Land O' Lakes News

Thousands of homes proposed on 2,900 acres of ranch land

March 28, 2023 By B.C. Manion

A new development is being proposed in Land O’ Lakes that would transform 2,900 acres of ranch land into roughly 3,800 homes and 300,000 square feet of retail and office uses.

The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a proposed land use change requested in the name of 4G Ranch PD.

Attorney Clarke Hobby, who represents the applicant, said a separate request also has been filed for a rezoning, which also must be approved for the project to proceed.

Planner Amy Tull detailed the land use request during the planning board’s March 16 public hearing on the request.

A new development is being proposed in Land O’ Lakes that would transform 2,900 acres of ranch land into roughly 3,800 homes and 300,000 square feet of retail on State Road 52, about 2.25 miles east of U.S. 41. (Mike Camunas)

The site is off State Road 52, about 2.25 miles east of U.S. 41, in an area designated as a rural transition area on the county’s long-range planning map.

The request calls for changing the site’s designation from agricultural and agricultural-residential to a planned development.

The subject property is bisected by a Critical Linkage Ecological Corridor, in the name of Connerton to Crossbar. The applicant proposes amending the map to reduce the size of the corridor from about 830 acres to about 595 acres.

The county has no objections to the proposed changes in the eco-corridor because even after the changes, it would meet the intent of providing a connection between ecological conservation areas and supporting necessary habitat, according to materials in the planning board’s agenda packet.

Hobby told the planning board that 4G Ranch is owned by the Phillips family, which “does quite a bit for the community and hosts fundraisers out there quite a bit, so many people in the community have been there over the years.”

He said the site is in an area that the county designated years ago as a transition area from higher densities from the west and the south.

The area north of State Road 52 was basically made up of about four ranches that covered the area between Bellamy Brothers Boulevard to Pasco Trails, Hobby said.

But in the past few years, there have been increased development approvals in the nearby area, including the Palmetto Ridge Master-Planned Unit Development (MPUD) and Faircloth MPUD, Hobby said.

“The (State Road) 52 project is now in the (Florida Department of Transportation) DOT work program, and it’s my understanding that it’s to commence in about two or three years, so that’s radically changing the area that’s just been more of a rural-flavored, two-lane road.

“This is going to be a major growth area for the county, both in residential and non-residential, over time,” Hobby said.

The attorney added: “We’ve worked with staff to set the framework for the ultimate negotiations for the eco-corridor and the county’s acquisition of it, over time. That will be addressed concurrently with, or prior to, a second MPUD, which would be in Area 2, on the east side of the conservation area that you see on the map, which is the eco-corridor.

“What you are going to see in a couple of months — we only have one MPUD proposed at this time on Area 1, and that will be following this, like I said, by a couple of months.

“The family’s intention is to hold Area 2, where they have their large family compound, where the fundraisers are typically held, for an indefinite amount of time. We’re thinking it could be some period of time before that is dealt with.

“The subarea policies deal with the (elementary) school (site) and infrastructure issues that are important.

“We have a condition that requires the dedication of a school (site), once we have approval of above 1,500 units, on Area 2,” Hobby said.

“We have met with the Pasco Trails HOA several times and we’ve made some changes to our concept plan, which will find its way into the MPUD conditions — do a few things design-wise to make it more palatable for them. Feel like we have a good relationship with those folks, and we plan on continuing to be good neighbors,” Hobby said.

During the public comment portion of the planning board’s hearing, one couple, who lives next to the proposed land use change, voiced concerns about losing the oak and pine trees that currently provide a buffer between their property and the site. They would prefer the trees remain.

But Shawn Roark, president of Pasco Trails Homeowners Association, said the majority of people within the HOA would prefer ponds be used to buffer the property.

“We’ve met multiple times with 4G Ranch and they’ve been very gracious and open to our input. They’ve made changes,” Roark said, referring to a planned MPUD rezoning, which is a separate request.

Roark said using the ponds as buffers will help direct the drainage flow to the north, where it needs to go. He also thinks that approach will help preserve the area’s rural flavor.

Another speaker at the meeting represented a couple who has 10 acres nearby.

The speaker said the couple’s primary concern relates to what kind of buffering will be used and whether the new development will have any negative impacts on existing residents.

Published March 29, 2023

Making a pact to act

March 28, 2023 By Mike Camunas

World Autism Awareness Day is April 2.

But Land O’ Lakes High International Baccalaureate students Sydney Crenshaw and Sajni Shah have been raising awareness about autism throughout the school year.

Land O’ Lakes High International Baccalaureate students Sydney Crenshaw, left, and Sajni Shah started Action For Autism, a yearlong project aimed at increasing awareness regarding those on the autism spectrum or with special needs, as well as raising money for Special Olympics. (Mike Camunas)

They began their project, Action For Autism, as members of the school club HOSA – Future Health Professionals, which is an international competition based on medicine and health care related topics.

The duo is competing in the Community Awareness Division, which means they set forth to educate the community on a topic of their choice. They chose Autism Spectrum Disorder because they are passionate about embracing neurodiversity and contributing to the awareness of this “disorder” that still comes with a stigma.

“In my experience, when I meet autistic people or children, I treat them like anyone else, but that’s not always the case,” said Crenshaw, who is a junior. “It’s not a visible condition, so most people don’t even know this person has autism because they can act in a variety of ways when they’re on the spectrum.

“Not a lot of people show they have autism, and we’ve seen that a lot, but autism isn’t something you should treat differently,” Crenshaw added. “Autistic people are people.”

Shah says people on the autism spectrum should have the same chances and opportunities as their “neurotypical counterparts.”

That’s why Shah is working to increase awareness about autism.

“A lot of people with autism don’t receive accommodations they need to thrive in society the way you or I might,” said Shah, who is a senior. “That’s frustrating to see because they are very smart people.

“I hope to make these kids feel seen and important and raise awareness that autism is not a stigma and never has to be,” she added. “These kids, given the same chances and opportunities, can be productive and live great lives.”

Sajni Shah and camper Layla Gile make tie-dyed shirts at Dream Oaks Camp in Bradenton. (Courtesy of Sydney Crenshaw)

So far, the students, through Action For Autism, have organized multiple events, interviewed an autistic person and occupational therapist for their YouTube channel, and received $600 in grant money. Using that money, they created other fundraisers, such as selling Autism Awareness bracelets and bags, as well as created posters and fliers with autism facts and hung them around the school and community.

They also have worked with the Light The Torch Campaign, which helps raise money for the Special Olympics.

“Mainly speaking of autism, I’ve seen how it affects children, and adults, in all very different ways,” Shah said. “There is not one way it affects people, so we just want to understand the patterns and more about it, that way if more people are aware and understanding, then people will understand autism better.”

Both students work with several organizations that help with special needs people, including Special Olympics and Council for Exceptional Children.

Shah also worked at Dream Oaks Camp in Bradenton, which works with children with special needs and chronic illnesses from the ages of 7 to 17.

“Working at Dream Oaks Camp inspired me to work with more people with special needs and autism,” Shah said. “What started as a part-time job grew into a project and something more that I want to continue to do.”

Dr. Louis Florence, the teacher who oversees the HOSA club, isn’t overly familiar with the duo’s project or its specifics — there’s 108 members in HOSA and Florence’s job is just to manage the kids and be as hands-off as possible — but he does know that students such as Crenshaw and Shah will bring their very best to their projects.

“We’re talking about some of the smartest people around that are interested in working or serving in the medical field,” Florence said. “They’re really self-starters, which is amazing, and they’re students who are excited about the medical field, but can become anything, from doctors to other health care professionals.”

Crenshaw and Shah’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.

“Sanji is awesome and the vice president of the group,” Florence said. “Sydney is awesome, too. Two very high-quality individuals that already have the drive to go out and make a difference in the medical field, and in this case, helping autism awareness.

“These two are great, shining examples of the type of kids who join this club and love to see all the work they do for their yearlong projects.”

Plus, the students’ devotion to autism awareness is prodigious.

“I know just how much I love these kids — they’re so much fun,” Crenshaw said. “I personally do it because autistic people are still people — I’ve said that a lot, but it’s true!”

Action For Autism
Details: Land O’ Lakes High International Baccalaureate students Sydney Crenshaw and Sajni Shah created this program as part of an international competition through the school club, HOSA – Future Health Professionals. The students chose to educate the community on the topic of autism spectrum disorder. They are passionate about embracing neurodiversity and contributing to the awareness of autism. Their campaign included organizing multiple events, interviewing an autistic person and occupational therapist for their YouTube channel, receiving $600 in grant money and raising additional money for the Special Olympics.
To donate, email or Venmo @sajni_shah12.
For more information or to follow Action for Autism on social media, visit https://linktr.ee/actionforautism.

Published March 29, 2023

Wesley Chapel Boulevard widening to start soon

March 21, 2023 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Wesley Chapel Boulevard, between State Road 54 and State Road 56, is a busy road and has needed widening for years. That work is expected to begin in nine months, according to Margaret Smith, Pasco County’s engineer. (Mike Camunas)

Right of way needed to widen Wesley Chapel Boulevard has been acquired and the work to widen the busy road is expected to begin within nine months.

Once the project is completed, the road will have three lanes in each direction between State Road 54 and State Road 56.

Some of the widening work has already occurred.

The project is of considerable interest to motorists who use it for their daily commutes, to take advantage of the area’s shopping and dining options, and to access Interstate 75, via State Road 54 or State Road 56.

Wesley Chapel Boulevard also is known as County Road 54.

It straddles the edge of Cypress Creek Town Center, where State Road 54 turns into State Road 56, and it leads to the other part of State Road 54, which heads east through Wesley Chapel toward Zephyrhills.

Published March 22, 2023

A budding business on the grow

March 7, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Chris Fennell is a kid who actually likes to eat his vegetables.

The 11-year-old enjoys growing his vegetables, too.

“I like these vegetables!” the sixth-grader at Pine View Middle admitted freely. “They just taste great and they were pretty easy to grow — so I like eating these ones.”

Land O’ Lakes resident Chris Fennell, 11, tends to his crops of microgreens, as he sells them roadside in his neighborhood, Wilderness Lake Preserve. Fennell, a sixth-grader at Pine View Middle, decided to start growing microgreens as a do-it-yourself project, especially since he liked how these vegetables taste. Then, he decided to create a small business, BabyGreens. With his entrepreneurial spirit, he’s thought of everything — from creating a website, to promoting the business on social media. (Mike Camunas)

He also loves selling the microgreens he grew himself for his now budding business, BabyGreens. It started as just a do-it-yourself project thanks to YouTube videos. But Fennell, who lives in Land O’ Lakes, turned it into a small business — complete with a website, a logo, business cards and even promoting himself on social media.

“Before this,” his mom, Amber, said, “I didn’t even know what a microgreen was, so I had to do a little research of my own, and then come to find out they’re easy to grow and very healthy and surprisingly tasty.”

Selling the veggies was her son’s idea.

“But we were very surprised by him coming to us with the whole business plan,” she added. “He made a website, business cards, a logo, had a business plan, wanting to get a credit card machine that worked on the phone — he had everything done and ready, like he was pitching it to an investor.

“And he figured that out all on his own.”

Microgreens are “baby” versions of certain vegetables and contain 40% more nutrients. Not to be confused with sprouts or shoots, they are harvested very soon after sprouting, rather than after the plant has matured to produce multiple leaves.

Chris Fennell grows all the microgreens himself, out on the patio of his Wilderness Lake Preserve home in Land O’ Lakes (Courtesy of Chris Fennell)

They are used as a nutrition supplement, a visual enhancement, and a flavor and texture addition. Microgreens are used to add sweetness and spiciness to foods, such as salads, soups, sandwiches, burgers and pizza.

Fennell grew microgreens of broccoli, radish and sunflower, then set up shop in the back of Wilderness Lake Preserve for potential customers to sample and buy.

Using a two-tray watering and growing system, it took Fennell about two weeks to grow his first batch.

“I saw some videos about growing them and thought it was really cool, and I knew they tasted really good, so I was thinking about growing them just to eat them,” he said. “But I also saw that people were selling them and making a lot of money, so I came up with the idea and asked my mom and started a business.”

The sixth-grader is a straight-A student, interested in science (he’s thinking about becoming a marine biologist, one day), so he’s always looking to experiment with new projects. He’s even in accelerated science classes, so when he starts high school, he’ll already have a high school credit.

Chris Fennell, 11, meticulously trims the microgreens he grew himself. He then weighs them and packages for the small business he established, by himself. It’s called BabyGreens. (Mike Camunas)

He embraces the healthy lifestyle, especially as a kid who has undergone two major surgeries before he was even 5 years old. He had open-heart surgery at age 2 and brain stem surgery at age 3.

“He’s more into books and science and learning and always has been,” Amber said. “As an A student in advanced classes, he’s just killing it and absolutely making his mother proud.”

Fennell’s first business display on Feb. 18 went well, with several residents stopping by to taste samples and some purchasing a container of BabyGreens.

“People are really interested,” he said, “and a lot of people want to know what they are and how they taste on certain things.

“Everyone definitely likes trying them!”

People can give the tiny veggies a taste on April 1, when Fennell will be one of the vendors at Rosebud Continuum’s Spring Plant Sale. Fennell says there are more than 100 microgreens that can be cultivated. His next crop will include corn, peas, salad mix, arugula and wheatgrass.

He expects them to be a hit.

“I think once people try them, they’ll like them,” he said.

“It just takes one sample.”

BabyGreens
Where: Wilderness Lake Preserve neighborhood in Land O’ Lakes
Details: Chris Fennell grows microgreens sprouts and sells them out of his house or on special side-of-the-road displays on the weekends. Fennell, 11, next will be at the Rosebud Continuum’s Spring Plant Sale, 22843 Hale Road, in Land O’ Lakes, April 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring various local vendors.
Info: Visit BabyGreens.my.canva.site, call 727-687-0753, or email . Follow BabyGreens on social media on TikTok: @BabyGreens_business or on YouTube: @BabyGreens5.

Rosebud Continuum’s Spring Plant Sale
When: April 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: 22843 Hale Road, in Land O’ Lakes
Details: Fruit trees, fresh herbs and vegetables, local honey produced by bees at Rosebud, free tree grafting demos and more will all be on sale and display at this event featuring various local vendors.
Vendor space still available.
Info: Email or visit the Facebook event page at www.facebook.com/events/595648001932925.

Published March 08, 2023

Pasco breaks ground on jail expansion project

March 7, 2023 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County has broken ground on a 608-bed expansion on a 28.5-acre site at its Pasco County Corrections Center, 20101 Central Ave., in Land O’ Lakes.

Officials held a groundbreaking on Feb. 23 to celebrate the start of the project, which includes new inmate housing, a virtual visitation center, medical and mental health areas, inmate intake and release areas, kitchen and laundry facility improvements, and other features.

This sign is on the current campus at the Pasco County Detention Center, at 20101 Central Ave., in Land O’ Lakes, just off U.S. 41. A project is underway to add 608 beds, as well as other new and updated facilities, at the jail. (File)

Voters approved general obligation bonds for the $145 million expansion project in November 2018.

During the groundbreaking, officials offered remarks about the project in interviews that were videotaped and disseminated by the county’s communications team.

“We’re overcrowded in the facility,” County Administrator Mike Carballa said. “We can’t just go and put a ‘No Vacancy’ sign up, right? We have to house these folks.”

Stacey Jenkins, Pasco’s chief correctional officer said: “The expansion is going to allow us a better opportunity to classify our inmate population, so with that, it’s going to improve the safety of our staff.”

Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman added: “This is a great win for our corrections officers. As we move in the modern policing, this facility will be a fantastic and modern workplace for our corrections officers, and hopefully it gives them a new, clean, safe environment to work in.”

Jack Mariano, chairman of the county board, talked about improvements the expansion will offer.

Elected county leaders, county staff and other dignitaries fling shovels of dirt on Feb. 23 to signify the official groundbreaking of the Pasco County Detention Center expansion. The project, which will add 608 new beds and other improvements, is expected to be completed by Summer of 2025. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

“There’s going to be better visitation, where people can do it remotely, safely — taking a lot of stress and strain off the system, as well,” he said.

Mariano added: “The voters spoke very clearly in 2018 … They voted for it. They wanted to see it happen. It’s going to be a great benefit for Pasco County.”

Mike Tippy, a project executive, noted there will be challenges because the expansion is being added next to an operating jail. So, for example, “the kitchen still has to run, even though we’re putting a new kitchen in. The laundry still has to operate, even though we’re moving to new laundry facilities.”

Chief Correctional Officer Jenkins said the expansion will enable the county to provide more programs for current inmates.

It also will provide new opportunities for “inmates who have medical conditions and mental health conditions,” she said.

Moss & Associates is spearheading the construction work on the project, which is expected to be completed by the Summer of 2025.

John Bowden, of Moss construction, said: “This is a big project, very exciting, a large project. We’ve assembled an A-plus team. We’re very excited about what we’re going to deliver over the next couple of years. “

County Administrator Carballa expressed confidence in the county’s staff and the contractor.

“Our team is up to the challenge. I appreciate the hard work and the professionalism of the complete design/build team and our partners there,” the county’s chief executive said.

“This is truly a heavy lift for the organization, but in the end, the juice is worth the squeeze,” Carballa added.

Pasco County Detention Center expansion
New and updated facilities include:

608 additional beds
Kitchen and laundry updates
Medical and mental health areas
Inmate intake/release areas
Staff support and administrative offices
Pre-trial hearing area

This is a rendering of what the Pasco County Detention Center expansion will look like, at completion. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Access to inmate booking photos
Pasco County has announced that the county now offers access to basic inmate booking information, including photos, for inmates at Pasco Corrections Center in Land O’ Lakes.

Just visit the Pasco Corrections webpage, PascoCorrections.com, and click on either the In Custody or Past Arrests links to access the searchable databases.

Give the system a few moments to load booking photos, then simply click on the photo to download. To request a booking photo that doesn’t appear on the website, email Pasco County Customer Service at .

Requests for additional information about arrests must be directed to the arresting agency.

Published March 08, 2023

Chasing the blues with music, and bourbon, too

February 28, 2023 By Mike Camunas

The Annual Pasco Blues Festival, at Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes, has always been a staple of live music, local food and vendors and a bluesy, rocking good time every February.

But this year, the event took a shot and added something new: It added bourbon tastings.

Hundreds attended the Seventh Annual Pasco Blues Festival on Feb. 18, at Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes, all out to enjoy some lively music, local food, and free bourbon samples (a new addition to the year’s event). (Mike Camunas)

Those attending the Feb. 18 event could taste samples of bourbon, whiskey, rye whiskey and even cocktails featuring those liquors.

Distilleries taking part in the event included Cleveland Whiskey, WhistlePig Whiskey, Redwood Empire Whiskey, Tarpon Springs Distillery, Three Chord Bourbon, Old Forester and Ammunition Bourbon.

Several local food vendors were at the event with their offerings for hungry patrons. Those included Sweet Suga’ Grillin’, Gigglewaters Food Truck, TK-Oh Burgers, Divinos Tacos, Always Fresh SusSus Gyros & more and Let’s Get Toasted Grilled Cheese. Casey’s Lemonade was there, too.

Entertainment, on the breezy afternoon, began with a local blues hero, Alex Lopez & The Express. Then, Grammy-nominated Canadian Blues Star Crystal Shawanda played songs from her latest album, “Midnight Blues,” and to close out the event, St. Louis chart-topper Jeremiah Johnson, performed songs from his latest album, “Hi-fi Drive.”

The Pasco Blues Festival started in 2017 with a small shindig called the Wings BBQ & Blues Festival starring Troy Youngblood, at the Cheval Golf & Athletic Club in Lutz.

As the concert grew and the audience expanded, the festival was moved to Heritage Park.

After the concert stage was built that same year, the event sought top Blues artists from Florida and beyond.

Some artists that have performed at the festival include Steve Arvey, Pasco Lefty, Memphis Lightning and Double Your Trouble: Stevie Ray Vaughn Tribute.

Adult beverage sales benefited the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel to support the Bridging Freedom Foundation to build a transitional home in Tampa for young children saved from human trafficking.

To learn more about the Bridging Freedom Foundation at the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel, visit WCRotary.com/buildthathome.

Published March 01, 2023

Eboni Reed, left, and Donette Howe enjoy a coconut drink and some bluesy music during the Seventh Annual Pasco Blues Festival on Feb. 18, at Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes. Three popular Blues artists performed throughout the afternoon.’

Lutz residents Jewel Brown, left, and Jerry Brown jam out to the belting beats and wailing lyrics of Grammy-nominated Canadian Blues Star Crystal Shawanda.

From left: Land O’ Lakes residents Mike Piltaver, Mike Gault and Steve Koenis enjoy a good laugh while grabbing another small bourbon sample at the Seventh Annual Pasco Blues Festival on Feb. 18, at Heritage Park. In this iteration of the event, six distilleries were on hand to pass out bourbon samples to guests.

St. Pete resident Lisa Casey walks her dog, Giggles, through the blues festival in Land O’ Lakes.

Grammy-nominated Canadian Blues Star Crystal Shawanda is all smiles as her daughter, Zhaa-Zhaa, sings a chorus to one of Shawanda’s hit songs.

This year’s Annual Pasco Blues Festival included a new element: free bourbon samples from six distilleries on hand for an afternoon of boozy and bluesy fun.

New HOPE Services training center creates opportunities

February 21, 2023 By Mike Camunas

One would think it’s been 20 years in the making.

But actually, it’s just been a few.

On Feb. 10, Hope Services opened the doors to its state-of-the-art Life Skills & Vocational Training Center, at 5426 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Cindy Bray, founder and executive director of Hope Services, had been set to start on the center in 2019, but COVID intervened.

HOPE Services founder and executive director Cindy Bray, left, stands in front of the nonprofit’s brand new Life Skills & Vocational Training Center. She is accompanied by her daughter, Danica, who inspired Bray to launch Hope Services in 2003. (Mike Camunas)

Then in June 2020, HOPE Services purchased a building — just a gray shell, finished on the outside but completely unfinished inside.

Bray and her staff seized on the opportunity to design the center’s layout to best meet their training needs.

Each of the center’s six rooms is dedicated to a different type of training and profession.

The new Land O’ Lakes facility will provide training in culinary arts/food safety, construction, customer service/retail, hospitality, computers/technology and GED education.

“So, we’re really excited to get people in the building and get them trained,” Bray said. “This is a dream come true,” Bray said. “This is really my dream and vision.

“Back in 2003, this started out with just little ol’ me, and I was inspired to do HOPE Services because of my daughter, Danica, who lives with disabilities,” she said.

From that small beginning, Hope Services has built a 20-year history of helping teens and adults who have disabilities and special needs, to secure and maintain meaningful, competitive and integrated employment.

Besides providing training, HOPE Services also helps its clients to prepare for interviews, find jobs and to become more self-sufficient.

HOPE Services provides vocational evaluations, work incentive planning and assistance, on-the-job training, psychotherapy, employment services, pre-employment transition services and supported employment.

HOPE Services had a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the opening of its Life Skills & Vocational Training Center, 5426 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. It will provide on-site job training and classes aimed to help those with special needs obtain steady work. (Courtesy of Toyita Rivera)

These services are provided at no charge, as HOPE Services’ funding comes entirely from Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

Once a candidate is eligible to receive services from VR or the Agency, the candidate must ask to be referred to HOPE Services, which immediately begins processing them as a client.

While based in Wesley Chapel, and now Land O’ Lakes, HOPE Services also serves Hillsborough, Hernando, Pinellas, Polk and Citrus counties.

“I’m a little surprised by our size now, and we will even add more now with the (on-site) training,” Bray said.

The new center allows Hope Services to expand to help a broader range of clients.

It will now be able to provide training to home-schooled children, to those who were recently released from incarceration and even those who are now free from human trafficking.

“Really anyone that struggles with vocational skills,” Bray said. “We want to be able to give them the life skills they need to live a better life — a full life.”

The training center is designed to provide practical training, which can be useful in vocations, and in life.

One example of this at the new center is the hospitality room. It not only features a washer and dryer, but is across the hall from the restroom. This allows training in not just the service industry, but also life skills such as picking up after oneself.

“They may get a job in a hotel or hospital and need to know how to do laundry, but then they can go across the hall where the restroom is and learn how to clean the restroom,” Bray said. “Sure, no one likes to (clean a restroom), but if that’s a job they have to do, then they know how to do it.”

This room will be used to provide training in hospitality, and other cleaning and washing skills.

The training rooms also “allow students to get individual attention, and we will be able to offer that so they can get the best training possible and go out fully prepared to enter the workforce.

“Again, it’s really a dream come true.”

HOPE Services Life Skills & Vocational Training Center
Where: 5426 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
Details: A center that provides youths and adults who have disabilities and special needs the opportunity to receive on-site training in culinary arts/food safety, construction, customer service/retail, hospitality, computers/technology and GED education.
There are training rooms within the center dedicated for various vocations, as well as a multimedia conference room for larger seminars and meetings.
Certified instructors will tailor courses to accommodate clients of all abilities, while maintaining high-quality instruction. The skills and certifications will enable individuals to earn higher wages, find sustainable careers and set a solid foundation for self-sufficiency.
Info: Visit HOPEGetsJobs.com.

Published February 22, 2023

Pasco officials praise Friends of Animal Services

February 7, 2023 By B.C. Manion

The shocking experience that Michael Cox had on his first visit to the Pasco County Animal Services facility is etched in his memory.

“The very first time I toured the shelter, the live release rate was in the 40s,” Cox recalled, during a Pasco County Commission meeting on Jan. 24.

“And, I’ll never forget seeing the sight of the deceased animals that had been euthanized that morning, that were stacked up like cordwood out there. It was a horrible sight.”

That isn’t true anymore.

The Friends of Animal Services support the work that’s done by the Pasco County Animal Services team. Over time, the shelter has gone from a place where the release rate was in the 40s to its current 93% release rate. (Mike Camunas)

“Now that they’re 93% (live release rate), it’s just incredible,” said Cox, who was appearing before the county board along with other members of the Friends of Animal Services.

The ‘Friends’ group was honored for its work to support efforts to keep the facility in good condition, to help animals staying there to thrive, and ultimately to support the work that’s done to help them find loving homes.

The nonprofit organization does this in all sorts of ways, according to a resolution adopted by the county board.

Between 2019 through 2022, Friends donated and provided grant funding of $264,500 to Pasco County Animal Services (PCAS).

“This funding helped create the pet enrichment program at the shelter to enhance the quality of life and ease the stress of shelter pets by providing pet toys, training aides, pet treats, and feeding puzzles. Friends also funded two new, fully outfitted dog play yards and many other shelter enhancements including a new Kubota Utility Vehicle and awnings to shade outdoor areas,” the resolution says.

The nonprofit group also invested in veterinary services, funding more than 113 heartworm treatments for heartworm positive dogs, thereby improving the likelihood the pets would be adopted.

And, it “funded new medical equipment including dental equipment, an ultrasound machine, diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments, and post-surgery digital monitors,” according to the resolution.

Plus, it “administered $125,000 in national animal welfare grants to support PCAS’ new public programs including free vaccination clinics for over 700 pets; a pet food pantry and pet boarding vouchers to help people retain their pets during financial hardships brought on by the pandemic; and programs for pet emergency medical procedures and pet sterilization,” the resolution adds.

Commissioner Gary Bradford, who sponsored the resolution, said he was honored to recognize the work that Friends has done.

“I think it’s just absolutely wonderful that we have citizens that will step up to the plate for our dogs and cats … that sometimes fall through the cracks.

This is the building that houses Pasco County Animal Services. The county’s department has developed a national reputation for excellence, and recently the Friends of Animal Services, which supports that work, received recognition for its contributions.

“You guys are truly doing what you should be doing and truly making a difference in the quality of life and the fabric of life in our community,” Bradford said.

Commission Chairman Jack Mariano lavished Cox with praise.

“As a commissioner, you were a very strong supporter of animal services, right from the get-go. Never wavered.”

Cox credited the animal services team.

“The real heroes here are your staff. The people that work at Animal Services are the folks that, every day, face those challenges, and do an incredible job. They do a great job out there and our group just supports that,” Cox said.

Darlene Greene, treasurer of the Friends group, expressed her appreciation to the county board for its support of animal services, and to the staff for its tremendous work.

“They (animal services’ staff) make it premiere.

“They are well-known throughout the state and the nation, for the terrific job that they are doing, and also for the training.

“They’re involved in training throughout the United States, and involved in all types of committees, so Pasco County should be very proud of the staff that they have out there,” Greene said.

The volunteer also came to the meeting prepared to drum up additional support for her favorite cause.

“As the treasurer of Friends of Animal Services, it’s always my pleasure to see funds donated by the community come across my desk so that I can go and deposit that money to help the people in Pasco County with the shelter.

“So, as the treasurer, I’d like to give you each a brochure, so you can remember us when you leave here today.

“And, (I would be) happy to deposit your check, as well,” she told commissioners, which elicited laughter in the room.

On a more serious note, she added: “I can’t tell you how happy I am with the citizens of Pasco County because they’re truly the ones who step up and make these donations possible that we give to the shelter. And we give 100% back, because everybody on our board are volunteers.”

Published February 08, 2023

Sending coupon sales overseas

January 17, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Freedom isn’t free — even with coupons.

But that doesn’t mean military families have to pay full price.

At least that’s how the Auxiliary Unit for American Legion Post 108 sees it.

Members of the Auxiliary Unit from American Legion Post 108 in Land O’ Lakes work diligently to sort through and clip coupons, as part of an initiative to send overseas, so military families can use them in commerce areas. The newly formed Auxiliary Unit for Post 108 has been clipping away for only a few months, however, as the women collect coupon ads from local publications, they also are allowed to send expired coupons, which commerce areas will accept for up to six months. They are about to send the first batch of coupons, estimated to total more than $10,000 worth of savings. (Mike Camunas)

The auxiliary, which serves Lutz and Wesley Chapel and is based in Land O’ Lakes, has launched a coupon-clipping initiative to help military families overseas.

The auxiliary is made up of women who are spouses, daughters and granddaughters of veterans, living or deceased. They are rounding up discarded or unused coupons from local publications, including The Laker/Lutz News.

They take the coupon sheets, books and inserts, and painstakingly clip away at the deals. Then, they bundle and package them to send overseas for military families to use at the bases’ commerce areas.

“It’s a low-budget way to give back, to do things for our military and their families,” said Barbara Bird, leader of Auxiliary Unit 108. “We can do so many things, but sometimes it costs a little more to do things, but this is a way to do something and save them money.

Post 108 Auxiliary Unit leader Barbara Bird sorts through hundreds of coupons clipped from local publications. The coupons eventually will be bundled and shipped overseas to military families to use at commerce areas.

“We get a lot of them from The Laker, and I’ve asked my neighbor to save her Laker, and I’ve been trying to find where I can find extra Lakers and newspapers that are left over, but we’ll take any newspaper we can with coupons that people don’t use.”

Post 108’s Auxiliary Unit is relatively new, with it just starting in mid-2022 and getting its charter approved in December. However, Bird and about a half-dozen other women — including one Air Force veteran herself — have been gathering coupons out of newspapers and clipping since about September.

The women meet once a month and clip, or clip at home on their own time. Over time, they have sorted and put aside thousands of coupons.

They are about to send out their first batch that will go to a base in either Germany or Poland, and, in total, the coupons are valued at more than $10,000 in savings.

Commerce areas will also honor expired coupons of up to six months.

“Well, it’s definitely a labor of love, that’s for sure,” said Post 108 Chaplain Don Hinst, whose wife, Linda, also does a lot of coupon clipping. “It’s free money — there’s 10 grand right there of free money, and they pass them out to the families because it’s the non-commissioned officers and their families that are struggling.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit District 15 President Eileen Wilson cuts through a coupon sheet to help out Post 108’s unit collect coupons to be used by military families overseas.

“The dollar value of all the coupons in the newspapers, when the ladies are clipping, they can get anywhere from $80 to $120 per coupon insert. Why not put that to use for our military members?”

The key has been finding unused coupons, which has meant the women rounding up newspapers and other publications that have been discarded. Several of the women, such as Bird, have been seeking out old newspaper issues in bins, as well as asking their neighbors for their newspapers, if they’re not going to use the coupons.

“I just moved here and I live with my daughter,” Bird said, “and I’m trying to get out, walk around and get to know more people, and if they don’t want their coupons or their Laker, I’ll take them.”

Lutz resident Sandi Uhl intently searches for a hot deal while clipping coupons to send overseas. She’s helping in an initiative organized by Post 108’s Auxiliary Unit. Uhl, whose husband is a Vietnam veteran, is checking the expiration date on some coupons because commerce areas will accept expired coupons.

The Auxiliary Unit also invites people in the community to donate newspapers, which can be dropped off at Harvester Community Church in Land O’ Lakes.

Bird, who was instrumental in starting Post 108’s Auxiliary Unit to honor her late husband, a Vietnam veteran who died in 2020, admits most of her free time, as of late, has been spent clipping coupons.

“It’s really gratifying to know how much it has added up to,” she said. “Just the other night, I go, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s $9,000! So, the other night, I said, ‘Let me round this up to 10. And my daughter comes in and is like, ‘What are you doing? Oh, don’t tell me — it’s clipping coupons again! (laughs)’”

“We are so excited to get them the coupons,” Hinst, a Navy veteran, added. “I am so excited to see how much we can help them save, and to see the piles and bags of coupons that were clipped and put together finally get mailed out.

“We would’ve loved to get coupons. We could’ve used that when I served, for sure.”

Linda Hinst, whose husband, Don, is Post 108’s chaplain, pitches in during the Auxiliary Unit’s clipping session.

Bird agrees, knowing full well that if militaries can use anything, it’s discounts on the essentials.

“How great would it have been to get coupons?” Bird asked. “It was just the thought of someone doing something so nice, thinking about military families who do their shopping at commerce areas, and I just know that it is difficult as the price of everything rises, but their salary and pay doesn’t, I can identify with that.

“It’s going to be great when we send them over,” she added. “I hope they’re excited when they get them because I’m excited for them to use all the coupons.”

Coupon Clipping with Post 108’s Auxiliary Unit
American Legion Post 108 serves Wesley Chapel and Lutz, but is based out of the Plantation Palms community in Land O’ Lakes. It recently was granted the charter for its Auxiliary Unit. The unit is composed of spouses, daughters and granddaughters of veterans in the Post. The Auxiliary meets the fourth Monday of each month at 5 p.m. for a social gathering and then at 6 p.m. for a meeting, at the Plantations Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd. The Auxiliary welcomes new members who have a veteran in their family. For more information, visit AmericanLegionPost108.org/index.php?id=20.

The Auxiliary welcomes coupon donations and volunteers to help clip them. The coupons can be dropped off at Harvester Community Church, 2432 Collier Parkway. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Barbara Bird at 206-735-0597 or .

Published January 18, 2023

Striking up a really, really big band

January 10, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Consistency is not a minor key.

That’s especially true when it comes to the Land O’ Lakes High School Band.

Land O’ Lakes High Band member Max McGuill practices his tuba during a class in December. The Gators’ band, since being taken over by Johnathon Mulder six years ago, has more than doubled in size, from 60 to 124 members. Since Mulder took over, there’s been an emphasis on the passion of creating music together, and less focus on ratings and awards. (Mike Camunas)

In the six years that band director Johnathon Mulder has been leading the Gators, he has demonstrated consistency in leadership, direction, experience and, of course, the love of music.

“We’ve tried to put a big emphasis on recruiting — which is not really like it is in the sports world,” said Mulder, a former trumpet player from the Herd of Thunder, the University of South Florida’s marching band. “It’s more of just trying to get to the middle school and giving them the information about us and joining us when they come to this high school.

“But until I got here — with the last five to six band directors — there was constant turnover, where it was a new band director every two to three years. So consistency, that was a big thing for me when I came in — not to leave after two years.

“Because with any band program in the state, or even the country, ones that are large in size and very good, you see that they have a director or directors that have been there for an extended time.”

Mulder’s stay, and the consistency in leadership, have worked. Land O’ Lakes now has the second largest public high school band in Pasco County, only behind Mitchell High.

Land O’ Lakes High Director of Bands Johnathon Mulder directs the woodwind and brass sections of the Gators’ band during a practice session on campus in December. Since he took over the band six years ago, Mulder has changed the band’s culture, which has resulted in an uptick of participation from students, especially from incoming freshmen.

When Mulder took over, the band had about 60 members. Now, the Gators’ band has 124 members, which is a school record.

“When I came here, there was a lot of negativity within the band,” Mulder said. “A lot of students would make jokes about themselves — self-deprecating humor — but we wanted to stop that.

“The big thing with my philosophy in teaching is we will do well, we will go on stage and put on a great performance and a high-quality production. What’s important is that this class, like our dance and art and chorus classes and theater, is usually the safe space for those students. We wanted to create an atmosphere that this is a family, that we’re all working for each other, with each other and pushing ourselves and holding ourselves to high standards.”

That family atmosphere, and the “recruiting,” seems to be working, given the band’s size. Mulder and the band’s captains will visit the middle school band, like the one at Pine View Middle, which has close to 300 members. But the band also will have a Middle School Night.

For that, the Gators will go to a Pine View game and play and perform with those middle school band members. They’ll also invite them to a Gators’ football game, so they can watch the band perform during the game and its halftime performance.

“We do have a middle school band night, so we were there and played their tunes, our tunes — really jammed out with them and performed on the field with them,” senior trombone section leader Riley Palmer said. “And they came to our game and, obviously, I didn’t really pay attention to them in the stands because I was playing, but I think they liked it.

Riley Palmer, a senior, left, and Gracie Bagley, a junior, play their trombones during practice for Land O’ Lakes High’s band.

“I know, for me, I loved it because, just like them, I was in the stands on middle school night and it got me really excited to join when I came to Land O’ Lakes.”

Middle school night has been quite the recruiting tool, according to one of the band’s recruiters.

“We’re really involved with middle school night and just show them this is the high school band experience and they really love it,” said Kenzie Ringo, a senior, who plays the clarinet and is the band’s co-captain. “In the past, you’d get a really big freshman class and then they’d quit, but now everyone sticks around and you have seniors that have been in band all four years.

“We’re a lot like a family — we’re really close and love being around each other, and so that helps people stick around and that’s just very cool to see.”

As senior players who have enjoyed four full years under Mulder’s guidance, they believe his tenure has made all the difference.

“What makes our band stand out from other bands is that we’re not as serious as other bands,” Palmer said. “I’d like us to be a little more serious, but I also just like how chill we are, and that’s what he’s brought to this band.”

“He’s, obviously, our band director, but he’s the leader, right?” Ringo added. “He’s just a very easy person to talk to and down to earth with us. He doesn’t mind talking to any of us outside of band time. He’s just someone that you want to be friends with, even after you move on from high school.”

And after six years, the Gators band is finally on the same page of sheet music.

It’s important to have consistency in leadership and expectations, Mulder said.

“When you establish those expectations and have them year after year, you build a culture of success, and I think that absolutely shows now after six years.”

Published January 11, 2023