The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Zephyrhills Founder’s Day celebrates ‘Planes, Trains & Automobiles’

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Thousands flocked to downtown Zephyrhills to celebrate the city during the 109th Founder’s Day Heritage Parade & Festival on March 9. This year’s theme was “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” — honoring the impact that transportation has had on the growth and success of the community. A parade, which featured vintage automobiles, kicked off the event in the morning.

Dozens of local vendors and food trucks lined Fifth Avenue, and some side streets, offering patrons various dining and shopping options. Live music was performed throughout the day and there was a K-9 demonstration by the Zephyrhills Police Department. This year’s festival also featured the second annual Beard & Mustache Competition, which awarded cash prizes to the men with the most impressive facial hair.

The event was hosted by Main Street Zephyrhills, 38537 Fifth Ave.

Keeping up with the theme of this year’s Founder’s Day festival, 15-year-old artist Kaylee Day, of Zephyrhills, puts the finishing touches on her chalk drawing, a 1962 Corvette. She chose this particular automobile because it is her grandfather’s favorite car. (Christine Holtzman)
Rodney Walker, CEO and barber of The Gentlemen’s Quarters, left, signals for the audience to cheer if they think Charles Vickery of Odessa should win first place in the Beard & Mustache Competition. Vickery, with his 16-inch beard won the title and $250. Also pictured are James Martinez, of Zephyrhills, second from left, and Chris Vickery, of Land O’Lakes.
While the ReNewed Life Church Worship Team performs on stage, 6-year-old Skylar Allison, left, 4-year-old Mackenzie Fleming, center, and 7-year-old Amaya Jordan sit on the stage steps and watch videos on a phone. Skylar and Amaya are sisters and Mackenzie is their cousin. The girls all reside in Zephyrhills.

 

Seminars aim to empower Pasco women

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The first of a three-part series aimed to advance the interests of Pasco County women took place on March 4 at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, on Collier Parkway.

All of the meetings, being presented by the Pasco County Commission on the Status of Women and the Pasco County Commission, are being held at the library, and are free and open to the public.

The theme of the first part of the series was “Health and Wellness.”

Sarah Cobelli, of BayCare Behavioral Health, was one of the speakers who took part in a presentation on ‘Health and Wellness’ hosted by the Pasco County Commission on the Status of Women, on March 4 at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, on Collier Parkway. (Brian Fernandes)

Guest speakers Mike Napier, of the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County, and Sarah Cobelli, of BayCare Behavioral Health, shared pertinent information relating to women’s health issues.

“Virtually everything we do at the health department is in partnership with someone else,” explained Napier, administrator for the Florida Department of Health — Pasco County.

The department works with Moffitt Cancer Center, Premier Community Healthcare Group and other partners.

They work to bring awareness to issues such as cervical and breast cancer, and provide information about treatment options.

The department also receives government funding, which is used to provide screenings.

Efforts also are being made to prevent the spread of Hepatitis A, and the health department is receiving assistance in this effort from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Napier said.

Through this collaboration, vaccinations are offered in the jail system, Napier explained.

“The good news is, it’s almost 97 percent – after you’ve had those shots – that you’ll be immune to any Hepatitis A,” Napier said.

Napier also advocates child vaccination for Hepatitis A and for the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Napier dispelled the notion that HPV is always linked to physical intercourse, stating that the stigma makes parents hesitant about vaccinating their children.

Teenage pregnancy, however, is a reality that the department addresses through its family planning program.

“It’s very difficult when we see moms coming in at 16-17 [and] trying to get them to finish school,” Napier said. “We’ve got to do something about that.”

The program offers testing, counseling and various contraceptive methods.

It also works in conjunction with schools to make sure students are well-educated and have a resource to call for help.

Tobacco use is another area of local concern, Napier pointed out.

“Unfortunately, Pasco County continues to have some of the highest smoking rates in the state,” the administrator said.

As of last year, 21 percent of adult Pasco residents were chronic smokers, according to the health department.

It also noted in a 2013 study that 22 percent of women in the county were smokers – significantly in the 18 to 44 age range.

The health department is working with medical institutions to distribute and collect health surveys.

The effort allows hospitals and other health care facilities to share medical information, and to better identify health trends based on demographics.

“It’s going to be consistent with all the hospitals and the health industry, to be able to say, ‘We all see the same data and now we’re going to try to act on that data,’” Napier stated.

The administrator also noted that providing mental health care to women who need it remains challenging.

Cobelli provided a presentation focused on behavioral health and substance abuse among women.

As a program manager for BayCare, she oversees community-based services for both children and adults.

“One of the newer additions to BayCare – within the last couple of years – is behavioral health integration, that especially females find comfort in,” Cobelli said.

This program is a convenient means for women to see their primary care physician and speak with a mental health counselor within the same office.

Another outreach program allows nurses, with a mobile medical unit, to go outdoors informing the homeless about medical resources and housing that may be available to them.

There’s also outreach to teenage mothers.

With the help of case managers, another state-funded program provides intervention for pregnant or postpartum women struggling with substance abuse.

For the 2018 fiscal year, Cobelli stated: “About 65 percent of the women that are enrolled have a primary diagnosis of an opioid disorder.”

There are also services available to women outside the program to help with essentials, such as car seats, strollers and baby formula.

BayCare encourages women with substance abuse, who are coming out of jail, to attend its group meetings three times a week.

With the Alternatives to Incarceration Pasco program, BayCare works with the Sheriff’s Office to establish special services for those with substance disorders.

The second part of the series, focused on Economic Prosperity, will be held on April 8.

The third part of the series, focused on Safety and Access, will be presented on May 6.

For more information visit, PascoCountyFL.net/2662/Commission-on-Status-of-Women.

Women’s lecture series presented by the Pasco County Commission on the Status of Women and the Pasco County Commission
Where: Land O’ Lakes Library meeting room, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes
When: Upcoming sessions are planned on Economic Prosperity on April 8 and Safety & Access on May 6. Both sessions start at 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free to public
Details: A series of presentations from guest speakers will discuss educating and advancing Pasco County women
Info: Visit PascoCountyFL.net/2662/Commission-on-Status-of-Women. 

Published March 20, 2019

Work ethic pays off for Dade City native

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Ryan Lowery, a Dade City native and 2008 graduate of Pasco High, is serving at the U.S. Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Lowery has served for six years and works as a Navy fire control technician. He is serving within the U.S. Pacific Fleet area of operations.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Lowery (Courtesy of Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rusty Pang)

As a fire control tech, Lowery is responsible for the weapon system onboard submarines and has the ability to work with sonar to track all contacts.

He credits his success in the Navy to many lessons learned in Dade City.

“From my hometown, I learned a good, hard work ethic, which leads me to successfully accomplishing my job on a day-to-day basis,” Lowery said, in a release.

Although there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Lowery noted he is most proud of advancing to the rank of petty officer second class because it is proof of his hard work and determination.

Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Lowery, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. His brother currently serves in the United States Army.

Lowery takes great pride in serving in the Navy.

“To wake up every morning, put on the uniform and go to work as a Navy sailor will forever have a great impact on my life. It means a lot to serve this country and to know that all of my loved ones are being protected,” he said, in the release.

Published March 20, 2019

Casino night will support Sunrise of Pasco

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Sunrise of Pasco, Domestic & Sexual Violence Center will present a Casino Night on April 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at 4G Ranch, 22501 State Road 52 in Land O’ Lakes.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will go directly to benefit participants of Sunrise of Pasco.

The event will include a bourbon bar, appetizers, cigars, an open bar, blackjack, roulette, craps, bingo and slot machines.

Sponsorship opportunities are available ranging from $500 to $5,000.

Individual tickets are $150 and include the open bar, heavy appetizers, a free cigar or wine glass, live entertainment, casino games and $2,500 in ‘funny money’ to get you started.

To purchase tickets, call (352) 521-3358.

For more information about the fundraiser, visit SunrisePasco.org, or email .

Sponsorship forms also can be secured by calling the above number or using the website.

Published March 20, 2019

Chiselers Market: Find deals, support preservation

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Elena Cifuentes sits at a table in a warehouse near downtown Tampa, painstakingly restoring a broken Hummel figurine.

Cifuentes, who teaches at the University of Tampa, leads a restoration team whose work offers a mere glimpse into the massive volunteer undertaking behind the annual Chiselers Market.

The market features thousands of items that are sold to support the restoration and preservation of Plant Hall at the University of Tampa.

These women are part of The Chiselers Inc., an organization that’s been putting on an annual market for decades, to benefit preservation of the University of Tampa’s Plant Hall. From left, front row: Cookie Ginex, Gail Dee Russ, Susanne Sanders and Beth Garcia. From left, back row: Esther Hammer, Elena Cifuentes and Teri Willis. (B.C. Manion)

This year’s market offers items ranging from the funky to the sublime.

Bargain-hunters can find linens, intricate lace, crystal chandeliers, kitchenware, collectibles and thousands of other items.

The Chiselers Inc. — celebrating its 60th anniversary — puts on the annual sale. The group is made up of women volunteers, primarily  from South Tampa, but also from Lutz, Wesley Chapel, West Chase, St. Petersburg, Sun City and other communities.

These women appear to have at least two things in common: A collective love for Plant Hall, and a true appreciation for the bond they have with each other.

The National Historic Landmark that their work benefits was completed in 1891.

In the beginning, it was an opulent hotel constructed by railroad magnate Henry B. Plant.

With European artworks and furnishings, it attracted wealthy and famous patrons to Tampa.

Its distinctive minarets, its chrysanthemum windows, its spacious veranda and its gingerbread woodwork make the building a true city of Tampa treasure.

The former Tampa Bay Hotel served as a command post in the Spanish-American War, and Teddy Roosevelt, Clara Barton, Stephen Crane and Frederic Remington stayed there.

This is one of the collectibles in the room where Terri Naylor volunteers. She helps price various items before the annual Chiselers Market.

Other famous guests have included Babe Ruth and Thomas Edison. John Phillip Sousa performed there, and Booker T. Washington spoke there, too.

The structure became home of the University of Tampa in 1933.

The Chiselers have the annual market down to a science.

Preparations begin months in advance.

Donations are brought to a warehouse near downtown Tampa, where they are sorted, repaired (if needed), priced and boxed — for delivery to the University of Tampa for a preview party and market day.

When donations initially arrive at the warehouse, they are divided into different sections. Furniture goes into one area. Collectibles into another. There are areas for books, for art, for  fine linens and bargains. There’s a silent auction area, too.

Teri Willis, third vice president of the Chiselers, is this year’s market chair.

A trip around the warehouse reveals a huge assortment of items awaiting this year’s shoppers.

If you need a picture frame, you’ll be able to choose from hundreds.

There’s interesting art, too.

“Much of it is collectible art, recognized artists,” Willis said.

On the day of the sale, the art is arranged out on Plant Hall’s veranda.

This cut glass bowl is among the thousands of items being sold at Chiselers Market.

“It’s a beautiful morning thing to do — to go out and buy art,” Willis said.

If you’re shopping for office supplies, Christmas décor or a dog bed — they’ll be at this year’s sale. There are lamps, sofas, chairs, planters and all sorts of other stuff, too.

The laces and linens are exquisite, Willis said. “Some of these laces have been passed down in families for generations.”

There’s a silver service section, too.

“It’s one of our highlights. When they light it up, it just sparkles,” Willis said. The gleam comes from the volunteers’ all-day silver polishing parties.

“That’s where I learned to really polish silver,” said Esther Hammer, this year’s president of The Chiselers.

Elena Cifuentes works painstakingly to repair this Hummel figurine.

Hammer has handled various chores through the years. Being president, she said, is easy because so many members step forward to help.

“I don’t really have to do anything because these people volunteer to do it, and they do such a great job,” Hammer said.

Moira Burke, who was at the warehouse sorting books said she enjoys having a hand in the preservation of Plant Hall — a building she considers to be an architectural gem.

Terri Naylor, who helps research and price collectibles, said being involved in Chiselers is right up her alley because she’s interested in art, architecture, history and preservation.

On market day, besides the sale items, there will be food trucks, Port-o-Potties, and a ‘Will Call’ area for shoppers who have found so many good deals that they need a temporary holding place while they go and shop for more.

They’ll have plenty of choices, Willis said.

“We take over the whole bottom floor (of Plant Hall). We fill it up.

“Outside, we have books, furniture, plants and art,” she said.

The bargain area is especially popular, Hammer said.

Plant Hall, on the University of Tampa campus, was originally the Tampa Bay Hotel. Built by railroad magnate Henry B. Plant, it was an opulent hotel with European furnishings, which drew wealthy and famous guests to Tampa.

Items are priced to sell quickly and market regulars know the drill.

“This is where people stampede,” Hammer said. “When the doors open at 9, you can hear the thunder of the feet, going down to the bargain section.”

Willis noted: “They get excited, and we get excited.”

The volunteer group is grateful for the generous donations it receives.

“We couldn’t do this without the community,” Willis said.

The market’s success also relies on a good turnout for the sale, Hammer said.

“We have so much to sell, we need people (to come to the market).”

Beyond helping to preserve a Tampa icon for future generations, Hammer derives great satisfaction from being involved with the Chiselers.

“I just love this, this whole operation, this whole organization,” Hammer said.

“The mission is the first thing that got me in here, and then working with the ladies is what kept me,” she said.

56th annual Chiselers Market
Where: Plant Hall at the University of Tampa, 401 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
When: March 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free admission; parking nearby
Details: Bargain-hunters can finds loads of good deals at this sale, which features plants, jewelry, kitchenware, books, art, electrical items, tools, china, crystal, silver, collectibles, lamps, lace, linens, furniture and other items.
Info: TheChiselersInc.com

The Chiselers
A group of friends with a strong interest in the preservation of the former Tampa Bay Hotel (now Plant Hall at the University of Tampa) met to chisel old mortar from important tiles salvaged from the original fireplaces in the hotel.

As a result, the “Chiselers” organization was founded with a mission to preserve and restore the former hotel, now a National Historic Landmark.

The Chiselers formed in 1959, and the group is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

Since its founding, the organization has:

  • Raised $8.3 million for the restoration of Plant Hall
  • Supported the University of Tampa with an endowed scholarship that provides financial assistance each year to a deserving student
  • Contributes about 15,000 volunteer hours each year
  • Co-founded the Tampa Bay Hotel Advisory Council in 1996, charged with approving a master plan for restoration of the building and assuring that all work is done in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings.

For more information about the Chiselers, visit TheChiselersInc.com.

The Chiselers Inc.’s officers:
Esther Hammer, president
Karen Dalton, first vice president
Barbara Pennington, second vice president
Teri Willis, third vice president
Kathy Beeson, fourth vice president
Jane Hernandez, treasurer
Debbie Giglio, assistant treasurer
Dolly Fox, recording secretary
Barbara Stubbs, corresponding secretary
Audrie Ranon, parliamentarian

Published March 13, 2019

Pasco readies for big building program

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Voter approval of four general obligation bond issues in November has set the stage for a major building program in Pasco County.

The bond revenues will go to expand the Pasco County Detention Center; to update and expand fire rescue facilities; to upgrade libraries; and, to spruce up and improve park and recreational facilities.

Pasco County staff members briefed commissioners on the timing for various projects that will be done, and commissioners offered some suggestions during the meeting.

This is Pasco Fire Rescue Station No. 23, at 21300 State Road 54 in Lutz. The county is planning to add several new fire rescue stations, using revenues from general obligation bonds approved by voters in November. (Christine Holtzman)

In a typical year, the county is involved in about $21 million in projects, according to Andrew Baxter, the county’s facilities management director. The workload over the next few years will average about $45.5 million, he said.

The biggest single project, under the approved general obligation bonds, involves the expansion of the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center, at 20101 Central Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

That bond issue is for $128 million, and it will be used to pay for a 1,000-bed addition and an upgrade to all of the jail’s central services, including medical, intake, the kitchen and support services.

The design is expected to be done during fiscal years 2019 and 2020. The construction will begin in 2021, with completion in fiscal year 2023.

As the county gets ready for that project, Commissioner Jack Mariano suggested county staff visit Charlotte County to see how they’ve handled medical services at the jail.

“They may have a better way, and a better result at the end. The successes that they say they’re having is probably worthy for us taking a look at.” Mariano said.

Commissioner Mike Wells also said the services that are provided need to address mental illness and addition.

“If we can help these folks, it’s not a revolving door,” Wells said. “ The numbers should go down.”

The county also will be making significant improvements regarding its fire and rescue services.

Projects in the Central Pasco and East Pasco areas will be:

  • Adding Station 42, at Suncoast Parkway and State Road 52. The $6.1 million project involves the construction of a new one-story, four-bay station. Construction is expected to be completed in fiscal year 2021.
  • Replacing Station 22, in Land O’ Lakes. The $6.9 million project calls for replacing the existing one-story, four-bay station near the detention center in Land O’ Lakes. Construction is expected to be completed by fiscal year 2022.
  • Adding Station 44, at State Road 54 and Meadow Pointe Boulevard. The $6.5 million project calls for a new one-story, four-bay station. It is expected to be completed by the end of fiscal year 2023.
  • Adding Station 45, in Bexley, a subdivision off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes. This $7.3 million project calls for a new one-story, four-bay station. It is expected to be completed by the end of fiscal year 2023.
  • Adding a Rescue Training Center in Land O’ Lakes. This $5.8 million project is expected to be completed in fiscal year 2023.

The county received $20.2 million in bond funding for parks and recreation projects.

Projects in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area include:

  • San Antonio Maintenance Building, $100,000, to be completed in fiscal year 2020
  • Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, pool pump room, $10,000, to be completed in fiscal year 2021
  • Wesley Chapel District Park, replace air conditioning, $53,000, to be completed in fiscal year 2020
  • Heritage Community Center, roof, $45,320, to be completed in fiscal year 2020.

Across the county, there are some fairly pricey concession stand building projects, which drew the attention of Commissioner Mike Moore.

He urged county staff to see if there are ways to trim those costs.

“Any savings allows you to do more. Maybe you need another concession at another park,” Moore said.

Wells also suggested looking at the possibility of using the same design firm for projects, to potentially lower costs.

“I’m just trying to save everybody time and money,” Wells said.

Libraries will be modernized, using revenues from general obligation bonds. Planned projects in East and Central Pasco are:

  • New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel: Nearly $2 million in improvements. The project is in the design phase and is expected to be completed in 2020.
  • Hugh Embry Branch Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City: Nearly $1.8 million in improvements are planned. Completion is expected in 2021.
  • Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes: Approximately $1.7 million in improvements are planned. The county is working with Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley to be sure there is no conflict with election needs, said County Administrator Dan Biles. This project is expected to be completed in 2021.

Biles said the plan is to close the libraries during the renovation, with outreach efforts to serve patrons.

“If we close the libraries, we can give the contractor the entire footprint, so construction can be faster and less expensively than if we try to phase it through those facilities. It gets us in, gets the construction done and out of there.”

The county is anticipating the bonds to be issued in April.

“In order to accomplish these projects, we’re probably going to need some surge staffing, just to manage these projects, and ensure the quality we expect is achieved,” Baxter said. “We’re basically doubling our workload for the next few years.”

Additional discussion is expected at a later board meeting over those staffing needs and how to pay for them.

Published March 13, 2019

School board eyes 104-acre site near Connected City

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The Pasco County School Board has approved the acquisition of a 104-acre site near the Connected City area of Wesley Chapel.

The school district anticipates there will a need for future schools as more residents move into Connected City, which includes Epperson Ranch and other future developments.

Pasco County Schools is proceeding with steps to purchase a 104-acre site at the southeast corner of Curley and Kiefer roads. The school district said that more schools will be needed in the area, as more residents move into the Connected City, which is just across the street. (Christine Holtzman)

The site is at the southeast corner of Curley and Kiefer roads, directly across the street from future phases of Epperson Ranch and just south of the future Mirada development.

The board’s unanimous vote allows district staff to proceed with the necessary steps to acquire the property from the owners of Kirkland Ranch.

This acreage would potentially house a future high school and/or future kindergarten through eighth grade school, according to a school board document prepared by Chris Williams, director of planning services for the school district.

The owners have agreed to sell the property to the school district for $20,000 per acre, with the full sales price expected to be slightly more than $2 million.

The purchase is contingent on the completion of two independent appraisals, due diligence and some additional conditions.

Part of the agreement includes that the entire campus to be constructed at the site shall be named the Kirkland Ranch Campus, subject to applicable school board policy.

The campus may include one or more of the following types of schools: elementary, middle, high, vocational training or magnet.

The agreement also stipulates that once the campus is named, the name cannot be changed for a minimum of 50 years subsequent to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, or completion.

The proposed sale is also subject to other requirements, which include allowing the seller to use the land for livestock grazing purposes at no rental until such time the school district commences construction of the campus.

The school district also agrees to build a barbed wire fence to separate the property from the seller’s remaining land to the south.

Published March 13, 2019

Pasco County tourism rebrands as ‘Florida’s Sports Coast’

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Pasco County now wants to be known as “Florida’s Sports Coast.”

The announcement — anticipated for months — was made official at a March 7 brand launch ceremony held at Tampa International Airport.

Pasco County’s tourism office, Visit Pasco, has rebranded itself as ‘Florida’s Sports Coast.’ The new marketing slogan was made official at a March 7 brand launch ceremony at Tampa International Airport. Pasco County tourism director Adam Thomas spoke at the brand launch. (Kevin Weiss)

The rebrand is part of an ongoing effort for the county’s tourism office, Visit Pasco, to expand its footprint as a sports and recreation destination.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said the Florida’s Sports Coast brand creates a “refreshed identity” for the county, to “communicate new energy and enthusiasm that hasn’t been established in the past.”

Accompanying the Florida’s Sports Coast marketing campaign is the tagline, “Let’s Play.”

Previous Pasco tourism promotions featured the slogans “It’s only natural” and “Open spaces, vibrant places” — referring to the county’s ecotourism offerings.

The new slogan coincides with a number of multipurpose sports facilities that have opened or will open soon, along with other recreational offerings in Pasco.

Moore highlighted present sports assets, such as Wesley Chapel’s AdventHealth Center Ice and Saddlebrook Golf & Tennis Resort, as well as the county’s myriad of outdoor adventure activities including saltwater fishing and biking trails.

“Sports tourism in Pasco County is something that we excel at,” Moore said, “and we’re dedicated to sports tourism and the positive impact it has for our large number of local partners, as well as the community.”

Moore mentioned the forthcoming Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex figures to be a game-changer, too.

The $44 million, 98,000-square-foot multipurpose facility set to open later this year, is poised to bring in top-level sporting events in cheerleading, basketball, gymnastics, volleyball and so on.

He said the facility will “highlight our area even more and bring in even a larger economic impact to Pasco County.”

According to Moore, tourism overall in Pasco County last year generated a $615 million economic impact from 957,000 visitors and 1.1 million room nights, which he said in turn equated to 7,500 jobs and $156 million in wages.

“Those numbers are pretty extraordinary,” Moore said.

The commissioner expects those tourism numbers to grow, as the county directs marketing efforts more so to sports tourism.

Pasco County has rebranded as ‘Florida’s Sports Coast,’ as it looks to expand its footprint as a sports tourism destination. (Courtesy of Visit Pasco)

“As more facilities are finished, and we attract more events to Pasco County, we’ll have new hotels that will continue to give us more capacity,” Moore said.

“I also can’t wait to see what the impact has on Pasco County with our new brand, Florida’s Sports Coast,” he added.

Adam Thomas, tourism director for Pasco, said the Florida’s Sports Coast brand helps “create an identity that’s going to make waves in Florida’s (tourism) marketplace.”

“We’re all about sports. That’s our DNA. That’s our lifeblood,” said Thomas, who’s been with the county since 2017.

The tourism director added that the branding is on point for the county, which he described as “a vast destination that has many products and many offerings, and many attractions and many things to do.”

“We just feel that we’re creating a sense of place, not only for us as an (tourism) office, but the entire the community, the entire county, the entire destination,” Thomas said.

With that, Thomas said his tourism office is currently strategizing to draw amateur sports and recreation events that can generate a high economic return for the county.

An example of that, he said, is Torhs2Hot4Ice, a national roller hockey tournament held at AdventHealth Center Ice.

“We play roller hockey for 10 days and that creates 1,800 room nights for us and about a $5 million economic impact,” the tourism director said.

Thomas also added the opening of the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex will further help the county’s newfound mission of economic impact-driven sports tourism.

“We actually have events right now that are just lined up waiting for that door to open up,” Thomas said.

Published March 13, 2019

Addiction recovery community organization forming in Pasco

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New long-term addiction recovery services may soon be headed to Pasco County, by way of what’s called a Recovery Community Organization.

A Recovery Community Organization, otherwise known as an RCO, is an independent, nonprofit organization led and governed by representatives of local communities of recovery, which organizes recovery-focused policy advocacy activities, carries out recovery-focused community education and outreach programs, and provides peer-based recovery support services.

Dozens of community members participated in a Feb 26 listening session in Land O’ Lakes on the possible formation of a Recovery Community Organization, to help bring more long-term addiction recovery services coming to Pasco. A Recovery Community Organization is an independent nonprofit, which promotes recovery-focused policy advocacy activities, carries out recovery-focused community education and outreach programs, and provides peer-based recovery support services. (Kevin Weiss)

The project is being facilitated by Clearwater-based Recovery Epicenter Foundation, which has operated an RCO without borders since 2016.

Guidance and technical assistance on the program is coming from the Florida Alcohol & Drug Abuse Foundation (FADAA), through a three-year Aetna Foundation grant called All in for Florida: A Recovery Project; the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse (ASAP) is also providing support in the RCO development process.

Details about RCO programming were discussed during a Feb. 26 community listening session at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes.

While there’s no definitive timetable for the formation of an RCO in Pasco, it’s expected to take many months at least, officials said.

The community listening session brought together dozens of stakeholders, including persons in recovery and professionals in health care, criminal justice, faith-based organizations and others.

Attendees suggested an RCO in Pasco needs to, among other initiatives, find ways address the following:

  • More affordable housing opportunities
  • More homeless shelters and treatment facilities
  • More residential treatment beds
  • Better public transportation opportunities
  • Recovery-friendly employment and workforce training
  • Greater access to recovery at all levels of care
  • Decriminalization of substance use disorder
  • Additional 12-step recovery meetings
  • Greater access to peer support services

In many cases, RCOs shift the focus of recovery programming from clinically driven acute care to recovery management, speakers said.

A significant component of that is mobilizing recovery peer specialists — people who have been successful in the recovery process who help others battling addiction through shared experience, understanding, respect and mutual empowerment.

Such methodology helps reduce relapse rates over time, according to Ken Brown, a recovery-oriented system of care specialist for the Florida Department of Children and Families Suncoast Region, who spoke at the community listening session.

Brown said RCOs and related support services provide “a key element for communities to help people in recovery.”

He emphasized the need for more placement on long-term recovery management, as opposed to routine substance abuse treatment.

Brown put it like this: “So many times, our system falls short because we address the acute care needs that go into treatment for 30 days or whatever and then they get out — and that’s not how (recovery) happens.

“We have to shift our thought process from acute care to recovery management, ‘What are the hopes and dreams of those going through recovery? What can we do to advance their recovery? And, most importantly, what can we do to keep you in recovery?’”

The listening session also featured FADAA recovery project director Ginny LaRue, who is developing RCOs in nine Florida counties, including Pasco.

In other counties, LaRue explained, RCOs have primarily focused facilitating programs that offer employment assistance, transportation, health and wellness, and recreational opportunities, independent support groups and so on.

While FADAA assists in forming RCOs, LaRue said the onus is on the local community “to make it sustainable, through partnerships (and) through collaboration.”

She added RCOs are successful because they’re grassroots, community-driven efforts that get “more of the voice of recovery.”

LaRue added: “This is not clinical. This is lived experience helping lived experience. It’s a matter of all these people in the community saying, ‘This is what we’re going to do. This is how we’re going to do it.’”

LaRue herself is a former addict who’s been in recovery for the last 15 years.

In addition to her work with FADAA, she also operates a sober-living house in Daytona Beach.

She, like others at the meeting, underscored the importance of wide-ranging, accessible long-term recovery services.

For her, “things didn’t get better” immediately stepping out of drug treatment, LaRue said.

Instead, she said she needed years of peer mentoring and recovery support services to become “a responsible member of my community.”

“You cannot live on an island and try to recover,” LaRue said. “I needed the community to wrap their arms around me and help me through that process, and restore me.”

The next step in the RCO formation process is scheduling a recovery symposium.

That will be followed by a series of recovery community visioning meetings to determine action steps and program implementation.

A symposium planning session is scheduled for March 20 at 11 a.m., at Trinity Church of Christ, 4234 St. Lawrence Drive in New Port Richey.

The meeting is open to the public.

Published March 13, 2019

Music fest returns to Land O’ Lakes

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Get ready for some sounds of music — at the fourth annual Land O’ Lakes Music Festival.

The event is set for March 23 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

The band Solar Exposure is scheduled to make a return at the fourth annual Land O’ Lakes Music Festival. Numerous bands are on the March 23 lineup. (File)

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event. Live performances will be provided by Bearded Brothers, Stonegrey, Peace of Woodstock and Solar Exposure.

Festival-goers can bring blankets or lawn chairs to relax on the large open field and listen to bands, as they make their appearances on stage.

There also will be food trucks, adult beverages, and arts and crafts available for purchase.

Admission is free and parking is $10.

Coolers are not permitted, but pets are welcome, as long as they are on a leash.

Proceeds will benefit the Pasco County Parks Department so youth can go on camping expeditions.

Heritage Park is located at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

For additional information, call the chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .

Land O’ Lakes Music Festival
Where: Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
When: March 23 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free admission; $10 for parking
Details: There will be live musical performances throughout the event; food and merchandise will be available for purchase.
Info: Contact the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce at (813) 909-2722 or .

Published March 13, 2019