Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Glenn G. Gefers

of www.photosby3g.com

Continuing an annual ritual, Betsy Altshuler, a Land O’ Lakes resident and board member of the American Culinary Federation, stopped recently at the SR 54/Collier Parkway Publix Land O’ Lakes to take advantage of their buy-one-get-one peanut butter sale.

But she wasn’t just looking for a good deal for herself.

She ordered 15 cases of creamy peanut butter — a tall order that will benefit dozens of families in the community. By collecting donations and being frugal, Altshuler was able to purchase 180 jars of peanut butter that will  make their way into the cupboards of those in need.

After leaving Publix, Altshuler went to the Suncoast Harvest Food Bank on Ehren Cutoff to donate her trunk full of Jif — plus other items. Her donation totaled 543 pounds.

Elizabeth Fields, executive director of Suncoast, processes many dropoffs each day from people just like Altshuler. The organization will top 3 million pounds in donations this year.

Suncoast has 10 employees and about 10 volunteers, including one 86-year-old who faithfully helps out each week.

From the warehouse, Suncoast distributes to more than 100 shelters, soup kitchens and pantries. For more information about Suncoast, visit www.suncoastharvest.org or call (813) 929-0200.

Mother organizes local version of global vigil to honor children who have died

By B.C. Manion

In the photograph, James David Birk and his sister, Samantha Adamo, lean toward their younger brother, Houston Adamo.
They’re all smiling broadly.

It’s the kind of photograph families often snap at the holidays.
This one was taken at the Hillsborough River State Park on Thanksgiving one year ago.
It was one of the first times in years that Linda Adamo had bothered to bring a camera to take pictures at the annual gathering, a tradition begun by earlier generations of her family going back more than 50 years.
Roughly 60 relatives and friends were there. They’d had a tremendous day, stuffing themselves with turkey and side dishes, playing games, laughing, chatting and checking out advertisements for the next day’s sales.
“We just had a really nice time,” Linda said.
James left for awhile, to watch a football game with a friend.
That’s when the bright, cheerful Happy Thanksgiving goes dark.
On his way back to spend the night camping with his family, in a tradition James had known his entire life, the 21-year-old lost control of his 2007 Ford Charger. He crashed into some trees and flipped, just minutes from his family.
Emergency personnel had to cut open the vehicle to free James from the wreckage. The University of Central Florida student was taken to Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, where he was pronounced dead.
It sent the family’s world reeling and they’ve been trying to regain their footing ever since.
“Burying your child is unreal,” Linda said. “It’s like an out-of-body experience. Completely. Completely,” she said. “You need help.”
She and her husband, Tim, got some help, but they — along with Samantha and Houston — still struggle with James’ death.
“I still don’t function right. There are still some days that I can’t get out of bed,” Linda said.
She knows there are others who have experienced the same kind of loss and pain.
That’s why she decided to try to organize a candlelight vigil on Dec. 12 at the Lutz Little League, in an event that coincides with Worldwide Candle Lighting Around the Globe. The Lutz event begins at 6 p.m., with the candle lighting at 7 p.m.
“It’s worldwide and in every different time zone,” Linda said. “For one hour you light a candle, so for 24 hours there will be a candle lit for every child who has died.”
Everyone is welcome to the vigil. Those sharing the event don’t have to be grieving the loss of their own child — they can be supporting someone else whose child has died. And it doesn’t matter how old the child was when he or she died, or when the death occurred, Linda said.
Time passes, but the grieving continues.
James’ accident was a nightmare, said his grandmother, June Cannon. “We try to guess and mostly we think it was a deer,” she said, speculating that he may have swerved to miss hitting one. “We don’t know though.”
They do know that alcohol did not play a role, Linda said, because an autopsy was performed.
The force of the accident caused massive internal injuries, June said. “It crushed his heart.”
James was the kind of guy who was always going out of his way to help others, Linda said.
He loved his sister and brother, she added.
He cared so much about Samantha that he would drive in from Orlando to watch her do a three-minute cheerleading routine. And, if James heard Houston was having a problem with his Xbox, he’d drive to Land O’ Lakes to fix it.
He was well-loved, Linda said. More than 500 people turned out for his visitation.
Tim said he still misses James so much that he periodically sends him text messages.
When James died, a lot of people didn’t know what to do, the couple said.
But some friends from the Lutz Leaguerettes knew just the thing.
They built a sanctuary in the family’s backyard, with brick pavers, chairs, mature palm trees and a fire pit – right in the spot where James had dug his original fire pit.
“James loved fires,” his grandmother said.
The friends who built the backyard oasis had these words etched onto one of the bricks: “James David, loving son & brother, your flame will forever burn in our hearts.”
A candlelight vigil, in memory of James, and others like him, seems fitting.

What: Worldwide Candle Lighting vigil in remembrance of children who have passed away
Where: Lutz Little League, 770 Lutz-Lake Fern Rd.
When: Sunday, Dec. 12 — 6 p.m. event begins; 7 p.m. candle lighting
Who: For bereaved families of Hillsborough and Pasco counties.
Highlights: Special readings, music and an announcement of the name of each child who has passed away. Please bring a photograph of the child who has passed away to be displayed on a special table. Also, candles will be provided, but feel free to bring one in case the supply runs out.
Contact: Linda Adamo, (813) 841-4374 or

Church houses only such facility in east Pasco

By Kyle LoJacono

From the beginning, Eric Gilbertson wanted to make the Samaritan Project different from other homeless shelters.
“This is my passion,” Gilbertson, 43, said. “I was homeless when I was 15 to 19 years old and saw what it was like at other homeless shelters. I wanted this to be more than just a place to go for a meal. I wanted it to help people find a way to get back on their feet.”

The project started in 2008 and was run out of the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, but a space conflict forced a move. Tim Mitchell, senior pastor at Chancey Road Christian Church located at 34921 Chancey Road in Zephyrhills, brought it to the church.
“We see this as what we’re just supposed to do as Christians,” Mitchell said. “The Bible tells us when we offer cool water, shelter, clothing or food in the name of Jesus we are doing his work. So it’s just natural for the church to want to do this. That’s just our passion and motivation behind this.”
Last winter, the project opened as a cold weather shelter for homeless people. Gilbertson said he wanted to continue the project as a homeless shelter after the winter. At first his idea was to start a tent city in the back of the church because he felt that was better than having them do the same in the woods. Then the church agreed to let them use its building at night.
“We opened as a shelter July 25,” Gilbertson said. “We’ve had 46 different people or families stay with us and have 15-22 people on any night. We’ve had 10 single moms stay with us. … They can stay for 14 days and then we ask for a donation of $1 a day, but we don’t turn people away if they don’t have it. Also people use their food stamps to bring food back to the shelter and we count that toward the $1.”
One person who has been at the shelter since it opened is Mike Potter, who has lived in Zephyrhills for 13 years. He has become a volunteer while living there, supervising the area while the other residents sleep.
“All the people who help here, especially Eric, are extremely helpful,” Potter, 41, said. “I’ve never seen someone work as hard as Eric does for the people here. He basically works 24/7 and doesn’t get enough credit for what he does. This place has given me and many others hope.”
When Gilbertson started volunteering with the shelter he was only going to donate about three hours a week, but was at the shelter six to eight hours a day.
Another resident volunteer is Stoney Robertson, who came to the shelter the week it opened. Before that he was living in a tent in the woods.
“I think a lot of people are very nervous about coming to a place like this,” Robertson, 46, said. “People need to be wanted and respected. Here they don’t make you feel like a second-class citizen just because you don’t have a home. Really this is the Ritz-Carlton of shelters.”
Both Potter and Robertson attend the church’s services. Gilbertson said while they try to steer the residents toward God, they do not make it a requirement.
The shelter opens each night from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 a.m. Once people check in, they cannot leave and return to prevent people from coming back intoxicated, Gilbertson said. Those at the shelter get a dinner and breakfast plus snacks and drinks available all night. There is also a TV with movies, games and books.
There is a separate room for women and men. Children can stay with either parent and married couples can stay together in a common room.
“Before we let someone stay we do a simple background check to make sure they don’t have any outstanding warrants or anything like that,” Gilbertson said. “For the volunteers it’s a more thorough background check.”
The project is currently looking for a location closer to downtown Zephyrhills. Mitchell thinks a central location could help more people in the future. For now, those who stay the night are driven to Alice Hall Community Center at Zephyr Park the next day by volunteer Brian Lavender.
“We want them to find a job during the day,” Gilbertson said. “We have a computer that I’m getting firewalled so they can look for a job. … To me we’re like the center place where people can come for help. We give them a roof, food, support and then find them help from other places.”
Mitchell said the food costs about $500 a month. Add the costs of electricity and water and the total to keep the shelter going at its current level will be $8,000-$10,000 a year. However, the project is expanding its services.
Gilbertson said they will soon open a new kitchen to make a larger variety of food faster for the residents. They also recently installed two showers. He added that when the cold weather returns they will be able to house about 200 people with the space the project has.
Gilbertson said donations of supplies and money are helpful for the cause, but the biggest need is for volunteers. He said he does not need anyone to stay overnight, just mainly to help serve dinner and cleanup after. Anyone interested should call Gilbertson at (813) 810-8670. Donations can also be dropped off at the church office around the back of the main building.
While Potter and Robertson are still down on their luck, they are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
“My goal is to get my own place,” Potter said. “I’m looking for a job, but the tough part is I don’t have a car. While I’m still looking, I’m feeling better about my chances.”
Robertson said of his goals, “I want to be accountable. I just want to pay this kindness forward to someone else who is down on their luck once I get a job and a place to live.”

From mammoth malls to quaint mom and pops, area shoppers went hunting for deals during the holiday weekend. The day after Thanksgiving marks Black Friday, a time to work off those mashed potatoes and start stocking up on gifts for the season. We spent the day with bargain hunters from Lutz to Zephyrhills.

Stories and photos by Tammy Sue Struble

Wells gets early start
Trayci Wells, owner of Little Stella’s Boutique in the Dupree Plaza in Land O’ Lakes, creates made-to-order gift baskets like diaper cakes, baby shower baskets and princess baskets for girls.

She was working on a Grinch child’s holiday basket on Friday. Her shop specializes in upscale kids’ brand name consignment and boutique clothing from baby sizes up to size 14–16.
Trayci got up at 3 a.m. and went to Target and Walmart … not looking for anything specific. “Every year I say I’m not going to do it (Black Friday shopping) again, but I do it anyway! Sometimes you can get really good deals!”
Then, she went to Kmart and Radio Shack and was home by 9 a.m. to get ready to come in and work at her shop. She stated that usually the big ticket items are already gone when she gets to the larger retail stores and admitted that, “The two-day sale is better than the 5–11 a.m. sales.”

Big savings on a wallet
Aggie and Artie DeVirgilio of Land O’ Lakes were at their last stop before home, Franklin Jewelers in the Collier Commons shopping center in Land O’ Lakes. They started shopping around 9:30 a.m. with stops at Bealls, Office Depot and Target.
“It was crazy at Bealls! Lines were really long,” Artie determined. “Target was really good.” She was excited about saving around $75 total at Bealls, and was especially proud of a $24 savings on a wallet.

Half-price Christmas dress
Near Ulta Beauty in the Grove at Wesley Chapel, Mariah Samia of Land O’Lakes was shopping for Christmas gifts for her three Chihuahuas at PetSmart with her mom. It was her first experience with Black Friday shopping. They had spent three hours at Kohl’s in Lutz and stood in a line that was all the way to the back of the store. Why wait?
“I got a really pretty dress for Christmas!” Mariah said. “It was a good deal: half price!”
Her mother said they don’t normally shop on Black Friday because it is so crazy, but they were going to shop until they dropped or at least until they were too tired and hungry. The Samias agreed that most people were jolly. “Only a few were impatient or rude,” observed Mariah.

Waiting for the rush
At Princess Boutique in the VanDyke Commons shopping center in Lutz, employee Lisa Miller was preparing for the afternoon rush on Black Friday. According to Miller, Black Friday shoppers typically hit the big store sales in the morning, and then get to the smaller businesses in the afternoon. The boutique offers “unique ladies apparel and accessories.”

Michela and Chad Mollick of Wesley Chapel don’t normally shop Black Friday but were at Home Goods in Lutz later on Friday morning with their daughter Sophia, 22 months. Michela explained, “We contemplated (Black Friday) shopping before seeing lines. We drove by Toys “R” Us and Best Buy (Thursday) around 9 p.m. and already saw long lines.” They decided not to try the early, early morning shopping.

Sales beautiful at Ulta
Ulta Beauty in The Grove of Wesley Chapel shopping center opened their doors at 6 a.m. Erin Norris of Dade City, a manager at Ulta, said that sales were up compared to last year’s Black Friday. At 1 p.m. over 50 percent of their day was in and Ulta wasn’t closing their doors until 9 p.m. “We have had a line of 10-20 people (at the registers) continually since opening at 6 a.m.,” Norris smiled. The Ulta blockbusters, fragrances, gift sets, and 5 for $5 stocking stuffers were “flying out the door.”

Stuck behind five carts
Black Friday shopper Luis Galarza, pictured with son Brandon, spent the day finding deals around Zephyrhills with his family. One stop — the Bealls Outlet on Allen Road. The outlet store opened its doors at 6 a.m. luring holiday shoppers with huge doorbuster specials, 70 percent off clearance prices, 50 percent off Christmas for the home, and 15 percent off everything storewide on their Friday Club for everyone (Black Friday only).

On his first trip, Galarza explained he, “Had to park way in the back in the parking lot. Then, got behind a lady in checkout line with five shopping carts!”  However, he was happy that he had found a great deal at Bealls Outlet on a PlayStation 3 and Guitar Hero game.
His family did not enjoy their Walmart experience stating they would, “Never do Walmart again for Black Friday.”

Bealls ringing in Zephyrhills
Sheila Thompson, manager of the Bealls Outlet store on Allen Road in Zephyrhills, said the economy may be in a little better shape this year compared to last year. “We had four registers going since 6 a.m.” The store still had already passed 2009’s Black Friday totals around 5 p.m. and weren’t closing their doors until 10 p.m.

‘Definitely not’ again
Nathan n Jaclyn
After two-hours of shopping, Nathan Hunter and Jaclyn “Niki” Rice of Dade City left the long checkout line they were in around 2 a.m. at the Zephyrhills Walmart and had the customer service/returns counter check them out instead. Finished, they said they would “definitely not” do the midnight thing again.

Talked into going by daughter
Hazel Carmona was shopping in Dade City at Williams Fashion Center on Seventh Street, which also houses Lunch On Limoges. “I don’t go out on Black Friday,” explained Carmona, “I usually pretty much stay in!” Yet, her daughter talked her into going to Dade City — they figured it would be less chaotic. They were happy with their choice.
Phil Williams, owner / operator of the store and restaurant, stated that the, “Lunch side was a little busier than normal.” And, saw an increase in the number served compared to Black Friday last year. He was hoping that the Small Business Saturday campaign will help his clothing and dry goods business … and help other local small businesses.  The small business campaign, started by American Express, follows Black Friday in effort to send customers to the smaller retailers.

By Kyle LoJacono

Each year, Toys for Tots allows thousands of needy children in Pasco and Hillsborough counties to have that moment of excitement while opening presents Christmas morning.

The need for the program has become even greater in recent years and East Pasco Toys for Tots coordinator Bob Loring did not want to run out of gifts like the program did in 2002.
“That year at the Dade City distribution we ran out of toys early,” Loring said. “It broke my heart that we could not assist many of our folks. I still have that nightmare from time to time.
“We expect more requests for assistance than ever before and I’m hoping everyone will give something to help a child have a Christmas,” Loring continued. “The reasons are self evident. Bad economy, forecloses and layoffs are rampant throughout our fair community.”
The East Pasco chapter covers the entire county east of US 41. Loring is expecting 4,500 children to be registered for help this year. The story is similar in Hillsborough, where Sgt. Anton Spivey will not be surprised if record numbers turn out for help.
“The need is just so great right now,” said Spivey, Toys for Tots volunteer with the Tampa chapter. “You hear from hundreds of parents each day who want to make sure their kids have something special on Christmas.”
Both volunteers are or were involved with the Marines, which started the program in 1947.
“I’m honored to have this opportunity to assist our children in need,” Loring said. “What could be a higher calling?  I firmly believe that we need to mobilize the community around supporting our at-risk children. I still firmly believe in the American dream and I want all our kids to at least have a shot at it. We can do this, and in my view we must try.”
Herb Roshell, coordinator for the Land O’ Lakes distribution site, fondly remembers one parent who received a bike for her child from the program.
“We’d been holding onto a bike at a drive the year before last and wanted to give it to someone who really needed something special,” Roshell said. “Then one lady came in and when we told her she could take the bike for her child she couldn’t even speak. She just hugged us and thanked us for 20 minutes because she knew it would make her family’s Christmas.”
Roshell also thanked the Interact Club at Land O’ Lakes High for helping at the distribution each year and also added a group of Sunlake High students would help the process this year.
In Hillsborough, registered families can pick up their toys until Dec. 17 at 22 different locations. For information on registering or to donate, call (813) 805-7020 or visit tampa-fl.toysfortots.org.
Pasco has five distribution sites east of US 41, including Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Dade City and Lacoochee. All toys will be distributed Dec. 17. Loring works directly with the public schools to identify the most needy children and registers them.
For the children not in public schools, Loring works through Premier Community Health Care, which handles Pasco Medicaid families.
“I am confident that we are assisting the most needy children and families,” Loring said. “These counselors personally know the families and the children. I like our method very much and have great confidence in this dandy partnership.”
To find the nearest toy drop-off location in Pasco or for more information, visit www.toysfortotspasco.org.
Along with the toys, Loring has worked to make a program called Food for Tots, which gives food and other needed items to the children along with toys. He does it with the different name because the Marines have a very specific goal for their program and cannot divert from it.
“It’s just like shopping without a cashier,” Loring said of how the distribution works in Pasco. “At some of the stations, parents also get to take socks and toothbrushes for the kids. We also give out food to the parents. They get frozen chickens with all the fixings for a Christmas dinner.”
To make any donations to the Food for Tots, e-mail Loring at .

How to help
Toys for Tots will hold mailbox toy drives on Saturday, Dec. 4 to help collect enough gifts for the thousands of children. It is the largest drive for the program each year. To donate to the cause, place new, unwrapped toys by a home mailbox and the mail carrier will bring it to the nearest chapter. All toys must be new and unwrapped to be accepted.

By Kyle LoJacono

Lutz Arts and Crafts Festival organizers are hoping for nicer weather and a larger turnout after a 2009 event where attendance was less than half its normal total.

An estimated 35,000 to 40,000 people attend the two-day event each year, making it the largest Hillsborough County art fair after the Gasparilla Art Festival.
However, last year a combination of bad weather on the first day and a new $2 fee per vehicle to enter the park imposed by the Hillsborough Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department brought that number to about 15,000. Edwina Kraemer, president of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Women’s Club, thinks the number will rebound for its 50th rendition.
“It’s a fabulous festival with a family-friendly atmosphere,” said Kraemer. “It’s a great place to do your Christmas or holiday shopping for everyone on your list. There are people who sell toys and clothes for babies, people who sell local artwork, jewelry and other arts and crafts things. If you need something for someone you’ll likely find it there and the great thing is the artists there are the people who made it. They don’t buy things and resell them.”
The event, which is organized by the women’s club, is always the first weekend in December, which is Dec. 4-5 this year. Admission is free for the festival itself after the $2 to park. That money does not go to anyone involved with the event.
The club was not in charge of the event back at the beginning, but has been its organizer for the 31st time this year.
“The festival started at the Old Lutz School on (US) 41 and later moved to the train depot across the street,” said Lutz resident Shirley Simmons, co-chairwoman for the event. “It moved to Lake Park about 10 years ago. We’ll have 260 vendors and several spots we give 20 to local groups for free. We’re all full for vendors and even have a waiting list in case people drop out.”
The Lutz Patriots, Relay For Life and the Boy Scouts are some of those who get free spots.
Kraemer, who was the Lutz Guv’na in 2006, first learned of the event before becoming a club member.
“Friends told me about it,” Kraemer said. “We went and had a great time. It’s kind of hard to live in the area and have not heard about it because of how big it has gotten. It’s fast becoming one of the largest in central Florida.”
Kraemer moved to Lutz from Carrollwood six years ago. She is a retired science teacher who taught at Gaither High during its first year in 1984.
Simmons said there will be vendors from Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Odessa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Dade City and New Tampa at the event.
Land O’ Lakes resident April Demulia has gone to the craft show for the last few years and loves everything about it.
“I’ve lived in Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania and this is the only place I’ve seen a craft show as awesome as this one,” Demulia said. “It has anything you can think of and prices are good for anyone. You’ve got little crafts you can buy for a few cents to expensive pieces of jewelry and artwork. It has something for everyone, including great food.”
Vendors will be selling traditional and not so traditional festival foods, such as barbecue, kettle corn, funnel cakes, sandwiches, hot dogs, breakfast breads, ice cream, and homemade baked goods.
Kraemer explained the Lutz festival has three goals: to give the community a fun local event, to give artists a place to display and sell their products and for the club to raise money to give back into the community.
“Everything we collect from booth sales will go to great groups in the community,” said Kraemer. “We give money to Boy and Girl Scout troops, the Civil Air Patrol, to youth scholarships, to the Lutz volunteer fire department, to the Lutz (Branch) Library and others.”

Lutz Arts and Crafts Festival
Where: Lake Park
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 5
Parking: $2
Admission: free

By B.C. Manion

The patrons file in and find their seats. The lights dim. The show begins at the Pasco County Schools Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel.

On any given day the performance could feature a magician, a saxophone player, ballet dancers or singers.
But these aren’t just any entertainers.
The magician, Bradley Fields, has appeared on international stages and uses magic feats to promote mathematics skills and problem-solving in his showed called “MatheMagic.”
The saxophone player, Eric Darius, is Blue Note jazz musician who did a clinic to help aspiring young musicians, in an addition to doing two performances.
The ballet dancers from DanzAmerica’s Project Inc., presented Tchaikovsky’s classic fairy-tale ballet, “The Nutcracker” and will do an encore this year. The performances feature dancers from America’s Ballet in New Tampa. Performances are scheduled for Dec. 9-10 for Pasco County students and on Dec. 10-11 for the general public.
Numerous student performances occur on the center’s stage, including a recent music concert by a group of 220 kindergarten through fifth-graders from Connerton Elementary, under the direction of music teachers Kristen Hillstrom and Barbara Falkingham.
Those children are among students from 43 elementary, middle and high schools from Land O’Lakes east to Zephyrhills, who take advantage of the professional theater located on the campus of Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road.
The center, which celebrates its 10th year this year, offers incredible educational opportunities for students, said Patrick L. McDermott, the center’s director.
The recent visit by Eric Darius offers a prime example of the benefit that students derive from the performing arts center, McDermott said.
Not only did Darius wow the crowds with his performances, he also did a clinic with aspiring musicians from Charles S. Rushe Middle School, Wesley Chapel High School, Sunlake High School and Pine View Middle School.
“Eric Darius is an amazing musician and a fantastic showman,” McDermott noted in an e-mail following the musician’s two shows. “Both the matinee student audience and the evening public audience were blown away by this fantastic concert.”
McDermott also raves about Fields, the performer who teaches mathematics through magic.
Fields, who is set to appear at the center again on Jan. 27, applauds Pasco County Schools for giving students the opportunity to learn through the arts.
Schools make a mistake if they focus only on preparing students to take tests, at the expense of the arts, said Fields, who, in addition to being a magician is also a former New York City school teacher.
“What makes a difference is real, live performances,” Fields said. “Nobody knows where a kid is coming from, or where they are going,” he said, noting his show is intended to inspire kids and provoke them to think.
“I might have a 1,000 in a crowd,” Fields said. “Maybe one or two will have their lives completely turned around.”
The Pasco County Schools Center for the Arts offers an excellent venue for shows both large and small, McDermott said. It can handle virtually any show – but can’t afford to offer the more expensive Broadway shows because it would take too many performances to cover the costs.
Working out the schedule for the 927-seat theater is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, he said. Last year, the center had 260 productions.
Every year, McDermott books between 12-15 professional groups to perform for students, the general public, or both. The shows come from places like Toronto, London, Dallas, California, New York, Omaha and other places.
“I think this is one of the jewels of the Pasco County school district,” McDermott said.
The theater is well equipped. It has a 48-by-35-foot stage, a 48-channel sound board, a large dressing room and two smaller dressing rooms for the production’s principal players. It has tall doors on the side of the building to enable large sets to be moved in and out.
Unlike most stages, which drop straight down, this one has steps leading down into the theater. That allows actors to walk out into the audience and enables singers to use the stairs as risers.
The stage is also used for special events, McDermott said, noting music teachers from Wesley Chapel, Seven Oaks and Watergrass elementary schools put on a Broadway Spectacular each year to raise money for the schools.
“Their level of musicianship is amazing,” said McDermott, who has a master’s in music composition and used to play trumpet in orchestras for Broadway musicals.
Besides providing performances for students at a nominal charge, the center also hosts public performances at much lower prices than many other professional theaters, McDermott said.
For instance, tickets for the Florida Orchestra sold for $20 each and tickets for Grammy award-winner Arturo Sandoval went for $15 each – both exceptional bargains, McDermott noted.
For more information about the arts center, its upcoming schedule and ticket availability, visit www.cfawesleychapel.com or call (813) 794-8772.