The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Comments sought on 13th Judicial Circuit judge vacancy

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Gov. Ron DeSantis has convened the 13th Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission to select and submit the names of highly qualified candidates to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Susan “Suzy” Lopez, according to a news release.

These individuals have applied: E. Christopher Abdoney; Alicia Whiting Bozich; Christine Shiver Brown; Cory L. Chandler; Travis J. Coy; Jeffrey D. Groover; E. Michael Isaak; Joseph W. Kudia; Elba C. Martin; Richard H. Martin; Bennett M. Miller; Diego F. Novaes; Matthew H. Perry; Lisa M. Thelwell and W. Michael Thornton, the release says.

The nominating commission encourages and seeks comments regarding the qualifications of these applicants from the public and from members of the Bench and Bar.

Comments may be addressed to Max Amster, chair, 13th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission, and emailed to , or mailed to Max Amster, 1700 S. MacDill Ave, Suite 300, Tampa, FL 33629.

Comments must be received no later than noon on Dec. 5, to be considered by the commission.

Published November 30, 2022

Come ‘Explore’ this new Zephyrhills mural

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Main Street Zephyrhills continues to paint the town.

On Nov. 16, the nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing certain elements of downtown, unveiled its latest mural in its ongoing series, presenting “Explore Our Hometown” — featuring large letters, including artistic images — on the side of the brick building housing Fraternity of Eagles 3752, at 38421 Fifth Ave.

‘Explore Our Hometown’ is the newest mural in Historic Downtown Zephyrhills. It was unveiled on Nov. 16 by artist Trinity Rivard, who took several well-known elements that represent the largest municipality in Pasco County and displayed them in the letters of ‘EXPLORE.’ (Mike Camunas)

It’s a vibrant, colorful piece of art designed and painted by artist Trinity Rivard, a Tampa native who said he’s been to Zephyrhills many times, but still really researched Pasco County’s largest municipality.

“I took my own experiences here, and did a lot of research, as well, and based on those two things, it was the elements (I chose) on here that resonated with me,” Rivard said at the ceremony unveiling the mural. “And it’s also which elements were going to be more dynamic, really stand out and something that I can have some fun with.

“I wanted the historical elements to be in there and I wanted to show what the city has to offer, recreationally, now — things that Zephyrhills is really known for.”

The mural, which is on the building wall adjacent to Seventh Street, focuses on themes in each in the letters of “EXPLORE.” They are skydiving, the Military History Museum, the Train Depot, golf and tennis, and the skate and water parks.

Rivard estimates it took him about 150 hours to complete the project that required him battling the heat, weather (including a hurricane), needing a scissor lift to reach the heights on the building and, of course, patience.

Artist Trinity Rivard stands in front of his mural, ‘Explore Our Hometown,’ the brand new painting in historic downtown Zephyrhills that took Rivard about 150 hours to complete.

“I’m honored to be able to add to this city and leave my mark,” Rivard said. “A lot of times, I was on the lift and people would drive by and sometimes you hear someone yelling at you and you don’t know if it’s good or bad.

“But sometimes they’ll pull over and stop and say, ‘Good job!’ or ‘Looks great!’ and it’s those little things that really helped while I was creating the mural.”

City Manager Billy Poe said at the unveiling that “Our downtown just became a little more colorful, but really hits on the history, too. … A mural is important because it builds a sense of community, it makes you want to go there, not just to see it, but to experience the community. … This, people will drive or walk by it and it starts a conversation.”

Main Street Board of Directors & Design Committee Chair Christine Bennett said the mural cost $10,000 to commission, with that coming from donations and other fundraising throughout the year.

This is the second of several murals Main Street has planned throughout historic downtown. The first was Ocea, which also is on Seventh Street and was painted by lead artist Jonathan Sierra and assistant artist Fonz Eljaiek. The mural centers around the idea that water is restorative and connects to the life that it has touched.

There are other murals already in downtown, including “Splash on 5th,” the “unnamed mural on 5th” that Bennett and volunteers helped paint and the “Wall of Memories” or Centennial Mural that is painted on the Fifth Avenue-adjacent wall of the Hynes Discount Mobile Homes building.

Bennett said the plan was always to try to get 10 new murals downtown in the series, but fellow board member Gail Hamilton says they won’t put a limit on how many murals are commissioned as long as they can be funded.

Bennett also added the next mural will be a crosswalk painting that will be in front of the Zephyrhills Public Library on Eighth street.

Main Street hopes to have that completed and unveiled in January.

Published November 23, 2022

Land O’ Lakes Branch Library has a new look

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The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library is ready for patrons to come and take advantage of the upgraded facility. It underwent a complete renovation that includes a new look, updated technology and new meeting spaces. (Mike Camunas)

After being closed for 15 months, the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, reopened on Nov. 14.

Patrons and area residents were there to check out the $4.75-million renovation.

The branch added new adult, teens and kids’ spaces; new meeting spaces; an expanded lobby; renovated makerspace; a new central service area; improved landscaping and outdoor patios; and upgraded the drive-through.

In all, the 18,169-square-foot branch got a complete, floor-to-ceiling remodel thanks to the General Obligation Bond (GO Bond) Referendum Pasco voters passed in 2018.

While the Land O’ Lakes Branch has reopened, work continues to upgrade the Hugh Embry Branch Library, at 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, and the South Holiday Branch Library, at 4649 Mile Stretch Drive.

The Land O’ Lakes Branch began as a small section of a county building on U.S. 41, but later was moved to a larger location because of its popularity. In 1980, it became an official part of the Pasco County Library Collective and moved into a Land O’ Lakes plaza storefront in 1988.

The branch at its current location was built through a $10-million bond referendum passed by Pasco County voters in 1986 to improve public library services and build new parks countywide.

The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library opened to the public on Dec. 12, 1991.

Published November 23, 2022

Community celebrates 50 years

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This community is golden, and has been for 50 years.

Weslyn Stevens, left, and Jaxson Oberhaus take a slow ride on a couple of mini ponies at the Lake Padgett Estates East 50th Anniversary Founder’s Day Festival on Nov. 12. (Mike Camunas)

Lake Padgett Estates East, the bustling Land O’ Lakes neighborhood that consists of 1,125 properties, a middle and elementary school, and a popular hiking, camping and exploring area, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with gratitude and aplomb.

“You really can’t slow this community down,” Community Association Manager Robert Stone said. “The residents, they love this neighborhood and the activities it does, and it shows when they all come out, no matter what we do.”

Established Nov. 17, 1972, Stone says the community celebrates this Founder’s Day every five years, but he was still impressed by the showing of residents for the 50th Anniversary Festival on Nov. 12.

Michael Zaniewski takes a fun selfie with his daughter, Zori, during a train ride at the Lake Padgett Estates East 50th Anniversary Founder’s Day Festival on Nov. 12, at the Land O’ Lakes community’s clubhouse and recreation center.

The event had fun activities such as a rock-climbing wall, a wipe out attraction and a trackless train brought by AirFun Games; a petting zoo and mini pony rides by A Thomas Pony Rides & Petting Zoo; a continuous hayride by Mandell’s Tree Service; a car show by Let’s Roll Promotions; a silent auction by the Founder’s Day Committee; plus food trucks, local vendors, face painting and more.

“The car show was a big draw, for sure,” Stone said. “It always seems to be in this area, but the turnout was great. If I’m being honest, we got more people than we expected.”

Set up by the Founder’s Day Committee, which consists of Kori Brown, Bobbi Clay, Sherril Burnite and Mei-Ling Miranda, the event’s proceeds go back into the community and fund the next community event, which will be cookies with Santa.

And for the longtime community that also includes a restaurant/clubhouse, swimming pool, track, tennis, basketball, racquetball and hand-ball courts, batting cage, playground and dog park, that seems to be just fine for the residents over the years.

“Everyone loves these events,” Stone said. “They’re always well-received, and it’s great to see anyone who comes out and enjoys being part of this community.”

Published November 23, 2022

Natalie Jones, of Lake Padgett Estates East, cunningly, and laughably, avoids a rotating foam obstacle course at the Land O’ Lakes community’s 50th anniversary celebration on Nov. 12.
While at the Lake Padgett Estates East 50th Anniversary Founder’s Day Festival in Land O’ Lakes, Cooper Schembri gets friendly with a petting zoo goat.
Hayrides were available at the Lake Padgett Estates East 50th Anniversary Founder’s Day Festival.
From left: Keith Schwingle, Bill Pawson, Reggie Causey and Don Bentley look over and discuss an engine of a classic car at the Lake Padgett Estate East 50th Anniversary Founder’s Day Festival on Nov. 12.

Pump-king of the compost hill

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They posted about compost.

Students at Learning Gate Community School in Lutz held a competition to see who could collect the most discarded Halloween pumpkins, and then they composted them with soil.

Learning Gate Community School students unload the discarded pumpkins they helped collect from the community as part of a composting project. (Steve Warrener)

Led by Environmental Science Teacher Steve Warrener, the project set up five drop-off locations around Lutz where locals could donate pumpkins.

Warrener then held a Tik Tok competition, posting videos each day. He competed against “Farm Boy James” — a popular composting personality over in St. Johns County.

“He and I posted several videos calling each other out, but the kids really got into seeing what Farm Boy James would say next and how our totals were stacking up,” Warrener said.
The competition ended in a tie: Farm Boy collected 2 tons of pumpkins, as did Warrener and his students.

“The main premise for us was to inspire and educate people to the benefits of dealing with the 100 billion pounds of food wasted annually,” Warrener said. “And why not start with a food that is about 99% wasted? — pumpkins!

“If we do it again next year, I want the county involved. We could do 20 tons by having locations to drop off at every library. That could be really fun.”

Warrener set up five drop-off locations, starting with one at Learning Gate’s campuses: the main one on Hanna Road and its sister site on Lutz Lake Fern Road; other locations included Sunlake Academy of Math and Science, Al’s Lawn Care and Happy Farm.

Warrener and the students picked up pumpkins from these locations between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15. One pickup involved a bulk donation from Watermelon Swim School that had unsold inventory from its annual pumpkin patch.

About half of the pumpkins were composted at Learning Gate’s Hanna Campus, while the other half were composted at Happy Farm.

Learning Gate Community School students proudly stand atop a pile of pumpkins that was part of the 2 tons they collected from the Lutz community for a composting project.

To compost the pumpkins, students smashed them with shovels and mixed it with soil and mulch from the school’s last tree-trimming job.

“Then we let our class chickens dig through it and spread it around — the chickens are mixing it for us — and then we can pile it back up and let it turn into better soil for our little farm,” Warrener said.

“It ended up being a much bigger project than I had planned thanks to the community involvement and the help from (Learning Gate’s) Michele Northup and The Laker/Lutz News getting the word out.”

In the end, the project taught the students a lot about the importance of composting and recycling.

When students posed questions to one another, each had a unique take on the experience.

Michael Bishop asked, “Why is composting beneficial?” and Colton Ownby replied, “Instead of throwing it away, we put it into the soil.”

Seannah McCarty said, “I learned that you can make very good soil from composting.”

Amy Cook added, “We are going to help the soil (and) to build a garden with it.”

Students agreed, when asked about their favorite part of the project.

“Smashing the pumpkins!” Max Perez said, excitedly.

Ella Couture agreed: “I loved smashing the pumpkins.”

Published November 23, 2022

From left, Learning Gate Community School students Ava Klein, Charlotte Schoeman and Kamryn Whitmore take turns smashing pumpkins for a composting project. Students reached out to the community and collected 2 tons of discarded Halloween pumpkins.
Learning Gate Community School Environmental Science Teacher Steve Warrener shows off the piles of discarded pumpkins he and students collected to compost.

All You Need Is Love

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You don’t need a ticket to ride — or to enter.

At Penny Lane: The Ultimate Beatles Museum in downtown Dunedin, it is absolutely free to peruse the very large collection of Beatles memorabilia. The museum houses many extremely rare and highly collectible mementos from signed guitars to Yellow Submarine paraphernalia to Beatles puppets and pins from a serape once owned by Ringo Starr.

Penny Lane, the Beatles Museum in downtown Dunedin, has hundreds of rare memorabilia, posters, pictures, toys — even strands of the musicians’ hair — all on display with free admission. (Mike Camunas)

There are even strands of the musicians’ hair on display.

So, while strolling the small museum on the second floor of Stirling Commons and in the back of a local art gallery, you can see plenty of memorabilia, while Beatles tunes fill your ears.

Got a good reason?
The Penny Lane Beatles Museum is as good as any reason to take a daytrip to Dunedin.

The museum was created by longtime Dunedin resident and humanitarian Dr. Robert Entel, who founded it in January 2017. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit museum was co-founded by Colin Bissett, who grew up in Liverpool and went to school with Pete Best’s brother (Beatles first drummer). He attended many performances at the Cavern Club and Casbah in the early ’60s before the band became a worldwide phenomenon known as The Beatles.

A signed guitar by Beatles’ legend Paul McCartney.

Throughout the museum, collections are spread out through their albums and the eras the band experienced. There are sections dedicated to the British Invasion to Yellow Submarine, to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, to Abbey Road and their final album, Let It Be, released in 1970 a month after the band broke up.

Several signed instruments also are on display, as are the band’s gold records.

And just when you think some sort of trinket or toy was never made of The Beatles, well, Penny Lane will prove you wrong.

Also, one of the museum’s volunteers will be glad to give a tour, dispense more Beatles knowledge and trivia and even answer questions.

Such as if that is actually Lucy in the sky with diamonds.

Come Together
To be fair, enjoying Penny Lane will not take up a whole day. While it is a very impressive collection and a fun attraction, you might find yourself done quicker than expected.

Penny Lane, the Beatles Museum in downtown Dunedin, is surrounded by several local artists galleries, all of which are free to peruse.

Not to fear — you’ll already be in downtown Dunedin, with its several restaurants and craft beer breweries, its many shops and parks, too. Check out the pier at Josiah Cephas Weaver Park, the fine arts district, or a minor league baseball game at TD Ballpark. Or, if you’re still feeling cheeky from The Beatles, there’s Rosie’s Tavern. It has a British Pub feel to it and is right downstairs from Penny Lane.

Eight Days a Week
Sadly, that is not the case for Penny Lane and its availability. It’s open just Thursdays through Sundays, but as mentioned previously, admission is completely free. The museum’s purpose is to engage and teach longtime fans or even just the casual ones more about arguably the most influential band of all time. It’s also a great place to celebrate the legacy of John, Paul, George and Ringo.

So, get back and go yesterday, if you can. Because for the museum and its memorabilia, there’s nowhere else it can be that isn’t where it’s meant to be.

Penny Lane: The Ultimate Beatles Museum
Where: 730 Broadway, Second Floor, Dunedin
When: Open Thursdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: A permanent collection with hundreds of rare Beatles memorabilia, from signed guitars, posters, pictures, toys, merchandise and even strands of the musicians’ hair.
Info: Visit PennyLaneBeatlesMuseum.com, or call 727-281-8130, or email .

Published November 23, 2022

Penny Lane, the Beatles Museum in downtown Dunedin, has hundreds of memorabilia of the Beatles from different eras and albums of the band, including a section dedicated to their eighth album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
A British phone booth replica sits outside the building that houses Penny Lane, the Beatles Museum in downtown Dunedin. It also lists the other nearby shops and businesses.
A very lifelike miniature statue of Beatles frontman John Lennon.

 

Enjoy your Thanksgiving foods, and avoid illness, too

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers some simple steps to avoid food-borne illness during the Thanksgiving holiday.

There are four steps to keep in mind when it comes to food safety, according to a USDA news release. Those steps are clean, separate, cook and chill.

BE SANITARY
Clean and sanitize any surfaces that have touched raw turkey and its juices and will later touch food, such as kitchen counters, sinks, stoves, tabletops, etc.

DON’T CROSS-CONTAMINATE
Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards — one for raw meat and poultry, and another for fruits and vegetables.

BE CAREFUL WHEN THAWING TURKEY
There are three ways to safely thaw a turkey: in the refrigerator, in cold water and in the microwave.

To thaw in the refrigerator: Allow roughly 24 hours for every four pounds to five pounds of turkey. After thawing, a turkey is safe in a refrigerator for one to two days.

To thaw in a cold-water bath: Allow 30 minutes per pound and submerge the turkey in its original wrapping to avoid cross-contamination. Change the water every 30 minutes until the turkey is thawed. The turkey must be cooked immediately after thawing.

To thaw in a microwave: Follow manufacturer’s recommendations. Cook it immediately after thawing because some areas of the food may become warm and begin to cook during the thawing process.

BE SURE YOUR TURKEY IS COOKED PROPERLY
Cook your turkey thoroughly. It is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165 F. To check the internal temperature, insert a food thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the wing and the innermost part of the thigh.

The USDA recommends using a food thermometer even if the turkey has a pop-up temperature indicator to ensure it has reached 165 F in the three previously stated places.

IF YOU’RE GOING TO STUFF YOUR BIRDThe USDA recommends against stuffing your turkey since this often leads to bacteria growth.

However, if you plan to stuff your turkey, follow these steps:

Prepare the wet and dry ingredients for the stuffing separately from each other and refrigerate until ready to use. Mix wet and dry ingredients just before filling the bird’s cavity.

Do not stuff whole poultry and leave in the refrigerator before cooking.

Stuff the turkey loosely — about 3/4 cup of stuffing per pound.

Immediately place the stuffed, raw turkey in an oven set no lower than 325 F. Keep in mind that it will take longer to cook a stuffed turkey. To be sure it cooked, place a food thermometer in the center of the stuffing to ensure it has reached an internal temperature of 165 F.

Also, wait 20 minutes before serving the cooked turkey.

KEEP FOOD SAFE, BEFORE AND WHILE SERVING
Don’t leave your food sitting out too long! Refrigerate all perishable foods sitting out at room temperature within two hours of being cooked, or one hour if the temperature is 90 F or above. After two hours, perishable food will enter the danger zone, between 40 F and 140 F, which is where bacteria can multiply quickly and cause the food to become unsafe.

Discard all foods that have been left out for more than two hours. Remember this rule: Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.

When transporting hot foods: Wrap dishes in insulated containers to keep their temperature above 140 F.

When transporting cold foods: Place items in a cooler with ice or gel packs to keep them at or below 40 F.

When serving to groups: Keep hot food hot and keep cold food cold by using chafing dishes or crockpots and ice trays. Hot items should remain above 140 F and cold items should remain below 40 F.

KEEP LEFTOVERS SAFE
Store leftovers in small shallow containers and put them in the refrigerator. Thanksgiving leftovers are safe to eat up to four days after refrigeration. In the freezer, leftovers are safely frozen indefinitely but will keep best quality from two months to six months.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For Thanksgiving food safety questions, call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854), email , or chat live at Ask.usda.gov from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

Do you have any last-minute turkey day questions? The Meat and Poultry Hotline will be open on Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Published November 23, 2022

Zephyrhills community keeps on collecting food

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Frances Fusco doesn’t have to bug anyone.

She doesn’t have to knock on doors or solicit or even beg.

“They just do it,” the longtime resident of Southport Springs Golf & Country Club in Zephyrhills said.

Fusco is referring to her neighbors and community friends — the same ones, without hesitation, that brought large helpings of food and goods and other pantry donations for the annual food drive she heads up just before Thanksgiving.

First Presbyterian Church of Zephyrhills Reverend Denise Lay, left, and one of her parishioners, Tom Hannold, sort through the donated foods and goods that were brought by residents during Southport Springs Golf & Country Club food drive on Nov. 9. (Mike Camunas)

On Nov. 9, Fusco, and about a dozen helpers, stationed themselves at the community’s clubhouse and welcomed anyone from Southport — and neighboring communities — who were willing to donate to the food banks of nearby churches.

The food drive is in its fifth year and has always benefited St Joseph’s Catholic Church, First United Methodist Church of Zephyrhills and Chancey Road Christian Church. First Presbyterian Church of Zephyrhills was added to the congregation this year.

Fusco and company loaded up car trunks and backseats, while Reverend Denise Lay, of First Presbyterian, brought the church’s van and was able to take back plenty of food, including a frozen turkey.

“Any drive is very huge for us,” Lay said, “but this one, being included this year, has been wonderful. We’re thankful for it, as we are for all our food that comes in the door and then goes right back out.”

Lay said there has been high demand at her church’s food bank, which is why it is planning two Thanksgiving meal giveaways. One will be before the holiday, with those in need able to pick up to-go meals. The church also will host a Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 24.

Southport Springs Golf & Country Club food drive coordinator Frances Fusco loads some donated goods into a car that will eventually go to First United Methodist Church. For five years now, Fusco and other residents of the Zephyrhills community have reached out and collected food and other goods for food pantries of nearby churches. On Nov. 9, about eight cars and a large van from First Presbyterian Church of Zephyrhills were loaded up with donations that were brought up to the community’s clubhouse from residents and other Zephyrhills citizens.

“Our food ministry has risen up to serve and we’ve served so many,” Lay said.

The Southport community runs several fundraisers or charitable activities throughout the year. In January, they’ll host one to benefit Caterpillars to Butterflies, the Dade City charity that supports at-risk children.

At Southport, Fusco says, the residents have the full support of the community management group, Sun Communities, which “gives us a general manager who is so open and responsive to all that we do as a community,” she added.

Fusco said everyone is made well aware of the food drive, from it being in the neighborhood newsletter, email blasts and reminders at the weekly coffee social.

Fusco, a former nurse in the Air Force who served in Vietnam, is proud of her community for stepping up, especially since promoting the food drive was pretty unnecessary.

Here,” she said, “you don’t have to bug people to donate, or beg from them. They have enough that they’re willing to donate their food, as well as their time and talents, to help out.

“I think more communities should do this, because this is one of the great things about Southport.”

First Presbyterian Church of Zephyrhills Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Where: 5510 19th St., Zephyrhills
When: Nov. 24, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Details: Meals will be served inside the church’s Fellowship Hall to those who are alone or need a meal. No reservations required for the event. Meals will be served until all are served or food runs out.

Published November 23, 2022

Safety tips for the holidays

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The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is offering reminders to help residents protect their belongings and to stay safe during the holiday traveling season.

Here are some of those tips, condensed from a sheriff’s office posting:

  • Never hide a spare key at an entry point.
  • Have someone you trust retrieve your mail, move your trash cans and take care of other routine activities.
  • Maintain your landscaping to eliminate hiding places for potential criminals.
  • Lock all windows and doors and be sure the locks work.
  • Make your home look “lived-in” while away: Use automatic timers or smart devices to control lights at different intervals to make it appear that someone is home.
  • Lock the garage door, or unplug the opener to disable it.
  • Set your alarm system, if you have one.
  • List a trusted alternate contact that’s local with your home security system in case of an emergency.
  • Store belongings such as recreational items or tools in a shed or a garage.
  • Check all fences are closed and gate latches are secured.
  • Share your travel plans with someone close to home while away, so they can quickly report suspicious activity at your home.

While Traveling

  • Adjust social media privacy settings not to share travel activities publicly, and don’t share travel plans on your social media platforms prior to travel.
  • Do not “check-in” virtually at places, to keep your location private.
  • Wait to post travel photos to social media until after you have returned home.
  • Be smart about potential scams and your personal safety.
  • Practice safe storage of any identification you carry, credit cards and money.
  • Tag luggage, including placing a card with your contact information inside your suitcase, and do not leave bags unattended to prevent theft.
  • Know how to contact your destination’s local law enforcement and emergency services before you get there.
  • If you are traveling internationally, know where the closest embassy is and how to contact them. Keep your important travel documents inside a hotel room’s safe.

Published November 23, 2022

AAA forecasts 2.9 millions Floridians will travel for Thanksgiving

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AAA forecasts that 2.9 million will travel for the Thanksgiving holiday — the most since 2005, according to a AAA news release.

Nationally, AAA predicts 54.6 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Thanksgiving.

The national figure is slightly below pre-pandemic levels, but Florida is forecast to be the busiest it has been in nearly two decades.

“Travel is still roaring back from the pandemic,” said Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group, in the release. “While gas prices and other inflationary pressures weigh on budgets, travel remains a top priority for Americans, particularly during the holidays. Travel spending is at the highest level since the pandemic began, which is a driving force behind our projections this year. AAA expects busy roads and long lines at the airport, so leave early and be flexible with your travel plans.”

Despite higher gas prices, 89% of all Thanksgiving travelers will drive. AAA forecasts 48.65 million Americans will set out for a holiday road trip. That’s 203,000 more drivers than last year.

In Florida, 2.7 million (91% of travelers) will take a road trip; an increase of 28,000 people from last year’s holiday, the release adds.

Pump prices are trending higher this month and could set new record highs for the holiday. In Florida, the highest daily average price for Thanksgiving was set back in 2013, at $3.46 per gallon.

“Higher gas prices don’t seem to be enough to stop people from traveling to be with family and friends,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We’ve found that when gas prices are high, travelers look to offset the added cost by staying in a less-expensive hotel or spending less on shopping and dining out.”

If you are hitting the road for the holidays, leave early, AAA recommends. Travelers should expect much heavier than normal congestion Monday through Wednesday afternoon and early evening. Traffic will be lighter during the morning and late evening hours and on Thanksgiving Day.

Be sure to get a full vehicle inspection before hitting the road, to check everything from tires, oil, air filter and wiper blades.

Also, be sure to  move over for first responders, tow trucks and people with disabled vehicles.

If you’re traveling by air

  • Check-in early online.
  • Monitor your flight status using your air carrier’s mobile app.
  • Arrive 2 hours to 3 hours before scheduled departure.
  • Pack medications and an extra set of clothes in your carry-on bag, just in case your flight is delayed or canceled.