The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Steve Vinik

Santa Parade brings holiday cheer to Lexington Oaks

By

Santa, also known as John Kostialik, made his annual stop in Lexington Oaks on Dec. 10 — starring in a parade aimed at bringing seasonal spirit to Central Pasco community.

With no reindeers in sight, Santa (John Kostialik) rides from stop to stop, in a golf cart driven by his elf helper, Addison Jones. (Courtesy of Steve Vinik)

The annual Santa parade, sponsored by the Lexington Oaks Security Patrol, including appearances by Santa (Kostialik) and Mrs. Claus (Julie Kuhn), fire trucks, a marching band and decked-out golf carts.

This elf is certainly not on a shelf! Lincoln Luna was busy during the parade in Lexington Oaks, distributing Santa’s candy.

Each year, the parade wends its way along Lexington Oaks Boulevard and stops in front of the village entrances to greet families with good Christmas cheer and candy.

This year, Fire Rescue Station 13 supplied some red plastic fire helmets to give out to kids.

Stacey Russo, a parade spectator, recapped some observations on Facebook.

She said this year’s event “was my favorite parade so far.”

Russo loved seeing “all the fire trucks, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Frosty, all the golf carts decked out,” an “amazing decorated jeep,” she wrote on Facebook.

She also enjoyed seeing the kids getting fire hats and candy and watching the marching band featuring members from Wesley Chapel and Cypress Creek high schools.

“How many smiles were made,” Russo commented.

Santa said the toughest part of getting ready for the parade is allowing his beard to grow during Florida’s hot summers.

He was pleased by this year’s event.

“Thank you to all who helped and all who came to watch,” he said. “See ya’ll next year!”

Published December 21, 2022

Mrs. Claus (Julie Kuhn) hands out goodies —helping to raise spirits high, during the Lexington Oaks Santa Parade.
Fire Rescue Station 13, led by Capt. David Garofalo and firefighter Kessler Dixon, provided lots of noisy excitement, and plastic firefighter hats for the children.
Aly Jacinto gives Santa (John Kostialik) a hug, in a tender moment during the parade.

Teddy Bears for TPD aims to comfort children in crisis

By

Members of the Tampa Police Department (TPD), including Interim Chief Lee Bercaw, Deputy Chief Calvin Johnson, and members of the Behavioral Health Unit, received donations of nearly 300 stuffed animals in the second Teddy Bears for TPD collection conducted by Saint Leo University, according to a university news release.

Interim Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw, Saint Leo University Tampa Education Center Director Rod Kirkwood, Saint Leo University staff and faculty, and Tampa Police Department (TPD) officers hold teddy bears donated to the university’s Teddy Bears for TPD drive. (Courtesy of Renee Gerstein/Saint Leo University)

The university’s Tampa Education Center spearheaded the effort, and the teddy bears and stuffed animals were loaded into TPD vehicles at the education center at 1403 N. Howard Ave., in West Tampa.

Students, faculty, staff and the public donated the items, bringing them to the education center and to Saint Leo’s main campus, in St. Leo.

The nearly 300 teddy bears and other stuffed animals will be used by the unit and TPD officers to help children in crisis situations and during scary times.

Officer Gig Brown has his arms full of donated teddy bears at Saint Leo University’s Tampa Education Center. The bears were donated by students, faculty, staff, and the public to create a ‘comfort squad.’

This is the second year for the project, which was led by the Tampa Education Center and supported by faculty, staff, students and the public. Saint Leo’s Student Government Union and student groups also collected animals at its residential campus in Pasco County and at the East Pasco Education Center locations. This year’s collection drive yielded 300 stuffed animals.

Bercaw said that the bears can help start a conversation in a difficult situation.

“They can get a child smiling,” Bercaw said, in the release.

The stuffed animals will be used primarily by TPD’s Behavioral Health Unit officers, but also will be available in TPD offices. The officers in the Behavioral Health Unit help those who are vulnerable and those in crisis, and help to keep situations from escalating, the release says.

Dr. Christine Picot, assistant professor of education, and Officer Lucas Lucchini of the Tampa Police Department’s Behavioral Health Unit, load donated teddy bears into a police vehicle.

“Community support — such as that provided by Saint Leo University — is what we really need,” Bercaw said. “Saint Leo is a great partner for us and we appreciate the support.”

The idea of donating teddy bears was sparked by one of the Tampa center’s social work instructors, who discussed how children experience traumatic events, according to the release.

In late 2020, Saint Leo moved its Tampa location to the historic former Berriman-Morgan Cigar Factory building, 1403 N. Howard Ave.

“We really wanted to support our local community and give back,” said Rod Kirkwood, area director of Saint Leo’s Tampa Education Center. “Being able to partner with and support the Tampa Police Department is important, and we want interactions with the police to be positive for children, even if it’s a scary situation.”

Many of the university’s degree programs align with this project, including criminal justice and social work.

Bercaw is one of Saint Leo’s most recent graduates. He earned his Doctor of Criminal Justice degree earlier this year.

Published December 21, 2022

Keeping in mind health-conscious guests at the holidays

By

So, you’re hosting a holiday dinner — and some of your guests are on the health-conscious list.

How are you going to handle it?

Will you make them some special foods of their own?

Or, will you compromise and make foods that appeal to everyone so you don’t have to do as much cooking?

While traditional mashed potatoes with milk and butter can have up to 237 calories and 9 grams of fat in a single serving, mashed cauliflower has only 39 calories and less than 1 gram of fat in a serving (with a serving size equal to about one-fifth of the accompanying recipe). (Courtesy of Andrea Nikolai, University of Florida Extension)

Or maybe your health-conscious guests will bring a dish of their own to share.

Of course, not everyone has access to a kitchen, as holiday gatherings can require long-distance travel and stays at hotels.

And, sometimes a person’s diet isn’t just a matter of preference, but is based on medical issues, such as diabetes or hypertension.

So, what’s your game plan?

First, be sure to  communicate in advance with your guests so you don’t have to guess what they want.

The holidays are filled with traditional foods that are creamy this, or buttered that, and, of course, there’s the endless array of desserts, too.

It can be downright difficult to avoid surrounding people with calorie-heavy, high-fat, sodium-filled foods.

But there are ways to make the meal a little bit easier for your guests with special dietary requests.

First, remember that when you alter recipes, be sure to do a practice run. You want to be sure that the changes you make don’t drastically affect the flavor.

You also can make accommodations that reduce calories and fats, without substantially affecting the flavor.

For instance, with full-fat anything — milk, cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, mayo, dressing and so on — consider using a reduced-fat version.

There are 9 calories in a gram of fat, so if you cut back on fat, you instantly cut back on calories.

Instead of using salt to add flavor, consider using herbs and spices, lemon juice, or vinegar.

(This University of Florida publication provides pointers on which herbs and spices pair well with certain foods: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FS225.)

Also, if you cut back the salt by half, you likely won’t notice a difference in taste.

However, if yeast is in the recipe, don’t alter the amount of sodium you use.

It’s also safe to cut back on sugar by baking with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla or almond extract instead. But, again, don’t remove all of the sugar in yeast breads.

You also can replace sugar with equal amounts of sucralose (Splenda) and add ½ teaspoon of baking soda for each cup of sucralose you use.

Keep in mind that baking time is usually shorter and the final product is smaller. Aspartame can be used for food that is not baked, according to Ohio State University Extension.

To increase fiber, use whole grains: whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole wheat flour, whole wheat pasta and so on.

Fiber helps to maintain blood sugar levels.

For a meatless option, use beans, peas, legumes or lentils instead.

Consider these meal swaps to go on the healthier side:

  • Instead of traditional mashed potatoes, make creamy mashed cauliflower.
  • Instead of green bean casserole, simply make sauteed green beans with toasted walnuts.
  • Add vegetables to the mac and cheese, such as pureed carrots, butternut squash and cauliflower.
  • Instead of creamy vegetable casserole, have roasted Brussel sprouts with balsamic vinegar.
  • Instead of apple pie, make baked apples stuffed with cranberries and nuts.
  • Swap the chocolate cake for a chocolate mousse made with Greek yogurt.

Also, be sure to have healthy snacks or appetizers available in case there is a delay in dinner.

For those with diabetes that need to manage their blood sugar levels, a delayed meal may cause a low blood sugar reaction. Almonds, cheeses, and a variety of fruits and vegetables can help bridge the gap before dinner.

Of course, we all know the other variable of the health equation: exercise.

Make it a tradition to take a family walk around the block to help burn off all those calories, while simultaneously enjoying the neighborhood lights and decorations.

To get more menu ideas, not only for the holidays but for healthier eating throughout the year, check out recipes on the American Heart Association’s website, or the American Diabetes Association site.

Extension Universities have information, too.

So, gather your family and friends to celebrate the holidays — and keep your guests in mind, when planning your menu.

Here’s to a happy and healthy 2023

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

Recipe
Here’s a recipe on Creamy Mashed Cauliflower from University of Florida Extension:

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:
16 ounces frozen cauliflower (or 1 head fresh, chopped)
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tablespoons nonfat plain yogurt
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth or milk
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese (optional)
Seasoning to taste: 1 teaspoon dried parsley, herb seasoning blend such as Mrs. Dash
Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Prepare and cook the cauliflower until tender (or a fork can be inserted), according to type of vegetable and cooking method:

For fresh cauliflower

  • Wash, trim and cut into florets. Place in a microwaveable bowl with 1 Tablespoon to 2 Tablespoons of water. Cover and cook on high for 7 minutes to 8 minutes.
  • For stovetop cooking, place florets in a saucepan and add enough water to cover. Boil for 6 minutes to 7 minutes or until fork is easily inserted. Drain.

For frozen cauliflower

  • Place in a microwaveable bowl with 1 Tablespoon to 2 Tablespoons of water and cook on high for 5 minutes to 6 minutes.
  • For stovetop cooking, combine frozen florets and one cup of water in a saucepan. Cover and cook on medium heat for 6 minutes to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain.

For steam-in-the-bag cauliflower

  • Follow the package instructions for cooking on the bag. Let cool slightly.

Once the cauliflower is cooked, add raw minced garlic and 1 Tablespoon to 2 Tablespoons of broth, or milk, to a food processor or a bowl.

Use a food processor, or hand mixer or potato masher, to blend ingredients until smooth. Add broth as necessary to make it creamy.

Stir in plain yogurt and seasoning to taste.

Turn into a medium serving bowl and serve hot.

Recipe serves four to six.

Published December 21, 2022

Utility bill assistance for low-income households in Pasco

By

Pasco utilities customers may be eligible to receive up to $1,000 in payment assistance for water and wastewater payments through a new federal program operated by Pasco County Utilities, according to a county news release.

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program offers up to a $1,000 voucher to those who qualify.

Eligibility is income-based, and funding is administered by Mid Florida Community Services (MFCS). If a customer is approved, MFCS will provide the voucher and funding directly to Pasco County Utilities.

“Customers experiencing financial crises are encouraged to connect with MFCS and contact Pasco County Utilities to set up a payment plan,” Utilities Customer Information & Services Director Sandra Anderson said, in the release. “Discussing a payment plan before services are disconnected provides an opportunity to continue services while addressing each customer’s unique circumstance.”

Those interested in apply can:

The program assists with the restoration of household water services and reduces delinquent or late payments for low-income households. The payment assistance will be available until Sept. 30, 2023, or until funding runs out.

For more information, visit PascoCountyUtilities.com.

Avalon Applauds Pasco County Schools’ 2023 Outstanding Seniors

By

Congratulations to the following students within The Laker/Lutz News’ coverage area, who earned the title of 2023 Outstanding Senior for Pasco County Schools, for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. To see the full list of Outstanding Seniors and to learn more about their accomplishments, go to tinyurl.com/mrybbhjf.

Jack Carbone, Cypress Creek High School: Highlights include: Scoring 1400 on his SAT; chosen as the district nominee for the U.S. CTE Presidential Scholar; and was the Coyote Engineering Student of the year twice.
Arossa Adhikary, Land O’ Lakes High School: Highlights include: president of LOLHS Student Government; president/historian of Future Business Leaders of America (District XI); and received the Anne Frank Humanitarian Award in 2021.
Myka Wilks, Pasco High School: Highlights include: National Honor Society president; presidential scholarship recipient at Flagler College; honor roll all four years; and completed 100+ service hours.
Frederic Bowen, Sunlake High School: Highlights include: Varsity color guard – rifle solo world champion; and three nominations for the Society for Science and Engineering Fair.
Paapa Kusi, Wesley Chapel High School: Highlights include: African Students Association founder/president; Students for Change co-founder; and National African American Recognition Program Scholar.
Aiden Macumber, Zephyrhills High School: Highlights include: 2022-2023 leader of all ZHS JROTC teams; founding president of ZHS Science National Honor Society chapter; ZHS student mentor; and Boy Scouts patrol member.
Caroline Gordon, Wiregrass Ranch High School: Highlights include: Volunteers at a senior living community; Senior band captain; and member of the 2019 State Champion Award-winning marching band.

In Pasco, it’s ‘code compliance’ team now, not ‘code enforcement’

By

Pasco County has changed the name of its team responsible for making the county’s neighborhoods and communities safer, cleaner and more attractive.

Now that department will be known as Code Compliance, not Code Enforcement, according to a county news release.

The name change is intended to emphasize the county’s focus on education, which is intended to help customers come into compliance before any warnings or citations are issued, the news release says.

The idea is to reduce confusion because “code compliance is not law enforcement,” the release says. Plus, the focus is on why and how people can come into compliance with codes.

“We want to educate our community members about the importance of compliance and erase the negative stigma associated with the idea of enforcement,” Patrick Arotin, director of Code Compliance, said in the release. “Enforcement is the last step in the code compliance process.”

The Code Compliance team aims to help people understand the primary purpose of county codes, which are designed to protect and improve the health, safety and welfare of everyone living in or visiting Pasco County, the release notes.

To find out more about Code Compliance or to report a potential violations, call 727-847-2411.

Published December 14, 2022

Study results in higher pay for Pasco government workers

By

Pasco County’s human resources staff has completed a Classification and Compensation Study, which subsequently led to salary increases that were approved as part of the county’s budgeting process.

“Our pay and class study is key to retaining team members and attracting new employees,” said Kathryn Starkey, who was board chairwoman when the raises took effect.

“Pasco County is committed to creating a better future for our community, and there’s no better way to do that than by investing in the right people,” Starkey said, in a county news release.

The human resources team worked with all county departments and hundreds of team members during a months-long study to review position equality internally and competitiveness within our local economy externally.

The salary increases took effect Oct. 1.

The increases include frontline workers from multiple departments including Fire/Rescue, Public Transportation, and Corrections.

The study resulted in the following average pay increases:

  • 14% for those making less than $30,000 a year
  • 12% for those making $30,000 to $40,000
  • 10% for those making $40,000 to $50,000
  • 6% for those making over $50,000

There also were increases of 10% to 15% in starting pay for most positions.

“This is our third pay and class study since 2016, and the biggest bump we’ve seen to date,” said Barbara Hitzemann, director of human resources, in the news release.

To learn more about Pasco’s career opportunities, visit MyPas.co/Jobs.

Published December 14, 2022

This prom gives people with special needs a ‘Night to Shine’

By

Grace Community Church in Wesley Chapel is hosting a “Night to Shine,” an event aimed at giving people with special needs a prom of their own.

Churches around the world will be hosting the event simultaneously on Feb. 10, 2023, according to a news release from Jeff Olsen, pastor of Grace Community.

The event will be held at Cypress Creek Middle School, 8845 Old Pasco Road, Wesley Chapel, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This is the first time the Wesley Chapel church has joined the worldwide event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. Organizers at Grace Community are encouraging those wishing to attend to register early, before the event reaches capacity.

(Courtesy of Grace Community Church)

“Every guest of ‘Night to Shine’ enters this complimentary event on a red carpet, complete with a warm welcome from a friendly crowd and paparazzi,” according to Olsen’s release.

“Once inside, guests receive the royal treatment including corsages and boutonnieres, a catered dinner, karaoke, prom favors, a dance floor… all leading up to the moment when each guest is crowned king or queen of the prom,” the release says.

“Grace Community Church is excited to be a part of this movement that God is using as a catalyst to change how cultures embrace people with disabilities and to rally the church to honor their local community of people with special needs, ensuring they know that they are valued and loved,” the church’s news release adds.

Night to Shine launched in 2015 with 44 host churches and 15,000 volunteers honoring more than 7,000 kings and queens of the prom, according to the release.

In February 2020, 721 host churches and 215,000 volunteers came together to celebrate 110,000 honored guests with special needs.

“Over the past two years, Night to Shine innovated and endured through the pandemic with the first-ever virtual Night to Shine, celebrating thousands of honored guests through unique adaptations, including a complete virtual video experience and socially distanced Shine Thru drive-thru events,” according to the release.

Tebow weighed in on the upcoming event, in the release.

“I’m so excited Night to Shine 2023 will be back in-person! All around the world, individuals with special needs are going to be celebrated like they should be,” he said. “We’ve been able to adapt over the last couple years but we can’t wait to be back together in person to cheer for every guest as they walk the red carpet, dance the night away with their friends, crown them as a king or queen of the prom and most importantly, tell every single one of them that their life has purpose and they are loved by us and the God of this universe.”

Lexus of Wesley Chapel is the Title Sponsor for the inaugural Night to Shine event in Wesley Chapel.

For additional information on the Night to Shine at Grace Community Church, visit NightToShineWesleyChapel.com.

For more information on the worldwide event, visit TimTebowFoundation.org/night-to-shine.

Published December 14, 2022

Pasco County Commission reorganizes

By

The Pasco County Commission has reorganized, naming Jack Mariano as its new chairman and Ron Oakley as its vice chairman.

The other members of the county board are Kathryn Starkey, Seth Weightman and Gary Bradford. Weightman was elected to replace Mike Moore, who did not seek reelection and Bradford defeated incumbent Christina Fitzpatrick.

Weightman and Bradford were sworn in on Nov. 22.

Oakley represents District 1, Weightman represents District 2, Starkey represents District 3, Bradford represents District 4 and Mariano represents District 5.

Pasco County Commission meetings typically are held every other Tuesday, with meeting locations alternating between the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey and the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City.

The meetings are streamed live online and are broadcast on Pasco TV.

Published December 14, 2022