Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Traffic is driving the state plan, but locals question the need

By Kyle LoJacono

Zephyrhills City Councilman Tim Urban knows from experience what one-way roads can do to a small city like Zephyrhills and is among those who want to see US 301 stay open to two-way traffic.
He moved to Brooksville in 1974, before US 41 was turned into a one-way street through the city in 1993.
“It shut businesses down,” Urban said of the change to 41. “It lets people drive through the town faster, but in the end it hurts the city. It also took away from the ambiance of the small town.”
Zephyrhills city manager Steve Spina did not give his own opinion, but said he is working to keep 301 two-ways because that is what the city council wants.
“Right now the FDOT has jurisdiction over the road and we’re trying to get it turned over to the city,” Spina said. “If that happens then we’d give the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Sixth and Seventh (streets) to use for the traffic going through the city.”
Sixth and Seventh, both one-way roads, are directly next to and parallel to 301 through the city. Sixth goes south while Seventh runs north.
“We’re in a holding pattern right now while they look at our proposal,” Spina said. “FDOT said it could take up to a year from now while their engineers check the design. They are also looking at the permitting.”
Spina said he first heard of FDOT’s plan in 2001 and added the city has had the same opinion on the project since then.
Gordana Jovanovic, FDOT’s project manager for 301, said the original plans were to convert the road to one-way traffic between where it splits with SR 39 in the south to CR 54 in the north. The highway would allow people to travel north while southbound traffic would be diverted to Sixth. The plan also includes widening both 301 and Sixth to three lanes.
“The traffic is bad on 301 through the city and making it a one-way street would help with that problem,” Jovanovic said. “Sixth Street already is one-way, so it makes sense to do the same thing with 301. When we looked at the engineering, the cultural impact and the economic impact we found that it was the best plan.
“We also had numerous public meetings in the city over the last few years and the majority of people said they thought it was the best plan,” Jovanovic continued.
Jovanovic added that Sixth would be given to FDOT’s jurisdiction regardless of which plan is used. This would not affect access to Florida Hospital Zephyrhills as it is north of CR 54 where 301 would remain a two-way road.
The city council members drafted a resolution last November making their objections known to the department and have not backed off from that opinion.
“Clearly the community doesn’t want to see one-way roads through Zephyrhills,” Urban continued. “It wouldn’t benefit the community economically.
“People have approached me and said they don’t support 301 going one-way,” Urban said, “That’s even before I joined the council (in April).”
It seems Urban has an accurate read of those in the city. The Laker asked 20 Zephyrhills residents in Zephyr Park and Betmar Acres if they were for or against converting 301. Of those, 18 said they were against changing the road while two said they were not sure.

“It would make driving harder and more confusing,” said Zephyrhills resident Judy Thomas.
Thomas went on to say she always gets lost because of one-way streets when she is in larger cities like Tampa.
Neukom Groves’ packing facility has been located on 301 just north of Fifth Avenue since 2001. George Neukom III owns the groves and has lived in Zephyrhills his whole life. While he does not think his business would be affected by a possible conversion of the highway, he sees how it could hurt others.
“I’ve heard how other towns have lost business when they start putting one-way roads through them,” Neukom said. “If you’re a large enough business people can see you going either way, but the small businesses that only face one way lose half the drive-by traffic.
“I’m for improvements though,” Neukom continued. “I’m for anything that makes Zephyrhills more accessible. I’m always for growth and improvement over staying the same as long as it’s done right.”
Urban also said he supports enhancements to the road.
“Both the city manager and Mayor (Cliff) McDuffie are looking into ways to make the traffic flow better,” Urban said. “They’ve been working with FDOT on the proposal and hopefully everything works out in the best interest for our residents and businesses.”

Primary opponent wants it too, but calls push a publicity stunt

By B.C. Manion

State lawmakers didn’t take up the Arizona-style immigration law being proposed in Florida at their special session last week, but the issue is far from over.
Indeed, it is just heating up.
Rep. Kevin Ambler, a Republican whose district includes Lutz, filed three measures aimed at making it easier for law enforcement officials to identify illegal immigrants and harder for those without proper documentation to secure public benefits or state jobs.
Since state lawmakers didn’t deal with the issue last week, Ambler said the push will continue when the legislature convenes for another special session, expected in August or September.
The issue is too important to put off until the legislature meets in regular session next year, said Ambler, who is engaged in a tough Republican primary battle for state Senate District 12, which covers portions of Pasco and Hillsborough counties.
“People are demanding something get done,” Ambler said.
“I certainly know about the fiscal costs, as well as the criminal justice costs, associated with illegal immigration,” said Ambler, chairman of the Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee in the Florida House.
The Arizona law directs law enforcement officers to question people about their immigration status during traffic stops or other law enforcement actions if they have reason to suspect the person they’ve stopped is in the U.S. illegally.
With its wide-open coastline, Florida is especially vulnerable, Ambler said, estimating the number of illegal immigrants in Florida is more than twice as many as in Arizona.
Some Arizona law enforcement officials object to the law passed there, but Pasco County Sheriff Bob White wants an Arizona-style immigration enacted law in Florida.
He outlined his rationale in a prepared statement.
“Thrusting a transient and unsupported immigrant population on an already struggling economy with high unemployment and debt creates an unacceptable and unnecessary burden on taxpayers and on the quality of life in our communities,” White observed.
“When the federal government fails to protect the states, then the states must protect themselves,” the sheriff asserted.
Margarita Romo, executive director of Farmworkers Self-Help, based in Dade City, has a much different view about enacting an Arizona-style law here.

“I am very much opposed to it. I think it’s wrong. I don’t disagree that we have to fix our borders, but I do disagree with the way they are doing it.
“The farm workers only do what other people are not willing to do,” said Romo, who favors creating a system that would allow a path toward citizenship for illegal immigrants.
“We’re supposed to be a compassionate country, but I don’t see too much compassion going on these days,” Romo said.
Local residents offered a variety of views on the topic.
Harry Farner, 67, of Zephyrhills and Linsey Gregg, 27, also of Zephyrhills, were relaxing at an ice cream stand when they offered their opinions.
Farner thinks laws regarding illegal immigration should be decided at the state level – contrary to a federal lawsuit challenging Arizona’s law on the grounds that it illegally usurps federal authority.
“Not every state is the same,” Farner reasoned, so laws should be tailored to address the particular issues faced by individual states.
Gregg said illegal immigration is a complicated issue.
“I’m very torn because I feel that everybody has a right to be here – but everybody has a right to be here if they’re paying taxes,” she said.
Gregg also has doubts over whether the issue should be handled at the state or federal level. On one hand, it might be better left to state authorities, she said. On the other hand, they might not want the responsibilities of enforcement.
Vladinka “Vicky” L-Paunovic took a brief break from folding laundry at a coin laundry in Zephyrhills to offer her perspective.
She said she moved to the United States from Yugoslavia about 14 years ago, and now works two full-time jobs: at the laundry and at Walmart.
“I think we ought to take care of the people who are already here,” the 56-year-old said.
However, she thinks there should be a system that would allow illegal immigrants to work legally in the United States and earn their way to citizenship.

She envisions a system that would link Social Security numbers with work permits. After three years of working and paying taxes, without tapping into government benefits, those holding such the permits could get green cards and pursue citizenship.
“If they’re not working, send them back. If they don’t pay taxes, if they use government money, send them back,” she said.
Hillsborough County Commissioner Jim Norman, Ambler’s opponent in the upcoming Republican primary for state Senate, criticized Ambler for not taking a stand on illegal immigration sooner.
He characterized Ambler’s recent call for action on the issue as a “political stunt.”
“If Ambler was really serious about wanting to deal with illegal immigration earlier, he would have done it in his previous years in office,” Norman said. “When I’m in the Senate, I will file legislation on it that will be heard. I’m very strongly in favor of the Arizona law.”

By Kyle LoJacono

The increased fee for children in Hillsborough County sponsored summer programs has done little to decrease the number of kids registered at Nye Park.
Last year the Lutz park had 125 children in the summer program. That number has only dropped to 118 this summer. The center’s director and recreation specialist Carol Legan said the higher fee has nothing to do with that small decrease.

“Pretty much everyone came back from last year,” said Legan “Some of the kids thought they had gotten too old to come back and I’d say that is where most of the drop was. We added a couple kids too, so I’d say the fee increase didn’t do anything to our numbers.”
Nye Park, 630 Sunset Lane in Lutz, offers the programs to kids ages 5 to 15. Legan became the parks director last June.
Last year the fee for the 10-week summer camp was $300. This year it costs $480 for the same program, an increase of 62.5 percent.
Hillsborough Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department spokesman John Brill said the higher fee was necessary to maintain the program’s current level.
“We were in survival mode last year with the budget crisis,” Brill said. “The department was just trying to stay afloat. At all our budget meetings the people who attended said they favored fees over closing parks and reducing services. The higher fee is letting us offer the same good summer programs to county residents.”
The higher fee did not prevent Jill Wilkins from sending her 6-year-old son Jack to Nye Park’s summer program for the first time July 19.
“I have a friend who sends her kids here and she told me they love it,” Wilkins said. “I thought it would be the perfect place for him to meet some new kids … The fee wasn’t really a big deal. The program is great and it’s still cheaper than almost any other one I’ve seen.”
Parents across the county seem to have come to the same conclusion as Wilkins.
Already, 3,500 children have participated in camps throughout Hillsborough County. Brill said the program is on target to top 5,000 participants, more than the 4,356 in summer 2009.
Brill said the department expects to raise about $1 million more than usual from the higher fee alone. He added the department offered half-summer sessions for the first time this year.
“The department felt it was fair to offer the full and half sessions this year with the increase,” Brill said. “A lot of parents said they travel for parts of the summer for vacation and only use the program for half the time, so it really works out.

“We also offer breaks and scholarships to people on free and reduced (priced) lunches at school like we always have,” Brill said. “That way those in very real need can still send their children to a good summer program.”
Wilkins said she signed Jack up for the second session because they had a vacation during the first one.
At Nye Park the children have gotten the same program they have become accustomed to during the last few years. Legan said the kids in kindergarten through fourth grade are split up from the older ones. They then rotate outdoor games with indoor activities.
“Really that was the only complaint we’ve heard since I’ve been here,” Legan said. “Parents wanted their kids to spend more time indoors, so we spend about 45 minutes to an hour outside and then go inside for the same amount of time.”
Legan said they also go on regular field trips and also have visitors who teach the children various skills.
“We had people from the 4-H Club come and teach the kids about animals, healthy eating and exercise,” Legan said. “Some people have also come and taught the kids different kinds of music. It’s called Giving Tree Music and they play African instruments. They came last year too and the children love learning about the instruments.”
Wilkins is just happy to have a safe place for her child to spend the summer.
“He seems to be having a good time,” Wilkins said. “He gets a lot of good exercise and he likes the counselors.”
For more information on Nye Park or its upcoming after-school registration, call (813) 264-3805.

Nye Park facilities
Three basketball hoops
Two tennis courts
Two softball fields
Two air-conditioned buildings
A playground

By Kim Walkover

Homebuilder companies seem to have missed the memo that the economy is down. Either that, or they are flat out ignoring it.
In the community of Land O’ Lakes, the business of home building is booming. Several companies such as M/I, Adams, Taylor Morrison and Standard Pacific are continuously building new homes in developments around the area.

According to Frank Messina, vice president of sales and marketing for the Tampa division of Standard Pacific, there are several factors that make the area so promising. He said the reasons they are so confident in building in Land O’ Lakes include quality schools, affordable land, proximity to shopping and downtown Tampa, lower property taxes and new hospitals.
Peter Winter, a real estate professional for the same company, said people are favoring new homes over previously owned since they are more affordable than ever based on pricing, interest rates, low homeowner’s insurance rates and lower taxes based on assessed values. He said that 85 percent of Standard Pacific’s sales in 2010 have been new inventory homes, which are fully built and ready for purchase.
Along with being an employee of the company and an advocate for homeownership, Winter is also a homeowner in Land O’ Lakes and moved here for many of the reasons stated above.
“My wife and I moved here and built in the area because we wanted new. Everything here is so clean and I personally like the potential,” Winter said. “My wife is a teacher and the schools here are so great.”
In addition to the area, another perk of building or buying new is the timeline from purchase to move-in. When purchasing an already-built inventory home it can take just 30 days to be move-in ready.  If building from the ground up, that timeline increases to just 90 to 120 days, plus the time it takes to obtain the necessary permits.
Winter said the permit process is taking four to five weeks in Pasco County and up to eight weeks in Hillsborough County. He says it’s taking longer than it has in the past due in large part to staff reductions at the county.
Development numbers are up countywide from a year ago. According to Pasco County Central Permitting, there were 541 permits pulled for new single-family homes between January and June of this year. The projected number of permits for 2010 is 1,094, over a hundred more than the 937 permits issued in 2009. That’s a long way from the 7,252 permits pulled in 2005, but it is a projected uptick nonetheless.
“I think the increase could be a positive sign,” Winter said, “but I also believe it can be a false indicator that might be tied to the tax credit deadline.

“I think many builders started more inventory homes to make sure they had enough for the initial June 30 tax credit deadline,” he said.
New shopping centers and restaurants, expanding roads, central location and highly rated schools are the focus of the up-and-coming area and many people are flocking to it.
New homeowner Keri Ex recently purchased a home in the Asbel neighborhood in Land O’ Lakes and chose to build from the ground up.
“I looked both in Tampa and Land O’ Lakes when I was looking for houses, and Tampa was a lot more expensive for new construction, and also taxes were quite a bit more,” she said.
Ex said she looked at several foreclosures and short sales on newer homes, but that most of them cost more than she would spend for brand new or that they would need a total overhaul and she didn’t want that much of a project.
“Even some of the foreclosures, with the poor state they were in, were not a whole lot less money,” she said. “So, when I found this house, which was similar to one I looked at in New Tampa but for a lot less, I decided to get it.”
It’s clear that Ex isn’t the only one who feels that way, seeing as how new home development is so prevalent in the area.

By Joe Potter

After facing life in a termite-infested house, Ann Murdoch said she feels right at home in her new Habitat for Humanity home, which was dedicated Saturday, July 24 on Lincoln Avenue in Zephyrhills.

Murdoch, a teller at Wachovia Bank in Zephyrhills for seven years, purchased the home from Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International based in Americus, Ga.
“I’m just so happy. I love it. I love it,” Murdoch said regarding her Habitat home. The nearly 1,100-square foot house will be a much better home for her and her daughter, Julia, 13, than where they had lived previously. Her former residence had been condemned as unsafe for human habitation because of termites, Murdoch said.
Murdoch’s home located near the Zephyrhills Airport is an example of recycling at its maximum said John J. Finnerty III, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco.
Habitat purchased the 12-year-old three-bedroom, one-bath home on Lincoln Avenue from an estate. The home’s interior was extensively refurbished. New central air and heat was installed along with new vanities, drywall, cabinets, sinks and other plumbing fixtures. New floor tile was installed and other steps were taken to make the home a warm and inviting abode for the Murdoch family. “Virtually the whole inside is all new,” said Michael Fremlin, Habitat’s construction supervisor.
The original siding was removed, cleaned and reinstalled, giving the home’s exterior a fresh new appearance.
Habitat develops partnerships to build healthy, affordable homes with people in need, promotes self-reliance through home ownership, affirms the dignity of the family and improves the communities it serves said the website www.ephabitat.org.
Murdoch was able to purchase the home through an interest-free mortgage. She contributed 400 hours of “sweat equity” working on her Habitat home and on other Habitat projects in lieu of having to make a cash down payment on her mortgage.

Murdoch’s home was the first to be dedicated since Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco was formed earlier this year through the merger of two local Habitat affiliates. The merger will allow the building of Habitat homes in Dade City, Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes and other areas.
Murdoch’s home is the 80th area Habitat home to be dedicated since East Pasco Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1994. It is also the second Habitat home to be dedicated in Zephyrhills in about eight years.
Another Habitat home will be dedicated Saturday, July 31, for Donald and Jennifer Barton. The ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. at 14609 Osceola St. in Dade City. Donald Barton works for Heyl Truck Lines and Jennifer is employed at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. The Barton family attends New Walk Church in Zephyrhills.
Murdoch was presented several gifts during the dedication ceremony. They included bread, representing life; salt to season her life; sugar so that she would always know the sweetness of life; a candle, representing God’s word being a lamp for her feet and a light for her path; and a family Bible to provide daily spiritual guidance for her and her daughter, Julia.
Murdoch was also presented the keys to her new home and received a quilt from East Pasco Quilter’s Inc. A ribbon cutting ceremony was then held, followed by a tour of Murdoch’s home.
Habitat will be increasingly active in Zephyrhills over the next several months, Finnerty told the approximately 60 people attending the dedication on a warm and muggy morning. The nonprofit organization has obtained two vacant building lots where new homes may be built. Also, Habitat has two or three other homes in Zephyrhills that can be rehabilitated, Finnerty said.
In addition, Habitat plans to open a ReStore in September or October at the intersection of SR 54 and Allen Road, Finnerty said. A ReStore sells new and used building materials, furniture and home improvement items to the public. Habitat does not plan to close the ReStore it currently has at the Dade City Business Center. The new ReStore in Zephyrhills will be in a much larger building than the one in Dade City, Finnerty said.
Murdoch said she planned to visit the ReStore in Dade City later Saturday to purchase some furniture for her home.
Members of a Collegiate Challenge group from Silver Spring, Md. were recognized during the dedication of Murdoch’s home. Collegiate Challenge is a year-round alternative break program that offers students who are 16 or more years of age the opportunity to visit one of the more than 250 host Habitat affiliates in the United States. Students spend one week working in partnership with the local affiliate, the local community and partner families to eliminate poverty housing in the area.
Flaco’s Cafe of Zephyrhills provided refreshments following the dedication ceremony.
Call (352) 567-1444 or visit https://www.ephabitat.org for more information about Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco.

By Joe Potter

Jennifer Crain knew coming in that she had big shoes to fill when she succeeded Brenda Welcher as executive director of Main Street Zephyrhills Inc.
Crain was tapped for the top spot this month after Welcher, the former director, left to take a marketing position with Florida Hospital Zephyrhills.
Crain is joined by her executive assistant, Judy Taylor.

The mission of Main Street Zephyrhills Inc. is to provide economic vitality through historic preservation, pride in our quality of life and a strong sense of community, the organization’s web page says.
“Jennifer is no stranger to Zephyrhills or to Main Street,” said Elayne Bassinger, the board’s president. “She has learned a lot about the Main Street Zephyrhills organization by working closely with Welcher as a volunteer since February 2009. Jennifer comes to Main Street Zephyrhills with vast and diverse experience including sales, marketing and fundraising. She owned and operated her own charter bus company for several years.
Bassinger also said Crain understands the importance of development and growth in the community for local businesses to thrive. “She is looking forward to building upon Main Street Zephyrhills’ past success,” Bassinger said.
Crain is a co-owner of Interstate Housing Management LLC in Wesley Chapel.
Crain and Taylor had both worked with Welcher as volunteers and assisted at several Main Street events.
“I’m very excited. I think this is a wonderful opportunity. It gives me a chance to help finish and excel on what Brenda had already started to accomplish here,” Crain said, adding, “It gives us the opportunity to help unite the community with the businesses during these economic times. It’s very important that everybody be supportive of each other and the community be supporting our local businesses,” Crain said.
Welcher was a mentor to her and was just wonderful at what she did, Crain said.
The first big event on Crain’s calendar is National Night Out that will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 3. National Night Out is a unique crime/drug prevention program that is observed across the country. Now in its 27th year, National Night Out involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials.
The program is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local crime anticrime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Events held during National Night Out range from block parties to cookouts and from visits from local police and sheriff’s departments to contests and youth programs.
“We would really like for the community to come out and to join us for this event.” Crain said.
“It will be a great time for kids. McGruff the Crime Dog will be here,” said Taylor, Crain’s executive assistant.
Taylor has known Welcher for 16 years. She and Welcher previously worked for the same company in Indiana. Taylor took an early retirement and moved to Florida.
She was involved in several Main Street events over the past year while working as a volunteer.
It’s Taylor’s job to keep in contact with vendors who are participating in events and to help Crain to organize events.
“We’re really looking forward to getting into this thing and really going with it,” Taylor said.
Also on the agenda is the next Music & Motorcycles that will be held on Sept. 11. A lot of preplanning has to be done for Music & Motorcycles, Crain said.
For more information about Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., call (813) 780-1414 or visit www.mainstreetzephyrhills.org.

By Kim Walkover

Florida summers and unbearable heat are like the Fourth of July and fireworks — you can’t have one without the other. Anyone who has experienced a summer here knows that the moment they step outside, the sweat will start to bead.
This summer, the heat is proving to be even worse than normal. The over-the-top temperatures affect everyone, including local high school athletes who are busy preparing for their upcoming seasons.
According to the National Weather Service, the average temperature in Land O’ Lakes during the month of July is 92 degrees. While that is a high number, this month has already seen days reaching even higher, up to 95 degrees with heat indexes climbing in the low 100s.
So how are local high school coaches protecting themselves and their athletes from potentially fatal heat-related illnesses?

Land O’ Lakes High School football coach Matt Kitchie wasn’t shy about talking about the precautions he and his staff take when it comes to their players.
The most important one is water.
“I have a ‘water anytime’ policy,” Kitchie said. “If a kid needs water, he gets water.”
He also said that there are water coolers all around the playing field and that an athlete is never more than a few steps from being able to hydrate.
Kitchie’s athletes are practicing four mornings a week from 7:30–9:30 with one hour in the weight room and one hour outside. Kitchie said that being outside in the morning helps the players get acclimated to the heat and prepares them for the looming August temperatures.
His team also plays one night a week in the North Suncoast 7-on-7 league against other schools in the county. He said it’s a way to have the kids outside running around, playing some football and having fun without having to be in the scorching afternoon sun.
“We don’t have issues with the heat because we are very proactive about it,” Kitchie said. “We don’t punish anyone if they need to step out because they’re overheated. We want them to be at their best. If something happens to them, they can’t be at their best and play, and we want them to play.”
Kitchie said that all coaches in the area feel the same way about preventing any kind of heat illness. One of those coaches is Wesley Chapel High School football coach Ben Alford. Alford also practices the “water anytime” policy and says his athletes know that water is always available to them.
“I was an athlete so I know from experience when someone needs a break and needs water,” said Alford.
Like the Land O’Lakes athletes, the Wesley Chapel football players are also practicing four mornings a week to avoid the afternoon heat. However, instead of playing in the 7-on-7 league, the team has evening practices on the same days they participate in the morning sessions.
At times the heat can cancel those games as happened at a recent 7-on-7 game between Freedom High and Gaither High July 21. The heat index was higher than 100 and both coaches felt it was best to stop the game before it started.
“We don’t want someone to get sick,” said Freedom coach Tchecoy Blount said. “The kids are working to get into shape for the season, but we need to make sure they are safe too.”
In addition to heat, Florida summers generally guarantee an afternoon rainstorm that springs up for at least a quick, middle-of-the-day cool down, if not an all out torrential downpour.
However, there has been little relief for the athletes this summer as the area has yet to accumulate even half of the monthly average of 7.69 inches. According to the National Weather Service, as of July 15, only 2.38 inches had been accounted for in Land O’ Lakes.
-Staff Writer Kyle LoJacono contributed to this story.

By Joe Potter

Learning how to grow corn, okra, lettuce and rutabaga is exciting to youth at the Pasco Regional Juvenile Detention Center, according to teachers who revived the program last year.
The facility serves youth detained by the 6th Circuit Court awaiting adjudication, disposition or placement in a commitment facility.

Although much of Pasco County is rural, most of the juveniles held at the center have little or no knowledge of agriculture, said lead teacher Kevin S. Coggins.
The gardening program was revived during 2009 at the center after a hiatus of several years.
Once the vegetables are harvested they are served to the students and staff in the dining area at the 57-bed secure facility.
“They are excited when they see how something goes from a seed to a plant. They’re a little freaked out when they get to see what things look like in their raw form,” Coggins said.
In addition to growing food to eat, the students also learn watering and fertilizing techniques and other aspects of agriculture. Pasco County schools employ a team of four teachers, two instructional assistants and a part-time special education consult at the facility.

By Molly McGowan

Imagine the excitement of a beginning writer finding out her work is being published in the quintessential children’s magazine, Highlights for Children. Now picture her realization that her track record for publication is already better than most authors, since the story appearing in Highlights was the first one she ever submitted.
Lutz author Susan Banghart is already off to a promising start, as one of three 2010 Highlights for Children’s annual fiction contest winners.

Banghart’s short story, “The Fog Lifts,” is based on a family tale and focuses on a young girl who moves with her family from the city to Florida’s countryside and struggles to adjust to rural living.
The young protagonist’s daily obstacle is steering herself and her younger brother through a maze of cows to get to the school bus stop. In the story, the girl bravely pushes through her fear of the cows, but in reality, Banghart said it was her brother who was the bravest one.
Banghart said that when she was about 12, she and her family moved from St. Petersburg to her grandfather’s old Florida farmhouse in Bushnell. His “cracker house,” as Banghart called it, “butted up against a huge cattle ranch” through which she and her younger brother had to navigate.
“It was intimidating walking through those cows every morning,” Banghart said of the large Brahma cattle. “We walked through them as quietly as we could. And sometimes they’d be there in the afternoon, too.”
A relatively new author, Banghart feels very fortunate to have achieved success after only two and a half years of writing. With a bachelor’s degree in studio art from the University of South Florida, she originally focused her creative energy on artwork and did portrait work for 15 years, but when Banghart and her husband adopted two rescue dogs, their rambunctious nature made it difficult for her to continue painting.
Banghart said that she still had ideas and stories tumbling around in her head and said, “Out of frustration I just put them down.”
From there, she began writing stories set in Florida and gained inspiration from other local authors. Banghart has lived in Lutz off and on since 1996 and said, “I’m a fourth-generation Floridian. I’m really partial to Florida writers, Southern tradition … and the way Southern authors draw you in.”
Banghart’s pride for her state is reflected in what she writes, and hopes that her readers – including the children who will read her winning story – will be inspired to learn more about Florida.
“Aside from the message of ‘we all have fears to conquer and we have those times when we feel like we don’t fit in,’” Banghart said she hopes young readers will be encouraged to learn more about their own states and their histories.
In addition to having her story published, Banghart had the choice between a prize of $1,000 or tuition to the Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop. According to Highlights Fiction Editor Joelle Dujardin, the weeklong conferences in Chautauqua, N.Y. draws people from all across the United States, and even a few from out of the country.
Banghart said she chose the prize money because the timing of the workshop just didn’t work out for her this year, though she will attend the retreat eventually. “I’ve heard so many good things [about it],” she said.
Due to planning issues far in advance, “The Fog Lifts” will remain in Highlights’ story inventory and, according to Dujardin, would be published in 2011 at the earliest.
Meanwhile, Banghart has a book for young adults in its final revision stage and is preparing to submit it to agents. The book is about a 15-year-old girl who lives in a world of her own imagination and who becomes immersed in the lives of a recluse and his Irish Wolfhounds. Banghart said that being a new writer can be daunting in today’s world.
“It’s very scary, especially now that there are publishing houses closing right and left,” Banghart said. “But I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
For more on Susan Banghart’s writing, artwork and photography, visit her website at www.susanbanghart.com.

Excerpt from “The Fog Lifts”

Sarah scanned the fog-shrouded pasture.
“Are they out there?” Ethan’s voice shook.
“I can’t see anything in this fog,” Sarah grumbled. The rusty hinges on the wire gate creaked as she stepped from the safety of their yard. She strained her ears, but the fog muffled sound. Sarah and her little brother crept through the grass to the dirt road fifty feet ahead.
Suddenly a huge gray shape lumbered out of the mist.

By Suzanne Schmidt

The Garden Café in Dade City is a quaint place to enjoy a lunch of made-to-order salads, soups and sandwiches.
Melanie Yates opened the restaurant two years ago in what was once a car garage. She said she tries to keep that authentic charm while making it a nice dining experience.
“I started using the phrase ‘it is more than just lunch,’” Yates said. “We have china and linen napkins. It is a nice classy atmosphere.”

The focus is on quality of food and service.
“We make sure people get friendly service and that the food gets out on time,” Yates said. “We make everything fresh to order, but we also make the effort to get people in and back out so they can get back to work on time.”
She said she loves coming up with creative new dishes.
“I am very passionate,” Yates said. “I have a lot of ideas I am still working on. Right now the menu is pretty basic with homemade soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts. I try to revamp the menu every six months. I add a lot of things to the menu when I get a lot of customer requests for it.”
Yates said she also tries to cater to people with special needs.
“I try to have a vegetarian soup every day and we also have vegetarian items on the menu,” Yates said. “We don’t have a gluten-free menu, but we do have lots of items that are gluten free and we are working on getting more. We also try to accommodate customer’s requests like if someone has a food allergy.”
For people with pets, the outside seating area is dog friendly. The restaurant has dog treats and water bowls for the dogs.
One of the things Yates is hoping to do something about is Dade City’s lack of entertainment options. She said she already has a violin player on Friday at lunchtime. Currently she is only open at lunchtime, but she is hoping to start serving dinner with entertainment soon.

“There is not a lot to do in Dade City in the evening,” Yates said. “It is my goal to come up with different dinner events like jazz nights. I want to have something for people to do. I am hoping to get more musicians and maybe do wine tastings or that sort of thing.”
Amy Costigan works at Wells Fargo across the street from the restaurant. She said she likes to eat the restaurant once a week.
“I like the variety and the freshness of the food,” Costigan said. “I like the atmosphere; it has an eclectic, warm feel.”
Scott Daigle also works at Wells Fargo. He likes to go to the restaurant once a month because it is convenient.
“I think it is cute and the food is always good,” Daigle said. “I always get something different and I haven’t been disappointed yet.”
It was the first time visiting the restaurant for friends Betty Kunkel of San Antonio, Sue Woods of San Antonio and Jo-Ann Markwis, a former Dade City resident. All three women said they loved it and would definitely be back.
“The flowering tea is fascinating,” Markwis said. “Everything looks so good, I just want to try it all. Everybody here is so friendly and the service has been wonderful.”
Sue Woods of San Antonio said she loved the food and the atmosphere.
“The fried green tomatoes were delicious,” Woods said. “Being here makes me think back to when this used to be a thriving garage. I like places like this.”
Kunkel said she cannot wait to come back and try more of the food.
“I think it is adorable,” Kunkel said. “I really love it.”
The restaurant is open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and Sunday. The café also offers catering and free delivery to downtown Dade City businesses. For more information, call (352) 567-7277 or visit www.dineinthegarden.com.

Rice and Black Bean Salad

Prepare 3 cups of Uncle Ben’s Rice or preferred long grain rice according to package directions.  Rice should be soft and fluffy.  Let rice cool.

Finely chop following ingredients:
1 green bell pepper
1 large red tomato
1 medium red onion
1/3 bunch cilantro

Additional Ingredients:
¾ cup of crumbled feta cheese
2 cups of favorite dressing, preferably a vinaigrette or Italian

Add all of the above ingredients to cooled rice. Stir together and refrigerate.