The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mike Camunas

Riding around at Swamp Fest

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The 14th annual Swamp Fest, the carnival of rides, games, food, entertainment and more at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park. The four-day event is a community-wide fundraiser benefiting area schools, nonprofits and community groups as well as area businesses. It is hosted by the Land O’ Lakes High School Athletic Booster Club.

It was a wild, and swampy, weekend as Madison Froelich, left, and Amber Allen, both of Land O’ Lakes, are whipped around on a ride at the 14th annual Swamp Fest. (Mike Camunas)
Land O’ Lakes resident Aaron Hale and his daughter, Mika, laugh their way through bumping other bumper car riders at Swamp Fest, on Nov. 2 at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.
Isabella Sanchez, left, of Wesley Chapel, hopes her ping pong ball drops so she wins a fishy prize at the 14th annual Swamp Fest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land O’ Lakes youngster dragon rider Clayton Scalise wants the carnival ride to go around again during the 14th annual Swamp Fest at Land O’ Lakes Heritage.
Wesley Chapel residents Chris Teodorsky, left, and Raina Teodorskey, enjoy a spin on the Ferris wheel.
Hundreds of Land O’ Lakes and Central Pasco County residents turned out for the 14th annual Swamp Fest, held Nov. 2 through Nov. 5, at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.

Running till they’re dead tired

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Cindy Bray is scared of zombies.

Little zombie Matthew Fisher, 4, cheers on other participants at the inaugural Run For Hope … And Your Life! Zombie 5K and 1K Fun Run on Oct. 28 at the Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz. Runners took to the course in the shopping center’s parking lot and ran to avoid zombies — local teens that volunteered their time to make for a frightful trek that raised money to go to HOPE Services scholarship funds. (Mike Camunas)

So, while the founder and executive director of HOPE Services — a vocational service provider for those with disabilities — decided to hold a 5K where zombies jump out and even chase the runners, Bray wanted no part of the undead.

“When we created this event, we knew it would be fun, but Cindy gets scared — I’m scared of zombies,” Bray said with a laugh. “All our zombies were volunteers — all teenagers, but high school kids aren’t that scary.”

The frights, and delights, were abundant when HOPE Services held its Run For Hope … And Your Life! Zombie 5K and 1K Fun Run on Oct. 28 at the Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz. It was the inaugural fundraising event for the provider that has been helping teens and adults living with disabilities and special needs secure and maintain meaningful, competitive and integrated employment since April 2003.

The funds raised from the nearly 100 participants went into the nonprofit’s scholarship fund.

Wesley Chapel High teenage zombie Amya Cooper chases after Tammy Spires in the parking lot of the Tampa Premium Outlets during the Run For Hope … And Your Life! Zombie 5K and 1K Fun Run.

In February, HOPE Services opened a state-of-the-art Life Skills & Vocational Training Center in Land O’ Lakes, and Bray says fundraisers like the 5K — and the  yearly Dance Your Dream “prom” event — support their efforts to help those needing assistance in learning life skills.

“We don’t want anyone to walk in the doors at HOPE and not be able to afford it,” Bray said. “This run and our dance help us achieve the funds to help anyone who walks in the door and get them meaningful employment.”

In the early morning of the run, participants came out and ran through the parking lot of the shopping center. About a dozen zombified teens from Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel high schools were scattered along the route and did their best “Walking Dead” impersonations as runners passed by. A few younger kids, who ran the race, were also zombified, and top overall finisher, Carol Geddes, completed the race in 20:09.

Zombie Gloria Xiao, a Land O’ Lakes High volunteer, hides behind the bushes, patiently waiting for runners in the Run For Hope … And Your Life! Zombie 5K and 1K Fun Run to bring their delicious brains to her.

Bray said in the few days leading up to the event that they got more than 50 sign-ups, as well as morning walk-ups. However, she was surprised at the zombie turnout.

“We got way more volunteers — zombies than I thought we would,” she added. “But we are thankful for that because they looked great as zombies and that they came out and volunteered their time as zombies. I’m just glad they’re not real zombies (laughs).”

HOPE Services Life Skills & Vocational Training Center
Where: 5426 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes
Details: A training center providing teens and adults living with disabilities and special needs on-site training in culinary arts/food safety, construction, customer service/retail, hospitality, computers/technology and GED education. With these skills and certifications, individuals will be able to earn higher wages, find sustainable careers and set a solid foundation for self-sufficiency.
For more information about HOPE Services, visit HOPEGetsJobs.com.

Published November 08, 2023

Nearly 100 runners participated in the inaugural Run For Hope … And Your Life! Zombie 5K and 1K Fun Run on Oct. 28 at the Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz. The event benefited HOPE Services.
Every participant in the Run For Hope … And Your Life! Zombie 5K and 1K Fun Run on Oct. 28 at the Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz received a medal for not being devoured by teenage zombies.
Land O’ Lakes High teen Carolyn Delphin shuffles along the course of the Run For Hope … And Your Life! Zombie 5K and 1K Fun Run on Oct. 28 at the Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz.

SAMS teams capture championships

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Two varsity sports teams from Sunlake Academy of Math and Science (SAMS), 18681 Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz, both brought home championship titles to cap off impressive seasons.

The Ravens Boys Soccer Team, led by coaches Jaksa Panic and Damian Ladd, went undefeated (12-0) and allowed just two goals this season en route to the Tampa Charter Athletic League (TCAL) Championship in late October.

The Ravens Volleyball team, led by coaches Amber Hicks, Amy Loftis and Phill Duros, also went undefeated (12-0), which helped them secure their TCAL Championship, also in late October.

(Courtesy of Sunlake Academy of Math and Science)

 

 

 

Helping make an impact in the community

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Himani Patel just wants to help.

Help the community.

Help people.

Even help her classmates.

So, at the end of her sophomore year at Land O’ Lakes High, Patel founded Impact Service — a volunteering club, run by volunteers for volunteers. The club will help student volunteers connect with meaningful volunteering opportunities that are outside the school, making it easy for members to help the community.

Himani Patel, a senior at Land O’ Lakes High, founded the Impact Service club to serve as a conduit to connect high schoolers with meaningful volunteering opportunities. Since it was founded, it has grown to more than 80 members, who have completed more than 488 service hours. They have helped multiple charities, including Metropolitan Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, Feeding Tampa Bay, Akshaya Patra, Mental Health America and American Heart Association. (Mike Camunas)

In less than two years, the club has grown to more than 80 members, who have donated hundreds of service hours to local charity organizations. They have helped Metropolitan Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, Feeding Tampa Bay and others.

“We are the middle man. For the lack of a better term, we’re like customer service for our members, making it as easy as possible for them to volunteer or find a place to volunteer,” Patel said. “We have a lot of clubs at school that do volunteering inside the school, like IB (International Baccalaureate) events and prom and things like that, but not many organizations here that make an impact outside of school.

“We’ve strived to create an environment where everyone is genuinely passionate about helping in the community,” she added. “I didn’t create this group for volunteer hours. I created this club for those who are really passionate about helping others less fortunate.”

Patel, an avid volunteer herself, formed Impact Service, knowing there were many who wanted to give back to the community, not just in her high school.

The response was overwhelming.

At more than 80 members, it is one of the school’s largest clubs, plus more than 488 hours were completed by club members last school year.

The club also raised $635 (the most of any organization within the school for donations) within six months and donated to multiple charities, such as Feeding Tampa Bay, Akshaya Patra, Mental Health America and American Heart Association. The club was even invited by Big Brothers Big Sisters to assist in the Gasparilla Publix Run earlier this year.

“We connect them with the organization because I do want people to experience actually going to the Feeding Tampa Bay warehouse and volunteering,” Patel said. “Then, they are putting in the work, sweat and tears and can collaborate with the same passionate people who genuinely want to help the community.

“With some clubs, you always see numbers dwindle, but not us.”

While volunteer hours aren’t required to graduate from high school in Florida, those hours are required in order to be eligible for Bright Futures Scholarships. But Patel said that’s not really the point of the club, nor are members even using Impact Service to log volunteer hours.

In fact, most times, members already have the required hours to be eligible and are volunteering because they genuinely want to.

“Our club helps facilitate students getting volunteer hours because they know we’re getting them to places that are actually focused on making an impact,” she added. “My main thing was I wanted to help my community, so the hours are a side note. “Impact members genuinely want to be involved with these organizations and volunteering,” she said.

With that kind of dedication from Patel and the members, it makes being the club sponsor an easy job — just ask Dora Gallagher.

“Oh, yes, it is super easy because (Patel) is in charge,” said Gallagher, who teaches Spanish. “She does everything. She looks for the places to volunteer, does the contact, sets up the dates and times and informs all the participants. Honestly, I don’t do that much (laughs).

“She is on top of everything and making sure the club is doing exactly what the goal says it is setting out to do.”

Gallagher tells students Impact Service isn’t like other clubs, in that they actually put in the work and set out to help the community in meaningful ways.

“A lot of clubs are just that — a club or a name or don’t do much,” she added. “This one is actually participating in volunteering in several places that make an impact in the community.

“As a teenager, to see her do that, it’s impressive, and I’m impressed to see that they are actually volunteering. Other clubs I have sponsored, which were student-led, didn’t do much — not this one.”

As Patel heads toward graduation in May 2024, she plans to hand off leadership of the club to very capable hands that will continue it when she heads to college.

But that won’t stop Patel, as she plans to turn the club into a 501(c)3 (when she turns 18), so it can be an organization outside the school. She also plans to get Impact Service a website, all the while creating the same type of on-campus club at whichever college she ends up attending.

“I really just want to help people in the community, especially those who are underprivileged, and really, my ultimate goal is work for a nonprofit for underprivileged kids who can’t afford health care,” the IB student said. “The reason I created Impact Service was to help the community.

“Our whole purpose is to make the world a better place.”

Impact Service Club
Details: Founded by Land O’ Lakes High senior Himani Patel, Impact Service was created to connect high schoolers with meaningful volunteering opportunities. The club has donated time and resources to multiple charities, including Metropolitan Ministries, Habitat for Humanity and Feeding Tampa Bay. The club only includes  Land O’ Lakes High students now, but Patel wants the club to become a community-wide effort, and others are welcome to join.
Membership cost: $15 for entry and shirt
To learn more about Impact Service or to join, email .

Published November 01, 2023

Not too spooked for candy, costumes

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Wesley Chapel trick-or-treater Harper Webb reaches for that precious candy at the Halloween Spooktacular event hosted by Pasco County’s Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Department on Oct. 21 at Wesley Chapel District Park. The evening featured games, candy, music, arts and crafts, inflatables and entertainment, as well as a chance for those attending to show off their costumes. (Mike Camunas)

They came, all dressed up, in spooky, spirited and fun costumes.

And in the end, they were ‘goblin’ up candy all night.

Hundreds of kids, tweens, teens, families and even adults were out in force, and in costumes, at the Halloween Spooktacular, held on Oct. 21 at Wesley Chapel District Park.

The Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Department hosted the event, which was spread out on the fields next to the gymnasium. The festivities included candy, music, arts and crafts, inflatables, face painting, vendors and entertainment. The DJ hosted dance parties, as well as a costume contest, with contest winners selected by votes from those in attendance.

The vendors, such as the Girl Scouts of Wesley Chapel and Delano at Cypress Creek Apartments, passed out candy to eager youngsters who were looking for sweet treats and no tricks.

Popular costumes at the event included lots of Super Mario Bros., Spider-Men and Harley Quinns, but also classics such as characters from books and movies — Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, Pirates of the Caribbean and Pennywise (from “It”).

This was one of a few Halloween events the Parks Department hosted, including the Second Annual Jack O’ Lantern Festival, on Oct. 20 at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

Published November 01, 2023

This Wesley Chapel super family — from left: Leigh, Madison, Jeremey and Matthew Cooper — didn’t need to smash blocks or defeat Bowser to snag candy and fun at the Halloween Spooktacular on Oct. 21 at Wesley Chapel District Park.
Wesley Chapel resident Sharon Hinds holds her grandson Kai Handy — oh wait, is that Miles Morales, aka Spider-Man? They were having fun at Wesley Chapel District Park on Oct. 21.
Angel Roman, of Wesley Chapel, plays the ring toss game at Wesley Chapel District Park’s Halloween Spooktacular as his mom, Jordan Dosal, watches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wesley Chapel youngster Bhrett Tarbutton and his grandma, Lee Tarbutton, are all smiles spending the evening of Oct. 21 at the Halloween Spooktacular at Wesley Chapel District Park.
Baylie Brown, of Wesley Chapel, cracks a stitched smile dressed as Sally from ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas.’
Wesley Chapel resident Eli Follano went down the rabbit hole for some candy at the Halloween Spooktacular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Riaan Shah, of Wesley Chapel, seen here as Sonic, makes a mad dash across the field at Wesley Chapel District Park, in a quest for candy.
Costumed kiddos and teens lined up around the DJ playing music for the Halloween Spooktacular costume contest.
Dustin Mills holds his daughter, Riley — a baby Wonder Woman — at the Halloween Spooktacular.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yasaswini, right, and Jayanth Sripathi, left, reach out for some of the delicious candy they got during the Halloween Spooktacular on Oct. 21.
Wesley Chapel youngster Sanchit Sharma was as surprised as anyone else when an ‘alien’ carried and ‘abducted’ him during Halloween Spooktacular.
Costumed kiddos and teens lined up around the DJ playing music for the Halloween Spooktacular costume contest.

Getting a handle on biking trails 

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Swamp Mountain Bike Club is always blazing new trails.

In fact, the whole point of this avid trail biking club is to welcome out more riders, all while promoting and advocating natural surface trail recreation locally.

Group members and riders of the Swamp Mountain Bike Club make their way on the many miles of trails throughout Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey as part of the club’s regularly scheduled group rides. (Courtesy of Diane Prekup)

And it’s been doing that for more than a decade.

“(That is) absolutely (what the club is all about),” said Jordan Nelson, the club’s trail boss, who is charged with maintaining the trails at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey. “We get people together, we ride together and we get out and see the trails and explore. We’re all volunteer-based, too, so getting together like-minded people who love trail riding and even making new trails — that’s why the club was founded.”

Swamp Mountain Bike Club was founded more than a decade ago because riders were looking for a way to connect, and for places where they could ride and help maintain as a group.

It started at Flatwoods Park off Bruce B. Downs in New Tampa.

Since then, the club has expanded to around 700 members, to more parks with trails, routine rides and trail maintenance, and additional events that can include camping and other outdoor activities.

A gnome statue sits on part of the Gnome Zone — a section of bike trail in Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park that features dozens of gnome statues littered throughout the woods. (Courtesy of Diane Prekup)

“That’s what it’s all about — get out and ride, meet people, new friends that ride together, try other trails, and that’s why we’re doing it and why we work hard to maintain the trails,” Nelson said. “I took on the job as trail boss here (at Starkey) because I have small kids and want them to be a part of this and show them, and others, that work has to go into maintaining (trails).

“That way it’ll be a nice place for them to ride when they’re older.”

Nelson, along with a couple other trail bosses and members/volunteers, maintains the 19 miles of trails at Starkey Park, which he adds is great for beginners because of its flatness. 

They’ll make sure the natural surface paths are cleared and in tip-top shape, but they’ll also add amenities such as picnic tables and benches. Additionally, they’ll add ramps, boardwalks and bridges where needed.

“With nearly 20 miles of trails in Starkey, you would never know it, but it’s a lot of miles, and we’re looking to expand soon, at least early next year,” Nelson said. “The biggest part of the job is maintaining the trails and relationships with the county and parks departments. The money we raise through fees and events helps us build new trails and maintain them. But it is a constant upkeep.”

But upkeep also can be fun. Sure, the club will have its routine rides — from avid riders to newbies and even family friendly rides with kids — but at Starkey, the club has something on the trail that stands out from the rest.

The Gnome Zone.

Deep back on the trails in Starkey, there is a section lovingly known as a forest and several gnome figurines have been placed along the trail and in the trees. Surprisingly, it is not well-known — or even advertised — until riders happen upon the gnomes.

(Mike Camunas)

“Unless you’re paying attention, you might not even know about it, but yeah, we get a lot of like, ‘Oh, wow, gnomes,’” Nelson said with a laugh. “The gnomes, it’s just been a feature of the trail ever since we’ve been maintaining it and the Forest of the Gnomes. The trees back there have a lot of long branches and so gnomes just starting to appear on them and on the trail — and people love it when they see them.

“It just kind of became, ‘Oh, you rode Starkey? That’s the trail with all the gnomes!’ so it just became a bit of its signature, that it’s now known for the gnomes.”

Swamp Mountain Bike Club
Details: Swamp Mountain Bike Club Inc. is a 501(c)3 group focusing on advocacy for mountain biking and natural surface trail recreation in the Greater Tampa Bay Area. The club sustainably maintains more than 100 miles of natural surface singletrack. The club maintains tracks at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, Flatwood Wilderness Park, Croom in the Withlacoochee State Forest and Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve. The club also meets routinely for group rides and trail maintenance.
Cost: Yearly membership starts at $40. Attending and/or participating in events may cost extra.
Info: Visit SwampMTBclub.com, or email ​.

Published November 01, 2023

The Swamp Mountain Bike Club is a 501(c)3 group focusing on advocacy for mountain biking and natural surface trail recreation in the Greater Tampa Bay Area. (Courtesy of Diane Prekup)
The club routinely meets for group trail rides, including at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park and Flatwood Wilderness Park, and sustainably maintains more than 100 miles of natural surface singletrack. (Courtesy of Diane Prekup)
The club maintains tracks at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, Flatwood Wilderness Park, Croom in the Withlacoochee State Forest and Balm Boyette Scrub Preserve. (Mike Camunas)

 

 

Pasco Stars Softball Brings Home Another Gold

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Pasco Stars Softball Team player John Algood

The winning ways for the Pasco Stars Softball Team — a Special Olympics team made up of 14 players mostly from Zephyrhills and Dade City — just won’t stop.

(Courtesy of Kevin Weiss)

The team, once again, brought home the gold medal, this time thanks to winning all six of its games at nationals, including 13-11 in the final over Wisconsin Dairy. The team outscored their opponents 71-22 in those six games.

The championship brought them more recognition, with the City of Zephyrhills and Mayor Melonie Bahr Monson honoring them with a proclamation at the Oct. 23 City Council for the team’s championship and creating a positive image in the community.

Team members include John Algood, Justen Buchanan, Kenny Carriveau, George Morris, Phillip Olson, Roger Olson, Curt Walters, Bubbie Morris, Chris Allen, Richard Proctor, Ernie Shultz, Andres Torres and Scott Walter.

The team also put up some incredible stats, such as seven players finished batting .700 or better. Phillip Olson hit .789 with five doubles, two triples and a homer; George Morris hit three doubles and a homer (.764); and Chris Allen batted .705 with a homer; and Ernie Shultz hit two doubles and a grand slam.

Those are some great pumpkins

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Pumpkin-picker Elliott Leung, of Land O’ Lakes, carries over the perfect gourd to give to her parents, Frank and Amy, on Oct. 16 at the pumpkin patch in front of Harvester Community Church, 2432 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes. The Leung family lives in the nearby Valencia Gardens community and made the most of the Saturday morning errand of picking out a pumpkin for Halloween. (Mike Camunas)
Nathaniel Leung, a youngster from Land O’ Lakes, sits amongst a gaggle of gourds at the pumpkin patch in front of Harvester Community Church, 2432 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.
The Leung family — Frank, left; Elliott, center; and Amy holding Emma, right, discuss just which perfect pumpkin they’re going to take to their home in Valencia Gardens in Land O’ Lakes, from the patch in front of Harvester Community Church in Land O’ Lakes.

Millhopping on down

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There are sinkholes in Florida — this is a given.

In fact, there’s the deepest ever, right over here in Land O’ Lakes. I should know. It sits behind my childhood home.

However, there are very few sinkholes in Florida — or anywhere else, for that matter — that are considered a tourist attraction. 

Devil’s Millhopper is a large, deep, cover-collapse sinkhole and there is a state park dedicated to seeing it and the rainforest nature that surrounds it. The sinkhole is 120 feet deep and was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974. (Mike Camunas)

That are a registered natural landmark.

But that’s exactly what the National Park Service has designated Devil’s Millhopper: a national natural landmark. The geological state park in northern Gainesville features a 120-foot deep, 500-foot wide sinkhole.

And, it actually is an ecological phenomenon, despite — or rather, thanks to — the Florida weather.

With its lush vegetation, extensive boardwalk and convenient proximity to San Felasco County Park and the San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park — a visit here is definitely worth the trip.

Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is only 71 acres, but has three distinct ecological environments. They are based on exposure to sun, fire and water, and give the park a ‘rainforest’ feel, especially because of the hammocks supporting broadleaf trees and low vegetation.

Deal with the devil
Once upon a time, according to the brochure, there was a beautiful Native American princess living near the present-day location of Devil’s Millhopper. And, of course, the Devil wanted to marry said princess, but she wasn’t having it.

So, he did what happens in every fairy tale: He kidnapped her. The braves of her tribe went all Super Mario to rescue the princess, but the Devil created the huge sinkhole for them to fall into.

The sinkhole is Devil’s Millhopper.

As the braves tried to climb out, the Devil turned them to stone (cue: sinister music) and, it is said, the water runoff into the sinkhole is from the tears those poor braves shed for the princess (cue: sad music).

Millhopper, for a time, was owned by the University of Florida Science Department and used as a research site for students. However, non-scientific students would also use it as a place to socialize and par-TAY, which led to litter, foot traffic and erosion problems.

The state purchased the site in 1974 and built the set of 236 wooden steps, along with boardwalks and an observation deck at the bottom to allow access for visitors without further soil erosion. 

The formation was designated a National Natural Landmark in that same year and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.

Devil’s Millhopper, located in north Gainesville, was purchased by the state in 1974. A set of 236 wooden steps, along with boardwalks and an observation deck at the bottom, were completed to allow access to the sink for visitors without further soil erosion.

Underneath the canopy
Even though the park is only 71 acres, three distinct ecological environments exist based on exposure to sun, fire and water, and thanks to a hammock canopy that is shaded by the broadleaf trees and low vegetation. Basically, it’s like a rainforest: moist and damp and lush, all year-round. The park also has sandhill and swamp environments.

Because of the cutaway of the sinkhole, it provides easily visible geological records of the area. Twelve springs, some more visible than others, work like small waterfalls and feed the pond at the bottom of the sinkhole. In the summer, the bottom is dramatically cooler than surface air and significant fossil deposits include shark teeth, marine shells and the fossilized remains of extinct animals.

The thin layer of soil at the top of the sinkhole has rocks and sediments from the Hawthorn Group, which is geologic formations of Late Oligocene to Pliocene Age in North Florida. Devil’s Millhopper is composed of dolostone, phosphatic sands and clay that were deposited during the Miocene Epoch, between 5.3 and 23 million years ago.

The Hawthorn Group is underlain by upper Eocene Ocala Limestone, which can be seen in the deepest part of the sinkhole. Ocala Limestone was deposited in a warm, shallow marine environment more than 34 million years ago, and that material is what the sinkhole dissolved.

Not bo(re)dwalk
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is not your typical park. There are no picnic areas or playgrounds and there’s only one circular trail, which throughout you are repeatedly reminded to stay on. That’s because it’s a Natural Landmark. That’s to keep the foot traffic down and erosion of the geological site from happening again.

Devil’s Millhopper, a 120-foot deep sinkhole in north Gainesville, was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974. It is maintained by the Florida State Parks system, a division of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The boardwalk down to an observation deck makes for wonderful views and pictures, if not also a very sweaty hike.

If it’s more hiking you’re looking for, check out San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park. It’s literally less than 10 minutes from the Millhopper and features 65 miles of hiking trails and even creeks.

Just do so after you pay a visit to the Devil … that is, if you dare.

Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
Where: 4732 Millhopper Road, in Gainesville
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. The park is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Cost: $4 for parking
Details: An unexpected rainforest in a geological wonderland. This park offers patrons a chance to see a dry sinkhole that’s 120 feet deep down the steep slopes of the limestone.
Info: Visit floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/devils-millhopper-geological-state-park, or call 352-955-2008.

Published October 25, 2023

Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park has a small visitor’s center that includes a historical display that shows how sinkholes are formed.
Do as the sign says: Both Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park and San Felasco Hammock State Park ask very little of patrons, while giving them a chance to enjoy nature’s splendor.
The 71-acre Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park has a looping nature trail that includes a bridge and three distinct ecological environments.

A SHINE-y new paint job

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Tracey “Artist” Jones ended up painting a whole building.

Well, a ticketbooth, actually. But the 41-year-old Land O’ Lakes graphic designer, mom and artist was just glad her new mural in downtown St. Petersburg wasn’t higher off the ground.

Land O’ Lakes resident Tracey ‘Artist’ Jones works on her mural for the Ninth Annual SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival, in which her work of art is painted on all four walls of a closed PTSA ticketbooth at Williams Park, 350 Second Ave. N., in St. Petersburg. Jones’ artwork and 13 other artists and their murals will be on display all around downtown St. Petersburg, as through the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, SHINE has created nearly 150 murals throughout downtown and the surrounding arts districts since 2015. (Mike Camunas)

“I can’t believe they gave me a whole building, but they did!” Jones said. “I’m just glad it’s close to the ground because a lot of the other (artists), they’re going higher up than I had to!”

Jones was asked to paint a brand-new mural as part of the ninth annual SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival, which brings a diverse collection of public art from renowned local, national and international mural artists. During SHINE, 14 new murals, plus a series of Bright Spot community mural projects, were added to the art districts and surrounding neighborhoods of St. Petersburg’s downtown. The SHINE Mural Festival is an event of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, a nonprofit, 501(c)3 dedicated to advocating for the arts and driving arts-related economic impact.

Jones spent about 80 hours, finishing up on Oct. 20, painting a closed PTSA ticketbooth located in Williams Park, 350 Second Ave. N., in St. Petersburg. She painted over all four walls, incorporating bright colors, but also honoring African themes, such as Kente fabric patterns.

Her mural includes a portrait of John Donaldson, the first black man to own property in Pinellas County. Donaldson bought 40 acres of land on what is now 22nd Avenue S., between 31st and 34th streets S., for 90 cents an acre, according to a 1997 article in the then St. Petersburg Times.

Land O’ Lakes resident Tracey works on her SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival piece, which is on display at Williams Park in downtown St. Petersburg.

Jones said it was important to her to include some history in her newest mural, which is now her fifth in the Tampa Bay area. She has three others in Tampa and another at Brookwood Florida, a girls group home in Pinellas.

“With (one of the walls) facing the street, I knew I really needed to bring it,” Jones said. “I needed, and wanted, to make it so people want to get out of their car and take pictures of it and, hopefully, just cause some wows and surprises. Just the idea of all the fabric swatches all jumbled together I’m hoping is really attractive to people riding by.

“When I started it, I wanted to tell important stories, from history, and put it into my artwork — about the history we don’t learn much about,” Jones added. “John Donaldson was the first black man to be able to live in St. Pete, he was well-respected and his family was able to integrate because of that, so I just wanted to put in some history here that maybe was lost in St. Pete, so every day they’ll pass it and learn about the history and John.

“And I know, for sure, that it won’t be painted over.”

While SHINE has been adding murals to St. Petersburg for nearly a decade, Jones says most murals — and definitely hers — won’t be painted over. Murals bring a fresh look — and coat of paint — plus vibrance to the community, Jones said, adding she wished there were more public mural opportunities in the Central Pasco area.

“I would love that — to paint a mural in Land O’ Lakes or Lutz!” said Jones, who has been painting for about 10 years and whose work also is featured in galleries and restaurants. “I’m more connected to the Tampa and St. Pete art alliances, with there being a lot of opportunities in Tampa and St. Pete, so I would love to see Pasco’s grow and give us artists out that way opportunities to put up our art publicly like this.

Tracey ‘Artist’ Jones’ mural encompasses the PTSA ticketbooth at Williams Park, 350 Second Ave. N., in St. Petersburg.

“As far as I know, we don’t have those programs in Pasco, and I would love to see those, and our art, start popping up.”

Tracey “Artist” Jones’ Mural
Where: PTSA ticketbooth at Williams Park, 350 Second Ave. N., in St. Petersburg
Details: Returning for its ninth year, the SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival brings a diverse collection of public art from renowned local, national and international mural artists. During SHINE, 14 new murals plus a series of Bright Spot community mural projects will be added to the art districts and surrounding neighborhoods of St. Petersburg’s downtown. The SHINE Mural Festival is an event of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, a nonprofit, 501(c)3 dedicated to advocating for the arts and driving arts-related economic impact.
For more information and the location of the other murals, visit StPeteArtsAlliance.org/shine-2023.
To see more of Artist Jones’ work, visit her website at TraceyRJones.com or her Instagram account @theartistjones.

Published October 25, 2023