The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

New Orthopedic Surgeon in Dade City

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Hernando Orthopaedic Laker - Surgery Option.cdrMichael Higgins is an orthopaedic doctor who knows first hand the trauma of knee replacement surgery.

A few years back, at age 49, Dr. Higgins had a total knee replacement. From that personal experience, he refined medical treatment and follow up care that results in less pain and a faster recovery for people undergoing knee and hip replacement surgery.

Dr. Higgins is now sharing his experience — both as a patient and orthopaedic surgeon — with residents of central and east Pasco.

He recently opened an orthopaedic practice next to Bayfront Health Dade City. Located at 13020 Fort King Road, the office is in the same location that was occupied for 30 years by Dr. Ben Chiang.

Dade City is Dr. Higgins’ second office. The other is in Spring Hill, where he has practiced for 11 years and has medical privileges at Oak Hill Hospital, Bayfront Health Springhill and Bayfront Health Brooksville. He has served as chief of surgery at Bayfront Health Brooksville.

In Dade City, Dr. Higgins sees patients and does surgery two to three times a week. He is working with Bayfront Health’s administration to expand its orthopaedic group and as other physicians come on board, expanded orthopaedic services will be available at Bayfront Health Dade City.

In addition to his personal knee replacement experience, Dr. Higgins also offers patients a unique perspective as a physical therapist, a profession he worked for seven years before earning his medical degree.

“Coming from a physical therapy background gives me a more holistic approach,” said Dr. Higgins. “I first consider what can be done to help a patient with therapy and other non-invasive treatments. Surgery is not always the best answer, because once you cut, you can’t take it back.”

Dr. Higgins views himself as a conservative physician, who prescribes proven, established best practices with documented results.

“Just because there is a new treatment out there, it doesn’t mean it’s the best treatment for the patient,” said Dr. Higgins. “I strongly believe that people have a right to be treated locally and to receive outstanding care locally. There is no reason for patients to go to Tampa for the medical/surgery expertise they need.”

Dr. Higgins views himself as an old-fashioned doctor who is determined to operate as an independent physician with no affiliation to any medical group.

“I like a practice where I know my patients, where my staff knows my patients,” said Dr. Higgins. “It is very important to me that I continue to maintain my private practice because it allows me to give patients the time I need to listen and provide top quality care.”

Dr. Higgins’ staff of seven, which includes medical assistants, an x-ray technician and a practice manager, staff both the Dade City and Springhill offices, which gives patients consistent, quality customer service.

Dr. Higgins lives in Spring Hill with his wife, Cara and their three sons: 10-year-old Edward, 7-year-old Ian and 3-year-old Patrick. The Higgins are active members of St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Church in Spring Hill, where he also participates in the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Hernando Orthopaedic & Spinal Surgery

13020 Fort King Road, Suite 102, Dade City, FL 33525

Phone: 352-688-6035 • Fax: 352-688-6219

www.HernandoOrthoSpine.com

Pasco Lawyer For 31 Years

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Craig LaporteSpecial to The Laker / Lutz News

Craig Laporte has lived in Pasco County since graduating from the University of Florida in 1975 and moving to his parents’ home in New Port Richey to look for work. And, as Craig tells the story, he “fell into an opportunity” with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office that resulted in becoming a deputy. For the next four years, he worked mostly nights patrolling the western half of the county.

Four years later, when the Sheriff’s office needed a pilot to fly its helicopter, Craig was a perfect candidate because, in college, he was in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Craig flew the Sheriff’s helicopter for the next three and a half years, while also attending Stetson University College of Law, graduating in 1983.

With this background, it’s no surprise that Craig’s law firm, Proly, Laporte & Mulligan, is the organizer and primary sponsor of an annual event for families of Pasco’s law enforcement community. Simply called Family Fun Day, this year’s event was in April and was attended by more than 675 adults and children. Activities included pony rides, bounce houses, water slides, and Hungry Harry’s barbecue dinners.

Proly, Laporte & Mulligan has also raised money for many other community groups. Why do Craig and his partners support so many charities? “Because we believe in giving back to the community,” said Craig. “Pasco County has been good to me personally, and good to my firm. It’s natural for us to give back, and we especially like charities where 100 percent of the proceeds benefit local groups.”

Proly, Laporte & Mulligan is a law firm with 35 years experience — all of it in Pasco County. It works with clients in all areas of the county, primarily in personal injury and criminal law.

“We keep our practice limited to personal injury and criminal defense. That’s what we do, because that’s what we’re good at,” said Craig. Unlike many personal injury firms, Proly, Laporte & Mulligan works with clients through the case’s conclusion, including litigation, if necessary.

“When I sit down with a client and take their case, it is with the full understanding that I will be with them until the end — win, lose or draw,” said Craig. “About 10 to 15 percent of our personal injury cases go to trial. The rest are settled by the insurance company, because their client is at fault.”

When you call Proly, Laporte & Mulligan with a legal matter, you will always talk to an attorney, not a paralegal, said Craig.

“You are always a person, never a case number, with our firm” says Craig. Craig welcomes local residents to call his law firm for experienced legal counsel where the client’s interest is always first.

800-273-8303 • www.PLMAttorneys.com

11914 Oak Trail Way • Port Richey, FL 34668

Heavy rains can pose landscape problems

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Heavy rainfalls during recent weeks have caused many homeowners to worry about disease in their landscape plants.

While it is true that most plant pathogens prefer lots of water and high temperatures —that doesn’t mean your plants automatically will become diseased in our recent scenario.

When soil becomes saturated, plants can become deprived of oxygen and they can die, said Whitney C. Elmore, Pasco County Extension director and Urban Horticulture Agent III. (Courtesy of Chuck Gosselin, Pasco master gardener)
When soil becomes saturated, plants can become deprived of oxygen and they can die, said Whitney C. Elmore, Pasco County Extension director and Urban Horticulture Agent III.
(Courtesy of Chuck Gosselin, Pasco master gardener)

And, just because conditions are right for disease, it doesn’t mean that you automatically should spray chemicals.

Spraying chemicals into the environment without confirming that disease is present is potentially harmful, not to mention that it’s a waste of time and money. It’s also important to know that it will not “cure” or make waterlogged plants stronger.

Positive confirmation of disease requires visual signs of the pathogen, such as fungus on the leaves, and symptoms of the disease like spots, wilting or dieback. Only then should a fungicide be considered.

But remember: Applying fungicides cannot cure diseased plant parts, such as roots and leaves. Fungicides simply will help reduce spread to other plants in the landscape.

If you determine that your plants are infected with a disease that can be treated with chemicals, be sure to follow the label directions.

The UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Office can help you determine if your plants are diseased and can recommend your best method of control.

While disease is a threat in wet conditions, unless plants are naturally adapted to watery environments like the bald cypress, standing water will more quickly become a problem by taking a toll on the roots.

Plants need oxygen. Waterlogged soils can deprive them of that oxygen. Even the bald cypress found in aquatic environments needs oxygen; hence the stump-like “knees” which help move oxygen into the plant roots.

It’s not always evident that plant roots are suffering from oxygen deprivation, since saturated soils don’t always have standing water.

Saturated soils are simply those that are so wet that plant roots cannot obtain oxygen. In other words, standing water is not required to waterlog a plant. Plant roots in waterlogged soils appear stunted and withered, with the root tips decomposing and rotting away.

Waterlogged plants quickly show signs of stress by yellowing and wilting. However, if the soil drains relatively quickly, plant roots will start to get oxygen they need once again, and the plant has a good chance of recovery.

However, plants left in waterlogged soils for extended periods of time will die.

Unfortunately, there is no established period of time that roots are in waterlogged soils that tells us whether or not a plant will survive.

The length of time a root can be deprived of oxygen and be able to recover varies greatly, based on plant species and environmental conditions.

So, what are we to do with our plants when extended rains put our landscapes at risk?

Here are some practical steps you can take to reduce damage and disease in your landscape if waterlogging doesn’t claim your plants.

Keep in mind that many of these steps are proactive and need to be considered prior to and not during or after the rains begin.

  • Don’t fertilize your plants during periods of high rainfall. Our sugar-sand soils quickly leach nutrients wasting your money and polluting our waterways with fertilizers that plants don’t have a chance to uptake before its whisked away into the drinking water reserves below ground. Wait for more favorable conditions to fertilize plants, when rainfall is not so heavy and soils are well drained. This is especially true for stressed plants, which may actually be harmed by fertilizer applications.
  • Prune areas of diseased or dying tissue. Leaving diseased tissue behind can further spread disease, so remove the debris. Do not compost diseased tissue because it can harbor disease-causing organisms.
  • Turn off the sprinklers. When plants are getting more than sufficient rainfall, there is no need for supplemental irrigation. This will only encourage disease, saturate the soil further and waste precious water resources. Established plants, with a few exceptions including some turf grasses, do not usually require supplemental irrigation even during periods of dry weather.
  • Properly mulch plants. Mulch is effective at holding in moisture during drought, and the same holds true during periods of high rainfall. Mulch plants with no more than 2 inches to 3 inches of mulch such as pine bark or melaleuca. Leave a couple of inches between the bark and, mulch to keep moisture away from the bark, which causes rot. When plants are waterlogged, pull the mulch layer back to expose roots to as much oxygen as possible. Once the soil has dried out, replace the mulch.
  • Reduce soil compaction, which limits drainage, by limiting foot traffic in wet areas.
  • When mowing, remove clumps of grass, which can harbor pathogens and limit exposure of underlying turf to sunlight.
  • Put the right plant in the right place. Obviously, this comes way before the rains, but it’s often overlooked and is the simplest way of protecting your plants during high rainfall. Areas of your landscape that are depressed and frequently hold water should not be planted with species that cannot tolerate standing water. Instead, use plants adapted to wet conditions or consider installing a rain garden as a centerpiece for a beautiful addition.

For help identifying disease, or with general questions about irrigation and plant management in your turf or landscape, call the UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Office at (352) 518-0156.

Whitney C. Elmore is the Pasco County Extension director and Urban Horticulture agent III.

Published September 2, 2015

Steve Saladino — after 25 years, still passionate about financial services

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Saladino Financial 1-4v BIZ
Steve Saladino and his father, Joe, a long-time resident of Land O’ Lakes.

Steve Saladino is one of those people who is just as excited today about his job as he was 25 years ago. So excited, in fact, that when he talks to you about his profession, his enthusiasm is so contagious that you begin to think that insurance is the most fascinating job in the world.

“I’m more passionate, and having more fun, helping people than ever,” said Steve. “And really, that’s what the insurance business is all about — helping people.”

Steve is the owner and principal of Saladino Financial Group, LLC, in Northdale. He has clients throughout Florida, with a concentration in north Tampa, Lutz and Land O’Lakes.

“I grew up in Land O’ Lakes — attending Sanders Elementary, Pine View Middle and Land O’ Lakes High,” said Steve. “My father, Joe, has lived in Land O’ Lakes since 1972, and he and his wife Gail, have many, many friends in the area.”

The Saladino family is well known among long-time Land O’ Lakes residents for the two-story log cabin home on Ehren Cutoff they built and lived in for many years. While the family no longer owns the cabin, it remains a landmark for those who travel Ehren Cutoff.

“My brothers and I spent 18 months between 1983 and ’85 helping our Dad put together a log cabin kit for our family. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and taught me the value of hard work and the importance of family,” said Steve.

After graduating from Land O’ Lakes High in 1985, Steve spent four years in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, N.C. as a non-commissioned officer in the Finance and Accounting Department.

After his military commitment, Steve entered the financial services industry and worked as an advisor for Metropolitan Life for 15 years before starting his own independent business in 2005.

“I have spent the past 25 years helping folks achieve their personal and business financial goals,” said Steve. “I never think of my job as selling insurance or financial services. It’s truly about helping people achieve their financial goals and taking care of their loved ones.”

Steve’s approach to his business is based on a needs-based, multi-line philosophy that uncovers his clients’ financial goals, needs and objectives for today, as well as those in the future.

“As an independent agent, I can offer high caliber, unbiased and objective service and solutions,” said Steve. “My goal for every client is to create a clear plan for their financial future by breaking complex ideas into simple-to-perform actions.”

Services provided include insurance, investments, business planning/development, financial need analysis, long-term care planning, life insurance review, risk management, strategic alliances marketing development, point-of-sale support, target market identification and joint field coaching.

Steve’s success and competence is evident by the recognition he’s received in the financial services industry, including the prestigious LUTCF (Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow), which was awarded by The National Association of Life Underwriters after several years of extensive studies. He has also been a LUTCF moderator for many years, assisting with its continuing education program offered by The American College and Florida Department of Financial Services.

Steve is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of insurance agents and financial planners by recruiting top candidates and helping in their training and development.

Steve currently serves on the board of directors as president-elect of the Florida Chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). He was the NAIFA-Tampa president from 2006-08, and is a 2008 graduate of the organization’s Leadership in Life Institute.

 

Steve and his wife, Alisa, enjoy fishing, boating, camping, and hunting with their three sons. They volunteer in several community groups and attend Grace Family Church in Lutz.

Please contact Steve if you want to learn more about planning for your family’s financial future. You’ll find him easy to talk to, a good listener and always looking out for the best interest of his clients.

(813) 833-3514

Saladino Financial Group, LLC

Steven Saladino, President

Pointers for planting a fall vegetable garden

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For many gardeners and newcomers, growing vegetables can be a challenge in Florida. But now is a great time to start thinking about planting a fall vegetable garden.

You can be a more successful vegetable gardener, if you keep in mind some key guidelines.

To begin, remember the first principle of Florida Friendly LandscapingTM: right plant, right place. This applies to vegetable gardens, because it is important to know the right time of year to plant the vegetable you want to grow.

Tomatoes grow best when planted in cooler months, rather than during the heat of summer. (Photos courtesy of Nicole Pinson)
Tomatoes grow best when planted in cooler months, rather than during the heat of summer.
(Photos courtesy of Nicole Pinson)

For example, every year our office answers questions about tomatoes. Many people think the best time to plant tomatoes is in the summer. However, the ideal time to plant tomatoes in Florida is in September and again in February through March.

Other vegetables to plant in September include beans, cabbage, corn, kale, lettuce, radishes and turnips.

You can know exactly when to plant vegetables by using the Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide as your reference.

The Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide is available at edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/VH/VH02100.pdf.

Using this guide, check Table 3 for information on crops and proper planting dates.

Be sure to match the planting date to your region, which in our case is Central Florida.

Another guideline for successful vegetable gardening in Florida is planting recommended varieties whenever possible.

Table 4 of the guide lists suggested varieties for Florida gardens. Examples of tomato varieties that perform well in Florida include Sweet 100, Mortgage Lifter, Sun Gold, Better Boy and Beefmaster. You may want to print the guide and take a copy of it with you (or search for and save the pdf on your mobile phone) when you buy seeds and transplants at the garden center. That way, you can make sure you are choosing vegetables for the right time of year, and purchasing the varieties recommended for our area.

Scout the garden regularly for common pests, such as green stink bugs.
Scout the garden regularly for common pests, such as green stink bugs.

The third most important thing about Florida vegetable gardening is scouting your garden regularly. Be on the lookout for pests and problems. Keep in mind, you may be able to avoid many insect and disease problems just by planting your vegetables at the right time of the year.

Being vigilant and scouting regularly can help you catch problems early and enable you to deal with them proactively.

When treating for pests, follow the first step in integrated pest management: properly identify the pest. Contact your local Extension office for help identifying insects, and advice on when and how to treat pests. Know that it is impossible to eradicate them, and it is important to use pesticides responsibly to prevent resistance.

Most plants can tolerate 10 percent to 20 percent, and sometimes as much of 30 percent, of foliage loss without affecting yield.

Whenever possible, use the least toxic method of control, and rotate pesticides. Rotating pesticides can keep the pests guessing, and maintain the effectiveness of products.

Don’t forget, the least toxic methods also include physical and cultural controls, such as handpicking and applying the proper amount of water and fertilizer. Find the least toxic pesticides by consulting the Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide. Table 2 provides insect control recommendations, and the least toxic products include neem, spinosad, Bt, insecticidal soap and horticultural oil.

The best place to locate your fall vegetable garden is in a sunny location that is also close to a water source.

Properly prepare the area by removing all weeds and grass. Mix in compost and other soil amendments to improve the soil texture and add nutrients. Mulch and micro irrigation can reduce disease by keeping water off leaves. Prior to planting, you may also want to test your soil pH. Soil pH is a measure of the soil’s acidity or alkalinity.

Soil pH is important because it governs how available nutrients are to plants. The University of Florida Soil Testing Lab, and some county Extension offices, can test your soil for pH. The cost per sample is $3.

Homeowners can use soil pH information in determining if existing plants are suited to a location, choosing new plant material best suited to the site, and in applying fertilizer and soil amendments.

Most vegetables prefer a soil pH of 5.5 – 6.3, but if your soil pH is between 5.5 and 7.0, no adjustment in pH is necessary.

Always test your soil first, before adding lime or sulfur, and consider using raised beds if you have a high soil pH.

By planting vegetables at the right time, using recommending varieties, scouting regularly, locating your garden in a sunny spot close to water, and testing soil pH, you will be on your way toward successful vegetable gardening in Florida.

For additional information, contact or (813) 744-5519, ext. 54145.

Nicole Pinson is an Urban Horticulture Agent in Hillsborough County.

Published August 26, 2015

Did President Calvin Coolidge have lunch in Dade City?

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That’s a local legend, but the facts dispute that claim

Not a single historic marker — among more than 50 posted across Pasco County — refers to it, but there’s a longstanding legend that President Calvin Coolidge had lunch at the Gray Moss Inn in Dade City, during his visit to Florida to dedicate Bok Tower Gardens in Polk County.

Numerous sources document Dade City’s 126-year history.

Edward Bok and his wife, Mary Louise, are shown here with President Calvin Coolidge and his wife, Grace, on Feb. 1, 1929, the day that Coolidge spoke at the dedication ceremony at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. (Courtesy of Bok Tower Gardens)
Edward Bok and his wife, Mary Louise, are shown here with President Calvin Coolidge and his wife, Grace, on Feb. 1, 1929, the day that Coolidge spoke at the dedication ceremony at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales.
(Courtesy of Bok Tower Gardens)

Those accounts detail the world’s largest citrus processing plant (formerly Lykes Pasco Packing); Bill Larkin’s patented cattle underpass; and namesake Major Francis Langhorne Dade, who died on Dec. 28, 1835, when he and 100 of his men were ambushed, resulting in the first battle of the Second Seminole War.

But there is no record to substantiate Coolidge’s reputed visit to Dade City.

Here are facts that can be documented about Coolidge’s visit to Central Florida.

On Feb. 1, 1929, some 60 miles from Dade City, Coolidge dedicated Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida.

According to published reports, he had spent the previous evening at a private dinner party hosted by the Godfrey family, close relatives to First Lady Grace Anna Coolidge. The President departed on the morning of the dedication from 335 Ponce de Leon Place in Orlando.

Legend has it that President Calvin Coolidge ate lunch at the Gray Moss Inn in Dade City, but no documentation can be found to verify that claim (Courtesy of Helen Eck Sparkman Collection)
Legend has it that President Calvin Coolidge ate lunch at the Gray Moss Inn in Dade City, but no documentation can be found to verify that claim
(Courtesy of Helen Eck Sparkman Collection)

Known in the press as “Silent Cal,” a Commander-in-Chief of few words, the President told reporters: “(Bok) is dedicating it as a bird sanctuary and putting up these bells to interest the birds in music.”

Large crowds stopped the Presidential Train in Sanford to present gifts of citrus, and in Winter Park to present floral arrangements, according to published accounts.

Approximately 75,000 people came out to hear Coolidge dedicate Bok Tower Gardens, a gift to the American people from Edward Bok, the editor of the Ladies’ Home Journal and a winner of the Pulitzer Prize for his autobiography.

The evening of the dedication, Florida Gov. Doyle E. Carlton attended a dinner in honor of the President and First Lady at Bok’s home.

Hours later, Coolidge and his wife headed back overnight to Washington on an Atlantic Coast Railway special.

Despite exhaustive research, it appears there are no records to prove that Coolidge ever set foot in Dade City.

Mittie Roberts Sumner with family members seated on the family porch, around 1908. (Courtesy of Susan Sumner Shelton)
Mittie Roberts Sumner with family members seated on the family porch, around 1908.
(Courtesy of Susan Sumner Shelton)

Julie Bartlett Nelson is the archivist for a collection of Coolidge documents and memorabilia, kept at Forbes Library in Northampton, Massachusetts. She was unable to find any travel logs or newspaper clippings about Dade City or the Gray Moss Inn in her archives.

Eve Bacon, who is now deceased, was a Central Florida historian who owned and edited her own newspaper during the 1950s in Orange County.

She published extensive documentation of Coolidge’s visit, tracking him from the Godfrey home in Orlando, to his departure from Bok’s home for a return trip to the nation’s capital.

That account is included in Bacon’s two-volume book, “Orlando, A Centennial History.” She describes everything from frontier gun battles to Cracker underworld kings to gators and buffaloes on Orange Avenue. But, there’s no mention of Coolidge visiting Dade City.

There are references to Coolidge’s visit in a book compiled for the Pasco County Historical Preservation Committee in 1992, and also a reference by Madonna Wise that was published in 2014.

Yet local newspaper accounts — in the Tampa Morning Tribune and the Dade City Banner — that were published during the period of Coolidge’s trip to Bok Tower do not mention the President making a detour to Dade City.

There also were unconfirmed “tips” that proved interesting.

This photograph is believed to be from the dedication day of Bok Tower Gardens on Feb. 1, 1929. (Courtesy of Bok Tower Gardens)
This photograph is believed to be from the dedication day of Bok Tower Gardens on Feb. 1, 1929.
(Courtesy of Bok Tower Gardens)

One was that the old guest registry of the Gray Moss Inn, purportedly signed by Coolidge, wound up in the hands of Dr. R. D. Sistrunk, who lived next door.

Another was that Coolidge had befriended the Dudley family and secretly made a trip to visit with them as the owners of the Gray Moss Inn.

But those could not be verified.

Interestingly enough, though, there was another link between Dade City and Edward Bok.

LeHeup Hill, south of Dade City, was one of the early sites considered by Bok along Fort King Road. At 240 feet above sea level, the hill named for the family that moved there in 1911, was among the leading candidates.

But negotiations with Bok broke down.

Fred T. Himmelwright proceeded with plans for an observation tower at LeHeup Hill. He spent nearly $8,000 in 1926 to erect his structure, which he opened as a public attraction.

Tourists enjoyed “a comfortable room, all glassed in, for cool or stormy weather,” the Dade City Banner reported. The room was “fitted up with chairs so that visitors may enjoy rest and the glorious scenery at the same time,” according to the newspaper.

And, tourists could purchase orange juice at “5 cents a glass,” the newspaper says.

While the rumor of a Coolidge visit persists, Gordon and Phyllis Gill, who have been managers of the Gray Moss Inn since the 1990s, have found no record of “Silent Cal” visiting there.

Before he died in 1933, Coolidge did return to Florida to spend a month at the Lakeside Inn in Mount Dora.

As it turns out, George W. Bush is the only confirmed President who visited Pasco County during his presidency.

Bush was running for re-election and made a campaign stop in New Port Richey in October 2004. “W” shared the stage at Sims Park with his younger brother, then Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

By Doug Sanders

Local Sources
June Booth Farmer, now 83, was a little girl when her father worked as a citrus grove planter for Fred T. Himmelwright. She still has memories of Edward Bok ending his negotiations for LeHeup Hill.

  • Jeff Miller has maintained a website for the history of Pasco County at Fivay.org since 2001. He has scanned more than 1,500 articles from the Dade City Banner.
  • Susan Sumner Shelton is one of many descendants of the Sumner family. She is currently a board member of the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village in Dade City.

Coolidge facts
President Calvin “Silent Cal” Coolidge was the first sitting president to:

  • Fly in an airplane
  • Visit Cuba
  • Give a speech broadcast over the radio

 

Gray Moss Inn
The Gray Moss Inn, built in 1905, was initially a five-room cottage for Jefferson Davis “J.D.” Sumner and his family of nine children. One of that family’s descendants was Robert D. Sumner, a former county attorney. The structure, which is located in what is now the historic Church Street District in Dade City, still has its original stucco version of the Mediterranean Revival Style.

 

Bok Tower Gardens facts
Located in Lake Wales, Bok Tower Gardens is deemed one of America’s finest gardens. Its 205-foot Singing Tower, the architectural centerpiece of the gardens, offers daily carillon music concerts. Visitors can meander through spacious grounds of oaks, palms, azaleas, irises and camellias. The gardens and carillon tower are situated on Iron Mountain, which is one of the highest points in Florida at an estimated 295 feet above sea level.

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 August 19, 2015

 

Third Generation At A. Kilbride Insurance

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IMG_1797
April Sasser an agent who works in the firm’s Land O’Lakes office.

By Meaghan O’Neal

Special to Laker/Lutz News

In 1954, A. Kilbride Insurance began as a small business with just one location. Today, 61 years later, the Kilbride family still owns the business and is looking to expand beyond their five locations.

It all began with Adrian Kilbride, who had the aspiration to start an insurance agency to help people find the coverage they needed. He moved moved his family from Boston to Tampa and began handling personal insurance.

In 1981, Kilbride’s daughter, Adrienne Decker, bought the business from her dad and added commercial insurance lines, including commercial auto, business property, workers compensation, general liability and bonds. Adrienne also expanded the company’s personal lines, adding homeowners, flood, health and life insurance.

Fast forward another 34 years and now Adrienne’s daughter, Nicole Gee, is planning on buying the business from her mother and continuing the Kilbride family legacy.

Kilbride Insurance operates as an independent agent, allows the company to serve clients better with many attractive choices.

“Because our family has been in business for so long, we’ve been able to expand our market of insurance companies through the trust and reputation we’ve built,” said Adrienne. “And because we have a market of companies to choose from, we can shop for companies that truly offer the best coverage and best price for a client.”

Adrienne added, “If you come to us and need insurance, we can make a decision about which company will best fit your needs. I love to get to know our clients personally so I can better decipher what their real needs are.”

The number one goal at A. Kilbride is to serve clients well. “Because our focus has always been to do what’s best for clients, we continued to flourish when the economy went down and a lot of agencies went out of business,” said Adrienne.

Kilbride is different than other agencies because it has multiple locations with each one focusing on a different type of insurance. From the start, the company realized that staff members could not be experts in everything. So based on that premise, they hired people who have different strengths and spread them out to their different locations.

For example, the office in North Tampa at 1401 W. Busch Blvd. specializes in commercial policies, while their Land O’ Lakes location at 2436 Land O’Lakes Blvd. is focused on personal and commercial policies.

Adrienne is very proud of each location, but is especially excited to see the recent growth and success of their Land O’ Lakes office. Working at this office for the past year is April Sasser, who is a specialist in personal lines.

“I was drawn to work for A. Kilbride because of the family atmosphere it offers,” said April. “As an insurance agent, I strive to save clients money while giving them the best coverage they can possibly have. I let them know that I’m here for them.”

Adrienne is looking forward to expanding the company again with a new branch in Wesley Chapel sometime in the near future. Like the Land O’ Lakes Office, this new branch will focus on personal lines for new homeowners, as well as commercial lines for new business owners.

2438 Land O’Lakes Blvd. (Behind McDonald’s)

(813) 996-7467

 

The Laker and Lutz News brings home 11 statewide honors

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The Laker and Lutz News received 11 honors at the Florida Better Weekly Newspaper Awards luncheon in St. Mary on July 24.

The winning entries were selected from a field of 1,600, in a competition judged by newspaper professionals from New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

B.C. Manion, the editor for The Laker/Lutz News, received six awards for her work, including a first place in obituary writing, and a first place in faith and family writing, for work published in The Laker.

1g Best Original Photo - SportsShe also won second place honors for education reporting, and third place for health-medical and science reporting for work published in The Laker.

And, she won third place in the categories of outdoor, and for arts, entertainment and reviewing reporting for work published in The Lutz News.

Photographer Fred Bellet, whose work is frequently featured in The Laker and in The Lutz News, won three first place awards and two-second place honors.

He won first place in the categories of sport picture, feature photo and photo series in one issue, for work published in The Laker. He also won second place in the categories of photo series in one issue and portfolio photography for work published in The Lutz News.

Manion’s winning entry in the faith and family reporting category detailed a church’s efforts to make the word of God accessible to people with hearing disabilities – through the installation of special equipment.

WWII Vet“The is a very informative article about an important subject. This type of journalism is a service to the community,” the judges wrote.

Her winning obituary detailed the life of Don Porter, whose influence played a significant role in shaping the development of Wesley Chapel.

The judges said the piece was “respectfully written — painted a complete picture of the man.”

Bellet’s winning entry in the feature photo category was of a World War II veteran, which the judges called “the standout photo” in its group, and said it “serves as a reminder that our World War II veterans are dwindling in number.”

Bellet also claimed top honors for a photo series featuring the Festival of Flights. The judges said: “A nice mix of shots, especially the little boy’s reaction and the evening shot of the balloons, that really brings the reader to this event.”

FestivalOfFlight8 copyBellet also captured a first place finish in the sports picture category for a photo capturing the precise instant of a skydiver’s landing. “A nice, tightly composed shot of an unusual sporting activity,” the judges said.

Manion’s other winning entries featured two stories from her Worth the Trip series, showcasing The Tampa Theatre and Bok Tower Gardens. She also was honored for an education story on a prize-winning custodian.

Bellet’s other winning entries featured a photo series featuring skydivers and a portfolio of photos.

Published July 29, 2015

A birthday celebration for America

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On July 4, Grand Horizons had a Fourth of July picnic/potluck at the community center. Approximately 85 residents attended this function and, from what Chris told me, everyone seemed to have a good time. She also went on to tell me that along with Rich and Chris Fulton who were hosting this event, they also had Dave and Jenny Molinek, Bill and Pidge Elliott, Tom and Sue Medise, and Chick and Annmarie Shackewyc helping and cleaning up. I was also told that Fred Sage gave the blessing. The Social Club supplied the fried chicken, coleslaw and potato salad, while desserts and side dishes were brought in by the individuals that were attending. Chris ended by saying that there was more than enough to eat, and nobody left hungry. It was a very good turnout, as some people were still away for the summer months.

Sue Amstutz and Bill Peters (Photos courtesy of Adrianne Ayres)
Sue Amstutz and Bill Peters (Photos courtesy of Adrianne Ayres)

On July 10, the lunch connoisseurs met and had a lovely lunch at Red Robin. I do not know the exact number of people who went, but I am sure they all had a good time. If I recall correctly, they have luscious and juicy hamburgers, and all the French fries that you can eat.

Paper crafting is still going on every Wednesday in the craft room. Here we can find many people with all sorts of talents, plus creative teachers. I do know, from being there last winter that all sorts of articles are created, and some of them are quite useful.

By Helene Rubenstein

Published July 22, 2015

Planting a garden that’s friendly to pets

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Gardeners love their plants and their pets. Knowing the basics about plants, design and safety can help make the garden a great space for humans and their nonhuman companions.

My pet-friendly yard is a favorite place for my dog, Pepper Pinson, to explore. (Photos courtesy of Nicole Pinson)
My pet-friendly yard is a favorite place for my dog, Pepper Pinson, to explore.
(Photos courtesy of Nicole Pinson)

To plant a dog-friendly yard, consider the places in your yard that your dog likes to visit. Does he use specific pathways? Does she like to patrol the fence line? Learning where your dog enjoys spending time in the garden can help you design a pet-friendly backyard. My 85-pound sheepdog, Pepper, loves to play in the garden. But on more than one occasion, Pepper has accidentally run over a newly planted shrub. Now, I notice where she likes to play, and I keep these parts of my garden plant-free, so we both can enjoy our backyard.

If you have favorite plants that are unique or fragile, consider locating them in the front yard to protect them from damage. You can also protect your plants by using raised beds. Keep in mind dogs are reluctant to push through vines and dense plantings. Sturdy plants, such as tough ornamental grasses, or plants with woody stems like viburnum, can help make your garden more resistant to dogs.

Some cats enjoy plants such as catnip. Many of us are familiar with catnip, also called catmint. Catnip is in the Lamiaceae family, which also includes many aromatic plants such as mint, rosemary, salvia and thyme. While being a favorite for cats, it also serves as an excellent garden plant for pollinators when blooming. Catnip is a perennial in Florida, and grows 3 feet to 5 feet tall. But if your catnip is anything like mine, the neighborhood cats will quickly find and roll around in it, which means you may need to replant it often. Catnip may be propagated from seed or cuttings.

Some common landscape plants, such as oleander, are toxic to cats and dogs.
Some common landscape plants, such as oleander, are toxic to cats and dogs.

Cats may also love to chew on grasses such as cat grass and lemongrass. Both cat grass and lemongrass are in the grass family, Poaceae. Lemongrass is an easy plant to grow, and it thrives in full sun. It is a perennial throughout most of Florida, and you can use the stalks to flavor teas, soups, curries and stir-fry.

However, any plant a pet eats could make them vomit, so it is usually a good idea to keep plants out of their reach.

According to Dr. Amber Meade, “Most veterinarians know common plant toxins, so if you suspect your pet is sick from eating a plant, always consult your veterinarian. It’s always better to have them evaluated as soon as possible, because sometimes waiting until they are showing signs of sickness is too late.”

The Pet Poison Helpline (PetPoisonHelpline.com/pet-owners/basics/top-10-plants-poisonous-to-pets/) is a good online resource that provides 24-7 support for pet owners.  The American Society for Prevention and Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) maintains a list of toxic and nontoxic plants on their website at ASPCA.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control.

For questions about poisonous or toxic plants, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has a poisonous plants webpage at FreshFromFlorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Plant-Industry/Bureaus-and-Services/Bureau-of-Entomology-Nematology-Plant-Pathology/Botany/Poisonous-Plants.

Dogs are reluctant to push through dense plantings such as plumbago.
Dogs are reluctant to push through dense plantings such as plumbago.

A pet-friendly yard also means using care when applying pesticides and other chemicals. Read pesticide labels carefully, and follow label directions with regard to application, timing and re-entry periods. Practice the basic steps of integrated pest management, and always properly identify the pest before selecting a control. When possible, use the least toxic pesticides, such as soaps, oils, spinosad or neem, if they are appropriate for your pest problem.

If your cat chews on houseplants, or your dog eats your shrubs, then do your research to develop a pet-friendly planting plan for your garden. Common landscape plants and houseplants may be toxic to our nonhuman companions. Doing some research can save you money and keep your pets safe!

For additional information, contact "> or (813) 744-5519, ext. 54145.

By Nicole Pinson

Nicole Pinson is Urban Horticulture Agent in Hillsborough County. The author gratefully acknowledges Dr. Amber Meade, MS, DVM, Broadway Veterinary Hospital, Durham, North Carolina, for her advice and input during preparation of this article.