The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Land O' Lakes News

Two new schools coming to Central Pasco

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Two new schools are planned to accommodate burgeoning growth in Central Pasco.

One is a K-8 school planned for a site on the east side of Skybrooke Boulevard, south of State Road 54.

The other is a charter elementary school that will be operated by Dayspring Academy. It will be built on a 5-acre site, on Sunterra Drive, in Land O’ Lakes, according to materials in the Pasco County School Board’s Jan. 3 agenda packet.

The school board approved agreements relating to each of those projects.

The school board approved an agreement with Zyscovich Architects relating to the new K-8, which is planned for a 22-acre site. The 170,000-square-foot school will be designed for a maximum of 1,800 student stations, according to materials in the board’s agenda packet.

Construction on that project is expected to begin in October of 2023, with substantial completion expected by June of 2025.

The project will include new buildings, retention ponds, landscaping parking and stormwater management systems, and other required site infrastructure and connections to off-site utilities, the agenda materials say.

The estimated construction budget for this project is $60 million.

The new charter school is a K-5 school that will have 600 student stations.

The school will be operated by Creation Foundation, doing business as Dayspring Academy.

The school is being built to serve the emerging community of Angeline, a new development spanning 6,200 acres, which is south of State Road 52 and east of the Suncoast Parkway.

Dayspring and the school board have agreed to fund the elementary charter school project through impact fees.

“Dayspring and the school board desire to partner with each other in this endeavor and as such will work to blend the charter school program and curriculum with the future board STEM 6-12 magnet,” according to an agreement previously approved by the school board.

Plans call for the charter school to own and operate the school beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.

The elementary school building concept proposed is a two-story building, of approximately 58,000 square feet, according to board’s agenda materials.

Dayspring has selected Creative Contractors to provide construction management services, and the school district and Dayspring entered into a contract with Creative Contractors, the school board approved at its meeting last week.

The contract includes the fee for the pre-construction services element of this project and the addition of the Angeline Athletic Facilities, to serve the 6-12 Angeline Academy of Innovation.

The 6-12 magnet is scheduled to open this August.

The off-site athletic facilities will include a one-story gymnasium building of approximately 28,166 gross square feet and a one-story maintenance building that will be approximately 1,648 square feet, according to the agenda materials.

Published January 11, 2023

County wants zoning applicant to make self-imposed limits

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The applicant for a general commercial zoning says the intention is to develop a day care and a restaurant on an 8.39-acre site on Catfish Lake Road, north of off State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes.

But the commercial zoning being sought would allow a broader range of uses, which prompted questions by members of the Pasco County Commission.

Area residents also brought forward their own concerns, based on a site plan submitted by EG3 Development.

Jason Glaser, representing the applicant, told the county board the intention is to develop a 12,000-square-foot day care, that would be a franchise, operated by a local Pasco resident.

A restaurant also is proposed at the front of the site, Glaser added.

The applicant submitted a site plan to show its intention, and revised it based on neighborhood feedback, Glaser said.

The original site plan had three buildings and two exits on Catfish Lake Road. The revised plan shows two buildings and one exit onto Catfish Lake Road.

The drop-off times at the proposed business are spaced out, based on the age of the children — so traffic backups wouldn’t occur, Glaser said.

Plus, he added that parents won’t be lined up in their cars.

“You have to physically park and walk your child into the property,” he explained.

Glaser said the project will be connected to a sewer system and stormwater retention will be provided.

“We do believe it is a use that will provide a benefit to the whole community,” Glaser said.

Some speakers who addressed the county board during the Dec. 6 public hearing said they don’t object to a day care because it would serve the community.

But they raised concerns about potential impacts.

Veronica Sanchez, of 2316 Reserve Court, Land O’ Lakes, put it this way: “Our community is not against rezoning. We’re very open to having a place for children.”

Their big concern is safety, she said.

“The first conceptual  (site plan) was very concerning for us, because it was showing two entrances on the back side. We are much more comfortable with the new conceptual.

“We would like to request that that back entrance remain approximately 350 feet away from Camp Indianhead,” she added.

She also requested buffering between the new development and the existing neighborhood, to provide separation.

Plus, she asked that directional lighting be required to prevent “a big spotlight” going into people’s homes.

Other residents raised concerns about a lack of sidewalks and the difficulty of turning into the neighborhood from State Road 54, and getting out onto State Road 54, as well.

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder said the site plan the applicant submitted is not binding.

The application is for a straight commercial Euclidean zoning, Steinsnyder said. That means, unlike master-plan unit developments or development agreements, the zoning doesn’t come with any additional restrictions.

So, anything allowed in the type of zoning being sought would be allowed on the parcel, provided it complies with provisions within the county’s land development code, Steinsnyder said.

Brad Tippin, the county’s development manager, reiterated that point. He told area residents that there’s no requirement that the applicant follow the site plan the neighborhood saw.

If the board wants to put limits on the types of uses, it can request the applicant to voluntarily comply to that through deed restrictions or a development agreement, Steinsnyder said.

Deed restrictions are used more commonly because the process is quicker and less expensive, said David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney.

Commission Chairman Jack Mariano told the applicant: “The people are bringing up a lot of good points.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey told area residents: “Anytime you have commercial up against residential we have a buffer requirement, so those would kick in.

“We already have a dark sky lighting ordinance. Any lighting has to go down and can’t spill onto your property.

“I think a day care is a great use here,” she added.

But Starkey said: “I worry about fast-food. That’s the only thing I worry about coming in there because it just generates so much traffic.”

Mariano asked Glaser if he would agree to delaying the request to allow him to add deed restrictions.

Glaser asked if the delay was for the zoning, or for the deed restrictions.

Steinsnyder said the delay was to enable Glaser to pursue deed restrictions, which the board indicated would be needed to gain its approval.

Goldstein noted that the board had made it clear it doesn’t want to see a fast-food restaurant on the site.

“Unless there’s a deed restriction, you can put a Chick-fil-A there,” Goldstein said.

Glaser agreed to a delay.

The board delayed the request until its Jan. 24 meeting.

Published December 28, 2022

A smokin’ roadside attraction

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There’s some good food in this neighborhood.

Those driving by the southwest corner of Collier Parkway and Parkway Boulevard, in Land O’ Lakes, will see smoke rising into the sky. The smoke is accompanied by an enticing aroma — produced by Brown’s Bar-B-Que Pit’s smoker, cooking up barbecue on the weekends.

Al Brown slices into some smoked ribs at Brown’s Bar-B-Que Pit, a street corner barbecue joint at the southwest corner of Collier Parkway and Parkway Boulevard in Land O’ Lakes. (Mike Camunas)

The Brown Family has set up shop at the location for about three years now, with nothing more than the smoker, a tent and chairs — and a TV to watch college football on Saturdays in the fall.

That’s where they serve up classic barbecue dishes, from ribs to chicken and brisket, to eager patrons. They offer sides, such as baked beans, collard greens and cornbread, too.

“We’ve always cooked and always done barbecue, but never gotten into the business of it,” Al Brown, the family patriarch said. “My sons wanted to start a business, but then the pandemic hit, so we were at home flushing the idea out a little more, which turned into us coming out with the smoker.”

The Brown Family, from left, Almari, Al, Almani, Danita and Alvaunte hang out at Brown’s Bar-B-Que Pit, which is a tailgating smoker operation under a tent at the southwest corner of Collier Parkway and Parkway Boulevard, in Land O’ Lakes. The Lutz family has been setting up shop for about three years, and serving homemade classic barbecue to hungry customers who have heard about the good food through word of mouth or just happened to be driving by.

The business is co-owned with Al’s sons, Almari and Alvaunte, who are students at Carrollwood Day School.

Their mom, Aleah, and other siblings when home from college, also help out — making it a family affair whenever they’re out on the corner.

“We always wanted a job, but once the pandemic hit, well, our dad kind of helped us make this job,” Almari said. “It’s great that we can do this and work with the family.”

Alvaunte added: “It’s pretty fun to be around the smoker and the family and learning from my dad, just about every day I can. (It’s a) little bit of hard work and sometimes — most of the time — it’s hot, but since it’s with the family, you don’t really notice.”

Originally, the Browns were going to go with a food truck, but the pandemic closed many businesses, where food trucks could park to sell meals, and also canceled events, another common source of customers.

Having a business requires the correct permits, certifications to serve food, and insurance, Al said.

Alvaunte Brown, of Brown’s Bar-B-Que Pit, serves up some collard greens for a hungry customer.

It also requires having a parking permit, which allows the Browns to be on private property — owned by family friend, Larry Engle, owner of CutLettering Sign Company.

The setup gives the “restaurant” a bit of a tailgate feel.

Customers will hang out and eat, especially if the Browns are watching the University of Miami Hurricanes — their favorite college football team.

“I’ve been smoking food and cooking barbecue since I was 15,” Al said. “Since we couldn’t do the truck, it was more of hanging out and being outside. With the truck, it would have been a real in-and-out business, so with the tent and smoker, we have more of a tailgate feel than a food truck.

“Working with the family keeps us around each other as much as possible, too.”

“It’s great,” Alvaunte added. “We get the TV out here and watch some football while serving up this food — doesn’t feel like work at all.

“I won’t share the secret recipe, but I’ll say our ribs are the best — the Brown specialty.”

Al Brown prepares a barbecue order at Brown’s Bar-B-Que Pit in Land O’ Lakes.

“I think our best dish is the ribs,” Almari agreed. “All the meat, though, is great and is real easy (to make) — you just got to know how to do it and not rush it.”

Brown’s Bar-B-Que Pit also caters events, and Al does a lot of cookouts for youth sports teams.

The Lutz family says they’ve been embraced by the communities nearby such as Lake Padgett Estates East, Plantation Palms and Dupree Lakes.

“The community here has been great with us,” Al said. “We did a trial run, like you would for any business, to see how people accept it. Everyone around here has been great, never had any complaints.

“It’s really been just word of mouth or people driving by and getting hungry. … But we’re out here, watching some football and enjoying the Florida sun and chatting with anyone who comes by for some barbecue!”

Brown’s Bar-B-Que Pit
Where: At the southwest corner of Collier Parkway and Parkway Boulevard, across the street from the entrance to Lake Padgett Estates East subdivision, in Land O’ Lakes.
When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, around 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.
Details: Family owned, homemade barbeque “joint” on the side of the road out of a pickup truck and a smoker, and offering all the classic favorites such as ribs, chicken, brisket, sausages, turkey breasts, mac and cheese, baked beans, cornbread and collard greens. Catering is available, too.
Info: Visit Facebook.com/Brownsbbqpitwesleychapel, or call 813-575-2117.

Published November 30, 2022

Providing hope for those hurting at the holidays

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’Tis the season to be merry, right?

Well, not for everyone.

The Land O’ Lakes United Methodist Church wants to acknowledge that the holidays can be a painful, difficult time for people who have suffered losses and to provide a source of support, said Kevin Grills, the church pastor.

It is offering a Blue Christmas Service on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., at the church, 6209 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Chris Cox, left, and David Endara lead caroling with acoustical guitar during the first Campfire and Carols at Land O’ Lakes United Methodist Church. This year’s free community event is set for Dec. 18 at 6 p.m., at the church. There is no charge. Bring your own lawn chair. (Courtesy of Kevin Grills)

“We just want to create a space for people to feel what they feel in the Christmas season,” the pastor said, noting sometimes that isn’t the joy that others are experiencing.

“I have heard of many people who are depressed and are going through a really hard time and are looking for reasons to be hopeful,” Grills said.

“Many have had a hard year. Some have had many hard years consecutively. With the pandemic, death of loved ones, the loss of jobs, financial stresses, inflation — there’s many reasons and many different kinds of losses.

“So, if anyone has lost somebody significant to them in the holidays, it tends to be a season that used to be a season of joy for them, now becomes exactly the opposite for them.

“Because they’re now reminded of the empty chair. They’re reminded of what they don’t have any more, and life just gets really hard and difficult, and overwhelming — when everybody is in celebration mode and you are in the season of mourning, or you’re just kind of down,” he said.

The church’s Blue Christmas Service is open to anyone who would like to attend.

The idea is to create a space that acknowledges the loss people are feeling and to convey a sense of community — “to let people know that they are not alone in their heartache and in their struggles,” Grills said.

“I’ve had some people say, ‘Why would we do that? It’s a joyous season. Why would we provide that? Shouldn’t they just suck it up?’

“I said, ‘Well, that’s just not the reality of it. You might feel that it’s odd to dwell on the darkness, or on the struggle, but it’s important to do so.

“All of us find ourselves in the darkness at some point,” he said.

“We dwell there in this (in the service) because that’s what some people are feeling, and we’re reminded from a Biblical sense and from a Christian sense that God doesn’t just tell us to ‘Chin up.’ And, He walks with us, not just through the light, but through the darkness, and He brings us into the light.

“So, our service, itself, it will be a liturgical service. We will be singing some hymns, some of the more somber, low-key, minor-chorded hymns. We’ll light some candles. We’ll have an opportunity to name our losses,” he said.

A crowd shot from last year’s Campfire and Carols at Land O’ Lakes United Methodist Church. This year’s free community event is set for Dec. 18 at 6 p.m., at the church.

Those who wish to write down the name of someone they’ve lost, or something difficult they’re going through, will have the chance to write it down on an ornament, to hang on a bare Christmas tree.

It can be any kind of loss — such as a layoff from work, or the death of a spouse — even it happened many years ago, Grills said.

There will be an opportunity to light candles, and there will be time for reflection.

Those attending the service will be free to participate as much, or as little, as they’d like, the pastor added.

“We will have our sanctuary already adorned, but we will have everything off, muting things for the service.

“The general tone of the service, itself, is intentionally solemn. But it does point to hope, peace and love and joy that’s offered in the advent of Jesus.”

The idea is to provide a hopeful message, without ignoring the pain and the struggle people are experiencing.

Loss, the pastor said, “is not a linear thing. It’s messy.”

Grills wants the service to be welcoming, helping community members to support one another.

He also has a wish of his own: “The best case scenario, is that people who come in without any hope, leave with hope.”

Land O’ Lakes church offers community events
Land O’ Lakes United Methodist Church, at 6209 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., has three upcoming holiday community events. (It also has Christmas services).
Dec. 3, 4 p.m.: The Silence and the Sound, a traditional choir providing Christmas music. No charge.
Dec. 7, 7 p.m.: Blue Christmas Service, offered to help those hurting at the holidays.
Dec. 18, 6 p.m. Second annual Campfire and Carols, check out the bonfire, sing-along to Christmas carols and enjoy some s’mores, plus crafts for kids. Bring your lawn chairs.

Published November 30, 2022

Land O’ Lakes Branch Library has a new look

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The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library is ready for patrons to come and take advantage of the upgraded facility. It underwent a complete renovation that includes a new look, updated technology and new meeting spaces. (Mike Camunas)

After being closed for 15 months, the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, reopened on Nov. 14.

Patrons and area residents were there to check out the $4.75-million renovation.

The branch added new adult, teens and kids’ spaces; new meeting spaces; an expanded lobby; renovated makerspace; a new central service area; improved landscaping and outdoor patios; and upgraded the drive-through.

In all, the 18,169-square-foot branch got a complete, floor-to-ceiling remodel thanks to the General Obligation Bond (GO Bond) Referendum Pasco voters passed in 2018.

While the Land O’ Lakes Branch has reopened, work continues to upgrade the Hugh Embry Branch Library, at 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, and the South Holiday Branch Library, at 4649 Mile Stretch Drive.

The Land O’ Lakes Branch began as a small section of a county building on U.S. 41, but later was moved to a larger location because of its popularity. In 1980, it became an official part of the Pasco County Library Collective and moved into a Land O’ Lakes plaza storefront in 1988.

The branch at its current location was built through a $10-million bond referendum passed by Pasco County voters in 1986 to improve public library services and build new parks countywide.

The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library opened to the public on Dec. 12, 1991.

Published November 23, 2022

Community celebrates 50 years

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This community is golden, and has been for 50 years.

Weslyn Stevens, left, and Jaxson Oberhaus take a slow ride on a couple of mini ponies at the Lake Padgett Estates East 50th Anniversary Founder’s Day Festival on Nov. 12. (Mike Camunas)

Lake Padgett Estates East, the bustling Land O’ Lakes neighborhood that consists of 1,125 properties, a middle and elementary school, and a popular hiking, camping and exploring area, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with gratitude and aplomb.

“You really can’t slow this community down,” Community Association Manager Robert Stone said. “The residents, they love this neighborhood and the activities it does, and it shows when they all come out, no matter what we do.”

Established Nov. 17, 1972, Stone says the community celebrates this Founder’s Day every five years, but he was still impressed by the showing of residents for the 50th Anniversary Festival on Nov. 12.

Michael Zaniewski takes a fun selfie with his daughter, Zori, during a train ride at the Lake Padgett Estates East 50th Anniversary Founder’s Day Festival on Nov. 12, at the Land O’ Lakes community’s clubhouse and recreation center.

The event had fun activities such as a rock-climbing wall, a wipe out attraction and a trackless train brought by AirFun Games; a petting zoo and mini pony rides by A Thomas Pony Rides & Petting Zoo; a continuous hayride by Mandell’s Tree Service; a car show by Let’s Roll Promotions; a silent auction by the Founder’s Day Committee; plus food trucks, local vendors, face painting and more.

“The car show was a big draw, for sure,” Stone said. “It always seems to be in this area, but the turnout was great. If I’m being honest, we got more people than we expected.”

Set up by the Founder’s Day Committee, which consists of Kori Brown, Bobbi Clay, Sherril Burnite and Mei-Ling Miranda, the event’s proceeds go back into the community and fund the next community event, which will be cookies with Santa.

And for the longtime community that also includes a restaurant/clubhouse, swimming pool, track, tennis, basketball, racquetball and hand-ball courts, batting cage, playground and dog park, that seems to be just fine for the residents over the years.

“Everyone loves these events,” Stone said. “They’re always well-received, and it’s great to see anyone who comes out and enjoys being part of this community.”

Published November 23, 2022

Natalie Jones, of Lake Padgett Estates East, cunningly, and laughably, avoids a rotating foam obstacle course at the Land O’ Lakes community’s 50th anniversary celebration on Nov. 12.
While at the Lake Padgett Estates East 50th Anniversary Founder’s Day Festival in Land O’ Lakes, Cooper Schembri gets friendly with a petting zoo goat.
Hayrides were available at the Lake Padgett Estates East 50th Anniversary Founder’s Day Festival.
From left: Keith Schwingle, Bill Pawson, Reggie Causey and Don Bentley look over and discuss an engine of a classic car at the Lake Padgett Estate East 50th Anniversary Founder’s Day Festival on Nov. 12.

Swamp Fest brings carnival atmosphere to town

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The 13th annual Swamp Fest was held from Nov. 4 through Nov. 6 at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park. It was hosted by the Land O’ Lakes High School Booster Club to raise money for its athletic programs. (Mike Camunas)

Just as it does every year — minus one COVID hiatus year — the Swamp Fest rolled into town from Nov. 4 through Nov. 6, bringing in rides, games, food and entertainment.

Now in its 13th year, the three-day event once again was hosted by the Land O’ Lakes High School Booster Club to raise money for its athletic programs and school.

Organizers say the event, which was held at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., should bring in more than $25,000.

There were two dozen rides — all of the thrill, family and kiddie variety — plus plenty of carnival food stands and food trucks, a small midway of games, and entertainment featuring local performers.

Featured acts included Nicole’s Dance Academy, Nunes at Night, Kenneth Blakenship and Big Bong Theory.

Published November 09, 2022

Ali Toller, of Land O’ Lakes, enthusiastically enjoys a ride at Swamp Fest at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park as her dad, Brian Ramirez, looks on in amusement on the evening of Nov. 4. Swamp Fest, a three-day carnival in its 13th year, is hosted by the Land O’ Lakes High School Booster Club to raise money for its athletic programs and school, and organizers say the event should raise more than $25,000.
Dre Williams, left, and Lauren Williams watch as their kids D.J., left, and Kash pick out their winning toys. The Land O’ Lakes family enjoyed the evening of Nov. 4, during the three-day carnival, the 13th annual Swamp Fest, at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.
Twelve-year-old Land O’ Lakes residents Karynn Edouard, left, and Gianna Gygnard laugh and scream during a ride at Swamp Fest at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thirteen-year-old Land O’ Lakes residents Alanna Talvera, left, and Julia Sankowski pose for a fun selfie in front of the Ferris wheel at the 13th annual Swamp Fest at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park on the evening of Nov. 4.
Land O’ Lakes sisters Sophee, left, and Rylee Tomeo take one wild ride down the slide at the 13th annual Swamp Fest on Nov. 4.
Land O’ Lakes 16-year-old Tristan Marty, left, watches as fellow 16-year-old Abigail Encabo films their ride on the Ferris wheel during Swamp Fest.

Building on a prayer

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HOPE Services is now being built on hope.

Nearly literally.

Stephanie Stevens, of Dade City, signs scripture she wrote on the building beams of HOPE Services’ Life Skills and Vocational Training Center, which is tentatively opening in Land O’ Lakes in February. HOPE Services, a Wesley Chapel-based nonprofit that helps individuals with disabilities secure and maintain meaningful, competitive and integrated employment, will provide job-training services and more through candidates from the Vocational Rehabilitation and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. (Mike Camunas)

On Oct. 27, founder and CEO of the Wesley Chapel-based nonprofit Cindy Bray welcomed friends, family and residents to come write inspiring scriptures and well wishes on the two-by-four beams that will eventually support the organization’s Life Skills and Vocational Training Center in Land O’ Lakes.

The facility, at 5426 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., tentatively opens in February, and will provide training services to those with disabilities in the fields of construction, retail, culinary arts, hospitality, computer skills and general GED education.

Bray founded HOPE Services in 2003 to help individuals with disabilities secure and maintain meaningful, competitive and integrated employment.

“It was inspired by my daughter, Danica, who lives with disabilities,” Bray said, “and she needed help with services to become employable and before I knew it, I became a job coach, and being a job coach led to providing more and more services, and it led to all of this.”

This new, upcoming facility will be the first for HOPE Services, which will be open to anyone with disabilities looking to join the job force. According to HOPE services, people with disabilities are an overlooked and underused talent pool who are available, flexible and motivated. The training center will now be able to provide these potential employees with the skills needed to be hirable.

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

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 soon Land O’ Lakes, HOPE Services also serves Hillsborough, Hernando, Pinellas, Polk and Citrus counties.

“This is our first life-skills center, and we want to open it up to the community,” Bray said. “We’ll teach them construction, we’ll teach them computer skills, culinary arts, retail, hospitality — all so they can get a job.

“And with (people writing on the two-by-fours), I wanted everyone to have ownership of the building, and give God the glory — that’s just me!”

For more information about HOPE Services, visit HopeGetsJobs.com.

Published November 02, 2022

Messages of inspiration and encouragement have been written on the beams of the brand-new HOPE Services’ Life Skills and Vocational Training Center, which is tentatively opening in Land O’ Lakes in February.
Julia Anthony and her son, Evan, wish HOPE Services good luck by writing it on the beams of its brand-new Life Skills and Vocational Training Center, which is tentatively opening in Land O’ Lakes in February. Julia’s husband and Evan’s father, Steven, is the general contractor for the construction.
A scripture of HOPE is written on a beam that will be part of HOPE Services’ Life Skills and Vocational Training Center, which is tentatively opening in Land O’ Lakes in February.

Students soar, in this Sunlake High program

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Talk about a different type of dual-enrollment program.

At the Aerospace Career Academy Program at Sunlake High, students can earn college credits, but they also learn about aviation and engineering — two very different careers that are very much intertwined.

Students learn how to pilot a plane and how to build an aircraft that works.

Cadet Technical Sgt. Brendon Riveria, a Sunlake High senior, left, flies an F-16 on a virtual reality (VR) flight simulator while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University professor Mark Aragon, right, provides pointers for keeping it level. Aragon, the flight instructor at Sunlake, runs the school’s Aerospace Career Academy Program that allows students to get their pilot’s license and introduces them to aerospace and engineering careers. (Mike Camunas)

At the same time, they’re earning college credits from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

It’s possible to earn up to 30 college credits over four years — translating into the potential of $40,000 in tuition savings.

“We are building engineers who can fly and also pilots who know how a plane works from the engineering side,” said Joseph Fernandez, who teaches in Sunlake’s Robotics, Computer Science & Engineering Program.

“There’s one way to make a pilot: you put them in a plane, but we want to also have people who can repair a plane or who know how to design a plane from scratch. But engineers have to know that a person eventually has to sit down and fly the plane, and each pilot is going to come in all shapes and sizes.

“If you don’t fly a plane, you don’t think about where all the instruments and components go, and if you only fly a plane, you don’t think about all the work that goes into making sure it’s designed the most effective way,” the teacher said.

“Having both sides of the perspective help a pilot understand aeronautical engineering better and an aerospace engineer understand piloting better,” he added.

Students, as teenagers, go through this program, and they can earn their pilot’s license. However, it’s more than that — as a dual-enrollment program, they’ll be taking the same courses as a freshman or sophomore would at Embry-Riddle.

That’s where Mark Aragon, an Air Force veteran pilot and professor at the university, comes in. He took over the program three years ago and massively revamped it, knowing aviation and engineering had to go together for the program’s survival.

Sunlake High senior Isabella Eby works with a full hands-on flight simulator in the school’s Aerospace Career Academy Program. It offers students the opportunity to learn to pilot planes, as well as earn college credit through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

And, for the betterment of the students enrolled.

“The things we do, we get them through the pilot program. They take their FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) private pilot exam, so they can fly a plane. “They do it as a teenager — that’s unheard of in high school,” Aragon said.

He added: “Then, there’s the engineering side. They learn why a plane does this or how I can make a plane do that. When they’re using the (flight) simulators, we want them to be able to understand a plane better.”

The program has several simulators, including virtual reality (VR) headset apparatuses that put students in the cockpit of an F-16. The program also focuses on drone piloting and technology, as unmanned aircraft is a very sought-after career now.

Students use drones to do many things at the school. Such as, they were able to 3D map the parking lot by flying the droves over it, taking pictures and stitching them together. They also were able to assist in A/C repair when there was a leak and a drone was able to fly into the vent and find it.

“(The engineering side is about) problem-solving, thinking how to make things work and solve that problem. We want smart cars, then we want smart planes, smart rockets, everything to be able to control itself,” Fernandez said.

A very large flight crew checklist sits on the seat of a virtual reality (VR) flight simulator at Sunlake High and is used in the school’s Aerospace Career Academy Program.

“Everyone thinks it’s removing the pilot, but it still has to be taught how to fly. Not all drones are piloted with a remote control — they can be programmed to fly where they need to be. That’s where engineering, and programming come in.”

According to Aragon, this program can lead to careers, not just in aviation, aerospace or engineering, but also cyber intelligence and security, business administration and management, wildlife science, aviation maintenance, and meteorology.

Aragon also helps students prepare themselves for careers by having them create resumes.

In fact, with Aragon’s military background, he incorporated Sunlake’s Cadet Squadron into the program, as those students look to obtain their pilot’s licenses, too.

Not all plan on military careers; Aragon pointed out one student wants to become a commercial airline pilot.

“That’s a lot of fly time for a teenager to have,” he added.

That’s the case for seniors Isabella Eby and Matthew Santos, program students who are working toward becoming pilots, but learning as much as they can about aviation engineering, as well.

“I’ve been told by people that I’m better suited for engineering than aviation, but I do like the flying part, too,” Eby said. “A lot of these classes are hands-on, so seeing how the two go together and why they go together, it has allowed me to learn more on both sides of aerospace from the aviation and engineering aspects.”

“When I first got into (the program) as a freshman,” Santos added, “I took it because it looked like an elective that really interested me and could lead to a career. I’m very interested in aviation and started learning about the engineering side a lot more once in the program. I’m very interested in how those two work together and how it will help me as a pilot.”

Published November 02, 2022

For Halloween fun, check out this spooky trail

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Christine Lewis takes Halloween very seriously.

She’s so devoted to the holiday that she built a spooky, interactive trail in front of her Land O’ Lakes home in Wilderness Lake Preserve.

Wilderness Lake Preserve resident Karla Arita enjoys the spooky trail her neighbor, Christine Lewis, set up in front of her house. Lewis created the attraction for her neighbors and other nearby community residents to come by to enjoy, free of charge, from now until Halloween. Anyone can come walk the trail, at 7232 Night Heron Drive, in Land O’ Lakes. (Mike Camunas)

And someone special in her life inspired her.

“The grandbaby asked, ‘Grandma, are you going to decorate?’” Lewis said. “About five houses here (on her street) really do all the decorations, so it’s been on (like a competition) when it comes to Halloween.

“It just morphed into something that was made for my grandbaby, but now is shared with the community.”

It didn’t begin as an interactive trail. For Lewis, it was just decorating to the brim during October. She was happy her grandson, Logan, 4, and her autistic stepson, Hayden, 19, loved it.

Now, after a trial year in 2021, Lewis, with the help of her neighbor, Robert Kersey, may have just perfected the setup. This year’s display will allow residents and nearby visitors to enjoy the spooky trail that has photo ops and lights up at night.

Wilderness Lake Preserve resident Christine Lewis created a spooky trail in front of her house at 7232 Night Heron Drive, in Land O’ Lakes. She welcomes all neighbors — from her subdivision and nearby ones — to come check it out, until Halloween.

Lewis learned from last year to add a designated entrance and exit, but also to space out the trail so “anyone with a stroller or a walker” can easily walk through.

At the end, and on Halloween night, the Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood will be on a small stage and available for photos.

“Oh, we got well over 200 visitors last year — on Halloween alone,” said Lewis, who has lived in Wilderness Lake since 2015 and is also a Wiccan. “And we’ll get well over that this year, but it is a nice way to meet people in the community. And since I posted it on the (neighborhood) Facebook group, everyone asks about it and thanks me for doing it, and really appreciates it and embraces it.

“That really means a lot to me — really lifts my spirits,” the four-time cancer survivor added.

Lewis says everyone is welcome to see the trail, free of charge, in front of her house at 7232 Night Heron Drive — and not just residents of Wilderness Lake, but those from neighboring communities in Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, Wesley Chapel and beyond.

Anyone can come by for candy, photos and, of course, fun.

“It’s not just for kids,” she added. “An 84-year-old woman just stopped by with her husband and came to the door and asked, ‘Can I walk it?’ And I was like, ‘Of course!’ … Plus, on Halloween, we’ll have over 1,000 pieces of candy to hand out.

“And some beer for the adults,” she added, with a laugh.

Published October 26, 2022

Christine Lewis also has the spooky trail lit up at night, and on Halloween, will have Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf waiting for visitors at the end.