Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

WESLEY CHAPEL — The Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce heads in a new direction with its new executive director David West.

Social media sites like YouTube and Facebook have become very popular which is why West is planning to use those sites to promote the chamber.

“I see this as a wave of the future,” West said. “I want this chamber to be a leader. I am looking to be innovative and cutting edge.”

One way he is working to promote businesses is to film a five-minute video about a business and post it on YouTube , in addition to the chamber’s web site. For people who missed the chamber functions, West is also making videos of the functions and posting them on the chamber’s site.

“The goal is to help businesses prosper so this is a good way to promote what a business focuses on,” West said. “The idea is to let people meet the owners of businesses and to feel like they know them. My goal is to do every business in the chamber.”

Cindy Fleming, president of the chamber, said she really likes the new direction the chamber is taking.

“I think it is something the chamber needs to keep up with,” Fleming said. “We are moving in a direction we have never gone before. The videos he is creating on the businesses are incredible.”

Fleming said she thinks West will bring a lot to the job because of his stature in the community.
“He is a well-known person in the business community,” Flemming said. “He has been around here for so long. He is a trusted individual, which is important for our members to have faith in leadership. As president, I am excited to have him on board.”

West said he considers himself to be a connector.

“I spend all day connecting people with solutions to their problems,” West said. “It is what I do all the time. Sometimes I get paid and sometimes I don’t.”

Before starting the job at the chamber, West was on the board of directors at the Dade City, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills Chambers. Now that West has the job at the Wesley Chapel chamber, he will be leaving all the other boards. Now he can just focus on Wesley Chapel.

“I have a million things I want to do,” West said. “This town is up and coming with a high energy big city feel. I think there are great opportunities here.”

The road West took to eventually end up at the chamber was a long and winding one. He started out as a preacher when he was in high school preaching his first sermon when he was only 15. He went on to get his bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies at Florida College in Temple Terrace.

He has since preached at Dundee Church of Christ in Polk County, Trilacoochee Church of Christ and he has been at Dade City Church of Christ for 15 years.

“When I got to Dade City Church of Christ, I decided I didn’t want to be one of those preachers that just stays in the office,” West said. “I wanted to be out in the community working. I was ready to learn what it is like to work for a living.”

West said he plans to approach his job at the chamber the same way he approaches his job as a preacher.

“I want people to eventually become self sufficient,” West said. “I like to help develop people to make them more independent so I can find more people to help. The goal at the chamber is to develop people into becoming board members and chairs of the organization.”

Through the years, he started a career in journalism with a job first at Pasco News where he did everything but print the East Pasco Business Focus, a monthly tab.

Then he became the community relations manager for Pasco and Hernando counties at The Tampa Tribune. After he was laid off in November 2008, he started looking for another job. After working for a while as a business assistant specialist at the Health Department, he ended up at the chamber.

“I never had training for any of the jobs I ever had,” West said. “I have just done a lot of things and I am a quick learner.”

In addition to all of his job experience, West also brings with him to the job his extensive experience working with organizations like the Rotary, The Toastmasters Club, The Pasco Boys and Girls Club and Morningstar Fishermen.

He has helped to start seven Rotary clubs in the area including one pilot project on-line rotary club for people in the Southeast United States and the Caribbean. For information on the club, visit rotaryclub34.org.

“It is great because it reaches out and allows more people to be involved in the Rotary,” West said. “They are good for people who are unable to attend a weekly meeting who either do too much travel or for people who have disabilities and can’t get out. It is also useful for club members who miss a meeting to be able to get credit.”

Most recently he began a Toastmaster club in Wesley Chapel because he said it is a very useful skill for people to learn.

“It is a very supportive environment,” West said. “It is a great way to get comfortable speaking in front of people. People can learn many valuable business skills. We all like to talk, it is just hard to do in front of a crowd.”

For more information, visit www.wesleychapelchamber.com.

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

ZEPHYRHILLS — It would not be a Friday night at Zephyrhills High School during the football season without Greg First’s voice, but his work on the east side of Pasco County goes further than that.

He has lived in Zephyrhills for more than 50 years and was the president of the Sunrise of Pasco abuse center. He spent two years on the board of directors of the San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival and is a member of the Conservative Club of East Pasco. His work in the community has earned him the Lincoln Heritage Award, given annually by the Conservative Club.

“I can think of about a thousand others that should get the award before me,” First said. “It’s really humbling to be receiving it.”

The award has been given for the last seven years to the person who has demonstrated community service throughout their lifetime. First will receive his award at a ceremony Feb. 26 at Zephyr Palms Events Centre, 4645 Airport Road in Zephyrhills,

“The previous year’s winner always presents the new winner with the award,” said Dick Albrecht, Conservative Club vice president. “Last year Wilton Simpson was the winner, and he is every bit as deserving as Greg. They’re both great people and do a lot for the community.”

First has been a member of the Conservative Club for more than two years. The club has members from Zephyrhills, Dade City, Wesley Chapel and the rest of the east side of Pasco.

“Greg is the kind of person who will treat you like you’ve been his friend forever the first time he meets you,” Albrecht said. “He is the only person I’ve ever met that you can ask him a favor and he’ll do it without any follow-up. He just does things for people all the time, and that’s one of the reasons he’s receiving the award.”

Gordon Hyde will be the master of ceremonies at the event.

“He and I are business partners with Zephyr Palms Events, so I work with him about as much as anyone,” Hyde said of First. “He just can’t say no to community service. He is the voice of just about every parade in Zephyrhills and Dade City and is always out helping people. He wasn’t looking to get the award, but he absolutely deserves to have it.”

First works with Hyde, but calls the Bulldogs football games with Kerry Ryman.

“We have fun no matter how good or bad the team is,” Ryman said. “I’ve been doing the games for 20 years and Greg’s been doing it a little longer. He is just a great person and very devoted to the community here in Zephyrhills and east Pasco.”

First was born in Ohio but moved to Zephyrhills when he was very young. He and wife Jenny consider the city home. Jenny had two children from a previous relationship, Kristen and Evan Alston, who First helped raise.

The new award winner first joined the club because of his upbringing.

“I was raised to get up each day, go to school and say the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer,” First said. “I’d like to see those traditional ways of doing things come back.”

First is also a lifetime member of Amvets, a service organization for people who have served in any branch of the U.S. armed forces.

“I was in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1972, but I didn’t serve over there,” First said. “It’s nice to have an organization like Amvets where you can go and have people you can relate to. It doesn’t matter how long you served, where you served or in what branch you’ve served.”

First’s late father, James, served in the Coast Guard during World War II. Evan followed in First’s footsteps and joined the Air Force.

Many things have changed in Zephyrhills since First came to the city more than a half century ago, but he still feels the same about the area.

“It’s a great place to raise kids and live,” First said. “It still has a small town feeling where everyone tries to look out for everyone else. The community looks out for you and that’s why my family and me try to look out for the community.”

By Sarah Whitman

Senior Staff Writer

LAND O’ LAKES — The children gather around to listen to a story. Moms sit back and relax as storyteller Maureen Shewmaker reads with enthusiasm. It is 10 a.m. on Wednesday and this is the Moms & Tots group at Land O’ Lakes Community Center.

The group is sponsored by Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church and welcomes moms with children 5-years-old and younger. Each week, the meeting has a different theme. This week, it’s listening.

“I love story time because Christian really likes it,” mom Jennifer Bien said. “He sits still and listens. It’s amazing.”

Christian is a 4-year-old who loves to run and play. During story time, he sits quietly and anticipates the turn of the page. Of course, he did just get his wiggles out during music time.

“He likes the music too,” Bien said with a smile. “This (is) our first time here. A friend recommended it. We’ll definitely come back.”

Friend Kris Miley, mom to 5-year-old Ryan and 1-year-old Aidan, has been coming to the group since 2008. The group meets from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays for 8 weeks at a time twice a year. The current session runs through March 24.

“This group is great because they have music, story time, crafts and snacks,” Miley said.

Moments later; she joins in doing the hokey pokey. Mary Mosakowski, a certified early childhood teacher and mother of two, leads the group. She sings, “Put your backside in and shake it all about,” provoking giggles throughout the room.

When the music stops, it is time to get creative.

“Okay, since today’s theme is listening, our craft is going to be coloring paper wind chimes,” Mosakowski explains. “Come pick out which one you want to color and take it over to a table.”

The children rush over with their moms close behind. They use markers to color the paper cutouts. Moms help out where needed, but encourage the little ones to just have fun.

“This is an opportunity for his creativity to shine,” said Natalia Carmona, mom to 3-year-old Kevin. “He gets to interact with other kids his age and it’s a great way for him to overcome his shyness.”

Across the room, Sheila Vega helps her 3-year-old twin girls Rosangely and Giannely pick out marker colors. It is the family’s fourth time at the group. The twins love spending time together.

“It’s wonderful because they’re learning to listen and follow instructions,” Vega said.

After crafts are done and put away, it is time for the popular game of Simon Says. The moms play too, touching their nose, then their toes. The tots laugh when they mess up.

“I didn’t say Simon says,” Mosakowski repeats as 2-year-old Louis Aden Capeilupo stands giggling with his hands on his head.

His mom, Erika, corrects him and follows it with a hug.

“I like coming to this group because he can socialize with other kids,” she said. “Him and I also get to have some one-on-one time.”

Simon Says ends when Mosakowski announces its time for snack. The tots cheer, looking to see if the nearby table full of treats has been uncovered. The day’s snack is bananas and animal crackers.

“They love snack time,” Vega said, following her exited daughters to a table.

While the children eat, John Huebner, pastor at Shepherd of the Lakes, has a mom’s corner. He shares a message on parenting and gives the women time to share their thoughts on the week.

Meanwhile, Shewmaker and Mosakowski keep an eye on the kids. Both have little ones in the group.  Shewmaker’s daughter Jessica is 4. Mosakowski’s daughter Grace is just 2.

“It’s important for mothers to have a place to get together and spend time with their kids,” Mosakowski said.

To register for Moms & Tots, call (813) 401-9135. There is no fee to attend.

Ranger is a 5-year-old Boston Terrier, and is a service dog that helps his owner because of her heart condition. Without Ranger, she would have no freedom.  He has given his owner her independence back, and is her 9-year-old son’s best friend. Ranger’s proud owner is Hollie Topash of Wesley Chapel.

Donny Heart is a 2-1/2 year-old rescue cat. He is special because of the unusual marking of a heart on his back leg. Donny can give you a “high five” when you ask, and if he’s in a good mood, he’ll give you a “ten.” He is very popular around people. Donny Heart’s proud owner is Isabella Sassano of Land O’ Lakes.

By Suzanne Schmidt

Staff Writer

LAND O’ LAKES — Shouts of encouragement were everywhere during the 6^th Annual House Day at The Academy at the Lakes.

The event brings all the classes together from the youngest in kindergarten to the seniors in high school to do relays, play dodge ball, tug of war and a variety of other field day activities. John Pitcairn, middle division director, said the students learn bonding and leadership skills.

“The idea is to foster community spirit and to establish bonds across all grade levels,” Pitcairn said. “We want kids to have the feeling that the entire school is their school.”

He said the day is also about having some good old-fashioned fun.

“It is another way to inject another element of joy in our journey,” Pitcairn said. “It is one way for us to celebrate together.”

Buck Kramer, fourth-grader, said he likes the competition of the day.

“It is challenging and fun,” Kramer said. “Our house won the competition the last two years in a row and we are hoping to do it again this year. I also really like it when the older kids encourage me to because it gives me courage to do things I wouldn’t have done before.”

Colleen Lopez, eighth-grader, was a middle division team captain at the event. She said she enjoys the house day whether her team wins or not.

“I like how all the houses are working together,” Lopez said. “This makes the little kids day, to be with the bigger kids. They look up to the older kids. They get to hear encouragement and learn teamwork.”

Students in the school are in houses with each house represented by a different bird including kestrel, nighthawk, osprey and peregrine. Each house competed against each other during the field day. During the house day, older students were cheering on the younger students in the same houses.

“It is a mix of competitions where some are for grades in close proximity and some are across all age groups,” Pitcairn said. “The day started with a parade of all the houses similar to the Olympics.”

Building relationships within the entire student community is an important part of the school according to Pitcairn.

“We pair each student with another student in the school,” Pitcairn said. “When a kindergartener first comes to the school they are paired with a fifth-grader and they stay together until the older student graduates. Then the fifth-grader is paired with a younger child so students always have another student they are paired with.”

The school has events for the paired up students to interact throughout the year with intramural sports tournaments in soccer, basketball, volleyball and academic activities like buddy reading days and the academic cup.

“The older kids act as mentors,” Pitcairn said. “They are role models for the younger kids. It helps to break down barriers. It also provides leadership opportunities for the kids at all different grade levels.”

John Gans, junior, helped many of the younger students in his house at the event. He said he thinks it is a great excuse to dress up and have some fun.

“It is tons of fun to cheer on the little kids,” Gans said. “They look up to us. It is good to bond with the kids and mentor them.”

Shirley Leung, senior, was also working to encourage the younger students. She said she was excited to get more bonus points for her team for having good spirit.

“I think it is a great way for the little kids and the older kids to bond,” Leung said. “We are all on separate campuses so we don’t get to see each other a lot. It is a lot of fun.”

Parents get to come out and enjoy the fun as well. Carla Fairchild, parent to Brett, 11, and Natalie, 6, said she loves coming out to watch the field day activities.

“I love it because it brings the whole school together,” Fairchild said. “All the grades get to interact with each other. I think it teaches the children how to work together.”

For more information, visit academyatthelakes.org.