Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

When Allison Fairbanks heard that her church was organizing a missionary youth trip to Nicaragua, she was eager to join the group.

The 16-year-old from Land O’ Lakes, said she wanted to go on the Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church mission trip because she’s thinking about becoming a missionary, and this would give her a taste of that life.

Her twin sister, Ashley, is also making the trip. “I just want to put smiles on the little kids’ faces,” the young woman said.

She also expects the experience to lead to personal growth. “I think I’m not as thankful as I should be, for the things I have. I think it will help me realize how fortunate we are,” Ashley Fairbanks said.

Other youths making the trip said they are motivated by the opportunity to see life in a different culture, to contribute their help to make a difference and to help the children living at Hogar Belen Managua, an orphanage for 30 children with various disabilities and health conditions, ranging from six months to 16 years old.

The orphanage is run by Mustard Seed Communities, an organization whose tagline is “Caring for the most vulnerable.”

The Our Lady of the Rosary group, which will be helping to build a kitchen at the orphanage, includes 16 youths and seven adults. Those making the trip represent Land O’ Lakes, Wiregrass Ranch, Sunlake and Bishop McLaughlin high schools, and Paideia School and Saint Leo University.

Each person making the trip has to raise $950 to give to Mustard Seed Communities and $829 to cover their airfare.

The group still needs to raise about $10,000, said Kathy DeSanto, who has been on previous mission trips and is leading this one for the group. She’s the coordinator of youth and young adult ministry at Our Lady of the Rosary, off Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.

Those traveling have been raising funds individually and have been hosting some group fundraisers, DeSanto said.

When they get to Nicaragua, part of the experience includes going to a city dump, where thousands of families live, DeSanto said.

They’ll be distributing provisions to those in need, DeSanto said. The group is also collecting donations of food, toiletries, over-the-counter medications and items that can be used for developmental play.

“We will be helping to distribute food, rice, clothing, whatever supplies we bring,” DeSanto said.  “Every one of us is going to take a checked bag. Twenty-three people. It’s free to check a bag,” she said.

“Those traveling will also take a carry-on bag,” DeSanto, containing the bare necessities. To conserve space, they’ll be sharing some items, such as shampoo, sunscreen and a hair dryer, she said.

The youths know they’ll be encountering temperatures reaching 95 degrees a day and will be busy working, but they are eager to pitch in.

Adults making the trip are enthused, as well.

Shelly Kraning, who lives in the Connerton development of Land O’ Lakes, is making the trip with her daughter, Nikki.

She’s thrilled to be able to go, and thanks her company – Communications Concepts – for sponsoring her and enabling her to fulfill a lifelong dream.

Kraning said her parents adopted a teenager girl, who was a friend of hers, and she has never forgotten their selfless and kind act.

She and her daughter “want to directly help and positively touch the lives of those we encounter during our mission trip.”

The group is departing on June 28 and will return on July 6.

When the announcement went out about the trip, parents had many questions, DeSanto said.

“Parents were very concerned, but they are also very supportive,” DeSanto said. “They wanted to know the details. The specifics.”

Once they had their answers, they rolled up their sleeves and pitched in, she said.

At one fundraiser, she said, “the parents helped washed cars,” DeSanto said.

The trip helps dispel the stereotype that teenagers are self-centered, DeSanto said.

“I think often times people think that teenagers are spoiled brats, and they don’t give back, and they just want, want, want.

“But, I’ve been working in ministry with teenagers for a long time, and I don’t see that at all, especially this generation. They’re very global and they’re very service oriented and they really, really like giving back,” DeSanto said.

“I think we’d probably have 100 kids go, if it was free,” she said. “I think there would be a whole lot more that would want to participate. I think sometimes money does stand in the way.”

DeSanto also addressed a criticism she sometimes hears.

“A lot of people say, ‘Why aren’t you helping our country?’ The thing is that we do help our country. I think almost every kid that’s here has gone to food pantries, to homeless shelters, those kinds of things and helped our country.

“They feel connected to our country first, and they do help our country. So, people need to know that.

Reaching out to people in need, wherever they happen to be, is consistent with living out the message of Christ, DeSanto said.

“From our Christian perspective, we have to see Christ in everyone. Those marginalized kids that are over there need love, just like our kids need love.”

Extending oneself to help others is a rewarding experience, DeSanto said.

“Mission trips are life changing,” DeSanto said.

 

 

You can help

Items needed by Mustard Seed Communities to distribute in Nicaragua:

–Small medical items such as vitamins, Triple Antibiotic ointments, diaper rash cream, cotton balls, gauze, heating pads, massage oils, disinfectant spray and disinfecting wipes, hydrogen peroxide, disposable gloves

–Toiletries such as clippers, body lotion, shampoos, rubbing alcohol, toothbrush containers, bath soap, baby powder

–Food items such as protein or nutritional bars, baby formula and baby food, peanut butter, meal supplements, high protein powdered drink mix

–Over-the-counter pharmacy items such as flu and cold medications, antibiotic cream, stool softener, mosquito repellent, baby wipes, deodorant, adult diapers, plastic spoons, cups and bowls, underwear

–Miscellaneous items such as garbage bags, electric kettles, shower curtains and hooks, crib sheets, single bed sheets, disposable napkins

–Developmental play items such as glitter, markers, crayons, face paint, washable finger paints, footballs, balls and beads for jewelry making.

–Spiritual department items such as slow burning white candles, heavy-duty indoor/outdoor extension cord, CD player, 8-by-10 photo frames and a power strip

 

 

 

School closes for massive renovation

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Children streamed off of the yellow buses toward the entry of Quail Hollow Elementary, 7050 Quail Hollow Blvd., heading to class.

Along the way, they stopped to pick up free pencils to celebrate the last day of school.

Gwen Schulman, an intervention specialist, stood at the school’s entrance doling out the pencils and greeting the youngsters as they streamed in.

“Happy last day,” she said brightly.

“That’s awesome. Free stuff,” one boy said, as he clutched his new pencil and headed into school.

As children flowed into the main corridor, they were greeted by an office staff that was jamming out to a remix of “Dynamite,” by Kidz Bop.

Their dance moves inspired the kids, who – in a scene reminiscent of an episode of ‘Glee” – began making a few moves of their own.

Next, the school’s morning program came on, with a student leading the rest of the school in a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Quail Hollow pledge.

The school pledge, which conveys the school’s expected code of behavior, goes like this:

“We will: Quietly listen to others. Use respect with our words and actions. Always be prepared. Insist on excellence. Learn and do our best.”

The words are emblazoned on a wall near the school’s office, and Principal Michelle Berger said they remind everyone in the school how to treat others.

The final day of classes at Quail Hollow is always an emotional day, the principal said, but this year it was particularly poignant because the school is expected to be closed for two years while the building is reconstructed.

The neighborhood elementary school, which has served generations of families, is being closed after this school year to accommodate a massive makeover.

The changes will provide walls, windows and doors in a school designed with an open environment, at a time when such an arrangement was thought would benefit children.

Closing the school means adjustments for children, families and school staff.

“Half of our kids are going to Watergrass (Elementary) and half are going to Wesley Chapel (Elementary),” Berger said.

The school’s staff is being split up, too, but everyone has a job for next school year, the principal said.

Berger, who has been at Quail Hollow since March of 2007, said learning in February that the school would be closing at the end of the year was a jolt.

“We’re all very sad to leave Quail Hollow. We’re a family,” Schulman said. “It’s always sad to split up a family. Change is always hard. It’s hard for the adults, and it’s hard for the kids.”

Nora Neuber, a school volunteer, said many people found the news hard to accept.

“It’s hard to see all of the people scattered,” Neuber said. “That’s the hard part.”

She thinks there are also concerns that the school’s atmosphere will change permanently, if a new principal comes.

If that happens, she said, “the traditions can change. I think that’s one of the things that has parents worried.”

Marina Lofley, a student from Land O’ Lakes High who works in the school office, said some families who have a long history with the school find it sad to see it go.

“We’ve had a lot of parents come and they want to be toured around the school just to see it one last time,” Lofley said.

“We’ve heard some parents say their kids are being separated from all their friends, and it’s going to be hard,” Lofley said.

Samantha White’s son, Justin, will be entering fourth grade next year, so he won’t be back at Quail Hollow, she said. Her other son, Jacob, is entering kindergarten. He’ll be returning to Quail Hollow when it reopens.

While children are being moved to new schools temporarily, there is an upside, she said. “We’ll be getting a new school.”

Berger said when she met with her staff to talk about the school’s temporary closing, she said: “Raise your hand, if you wish we had windows, walls and doors.”

“The only way to get them is to empty the building,” Berger said, because the school is so open that it’s impossible to work in one part without disrupting everyone else.

Lofley thinks there’s also an upside for the kids who will be attending new schools next year. “They’ll be able to make new friends,” the office worker said. “Everything happens for a reason.”

Just the same, despite the upbeat attitude on display at Quail Hollow on the final day of classes June 4,  there was an undercurrent of sadness for the loss of community and camaraderie that will be felt, at least temporaily until the school reopens.

One woman, dropping off a child at school on that last day, paused and told the office staff: “Thank you for a good school year.”

“Enjoy your next school,” an office worker replied, with a broad smile.

“I know,” the woman said. “We’re going to miss coming here.”

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Before May 18, 2013, the community of Zephyrhills was perhaps best known for its bottled spring water – but it has since added another claim to fame.

The small city, on the edge of East Pasco County, is where 84-year-old Gloria C. Mackenzie purchased the winning ticket for the $590.5 million Powerball prize, the largest lottery prize to a single winner in U.S. history.

In a city known for its tightknit and friendly vibe, it’s not terribly surprising that another Powerball player let Mackenzie step ahead in line to purchase the winning Quick Pick ticket at the Publix grocery store, at 7838 Gall Blvd.

It’s also not a shock that Mackenzie, who collected a one-time lump sum payment of nearly $371 million, is laying low.

When she traveled to Tallahassee to claim her prize, she chose not to speak at the news conference. Instead, she issued a statement that was read by a Florida Lottery official.

In the statement, Mackenzie said that prior to the drawing, she and her son, Scott, had agreed to split the proceeds. She also revealed that another player had kindly let her buy her ticket first.

“We are grateful for this blessing of winning the Florida Lottery POWERBALL jackpot and appreciate the interest of the public, state of Florida and the Lottery,” Mackenzie’s prepared statement says. “We hope that everyone will give us an opportunity to maintain our privacy for our family’s benefit.”

Any additional questions, the statement adds, should go to the winner’s legal and financial team, based in Jacksonville.

The story has been a big one, ever since the prize-winning ticket was purchased at that Zephyrhills grocery store.

Elenya Hulbert, a Zephyrhills resident, has been enjoying the city’s time in the limelight.

She said she and her sons just happened to be at Publix the day the day after the winning ticket was sold.

News trucks were camped out at the Publix, and Hulbert said she and her sons had their 15 seconds of fame – when they were shown crossing the grocery store’s parking lot with a cart during a local news broadcast.

After Mackenzie’s win was announced, Hulbert sent this message out on social media: “Congratulations to Aunt Gloria.”

Someone responded: “Are you truly a relative?”

Hulbert replied: “I’m checking Ancestry.com right now.”

Madonna Wise, known widely around Zephyrhills for her deep knowledge of the city’s history, said her daughter, who lives in Tampa, received a message from a friend in China asking her if she were rich and how she planned to spend the money.

Having a local winner has been the talk of the town, said Vonnie Mikkelsen, executive director of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

People have talked about all sorts of ways they would spend the money, she said.

In one case, Mikkelsen said, someone said if they had that much money they’d take $100 dollar bills and go to the grocery store and smile at people. Those acknowledging them would get a $100 reward, Mikkelsen said.

Hulbert said she hopes the winner will use some of the winnings to help address community needs, and leave a lasting legacy of the local Powerball win.

Wise said no matter how the money is spent, the size of the financial windfall is one for the city’s record books. “I don’t think there’s anything quite like it,” she said, noting people have made fortunes in the timber, tourism and citrus industries – but that wealth was not built overnight.

Rumors have circulated, too.

At one point, people were saying the ticket was sold to a Walmart employee who had an addiction problem, Hulbert said.

Wise said she heard one rumor that the ticket was sold to a young Publix employee and another rumor that it was sold to a mother with two young children.

When it took awhile for the winner to step forward, some wondered if the winner was unaware that he or she had won, or had lost the ticket.

The media attention – for a positive story – has been fun, Hulbert said.

“The whole town has been abuzz. It’s been really exciting,” Mikkelsen said.

Noting the widespread media coverage, Mikkelsen quipped, “We like to think we’re the center of the universe — and we just might be.”

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

Tropical Storm Andrea didn’t make a direct hit in the Tampa Bay area on June 4, but the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season provided what many people believe is a sign of things to come this year.

The storm, which made landfall along the Big Bend of Florida, packed winds up to 65 mph and dumped nearly half a foot of rain across the state causing street flooding, before moving up the east coast of the United States.

Aside from major rainfall, Andrea also spawned at least six tornadoes around the state, with the worst one affecting Pinellas County, where the National Weather Service said one touched down and damaged multiple buildings.

It wasn’t the severity of the storm that had many people worried, but how early it formed — just six days into the new season.

Mark Wainwright, a cashier at the Publix Supermarket located at 3939 Van Dyke Road in Lutz, said there were many people preparing as the storm moved across the Gulf of Mexico.

“The customers didn’t really seem very worried about the storm, most of them just didn’t want to get wet when the rain started coming down,” Wainwright said. “The lights went out at the store for about a minute, but even then no one seemed too concerned. … When it started to rain really hard (when the outer bands were coming ashore) most people decided to shop a little longer to wait it out, and the most common thing I saw people buying as a result of that was candy, sweets, junk food, et cetera.”

Wainwright added most people actually saw the storm as being beneficial, because of the prolonged dry conditions the area has seen during the past few months.

“I heard a lot of people saying how it was a good thing because we needed the rain,” Wainwright said. “I know that my neighborhoods homeowners association sent out letters to everyone telling us that we could only water our grass on Thursdays because we were having a small drought.”

Not all residents felt that way, though.

Aaron O’Brien, who works at the Publix at 2121 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, said some customers were very concerned about the possibility of flooding and most bought storm essentials like batteries, water and canned goods.

“Several people were very concerned about the storm,” O’Brien said. “We were very busy in the morning of the storm, backing up for quite some time and continued to be pretty steady the rest of the day even through the rain. The feeling was pretty split with many very used to these storms rolling through every year and many knowing it would only be a rain event. Others felt it was a sign of what was to come this year.”

While Andrea brought a great deal of rain, it was not enough to wash out high school graduations or the Hillsborough County school day, though, as the district decided, the conditions were safe enough to have class.

Martinez Middle physical education instructor, Chip Geraghty, said everything went smoothly. He added that the school’s staff and administration were keeping an eye on the storm throughout the day and took necessary precautions when a tornado watch or warning was issued.

“I happened to be in the office at the time and saw the office staff monitoring the storm and communicating information to administrators and staff with relative efficiency and ease,” Geraghty said. “I felt we were well prepared and the lines of communication were open and smooth. The inconvenience of the situation had a minimal effect on any lessons as the paused extended travel time for caution (during warnings) were the only changes.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said this hurricane season — which runs through Nov. 30 — will be particularly active, with up to 20 tropical storms and as many as 11 hurricanes — up to six of them intense.

 

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

David Schultz, a graduate of the class of 2011 at Steinbrenner High, is one of 25 students across the country who has received a 2013 S. Truett Cathy Scholar Award.

The awards go to Chick-fil-A employees and are selected from the restaurant’s 1,600 previous Leadership Scholarship winners.

Both distinctions carry a $1,000 scholarship and are awarded to employees of Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country.

Cathy and a blue-ribbon panel of Atlanta-area civic and business leaders selected the 25 recipients of the S. Truett Cathy Scholar Award. The scholarship recognizes Chick-fil-A team members who excel in academics, community service and leadership.

Cathy, 92, continues to serve as CEO of the Atlanta-based chain he founded.

Schultz was honored at a ceremony on June 7 at the Chick-fil-A restaurant at 8019 Citrus Park Town Center Drive.

Ed Douan, the owner/operator of Chick-fil-A at Westfield Citrus Park, was delighted by Schultz’s recognition.

“It’s definitely a thrill to have David selected,” said Douan, who wrote a letter on Schultz’s behalf for the first scholarship the young man won last year.

In that June 6, 2012 letter, Duoan wrote, “David’s reliability and integrity make him an integral part of our operations. His mature personality and servant attitude has enabled him to become a role model for new hires.”

He also characterizes Schultz as someone who can be counted on to work with little direction and execute his tasks with efficiency and quality.

Schultz, who is studying finance at the University of Florida, was pleased by the honor.

“(Being) one in 25 in the country is pretty great recognition,” Schultz said. “I’m extremely excited and feel blessed.”

Schultz said he is interested in pursuing a master’s degree and would like to work in a career that involves institutional banking and corporate finance.

Schultz has worked at the Westfield Citrus Park location since 2008.

At Steinbrenner, he was active in the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Alpha Tau Omega, basketball, football and golf. He also devoted time to volunteer at a soup kitchen, as well as community elementary and middle schools.

Since its inception, the S. Truett Cathy Scholar Award has awarded $425,000 in funds to previous Leadership Scholarship recipients. Founded in 1973, Chick-fil-A’s Leadership Scholarship program has awarded more than $30 million in $1,000 scholarships.

Central Pasco Chamber awards banquet

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its 37th annual awards and installation banquet at 6 p.m. on June 13 at the Heritage Harbor Golf & Country Club in Lutz. Tickets are $45. The event includes a dinner, silent auction, awards and the installation of the 2013-14 slate of officers.

 

Ierna’s wins award

Ierna’s Heating & Cooling was named a 2013 Medal of Excellence award winner by Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems, a supplier of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Ierna’s, located in Lutz, was one of just 15 Bryan Factory Authorized Dealers throughout the United States to achieve this distinction. Ierna’s is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. It has a record of being involved in a variety of community causes and organizations.

 

Boutique By Lily had grand opening

Boutique by Lily had its grand opening on June 1. The shop is at 21633 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive in Land O’ Lakes. It is on the north side of SR 54, behind Benedetto’s.

 

Lew Friedland joins PEDC board

Developer Lew Friedman has joined the Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc.’s board of directors.

As president of Jireh, Inc. and Adam Smith Enterprises, Inc., Friedland has developed and managed more than 1,400 apartments, permitted, designed and built more than  10,000 residential lots, golf courses, shopping centers and many other related projects. Other projects he has been involved with include the Tampa Bay Executive Airport, and more than  a million square feet of commercial, office and industrial facilities throughout Tampa Bay.

“Lew Friedland is a top-notch addition to our board. He brings a wealth of knowledge about Pasco County and Tampa Bay from a development standpoint,” John Hagen, Pasco EDC president and CEO, said in a news release. “Lew will be an essential ally to move Pasco County into its next phase of tremendous growth.”

 

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills achieves high ‘A’ ranking

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills ranks among the nation’s top hospitals according to the annual Leapfrog Group survey, an analysis of patient safety and quality performance measures from more than 2,600 hospitals, according to a hospital news release.

The safety score grades general acute care hospitals on how safe they are for patients. The score includes data that patient safety experts use to compare hospitals. Publicly available data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, and secondary data sources are weighted and then combined to produce a single, consumer-friendly composite score that is published as an A, B, C, D or F letter grade.

Based on Leapfrog Group’s analysis, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills received an ‘A.’

 

PEDC seeking sponsors for appreciation banquet

The Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc., is seeking sponsors for its annual recognition program. The event features a dinner and a trade show. This year’s event is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 4 at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel.

Various sponsorship levels are available.

For more information, call (813) 926-0827 ext. 226.

 

Gulfside Regional Hospice wins award

Gulfside Regional Hospice’s bereavement program has received an award for its Grief and Loss Puppet Program. The honor was presented May 23 at the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association’s Awards of Excellence luncheon in Orlando.

Gulfside received the Excellence in Program Innovation in Community Outreach Award, which recognizes services and programs provided by a hospice organization that demonstrate the power of creativity and ingenuity to impact the practice and the community.

For more information about Gulfside’s bereavement services, offered free of charge to all residents of Pasco County, or to find out more about the puppet shows, call (800) 561-4883.

 

Trinity Club Apartments wins two awards

Trinity Club Apartments, which has 300 luxury rental homes, has received two top awards from the Bay Area Apartment Association.

Trinity Club, located off State Road 54 in Trinity, emerged as the best community in such areas as floor plans, community amenities as well as overall concept and design. It also was named 2012’s Lease-Up Community of the Year for its highly successful leasing program.

The apartment community is at 10800 Torino Drive, For more details, call (727) 807-3356 or visit trinityclubapartments.com

 

Capital City Bank helps Sertoma Foundation

Capital City Bank has presented a $1,000 check to the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of  Florida to support the organization’s programs for families in Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties.

 

Medical center recognized for environmental stewardship

Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has been recognized for its environmental stewardship efforts.

The medical center has received the “Partner Recognition” Award from Practice Greenhealth, the nation’s leading healthcare membership community that empowers its members to increase their efficiencies and environmental stewardship while improving patient safety and care.

 

North Tampa chamber meetings

The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce has a number of meetings coming up.

–June 20: Networking luncheon: 11:30 a.m., Beef O’ Brady’s, 8810 N. Himes Ave. (Himes & Busch), Tampa. Order from lunchtime menu. Cost: $4.99 to $9.99/per person (does not include tax/gratuity), whether you eat or not. RSVP by June 18 to Kelly Winterling at or call Horizon Bay at Lutz at 909-9679. Directions? Call 936-2058.

–June 25: 66th Annual Installation & Awards Banquet – Doors open at 5 p.m. with adjournment at 9 p.m. Location: Emerald Greens Golf & Country Club, 13903 Clubhouse Drive, Tampa. Highlights: Welcoming the incoming board, celebrating accomplishments and honoring those who have been instrumental in the chamber’s success.

To RSVP, or for more banquet details, visit the North Tampa Chamber website at www.northtampachamber.com or phone (813) 961-2420. This event is open to the public.

 

Outback steaks for blood donors

Outback Steakhouse and OneBlood, the local blood center, will be providing free steak dinners to people who donate blood or platelets at least twice between June and Sept. 30. Additionally, donors will be entered into a drawing to win “Outback for a Year.”

For more information, visit www.oneblood.org/Outback.