The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Grand Horizons welcomes in the new year

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Approximately 100 residents of Grand Horizons and some family members enjoyed the New Year’s Eve celebration in our community center.  It was definitely done in very good taste, and you could see the preparations that went into it. There was much work, and it certainly was appreciated by all.

Chick and Annmarie Shackewyc were the hosts for this party, and were assisted by Brian Heidman and Sue Laurin, Rich and Chris Fulton, and Bill and Judy Ellsworth. Our sincere thanks go out to all of them.

Barbara and Ken Holzapfel look surprised that 2014 is finally here. (Courtesy of Helene Rubenstein)
Barbara and Ken Holzapfel look surprised that 2014 is finally here. (Courtesy of Helene Rubenstein)

Billy Cole performed the DJ duties, and it was one song after another. He did an outstanding job. Billy also took requests and tried to accommodate all. There was country, pop, slow dances, and many songs from our generation that brought back pleasant memories.

There also were line dances, and even a polka thrown in. The music had us singing, dancing and more.

Every couple that attended brought a plate for the table and there ended up being a large variety of nibbles. In addition to this, a huge table was set up in the room with all types of spreads, crackers, and quite a bit more.

In the course of the evening, names were pulled and the winners got an envelope with something “special” in it.  So, in addition to the good time, several people went home with a little something to remember this grand event.

Toward the end of the evening pictures were also taken, and then emailed to the specific person or couple. We had the television set on in the community center when it was getting close to midnight, and when it eventually got to be the new year, we rejoiced with the crowd on the set.

Horns were blaring and clickers were clicking as we welcomed in the new year in Grand Horizon style.

On Jan. 2, we had our first social club of the year with our new social director, Barb Sullins. Approximately 20 to 25 people came to the community center to hear about the activities that they have planned for the coming year and to give our new director some support.

Terry Gardner spoke about the upcoming show on Jan. 24, and another show that will be in February, while Andy Castonguay talked about the spaghetti dinner on Jan. 16.  Several more items were on the agenda, and all in all, the meeting was informative.

The following day proved to be very windy and quite brisk out, but we still had four shuffleboard players that braved the cold and played three games. It was fun, and you tolerated the cold more and more as the games progressed.

The afternoon hours found several people at the community center playing Rummikub. This is a fun game and has you thinking as you would do in the game of mahjong.  As in most of our games played at Grand Horizon, there is much laughter, kidding around and friendly banter along with much teasing.

The following morning, on Jan. 4, we had our first breakfast of the new year. It was an excellent turnout of 85 to 90 people buying tickets, and more being served that included all the volunteers that made this breakfast such a success. This was the biggest that we ever had for breakfast.

Attending this function were many of our neighbors and several guests. There were three couples that attended the egg n’ bag for the very first time, and they were recognized by Linda Tutin, along with the rest of the people in attendance.

As in every breakfast, we had a drawing for a winner of a free egg n’ bag, and the lucky winner was me. Our breakfast consisted of eggs or Egg Beaters, along with potatoes, a biscuit, orange juice and coffee. There was also jam, butter and other condiments available.

After our holiday break, many of the residents met at the community center on Jan. 6 for a lively game of dominoes. We always have a very good time at Mexican Train, and this day was no exception with friendly banter.

On Jan. 10, we had our once-a-month lunch connoisseurs at The Lucky Dill.  We had gone there before and we had a delightful time with great food, and we did once again. There were 42 people who attended, and there were so many items on the menu that people had a difficult time deciding what to order.

They had a bakery with all sorts of goodies in it, and it was quite busy. The many cakes, cookies, pies, bagels, etc., were so inviting that you had to at least take a look.

Our thanks go out to Bill and Donna Quinn, who were hosts for this luncheon.

By Helene Rubenstein

Great place to eat, hidden in plain sight

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If you are ready for a delicious quick bite to eat with a unique flavor, this is the place to go.

The gyro platter with sautéed veggies is one of the popular healthy dishes at Gyro Zone in Lutz.
The gyro platter with sautéed veggies is one of the popular healthy dishes at Gyro Zone in Lutz.

I found a little Middle Eastern-flair Lebanese café that is actually next to a gas station right on U.S. 41 in Lutz called the Gyro Zone.

Trust me, don’t judge a book by its cover. Even though it’s next to a gas station, you will be very impressed with the quality of food the owner delivers, and the great service he provides.

I have to admit, I have not eaten Middle Eastern food before, but this food is delicious, wholesome and tastes very fresh. And I liked that it’s something totally different than we are used to with traditional American food.

The owner, Abe Srour — who was born in Lebanon — says that “seeing people happy and coming back is what I do this for.” He added that 95 percent of his customers are American, and “I feel they are looking for something different. We have brought a new cuisine to this community, and people have been very receptive. Everyone that has come in has returned many times.”

One of the things I love about family restaurants, instead of the big corporate ones, is you really get that family feel from the owners. Abe is such a nice guy, and you can tell he really enjoys serving his customers. Honestly, even though the food is great, it’s worth a trip, even just to meet this guy!

One of the items they specialize in is gyros, which is lamb. If you have never had this before, I encourage you to try it. It’s very healthy. I also tried the homemade hummus, and that was a delicious snack to start with.

Abe recommended I try the chicken shawarma, even though I had no idea what it was. But I was willing to check it out, and wow, was I surprised.

“Shawarma” is a Turkish word that means “turning,” so basically the meat is turning on a spindle while it’s being cooked. It is a vertical rotisserie, and you can choose chicken, beef or gyro.

To reduce the carbs, I modified the platter that came with the sautéed veggies and rice, and I left off the rice. I believe in eating a higher-fat diet and controlling your blood sugar levels by monitoring your carbs. This helps you lose weight easily, age slower, have ultimate health, and get rid of cravings.

The flavors that Abe used are delicious and so unique, I had to control myself not to eat too much (love those to-go boxes). Traditionally, a gyro comes with a wrap, but one thing I like here is they offer it with or without that, and you can just enjoy the meat and veggies. It is just as enjoyable without the excess carbs.

Another thing I like is the oil they use — a very thick olive oil from Lebanon, which is much better for you than using vegetable oils that many restaurants use. Consuming vegetable oils in excess are linked to inflammation in the body, so you want to reduce those in your food choices.

The Gyro Zone is located at 18215 U.S. 41 in Lutz. Its hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.

I encourage you to check it out, and experience Abe’s skill for cooking great food, and his passion for hospitality.

By Samantha Taylor, Pure Health Studios

Woman’s club loses one of its brightest stars

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The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club is grieving the loss of one of its most cherished members.

Mary Martin, a longtime member of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, lost her battle with cancer on Jan. 1.
Mary Martin, a longtime member of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, lost her battle with cancer on Jan. 1.

Mary Martin, a club member who served for 35 years in nearly every capacity, lost her battle with cancer on New Year’s Day. She was 85.

She fought courageously to overcome two bouts of cancer and again tolerated heavy treatments, but sadly lost her third battle.

Mary was a lovely and petite American of Japanese-English descent, known for her quiet dignity, kindness and meticulous style. Wherever she went she always was perfectly turned out and made up.

She was a talented artist and crafts woman, and for many years, played tennis with a Tampa Bay area group.

She was a woman of great faith and a longtime member of First United Methodist Church of Lutz. Her faith sustained her and gave her the strength to bear the heavy burdens she faced, especially during the last few years.

Mary recently spoke of wanting to “go home to the Lord” and rejoin her beloved Duane in their Father’s House. She suffered the loss of her husband of 48 years, Duane Martin, a few months ago.

She is at peace, now.

Mary is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, and two grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Woman’s Club members mourn the loss of their dear friend, but are consoled in knowing the heavenly skies burn more brightly now, with her twinkling glow.

“As gentle as a snowflake, may peace come to your heart.”

-Japanese proverb

By Patricia Serio

A culture of caring is needed at school, home

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Since becoming Pasco Superintendent of School, I have spoken at length about creating a culture of caring and respect, and the importance of social-emotional learning — giving our students the skills they need to navigate their lives in a healthy, positive way.

Kurt Browning
Kurt Browning

And that is why I feel compelled to write today. Recently, the Pasco County community lost a 16-year-old in a senseless act of violence committed by another teenager.

The District School Board of Pasco County has been working diligently to foster a culture of respect. We started this conversation over the summer at the Together We Stand youth summit, and we now must raise our voices to get the message across.

Today, I write this letter to continue the conversation about how we can all help our kids grow into responsible and caring adults, who interact with one another in a civil, respectful way. I don’t have all the answers in our schools, but I know we cannot do this without the community.

I know it will take deliberate and tough conversations within families and communities to help kids learn how to deal with conflict and cope with adversity appropriately. We must work together!

Whether you’re a Pasco native, or you moved here from somewhere else; whether you’re rich or poor; whether your skin color is red, olive, black or white — this culture of violence is our problem, and we must work together to create the type of community we want for our children. A culture of caring and respect must transcend the school doors and spill over into the community, especially during this holiday season.

In the meantime, I call on government, business, community, faith, and especially our youth leaders to resume talking about how we can address the problems our kids are experiencing. I urge parents and caretakers to talk to their children on an ongoing basis about what’s appropriate and not appropriate. Know their friends. Watch their Facebook and Twitter conversations. Set limits and talk to them about your expectations.

If you have any thoughts or ideas to help further this dialogue, please do not hesitate to email me at .

We do not need any more children killing children. We need adults and children to practice respect and to care for each other.

Are you with me?

By Kurt Browning is superintendent of Pasco County Schools.

City Grill brings a new dining experience to Wesley Chapel

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CityGrillCloserLook

Executive chef Gerry Malynowsky, owner of City Grill, brings a chef-driven international menu, craft beers, signature drinks and a nice wine selection to Wesley Chapel diners. The main dining area hosts plenty of seating and beautiful new bar. A pool table and dart boards are provided in the lounge area.

For many years, Gerry owned and operated a popular sports bar in the same location, Winners Grill. He sold it in 2008, but was forced to repossess it in 2013. It didn’t take long for Gerry to realize this wasn’t the same restaurant, so he closed it down, completely renovated the interior and recently opened it again as City Grill.

“We’re very excited to offer Wesley Chapel a whole new dining experience,” says Gerry. “We’re an independent, non- chain restaurant offering a unique menu with fresh chef-prepared food from local suppliers.” He brought his chef, Kasia Lavigne, from San Francisco where she earned Cordon Blue degree in Culinary Arts from the acclaimed California Culinary Academy.

“Unlike the average chain restaurant, we want you to feel comfortable sitting here long after your meal is finished,” says Gerry. “We have ladies come in for lunch and stay for a couple of hours enjoying their martinis. It’s a really friendly and relaxed atmosphere.”

City Grill has a nice selection of specialty sandwiches. Customer favorites include the Reuben (corned beef piled high on grilled rye, 1000 island, swiss cheese and sauerkraut), Corned Beef and Rye, Prime Rib on toasted bread, and the Cuban (mojo pork, smoked ham, salami and swiss cheese on pressed buttered cuban bread). You’ll also find chicken sandwiches and a variety of burgers (made with freshly ground NY strip, ribeye and sirloin steak).

Monday through Friday, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., two can share a sandwich for the price of one. “We know how the economy has affected people,” says Gerry. “This seemed like a nice way for us to give people a really nice lunch at a very affordable price.”

Dinner selections are simply outstanding. Select three types of steak prepared four different ways. Fresh fish from St. Pete includes Grouper and freshwater Tilapia with six different preparation choices. Gulf oysters, shrimp and lobster crab cakes are also on the menu.

At City Grill, every member of the family will find something to their liking. “The menu is continually evolving,” says Gerry. “We have a lot of ideas for the coming year. We want this to be a fun place to enjoy a meal with your family.”

Gerry is very supportive of local artists. He’s planning to bring in local jazz and blues bands to play on Friday and Saturday nights starting in the new year. You can also find artwork on display from local artists. Andrew Krance will be displaying his artwork at the restaurant on the last Thursday in January 2014.

The atmosphere is casual. The food is excellent. The staff is friendly. And Gerry is always interested in your opinions and suggestions. Stop on in and enjoy the food at the best new restaurant in Wesley Chapel.

City Grill is open nights with a late night menu and a full bar. They are located at 5427 Village Market, at the corner of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and State Road 54, in Wesley Chapel.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Permanent makeup comes to Wesley Chapel

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Valerie Rudmin, owner of Everlasting Beauty, has been a permanent makeup specialist for 26 years. She first heard about permanent makeup when Michael Jackson had permanent eyeliner applied. She thought, what a great idea! That inspired her to become a permanent makeup artist to help those in need, especially women without eyebrows.

She immediately enrolled in one of the only schools in the United States offering permanent makeup and began offering it as a service through the hair salon she owned in Chicago.

Her first client was herself. “I wanted to show my clients what I was talking about, rather than trying to explain it, no one knew what this was” says Valerie. “That way, they could see the results first-hand.” Her business took off from there.

In 1990, she moved to Florida. Shortly after that, she met a doctor in Hernando County, who asked her to come to work in his office. Her reputation grew, and she began working with cosmetic surgeons at the Clearwater Center for Cosmetic Surgery.

After attending a conference 16 years ago in North Carolina, she was invited to open a studio in Des Moines, Iowa. Every couple of months, she flies there to work with clients who’ve booked appointments from all over the U.S.

“I always wanted to work closer to home,” says Valerie. “A friend found a studio that’s just a few minutes from my home, so I opened a studio in Wesley Chapel in January (2013) adding to my other locations.”

Valerie currently has over 30 certifications in permanent makeup. Her education is ongoing. “I’m always interested in learning something new,” says Valerie. “In 1992, I took some time off to study with master tattoo artist Big Joe in New York. He was the best in the industry and a really interesting character.”

The majority of her work comes from referrals. “People need to know who’s working on their face,” says Valerie. “There are things that should not be done, mistakes that can cause irreversible damage. A tattoo artist with a couple of classes in permanent makeup is probably not the wisest choice.”

Valerie’s studio is a safe and sterile environment that’s been licensed and inspected by the State of Florida Health Department. She uses the best topical anesthetic and knows how to apply them so her clients don’t feel anything while she’s working on them. Most work is completed in a single visit lasting a little over one hour. Clients leave her office with no swelling, bleeding or bruising, just makeup that wont wash off.

Valerie is a Lifetime Member of The Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals (SPCP.org). She also remodels scars, including chemo port scars, creates the 3D areola on “our beautiful breast cancer survivors”, as well as eyebrows, eyeliner and lip liner. She also has her own skin care product line. She works by appointment only. Call her at (727) 460-3847 to set up an appointment.

“I can take 10 years off your face simply by doing your eyebrows,” says Valerie. “It feels good to wakeup with makeup.”

Valerie Rudmin can be reached at (727) 460-3847, or by email at .

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

‘Barley Claus’ is coming to town

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Move over Santa. There’s a new jolly elf in town.

That’s the message the folks at East-West Animal Hospital in Lutz are trying to get out as the date draws near for “A Very Barley Christmas Party.”

Barley and his ‘mom,’ Lea Murray, will make an appearance at ‘A Very Barley Christmas Party’ Dec. 14. (Photo courtesy of Lea Murray)
Barley and his ‘mom,’ Lea Murray, will make an appearance at ‘A Very Barley Christmas Party’ Dec. 14. (Photo courtesy of Lea Murray)

The holiday-themed celebration is a fundraiser with a twist. Proceeds will benefit a variety of animal rescue groups, including Second Chance Boxer Rescue, Kitty City and the National Opossum Society. Instead of a visit from St. Nick, attendees can meet “Barley Claus,” an opossum that’s become quite a local celebrity since he was rescued and nursed back to health nearly two years ago.

Barley was involved in a car accident as a baby. That accident killed his mother and siblings, explained hospital spokesman Dennis Costantino. With some tender, loving care from East-West’s staff and his new “mom,” Lea Murray, Barley survived.

Since his rescue, Barley has become the hospital’s mascot of sorts, but more importantly he’s “an ambassador for these very misunderstood animals,” Costantino said. While some people think opossums are mean and others brand them nuisances, Costantino said those perceptions are false.

“They are very solitary and quiet,” he said.

Opossums tend to avoid people and only hiss when they’re cornered and scared. They don’t carry rabies, but they do play an important role in Florida’s ecosystem.

“They’re basically the garbage men,” surviving off carrion and bugs, Costantino explained.

Opossums are highly resistant to poisonous snake and spider bites, and tend to keep areas where they live free of such pests as roaches, Costantino said.

They’re also quite photogenic — or at least Barley is. That’s why the locally famous marsupial plans to pay a visit to the hospital’s celebration dressed as “Barley Claus.” Attendees can get their holiday pictures taken with him during the event for a donation to the animal rescue groups.

Proceeds from the photos and chance drawings will be split among numerous rescue groups, explained Jade Sceusa, the hospital’s office manager. Fifty percent will go directly to the opossum society, while the other half will benefit a host of other groups.

Although the celebration is meant for fun, it does have a serious purpose.

“We wanted to do more for the species,” Sceusa said. “We are so passionate about rescue.”

Why has Barley become such a celebrity?

“Everyone has just fallen in love with Barley,” Sceusa said. “He’s the cutest little guy.”

A Very Barley Christmas Party takes place Dec. 14 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., at East-West Animal Hospital, 1524 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The event features food from Uptown Pizza & Subs, Panera Bread, Publix and The Breakfast Nook.

There will also be a variety of local vendors present, goodie bags given away and opossum fans can pick up their Barley calendars and T-shirts.

For more information, visit www.EastWestAnimalHospital.com.

By Sherri Lonon

A whole body approach to health care

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Dr. Brandon DelleChiaie, a chiropractic physician at the Florida Wellness and Rehab Center in Zephyrhills, offers his clients a holistic approach to wellness. “We attack every condition with a whole-body approach,” says Dr. Brandon. “This is the foundation for the way we practice medicine.”

Florida Wellness and Rehab is a multidisciplinary company providing patients with a one-stop place for health care. “The difference between us and a family doctor’s office is that we do it all in-house,” says Dr. Brandon. “Our patients love this convenience.”

They have a primary care physician on-site providing the same services as your family doctor. In addition, they provide chiropractic care, physical therapy and massage therapy. “This is the direction medicine is going,” says Dr. Brandon. “Medicine is a need for care. We treat the whole person, not just the symptoms of a particular problem.”

During his youth, he felt the aches, pains and injuries of an aspiring athlete. He learned firsthand how chiropractic care out-performed traditional medicine and allowed him to heal and get back in the game quicker.

But it was an auto accident in college that proved to him that a holistic approach was more effective at reducing pain and solving problems than traditional medicine. He was studying pre-med at Florida State University, and then chose to attend chiropractic school over medical school.

Dr. Brandon graduated from the prestigious Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2010. Palmer College was the first school offering chiropractic care. It’s over 100 years old. It was also the first school to offer a course of study in physical therapy to treat physical pain and provide a formal path to recovery.

Dr. Brandon was born and raised in Dade City. He is active in sports and is keenly aware of the importance of exercise and proper nutrition for the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.

A holist approach to medicine looks at the whole person. Dr. Brandon takes the time to get to know every one of his patients. Treatments provided at Florida Wellness and Rehab are focused on adding to the fullness of your life, rather than trying to simply remove a symptom.

“The holistic approach to medicine is the next big thing,” says Dr. Brandon. “We see the whole person that walked into our office. We want them to walk out our door with much more than a prescription. We want them to live an optimal life, a full and healthy life in every way possible.”

Walk-ins are welcome at Florida Wellness and Rehab. They take every major medical insurance and have very affordable rates. They treat the whole family, from childhood through senior adulthood.

Florida Wellness and Rehab is located at 6751 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills, across the street from Pin Chasers. They can be reached at (813) 715-2935, or at FloridaWell.com.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Food pantry ‘blessed’ to provide for those in need

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The big red building on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard might not fetch more than a causal glance from some passersby, but many who step through the doors say it’s a place where blessings are granted regularly.

The nonprofit food pantry located just south of Ehren Cutoff has been helping feed area families in need since 1987. Although not always situated in its current 5514 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., home, the agency has grown through the years to meet the needs of the community.

Mike Head packs grocery bags for clients of Christian Social Services. (Photo by Sherri Lonon)
Mike Head packs grocery bags for clients of Christian Social Services. (Photo by Sherri Lonon)

Holding true to its Christian roots, the pantry has very few rules for those who receive assistance. Individuals or families in need just need to stop by during regular hours to receive emergency food staples. Help is given on an honor system, explained Jacquie Petet, the agency’s executive director.

While tons of food goes out of the agency’s doors each month to hundreds of families in need, Petet said the community always steps up to make sure the food doesn’t run out.

“We are blessed,” she said, noting that 12 area churches and their congregations assist in keeping the pantry’s shelves stocked. Area residents also lend a hand by donating nonperishable food items, money and extras, such as presents for children during the holidays and backpacks at back-to-school time.

Christian Social Services also is partially self-supporting thanks to an onsite thrift store that’s open to the public.

Even though support for the mission is strong, Petet said additional help is always welcomed and needed. The last few years especially have been difficult with the economy down and donations to regular food drives, such as the postal carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger drive, down with it.

Before the economy turned a few years ago, the postal drive brought enough food into the pantry to handle demand for months. That’s no longer the case, Petet said.

“The last few years, it’s been substantially down,” she said.

There are many ways area residents can help out, said Llurah Utt, a longtime volunteer at Christian Social Services. Not only can they donate food, money or even items for the thrift store, but volunteers are always needed as well.

“We always welcome people that want to volunteer,” Utt said.

Christian Social Services operates its pantry and community thrift store with the help of three full-time employees — including Petet — and two part-time workers. About 20 volunteers fill in the gaps to make sure shelves are stocked, items are sorted, and bags of food are prepared for those in need.

“Our volunteers are a hundred times better than most people’s employees,” Petet said.

Employee Mike Head said the agency has been a godsend to his family and he’s been “blessed” to help others in return. Head began working at Christian Social Services several years ago after he was laid off from a full-time cable installer job.

While Mike now works at the agency, his wife Bobbi and two children, Bianka, 8, and Bryan, 10, are often at his side volunteering to help other families facing difficult times.

“It’s nice to be able to instill that,” Head said of giving back.

Christian Social Services’ pantry and thrift store are open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit CSS-HelpingHands.org, or call (813) 995-0088.

— Sherri Lonon

Professional Racing comes to local UPS store

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Carl Lunderstadt and his wife Robin Bonanno, owners of The UPS Store at 23110 State Road 54, at Collier Parkway, are taking their store to a whole new level of customer service and support. They have owned the store since Oct. 5th.

“The first week we took over the store we saw a woman struggling to carry a bunch of packages into the store,” says Carl. “We ran right out and helped her. Now we tell our customers to be sure and ask us for help. We’re happy to come to the car and help them.”

Robin is a professional race car driver, and Carl is her crew chief. Robin brings personality and enthusiasm to a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Robin has now dedicated her racing career to racing for a national children’s charity called The Dream Factory. Sponsors are welcome.

Robin is also a sought-after motivational speaker for local business and charitable organizations. She’s particularly proud of her work with children experiencing behavioral problems which focuses on trying to keep them out of juvenile reform institutions.

Robin has a business background. She’s owned a fish and tackle manufacturing company, was a business manager for Anchor Glass, and managed a national pest control company. She’s also a licensed pilot, musician, race car driver, racing instructor, and a professional ski instructor.

Robin and Carl admit to having a lot of hobbies. They’re avid hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and restore antique cars in their spare time. “Life is an adventure,” says Robin. “We want to have a good time with everything we do.”

Over the years, Carl has owned a dozen different companies. He was president of a Florida mining operation, co-founder of regional bank, chairman of the Florida Economic Development Commission, president of a family crisis center, co-founder of a biblically-based graphic novel company (Kingstone Media Group), and is the recipient of a number of community service awards.

Carl is also Robin’s racing crew chief, a racing instructor, and a professional ski instructor. Together they bring a great deal of professional expertise and commitment to the UPS Store.

This UPS store also does printing. “We want to be known as a printer that does shipping,” says Carl. “We’re looking to become a printing hub for all of the local businesses. Our store is newly expanded so we have the room and the equipment.”

The store also has office supplies and stationery. “We also provide notary services and fax services at very reasonable prices,” says Robin. “Our biggest selling item is postage stamps. Customers pay a little more for the stamps but they save on gas and time driving to the post office. It’s a convenience thing.”

Carl and Robin will be serving coffee and cookies during the holidays. Stop on by and say hello. And be sure to watch for their grand opening after the holidays. During the grand opening, Robin will have her race car on display and will be signing autographs.

The UPS Store is located at 23110 State Road 54 at Collier Parkway, in the Willow Bend Shopping Center. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.