The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Masks still required in Pasco public schools

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Pasco County Schools will require masks on its school campuses through the end of the school year, Superintendent Kurt Browning said, recently in a video.

The superintendent said he previously misspoke when he said the district’s requirement was based on the governor’s executive order. Rather, he said, as superintendent he has the authority to require masks in a time of emergency, and the continuing COVID-19 pandemic constitutes an emergency.

Browning said a decision regarding masks for next school year will be made closer to that time.

Meanwhile, Browning also addressed the issue during a recent webinar hosted by the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

He said the decision to require masks through the end of the school year made some people happy and others, not.

“It’s not about making people happy, with me, it’s about making sure we have a safe environment for our students and our staff, and the visitors that come into our schools,” Browning said.

“You know, COVID has become very political, unfortunately. People are kind of polarized on two different sides. It’s either they will support vaccines, or they don’t. They support masks, or they don’t.

“We are having to make decisions of what we believe are in the best interest of our kids and our employees, based on CDC recommendations, and depending on where you are coming from — you just don’t subscribe to that, or you do subscribe to that,” Browning said.

Published May 05, 2021

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Plaza Mexico

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Unbelievable Margarita Specials!

There’s no better place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than Plaza Mexico Restaurant Bar & Grill in Zephyrhills. Patrons enjoy this spacious family restaurant with authentic Mexican food, and on May 5, are looking forward to Mexican music, dancing and drink specials under a large tent set up in its parking lot.

“Last year we were closed on Cinco de Mayo because of COVID, so this year we’re especially excited to be bringing our Mexican traditions to our friends and neighbors,” said Hector Gallardo, one of the restaurant’s owners.

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican heritage, commemorating the May 5,1862 date of the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla. In the U.S., it is the biggest celebration honoring Mexico and its people.

You can’t have a Cinco de Mayo party without guacamole, and Plaza Mexico is known for its freshly made guacamole made tableside.

“Our cart goes around to every table to offer fresh guacamole,” Gallardo said. “It’s a really popular appetizer because it’s made fresh right in front of you.”

And when it comes to drinks, Plaza Mexico has a large selection of margaritas, including a monster margarita that is called the fishbowl. On Cinco de Mayo, margaritas specials will be available inside and under the big tent.

Families visit Plaza Mexico all year long for its great food and festive ambience.  Its unique décor has a “Day of the Dead” theme.

“We have a lot of regulars who keep coming back because our food is very good, our portions generous and prices very affordable,” said Gallardo. “We love seeing so many familiar faces as new customers come back again and again.”

Located on County Road 54, just east of U.S. 301, Plaza Mexico is in a beautifully renovated free-standing building in the heart of town, just blocks from AdventHealth Zephyrhills. The restaurant follows COVID safety guidelines.

Gallardo and his uncle, Hector Alvarez, believe in leading from the front, and work alongside their employees to ensure professionalism and quality control.

“At most places, the owner just opens the restaurant. They let the people work for them, but here the owners work in the restaurant. We have two or three owners working at a time, to make sure that everything is done very professionally,” said Alvarez.

The menu at Plaza Mexico is extensive with many different choices, including lots of vegetarian dishes. The menu has authentic versions of the usual Mexican favorites: tacos, fajitas, burritos, quesadillas and enchiladas. And, for seafood lovers, there are crab quesadillas, white shrimp enchiladas and ceviche.

Food is made fresh daily, and some of the recipes have existed for generations within the family. One dish — a popular house special that can be ordered for one or two persons — that Gallardo is particularly proud of is served in a molcajete.

“Let me extend a personal invitation to readers of The Laker to visit our Cinco de Mayo celebration. We would love to introduce you and your family to the best Mexican food in the area, in an environment that is safe and fun,” said Gallardo.

Margarita Specials
(Old family recipe from Jalisco, Mexico)
16 oz small – $7.75
27 oz jumbo – $9.95
40 oz monster – $14.95

Be Ready to Buy in Today’s Competitive Real Estate Market

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Anyone thinking about buying a home these days knows it’s a very robust and competitive real estate market. In Tampa Bay, single-family home sales in particular are booming as people from all over the United States move to Pasco County to pursue their dream home in a less-crowded region that boasts great weather and healthier lifestyles.

Many new homebuyers are selecting ICI Homes as their builder because they are able to customize their home and have it ready in as little as eight months — the same length it takes most national production builders to complete a home.

Here are some tips from ICI Homes to help streamline home-buying goals, especially amid so much competition from other hopeful buyers.

Build rather than buy
This is the best way to get the new custom Florida home. If you’ve begun researching existing homes for sale, you probably know it’s a seller’s market, which means there are more buyers than there is home inventory.

Don’t get trapped in bidding wars! Instead, buy a homesite and build the customized floor plan that’s right for your household, and avoid the uncertainty and hassles that come with a seller’s market.

Of course, there will be a wait while your home is being built. But that gives you more time to sell your current home, de-clutter all that stuff you’ve been putting off, and prepare and plan for the move to your new home.

Building a new home gives you control — you can choose the community, homesite and floor plan best for you, rather than settling for someone else’s tastes. Plus, every prospective ICI Homes customer can take advantage of a complimentary customization consultation with a talented floor plan designer.

Get pre-approved for a mortgage
Before you do anything else, get pre-approved for a mortgage. Unless you’re a cash buyer, this is where you should always begin.

Being pre-approved determines what priced home you can afford, so you don’t waste time with homes that aren’t a match. When you find an inventory home or homesite that’s perfect, you’ll be all set with your pre-approval to make an offer, before a cash buyer swoops in with an instant sale.

Do your research
Once you’re pre-approved, decide which community is best for your family. In Pasco County, ICI Homes has homes in three master-planned communities: Asturia in Odessa, Persimmon Park in Wesley Chapel, and Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City. There are inventory homes and beautiful lots available in all three communities.

Start your search on the ICI Homes website, which is stocked with 3D virtual tours, photo galleries, interactive floor plans and much more. Online sales staff can answer your questions, get you the information you need and connect you with an ICI Homes community sales associates.

Much like a mortgage pre-approval, know what floor plan you want, the community you prefer, your purchase budget, and key information about the surrounding area. And then, there will be have much less hemming, hawing and debating when it’s time to move forward with a contract.

Don’t be afraid to make quick decisions
In today’s market, the home or homesite you were touring today might not be there tomorrow. You may have to decide quickly to go into contract once you find the perfect inventory home or homesite. But, if you’re prepared, it makes the decision that much easier.

Homes are selling quickly, so you should be prepared to make a quick decision when you find a move-in ready home. Fortunately, ICI Homes has inventory homes available, and is building more homes daily. So even though it is a seller’s market, your odds of finding a new home you love are much higher than finding a resale you love! And, you get the peace of mind of having a quality-built, brand new home.

Model homes in Asturia and Persimmon Park are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m., on Sunday. All COVID-19 safety restrictions are in place. The Asturia model is at 2112 Secret Cove in Odessa, and the Persimmon Park model is at 3793 Lajuana Blvd., Wesley Chapel.

Call 813-252-1108, or go to ICIHomes.com, to schedule a VIP appointment for a new homesite in the Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City. The sales center there at 12330 Lake Jovita Blvd., in Dade City, and its model home will open this summer.

Published April 28, 2021

Keep Your Family Cool and Safe With A New A/C and Generator

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Florida’s hot and humid summer will soon be here, along with the threat of power outages due to thunderstorms and hurricanes. It is smart to be prepared before the heat and storms, and May is a great time to look at updating or replacing you’re A/C system, and installing a generator.

The outdoor unit of the Daikin Fit is half the size of a traditional condenser, which allows for more space for outdoor living.

“The only thing worse than having you’re A/C go out on the hottest day of the year, is it going out during a hurricane, and not coming back on when your power is restored,” said Dana Spears, president and owner of Cornerstone Pros in Land O’ Lakes.

Many families decide to upgrade their A/C system, either because their existing unit is unreliable and costs too much to maintain, or it is so inefficient that it uses an increasing amount of energy that results in hundreds of dollars in utility bills.

A new A/C system that Cornerstone Pros offers exclusively in this area is the Daikin Fit series, which features exceptionally cool comfort, a small footprint and high energy efficiency ratings.

“The Daikin Fit has many advantages that families value,” said Spears. “Here are the top three that our customers rave about.”

  1. Half The Size — The outdoor unit is half the size of a traditional condenser, which makes it perfect for pool and patio areas. It is also great for homes with narrow lot lines.
  2. Exceptionally Quiet — It’s so quiet that it can be installed outside a bedroom window and not be heard inside, which means you don’t hear a compressor kicking on and off during the night.
  3. Energy Efficient — It has an energy efficiency rating of 16 SEER that lowers your power bill, because it takes less energy to cool your home.

The Daikin Fit series also has Wi-Fi connectivity and thermostat controls that are accessible from a phone, pad and laptop. Plus, Cornerstone offers great financing terms and rebates, and works with local utility companies to qualify customers for additional rebates. Finally, the Daikin Fit has one of the best warranties in the industry, with a 12-year parts and labor warranty included in the price of the unit.

Home Generators
Many families purchase a home generator to keep their family comfortable and safe when the power goes out.

“Families of all sizes and incomes are installing home generators, especially if a family member has medical issues that require treatments needing power,” said Miguel Silva, plumbing manager for Cornerstone Pros.

Cornerstone installs Generac generators, the country’s largest and most advanced manufacturer of backup generators that run on natural gas or liquid propane, and automatically activate when there is a power outage.

Generac generators automatically activate when there is a power outage.

“Choosing the right size generator for your home is just as important as the quality of the generator. Our technicians do a full load calculation on every home we quote, and specify a generator that best meets a family’s needs and budget,” said Silva.

Cornerstone Pros offers permanent and portable generators, and has low-interest financing available to make monthly payments affordable.

“We want to encourage everyone who wants to protect their family’s health, comfort and safety to give us call,” said Silva. “We do everything possible to make a generator fit their budget.”

Today’s generators are compact, quiet and able to power some or all of a home’s electrical appliances. A generator prevents almost all of the problems associated with power loss, including spoiled food, extreme temperatures, sickening mold, and no running water if a home is on a well.

The American Red Cross recommends permanently installed backup generators because they are a safer way to provide backup power to a home than a portable generator. Plus, a portable generator can be dangerous if not properly installed.

“A new transfer switch is usually needed for a portable generator, so a home’s electrical panel is not blown up when the utility turns the power back on,” said Silva.

“Generators provide protection 24/7, whether you’re home or away, and turn themselves off when utility power returns, so there is no need to monitor the unit during an outage,” said Silva.

Cornerstone Pros offers 24-hour heating and cooling assistance. Its phones are answered 24/7, and technicians are available weekends and holidays. Call 813-990-0561 anytime, day or night.

Published April 28, 2021

Jazz Under the Starz New Arts Series at Avalon Park

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Supporting the arts and providing a venue for local artists have always been core goals of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, a master-planned community located east of I-75 on State Road 54. The latest addition to this vision is Jazz Under the Starz, which recently hosted its first concert at Avalon Park’s community center.

Arlene Brooks, a resident of San Antonio, is the founder of Jazz Under the Starz.

“There is something about music that soothes the soul and brings people together,” says Arlene Brooks, organizer of Jazz Under the Starz and owner of Coffee Speaks N Tea Talks in New Tampa. “Music doesn’t have a color to it — it brings people together and makes your soul feel good. Music is my inspiration, and there’s nothing I enjoy more than watching people come together to share in this joy.”

Brooks began inviting professional jazz musicians to perform at her coffee shop after it opened in November 2019. Just a few months later, COVID closed the business, and when it reopened last summer, Brooks moved the musicians to the parking lot outside her Pebble Creek location and renamed it Jazz Under the Starz.

“Because of social distancing, we could not bring back live music inside the coffee shop, so we moved it outside. People liked this so much that our weekend shows were attracting 300 to 400 people, and the crowd became too large to continue in our parking lot,” explains Brooks.

Leroy Brim played jazz guitar at the April Jazz Under the Starz.

It was this challenge that brought Brooks and Stephanie Lerret of Avalon Park together. Both are members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, and Chamber President Hope Kennedy brought them together to see if they could help each other out.

“When Stephanie suggested we move Jazz Under the Starz to Avalon Park, it was the perfect solution for today and the future,” explains Brooks. “I learned that Avalon Park is building an amphitheater in its new downtown, and Stephanie wanted us to locate there when it opens. And until then, she invited us to play at Avalon Park’s community center.”

It was a beautiful evening on April 24, when the first Jazz Under the Starz was held at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, with John Patti on steel drums, and Leroy Brim and T. Foxx on guitar. Folks brought chairs to relax in under the stars, mingled with neighbors and enjoyed the soothing music.

“The event was great and the atmosphere was awesome. Jazz Under the Starz is spreading like wildfire!” said Brooks.

In addition to musicians, Jazz Under the Starz invites other artists to exhibit and perform, including Shawn Rainey of Wesley Chapel, an abstract painter who painted a canvas during the April 24 event at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Jazz Under the Starz will be brought to Avalon Park every third Saturday of the month, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Music will feature smooth jazz, including musicians on guitar, sax, clarinet, keyboard, violin and steel drum. Brooks also invites other artists to exhibit and perform alongside the musicians. This includes painters (Shawn Rainey of Wesley Chapel painted during the April event) and dancers, including the Tampa Bay Ballet.

The cover fee to attend Jazz under the Starz is just $10, and children 12 and under are free. The next Jazz Under the Starz is Saturday, May 15.

“We are so excited to bring Jazz Under the Starz to our community,” says Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for the Avalon Park Group. “We love offering things to do for our families, and especially have a passion for sharing the arts. Jazz under the Starz is exactly the type of organization we want to support, and fits perfectly with our goal of enhancing and bringing more attention to arts and culture.”

This fall, Avalon Park is breaking ground on its new downtown, which includes an amphitheater for performing arts, and the East Pasco Fine Arts Gallery in conjunction with the Pasco Fine Arts Council. The community began its partnership with the Pasco Fine Arts Council in 2019, offering its Welcome Center as a new gallery for residents on the east side of Pasco County.

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will offer places to shop and work in its downtown hub that will be connected to its residential neighborhoods by tree-lined streets, walkways and bike paths.

The first phase will include five buildings and 130,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space and apartments built above the storefronts.

At build out, Avalon Park’s downtown will have more than 560,000 square feet of retail, and 120,000 square feet of office space. This 1,650-acre master-planned community will be home to 10,000 residents.

For more information about Avalon Park and its events, call 813-783-1515, or email . Information is also available at AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com, and its Facebook page at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Jazz Under the Starz
Sat., May 15
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Community Center – Avalon Park Wesley Chapel
5060 River Glen Blvd.
Wesley Chapel, FL 33545
$10 cover charge; children 12 and under free
Reservations at JazzUndertheStarz.com

Published April 28, 2021

Festival benefits Gulfside Hospice

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Those attending the Charity Festival of Arts could view an art competition, enjoy a talent showcase, visit a variety of vendors, and kids could make crafts, at an April 17 event at Heritage Park, in Land O’ Lakes, benefiting Gulfside Hospice.

Fourteen-year-old Allie La Russa, of Land O’ Lakes, was among the entertainers at the Charity Festival of the Arts, a benefit for Gulfside Hospice held at Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes. (Fred Bellet)
Gulfside Hospice volunteer Patty Killoy, of Land O’ Lakes, had her hands full when a gust of wind blew over the painted canvases of artwork entered into the competition. Killoy has been volunteering for hospice for two years.
Seven-year-old Hallynd Zipf, of Land O’ Lakes, enjoys a bowl of Lucky’s Italian Ice, at the festival. She was there with her dad, Charley, and her 5-year-old sister Landrey.
Andrew Krance, of Wesley Chapel, brought the color and plenty of it as he stands with one of his large format acrylic paintings. Krance said he’s been cranking out paintings for half a century and usually completes the work in one day. Krance said one of his specialties is transferring his artwork onto blankets and goes by the name, Blankets Des Artiste.
Jewelry-maker and gemstone specialist, Beryl Oduor, of St. Petersburg, demonstrated the art of bracelet-making, using cat’s eye and hematite beads. She was one of the vendors at the festival.
Drew Regan, left, and Alex Regan, both of New Port Richey, sing inspirational music they brought over from the Riverside Baptist Church in New Port Richey. Percussionist Matt Martin led with the beat. They were among the line-up for the local talent showcase at the Charity Festival of Arts at Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes.

 

Rising from the ashes — an iconic bar begins a new era in Zephyrhills

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Two days after a devastating fire tore through Jerry’s Crystal Bar, Bob Geddes could be seen walking around the burnt-out shell of the building.

Geddes, one of the building’s owners, appeared to be in a bit of a daze — as he maneuvered through the aftermath, clutching a battery-powered drill in his hand.

The Crystal Bar’s old metal sign hangs over the stage area in the newly rebuilt watering hole. The sign was salvaged from the 2019 fire that destroyed the original bar. The bar’s founder, Bob Geddes, repainted an old Western Auto sign, decades ago, to create the sign for his establishment. (Christine Holtzman)

The fire was on May 2, 2019 — and it wasn’t certain what the future would hold.

After all, the beloved Gall Boulevard watering hole had been the longest-operating bar in Zephyrhills.

Founded in 1954 by his parents, Bob and Geraldine, the bar had become a community fixture.

It wasn’t just the loss of a building.

The yellow caution tape around the parking lot’s perimeter signaled the end of an era.

After the fire, Crystal’s Facebook page was flooded with stories about people finding love there, having fun there and feeling ‘at home’ within the bar’s walls.

Jimmie Rex Harper, better known as the famous ‘Zephyrhills Shirtless Cowboy,’ enjoys his favorite brew straight from the pitcher during the Crystal Bar’s soft opening on March 26.

People wondered: Will the bar be rebuilt?

Shortly after the fire — while the pungent smell of burnt wood still lingered in the air — Bob Geddes wasn’t certain.

But, last month that question was answered, as the iconic business held a soft opening of a new building that looks different from the previous bar, but seems to have preserved the loyalty of its patrons.

The new bar appears to be two stories tall.

The structure also is closer to Gall Boulevard, with a wide sidewalk out front and parking in the rear — changes required to the city’s form-based code, for a reimagined U.S. 301/Gall Boulevard corridor area, according to Kurt Geddes, another one of the owners.

Rebuilding the bar was a unanimous decision for him and his five siblings who share ownership, he said.

They wanted to rebuild because it is their legacy, he explained.

Tom Jones, of Zephyrhills, left, enjoys a cocktail at Crystal Bar, with his brother-in-law David Lutat. They’ve been coming to the bar since 1990, and their favorite drink is a Crown and Soda.

“We’re all townies. We all went to school here and graduated here. We got married here. The bar is an icon, an institution. It’s a rite of passage to go to the Crystal to have a drink.”

He is quite the popular figure, as he sits at the bar.

A sea of familiar faces gathers — vying for his attention.

Next to him is Maria Laudenbach, of Zephyrhills, a patron at Crystal for 15 years.

She points at Kurt Geddes and says, “They’re not just family (meaning all the Geddes siblings) — they’re everybody’s family.”

Rene Hill, another sibling and owner, expressed how she couldn’t contain her happiness in the days leading up to the soft opening – which happened to fall on her late mother Geraldine’s birthday.

Norman ‘Stormin Norman’ Bureau, right, studies his next move while playing a billiards game at the bar’s soft opening last month. Bill Therrien, center, and bar owner Kurt Geddes, left, both play in the same billiards league.

“Every time I’ve come into work, I’ve had a smile on my face. I haven’t smiled in two years,” Hill said.

Others enjoying the evening also had their stories about what the reopening meant to them.

Rob Hubbard, of Zephyrhills, said he first came to the bar as a young boy in the 1980s – when his mother was a bartender there.

Sipping his beer, he summed up his feelings this way: “This bar means a lot. I’ve known the (Geddes) family a long time and they’ve always been good to me. It’s just a great place to come.”

He admitted: “It’s a little odd now, because this place is completely different. It’s a lot bigger place, it’s a whole different look.”

Bartender Teresa O’Malley, of Dade City, who has worked at Crystal Bar since 1998, puts the finishing touches on a couple of cocktails. This is her take on the bar: ‘It’s community, a camaraderie, the local hometown feel, good people, good times, you know, it’s just wonderful.’

But that didn’t stop him from dropping by.

Norman ‘Stormin Norman’ Bureau, of Zephyrhills, was at the soft opening playing billiards with his friend, Bill Therrien.

Bureau, a patron at the bar for 30 years, compared its vibe to the “Cheers” bar featured in a popular 1980s-sitcom.

“Everyone knows your name. It makes you feel good inside,” Bureau said, adding that the regulars at the bar “are tighter than Grandma’s knitting.”

Therrien, also of Zephyrhills, has a shorter history with the bar — roughly six years — but feels equally at home.

He’s also enthusiastic about the bar’s new digs.

“I love it. I love what they’ve built here, I love what they’ve done. It’s awesome,” Therrien said.

Arguably one of the bar’s most colorful characters is Jimmie Rex Harper, also known as the famous ‘Zephyrhills Shirtless Cowboy.’

At the soft opening, the 46-year-old is seated at the bar – wearing his cowboy hat, and drinking beer from a pitcher.

He’s been a customer at the bar since he turned 21.

The sun sets behind the new Jerry’s Crystal Bar, 5707 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills, on March 26, the day of its soft opening. A new building has replaced the previous one that was destroyed by fire on May 2, 2019.

When he began frequenting it, founders Bob and Geraldine were still alive and running the bar.

Over the years, Harper said, every single Geddes family member has thrown him out of the place for being rowdy — with the exception of the elder Bob, who had a soft spot for him.

Harper had just been allowed back into the bar — following his most recent ban — just two weeks before the fire destroyed the building.

The new building might inspire him, he said, to try to not get banned again.

The bar held its grand opening celebration on April 23, with prizes, giveaways and live music.

Bob Geddes said the family had a simple motivation for wanting to reopen.

“We were thinking that we had been here for 65+ years, and we decided we didn’t want it to end,” he said.

By Christine Holtzman

Published April 28, 2021

Pasco offers support for National Day of Prayer on May 6

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The Pasco County Commission has adopted a resolution declaring May 6 as the official day to observe the National Day of Prayer in Pasco County.

The resolution notes that “the National Day of Prayer is an event deeply rooted in our country’s history dating back to the First Continental Congress in 1775.”

The resolution further notes that Congress passed a joint resolution recognizing a National Day of Prayer, in 1952 and then in 1988. President Ronald Reagan signed a law setting aside the first Thursday of May as the date on which the National Day of Prayer is officially observed.

The county’s resolution also notes that “the National Day of Prayer unites Americans from all socio-economic, political, and ethnic backgrounds in prayer for our nation. This diversity was intended by Congress when it designated the National Day of Prayer, not that every faith and creed would be homogenized, but that all who sought to pray for this nation would be encouraged to do so in any manner deemed appropriate.”

The board also “encourages all citizens to join in observing this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities,” according to the resolution, approved on April 20.

Published April 28, 2021

All are welcome at Spark Church

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Pastor Garrett Hamblen with his wife, Katherine.

by Kelli Carmack

 Garrett Hamblen never intended to become a pastor — in fact, he went to school in his home state of Indiana for his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Business at Indiana State University, graduating in 2012.

Everything was all set up for 23-year-old Hamblen to enter the business world, but right before he graduated, his father committed suicide.

 

“When I lost my dad, I was really numb to love and life. But God rescued me,” says Hamblen.

Hamblen explains that God rescued him when he moved to Florida in 2014 to be with his brother, who was working at a Christian men’s drug and alcohol program. During this time, Hamblen felt led by God to go into church leadership, and served in several pastoral roles.

For a while, things were amazing for Hamblen. In 2018, he met his now-wife, Katherine, when speaking at a church in Tampa. Fast forward two years later, and the couple was married in March 2020.

And then, just a week into their honeymoon, the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic struck. “When we got back, the world was completely different,” said Hamblen.

While still trying to get used to this new world, two months after the onset of the pandemic, Hamblen lost his job. Scared and unsure of his future in the ministry world, God found a way to speak to Hamblen through his family and friends.

“So many of my loved ones kept throwing out the idea of me starting my own church,” he explains.

So, Hamblen and his wife went to a church-planning training session, and in that moment, the couple knew they had to pursue this calling from God. And thus, Spark Church was born.

Inspired by the phrase “just one spark away,” Spark Church’s goal is to ignite real life change throughout the community. Outreach is one way they are achieving this.

Hamblen and his team enjoy going out into the local communities to share love and hope. Whether it’s going to community block parties, hitting up the local park, or working with nonprofits, Spark Church is here to make a difference in Pasco County.

Seeing lives change is the most rewarding part of being a pastor, says Hamblen.

“We see people who are being abused, cheated on, who recently got fired… they’re in these tragic moments in their lives, and have nobody. We want to be that somebody for them,” says Hamblen.

Spark Church services are held every Sunday at 10 a.m., at the movie theater at The Grove at Wesley Chapel.

Hamblen finds it exciting to have his church located in such a booming area. “We’ve got a big heart for this area,” he said.

The church’s first service was held March 21, and Hamblen is already receiving great feedback.

“Some of the families that have come to our service have told me they’ve been waiting for a different type of church, and they found it here,” says Hamblen.

Something unique that Spark Church offers during its Sunday service is a wristband station. If you choose a green wristband, you are open to physical contact, such as a hug or high-five. If you are more restrained, there is a yellow wristband, and if you do not want any physical contact, you choose a red one. This is just one of the many ways Spark Church implements COVID-friendly practices.

The church also offers a kid’s ministry for children up to fifth grade. Through learning Bible stories, songs and participating in engaging group activities, Spark Church helps spread the word of God to youngsters. All Spark Kids adult team members pass background checks, and safety protocols are in place so parents don’t need to worry while they are in their Sunday service.

Hamblen’s main goal for Spark Church in its first year is to develop life groups this fall. These will be eight-week semesters that provide opportunities to connect with other believers. He also plans to open up a ministry school, which will focus on preparing people who are looking to get into the ministry career path.

If you haven’t been to church in a while, or have never been at all, Hamblen encourages you to check out Spark Church.

“What’s the harm in trying? You might find your new family,” says Hamblen.

Spark Church • https://www.sparkpasco.com •765-894-1583

Published 4/21/21

Volunteer With Gulfside Hospice And You Will Benefit Even More Than Those You Help

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For Karen Lentz, volunteering at Gulfside Hospice began with her husband’s fondness for craft beer.

About a year after relocating to Port Richey from Wisconsin, Karen and her husband, Mike, attended the 2018 Spring Brewfest for Hospice benefiting Gulfside. While enjoying the beer and activities, Karen met volunteers and staff working the event, and learned that new volunteers are always welcome in a variety of ways to help Pasco’s largest hospice organization.

“At Brewfest I found everyone to be so warm, and felt their passion was so genuine, that I wanted to learn how I could get involved, too,” said Lentz. She was invited to attend Women For Gulfside, a group of 70 women of all ages who work together to raise money for the nonprofit.

Karen Lentz is a founding member of Women For Gulfside.

“As a newcomer to the area, volunteering at Gulfside has opened so many doors for me,” said Lentz. “Through Women For Gulfside, I have met some fabulous people, made many great friends and found an organization where my volunteerism truly makes a difference.”

Gulfside Hospice is celebrating people like Lentz during National Volunteer Week, which is April 18-24. “Every individual and family who is supported by Gulfside Hospice is touched by our volunteers,” said Kirsty Churchill, director of public relations for the organization. “The mission of hospice could not be accomplished without our volunteers.”

National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 by the Points of Light organization to “shine a light on the people and causes that inspire us to serve, recognizing and thanking volunteers who lend their time, talent and voice to make a difference in their communities.”

Volunteer appreciation and recognition is especially important now, following a year of COVID restrictions that greatly limited volunteer activities, with the end result of fewer people volunteering because of health and safety concerns.

“For those who are able, there are so many ways to volunteer at Gulfside Hospice — from working in our thrift shops, to providing administrative assistance, to making handcrafted gifts and cards, and providing respite care to give caregivers time to get a haircut or go shopping,” said Churchill. “You can volunteer just a few hours a month, or as many as you want.”

Karen Lentz, center with sunglasses, is one of hundreds of volunteers at Gulfside Hospice. Shown with Karen at a recent fundraising event are, from left, Carla Armstrong, Mary Rammer, Scott Rammer, Karen Lentz, Mike Lentz, Andrea Flaherty and James Flaherty.

“I cannot tell you how personally rewarding it is for me to spend time with hospice patients and their families,” said Karen. “People ask me all the time how I can do this, and remark how difficult it must be. But the truth is I get so much more back in return, that I am the one benefiting the most. I truly feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to do this.”

Before moving to Florida, Lentz was rapidly climbing the corporate ladder in information technology for a health care/insurance company. The work was intense, and it was not unusual for her to work 16 hours a day.

“I was surprised to discover that after achieving my professional milestones, that I still felt unfulfilled and was struggling with how I wanted to live my life. Being a success at my job did not give me a sense of purpose, and I began to look for other things I could focus on that were more rewarding and would make me happy.”

Looking back on her life, Lentz reflected that the job she loved the most went back to junior high when she worked as a nurse’s aide working with Alzheimer patients. “These were patients in the final stages of their lives, and I loved working with them.”

Realizing that what she loved best was completely different than her career path, Lentz reached out to hospice organizations in Wisconsin, signed up for training and became a volunteer.

There are many ways to volunteer at Gulfside Hospice, including making handcrafted cards.

Lentz eventually left her corporate job and set up a consulting business from home, which gave her more time to volunteer and explore relocating to Florida. After touring the state for a new place to call home, the Lentzes fell in love with New Port Richey and soon after they moved, Lentz made contact with Gulfside Hospice at the Brewfest.

While many people become involved with hospice after a family member receives services to assist them through the final stages of life, others, like Lentz, do not have a personal hospice experience and become involved because they want to volunteer with a group that makes such a significant difference in their community.

“One of the things I really like about raising money for Gulfside is that we know where the money goes and know that it is always accounted for,” said Lentz. “In fact, Women For Gulfside gets to determine where the money we raise through our philanthropy is spent, and that means so much to our group.”

Gulfside Hospice always welcome new volunteers, and there are many ways to get involved. To learn more, contact the volunteer team at 727-845-5707, or visit Gulfside.org/volunteer-with-gulfside.

Published April 21, 2021