The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Swimmers aim to fight cancer by hitting the waves

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Swimmers from across Florida will be participating in the 13th annual Swim Across America – Tampa Bay, an open water swim and fundraiser with all proceeds benefiting Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for cancer research. 

The charity event will be held on May 4, at North Shore Park, 901 North Shore Drive, NE., in St. Petersburg. 

Heather Pryor and Haley Campbell of Team Hakuna Ma-Tatas (Courtesy of Swim Across America)

Most participants have a personal connection to the fight against cancer, with many joining the charity swim to honor survivors, commemorate loved ones or simply to find the hopeful camaraderie of community swims.

Two of the participants are Haley Campbell and Dr. Heather Pryor who are joining with the team name Hakuna My-Tatas — a nod to Pryor’s battle with breast cancer.

“Through Swim Across America, I not only help myself recover from breast cancer treatments, but I can also help fund research to help others overcome cancer, too,” said Pryor, in a news release. “I am swimming in honor of all the people who are currently fighting cancer and in memory of those who lost the battle. I am hopeful that my efforts help find a cure for cancer, so others will not have to endure what I and so many others have faced.”

As a family physician for 25 years, the doctor has discovered cancer in many of her patients, and getting in the water with her friend Haley is a way to fight back.

“We both have competed in some form, whether it be competitive swimming or triathlons, and we both wanted to get back in the water,” said Campbell, in the release. “For Heather, it was more than swimming. She had just finished heavy treatments for breast cancer and wanted to find a way to get active again.”

Campbell also has a familial connection to cancer — her father was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia when she was 5 years old.

“At the time, he was given three to five years to live. He looked the doctors dead in the eyes and said, ‘No, I WILL watch my kids graduate from high school,’” said Campbell. “Not only did he get to see us graduate high school, he saw my brother graduate from college. He passed away 16 years after he was diagnosed. I have no doubt that modern advances in cancer research – and his incredibly positive attitude – are the reasons that I was able to not only grow up with my daddy, but I was also able to make memories that I never would have been able to make.”

Swim Across America was founded in 1987, and has since raised over $100 million to fight cancer through the swims of over 100,000 participants. More than 24 communities hold open water swims each year.

To learn more about the May 4 Swim Across America – Tampa Bay swim, visit SwimAcrossAmerica.org/tampa. 

Published May 01, 2024

65th Birthday Bash

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(Courtesy of Deborah Erdahl )

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club enjoyed a fun, exuberant 65th Birthday Bash to commemorate GFWC Florida Federation Day, to which Federation the club has belonged since 1960.  A wonderful buffet was served, along with beautiful cake centerpieces handcrafted by club member Aniko Solomonson. For more information on this community service organization and membership opportunities, visit gfwclutzlandolakeswomansclub.org or its Facebook page.

 

SR 54 to be closed at US 41 at Night

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(Courtesy of Department of Transportation)

Portions of the intersection of U.S. 41 and S.R. 54 will be closed for milling and paving work from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., on May 1,  May 2, May 5 and May 6, weather permitting, according to a news release.

The Department of Transportation said the work is planned to keep at least one lane open on US 41 in each direction. No SR 54 traffic will be able to cross US 41 and will be detoured to right turns at the intersection. Lane closures will be in place in all directions leading into the intersection and no left turns will be permitted at the intersection. Drivers who planned to make left turns at the intersection will need to use one of the detour routes listed below. Drivers are advised to plan extra travel time to travel through the area or choose alternate routes, the release says.

Detour routes:
1) Eastbound SR 54: Traffic will be reduced from three lanes to one lane and detoured to southbound US 41, U-Turn at Lake Floyd Drive, then go north and turn right to continue east on SR 54 or stay straight to continue north on US 41.

2) Westbound SR 54: Traffic will be reduced from three lanes to one lane and detoured to northbound US 41, U-Turn at Morgan Road, then go south and turn right to continue west on SR 54 or stay straight to continue south on US 41.

Project information: https://www.fdottampabay.com/project/759/441659-1-52-01-441658-1-52-01

Commissioner Gary Bradford passes away, tributes pour in

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Gary Bradford, the Pasco County Commissioner representing District 4, died on April 21, of leukemia. He was 65 years old.

He was elected in November of 2022 to serve a four-year term and announced his diagnosis publicly on Facebook in May 2023.

County Administrator Mike Carballa announced Bradford’s demise through an email he sent to county employees on April 22.

“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Commissioner Gary Bradford. Commissioner Bradford has served our county with dedication and passion since 2022,” Carballa wrote. “As a testament to his strength and spirit, Commissioner Bradford never missed an opportunity to attend important events and meetings representing Pasco County, even while enduring cancer treatment. His loss leaves a significant void in our organization and in our community.”

(Courtesy of Pasco County)

A special election will be held during Pasco County’s primary election on Aug. 20 and during the county’s general election on Nov. 5 to fill the remaining two years of Bradford’s term that would have expired in 2026, said Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley.

Bradford first sought the District 4 seat in the Aug. 18, 2020 primary. He was one of four candidates running to fill the remaining two years of the seat vacated when Mike Wells was elected as Pasco County property appraiser without opposition in June 2020.

District 4 is located in western and central Pasco County. Commissioners must reside in the district they represent although they are elected countywide. 

Christina Fitzpatrick won that seat in 2020 but was ousted by Bradford when he ran against her again in 2022. 

He became vice chairman of the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners during its December 2023 reorganizational meeting in New Port Richey. Ronald Oakley, who represents District 1 in east Pasco, was named chairman at the same meeting.

“I’m shocked and saddened to hear the news of Commissioner Bradford’s passing,” Oakley said. “My heart goes out to his family. He always had unwavering support for our law enforcement, firefighters, employees and citizens of Pasco County. I appreciate his unwavering support for doing what’s right for the citizens of Pasco County. His passing is a great loss.”

“Remember, we are not promised tomorrow,” Oakley said during the opening of the county commissioners meeting on April 23 in New Port Richey. He encouraged listeners to tell their loved ones daily “you love them.”

“I had the wonderful honor to serve with Commission Vice Chairman Gary Bradford,” said Commissioner Seth Weightman who represents District 2. “Gary and his family fought a difficult battle and endured a tragic loss. He will be sorely missed. I’m thankful for his lifetime of dedicated service to the law enforcement community and to the people of Pasco County. Our prayers are with his family during this challenging time.”

Weightman and Bradford were both elected on Nov. 8, 2022, and they both took their oaths of office on Nov. 22. “It’s kind of like a brotherly bond to be sworn in together,” Weightman said during the BOCC’s meeting.

“The passing of Commissioner Gary Bradford is a profound loss felt deeply by all who knew him,” Commissioner Kathyrn Starkey, who represents District 3, said. “A man of dignity, Gary embodied the values of hard work and lived life with a vibrant spirit that touched everyone around him. I know that being elected a Pasco County commissioner was a dream job for him. During his term, he served with passion and made a lasting impact.” 

Starkey added that she thought it was “really tragic” Bradford had not been able to serve his full four-year term of serving the people of Pasco County.

“It was easy to be in a room with Commissioner Bradford because he always made you feel welcome,” Commissioner Jack Mariano, who represents District 5, said. “Our community must take time to grieve with his family, honor his memory and celebrate his zest for life.

“Gary was a great man. He just had that passion — he wanted to serve,” Mariano said, adding, “The way he did it from the get-go, he elevated our staff people. He wanted to make a difference and he did make a difference every step of the way.”

“Commissioner Bradford was always a public servant — from his days in law enforcement to this chapter of his career as a commissioner,” Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder said. “It was an honor to work with him for the past two years.”

Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles said, “Even after he was diagnosed, he came over to the clerk’s office and wanted to know what the clerk’s office did.”

Prior to becoming a county commissioner Bradford had retired from the Tampa Police Department after 25 years and then worked for 15 years as a lobbyist for the Florida Police Benevolent Association.

He was a conservative who heavily favored issues related to public safety.

Bradford had participated in several BOCC meetings virtually since being diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He had posted on Facebook that he was “upbeat and positive, working with Florida’s most renowned facility, H.L. Moffitt Cancer Center.”

The form of leukemia he had was “the most common form of blood cancer among adults and it’s highly survivable, with an 85.5% average recovery rate,” Bradford had posted on his Facebook page.

“I will be focused on my treatment and convalescing from home for the next several weeks,” Bradford wrote.

It was posted on Facebook in March that Bradford had “been released to a private rehabilitation health care facility for physical therapy and healing.”

Unfortunately, although his attitude was so positive and upbeat, Bradford succumbed to the disease he had been battling for nearly a year.

Bradford reportedly died at home with his loving family and friends by his side. His wife, Debbie Bradford; son, Daniel Bradford; and daughters, Melissa Lembo and Jessica Anaya, survive him.

Pasco County will request authorization from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office to fly flags at half-staff in honor of Commissioner Bradford after the family announced funeral arrangements, Public Information Officer Sarah Andeara said.

NOTE: Since publication of The Laker story, the service for Commissioner Bradford has been scheduled for April 30 at 10:30 a.m., at Generations Christian Church, 1540 Little Road in Trinity.

Published May 1, 2024

Report: Rays’ stadium, development district to exceed initial cost estimates

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(The Center Square) — A new report shows that a new Tampa Rays stadium could cost taxpayers far more than initially thought.

The new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays would include the development of 65 acres in the historic Gas Plant District that surrounds the field, which would offer affordable housing, shopping and entertainment venues at an initial cost estimate of $1.3 billion.

The cost of the project would be shared between the City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay Rays’ ownership group Rays-Hines.

Tropicana Field infield, as seen from a May 28, 2022 game. (Vmartin12, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The city would pay an estimated $287.5 million, which would include $130 million towards infrastructure, while the county would pay $312.5 million and Rays-Hines would pay the remainder and any overruns.

However, a report from Florida TaxWatch raised concerns about the real cost of the project to the city and the county, which is estimated to be a total of $2.4 billion, not $600 million, when accounting for parking garages, infrastructure support and lost revenues.

According to the report, the city would pay an estimated $1.6 billion, including $704 million for the new stadium and supporting infrastructure, $411 million in lost property taxes and $545 million in lost city revenue from the sale of 64 acres to Rays’ ownership.

Pinellas County would pay its share of $809 million — $587 million towards the new stadium and $222 million in lost property taxes. Neither the city or the county has the funds to cover this expense.

The report further notes that as of 2022, per game attendance averaged 13,927, while revenue generated in 2022 by the franchise was $248 million, ranking the Rays 28th out of the 30 Major League Baseball teams.

“To be clear, Florida TaxWatch is not drawing conclusions as to whether the Tampa Bay Rays’ ballpark proposal is ‘good’ or ‘bad,'” said Florida TaxWatch acting president and CEO Jeff Kottkamp in a news release. “With this report, we simply outline a variety of important factors, including a few major risks, that should be taken into consideration by local officials in order to determine if the plan is in the best interest of Tampa Bay area taxpayers.

“At the end of the day, fulfillment of the deal will require hundreds of millions of local taxpayer dollars — which could be used to pay for other needed services and improvements in the community — and therefore, we believe it should receive close and careful scrutiny before a decision is made. We look forward to discussing our research and recommendations with all involved stakeholders as the matter comes before the St. Petersburg City Council and Pinellas County Commission.”

Kennesaw State professor J.C. Bradbury opposes these types of stadium deals and posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that stadiums are “terrible development anchors,” and that the initial $600 million proposal alone would cost $5,263 per household.

However, according to the new estimated cost to the city being $1.6 billion, this would translate to $14,035 per household.

“The social benefits of hosting sports teams are difficult to measure, but they’re not incalculable. I doubt most residents would be willing to pay that much and that’s the burden they’re required to bear to fund this proposal,” Bradbury posted to X.

Published April 24, 2024

Florida enacts new measures designed to protect law enforcement officers

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(The Center Square) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law several measures on Friday intended to protect and support law enforcement officers.

Senate Bill 184 increases penalties to a second-degree misdemeanor for those who knowingly harass, physically harm or impede a law enforcement officer or other first responders from carrying out their duties.

(Rama, CC BY-SA 2.0 FR, via Wikimedia Commons)

House Bill 601 prevents anti-police activists from carrying out extrajudicial investigations against law enforcement. The bill ensures that allegations against law enforcement are investigated by those properly trained to handle such investigations. County sheriffs will also receive an increase in their base salary of $5,000 for each population group.

“We’ve developed a track record in Florida of supporting law enforcement that is quite simply, second to none,” DeSantis said during a news conference. “We understood how important it is to have safe communities, and the way you do that is to support the people that are putting the uniform on and risking their lives to keep us safe.”

DeSantis noted that it was essential that his administration and the Legislature took this position after other states began to defund police. He added that because of this, many law enforcement officers wanted to leave their careers.

“We saw that as an opportunity for the state of Florida, given our posture was much different,” DeSantis said. “So, a couple of years ago, we enacted $5,000 recruitment bonuses for new law enforcement officers, some of that is recruiting from other states, but also, young people have decided to go into the profession in Florida.”

DeSantis pointed out that since the recruitment bonuses were offered, over 400 law enforcement officers from other states, namely California, Illinois and New York, have moved to Florida.

“That’s not by accident, they’re doing that because they don’t have the support of the community; a lot of these politicians weaponize against them and a lot of the laws are so lax that it gives the criminals the advantage to be able to commit crimes really without major repercussions,” DeSantis said.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass said that the new legislation protects the rights of law enforcement and ensures they remain safe while on the job.

Published April 24, 2024

DeSantis signs education reform bill into law

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(The Center Square) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an education reform bill into law that will have long-reaching implications for the state’s education system.

House Bill 1285 does several things, including addressing school districts with “Turn-Around” status, repeals the Florida College System’s employment equity and accountability program, and requires the State Board of Education to establish specialized teaching certificates for classical school educators.

(Kenny Eliason/Unsplash)

DeSantis said during a news conference in Jacksonville that Florida has a reputation for giving parents the leading hand in how they choose to educate their children, as well as keeping the public school curriculum transparent so parents are aware of what is being taught.

DeSantis noted that the Legislature has enacted many other education-related bills — one in particular now has every school district in Florida involved in civics education, as well as the civics and debate initiative, which only had around 12 schools participating five years ago.

“We’ve also increased teacher salaries every year since I’ve been governor. We now have in this budget that I will be signing… the biggest increase in teacher compensation,” DeSantis said.

In-state tuition for higher education in the Sunshine State has also remained affordable, and according to DeSantis, Florida is number one out of all 50 states for lowest tuition and number two in the U.S. for two-year graduation rates, and fourth for four-year college graduation rates.

“Part of the reason why you’re able to get people through in four years is because we’re not charging an arm and a leg,” DeSantis said. “We’re not trying to keep them for six years just to make more money off that, we want you to go get your degree and then move on.”

DeSantis noted that he and the Legislature have ensured that colleges and universities do not become “cauldrons of ideological indoctrination,” instead, lawmakers are focused on core subjects.

“So this (bill) has a huge number of things that are really gonna make a difference,” DeSantis said. “One, we really believe in supporting military families when it comes to our school system, and we believe in creating pathways for students who may want to go into the military as a career.”

The bill further requires school districts and charter schools to provide 11th- and 12th-grade students with the opportunity to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test.

“With the signing of House Bill 1285, Gov. DeSantis has further solidified Florida’s higher education system as number one in the nation,” said Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of the State University System of Florida. “HB 1285 establishes additional accountability measures and creates opportunities for universities to enhance research and innovation to meet the workforce and economic demands of our state.”

Published April 24, 2024

Rezoning clears way for development of large subdivision

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A zoning amendment approved by Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on April 10 makes it possible for a large subdivision to be developed within the Villages of Pasadena Hills (VOPH) after other requirements are met.

Plans call for 796 dwelling units and 75,000 square feet of non-residential use to be developed on 101 acres of property located within Village B of the VOPH.  

The VOPH is a dependent district comprised of approximately 22,000 acres bounded by State Road 52 to the north, Eiland Boulevard to the south, Curley Road to the west, and U.S. Highway 301 to the east.

(Sven Mieke/Unsplash)

A site plan will need to be prepared and presented to the BOCC before development of the proposed subdivision can begin. 

The part of the site that is located by Curley Road “is the most important corner for everything going into VOPH and it had to be done right,” said Clarke Hobby, an attorney with the Tampa-based law firm of Hobby & Hobby P.A., representing the applicant.

“This is a very good project and it looks very nice,” said BOCC chairman Commissioner Ronald Oakley, who represents District 1 where the property is located.

The request by RDPD V LLC, a Zephyrhills-based limited liability company, to have the property’s zoning changed from an Agricultural District (AC) to a Master Planned Unit Development (MPUD) was approved by a 4-0 vote.

Commissioners voting on the measure in addition to Oakley were Jack Mariano, District 5; Kathryn Starkey, District 3; and Seth Weightman, District 2. BOCC Vice Chairman Gary Bradford, District 4, was not present for the meeting.

In other business on April 10, commissioners:

  • Approved a zoning amendment allowing a maximum of 105 townhouses to be developed on approximately 17.6 acres of property in District 1 located on the south side of Clinton Avenue, approximately 330 feet west of Fort King Road. New Clinton LLC, a Land O’ Lakes-based limited liability company, had requested the property’s zoning to be changed from an A-C Agricultural District and an R-2 Low Density Residential District to an MF-1 Multiple Family Medium Density District. 
  • Approved a zoning amendment that will allow 37 single-family detached units to be developed on 26.6 acres of property in District 4 located on the north side of Willow Bend Parkway, approximately 250 feet north of Pasco-Hillsborough County Line Road. EC Willow Bend LLC, a St. Petersburg-based limited liability company, had requested the property’s zoning to be changed from E-R Estate Residential to Master Planned Unit Development (MPUD).
  • Approved transmitting to the Florida Department of Commerce a large-scale comprehensive plan amendment that would allow 18 single-family residences to be built on approximately 92.6 acres of property located in District 1 at 17001-17005 Bellamy Brothers Blvd. Sandbarren LLC, an Odessa-based limited liability company, requested the comprehensive plan amendment. 

The property is near the intersection of Bellamy Brothers Boulevard and Johnson Road. A man living on Johnson Road said he and neighbors didn’t want the property rezoned because the density that was being requested was very much out of character with the surrounding area.

The BOCC will reconsider the request during its June 4 meeting after it has heard back from the Florida DOC and other reviewing agencies.

• Approved an ordinance amending the Pasco County Land Development Code (LDC) so 3.49 acres of property owned by Russell K. and Leann Finlay could be used for commercial purposes. The property in District 1 is located on two lots on the east side of U.S. 301, approximately 200 feet north of Marka Drive.

The Finlays plan to construct a 21,000-square-foot small commercial center on the property, said their representative Anne Pollack. Part of the space will be used for the Finlay’s business and they will be able to add six additional employees. The remaining six to eight spaces may be leased to other businesses resulting in an increase of employment in the area, said Pollack, who is an attorney with the St. Petersburg-based law firm of Fletcher Fischer Pollack P.I.

• Approved a zoning amendment allowing 1.95 acres of property located in District 2 on the northeast corner of Tupper Road and State Road 54 to be used for commercial purposes. Dempsey and Daughters Inc., a Wesley Chapel-based for-profit corporation, requested the zoning amendment.

They are required to submit a deed restriction stating that the property will be specifically reserved for those commercial uses set forth in the Pasco County LDC to ensure that the property provides the benefits of commercial development, including, but not limited to, adequate employment generation. The rezoning will become effective when the deed restriction is recorded in Pasco County’s public records.

All three of the zoning amendments, the large-scale comprehensive plan amendment and the change to the LDC were approved by a vote of 4-0.

In addition, a resolution was approved by a vote of 4-0 to amend part of the BOCC procedural rules to establish the position of second vice chair. Commissioner Starkey was elected to fulfill that role. 

She will be able to perform the duties of the chair in the absence of both Oakley and Bradford, and only will be authorized to perform those duties for one day. This change was made due to the absence of both Commissioners Oakley and Bradford from the BOCC meeting on March 26, due to health reasons. Commissioner Mariano was temporarily designated as acting chair at that meeting as he is the longest serving member of the BOCC.

And a resolution electing to not exempt property under the “Live Local Act Property Tax Exemption” was continued to the May 7 meeting in Dade City because Gov. Ron DeSantis had not yet signed the legislation as of April 10. 

The act would grant tax exemptions to units in multifamily projects that are used to house natural persons or families whose annual household income is between 80% and 120% of the median annual adjusted gross income for households within Pasco County. 

Officials previously said the county could lose out on $38 million in tax revenues over a 35-year period if a pair of properties that were considering using the Live Local Act received tax breaks.

Also, Commissioner Weightman nominated Matthew Munz to fill a seat on the Pasco County Planning Commission that was previously held by Peter Hanzel who recently retired after serving on the PC for many years.

Munz’s appointment was confirmed by the BOCC and he is scheduled to participate in the planning commission’s May 2 meeting at 1:30 p.m., in Dade City.

Published April 24, 2024

Enjoy summer camp at a local YMCA

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As the weather turns warm, and the end of the school year gets that much closer, so does the thought of keeping children busy and off their devices. The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA is here to help with your family’s summer camp plans. We offer campers the opportunity to try something new while they build character through activities based on the Y Core Values: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

(Photos courtesy Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA)

Our East Pasco Family YMCA in Zephyrhills has so much to offer — from traditional camp activities like outdoor games, art and sports, plus a variety of adventures throughout the week.

Geared for ages 6 to 12, camp participants will experience a memorable and fun summer. The East Pasco Y has a camp stage complete with camp seating where campers start and end their day with an energetic opening and closing ceremony. 

“The East Pasco YMCA offers many wonderful amenities for our camp kiddos to enjoy every day at summer camp! Firstly, right next to our camp stage out in our open field is a GaGa Pit, 9 Square, and a retention pond for all kinds of games, and activities,” explains Alex Delgado, associate executive director, East Pasco & Dade City YMCA. 

“We also have a six-lane, 25-yard-long swimming pool that they get to swim in daily at camp. The pool itself, as well as the deck, were renovated in 2021, so it is still very new. Next, our basketball gym is a great space to play all kinds of sports such as basketball, volleyball, pickleball, indoor soccer and indoor hockey. Campers often play team-building games and partake in fitness classes there as well. Lastly, we have two racquetball courts used for arts & crafts, as well as team-building,” adds Delgado.

Dave Boyle, executive director of Tampa Y’s Camp Cristina, oversees our camps, and shares we are expecting 1,700 campers this year.

“This camp season, while we continue to cherish the timeless traditions that have always defined us, we are excited to introduce a modern twist to these classic elements. Central to our refreshed approach is a renewed emphasis on fostering meaningful connections,” said Boyle.

“We believe that the bonds formed at camp — between peers, with nature and within oneself — are more vital than ever in our increasingly digital world. Our activities are deliberately designed to encourage campers to engage deeply with the world around them, particularly the great outdoors.

“Being outside isn’t just a backdrop for our camp; it’s a canvas for adventure, learning, and discovery. Additionally, we’re reinvigorating our range of age-appropriate games, infusing them with innovative ideas and approaches. These games are not only fun but are carefully crafted to promote developmental skills, teamwork, and healthy competition. By blending the best of traditional camp experiences with a contemporary perspective, we’re creating an environment that is both nostalgically familiar and excitingly new, ensuring that our campers enjoy the most enriching and memorable summer possible.

“Each counselor brings a unique blend of diverse backgrounds and skills, allowing us to offer a personalized experience that caters to the individual needs and interests of every camper. They serve as role models, demonstrating values and attitudes that leave a lasting impact on the campers, shaping not just their summer but their character and life outlook. Importantly, they create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment where campers feel comfortable to be themselves, fostering respect and appreciation for others,” notes Boyle. 

Here’s what the American Camp Association’s stats on the value of summer camp tell us, direct from campers:

  • Camp helped me make new friends: 96% 
  • Camp helped me to get to know kids who are different from me: 93%
  • The people at camp helped me feel good about myself: 92%
  • At camp, I did things I was afraid to do at first: 74% 

Spots are still available but are filling up fast. The East Pasco Family YMCA is at 37301 Chapel Hill Loop in Zephyrhills. Visit https://www.tampaymca.org/locations/east-pasco-family-ymca for more information or to register.

For additional YMCA locations, visit https://www.tampaymca.org/.

Kiran Malik-Khan is the senior communications director of the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA

Published April 24, 2024

Local seniors turn out for Thrive Over 55 expo 

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More than 400 seniors attended the Thrive Over 55 Senior Expo on April 4 at B&B Theatres Wesley Chapel – The Grove 16 sponsored by The Laker/Lutz News. Forty-plus senior-related vendors shared information with attendees, and event sponsors Gulfside Healthcare Services and Vertos Medical each hosted an informative breakout session during the event. Guests also were treated to free breakfast and lunch.

(Courtesy of Adrian Garson)