The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Connerton — Much More Than Just A Place To Live

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In the heart of Pasco County in Land O’ Lakes, the community of Connerton continues to grow, as hundreds of new homes are built for people of all ages, fulfilling their dreams to live in a community that offers much more than just a place to live.

Connerton provides more for its residents than other planned communities because it has been designated a “New Town” by the Florida Legislature. Being a New Town means Connerton can create opportunities for a diverse tax base and future job generation, offering residents a community where they can live, work and play!

More Amenities.
Club Connerton serves as the community’s social hub and sports recreation center. Its resort-style pool and its unique giant water bucket is a favorite of Connerton youngsters, who rush to get drenched by the fast-falling water. An outdoor grill and game area were recently added for residents’ enjoyment, and the latest in exercise equipment is found at the Fit and Flourish room. Tennis, pickleball and basketball courts are part of the amenity complex, where residents are always welcome to join in pickup games.

More Family Fun.
A full-time activities director and support staff offer a complete spectrum of activities designed to please the little ones, teenagers and adults. These include yoga, Pilates, girls’ night out, cigar night, dive-in movies, community yard sales, Winter Wonderland and the annual Independence Day Celebration that draws more than 7,000 attendees.

In January, Connerton was the proud recipient of the 2018 Gold Award for Best Lifestyle Program for a Community during the National Association of Home Builders Sales and Marketing Awards gala in Orlando. Entries were submitted from around the nation, and Connerton walked away with the top award, edging out communities from California, Texas and South Florida.

More Nature and Trails.
With Connerton’s appreciation of nature, green space and conservation areas, residents enjoy more than 7 miles of trails and oversized sidewalks to bike, walk or simply enjoy a family stroll. A scenic 2-mile trail winds its way through natural wilderness, lakes and wetlands, and includes elevated boardwalks for bird watching and viewing other Florida wildlife.

Adjacent to Connerton is Conner Preserve — almost 3,000 acres of wildlife habitat donated by Connerton and managed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.  Biking, camping, hiking, equestrian use and model airplane flying are some of the recreational activities found in the Preserve.

More Quality Schools.
Connerton Elementary is conveniently located within its borders and offers many school-based activities, including band and chorus, a Fall Festival, Science Fair and PTA special events. Residents can also register their children at close-by Sanders Memorial Elementary, a STEAM magnet school specializing in science, technology, engineering, art and math. 

Older students attend Pine View Middle School, which has the distinct honor of being Pasco County’s first International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Candidate School. Land O’ Lakes High School is located right down the road and is the assigned high school. An A-rated school and designated International Baccalaureate World School, Land O’ Lakes High has been named ‘One of America’s Best Public Schools’ by U.S. News & World Report. Private, charter and parochial schools are also in the area.

More Parks.
Who doesn’t love a park? Residents looking for a place to picnic, or just a quiet place to read, visit one of the many neighborhood parks – Connerton Cove, Garden Party Park, Magnolia Park or Storybrook Park, which is also home to the community dog park.

More for All.
It’s easy to see why Connerton is “The Community of More…” If you’re looking to move, a visit to Connerton is well worth your time to visit. Five quality builders offer many floors plans and homesites. Models by M/I Homes, Lennar, Homes by WestBay and Inland Homes are open seven days a week. Luxury custom homebuilder Arthur Rutenberg Homes has 90-foot homesites available in the gated area of Rose Pointe.

For additional information, call (813) 996-5800, or visit Connerton.com.

Published April 25, 2018

Evening serves up belly dancers, the Macarena, food and prizes

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The Lutz Senior Center was abuzz with activity during its Spring Fling dance.

Members from many of Hillsborough County’s six senior centers put on their dancing shoes and hit the dance floor at the Lutz center on the evening of April 7.

And, this wasn’t your stereotypical senior citizen’s dance.

Dancers show off their Macarena moves on a crowded dance floor. (Christine Holtzman)

There were laser lights projecting on the dance floor, people were getting down to the Macarena and the Bee Gees, and there was even a Tampa fusion belly dance group, called Troupe Khaleda.

The place was jammed with people, who besides dancing, chatting and singing along, enjoyed a shredded pork and rice dinner, and a chance to win prizes.

Girl Scouts from Troop 717 in Lutz circulated through the room, doling out bottles of water to the thirsty crowd.

Frances Duran Brea, the general manager of the six Hillsborough County Senior Centers, shares a laugh with Raul Diaz before she takes the microphone to welcome everyone to the Lutz Senior Center Spring Fling dance.

Raul Diaz, a native of Puerto Rico, who now lives in Lutz, kept things lively — addressing those gathered in both English and Spanish — as the evening’s unofficial emcee.

Volunteer Martie Saxenmeyer, of Lutz, worked the door, having arrivals sign in and making sure they got a raffle ticket to have a chance at a prize.

She estimated the crowd at around 100, and said it was one of the biggest turnouts ever for the spring dance.

Nieves Villamediana, of New Tampa, is a big fan of the gathering place for seniors.

“There are so many beautiful things about the Lutz Senior Center,” she said, noting the most important part is that “It keeps us feeling useful, and it keeps us busy.”

Angela Garcia, of Carrollwood, left, watches as her friend Nieves Villamediana, of New Tampa, reacts with excitement to a question posed by Frances Duran Brea, general manager of the six Hillsborough County Senior Centers. Brea wanted to know who was at the dance representing the Lutz Senior Center.

Her friend, Angela Garcia, of Carrollwood, was at the center for the first time.

“I’ll be back,” she said, with a grin.

Frances Duran Brea, general manager of the Hillsborough County Senior Centers, said the dance is just one of the social events for active older adults that takes place at the centers.

Besides social events, typically held once a quarter, there are also numerous health and wellness programs available throughout the week.

Mike Coleman, manager of the Lutz Senior Center, said there also are weekly field trips and programs that focus on nutrition and safety.

Coleman characterizes the center’s staff and members as “one big family that welcomes everyone.”

The center, he said, makes a real difference in people’s lives.

“Many were not dancing before they joined the center. They would just sit at home, isolated and watching television. The center gives them that family presence they may not otherwise have. And, the activities and programs that we offer keep these seniors mentally and physically healthy,” Coleman said.

Business sponsors, including Walmart and Publix, helped to make the evening of dancing, dinner and door prizes possible.

By Christine Holtzman

B.C. Manion contributed to this report

Published April 25, 2018

Martie Saxenmeyer, of Lutz, and Gordon Christensen, of Brandon, don’t hold back: They do the Macarena, while singing at the same time.

 

Victor Aguilla, left, of Brandon, teaches Girl Scout Avery Michael, 10, of Lutz, some steps from a dance that is not familiar to the younger crowd.

An afternoon of Chinese food and fun

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On April 13, approximately 40 residents and friends visited Lings Chinese Buffet in Lakeland. This was our monthly lunch connoisseurs get-together.

Greg Thomas with a platter full of goodies. (Courtesy of Helene Rubenstein)

The luncheon was hosted by Sandy and Al Lindke, and we all had an excellent time.

Before the lunch started, Galen Parker was good enough to say grace, while we bowed our heads in a moment of silence.

We got there a little early, but the room was held for us. We passed through the  front room, where they had some fish in a small pond (in the center of the room) and proceeded to our tables.

The interior of the restaurant was very nice, and the buffet was excellent. They had salad, soups, main dishes (chicken, chow mein, rice, vegetables and more.)

Linda and Dave Tutin

For dessert, they had several types of melon, ice cream with a few toppings, plus cookies. 

We certainly had our fill, and I don’t think anyone went home hungry.

We spent a good hour and a half just mingling and small talk about several subjects.

The lunch connoisseurs will still go on in the summer months, but many of our residents are returning to their other homes that are elsewhere. 

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

Joan and Dave Lawrence

 

Robert and Jean Sanders

 

Ginny and Bob Couchman

 

Bill and Ginny Sarver

 

Galen Parker enjoying his meal!

 

The ultimate path of I-75 shaped Pasco County’s future

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Robert Frost has a famous poem that talks about two roads diverging in the woods, and how taking the one less traveled by made all of the difference.

In Pasco County’s case, the final alignment of Interstate 75 had similar, far-reaching implications.

Back in the 1960s, before I-75 began construction, locals debated with state officials about where the interstate highway should go.

This 1956 photograph shows a dirt road, which would later be paved to become State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of the Department of Transportation, State Archives of Florida)

The county’s power base in Dade City argued for a path closer to that settlement, which at the time had a population of about 4,700.

After all, it was the largest town between Ocala and Tampa during the 1960s.

Several interstate routes already had been moved — in response to public outcry around the state — including in Ocala, Tampa and Wildwood.

Dade City leaders decided to push for an alignment closer to their community, which they believed would be an economic boost.

In 1961, the Dade City Chamber championed moving I-75’s path closer to the city.

The Pasco County Commission passed a resolution favoring the shift.

Commissioners proposed that the route would leave Hernando County and continue south, passing west of Trilby, and continuing to a point about 1 ½ miles northwest of Dade City, then turning southwest to pass 2 miles west of Dade City, and 1 mile east of St. Leo.

Sydney Houston, of the Dade City Chamber, led a public relations campaign that encouraged telegrams and letter-writing.

Those pushing for I-75 to be closer to Dade City lamented the damage that had been done to the city’s economic prowess from the closing of Cummer & Sons Cypress in Lacoochee and from the discontinuation of single-strength canning at Pasco Packing.

They predicted that I-75 circumventing the town would trigger additional economic stress.

They claimed the official plan to enter the state at the Georgia line and then move due south to the Sumter-Hernando County line, where it veered to the southwest toward Tampa, would hurt Pasco County whose population and power base was in the eastern portion of the county.

Popular sentiments claimed Pasco would benefit more, if the interstate sliced through an area closer to Dade City.

This 1956 photograph shows a well-paved Highway 52 near Dade City, as compared to the dirt road near Wesley Chapel.

Initially, their efforts made little headway.

Gov. Farris Bryant retorted that the present alignment of I-75 was justified, via John R. Phillips, chairman of the State Road Board.

However, in response to community outcry, a public hearing was set at the county courthouse on Aug. 8, 1961.

More than 200 people crowded into the circuit courtroom.

O. Perry, state road department engineer, listened intently.

Pasco Commissioner Robert K. Butler pleaded for the I-75 shift.

County Clerk of the Circuit Court Stanley Burnside contended that I-75’s bypassing Dade City would ignore an essential resource — the National Guard unit of the 51st Infantry stationed in Dade City. That unit would be deployed to metropolitan centers in need, and moving I-75 would delay its response times, he said.

Dade City Chamber Director Ed Carren proclaimed by realigning the route the greatest number of people would be served — including Pasco’s largest population living in Dade City, San Antonio, Lacoochee and Zephyrhills, and residents in neighboring Lakeland, Plant City and other communities, in Polk and Hillsborough counties.

George Sanford, a city planner from Lakeland, and representatives of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce endorsed the plan. They believed the thoroughfare would provide direct access to U.S. 98.

Attorney Bill Larkin, who had been instrumental in getting U.S. 301 positioned through Dade City, pointed to the scenic beauty that the altered route would allow motorists to view – the hills, groves and land of the area.

This 1966 photo shows the completed Interstate 75, near the closest access to Dade City. Resident Jeanette Reilly, a retired educator and a member of the Pasco County History Society, recalled that soon after completion of I-75, one could travel for several miles without seeing another driver. Note in this photograph, there are just four cars.

Undoubtedly, the Dade City contingent did not anticipate the opposition that would be wielded by the towns of San Antonio and Brooksville.

San Antonio Mayor Joe Herrmann was worried that the new route would cut through the middle of several small citrus groves, whereas the current route passed through large acreages allowing resulting damages to be more easily absorbed.

Representatives from Brooksville, the county seat of neighboring Hernando County, had grown accustomed to the existing plan and stood firm in their defense of the governor’s map.

Dade City’s champions failed in their efforts to shift I-75’s path.

If they had prevailed, Burnside, now 97, is confident the altered path would have made a real difference in Dade City’s economic development.

Instead, it was Wesley Chapel’s growth that was fueled by I-75’s path.

What a difference an interstate makes
Growth in the aftermath of I-75 literally put Wesley Chapel on the map.

The community had fewer than 100 residents before I-75 was built — about 2 ½ times smaller than the population needed, to be recognized by a circle on the map by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Throughout most of its history, Wesley Chapel had been known for its open ranges, lumber and turpentine-making operations, and sparse population.

Highway 54 was a dirt path used by carts to haul resin to the turpentine stills and for wagons to carry lumber from sawmills to the railroad line.

But since I-75 sliced through, the landscape in Wesley Chapel has changed from a place dominated by orange groves and cattle ranches to one which features scores of housing subdivisions, a hospital, a state college, numerous schools, two regional shopping malls, several churches and all sorts of businesses.

Wesley Chapel’s population has grown. U.S. Census figures put the community’s population at more than 44,000 in 2016. That compares to Dade City’s population of 7,099, at the same time.

Still, both communities have their strengths.

Wesley Chapel residents have more choices, now.

Dade City residents, though, can enjoy the quiet streets, historic buildings and ambience that combine to give the community its widely recognized Old Florida charm.

By Madonna Jervis Wise

Madonna Jervis Wise is a local historian who has written local history books about Dade City, Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel.

Published April 18, 2018

Celebrating the value of good deeds

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The threat of rain and severe weather cut short the festivities for the first annual Appreciate Pasco Festival at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, but that didn’t detract from the purpose of the event — which was to call attention to the good people do.

Jim Mason, a singer and songwriter from Spring Hill, performs on the Heritage Park stage. He’s been a musician for more than 40 years. (Randy Underhill)

The event was organized as a way to celebrate local Pasco County volunteers, as well as recognize International Good Deeds Day.

Good Deeds Day was established in 2007, and during the past decade it has swept across the globe, including people of all cultures and backgrounds. Last year, the international day was celebrated in 100 countries, making it the largest and most far-reaching global day of good.

The Pasco County event, held April 15, was the first of its kind in Tampa Bay and was planned by a group of Pasco County volunteer activists.

Despite the uncooperative weather, those attending were enthusiastic, and in a generally good mood.

There was plenty of music, provided by Florida Folk Show, WMNF radio station, food by Whaley’s BBQ and Sno Shack, and local volunteer venders.

Next year, Good Deeds Day will be held around the world on April 9, and that will also mark Pasco County’s second annual Appreciate Pasco.

By Randy Underhill

Published April 18, 2018

Lis Saltigerald, left, and Denise Johnson with Pasco Pride, represented one of several organizations at the festival.
Jason Bean and his dog, Busterbrown, relax and enjoy music performed by Florida Folk Show singers and songwriters at the first Appreciate Pasco: A Community Volunteer Appreciation Festival.
Isabella Churilla, seated, of New Tampa, applies paint to her rock at the CPRock tent, as Tracy Teza-Kersey, middle, and owner Alison Foster observe at a festival aimed to express appreciation on April 15 at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.
Big Jim Allen, a singer and songwriter from the Florida Folk Show, entertains the crowd during the Appreciate Pasco: A Community Volunteer Appreciation Festival.
Phlebotomist Dolly Torris, of Tampa, takes blood from donor Zakir Shareef, 25, from New Port Richey, in the Big Red Bus parked in the field of Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park during the festival.
Tom Soudiero, a singer and songwriter from Dade City, was the first performer of the day. Here, he’s singing one of his original songs.

Charlie the Dog helps children read at local library

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While many dogs know how to fetch and roll, Charlie has an unusual talent: He can encourage children to read.

Using the illustrations, 22-month-old Harper Ruff, of New Tampa, interprets the Louise Yates book ‘Dog Loves Drawing’ to Victoria Hanley, left, Charlie, the toddler’s mother Peiying Ruff, center, and her father Michael Ruff during her reading session at the Land O’ Lakes library. (Christine Holtzman)

Charlie is a therapy dog and is part of the R.E.A.D. team, along with library assistant Victoria Hanley, of Lutz.

The pair are involved in a new program at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, called “Read with Charlie the Dog.”

R.E.A.D. is an international program that seeks to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of registered therapy teams as literacy mentors.

Dogs like Charlie must complete a rigorous training period followed by passing a series of tests to qualify as a “Reading Education Assistance Dog.”

Hanley and Charlie each completed their training with Courteous Canine Inc., in Lutz, in December of 2017, to become an official R.E.A.D. team.

Victoria Hanley lets Charlie help pick out a book to add to his personal collection affectionately called ‘Charlie’s Favorites.’

Hanley said she was inspired to become a R.E.A.D. volunteer many years ago when she first encountered the program in Lee County.

At the time, both her young daughters were diagnosed with dyslexia, and she found that just being in the presence of a therapy dog had strong physiological effects, a calming influence that helped her children gain the confidence to read aloud.

Hanley also noted that reading to a dog helps on all fronts because a dog is nonjudgmental and helps children relax. The experience often helps to increase a child’s desire to develop his or her own reading skills.

The program is being offered for children at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library on Tuesdays, with four sessions available per afternoon.

Children taking part get 15 minutes of one-on-one time with Charlie and can bring their own book or choose one from Charlie’s personal collection affectionately known as “Charlie’s Favorites.”

A signed waiver is required.

To schedule an appointment with the R.E.A.D. team, call the library at (813) 929-1214.

By Christine Holtzman

Published April 11, 2018

Six-year-old Emma Jane DeKort, left, reads the Dr. Seuss book ‘King Looie Katz’ from her iPad to Charlie and his handler Victoria Hanley. Emma Jane chose this book because she thought Charlie would enjoy hearing about the King’s tail, since Charlie has a tail, too.
Three-year-old Travis West, left, pets Charlie, while his 5-year-old brother, Jordan, reads with Charlie’s handler Victoria Hanley.

A potluck and ice cream social

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Jerry Raffa and Germaine Marion (Courtesy of Marty Rubenstein)

On March 25, we had a potluck in the community center. Nancy Huey arranged for this to occur and did a marvelous job of getting everyone together. Unfortunately, she was unable to attend that day, so Ron and Rachel Gamache were kind enough to fill her shoes and get it started.

Each table had a number and, before tables were called, Jim Leitzke said grace, while the rest of the people bowed their heads in silence.

Eighty-five to 90 people filled their plates with the different foods that were offered. The social club provided the ham, and it was simply delicious. This, along with the many side dishes provided for a nice meal. There were many desserts to choose from, including cherry cake, apple squares, chocolate chip cookies and more.

Just a few of the tables at the potluck.

There were several helpers, and they each knew exactly what to do, so things went very efficiently.

On March 28, we had an ice cream social, and we celebrated Al Lindke’s birthday with a delicious cake. Well over 100 residents joined in for the birthday celebration, plus the ice cream social that consisted of many toppings and two delicious flavors of ice cream.  There was so much that we were able to go back for more.

The social was hosted by Joyce and Ron Bell, Chuck and Shirley Carlson, Ron and Rachel Gamache, Robbie Lockard, Sandy and Al Lindke, Rosie Semian, Greg Thomas and Barbara Williams. Donna Scott cut the cake.

Brownies with jelly beans.

They had every topping imaginable, including strawberries, bananas, pineapple chunks, chocolate and rainbow sprinkles, tiny M & Ms, tiny peanut butter M & Ms, Butterfingers crunch, peanuts, cherries and whipped cream, plus hot chocolate syrup, coffee and tea.

It was a lovely afternoon and, between the ice cream and cake, we walked away filled to capacity.

We would all like to thank the people who worked to make this function as memorable as it was. 

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

Baseball and magic

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Twenty residents from Grand Horizons went to a Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees game in Tampa at Steinbrenner field on March 23. The stadium was really nice, and the game was exciting.

Elliott Smith prepares for the show. (Courtesy of Marty Rubenstein)

There is something special in seeing a live game. It started out as a pitching duel, as there were no hits or runs the first several innings but, eventually, Boston broke loose and scored a few runs. It was still a close game, but Boston won.

Our thanks go out to Tom Carter who arranged the game outing and the transportation that picked us up at the community center. He did a fine job, and we thank him for it.

The following night, on March 24, 92 Grand Horizon residents and visitors enjoyed a comedy- magic show. Terry Gardner was the host and arranged for the show. A few minutes before the show started, Terry Gardner told us several cute jokes to prepare us for the show.

Ron Gamache then introduced Elliott Smith with a few words about where he has performed.  Smith came on stage to a loud applause.

Tim Holt with a full cup of water on his head alongside Elliott Smith.

He asked if anyone in the audience could spare $50. After several moments had expired, Joan Lawrence produced the $50. When she loaned it to him, Elliott started to fold it in half to double her money. At one point in the performance, he actually did double it to $100 and was going to hand it to Joan, (but she wasn’t fast enough to accept) so he withdrew it, and it eventually turned back to the original amount. He had Joan read the serial number on the bill, while he wrote it down on a blackboard. Elliott then performed some type of skit with the money, and eventually it disappeared into thin air. 

That was the end of the skit until sometime later in the show, he had Joan retrieve a box that was sealed. She brought the box up to him, and inside was a smaller box that he gave to her.  She opened the box and found her bill with the same serial number that he had written on the board. How it was done was beyond me!

Joyce Bell doing a hankie trick with Elliott Smith.

Next, he brought Joyce Bell up to the stage. With her, he did some type of magic skit that involved red and green handkerchiefs. It was interesting and had everyone in the audience wondering how it was done.

He also called up Eugene Martin to do a rope trick. It involved three pieces of rope, and one was longer than the other. It left people scratching their heads in wonderment.

Several more people were called up to the stage, but there was one real cute performance that involved Rachel Gamache. It was a mind-reading game or body language demonstration and was hilarious.

Rachel pulled a card with the word ‘eat’ written on it. Elliott then asked if the letter “e” was in the word. Of course Rachel said “yes,” and now the fun starts.

Bill Donlon doing a paper trick with Elliott Smith.

Elliott  wrote down “sex” for the audience to see. At this time, the audience was thinking that the word was “sex.” Elliott proceed to ask Rachel leading questions, and she responded with the truth as she really had the word “eat,” but the audience thought it was “sex” and laughed a lot. Questions like, ”Do you do it several times a day?”

At the end of the game, Elliott asked Rachel what the word was and when she responded with “eat,” we all laughed.

Bill Donlon  also went on the stage to help Elliott with a cut-and-restore tissue paper trick.  This had us all in stitches with the antics that Bill performed with Elliott. After several movements and dance steps, Elliott pulled the paper from his throat. Everyone was laughing, including Bill. 

Eugene Martin wearing special glasses on stage.

There were several more magic tricks, but the last one was very cute. It involved having Tim Holton helping Elliott with the “how to vanish water” trick.

Elliott and Tim went through the entire segment and had everyone laughing. How the trick ended was, when each cup was filled with water and placed on top of the head, now the cup is turned over and with “trust and belief” it should be empty and, you know what? It was empty!

We all left the community center full of laughter and questions on how each trick was performed.

We thank Terry for the entertainment and look forward to December, when more shows will be announced.

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

Everything Is Alive and Blooming In Connerton

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Spring brings new life, and everything is coming alive in the beautiful, award-winning community of Connerton in Land O’ Lakes.

Flowers are blooming, trees are budding and wildlife is nesting. New families are also nesting, with 60 new buyers choosing Connerton as their home since the beginning of the year.

Connerton was honored to be one of the 2018 Showcase Communities for the annual Parade of Homes sponsored by the Tampa Bay Builders Association, held March 3 to March 11. More than 200 visitors came to Connerton during the Parade, with many looking to find their dream home in this premiere Central Pasco community.

Love of Nature
With the advent of spring, Connerton comes alive not only with new homes, but also with Florida wildlife that is abundant in its conservation areas, wetlands and ponds that make up this eco-friendly community.

New homebuyers choose Connerton because they want to enjoy nature at their backdoor and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Drive through Connerton and you may encounter a gopher tortoise crossing the road, sandhill cranes teaching their chicks the ways of the world, or perhaps a new fawn prancing through the woods with its mother. So be sure to be careful on Connerton’s roads, especially this time of the year.

Connerton residents are very protective of their wildlife. It is not uncommon to see cars stop to pick up a turtle and move it to a safe place, or become crossing guards for families of sandhill cranes and deer that want to cross the road.

New this year at Connerton is a Butterfly Garden Club organized by residents. The butterfly gardens, located at Rose Cottage, are being designed to help sustain the declining honeybee population, and provide a rest area for migrating monarch butterflies.

Monarchs are the only two-way migrating butterflies in North America, and Connerton is in a prime location to help the monarchs in their 3,000-mile journey from Mexico to as far north as Canada. Connerton plans to allow local schools to use its garden to study the monarchs and for other educational purposes.

Commitment to Preservation
When Connerton was developed almost 20 years ago, 3,000 acres were donated to the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). The Conner Preserve, as it is known today, is located on the north end of Connerton, but is open to the public with access from State Road 52.

This area offers a stunning landscape of steep sand-hill ridges, expansive marshes, dense cypress sloughs and lush pine flatwoods. The preserve is a vital part of a wildlife habitat corridor envisioned by Pasco County, and is a living laboratory of natural Florida.

With approximately 15 miles of multi-use trails and 17 miles of hiking-only trails, nature lovers enjoy Connerton’s recreational and educational activities where possum, armadillo, raccoons, rabbits, squirrels, gopher tortoises, white-tailed deer and many other species make their home. The SWFWMD offers downloadable field guides on its website that identify the animals, birds, butterflies, trees and wildflowers located on the premises. Visit: swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/species/.

Fresh Ideas
Spring also brings thoughts of spring-cleaning, and that often leads to thoughts of moving to a new home. Connerton offers a variety of new homes by five of the area’s quality builders — Homes by WestBay, M/I Homes, Inland Homes, Arthur Rutenberg Homes and Lennar.

Floor plans ranging from 1,500 to over 4,000 square feet, and priced from the low $200s to over $700,000. Homes are available with 3-6 bedrooms, 2-4 car garages, and many exciting new design and energy-saving features.

Stop and visit Club Connerton, and take a tour of this beautiful community that was awarded the Gold Award for Best Lifestyle Program in the Nation by the National Association of Home Builders. Visit the model homes, take a walk or bike ride on the trails, or fly a kite and enjoy one of the beautiful parks. You will be happy that you did, and you may even decide to live here!

For more information, visit Connerton.com.

Published March 28, 2018

Pulte Homes Opens New Models in Starkey Ranch

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If you’ve been looking to buy a new home in Starkey Ranch, April is the month you’ve been waiting for.

To celebrate its May 5 grand opening of Monroe Commons — Pulte’s newest community in Starkey Ranch — buyers will receive $4,000 in free quality appliances from Whirlpool for a refrigerator, washer and dryer.

Monroe Commons families will also qualify for $8,000 in Pulte Flex Cash, which can be used at the design center on home upgrades, or applied toward closing cost.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for families looking for the best value in Starkey Ranch,” said Kristen Woske, Pulte Homes’ sales consultant in Starkey. “Our models in Monroe Common are very affordable, beginning in the upper $200,000s for a 2,000-square-foot home. In fact, we offer some of the best home values in all of Starkey Ranch.”

Woske has been selling homes in Starkey Ranch since Pulte first moved into the community last May. In less than a year, she and her sales colleague, Angela Hobbs, have sold 96 homes in the Homestead Park area of Starkey, with only 14 home sites remaining. This success has lead Pulte to recently launch its second phase of 65 homes in Homestead Park.

“While, of course, people love Pulte’s family inspired floor plans and quality construction and finishes, we’ve been so successful in Homestead Park because our buyers fall in love with Starkey Ranch and all that it has to offer,” said Woske.

Starkey Ranch is a master-planned community of more than 2,400 acres located north of State Road 54 in Odessa. The community began its development three years ago, and currently has 450 homes and will eventually be a community of 3,000 homes. The community is known for the extensive preservation of wetlands, woods and wild prairie, and boasts a paved 15-mile trail system that will extend to 20 miles when it connects to the many nature trails in the adjacent Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Preserve.

“When someone first comes to our sales center, one of the first questions they ask is whether all the natural wetlands and green space they just drove through will stay green,” said Woske. “And, when I tell them yes, plus show them on the map how much land will remain in its wild state, they are amazed and excited,” said Woske.

Pulte’s new Monroe Commons area is deep into Starkey Ranch and far from State Road 54. Homesites are either lakefront, face parkland or back onto conservation.

Saturday, April 21 is the grand opening of Pulte’s two furnished models in Monroe Commons — the 2,098-square-foot Clearview with its garage at the back of the home, and the 2,188 square-foot Sienna with the garage in the front. Both homes are beautifully decorated and open daily from 10 to 6 p.m., and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Pulte Homes is offering six floor plans in Monroe Commons. Four have traditional, open floor plans like the Sienna, and two are designed with alley- load garages. All are two stories, and offer two to five bedrooms and two to three-and-a-half baths. The Harrison plan has the master bedroom on the first floor. Air-conditioned living areas are from 1,950 to 2,470 square feet, and base prices range from $269,990 to $304,990.

All Pulte homes in Monroe Commons include granite countertops, 42-inch cabinets, 8-foot interior doors, 17-inch ceramic tile floors, covered lanais, two-car garages and paver driveways. Many custom options are available, including quartz countertops, hardwood floors and upgraded porcelain tile.

Every Pulte home comes with ultra-fast fiber-to-the-home connectivity, the diamond-rated Environments for Living energy efficiency package and a 10-year transferrable limited structural warranty.

Only Pulte Homes is building in Monroe Commons. Its 95 homesites are close to the Starkey Ranch District Park, with its abundance of recreation facilities, as well as Starkey’s unique Cunningham Park designed for small gatherings and community gardening, and the recently opened Beckett Pond for launching canoes and kayaks.

The Starkey Ranch District Park is Pasco County’s newest recreational complex and includes a lighted Little League baseball/softball field; three lighted multipurpose fields for soccer, lacrosse and football, six multipurpose practice fields, playground and picnic pavilions.

“Pulte has many communities in the Tampa region, but Starkey is the one getting the most attention because of our success at Homestead Park and the new floor plans we are introducing at Monroe Commons,” said Woske. “There is so much excitement at Starkey Ranch; it’s just contagious.”

Woske said over half of Pulte’s buyers in Starkey Ranch are moving up from other Pasco communities. “We have a lot of families from Land O’ Lakes, Lutz and Wesley Chapel coming here to see why Starkey Ranch is exploding,” she said.

Most of Pulte’s homebuyers are families with school-age children, although there are also many young, first-time buyers and retirees looking to down size.

For more information about Pulte Home’s communities in Starkey Ranch, please call (877) 752-0173, or stop by its sales office at 13047 Payton St. You can also visit Pulte.com/Starkey Ranch.

 

Monroe Commons Models

Clearview
Open gathering and dining spaces
Extended covered lanai
Alley-load – covered walkway
3-5 bedrooms
2-3 baths
2-car garage
2,098 A/C square feet
$278,990

Sienna
Open-concept living
First floor flex room
3 bedrooms
2.5 bathrooms
2,188 A/C square feet
$294,990 

Published March 28, 2018