The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

A donation of necessities

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club president Annette Bellingar delivered 75 Christmas crackers, donated by club members, to a Tampa assisted living facility. Each cracker contained two pairs of socks for each facility resident. Bellingar also presented boxes of new shoes, accessories and toiletries provided by a generous donor friend of the woman’s club. Maryvette DeLeon, administrator of the assisted living facility, left, accepts the gifts from Bellingar.

Addressing Pasco’s hunger issue

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In society’s modern parlance, it’s called “food insecurity.’’ In simple terms, it’s hunger. And, it’s a big problem in Pasco County, particularly in the COVID-19 era.

Christine Bright, Pasco Unit chair for the League of Women Voters, recently gathered officials from five nonprofit agencies for a panel discussion — “Hidden Hunger in Pasco.’’

Key statistical takeaways:

  • Pasco County’s poverty rate for children is about 25%, which is higher than the statewide average of 20%
  • 45% of Pasco households fall under the “ALICE threshold’’ — which means Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. It reflects households that are barely making it, probably one crisis away from financial wipeout
  • Feeding Tampa Bay’s food requests have increased by 360% since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Bright said the League of Women Voters, a nonprofit, nonpartisan political organization, believes that its core mission is to educate and advocate about a community’s important issues.

“Hunger in our community is at the top of that list,’’ Bright said.

There are ongoing solutions — even in these challenging, virus-driven times.

Patti Templeton, executive director of One Community Now, which works to eradicate childhood hunger, said the agency has been implementing a “Pack-A-Sack’’ program for 37 elementary, middle and high schools in Pasco County. The program feeds approximately 1,600 children on weekends.

“Children who struggle with hunger have a lower attention span, a greater absentee rate and other ailments, as well,’’ Templeton said. “We are seeing an impact. Teachers always tell us they see a difference in the kids, especially on Monday mornings. This bridges the gap from the food they get during school to the weekends, where there might not be any food available at their homes.’’

With an acknowledgement that some homes might not have electricity or refrigeration, the sacks usually contain cereal boxes, breakfast bars, canned ravioli, peanut butter, crackers, applesauce, raisins and juice, while carefully avoiding the high-carb fillers, such as cookies or chips.

Meanwhile, the Thomas Promise Foundation continues to implement a weekend backpack program through Pasco schools. Diana Thomas, secretary of the foundation’s board of directors, said it began a decade ago when her daughter (then 7) used her school lunch money to buy food items for classmates who didn’t have money.

“That brought to light the food insecurity that was happening in our county,’’ Thomas said. “We are unaware of that. We were mind-blown when we realized how much hunger was going on with our children.’’

The Thomas Promise backpacks provide about 2,000 meals each weekend.

Helpers need help, too
One Community Now and Thomas Promise both rely heavily on donations, grants and volunteers.

“Fundraising is down, but the need has gone up,’’ Thomas said. “We had to rework the way we do things and figure out creative ways to get food to families, but we are making it work because it needs to work.’’

Templeton said 50% of her agency’s funding comes through private support and it is always seeking new donors. The major fundraising event, the annual Hunger Walk, had to be done virtually and produced $58,000 (compared to $117,000 last season).

“It’s important that we have the resources to do this work,’’ Templeton said. “Of the 46,000 kids (in Pasco schools), we estimate that 5,000 of them are chronically hungry, not knowing where their next meal will come from. Resources are important.’’

That fact is perhaps best known by Steffan Davis of Pasco’s United Way organization and its Operation Feeding Pasco program.

The United Way is heavily dependent on employment because workers are asked to contribute from the paycheck.

“Collections are down across the board,’’ Davis said. “A lot of nonprofits were burdened before COVID-19 and now they are experiencing deficits. The challenges are no different for us. Thankfully, the Pasco County government has been incredibly generous during this emergency.’’

That included an innovative program, funded through a $600,000 federal grant, where 12 struggling Pasco restaurants were kept open to feed food insecure citizens. Partnering with 19 nonprofit agencies, the restaurants served more than 250,000 hot meals.

Ashley Jones, nutrition specialist with Pasco County Schools, said the district’s numbers held steady during COVID-19, thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (DOA).

“We had to come up with a way to feed students (with schools going online during the initial virus) and the DOA released some emergency waivers that allowed us to keep on going,’’ Jones said.

Free food was provided at 26 school sites from mid-March through August, accounting for 1.6-million meals.

Those services are vital. The Coalition on Human Needs estimated that 2.5-million Americans have fallen into poverty as a result of COVID-19.

“What you learn is, people who fall into poverty are not necessarily that different than (someone who hasn’t),’’ said Beth Hovind, co-chair of Poverty Action. “The loss of income and resources means not having enough money to meet the needs of the family and that includes food.

“I think we’re learning we have to come up with ways to replace that lost income instead of offering (other services). If the money is scarce, the priorities become rent and utilities, and some of the money to pay that comes from the food fund.’’

There are no easy answers to these issues. But, in Pasco County, Bright said the ongoing conversation and collaboration between nonprofit agencies is helping to create solutions.

“For all of our citizens, particularly school-age children, we realize this is something that must be addressed,’’ Bright said. “If there are unmet needs, we want to figure out a way to help.’’

By Joey Johnston

Published January 06, 2021

Lutz teen reaches rank of Eagle Scout

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Zachary Meiczinger was a first-grader when he became a Tiger, the preliminary level of Boy Scouts. He liked it from the very beginning.

Gaither High junior Zachary Meiczinger has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. The Lutz resident is 16. (Courtesy of Zachary Meiczinger)

And now, the Gaither High junior has achieved the ultimate: He’s an Eagle Scout.

“It’s a real honor,’’ said Meiczinger, 16, a member of Troop 12. “It’s something I’ll have the rest of my life.’’

Since the Eagle Scout designation began in 1911, only 4% of Scouts have earned the honor. Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, was an Eagle Scout. So was former President Gerald R. Ford. Academy Award-winning director Steven Spielberg is one, too.

Becoming an Eagle Scout requires a lengthy review process, the acquisition of at least 21 merit badges and the completion of a community service project.

“It’s a wonderful feeling to see someone grow from first-grade stature to someone who is showing leadership and has a vision of what they want to do with the rest of their life,’’ said local Boy Scouts leader Paul O’Connor, Meiczinger’s first troop leader and the supervisor of his Eagle Scout project.

Zachary Meiczinger constructed a Ga-Ga Ball Pit — a form of dodgeball, inside an octagon — as part of his Eagle Scout project, at Lutz Elementary School.

Meiczinger’s project was completed at Lutz Elementary School, where he attended and where his father is a fifth-grade teacher. He painted the fences in the school’s front area, between the cafeteria and main office, while installing about 100 plants, and mulching the entire area.

He also installed a Ga-Ga Ball Pit — a version of dodgeball played in a fenced-in octagon — to give the school kids another recreation option.

“That’s a nice payback for a place where Zach has strong ties, and I thought it was a great choice,’’ O’Connor said.

Meiczinger has lived his life making great choices. He runs cross-country for Gaither and also plays recreational soccer, but Scouting has been his driving force. He has formed lifelong relationships, learned valuable practical skills and had great experiences.

Part of Zachary Meiczinger’s Eagle Scout project, at Lutz Elementary School, involved installing about 100 plants and mulching the area in front of the school.

He can’t recall many of his Tiger experiences. But, he does remember an overnight sleepover at the Kennedy Space Center, where they reclined in sleeping bags and stared up at the rockets.

He has enjoyed countless camping trips and a few whitewater rafting expeditions. Next summer, he’s taking a trip to the Florida Keys, where he will impart knowledge to the younger Scouts.

“I’ve been able to stay connected to some great friends,’’ Meiczinger said. “I’ve learned how to do things like CPR. I’ve stayed really dedicated and consistent to it and that gives me a lot of pride. I started something a long time ago and now I’m finishing it.’’

O’Connor — an Eagle Scout himself — said Meiczinger’s accomplishment should be celebrated.

“Zach has given himself a tremendous opportunity,’’ O’Connor said. “He’s a junior who is starting to look at colleges. Having ‘Eagle Scout’ on his college application is phenomenal. After college, when he’s looking for a job, the words ‘Eagle Scout’ on a job application will open so many doors.

“I have seen the benefits of it personally (working as a project manager for General Electric). He will be placed in leadership positions and get great exposure. My wife works at a large law firm and she sees a lot of resumes. She says if ‘Eagle Scout’ is there, that person will generally get pulled in, at least for an initial interview. It’s a powerful thing.’’

Meiczinger said he knows that already.

“I always see where the Eagle Scouts say how it sticks with them for their whole life,’’ Meiczinger said. “It helped them get places, whether it was a college or somewhere in their career. I can put the term ‘Eagle Scout’ by my name. It’s an honor and a privilege.’’

By Joey Johnston

Published January 06, 2021

A wonderland of ‘snow’ and goodies

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Coupled with a light drizzle, Life Church’s booth generated bubbles that doubled as snowflakes and snow drifts. Hundreds of vehicles made their way along the line of vendor tents at the Stuff Your Stocking Drive Thru, hosted by Wesley Chapel Rotary at Wesley Chapel District Park. Natalie Dougherty (left), of Life Church, hands out gifts within the sudsy blizzard.

(Fred Bellet)

ICI Homes’ Exclusive Builder In Asturia’s Final Phase

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If you dream of building a new home in Pasco County’s in-demand State Road 54 corridor, look no further than the final phase of Asturia in Odessa.

ICI Homes — one of Florida’s best-known and prestigious builders — has been chosen as the exclusive builder in Asturia’s final phase, with 23 over-sized homesites in this exclusive community located just minutes from the Suncoast Parkway.

“We are so excited to have these final homesites in Asturia, where we have been building beautiful homes for area families since 2017,” said Greg Jones, Tampa division manager for ICI Homes. “These new homesites are some of the prettiest in all of Asturia, with many backing up to conservation, and all offering privacy and quick access to State Road 54.”

Phase 4 road construction and infrastructure are underway, and ICI Homes is now offering pre-construction sales to its VIP families.

“Because of Asturia’s stellar reputation as a great place to live, we are anticipating a huge demand for these new homesites” said Jones. “These are the final lots in this highly desirable community, and we expect them to sell fast. We encourage people to call today for a VIP appointment to secure their desirable homesite before they are gone.”

Asturia is situated on 500 pristine acres in central Pasco on the north side of State Road 54. Setting it apart from other master-planned communities is Asturia’s manageable size of just 550 homes. It is a friendly, walkable development that promotes a healthy, active lifestyle with its many trails, walkways, parks and recreational amenities.

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

ICI Homes is building several floor plans in Asturia. After its final 23 homes are completed, it will close out all new construction in the community, which began development in 2016.

Many of ICI Homes will back up to incredible wilderness views of wetlands, cypress trees and rolling ranchland. Wildlife is everywhere, and residents will enjoy connecting community trails perfect for bird-watching, and to see deer, gopher tortoises, racoons and other native animals.

ICI Homes has chosen its most popular one- and two- story floor plans for Asturia, all with family friendly layouts, where cooking, dining, relaxing and entertaining happen cohesively. Homes feature an abundance of windows that bring the outside in.

Floor plans include the Costa Mesa, which also is its model home, that is open now for folks who want to stop by to get more information about Phase 4 from Rich Driver, ICI Home’s dedicated and longtime sales representative for Asturia.

The Costa Mesa is a one-story home that showcases 2,565 square feet of living area, with four bedrooms, three baths and a three-car garage. It is designed for all kinds of families — young professionals just starting out, those with young and school-aged children, and empty-nesters.

“The Costa Mesa’s open floor plan is perfect for entertaining,” said Driver. “Its gathering room, gourmet kitchen and dining room are one expansive space highlighted by lots of windows that capture tons of natural light.”

The model is located at 2112 Secret Cove in Odessa, and is 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, including masks and social distancing. To schedule your VIP appointment, stop by the model to see Rich, call (813) 252-1108, or go to ICIHomes.com.

Lake Jovita and Persimmon Park
ICI Homes also is accepting VIP reservations for new homesites in Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City, and continues to build homes in Persimmon Park in Wesley Chapel in the Wiregrass Ranch community. Both communities are tremendously successful and are attracting families of all kinds because of their unique ICI design features and community amenities.

A new Lake Jovita Sales Center has recently opened at 12330 Lake Jovita Blvd., Dade City, FL 33526. The model center at Persimmon Park is located at 3793 Lajuana Blvd., Wesley Chapel, FL 33543.

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

Published December 30, 2020

What A Year It Was in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel!

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There certainly were many challenges in 2020, but also many good things to reflect on, that we are proud to share with you. Here are some highlights of the year from the team at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Partnership with the Pasco Fine Arts Council
In 2020, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel continued its partnership with the Pasco Fine Arts Council and its East Pasco Fine Arts Gallery, which is located in the community’s Welcome Center.

Before the pandemic closed the gallery down in March, three shows were held for watercolor artists Joye Moon and Lionel Sanchez, as well as contemporary painter Richard Terrill, who also is a resident of Avalon Park.

Jo Baughman, longtime director of the Pasco Fine Arts Council, recently passed away. She was involved with the arts organization for 22 years.

This arts partnership began in 2019, led by Jo Baughman, longtime director of the Pasco Fine Arts Council (PFAC), who sadly died in September.

It was just a year earlier that Avalon Park’s executive team met with Baughman to offer their Welcome Center as a new gallery on the east side of the county. The developer also committed to building a permanent Arts Center in its downtown in coming years.

For Baughman, who was involved in the Pasco Fine Arts Council for 22 years, the invitation from Avalon Park Wesley Chapel to work together accomplished a long-held dream.

In the year that Baughman headed up activities at the East Pasco Fine Arts Gallery, there were bi-monthly art shows exhibiting the works of local artists, and several workshops for beginning and experienced artists. And, when the pandemic changed how people could meet, Baughman organized virtual art shows and workshops.

The loss of Baughman was especially emotional for Stephanie Lerret, who worked closely with Baughman to set up the location of the East Pasco Fine Arts Council at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. “Jo had an unrivaled passion for the arts! Her desire to share that passion with others was an inspiration. We are blessed to have known Jo and to absorb her knowledge of the finer things,” said Lerret, senior vice president of the Avalon Park Group.

Pasco County Backs Downtown Avalon Park
In February, the Avalon Park Group received overwhelming support and backing from the Pasco County Commission to create a brand-new town center in its Wesley Chapel community.

Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is being established as a mixed-use development on 215 acres, and includes four freestanding office buildings that will have a mix of retail and commercial uses. The first phase is already under construction and, when completed, will have 75,000 square feet of commercial space within walking distance to residents living in the community’s single-family homes, townhomes and apartments.

“We are creating a real downtown with businesses offices, shops and restaurants, because we want to greatly reduce the need for our residents to drive outside their community to get to work, take kids to school, shop and dine, and enjoy indoor and outdoor activities,” said Lerret. “And now, with the full support of Pasco County, downtown Wesley Chapel will become a reality within the next few years.”

The Pasco County Commission unanimously voted to approve an incentive package totaling $33.5 million. The agreement outlines that in exchange, the Avalon Park Group will spend about $83.3 million to build roads, multi-story parking decks and transit-related infrastructure.

The project is expected to generate 1,065 full-time jobs and have a total economic output of $84.4 million, according to county documents.

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will include 2,695 residences, 165,000 square feet of class A office and 190,000 square feet of commercial space. “Fifty percent of the residential trip generation on the site will stay on the site, once the project is complete,” said David Engel, manager of the county’s office of economic growth.

New Townhomes by Avex Homes
In April, Avex Homes introduced the first townhomes in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, with two-car garages and private alleys in the rear.

“Our townhomes are beautifully designed with upscale custom finishes and offer buyers a tremendous value for the Wesley Chapel area,” said Cheryl Gonzalez, sales representative for Avex Homes. “Plus, every home comes with a two-car garage — something you rarely find in townhomes that begin under $250,000.”

Three floor plans are available, ranging from 1,608 square feet to 1,834 square feet, each with three bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Homes are solidly built with families in mind, and rich in architectural design, with distinctive exteriors and open floor plans. Each home has a front porch, covered lanai or private breezeway that connects to the garage.

“Buyers love our townhomes’ cozy feel and old-fashioned, traditional look,” said Gonzalez. “Our buyers can upgrade their home’s finishes to their individual lifestyle and design preferences, including flooring, cabinetry, countertops and lighting. These are not cookie-cutter homes.”

New Avex Model Home
A beautiful new model home by Avex Homes opened in June. The new Clayton model is one of the builder’s most popular plans because its spacious floor plan is perfect for families of all kinds.

“This is my favorite floor plan because it’s very open, but at the same time, everything is very nicely tucked away, which makes it feel much larger than its 2,000 square feet,” said Carlie Meadows, a sales associate for Avex Homes.

Meadows explains that every home built by Avex Home comes standard with granite countertops, 42-inch kitchen cabinets and ceiling heights of 9 feet, 4 inches on both the first and second floors.

The home opens into its dining room, which shows off the open floor plan that flows into the great room and kitchen. The master bedroom suite is on the first floor — a very popular feature that is attractive to families with children, and empty-nesters. A huge walk-in closet is located through the master bath.

The two additional bedrooms upstairs are quite large, at 14.4 feet by 11.2 feet, and each has a large walk-in closet. A full bath is located between the two bedrooms.

D.R. Horton to Build 1,000 Homes
In July, D.R. Horton announced that it will be building 1,000 homes in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel as the exclusive builder in the third phase of this prestigious master-planned community.

Currently underway is the construction of several townhome and single-family home models, which will open in early 2021 in Avalon Park’s new Westgate Village community. Pre-sales are expected to begin soon.

Single-family homes will be built on 40-foot to 50-foot homesites, with nine floor plans ranging in size from 1,504 square feet to 2,601 square feet. Homes will offer three to five bedrooms, two to three baths, and two-car garages, giving families square-footage options that best meet their needs.

Townhomes will include three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, and a one-car garage with a two-car driveway. Two floor plans will be available at 1,673 square feet and 1,758 square feet.

The Westgate Village community will embrace its own set of amenities for residents, including a resort-style pool, open-air clubhouse with an outdoor kitchen, playground, open sports field, and picnic area with pavilions.

New K-6 Charter School Opens
Few planned communities can boast of a tuition-free charter school at their main entrance. But this bragging right goes to Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, which is proud to welcome Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel.

The school opened its doors on Aug. 10 to over 600 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Students in all grades are immersed in new technologies, including robotics, and work in fully functioning STEM labs — something most schools do not offer.

“All Pinecrest schools have an emphasis on high-quality instruction. We’ll continuously be monitoring the data so we know what each student needs, and have many different programs available to focus on the needs of the individual student,” said Principal Aimee Mielke.

The school, on State Road 54, has several sections at every grade level, and will be adding seventh and eighth grades in coming years. The school also offers self-contained classrooms for gifted students, where pacing will be faster and performance tests much more in-depth.

Technology is an essential component of the new school, Mielke explained, and everything purchased for classrooms was chosen for student engagement. Laptops are provided for every student in grades two through six, as are iPads for first-graders and kindergartners.

Blue and green colors brilliantly burst along the hallways of the modern building that has 49 large classrooms, oversized art and music rooms, and high-tech science labs. The school is visually notable with unusual windows in the shape of half-moons, circles and squares that give students and faculty stunning lake and conservation views.

“Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, along with New River Elementary, are essential elements of building a brand-new town,” said Lerret, of the Avalon Park Group. “We are ecstatic to have both schools in our community to give our residents the best options and opportunities for themselves and their children.”

New River Library to Reopen in January
After months of work, Pasco County Libraries in January is reopening its New River branch, which is located at the west entrance of Avalon Park.

Having a library in the center of the community is something residents truly love and value. The New River Library is being completely renovated, including expanding both the size of its building and outdoor areas. The county also is upgrading the library’s technology capabilities, and when the library reopens, will be a showpiece for all of Pasco County.

Visitors will love the library’s modern new look, covered walkway entry, much faster Internet speeds, expanded youth areas, and a makerspace that opens into a shaded classroom for outdoor activities.

Makerspaces are do-it-yourself centers that foster hands-on discovery and stimulate imagination. An expanded garden makerspace will include programs hosted by Pasco County Extension agents and master gardeners.

Also, new at the library will be a unique children’s activity, Story Walk, which will encourage children to follow a winding path where they will stop at stations and read pages from a storybook.

Published December 30, 2020

Construction, legal action on Ridge Road

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Work on the Ridge Road extension is pushing ahead even as legal action from the Sierra Club to halt construction remains active.

Attorneys for the Sierra Club recently filed a motion to add U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a defendant in a lawsuit that was filed in February against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The approximately 9-mile corridor would link Moon Lake Road in New Port Richey with the Suncoast Parkway, and eventually will reach U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

An aerial view shows a portion of the Ridge Road extension route beginning with Moon Lake Road in New Port Richey and linking to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The extension cuts through the Serenova Tract of the Starkey Wildlife Preserve, which has been a point of contention.

Environmentalists say the road will destroy sensitive conservation wetlands and wildlife habitats. They believe the motive for the road extension is to support more growth and development.

The lawsuit alleges that Fish and Wildlife in its “biological opinion” violated the Endangered Species Act and failed to properly assess harmful impacts, specifically to the Eastern indigo snake. The lawsuit also claims the Army Corps failed to complete a legally required comprehensive analysis on impacts to the Florida scrub blue jay and the red-cockaded woodpecker.

“They are causing damage to the best preserve in Pasco County,” said Tim Martin, chair of the Sierra Club Florida’s conservation committee.

County officials say the road extension will add a vital east/west evacuation route during hurricanes and other emergencies. The route and construction seek to do minimal damage to the preserve, they say.

The Serenova Tract is part of a 1990s settlement agreement reached during litigation over construction of the Suncoast Parkway. About 200 acres were set aside to mitigate wetlands damage. Ownership transferred from the Florida Department of Transportation to the Southwest Water Management District, but preserved the right to extend Ridge Road.

Battle lines over the proposed route put county officials and environmental activists on opposing sides for more than 20 years. But, in late 2019, the Army Corps granted a construction permit.

In March, a federal judge denied a Sierra Club motion for an emergency injunction to temporarily block road construction until the lawsuit’s conclusion. The decision cited “monetary harm” to the county if work were halted.

Roadwork moved ahead.

And, in November, Pasco County commissioners approved approximately $2.7 million to purchase wetland mitigation credits due to “unavoidable wetlands impact.”

Last summer work crews completed a road segment linking Ridge Road and Town Center Boulevard, an access point for River Ridge Middle and High Schools.

Next up is building a two-lane segment between Town Center and the Suncoast Parkway, with an expected completion in summer 2021. The two-lane roadway later will be widened to four lanes by summer of 2022.

Construction is expected to begin in 2021 on the Ridge Road extension between Suncoast Parkway to the future Suncoast Boulevard. The final step would be extending Ridge Road from the boulevard to U.S. 41 at the intersection with Connerton Boulevard, the main entrance into the master-planned community of Connerton.

Construction on this segment would begin in 2022.

County officials hope to open the entire Ridge Road extension by the end of 2025.

In addition to the roadway, as many as 16 bridges will provide overpasses along the length of Ridge Road. There also will be pathways, upland wildlife crossings and fences to provide habitat connectivity, and prevent roadkill of the numerous species living in the preserve.

Work crews cleared a swath of land to prepare for construction of the Ridge Road extension.

The initial phase of the project is estimated at $93.2 million, including incentives to finish early. About $11.3 million will pay for ramps and toll equipment at the Suncoast Parkway interchange. The final phase of construction is about $36.1 million. However, county officials said the design and cost estimate of that phase will be updated by the end of 2020.

Martin said the county is moving aggressively to complete construction. If the Sierra Club prevails in its efforts to permanently stop the road extension, Martin said, “We want them to restore it to its natural state.”

Sierra Club attorney Sarah Hayter said the goal is to have the permit revoked. Though the county is spending millions, Hayter said the courts could require Pasco to restore what it has done.

A federal judge must determine if Fish and Wildlife can be added to the lawsuit, said Hayter. Representatives for Fish and Wildlife, and the Army Corps, agreed to the amended lawsuit, she said.

However, Hayter said she understood that Pasco officials planned to file an objection.

Pasco isn’t a defendant in the lawsuit, but the courts granted a request for the county to intervene on behalf of the Army Corps.

County officials declined to comment on pending litigation.

By Kathy Steele

Published December 30, 2020

A festive trail leads to surprises

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Frosty the Snowman, known as Collin Stewart, 14, of Wesley Chapel, came to life and waved at children as they stopped for stocking goodies from Budget Blinds. Colton Mays, 6, and his mom, Jenafer Mays, were among the hundreds that attended the Stuff Your Stocking Drive Thru event, hosted by Wesley Chapel Rotary. (Fred Bellet)

The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel sponsored a Stuff Your Stocking Drive Thru event on Dec. 20, at Wesley Chapel District Park on Boyette Road.

Families were encouraged to wear their pajamas and bring their stockings to drive through a trail of vendor tents, and a sudsy blizzard.

The dreary weather didn’t stop an estimated 400 cars (approximately 1,200 people) from cruising through the line, for kids to have their stockings filled with goodies.

Frosty the Snowman made an appearance, and drive-thru pictures with Santa were offered, too.

A portion of the donations support the Wesley Chapel Rotary Club’s sponsorship of foster children, as well as the Underdog Fund and local scholarships.

Fifteen-year-old, Elias Deoliveira, of Plant City; Daniece Croy, 13, of Zephyrhills; and Darrion Croy, 11, of Seffner, ride in the tailgate of the family car while inspecting their stocking contents.
Members of the all-female krewe, Sirens of the Golden Sabre, were on hand for the Stuff Your Stocking Drive Thru. The group usually can be seen each year in the USF Homecoming Parade, the City of Tampa’s Santa Fest Parade, Children’s Gasparilla Extravaganza Parade, Gasparilla Piratefest Parade of Pirates, Sant’ Yago Knight Parade, Rough Rider’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Tampa Pride Parade. They say their main goal is to assist in charitable endeavors.
From the Culver’s vendor tent, Connor Zuba, of Tampa, fills the stockings of 4-year old Jeremiah Gaghan and 10-year-old Kaleb Gaghan. The children were there with their parents, Dawn and Peter Perez, of Wesley Chapel.
Cathy Dileo, of Dileo Design and Staging in Wesley Chapel, wore a unique mask at the Stock Your Stuffing Drive Thru. Dileo said she bought the mask locally.
Four year-old, Joseph Fonseca, 4, was no different than many of the other kids who collected goodies while waiting in the car window. Joseph and his dad, Joseph Fonseca, from Wesley Chapel, were among the many that attended the Stuff Your Stocking Drive Thru event, hosted by Wesley Chapel Rotary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seasonal sightings — with Santa, Frosty and happy kids

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Steve Vinik, a member of The Laker/Lutz News Readership Club, recently captured these photos during the Lexington Oaks Santa Parade on Dec. 12, and generously shared them with our readers. The images convey a sense of joy that’s often been in short supply this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please turn to Page 1B, to see more of our seasonal coverage, from a Country Christmas & Vintage Market held earlier this month at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, in Dade City.

Santa (also known as John Kostialik) hands out Christmas cheer. When he’s not busy during the holiday season, he’s the president of the Lexington Oaks security patrol. (Courtesy of Steve Vinik)
Frosty the Snowman (also known as Bill Tumelty) and his reindeer chauffeur (also known as Mat Jones) drive along the Santa Parade route inside the Lexington Oaks community, in Wesley Chapel.
Santa stops at each village entrance to greet children and parents.
Santa uses a modern device to alert his elves that he’s on the way to his next stop: The Lexington Oaks community room for a meet and greet (and hopefully some cookies?).

 

 

At age 90, she gets her eighth hole-in-one

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About two weeks after her 90th birthday, Mary Esther Spell was playing her regularly scheduled Monday morning game at The Groves Golf and Country Club. She chose a 5-wood for the 111-yard seventh hole, where the tee box was adjacent to her home. She swung smoothly. The ball went straight. It bounced once and rolled … straight into the hole.

Mary Esther Spell, 90, displays the plaque she received for her eighth career hole-in-one. (Joey Johnston)

“I was as shocked as anyone,’’ Spell said with a laugh.

Actually, it shouldn’t be a shock — or even a surprise. It was the eighth hole-in-one for Spell, whose passion for golf is only surpassed by her overall zest for life.

“She’s a real sweetheart, a wonderful lady,’’ said Richard Moore, pro shop manager at The Groves, a 55-and-over community in Land O’ Lakes. “I’ve been playing golf for 52 years and I’ve never had a hole-in-one. Not one. And she has eight!

“She’s very competitive. She loves the game. As I’ve gotten to know her, I’ve realized that she has led a remarkable life.’’

In 1950, Spell was named “Miss Tampa’’ as a 19-year-old University of Tampa sophomore, never losing her “charming smile’’ throughout the pageant, according to a Tampa Tribune account. She had a lengthy career at an advertising agency.

Her first marriage ended in divorce and she raised her daughter as a single mother. She married again to a prominent Tampa orthodontist, but she quit working to become his caretaker before he was claimed by cancer at age 54.

She buried her only child, Terri, two years ago after the daughter had moved back in and they spent a joyous few years together. Her only grandchild, Shawn Matthews, is married and lives near Ocala. She’s still hopeful of a great-grandchild.

Mary Esther Spell was ‘Miss Tampa’ in 1950. (Courtesy of Mary Esther Spell)

“I told them to hurry up … because I’m not getting any younger,’’ Spell said, laughing again.

About two years ago, Spell wasn’t feeling great and she hoped doctors could figure it out. It was pancreatic cancer. She agreed to an operation because she didn’t want prolonged treatment and the loss of her hair. Incredibly, the doctors got it all. Spell kept going.

“I’ve had ups and downs in my life — as everybody does,’’ Spell said. “What I’ve learned is you get up every day and try again. You don’t give up. You look for the good in life and the good in people.’’

Sometimes, Spell might sheepishly tell someone that she was once crowned “Miss Tampa’’ just two years after she graduated from Tampa’s Hillsborough High School. The Tampa Chamber of Commerce-sponsored pageant was held before 700 spectators at the Palma Ceia Country Club. The Tribune reported that a “golden crown’’ was placed on her head, but Spell remembers the “crown’’ as a heavy paper creation that was painted gold.

She received a $300 scholarship and a diamond-studded wristwatch, along with a place in the “Miss Florida’’ pageant. She remembers handing out a trophy to the winner of a Tampa auto race, but not many other duties in her year of service.

Whether it’s a happy memory or something she had to endure, Spell tries not to look back too much. She has enough to keep her looking ahead.

“I’ve been blessed — doubly blessed — because I have my health and so many good friends where I live,’’ said Spell, who keeps up with crossword puzzles, reads mystery novels and socializes when she’s not playing in her three-times-a-week golf games. “People have been just wonderful to me. I have several things I enjoy, but golf is definitely my biggest activity.’’

Spell said she learned golf as a teenager from her father, who played actively at the Temple Terrace Golf Club. She went years without playing, but picked it up later in life and carded her first hole-in-one in 1994 during a round at Tampa’s Northdale Golf Club.

That rare golf accomplishment happened to her seven more times — the latest at age 90.

“I think it’s pretty much luck,’’ Spell said. “It all has to be aligned perfectly. You know how golf is. Some days you’re the windshield and some days you’re the bug. You can have a hole-in-one, then put it in the water on your next shot.

“I think golf is like life. You keep showing up. You try your best. You keep on keeping on.’’

By Joey Johnston

Published December 23, 2020