The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Crowd is enthusiastic at Alpaca Open House

By

Brisk weather didn’t deter a large crowd from showing up to Sweet Blossom Alpacas’ fifth annual Alpaca Open House, in Dade City.

Visitors could get a close-up look at alpacas and llamas, feed the animals and pose for photographs with the animals near them.

Austin Wash, 11, was in awe during his first encounter with a llama, as well as the many alpacas during the open house. Austin, along with his parents, Randy and Tiffany Wash, made the trip from Lakeland to attend the open house. (Fred Bellet)

The event was held on a 15-acre farm, at 37543 Pappy Road, just minutes off of Interstate 75.

Besides checking out the animals, visitors could buy alpaca products, including hats, socks, scarves, shawls, rugs, raw fiber and yarn.

During the open house, one alpaca photo-bombed a picture, while another gazed in curiosity as a photographer clicked his camera.

According to Sweet Blossom’s website, alpacas are “somewhat timid, but very curious and intelligent.” The website adds: “they are more cat-like than dog-like in their attitude towards us humans.”

Two-year-old  Zooey Ferland, of Dade City, displayed no fear during her first encounter with a llama at the open house.

She was there with her mom and dad, Kristin and Alex. Alex works at the zoo at Busch Gardens. That’s why Zooey’s name is spelled that way.

Published November 20, 2019

Zooey Ferland, 2, of Dade City has no fear of the llama during her first encounter with the animal during the open house. Zooey was there with her dad and mom, Alex and Kristin.
A Suri-type alpaca was all smiles at the sight of human visitors to the open house on Pappy Road in Dade City. Alpaca teeth are trimmed because they have only one set of teeth, on the bottom.
Kelly Stead, of Tampa, center, and other visitors to Sweet Blossom Alpacas Open House check out a pair of alpacas standing back to back.

Advocating to reduce homelessness

By

When it comes to community service and advocacy, more can always be done in Pasco County.

That was the general message put forth by Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells, at a Nov. 12 East Pasco Networking Group breakfast meeting at IHOP in Dade City.

There’s all sorts of resources for seniors, veterans and children and families, Wells said. But, he is advocating greater collaboration between the county, nonprofits and outreach groups — such as Meals on Wheels East Pasco, United Way of Pasco County and The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells was a guest speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group’s Nov. 12 breakfast meeting at IHOP in Dade City. (File)

“We’re doing so many great things in the county, but everybody’s got their own dang silos and it’s almost like, ‘This is mine, I don’t want you to know what I’m doing,’” said Wells, a Republican who represents District 4. His district stretches from West Pasco to State Road 52 and State Road 54 toward U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

He added that deep-rooted community divide remains between the county’s east and west sides, which, he said, creates obstacles in getting tasks done.

He put it like this: “It’s always kind of been east versus west. I always thought it was political, but it’s a lot more political than I thought.”

Much of Wells’ talk focused on the county’s homeless situation and the need for workforce training.

With the county’s homeless population numbered as high as 3,000, Wells said it’s important “to help those that want to be helped.”

He acknowledged that he’s still “catching heat” from residents who opposed his support of building a family homeless shelter and resource center, in partnership with The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County, on the site of the former Boys and Girls Club on Youth Lane in Port Richey.

But, Wells went to bat for the homeless: “These homeless people are like you and I. They’re regular people. You just have to take an opportunity to get to know them and get to know these folks.”

He argued such a facility and other outreach programs isn’t just enabling area homeless.

“Supposedly, that’s a Democrat thing, to help the homeless. No, it’s a humanitarian, kind thing. At the end of the day, it’s the right thing to do,” Wells said.

On a related note, Wells believes the forthcoming $128 million expansion of the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center could go a long way toward helping the county’s homeless population get back on its feet.

Within the 1,000-bed addition and upgrades to all of the jail’s central services will be a new wing designed to directly address mental illness and addiction, which Wells said is often tied into homelessness. The expansion project is expected to undergo construction in 2021, with completion in fiscal year 2023.

Said Wells: “We’re going to be able to do more at the jail to stop that revolving door, because that’s what it is now. They come in the jail, (staff) don’t really do much for them for mental illness or addiction, they leave and come back, they leave and come back. …It’s going to be nice a couple years from now to say, ‘Wow, look what we can do here.’”

Also tied into the rehabilitation piece is helping homeless and ex-convicts get back to work, Wells said.

This year the county allocated $700,000 to CareerSource Pasco Hernando’ Workforce Re-entry Program, he said. That program connects unemployed and underemployed people with jobs and training they needed to fill any skill gaps. The county initially allocated $350,000 in Penny for Pasco funds for the project last year.

About 50 people went through the program with last year’s funding, Wells said.

He shared the success story of a masters-educated man who was homeless this time last year and is now making $45 per hour with Pall Aeropower Corporation in New Port Richey.

“He fell on tough times, and we were able to help him,” Wells said.

The commissioner also noted the county now hires ex-felons for certain positions — something it didn’t do before he was first elected in 2014.

Many of those hires now are “kicking butt with the county, getting promoted,” he said.

“Everybody makes mistakes,” Wells said. “We all make mistakes, and everybody deserves a second chance.”

Though he spoke at the networking meeting as a member of the Pasco County Commission, Wells has announced that he is pursuing a different role. He is  running for Pasco County Property Appraiser in 2020.

Published November 20, 2019

How to cater to strict diets at Thanksgiving

By

As fun as it is to host guests for Thanksgiving, it can be challenging to cater to those with strict diets.

Guests who can’t eat something will say: “I’m allergic to eggs/nuts/wheat” or “I’m vegetarian/vegan.”

But, these days, there also are plenty of fad diets or food trends that people take on as a lifestyle choice and not necessarily for medical reasons.

Rice in its natural form is one type of grain that is gluten-free and is popular among those who can’t eat gluten. Check packaging though to make sure it’s not processed alongside wheat or other gluten-containing grains. (Courtesy of Pixabay)

Regardless of the why certain foods are off limits for some — offering an alternative for these guests to eat will make them feel welcomed and included.

Some people with food allergies or other food restrictions may choose to bring or make their own food for Thanksgiving or other family events because they didn’t want to be a burden.

That’s completely fine, if that’s their choice. Some may even prefer it that way.

But, someone traveling and staying at a hotel might not be able to make a dish in advance and bring it over.

So, to make it easier for you, when you are hosting the meal, make a dish that not only your strict-diet guests will like, but one that everyone else at the table will enjoy, too.

Sometimes it is as simple as swapping out a few ingredients.

For example, those following a vegan diet won’t eat any animal products.

So, if you’re making sweet potato casserole, use vegan butter, plant-based milk, and vegan marshmallows. (Regular marshmallows have gelatin, which is made up of various animal sources, like bones, ligaments, or pigs’ skin).

The sweet potato casserole will taste the same and the non-vegans probably won’t even notice.

Also, be sure to take precautions to prevent cross-contact if someone is allergic to a food. This is the same concept as cross-contamination, but in this case we are talking about an allergen and not a pathogen.

To avoid cross-contact, be sure to use separate cutting boards, knives, etc., or properly wash and sanitize them in between using the allergenic food and safe food.

Also, always wash your hands in between handling the different foods.

By Shari Bresin 

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

Here are recipes that a gluten-free friend of mine shared for dishes she enjoys on Thanksgiving. 

These are both gluten-free and vegan-friendly.

Gluten and Dairy-Free Dirty Rice
Ingredients:
Rice (typically, 1 cup of rice to 1 ½ cups liquid for four servings of cooked rice)
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion
2 stalks of celery, diced
8 ounces of fresh mushrooms, chopped
Water or Vegetable Stock
Salt
Pepper

Directions:
Chop onions, celery, and mushrooms.
Keep mushrooms separated from celery and onions.
In a large stock pot, sauté celery and onions until tender.
Add mushrooms and stir.
Add a dash of salt and pepper.
Measure your desired amount of rice.
Add uncooked rice and stir, lightly toasting the rice.
Add your desired liquid (water or vegetable stock) to the proportions on the rice. Stir and bring to a boil. Stay close to watch.
Once boiling, turn heat down to low, stir again, place lid on the pot.
Cook until rice is tender. Serve warm and enjoy.
You can use a gluten-free chicken broth instead of water or vegetable stock if you weren’t also trying to make it plant-based.

Gluten and Dairy-Free Fresh Tomato Salad
Ingredients:
Your Favorite Fresh Red Tomatoes
Italian Seasoning Herbs Mixture
Fresh Basil
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Kosher Salt
Black Pepper

Directions:
Cut your fresh tomatoes into circles and place them on a serving tray.
Chop fresh basil (about 1/4 cup basil for three large tomatoes, such as beefsteak).
Sprinkle Italian Seasoning herb mixture on the tomatoes.
Sprinkle kosher salt and black pepper.
Add fresh basil.
Just before serving, lightly sprinkle olive oil and balsamic vinegar on the tomatoes. Enjoy!

Published November 22, 2019

Alzheimer’s walk raises nearly $56,000

By

More than 500 residents from Pasco County joined the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s at the Starkey Ranch District Park in Odessa, on Oct. 25.

Participants raised $55,784 to help pay for care, support and research programs of the Alzheimer’s Association. The event fell short of its goal of $85,000, but fundraising efforts continue through Dec. 20.

Hundreds of Pasco County residents took park in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s, in the fight to end the disease. (Courtesy of Alzheimer’s Association)

“Alzheimer’s is destroying our families, our finances and our future,” said Michelle Olson, Alzheimer’s Association development manager, in a release.

“It’s time to end it,” she added.

The moving opening ceremony featured several local families affected by the disease, as well as Maria Johnson, of the West Pasco Business Association; Daniel Paasch, director of strategic operations; U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis; and Margie Pagano, an Edward Jones financial advisor.

Doug Fresh, CEO of St. Mark’s Village and a participant for Team St. Mark’s, shared his thoughts on the walk.

“It was fabulous. The walk is important to St. Mark’s Village because of the people we serve. It’s important to work together with the Association to get some answers for this terrible disease,” Fresh said.

Currently, St. Mark’s is the top fundraising team, raising nearly $7,587. The team has been participating for about 10 years.

For information, visit ALZ.org, or call (800) 272-3900.

Library helps people who want jobs, or to volunteer

By

The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library recently was a hub — for those seeking opportunities for paying jobs, or to volunteer.

In fact, the library has a series of events this month, which is set aside as Career Development Month, focused on helping people find work.

On Nov. 7, a  CareerSource Pasco-Hernando bus was parked outside the library, located at 2818 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. Inside the bus was an array of computers to help people find employment opportunities.

David Hamilton, an operations manager for CareerSource Pasco-Hernando, offered patrons at Land O’ Lakes Branch Library advice for using computers to search for jobs. (Brian Fernandes)

David Hamilton is the local CareerSource operations manager who was there to help those dropping by The Mobile One Stop bus.

“My thing is to make sure I can help them apply for the job they want to apply for,” Hamilton explained. “I am looking at the general employment skill and that’s everybody, from no particular education, up to [a] bachelor’s degree.”

His aim is to help applicants find work they would be passionate about, as opposed to showing them a general list of what’s available.

As a 26-year career advisor, Hamilton helps others to create or polish up their resumes and cover letters.

It’s important to use correct grammar and punctuation, he said.

Cover letters, he added, should provide fresh content and not be redundant to what’s in an applicant’s resume.

Job applicants need to research a potential employer before creating the cover letter. It should tailor what that employer is seeking.

Hamilton then noted that Pasco County’s major employment category is retail and service, followed by health care.

But, he also pointed out that there’s more demand for nurses looking for work than for retail store managers.

He said he was there to assist people who may need technical help.

Hamilton also mentioned that those seeking jobs include youth entering the workforce for the first time, those who have been laid off and those moving to a new region.

He did mention that finding a position is more challenging for middle-age job seekers because they’re competing with a younger generation.

Pasco County’s current unemployment rate is at 3.3%,  a drastic decline from its 12.7% peak a decade ago, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

And, with the holiday season approaching, Hamilton expects an increase in job openings.

While Hamilton was helping others find paying jobs, another discussion was taking place inside the library.

At the Social Seniors event inside, those gathered had the chance to learn about multiple ways to become a volunteer.

Social Seniors is geared toward those 55 years old and older who want to take a more active role in their community.

“The Social Seniors is a chance for them (patrons) to come socialize, get some refreshments, maybe learn something new,” said Catherine Seavey, a library branch attendant who helps oversee the program.

Generally, the program allows people age 55 and up to play cards, watch movies, be part of a book club or take part in learning activities.

The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library also has partnered with Pasco County Senior Services and the Seniors in Service organization, to help those seasoned in age, stay productive.

Attendance at monthly meetings tends to go up when there is a guest speaker, and on this particular day, there were speakers offering advice on how to stay engaged through volunteering.

After retiring, Rick Buzzee, of Land O’ Lakes, joined the Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes to be involved in efforts to promote education, diminish poverty and help with community efforts.

“I think you have to stay mentally alert and mentally productive,” Buzzee said, adding there’s a correlation between good health and staying active.

Career Development Month
Where: Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes

When:

  • Personality Development Personality Tests, Nov. 15 from 2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
  • Building a Professional Presence online, Nov. 16 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Dress for Success, Nov. 18 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • AmSkills Mobile Innovation Station, Nov. 19 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Mock Interviews. Nov. 21 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • CareerSource Mobile One Stop bus, Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Resume workshop on Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Cost: Free

Info: Call (813) 929-1214

Published November 13, 2019

School boundary proposals draw opposition

By

Compared to school boundary hearings in recent years, the crowd was relatively small at a public hearing last week on proposed boundary changes for Pasco County Schools for the 2020-2021 school year.

Still, concerns expressed by parents were similar to the types of concerns generally raised at school boundary meetings.

Boundary changes planned for next year primarily involve changes needed due to the opening of Cypress Creek Middle School, set for next fall.

Initially, the school district had planned to open a high school and a middle school on its campus at 8701 Old Pasco Road. But, it couldn’t afford to build both, so it used its high school campus to serve students in grades six through 12.

Cypress Creek Middle School, now under construction, is expected to open in August 2020. The school district is now considering boundary shifts to ease crowding at John Long Middle and Wiregrass Ranch High, in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

When the new school opens next year, the middle school students on the campus will be shifted to the new school, and boundary changes will fill up remaining space at both the high school and the middle school.

The district’s proposal calls for filling the vast majority of those seats by shifting students from Seven Oaks now assigned to John Long Middle, to Cypress Creek Middle.

It also would shift Seven Oaks students now assigned to Wiregrass Ranch High, over to Cypress Creek High.

The change would not apply to rising seniors, who would be grandfathered in.

And, before the public hearing began, Superintendent Kurt Browning announced the proposal also calls for grandfathering in rising juniors.

The seniors would continue to be able to ride district buses; the juniors would not.

Other students can apply for school choice during the open enrollment period.

Parents who spoke at the public hearing offered a litany of reasons they oppose the proposed boundary shifts.

Mike Schulze, who lives in Seven Oaks, put it this way: “This is a personal thing for our family, for my son. This is not just a number on a sheet.”

He asked the board to consider the impact the boundary shift would have on students who will not be grandfathered in, including his son.

“His dream since he was in third grade was to go to Wiregrass Ranch High School and play basketball,” Schulze said. He asked board members to consider allowing all students to finish out their education in the school where they started.

Other parents also asked board members not to disrupt the academic or social life of their children.

They told board members they chose to live in Seven Oaks because the subdivision’s students were assigned to John Long and Wiregrass Ranch.

They voiced concerns about sending their children to schools that are farther away.

They questioned the decision to reassign school boundaries for an established neighborhood, instead of changing boundaries in newer neighborhoods.

They asked why the district can’t build additional wings at Wiregrass Ranch to accommodate additional students, to avoid redrawing lines.

Many of those same issues were raised in emails sent to district staff regarding the proposed changes. There also were criticisms of the district’s lack of planning for future growth.

Browning said the district considered building an addition at Wiregrass Ranch, but to do so would mean removing facilities that are needed for the school’s athletics, so that isn’t possible.

Board members Allen Altman and Cynthia Armstrong addressed comments related to planning.

“The school district does not get funding for a seat, for a student, until that student is already enrolled in school and counted,” Altman said.

Armstrong added: “It’s actually by state statute that we cannot start building a school until we have the total money in the bank to finish it. That makes the monetary part very tough, since we don’t get the funds until after the people are here.

“The other problem we have is locating school sites where the new buildings are going to be. We don’t always have access to obtaining a school site that would be affordable for us.”

There are other boundary changes proposed that would affect an area near State Road 52 and the Suncoast Parkway that is currently undeveloped, but has been approved for a massive development.

The proposal calls for assigning the entire area to Mary Giella Elementary, Crews Lake Middle School and Hudson High.

Under the current boundaries, some of that future growth would have been assigned to Land O’ Lakes schools.

The Pasco County School Board is set to vote on the proposed changes at its Nov. 19 meeting, at 6 p.m., at the school district headquarters, 7227 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Pasco school choice
Pasco County Schools is hosting expo-style events to inform families about school choice options in the district.

The west-side Pasco Pathways Expo is set for Nov. 18 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at River Ridge High School, 11646 Towne Center Road, New Port Richey.

The east-side Pasco Pathways Expo is on Nov. 21 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.

The expos will feature informational sessions that cover the general application process. In addition, many of the district’s schools will showcase their unique educational options, such as  STEM and STEAM magnet schools, the Cambridge International Education Programme, International Baccalaureate, Wendell Krinn Technical High School, Career Pathways, Pasco eSchool, and more.

The school choice application window will run from Dec. 3 to Dec. 13 for middle and high schools, and from Jan. 21 to Jan. 31, for elementary schools.

For more information, or to register to attend either of the expos, parents should visit PascoSchools.org, and click on the Pasco Pathways link.

Published November 13, 2019

Community development grants on the way?

By

Talks are underway in Zephyrhills to offer a greater variety of business grants within the city’s CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) district.

At last month’s CRA board meeting, Zephyrhills CRA director Gail Hamilton pushed for a wider range of incentives to help encourage new business investment in the 500-plus acre district.

The district encompasses the center spine of the city, generally between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street. Within those boundaries are the following historic neighborhood districts: Hercules, Historic Jeffries, Historic Abbott, Moore’s Estate, Zephyr Lake, Oakside, and Plaza.

The Zephyrhills CRA district is roughly 500 acres, from Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

Hamilton referenced a 2019 market report from consultant GAI Community Solutions, which indicates that vacancy rates are down in the CRA district, but property values are dropping because older retail/office buildings are not being improved or rehabilitated.

Interestingly, however, Hamilton said rental rates in the district have increased because “there’s a short supply of those buildings that are habitable, that are in the right location, where somebody wants to be.”

The market report shows the majority of rentable office properties within the district were built prior to 1980, and the majority of retail properties built prior to 1990. Further, since 2011, no new office properties and just one new retail property have been built within the district.

The report showed the limited inventory will weigh on district activity in the face of a growing local economy, Hamilton told CRA board members.

“We need to address that we haven’t built any new buildings and what we have is old,” the CRA director said.

“We still have building stock that nobody wants to rent because of the issues with the building or where it’s located or how it’s chopped up, and so we might want to take a very focused look at some of those buildings and try to work with the property owners,” she suggested.

The city currently offers grants related to building exteriors, including a matching façade rehabilitation grant program of up to $2,500.

But, Hamilton thinks the program should be expanded to allows some grants related to interior projects, such as plumbing or electric improvements.

“I can do signage, I can help them with a window or door, but the grants don’t allow for anything in the interior of the building, so that’s something we may want to talk about,” she said.

Hamilton also suggested creating some type of kitchen remodeling grant, particularly for high-quality kitchen fire suppression systems that could be used for subsequent tenants, if needed.

The Zephyrhills CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) area is a dependent special district in which any future increases in property values are set aside in a trust fund to support economic development and redevelopment projects, within the designated district.

She put it like this: “If that restaurant goes out (of business), you still have a restaurant and that investment the CRA makes putting the money in the building, because the building will always be there.”

The CRA director added she’s seen high demand from retailers and restaurateurs looking to lease newer or updated building spaces, even as small as 1,000 square feet, in the downtown area.

“Not a day goes by that somebody doesn’t call the CRA office asking about space — and, I don’t have it,” she said.

The Zephyrhills CRA includes about 300 business, with the largest concentration of employment within retail trade, health care services, and accommodation and food services.

The district’s largest employer is AdventHealth Zephyrhills (1,100 employees), followed by Florida Medical Clinic (850), Nestle/Zephyrhills Bottled Water (325), City of Zephyrhills (180) and Morrow Steel (90).

Another issue, Hamilton said, is the limited supply of affordable housing for middle-income workers, close to their jobs.

Hamilton said she’s had ongoing discussions with AdventHealth Zephyrhills CEO Amanda Maggard about the issue, talking about creating some type of joint residential grants “so that that workforce group from the hospital has an opportunity to live and work here in the CRA district.”

The city offers a $5,000 residential ownership incentive grant to homebuyers who purchase a home in the CRA district, and maintain residency for five years. The CRA awarded five such grants last fiscal year, Hamilton said.

Published November 13, 2019

Wesley Chapel color guards receive national acclaim

By

While the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron is affiliated with aviation, its their performance on ground that has granted them national accolades.

The squadron’s color guard team, known as The Wesley Chapel Knights, has won two consecutive national championships in 2018 and 2019.

1st Lt. Cesar Alayon is one of the commanding officers who helps oversee the local cadets.

“We’re the only team in the history of Civil Air Patrol (CAP), under the new competition program or new format, that has won two times in a row, back to back,” Alayon said.

In precision, Cassie Ramer, left, and Francisco Pulgarin, of the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron, stood before the pole where the American flag would be raised. This was a part of the 2016 inaugural flagpole raising at The Shops at Wiregrass. (File)

The 2019 championship comes at the same time the Wesley Chapel squadron is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

The Wesley Chapel squadron, which has more than 30 members, belongs to the United States Air Force Auxiliary’s Civil Air Patrol.

The Civil Air Patrol was established over 70 years ago during World War II, helping to prevent enemy advancement, with equipped planes.

Its cadet program was implemented not long after, for youth who may want to pursue a military career.

The program teaches cadets how to operate aircrafts, and helps to respond to disaster relief – such as the aftermath of a hurricane.

While the Wesley Chapel cadets have participated in these endeavors, its six-member color guard team offers another physical component.

Lt. Col. Cassie Ramer is the commander of the Knights team, having led them to their multiple championships.

“There’s a lot of different aspects of color guard that we all focus on,” the 18-year-old said. “Being the ones that represent the squadron colors and the national flag, those cadets need to be at the top of their game.”

Consisting of riflemen and flag-bearers, the Knights have to undergo different requirements.

This includes proper handling of their rifles and flags, precision, and working in unison.

They also must take exams to test their knowledge of squadron rules and must be physically fit.

On occasion, they’re asked to take part in public events. For instance, they provided the color guard for the inauguration of the flagpole at The Shops at Wiregrass mall.

Ramer said: “When we meet up anytime throughout the week, whenever we can, we’re practicing and acting as though we’re actually at the competition.”

The distinction they recently won began as a tournament at the state level, which attracts color guard teams from across Florida. A similar competition is held in each state.

The top two finalists at the state level move on to the regional competition – which also recognizes the first and second place winners.

At the national level, the top 16 teams from across the country challenge each other during a three-day contest in Dayton, Ohio.

The Wesley Chapel Knights have won the national competition twice in a row.

Those victories came after the team was unable to make it past the regionals in 2017.

“It really hurt knowing that we couldn’t go to nationals that year, because that was a team promise that we made,” Ramer said.

She recalled that cadets who were set to join the Air Force, put it aside temporarily to help the team reach the national level.

Lt. Col. Andrew Alayon is Cesar’s brother and a former color guard for the local chapter.

Before being promoted to his current rank, the 19-year-old filled in for a color guard member, helping to take the team to the nationals this year.

“I’ve always said ‘It’s not about the trophies, it’s always about the experience and what led to those trophies,’” he noted. He said the accolades displayed in the squadron’s clubhouse are a “visual representation” of the team’s hard work.

He is a member of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of South Florida, and is planning a military career.

Ramer, who intends to pursue a health care career as a civilian, said the team’s victories have deeper meaning than the recognition that comes with trophies.

“It’s about the concept of family and the concept of friends,” she said. “A family works by helping each other, not just because we want to get a trophy.”

Published November 13, 2019

Improvements continue on State Road 54 in East Pasco

By

A project to widen a stretch of State Road 54 in East Pasco, and to improve the road’s intersection with Eiland Boulevard and Morris Bridge Road, is making progress.

The improvement calls for two left-turn lanes on State Road 54 onto Eiland Boulevard and two through lanes heading east.

A right-turn lane, also heading eastbound, will be incorporated on the state road, turning onto Morris Bridge Road.

State Road 54 is being widened, and intersection improvements are being made at the road’s intersection with Eiland Boulevard and Morris Bridge Road. The improvements aim to ease the flow of traffic on the busy road. (Brian Fernandes)

Heading west, State Road 54 will have one left-turn lane going onto Morris Bridge Road, a right-turn lane onto Eiland Boulevard, and two through lanes.

Also, at the intersection, a bicycle lane will run along the state road’s north and south ends, respectively.

In addition, a shared-use path will be implemented on the south end, with a sidewalk running along the north end.

Eiland Boulevard turns into Morris Bridge Road once is passes the intersection  with State Road 54, and heads south.

Motorists heading north on Morris Bridge Road will have two left-turn lanes onto State Road 54.

There also will be two through lanes, including one that can be used to go straight or turn right.

Eiland Boulevard heading south will have the same setup, except that it will have a right-turn lane in addition to two through lanes.

There will be a shared-use path on the west side of Eiland Boulevard and Morris Bridge Road, and a sidewalk on the east side.

There haven’t been any lane closures yet, but in the future this could occur for three to four weeks, according to Brendan Fitterer of Pasco County.

This comes as efforts continue to widen State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills.

The 4.5-mile widening begins east of Curley Road and ends east of Morris Bridge Road. It involves widening the road from two lanes to four lanes, with a divided median.

The project is being done in phases, with the lanes at the north end — heading west — being completed first. Then the lanes on the south end — heading east — will be done, and then the divided median.

When the two westbound lanes have been paved and striped, opposing traffic will occupy these lanes, while the eastbound lanes are built, said David Botello of the Florida Department of Transportation.

This will occur over the span of six months, he said. Ninety-five percent of the utility pipe installation has been completed.

Botello added that: “We have over half of the new drainage installed and are working on constructing the new westbound lanes on the north side of the corridor, while traffic is temporarily shifted to the south in several locations throughout the project.”

The project also incorporates a sidewalk on the north side of the road and a multi-purpose trail on the south side.

Lane closures have occurred, but future closures have not been announced yet.

The intersection with Eiland Boulevard/Morris Bridge Road is a $3.8 million-project and is expected to be completed in June 2021.

The state road’s widening is a $42.5 million-project, with completion set for mid-2021.

Published November 13, 2019

Zen Den strives to increase inclusion

By

Anna Melgaard couldn’t help but smile as she watched her son, Wayde, play in the Zen Den at Maniscalco K-8 School, a room designed for children who have sensory issues.

The first-grader has autism and found a place to have fun, while other students were out in the cafeteria celebrating the Lutz school’s Fall Ball event.

“The Zen Den is catered towards kids who have sensory issues,” said Daniella McClutchy, president of the school’s Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA).

The Zen Den creates a serene atmosphere at Maniscalco K-8 School, for students who have sensory sensitivities. It was unveiled on Oct. 25, during the school’s Fall Ball. (Brian Fernandes)

Based in a music room, the environment is a place of solace for special needs students who may be overwhelmed with too much noise.

The PTSA board realized it was hard for these students to be included in certain school events, McClutchy said. So, the board decided to take action — creating the Zen Den.

The term “Zen” refers to a form of meditation that aims to bring about a state of calmness.

The play space is intended to do just that.

It has an array of colors – from pillows of various shapes, chairs, blankets, bean bags and a matted floor.

It also has Legos, coloring sheets and headphones to block out the noise.

McClutchy noted that Maniscalco embraces diverse students, regardless of their limitations.

The Halloween-themed Fall Ball was the first time the Zen Den play space was implemented at the school.

At the Fall Ball, faculty members and parents accompanied students dressed in costumes to the school’s cafeteria, where there was dancing in the open space.

Some students needed a break from the large crowd and the lively tunes playing, so they headed to the Zen Den.

Tammy Reale, Maniscalco’s principal, said: “Some of them get very overwhelmed with noise, so that gives them the opportunity to step away, take a moment and then come back and be able to have fun with their peers.”

The school serves over 140 students with varying exceptionalities – those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities, Reale said.

Several classrooms cater to these students, including some students with autism spectrum disorder, which refers to a broad range of conditions that can cause significant social, communications and behavioral challenges.

The classrooms also incorporate a “safe place” or a “chill corner” for students to take a break and regroup before joining their fellow classmates.

Some of the faculty at the school have children there who have special needs.

Reale said that this is a “win-win” situation, because the teachers know how to educate and empathize with other parents with unique kids.

Melgaard is a math and science teacher at Maniscalco. She sees the challenges her 6-year-old son faces at school and at home.

“Just things that you wouldn’t normally think about, he struggles with all the time – making friends, talking to people, doing work, sitting in a seat,” she explained.

Melgaard said she was surprised when she heard that the PTSA board was going to introduce the Zen Den.

“It makes you feel like your child matters, because they’re doing things to show that they know that there’s kids that need more,” she said.

Other students without sensory issues also came into the Zen Den to have some fun, too.

It was a chance for Wayde to interact with other kids, and for those kids to better understand Wayde and others in his situation, Melgaard said.

There are plans to include the Zen Den in future school functions going forward, McClutchy noted.

“It’s something I’m so proud of, and it makes all the hard work worth it. It’s helping so many people on such a deeper level,” she said.

Published November 13, 2019