The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Land O' Lakes News

New fire station coming to Central Pasco

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The Pasco County Commission has approved spending $1,650,000 to purchase 3.25 acres from SR 54 Land Associates for Fire Station No. 45.

The land is located on State Road 54. The new fire station is intended to service Trinity, Starkey Ranch, Asturia, Bexley and surrounding communities within a 5-mile radius.

The purchase will support the needs of future growth in the area.

The anticipated start date for construction is April 2023, with completion expected in April 2024.

A market value appraisal was completed on Nov. 12, using a sales comparison approach. The appraisal valued the land at $1,840,000. The property is vacant and is zoned for commercial use.

Funding for the land purchase and all closing costs is budgeted and available in the Public Safety General Obligation Bond Series 2020 Fund, Fire Rescue, Station 45.

Published March 31, 2021

Army veteran gets a warm welcome to his new home

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Veteran Army Specialist Stephen Peterson received a warm welcome to his specially adapted custom home in Land O’ Lakes, on the morning of March 13.

Veteran Army Specialist Stephen Peterson raises the flag in front of his new home, which was provided by Homes for Our Troops. Peterson was wounded in Afghanistan. (Courtesy of Homes for Our Troops)

The national nonprofit organization, Homes For Our Troops, donated the home to Peterson during a special key ceremony.

The custom home, at 24235 Hideout Trail, is adapted to meet Peterson’s needs.

The Army veteran was severely injured while serving in Afghanistan. He was riding in a vehicle on a route clearance mission when an improvised explosive device exploded directly under his seat, a news release said.

From left: Stephen Peterson and his wife Brittany, U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis and Homes for our Troops President/CEO Tom Landwermeyer.

He immediately lost his right leg in the blast, and sustained fractured hips, a fractured tailbone, and a traumatic brain injury.

His new home features more than 40 major special adaptations, such as widened doorways for wheelchair access, a roll-in shower, and kitchen amenities that include pull-down shelving and lowered countertops.

The home also is designed with hallways that are accessible for wheelchairs and with cabinets that are within reach.

Homes for Our Troops donated the house to Peterson, using contributions from donors, supports and corporate sponsors.

Those attending the ceremony in Land O’ Lakes were required to wear masks or facial coverings as a precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

To find out more about Homes for Our Troops, visit HFOTusa.org.

Published March 24, 2021

Crowd gets to see ‘Elvis,’ a ‘teen angel’ and classic cars

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Spectators at the “Grease is the Word” event at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park had a chance to listen to an Elvis impersonator, check out a musical rivalry between Pasco Fire Rescue and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, and to take a look at some classic cars. There were also games and other attractions at the event on March 13.

Billy ‘Elvis’ Lindsey ends his set draped in an American flag. ‘If you see any other Elvis impersonator do this, he got it from me,’ Lindsey said. (Fred Bellet)
This 1965 Buick Skylark, owned by David and Maria Aponte, of Wesley Chapel, was one of the standout vehicles on display.
Twelve-year-old Payton Garver gingerly places a Jenga block on top after taking it from the bottom of the tower that she and her mom, Marie Garver, were building in front of the Life Church tent.
Pasco firefighter Logan Mielke appeared as a teen angel, during the sing-along competition between Pasco Fire Rescue and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. Mielke was assisted by the Bobbie Sox Dancers, and the songs were sung karaoke-style.
Donna and Don White of Land O’ Lakes are accompanied by the musically inclined Moxie, left, and Mia — two Pembroke Welsch Corgis, at ‘Grease is the Word.’
The “Grease is The Word” performances put a smile on Dottie Morgan’s face as the Tampa woman watches Billy “Elvis” Lindsey on the Heritage Park stage.
Classic car judge Dallas Stevens, of the Land O’ Lakes, peers into a car dubbed ‘Pink Panther’ during a car contest at the ‘Grease is the Word’ event, at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park. Howie and Barbara Mendick, of Lutz, own the 1950 Mercury.

 

New businesses beginning to pop up, along U.S. 41

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The signs sprouting along U.S. 41 — which is also known as Land O’ Lakes Boulevard — are an indication that new development is beginning to take root, on the main artery through Land O’ Lakes and Lutz.

New restaurants, a car wash and gas stations are coming. A new coffeehouse and meat shop have opened. A medical center and other developments, are planned, too.

None of this is on the same grand scale of the Tampa Premium Outlets or the Cypress Creek Town Center along State Road 56, but something is happening along Land O’ Lakes Boulevard that hasn’t happened in years.

A new restaurant is in planning stages on a site at 4422 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. It briefly was occupied by a restaurant called Mosquito Bar & Grill, and before that, Rapscallions. (Kathy Steele)

New businesses are taking a chance on a long overlooked, heavily traveled highway.

“This is great,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, whose district includes Land O’ Lakes. “As they have begun filling up along State Road 54/56, you’re seeing more happening along U.S. 41.”

Much of the new activity on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard extends from Bell Lake Road north toward State Road 52 and a nearly $50 million highway project that passes through Gowers Corner at U.S. 41.

For sale signs are plentiful, sites have been cleared and construction is underway — conveying a sense that new commercial projects are on the way, or could be coming soon.

A new Circle K gas station and convenience store is in the works at 7767 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., according to county records.

The project is being built by Frontier Building, according to a news release from that company, and the Circle K is expected to open in July.

Redstone Commercial is marketing more open land next to the Circle K.

Zaxby’s and Vortex carwash are planned for a location at U.S. 41 and Wilderness Lake Boulevard, according to posted signs and county records.

A 7-Eleven is anticipated at Bell Lake Road, along with another 7-Eleven at 9077 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., near the Tierra Del Sol subdivision, county records show.

Ps & Qs will be fluffing and styling pets from a new doggie day and boarding facility planned for 7495 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., near the community of Connerton.

Heights Meat Market, a longtime presence in the Tampa neighborhood of Seminole Heights, is operating at a small plaza at 5132 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. It opened in early 2020.

Aroma Joe’s coffeehouse is serving java, breakfast and sandwiches in a shop by the Preserve at Lake Wilderness.

Aroma Joe’s is a new coffeehouse open in a small plaza by the Preserve at Lake Wilderness, off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.

A new restaurant is expected to open at 4422 Land O’ Lakes Blvd, the site previously occupied briefly by Mosquito Bar & Grill and before that by Rapscallions, a popular meeting place.

No details are yet available regarding what the new restaurant will look like, or the type of cuisine it will serve.

The old restaurant structure has fallen into disrepair, after its closure in 2013.

Longtime Land O’ Lakes resident Sandy Graves remembers how popular Rapscallions was, especially among nearby Bell Lake residents.

Graves is pleased to see some new development and redevelopment along Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.

“It’s nice to see any kind of progress,” Graves said. “I’d love to see more. It’s nice to see a new restaurant.”

There’s definitely room for improvement, she added, noting there’s still a lot of Land O’ Lakes that looks “stuck in the ’60s.”

Graves looks forward to bicycle trails being built in the future that follow along the old railroad tracks. And the completion of the Ridge Road extension, which will emerge at U.S. 41 across from Connerton, also could help, she said.

“It will be a lot easier going east and west in the county. I think things are looking up for Land O’ Lakes, which extends to the outlet mall.”

Graves sees positive changes along the northern corridor at the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

Frontier Building announced the construction of a Circle K gas station and convenience store, at 7767 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

County officials and officials from Pasco County Economic Development Council Inc., previously have touted potential economic investment in the area that is likely to result from the development of the K9 Tactical Center/Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security, and Tactics, or F.I.R.S.T., and the Adam Kennedy Memorial Forensics Fields, also known as the body farm.

These facilities are expected to attract forensics-related businesses and organizations, as well as national and international visitors to forensics conferences.

Road improvements on a northern segment of U.S. 41, plus substantial improvements along State Road 52, also are expected to support new development efforts.

And, the development of the Angeline community — along with a planned Pasco County campus of Moffitt Research Center — are expected to have a significant economic impact in Land O’ Lakes.

County records show developers are getting ready for what comes once the roadwork is finished.

Five years ago, the Tibbetts family rezoned its property at the southwest corner of Gowers Corner for residential and commercial development. No projects are announced as yet.

On property adjacent to the Tibbetts’ parcels, county records show Sandridge Commercial LLC applied for a “mass grading” permit to level and prep a large swath of land for an unidentified project.

Gowers Corner and U.S. 41 are on the development radar.

Meanwhile, the signs of new development on U.S. 41 are much less obvious south of Bell Lake.

O’Reilly Auto Parts has opened a store at 3600 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., and the Walmart Supercenter, at 1575 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., is opening a fueling station.

Businesses along the southern end of Land O’ Lakes struggle to redevelop properties after a road widening years ago that chopped off frontage, Graves said.

The county may need to consider overlay districts at locations along U.S. 41, to foster redevelopment efforts, she said.

By Kathy Steele

Published March 10, 2021

Bell Lake Road detour begins March 10

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Pasco County has announced that Bell Lake Road will be temporarily closed, from Lake Padgett Drive to Peninsular Drive, starting March 10 at 5 a.m., and running through March 22, at 7 a.m.

The closure is part of the Bell Lake Road Reconstruction Project.

Although scheduled detour dates are from the evening of March 10 until the morning of March 22, those are subject to change, depending on weather conditions

During the closure, those west of the portion that is closed can take Bell Lake Road west to U.S. 41. At U.S. 41, they can head north traveling toward Hale Road, or south, traveling toward State Road 54.

Those east of the closure, can travel east on Bell Lake Road to Collier Parkway. At Collier Parkway, they can head north to Hale Road, where they can head west on Hale Road to get to U.S. 41.

Or, they can head east on Bell Lake Road to Collier Parkway, and then go south on Collier Parkway to get to State Road 54.

During the closure, residents will have access to their homes, via various subdivision streets. Also, emergency vehicles will  have access.

The project that is being completed consists of extensive infrastructure and safety improvements – including road reconstruction, stormwater modifications, curb and sidewalk.

Local Jewish temple gifted Torah

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A local Jewish temple now happily can claim a Torah of its own, thanks to a generous donation from a fellow Tampa Bay area synagogue.

Land O’ Lakes-based Congregation Beth Chavarim (“House of Friends”) last month was gifted with an authentic Torah, the Hebrew version of the first five books of the Bible, from Gulfport’s Congregation Beth Shalom, which recently closed after being in operation since 1958.

Beth Chavarim launched in 2018 by Alan Stern and his wife, Nayda, operating the place of worship from their Land O’ Lakes home.

Since then, the upstart temple had been using a Torah from the Institute of Southern Jewish Life, based in Jackson, Mississippi.

Thus, to finally have its own dedicated Torah is significant for the place of worship.

Congregation Beth Chavarim president Alan Stern holds a Torah, which represents the Hebrew version of the first five books of the Bible. The authentic Torah was donated to the Land O’ Lakes temple from Gulfport’s Congregation Beth Shalom, which recently closed down.
The Torah is donned with a silver breastplate and elegant red and gold mantle. It weighs around 25 pounds to 30 pounds. (Courtesy of Alan Stern)

“You can’t believe how I excited I was when it was handed it to me,” said Stern, who holds the title of president of Beth Chavarim. “I can’t put it into words how excited I was that a congregation 3 years old has its own Torah.”

The Torah that the temple received is donned with a silver breastplate, and elegant red and gold mantle, weighing between 25 pounds to 30 pounds.

“It’s absolutely gorgeous,” Stern proudly said. “It’s going to be the foundation for our growth, which makes it exciting for me.”

Stern explained Torahs are handwritten by a scribe on special parchment paper, then sewn together and placed on rollers — a process which takes about a year to complete.

He is unsure exactly how old the Torah is, but noted Beth Shalom officials instructed him to “take good care of it.”

The handing down of a Torah from one congregation to another brings on added significance, Stern said.

“What makes it special is it’s just continuing the Jewish tradition of learning, and I say that because this congregation (Beth Shalom) was founded in 1958,” he said. “It’s keeping the Jewish traditional life, you might say, from generation to generation.”

When word spread of Beth Shalom closing its doors late last year due to the aging out of its senior membership, Stern inquired about obtaining one of the synagogue’s four Torahs.

Beth Shalom representatives eventually obliged, after multiple discussions, consultations and visits.

In addition to the Torah, the Land O’ Lakes shul received a slew of other items from the closing Beth Shalom, including a collection of Jewish High Holiday and weekday prayer books; Chumash, which provides the interpretation of the Torah; and an eternal light sanctuary lamp, which is supposed to burn at all times next to where the Torah is stored, symbolizing God’s eternal presence.

Beth Chavarim is an unaffiliated temple and welcomes people of all ages, including families with young children.

Stern himself grew up in a Reform Jewish household, while his wife was raised more Conservative/Orthodox.

They lived in Buffalo, New York, for more than 30 years, until moving to Florida in 2004.

Unable to find a synagogue in the Tampa area that offered what they were seeking, the Sterns decided to offer services of their own.

The temple has been holding online Zoom services twice a month, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its last in-person service and meal held prior to the virus outbreak drew about 35 people, Stern said.

Meantime, there appears to be growing interest in the family friendly temple, receiving inquiries from New Yorkers and others with plans to relocate to Tampa Bay, Stern said.

With a Torah in tow and a solid membership base, the next step for Beth Chavarim is securing a standalone building to hold services in or around Pasco County. “We will,” Stern said, “when we get a little bit bigger.”

For information or interest in joining the congregation, email .

Published March 03, 2021

Bell Lake Road detour planned in March

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A portion of Bell Lake Road will be closed from Lake Padgett Drive to Peninsular Drive for eight days in mid-March, to allow safety work to be completed on the road.

The road closure in Land O’ Lakes is scheduled to commence at 5 p.m., on March 13 and will continue until 7 a.m., on March 22.

Kamminga & Roodvoets Inc., requested the detour, in order to complete the project. The Pasco County Commission approved the detour request at its Feb. 9 board meeting.

During the closure, those west of the portion that is closed, can take Bell Lake Road west to U.S. 41. At U.S. 41, they can head north traveling toward Hale Road, or south, traveling toward State Road 54.

Those east of the closure, can travel east on Bell Lake Road to Collier Parkway. At Collier Parkway, they can head north to Hale Road, where they can head west on Hale Road to get to U.S. 41.

Or, they can head east on Bell Lake Road to Collier Parkway, and then go south on Collier Park to get to State Road 54.

The project that is being completed consists of extensive infrastructure and safety improvements – including road reconstruction, stormwater modifications, curb and sidewalk – along Bell Lake Road, from east of U.S. 41 to Banjo Lake Road.

The current open ditch stormwater system will be converted to a closed, piped system.

This improvement allows room for sidewalks and reduces drop-off hazard related to the current ditches.

The new roadway will include one 12-foot lane in each direction, curb and gutter, and a 6-foot sidewalk on the north side of Bell Lake Road.

The speed limit is 30 mph.

For additional information, call Matt Kodsi, project manager, at 727-834-3604, or call Pasco County Traffic Operations at 727-847-8139.

Published February 17, 2021

Musicians get their ‘jam on’ at blues festival

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An overcast sky couldn’t dim the enthusiasm of the record crowd gathered for the fifth annual Pasco Blues Festival at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.

Erin Healey, of Lakeland, and Paul O’ Byrine, of Thonotosassa, dance to the blues
at the musical festival, at Heritage Park. (Randy Underhill)

Blues fans appeared to be enjoying themselves, as they listened to top-notch bands, playing blues tunes, from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Feb. 6.

Featured bands were Memphis Lightning, from Cape Coral; Sean Chambers, of Tampa Bay; and Damon Fowler, of Brandon.

The crowd was clearly pleased during the final few numbers — a jam featuring all three acts.

Besides the music, there were plenty of food and refreshment trucks on hand, plus vendor tents offering T-shirts, jewelry, handmade crafts, and free blue fedora hats for the crowd.

The event was family friendly, with kids under 12 admitted for free. Social distancing was enforced, too.

Parking was free and tickets were $20 on the day of the event, or $15 for advance tickets.

The festival was presented by T-Mobile, with sponsors Morgan Exteriors, WellMed Medical Management, Florida Blue Medicare, and Pasco County Recycling.

The festival, produced by Florida Penguin Productions, benefited the Stano Foundation and the Land O’ Lakes Rotary.

By Randy Underhill

Published February 17, 2021

Blues artist Damon Fowler, left, of Brandon, is a national recording artist. His bandmates, drummer Justin Headley, of Pensacola, and bassist Chuck Riley, of Zephyrhills, perform to a large and enthusiastic crowd at the fifth annual Pasco Blues Festival.
Debbie Rosenfelt, of Largo, and Bob Harmon, of Pennsylvania, enjoy a day of listening to the blues on Feb. 6, in Land O’ Lakes.
Jimmy Medina, of Spring Hill, and daughters, Luna, age 4 months, and Gia, age 7, take a time out to relax and enjoy some ice cream.
Wormtown was one of many vendors offering items at the fifth annual Pasco Blues Fest on Feb. 6, at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.
Sarah Shackett, of Wesley Chapel, stops by Supreme Cuisine Grill for a refreshment. The grill was one of many food trucks on hand at this year’s blues fest.

Keeping community life alive, despite COVID-19

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When COVID-19 caused everything to shut down, Tish Dobson went to work to figure out how to safely reopen the amenities that she believes the people at The Preserve at Wilderness Lake have come to rely on — as a source of joy, in their daily lives.

“We were shut down March the 16th for COVID,” she said, and the governor’s order affected the community’s amenities that include The Wilderness Lodge, Activities Center, Bath House & Spa, Nature Center, movie theater, pools and tennis courts.

Tish Dobson, lodge manager at The Preserve at Wilderness Lakes, has been honored for her leadership in the innovative use of technology. The award was bestowed by Government Technology Magazine, in conjunction with AT&T. (Courtesy of Tish Dobson)

“While we were shut down, I went to work immediately within a couple of days — because I knew we would have to have a plan,” said Dobson, the community’s lodge manager.

The challenge was this: “How were we going to open the doors to the facility, but yet keep everyone safe, and keep the building clean and sanitized?

“During COVID, when everything was shut down, we wanted to make sure that they (residents) knew that we were still here working,” she said.

The efforts made by Dobson, and approved by the board and the management company, garnered an award from Government Technology Magazine, presented by AT&T.

Award winners were announced from throughout the nation, in a Dec. 15 virtual ceremony. While focusing on the use of technology, the contest named winners in the categories of citizens, operations and leaders.

Dobson, who lives in Lutz, was recognized in the category of technology innovation leadership among special districts, in the southeastern region of the United States.

Although her name is on the award, she doesn’t consider it her personal award.

“I represent the community, I represent the board and I represent the management company (Rizzetta & Company).”

The Preserve at Wilderness Lake Community Development District, was established 20 years ago, in Land O’ Lakes. It has 958 homes, and between 3,200 to 3,300 residents, said Dobson, who has been the lodge manager there for 15 years.

In announcing Dobson’s award, the magazine reported the lodge manager responded proactively to the sudden onset of the pandemic with a comprehensive plan that CDDs across Florida used as a blueprint.

That plan, according to the magazine, included:

  • Shutting down communal spaces, which was executed through email, automated messages and custom signage
  • Informing residents and transitioning to a virtual community space through e-blasts, a website and newsletters, and initially holding public board meetings over Zoom
  • Reopening with new social distancing policies and equitable access to scarce time slots and spaces in public venues, which was achieved through automated online and phone reservations

Dobson said the plan includes specific sanitation protocols and a specific schedule to ensure spaces were kept safe. It also includes health precautions, such as masks, social distancing and staggering events, to avoid crowding. Plus, she said, there’s hand sanitizer everywhere.

Capacity has been reduced for amenity buildings to ensure good air circulation, UV lights have been installed in the HVAC system for disinfection, and doors are kept open to keep air flowing, she said.

At the movie theater, for instance, there are empty rows between guests, to achieve social distancing. In the meeting room, board members are spread out at separate tables, and audience seating has been arranged to leave space between people.

The Preserve at Wilderness Lake has lengthened events, staggered entry into them and hosted some outdoors, during this time of COVID-19. The idea is to offer the opportunity for fun, while keeping everyone safe.

Getting people together again, safely
Gradually, the community has been adding events.

It began around June with a story time for tots, typically an activity held indoors.

“We decided to take it outdoors, at our playground, and incorporate outside activities, with a story, with a snack and a little craft, geared toward the story,” Dobson said.

“A typical event would last two hours. We increased the time to four hours, so that we could stagger the time frames when the families were coming in. That way, they could visit each station, without feeling that they were being crowded, and not feeling safe.”

In October, it offered its annual Haunted House event, in its Nature Center.

“Each family had the opportunity to go in, just as a family, and enjoy all the scares.

“Of course, we had several doors that were open. Then, we would spray the room down with Lysol, and then the next family would come in.

“We always put the Haunted House on for two nights. Between the two days, we had about 200 people come to that event,” she said.

Throughout the pandemic, a primary question has been: “How can you keep the community engaged?” Dobson said.

“We keep the red carpet rolled out for our residents,” she said, and we didn’t want COVID-19 to prevent that.

“When you’re locked at home, and then your lodge — your fun place — is closed, too, that’s awful,” Dobson said.

“It was tough when it closed because we, as staff, missed the residents,” she said.

The lodge is all about, “What extra service can we do to help somebody have a great day?” Dobson said, it’s as simple as offering a cup of coffee, or helping someone who’s having trouble logging onto the internet.

“You need to get out and just be able to sit on a chair on a dock, or go to a movie theater and watch a movie, and just decompress.

“When we opened the doors, it was like a sigh of relief. Everyone was happy, from the residents to the staff — it was just like, ‘Yes, some normalcy again.’

“They’re used to coming to the lodge because the lodge is the fun place.

“They can just kick back, enjoy the facility.

“You don’t have to worry about politics here.

“It’s just fun. You come here to take a breather and just to enjoy life,” Dobson said.

Published January 27, 2021

Bell Lake Road project begins in January

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Pasco County’s Bell Lake Road Improvement Project in Land O’ Lakes is scheduled to begin on Jan. 4, and run through spring 2022.

The year-plus project will consist of extensive infrastructure and safety improvements — including road reconstruction, stormwater modifications, curb and sidewalk — along Bell Lake Road, east of U.S. 41 to Banjo Lake Road, according to a Pasco County news release.

Eastbound and westbound lanes on Bell Lake will remain open as much as possible during the project; however, lane closures and full road closures could be necessary, periodically.

Drivers should be aware of traffic pattern changes, including lane shifts, slower speeds and full detours.

A full road closure and detour is tentatively scheduled to begin mid-March, for approximately eight days. Reminders and planned detour routes will be published prior to the closure.

Project details include:

  • Construction hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Nighttime work during the eight-day detour period
  • Residents always will have access to their homes
  • Construction team will coordinate with emergency response and public transportation agencies to ensure uninterrupted service
  • Project completion in early spring 2022

The contractor for this Pasco County Engineering Services project is Kamminga & Roodvoets Inc.

For information and questions, contact Matt Kodsi at 727-834-3604 or ">.

Published December 30, 2020