Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Land O’ Lakes family’s deeds way beyond average

By Kyle LoJacono

On July 26, 2011, Land O’ Lakes teenager Tiffany Reinhardt saved Lutz resident Michael Simmerman from a burning vehicle following an accident on a country road.

Less than six months later her stepfather Forest Lawrence showed where Reinhardt picked up her bravery and compassion by helping Robert Detwiler and Kelly Ponte survive a motorcycle crash on Ehren Cutoff.

Lawrence was driving southbound on Ehren in Land O’ Lakes at 10:47 a.m. on Dec. 30 when a group of sandhill cranes walked onto the winding roadway.

The passing birds forced the vehicle in front of him to stop fast and Lawrence had to pull off the road to avoid an accident. A man driving a truck did the same on the northbound side of Ehren, but Detwiler, who was driving the motorcycle, was unable to break in time.

“When I saw that motorcycle hit that truck and the guy fly through the air, I didn’t take a second to think,” said Lawrence, who called the police as he ran toward the accident. “I set the parking break, jumped out of the truck and was gone over there. I saw that the lady was mostly OK, so I went over to the guy.

“He was passed out at first, but then he started moaning and groaning and trying to get up,” Lawrence continued. “I remembered what happened when my wife’s brother died in a motorcycle accident. He made it to the hospital and the only reason he did was because there was a nurse at the scene who turned him on his side and kept him still. That’s what I did and he seemed to be doing better when the fire trucks got there. Then I left.”

When Reinhardt saved Simmerman last year she was the only person to act and the story was the same with Lawrence.

“I just felt so bad for them because nobody else would get out of their vehicles to go over to them,” Lawrence said. “I saw the guy fly through the air and everybody else wanted to keep four feet back. … He looked bad. He had blood coming out of his mouth. It’s hard to talk about because it was really brutal to see a person get thrown into the air and slam onto the asphalt. Just seeing him flail around, it was like the body was coming to, but his brain wasn’t yet.”

Detwiler and Ponte, who live in Palm Harbor, were taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report. Ponte was treated for minor cuts and bruises, while Detwiler suffered an apparent concussion. Both were released last week.

Reinhardt was amazed something so similar happened to Lawrence soon after her experience last year, but said the details did not stun her.

“I was surprised that it happened again like that, but I wasn’t surprised because my dad is always helping people,” Reinhardt said. She then added, “He’s like my dad, so it made me really proud to hear he did that.”

When Reinhardt helped Simmerman he was trapped in an overturned car that was on fire. She wasn’t scared about the possibility of the vehicle exploding as the flames neared the gas tank but said what Lawrence did was much more astonishing than her actions.

“We kind of compared what happened to the both of us,” Reinhardt said. “His was kind of more intense than mine was. … I don’t think mine was more intense because that guy flew through the air and was unconscious. I don’t think I would have been able to deal with that part.”

Lawrence did warn people to be wary of the cranes so they don’t end up in an accident themselves.

“They’re this protected bird, but they’re what caused that whole thing,” Lawrence said. “If you go down Ehren Cutoff you can see the rubber on the road, and it’s not from kids racing at night. It’s from people slamming on their brakes because of those birds.

“I don’t want anyone to think I did something special because I think anyone should do what I did,” Lawrence continued. “That’s how we raised our kids to be and that’s what me and my wife would do if we saw someone in trouble. I just want people to be aware about these birds so someone doesn’t get killed. Something has to be done to move them or something because it’s dangerous.”

Gonzalez siblings make big contributions to Warriors soccer

By Kyle LoJacono

One is a record-setting scoring machine; the other is a lockdown defender.

One runs through defenders as if they aren’t there and fires bullets past dazed and confused goalkeepers; the other frustrates the opposition’s attack with her positioning and speed that stops scoring chances before any can begin.

One is a senior team captain; the other is a sophomore establishing her leadership skills.

They are Cici and Miranda Gonzalez. The sisters are both major factors in the powerhouse that has become Steinbrenner girls soccer and their differences allow them to make an impact on opposite sides of the field.

Cici, a senior forward, started playing around age 5 with the Black Watch Soccer Club.

“My mom played when she was little, so she got me into it,” Cici said. “I just fell in love with it. I don’t know what it is about it. I don’t think any other sport is as great as soccer.”

Miranda, a sophomore defender, joined the soccer rankings when she turned 5 with the same club after watching her sister developing her passion for the game.

Cici has always played forward or midfield, but Miranda took a roundabout journey toward the backline. She has played all the positions on the field, including goalkeeper.

“I’ve played defense the most and one of my old coaches suggested I play that when I stopped playing goalie,” Miranda said. “He said I played aggressive so I’d be good at it.”

That aggressiveness on the field is one of the traits that separate the sisters.

“She’s just so fast and way more aggressive in ways than I am,” Cici said. “She just throws her body in all the time, and I could never do what she does. I know I couldn’t, and then she says she couldn’t do what I do. I really don’t know how we got so different, but we are definitely different players.”

First-year Warriors coach Robert Woodard saw the sisters’ explosive talent the first time he saw them practice.

“They’re game changers,” Woodard said. “They’re people you can depend on to make a handful of great plays every game.”

Cici said Miranda’s mentality in games is very different from how her younger sister acts off the field.

“I think she’s quieter than I am,” Cici said. “She doesn’t like to draw attention to herself that much, but in the game she’s so different. She’s so quiet and conservative in front of other people, but once she’s in there she goes everywhere and is the exact opposite.”

Miranda said Cici’s personality is consistent, which is probably why she is as effective at piling up goals.

“She never gets down if something doesn’t work,” Miranda said. “She just gets back up and keeps going. She helps me keep going in games with how she is.”

Woodard said both players tend to lead by example, but added Cici has developed into a true team captain throughout this season.

“There were seniors on the team last year that were the leaders, and I can tell you I’m just extremely proud of how Cici has grown into the role of being a captain,” Woodard said. “I’m really pleased with her progress.”

Cici began playing high school ball at Sickles as a freshman, where she busted onto the scene with a team-high 13 goals. She ratcheted things up when Steinbrenner opened two seasons ago, putting up 29 and 33 goals as a sophomore and junior, respectively.

Add another 11 tallies this season and Cici has found the back of the net 86 times while adding 64 assists during her 80 games in high school, more than one goal per contest. Her 73 goals and 60 assists while a Warrior are both program records.

As for Miranda, few opponents have been able to sneak past her while at Steinbrenner.

The Warriors have allowed only 25 goals in their 42 games the last two years, including 27 shutouts. Miranda has also contributed four goals and four assists to the squad’s attack.

Cici said having her sister playing behind her is comforting given Miranda’s ability to lock up offenses.

“It’s really good to have her back there because I trust her so much,” Cici said. “I feel so much safer when she’s playing defense because no one can beat her.”

The Gonzalez combination on opposite sides of the ball helped Steinbrenner capture the Class 4A state championship last year.

“It was awesome,” Miranda said. “Finding her after the game and giving her a big hug. To share that experience was unreal.”

Cici ended the 2010-11 season with 33 goals and 34 assists, the only Hillsborough County player with a 30/30 season. She was named the All-Laker/All-Lutz News girls soccer Player of the Year, but said her contributions offensively wouldn’t have meant a thing without the backline that includes Miranda.

“I think in general defense doesn’t get as much credit as they deserve because everyone wants to know who scored,” Cici said. “I think she definitely deserves credit. I don’t think we would have won states without her.”

The Warriors (12-3-2) close out the regular season by hosting Bloomingdale on Friday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m., followed by the Class 4A-District 8 tournament at Freedom on Jan. 17-20. The 4A-8 championship game is on Friday, Jan. 20.

–All stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches

Land O’ Lakes sisters become closer playing college basketball

By Kyle LoJacono

Kayli and Meghan Keough have always been each other’s best friend, but the Land O’ Lakes sisters have grown even closer playing basketball at the University of Central Florida (UCF).

“We actually live together, so we’re together 24/7,” said Meghan, a freshman guard. “We have a relationship where we don’t have to be sweet to each other all the time. We’ll be completely honest with each other, and we need that with basketball.”

Kayli, a redshirt junior forward, added, “I can be brutally honest with her and she can be brutally honest with me, and in the end we know neither one is going to get offended. If she makes a bad pass to me I’m going to tell her it’s a bad pass. If I don’t go get the ball she’ll say that. It’s good that we can be that way with each other as we build chemistry with the team.”

The Keoughs last played on the same team while at Land O’ Lakes High during the 2007-08 school year when Kayli was a senior and Meghan was a freshman. The two thought that would be their final season together, but a bit of serendipity connected them again.

Kayli originally signed to play at Florida State University, but transferred to UCF (6-8) after her sophomore season. When the Knights offered Meghan a scholarship she jumped at the chance to be reunited with her older sister.

“It didn’t take me long to commit,” Meghan said. She then added, “I’m really excited about being here and the opportunity that I’m getting. I’m seeing the floor a lot as a freshman. I’m getting some good experience, and I’m hoping I can improve quickly.”

The shift from high school to college has been a bit of a shock for Meghan because of how much faster the game is.

“The game is completely different,” Meghan said. “The speed and intensity and everything are at a whole new level. I think one of the biggest things for me has been reading help-side defenses. In high school you can kind of beat your player with a quick first step, and a lot of time that got me to the basket. Now I’m having to work on seeing defense early and making passes so I don’t turn the ball over.”

Meghan was used to dominating with her speed in high school her first two years at Land O’ Lakes and later at Tampa Catholic where she helped the Crusaders win back-to-back state championships

“You have to be more efficient in college,” Meghan said. “You have to make one hard step. You can’t get away with what we used to get away with in high school that’s for sure. I was always considered the fastest in high school and I used that to my advantage. Here it’s almost completely opposite. I’m having to outsmart people because I’m not the fastest or most athletic.”

UCF coach Joi Williams said Meghan is quickly making that transition.

“One thing about her is that she is going to try to do things right,” Williams said. “The pace of the game is different, but she’ll learn quickly because she’s very smart. You can tell her something one time and she understands it.”

Having Kayli with her has also made the move to college easy for the 5-foot-9 guard.

“Going from high school to college alone is a hard transition, but playing a sport is so much more difficult,” Meghan said. “I’ve had days when I was down and Kayli has picked me up, and there’re days when I can pick her up.”

Meghan said school has been a bigger stress than playing against the best college players in Florida.

“Academics has been the hardest thing,” said Meghan, who is majoring in biology/premed. “Coming in I knew it was going to be really hard academically, and I kind of let it stress me out at the beginning. Then I learned you can’t really think about all the papers you have to write, all the tests you have to study for and all the practices. You just have to take it hour by hour and get as much done as you can. This semester I’ve grown so much with time management.”

Meghan has played in all 14 of the Knights’ games this season, making five starts including the squad’s first regular season game against the University of South Alabama. She is averaging 18.9 minutes while putting up four points as she gets used to playing at the college level.

As for Kayli, she had already spent two years playing college ball, but had to get back into the flow of the game after having to sit out last season because of NCAA transfer rules.

“At the beginning I felt shaky because I had to take the year off,” said Kayli, a sociology major. “I hadn’t played a game in forever. I’d just been going through drills and drills and drills. It took a little time to get the comfort back and get the feel for the game.”

The 6-foot-2 forward appears to have kicked off any rust. Kayli, who has made 11 starts and has played in all 14 of UCF’s games, is pouring in eight points while adding 4.3 rebounds in her 23.4 minutes per game.

“We have a lot of confidence in Kayli to knock down shots, but she has to be confident in herself,” Williams said. “She’s shown in the last couple of games that she can do it. She sees that we need her to score. I feel confident about Kayli’s future, and she’s only going to get better and better.”

Kayli had a breakout game just before the winter break. She scored a career-high 23 points in a 66-49 win against Bethune-Cookman University on Nov. 30.

“I didn’t realize when it was happening,” Kayli said. “I just felt really comfortable and was able to find gaps in their zone to find shots for myself. … Before the game coach told me to look for your spot where you want to shoot and then get there. Just worry about that. Cut and shoot. It kind of settled me down to just focus on those two things.”

Meghan said it was special watching Kayli perform that game.

“I know Kayli is one of the hardest workers, probably the hardest worker I’ve ever met,” Meghan said. “Not just with basketball. She’s the person who tries to be your best friend and tries to be the best person she can be in life. It makes me look up to her, and I look up to her in so many ways. It’s really awesome to see her getting her rewards finally for all the hard work she’s put in over the years.”

The Keoughs said their goal for the rest of the season is to get the team winning more consistently as Conference USA (CUSA) play begins this month.

“We’re very concerned with our conference games coming up,” Kayli said. “We don’t want to lose to those teams at all. We really need to be able to pick things up, fix turnover ratios and things like that in order to do well in conference play.”

UCF won its first conference game against East Carolina University 59-53, but could not make it two in a row at CUSA rival Tulane, losing 64-52. The Knights play at the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Thursday, Jan. 12 at 8 p.m.

–All stats as recorded by the UCF athletic department

By Kyle LoJacono

Just fewer than 14 million people rode Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) buses in 2011, setting a record for the second straight year.

Recently released figures show that 10 percent more people got on HART’s fleet last year than in 2010, up to 13.7 million in ridership.

One of those who recently saw the advantage of HART service is New Tampa resident Becky Martinéz. She started taking the Route 51X, which services New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, about six months ago when her friend, Taylor Marc, told her how much she was saving each day on gas.

“She said it cost her about $100 less each month to ride the bus, so it sounded like a good idea to me,” Martinéz said. “We both work near each other, so now we carpool to the park-and-ride stop.

“I wasn’t sure I would like it because I like the freedom of being able to drive to and from work whenever I need to, but it turned out I didn’t have to wake up any earlier and got home at about the same time as when I used to drive,” Martinéz continued. “I’m a HART rider now, and I’m glad for the extra money I don’t spend on gas.”

HART spokeswoman Marcia Mejia said Martinéz’s sentiments are what the agency commonly hears from people once they give the service a try.

“We have made improvements over the past few years and are steadily seeing reactions to those,” Mejia said.

Those improvements include regular updates to routes to make sure the service is offered where the greatest demand is, but HART also made a big change along North Dale Mabry Highway to make service more convenient and affordable.

The new program is called Northdale Flex, which kicked off in July.

Flex service replaced regular bus routes along Dale Mabry from Fletcher Avenue in Carrollwood to just north of Van Dyke Road in Lutz. It allows people to call and schedule a van to pick them up at their home to take them to destinations along the northern stretch of the highway for 85 cents per trip.

The smaller vans can get to places the larger buses could not, allowing for the curbside service. Cutting out the traditional bus routes along northern Dale Mabry also reduced HART operating costs.

Flex does offers regular service with its vans to stops along Dale Mabry for those who don’t want to schedule a pickup. Locations include St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, Lake Park and Gaither High.

Northdale Flex is one of five similar programs offered by HART throughout Hillsborough County. Mejia said 19,022 people have used the northern service from July to November, making it the most popular of HART’s Flex services.

HART improved its service in November by adding bicycle racks on all of its buses and Flex vans.

“Many of our bus riders use bicycles to expand their commuting distance, but now HARTFlex customers can too,” Mejia said. “In November, HART also expanded its Bikes on Buses program by welcoming folded bicycles aboard HART buses and HARTFlex vans.”

For more information about HART, visit www.goHART.org or call (813) 254-4278.

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Emma Skantze is not your typical philanthropist.

For one thing, she’s just 11 years old.

The New Tampa girl began raising money for Metropolitan Ministries three years ago by organizing an annual benefit concert at Family of Christ Church at 16190 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

She recalls how it all began.

“One day, I remember watching a TV show and there was this natural disaster and there were these people, I think it was professional singers and performers, and they were raising money for the people who had been damaged and needed new housing and stuff,” she said.

“We started talking about how everybody could do small things to make a difference,” recalled Stephanie Skantze, Emma’s mother.

“First, I figured we could do a bake sale.” Emma recalled. “My mom said, ‘Think of something that you’re really good at.’

“At that point, I was really good at piano. I decided to do a benefit concert. I named it ‘The Helping Hands,’ ” Emma said.

The event is a grassroots effort, Stephanie Skantze said, involving the help of young musicians, two piano teachers and Family of Christ Church.

The first year, Emma and other piano students of Paula Konicek performed and some of Emma’s friends sang, too.

The concert raised $350, which was matched by Emma’s family.

The second year, the concert included Konicek’s piano students, as well as piano students under the tutelage of teacher Mary Wendelken. Some of Emma’s friends sang at that concert, too.

That second concert took in $500 at the door, which Emma’s family matched. Verizon – where Emma’s dad, Johan works – matched their $500 contribution, bringing the grand total to $1,500.

This past year, a total of 21 performers, ranging from second-grade to college, were on the concert’s program.

“I had also been practicing violin, so I also did that,” the 11-year-old said.

Heather Tomasello’s daughter, Catie, was one of the performers. The 8-year-old performed two songs, including one she composed.

Tomasello said the concert gives performers a chance to exhibit their creative talents, while at the same time doing good for the greater community.

The third concert took in $750, matched by Emma’s family and by Verizon – adding up to a total of $2,250.

“People who come are usually interested in seeing a specific performer,” Stephanie Skantze said.

Organizing the concert requires a lot of work, Emma’s mom said, her eyes brimming with tears as she talked about her daughter’s commitment.

A concert date must be determined, a venue secured and performers lined up. Other details include making and distributing fliers and invitations, sending out emails, making telephone calls and so on.

“You’ve got a really long to-do list that you rework every year,” Stephanie Skantze said. “You learn a little bit every year. Emma has already started her planning for next year.” her mom said.

Emma said she wanted to help Metropolitan Ministries because it is an organization that helps people with true needs. It provides presents for poor families and offers temporary shelter for the homeless, she said.

The Terrace Community Middle School sixth-grader said she enjoys helping others. She thinks others involved with the concert enjoy helping, too.

Metropolitan Ministries is grateful for her efforts, said Angie Pattison, manager of community donations for the charitable organization.

“We are inspired by her. Her generosity and initiative is just incredible, especially in someone her age.

“This past holiday, we served over 25,000 families. Her gifts were part of that and made that possible.

“We’re just so honored that she chose to benefit our families,” Pattison said.

By B.C. Manion

James Langston Jr. remembers the joy that reading brought him as a young boy, and he wants to spread that feeling to young children everywhere.

He’s hoping his book, “Maximus the Musical Elephant,” will make children smile and make them eager to read more books.

And he hopes in the not-too-distant future he can publish another book that will entertain them as they learn.

He still recalls the delight he felt when he read “Green Eggs and Ham” and other Dr. Seuss books. He’s been interested in poetry ever since.

In his book, “Maximus the Musical Elephant,” Maximus gets a peanut stuck in his trunk, and it is not until the peanut is freed that he learns that his trunk is actually a wonderful musical instrument.

Upon the discovery, the elephant cannot contain his joy and soon begins entertaining everyone at the zoo. His act becomes wildly popular, driving up ticket sales, which in turn, creates the need to expand the zoo.

The book, illustrated by Rebecca Riffey, is a self-published work produced by Tate Publishing & Enterprises.

Langston, who lives in Wesley Chapel, said he decided to go that route because he had a deep desire to share his work, and he believes it will find an audience.

“You have to invest in yourself and you have to believe in yourself. The same energy that you put into other things, you have to put into making your dreams come true,’’ he said.

The 37-year-old said he visited India, where he saw the power of elephants, and while there learned that they represent good luck.

He decided to write a story about elephants, and he came up with the idea to transform the elephant’s trunk into a musical instrument. As he wrote the story, he was inspired by the great jazz musician, Louis Armstrong.

It took him about four months to write the story, constantly tweaking it and reading versions of it aloud to others. He said he finally had to stop himself from making additional changes because he knows no matter what he writes, there will always be room for improvement. Authors have to step away at some point, if they ever want to finish a work, he said.

He said the story he wanted to tell is that “you never know what you’ll discover, until you try.”

In this case, “Maximus didn’t know he could play music.”

“Every one of us has something that we’re supposed to do. We have a God-given talent. We search for what that talent is, and if you’re lucky enough to find it in this lifetime, you have to build upon it and work at it.”

He said he finds inspiration everywhere.

“When we actually slow down, we can hear the birds singing. We can see the silver lining of the clouds. We can see the leaves actually fall to the ground. You can see the flowers bloom. You can see life, if you slow down, take a look.

“Life is full of so many mysteries and things that we don’t see because we are so busy looking at what we can see and what we have to overcome.”

Langston is married, and he and his wife, Vanessa, have four children: Miya, Keana, Alex and Shay.

Although he has only published one book, Langston has written scores of others. He thinks it is his calling is to write and share stories, and he believes they may one day be the source for movies or songs or other adaptations.

For now, he’s simply savoring the start of a new chapter in his life.

He’s accomplished one of his dreams: He is a published author.

 

Glance box

/James Langston Jr. is available to do readings or book signings and can be reached at . His book sells for $9.99 and can be purchased online at http://www.tatepublishing.com. It is available in paperback and online versions.