The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Blanket Tampa Bay Hopes To Build Urban Rest Stop

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Beth & Ray Ross

By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Beth Ross dreams of building the first Urban Rest Stop in Tampa — a place where the homeless and working poor can use restrooms, take showers and launder clothes, and eventually get haircuts, conduct job searches, and access financial and mental health counseling.

Until that dream becomes a reality, Beth and her husband, Ray, will continue to help the homeless through Blanket Tampa Bay, a nonprofit they founded to feed the homeless and distribute blankets, toiletries and bicycles.

Although they did not realize it at the time, the couple’s Urban Rest Stop dream began five years ago while they were attending Oakwood Community Church in Carrollwood.

“The church had a really large donation,” Beth said. “They gave every family in the church a hundred dollars, and said, ‘Go do something good with this.’”

Since Beth Ross hates cold weather, she decided to give blankets to the homeless for warmth, padding and protection against insects. She created a Blanket Tampa Bay Facebook page, and with the church’s seed money, distributed more than 1,000 blankets the first two years. In time, the Rosses expanded their mission from blankets to hygiene products, bicycles and other items the homeless need.

Their volunteer work attracted the attention of corporate sponsors, including the New York Yankees, who donated $10,000. That donation inspired the couple to explore new ways to help the homeless, which led them to Seattle to tour the country’s first Urban Rest Stop.

When Beth speaks to groups about Blanket Tampa Bay, she tells stories of unexpected blessings, happy endings and new beginnings —stories that motivate people to act.

One of her favorite stories is about a homeless man she passed on her way to work who hadn’t moved from the same bench in several days. He repeatedly rejected Beth’s offers of help, so she asked a police officer to check on him. The officer was able to involuntarily commit the man to St. Joseph’s Hospital for medical evaluation, where he was treated for a broken hip and kidney failure.

“He was in so much pain that he couldn’t move off that bench,” Beth speculated.

She soon learned the man’s backstory. He had worked for Pinellas County Schools for more than 30 years and was entitled to a pension that he was not receiving. Social services intervened and helped him get his pension, and today he is healthy and living in an apartment.

Had Beth not intervened, the man would have likely died on the street, virtually invisible, amidst the averted eyes of hundreds of people waiting at the nearby bus stop or driving by.

“That man wasn’t a bum. He wasn’t an alcoholic. He wasn’t doing drugs or anything. All it takes is one life-changing event to be homeless,” Beth said.

On Monday nights the Rosses serve the homeless in the parking lot at St. Peter Claver Church, located at 1203 Nebraska Ave., from 7 p.m. to 8p.m.

“We serve about a 160 to 180 homeless people every week,” Beth said. “There are so many men, women and children out there who are homeless and need help. I can’t wait to build an Urban Rest Stop so the homeless have a place to clean up, use the bathroom and launder their clothes.”

To learn more about Blanket Tampa Bay, and to donate, visit BlanketTampaBay.org, or call Beth at (813) 300-9277.

Published February 27, 2019

Lakeside A/C Begins Third Year Under Ron Ierna’s Leadership

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In the two years since Ron Ierna opened his new company, Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, he has created a culture of technical expertise and exceptional customer service that has helped hundreds of Tampa Bay families with their air conditioning and plumbing needs.

“I’ve been in this business for almost 25 years, both as a technician and owner of two HVAC companies,” said Ierna. “That experience has allowed me to hire the most qualified A/C and plumbing technicians in the area, and to build an office staff that always focuses on the customer.”

Owner, Ron Ierna

Ierna is a Florida native, growing up in Lutz and graduating from Land O’ Lakes High School. He went to work in the A/C industry after high school, and discovered that he had the aptitude and skills needed to excel as a technician.

A few years later, he started his first A/C company with a partner, which grew to over 65 employees by the time he left that business in 2016 to start Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing.

“I took all that I learned from my previous business, and applied it to make Lakeside successful,” said Ierna. “I plan to keep this company small, with no more than 10 service vehicles on the road, to ensure that I can provide my customers top-notch technicians and a more personalized experience.”

Ierna’s experience and passion for customer service is key to Lakeside’s quick success.

“After 24 years of helping families with their A/C and plumbing problems, I’ve seen every problem there is, and can quickly and accurately assess the best course of action when someone calls,” said Ierna.

In addition to making service calls himself, Ierna employs licensed HVAC and plumbing technicians, all who are highly skilled craftsmen who specialize in designing, servicing and installing HVAC systems and water heaters.

This expertise allows Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing to specialize in helping families with A/C units that are 10 to 15 years old.

“There are thousand of homes in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel that were built in the early 2000s, and whose air conditioning systems need service and upgrades,” said Ierna. “We can save these homeowners a lot of money and stress if they call before the system breaks down in the heat of the summer.”

Lowering your energy cost is another reason to upgrade your A/C system, Ierna adds.

“Most people see savings of 20 to 50 percent on their power bill when they upgrade to a new system with a higher SEER rating,” he said. “All the units we install have a minimum SEER rating of 14, and our top-rated, quietest Rheem system gives an unbelievable rating of 20.5.”

Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is proud to be recognized as a Rheem Pro Partner, a prestigious designation awarded by the manufacturer to contractors who adhere to continuing education, professionalism and exceptional customer service guideline. The company has also earned an A rating from the Better Business Bureau, an A Rating from Angie’s List, and is a 5 Star Contractor with HomeAdvisor.

“We are very proud of these honors bestowed on our company, which is a reflection of the quality work of our entire team,” said Ierna.

In addition to Rheem air-conditioning systems, it also installs systems made by Trane, Goodman, Frigidaire and Mitsubishi. Both Duke Energy and TECO offer rebates of up to $800 to customers who replace their old system with a new unit that has a SEER rating of 15 or higher.

The plumbing division of the company installs water filtration systems and hot water heaters, and helps homeowners qualify for up to $550 in water tank rebates with the purchase of tankless gas system. Lakeside takes care of all rebate paperwork for its customers through its customer service department.

Working alongside Ierna in the field is Omar Matos, Michael Moody, Robert Love, Richard Harrilal and Robert Goldsborough, who all strive to use their vast expertise to provide the best experience for each and every customer. Jackie Horruitiner and Amy Miranda work in customer service.

Lakeside Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is located on U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. Its central location gives it fast access to customers in Pasco, Hillsborough and Hernando counties.

“We take our responsibility very seriously when you place your trust in us,” said Ron. “Please give us a call, and see what you’ve been missing.”

Lakeside is located at 4608 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., and can be reached at (813) 444-9474 or LakesideComfortPros.com.

Published March 13, 2019

Teens make vehicles out of food at the New River library

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Teens recently used their ingenuity to make vehicles out of a food at the New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, in Wesley Chapel. The library provided the materials for the challenge, to see which vehicle could go the farthest.

Fourteen-year-old Imani Thompson, of Wesley Chapel, right, glances at her 16-year-old sister Afiya, as they build vehicles using edible materials. The teenagers used marshmallows, candy, chocolate chips and other goodies to build their vehicles. (Christine Holtzman)
Fourteen-year-old Hailey Gilding, of Wesley Chapel, opens a package containing a brownie that will be used as the chassis of her edible vehicle. When the competition was over, the kids were able to eat their creations.
Fourteen-year-old Arielle Cooper, of Wesley Chapel, right, concentrates before launching her vehicle down the ramp, as Casey Abbott, New River Branch Library’s teen librarian, left, watches. Cooper, the president of the Teen Advisory Board, encourages new members to join their group. It meets at the library on the first and third Thursdays of each month.

Italian potluck at Grand Horizons

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On Feb. 24, we had our monthly potluck. This was the first potluck that was hosted by Ilene Nutting, and she did a great job. Nancy Huey previously put on the potluck, and she had for quite a while, but now has turned over the reins.

Ilene Nutting setting up for the big sale. (Courtesy of Helene Rubenstein)

It was just this month that Ilene Nutting started to host it. She had some help and all did a fine job. Her main helpers were Donna Quinn and Gary Douglas but, according to what Ilene said, there were so many helpers to organize things and clean up that she was overwhelmed by it.  They knew what had to be done and went about it.

When speaking with Ilene, I mentioned that the potluck was a success, and she promptly added, “That is because of the many cooks and the variety of dishes.”

Andy Castonguay mans the cashier’s table.

Jim Leitzke said grace before the meal started while we bowed our heads in silence.

There were approximately 75 people who enjoyed a nice Italian meal. There was an eggplant parmesan dish, stuffed shells, chicken parmesan, green bean casserole, Watergate salad and so much more.

As for desserts, there was a variety: Italian cookies, chocolate chip cookies, pies, cakes and candies. If you wanted more, you could go back. Ilene also mentioned that if we knew of any shut-ins, we could make a plate of the main dishes and one for desserts for them. I thought that was a nice touch.

After the luncheon and the cleanup, a trivia game competition was featured by “The Trivia Wizards,” with Dick and Connie Kingsbury (booked by Gary Wilcox). From what I understand, the trivia game was lots of fun and it featured a variety of questions.

Germaine Marion and Jerry Raffa hit the dance floor.

On March 2, a community sale was featured at the community center and at individual houses.

As it has been in the past, a variety of things were for sale. Some things we have looked high and low for were found at this sale.

There was also a bake sale and a book sale. There was a food sale where you can grab a hot dog, fries and a soda for a quick lunch. That way you wouldn’t miss anything.

It definitely was a delightful day, and at night at our community center, we saw a show that was put on by Skip Swackhamer and Mel Heman. This show was presented by Gary Wilcox. There were approximately 55 residents and visitors attending.

It was a fun way to end the day as country, rock & roll, blues and requests were played. Many couples were on the floor and danced to the music.

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

Having fun in downtown Zephyrhills

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The seventh annual Paulie Palooza drew hundreds to Fifth Avenue in Downtown Zephyrhills for food, music and fun on Feb. 23 The event, held at Main Street Zephyrhills, featured live music throughout the day, food trucks, vendors, face painters, auctions and drawings for prizes donated by local businesses. Proceeds from the event benefit Gulfside Hospice and help support patient care and bereavement services for Pasco County residents.

Cork Welsh, of Zephyrhills, right, dances with his wife of 39 years, Kelly, to the live music of the band, Backwaters Own. The couple came to the festival with friends. (Christine Holtzman)
A row of 1960s Mini’s line a section of Fifth Avenue in downtown Zephyrhills during the seventh annual Paulie Palooza festival. Dion Jardine, of D.J. Mini Parts of Wesley Chapel, organizes area meet-ups for enthusiasts of these classic cars.
Donning a cowboy hat and a smile, 10-year-old Logan Farmer, of Zephyrhills, waits for his mother, Amanda Clayton, as she parks the car. The mother and son had been in the convenience store when they saw the Paulie Palooza festival in progress and decided to check it out.
Six-year-old Peyton Thomas, of Zephyrhills, left, and her 5-year-old sister, Braelee, watch their aunt, Autumn Kimura of Tampa, as she packages freshly made kettle corn into a bag for a customer. Kimura and her step-father own Monkey Business Concessions.

 

Just in Time for St. Patrick’s Day

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A brief history of corned beef and cabbage:

Eating corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day seems to go hand-in-hand with this day — almost as naturally as shamrocks and wearing green.

Many restaurants feature the meal as a menu special, which is sometimes so popular that it sells out.

Carrots and potatoes often accompany corned beef and cabbage, a dish often served on St. Patrick’s Day. (Courtesy of Sheri Bresin)

But, how did this tradition start, and is this truly an Irish dish?

There is a lot of history to it, but I will keep it concise.

If anything, the vegetables in the meal are more authentic to Ireland than the meat.

The cabbage is grown in many varieties in Ireland and is available almost year-round. Additionally, you will find carrots and potatoes in a corned beef and cabbage dish, which have also been Irish staples. They have grown well there, because of the soil and climate, for centuries.

But, cooking the corned beef and cabbage dish as a way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is more of an Irish-American tradition. Meaning, if you travel to Ireland on March 17, don’t expect to see this meal being served (Just like you wouldn’t see General Tso’s chicken on a menu in China).

According to the Smithsonian Magazine, pork was (and still is) the main animal product consumed in Ireland hundreds of years ago, as beef was more expensive and out of reach for most. Also, cattle were used solely for milk and to help with farming, and would only be eaten if a cow was too old to work or produce milk.

When the Irish immigrated to America starting in the late 1700s, though, they could enjoy beef, where it was more affordable and accessible.

In fact, the Jewish delis in New York City introduced them to corned beef.

The saltiness of the corned beef paired well with the plain flavors of the cabbage, carrots and potatoes they were so familiar with back home.

If you have any leftovers from your corned beef and cabbage, you make want to make some Reuben sandwiches.

And, with St. Patrick’s Day being a religious holiday in Ireland, the Irish immigrants celebrated this day to recognize their heritage with a meal that connected their new homeland to their old one.

So, you might be wondering: Why do we call it corned beef?

The corned beef comes from brisket, which is a tougher cut of meat from the front of the cow. To make it tender, it is cured (preserved) with large grain pieces of salt, or “corns of salt.”

So there are a few fun facts for you. It’s not quite the Irish cuisine most of us assume, but something that started right here in the United States, and with a completely different immigrant population playing a role, no less.

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 

Recipes
This is a recipe that my (Irish-American) father-in-law makes using the slow cooker:

Ingredients

1 large onion, chopped

4-5 pounds of corned beef brisket

12 oz. can of dark beer

1 Tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon of thyme

Seasoning packet (optional/usually included with the brisket)

4-5 carrots, halved and cut in ¾-inch slices, rinsed

½  large head of green cabbage, cut into wedges, rinsed

2.5 pounds of whole red potatoes (or any preferred type of potato), rinsed

Directions
Put chopped onions on the bottom of the crockpot

Place the corned beef brisket fat-side up

Mix the beer, brown sugar and thyme, and add to crockpot

Add seasoning mix (optional)

Cook on low for 8 hours

About 10-15 minutes before the meat is done, take 1 cup of the juice from the slow

cooker to boil the cabbage and carrots in until soft (about half an hour)

Boil the potatoes until soft

Let meat cool for 15-20 minutes before slicing (veggies may still be boiling as the meat

cools)

Feeds six people

Have leftovers?  Great. Don’t throw it out just yet (unless it’s been in the fridge for 4 days). Use the extra meat to make a Reuben sandwich. This classic sandwich has many variations, but here is one simple way to make it:

Ingredients for one Reuben sandwich
2 slices marble rye bread (or another type you prefer)

2 Tablespoons Thousand Island dressing or Russian dressing (Russian dressing is typically spicier)

2 slices of Swiss cheese

2 Tablespoons of sauerkraut from the bag or can (but canned tends to be too salty for some)

1/3 pound corned beef, thinly sliced if preferred

1-2 teaspoons cooking oil (enough to coat the pan)

Directions
Spread the dressing on each slice of the rye bread

Place a slice of Swiss cheese on each slice of bread

Add the sauerkraut on top of each slice of cheese

Add beef on one bread slice and then stack slices together to form sandwich

Coat pan with oil

Cook on one side until golden brown, then flip to other side until golden brown

Put lid on to help the cheese melt

Published March 06, 2019

Pasco County Fair delivers food, music and thrills

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The Pasco County Fair has always prided itself on its focus on family fun, in a safe environment, and this year’s fair fulfilled that mission.

The Ferris wheel, one of the most popular amusement rides, was positioned in the center of the fair to give riders a 360-degree view of all the activity below. (Fred Bellet)

It featured a parade through downtown Dade City, with the theme of “Thrills, Squeals and Ferris Wheels.”

There were the usual fair favorites, too: Food, music, rides, competitions and shows.

Hungry fair-goers could choose tasty offerings such as gyros, French fries, corn dogs, roasted corn and, of course, cotton candy, candy apples, elephant ears, funnel cakes, cinnamon roll, and much, much more.

There were gospel and bluegrass concerts, roving entertainers, racing pigs and other shows.

Art was on display, and kids showed off their prize heifers, bulls, rabbits and other animals.

There were lots of rides on the Midway, too.

The fair, put on by the Pasco County Fair Association, has played an important role in community life in Dade City for decades, and has attracted people from far and wide to enjoy its offerings.

It carried on that tradition, again, in 2019.

Published March 06, 2019

With her parents close-by, 6-year-old Layla Huffmier, of New Port Richey, sneaks up on Pasco County Fair Ambassadors Marion Panek, left, and Wayne Panek, of Spring Hill. The youngster was waiting for her parents Nathan and Julie Huffmier to decide which exhibit they were going to check out first. As ambassadors, the Paneks provided information to fair-goers from their booth near the main entrance.
Hungry fair-goers treated themselves to pizza, hot dogs, ice cream, corn dogs, egg rolls, cotton candy, candied apples and more at the Pasco County Fair food court.
Six-year-old Lily Bolton, of San Antonio, has her sights on the fair’s amusement midway on opening day. But first, a quick stop at the food court for some French fries with her cousin, Kiki Sears.
Ernest Lee, also known as ‘The Chicken Man,’ brought his brand of art to the fair. He worked on a number of acrylic paintings in the exhibit hall and painted requests he received from fair-goers.

 

One-year-old Brayden Doyle snoozed through the line, while his mom, Tori Doyle, of Riverview, and cousin, Robin Wilks, of Zephyrhills, navigated his stroller through the main gate during the opening of the Pasco County Fair.

 

 

 

Storyteller entertains children at Lutz Community Center

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Professional storyteller and puppeteer Katie Adams had children spellbound, as she told them a story about Anansi, a mischievous spider at the Lutz Community Center, 98 First Ave., N.W.

After the show, storyteller and puppeteer Katie Adams, of Katie Adams’ Make Believe Theater in Tampa, shows the children in the audience how they will be able to make their own spider puppet at home with supplies she provided. The event was made possible by funding to the Lutz Branch Library from the Tampa-Hillsborough County Children’s Library Foundation. (Christine Holtzman)
Anansi the spider hangs from his web on the great Baobab tree while talking to a pair of birds during a performance by professional storyteller and puppeteer Katie Adams at the Lutz Community Center. The show, on Feb. 25, which included puppets, came from a collection of three African tales about a mischievous spider.
Two-year-old Carolina Mellor, of Wesley Chapel, giggles with her mother, Alissa Rodriguez, after the Katie Adams’ Make Believe Theater performance of ‘The Red and Green Hat.’

Hundreds compete at Pasco Special Olympics Summer Games

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Athletes from 18 Pasco County schools converged on the campus of Wesley Chapel High School, 3651 Wells Road, to compete at the Pasco County Special Olympics Summer Games on Feb 22. Events included walks, runs, races, bocce ball, cycling, soccer, and softball and tennis ball throws.

The Thomas E. Weightman Middle School Special Olympics team walks around the track at Wesley Chapel High School during the opening ceremony of the Pasco County Special Olympics on Feb. 22. (Christine Holtzman)
Fourteen-year-old Jake Blocher, an eighth-grader at Dr. John Long Middle School, gets a high-five from Lucy Domenech, of Wesley Chapel, as he competes in a cycling heat. Domenech and her daughter, Melissa Aldajuste, left, were at the games to support Aldajuste’s daughter, Mikayla, who was competing in another event. Grady Beagle, the adaptive physical education coach at John Long Middle, is on the right.
Six-year-old Jayshawn Harris, left, and 6-year-old Michael Rodriguez bond over a cloud of bubbles from a bubble-making machine. Harris is in first grade at New River Elementary, and Rodriguez is in first grade at Sand Pine Elementary.

Quilt show winner

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(Courtesy of Becky Busdeker)

Leisure Days RV Resort wants to thank everyone who attended the Leisure Days Quilt Show on Feb. 22. Larry Sproessig was the winner of the beautiful quilt made by the Leisure Day Quilters. From left: Shelly Shaw, Larry Sproessig and Helen Renaud.