Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Christian Social Services and Habitat of Humanity will both benefit

Kyle LoJacono
Staff Writer
LAND O’ LAKES — Jacquie Petet has worked with Christian Social Services (CSS) for 16 years and is still thrilled when the organization can help those in need.
“It just warms my heart when we’re able to help out needy families,” Petet, CSS executive director, said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, but I still get that joy in knowing we helped a family.”

CSS is teaming up with Habitat for Humanity in Pasco County in “The Peanut Butter Project,” which will benefit both charities.
The two organizations are asking the community to donate as many jars of unopened peanut butter and dollar bills to the CSS building, located at 5514 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. in Land O’ Lakes. The money will go to Habitat to help build homes for the needy, while the peanut butter will go to CSS to help feed the hungry.
“What is so great about this project is that it helps both now and down the road,” said Charlie Reese, Habitat board member. “We’re helping people with their immediate need for food while we are collecting money to eventually raise a roof on a home down the road.”
The project is taking the place of “Harvest for Humanity,” which the past two years did not focus on any one kind of food.
“A few years ago, we at the Habitat were trying to find a way to help raise funds to help needy families build houses, and after batting around a couple of ideas we thought of joining forces with Christian Social Services,” Reese said. “We felt like these are the two local charities that do a lot in the East Pasco and north Hillsborough region but sometimes get lost in the shuffle of the bigger charities in downtown Tampa or West Pasco…We needed a way to help the local people in need and we came up with the first ‘Harvest for Humanity.’”
Last year, more than four tons of food was collected during “Harvest for Humanity,” and this year, officials from both charities said they hope for the same in peanut butter.
“We always find that one of the things we lack is peanut butter,” Petet said. “It’s a good source of protein for children and easy for parents to pack in lunches, but for whatever reason we never have enough peanut butter.”
Not only is it a good source of protein, it is only appropriate that someone with a last name of Reese would help organize a project with peanut butter.
“It’s cosmic,” Reese said. “I love peanut butter so I guess I was born to help out a cause with peanut butter. It’s really just magic that someone named Reese is dedicated to peanut butter.”
Habitat of Pasco has raised homes from Dade City and Zephyrhills, down through Wesley Chapel and Land O’ Lakes and even across into Hillsborough County in Lutz and Odessa. CSS in Land O’ Lakes focuses on helping those in all those regions too but does not refuse help to any in need.
Donations to both charities are tax deductible and can be made any time between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday at CSS in Land O’ Lakes, but the main collection date for the project is Oct. 30.
“Oct. 30 is just a date that we picked, but people can bring in the peanut butter and dollars, or any other food for that matter, to the Christian Social Services building,” Petet said. “We don’t know how much peanut butter we will get, but we are always grateful with what we receive. We’re always overwhelmed with what we do get, and we have never been disappointed by this community.”
For more information on Habitat call Reese at (813) 787-3500. For more information on CSS, call (813) 995-0088.

By Ashley Dunn
News Editor
LAND O’ LAKES — On Sept. 22, a Land O’ Lakes family lost all of their possessions in a house fire. Now, family friend Karen Skoglund is hoping the community will rally together to donate necessary items.
“This family is in need of anything,” Skoglund wrote in an e-mail to everyone on her contacts list. “If you need to clean out closets or are getting rid of items you no longer need, please consider contacting me. I am willing to collect items and deliver them to the family.”
The family, who Skoglund did not want to name, includes four kids — a 12-year-old boy, a 10-year-old girl, a 9-year-old boy, a 7-year old boy and their parents.
Skoglund said one of the family’s top needs is clothing, including:
— Boys sizes L and XL, and 6 to 7, or 8 to 10
— Girls sizes L or 14-16
— Men’s sizes 42 waist pants and XL shirts
“I am working on getting Mom to give me her sizes; but like most Moms I know, she is only worried about her kids and husband,” Skoglund wrote in the e-mail. “They are very much in shock and can’t believe that all their material possessions are gone. They are very thankful that they all got out, including their pets, unharmed.”
Skoglund said the family’s insurance company has put them up in a house in the same Land O’ Lakes neighborhood where they lived.
Skoglund, a stay-at-home mom with four kids, said she has known the family for years. Her daughter is in girl scouts with the 10-year-old. The troop has set up a savings account for those who would like to donate money to the family.
She said she couldn’t imagine herself in the same situation.
“It’s so hard,” she said. “I really don’t know what I would do. Who do you turn to but your community and your friends?”
To donate or for more information, call Skoglund at (813) 968-4975 (home) or (813) 230-0442 (cell).

Pet ritual hosted by churches in Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills

By Steve Lee
Staff Writer

LAND O’ LAKES — Father Jojo Tejada waited patiently for the Glaister sisters to still their collie for the Blessing of the Animals, an annual tradition at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Land O’ Lakes.
Other pet owners followed, lining up with their dogs, turtles and hamsters. Those pets, along with ducks in Zephyrhills and sheep in Wesley Chapel, were blessed in commemoration with the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.
St. Francis, a figure with appeal across religious and secular lines, is the Patron of Ecology. His deep love of all creation and sense of connectedness to all living things is reflected in the blessing ritual.
Atonement Lutheran Church of Wesley Chapel blessed the animals for a second straight year, only this time it took place outside rather than indoors like last year.
“Kids came with their dogs,” church member Frank Reams said. “I was a little bit concerned that one of them might have an accident, so this year we (blessed animals) out front.”
In Zephyrhills, people brought their animals to St. Joseph Catholic Church. The blessing there was followed by pet photos, pet treats and numerous prizes. Donations benefited the church’s music Ministry.
Reams echoed a sentiment shared by all who blessed the animals or brought their pets to a church to be blessed.
“It’s for the love of God,” he said. “It’s not only for humans, it’s for the animals too.”

Awards and dancing highlight 11th annual banquet

By Steve Lee
Staff Writer
WESLEY CHAPEL — Talk about a time warp, a Saddlebrook Resort banquet room on Sept. 25 was filled with women in min-dresses and knee-high boots while men sported open shirts and tight pants.

Not to mention a couple of hippies, alias the Callarmans of Crown Trophy.
Those fashion statements — with some making louder and more colorful impressions than others — highlighted the 1970’s Disco Flashback theme for the 11th annual Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Awards Ceremony and Installation of Officers.
“It was a blast,” said Sheri Goldberg, the chamber’s executive director.
While several members actually have first-hand knowledge of that era, others in attendance were born after those days had gone by. Perhaps that is why many in the crowd danced the night away long after awards were doled out and directors were recognized.
“The demographics of the community and the chamber is for young professionals,” Goldberg said. “I guess they like to get up and dance. We saw a lot of energy at that banquet. The dance floor was packed.”
Before the dancers got in full swing, members applauded numerous award winners for their contributions to the chamber and community throughout the past year. Highlighting that list, along with their awards, were: David West, President’s; Anna Grover, Honorary Mayor’s; Cindy Fleming, Chamber Champion; Laura Miller, (2) Board Member and Volunteer of the Year; Jeff Miller, Ambassador of the Year.
A special award was presented to Jerry Sterner, who recently retired after 19 years in public relations for Florida Hospital Zephyrhills (formerly East Pasco Medical Center) and a week earlier had been recognized by the Zephyrhills chamber and given a key to that city.
“He’s an icon,” Goldberg said of Sterner, who plans to move to Tennesee. “We’re going to miss him.”
As for the top business awards of the year, that list featured: Cobb Theater and Hyundai-Mazda of Wesley Chapel, Large Business; Ierna’s Heating and Cooling, Small Business; Bay Insurors, and Jeff and Laura Miller of Charles Rutenberg Realtors, Best Supporting; Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, Non-profit Organization; The Shops at Wiregrass, Rookie.

In addition to the award winners, the chamber announced its 2009-10 board of directors: Fleming, president; Debra Kaplan, vice president; Devin Collins, treasurer; pastor Jeff Olsen, secretary; Laura Miller, president-elect.
Remaining directors include: West, Michael Audino, John Negley, Richard Wendlek, Angela Bosler, Stephanie Watts, Mary Adele Cluck, Rob Kellog, Pat Ciaccio, Randy Stovall and Michael DeLessio.
Goldberg said the chamber lists a record-high 506 members.

By Kyle LoJacono
Staff writer

I was at the Sept. 26 football game between Florida State and the University of South Florida, but unlike most people traveling from Tampa I wanted the Seminoles to win.
Growing up in Lutz and being a 2005 Gaither graduate, I have watched the Bulls since their inception in 1997. However, I went to FSU and spent many Saturdays watching the Seminoles battle at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.
It was hard for me to see FSU lose 17-7 in the first-ever meeting between those schools, but it was nice to see the Bulls establish themselves in college football. USF has been on the fast track, spending just four seasons in the former 1-AA before moving up to the top division.

Over that time the Bulls have had one coach, Jim Leavitt, who was born in St. Petersburg. The Bulls reached their highest national ranking in October, 2007 when they were No. 2. Many thought Leavitt might leave Tampa for a more established program, but he signed a two-year extension through 2014.
Even though USF is now a team that people outside of the Tampa Bay area know, the program cannot compare with the history at FSU. USF was founded in 1956, while FSU opened in 1851.
The Seminoles have two Heisman Trophy winners in quarterbacks Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke in 1993 and 2000, respectively.
USF has none.
FSU also has two national championships, the first in 1993 and the second in 1999.
USF does not.
The 1999 title was the first and only FSU team with a perfect season. That squad was celebrated before the Sept. 26 game.
It seemed like FSU would win the game easily as USF’s starting quarterback, Matt Grothe, tore his ACL the previous week and could not play. The Bulls started B.J. Daniels, who went to Lincoln High in Tallahassee and grew up a Seminoles fan.
So what happens? One former Seminoles fan from Tallahassee joins USF to crush the team he grew up rooting for while I watched, sickened in the stands.
“They just beat the heck out of us,” FSU coach Bobby Bowden said after the game.
They sure did, Bobby. Who’d have seen that coming?

By Steve Lee
Sports Editor
DADE CITY — If a picture is worth a thousand words, there is a whole lot to be said about the Uptown Artist Gallery in Dade City.
The gallery is the dream of artists Karin Best, Mary Sears and Suzanne Desneux. It opened Oct. 3.
“This is what we want for Dade City; to be an art center like Ybor City,” Best said.

The co-owners met at various art shows before they decided to pool their resources and make a place for artists to display and sell their creations.

“We had no money,” Best said. “We had to dig very deep. We were literally broke. If we can do this, we can do anything.”
To get the ball rolling, Sears cashed in her life insurance, Best and her husband cleaned out their bank accounts, and Desneux used her property taxes. They found a supportive landlord in Otto Weitzenkorn and rented a building at the corner of Seventh Street and Ross Avenue.
The women claim that miracles happen every day to enable them to make their dream come true. Not the least of which includes woodworkers Greg Morwey and Allen Martel. The self-described “Sons of Cypress” paid for the gallery’s liability insurance.

Best, Sears and Desneux obviously enjoy one another’s company and working toward achieving their collective dream. They jokingly call themselves, in order, “the instigator, the aggravator and the agitator.”
The gallery is part of a co-op — artists pay $35 a month for a space to display their art. If they sell their art, they keep all the proceeds. Co-op fees are used to pay gallery expenses.
“When they sell something they keep it all,” Desneux said. “People can deal directly with the artist, not with the gallery.”
Added Sears, “If I sell a piece of my work, I don’t have to give the gallery a commission. All I have to do is pay my monthly co-op fee.”
The women say that this is much less expensive than what a gallery normally charges in percentages for a sale.
“When you think you’ve bought a $1,000 painting, the artist walks away with $500 and he still has to pay for his canvas, his paint, time and training,” Desneux said.
The trio is not only interested in painting, but in art such as handmade furniture of the Sons of Cypress, sculptures and photography displays. They would also like to have poetry readings and book signings in the future.
“What we want here is to have community involvement,” Sears said. “We want children to come in and be able to learn about art, and be able to paint. We want to have workshops, we want to have seniors come in, we want to involve the community in this. We’re flying by the seat of our panty hose.”

If you go
What: Uptown Artist Gallery
Where: 14449 7th St. in Dade City
When: Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week.
More info: Those interested in showing their work should call Best at (813) 312-3264.

By Ashley Dunn
News Editor
WESLEY CHAPEL — On Oct. 31, children of all ages will don costumes and ask for treats. But kids aren’t the only ones who will be having all the fun this month.
The Shops at Wiregrass is inviting dogs and their owners to participate in Dogtoberfest, which will take place at the mall, located at SR 56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, on Oct. 17 from 5 to 8 p.m.
“It’s one of those things — I think it’s going to be pretty big,” said Chad Doritan, the mall’s marketing director.
Dogs are allowed to stroll on the sidewalks of the outdoor mall, and Doritan said many pet owners bring their furry friends to the shopping center with them.
During the mall’s concert series from March to May, “the dogs were everywhere,” Doritan said, and many were dressed up. On a beach-themed night, one pooch wore a doggie wetsuit, flippers and had its own surfboard.
That’s how the idea for Dogtoberfest came about. People seemed to enjoy bringing their costumed pets to the mall, so mall officials figured why not have an event for that in October when temperatures are a bit cooler, Doritan said.
There will be a Doggie Costume Contest, during which more than $300 in prizes will be awarded. Costumes aren’t limited to a Halloween theme; dogs can be dressed in any outfit. All dogs in costumes will receive a medal courtesy of 365 Caffe Italiano. There will also be a live concert by The Rhythm Hounds, a professional photographer to take photos of the dogs, and dog adoption organizations. So far, The Shops at Wiregrass has teamed up with No More Homeless Pets, an all-volunteer adoption coalition based in Hillsborough County. Doritan said he is still trying to find dog-related vendors.
“It’s just a fun thing,” he said of the event. “Come out with your dog and listen to music.”
For more information about Dogtoberfest, visit www.theshopsatwiregrass.com.

Eddie is a 3-year-old Rat Terrier. He loves running obstacle courses, peanut butter and riding on the boat with his family. Eddie’s proud owner is Nataley Riggs of Land O’ Lakes.

Daisy is a 7-year-old Shih Tzu, Fox Terrier mix. She goes crazy when she sees her owner put on her bathing suit because Daisy loves to float in her boat in the pool. She loves to chase squirrels and play ball. Daisy’s proud owner is Cheryl Ware, of Zephyrhills.