Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By B.C. Manion

During her lifetime, Elizabeth Riegler MacManus got a thrill from tracking down historical facts, collecting artifacts and gathering old photographs of the people, places and institutions in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes.

Her passion prompted her to co-author, with her daughter Susan A. MacManus, a community history, “Citrus, Sawmills, Critters & Crackers: Life in Early Lutz and Central Pasco County,” published in 1998.

The younger MacManus has now wrapped up the sequel.

She and her mother finished most of the legwork for the 690-page companion volume – “Going, Going … Almost Gone: Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Pioneers Share Their Precious Memories” — before Elizabeth Riegler MacManus died in 2008. Her mother, blind in her final years, was familiar with the content because friends lovingly read most of it to her before she died.

The book traces the history of agriculture and commerce in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes and contains a treasure trove of more than 1,000 photographs. It also shares recollections from taped oral histories collected by Elizabeth Riegler MacManus.

MacManus, a widely known political science professor at the University of South Florida, said the sequel was always intended. The authors wanted to share the personal stories of early residents and publish material left out of the first volume, which prompted people to come forward with photographs and archival documents after crawling into attics or sifting through boxes in garages or closets. MacManus spent hours over the better part of a decade to complete the book.

The book contains information from deeds, maps, newspaper clippings, programs and newsletters. It recounts how Lutz and Land O’ Lakes – which straddle US 41 in northern Hillsborough and southern Pasco counties – came by their names.

“Lutz got its name from two brothers, William and Charles Lutz. The two had connections with two railroads that met and joined at Lutz Junction,” the book says.

“William was a train engineer for the Tampa Northern Railroad that ran north and south through the North Tampa Land Company’s development.

“Charles built a railroad line that ran west of the station to Odessa to transport lumber from his sawmill there. That was part of the Tampa and Gulf Coast Railroad.”

Land O’ Lakes was named much later.

“In 1949, the residents of the communities a few miles north of Lutz – Nowatney, Myrtle, Denham, Drexel, Ehren, Godwin, Greenfield, Tucker, Diston and Loyce came together to form Land O’ Lakes,” the book relates.

The book also maps the history of buildings and commerce locally. The Lutz map identifies 123 sites, including cemeteries, churches, restaurants, grocery stores, a barbershop, a bandstand, a post office and a lumber mill. The Land O’ Lakes map identifies 102 sites, including a log cabin, restaurants, churches, banks, motels, schools, a funeral home and dairies.

People traveled by stagecoach or wagon or on horseback. Later, they drove cars over rutted, sandy roads. A trip to Wesley Chapel was a bit of a haul, recalled Annie Belle Strickland Brock.

“We had a wagon and horses. When we’d go to stay for all night with my grandmother, Mama’s mother, on the other side of Wesley Chapel, she would take us in the wagon and we’d take lunch.”

The book is loaded with facts and figures.

It notes that the 1927 construction date commonly associated with the Old Lutz School actually referred to the end of its first school year.

It also gives the genesis of the Lutz Civic Association, which grew from a nucleus of about 20 people who gathered for a meeting on Nov. 16, 1943 into an organization that has shaped community life and development.

The book chronicles where people worked, what people ate, where they worshipped and how they had fun.

“You name it, they did it. From growing, picking, and hauling fruit to making charcoal and moonshine, raising chickens, grinding cane, herding cattle, cutting and hauling crossties, selling ferns and killing gators – Lutz-Land O’ Lakes pioneers did it all to make ends meet,” the book says.

“With much of the area covered in pine trees, lumber and turpentine were boom industries in the late 1800s and early 1900s,” the book notes.

“Citrus was king for many decades,” states a caption, under a photograph of a man standing in a grove. “By the 2000s,” the book notes, “there were very few orange groves left in the area. The freeze of 1985 was the final blow to most. Rather than replant, many owners sold their property for commercial purposes, often to developers.”

The pioneers of Lutz and Land O’ Lakes didn’t have microwave ovens or fast-food restaurants, but they were resourceful.

“If you’re hungry enough, you’ll eat just about anything,” the book says. “The pioneers did just that. Possums, rabbits, coons, turkeys, dove, quail, soft-shell turtles, wild hogs – even sand hill cranes – landed on many a table as the meat of the day.”

Beef was rare, however, recalled Ted Williams. “About the only time we would have beef was when one of Sam Hopson’s cows got hit on the road.”

Fruits and vegetables were a prime source of sustenance.

“Wild huckleberries, blackberries, strawberries and guavas were picked to make jams and jellies or used in fruit cobblers.

“Vegetables – collard greens, turnips, potatoes, cucumbers, peas, beans, corn, tomatoes, carrots – were homegrown,” the book notes.

At the end of the workweek, families were ready to worship and socialize.

“The faith communities in Lutz-Land O’ Lakes have been strong since the first churches were founded in the early 1910s,” the book notes.

“Going to church gave neighbors a chance to see each other and be informed about marriages, births, deaths, and illnesses, as well as be uplifted spiritually,” the book says.

Recreation was simple. Picnics, dances, softball and swimming were among the mainstays. Old-fashioned fun ruled the day. The most popular events at the original Fourth of July celebration in Lutz in 1947, were climbing the greased pole and catching the greased pig, the book says.

The book’s photographs show change, with images of buildings that no longer exist, of churches that have moved and of people posing in groves or at picnics.

MacManus said her efforts were a tribute to her mother’s quest to preserve local history.

While she is not planning another local history, she hopes other communities will be encouraged to write their own.

“They think they have to be professional,” she said, but they shouldn’t feel intimidated.

“All it takes is a little organization and somebody to put it together.”

 

Pioneer Memories

Recollections from “Going, Going … Almost Gone: Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Pioneers Share Their Precious Memories” by Elizabeth Riegler MacManus and Susan A. MacManus.

Willie Haug: “I was 10 years old when I started comin’ out there and on Saturday evenings, there were two brothers that had the sawmill over here at Ehren, Lutz brothers – Charles and William Lutz. William Lutz associated mainly with the old folks, and Charles Lutz, or Charlie Lutz, as they called him, came over to the little store and every kid that was in there, he would buy a piece o’ candy, chewing gum, ice cream or a cold drink. Each one of them got somethin’ every Saturday night.

“Charlie was about 5’6” or 5’7,” weighed about 160, 165 pounds and he dressed like one of these plantation owners from South and Central America – real light or white suit, white shoes, Panama hat, such as that.

“William was quite reserved, he wore dark suits, shoes and hat all the time, whether it’d be grey, dark grey, or black or blue.

“But Lutz was named after those two boys way back then.”

Worth Johnson: “Bill Hood and I cleared several acres of land around there – grubbed palmettos out of it with a grubbin’ hoe to make some extra money. I made the money for my first pair of long pants delivering four-feet cord wood in the boxcars down there at Stemper. Fifteen years old. Went to town, down there at the corner of Lafayette and Franklin Street to Giddens Dry Goods Store, bought my first pair of long pants.”

George Riegler: “We’d frequently go to town with six or seven hundred pounds of cabbage, couple of hundred pounds of potatoes and rutabagas, carrots, turnips … you name it, there’s just barely enough room for Grandpa, Grandma and the kids stuck in, and all of the rest of the touring car was vegetables; back bumper, front bumper, fenders, parking lights, running boards, door handles, burlap bags, hung on it across the engine …”

Jimmy Marsh: “The big day for me is when I’d eat lunch with my dad at the depot. He’d get a can of potted meat, and a can of Vienna sausage, and a sleeve of Nabisco saltines, and a cold drink. We’d share a cold drink.”

 

Local shops offer book at special price

“Going, Going … Almost Gone: Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Pioneers Share Their Precious Memories,” retails for $65, but three local shops are selling it for $50. Co-author Susan MacManus wrote the book with her mother, Elizabeth Riegler MacManus, who died in 2008. MacManus is using some of the money left by her mother to subsidize the book so more readers can enjoy it.

Emma Lou Harvey, of Harvey’s Hardware in Land O’ Lakes, said book sales are brisk: “We had a lady call who no longer lives in the area and she bought seven books. She was buying them for different members of the family.”

Tana Brackins, owner of Beck Gallery in Lutz, said the book is a hit: “Everyone loves it – especially people who have been out here a long time.”

The books are available at $50 at these locations:

–Harvey’s Hardware, 5400 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

–The Beck Gallery, 1720 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

–Lutz Ace Hardware, 18469 N. US 41

 

By B.C. Manion

 

They wave flags, spin rifles and keep in step as Betsy Koss, the color guard director at Sunlake High, shouts commands to the inaugural members of the winter guard team.

Meanwhile, percussionists bang on drums or tap on keyboards in band rooms — as part of Sunlake’s first indoor percussion team.

Both teams are part of the school’s band program.

While the programs are new to the school at 3023 Sunlake Blvd., some participants took part in the same programs at other schools, said Tonya O’Malley, Sunlake band director.

Twenty-one students are members of the indoor percussion ensemble and 14 students participate in winter guard.

Winter guard is “a lot like what they do in marching band, but it’s a competitive-style group. And, because it is just guard, there is more dance involved, more body movement. It’s very artistic,” O’Malley said. “It’s very similar to a dramatic type of production. They’re expected to design a show that is artistic, that reflects the music they select.”

Indoor percussion is competitive, too.

Both groups compete in the Florida Federation of Colorguards Circuit.

Sunlake hosted the first competition of the season for the winter guard in January and did so well its team was promoted from Class B to Class AAA, O’Malley said.

Sunlake students said having the programs at school makes it easier to take part.

Sixteen-year-old Jackie Ivancovich plays the marimba in the school’s indoor percussion ensemble. She’s pleased her school added the program because she used to travel to Land O’Lakes High for the program.

“It’s really convenient for us. I don’t have to find a ride,” she said.

She also thinks it’s great for students who normally play a different instrument to expand their repertoire.

She’s enthusiastic playing the marimba. “To be honest, I just fell in love with it. I love the sound.”

Fourteen-year-old Nonna Stutzman normally plays the flute. Now, she’s playing an instrument that has a set of metal bars that she strikes with a hammer.

“It’s new to learn and a different experience, but I like it,” she said.

Sara Lewis, also 14, said she enjoys being in the group, too. “It’s something to do after school and it’s really fun,” she said. “You learn a lot. You meet people.”

Sixteen-year-old Josh Vega and 17-year-old Madeline Varieur are both members of the drum line.

“I decided to take part in the program, mostly to improve as a musician and also learn a new instrument, which is the bass drum,” said Vega. He plays tuba in the school’s marching band and trombone in its jazz band.

He likes having another musical avenue to explore.

“It gives us a new outlet,” he said.

Varieur and Vega both expect their ensemble to do well in competitions.

“We have great clinicians that are world-class, so they’re leading us in the right direction,” said Varieur, who aspires to attend the University of Florida, where she wants to study to become a music director.

Sarah Mahan, 16, is the captain of the winter guard team.

“We’re such a new school, so it’s fantastic that we have it. It’s very rare that we have it,”

She thinks the group will fare well in competitions.

“We take pride in how competitive we are,” Mahan said.

Sixteen-year-old Sara Pickernell, the team’s co-captain, said she’s glad to have the chance to be active, make friends and have fun.

“It’s a break from school,” she said.

Adding both programs in one year would not have been possible without the school’s excellent staff, O’Malley said.

Koss, the color guard program’s director, and Valery Tyson, a color guard instructor, lead the winter guard. The indoor percussion ensemble is under the guidance of directors Joshua King and Michael Malgoza, O’Malley said. Parent volunteers also have been enormously helpful, the band director said.

At a time when some districts are cutting arts programs, O’Malley is delighted she can expand opportunities for her students.

Even though these programs are not part of the core curricula, they are vitally important to the students, O’Malley said.

“They’re maybe not going to pursue this in the future, but this is what excites them every day at school.

“I pull into the parking lot in the morning, and I’ve got like 20 or 30 kids waiting at my door, waiting to get in to the band room. During lunches, kids ask if they can have passes to come back to the band room, just to practice. They feel like that’s their home base.

“At the end of the school day, same thing. I’ve got to tell them to go home.

“It’s where they feel comfortable at our school. Without that, I think a lot of our kids would feel really lost. This is really their family at the school.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring a student, contributing funds for instruments or helping with transportation costs can contact O’Malley at .

By B.C. Manion

 

The Pasco County school district has identified more than $1 billion in construction and maintenance needs over the next 12 years with anticipated revenues about $200 million short of covering those costs.

Pasco County School Board members are not expected to take action on the list until this summer when they discuss their budget.

Unlike the years when the county’s growth forced the district to devote most of its construction dollars to building new schools, this plan calls primarily for upgrading and expanding existing sites.

The list includes redevelopment of school campuses, remodeling schools, adding technology for digital learning such as LED projectors and student computers, renovating cafeterias, traffic and safety improvements, improving facilities and making maintenance repairs, upgrading facilities for extracurricular activities, acquiring future school sites and three new elementary schools.

Here’s a quick look at the major projects on the 12-year priority list for Central and East Pasco schools.

Projects proposed between 2012 and 2014:

–West Zephyrhills Elementary, redevelopment, $8.2 million

–Pasco Elementary, remodel, $5.6 million

–R.B. Stewart Middle School, remodel, $4.5 million

–Land O’ Lakes High, redevelopment, $20.6 million

–Moore Mickens Education Center, redevelopment, $5 million

Projects proposed between 2014 and 2016:

–R.B. Cox Elementary, redevelopment, $6.5 million

–Pasco Elementary, remodel, $5.6 million

–San Antonio Elementary, remodel, $4 million

–Sanders Memorial Elementary, redevelopment, $18.2 million

Projects proposed between 2016 and 2018:

–Dr. John Long Middle School, classroom addition, $4 million

–Wiregrass Ranch High, classroom addition, $4 million

–Zephyrhills High, redevelopment, $20.6 million

Projects proposed between 2018 and 2020:

No major projects at Central or East Pasco schools

Projects proposed between 2020 and 2022:

–Quail Hollow Elementary, remodel, $8.5 million

–Woodland Elementary, remodel, $4.5 million

–Pine View Middle, remodel, $15.9 million

 

 

Focus on students is key, she says

By B.C. Manion

 

If you want to chat with Wesley Chapel High Principal Carin Nettles, chances are you won’t find her in her office.

She’s much more likely to be on the school’s grounds between class changes, or in the cafeteria while students eat lunch, or in a classroom observing a teacher at work.

On some days, she and her team of assistant principals plan special celebrations to show appreciation for the staff’s hard work. On Valentine’s Day, for instance, they hand-delivered valentines to every staff member and had a barbecue lunch for them.

Nettles, who has been at the helm at Wesley Chapel High for three years, is this year’s Secondary Principal of the Year in Pasco County Schools.

She said her most important jobs are listening and basing decisions on what’s best for students.

“I have to be able to hear what my teachers are saying and what my kids are saying,” Nettles said.

To make that happen, she manages her campus by paying attention not only to what people say, but also what they do.

“If the kids all sign up for this certain class, they’re telling you something,” Nettles said. By the same token, if registration in a particular class or program falls off, that’s telling, too.

Balancing needs is a huge part of a principal’s job, Nettles said. Lots of people turn to her with requests, so she has to keep her priorities straight.

“You have to keep your focus on what’s best for kids. If you do maintain that focus, you’ll make the best decisions for the school,” she said.

Kevin VanHelden, a senior, said Nettles’ leadership has transformed the school at 30651 Wells Road. When he arrived on campus four years ago, it was a drab, dull place, VanHelden said.

“Most of the classes were just gray,” he said. Now, the color scheme is white, Carolina blue and navy blue.

There have been other big changes, as well.

The school has gone from a “D” to an “A.” Its graduation rate has improved from 86.08 percent to 90.6 percent, and the dropout rate has declined 2.74 percent in 2009-10 to 1.43 percent.

VanHelden said Nettles has focused on academic achievement, has set high expectations and has boosted student spirit and teacher morale.

“Teachers feel more like they’re being appreciated, I think,” the 18-year-old said.

He described Nettles as diplomatic, but demanding, too.

“She lays the hammer down but she’s nice about it. She gets the job done, but she’s very polite.”

Nettles has tapped into an army of volunteers, especially parents.

When she arrived there were 90 members in the Parent Teacher Student Association. Now, there are nearly 200. The parents do all sorts of tasks. They change out locker combinations in the summer, help on painting crews, serve breakfast on testing days.

Heidi Bernaldo, president of the school’s PTSA, said Nettles has the energy and creativity to keep people engaged.

She applauds Nettles for being in touch with what’s happening on campus, enabling her to maintain tighter control.

“She’s not in her office, with the door shut. She is everywhere,” Bernaldo said.

Like VanHelden, the PTSA leader said the campus is more cheerful since Nettles arrived. “All of the hallways, all the interior walls were gray. It kind of looked like a hospital or a prison.”

Sandy Thompson, membership coordinator for PTSA, was delighted by Nettles’ honor.

“She’s very deserving. She’s really turned this school around. What’s she’s done is put the children first. As a parent, that’s what you want.”

Thompson said Nettles doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks the walk, too: The principal plays kickball with the kids and works the drive-through at a school fundraiser.

Economics teacher Matt Kirouac, at Wesley Chapel High since 2005, said Nettles has clear expectations and sets high standards.

“She is straightforward. I think that’s probably the quality I most admire in her – I know what I have. Everything is right there, it’s right on the table.”

She welcomes staff input.

“If you have something you want to approach her about, she’s more than willing to hear it. What’s she’s looking for, though, is for you to help her find the solution,” Kirouac said.

Nettles started her career in special education and moved into administration because she wanted a broader reach.

“I felt like I could give more to a school, by just being free to think of programs,” Nettles said.

She said she believes in setting the bar high because she’s confident students and staff can and will rise to the occasion. She has high expectations of herself, as well.

“I don’t like excuses. There’s no reason for excuses. I can sit here and make excuses all day. What am I doing to help these students and this community, from the moment they get here at 7:30 until 1:54? That’s what I can control.”

 

Capo joins Florida Cancer Affiliates

 

Florida Cancer Affiliates, a newly formed community-based medical oncology and hematology practice, has appointed Mary Capo special projects coordinator. Capo comes to Florida Cancer Affiliates from Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope where she served as office manager of the Brooksville practice for 10 years. Before that, she worked at Oak Hill Hospital.

 

Christian Business Connections helps worthy causes

 

Christian Business Connections, Central Pasco made two contributions of $250 each to worthy causes. One contribution went to Feed Our Children Ministries Inc., an organization that supports orphans, the elderly and the poor in the Greater Tampa community. Christian Business Connections, Central Pasco meets every Thursday at Heritage Church on 1854 Oak Grove Blvd. in Lutz, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.. For more information contact Rene Van Hout at (813) 300-7511 or .

The second recipient was The Gathering, a new church in Wesley Chapel.

The church conducts a service at10 a.m. on Sundays at Wesley Chapel Elementary, 30243 Wells Road. Information is available at www.TheGatheringWC.com.

 

Hair stylists move to new shop

Hair stylists Arlene Andrews and Ginny Fleming, formerly of Bangs and Blondes LLC, have moved to The Salon at ULTA in The Grove at Wesley Chapel. Andrews, a hairdresser since 1979, joins the staff as salon manager. Fleming has been a stylist for 13 years. ULTA is a full-service salon and retailer that markets prestige skin care and cosmetics, fragrance, personal care appliances, and professional hair care products. For a salon appointment call (813) 991-7220 or visit ulta.com

 

Copperstone open house

Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., had a ribbon-cutting and grand opening of its final phase on March 27. The office complex has 17 new offices, two conference rooms and a 1,200-square-foot meeting room facility. The Laker/Lutz News is located within the office building. For more information call (813) 298-7363 or email

 

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Help for small businesses

Local business owners have the opportunity to help shape Hillsborough County’s small and minority business program, while finding out how to boost their businesses at an April 5 workshop. The session, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., will be at the University Area Community Development Center, 14013 N. 22nd St., Room 139, in Tampa.

The program’s purpose is to provide incentives for the participation of these kinds of businesses in the county’s procurement and contracting activities.

On April 10, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Hillsborough County contractors and minority/women and small businesses are invited to learn about upcoming Hillsborough County projects, new good-faith efforts documentation, and a chance to build sustainable business relationships. The networking session will be at Hillsborough County’s Small Business Information Center, 7402 N. 56th St., Building 400, Suite 425, in Tampa.

For more information, call Hillsborough County’s Small, Minority Business Development Office at (813) 914-4028.

 

Christian Brothers Auto grand opening

Christian Brothers Automotive is holding its grand opening celebration at 3 p.m. April 14. The repair shop is located at 23650 Venezia Drive in Land O’ Lakes.

 

Saint Leo University president inducted into hall of fame

Arthur F. Kirk Jr., president of Saint Leo University, has been inducted into the 2012 Tampa Bay Hall of Fame.

Kirk was among four business leaders in a six-county area selected for the distinction.

The Florida Council on Economic Education created the Hall of Fame 25 years ago to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the community through business and civic achievements, and by serving as lifelong role models of integrity and high ideals.

 

North Tampa Chamber meetings

The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce is planning a number of events in April, including:

–General Meeting, 11:45a.m. April 12 at the Clarion Hotel, 2701 E. Fowler Ave. Earl C. Meyer, of MeyerTeam Business Coaching and Certified Guerrilla Marketing Coach, will present “Low Cost, No Cost High Impact Guerrilla Marketing.” Call the chamber office by 5 p.m. April 10 for a discounted rate of $17. After that, the fee is $22, which can be paid online or at the door. For directions, call (813) 971-4710.

–Chamber Chatter Connections, “Coffee Connection” from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. April 18, hosted by the Clarion Hotel, 2701 E. Fowler Ave. Refreshments are available. There is no charge and public is invited. To attend, contact Tracey Leary at or call (813) 971-4710.

–Chamber Chatter Connections, “After Hours Mixer,” 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. April 25, hosted by AAA South-Carrollwood (Travel/Insurance), 14755 N. Dale Mabry Highway, along with co-host Always Best Care of Tampa. Refreshments are available. The event is free and the public is invited. To attend, contact Marion Dowling at or call (813) 963-2121 Ext. 2255.

–Chamber Networking Luncheon, Relationship Building with Business Neighbors, 11:30 a.m. April 26, at Jerk Hut, 926 E. Fowler Ave. Order from select menu. The cost is $12 per person, whether you dine or not. Reserve a spot by April 24 by contacting Nicole Fielder at or call PNC Bank at (813) 931-8855. For directions, call (813) 977-5777.

 

Seeking nominees for Industry of the Year

The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc. is seeking nominations for its 2012 Industry of the Year Awards.

Each year the economic development council recognizes companies that have made outstanding contributions to the local economy. Companies are recognized for job creation, increased capital investment and contributions to the community through civic involvement. Awards are presented in these categories:

–Manufacturing, which includes manufacturing and processing companies

–Service/Distribution Industry, which represents business-to-business companies, such as back office, financial, and distributors

–Technology Industry, represents businesses involved in the computer software industry, technology development, and research and design

–Entrepreneurship and/or Exporting

To obtain nomination forms, contact the economic development council by calling (813) 926-0827, Ext. 227. The deadline for nominations is April 30.