Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Business Digest 08/22/2018

August 22, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Hyatt Place Hotel is open for guests at Cypress Creek Town Center, on Sierra Center Boulevard. (B.C. Manion)

Hyatt Place Hotel opens
Workers are putting finishing touches on the Hyatt Place Hotel and Convention Center at Cypress Creek Town Center, off State Road 54.

But, the 130-room hotel, at 26000 Sierra Center Blvd., is open for guests. It is near the Interstate 75 interchange and across from Tampa Premium Outlets.

It is part of the growing activity at the town center, which includes restaurants and shops.

Current retail includes Bahama Breeze Island Grill, Chuy’s Tex-Mex, Mellow Mushroom, Men’s Warehouse and Aspen Dental.

Future retail includes Burlington, Earth Fare and Five Below.

Volunteers needed
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteers to help the residents of Knight Homes, a part of the Sunrise Community Homes.

The chamber is sponsoring a day of community service to help residents by painting and doing basic landscaping.

The event will be Sept. 15 at 9 a.m., at 7809 N. Glen Ave., in Tampa.

Cash, checks, gift cards, movie tickets and event tickets also are needed.

Drop-off sites for donations will be at Uncle Maddios, 3949 Van Dyke Road in Lutz; U.S. Renal Care, 3421 N. Lakeview Drive in Tampa; and Subway, 13032 Race Track Road in Tampa.

This also is an opportunity for children who need to fulfill community service hours for school.

Donations being sought include bed linens for twin and full-size beds; washcloths, hand and bath towels; toiletries for travel or full size; and drapes for eight bedrooms.

For information, email Jody Fowler at .

Infinity Hair Salon ribbon cutting
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will host the ribbon cutting for Infinity Hair Salon on Aug. 25 from 11:30 a.m. to noon, at 6536 Stadium Drive, Suite M, in Zephyrhills.

For information, contact the chamber at (813) 782-1913 or .

East Pasco networking
The East Pasco Networking Group will meet Aug. 28 at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

Guest speaker will be Brent Nye, of Nye Commercial Advisors Inc.

For information, contact Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491 or , or Vicky Jones at (813) 431-1140 or .

Economic development briefing
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly economic briefing lunch Aug. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Hunter’s Green Country Club, 18101 Longwater Run in Tampa.

The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

For information, call (813) 994-8534, or email Grace Martin at .

Final Friday
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will have a “Final Friday” mixer Aug. 31 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Chuy’s Tex-Mex restaurant, 25750 Sierra Center Blvd., at Cypress Creek Town Center in Lutz.

There will be networking, discounted prices and happy hour specials.

The mixer is open to members and guests, who can attend two chamber events without joining the chamber.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534, or email Grace Martin at .

Women helping women
Boss Babes Network group will host a free mixer for women professionals and entrepreneurs Sept. 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Two Sisters DIY Workshop, 2020 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 4, in Lutz.

This is a monthly event to help Boss Babes make more connections and referrals. Bring business cards. There will be drawings, food, beverages and fun.

Each attendee is asked to bring a product, gift card or small gift basket for the drawings, and to show off your business.

Compiled by Kathy Steele

Sewing Center Spreads the Joy of Stitching

August 20, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The sewing scene is alive and thriving at the Sewing Center of Wesley Chapel, a community of like-minded enthusiasts dedicated to spreading the joy of sewing to anyone willing to learn.

Adriana Stenger is the enthusiastic owner and was an employee before recently taking over the business.

“We have been in Wesley Chapel for just over a year, and it’s been a great location for us, said Stenger. “Our store can help with all your sewing needs — it does not matter whether you are a seasoned sewer looking to pick up some advanced techniques, or a beginner with an itch to stitch.”

The Sewing Center sells two of the best brands of sewing machines made – Husqvarna Viking and Baby Lock, provides service and machine repairs for most manufacturers, and hosts a variety of sewing classes for adults and children of all skill levels.

“We limit the number of students to just three per class, so that every student receives the personal attention they deserve,” said Stenger.

Students usually begin by taking a class on how a sewing machine works.

“After that, they move on to technique classes and learn how to make a hem, a pleat, a ruffle,” Stenger said. “And then, little by little, students combine what they’ve learned and are ready to put together clothing.”

The Sewing Center also offers adult classes in dressmaking, embroidery and quilting. For children, it has a summer camp where youngsters spend a full day sewing and doing other crafts. And, during the school year, kids can participate in its after-school classes to work on projects and learn new techniques.

“We call this program, ‘So Cool After School,’ and we have many dedicated and accomplished student sewers,” said Stenger.

Stenger is proud of her young students and her team of teachers who instruct them. In March, two students attended the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo in Lakeland, and participated in its “Sewing’s Next Generation: Youth Fashion & Project Show.”

“We had two girls who went to the expo, and one of them won a prize for a dress she made, and the other, at only 10 years old, made a quilt!” Stenger boasted. Both girls are now taking advanced classes at her store.

In addition to selling cutting, sewing and embroidery machines, the Sewing Center also sells accessories, including stabilizers, different kinds of thread, accessories for machines, notions, pins, needles, scissors, rulers, buttons, patterns, crystals to embellish, software, vinyl, heat presses, classes, and products for costume making.

“When people buy a machine from us, or sign up for a class, they are not on their own when they leave the store,” Stenger said. “We are always here to help and take pride in giving personalized attention. Buying from us is completely different than going to a big store or ordering online.”

Stenger credits her staff for their exceptional customer service.

“We have a very good team of people working here. If not for them, this business couldn’t be, because they are very knowledgeable, and go far and beyond to help people,” she said.

Stenger and her team encourage people to learn to sew because it is a rewarding hobby.

“You create and embellish things, it’s relaxing, and it keeps your brain working. What could be better than that?” she asks.

The Sewing Center of Wesley Chapel is next to The Hungry Greek restaurant on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, across from Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. For more information, call (813) 792-1855, (813) 591-1838, or visit SewingCenterTB.com.

Bay Breeze Car Wash and Lube — Fast, Convenient and Affordable

August 20, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

No time or desire to wash your car yourself in the summer heat and humidity? Then delegate the task to a professional! Bay Breeze knows that your time is valuable and that washing your vehicle or servicing your vehicles maintenance needs shouldn’t take all day

With eight Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube locations throughout Tampa Bay, there’s no reason to have a dirty vehicle, especially now that its flagship store in New Tampa has added an express car wash option complete with membership packages like those offered at the other locations. “This is a feature that we’ve been asked about for years which is finally here,” says Scott Barone, VP of Operations. “This is an exterior-only wash. Before, you had to exit your vehicle and pay inside. We now have a system that lets our express car wash only customers remain in the vehicle, and we’ll have you out in about three minutes or less once the process starts.

To make the car washing experience even faster and more convenient, Bay Breeze offers several membership packages. Using radio-frequency identification technology, Bay Breeze attaches a sticker to a car’s windshield that enables it to identify a customer’s membership level and eliminates the inconvenience of getting out to pay at each visit.

“Customers make one low monthly payment, and then can come back as often as they want,” Barone said. “Plus, our memberships are good at all 5 Tampa locations, and will soon be good at all locations company wide.”

Bay Breeze is continually upgrading technology to provide customers with the industry’s best advances.

“We have top-of-the-line car washing equipment,” said Barone. “It is the safest equipment in the industry for washing vehicles.”

“Old technology uses a cloth material that sometimes traps particles” Barone explains. “But nothing sticks to the Enviro Soft foam we use today — it’s the best stuff on the market.”

In addition to having the best equipment, Barone also attributes his company’s success to their five key metrics: quality, service, friendly & easy to do business with, clean/orderly and safety. “We strive to do these five things better than anyone else,” he said.

Since opening 14 years ago, Bay Breeze remains a family-owned and operated business.

Terrance Ramoutar, general manager of the full service location in New Tampa, worked for the company for eight years before taking a position in the corporate world. He returned last year, because he missed the appreciative family culture at Bay Breeze.

“I’ve worked in the corporate world where nobody really knows you,” Ramoutar said. “Being back here is more of everything: more family time, more love, more appreciation.”

As a long time Bay Breeze employee, Ramoutar has come to know many of the regulars, especially the full-service and lube customers.

“I have customers who have been here since I started, ” Ramoutar said. “This is not just a car wash — it’s a place where people share stories about kids growing up, about changes in their families and neighborhoods.”

In addition to its car wash services, Bay Breeze also offers lube services at its Lutz and New Tampa locations.

“From the time we start working on your car for a lube service, our goal is to have you out of here in 15 minutes or less,” Barone said. “We keep track of when you come into the facility, and have a system in place to track it.”

Bay Breeze recently broke ground on a new express wash location in Wesley Chapel at State Route 54 and Vandine Road, located across from Saddlebrook Resort. Barone expects this location to open by the end of the year.

(813) 615-1333 • www.baybreezecarwash.com.

A Smoothie Just For You

August 20, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Have you had your smoothie today? No matter the time of day, a smoothie can be an energy drink, dessert, snack or even a nutritious meal.

“Smoothies are a universal food. We can make it fruity, make it healthy, and even make it a little naughty and extra sweet,” said Murtaza Choilawala, a local Planet Smoothie owner. “No matter your mood, a smoothie can satisfy all your food desires and needs.”

Choilawala is part owner of four Planet Smoothie establishments, including a new Planet Smoothie across from The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel.

“We open at seven in the morning, and many days we already have four or five customers waiting outside to get their smoothie for the day, especially people looking for healthy alternatives to typical fast-food breakfasts,” Choilawala said.

Planet Smoothie uses fresh ingredients that include apples, blueberries, strawberries, acai, chia seeds, matcha green tea, leafy greens, wheatgrass, whole grain oats, almond milk, and many more healthy ingredients.

“We pride ourselves on the use of fresh fruit,” Choilawala said. “We use real fruit, which means we peel our bananas and core our apples. Other fruits are flash frozen as soon as they’re picked, so they retain their flavors and nutrients.”

Planet Smoothie prides itself on its all-natural selection. It uses Truvia, a stevia-based sweetener that is naturally made, and does not use any artificial flavorings or sweeteners.

To help customers quickly find the smoothie best for them, Planet Smoothie menus are organized by the health benefits of particular smoothie groups.

“If you look at the Planet Smoothie menu, it’s divvied up by lifestyle,” Choilawala said. “What is your goal? Do you want a smoothie to give you energy, help you lose weight, or supplement your nutrient and protein intake for the day?” asked Choilawala.

He goes on to explain that energy smoothies give a little kick to help get through the day, Planet Lite smoothies are low on calories, superfood smoothies provide daily essentials of vitamins and nutrients, and protein smoothies are good for those who work out and want to bulk up.

Planet Smoothie also offers a list of add-ins, and encourages customers to experiment and pick their own flavors to create their own custom smoothie.

“We can work with you to create whatever you want,” said Choilawala. “Typically, if you give us a few fruits, we’ll start you off at a base. Or, we can just swap out strawberries and bananas for something else. We’re pretty flexible — you don’t have to follow a menu.”

Choilawala also emphasizes that Planet Smoothie focuses on more than just product quality.

“Although we are a franchise model, each store is locally owned and operated. We’re a family business,” he said. “Customer service is a big focus for the Planet Smoothie brand. It’s not just a great smoothie, but it’s a great experience. We train our employees to make sure that they meet the needs of the customer.”

Try a smoothie at the new Planet Smoothie Wesley Chapel location off State Road 56, directly across from The Shops at Wiregrass. For more information, call (813) 388-9585.

America’s Finest Beach is in Clearwater

August 15, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Standing on baby-powder white sand, starring out at the gentle lulling of the Gulf’s waves, I realized how lucky we are here on Florida’s West Coast to live so close to Clearwater Beach.

It’s the ideal beach to swim, stroll for shells, watch birds and people, eat in some really good beach restaurants, or just sit on a beach towel and read a good book.

A lifeguard stand on Clearwater Beach adds a whimsical touch to one of the world’s best beaches. It came in seventh in the world in the 2018 TripAdvisor Best Beaches Contest, the only American beach on the world list. (Karen Haymon Long)

If you want to, you can go fishing on Pier 60, rent a Jet Ski or a paddleboard, or soar over the water in a parasail pulled by a boat. You can even cruise past the beach aboard a pirate ship.

All this and more made Clearwater Beach the No. 1 beach in America in 2018, thanks to TripAdvisor’s annual poll of those who visit the popular travel website. It came in a powerful seventh in the world among beaches. And, it was the only beach in America on this year’s world list.

Sometimes tourists find the beach more often than locals do, thanks to its prominence on travel websites, in newspapers and guidebooks.

USA Today ranked it the second-best beach in Florida in 2015. (First: Gulf Islands National Seashore in Pensacola). Two years earlier, the newspaper called Clearwater Beach the best beach town in Florida.

Ironically, Clearwater Beach is not a town at all, but part of the city of Clearwater, whose logo proudly proclaims “Clearwater Bright and Beautiful Bay to Beach.”

The beach is definitely something to be proud of: TripAdvisor recommends 93 things to do in Clearwater. Going to its beach comes in first.

Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar, on Clearwater Beach, has been offering beachgoers good food, music and spectacular sunset views since 1926.

Lots of changes have come to the beach in the last decade. You’ll notice them right away if you haven’t been in a while.

New upscale, pricey hotels — Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, Opal Sands Resort, Sandpearl Resort, Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa — have all joined what used to be mostly mom and pop motels.

The picturesque Clearwater Beach Walk, a broad promenade lined with palms, billowing grasses and outdoor showers with comical green turtle sculptures on top, now skirts the beach from Pier 60, at the western end of State Road 60, heading south a half mile.

It’s a fun place to people-watch and to ride a bike or skate, when it’s not too crowded. Otherwise, it makes a nice path for walking along the beach, or to go to lunch or dinner in a nearby bar or restaurant.

The restaurants also make Clearwater Beach a great place to visit. They are numerous and varied, and many offer tasty grouper sandwiches, fish spread and other fresh seafood.

Clearwater Beach’s Pier 60 is a popular place for fishing, bird-watching and Sunset Celebrations, which happen every day all year around. If you don’t fish, you can rent a Jet Ski to take a spin in the Gulf.

Frenchy’s alone has four restaurants, all with excellent food and service, and all within a short walk to the beach.

Heilman’s Beachcomber Restaurant, opened in 1948, is a longtime favorite of old Clearwater families, who have spread the word to younger generations.

And, Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar, with its inn next door, has long been a popular spot for good food, live music and unparalleled sunset views. It opened in 1926 and has been owned by the same family for 44 years.

If you want to get an idea of why Clearwater Beach got its name, go to VisitStPeteClearwater.com, and look at the webcam “Live from Clearwater Beach.’’ You can see in the photos just how clear the water really can be and how green or blue, depending on the sunlight.

You can see the wide swaths of powdery white sand and little kids skimboarding, digging in the sand with beach shovels or flying kites.

Act like a pirate and take a cruise on Captain Memo’s Pirate Ship that goes into the Gulf of Mexico in front of Clearwater Beach. The ship offers sunset and daytime cruises, as well as children’s parties and activities. Visit CaptainMemo.com for prices and times, or call (727) 446-2587.

If you go yourself – and you really should if you can – you can rent a colorful beach umbrella or a cabana and chairs, or bring your own, and your own cooler, too. Just don’t bring alcohol. It isn’t allowed on the beach.

We like to park in the paid public lot between Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar and Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, off Rockaway Street. We lay our towels on the beach and walk north, where it’s quieter and fewer people go. Homes, some opulent and others more modest, face out to the Gulf on this part of the beach that has limited parking, unlike farther south.

If you walk south, you’ll likely pass Pier 60, where anglers fish day and night for redfish, snook, Spanish mackerel, trout, snapper, flounder and even sharks.

The 1,080-foot fishing pier has a bait shop, sells drinks, food and souvenirs, and offers Gulf glimpses from telescopes.

Two hours before and after sunset every evening, the pier puts on “Sunset Celebrations,’’ drawing crowds to see colorful sunsets, listen to music, watch street performers and buy local crafts.

But, the Gulf is the star here and the main reason many come from all over the world. Its waters near shore are shallow, its waves usually gently lap onto the sugary sand, leaving treasured shells for everyone to find and take home.

Tips for the Trip
How to get there: State Road 60, or Court Street, in downtown Clearwater, heads west over the Clearwater Memorial Causeway straight to the beach. The main beach drags are Gulf Boulevard to the south and Mandalay Avenue to the north.

The Jolley Trolley offers daily shuttles from a few downtown Clearwater paid parking lots. Trolley tickets are $2.25, or $5 for daily passes. For details, visit ClearwaterJolleyTrolley.com, or call (727) 445-1200.

If you drive, check out where to park on a detailed map at MyClearwater.com/parking, or call (727) 562-4704. It is best to go early to find a good spot. Parking machines take credit cards, cash and coins.

Boat racing event: If you like speedboat races, go see the 10th Annual Hooters Clearwater Super Boat National Championship Sept. 30 off Clearwater Beach. Events start on Sept. 28 and run through the day of the race, with a parade, food trucks, music and more on downtown Cleveland Street and nearby Coachman Park. Watch the races from Pier 60 for $20, or $10 for children. Free viewing from the beach. See the race schedule at SuperBoat.com, and click on Clearwater.

Gulf book: University of Florida history professor Jack E. Davis recently won a Pulitzer Prize for his highly readable “The Gulf – The Making of an American Sea.” To learn the fascinating history of this watery treasure, read this book, now out in paperback. It will make you want to get into your car and head to the Gulf of Mexico, and maybe even to take a stand to protect it.

By Karen Haymon Long

Published August 15, 2018

Laker/Lutz News picks up seven statewide journalism awards

August 15, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The Laker/Lutz News received seven awards in the Florida Press Association’s Weekly Newspaper contest for work completed in 2017.

Hurricane Irma dumped quite a bit of rain, leaving behind flooded roads in Dade City. (Stefanie Burlingame)

The competition included a total of 1,439 entries from 64 newspapers. Judges for the contest were editors and publishers from Arizona, California, Colorado, Ohio, Missouri, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York. The awards were announced on Aug. 10 in Orlando.

The Laker/Lutz News took home three first place awards, two second place awards and two third place awards. It competed among newspapers with circulations exceeding 13,000 — the largest circulation class in the contest.

“The awards we received this year from Florida Press are reflective of the good work our journalists do every week reporting on the issues in our communities,” said Publisher Diane Kortus. “This year, I am especially proud that every member of our news team was recognized, and that their work covered such a wide variety of topics.”

A dual-outboard motorboat tows the full water ballet team, which looks like a chorus line on water skis. (Fred Bellet)

Staff writer Kathy Steele took first place honors in the Education Reporting category for a story she wrote about the Spring Fling Buddy Ball at Wesley Chapel High School.

Steele also took third place in the State and Local Tax Reporting category for a story she did about the use of tourist taxes to help finance the Wiregrass sports complex in Wesley Chapel.

Stefanie Burlingame, the newspaper’s graphic designer, took first place in Spot News photography for her shot of a flooded River Road in Dade City, in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

The newspaper also captured the top two places in the category of Photo Series in One Issue.

This silver quarter-scale World War II Wildcat fighter plane is one of the 48 registered model planes that took flight on Nov. 18 at the Bay City Flyers meet in Land O’ Lakes. Scot Prossen owns the plan, which has more than 608 flight hours on it. (Randy Underhill)

Fred Bellet, a regular contributor, won first place in that category for a series of photos he shot to illustrate a story about The Tampa Bay Water Ski Show Team’s free performance at Tower Lake in Oldsmar.

Randy Underhill, also a regular contributor, won second place in that category for a series of photos he shot to showcase the activities of the Bay City Flyers, a radio-controlled flying club, which meets in Land O’ Lakes.

Editor B.C. Manion received second place in the Faith and Family category for her account of a Land O’ Lakes family grappling with the uncertainty of whether their son had survived Hurricane Maria. The hurricane ravaged the island of Dominica, where their son was in medical school.

Staff writer Kevin Weiss won third place in the Community History category for his story tracing the history of the Jewish community in Tampa, which dates back more than 170 years.

Published August 15, 2018

Kids get new looks as they head back to school

August 15, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

My Salon Suite, at 20707 Center Oak Dr., in Tampa, partnered with Dr. Bou Pediatrics and Young Chef’s Academy to give kids a chance to get their hair cut, just in time to head back to school. Those donating school supplies could get free haircuts. The event also featured face painting, frozen treats and a bouncy house. The donations collected will benefit Metropolitan Ministries and Quail Hollow Elementary. My Salon Suite franchise owner Heather Tomasello plans to make this an annual community event.

Linette Gonzalez-Fuentes, owner of Fuentes Fantabulous Fun, holds a mirror up so that 6-year-old Nicole Panepinto, of Land O’ Lakes, can see how the design turned out. The youngster’s smile communicates her approval. (Christine Holtzman)

After getting their faces painted, 8-year-old Ankhilan Munkherdene, of Tampa, left, and 6-year-old Lewis Lynn, of Brandon, beat the afternoon heat and sit inside the lobby of My Salon Suite to eat their frozen treats.

Eight-year-old K.C. Jao, of Wesley Chapel, gets a new hairdo for back to school by stylist Wislynn Cosmay, of Hair By Wyss. Cosmay was one of the stylists who donated time to an event to provide free haircuts to children, with a donation of school supplies. My Salon Suite partnered with their plaza neighbors, Dr. Bou Pediatrics and Young Chef’s Academy, for the Back to School event.

Creating beauty through artistic expression

August 15, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Jaime’s Adult Day Care, at 18950 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz, gives seniors who have memory impairments a place where they can make new friends and have fun with a variety of activities. In addition to their Expressive Arts program, the center provides numerous weekly activities, such as live musical acts, exercise programs, games to stimulate the mind, therapeutic endeavors, and more. The center has been recognized for the quality of its Expressive Arts program.

Jaime’s Adult Day Care member Katherine McCloskey pays careful attention to the lines while painting in a hibiscus leaf. (Christine Holtzman)

Several members, deep in concentration, channel their inner artist during one of the recent Expressive Arts programs at the center. They are painting a hibiscus flower that had been drawn on fabric, which will later become a small pillow.

Kay Manka, the activities coordinator for Jaime’s Adult Day Care, left, helps Betty Barnes, of Tampa, to paint a leaf that will become part of a hibiscus flower pillow she is making during the Expressive Arts program at the center. Jaime’s Adult Day Care, at 18950 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz, provides seniors with memory impairments a place where they can make new friends and have fun with many stimulating activities throughout the day.

Hundreds show their enthusiasm for ‘Hamiltunes’

August 8, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The popularity of the Broadway musical hit “Hamilton: An American Musical” displayed itself at a local event aimed at bringing together “Hamilfans” of all ages. Hundreds turned up at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library on July 28 to watch or participate in “Hamiltunes.” The officially sanctioned sing- and rap-along gives singers a chance to supply their vocals to accompany the musical’s instrumental soundtrack. Besides the sing-along, there were craft tables where people could make Alexander Hamilton-inspired crafts. Those attending also could attempt ‘escaping’ from a Hamilton-themed escape room. The fasted group to solve riddles and discover clues won a prize. The library is at 2902 W. Bearss Ave., in Tampa.

Taking a break from coloring her Hamilton-themed picture at one of the craft tables, 2 ½-year-old Lilly Smith, of Riverview, looks around the room and enjoys the music. She was there with her mom, Angel Borths, a huge fan of the musical. (Christine Holtzman)

Fourteen-year-old Asher Montgomery, of Tampa, and her 12-year-old sister Morissey, perform a duet to the song ‘Right Hand Man.’ The sisters are super fans, and recently have organized and performed in their own ‘Hamilton’ neighborhood production in Seminole Heights.

Wearing a King George cape, 12-year-old Annabella McTigue, of Lutz, gives an energetic performance of the song ‘You’ll Be Back.’

Touching is encouraged at this event

August 8, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Kids are accustomed to hearing the expression, ‘Don’t Touch,’ but at ‘Touch-A-Truck – Saturday in the Square,’ they were encouraged to climb into or onto a variety of vehicles that provide public services and emergency help. Children checked out the controls of an excavator, sat in the driver’s seat of a police car and waved from the interior of a school bus, among other things, on a recent morning in downtown Zephyrhills. The free event was hosted by Main Street Zephyrhills. A portion of Fifth Avenue was closed to traffic to give families and children to get close to the vehicles, and have a chance to meet the people who operate them.