Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Sarah Whitman

Senior Staff Writer

Even though the unemployment rate in Pasco County rose to 14.3 percent and Hillsborough to 12.7 percent in January, economists say people should not lose hope.

“It’s typical in a recession cycle for unemployment to continue to rise even after recovery has started,” said John Hagen, president of the Pasco Economic Development Council. “Employers are reluctant to hire until they see the economy has really turned around. Things should start to pick up after the dust settles but that isn’t a lot of comfort to people who are out of work right now.”

David Hamilton, management consultant for the Pasco Hernando Workforce Board, said the situation is harsh.

“Lay-offs keep happening and none of the major markets are hiring right now,” he said

“Retail is flat, government isn’t hiring, schools aren’t hiring. It’s the economic conditions we’re in.”

Hamilton is a consultant with Career Central, a program sponsored by the Pasco Hernando Work Force Board to help the unemployed find work. The program has three offices and a mobile unit where people can go to get advice and find out about possible job opportunities. Offices are located in Spring Hill, New Port Richey and at 6038 Gall Blvd. in Zephyrhills. The mobile unit will be at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 26.

“We work with people so they can be prepared and have their resumes ready,” Hamilton said. “It’s all about how you present yourself.”

Michael Blanchard of Land O’ Lakes has been out of work for more than two years. He previously worked as an insurance adjuster.

“I’ve sent out more than 100 resumes,” he said. “I’ve had three call backs and one interview. I haven’t been able to land anything.”

Hamilton said competition is fierce for the few jobs that are out there. He encourages applicants to learn how to network. He suggests carrying a flash drive with a resume on it and keeping it on hand at all times.

Vonnie Mikkelsen, executive director of the Zephyrhills Chamber, has similar advice.

“You have to get out and about, even if you don’t feel like it sometimes,” she said. “It’s important to go to networking groups and keep current on your skills. Volunteering is also good because you’re out meeting people and have access to job leads.”

Hamilton said there are fields looking to hire these days.

“In the Pasco area, there is growth in the health care field,” he said. “It’s also good if you have a very specific technical skill, like if you’re a welder.”

Jerry Karp, a business analyst with the Small Business Development Center in Lutz, said entrepreneurship is on the rise.

“There’s been an increase in the number of people seeking counsel on how to start up a business,” Karp said. “They can’t find a job, so they want to know what they can do to go to work for themselves.”

The unemployment rate for the state of Florida is recorded at 11.9 percent. More than a million Floridians are job searching.

Mikkelsen hopes to see the market change soon.

“This situation is a great concern to all of us in the business of business,” she said. “It’s extremely frustrating. We’re hoping to see it bottom out soon and then start getting better.”

By Joe Potter

Special to The Laker

The hundreds of people who planned and assisted with Zephyrhills’ 100th anniversary celebration knew they had one chance to get it right. They could hold their heads high after last Sunday’s conclusion.

Founders Day and its many events — carnival, parade, fireworks, community church service and time capsule dedication — were coordinated by Brenda Welcher, executive director Main Street Zephyrhills Inc. She worked closely with the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, Zephyrhills Police Department and numerous other organizations in her planning.

Welcher was literally speechless at the end of the three-day event. But Keith and Cassandra Anderson of Haliburton, Ontario, and John MacDiarmid of Zephyrhills summed up the success of Founders Day 2010.

The Andersons have spent the last eight winters in Zephyrhills and have attended several Founders Days. This year’s event was by far the best, Cassandra said. “The parade was great,” added Keith.

MacDiarmid said Founder’s Day, “was really an amazing thing that took place in Zephyrhills. The parade was a parade of all parades. It was very, very spectacular.”

Thousands of people lined Fifth Avenue and Seventh Street the morning of March 13 to watch the 118-unit parade that took two hours to proceed.

The parade featured grand marshals who represented each of the past 10 decades. Area mobile home or recreational vehicle communities were represented in 12 of the units. “Royalty” from the parks rode in convertibles while spectators marveled at their crowns and colorful garb. Churches were represented in six of the units.

Bands from Zephyrhills High School, Raymond B. Stewart Middle School, Pasco Middle School, J.W. Mitchell High School and Pine View Middle School provided musical entertainment.

The only centennial event cancelled was skydivers dropping into Zephyr Park because of high wind gusts. Still, hundreds gathered at the park to watch fireworks shoot from a pontoon boat in the middle of Lake Zephyr. Fireworks lit up the night and detonations could be heard miles away.

The 2010 Founders Day celebration ended Sunday afternoon with the dedication of a time capsule on Veterans Walkway at Zephyr Park. The time capsule will be filled later this month with more than 60 items of historical and sentimental significance from the city’s first 100 years. Items to be included are local newspaper stories about the Centennial, a Michigan license plate, the book “Zephyrhills — Images of America”  by Madonna Wise, 2010 yearbook from Zephyrhills High School (also founded in 1910) and sports memorabilia from Zephyrhills natives Dave Eiland, pitching coach for the NY Yankees, Dave Reutimann, NASCAR driver and Ryan Pickett, lineman for the Green Bay Packers

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

The hundreds of children who race at Tampa BMX Raceway in Lake Park now have a newly refurnished track to race on.

“We are recapping the track with fresh clay mixed with binding chemicals to make it like concrete,” said Art Heinrichs, president of Tampa BMX. “That will make the grip better for the racers and prevent erosion during the big race coming up.”

The improvements are in preparation for a Gator Nationals race April 9 to 11 at the park, 17302 Dale Mabry Highway. Last year there were 3,500 spectators for the race. This year there will be 1,000 riders and Heinrichs said he expects at least as many people to come and watch. Some of the riders were participants in the 2008 Summer Olympics and many will try and qualify for the 2012 games in London.

Improvements to the raceway were finished March 14 and were paid for by Tampa BMX, which is a nonprofit organization. The new clay, chemicals and equipment cost about $1,500.

“All our income comes from practice fees, race fees and sponsorships,” Heinrichs said. “We don’t get any of the fees to enter Lake Park.”

It costs $3 for a two-hour practice session at the park and either $2 or $4 for a competition depending on the type of race. The $2 fee to enter the park goes to the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department. Heinrichs said the organization does not charge anything to watch the race.

The fee to enter the park started last October, but those in Tampa BMX have not seemed to mind.

“I’ve been to many races at other parks that charge $5 to get in, so the $2 here is nothing,” said M.J. Peters, Land O’ Lakes resident and BMX racer. “If there had been a $2 fee before then no one would even notice now. The reaction to the fees is only because it is something new. People just have to get used to it.”

Peters, 25, started racing in 1995 and currently races in the expert class for people 19 to 25 years old. Other large BMX racetracks in the Tampa Bay area are in St. Petersburg, Riverview and Sarasota.

“The county needed more revenue to support the park,” Heinrichs said. “I’m actually surprised it didn’t happen years ago. I think it hurt the number of racers we had at first, but now the racers are all back and Tampa BMX is as strong as ever.”

Heinrichs added that Tampa BMX would not be able to put on large races like Gator Nationals without the help of the county, which provides things like bleachers and trash cans.

BMX stands for Bicycle Moto-cross. The bikes are designed to travel on uneven terrain and the racetracks usually have obstacles to avoid as well.

Racers at Tampa BMX are generally from north Hillsborough county and Land O’ Lakes. Riders can be as young as 2 years old, but children that young need to have an adult present for them to ride.

Heinrichs said all riders must have a BMX license and insurance to race on the track, which costs $50 per year. He also said those in financial need can qualify for a waiver of the license and insurance fee. The organization also loans out certain equipment.

Heinrichs, who became the president three years ago, said he and other volunteers receive no money for their work with Tampa BMX, adding that most volunteers are riders or parents wanting to help their children.

“My son Tyler (14) rides, but I didn’t know anything about BMX riding until he started,” Heinrichs said. “My daughter Allie (16) also rides.”

Another young rider at the park is 13-year-old Randy Howard, who races in the 13-novice class and has been riding for two years.

“I just love going fast, jumping and winning,” said Howard, who lives in Lutz. “It’s just fun to get faster…My little brother (Riley) rides too and I get to teach him how to ride faster.”

Riley is 9 years old.

Peters agrees with Howard.

“I love the thrill of being on the track,” Peters said. “When you’re racing you are your own team and you’re the only one that decides if you win or lose. It is really addicting.”

Peters also stated how much better and faster the track will be now that the improvements are completed.

“I can’t wait for Gator Nationals,” Howard said. “It’s my first time in it and I hope I win.”

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

Zephyrhills resident Kaylie Caraway returned from a weeklong mission trip to Guatemala March 6 with a group giving medical aid to the people.

“I really liked being able to help the people in Guatemala and it made me feel better about myself,” Caraway said. “It was much different than what I see in Florida each day. The people there don’t have a lot of money or other things. They are really in poverty and it was nice to help out.”

Caraway was joined on the trip by her grandmother, Cindy Roberts, who she lives with.

“I don’t have a word to describe what I saw there,” Roberts said. “It was very heartwarming to be able to help in some small way and it was also very grounding. It opened my eyes to the poverty down there and it made me see my own problems in a better perspective. It really tugged on the heartstrings.”

The trip was part of the Midwestern University (MWU) Mission Trip to Guatemala. MWU is in Illinois.

The whole trip lasted two weeks and included about 30 MWU students and doctors and a few everyday people just looking to help.

“Most of the people on the trip were either doctors or fourth-year medical students,” Roberts said. “It’s rare for someone as young as Kaylie to go on the trip.”

The family knew about the trip because one of the organizers, Amy Roberts, is Roberts’ daughter and Caraway’s aunt.

“We really enjoyed having her there,” Amy said of Caraway. “It was a pleasure having her with us and we’d love to have her back next year.”

It was the fourth mission trip for Amy. She is currently a dermatology resident in Arizona.

“My aunt worked in a different place than I did, so I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with her,” Caraway said. “I mainly sorted things like medicine and vitamins into bags to give to the people in the pharmacy. The last couple of days I helped give fluoride treatments to people.”

Caraway remembered when a growth had to be removed from one child’s tongue. She said the child was very scared and was crying during the procedure, but was very thankful after.

“The best part was seeing the people smile after you helped them,” Caraway said. “When I handed out shoes and toys to the people they just couldn’t stop smiling.”

Those on the trip started working each morning around 7:30 a.m. and did not stop until 3:30 p.m. They treated 350 to 400 patients each day.

“We were exhausted each evening,” Roberts said. “Kaylie and I had no medical training so we were basically extra sets of hands, but the doctors on the trip helped train the local doctors and healers so they can help the people in the future.”

Roberts explained that many of the Guatemalans have respiratory problems because there are active volcanoes across the landscape. The smoke and ash from the volcanoes gets into the people’s lungs and causes many different illnesses.

“The smoke gets everywhere,” Roberts said. “By the end of each day you are basically covered in the soot.”

Caraway wrote a blog while on the trip. The last entry read:

“Today was the last day in Guatemala. I will miss this place so much. It has changed my idea of poverty. I just wanted to give everyone my last dollar. I think I have changed since I have been here. I will miss it here.”

One of the most difficult parts of the trip was the language barrier. Most people speak Spanish in Guatemala, which forced everyone to learn at least some of the language. Caraway already knew some Spanish before the trip.

“It really helped to know some of the language going in,” Caraway said. “I still brought some Spanish handouts from school in case I didn’t remember certain words. Some of the words were different because they teach us a certain kind of Spanish that they don’t use in Guatemala, but I was able to understand most of what was going on.”

It was not your normal vacation, but both Caraway and Roberts want to return on the mission trip next year.

“It’s something I’ll always remember whenever I think I have problems,” Caraway said. “I’d like to keep going on the trip if I can and help the people who need it.”

By Sarah Whitman

Senior Staff Writer

Lives are changed at True Life Center in Zephyrhills.

Since opening in March 2008, the church has helped heal the sick, feed the hungry and bring direction to the lives of its members, all while meeting in a cramped house on Allen Road.

In celebration of its growing congregation, the church will open a new 7,000-square-foot worship center Easter Sunday. The building, 4797 Allen Road, represents the growth True Life Center has experienced this past year.

“Since coming to True Life Center, my life has completely changed,” Vicki Shrader Carpenter said. “I had problems with drug addiction and family problems. That’s all gone now.”

The church’s pastor, Randy Lawrence, has a similar story. Lawrence was involved with drugs and alcohol into his late 20s, when a book he was reading led his heart in a new direction. The book was about a businessman transformed by the Christian faith. Lawrence was a stockbroker at the time and identified with the author.

“I said Lord if you are real, come into my life and show me what to do,” Lawrence said. “I was able to let go of all the things that were holding me back. I was saved.”

Lawrence became a member of First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks in Pinellas County. There he met his wife, Sara Jo, and began serving in the ministry. He studied at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and earned a pastoral degree.

In 2006, the couple felt called to start their own church.

“Our goal was to reach people who don’t have a background in church,” Lawrence said. “Church used to be as foreign as Mars to me so I can identify with people in that situation. I wanted to connect with them.”

True Life Center didn’t happen overnight. Lawrence and Sara Jo started small. In January 2007, they moved from Clearwater to Wesley Chapel and began hosting a Tuesday night Bible study in their home. As the study grew, they decided it was time to look for another meeting place and start Sunday services. They found a house on Allen Road, a former home day care, and began renting the property.

The church held its first service Easter Sunday 2008. At the time, there were only a few dozen members. Today, more than 80 people attend on a regular basis, eighty-percent of which had never been to church before.

The new sanctuary seats 300 and is adjacent to two children’s ministry rooms. There is also a café. Lawrence describes the design as modern yet comfortable, spacious yet intimate. He expects a near-packed house on opening day.

Members are excited and hopeful.

“The new worship center is going to be wonderful,” said Pam Otero. “I think it will be filled up pretty soon. It’s such a blessing.”

Less than a year ago, Otero was out of work and overwhelmed by health problems. She saw a sign for Harvest Food Pantry, an outreach of True Life Center, and stopped for information because she was having a hard time affording groceries.

“They told me what the church had done for their lives, so I went one Sunday and it has changed my life forever,” Otero said. “With faith, hope and prayer, I got a job that I love and my health is better. Now I volunteer at the food pantry and share my story with people.”

Matthew Deblase said True Life Center is different than other churches he has attended.

“I’d been to churches before where people were judgmental,” he said.  “When I walked through the door here, I felt like I was at home. Everyone greeted me with open arms and a lot of love.”

Susan Morrison has been with the church since April 2008 and considers the Lawrences family.

“My husband and I both grew up in church,” Morrison said. “When we moved to Zephyrhills we were looking for our first church together. I saw a sign for True Life Center that said, ‘Life is Free’ and I knew, they knew my Jesus. It was an answer to prayer.”

Morrison said she has seen miracles happen at the church.

“It’s unbelievable the way peoples’ lives have been transformed and how many positive things have happened because of this church,” she said. “This is the most genuine loving environment I’ve ever been in. It’s not about the church, it’s about what happens at the church and what happens here is amazing.”

Morrison said she is amazed how many church members volunteer to help with community outreach and share their testimonies.

“Like with Vicki (Carpenter), her testimony is so encouraging,” Morrison said.

Carpenter said she is happy to share her story, even if it isn’t all easy to tell. She was one of the people who spoke to Otero at the food pantry and brought her to True Life Center.

Carpenter no longer feels a need to fill a void with drugs and alcohol.

“My old life is behind me,” she said. “Pastor Lawrence had been through some of the pain I’d been through and he taught me the hole in my heart was one only God could fill.”

Lawrence encourages everyone he meets to come be a part of his growing church family. He considers the new worship center a chance to meet new faces and let more people know about Christ. He said needing a bigger space is always a good thing.

“God wants us to transform and live the life he wants for us, an abundant joy-filled life,” he said. “I want to help people make that transformation.”

Easter Sunday service will begin at 10 a.m. For information, call (813) 788-5433.

If You Go

• What True Life Center Worship Center opening
• When 10 a.m. Easter Sunday
• Where 4797 Allen Road

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

The red devil invaded the Wesley Chapel High School classroom, but instead of it attacking students, the students attacked it.

Through the Squids-4-Kids program at Stanford University in California, juniors and seniors in the Wesley Chapel High marine biology classes were able to learn about the Humboldt Squid, otherwise known as the Red Devil. The school received two squids and marine science teachers Susan Cullum and Kathy Reilly dissected one and left the other whole.

“The fisherman catch the squid and then they are sent to schools throughout the country,” Cullum said. “This is an exciting opportunity for the kids to have a hands-on activity with the squid. These squid are in equatorial pacific waters. We would never have a chance to see them in Florida.”

The program is a collaboration between researchers at Hopkins Marine Station of Stanford University and NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service in Santa Cruz, California. There is no charge to the school except the shipping cost.

“This is special because we are going through a warm El Nino cycle,” Cullum said. “The warm water is coming north and that is allowing the squid to migrate further north than usual. The squid are not supposed to be in those areas. They have been found all the way up north in places like Canada, Washington and even as far as Alaska.”

Normally it would be dangerous for a person to see such a large squid.

“These squid are very aggressive which is why this is causing an issue,” Cullum said. “The squids are decimating commercial fisheries. They are so aggressive that in large swarms they turn cannibalistic.”

Crystal Moore, senior, touched the tentacles and was excited to find teeth.

For many students, the hands-on activity was much more exciting than a normal class, even with the strong rotten fish smell. Cameron Roth, junior, could not wait to get to class to touch the squid.

“I get to touch it which is so much better then seeing it on a big screen,” Roth said. “I learned a lot about marine life like how the Humboldt squid catches its prey and feeds on it.”

There are several things junior Marcus Crescentini learned about the squid that he said he would not have realized if not for seeing it in person.

“It is different then seeing it in a text book,” Crescentini said. “I think I learn better this way. I didn’t know the squid had two hearts. When I saw the ink sack, I was surprised because I thought it would be bigger. When you look at the skin you wouldn’t think it would be soft, but it feels kind of like a snake.”

Seeing the squid in person helped senior Jeremy Baker realize how big the squid are.

“Their eyes are three times the size of ours,” Baker said. “It was really cool to look at the fin under the microscope. I got to see all different colored pigments.”

For information visit gilly.stanford.edu.

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

The deployment of 30,000 U.S. soldiers to Afghanistan has created a need for everyday items, so Southern Crafted Homes is sponsoring Military Appreciation Day to raise money to ship care packages.

“I wanted to help in any way our company could and get the word out about the need for postage money,” said Jim Deitch, chief operating officer of Southern Crafted Homes. “If we can use our influence to help the troops we will because there is only so much the government can provide without the public’s help.”

The business, which has had a location in Land O’ Lakes for 20 years, is hosting the event from noon to 4 p.m. March 28 at Stone Gate Community, 2830 Sunny Ledge Court in Land O’ Lakes. Admission to the event is free, but there will be things like food and memorabilia for sale to raise money for Support Our Troops Inc. in Wesley Chapel.

“It seems like the generosity of people in this country has no ends,” said Bob Williams, founder of Support Our Troops. “The only problem is we have so much stuff and not enough money to ship (it) to our soldiers. It costs $1 to ship one pound to the troops, so that adds up to a lot of money fast.”

Williams recalled receiving 40,000 pounds of snack food only to worry about how to come up with $40,000 to ship it to the soldiers.

“Everything we raise will go to pay for the postage that Support Our Troops needs,” Deitch said. “100 percent. We hope to raise $25,000 in one day and I think that is doable.”

Deitch knows from firsthand experience what it means to receive a care package while overseas. He was in the Marine Corps for 12 years from 1984 to 1996 and reached the rank of staff sergeant. He was stationed in the Middle East and Norway among other places.

“When I was deployed one of the most important things was to get mail from home,” Deitch said. “When guys got packages from home they always shared with everyone else. It’s important to know there are people that care when you’re putting your life on the line each day.”

One group that donates to Support Our Troops regularly is Treats for Troops, which is based in Land O’ Lakes.

“The shipping bill was around $60,000 last month,” said Treats for Troops founder Karin King about the cost to Support Our Troops. “Hopefully the event will bring a lot of people out.”

When the donated money for postage does not cover the costs, they have to dip into their own pockets.

“Basically we go for our credit card when we have to,” said Karin’s husband Jim King, who works with Williams as well. “The price each month is so high because of the new soldiers being deployed and also because all combat marines have been moved from Iraq to Afghanistan. Many had to move before they could pack all their supplies so they need a lot of things right now.”

One current soldier who has received supplies from Support Our Troops and Treats for Troops is Col. Mike Keller, who is stationed at one of the transportation centers the troops go through while being deployed to Afghanistan.

In a recent e-mail, Keller wrote after receiving the supplies:

“Three massive boxes of treats arrived today in pristine condition. My team immediately shared the wealth throughout the (headquarters)…Many thanks from all here.”

While the event is meant to honor all veterans and active military personal, there is one who will be honored in particular.

“We wanted to honor Mike Krackzkowski who recently passed away,” Deitch said. “He was the father of the wife of the president of Southern Crafted Homes (Kurt Hull). He served in World War II in Italy and the north African campaign.”

Krackzkowski, who lived in Connecticut, was born March 22, 1920 and died Feb. 5, 2010.

The day’s events will include military equipment demonstrations, a bounce house, face painting and animal balloons. Tampa Bay Lightning mascot Thunderbug will be in attendance and could be joined by the Lightning Girls and possibly one or two of the Lightning players.

Dinner at the event will be provided by Hungry Harry’s BBQ for $8. Raffle tickets for various gift packages will also be available.

Those who want to help with the cost of postage can send checks or money orders payable to the Postmaster to P.O. Box 7560 Wesley Chapel, FL 33545. For more information on Support Our Troops, e-mail of visit www.ourtroopsonline.com.