The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Lutz News

Bargain-hunters flock to the annual Lutz flea market

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The Fabulous Flea Market, hosted by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, will offer patrons plenty of choices.

Collectibles are popular items at the annual flea market hosted at the Old Lutz School, in Lutz. This year’s event is scheduled for March 6 and March 7. (File)

The event will be held at the Old Lutz School at 18819 U.S. 41 in Lutz, and is set for March 6 and March 7, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.

Classrooms will be stocked with items, including home décor, books, clothing, jewelry, linens, kitchen ware and appliances.

Outdoors, tents will house more items, such as seasonal decorations, florals, tools, children’s items and shoes.

Furniture will be sold, too.

If you’re hungry, you can indulge in items from a food booth, including various baked goods.

The local Woman’s Club, also known as the “Green Shirt Ladies,” will use proceeds toward causes that benefit the community.

For further information, call Pat Serio at (813) 948-4752, or visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org.

Fabulous Flea Market
When: March 6 and March 7, both from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41, Lutz
Cost: Free admission; items for sale
Details: The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club is filling the indoors and outdoors of the school with various appliances, clothes and collectibles for the public to purchase.
Info: call Pat Serio at (813) 948-4752 or visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org.

Published March 4, 2020

U.S. 41 getting new look and feel

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Portions of U.S. 41 soon will be repaved, or will have new landscaping, on the corridor, which runs through Lutz and Land O’ Lakes.

In Land O’ Lakes, resurfacing will be done on U.S. 41, to give motorists a smoother ride between Ehren Cutoff and Caliente Boulevard.

New trees, shrubs and groundcover are being installed at the apex where U.S. 41 and North Florida Avenue split. The $500,000 project will create a more inviting entry, as motorists head into Lutz or Tampa, depending which way they are driving. (Brian Fernandes)

Repaving began last summer and includes both sides of the four-lane stretch – divided by a median.

The $2.5-million project also includes a sidewalk on the west side of U.S. 41, where it intersects with Lake Bambi Circle and Gator Lane.

It also incorporates a shared use path along the east side of U.S. 41, where it intersects with Caliente Boulevard and Carriker Road.

Plans also call for minor drainage modifications.

Roadwork is occurring during the day and evening, with lane closures.

The Lutz project involves new landscaping at the apex of U.S. 41 and North Florida Avenue, to create a more inviting entry into Lutz or Tampa, depending which way you are driving.

The $500,000 project began in January.

New landscaping is being installed in the medians, which includes native trees, palms, shrubs and groundcover, surrounded by decorative wood fencing.

Both projects are scheduled to be completed by spring.

Published February 19, 2020

Learning to live with Lewy Body

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Although Lewy Body Dementia has no known cure, identifying its symptoms and employing specific techniques can heighten a patient’s safety.

Gary Joseph LeBlanc, a public speaker for the Dementia Spotlight Foundation, provided an educational presentation on Feb. 5 about the disease at Atria Lutz, an assisted living facility.

Lewy Body Dementia is one of several diseases that inflicts dementia upon people, causing brain degeneration and memory loss.

The Atria Lutz assisted living facility offers a memory care program for its residents who may be dealing with dementia. (Brian Fernandes)

It’s the second most progressive form of dementia, behind Alzheimer’s disease, affecting 1.4 million Americans, according to the Lewy Body Dementia Association.

The condition occurs when protein deposits, called Lewy bodies, build up in the brain.

These areas of the brain regulate behavior, cognition and movement.

The dementia is named after Frederich H. Lewy, a neurologist who discovered the protein deposits in the brain in the early 1900s.

“When these people get to the end of these diseases – their brain is not going to tell their organs how to function anymore,” LeBlanc said.

There are instances when Lewy Body can be underdiagnosed because it shares some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, he said.

Lewy Body and Alzheimer’s both bring about cognitive or memory disorders.

However, Lewy Body affects cognition as it relates to problem solving and complex reasoning.

Alzheimer’s on the other hand affects cognition as it relates to making new experiences into memories.

The symptoms of Lewy Body and Parkinson’s are a hunched posture, stiff muscles, a shuffling walk and trouble initiating movement.

Those who experience dementia within one year of Parkinson’s symptoms are typically diagnosed with Lewy Body.

But, when Parkinson’s symptoms go into effect after a year, patients are usually diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

Other symptoms of Lewy Body include:

  • Declined thinking or reasoning
  • Confusion that varies from day to day
  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions
  • Sleep disturbances

Another symptom associated with Lewy Body is called sundowning, where one becomes more confused or agitated during the afternoon or later in the evening.

It is best to keep individuals who exhibit signs of sundowning productive during the earlier part of the day, LeBlanc said.

Not recognizing faces or surroundings, can cause a patient to experience anxiety.

Signs of such anxiety can include sweaty hands or feet, shortness of breath or heart palpitations.

“If your loved one is tossing and turning, the chances are this is probably all anxiety-related,” LeBlanc said. “If we can control anxiety and depression, [you’re] going to see a whole new patient out of this person.”

Physicians can provide the necessary medications for these symptoms, he said.

The speaker also explained the term ‘elopement,’ which is when a patient wanders away from a safe environment.

That person will typically steer in the direction of their dominant hand, LeBlanc explained.

“If not found in 72 hours, the survival rate is down by 20%,” he said.

The File for Life packet is used in these situations or when a patient is found unconscious in their home.

File for Life is a magnetic pouch where important documents can be placed and put on the refrigerator.

It may provide helpful information to law enforcement, firefighters or search parties about a patient, when lost.

There also are methods that can be beneficial to the patient.

LeBlanc also touched on using redirection to divert a patient’s attention when they are upset. Giving them an activity, such as folding clothes, or showing them old photos to help spark memories, can be helpful.

Setting a routine is important, too, he said.

Daily meals at a specific time at the same location can help keep a patient on track and can help reduce anxiety.

He also recommends keeping the patient social by going outdoors, and he said it’s good to speak to them daily.

However, do not bombard him or her with long sentences, he said. Break them down one small sentence at a time, so the patient can better comprehend what you’re trying to convey, LeBlanc said.

At times, a patient might do some mental time traveling, where he or she believes they’re in a past time or place in their life.

It’s good to explain to that individual what the current date is, but don’t force the issue, LeBlanc said.

Sometimes you have to acclimate to the patient’s reality.

“If the facts don’t matter to him or her, they should not matter to us,” LeBlanc said.

When addressing a patient, it’s more effective to say “we” as opposed to “you,” he added. That helps the patient to view a task as a team effort, which tends to result in a greater likelihood of cooperation.

For more information on this disease, visit the Lewy Body Dementia Association at LBDA.org.

Published February 12, 2020

Bay Area singer shows opera in a different light

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As a singer, Tatiana Kallmann embraces a not-so-mainstream music genre – pop- opera.

Known also as crossover music, this style fuses modern-day pop songs with classical opera pieces dating back hundreds of years.

The soprano will share this type of music at the Unity North Tampa, on Dec. 23, a church which she has attended, and where she has performed previously.

Tatiana Kallmann enjoys fusing pop music with opera. The soprano singer has graced many stages with her unique sound. (Courtesy of Tatiana Kallmann)

Kallmann, a Colombia native, grew up in a musical household in Tampa.

“My parents do listen to a lot of music. My father is definitely a huge lover of music – different genres, so I listened from classical to rock. Different genres that exposed me to a wider range of musical styles, which maybe other children may not have been exposed to,” she said.

The environment helped her love of music to flourish.

At an early age, Kallmann became intrigued with opera after hearing her best friend sing “Ave Maria,” by the composer Schubert.

“It was very pristine,” she recalled. “I was like, ‘Wow, what is that?’

“I had never heard operatic singing or classical singing before.”

Along the way, the singer said she’s been influenced by Whitney Houston, Lady Gaga, Andrea Bocelli and Adele.

However, hearing pop-opera songs by Sarah Brightman made her want to perform them.

Her voice instructor encouraged her to pursue singing at Blake High School, a magnet school for the performing arts in Tampa.

Next, she received her bachelor’s degree at Florida State University, majoring in music.

She briefly returned to Colombia to record her crossover songs, but it was a decade-long stay in Europe that helped her develop her vocal style.

While there, she received training in Italy, Austria and Switzerland, but the bulk of her additional studies was in Germany.

She was selected in the fall of 2010, from among hundreds of applicants, to become part of the “Opernschule,” in Mannheim University of the Performing Arts in Mannheim, Germany. There, she completed her graduate studies and received a master’s degree in vocal performance.

In Europe, she invoked an emotional response from audiences, whether in a theater or a restaurant, she said.

“I love to feel that I’m having a positive impact on people’s lives,” Kallmann   added. “I really believe that singing is for our well-being – very therapeutic.”

She also became an instructor there and led her own vocal studio.

She worked with inexperienced singers, teaching them not only to sing, but to have confidence while they performed.

Kallmann describes herself as an avant-garde and entrepreneurial opera singer, who has developed an interactive pop-opera performance act.

She typically relies solely on the power of her voice during performances, without the aid of microphones, instruments or sound boards.

That contrasts, she said, to the typical approach.

“Nowadays most productions that are done, they’re done with a lot of tuning. Any piece you hear on the radio is full of auto-tune,” she said.

She’s not opposed to using technology, but she believes it is important for performances to feature the live, natural voice of the singer.

In addition to performing, Kallmann handles her own promotions.

She uses platforms such as Spotify, YouTube, iTunes, Instagram and her website to expose others to her work.

Going forward into 2020, she plans on performing at large venues and also to seek notoriety by performing on television shows.

She also wants to release records that crossover electronic dance music with opera.

As this year winds to a close, she will be performing a pop-opera Christmas concert at Unity North Tampa Church, 19520 Holly Lane in Lutz.

The concert, scheduled for Dec. 23 at 7 p.m., will feature notable Christmas carols. Admission is $25 at the door.

For more information, call (813) 948-4884. To purchase tickets, visit TatianaKallmann.com.

Pop-opera Christmas concert
When: Dec. 23 at 7 p.m.
Where: Unity North Tampa church, 19520 Holly Lane, Lutz
Cost: $25 per ticket at door; Online tickets: $20 a ticket in advance; a $40-VIP ticket for preferred seating and to receive two signed CDs. Free admission for those under age 18.
Details: Pop-opera singer, Tatiana Kallmann, a soprano, will perform numerous Christmas carols.
Info: Call (813) 948-4884. To purchase tickets, visit TatianaKallmann.com.

Published December 18, 2019

Lutz Arts & Crafts Show offers unique gift selections

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The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club has been busy prepping for the 40th annual Juried Arts & Crafts Holiday Show, which features hundreds of vendors offering gift selections.

Jim Murray, of Geneva, stirs this giant kettle as the intense heat rapidly pops kernels into kettle corn, during a previous arts and craft show. (File)

The annual event draws vendors from all over the country, and is the club’s biggest fundraiser of the year. It also draws shoppers who make the event an annual tradition, in their quest to find just the right gift for someone on their holiday list.

Over the years, the show has grown and changed locations — but it has always served as an important way for the club to raise money to support local scholarships and other causes.

The show is a big hit with families because it provides an outing to a festive holiday venue.

Items that will be sold include handcrafted jewelry, original artwork, photography, woodcrafts and metalwork, candles, soaps, plants and yard art.

The event will be Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Keystone Prep High School, 18105 Gunn Highway in Odessa. There’s a $5 charge for parking, which benefits the school. There is no admission charge.

Vendors also have the opportunity to win cash prizes and ribbons in a juried show.

For more information, email .

40th annual Juried Arts & Crafts Holiday Show
Where: Keystone Prep High School, 18105 Gunn Highway in Odessa
When: Dec. 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Dec. 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free admission; parking $5 (Parking fee benefits the school)
Details: Over 300 vendors will be offering shoppers myriad options for unique holiday gifts and handcrafted items.
Info: Call the arts and crafts show director at (813) 833-3962.

Published December 04, 2019

Drop by the Old Lutz School for holiday fun

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Workers were as busy as Santa’s elves on a recent weekend morning getting everything ready for the 23rd annual Christmas at the Old Lutz School.

Members of The Citizens for the Old Lutz School Building organize volunteers who dress up the iconic community building for the holidays each year.

Patty Denison said she volunteered to help decorate the Old Lutz School for its annual Christmas display. She said her husband, Clifford C. Denison, who has had a stroke, is always proud when she tells him she’s heading to the school to help out. (B.C. Manion)

Then, the organization hosts several evenings each holiday season — inviting both young and old to come out and tour the building, which has a Georgian architectural style and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Rooms inside the school are decked with holiday trees, trains chugging through miniature villages, a nutcracker collection, and other seasonal decor. This year, a large display of Lego blocks has been added.

Outdoors, visitors can enjoy more holiday decorations, and can watch movies and live performances in an entertainment tent.

Those dropping by can also enjoy free cookies, hot cocoa and coffee, said Stephanie Ensor, who helps organize the volunteers who help transform the old school into a Christmas house.

All of the evening activities are free of charge, although donations of nonperishable foods and new toys are accepted, to help families in need.

There’s also a breakfast with Santa, scheduled for Dec. 14, when Santa will be there from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. For $4, children will be served a donut and juice, and will get some tickets for craft activities. Other foods also will be available for purchase.

During that same event, the school will be open, so visitors can peruse items in its museum, and can check out the holiday handiwork.

Of course, getting everything ready for the festivities requires a fair amount of work.

This year’s volunteer crew includes longtime Lutz residents, members of Citizens for the Old Lutz School, and students from Land O’ Lakes Academy, and Steinbrenner and Freedom high schools.

Jason Burkett and his daughter, Gabrielle, were busy setting up Legos at the Old Lutz Schoolhouse, to help decorate it for the holidays. An estimated 28,000 Lego blocks will be part of the display.

One recent weekend, a group of youths was busy assembling the entertainment tent.

“We’ll light it up, raise it up, get it all decorated,” Ensor said.

“Every night we’ll have a little bit of something going on in the tent,” she added.

Some volunteers, including Wally Hoedt, have helped get the annual season event ready since the tradition began, nearly a quarter-century ago.

Hoedt meticulously lays out nine train tracks, which run through displays set up around them.

He, and others, enjoys sharing their handiwork.

“It we did it at home, nobody would enjoy them (the displays),” he said. At the school, however, “a lot of people get to enjoy what we do,” Hoedt said.

Annie Fernandez, who was born in Lutz, enjoys pitching in, too. She, Helen Cantrell and Patty Denison were busy arranging wreaths and other seasonal décor inside the schoolhouse.

Jason Burkett, and his daughter, Gabrielle — are new helpers this year.

Burkett visited the display last year and saw a small Lego display.

He told one of the volunteers that he had a collection of Legos and could contribute to the display, if they needed help.

He got a call in September, asking him if he would still like to help, and immediately went to work, assembling parts of the display.

He figures the display he is setting up at the school is made up of about 28,000 pieces.

One end of the display features a Star Wars theme, and the other end features stores and holiday scenes.

Ben Nevel, chairman of Citizens for the Old Lutz School Building, said he’s pleased that volunteers step up to help create the annual holiday tradition.

It’s a favorite spot for families to bring their children, and for community members who want to catch up with old friends.

“Community is where we started as a country,” Nevel said. “To continue that 200 years later is what it’s about.”

Entertainment is still being lined up, so groups or individuals who want to offer musical entertainment are invited to get involved.

To volunteer as entertainment, or for any additional information, email , or call (813) 244-2256.

Have breakfast with Santa, and crafts for the kids
Where: Old Lutz School, 18819 N. U.S. 41
When: Dec. 14, 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Cost: $4

Christmas at the Old Lutz School
Where: Old Lutz School, 18819 N. U.S. 41
When: From 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 10, Dec. 12, Dec. 14, Dec. 17, Dec. 19, Dec. 20, Dec. 21, Dec. 26 and Dec. 27.
Details: The historic schoolhouse will be open to the public for its viewing pleasure, and there will be performances in an outdoor entertainment tent.
Cost: Admission is free, but barrels will be there to collect nonperishable food items and new toys for families in need.
Info: Facebook.com/oldlutzschool/

Published December 04, 2019

A ‘peanut’ roundabout on Van Dyke Road?

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Hillsborough County is proposing a $40 million project to ease traffic congestion on Van Dyke Road in Lutz.

The project is expected to begin construction in late 2022, and be completed by late 2024.

Now in its planning phase, the proposed project calls for widening Van Dyke Road from two lanes to four lanes, in a 2-mile stretch from Whirley Road to the Suncoast Parkway.

The ‘peanut’ roundabout, as shown on this rendering, would help motorists make smoother turns off Van Dyke Road. The design also aims to keep traffic moving continuously. (Courtesy of Chris Wilkerson of Hillsborough County)

The plan also implements a divided median, as well as providing easier intersection turns for motorists.

To achieve the easier turns, the county plans to construct three new roundabouts on Van Dyke.

The roundabouts would make it easier to get off Van Dyke Road, and would keep the traffic flow on Van Dyke moving at a steady pace.

Chris Wilkerson, senior media relations strategist for Hillsborough County, said the roundabouts would “dramatically reduce fatalities” for motorists turning off of Van Dyke Road.

Two roundabouts would be placed at Van Dyke Road’s intersections with Lake Reflections Boulevard and Darby Lane, respectively.

Darby Lane, connecting with Van Dyke Road’s south end, turns into Lake Reflections Boulevard, on the road’s north end.

A third roundabout would be built at the intersection with the Grace Family Church entrance.

All three roundabouts would form into what is known as a “peanut” design.

This configuration has a long width to better facilitate entry points that are farther apart.

If it is constructed, it would be the first of its kind in the state, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

The proposal also calls for pedestrian-bicycle paths running along the north end and south end of Van Dyke Road.

A shared-use trail connection would link the Upper Tampa Bay Trail to the Northdale Lake Park Trail.

Potential detours and road closures cannot be determined yet, Wilkerson said.

Published November 27, 2019

Benefit to support Lutz cancer patient

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Bill Myers, of Lutz, has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer — and the community has come together to try to help him.

A benefit has been planned for Nov. 23 from noon to 6 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

There’s no admission charge for the event, which will feature musical performances, a variety of vendors and food vendors.

Several eateries will provide catered dishes that will be sold for voluntary donations.

Patrons, along with Bill, also can enjoy some cake, in recognition of Bill’s birthday – the previous day.

“He is a wonderful father and grandpa, and a good friend – to those lucky few – who get close enough to earn his trust and loyalty,” said Liz Myers, Bill’s wife.

There also will be T-shirts for sale and a silent auction.

Other highlights include a Zumba class and a bounce house, both being offered free of charge.

Paula O’ Neil, Pasco County’s former Circuit Court Clerk and Comptroller — who is a cancer survivor, will be the guest speaker for the fundraiser.

Santa Claus will be there, too, giving people a chance to have their photo taken with the jolly old fellow, for a voluntary donation.

Funds collected will go toward offsetting Bill’s medical expenses.

A GoFundMe page also eventually will be opened for contributions.

Anyone who would like to become a vendor, donate to the silent auction or have any inquiries, please contact Lillian Fontanez at (813) 551-7351 or .

Bill Myers’ cancer benefit
Where: Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
When: Nov. 23 from noon to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: A fundraiser will be held to offset the expenses for cancer patient, Bill Myers of Lutz.
Info: Contact Lillian Fontanez at (813) 551-7351 or .

Published November 20, 2019

Zen Den strives to increase inclusion

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Anna Melgaard couldn’t help but smile as she watched her son, Wayde, play in the Zen Den at Maniscalco K-8 School, a room designed for children who have sensory issues.

The first-grader has autism and found a place to have fun, while other students were out in the cafeteria celebrating the Lutz school’s Fall Ball event.

“The Zen Den is catered towards kids who have sensory issues,” said Daniella McClutchy, president of the school’s Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA).

The Zen Den creates a serene atmosphere at Maniscalco K-8 School, for students who have sensory sensitivities. It was unveiled on Oct. 25, during the school’s Fall Ball. (Brian Fernandes)

Based in a music room, the environment is a place of solace for special needs students who may be overwhelmed with too much noise.

The PTSA board realized it was hard for these students to be included in certain school events, McClutchy said. So, the board decided to take action — creating the Zen Den.

The term “Zen” refers to a form of meditation that aims to bring about a state of calmness.

The play space is intended to do just that.

It has an array of colors – from pillows of various shapes, chairs, blankets, bean bags and a matted floor.

It also has Legos, coloring sheets and headphones to block out the noise.

McClutchy noted that Maniscalco embraces diverse students, regardless of their limitations.

The Halloween-themed Fall Ball was the first time the Zen Den play space was implemented at the school.

At the Fall Ball, faculty members and parents accompanied students dressed in costumes to the school’s cafeteria, where there was dancing in the open space.

Some students needed a break from the large crowd and the lively tunes playing, so they headed to the Zen Den.

Tammy Reale, Maniscalco’s principal, said: “Some of them get very overwhelmed with noise, so that gives them the opportunity to step away, take a moment and then come back and be able to have fun with their peers.”

The school serves over 140 students with varying exceptionalities – those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities, Reale said.

Several classrooms cater to these students, including some students with autism spectrum disorder, which refers to a broad range of conditions that can cause significant social, communications and behavioral challenges.

The classrooms also incorporate a “safe place” or a “chill corner” for students to take a break and regroup before joining their fellow classmates.

Some of the faculty at the school have children there who have special needs.

Reale said that this is a “win-win” situation, because the teachers know how to educate and empathize with other parents with unique kids.

Melgaard is a math and science teacher at Maniscalco. She sees the challenges her 6-year-old son faces at school and at home.

“Just things that you wouldn’t normally think about, he struggles with all the time – making friends, talking to people, doing work, sitting in a seat,” she explained.

Melgaard said she was surprised when she heard that the PTSA board was going to introduce the Zen Den.

“It makes you feel like your child matters, because they’re doing things to show that they know that there’s kids that need more,” she said.

Other students without sensory issues also came into the Zen Den to have some fun, too.

It was a chance for Wayde to interact with other kids, and for those kids to better understand Wayde and others in his situation, Melgaard said.

There are plans to include the Zen Den in future school functions going forward, McClutchy noted.

“It’s something I’m so proud of, and it makes all the hard work worth it. It’s helping so many people on such a deeper level,” she said.

Published November 13, 2019

Bringing holiday cheer to those in need

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A ceremony was held at Keystone Community Church last week to bless the tent where people will be dropping off donations for the holidays.

The 9 a.m. event, on Nov. 7, was one of six tent blessings taking place simultaneously across Tampa Bay.

About three dozen people gathered at a tent blessing at Keystone Community Church in Lutz last week, to mark the kickoff of the effort to collect donations to help those in need. (B.C. Manion)

About three dozen people gathered at the Lutz event, which kicked off the joint effort of Keystone Community Church and First United Methodist Church to help bring joy to families in need, as part of Metropolitan Ministries’ annual holiday assistance program.

Pastor Kevin Grills, pastor at First United Methodist Church of Land O’ Lakes, presided over the tent blessing.

“The tent is up, so we are asking God’s blessing upon this community and what he would do through us as vehicles in bringing some of the bounty that he has blessed us with back into a community that needs it,” Grills said.

Kirsten Barton, director of corporate partnerships for Metropolitan Ministries, told those gathered that the holiday assistance program began when Rev. Morris E. Hintzman joined Metropolitan Ministries.

Families who received help throughout the year, asked if it would be possible to get a turkey for a traditional holiday meal and some toys for their children, Barton said. Metropolitan’s staff and the generosity of the community responded by providing turkey and toys for hundreds of families.

“Thirty-seven years later, we continue to do what we did back in 1982,” she said, and the ministry doesn’t just help people at the holidays, but provides year-round assistance to families in need.

“This year, with the help of our amazing partners, we will alleviate suffering and promote dignity for 18,000 families in Hillsborough, 5,000 families in Pinellas and 7,000 families here, in Pasco County,” she said.

Angela Hobson, chair of the tent effort at Keystone Community Church, talked about the history of her church’s involvement.

Pastor Kevin Grills, of First United Methodist Church of Land O’ Lakes, led a tent blessing at Keystone Community Church last week. It was one of six tent blessing events being held simultaneously across Tampa Bay.

“My first drive up to see this site that we were moving into is something I will never forget,” she said. “As I turned the corner onto (State Road) 54 and began to see the wide open lot that the church was sitting on, I clearly heard in my spirit: ‘Metropolitan Ministries tent,’” she said.

“I had no idea what I was doing, I just knew I had to move forward being obedient to that voice.

“We moved into the building in September and opened our first collection tent in November.

“The lesson I would learn from that one act of obedience has stayed with me and, over the years, it has grown my willingness to listen to God’s leading and to do what he says.

“Our obedience to him always, always, turns into a blessing for someone else.”

Debbie Gehlen, co-chair of the tent, said it hasn’t always been smooth sailing.

In December of 2016, for instance, the church’s trailer — which was about three-fourths full — was stolen.

When news spread about the theft, the community responded, she said.

“People collected in the community and showed up with checks.

“St. Timothy’s Catholic Church showed up with 600 bags of toys, and they were all marked with gender and age. We received a lot of baby equipment.

“We received an anonymous check one day, for the trailer,” she said.

“We were very upset at the time, but we were really happy with the outcome. It was truly a blessing in disguise,” Gehlen said.

Barton said Metropolitan Ministries is excited to continue its partnership with Keystone Community Church as a collection site, and to “enhance our reach in the area by partnering with First United Methodist Church of Land O’ Lakes, as a distribution point for the Holiday of Hope.”

Jill Swann, a member of First United Methodist of Land O’ Lakes, said, “when this opportunity for distribution came up, we were excited and we are ready to go. Distribution will be for the Pasco clients before Thanksgiving and before Christmas, and we hope to serve 500 families at each holiday.”

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore was at the tent blessing, as was Commissioner Jack Mariano.

Moore read a resolution approved by commissioners on Nov. 5, recognizing the efforts by the Keystone Community Church, the United Methodist Church of Land O’ Lakes and Metropolitan Ministries.

Others in the crowd included Summer Robertson, representing U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ office, and Sandy Graves, who is involved in a number of Land O’ Lakes and Central Pasco organizations.

Pastor Grills asked those gathered to form a big circle, hold hands and observe 2 minutes of silence to pray to God.

The pastor offered this prayer: “God of mercy, would you fill this space with your spirit, and create an atmosphere of help and healing. Bless those who come asking for help that they wish they did not need. Stir in our hearts and the hearts of those with plenty to give, a desire to do all that we can to ease the burden of others during this holiday season and throughout the year. Bless the gifts of time and work, food and toys and other supplies.

“In this time together, help us to focus not on ourselves, but on the mission you have for this ministry, to alleviate suffering, to promote dignity and to instill self-sufficiency.”

Want to help?
Tent hours at Keystone Community Church, 21010 State Road 54

  • Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.

Most needed items: Frozen turkeys and hams, cereal, yams, stuffing, gift cards, teen girl and boy gifts for Christmas (ages 13 to 17), and infant educational toys and gifts.

Volunteering opportunities in Pasco County:

  • Metropolitan Ministries Pasco, 3214 U.S. 19 N., Holiday
  • Keystone Community Church, 21010 State Road 54, Lutz
  • Calvary Assembly of God, 13544 U.S. Bypass, Dade City

To sign up to volunteer at all locations, visit Metromin.org/holiday-central/volunteer.

For information on group volunteering in Pasco County, contact Stacy Wyman at .

Published November 13, 2019