The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Tuning into the ‘Sounds of Summer’

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Children and adults had a chance to check out classic cars, enjoy live music and peruse local vendors at ‘Sounds of Summer,’ at Northpointe Village in Lutz. Besides offering entertainment, the new event, sponsored by the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Suncoast Parkway, also benefited The Rap House Youth Shelter. Another ‘Sounds of Summer’ event is planned for Aug. 11 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Don Kelman, of Trinity, reminisces as he peaks under the hood of a 1951 Ford F1. Kelman remembers being a young press operator in Detroit when these trucks were in production. (Christine Holtzman)
Just outside the classic car show, 1-year-old Thorin Piazza, of Tampa, dances with his 6-year-old sister, Banner, to oldies performed by the band, Crossroads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After eating dinner with her grandparents at a nearby restaurant, 4-year-old Brooklyn Burton, of Hudson, clutches her umbrella, as they browse through Northpointe Village, 2155 Northpointe Parkway in Lutz. They were there to enjoy the ‘Sounds of Summer’ event.

 

Buy Your Ashton Woods Home Now, Before It’s Too Late

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Ashton Woods is in its final sales phase at Asturia, with 75 percent of home sites sold since the community opened two years ago.

“We’ve had tremendous success in Asturia, selling over 100 beautiful homes in this much-desired community on State Road 54,” said Sales Manager Kristin Woods. “We have just 45 homes to go, and expect all to be gone by the end of the year.”

Because many families want to move into their new home as soon as possible, Ashton Woods has received permits from Pasco County for all remaining homes sites.

Jillian Harris, community sales manager for Ashton Woods in Asturia, shows off the beautiful kitchen in a Milan inventory home that is available now.

“This saves our buyers up to three months in the building process,” said Jillian Harris, Ashton Woods’ community sales manager in Asturia, a master-planned community in Odessa.

“Our designers have put together beautiful combinations of flooring, countertops, design features and colors that will excite the vast majority of buyers,” she said. “Plus, we have a great combination of homes that convert flex space to extra bedrooms, add bonus rooms and extra baths, and have great outdoor living areas with front porches and extended lanais.”

While construction is underway on many homes, Ashton Woods buyers are still able to select flooring, countertops, cabinets and other nonstructural customizations on 18 homes that will be completed in November and December.

“We are known for our affordable personalization at the Design Studio, and families who want to pick out their finishes and colors are reserving these homes right now,” said Harris. “Plus, they are excited to be able to move into their new home in time for the holidays!”

Ashton Woods offers traditional one- and two-story homes in its Classic and Heritage series, all which feature open floor plans, large living areas, beautiful master suites and lots of storage. Homes have two-or three-car garages, and many back up to private conservation lots.

Three traditional inventory homes are ready now in the versatile, one-story Truman plan, which offers four bedrooms and two baths in 1,962 square feet. Also ready are two, two-story homes with two-car garages on deep wooded lots with long views. The 2,722-square-foot Milan has the master bedroom downstairs, and the 3,362-square-foot Athens is the largest home Ashton Woods builds in Asturia.

“For families with children, these inventory homes can close in time for the new school year,” said Harris, who adds that Asturia is zoned for some of the best schools in Pasco County.

“Our kids go to J.W. Mitchell High, Seven Springs Middle and Odessa Elementary. Many families are looking for these schools, and at Asturia, they do not need to worry about our school zones changing,” she said.

In addition to traditional floor plans, Ashton Woods has the 10 remaining rear-entry home sites in Asturia, all a short walk to the community’s contemporary Amenity Center.

Several inventory homes are available, with move-in ready homes starting at $279,990. These unique one- and two-story homes have over 2,000 square feet of living area, and feature three to four bedrooms, two to three baths, and two-car garages with alley access and additional parking out front.

Asturia is the first choice for many buyers considering the many master-planned communities along State Road 54. Buyers prefer Asturia’s smaller size of just 550 homes, compared to thousands being built in neighboring developments, and appreciate that construction will not be going on for years.

“People especially like that our homes are not on top of each other, and that we have a minimum of 15 feet between homes,” said Sales Manager Wilson. “Asturia’s developer did a great job laying out its streets, so it doesn’t look like a cookie-cutter community.”

Every Ashton Woods home comes with the same standards of top-quality construction and finishes. It 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.

Published July 25, 2018

Keep Your Home Cool By Planning Ahead

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The last thing your family wants to deal with during the hot summer months is your home’s A/C unit going on the blink.

And, the best way to prevent that from happening is to have a maintenance plan with a reputable HVAC company, and to be aware when you’re unit’s warranty will expire.

“Your A/C should receive regular maintenance every six to 12 months to prevent an emergency situation,” said Dana Spears, president of Cornerstone Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical in Land O’ Lakes.

“Maintaining your A/C is much like taking your vehicle in for regular oil changes and service updates. If you don’t service your vehicle, you are looking for trouble. And, if you are not doing regular maintenance on your A/C system, when you have problems, it will likely be during the hottest times of the year when your unit is working its hardest,” said Spears.

A well-maintained A/C system should continue to operate through the end of its warranty period. However, as a system gets older, it loses much of its efficiencies and begins to show its age with inconsistent hot and cold pockets, and excessive noise.

In many cases, Cornerstone’s technicians recommend replacing a system when the warranty expiration is nearing its end to avoid inevitable mechanical problems, and also to take advantage of new technology that makes A/C systems much more energy efficient.

“Often times, we find that the saving on a customer’s power bill is so significant because of the energy efficiencies of a new A/C unit, that it is more cost effective to replace a unit, than to repair it,” Spears said.

“Plus, once you begin to replace parts on an older system, repairs often add up, and it’s better to put this money into a new system,” said continued.

Many owners of newer homes are surprised to learn that the warranty on their builder-grade air conditioning system on their newly built home is only five or six years, and are unprepared for the expense when their out-of-warranty A/C needs to be repaired or replaced.

“There are thousands of homes in this area that have been built in the last 10 years, and many homeowners are not aware that their A/C is out of warranty,” said Spears. “It is much better to be proactive and look into replacing you’re A/C system before it goes down, then waiting until you are in an emergency situation.”

The new Daiken A/C systems installed by Cornerstone are of much better quality than builder-grade units, and come with 10 to12 year warranties. For most homes, the cost for a new HVAC system is between $5,500 and $12,000, depending on the unit’s seer rating and type of technology the system offers to achieve higher energy efficient levels.

“The higher the seer rating, the more expensive the unit because it uses two-stage or inverter technology and slow speeds,” Spears explains. “But, a higher seer rating is more energy efficiency and can save a family hundreds to thousands of dollars a year on their power bill.”

Spears goes on to explain that a home’s air conditioning system typically accounts for 50 percent of its power bill.

“For many families, it makes sense to go with a higher seer-rated unit because it will pay for itself within a few years. Plus, a higher quality system operates more quietly, and comes with a 12-year warranty, instead of the standard 10 years,” said Spears.

One of the biggest worries homeowners have when their old A/C unit starts having problems is the cost of repairs that keep adding up.

“It may be smarter to replace an old A/C unit, than it is to keep repairing it, which is also frustrating, time consuming and means your family will be without air conditioning for several hours to several days,” said Spears.

To help families afford a new A/C system, Cornerstone offers third party financing. Options include 18-month terms with 0 percent interest, and payments for as little as $60 a month on financing with 60-month terms.

“If your A/C system is at the end of its warranty period, give us a call. We have a large selection of equipment in stock, and there are some excellent rebates being offered by our manufacturers that will save you hundreds of dollars,” said Spears.

“And remember,” Spears adds, “that your A/C is a home appliance, just like your refrigerator. All appliances have a life span and don’t last forever.”

Cornerstone was founded in 2006 as an air conditioning service company. It moved to its 4-acre site on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard in 2011, and the following year added plumbing services. In 2014, it expanded again with electrical services.

Spears credits her company’s growth to its commitment to outstanding customer service, and also because its employees exemplify her company’s values.

“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.”

Cornerstone phones are answered 24/7, and technicians are available around the clock, including weekends and holidays. Call (813) 990-0561 anytime, day or night.  For more information, visit their website at CornerstonePros.com.

Published July 25, 2018

A Beautiful ICI Home In Time For The Holidays

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Summer is the busiest time of year to buy a home, because families want to know what school their children will be attending in their new neighborhood, and because they want to be moved and settled before the holidays.

This summer, however, many families have become frustrated and have stopped looking because of the low supply of available houses.

If your family is wanting to move up to a new home, don’t give up. ICI Homes, one of Florida’s most prestigious builders, has beautiful and unique inventory homes available in the master-planned communities of Bexley in Land O’ Lakes and Asturia in Odessa.

“Our homes are specifically designed for families with school-aged children, that offer the latest technology and innovative, open floor plans that connect large family gathering spaces to secluded study enclaves,” said Ron Ferguson, division manager of the company’s West Florida Division.

In Bexley, ICI Homes’ popular Pamela model is move-in ready. This one-story, 3,089-square-foot home has four bedrooms, three baths and a three-car garage. Its 12-foot-high foyer gives the option of walking into a flex space/study, kitchen and gathering area, or straight into the owner’s suite. A gourmet kitchen is steps away from the large gathering and dining rooms, both which open to an expansive covered lanai.

Bexley’s excellent schools are one of the top reasons many families decide to live in Bexley. Older children attend Land O’ Lakes High and Pine View Middle, great schools that offer the challenging International Baccalaureate program.

Located within the development is Bexley Elementary, which many children walk and bicycle to from nearby homes. Just completing its first year of operation, the school achieved several important milestones, including scoring the highest on standardized third grade reading tests in all of Pasco County.

Over in Asturia, this community’s schools also excel, with youngsters zoned to Mitchell High, Seven Oaks Middle and Odessa Elementary, the most preferred schools in west Pasco.

ICI Homes has four inventory homes underway in Asturia that will be ready in December.

The Serena is a one-story home that is one of the builder’s most popular plans. At 2,217 square feet, the home has four bedrooms, three baths and a two-car garage. Its unique grand foyer pulls you through the house with 12-foot ceilings, and its large kitchen and great room gracefully flow onto a covered lanai that stretches along the back of the home.

“This home never feels crowded, whether you’re relaxing with family, playing with the kids or entertaining friends,” said Ferguson.

ICI Homes has several inventory homes, including the Serena model above, that are ready now, or will be in time for the holidays.

The Santa Maria is a two-story inventory home built on a private conservation lot, with the master bedroom suite and a half bath downstairs. Upstairs are three bedrooms, two full baths and a large game room.  At 2,933 square feet, this is one of ICI’s largest homes, and includes a three-car garage.

“We are ready to move quickly on all of our inventory homes, and will do everything we can to get a family settled as soon as possible,” said Ferguson.

In addition to building beautiful homes, ICI Homes rewards its buyers with creative incentives that are fun and lucrative, including up to $10,000 in free upgrades that can be used for a deluxe kitchen, golf cart, outdoor space or summer kitchen.

Plus, buyers who contract by August 31 receive a luxurious cruise for two on Royal Caribbean to Mexico or the Bahamas.

“We’re having so much fun with this promotion,” said Sales Manager Leah Turner. “After all the work involved in building a house, moving and getting settled, our customers are having a blast taking time off to enjoy their free cruise. They deserve it, and we enjoy showing our homeowners how much we appreciate them.”

ICI Homes got its start 40 years ago in Daytona Beach. The original founder still owns the company, and over the years expanded into Jacksonville, Orlando and Gainesville. It entered the Tampa Bay market in 2015 in Fishhawk Ranch in south Hillsborough County.

The company moved into Pasco County two years later as one of the original builders in Bexley. Then, in late 2017, it added Asturia to its growing list of communities. It also sells homes to buyers wanting to build on their own lot.

ICI Homes is one of Florida’s most premier builders, and for many years has been ranked in the Top 100 Builders in the nation by Builder Magazine. Established in 1980, the company has built over 4,000 single-family homes in Florida, and is the recipient of several prestigious awards for design and innovation.

The Asturia sales center for ICI Homes is at 15134 Aviles Parkway in Odessa, (813) 359-0264. At Bexley, the sales center is at 16754 Courtyard Loop in Land O’ Lakes, (813) 530-9069.

Published July 25, 2018

Bexley Residents Bridge Generations

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What happens when three generations live in the very same master-planned community?

How about weekly Sunday dinners, frequent family gatherings and lots of memories. That’s the life the Howard family now enjoys living in Bexley, the award-winning community in Land O’Lakes just off State Road 54 in Pasco County.

Buford Howard and his wife, Freddie, live just blocks away from two of their adult sons, Van and Ted, who also purchased homes for their families in Bexley.

Three generations of the Howard family live at Bexley. (Back row, from left), son Van, father Buford, son Ted. (Front row, from left) daughter-in-law Vicki (Van’s wife), mother Freddie (Buford’s wife), granddaughter Katherine (daughter of Van and Vicki).

The Howard family found Bexley nearly by chance. With the prospect of becoming empty-nesters, Van and his wife, Vicki, wanted to downsize to a smaller home. After an extensive search throughout Pasco County, Van drove through Bexley during the early days of construction and liked what he saw.

“On our first visit, we met such great people,” said Van. “Plus, my wife and I liked that there were several different builders and a variety of floor plan options. We also liked that the houses in Bexley don’t look like ones in every other community.”

The couple settled on a one-story, single-family home, the first one put under contract by builder CalAtlantic.

Since Van and his wife were so pleased with their experience in the community, they encouraged Van’s older brother, Ted, and their parents to consider making the move from Northeast Florida to Bexley, as well.

“We came to visit Van as his house was being built, and before we went back home, we put down a deposit on a house,” said Freddie.

The Howards now live within blocks of each other, which allows them to visit each other more frequently.

For Freddie and her husband, Buford, being close to two of their sons isn’t the only reason they love living in Bexley.

“We appreciate that Bexley is an active community,” added Freddie. “We didn’t want to be in a retirement community. Bexley has so many amenities. We go to the fitness center regularly, and I enjoy walking along the trails or just sitting on the porch outside The Bexley Club.”

“Bexley has something to offer families no matter what their stage in life,” said Pam Parisi, vice president of marketing for Newland Communities, which is developing Bexley. “Resort-style amenities, low-maintenance townhomes and planned activities, like the Bexley Market, make Bexley an excellent choice for people from all generations.”

“There’s just a great energy at Bexley,” added Van. “It’s great to see people our age, as well as families with younger children.” He even boasts that his parents have become the surrogate grandparents for several families on their street.

“Being with younger people keeps us active,” said Freddie.

To learn more about living at Bexley, visit BexleyFlorida.com.

Published July 25, 2018

Last Chance To Buy At Lakeshore Preserve

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If you’re looking for a beautiful, maintenance-free townhome in Lutz close to the Veterans Expressway, you need to move fast.

In less than a year, the Mattamy Homes community of Lakeshore Preserve has sold 75 percent of its townhomes in the 102-home community, located on Van Dyke Road and Lakeshore Road, just west of Dale Mabry Highway.

“We’re down to our last 25 homes, and expect all to sell by the end of the year,” said

Lakeshore Preserve

Kathleen Dec, marketing manager for Mattamy’s West Florida Division.

Dec said Lakeshore Preserve sold quickly since holding its grand opening last August because of its great Lutz location, and because homes offer optimized living spaces that fit an array of buyers’ needs.

“Our homeowners love being less than two miles from the Veterans Expressway and Dale Mabry Highway, and enjoy being close to all of the shopping and dining in Carrollwood and Wesley Chapel,” said Dec.  “Plus, our kids attend some of the best schools in all of Hillsborough County.”

Lakeshore Preserve students are zoned to Steinbrenner High, Martinez Middle and Schwarzkopf Elementary, all located less than three miles away at the public school complex on Lutz Lake Fern Road. In addition, charter school Sunlake Academy of Math and Science is less than a mile away.

This gated community offers a beautiful amenity center, the hub of its 13,672-square-foot outdoor activity area that incorporates a large resort-style pool, outdoor area equipped with a covered cabana and breeze fans, outdoor kitchen, hammocks, shaded seating areas and game area.

Lakeshore Preserve has three contemporary townhome designs still available that offer 2 to 4 bedrooms, 2.5 to 3 bathrooms and 1- or 2-car garages. Townhomes are larger than many single-family homes, ranging from 1,888 to 2,605 square feet, and priced starting from the mid $200,000s.

Four quick move-in homes are available now with special, limited timesavings in the spacious Sebring floor plan of 2,230 square feet. Downstairs features a two-car garage, island kitchen, large dining and great rooms, half bath and large, screened-in covered lanai. Upstairs is an open loft, private master suite and bath, two additional bedrooms, another bath and laundry room. Well-appointed, move-in-ready homes are priced from $307,000.

To learn more about Lakeshore Preserve, visit MattamyHomes.com, call Lisa Malone at (813) 477-6483, or email .

First Chance To Buy At Lakeview at Citrus Park
The overwhelming success of Lakeshore Preserve encouraged Mattamy Homes to explore a second townhome community in north Tampa — which will open soon as Lakeview at Citrus Park.

They found a perfect location that overlooks Gant Lake at the end of Tom Fuller Road, just south of Ehrlich Road and east of the Veterans Expressway.

“This is one of the prettiest and most convenient locations in the north Tampa area,” said Dec. “Our homeowners will enjoy living less than two miles from Westfield Citrus Park Mall, and will appreciate the easy access to Tampa via the Veterans Expressway.  Plus, Tampa International Airport is only 12 miles from the community.”

Lakeview at Citrus Park

In addition to its great location, this gated community will boast a community pier with resident access to Gant Lake for fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding, and also a children’s playground.

Upon completion, Lakeview at Citrus Park will have 124 townhomes. Buyers will choose from five floor plans that are similar to the popular plans sold at Lakeside Preserve. Home sizes will range from 1,670 to 2,620-square-feet ,and offer 2 to 5 bedrooms, 2.5 to 4 baths, and 1- or 2-car garages.

VIP-only pre-sales are Aug. 3 to Aug. 5 for those who sign up on the community’s VIP List on Mattamy’s website at MattamyHomes.com/tampa. VIP List registration is being accepted now, and is required to qualify for all VIP benefits, including community updates, first selection of homes and VIP pricing and incentives. For those not on this list, public pre-sales will begin Aug. 6.

To learn more about Lakeview at Citrus Park, visit MattamyHomes.com, call Melanie Sikorski at (813) 278-1760, or email .

Mattamy Homes is the largest privately owned homebuilder in North America, with a nearly 40-year history of operations across the United States and Canada. Every year, Mattamy helps 7,000 families realize their dream of home ownership.

Published July 25, 2018

Lake Park: It’s a go-to place for fun

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The common lament — ‘there’s nothing to do,’ could not be farther from the truth at Lake Park, a one-stop shop for solitary getaways and fun family activities at 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz.

Fourteen-year-old Dalton Gerbase, No. 9, of Odessa, is leading 14-year-old Evan Hall, No. 111, of Hudson. Trailing in third place is Thomas Flint, age 13, from Palm Harbor, as they race for the finish line at the Tampa BMX Raceway. (Randy Underhill)

For $2 per car, visitors to the 589-acre park will find themselves surrounded by recreational options.

There are pavilions and grills for those wanting to picnic, plus nearby playgrounds for the kids.

There are five lakes, as well as a boat ramp, canoe rentals and kayaking.

There also are places to fish, to watch birds and to go horseback riding.

For people who enjoy fitness activities, there’s a 2-mile path for walkers, joggers, runners and bicyclists.

And, for those who prefer a bit of solitude, there are plenty of spots where you can sit back and relax.

Marsha Johnson, left, and Andrew Johnson, both of Ruskin, fish for brim (bluegill) at one the five lakes at Lake Park. The park also offers a boat and kayak launch, and canoe rentals.

Lake Park also boasts some unique features, too, including the Tampa BMX Raceway, the Gasparilla Bowmen Archery Club and the Hurricane R/C club.

The Tampa BMX Raceway track was established in 1974 and revamped in 1989. It is operated by volunteers and through donations. Competitive racing starts on Fridays at 8 p.m., and on Sundays at 4 p.m.

The track hosts local competitions and larger BMX-sanctioned events. BMX Raceway is open to the public, except when there is an event.

The Hurricane R/C club track, not far from the BMX Raceway, is a dirt track laid out with jumps and tight curves. The challenging terrain requires the radio-control operators to stay focused in order to keep the cars upright and moving. This track also is open to the public, except during events.

David Humphrey gives his 11-year-old son, Meric, some instructions on arrow placement, as Meric prepares for target practice on a Sunday morning at the Lake Park archery range. The father-son duo is from Land O’ Lakes.

The Gasparilla Bowmen Archery Club operates on a range that is tucked away in the woods for safety reasons. Those using the range must follow a trail to the secluded area, where they will find an array of paper targets attached to bales of hay. The targets are stationed at varying distances.

The club holds competitive shooting, along with raffles, and different archery-related events. Gasparilla Bowmen Archery Club, a well-established organization, is widely known throughout Tampa Bay.

So, whether you’re looking for a place to have fun with your family or friends, or merely wanting to enjoy some solitary time, chances are you’ll find what you need at Lake Park.

The park is open during the spring and summer from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and during the fall and winter from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

By Randy Underhill

Published July 25, 2018

Five Business Join IERNA’s Neighbors In Need Give-Away

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A local air conditioning company’s idea of giving a free air conditioning system to a deserving family resulted in a group of five local businesses coming together to make a huge difference in one family’s life.

It began last December when IERNA’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing launched its newest charity, Neighbor In Need Give-Away, and asked local residents to nominate a person or family who selflessly helped others, while in need of help themselves.

Rhodes family and Neighbors In Need business partners, left to right: Pete Berberich, Carrier Enterprise; Rob Kress, IERNA’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing; Charlene Ierna, owner of IERNA’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing; Jase Rhodes, Cristine Rhodes, Sage Rhodes, Jason Rhodes; Chris Wirt, A-All Animal Control of Tampa Bay; Joshua Rector, Arry’s Roofing Services; and Mario Maffeo, Gulfside Insulation.

Owner Charlene Ierna committed to removing the winner’s old equipment, installing the new A/C unit and taking care of any permitting fees. And, Jeff Hoffman of Florida Carrier Enterprises agreed to help by donating a Bryant Coastal Air Conditioner.

This generous partnership allowed IERNA’S to kick off its Neighbor In Need Give-Away. Nearly 50 nominations were submitted, all with a written summary on why their nominee deserved the free A/C system.

To select the winner, Charlene assembled a panel of six judges to review the entries.

“It was a very difficult decision for our judges,” said Rob Kress, IERNA’S director of marketing and public relations. “Many of the stories of these selfless people moved our judges to tears. We truly wish we could have given every nominee a new A/C system.”

The Winning Family
Judges selected Jason and Cristine Rhodes of Spring Hill as the first winner of the Neighbor In Need contest.

“Jason was overwhelmed and nearly in tears when I called him with the news,” said Kress. “Their central heating and cooling system had stopped working three years ago, and this family of five had endured extreme summer temperatures and sometimes-frigid winter temperatures.”

The Rhodes are known in central Pasco for their work with The Inspire Foundation, a nonprofit music and arts program that uses the arts to help children with autism and other disabilities. Much of the work done by The Inspire Foundation is at no cost.

The Rhodes established their foundation after helping their autistic son become verbal by using music to connect and communicate with him. As professional music instructors, the couple wanted to share what they learned by helping their son with other families.

“The Rhodes family is constantly raising funds to keep their program going, and have forgone their own personal needs to help others,” said Kress.

The Prize Grows
IERNA’s sent its service manager, Rich Register, to the Rhodes home to evaluate its existing air conditioning system and to properly size their new equipment.

During the inspection, Register noted severe damage to the home’s existing ductwork, and saw that animals had gotten into the attic through holes in the roof.

Because of the poor condition of existing ductwork, IERNA’S decided to also donate all materials and installation for a complete new duct system.

But, first the raccoons living in the attic had to be removed. Kress reached out to Chris Wirt, an animal removal expert and owner of A-All Animal Control of Tampa Bay, who agreed to help.

At the Rhodes’ home, Wirt found that critters had entered through a severely damaged roof and soffits. The problem was so severe that it had to be resolved before the new air conditioning system could be installed.

So Kress contacted Matt Housh, owner of Arry’s Roofing Service of Tarpon Springs, who also agreed to help and, upon inspection, found the roof not reparable.

“Arry’s Roofing really stepped up,” said Kress. “A full roof replacement was the only option, and was a huge task. Arry’s team worked for three days at cost for materials only.”

With a new roof in place, Wirt returned to remove critters living in the attic and found that the attic insulation was saturated with animal urine and feces, and needed to be replaced.

So Wirt reached out to Mario Maffeo, owner of Gulfside Insulation, who agreed to donate his services and materials to safely extract and dispose of the contaminated insulation. Once extraction was complete, Wirt sanitized and disinfected the attic space, making it safe for HVAC technicians to do their work.

It took a lot longer than expected, but today the Rhodes family is enjoying the comfort of their new Bryant® Heating & Cooling system in a dry, critter free home, just in time for another sweltering Florida summer.

“We are proud to be a part of such an amazing community of people and local businesses,” said Charlene Ierna. “We’re grateful to Florida Carrier Enterprises, A-Animal Control, Arry’s Roofing Services and Gulfside Insulation for their kindness, generosity and willingness to be part of something that means so much to a family who lives to help others.”

And, most thankful of all is the Rhodes family.

“We are so honored and blessed to have been chosen by Charlene, Rob and the rest of IERNA’S team to receive a new air conditioner,” said Jason Rhodes. “This is a huge relief for us, and we plan on paying this kind deed forward in many ways. Thank you so much.”

Rhodes Nominations
“They work to help children in their community, raise money to buy instruments, provide free in-home music instruction for children with disabilities, and do all of this selflessly. Through hardships that were unavoidable, they have been unable to afford a replacement A/C unit for the past two years. They are proud people and don’t ask anyone for financial help.”

-Donna Israel

“This family (kids included) works very hard running their nonprofit organizations, The Inspire Foundation and Inspire Studios. Many kids and people on the autism spectrum need art, theater and music to express their emotions. This family is a blessing! Always giving their time and effort to others, never asking for a thing themselves in their personal lives.”

-Joan Gunther

Published July 18, 2018

Prepare your kindergartener for success

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Kindergarten is supposed to be fun and educational, and allow children an opportunity to blossom. It is usually the first time the tykes are away from their parents for a significant amount of time.

While most kindergartens don’t exactly have GPA requirements, for a child to succeed there are a few milestones that should be reached before they toddle through the door, according to Alise McGregor, founder of Little Newtons, an early education center in Minnesota and Illinois.

(MetroCreative)

“New parents especially can have a hard time understanding that there are actually things their child should know prior to kindergarten,” McGregor said, in a news release.

Children should know some basics to make kindergarten a better experience, she said.

McGregor recommends these typical things a child should know before entering kindergarten:

  • Basic shapes. The child should have learned basic shapes like the square, circle, rectangle and triangle in preschool. If not, parents should teach them. In kindergarten, they will likely be introduced to the hexagon, star, heart and octagon.
  • The letters of the child’s name. They should at least be able to recognize the letters of their name. In kindergarten, they will learn uppercase letters and begin lowercase letters. They also will begin to learn how to write freehand without tracing.
  • Numbers 1 to 10. Some children will be able to count to 100 by the time they reach kindergarten, but all should at least be able to count to 10. Numbers will be used starting the first day of school.
  • Social skills. The child should be able to follow directions, to be able to be separated from the caregiver, and be able to use a restroom independently. Children who scream and cry when separated disrupt the rest of the class. Teachers simply do not have time to supervise individual students who cannot independently use a restroom.

Getting your child off on the right foot early is important, McGregor says.

By teaching basic skills prior to attending kindergarten, success will come easier.

Published July 18, 2018

Local garden club celebrates National Garden Week

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The Dade City Garden Club recently celebrated National Garden Week, with a variety of activities in Dade City.

Diane Scott, of Dade City Garden Club, demonstrates how to make a floral arrangement to one of the city employees.
(Courtesy of Dade City Garden Club)

The club received a proclamation from the Dade City Commission in May, asking the club to share their knowledge with Dade City residents.

In response, the garden club set up 21 floral displays and three conservation exhibits in 17 Dade City businesses, according to a news release from the Dade City Garden Club.

The exhibits were “Storm Water Runoff,” “Plight of Springs” and “Threats to our State Parks,” the release says.

The floral displays were placed at Hugh Embry Library, Peterson Insurance, Centennial Bank, Historic Courthouse, Matter of Taste, City Hall/Exhibit, Kiefer’s, Center State Bank, Williams Lunch on Limoges, Nye Commercial, Wells Fargo/Exhibit, Pioneer Museum/Exhibit, Sun Coast, Garden of Eden, The Custom Frame Shop, Law Office of Sarah Sultenfuss, and Law Office of Laurie R. Chane, the release said.

The club also hosted a free “Nature Detective” workshop at the library.

And, it hosted an open house on June 9 from 9 a.m. to noon, where they showcased all of the floral designs and exhibits that have been at area businesses.

The club’s historic ornaments also were on display. The club has created 24 ornaments since 1994.

Club members also were on hand to give garden tours and answer questions.

Light refreshments were served.

Published July 11, 2018