The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Lutz Independence Day has tradition, flair

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The atmosphere was festive as thousands converged on the community of Lutz to celebrate the Fourth of July, on a bright, sunshiny day.

A large crowd gathers along the parade route and watches as Canine Companions proceeds to downtown Lutz.
(Courtesy of Randy Underhill)

The event included a 5-K, a 1-mile fun run, a baking contest, a flag-raising ceremony, a baking contest and, the main attraction — a parade.

 

This Independence Day marked the nation’s 242 birthday, and was the 74th time that Lutz to celebrate.

Vendors were there early, along with a small display of antique farm tractors.

Hundreds of runners for the 5-K and for 1-mile fun run were there early, too, warming up for their races.

The color guards for Boy Scout Troop 12 and the Civil Air Patrol presided over the flag-raising ceremony in front of the Lutz Branch Library.

Jennifer Rankin, right, swears in Domenic DiFante as the new Honorary Guv’na of Lutz, on the platform of the Lutz Train Depot.

People set up their chairs and blankets along the parade route, or sat on the bleachers across from the library.

And, the colors of the day were red, white and blue.

Parade-watchers had plenty to see in a fun-filled, parade that lasted nearly two hours and boasted 63 entries this year.

Vehicles drove by, with flashing lights and sirens, and parade participants tossed candy and beads to the delight of children along the route.

The stage of Lutz’s Train Depot building was the setting for annual changing of the guard, as last year’s Honorary Guv’na Kori Rankin passed along the coveted sash to Domenic DiFante, this year’s winner.

This year, the fundraiser brought in more than $13,600 in donations.

The cake auction was a big hit, as the 22 entries — including cakes, cupcakes and a 5-pound apple pie — fetched bids ranging from $25 to $125.

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, Inc., the Lutz Civic Association and several local businesses sponsored this year’s celebration.

By Randy Underhill

Published July 11, 2018

Grandmother Luz Breton, of Lutz, holds onto 2-year-old Eva Jimeno, as 7-year-old Sofia Caban, 4-year-old Bella Jimeno, and 4-year-old Victoria Caban, watch the parade and hope for candy and beads to be tossed their way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The top bidder for the Army Truck cake was June Mussleman, who won with a bid of $25. The cake was created by Sarah Robison, age, 15, of Lutz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew Delaney, age 9, a Trinity Oaks student, sits atop an antique Ford tractor as grandpa Rohn Harmer,75, stands by. Both grandpa and grandson took part in the run, with Andrew placing third in the 1-mile run.
Brian Zebrowski, of Lutz, hands his 6-year-old daughter, Gabriella, a treat from the Atomic Trolle, while 4-year-old Tre’Anna Harrison and grandmother Michelle Bollman,owner of the treat mobile, look on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The flag-raising ceremony was conducted by the color guards of Boy Scout Troop 12 and the Civil Air Patrol, Carmen Rae singing the Star Spangled Banner, in front of the Lutz Branch Library during the Lutz Independence Day festivities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The start of the 8 a.m. 5-K run heading west on Lutz Lake Fern Rd. There were 337 runners in the 5-K and 108 runners in the 1-mile run. Sixteen-year-old Jake Turner, from Brandon won the 5-K with a time of 16:20.

 

Land O’ Lakes transforms into ‘Land O’ Liberty’

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Members of the Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes hit the ground running last week, spreading out in a quest they call “painting Land O’ Lakes Red, White and Blue.”

Justin Levitt adds a special touch to a tree in the median of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. (Christine Holtzman)

Of course, they weren’t painting — but they were giving the community a patriotic flair, by tying red, white and blue ribbons and bows to trees in the median along Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, also known as U.S. 41.

They also tied ribbons to fences at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.

This is the fourth year that the club has taken on the decorating challenge, which aims to create a sense of patriotism while paying tribute to liberty.

Jim Engelmann, president-elect of the Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes, hands out decorative ribbons and bows that will be used to give Land O’ Lakes a patriotic flair.

It’s done each year just before the Fourth of July, in a salute to the nation’s birthday.

Volunteers offered different reasons for taking part in last week’s decorating blitz.

Ayancy Caicedo, of Wesley Chapel, said she’s been in the United States for two years and that helping out was a nice way to show her respect to the nation.

Rotarian Rick Buzzee said the annual effort serves a dual purpose — it brings the community together and raises awareness about the Rotary Club.

Jim Engelmann, president-elect of the Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes, put it this way: “There’s not enough patriotism in the world; let’s do what we can.”

By Christine Holtzman

Published July 4, 2018

Cesar Rabi and his 20-year-old daughter, Maddy, put the final touches on a patriotic ribbon wrapped around tree.
Nine-year-old Nan Peake, a student at Classical Prep, flashes a peace sign, as efforts get underway for the Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes’ salute to liberty.
Rotarian Rick Buzzee adds some bows to a chain-link fence, in another show of patriotism. It’s the fourth year that he’s pitched in on the decorating effort.
Volunteer Ayancy Caicedo studies her bow to make sure it looks just right, while helping to create a patriotic feel in Land O’ Lakes.

 

Enjoy the Fourth of July, but be safe, too

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The Fourth of July is known for its picnics, parades, fireworks and fun — but it’s also a time when festivities can be marred by accidents and injuries.

To make the most of your Independence Day celebrations, while keeping you and your loved ones safe, keep in mind these safety tips compiled from a variety of news releases and websites.

These tips are from the American College of Emergency Physicians:

Fireworks safety

  • Leave fireworks displays to the professionals. If you do plan to shoot off fireworks, avoid using them near residential areas.
  • Do not handle fireworks if you are drinking alcohol, or are supervising others who may be relying on you if an emergency occurs.
  • Avoid purchasing or using illegal fireworks. Do not attempt to make your own.
  • Read warning labels and follow all instructions. Do not use fireworks in any way other than suggested on the label.
  • Have a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher nearby.
  • Light fireworks one at a time.
  • Do not re-ignite a firework that did not function properly.
  • Avoid burns or other accidents by not standing or crouching over a firework you’re attempting to light. After lighting the firework, back up a safe distance away.
  • Do not point or throw fireworks at another person.
  • Dress properly. Loose-fitting clothing can be a fire hazard.
  • Do not set off fireworks in a glass or metal container that can create fragments and can cause severe injuries.
  • Dispose of all fireworks properly. Soak them all in water before throwing them away.

General safety tips

  • If you are outdoors, be sure to drink plenty of water to avoid become dehydrated.
  • Apply and reapply sunscreen to protect your skin.
  • Be aware that young children and senior citizens are especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.
  • Monitor your alcohol consumption. Too much alcohol can lead to avoidable accidents. Do not drink and drive. It puts you, your friends, your loved ones and strangers at risk. If you’re going to drink, have a designated driver or have someone drive you home.
  • Keep in mind that alcohol accelerates the effects of heat-related illnesses.
  • Refrigerate food that needs to be kept cold. Food poisoning can occur in as little as one hour when temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Foods that must be kept cold should be placed in a cooler on ice.

Water safety

  • At the pool, lake or beach: Be sure there’s a lifeguard or chaperone keeping an eye on the children.
  • Boaters: Be sure you have a current license, updated safety equipment and life jackets on board. Also, be aware of current boating laws and safety procedures.

Grill safely

Be mindful of the risk of open fires and gas lines. Keep family football games, other recreational activities, children and pets a safe distance away from flames.

Hiking and camping safety

When hiking or camping, be sure to protect yourself with the appropriate gear and insect repellent. If you are planning to hike in a remote location, be sure your family or other loved ones are aware of your departure time and approximate route.

For more safety and health tips, visit EmergencyCareForYou.org.

These tips are from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Avoiding harmful sun exposure

  • Try to avoid going outdoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., because that’s when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Children should avoid direct UV rays as best as possible.
  • No sun at all is best for infants younger than 6 months old. If they are outdoors, be sure to cover them with a hat and cover their neck and extremities. It is best to avoid using sunscreen on babies less than 6 months old.
  • Use sunscreen to prevent sunburns. The sunscreen should be broad spectrum, which is is effective against both UVA and UVB rays, and at least 15 SPF, although there is little evidence that anything above 50 SPF provides additional protective effects.
  • Regularly reapply sunscreen. Water-resistant sunscreen does not mean it should be applied only once. Applications should be made every 2 hours or so, especially if one is sweating, and in and out of the water.

These tips come from AAA

The summer holidays are a popular time for vacations. Stay safe while traveling by following these suggestions:

  • Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained. If maintenance is not up to date, have your car and tires inspected before you take a long drive.
  • Map your route in advance and be prepared for busy roads during the most popular times of the year. If possible, consider leaving earlier or later to avoid heavy traffic.
  • Keep anything of value in the trunk or covered storage area.
  • If you’re traveling with children, remind them not to talk to strangers. Go with them on bathroom breaks and give them whistles to be used only if the family gets separated.
  • Have roadside assistance contact information on hand, in case an incident occurs on the road.
  • Keep a cellphone and charger with you at all times.

Finally, a word from the Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles department. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe over the Fourth of July weekend by following these suggestions:

  • Always buckle up. A seatbelt is your vehicle’s most important safety feature.
  • Designate a sober driver and never drive impaired. Remember: even one drink increases the risk of a crash while driving. Do not let anyone who has been drinking get behind the wheel, including you.
  • Check your tires before you take a trip. Properly maintaining and inspecting your tires before a long trip is a key step in keeping your family safe while traveling. It is crucial that motorists educate themselves on the importance of maintaining proper tire pressure, and inspect tire tread and damage on a regular basis in order to avoid potentially fatal tire failure and rollover crashes.
  • Do not drive distracted. Distracted driving is extremely risky behavior that not only puts drivers and passengers in danger, but also pedestrians and bicyclists sharing the road. Focused attention on driving helps to prevent crashes overall.
  • Use caution when traveling through an area where there is smoke, especially at night.
  • Call the FHP at *347 to report drunk drivers, traffic crashes, stranded or disabled motorists, or suspicious incidents on the road.

July 4, 2018

Empty Nesters Find Bexley a Hidden Gem

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With their children grown, Monique and Monty Trice were looking for a dream home that both they and their visiting families could enjoy. After months of searching in communities south of Tampa, they decided to focus on finding a place closer to their existing townhome in Westchase. Their search led them to Bexley in Land O’ Lakes.  After exploring the new Pasco County community, just off State Road 54, the couple knew right away they had found what they were looking for.

“We got to Bexley, and immediately I thought, ‘this is home’,” said Monique.

Monique and Monty Trice found their forever home in the new Pasco County Community, Bexley, in Land O’ Lakes.

The semi-retired couple settled on The Willow floorplan by Lennar, a 2,500-square-foot, four-bedroom, two-story home with two large master suites, one on each floor.

“Having a bedroom on the first floor was very important to us,” added Monty. “We have older family members who visit, and it’s important to us that they’re comfortable and they don’t have to climb any stairs.”

Bexley’s location, approximately 26 miles from Tampa, was a big draw for the couple.

“It’s really a hidden gem,” noted Monique of the community. “It’s a very easy commute for us to get to work.”

The couple also appreciated the unique home styles, the distinct architecture found in Bexley and the outstanding amenities.

“There’s so much to do, it feels like you’re at a resort,” said Monty. “Our weekends are full of adventure with the different community activities that are scheduled, such as concerts and the Bexley Morning Market.”

Set within 1,825 acres of pastoral ranch lands, mature woodlands and cypress wetlands, Bexley residents enjoy two resort-style pools, a game room and miles of multi-surface Avid™ trails for biking, jogging or walking. For kids and grandkids, there are custom-built playgrounds to enjoy, Mud, Sweat and Gears Park for soccer or football games, and a BMX bicycle pump track. There’s even the BarkYard Park for four-legged residents, with separate spaces for big and small dogs.

“We designed Bexley so that it would be the ideal community for people at all stages of life,” said Pam Parisi, Vice President of Marketing for Newland Communities, which developed Bexley. “There are single-family homes, along with low-maintenance townhomes and villas. So whether you’re a single professional, a growing family or an active retiree, we have a home for you at a variety of different price points.”

Monique agrees.

“Whatever stage you are, Bexley is a fit! We love that we have such a diverse set of neighbors. Some have children, and we get to watch them grow up. Others are retirees. We love to have impromptu gatherings together. They’ve all become like family to us.”

To find out what it would be like to live in Bexley, try the community’s exclusive Resident for a Day program. Learn more about all that Bexley has to offer by visiting BexleyFlorida.com.

Published June 27, 2018

Ashton Woods Excels at Interior Home Design

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Your dream home is finally coming together. You’ve decided where you want to live, and found the perfect floor plan for your family by a builder with a great reputation.

After you formalize the details with a signed contract, the next step at the design studio is perhaps the most fun of all, because you and your designer will transform your floor plan into the home of your dreams.

It’s this interior design phase where Ashton Woods excels, both because of its talented and experienced design staff, and because it has the ability to customize and personalize home interiors more than most production builders.

“If we can make it happen, we will,” said Viana Ayuso, an Ashton Woods design consultant at the company’s design studio in Brandon. “We encourage our customers to dream big, because we are more flexible and have more options than most builders.”

Ayuso and her colleague, Kristin Wilson, have designed hundreds of homes for Ashton Woods families in Tampa Bay. Together, they have close to 20 years experience in new home interiors, and understand the cyclical nature of design that drives a client’s desires and expectations.

“Our goal is to achieve the look our buyers want, within the budget they have to spend,” said Ayuso. “We guide them to make sure their desired look flows seamlessly throughout the house, and help them make the many decisions needed to specify their home’s interior.”

Ashton Woods design consultants typically spend between four and six hours working one-on-one with buyers to select finishes that reflect their lifestyle, their design style and, of course, their budget.  Their overall objective is custom personalization that makes a home unique to the buyer.

“Before we meet, we ask buyers to think about what they hate about their current home, and what they love. That gives us a good starting point,” said Ayuso.

Viana Ayuso is an Ashton Woods design consultant at the company’s design studio in Brandon.

Because of HGTV and the plethora of interior decorating magazines and internet sites, most customers come in with a clear vision of what they want, and often bring Pinterest boards, fabric and paint swatches, magazine tear sheets and even photos of interiors from other models, Ayuso explains.

“Homebuyers are more educated than when I began designing homes five years ago — they know what they want by name and style,” she said.

Ayuso and Wilson begin their design sessions by asking lots of questions and closely listening to their buyers.

“Flooring is the most expensive element and extends to all living spaces, so it’s a great place to begin,” said Ayuso. “Next is the kitchen, because it is the heart of the home and the centerpiece of the living area.”

Ayuso advises clients to select timeless design features, using a neutral color palate with white or ivory cabinets and simple back-splashes, so that their home does not look dated in a few years as design trends change.

“You can change your style with accent pieces, new area rugs and paint,” Ayuso said. “That’s much more affordable than replacing dark cabinets and multicolor backsplashes. Our goal is to design a home that can be inexpensively updated as styles change.”

Most clients want their new home to be move-in ready, Ayuso said, because they don’t have time to take care of details like blinds and painting after they close.

“Plus, they can add the cost of their interior finishes to their mortgage, which is very attractive for many buyers,” Ayuso said.  “The general rule is for every $1,000 in design features, it adds just $6 a month to a mortgage. So, if you’re looking at $30,000 in upgrades, that comes to just $180 per month.”

Viana, who has a design certificate from NY Institute Art & Design, as well as an MBA in Advertising, loves her job at Ashton Woods.

“I come from a family of musicians, and creativity is a big part of me,” she said. “I’ve always had a knack for design, and love sharing with clients which colors work best, and explaining the theory and history behind their design choices.”

In Pasco County, Ashton Woods is building homes in Asturia, a master-planned community in Odessa located on State Road 54, just west of the Suncoast Parkway. For more information, go to AshtonWoods.com/tampa, or call Ayuso  at (813) 324-8815

Top 5 Design Trends

#1. Wood Plank Tiles – the look of wood with the durability of tile, generally for less money than real wood

#2. White Cabinets — always in style, transitional and timeless

#3 Farmhouse Style — casual lifestyle is the rage, with lots of classic Americana elements

#4. Quartz countertops — have replaced granite because they’re heat and stain resistant, and need no special care

#5. Personal Retreat — luxurious master spa to unwind with rain showerheads off the ceiling and stand-alone tubs in middle of bath

Published June 27, 2018

Baby Boomers Await Del Webb Bexley

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If you’re a baby boomer looking to retire in the next few years, imagine a 55-plus community that offers an active lifestyle located within one of Tampa Bay’s most desirable master-planned communities, where your children and grandchildren live just minutes away.

This is the vision Del Webb is bringing to Pasco County, in the Land O’ Lakes’ community of Bexley — a 1,825-acre development by Newland Communities, one of the most respected developers in the country.

“This is the first brand new Del Webb community in the Tampa Bay Region in a long time, and the anticipation and interest we’re seeing is incredible,” said Kelli Bailey, vice president of sales for the Pulte Group, which has owned Del Webb since 2001.

“With very little marketing, 2,800 people have already registered on our VIP list to receive regular updates about Del Webb Bexley,” said Bailey. “We’re seeing a huge pent-up demand for this community, especially from local residents.”

Bailey reports that about 70 percent of the community’s VIP members already live in Tampa Bay, and in particular Pasco County, where many members have long-term connections to the area through family, friends and work.

“Tampa Bay is a great place to live, no matter your age,” said Bailey. “And, as one gets closer to retirement, having an active adult community close-by like Del Webb Bexley, gives retirees the opportunity to continue living near friends and family, enjoy the area’s great shopping, dining and entertainment, and relax at beautiful beaches less than an hour away.”

Construction of Del Webb Bexley began this spring with roads and infrastructure at the 489-acre site. Work begins later this summer on the community’s  first model homes and amenities. An official grand opening is planned for early 2019.

Pre-sales will begin in late November to members on its VIP list, and the first residents will begin moving into the community next summer. At completion, Del Webb Bexley will have 850 homes.

Residents will not have to worry about lawn care and landscaping, because the community’s homeowners association will take care of all lawn maintenance.

“People really are looking forward to never having to mow their grass again and instead focus on enjoying Del Webb’s unrivaled lifestyle,” said Bailey.

Del Web Bexley is offering 17 floor plans designed with features desired by older residents. Homes will include integrated outdoor living areas, kitchens and laundries with raised appliances, bedrooms that easily convert into offices, dens and hobby rooms, and an abundance of storage to accommodate downsizing.

Home sizes will range from 1,200 to 4,000 square feet, and prices will begin in the low $200s. Home sites will be on 40-, 50- and 60-foot lots, with many backing up to water and conservation.

Pulte chose Land O’ Lakes for its newest Del Webb community after extensive market research to identify the best location for its Tampa development.

Focus groups identified top priorities as easy access to downtown, the Westshore district and Tampa International Airport; close proximity to beaches and other recreational activities; and top-rated medical facilities.

These priorities brought Pulte’s search to central Pasco County, and ultimately to Bexley, because of its convenient location next to the Suncoast Parkway, its closeness to several hospitals and medical specialists, and availability of many diverse recreational activities.

Another bonus is Del Webb’s location within Bexley’s master-planned community.

“We expect many home-buyers will choose Del Webb Bexley because they want to live close to their children and grandchildren,” said Bailey.

“It’s the best of two worlds,” said Bailey. “As people get older, many want to live in an age-restricted community like Del Webb because of the social and recreational activities designed just for them. But, they also want to live close to their families and younger generations.”

Bexley’s elaborate trail system will connect to Del Webb, so families can walk or bicycle between neighborhoods, and to and from Bexley Elementary, which is located just west of Del Webb homes.

Setting Del Webb apart from the rest of Bexley will be its top-tier amenities, which will open in early 2020.

The centerpiece is a 17,000-square-foot clubhouse and recreational complex, which will employ an on-site lifestyle director to help organize clubs, seminars, classes and fun things for everyone to do. The clubhouse will include a fitness center, aerobics studio, billiards, and neighborhood café and bar.

Outdoors, there will be a resort-style swimming pool with lap lanes, and a separate resistance pool for water exercises. Two tennis courts, six pickle ball courts and four bocce ball courts will offer competitive play for residents. An outdoor amphitheater with an event lawn will host live bands and performances.

Del Webb families can walk or bike along Bexley’s 10-plus miles of winding trails that connect neighborhoods, parks and gardens, dog parks, community gardens, scenic lakes and wildlife areas.

Del Webb has been building 55-plus communities since the 1960s, including Sun City Center in south Hillsborough County. Del Webb Bexley is located about one mile north of State Road 54, where Sunlake Boulevard intersects with Tower Road. For more information, and to register for the community’s VIP list, go to BexleyFlorida.com/del-webb.

Published June 27, 2018

You’re Invited to Independence Day – Connerton Style!

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Connerton is extending an invitation for Tuesday, July 3, to all who want to join in an Old-Fashioned Independence Day celebration.

The community is kicking off the biggest holiday of the summer with its fifth annual Nation Celebration. The festivities are free and take place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. If you’re looking for some good, old-fashioned fun, then gather family and friends and head to Connerton, the “Community of More,” in Land O’ Lakes.

LIVE MUSIC, GAMES, FIREWORKS
Connerton’s annual Independence Day Celebration has become Central Pasco’s gala event for the holiday. Live music under the big top, games, local crafters, DJ, and bounce houses for kids are just a few of the activities at the celebration. Benedetto’s Ristorante Italiano is providing some of the food and drink, and is also the major sponsor for the gala Fireworks Show at 9 p.m. Food trucks with a variety of culinary options will also be present.

All ages will find something to keep them busy, whether it’s bungee jumping, climbing a rock wall, or simply relaxing and listening to live music while enjoying a beer and sampling a variety of food. Connerton is expecting a large crowd this year, so plan on coming early to set up your chairs and blankets in the outdoor amphitheater for a front row seat for the fireworks.

TAKE A TOUR
While you’re at Connerton, you will want to tour this beautiful “New Town” that was once again chosen as one of the Showcase Communities for the 2018 Parade of Homes by the Tampa Bay Builders Association.

Hundreds of people attended the Parade to view model homes by M/I Homes, Lennar, Inland Homes and Homes by WestBay. Many parade-goers also became Connerton homeowners, and are now enjoying the beautiful resort-style clubhouse and its many activities. In addition, residents enjoy top-rated schools, and the Arbor Square retail area. This busy shopping center is anchored by Publix Super Market, and also offers banking, restaurants, hair and nail salons, pool store, liquor store, insurance agencies, UPS store, pet grooming and a veterinarian clinic. Across the street is a Walgreens drugstore.

NATURE & CONSERVATION ABOUND
Connerton’s commitment to nature and conservation, with its winding trail system and preservation of trees and wetlands, has made this community a place to enjoy the camaraderie of neighborhood living with natural protected spaces for generations to come.

COME JOIN US
If this sounds like the place where you can enjoy good old-fashioned fun for the holiday, then join the party and celebrate our Nation’s Independence on Tuesday, July 3, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Shuttles will be available from Connerton Elementary School, so don’t worry about parking. The shuttles will take you right to the event grounds.

Connerton is located on U.S. 41, seven miles north of State Road 54, and 3 miles south of State Road 52.  For additional information, visit Connerton.com, or call us at (813) 996-5800.

Published June 27, 2018

Hurry, entries due soon for this year’s Water Wise awards

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Does your yard have what it takes to be a winner of a Water Wise Award?

The University of Florida/Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences Pasco County Office Extension and Tampa Bay Water would like to recognize attractive, yet water-efficient landscapes.

Your yard could be a contender for a Water Wise Award if you already follow these simple steps:

  • Put the right plant in the right place
  • Fertilize and mulch appropriately
  • Attract wildlife
  • Manage yard pests responsibly
  • Recycle yard waste
  • Reduce storm water runoff
  • Protect the waterfront

Water is a precious resource that some take for granted.

This is an example of a landscape that uses a variety of techniques that creates an attractive appearance, while using water wisely.
(Courtesy of Jim Moll)

In Pasco County, the UF/IFAS Extension Office has a Florida Friendly Program Manager and Program Coordinator funded by a partnership with Tampa Bay Water.

One of the efforts of our partnership is to recognize landscapes that are attractive and utilize water efficiently — whether the landscape is at a home, business, industry or government location.

How do you know if you are water efficient?

For some gardeners, this may be a very simple question to answer, if you only use rain, or harvest rainwater and store it in rain barrels, or you use an irrigation system only when necessary during drought.

Sometimes, though, it is too dry and you might need to irrigate.

You can quickly figure out your indoor water use with this simple formula: For each person living in the home, assume 2,000 gallons of water is used, per person, per month.

Additional usage is likely to be used outdoors.

Efficient landscape watering uses about 460 gallons for every 1,000 square feet of irrigated landscape. So, a 5,000-square-foot yard would need about 2,300 gallons per irrigation event.

Many Pasco County residents have created interesting and relaxing landscapes that use even less water than the 460 gallons per 1000 square feet.

Residents deserve to be recognized for water savings. They also can serve as examples to others through demonstrating ways to balance attractive design, right plants in the right place, beautiful landscaping elements, and water efficiency.

Please take a few moments to submit your landscape for an evaluation, by simply going to TampaBayWaterWise.org. The deadline for submissions is June 30.

You can learn more about Florida Friendly LandscapingTM by attending one of the many gardening classes offered by the Pasco County Extension Office by going to our website http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco/ or https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/.

Jim Moll is the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program Manager at UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension.

Published June 27, 2018

Stroll showcases spirit of patriotism

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Walkers took an old-fashioned patriotic stroll during this year’s SummerFest in Zephyrhills.

Supporters, hospice staff, volunteers and student groups from Zephyrhills schools take a patriotic stroll around the lake at Zephyr Park.
(Richard K. Riley)

The charity walk was a new element at the festival, but is expected to become an annual event.

The walk raised money to benefit hospice patients and families, with suggested donations of $10 for adult walkers and $5 for kids.

The walk took place around the lake, shortly before the fireworks display at sunset.

“We are honored to be invited to take part in the festivities at SummerFest, and I think the Old-Fashioned Patriotic Stroll will be a nice addition to the family friendly atmosphere,” Linda Ward, president and chief executive officer of Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care, said in a news release.

SummerFest, a free event, took place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills.

Other activities at SummerFest included dance and watermelon-eating contests, food vendors, bounce houses, family games and a crafter area.

Published June 27, 2018

 

Buzzin’ about bees at the Hugh Embry Library

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Ginny Geiger, a member of the Dade City Garden Club, delivered an entertaining and informative program on the importance of bees at the Hugh Embry Library.

Ginny Geiger delivers a high-energy lesson on the importance of bees. (Christine Holtzman)

Geiger led the “Nature Detectives Bee Workshop,” dispensing information and, at one point, demonstrating how a bee might act, if a wasp — an enemy of the bee — approached the hive.

In her hour-long workshop, Geiger talked about the importance of bees as pollinators.

The western honey bee, according to the University of Florida, IFAS Extension, is conceivably the most important pollinator in Florida and American Agricultural landscapes.

Three-year-old Miguel Alvarez, of Dade City, proudly shows off his bee that he made during the workshop.

Bees are critical to the food chain, and without them much of the fruits and vegetables at local supermarkets would disappear.

Besides talking about the importance of bees, Geiger also gave the children a chance to try their hand at making a bee.

The workshop, held during National Garden Week, was sponsored by the Dade City Garden Club, in coordination with the Hugh Embry Library.

The program was first developed by the St. Augustine Garden Club and is recognized by the American Library Association.

Everyone who took part received a bee swag bag — containing things to do, fun facts, a packet of flower seeds, honey samples and a copy of the book “You Wouldn’t Want to Live Without Bees.”

By Christine Holtzman

Published June 20, 2018

With her model bee in hand, 9-year-old Glorie Todd, of Dade City, listens to instructor Ginny Geiger as she speaks about the next activity, which will be sampling honey.
Seven-year-old Annabelle Harris, of Dade City, and her brother, 9-year-old Anderson, construct their model bees during a hands-on activity at the Nature Detectives program.

Deborah Roberts, of Zephyrhills, helps her grandson, 5-year-old Kaeden Roberts, construct a model bee during one of the hands-on activities given recently at the Nature Detectives Bee Workshop at the Hugh Embry Library.

Six-year-old Annette Sanchez and her mom, Leticia Alvarez, from Dade City, work together as they glue the wings on a model bee. The bee was included in the little girl’s ‘swag bag.’