Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Sarah Whitman

The cane Bob Theisen uses to walk rests up against a wooden fence. He won’t need it much today. Seated comfortably atop a horse named Tampa Bay, Theisen stretches his arms into the air and pushes past the pains associated with multiple sclerosis.
Theisen has just begun his therapy session at Quantum Leap Farm, a nonprofit serving disabled adults, military and seniors in Odessa.

“I’m happy to be here,” he says. “When I’m here, it’s just me and Tampa Bay.”
Quantum was founded in 2000 by Dr. Edie Dopking and is situated on 10 acres at 10504 Woodstock Road, just a few miles from the Veterans Expressway. The nonprofit serves about 750 clients and has a staff of highly trained instructors, including two mental health counselors and an exercise scientist.
Dopking, who has a PhD in aging studies, previously volunteered at Bakas Equestrain Center in Tampa, a nonprofit for disabled children. She opened Quantum with personal funds specifically to help those 18 and older.
“It’s very therapeutic,” said George Abinader, a marine left partially paralyzed by an automobile accident. “I get to work on my balance and my core muscles. It’s good exercise. ”
Abinader is an inpatient at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. At Quantum, he feeds carrots to Idaho, a 12-year-old mare, and temporarily forgets about the routine of living in a medical facility.
Once a week, the hospital brings a group of veterans to Quantum for hippotherapy, a form of physical therapy using horses.  Kim Peatee, a recreational therapist from the hospital, comes along for support.
“This is the best therapy out there,” Peatee said. “A lot of our patients have spinal cord injuries. Here, they can work on range of motion and do other things that they might otherwise not be able to. It’s a way for them to get out of the hospital.”
Navy seaman Henry Sawyer injured his spinal cord playing football and is reliant on a wheelchair. He is stationed in Jacksonville but is currently staying at the veterans’ hospital. His wife Lusanda and son, Mikhail, are also in Tampa. The whole family visits Quantum.
“I grew up on a farm so I like it here because it reminds me of the old days,” Sawyer said with a smile. “It’s good exercise and it brings up morale. It lets us know we can still do things.”
Lusanda said being around the horses visibly lifts her husband’s spirits.
“He’s more relaxed when he’s here because he’s doing something he loves to do,” she said.
In addition to veterans, Quantum serves many individuals with developmental and acquired disabilities.
Theisen contacted the farm after seeing an advertisement in the paper. Since being diagnosed with MS in 1994, he’s sought out countless therapies. None have worked as well as training with Tampa Bay.

“With me, physical therapy is about thinking outside the box,” he said. “I’ve been doing hippotherapy for six years and the difference from where I started to where I am now is huge. I am more flexible and I’m able to move better. Plus it’s fun.”
Liz Howell is Theisen’s instructor. She has a bachelor’s in exercise science from the University of South Florida and is Quantum’s stable manager.
“When someone comes here, it’s all about what they want to get out of it,” Howell. “Some want to work on strength and flexibility. Some just come here to get away from the world.”
In addition to using riding as therapy, Quantum uses a program called At E.A.S.E, Equine Assisted Self Exploration. Clients in the program work with a trained counselor and horse specialist doing activities other than riding. They spend time petting, feeding and brushing the animals. It is often used as mental health therapy.
“For many people, being here is an opportunity to heal,” said Mary Diana, operations coordinator for Quantum. “This may not be traditional therapy but the results are amazing.”
Howell said just spending time on the farm is therapeutic. When she’s having a bad day, the people and the animals cheer her up. In addition to horses, a 1000-pound pig, three turkeys, two cats, a donkey and a black lab call Quantum home.
“People come here and the place just brings a smile to their face,” Howell said.
To manage it’s approximated half million dollar annual budget, Quantum applies for hundreds of grants each year.
They have received support from a variety of sources including Publix Supermarkets Charities, the USAA Foundation Charitable Trust and Nutrena Feeds, Inc.
The organization was recently awarded the 2010 Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award from the National Community Development Association. The Hillsborough County Affordable Housing Department nominated Quantum for the award for its pole barn project that was funded through the department.
Diana said the farm receives multiple awards and grants because the services offered bring joy to the lives of so many people.
“Our therapies affect the clients in so many ways, physically, emotionally and socially,” she said. “It can be hard to motivate somebody who is struggling with a disability but just about anybody who comes out here perks up.”
Theisen considers Quantum a sanctuary, a place where he can set down his cane and temporarily make use of a stronger set of legs.
“When I’m here, this is my time,” he said. “I can forget about everything else.”
One-hour therapy sessions are $40 for disabled and $50 for able-bodied adults.
For information on Quantum Leap Farm, call (813) 920-9250 or visit www.QuantumLeapFarm.org.

By Joe Potter

Zephyrhills resident Michael O’Donnell can finally look ahead to his future just after the one-year anniversary of being diagnosed with a form of cancer uncommon for people his age.
O’Donnell, 23, hopes to be a law enforcement officer either with the Zephyrhills Police Department or the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. He learns in a few weeks if he has been accepted into the Police Academy at Pasco-Hernando Community College.

O’Donnell’s cancer was diagnosed in October 2008 and part of his tongue was removed along with a muscle in his neck. A lump was discovered on his neck eight months later in May 2009 during a follow-up visit with his doctor. Surgery was not an option because the cancerous tumor was located near his carotid artery and he was treated instead with radiation and chemotherapy.
Before the cancer diagnosis, the Zephyrhills native was a brawny 200-pounder in top physical condition. He lost 50 pounds in less than a month while undergoing radiation and chemotherapy and agreed to a feeding tube only after losing 55 pounds.
Now O’Donnell says he feels physically and mentally able to successfully complete the police academy, which will move him a step closer to his career goal.
“I figure if I made it through cancer without having insurance or anything like that and not being able to work, I can tough it out through school which requires six to eight months,” O’Donnell said.
O’Donnell is currently on temporary disability and is receiving financial assistance from Medicaid to pay for his medical care.
If school does not work out, he will find a job, O’Donnell said, adding, “I’m not a man opposed to working. I like to work.”
While reflecting back on the last 12 months, O’Donnell said, “It’s been a very enlightening process to say the least. The last year had its ups and downs.”
O’Donnell hated to admit it, but there were some moments when he wished he would have died because he was in so much pain. There were times when he felt like he was fighting a losing battle.
He is grateful for the support his wife, Sarah, his parents, his sisters, and many others provided him during the past year. He said his health situation impacted his family emotionally. To them, he said, it looked like he was dying and they were powerless to do anything about it.
“I had to keep telling myself, ‘I’m not going anywhere,’” O’Donnell said. “This is not going to beat me. I’ll fight it to the end.”
That attitude and mental toughness combined with his religious faith helped him to beat the disease, O’Donnell said.
“Every night before I go to bed I make sure I get on my knees and I pray to God and I tell him, ‘Lord, thank you for the day that I had,’” O’Donnell said. “Whether it was a good day or a bad day, I had another day, there are a lot of people out there who are worse off than I am.”
Not having medical insurance could have placed him in debt for years to come. However, his parents helped out.
“Thankfully, Florida Cancer Center worked with me and helped the process along to get me qualified for Medicaid,” O’Donnell said. “That’s another thing I thank God for because if we had not had (Medicaid) I don’t know what we would have done. I also thank God for my aunt and uncle and my family putting together a golf tournament that was able to raise funds that went into a medical bill pay account.”
During the early stages of his cancer treatment, Medicaid placed him on a plan where he had to pay a portion of the costs.
“Every month when I had to see the doctor that medical bill pay account (from the golf tournament) came in so handy. Without it, we would not have the money to cover the doctor’s bills,” O’Donnell said.
The tournament was last September at Silverado Golf & Country Club in Zephyrhills. After Medicaid realized how expensive his radiation and chemotherapy treatments were, the federal agency took over all of the costs. Now, he is back on a cost-sharing plan since he has finished his treatments.
O’Donnell remarked that he has a roof over his head, a wife who loves him, a family who cares about him and that he is looking forward to his future.
Things are “so much better” now than they were last May, Sarah O’Donnell said during a telephone interview from Michigan.
“He has been gaining weight, he’s feeling better and he’s happier,” Sarah. The couple will celebrate their second wedding anniversary in August.
The lowest point of the last 12 months was probably when Michael had to begin using a feeding tube because he had lost so much weight, Sarah O’Donnell said. The feeding tube was removed last December. February 2010 was a pivotal month for Michael because that’s when he was able to resume eating some of the spicy foods he enjoys, Sarah O’Donnell said.
O’Donnell’s battle against cancer has changed his outlook on life. He is now more willing to accept help from others. Previously, he had thought he had to do anything in life he wanted to without help from anyone else.
“I’m very grateful that I had the amount of people and the kind of people in my life that were willing to give us, my wife and I, the help that we needed,” O’Donnell said. “I really don’t know what we would have done if we hadn’t had that help.”

By Kyle LoJacono

In 2008, Boy Scout Troop 3 of Land O’ Lakes attempted to hike the Appalachian Trail (AT), but the trip was cut short.
“Two years ago we went and had to stop after one day,” said Steve Mitchell, troop leader. “We didn’t know what we were getting into. I hurt my knee and we weren’t properly prepared. We just hiked in and hiked back out.
“Finishing what we started two years ago felt really good,” Mitchell continued. “We planned everything much better and we were better conditioned to make the trip.”
This time the trip was a success.

“We were on the Appalachian Trail from April 5 to 10 and hiked 30 miles in northern Georgia,” said Mitchell. “The 30-mile hike was part of the hiking merit badge the boys earned as part of the trip.”
In all, 15 scouts from the troop went on the hike with six adult leaders.
“The first day was relatively easy,” said First Class Scout Alex Graves. “We had a lot of energy then and we only went about two and a half miles that day.”
Alex’s father, Dave, has been the troop’s scoutmaster for more than one year.
“It was very hard work trying to get to the end of our hike,” Dave said. “It was a physical challenge. The weather was spectacular except on one day when it rained all day. We met some nice people who were trying to hike the entire trail and they all said our kids pushed through some tough conditions that day.”
On backpacking trips, hikers have to carry everything they need in their packs. That includes food for the week, tents, sleeping bags, toiletries and clothes. Anything unnecessary is left behind to lighten the weight of the bags and when it rains the only thing that can be done is to cover the packs and keep moving.
“That Thursday (April 8) when it rained was the hardest day,” Graves said. “It was a steady to heavy rain all day and there is no place to dry off. The physical challenge that day wasn’t too bad, but it was very mentally challenging to keep going. The boys stepped up and got through it.”

Alex, 14, said the cold that set in after the rain and the added weight from being soaked took all the strength from the hikers.
Despite the rain, the hikers are left with pleasant memories of the scenery and landscape.
“On the third day we had a lot of downhill hiking and the trail was so green,” Alex said. “That’s the only way I can describe it. All the trees and plants were so green. It was like walking through a rainforest without the heat.”
Another spot stood out to Mitchell.
“There were some nice views,” Mitchell said. “Springer Mountain was great. Just the feeling of being part of nature for a couple of days was great. The boys struggled at times and I’m sure this will be the last time some of them do the AT but they didn’t give up.”
The AT is 2,178 miles long, which makes it the longest marked footpath in the United States, according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. It starts in north Georgia, ends in Maine and passes through 14 states.
More than 10,000 people have reported completing the entire trail since it was established in 1937. The AT’s highest point is on Clingmans Dome in Tennessee and is 6,625 feet high. In comparison, a mile is 5,280 feet long.
Neither Alex nor Dave were part of the trip two years ago because they moved to Land O’ Lakes after the troop went.
Troop 3, which has scouts from Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, Odessa and Spring Hill, has no plans to return to the AT next year, but Graves said they might do so in later years. Alex has a similar timeframe for a grander plan.
“I’d like to do the whole thing later in life,” Alex said. “Maybe when I’m 19 and I have the time to do it. The people who were hiking through seemed to really enjoy it because of how rare it is for people to finish. That would be really cool to be able to tell people I completed it.”

Troop 3 information box
Meeting times: 7 p.m. each Monday
Location: First United Methodist Church of Land O’ Lakes
Address: 6209 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

This year’s Appalachian Trail Hikers from Troop 3
Scouts            Adults
Will Leopold            Steve Mitchell
Collin Finch              Kurt Sturm
Emmanuel Cadavid     Dave Graves
Henry Van Petten       Todd Godfrey
Tim Godfrey             Dan Benoit
Alex Graves               Erin Finch
Sebastian King          Henry Landry
Justin Epplin
Sam Meinke
Robby Sturm
Ryan Benoit
Luc Benoit
Lyden Landry
Sam Anoff
Max Pierovich

By Kyle LoJacono

Zephyrhills City Councilman Manny Funes continues to question the 2008 job application of Zephyrhills Police Department (ZPD) Capt. Jeffrey McDougal.

Funes presented a 30-page report to the council on May 10 that he claims indicates McDougal did not disclose on his application that he had been a suspect in a criminal case 18 years ago.  Funes states in his report that he found documents that show McDougal was identified as a suspect.

“I just want the truth to come out,” Funes said.

When asked if he planned to review McDougal’s employment application, ZPD Police Chief David Shears said, “I’m not really going to comment on Mr. Funes’ comments. I think that’s come out and I don’t want to talk about it.”

Shears also declined to comment on another question on McDougal’s application probing motor vehicle violations that was left unanswered.
In previous investigative reports, McDougal admitted that he presented a signed document granting an easement for property adjacent to his own to a notary public to validate in 1992. The notary, Wade Thomas, was charged in the case because he did not witness the signatures as required by law, but no charges were ever lodged for McDougal’s involvement. Thomas successfully completed pre-trial intervention and avoided a trial.

Property owners Royce and Janet Mitchell said they believed the easement was being conveyed for the electric company, which would have been the Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative. Instead it went to McDougal, who later returned the property by quitclaim deed when the Mitchells complained. The land in question is 5-feet wide by 157.37-feet long, about half the length of a football field.

The statue of limitations has expired, so McDougal cannot be charged in that incident. Funes maintains that McDougal was obligated to disclose his involvement when he applied to rejoin the ZPD because a department questionnaire requires applicants to disclose whether they have ever been a suspect or arrested in a criminal case.

Information about McDougal’s involvement in the easement case was contained in an anonymous letter delivered to City Hall earlier this year. City Manager Steve Spina said he investigated the information in the letter and found it was not worth pursuing.
The City Council concurred and a motion was passed to “cease and desist further discussion (or action) of this matter…nothing more nothing less” as introduced by councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson in response to a grievance submitted by McDougal.

Funes was the dissenting vote. After the meeting Funes said that he was uncertain about what he will do next.

City Council president Lance Smith said one of the reasons the council wanted to move past the issue is it had already been discussed at a previous meeting and the event happened 18 years ago.

“There’s no reason to drag up something that happened 18 years ago,” Smith said. “…I think it’s enough and he has a very good record as a city employee.”

Smith also said he did not want a lawsuit to result from Funes continuing to investigate. McDougal’s grievance against Funes contends the councilman’s actions have distracted him from doing his job and that the councilman slandered him.

“I don’t hold anything against Mr. Funes,” McDougal said after the vote. “I think he’s a good man. He’s an honorable man and I think he will listen to the council and they’ve given him direction. I’m satisfied with the results.”
After the meeting, Funes said of the result, “It’s what I anticipated…I think (the council) made up their mind, or that their mind was made up prior to the meeting and I think it’s unfortunate we didn’t have input from the public relative to what has taken place.”

By Sarah Whitman

Herb and Stephanie Roshell believe every child deserves the best things life has to offer, the most important thing being love.
In 2006, the Land O’ Lakes couple founded Operation Unwrap a Smile to deliver hope and help to at-risk youth. They deliver wrapped gifts to youth shelters throughout Florida and act as mentors to the children they meet.
“We want the children who feel they’ve been forgotten to know they are worth the very best,” Stephanie said. “We bring them a gift to let them know they are special and when they open it, they smile. It’s like we’re giving them the world.”
The Roshells are partnered with Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranches, serving shelters in Bartow, Bradenton, Safety Harbor and Live Oak. They also serve Sonrise in Zephyrhills, G.A.T.E.S runaway shelter for girls in Tampa, The Children’s Home and other facilities. Together, the shelters support 284 children.

The Roshells receive hundreds of donations a year from businesses and individuals to provide gifts to the children.
“So many children just need someone to say ‘ You can make it. You are Loved,’ “ Stephanie said.
Scott Halbach, program director for the youth ranch in Safety Harbor, said the Roshell’s visits make a huge impact.
“They are dedicated and they’ve been really good with our kids,” Halbach said. “The kids enjoy their visits.”
Stephanie, a former daycare teacher, and Herb, a plant manager at West Zephyrhills Elementary, met and were married in 2005. They both have children from other marriages and a daughter, 18-month old Hannah, together. They were inspired by their own children to help others.
Herb said he also wants to give back because it wasn’t too long ago he was in trouble.
“I was in the 11th grade and I was completely illiterate,” he said. “One teacher reached out to me and helped me. She taught me to read and showed me I could be successful. Now, when I meet kids in that situation, I can help them.”
Herb is also a pastor. He leads Inspirational Praise and Worship, 1110 East Busch Blvd. in Tampa. The church is currently separate from Operation Unwrap a Smile but the Rochells hope to bridge the gap.
“Our long term goal is to open a youth shelter as an outreach ministry of the church,” he said. “Before that, we’d like to open a space where we can have an office and store all of our donations.”
Stephanie’s co-workers at J.P. Morgan Chase recently donated a gift basket of brand new toiletries.
“It’s amazing how giving people are when they hear about what we are doing,” she said.
The Roshells are always in need of donations to give as gifts. Everything from clothing and backpacks, to games and toys are needed.
The Roshells collect new items for children of all ages, but do not accept used items.
“We don’t just want to give a girl a bottle of perfume, we want to give her nice perfume,” Stephanie said. “When a child feels like they have nothing, we want to give them something tangible that will make them say, ‘Wow. This is mine.’“
Herb said the gifts are a way of starting up conversations with the kids.
“The key to helping these kids is getting them to open up,” he said. “I remember when I was a teen and I felt like I was all alone. I was quiet and shut down. When you feel that way, it can feel like a prison. Then, somebody reaches out to help and it changes. When you open up to somebody, it’s like you can finally leave that jail cell, walk out and take a deep breath. When somebody shows they care, it gives you hope.”
For information on Operation Unwrap a Smile, how to donate and volunteer opportunities, visit www.operationunwrapasmile.com.

By Suzanne Schmidt

Parents and grandparents snapped their fingers to show their appreciation at the poetry café at Veterans Elementary School in Wesley Chapel May 7.
Three second-grade teachers and a third-grade teacher in the all-star squadron pod recreated a poetry café atmosphere with lemonade and snacks instead of coffee.
Rachell Brown, second-grade teacher in the all-star pod, said she thinks the poetry café went so well she would like for it to be an annual event.

“April is poetry month, so that is why we taught them poetry,” Brown said. “We just wanted the parents to come in and hear their poetry, but now we decided it should be an annual event. The kids presented their favorite poems. Most kids didn’t like poetry but when they started writing it, they started loving it.”
Students learned different kinds of poetry, such as shape poetry and haiku’s.
Jennifer Roberts, support facilitation teacher, said she enjoyed hearing the students’ poetry.
“Teaching children how to write poetry allows them to be creative and think outside of the typical essay writing,” Roberts said. “It allows them to be creative with whatever they are writing whether it is a three-line haiku or a five senses poem. It also allows us to reach all learning styles, especially those with learning disabilities.”
Madilyn Corbin, 8, is in Brown’s class. She was excited to read her poem “I Love You the Purplest” to her mom, Ravi DeSantis, since she wrote the poem for her.
“I learned I can write stuff,” Corbin said. “It is fun because you can make it anything you like. I like that you can be silly and it doesn’t matter. You just put it in your own words and have fun.”
Watching her daughter read a poem about how much she loves her almost brought her to tears, while hearing a poem about Madilyn’s 10-month-old little brother, Giovanni, made her laugh.
“She read a lot of poems recently,” Corbin said. “I think she likes them more now. She has such a great teacher. She (Brown) did such an amazing job.”
Taylor McKinney, 7, is also in Brown’s class. She read her poems titled “Listen to the Wind” and “I Love You the Orangest” to her grandparents Mike and Sondra McKinney of Wesley Chapel.
“I like poetry, it makes it easy to express myself,” McKinney said. “Writing poetry makes it easy for people to learn the real you.”
Sondra and Mike both said they are impressed with the quality of the education Taylor and her twin sister Kendall are getting.
“We are very proud of her and the kind of student and kind of little girl she is,” Sondra McKinney said. “We are so happy the school is right here so we can be involved.”
Venus Colon, second-grade teacher, said she also learned something from her students’ poetry.
“My students absolutely loved learning about all the different types of poems and realized poetry wasn’t boring but a channel to express their inner most feelings,” Colon said. “Over the past month, I could see their yearning to learn and experience more. I have learned more about my students through this poetry unit that I may not have had the opportunity to learn otherwise.”
Sophia Mitchell, 8, is a student in Colon’s class.
“It was fun and I loved getting to read to my mom,” Mitchell said. “I had never heard of some of the types of poems before. It was interesting to read different types of poetry.”
Andrea Mitchell enjoyed reading some of the poems her daughter wrote. Many of the poems Sophia wrote were about her favorite thing to do, soccer.
“It is nice seeing her express herself,” Andrea Mitchell said. “Hopefully this will improve her writing skills and help her to express herself. I think it is hilarious; the things she said she is scared of are mean people and not having soccer. It is funny to see what kids come up with when they are allowed to say whatever they want.”

By Sarah Whitman

Southern Gospel music sets the tune at Fellowship Bible Church in Zephyrhills.
The church hosts a gospel concert every month, bringing in acts from across the nation. This month, Atlanta’s own Old Paths will perform at 7 p.m. May 29, Memorial Day weekend. The group is made up of vocalists Doug Roark, Tim Rackley and Jeremy Peace, with pianist Trey Ivey.
The group’s baritone, Roark, also preaches and will speak at 11 a.m. May 30 at the church.
“It’s not just a concert,” Roark said. “It’s a worship experience.”
This is Old Path’s fourth time performing at the church. The group is a nationally recognized harmonic trio that formed in 2003. They have released six CDs, the latest being “Wonderful Life,” which released April 9.

Fellowship’s associate pastor, Paul McCoy, met the group while touring the country attending Southern Gospel shows.
“Southern Gospel is a passion of mine,” McCoy said. “It’s a style of music that emphasizes the message of the lyrics. My wife and I have traveled around attending different concerts.”
McCoy started the Saturday evening concert series seven years ago. Other acts that performed this year include Driven, The Browders and The Rick Webb Family.
“It started as a way of drawing people from the community to the church,” he said. “Over the years, we’ve seen the church grow tremendously, partly because of the concerts.”
About 200 people attend Fellowship each week, sometimes more during the winter months.
Dr. Randy Mobley is senior pastor. He came to the church four years ago, after pastoring Fair Haven Baptist in Zephyrhills for 14 years.
He said the gospel concert series is a blessing.
“It brings a lot of people to our church that wind up staying and I love the music,” he said. “I love harmonies. I’m a Southerner and I like Southern tradition.”
He’s excited to have Old Paths back in town.
“I met the guys my first year here and now we’re all good friends,” he said. “Of all the groups, they’re probably my favorite.”
Roark, 41, has been a singer his whole life. He chose Southern Gospel because he considers it the best way to express his Christian faith.
“Our music is a mix of original songs and traditional Southern Gospel,” Roark said. “The lyrics are Biblically based.”
Old Paths performs all around the country and soon the world. Next year, the group will travel to Ireland on a mission trip. Still, they love coming to perform in small town Zephyrhills.
“We always have such a huge turn out in Zephyrhills,” Roark said. “I love the support. We’ve fallen in love with the people. Whenever we come back, it’s like a homecoming.”
Concerts at Fellowship are free, though a love offering is always taken. The church is located at 6407 Fort King Road. For information, visit www.fellowship-bible-church.com.

By Sarah Whitman

The men of Idlewild Baptist Church are awake and ready to worship before the sun comes up. Fellow early risers are welcome to join in when the church’s men’s ministry, Morning Momentum, begins its summer season May 20.
The group meets at 6:15 a.m. Thursday mornings at the church. Meetings consist of prayer time, Biblical study and group discussions. There is also coffee for those who need an extra boost.
“We meet early in the morning because the first thing every man should do when he gets up is spend time with God,” said ministry leader Bob Thompson. “This way, we make it a point to do that by coming together to worship the Lord.”
Thompson has more than 20 years experience in men’s ministry and has worked at Idlewild for three years. He said the church’s men’s groups are constantly growing and changing. Morning Momentum currently has 65 members, ranging from singles to married men with grown children.

This season’s study is “The Man God Uses” by Henry and Tom Blackaby, a reflection on being a man of God in daily life. Chapter topics include Character of a Man, How God Shapes a Man and Man’s Response to God. Topics will be reviewed at morning meetings.
General day-to-day topics and issues are also on the agenda.
“Men are facing a lot of stresses and pressures in the world,” Thompson said. “Men need other men so we can learn from each other to become better husbands and fathers and to be more successful in the workplace.”
Dana Hardey has been a member at Idlewild for 20 years. He considers men’s fellowship a way to refocus and gain perspective. He hopes to be an example to younger men in Morning Momentum.
“Sometimes you need advice from someone who’s already been through the situation you’re going through,” he said. “If someone is considering divorce, a man that’s been through it might be able to shed light on the pain of divorce and tell a friend not to give up. By getting together, we can help each other overcome hurts, habits and hang-ups.”
Hardey doesn’t mind waking up early for meetings. He said the time is convenient.
“Guys can get up, meet and then can go to work,” he said. “It works.”
Thompson said it is a perfect time for busy dads.
“It’s a good time to meet because it doesn’t interfere with being home with the family in the evenings,” he said.
For the men who don’t have to rush to work, Idlewild offers men’s small groups following Thursday morning meetings. The men’s ministry also offers a 5:30 p.m. Thursday group, for those who aren’t morning people.
“I’m a part of that one too,” Hardey said.
Thompson said the men’s ministry is more than just its meet-up groups. The men participate in community service projects and are there for one another in difficult times.
“We’re an all inclusive ministry,” Thompson said. “We really consider all men at the church part of the group. If they don’t come to us, we go to them.”
For information on Morning Momentum and Idlewild’s men’s ministry, call (813) 264-1515 or visit www.idlewild.org.

By Suzanne Schmidt

Two students from Sunlake High School will march the summer away touring with Teal Sound, a world-class drum and bugle corps.
Brent Harden, 16, of Land O’ Lakes and Becky Macias, 17, of Odessa, will compete in the Drum Corps International World Class Summer Tour from the day school ends June 4 to the day before it starts again Aug. 14. The students will get to travel all over including Texas, Oklahoma, New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois.
Harden will be playing the mellophone an instrument he has played for five years because it is a fun and easy.
“The corps is like the NFL for marching bands,” Harden said. “It is rewarding and challenging. It will be very tough to leave my family behind for the summer. One good thing about it is we will get to see a lot of the country.”
Macias said she is excited to be on tour all summer.
“I think it will be fun but I will miss my family,” Macias said. “I am looking forward to going on tour. Even if it is hard right now, I feel like it is completely worth it. It is something I really like to do.”
Macias has been in the color guard for a little more than two years.

“I started off in percussion then midway through the marching season I switched to color guard,” Macias said. “I like performing and I like dancing around and having people watch me. It is a lot of fun. I want to be a high school teacher and teach color guard on the side one day.”
Harden and Macias need to raise $2,500 each to be able to go on the tour. The money will go towards their lodging and food. To donate, visit tealsound.org/support/wholeperson.html.
The students auditioned for Teal Sound at a weekend-long camp with hundreds of other high school students from throughout the Southeast United States. They were two of only four students from Pasco to make it. The other two are Brandon Slaughter and Ryan Harring from Mitchell High School.
Ever since they found out they would be touring with the corps, they have been spending at least one weekend a month practicing at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast. They said they are practicing as much as 12 to 14 hours a day in the sun only breaking for meals.
“You have to be fit,” Macias said. “You have to eat healthy and they gave us exercise plans.”
Harden said he has learned a lot more than just being fit.
“I learned that nothing comes easily,” Harden said. “It is something I will take with me for the rest of my life.”
Tonya O’Malley, Sunlake band director, is the visual technician for Teal Sound. She asked both students to audition because she thought they would learn a lot from the experience.
“I saw there were some positions available but I didn’t know if they were interested,” O’Malley said. “I contacted the students who I thought could perform at that level. Becky and Brent went to a couple of the camps and it was nice because they really enjoyed it. This is an experience I feel high school students wouldn’t get anywhere else. The camaraderie and the work ethic they learn is something a lot of kids just don’t understand.”

O’Malley said she is happy they both enjoy the corps because of how hectic the work schedule is.
“They wake up at 7:30 a.m. and the lights out are at 1:30 a.m.,” O’Malley said. “They only get a break for meals. They are literally rehearsing all day long. They do a lot of physical training out in the sun all day.”
In addition to the life lessons, O’Malley said it is a great opportunity to prepare the students to be global citizens.
“There are people who fly from all over to participate,” O’Malley said. “There is even one person in Brent’s section who is from Japan. It gives them the opportunity to interact with people from different parts of the world.”
For more information, visit tealsound.org.