The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

New hours coming for utilities service centers

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Pasco County Utilities is changing its Customer Service Center hours beginning Jan. 1.

The new hours for walk-in and drive-through services will be 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning in the New Year, according to a county news release.

By reducing the service center hours by a half-hour, the utilities department will be able to offer round-the-clock automated support.

“A focused team effort outside of office hours, toward online support, provides our customers with the flexibility to manage their account at any time – all while decreasing operational costs by more than $25,000 annually,” according to Sandra Anderson, the department’s customer information and services director.

Secure, instant account access is tailored to meet customers’ schedules, with these options:

  • 24/7 online account access and bill pay through PascoEasyPay.com
  • 24/7 pay-by-phone by calling (844) 450-3704
  • 24/7 secure drop boxes located outside each Customer Service Center
  • Live Call Center support available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. West Pasco customers should call (727) 847-8131. Central Pasco customers can call (813) 235-6012, and the phone number for residents in East Pasco is (352) 521-4285.
  • New Same Business-day/next Business-day callback option

For more information and service details, visit PascoCountyUtilities.com.

Published December 04, 2019

ICI Homes’ Most Popular Floor Plan Ready Now In Bexley

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One of the most beautiful and functional move-in ready homes in Bexley, Land O’ Lakes’ top-selling community, is now available from ICI Homes.

The four-bedroom, three-bath Costa Mesa is on a 70-foot corner homesite in Bexley’s most prestigious neighborhood, located close to the clubhouse and pools. The semi-custom home includes luxury finishes, an expansive lanai, mud room with built-in bench off the garage, huge walk-in pantry, and tandem garage ideal for a compact car, golf cart or storage.

The Costa Mesa open floor plan is 2,565 square feet with four bedrooms and three baths.

The Costa Mesa’s open floor plan flows with 2,565 square feet of living area designed perfectly for the active lifestyle Bexley extols.

“This home is an entertainer’s dream. Its gathering room, gourmet kitchen and dining room are one expansive space highlighted by lots of windows that capture tons of natural light,” said Ron Ferguson, division president for ICI Homes. “People absolutely love the huge kitchen and its extra-large island, which is a standard feature and one of the largest islands offered by any builder.”

Families interested in this home also will be drawn to its location in Bexley, a Newland community located off State Road 54, just east of the Suncoast Parkway. Bexley was recently named the top-selling master-planned community in Tampa Bay, with home sales up more than 45 percent, compared to a year ago.

“ICI Homes has partnered with Newland for several years in both Bexley and FishHawk Ranch in south Hillsborough County,” said Ferguson. “Pasco families looking to move up to a prestigious new home don’t have to travel far to experience Florida’s best privately held builder and master-planned community, right here in their backyard.”

Buying an ICI Homes in Bexley is a wise financial investment for families, and also one that offers an outdoor lifestyle attractive to families of all kinds.

Bexley is designed so residents can enjoy the great outdoors. The community is home to miles of multi-surface Avid™ trails, ideal for walking, biking, jogging and strollers. Several community parks dot the landscape, and sports lovers of all ages use the Mud, Sweat and Gears Park for impromptu soccer or football games, while younger kids spend hours playing on custom-built playgrounds.

At the heart of this award-winning community is The Bexley Club, where people enjoy scenic lakefront views at the Twisted Sprocket Café. Next door to the clubhouse, Suncoast Trailside Bicycles sells a variety of bikes, gear and clothing, and offers repairs and rentals. Two additional buildings make up The Bexley Club: a cardio-focused fitness center, and a screened-in game room with air hockey, foosball and a pool table. There are also two resort-style pools, an outdoor fire pit and an event lawn.

The schools zoned for Bexley residents are some of the best in Pasco County — Bexley Elementary, Rushe Middle School and Sunlake High School. Imagine School at Land O’ Lakes, a highly regarded charter school, is just minutes from Bexley.

This is the last chance to buy an ICI Home in Bexley. ICI Homes is building its final three homes in Bexley, which includes the Costa Mesa that is ready now, and the slightly smaller Egret VII, which will soon be under construction.

Since ICI Homes was established in 1980, the company has built over 4,000 single-family homes in Florida, including the Tampa Bay area, and has earned several prestigious awards for design and innovation.

The sales center for Bexley is in Asturia, another ICI Homes community just a mile away in Odessa, at 2112 Secret Cove, (727) 432-3069. Stop by or call today to tour the Costa Mesa home in Bexley between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday.

Published November 27, 2019

Watercolorist Rita Wilson Opens Show At Avalon Park West

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Rita Wilson never imagined she would be a watercolor artist. A self-described workaholic, who worked as a project manager for AT&T until she retired six years ago, the Land O’ Lakes resident found that retirement gave her too much time on her hands.

“My daughter, Kimber,  told me I needed a hobby – something to stimulate my mind, and a few weeks later I received in the mail a package from her full of art supplies,” Wilson recalls. “I called Kimber and told her I didn’t know anything about painting, but she told me you never know whether you can do something, until you try it.”

One of Rita Wilson’s favorite subjects is coastal South Carolina, especially scenes of water and boats.

With that advice, her daughter suggested she take art lessons, and even went online for her and found the Pasco Fine Arts Council. Kimberly promptly signed her mom up for beginner painting lessons, and today, Wilson is an accomplished artist with her first solo art show opening next week.

The Pasco Fine Arts Council is sponsoring Wilson’s exhibit, which she calls “Thru My Eyes,” from Nov. 25 through Dec. 23, at the Pasco Fine Art Council’s East Pasco Avalon Park West Gallery, at 33613 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel.

An artist reception to celebrate Wilson’s work is planned for Friday, Dec. 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public. All are welcome, and refreshments will be served.

Wilson will have up to 26 paintings on display at her show — all watercolors with scenes that depict her native coastal South Carolina, Florida scenes, florals, portraits of dogs and cats, and paintings of antique cars and trucks, which are often commissioned by owners who want paintings of their pets and collectible cars.

Wilson prices her painting very affordably — typically between $100 and $300, because she wants people to enjoy her work as much as she does. All of her paintings will be for sale during the show.

Wilson’s first watercolor lesson was taught by Jo Baughman, who today is the director of the Pasco Fine Arts Council, the group partnering with Avalon Park West to bring the arts to the east side of Pasco County.

“Jo made learning to paint simple. She taught us some basic techniques, and then let us experiment and develop our own styles,” said Wilson. “I showed my husband my first few paintings, and he thought they looked pretty good. With his encouragement and Jo’s enthusiasm, I was hooked after the first class.”

That first six-week class led to another, and soon Wilson moved on to intermediate and advanced classes. Over time, she has developed her own style based on her interests, and moved from landscapes into painting antiques cars and trucks – a hobby of her husband. She describes her work as realism, and especially loves paintings water and boats.

After a few years, her husband, Otis, built her an art studio with lots of windows at their home in The Groves, where Wilson now paints two to three hours a day, with plenty of room to spread out.

“I love to paint because it is so relaxing,” said Wilson. “I don’t think about anything else but the picture I am working on, and never know when I begin how a panting will turn out. I usually think it will be a disaster, but most often it turns into something nice. I love the flow of watercolor, and that it does not have any exact lines. You don’t really have control over the water, but then the paint becomes something beautiful.”

Wilson says if she can learn to paint, anyone can, and encourages people to check out all the offerings at the Pasco Fine Arts Council, especially now that the Council has a location in Wesley Chapel, that is more convenient for people in central and east Pasco.

The partnership between the Paso Fine Arts Council and Avalon Park West began earlier this year, with a goal to bring arts and cultural events, exhibits and workshops to East Pasco County. This is the first time in the Council’s 40-plus year history that is has had a location in East Pasco to host its exhibits and art classes.

One of the main goals of this partnership is to introduce people to local artists like Wilson, with monthly exhibits and demonstrations, and also to offer art classes for youngsters and adults.

And, that is exactly the plan for the new East Pasco Gallery of the Pasco Fine Arts Center.

“We want to have art classes and workshops for our community, and a place to share artwork created by students and adults,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing and community relations for the Avalon Park Group.

“As it turns out, the Pasco Fine Arts Council has been providing these types of programs for years, and all it 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.

“It is our vision to build Downtown Avalon Park West as the cultural and event center of East Pasco County,” Lerret said.

New Model Homes Open For Tour At Asturia

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Unique Floor Plans Offered By Four Premier Builders

The holiday season is a wonderful time to dream about your next home, and Asturia invites you to visit its model homes by some of America’s top builders, in Odessa.

The community’s beautifully furnished model homes are open for tour daily at this master-planned community, located off of State Road 54, just west of the Suncoast Parkway.

David Weekley Homes, ICI Homes, Park Square Homes and Ryan Homes are Asturia’s exclusive builders. Model homes are open daily in the community’s third and final phase, with on-site agents to assist homebuyers.

The Costa Mesa by ICI Homes is Asturia’s newest model home, located on a fabulous conservation homesite.

The community’s newest model is the Mendocino by David Weekley Homes. The beautifully furnished Mendocino is 2,845 square feet, and features four bedrooms, an open study, three full baths, one half-bath and a two-car garage. Designer touches include an extended lanai, oversized kitchen island, an owner’s retreat with tray ceiling and wood beam accents, a spa-like bath and oversized walk-in closet.

Priced from the $340s, the Mendocino is included in David Weekley Homes’ Asturia’s Lake Series, with homes that range in size from 2,200 square feet to 3,200 square feet that are built on 55-foot homesites.

To celebrate the holidays, David Weekley Homes is hosting a Sips with Santa special event on Sunday, Dec. 15 at it model home center. Celebrate the Christmas season with hot chocolate, coffee and s’mores, with Santa hearing Christmas wishes from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Other single-family home models in Asturia are available for tour by ICI Homes, and Ryan Homes has models of its townhome community. And, at the first of the year, a new model by Park Square Homes will open, with a rear-entry floor plan that will be priced in the high $300s.

In late June, ICI Homes opened its new Costa Mesa model near the community’s entrance on a beautiful waterfront homesite with long conservation views. This one-story, four-bedroom, three-bath, three-car garage plan is 2,565 square feet, and showcases a huge kitchen with extra-large island and closet-size, walk-in pantry that is cleverly hidden behind cabinetry.

ICI Homes also has a second model on a beautiful conservation lot, the Serena, that is now for sale and can include the model’s professionally decorated, high-end furnishings for families wanting a turn-key home ready now.

Ryan Homes offers two floor plans in Asturia’s only townhome community. These three-bedroom townhomes range from 1,580 square feet to 1,770 square feet, all with two-car, rear-entry, detached garages. The homes feature private outdoor courtyards with paver patios and privacy fencing. Prices begin in the $220s. Ryan Homes hit their halfway mark and have only 108 units to go. They have no inventory of homes, which allows the builder to customize new construction townhomes for its buyers.

“The beautiful Asturia community has so much to offer with its first class amenities, and our homes are at a perfect price that our sales have been brisk,” said Mona Cruz, one of the Ryan Homes sales team.

David Weekly Homes and ICI Homes have inventory homes available for families who are looking to move now or at the first of the year. These homes have special year-end pricing, which includes both price discounts and other incentives.

Park Square Homes is Asturia’s newest builder, and is building its Margate II model that features three bedrooms, two baths and a two-car garage. This 1,966 square foot home has an inviting foyer with spacious flex room, an island kitchen with an abundance of cabinets and large den off the foyer. The Margate II starts at $319,990 and a model of this floorplan is expected to be completed in January.

Asturia is Park Square Homes first entry into Pasco County. It brings over 35 years of experience building quality homes in Central Florida, and expanded into the Tampa Bay market in 2007 with communities in south Hillsborough County.

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

Currently in its third phase, when Asturia’s development is complete, it will likely have less than 550 single-family homes.

“What makes Asturia stand out from other new home developments is our smaller size,” said Lane Gardner, senior managing director for Hines, the developer behind Asturia. “Other communities in the area are looking at 3,000 to over 5,000 homes, and many years of construction. Our families prefer the intimate neighborhood experience that comes with Asturia’s modest community size.”

Outstanding schools are another top reason why families move to Asturia. Children attend some of the best schools in Pasco County, including Odessa Elementary, Seven Springs Middle School and J.W. Mitchell High School. All three schools have received a minimum A or B school grade for the last three years.

A low-cost HOA and CDD are well worth the benefits of living in Asturia, with fees considerably less than other master-planned communities in Pasco County.

Asturia’s central location is just five minutes from the Suncoast Parkway, and also provides close proximity to U.S. 41, U.S. 19 and I-75. Its master plan incorporates retail, office, multifamily and a variety of single-family residential offerings.

More information can be obtained by visiting Asturia’s model homes, registering at the community’s website, AsturiaFlorida.com, or by calling (813) 510-3601.

Published November 27, 2019

Be a Santa to a senior

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The holiday season is a time of gatherings, giving and good cheer.

But, it’s also a time when seniors who live alone can be forgotten.

To help prevent that, Home Instead Senior Care serving East Pasco County is once again offering the community a chance to spread joy to local seniors through its Be a Santa to a Senior program, according to a news release.

(Courtesy of Home Instead Senior Care)

The program invites members of the community to give a senior a gift.

Since the program’s inception in 2003, the Be a Santa to a Senior program has mobilized more than 60,000 volunteers, provided approximately 1.2 million gifts and brightened the season for more than 700,000 deserving seniors nationwide, the news release says.

“The Be a Santa to a Senior program is all about including seniors in the joy of the holiday season,” Michele Bonneville, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office in Wesley Chapel, said in the release. “A simple gift shows them they are a loved and vital member of our community.”

To help, visit a participating location and look for the Be a Santa to a Senior tree on display from Nov. 5 to Dec. 10.

Each tree will be decorated with ornaments featuring seniors’ first names and gift suggestions. Holiday shoppers can choose an ornament, buy the requested gift and return it to the store with the ornament attached. There’s no need to worry about wrapping — community volunteers and program partners will wrap and deliver the gifts to local seniors in time for the holidays.

Be a Santa to a Senior receives support from local businesses, nonprofit organizations, retailers, numerous volunteers and members of the community. The Home Instead Senior Care office serving East Pasco County has partnered with businesses and organizations to help with gift collection and distribution.

Be a Santa to a Senior trees can be found at these locations:

  • Bealls Outlet, 21701 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive, Land O’ Lakes
  • Bealls Outlet, 5351 Village Market, Wesley Chapel
  • Bon Worth Women’s Clothing, 7409 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills
  • Pasco County Tax Collector – Dade City, 14236 Sixth St., No. 100, in Dade City
  • Pasco County Tax Collector – Land O’ Lakes, 4135 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O Lakes
  • Pasco County Tax Collector – Wesley Chapel/Lutz, 4610 Pet Lane, No. 101, in Lutz
  • Sweet Darling Quilts, 26240 Wesley Chapel Blvd., Lutz

For more information about the program, visit BeASantaToASenior.com, or call (813) 991-7524.

Published November 27, 2019

Gulfside Hospice Helps Over 1,000 Pasco Families Every Year

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Hospice is the bridge that helps terminally ill patients and their families navigate the health care system in the final stages of life, while also providing emotional and social services support for the entire family.

In Pasco County, Gulfside Healthcare Services has been providing hospice services for more than 30 years, and helps over 1,000 families every year care for their loved ones, and provides grief counseling and spiritual guidance to help patients through their final journey.

Heading up hospice services at Gulfside is Kathy Postiglione, who started work at the agency 15 years ago as a registered nurse, and today is chief operating officer and senior vice president.

“As a nurse, what attracted me to hospice care in the beginning, and still captures my heart today, is its holistic approach to patient care that is driven by the patient and family,” said Postiglione. “It is the most personal type of care found in nursing, and one that has not changed much since the hospice movement was founded in the 1970s.”

The hospice philosophy provides care in the comfort, security and privacy of wherever a patient calls home, by bringing together a team of professionals who addresses the patient’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.

“Our team of nurses, physicians, ministers and social workers works together to find out what the patient needs, discuss the best options for his or her wishes, and helps to set pain management goals,” said Postiglione.

Hospice care begins with a discussion between the doctor and terminally ill patient and the family, who together agree to bring hospice in for a consultation.

“Often it’s the patient who says, ‘I’m done, and no longer wants additional treatments,’” explains Postiglione.

The initial meeting can be in a patient’s home, hospital, assisted living facility or nursing home, and include nurses, both RN and LPNs, hospice medical staff, social worker and chaplain. Up to 10 people can be at the initial meeting, plus staff from the facility.

“We also work with the patient to identify personal goals they want to accomplish – it could be to write their personal story, put together a video, try to re-connect with family members and friends they have lost touch with, and often mend some bridges,” said Postiglione.

Once a patient enters hospice care, the Gulfside team provides interdisciplinary medical support and services, which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It also has resources to help with legal and financial services involving end-of-life care.

“Patients and families are often so overwhelmed by what needs to be done, that they are very anxious.  We break down the tasks and set up a plan to help them accomplish their goals, while providing the care the patient needs to relieve pain, and make the journey as peaceful and comfortable as possible,” explains Postiglione.

Being in hospice care does not mean patients need to give up treatments, and often continue to see their own doctors.

“Patients sometimes want to continue their treatments, and we are here to support the patient in any way we can,” said Postiglione.

Since its establishment in 1989, Gulfside Hospice has grown from an organization run primarily by volunteers, to a full-service health care entity that employs over 330 people with an average census of 550 patients.  When Gulfside began operations, it had just 15 employees and was servicing 50 patients.

While most patients are older adults and seniors, often diagnosed with cancer, Gulfside Hospice also cares for terminally ill children and young adults. Patients typically come into hospice when their prognosis is less than six months, and the average length of stay in the program is 70 days.

One area that makes Gulfside Hospice unique compared to other hospice organizations is its ability to provide patients with more expensive medications.

“When a patient has a need for a more expensive medication, we never deny the request, because we have the resources to provide medication that Medicare may not pay for,” said Postiglione.

Gulfside has been able to keep up with Pasco’s population growth because of its ability to attract top professionals to its team.

“We place a tremendous value on our employees, and consistently seek feedback from them on their challenges, equipment they need, the schedules that work best for their families,” said Postiglione. “We have a very dedicated group of people, most who have worked here for many years, because of the high satisfaction they get by working with our patients and families.”

Gulfside Healthcare Services also works with over 200 volunteers, many who become involved after hospice has cared for a loved one.

“Many of our volunteers give the gift of presence  —  which is staying with patients who may not have family or friends close by, until they pass. Others work in our dietary area, bringing meals to patients in our in-patient facilities. We also have volunteers who take care of patients’ pets, and many volunteer at our thrift stores, do office work and help at fundraising events,” said Postiglione.

For patients needing critical nursing care, Gulfside Hospice operates the Rucki Hospice Care Center in Zephyrhills and the Gulfside Center for Hospice Care at Heather Hill Healthcare Center in New Port Richey. Its thrift shops are located in Lutz, Dade City, Zephyrhills, New Port Richey and Hudson.

“People are often surprised at the range of services we offer at Gulfside Hospice,” said Postiglione. “We are proud of our ability to help many Pasco families in one of their greatest times of need.”

Published November 20, 2019

Crowd is enthusiastic at Alpaca Open House

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Brisk weather didn’t deter a large crowd from showing up to Sweet Blossom Alpacas’ fifth annual Alpaca Open House, in Dade City.

Visitors could get a close-up look at alpacas and llamas, feed the animals and pose for photographs with the animals near them.

Austin Wash, 11, was in awe during his first encounter with a llama, as well as the many alpacas during the open house. Austin, along with his parents, Randy and Tiffany Wash, made the trip from Lakeland to attend the open house. (Fred Bellet)

The event was held on a 15-acre farm, at 37543 Pappy Road, just minutes off of Interstate 75.

Besides checking out the animals, visitors could buy alpaca products, including hats, socks, scarves, shawls, rugs, raw fiber and yarn.

During the open house, one alpaca photo-bombed a picture, while another gazed in curiosity as a photographer clicked his camera.

According to Sweet Blossom’s website, alpacas are “somewhat timid, but very curious and intelligent.” The website adds: “they are more cat-like than dog-like in their attitude towards us humans.”

Two-year-old  Zooey Ferland, of Dade City, displayed no fear during her first encounter with a llama at the open house.

She was there with her mom and dad, Kristin and Alex. Alex works at the zoo at Busch Gardens. That’s why Zooey’s name is spelled that way.

Published November 20, 2019

Zooey Ferland, 2, of Dade City has no fear of the llama during her first encounter with the animal during the open house. Zooey was there with her dad and mom, Alex and Kristin.
A Suri-type alpaca was all smiles at the sight of human visitors to the open house on Pappy Road in Dade City. Alpaca teeth are trimmed because they have only one set of teeth, on the bottom.
Kelly Stead, of Tampa, center, and other visitors to Sweet Blossom Alpacas Open House check out a pair of alpacas standing back to back.

How to cater to strict diets at Thanksgiving

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As fun as it is to host guests for Thanksgiving, it can be challenging to cater to those with strict diets.

Guests who can’t eat something will say: “I’m allergic to eggs/nuts/wheat” or “I’m vegetarian/vegan.”

But, these days, there also are plenty of fad diets or food trends that people take on as a lifestyle choice and not necessarily for medical reasons.

Rice in its natural form is one type of grain that is gluten-free and is popular among those who can’t eat gluten. Check packaging though to make sure it’s not processed alongside wheat or other gluten-containing grains. (Courtesy of Pixabay)

Regardless of the why certain foods are off limits for some — offering an alternative for these guests to eat will make them feel welcomed and included.

Some people with food allergies or other food restrictions may choose to bring or make their own food for Thanksgiving or other family events because they didn’t want to be a burden.

That’s completely fine, if that’s their choice. Some may even prefer it that way.

But, someone traveling and staying at a hotel might not be able to make a dish in advance and bring it over.

So, to make it easier for you, when you are hosting the meal, make a dish that not only your strict-diet guests will like, but one that everyone else at the table will enjoy, too.

Sometimes it is as simple as swapping out a few ingredients.

For example, those following a vegan diet won’t eat any animal products.

So, if you’re making sweet potato casserole, use vegan butter, plant-based milk, and vegan marshmallows. (Regular marshmallows have gelatin, which is made up of various animal sources, like bones, ligaments, or pigs’ skin).

The sweet potato casserole will taste the same and the non-vegans probably won’t even notice.

Also, be sure to take precautions to prevent cross-contact if someone is allergic to a food. This is the same concept as cross-contamination, but in this case we are talking about an allergen and not a pathogen.

To avoid cross-contact, be sure to use separate cutting boards, knives, etc., or properly wash and sanitize them in between using the allergenic food and safe food.

Also, always wash your hands in between handling the different foods.

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.

Here are recipes that a gluten-free friend of mine shared for dishes she enjoys on Thanksgiving. 

These are both gluten-free and vegan-friendly.

Gluten and Dairy-Free Dirty Rice
Ingredients:
Rice (typically, 1 cup of rice to 1 ½ cups liquid for four servings of cooked rice)
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion
2 stalks of celery, diced
8 ounces of fresh mushrooms, chopped
Water or Vegetable Stock
Salt
Pepper

Directions:
Chop onions, celery, and mushrooms.
Keep mushrooms separated from celery and onions.
In a large stock pot, sauté celery and onions until tender.
Add mushrooms and stir.
Add a dash of salt and pepper.
Measure your desired amount of rice.
Add uncooked rice and stir, lightly toasting the rice.
Add your desired liquid (water or vegetable stock) to the proportions on the rice. Stir and bring to a boil. Stay close to watch.
Once boiling, turn heat down to low, stir again, place lid on the pot.
Cook until rice is tender. Serve warm and enjoy.
You can use a gluten-free chicken broth instead of water or vegetable stock if you weren’t also trying to make it plant-based.

Gluten and Dairy-Free Fresh Tomato Salad
Ingredients:
Your Favorite Fresh Red Tomatoes
Italian Seasoning Herbs Mixture
Fresh Basil
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Kosher Salt
Black Pepper

Directions:
Cut your fresh tomatoes into circles and place them on a serving tray.
Chop fresh basil (about 1/4 cup basil for three large tomatoes, such as beefsteak).
Sprinkle Italian Seasoning herb mixture on the tomatoes.
Sprinkle kosher salt and black pepper.
Add fresh basil.
Just before serving, lightly sprinkle olive oil and balsamic vinegar on the tomatoes. Enjoy!

Published November 22, 2019

Hanging out with alpacas

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Visitors at Sweet Blossom Alpaca’s fifth annual Alpaca Open House had a chance to get up close and personal with alpacas. According to the venue’s website, alpacas are “somewhat timid, but very curious and intelligent.” The website also notes, “they are more cat-like than dog-like” in their attitude toward humans. The event, at 37543 Pappy Road, in Dade City, drew a big crowd.

An Huacaya alpaca looks curiously at a photographer — checking out the clicking sound of the camera. (Fred Bellet)
A hungry llama has its choice of handouts, as visitors line up along the fence at Sweet Blossom Alpacas’ open house.
As adults check their phones, curious children saw eye-to-eye with the curious alpacas.

More Inventory and Better Vehicles At Dade City Auto Sales

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Jennifer Weeks and Dave Maurandian

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

New owners at Dade City Auto Sales have revitalized this long established car lot on U.S. 301, by bringing in better quality vehicles and increasing its inventory to over 100 vehicles by the first of the year.

“We had a vision of what this place could be,” said Lou Taliercio, who now owns the business with brother Mike. “Our vision was to bring in late model, affordable cars and trucks that are CarFax Certified that sell quickly, so we always have something new on the lot.”

The Taliercio brothers also own Tampa Bay Auto Network in Tampa, where they specialize in hand-picked, late model luxury and performance cars. Their father, Vincent, helped his sons get started in the car business, with the purchase of their first five vehicles, 14 years ago.

“We are bringing our many years of automotive experience to Dade City, to provide the east Pasco community with quality vehicles that are fairly priced, and available with many financing options,” said Lou Taliercio.

Already, Dade City Auto Sales is a Preferred Dealer for many local credit unions, including Achieva and MidForida, and works closely with Wells Fargo and other banks.

The Taliercios became interested in Dade City Auto Sales through a personal friend, Dave Mauradian, who had worked for the prior owner for many years.

“Dave is a great guy and wanted to stay at the dealership, and we saw the opportunity and appreciated its great location on U.S. 301,” said Lou Taliercio.

The brothers bought the business this summer, made some initial improvements to its building and property, and re-opened Dade City Auto Sales over the Labor Day weekend with over 50 vehicles on its lot.

Working with Mauradian in Dade City is Jennifer Weeks, who came from the company’s Tampa location and has over 20 years of automotive experience. Both salespeople adhere to their company’s philosophy of no-pressure sales.

“We want to sell cars the way we want to be sold cars,” said Taliercio. “We don’t believe in high-pressure sales, and always treat our customers with patience and respect.”

The quality of its vehicles also sets Dade City Auto Sales apart. Every vehicle is CarFax Certified, which means it has never been in a flood, nor in an accident with structural damage.

“Our cars sell themselves because of their quality and fair prices,” said Taliercio. “We are able to keep prices low because we are local owners and don’t have big company overhead.”

Lots of inventory is something else customers like about Dade City Auto Sales. Most weeks, 10 to 15 new vehicles are moved onto the lot, Taliercio said, especially trucks, which are most in demand.

Taliercio is excited to be in Dade City, and has already joined the local Chamber of Commerce.

“We see a lot of good things happening in Dade City, and believe this is a great time to be opening a business here.”

(352) 567-4040 • 13043 U.S. Hwy. 301, Dade City  33525

DadeCtyAutoSales.com

Published 11/13/19