The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Work continues on plans to extend Overpass Road

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Work is set to proceed this spring to lay the groundwork for an extension of Overpass Road, east of Boyette Road to U.S. 301.

Design permitting and re-evaluation of the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study is set to begin this spring and is expected to be finished in 2023.

Pasco County is providing $2.5 million and the Florida Department of Transportation also is providing $2.5 million, according to materials in the Pasco County Commission’s Jan. 25 agenda packet.

The county board approved a Transportation Regional Incentive Program (TRIP) Agreement with FDOT on Jan. 12, 2021, for the design phase of the project.

Under terms of that agreement, Pasco County agreed to fund $2,584,107 and FDOT would fund $2,415,893, of the estimated $5 million design cost.

Typically, TRIP Agreements are funded 50/50, but the FDOT had to reduce its funding by  $84,107 because of fiscal impacts to their Work Program. The state transportation agency agreed to restore those funds in its Fiscal Year 2022 Work Program.

So, the county board approved an action at its Jan. 25 meeting to reduce the amount of funding contributed by the county and increase FDOT’s funding, to arrive at a match of $2.5 million each.

No other changes to the initial TRIP Agreement are proposed.

According to FDOT’s website, the project limits extend from Old Pasco Road on the west to U.S. 301 on the east, for a total length of approximately 9 miles.

Improvements for Overpass Road include the following:

  • Four lanes from Old Pasco Road to Interstate 75
  • A new interchange at I-75 and Overpass Road
  • Six lanes plus two auxiliary lanes from I-75 to Boyette Road
  • Six lanes from Boyette Road to US 301

Published February 09, 2022

Pasco County transfers house to Habitat for Humanity

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Pasco County purchased a property at 14629 20th St., in Dade City, through a foreclosure sale for $60,621.40, according to materials in the Pasco County Commission’s Jan. 25 agenda packet.

At the time of the sale, Pasco County had costs in the property in the amount of $74,877.03 through its Community Development Department.

Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County Inc., has agreed to oversee the rehabilitation of the property, to comply with the county’s building code.

The purchase agreement and developer’s agreement transfers the property to Habitat for Humanity to renovate and sell to a qualified purchaser, as defined by the State Housing Initiative Partnership Program (SHIP). The purchase is subject to a mortgage to Pasco County in the amount of $74,877.03, according to the agenda materials.

The Pasco County Commission authorized the county to convey the property to a not-for-profit organization at a private sale for a nominal price, pursuant to Section 125.38, Florida Statutes.

The county’s Community Development Department recommended approval of the item, which the county board approved as part of its consent agenda. Items on the consent agenda are approved without discussion, as part of a single action.

Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco, describes Habitat for Humanity on its website as a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in approximately 70 countries. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Habitat works toward that vision in partnership with families who need decent and affordable housing. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.

Habitat for Humanity East Pasco was founded in Trilby, in 1994, and merged in 2009 with Central Pasco. Now Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco serves the entire county, east of the Suncoast Parkway.

In 2019, the organization celebrated its 25th year and 150th home dedication.

Published February 09, 2022

The versatility of milk, and alternative plant-based options

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The high fat in coconut milk makes this pudding very filling. Use unflavored almond milk and let the fruit be your sweetener. (Courtesy of Pixabay.com)

Milk is one of those staples that can be used in many dishes.

You can cook or bake with it. Use it in a bowl of cereal. You can add it in smoothies, or you can just drink it.

But did you know about the increasing number of plant-based milk alternatives that are now available on the market?

Here’s a breakdown on some of the options, according to Practical Gastroenterology:

  • Cereal grain-based: oat milk, rice milk
  • Legume-based: soy milk, pea milk
  • Vegetable-based: potato milk
  • Seed-based: flax milk, hemp milk
  • Nut-based: almond, cashew, coconut milk

One downside of plant-based milk is that it is much lower in the nutrients that we usually associate with milk, including protein, Vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus.

Only soy milk has a comparable amount of natural protein to cow’s milk.

While some food companies will fortify, or add, these nutrients to the plant-based milk, that’s not a universal practice.

So, as consumers, it’s important for us to check the food label to see which options yield the most nutrition.

Also, while coconut milk is typically used for cooking rather than drinking straight out of a glass, keep in mind that is high in calories and saturated fat.

Just one cup of canned coconut milk can have over 400 calories and almost 40 grams of saturated fat. Also, if you cook with the entire can, don’t forget that standard cans are more than one cup.

Overall, most plant-based milks are lower in fat and calories, but the main nutrients found in cow’s milk may or may not be equivalent – it depends on the fortification process during manufacturing and the plant source itself.

Plant-based milks, as well as lactose-free milks, can be options for those who are lactose intolerant.

Plant-based milks also provide more options for vegans or those with dairy allergies.

You’ve probably seen plant-based yogurts at the store, too, made with soy milk or almond milk. More stores also are carrying plant-based cheeses, too.

Also, remember that flavored options, which are increasingly popular — such as chocolate soy milk, vanilla almond milk and so on — have high amounts of added sugar. The same is true, of course, for chocolate milk made with cow’s milk.

Here’s a chart, using information from Practical Gastroenterology, to help you consider the pros and cons of the various options:

 

Milk Pros Cons
Cow’s Milk, 2% High in protein, calcium, and Vitamin D Those with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance cannot consume; higher saturated fat
Soy Milk Highest protein and least processed out of all the plant-based alternatives; best for baking and cooking May interact with some medications
Almond Milk Low-calorie; high Vitamin E Very low protein
Rice milk Best for those with many allergies Likely to have added sugar; least amount of protein
Oat milk Has fiber, iron, and some protein May contain common allergens
Coconut milk Has iron, fiber, and potassium High amount of fat compared to others; low in protein
Hemp milk High in essential fatty acids High fat
Cashew milk Creamy taste and texture Low protein
Flax milk Low calories; high in essential fatty acids Very low in protein
Pea milk High in protein; creamy taste and texture Hard to find in stores
Potato milk Contains no fat, soy, nuts or gluten; high in calcium, Vitamin D and B12 Very low in protein; hard to find in stores

 

There’s another milk known as A2 milk. It is milk that comes from cows that were specifically bred to only have A2 proteins.

While the research isn’t definitive, it appears, anecdotally, that the A2 milk is easier to digest for some who can’t tolerate the A1 protein well.

However, because it does have lactose and is considered a dairy product, it isn’t recommended for those who are lactose intolerant or have dairy allergies.

Lastly, regular cow’s milk has the options of reduced fat, low fat and skim milk.

Those options allow you to enjoy the nutritional benefits of milk with less fat and fewer calories.

Whole milk has 8 grams of fat in an 8-ounce glass; reduced fat (2%) has 5 grams of fat; low-fat (1%) has 2.5 grams; and, skim milk has 0 grams.

For those who prefer the taste of full fat milk, but who want to make a change, begin by drinking reduced fat first and then work your way down to skim until you acquire the taste.

Whatever health changes you plan on making this year, make sure you’re getting either plant-based dairy (fortified with vitamins and minerals) or animal-based (preferably low-fat or fat-free) — or a mix of both — as they both count towards the dairy food group.

This year, I’m going to be more adventurous with the plant-based milks and try hazelnut milk, sesame milk and quinoa milk.

The options, truly, are endless.

By Shari Bresin

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

RECIPE: Chia seed pudding

This chia seed pudding uses a combination of two plant-based milks, topped with fruit.

Ingredients and directions:

  • Mix 2.5 ounces of coconut milk, 2.5 ounces of almond milk, and about 1 tablespoon of chia seeds per serving (or more chia seeds if you like it thicker).
  • Refrigerate for a few hours, until thickened.
  • Top with various types of fruit: mango, pineapple, blueberry, raspberry and so on. Nuts are optional.

Published February 09, 2022

Miss Pasco Outstanding Teen

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(Courtesy of Scott and Melanie Mainwaring)

Larkin Mainwaring is a 15-year-old ninth-grader at Pasco eSchool and lives in Dade City. She recently was crowned Miss Pasco County Outstanding Teen. Larkin is passionate about singing and performing, and has been with Showstoppers Performing Arts since she was 8 years old. She also is passionate about raising awareness for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a genetic disease that she lives with. Larkin is excited to represent and serve Pasco County for the next year.

Get off the beaten track, to experience Pasco’s beauty

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Any sport can tamp down frustrations of everyday life. Hiking in the woods goes a step further. It soothes the soul.

Visit one of Pasco County’s trails and you’ll see. You can hike under ancient oaks, past cabbage palms and ferns, through pine , and along swamps and riverbanks.

You’ll hear birdsong, and smell pine needles, bay leaves and loamy lakebeds. You’ll see wild orchids, thick forests, and, maybe you’ll even taste salt air.

Scientists say getting out into nature may ward off depression, high blood pressure, even hyperactivity in children. Some doctors even prescribe a hike in the woods to alleviate stress and anxiety, and to get their patients to cut down on screen time.

Guides lead “forest bathing” meditation tours to soothe worries. And studies have shown that merely looking at photographs of nature or even the color green can be calming.

Hiking is an enjoyable way to immerse yourself in nature and get exercise.

Here are just some places in Pasco County to hit the trail:

Giant oaks, some dating back to before Florida became a state, line nature trails in Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, encompassing 8,300 acres in New Port Richey. (Karen Haymon Long)

Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park
10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., New Port Richey
Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk
Free entrance
Contact: 727-834-3247; PascoCountyFl.net

This 8,300-acre park has a 7.3-mile paved trail that leads to the Suncoast Trail, which runs 42 miles from Hillsborough to Hernando County. Bikes share the park’s paved trail with hikers, but it’s wide enough for both. Woods often line both sides of the paved path, so it feels more serene than urban.

Off the paved trail, signs lead to leaf-strewn nature trails through pine and oak forests, palmettos, fern beds, red mulberry, magnolias and other trees.

Trails are marked with green and blue slashes on trees, so it’s easy to find your way. One trail leads to the Pithlachascotee River, in a spot where it’s tea-colored and crossed with fallen tree trunks.

Birdwatchers have identified 177 species of birds in the park. Look for wood ducks, little blue herons, even sandhill cranes. The park also has a 10-mile equestrian trail, camping, restrooms, picnic shelters, tables and grills.

Nearby, Starkey Gap Trail starts on the south side of State Road 54 at Starkey Boulevard. Heading south, it crosses Trinity Boulevard (where there is a parking lot) and continues through grassy fields, past cow pastures and woods. After about a mile, it joins the Pinellas Trail.

Suncoast Trail
Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk
Free entrance
Contact: PascoCountyFl.net

This 42-mile paved trail passes through Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties, running along the east side of the Suncoast Parkway.

Half the trail is in Pasco County. Benches, water and portable toilets are available in some areas. The trail passes through residential, agricultural and natural areas.

“There are many areas where you really can’t see the parkway,” says David Jay, site supervisor for the Suncoast Trail and Crews Lake Park. “It’s completely wooded to the west in many areas.”

He says most hikers (and bikers) access the trail at State Road 54 at the Suncoast Parkway. That’s the official trailhead, with a free parking lot, a picnic table, portable toilets and a fix-it station.

Pasco County’s other main access points, he says, are off Wellfield Road, where the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park Trail leads onto the Suncoast Trail; and off Shady Hills Road, a mile hike from Crews Lake Park in Spring Hill.

Other Pasco access points are at the Ridge Road Extension, State Road 52, Caldwell Lane, Lawless Road, Bowman Road and County Line Road.

Everywhere you hike in the Green Swamp, you’ll likely see towering trees and watery views. The Green Swamp is a vital recharge area for the Florida Aquifer. (Karen Haymon Long)

Green Swamp Wilderness West Tract
13347 Ranch Road, 5 miles from downtown Dade City in East Pasco County
Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset
Free entrance
Contact: 352-796-7211; www.swfwmd.state.fl.us

This preserve, with an astounding 37,350 acres, has 65 miles of trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders.

A section of the Florida National Scenic Trail meanders through thick woods shaded by towering oaks, pines and magnolias. Some stretches are lined with ponds and brown grasses, saw palmettos and cabbage palms.

On a portion of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, hikers may see deer, wild hogs, turkeys, alligators, wading birds and soaring, squawking osprey.

The Green Swamp is one of Florida’s largest wetlands, and because it is considered an environmentally sensitive habitat, hikers are urged to stay on designated trails.

The tract also has picnic tables, portable toilets and campsites.

Trails in Withlacoochee River State Park near Dade City wend through woods and past the picturesque river. (Courtesy of Experience Florida’s Sports Coast)

Withlacoochee River Park
12449 Withlacoochee Blvd., Dade City
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free entrance
Contact: 352-567-0264; PascoCountyFl.net

This picturesque Pasco County park, on the western edge of the Green Swamp, has sandhill bluffs overlooking the Withlacoochee River, a forest, prairies and wetlands.

Eight miles of well-marked hiking trails and boardwalks loop through the park, past the Withlacoochee River, cypress trees and old oaks. The park also has a 1.7-mile paved trail for walkers and bikers. All trails begin at a kayak dock, the south parking area and the campgrounds.

The park is home to barn owls, woodcocks, ibis, limpkins and many other bird species, some that can be seen from an observation tower. Other amenities: picnic shelters, restrooms, cabins, and primitive and RV campsites.

At Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park in Port Richey, you’ll see springs, deep woods, and maybe even bald eagles and dolphins. (Karen Haymon Long)

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park
8737 U.S. 19 N., Port Richey
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to sunset
Fee: $2 for walkers and bikers; $3 for vehicles with up to 8 people
Contact: 727-816-1890; FloridaStateParks.org

This tranquil park of bayous, salt marches, creeks and thick mangroves is just off busy U.S. 19, but you’d never know it. It’s a peaceful place to hike, kayak and have a picnic.

Each park entrance has hiking trails. The half-mile Springs Trail leads to sinks and artesian springs, through oak hammocks and pinewoods. Just past Salt Spring, if it’s low tide, hikers may see a tidal waterfall created by a spring that is 351 feet deep.

Bald eagles are sometimes seen on the Eagle Trail, along with hawks, roseate spoonbills, great blue herons and snowy egrets. A boardwalk leads to a kayak launch, where you’ll see water views and, if you’re lucky, dolphins and otters.

From the launch, kayakers can paddle through bayous, salt marshes and creeks. The park also has restrooms, picnic tables and a pavilion.

A boardwalk trail makes it easy for hikers to see the Pithlachascotee River in the James E. Grey Preserve in New Port Richey. (Courtesy of Experience Florida’s Sports Coast)

James E. Grey Preserve
6938 Plathe Road, New Port Richey
Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset
Free entrance
Contact: 727-841-4560; FloridaHikes.com

This 80-acre wildlife preserve is on a stretch of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, with 140 bird species, manatees, deer, wild boar, gopher tortoises and more.

Hikers can walk along a boardwalk past the Pithlachascotee River, take the shaded Palmetto Loop, with a river overlook, or follow the Uplands Trail Loop through a scrub habitat of palms, wildflowers and gopher tortoises.

Towering palms cast shadows on the river. Thick palmettos and cabbage palms line the boardwalk, and benches dot trails, all adding to the preserve’s tranquility.

The preserve also has a lake, playground, restrooms, a picnic shelter and an observation deck.

By Karen Haymon Long

Published February 09, 2022

Pasco tourism agency wins prestigious award

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Experience Florida’s Sports Coast (FSC) — the tourism agency for Pasco County — recently won Florida Sports Foundation’s Small Market Venue of the Year award, for the contribution of the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County to the state’s sports tourism industry.

Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex of Pasco County, in Wesley Chapel (Courtesy of Experience Florida’s Sports Coast)

This award was received at the 2021 Florida Sports Summit, held last month at the Hammock Beach Resort on the Palm Coast. The awards given by the Florida Sports Foundation recognize sports industry partners’ contributions to the state’s $57.4 billion sports industry.

The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus opened its doors in August 2020, at 3021 Sports Coast Way, in Wesley Chapel. It since has hosted amateur events sanctioned by several national governing bodies such as USA Volleyball, USA Gymnastics, Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball, AAU volleyball, Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), Florida Senior Games, Special Olympics, and U.S. Club Soccer.

Through those events and others hosted at both the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus and various venues, the county welcomed over 50,000 visitors coming in for sports tourism-related events in the past year, according to a release from FSC. Additionally, those visitors generated over 26,500 room nights with an estimated $27 million in local economic impact for the Pasco community, the release reads.

The Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus offers two 35,500-square-foot multi-purpose courts featuring eight drop-down basketball hoops and 16 volleyball nets; a 5,000-square-foot indoor cheer zone with springboard floor; and two full-size, outdoor multi-purpose fields.

The campus was developed as part of a private-public partnership between Pasco County Commission, the county’s tourism agency, and the Porter Family who donated the land.

Festival-goers determined to have fun, despite frigid weather

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Seventeen-year-old Chase Jordan was among several Pasco High students who volunteered behind the plastic safety shield, while serving customers who were buying fruit at the Kumquat Growers patio. Kumquat Growers also displayed and sold various kumquat products. (Fred Bellet)

Folks attending the Kumquat Festival in Dade City last weekend had at least two things in common: They bundled up to brave the brisk weather, and they helped to mark the festival’s quarter-century anniversary.

Normally, the late January festival benefits from weather that typically is not too hot, or not too cold — but just right for strolling along downtown streets, with their quaint storefronts and hundreds of vendors on hand to offer all sorts of specialty items.

This year, though, an arctic blast reached into the nation’s southeast region causing much colder-than-usual weather for the festival.

Still, people turned out from all over — from places such as Dade City, Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Trinity, Lakeland, The Villages, Spring Hill and other locales.

They were there, enjoying the blue sky and sunshine — and tasting the kumquat pie, purchasing kumquats, grabbing a bite to eat and doing a bit of shopping.

Published February 02, 2022

After buying a slice of kumquat refrigerator pie, Bill Coleman, of Zephyrhills, takes a taste before his wife, Connie, gets to have her taste.
Who would expect Lady Denny, a.k.a. April Collins, of Spring Hill, to be at the Kumquat Festival? Collins, portraying a ‘Lady in Waiting,’ was there to let people attending the Kumquat Festival know about the upcoming Renaissance Festival, that will be at the Withlacoochee River Park, in Dade City.
An albino skunk isn’t fazed a bit by the Winnie-the-Pooh Eeyore hat that Susan Samson, of Trinity, is wearing. Samson was finishing a beverage at the Hug-A-Skunk booth hosted by Florida Skunk Rescue. Della Etters of the group, who is from the city of Hernando in Citrus County, holds a two-year old skunk named ‘Minerva.’
With the Kumquat Growers booth divided by a plastic safety shield, Dade City resident Diane Knight, right, makes her selection from the bags of Meiwa and Nagami-type kumquats for sale. Meiwa kumquats are sweet when eaten whole, skin and all. The Nagami is somewhat sweet, but when eaten whole, the skin adds to the tartness to the tiny citrus fruit.
Zephyrhills resident Jason Aiken hawks bottles of his kumquat-infused honey, at the Kumquat Festival in Dade City. Aiken offered several varieties of pure and local raw honey for sale at his vendor’s tent. Melissa Stebbins, of Dade City, was there to help with sales.
It was a day of firsts for Ayden Pressley, of Dade City. Not only did his grandfather James Pressley, of Dade City, bring him to is first Kumquat Festival, but the three-year-old experienced the Hug-A-Skunk feature sponsored by Florida Skunk Rescue. He is holding a skunk named Oreo, but the creature closely resembled the cartoon character named Pepe le Pew. Ayden’s 8-year-old brother, E.J. Amour, also got a chance to hug Oreo.
Bridget White, of Wesley Chapel, may have been colder than the slices of kumquat refrigerator pie she and other volunteers from the Sacred Heart Early Childhood Center were selling from their tent at the Kumquat Festival. The group was ready for lots of sales: They had 750 pies, each cut into eight slices.
Wilfred Viens, of Zephyrhills, finds the kumquat refrigerator pie to be quite tart, at first taste. But that didn’t stop him from finishing the entire slice that he purchased from the Catholic Women’s Club of St. Anthony’s Church.

 

 

 

 

The Laker/Lutz News wins seven Florida Press Club awards

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The Laker/Lutz News received seven honors during a virtual awards event held by the Florida Press Club to announce winners in its annual Excellence in Journalism Competition.

The Florida Press Club has been honoring the best in Florida journalism for nearly 70 years. Competition categories range from layout to photography to writing.

This year’s honors — for work published between June 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021, were announced on Jan. 22.

Here are The Laker/Lutz News’ results in the contest:

Writing, Education News, Class C
B.C. Manion, first place
B.C. Manion, second place
B.C. Manion, third place

Writing, Government News, Class C
B.C. Manion, first place

Writing, Light Features, Class C
B.C. Manion, first place

Writing, Sports Features, Class C
Kevin Weiss,  second place

Writing, Travel and Tourism, Class C
Kevin Weiss, second place

Weiss recently left the newspaper to accept a role as public information officer for the City of Zephyrhills.

Published February 02, 2022

Girls’ lacrosse continues rapid growth in Pasco area

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Less than a decade ago when someone in the Pasco County area mentioned girls’ lacrosse, the reactions varied: Many didn’t know it existed in the area, and some weren’t even 100% sure what it was.

Suffice it to say, lacrosse has come a long way. That’s especially true when it comes to girls’ lacrosse.

Now, each local high school boasts a varsity lacrosse team. And, there’s a travel team based out of Pasco, too.

It has been a slow process.

High schools in the Pasco area started by adopting lacrosse as a club sport more than a decade ago.

Last season’s Titan’s squad from top left: coach Miri Perez, Olivia Dusch, Maddy Coker (goalie), Isabella Butler, Alessia Lloyd, Bridgette Currin, Chloe Norman, Miranda Garcia and coach Craig Havemann. Bottom left: Paige Peters, Bethany Bonds, Kennedy Young, Hailey Allen, Eva Risinger, Jerianne Morris, Luna Khatib, Mackenzine Smith and Presley Sartori. (Courtesy of Jessica Norman)

In those days, they searched long and hard to find opposing teams.

Back then, most schedules included just a few games each season and there weren’t any playoffs.

But for the past five years, it has been a school-sanctioned varsity sport. Each school now plays  full district schedules, beginning in mid-February.

The teams play 12 games to 15 games a season. They have a chance to  compete in playoffs, and, then, of course, go for a state title.

The Tampa Titans — the only girls’ lacrosse travel team in Pasco — provides a chance for girls to play the sport year-round.

Some of those players aspire to play at the collegiate level, and some receive offers to do just that.

In addition to the Titans, there’s a team called Titans Carolina, which is for girls who are new to the sport or who are at an intermediate skill level and hope to move up to play for the Titans.

Both the Titans and Titans Carolina are led by experienced coaches from Wiregrass Ranch, Land O’ Lakes, Cypress Creek and Wesley Chapel high schools.

The league also offers clinics during the year for those interested in learning the game or who want to remain active, during their high school team’s off-season.

In case you’re one of those people who is unfamiliar with the sport, lacrosse is a game where opposing teams try to get a small rubber ball into their opponent’s goal. Instead of kicking or throwing the ball with their hands or feet, they use long sticks with a net-like basket, which they use to pick up, carry, throw, catch and shoot the ball.

The Titans lacrosse program is now limited to girls who are in currently in seventh grade up to those entering senior year. But later this year, the organization plans to begin allowing girls as young as age 5 to play.

Jessica Norman, vice president of operations for the Titans, has witnessed the benefits of girls playing lacrosse beyond their school team’s schedule.

Her daughter, Chloe, gave up volleyball and track as a freshman at Land O’ Lakes to concentrate on playing lacrosse. She plays for the Gators and the Titans.

She decided to focus exclusively on lacrosse after noticing interest in the sport beginning to grow.

The senior midfielder’s dedication has resulted in a scholarship to play at the University of Montevallo (Division II) in Alabama in the fall.

Jessica Norman is enthused about opportunities to play lacrosse is being expanded for younger players.

“The biggest benefit will be learning and playing the sport together from a young age,” she said. “When a team plays together from a young age, it can be a force to be reckoned with for many years to follow,” she said. That, she added, “helps build a very strong team as well as many lifelong friendships.”

Alix Baldini coaches Chloe Norman for the Land O’ Lakes girls’ lacrosse team and the Titans.

Baldini knows how beneficial it can be for the girls to essentially play lacrosse year-round.

It gives them more chances to build their skills and to gain exposure, which can be beneficial if they are interested in competing at the college level, she said.

“Lacrosse has grown tremendously within the last decade, especially in areas where most had never heard of the sport unless they were from up north along the east coast,” said the sixth-year coach. “High school lacrosse continues to be one of the top sports played by girls due to its versatility of movements from sports like soccer, basketball, volleyball and hockey, as well as its genuine fun and action-packed atmosphere.”

As the league allows more players, the sport will gain greater exposure and is likely to grow, Baldini said.

“Getting kids into the sport at a young age makes it easier to grow and advance compared to those — who, like me — just started playing when they are introduced to the sport in high school,” she said.

Tampa Titans Tryouts
What: Tryouts for the summer season of the Tampa Titans
When: March 6 and March 21, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway, at the fields
Who: Tryouts open to players currently in seventh grade to 11th grade
Info: Email , or visit https://tampatitanslacrosse.sportngin.com/

By Justin Dargahi

Published February 02, 2022

These little libraries are popular

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club donates hundreds of books for the community over the course of every year, to two Little Free Libraries and other outlets that the club supports. Recently, the Nye Park little library was damaged beyond repair, and a gentleman from a Lutz woodworkers group promptly stepped forward and handcrafted and installed a colorful box (shown here) filled with club-provided reading material for local children and adults. Faith Sincich regularly restocks the two boxes and has said that they are well-used by readers.