The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Raisin’ cane, for the love of history

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(Fred Bellet)

Steam rises from the huge vat containing sugar cane juice, as volunteers Marcus Copeland, of Dade City, left, and Jasper Starnes, of Zephyrhills, right, work on skimming any impurities that bubble to the top during the sugar cane syrup-making process. The demonstration occurred in the Cane Mill during The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village Raising Cane and Moonshine Festival. See more photos from the festival in full story.

Festival features sugar cane syrup, and moonshine

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The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village has been raisin’ cane for years, at a festival featuring the art of making syrup from Florida sugar cane.

Jasper Starnes, of Zephyrhills, doesn’t mind getting steamed up, especially when he’s working on skimming any impurities from the 60 gallons of sugar cane juice boiling in the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village Cane Mill. When complete, the juice is boiled down to 6 gallons of sugar cane syrup. (Fred Bellet)

But this year, the event on Jan. 8 added a new element — showcasing the history of moonshine.

Pasco County’s history is replete with stories about moonshiners, and this year, for the first time, the pioneer museum shared part of that history with event-goers.

Jeffro Cotton, of Lithia, volunteered to man the moonshine shed, where he talked about  ‘moonshinin’ and explained how the mash was fermented into alcohol.

Meanwhile, visitors to the event had the chance to see demonstrations of syrup-making from sugar cane and to taste entries in the Southern Syrup-Makers Association Syrup-Tasting Contest Steve Melton, of Trilby, president of the Southern Syrup-Makers Association presented Jack Whitehurst, of Williston, with the first-place ribbon for his cane sugar syrup.

This year’s event had the largest turnout ever for tasting during the event.

Whitehurst said the key to making the syrup was taking his time and doing it the way the old-timers did it.

Beyond syrup-tasting, the event also featured Tarpon Springs Distillery, which offered samples of its products, and had a couple of moonshine cocktails and bottles available for purchase.

Event-goers also had a chance to do a little shopping, grab a bite to eat, enjoy live music and stroll around the 6.5 acres of building displays.

Published January 12, 2022

Jeffro Cotton, of Lithia, volunteered to man the moonshine shed, where he talked about ‘moonshinin.’ He explained how the mash was fermented into alcohol. Leon Rookey, of Dade City, right, passes by the old still, which is covered in verdigris, the green pigment that forms on weathered copper.
Steve Melton, of Trilby, president of the Southern Syrup Makers Association, right, congratulates Jack Whitehurst, of Williston. Whitehurst won the first-place blue ribbon for his cane sugar syrup, in what was the largest turnout ever for tasting during the event. Whitehurst said the key to making the syrup was taking his time and doing it the way the old-timers did it.
Steve Melton, left, president of the Southern Syrup Makers Association, is ready for more oak wood, as Joe Moragues, a volunteer, adds it to the fire, boiling off the 60 gallons to 70 gallons of sugar cane juice. Moragues’ wife, Jena, also is a volunteer. She helps out as a ‘cane stripper,’ she says, with a laugh.
Five-year-old Tanner Weeks, of Dade City, manages to recline on his dad Kyle Weeks, of Dade City, as he was talking cane with Joy Dew, of Dade City, about replanting the sugar cane stalk at home.
Little did 6-year-old Nikolai Hinson, of Dade City, know, but he was tasting the sugar cane syrup that was voted No. 1 by the Southern Syrup-Makers Association Syrup-Tasting Contest. Nikolai, his 9-year-old sister Isabella Hinson, and their aunt Marcia Nichols, who was visiting the family from Minnesota, tasted all 12 samples for judging.
Smoke billows from the chimney atop of the Cane Mill at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village. The fire must be hot enough to boil the 60 gallons to 70 gallons of sugar cane juice down to 6 gallons to 7 gallons of sugar cane syrup.
After sampling the dozen sugar cane syrup entries in the Southern Syrup-Makers Association Syrup-Tasting Contest and listening to a U.S. Sugar presentation, Sid Lehman, of Frostproof, bit into the source of the cane syrup, a sugar cane stalk. Lehman, a snowbird from Indiana, said it was not only his first sugar cane festival, but it was his first time at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village.
Steve Melton brings out the first-, second- and third-place ribbons to be awarded to those winning sugar cane syrup entries. The popular vote gave Jack Whitehurst, of Williston, 77 points out of 259. There were 12 samples from association members in Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

 

 

 

Pasco Health director receives accolade

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Mike Napier

Mike Napier, health officer for the Florida Department of Health-Pasco County, has been named “Pasco County Public Servant of the Year,” by the West Pasco Board of Realtors.

The annual award is bestowed to an individual whose public service actions go above and beyond, according to a news release.

In choosing Napier, the West Pasco Board of Realtors said: “During the past 20 months, Mr. Napier has guided the Health Department in Pasco County through the COVID-19 pandemic in exemplary and tireless fashion. The health department provided essential information and services to the community regarding COVID-19 resources and aided businesses as they navigated through COVID protocols. Mr. Napier worked very closely with the Pasco School District and the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners to provide updates and partner with officials to provide COVID-19 testing and vaccines to county and school staff and students.”

The health department leader’s actions were credited with helping businesses and schools remain open.

The West Pasco Board of Realtors has more than 1,500 members and is the largest trade organization in Pasco County.

Published January 12, 2022

Two new home dedications

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Jimmie Mitchell stands in the kitchen of her new Habitat home. (Courtesy of Habitat Pasco)

Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County celebrated the recent holidays with a pair of new home dedications in Dade City, the first in-person dedications to be done in almost two years, due to the pandemic.

“We have been able to dedicate homes virtually during the pandemic, something that we were grateful for, since Habitat continued to build and sell affordable homes during the pandemic,” said CEO Crystal Lazar, in a news release.

“But to finally be able to see the faces of all those hands and hearts involved in the building of these new affordable homes, well, that can’t be replaced by a video,” Lazar said.

Besides the keys to their new homes, Jimmie Mitchell and Ashley Westberry also received gifts from the East Pasco Quilters Guild and the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.

Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County was founded in 1994 and has enabled 153 families to make a move from rental housing to owning a home of their own.

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County and how to help families that are seeking the opportunity to build a better life, visit HabitatPasco.org.

Published January 12, 2022

Mike Mashke, executive vice president of First National Bank of Pasco, right, hands Ashley Westberry the keys to her new home.

Citizens academy graduates one class, welcomes another

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Pasco County has a program that gives citizens a chance to get an in-depth look at government functions. Here is the recent crop of graduates, along with the Pasco County Commission, the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller and the county attorney. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The Pasco County Citizens’ Academy recently announced the latest group of graduates from its program.

The academy helps to educate citizens about the county’s governmental operations.

It includes sessions hosted by elected officials, department directors and other county staff aimed at providing a deeper look at government functions and services.

In addition to giving citizens a better understanding of local government, the program also helps develop a pool of knowledgeable people who can act as ambassadors, serve on advisory boards and become volunteers, according to information provided by the county.

Here are the names of the recent graduates:

  • Patsy Albert
  • Samantha Almaraz
  • Meghan Benoit
  • Michael Cianfarani
  • Leticia Collins
  • Linda J. Connolly
  • Chris Cusick
  • Cindy Donovan
  • Andrea Eisenhauer
  • Valerie Francis
  • Zach Harris
  • William Humphrey
  • Catherine Julian
  • Stephanie LeFew
  • Renee Logan
  • Brian Persaud
  • Geraldine Sanchez
  • Jessica Schmidt
  • Bonnie Schobert
  • Carissa Villa
  • Scott F. West

A new class begins on Jan. 19.

If you are interested in learning more about the Citizens’ Academy, visit MyPasco.net/citizensacademy.

Published January 12, 2022

Hillsborough wants community’s input on equity, inclusion

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Hillsborough County wants residents to weigh in about diversity, equity, and inclusion issues that impact the quality of life across the county.

The county is offering options for residents to take part in January, to help inform an equity profile study that is now underway, according to a news release.

This input will be used to help guide the Hillsborough County Commission in its decision-making on equity issues.

The county is looking for input regarding inequities that impact the quality of life in the following areas: economic opportunity, housing, land use and zoning, transportation, digital divide, health care, criminal justice and food security.

To participate, call the 24/7 voicemail and leave a message at 813-327-4716, or email The deadline for comments, through either approach, is Jan. 31.

Published January 12, 2022

A Tax Refund Is A Great Way To Fund Home Improvements

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You already may be thinking about how to best use your tax refund, which most people will be receiving in January and February.

“Using your tax refund to be proactive and upgrade your home’s mechanical systems before there are problems, is a gift to your family’s long-term health and comfort,” said Miguel Silva of Cornerstone Pros Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical in Land O’ Lakes

Silva explained that if your home was built in the past 12-20 years, it is likely overdue for a new A/C system, water heater and possible electrical panel.

“With inflation rising and the cost of goods increasing at a rapid rate, a wise investment would be to take your tax return and invest the money back into your home’s mechanical systems prior to additional price increase and to avoid any future shortages,” said Silva.

Tax refunds provide plenty more benefits for home upgrades with a future-oriented mindset. For example, a tax refund can cover the cost of converting to a tankless hot water heater or replacing your electrical panel. And it’s better to take care of it now before the summer months are upon us.

“Most panels in older homes are wired for just 100 or 150 amps, which is not enough wattage for today’s myriad home electronics,” said Silva. “Most tax refunds will easily cover the cost to replace your entire electrical panel with a new one.”

Cornerstone Pros was founded in 2006 in Land O Lakes and has been serving our local community for over 15 years. Over the years, it has built a strong, long-term relationship with the community that is evident by their customer ratings.

“Every morning, we are stocked and prepared to address any customer dilemma that might arise,” said Silva. “Please call us today to get a quote for your home improvement project, so you’re ready to go when your tax refund comes in. We look forward to serving you and having you be one of our satisfied customers.”

Tax Refund Specials

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Upgrade on higher seer A/C and tankless water heater at the same time

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LED lighting upgrade

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And 18-month special financing

*All coupons exclude customer-supplied products

Published December 29, 2021

Avalon Applauds

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Congratulations to Martin J. Levins II, a senior at Saddlebrook Preparatory School in Wesley Chapel, for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Martin is an exceptional student both inside and outside of the classroom. He dedicates his time to studying and has been a member of the National Honor Society since starting high school. The National Honor Society organization recognizes students that commit themselves to values such as scholarship, service and leadership.

Martin also has been recognized nationally for his academic prowess over the years by the executive branch of the United States of America.

“I am a proud recipient of the President’s Award for Educational Excellence each year from 2017-2020,” said Martin.

The award focuses on a recipient’s success within the classroom, and maintaining grades that average from 90-100+ points on the grade point scale.

On Sept. 29, 2019 Martin received his Eagle Scout award, the highest honor a Boy Scout can achieve in the Boy Scouts of America program. Only 4% of scouts go on to achieve this rank by completing merit badges that benefit the community and continuously exemplify the scout oath and law.

“I wanted to become an Eagle Scout to learn leadership and responsibility that could aid me in all aspects of my life,” said Martin. Even to this day, he continues to scout, and is currently a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.

Service is at the forefront of how Martin determines his extracurricular activities. Not just as a Scout, but by using other local organizations as tools of service to give back.

“I’m a School Spartan Ambassador, which involves using the school to raise money for the community,” said Martin. “In November, we raised funds for November Needs. During Christmas, we raised money for a toy drive for underprivileged children, and a campus cleanup.”

In 2020, Martin was awarded the Saddlebrook Preparatory School Community Service Award. He was also was awarded the Green Ball Award for recycling over 40,000 used tennis balls in Saddlebrook.

Martin owes his drive for success and passion to succeed in life to the great example of his father.

“My father has always been my role model and a man that I look up to. He instilled the values in me I hold close in all I do, to this very day,” said Martin. “I am so grateful to have learned about the world from him.”

An amazing start to the new year

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(Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

Meet Eliana Rose Jones — the first baby born at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in 2022. Baby Jones was born at 4:53 p.m., New Year’s Day, weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces. Her proud parents are Sheree and Ian of Land O’ Lakes. The hospital gifted the family a basket of goodies to start the year off in an amazing way. Congratulations to the family and the St. Joseph’s Hospital-North maternity teams.

Worth a repeat

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Gary Owens of Land O’ Lakes, last February, submitted his photo of an osprey in flight over Lake Heron, for our Local Wildlife section. It is worth a repeat, as we look back at some of our favorite reader-submitted wildlife photos.