The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The Laker/Lutz News wins national ad award

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An advertisement featuring some happy feet and encouraging readers to keep “a step ahead” was honored by a national contest featuring three newspaper industry groups.

The ad, from Family Foot & Ankle Care, won second in Small Space Ad-Black Ink Only, at the 2014 Advertising and Editorial Awards from the Southeastern Advertising Publishers Association, Community Papers of Florida, and Independent Free Papers of America.

Family Foot & Ankle Care is represented at the paper by Terri Williamson, and the ad was created by Stefanie Burlingame and Carolyn Bennett.

Winning first place was Reminder Publications of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and third place went to Camrose Booster in Camrose, Alberta.

The annual SAPA-IPF-CPF conference took place in Orlando this year. The competition received more than 1,400 entries, organizers said.

Florida adds more jobs in August

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Florida created 23,000 private sector jobs in August, once again exceeding the nation’s growth rate.

The statewide unemployment rate for August is 6.3 percent, down 0.8 percentage points from the August rate, according to a release from Gov. Rick Scott’s office. The state’s unemployment rate has dropped 4.8 percentage points since December 2010.

“The creation of 23,000 private sector jobs in Florida last month is another strong chapter in Florida’s economic turnaround story,” said Jesse Panuccio, executive director of the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity, in a release. “With measurable growth last month in the manufacturing and business and professional services industries, we can see that our efforts to foster the creation of high-skill, high-wage jobs are paying off for Florida families.”

Florida job postings compiled by the Help Wanted OnLine data service showed 273,281 openings in August. Florida’s 24 regional workforce boards reported more than 38,400 people were placed in jobs. Someone who received employment and training assistance through a CareerSource Center and finds a job within 180 days is deemed a placement, and may be reported by a regional workforce board. Of those, 8,134 had previously received unemployment benefits.

Florida is currently running a trade surplus of more than $18 billion, with $90.4 billion in exports and $71.8 billion in imports in 2012, compared to $86.8 billion in exports and $62.4 billion in imports in 2011.

It seemed like a whole new world, Part 1

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We left East Hartford, Connecticut, for our dream trip to South Dakota on Aug. 9. And for the first few days while traveling through several states, we experienced a change of scenery and weather.

It wasn’t until the end of the second day that we saw and experienced a big change. Yes, it was that obvious.

An overview of The Falls of the Big Sioux River in South Dakota. (Courtesy of Marty Rubenstein)
An overview of The Falls of the Big Sioux River in South Dakota.
(Courtesy of Marty Rubenstein)

At this time we saw many cornfields, wheat fields, flatlands, fog, windmills, drones to check out corn production, a utility worker repairing a high voltage transmission line about 100 feet off the ground while suspended by a helicopter, and more.

On Aug. 11, we left Austin, Minnesota, for a leisurely three-hour drive to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where we visited a five-story observation tower. We took an elevator to the top and saw the most fantastic scenery. It was so relaxing just looking.

Upon entering Sioux Falls Park, there were falls on your right and several buildings on your left. From here we went to view the Corn Palace that is located in Mitchell, South Dakota. Here we saw a short film on the history of the Corn Palace and then had a short guided tour before we went on our own.

There has been a Corn Palace since 1892. The building is decorated with corn showing life in the American West. As the Corn Palace grew, new ones were built while the others were demolished. Each year a new decorating theme is chosen, and the outside of the Corn Palace is stripped and redecorated with new corn and grains.

Another stop on this day was at the Ingalls Homestead. Do you remember “Little House on the Prairie”? We started off with a short film about the Ingalls family and homestead. We then took a walking tour through “Laura’s Living Prairie.” We saw the house where she grew up, in addition to a visit to the schoolhouse, the livestock barn, the church and so much more. It definitely brought back memories.

On Aug. 12, we went to the Minuteman Missile National Park Service, where we saw a short historic video about the possible launching of a nuclear missile during the Cold War era. This site was started in 1999 to illustrate the history and significance of the Cold War, the arms race, and the dedication of U.S. Air Force personnel. Upon leaving this site, we saw a Delta Flight Peacekeeper vehicle that was used by the security personnel to patrol surface facilities.

On to Badlands National Park. This drive was just fabulous. We saw the most spectacular and breathtaking scenery ever. We experienced the quiet and serene surroundings while viewing some of the outlooks.

The Badlands was established as a national monument in 1939. There are 244,000 acres in this park, and there are visitors from all over the world. There are peaks, gullies and wide prairies in the Badlands, and words cannot describe it.

We then went to Ben Reifel Visitor Center and saw a video plus many exhibits.

One more stop for the day and that is to Wall Drug store that has been in operation since 1931. It is known for its free ice water. Believe it or not, this is what made it so famous today.

Wall Drug survived the depression by offering free ice water to thirsty travelers and by building its reputation on friendly service. There are many gift shops, attractions, paintings and more, but no drugstore.

On Aug. 13, after a leisurely breakfast, we saw the South Dakota Air and Space Museum. There were so many exhibits we got to see, including the B-15 bomber, 28 vintage aircraft missiles, and helicopters.

Now on to Rapid City to view the Call of the Wild Museum. This was a wildlife exhibit complete with deer, zebra, goats, giraffes, lions and more. It was a remarkable visit.

Did you ever want to see how pottery was made? This next visit gave us the opportunity as we went to a factory store where you took a self-guided tour. Each piece of Sioux pottery is handcrafted by a Lakota artist, decorated with designs and symbols important to their culture, and signed by the artist who created it.

Our next stop was Bear Country U.S.A., which is a unique three-mile drive through the wildlife park. The park is nestled on 250 acres of Black Hills beauty.

We saw black and grizzly bears in addition to mountain lions, wolves, elk, bobcats, buffalo and more, where they roam free and we are in a cage — our car. We then took a walk through a small animal zoo. This is where the younger animals frolic and play. It was lots of fun.

Then we went to Dinosaur Park, which offered a great opportunity to experience the size and appearance of dinosaurs that roamed Western South Dakota during the time that they existed.

By Helene Rubenstein

Published September 17, 2014

More federal help coming for HLB-plagued citrus growers

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Florida citrus growers facing the threat of HLB will now have some additional help from the federal government.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it has expanded its Tree Assistance Program that will allow Florida producers to remove and replace trees as they decline from Huanglongbing, a tree disease more commonly known as citrus greening.

“USDA is investing in research and a variety of strategies to combat citrus greening over the long term,” said USDA secretary Tom Vilsack, in a release. “In the meantime, though, this support will help ensure growers are not wiped out in the short term. We must ensure that Florida’s citrus industry can weather this storm while a more permanent solution to this problem is developed. They key to the citrus industry’s survival is getting new trees in the ground, and we’re doing everything we can to help with that.”

Through the program, citrus growers will be eligible for up to 50 percent of the cost of the diseased trees removal, as well as site preparation. They also can receive 65 percent of the cost of replanting and labor, and 65 percent of the cost for seedlings.

Losses have to have occurred on or after Oct. 1, 2011, and individual stands must have sustained a mortality loss of 15 percent after adjustment for normal mortality, according to a release.

Florida’s citrus industry contributes $9 billion per year to the state’s economy, and supports about 76,000 jobs, according to the USDA. Florida accounts for 63 percent of all U.S. citrus production.

HLB is a bacterial disease that spreads internally throughout the plant. The disease, which is transmitted from infected plants to healthy ones by the Asian citrus psyllid, causes fruit to ripen unevenly and become lopsided, visibly smaller, and bitter-tasting. The bacteria do not pose a health threat to humans, livestock or pets, officials said, but the effect on the fruit crops is devastating.

Earlier this year, the USDA announced $25 million in funding for research and cooperative extension service projects to combat HLB, which all comes from the 2014 Farm Bill. The USDA allocated another $6.5 million to several other projects throughout the Huanglongbing Multi-Agency Coordination Group.

For more information, growers can contact their local Farm Service Agency office at Go.USA.gov/pYV3.

Lightning strikes again in Florida Hospital partnership

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Florida Hospital and the Tampa Bay Lightning are extending their partnership agreement through the 2015-16 hockey season.

As a presenting sponsor, Florida Hospital will receive a logo and name inclusion on all Lightning advertising campaigns and materials throughout the next two seasons. This continues the partnership that started in 2011, and includes being the official healthcare provider of the Arena Football League Tampa Bay Storm.

“We are proud to partner with the Tampa Bay Lightning, a world-class organization that is dedicated to giving back to the Tampa Bay community,” said Mike Schultz, president and chief executive of Florida Hospital West Florida Region, in a release. “We are proud to be associated with this champion organization who shares our core values of integrity, compassion, excellence and teamwork. Together, we are committed to improving the health of our community.”

During six Lightning home games this season, the team will feature a series called “Celebrate Life” that highlights special members of the community who have been positively impacted by the care received at Florida Hospital. The chain also will be the presenting sponsor of the annual Tampa Bay Lightning Fan Fest, scheduled for Amalie Arena on Sept. 27. There, fans will be able to watch a scrimmage, sled hockey, get autographs, and participate in a hockey class.

Doors open for that event at 10 a.m., and it’s free to the public.

Florida Hospital also will host two health awareness nights during the year featuring Breast Cancer Awareness Night on Nov. 1. That will be the culmination of a month-long awareness campaign encouraging women to get screened and join the Pink Army.

The Heart Health Awareness Night will be featured when the Lightning take on the Los Angeles Kings Feb. 7. The hospital also will be the associate sponsor of the Lightning’s annual Bolt Run.

Florida Hospital West Region consists of nine hospitals and 1,257 beds, including Florida Hospital at Connerton Long Term Acute Care, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills and Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

Floods can literally sweep people off their feet

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Florida is known for its lightning and rain. And with that can come flooding — which many people dismiss as not being something to worry about.

Yet, 18 to 24 inches of moving water can wash an SUV off the road, according to the National Weather Service. And more than half of all flood-related deaths are people driving through flooded roads.

The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes is reminding residents that when roads are flooded, to turn around, and don’t drown.

It also offers these tips for both before and during floods. All it takes is a few inches of water to cause major damage to a home, the organization said.

• Clear yard of any debris, plant material or other items like garden décor, foliage, or garbage cans, that can block water flow and storm drains.

• Place important papers — like birth and marriage certificates, passports, bank, and insurance information — in a watertight container. Take photographs or videos to create an inventory of personal possessions, and keep the camera card handy in case of evacuation.

• Identify and move electronics and other expensive items like computers, televisions and area rugs, on lower levels of the home, and elevate if possible to keep dry.

• Avoid flooded areas or those with rapid water flow. Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream, as it takes just 6 inches of fast-flowing water to sweep someone off their feet.

• Don’t allow children to play near high water, storm drains, or ditches. Hidden dangers could lie beneath the water.

• Flooded roads could have significant damage hidden by floodwaters. Never drive through floodwaters, or on flooded roads.

• Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to see flooded roads.

To learn more about how much flooding can cost, visit Flash.org.

In Print: Duke turns neighbors into tree-huggers

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Trees are something we take for granted. There are millions of them out there, and we see them virtually everywhere.

But what happens when those trees go away? Debbie Lane Goodman has lived on 10 acres off 20 Mile Level Road in Land O’ Lakes long before she was joined by the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex on one side, and the Plantation Palms community on the other. The family’s land was once orange groves, which were cleared out after a 1984 freeze.

Neighbors Debbie Lane Goodman and Eddie Midili survey tree trimming work Duke Energy has performed along a line route that crosses 20 Mile Level Road in Land O’ Lakes. The oak tree behind them is slated to come down next, which has riled up Goodman, Midili and other neighbors. (Photo by Michael Hinman)
Neighbors Debbie Lane Goodman and Eddie Midili survey tree trimming work Duke Energy has performed along a line route that crosses 20 Mile Level Road in Land O’ Lakes. The oak tree behind them is slated to come down next, which has riled up Goodman, Midili and other neighbors. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

Recovering financially from such a loss was tough, but emotionally it was even harder. So when her family planted an oak tree a couple years later, it helped start the healing process.

Yet, that tree will soon be no more. It’s within 50 feet of power lines recently upgraded by Duke Energy, and they are set to take the majestic tree — along with more than two dozen others nearby — down.

“They just came out four years ago and shaved the trees, and told us that’s all they were going to do,” Goodman told reporter Michael Hinman. “They said they didn’t need to cut any trees, and that it’s not even on their line. But then they came back and said we’re going to cut them all down.”

Duke, however, says it has no choice. It’s required by law to protect lines from trees and other vegetation, especially during a storm. Fines for allowing trees and such to bring down power lines and cut power to residents are huge.

But what can Goodman and her neighbors do? Find out in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, available now. Or, if you don’t want to go out in the rain, you can read our free online e-edition by clicking here.

God may take away one place, but it looks like he is giving in other places. The Benedictine Sisters of Florida opened the doors of their new monastery in St. Leo to reporter B.C. Manion recently, and what they had to show was impressive — at least as far as a monastery goes.

The new 28,000-square-foot structure replaces a larger 100,000-square-foot facility the nuns had across State Road 52. However, they sold that campus to Saint Leo University, and used those funds, plus a $500,000 capital campaign, to build their new home.

Want to learn more about it, and see what it looks like? It’s on the front page of our B Section this week in The Laker/Lutz News. Check out our print edition right now, or read all about it in our free online e-edition, which you can find right here.

And finally, Dean Patterson is making his fifth trip to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. And the 12-year-old can’t wait.

“I get kind of nervous and freaked out,” Patterson told reporter Michael Murillo. “But as the days (get closer), I normally just get all excited and happy.”

Patterson lives in Lutz and attends Martinez Middle School, but he also plays football for the South Pasco Predators Pop Warner team. Football has been his life for eight years, and he started getting attention on his skills when he was 7. And while he works hard on the gridiron, he’s had a great support network in his father and coach, Robert Patterson.

“I’ve been working with at-risk youth for 20 years, helping kids get back on track or stay out of trouble with the law,” the older Patterson said. “So to be able to do that with your kid, and see him flourish on the football field as well as the classroom, it’s a special deal.”

Read more about what both Pattersons have to look forward to in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, or check out our e-edition by clicking here.

All of these stories and more can be found in this week’s The Laker/Lutz News, available in newsstands throughout east and central Pasco County as well as northern Hillsborough County. Find out what has your community talking this week by getting your local news straight from the only source you need.

If The Laker/Lutz News is not coming to your door, call us to see where you can get your copy at (813) 909-2800, or read our free e-edition by clicking here.

It’s a family affair at Wilson’s Tractor & Supply

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Bruce and Jennifer Wilson, owners of Wilson’s Tractor and Supply Co., have an admirable goal – to one day turn their family business over to their two sons, Bruce Jr. and Aaron.

The Wilson Family
The Wilson Family

The couple wants their sons to know the value of hard work and to appreciate the rewards of customer satisfaction. They look forward to their boys carrying on the stellar reputation of the Wilson name, and to one day be able to support their families with the family business.

Self-employed for most of his adult life, Bruce owned other businesses — even moving his family to Georgia for a short time — before returning to his hometown of Dade City in 2002 to open Wilson’s Tractor and Supply Co. Mowers, leaf blowers, and weed eaters line the walls of the store, showing that Wilson’s carries much more than tractors. If your mower needs a new blade or tune-up, one of the staff will gladly help unload it out of your vehicle and into the service area.

Growing up in the business and now working alongside his dad, 20-year-old Bruce Jr. specializes in selling and repairing lawn equipment and tractors. He also makes sure that everything that leaves the store is in tip-top shape, ready to meet the needs of the customer. It is this level of detail and perfection that drives the entire Wilson family.

When not at Pasco High School as a vocational teacher, Jennifer Wilson is the company’s bookkeeper and unofficial door greeter at the store. In her “spare” time, Jennifer is chauffeur to her younger son, 13-year-old Aaron, and his group of friends who have recently discovered the art of yo-yoing.

Aaron watched a yo-yo demonstration during a visit to Disney and became enthralled with the artistry of the sport. After meeting several internationally acclaimed masters and learning several tricks, Aaron is focused on starting a yo-yo club at Centennial Middle School, where he is in the seventh grade.

Future Farmers of America and 4-H are clubs important to the Wilson family. While a student at Pasco High School, Bruce, Jr. was active in the school’s FFA Club. Aaron is continuing that legacy through his own leadership roles in the club, including raising a steer (aptly named Beefy) for the Pasco County Fair. Aaron is financing his current steer project with profits earned through previous projects with his 4-H group. The family also raises chickens and turkeys.

Rounding out the Wilson team is Fred “The Tractor Man” Roenicke. Fred is as iconic in Dade City as the green and yellow paint on the tractors he sells. Fred has more than 45 years experience selling tractors and other farm equipment. His knowledge about the tractor business, combined with his love of the local area, makes Fred a perfect employee for this family business.

What does the family do for fun when they’re not at the store?

“When you own your own business, you don’t have time for your own personal fun. You want your business to succeed and you want your customers to be happy,” said Jennifer. “But we do enjoy the hunting season.”

Time in the woods, away from the business, helps motivate this family to do even more and allows them to return to the town they grew up in, refreshed and ready to get back to work.

Wilson’s Tractor & Supply Co. is located at 12410 U.S. 301 in Dade City. It can be found online at WilsonTractorSupplyCo.com, by calling (352) 567-5002 or email .

– Jenny Timms

This story is a feature of the advertising department. 

Exquisite Italian-American Cuisine in a club house atmosphere

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Joe Marchica, owner of Lake Padgett Bistro, has owned several restaurants in the area. In fact, he’s been in the restaurant business for 40 years. His wife Gina, son Nicholas and two grandmothers all work together to provide an exceptional dining experience.

LakePadgettPizzaLake Padgett Bistro offers a full-scale restaurant menu serving family recipes handed down through the generations. The family originally emigrated from Sicily to New York and then moved to Florida.

Everything on the menu is homemade using fresh ingredients. There are no frozen or prepackaged entrees coming out of Joe’s kitchen.

Joe’s son Nicholas has done most of the work getting this restaurant setup and running. “I can’t praise him enough,” says Joe. “This is a family restaurant and eventually it will be handed down to him.”

The Bistro is located inside the Lake Padgett Clubhouse East on the lower level poolside and is open to the public. Clubhouse members receive pool-side service. You don’t need to be a Lake Padgett resident to join the club and enjoy all of the clubhouse amenities including a pool, gym, tennis and basketball courts and a BBQ area.

Lake Padgett Bistro is much more than a poolside grill. Customers can get a full meal for $12 to $14. The menu includes salads and appetizers, hot and cold subs, steak sandwiches, burgers, calzones, gourmet pizza, veal dinners, chicken dinners, mussels, clams, baked pasta and children’s dinners from $6.99.

They have facilities inside and outside for catering and pizza parties. Catering is also available for weddings and special occasions. Customers can also pickup party trays and salad trays for 10 to 15 people at unbeatable prices.

Pizza by the slice or a full pie is available for take-out or eating in. Right now they offer a Monday night special: purchase one pizza at regular price and get a second for $5. The Wednesday night special gives you a spaghetti and meatball dinner for only $5.

They also offer specials on football nights and coupons available where you can get two full dinners for $12 each.

A website is in the works where you’ll be able to find all of their current specials. Until then give them a call at (813) 406-4440.

“We’re here, we’re open, we’re ready to serve,” says Joe. “This is a unique setting, perfect for families enjoying a day at the pool with full service from our restaurant.”

Great food with a refreshing atmosphere in a park-like setting is only minutes away. Stop on by, say hello to Joe and his family, enjoy an excellent home cooked meal, and let Joe wash the dishes.

Lake Padgett Bistro is located at 4533 Savanah Way in Land O’ Lakes. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays, and from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends. They offer free delivery within five miles, and can be reached at (813) 406-4440.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department. 

Business to recognize Zephyrhills swimmer

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Westcoast Brace & Limb is set to recognize one of its patients during a swim meet Wednesday night at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

Taylor Sanders, who has been treated by the Tampa-area company since first being diagnosed with monoplegic infantile cerebral palsy, is a member of the Zephyrhills High School swim team, and will join her teammates Wednesday beginning at 6 p.m. to face Sunlake High School.

The recreation complex is at 3032 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.

Sanders, a sophomore at Zephyrhills High, has faced challenges all her life, according to a release. She was originally put in a wheelchair, and told she would never be able to walk. However, Sanders taught herself how to walk, but used her tip toes, which caused a deformity in her right hip, making her less mobile.

However, since last November, Sanders has undergone two surgeries to correct her hip displacement, and to help lessen her pain and gait impairment. She had four bones cut in half, a hip rotated from her abnormal 70 degrees to the correct 15 degrees, a calf muscle cut to relieve the spasticity and throbbing constant pain, and her foot and ankle reconstructed.

She started the year on the swim team, but was not able to actually swim because she was still in her cast from surgery. She continued to show up to practice, and once she got her cast off Aug. 14 — just four weeks after surgery — she was in the pool the same day.

On Aug. 27, Sanders swam the 50-meter freestyle in 50 seconds, participating in her first meet of the season.

The recognition at Wednesday’s meet is designed to help raise awareness of cerebral palsy, and the positive effects that swim teams and high school sports have on disabled kids, according to a release.

Westcoast Brace & Limb has five locations in the greater Tampa Bay area, as well as mobile units throughout the region.