The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

New Zephyrhills library will offer more choices for patrons

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Edward Bent will soon bring his young stepdaughter, Calee Heinlein, to a place stocked with more children’s stories than it ever has had.

That’s because city officials in Zephyrhills plan to build a new public library to replace the one that’s just north of city hall on Eighth Street.

The new Zephyrhills library will have a separate room for a larger children’s section. This is the current children's section at the Zephyrhills Public Library. (Photo by Marie Abramov)
The new Zephyrhills library will have a separate room for a larger children’s section. This is the current children’s section at the Zephyrhills Public Library. (Photo by Marie Abramov)

Replicating an architectural style of the early 1900s, the new library will be twice as large as the one used now by residents. It will have more books in all genres, as well as movies, magazines, public-use computers and electronic upgrades.

Blueprints should be complete by October, and building is scheduled to begin in November. Construction could take up to a year.

Bent and his family come to the Zephyrhills library three or four times a week and generally stay about three to four hours each time. Heinlein and her brother play and read in the library’s children’s section.

“I know bringing her here from an early age has really helped her and her developmental skills,” Bent said. “If I had to choose between the money being spent here as opposed to a recreational facility, it’ll definitely be here because this is long-term, sustained knowledge and things that’s gonna help them in the future.”

The estimated cost for the project is up to $1.7 million, financed through Penny for Pasco and private donations, said librarian Vicki Elkins. That will allow the project to start without additional debt, taxes and fees, city officials said.

The new library will be built on the parking lot just north of the current library. It will have an arched entrance, atrium and a white stone foundation. It will have separate rooms for children and certain organizations that might want to have community meetings. The new library will also be equipped with charging stations for electronic devices.

Once it’s completed, the old library building will be razed, and a new parking lot will be built in its place.

Joe DelVecchio, a regular library patron for about four years, thinks an expansion is long overdue.

“We need a bigger one,” DelVecchio. “We need more books. I’m running out of Westerns. I read a lot. It’s gonna help the city.”

–Marie Abramov

What ever happened to that old black-and-white TV?

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Marty and I were invited to our new friend’s house to see a Yankee vs. Red Sox game on his new TV. We were in our car traveling to his home that is in a nearby town of Colchester when my mind started to wander back some 50 odd years.

I recalled the time when TVs were a rarity, and people used to stand in front of the store windows where there was a display of new television sets, and at times it would be playing a broadcast. Some big and some small crowds would always congregate outside the store trying to get a look at this new invention. They always walked away with a promise to someday get a television set.

Well, it wasn’t long after this that my dad brought home a 13-inch black and white television set. We were in our glory at this time. It seemed as if we were one of the few people on the block where we lived who owned a set.

We thought we had friends before this, but at this time, it seemed like everyone wanted to do things with us. I wonder why? Yes, all of a sudden, we were everyone’s best friend.

My brother and I, who would use the new purchase more often than the rest of the family and constantly fight over it, finally devised a plan between the two of us so that we knew who would have control of the TV. We designated a particular seat in the living room. That’s right; whoever was sitting at this certain seat had complete control over the television set.

At this time, there were no remote controls, so if the person wished to watch a different program on a different channel, he had to state, “Change the channel” and then get up and go do whatever he had to. Nobody, at this time, was allowed to take the seat. If the person forgot to say these words before getting up from the seat, anyone could take over.

This was a different way to do this, but there was no way to go channel surfing like we do today. Of course, all rules were put to rest if our father or mother decided they wanted to watch something. A small argument may have developed, but the end result was always the same — the parents won.

It was also null and void when the Milton Berle Show was on. Then, Uncle Miltie always won. I was so busy reminiscing of these earlier times that I almost missed the correct turn-off.

Well, we were getting closer to our friend’s house, and the home is in a beautiful section with so much scenery. The house is right on a lake with a little boat tied up to the docks. Oops, almost missed the house while gazing at all the beauty that surrounds us. We park our car, go into the house, and boy, their TV sure has come a long way.

It is so much bigger than the 13-inch black and white. This is a huge set that is plastered against the front of the den, and I would say it is approximately 40 inches or so.

When the Yankee-Red Sox game came on, it almost felt like we were in the park. We cheered with the rest of the crowd in the stands. If a batter hit a foul ball, I actually could see the ball coming my way, and I reached out to catch it. Darn it, the person next to me in the stands caught it.

Since it was the New York Yankees vs. the Boston Red Sox teams, we could sense the friction between the two. The coloring was so vibrant that I could almost smell the grass and see each bead of perspiration on a player’s face. When a fight between the two teams broke out, it almost felt like we were on the pile of players kicking and punching one another.

Eventually the game went on again and the better team won. Seeing it on thin plasma left us with a feeling that we were at the game.

The end of the game came, and we left the house quite content but not knowing how we will stand using our television set after seeing this.

Yes, TV has come a long way. Each year finds something new and different on a set.

–Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

Building homes for the poor abroad

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Since the buses and trucks couldn’t carry them up the goat path on the mountainous outskirts of Tegucigalpa, Crystal McDaniel and 55 other volunteers trudged up the cliff-like slope — lugging hammers, chainsaws, belts and other construction tools.

They were on a mission to build three wooden houses on the hill, but first had to negotiate large rocks to get there.

Matthew McDaniel, (from left) Marisa Jaroch, Eric Lake and Haydn Manuel work on building a wall for a Honduran home during a mission trip.
Matthew McDaniel, (from left) Marisa Jaroch, Eric Lake and Haydn Manuel work on building a wall for a Honduran home during a mission trip.

One home was for a disabled woman who had never been off the mountain.

Dark clouds formed over the building site and the nearby lush terrain, and heavy showers soaked the volunteers. But the downpour didn’t dampen their enthusiasm.

They donned ponchos and worked through the wet weather — working in three teams and finishing three houses by the end of the day.

“It’s the hardest I ever worked in my life,” McDaniel said of her stay in Honduras.

Besides making it more difficult to build, the rainstorm caused water to stream down the goat path making the rocks slippery as the construction crew headed down the mountain at the end of the day.

McDaniel and her teenage son Matthew made the trip as part of an outreach organized by Northwest Tampa Church of Christ. The Lutz residents are parishioners of the church and spent two weeks toward the end of June building houses for the poor in Honduras. The volunteers built 37 one-room homes, which measure 14-by-14. Each home is valued at about $1,200.

There’s very little to no public assistance in Honduras, which is the second poorest country in Central America, according to the CIA’s website.

About one-third of the 8.5 million people living in Honduras are underemployed, and more than half of the residents live in poverty. Impoverished conditions are especially great in rural and indigenous areas, like the three villages where the volunteers helped.

The nation also has the highest murder rate in the world.

“Up in the mountains is where we worked,” said Keith Boyer, a leading organizer on this trip. “It’s just the poorest of the poor. They squat on the land, and then they get ownership. And then we’ll build as many houses as we can.”

Crystal was motivated by a desire to help those less fortunate.

“We’re here to serve others — seriously,” she said. “I was born and raised with a family that — you (live) a life of service.”

Matthew said he went to Honduras because it was a new and different experience.

“I do it to grow closer to the youth group that goes down there,” he said. “And then it’s nice to go help people who don’t have anything. Even though it’s hard work, building the houses is actually kind of fun, and you get to see another country.”

The nondenominational Northwest Tampa Church of Christ, located at Sheldon Road in Tampa, gets parishioners from all over the Tampa Bay area. Church organizers have been planning annual trips to Honduras for the last 13 years.

It costs $1,650 per adult and $400 per teen to go on the trip, and parishioners had to pay the full or partial amount depending on how actively they donated and participated in church fundraisers and other activities.

Crystal paid more than $1,000 for herself and $400 for Matthew to go.

The mission trip also received funds raised through food sales, car washes and other church events. All of the money went toward food, lodging, plane tickets, lumber and other materials needed to build the homes.

The houses built by the volunteers consisted of four wooden walls, a floor and a tin roof. Residents who want smaller rooms can use clotheslines and blankets to create separate spaces.

The houses have no plumbing or electricity. Meals are cooked outside with a makeshift stove.

Matthew said residents who want electricity have to buy their own wires and connect them from their homes to the main source of electricity set up in these villages by the government.

Each home has a family with up to nine people living in it.

“They have nothing – absolutely nothing but the clothes on their back,” Crystal said. “And they’re the happiest people you ever saw.”

She observed an abundance of affection, communication and interdependency within families that led to joy and satisfaction in life. The villagers were very friendly with each other and the volunteers, Matthew said.

Besides receiving new housing, each family also received an adult and children’s Bible in Spanish from the mission.

On their three flights from Miami to Honduras, the church group took 37 large duffel bags full of shoes, small toys, shampoos, 150 dresses and many other small items to give out in Honduras.

The volunteers also managed to buy and assemble 300 bags of staple foods like rice, beans, sugar, lard, coffee and pasta. They gave one bag per family that moved into the new houses and their neighbors.

McDaniel and her son said they found the trip so rewarding they plan to go back again.

— Marie Abramov

Central Bank instrumental in dachshund rescues

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Pat Duval, senior vice president of Central Bank, allows a dachshund rescue group to temporarily use her office space as a way station, to help facilitate the transportation of the dogs to their new homes. (Photo courtesy of Melanie Casey)
Pat Duval, senior vice president of Central Bank, allows a dachshund rescue group to temporarily use her office space as a way station, to help facilitate the transportation of the dogs to their new homes. (Photo courtesy of Melanie Casey)

There’s an office in the Central Bank in north Tampa, which plays a role in a dachshund rescue group’s mission.

The office, a stone’s throw from Wesley Chapel on the Pasco County line, acts as a way station for the Dachshund Adoption, Rescue and Education organization, which facilitates rescues of the long, low dogs commonly called “wiener” dogs.

The Florida-based, nonprofit organization, rescues dogs from central and north Florida animal shelters, provides them with veterinary care and finds them foster homes. It also screens potential adopters and works to place the dogs in permanent homes.

“We take them no matter what condition they are in,” said Alicia Duval, DARE vice president. “As long as we can financially afford it and have a foster home to put them in.”

Her mother, Pat Duval, senior vice president of Central Bank, uses her glass-enclosed office as a temporary place for DARE-rescued dogs to wait until transport arrives to take them to foster homes in places like Gainesville, Lakeland and Jacksonville.

Alicia arranges for the dogs to make a stop on what Pat has nicknamed “the underground railroad,” because of its central location for many DARE volunteers.

So far, about 10 dogs have her office while awaiting pickup — much to the delight of her dog-loving coworkers.

The office is also a convenient place for people to bring donations of needed items.

“It’s nice to help the animals in need,” said supporter Margaret Kisala. “Especially with the economy, more dogs are in need.” Kisala, who lives in Wesley Chapel, stopped by on July 17 to drop off a dog stroller and other goodies.

The minority-owned community bank, which opened about four years ago, is staffed by a slew of dog owners, many of whom support rescue organizations, Pat said. Throughout the years, it has supported DARE with silent auction items, donations and more.

“The bank has been very good to us,” Alicia said. “They allow the dogs to stay at the office and have given us several donations over the years. They really believe in the community, and I don’t just say that.”

In keeping with that support, Mary Ann Yaney, branch manager at Central Bank, presented a $500 check on July 17 to DARE, representing the “Gold Paw” sponsorship level, for the group’s upcoming Dox-a-Palooza fundraising event at November’s Sun ‘n Fun in Lakeland.

DARE rescues about 100 dogs per year, Alicia said. Nearly all of the money it raises is used to cover such things as insurance, vet bills, taxes and other expenses. Volunteers take care of the administrative duties, transport the dogs and handle other tasks.

“No one gets paid,” Alicia said. Right now, there are about 20 active DARE fosters living in homes around the state.

Alicia, mom to local celebrity dachshund Forrest Gump (you can find him on Facebook), has been around the dogs all of her life and started with DARE several years ago as a volunteer. She, along with Pat, her dad and grandmother, live in Tampa with a houseful of dogs (dachshunds, naturally), including two soon-to-be DARE dachshund mix puppies, recently rescued with their mother. All three were tied outside to a tree but will now find loving homes thanks to DARE.

— Melanie Casey

Central Bank instrumental in dachshund rescues

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By Melanie Casey

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

There’s an office in the Central Bank in north Tampa, which plays a role in a dachshund rescue group’s mission.

The office, a stone’s throw from Wesley Chapel on the Pasco County line, acts as a way station for the Dachshund Adoption, Rescue and Education (DARE) organization, which facilitates rescues of the long, low dogs commonly called “wiener” dogs.

Pat Duval, senior vice president of Central Bank, allows a dachshund rescue group to temporarily use her office space as a way station, to help facilitate the transportation of the dogs to their new homes. (Photo courtesy of Melanie Casey)
Pat Duval, senior vice president of Central Bank, allows a dachshund rescue group to temporarily use her office space as a way station, to help facilitate the transportation of the dogs to their new homes. (Photo courtesy of Melanie Casey)

The Florida-based, nonprofit organization, rescues dogs from central and north Florida animal shelters, provides them with veterinary care and finds them foster homes. It also screens potential adopters and works to place the dogs in permanent homes.

“We take them no matter what condition they are in,” said Alicia Duval, DARE vice president. “As long as we can financially afford it and have a foster home to put them in.”

Her mother, Pat Duval, senior vice president of Central Bank, uses her glass-enclosed office as a temporary place for DARE-rescued dogs to wait until transport arrives to take them to foster homes in places like Gainesville, Lakeland and Jacksonville.

Alicia arranges for the dogs to make a stop on what Pat has nicknamed “the underground railroad,” because of its central location for many DARE volunteers.

So far, about 10 dogs have her office while awaiting pickup — much to the delight of her dog-loving coworkers.

The office is also a convenient place for people to bring donations of needed items.

“It’s nice to help the animals in need,” said supporter Margaret Kisala. “Especially with the economy, more dogs are in need.” Kisala, who lives in Wesley Chapel, stopped by on July 17 to drop off a dog stroller and other goodies.

The minority-owned community bank, which opened about four years ago, is staffed by a slew of dog owners, many of whom support rescue organizations, Pat said. Throughout the years, it has supported DARE with silent auction items, donations and more.

“The bank has been very good to us,” Alicia said. “They allow the dogs to stay at the office and have given us several donations over the years. They really believe in the community, and I don’t just say that.”

In keeping with that support, Mary Ann Yaney, branch manager at Central Bank, presented a $500 check on July 17 to DARE, representing the “Gold Paw” sponsorship level, for the group’s upcoming Dox-a-Palooza fundraising event at November’s Sun ‘n Fun in Lakeland.

DARE rescues about 100 dogs per year, Alicia said. Nearly all of the money it raises is used to cover such things as insurance, vet bills, taxes and other expenses. Volunteers take care of the administrative duties, transport the dogs and handle other tasks.

“No one gets paid,” Alicia said. Right now, there are about 20 active DARE fosters living in homes around the state.

Alicia, mom to local celebrity dachshund Forrest Gump (you can find him on Facebook), has been around the dogs all of her life and started with DARE several years ago as a volunteer. She, along with Pat, her dad and grandmother, live in Tampa with a houseful of dogs (dachshunds, naturally), including two soon-to-be DARE dachshund mix puppies, recently rescued with their mother. All three were tied outside to a tree but will now find loving homes thanks to DARE.

 

DARE is holding a bingo fundraising event Aug. 4 at Hamburger Mary’s Bar and Grill in Tampa. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and the cost is $10. All proceeds benefit DARE.

For more information about DARE, including dogs currently available for adoption, visit www.daretorescue.com.

To learn more about Central Bank, stop by at 20701 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. or visit http://www.centralbankfl.com/.

Shoppers can benefit during state’s sales tax holiday

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By B.C. Manion

 

It’s that time of year again, when families start gearing up for a new academic year by shopping for new school clothes, shoes, supplies and backpacks.

Just in time for those back-to-school purchases, Florida is having its sales tax holiday.

Officials at The Shops at Wiregrass expect the mall to attract more traffic as shoppers take advantage of the state’s sales tax holiday, Aug. 2-4. (Photo courtesy of The Shops at Wiregrass.
Officials at The Shops at Wiregrass expect the mall to attract more traffic as shoppers take advantage of the state’s sales tax holiday, Aug. 2-4. (Photo courtesy of The Shops at Wiregrass.

This time – for the first time – personal computers and accessories, valued up to $750, are also exempt from sales taxes during the sales tax holiday, which begins at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 2 and goes through 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 4.

Retailers are staffing up as families take advantage of tax savings and markdowns, Rick McAllister, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation, said in a news release.

Retailers expect the introduction of the computer sales exemption to give the popular tax holiday a significant boost, McAllister said.

Clothing items and shoes priced at up to $75 are exempt, and so are school supply items, sold at no more than $15.

McAllister thinks the new computer exemption will drive purchases.

“Most families in Florida own a computer of one type or another, and we expect that many will take advantage of the tax savings to purchase computers for their kids or upgrade their own,” McAllister said. “And you’ll see great deals on clothes, shoes and school supplies. It’s a winning proposition for Florida’s families and for our retailers, because we’ll see a good boost in commerce over the weekend.

“Stores are actively competing with each other for customers, and that usually means plenty of markdowns to attract shoppers,” he added.

Retailers in Florida are expected to boost staffing by about 20 percent during the tax holiday weekend to accommodate shoppers. In general, retailers expect an average increase of between 30 and 40 percent in store traffic over the weekend because of the sales tax holiday, McAllister said.

A National Retail Federation survey predicts that families with school-aged children will spend an average of $634.78 on apparel, shoes, supplies and electronics in 2013, down from $688.62 last year.

McAllister noted, however, that “because of the tax holiday, retail stores generally perform a little better in Florida than in states without a sales tax holiday.”

The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel historically sees more shoppers at its stores during August because of back-to-school sales and an uptick in activity during the sales tax holiday, said Debbie Detweiler, director of marketing.

It’s also a fun time, Detweiler said. “We enjoy seeing parents shopping with their kids for back-to-school.”

For more details on items that are exempt under the tax-free holiday, go to the Florida Department of Revenue’s website at http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/ and click on “Sales Tax Holiday, Aug. 2-4, 2013.”

 

Chalk Talk

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Double Branch roundup

Double Branch Elementary will host its Kindergarten Rancher Roundup from 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 1. Children must be registered at Double Branch for the 2013-14 school year to attend the roundup. Registration is $40 and a student T-shirt is provided. Double Branch is at 31500 Chancey Road in Wesley Chapel. For information, call assistant principal Scott Atkins at (813) 346-0400.

 

Stuff the Bus event

Walmart and Publix are hosting “Stuff the Bus for Teachers” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 2-4 at area stores in Lutz, New Port Richey, Hudson and Zephyrhills. Shoppers can stop by and pick up a shopping list at any of the 13 locations, buy what they can and stuff it in the bus. You can also volunteer for bus duty to help with supplies and hand out shopping lists. To sign up as a volunteer, visit www.tinyurl.com/StufftheBus2013 or call (727) 845-3030. For locations and information on the event, visit www.unitedwaypasco.org.

 

Back to School Fair

The Glazer Children’s Museum is hosting a Back to School Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 10. The first 150 kids will receive a bag filled with back-to-school goodies. There will be live entertainment, informative speaker sessions, games, arts and crafts, face painting, balloon artist, kid and mom workshops, and more. Fair guests can also enjoy the museum for $5 per person. The museum is at 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza in Tampa. For information, call (813) 949-4400.

 

Plant City High reunion

Plant City High Class of 1978 is hosting a reunion from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 9 at Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road in Plant City. There also will be a social hour, dinner and sharing old memories from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 10 at Embassy Suites Brandon, 10220 Palm River Road in Tampa. There is still time to register by emailing or go to the class Facebook page at Plant City Class of 1978.

 

Elementary orientation at Oakstead

Oakstead Elementary will host Elementary Orientation Day, also known as Meet the Teacher Day, on Aug. 14. Parents can bring their children to school between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to meet the teachers, pay supply fees, get bus and car loop information, pay for lunch, join the PTA, and purchase school spirit shirts. Paperwork needed includes original birth certificate and social security card, proof of residency, current immunization records, physical record, and custody papers, if applicable. Oakstead is at 19925 Lake Patience Road in Land O’ Lakes. For information, call (813) 346-1500.

 

Thomas Rhoades makes Dean’s List

Thomas D. Rhoades, of Lutz, was among 332 students named to the Dean’s Recognized List at Benedictine University for the Spring 2013 semester.

The list recognizes part-time students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average or higher.

Benedictine University is an independent Roman Catholic institution in Lisle, Ill.

 

American Board programs

According to the 2012 Florida Vital Signs report, only 22 percent of Florida eighth graders have a math teacher who majored in the subject they teach. Only 43 percent of eighth graders have a science teacher who majored in the subject they teach. This summer, the American Board, a teacher certification nonprofit, is aiming to alleviate this issue by helping career-changing professionals bring their experience and expertise to local classrooms. The board assists career-changers, subject area experts, recent college graduates and others with a bachelor’s degree to earn full teacher certification by offering programs online so candidates can work at their own pace. The board is hosting informational sessions in August for those interested. To learn more, visit http://www.abcte.org/drupal/teach/events.

 

Social work program gets accreditation

Saint Leo University announced its Master of Social Work program has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education, just four years after the technologically innovative program was launched.

The accreditation assures workplaces, prospective students and the general public that the Saint Leo program meets the teaching and curricular standards established by the profession. Through the accredited program, Master of Social Work graduates are eligible to take the examination to become Licensed Clinical Social Workers.

 

Burdzinski appointed to national council

Ken Burdzinski, vice president of administration and finance at Pasco-Hernando Community College, was appointed to the National Association of College and University Business Officers Community Colleges Council. His term runs from Aug. 1 through July 31, 2014, and is renewable up to three years. The council serves as an advisory body to the council’s president and staff by providing suggestions, feedback and support for the association’s goals and activities as they pertain to the constituency.

Burdzinski has worked at PHCC for 16 years in the administration and finance division. He has a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree from Baldwin-Wallace College.

 

Teacher appreciation contest

Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair, with locations in Zephyrhills and New Port Richey, is having its second annual Facebook “Cool For School” Teacher Appreciation Essay Contest. The grand prize teacher receives a $200 office supply gift card, $100 Visa gift card and an Ice Cold Air club card worth $762. The person who nominates the winner receives a $50 Visa gift card and $30 in Ice Cold Air bucks.

Facebook users can submit a short essay, poem or thank you letter sharing how a public school teacher has influenced their lives and the lives of others. Deadline for submissions is Aug. 9. The winner will be announce Aug. 15. Visit www.facebook.com/icecoldairdiscountautorepair and click on the contests tab to enter or vote.

 

Steinbrenner High fundraiser

The fifth annual Steinbrenner High Volleyball Golf Tournament and Silent Auction Fundraiser will start at 8 a.m. Aug. 17 at Heritage Harbor in Lutz. All proceeds will go toward the volleyball program’s expenses, to purchase equipment and to bring attention to local businesses and individuals that participate. For information, contact Deb McLean at or (813) 294-3322.

 

PHCC trustees elect new leadership

The Pasco-Hernando Community College District Board of Trustees elected a new chair and vice chair for the 2013-14 academic year. Trustee John L. DiRienzo was elected to serve as chair, succeeding Rao Musunuru, and Trustee Leonard H. Johnson was elected as vice chair.

DiRienzo, of Spring Hill, is an adjunct faculty member at Saint Leo University. He is a retired school principal with a master’s degree in special education and additional certification in educational leadership. DiRienzo is past president of the Board of Directors for Arc of Florida and Arc Nature Coast in Hernando County and currently is an active volunteer for the organizations. DiRienzo has served on the college’s board since July 2009.

Johnson, a Dade City attorney, is a shareholder at Johnson, Auvil & Pratico, P.A., where he practices real estate law, business and banking law, construction law and estate planning.

Johnson received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, and his law degree from the University Of Florida College Of Law. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Gator Boosters Inc., and has served on the college’s board since November 2011.

 

Lunch and breakfast program

Hillsborough County Department of Family and Aging Services will sponsor the National School Lunch Program for the upcoming school year. Eligible children will receive meals at no cost. As part of the free and reduced meal policy, an official with Family and Aging Services will review applications and determine eligibility. For an application or information, call the Administration Office at Dorothy Thomas School at (813) 975-7355.

Bishop McLaughlin football enters new era after joining district

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By Jeff Odom

 

For the first time in the program’s nine-year history, the Bishop McLaughlin Hurricanes are in a major district — Class 3A-District 4 — that will now make them eligible for the postseason for the first time sine 2007.

That has players excited for what could be coming down the road.

“We’re a private school and still a very young program,” senior quarterback R.J. Perciavalle said. “Moving into a district was necessary for moving the program forward.”

District 4, Perciavalle said, is one of the best districts in the state, and that’s going to be a challenge for the Hurricanes.

Bishop McLaughlin quarterback R.J. Perciavalle says his team is excited about joining a major district for the first time in program history, and expects to be competitive in each game this season. (File photo)
Bishop McLaughlin quarterback R.J. Perciavalle says his team is excited about joining a major district for the first time in program history, and expects to be competitive in each game this season. (File photo)

“Obviously we’re going to go out and try to win every game,” he said. “We know we’re young, but we’re trying as hard as we can, and we want to go out and prove ourselves.”

In its first district appearance since the 2007-08 season when it was in the now-defunct Class1B-District 8, Bishop McLaughlin will match up with Berkley Prep, Tampa Catholic, Fort Meade, Frostproof and Lakeland Christian. Three of those teams made the playoffs last season, and none had a losing record.

Bishop McLaughlin, however, finished last season at 4-7 as an FHSAA Independent in the Sunshine State Athletic Conference.

Intimidated? Not at all, Perciavalle said.

“We’ve been picked last in a lot of preseason rankings and stuff like that, and we just want to show that we’re here to fight and not just some pushover team,” Perciavalle said.

One of the blueprints to how Bishop McLaughlin plans to reach its success can be found in the school’s cross-town rivals — Carrollwood Day School.

Though the Hurricanes lost to the Patriots 41-7 in their inaugural spring game back in May, the young program has drawn plenty of comparisons to Carrollwood Day, which went to the Class 2A region finals last season just three years after moving into its first district, 2A-5, because of how they are building their program.

Perciavalle threw for 1,319 yards with 15 total touchdowns last season and expects to use those numbers to help lead the team to a stronger upcoming season. Third-year coach Derrick Alexander said after the spring game that it will take leadership from players like Perciavalle to set up the program for success.

“We want to get stronger and in better shape,” Alexander said. “Just because we don’t have the big numbers, our guys have to be in maximum shape, because they’re playing on both sides of the ball.”

That’s even more important this season with a much tougher schedule ahead of Bishop McLaughlin.

“We’re trying to put in some extra work in the weight room, on the field and just do everything you can do to just better prepare ourselves,” Perciavalle said. “We know it’s not going to be easy, but we’re definitely up for the challenge.”

–Statistics as entered by coaches on Maxpreps.com; Follow Jeff Odom on Twitter @JOdomLaker

Wharton QB Chase Litton decommits from USF

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By Jeff Odom

 

One of the highest regarded local prospects in the state won’t be joining the University of South Florida football team next season.

Wharton High senior quarterback Chase Litton announced on his Twitter page July 26 that he has decided to back out of his verbal commitment with the Bulls to explore other options.

“I want to apologize to USF, but I will be decommitting and opening my recruitment up for my senior year,” Litton tweeted.

Wharton High senior quarterback Chase Litton decommitted from the University of South Florida on July 26. (File photo)
Wharton High senior quarterback Chase Litton decommitted from the University of South Florida on July 26. (File photo)

Litton’s decision comes a month after he made the choice to join the program alongside first-year Bulls coach Willie Taggart in front of a live television audience on Bright House Sports Network.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Rivals.com, Litton was on a trip to Gainesville July 27 and 28 to visit the University of Florida. He also has offers from several other Division I programs including Louisiana State University, South Carolina, Florida, Miami and Notre Dame.

As a junior, Litton compiled an area-leading 2,732 yards with 23 touchdowns with 10 interceptions for the Wildcats. He was also the top quarterback this summer for the IMG Academy’s Team Tampa 7-on-7 squad, which won its second consecutive national championship.

If the 6-foot-6 Litton kept his commitment to USF through National Signing Day in February, the three-star recruit would have battled returning starter Matt Floyd, Penn State transfer Steven Bench, Mike White of Fort Lauderdale High School and former Jesuit standout Tommy Eveld for the starting job.

–Follow Jeff Odom on Twitter @JOdomLaker

LaPace signs with Eastern Michigan

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By Jeff Odom

 

Former Steinbrenner High baseball player Logan LaPace has signed with Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, coach John Crumbley announced on July 25.

Former Steinbrenner right-handed pitcher Logan LaPace committed to Eastern Michigan University on July 25. He was 7-2 with a 1.67 ERA last season, helping the Warriors win their first district title in program history. (File photo by Tim McClain)
Former Steinbrenner right-handed pitcher Logan LaPace committed to Eastern Michigan University on July 25. He was 7-2 with a 1.67 ERA last season, helping the Warriors win their first district title in program history. (File photo by Tim McClain)

LaPace, a right-handed pitcher and 2013 graduate, went 7-2 as a senior last season with a 1.67 ERA, two saves and three complete games for the Warriors.

He told The Laker/Lutz News in a text message that he felt good after making an official visit to the school the day his commitment was announced.

“It’s still so surreal to think that I’ve been granted an opportunity to play collegiate baseball at its highest level,” LaPace said. “I can’t wait to make the most of it.”

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound LaPace also earned wins for the Warriors in the Class 7A-District 9 finals against Wiregrass Ranch, and in the region quarterfinals over Seminole High.

He is the second Steinbrenner player in program history to commit to Eastern Michigan after Chad Witkowski did in 2011. Witkowski, however, later opted to attend junior college.

Eastern Michigan is an NCAA Division I program that plays in the Mid-American Conference. The Eagles finished with an overall record of 26-28 last season.

 

Former Steinbrenner player transfers

 

Former Steinbrenner High second baseman and outfielder Christian Diaz has transferred from Jacksonville University to Eastern Florida State College due to personal reasons, he told The Laker/Lutz News.

Diaz, who graduated from Steinbrenner in 2012, was set to enter his second season with the Dolphins after redshirting his freshman year. But after the dismissal of coach Terry Alexander and a lack of scholarship funds for him this year, Diaz said it was time to leave the Division I program.

“I’m excited to have a new start,” Diaz said in a text message. “Hopefully, things will work out a little better this go-around.”

Diaz batted .343 with 17 RBIs and one home run during his senior year at Steinbrenner.

Eastern Florida State College, formerly Brevard Community College, is a National Junior College Athletic Association program located in Brevard County that competes in the Southern Conference.

The Titans finished with an overall record of 25-23-1 last season.

–Follow Jeff Odom on Twitter @JOdomLaker