The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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This project is lit

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On the 27-acre acre campus at Learning Gate Community School, in Lutz, sixth-graders have built solar panels that power and charge electrical devices.

Learning Gate Community School environmental science teacher Steve Warrener, right, looks on as Ryan Khalfouni, left, and R.J. Akers work on connecting plugs and wires that will connect to the solar panel field the sixth-graders built. (Mike Camunas)

So, why did they do that?

They gave several reasons for taking on the challenge.

They wanted to create clean energy, to stop CO2 emissions, to educate themselves and others about solar power and, last, but not least, to impress Elon Musk.

Working with solar panels was a new experience for sixth-grader Harvey Lemieux.

He said the project was fun and informative, teaching students a lot about creating clean energy.

Learning Gate Community School sixth-graders Mya Stapleton, right, and Hattie Pham-Yancey, left, use a karaoke machine that is powered by a solar panel farm the students built by hand. The panels can power appliances and devices, as well as charge an electric car and a rebuilt electric go-kart. It even powered a house during a power outage caused by Hurricane Ian in September.

It took the first quarter of the school year to build the solar panels and wire them so the power can be converted into electricity. Once they had the power, the students — supervised by environmental science teacher Steve Warrener — were able to plug in devices such as a power drill, as well as a karaoke machine speaker to listen to some of their favorite tunes.

They also were able to charge a modified and rebuilt go-kart.

The kart is aptly named “Edmond” — after Edmond Becquerel. He’s the French physicist credited with the discovery of the photovoltaic effect, the operating principle of the solar cell. The student’s kart is fully electric and runs on recycled batteries from a front loader.

“Learning Gate is a pretty special school. I don’t know of any other school that’s building solar power stations, but I sure hope there will be more,” the teacher said.

The project is more than just building solar panels. The students worked out how the panels would work, even preparing a professional presentation they would use, if approaching a company seeking a solar-power solution.

The students had to research every part and component, Warrener said.

In addition to building a solar panel field, sixth-graders at Learning Gate Community School also restored a go-kart, converting it to electric. The kart, which can be charged with the panels, is named ‘Edmond’ after Edmond Becquerel, the French physicist credited with the discovery of the photovoltaic effect, which is the operating principle of the solar cell.

That showed them “why they have to do it that way and why it would be the most efficient way,” Warrener said.

Annabelle Avant, a sixth-grader at Learning Gate Community School, connects plugs and cords from the solar panels that will power things such as a karaoke machine and power tools.

“What the project really did was show that it’s not hard to use solar power and go with clean energy,” the teacher added. “In fact, it’s easily accessible and that it can be done, it can be made affordable and it can be built — even by kids!”

The project was so successful, it will allow Learning Gate to lower its electric bill and carbon footprint.

It also was used to charge up a teacher’s electric car — and, also used to power a house, Warrener said.

During Hurricane Ian, some houses in his neighborhood lost power. Warrener offered to bring over the panels. In one case, the energy was used to keep a fridge running to avoid spoiling food and also to run other devices, the day after the storm.

“I don’t even know how that happened (powering a house),” Lemieux said. “Just taking the power of the sun and turning it into electricity for a house — that’s just crazy to me.”

“That was pretty cool and amazing that it was able to power a house,” sixth-grader Ellis Brodski added. “We had just been using it to charge the kart or power the (karaoke machine), so to see it have a big use like that was pretty cool.

“I thought we were able to make these solar panels that work pretty easily, so I think others should do it, too.”

Lemieux agrees.

“It could save so much money and energy, so yeah, I think that those solar farms that people build, I think people take it for granted and that more people should use solar power,” he said. “Maybe more schools can get students to do what we did and build it as a project and then it helps the school save money.”

Published October 26, 2022

Zephyrhills asks citizens to help with rebranding efforts

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The City of Zephyrhills once again is turning to its citizens to help rebrand itself.

The City of Zephyrhills is working toward distancing itself from its current designation as ‘The City of Pure Water’ and rebranding itself with input obtained from research and the community. (Mike Camunas)

In July, city leaders brought in North Star Place Branding + Marketing, a Jacksonville-based consulting firm that will conduct research within the community to uncover how Zephyrhills is perceived, attitudes that people have about it and will explore the city’s unique offerings.

On Oct. 17, the city and the firm launched a community-wide online survey giving everyone in Zephyrhills a place where they can share their input and have their perspective counted.

The survey asks several questions, including how one would describe Zephyrhills, how others perceive Zephyrhills and even to name some things that people outside the community should know about the city.

Zephyrhills, the largest municipality in Pasco County, plans to “rebrand” itself beyond being widely known as a great place for skydiving and for winter residents. The effort also includes rewriting the city’s current “The City of Pure Water” slogan. The rebranding effort is aimed at increasing interest and investment in Zephyrhills from residents, entrepreneurs, companies and visitors.

The survey is about researching to uncover what is distinctive and authentic about the entire community and using that to creatively proceed with a new town slogan, logo, accent colors and more.

Survey results will remain confidential, and the information will be presented in total. The city asks participants to complete the survey before Nov. 25.

To complete the survey, visit tinyurl.com/ZephyrhillsSurvey, or visit AuthenticZephyrhills.com, to learn more about the city’s research/branding initiative.

Published October 26, 2022

Going batty for bats — in a good way

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Bats.

They’re those winged creatures that fly into people’s hair, right?

They bite people, too, right?

And, of course, they wreak all kinds of havoc, right?

Wrong, wrong and wrong, says Tracy Weaver, a master gardener volunteer with the Pasco County Cooperative Extension, which is part of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS).

Tracy Weaver, a master gardener volunteer with the Pasco County Cooperative Extension, shared her knowledge about bats, which she says, are often misunderstood. (B.C. Manion)

Weaver shared her knowledge of, and her downright affection for, bats, during a talk she gave at the Starkey Ranch Theatre, Library and Cultural Center, at 12118 Lake Blanche Drive, in the Starkey Ranch community in Odessa.

She shared some myths and misconceptions about bats, which, she said, is why bats are sometimes feared.

“They are misunderstood because of us. We have so little knowledge of them.

“You all grew up, ‘Oh, they’re terrible, they’re going to get in my hair. They’re going to bite me.’

“And then, all of those vampire movies we used to watch. Oh, my gosh, did they do an injustice to the bats. It just drives me crazy,” Weaver told the audience.

In truth, Weaver said, “there are only three species of vampire bats and they only live in Central and South America.”

Bats are nocturnal and often live in eerie places, such as in caves, or under bridges, in the eaves of houses, or in attics.

“That’s kind of spooky and scary to people: ‘I don’t want that bat in my house. I’m going to get rabies. It’s going to bite me. It’s going to spit up blood,’” she said.

While it is possible to get rabies from bats, that rarely happens, Weaver added.

“Less than ½ of 1% (of bats) get rabies, and if they do, they crash and die, within days,” she said.

Weaver gave her talk at the Starkey Ranch library because she wants to help people gain a greater understanding about bats.

She hopes increased knowledge will create a greater appreciation of the benefits bats provide and will lead to more activities aimed at attracting and protecting the winged creatures.

Besides touting the advantages of having bats nearby, she discussed how to make bat houses, how to create good conditions for attracting bats and steps that can be taken to reduce the threat of predators.

She also pointed out resources that can provide more information to help those interested in attracting bats to their properties, or who simply want to satisfy their curiosity about them.

Weaver’s enthusiasm for bats is obvious.

While some might freak out when they see a bat dart by, Weaver has a different reaction.

Her response?

“That was a bat, cool,” Weaver said. “They’re flying mammals. They’re just so cool, it’s amazing.”

Do you want to attract bats?
If you want to attract bats, don’t cut your palm fronds.

“They love those palm fronds,” said Weaver, a former agriculture teacher.

There are 13 species of bats that live year-round in Florida. This is an image of a Southeastern Myotis bat that primarily feeds on mosquitoes, but also eats crane flies, moths and small beetles. (Courtesy of University of Florida)

Building a bat house is another way to encourage bats to live on your property.

The bat house should be at least 24 inches tall and 16 inches wide. It needs a landing pad that’s 3 inches to 6 inches wide. There should be vents in the boxes, and at least four chambers.

The boxes can be built from exterior plywood, or cedar, she added. But pressure-treated wood should be avoided because of the chemicals it contains.

In Florida, light colors are good because that reflects, rather than absorbs, heat.

The bat box should be at least 10 feet above ground, but ideally between 15 feet to 25 feet, she said. Flag poles can make good poles for bat boxes, she said.

It’s best to mount the bat houses at least 25 feet away from trees and in an area with easy access to water.

Bats come in, in the mornings, sleep all day and leave their roost at night, she said.

Bat houses need to be in open spaces.

“If you put it near trees, they’re going to have a hard time swooping in,” she said.

The boxes also need to be far enough away from trees to prevent predators from climbing up to get to them.

Predators of bats include owls, hawks, snakes and raccoons.

More than 1,400 species of bats have been counted in the world, including 48 in the United States, Weaver said. Of those, 13 live in Florida year-round, and about 65 come and go, Weaver said.

Many people are not aware of the critical role that bats play, in eating mosquitoes and all kinds of agricultural pests, Weaver said.

They are an asset for both the ecosystem and the economy, Weaver said, noting in the United States alone they have saved billions of dollars by protecting agricultural crops.

Myths and facts about bats

Myths:

  • Bats are flying mice: No, they’re not.
  • Bats are blind: No, they can see as well as humans.
  • They get tangled in people’s hair: That’s more likely to happen in a horror movie.

Facts:

  • If bats get close to people it’s because bats eat insects, and like humans, insects exhale carbon dioxide.
  • Bats can have lengthy lives, some exceeding 40 years — and typically live between 20 and 30 years.
  • Bats live everywhere, except in extremely cold or extremely hot places.
  • In Florida, the longevity of bats in Florida is typically between 10 to 12 years.
  • There’s an abundance of bats in South America and Central America. Those are the fruit-eating and nectar bats.
  • Distinguishing features of bats include its ears, color, size and whether or not it has a tail.
  • 1,421 species of bats have been counted in the world. There are 48 species in the United States, and of those, 13 live in Florida year-round.

Want to know more about bats? Check out this website, www.BatCon.org, or visit FloridaMuseum.ufl.edu/bats/.

Source: Tracy Weaver, master gardener volunteer with Pasco County Cooperative Extension

How to help bats

  • Raise public awareness about the benefits they provide
  • Discourage the inhumane removal of bats from buildings
  • Provide forage for them: Give them a place to be
  • Keep your cats indoors at dawn and dusk

Source: Tracy Weaver, master gardener volunteer with Pasco County Cooperative Extension

Published October 26, 2022

For Halloween fun, check out this spooky trail

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Christine Lewis takes Halloween very seriously.

She’s so devoted to the holiday that she built a spooky, interactive trail in front of her Land O’ Lakes home in Wilderness Lake Preserve.

Wilderness Lake Preserve resident Karla Arita enjoys the spooky trail her neighbor, Christine Lewis, set up in front of her house. Lewis created the attraction for her neighbors and other nearby community residents to come by to enjoy, free of charge, from now until Halloween. Anyone can come walk the trail, at 7232 Night Heron Drive, in Land O’ Lakes. (Mike Camunas)

And someone special in her life inspired her.

“The grandbaby asked, ‘Grandma, are you going to decorate?’” Lewis said. “About five houses here (on her street) really do all the decorations, so it’s been on (like a competition) when it comes to Halloween.

“It just morphed into something that was made for my grandbaby, but now is shared with the community.”

It didn’t begin as an interactive trail. For Lewis, it was just decorating to the brim during October. She was happy her grandson, Logan, 4, and her autistic stepson, Hayden, 19, loved it.

Now, after a trial year in 2021, Lewis, with the help of her neighbor, Robert Kersey, may have just perfected the setup. This year’s display will allow residents and nearby visitors to enjoy the spooky trail that has photo ops and lights up at night.

Wilderness Lake Preserve resident Christine Lewis created a spooky trail in front of her house at 7232 Night Heron Drive, in Land O’ Lakes. She welcomes all neighbors — from her subdivision and nearby ones — to come check it out, until Halloween.

Lewis learned from last year to add a designated entrance and exit, but also to space out the trail so “anyone with a stroller or a walker” can easily walk through.

At the end, and on Halloween night, the Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood will be on a small stage and available for photos.

“Oh, we got well over 200 visitors last year — on Halloween alone,” said Lewis, who has lived in Wilderness Lake since 2015 and is also a Wiccan. “And we’ll get well over that this year, but it is a nice way to meet people in the community. And since I posted it on the (neighborhood) Facebook group, everyone asks about it and thanks me for doing it, and really appreciates it and embraces it.

“That really means a lot to me — really lifts my spirits,” the four-time cancer survivor added.

Lewis says everyone is welcome to see the trail, free of charge, in front of her house at 7232 Night Heron Drive — and not just residents of Wilderness Lake, but those from neighboring communities in Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, Wesley Chapel and beyond.

Anyone can come by for candy, photos and, of course, fun.

“It’s not just for kids,” she added. “An 84-year-old woman just stopped by with her husband and came to the door and asked, ‘Can I walk it?’ And I was like, ‘Of course!’ … Plus, on Halloween, we’ll have over 1,000 pieces of candy to hand out.

“And some beer for the adults,” she added, with a laugh.

Published October 26, 2022

Christine Lewis also has the spooky trail lit up at night, and on Halloween, will have Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf waiting for visitors at the end.

Voters to decide fate of Penny for Pasco

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Pasco County voters casting a ballot in the Nov. 8 General Election will decide the fate of a proposed 1-cent sales tax to pay for local projects.

Proceeds from the tax would be divided between Pasco County, Pasco County Schools and the county’s six municipalities.

The county and school district each would receive 45% . The municipalities would split the remaining 10%.

Zephyrhills High underwent a two-year, $33-million renovation, which included redesigning the common area to make it more spacious and to provide a prominent location for the school’s massive trophy case. (File)

This is the third time Pasco residents have been asked to support the Penny for Pasco local government surtax.

Voters initially approved the tax in 2004, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2005 and lasted through Dec. 31, 2014. Voters renewed the tax for 10 more years, from Jan. 1, 2015 through Dec. 31, 2024.

This time, voters are being asked to extend the tax for 15 years.

If approved, it would be in effect from Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2039.

The Pasco County School Board has identified a list of projects the tax extension would support.

The school board’s list includes new schools, school expansions, school renovations, additional technology, school safety enhancements, athletic facility improvements, improvements in the driver pickup areas at schools, and other projects.

Pasco County also identified how it will divide the revenues among categories of spending. The county would allocate its portion this way: 40% for transportation, 20% for economic development, 20% for public safety; and, 20% for environmental lands and parks infrastructure.

Spending a portion of the proceeds for parks equipment is new, but county officials said the idea is to enable equipping the parks more quickly for the public’s enjoyment.

Economic development funds would be spent on attracting new companies to boost job opportunities, expanding opportunities for existing companies, stimulating redevelopment of blighted areas and helping in workforce development, among other things.

The funds will also support business incubators and provide small business assistance to locally owned companies.

In general, the economic development funds are intended to help businesses of all sizes to be successful, to generate more high-paying jobs in the county and to broaden Pasco’s tax base.

A portion of the county’s proceeds also will be used to acquire environmentally sensitive lands. Officials estimate 3,000 acres to 3,700 acres could be acquired with future Penny for Pasco revenue.

The funds also will support infrastructure projects at Baillies Bluff Wilderness Park and at the Len Angeline Wilderness and Recreation Park.

The county’s allocation also includes 20% for public safety.

Woodland Elementary School’s cafeteria is now quite spacious, allowing more children to eat at the same time and allowing the school to reduce the serving time needed for lunch. The cafeteria also has a stage, and the room is big enough for school events. Those improvements were done using proceeds from the Penny for Pasco surtax. (File)

Fire Rescue would receive boats, life-saving emergency response equipment, in-vehicle computers, facility upgrades and new vehicles, including utility terrain vehicles.

The sheriff’s office would receive new vehicles and in-vehicle computers and equipment.

Transportation and engineering services would receive 40% of the county’s share of the proceeds.

Tax proceeds also will go to a wide array of projects in specific areas around the county, including sidewalks, multi-use paths, bicycle lanes, intersection improvements and roundabouts.

The school district has identified a number of new schools supported by the 15-year extension of the tax. The district also uses state funds and impact fees to help pay for new school construction.

One school that would be supported through Penny for Pasco funds would be built near the Bexley development, off State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes.

A K-8 school would be built in the State Road 52 corridor, in an area known as the Central Pasco Employment Village, also in Land O’ Lakes.

Another K-8 would be built on the State Road 54 corridor, in the Ballantrae area.

Plus, in the Villages of Pasadena Hills — between Wesley Chapel and Dade City — the school district is expected to be building a K-8, or whatever is needed there.

But those are just some of the projects that would be built with Penny proceeds.

The school district also would use the tax revenues to add computers in schools, upgrade the district’s computer network, fortify the safety on its campuses, upgrade athletic facilities and improve safety at driver pickup locations at schools, among other things.

For more information about projects that have been completed using Penny for Pasco proceeds, as well as proposed projects, visit Pasco County Schools’ website at Pasco.k12.fl.us, and click on the Penny for Pasco tab. That also includes a link to Pasco County’s website, which also has information about the proposed tax.

Hillsborough 1-cent surtax for transportation
In Hillsborough County, meanwhile, a proposed 1-cent surtax to support transportation projects has been nullified by a circuit court judge, but remains on the ballot because of an appeal filed by the Hillsborough County Commission.

That tax would last 30 years and would pay for transportation improvements throughout the county, including unincorporated areas and Tampa, Plant City, Temple Terrace, Brandon, Riverview, Carrollwood and Town ’N Country.

Projects, according to the ballot language, would include build and widen roads, fix roads and bridges, expand transit options, fix potholes, enhance bus services, improve intersections, and make walking and biking safer.

If approved, the funds would be deposited in an audited trust fund, which would have citizen oversight, according to the ballot language.

Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer’s office issued a news release on Oct. 19, reporting: “The Circuit Court issued a judgment yesterday removing the Hillsborough County surtax referendum from the 2022 General Election ballot. Because the County then filed a Notice of Appeal of the judgment, the judgment is stayed pending review or until further notice from the Courts. Votes for and against this measure continue to be tabulated. The Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office will continue to follow any and all orders of the Circuit and Appellate Courts.”

Published October 26, 2022

JoAnne Glenn will lead Angeline Academy of Innovation

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Pasco County Schools has named JoAnne Glenn to be the first principal at Angeline Academy of Innovation, a new 6-12 magnet school being built in an emerging community in Central Pasco.

Glenn, principal of Pasco eSchool and Angeline Academy of Innovation, has won both district and national honors for her work.

Glenn was named Pasco County Schools’ Principal of the Year in 2019 and was named the 2020 Digital Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

JoAnne Glenn has been named the inaugural principal of Angeline Academy of Innovation, a 6-12 magnet school set to open in Pasco County in August 2023. (Courtesy of JoAnne Glenn)

The new 6-12 school will be near Moffitt Cancer Center’s planned Pasco County campus, which is in the heart of Angeline, east of the Suncoast Parkway and south of State Road 52.

The $52.7-million magnet school is expected to have strong partnerships with both Moffitt and with Pasco-Hernando State College.

In an email to The Laker/Lutz News, she explained her interest in the new position and expressed enthusiasm for what the new school will offer students.

As a mathematics teacher “and self-admitted nerd,” Glenn said, “I love helping students become confident in exploring and strengthening their understanding of these topics.”

She believes that “children are born to be scientists, and they learn through exploration and experience.”

She also noted that she’s worked for the last 14 years to build the district’s virtual school and to challenge the status quo of more traditional education models.

“Having the opportunity to build a school that incorporates hybrid experiences and strong partnerships with families and our community brings all of my favorite aspects of education into one school,” Glenn said.

She’s excited about the potential offered by Angeline Academy of Innovation, which is set to open in August 2023.

“Angeline Academy of Innovation is on a mission to challenge the ways we use time and space to offer students more agency and control over their path and pace for chasing their dreams,” Glenn said.

“Because Pasco eSchool will also be housed at Angeline Academy of Innovation, students will have a continuum of learning experiences and can move between on-campus, job-embedded, and online learning experiences supported by a cadre of educators and professionals with high levels of expertise,” Glenn said.

She’s also enthused about new opportunities that will be presented to students.

“I’m excited about some of the early commitments to establish strong partnerships with local businesses, a successful local charter school, and postsecondary institutions. Our students will learn alongside engineers, IT professionals, scientists, medical professionals, and more. With access to world-class facilities, and a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, Angeline Academy of Innovation will allow students an environment that is designed to launch secondary students into relevant career fields, equipped with certifications and expertise,” she said.

As an example, the school will offer engineering, cybersecurity, biodesign, and an entrepreneurship incubator, Glenn said.

As Glenn moves into her new post, the school district is searching for a new principal to lead Pasco eSchool.

Published October 26, 2022

Here’s a treat for you: Some ways to make those pumpkins tasty

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It’s that time of year where everywhere you go, you’re bound to run into some pumpkins.

They can be found in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors, and can be used in various ways for the autumn season.

Pumpkins can be carved and decorated for Halloween, used as fall décor, or served as part of a meal.

Pumpkins can be a very nutritious addition to your diet.

In fact, they are quite versatile and can be used in a variety of food preparation and cooking methods.

Pumpkin can be prepared sweet or savory, and pumpkin seeds can be eaten as a snack or added to foods as a crunchy topping for a nutritional boost.

Of course, when we’re talking about cooking with pumpkin, we’re referring to the edible kind.

The ornamental pumpkins are the ones you would carve for Halloween, and are not best for eating.

They usually have a watery texture and don’t have much flavor.

The seeds, however, are definitely edible, so be sure to save those.

Culinary pumpkins, as implied, are best for cooking and baking.

While the store may simply label them as “pumpkin” within the produce section, there are a number of varieties good for eating, including baby bear, Cinderella, blue doll, and others.

They are smaller, less stringy, and have a sweet flavor.

Cooking with fresh pumpkin calls for it being pureed in most recipes.

While the canned pumpkin puree is great for baking, pureeing fresh pumpkin is more versatile and can be used in nonbaked dishes, too.

They are a low-carb food, and packed full of vitamins and minerals.

A fiber-rich food, adding pumpkin to your diet can help improve cholesterol levels and support healthy digestion.

Fiber-rich foods also help to manage blood sugar levels and help you feel fuller longer. Steamed or roasted, pumpkins can be served as a side dish; they make great soups and can be baked into muffins, pies, and breads.

They can even be used in place of other winter squash, such as butternut, or even sweet potatoes.

Pumpkins are a great source of vitamins A and C, which have many great benefits for the body.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), vitamin A supports vision, cell growth, and supports healthy immune function, which is great for the cold and flu season that is prevalent this time of year.

Vitamin C is essential for muscle and collagen formation.

Vitamins A and C also are antioxidants, which scavenge free radicals in the body helping to prevent and to protect the body against heart disease, cancer and other health disparities.

An article in Women’s Health Magazine recommends giving your breakfast a boost by adding pureed pumpkin to your oatmeal or adding a scoop to your morning smoothie or pancake batter.

Do the same for your favorite sauces for a nutrient boost.

Pumpkin seeds are just as beneficial. They contain healthy fats, are good for brain and nerve function, and provide protein, which aids in muscle development and cellular growth. Seeds also contain zinc, magnesium and copper. NIH says that these minerals are necessary for recovery, energy production and metabolic processes. Sprinkle pumpkin seeds on top of your yogurt, oatmeal or just eat them alone.

Looking to add more pumpkin into your diet this fall?

Try this easy pumpkin soup recipe, from the University of Illinois Extension.

If using canned pumpkin, make sure to buy canned pumpkin puree (which is just pumpkin) and not pumpkin pie filling (which has added sugar and seasonings).

Quick and Easy Creamy Pumpkin Soup, from University of Illinois Extension:

Ingredients:
2 cups finely chopped onions
2 green onions, sliced thinly, tops included
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1 green chili pepper, chopped
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
3 cans chicken broth (14-1/2 oz cans) or 6 cups homemade chicken stock
2 cups pumpkin puree or 1 can (16 oz) solid pack pumpkin
1 bay leaf
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 cup undiluted, evaporated skim milk
Salt and pepper to taste (Canned chicken broth and canned pumpkin may contain added salt.
Taste the finished soup before adding salt, as additional salt may not be needed.)
Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley

Directions:

In a 6-quart saucepan, sauté onions, green onions, celery and chili pepper in oil. Cook until onions begin to look translucent.

Add broth, pumpkin, bay leaf and cumin.

Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove bay leaf.

Add evaporated milk and cook over low heat 5 minutes.

Do not boil.

Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.

Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, if desired.

Transfer hot soup to pumpkin tureen.

Garnish with grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.

Serve hot. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

By Shari Bresin
Pasco County Extension intern, Syreeta McDonald, contributed to this article.

Published October 26, 2022

Toys For Tots gearing up for holidays

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Toys for Tots Central Pasco is gearing up for the holidays.

It is recruiting businesses that would like to have a box for a toy collection in their office or building, to collect toys for the coming holiday season, according to a news release.

If you’d like to help, call 813-803-2040.

It also is registering local families to receive the gifts that are collected.

The collection boxes will be dropped off on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15, and then collected on Dec. 14 and Dec. 15.

Toys collected in the Land O’ Lakes region will stay within the community for local families.

Central Pasco/Land O’Lakes will have a Toys for Tots distribution day on Dec. 17, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is required in advance by calling 813-803-2122.

Families will be given a time slot to pick up toys. Organizers ask that only adults pick up the toys, if possible, with the goal of preserving the magic of the holidays for children.

Pickup will be at the Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park community center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Schools in the community have been notified.

Toys for Tots serves children from ages 1 to 12. Registration is open and ends on Dec. 1.

If you or your organization would like to give a donation to help purchase toys, please call 813-803-2122 and someone will be in contact with you. You can also reach the organization by emailing ">.

Published October 26, 2022

Garden club releases 2022 ornament

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(Courtesy of Joan Hepscher)

The Dade City Garden Club since 1994 has designed and sold an annual ornament depicting landmarks, institutions, and activities of Dade City to help to preserve its rich history and strengthen community pride.

The design of the 2022 ornament is based on the garden club itself, and is issued during the club’s 75th anniversary year.

The ornament’s tree denotes the center of the club, with roots running deep into the ground to sustain it.

The club is divided into six circles and each of the flowers on the design represents one of the circles: azalea, camellia, hibiscus, hollyhock, magnolia and poinsettia. The flowers are as varied as the circles they symbolize, and each contributes to the overall mission of education and community enrichment.

The sale of the yearly ornaments is a major fundraiser for the garden club and proceeds are used to maintain the club’s historic building and grounds, and to support its community projects.

Each ornament costs $22 and can be purchased through a garden club member or at the Dade City Chamber of Commerce. Checks should be made out to the Dade City Garden Club.

For information, call Mona Goossens at 352-457-6439.

Published October 26, 2022

Pasco board honors Porter family’s approach to growth

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If you’ve ever made a purchase at The Shops at Wiregrass, taken a class at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, or attended an event at the Wiregrass Sports Complex of Pasco County — you’ve benefited from the way the Porter family chose to manage the development of its land holdings.

Acreage once owned by the Porters is now occupied by a multitude of developments — which make up the building blocks of community life.

The family purchased the land in the 1940s, which would become Wiregrass Ranch — a cattle and citrus operation in Wesley Chapel.

Don Porter was known for his visionary and patient approach to growth. The Porter family has played a key role in laying the groundwork for the building blocks of a community that provides places to learn, to heal, to work and to play. (Courtesy of Porter family)

The family pursued and obtained permission for a Development of Regional Impact, and, over time, it sold portions of its land for projects such as Saddlebrook Resort, The Shops at Wiregrass, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, medical offices, apartments, subdivisions and other developments.

It also donated land for Pasco-Hernando State College and the Wiregrass Sports Complex of Pasco County.

The family was honored by the Pasco County Commission on Sept. 20 for its contributions toward improving the quality of life in Pasco County.

In previous interviews with The Laker/Lutz News, J.D. Porter explained the family’s philosophy of growth.

He said the family has been selective about the types of projects it brings into Wiregrass Ranch — making sure the user is a good fit and using care to ensure the pace of development allows ongoing projects to become successful before introducing new ones.

The idea, he added, is to have a mix of large and small users, to avoid relying too much on large users, in case they go away.

The family also has cultivated a mix of uses, such as boutique restaurants, shops, and locally owned businesses — as well as the kind of development needed to address basic needs, such as health care and education.

“We could’ve easily sold out to a bunch of different developers, but none of them represented the legacy that my dad and my grandfather really embraced,” Porter previously told The Laker/Lutz News.

The family has shared a collective vision and a collective will for what has been done so far, and for the foundation that has been laid for the future, he added.

One of the family’s contributions to the community was the donation of 60-plus acres for Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

When the Porter campus opened in January 2014, it represented the first opportunity for Wesley Chapel students to attend college in their own community.

In its resolution of appreciation, the Pasco county board recounted some of the family’s history in Wesley Chapel.

James H. and Martha M. Porter established Wiregrass Ranch in the 1940s, raising their sons, Don, Tom and Bill there, the resolution says.

The name Wiregrass Ranch stems from a postcard sent in 1950 by Ed Madill, one of James Porter’s friends. Madill addressed it to “Wiregrass Porter, Gatorville, Florida, USA” and it reached its intended recipient, the resolution adds.

The resolution also notes Bill Porter, the president of Wiregrass Ranch, and the next generation of Porters — including J.D, Quinn, Colby, Haley, Hatcher, Alexis, Rachel, Lynda and Debbie — is continuing the family’s tradition of commitment to the county.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, who sponsored the resolution, said the board wanted to acknowledge the Porter’s contributions, not only to Pasco, but also to the region and state.

The Porter family has played a role in shaping the development of Wesley Chapel. They were honored with a resolution of appreciation by the Pasco County Commission on Sept. 20. (Courtesy of Pasco County/Andy Taylor)

Moore characterized the family as being philanthropists, innovators, community-minded and trailblazers.

Moore expressed gratitude for the Porters’ approach.

“They could have sold this land off years and years and years ago. They could have had more money than God, because of this.

“But they’ve been very methodical, in the way they’ve done things, because they wanted to do things right. They want to continue to do things right.”

“They really have this sense of community,” Moore said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano added: “Your family’s commitment from the get-go was always to do this first class. You took your time, you made sure you had it right, you waited for the right people to come in. And the way that you did it methodically, every step of the way, has been fantastic.

“Pasco is so much better off, because of the Porter family,” Mariano said.

J.D. Porter, who spoke on behalf of the family, told the board he appreciated the kind words.

“We still have a long, long path to go,” he said. “We’ve got a long runway that we’re working with, but on behalf of my entire family, thank you guys for making it an environment that we can succeed in, and for continuing to grow.”

“Working with you all and working with staff has become a lot easier and we look forward to a lot more great years, and we’ve got plenty of good stuff to come.”

Published October 26, 2022