The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Quality Foods Gourmet Market

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Quality Foods Gourmet Market in Lutz is a deli, pizzeria, bakery and specialty foods grocer that also offers an extensive vegan and gluten-free menu.

Owner Christopher Houp takes great pride on the number of foods made in-house, such as his mojo-shredded pork for his Cuban sandwich, which he serves with house-made potato chips and his own signature pickles.

But, his showstopper is his NYC sandwich.

“Our NYC is three-quarters of a pound of meat piled high, half pastrami and half corned beef, both house-made,” said Houp. “It’s steamed just like it is in New York City, so it’s hot, on two slices of rye bread with a grain mustard, and that’s it.  You can add cheese if you want, but the bread soaks in the juices from the steamed meat, and the mustard gives it a little spice, and you get this nice big juicy sandwich.”

For most house-made items, you can ask for a sample and try it before you buy it. Quality Foods makes its own pesto, sauerkraut, beer cheese, chimichurri, fresh-baked pretzels, breads, desserts and cookies, as well as many different kinds of condiments and dressings.

Its vegan deli and pizza menu runs two full pages long and accommodates families with many different diets, from lactose-intolerant and gluten-free carnivores, to strict vegans.

“The vegan community is an underserved market,” Houp said, whose wife is vegan.  “People are very appreciative that they can have a vegan meal here.  Our vegan Cuban is all over social media, and we have regular customers from Orlando and Sarasota who drive here to load up on vegan groceries that they can’t get anywhere else.”

As a grocer, Quality Foods stocks items from other local businesses, especially farmer’s market vendors, including Mammoth Foods Hummus, Peach Pit Farms, Sassy Girls Salsa, Gulf Coast Sourdough Bread and Faedo Family Bakery Cuban bread.

It also stocks nearly 90 local craft beers from more than 20 local breweries, many which are available in mix-and-match six packs.  It carries a large collection of hand-selected wines, including fresh Italian wines on tap and bottled by request, just as you would see in Italy.

To hear Houp talk about good food is like listening to a poet praise the merits of Epicureanism.

“Food is a lot of things.  It is fun, it is familial.  All of life’s activities revolve around food.  You have a party.  There’s food.  You have a baby shower.  There’s food.  When there’s a funeral.  Food.  You have food when you’re born.  You have food when you die.  What do we build the holidays around?  Food.  There’s always food, because it’s comforting, so if food is central to life, then we may as well eat quality food, and that’s what you’ll get here,” Houp said.

Life is too short not to indulge your appetite today at Quality Foods on U.S. 41, just south of where it meets Nebraska Avenue. Besides running Quality Foods, the Houps also operate their own farmer’s market, Lake Chapman Market.

The market can be reached by calling (813) 373-5466.

By William Jacko

Published October 17, 2018

 

 

Buying or Selling A Home?

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Call Advantage Real Estate Services for over 36 years of local expertise.

Advantage Real Estate Services is a full-service real estate company representing both buyers and sellers of residential and commercial property, primarily in Pasco, Hillsborough and Hernando Counties.

Headed up by Broker Holly Ruhlig, whose family has been involved in the local real estate market since 1981, agents at Advantage Real Estate Services understand local trends, area home values, and are knowledgeable about area schools, roads and growth that impact buying or selling a home.

“We have a diversified team of agents who live in our market, many having over 20 years of local real estate experience,” said Holly. “Our agents are experienced professionals who pride themselves on the highest level of customer service.

The Advantage team shares these reasons to use a licensed Realtor for buying or selling your home.

  1. Expert Guides: Whether you are buying or selling a home, it requires dozens of forms, reports, disclosures and other technical documents. A Realtor is a knowledgeable expert who helps you prepare the best deal, and avoid delays or costly mistakes.
  2. Objective Information and Opinions: Realtor can provide local information on utilities, zoning and schools, and have objective information about each property. By understanding both your needs and search area, your Realtor can also point out neighborhoods you don’t know much about, but which might suit your needs better than you had thought.
  3. Marketing and Expanded Search Powers: When selling your home, in addition to advertising your home, many prospects for a home sale come from a Realtor’s contacts with previous clients, friends and family. Your Realtor will prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property — you never have to worry about allowing strangers into your home. A Realtor can help you find opportunities not listed on home search sites, and also help you avoid out-of-date listings that might be showing up as available online, but are no longer on the market.
  4. Negotiation Knowledge: A Realtor will look at every angle from your perspective, including crafting a purchase agreement that allows enough time for you to complete inspections and investigations of the property, before you are bound to finalize the purchase.
  5. Up-To-Date Experience: Most people sell only a few homes in a lifetime, and those sales typically have many years in-between. Even if you’ve done it before, laws and regulations change. Realtors handle hundreds of transactions over the course of their career and are experts at what they do.
  6. Your Rock During Emotional Moments: A home is so much more than four walls and a roof. And, for most people, buying a home is the biggest purchase they’ll ever make. Having a concerned, but objective, third party helps you stay focused on the issues most important to you.
  7. Ethical Treatment. Every Realtor must adhere to a strict code of ethics, which is based on professionalism and protection of the public. As a Realtor’s client, you will receive honest and ethical treatment in all transaction-related matters. The first obligation is to you, the client.

Published October 24, 2018

Count on Cornerstone Pros For All Home Maintenance Needs

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Local residents have counted on Cornerstone Pros for their air conditioning service since 2006, and many of these customers now turn to the Land O’ Lakes company for their electrical and plumbing needs.

“We expanded into electrical and plumbing several years ago because our customers kept asking if we could help them with other home services,” said Dana Spears, founder and president of the company. “They trusted us and were comfortable having us in their homes, and we wanted to accommodate them.”

Today Cornerstone Pros is the only residential HVAC company in central Pasco to offer homeowners one-stop shopping and service for air conditioning, heating, plumbing and electrical services.

There are many advantages to using Cornerstone for ongoing maintenance of your home’s primary mechanical systems.

Every employee passes a stringent background check and drug tests before they are allowed to enter your home.
“We hire people who are genuine, honest, trustworthy, clean-cut and live their life with good ethics and morals,” said Spears. “Most employees are local people who live in our service area, and they are very committed to their work and community.”

All technicians have the appropriate certifications and licenses.
“All of our technicians are specialists who have specific, ongoing training in their fields,” said Dana. “This means our A/C guys are experts at air conditioning, and they only go out on HVAC calls. Our licensed electricians and plumbers are assigned specifically for electrical and plumbing work. There is no cross over between the trades — your technician is always qualified to diagnosis your problem, recommend a solution and qualified to do the work to meet the industry’s highest standards.”

Cornerstone warrantees all of its work, and the company’s satisfaction guaranteed policy applies to every job.
“We have a dedicated team of experienced technicians who follow up on any warranty problem. There is no charge for this service, and the tech keep coming back until the problem is 100 percent resolved,” explains Spears.

Cornerstone maintains a customer database of all work completed on your home, similar to the historical data your automotive dealership maintains on your vehicle.
“Our database is continually updated, so we always know what and when a service was completed, and what parts were ordered,” said Spears. “Having the history of your home’s maintenance for A/C, electrical and plumbing all at one place is a tremendous convenience for homeowners, especially for those who do not keep detailed records and files.”

Preventative maintenance is essential to keep your home’s systems in proper working order so they don’t stop working when you need them most — such as the hottest day of the year, or when you have visitors staying with you.
“We have very affordable residential maintenance packages, which range from $15/month for one service area, to just $24/month for all three — HVAC, electrical and plumbing,” said Spears.

Customers with maintenance agreements are preferred customers, which means they get service first at a discounted price.
“When you have an emergency at your home, you are a priority client and we send a technician to your home first,” said Spears.

Cornerstone recently opened a 6,000 square-foot warehouse so that techs have everything they need when they go on a service call.
“Every morning our vans are fully stocked with everything our technicians need, which means on most calls, we will be able to solve a customer’s problem on the first visit,” said Spears.

In addition to air conditioning, electrical and plumbing services, Cornerstone also provides customers with portable and whole-house generators, and is one of largest Generac distributors in the region.

It is also the exclusive distributor for Westinghouse Progressive Series of water treatment equipment, which works around the clock to provide your home with refined, clean soft water. Clothes and linens will be softer, brighter and last longer, and your plumbing fixtures, dishwasher and refrigerator will be free of water spots, scaling and soap scum.

Cornerstone, which has 65 employees and a fleet of 35 trucks, always strives to go above and beyond customer expectations. Phones are answered 24/7, and technicians are available around the clock, including weekends and holidays

“We are successful because we’ve built our business on reputation and trust,” said Dana. “We always stand behind the work of our employees, and everyone of our employees strive to make customers happy every day.”

Published October 24, 2018

Brightman Family Loves Asturia and Their Ashton Woods Home

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Alex and Jessica Brightman were one of the first Ashton Woods homeowners in Asturia, a master-planned community in Odessa, along the State Road 54 corridor.

Two years later, the young couple will be bringing home their second child to their Ashton Woods home, when their son is born in January.

“We just love our Ashton Woods home and living in Asturia,” said Alex, who works in the IT field. “We have a huge corner lot and enjoy the open floor plan of our Milan model.”

Jessica and Alex Brightman and their daughter, Kensely, have lived in Asturia for two years and love the open floor plan of their Ashton Woods home.

His wife, Jessica, adds, “We’ve met so many people and have made so many friends. It’s been perfect for us and our daughter, Kensley.”

The Brightmans also credit their Ashton Woods salesperson, Kathy Midkiff, for making their homebuying experience so successful. “Kathy was absolutely wonderful and helped us every step of the way.”

“Asturia is the perfect location for us. We moved here from Dade City, so we especially appreciate the convenience of being close to the Suncoast Parkway. It’s so easy to get to downtown Tampa,” Jessica added.

The Brightmans are typical of many Ashton Woods families. The builder’s spacious floor plans are the most affordable homes in Asturia, with prices beginning under $300,000.

“We found there is a lot of value in our home —we have beautiful finishes and lots of space for our investment,” said Alex.

Ashton Woods is in its final sales phase at Asturia, with 80 percent of home sites sold since the community opened two years ago.

“We’ve had tremendous success in Asturia, and have sold over 100 families their new home in this much-desired community,” said Marketing Manager Kristin Wilson. “We have less than 30 move-in ready homes that remain, and expect all to be sold very soon.”

To encourage families to buy before the end of the year, all Ashton Woods homebuyers in Asturia that purchase in the Grove Series will receive a free stainless-steel refrigerator and washer/ dryer, a value of over $3,500. Plus, Ashton Woods is contributing $9,000 towards closing costs with its preferred lender*.

“There has never been a better time to buy an Ashton Woods home in Asturia,” said Wilson. “And, some of our best home values can be found in our Grove series, which feature two-car garages at the rear of the home.”

There are seven of these unique homes ready now as inventory homes, with the popular Arlington model beginning at just $276,999.

This 2,003-square-foot home features open-concept family and dining rooms that open to the kitchen, complete with 42-inch designer cabinets, granite or quartz countertops, an oversized island and walk-in pantry. Also, downstairs is a powder bathroom, valet area off the garage entry and ceramic tile floors throughout the entire first floor.

Upstairs, the Arlington’s master suite has a spacious bathroom with double vanities, walk-in shower and large walk-in closet. Two additional bedrooms share a bath, and a laundry room is conveniently located upstairs.

“We have three Arlington homes ready for quick move-in, all under $280,000. It is a perfect first home and has many upgrades not usually found at this price point,” said Marketing Manager Wilson.

Ashton Woods also offers a slightly larger home in this series, the Ortega, at 2,193 square feet.

The Ortega has a soaring 20-foot volume ceiling foyer, a large open-concept kitchen, family room and breakfast nook. A formal dining room and butler’s pantry lead to the kitchen, which has 42-inch designer cabinets, granite or quartz countertops, an oversized island, and walk-in pantry. Downstairs also features a powder bathroom and plenty of storage closets.

Upstairs is a large master suite and bathroom with double vanities, walk-in shower and large walk-in closet. And, like the Arlington, there are two additional bedrooms that share a bath, and a convenient laundry room located upstairs.

“Our Ortega models begin at $296,990, which is a tremendous value for close to 2,200 square feet and Ashton Woods’ premium finishes,” said Wilson.

More Homes and Great Schools
Ashton Woods also offers classic one- and two-story homes in its traditional home series with the garage in the front.  All offer open floor plans, large living areas, beautiful master suites, high-end finish and lots of storage. Homes have two- or three-car garages, and many back up to private conservation lots.

“For families with children, Asturia is a very popular community because it is zoned for some of the best schools in Pasco County — J.W. Mitchell High, Seven Springs Middle and Odessa Elementary,” said Wilson.

Ashton Woods was named the 2017 Builder of the Year by Builder and Developer Magazine and, for the fourth consecutive year, has been ranked among the top three for Most Trusted Builders in America.

For more information, go to AshtonWoods.com/tampa/Asturia. You can also call the sales center at (813) 446-8362.

Published October 24, 2018

Bexley Offers Homebuyers Luxury Custom Options

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Building a home is part of the American dream. It’s exciting to select a lot and choose a floor plan that fits your needs. You watch expectantly as builders construct your home. And since you’re the very first person to live in a newly constructed home, many builders allow you to put your very own stamp on it by selecting the finishes, cabinets and flooring that you want.

Bexley by Newland Communities, one of Pasco County’s newest and most popular master-planned communities, is adding more luxury options with new floor plans from Cardel Homes and the introduction of Arthur Rutenberg to the community.  Both offer new homebuyers ample ways to turn their house into a dream home.

Bexley Cardel Homes, Savannah Living Room

Cardel Homes
With two new floor plans featuring four bedrooms and three baths to choose from, Cardel Homes places a premium on design. Homebuyers have access to the Cardel Design Center where they can build their home according to their lifestyle, as well as select upgrades such as a Whirlpool appliance package, more than 20 different styles and colors of tile, travertine windowsills and much more.

“As a family-owned builder, we pride ourselves in offering quality workmanship and outstanding customer service,” said Brian Phillips, Cardel Homes’ vice president of sales and marketing. “Our design team works with homebuyers so that we can customize floor plans and offer a variety of structural options with those floor plans. This way, families are able to build their home according to their lifestyle.”

Cardel Homes’ two new model homes at Bexley – The Henley and The Savannah – are now open for prospective homebuyers to explore the 3,308 – 3,939-square-foot floor plans. Cardel Homes has a variety of floorplans within the community which range from approximately $400,000 – $600,000.

Arthur Rutenberg Homes/Custom Craft Homes
It’s one thing to select the finishes and colors that you want in your home. It’s another to create the exact floor plan you want with an architect. That’s what custom builder Arthur Rutenberg Homes offers its customers.

“Being in Bexley was just the natural thing to do,” said Ernie Lashlee, building company president for Arthur Rutenberg Homes/Custom Craft Homes. “We have been building custom homes in Newland’s FishHawk Ranch community for more than a decade. Being in Bexley gives us the presence we wanted in the northern part of Pasco County.”

Arthur Rutenberg/Custom Craft Homes, Avalon Model

Arthur Rutenberg has just 14 custom home sites on their exclusive cul de sac.

Lashlee, a certified architect, notes that he can assist homebuyers by making changes to existing floor plans. That may mean increasing the size of a master bedroom, or changing the elevation of a home so that it stands out from others in the neighborhood.

“Most of our buyers are looking for something different from the person next door,” Lashlee added. “They want something unique and we’re able to offer them the expertise and flexibility to bring their vision to life.”

A model home for Arthur Rutenberg Homes/Custom Craft Homes is expected to open in Spring of 2019 and pre-sales will begin soon. Homes will start in the high $500,000 – $800,000.

Whatever your home style or budget, Bexley has something for you including single family and luxury homes and townhomes priced from the low $200s to over $600,000.   Located north of State Road 54, Bexley’s 1,825-acre community offers a wide range of activities and amenities just minutes from your doorstep, including resort style pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, miles of dual-surface trails and a BMX pump track, plus the Twisted Sprocket Café, and Suncoast Trailside Bicycles which are both open to the public.

For more information, visit www.bexleyflorida.com or call (813) 425-7555.

Phase III Underway In Asturia

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Asturia — one of Pasco County’s most successful master-planned communities along the State Road 54 corridor — has expanded into its third and final major phase.

“Our builders have been very successful, and the demand for more homesites has driven the opening of our Phase III,” said Creighton Call, projector director for Hines, the community’s developer.

And, with Phase III comes the addition of Asturia’s fourth builder, Ryan Homes, which is building townhomes on 108 homesites close to the community’s Amenity Center and entrance.

“Asturia has been embraced by our owners because they want to live in a community with a variety of builders and home sizes with unique streetscapes and world-class amenities that encourage an active lifestyle,” said Call.

Asturia’s builders offer multiple product types and home configurations that attract empty-nesters, first-time homebuyers, singles, young families, families with school-aged children and even multi-generational families.

“We have several extended families living in Asturia — empty nesters who have built a home a few blocks from their adult children and grandchildren. We even have siblings and cousins who have chosen Asturia because we offer an assortment of home sizes, floor plans and price points,” said Call.

Asturia is designed as a walkable community with winding streets that connect to neighborhood parks, trails and recreational areas. Most homes are easy walking or biking distance to the Amenity Center, which includes a resort-style pool, a fully equipped fitness center, and a contemporary clubhouse for community and family celebrations.

Every street has a mixture of homes by different builders with varying elevations that give neighborhoods a unique feel. “There are no cookie cutter streets in Asturia. Our premier builders offer a variety of architectural styles and customizations. We take great care in beautifully landscaping the curvilinear streets and common walkable areas,” said Call.

 In the three years since Asturia began selling homes, more than 250 homes have been sold out of the 550 planned for the community.

Upscale semi-custom builders, David Weekley Homes and ICI Homes, are building new single-family models on 55- and 65-foot homesites in Phase III. Ashton Woods, which has been building in Asturia since the community opened in 2015, continues to offer multiple home types and styles.

Asturia’s Phase III consists of 224 lots, of which 108 will be townhomes by Ryan Homes. These affordable homes have two-car garages located in the rear and accessed by private alleys, which leaves the front of the home open for welcoming porches, sidewalks and landscaping.

Ryan Homes is launching its new, low maintenance, two-car garage townhome neighborhood with their model home opening in early 2019. Townhomes prices will begin from the mid $200,000s. Presales are already underway.

“Ryan’s townhomes will attract buyers looking for smaller homes with minimum lawn maintenance,” said Call. “We expect to see many first-time homebuyers coming out of apartments, as well as empty-nesters looking to downsize.”

Asturia’s smaller, intimate community size of just 550 homes is attractive to people who do not want to live in a large master-planed development with thousands of homes being built over several years.

“After Phase III is completed, there will be just 40 home sites remaining,” said Call. “People are moving to Asturia ahead of plan because of our attention to detail, the quality of life we’ve created, the excellent schools that our children attend and our convenient location to all of Tampa Bay.”

Builders offer a range of home sizes and architectural styles, with prices ranging from the high $200,000s to over $600,000. Many inventory homes are available for families looking to move before the end of the year.

Asturia residents enjoy a kid-friendly, family oriented lifestyle surrounded by miles of multi-use trails, interspersed with dog parks and pocket parks. Kids especially love the unique, domed-shaped Kompan playground that fosters strong bodies and imaginative play.

Asturia’s convenient location in Odessa is less than one mile from the Suncoast Parkway and provides close proximity to U.S. 41, U.S. 19 and I-75.  Its master plan incorporates retail, office, multifamily and a variety of single-family residential offerings.

More information is available by visiting Asturia’s model homes, registering at the community’s website, AsturiaFlorida.com, or by calling (813) 510-3601.

Published October 24, 2018

Snakes, scorpions and tortoises, oh my

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Whether it was to learn about snakes, check out a Wild West Show, do a bit of arts and crafts, shopping or listening to music — visitors to the 52nd annual Rattlesnake Festival had plenty of choices. A crowd, estimated at over 9,000, visited the two-day show with near-perfect weather this past weekend at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City.

Pam Mendenhall displays a common black snake. Part of the show involved teaching the audience the difference between poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes. (Fred Bellet)

The lineup for the festival, which moved this year from San Antonio, featured reptile shows, Croc Encounters, Gopher Tortoise Races, nonprofit wildlife exhibits and performances by several local bands, including Jesse and Noah Bellamy. There were also bounce houses, a petting zoo, carnival rides, and barbecue and other food vendors.

“Moving to the fairgrounds gave us twice the space to expand the festival, plus room to grow in the future,” said Joe Simmons, who headed up the event. “We had more to offer, including moving the wildlife shows inside fair buildings, and adding more businesses and arts and crafts exhibitors.”

Simmons also said the move allowed the organization to offer free parking that was close to the event.

All money raised at The Rattlesnake Festival, after expenses, supports The Thomas Promise Foundation, a nonprofit that provides weekend meal packages for 1,200 underprivileged children who attend 27 Pasco schools.

Published October 24, 2018

Conner Heimes gets a close view of a corn snake as he peers through a glass cage housing the slithering snake. It was part of the ‘live’ display of snakes at The Rattlesnake Festival at the Pasco County Fairgrounds. The 4-year-old was at the event with his mom, Christina Heimes, his brother, Hunter, 10, and grandmother, Rebecca Heimes, all of Zephyrhills.
Inflating a balloon to be snapped by a bull whip, Mike ‘Lefty’ Remmert, of Tampa, readies the target, still in his mouth, as Cowboy Tom Glasco, of San Antonio, cracks the whip during his Cowboy Tom Wild West Show.
A large wooden rattlesnake head is controlled manually by Pam Mendenhall to open its mouth to show what the snake’s fangs look like. Pam, and her husband, Jim, presented the Mendenhall Snake Show displaying a variety of snakes.
Bernice DellaPorte, of Brooksville, works on a ‘Tree of Life’ sculpture, part of her Copper Forest Design line. She makes the piece from copper wire. Each Sculpture uses 170 strands of copper, which are each 16 inches long. The sculpture takes a day to create.
An Asian Water Monitor climbs off the shoulder of reptile exhibitor John Anderson, of Brooksville. The 2-year-old critter’s name is ‘Precious.’ The J&T Reptile exhibit was a popular feature at the Rattlesnake Festival.
Pythons like to climb to the highest branch, which is why this snake made its way to the crown of Courtney Graham, Miss Pasco County. Derek Dykstra, who is with the Rattlesnake Conservatory, brought the snake to the Rattlesnake Festival. (Vic Anthony)

Blessing all creatures, big and small

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Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, at 37015 Orange Valley Lane in Dade City, had a Blessing of the Animals service on Oct. 7 to commemorate the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for his affinity for animals. People brought their animals to be blessed, and shared a potluck meal together.

Though this is the first Blessing of the Animals that the church has hosted, the pastor says he began blessing in California in 1989 and has been doing so ever since. He plans to hold an annual blessing of the animals in October at the Dade City church. He said that the event is important because the word ‘animal’ comes from the Latin word ‘anima,’ which means ‘spirit.’ “Every living thing has the spirit in them,” the pastor said. “We have an obligation to the anima of the Earth to do this.”

Rio, a Biewer Terrier, gives his attention to Pastor Mark Reiff, left, as the pastor gives the dog a blessing. The canine’s owners Larry Comer, back, and Marcia Alexander look on. (Christine Holtzman)
While holding Zoie, Carl Wolf listens to Pastor Mark Reiff recite a reading from Genesis, as his wife, Joyce, follows along in the pamphlet. The Wolfs were eager to get a blessing for Zoie, because she suffers with cataracts.
Don Higgs, of Dade City, and his deer head Chihuahua, Ebony, wait for the start of the Blessing of the Animals service at the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, at 37015 Orange Valley Lane. The event, which commemorates the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, also included a potluck meal.

Pickin’ out the perfect pumpkin at a patch in Lutz

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Visitors to the Family Fun Festival at Seal Swim School, 19509 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz, could pick from a wide assortment of the seasonal orange orbs in a pumpkin patch, and could also enjoy pumpkin painting, arts and crafts, food, music, a bounce house and a costume parade. Proceeds from pumpkin sales and the festival help promote water safety and the school’s special needs program.

Despite the large crowds, 4-year old Kyle Floyd, of Lutz, is able to share a quiet moment in the pumpkin patch with his dad, Jason, while enjoying a frozen treat during the 11th annual Family Fun Festival hosted by the Seal Swim School located at 19509 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz. Hundreds turned out for the fun fall event. (Christine Holtzman)
This group seemed to be having a great time playing a game during the Family Fun Festival at Seal Swim School. They are, front row, from left: Kali Riddick, Aliyah Headley and Skyla Headley. Back row, from left: Stephanie Hosang (Kali’s Mom) and Mia Headley.
Two-year-old Finn Reilly — also known as a Red Power Ranger — channels his inner artist while painting his pumpkin. The little boy from Lutz was taking advantage of a paint station at the festival intended to allow people to add a personal touch to their pumpkin.

 

 

 

 

The Laker/Lutz News claims 18 awards in state contest

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The Laker/Lutz News brought home 18 awards from the Community Papers of Florida 2018 Awards for Excellence competition.

The annual statewide contest recognizes outstanding work in advertising, writing and photography.

On the advertising side, The Laker/Lutz News design staff garnered 11 awards in these categories:

  • Advertising campaign: First place, Stefanie Burlingame and Matthew Mistretta, The Lakes Floral & Gifts; and Second place, Stefanie Burlingame, New Age Medical Center
  • Professional Services Advertising – less than half page: First place, Stefanie Burlingame, Evolution; and Second place, Stefanie Burlingame, Pet Point Animal Hospital
  • Self-promotion: Stefanie Burlingame, First place
  • Theme promotion: First place, Matthew Mistretta, Faith and Worship; and Second place, Matthew Mistretta, Home Section
  • Automotive advertising: Third place, Matthew Mistretta, Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube
  • Real estate advertising – half page or more: Third place, Stefanie Burlingame, Advantage Real Estate Services
  • Real estate advertising – less than half page: Third place, Stefanie Burlingame, Allen Collins Realty
  • Spot color: Third place, Stefanie Burlingame, Treasured Pets Resort & Spa
The Lakes Floral & Gifts ad campaign garnered first place for Stefanie Burlingame and Matt Mistretta in the Community Papers of Florida 2018 Awards for Excellence competition.

The judges provided comments only for entries receiving a first place honor.

For the Evolution ad, one judge wrote, “this ad looks three-dimensional. The blurry Christmas tree in the background makes everything in the foreground stand out. The use of space and offer is perfect.”

For the Faith and Worship Theme Page, a judge noted “the overall layout and presentation of this page gives the reader several easy-to-find church services in the community. Each ad is clean and easy to read.”

In the Advertising Campaign category for The Lakes Floral & Gifts, one judge commented, “These ads are in full bloom! The use of color and composition make the ad series consistent and appealing to the reader. Well done.” Another judge pointed out “the color really makes this campaign POP!” Another judge noted, “A consistent look with strong, dominant artwork and vibrant colors makes for an effective campaign.”

Diane Kortus, the newspaper’s publisher, received third place recognition for a personal column she wrote about Valentine’s Day. The column observed that Valentine’s Day is not just an opportunity to celebrate romantic love, but also love for family, friends and colleagues.

The editorial team of Fred Bellet, Christine Holtzman, B.C. Manion, Kevin Weiss and Randy Underhill received honors in four categories.

  • News Story: First place
  • Best Original Writing: Third place
  • Best Original Photographic Spread: Second place and Third place
  • Best Independent Photo Feature: Two second-place honors

Manion won first place for her news story about local students at Wiregrass Ranch High School, in Wesley Chapel, joining a national walkout in the wake of the Valentine’s Day shooting spree that left 17 dead and 17 injured at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Florida.

One judge said the piece was “well-sourced” and called it “a descriptive narrative of this event.”

Weiss won third place for his profile about a reality show featuring the Bellamy Brothers, their music and their life on a 200-acre ranch in Darby.

Holtzman took home two second-place photography honors in the best independent photo feature category. One was for her photograph of a small child blowing a bubble and the other for an appearance that Mr. Tommy made at a local library.

Bellet received second place in the Best Original Photographic Spread Category for his collection of photos of a softball team for players with special needs. Underhill captured third place in the same category for his photos of a father-daughter dance at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

Published October 17, 2018