The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Jolie Smiles Helps Patients Rediscover Their Confidence

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Jolie Smiles, a denture and implant studio in Odessa, provides state-of-the-art dentistry and permanent solutions for patients struggling with either loose, broken or crooked teeth, and/or have been suffering from teeth-related pain. The studio mainly focuses on full-mouth reconstruction procedures, dentures and dental implants.

The studio is led by Dr. Caroline Truong, who with her devoted team provides high-quality, affordable care to her patients who range from 8 years old to 94 years old.

Jolie Smiles has an in-house laboratory, which allows Dr. Truong to fully customize every smile she designs — from shape, color, bite and fit. The in-house lab allows Dr. Truong to offer same-day service and repairs for smiles.

“A smile is one of the most important parts of our body. It’s one of the first things you see on a person,” says Dr. Truong. “It plays a huge role in your overall confidence.”

Dr. Truong time and time again sees new patients walking into Jolie Smiles, with little to no confidence due to their teeth concerns. For Dr. Truong, the confidence she and her team are able to give back to these patients is the most rewarding part of the job.

“We see these success stories all the time, where our patients light up and become a completely different person once they leave that dental chair,” says Dr. Truong.

This is evident in the photo album Jolie Smiles has in its consultation room, which is full of before-and-after photos of patients. The one thing they all have in common? The undeniable physical improvements and confidence they radiate after their procedures with Dr. Truong.

Besides Dr. Truong’s excellent patient care (which has resulted in only 5-star reviews on Google), another way the studio stands out from the crowd is the unique atmosphere it creates.

The dental studio is French-Influenced (“Jolie” is French for “pretty”), and is a nod to Dr. Truong’s childhood. She was born and raised in France, where she experienced the country’s beautiful culture and learned the French language, before moving to Florida when she was 8.

Extremely proud of her upbringing, Dr. Truong makes sure to display the French culture at Jolie Smiles.

When a patient enters the reception room, they will be offered french roast coffee and madeleines, and enjoy experiencing a walking tour of France playing on the TV.

As they walk into the procedure room, and sit down on high-quality black leather dental chairs, they will see “Bonjour (followed by their name)!” on the TV, which also can play movies and shows while the clients’ teeth are being worked on.

Jolie Smiles currently is offering complimentary consultations and second opinions with its 3D scans (value of $460). The studio also offers many flexible financing options to ensure the payment process is as smooth as possible for its patients.

Ready to say goodbye to tooth pain, broken or crooked teeth, and enjoy a healthier smile? Make an appointment with Jolie Smiles today! www.joliesmiles.com

Send us your First Day of School photos

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It’s that time of year when students of all ages are beginning a new school year and for many, that means it’s time to pose for the traditional First Day of School photos.

The Laker/Lutz News loves sharing these photos that have been taken by parents, grandparents, friends and relatives.

It has become of our annual tradition to share these special moments with our readers, and we can’t do that unless families choose to send their photos to us.

Besides being fun in the moment, in many ways these photos are similar to tiny time capsules, capturing a moment and recording changes in height, hair styles and fashion over time.

We hope you enjoy seeing these photos as much as we enjoy publishing them.

If you’d like to submit your photos, please be sure to let us know:

  • The first and last name of the student
  • The student’s age and grade
  • What school the student attends and the name of their community, such as Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, and so on
  • The name of the person submitting the photo, along with contact information, in case we have questions.

We’re planning to publish the photos on Aug. 24.

To enable us to meet that deadline, please send your First Day of School photos by Aug. 14, to .

Jazzy likes The Laker

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(Courtesy of Debbie Morton)

Dog walker Debbie Morton shared this photo of Jazzy, a 1-year-old whippet, who lives in Land O’ Lakes. Jazzy waits patiently for Morton to arrive so she can retrieve the paper for her owner, Christina Becker. Jazzy likes to read The Laker, too!

Lutz Branch Library recruiting ‘friends’ of the library

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The Friends of the Lutz Branch Library are back in action collecting your used books and providing an array of affordably priced books for your reading pleasure, according to a news release from the group.

The group also offers many children’s books and a dedicated bookshelf to support home-schoolers.

The Friends, as they are known, were inactive because of the COVID-19 pandemic and also on hiatus during the six-month renovation of the library.

(File)

The library is open again and The Friends have organized and stocked the Book Depot with a diverse collection of hundreds of donated books ready for patrons, the release says.

The Lutz Friends of the Library was formed in 2000 by Helen Swisshelm, its first president and Hillsborough County Library Board member from 1990-2005.

The Friends of the Library is a nonprofit group, with members who have a passion for books and the betterment of the local community.

Funds raised from book sales are used to sponsor programs and events at the Lutz Branch Library.

If you’d like to help, you can visit the Book Depot and make a purchase, donate books for the store, become a member of the Lutz Friends chapter, make a donation, and spread the word by telling your friends and liking their Facebook page.

You also can provide the Friends with feedback via a Patron Survey found on the Book Depot door. The group is volunteer- based and anyone can join.

If you’d like to find out more, stop by the Lutz Branch Library, at 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, in Lutz.

Hillsborough seeks help with Ecochallenge

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Hillsborough County and its partners are seeking help in the 2022 Plastic Ecochallenge.

The county is asking you to help the county earn points by completing waste-reduction actions.

The Plastic Free Ecochallenge is an international monthlong event that ends July 31, according to a Hillsborough County news release

“The goal is to encourage a shift away from single-use plastic dependency and create a more sustainable society,” the release says.

You can get involved by visiting ReduceYourUseTampaBay.org.

After joining Reduce Your Use Tampa Bay, visit the Ecochallenge page to sign up for the challenge and start earning points for the team by completing waste-reduction actions.

The site suggests dozens of ways you can help reduce waste, or you can think up some actions of your own.

Some ways to help reduce waste include: being committed to skipping plastic bags, using a reusable water bottle, or preparing meals without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

The Reduce Your Use Tampa Bay Ecochallenge team includes Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, City of Tampa, City of St. Petersburg, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, and Keep Pinellas Beautiful. These municipalities and nonprofits also are partners in the Reduce Your Use Tampa Bay campaign.

The three Reduce Your Use Tampa Bay team members from Hillsborough or Pinellas counties with the most points by July 31 will receive eco-friendly items provided by the campaign, according to the release.

Published June 20, 2022

During disasters, they’re ready to help — and reliable

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It almost goes without saying that hurricane winds wreak havoc on power lines and make it harder to communicate — and that those damages often occur at precisely the same time when communications are critical.

D.M. Barrett modulates over his ham radio set, utilizing an antenna he designed. (Fred Bellet)

When that happens, there are volunteers who stand ready to step in and help.

They’re called ham radio operators.

Volunteer amateur radio operators provide a free public service to their communities during a disaster or emergency — without the need for a cellphone or the internet.

Dan Lindberg tunes in on his radio and prepares to check-in on the air.

Members of the East Pasco Amateur Radio Society recently took part in the national Amateur Radio Field Day, to demonstrate the ability of ham radios to work reliably, under almost any condition and from nearly any location.

The field day exercises were held over the weekend of June 25 and June 26, at the San Antonio Train Depot, 32700 Railroad Ave., in San Antonio.

The field day demonstrated how ham radios can be used to establish an independent communications network.

The East Pasco Amateur Radio Society is affiliated with Pasco County Emergency Management and many members of the group belong to the Amateur Radio Emergency Services. Some are certified in Pasco County’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

The Amateur Radio Emergency Services consists of FCC licensed amateur radio operators who are trained in emergency communications and voluntarily registered with their qualifications and equipment for communications duty in public service, when called upon or when a disaster strikes. It provides support as a reliable back-up system, if regular means of communications fail.

The Amateur Radio Emergency Services provides communications as public service to the federal, state and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations.

For more information about the East Pasco Amateur Radio Society, visit EPARSonline.org.

For information about the Amateur Radio Emergency Services, email , or call 813-991-7160.

Published July 13, 2022

Wearing his call letters on his cap, 85-year-old Bill Roller, of Zephyrhills, was the first to arrive for the national Amateur Radio Field Day exercise at the San Antonio Train Depot on Railroad Avenue, in San Antonio.
Using a hand-held microphone, Chris Bloxsom makes contact with another amateur radio club and uses call letters to identify the East Pasco club. The field day exercise is crucial for ham radio operators, who often provide a vital link of communication during emergencies.
Volunteer Tim Cunningham coordinates Pasco County amateur radio groups during the field day, as a volunteer for Pasco County Amateur Radio Frequency Services. Here, he contacts a west Pasco amateur station participating in the field day event. Cunningham is a former member of Pasco County Fire Rescue.

Tax Collector’s branch office making temporary move

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The current office of the Pasco County Tax Collector’s on Pet Lane in Lutz has temporarily relocated for renovations.

The move took effect on July 11.

The tax collector’s office will be operating temporarily at 4614 Pet Lane, Suite 109, in Lutz — just one building away from its normal location.

The improvements being done are intended to allow the office to better serve the community, according to a news release from the tax collector’s office.

Additional service windows and more seating in the lobby area will make the office more comfortable for our customers.

“We are excited to be able to undertake these changes to our Wesley Chapel office,” Tax Collector Mike Fasano, said in the release. “Our goal as an organization is to make a visit to our office as easy and as simple as possible. With the changes we will be making that goal will be possible each time our customers enter our office. Our temporary location will literally be in the building next door to our current location. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.”

The remodeling is expected to be completed by Oct. 31.

During this time, the office will continue to offer most services that it has been offering at that location, with the exception of concealed weapons permits and all written testing.

Those services will be offered at other tax collector office locations in the county.

For more information, call 352-521-4338, 727-847-8032 or 813-235-6076.

Published July 13, 2022

Summer’s here — a great time for grilling

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What’s for lunch?

Shall we have some barbecue, or barbeque, or perhaps BBQ?

Well, no matter how you spell it, if it’s a summer gathering, chances are that grilled or barbecued foods are on the menu.

People often use the words grilling and barbecuing interchangeably, but the cooking methods differ.

Technically, when barbecuing:

  • Food is cooked at about 225 degrees F
  • Food is cooked slowly, from 4 hours to 24 hours
  • The lid is closed to create an encircled unit of heat for flavor

This method works best for larger, tougher and fattier cuts of meat, such as ribs, shoulder and brisket.

When grilling:

  • Food is cooked at 500 degrees F, or higher
  • Food is cooked quickly, from 5 minutes to 15 minutes
  • The lid is removed and the heat source is directly beneath the food

This method works best for thin or ground meats, such as burgers, chicken breast, or steak.

Whether you prefer to grill or barbecue, chances are you’ll have plenty of opportunities to show off skills.

There are a lot of foods you can grill or barbecue, to serve at gatherings. When grilling, be sure to remember to cook ground turkey to 165°F. Ground beef and pork should be cooked to 160°F. (Courtesy of Pixabay.com)

Some of the most popular occasions for grilling have already gone by this year.

The Fourth of July is the most popular day in America to have a barbecue. An estimated 73% of the country consumes barbecue on Independence Day.

Memorial Day ranks second, at 60%; and, Father’s Day, places third, at 45%.

But there’s plenty of summer left — which means opportunities for family picnics, birthday parties, reunions and other gatherings.

Here are a few fun facts about barbecue.

First off, it didn’t originate in the United States.

Spanish explorers encountered barbecue on the Caribbean islands in the 1500s, where the Native Americans were cooking meat and fish on a wooden frame made out of green wood – freshly chopped wood with a high moisture content – over fire. The explorers noticed how the wooden platform didn’t burn.

The natives called this cooking method barbacoa, and as the Spanish continued their journey north, they brought this “new” cooking method with them, where it eventually spread throughout the colonies, according to Smithsonian Magazine.

Pork became the predominant cooked meat, as pigs thrived well, once brought to America. The pigs needed minimal care, reproduced quickly, and lived easily on tobacco farms.

Hogs also could be cooked whole and could feed a big crowd, and because of that barbecued pork became the go-to meal for large social events or feasts.

As time went on, regions of the U.S. developed their own styles of barbecue.

Four regions with a distinct approach are the Carolinas, Texas, Memphis, and Kansas City.

  • The Carolinas: Pork is the traditional meat of choice. The sauce is typically vinegar-based, thanks to British influence, but also mustard-based, as many French and German immigrants settled in South Carolina, and mustard was common in their cuisine.
  • Texas: The Texas style has similar sauces to the Carolinas, but thanks to cattle farming, it expanded to more than just pork.

Of course, even within Texas, there’s a split between Eastern and Central with the different variations.

  • Memphis: Memphis cooks its barbecue with a sweeter sauce, typically tomato-based with molasses. Because the city was located along the Mississippi River, it had easy access to molasses. Like the Carolinas, pork is the main meat.
  • Kansas City: In the early 1900s, a Memphis-born African American man named Henry Perry opened up the first barbecue restaurant in Kansas City, and while he kept the sweet sauce tradition of Memphis, he mixed in beef in addition to pork, combining Texas and Memphis style.

He was known as the barbecue king.

Of course, there are as many variations as there are cooks who like to experiment.

Alabama has a white sauce, which is a combination of a mayonnaise and vinegar-based sauce.

If you’re not a meat-eater, there are vegetarian options, too, including veggie burgers, bean burgers, and meat alternative burgers that have similar taste and texture as meat.

RECIPE
Herbed Turkey Burger (Six servings) – Courtesy of the University of Illinois Extension:

Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground turkey
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
½ cup minced parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tablespoon thyme
1 teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon salt

Directions:
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and form six patties.
Refrigerate burgers until ready for cooking.
Grill patties on medium heat for 7 minutes each side, or until burger reaches internal temperature of 165°F.
Add any toppings of tomato, leaf lettuce, cheese or sliced avocado to your liking, as well as your choice of bun.

By Shari Bresin

Published July 13, 2022

Avalon Applauds Caterpillars to Butterflies

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Congratulations to Caterpillars to Butterflies, a local nonprofit dedicated to helping foster families in Pasco County, for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

The nonprofit was founded by Tracy Hanson, who got her start with foster children advocacy when she began her journey as a Guardian Ad Litem four years ago.

Hanson and her team of volunteers believe every child should have the opportunity to flourish.

Caterpillars to Butterflies’ main mission is to help the foster parents with any needs that will help the child. The nonprofit assists with back-to-school supplies, provides birthday and Christmas gifts for the children, and even helps with the costs of activities/after-school programs/camps that will benefit these children in the pursuit of their dreams and passions.

Through the help of a local church, the nonprofit even offers Parent’s Night Out, where Hanson and her team of volunteers watch all the kids so that the caregivers can have a date night.

“That is something that the foster parents seldom get, so it’s very appreciated,” says Hanson.

The nonprofit also offers a Foster Closet, in Zephyrhills, where the foster parents can immediately go and pick up clothes, shoes and toiletries that the child needs, at no charge. The closet is open by appointment only, and is always accepting donations of gently used clothes; diapers; formula, and more.

When reflecting on Caterpillars to Butterflies, Hanson says the triumphs of each child makes the nonprofit a worthwhile cause.

“When you see a child accomplish something for the first time because somebody believed in them, that is success,” says Hanson.

She recounts success stories like sending kids to basketball and volleyball camps so that scouts would see them for college teams, kids that found their passion in the music/art industry, and even an autistic child that learned to swim on their own.

“I had a child tell me once that ‘You believe in me like no one ever has.’ That is why we do what we do at Caterpillars to Butterflies,” says Hanson.

For more information on Caterpillars to Butterflies and how to support this nonprofit through its various fundraisers throughout the year, go to https://caterflies.org

ICI Homes Continues to Sell and Expand in Today’s Market

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ICI Homes, one of Florida’s best-known and prestigious homebuilders, is continuing to sell and expand, as a large number of buyers from different markets across the country are still trying to move to Pasco County.

“Out-of-state buyers from east to west coast are attracted to Pasco County because of its highly desirable master-planned communities, excellent schools and superior road network,” says Greg Jones, Tampa division manager for ICI Homes.

For ICI Homes, Pasco is the hub of its Tampa Bay operations. Its team is dedicated to helping families find beautiful lots and select from a variety of floor plans in some of Pasco’s most prestigious communities — Asturia in Odessa, Bexley in Land O’Lakes, Persimmon Park in Wesley Chapel, and Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City.

Move-in Ready Homes are Available at Lake Jovita
Move-in showcase inventory homes are currently under construction and will be ready by the end of this year in Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club, for customers who are looking to settle down in Dade City for that short, 20-minute drive to Wesley Chapel and the old-fashioned charm of downtown Dade City.

Some of the inventory homes that will be offered in Lake Jovita include the Charlotte, Costa Mesa and Egret. According to Jones, all three floor plans are some of the most popular floor plans throughout the state of Florida.

The Charlotte, Costa Mesa and Egret range from just over 2,000 to 3,000 square feet and are all offering large indoor and outdoor living areas along with oversized bedrooms. Each floor plan is positioned on premium homesites throughout the community and are well appointed with the latest design features.

Phase Two of Persimmon Park is Opening Soon
The land development team is working hard on phase two, which is almost completed. ICI Homes will be starting to offer a VIP interest list this July.

“With the continued high demand for the Wesley Chapel area, we are excited to have finished phase one of Persimmon Park and are looking forward to starting phase two,” says Jones.

Located in Wesley Chapel by The Shops at Wiregrass, all Persimmon Park homes have open floor plans with front porches, and garages and alleys at the back of the home. Its amenity center includes a unique T-shaped luxury pool, with cabanas and a grilling area.

The Primrose is Persimmon Park’s most popular floor plan. This two-story plan features nearly 2,500 square feet of living space, with a master bedroom suite on the main level, along with one guest bedroom and bathroom. The spacious living area is connected to a beautiful kitchen and dining area, with plenty of room for family and friends to gather. The second story includes two additional bedrooms, a full bath, and a bonus room that is perfect for gaming, entertaining, family time or guest privacy.

Connerton is Almost Sold Out
As for Connerton, Jones says the demand is equally as high and warns that the community is almost completely sold out.

“Connerton, Pasco County’s largest, master-planned, mixed-use community is located in Land O’ Lakes and is one of the developments that many people are interested in,” says Jones.

Only four homesites currently are available at Connerton, but a recent showcase home in the community will be ready by the end of the year for potential buyers.

A popular gated community within Connerton, Rose Pointe, offers a clubhouse with a full-time activities director, fitness center, gym, large resort-style pool and more. This small, gated community is one of the many features that makes Connerton stand out to potential homebuyers.

Another gem in the Rose Pointe community is the Connerton Nature Preserve, which features a scenic 2-mile trail that winds through natural wilderness, lakes and wetlands. The trail’s 10-foot-wide sidewalks allow for easy biking and walking through Connerton’s picturesque landscape.

A New Phase is Coming to Bexley
ICI Homes is excited to be back in Bexley and offering a wide range of floor plans. A VIP interest list will be offered to potential buyers this July.

Bexley, a planned community that embraces Land O’Lakes natural settings, has thousands of acres of preserved wetlands, miles of recreational trails and a great location off State Road 52 and the Suncoast Parkway.

ICI Homes model homes are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday. The Persimmon Park model is at 3793 Lajuana Blvd., Wesley Chapel; the Lake Jovita Sales Center is at 12330 Lake Jovita Blvd., in Dade City; and the Asturia model is at 2112 Secret Cove in Odessa. To schedule a VIP appointment, call 844-349-6401, or email Jones at .

Published June 29, 2022