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Work gets started on new home for military family

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Operation Homefront and Meritage Homes celebrated Military Appreciation Month last month, with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new home being built for a deserving military family.

During the ceremony, four military veterans on Meritage Homes’ staff, participated in the festivities.

Taking part in the ceremonial groundbreaking, from left are Stephanie Harris, veteran of the U.S. Air Force and administrative services manager for Meritage Homes; Steve Harding, Florida regional president for Meritage Homes; Gintas Urbonavicius, veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, and vice president of construction for Meritage Homes; Beth McGregor, program coordinator, for Operation Homefront; and Maggie Milana, U.S. Navy veteran and sales consultant for Meritage Homes. (Courtesy of Havas Formula)

The new, mortgage-free and energy-efficient home that will be presented to a deserving family on Veterans Day.

Meritage Homes hosted the event, which included remarks by Steve Harding, regional president for Meritage’s Florida division, according to a news release.

The event took place in Bristol Meadows, on Asher Moon Lane, in Zephyrhills.

Meritage Homes, the sixth-largest U.S. homebuilder, has again renewed its partnership with Operation Homefront, to place a deserving military family into a brand new, mortgage-free and energy-efficient Meritage home.

This is the eighth year Meritage Homes has built and donated a new home to Operation Homefront through the Permanent Homes for Veterans program.

Operation Homefront will select the recipient for the new home and keys will be awarded the week of Veterans Day 2021.

The Permanent Homes for Veterans program, formerly known as Homes on the Homefront, has placed more than 700 military families in mortgage-free homes and deeded over $90 million in home equity since 2012.

For more information about Meritage Homes, visit MeritageHomes.com.

For more information about Operation Homefront, visit OperationHomefront.org.

Published June 09, 2021

The play’s the thing — and it’s in their backyard

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As the old saying goes, “Necessity is the Mother of Invention.” So when COVID-19 put the brakes on indoor performances, aspiring actor Rhett Ricardo, of Dade City, had an idea.

This 32-foot stage, with changeable scenery, is behind the Missouri Avenue home of Jill and Jason Ricardo in Dade City. It provides a venue where students and some recent graduates have put on plays, to pursue their interests in theater. In this scene, 18-year-old Connor Mirrop, of Dade City, left, a recent graduate of Pasco High, takes on the role of Max, and 16-year-old Zachary Trenkle portrays Mr. Saunders, in ‘Lend Me a Tenor.’ (Fred Bellet)

He formed a “Shakespeare in the Yard” company, and offered performances in the family’s Dade City backyard.

He organized performances of “Much Ado About Nothing,” in November and of a “Midsummer Night’s Dream” in January.

And, when the Arts in Motion (AIM) Pasco program couldn’t find a suitable venue, Rhett’s parents — Jill and Jason Ricardo — offered up their backyard as the setting for smaller AIM plays — where young actors would have a place to perform and the audience could remain socially distanced.

Jill Ricardo is vice president of production for the AIM Pasco program — which gives youths a chance to pursue their interest in theater.

Eva Weiss, seated, played the role of Maria, a home-schooler, in ‘Lend Me a Tenor.’ She is flanked by Connor Mirrop, who performed the role of Max, and Zachary Trenkle, who played the role of Mr. Saunders.

Typically, Arts in Motion puts on two large musicals each year.

The productions usually involve 50 to 60 performers, and each child that auditions gets a role, Jill Ricardo said.

When the organization shifted to smaller productions — to keep things going — she said she was surprised by the level of interest the young actors displayed.

“In a musical, you can rely on the big, flashy numbers to get you through,” she said.

In the plays staged in the Ricardos’ backyard, the actors had to develop completely different skill sets, she explained.

They performed “The Laramie Project,” “Greater Tuna,” “Snow White Rap,” “The Diary of Ann Frank,” and “The Lend Me a Tenor.”

“The Laramie Project” explores the story of Matthew Shephard, a gay University of Wyoming student who was beaten and left to die.

“That was a really powerful show for us,” Ricardo said.

Eighteen-year-old Jadyn Mills, of Dade City, right, plays the role of Maggie, exchanging lines with Max, performed by 18-year-old Connor Mirrop.

They also did “The Diary of Anne Frank,” based on a journal kept by a young Jewish girl who chronicled two years of her family’s life in hiding during German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II.

Her diary was published two years after the girl’s death in a concentration camp.

Ricardo was moved by the work done by the cast, describing it as “a really, really beautiful show.”

“Greater Tuna” and “Lend Me a Tenor” are comedies, and “Snow White Rap” gave the younger children a chance to perform.

“Each play we did, there were four performances,” she said. “It was busy around here.

“My husband and I were exhausted in the end,” Ricardo said.

Artists in Motion is finished for this season, but expects to audition in August for its next show.

From left, 19-year-old Roman Ricardo, of Dade City, operates the light board, 17-year-old Jayden Parsons, of Dade City, cues the music and 15-year-old Amelia Hesting, of Hudson, runs the sound board for ‘Lend Me a Tenor.’ Capria Pitchette directed the play.

By then, Ricardo hopes they will be able to find an indoor venue for their performances.

However, she’s not opposed to continuing to have some plays in the family’s backyard.

She’s a huge believer in giving youths a chance to get involved in the theater.

“I think art allows them to express their feelings in a way that’s productive, and they can explore their feelings, and they explore the world, in a safe space,” Ricardo said.

The young actors also get a chance to develop teamwork and experience “building something from nothing — the act of creation,” Ricardo added.

Arts in Motion is a nonprofit community youth theater and arts education organization. For more information, check the website ArtsinMotionPasco.org.

Published June 09, 2021

Saying goodbye to a challenge-filled school year

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Some Pasco County School board members and the president of the employee union took a few moments during the board’s June 1 meeting to reflect on efforts made during this previous school year — to cope with challenges posed by COVID-19.

Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, summed up the last school year this way:

“Well, we made it. A most inconvenient, challenge-filled year is now finished.

“We didn’t make it without cost. We lost a few pretty special people along the way.

“There were some students who never really connected, and the mental taxation to all of us was monumental.

“Despite all of this, I thought we planned and executed a pretty remarkable year.

“Compared to districts and states around the country, who never returned to school, Pasco is light years ahead in giving our students the best educational opportunity to move forward, under extraordinary circumstances,” Peace said.

School board member Cynthia Armstrong agreed with Peace’s assessment.

“It was a tough year. I don’t think any of us ever want to go through anything like this again.

“We still were able to accomplish some amazing things.

“A lot of life lessons were learned by everyone, including the students,” Armstrong said.

“I really want to thank all of the students and staff at all of the schools for everything they did to help keep our students safe this year, (and to) make sure that learning and extracurricular activities continued,” Armstrong said.

Peace echoed that appreciation, giving kudos to teachers, support personnel, district staff, community partners, parents and grandparents for their help during a difficult year.

School board member Colleen Beaudoin also expressed gratitude for the flexibility demonstrated by school leaders, in light of changing circumstances.

“I know it’s not easy, but they have adapted,” Beaudoin said.

Peace said he knows the coming year will be challenging on the financial front, particularly because much of the state money coming to the district must be spent in specific ways.

The union leader also formally requested that USEP be included in discussions over how federal money, provided in COVID-19 relief, is spent in the district.

Regarding district spending, Beaudoin asked if the district can seek to reduce paper costs.

“Can we move more toward using less paper?” Beaudoin said, noting that during the pandemic, the district has increased its use of an electronic learning management system called CANVAS.

Superintendent Kurt Browning said the district has spent more than $10 million on CANVAS, so he’s a big proponent of using that system.

In conversations, he said, he has asked: “Why should we not, and I use the word, mandate, CANVAS in our schools. And, I still have some pushback. Right, wrong or indifferent. But with a district our size — we’re talking about ninth, 10th largest district in the state — we consume a great deal of paper.”

Browning said he wouldn’t favor going to a paperless system, but agrees the district could use less paper.

Beaudoin agreed: “I’m not advocating for not using any paper. Especially in math, I think it’s really important that kids be able to write on their tests. I wasn’t saying, ‘I don’t want any paper.’ I was just thinking there are some things that you can post.

“I remember in elementary school, my kids coming home with tons of things that could have been in an email, or could have been (on) a half a sheet of paper,” she said.

Browning said the district is making progress on that front. “We’re getting there. Every year, we’re getting better.”

The district is “very sensitive to the amount of materials,” the superintendent said.

As a matter of fact, Browning said he would be meeting with district staff about department budgets following the board meeting to address cuts that will be needed to avoid a deficit in the coming year’s spending plan.

Published June 09, 2021

Housing development supports ‘independent’ living

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SVdP CARES, which stands for St. Vincent de Paul Cares, recently celebrated the completion of the third phase of its permanent supportive housing project, Ozanam Village III, according to a news release.

Festivities to celebrate the completion of the third phase of Ozanam Village drew a big crowd. (Courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul Cares)

The completion of this phase brings the total number of units at the residential development to 99.

“These units will permanently house those that need a little extra care, including those with physical and mental disabilities, victims of domestic abuse, individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, or those who have aged out of foster care,” says the release, from Mary Burns, communications and donor relations manager for St. Vincent de Paul Cares.

Officials cut a ribbon to celebrate the project’s completion. (Courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul Cares)

The event, at 7770 Ozanam Way, in New Port Richey, was attended by dignitaries, including New Port Richey Mayor Rob Marlowe; Pasco County Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick; representatives from Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ offices; residents and community partners.

Project partners include the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, NDC Asset Management, Bradley Construction and Ability Housing.

The Most Rev. Bishop Gregory Parkes, who presides over the Diocese of St. Petersburg, provided a blessing during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

St. Vincent de Paul CARES is a nonprofit organization committed to end homelessness.

It uses this tag line to describe its mission: “Making Homelessness Rare. Brief. One-Time.”

Published June 09, 2021

Sign war pokes fun, prompts camaraderie

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What began as a ‘sign war’ between Zephyrhills Cinema 10 and Golden Corral, in mid-May, has evolved into a battle of wits among 70-plus Zephyrhills businesses.

Golden Corral, at 6855 Gall Blvd, advises Zephyrhills Police to skip the doughnuts and enjoy a steak, instead. (Kelli Carmack)

It seems like just about everybody is getting into the act.

The First Congregational Church of Zephyrhills took on Taco Bell.

The church’s sign declares: “Taco Bell sounds good, but ours has a real ring to it.”

Golden Corral took on Zephyrhills Police, while K & K Glass poked fun at Pin Chasers.

Lavish Lox teased The Gentleman’s Quarter, while others such as Axe of Kindness, Zephyrhills Brewing Company and Salon on 5th used clever gibes and poetry to convey their messages.

First Congregational Church of Zephyrhills, at 7900 Fort King Road, took on Taco Bell’s bell, as part of the ‘sign war’ fun.

Even The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce joined in, taking a universal approach to cheer on the community’s businesses — something it’s grown accustomed to, through the years.

Some of the signs are quite tall. Others, very small.

And, some, like the ones — at Sen. Danny Burgess’ office — aren’t even signs at all.

Who needs a sign to share a message? Not State Sen. Danny Burgess’ office, at 38507 Fifth Ave. — pieces of paper will do just fine.

At the lawmaker’s office, four pieces of paper are taped to the window, conveying this message:

“We don’t have a sign, but we wanted to play!

“So we want to take the opportunity to say …

“As we have been looking at all of the signs, while we drive around

“It makes us proud to represent

And live in this great little town.”

Published June 09, 2021

Forget hot girl summer! Sonny’s BBQ, 6606 Gall Blvd., wants you to have a hot grill summer.
Salon on 5th, at 38521 Fifth Ave, offers a witty response to the sign at Sonny’s BBQ.
Lavish Lox Beauty Lounge, 38440 Fifth Ave., tosses the ‘sign war’ challenge over to The Gentleman’s Quarter, a local barber shop.
K&K Glass, at 5938 Seventh St., challenges Pin Chasers to join in the community’s ‘sign war.’
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, at 38550 Fifth Ave., once again threw its support behind all of the community’s businesses.
Axe of Kindness, an entertainment venue that features axe throwing, at 38444 Fifth Ave. in Zephyrhills, is just one of scores of businesses having fun in a citywide ‘sign war.’
Hold their beer! Zephyrhills Brewing Company, at 38530 Fifth Ave., wants to create its sign.

More scholarships address increased need

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The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club has announced a total of $23,950 in scholarship awards for 2021.

From left: Woman’s club scholarship chair Lucy Albury, Alexis Fernandez, Jadon Ferrance, Alissa Vani, Marian Suliman and woman’s club president Annette Bellingar. (Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

For more than a decade, the club has had the privilege of administering the Lutz Fireman’s Endowment Fund on behalf of the former Lutz Volunteer Fire Department.

Each year, two scholarships were awarded to students who are Lutz residents; however, the former Fireman’s Fund directors recommended that during this challenging pandemic year, the woman’s club double the awards, to four $5,000 scholarships, due to the exceptional need in the community.

From left: Woman’s club president Annette Bellingar, Kaitlyn Sheppard, Clayton Topdemir, Shannon Gordy, and Jay Muffly of the Lutz Fireman’s Endowment Fund.

The four recipients of the 2021 Fireman’s Fund awards are Shannon Gordy, Sunlake High School; Clayton Topdemir, Cypress Creek High; Zachary Maddox, Freedom High; and Kaitlyn Sheppard, Gaither High.

The woman’s club scholarship recipients are Alexis Fernandez, Land O’ Lakes High ($1,100); Jadon Ferrance, Steinbrenner High ($1,100); and Alissa Vani, Steinbrenner High ($1,000).

The club’s Lynn LaFleur Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Marian Suliman, Steinbrenner High ($750).

This group of graduates will soon begin their university studies at various schools, including Florida State University, the University of South Florida, Hillsborough Community College, George Washington University, the University of Florida, Florida A & M, the University of North Florida, and the University of Central Florida.

Published June 09, 2021

IPAC: A place to sing, to act, to learn and entertain

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When Lauren Murray heard about the opportunity to assume the leadership role at Pasco-Hernando State College’s new Instructional Performing Arts Center — she immediately recognized the possibilities.

She knew the position would give her a chance to use the knowledge and experience she’s accumulated through her professional life.

This sweeping roof is at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Instructional Performing Arts Center, also known as IPAC, at 8657 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel. In addition to being a teaching facility, it is expected to offer a variety of performances for the community to enjoy. (Fred Bellet)

And, she understood the center’s enormous potential.

Not only will it prepare students for future careers in the performing and technical arts, but it also will provide a venue for performing arts groups and it will create a new place for the community to enjoy the arts, said Murray, a Tampa native with more than 20 years of administrative and academic experience in higher education and the performing arts.

To say she’s excited about her new job would be putting it mildly.

Although it will take some time to get the facility operating in full gear, the college has been giving tours to offer visitors a glimpse of the center’s features and talk up its potential uses.

Photographer Fred Bellet represented The Laker/Lutz News on one of those tours and Murray provided details about the facility for this story.

Dr. Timothy Beard, president of Pasco-Hernando State College, offers details about the facility during a media tour. In the background, on stage, 16-year-old Brooke Herrera prepares to play guitar and sing. Herrera is a dual-enrolled high school and college student at PHSC.

The center, at 8657 Old Pasco Road, shares a campus with Cypress Creek High School and Cypress Creek Middle School, in Wesley Chapel.

The $18 million project includes the 36,000-square-foot facility, complete with furnishings and state-of-the-art equipment, Murray said. It’s a fully digital system, with the latest available technology in lighting and sound support.

“It gives our students the opportunity to experience very new platforms and the things that are just being brought out right now. These will be the kinds of systems that they’ll be expected to know how to run when they’re out there in the real world,” she said.

The campus includes the 444-seat Weatherford Theater, named for former Florida Speaker of the House Will Weatherford, who played an instrumental role in obtaining funding for the facility.

A spacious music studio gives music director Justin Baggett plenty of room for students. Here, he leads a quintet practicing a piece by Mozart.

Murray is pleased with the size of the theater.

“We can get a decent crowd in there, but it’s pretty intimate, so every seat is terrific,” she said.

It also has excellent staging capabilities, and a projection screen that can be used for movies and presentations.

“This is going to be a real performing arts program, where we’ll have instrumental and vocal ensembles. We will have theater productions. We will have dance recitals and productions, as well,” Murray said.

The center’s dance studio has sprung wood floor, a sound system and video system and full wall of mirrors and barres.

The music studio has two acoustical sound rooms, where the acoustics of the room can be adjusted. It also has recording capabilities for practice sessions, so singers can listen to themselves to evaluate how well they are performing, said Murray, who herself is an accomplished oboist and most recently served as the music chair at the Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center in Tampa.

The high-gloss surface of the baby grand piano in the new Weatherford Theater reflects the image of prospective student Dale Master, of Tampa. Master took the public tour of the new IPAC and was invited to play the new instrument. The theater has 444 seats.

The drama studio features a large rehearsal space, which can be used in many ways, Murray said. Additionally, there’s a stage, a full costume studio and two full dressing rooms.

“Our lighting in our dressing rooms is LED, instead of those old bulbs that are 1000 degrees, so that‘s nice — so, your makeup doesn’t melt off,” she said.

The digital production studio has a full lighting grid, state-of-the-art cameras, a sound board, a lighting board and multiple computers.

And, there are two computer classrooms — equipped to prepare students for both the Mac and PC worlds.

In addition to providing opportunities for students, the community also will benefit from being able to enjoy a professional theater experience without having to drive downtown, Murray said.

Kevin O’Farrell, provost of Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus, right, stops by the technology lab and converses with students Cinthia Morrabal, of Port Richey, left, and Gretchen Samter, of Spring Hill.

Much work remains to bring the programming vision to life, she said, adding: “We’re still building our curriculum.”

She expects it to take about a year before students will be staging public performances.

But there will be public rentals for outside performance groups, and that’s expected to begin around September, she said.

The college also is likely to bring in outside performers for a ticketed series, and Murray looks forward to creating multicultural programming, as well.

Future plans also call for staging some outdoor performances.

Beyond what’s happening at IPAC, Murray expects opportunities to develop for its students to land internships or part-time jobs, on their path to careers in the arts.

Murray is delighted with the prospects of what lies ahead.

“It’s quite a thing to open a performing arts center. It’s expensive. It’s different. There’s a lot of new things that you have to figure out,” Murray said.

Jonathan Tietz, assistant professor of digital media, sets up the production booth, which is part of the facility’s video production lab.

“A lot of places are like: We can’t do that. We don’t have time for that. We don’t want to fund that,” she said.

That’s not true for PHSC’s commitment to IPAC, she said.

“The support that this place and these programs have here is so exciting. It is going to make it a great program because everybody is on board,” she said.

She’s thrilled about the opportunities the center is creating for students.

“The arts are a viable place to make your living. You do have to work and you do have to be creative to find different ways to make a living in the arts, but it’s still a wholly viable living,” Murray said.

Want to know about available classes? Visit PHSC.edu/academics.

Published June 02, 2021

Panel discussion addresses challenges for women of color

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Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is leveraging its community connections to foster meaningful discussion on matters related to social justice and racial equity.

The area institution recently organized a virtual summit titled, “Equity and Advancement of Minority Women in America.”

Florida African American Student Association president Dernika David (Courtesy of Florida African American Student Association)

The Zoom event on May 10 included breakout sessions on topics such as leadership and mentoring; politics, policing and civic responsibility; life skills; and, mental health and spirituality.

The event’s keynote speaker was Orange County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Ingrid Tejada-Monforte.

The daylong summit kicked off with a 45-minute discussion by a panel including college students, educators and professionals.

Boosting retention, graduation success rates
The issues of college graduation success rates and retention among minorities were among the primary topics during the forum.

Figures presented from Center for American Progress show spring semester undergraduate college enrollment nationwide decreased 4.5%, with larger declines among Black, Latino and Native American populations.

Ways to minimize the disproportion was a point of discussion.

Dernika David is president of the Florida African American Student Association, which represents over 200,000 students in colleges and universities throughout the state of Florida.

She underscored the struggles of a person of color navigating the college experience.

David explained many minorities — who may be first-generation college students — don’t have the financial backing or support from parents, grandparents and other family members.

She emphasized the importance of colleges and universities having Black student unions or related multicultural organizations. They provide an opportunity to connect with “a leader or someone that’s going to guide you and support you.”

Put another way, she said: “A lot of students need coaches and people to keep them on track, so I think that is an important thing we need on campuses.”

Higher education systems and other organizations must do better in promoting information and accessibility about scholarships and financial aid, added David.

“College is expensive,” she said. “I have a lot of students ask me like, ‘How did you get this scholarship?’ because they don’t know the resources or they want to be networked with someone that can go ahead and get them into a scholarship or be financed throughout college, so we need to have the resources ready for these students.”

Dorian Howell is student government president of PHSC’s Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel.

He feels there’s plenty of scholarships and grants available — at least through the PHSC Foundation. But, he said: “It’s also about getting the word out to the communities that really need it.”

Marsha Kiner, interim executive director and CEO of Association of Florida Colleges (Courtesy of Association of Florida Colleges)

Marsha Kiner serves as interim executive director and CEO of the Association of Florida Colleges, which represents Florida’s 28 public community and state colleges, their boards, employees, retirees and associates.

She explained women of color frequently have the added plight of attending college at an older age — while trying to raise a family and, at the same time, making other financial and personal sacrifices.

Mentors who have navigated such experiences are critical to the success of future generations, said Kiner, who holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s degree in educational leadership.

“Those of us who’ve already kind of been on the journey need to ensure that we are stepping up and reaching back and providing support,” she said.

Kiner otherwise provided positive words of encouragement to young females of color striving to earn an education and achieve success: “Understand your journey, and never, ever be afraid to use your voice.”

PHSC student Paloma Alejandro agreed with the idea of colleges offering mentorship and support groups to women of color.

She is seeking an associate’s degree, while raising a child and managing a full-time job.

“I think it’s important to meet to discuss our successes and opportunities,” Alejandro said. “I think it’s important for us to realize that others around us are struggling in the same areas, or others around us are successful in the same areas.”

Narrowing the gender wage gap
Finding ways to close the gender wage gap and economic inequity for females of color — was another talking point.

Various studies were cited from Lean In, a nonprofit organization founded by Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg. The organization aims to help women around the world to achieve their ambitions.

In comparison to white men, Lean In reports:

  • Asian women on average make 13% less
  • White women 21% less
  • Black women 37% less
  • Native American women 45% less
  • Hispanic women 45% less

Student government president Howell suggested that others follow the footsteps of his mother and start a small business where you can be your own boss.

Howell’s mom, who is Asian, ran a profitable nail tech/beauty salon in Pinellas County, earning wages that he said mirrored some medical doctors and surgeons in the area.

Dorian Howell is student government president of PHSC’s Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel. (File)

Howell also observed: “You can increase your income just by learning some new skills, going to college, or even getting a trade, but it takes a community of encouragement for females to grow from here.”

David, meanwhile, challenged fellow younger generation of minority females to “know your worth,” particularly when it comes to working for a large company or corporation.

“These capitalistic companies at the end of the day can replace you, and just know exactly what you’re going into, the pay that you want, because sometimes that can be negotiable in some companies,” she said.

David also advised women to take initiative, and learn about stock market and cryptocurrency investments to increase wealth.

Those arenas can be intimidating for some, she said, given “that it’s almost like a men’s club, but just for white men.”

However, the panelist detailed learning about such financial resources and tools of the trade from a white male co-worker.

“What I would say is just shadow and learn from others that may not even be in your same community,” David said.

“Because of him, I was able to invest in stocks and cryptocurrency, which is something that I never thought I would be able to do and understand, but I took that understanding and taught my siblings and taught my friends, so it’s using your resources and helping others with what you’ve learned, and not gatekeeping.”

Other panelists suggested researching various industry pay and then having the courage to step up and not accept anything less.

PHSC student Hope Henry stated: “We need to be comfortable with uncomfortable, and doing things you’d never thought you’d so, so in order to instill change, you must challenge yourself and the system in front of you.”

Uplifting women of color
Kevin O’ Farrell, provost at the PHSC Porter Campus, called the educational seminar “a very timely topic” in the midst of ongoing conversations regarding social justice and racial equity.

He then quoted Kamala Harris, the first woman, the first Black American and the first Asian American to serve as the nation’s vice president.

O’ Farrell said: “I’m often reminded of what now vice president Harris said when she was accepting the vote this last November when she made the comments, ‘I may be the first, but I will not be the last.’”

Published June 02, 2021

New River Library offers patrons a fresh look

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It’s not a brand new library — but it sure looks and feels like one.

The New River Library, at 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, has reopened its doors after a massive overhaul that took longer than expected because of COVID-19 and material delays.

The red brick building, constructed in 1991, looks much the same. The inside, however, looks entirely new. (B.C. Manion)

The library officially reopened on April 30, but work is not completely finished yet on the outdoor garden spaces, and library staff is still awaiting the arrival of some furniture and materials.

Still, there’s an air of excitement as staff prepares to offer library patrons a more comfortable place to read, meet and take advantage of programming.

Most of the activities won’t kick into high gear until later this year, as the library continues to offer the vast majority of programming remotely.

Still, staff is eager for patrons to come in and take a look around.

“People are welcome to come in and they’re welcome to take our nickel tour, what we call a Sneak Preview,” said Angelo Liranzo, a regional manager for Pasco County Libraries.

The tour gives patrons a chance to see what’s there now and to hear about what’s coming.

Danielle Lee, branch manager at New River, is excited about the possibilities.

Those entering the library site now have two options. A driveway has been added on the east side of the library campus.

New landscaping has been added, too, with palm trees lining the sidewalk and flowering plants greeting visitors as they make their way to the front entryway.

Angelo Liranzo is a regional manager for Pasco County Libraries and Danielle Lee is the branch manager for the New River Branch Library, which was recently renovated.

“The outside is a lot more harmonious with Wesley Chapel, which has a lot new communities with beautiful entries into their subdivisions, and the library looks like it belongs in that area,” Liranzo said.

A giant mat at the front door gives patrons a chance to wipe off their feet before stepping onto the newly installed flooring in the library’s new lobby.

The space is much more open and brighter than the one it replaced, and there is seating available there. There are new restrooms, too, designed for individual or family use. Each restroom is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-compliant.

Inside the library, patron will find staffers at the service desk, ready to help people find what they need.

There’s a new children’s room, where children can play with toys. Future plans call for having story time there. Older kids can use the room’s computers.

The space has large windows looking out onto the library’s front yard, which is landscaped with trees and flowering plants. There’s also a view of busy State Road 54.

This is the library’s new children’s room. It offers comfortable seating, room to play, computers and a view, too.

“This is my favorite room,” said Danielle Lee, the branch manager. “It’s relaxing.”

There’s also an enclosed space for teens, which also has large windows.

“They’re going to have gaming computers in there, so if they’re playing on the computers they can have a good time and not disturb anyone else,” Liranzo said.

“We have study rooms that we never had before. Those are very nice,” Liranzo added.

Lee noted: “Study Room C is large enough — where a group can study.”

It can accommodate up to eight people, she added.

Liranzo also noted: “We still have our big open space that we can do programs in. We have enclosed spaces, where people don’t feel they’re being disturbed by noise. That’s something we never had before.”

The large space, which can be used for events, can become even larger because the furniture and bookshelves, are movable, Lee said.

There’s a community meeting room, too, which is equipped to facilitate Zoom sessions and big screen presentations.

The room can be reserved, but a priority system is used, with library programs getting first dibs, followed by government programs, and then, local organizations, Liranzo said.

The meeting room also is the space used by the Supervisor of Elections for a voting precinct.

There’s a new drive-thru book drop behind the New River Branch Library, giving patrons a chance to drop off books from the convenience of their car.

Outside, on the east side of the library, crews are hard at work installing garden spaces.

When finished, there will be community garden plots. There also will be a butterfly garden, a native plants garden, a seasonal plants garden and a sensory garden.

The library expects to partner with the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Pasco County Extension to offer demonstrations and learning opportunities, Liranzo said.

Nearly everything at the library has been redone or replaced.

“The exterior brick is the same. The roof is the same. But everything else was gutted out,” Liranzo said.

“We’re very fortunate that the Go Bonds were approved by the public,” Liranzo said, noting the bond proceeds paid for the cost of renovations, furniture and materials.

The library is far more than a place to simply read and check out books, Lee and Liranzo said.

It’s also a place where people gather for story time, book clubs, knitting, card games and an assortment of other activities.

That all came to a halt because of the pandemic, but library staff can’t wait for the day when the library can come back to full life — as a place where people can gather, to learn and to socialize.

New River Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel
Hours
Monday and Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Published June 02, 2021

Residents back Zephyrhills golf course

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The future of the Zephyrhills Municipal Golf Course remains up in air, as city leaders continue to ponder the possible sale of the property for a Florida Army National Guard Armory.

In recent weeks, the National Guard has been scouting the 65-acre golf property situated on the southwest quadrant of the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

This development comes as state lawmakers approved allocating $25 million in appropriations to the military organization, for future training grounds in Zephyrhills.

The Zephyrhills Municipal Golf Course is designed to provide a public, low-cost alternative compared to other courses in the area. The 18-hole, par 68 course is known as a haven for snowbirds and beginners alike. The course’s future may be in jeopardy if the Florida Army National Guard selects the location as its site for an armory expansion, and the City of Zephyrhills received a weighty offer for the property. (File)

But area residents have come out swinging in support of the 18-hole, par 68 course, at 39248 B Ave., in Zephyrhills.

Avid golfers and course workers alike voiced the need to keep the outdoor recreational amenity intact, during a public comment portion of a May 24 Zephyrhills City Council regular meeting.

The facility — established in 1957, then opened in 1978 — is regarded as a low-cost alternative compared to surrounding golf courses, where snowbirds and others flock to during the year.

Discussion about the course’s future originally came up during an earlier May meeting to approve a lease agreement with Under Par Inc., to continue to serve as course management operators.

But City Manager Billy Poe at the time disclosed how the National Guard had targeted the golf course property for purchase — likely to be a substantial offer — among other site alternatives and parcels throughout the city, following the wave of expansion funding.

Armed with that information, council members tabled the lease renewal for future discussion, given that the city’s present agreement with Under Par won’t expire until April 2022.

With no final decisions yet set, locals came out in full force inside Zephyrhills City Hall to put comments on the record.

Sixteen-year-old Wesley Chapel resident Jake Roberts spoke in glowing terms about his experiences at the course.

The teen, who was the first public speaker to weigh in on the topic, said he learned to play golf there with his father, when he was just 8 years old.

He described the course as “a cornerstone” of his life and “a very important place” for the entire East Pasco community.

“I have a lot of good memories from there,” Roberts told the council. “I’ve grown up there basically, around some of the best, kindest, and overall good people that you could meet.”

He urged council members: “Please allow these memories I will forever cherish to be experienced by more people in this community.”

Roberts’ father, Art, also stood up, wrought with emotion on the course’s uncertain future.

Choking up, the parent shared how course staff and members welcomed his family and rallied around his 12-year-old daughter’s battle with cancer.

Art added that the course was “a place to go” for the family during the traumatic times, then emphasized how the facility is accommodating and affordable for both young and older golfers, including retirees and winter residents.

“The value to our community is immeasurable,” Art said. “There’s a lot of folks that need that place.”

Zephyrhills resident Ken Fabiani can attest, as an amputee veteran who’s played the municipal course the past four years. “It’s about the only golf course that’s feasible for somebody that has, not a handicap, but a little difficulty playing the longer golf courses,” he said, also noting the pro shop offers a 20% veteran discount.

Fabiani also suggested the proposed armory project “be placed somewhere more convenient than taking away the city’s golf course, and let it be that everybody has a chance to play.”

Mike Murrell discovered the course about two years ago when he relocated to Zephyrhills.

He has since become a regular course volunteer, where he’s met hundreds of people young and old — including some players in their 90s, who relish the smaller, beginner-friendly style course. “If it weren’t for that course,” Murrell said, “they wouldn’t be playing golf.”

Murrell also said, “I think it’d be a travesty if the course was shut down, because it’s enjoyed by so many people, especially the six months out of the year when the northerners are down here, it’s unbelievable.”

Longtime Zephyrhills resident Gary Kyle began playing the course about 11 years ago.

He likewise pleaded with city leadership to not compromise the course: “It’s a great place to go to unwind, it does a lot for the community. It gives people, young people especially, a place to go that’s safe, a good, safe environment, and I would really like for the council members and the city to keep the course open.”

In addition to other area residents who spoke up in favor of keeping the facility intact, course employees, like pro shop manager Craig Sexton, expressed concern about closing the course in favor of another development project.

“I don’t see why one company has to die for another to live,” Sexton said.

“I don’t understand why we need to destroy one company that’s functioning, not great, but we’re surviving, and for that to happen post-COVID, I’m confused, I’m not sure what is going on.

“I understand the city has to look out for the city, but I ask that you also consider us employees and just understand that we have something at stake, too.”

When questioned by council about course activity, Sexton said the facility can average upwards of 1,500 players per week and some 6,000 rounds per month, during the busy winter season between October through February.

“When we’re on and everybody’s in the groove,” he said, “it’s busy, it’s crazy out there, but they love it, and we make it happen.”

Sexton contrasted those figures with an undetermined number of National Guard soldiers and staffers who’d train and take base at the would-be armory unit.

He observed, “I mean, it’s really a substantial penalty to the community if we just wipe this golf course off the earth, you know.”

Zephyrhills golf course manager Ayako Burkhart also pleaded to keep the city golf course, describing it as an affordable recreational outlet for all ages and backgrounds.

Burkhart also detailed how the property is a haven for many seniors and winter residents, some who regularly stop by the clubhouse, not just for golf, but for coffee and conversations.

She also pointed out how the facility also is “a safe, comfortable environment” for golfers with disabilities, who may take a while longer to get around the course, by ensuring they aren’t harassed or yelled at for slow play. “People are appreciative of what we’re doing,” Burkhart said, “as a city golf course to everyone.”

Council addresses concerns
Following the barrage of public statements, council members further weighed in on the issue, while also thanking citizens for providing input.

Councilman Lance Smith, who grew up playing the course, acknowledged any final decision one way or the other will be tough given the course’s history and community role.

The councilman encouraged city staffers to visit the course to see its present condition and operations.

He also suggested the National Guard “look elsewhere” throughout Zephyrhills, instead of a golf course “that provides a recreational amenity to how many thousands of people every season.”

“Quite frankly, I’m going to have a very difficult decision to make, because that golf course is very dear to me, personally,” Smith said.

“When it comes down to it, I honestly can’t say which way I’m going to fall on it. …I know this (issue) is going to come before us, but I just want to put it out there that I have a strong attachment to that piece of ground out there.”

Mayor Gene Whitfield similarly advised staffers to best push other vacant sites to the National Guard for an armory.

“It’s been here a long time, it’s almost like a landmark here to many of us,” Whitfield said of the municipal course. “Personally, I’m kind of in the camp that says, ‘We need to keep looking and not make a hasty decision.’”

Councilman Ken Burgess said he’s confident administration “will do what’s in the best interest for the city overall,” then adding “we still have some things to find out before we even make a decision anyway.”

Added Councilman Charles Proctor: “Sometimes we do have to make tough decisions, but I think we can put a little common sense into it and maybe, hopefully, make everybody happy.”

City Attorney Matthew Maggard even chipped in his experiences participating in youth camps as a kid at the course.

It’s where he first learned to properly hit out of a sand trap thanks to an instructor’s memorable tip about envisioning swinging a shallow patch of sand about the size of a dollar bill under the ball. “I used that (tip) all the way through high school when I played on the high school team. That was the best trick I ever learned, and I learned it out there,” he said.

Altogether, Council President Alan Knight may have best summed up what most were thinking: “I have a big place in my heart for that golf course.”

Published June 02, 2021