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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Tampa tool aims to reduce storm damage and protect people

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Hurricane season isn’t over yet — and the City of Tampa has launched a new digital tool to help keep residents and their properties safer, according to a city news release.

The database allows residents and builders to access life-saving and property-saving data, such as critical flood information, property warnings, potential building and insurance compliance requirements and other relevant information, the release says.

It’s even possible to view property elevation certificates through the new public portal.

Prior to this new digital tool, residents and builders had to go through countless pages of intricate property maps to find their individualized information. Now, they can simply visit Tampa.gov/floodinfo and plug in the property address, the release says. 

“Tampa is thinking long-term about our flood plain management and resilience work by investing in digital tools that will keep our residents and business owners safer,” JC Hudgison, chief building official for the city, said in the release. “Living in a coastal city, situated in one of the most active hurricane and tropical storm surge regions, it’s increasingly important for our residents to stay informed about their properties’ flood risk and take the steps they need to protect their assets.”

The new technology, produced by Forerunner, also enables the city’s construction services division to better manage its day-to-day workflows and its data.

The portal serves now as a centralized location for all property flood-related resources. Residents can also submit questions through the portal.

Visit Tampa.gov/floodinfo to get a better idea of what the new tool has to offer.

Published November 01, 2023

Attorneys sought for Judicial Nominating Commission seats

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The Florida Bar is seeking to fill one attorney vacancy for each of the 27 Judicial Nominating Commissions (JNC) across the state.

The organization can nominate three lawyers for each JNC vacancy for consideration by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who makes the appointments.

Each appointee will serve a four-year term, beginning July 1.

Applicants must be members of The Florida Bar, engaged in the practice of law and must live in the territorial jurisdiction served by the commission to which the member is applying.

Commissioners are not eligible for state judicial offices for vacancies filled by the JNC on which they sit for two years following their terms.

Applications are being accepted through the close of business on Dec. 15.

For more information, call the Florida Bar headquarters at 850-561-3127, or email .

Published November 01, 2023

Millhopping on down

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There are sinkholes in Florida — this is a given.

In fact, there’s the deepest ever, right over here in Land O’ Lakes. I should know. It sits behind my childhood home.

However, there are very few sinkholes in Florida — or anywhere else, for that matter — that are considered a tourist attraction. 

Devil’s Millhopper is a large, deep, cover-collapse sinkhole and there is a state park dedicated to seeing it and the rainforest nature that surrounds it. The sinkhole is 120 feet deep and was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974. (Mike Camunas)

That are a registered natural landmark.

But that’s exactly what the National Park Service has designated Devil’s Millhopper: a national natural landmark. The geological state park in northern Gainesville features a 120-foot deep, 500-foot wide sinkhole.

And, it actually is an ecological phenomenon, despite — or rather, thanks to — the Florida weather.

With its lush vegetation, extensive boardwalk and convenient proximity to San Felasco County Park and the San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park — a visit here is definitely worth the trip.

Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is only 71 acres, but has three distinct ecological environments. They are based on exposure to sun, fire and water, and give the park a ‘rainforest’ feel, especially because of the hammocks supporting broadleaf trees and low vegetation.

Deal with the devil
Once upon a time, according to the brochure, there was a beautiful Native American princess living near the present-day location of Devil’s Millhopper. And, of course, the Devil wanted to marry said princess, but she wasn’t having it.

So, he did what happens in every fairy tale: He kidnapped her. The braves of her tribe went all Super Mario to rescue the princess, but the Devil created the huge sinkhole for them to fall into.

The sinkhole is Devil’s Millhopper.

As the braves tried to climb out, the Devil turned them to stone (cue: sinister music) and, it is said, the water runoff into the sinkhole is from the tears those poor braves shed for the princess (cue: sad music).

Millhopper, for a time, was owned by the University of Florida Science Department and used as a research site for students. However, non-scientific students would also use it as a place to socialize and par-TAY, which led to litter, foot traffic and erosion problems.

The state purchased the site in 1974 and built the set of 236 wooden steps, along with boardwalks and an observation deck at the bottom to allow access for visitors without further soil erosion. 

The formation was designated a National Natural Landmark in that same year and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2017.

Devil’s Millhopper, located in north Gainesville, was purchased by the state in 1974. A set of 236 wooden steps, along with boardwalks and an observation deck at the bottom, were completed to allow access to the sink for visitors without further soil erosion.

Underneath the canopy
Even though the park is only 71 acres, three distinct ecological environments exist based on exposure to sun, fire and water, and thanks to a hammock canopy that is shaded by the broadleaf trees and low vegetation. Basically, it’s like a rainforest: moist and damp and lush, all year-round. The park also has sandhill and swamp environments.

Because of the cutaway of the sinkhole, it provides easily visible geological records of the area. Twelve springs, some more visible than others, work like small waterfalls and feed the pond at the bottom of the sinkhole. In the summer, the bottom is dramatically cooler than surface air and significant fossil deposits include shark teeth, marine shells and the fossilized remains of extinct animals.

The thin layer of soil at the top of the sinkhole has rocks and sediments from the Hawthorn Group, which is geologic formations of Late Oligocene to Pliocene Age in North Florida. Devil’s Millhopper is composed of dolostone, phosphatic sands and clay that were deposited during the Miocene Epoch, between 5.3 and 23 million years ago.

The Hawthorn Group is underlain by upper Eocene Ocala Limestone, which can be seen in the deepest part of the sinkhole. Ocala Limestone was deposited in a warm, shallow marine environment more than 34 million years ago, and that material is what the sinkhole dissolved.

Not bo(re)dwalk
Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park is not your typical park. There are no picnic areas or playgrounds and there’s only one circular trail, which throughout you are repeatedly reminded to stay on. That’s because it’s a Natural Landmark. That’s to keep the foot traffic down and erosion of the geological site from happening again.

Devil’s Millhopper, a 120-foot deep sinkhole in north Gainesville, was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974. It is maintained by the Florida State Parks system, a division of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The boardwalk down to an observation deck makes for wonderful views and pictures, if not also a very sweaty hike.

If it’s more hiking you’re looking for, check out San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park. It’s literally less than 10 minutes from the Millhopper and features 65 miles of hiking trails and even creeks.

Just do so after you pay a visit to the Devil … that is, if you dare.

Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park
Where: 4732 Millhopper Road, in Gainesville
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. The park is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Cost: $4 for parking
Details: An unexpected rainforest in a geological wonderland. This park offers patrons a chance to see a dry sinkhole that’s 120 feet deep down the steep slopes of the limestone.
Info: Visit floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/devils-millhopper-geological-state-park, or call 352-955-2008.

Published October 25, 2023

Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park has a small visitor’s center that includes a historical display that shows how sinkholes are formed.
Do as the sign says: Both Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park and San Felasco Hammock State Park ask very little of patrons, while giving them a chance to enjoy nature’s splendor.
The 71-acre Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park has a looping nature trail that includes a bridge and three distinct ecological environments.

Union leader says pay improvements in Pasco schools among best in state

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The leader of the United School Employees of Pasco (USEP) said the county’s school system could be held up as a model for other districts in the state — in terms of pay improvements for teachers and non-administrative personnel.

“We feel that this has been one of the better two-year salary improvements in the state. Thank you to the board for allowing us this opportunity,” Don Peace, USEP’s president said during the Pasco County School Board’s Oct. 17 meeting.

Improved pay for district bus drivers may be helping the district to turn the corner on the shortages. It still reported 27 vacancies last week, but had seven people enrolled in training, the largest number it had in a class in over two years. (Mike Camunas)

“Thanks also to the staff’s negotiating teams, negotiators and superintendent for allowing this to happen,” Peace added.

Peace reported that the negotiating teams for the district and the union have completed the negotiations process on economic issues early in the year for the second year in a row.

“We were able to come to terms on a 3.5% across-the-board increase for all qualified employees,” Peace said.

The settlement, coupled with proceeds from a voter-approved referendum stipend plus last year’s 5.4% increases, combined to create an average increase in compensation to instructional employees of 17.8% over the last 14 months, Peace said.

He characterized that as “an exceptional amount compared to other districts around the state.”

The district’s School Related Personnel, also known as SRPs, saw significant increases, too.

Voters approved a referendum to pay higher taxes to improve the pay for Pasco County Schools’ teachers and non-administrative personnel. The improvement in pay for teachers and school-related personnel over the past two years is among the best in Florida, according to Don Peace, president of United School Employees of Pasco. He thinks the Pasco district could become a model for other districts in the state. (File)

“All told, with the 8.9% average referendum money, combined with the newly negotiated 3.5%, along with last year’s increases, SRP employees have seen salary increases from anywhere from 17.3% to a staggering 41.4% over the last 14 months.” Peace said.

“The economic settlement also included long-awaited athletic and academic supplement increases as well,” Peace said.

As a former coach, he said he knows those supplement increases are long overdue.

“They haven’t been changed in probably 20-something years,” Peace said.

The district also agreed to cover higher costs for employee health insurance, agreed to pay increases to the Florida Retirement System benefits, and to cover the cost of fingerprinting employees. It also will pay a health and wellness incentive for qualified employees.

The district also agreed to preserve a fund to pay teachers who voluntarily give up a planning period to deliver instruction. That fund addresses the void created by a lack of qualified substitutes to teach those classes.

The district also has improved its pay for bus drivers, in its quest to address a shortage of drivers that has been felt across the nation.

Bus drivers and relief drivers each have been moved up a pay grade, plus they received a $1-an- hour wage increase negotiated earlier in the year and a return-to-work incentive due to bus drivers being deemed a critical shortage area.

Peace said that Kevin Shibley, assistant superintendent for administration, reported that improved pay had reduced the number of unfilled positions this year.

Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent of support services, said the district has 27 bus driver vacancies right now, which is an improvement over the past. She also said seven people are enrolled for bus driver training — the most the district has had in a single training class during the past two years.

Published October 25, 2023

A SHINE-y new paint job

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Tracey “Artist” Jones ended up painting a whole building.

Well, a ticketbooth, actually. But the 41-year-old Land O’ Lakes graphic designer, mom and artist was just glad her new mural in downtown St. Petersburg wasn’t higher off the ground.

Land O’ Lakes resident Tracey ‘Artist’ Jones works on her mural for the Ninth Annual SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival, in which her work of art is painted on all four walls of a closed PTSA ticketbooth at Williams Park, 350 Second Ave. N., in St. Petersburg. Jones’ artwork and 13 other artists and their murals will be on display all around downtown St. Petersburg, as through the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, SHINE has created nearly 150 murals throughout downtown and the surrounding arts districts since 2015. (Mike Camunas)

“I can’t believe they gave me a whole building, but they did!” Jones said. “I’m just glad it’s close to the ground because a lot of the other (artists), they’re going higher up than I had to!”

Jones was asked to paint a brand-new mural as part of the ninth annual SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival, which brings a diverse collection of public art from renowned local, national and international mural artists. During SHINE, 14 new murals, plus a series of Bright Spot community mural projects, were added to the art districts and surrounding neighborhoods of St. Petersburg’s downtown. The SHINE Mural Festival is an event of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, a nonprofit, 501(c)3 dedicated to advocating for the arts and driving arts-related economic impact.

Jones spent about 80 hours, finishing up on Oct. 20, painting a closed PTSA ticketbooth located in Williams Park, 350 Second Ave. N., in St. Petersburg. She painted over all four walls, incorporating bright colors, but also honoring African themes, such as Kente fabric patterns.

Her mural includes a portrait of John Donaldson, the first black man to own property in Pinellas County. Donaldson bought 40 acres of land on what is now 22nd Avenue S., between 31st and 34th streets S., for 90 cents an acre, according to a 1997 article in the then St. Petersburg Times.

Land O’ Lakes resident Tracey works on her SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival piece, which is on display at Williams Park in downtown St. Petersburg.

Jones said it was important to her to include some history in her newest mural, which is now her fifth in the Tampa Bay area. She has three others in Tampa and another at Brookwood Florida, a girls group home in Pinellas.

“With (one of the walls) facing the street, I knew I really needed to bring it,” Jones said. “I needed, and wanted, to make it so people want to get out of their car and take pictures of it and, hopefully, just cause some wows and surprises. Just the idea of all the fabric swatches all jumbled together I’m hoping is really attractive to people riding by.

“When I started it, I wanted to tell important stories, from history, and put it into my artwork — about the history we don’t learn much about,” Jones added. “John Donaldson was the first black man to be able to live in St. Pete, he was well-respected and his family was able to integrate because of that, so I just wanted to put in some history here that maybe was lost in St. Pete, so every day they’ll pass it and learn about the history and John.

“And I know, for sure, that it won’t be painted over.”

While SHINE has been adding murals to St. Petersburg for nearly a decade, Jones says most murals — and definitely hers — won’t be painted over. Murals bring a fresh look — and coat of paint — plus vibrance to the community, Jones said, adding she wished there were more public mural opportunities in the Central Pasco area.

“I would love that — to paint a mural in Land O’ Lakes or Lutz!” said Jones, who has been painting for about 10 years and whose work also is featured in galleries and restaurants. “I’m more connected to the Tampa and St. Pete art alliances, with there being a lot of opportunities in Tampa and St. Pete, so I would love to see Pasco’s grow and give us artists out that way opportunities to put up our art publicly like this.

Tracey ‘Artist’ Jones’ mural encompasses the PTSA ticketbooth at Williams Park, 350 Second Ave. N., in St. Petersburg.

“As far as I know, we don’t have those programs in Pasco, and I would love to see those, and our art, start popping up.”

Tracey “Artist” Jones’ Mural
Where: PTSA ticketbooth at Williams Park, 350 Second Ave. N., in St. Petersburg
Details: Returning for its ninth year, the SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival brings a diverse collection of public art from renowned local, national and international mural artists. During SHINE, 14 new murals plus a series of Bright Spot community mural projects will be added to the art districts and surrounding neighborhoods of St. Petersburg’s downtown. The SHINE Mural Festival is an event of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance, a nonprofit, 501(c)3 dedicated to advocating for the arts and driving arts-related economic impact.
For more information and the location of the other murals, visit StPeteArtsAlliance.org/shine-2023.
To see more of Artist Jones’ work, visit her website at TraceyRJones.com or her Instagram account @theartistjones.

Published October 25, 2023

Pasco MPO discusses road projects and long-range planning

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Anyone who has spent any time in Central Pasco is all-too-familiar with the frequent traffic backups at State Road 54 and U.S. 41.

The intersection marks the coming together of two major roads.

State Road 54 carries east-west traffic through Pasco County and U.S. 41 is a north-south thoroughfare.

The roads get congested — forcing motorists to frequently wait through multiple light cycles before they can get through the U.S. 41/State Road 54 intersection.

The traffic quagmire has been a source of irritation for commuters for years, and the District 7 office of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been studying potential solutions.

Traffic backs up heading east on State Road 54, waiting at a traffic signal at State Road 54 and U.S. 41. (File)

At the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Oct. 12 meeting, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey asked for an update on what’s being done to address the issue.

Brian Hunter, an FDOT transportation planning manager, told Starkey: “So, we’re still in the evaluation process, figuring out what the final configuration of that is going to be.”

Starkey responded: “Why are we evaluating for years? Why aren’t we moving to action?”

Hunter replied: “There are a lot of environmental concerns that we have to look at, make sure we’re accommodating.”

The state transportation agency planning manager also noted that Pasco’s significant growth in the past couple of years has caused FDOT to take a closer look to be doubly sure that whatever it does, it will be the right solution.

“We don’t want to propose something that in five years, we look at it and say, ‘There were this many extra residents that came into the area. So, we’re just making sure. We’re going back through and reevaluating and making sure we’ve incorporated all of the growth.

“I don’t think any of us could have seen three years ago, when we started really looking at it, the growth that has happened here in Pasco County. It’s been immense in the last couple of years.

“When we go back to our office down U.S. 301 and turn on (State Road) 54, you can see all of those houses that are going to be popping up, and when we came off of (State Road) 52, off the interstate.

“We’re just making sure that we’ve got the appropriate solution out there.

“Because once we do it once, it’s going to be a really long time before we go back and make it better,” Hunter said.

Starkey responded that once the evaluation is done, she hopes there will be fast action.

“I hope we do get moving on something,” she said.

The county board member also alerted her colleagues on the Pasco MPO board that there’s no time to waste on making improvements to Tower Road.

A recent cooking oil spill on State Road 54, which closed down the state highway between Gunn Highway and the Suncoast Parkway, underscored the need.

A valve broke spilling cooking oil on State Road 54, she said.

“(There were) cars slipping and colliding into each other,” Starkey said, forcing the State Road 54 closure.

“That is the only east-west road we have. We have one road. We are doing a study now on Tower (Road), which we’re going to call Rangeland,” she said.

The shutdown of State Road 54 immediately “escalated” the importance of improving Tower Road, in Starkey’s view.

She said Tower Road currently goes from the edge of Starkey Ranch, but FDOT is studying an on-ramp onto the Suncoast Parkway.

“And, I hope we do that,” she said. It would create another option for east-west traffic other than heading south into Pinellas County or Hillsborough County, to get around.

On another issue, Dade City Commissioner Scott Black and Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley told Hunter that it’s important to keep traffic flowing in both directions at an intersection of River Road, near the U.S. 98/U.S. 301 improvement.

There were plans to eliminate the capability for left turns, Black said. That would be a hardship on the area and something must be done to preserve the ability to go both ways, he said.

Hunter said one option would be to just allow right turns, but then provide a nearby opportunity for U-turns that would accommodate trucks.

Oakley reiterated that a solution must be found.

On another item, Scott Ferry, a Pasco MPO planner, briefed the board on the status of an update to the 2050 transportation plan.

He said that Kimley-Horn, general consultant to the Pasco MPO, has been assigned the job of developing the 2050 socioeconomic forecast data for the plan.

That task aims to establish accurate base year population, dwelling units, employment, hotel/motel units and school enrollment data, and then to use that data as well as future land use data to develop a reliable county socioeconomic forecast for 2040 and 2050, Ferry said.

That data “will be incorporated into the regional travel demand model, which will be used to enable us to forecast future transportation needs in the county,” Ferry said.

The county transportation planning agency also assigned Kimley-Horn to develop the public involvement plan for developing the 2050 transportation plan.

Kimley-Horn’s plan will guide public involvement activities, including public workshops, meetings with Pasco MPO committees, key stakeholders and the board.

“The schedule for the completion of the plan is on a very accelerated schedule,” Ferry said, noting the work is being done on an eight-month timeline, rather than the usual 18-month process.

The deadline for adoption is Dec. 11, 2024, he said.

The Pasco MPO is made up of elected leaders from Pasco County, Dade City, New Port Richey, Port Richey and Zephyrhills. It is the lead transportation planning agency for Pasco County. 

Published October 25, 2023

Land O’ Lakes to get a new K-8 public school

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The Pasco County School Board has approved the construction of a new K-8 public school, on a 22-acre site south of State Road 54 and east of Skybrooke Boulevard.

The school, which has a guaranteed maximum price of $68,670,132, was designed by Zyscovich Architects. Ajax Building Company LLC is the construction management firm overseeing the project.

Jose Murguido, of Zyscovich, provided a presentation to school board members on Oct. 17.

“It’s truly a very exciting moment,” he told board members, before he began describing details of the new school, which is designed for 1,800 students.

A rendering of the new K-8 public school to be built, approved by the Pasco County School Board. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

“This is like none other in Pasco County. I’m very, very excited to share this with you,” Murguido said.

The school will be a single building, of two and three stories. It also will have an enclosed gymnasium.

There will be ample parking, as well as “a very, very generous drop-off queue making sure that we keep the traffic on Skybrooke moving smoothly,” he said.

The school also has a track, a multi-purpose playfield, basketball courts and a courtyard that can be used for outdoor learning.

The school is being built in an area where Pasco is experiencing explosive growth, he said.

“It is a school that’s urgently needed,” he said.

“The school basically divides the parking from the athletic playfields and the basketball courts,” he said.

“The way that the school is designed recognizes the learning needs of each of the grade levels that are in here,” he said.

The youngest children will be on the ground floor, along with the school’s administration, the media center and the gymnasium.

There’s a commons area in the center of the school.

“I call it the heart of the school — this is where the dining room, but also the celebrations are. You’ll see the stage in that location there, as well as ample dining facilities.

“It has a breakfast outdoor area, off to the left-hand side and a dining porch on the right-hand side, not only to promote outdoor dining, but also outdoor learning.

“The kitchen is right behind that,” he said.

The school has “a very, very robust music program,” Murguido added, and features art labs, as well.

The second floor is designed for children in second grade through fifth grade.

A map of the area where a new K-8 public school was approved to be built on a 22-acre site south of State Road 54 and east of Skybrooke Boulevard.

“They’re arranged in neighborhoods, so the age cohorts are kind of together in those areas.

“Then, of course, on the top, you have basically your middle school component — sixth, seventh and eighth. It has all of the science labs in that area,” he said.

He added: “It’s a very handsome building. It’s civic. It’s a public institution, so it makes a statement to the community.”

The single-building approach also promotes safety, Murguido said.

A single building, he said, “is the safest school that you could design. We design schools for the U.S. military and that’s the way you do it. So, this is an exceedingly safe facility.”

The school also is set up for ample bus service, he added. Plus, there is more than 4,600 feet of queuing, which will keep traffic off the area streets.

School board member Cynthia Armstrong complimented the architectural firm.

“I know this is your first project here. Thank you for coming up with such a great plan,” she said.

Murguido responded: “Thank you, (we) appreciate the opportunity, greatly.”

Armstrong also applauded the firm’s ability to fit all of the necessary components onto a small site, while also leaving ample queuing room for parents to pick up and drop off children.

The neighborhood also will appreciate that, the school board member said.

Board member Alison Crumbley added: “Less calls, less emails, less problems. And, I like all of the arts.”

Assistant superintendent Betsy Kuhn said the plan is to use the school to relieve crowding in area schools, but there also will be some spaces reserved to serve magnet students.

Primary spaces include administration, media, band/music, dining/kitchen and classrooms.

The school board’s approval provided a notice to proceed on the project, effective Oct. 17.

The project is scheduled for substantial completion as of April 24, 2025, with final completion slated for June 2, 2025, according to materials in the school board’s agenda packet.

Published October 25, 2023

A Sense of Place

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If you’d like an image to be considered for publication, please email it to . Please add a sentence or two, describing when and where you took the photo and what the image means to you. Be sure to include who took the photo, where he or she lives and contact information, in case we need to reach back.

Safe at ‘home’
Chris Rosenke, of Wesley Chapel, took this picture at Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road, of one of the dugouts at the ball fields. Rosenke said he was able to grab some pics before the COVID quarantine of 2020 shut down all the parks. ‘I know that, at least for me, the district park provided an escape while everything else was locked down,’ Rosenke said.
Sandwiched in
The Laker/Lutz News Staff Writer Mike Camunas snapped this picture of the mural on the side of the longstanding deli and sandwich shop, at 4526 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes. The mural depicts mascots from the University of South Florida (Bulls), University of Florida (Gators) and Florida State University (Seminoles), while also boasting about being the ‘Home of the 3-ft Cuban Sandwich.’
The man you can see
The Laker/Lutz News Staff Writer Mike Camunas captured a lone kayaker fishing on the water adjacent to the Serenova Tract in Shady Hills, just north of Land O’ Lakes. The Serenova Tract, 14900 State Road 52, features 16 miles of multi-use trails that allows bikes, dogs, picnics and camping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A stroll through time
The Laker/Lutz News Editorial Assistant Mary Rathman captured the streaming ‘rapids’ as she strolled along the Hillsborough River State Park’s seven miles of trails, wondering at its natural and historical significance. The park draws you deep into nature and is a great place for reflection. The park is located at 15402 U.S. 301, in Thonotosassa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acting out in the community

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There was a casting call. 

It was posted to Facebook and drew an overwhelming response.

From left, members of the Wesley Chapel Theater Group Leanne Green, Yasmine Noori, Nicki Haberland, Samantha Sacasa and Samantha Grahn run through a rehearsal of ‘Steel Magnolias,’ which the budding community theater troupe performed from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 on a ‘black box’ stage at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel. The theater group formed in 2021 when a Facebook post looking for local actors and players garnered so much attention that it warranted creating the 501(c)3 nonprofit acting group. (Mike Camunas)

The post was seeking theater enthusiasts interested in forming a community group of actors and thespians — specifically from the Wesley Chapel area, but also from  surrounding Pasco County.

And after more than 300 likes and comments, the Wesley Chapel Theater Group (WCTG) was formed, as a nonprofit 501(c)3 that was enthusiastically ready to bring the arts to the small stages — to willing audiences.

“(The post) blew up like crazy,” said Rachael Gandy-Naylor, WCTG’s artistic director. “We’ve been extremely lucky that every time we call out for auditions, we get repeats, but we get new people, too. We’re growing and we want to do bigger shows and even musicals, which always calls for a more diverse cast.

“Everyone is local,” she added. “We had a lot of people that responded, and their kids are off to school, maybe empty-nesters, looking for something to do and probably hadn’t stepped on stage in 10 to 15 years. 

“Their passion is to get back to it and those are who gravitated toward us — they are passionate about community theater and performing arts,’’ she said.

Now, more than two years later, the acting troupe has six board members and a steady group of around 20 volunteers who perform and help behind-the-scenes for shows.

Leanne Green, right, and Yasmine Noori rehearse a scene from ‘Steel Magnolias,’ before they and the rest of the Wesley Chapel Theater Group performed it three nights in a row, starting Sept. 29.

So far, all the performances have been in Wesley Chapel, at venues including Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant, Side Splitters at the Grove, Avalon Park, the KRATE and The Center for the Arts Wesley Chapel.

Their biggest performances were from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, at the Center for The Arts, where they put on “Steel Magnolias” on a black box stage. The setting allowed for small, but intimate showings, which all sold out.

The group is open to anyone over 18, even if they haven’t set foot on a stage since high school/college or they’re newcomers to acting.

There is one requirement: They must be passionate about theater.

“This is absolutely for the love of the theater,” Gandy-Naylor said. “Those who have been here since Day One bring passion and knowledge from the past shows, and as much as we become a family during our shows, we’re still very inviting. We want more people to come out and be a part of this. Anyone new that comes in is automatically welcomed into that family, as we try very hard not to be cliquish.”

Rachael Gandy-Naylor, artistic director of Wesley Chapel Theater Group, goes over the script and other notes during a rehearsal of ‘Steel Magnolias’ at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel.

The group’s inviting attitude is as welcoming as a round of applause and very beneficial to the group.

No one is paid for their work or services. As members of a nonprofit organization, they volunteer their time, efforts and talents for the love of putting on a great show. Proceeds from shows are put right back into the group for more performances, as well as props, costumes and sets.

They also build or make their own sets, props and costumes. They use items they find in bargain bins, as well as roundup stuff members have in their homes.

“Everyone who has volunteered for our shows, you can just see the passion radiating off them,” Gandy-Naylor said. “There are a lot of late nights and lots of rehearsing, and we can be practicing and preparing until midnight, but everyone buckles up and gets through it with a smile on their faces.”

Being a part of WCTG is not about getting paid for performances. Many members see it as a craft, one to hone. It is, also, just plain fun to perform in front of family, friends and the community.

Yasmine Noori rolls her hair in curlers, to prepare for a dress rehearsal of ‘Steel Magnolias.’

“We are not getting paid or anything like that, but I take great pride in putting on a great show,” member and actor Samantha Sacasa said. “That I can perform in front of people who appreciate and love the theater, that’s what it’s all about.

“I’m a little nervous to perform in front of so many people, but also very excited to do that and be a part of this group.”

Fellow member and actor, Samantha Grahn, agrees.

Wesley Chapel Theater Group actors prepare in the dressing room backstage at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel.

“It’s such a rush,” Grahn said. “They say the theater bug can itch, and I was waiting for it to scratch it and this group was it. It was nostalgic, in a way, because I remember you just click with people like this, that you share the same love of the theater.

“It’s a camaraderie and a new set of friends.”

Moving forward, WCTG is looking for a permanent home for performances, either at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel High or the Pasco-Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center at Cypress Creek High, the latter of which will host the groups Masquerade Gala as a fundraising event.

Though the group will continue to produce and perform for the community, with people from the community.

All of whom are looking for that curtain call.

“It’s all very exciting, especially when you’re into theater and you want to get back out on stage and interact,” Grahn said. “I like entertaining people, I like that it’s close to home, and it’s great to get back with people who share your passion for the arts. 

“Now, I just tell them, ‘What can I do?!’ ‘Get me involved!’ and anyone can do that with our group.”

Wesley Chapel Theater Group
Details: After a Facebook post in Summer 2021 received more than 300 likes and comments, the Wesley Chapel Theater Group (WCTG) was created, becoming a 501(c)3 nonprofit that has been performing skits, acts and plays all over Wesley Chapel, such as at Treble Makers, the KRATE at the Grove and the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel. Performers and theater enthusiasts over 18 are welcome to join, even if they haven’t set foot on a stage since high school/college or it’s their first time, looking to perform.
Upcoming shows: Wesley Chapel Theater Group’s Masquerade Gala: Annual Fundraising Benefit – Nov. 4, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Pasco-Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center, 8657 Old Pasco Road, in Wesley Chapel
Every Christmas Story Ever Told and then Some by Michael Carleton, James FitzGerald, John K. Alvarez – Dec. 15 to Dec. 17, Woman’s Club of Zephyrhills, 38545 Fifth Ave.
Info: Visit WesleyChapelTheaterGroup.org or the group’s Facebook page.

Published October 18, 2023

Leanne Green, left, and Yasmine Noori practice a scene from ‘Steel Magnolias,’ before they and the rest of the Wesley Chapel Theater Group performed it three consecutive nights, beginning on Sept. 29.
Wesley Chapel Theater Group player Samantha Sacasa rehearses a scene from ‘Steel Magnolias’ with fellow actor Leanne Green.
Members of the Wesley Chapel Theater Group huddle around play director Dave Sparano before a rehearsal of ‘Steel Magnolias.’

All new lanes on State Road 52 now open

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New lanes heading west toward Interstate 75 are now open, as part of the widening and realigning State Road 52 from Uradco Place to Fort King Road. (Courtesy of Florida Department of Transportation)

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced on Oct. 6 that all State Road 52 lanes are open in the construction project corridor beginning east past Interstate 75 and ending at U.S. 301, after State Road 52 becomes Clinton Avenue once past Prospect Road at the edge of St. Leo.

New State Road 52 runs through San Antonio and through the new Mirada Community, which features the largest human-made lagoon in the country.

According to FDOT, the contractor will need to do periodic day and night lane closures along the corridor to finish the work from east of I-75 to Fort King Road. Motorists are advised to stay within the posted 45 mph speed limit and use caution because construction work may be active throughout the project corridor.

This project was the widening and realigning State Road 52 from Uradco Place to Fort King Road.

  • Between Uradco Place and Bayou Branch Canal the existing road will be widened to a four-lane divided roadway.
  • East of Bayou Branch Canal, the new alignment of four-lane divided State Road 52 has been built south of the former State 52 (now County Road 52) tying into Clinton Avenue.
  • Clinton Avenue between County Road 579 and Fort King Road has been widened to a four-lane divided road.
  • Clinton Avenue between Pasadena Avenue and U.S. 301 is now part of the new State Road 52. The section of the former State Road 52 between Bayou Branch Canal (west of Mirada Blvd.) and U.S. 301 is now designated County Road 52.

State Road 52 traffic was directed to the new alignment in February.

Published October 18, 2023