The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

New River Branch Library to close for remodeling

By

The New River Branch Library will be closing Oct. 1 to prepare for an extensive makeover, according to a Pasco County news release.

Instructor Bonnie Birdsall, far right, leads the class in a Tai Chi move called ‘Swimming Dragon’ during a class at the New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel. Shown in the back: Margie Gordon, left, and Olympia Coleman. In the front: Joleen Patane, left, and Bonnie Birdsall. The library will be closing on Oct. 1 for an extensive makeover and is expected to reopen in Summer 2020. (File)

The renovation is being paid for funding provided through a general obligation bond approved by voters in November 2018 to upgrade Pasco County’s seven branch libraries.

Voters also approved general obligation bonds to pay for improvements to the county’s parks, to expand the county’s fire rescue services and to build a jail expansion.

The New River Branch Library project is expected to be completed by Summer 2020. The Centennial Park Branch Library in Hudson will be closed for renovations at the same time.

The library projects will include updated technology, new outdoor spaces, more accessible parking, updated furnishings, high-efficiency air conditioning systems, high-speed internet and makerspaces.

Library staff will be at alternate local venues to provide continued services and programs.

Please visit the Pasco County Libraries website, PascoLibraries.org for updated program information.

Published August 21, 2019

Create a native landscape — use right plant, right place

By

Florida has an abundance of beautiful native plants.

There are vines, trees, shrubs, ground covers and a few palms that are native to the state, and can make excellent additions to the landscape.

Coontie, like all cycadas, has ancient origins, according to the University of Florida. This Florida plant, however, is the only cycad native to North America. (Courtesy of University of Florida/IFAS Communications)

Some of these natives even serve as food sources for local wildlife, such as butterflies and some bats, and some can help negate the harsh heat and sun, and reduce the potential for flooding.

However, just because a plant is native doesn’t mean it will thrive everywhere.

Remember: The Florida Friendly Landscaping principle of putting the right plant, right place still applies.

When plants are put in the wrong place, they won’t do as well and, in some cases, they become a problem.

For example, a native that loves the shade won’t survive in the bright sun, or a native that needs to be high and dry won’t make it with “wet feet.”

Putting native plants in the right spots will help prevent many disease and insect problems.

Like other plants, natives need routine maintenance to keep them looking good and living their best life. Occasional pruning and removal of dead tissue is just as necessary with natives as non-native, non-invasive exotics.

Beautyberry, according to the University of Florida, is also called American mulberry. It is native to flatwoods and hammocks, but because of birds, has been spread far and wide.

Planted and maintained correctly, natives will thrive in the Florida landscape.

As with all plants, plant them “high” with the uppermost root of the root ball just above the surrounding soil and mulch, with a layer 2 inches to 3 inches deep that’s no closer than 6 inches from the trunk or base of the plant.

Native plants also need to be watered frequently to get established. Research shows there’s no difference in the amount of water required for establishment between natives and non-native plants.

Keep in mind, however, the bigger the plant, the longer the establishment period; light, frequent hand-watering is best for establishment.

For a three-gallon or smaller plant, irrigate to deliver one gallon of water three to four times per week, for up to five months.

Muhly grass is a native ornamental perennial that produces clouds of flower stalks, according to the University of Florida.

For trees, irrigate with two gallons to three gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter, two to three times per week, for up to six months. Once new roots are observed, less supplemental irrigation is necessary unless there’s an extended period of drought.

There are many great native plants to consider for the landscape, but the basic Florida Friendly Landscaping principles still apply. As with all plants, natives should only be located where there’s enough room for them to grow to their full potential height and width. And, some natives can be aggressive or potentially weedy (i.e., Spanish needle) so be sure to consult the UF/IFAS Aquatic and Invasive Plant directory (http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plants-by-common-name/) prior to planting.

Consider planting natives such as bald cypress, muhly grass, coontie, and beautyberry, but only if it’s the right plant for the right place.

For a list of native plants to consider in your landscape, visit http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/native-plants.html.

By Whitney C. Elmore

Dr. Whitney C. Elmore is the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension director and an Urban Horticulture Agent III.

Published August 14, 2019

Nikki Alvarez-Sowles named county clerk & comptroller

By

Gov. Ron DeSantis has named Nikki Alvarez-Sowles to serve as the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller.

She will serve in that role through January 2021, filling out the balance of term for the post vacated by Paula S. O’ Neil, who retired on July 1.

Nikki Alvarez-Sowles

Alvarez-Sowles is the county’s eighth clerk & comptroller. She was named an interim successor by Sixth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Anthony Rondolino, upon O’ Neil’s retirement. She received DeSantis’ appointment on Aug. 9.

“I am humbled and honored to have Governor DeSantis’ and Chief Judge Rondolino’s appointments,” said Alvarez-Sowles, in a news release from her office.

Alvarez-Sowles has served as the chief operations officer since 2010, guiding the adoption of numerous taxpayer-friendly initiatives, boosting efficiency, enhancing transparency and reducing costs, the release says.

Florida Sen. Wilton Simpson, whose district includes most of Pasco County, speaks highly of Alvarez-Sowles, in the release.

“Nikki’s commitment to serving the hardworking people of Pasco County shines brightest through her steady leadership and unwavering work ethic,” Simpson said. “On behalf of the people of Pasco County, I want to thank Gov. DeSantis for ensuring an honorable public servant takes the reigns here in Pasco.”

Born in Tampa, Alvarez-Sowles played soccer at the University of South Florida (where she was a member of the Scholar-Athlete 3.0 Club and a student government senator) before earning her law degree at Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan.

From 2000 to 2005, she practiced real estate law with the Tampa firm of Echevarria, Codilis & Stawiarski P.I., and spent a year as real estate development manager for the nonprofit Housing & Education Alliance Inc., before joining the Palm Beach Clerk & Comptroller’s Office as director of branch court services.

A chance meeting with O’ Neil and several members of her executive team during a statewide conference luncheon led to further discussion and, ultimately, Alvarez-Sowles joined the Pasco Clerk & Comptroller’s Office.

Examples of her involvement include:

  • Immediate past president, Leadership Pasco
  • West Pasco Bar Association, member and past president
  • Rotary Club of New Port Richey

She also has been a member of various committees and workgroups devoted to performance excellence in government work, such as:

  • Florida Clerks & Comptrollers’ Best Practices Workgroup
  • Supreme Court workgroups
  • Florida Bar Small Claims Rules Committee
  • Pasco-Hernando State College Technical Advisory Committee for Paralegal Studies
  • Pasco County Schools Success Plan Committee
  • Advisor to board of directors for Housing and Education Alliance Inc.

This year, Alvarez-Sowles served as a Florida Governor’s Sterling Examiner and joined Florida Center for Public Management, Certified Public Manager Program, based at Florida State University, as an adjunct instructor.

She is married to Kevin Sowles, and they have two children: daughter Lexi and son Soren. The family lives in Land O’ Lakes.

Published August 14, 2019

Start Your Day With A Fresh Breakfast At Keke’s

By

Stephen Poletta

By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Breakfast can be the most important meal of the day, so why not start it with something tasty and healthy at Keke’s Breakfast Café, in the Willow Bend Towne Center in Lutz.

 Owners Stephen Poletta and Scott Crawford pride themselves on the freshness of Keke’s food.

“We cut our potatoes, hand-crack our eggs, and never use liquid egg mix,” said Poletta.  “If you order an omelet, you’re getting three cracked eggs fresh-to-order, because made fresh to order is very important to me.”

Just about everything on Keke’s menu begins with something fresh.

“Our strawberries, grapes, bananas—everything is fresh. We whisk our pancake and waffle batter. We grind our coffee beans. Everything’s made in-house,” adds Poletta.

This includes Keke’s popular Florida pancakes and waffles, which are topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries and bananas — not frozen fruit or preserves.

“Everybody likes our Florida pancakes and waffles,” Poletta said. “But, our cheese steak omelets and blueberry- or raspberry-stuffed French toast are to die for. All of our omelets, and the regular French toast, are fabulous, too.”

While breakfast is number one at Keke’s, the restaurant also boasts an extensive lunch menu, including its popular turkey and ham club, tuna fish sandwich and cheese steak panini.

“It just makes me feel good to see the smiles, to see our regulars come back two or three times a week for breakfast and lunch,” said Poletta. “We must be doing something right to have so many happy customers.”

Keke’s large portions, fresh food and unique recipes create picturesque dishes, which often inspire guests to send photos of their meals to envious friends and family.

“We love that our guests take pictures of their food — that’s something I’ve never seen in my 20 years in the restaurant business,” said Poletta. “As soon as we put the food down, people take pictures of their meal, before diving in.”

At Keke’s, employees emphasize cleanliness, fast service and attention to detail. Its spacious dining room accommodates a large volume of people, making wait times short and fast. The restaurant also offers takeout and catering.

Keke’s is open daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., an ideal work schedule for parents and students who have their evenings to study or spend with their families.

“I’m blessed to have such an excellent staff — employees who truly care about their guests and the quality of our food. It’s this warm hospitality, our generous portions and the great care that goes into making our food, that create our success.”

813-345-8495 • kekes.com

22952 SR 54, Lutz (At Collier Parkway)

7:00am to 2:30pm daily

Published August 7, 2019

 

Italian Food Inspired by Love

By

Rick, Josephine, Andrea, and Vincent Mannino, Amici Pizza

By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Long before Andrea Mannino founded Amici Pizza, it was the prospect of love, not business, that inspired him to leave his hometown of Carini, Italy, for America.

His son, Vincent, smiles as he tells the story of the family restaurant his parents founded 18 years ago in Wesley Chapel.

“My parents are from the same town in Sicily,” relays Vincent. “My father heard about this girl named Josephine from his hometown who had moved to America, and he knew he had to meet her. So he too came to America, met Josephine in Brooklyn, and they fell in love and got married.”

A quarter of a century later, Andrea and Josephine moved to Florida, and Amici Pizza was born. Specializing in hand-tossed, New York-style pizza and made-from-scratch Italian dishes, Amici Pizza has thrived in Wesley Chapel since 2001.

Rick Mannino

“Just about everything is prepped here,” said Vincent, who co-manages the restaurant with his brother, Rick. “We make our own lasagna and meatballs. We bread our own chicken, eggplant and veal. We make our own desserts, and have the sweetest cannoli around. And, of course, we offer espresso and cappuccino coffees.”

The freshness of its food is the key to Amici’s success, Rick adds.

“It just seems so basic, but it’s the most important thing. We make our dough from scratch and don’t use any preservatives. We’re not like a franchise, where they actually send everything pre-measured and mixed,” said Rick.

Freshness begins with the Manninos buying their produce locally every day and taking it back to the restaurant to create their authentic Italian recipes they will serve that day.

“Our veal cutlet for the Sorrentino is freshly pounded, hand-breaded and fried, so you’ve got the layer of veal, the layer of eggplant, and then the marinara sauce and mozzarella on top —and done in here,” said Rick.

Other menu items include salads, pasta, wings, hot and cold subs, calzones, Stromboli, entrees and desserts. House specials are Italian recipes that the Manninos have created, such as bacio, chicken contadino and chicken villetta.

“My parents created our specials over the years, like chicken villetta. This is a rosemary-baked chicken dish in creamy Alfredo sauce, with onions, mushrooms and homegrown rosemary from my father’s garden,” said Rick.

Amici Pizza has a longtime customer base that feels like family, and the Manninos work hard to keep it that way. The restaurant offers take out, catering and dining at the restaurant, including outside seating.

www.Amici-Pizza.com

813-973-9734

26602 Wesley Chapel Blvd

 

 

 

 

Published July 31, 2019

Send us your First Day of School photos

By

This photo, submitted by George O’ Connor at the beginning of last school year, shows Julia O’ Connor on the first day of school, when she was a first-grader at Sand Pine Elementary School, in Wesley Chapel. (File)

Schools across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area are ringing in a new academic year — and along with that comes traditional First Day of School photos.

The photos that parents, grandparents, friends and other relatives take on that first day are a fun way to mark a new year of learning.

Plus, they’re like tiny time capsules, capturing a moment and recording changes in height, hair styles and fashion over time.

We’d love to share your First Day of School photos with our readers.

Please email your .jpegs, along with a brief description of where the photo was taken, who is in in it (from left to right) and the community where you live. Please also share the grade level and age of the student, and a number where you can be reached, if we have any questions.

Send in your photos by Aug. 16 to .

Published August 07, 2019

Sister Mildred enjoyed ‘tinkering’ with machinery

By

Sister Mildred Gelis, OSB, was known for motoring around Saint Leo University on her little scooter.

When her scooter failed her, her mechanical skills went to work — to get it running again. She also was known to have a knack for maintaining cars, helping to keep costs down for her community of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, who live in Holy Name Monastery in St. Leo.

Sister Mildred Gelis, OSB, enjoyed riding her scooter around the Saint Leo University campus, and was known for her knack for maintaining machinery. (Courtesy of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida)

These are among the memories of Sister Mildred  shared in a news release from the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, who also announced her passing, which occurred on July 26.

Sister Mildred was born on June 28, 1925, and grew up in Slidell, Louisiana. She is survived by her Benedictine Sisters community, and several nieces and nephews, including Michael and Cynthia Lewis.

She attended public school, and when Our Lady of Lourdes School opened, the Gelis children went there. Our Lady of the Lourdes was staffed by the Benedictine Sisters from Holy Name, in Florida, and although she was very young, Sister Mildred became convinced she wanted to become a nun.

So, after her high school graduation in June of 1942, she left home and received her training as a Sister in the Order of St. Benedict at Holy Name in St. Leo.

She then attended Mount St. Scholastica College, in Atchison, Kansas.

Sister Mildred received her undergraduate degree from Loyola University, in New Orleans, and a graduate degree in Theology from St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota.

She taught in parochial schools in Ocala, Jacksonville Beach and Sarasota.

She also taught at a little rural public school in St. Joseph, where she taught a combined class of  first, second, third and fourth grades.

After 31 years of teaching and leadership positions, she retired in 1981.

That retirement was short-lived.

Sister Mildred decided to return to school to learn printing; after that, she went to work for Saint Leo University, eventually running its Copy Center.

Although she loved the work, she did say “the pressure of meeting deadlines could get hectic at times,” according to the release.

Her other roles in service in her community included Scholastic Mistress, sub-prioress, and councilor. She also volunteered for a number of years on the St. Leo town commission.

Sister Mildred was remembered in a vigil and a Mass of the Resurrection last weekend.

Anyone wishing to honor Sister Mildred can direct donations in her memory to Benedictine Sisters of Florida, P.O. Box 2450, St. Leo, FL 33574; BenedictineSistersOfFl.org.

Published August 07, 2019

Pasco aims for safe students, campuses

By

The Pasco County School Board passed a resolution last week supporting the Student Crime Watch Program and emphasizing the board’s encouragement to use available tools to help keep students and campuses safe.

The resolution notes that the Student Crime Watch Program gives students and the community the ability to make anonymous reports of “unsafe and potentially harmful, dangerous, violent or criminal activity or the threat of these activities to appropriate public safety agencies and school officials.”

Other avenues of reporting, according to the resolution, include FortifyFL, which is a mobile suspicious activity reporting tool, Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay and the CrisisGo (CrisisGo.com) safety application, which is a comprehensive emergency response, safety drill, communication and incident management system app that enhances response activities in the event of an emergency.

Published August 07, 2019

Paninis help relieve stress on school days

By

It’s August — and that means families will be getting back into their school routines.

Besides gearing up in the morning, there’s the evening to think about, too.

As kids get into their extracurricular activities and homework habits, there is usually one part of the day that can get particularly stressful: dinnertime.

As families settle back into school week routines, paninis offer a good choice for quick meals. (Courtesy of Pixabay.com)

We all hear that this should be family time, a time for no TV, a chance to talk about our day and, of course, the meal should be a healthy one.

Having dinner together has a positive impact on a child’s development, but cooking often can take too long to fit into a busy evening of helping with homework, and dropping kids off and picking them up from practice, rehearsals or other activities.

This is where paninis can help save the day.

And, it just so happens that besides being back-to-school time, August is also National Panini Month.

Your experience with paninis may be limited to a sandwich shop, but you can easily make them at home.

They are similar to a sandwich, but are not quite the same.

To make a panini, you press or heat the ingredients to make them blend together in a press machine. You want the panini pressed to the point when the bread can’t be removed from the middle ingredients (meat, cheese and veggies).

If you don’t have a press machine, simply grill the panini on the stove (think grilled cheese) and “press” using a spatula, flip to other side, and repeat.

You can also use the lid to a pan instead of a spatula.

Traditionally, you wouldn’t use every day sliced bread for a panini. Instead, use a baguette, rolls or focaccia-style bread.

It just takes a few minutes to make, and the crispier you like it, the longer you’ll want to press it.

Where did the panini originate?
As you might tell from the name, it is Italian and means “small bread.”

According to Grand Voyage Italy, they became popular in Milan in the ’70s and ’80s for a quick option for people on lunch breaks, and then made their way to New York City at upscale restaurants.

Eventually, the popularity of paninis spread to other cities, adding more varieties and becoming more available at family friendly establishments.

In Italy, they have their own “rules” for paninis. They use only one type of meat and only a few slices of it, and no olive oil and vinegar — they save the dressing for salads.

But, here, there aren’t really any rules. There’s no right or wrong way to make a hot sandwich. Just try to get as many food groups into it as you can (fruit, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy).

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.

Ham and Turkey Panini

Ingredients:
2 slices provolone cheese

1 ciabatta roll, split (or any bread of choice)

2 slices ham

2 slices turkey

½ cup arugula, or spinach

1 medium tomato, sliced

1 bell pepper, sliced

½ small red onion

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Preheat and oil press machine.

Place a slice of cheese on both the top and bottom pieces of bread.

Layer meat slices, arugula, tomato, bell pepper, and onion on bottom slice of bread.

Scatter most of olive oil and vinegar, add salt and pepper to taste.

Place top slice of bread on top and graze with remaining olive oil.

Place sandwich on machine and press shut.

Cook until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted (about 5 minutes).

You can also make it on the stove and use the spatula (or lid of a pan) to press it down a few minutes on each side.

Yield: Makes one sandwich

Published August 07, 2019

Palm Harbor’s Wall Springs Park

By

A place where everyone can reach great heights, see priceless views

You don’t have to be a millionaire to have water views worth millions.

Just spend a little time at Wall Springs Park in Palm Harbor.

A new observation tower features wide ramps, so everyone can get to the top to see water views. (Karen Haymon Long)

There, you can see the sultry Gulf of Mexico and mullet-jumping Boggy Bayou from fishing piers, docks and a $1.7-million observation tower that’s accessible by wheelchair all the way to the top.

You might just see a giant snook – fat and at least 30 inches long – like we did from one of the fishing piers. Or, perhaps you’ll spy soaring great blue herons, fish-toting osprey, and butterflies fluttering in their very own flower garden.

We watched a man and a woman fishing in waist-deep water out in the bayou, saw a tricolored heron, snowy egrets and park benches shaped like Doctor Seuss fish. We took all the trails and looked out

A wide boardwalk in the park leads to water views. The park is surrounded by watery beauty.

over the bubbling spring, where we watched wading birds fishing from grassy islands.

From wooden boardwalks, visitors can watch water from the Upper Floridian Aquifer bubble up through rocks and out a spill flowing westward. Park officials say the spring’s flow can vary from next to nothing during droughts to 7,405 gallons a minute. During heavy rainfall, an astounding 10.7 million gallons of water can flow through the spring in a day.

The spring – always 74 degrees – is named for the Wall family, who owned the property from 1884 to 1927. The Davis family, who bought it from the Walls, renamed it Health Springs and turned it into a popular health spa and bathing area for locals and tourists. The Cullens, who bought it in 1948, renamed it Wall Springs and opened it to the public as a recreation and swimming area until the mid-1960s.

Wall Spring remains a constant 74 degrees and can pump up to 10.7 million gallons a day during rainy season.

Pinellas County began buying the land in 1988 for a park. Today, to protect the spring, no swimming is allowed.

But, if you want to, you can stare at water all day from the top of the 35-foot observation tower that just opened last summer. An arsonist burned down its predecessor on Sept. 11, 2013, and it had to be rebuilt, fortunately, mostly with insurance money, according to a county official.

This tower, unlike the last, was designed with wide, ADA-approved ramps, so it’s easy for everyone to get to the gorgeous Gulf views at the top.

We even saw a man with a bike up there, although we wondered if that was against park rules.

The park’s benches add a whimsical touch to its natural beauty.

The park is 84 acres, so it offers plenty of room for serene walks, either along the wide, paved paths, or among fragrant magnolias, soaring pines and old oaks.

Picnickers can reserve covered shelters, or eat lunch on picnic tables, blankets on the grass, or on whimsical benches. Kids can play on a new playground under a soaring white canopy next to the butterfly garden and a Little Free Library shaped like a birdhouse.

The park has lots of other things to brag about – more than ample parking and clean restrooms, for starters. Plus, it is connected to the Pinellas Trail, which makes biking or walking there from Tarpon Springs or Palm Harbor a nice outing.

And, it’s about to get bigger and better.

The county owns 125 acres north of the park – acquired with a grant from the Florida Communities Trust Forever Florida program that helps communities protect natural resources, provide recreation and preserve fast-disappearing waterfronts.

A couple fishes in waters within view of Wall Springs Park. The park also has two fishing piers.

Plans call for another picnic shelter, restrooms, more trails and a parking area. A paved, mile-long path will lead from the existing park to a new observation platform overlooking the Gulf shoreline on the new property.

County officials hope the new segment of the park will be ready by the fall of 2020.

The park doesn’t have everything. There’s no kayak/canoe launch, and there is no plan for one in the future, at least for now.

Still, the park offers plenty to do, plenty to see and plenty of watery beauty.

Tips for the Trip
Wall Springs Park is a Pinellas County park at 3725 De Soto Blvd., in Palm Harbor. From Alternate 19 North (Palm Harbor Boulevard) take Brevard Street west to the park entrance.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily
Admission: free
Info: (727) 943-4653 or PinellasCounty.org/park/21_Wall_Springs.htm
Where to eat: The park has five picnic shelters and grills, and other picnic tables, so it’s an ideal place to eat outdoors.

Wall Springs Park’s stone entrance wall reflects Pinellas County parks’ iconic architecture.

If you prefer to explore nearby restaurants, here are a few recommendations:

  • Iron Oak New American BBQ, at 917 11th St., in downtown old Palm Harbor, is an easy drive south from the park and has delicious barbecue, craft cocktails and lots of craft beers on tap. Sit outside or inside at the cozy bar; IronOakBBQ.com; (727) 754-7337. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
  • Rusty Bellies on the water, at 937 Dodecanese Blvd., in Tarpon Springs. Go for fresh seafood and the views; RustyBellies.com; (727) 934-4047. Closed Mondays. Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
  • Mykonos, at 628 Dodecanese Blvd., in Tarpon Springs, across from the sponge docks. Go for wonderful, authentic Greek specialties; (727) 934-4306. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Rusty Bellies and Mykonos have free parking, a real plus in Tarpon Springs. The town has many other restaurants, not all Greek. Search for “Tarpon Springs restaurants” on the Web.

By Karen Haymon Long

Published July 31, 2019