Special to The Laker/Lutz News

PASCO COUNTY — It has been an exciting week for April “Shannon” Harrelson and her boys, 11-year-old Ethan and 8-year-old Loghan.

On Dec. 8, the family thought they were going to their future home in Lacoochee for a photo shoot with East Pasco Habitat for Humanity, which was partly true. The family didn’t know that they would be greeted by television cameras and Warrick Dunn. They didn’t know they would receive their home on this day or an additional $5,000 off their mortgage, not to mention that the Warrick Dunn Foundation completely furnished the home, right down to the apple pie on the table.

The community came together to make this happen. Michael Fremlin, the construction manager for East Pasco Habitat for Humanity and many habitat volunteers worked right up to Dec. 8 to make the home perfect for the family. A continental breakfast was donated by Carlos’ Catering in Seffner for the surprise home dedication.

The Warrick Dunn Foundation had volunteers from all over the state come in and help decorate. The Greater Trilby Community Association/North East Pasco Security Patrol helped to secure the home. East Pasco Quilters donated an heirloom quality quilt. The Boys & Girls Club in Lacoochee extended a free membership to the children moving in the home. Many television stations covered Warrick Dunn presenting the home to the Harrelson, and the children said now that they had a home, they wanted a puppy.

Stephanie Black, director of Family Services for Habitat, called April Harrelson to see if having a puppy was a responsibility the family wanted to undertake, recognizing owning a dog is an emotional and financial commitment. Terry Dyar in Largo had a dauchound puppy she wanted to give the family, so the staff from East Pasco Habitat drove to Largo and picked up an 8-week-old puppy.

On Dec. 10, the Warrick Dunn Foundation and East Pasco Habitat for Humanity presented the puppy to the boys as a surprise gift at Habitat’s Holiday Hope Christmas Open House with a crowd of about 150 people. Tiffany Williamson was there on behalf of Dade City Animal Clinic and donated veterinarian services, puppy shots and a gift basket with brochures, shampoo, clippers, everything you might need for a new member of the family. The boys named the dog “Bubba Dunn.” April and the boys are so grateful and amazed by the outpouring of kindness, generosity and love from the public. It has been an exciting week for the Harrelson’s and an exciting new start for a family.

East Pasco Habitat for Humanity is not a give-away program. Habitat builds houses with East Pasco families in need. Volunteer labor is used to build houses to keep the building costs low. Partner families invest a minimum of 400 hours of their own sweat equity into building their houses and the houses of others.

Jake is a 3-year-old Yorkie mix. He is a rescue dog and loves to play with his sisters: Kailee, a Great Dane mix; and Bean, a Collie mix. Jake loves to pretend to be a statue and wait for the squirrels in the yard so he can chase them. He has a heart of gold and always lets us know when another animal that needs help wanders into our yard. He has many “cat friends.” Jake lives with his owner, Susan Levin, in Dade City.

Patches is a 14-year-old mixed breed and is also known as Fat Boy, Walking Hairball and Mr. Independent. Patches came to his owner as a stray cat when he was about 8 weeks old. If you are into cute, cuddly lap cats, forget about this big boy. His mama has to beg for affection, attention and thank yous. Patches is about as independent as a cat can be and likes to think it is his house and you are allowed to live there. He loves to eat, lounge and get in your face when you are reading your favorite book. Patches is not “purr”fect, but he is loved by his proud owner, Carol Kocalis, of Land O’ Lakes.

By Ashley Reams Dunn

News Editor

SAN ANTONIO — Jack Boyle was always interested in art, but his fascination with pottery didn’t develop until 1973 when he was a fine arts major at the University of South Florida.

“When you declare yourself a fine arts major, you have to take different studio classes,” Boyle explained. He had “an instantaneous attraction” to ceramics.

Boyle owns San Antonio Pottery, a store and studio he opened at 11903 Curley Road in San Antonio 32 years ago. On Dec. 12 and 13, San Antonio Pottery will be one of the stops on the second annual Tour de Clay, an event that will showcase the work of 12 artists at four pottery studios. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. For complete list of artists and a map of the self-guided tour, visit www.tampatourdeclay.com.

Boyle is always busy. When he isn’t in his studio, he’s at art festivals selling his creations. In the last eight weeks, he’s been at six art shows. In fact, he went to one last weekend in Tallahassee.

“One of the keys to success: Don’t turn anything down,” he said.

Although he has little time to straighten up his clay-caked workrooms, his entire studio will be Tour-de-Clay-ready by this weekend.

“The place will be majestically transformed,” he said.

San Antonio Pottery is combining Tour De Clay with a holiday open house on Dec. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m., following a kiln opening at 4 p.m.

Entertainment will include Alen Brenia on steel guitar and roots-rock blues, a magic comedy act by Keith Fleming and vocal harmonies by Lea Thomas, Annie Waddey and Mary Epperson of The Marys.

Over the years, Boyle has honed his craft. His pieces are unique and functional and most range in price from $20 to $200. He makes his own glazes, leads classes at his studio and provides demos on his Web site, www.sanantoniopottery.com.

“Jack makes it lots of fun, and we really love it,” said Diann Ditewig, of Lutz, one of Boyle’s students who sells her work at Many Hands Gallery in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. “He is incredibly fast.”

Boyle can make a piece of artwork in just a few minutes, but he’s quick to credit his speed to his many years of experience.

“It takes me two to 10 minutes, plus 35 years,” he said.

“In order to be successful in something along these lines, you have to be very passionate,” he added. “It’s an evolutionary thing. You learn in increments. You’re always learning.”

Boyle bought his first potter’s wheel and kiln right after his ceramics class at USF. Then, he found his current space. It was near a restaurant called Cracker Barrel — not the same as the popular country-style chain — and a potter was already using it. Dennis Phillips, former ceramics professor at St. Leo University, agreed to give up the space to Boyle. Phillips and Boyle still see each other regularly. Phillips picks his grandchildren up right in front of the studio when they get off the school bus.

Boyle’s wife, Deborah Gillars, is a 2-D art teacher at Zephyrhills High. They live in San Antonio near the studio and have three children: Sarah Cobelli, 28 and married; Zander, 24 and a student at USF; and Katie, 20 and a student at the University of North Florida.

If you go:

• What: Tour de Clay
• When: Dec. 12 and 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Location: Pottery Boys Clay Studio, 30 Bogie Lane, Palm Harbor, (727) 504-6200, www.potteryboys.com
• Location: Clay & Paper Studio, 110 Peterson Lane, Palm Harbor, (727) 772-9570, www.claypaper.com
• Location: Rising Sun Pottery, 1112 West Carmen St., Tampa, (813) 253-6055, ">
• Location: San Antonio Pottery, 11903 Curley Road, San Antonio, (352) 588-4228, www.sanantoniopottery.net
• More info: www.tampatourdeclay.com

New holiday tradition in Lutz supports local businesses

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

LUTZ — Every annual tradition has to start somewhere, and the Lutz Shop and Stroll will begin this year.

“I was trying to think of a way to support our Lutz businesses while celebrating the holiday season,” said Lutz Guv’na Suzin Carr. “So I went and talked with a past Guv’na, Michele Northrup, and in seven minutes or less we put together the idea. It came together that quickly. We went to a number of the businesses that are anchors, and they were all extremely excited with the opportunity.”

The Shop and Stroll will take place on Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Eight anchor stations will be set up along US 41 just north of Lutz-Lake Fern Road to the apex of N. Florida and N. Nebraska avenues. The stations include: Felicitous; The Old Lutz Schoolhouse; Susan’s Mane Tamers; Castle Furniture; Great Gardens and Gifts; Nancy’s Good and Fast Food; Patio Ways; and Careme’s Market. Each station will have several local businesses — more than 55 in all — that will offer samples of their products and services. Nonprofit groups, such as the Boy Scouts, will also be located at each station.

“We chose to do it along (US) 41 because at one point that was the heart of Lutz and we wanted it to be manageable in its first year,” Carr said. “Doing it this way allows us to include as many businesses as we can and incorporate the Old Lutz Schoolhouse and the Santa program. Families will already be out having a great day and hopefully take a few extra moments to stop and shop at our local shops.”

Breakfast with Santa has taken place on the second Saturday of December for the last 13 years. This year, the breakfast is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon at the Old Lutz Schoolhouse, which will be decorated for Christmas beginning that night. The Lutz Women’s Club and North Tampa-Lutz Civil Air Patrol Squadron put on the breakfast, which raises money for the schoolhouse. The breakfast costs $2 for children and includes food and holiday crafts.

“We won’t be selling things to support us,” said Phyllis Hoedt, one of the directors of the Women’s Club. “We bring in a couple hundred dollars each year for the schoolhouse and help get families into the Christmas spirit. We’ve been doing the breakfast for over 10 years now and we’re happy to make it a part of the Shop and Stroll this year.”

Candy and cookie drives bring in thousands of treats for the troops

Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

LAND O’ LAKES  — While most people spent Thanksgiving consumed with family and food, Karin King was baking cookies.

They are not for herself or her family. They are for the tens of thousands of U.S. troops overseas.

“I can only imagine what it must be like for our troops to be in a different country away from their family,” King said.

King, who started the Treats for Troops program in Land O’ Lakes three years ago, usually bakes 1,200 cookies each week to send to the troops, but wanted to do something special for Christmas. She set a goal of sending 18,000 cookies to the troops by Dec. 10, which would fill 250 boxes.

“I wanted to set the deadline of Dec. 10 so I make sure they reach the troops by Christmas,” King said. “Funds are depleted at the moment, and we could use all the help we can get to buy the supplies to get the cookies baked. We owe our freedom to our troops. This is the least we can do for them.”

King has shipped a total of 415 dozen cookies as of Dec. 3. Ricardo Montero, of Wesley Chapel, has been helping her bake.

“I saw the article in The Laker and wanted to help the soldiers,” Montero said. “Where I’m from, very few people have nice things, but here in America everyone does. I want to help the soldiers who let us have such freedoms until they all come home.”

Montero moved to Florida 20 years ago from Mexico City and has a commercial oven that can bake 600 cookies in an hour. King now has help baking cookies, but she still needs baking supplies to use the oven to its full capacity.

The cookies are baked longer to make them harder so they ship easier. King then packs them with other treats such as candy, pretzels, popcorn and hot chocolate. She then sends the boxes through Bob Williams and Support Our Troops in Wesley Chapel.

King was collecting leftover Halloween candy to send to the troops during November.

“We collected 8,100 (pounds),” King said. “We’ve had people send donations from all over the state and the country. As soon as The Laker article of Oct. 27 went online, I was able to attach it to e-mails I received. Both articles that appeared in The Laker so far really gave my organization credibility.”

King received candy donations from Zephyrhills, Dade City, Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Odessa and Lutz to name a few local areas.

The October article was titled “Local Woman Devoted to Baking Cookies for U.S. Troops” and can be viewed on www.lakerlutznews.com in the archive.

King is still collecting cookies, as well as baking supplies, toiletries and feminine hygiene products. For the exact type of baking supplies needed or to make other donations, call King at (813) 746-1517 or e-mail her at .

King will also be starting a drive to collect letters and cards from the community to boost troop morale. King will begin the letter drive in earnest after the start of the new year and wants to “saturate” military bases with them by Valentine’s Day.

King is surrounded by sweet treats daily, but she is not tempted to eat them for two reasons. The treats are for the troops, and she has type II diabetes. She was diagnosed with the disease in January 2006 but has kept the sweet stuff in her life by indirect means.

“I want to keep sending treats and supplies for as long as our troops are over there,” King said. “It is just something small to let them know people are thinking of them.”

King receives letters and e-mails from troops thanking her for the treats and supplies. One such letter came from Matt Kaslik of the Navy, who wrote:

“I wanted to thank you for the wonderful, thoughtful and respectful care package you sent to our team! The note was very heartfelt and sincere and we want to return the ‘thank you’ to you and your friends who made these wonderful baked goods while sharing your love and devotion.”

“I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the community for really stepping up to the plate this season, but please remember that after the holidays the loneliness will hit our troops the hardest,” King said. “It’s then that we will need everyone’s help the most to help them keep their chin up. Let’s not forget our troops after the holidays. They won’t stop fighting for our freedom after the holidays.”

For more information on Treats for Troops

To help Treats for Troops

• Call: (813) 746-1517
• E-mail: or
• Needed items: baking supplies, help with baking, letters and cards to the troops, coffee, instant beverages (Kool-Aid, lemonade), tea, pretzels, popcorn, hot chocolate, toiletries (body wash, shampoo, body lotion, sunscreen) and feminine hygiene products.
• Web site: www.treatsfortroops.info

County groups give during the holidays

By Steve Lee

Sports Editor

LAND O’ LAKES — The inaugural Christmas Open House hosted by the Suncoast Harvest Food Bank and Clara’s Closet went over so well that it has become an annual event.

Liz Fields, the food bank’s executive director, said more than $1,000 was raised last year. She expects that amount to increase at this year’s open house.

Christmas trees, ornaments and various holiday items will be sold Dec. 11 and 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The food bank is located at 5829 Ehren Cutoff in Land O’ Lakes.

Thrift store manager Chuck Capo said more money is needed to offset this year’s higher demand for food, clothing and furniture.

“It is a challenge,” Capo said. “There’s an increasing need for us, because people are unemployed and have had wage cuts.”

For the unemployed or families in financial crisis, holiday dinners are sometimes unaffordable. That’s where the food bank helps.

“This time of year is extremely difficult for people,” Fields said. “They kind of feel if they don’t have a turkey dinner they’ve lost all their dignity.”

Capo noted that while people have been grateful for the holiday dinners, clothing is needed year-round and appreciated just as much.

“We just go through a phenomenal amount of clothing,” Capo said. “The (need for) clothing is just ongoing.”

Fields said she sees the gratitude in those helped by the food bank who give back when they’re financial situations improve.

“Some come back when they’re in better shape and volunteer for us,” she said.

The food bank, founded by Clara Lawhead in 1991 at the former site of the Warren Fruit Packing Company in Land O’ Lakes, serves Pasco, Hernando, Citrus and Sumter counties through 160 community- and faith-based agencies.

With an inventory of about 300,000 pounds of high-quality, nutritious food products maintained, the facility dispersed 3.8 million pounds of food and personal/household care products in 2008.

“Those numbers will probably increase by 25 to 30 percent this year,” Fields said.

Suncoast Harvest does not have the market cornered when it comes to helping needy families, especially during the holidays. Count eight east Pasco Rotary Clubs among the givers.

Eight Rotary Clubs (two each in Dade City, Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel; along with San Antonio and Land O’ Lakes groups) united to make enough food bags to feed 400 families. Each club will distribute 50 bags in their area just before Christmas.