The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Academy at the Lakes does it again

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(Fred Bellet)

Academy quarterback Jalen Brown hoists the championship trophy and celebrates the win with the team. The Academy at the Lakes Wildcats notched its second straight eight-man football title, downing Miami Citi Christian Academy Fire 36-18 in the Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools (FCAPPS) state championship on Dec. 8, at Southeastern University in Lakeland.

Shopping, tradition and Brunswick stew

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There was essentially something for everyone at the 39th annual Juried Arts & Crafts Holiday Show, presented by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2.

After handing Santa a notebook that contains his Christmas wish list, 7-year-old James Kern of Odessa, left, listens as Santa, reads the list aloud inside the booth operated by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club. (Santa couldn’t be there, so he sent his helper, Tom Bock, of Lutz, to fill in). Donations made at the booth will benefit the YMCA. (Christine Holtzman)

Thousands flocked to Keystone Prep High School, at 18105 Gunn Highway in Odessa, to check out offerings from about 350 vendors, to enjoy a bite to eat and to socialize. Some were there to confer with Santa, too.

Spending time at the arts and crafts show is an annual  tradition for Nicole Reilly and her mother, Mary Lynn, and this year they were thrilled to introduce it to the newest member of the family, Nicole’s 7-month-old son, Lincoln.

Bonnie Duvall and Judy Curry, friends who live in Wesley Chapel, said they enjoy attending the event every year to shop for Christmas gifts and to enjoy the Brunswick stew served at the Boy Scouts booth

Heather Herzog, of Port Richey, and her mother, Debbie Denamen, of Hudson, also made the trek to do a bit of shopping.

They had plenty of choices.

There were booths indoors and out — offering handcrafted jewelry and home décor, soaps and candles, paintings, photographs, gourmet sauces and dips, and handmade clothing and quilts, among other things.

At the Burn Out Candle Company shop, Gail Allison, of Floral City, smells the inviting scent of a sandalwood soy candle. The shop owners are Allan and Vicki Spires, of Lake Placid.

Seven-year-old James Kern, of Odessa, took advantage of the opportunity to hand-deliver his Christmas wish list to Santa. Among the items he would like are a Hess truck, Disney passes and Play-Doh.

Karen Lee Kulas, owner of Exclusive-Lee Designed, a new vendor at this year’s event, had not considered there wouldn’t be electricity in her booth.

So, she improvised. She shined a flashlight on her handcrafted pendants, to show off sparkling opals, agate, jaspers and fossil jewelry.

Kulas, a snowbird from Wisconsin who winters in St. Petersburg, was at the festival, with her husband, Mike.

Event admission was free, but a $5 parking fee was collected to benefit Keystone Prep High School.

The festival is the largest fundraising event for the GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club, which uses the proceeds to support scholarships and numerous local community causes.

By Christine Holtzman

Published December 12, 2018

Seven-month-old Lincoln Reilly, of Tampa, sports cool shades while napping in the comfort of the baby carrier worn by his mother, Nicole. His grandmother, Mary Lynn, said she and her daughter attend the festival every year, and were thrilled this year to introduce the tradition to a new generation of the family.
Bonnie Duvall, left, and her friend Judy Curry, both of Wesley Chapel, admire the handcrafted Christmas wreaths made by shop owner Carol Matthews. Curry said that attend the show every year to shop for holiday presents and enjoy the Brunswick stew served at the Boy Scouts booth.
These 8-year-olds, Willa Jeckel, left, and Sophia Shelhart, were not about to let a little rain put a damper on their day of shopping. The girls, both from Tampa, make good use of a pink butterfly umbrella on the afternoon of Dec. 1 at the 39th annual Juried Arts & Crafts Holiday Show.
Six-year-old Nola Barber, of Lutz, left, and her 9-year-old sister, Crosby, search through a large bin filled with name engraved ceramic pendants used to make necklaces at the booth owned by Lora Thomas. They were hunting for the names of their beloved horses.

‘Traditions’ goes on, despite rain

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Traditions on the Green didn’t let the forecast of a rainy day wash out the Dec. 1 event. Instead, it shifted from its planned location at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park to  Sanders Memorial Elementary School, at 5126 School Road in Land O’ Lakes.

Diana Journy, left, and her daughter, Elizabeth Richardson, browse the dozens of raffle prizes up for grabs during the ‘Traditions on the Green’ program. The Land O’ Lakes residents were at the concert to watch a performance by Elizabeth’s daughter, Journy — whose name honors the family’s name. She is a cheerleader at Pineview Middle School. (Christine Holtzman)

The Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes, which hosts the free holiday event, made the call to bring the concert indoors — instead of cancelling it.

Sandy Graves, who has been involved with the event for its 11-year history, said this was the first time it has been held at a different venue.

“The school district worked well with us to make sure that we had a place to hold this event,” Graves.

And, she told the audience that it would still be OK to call the event ‘Traditions on the Green,’ because the benches in the auditorium were green.

The change in location didn’t deter the crowd or its enthusiasm.

Hundreds of people were there to enjoy performances from Denham Oaks, Sanders Memorial Elementary and Lake Myrtle Elementary schools, Pine View Middle School and the Land O’ Lakes High School. Santa Claus dropped by, too.

Those attending could buy chances on raffle prizes, such as gift cards and gift baskets. Among the items up for grabs were two cookbooks donated by Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano and an official flag that once flew over the U.S. Capitol, which was donated by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

Proceeds from the chance drawings benefit schools taking part in the event.

By Christine Holtzman

Published December 12, 2018

The Land O’ Lakes High School Jazz Band, under the direction of Jonathan Mulder, performs ‘Deck the Halls’ during the Traditions on the Green concert on Dec. 1.
While her father, Darnell, records the Pine View Middle School dance club performance with his cellphone, 10-month-old Aubrey Meadows, of Land O’ Lakes, explores the crowd from over her dad’s shoulder. The family, including mom Jennifer were in attendance to see Aubrey’s older sister, Danaye, perform with Pine View Middle’s dance club.
The Pine View Middle School afterschool dance club, directed by instructor Nicole James, delighted the audience with several high-energy performances during the evening, including a dynamic routine set to Earth, Wind, & Fire’s hit song, ‘September.’
Ten-year-old Nicholas Hunter of Land O’ Lakes, center left, and his 8-year-old cousin, Keegan Price, right, are focused on the stage as they watch Keegan’s sister, Savannah, perform with the Pine View’s afterschool dance club.

 

It’s never too early to learn code

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Story time happens every week at New River Branch Library, but the program on Dec. 5 was particularly special because the library was one of 250 public libraries across the country to receive a grant from the American Library Association’s  ‘Libraries Ready to Code’ initiative.

After listening to Ms. Judy (Judy Curran) read two tech-inspired books during story time, 18-month-old Ava Edouard, of Wesley Chapel, sets her attention on the New River Branch Library’s newest piece of technology, a Fisher Price Code-A-Pillar. (Christine Holtzman)

The initiative, sponsored by Google, aims to help implement and plan coding activities during Computer Science Education Week.

The grant allowed the library to purchase a toy called a Code-A-Pillar by Fisher Price, which can be used to teach young children the basics of computer coding.

In recognition of Computer Science Week, the library, at 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, also set up coding stations, robots, crafts and cool projects throughout the week to teach toddlers to teens about computer science.

By Christine Holtzman

 

Judy Curran, the New River Branch Library’s Youth Services Provider, far right, adds another segment of code to the Code-A-Pillar’s body as children and parents watch to see what command the Code-A-Pillar performs next. Code-A-Pillar’s commands on each body segment are picture-based, providing an intuitive way for children to learn the basics of computer coding. The children, from left: 2-year-old Madison Kidd, of Zephyrhills; 1-year-old Astrid Banks, of Wesley Chapel; 3-year-old Austin Banks, of Wesley Chapel; 2-year-old Emma Maxwell, of Wesley Chapel; and, 2-year-old Penda Pavon, of Zephyrhills. The adults in the back, from left: Kathy Doss (Emma Maxwell’s grandmother) and Elisa Kidd (Madison Kidd’s mother).
Judy Curran, the Youth Services Provider at the New River Branch Library, gets a high-five from 2-year-old Emma Maxwell, of Wesley Chapel, at the beginning of Story Time with Ms. Judy, also known as Judy Curran, on Dec. 5.

 

David Maus Family Buys Gordon Chevrolet

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Gordon Chevrolet, the only automotive dealership in Carrollwood, has been sold to the David Maus family and is now Maus Family Chevrolet.

Located on north Dale Mabry Highway, midway between Van Dyke Road and Bearss Avenue, it is the only dealership in the north Tampa area until the State Road 54 corridor in Lutz.

“Our location makes us unique, because we’re the only dealer for several miles and we’re surrounded by residential neighborhoods that have grown up around us,” said David Maus Jr., who co-manages the dealership with Patrick Abad, a family friend and longtime Maus employee.

This holiday photo of Nicole and David Maus Sr., their children and grandchildren was taken at Lake Park in Lutz. From left to right: David Maus Jr., daughter Selah on his shoulders, and daughters Ella and Ava in front of his wife, Stacie. Nicole and David Maus Sr., and their daughter, Faith, in front. Son Tyler Maus with brother Gabriel on his shoulders. Savannah and Nick Bentley and their daughter, Kylie, the youngest Maus grandchild born Aug. 7, the same day as her Uncle David.

“Patrick and I are proud to be an integral part of the community, and excited to be enhancing and expanding automotive services for our neighbors,” said Maus.

“We love shaking the hand of everyone who stops by, and welcoming them to the Maus family. We like to say we’re small enough to know you, but big enough to serve you.”

In addition to selling new Chevrolet vehicles, the dealership has a large inventory of pre-owned trucks, SUVs and cars, a customer-focused service center and a professional body shop.

“We believe it is important to be a full service dealership, so our customers can count on us for all their automotive needs,” said Maus.

Maus adds that the dealership sells all makes of pre-owned vehicles, and that its service center and body shop take care of vehicles from just about every automobile manufacturer.

Family is at the heart of every Maus dealership, and is the center of its core values.

“We operate using Biblical principals, and look to Jesus as an example of how to serve people,” said Maus.

For over 10 years, the Maus family has managed its businesses following a corporate philosophy they call IMPACT.

“IMPACT stands for ‘Implementing More Positive Actions Creating Togetherness,’” said Maus. “And, that’s truly what we do — we are a positive, forward thinking company that works hard to do the right things to bring us together as a family.”

One reflection of this is the position his sister, Savannah, heads up for the company — Customer Appreciation. Her job is to make sure every customer has a positive experience, whether they are buying a new vehicle or having their vehicle serviced.

Another example is the David Maus Foundation, which has donated millions of dollars to children’s charities throughout Florida, including Pasco Sherriff Charities and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

There are close to 20 family members who work for Maus family dealerships in New Port Richey, Homosassa, Crystal River and now north Tampa.

“Every member of our family adheres to these values,” said Maus. “We all live in this area, attend church here, send our children to school here. We are committed to this community, which is why we believe so strongly in treating everyone we serve as members of our family.”

David Maus Sr., started his automotive career in the mid 1990s in Orlando, where he eventually owned several auto dealerships. In 2014, he sold those dealerships and moved to Tampa Bay, where he bought a Nissan dealership in New Port Richey from Ferman Automotive.

“We knew we wanted to be in the north Tampa area as well, and my father had his eye on Gordon Chevrolet for several years,” said Maus. “We couldn’t be more happy for the opportunity to buy Gordon Chevrolet and add it to our family of dealerships.”

Maus has worked closely with his father his entire life, and credits his dad for making him the man he is today.

“I am so proud of my Dad. He is a man of faith and family, driven by hard work to succeed and provide for his family. Everything we do here is because of the lessons learned from our father,” said Maus.

David is the oldest of five children. His older siblings also work in the business — Savannah in customer appreciation, and his brother, Tyler, as a used car manager.

Before becoming general manager and vice president of Maus Family Automotive, Maus worked in several positions at the company, learning the business from the ground up.

“On my 15th birthday, my dad asked me what I wanted, and I said a job, and he gave me a job stocking parts in the service department,” said Maus. “When I turned 16, dad moved me to the service counter and I began helping customers. At 17, I became a full-time detailer, probably the most fun job I’ve had – cleaning, buffing and detailing vehicles, and seeing the customer’s excitement when their vehicle was delivered.”

At 18, Maus’ father told him it was time to go into sales, and he began selling vehicles at David Maus Toyota in Sanford.

“I was working with sales people in their 40s with many years of experience, and I doubted that I could succeed,” Maus said. “But, I learned that sales is mostly about listening and serving, and asking the right questions to put a customer in the right car that works well for their lifestyle and budget.”

Instead of going to college, Maus continued to learn on the job about management, financing, communicating, writing and providing excellent customer service.

“I always wanted to be very good at every position I held in the company before moving up to the next one,” he said. “I want to earn everything I have by working hard, just like my father did.”

Maus invites you to meet him and his staff at Maus Family Chevrolet.

“Please stop by anytime so we can shake your hand and welcome you to the Maus family,” he said. “This is the best time of the year to buy a new vehicle, and the Maus family is here to help you,” said Maus.

Published December 12, 2018

A ‘winter wonderland of trees’

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Customers flocked to the Christmas tree stand, on the west side of The Shops at Wiregrass parking lot, off of Bruce B. Downs, in Wesley Chapel, to look for a perfect tree for their home for the holidays. Stand owner/operator James Diebold said the Fraser firs are the most popular. Diebold estimates that he will have had around 500 trees come through his tent this season. His trees come freshly cut from Michigan, North Carolina and Tennessee, and they come in many different varieties, such as Douglas firs, Balsam firs, Fraser firs, Black Hills spruce, and a hybrid tree called a Fralsam fir, which is a cross between a Balsam and a Fraser.

After dining at The Shops at Wiregrass during a recent evening out, the Squires family from New Tampa decided to take a stroll through the wonderland of trees, in a parking lot on the west side of the mall. Mom Stephanie touches the needles of a 7-foot Fraser fir, as her husband Brent, left, and daughters 13-year-old Samantha, center, and 8-year-old Siena look on. (Christine Holtzman)
Readying a tree to put on display, James Diebold, the owner and operator of the tree stand at The Shops at Wiregrass, uses a chainsaw to trim the trunk of the 5-foot Fraser fir in order to get it to fit its stand properly. Diebold and his wife, Jennifer, recently sold their Lutz home in order to live and travel in their R.V. In addition to Christmas trees, they are also the owner/operators of a fireworks stand during the New Years and Fourth of July holidays.
Corey Durham, an employee at the Christmas tree stand, carries a 7-foot Balsam fir for customer Cindy Brookins, of Tampa. Since Brookins, who is a nurse at nearby Florida Hospital, was working that evening, she took advantage of the stand’s delivery service to have her tree delivered to her home on the following day.

Finding the perfect Christmas tree

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Shoppers at Mike’s Christmas Trees, 2131 Brinson Road in Lutz, could look through a variety of Christmas trees to find the right one for their home. Manager Earl Van Haitsma, who travels from his home in Michigan to manage the stand, estimates that he will have had 1,500 trees come through his tent before the last day of business on Dec. 20. The stand sells trees that have been harvested in Michigan. They come in many varieties, such as the Douglas fir, White pine, Black Hills spruce, Concolors, and the traditional Fraser fir.

Searching for this year’s perfect Christmas tree, Theresa Mulroney, left, and Joyce Richardson, both from Lutz, thoroughly inspect a 7 ½-foot frosted white Black Hills spruce Christmas tree on a recent evening at Mike’s Christmas Trees stand located at 2131 Brinson Road in Lutz. (Christine Holtzman)
The Jones family, of Lutz, made a trip to the tree lot to find a tree to give a festive holiday feel to their home. They are, from left, 11-year-old twins Pierson and Parker, and parents Terry and Melissa. Melissa knew what she wanted: A tree between 8 feet and 9 feet tall, with soft needles and perfect, full shape. Oh, and most important of all: It must be fresh and smell wonderful.
Using twine, employees of Mike’s Christmas Trees stand Eddie Ferraro, left, and Jason Parzy, who both live in Lutz, secure a tree to a customer’s car to insure its safe journey home. Both men are working hard at the tree stand this season to earn extra money for the holidays.

 

God’s Will Leads to Episcopal Ministry

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The Rev. Adrienne Hymes

Long before the Rev. Adrienne Hymes entered the priesthood, she was following her dream of becoming an actress and stand-up comedian in Los Angeles. But, when she was laid off from her six-figure public relations job, she used that layoff as an opportunity to serve the Lord in a more meaningful way.

“I was gifted with the layoff,” Hymes said.  “I was miserable, and felt that God had a more purposeful life for me that would optimally serve Him and his people. I struggled with saying, ‘Yes,’ to God because I didn’t have the courage to step away from the money.

“It was exactly what I had prayed for.  This whole priestly journey—I really didn’t do that.  I went to Los Angeles to be Oprah, and now I’m the church lady.  It’s all about acceptance.  It really comes down to accepting God’s will for your life, and what that truly means, which can be really hard.”

Hymes has since graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary, became a clinically trained chaplain, and is a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida.  As the Missioner for Church Extension, she has been tasked by the bishop to expand the diocese’s ministry into Wesley Chapel.

“What we do as church leaders is jump into the energy that the Holy Spirit has already started,” Hymes said.  “We prayerfully listen for direction, and do our part as ministers. The Holy Spirit does the rest.  All I have to do is be present to receive all of the souls that are going to be led to us.”

Animal Blessing Ceremony

The members of Wesley Chapel Episcopal currently rent a worship space from an existing church and are faithfully working to nurture their worship community to the next level.

“For many years, the diocese has felt called to nurture a new faith community in the growing, vibrant Wesley Chapel area,” Hymes said.  “We seek to be a safe place for questioning and meaning-making through Holy Scripture, the sacraments and our rich, ancient liturgy.  The gift of the Episcopal Church, in a changing world that longs to be rooted in a foundation, is that we are ever ancient, ever new.”

Hymes also sees the church as a means to rescue people from difficult times and situations in their lives.

“We are the Episcopal branch of what our presiding bishop calls the Jesus Movement,” Hymes said. “Our branch is something that people can reach for and hold onto when they need it, like in those old movies where the hero holds the branch out to the person sinking in quicksand.

“There are so many people who don’t know they’re in quicksand.  If the branch is there—present, if you will – they can reach out to it. Without the branch, eventually the quicksand overtakes them.”

Hymes would also like to emphasize the home blessings offered as an instrument of outreach and hospitality by Wesley Chapel Episcopal, a practice seldom recognized anymore.

“Most people have never seen a home being blessed, and remark how surprised they are by the sacred blessing done with such reverence,” Hymes said. “It’s important for us that we are present to the needs of our neighbors. One way that we do that is to share a liturgy in their home where we, together, affirm that God’s not only there, but is present in all aspects of their life.  We walk through every room saying prayers, while I sprinkle holy water throughout the structure.”

Wesley Chapel Episcopal offers worship services in the form of Holy Eucharist and Evening Prayer.  Christian education programming is offered at various times of the year.  Home blessings are available by appointment.

“Whoever you are, and wherever you find yourself in your journey of faith, the Episcopal Church welcomes you,” Hymes said.

3758 Maryweather Lane, Wesley Chapel 33544 • 813-418-1281 • www.wcepiscopalchurch.org.

 

Published 12/5/18

Holiday Open House at Dance Gear Etc.

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By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Dance Gear Etc., a Lutz boutique store specializing in shoes, attire and accessories for just about every technique of dance, is hosting a Holiday Open House on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 24 from 10a.m. – 5p.m.

Owner Carolyn Jackson invites you to visit her store, located at 1705 Dale Mabry Highway in Paradise Square Plaza, just before the U.S. 41 apex. Refreshments will be served, new dance fashions will be modeled and shoppers will receive generous discounts.

“We carry dancewear from basics to high fashion, for dancers of all ages for ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acrobatics, flamenco, gymnastics, cheerleading and ballroom. We even stock sensory approved tights for children with those needs,” said Jaskson. As a special-needs mom herself, Jackson understands the need for inclusivity in the dance studio.

Trained by master fitters from Russia, Italy, Bulgaria, England and New York, Jackson has been fitting pointe shoes for more than 10 years and is exceptionally qualified as now a master fitter herself to size dancers with the correct shoe and perfect fit.

“There is probably no more important decision in ballet than the purchase of a first pointe shoe. An ill-fitted shoe can lead to injury temporarily or permanent.” said Jackson.

The pointe shoe has to fit perfectly, Jackson explains, because if the shank is broken, aka ‘a dead shoe,’ a dancer could roll her ankle also leading to shortening her career.

“I get to know the shape, style and dimensions of your foot, and how the foot works going from flat to demi-pointe to pointe,” said Jackson.

Dance Gear can also accommodate custom shoe orders for sizes wider or longer than the normal, we even can size pointe shoes for boys/men.

Jackson enjoys getting to know her customers and educating them so they understand the fitting process and the importance of a properly fitted dance shoes.

“Parents appreciate how I follow their children as they grow, mature and advance in each level of dance. This personal knowledge helps me fit their child for their next shoe or garment,” said Jackson. As a dance mom herself, she knows from personal experience how knowledge helped her children become better dancers.

Jackson believes in giving back to her community and local schools, and participates in the Youth America Grand Prix scholarship competition program when given the opportunity.

“Sometimes a dancer’s family may not be able to buy new tights or shoes for a performance,” she said.  “I have inventory that isn’t always going to sell, which I give to local schools to help a child whose family cannot afford to buy those items.”

Jackson encourages everyone to give ballet a try.

“Any adult can try ballet if they can find an appropriate class,” said Jackson. “Ballet is about flexibility, balance and being well-centered.

1705 Dale Mabry Hwy. Lutz, FL 33548 • 813-428-6989 • dancegearetc.com

Published 11/21/19

 

Giving thanks

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On Nov. 22, about 90 people were in the community center celebrating Thanksgiving Day.

Dave and Joan Lawrence (Courtesy of Helene Rubenstein)

The center was filled with residents and friends talking among themselves and having a wonderful time.

A fruit cup was placed in front of each person attending. Before the meal was served, Dave Heim said grace, while we bowed our heads in silence. He did a fine job.

After grace, tables were called to get their meal, which consisted of turkey (white or dark meat), mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, butternut squash, cranberry sauce, gravy, roll and butter.  There also was coffee and/or tea, plus dessert, which included apple pie, pumpkin pie or vanilla cake.

Linda Rogers and Andy Castonguay

There was enough food if anyone wanted seconds, but most people found one portion more than enough.

The turkey was so moist, and I heard that the gravy was delicious. Everything was superb and simply delightful. One thing was better than the next.

The dinner was hosted by Mary and Dave Heim, while Andy Castonguay was teaching. Andy and his wife, Margaret, had headed this for years and they had much experience that they handed down to Dave and Mary.

The elves that were helping out were Paul and Norma Oi, Carol and Clayton George, Rosie Semian, Linda Rogers, Andy and Margaret Castonguay, and Dave and Mary Heim. They made a great team.

Everything ran so smoothly, as each person had a specific job, and it was done to perfection. Our sincere thanks go out to all who helped.

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

Pauline Wright and Bob Rebarkoff
Paul Oi (Norma Oi in background) and Dave Heim
Don and Haraldi Coombs