Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

LAND O’ LAKES—A local teacher made such an impact that even after his passing, he is still affecting students.

George Bastable was an English teacher at Charles S. Rushe Middle School and previously taught at Pine View Middle School. He passed last summer on July 4, leaving a legacy of reading and learning behind.

As a way to honor his memory, the student council, members of the Lead Literacy Team at Sunlake and the student council at Charles S. Rushe Middle School will have a book drive between now and Feb. 12.

The schools need donations of gently used or new school appropriate fiction and non-fiction books for elementary, middle or high school aged children. Books will be collected at both schools main office. The goal is to collect 2,800 books by the end of the drive.

Dave Estabrook, principal of Rushe, said he worked with Bastable for the last 8 years.

“He had such an appreciation of reading that he shared with others,” Estabrook said. “I feel having a book drive in his name is a great way to continue to promote the legacy of reading he left behind.”

Amy Ramos, English teacher at Sunlake, said the plan was always to have the book drive, but then the team decided to make it a memorial to Bastable because of all the great work he did.

“It is something they can do to pay tribute to him,” Ramos said. “We thought the book drive as a memorial for him was the perfect fit since his philosophy was put the right book in the right hands.”

One student who he made a big impact on was Jaeda Fennel, 17, a junior at Sunlake. She had Bastable as her 8th grade English teacher at Pine View Middle School. She was so inspired by Bastable that when she found out there was a book drive for him she decided to bring in 30 books.

“He was my favorite teacher,” Fennel said. “He was the first English teacher I had that made English interesting. He made me enjoy reading. He was really funny and no class was ever the same.”

Fennel said she will continue to read for the rest of her life and it is all thanks to Bastable.

“I like reading because it takes me to another world or place,” Fennel said. “I chose the books I donated because they are all books that I want to pass on. I want to share what I have read with others”

Bastable had a large collection of books in his classroom so the books collected will be going into classroom libraries throughout Sunlake and Charles S. Rushe Middle School. Melodie Oleson, media specialist at the school, said the drive helps the teachers get a break.

“As a rule the teachers are responsible for filling their libraries,” Oleston said. “The books are always paid for by the teacher. We thought this would be a good project for the team since we think literacy is everyone’s responsibility.”

Ramos said once all the books are collected the teachers will get to shop for the books they think will be good for their students. She said the goal is to get at least 1,500 books, which is one per student at the Sunlake and 1,300 books for Rushe.

“They will get to build their classroom library with their students in mind for free,” Ramos said. “He had 11 bookshelves in his classroom because this was his passion. This is a great way for the community to step up and continue his work.”

The books collected will be stamped so when future students pick up the book they will know it where it came from.

“We want books that will be read for pleasure,” Ramos said. “We are looking for books that are not normally assigned for reading.”

Since Bastable was a teacher to many of the students in the high school, Ramos said many of the sports teams and organizations have become involved in the drive including the basketball team.

“The basketball team will have a game against Wesley Chapel Feb. 2 where they will take a book for the drive instead of admission,” Oleson said. “All the children who turn in books will have the chance to win prizes like tickets for the next school play and giving sweatshirts and t-shirts from school organizations.”

For more information or to donate books, call 813-346-1023 or visit the school’s Web site at slhs.pasco.k12.fl.us.

George Bastable’s Favorite Books:

• Shane by Jack Schaefer
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
• Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
• Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
• The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
• The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy
• The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay
• The Hot Rock by Donald E. Westlake
• The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy
• Lord of the Flies by William Goldman
• The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread by Don Robertson

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

Super Bowl Sunday is one of the most popular days to stay at home and throw a party. It’s a great excuse to get together with friends, get rowdy and eat junk food.

Many elements go into planning a Super Bowl bash. Hosts have to get the right food and of course, no party is complete without decorations.

Party Scene, 2115 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, has a selection of football party supplies, some of which are specific to the teams. In this case, the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts are fighting it out. So, decorations are blue and white, and black and gold.

Party Scene owner Lisa Vignera and her husband, Frank, have a game party every year. Frank Vignera said he thinks decorations help set the tone for the party, which is why he always makes sure to go all out. He wants everyone to have as much fun as fans at the game.

“We have wonderful decorations and all the paper goods we could need,” Vignera said. “We also have an inflatable super bowl cooler and a bunch of different cooler cozies. We really like to go all out. We throw the football around and try to make it as fun as possible.”

Even though the Wesley Chapel resident is not a loyal fan to either team playing, he has picked out the team he is rooting for.

“I think it would be good to see the Saints win,” Vignera said. “They had a rough couple of years.”

The typical fare at a Super Bowl Party might include chips, dip and other finger foods but Betsy Crisp of Land O’ Lakes said she it is important to remember to incorporate healthy snacks as well.

“I advise people to have plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables,” Crisp said. “Another thing that helps is to make a dip with non-fat sour cream or non-fat yogurt dip. It is a good time to make wiser choices and to limit amounts.”

Some of the vegetables Crisp recommends for a platter include the traditional fare like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and green peppers along with radishes, squashes, fresh green beans, zucchini and cucumber.

It’s no secret that party goers expect to eat while they watch the game. Small bite goodies are popular this year. Publix Aprons has a variety of recipes for sliders available to customers this year.

The game is just around the corner. Get shopping and have some fun.

Sliders are a popular item this year. Publix Aprons offers up this tasty treat:

Black’nd Blue Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Prep and Cook: 25 minutes  (Makes 12)

Ingredients:

• 6 Deli fried chicken tenders
• 1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce
• 1 cup blue cheese salad dressing
• 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons blackening seasoning
• 12 Bakery dinner rolls (sliced for buns)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut each chicken tender in half; bake 10–12 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
2. Toss hot chicken with wing sauce. Combine salad dressing, mayonnaise, and seasoning.
3. Place in bun: chicken and blue cheese sauce. Serve.

CALORIES (per 1/12 recipe) 250kcal; FAT 16g; CHOL 25mg;

SODIUM 660mg; CARB 17g; FIBER 1g; PROTEIN 10g;

VIT A 2%; VIT C 0%; CALC 6%; IRON 6%

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

ZEPHYRHILLS — Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Heart Institute recently received the highest rating for heart disease treatment in the Tampa Bay area.

The award, Excellence in Coronary Intervention, was given to honor the institute for exceeding HealthGrade standards for cardiac disease treatment.

“The reason we opened the center in January 2006 was we listened to what the Zephyrhills and surrounding community wanted,” said Gwen Alonso, director for the institute. “The process to open the Heart Institute began before I started working here six years ago because in the past we had to send people down to Tampa if they had a heart problem.”

Alonso has lived in Wesley Chapel for 11 years.

“Before the institute opened, heart patients had to leave the comfort of their community here in Zephyrhills,” she continued. “The trip was really long for patients and time is very important when dealing with heart problems.”

Lyn Acer, hospital spokeswoman, agrees with Alonso.

“Our Heart Institute provides care to adults suffering from cardiac or cardiovascular disease,” she said. “We are constantly looking at ways to improve the services we provide and to ensure we are providing our patients with most comprehensive care.”

The institute also received national accreditation from the Society of Chest Pain Centers in April 2009 for its speedy treatment of people with heart problems. It is the only hospital in east Pasco County with such accreditation.

“Every minute counts when it comes to heart disease, and we make sure patients get care within 90 minutes of the problem starting,” Alonso said. “We have to work with (Emergency Medical Services) in the field so they recognize heart problems fast and get them to the Heart Institute quickly. So it takes a focused effort from our employees and outside groups to get the fastest treatment possible.”

The award coincides with National Heart Disease Awareness Month, which is each February. In order to spread the word about heart disease, Zephyrhills Mayor Cliff McDuffie has declared Feb. 7 to 14 as Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week in the city.

“This is the kind of thing people need to know about and it doesn’t cost the city anything to do,” McDuffie said. “This is the second year we’ve done this and I think it helps get the word out about the disease to the public.”

McDuffie’s father, Cliff McDuffie Sr., died of a massive heart attack at the age of 37.

“That really scared me about heart disease, but it turned out to not be genetic in any way,” he said. “It was a long time ago, but I still try to get the word out about heart disease when I can.”

Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect in the United States, according to the American Heart Association, which states nine of every 1,000 babies are born with such a defect.

The Heart Institute does not treat children, but adults with congenital defects can be treated there.

“We usually send children with congenital defects to Tampa, but we can treat almost any other heart problem here,” Alonso said. “Last year we treated 2,500 patients in the Heart Institute. Of those, 800 had to have a balloon inserted to clean out a blocked artery, and 128 had open-heart surgery.”

The Heart Institute is having a four-month cardiac lecture series, which started in January. Dr. Katual Chauhan will be giving a free lecture about diabetes and high blood pressure from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 9 at the hospital’s Wellness Center.

“The Heart Institute has saved a number of lives here because people can go to the hospital in their own city,” McDuffie said. “In the past, that long trip down to Tampa was too long for people and many died getting there. The center is very important for our population.”

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

WESLEY CHAPEL—Many people probably have a pre-conceived notion of Goodwill offering used items, but the new store opening in Wesley Chapel might change that.

Michael Ann Harvey, president for marketing and public relations for Goodwill Industries-Suncoast, describes the outside of the new building as The Jetsons go to South Beach.

“It is a departure from what people expect to see when they go to Goodwill,” Harvey said. “We are hoping to attract people who have never shopped here before.”

The store will be open by the beginning of February, but the grand opening will be 9 a.m. Feb. 6. In addition to offering new and donated merchandise, the store also has a drive-thru donation lane.

Ed Malnory has been managing the building of the superstore. The store offers merchandise like clothing, furniture and household items.

“It doesn’t look like your mother’s Goodwill store anymore,” Malnory said. “It is the newest prototype so everything is electronic. There are also more categories and more quantity. This store will put out close to 100,000 pieces of clothing in the store in one month. We also put out fresh goods everyday all day, so there is always something new to see. If you can’t find what you are looking for here, you won’t be able to find it anywhere.”

Along the entire back wall and other parts of the store, there is a mural that represents Goodwill’s values. Harvey said the mural is titled The Power of Work.

“It shows the people we assist, our shoppers and our values like education,” Harvey said. “In one section, the clients with disabilities get assistance with daily life skills like dressing themselves and doing laundry. In another section a group of people sits around studying.”

Even though the store hasn’t opened yet, Malnory said there have been donations out in front of the store everyday for the last three weeks. He said even without that, the organization has been saving up donations for six months at their headquarters in St. Petersburg.

Mistie Bradley, manager of the new store, said she is excited to see it open. She has been waiting for this opportunity since she started at Goodwill in Land O’ Lakes 13 years ago as a cashier.

“The people I meet keep me here,” Bradley said. “They started out as just my customers, but then they became family. The new store is exciting because now I will get to meet more people.”

Many of the people on her staff in the Land O’ Lakes Goodwill store had the option of moving over to the new store or staying. She said about 10 decided to stay at the old location, 21503 Village Lakes Shopping Center, which will stay open for at least the next year.

The revenue from the stores is critical to supporting Goodwill’s programs like BookWorks. Through BookWorks, the organization brings volunteers into pre-schools and Head Start centers to read and hand out books to the children. The new store will be the headquarters for the program in Pasco County.

“Before when we would meet up with the volunteer readers, we would have to go all over the place,” Harvey said. “We are hoping now to expand the program. We need volunteers and we have to establish relationships with Head Start centers and pre-schools.”

Harvey said there are a few qualities that make for a good volunteer for the program.

“We are looking for someone who loves little children, who has a flair for drama when they read and someone who believes literacy is a key to our future,” Harvey said. “The volunteers get to teach kids to value and treasure their books.”

In addition to helping young children, Goodwill also has programs to help people with developmental disabilities.

“The programs we have are aimed at helping people get jobs so they can become self-sufficient,” Harvey said. “We offer job placement and coaching for as long as a person needs the help. Our outlet stores are also staffed by people with disabilities.”

For information, visit www.goodwill-suncoast.org.