The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Land O' Lakes News

Pasco cuts ribbon on kitchen to feed seniors

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Nutritious meals that are served to Pasco County seniors will now be made locally.

The meals previously were prepared in St. Petersburg and then trucked over to Pasco County.

Now, the food preparation will be done in a new commercial kitchen at the Land O’ Lakes Senior Center.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr., center, holding scissors, helped cut the ribbon on the new commercial kitchen at the Land O’ Lakes Senior Center. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Pasco County officials cut the ribbon on the new kitchen, at 6801 Wisteria Loop in Land O’ Lakes, on March 26.

About 1,000 meals a day will be produced on-site from the refurbished kitchen.

Some seniors will eat at that center, and some will be served at the other senior centers in Pasco. But, the majority of the meals will be delivered to homebound seniors.

A contract with St. Petersburg-based GA Foods calls for up to 1,600 meals a day to be prepared at the senior center’s kitchen. Pasco County commissioners approved the contract in September 2017.

State funds of about $250,000 paid for the project.

The upgrade in meal preparation and delivery is a public-private partnership with GA Foods, Pasco County’s Elderly Nutrition Division, Pasco County Schools, and area businesses.

The state-of-the-art commercial equipment is from in-kind donations from the school district, and businesses, including Welbilt.

“It’s a great collaborative effort,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr. “The goal is that no senior has to wait for service. That’s the goal for me.”

Wells cut the ribbon along with other county and school officials, and county commissioners.

With meals prepared locally, Pasco anticipates an annual cost savings of more than $120,000, and a decrease in the home-delivered waiting list.

Data has shown that one in six seniors in Pasco are food-insecure.

“The Land O’ Lakes kitchen project is an initiative that we’ve strived for several years to realize,” Gabriel Papadopoulos, Pasco’s community services director, said in a news release on the event.

Feeding Pasco’s Elderly is a nonprofit organization that supports funding to Pasco County’s Senior Services Division. The agency helped secure the state funds for the grant.

Gov. Rick Scott previously vetoed the funds in 2015, but the renewed request made it into the fiscal year 2017 state budget.

Published April 4, 2018

Ridge Road extension is a step closer

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Pasco County is placing a future order to buy wetlands adjacent to the Connerton Preserve to offset wetlands that would be lost due to construction of the Ridge Road extension.

The Pasco County Commission approved a wetlands credit purchase agreement with Ecosystem Investment Partners Credit Co., for up to $4.4 million at its March 27 meeting in New Port Richey.

The item, part of the commission’s consent agenda, was approved with no discussion.

Richard Stauffer studied a map at the Serenova Tract at the Starkey Wilderness Preserve prior to a rally and nature walk by opponents of the Ridge Road extension in February. (File)

The total purchase price would be split between Pasco County and the Florida Turnpike Enterprise, which also needs wetlands credits for the project.

The county’s share would be about $3.2 million. The state road agency would reimburse for the remainder.

The agreement locks in a purchase price and ensures the credits will be available if, and when, the United States Army Corps of Engineers issues a permit.

The county has sought approval for the road project for nearly two decades. A decision from the Army Corps is anticipated in coming months.

The proposed project is for an 8-mile extension of Ridge Road which now dead-ends at Moon Lake Road.

The new road would link Moon Lake in west Pasco to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes, across from an entrance into the master-planned community of Connerton.

The county puts a high priority on the Ridge Road extension as an evacuation route during hurricane evacuations.

But, environmental activists oppose the road extension, which would cut through a portion of the Serenova Preserve.

Community activist Dan Callaghan called the project the “zombie highway to nowhere” during public comment portion of the March 27 meeting.

Callaghan is a member of the Save Serenova Coalition. The Sierra Club is among 30 area groups included in the coalition.

Attorneys for the Sierra Club have submitted documentation to the Corps of Engineers opposing the Ridge Road extension.

Opponents maintain that the county isn’t being transparent on the final costs of the road work, which they contend could reach $150 million.

“Who will be the first to say enough to this boondoggle?” Callaghan said.

County officials have disputed the coalition’s data on the construction costs.

The wetlands credits would come from the Old Florida Mitigation Bank, located south of State Road 52 and east of U.S. 41, adjacent to the Connerton Preserve.

According to county documents, a construction start is scheduled for winter 2018, and a completion by winter 2021.

Construction would be in two phases, with the first phase from Moon Lake to the east side of Suncoast Parkway. The cost is estimated at $77 million, according to county documents.

Published April 4, 2018

Music, food and fun mark Land O’ Lakes Music Festival

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Singer Carmen Harrell, of Orlando, performs with Marlon Boone and his band, City Groove, giving the audience a treat with her soulful voice and high energy performance. (Christine Holtzman)

Festival-goers were dancing, relaxing and generally just enjoying a day of continuous entertainment at the third annual Land O’ Lakes Music Festival, held March 24 at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.

Some there, including April Genter, of Land O’ Lakes, were obviously having a good time — grooving to tunes performed by a band called the Actual Bank Robbers.

Four-year-old Morgan Keith, of Lutz, was having a ball — while sailing down the large bouncy slide. The little girl was also excited about Stonegrey’s appearance at the festival because she considers lead guitarist Tristan to be her ‘boyfriend.’

Singer Carmen Harrell entertained the crowd by belting out a high-octane version of Ike and Tina Turner’s Proud Mary, as Marlon Boone jammed on the saxophone.

April Genter, of Land O’Lakes, moves to a song performed by the Actual Bank Robbers at the third annual Land O’ Lakes Music Festival.

There were a lot of people there to support friends, or simply revel in a sunny Saturday afternoon, while supporting a local event.

This year’s festival was the first to utilize the new Heritage Park Stage, a venue which took years of advocacy, and a considerable number of partnerships among governments, local businesses and community volunteers to achieve.

The slate of entertainers included Stonegrey, Solar Exposure, City Groove, Fred Chandler, Actual Bank Robbers, Trigger City Trio and Sowflo.

While the live music played non-stop, festival-goers also could check out the beer and wine tent, and food trucks, do some shopping to find out more about the goods and services offered by local businesses.

Children could have fun, too, at the Kids’ Zone, sponsored by My Pediatrics, which offered balloon animals, games, a bouncy house and inflatable slide.

Admission was free to the event, which was hosted by the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and was presented by Ierna’s Heating & Cooling. Parking was $10, with proceeds benefitting local schools.

By Christine Holtzman

B.C. Manion contributed to this report.

Published March 28, 2018

Eight-month-old Griff Miller, of Land O’Lakes, is clearly enjoying himself in the Kids’ Zone at the festival.

 

Lynn Vanmeter, of Spring Hill, shows off her ‘Crazy Hat’ just outside the Kids’ Zone. Lynn is a practice manager for My Pediatrics, sponsor of the Kids’ Zone.

 

Leslie Brown, lead singer of Solar Exposure, belts out the first tune at the festival. Solar Exposure is based in Land O’ Lakes.

 

Deon Coogle and her husband, Stephen, are having a good time while listening to the band Solar Exposure.

 

The band Actual Bank Robbers energizes the crowd with its performance of the Bruno Mars hit ‘That’s What I Like.’

Sinkhole solution down to three options

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Pasco County is inching closer to resolving the massive sinkhole that swallowed two houses in Lake Padgett Estates more than eight months ago.

Public Safety officials and county engineers are down to three recommendations on the long-term recovery efforts at the sinkhole site on Ocean Pines Drive:

  • Option No. 1: Install a 6-foot tall “wrought-iron style” decorative fence and access gate around the sinkhole with dead-end signs, at an estimated cost of $65,000
  • Option No. 2: Build the same fence around the sinkhole, with two, 70-foot “hammerhead” turn-arounds, at an estimated cost of $242,000
  • Option No. 3: Build the same fence around the sinkhole with a cul-de-sac on each side, at an estimated cost ranging from $1.7 million to $2.2 million
The sinkhole opened on July 14, 2017, at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive. It eventually swallowed two houses, a motorcycle and a boat in the Lake Padgett Estates community in Land O’ Lakes. (File)

Kevin Guthrie, the county’s assistant administrator for public safety, outlined those possibilities with homeowners at a March 10 community meeting at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.

Based on conceptual designs, the county would need to purchase three houses to install a cul-de-sac. That option also would likely require renaming a portion of Ocean Pines Drive.

For a turn-around option, no additional homeowners would be displaced. The county would need to purchase only the area needed for the turn-arounds from homeowners, not their entire properties.

Officials said the main purpose for those two options is to ease access for garbage trucks and emergency vehicles, which presently are forced to drive backwards to exit Ocean Pines Drive.

If the county installs just fencing and landscaping — the cheapest option — Ocean Pines would remain closed off at the site of the sinkhole.

Previously discussed options — such as connecting the sinkhole to Lake Saxon or rebuilding the roadway with sheet piles driven underground — have since been deemed too risky by the county’s geotechnical consultant, Intertek-PSI.

At the meeting, residents were encouraged to provide feedback and jot down comments to be considered by the Pasco County Commission.

Residents take a look at conceptual designs of the Pasco County’s long-term recovery efforts at the sinkhole site. (Kevin Weiss)

Various concerns were raised, from the county’s mitigation costs to how it intends to fund whichever solution is chosen.

The county already has spent more than $1 million for initial cleanup and stabilization of the sinkhole site.

Guthrie said it hasn’t been determined how the county will pay for whichever option, though use of public funds may be a possibility.

Some residents questioned why a fence even needs to be installed at the sinkhole site.

Guthrie stressed that’s a matter of public safety as open waterways touched or owned by the county must be cordoned off.

He guaranteed permanent fencing, at the very least, will be installed due to potential liability issues for the county.

“You can take this to the bank: The county commission, 5-0, is going to put a fence around that,” he said.

Guthrie noted the county is currently in litigation with two homeowners and their insurance companies who haven’t taken responsibility for cleanup and securing the areas of private property affected by the sinkhole — an issue that may not be resolved for “probably decades.”

“If they’re not going to take responsibility, the county has to step in. And, we have to ensure the safety for the citizens,” Guthrie said.

The sinkhole opened on July 14, 2017, at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive. It eventually swallowed two houses, a motorcycle and a boat.

Seven additional homes nearby were also condemned as unsafe, based on subsurface conditions and other geologic anomalies.

Displaced homeowner Dottie Benschoter was among about 30 people attending one of the two community meetings.

The 78-year old and her husband had lived at their Ocean Pines Drive home for more than 40 years — before it was condemned in July.

The massive sinkhole was a shock for her family and fellow neighbors, forcing them to uproot their lives.

“Especially at our age, we never dreamed anything like this would happen,” she said.

“It’s affected my neighbors. We’re all affected mentally, because one day you’re living your life, and one day it changed completely. We had to move everything in one day,” Benschoter said.

She continued: “(The county’s) trying their best, but we still don’t have any answers. They still haven’t made their decision with what they’re doing. They said we have to demolish our homes and pay for it ourselves.”

Guthrie called the entire sinkhole situation “really upsetting and frustrating.”

He added: “I know the homeowners are frustrated but at the same time, we have remediated this hole to the point that we can.”

Guthrie and his staff will present their findings to commissioners at their March 27 or April 11 meeting, at which time a final decision is expected.

Published March 21, 2018

Music to fill the air in Land O’ Lakes

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The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its third Land O’ Lakes Music Festival.

(Courtesy of Terri Dusek)

The event will be held March 24 from noon to 8 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, formerly known as the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

This year, musicians will be able to use Heritage Stage — a community stage that was completed last year, following years of advocacy, and as a result of a multitude of partnerships between governments, business partners and community volunteers.

Bands that are scheduled to perform during the festival are:

  • Solar Exposure with an eclectic mix of pop, rock and hint of country
  • Marlon Boone, Jazz/R&B saxophonist extraordinaire
  • Actual Bank Robbers’ unique indie pop rock
  • Trigger City Trio will entertain with rock & soul sprinkled with funk
  • Stonegrey jamming with arena/classic rock style
  • Sowflo, is coming from Naples, with a reggae vibe

Fred Chandler, a vocalist who also plays multiple instruments, will entertain between acts.

“It’s an entire day of music,” said Terri Dusek, event chairwoman.

She hopes that the music festival, now being held for the third time, will evolve into a major event in Central Pasco.

The idea is to provide a setting where music is the focal point, said Dusek, who has been involved with music her entire life.

“Music has been a huge part of my life,” Dusek said, noting that her sons are members of Stonegrey.

She also noted that Stonegrey, Solar Exposure and Fred Chandler are all Land O’ Lakes residents.

Dusek also noted that Ryan Walker, owner of Artist Direct, will be handling the sound for the festival.

While music takes center stage, there also will be arts and crafts vendors, a kids’ zone, and a business showcase featuring companies and organizations that want to spread the word about what they have to offer.

There will be food trucks, as well as beer and wine.

Admission is free, but parking is $10 per vehicle, which benefits local schools.

No coolers or pets are allowed.

For more information, call The Central Pasco Chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .

Land O’ Lakes Music Festival
Where: Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
When: March 24, noon to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free admission; parking is $10
Details: Spectators can enjoy a full day of music. There also will be arts and crafts vendors, a kids’ zone, and food and drink available for purchase. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Info: Call The Central Pasco Chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .

Published March 14, 2018

Pinewood Derby offers Cub Scouts fast fun

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Cars zoomed down a 34-foot-long track at Lake Myrtle Elementary School on Feb. 24, during Cub Scout Pack 323’s Pinewood Derby Cup Series.

Reme Rovi-Garcia took first place; Aiden Gehle took second place; and, Wesley Swank took third place, overall. There were eight categories in the competition: Lions, Tigers, Wolf, Bear, Jr. Webelos, Sr. Webelos, Outlaws and Supercharge. (Randy Underhill)

Sixty-five Cub Scouts, from the Land O’ Lakes pack, tested their racing skills as they pitted cars they had designed against each other.

Contestants had to create their models from pinewood, add wheels and weights, and give them a paint job, too. Then, the vehicles were inspected and weighed, just like in a real race.

During the event, cars were lined up in three lanes at the top of a steep incline and then were released, letting gravity carry each car to the finish line, where official times were recorded.

Greg Mark, chairman of the event, said he enjoyed working on his pinewood with his dad when he was young and wanted to share the experience with his son, Ryder, who is 8.

“He did the majority of it this year,” Mark said. “I want him to learn how to build a race car.

The project begins with a box of wood, four wheels and four axles. Then, it’s fashioned into a car, which is painted. Weights are added to get as close as possible to the maximum weight, so it will perform well in the race.

Gabe Heinzmann, one of the starting officials, stands by as three cars are lined up to start the first round of racing.

“I think it’s an awesome thing for the boys to do with their dads,” he said.

To make the event enjoyable for families, there were other activities, too, including crafts. Food was also available.

“Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves,” Mark said.

The pinewood derby has been part of local Cub Scouts since around 1975.

The creation of a Pinewood Derby dates back much farther.

Dan Murphy, a Cubmaster from Ohio, came up with the idea in 1952. He wanted to do something for kids who were too young for the Soap Box Derby. The Pinewood Derby swept the nation in the mid 1950s and is still part of the Cub Scouts today.

Sponsors of the local event were Christian Brothers Automotive, Cameo Salon and Spa, Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que, Jerry McCarthy State Farm, Russel Marine, Tampa T-shirts, Parker Pest Control, Accurate Signs On Time, 67 Design Co., and Studio 54 Tattoo.

By Randy Underhill

(B.C. Manion contributed to this report)

Published March 14, 2018

Nine-year-old Kenneth Huffman, of Land O’ Lakes, gets a helping hand from Joann Tabarres, of Land O’ Lakes, as they put together a toolbox, which was just one of many activities at the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby race at Lake Myrtle Elementary School.
A collection of Pinewood cars used in previous derbies was on display during the annual Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Cup Series held Feb. 24 at Lake Myrtle Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes.
Starting officials, Gabe Heinzmann, left, watches as Rob Heinzmann, middle, releases the cars and Jon Urban talks with other starting officials at the annual Pinewood Derby competition.
Antonio Rivera’s Jumanji, right, is in the lead, with Michael O’ Conner’s lizard car, middle, close behind, and Jacob Caltron’s red racer trailing, during the Pinewood Derby at Lake Myrtle Elementary.

Local park’s new name reflects its historic role

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A park that has played a historic role in Land O’ Lakes now has a name to reflect that fact.

Officials gathered on March 1 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the renaming of the former Land O’ Lakes Community Center. The center and adjacent park is now known as Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.

On March 1, elected officials and community leaders gathered at the park for the site’s renaming.

A new marquee has been unveiled near U.S. 41, which reflects the new name.

A new marquee sign with the masthead ‘Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park’ overlooks U.S. 41. (Kevin Weiss)

Festivities included a presentation of colors by American Legion Post 79 and a variety of speakers, who detailed the history and significance of the park.

“We’re thrilled about the renaming of this park,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, who served as master of ceremonies for the event.

“It’s important that we recognize the history of the area, and recognize the citizens that came forward and actually put a lot of effort into the park.”

The name change has been known for some time. The Pasco County Commission adopted the new name of the community center and park in November, at Moore’s request.

Moore consulted with members of the board of directors for the Heritage Foundation before making the suggestion. That was after the newly built Heritage Stage made its debut in August at the park.

The completion of the stage resulted from years of effort and partnerships between government, businesses and community volunteers.

For years, the Land O’ Lakes Community Center has been located at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., while the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, at 3032 Collier Parkway.

The similarity of names has been a source of confusion.

“It is not uncommon for folks to get mixed up with the two facilities,” said Brian Taylor, Pasco County’s parks and recreation manager.

Heritage Park Foundation president Sandy Graves acknowledged the community center and park probably should’ve been renamed “long ago.”

“We always thought that it needed a name change because it needed branding on its own, and now it has it,” she said.

Terri Dusek, of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, is credited with initially coming up with the “Heritage Park” moniker.

She said the name change marks “the final touch” on the park’s recent upgrades.

Besides the new stage for community events, the park has undergone $2.3 million worth of improvements since 2015. Other additions have included new ball fields, a playground, a concession stand and restrooms, and a walking trail.

“Our community already has a very rich heritage, and I feel like now we’re adding to it. For me the only fitting name was Heritage Park,” Dusek said.

Published March 7, 2018

Rallying to protect the environment

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Opponents of the Ridge Road extension are digging in for a battle with Pasco, and if need be, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, over a road that would cut through a portion of the Serenova Preserve.

About 75 people showed up in hiking clothes on Feb. 16, to walk trails at the Serenova Tract, at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park.

Richard Stauffer, of Aripeka, studied the trail map of the Serenova Tract. He is a regular visitor to the park and a member of the Florida Native Plant Society. He joined a large group of people on Feb. 16 for a walking tour at the Serenova Tract and a rally against the proposed extension of Ridge Road. (Fred Bellet)

It was a Facebook-promoted rally to bring attention to natural habitats that they fear will be lost if Ridge Road is built.

“Our concern is fragmentation of habitat and how much the county will pay for the road. It’s a Pandora’s box,” said Josh McCart, a member of the Sierra Club. He also helped organize the rally, sponsored by Save the Serenova Coalition. More than 30 area groups belong to the coalition, including the Sierra Club.

Coalition member Dan Callaghan was heartened by the turnout. He hopes it will be an inspiration to others to get involved.

As he watches development gobble up large tracts of land in Pasco, Callaghan worries that conservation lands, and wildlife habitats, will be lost.

“That’s the direction we’re heading in, if we don’t stop this. Serenova is a test,” he said. “If we don’t stop it here, Pasco is gone.”

The fight over this road began nearly 20 years ago.

Pasco County officials hope for a resolution, and a work permit from the Army Corps, by the end of this year.

Josh McCart, front right, of New Port Richey, helped organize a walking tour at the Serenova Tract. McCart, a member of the Save the Serenova Coalition, said he posted information on Facebook and was overwhelmed by the large turnout.

The proposed project is for an 8-mile extension of Ridge Road, which now dead-ends at Moon Lake Road. The new road would link Moon Lake in west Pasco to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes, across from an entrance into the master-planned community of Connerton.

The road is a county priority that would serve as a new east-west evacuation route during hurricanes.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr. said, via email, that the new route would significantly reduce evacuation times for about 180,000 people who live within that evacuation zone.

“The road would also provide relief to people currently using (State Road) 52 and (State Road) 54,” Wells noted.

The county has set aside about $40 million toward an estimated $68 million for construction of the first segment from Moon Lake to the east side of the Suncoast Parkway exchange. An additional $2.5 million is allocated for right-of-way purchases.

No funds are available, as yet, for the second phase of construction, which would take the road to U.S. 41. That phase isn’t expected to be built until development occurs on land along that portion of the route.

The funding of Ridge Road is a sticking point for opponents, who say the county isn’t being transparent on the costs. They peg total costs as high as $150 million.

They also object to the monthly fee of about $28,500 paid to Washington D.C. consultants, with Dawson & Associates, to lobby for the road’s work permit.

Dan Rametta is an opponent of the Ridge Road extension through the Serenova Preserve. He has worked against the project for 20 years.

The project gained new momentum in 2017, as the Trump administration issued an executive order meant to speed up permits for infrastructure projects. Gov. Rick Scott and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis also sent letters of support.

No decision has been made, but Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles said, “We still expect it later this year.”

Attorneys for the Sierra Club recently submitted an 80-page document contesting the project.

“They sell it as a done deal,” said McCart. “It’s not a done deal. There are a lot of costs associated to this road. The (Pasco County) commissioners are not telling us the true costs.”

The money is what bothers New Port Richey resident Barbara Sullo, who was at the rally. The county needs to fix its flooding problems, which are especially chronic in west Pasco, she said.

“They say they don’t have money to fix the roads, and yet, they spend millions on the Ridge Road extension,” Sullo said. “I don’t think people realize it’s our money.”

County data, per Wells’ email, shows that the per capita costs for the 180,000 residents within the evacuation zone, and within 2 miles of Ridge Road, would be about $400 per person.

“That doesn’t seem like too much to ensure the safety of our residents facing hurricane evacuations,” Wells said, in his email.

In April, the Corps chose one of 17 proposed routes through the Serenova Preserve as “the least environmentally damaging practicable alternative.” Additional review is being done.

The focus is on land that was set aside in a court settlement to mitigate about 200 acres of wetlands lost during construction of the Suncoast Parkway.

The Army Corps has regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act.

Save the Serenova coalition member Dan Rametta said the settlement is being circumvented.

“How does a four-lane road keep it in its natural state?” he said. He points to the Ridge Road connection that will link with Connerton, and also will cut through a portion of the Bexley Ranch property.

“It’s basically a developer’s road,” Rametta said.

County officials said wetlands lost due to the road project will be mitigated through preservation of other lands. About 2.3 acres of wetlands will be impacted, but about 82 percent of wetland impacts have been reduced, they said.

And, bridges already built, and parts of the proposed road, are elevated above the conservation land.

“You can’t say we haven’t worked through the process to reduce the impact,” Biles said.

Save the Serenova coalition members said there will inevitably be environmental losses.

“Every time you divide a large parcel up, you diminish the land, the plants, birds, everything,” said Aripeka resident Richard Stauffer.

He is a member of the Florida Native Plant Society, which belongs to the coalition. There are concerns among its members about a federally protected plant – the pond spice.

Some plants were found in Serenova, though so far not within the proposed construction area, Stauffer said, adding that more research should be done.

Sharon Holding, also is a member of the native plant society. She handed out fliers and helped with the walking tour.

“Certainly, it will impact people out here,” she said. “We need these places as reprieve from the busyness of our lives.”

Pasco also needs conservation land for ecotourism. “I’d like to see us promote that” Holding said. “We can’t stop people from moving to Pasco. We can plan our developments a lot smarter.”

Rametta said the movement to block Ridge Road is getting stronger.

“Commissioners need to pay attention,” he said. “There are voters here. There are consequences.”

Published February 28, 2018

This flea market — a woman’s club tradition — has bargains galore

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The Old Lutz School, at 18819 N. U.S. 41, was abuzz with activity on Feb. 26, as scores of volunteers prepared for the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club annual flea market.

“It’s our second largest fundraiser of the year,” said Pat Serio, a club member, as she consulted with other club members about where to put various donations.

Pat Serio is holding a cigar box purse that will go for $15. (B.C. Manion)

“It’s always much anticipated by the community because we’ve been doing it for so many years. We started out many decades ago,” Serio added.

“We started out at the Train Depot Park, but we quickly outgrew that, and we’ve been at the Old Lutz School ever since.

“We fill each of the classrooms with items, and we have a larger and larger footprint outdoors, adding tents each year,” she said.

Donations come in from the community and from the woman’s club members.

“We have everything from antiques and collectibles – silver, china, crystal in one special room. We have a home goods room, with kitchenware and décor items. We have a huge selection of beautiful clothing. Ladies, men, children’s clothing.

Club member Jean Palmieri sorts through hardcover books that will be sold for $1 each at the flea market, March 2 and March 3, at the Old Lutz School.

“Outdoors we have florals. We have a little mini-garden center, with artificial flowers and plants. We have toys, baby equipment, sports equipment, tools — something for everybody,” Serio said.

Volunteers were all over the place, getting ready for the sale. They were hanging clothes on racks, putting housewares on shelves, carrying donations inside, or arranging them in tents outside.

Club member Jean Palmieri was helping to sort books.

“We have a huge collection of books. Hardcover books are only $1. Soft covers are a quarter,” Serio noted.

But, those aren’t the only good deal, she added. “We have super bargain prices.”

“All proceeds go back to the community. This is our second-largest fundraiser of the year. Second only to the big arts and crafts show,” Serio continued.

The proceeds support scholarships and provide assistance to a wide assortment of community causes, including schools, libraries, Boy Scouts, and so on.

There will be a food booth, with hot dogs, breakfast items and soft drinks.

And, there will be a plant booth, too.

“The funniest thing is that we club members are our best customers. We donate the bulk of the goods, and we buy the bulk of the goods. We buy each other’s clothing, then next year, these fashions show up in the clothing racks of donations again,” Serio said.

It’s also a great place to catch up with old friends, Serio noted.

Club member Helen Fornino holds a painting and asks Pat Serio, another club member, where the item should go.

“Our women see neighbors and former neighbors. People come back, year after year, even after they’ve moved.

“It’s always the first weekend in March, so they know to anticipate that,” Serio said.

Old-time Lutz residents and former residents also enjoy spending time at the Old Lutz School, Serio noted.

“They reminisce about going to school there. So many people come through and they go, ‘This was my classroom.’

“They get all nostalgic,” Serio said.

Palmieri, who has been a woman’s club member for three years, said she enjoys being involved.

She said she joined because she wanted to help the community.

But, she said, pitching in has rewards of its own.

“It helps me feel good to know that I’m doing something beneficial for other people,” Palmieri said.

GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club annual flea market
Where: Old Lutz School, 18819 N. U.S. 41 in Lutz
When: March 2 and March 3, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Details: Bargain hunters will find plenty of good deals during this market, which features everything from crystal and china to pots and pans. There’s furniture, hardcover books, potted plants and all sorts of other stuff. This is the club’s second-largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds are used to support scholarships and benefit a wide assortment of local community groups.

Published February 28, 2018

Jon’s Gourmet Nutrition dishes healthy meals

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Life and retirement don’t always work out as expected.

John Richardson packed his belongings and left behind more than 20 years as a firefighter in New Rochelle, New York, and headed for the warm paradise of Florida

“I thought I was going to come down here and go to the beach every day,” he said.

Richardson pictured himself in a convertible, top down, tooling off to the sandy shores of the Gulf of Mexico.

John Richardson makes healthy, fresh menu items daily, including this wrap whipped up at Jon’s Gourmet Nutrition in Land O’ Lakes. (Kathy Steele)

His beach dreams are gone now, but his cooking career is taking off.

In November, Richardson opened Jon’s Gourmet Nutrition in a small plaza, at 6745 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

The restaurant’s name is no misspelling. It draws attention in a way no traditional name spelling would do.

“Jon is more gourmet,” Richardson elaborated. “It’s worked out good.”

His menu features healthy, fresh recipes, including Buffalo chicken spread, jerk smoked salmon spread, honey jerk smoked turkey spread, guacamole, and pasta. He recently added wraps.

Almost all items are “jerk smoked,” a combination that Richardson said makes his recipes unique. Other restaurants offer jerk or smoked meals, but not both together, he said.

“It’s a little longer process to do it, but it’s worth it,” Richardson said.

Customers can dine in or order meals, with free delivery. Richardson also does catering.

Cooking wasn’t totally off Richardson’s radar as a firefighter. But, he hadn’t considered owning a restaurant.

He picked up culinary skills at the New Rochelle fire station.

Mealtime was a group activity.

Richardson did much of the prep work. He chopped carrots, celery, onions and other vegetables. Along the way, he also picked up a few recipes.

“I watched the (other) guys and that’s how I learned to cook,” he said.

For years, his kitchen activity stayed strictly inside his home, or at the fire station. He would try recipes on his daughter and ask for her opinions.

When Richardson left New Rochelle, he relocated to New Tampa, and eventually took a job as medical lab technician at James A. Haley Veterans Hospital. It was a similar job to one he had in New York.

Richardson said it was typical for firefighters to have a second job on their days off.

He worked at the veteran’s hospital for two years.

All the while, he was developing his signature recipes for jerk smoked spreads.

For his going away party, Richardson brought a salad, with jerk turkey breast, that was a big crowd pleaser.

Friends encouraged him to go into business.

Next, he signed up with the Entrepreneurs Collaborative Center in Hillsborough County. The nonprofit helps start-up businesses with resources, training and mentoring.

Richardson’s initially sold his products at area salons and gymnasiums.

He also began selling HerbaLife products, which are available for purchase at his restaurant.

By focusing on nutritious foods, he dropped about 30 pounds.

Richardson also caters and delivers daily meals.

Last year he decided it was time for the next step of opening a brick-and-mortar, Jon’s Gourmet Nutrition.

He found a former computer store, did some renovations, and opened in November.

He makes meals daily at a professional kitchen, and brings them to his restaurant.

His days are split between the restaurant and catering.

He continues to offer free meal deliveries.

In the future, he aims to have a large enough location to accommodate both a kitchen and restaurant seating.

He wants to sell his spreads, and other menu items, at area grocery stores, such as Whole Foods and Publix.

He marvels at how his life took a turn, setting him off in a new direction.

“It’s God, but it’s also a whole bunch of things that fell into place,” Richardson said. “It’s overwhelming. It’s a humbling experience.”

For more information, call (813) 495-2130,  or visit Facebook.com/jonsgourmetproducts.com.

Published February 21, 2018