Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Jan Slater has taken a more flexible job

By Ashley Dunn

ZEPHYRHILLS — Jan Slater, executive director of the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, turned in her resignation on Oct. 26. Her last day with the Chamber will be Nov. 7.

Slater, who was hired in August 2006, said she has had some changes in her personal life since 2008 when she and her husband adopted four children.

“This is a wonderful job,” she said. “I love this job, but I need to be home with my family more.”

Slater has accepted a part-time position, but she didn’t want to say what it is. She said she plans to remain involved in the community, continuing her work with East Pasco Meals on Wheels, the Rotary Club of Zephyrhills and the Samaritan Project.

Mike Mira, president of the Chamber, called Slater the “backbone” of the organization and said she has always been willing to put in as many hours as necessary to get the job done.

“Jan Slater, over the past three years, has done an outstanding job,” he said.

The Chamber is now looking for a new director, especially because the seasonal residents are coming back.

Those interested in applying can e-mail their resumes to Mira at , mail them to P.O. Box 759, Zephyrhills, Fla. 33539, or fax them to (813) 788-4881. Be sure to direct your resume to Mira’s attention. Mira said the Chamber will accept resumes until Nov. 13, and the executive committee will choose Slater’s replacement shortly thereafter. The person the committee selects will have a minimum of two years of college experience, a knowledge of QuickBooks and Microsoft Publisher, and experience in event planning and community service.

Joey accomplished what many in his family could not before him

By Kyle LoJacono

Staff Writer

LUTZ — Joey Vars, of Boy Scouts of America Troop 12 in Lutz, has been working toward becoming an Eagle Scout for 10 years.

“I’m the first person in my family to become an Eagle Scout,” the 16-year-old said. “My dad (Ken Vars), uncle (Roger Vars Jr.) and grandfather (Roger Vars) were all in scouts. Because none of them were Eagles, they told me from the beginning how cool it would be for me to make it all the way. That inspired me from the beginning.”

Joey’s 10-year journey began as a Tiger Cub, the earliest rank boys can begin in scouting, with Cub Scout Pack 323 in Land O’ Lakes. Cub Scouts is a part of BSA and is designed for elementary school kids.

Joey’s goal was completed Sept. 1 when he passed his Eagle Board of Review, something that was especially rewarding for his father.

“I got up to Life Scout and was one merit badge shy of getting Eagle,” Ken said. “I didn’t get the swimming merit badge because my birthday is in April and I grew up in upstate New York. It is kind of hard to get a swimming merit badge in the dead of winter. That was my fault for bad planning, but Joey got his Eagle with plenty of time to spare.”

Scouts must complete all Eagle Scout requirements before turning 18.

The Board of Review is the last step in becoming an Eagle and is a lengthy interview process about scouting, current events and the potential Eagle Scout. As many as six board members interview the scout, none of which can be a leader from the scout’s troop or one of the scout’s family.

While everything discussed is confidential, Joey was able to share how he felt during the process.

“It was a little nerve-wracking,” Joey said. “I stumbled over myself a couple times in the beginning, but I guess I recovered. At the end, it was just such a relief to know that I was finally an Eagle.”

Joey’s current Scout Master, Daniel O’Dea, said he felt special seeing him achieve the award.

“I thought the (review) went well,” O’Dea said. “Joey is very good at carrying on a conversation. The board went longer than the others I’ve been in, which I contribute to Joey’s knowledge of current events. Joey was the second scout to get Eagle while I’ve been Scout Master, and he earned it.”

O’Dea has been the Scout Master with Troop 12 since 2006. Joey’s first Scout Master was Stephen Rivera.

Another major step in becoming an Eagle Scout is completing an Eagle Project. Joey chose to refurbish the Lutz Cemetery, off US 41 just north of the old Lutz Schoolhouse, and re-do the landscaping. Joey and other scouts with an adult leader spent 144 hours on the project.

While the project was successfully completed in April, it had problems getting off the ground.

“When we started, we went to six different landscaping companies thinking at least one would call us back, but none did,” Joey said. “That was the biggest problem I had. We finally found one that was very nice and generous to us.”

Be-Mac’s Services in Odessa supplied Joey with the mulch, plants and other materials needed for the project.

Over his time scouting, Joey was the assistant senior patrol leader (the second-highest leadership position in a troop), a patrol and assistant patrol leader and troop historian.

“Joey has never been afraid of leadership,” O’Dea said. “Joey was always willing to help the other boys and recently taught the astronomy merit badge to several of the boys and did a fine job.”

What Ken has been most proud of is Joey’s determination at his goal.

“It’s been amazing to me that he has stayed on track and been so focused,” Ken said. “It is really easy for a 16-year-old to get distracted with other things. He has also become more sure of himself, which I attribute to scouting.”

While Joey earned the award, many people helped him on his journey.

“Mr. Rivera and Mr. O’Dea have both had a profound impact in my Boy Scout years,” Joey said. “Both of them are just great role models for anyone.

“And, of course, my parents have been right there helping me since I was in Cub Scouts. They have helped me in more ways than I can remember and I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Chooie is a 5-year-old Shih-Tzu. He enjoys playing with his doggie friends and trying to steal their food. He loves to chase his chew toys. Chooie likes to hide under the bed and snore the day away. He is patient and gentle and likes to sit near his owner Fotini Vasquez’s 1-year-old baby girl when she plays. Chooie is ready for Halloween in his Captain Jack Sparrow costume. He and his proud owner live in Wesley Chapel.

Cricket is a 6-year-old male Yorkie. He is fearless and loves to play with all the dogs in the neighborhood, no matter how big or small. His best friend is Buddy Brubaker across the street. Swimming in the family pool to retrieve his bone is his favorite thing to do! Cricket loves chicken and popcorn, and hugs and kisses but on his terms as Yorkies can be quite independent. He loves to cuddle when he’s sleepy, and his favorite holiday is Halloween. Though he likes his daddy, his momma, Tina Marie Schmidt, of Lutz, is his favorite parent.

By Steve Lee

Sports Editor

LAND O’ LAKES — Shows and events for the second Swampfest, a benefit for Land O’ Lakes High’s Athletic Booster Club, are lining up.

Swampfest is scheduled from Nov. 6 to 8 at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center off US 41. Admission is free.

Wade Shows, a midway that had long been part of the Land O’ Lakes Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Flapjack Festival, will be the showcase for Swampfest. It also was part of the first Swampfest that took place last February at Land O’ Lakes High’s Gator Stadium.

Rides for the midway cost $12 in advance or $20 at the gate.

Among the other Swampfest highlights are: Florida Championship Wrestling; pancakes served by Sunlake High volunteers; laser tag by Xtreme Adventures; and an antique car show.

Vendors and sponsors are still being accepted. For further details, visit www.lolswampfest.com.

By Gary Hatrick

Laker Correspondent

ZEPHYRHILLS — Police Explorers Post 520 is keeping a busy schedule of community service in Zephyrhills this fall.

Students in the law enforcement training program are fixtures at local events. By patrolling high school football games at Bulldog Stadium, as well as the Harvest Festival and Veterans Day Parade in November, they give police officers additional sets of eyes and ears.

Plus, Explorers will man an information booth at the Harvest Festival and march in the Veterans Day Parade.

As for other upcoming events, Explorers will mentor Cub Scouts to help them earn a community service badges. They will set up a bicycle safety course behind the Zephyrhills Police Department and teach the scouts about fingerprinting, personal safety and home safety.

During the recent Halloween Howl, Explorers manned several booths and gave away eight cases of bicycle helmets, along with free reflective trick or treat bags full of goodies

The Explorers program is an offshoot of the Boy Scouts of America, under the umbrella of the BSA Learning for Life Program. According to Lori Tindall, Community Service/Crime Prevention Supervisor at ZPD, the program provides vocational training for young people interested in law enforcement and similar careers.

Next month, the post will receive instructions on the growth and dangers of methamphetamine labs from a Drug Enforcement Administration agent. That educational seminar also will highlight the dangers and detection of counterfeit money, and include presentations on scams and identity theft, along with home and personal safety crime prevention.

The Explorers program is for 13-year-olds and in the eighth grade through age 21. Good citizenship and good grades are hallmarks of the program, Tindall noted.

“You have to maintain a 2.0 or better grade-point average, and you have to take part in things,” Tindall said. “You can’t just show up for fun stuff.”

Physical training is also a part of the Explorer experience.

A good percentage of Explorers go into law enforcement Tindall said. In fact, several have come back to serve in Zephyrhills.

“Michael Rhoden is now an assistant advisor for the Explorer Post 520,” Tindall pointed out. “He was Explorer of the Year at the post in 1994. He has worked here at ZPD for many years as a communications officer, and is also our trainer in the dispatch division.”

Other former explorers on the ZPD force include Captain Robert McKinney and Sergeant Mike Kirk.

Recent Zephyrhills graduate and police academy student Dan Crowley recently told Tindall that his Explorer training gave him an edge that put him head and shoulders above those who were not Explorers.

“I know it makes the kids feel good and I know it makes a difference,” Tindall said. “It’s a good way for them to understand as teenagers that the world doesn’t really revolve around them and for them to reach out and help.”