Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Residents proud of where they live

March 30, 2016 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The Beautification Committee at Timber Lake Estates has awarded a flag and a certificate to the home of Jack and Sherry Barnes, on Great Oak Street, for being the Home of the Second Quarter. The home is now eligible to compete for Home of the Year. Home improvements make properties more valuable and give the residents pride to live in Timber Lake Estates. Honorable Mentions were awarded to homes on Dovewood Drive and Moss Hill Street.

Not your typical hospital food

March 23, 2016 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Louis Sicona and Michael Serrano were looking for a new place to try out for lunch one day, and they wound up at Twigs Café at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz.

“It was just a whim,” Sicona said.

The hospital, at 4211 Van Dyke Road, is near where Sicona and Serrano work, and they decided to check out its café.

That was more than a year ago, and they’ve been dining at the hospital twice a week ever since.

Serrano offered these four reasons why: “Variety, quality, quantity and price.”

First-time diners might be most surprised by the quality.

Chef Paul Finocchi, of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North’s Twigs Café, shows off a pizza fresh from the oven. (Courtesy of William J. Jack) — Chef Paul Finocchi, of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North’s Twigs Café, shows off a pizza fresh from the oven.
(Photos courtesy of William J. Jack)

The Twigs Café has daily offerings that are comparable to any hipster café or gourmet restaurant, at a much more reasonable price.

For roughly as much as a hamburger chain lunch deal, the Twigs Café gives diners a choice of delicious, from-scratch, healthy home-cooked meals at the convenience of fast-food and at cafeteria prices.

Paul Finocchi, executive chef and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, seems to wave his magic ladle over the food, and inventive creations poof into existence.

On any given day, employees, visitors, and anyone else fortunate enough to be around, might be treated to chicken mole, watermelon gazpacho, macadamia-crusted tilapia with piña colada sauce, tomato-stuffed flounder, Manhattan seafood chowder, green chicken chili, Caprese salad, horseradish-crusted salmon, or some other delicacy.

Finocchi, better known as Chef Paul, credits Marty Blitz, chef at Mise en Place in Tampa, for the horseradish-crusted salmon, a premium entree that sells for about $4 a serving at the hospital.

“Those are $20 entrees out in the real world,” Chef Paul said. “You go to Bonefish Grill—that’s basically the same dish that you can find at these places.”

Louisiana-seasoned fried catfish with sautéed greens and coleslaw are a staple at Twigs Café.

Staples like fried catfish, herb-grilled chicken breast, tomato-glazed meatloaf, and baked chicken quarters return regularly, but the menu changes constantly and varies with the seasons.

“I try to stay current on trends,” Chef Paul said. “Upwards of 90 percent of the stuff I cook in-house, I buy fresh where I can. I’m always looking for what’s current and what’s trending,” such as dark leafy greens, cauliflower, or ancient grains, a few of the recent trends.

Chef Paul encourages creativity in his kitchen.

The cold salad station is an example of this, in overdrive.

Tuscan bread salad, shaved fennel and orange slices, spaghetti squash with sundried tomatoes, green beans and strawberries with lemongrass, Brussels sprouts with pistachios and honey—anything is possible at this station.

While training kitchen help for other BayCare hospitals, Chef Paul has been known to arrange a friendly competition to see who can come up with the most creative cold salad.

“It kind of gives me a good gauge to see where people are,” Chef Paul said.

People who are visiting patients, or who work at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, aren’t the only ones who enjoy eating at The Twigs Café. (Courtesy of St. Joseph's Hospital-North) — People who are visiting patients, or who work at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, aren’t the only ones who enjoy eating at The Twigs Café.
(Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

The winners are always the customers, many of whom visit the hospital solely for the food. The hospital encourages the general public, not just staff and visitors, to dine in the cafeteria.

“I’m here for the community, not just the patients,” Chef Paul said.

Michael and Rosalie Pitch are two community regulars who frequently dine on Chef Paul’s dishes.

“The food is good and reasonable,” Michael Pitch said, looking up from his honey-soy glazed salmon. “It’s well-cooked. It’s fresh. It’s wholesome, and it’s appetizing. He makes it look good.”

“There’s a nice variety,” Rosalie Pitch said, a grilled strip steak in front of her. “Every day he has something different. There’s a lot to choose from. You can have dinners or sandwiches—there’s a lot of food, and the workers here are very nice.”

Take-home is available, too, Michael Pitch added.

The Twigs Café buzz spread rapidly to local churches. Since Chef Paul caters prayer meetings on Wednesday mornings, a loyal flock of churchgoers, all wearing their Sunday best, can now be seen passing through the cafeteria after church services on Sundays.

Sicona and Serrano patronize the grill station regularly, where hamburgers, chicken breasts, mahi-mahi, and much more is grilled fresh, and where an adjacent toppings station is provided for customers to give their selection its finishing touches.

They both said the chicken quesadilla is their favorite meal.

Sicona especially likes the way one of the station’s grill masters prepares his chicken quesadilla.

“No one else seems to make it like him,” Sicona said.

For the Wednesday and Thursday lunch offering, the chefs usually like to show off at the “action station,” breaking out the woks and pans, cooking right in front of customers. That is when cooking can truly become a collaborative process.

Perhaps the chef is leaving out one of your favorite ingredients, but that’s no problem.

“Just take it off the salad bar,” the chef will instruct, and he’ll add it to whatever creation he is making at the time.

Serrano likes the way that all of the staff try to accommodate special requests.

“I hate to say no to anybody, especially in this environment,” Chef Paul said. “If it’s in my power, I’ll do it. And, I’ve tried to instill that in all my people. Why say no, when you can say yes?”

By William J. Jacko

Published March 23, 2016

Bradley Massacre makes history in Pasco

March 23, 2016 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

A Seminole war party led the attack
Various accounts, published on the historic website Fivay.org, tell the story of the Bradley Massacre, reportedly the last Seminole war party attack on a settler’s homestead east of the Mississippi River.

Capt. Robert Duke Bradley was one of the first white settlers to live south of the Withlacoochee River, according to those reports.

He wasn’t feeling well on May 14, 1856, and was awaiting supper with his wife and children that evening.

Barracks and tents at Fort Brooke in Tampa Bay, around 1840. In 1824 Fort Brooke was a military post established at the mouth of the Hillsborough River in present-day Tampa. It had as many as 3,000 soldiers and would take part in all three Seminole Indian Wars. The fort was decommissioned by the U.S. Army in 1883. (Courtesy of South Florida Library) — Barracks and tents at Fort Brooke in Tampa Bay, around 1840.
In 1824 Fort Brooke was a military post established at the mouth of the Hillsborough River in present-day Tampa. It had as many as 3,000 soldiers and would take part in all three Seminole Indian Wars. The fort was decommissioned by the U.S. Army in 1883.
(Courtesy of South Florida Library)

The captain, who was bedridden on his farm, was a veteran who had fought against the Seminole Indians as far north as the Suwannee River.

He had resigned his commission, because he was no longer a healthy man.

The skirmishes he’d been involved in had damaged his lungs, and for the rest of his life, he would require medical services from the army doctor stationed at Fort Brooke.

Bradley had personally surveyed a homestead in a remote area that would be later known as Darby, a community in Pasco County.

It was frontier country with its share of moccasin tracks, but the good news was that no Indian sightings had been reported for many years.

But, the evening of May 14, 1856, would forever change the 53-year-old’s life.

Bradley — who had always been willing to defend his land granted under the Armed Occupation Act — suddenly heard sounds of a war whoop and gunfire of a Seminole war party.

The attack would be recorded as the last attack on a settler’s homestead east of the Mississippi River.

After meeting with U.S. President Millard Fillmore at the White House, Seminole Chief Billy Bowlegs initially agreed to surrender. The U.S. government later offered Bowlegs $10,000 to relocate to the Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. Bowlegs had led his warriors on sporadic attacks, which may have included the Bradley Massacre. (Credit: Harper’s Weekly, June 12, 1858) — After meeting with U.S. President Millard Fillmore at the White House, Seminole Chief Billy Bowlegs initially agreed to surrender. The U.S. government later offered Bowlegs $10,000 to relocate to the Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. Bowlegs had led his warriors on sporadic attacks, which may have included the Bradley Massacre.
(Credit: Harper’s Weekly, June 12, 1858)

Bradley’s 11-year-old daughter, Mary Jane, was quickly shot through the shoulder and heart. The captain saw her come into his bedroom, where she collapsed and died.

Fifteen-year-old William Brown Bradley was shot on the porch of the log house.

An Aug. 4, 1922 Dade City Banner story recounting the raid, reported that Nancy Bradley, the captain’s wife, “…rushed out on the porch, picked up the wounded boy, and carried him into the room and laid him on the bed. He (William) got up, grabbed a rifle, and fired through a crack between the logs, handed the gun to one of his brothers, saying, ‘fight till you die’ and fell to the floor dead.”

News of the 15-year-old’s injuries reached as far north as the Macon Weekly Telegraph, which on June 24, 1856 reported: ‘His body had been pierced by two balls.”

When Bradley realized the Indians had reached the steps of his front porch, he heard his wife yell: “They are coming in!”

What happened next was reported as far east as the Palatka Democrat, which published a May 22, 1856 account:

“Captain Bradley, who was prostrated on his bed with sickness, arose and returned a fire on the Indians with two or three guns which he had in his house, which caused them to withdraw,” according to the Palatka Democrat report.

The Banner’s 1922 article indicated that “one of the boys shot at two Indians who were trying to hide behind a tree and afterwards more blood was found there than anywhere else.”

Bradley counted at least 15 Indians attacking his log cabin.

The Palatka Democrat reported: “Captain Bradley was of the opinion that the Indians were about his house all night.”

Because he was a known Indian fighter, there are several historical sources that describe the Bradley attack as an act of revenge.

During the Second Seminole War (1835-1842), a major strategist and leader for the Indians was Thlocko Tustenuggee– or better known as “Tiger Tail” to the white man.

And, it was Captain Bradley who had tracked down and killed Nethlockemathlar, the older brother of Tiger Tail.

At the time of the Seminole raid, the Bradley residence was approximately a mile north of the location of this historic marker off Bellamy Brothers Boulevard. (Doug Sanders/Photo) — At the time of the Seminole raid, the Bradley residence was approximately a mile north of the location of this historic marker off Bellamy Brothers Boulevard.
(Doug Sanders/Photo)

Reaching the Bradley homestead the next day from Fort Brooke, Capt. Thomas C. Ellis and a group of men went into the surrounding woods to hunt for the Seminoles. “The camp of the redskins was found in the big cypress swamp and nearby the grave of the Indian killed by Captain Bradley,” according to the Dade City Banner.

As the Bradley attack produced more sightings and fears of the Indians, Gen. Jesse Carter at Fort Brooke received a letter from a citizen’s committee dated May 31, 1856. It said, in part:

“… we therefore most respectfully ask that you will, at the earliest practicable moment, send to our relief a force sufficient to protect us from the cruel barbarities of this insidious foe…”

With the frontier on alert, Bradley and his wife laid to rest their son and daughter in unmarked graves. This was done to prevent the Indians from returning and desecrating the burials.

The family would learn later that the Indian war party was pursued as far south as Fort Mead “and the entire band either killed or captured,” according to one newspaper account.

Called “The Bradley Massacre” by a historical maker erected by Pasco County in 1979, the killings that night 160 years ago was one of several events that ultimately forced Chief Billy Bowlegs and the last of some 100 Seminole warriors to leave Florida at the end of the Third Seminole War in 1858.

Armed Occupation Act
Granting 160 acres to any head of a family, the Florida Armed Occupation Act of 1842 required a settler’s house to be built in one year, the clearing and growing crops for five years, and defending the homestead.

By Doug Sanders

Doug Sanders has a penchant for unearthing interesting stories about local history. His sleuthing skills have been developed through his experiences in newspaper and government work. If you have an idea for a future history column, contact Doug at .

Published March 23, 2016

A bittersweet goodbye to Rainbow Village

March 23, 2016 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Rainbow Village was very busy preparing for the Zephyrhills Founder’s Day parade after hearing that this year’s theme was “That’s Entertainment, The ‘60s.” We decided on “American Bandstand” as our theme that happened in the ‘60s. We had a Dick Clark lookalike, a Roy Orbison lookalike, and a Patsy Cline lookalike as our stars. We also had great dancers and our walkers who danced dressed in their ‘60s outfits. A big thank you to all who helped us build, decorate, and create music that won us first place in the RV division at the parade. A big thank you to Will Gard and Sandy Abel who co-chaired the event.

Participants in the Founder’s Day parade float for Rainbow Village. (Photos courtesy of Sandra Gilbert-Abel) — Participants in the Founder’s Day parade float for Rainbow Village.
(Photos courtesy of Sandra Gilbert-Abel)

Our annual fashion show, featuring Bon Worth fashions, was held with a very large crowd of ladies. This year it was called “Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow.” A light luncheon consisted of ham salad, cottage cheese and peaches, veggies and sweet breads. Nicki Purcell performed some selections from “The Music Man.” Mimi Cass-Clark from Bon Worth emceed the fashion show. The models were Pat Brown, Connie Gray, Nancy Newton, Carol Smith, Glenda Walker and Pat Woolaver. This was the spring selection of clothes at Bon Worth. A big thank you goes out to Pat Johnson and Sue Larkin for co-chairing this event, and their great committee.

Sue Larkham and Pat Johnson co-chaired the fashion show.

This is my final article that I will write with news from Rainbow Village. The past six years reporting and submitting pictures have been a wonderful experience for me. You are never too old to try new things, and this was new for me. It was fun reporting the news happening in our resort. We have a very active park and lots of events to report, and you get to meet lots of great people doing this job.

My husband has developed some health issues that force us to head home to York, Pennsylvania, full time. We are selling our place in Rainbow Village that we lived in for the past 14 years, and heading back to Pennsylvania on the car train that travels from Sanford, Florida to Lorton, Virginia.

Sandy Gilbert-Abel, left, and Will Gard, co-chairpersons receive the first-place award in the RV division in the Founder's Day Parade from a Main Street representative. — Sandy Gilbert-Abel, left, and Will Gard, co-chairpersons receive the first-place award in the RV division in the Founder’s Day Parade from a Main Street representative.

During my time at Rainbow Village, I served as chairman of the church board, sang on the church choir, and was the Queen Mother of our Rainbowettes Red Hat Ladies that hosted a special fundraiser each year to help Meals on Wheels, Zephyrhills elementary schools, the homeless, hospice and Thomas Promise. I co-chaired many Founder’s Day parade floats that our resort entered. My husband and I were the King and Queen of Rainbow Village. I especially enjoyed taking pictures of all the events and reporting them to the newspapers.

These past 14 years were like a dream come true! I accomplished things that I never dreamed I would ever do. I will always remember my time at Rainbow Village and Zephyrhills, and all the great people that I have met over our years in Florida. God bless you all!

By Sandra Gilbert-Abel
Rainbow Village

Published March 23, 2016

Another season coming to a close

March 23, 2016 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

On a recent Monday night, Mae Slipp and Larry Sharp were the euchre players who won bragging rights for one week.

The Zephyrhills High School band and cheerleaders entertained at the Relay for Life survivors’ dinner attended by Mabel and Sy Budzinski. (Photos courtesy of Mabel Budzinski) — The Zephyrhills High School band and cheerleaders entertained at the Relay for Life survivors’ dinner attended by Mabel and Sy Budzinski.
(Courtesy of Mabel Budzinski)

I was delighted to hear Myrna Monser won three games at Wednesday morning shuffleboard. Myrna has been playing shuffleboard for about six years, and this is her first three-game win. Congratulations, Myrna!

Thursday morning coffee hour hosts were Harold and Paula Beck, with George and Mary Kay Lynch. Deann Harrington opened the social hour with an invocation before leading the “Pledge of Allegiance” and moderating the conversation.

Our neighbors in sick bay include Richard Burgess, Alan Bennett, Carol Farnsworth and Vicki Bluhm. We also remembered those folks affected by the floods in Louisiana.

Celebrating birthdays were Tom Clevenger, Tim Bargo and Ed Gooderault.

Welcome to new owners Ken and Nancy, and Roger and Debbie.

Please remember to fill out your “Project Dark House” forms, and leave them in the designated box in the clubhouse.

The final entertainment for this season was Glenn Johnson. Lee Heffelfinger introduced him, and then, with his magical guitar skills, we were provided a very pleasant evening. During intermission, Glenn chatted with members of the audience, including Beverly Martin and Don Liddy.

My husband, Sy, and I were privileged to attend the survivors’ dinner for the Zephyrhills Relay for Life. We would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the Zephyrhills High School band and cheerleading squad for their contributions to this awesome event.

By Mabel Budzinski
Gem Estates

Published March 23, 2016

A love for ice cream during the winter

March 16, 2016 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

We started the week out with the regular activities like coffee and doughnuts on Wednesday, where a nice crowd of people attended to hear the birthdays and anniversaries of the coming week, and to recognize those people. We mostly get to mingle over a cup of coffee and have a delicious doughnut.

Eugene and Nancy Martin already devoured their ice cream at the social event. (Photos courtesy of Marty Rubenstein) — Eugene and Nancy Martin already devoured their ice cream at the social event.
(Photos courtesy of Marty Rubenstein)

On March 5, we had our egg n’ bag event. I have spoken about this before, as it comes on the calendar once a month, and any and all who attended are treated to a lovely breakfast of omelets, potatoes, biscuits and gravy, and juices. There is always good attendance at this event, and this time was no exception as they served approximately 80-plus people. Fred Sage said the blessing before the breakfast started. Jim and Judi Leitzke hosted this with helpers Clayton and Carol George, Galen and Sue Parker, Pauline Gadbois and Doris Sutfin. Our sincere thanks go out to all of them.

Rich Fulton, Ron Bell and Dale Satterlee prepare to dish out the flavors of ice cream.

On March 6, there was the ice cream social that several people were anticipating for quite some time. There were approximately 90 people in the center enjoying eating their delicious bowls of ice cream. There was plenty of ice cream and several toppings, including whipped cream, strawberries, cherries, cut-up bananas, sprinkles, pineapple and several syrups, including hot fudge. It was a nice afternoon with plenty of conversation. The hosts for this outing were Joyce and Ron Bell, Chris and Rich Fulton, and Dale and Terri Satterlee. They did a great job, and thanks go out to them.

We are also getting ready for our yard, bake, and book and puzzle sale that will be at our community center on March 12. You may be able to find your treasure on this day. The sale is open to the public.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published March 16, 2016

Terri Satterlee, Chris Fulton and Rich Fulton dig into their ice cream bowls.

Marty and Helene Rubenstein finished their tasty ice cream bowls. (Courtesy of Adrianne Ayers) — Marty and Helene Rubenstein finished their tasty ice cream bowls.
(Courtesy of Adrianne Ayers)

Providing comfort for children

March 16, 2016 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Gulfside Hospice recently partnered with Sun Coast Kids Place for a weekend camp for children. Rabbi Aaron Lever, Gulfside’s counseling services program manager, and Gina Connell, volunteer services specialist, visited Leisure Days RV Resort, and along with the afghans and quilts, they were given numerous stocking hats for clients, along with cuddle pillows and handmade stuffed animals. More than 50 children received a special gift from Leisure Days RV Resort residents. Each child was given an afghan or quilt, all made through the Busy Hands program at Leisure Days RV Resort. (Courtesy of Anne Astles)

Residents go back in time

March 9, 2016 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

We snowbirds traveled back to the 1950s at our “At the Hop Dance.” We each got our pictures taken in a pink convertible dressed in our timely attire, which consisted of poodle skirts, jeans, T-shirts, saddle shoes and sneakers. David Teague played a lot of the old songs, and we had a great time jitterbugging, doing the twist, line dancing, doing the chicken dance and enjoying lots of slow tunes. A big thanks to Cathie Draheim, Vicki Arndt and their great committee for a wonderful time of reliving our high school days.

Residents dressed in their 1950s finest for the ‘At the Hop’ dance. (Photos courtesy of Sandra Gilbert-Abel) — Residents dressed in their 1950s finest for the ‘At the Hop’ dance.
(Photos courtesy of Sandra Gilbert-Abel)

Our 25th annual chicken dinner was a sell-out crowd. The cooks had to scramble to find a dry place to grill the chickens. They set up in the car wash, and it worked out great. It takes a lot of people to plan and prepare this delicious meal. A big thanks to Judy May and Alice Sikkenga for chairing a fabulous meal.

Carefree’s “Got Talent” contest was held recently with four contestants. The winner was Nicki Purcell, and the runner-up was Joan Crow. The other contestants were Richard Berkheiser and David Mallaber. They were all very talented. The winner will compete at the Lakeland Center for a $5,000 prize. Good luck!

Two of our residents recently won a paid-in-full trip to the Grammy’s in California. Carol and Delmar Baker had a wonderful experience on this trip. It was sponsored by MasterCard. They came back from California with lots of wonderful memories of the trip. Congratulations to them!

By Sandra Gilbert-Abel
Rainbow Village

Published March 9, 2016

Contestants in Carefree's ‘Got Talent’ show were Joan Crow (runner-up), Nicki Purcell (winner), David Mallaber and Richard Berkheiser. — Contestants in Carefree’s ‘Got Talent’ show were Joan Crow (runner-up), Nicki Purcell (winner), David Mallaber and Richard Berkheiser.

It takes a small village to cook, prepare and serve the annual chicken dinner.

Carol and Delmar Baker were winners of a paid-in-full trip to the Grammy's in California. — Carol and Delmar Baker were winners of a paid-in-full trip to the Grammy’s in California.

Grand Horizons thanks volunteers

March 9, 2016 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

On Feb. 27, approximately 65 to 70 people descended upon the community center to celebrate Appreciation Day.

Joyce and Ron Bell get ready to prepare food for the many volunteers. (Photos courtesy of Adrianne Ayres) — Joyce and Ron Bell get ready to prepare food for the many volunteers.
(Photos courtesy of Adrianne Ayres)

The people who attended were greeted with posters saying “Thank You.” It was a festive afternoon and started off with a prayer by Jim Leitzke.

I wasn’t there, but Joyce Bell was nice enough to tell me exactly what transpired.

Brian Heidman read a list of what all the volunteers do to help, and this was followed by Joyce Bell reading a poem on volunteering.

Then, there was a lovely meal that consisted of hamburgers with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and other toppings and condiments, potato salad, coleslaw, and baked beans with franks that were cut up and mixed in.

For dessert they had four different kinds of strudel, in addition to ice cream cups for all. Everyone had such a good time that they sat around and talked after the meal.

Our thanks go out to the workers on this day. They were Chuck and Shirley Carlson. Ron and Joyce Bell, Judi and Jim Leitzke, and Mim and Terry Gardner.

By Helene Rubenstein
Grand Horizons

Published March 9, 2016

Dave and Linda Tutin, and Nancy and Eugene Martin at the celebration for volunteers.

Andy and Margaret Castonguay attend Appreciation Day at Grand Horizons

Tom and Laurie Carter, Del O’Hara and Andy Gisondi at the volunteer appreciation lunch.

Vic and Lynne-Rae Dyson share in the festive afternoon for volunteers.

Judi and Jim Leitzke take a break from helping before serving lunch.

A week in review

March 9, 2016 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Last Monday evening’s euchre’s top players were Cesema, MaryKay Lynch and John Rabb. They won bragging rights for the week.

Wednesdays storm, with lots of rain, washed out the shuffleboard games.

Our Thursday morning coffee hour hosts were Carol Brooks, Sue Lietz, Bruce and Ruth Hudson. Bruce Hudson gave the invocation. Vice President Deann Harrington led the “Pledge of Allegiance,” moderated the conversation and provided a bit of tasteful humor.

Richard Burgess is currently in sickbay, and in recovery, following surgery, are Ron Raymond and Deann Harrington.

John Brogan is celebrating his birthday.

Lee Heffelfinger gave us information about an eight-day Caribbean cruise she will host in January of next year.

Upcoming events include the Glen Johnson concert on March 11, and a traditional boiled dinner celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on March 17.

By Mabel Budzinski
Gem Estates

Published March 9, 2016