Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Chances are, if you don’t live in Lutz, or haven’t been to the community’s giant sports complex off Lutz-Lake Fern Road, the name Oscar Cooler may not ring a bell.

But for thousands of athletes and their families, Cooler’s contributions left a permanent imprint, said Mitch Wilkins, president of the Lutz Leaguerettes. “Being able to bring all those families together to interact makes him an icon,” Wilkins said.

Cooler, 84, died on June 13 and was laid to rest on June 18 with a memorial at Loyless Funeral Home in Land O’ Lakes, followed by a graveside service at Lutz Cemetery.

Those who knew Cooler described him as a tenacious man, with a heart for the community’s children – all of the community’s children.

The Rev. Alan Burner, of the First Baptist Church of Lutz, officiated at the memorial.

“Oscar’s family told me that he got what he wanted 99.9 percent of the time – and, for the Lutz community, that worked out very well, and for young people, that worked out very well,” Burner said.

Boddie Osteen – Cooler’s friend for a half-century – recalled the retired flooring salesman’s determination to get a Little League ballpark for the community. “He didn’t take ‘No’ for an answer,” Osteen said.

Before Cooler got involved, Lutz had one Little League field behind Lutz Elementary School.

Cooler wanted more opportunities for the community’s youth, so he spent two years lobbying the Hillsborough County Commission, before he finally persuaded the board to buy an orange grove, to give the children additional fields.

After they purchased the land, commissioners said it would be a couple of years before the ball fields could be built.

Cooler refused to wait.

He marshaled an army of volunteers to get the job done.

“We had engineers, builders, painters, everything we needed to build a park,” Cooler said in a 2008 interview with The Tampa Tribune. “We had people who didn’t mind getting their hands dirty. Everything that was done, laborwise, was done voluntarily. Within nine months we built this thing.”

The Lutz Park Youth Complex, later renamed in Cooler’s honor, opened in 1975 with three baseball fields. Over time, the complex, at 19045 Crooked Lane, has vastly expanded, now featuring fields for baseball, softball, football and soccer. It also has a playground, restrooms and concession stands, as well as an adjacent nature park.

Osteen, who coached Little League for some five years and umpired for about 35 years, said Cooler’s sole motivation was to provide a wholesome outlet for kids.

As Cooler put it in a 2010 interview with The Laker/Lutz News, “I think kids need to have a safe place to learn about teamwork … If kids don’t have something like this, then they usually get into a lot of things they shouldn’t be doing.”

For Cooler, it was all about the kids – not about having a park named in his honor, Boddie said.

Over the years, generations of families have flocked to Oscar Cooler Sports Complex – with athletes swinging for the fences, scoring touchdowns, making penalty kicks and striking out batters – while families and friends cheered from the bleachers.

“All of our kids played there,” said Dorry Osteen, Boddie’s wife. “The kids played for the Leaguerettes. That was the main entertainment — going to the ballpark.”

She recalls Cooler’s kind heart.

“If they (children) didn’t have the money to play ball, he would see to it that they got to play ball,” she said.

Danny Neeley, a longtime family friend, grew up with Cooler’s sons – Romney, Marc and Craig. He recalls playing at the ballpark when it was still surrounded by orange groves. To this day, the scent of orange blossoms still conjures mental images of baseball for Neeley.

He said he was 6 when he met Cooler. He recalls going over to the Coolers’ house, and if the boys were working, Cooler would tell Neeley to pitch in because the boys couldn’t play until they finished their chores.

That dedication to work and family were themes in Cooler’s life, said his granddaughters, Jamie Cooler and Ashley Beasley, who spoke at his memorial.

They painted a picture of a man who was devoted to his family, enjoyed country music and could move mountains, when he set his mind to it.

They said their grandfather was always deeply interested in what they were doing. They also noted he was never too busy to take time for them, and he would brag about his kids and grandkids to anyone who would listen.

Wilkins said Cooler had the same kind of zeal for the sports complex.

Even as Cooler he grew older, Wilkins said he sometimes bumped into him at the complex.

Cooler would be standing there surveying the softball fields, much like a proud homeowner inspects the front lawn, Wilkins said.

 

Oscar Cooler was preceded in death by his wife, Sara. He is survived by a daughter, Sondra Turpin, and her husband Allan and by his son, Romney and his wife Debbie; his son, Marc and his wife Melody; and his son, Craig and his wife Lynn.

Cooler’s survivors also include seven grandchildren. They are Ashley Beasley and her husband Adam, Jamie Cooler and her fiancé Doug Coogle, Sierra Matheson and her husband Ryon and Cassie, Tyler and Amanda Marshall.

 

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Kimberly Saracino said even she was surprised by how excited she got when she was picked to be a contestant on the television game show, “Let’s Make A Deal.”

“I was jumping up and down. I think I had an extra shot of espresso, but I was just really, really over the top, excited to be there,” said the young woman who recently moved to West Hollywood, Calif.

She was visiting her family in Lutz, when the episode aired on June 4. The 24-year-old recent film graduate of the University of Central Florida said she watched the episode with her mother, Antonella Bianchi, a physician, and her twin siblings, Vinson and Valentina Saracino, who just finished high school at Carrollwood Day School.

The program, filmed in Los Angeles and hosted by Wayne Brady, is an updated version of the classic game show. It involves people wearing wacky costumes and making quickie deals or playing games to try to win prizes.

So far this season, more than $1.6 million has been given away in cash and prizes, according to the website http://on-camera-audiences.com/shows/Lets_Make_a_Deal.

That works out to an average of about $80,000 per day in cash and prizes. With an audience limited to 210, the odds of getting picked to play aren’t bad, either, the website says.

Saracino said she was encouraged by her friend Ali Williams to try to get on the show. Williams had previously appeared on the show and thought it was a blast, Saracino said.

When she went to the show, she wasn’t sure if she’d get a chance to be on television, but she thought it was worth a try.

“I had no idea they were going to pick me, but I guess they kept their eye on me,” she said.

She thinks it boils down to being enthusiastic and wearing a goofy costume.

“They just want to see your energy. Are you actually excited to be here? And, I mean, who isn’t? You could potentially win a ton of money and meet Wayne Brady.”

She came to the show dressed as a flight attendant. She wore a blue suit, a hat, a tie and boots.

When she was plucked from the crowd, she was thrilled.

She squared off against two other contestants in a game that involved choosing a letter from a board, to reveal a number.

The contestant with the highest number won $500 and the chance to go after other prizes; the one with the next highest, won $500; and the one with the lowest, won $100.

Saracino chose the letter A.

She told the audience, “I’m going to go with A for Awesome.”

When the number was revealed, it was a one.

“I was like, ‘No—ooo—oo,” Saracino said.

Even though she didn’t take home a big prize, she did have fun, Saracino said.

“I would recommend it to anyone,” she said.

 

 

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

When city officials in Zephyrhills decided to amp up efforts to go green, they asked citizens to help them come up with ideas.

The city hired Tammy Vrana of Vrana Consulting, Inc., to lead the process, which yielded a sustainability plan, ranking priorities and offering steps to carry them out.

The Sustainable Zephyrhills Community Action Plan has seven guiding principles, said Todd VandeBerg, the city’s director of development. The idea is for the Zephyrhills City Council and mayor to consider those principles when making budget decisions, VandeBerg said.

When the plan was being developed, residents were invited to offer suggestions and weigh in on priorities, Vrana said. They expressed substantial interest. One idea that gained substantial support and is already in the planning stages was the creation of a community garden.

The garden is expected to begin this year, VandeBerg said.

Vrana said the exercise has broadened the city’s view when it is taking on new projects.

Zephyrhills City councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson said community interest goes beyond merely cutting energy use and costs.

“It’s all kind of big picture,” Wilkeson said, noting people are interested in finding ways to improve health and wellness through initiatives such as a community garden and bicycle trails.

Younger people, in particular, want to find ways to reduce the city’s carbon footprint, Wilkeson said.

Besides giving people an opportunity to voice their opinion, the city’s efforts have also garnered positive attention and captured awards from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, the American Planning Association and the American Public Works Association.

Vrana, who is an urban planner, said she was pleasantly surprised by the recognition the plan has received.

She thinks it demonstrates that a small government can be proactive about sustainability efforts and can work toward those goals, even with limited resources.

Vrana’s contract for $28,000 was paid with proceeds from a $250,000 grant the city received from the U.S. Department of Energy through the state of Florida.

The city also used some of that money to pay for an energy audit of city hall and the library and to subsequently install high-efficiency air conditioning units, programmable thermostats and more efficient lighting in both buildings.

The city also added a Chevy Volt to its fleet and purchased an electrical charging station.

It costs $1.25 to charge up the car to drive 40 miles, compared to about $3.40 a gallon for gas.

As another plus, the city allows people to use the charging station free of charge, VandeBerg said.

The city is also looking at ways to increase its recycling efforts, VandeBerg said. The possibilities range from simply stationing more recycling bins around the community to taking a more aggressive approach and having recycling bins at individual households.

Central Pasco Chamber Awards

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce gave out its annual awards and had its installation of officers at a banquet June 13 at Heritage Harbor Golf & Country Club.

Award winners were:

–Ambassador of the year: Rene Van Hout, owner/operator of LOL Transport & Moving

–Large business of the year: Pizza Villa

–Small business of the year: Copperstone Executive Suites & Office Space

–New Business of the Year: Christian Brothers Automotive

–Civic/Non Profit of the Year: Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers

Notable winners, selected by those attending the banquet:

–Helping Hand: Cheryl Herman, Lifevantage

–Pit-bull Award and Happy Camper: April Saland, A.L. Saland Insurance Solutions

President’s Awards

— Rocky Contreras, of KnowledgePoints Tutoring and Carla Collier of All Smiles Tampa Bay

Chamber member of the year

–Rene Van Hout

Members of the 2013-14 board of directors are: Dennis Esber, president; Charlene Ierna, president-elect; Mary Lynn Gorsline, secretary; Robin Perez, treasurer; and board members, Gary Loman, Maureen Moore, Larry Delucenay, Kurt Conover, Rocky Contreras, Jorge Santana, Anne Marie Brown, Larry Giannone, Rhonda Buckley, Carla Collier and Jim Charos.

 

Taylor Morrison building new models

Taylor Morrison has begun construction of three new model homes at Arbor Woods, its newest community in Wesley Chapel, near New Tampa.

The Hemingway design will be the largest model with 4,180 square feet and six bedrooms. The Windover model will be a four-bedroom home with 3,221 square feet and the third model will be the popular Daphene design with three bedrooms and 2,600 square feet of living space. The models are expected to be open this year.

Arbor Woods is on 423 wooded acres, which includes 338 acres set aside for conservation. The project is slated to include 222 single-family homes.

For more information about these model homes or Arbor Woods, call (866) 495-6006 or visit online at www.ArborWoodsTM.com.

 

Hillsborough announces innovation initiative

Hillsborough County is launching an economic development innovation initiative program. The county is making $2 million available over three years to encourage growth of technology and innovation startups and small businesses.

The program is focused in three strategic areas:

— Support events that increase awareness, attract new talent and create networking opportunities or activities that promote the industry.

— Align county resources more strategically to advocate for the start-up community and support research efforts.

— Provide assistance to nonprofits engaged in incubation, accelerating, mentoring and networking.

 

To find out more about this initiative, email Stephanie Cvetetic with the county’s economic development department at or call (813) 272-6217.

 

PEDC announces industry of the year nominees

The Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc., has announced the nominees for its 2013 Industry of the Year Awards.

The awards will be presented on Sept. 4 at the economic development council’s 27th annual banquet, which will be at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel. The event generally attracts more than 600 business, business and community leaders.

This year’s nominees are: Adams Arms, Inc.; Allcraft Marine, Inc.; BallywhoSocial; Big Storm Brewery Co.; Communication Concepts, Inc.; Crown Community Development;

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel; Florida Hospital Zephyrhills; Goin’ Postal Franchise Corp.; JTD Enterprises, Inc.; The Shops at Wiregrass; Lifedash, Inc.; Lightport, Inc.; Marlin CNG Services; MB2x; Meares Plumbing; MedFleet; Pasco-Hernando Community College; RAMM Recycling Services, Inc.; Sign-A-Rama of New Tampa; Symphonic Distribution; SB Manufacturing, LLC; SEL Engineering Services; Sunshine Christian Homes; and United Way of Pasco County, Inc.

Besides the banquet, the annual event features a trade show, too. The trade show begins at 5 p.m., followed by the awards dinner at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $75 and may be purchased at www.pascoedc.com/events. To participate in the tradeshow, contact Suzanne Renczkowski at or call (813) 926-0827.

 

Amazon proposes to create 3,000 Florida jobs

Gov. Rick Scott has announced that Amazon has proposed to create more than 3,000 full-time jobs in Florida by the end of 2016.

Amazon has estimated its proposed investment in Florida at more than $300 million.

The company will be determining locations based on the availability of economic development incentives.

 

Habitat for Humanity launches new partnership

Habitat for Humanity and The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) have entered into a new partnership that will increase donations to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores thrift stores.

The partnership will provide an easy and efficient way for NASMM members to donate their client’s reusable items.

As senior move manager work with their clients to downsize, Habitat for Humanity ReStores will sell the donated items to provide resources for Habitat’s homebuilding program.

 

Gulfside Regional thrift shops have Christmas in July

Gulfside Regional Hospice’s Thrift Shoppes will be having Christmas in July sales beginning on July 1 and running through the end of the month.

Christmas items are available at all five locations during this annual event.

Here are the thrift shop locations:

–Dade City Thrift Shoppe, 37925 Sky Ridge Circle, (813) 782-7200

–Hudson Thrift Shoppe, 12154 US 19 in Bayonet Point, (727) 861-4900

–Lutz Thrift Shoppe, 1930 Land O’Lakes Blvd in the Harbour Village Shopping Plaza, (813) 909-0485

–New Port Richey Thrift Shoppe, 6117 SR 54 at the corner of Madison Street and SR 54 in the Elfers Shopping Plaza, (727) 842-7262

–Zephyrhills Thrift Shoppe, 36524 SR 54, (813) 788-5461

All Gulfside Regional Hospice Thrift Shoppes are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and closed on Sunday. Volunteers are always needed at all of the thrift shops; call (800) 561-4883 for volunteer information.

All proceeds from the volunteer-run resale stores are designated to provide care for patients and families facing life-limiting illnesses in Pasco County. For more information about Gulfside Regional Hospice, visit www.grhospice.org <http://www.grhospice.org/> or call (800) 561-4883.

 

Home sales are up for Ashton Woods

The Tampa division of Ashton Woods Homes sold 239 homes in the fiscal year ending on May 31, representing a 70 percent increase in sales over its 2012 fiscal year. The average price of an Ashton Woods home during the period was $249,364, according to a company news release.

By Ed Pierce

At an age when many are slowing down, 78-year-old Doris Prokopi is speeding up toward countless swimming records and titles.

The Land O’ Lakes resident captured five silver and two bronze medals at the 2013 Pan-American Masters Swimming Championships June 13 in Sarasota while competing against more than 2,000 competitive swimmers from the United States, South America, Central America, Mexico and Canada.

Qualifying for the Pan-American meet was an amazing feat for Prokopi, considering she didn’t even learn to swim until she was 59.

“I really love to swim and don’t know why I didn’t learn sooner. Now they can’t get me out of the pool,” she said. “I spend two hours a day working on it every day at the New Tampa Family YMCA. I really get a rush competing against other fast swimmers.”

She started swimming after one of her sons took up the sport in high school.

On a suggestion, Prokopi joined the St. Pete Masters Swim Club at age 62 where she met local people who were interested in swimming competitively against other seniors.

Prokopi joined three others from Land O’ Lakes to form a masters-level swim team — the Maverick Masters — and over the years it has grown to now include 50 senior-level swimmers.

“My husband, Bill, and my friends call me a swim idiot,” she said. “I’m just in the water all the time.”

Now competing against swimmers ages 75 to 80, Prokopi continues to excel, setting numerous national and international records in the 50-meter backstroke, 100- and 200-meter breaststroke, the 100-meter backstroke and the 200-meter freestyle races.

Her performance at the U.S. National Senior Games in 2012 in Texas qualified her to race in this year’s Pan-American championships.

Winning races and setting records has become commonplace for Prokopi, who is a fixture on the winner’s podium every October in Temple Terrace at the Tampa Bay Senior Games. She has also raced in numerous U.S. Master Swim events and the Florida Senior Games.

Her prowess in the pool has earned her awards as the 1994 Florida Senior Games State Championships Female Athlete of the Year, and as she’s progressed through different age groups, Prokopi has shattered Florida and national records in the 50-meter breaststroke in the age 60 to 64, 65 to 69 and 70 to 74 categories.

And everything she’s accomplished has been self-taught, without the guidance of a swim coach.

“I just never liked others pushing me and telling me what to do,” Prokopi said. “I’ve found I swim better without having a coach.”

Her dedication to swimming motivates all who know her.

“Personally, I look at Doris and I see nothing but inspiration,” said Mia Matos, associate aquatics director for the New Tampa Family YMCA. “As a long-distance swimmer myself, I look up to her and hope I am still swimming at her age.”

Matos said Prokopi is held in esteem by athletes of all ages at the YMCA.

“She probably doesn’t even know it, but other members and swimmers at the New Tampa Family YMCA admire her and feel the same way I do,” Matos said. “I am often asked ‘How old is that woman? She swims better than I do.’ Doris is a pleasure to have at our branch, and she inspires every swimmer whether they be a beginner or a professional.”

Prokopi said she enjoys all races, except she now avoids competing in the butterfly stroke because it puts tremendous pressure on her shoulders.

Her next meet will be a qualifying race in Clearwater next month that could eventually lead to a berth in the 2013 Florida Summer Swimming Senior Championships in Fort Pierce later this summer.

“The swimmers I admire are Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps,” Prokopi said. “Those guys are amazing. I was fortunate to have competed against the late Bunny Cederlund of Melbourne Beach who was one of the best senior women’s masters’ swimmers of all time. She was great and won almost all of her swim meets.”

Former University of Tampa swimmer Karen Westerman of Land O’ Lakes said dedicated athletes like Prokopi make it easy for her to continue swimming throughout her lifetime.

“I am always inspired by other masters swimmers who are swimming in their 70s, 80s and 90s,” Westerman said. “I think masters swimming is a way to continue to stay active, create friendships with other swimmers and still compete at state, national and international level.

Having competed against some of the top seniors in America and the world, Prokopi advises everyone to give the sport a try.

“I would tell everyone that swimming is the best for your body,” she said. “It takes all the aches away.”

As far as the future goes, Prokopi has no goals other than to keep on swimming.

“My mother lived to be 100, and maybe I will still be swimming if I make it that far.” she said. “Who knows?”

 

Mary Kanter passes leadership baton to Ryan Kelly

 

By B.C. Manion

 

 

When Mary Kanter began working at Carrollwood Day School almost three decades ago, the school was an early childhood center operating out a storefront on Gunn Highway.

Over the years, the school has expanded to include programs from early childhood through high school.

It is one of a handful of schools in North America to offer the full continuum – preschool through high school – of the International Baccalaureate brand of education.

When Kanter took over as head of the school in 1998, there were 222 students. Now, the school’s enrollment is pushing 900, with students coming from communities including Lutz, Odessa, Carrollwood, Westchase, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes and New Tampa.

The campus for elementary, middle and high school students sits on a picturesque plot of land at 1515 W. Bearss Ave. It also has an early childhood campus at 12606 Casey Road.

Recently, the school wrapped up phase one of an extensive construction project. It built a new elementary school and renovated the main building to include new high school classrooms, performing and fine arts studios and offices. It also involved remodeling of the school auditorium into a state-of-the-art performing arts theatre, which seats more than 800.

During the next phase, the goal is to add a school gymnasium and at some point, school officials would like to add a middle school building.

Besides enrollment growth and physical improvements, the school also has garnered its share of accolades through the years, including designation as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education and being the first school on the west coast of Florida to be authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the Primary Years Programme.

Kanter announced her decision to retire 18 months ago – allowing the school’s board plenty of time to find a replacement and create a smooth transition.

As it turns out, the board didn’t have to look far. They opted to promote Ryan Kelly, the high school principal, to assume the leadership role.

Kanter leaves June 30 and Kelly becomes the school’s head on July 1.

Kanter is pleased that Kelly is taking on the role.

“I think he knows the culture of the school that we’ve built over a long time, and that was really crucial to me,” Kanter said. “He’s a great leader, and he’s going to do wonderful things for the school.”

For his part, Kelly said he’s thrilled to be selected to lead a school that has a solid foundation and a record of excellence.

When he joined the school’s staff five years ago, Kelly said he came because it had established early childhood through middle years program and a new high school.

The school’s International Baccalaureate Program also attracted him.

“I was previously at an IB school — believe in it 100 percent — and the opportunity to grow a school and be part of that was exciting to me,” Kelly said.

He marvels at the courage that it took Kanter, her team and the CDS community to launch a high school program in an environment as competitive as it is in Tampa Bay.

When Kelly arrived, the high school’s enrollment was 62. Now, its 225. “We’re going to grow next year,” he said. The goal is to achieve an enrollment of 400-plus, he said.

There were skeptics before the school added its high school, Kanter said.

“A lot of people were saying, ‘This is not going to work,’ ” she recalled.

Recently, the Class of 2013 graduated, marking the school’s fifth crop of high school graduates.

Kelly said he plans to build on the school’s success.

“At the end of the day, we are a business. Our business is educating students in the best possible way. At the end of the day, providing them with the character so they can succeed. I want to continue to do a superb job of that.”

He also wants to raise Carrollwood Day School’s profile. He welcomes visitors to come see what the school is doing. “I want the community to get to know us more.

“I want to be a beacon in the state of Florida for a really exceptional independent school,” Kelly said.

“I think there are some things that we need to add facility-wise,” he said. “I’d love to be able to bring kids into our own gymnasium and have a pep rally. I’d love to have Friday Night Lights here. I would love to have tennis courts, where moms and students could be playing.”

On the academic front, he wants to bring in some niche programs that would allow for different options within the IB track. For instance, there may be kids who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs, or there may be some who have a fascination with robotics.

He also thinks incorporating the use of technology throughout the school’s curriculum is important.

“We’ll have iPads in students’ hands from early childhood all of the way through 12th grade. It’s a big initiative that I think is important,” Kelly said, adding that the world is becoming increasingly more technological.

“I’m a big proponent of technology. I use it. I love social media. But at the same time, I think it’s imperative that, as a school, we educate parents and students and staff on the right ways to do it,” Kelly said.

Kelly said kids don’t consider the serious consequences that can arise from posts they make on social media. It’s different than it was for previous generations.

“We wrote notes and passed it to a friend,” Kelly said.

With today’s social media, communications can go viral.

Kanter said she’s ready to pass the leadership baton on to Kelly.

“You should know when it is time for somebody with new vision to take over,” said Kanter, who has worked for Carrollwood Day School for 29 years.

“I just think it’s time for somebody who’s young, who’s really into the technology and the 21st century skills,” Kanter said.

Kanter marvels at the progress the school has made over the course of three decades.

“I’m proud of what’s been accomplished here,” Kanter said. But, she’s quick to point out that the achievements are the result of the contributions made by many people, including the school’s principals Trudi Buscemi, Ellen Nafe and Kelly. She also credits board members who have played an instrumental role in helping the school to succeed. And, she points to the dedication of teachers, staff and students, as well as parental support.

“It was so many people pulling together – and I think that’s the best part of Carrollwood Day School. It’s such a community. It’s all about relationships, being there for each other,” Kanter said.

It hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing.

“When I took over the school, it was $2 million in debt,” Kanter said, and the campus was in turmoil.

Parents banded together and purchased the assets from the school’s original head.

“A lot of people pitched in and helped. We had attorneys and CPAs and parents from all different walks of life. They believed in the school, and they wanted it to survive.”

At one point, it was uncertain if the teachers would get paid, but they stuck it out.

“We lost one teacher through all that,” Kanter said, estimating the school had about 40 teachers at the time.

There have been other trials, too, of a more personal nature, Kanter said.

“We’ve had staff that have lost children. We’ve had teachers who have died of cancer.  We’re just a microcosm of society. All of the things that happen outside of school happen here. Just on a much smaller level.”

One of the more poignant moments during Kanter’s tenure came when a former student came back to visit.

He was one of several middle school students who had frequently been to her office, when she was the middle school principal.

She recalls him coming back and telling her: “You know, Mrs. Kanter, one thing I always liked about CDS is that I always knew I was loved.

“That has always stayed with me,” she said.

As she gets ready to step away, Kanter doesn’t expect retirement to be boring. She plans to spend more time with her grandchildren and to volunteer at the school. She also plans to do more reading, traveling and gardening.

The parting, however, is bittersweet.

“It’s sad because of all of my relationships here. All of my friends are here, because I spend all of my time here,” Kanter said.

 

 

Some Carrollwood Day School milestones

1981: Carrollwood Day School is founded as an Early Childhood Center in a storefront space on Gunn Highway

1984: CDS adds a kindergarten and the school moves into its own building on Casey Road

1986: CDS opens an elementary school on a rustic campus in Odessa

1992: CDS’ Odessa campus expands to add middle school classes

2003: CDS is named the National School of Character by the Character Education Partnership

2004: CDS named No Child Left Behind –Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education

2005: CDS becomes an IB World School, the first school on the west coast of Florida to be authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the Primary Years Programme

2006: CDS moves to its campus location on Bearss Avenue. The school also opened a high school and welcomes its first ninth- and tenth-grade classes

2008: CDS receives authorization from the International Baccalaureate Organization for its Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme, making CDS the sixth school in the U.S. to achieve the distinction of providing the full continuum of IB programmes.

2009: CDS receives re-accreditation from the Florida Council of Independent Schools. The school also qualifies for accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. CDS graduates its first senior class.

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Organizers are gearing up for Lutz’s Independence Day festivities – and this year is particularly special, they say, because the community is celebrating its centennial.

As usual, there will be a 5K, a parade, a cake-decorating contest, the swearing-in ceremony for the new Lutz Guv’na and a cake auction.

The 5k begins at 8 a.m., followed by a One Mile Fun Run that begins at 8:45 a.m. Both events start on Lutz-Lake Fern Road, just west of the intersection of First Avenue.

Hundreds of runners and walkers are expected to turn out, said Terry Donovan, the race coordinator.

“Last year, we had over 600,” Donovan said. “This year, we expect a little bit more.”

Also, this year, unlike previous years, “we’re actually going to a chip system,” he said.

A chip-timed race uses a chip attached to the runner that records the time the runner crosses the timing mat to start the race and the moment the runner crosses the timing mat at the finish line.

Runners won’t be the only ones competing at the Lutz Independence Day festivities.

Winners will be selected in the cake-decorating contest, in the fundraising contest to become the honorary Lutz Guv’na and in the quest for bragging rights for snaring the highest bid in the cake auction.

When it comes to the parade, organizers have adopted a “the more, the merrier” attitude.

“Any kind of unit will work,” said Shirley Simmons, the parade coordinator.

Last year, there were about 80 units in the parade, and Simmons expects about the same number this year. There may be fewer politicians this time around, she noted, since it’s not an election year.

On the other hand, organizers are hoping that people will get into the spirit of things because this is a special year.

“This is our 100th anniversary for Lutz, so it’s a big thing,” Simmons said. The float sponsored by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club will feature a big birthday cake, to acknowledge the community’s history.

Simmons expects the parade to feature all sorts of vehicles.

“We have tractors. We’re going to have lots of antique fire trucks,” Simmons said. There will also be World War II military vehicles.

There is no charge to take part in the parade, but those driving vehicles must have proof of insurance, said Simmons, who is registering participants. “I need to have an insurance policy on file,” she said.

Also, if tradition holds true, there will be plenty of walkers in the parade.

And, it’s not unusual in this parade to see a parent or grandparent pulling a child along in a red wagon down the parade route, which goes down Lutz-Lake Fern Road and turns to go in front of the Lutz Branch Library.

The parade begins promptly at 10 a.m. on July Fourth, but those taking part have to be lined up and ready to go at 9 a.m. That gives organizers a chance to iron out any problems, so the parade can get off without a hitch, she said.

The cake-decorating contest is another popular aspect of the Independence Day event.

Bakers who want to show off their skills can compete in a number of categories for children and adults, said Marilyn Wannamaker, who is coordinating that contest.

Adults will be judged in these categories: Best decorated, most patriotic, best tasting, men’s only, judges’ favorite and Guv’na’s favorite. They can also enter pies, which will be judged for their taste.

There’s a separate division for children younger than 10, Wannamaker said. Their entries will be judged in these categories: Best decorated, most patriotic, best tasting, judges’ favorite and Guv’na’s favorite.

Cakes cannot be larger than 9 inches by 13 inches, Wannamaker said.

She also advises: “Take care with the icing because we don’t have any refrigeration.

“The children like to make lakes out of blueberry Jell-O,” she said. “That doesn’t last.”

The entries can be delivered the day of July 3, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., at the fire department’s meeting building, 124 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road. They can also be dropped off on July 4, before 7:30 a.m. The judging will occur at 9:30 a.m.

After the parade concludes, the winner is announced in the annual election of an honorary Lutz Guv’na. This year’s race pits four female contenders: Suzin Carr, Karin D’Amico, Susan Gulash and Lauren Leahey.

After the new Guv’na is sworn in, the cakes from the competition will be auctioned off.

So, Wannamaker said, it’s important that those entering the contest don’t use plates that they want to get back.

She loves the cake auction because she enjoys watching parents and grandparents get into bidding wars over a child’s cake.

 

To find out more

If you want to take part in the 5K or parade or need other information about the Lutz Fourth of July festivities, here are the contacts:

–To sign up for a place in the parade, call Shirley Simmons, (813) 949-7060.

–For more information about booth rentals, which must be secured by July 1, call Annie Fernandez, (813) 784-4471.

–For more information about the cake-decorating contest, call Marilyn Wannamaker at (813) 949-1482.

–For more about the 5k and One Mile Fun Run, call Terry Donovan at (813) 949-6659 or go to www.active.com and search under Lutz.

–For general questions, call Phyllis Hoedt at (813) 949-1937.