Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Sarah Whitman

Senior Staff Writer

Oakstead residents Mark and Sheryl McEachern wanted to open their pet specialty store, Woof Gang Bakery, someplace close to home.

They chose The Shoppes at Sunlake Center, where several new establishments are scheduled to open over the next few months.  Publix Supermarket anchors the plaza, located on SR 54 less than a mile from Oakstead Boulevard.

“We wanted to open a business that would be a part of this community, some place people would enjoy coming to,” Mark McEachern said. “We want this to be a family business, so we wanted it to be right next to home.”

Woof Gang is a chain store known for its gourmet pet treats and cakes. There are locations in Sarasota, Naples and Orlando.

The McEacherns store is tentatively set to open in May and the couple will bake pet goodies using ingredients like pumpkin and peanut butter. Their goodies will even be safe for pet owners to eat.

“When you walk in the store it will smell like a regular bakery,” Mark McEachern said. “It’s a feel good atmosphere.”

Down the sidewalk, shoppers may get lured in by the smell of spicy chicken wings when Beef O’ Brady’s welcomes patrons in May. The tentative grand opening date is set for May 10. The more than 4,000 square-foot-sports pub will have an outdoor patio, complete with corn hole games, and more than 30 TV screens.

The bar is also a big draw.

“We’ll have 30 beers on tap and a full liquor bar,” said co-owner Mike Connor, who is part owner of another Beef O’ Brady’s at Wilderness Lakes in Land O’ Lakes.

Connor said the Sunlake location should bring in good business.

“It’s right by Sunlake High School and Rushe Middle School,” he said. “Ballantrae and Concord Station are nearby, and Oakstead is right next store. We should have a good customer base.”

Oakstead resident Katie Hall said she and husband, Ryan, will definitely visit the restaurant.

“We love Beef’s,” she said. “It’s a fun place and the food’s great.”

Hall already frequents The Shoppes.

“I like the plaza because I can get to it from my house without going on the main road,” she said.

Current tenants at The Shoppes include Publix, Wachovia and Great Clips.

Property manager Equity One has leased space to Diamond Dental and Suncoast Running Supply to open before the fall.

The McEacherns hope the plaza will become an everyday stop for local residents.

“We want to know the neighborhood dogs by name,” Mark McEachern said.

A photo of the family’s first dog, a Boston terrier named Misty, will hang on the wall at Woof Gang. The store will be decorated to look like a boutique, painted with rich chocolate browns and pink accents. There will be a dining room table in the middle of the store with a crystal chandelier hung overhead.

The McEachern’s have one son and are expecting another, so the bakery will definitely be set up kid friendly.

“This is a business where I can bring my sons to work with me,” Mark McEachern said. “We want it to be a success and become a fixture in the community.”

For information on Woof Gang Bakery, call (813) 949-DOGG (3644). For information on Beef O’ Brady’s go to www.beefobradys.com.

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

Brenda Welcher, former executive director of Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., took a position in the marketing department at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills April 26.

Jan Baskin, assistant vice president of marketing at the hospital, confirmed Welcher is now working with Florida Hospital Zephyrhills April 26, but her exact title and responsibilities were not available by press time.

Welcher’s last day with Main Street was April 16, where she worked for a little more than three years. Among her duties was organizing Founders’ Day each year.

“I will miss Main Street,” Welcher said. “My heart and soul is in Main Street and I loved working there.”

For the last three years Brenda Welcher has been executive director of Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., but her time with the nonprofit organization ended April 16.

She has lived in Zephyrhills for more than six years after moving from Indiana. Welcher is married to Dan Welcher and the couple has four children and nine grandchildren.

Main Street, which celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2009, was formed with the goals of historic preservation and maintaining the economic vitality of downtown Zephyrhills. The Laker recently talked with Welcher about her time with Main Street and what she most enjoys about Zephyrhills.

Q: What did you like most about being Main Street’s executive director?

A: Getting to know the people in the community and truly seeing that hometown spirit and hometown pride that are so strong in Zephyrhills. The people here are so friendly. I really was impressed that the people were so willing to help whenever it was needed. That goes for the firefighters, police, city management and the everyday person.

Q: You were part of planning four Founders’ Days. What is it like to organize something as big as Founders’ Day?

A: We have constantly tried to learn what we can do to make all of our events better. We learned to do a better job with marketing by using things like e-mails to let everyone know what we are doing at Main Street. Founders’ Day is no different and we’ve added exciting new events each year.

Q: How different was planning the centennial Founders’ Day this year?

A: I’d say it took the most time by far of anything else I’ve done with Main Street. I started putting ideas in a folder about two years ago…About six months before the event we formed a centennial committee to help with the planning and honestly I could never had done it without all of them.

Q: What did the committee help you with?

A: Different people took on different projects from beginning to end. Once they took ownership of a project it was theirs to finish. A lot of other people helped with the centennial Founders’ Day too. (Sheriff) Bob White has been wonderful and the police did a lot to help with our projects. Then like I said the firefighters and city government never let us down.

Q: Do you plan to stay active in the area now that you are no longer with Main Street?

A: I do. I will stay connected with Main Street because my heart and my soul are in Main Street. I really believe in what it stands for. It’s still my passion. My desire is for people to truly understand what Main Street does and know the impact it has in the community.

Q: What do you think about the community and people of Zephyrhills?

A: The first thing I think of is friendliness. My husband and I have said we couldn’t have hand picked a better neighborhood to live in. We love the area and the people. We couldn’t possibly have asked for a better place to live or people to be around each day.

Q: What do you think will be the most lasting thing of your tenure with Main Street?

A: I’d like to say we’ve followed our mission statement to preserve the history of Zephyrhills while helping the business and economy of the city…The most visual thing might be logos hung up in the city. The logo on them was designed as a gift by Roberto Escobar with RS Media Solutions for the centennial celebration and they will stay up indefinitely.

Q: Anything else you’d like to add about your time with Main Street?

A: I’d just like to say people should support Main Street by becoming a member, volunteering or becoming a sponsor. It’s a nonprofit group that needs community support to put on the events. It’s a great organization that does so much for the area and I will cherish my time as the executive director.

-Main Street had not picked a new executive director by press time. For more information on the organization, visit www.mainstreetzephyrhills.org.

By Sarah Whitman

Senior Staff Writer

A drumbeat will echo through the night air as campers gather by firelight to hear stories of old. There will be music, food and dancing. Shoes are not required.

All are invited to the 19th Annual Mother’s Day Native American Pow Wow May 7, 8 and 9 at Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City.

“The Pow Wow is a time for gathering and sharing,” said Mittie Wood, event organizer. “It’s a way of keeping Native American history and culture alive and vibrant today.”

This year’s event will feature nightly festivities, artisans, cultural displays, authentic teepees, Indian village tours and other special events.

Wood, 66, is a descendant of the Creek Indian tribe. Born and raised in Lacoochee, she grew up taking great pride in her culture. In 1991, she started the Dade City Pow Wow as an outreach to teach people what it truly means to be Native American.

“I made traditional Native American clothing for my grandchildren and they wanted to wear it to school,” Wood said. “When they did, the other children made fun of them and I realized there was a real need for education.”

Wood started by hosting classes in the park to teach children not to rely on stereotypes.

“I wanted to teach children that not all Native Americans live in teepees,” Wood said. “We are people just like they are. Pretty soon, all the kids wanted clothes like my grandchildren had.”

The classes were a hit, so Pasco County Parks and Recreation permitted a project to build a replica Creek Indian village on Withlacoochee grounds. Soon after, the idea for the Pow Wow emerged.

“My friend Dixie said we should have a Pow Wow,” Wood said. “Her heritage is Comanche which is Western Indian Culture, which is where Pow Wows originated. I said ‘We can try it,’ now we’re coming up on 19 years.”

The Dade City Pow Wow draws hundreds of people from across the country. Many Native American tribes are annually represented including Seminole, Aztec, Cree, Sioux, Winnebago and Cherokee.

Rick Bird and the Birdchoppers drum circle make the trip to Dade City from Cherokee, North Carolina. Bird travels to more than 40 Pow Wows a year. He loves to meet people and hear their stories.

“Pow Wows are an opportunity to express ourselves and better educate the public,” Bird said. “For so many years on television our people have been portrayed as savages and our people aren’t anything like that.”
Bird said a drum circle is about letting go of the bad and creating a new. The drummers sing songs to mimic the emotion of the dancers. There are songs to honor the creator, songs to be joyful and prayer songs.

“Any problems we have in life we bring them inside the circle,” Bird said. “It’s for healing.”

A local drum, Tommy Tointigh, will accompany the Birdchoppers in Dade City.

Representatives from a variety of tribes will dance to the beat, dressed in their finest regalia clothing. There will be a special song and dance at 1 p.m. on Mother’s Day. In addition, Thonotosassa pastor Doc Green and Troy Berton will perform flute music throughout the weekend.

During the day, visitors can enjoy art by Rex Begaye and Paul DeLuna, and shell carving by Craig Dziadus. Leather Betty will be back once again to showcase her custom made leather apparel. Anyone interested can learn how to do beadwork or watch a blowgun be made by hand.

“Way back people didn’t have Wal-Mart or anything like that,” Wood said. “People had to hunt. They used the blowgun to kill the smaller animals. We’ll have a demonstration on how it was made and a flint knapping demonstration.”

Flint knapping is a way of making stone tools by hand.

“I hear people say wouldn’t it be nice to have lived long ago and lived out in the woods,” Wood said. “Sure, it’d be nice in a way but imagine having no conveniences and having to work for even a little bit of food.”

Life at the Pow Wow won’t be quite so difficult. Sunrise to sunset, food vendors will cook up traditional snacks suitable for the wild outdoors.

Wood will have a hand in just about every activity, including putting on her best attire for at least one dance. She will also be the weekend’s storyteller.

The art form is how Native Americans pass wisdom on from generation to generation.

“All the stories tell lessons learned in life,” Wood said. “When I was a little girl we didn’t have television but we had stories. We’d gather around at night and listen to my momma talk.”

Wood worries that many people don’t know the truth about Native American culture.

“My mother was one year old before she was recognized as a United States citizen in 1924,” Wood said. “I feel like we’re losing our history. Even history books now don’t speak a lot about Native American culture.”

Bird has the same concern. He believes Pow Wows help keep the native spirit alive.

“We share songs, we share dances and we share our culture,” he said. “We come to celebrate who we are.”

Admission to the Pow Wow is a $2 donation to Withlacoochee River Park. There will be RV hook ups and tent camping available. For information, call (352) 567-0264. Visit www.mothersdaypowwow.embarqspace.com.

By Sarah Whitman

Senior Staff Writer

Luke Sengul lines up his toys one by one, tuning out the rest of the world. Although he will turn 4 this year, he still doesn’t speak.

Luke is autistic.

It is a world Luke’s parents, Tamer and Patricia Sengul, know too well. The couples’ oldest son Adam, 4, was diagnosed with high functioning autism at age two. While Adam is now doing well and his brother, Paul, is a typical 2-year-old, Luke struggles to keep up with his brothers.

“We’ve only recently been able to make eye contact with Luke,” Patricia said. “For the longest time, he wouldn’t even look at us.”

The Sengul family lives in Land O” Lakes and are participating in Walk Now for Autism Speaks May 1 at in St. Petersburg. The event will benefit Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism advocacy organization, and help fund research to fight the neurological disorder.

“This is a real condition that a lot of families are devastated by,” Patricia said. “We are walking to raise money and awareness.”

According to Autism Speaks, 1 in 110 children are affected by the disorder. Symptoms can impair an individual’s ability to communicate, form relationships and relate to their surroundings.

Neither Patricia nor Tamer Sengul has a history of autism in their families. When Adam was born, they expected to have a typical life. Then, Adam’s pediatricians started using words like developmental delays. A child psychologist referred the Senguls to an autism specialist, who made the official diagnosis.

Adam had pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, a form of high functioning autism.

The words shook Patricia to her core.

“You hear autism and you think of stereotypes, of your kid growing up banging his head against a wall and other children poking fun at him,” she said. “You think he’s never going to get to know the fun things of growing up.”

Adam was put in intensive therapy for six months, where he learned to communicate and to interact socially. The Senguls now consider him recovered, though doctors have yet to make it official. He no longer exhibits typical autistic behaviors and learns with little difficulty as a preschool student at Sanders Elementary School.

“I like school,” Adam said. “I like to play and eat at school. I like my teachers and friends.”

At home, Adam helps look after Luke, who tends to go off by himself.

Luke’s autism is a difficult case. He has exhibited signs since infancy. Having more than one autistic child is not unusual, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

The Senguls had yet to receive Adam’s diagnosis when Patricia became pregnant with Luke.

They were devastated to find out his case was even worse.

“We had a playroom but we had to move the toys out into the main living area because Luke would just want to go in there by himself and stay for hours,” Patricia said. “He gets frustrated because he can’t communicate, so he throws tantrums. He has a lot of behavioral problems and emotional issues.”

Luke has yet to receive treatment using applied behavior analysis. The Senguls are waiting on approval from their medical insurance. In Luke’s case, the therapy may or may not help.

As a father, Tamer can only hope for the best.

“There could be improvement,” he said.

Tamer works with Luke on a daily basis, correcting inappropriate behaviors and encouraging good ones.  He never gives up but admits it’s a hard road.

“It can be very taxing on the family,” he said. “We are fortunate to have a good church and a good support system.”

The Senguls believe a variety of factors contribute to autism.

“I think it’s a combination of things,” Patricia said. “I think some children are genetically predisposed but there are also environmental factors involved. I don’t want to say the vaccines caused it, but I think everything from vaccines to pesticides and even what’s in formula plays a role.”

Patricia has decided to homeschool all three boys starting next year. Prior to having children, she worked as a preschool teacher. She has started an in-home preschool for Luke and Paul. The brothers are best buddies.

“Paul will hold Luke’s hand when they walk outside,” Patricia said.

All three brothers get along well because the Senguls make family time a priority. They attend church weekly at North Tampa Church of Christ, where the boys are able to play with other children. The family also takes frequent trips to the zoo, the beach and to Disney World. The children love the characters at the park.

“I like Mickey Mouse,” Adam said. “Donald’s boat ride, that’s my favorite ride.”

Patricia and Tamer often observe the boys as they play. Adam is full of energy and giggles, running from one game to the next. Paul is already able to name his toys. Luke jumps around playfully; then sits quietly, appearing to disappear into a world all his own.

Still, Luke is not alone. He is loved.

To donate to team Sengul for the walkathon and Autism Speaks, visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.org/tampabay/sengul.

Annual charity campaign gets underway

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

Each year the Guv’na race brings attention to Lutz and thousands of dollars to local charities. The 2010 field is now set with four candidates.

“We like to have four, so we have the perfect number this year,” said Eleanor Cecil, who has been a member of the Lutz Civic Association for 10 years.

Each year the candidate who raises the most money by the Lutz Independence Day celebration is declared the winner. The celebration is July 3 this year.

“That’s the most important part of the race,” Cecil said. “These are wonderful organizations that do so much for others.”

To be eligible for the position, Guv’na candidates need to either live or work in Lutz. Suzin Carr is the current Guv’na and this year’s hopefuls for the position include J.R. Roche, Laurie Jennings, Stephanie Ensor and Colin Cook.

J.R. ROCHE

Roche, 45, has lived in Lutz for three years. He and his wife, Kim, own and operate three businesses in the town. Two of those businesses, Felicitous coffee house and Fast-Craft Cabinets, are located at 19015 N. US 41. The other is World Wide Telecom and Media Group, which started and maintains the business directory Web site www.inlutz.com.

Roche said if he becomes Guv’na he will focus on promoting and supporting Lutz businesses.

“People come into the coffeehouse and always complain about how slow business is, so we developed inlutz.com,” Roche said. “The mission is to drive awareness to businesses in the area and that’s what I really want to do as Guv’na.”

Roche’s goal is the same as Carr’s, who has created and organized several events to support local businesses this past year.

“It is kind of scary following the current Guv’na,” Roche said jokingly. “She’s such a dynamic person and is out there all the time doing events and helping Lutz businesses…It’s important to help out our local businesses especially now. I hope to get people to look at our Lutz businesses first before going elsewhere.”

All of Roche’s planned events to raise donations involve getting people to go to local shops.

“We’ll have auctions and raffles all over Lutz to bring people out to our local places of business,” Roche said.

Roche and Kim have one child, a son named Key, 16.

For more information on Roche’s campaign, e-mail him at or call (813) 690-7768.

LAURIE JENNINGS

Jennings, 39, has lived in Land O’ Lakes for less than one year, but her business, Grandmama’s House of Lutz Preschool and Child Development, has been located at 112 Myrtle Ridge Drive in Lutz for three years.

“When I first learned about the race I became interested,” Jennings said. “The parents whose kids come to our school thought I’d be a good Guv’na. Then I meet Suzin and learned about everything she does and I decided to go for it.”

Jennings said as Guv’na she will also support Lutz businesses, but added that community involvement and supporting groups are just as important.

“It’s great to have fun as a community, but it’s even better when you can raise money for good causes like the Lutz library and the Joshua House,” Jennings said. “…Everything we do as a community should be to support each other first. We should support the people and businesses here first because the money stays here instead of going elsewhere.”

Some of the fundraisers she is planning include offering babysitting to parents so they can have a night out, selling box dinners, carwashes and selling popcorn.

She is married to Robert and the two have three sons — Blake, 14, Brent, 12, and Roff, 9.

“It would be a huge honor to be Guv’na,” Jennings said. “…The best thing about the race is that it’s not about who wins. It’s about who raises the most money for the area charities.”

For more information on Jennings’ campaign, e-mail her at or call (813) 909-2424.

STEPHANIE ENSOR

Ensor, 37, has lived in Lutz for 10 years and owns Flip Flop Embroidery Shoppe. The business does not have a physical address, but has a Web site, www.flipflopembroidery.com. She is married to Troy and the couple have two daughters — Hailey, 12, and Ashley, 10.

Ensor said one of the reasons she wants to be the Guv’na is to get more involved in the Lutz community because it is a fun town with a lot of traditions. She also said the example of the current Guv’na has motivated her to enter the race.

“Suzin has inspired me to continue her efforts to support local businesses her in Lutz,” Ensor said. “She has done an amazing job. I hope to bring more people to Lutz for services and shopping.”

One of the draws to living in Lutz for Ensor is the close community atmosphere.

“Being Lutz Guv’na would be a great opportunity for me to have fun, while creatively finding ways to support Lutz,” Ensor said. “I love the small town feel of Lutz and being Guv’na would keep me in the center of the spirit.

“Raising money for the local charities is an awesome privilege for Lutz Guv’na candidates,” Ensor continued. “For me and my family, it means so much to help make a difference for those in our own backyards. What is great about the race for Guv’na, the whole community benefits from the efforts of our campaigning.”

For more information on Ensor’s campaign, e-mail or call (813) 244-2256.

COLIN COOK

Cook is the youngest of those in the Guv’na race at 22-years-old. He has lived in Land O’ Lakes for six years and his business, Best in Show Pet Boutique and Grooming Salon, has been located at 18470 N. US 41 in Lutz for two years.

The fundraising aspect of the Guv’na race is what first interested Cook.

“That was the reason I got into the race was the community involvement,” Cook said. “Anything that I can do to help with our nonprofits is a good thing. If doing so helps the local businesses here I’m also all for that too.”

If “elected” Cook wants to continue a new tradition started by Carr.

“I’ll continue on the path that Suzin Carr has started,” Cook said. “I love the idea of the Shop & Stroll as a way to support the community and local businesses.”

The Lutz Shop & Stroll started last December and there was a spring version in March. Money was raised to support the Old Lutz Schoolhouse and stations were set up at various Lutz businesses.

“For the race we are working on a big event that includes all the businesses in the Sunset Point (Shopping Center) where we are located,” Cook said. “We will have a fashion show with animals from Best in Show and models with Repeat Boutique. Weck’s (American Grill) is providing the food and we’ll be raffling off gift baskets and having silent actions too.”

For more information on Cook’s campaign, e-mail or call (813) 949-2225.

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills has thousands of reasons to be thankful for its helpers during National Volunteer Week April 19 to 25.

Since its formation in 1988, the Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Auxiliary has pledged or donated $499,235 dollars to the hospital’s foundation and given 530,000 hours. Those numbers, provided by hospital spokesperson Lyn Acer, seem larger after learning that auxiliary members are all volunteers.

“I love it,” said auxiliary president Wilma Eshenour about being a volunteer. “I feel good and I’m going to do it until I can’t anymore.”

Eshenour has donated about 1,400 volunteer hours to the hospital during her nearly seven years with the auxiliary. The hospital only started keeping track of the total hours worked the last 10 years.

“I like people and wanted to help,” said Eshenour, 82, whose husband John also volunteers at the hospital. “Just liked to do what I can to help and I enjoy the society of people.”

One volunteer who is close to recording his 1,000 hour volunteered is Stanley Murphy, who has been with the auxiliary for at least seven years.

“I retired from (the hospital) 12 years ago,” said Murphy who was a medical technologist. “My wife (Grace) still works part time here. I’ll do it as long as she works here…I also like to be around people.”

Auxiliary members commit to helping four hours each week. Eshenour said there are presently volunteers are as young as 14 and as old as 94. There are currently 360 members, of which many are seasonal.

Volunteers work in various ways to help the hospital and added there is some special training to be a volunteer, such as CPR instruction. Eshenour escorts patients to different areas of the hospital, while Murphy is one of the first people many of the patients see.

“I drive the shuttle that helps people get to and from their cars,” Murphy said. “…Sometimes you see the same people come back for more treatment and you develop a relationship with them. Almost everyone thanks us for helping.”

Eshenour added the first people many patients see at the hospital is a volunteer, whether it be Murphy or someone else. She said having someone to help from the beginning is one of the goals of the auxiliary.

In addition to the hours volunteered, the auxiliary has donated or pledged nearly $500,000 to the hospital’s Foundation, which makes the group the largest single donor.

“We would be almost a nonfunctioning organization without the auxiliary,” said Gene Whitefield, hospital foundation chairman. “…The hospital and the foundation appreciate them and they are truly the heartbeat of the hospital. They do a great job and we all appreciate everything they do.”

A recent major contribution by the volunteers was a $50,000 pledge at the hospital’s annual gala last year that will go to the hospitals future Compressive Breast Center. Of that, the group has given $20,000.

Other recent large donations by the auxiliary include $25,000 to renovate the employee child care center and $10,240 for a new shuttle.

“I drove the shuttle before the new one and I drove the one before that too,” Murphy said. “I’ve gotten to know a lot of people, like hospital president (John Harding) who I had a nice conversation with the other day while he was getting out of his car. It’s not just him, but everyone from the janitors and people who work in the kitchen and the patients. We all become friends.”

Much of the volunteer donations come from sales in the Auxiliary Gift Shop in the hospital. The money made in the shop currently is going to help repay the group’s pledge to the foundation.

Eshenour has spent the equivalent of 583 days, more than one and a half years, volunteering at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills and she is not close to growing tired of the facility.

“It’s a wonderful place to exercise your mind as well as your body,” Eshenour said. “I love this place as much as I love helping the people.”

Stanley agreed with Eshenour and emphasized the fact that they and the other volunteers could easily spend their time doing other things, but they instead help the hospital.

While the auxiliary is always looking for people interested in volunteering, the need for helpers increases during the summer when the winter residents return north. Many of the volunteers are younger, but many more are in the retired population who head for cooler climates in the hotter months.

Anyone looking to volunteer should be willing to donate four hours a week and must be at least 14-years-old can call (813) 779-6256.