The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Land O' Lakes News

Looking for something to do? Check your local library

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Bands from Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties are tuning up to test their musical chops at the Rockus Maximus XVII Battle of the Bands.

Teens and pre-teens search through Legos during Lego Day at the Land O’ Lakes Branch of the Pasco County Library System. (Photo Courtesy of Pasco County Library System)
Teens and pre-teens search through Legos during Lego Day at the Land O’ Lakes Branch of the Pasco County Library System.
(Photo Courtesy of Pasco County Library System)

The free music festival on March 28 showcases bands vying for cash and other prizes. Besides promoting local music, the family-friendly event offers sideshow acts, including a juggler, martial artists, a dance troupe and other performers.

The event will be at the Rotary Park Pavilion at the Concourse, near the Suncoast Parkway and State Road 52.

It’s an event that drew national recognition for the Pasco County Library System, resulting in the prestigious John Cotton Dana Award for excellence in public relations in 2010.

But the Battle of the Bands is just one of many ways the library system seeks to engage the community.

“The idea here is that we are trying to provide experiences and opportunities for everyone, at every stage and need in their life,” said Paul Stonebridge, teen services manager of the Pasco County Library System. “We’re trying to get people as early as we can get them and keep them forever.”

Do you like to play chess? There’s a club for that. Perhaps you’re an avid reader — there’s a book club for that, too.

There are story times geared to different age groups, and activities such as crafts and family nights. There are free movies, too, geared toward different audiences. Free popcorn and drinks accompany all the events.

Periodically, there are special events, such as an American Heritage Tea Party or a Curious George Reading Day.

Often, the library will offer a class or presentation or activity that’s designed to combine fun and learning, Stonebridge said. For instance, kids recently were invited to learn how to take photographs of themselves, known as “selfies.” While they were at it, they also got some advice on staying safe in cyberspace.

The library recognizes that people of different ages have varying needs and desires. So, it customizes its programming.

The pre-teen crowd has a hard time getting to the library because they lack mobility, Stonebridge said. One way to get them there is to encourage parents to bring them. To help make that happen, the library allows parents to drop pre-teens off for a couple of hours.

While they’re having fun at the library, the parents can run errands, shop for grocery, meet a friend for coffee, or have a bit of time to themselves, Stonebridge said. The library does request, however, that the parent remain in the vicinity, in case something comes up and they need to return to the library before the activity is over.

The library works hard to provide interesting programs for teenagers. One way they accomplish that is by involving teens in the planning.

In exchange for serving on the teen advisory board, teens earn community service hours, have first dibs at other library volunteer opportunities, and get to have a say in the activities the library offers.

“Here’s a chance for people to be listened to, to actually have someone want to hear what they have to say,” Stonebridge said. “We’re trying to hit them with the things they need and want at this point in their lives.”

For instance, the library has an Anime Club, gaming nights, a Robotics Club and other activities.

The library also has an on-demand service that provides help with homework and often can arrange for tutoring for students who need more assistance. Sometimes, free tutoring can be provided. At other times, they’ll offer referrals.

The library is geared for people of all ages. For example, it has a teen gaming night and an adult gaming night. Teen gaming nights draw about 200 kids, while adult gaming nights draw about 50 people, Stonebridge said.

The library also hosts senior citizen socials for people 55 and older.

“We’re trying to give people a place they can socialize, make friends, reconnect,” Stonebridge said.

It also offers help for people who are looking for a job, want to start their own business, or need help figuring out forms for government assistance, such as Medicaid, food stamps and unemployment benefits.

People who have trouble reading or lack computer experience should not feel intimidated, Stonebridge said.

“Don’t be hindered by your limitations of education or background or experience,” he said. “If you’re scared of computers, you just haven’t used them or you don’t read well, we’re here to help you with that. We don’t penalize people for that. We want to help you.”

These services are free to anyone who has a library card, Stonebridge said. Library cards are issued for free and are available even to people who live in another county, as long as they have a library card where they live and have identification with their picture on it.

And, on top of all of the activities and services, the library also offers books and DVDs for patrons to borrow.

Anyone who wants to learn more is invited to drop by a library, or visit PascoLibraries.org.

Rockus Maximus XVII
WHAT: Battle of the Bands — Bands from Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties compete for prizes. The family-friendly event also features entertainers and sideshow acts
WHEN: March 28 from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
WHERE: The Rotary Pavilion at the Concourse, 15325 Alric Pottberg Road, Shady Hills (Near State Road 52 and the Suncoast Expressway)
COST: Parking and admission is free.
Concessions for purchase will be available, but those attending are welcome to bring a picnic.

Published March 26, 2014

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Land O’ Lakes teen prepares for big summer adventure

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Many teenagers would be content to spend their summer vacation learning how to drive, getting a part-time job or hanging out at the beach. But 16-year-old Amy Deeb has much bigger plans.

Amy Deeb, a sophomore at Sunlake High School, received a scholarship from the U.S. Department of State to study Hindi this summer in Indore, a city in central India. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Amy Deeb, a sophomore at Sunlake High School, received a scholarship from the U.S. Department of State to study Hindi this summer in Indore, a city in central India.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

She’ll jet off to New York on July 5 where she’ll spend three days being prepped before traveling another 7,600 miles to spend the summer in Indore, a city in central India. The Sunlake High School student will be immersed in the sights, sounds, language and culture of the place – and she’ll spend at least 120 hours in class learning Hindi.

Deeb’s travel expenses and classes are being covered through a scholarship provided by the U.S. Department of State’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth program. She’ll stay with a host family and receive a stipend to cover her day-to-day expenses in India.

The program is intended to encourage youths to develop language skills in Arabic, Mandarin, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian, Turkish and Hindi. The initiative is aimed at helping prepare Americans become leaders in a global world, according to the NSLI for Youth website.

While in school, Deeb will focus on reading, writing, speaking and listening, so that by the end of her program, she’ll be familiar with the Devanagari alphabet and will possess and understand Hindi grammar and the different dialects of Hindi, according to the program’s website.

Not only will Deeb learn a new language, but she’ll also learn new sounds and how to make them. She’ll have a chance to explore the context in the language, including Indian crafts, music and dance, as well as yoga and the Bollywood film industry, the program’s website says.

Deeb is counting the days before her departure. She knows throwing herself into a new place without extensive background in the language or culture is a somewhat daunting challenge. But she is ready to embrace it.

“Complete immersion,” she said, is a very cool way to learn about another culture and language.

When she applied for the scholarship, Deeb said she had to rank three languages she was interested in studying. Hindi was her No. 1 choice.

“I figured if I’m going to go for it, I may as well pick something that’s so, in my mind, different from what I could ever experience in America,” said Deeb, who has aspirations of becoming a surgeon working in foreign countries.

She has her sights set on work in fetal surgery. “I think it would be interesting to be kind of like a pioneer in fetal surgery,” Deeb said.

She expects to be in class about six hours a day during the week. She’ll spend other time with her host family and on cultural excursions.

Deeb studies American Sign Language, but doesn’t take other language classes. She believes her sign language studies will help her be more observant of others than she might have otherwise been.

But she admits she doesn’t have a clue about speaking Hindi.

“I could be just terrible at Hindi – it’s a definite possibility,” Deeb said, but it won’t be for a lack of effort or enthusiasm. “I’m going to throw myself in there and hope for the best.”

Deeb said she found out about the scholarship program from two of her cousins who live in Tucson, Ariz. Both of them have been selected to study Mandarin, and one of them is currently involved in a yearlong program, Deeb said.

Deeb found out about the program when she was 13 and knew then that she wanted to apply when she turned 16. She’s delighted she was chosen.

“It’s very selective,” Deeb said, noting about 3,500 students apply nationwide for scholarships for all seven languages. About 400 or fewer receive scholarships.

Her application included three essays, biographical information and a copy of her transcript. Finalists also underwent personal interviews, which lasted about 40 minutes.

The main qualities the program requires are enthusiasm and aptitude, Deeb said.

She seems to qualify on both counts. Deeb has a 4.4 GPA on a 4.0 scale, with extra points awarded for rigorous coursework.

And, her enthusiasm is obvious.

“I can’t even imagine in my mind what it’s going to be like to go there. I am so excited,” Deeb said.

For more information about the National Security Language Initiative for Youth program, visit NSLIForYouth.org.

Published March 19, 2014

Soaring Sound family earns accolades on, off field

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This week is spring break for Pasco County schools, meaning thousands of students are enjoying some well-deserved time off and maybe even a little time at the beach.

Tonya O’Malley works with some of her percussionists ahead of a pep rally to kick off spring break last week. The band director is in her eighth year in Pasco County, and her fifth at Sunlake High School. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Tonya O’Malley works with some of her percussionists ahead of a pep rally to kick off spring break last week. The band director is in her eighth year in Pasco County, and her fifth at Sunlake High School.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

But that’s not so for members of the Sunlake High School Soaring Sound. These band students have spent hours on end in the school’s gymnasium, where there is no air-conditioning when school’s not in session, getting ready to represent Sunlake on the state and national level … once again.

Sunlake’s marching band was a finalist in Class 2A competition last fall — one of the only Pasco schools even competing — and now its color guard is getting ready for a trip to the University of Central Florida near Orlando this weekend to compete at the Southeastern Color Guard Championship. And percussion members have a competition of their own coming up in the next week or so in Daytona Beach.

The Soaring Sound members are first to credit the efforts of director Tonya O’Malley, who’s now in her fifth year at Sunlake. But it’s O’Malley who quickly turns and credits her players.

“It all comes down to our student leaders. This is what has made our program thrive,” O’Malley said. “We have one or two kids in every single section of the band that demands excellence in that section. I can teach them, but it’s these leaders who make sure everyone in their section are there, and all prepared.”

Leaders earn their positions every year, including drum majors like Nonna Stutzman, who started in the band as a flute player, but was approached by O’Malley last year to serve as one of two field leaders for the band. Even as her junior year is drawing to a close, Stutzman already is working hard to earn the privilege of continuing as drum major next year.

“You have to try harder than you did last year,” Stutzman said, adding that her level of involvement has prompted her to think quite seriously about a future in music. “Marching band honestly has made up my whole high school experience. I played the flute for so long, maybe I can even teach it.”

Troy Moeller is one of the younger leaders, a sophomore who serves as the brass captain. During marching season, he plays a euphonium — one step down from a tuba — and right now is part of the percussion group preparing to head to Daytona.

Moeller, however, has other talents as well, including the cello. And he dabbles a bit on saxophone as well.

Moeller doesn’t like to talk about all of that much, but that hasn’t stopped O’Malley from singing his praises.

“The biggest selling point for me on Troy is that he was an amazing player, even as a freshman,” O’Malley said. “I sent out emails to all his teachers looking for some feedback, and what I got was that Troy is an exceptional student who is well beyond his years. The way he behaves in class is impeccable.

“It’s all those types of things I expect of the kids in leadership. They need to be well-rounded individuals, and represent the band well in the community and in the school.”

O’Malley starts the recruiting process early for Soaring Sound, working closely with younger students at Rushe Middle School, and preparing them for the transition.

“All of this can be somewhat intimidating for eighth-grade kids,” O’Malley said. “Our members go frequently and talk to the kids there, and make sure they are comfortable. They let them know the high school band is not big and scary, and they can fit right in.”

Soaring Sound has just under 75 members right now, but the latest success of the band could cause that number to swell. In fact, O’Malley has a list of 60 Rushe students interested in taking part in Soaring Sound next year.

“They’re looking to find their place,” she said.

When those new freshmen arrive, they’ll find a band ready to help them do just that, thanks to people like color guard captain Sara Pickernell.

Pickernell is graduating in May, but she hopes leaving her mark will help encourage others to be strong leaders in Soaring Sound as well.

“My leadership experience is way more off the field than on the field,” Pickernell said. “If the kids are having a hard time, like their boyfriend just broke up with them or they are having trouble in class, I pull them aside and see what I can do to help.”

Published March 19, 2014

New academy will offer a head start for careers in agriculture

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The agricultural industry is big business in Florida, and a new academy starting next year aims to give Central Pasco County students a competitive edge in that sector.

(Courtesy of Land O' Lakes High School)
(Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes High School)

Florida’s agricultural industry employs approximately 2 million people and contributes more than $104 billion to the state’s economy, according to the “2013 Florida Agriculture by the Numbers” report published by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

With its 47,500 farms, the state ranks 18th in the nation. In 2012, Florida ranked first in the nation in the value of its production of oranges and grapefruits, according to the report.

But agriculture goes well with growing crops and tending cattle, said John Hagen, chairman and chief executive of Pasco Economic Development Council. It offers myriad opportunities in science and technology, as the industry seeks to find ways to get greater yields and prevent environmental damage.

Central Pasco students who are interested in the industry will have a new opportunity to prepare for career opportunities in agriculture as Land O’ Lakes High School launches its Academy of Agritechnology next fall. Land O’ Lakes High has had a strong chapter in the National FFA Organization ever since the school opened in 1975, said school principal Ric Mellin.

The academy will offer many of the same courses as the school has offered in the past, but also will begin providing opportunities for students to earn industry certifications while still in high school, Mellin said.

The program will be open through the Pasco County’s school choice option to students attending Central Pasco high schools, Mellin said. That means students who would normally attend Sunlake or Wiregrass Ranch high schools who have an interest in the program can apply to attend Land O’ Lakes High.

The application period for the coming school year has closed, but Mellin expects that the program will grow gradually in coming years.

About a half-dozen students from outside Land O’ Lakes High boundaries have expressed an interest, Mellin said. He also expects a large number of Pine View Middle School students who will attend Land O’ Lakes High next year, to enroll in the program. Pine View has a strong FFA program.

This program will give students an opportunity to prepare for careers in agriculture, as well as food and natural resources management. Students will learn about such things as animal and plant production and processing, marketing, agricultural mechanics, communications, human relations, and employability skills.

They also will have opportunities to do laboratory work, prepare student projects and take advantage of cooperative education opportunities.

One of the key strengths of having academies like this in high school is the opportunity it presents for a student to try out a career area before heading off to college, said Hagen, who chairs a committee that provides advice to the school district on its career academies. Students sometimes arrive at college thinking they want to pursue a particular career, but once they delve into it, they discover it’s not what they expected.

Career academies give students greater insight into what they may encounter, he said. They also can help students develop skills that give them a leg up on the competition when they enter the work force.

Published March 12, 2014

Planners gearing up for Memorial Day parade

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Plans are in the works for a Memorial Day parade in Land O’ Lakes that will snake past the Baldomero Lopez Memorial Veterans Nursing Home at 6919 Parkway Blvd.

The parade will be on May 26 beginning at 8 a.m.. It will start at Dupree Lakes Boulevard, off Collier Parkway, and end just past the nursing home.

The Knights of Columbus Assembly 2741 and Council 8104 are organizing the parade, which is in its inaugural year.

Bob Barbero, co-chairman of the parade, said he hopes there will be enough interest to have the parade annually. At this point, organizers are looking for individuals, groups and organizations that want to take part.

So far, there are two high school bands and a middle school band that have signed on, and a couple classic car clubs are interested. Some floats are planned, and politicians have been invited. Already, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco is expected to take part.

Barbero said it would be great if veteran organizations, school bands and other types of clubs and organizations want to join the parade. Anyone wishing to drive a vehicle in the parade will be asked to pay a nominal charge.

“Any monies that we raise over and above the cost of the parade will go to the homeless,” Barbero said, mentioning that those donations would be made through the sheriff’s office.

The parade is to honor men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, Barbero said. By staging it near the veterans’ nursing home, the hope is that residents there will be able to enjoy the parade.

The parade also will help raise awareness regarding the Knights of Columbus, Barbero said. The group is a Catholic fraternal benefit society that was founded in New Haven, Conn., in 1882. The organization’s founding principles are charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.

There are currently 1.8 million members in more than 14,000 councils worldwide.

Barbero’s council is affiliated with Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Land O’ Lakes.

For additional information on the parade, call Barbero at (813) 995-2736, or email him at .

Published March 12, 2014

Providing food, clothing, hope is Daystar’s mission

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The workers in this place are downright cheerful. They poke fun at one another, with gentle affection.

They get along so famously that one might think they’d work there for free — and, indeed all of them do, except for Sister Jean Abbott, who oversees Daystar Hope Center of Pasco County Inc.

Volunteer Lorraine Tedder says she grew up with 10 sisters and three brothers. Her family was poor and the nuns at her Catholic school gave them clothing after school. (Photo by B.C. Manion)
Volunteer Lorraine Tedder says she grew up with 10 sisters and three brothers. Her family was poor and the nuns at her Catholic school gave them clothing after school. (Photo by B.C. Manion)

The center provides food and clothing for those in need. It got its start more than 20 years ago as an outreach of St. Rita’s Catholic Church, Abbott said. At the time, Sister Helen Wilxman was teaching religion classes to the young children, and realized the youngsters were too hungry to pay attention to the lessons, Abbott said.

So, Wilxman received permission from the pastor to set up a food pantry. As time went on, the pantry needed more room, so it moved to a new locale, and its volunteers moved along with it.

Just last week, the center celebrated its 20th year of operation as a Florida nonprofit corporation. Over the years, Daystar had a couple of temporary homes before moving to its current location, a humble building at 15512 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

“We’re here five days a week,” Abbott said, adding the store opens at 8 p.m., but they’re there until 1 p.m.

In the back of the building, there’s an office where people needing help register for assistance and receive slips of paper that entitle them to food, clothing and household items, Abbott said.

“If they’re hungry, we don’t care if they’re documented or not,” Abbott said, adding the center will provide food.

In the past, the center occasionally has helped people who needed assistance with rent or utility bills, to pay for prescriptions, or get a car repair, but it can’t do that now, Abbott said.

“Right now, we’re only doing food and items from the thrift shop,” Abbott said. The center is buying so much food, it has to stick with its primary mission.

Those meeting income requirements receive food and clothing vouchers, said Abbott, who is affiliated with the Benedictine Sisters of Florida. Those needing clothing can shop at the thrift store, choosing four complete outfits for each family member.

“They can get shoes and they can get jackets,” she said. “They can come back every three months for clothing. It works out well for people with children.”

Some people need household items, too.

“Some are coming out of a shelter and they need dishes and silverware and sheets and all that stuff,” Abbott said.

The thrift store receives donations, and it sells items to the public to help raise money for Daystar’s operations. The charity also receives food from Feeding America Tampa Bay-Suncoast Branch, from the government, and from other sources, which it distributes to those who qualify for assistance.

Before it became Daystar, the building was a furniture store, Abbott said. That’s why it has so much floor space and large delivery doors. After the organization scraped together enough money for a down payment, a couple made a donation to cover the rest of the purchase, Abbott said. Then, volunteers swarmed in, to renovate the building.

That was in 1996.

Donors have been generous in other ways, as well.

“All day long, people are dropping stuff off,” Abbott said. “People have food drives and clothing drives for us, too. We have mobile home parks that do drives for us. Most of the schools do drives for us. Businesses do drives for us, from time to time, depending on how the economy is.”

But the types of people who donate can be surprising sometimes.

“It’s interesting, though, is the most help we get is from the people who have the least because they know what’s it’s like not to have,” Abbott said. “We get a huge amount of food from Pasco Elementary. They do contests in classrooms.”

Some people lug donations in, then do a bit of shopping on the way out.

The volunteers keep things running. Some have been at it for up to 19 years. Helpers like Pat Gessert live in Florida just during the winter. Others have lived in the area for decades.

John Shoppa, who helps out in the food pantry, said he enjoys volunteering.

“This is kind of payback for all of the good things,” he said said.

Lorraine Tedder, who is about to turn 80, has volunteered for 19 years.

“I love it,” Tedder said. “My husband passed away, and I decided there’s no use sitting around home.”

She also recalls being on the receiving end of help when she was young.

“I came from a large family,” she said. “I had 10 sisters and three brothers. We were poor. We used to go to Catholic school and sister would keep us after school and used to give me clothing.”

Volunteer Deborah Smithberger is there every day.

“My husband and I had donated to Daystar, and I was a frequent shopper,” she said. One day, she decided to help out. She’s been doing that for a year.

“It makes you feel like you’re giving back to the community. I never knew what that meant until I started volunteering,” Smithberger said.

Isabel Wirth, who manages the shop, said helping out is rewarding. She recalled how she got involved.

“My husband had passed. I used to go to mass every day,” Wirth said. “Sister Helen would say, ‘Isabel, come one day.’ I came because she wouldn’t get off my back. I said, ‘I’m going to give you one day a week. That was 14 years ago.”

Now, she works five days a week.

It isn’t just people who need food and clothing who find help at Daystar.

Wirth knows this from personal experience. When she was reeling from the loss of her husband, getting involved at Daystar helped her get back on track.

“It was kind of my savior at the time,” Wirth said.

Published Feb. 26, 2014.

Torch arrives in Wesley Chapel for Special Olympics

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The Winter Games in Sochi have ended, but a different set of Olympic athletes are gearing up for opening ceremonies in Wesley Chapel this week.

There are many activities those who participate in Special Olympics can take part in every year, like bowling. Sam Whitacre, left, Stephanie Varnes and Andy Faulk from Wesley Chapel High School are among those students who compete at the lanes. (Photo courtesy of Bridget White)
There are many activities those who participate in Special Olympics can take part in every year, like bowling. Sam Whitacre, left, Stephanie Varnes and Andy Faulk from Wesley Chapel High School are among those students who compete at the lanes. (Photo courtesy of Bridget White)

Special Olympics competitors in a variety of sports are expected to participate in the Pasco County Summer Games on Friday at Wesley Chapel High School. The games are affiliated with Special Olympics Florida, the state’s chapter of Special Olympics Inc., which organizes athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Florida’s counties and regions host local games, with winners advancing to state, national or even international competitions.

Wesley Chapel will host athletes from Central and East Pasco County. West Pasco athletes will participate in games at River Ridge High School in New Port Richey.

Wesley Chapel High is ready for the games to begin, said Bridget White, a special education teacher and one of the school’s coordinators for the Special Olympics.

“We feel very honored to host this type of event, and we just love that it keeps getting bigger and bigger every year,” she said. The school has hosted the Summer Games for at least the past four years, and it expects around 475 athletes to participate this year.

That’s a big jump from when the Special Olympics first started in Pasco County decades ago, according to county co-director Valerie Lundin. In 1975, the local Special Olympics had just 175 athletes.

Between the two locations for the Summer Games this year, more than 1,100 athletes are expected to participate, and total attendance at Wesley Chapel High alone could top 1,000 when factoring in family, volunteers and other spectators. The high school was chosen to host the games due to its ability to accommodate the crowds and the buses, which bring students in from different schools.

After the opening ceremonies, athletes will start competing in the different sports represented in the Summer Games: track and field, bocce, soccer skills, cycling and tennis. There also will be an Olympic Village, with games and activities for the athletes and their friends to enjoy while they wait to compete.

While event winners will earn ribbons, it’s not necessarily the end of the competition for any of the athletes, regardless of their finish. Each competitor in the county games is allowed to participate in the area games, which includes athletes from Pasco, Pinellas, Citrus, Sumter and Hernando counties. From there, only qualifiers will move on to state competition.

The Special Olympics always has a great turnout of volunteers and supporters to help the event succeed and cheer on the participants, White said. And for the athletes, it’s a chance for them to enjoy the spotlight and showcase their skills.

“It’s an opportunity for our kids with disabilities to have something that’s all about them and that’s catered to them,” she said. “So instead of going to their brothers and sisters’ events all the time, they get to come to their events and they get to be the superstar.”

While the Special Olympics is able to consistently promote awareness and celebrate the skills of their student-athletes, Lundin would like to see the organization attract more adult participants as well. Athletes of any age are welcome.

“I know there are a lot of adults in Pasco County who qualify but are not participating at this time, and we’d love to really focus on that population and getting them more involved,” she said.

The opening ceremonies begin at 11:30 a.m., Friday at the school, located at 30651 Wells Road. The event is free and open to the public, with concessions available. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics.

For more information regarding the Summer Games or to inquire about participation, visit SpecialOlympicsFlorida.org, or call (352) 243-9536.

Published Feb. 26, 2014.

Artificial turf moves big step closer at Wesley Chapel park

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Although the move is controversial, a Tampa company is expected to take on the planned artificial turf expansion project at Wesley Chapel District Park that is expected to cost just under $1.9 million.

Grass would help ease the overcrowding at Wesley Chapel District Park, one Pasco County commissioner says, but artificial turf fields — which could attract tourism dollars — are likely on the way instead. (File photo)
Grass would help ease the overcrowding at Wesley Chapel District Park, one Pasco County commissioner says, but artificial turf fields — which could attract tourism dollars — are likely on the way instead. (File photo)

If accepted by the Pasco County Commission, Mainstay Construction Services will build two artificial turf fields in Wesley Chapel, each spanning 81,000 square feet, and also will construct additional parking areas. The commission was expected to make a final decision at its Feb. 25 meeting, after The Laker/Lutz News went to press.

The artificial fields are intended to help bring some additional tourism dollars to the county by making the Wesley Chapel fields more attractive to regional or even national tournaments, Ed Caum, who works in the county’s office of tourist development, told commissioners last October.

“I cannot market grass fields,” he said at the time. “We have had field problems out there before for overuse.”

Some people who have used Wesley Chapel District Park, located just off Boyette Road, have complained about overcrowding and the need to build more fields. Some have even started traveling farther away to play soccer and other sports in places such as Zephyrhills.

Commissioner Jack Mariano highlighted those problems in October, suggesting the county look to serve local demands first before seeking to attract teams from elsewhere.

“They would rather have five grass fields than two artificial fields,” Mariano said at the time.

When the project was first put to bid last year, only one company — QGS Development Inc., of Lithia — responded, and they priced it $500,000 over budget. County Administrator Michele Baker, however, felt the request the county sent out was too broad, and that re-bidding it would get them closer to their budget.

Six companies responded this time, with QGS staying close to its original $2.2 million bid, higher than everyone else. The lowest bid actually came from JCT Development of Dunedin. However, the company was disqualified after failing to submit necessary final paperwork on bonding.

None of the bids came from Pasco County companies. Bids also came in from companies based in St. Petersburg, Atlantic Beach and St. Augustine.

Work could begin as early as late spring.

Published Feb. 26, 2014.

Why I write this column

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As regular readers of this paper know, I write an occasional column on topics that I hope you will relate to.

There have been columns about my children as they graduate from high school and college, fall in love and marry. Columns about brothers and sisters whose bonds grow stronger the older we get. Columns about dogs, why we love them and how hard it is to say goodbye.

I write these musing not to impart on you my personal history, but because I hope that sharing my stories give you a bridge to reflect on something similar in your life that allow my words to touch your heart.

While I mostly write about matters of the heart, at times I comment on my role as publisher of The Laker/Lutz News. Writing a column gives me a forum to congratulate and recognize my staff when they receive awards for writing and design, to thank employees for years of service, and to boast when our annual audit reports that our readership scores are better than the year before and top industry norms.

A few weeks back, I deviated from these themes and used my column to explain why we did not cover the shooting at Cobb Theatres/Grove 16 & CineBistro in Wesley Chapel — the story everyone was talking about in our community and across the country.

I wrote that it was not our role to regurgitate news that had been covered by other news outlets 24/7. I said there was little we could add to the discussion of what happened and why, that we all felt horrible that this shooting happened in our community, and because it did, it felt especially personal and haunting.

This column must have resonated with readers because I have received more feedback from it than I have any other column. People still stop me weeks later while I’m out to lunch and at chamber of commerce events to tell me how much they agreed with our decision not to add to the chatter.

And we even got some written response. One reader emailed a few days after the column published with this message:

“Put me down for agreeing with you to give limited coverage to the Cobb shooting.  You are entirely correct in stating everything that could be said has already been said.  While I don’t say that we should keep our heads in the sand regarding local ‘problems,’ I prefer to read basically all the good and local events happening in my backyard.”

This past week I received a handwritten note from a reader in Lutz.

“Please know how much it meant to our family that you and your staff elected not to run a story on the horrible tragedy that occurred at the Cobb theater. On behalf of our family, who has also been greatly impacted by this tragedy, we thank you. It is not only the Oulson family that is suffering; many families were impacted by this. I just appreciate the fact that you all let other stories take the place of this incident.”

Just as I try to touch readers’ hearts with my column, you touched my heart that you care so much about how we cover (and apparently don’t cover) the news to reach out to me with personal notes and comments.

It gives me confidence about the direction we take with our news coverage. Some days I wonder if our focus on mostly positive stories about people in our community who do amazing things pursuing their hobbies and helping their neighbors is really what you want to read.

Some days I wonder if we’re disappointing you by not reporting more on fatal traffic accidents and who was arrested over the weekend. But then I write a column like the one on the Cobb shooting, and I only hear positive comments.  And I check out our news rack at the Publix close to my home on Saturday morning and see that the 200 papers we dropped there Wednesday are all gone.

And I feel good and confident that we are doing a lot of things right, and that you value and appreciate what we do.

Published Feb. 26, 2014.

School district uses surveys to gauge progress

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Superintendent Kurt Browning plans to use annual surveys by the Gallup organization to help gauge the progress of Pasco County Schools.

The district’s school board in February heard a review of the Gallup Student Poll and the employee engagement survey findings in February, and according to the Gallup report, the district’s results were in the same ballpark as national findings.

Since the surveys had not been taken before, they will serve as a baseline.

Browning said he expects next year’s results to be interesting, because the district will be using the same survey tools. But even this year’s results are helpful, Browning said. They help the district to see, “Where are we doing well? Where are we not doing so well?”

It’s important to have an outside party take an objective look at the district, using statistically valid survey tools, Browning said.

School board member Joanne Hurley agrees. She said the surveys can help the district address areas needing improvement with the goal of helping students perform better academically and be better prepared for life beyond school.

Gallup is an internationally respected company, Browning said. The district’s contract with the company runs through September. The cost of the student and school-based surveys and analyses was $125,000. The district spent $19,000 more on a district office staff survey.

Browning anticipates an extension of the district’s contract with Gallup, but those details have not yet been worked out.

Gallup’s student poll measures indicators of future success, the superintendent said.

“I keep saying that we’re concerned about the success of our kids not only through high school, but after high school,” Browning said.

The Gallup Student Poll is a 20-question survey that measures the hope, engagement, and well-being of students in grades five through 12. Gallup defines hope as ideas and energy for the future; engagement as involvement with and enthusiasm for school; and well-being as how people think about and experience their lives.

The survey company said hope, engagement and well-being can be measured and are linked to student achievement, retention and future employment.

The Gallup Student Poll was conducted online in Pasco County Schools during the school day from Oct. 15 through Oct 31, with 31,740 students completing the survey.

District students’ results showed scores of 52 percent in the hope category; 53 percent in engagement; and 63 percent in well-being.

That compares to average results nationwide of 54 percent for hope; 55 for engagement; and, 66 percent for well-being.

“When you look at district overall results (for students), they look very similar to U.S. overall data,” Tim Hodges, director of research for Gallup, told school board members, according to a district release.

The staff survey measures factors that are critical to creating an environment that serves students, said assistant superintendent Amelia Larson.

The employee engagement survey measured attitudes that correspond with the most successful work places, based on more than four decades of research by Gallup.

The survey measured employee engagement, which Gallup defines as involvement with and enthusiasm for work.

Gallup used a 12-question employee survey to measure employee engagement.

The research company says an employee’s level of engagement links to employee retention, parent engagement, student retention, student achievement and other outcomes.

The employee engagement survey was conducted online in Pasco County Schools, from Nov. 15 through Nov. 22 and also Jan. 13 through Jan. 17 of this year, with 3,896 employees taking part. That represents a 79 percent response rate.

The results show that 26 percent of the school district’s employees are engaged in their jobs, compared to 30 percent of U.S. workers. Fifty-three district employees are not engaged, compared to 52 percent of workers nationally; and 21 percent of district employees are actively disengaged, compared to 18 percent of U.S. workers.

Looking only at district-level staff, 33 percent are engaged; 56 percent are not engaged and 11 percent are disengaged.

During the school board workshop, Hodges told the board, “to look at the rest of the U.S. working population, this is what we tend to see as a starting point.”

“This is a valuable tool for our administration,” Hurley said. “I think there is just a treasure trove of information contained within the Gallup results.”

School board member Steve Luikart agreed that the survey will be useful.

“Any feedback is always good. I do congratulate them on doing that,” he said. “I know it’s going to be used to get the temperature in different areas – how people feel and what people think.”

Teachers are facing huge challenges, Larson said.

“We want to keep track of student engagement,” Larson said. “We really are facing a crisis in education. Now, kids have every type of information available to them 24/7. The kids are not willing to wait (for instruction), so the teachers cannot wait” to deliver it, she said.

The district already has made some leadership changes at places such as Connerton Elementary and Sunlake High schools, which apparently are making a difference, Larson said.

New River Elementary School also is on an upswing, she said.

“That is like a well-oiled machine,” Larson said. “It scored a 65 percent engagement rating. You can really tell when you walk in there.”

Strategies that are being used at schools with high engagement ratings may be shared with schools that do not fare as well, Larson said. There also may be some coaching to help schools perform better, she said.

Published Feb. 26, 2014.