The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mike Camunas

The ‘devils’ are in the dirty details

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It’s about getting down and it’s definitely about getting dirty.

And, at Dirt Devils Speedway, the 1/5-mile clay oval track at 23846 State Road 52, in Land O’ Lakes, it’s all about speed, as well.

Georgia Posey, 12, of Plant City, races ahead in her white kart, while she is followed by Peyton Bronson, 10, of Plant City, in his black kart, at Dirt Devils Speedway in Land O’ Lakes. (Mike Camunas)

The track that opened in 1996 hosts go-kart practices, and races for kids and adults most Saturdays, weather permitting. The races even come with monetary prizes for the top three finishers in the varying heats and classes.

“I grew up around the race track and driving cars,” 17-year-old Lutz resident and driver Mariah Tirato said. “My grandfather and my dad, and all my uncles all drove go-karts and they just bought go-karts for us growing up. It’s a hobby I can do with my whole family. We’ll all be at the track, so I might as well drive.

Caleb Harrod helps his son, Connor, into his race suit and helmet in the staging area prior, to a race at Dirt Devils Speedway in Land O’ Lakes.

“Plus, I love going fast.”

Indeed, most races and events at Dirt Devils is a family affair. Not only do the new managers, John and Brittany Townsend, have children who race go-karts, but the whole track and facility came about because of family racing.

The owner, Sammy Rodriguez, leased the track to the Townsends in January. After retiring from sprint car racing in 1992, he built the track as a way to stay around the sport and watch his then 12-year-old grandson, Aric Almirola, race. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Almirola is now a three-time winning driver on the NASCAR Cup Series.

Rodriguez also built Dirt Devils because he was tired of going to tracks that were subpar. This happens to be the same reason the Townsends leased it from Rodriguez.

Dirt Devils Speedway owner John Townsend sends out drivers for a practice run on a Saturday afternoon.

“I was tired of going to race tracks that weren’t worth a dang,” John said. “So it was the same thing with me and Sammy. I figured why not just get a track that I know will be good, that I can make the best.”

Parents are noticing, as many of the families and drivers come long distances to Dirt Devils.

“Honestly, I like it a lot,” said Caleb Harrod, who brought his son, Connor, all the way from Bushnell to race at Dirt Devils. “It’s a beautiful track and great facility, so I have no complaints, at all. (Connor) said he had a lot of fun on his go-kart and that’s all I care about.”

Dirt Devils Speedway Race Director Dylon Ansel waves the checkered flag during a race at the 1/5-mile track on a Saturday afternoon in April.

Since taking over, the Townsends have poured their hearts, and their sweat, into Saturday races and events. John will man the pit area and race track — with help from his race director, Dylon Ansel —and Brittany works the ticket booth and concession stand.

They may look stressed running around talking to parents, helping out on the practices by pushing cars that spin out, and holding the mandatory driver’s meeting before the races, but the Townsends truly love their newly leased facility and the racing scene.

And, getting a little dirty in the process.

“I’ve been in the dirt business since I was in diapers,” John said. “But it’s a little different when you’re talking about material for a race track. We’re young and we took a gamble and there’s been a bit of a learning curve — but those who have been coming for a while are noticing that we will work hard to make this the best track around.”

Dirt Devils Speedway
Where: 23846 State Road 52, Land O’ Lakes
When: There are races Saturday afternoons, with the gates opening at 1 p.m., practices beginning at 4:30 p.m., and races later on in the evening.
Cost: $10 for adults and children; Children under 4 are free. $35 entry fee per kart per class. Rental of track is available, starting at $300 for four hours.
Details: Local racing track features go-karts driven by children and adults, and has been hosting races since 1996.
Info: Call 352-354-2562, or visit DirtDevilSpeed.com.

Published May 11, 2022

Teckla Egan-Hoffman, 9, of Holiday, makes the first turn on the 1/5-mile clay track at Dirt Devils Speedway, at 23846 State Road 52, in Land O’ Lakes.
Brody LoMeo, 12, of Sebring, gears up to get in some practice at Dirt Devils Speedway in Land O’ Lakes.
Dirt Devils Speedway Race Director Dylon Ansel waves the green flag during a kart run at the track on a Saturday afternoon in April.

Warriors looking for deep postseason run

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The Steinbrenner softball team has always been successful.

In fact, the Warriors haven’t had a losing season in the program’s 13-year existence.

“I knew I was taking over a good program,” said first-year coach Jason Gordon, who replaced longtime coach Brenda Leach. “But these girls have stepped up and made this season fun. We talked about how happy we are for the season, but know we still have to take it one game at a time.”

The Steinbrenner softball team celebrates winning the Lady Canes Spring Classic, the annual softball tournament held in March by Palm Harbor University High. The Warriors defeated the highly ranked Bartow, 9-2. (Courtesy of Jason Gordon)

As of May 3, prior to the Class 7A-7 district tournament, Steinbrenner is 19-4 and ranked 18th in the state. The Warriors entered that tournament as the top seed and hope to take another district title, putting them in the regional tournament, which begins May 11. Once there, Steinbrenner hopes to avenge last season’s first-round departure in the regional quarterfinals when it lost to eventual Class 7A state champ, Lakewood Ranch (Bradenton).

Gordon figures this might be the toughest region in the state. The Mustangs (ranked No. 1 in the state and 7A) are state champs, while Venice (eighth in 7A) and Newsome (fourth in 7A and defeated the Warriors 6-2 on April 12) are looming.

“We’re hoping to get shots at those teams in the tournament,” Gordon said.

Steinbrenner entered this season with lofty goals, especially after it returned all but three players from the 2021 season.

Leading the way on offense has been sophomore Lilian Holtje, who is batting .373 with team highs in doubles (eight), homers (three) and RBI (25). Senior Madi Frey has a team-high .459 batting average with six doubles, a team-high four triples, and 20 RBI on 28 hits and a team-high 10 steals, while fellow senior Emily Chiarella has a team-high 31 hits, 22 runs scored and 10 steals.

On the pitching side, sophomore pitcher Saige Sampson is 11-3 with a 1.88 ERA and a team-high 43 strikeouts, while junior Haven Leggett is 8-1 with a team-best 1.49 ERA and 40 strikeouts.

“I think our pitching and defense has been top-notch this year,” Gordon said.

Regional tournaments for both high school baseball and softball start May 11, and results for both can be found at MaxPreps.com.

Lightening things up, at the library

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Books usually illuminate the mind.

Now, the Lutz Branch Library, at 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, is illuminating the books.

After undergoing a six-month, $790,000 renovation, the library has a fresh, bright new look — from more natural lighting, to new flooring, to new paint and walls, and even new furniture and installations.

The recent renovation at the Lutz Branch Library includes new carpeting and flooring. Some shelves were removed and new seating has been installed in the front area of the library, known as the Helen Swisshelm Reading Room. (Mike Camunas)

“We redesigned it, per se, to be more user-friendly,” Hillsborough County Library Public Service Regional Manager Suzy George said.

“It’s more open, brighter and more welcoming, as much as we could possibly make it,” she said.

Renovations included removing high shelves that were not being used and were blocking the flow of natural light, through the library’s windows.

The additional light was an immediate plus.

There were a number of upgrades, too: Better furniture, new carpeting, vinyl floors and glass doors.

A renovation at the Lutz Branch Library included updating the children’s reading area by enclosing it with glass-panel walls. The enclosure gives kids a more interactive area.

The library enclosed the children’s collection room. It’s now enclosed within glass walls, which reduces noise for other patrons, allows parents to see into the room, and gives children the freedom to have more interactive experiences.

“We wanted to give them the chance to create their own special space, as they now have more interactive toys and tools to use, and even a puppet theater,” George said.

“The new glass doors in the community rooms, the entrance and emergency doors — it all lets in so much more light and freshens up the library, as does a new coat of paint throughout the entire building.”

The library also added a self-checkout hub for drop-offs and pickups, near the front of the building.

“It’s a one-stop shop for all those in a hurry to get or return books,” George added.

Hillsborough County Library Public Service Regional Manager Suzy George

Library service in Lutz began in 1961, when a bookmobile started making regular stops. By the late 1960s, the library guild of the Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club set up a temporary library. It held thousands of volumes on homemade bookcases, while volunteers kept the library open 20 hours a week.

It wasn’t until April of 1970 that the Lutz Branch Library opened at its present location. Back then, it was only 2,000 square feet, but was expanded to its current size, 7,000 square feet, with a complete renovation in 2004. In 2007, the front area was dedicated as the Helen Swisshelm Reading Room, in recognition of her longtime service to the Lutz Branch and the Hillsborough County Library System.

Swisshelm founded the Friends of the Lutz Library and was its president from 2000 to 2007. She served on the Tampa-Hillsborough County Library Board from 1990 to 2005 and as its chair from 1992 to 1993.

The library also brought some of the community’s history into a new installation. A glass case houses several documents and artifacts donated by Dr. Susan McManus, a Land O’ Lakes native with a long family history in the area. She also wrote “Going, Going…Almost Gone: Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Pioneers Share Their Precious Memories,” which tells of the early history of the community.

Patrons arriving at the library will encounter a building with a new look, but the same hospitable vibe.

“I think (Lutz Branch has) always been a comfortable, welcoming, neighborhood branch,” George said. “We wanted to take a fresh approach to it, maybe modernize it a bit. By just changing the shelving, it let in so much more light, with an easy solution. It helped enhance all the other upgrades we were making, and let them shine. Literally.”

Published May 04, 2022

The Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, opened in 1970, and has undergone a number of renovations — including one that recently wrapped up. It took six months and cost $790,000. The work involved opening up some interior space and making several modern upgrades.
The Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, revamped the main collection area. High shelves have been removed, allowing natural light to spill in through the windows.

Theater survives pandemic, to remain a Zephyrhills staple

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Zephyrhills Cinema 10 is a theater that has entertained local movie buffs for decades.

There was a time, though, that like all movie theaters, its future was uncertain.

Larry Rutan can be found in the lobby of his Zephyrhills Cinema 10 most Friday afternoons and evenings when locals come in to see the latest movies out that week. (Mike Camunas)

The COVID-19 pandemic that nearly bankrupted many theater chains, forced Zephyrhills Cinema 10 owner Larry Rutan to close his theaters for months.

It was a challenging time.

Rutan had to lay off all his employees. To keep the place from closing permanently, he burned through his savings and maxed out his credit cards.

When he was able to reopen, business was slow. He was forced to show classic movies and offer group rates to rent an entire auditorium for close friends or family.

Ky-leigh Freed makes popcorn in the lobby of Zephyrhills Cinema.

“Once we started getting new movies again, it just started to get a little bit better and better each week,” he said.

“I’m a positive thinker, so I never said that we would close for good,” the theater owner added.

That was good news for longtime manager and Dade City native Karisten Deem. She’s been coming to this movie theater since she was a kid, and now, despite losing her position for a brief time, she considers working at Zephyrhills Cinema 10 her dream job.

“I was meant for this job and I’m lucky to have it,” Deem said. “I just love getting to see what (movies) are coming out and see the audiences react to them. As someone who loves movies and listening to people talking about the movies coming out, it was scary to close down.

“Larry will say movies are basically timeless. That’s why people keep coming back, because movies will never go away.”

Zephyrhills Cinema 10 is a local institution and, of course, the only theater in town.

It may not have the largest auditoriums, but Zephyrhills Cinema 10 allows showings of smaller movies that attract locals.

Rutan, a contractor, built the entertainment venue from the ground up. In the 1990s, he bought the land for the theater, which opened with six auditoriums. Now, it has 10.

Recently, Rutan completed renovations that included adding reclining and stadium seating to the larger auditoriums, and giving the lobby a fresh, new look.

Alex and Rebecca Cruz, who are regular patrons, raved about the updated seating.

The two are wedding photographers from Dade City and they frequently bring their children to see films at Zephyrhills Cinema 10.

“We love watching movies — the seats here are just the best. We have a good experience every time we come here. We like how it’s just nice and quaint,” Alex said.

Larry Rutan built Zephyrhills Cinema 10 in the early ’90s. It began with six screens and now has 10. It is the community’s only theater.

“The second he went online to get tickets, we were like, it has to be Zephyrhills (Cinema 10), because — it’s the chairs. The chairs are the best and the most comfortable for seeing movies,” said Rebecca, referring to the tickets they bought to bring their children to watch “Fantastic Beasts.”

Ironically, Rutan rarely gets to view films for more than an hour at a time.

“I love movies,” the 75-year-old said. “I just don’t have time for them. People think I sit here all day and watch movies, but I don’t.”

Instead, he’s managing the cinemas — helping his employees and greeting customers.

“I’m one of those people that enjoys meeting people,” Rutan said. “Obviously, weekends are our busiest times, so a lot of people definitely come in on Friday nights. I want this to be ‘the place to be.’”

The fact that the theater owner is too busy to watch a film from start to finish — well, that’s nothing new.

“I can’t even tell you the first movie that was shown here,” he said.

“It was a Friday and I was in work garb, and dirty and messy. I went home to shower, came back, and they had already sold the first ticket.

“I missed the grand opening!”

Zephyrhills Cinema 10
Where: 6848 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills
When: Movies are screened seven days a week, with most beginning around 4 p.m. Check the website for showtimes.
Cost: Adults $11, Children $8. There are Kiddie Showtimes every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. during the summer, which cost just $1.
Details: Local movie theater showing the latest releases from blockbusters to small indie films in the Zephyrhills community going strong for 30 years.
Info: Call 813-782-2222, or visit ZephyrhillsCinema.com for showtimes and to purchase tickets.

Published May 04, 2022

On any given weekend, Zephyrhills Cinema 10 serves nearly 300 moviegoers, sometimes more, depending on which movies are playing.
Zephyrhills Cinema 10, 6848 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills, has been an entertainment staple and local hangout in the community for 30 years.

Ways to have fun, during the dog days of summer

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The hot weather makes it feel like summer is already here — but soon, it will actually be upon us.

Schools will be on break, pools will be full of splashing swimmers, beaches will be crowded, and it will be time to find activities to fill those longer days.

Luckily, there is no shortage of things to do in Pasco County.

Check out these suggestions, intended to help you have an especially spectacular summer.

Summer Camps
Pasco Outdoor Adventures are summer day camps with several locations that are available for children ages 5 to 13. The camps will run from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., from June 13 through July 29. Activities include archery, arts and crafts, fishing, geocaching, hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, nature photography, paddle sports and more.

Locations include:

  • J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex, in Holiday
  • Centennial Middle School, Dade City
  • Veterans Memorial Park, Hudson
  • Wesley Chapel District Park, Wesley Chapel
  • Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, Land O’ Lakes
  • Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, Land O’ Lakes
  • Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, New Port Richey

Prices vary and space is limited.

To find out more or to register, visit PascoCountyFl.net/4799/Pasco-Outdoor-Adventures.

Epperson Lagoon. Located at 31885 Overpass Road, in Wesley Chapel, the 7 acres of clear blue waters is open to the public for a daily fee. It features kayak and paddleboard rentals, an inflatable water park, food and drinks, and weekly gatherings such as trivia night and Movies on the Turf. (File)
Waterplay at Zephyr Park, 5039 Fourth St., in Zephyrhills, is a fully free water feature. It is open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Other places in Pasco County to cool off are the pool at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway; and the New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatic Center, 6630 Van Buren St. (File)
Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park. From dodgeball, to a rock wall, to arcade games, to foam ball pits to basketball and gladiator games, Flying Squirrel has bouncing fun for the whole family. Soon, the facility will have extended summer hours. Check its website for pricing information. (File)
BMX, Lake Park, 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway, in Lutz, has several activities available all year long. But the Tampa BMX track is where bikers of all ages can ride the track after paying the $2 park entrance fee. (File)
There are dozens of local golf courses, from Saddlebrook in Wesley Chapel to Silverado Golf Club in Zephyrhills to Heritage Harbor in Lutz. Most, if not all, also host junior golf summer camps and leagues, as well as special rates for young golfers. There are a couple of putt-putt golf courses nearby: Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes; and Grove Mini Golf, the brand-new putt-putt facility at The Grove at Wesley Chapel, 6201 Wesley Grove Blvd., is tentatively scheduled to open May 27. (File)
The Lift Adventure Park
This wakeboard cable park, along with the inflatable Aqua Park, is located at SunWest Park at 17362 Old Dixie Highway, in Hudson. The facility also features a ‘beach,’ swimming areas, watercraft rentals and other amenities, for a daily entrance fee. (File)
The Sarah Vande Berg (SVB) Tennis Center in Zephyrhills features courts for tennis and pickleball, and a fitness center to help burn off some hours playing the paddle sport of your choice. Several youth tennis programs are available this summer at SVB, as are programs at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex and the Dade City YMCA. (File)
Rentals for kayaking are widely available across the area, including places like SunWest Park in Hudson, Salty Dog Kayak Rentals in Port Richey, Epperson Lagoon in Wesley Chapel, Weeki Wachee State Park in Brooksville, the Chassahowitzka River Boat Ramp in Homosassa, and even off the Dunedin Causeway between Caladesi Island State Park and Honeymoon Island State Park. (Mike Camunas)
Skate parks
There are several local skate parks, including:
• 3034 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes
• 20th Street and Alston Avenue, Zephyrhills
• 17302 Commerce Park Blvd., New Tampa
• 4680 W. Village Drive, Carrollwood (File)
Treehoppers This aerial adventure park, at 27839 St. Joe Road, in Dade City, offers 10 rope courses with more than 100 obstacles, all up in the trees. Late hours are available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. (File)

 

 

In terms of awards, it’s ‘raining cats and dogs’ here

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And the award goes to …

That’s a phrase that’s become increasingly familiar to employees at Pasco County Animal Services (PCAS).

The recognitions keep rolling in.

Animal care technician Tony Vaitkevicius, of Spring Hill, makes his rounds, checking every occupied cage for anything that needs his assistance.

PCAS was named Outstanding Animal Care & Control Agency for 2021 by the National Animal Care & Control Association, and a couple of its top employees picked up awards, too.

Assistant Director Spencer Conover was named Florida’s Supervisor of the Year, while Dr. Christine Glenn was named Employee of the Year, for 2022.

“All of Pasco County, if you have any issue, dog or cat, it’s coming through our animal control,” Conover said.

The award-winning performance, he said, “has everything to do with our team. We’re not re-inventing the wheel here, we’re just doing the policies and procedures that we’ve collaborated on with a lot of other shelters.”

Yogi, a 9-year-old mixed-breed, may be suffering from kennel stress and wears a protective collar to prevent him from scratching his right ear. A national award received by the department reflects the quality of care received by animals from Pasco County Animal Services. (Fred Bellet)

One thing that sets the shelter apart, however, is the passion of its staff and its volunteers, Conover said, adding that’s not found everywhere.

In fact, the shelter has 400 volunteers, and has received a Service Enterprise Certification through Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service.

The passion exhibited toward animals is not always acknowledged with awards, but does create a feeling of accomplishment, Conover said.

Animal care tech Amber Katona put it like this: “We always stay very busy, but seeing dogs and animals come through us, and seeing their attitude change and get adopted, that’s the biggest thing to see. We all work real hard to make sure they get new homes.

“We do a lot of great things that are super helpful to the community,” said Katona, who has worked at PCAS for four years.

The shelter sees more than 6,500 animals per year, and prides itself on keeping its modern facilities emptier than most.

“Empty kennels is always a good day for us,” Conover said with a smile. “We love empty kennels.”

To learn more about PCAS, its volunteer and adoption programs, and more, log onto PascoCountyFl.net/4510/Contact-PCAS.

Pasco Animal Services, by the numbers

  • 93% overall save rate
  • 90% save rate since 2019
  • 97% save rate for dogs, among highest in Florida
  • $100,000 in grant funding
  • Over 900 trap, neuter, vaccinate and return surgeries for feral and community cats in 2021
  • 400 volunteers
  • 6,500 animals sheltered or seen a year
  • 50 employees
  • Two full-time vets
Pasco County Animal Services Assistant Director Spencer Connor holds the national award. The animal shelter was named Outstanding Animal Care & Control Agency for 2021.

Delivering quality, consistently
Awards received by Pasco County Animals Services from the Florida Animal Control Association or the National Animal Care and Control Association, since 2014:

2014: Animal Control Officer of the Year: Martin O’Keeffe*
2017: Supervisor of the Year: Ron Altman*
2019: Animal Control Officer of the Year; John Douglass*
2019: Animal Control Officer of the Year: Michael Northrup**
2019: Employee of the Year: Gina Botticello*
2020: Supervisor of the Year: Gina Botticello**
2021: Animal Control Officer of the Year: Stella Ickes*
2021: Supervisor of the Year: Jessica Every*
2021: Outstanding Agency of the Year**
2022: Employee of the Year: Dr. Christine Glenn*
2022: Supervisor of the Year: Spencer Conover*
* Florida Animal Control Association
** National Animal Care and Control Association

Published April 27, 2022

 

Animal care technician Whitney Mercer makes her way down the line of occupied cages, where dogs are waiting for a frozen food treat smeared with a peanut butter topping, called a ‘Kong.’
Erica Albritton, an animal care technician, works with a boisterous mixed-breed dog in a double-fenced area on the grounds of Pasco County Animal Services. Albritton, who has worked there for three years, encourages calm behavior and will eventually train the dog not to be overly excited. At that point, the dog is ready for adoption.

Lutz filmmaker offers glimpse into nature’s secrets

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Alexis Yahre’s appreciation for nature began when she was young.

But she had no idea that her time in Future Farmers of America and at Nature’s Classroom would contribute to her becoming a talented documentary filmmaker.

Lutz native and local filmmaker Alexis Yahre has been hitting the festival scene hard. She premiered her documentary, ‘Nature’s Secrets: Florida State Parks,’ at the Gasparilla Film Festival at Tampa Theatre in March, and will be showing it at the Sunscreen Film Festival from April 28 through May 1 at the Sundial AMC 12 Theatres in St. Petersburg. (Mike Camunas)

The 21-year-old Lutz native has channeled her love for nature into a film project that is being screened at film festivals.

And that’s all before the mass communications and broadcast production student graduates from the University of South Florida (USF).

She wants her film to encourage people to take a closer look at nature’s beauty.

“It’s right in the tagline (of my film), ‘In our own backyards, there are hundreds of worlds to explore,’” Yahre said.

“My goal with this film is to share some of the beautiful parts of the community I grew up in, so that others can appreciate and help protect them, too,” she said.

Her film, “Nature’s Secrets: Florida State Parks,” focuses on the nature preserved in Florida’s state parks.

As a one-person film crew, she visited a dozen of the more than 100 parks in this state.

Then, she interviewed numerous people from the park system who devote themselves to conserving and protecting the parks, and helping others to develop an appreciation for Florida’s natural environments.

The film is already garnering attention on the festival circuit, including being nominated for “Best Student Film” at the Cannes World Film Festival. Additionally, Cannes awarded Yahre with “Best Young Director.”

The documentary had its first theatrical screening at the 2022 Gasparilla International Film Festival in March. That even came with a red carpet appearance for the young filmmaker, at Tampa Theatre in downtown Tampa.

Next, on April 28, her film will be shown at the Sunscreen Film Festival at the Sundial AMC 12 Theatres in St. Petersburg. There will be showings there through May 1.

The young woman’s foray into filmmaking surprised her mother, Nicole Yahre.

“Honestly, I thought she would be a farmer,” Nicole said.

But she quickly recognized her daughter’s talent because even when she was young, she was landing editing jobs.

Her father, Adam, had a hand in helping her develop those editing skills.

“My dad is a software guy, so he got a computer and just put every professional program available on there,” said Alexis, a graduate of Steinbrenner High. “It really started with Adobe Premiere when I was 10 or 11 and took off from there.”

Learning software at such a young age led to editing opportunities for Alexis.

One of her jobs was creating content for the meat processing equipment company, Tipper Tie.

The work included producing videos for the Fresh-N-Ready salad bowl, the Herb Shooter and other products.

The job also inspired the name for Pepperoni Studios, the production company she founded, which produces her freelance work and personal projects.

Her technical skills and her eye for nature have impressed her professors at USF.

In fact, Kristofer Atkinson already has agreed to produce her next film. It will focus on college students taking a “gap year.”

“Most of my students are prolific filmmakers,” said Atkinson, Alexis’ mentor, who helped her navigate producing the film and getting into festivals.

“I do everything in my power to help them,” Atkinson said. “Maybe 15 become filmmakers, but two or three of them are excellent filmmakers, and she will be one of those.

“She has real directorial prowess, a real eye behind the camera and does a great job interviewing. I was duly impressed just how laser-focused her vision was from beginning to end.

“So, I’m hoping one day she will be thanking me at the Oscars,” he said, with a laugh.

Alexis graduates from USF in May and already works as an educator in Hillsborough County.

She feels her true place, however, is behind a camera — and then in the editing room.

At the same time, she’s at one with nature and she hopes her film will inspire others to explore the great outdoors.

“I just want people to know they live super close to all these parks,” she said.

“I just think it’s a huge untapped resource,” she said, adding, many don’t realize the treasures that are right in their own backyard.

She also is thrilled with the favorable reception enjoyed by “Nature’s Secrets: Florida State Parks.”

“Considering that I made this (film) without a budget or experience, I didn’t expect to see this kind of success,” she said. “I’m overjoyed that I can be a part of the festival and share a topic that I’m passionate about with the world.”

Her parents are delighted by her success.

“(Her father and I) are so proud of her and love that she’s being able to do what she loves doing,” her mom said.

Nature’s Secrets: Florida State Parks
Director: Alexis Yahre
Runtime: 10 minutes 30 seconds
Synopsis: Alexis Yahre invites viewers on a journey through the Florida State Park system to capture the sights of whimsical animals, and hear the stories of some the unsung heroes who labor to conserve their habitats. Along the way, she uncovers secrets about the parks and highlights some of Florida’s best lesser-known places.
Film includes: Hillsborough River State Park, in Hillsborough County; Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, in Port Richey; and, Honeymoon Island State Park, in Dunedin.
To view a trailer of the film, log onto YouTube.com/watch?v=WZTRdnxDHL0.

Published April 27, 2022

AdventHealth focuses on growth, expansion

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When looking at AdventHealth Dade City’s chart, there’s a vast improvement.

Formerly known as Florida Hospital Dade City, AdventHealth took over four years ago and has spent $22 million on a major makeover.

AdventHealth Dade City, at 13100 Fort King Road, was purchased by the national health care system four years ago. It has undergone $22 million in renovations. (Mike Camunas)

The upgrade includes a $2 million expansion now being done to double the capacity of the pre-op and post-op ward, bringing the total to eight bays. That work is expected to be done by the end of the year.

When AdventHealth took over, the former hospital was fading.

Now, the 100-plus bed hospital, at 13100 Fort King Road, has been reinvigorated.

“Over the last four years, what we’ve done at Dade City has been a remarkable accomplishment and certainly transformative,” COO Shade Bedward said.

“When AdventHealth took over four years ago, it certainly was not performing financially, and only had six patients.

“Now, we have over 100 (patients) in house and see over 100 patients a day. The confidence and trust that the community has in us now is a tremendous achievement,” the hospital executive said.

Bedward was promoted on Feb. 27 to chief operating officer of AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills. The latter is now considered a synergized-system sister hospital, a mere 7 ½ miles away, at 7050 Gall Blvd.

Bedward will serve in leadership and director roles at Zephyrhills and will serve as hospital administrator at Dade City.

In Dade City, he will oversee the day-to-day and strategic operations, and report directly to Amanda Maggard, AdventHealth president and CEO.

“Of course there have been a lot of challenges in the past 3 ½ years I’ve been here, but it’s also been a lot of fun work that benefits the community,” Bedward said.

AdventHealth, a faith-based, nonprofit health care system headquartered in Altamonte Springs, operates facilities in nine states.

It hit the ground running once taking over the Dade City location, Bedward said. The hospital was considered as being on its last leg, receiving a C grade from Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade.

Leapfrog is an annual voluntary survey in which hospitals report quality and safety data. It uses 22 evidence-based measures of patient safety, including how well hospitals protect patients from preventable errors, injuries and infections. Leapfrog then calculates a numerical score for all eligible hospitals in the United States, whether or not the hospital reports its data.

Over time, Dade City improved nearly every aspect of its facility, including transition care, which is people staying in the hospital for seven days to 14 days. That is now a five-star ranked unit and the only one ranked that high in East Pasco, Bedward said.

“We’re seeing top-notch quality. Across the board,” he said.

Moving forward, AdventHealth is working on recruiting an improved workforce and also on employee retention.

Those efforts include adequate market pay and benefits, student loans and tuition reimbursements, and company cultural celebrations to show appreciation.

Bedward hopes this inspires employees to stay in Dade City.

AdventHealth Dade City has evidence of its transformative rejuvenation.

It now has an A grade from LeapFrog.

“We focused on quality of care and culture company-wide,” Bedward said. “Guests walk in, and it feels warm and welcoming, and they get a very nice experience,” he said.

While gratified by the hospital’s accomplishments so far, efforts are ongoing, he said.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done. The growth is fast-paced and we plan to continue to keep growing,” Bedward said.

Published April 27, 2022

Local driver has the right ‘Formula’

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Robin Bonanno isn’t about to slow down.

At 59, as a breast cancer survivor and winner of multiple Formula racing championships, she isn’t ready to pump the brake just yet.

“Growing up in New Jersey, I always restored cars with my dad and just knew that I loved driving and wanted to do that,” said Bonanno, who now lives in Odessa.

“So when we moved to Florida, we bought a Ferrari and it just happened that my neighbor was a retired race car driver (Amos Johnson).

Robin Bonanno, of Odessa, has been around cars since she was young. Now, at age 59, she’ll be racing her new Formula Atlantic race car in June. (Fred Bellet)

“It kind of all just snowballed from there, and I have no plans to stop racing now,” said the woman, who has been racing for 22 years.

During that span, she’s been getting progressively skilled and faster.

She also has switched to more powerful cars, starting with a Triumph Spitfire, moving to a Radical race car, and eventually deciding to move to the open-wheel cars that are used in Formula racing.

Bonanno races in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and the South Atlantic Road Racing Championship (SARRC), which is held in seven different states. Running in those leagues has yielded 14 championships: three in the SARRC and 11 regional titles in the SCCA.

In June, she’ll unveil her newest ride: a Formula A car that can hit speeds up to 150 mph. She’ll debut that car at Sebring International Raceway.

Carl Lunderstadt has been married to Robin Bonanno for 15 years. His knowledge of racing is an asset to the team.

“I just knew, as a driver, I wanted to and had to go faster with a bigger, badder car — and that’s the Formula A.

“It’s harder and meaner to drive, so there’s a learning curve, but I’m looking forward to getting it out there,” she said.

As much as she enjoys the speed and the challenge, Bonanno wants everyone to know that there’s more to her than simply racing cars.

She’s also a pilot, a guitar player, a teacher, a wife and an aspiring inspirational speaker.

She hopes to inspire others to pursue their dreams — whether that be young girls at the race track who are looking up to her, or helping others to find their way in life.

“Women just line up and say, ‘I always wanted to do this or that’ and I say to them, ‘Well, why aren’t you doing these things?’ I want to be a role model and help young women, girls, men — help anyone do what I’m doing. I know it’s not for everyone, but I can help people do a lot of things they’ve always dreamed of doing.”

Robin Bonanno is accustomed to a race car’s speed. Here, she shows off the engine in her ‘Other Car,’ a Ferrari.

Bonanno’s husband of 15 years, Carl Lunderstadt, who also doubles as her crew chief and manager, knows she can be inspiring.

“I’ll say this about my wife, she is the best driver I’ve taught and I’ve taught a lot of drivers,” Lunderstatdt said.

They’re on the lookout for sponsors, which not only would benefit their race team, but also the sponsor, Lunderstatdt said.

“We could get any sponsor tremendous exposure because she’s good and a female driver,” he said.

They also can be beneficial to charitable causes, he said.

“We can draw an awful lot of attention to someone’s charity because we’re not in it to make a lot of money. We’re in it to do good, help promote a good charity, and enjoy it because it is a very enjoyable sport,” he said.

Bonanno agreed.

She’s not looking for just any sponsor.

She wants one who “wants to build something.

“I’m not looking for someone to throw money and say, ‘Go race,’ but to build something bigger and better. Because it’s nice to be looked up to, and if I can help someone, that’s all I want to do,” Bonanno said.

Published April 27, 2022

This Saint Leo baseball coach makes history

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The wins just keep on coming for Rick O’Dette. And for Saint Leo University baseball, too.

The fifth-year coach recorded his 100th win with the Lions, when the team defeated Rollins College, on a score of 9-7, on March 27.

“It’s been great (being at Saint Leo),” O’Dette said. “I think it’s a hidden gem of a school and program, and I think that we’ve found the right recipe to be successful.”

Saint Leo baseball coach Rick O’Dette picked up his 100th win with the Lions on March 27 and his 600th career win on April 12. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University Athletics)

He attributes the team’s winning formula to achieving the proper mix of kids entering Saint Leo from high school, as well as transfers to the college from other programs.

O’Dette is no stranger to success. He came to Saint Leo from Saint Joseph’s College of Indiana, where he led the Pumas for 17 seasons, compiling a 494-407-4 overall record. So on April 12, O’Dette picked up his 600th career win when the Lions beat Florida Tech 8-2.

He now ranks fourth in total wins in the Sunshine State Conference among active head coaches, behind University of Tampa’s Joe Urso, Rollins College’s Jon Sjogren and Barry University’s Juan Ranero, respectively.

“It’s been a good year (so far),” said O’Dette, whose son, Ricky, is a pitcher at Wesley Chapel High. “I think we knew coming in we were a good team, but there is a lot of time to go here, but we’re playing at a good level.”

Saint Leo has been ranked as high as 12th in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper NCAA Division II Top 30 Poll, and the Lions also saw the return of their No. 1 starter, Jared Beck — a 7-foot, left-handed pitcher projected to go high in the MLB Draft.

“Getting (Jared) back will be a big boost,” O’Dette said.

But for now, O’Dette wants his team to stay focused and not get too far ahead of itself, which means finishing out the season strong before hopefully a deep postseason run.

“I think the biggest thing for us is to get in the national tournament,” he said. “We have a mature lineup, really good stuff, and we’re getting the opportunity to use a lot of guys, and figuring out what’s clicking and working. I think we have an exciting opportunity to go far this season.”

Published April 27, 2022