The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Lutz News

Pasco board approves apartment zoning in Lutz

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning on North Dale Mabry Highway, near the Pasco County line, in Lutz, for an apartment development next to an existing Target store.

The approved rezoning will allow up to 238 multi-family units to replace commercial entitlements on about 9 acres.

The rezoning also changes the name of the development from Dale Mabry Town Center to Arlington Dale Mabry master-planned development.

The site is on the southeast side of Dale Mabry Highway approximately one-half mile south of the Dale Mabry Highway/U.S. 41 intersection. It is adjacent to Hillsborough County to the south.

The existing site has a Target and a bank, but the remaining commercial portion had been undeveloped.

Attorney Clarke Hobby, representing the applicant, said it had remained undeveloped for about 17 years because there were restrictions in place prohibiting all sorts of commercial uses that may have developed — had those restrictions not been in place.

The land was zoned for commercial, but is designated on the county’s long-range land for up to six residential units per acre.

The site has remained undeveloped because there have been significant restrictions for the types of commercial allowed on the site, Hobby said.

Those restrictions prohibit gas stations, bars, liquor stores, hotels, secondhand stores, car dealerships, bowling alleys, movie theaters, vet offices, massage clinics, schools and technical schools, and there’s a severe limitation on restaurants.

That’s the reason the site has been vacant for so many years and has become a place where semi-trailer trucks park and people dump mattresses, wooden pallets, tires and other items, based on photographs that Hobby provided to the county board.

Taxes weren’t paid on the property for eight years; it was almost lost to a tax deed sale and the lender foreclosed on the site in 2015, Hobby said.

The county also brought a code enforcement lawsuit against the property, the attorney added.

“The only realistic use is multifamily,” Hobby said. “This fills in an area that needs some productive use.

“This is clearly a good, economically viable use and is going to be the first time the site has been in any type of productive use since at least 2005,” Hobby said.

The request had previously been brought to the board, but was put on hold for additional study after commissioners Jack Mariano and Mike Moore questioned the wisdom of swapping out commercial land — which can generate jobs — for more apartments.

But after Hobby told board members about the restrictions that had been imposed on commercial uses, Mariano said he had a better understanding of the situation.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey said: “This is a great improvement over what we have going on, there.”

She said the satellite photograph shows 11 semi-trailer trucks that are likely illegally parked on the property.

No one from the public spoke for or against the request.

The board rezoned the property on a 5-0 vote.

Published August 17, 2022

Idlewild Baptist Church hosts teacher celebration gala

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From left: Wiregrass Elementary teachers Amy Wright and Danielle Bockus, pose with musical guest Gabriela Shephard. (Courtesy of Idlewild Baptist Church)

Idlewild Baptist Church wanted to give teachers a fresh start to the 2022-2023 by expressing the church’s appreciation for them at its first-ever Teacher Celebration Gala.

Teachers from the Pasco and Hillsborough public school districts were invited to the church for an evening of refreshment, relaxation and fun, according to a news release from the church, which is located at 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd., in Lutz.

When teachers walked down a red carpet, on July 30, they were greeted with enthusiasm and smiles, the release notes.

The teachers also could take advantage of photo booths, as well as enjoy a meal served by more than 50 Idlewild church member volunteers, the release adds.

Senior Pastor Ken Whitten gave the teachers a warm welcome and reminisced about a teacher who had played a special role in his life.

After dinner, there were drawings for prizes — such as teacher supplies, an ice-cream social, teacher lunches and various gift cards, a dinner for two at Bern’s, a beach weekend getaway and other prizes provided by sponsors.

Then, the teachers were treated to a comedy show by comedian Jonnie W.

Other highlights included live music, closing remarks and a prayer over the teachers by Dr. Edgar Aponte, the global missions pastor.

The evening concluded with desserts with chocolate fountains, specialty-made coffee, and a spread of hors d’oeuvres after the presentation.

Published August 17, 2022

Newberger shares name, legacy with Lutz

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Just like the road that bears his family’s name, Carl Newberger’s life cut a path through Lutz.

Born to one of the original Lutz Pioneer families, Carl and his brother, Calvin, were the community’s first set of twins.

Newberger attended Lutz Elementary and later served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War. He played an instrumental role in the building of Tims Memorial Church in Lutz, where he served as a deacon.

Carl Newberger

He died on July 4 at the age of 94.

Newberger embedded himself in community life, said his daughter, Tina Hevel.

“He was always constantly busy doing something. He was never the type of guy to just sit around, and I think that’s pretty evident with his involvement in the Lutz community,” she said.

He was active in the local Boy Scouts, serving as a troop leader for years. He enjoyed bowling, taking part in The Odd Couples at Royal Lanes. He played softball, too.

He was an avid outdoorsman, and enjoyed hunting and fishing for most of his life. He competed in shooting tournaments and was a member of the Florida Highway Patrol Auxiliary.

His name comes up several times in the local history book, “Sawmills, Citrus, Critters and Crackers: Life in Early Lutz,” by Elizabeth Riegler MacManus and Susan MacManus.

He and his brother, Calvin, were part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony when the former Vernon Road, a sand trail, was paved in the 1930s and turned into what is now known as Lutz Lake Fern Road. The twin boys rode in a Model T flatbed truck, holding little American flags at the ceremony, the local history book recounts.

The book also shares the story about Newberger attempting, but ultimately failing, to rescue a 7-year-old boy who drowned near First United Methodist Church of Lutz.

After being involved in Lutz for decades, Newberger retired from a 30-year career with Anheuser-Busch and moved to Webster, Wisconsin, in 1993.

Carl Newberger and his brother, Calvin, seen here as infants with his family in 1927, were the first set of twins born in Lutz. (Courtesy of ‘Sawmills, Citrus, Critters and Crackers: Life in Early Lutz’/Susan MacManus)

Although he has passed on, the name Newberger will live on in Lutz, thanks to the road that has existed since the late 1800s.

Originally, it was a dirt trail that led to the residence of Wolfgang and Mary Newberger, Carl’s great grandparents.

Briefly it was renamed Feinsinger Road, after other early settlers of the area. But it reverted back to Newberger Road to honor longtime lawman and former Tampa Chief of Police Fred Newberger.

“We’re very proud of that road,” Hevel added.

A Celebration of Life Ceremony for Newberger is scheduled on Aug. 13 at 11 a.m., at Lutz Community Church, 601 Sunset Lane, in Lutz, the same one he helped to build back when it was Tims Memorial.

His family expects several members of the community to be there, and possibly they will share stories.

It won’t be a depressing affair, his daughter said.

“We’re going to have an uplifting ceremony. Because that’s who he was. He had funny stories, so it’s not going to be all depressing and what not. We’re going to celebrate my dad’s life, much of it that was here in Lutz.”

She added: “My cousin, Barry (Newberger), who was Calvin’s son, will have even more stories to tell at the ceremony. That’s just who Carl, and Calvin, were — always involved in something.”

Carl is survived by his wife, Suzanne; his daughter, Tina Hevel and Robert Hardy; his granddaughter, Jessica Vickery and Jason Vickery; great-granddaughter, Bella Vickery; and his first wife, Phyllis Newberger, and his stepson, Pete Okins.

His survivors also include several nieces and nephews in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes.

Carl Newberger Celebration of Life
When: Aug. 13, 11 a.m.
Where: Lutz Community Church, 601 Sunset Lane

Published August 10, 2022

7-Eleven approved off U.S. 41 in Lutz

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The Hillsborough County Commission has approved a rezoning request to allow a 7-Eleven at 18601 N. U.S. 41, which is north of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Sunset Lane, in Lutz.

The request came despite opposition from a nearby resident, from representatives of the Lutz Civic Association, the Lutz Citizens Coalition and from a professional planner representing opponents.

The application found support, however, from planners with the county and with the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission, as well as a recommendation for approval from Land Use Hearing Officer Susan Finch.

The county board voted 7-0 to approve the request at its July 26 meeting.

Previously, the board had remanded the application for further review.

The request the board sent back included a proposed car wash as part of the application.

That caused some commissioners to question whether a septic system would be capable of handling the discharge from the car wash.

They said they were concerned because of the area’s lakes, private wells and wetlands.

They asked staff to have the county’s Department of Environmental Protection take a closer look at that issue.

In supporting the remand, Commissioner Mariella Smith said the hearing can explore other issues, too.

“I would not have it limited,” she said, noting that citizens are free to discuss other topics, such as light pollution and compatibility.

In response to concerns, the applicant, RKM, dropped the car wash request.

It also agreed to restrictions on exterior lighting that exceed the county’s code, Cami Corbett, attorney for RKM said.

During the county board’s July 26 hearing, opponents reiterated many of the concerns they raised during previous public hearings.

They challenged the project’s compatibility, cited potential for negative impacts on the areas wetlands and expressed concerns about the potential loss of habitat for wildlife.

Susan Guess raised concerns about a loss of refuge for the area’s animals and birds.

She also asked the board to consider the impact on an existing gas station in the area.

“Blessings (the gas station) has been in our neighborhood for almost 30 years,” Guess said. “They provide a good service to our community. They care about our community. This prospective 7-Eleven store will definitely put them out of business,” she said.

She asked the board to reject the rezoning request.

Daryl Max Forgey, a planning consultant representing the opponents, said the request is not consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan.

Sam Calco, of the Lutz Citizens Coalition, said the meeting should be continued because there was no signage on the property announcing the meeting. Signs had been posted for previous hearings, he said.

Jay Muffly, of the Lutz Civic Association, began to address his concerns about impacts from potential runoff from the new convenience store — but his remarks were cut short because the 10-minute for opposition testimony ran out.

Muffly asked why there was a 10-minute limit, instead of 15 minutes.

He was informed that’s the limit set by county code.

Corbett told county board members that the proposed gas station is a modern building, designed specifically to fit within the character of Lutz.

The request complies with both the Lutz Community Plan and the county’s comprehensive plan, she said.

She also noted it is within the node that’s specifically designated for neighborhood commercial development within the Lutz Community Plan.

The wetlands on the site turned out to be larger than initially believed, so her client purchased additional land to ensure there are no negative impacts, Corbett said.

She presented two experts to address issues raised regarding potential environmental impacts.

Corbett also disputed Calco’s claim regarding insufficient public notice and the opponents’ planning consultant’s contention that the request is contrary to the county’s comprehensive plan.

The county board approved the request without comment, except for some observations by Board Chairwoman Kim Overman.

Overman noted: “This is sort of in-between two urban areas,” with the city of Tampa to the south and more developed areas leading to Pasco County, to the north.

“This is U.S. 41. This is a U.S. highway that runs through the middle of this area where commercial development has been encouraged as part of the commercial plan,” she said.

Published August 03, 2022

Finding literary inspiration in history, family

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All J.C. Kato needed was for someone to ask the question.

And, as it turns out, that person was her daughter.

Kato, who goes by J.C., had ruminated on and tinkered with a manuscript for years, but eventually she tucked it away.

That story, which became the book, “Finding Moon Rabbit,” is a fictionalized account that traces the story of Kato’s husband’s family and their time incarcerated in Japanese internment camps during World War II.

J.C. Kato, left, and her daughter, Jennifer Kato, or JC2, worked together to write ‘Finding Moon Rabbit,’ a fictional account of a Japanese-American family held in an internment camp at Heart Mountain in Wyoming, and deeply inspired by the Kato family’s ancestors, specifically the family of J.C.’s husband, Denny, who is JC2’s father. (Mike Camunas)

This year marks the 80th anniversary incarceration of people of Japanese descent. More than 120,000 people were taken by bus or train to 15 assembly centers of temporary lodging and then, eventually, Relocation Camps.

It was a story she knew by heart and one she felt needed to be told, but J.C. could never get it right on paper.

“I’d been nurturing this manuscript for a while,” said J.C., who lives in Lutz. “It was kind of born out of my husband’s family; 13 members were incarcerated, but they never talked about it. Once I had kids, I wanted them to have some idea of what happened, and through the years, I’d take it out, work on it, put it back.

“Then, the instances of violence against Asian Americans kept happening more frequently. That’s when my daughter said, ‘Mom, where’s your manuscript?’”

Her daughter, Jennifer Kato, who became co-author on the book, was referring to the horrific surge in violence against people of any Asian descent.

The violence has stemmed from a belief by some that Asians were somehow to blame for COVID-19, which is documented to have originated in China.

Jennifer, who experienced some of that hostility through non-violent incidents, couldn’t help but see the parallels between the modern-day discrimination and the treatment of Asian Americans during WWII.

“These past several years, especially during COVID, was just this mass increase in hatred toward Asian Americans. It seemed very familiar to what we had heard happened years ago during World War II. It just blew my mind that what happened more than 70 years ago — we’re still talking about,” said Jennifer, who goes by the pen name, JC2.

“It was scary during COVID and seeing that happening to Asian Americans,” said JC2

The book is historical fiction, but it is deeply inspired by the Kato family’s ancestors, specifically J.C.’s husband and JC2’s father, Denny.

The story traces the life of a Japanese-American family held in an internment camp at Heart Mountain in Wyoming. It is told from the point of view of the family’s youngest daughter, Koko. Her story begins when she arrives at Heart Mountain, which according to the ‘Heart Mountain Sentinel,’ was Aug. 12, 1942.

“Since the first evacuee set foot in Wyoming’s newest and now third largest city back on the morning of Aug. 12, a great change has come over the community of Heart Mountain,” wrote the publication in January 1943.

As a Yonsei, or fourth-generation Japanese American, JC2 felt passionately about sharing this close-to-the-heart message.

“I feel Koko’s story is about renewing hope, and I think any kid, no matter their race, will connect to Koko,” she said.

J.C. is a Hakujin, or Japanese for a white person. For her, this is a story she not only married into, but also has experienced in her family — seeing the change in attitude all three of her Japanese-American children are facing.

Over time, not only did she learn more from Denny, but took the time to immerse herself in the rich Japanese history, including the dark times of World War II.

It’s why she and Denny made the pilgrimage to Heart Mountain: to understand what those terrible times in internment camps were like.

“I chose Heart Mountain because my husband’s family weren’t at that camp, to be respectful,” she said. “I didn’t want my family to think I was writing about them, and I’m not. It is a fictional story, but one that has everything someone like Koko would’ve faced, and that was important to tell that story.”

The book was released in late June.

The mother-daughter team debuted “Finding Moon Rabbit” at the Children’s Book Fair at Oxford Exchange in downtown Tampa on June 4, and sold every copy. Even though the book is geared toward the young adult audience, the authors feel anyone can relate to the main character and the story.

“One librarian said she would suggest it to kids, as young as third-graders,” J.C. said. “It’s about Girl Scouts, too, because (Koko) wants to be a Girl Scout, but she doesn’t follow the rules very well. Any kid, or reader who used to be a kid, can relate to that.”

“(The) favorite question of children is ‘Why?’” JC2 added, “and that’s what she (Koko) asks the whole book: ‘Why? Why do I have to follow these rules?’ That’s going to speak to a lot of people.”

The JCs said it was a passion project to finish the manuscript and publish the book.

“It was very important to me, in my mind, to refresh everyone on what happened to my family and what is happening again,” JC2 said. “It was a way to connect to them and to understand, even now in modern day, what they went through.”

J.C. agrees with her daughter, whom she credits for propelling the project forward.

“The book definitely would not have been published, let alone finished or taken back out, if Jennifer hadn’t come forward,” J.C. said. “When she contributed, it made all the difference. When we were editing and taking out passages, she would go, ‘Why?! Why did this happen?!’ Just like Koko. She brought along a lot of the angst that I don’t have because this story, the message, the telling of what happened and is happening, is closer to her heart.

“She brought Koko’s heart to the book.”

Finding Moon Rabbit
Tagline: A war. A camp. A girl. A letter.
Authors: J.C. Kato and JC2 (Jennifer Kato)
Cost: Hardcover $19.99; Paperback $14.99
Details: This fictional account is based on the story of one Japanese American family held in an internment camp at Heart Mountain in Wyoming, as told from the point of view of the family’s youngest daughter, Koko.
To purchase Finding Moon Rabbit, visit FindingMoonRabbit.com. The book also is available on Amazon.

Published July 27, 2022

Lutz Branch Library recruiting ‘friends’ of the library

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The Friends of the Lutz Branch Library are back in action collecting your used books and providing an array of affordably priced books for your reading pleasure, according to a news release from the group.

The group also offers many children’s books and a dedicated bookshelf to support home-schoolers.

The Friends, as they are known, were inactive because of the COVID-19 pandemic and also on hiatus during the six-month renovation of the library.

(File)

The library is open again and The Friends have organized and stocked the Book Depot with a diverse collection of hundreds of donated books ready for patrons, the release says.

The Lutz Friends of the Library was formed in 2000 by Helen Swisshelm, its first president and Hillsborough County Library Board member from 1990-2005.

The Friends of the Library is a nonprofit group, with members who have a passion for books and the betterment of the local community.

Funds raised from book sales are used to sponsor programs and events at the Lutz Branch Library.

If you’d like to help, you can visit the Book Depot and make a purchase, donate books for the store, become a member of the Lutz Friends chapter, make a donation, and spread the word by telling your friends and liking their Facebook page.

You also can provide the Friends with feedback via a Patron Survey found on the Book Depot door. The group is volunteer- based and anyone can join.

If you’d like to find out more, stop by the Lutz Branch Library, at 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, in Lutz.

Atlas shrugs off competition, becomes Lutz Guv’na

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Talk about your power couple.

Raising nearly $12,000, Atlas Cortecero became the 2022 Lutz Guv’na after the town’s annual Independence Day Parade.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Lutz Train Depot, in front of the Lutz Branch Library, near the corner of Lutz Lake Fern Road and U.S. 41.

Cortecero follows in the steps of his wife, Michele Northrup, the 2007 Guv’na. She’s now assuming the title of First Woman of Lutz.

Atlas Cortecero holds up the big key and wears the sash for becoming the 2022 Lutz Guv’na after raising nearly $12,000 in donations. (Courtesy of Lutz Guv’na Committee)

“We are the first married couple to both hold the office of Guv’na,” said Northrup, also known as The Saucy Queen because of her local hot sauce business. “(Campaigning for Atlas) was so much fun, but we noticed that everyone wanted to pitch in, whether it be small or large. Everyone wanted to give to the community. It was so heartwarming to see Lutz come together.”

Cortecero, who was born and raised in São Paulo/Brazil, added: “You have no idea how much fun (running for Guv’na) was. The parade was so much fun, being able to march in front of the General Lee we rented and just wave the American flag.

“It was a beautiful parade and a beautiful welcome to becoming Guv’na,” said Cortecero, who claimed the title by a narrow margin.

He raised $11,919.11. David Penzer, another candidate, brought in $11,024 and Stacee Campbell, the third candidate, hauled in $2,135.96.

The grand total of $25,079.07 will support local charities and other nonprofit organizations.

“The goal of Guv’na for all these years is to bring people together,” Cortecero said. “I think the main thing is to get the money to the people of Lutz, for it to stay in the community and help this community,” he said.

Cortecero’s total is believed to be the third most raised in the history of the Guv’na race, just behind 2004 Guv’na, the late Dean Rivett, who raised $12,452.

The most ever raised? Nearly $17,000 by none other than the current First Lady of Lutz, Northrup.

The race, which started in 1991, is sponsored by the Lutz Civic Association and raises several thousand dollars for about 20 Lutz nonprofit beneficiaries.

Prior to 1991, the race was sponsored by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s club. Candidates earmark 10% of what he or she raises to the Lutz charitable organization of his or her choice.

One of Cortecero’s campaign promises was to use proceeds raised for renovations to the Old Lutz School House.

He intends to keep that promise.

“The door, you look at it — almost all of (the school house) — is in disrepair,” he said. “Of all the charities, the one that needs it the most is the schoolhouse.”

Penzer plans to donate his 10% to the GFWC, while Campbell is giving her 10% to Lutz Softball.

Guv’na Committee members said candidates hit the campaign trail hard this year, certainly looking to make up for the lack of fundraising when COVID shut down those events, as well as the parade.

Because of the hiatus, Amy Lancaster, the 2019 Guv’na, held on to the honorary title for more than two years.

“I think that everyone is just ready to get back to it — it’s part of the community; it’s tradition,” Guv’na Committee’s Stephanie Ensor, who won the title in 2010, told The Laker/Lutz News in May. “It means a lot to a lot of people, and to the candidates, who do it to raise money for charities, nonprofits and the community.”

Cortecero hosted several fundraising events at local businesses such as Chicago’s Best Burgers, Station House BBQ and Auzalu’s Artisan Market & Pottery Studio. He also sold nearly 50 “Atlas For Guv’na” shirts, as well as discount cards that can be used at several Lutz businesses. Cortecero also auctioned off several items throughout the campaign, including a puppy that was donated to him from Lutz breeder, Brooklyn’s Boxer, and quickly raised $500.

Campbell, owner of Lutz Scoops, gave away free ice cream with any Guv’na donation, sold Lutz merchandise and also held donation events at Station House BBQ and Chicago’s Best Burgers.

Penzer, a real estate agent, wrestling announcer and longtime resident of Heritage Harbor neighborhood, held several events, including a bingo night, a putting contest and cornhole tournament, and live music fundraisers at Double Bogey’s Tavern and Grill.

In the end, though, it was Cortecero who celebrated by donning the Lutz Guv’na sash.

“You know, it’s funny. When someone wins (the Super Bowl), they say, ‘I’m going to Disney World!’” Northrup said. “When we found out he won, I was like, ‘You know where you really need to go because they were such a big supporter.’”

“I’m going to Station House BBQ,” he said.

Published July 13, 2022

This story was revised on July 13, 2022.

Fourth of July weekend offers activities for all ages

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The Lutz’s Fourth of July Parade drew an enthusiastic crowd.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue’s Engine 24 gets an escort from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s motorcycle patrol, at the beginning of the 2022 Lutz Fourth of July Parade. (Fred Bellet)

“It was wonderful, of course,” said Jennifer Rankin, parade chairwoman.

“After two years of not being there —  I’m sure we messed up somewhere. I’m sure we forgot something, somewhere — but at the end of the day, everybody had smiles on their faces and I heard wonderful reviews from people,” she said.

Emma and Evelyn Fiedler, of Land O’ Lakes, keep a sharp eye on the approaching parade as Alex Campion, 12, of Odessa captures some video from the front row at the Lutz Fourth of July Parade.

“Some people had to cancel at the last minute, due to either heat or sicknesses.

But people stayed upbeat and volunteers kept things running smoothly.

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club had invaluable helpers, she said.

“There were tons of them there, making sure to direct things. If there were problems, (they were right there) getting on top of it,” she said.

Overall, she continued: “We had a great turnout.

The Lutz Chiefs Cheer team float rounds a turn on the parade route.

“People stuck around to hear the results of the parade and who won what trophies.

“People stuck around to see who won the Guv’na.

“And, people went inside and auctioned on the cake,” she said.

Five-year-old Sade Stice lets out a long yawn, while waving her flag as the parade approached up Lake Lutz Fern Road. The little girl from Lutz was with her mom, Jessica Stice and her 8-year-old brother, Reed, watching the parade. They sat at the corner of Lutz Lake Fern Road and Second Street N.W.

While Zephyrhills dealt with rain, Lutz endured heat.

“It was hot. It was very hot,” Rankin said.

She had a great time.

“I’m ready for next year, already,” Rankin said.

In Zephyrhills, the weather wasn’t exactly cooperative on July 2, during the early part of Summerfest in Zephyrhills.

Some folks didn’t let the drizzling rain — or periodic downpours — deter them from attending the free family friendly event. They came out to Zephyr Park to check out what the food trucks had to offer, to listen to music, and during the evening to watch fireworks over the lake.

While the weather put a damper on the early part of the event, when the weather cleared the crowd picked up, according to Kevin Tucker, event manager and marketing manager for Florida Penguin Productions.

By the time the fireworks went off, he estimated that about 3,000 people had turned out to watch the show.

“Our events are rain or shine. We pushed through and the community loved it,” Tucker said, via email, characterizing the festival as “a great event.”

Published July 13, 2022

The entrance to the Zephyrhills Summerfest at Zephyr Park was a puddle-jumper’s delight during the early part of the July 2 event.
Twelve-year-old Lulu Bell, a Blue Heeler Australian Cattle Dog, wore a patriotic necklace as he tries to go one way and owner Jason Aiken, of Zephyrhills, goes the other way. The patriotic pooch and owner checked out the vendors at the Zephyrhills Summerfest, on July 2, at Zephyr Park.
Customers duck under the cover of an umbrella to escape the rain. Tonya Neely, left, and daughter, Faith, purchase fare sold by Shawn Anderson, at The Wok.

Tax Collector’s branch office making temporary move

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The current office of the Pasco County Tax Collector’s on Pet Lane in Lutz has temporarily relocated for renovations.

The move took effect on July 11.

The tax collector’s office will be operating temporarily at 4614 Pet Lane, Suite 109, in Lutz — just one building away from its normal location.

The improvements being done are intended to allow the office to better serve the community, according to a news release from the tax collector’s office.

Additional service windows and more seating in the lobby area will make the office more comfortable for our customers.

“We are excited to be able to undertake these changes to our Wesley Chapel office,” Tax Collector Mike Fasano, said in the release. “Our goal as an organization is to make a visit to our office as easy and as simple as possible. With the changes we will be making that goal will be possible each time our customers enter our office. Our temporary location will literally be in the building next door to our current location. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.”

The remodeling is expected to be completed by Oct. 31.

During this time, the office will continue to offer most services that it has been offering at that location, with the exception of concealed weapons permits and all written testing.

Those services will be offered at other tax collector office locations in the county.

For more information, call 352-521-4338, 727-847-8032 or 813-235-6076.

Published July 13, 2022

Lutz parade back with a bang

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The excitement is palpable — like waiting for a firework to illuminate the night sky.

The annual Lutz Fourth of July Celebration and Parade is back on. Following a two-year COVID pandemic hiatus, the little town in northern Hillsborough County is ready to celebrate independence, and its citizens, once again.

“We sure hope everyone is excited for it to be back,” said Jennifer Rankin, this year’s parade organizer. “Because everyone (behind the scenes), who are helping and putting it together — that’s all I see, and they’re super excited for it. I also see everyone posting on Facebook or online about their excitement, so we just hope — for all the people involved and who have spent so much time and work to put it together — that everyone is just as excited as we are for it to be back.”
Back in 2020, with the pandemic raging, businesses closed, and severe mask and six-foot rules in effect, organizers deemed it too risky to host the event that’s been going on for more than 75 years. Last year, too many of these hurdles still remained.

The annual Lutz Fourth of July Parade, seen here in 2018, has been on a two-year hiatus due to COVID-related concerns. However, this year’s edition is back on and ready to feature more than 40 floats from local businesses and organizations, the 5K race, the cake contest and the return of the Guv’na announcement. (File)

Now, the parade, the 5K and mile fun run, the cake contest and, of course, the Guv’na Race all are back in full force.

This year’s parade, Rankin said, should feature more than 40 floats. She even expects several new floats, as a popular Fourth of July parade in Brandon was canceled and many from that might join the Lutz parade.

“I know that we’ll get at least seven more floats because I’m one of them that still needs to sign up,” Rankin said with a laugh and referring to her business, Al’s Lawn Care Products and Services.

Rankin herself is most excited for the cake contest to return, as she says the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Women’s Club takes all the cakes and auctions them off to help fund the parade and the nonprofits.

“A lot of people meander off and don’t see the cakes because of the parade,” she added, “but that’s my favorite part of the whole day!”

The parade also will include widely known local organizations, such as the Little Women of Lutz, the Lutz Civic Association, Boy Scout Troop 12 and the North Tampa Lutz Cadet Squadron. Local businesses, churches, law enforcement agencies, schools, military organizations, politicians and more also will be in attendance, several of them with floats coming down Lutz Lake Fern Road and ending at the Lutz Junction Train Depot, in front of Lutz Branch Library.

The annual Lutz Fourth of July Parade ends here at the Lutz Junction Train Depot, at the corner of Lutz Lake Fern Road and U.S. 41. It’s here that the newest Lutz Guv’na will be announced from candidates Atlas Cortecero, David Penzer and Stacee Campbell. (Mike Camunas)

Also back are the candidates for the honorary Lutz Guv’na, one of whom will be replacing current Guv’na Amy Lancaster, who has held “office” for two years now.

Candidates Atlas Cortecero, David Penzer and Stacee Campbell have been hitting the campaign trail hard, looking to raise the most money and earn that coveted Guv’na sash.

“All the candidates have done more events so far than I have ever seen done in past years,” said Rankin, who was the 2015 Guv’na. “I think they are so excited to be around people, to do stuff, and each one of them is having a crazy amount of events and a crazy amount of people turning up for them.

“As a former Guv, I would get down in the dumps if not many people came to one of my fundraisers, but the turnouts (to theirs) have been incredible.”

Rankin said adding the parade back into the mix not only has helped the Guv’na race, but goes back to benefiting those who really matter: local nonprofits and charities.

Which is why she also feels the parade could be one of the best ever.

“You don’t realize how much it hurts (the nonprofits and charities) by not having (the parade and the Guv’na Race) the past two years,” she said. “Because some really need it, like the Old Schoolhouse, which needs new windows and gates, and termite treatment. Or the Civil Air Patrol or the Girl and Boy Scouts. This year all of them could receive more (contributions) than ever, and it’s all because everything that makes Lutz Lutz, is finally back.”

Annual Lutz Fourth of July Parade
Where: Corner of Lutz Lake Fern Road and U.S. 41
When: July 4, with festivities starting at 7:15 a.m., the 5K starting at 8 a.m., and the parade at 10 a.m.
Details: A parade featuring floats, antique cars, fire trucks, sheriff’s patrol cars, local organizations, a cake contest and announcement of the 2022 Lutz Guv’na.
Info: Visit tinyurl.com/ywjx2da4.

Other events

Starkey Market’s Annual Fourth of July Extravaganza
Where: 3460 Starkey Blvd., New Port Richey
When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Details: A family friendly evening of fun, food, fireworks, music. Bring your own chairs and blankets to enjoy a space in the huge open field. Children ages 6 and younger get free admission, and limited tickets are available.
Cost: $10-$25
Info/tickets: Visit tinyurl.com/bdh9vjs7.

Seventh Annual Zephyrhills Summerfest: An Independence Day Celebration
Where: Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave.
When: July 2, noon to 9:30 p.m.
Details: A daylong festival featuring food and drink vendors, local merchants, and fireworks at dark.
Info: Call 727-674-1464.

Fourth of July Celebration at Avalon Park
Where: 33613 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel
When: July 4, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Details: Patriotic bake-off, bike parade, bounce houses, food trucks, community performances, vendors and more, before fireworks at 9 p.m.
Info: Visit AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com, or call 813-783-1515.

Fourth of July Bash!
Where: Plantation Palms, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
When: July 2, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Details: Live music, and food and drink specials, at the neighborhood clubhouse and restaurant, Mulligan’s. Prizes for most patriotic dressed.
Info: Visit Facebook.com/PPgolfclub.

Published June 29, 2022