The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

County transfers funds for park improvements

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Pasco County has transferred funding from its engineering services division to its parts, recreation and natural resources division to pay for land needed for a roads project.

The transferred funds, totaling $329,500, will pay for park improvements at the Samuel W. Pasco Recreation Complex, to include new sidewalks and an Americans with Disabilities Act accessible parking expansion, and the Wesley Chapel District Park T-Ball Field to include lighting and grading of that field.

The Pasco County Commission approved transferring the funds from engineering services to parks and recreation to purchase 6.59 acres, which was previously part of the Wesley Chapel District Park.

The land was needed to accommodate a northbound off-ramp from Interstate 75 and to widen Overpass Road, between I-75 and Boyette Road. The land will be contained in the right of way of the road project. The cost for the land was $50,000 per acre.

Published March 24, 2021

Celebrate women’s history month — with a cookie

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You may have already heard that a woman invented the recipe for the ever-popular chocolate chip cookie, but have you ever heard the back story?

Well, since it’s Women’s History Month, it seems an opportune time to share it — while at the same time celebrating women’s achievements in the arenas of food science, food safety, food technology — and myriad accomplishments in other fields, too.

The chocolate chip cookie, originated by Ruth Graves Wakefield, had its start in New England, during the 1930s.

The story of the chocolate cookie begins in the 1930s, when Ruth Graves Wakefield and her husband, Kenneth, ran the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts.

Ruth was in charge of making meals for the guests, and she quickly became well-known for her impressive baking skills. In fact, travelers came from all over New England to enjoy her bakery items.

Her go-to dessert to serve was chocolate butter drop do cookies, a popular recipe from colonial times.

On one particular day, in 1938, she went to bake them, as she normally would.

It’s not entirely clear what happened next.

One story says that Ruth lacked the baker’s chocolate she needed, so she took a piece of a Nestle semi-sweet chocolate bar and used an ice pick to chip off pieces of chocolate into the batter, thinking they would blend throughout the cookie dough and melt.

Of course, they held their shape — turning gooey and soft instead.

Another story says it wasn’t baker’s chocolate that she was lacking, it was nuts. So, instead of serving plain butter drop do cookies, she decided to add pieces of chocolate to substitute for the nuts.

There’s another theory, too — that one says that Ruth planned to make the chocolate chip cookies all along.

After all, she did have a degree in household arts, and worked as a food lecturer and dietitian.

Some say she had been experimenting with new desserts with a friend, Sue Brides, and that the cookies were a result of her meticulous recipe development.

Whatever the case, the new cookies became a guest favorite.

She called them Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookies, and regularly made them  for visitors.

Their popularity grew throughout the Northeast.

She had originally published a recipe book in 1931; she added the chocolate chip cookie recipe in a 1939 reprint edition.

The recipe was then featured in the Boston Herald, and was later promoted on the radio show “Famous Foods from Famous Eating Places,” hosted by the brand character Betty Crocker, according to the New York Times.

After that radio show, the cookies became nationally known.

Nestle’s sale of chocolate bars skyrocketed.

Ruth sold the rights to Nestle to print her recipe, in 1939, and the company later hired her to be a consultant on future recipes.

It’s said the best perk of her job was free chocolate for life.

Nestle also started selling “chocolate morsels” — commonly called chocolate chips — that same year.

The company printed the recipe for the cookies on the back of its packaging.

In fact, that’s where you can still find it today — with a few changes to make it current.

Ruth and her husband sold the Toll House Inn in 1966.

The inn caught fire in 1984 — a sad ending to a place where culinary history had been made.

Still, the name lives on, through the recipe for a cookie that’s become a favorite for many.

By Shari Bresin

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

Recipe
Original NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-ounce package) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts (Optional. If omitting, add 1 to 2 Tbsp. of all-purpose flour.)

Directions
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375° F.

Step 2: Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

Step 3: Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Recipe and cookie image courtesy of NESTLÉ®. NESTLÉ® NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® are trademarks of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Vevey, Switzerland.

Published March 24, 2021

Pasco County supports youth program

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a two-year lease to Youth Entrepreneurial Services Inc. (YES), for office space at the Stallings Building, at 15029 14th St., in Dade City.

The lease term begins on March 1 and ends on Feb. 28, 2023. Terms also include two additional one-year renewal options.

The YES program focuses on serving youths and young adults, between the ages of 11 and 25, to help them develop innovative thinking and entrepreneurial skills.

The lease covers 140 square feet of space, plus non-exclusive use of classroom 1, common parking and common areas.

In addition to the rent charge of $1 a year, the organization also will pay its pro-rata share of the utilities in the annual amount of $240.

Published March 24, 2021

Avalon Applauds…Nathanael Northey

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CONGRATULATIONS to Nathanael Northey, a senior at Cypress Creek High School, for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Northey has been involved in student government since his freshman year and served as secretary before being elected senior class president, which he describes as an incredible opportunity.

Nathanael Northey

“Whether it’s fundraising at a local restaurant, or selling new senior shirts, it’s a great feeling knowing that the ideas you come up with not only benefit the student government, but the school, too,” says Northey.

Being senior class president has been a fun challenge for Northey, and one that has improved his public speaking and communication skills.

“When I learned I got the position, I was ready to get the wheels spinning, thinking of new ways to get students involved with the COVID-19 pandemic present,” said Northey. “I never thought being class pres- ident could be so much fun!”

Northey is also chairperson for the School Advisory Council committee, sec- retary for the National English Honor Society, and plays on his school’s varsity men’s basketball team.

“Cypress Creek has been a great school to go to, and I’m so glad that I get to be part of its first full four-year graduat- ing class,” said Northey. “This milestone in the school’s history will always be remembered, and I am so glad to be part of it.”

Northey has had several mentors at his school, including English teacher Cassie Adley, who knew Northey as a great kid, but didn’t realize what a good student he was until he took her AP Language and Composition class.

“He is exactly what you want from a student. Nathanael is a student who strives to be the best. He is not shut down by constructive criticism; he truly thrives off of it,” says Adley.

Northey is grateful for Adley’s guidance. “She has helped me improve my writing to a level I never thought possible,” says Northey. “I don’t know what I’m going to do next year not having Mrs. Adley as a teacher, but one thing I do know is that she has prepared me to face whatever comes my way.”

Northey also recognizes his basketball coaches for teaching him the importance of teamwork, as well as Principal Hetzler- Nettles, Mr. Uchaez, Mrs. Larimore and Ms. Vaccaro for their unwavering support.

Northey plans to attend the University of Central Florida and major in Physical Therapy. With his passion for science and love of sports, Northey thinks this will be the perfect field of study for him.

Hetzler-Nettles says Northey exempli- fies Cypress Creek’s H.O.W.L. student mission: Have a growth mindset, Own your education, Work as a community and Lead responsibly.

“Nathanael is a student who is going to change the trajectory of this world – I can’t wait to see how he does it,” she says.

New welcome center coming to Dade City

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Andy Taylor, legislative aide to Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore; Camille Hernandez, mayor of Dade City; and, Adam Thomas, tourism director for Pasco County for Destination Management Organization, all take part in a groundbreaking ceremony at the new welcome center in Dade City. (Courtesy of Experience Florida’s Sports Coast)

Dade City is pushing ahead to make the Roy Hardy Trail more tourist-friendly. Officials gathered on March 10 for the groundbreaking of a new visitor’s information welcome center, to be located on the south side of Church Avenue, near the Hardy Trail multi-use trailhead.

The building, which is expected to open this summer, will include two family bathrooms that meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

The center will feature an open interior floor plan — allowing for vendor operations, area attractions, museums and art exhibits to host mobile displays.

The welcome center is part of a larger exterior space concept that envisions a bike-share hub with stations for parking, minor bicycle repairs and public resting areas for cyclists, and exercising pedestrians.

The visitor’s information center is being funded with the help of a $250,000 grant from the Pasco County Tourist Development Council.

Published March 17, 2021

This sign lets people know that Dade City’s new welcome center will be opening this summer. A groundbreaking celebration was held on March 10. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor)

Grants to bolster Pasco library programs

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The Pasco County Public Library Cooperative has received two state grants that will allow it to expand its services.

The library has received a grant for $20,315 for fiscal year 2020-2021 to create a Books by Mail program, which will serve homebound residents who are physically unable to visit the library.

Homebound residents include those who can’t leave home during the pandemic, but also could be expanded to include people who live far away from a library.

The program will deliver materials to patrons through the United State Postal Service, and will  provide postage for the materials to be returned, according to information included in the agenda backup for the Pasco County Commission’s March 9 board meeting.

The county’s library system also received a grant through the Library Services and Technology Act for $50,413, to be used for a “Mobile Makerspace.”

In other library news, these appointments were made:

  • Douglas Butler will represent District 5 Commissioner Jack Mariano on the Library Advisory Board
  • Richard Hayes will represent District 3 Commissioner Kathryn Starkey on the Library Advisory Board
  • Joan Clark will represent Pasco County at large on the Library Advisory Board
  • Susan Dillinger will represent Pasco County at large, west side, on the Library Cooperative Advisory Board
  • Anjali Bedi will represent the City of Zephyrhills on the Library Advisory Board and Pasco County at large, east side, on the Library Cooperative Advisory Board.

Published March 17, 2021

Crowd gets to see ‘Elvis,’ a ‘teen angel’ and classic cars

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Spectators at the “Grease is the Word” event at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park had a chance to listen to an Elvis impersonator, check out a musical rivalry between Pasco Fire Rescue and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, and to take a look at some classic cars. There were also games and other attractions at the event on March 13.

Billy ‘Elvis’ Lindsey ends his set draped in an American flag. ‘If you see any other Elvis impersonator do this, he got it from me,’ Lindsey said. (Fred Bellet)
This 1965 Buick Skylark, owned by David and Maria Aponte, of Wesley Chapel, was one of the standout vehicles on display.
Twelve-year-old Payton Garver gingerly places a Jenga block on top after taking it from the bottom of the tower that she and her mom, Marie Garver, were building in front of the Life Church tent.
Pasco firefighter Logan Mielke appeared as a teen angel, during the sing-along competition between Pasco Fire Rescue and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. Mielke was assisted by the Bobbie Sox Dancers, and the songs were sung karaoke-style.
Donna and Don White of Land O’ Lakes are accompanied by the musically inclined Moxie, left, and Mia — two Pembroke Welsch Corgis, at ‘Grease is the Word.’
The “Grease is The Word” performances put a smile on Dottie Morgan’s face as the Tampa woman watches Billy “Elvis” Lindsey on the Heritage Park stage.
Classic car judge Dallas Stevens, of the Land O’ Lakes, peers into a car dubbed ‘Pink Panther’ during a car contest at the ‘Grease is the Word’ event, at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park. Howie and Barbara Mendick, of Lutz, own the 1950 Mercury.

 

All dressed up, and ready to go — at St. Patrick’s Day parade

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Noah Royak, of St. Petersburg, assumes the role of a super-tall leprechaun — dancing and singing to ‘Oh Danny Boy,’ as bagpipe music played, at the St. Patrick’s Day parade. (Fred Bellet)

A super-tall leprechaun, bagpipers, men dressed in kilts, decorated golf carts, and people of all shapes and sizes sporting green — were among the many highlights of the second annual St. Patrick’s Day parade at the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club, in San Antonio.

Decked-out golf carts rolled along Old Tampa Bay Drive, offering a spectacle to behold for onlookers lined up along the road.

Some decorated golf carts represented branches of the military. Others carried families and golf and country club residents who turned out to enjoy the day.

Special touches included the performance of the song ‘Danny Boy,’ participation by scout troops, a pipe and bugle band, and miniature therapy horses, among other things.

In an atmosphere of good cheer, the sentiment seemed clear — that those gathered there felt fortunate to be enjoying a wee bit of Irish luck.

Published March 17, 2021

Members of Boys Scouts Troop 311, from San Antonio, carry a banner to express appreciation for first responders. The troop meets at the Presbyterian Church in Dade City.
Mary-Jo Fuller, a resident of Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club, makes some last-minute checks on the Tampa Bay Zumba Club golf cart she decorated for the second annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Many-Dears Grinder, a veteran of the Vietnam War and a resident of the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club, watches the road as she steers her golf cart and waves to spectators.
A booming beat and the sounds from the Dunedin Pipe Band create an air of excitement, as band members make their appearance, dressed in kilts, for the St. Patrick’s Day parade at the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club.
One-year old Harmon Windschill watches in awe, as the pipe and bugle band goes by. He is flanked by his mom, Stephanie Windschill, left, and his dad, Nathan Windschill. Nathan and his parents are visiting his grandparents, John and Donna Windschill, residents of the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club.
Seven-year-old Aiden Riley, of Land O’ Lakes, sports a beard as he rides the back of a golf cart during the St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 13 in the community of the Old Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club, in San Antonio. He was there with his grandparents, Mary Ann and Robert Cleaves. His 4-year-old sister, Addison Riley, sat up front with the grandparents, as they rolled along Old Tampa Bay Drive.
Decorated golf carts in the parade honored various branches of military service.
Grace Oddo gets into the spirit of the parade by donning a sculpted balloon hat representing a rainbow with a pot of gold. The former New York resident recently moved to the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club.
Horse handler Maria Horvath, of Tampa, gets a kiss from Calypso, a miniature therapy horse. Calypso’s half-brother, Chardonnay, took part in the St. Patrick’s Day parade, courtesy of the Angel of God Equine Sanctuary.

 

Paying it forward, through music

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For 35 years, Karen Bishop taught orchestra in the schools, working with kindergartners through high school seniors. She saw it all. Or, so she thought.

Nearly two years after her retirement — and the immediate realization that she “missed it terribly’’ — Bishop has organized a community orchestra that motivates her passionate musicians and helps worthy causes at the same time.

Karen Bishop, who directs the Play it Forward Orchestra, stands alongside Daniel Ramos. The group had a Christmas benefit concert to help Ramos, a violinist in the orchestra, who has cancer. (Courtesy of Karen Bishop)

The “Play It Forward Orchestra’’ is a 25-member group that adheres to its motto — “A group of beautiful humans making the world a better place through music.’’

Last July, Bishop called around, trying to assemble a few violinists for a driveway concert to benefit the medical needs of a former student. More than two dozen musicians showed up. There was no rehearsal, just some inspired music for the cars that drove by. Someone asked, “When are we doing this again?’’

It has been going strong ever since.

In December, the orchestra held a fundraising Christmas concert for one of its own, violinist and Steinbrenner High School senior Daniel Ramos, who has cancer. Drinks and snacks were served by the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation Fighters, a Steinbrenner group formed by Lexie Mulvihill, whose brother died of cancer last year.

The orchestra, open to anyone with high school or college music experience, includes current and former musicians from Blake, Gaither, Hillsborough, Steinbrenner, Hillsborough Community College, the University of South Florida, the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida.

“It’s all volunteer and people who are doing it for the love (of music),’’ said Bishop, who spent the last 12 years of her career at Martinez Middle School. “It has been so much fun. The people in the group are loving and caring. If you tell them, ‘We have something next week in Ybor City at 8 in the morning,’ they will be there.

Karen Bishop directs the Play it Forward Orchestra, during a driveway concert.

“I hope it continues to grow. They love practicing and performing. There are a lot of fundraising and benefits we can do to help out.’’

In turn, the orchestra has been a helpful experience for the musicians — even beyond their love of music and performing.

Just ask violinist Bryan Camus, 32. He was in the orchestra at Blake, a performing arts magnet school. He became a nurse practitioner and lost himself in that career, partially losing his identity in the process. Life’s stresses seeped in. He experimented with drugs, considered suicide and spent nearly a month in rehab.

When he heard from Bishop, who was his middle school teacher, Camus hadn’t played his violin for nearly four years.

“We went through all of the pieces, and Karen and I were both shocked at how well I was playing,’’ said Camus, now a nursing professor at Rasmussen University. “Music has saved me.

“Looking at my life, I had some trauma piled on top of other trauma. My career didn’t help. In nursing school, you learn to put your emotions aside to help others. But you break at some point. “Now I have found an outlet, my love of music, and I look forward to everything we do,” he said.

Members of the Play it Forward Orchestra take their cues from their director, Karen Bishop.

The group gathers for a weekly rehearsal and for events, as needed.

Camus said the level of music ranges from intermediate to advanced. The enjoyment level? Off the charts.

“The basis for this is having fun and raising money for people who need it,’’ Camus said. “I think we will continue to grow. When Karen wants something to happen, it tends to happen.

“This isn’t like a full symphony. It’s still a small group. We all enjoy each other and pick fun at each other. I am the oldest and half these kids are better than I am, even though I’m twice their age. But it’s a very welcoming, inclusive group and you feel great just being around everyone.’’

Bishop said the group’s numbers could easily double, perhaps incorporating more adults who haven’t played in a while but never lost their musical interest. She’s looking into requesting nonprofit status and exploring other fundraising options.

For more information on the Play It Forward Orchestra, contact Bishop at .

By Joey Johnston

Published March 17, 2021

Government stimulus check inspires kindness, generosity

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When Wesley Chapel’s Carmen Quiles’ family received a stimulus check from the federal government, her initial reaction was — who can’t use some extra cash during a pandemic?

But then, she thought, there are others who need the money more.

Carmen Quiles stands near some of the ‘Bags of Love’ containing food and other items that she and her husband distribute to the homeless. Quiles used money from the government’s stimulus check to pay for items. She hopes to build on the effort, by inspiring more people to become volunteers or make donations. (Courtesy of Carmen Quiles)

She turned that generous impulse into action, packing up “Bags of Love” for the homeless — and distributing them in hot spots throughout North Tampa.

She packs sausages, cookies, crackers, peanut butter cups, sanitizers, socks, blankets, Band-Aids, ointments and more into her bags.

Quiles’ husband, Hector, a retired Navy Captain and former nurse manager of specialty clinics at the James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital, had no idea what his wife had in mind when he noticed various supplies being stocked in their garage.

When she outlined a plan to help the needy with their excess funds, he was delighted and supportive.

“You see the happiness and excitement in people’s eyes and that’s a feeling that’s very satisfying,’’ he said. “We’re not looking for publicity or kudos, but if it could inspire others to help or do something similar, it’s worth shining a light on this.

“You can always find people in need. Sometimes, I will be driving and see someone. I wish I had brought a bag in the car to give them. I need to start doing that,” he said.

Quiles said her idea has been greeted enthusiastically — sometimes with disbelief.

“The first time I was out, a policeman stopped me and asked, ‘What are you doing here?’” Quiles said. “I think he was concerned about safety and my husband was, too. So he comes with me.

“You see white people, Black people, Hispanic people. You see males and females, sometimes couples. You never know the circumstance or what has happened. But when you give something and it might be the only thing they eat that day, it’s an overwhelming feeling.’’

Quiles said she returned to an area where she had distributed her gift bags and she noticed a group of people were gathered around, sharing the food.

These Bags of Love are ready for delivery.

“That gave me a little tear,’’ she said.

Quiles and her husband, originally from Puerto Rico, were on active military duty for 30 years. They lived in places such as Orlando, Jacksonville, Virginia Beach and Northern Virginia during the Navy stint. Quiles did volunteer work at most of those stops and that opened her eyes.

“I was a nurse before, and I worked at free clinics and soup kitchens,’’ Quiles said. “You would see the same faces. There is great need.

“Sometimes, we tend to judge people. You don’t know their situations. Sometimes, people wind up on the streets because things happen. They might lose their jobs. It’s tough out there, especially these days. A lot of people were getting by with two jobs. Now they might not even have one. So they wind up in a situation they never expected.’’

Quiles said she has been conscious of these unfortunate situations.

She feels fortunate to offer some help.

“This makes me happy,’’ Quiles said. “There’s a lot of help that’s needed. It gives me joy if I can help to make a difference.

“I see a smile from them, even though sometimes they might not have teeth.’’

And, that fact has sparked another idea: Quiles wants to explore the potential of finding dental volunteers, who can help by providing cleaning and hygiene.

The Wesley Chapel woman would like to keep her program going, and possibly expand it, by organizing additional donations and volunteers.

If you are interested in finding out more, Quiles can be reached at .

By Joey Johnston

Published March 10, 2021