The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

A memorial to honor the victims of 9/11

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A 9/11 Memorial Service was held at Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills, on the morning of Sept. 11 honored the memory of the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The event included local elected leaders and dignitaries, as well as the Zephyrhills High School JROTC Honor Guard and the Marine Corps League Sgt. Maj. Michael S. Curtain Detachment 1124, based in Zephyrhills. About 100 people gathered at the event.

The VFW Post 8154 Honor Guard perform a rifle salute to the fallen during the 9/11 Memorial Service at Zephyr Park on the morning of Sept. 11. (Christine Holtzman)
Guest speaker Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield speaks to the crowd of about 100 people that attended the program. After his speech, he introduced the Keynote speaker, State Rep. Danny Burgess.
Under the direction of Senior Army Instructor 1st Sgt. Jimmy McAuley, Zephyrhills High School JROTC Honor Guard members from left: Cadet 1st Sgt. Jorlyanys Suarez, Cadet Cpt. Justine Smith, Cadet 1st Sgt. Olivia Laginess and Cadet Cpt. Shelby Howell retire the colors at the close of the 9/11 Memorial Service.
Under the American Flag set at half-mast, the Zephyrhills High School JROTC Honor Guard presents the colors during the invocation of the memorial service to honor the victims of 9/11.

Train Like a Pro at the Wily Mo Baseball Academy

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Coaching Staff of Steve Miller, Matt Morris, Matt Starkey, Wily Mo Peña and Jason Contino

By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

If you have ever picked up a bat and glove and dreamed of being a professional baseball player, you’ll want to know about Wily Mo Baseball Academy in Wesley Chapel.

Former Major League Baseball player, Wily Mo Pena, founded the Academy for children and young adults who want to train like the pros, and raise their game to the next level.

“I created the Mo Baseball Academy for the community and the kids, because a lot of youth training is not done right,” Pena said.  “When you have coaches with professional experience doing the training, kids learn what they need to do to make it to the big leagues and become great players.”

Jason Contino, a coach at the Academy, believes that the daily presence of a major league ballplayer inspires players and motivates them to play their best.

“There is something special about a kid who gets to practice with a Major League Baseball player, sponging off that knowledge and learning from a pro,” Contino said.

Wily Mo Pena

Wily Mo Baseball Academy provides training for every skill and position, from hitting and fielding to pitching and catching, with a goal that every student athlete becomes a complete ballplayer.

“Everything that you need to be a professional ballplayer is taught here,” Pena said, “The pros taught me to train and play the game and that’s what we do here — train hard every single day for every skill.”

The Academy also provides older players a platform to showcase their skills for professional scouts, with a goal that every player is on a scout’s radar

Pena considers a disciplined work ethic the most important component of success, which leads to increased stamina and more confidence— the building blocks of a professional baseball player.

“The key sign is how they work, showing up on time, showing that they really want it,” Pena said.  “It’s a pleasure to have kids like that, and if they keep training hard, and they come every single day, they will get leveled up.”

Coach Steve Miller played baseball as welland handles the pitching and businessside of the Academy. He knows the importance of having someone as experienced as Wily Mo Pena setting the agenda.

“The way that we run the Academy is it’s like the first day of spring training,” said Miller. “We make sure our kids stretch, do agility and strength training and conditioning.  We don’t just get them on the field and let them pull a muscle and hurt themselves. We warm them up.  We run them.  Then we get into the defensive drills.

Then we get into the batting.  It’s very cyclical, like it is in the pros.  We do it the right way, every day.”

Pena foresees a bright future for the Academy, and he is planning to build a facility designed specifically for the weather conditions in Florida.

“We are building our own park with two buildings to house an indoor field and 20 batting cages,” said Pena. “Right now we’ve been missing a lot of practice because of rain, and an indoor field will let us train every day.”

Pena is considering the Grove and Wiregrass areas of Wesley Chapel for his indoor facility, and he anticipates a star-studded grand opening that will help make this dream a reality. Having played Major League Baseball, he knows what it takes to make dreams reality.

 Wily Mo Baseball Academy • www.wilymobaseballacademy.com

(813) 428-0053

Published 9/19/18

Zain Nensey Returns Home To Open Accounting Firm

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Nensey & Associates, CPAs

Zain Nensey recently returned to his hometown of Zephyrhills to open a new accounting firm at 5633 Sixth Street, called Nensey & Associates, C

A 2011 graduate of University of South Florida, Nensey worked for Jackson Hewitt as a tax analyst in Sarasota before opening his business. While his position there was challenging, Nensey missed his family and hometown.

“I decided the time was right to use my knowledge and enthusiasm to help people and small businesses in my hometown with their tax planning and preparation,” said Nensey.

Nensey describes himself as someone who likes to delve in and work exceedingly hard to get his clients the maximum return possible.

“The biggest paycheck my clients receive all year is their tax refund,” he said.

And, because he keeps his overhead low, he provides his professional services at a low cost.

“I am an excellent counterpoint to more established firms,” said Nensey. “I like to think of myself as a value operator — someone who has the knowledge to give clients the most for their money.”

Having just earned his CPA license in 2013, Nensey’s professional knowledge is current and up to date, especially regarding the new tax laws that go into effect for 2018 tax filings.

“I am working with clients now to prepare for the changes,” said Nensey. “In most cases, the new tax laws will benefit pass-through companies that file as an S-Corp, sole proprietor, partnership and single-member LLC.”

Businesses that typically qualify as pass-through companies are beauty salons, retail stores, physicians, household services and nonprofit organizations, Nensey said. These businesses will be able to deduct 20% of their earnings before taxes are calculated if their income is below $157,000 for individuals, and $315,000 for married couples.

In addition to working with small businesses, Nensey also specializes in preparing tax returns for seniors and veterans.

“We actually offer a 25% discount off our fees for seniors and veterans,” said Nensey. “We charge between $75 and $100 for a typical return, which compares to $150 to $200, at national tax preparation chains.”

For individuals and businesses that have tax problems, Nensey is an Enrolled Agent with the IRS, which allows him to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels, including examination, collection, settlements and appeals.

If you dream about opening a business, the time to do so couldn’t be better than right now, Nensey said, who gives four reasons why:

  1. The new tax laws are very advantageous to pass-through business.

2.  The economy is in great shape, and is expected to continue to grow for quite a while.

3.  People are flush with cash and looking to invest their money.

4.  The connect between Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel is growing, which is bringing new customers from central Pasco to east Pasco.

“If you have a business idea you want to explore, or a charity that you are passionate about – this is the time to act,” said Nensey.

Nensey attended Woodland Elementary in Zephyrhills and Jesuit High School. His father is Dr. Yawer M. Nensey, a gastroenterologist who has practiced in Zephyrhills for over 25 years.

• 813-702-6772 • www.nenseytax.com

Published 9/12/18

Health Care Safety Net for All

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Premier Community HealthCare, Dade City

By William Jack

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or hypertension and do not have health insurance, there are few affordable treatment options available. And without medical care, your medical condition will likely get worse.

This all-too-common scenerio is why Premier Community Health Care has established 10 convenient locations in Pasco and Hernando counties to provide affordable health care close to home for local residents who are uninsured or underinsured.

Premier’s Health Care services include family medicine for children and adults, dental care, behavioral health, women’s health care (including obstetrics), care coordination, case management and community outreach.

“Our mission is to provide accessible and comprehensive health care services for everyone, but we concentrate on the medically underserved, whether they are insured or not,” said Cheryl Pollock, chief development and communications officer for Premier. “For many patients, we are often the best and most affordable option.”

About 85 percent of Premier patients are either uninsured or on Medicaid, said Pollock. Premier uses sliding-scale fees to calculate its fees, and no one is turned away.

To receive discounted fees, patients must complete an application to prove household size and provide proof of income. If they qualify for a discounted fee, the cost for medical services is significantly lower than comparable private-sector care.

Ana,9 – Children’s Dental Day

Premier also offers dental services at its clinics in Dade City, New Port Richey, Brooksville, Spring Hill, and in Holiday at its new portable clinic at Gulfside Elementary School.

“With so few employers offering dental insurance, and so few people carrying it, Premier is filling a big gap in our health care system,” said Pollock.  “Sadly, tooth decay is the number one chronic illness facing children, and it is 99 percent preventable with routine oral hygiene and dental care.”

Premier also offers patient care coordination, providing primary care physicians and coordinating patient care with specialists, home health agencies, nursing homes, hospitals and other health care professionals. Plus, its answering service offers 24-hour access to a health care provider.

“We work closely with local hospitals to reduce the number of unnecessary emergency room visits by transitioning patients with chronic illnesses to our primary care clinics,” said Pollock. “Premier is better able to manage a patient’s medical conditions, and help prevent new ones.”

Miguel, Men’s Health Day

Preventative care is emphasized at Premier with free educational programs that range from oral health education to chronic disease and diabetes self-management. It hosts health fairs throughout the year, including Women’s Health Day with free cervical cancer screenings in January, Children’s Dental Day in February and Men’s Health Day in June.

“Our goal is to get people to recognize that health care is essential, and to be proactive in addressing some of the challenges they face as part of normal day-to-day life,” said Pollock.

Established in 1979, Premier is a community-based 501c3 nonprofit organization led by a patient-majority Board of Directors.

“This is a calling,” Pollock said.  “Each team member is here because they choose to work in community health.  They go above and beyond to ensure that patients are getting all the resources that are available.

“Your health is our mission’ is our tagline, and I personally live and breathe our mission.  This is a calling for most of us at Premier, to be able to level the playing field between the haves and have nots to provide quality health care access for all.”

For more information, call (352) 518-2000, or visit www.premierhc.org.

Published 9/5/18

Pasco EDC presents annual awards

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Hundreds attended the Pasco Economic Development Council’s 32nd annual Awards and Trade Show on Sept. 6, where Jay B. Starkey Jr., was honored and awards were bestowed in various categories.

Nominees were scored based on company growth, leadership in current business issues, and corporate citizenship, according to a Pasco EDC news release.

Jay B. Starkey Jr., was named the 2018 Leadership Award winner during the Pasco Economic Development Council’s 32nd annual Awards and Trade Show. Shown here, from left: Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC president and CEO; Kathryn Starkey, daughter-in-law of Jay B. Starkey Jr., and a Pasco County commissioner; Trey Starkey, Jay B. Starkey Jr.’s son; Jay B. Starkey Jr., 2018 Leadership Award winner; Marsha Starkey, the winner’s wife; and Zachary Starkey, the winner’s grandson. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)

“All 15 Award Finalists made great investments in their businesses and community, and that’s why it’s always so hard for the Award Committee to choose the winners. The six winners this year are a great representation of the diverse business climate we have in Pasco,” Bill Cronin, president/CEO of Pasco EDC, said in the news release.

The 2018 Pasco EDC Award Winners are:
• Business of the Year – Start-Up Category: Merrell Bros. Inc. What began as a small family operation now offers services in every state. Their Florida division opened in Pasco County in early 2017.
• Special Contribution: Morton Plant North Bay Hospital
The hospital opened in 1965 with a 50-bed facility and was the first hospital in New Port Richey. It continues to expand and has grown to 154 beds, enabling the hospital to offer more services, improved technology and greater convenience for patients.
• Business of the Year- Small Category: DC Johnson & Associates
Established in 1980 with the goal of providing land surveying services to specifically meet the needs of professionals involved in land acquisition and development.
• Business of the Year – Medium Category: San Antonio Lumber Co.
Over the past 90 years, their ability to adapt to an ever-changing and evolving industry is what has allowed them to weather even the most unstable times.
• Business of the Year – Large Category: Mettler Toledo
Their product inspection systems are used by manufacturers in many industries, including food, beverage, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, personal care, plastics and chemicals, to ensure the total quality of their products, and improve the efficiency of their manufacturing and packaging processes.
Starkey, who was honored with the Leadership Award, was recognized for his strong work ethic on the ranch and in his community, where he helped to shape the way for Pasco County.

Starkey served on the Pasco County School Board for eight years during the 1970s and sang in Master Chorale, an affiliate of the Florida Orchestra for more than 20 years, according to the release.

Published September 12, 2018

This group stitches together a bit of camaraderie

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Members of the Knitting Plus More group come together on Tuesday afternoons at the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City to work on their personal projects, chit chat, discuss ideas and share useful information. Occasionally, they work on projects together, such as making hats for infants in the hospital. There is no cost to join and people of all skill levels — even those with no experience —are welcome.

Rita Noble, of Dade City, left, knits a baby blanket for her niece in Tennessee, while the ‘unofficial leader’ of the group, Mary Pearson, of Dade City, knits a green dish scrubby. (Christine Holtzman)
Using a pattern called ‘Teal Gingham,’ Carol St. Amour, of Zephyrhills, uses an aluminum crochet hook to crochet her yarn into what will eventually become a blanket. She is a member of Knitting Plus More, a group that meets on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m., at the Hugh Embry Branch Library, at 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City.
Lori Cooper, of Zephyrhills, works on her ‘Siamese Kittens’ needlepoint pattern by designer Jean Day during a recent meeting of her group Knitting Plus More. The group meets every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m., at the Hugh Embry Branch Library in Dade City. Members bring in whatever project they are working on and share in conversation while they stitch.

Hundreds battle it out, using color as their weapon of choice

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Usually, kids aren’t encouraged to throw paint at each other, but that’s the whole point of the annual Color War at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz. Hundreds of kids turned out and their enthusiasm for the activity was obvious.

Covered from head to toe with paint dust, Isaac Cabrera, a student ministry intern from Land O’ Lakes, takes a moment to pose for a picture while the middle school students engage in their Color War behind him. Andrew Evans, the church’s middle school pastor, said they stage the event to give people a chance to see who they are, what the student ministry is about and to share the gospel — all while having fun. (Christine Holtzman)
Roman Sercu, of Wesley Chapel, waits his turn to refill his cup with more paint during the Idlewild Baptist Church’s Student Ministry’s annual Color War on Sept. 5 at the church, 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd., in Lutz. The 12-year-old took part in the Color War with his travel baseball team, the Marauders.
A group of high school freshmen engage in ‘battle’ during the Idlewild Student Ministry’s annual Color War on Sept. 5. This year’s event attracted an estimated 750 participants from middle and high schools around the area.

Pasco and Hillsborough voters express their views

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Voters in Pasco and Hillsborough counties headed to the polls on Aug. 28 to cast their votes in Florida’s midterm primary.

Some shared their thoughts with The Laker/Lutz News at polls in Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Lutz.

Here’s a brief synopsis of what some of them had to say:

Rick Carfi (Brian Fernandes)

Rick Carfi, a customer service representative at Publix, who lives in Land O’ Lakes, put it like this: “You don’t vote, you don’t have a say. I’ve been voting forever.”

Hoyt Davis, a consultant, from Land O’ Lakes, said voting “is one of our rights as American citizens.”

Tami Perdue, a paint contractor from Land O’ Lakes, put it like this: “If you want your voice to be heard, you need to vote for the people you want in office.

“Our veterans fought for us. We should use our rights that we have because of what they’ve done for us,” she added.

Franz Warner, a firefighter from Land O’ Lakes, said “It’s everybody’s fundamental right and obligation to vote.

Franz Warner (Brian Fernandes)

“It’s somewhat sad that people don’t exercise that right. I think with the state of the country and the things going on right now, that everybody needs to exercise that right.”

Robin Ankrom, a stay-at-home mom from Land O’ Lakes, said “I’m really passionate about my voting rights.

“I believe voting for judges and for school board are just as important as other offices,” she said, noting judges are the ones who interpret the law.

Selecting school board members is important, too, because she wants to have a say regarding “who’s making the decision for my child’s education.”

Rick Stevens, 63, of Zephyrhills, said, “I’m not really thrilled about what’s currently going on in Washington. It’s not always in with the new and out with the old. Sometimes we ask for change and we get it, and we don’t realize what we’ve done, in this particular case.

“It’s just the primaries, so we’ll see what happens.

“Hopefully some changes are made and messages sent, maybe.”

Henry Keithley, 44, of Zephyrhills, said, “I’m tired of the Trump rhetoric. I think DeSantis, that commercial he ran was just like completely riding (Trump’s) coattails — I just feel like that stuff has gone far enough. It’s not helpful. It’s certainly not uniting. Putnam’s done a great job as commissioner of agriculture, I thought, so I just think he’s more of a reasonable, level-headed person that can do the job, whereas, I don’t know how I would feel about DeSantis.”

Bruce Hinkle, 72, of Zephyrhills, a Navy veteran and staunch Democrat, expressed the need to find solutions for affordable health care and education for future generations.

“When I got out of the service you could be on minimum wage — working as a mechanic or maybe cleaning cars in a car dealership— and have enough money for college. Not today. I mean, kids are graduating with so much debt. There’s something wrong with that. You look at that and the scenario with our health care, what’s wrong with this country?

“As all these kids in debt get older and they get wiser, they’re going to look back on this and say, ‘There was something wrong there. I had to spend 15 years of my life paying for the rest of my college loan. Well, that’s going to be huge, and they’re going to remember the people that were for them, trying to do something with their costs.”

Adam Racker, 33, Zephyrhills, put it like this: “The real shame of it is that a lot of independents are not voting in this because they think this is just a primary for governor, surprisingly. Independents have no idea that they can even vote in the school board (election). They think, ‘Oh, it’s an Adam Putnam or Rick DeSantis, or a Gwen Graham vs. Andrew Gillum’ and then they’re not heard.”

Tisha Wright, 48, of Zephyrhills, said “education is big to me. I don’t know why more people don’t follow school board elections and what’s going on with schools.”

Eunique Bolton (B.C. Manion)

She also came out to support Joy Gibson for Florida State Senate District 20.

“I think the biggest thing that she says is family over politics. She’s concerned about families. I know she has a good heart and cares for families. That’s what her campaign is all about — family values.”

Irineo Cabreros (B.C. Manion)

Eunique Bolton, of Wesley Chapel, cast her ballot at a precinct at Bridgeway Church on Wells Road. She was particularly interested in the school board races and primary for governor. She said she always votes. “This is my first time here, because I just moved here from Hillsborough County.” And, she brought her 2-week-old, Nicco, along with her to the polling place.

Peggy Jensen, of Wesley Chapel, said “We always vote. It’s important to us that the right person gets in office.” To her, voting “is an obligation, really.”

Irineo Cabreros, of Lutz, said he votes whenever he can. “It’s a right I don’t want to pass up or take for granted.

“It’s my only input I have access to.

Peggy Jensen (B.C. Manion)

“I always will be here. If I have a chance, I’ll vote someone who might shift the scale in terms of better representation. The two-party system is a little bit flawed right now. It’s missing a lot of people that don’t subscribe to either.”

Marguerite LaPunzina, of Lutz, put it like this: “The status quo in the state is unacceptable, and this is the first step in changing the order.”

“I think it’s a shame that people don’t exercise their right as an American to vote. I’m well into my 40s, and I remember the first time I was able to vote when I turned 18. I think it was a school board election, and I went out and voted.”

“It’s the only way you’re going to get your voice heard.”

Marguerite LaPunzina (B.C. Manion)

Wilma Moore, of Lutz, who drove a school bus for 30 years, said she never misses an election. She said she was interested in every race on the ballot. “They’re all really important,” she said.

Craig Cooler, of Lutz, said: “I just think it’s an important civic duty to come out and vote and express your concerns.”

He thinks it’s important to vote in primary elections.

“I don’t like it when they get to the time when it’s the main voting. ‘Basically, they’re like, we’re voting for the lesser of two evils.’ They didn’t voice their opinion at the beginning,” Cooler said.

— Compiled by B.C. Manion, Brian Fernandes and Kevin Weiss

Published September 5, 2018

They jam on ukuleles — making music and new friends

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Bob Grindey provides vocals, as his wife, Gayle Grindey, strums her ukulele at the jam. Kent Linder of Carrollwood, far left, plays along as members jam on the back porch of the restaurant. (Fred Bellet)

You don’t have to be a skilled ukulele player, or a professional singer, to take part in the Ukulele Club that meets twice a month at Ukulele Brand’s restaurant, at 4805 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Just bring your ukulele, your music stand and a singing voice to join in the jams on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

First-time players are welcome to join the club, which is a mix of seasoned ukulele players and newbies. Those who know the ropes help those who are just learning the instrument.

A recent jam brought together players of all experience levels, coming from Lutz, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Carrollwood, Hudson, Wesley Chapel and Dade City.

To find out more about the club, email Dennis Pashouk at .

Bob Register, left, of Wesley Chapel, along with Bruce Brand, center, (whose father, Ben, started up the business) read the music charts with Jeri Shafford, of Lutz, as they play another selection during a recent jam session.
Jean Trawatha, of Lutz, has no trouble playing along, as she and other club members make their way through the play list.
It may look like a matchup of dueling ukuleles, but all 20 members of the Ukulele Club are in harmony, as they play a piece by Bob Dylan.

Bexley borrow pit gains approval

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a request for a borrow pit to provide fill dirt for use at Bexley by Newland Communities, a master-planned community, off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes.

The development sought approval to operate the borrow to provide up to 1 million cubic yards of sand and dirt to be excavated and hauled over a period of four years.

The borrow pit will be reclaimed after the dirt hauling is completed.

The infill dirt will be used for internal uses at Bexley, but some of will need to be trucked across Tower Road, which is used by the public.

The borrow pit site is south of Tower Road, west of Sunlake Boulevard, and about half-mile east of Ballantrae Boulevard.

The borrow pit’s operating hours will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will not operate on Sundays or holidays.

The Pasco County Planning Commission recommended approval of the request, and the County Commission approved it on its consent agenda, meaning there was no discussion of the item, at its Aug. 21 meeting.

Approval also is required from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, also known as Swiftmud.

Published September 5, 2018