was Guv’na in 2007, and I plan to bring home the sash once again.”

David Penzer
Bio: As a 20-year Lutz resident and a local Re/Max Capital Realty realtor, Penzer has been heavily involved in the community in many aspects. He’s been chairman of the Heritage Harbor Community Development District, and he and his wife have worked for years with the Lutz Chiefs and Steinbrenner Warrior sports organizations. Beyond that, Penzer also has been a longtime wrestling announcer. He worked a decade as ring announcer for World Championship Wrestling and worked with wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper and Jimmy Hart. He’s now the part-time ring announcer for Impact Wrestling on AXS TV.
Campaign Slogan: Free mortgages for everyone in Lutz!
Quotable: “As a wrestling announcer, I’ll moderate a match between my opponents, while I take the sash!”

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

Published May 11, 2022