The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Andrew Powell

Accessibility of health care services can be a struggle in Florida, says report

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(The Center Square) — A new report says many people in Florida don’t receive needed health care because they lack easy access to adequate services.

Florida TaxWatch recently released its report, Social Determinants of Health: Health Care Access and Quality. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, social determinants of health are environmental factors that can impact individuals’ health outcomes.

The University of Florida Health’s The Villages Hospital in The Villages. (UF Health The Villages Hospital/Facebook)

These include health care access and quality; education access and quality; social and community context; neighborhood and built environment; and economic stability.

According to the report, these factors can majorly impact a person’s health, well-being and quality of life. The report notes that 80% of a person’s health is determined by social factors, while the remaining 20% results from receiving medical care.

In Florida, many people lack access to health care services, with the biggest barrier being the cost. In a 2019 survey of 1,200 Floridians, 55% had experienced health care cost burdens, while 78% worried they would not be able to afford health care in the future.

The report states Florida ranked 41st in 2021 for overall health care and access, which was attributed to the growing number of uninsured adults, rising insurance costs and policies that make health care less accessible. The report further notes that Florida has consistently ranked in the bottom 10 states for uninsured citizens.

Florida currently has a physician shortage and the report notes this plays a role in access to quality health care. With Florida’s population growing, especially in rural areas, the number of physicians in the Sunshine State is insufficient. By 2030, an additional 22,000 physicians are needed to bridge the gap.

The report notes that as of 2023, only 40% of Florida’s population has employer-sponsored health insurance, while the rate of uninsured Floridians was 11.2% in 2022 — higher than the national average of 8%. Also, in 2022, Florida ranked 46th in the nation for the uninsured population.

Compounding this are the 979,000 people who have been disenrolled from Medicaid, 460,000 of whom are children. Furthermore, access depends on where the person lives. In rural areas, there are roughly 1.3 physicians for every 1,000 people available in the U.S., while urban areas have around 3.1 physicians for every 1,000 people.

Published July 24, 2024

Children enjoy reading to therapy dogs

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Nearly a dozen children of various ages recently gathered at the New River Branch Library to spend some time reading to therapy dogs. The event is featured once a month at the library in Wesley Chapel.

Nancy Horbert is the program manager for the Tampa-based nonprofit organization Highland Canine Connect (HCC), which brings therapy dogs to the library.

A young child pets Uggy, a therapy dog, on July 13, while Uggy’s owner Nancy Horbert sits nearby. (Joe Potter)

The two dogs at the July 13 event were Daisy, a female Labrador, and Uggy, a male standard parti poodle.

Both of the dogs have each received several months of extensive training so they respond in a very docile manner when interacting with children at Read to Therapy Dogs events, Horbert said.

Several of the children spent the first 15 or 20 minutes lovingly petting both of the dogs that were relaxed while sitting or laying on the carpeted floor of the room in which the event was held.

Books of various reading levels were available in the room and children could also bring reading materials from elsewhere in the library if they wanted to.

Shawnda Weaver assisted Horbert at the event while Weaver’s son, Jonathan, was a volunteer.

HCC opened in Harmony, North Carolina, in 2019 and the local branch of HCC opened in Tampa in May 2022.

Horbert’s daughter, Brittany Mojica, attended Highland Canine Training School for Dogs and was offered the position of their Florida dog trainer after she graduated.  

“Over the years I have gotten to know the owners Erin and Jason Purgason, so when I wanted to start a nonprofit therapy dog program here in the Tampa area, I met with them to see if I could start a branch of Highland Canine Connect,” Horbert said. “They agreed to let me start a branch here after filing all the needed paperwork to be a registered nonprofit here in Florida. My daughter donates her training services to evaluate potential team members and donates Canine Good Citizen training to approved candidates. In the future, as I raise money, my goal is to provide a fully trained therapy dog locally.”

A press release from the organization’s team in North Carolina states: “Highland Canine Connect has been proud to have a positive impact on the lives of many individuals. From our flagship service dog and police dog donation programs, protecting our planet through the training of a conservation detection dog and community outreach such as our School Reading Program, we have established a number of programs which truly make a difference.”

The creation of the Tampa branch of HCC was considered to be “an exciting development,” team members said.

Horbert’s job is to secure locations in the local area for therapy dogs to visit. “These include venues such as libraries, schools, therapist’s offices, and events which are geared toward the special needs community,” Horbert said.

Anyone interested in joining the HCC program can contact Horbert at .

Published July 24, 2024

Audits find financial issues with some Florida charter schools

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(The Center Square) — The Florida Auditor General’s office has released two reports that detail significant issues and financial trends in the Sunshine State’s charter schools, charter technical career centers and district school boards.

There are 720 charter schools and charter technical career centers operating in Florida, with the majority in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. State law requires these schools to be annually audited by an independent certified public accountant.

(Jeswin Thomas/Unsplash)

In the audit, 713 charter school audit reports and records regarding financial trends for fiscal 2022-2023 were reviewed.

This review found 94 issues in 64 of the 713 reports, with 24 issues considered material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting requirements. In comparison, 13 issues were deemed noncompliance findings, required by law to be reported by government auditing standards.

Of the 13 charter schools identified as having at least one noncompliance finding, three had incurred expenses in excess of their respective budgets, two failed to comply with requirements, and one had a fund balance deficit.

In total, 61 issues or 65% of the 94 issues reported in 39 reports were considered significant deficiencies by auditors. Prevalent topics classified as being required by accounting standards to be reported included budget administration, deficit fund balances, improper maintenance of accounting records, and financial control deficiencies.

Ten charter schools were noted as having inadequate controls over budget administration, increasing the risk of inappropriate use of financial resources. Nine were found to have deficit fund balances, seven needed to properly maintain accounting records and five had purchasing or disbursement control deficiencies.

The report notes many of the issues found were repeat findings from previous years not yet resolved.

To measure financial trends, auditors used ratios of the charter schools’ total assigned and unassigned fund balances, or unrestricted net assets to total revenues of general funds or other unrestricted funds.

In FY 2023, which ended June 30, 263 charter schools had ratios above average, 395 had a below-average ratio but had positive or zero balances, while 55 had ratios with deficit balances. In 2022, 51 charter schools reported a deficit. Two audit reports included statements from accountants questioning whether the schools could continue operations.

In a separate report that reviewed 20 district school boards, four needed to timely submit audit reports, with one being submitted 52 to 497 days after receiving the report from their respective accountants.

Published July 24, 2024

Review: ‘Despicable Me 4’ is more annoying than fun

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How many minions does it take to screw on a lightbulb? The same amount of minions it takes to screw audiences out of 13 bucks at the theater. There are countless yellow henchmen in “Despicable Me 4,” but their imbecile slapstick is more wearisome than wonderful, and you may start to feel worn down by the amount of childishness on display.

(Universal Pictures)

Ideally, this franchise is supposed to deliver laughs out of villains acting benign, which in this case means having a heart of gold and being terrible at heists. But while the concept of mad geniuses having the brains of elementary school students is somewhat clever, there are so many mindless vignettes that we end up feeling more exhausted than entertained. 

The film, directed by “Despicable Me” regular Chris Renaud, picks up almost a decade after the last one left off and there’s been a new addition to the franchise. Gru (Steve Carrell) now has a baby boy, Gru Jr., who has more than just his dad’s crooked nose, slicked-back hair and harsh-sounding accent. He’s got his dad’s penchant for chaos. You thought changing diapers was hard — this baby treats every day like it’s April Fool’s Day.  

Gru’s got his hands full, alright, but he enjoys his life of suburban mundanity, doing the dishes, cleaning up diapers, keeping the wife in a chipper mood. You know, dad stuff. But then his arch nemesis, Maxime (Will Ferrell), escapes from a high-security prison and his entire routine is thwarted. He takes his family out of their comfortable habitat to a remote location, where they can avoid Maxime’s revenge plot, which involves a ploy to steal Gru’s new baby. 

Of course, all of this is just an excuse to let Gru’s minions run wild, bouncing off walls and exploding off vending machines while they speak in mumbled gibberish, which is what fans are really paying to see. They should honestly just call this franchise “The Minions,” since the wide-eyed, banana-hued, Tic-Tac-shaped villains have earned this franchise nearly $5 billion in revenues, not the family misunderstandings of Gru. There’s an admirable “Looney Tunes” quality to these characters — a scene where some of them are turned into Mega Minions is hilariously bonkers — but their hijinks might be better suited for television than a feature-length film.

The endless stream of minion antics does have its moments, but at 90 minutes of crammed, cacophonous silliness, there just aren’t enough jokes to warrant the onslaught of misfires. Yes, this movie is going to entertain young children. Yes, it’s going to make bank at the box office. And yes, it’s going to sell more toys than Toys “R” Us. Does that make it a good film? You tell me.

Published July 24, 2024

Florida bases could receive more than $1B in new defense spending bill

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(The Center Square) — Florida military bases could receive more than a billion dollars for construction projects if the new 2025 defense budget becomes law.

The National Defense Authorization Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives on June 13. Before it becomes law, it must pass the Senate and receive President Joe Biden’s signature.

Key West Naval Air Station, which hosts the U.S. Army Special Forces Underwater Operations School on Trumbo Point, would receive a total of $457 million from the Army’s construction budget. The station would receive another $90 million for a new Joint Inter-Agency Task Force-South command and control facility.

(Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nicholas V. Huynh/U.S. Navy)

Navy military construction and land acquisition includes a $221.06 million appropriation for the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The Space Force has been allocated $11.4 million for Cape Canaveral to expand construction, water mains and acquire land, while $81 million has been allocated to the base for an engineering test facility.

Another $69.4 million has been allocated for the Marine Corps Support Facility on Blount Island near Jacksonville. The project includes a lighterage and a small craft facility. A further $10.1 million would go toward a command communications center and infrastructure upgrades.

Naval Air Station Jacksonville would receive $35.7 million for an F-35 aircraft engine repair facility and $6.8 million for a child development center.

The bill also allocates $98.5 million for the Whiting Field advanced helicopter training system hangar for the new TH-73 Thrasher training helicopter.

The bill also states that there are certain projects that were authorized in 2020 that have been extended into the 2025 fiscal year budget, which includes a deployment center, flight line dining and a new exchange at the Tyndall Air Force Base. This project has been allocated $43 million.

Another $14 million was allocated to Hurlburt Field, a U.S. Air Force military installation located in Okaloosa County that hosts the Air Force Special Operations Command’s headquarters and the 1st Special Operations Wing.

Jacksonville International Airport has $26.2 million for the Air National Guard for land acquisition and construction projects, including F-35 consolidated weapons training. The 125th Fighter Wing of the Florida Air National Guard will convert from the aging F-15C Eagle to the new F-35s later this year.

The bill further lays out plans to repair Naval Air Station Pensacola. It states that the Secretary of the Navy should develop and implement a plan for the repair or replacement of facilities the secretary deems damaged by Hurricane Sally in 2020.

The Secretary of the Navy is also responsible for producing cost estimates for the project, which includes a new hangar and other infrastructure repairs, as well as any future plans for demolition projects necessary to support military construction.

Published July 24, 2024

Data: Florida’s electricity rates are competitive with neighboring states

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(The Center Square) — Data from the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) and the federal government show the state’s electricity rates remain competitive with other states.

Florida Power & Light Co. (FPL), the largest electricity supplier in the Sunshine State with over 12 million accounts statewide, has the lowest rates of all of Florida’s providers. FPL charges an average of $121.19 per month for 1,000 kilowatt hours of use.

Second is the former Gulf Power, now part of FPL, which charges $135.39 per month for 1,000 kWh.

(Roger W, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Tampa Electric is in the middle of the pack. Its residential customers in Hillsborough, Polk, Pinellas and Pasco Counties have an average monthly bill of $136.44 for 1,000 kWh.

Duke Energy Florida has almost 2 million customers statewide and charges an average of $157.47 per month for residential customers using 1,000 kWh. The Florida Public Utilities Company is the most expensive provider, charging an average of $165.98 for 1,000 kWh.

Some customers could possibly see an increase, however, as Duke Energy Florida and the Tampa Electric Company have filed petitions with the PSC to raise their respective base rates from January 1, 2025. The PSC will make a decision at a final hearing in August.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Florida’s residential rates for residential customers dropped from 15.75 cents per kWh in April 2023 to 14.65 cents per kWh in April 2024.

Florida’s rates remain competitive compared to neighboring states. Georgia’s residential customer per-kWh pricing rose from 13.30 cents in April 2023 to 14.10 cents per kWh. Alabama residential customers had a rate of 14.49 cents per kWh in April 2023, rising to 15.85 cents per kWh in April 2024.

Mississippi’s residential customers also had a price increase between April 2023 and April 2024, climbing from 14.08 cents per kWh to 14.64 cents per kWh.

Some of the highest electricity rates in the U.S. as of April 2024 are in the Northeast and Pacific. Massachusetts utilities charge 29.50 cents per kWh, while Connecticut charges 29.58 cents per kWh. California has a rate of 34.26 cents per kWh and Hawaii has the highest rate of all, charging 45.19 cents per kWh.

Published July 24, 2024

Report: Campaign spending in Florida could top $464M

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(The Center Square) — Despite no longer being a battleground state, a new report projects spending in Florida will top $464 million for this year’s campaign, one of the largest increases over previous predictions.

According to the latest Political Projections Report by AdImpact, Florida has one of the largest projected increases in political spending, almost $69 million. But unlike Maryland, Montana and Ohio, Florida is not considered a state in contention.

The report notes that the increase in the Sunshine State is due to abortion and marijuana initiatives appearing on the ballot on Nov. 5. Florida was fourth behind Maryland with an almost $100 million increase in predicting spending. Montana’s projection has increased by $85 million, and Ohio has increased by $78 million.

(Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Since September 2023, the report points out there have been significant shifts in the political spending landscape, which resulted in substantial updates to state-level spending projections.

California is projected to spend over $1.1 billion on political campaigns, outpacing all other states by a large margin. Arizona is predicted to spend $803 million, followed closely by Pennsylvania with $800 million.

According to the report, the presidential primary was “one of the most significant unknowns,” largely due to the large number of Republican candidates including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. It was anticipated that spending would carry through until a nominee was announced. However, the primary was less competitive and less expensive than was initially anticipated.

By March 12, when former President Trump became the presumptive nominee, Republicans had only spent $300 million. In total, just over $500 million was spent on political advertisements targeting the presidential primary date.

In Florida, $103 million was spent on the presidential primary, ranking 10th out of all 50 states. The largest spending came from battleground states, like Pennsylvania, with $360 million in spending during the presidential primary, tops nationally. Arizona came in second with $299 million, while Georgia came in third with $244 million.

The report notes swing states are most likely to decide the 2024 election. It is expected there will be a 17% increase in spending over the 2020 election, with $2.1 billion projected to be spent.

Published July 24, 2024

Game changers: how technology is revolutionizing the world of sports

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In the modern era, sports are no longer just about natural talent and rigorous training. The integration of advanced technologies is transforming how athletes train, compete and even recover. From wearable tech that monitors performance to virtual reality systems that simulate real-game scenarios, the landscape of sports is undergoing a technological revolution. Here’s a look at some of the most groundbreaking innovations that are changing the game.

Golfer Will Zalatoris wears a Whoop band as he lines up a putt during the first round of the RBC Heritage on April 15, 2021 at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Wearable technology: precision monitoring and analytics
Wearable technology, including fitness trackers, smartwatches and specialized sports sensors, has become ubiquitous in professional sports. These devices collect real-time data on an athlete’s performance, including heart rate, speed, distance covered, and even biomechanical metrics. For example, GPS tracking vests used in soccer provide coaches with detailed insights into players’ movements and exertion levels during matches and training sessions.
Example: The Whoop strap, a popular wearable among athletes, tracks not only physical activity but also sleep patterns and recovery metrics. This data helps athletes optimize their training schedules and avoid overtraining, ultimately enhancing performance and reducing injury risk.

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR): immersive training
VR and AR are transforming training methodologies across various sports. VR allows athletes to simulate game scenarios and practice their responses in a controlled, immersive environment. This technology is particularly useful for sports that require split-second decision-making, such as football and basketball.
Example: NFL teams have started using VR to help quarterbacks practice reading defenses and making quick decisions without the physical wear and tear of on-field practice. Similarly, NBA teams employ AR to visualize shooting trajectories and improve players’ shooting mechanics.

The Houston Astros celebrate winning the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on Nov. 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Data analytics aided in the victory. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)

Data analytics and AI: strategic insights and injury prevention
The application of data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) in sports is providing teams with unprecedented strategic insights. By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI algorithms can identify patterns and trends that human analysts might miss. This information is crucial for developing game strategies, player scouting and even predicting opponents’ tactics.
Example: The MLB team Houston Astros famously used data analytics to optimize their player lineups and in-game decisions, contributing to their World Series victory in 2017. In addition, AI-powered platforms like Kitman Labs analyze injury data to help teams develop personalized training regimens that minimize the risk of injuries.

Smart equipment: enhancing performance and safety
Smart equipment, embedded with sensors and connected to the internet, is revolutionizing how athletes interact with their gear. From smart basketballs that track shooting accuracy to smart shoes that analyze running form, this technology provides immediate feedback to athletes, helping them fine-tune their performance.
Example: The Wilson X Connected Basketball integrates a sensor that tracks makes, misses and shot range, allowing players to monitor their shooting performance through a connected app. Similarly, the Nike Adapt BB smart shoes feature self-lacing technology and customizable fit settings, providing athletes with optimal comfort and support.

English rugby player Maro Itoje recovers in a cryotherapy chamber in Bagshot, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan – RFU/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

Recovery technologies: accelerating healing and enhancing longevity
Advanced recovery technologies are crucial for athletes looking to maintain peak performance and extend their careers. Innovations such as cryotherapy, pneumatic compression devices and electrical muscle stimulation are becoming standard practice in professional sports.
Example: Cryotherapy chambers expose athletes to extremely cold temperatures for short periods, reducing inflammation and accelerating muscle recovery. The NormaTec recovery system, which uses pneumatic compression to massage limbs and improve circulation, is widely used by athletes across various sports to enhance recovery between training sessions.

The integration of these cutting-edge technologies is not just enhancing individual performance but also transforming entire sports. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovative solutions that will push the boundaries of what athletes can achieve. From grassroots programs to professional leagues, the adoption of these technologies is democratizing access to high-level training and performance optimization, ensuring that the future of sports is brighter, faster and more exciting than ever.

Published July 24, 2024

Business Digest 07/24/2024

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Florida ranks third in new business starts
A new study by Eton Venture Services reveals Wyoming as the state with the highest rate of business applications, at 7,149 per 100,000 people in 2022, with Delaware ranking second with 4,465, followed by Florida with 2,730, according to a news release. The study used county data from the U.S. Census Bureau to calculate these figures. West Virginia, with only 776 applications per 100,000 people, has the lowest rate. The rest of the top 10 states are Georgia, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Mississippi, Montana and Louisiana. For more information, visit EtonVS.com.

Chiropractor seeks vendors
Terlep Chiropractic, 8466 Northcliffe Blvd., in Spring Hill, is seeking vendors for its annual Back to School Bash scheduled for Aug. 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Terlep will provide free school and sports physicals, as well as backpacks while supplies last. No tickets are needed for this community event. Interested vendors should visit the event page on Facebook at bit.ly/4ednPPd. 

Pasco EDC announces awards finalists
The Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) has announced the finalists for its 36th Annual Awards, honoring businesses in Pasco County for outstanding achievements in economic development, according to a news release. 

The 11 companies selected based on their innovation, economic growth and community impact in 2023 are: BayCare Morton Plant North Bay Hospital, ConGlobal, Crestmark Pharmacy Services, Garyline, Infinity Aero Club, J.T.D. Enterprises Inc., Jon’s Gourmet Nutrition, OpenBuilds, Rocycle LLC, The Lit Advocate, and TRU Simulation + Training Inc.

The awards ceremony, scheduled for Sept. 5, will also recognize individuals, including Avis Phillips and the late Ted Phillips, for their exceptional contributions to economic development. The event, held at the Pasco-Hernando State College IPAC, is a key gathering for Tampa Bay and Pasco County leaders, featuring networking, dinner and the announcement of this year’s winners.

For more information, visit PascoEDC.com.

Lutz Guv’na race raises record-setting funds for community

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Three candidates vying for the coveted title of Lutz Guv’na raised more than $36,000 for their community through fundraising efforts.

This is the most ever in the friendly but competitive contest that has been held since the mid-1950s, according to Linda Mitchell, chairwoman of the annual July 4th parade.

Rob Brooklyn succeeded in raising more money than the other two candidates and was named the 2024 Lutz Guv’na. He was presented a colorful sash and a “key to the town” during an inauguration ceremony at the Old Train Depot on Lutz Lake Fern Road following the parade.

Members of the North Tampa-Lutz Cadet Squadron of the Florida Wing of the Civil Air Patrol march down the parade route on July 4. (Courtesy of Deborah Erdahl)

Brooklyn has owned and operated Hardrock Landscape Services in Lutz since 1998.

The winner of the race is able to designate a specific charity in the community to receive 10% of the money they raised. Brooklyn designated the Learning Gate Community School in Lutz as the recipient of those funds.

The other two candidates for Lutz Guv’na were Joanna LaChance and Linda Mitchell — both retired educators.

LaChance is a former Exceptional Student Education (ESE) coordinator who worked for a combined 16 years in Palm Beach and Polk counties, before retiring. She and her husband own and operate the Lutz Pinch A Penny pool store at the intersection of Sunset Lane and U.S. 41. 

Mitchell was an eighth grade language arts teacher at Adams Middle School in Tampa for 25 years before retiring. She is currently the first vice president of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.

Paul Vahue, associate pastor for administration at First Baptist Church of Lutz, said the opening prayer at the patriotic event.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 12 and the North Tampa-Lutz Cadet Squadron of the Florida Wing of the Civil Air Patrol conducted a flag ceremony, and Annabelle Depolis sang the National Anthem. Depolis finished in fifth place in the vocal category during the 41st annual Spotlight on Talent held earlier this year at the Wesley Chapel Center for the Arts.

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club proudly display signs on their float indicating their service involvement.

Individuals marched in the parade, along with numerous floats. An estimated few hundred people looked on while enduring the sweltering hot weather. 

Several prizes were awarded at the conclusion of the parade. The category winners were:

  • Best Vehicle – Guv’na candidate Rob Brooklyn
  • Bicycle – West Coast BMX
  • Classic Car – Peyton Rose
  • Commercial Entry – Mission BBQ
  • Golf Cart Entry – The Citizens of the Old Lutz School House
  • Most Patriotic – The Miss Susie Fire Truck
  • Most Spirited – The Lutz Chiefs
  • Themed Entry – Stark Farms
  • Walking Unit – Lutz Family Church
  • Youth Entry – Learning Gate Community School
  • Judge’s Favorite – Elite Ink
  • Grand Marshal’s Choice – First Baptist Church of Lutz

Prizes also were handed out to bakers who showed off their skills in a cake and pie contest. There were 43 entries in the contest, according to Barbara Booth, treasurer of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.

Heather Garry’s cake took first place in the category of Adult Best Decorated.

Categories winners in the contest were:

  • Guv’na’s Choice –  Melba Pineiro
  • Adult Best Decorated – Heather Garry, first place; Sarah Robison, second place; and Laura Konga, third place.
  • Adult Best Tasting – Kay Taylor, first; Jeannie Mills, second; and Jan King, third.
  • Youth Best Decorated (11-18) – Jennings May
  • Youth Best Decorated (10 and under) – Nicholas May, first; and Rylee and Dixon Kleme, second.
  • Youth Best Tasting (11-18) – William Leahy
  • Youth Best Tasting (10 and under) – Jake Kosior, first; Juniper Parker, second; and Colette Henderson, third.
  • Most Patriotic (all ages) – Dee-dee Hancock, first; Gloria Russell, second; and Jennifer Rankin, third.
  • Cupcakes Best Decorated (all ages) – Deborah Robison, first; Aribella Grande, second; and Abigail Rankin, third.
  • Best Pie (All ages) – Katelyn Payne, first; Karin D’Amico, second; and Erin Kuma, third.

Activities preceding the parade included an early morning warmup with Jazzercise and a 1-mile fun run and 5K race with awards presented at the Old Train Depot.

Guests could also bid on baked treats at an auction in the air-conditioned comfort of the Lutz Community Center.

Published July 17, 2024