The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Spend a little time ‘off the grid’ — and have some fun

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Going off the grid can be therapeutic.

So can browsing through antique and home decor stores, boutiques, and wine and cheese shops.

Petal & Vine in Antique Alley, in Belleair Bluffs, is a combination florist and gift shop, with an array of home decor, baby items and more. (Karen Haymon Long)

Or so I tell myself when I decide to head to stretches of two roads with shops I like that are close to each other in Largo, Clearwater and Belleair Bluffs, in an area north of West Bay Drive in Pinellas County.

I turn off my cellphone, so I can shop totally uninterrupted, something I rarely do on an ordinary day.

Sometimes, I take along my lunch and eat in the car between stops.

Other times, I treat myself at Wildflower Cafe, a pretty “ladies who lunch” spot, or a diner called Greek Islands, both close to the Largo shops.

My favorite shop along Clearwater-Largo Road is The French Nest Marketplace. It’s owned by Julianne Marie Bourdreaux, a friendly woman who offers classes on milk paint furniture painting. She greets customers with a lilting “bonne journee” and an offer of hot tea in a flowered china cup.

Coastal Living, a shop in Largo, specializes in coastal repurposed furniture, seashells, lamps and more.

She sells antiques and new home decor, holiday gifts, charming greeting cards, lamps and an array of French linens, tableware, soaps and signs. Outside, in what she calls her rustic garden, you can find a revolving selection of recycled garden statuary and planters.

I can’t go there without buying something: an antique whiskey decanter or a first-edition “Treasure Island,” with illustrations by N.C. Wyeth. And, always, I pick up some greeting cards by artist Vicki Sawyer, whose whimsical birds, sheep and rabbits never fail to make me smile.

On the same street, but with very different inventory, Oddities and Antiques sells everything from concrete moon faces to an assortment of old dolls hanging from the ceiling – some with fish hooks dangling from their foreheads and stomachs. It has crucifixes, old dental equipment, vintage postcards, driftwood, a boy mannequin, bones, books and old bottles.

Outside, hanging from a chain, a human skeleton, adorned with metal butterfly wings, twirls in the wind.

It’s like an old museum of grab bag items thrown together. It’s fascinating and a little creepy. A sign over one door even says 666 – the devil’s sign –  and its motto, “a unique blend of unusuals.” A stuffed wolf – or is it a dog? – wears a stethoscope and sits on a table behind pink and blue eyeballs and a ceramic hand. Beware: It’s only open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

I also like Marcotte’s Design Salvage, where I recently bought a linen tea towel with a map of Florida on it. It’s too pretty to use as a towel, so I will use it as a tablecloth instead. This shop sells furniture, chalk paint, vintage lighting, architectural salvage, pillows, cabinet knobs, green glassware, barn doors, baskets, napkins, lamps, signs – many with coastal colors and themes.

The French Nest Marketplace feels like an inviting shop in France, where the owner offers cups of hot tea while you shop and greets you with a friendly ‘bonne journee’ when you arrive.

Next door, Marcotte’s Coastal Market is also worth a spin around. There just aren’t many stores like these in our area, so it’s a treat to see what they have.

Coastal Living, on the other side of Clearwater-Largo Road, sells seashells, nautical lamps and tableware, clothes, repurposed furniture and an assortment of antiques, and new gift and decor items. A few years ago, I bought a beautiful antique lamp there that has palm trees on a reverse painted shade.

Recently, I saw a lamp made from a ship’s porthole there, another lamp with a crab base and a wreath of oyster shells.

For a more whimsical, eclectic experience, make your way to Pirates of Largo, which is jam- packed — inside and out — with yard art, signs, glassware, framed posters, knickknacks, jewelry and a wild array of other things. A framed photo of Marilyn Monroe gazes out at an Elvis head. Across the room, sits a blue dog and, on one wall, there’s a vintage Miami poster.

You never know what you will find, which is part of the fun.

Other treasures await over in Belleair Bluffs, along Indian Rocks Road, where I like to check out Antique Alley, with its cluster of shops. Down the road there are a few nice women’s clothing boutiques, and a wine and cheese market called Bella Vino.

My favorite spot in Antique Alley is a combination florist and gift shop called Petal & Vine. It sells holiday and garden items, sail bags, baby gifts, jewelry, clothes, greeting cards, some food items and unusual cut flowers.

I saw some tempting Halloween decorations – a concrete pumpkin with a gold stem, a lime green pumpkin, a black cat ornament, a skeleton tea towel – on my last visit.

Oddities and Antiques sells everything from this wolf wearing a stethoscope to crosses and old dental equipment and spooky dolls.

Down the alley, a shop called Nostalgia sells framed black-and-white old photos of Havana and the Florida Keys for $40 each, dishes and other home goods with Cuban themes, as well as coastal items.

Mango Etc. art gallery sells artist Frida Kahlo-inspired pillow cases, artwork and dolls that are sure to please her fans, me included.

Next door, at Chloe’s Home Decor, I bought a glass jar with a bird on its lid that I filled with limes. For Thanksgiving, I subbed them out for baby pumpkins.

Collum Antiques, next door to Antique Alley’s much-heralded Astoria Pastry Shop, specializes in Civil War guns, swords, bowie knives, decoys and American Indian turquoise jewelry. Its owner Charles Edward Collum says he’s been there 30 years and knows where everything is in his chock-a-block shop.

South from Antique Alley, on Indian Rocks Road, I enjoyed browsing through For the Love of Boutique and two other shops called Suzette’s On the Rocks Boutique and Suzette’s Too, owned by sisters. All three sell clothing, shoes and jewelry in tranquil settings.

Tranquility, I found, is possible if you click off your phone, take your time, and explore a part of Florida you’ve never been to before. For good measure, take home a Florida tea towel souvenir to remind you of your travels.

Tips for the Trip: Where to Shop

In Largo and Clearwater:
The French Nest Marketplace, 556 Clearwater-Largo Road, N., Largo; open daily

Marcotte’s Coastal Market, 607 Clearwater-Largo Road N., Largo; open daily

Marcotte’s Design Salvage, 617 Clearwater-Largo Road, N., Largo; open daily

Coastal Living, 904 Clearwater-Largo Road, Largo; open Wednesday-Sunday

Oddities and Antiques, 1764 Clearwater-Largo Road, N., Clearwater; open Thursday-Saturday

Pirates of Largo, 1780 Clearwater-Largo Road, Clearwater; open Wednesday-Sunday

In Belleair Bluffs:
Antique Alley, 596 Indian Rocks Road, N.; some shops closed Sunday and Monday

For the Love of Boutique, 428 Indian Rocks Road, N.; closed Sunday and Monday

Suzette’s on the Rocks Boutique and Suzette’s Too, 400 Indian Rocks Road, N.; closed Sunday

Bella Vino Wine & Cheese Market/Espresso & Wine Bar, 100 Indian Rocks Road, N.; closed Sunday

Where to eat:
Wildflower Cafe, 1465 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater; open for breakfast and lunch daily

Greek Islands, 1501 Clearwater-Largo Road, N., Largo; open for lunch and dinner daily

By Karen Haymon Long

Published November 28, 2018

The ‘Otter Olympics’ are a fun way to raise funds

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The PTA at Oakstead Elementary School, at 19925 Lake Patience Road in Land O’ Lakes, has an unusual way to raise money for the school. It hosts the Otter Olympics. The fundraiser obstacle course took place on Nov. 9.

The PTA organized the Olympics-themed fundraiser, which was made possible through the donations of more than 30 local businesses from Lutz and Land O’ Lakes. Jana Cash, PTA sponsorship chair, said she’s grateful for the generosity of the local business community. “We couldn’t have done this without them,” she said.

She also praised Oakstead’s students whose fundraising efforts brought in $20,000 in the first week of the drive.

PTA president Andrea Holley said nearly every dollar raised by students will go back to the school. The goal is to purchase iPads and other technology for classroom use. All of the school’s kindergarten through fifth grade students took part in the day’s events, whether they were able to collect pledges or not. The sponsors also provided a free T-shirt and bottle of water for each student. Oakstead Principal Tamera Kimpland called the event a great partnership between parents, and she said it’s great to see the school and the community come together.

With obvious pride, first-grade students Ezekiel Altamirano, left, and Layla Lowenberg, right, hold a banner representing Maria Mantzaris’s class. The students were asked to raise their hands if they were part of the first Otter Olympics, held in January. (Christine Holtzman)
As World Champion Center tae kwon do course volunteer Sean Morris, of Spring Hill, holds a board at his Gyeok-pa station, third-grader Valentina Tabora confidently kicks the board in half. Top sponsor World Champion Center organized and ran the obstacle course for the Oakstead Elementary School Otter Olympics.
As PTA member and event volunteer, Crystal Groger, of Land O’Lakes, right, watches as Jace Gould, a third-grader at Oakstead Elementary School, jumps over the brightly colored hurdles of the ‘Over Under’ station during the Oakstead Elementary School’s Otter Olympics.

A symphony in lights, and color

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Hundreds gathered to enjoy opening night of the 10th annual Symphony in Lights at The Shops at Wiregrass, at 28211 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel.

The free family celebration, presented by Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, featured falling snow, performers, costumed characters, live holiday music, and the arrival of Santa Claus on the brand-new Wiregrass Express train.

Radio personality Mason Dixon was the master of ceremonies for the official tree lighting ceremony, which delighted the audience with a light show synchronized to the music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

The night ended with a special opening night fireworks display, which was an obvious crowd-pleaser.

The Symphony in Lights continues nightly at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., through Dec. 31, with the choreographed light and music show, as well as guest appearances.

The spirit of the holidays was in the air at opening night of the 10th annual Symphony in Lights at The Shops at Wiregrass on the evening of Nov. 10. (Christine Holtzman)
As the sun sets on Paseo Drive, Liz Carroll, a stilt walker with Strictly Entertainment, doles out stickers to the crowd. The Zephyrhills woman has been a stilt walker for seven years, and she’s more than 7 feet tall when she’s on the stilts.
Four-year-old Brielle Kirkman, of Land O’ Lakes, sits on her father’s (Nathan) shoulders, to get a better view of the stage. She wanted to see ‘Late Night Brass,’ a band performing holiday music. The little girl’s mother, Kellie, said the family loves attending the event each year.

Fire rescue cadets scale new heights

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Towering 75 feet above the ground, 16-year-old Mason Hawthorne, of Lakeland, places his arms out to the side while performing a ‘lock in’ exercise atop the aerial ladder. The ‘lock in’ or ‘trust’ exercise is conducted so that the cadet can be certain that the locking mechanism that is attached from the ladder rope to the harness he is wearing will hold. Hawthorne has been in the program for two years and plans to pursue a career in firefighting. (Christine Holtzman)

Members of Zephyrhills Fire Rescue Cadet Post 650 have a chance to find out what’s involved in the life of a firefighter and emergency responder through a program operated out of Fire Rescue Station 1, at 6907 Dairy Road in Zephyrhills.

Billy Jeffries, the lead cadet advisor of Post 650, puts the youth through their paces. The Wesley Chapel resident also serves as the Florida Fire Chief Association section vice chair and has been a cadet advisor for 13 years. He knows how the cadets feel, as they’re learning about what’s necessary to become a firefighter, because he was one himself, 18 years ago.

To be eligible for the program, hopefuls must be ages 14 through 20, must be enrolled in school and must maintain a 2.5 grade point average, must be free of a criminal record and must desire to help the community.

The year-round program can accommodate 16 members; it has 13 presently.

As 16-year-old cadet Novalee Dries, of Wesley Chapel, observes, 17-year-old Cadet Lt. Makala Hall, a Zephyrhills High School senior, left, gets help fastening her harness from Zephyrhills firefighter paramedic Ryan Thun, right. Hall has been a participant of the cadet program for four years.

The purpose of the program is to give local youths a chance to get an early start at learning what it takes to be a first responder. There are weekly classes that include classroom instruction, and there is hands-on training and exercises.

Cadets can earn certificates they can use in the future for their careers as first responders. Certifications that are typically earning include Emergency Medical Responder and CPR.

Besides practicing, the cadets can test their skills in competitions statewide, including the Florida Winter Fire Games, scheduled to take place in Kissimmee, in February 2019.

There is a one-time enrollment fee of $40, which covers insurance and membership fees for the Florida Fire Chiefs Association.

For more information about the cadet program, email Lead Cadet Advisor Billy Jeffries at , or call (813) 780-0035.

By Christine Holtzman

Published November 21, 2018

From left: 18-year-old Kayli Coleman, 17-year-old Kelsey Narhi, 17-year-old Cadet Lt. Makala Hall, 17-year-old Bree Hampton, all of Zephyrhills; and 16-year-old Novalee Dries, of Wesley Chapel, cheer on one of their comrades, as the cadet reaches the top of the 75-foot ladder.
The cadets train all year long and compete in many competitions statewide, including the Florida Winter Fire Games in Kissimmee, in February 2019.
Eighteen-year-old cadet Kayli Coleman descends the 75-foot aerial ladder during a recent training exercise. The Zephyrhills High School senior has been part of the cadet program for four years. The program is geared toward young people who are interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or firefighting. Coleman said it’s scary being at the top of the 75-foot ladder, which is pitched at 60-degree angle. ‘You can feel the ladder move and shake.’ But, she also noted: ‘The view is amazing up there.’
With his turn on deck, 15-year-old Orin Vaughn, of Zephyrhills, receives words of encouragement while getting geared up by Ryan Thun, a Zephyrhills firefighter/paramedic, left, and Darron Branscum, an assistant advisor Lt. Paramedic. Vaughn said he’s interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement and wanted to join the cadet program because it teaches responsibility.

 

 

Excellence in Business Awards announced

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The North Tampa Bay Chamber has announced the winners of its 2018 Excellence in Business Awards, which are bestowed during an annual celebration to acknowledge extraordinary contributions by local community members, businesses and organizations in the Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Trinity and Odessa regions.

This year’s winners are:

New Business of the Year: Holiday Inn Express – Trinity

Small Business of the Year: Buttermilk Provisions

Large Business of the Year: Shriners Hospital for Children – Tampa

Business Leader of the Year: Dr. Kevin O’Farrell

Volunteer of the Year: Damaris Rios

Dorothy Mitchell Legacy Award: John Gallagher, retired Pasco County administrator

Also, The Board Member of the Year award went to David DeWeerd, CPA, and Dr. Kevin O’ Farrell received the Chairman’s Award. Both of those awards were given by Jennifer Cofini, chair of the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s board.

The event was presented by Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel and was held in the Sierra Center at Hyatt Place Wesley Chapel.

Event sponsors were Design & Construction Innovations, Wiregrass Ranch, Avalon Park West, and the Tampa Bay Times.

Published November 21, 2018

County expected to amend digital sign ordinance

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The Pasco County Commission is expected to decrease the dwell time on digital signs from the current 60 seconds down to 15 seconds.

During a previous meeting, commissioners directed staff to make the change. Then, the issue went before the Planning Commission on Oct. 11, which recommended approval of the change.

Now, the County Commission is expected to adopt the change at its Nov. 27 meeting.

Commissioner Ron Oakley requested the change, noting the 60-second dwell time makes it hard to communicate the number of events that are planned at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, which has a digital sign.

“They have four or five events in a week or two; they want to be sure they advertise them all,” he said.

While other commissioners favored the change, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey expressed reservations. “Is that a safe idea? I’ve done a lot of research on signs. Changing signs like that, I’m just not a fan of them. I think they’re dangerous for the public. Everything I’ve read says they take your eye off the road,” she said.

County planning administrator Denise B. Hernandez said that regional attractors, by their nature, have many different events.

One message on the sign is unrelated to the next message, she said.

By reducing the duration of the message, Commissioner Mike Moore noted, “there’s a better chance the next time they (motorists) come by, they’re going to see something different.”

Published November 21, 2018

Celebrating Native American Heritage

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Students at Saint Leo University had a chance to learn more about the Native American people and culture during a week-long series of programs during Native American Heritage Month. Activities at the campus on State Road 52 in St. Leo included giving students a chance to make their own rain stick or dreamcatcher.

Trying to keep the exercise as authentic as possible, the group used natural hemp for the dreamcatcher web and followed the Ojibwe tradition for the stitches. Traditionally placed over cradles, the item is used as a protective charm, as well as a way to filter out bad dreams. The dreamcatcher web replicates a spider web — to catch anything that comes into contact with it. The Multicultural and International Services office provides aid and support for the university’s international and study abroad students.

Eighteen-year-old freshman Rashawnda Smith, of Tampa, left, places the finishing touches on her dreamcatcher as Paige Ramsey-Hamacher, the executive director for Saint Leo University’s Multicultural and International Services office, helps by holding it in place. (Christine Holtzman)
A closer look at 20-year-old sophomore Carla Sanchez’s hands, as she weaves yarn around the hoop of her dreamcatcher. Trying to keep it as authentic as possible, natural hemp was used for the web and the Ojibwe tradition for the stitches was followed.

Paying homage to the first Thanksgiving

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Tinkering Tuesdays at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, celebrated the season by doing crafts to commemorate the first Thanksgiving. Tinkering Tuesdays focuses on a different theme each month. During the program, which is one Tuesday evening a month, kids have a chance to explore the world around them by doing crafts and various activities. Besides making the feathered headbands, the Thanksgiving program featured a teepee and activities, such as making beaded necklaces, corn and pumpkin decorations, ice cream cone teepees, and kits to make a wooden Mayflower boat to sail in a tub of water.

Jeannine Jensen, of Land O’ Lakes, helps her 3-year-old son Parker, on her lap, as he constructs a pumpkin using pipe cleaners and beads. Parker’s 6-year-old brother, Easton, is making his own pumpkin design. (Christine Holtzman)
Four-year-old Kinsey Gallaher, of Land O’ Lakes, proudly shows off the Native American feathered headband that she crafted along with her mother, Amy.
After finishing a headband and a beaded necklace, 7-year-old Jewel Selego, of Land O’ Lakes, smiles at his mother, Diana, as he checks out the inside of the teepee that was hand sewn by library assistants Kerry Peters and Jayde Archbold. They used fabric that was donated to the library. In fact, Peters said most of the materials used during the evening were donated to the library by members of the community.

Honoring those who served

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On Nov. 9, we had our monthly lunch connoisseurs at Texas Roadhouse. If you haven’t been here before, let me tell you that it is a fun place to get a great meal.

You come inside the restaurant and a huge juke box is there to greet you, and you can play a song or two on it. The music flows through the restaurant.

Terry Stevens and Tessie Stevens (left) and Sandy Lindke and Greg Thomas. (Courtesy of Helene Rubenstein)

You are then seated, and every table gets a bucket full of peanuts, along with some rolls and butter. The menu is quite varied, as they have many dishes, including chicken, ribs, steaks and so much more. They have appetizers that include onion rings, fried pickles, potato skins and rattlesnake bites. They also have a side order of ribs, in case you just want to try them but not get a full portion. When you leave here, guaranteed that you do not go home hungry.

There were approximately 45 to 50 residents and friends who had a lovely experience. It was hosted by Sandy Lindke, and she did a wonderful job.

On Nov. 10, there were 90-plus residents at the community center for an egg n’bag. If you have never been to an egg n’ bag, let me explain it to you.

Barbara Holzapfel and R- Micki Diemicke

It is a very different way to serve an omelet. People pick their own ingredients from an assortment, including bacon, ham, cheese, onions, mushrooms, green peppers and Jalapeno peppers. Besides the omelet, there are hash brown potatoes, sausage gravy and biscuits, plus coffee and orange juice.

The event was hosted by Rita Gattos, plus many helpers, including Joyce Billig, Marc and Susan Gagnon, Ron and Rachel Gamache, Rita Gattos, Jim and Judi Leitzke, Sue Parker, Maureen Stephans, Martha Stephens and Doris Sutfin.

After the egg n’bag, where veterans were invited for free (a nice touch), Jim Leitzke presented a veteran tribute. Several more people joined this tribute, and there were between 90 to 100 people in attendance.

The tribute started when Sandy Douglas read a poem entitled “The Old Army Hat.” Flags were brought forward to recognize and honor each individual branch of the military. There are 126 vets in the Grand Horizons development and all were recognized from the branch where they served.

Bill Donlon and Dave Tutin

We then continued with the POW/MIA table, where Jim Leitzke gave a narration, and Joy Bond and Barbara Slade read the names of the army vets. Ginny Sarver continued with the names of the Navy. Jim Leitzke read the list of the Coast Guard, and Cindy O’Brien read the names of the Marines, while Judi Leitzke ended the reading with the names of the Air Force. When you looked at this table, you remembered your friends and loved ones.

Jim went on to read a letter from the Honor Flight that have places to stay for family of vets that have to go in the hospital. Such places like the Fisher House and several others in every state.  Thanks to the vets who served and gave us our freedoms. The tribute ended with everyone singing “God Bless America.”

We had a gathering at the community center on Nov. 11. This was in memory of friends and relatives who passed away recently and cute stories were told. It was hosted by Ron Gamache, and he did a fine job. Pictures of the loved ones who passed were on a screen .

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

Ghosts, goblins, scarecrows and more

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Betty Cooper and Maureen Stephans at Chili’s. (Courtesy of Helene Rubenstein)

On Oct. 31, Grand Horizons had a Halloween Dance at the community center, and approximately 40 residents and friends were there to enjoy this evening of entertainment.

A variety of music was played, such as rock, country, traditional and so much more. There were contests, too.

One game included a variety of questions, such as who lived in Grand Horizons the longest, and several others. Of course, there were a number of answers, but one lucky couple from each individual question got the prize.

From left: Ruth Weick, Kathel Bedford and Linda Kartes

Each couple brought in a snack to eat and they nibbled on snacks through the night. I understand that there was much fun, laughter, eating and dancing.

The dance was hosted by Gary Wilcox, and he did a fine job.

In addition, they also had several residents dressed up in costumes, such as  farmers (this won an award for the scariest costume), and there was also one person dressed up as a hillbilly pimp while his wife was a hooker, and another person as a skeleton, and even a harem. When looking at the dance floor, you see all these costumes, and it was a sight to see.

From left: Marge Clark. Joyce Billig and Mim Gardner

Then on Nov. 3, they had a pancake breakfast and 60 people were treated to a lovely breakfast. They had pancakes, sausage, orange juice and coffee. This was hosted by Dave and Mary Heim and what a fine job they did, and each helper had a specific job so everything ran smoothly.

On Nov. 6, there was a monthly outing for the lunch bunch. This was hosted by Kathel Bedford, and 11 women enjoyed an afternoon of food, fun and laughter at Chili’s Restaurant.

There was a large variety of main dishes, including fajitas, ribs, burgers, steaks, salads and yummy desserts. We finished our lunch and sat around and talked for a while. It was a lovely afternoon and it wasn’t a big trip home. The waitresses were very nice and accommodating.

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

The entire Lunch Bunch at Chili’s. (Photo provided)