The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Starkey Ranch families prevail in cell tower fight

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First, families from Starkey Ranch battled the Pasco County School Board over a proposed easement that would grant access to a proposed cell tower.

After they lost that battle, they set their sights on the Pasco County Commission, which was considering the actual lease for the tower, at the county board’s May 23 meeting.

(Mike Camunas)

Cell tower opponents wore red, cited research and spoke passionately about their concerns about the potential negative health consequences that could result, if the cell tower was allowed so close to Starkey Ranch K-8. The proposed site is on the south side of the Starkey Ranch District Park’s football and soccer field. 

The proposed agreement involved a cell tower ground lease agreement between the county and a company called Vertex, which would have allowed a cell tower on property that’s part of a four-party shared-use agreement between the county, the school board, the county library system and the developer.

Speaker after speaker offered reasons why allowing a cell tower there could be harmful, or, at the very least, risky.

Opponents also submitted a petition signed by hundreds of Starkey Ranch residents.

Some parents threatened to pull their children from the school, if the cell tower went through. Community residents said they’d move away.

Speakers also raised questions about potential negative impacts on property values.

Speaker after speaker after speaker addressed the issue — essentially taking up much of the morning, before the county board broke for lunch.

During the lunch break, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey conferred with Keith Wiley, director of the county’s parks, recreation and natural resources department.

She said Wiley said an alternative location could be found at the park to accommodate the cell tower.

The county said it would share the proceeds from the leasing agreement with the school district, since that was part of the original plan.

The county said a delay for 120 days also would allow another solicitation for bids to occur, which needs to happen, if the site is shifted. Vertex is the only company that submitted a bid at the first location.

Board members voted 4-0 to approve the delay.

Given the potential for relocating the cell tower, it now appears the issue has been resolved — provided, of course, that actually happens.

If it doesn’t, it’s fairly safe to assume that another large crowd will be back to address the board, and it’s also likely they will have plenty to say.

Published May 31, 2023

Higher Pasco park impact fees expected to be approved this summer

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The Pasco County Commission has signaled its intention to increase its park impact fees to $3,450.15 per residential dwelling, whether single-family or multi-family.

That’s a whopping increase from the current rates of $891.82 per single-family unit and $627 per multi-family unit.

Impact fees are charged to new construction to address new demands caused by growth.

County held their first public hearing on the proposed fees on May 23 and are  scheduled to hold a second public hearing on July 11, where they are expected to take a final vote. If adopted, the new fee takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

The Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, provides a chance to sit on a bench and relax for a while, watch a ball game, go for a ride on a swing and do all sorts of other activities. Pasco County wants a substantial increase in its park impact fees, which are intended to pay for additional demands caused by growth. (File)

During the May 23 meeting, the board reiterated support it had expressed last September, when it directed its staff to bring the proposed fee schedule back for action.

State law limits impact fee increases to 50%, unless extraordinary circumstances can be demonstrated.

Keith Wiley, the county’s director of parks, recreation and natural resources, said the county clearly qualifies.

The county hasn’t raised its park impact fees since 2002; it has experienced rapid growth in recent years; and it has encountered steeper costs for construction materials due to inflation, Wiley said.

The county’s current facilities cannot keep up with increasing demands, he said.

He also noted the proposed impact fees will be used to support projects outlined in a plan that addresses the county’s park needs through 2045.

“What we’re trying to do is close the gap for level of service for parks throughout the county, through 2045,” Wiley said.

But the higher impact fee is needed, he said. Wiley added: Under existing revenues, it would take 42 years to accomplish the plan.

Stakeholders had asked the county board to phase in the fees over two years, but board members were not interested in that approach.

Wiley thanked the county board for its support.

“Parks are essential, we all know that. Everyone deserves an awesome park. We have a really cool plan, but without finances, you can’t get anything done,” Wiley said.

The county board’s support for the full amount of the proposed impact fees came despite concerns raised by the Pasco County Planning Commission, during its April 20 meeting.

A majority of planning board members said the county had failed to demonstrate extraordinary circumstances, and thus would be limited to a fee increase of 50%.

Planning board members questioned the timing of the giant increase, noting economic conditions have changed since the county board initially indicated support for the proposed fee last September.

Planning board members also questioned the proposed fee, in light of lesser charges in nearby counties, and they said it didn’t seem fair to place the entire burden of the increased costs on the housing industry.

Published May 31, 2023

Pasco School Board pays tribute to Dennis Alfonso

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At the Pasco County School Board meeting on May 16, there were flowers on the school board’s dais, in front of the seat where the board’s attorney, Dennis Alfonso, normally sat.

Alfonso, the board’s attorney for a quarter-century, lost his longterm battle with cancer, on the weekend before the board’s meeting.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning paid his respects to Alfonso during the board’s session.

“Dennis had battled cancer for a good number of years,” Browning said. “He fought the good fight, until Saturday morning, early.”

The Pasco County School Board and Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning recently paid tribute to Dennis Alfonso, the longtime school board attorney who recently passed away. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

The superintendent recalled that in his previous role, as Florida’s Secretary of State, Alfonso was one of the first attorneys to sue him, over the 2000 Election.

He characterized Alfonso as a dear friend, who was devoted to Pasco County Schools.

“He loved this district. His wife, Nancy (who also serves as the board’s attorney), loves this district. They raised their kids here and he was invested in this district,” Browning said.

The superintendent said he didn’t always agree with Alfonso, but he added that he will dearly miss him.

He recalled a phrase that Alfonso frequently used, when the attorney was about to reject one of Browning’s ideas.

“He’d say, ‘You know, I love you like a brother … But you can’t do what you want to do.’”

School board members also offered their condolences.

School board chairwoman Megan Harding began the meeting by offering a prayer for Alfonso’s family.

“Dennis has given our school district such wise counsel for over 25 years. I know, for me, he’s always been there to answer my questions, a sound mind — always made sure that we were following the law, within our district.”

Al Hernandez, the newest member on the board, said he didn’t know Alfonso as well as his colleagues, but he looked to him for guidance.

“I can tell you that as a new board member, the second phone call I got was from Dennis — talking about what I needed to do and what I shouldn’t be doing.

“He was definitely somebody I could call. Clearly, he is going to be missed.”

School board member Cynthia Armstrong said she frequently kidded Alfonso about how long it took him to answer a question.

“There was no short answer. With Dennis, what we knew is that we were going to understand every aspect of that answer and all of the nuances, and all of the different ways of looking at it. That just made it so valuable to us to have him as a board attorney.

“He was such a caring person. He cared so much for our district and for our students,” Armstrong said.

School board member Colleen Beaudoin struggled to maintain her composure, as she spoke about Alfonso’s contributions to the school district.

“Dennis was always available, to answer questions and to talk through concerns. He spent many evenings and weekends on the phone.”

He was particularly helpful during the COVID shutdown during the spring and summer of 2020, said Beaudoin, who was chairwoman at that time.

“It was a difficult time and I’m eternally grateful that he was at my side,” she said.

School board member Alison Crumbley described Alfonso this way: “He was kind and he was calm and he was great to have as our board attorney. He is going to be so terribly missed.”

Published May 31, 2023

Pasco code officers to expand roles during emergencies

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Pasco County’s code compliance officers are undergoing training to be able to medically assist people who may need emergency help, as the officers encounter them during their rounds in the community.

The training will prepare the officers to administer Narcan, apply Auto External Defibrillators (AED) and to properly perform CPR, according to a county news release.

Narcan is used to treat narcotic overdose in an emergency, and Pasco’s code officers sometimes find themselves in situations where immediate intervention can be lifesaving, the release says.

The training sessions are intended to help code officers who experience these situations:

  • Suspected opioid overdose
  • Exposure to fentanyl
  • Self-exposure or injury during work

Pasco County Code Compliance Director Patrick Arotin notes in the news release that training has become a large part of the department’s ongoing efforts to improve safety for both code officers and members of the community.

The county’s code compliance vehicles are now equipped with Narcan, and officers are required to complete Narcan and CPR training/certification by the end of May.

The AED equipment is expected to arrive later this year, the release says.

For more information about Pasco’s Code Compliance team or to report an issue, visit MyPasc.co/CodeCompliance.

Published May 31, 2023

 

Connerton Elementary competes at world finals

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They’re set to take a real odyssey — not just one of the mind.

Connerton Elementary School’s Odyssey of the Mind team is competing at the World Finals, from May 24 and through May 27 at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

It’s a major accomplishment for a relatively new team.

Connerton Elementary’s Odyssey of the Mind team is headed to the World Finals starting May 24 in East Lansing, Michigan. The team competed in the state finals at the Orlando Convention Center in April, winning with their skit about an outer space restaurant. The team consists of students Abigail Sherburne, Alaina Marsh, Grayson Eaton, Mallory Zoller, McKinley Ruland, Noah Philpot and Riley Ruland, and coaches Krissie Marsh, Tricia Sherburne and Deidre Ruland. (Courtesy of Krissie Marsh)

Team members collaborated to use creative problem-solving to tackle a predefined long-term problem, involving many months of writing, design, construction and then, a theatrical performance.

“Usually, Odyssey of the Mind teams, they’re together for four or five years, and never make it this far (to the World Finals),” Connerton co-coach Deidre Ruland said. “For them to do this well and make it this far in the first year, we’re so proud.

“It is a pretty big deal,” she added. “They use everything they learn in school towards this and it involves a lot of thinking on their feet and problem-solving, so it just shows how well they all work together.”

The Connerton team won at the state finals at the Orlando Convention Center in April, securing a trip to the exciting event in Michigan. The team also came in third at regionals, held at Thomas E. Weightman Middle School in February.

The team is made up of five third-graders and two fifth-graders. Team members are Abigail Sherburne, Alaina Marsh, Grayson Eaton, Mallory Zoller, McKinley Ruland, Noah Philpot and Riley Ruland. The coaches are Krissie Marsh, Tricia Sherburne and Ruland

“They really had to work hard, together, to figure it out,” Krissie Marsh said. “They used it as a way to find their voices, their wits, their charm and creativity and once they did figure it all out, they did so well.

“Just seeing how they came up with making everything for the skit and all the writing, it was very creative.”

The team started on their project, or skit, back in October, with the first month dedicated to team building. During that time, they came up with a theme and plot, then started working on a script. Then, they moved on to designing the props and costumes for their skit.

Their dramatic performance is set against a rocket ship backdrop, to create a place called Zlupnark’s. There, an outer space restaurant patron is continuously ignored, unable to get what she wants from the establishment.

“The team is very theatrical, especially since we have a lot of great actresses,” Sherburne said. “I think that if the boys had their way, they would have done a lot more Lego building, but all the boys are great actors, too.

“So, as a project and as a team, they use everything from math, engineering, reading and writing, and then they’ll practice and practice and make sure all the props and costumes are done, so it’s a lot of work — and a lot of it on the weekends — all year-long.”

Odyssey of the Mind competitions, and judges, are keen on teams using creative problem-solving and on recycling materials to create sets, props, costumes and anything else their skit may need.

Connerton’s team accomplished that.

The students used Doritos bags, pool noodles, milk crates and other items “nearly considered trash” to design everything they needed — constantly refining the various elements until the next competition, the coaches said.

“All the kids, they look like aliens in their costumes,” Sherburne said. “Then they had to go online and research dramatic styles — both comedy and drama — as well as research ideas on how to use recycled materials. They did all the research and then figured it out themselves before winning the (state) competition.”

The team also must be prepared to stand in front of judges to respond to situations where they’ll need to problem solve, on the fly. That section of the competition is intended to demonstrate their ability to think on their feet.

“It’s a lot of critical thinking, but they are a very creative, quick-thinking team,” Sherburne added.

That will come in handy at the World Finals, a once-in-a-life trip for the team that needed to raise nearly $15,000 to attend.

Ruland said the achievement and the opportunity are huge.

Odyssey of the Mind is “an extracurricular activity that uses a lot of academics and problem-solving, so for a small team from Land O’ Lakes to go to the World Finals, it’s very impressive.

“Especially since they never quit, figured it all out and did it on their own.”

Odyssey of the Mind World Finals
When: May 24 to May 27
Where: Michigan State University
Details: A creative problem-solving program where team members present their solution at a competition to a predefined long-term problem that takes many months to complete and involves writing, design, construction and theatrical performance. A spontaneous portion of the competition requires the team to generate solutions to a problem it has not seen before.
Info: Visit OMWorldFinals.com.

Published May 24, 2023

U.S. 301 logjam in Pasco prompts priority switch

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The Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization has decided to shuffle the order on its priority project list to take aim at congestion problems on U.S. 301, near State Road 56, a few years earlier.

That decision came during the Pasco MPO board’s meeting on May 11.

Carl Mikyska, executive director of the transportation planning organization, brought the issue to the board for information and discussion.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley called for shuffling the order of Pasco County’s transportation project priorities to tackle a congestion problem on U.S. 301, near State Road 56, sooner than had been planned. (File)

He noted that the intersection of U.S. 301 and State Road 56 “experiences a great deal of congestion, particularly during the morning and afternoon peaks.”

The area also is poised for significant development, the transportation planning executive added.

There are expected to be between 5,000 to 7,000 new certificates of occupancy issued in the State Road 56/U.S. 301 area by 2024, according to materials in the board’s agenda packet.

The background materials also note that the transportation model for the 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan appears to have underestimated the amount of traffic that has occurred in the area that impacts the segment of U.S. 301, from the Pasco/Hillsborough county line to Chancey Road.

There are six active developments in the area that, at build out, will contain nearly 13,000 housing units; 593,600 square feet of commercial space; 1,390,555 square feet of office space; 1,335,000 square feet of industrial space; and 630,000 square feet of retail space, the background materials say.

The widening of U.S. 301 in that area ranks as the No. 3 priority on the MPO board’s list, with right of way acquisition proposed in 2027-2028 and construction expected to occur beyond the current five-year plan.

Only two projects in Pasco ranked higher on the priority list are the intersection of U.S. 41 and State Road 54, which is No. 1, and paired one-way roads at U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills, which ranks No. 2, Mikyska said.

He also noted: “Pasco County is probably growing faster than ever anticipated. Pasco County is the fifth fastest-growing county in the nation. So, we are experiencing some very rapid growth and with that growth comes congestion.”

The bottleneck on U.S. 301 resulted from the four-lane extension of State Road 56, from Meadow Pointe Boulevard, in Wesley Chapel to U.S. 301, in Zephyrhills.

As traffic comes and goes from State Road 56 to U.S. 301, it creates maddening backups in both directions.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley called for making the U.S. 301 widening near State Road 56 the second-highest priority and dropping the paired one-ways, closer to the Zephyrhills’ core, to rank it the third-highest priority.

Widening U.S. 301 near State Road 56 will improve the flow for the entire stretch, Oakley said.

Commissioner Seth Weightman said “we can’t wait until 2028 to address this.

“I think we need to have a sense of urgency in making a decision on this,” Weightman said.

Zephyrhills City Councilman Lance Smith said there’s no denying the problem.

“Right now, the traffic backs up coming into Zephyrhills on (U.S.) 301, all of the way to the river in the evenings. “Going out in the morning, it’s 30 minutes to get through the cycle of lights. It’s a bad stretch and we know it,” he said.

On top of that, development is rampant, Smith said.

“When you look at this, it is pretty staggering to see the number of units that are going to be put in there,” he said.

Smith asked if interim steps could be taken to provide relief.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey had the same question.

Chief Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein said consultants had looked at the question and intersection improvements would not be enough.

“The volumes are just too high on this segment. You need to improve the segment,” Goldstein said. “It is not an intersection issue. The issue is when you hit (U.S.) 301, (U.S.) 301 and (State Road) 56, (and, U.S.) 301 and Chancey (Road) — they just fail,” Goldstein said.

Without shifting the priorities, this improvement would be five years or six years later than the one-way pairs near Zephyrhills’ core.

Then Smith asked: “Why do we keep entitling units on substandard roads?”

Goldstein responded: “This is the same developer that’s paying a lot of money for (the four-lane extension of) State Road 56.”

Then Smith made this point: “My fear is that I have seen us get pushed before. Every time it gets pushed, it seems to further down the list,” Smith said.  “The one-way pairs get pushed and pushed and pushed.”

Oakley responded: “I think the section (of U.S. 301) south of Zephyrhills that goes to (State Road) 56 needs to be four-laned, prior to  doing the one (one-way pairs) in Zephyrhills.”

The ideal case would be the projects come in together, the East Pasco commissioner added.

Oakley made a motion to switch the priorities, which was seconded by Starkey and approved by the board.

The Pasco MPO’s board is made up of elected leaders from Pasco County, Zephyrhills, Dade City, New Port Richey and Port Richey. The Pasco MPO is the lead transportation planning organization for Pasco County. The Florida Department of Transportation uses local transportation planning organizations’ priority lists when making its funding decisions and seeking other potential sources of funding.

Published May 24, 2023

Community dedication recognized

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Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppes recently recognized its volunteers for their time and dedication.

Renee Wingeier, center, receives the President’s Volunteer Service Award from Bryanna Tanke, left, and Michelle Cooper. (Courtesy of Gulfside Hospice)

Two volunteers received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, an award that is given to individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.

The awards were given to Renee Wingeier, a volunteer at the thrift shop in Hudson, for her 8,833 hours of service since 2016, and Joan Foreman, a volunteer at the Lutz shop, for 4,590 hours of service since 2009, according to a news release.

“Our volunteers are such a special part of what we do at the Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppes, and because of them, we are able to raise as much funding as possible to support patients in need,” Aaron Barrish, director of Thrift Shoppes at Gulfside, said in the release.

Jennifer Schweikhart, right, presents the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Joan Foreman.

“Renee and Joan have given so much of their time to Gulfside, and we could not be more grateful for their time and service through the years,” said Barrish.

In addition to Wingeier and Foreman, awards were given for hours of service volunteered throughout 2022.

Eight volunteers received the Gold award for more than 500 hours of service; 26 volunteers received the Silver award for 250 to 499 hours; and 26 volunteers received the Bronze award for 100 to 249 hours.

In total, the 122 Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppes volunteers gave 17,017 hours of service throughout 2022.

Gulfside also recognized five volunteers during its appreciation activities for having more than 15 years of service: Frances Hunt, 17 years; Margaret Rice, 17 years; Jeanette Tatro, 18 years; Janet Toth, 15 years; and Mary Wainwright, 15 years.

The Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppes are primarily run by volunteers, and all proceeds from the stores go to benefit hospice patients and their families through Gulfside Hospice.

For more information, call 800-561-4883, or visit Gulfside.org/thrift-shoppes.html.

Published May 24, 2023

Divided Pasco school board approves Patel Charter deal

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The Pasco County School Board voted 3-2 to approve a partnership to advance a plan for a Patel Charter School, expected to open in 2025.

The parties making the agreement are the Pasco County School Board and Drs. Kiran and Pallavi Patel 2017 Foundation for Global Understanding Inc., a Florida not-for-profit corporation. The not-for-profit organization is referred to as Patel, throughout the agreement with the school board.

Under terms of the deal, the school board will donate 20 acres for the Patel charter high school and Patel will construct the school, in accordance with the state’s building code and its educational facilities standards.

As part of the agreement, at least two of the charter school’s board members will be Pasco County residents.

The school campus is planned at the school district’s Starkey/Tower site, where the school system owns 76 acres.

The district will retain 56 acres, which at some point could be used for a district school, according to information provided by district staff and background materials in the board’s May 16 agenda packet.

Patel plans to offer the Cambridge Programme, which is known for its rigor and/or a medical/health careers pathway program at a school being built for 1,000 students.

Since it is a charter school, a lottery system will be used to select students.

As part of the agreement Patel and the school board have agreed to enter into a Step-in Agreement, which gives the district the ability to step in, in the event the charter school fails for any reason.

That agreement confirms the charter school facility will be created to mitigate the educational impact created by the development of new residential dwelling units, and therefore the land will be donated to Patel. For its part, Patel will cover the costs associated with the design and construction, including reasonable costs associated with financing.

Patel also has agreed to pursue efforts to recruit Pasco students who have a free or reduced lunch status to attend the high school.

School board chairwoman Megan Harding and board members Cynthia Armstrong and Al Hernandez voted for the partnership. Board members Alison Crumbley and Colleen Beaudoin voted no.

The building design for Patel’s Pasco school will closely emulate its Hillsborough Charter Campus regarding room sizes, support spaces, building systems, and finishes, according to background materials.

School board member Armstrong made the motion to approve the partnership, citing several benefits of the deal.

She noted Patel’s “extremely good work” in Hillsborough County and expressed confidence it will provide the same quality of programming to Pasco County.

Armstrong added that the system would benefit because the charter would accommodate extra growth in an area where a new district high school is not yet scheduled.

She also noted the value of the land being donated is far less expensive than the costs associated with building the school.

Board member Hernandez, who seconded the motion, said he based his support primarily from considering the deal from a business perspective.

“We’re talking about donating 20 out of the 76 acres.

“We’re saving, potentially, $40 million in capital, here, which we can use,” he added, noting it may be possible to use some of those savings in other parts of the district.

“They (Patel) do a phenomenal job in Hillsborough County. I think it behooves us, as a business community, to actually bring the Patel family into our community, as well,” Hernandez said.

But board colleagues Beaudoin and Crumbley raised objections.

Both board members made it clear that their opposition in no way reflects on Patel.

Crumbley said she could not support giving away the land, when she voted on purchasing that site years ago to use for a district high school.

Both she and Beaudoin also object to having Patel offer the Cambridge Programme — something they believe the district should expand into Central Pasco.

Both women spoke passionately about Pasco’s great efforts and achievements with Cambridge. They want the district, not Patel, to provide the program in Central Pasco.

But Superintendent Kurt Browning said the district is not in a position to expand its Cambridge Programme until it is able to provide additional support for its existing Cambridge schools.

Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services, said she worked with Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd and Planning Director Chris Williams and Ash Bagdy, from Patel, to iron out the terms.

She also noted that school board attorney Nancy Alfonso reviewed the agreement.

Kuhn also pointed out that several provisions in the agreement protect the district’s interests.

Bagdy, who appeared on behalf of Patel, assured board members: “We are doing this for the right reasons. We have good intentions. This is our investment back into the community.

“It’s not a management company. It’s not a for-profit. None of us are on the payroll. It is truly something we want to do for the county, for the kids in that area. 

“He (Dr. Kiran Patel) does not need to make money from this school.”

Published May 24, 2023

Soaring to new heights

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From left: Jaymin Anzaldua, 18, Windsor Academy in Tampa; Logan Covington, 16, Steinbrenner High in Lutz; and Jackson Davis, Wendell Krinn Technical High in New Port Richey were among the Eagle Scouts honored at a recent Greater Tampa Bay Area Council of Boy Scouts of America reception. (Courtesy of Greater Tampa Bay Area Council of Boy Scouts of America)

The Greater Tampa Bay Area Council of Boy Scouts of America (BSA) recently recognized area Eagle Scouts for their community service, leadership and accomplishments, at a May 7 reception in their honor.

The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest in Scouting and requires earning at least 21 badges, completing an Eagle Scout community service project, and holding leadership positions in the Scouting unit. It can be earned by both boys and girls by their 18th birthday.

The council had 236 Scouts who earned the rank between May 1, 2022, and April 30, 2023.

The event also included the announcement of the council’s Eagle Scout Project of the Year by Jackson Davis of New Port Richey. Davis raised $15,000 and worked to turn an old school bus into a Mobile Food Pantry for Messengers of Hope Mission in Odessa. It has been named the BSA National Service Territory 16 winner of the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award for 2023.

Published May 24, 2023

Five ways to make Memorial Day weekend memorable

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Late in May, many of us get a three- or -four-day weekend thanks to the yearly tradition of honoring our late veterans for Memorial Day.

Why not make this year’s a memorable one and get away with a nice, fun-filled day trip to a nearby attraction or adventure?

Here are some suggestions to help you create lasting memories:

(Note: This is a recap of some of the places we’ve featured in our Worth The Trip series)

(Mike Camunas)

Dames Caves and the Lizzie Heart Sink Loop
Details: Dames Caves is a set of 37 discovered caves in the Citrus Tract area of the Withlacoochee State Forest in Lecanto. There are several to climb into, including Vandal Cave and Peace Cave. These caves are situated on the Lizzie Heart Sink Loop, a nearly 4-mile trail that’s considered a moderately challenging route, takes an average of about 90 minutes to complete, and is a popular trail for hiking, biking and even a little motocross. The trail is open year-round and leashed dogs are welcome.
Where: 10701 S. Lecanto Highway (Note: this is an unofficial parking lot)
Cost: There is no charge to visit Dames Caves.
For full article, visit LakerLutzNews.com/2022/09/105455. 

The Chassahowitzka River and Seven Sisters Springs
Details: It’s the Chaz, for short, or, translated to “pumpkin hanging place.” It also is a spring-fed, 6-mile river that features hidden lagoons, boating, rentals, swimming and more in southwestern Citrus County. A popular hanging spot is the spring heads of Seven Sisters Springs, however, most visitors are drawn to one of the river’s first tributaries. That leads to Baird Creek, which will eventually narrow basically to a shallow creek you must paddle for about one-fourth mile, maybe less. It’ll be worth the trip when the creek becomes ankle deep and brings you to “The Crack” on The Chaz: a deep, turquoise spring that looks like a paradise lagoon, secluded by lush palms and other trees.
Where: Chassahowitzka River Campground and Boat Launch, 8600 W. Miss Maggie Drive, Homosassa
When: Boat rentals are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., but the boat launch is available from dawn until dusk.
Cost: Parking is $5; parking with a trailer is $7. Watercraft rentals start at $30 for the day.
Info: Call 352-382-2200, or visit ChassahowitzkaFlorida.com.
For full article, visit LakerLutzNews.com/2022/08/101799.

Tampa Baseball Museum at the Al Lopez House
Details: Step inside the museum set up in Al Lopez’s House, and 135 years of Tampa baseball history and heritage greets visitors. It’s a place where 89 professional baseball players with Tampa roots are honored. The impressive and immersive exhibit displays the rich and diverse stories dating back to long before the Tampa Bay area received a major league franchise. There’s a continuous running video presentation and various timelines of the different aspect of baseball in Tampa, including Tampa Bay receiving the expansion Devil Rays, the Negro Leagues and baseball during wartime. Oh, and there probably will be roosters greeting you at the front steps.
Where: 2003 N. 19th St., Tampa
When: Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $12 adults, $10 Military, Seniors 65+, Students 18+ (ID required), $6 children
Info: Call 813-400-2353, or visit TampaBaseballMuseum.org
For full article, visit LakerLutzNews.com/2022/04/100012.

Bonnet Springs Park
Details: A once-abandoned rail yard, from the 1980s, was idle until a group of community investors and developers came together to bring new life to the historic site. The park, which opened in October 2022, represents a collaboration of local developer David Bunch, retired Lakeland Parks and Recreation Director Bill Tinsley, and Carol and Barney Barnett. The redeveloped site is a 168-acres park just outside of downtown Lakeland, between West Memorial Boulevard and George Jenkins Boulevard on the east side of Lake Bonnet. It features several amenities including a Welcome Center, a cafe, coffee and gift shops, event venues, play areas, nature centers, a children’s museum, a treehouse, boardwalks, botanical and butterfly gardens, and more. The park is dog-friendly.
Where: 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland
When: Open daily from 6 a.m. to dusk.
Coffee Shop in the Welcome Center: Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Depot Cafe: Open 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Rooftop Garden Bar: Open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Info: Visit BonnetSpringsPark.com.
For full article, visit LakerLutzNews.com/2023/04/113327. 

King’s Landing
Details: Considered one of the top paddling destinations in Florida, King’s Landing, located on Rock Springs Run, is part of the Wekiva River. King’s Landing is just the launch area, which offers an easily accessible dock, self-guided tours, kayak and paddleboard rentals and guided tours, too. There is a small shop with some snacks and drinks, plus souvenirs or necessities, but bringing a lunch is recommended. Also, pets and tubes are not allowed. Once out on the water, King’s Landing allows access to Rock Springs Run, which is part of the Wekiva River — and its crystal clear, 72-degree, gorgeous freshwater, with 26,000 gallons pumped out of the ground every minute.
Where: 5722 Baptist Camp Road, Apopka
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily
Info: Visit KingsLandingFl.com.
For full article, visit LakerLutzNews.com/2023/03/112766.

Published May 24, 2023