Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By B.C. Manion

It’s a club that rarely calls attention to itself, and yet, it is widely known throughout Lutz and Land O’ Lakes for the civic work it performs.
Its roots go back 50 years and this week, members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club will gather at the First United Methodist Church of Lutz to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary.

The club has invited about 150 guests including state and local elected officials, dignitaries, former members, members and their spouses to drop in to celebrate the milestone, from 2-4 p.m. Oct. 27.
Like many of its occasions over the past five decades, this one will involve refreshments: Finger foods and a big cake.
As guests join the celebration, they’ll have a chance to learn the club’s story – detailed in a video painstakingly created by Cheryl Benton, chairwoman of the 50th anniversary celebration.
Benton culled through a half-century of yearbooks to find the most telling details of the often subtle actions that have improved the quality of life not only in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes, but in many places beyond those communities.
“I was amazed at the things the club had accomplished over the years,” Benton said. This was the group that started the first library in Lutz, pushed for streetlights for US 41 and got a railroad crossing installed, after a mother and daughter were killed near the tracks.
Club members have a hand in all sorts of community activities, large and small.
The club directs the annual Fourth of July parade and organizes an arts and crafts festival at Lake Park each December – with both events attracting thousands of people.
It raises money to pay for scholarships. It supports scout troops and other community groups, such as the Lutz Volunteer Fire Department and friends of the Old Lutz School.
Club members pitch tents for events, knit caps for babies in hospital neonatal units, hold bingo games for retired veterans and make sundresses for African children.
The list goes on and on.
Benton said the club strives to live up to its motto – “Serve today for a better tomorrow.”
The club’s 90 members come primarily from Lutz and Land O’ Lakes, but some hail from Odessa, Wesley Chapel and Tampa.
Benton said her experiences in the group have made her “in awe of all the things that women can do when they are united.”
Lorraine Dabney will speak at the half-century celebration, in a gesture to acknowledge her standing as having the distinction of being the club’s longest-serving active member.
When Dabney moved into Lutz years ago, she was looking for something to do, she said.
“One of my neighbors invited me to come to (the) club. From the first day, I was hooked.”
Initially, she was drawn by the friendly nature of the women. As time went on, she grew increasingly impressed by the club’s commitment to service.
It’s a club that nurtures individual development, too, she said.
“We’re really a place where someone can come and grow,” Dabney said. “If you nurture something, then it blossoms. I like to think that we’re the ones who water and fertilize.”
While the majority of the club members are 50 or older, Dabney said the group is seeing more interest from younger women.
“They’re looking to serve. I think there is a spirit of volunteerism now more than ever. People want meaning to their lives. They want to make a difference,” said Dabney, who now lives in Land O’ Lakes.
For those who are community minded, there are lots of ways to be involved.
“Nobody is required to serve any minimum amount of hours,” Dabney said. “I like to say we have a smorgasbord that people can pick and choose what they want to do. No matter what you do, as long as you use your gift, you’re an asset to our club.”
Like most organizations, the woman’s club has felt the effects of the recession, Dabney said. “I know that we have had to cut back on some of our giving because when we have fundraisers maybe we’re not raising quite as much money as we have in the past.”
Besides serving the community, the women in the group help each other.
They have a sunshine chairwoman who sends cards to members who are sick or bereaved or going through some other sort of difficult time.
“There’s so much compassion in this club. If a member is in need, if we know about it, we’re there to help with that need,” Dabney said.
Marilyn Wannamaker is one of the women who has benefited from that support.
“I joined right after we moved here from Dover (near Plant City). A year later, my husband (Jim) died,” Wannamaker said. “If it had not been for the club, I really don’t think I would have made it. They were wonderful in their support and their caring. I just know that I’m a better human being for being in the club.”
Wannamaker, a member for 11 years, has been president of the club twice. She now supervises the Little Women of Lutz, a group of high school girls who make up a junior chapter of the group.
“It’s been a joy. We cook dinner at Ronald McDonald House. We help at the library. We adopted a road and clean it up three times a year. We adopt a family in need at Christmas,” she said.
“To me, it’s wonderful to watch them grow and develop into wonderful young women,” Wannamaker said.
Edwina Kraemer, the current club president, described the group as purposeful, empowered women. She was attracted to the group because of its focus on service.
“I was raised with the idea that you are not a burden to your society and that you give back,” Kraemer said.
As it begins its second half-century, the group wants to reach out to women who are still in the work force and to stay-at-home moms, Kraemer said.
That group will have evening meetings and will focus on goals that address needs and concerns of those women, she said.
While the older group tends to look at geriatric concerns, this group will likely be more interested in issues involving children and teenagers, Kraemer said.
By creating this new group, the club will address a piece that’s been missing and will help perpetuate the future of the organization, Kraemer said.
While the club is involved in many activities, Kraemer said, that’s not its legacy.
“It is not what we are doing now,” Kraemer said “It is what we’re going to leave.”

By B.C. Manion

It’s a mid-term election, but voters have a lot riding on the outcomes of votes tallied in Election 2010.
Voters will decide who will be Florida’s governor and its next attorney general. They will choose who goes to Washington to fill a Florida seat in the U.S. Senate.
Other big ballot issues include proposed constitutional amendments that:
-Will determine whether legislative and congressional districts are prevented from being drawn to favor or disfavor an incumbent or political party
-Determine whether class size limits for public schools should change
-Decide whether voters must approve future changes to a local government’s comprehensive land use plan.
In Hillsborough County, voters also will decide the fate of a 1-cent sales tax proposed to pay for light rail, expanded bus service and road improvements.
Many Hillsborough and Pasco voters also will cast their ballots in the District 12 State Senate race.
Jim Norman won the Republican primary for the seat, defeating Kevin Ambler. But the race has been thrown into turmoil, after Ambler sued to challenge the primary results.
A Tallahassee judge disqualified Norman in an Oct. 15 ruling, stating Norman had failed to disclose a $500,000 gift on his disclosure form.
Ralph Hughes, a political activist and Norman supporter, gave the money to Norman’s wife, Mearline, who used it to purchase a house in Arkansas.
Ambler sued to have Norman disqualified. He also sought to his name placed on the ballot, but the judge refused.
On Saturday, the Republican Party tapped former state Rep. Rob Wallace to run for the seat. Wallace is an environmental engineer who, while in the House, once cast the lone vote against the state budget out of concerns for government overspending.
While the ballots show Norman’s name, a vote for Norman will be counted for Wallace — though Norman and Ambler both had pending appeals, meaning things could change between now and Election Day.
Beyond the confusion in this race, there are many other congressional, legislative, county commission, school board and other seats up for grabs during this election.
Early voting continues until Oct. 30. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2.
When the ballots are counted, it should signal the end of a barrage of negative campaigning that has characterized this political season. For more election information or to view sample ballots or for additional information go to www.pascovotes.com or www.votehillsborough.org.

By B.C. Manion

Hillsborough Community College wants to expand into Northwestern Hillsborough County – and has received the State Board of Education’s approval to do so.
If this story sounds familiar, it’s because the state gave the college the same kind of permission 10 years ago.
The college submitted a new request on Aug. 26 because so much time had elapsed, the state asked the college to update its proposal, said Ashley Carl, spokeswoman for HCC.
HCC President Ken Atwater justified the college’s request in an Aug. 26 to Judith Bilsky, executive vice chancellor in the division of Florida colleges. The letter was accompanied by a detailed proposal, justifying an HCC northwest satellite.
Atwater’s letter notes that the college’s enrollment continues to grow and that a center within Northwest Hillsborough “will greatly improve access to higher education for residents of Citrus Park, Lutz, Odessa, and Northwest Hillsborough County while also relieving overcrowding at our Dale Mabry campus, HCC’s largest campus.”
The region already sends more than 3,500 students to HCC, according to a college analysis.
Residents from Central Pasco may also benefit from a new HCC site because community college enrollments are not tied to boundaries.
Denise Layne, an activist in Lutz, said “the civic association is very supportive of having a satellite location. It makes sense.”
She said she and other community representatives have met with Rob Wolfe, a vice president at HCC, who has made assurances that the college has no desire to put the satellite in an area against the community’s wishes.
Barbara Dowling, recording secretary of the Keystone Civic Association, said the community favored a proposed location on Old Tobacco Road, which is in the Lutz planning area.
Siting the center in Keystone’s planning area may be difficult because the area relies on water wells and septic tanks, Dowling said.
Carl said that the college needs to expand because the Dale Mabry campus is already over capacity and has no room to grow there.
The Northwest Center would offer a variety of courses such as intermediate and college algebra, anatomy and physiology, psychology, sociology, English and American history. It also would offer introduction to business administration, introduction to computer technology, human nutrition, physical education and other courses.
The college has been looking for a Northwest location for more than a decade and has looked at more than 20 locations, Carl said.
It has seriously investigated several sites, but they have not worked out because of costs or other development challenges, the college’s submittal says.
Some sites that were explored include the former Northdale Public Library, a K-Mart building on Waters Avenue, the Citrus Park Baptist Church and a site on Old Tobacco Road.
The college also has checked out leasing space but rejected those possibilities because they were not deemed to be cost-effective or were unsuitable for classroom use, the submittal says.
However, the submittal notes, “with softening of the real estate market in recent years, several more viable sites have emerged.”
Carl said the college is not looking at any specific site at the moment. She said she could not specify the general area the college is looking at, except to say it is unlikely that it would be west of Sheldon Road.
Atwater’s letter also states that he has met with the presidents of St. Petersburg College and Pasco-Hernando Community College to discuss ways they can collaborate. Presidents of both colleges also wrote letters to the state on behalf of HCC’s request.

By Shannon Edinger

It will be a day filled with food, music and fun when the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce hosts the inaugural “Pigz in Z’Hills” BBQ & Blues Fest on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The BBQ & Blues Fest will be at Charles Krusen Memorial Field at Alston Avenue and 20th Street, east of US 301. Admission is $3 and children under 12 enter for free.
BBQ & Blues will most notably have a BBQ cook-off competition with live blues music playing in the background.  There will be professional chefs and backyard chefs from varying regions participating in the BBQ cook-off.  Those attending BBQ & Blues will be able to taste the chefs’ BBQ creations.  The chamber hopes to register the competition as a Kansas City BBQ Society-sanctioned event next year.
Vonnie Mikkelsen, executive director of the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, wants people in the community to come out and have fun.  “We expect people from all over to come out,” Mikkelsen said.  “For the seasonal residents coming back down to Florida for the winter, the event will be a good “welcome back” for them.
Other events include an antique car show, Kidz PlayPen activities, a Pignic on the grass or in the Pig Palace (the VIP tent) and vendors selling BBQ-related items such as BBQ sauce and grills.  There will also be ice cream and refreshments provided at BBQ & Blues.
Mikkelsen is still accepting community and business BBQ cook-off team entries, as well as car show entries.  There are also sponsorship packages available for participating businesses and teams.  “Starting at only $150, you can launch your event,” Mikkelsen said.
The sponsorship packages vary in price.  “The Squealer” is $150 and it includes advertising perks such as a sign at the main entrance and a listing in the event program.  It also includes access to the Pig Palace and two guest passes. “The Piglet” is $500 and includes recognition and thanks over a PA system during the event, a banner and 10 guest passes. “The Hog” is $1,000.  It includes everything in “The Squealer” and “The Piglet” plus more advertising perks, the logo on event T-shirts and 15 guest passes.
Mikkelsen is optimistic that it will be a great event for years to come.
For more information, contact Vonnie Mikkelsen at (813) 782-1913, or e-mail .

By Kyle LoJacono

University Community Hospital (UCH) now has the ability to make every patient room completely sterile with the help of a new device that vaguely resembles an oversized bug zapper.
The new piece of equipment, called the intelligent room sterilization system (IRS) 3200M, went into use at UCH, Pepin Heart Hospital and The Women’s Center Oct. 15.

“When we did testing on some of the more dirty areas of rooms, which are places like door handles, call buttons and toilet handles, before and after using the device, we found it killed almost everything in the room,” said Jacqueline Whitaker, UCH director of infection control. “We took samples from those areas and grew them in our lab and we found either zero or one organism lived.”
Whitaker said that falls within the definition of sterilized because no one can develop an infection from one microorganism.
One of IRS 3200M co-inventors Mark Statham said the technology has been in the development stage for about two years.
“It creates a powerful electromagnetic field that disrupts the DNA of anything,” Statham said. “That changes the DNA and makes it so the microorganism can’t reproduce if it does survive. The one or two that last die very quickly and the room is completely sterilized.”
Statham works for Infection Prevention Technologies, based in Michigan. He said only three hospitals in the country have the device and no others are in Florida.
“We wanted to go with this device because it truly kills anything left in the room from the last patient,” Whitaker said. “We’ve looked at some other similar machines and nothing came close to this.”
The mobile machine is taken into the patient rooms between occupants. It takes about 10 minutes to sterilize the room.
“We made it very user friendly,” Statham said. “It knows how big the room is and how much electricity to use to clean it. You just move it into the room and turn it on and let it go to work.”
Statham said people cannot be in the room while the device is on because it will cause temporary burning to the eyes and skin. To prevent an accident, a controller is placed on the door of the room being treated. The controller turns the IRS 3200M off instantly if someone opens the door while it is in use.
“We also designed this so the electromagnetic field can’t go through a window,” Statham said. “People can walk by or look in without fear of anything happening.”
The IRS 3200M is also being used in surgical rooms at the end of the day, but the larger rooms take more time to sterilize than hospital staff can give between patients. Statham said the company is working on a larger version of the device to mount in the ceilings of the surgery rooms that will take less time so they can be sterilized as well.
“This just fits in to everything UCH is trying to do to increase patient safety,” said UCH spokesman Will Darnall. “Hospitals sometimes get a bad reputation, but we’re doing everything we can to keep patients safe. This is just one way we are doing that and the best thing is it kills even drug-resistant pathogens too.”
All rooms will still be disinfected as before, then the device will do its job.
“We plan to use the same technology at UCH-Carrollwood, our long term center in Land O’ Lakes and the Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital in Tarpon Springs. It’s the best way to make sure patients are safe and we want to use it everywhere we can.”