The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

A picture is worth a thousand words

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(Fred Bellet)

Academy at the Lakes East Pasco County All-Star catcher Josiah Bayona dives for a foul tip during game action against the West Pasco County All-Stars. Both West baseball and softball teams beat the East in the fourth annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) All-Star Baseball and Softball Games at Bishop McLaughlin High School fields. See more photos from 2021 below.

Looking to Buy a Home in the New Year?

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Soon we’ll be ringing in the new year and ICI Homes — one of Florida’s best-known and prestigious homebuilders — will be celebrating 2022 by opening a limited number of premium homesites in Rose Pointe at Connerton.

Connerton, Pasco County’s largest, master-planned, mixed-use community is located in Land O’ Lakes. Rose Pointe is a small gated community within Connerton, and offers a clubhouse with a full-time activities director, fitness center, gym, large resort-style pool and more.

“Rose Pointe is already an established community with beautiful homes,” said Greg Jones, Tampa division manager for ICI Homes. “The community matches well with ICI Homes’ ability and our customers desire to customize their homes to match their personal interest.”

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.

Phase Two of Persimmon Park Is On Its Way
ICI Homes also has three available homes remaining in Phase I of Persimmon Park, located in Wesley Chapel in the Wiregrass Ranch community. In this community, all of the 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.

Early next year, ICI will release information in regard to the commencement of Phase II.”

“With the continued high demand for the Wesley Chapel area, we are excited to finish phase one of Persimmon Park and look forward to starting phase two as soon as possible,” said Jones.

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.

New Homesites Are Coming To Lake Jovita
ICI Homes is continuing to see a high level of interest in Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City, so the prestigious homebuilder is still releasing homesites in the community, on a limited basis.

“We are still seeing a lot of growth in Dade City. Families love the short, 20-minute drive to Wesley Chapel and the old-fashioned charm of downtown Dade City,” said Jones.

One inventory home, with the Arden floor plan, will be ready in January of the new year.

The Arden is a 2,402-square-foot, one-story home designed for entertaining and gracious family living. The foyer leads to a large living room centrally located for maximum convenience. A spacious gourmet kitchen and dining area are perfect for entertaining guests or spending quality time with the family. Views from the dining room look out on the covered lanai and large backyard. The master suite features a luxurious bath and a large double entry walk-in closet, and the home is designed so that children and guests can enjoy their own separate spaces.

Asturia Is Sold Out
Asturia, a 550-home master-planned community situated on 500 pristine acres in Odessa along the State Road 54 corridor, just five minutes from the Suncoast Parkway, is sold out of lots.

ICI Homes is the exclusive builder in Asturia and has built plenty of inventory homes, including the one-story, 2,193-square-foot Juliette III, for families looking for open and spacious floor plans that include Florida-lifestyle features like summer kitchen patios, open balconies, and tons of windows.

“Asturia is one of the most successful developments in Pasco County, which residents love for its smaller size and convenient location to major roadways,” said Jones.

Asturia offers a kid-friendly, family oriented lifestyle surrounded by miles of multi-use trails, interspersed with dog parks and pocket parks. Its distinctive, 5,800-square-foot Amenity Center includes a fully equipped fitness center, covered outdoor living rooms, a luxurious resort-style swimming pool and expansive lawn areas for recreation.

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 Asturia model is at 2112 Secret Cove in Odessa; and the Lake Jovita Sales Center is at 12330 Lake Jovita Blvd., in Dade City. To schedule a VIP appointment, call 844-349-6401, or email Jones at .

Published December 29, 2021

Mattamy Homes’ Highest Priority Is Its Homeowners

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Mattamy Homes — the largest, privately owned homebuilder in North America — prides itself on giving exceptional customer service to its residents and offering them a meticulously-planned, quality community to live in.

This industry-leading homebuilder recently was awarded Community of the Year (multi-family) and Community of the Year (single-family under 500 units) for Parkview at Long Lake Ranch, along with Best Floor Plan (2000-2999 sq. ft.) for the Elm at Parkview at Long Lake Ranch, at the 2021 Tampa Bay Builders Association Awards of Excellence held in November.

Volanti’s amenities will include a resort-style swimming pool with an open-air pavilion, a barbecue area and a fire pit.

“It’s a huge honor to receive that recognition from the industry and our peers,” says Kathleen Dec, Director of Marketing at Mattamy Homes.

Residents of Parkview at Long Lake Ranch, like Maira Ortiz, couldn’t agree more with the recognition given to Mattamy Homes.

“It feels very safe, family-oriented and comfortable living here,” says Ortiz, “It’s been a great experience so far.”

Ortiz, her husband and their two kids have lived in the Seville model for a little over one year now.

One of the selling features about Parkview for Ortiz was the proximity to everything in the local area.

“You make a right and you’re in Wesley Chapel, you make a left and you’re in Tampa,” says Ortiz, “It’s a great central location.”

Parkview at Long Lake Ranch is located along State Road 54, close to U.S. 41 and Sunlake Boulevard, in Lutz. The community offers single-family homes and townhomes that are available for sale, and six decorated model homes that are open daily for touring.

Husband and wife duo Fernando Vidal Otero and Verónica Negrón Mieles also live in Parkview and purchased the Venice townhome back in late November 2020.

The couple says they loved all the features that came with the home design.

“There is a guest room on the first floor that is in front of a full bathroom, so you can have guests come over and they can have their own separate space,” says Negrón Mieles.

“Plus, the back of the house has a view of the pond, so it’s very nice and relaxing.”

The couple and Ortiz all give a glowing review to Mattamy Homes for its exceptional customer service through the building process.

“Our agent was with us the whole process. That was one of the best things to happen during the process,” says Otero, “And our builder was very communicative about the progress of the home. He was great.”

“They [Mattamy Homes] are very accommodating and willing to help you every step of the way,” says Ortiz, “I just felt like they really cared.”

Last month, Parkview opened a new amenity center, called Parkview Pavilion, that features a resort-style pool, shaded breezeway, cabanas and social gathering areas.

Residents of this gated community also can enjoy another outdoor gathering area that includes hammocks, a comfortable seating area, cornhole and a dog park.

“People of all ages are enjoying it,” says Dec, “It was really important for us to create  gathering areas in the community that homeowners can use for a variety of activities, recreation or just relaxing.

Dec really hopes these new amenities bring a new sense of community.

“That’s exactly what they’re designed to do,” says Dec.

Townhomes Now Open in Wesley Chapel
Nearby in Wesley Chapel, Mattamy Homes has opened four new decorated model townhomes with contemporary exterior styling in its all-new l community of Volanti, located on Wesley Chapel Boulevard at Hay Road. Models are professionally decorated and open for tours daily, with private personalized appointments available.

Volanti is the debut of Mattamy Homes’ new contemporary exterior style of townhomes.

Four floor plans are available, ranging from 1,667 to 2,574 square feet, with three to four bedrooms and 2.5 to three baths. There are three exterior styles available at Volanti — Craftsman, French Country and Contemporary. Base pricing begins in the low to mid $300s.

“Volanti is the debut of our new Contemporary exterior style of townhomes, designed to offer a more modern, fresher look,” said Lisette Minnick, the homebuilder’s Tampa & Southwest Florida Division vice president of sales.

Four distinct floor plans are available at Volanti — Marianna, Ormond, Sebring and Venice. All have one- or two-car attached garages and large lanais.

The gated community will have 200 homes at build out, and fun-filled, family friendly amenities, including a resort-style swimming pool with an open-air pavilion, a barbecue area and a fire pit. Construction on the amenities began in October, and Mattamy Homes expects to have them completed by early summer.

Making the community even more attractive is free lawn maintenance and no Community Development District (CDD) fees. Townhomes are released for sale regularly, but home offerings may be limited for a temporary time frame, due to the current high demand for homes, and labor and material constraints.

Located just 4 miles from Interstate 75, Volanti boasts excellent access to the best of the Wesley Chapel area, including premier shopping and dining destinations.

Citron Grove Coming Soon
Mattamy Homes recently announced that it also is building 60 new townhomes in Citrus Park, on Gunn Highway, called Citron Grove. The Craftsman-style townhomes will have two floor plans available — the Marianna and Ormond. Pre-sales will begin in February. Citron Grove is just 1.5 miles from the Veterans Expressway, 2 miles from Citrus Park Mall, and 12 miles from Tampa’s Westshore Business District and International Airport. The gated community, which was formerly Be Mac Nursery, will offer low-maintenance living, value-oriented price points and outstanding schools. Interested parties should register for updates on the website.

About Mattamy Homes
Mattamy Homes is North America’s largest privately-owned homebuilder, with over 40 years of experience building homes across the United States and Canada. From the beginning, our vision and promise has remained the same: to build thoughtfully designed homes and communities that reflect the needs of the families living in them, ensuring a lifetime of happiness for each. Mattamy Homes is proud to build homes for more than 8,000 families each year.

Mattamy Homes operates in eleven markets across the United States, with headquarters in Orlando, Florida. Other markets include Naples, Sarasota, Tampa, Jacksonville, Southeast Florida, Charlotte, Raleigh, Dallas, Phoenix and Tucson. In Canada, Mattamy communities can be found across the greater Toronto area and Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton.

Visit MattamyHomes.com or see a Mattamy New Home Counselor for further details and important legal disclaimers.  This is not an offer in states where registration is required. Void where prohibited by law.

For more information about all of Mattamy Homes’ local communities, go to MattamyHomes.com/florida/tampa.

Published December 29, 2021

Parkview Sebring
Parkview Myrtle
Parkview Myrtle
Volanti Sebring

It’s All About Community at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

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“One of the most important parts of building a town is supporting the community it is comprised of,” says Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing and community relations for Avalon Park Group.

Here are just some of the ways Avalon Park Wesley Chapel has supported its community this year:

Championing The Local Arts

The Wesley Chapel Theater Group

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is collaborating with The Wesley Chapel Theater Group, a new group that is banding together to create a local community theater for Wesley Chapel residents.

“It is our pleasure to support local, grass-roots organizations that build up the arts, especially when it provides opportunities to meet and build relationships with neighbors,” says Beat Kahli, president and CEO of Avalon Park Group.

One of those neighbors — and a resident of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel for the past five years— is Rodney Bueno, artistic director for The Wesley Chapel Theater Group.

Bueno says he’s extremely grateful to Avalon Park Wesley Chapel for allowing his group to use the welcome center for its meeting and rehearsal space.

“It’s definitely nice to bring something that I love to the community I live in. I hope to do that for a long time because I plan on living here for a long time,” says Bueno.

For more information on The Wesley Chapel Theater Group, email .

Giving Back To The Troops
To give back this holiday season, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel partnered with The Stano Foundation, a nonprofit in Wesley Chapel dedicated to supporting troops of all branches, both active duty and veterans.

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel’s entire team recently helped to make 100 care packages for the troops.

“We are always looking for ways to give back to our community, and we love every time we get to collaborate with The Stano Foundation,” says Marielle Fernandez, marketing and events coordinator at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

“Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is not only an amazing community, but one that loves to give back to so many. We are so grateful for their partnership, as we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without their support,” says Paula Stano, founder of The Stano Foundation.

For more information on The Stano Foundation, visit Stano.org.

Partnership With The Pasco Fine Arts Council
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel began its partnership with the Pasco Fine Arts Council and its East Pasco Fine Arts Gallery back in 2019.

The residential community offered its Welcome Center as a new gallery on the east side of the county. The developer also committed to building a permanent arts center in its downtown, in coming years.

“This partnership brings great opportunities to expand the arts to not only our community, but the entire east side of the county,” says Lerret.

The vision the leaders at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel have for the arts in their master-planned community meshes perfectly with that of the Pasco Fine Arts Council.

“We want to have art classes and workshops for our community, and a place to share artwork created by students and adults,” says Beat Kahli, president and CEO of Avalon Park Group. “As it turns out, the Fine Arts Council has been providing these types of programs for years, and all they needed was a place in East Pasco to bring their programs and exhibits to our residents in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, San Antonio and Dade City.”

For more information about the Pasco Fine Arts Council, visit PascoArts.org.

Published December 29, 2021

Bella Home Market Makes Top 100 Retailer List

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Bella Home Market in Lutz has always been known for its unique gifts and home décor finds; however, this month the retailer is being recognized for its dedication to the Dixie Belle brand.

For three years now, Bella Home Market has been named a Top 100 Retailer for its sales of the popular mineral paint, Dixie Belle. The achievement is not limited to local retailers, but out of all 2,400 sellers worldwide.

The VOC (volatile organic compound)-free paint gets delivered to Bella Home Market straight from the factory in Port Richey. It has the ability to adhere to a variety of surfaces, and comes in many colors that are perfect for creative projects. From wood furniture refurbishment, to more complex undertakings such as painting glass and metal, Dixie Belle proves reliable.

As an elite retailer of Dixie Belle, Bella Home Market carries every product line Dixie Belle offers, including its silk line of paint, which is a primer, paint and sealer all in one.

Lou Malerba, owner of Bella Home Market, hosts classes in-store to help guests learn the technique for working with the paint properly. The class includes access to its entire selection of colors and all of the materials are included in the price. Veterans of the product may even pick up new creative revelations with tools that may not have been at their disposal before.

For online orders and Dixie Belle class signups, visit BellaHomeMarket.com.

Published December 29, 2021

New bell times await students

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Pasco County Schools wants to remind students and parents of the changes that are being put in place for when students return after Winter Break.

New bell times begin on Jan. 4; if you are unsure of the new time for your student, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us.

Bus passes are now available in myStudent. The district sent an email notifying parents of the updated bus information. If the email was not received, call the bus garage in your area.

The bus garage phone numbers are as follows:

West Compound: 727-774-0400

Northwest Compound: 727-774-0540

Central Compound: 813-794-0520

East Compound: 352-524-0560

Southeast Compound: 813-794-0500

Temporary delays can be expected. These delays will be reduced, as everyone adjusts to the new schedule.

Pasco County Schools will have safety precautions in place, just as it did during the first week of school.

Published December 29, 2021

Having a good time throughout the region

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People found lots of ways to entertain themselves and entertain each other throughout 2021. The Laker/Lutz News captured a lot of those moments and we’re sharing a sampling of those good times.

Mexican aerialist Gloria Castillo performs stunts high above the crowd during the first night of The Loomis Circus, which set up its big tent in February at the Grove at Wesley Chapel, off State Road 54 and Oakley Boulevard. (File)
Cody, an 8-year-old Yorkie, was dressed as a tarantula by Orkin Man Scott Smith, of Clermont, for a dog costume contest. The pair turned out with other dogs and their owners to Dogs Day in Dade City, in March.
The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village drew quite a crowd for its 32nd annual Farm Festival and Quilt Show. Here, feisty ‘Louie’ and ‘Bud’ get jumpy at the start of the draft horse event, as a team member for Jason Abrell, of Russell Springs, Kentucky, gains control of the work horses competing in the Southern Draft Horse Association’s Draft Horse Pull. (File)
Eighty-six-year-old Frank Gude is Mr. Kumquat. The St. Joe man has been around kumquat trees since he was a kid and can tell you anything you want to know about the tiny citrus fruit. He was among those joining in at Dade City’s Kumquat Festival. The event was delayed until March this year because of concerns about COVID-19. (File)
It’s not every day a Little League celebrates its 50th anniversary, but the Land O’ Lakes Little League turned a half-century old this year and celebrated with special opening day festivities. Show here, winding up the first pitch of the season for girls’ softball is Jacklynn Neel. (File)
Four-year-old Lincoln Hollingsworth, decked out in his skeleton costume, carried the scarecrow that he and his parents, Scott and Lindsey Hollingsworth, made at the Scarecrow Festival at Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road. Lincoln’s 1-year-old sister, Nora, helped, too. Hundreds of kids and adults used old clothing and their imagination to create scarecrows during the October event. (File)
Four-year-old Aiden Trader patiently waits for a cup of lemonade, as his mom, Sabrienna Weldon, and friend Raymond Bouffier get beverages. They came to the Scarecrow Festival at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village from Inverness, to have some fun in the sun. (File)
Ten-year-old Corbin Stringer, of Tampa, sports his special ‘Olympics’ sunglasses during the Special Olympics Showcase, at Achievers Day School in Lutz. About 30 athletes took part in the event and they clearly relished their moment in the sun — demonstrating their skills in jumping, balancing, running and kicking the ball at the Feb. 26 event. (File)

 

 

Pasco Sheriff’s Office starts community news website

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The Pasco Sheriff’s Office has launched a community news website, news.PascoSheriff.com. The website allows citizens to access news directly from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, according to a news release.

In addition to its social media platforms, the Sheriff’s Office will share breaking news on the website.

The website features PSO community alerts, investigations, missing people and upcoming events, the release from the Sheriff’s Office says.

Citizens can sign up for news updates sent directly to their email.

Periodically, Pasco Sheriff’s News will send email newsletters highlighting recent PSO features. When urgent community alerts arise, breaking news notification emails also will come straight to the subscribers’ inbox.

Published December 29, 2021

The show will go on – in one way, or another

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Agnes Hernandez, 2021 winner of the $1,000 Pasco Heritage Scholarship, receives the prize from Heritage Arts Center Association President Joe Hill. Hernandez performed a piano piece by Rachmaninoff. (Courtesy of Heritage Arts)

The 39th “Spotlight on Talent Competition” will be held — the only question is how organizers will stage the contest.

The talent competition— presented by the Heritage Arts Center — has long been a showcase for aspiring singers, dancers and other performers to demonstrate their abilities. At the same time, they are competing against others and entertaining audiences.

Organizers realize that because of the pandemic, many may be wondering if the talent contest will happen this year.

“We want talented students and families to know that producers are committed to see that happen,” Barbara Friedman, publicity chair and producer for Heritage Arts, said in a news release.

Participants from kindergarten through 12th grade vie for over $4,000 in trophies, ribbons and cash prizes, according to the Heritage Arts news release.

All types and styles of performing talents are accepted, both as solos and in groups.

Panels of paid, professional judges select finalists/winners in several age categories and also choose the winner of the $1,000 scholarship that goes to a senior high school student in Pasco County.

In addition to a chance for prizes, performers have the opportunity to show off their abilities and to experience the sense of satisfaction that comes from performing well under the pressure of a competition.

A decision will be made on Jan. 1 on whether the events will be held, as usual, before audiences on Feb. 19 and March 12, or if a Plan B COVID event will take place during a single day of competition on March 12, with safety protocols in place and no audience.

Deadline for entering is Thurs., Feb. 3, 2022.  Applications available online at heritagearts.org.

Those with questions can contact Friedman at  , or call 352-567-1720, and more information at heritagearts.org .

Organizers also are seeking community sponsors to support the competition.

Published December 29, 2021

A driving force to help feed the hungry

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(Courtesy of Lynn Kosto)

The activities committee at Morningside RV Estates in Dade City recently hosted its annual food drive for the local St. Vincent de Paul Society pantry. Volunteers picked up a total of 194 bags of food from the residents of Morningside and then delivered the donations to St. Vincent’s, where the food was sorted. Mike and Theresa Hosmer started this bi-annual event in 2012. Since then, 3,497 bags of nonperishable food items have been donated to the pantry. From left: Dave Swinson, Lucky Kosto, Wayne Chase, Karen Violette, Ted Trzebiatowski, Don Handel, Ron Suski, Ann O’Brien, Gary Crandlemire, Lynn Swinson, Dave Gwinner, Gene Schmersal, Bill Dupras, Dick Friday, Bill Schulte and Shirley Majeskie.