Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

By Diane Kortus

 

In last week’s paper, I wrote about the remarkable gains we’ve made in readership at our papers. I shared with you that 80 percent of households in Lutz regularly read or look through the Lutz News. And in Pasco County, 75 percent of households read The Laker with the same loyalty.

It is not surprising, then, that I am writing this week with news about awards my staff has received for outstanding work in a recent statewide newspaper competition. It only makes sense that our excellent readership scores correlate with superior work that is recognized by peers in the newspaper industry.

Earlier this month, Community Papers of Florida honored us with 11 awards for writing, ad design and theme pages. We competed with weekly and monthly publications, many of which have much larger staffs and more resources than we do.

Once again, Stefanie Burlingame, our graphic designer for the past five years, won several awards for outstanding advertising design. She is one of the best ad designers in the state, and I am proud – and fortunate – to have Stef on my team. The accompanying story tells you more about our advertising winners and the local businesses whose ads were recognized.

This was the first year we received an award for writing from Community Papers of Florida. It was especially meaningful that our winner is Jeff Odom, our homegrown, 19-year-old reporter who started writing for us when he was a student at Steinbrenner High in Lutz.

Jeff took third place for Best Original Writing for a piece he wrote about John Naperkowski, a physical education teacher at Chester Taylor Elementary in Zephyrhills who had a heart attack at the school and was resuscitated by a fellow teacher using the school’s automated external defibrillator, or AED.

Ironically, Naperkowski is the reason there was an AED available to save his life in the first place. Fourteen years earlier, he tried to revive a 9-year-old boy at Hudson Elementary who collapsed during Naperkowski’s physical education class.  Sadly, the child died.

An investigation concluded that the child might have lived if the school had had an AED to use while waiting for emergency personnel. After this tragedy, the school board decided to install AEDs at all Pasco public schools.  Hudson Elementary was the first to get one.

Jeff’s piece was poignant because it told the emotional story of an inspirational man in our community who fought for what was right after a young boy’s unnecessary death. The irony that the technology Naperkowski fought for saved his life 14 years later was not lost on our readers – or the judges.

To read Jeff’s award-winning story, go to lakerlutznews.com/lln/?p=11135

When I congratulated Jeff on his award, his response was endearing. To say he was excited is an understatement.

I had forgotten how I felt when I received my first professional award. Jeff’s exuberance was instantaneous and he was bursting with pride.

He made me remember how joyful it was to be recognized for a job well done when I was first starting out. What fun it was to be doing something I was so passionate about. How blessed I was to have a job I couldn’t wait to get to every day.

This undoubtedly will be the first of many awards that Jeff will earn in his journalism career. He will continue to tell stories about people we are proud to call our friends and neighbors.

Jeff already knows he has a winner when he writes a story about someone you care about – with or without formal recognition from a newspaper contest. That is one of the many attributes of a good journalist, and it’s what drives Jeff to dig deep and find stories you won’t find anywhere else.

There could come a day when Jeff forgets the specifics of the stories that warranted his awards. But he will never forget his first award – the one he earned while working as a reporter at The Laker and Lutz News.

It makes me proud that this young man’s legacy started right here, writing important stories about everyday people who make a difference.

At this newspaper, I’m proud to say, he makes a difference as well.

 

The Laker and Lutz News recently received 11 awards from Community Papers of Florida for outstanding work in writing, ad design and theme pages.

Five employees were recognized for their work, leading with Graphic Artist Stefanie Burlingame, who received nine awards for ad design. Working closely with Burlingame with seven awards was Sales Assistant Carolyn Bennett, who contributed creative concepts and copy writing.

Also recognized were Account Manager Terri Williamson with four awards, Classified Sales Representative Rachel Thompson with two awards and Staff Writer Jeff Odom with one award.

In addition, eight local businesses were recognized for their ads published in The Laker and Lutz News. Recognized were Holloway’s Farm Supply, Kerri Shelton Hair Studio, Angels Gymnastics, Core Support Automotive Recycling, Mini of Wesley Chapel, Wesley Chapel Nissan, Elsa’s Mexican Restaurant and St. Joseph’s Hospital-North.

 

Best Original Writing

Third Place – Jeff Odom

 

Full Color Ad (1/4 to 1/2 page)

Second Place

Stefanie Burlingame, Carolyn Bennett

Holloway’s Farm Supply, Land O’ Lakes

 

Color Ad (less than 1/4 page)

Second Place

Stefanie Burlingame, Carolyn Bennett

Kerri Shelton Hair Studios, Land O’ Lakes

 

Color Ad (less than 1/4 page)

Third Place

Stefanie Burlingame, Carolyn Bennett, Terri Williamson

Angels Gymnastics, Lutz

 

Automotive Advertising (black & white)

Second Place

Stefanie Burlingame, Rachel Thompson

Core Support Automotive Recycling

 

Automotive Advertising (color, more than 1/4 page)

First Place

Stefanie Burlingame, Carolyn Bennett, Terri Williamson

Mini of Wesley Chapel

 

Automotive Advertising (color, less than 1/4 page)

Second Place

Stefanie Burlingame, Carolyn Bennett, Terri Williamson

Wesley Chapel Nissan

 

Dining & Entertainment Advertising (color, less than 1/4 page)

Third Place

Stefanie Burlingame, Carolyn Bennett, Terri Williamson

Elsa’s Mexican Restaurant, Lutz

 

Theme Promotions – Restaurants

Third Place

Stefanie Burlingame, Carolyn Bennett

Eats and Entertainment Page

 

Theme Promotions – Pets

Third Place

Stefanie Burlingame, Rachel Thompson

Pet Station Directory

 

Agency Produced Ad

Second Place

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, Lutz

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Twenty-three-year-old Gina Spinella is on a trek that will take her through the bayou country of Louisiana, across the rangelands of Texas, up the mountains of New Mexico and through the deserts of the southwest.

Along the way, she’ll stop to help with housing projects in local communities, including construction work in areas hit by Hurricane Katrina, in New Orleans.

She’ll also get a chance to see spectacular sights, including the northern rim of the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park in Utah and the Yosemite National Park in California.

Spinella is pedaling across the southern United States as part of a trip organized by Bike & Build, an organization that seeks to raise money and awareness about the need for affordable housing.

The young woman from Lutz began training for the journey in early March.

She was out on the Suncoast Trail on May 15, in her final training day, before heading out to Jacksonville to start her trip.

“I’m definitely nervous. I’m like, ‘Oh, man, what  am I going to do when we have the 100-mile days?’” Spinella said, before beginning her morning training run.

When a friend told her about Bike & Build, it piqued her interest.

“The first thing I saw was the adventure,” Spinella said, but it was the chance to make a difference that persuaded her to put her life as a hair stylist on hold, to make the trip.

“I want to be able to say that I did something good in my life,” Spinella said.

The idea of pedaling more than 4,000 miles across the southern United States is  daunting, she said.

“I didn’t do cycling before this. It’s completely new, but doing something good and helping families out along the way is kind of a reason to do it,” she said.

She’s looking forward to spending time helping on housing projects, as the cyclists traverse the country.

She’s especially interested in hearing the stories of the people she meets along the way.

She had to raise $4,500 to take part in the bike ride. She did that through a pancake breakfast at Organic Life Coffeehouse & Bakery in Lutz, a car wash at the 7-Eleven at SR 41 and SR 54 in Land O’ Lakes and by receiving contributions from her parents, friends and guests at Mikel’s Salon The Paul Mitchell Experience, where she used to work.

The trip requires substantial commitment, and Spinella, She figured there was no time like the present to take that on. “There’s really no best moment to do it,” she said.

Bike & Build is geared toward engaging 20- to 25-year-olds in a public awareness campaign that tends to garner media attention as cyclists make their way across the country.

“They’re trying to get the younger generation involved,” Spinella said.

The organization provides meals and makes arrangements with churches and community groups across the country to provide accommodations for the cyclists. Sometimes, such as national parks, they’ll sleep in tents at campsites, she said.

“We have to have our own sleeping bag and our own supplies,” she said.

The length of the rides will vary – averaging about 75 miles a day, she said.

“They’re very flexible. I’ve talked to some of my route leaders. They said it’s really laid back. You can really ride at your own pace,” she said.
They also have a support team for riders who need help.

Spinella did most of her training along the Suncoast Trail, averaging 25 miles a day.

When she began training, she said, “I was winded just doing five miles. Now,10 miles, 20 miles, is like nothing to me. Thirty is comfortable. You start going so long you get in a zone. I start to feel tired at 50, but it’s not like I’m completely drained. I’ve definitely seen a difference in my health, overall.”

She does get sore after long rides, she said. She has a simple solution for that: “I just take a hot shower.”

Spinella said affordable housing is an important cause.

Many families struggle to find housing within their financial means in safe neighborhoods.

“With the economy, these days, it’s hard for anybody,” she said. She said she understands, because even when she was working overtime she didn’t earn enough money to move out of her parents’ home.

In addition to physical training for the ride, cyclists also put in sweat equity hours to be sure they can handle tasks at the sites where they’ll be helping to build homes.

“They want us to have some experience on a construction site before we just go,” she said. “I’ve been working with the Hillsborough Habitat for Humanity. They actually built a whole block of houses over by the fairgrounds off (US) 301.”

Before she set off for her journey, Spinella said she knows there will be difficulties.

“During the summer, we’re going to be riding every single day. Right now, I’ve just been slowly working my way into it. It’s been like baby steps. Over the summer, we’re going to go hardcore.

“They say the first two weeks is the hardest to get through, but once you get through that, you start getting used to it.”

She’s excited about tackling those challenges, and she’s eager to help others.

The experience, she expects, will create memories to last a lifetime.

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Ray Perez wants patrons at Happy Cow Frozen Yogurt in Wesley Chapel to leave the shop with an experience that tops a visit to a run-of-the mill yogurt shop.

When the Wesley Chapel entrepreneur and his partners were working out their plans for the shop, they had specific ideas in mind.

First off, they wanted to wow their patrons with the shop’s design.

“We have a lot of things that you won’t find in your average yogurt store. Custom wallpaper, wood veneer, crown molding,” said Perez, a graduate of the University of South Florida, with extensive experience in restaurant work.

They also wanted to provide a sensory experience that customers would enjoy – the scent of freshly baked cookies or waffle bowls, a mix of music selections aimed to please people of all ages and a fun gathering place for guests.

Most of all, however, the shop’s owners wanted to offer customers a wide selection of frozen yogurt, sorbets, gelato and toppings. Frozen yogurt flavors include white chocolate truffle, cappuccino, cheesecake classico and cookies n’ cream. Gelatos include chocolate hazelnut, Tuscan tirumisu and caramel sea salt and sorbets include mango tropicale and Sicilian orange. Toppings include candies, fresh fruits and sauces.

Perez takes particular pride in the brand of frozen yogurt his shop offers – from a company he prefers not to name.

“What sets us apart is no one is using this product,” Perez said, noting there are two main suppliers of frozen yogurt, but his shop uses a different vendor.

“We spent a lot of time thinking of what our initial flavoring offering was going to be. I kind of wanted to have something for everyone,” said Perez, who is a graduate of Wharton High.

As time goes on, Perez plans to introduce customized flavors that will only be offered at Happy Cow. He also plans to tap into the power of social media, to let his customers help him decide future flavors to offer.

The best part of running a shop like this is seeing customers enjoying themselves, said Perez, whose partners are his aunt and uncle, Connie and Bill Rogers.

“It’s rewarding to see 4-year-old daughters dragging their father to the yogurt machine,” Perez said.

The shop had its grand opening on May 10 and, so far, business has been good.

“On the weekends, especially at night, we’re booming.”

While it seeks to offer something for everyone, the shop appears to be particularly popular with families and young couples, Perez said. It also attracts a fair number of college students, he said.

The shop is self-serve, with patrons filling their cups just the way they like them.

The price is 49 cents an ounce, with most tickets averaging $4 to $5, Perez said.

Unlike many frozen yogurt shops, which serve up sample cups, Perez allows his patrons to grab small paper cups and fill them themselves.

Research shows that people prefer getting their own samples, Perez said. Plus, it keeps things moving in the shop.

Self-serve shops also give people a chance to try varied flavor combinations, Perez said.

“You kind of put your stamp on your frozen yogurt creation,” he said.

Perez is the former general manager of Burger Monger, which is a few doors down, so he knew the location was good. There are 11 restaurants in that plaza alone, he said.

The opening of the hospital, future plans for the Fields at Wiregrass sports complex and the soon-to-open Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch also make the area attractive, he said.

“This area is booming. There’s a lot of excitement going on here. There are always new events going on at the mall. The hospital opening up, there’s just a lot of great places to eat out here. It seems to attract new businesses,” Perez said.

The shop, at 1646 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, is between First Watch and Bonefish Grill.

It has the feel of a franchise, but isn’t one.

Ultimately, Perez and his partners hope they can open additional shops and create a franchise operation.

The Wesley Chapel resident is optimistic about those possibilities.

“We think we have a good brand and a good product,” Perez said.

 

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Suzin Carr sang “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” in Hungarian to try to wow the crowd, while Lauren Leahey promised “free pink cotton candy and kittens” in her effort to influence voters.

The two women are squaring off against each other and against Karin D’Amico and Susan Gulash in a four-way race to win the honorary title of Lutz Guv’na.

Carr, Leahey and stand-ins for the other two candidates kicked off the annual campaign at a mock debate at the Old Lutz Schoolhouse on the afternoon of May 18.

D’Amico and Gulash had last-minute conflicts, so they sent Elisabeth Butterfield and Annette Bellingar, respectively, to fill in at the debate.

Gulash, who arrived too late to join the debate, has adopted the attitude of so many Guv’nas who have gone before. “If I get elected, anyone over 40 years old automatically becomes 20,” she said in a telephone interview after the debate.

The contest, which dates back to 1991, began as a way to raise money for community causes. As time has gone on, it has also become a way to build community spirit.

That’s what attracted Lauren Leahey, who is representing the GFWC Pasco Junior Woman’s Club. She hopes her run for the post will help recruit more women to join her group — a younger version of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club. That club is backing D’Amico’s bid for re-election.

While D’Amico couldn’t be at the debate, her campaign issued a press release noting the candidate’s desire to make history by become the first Guv’na to win re-election.

In the release, D’Amico quotes Laurel Hill Thatcher who said ‘Well behaved women seldom make history.” D’Amico notes that in the race to be Guv’na, “outrageous behavior is what it takes to win.”

Winning a second term would be especially historic this year, as Lutz celebrates its Centennial year.

Carr is also aiming for a repeat reign as Guv’na.

She pulled out the stops at the kick-off celebration, donning a black tutu and belting out her “Twinkle, Twinkle” number – wowing the crowd with her antics.

Meanwhile, her husband Jim took on a low-profile role, milling around the gathering offering patrons a chance to rub his belly and make a wish, for $1.

Several former Guv’nas and Guv’na wannabes were also there, offering their support.

Cheryl Benton lost her bid for Guv’na a few years back, but hasn’t lost her enthusiasm for the annual competition. Indeed, she even dusted off her Southern belle dress – which was the signature of her campaign – and wore it to the May 18 kick-off.

The annual Guv’na’s race is fun and helps make a real difference in Lutz, Benton said.

“All of the money goes back to the community,” Benton said.

The winner will be announced during Lutz’s annual Independence Day festivities.

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

The initial field of 61 candidates to replace retiring Pasco County Administrator John Gallagher has been winnowed to four, and interviews with those finalists have been set for May 24.

Pasco County commissioners voted last week to consider Michelle Baker, Tomas Gonzalez, Eric Johnson and Charles Oliver to replace Gallagher, who is leaving his post after three decades at the helm of Pasco County government.

Baker, who is chief assistant county administrator, is the only internal candidate being considered to replace Gallagher.

Johnson, a high-ranking administrator in Hillsborough County; Gonzalez, city manager in Irving, Texas; and Oliver, former administrator of Escambia County, are the other candidates who made the short list.

A bus tour has been arranged for the candidates on May 23 and a public reception will take place that evening at the Fox Hollow Golf Club in Trinity.

On May 24, commissioners will meet individually with candidates in the morning at Saint Leo University, and then the board will conduct public interviews in the afternoon.

 

 

By Andy Warrener

The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

 

Opa!

The single word sums up the experience at Pizza Villa.

The Land O’ Lakes restaurant celebrated its 25th anniversary in April. Opa is a Greek term that expresses overall well-being, new beginnings, good times, family, friends and a good life. It’s also the word on Pizza Villa’s marquee for the month.

“We’re a casual, comfortable, family restaurant,” said manager Cheryl Will. “Our service and the quality of our food bring people back.”

It might appear like an average pizza joint when you drive by 21501 Villages Center Drive in Land O’ Lakes, just east of US 41 intersection, but a venture inside, or even through the drive-through, can transport your palate to a Greek fantasy world.

Pizza Villa makes pizza, pasta and such, but do so with a Greek twist along with a host of Mediterranean-style fare. They even offer some tasty alternatives for diners who are vegetarian or prefer gluten-free dishes.

“Our Greek chicken is our No.1 selling item,” said prep cook Angie Kalogeropoulos.

The dish is a half chicken, baked in Pizza Villa’s signature sauce, served with peeled baked potato wedges sitting in a thin layer of the baked-in juices.

The restaurant’s signature sauce has olive oil and lemon juice as a base, but Kalogeropoulos would not give up any further detail. It’s savory with a lively accent similar to a Spanish mojo sauce, and it flavors both the chicken and the potato wedges equally.

The meal comes with a small Greek salad covered in a near snowdrift of creamy feta cheese topped with a dose of their made-in-house dressing. The signature dressing and olive oil are both for sale in bottles at the front counter.

The olive oil is a staple product at Pizza Villa. It’s ordered directly from Greece from the same port near where Kalogeropoulos and the restaurant’s owner Bill Fotopoulous grew up near Sparta.

The oil is 100 percent extra virgin, and they work it into the pizza dough for its signature taste.

“Overall, (the pizza) was really tasty, crispy with something a little different about it,” said first-time diner Chester Riddick, of Wesley Chapel. “We have been looking for a sit-down, family restaurant unlike some of the big corporate places. We might have found it.”

Pizza Villa was the brainchild of Fotopoulous, whose family owns the ABC Pizza chain started in Tampa in the 1970s. Will, the current manager at Pizza Villa, started in the kitchen at one of the Wesley Chapel-area ABC’s. She began managing Pizza Villa when it opened in 1988.

“We wanted to go with some more traditional Greek dishes,” Will said. “We have dolma, stuffed pepper and tomato. The menu has tripled since we opened.”

The family setting extends throughout the kitchen and the wait staff.

“Some of the servers here have been here eight to 10 years, some longer,” Will said. “That really brings people back in and helps us get to know the community.”

Pizza Villa has wait staff on both ends of the spectrum.

Server Kelly Ross has worked off and on at the restaurant for the last 18 years. She graduated from Land O’ Lakes High and has known the Fotopoulous family for decades.

“I keep coming back; I love it here,” Ross said. “It’s just good people to work for.”

On the other end, Megan Maggi, 18, is just graduating from Sunlake High and has only been working at Pizza Villa since last summer. She often works the drive-through window that’s actually more of a pickup window.

“I’m more busy at the pickup window than at the hostess station some nights,” Maggi said.

Pizza Villa is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Two Hillsborough students win GFWC scholarships

Two high school seniors from Hillsborough County received the Florida President’s Education Project Scholarships at a General Federation of Woman’s Clubs’ convention in Orlando.

Madison Keller, who is graduating from Steinbrenner High, and Amy Price, who is graduating from Durant High, both received $3,000 scholarships, according to Edwina R. Kraemer, of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.

The Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club has worked to raise money added to the state’s project fund, and the group was gratified to see that two of the 10 state scholarships went to young women from Hillsborough County, according to a news release from the club.

The scholarships go to a high school female graduate attending an accredited Florida college or a woman returning to college to pursue a career. Anyone wishing to donate to the fund can contact Annette Bellingar at (813) 949-3140, or visit www.gfwclutzlandolakeswomensclub.org.

 

Writing winners

Eighth-grader Simon Awesu (left), eighth-grader Bethany Greene and sixth-grader Brianna Campbell, from Land O’ Lakes Christian School, brought home awards from a national essay and poetry contest. (Photo courtesy of Land O’ Lakes Christian School)

 

Local students are winning writers

Land O’ Lakes Christian School elementary and junior high school students performed well in the 30th annual American Association of Christian School’s Essay and Poetry Contest.

The pieces were judged primarily on content, originality and communication of the topic, with mechanics, spelling, punctuation, paragraph structure and poetical form considered as secondary criteria.

Each state organization within the American Association of Christian Schools is allowed one entry within these categories: elementary, poetry and essay; and junior high, poetry and essay.

Students from Land O’ Lakes Christian School won in three out of four categories.

Sixth-grader Brianna Campbell won first in the state for her elementary essay, “Dreams.”

Eighth-grader Simon Awesu won first in the state for his essay, “One Good Turn Deserves Another,” and eighth-grader Bethany Greene won first in the state for her poem, “The Reflection.”

 

The Right Fit Foundation scholarship winners

The Right Fit™ Foundation (www.therighfitfoundation.org), headquartered in Lutz, has   announced its first annual scholarship recipients yesterday.

Students were selected based upon their academic profile, an interview and other qualifications.

The recipients are: Brant Wickersham, of Wharton High, $5,000; Marilyn Boamah, Wiregrass Ranch High, $1,000; Cameron Jeffords, Hillsborough High, $1,000; Lauren Sprague, Sunlake High, $1,000; and Lucas Hopegood, Freedom High, $1,000.

The Right Fit™ Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), dedicated to educating families about the college admission and financial aid process.

 

USF to offer full online Master of Public Administration degree

People with experience in the public service or nonprofit worlds who want to advance in their careers may be interested in the University of South Florida’s new online Master of Public Administration degree.

Classes will start in August. The deadline for applications is July 5.

The degree aims to prepare graduates for increased responsibility in management and leadership positions.

For more information, visit http://onlinempa.usf.edu or http://onlinempa.usf.edu, or call (877) 511-0871.

 

Lutz woman graduates from Clearwater Christian College

Elizabeth Foster has graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology from Clearwater Christian College in Clearwater.

She is a home-school graduate and the daughter of John and Gloria Foster, of Lutz.

 

Garnet and Gold inductee

Kelsey Smith, of Lutz, a sport management major at Florida State University has been inducted into the prestigious Garnet and Gold Scholar Society.

The society recognizes undergraduate students who excel within and beyond the classroom in at least three of five areas: international, internship, leadership, research and service. Sixty-three new members were inducted this year.

 

May students of the month

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce these students as its May students of the month: Lydia Simms, The Broach School; Justin Lane Paul, Chester Taylor Elementary; Sienna Duffield, East Pasco Adventist; Gianni Gouldbourne, Heritage Academy; Amanda Cook, Raymond B. Stewart; Taylor Ryan, West Zephyrhills Elementary; Jasmin Soares-Lianos, Woodland Elementary; John Cochran, Zephyrhills Christian Academy; and Andrew Garcia, Zephyrhills High.