Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

Extra hours of practicing paid off for students in the jazz band at Raymond B. Stewart Middle School when they learned they are going to Disney.

The Zephyrhills students will be playing on the Waterside stage at Walt Disney World Village April 25.

Scott Leahy, director of band at the school, said he is excited for the opportunity.

“We get to perform on a professional stage with sound and lighting,” Leahy said. “It is an exciting opportunity for them to see what it could be like to be professional musicians. It will be great because anybody who wants to come and watch can. It won’t be in one of the parks, so it won’t cost anything.”

While the students are there, they will get to visit one of the Disney parks.

“It is also a great time for them to bond,” Leahy said. “It helps them to become a better team and to learn to work together and support each other.”

The cost for each student to go is about $60 for transportation and ticket to the park. There are about 20 students in the jazz band. Leahy and his students have been selling candy bars to raise money for the trip, but he said he is also looking for business sponsors.

When Leahy first learned of the opportunity to perform at Disney, he decided it would be perfect for his students.

“The kids were getting ready for their evaluations and I told them if they get superiors, then I would look into the trip to Disney,” Leahy said. “We had a video made of the evaluation performance and that is what we sent to Disney.”

The evaluation was at Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel High School February 12. The students won straight superiors from the Florida Band Masters Association, so Leahy kept his promise and sent in the audition tape.

“In mid-March we found out we were going,” Leahy said. “They were very excited.”

Courtney Wong, 14, plays the tenor saxophone in the jazz band. She said she is really excited about going to Disney.

“It is such a good opportunity to get our music we play out there,” Wong said. “When I found out we were going, I was on stage at a performance. I started freaking out.”

Patrick Hildebrand, 13, plays the trombone in the jazz band. He said he is looking forward to performing and enjoying Disney without his family.

“It is exciting to get to play at Disney because we will be playing for a lot of people,” Hildebrand said. “I have never gone to Disney with my friends before. I usually go with family and my little annoying brothers.”

Zachary Winters, 13, plays percussion in the jazz band. He said he is looking forward to playing on a Disney drum set.

“I am really excited because Disney is providing the drum set for me to play,” Winters said. “It is probably an amazing drum set, because it is Disney.”

He said he worked very hard to make sure he did his best at the evaluation.

“I always play hard everyday, but I put in the most effort I could,” Winters said. “When I found out we were going to Disney, I was very excited.”

After Disney, Leahy is gearing up for the Dynamic Music Fest May 8 in Orlando. The concert band will be competing and the jazz band will give their end of year concert 7 p.m. May 27 at Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road. For more information, call (813) 794-6500.

Lutz Patriots celebrate anniversary

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

For the last seven years the Lutz Patriots have been waving flags Friday nights in front of the Old Lutz Schoolhouse to raise awareness and donations for U.S. troops.

The group was started by sisters Barbara Mueller and Karen Williams at the end of March 2003 after the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“We just wanted to show the troops that people cared about what they were doing,” Mueller said. “We started just waving flags and later we began sending packages to the troops.”

Mueller and Williams led the group for the first six years. Mueller’s son, Matt, served five years in the Marine Corps, reaching the rank of first lieutenant.

“Barbara and Karen got the ball rolling for us,” said Bruce Hockensmith, patriot member. “They were the ones that started it, but it’s not about any of us. It’s about the troops serving our country.”

Hockensmith, like many of the group’s male members, is a military veteran. He was an Army sergeant and served in Germany from 1965 to 1968.

“I’ve been to most of the major events the patriots have done since it started seven years ago,” Hockensmith said. “When you see the outpouring of support from the public it is tremendous. A lot of people want to help, but don’t know how, so we give them a way to give back.”

In addition to weekly flag wavings from 4 to 6 p.m. each Friday, the patriots put together care packages for the troops several times a year. The items and postage money comes from the group and community donations.

“We’ll have our next packing party to pack up the supplies for the troops the third Saturday in April,” said Judy McCray, who has been a member with her husband for more than two years. “We’d love to send as many gift packages as we can to the troops and we’re asking the community to help us with donations if they can.

“The Lutz and Land O’ Lakes community has never let us down before,” McCray continued. “We are so fortunate to have a community that steps up and supports our soldiers over and over again.”

Those interested can donate money or supplies at the weekly flag wavings or e-mail Hockensmith at . The patriots are most interested in supporting local soldiers and anyone with family serving are encouraged to let the group know where they are stationed.

The patriots use the Support Our Troops Inc. warehouse in Wesley Chapel to pack the supplies. Bob Williams is the founder of the Wesley Chapel organization.

“Bob Williams is nice enough to let us use his facilities on Saturday mornings,” McCray said.

The organization regularly receives e-mails and letters from the troops thanking them for the packages, and sometimes more than that. The troops themselves have even visited to show their appreciation.

“One Army staff sergeant was from Mississippi and traveled here with his wife to meet us,” Hockensmith said. “Several local businesses provided lodging and meals for them during their stay.”

Some of those businesses were Villaggio Ristorante in Lutz and the Quality Inn on E. Bearss Avenue.

The patriots have started participating in more somber events involving fallen soldiers.

“We’ve been taking part in soldiers’ funerals the last few months,” McCray said. “The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office lets us know about the escorts and we set up with our flags when the procession goes by. It means a lot to the families and it’s very emotional.”

The number of people that participate in the flag wavings each week varies, but Hockensmith said there are 10 to 15 people who do it regularly from Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and north Hillsborough. He also said there are more members who participate less regularly.

“We don’t have a roster and anyone can come out and wave flags with us,” Hockensmith said. “We’re going to stay out there waving our flags to support our soldiers as long as we can and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.”

For more information on the Lutz Patriots, visit www.lutzpatriots.com.

Needed care package items

• Food: ground coffee, beef jerky, crackers, hard candy, gum, granola and protein bars, nuts, chips, Crystal Light packets, Slim Jim’s, Oreo cookies, fruit snacks, nondairy coffee creamer, microwave popcorn
• Hygiene: deodorant, lip balm, razors, eye drops, body and foot powder, hand wipes, hand warmer, white athletic socks, wash cloths, dental care products, body lotion, sun block, shampoo and conditioner, nail files, Q-tips, cotton balls, combs and brushes, bug spray
• Other: board games, batteries, stationeries, DVDs, CDs, CD players, fly swatters, puzzle books, crocs and flip flops, letters and cards from local people, bandanas, paper and pens, sewing kits, comic and joke books, magazines, small flashlights, disposable cameras and frisbees
• Checks: made out to the postmaster and mailed to P.O. Box 1115 Lutz, FL 33548.

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

At an ear, nose and throat doctor’s office in Wesley Chapel, doctors Brett Scotch D.O. and Paul Di Pasquale D.O. offer an ouchless allergy test and treatment with self-administered drops instead of shots.

Scotch is board certified for otolaryngology and head, neck and facial plastic surgery at E N T & Facial Plastic Surgery Specialists, P. L. The doctors are among the few in the area who offer the treatment.

“The drops have become more mainstream in the United States and have been in Europe for 30 years,” Scotch said. “In many cases they can replace traditional allergy shots. The drops are much more convenient than traditional shots since aside from the first time we administer the drops, the patients can do it themselves.”

The liquid used in the allergy drops is the same as the liquid used in allergy shots. It is made up of allergen and preservative. For example if someone is allergic to pollen, the pollen is ground up and put into a liquid form mixed with a natural glycerin based preservative.

“We build them up from low doses to higher doses,” Scotch said. “We treat their allergy by letting the body’s own immune system recognize what the allergy is by seeing it on a more regular basis. This allows the body to build up immunity to the allergy. This can be used for many different types of allergies and has shown great success in dealing with environmental allergies.”

Some of the more common allergies the drops treat are dust mites, pollen, weeds, trees, grasses, molds and pet dander from dogs, horses and cats.

Testing for allergies can be a painful process with multiple needle pricks to insert the various allergens into the skin, but Scotch and Di Pasquale use a painless method.

“It used to be done with many pinpricks or scrapes,” Scotch said. “What we use is not very painful at all. We can do the test on children as young as 10. If there is a response on the skin, that lets us know what the person is allergic to. Based on the size of the response, that will let us know how allergic the person is to the allergen.”

Scotch said many of his patients appreciate how painless the drops are as well as the convenience.

“We basically custom-make a specific allergy drop for the patient,” Scotch said. “It is an ouchless treatment because patients don’t have to come in every week to get a shot. They just drop a few drops under the tongue everyday after they brush their teeth. They have been proven to be safe.”

Allergy sufferers typical symptoms are: sneezing, runny or congested nose, frequent episodes of sinusitis, itchy and watery eyes, post nasal drip and frequent throat clearing.

“There have been recent studies stating that upwards of 40 percent of people are allergic to something,” Scotch said. “Not everybody responds in a bad way or tries to seek treatment.”

After three to five years of treatment on shots or drops, allergy sufferers are supposed to have about 10 years of immunity to the allergen.
“It is a wonderful thing,” Scotch said. “I have seen many patients successfully treated.”

Scotch said it is important to go to an ear, nose and throat doctor in order to get the right diagnosis.

“We are board certified ear, nose and throat doctors with extensive training in allergic conditions related to allergies,” Scotch said. “Chronic sinus sufferers would benefit from discovering the underlying causes of their problems. If you go to a doctor that is not specifically trained as an ear, nose and throat doctor, then you might not get the level of investigation needed to determine the cause.”

Di Pasquale is board certified for otolaryngology and head, neck and facial plastic surgery. Di Pasquale is himself an allergy sufferer. He switched over from getting the shots to using the drops in the last year.

“I have the worst dust mite and cat allergies,” Di Pasquale said. “Every time I vacuum or go to my neighbor’s house, my eyes would water. Now I just use my drops and I can go and hang out with my neighbor with the cats and I am just fine. It is a great way to treat allergies.”

For years Brian Commons would have spells where his eyes would swell shut and he would get bad headaches, but he never knew why. Recently he was visiting with Scotch for an unrelated throat condition when he discovered he is allergic to oak and pine trees, dogs and even feathers.

Now he takes a few drops everyday and his problems are gone. He has been taking the drops since last year.

“When I would have the allergic reactions, it would happen at all different times of the year so I didn’t think it was allergies,” Commons said. “I had the problem for so long that I had low expectations. This is one of those times when I was pleasantly surprised. I can be outside now. Where I would feel crummy before, now I feel good.”

Commons said he comes all the way from Tampa to see Scotch because he is such a good doctor.

“He is one of the best physicians I have ever seen,” Commons said. “If his office was in Atlanta it would be worth it to me to drive up to see him. He follows through and really makes sure he takes care of you.”

For more information, call (813) 929-6673 or visit www.WesleyChapelENT.com.

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

Students in the culinary program at Sickles High School will be up early April 10 to cook barbecue dinners and bake a 250-foot cake.

The cake will run across the front of the school and will be made up of 150 cakes. The event will be at the school, 7950 Gunn Highway, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The money raised will be for scholarships for students graduating this year. The ribs, chicken and pulled pork will be seasoned with a marinade and rub and then smoked with hickory and oak. Each meal will be served with a side of coleslaw, baked beans and grilled garlic bread. Rib dinners are $7.50, chicken for $6.50 and pulled pork for $6. Cake is free.

The event will also feature games for kids and face painting. Rick Ceglio is the culinary teacher at the school.

“We have a fund to help the kids going to culinary college,” Ceglio said. “We are starting the parent/student camp out at 1 a.m. the day of to start smoking the meat. The students will be starting baking the cakes at Alessi at 6 a.m.”

A year of tuition at a post-secondary culinary school costs around $30,000 a year. Four of the culinary students will be attending the Culinary Institute of America in New York and two will be going to Johnson & Wales University. Two students are still undecided.

“This year we have about six to eight kids going to college,” Ceglio said. “It is hard to raise money. We try to give out about $1,000-$2,000 per applicant. This year we decided to go big by building the 250-foot cake.”

Helping culinary students attend college is important according to Ceglio. Students in the culinary program first learn the basics like safety, sanitation, measuring and cutting before graduating to more complicated topics like how to design and run a restaurant.

“We all like to eat and someone has to feed us,” Ceglio said. “Everyone enjoys good food. It just makes sense to train the next generation because without them what will we eat when we go out. It is a very honorable trade and it takes a very special breed of person.”

Tampa resident Chelsea Bateman, 17, will be going to the Culinary Institute of America in New York in the fall. She has applied for multiple scholarships.

“I went there last week to see the campus and it was amazing,” Bateman said. “It is such a great opportunity because there is such a variety of chefs working there. There are professors from all over Europe with all different backgrounds.”

Bateman plans to open a breakfast and brunch restaurant in North Carolina when she graduates.

“It has always been my dream to open a restaurant,” Bateman said. “I am excited about getting my bachelor’s because I will learn culinary management.”

Lutz resident Bianca Rodriguez, 18, is a culinary student trying to decide what she wants to do with the rest of her life.

“I am still undecided about where I want to go to school and what I want to study,” Rodriguez said. “I have been in the program for two years because I love baking and I love the atmosphere. I want to either go into culinary or teach young children.”

Getting a scholarship would help Rodriguez make up her mind.

“It would help a lot to win a scholarship,” Rodriguez said. “I would be able to make a decision if I knew.”

Rodriguez said she has learned a lot from the culinary program at the school.

“Chef Rick is great,” Rodriguez said. “He can be tough, but it is only because he wants the best for us. He does it because he cares.”

The students recently won second place for the state of Florida in the 10^th Annual ProStart Culinary Team Competitions in Orlando. Students received some scholarship money but still need more.

“It is like the Super Bowl of culinary competitions,” Ceglio said. “They won scholarship options they can use to go to certain colleges.”

The cakes will be baked at Alessi Bakery with help from the culinary students. GFS Marketplace donated the cake mix and Rich’s Product Corporation through Innovative Concepts donated the icing. Home Depot is providing the buckets for the 200 pounds of icing to be mixed in.

For tickets or for information, call Ceglio at (813) 631-4742 Extension 288 or e-mail .

Sickles Barbecue will serve:

• 150 lbs. of coleslaw
• 30 gallons of baked beans
• 400 lbs. of ribs
• 300 lbs. of chicken
• 150 lbs. of pulled pork
• 200 lbs. of icing
• 150 cakes

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

2010 seems to be the year of anniversary celebrations in east Pasco County. First, Zephyrhills turned 100 in March, and now the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 50th birthday.

“It’s so exciting to see how far the chamber has come in the last 50 years,” said chamber executive Nita Beckwith.

To celebrate, the chamber will host an event from 5 to 10 p.m. April 10 at its location, 14112 Eighth St. in Dade City. The event is open to the public and free except for food and drinks.

The event will begin with “Taste of Greater Dade City” from 5 to 7 p.m. A variety of area restaurants will offer samples of their food, which includes The Garden Café, Angel Tea Room, Del Carmen and Manolo’s.

“I’m looking forward to everything, but I’m really interested in the taste of Dade City,” Beckwith said. “It’s the first time the chamber has done something like this and I can’t wait to try some of the food.”

A visual presentation with photos from the last 50 years will be shown to celebrate the chamber’s history.

“It was so exciting to discover all the historical information and realize that the chamber is responsible for so much of the development and growth in Pasco County, not just Dade City,” said Jodi Pendrotti who put together the visual presentation. “During the past 50 years many businesses have come and gone, but the character of Dade City has remained essentially the same.”

Pendrotti said she joined the chamber as an individual because of the positive influence she has as a member in east Pasco.

The celebration will also include a contest at 8 p.m. to find the custom that best represents the last 50 years. Music from the last 50 years will be played throughout the celebration.

“We’ve been planning the celebration for several months and we are very excited that it is so close,” said Jill Evans, chairwoman of the chamber’s planning committee.

The event sponsor is Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, a chamber member since 1998.

“As an integral part of the community for 25 years, we feel it is very important to support these kind of community events,” said Ali Geib, assistant vice president of practice operations for Medical Group of Tampa Bay, a doctors group affiliated with the hospital. “We feel it’s part of our mission to be out in the community.”

Geib is also a member of the chamber’s board of director and will be at the celebration’s welcome booth.

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills has helped offset some of the costs to put on the event.

Records at the Dade City chamber show that the organization started at least as far back as 1923, but was not incorporated until April 11, 1960. It was originally called the Pasco County Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s the oldest chamber of commerce in the county,” Beckwith said. “I know that for sure because I called all the others…We didn’t realize it went back as far as it does until we started researching the history in preparation for the celebration.”

Representatives from the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce said they had records for as far back as 1926, but believed it was started in 1923 as well.

No records were kept on how many members the Dade City chamber had 50 years ago, but it currently has 350 from Dade City, Zephyrhills, St. Leo, San Antonio and the surrounding area.

“I think it’s great that the chamber has been around for so long,” Evans said. “So many organizations don’t last but a couple years. Plus the chamber helps with other organizations and events in Dade City, so it makes a positive impact on the area.”

For more information on the celebration, call the chamber at (352) 567-3769.

If you go

• What: Dade City Chamber of Commerce’s 50th anniversary
• When: April 10 from 5 to 10 p.m.
• Where: 14112 Eighth St. in Dade City
• Admission: free
• (352) 567-3769
• www.dadecitychamber.org

By Sarah Whitman

Senior Staff Writer

Lutz artist Joan Garcia remembers the smell of new crayons at Christmas time.

“I’ve always loved art,” Garcia said. “My grandma used to get me new paper, pencils and crayons every Christmas. I still love that smell.”

These days, Garcia uses oil paints to capture the beauty of Florida’s wildlife. She also paints with acrylics and is an accomplished color-pencil portrait artist.

“I am inspired by the light and the colors of Florida,” she said. “I love to paint nature, the birds and the fish, and the landscapes.”

Garcia has an art studio at her home, where she spends hours painting. She can spend weeks or months on one artwork. She recently painted a mural for a baby’s room featuring swimming manatees and pelicans. The work was created using acrylics on canvas.

“I started in January and finished in March,” she said. “I’d paint at night until one or two in the morning, with big studio lights all around.”

Garcia studied fashion design and illustration in Miami, but never went to work in the industry. She married her husband Al and had a son, Alex. Soon after Alex was born, she decided to pursue fine art as a profession.

“I started doing shows and murals,” she said. “It steamrolled from there. It’s been up and down, but I’ve done a lot through the years.”

Before the family moved to Tampa, they lived in Texas, Miami and Costa Rica. Garcia said, for an artist, Florida is definitely the best place to live.

“Even when I was living somewhere else, I could see something on TV and without anyone saying where it was, I’d know it was Florida because of the light,” she said. “It’s beautiful here.”

One of her favorite places to paint is Anna Maria Island.

“We have a beach house there and I love the environment,” she said. “I bring my paints and I capture the scenery.”

She said she loves the way the sunshine bounces off the blues and the greens.

“Since childhood, I’ve always been fascinated with color,” she said. Painting with oils is amazing because of the warmth and intensity of the colors.”

Garcia is a member of the Colored Pencil Society of America, Oil Painters of America and the North Tampa Arts League.

To learn more about artworks by Joan Garcia visit, www.jlgarcia-artist.com.

By Sarah Whitman

Senior Staff Writer

Menopause is a common term for when women’s hormones begin to change, usually around middle age.

Andropause is less known.

“Andropause is the medical term for the changes men go through when they experience a decrease in their sex hormones,” said Dr. Stephanie Bien, aging specialist. “It’s a subtle process that can result in anything from a loss of energy to low sex drive. It can start as early as age 40.”

Bien, whose office is in Wesley Chapel, works with men going through the change. She offers a comprehensive exam to determine the best treatment.

“I take blood tests, then look at medical and family history before making a diagnosis,” she said. “I look at all the information and determine what I can do to help.”

Everything from diet and exercise to testosterone shots can treat the symptoms of andropause.

Dave Newton, 42, of Land O’ Lakes, began seeing Bien two years ago.

“I felt run down all the time,” Newton said. “Dr. Bien found that my testosterone levels were low. She put me on injections and altered my diet. Within 45 minutes of my first shot, I could already feel my energy increasing.”

Bien said more and more men are seeking out treatment for andropause. Still, not all men are willing to be open about the symptoms.

“Andropause is a real condition and men shouldn’t be uncomfortable talking about it,” she said. “An estimated 13 million men suffer from testosterone deficiency but only 10% receive treatment.”

Netwon wasn’t afraid to approach Bien for help.

“My daughter was two-years-old at the time and I wanted to find out what was wrong so I could feel better and be there for her,” Newton said. “I was researching online and found Dr. Bien’s website. The symptoms sounded like what I was experiencing, so I made an appointment. The benefits have been great.”
Bien said diet and lifestyle play a major role in the aging process. Eating high fat and processed foods can worsen the symptoms of andropause.

Newton was eating too many sweets.

“The tests showed my insulin levels were really low, which was because of how much sugar I was eating,” he said. “Since seeing Dr. Bien, I’ve definitely changed my eating habits and I’m on a vitamin regimen. It’s worked out really well.”

Bien works with patients to formulate individual-based nutrition plans.

“The benefits of nutrition and supplements often gets overlooked in the medical profession,” she said. “The body works best when it gets the nutrients needed to support it.”

Newton now has the energy to work out at the gym.

“My wife and I both go,” he said. “My daughter even loves to go with us.”

Dr. Bien is currently accepting new patients. The initial comprehensive exam takes five hours and includes physical and psychological tests.

Dr. Stephanie Bien’s office is located at 2718 Windguard Circle, suite 102, in Wesley Chapel. For information or to set up an appointment, call (813) 388-6865.

By Sarah Whitman

Senior Staff Writer

When Roy Naccour bought J.Joseph’s Salon three years ago, he had a dream of bringing fantastic hair to Land O’ Lakes. Now, he’s ready to make beauty his business from head to toe.

J.Joseph’s has expanded to include the space next to its original location, 5132 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The salon now offers facials, body wraps, massage and more in a full-service spa.

Other departments, such as hair, nails and make-up are also new and improved.

“We’ve grown so much and so fast since opening, we had to expand,” Naccour said. “It’s a dream come true.”

J.Joseph’s expert staff now has more room to work. The new space is decorated with J.Joseph’s signature European flair. One side of the room is set up for cut, color and style, the other for manicures and pedicures.

Behind a frosted glass door are two comfortable spa rooms, designed to help clients relax while the stresses of the day fade.

Five trained technicians will work the new spa using GM Collin products. Clients can enjoy a warm body wrap; then rinse the mud off in a luxurious shower.

Debbie Richy, of Land O’ Lakes, is a J.Joseph’s regular.

“I’m definitely going to use the spa,” she said. “I’m most interested in getting a facial and massage.”

Richy said she frequents J.Joseph’s because of the atmosphere.

“I like J.Joseph’s because they’re professional and current with everything they do,” she said.

Nail technician Rosetta Bell thinks clients will continue to respond enthusiastically to the changes.

“I think a spa like this is something Land O’ Lakes needed,” she said. “It’s an escape from everyday life. When you’re here, you can forget where you are. I think it’s going to make a big impact and be really busy soon. I’m excited.”

Ashley Ballard is J.Joseph’s resident make-up artist. She said the expansion is good news for everyone.

“By expanding we have more room to accommodate clients,” Ballard said. “We’re also making advancements. In make-up we’re using a whole new line, Mirabella.”

Naccour doesn’t take the credit for J.Joseph’s success. He said it is the result of a well-educated staff working together to deliver excellent customer service. He only hires trained professionals who are outgoing and personable.

“A lot us travel oversees to continue our education,” he said. “We went to Paris for a hair show last year and next year we’re going to Italy.”

Naccour was born in Lebanon and studied in Sweden before moving to Florida. He chose Land O’ Lakes because he liked the area and the people.

“We care a lot about the community,” he said. “We participate in a lot of fundraisers and events.”

When asked what clients can expect from the newly expanded J.Joseph’s Salon & Spa, Naccour doesn’t hesitate.

“It’s an experience,” he said. “That’s all I have to say.”

For information on J.Joseph’s Salon or to make an appointment, call (813) 235-6848. For pricing and services offered visit, www.jjosephsalon.com.