The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

The Civil War visits Dade City

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To all history buffs and those curious about learning more on the Civil War, the Pioneer Florida Museum will be recapturing this American era from Nov.16 through Nov. 18.

Entitled the “Living History and Civil War Reenactments,” the event begins with a school field trip on Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Accompanied by a tour guide, students will be able to roam through the museum visiting stations displaying artifacts such as cannons, musical instruments and rifles. They’ll also get a chance to learn about medical hospitals and camps for union soldiers and for confederate soldiers.

Members of the 14th Brooklyn New York State Militia gather in their part of the Union encampment. They are Peter Kalloch, of Hudson; Tom Stanton, of Pinellas Park; Pete Kannenberg, of Seminole; Rick Smith, of Summerfield; and, Bob Gilliland, of Osprey. (File)

Vendors will open on Nov. 17 at 9 a.m., and will offer food, vintage clothing, antiques and other items.

A battlefield reenactment will be followed by a ladies tea party, which begins at 10 a.m. Guests are welcome to attend, but are required to dress in 19th century attire.

Attendees are also asked to wear special attire for The Period Fashion Show at 11:30 a.m.

The following day, like the previous one, will feature concession stands, live performances, battle reenactments and inside tours of the museum.

For the field trip on Nov. 16, there will be a $4 fee for students and chaperones who preregister, and a $5 fee if paying on the day of the event.

Admission on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18 is $10 for adults; $5 for students; and, free for those age 5 and younger. The museum will accept cash payment only.

There is free parking, but guests are asked not to bring outside food or beverages. They also are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Pets are not allowed with the exception of service dogs.

For additional information or to preregister for the field trip, contact the Pioneer Florida Museum at (352) 567-0262 or PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.

Living History and Civil War Reenactments
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City
When: School field trip on Nov. 16, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Reenactments on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $4 for students and chaperones who preregister; $10 for adults; $5 for students; free admission for those age 5 and younger
Details: The Pioneer Florida Museum will host a guided tour of Civil War artifacts, and will have reenactment battle scenes.
Info: Call the Pioneer Florida Museum at (352) 567-0262, or visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org for preregistration.

Published November 14, 2018

 

Artistic couple opens home gallery in Wesley Chapel

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Upon entering the front door, various colors seem to emanate from all directions.

The living room and dining room walls are covered with diverse paintings.

The tables are decked with sculptures of different shapes and proportions.

Bernard and Gwendolyn Brooks have opened their Wesley Chapel home to the public as an art gallery. (Brian Fernandes)

More artworks can be found in the bedrooms, too.

This is the Wesley Chapel home of Bernard and Gwendolyn Brooks, who moved to the area a year ago from Washington D.C., to live closer to their family.

Their residence doubles as their art gallery.

The artists have dedicated their lives to teaching and exposing the world to their craft.

Each grew up around art.

Gwendolyn’s father, a painter, was a curator at Howard University for 33 years before retiring.

She grew up painting and also developed a love for music through the piano.

Although a passionate artist and musician, she felt a stronger calling to creating art.

“I realized that art as well as music are disciplines that require a lot of time and energy,” she said, reflecting on the competing desires. “I couldn’t do both, so I chose art.”

She pursued her education, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from Howard University and a Master of Arts in Education/Counseling from Trinity College.

She spent her career as an art teacher in Washington D.C., and in Gambia, Africa.

In this painting, Bernard Brooks pays homage to legendary blues musician, B.B. King.

Bernard recalled that his uncle was an artist who was quite “comfortable” in his line of work.

His uncle was an art instructor and helped establish the art department at Carver Vocational High School in Baltimore, Maryland.

Bernard noticed and admired his uncle’s contentment, which, in turn, influenced Bernard to pursue a life in the arts.

Bernard received a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Howard University, where he remained as the chief medical illustrator for more than 26 years.

It was during this time that he would design the interior of local dentist offices throughout the Washington D.C., area.

His artwork — known for its cotton fabric, metallic mediums and watercolors — began to gain notoriety.

“I was attracting people early on that had influence,” Bernard said, of his art’s growing popularity. “I always had a captive audience.”

His pieces would go on to be featured on national television shows, including “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and “The Parkers.”

Gwendolyn Brooks was inspired to create this piece after taking a trip to Cuba.

After becoming established, Bernard continued to be an advocate for up-and-coming young artists in the nation’s capital.

He often opened his home, giving many a place to stay and hiring some, as interns.

The couple said their art has been inspired by international influences, noting they’ve lived in the Caribbean islands and visited numerous countries.

Recently, a trip to Cuba inspired each of them to create pieces reflecting life on the island.

Hoping to gain a local following
Both feel compelled to create, but their approaches differ.

“I consider myself an intuitive artist,” Gwendolyn said, noting she never plans her work, but instead lets her feelings guide the work.

Bernard, on the other hand, said he needs to set an agenda for himself before putting paint to canvas.

The concept of their work is also what distinguishes their paintings.

Bernard tends to focus on artistry that conveys political or social issues in the world.

This portrait by Bernard Brooks is both a painting and collage of real images paying homage to U.S. Troops.

He doesn’t concern himself with what message viewers takes away, as long as they get a message.

Gwendolyn, on the other hand, avoids controversial issues — focusing instead on positive aspects of humanity.

“I like to brighten the person’s life – take them away from what’s happening in the world,” Gwendolyn said.

In addition to painting, she enjoys creating dolls and handmade quilts.

Stitching quilts by hand can be a tedious process, but it makes her work feel more personal, she said.

The couple has had art shows around the world, and they continue to do so. In some cases, their works go on display even when they can’t be present.

At home, they have two separate rooms they use as galleries for their respective works.

In addition to creating art, they also appreciate work created by other artists.

Their house is a showcase of ethnic diversity, with paintings and sculptures from French, Haitian, Japanese and Jamaican artists among others.

For every piece, the couple can name the creator, and tell the story behind it.

Some works hold a more significant meaning to Gwendolyn because they were painted by her father. He passed on much of his work to her, and those pieces tend to focus on African-American culture and identity.

When they were in Washington D.C., the Brooks had home shows with a cook-out in the back for visitors.

They’re hoping to gain a similar following here, and are trying to make a name for themselves in the Tampa Bay art scene.

Their home gallery in Wesley Chapel is open to the public, with pieces available for purchase.

To find out more, call Bernard or Gwendolyn at (813) 618-0916.

Bernard and Gwendolyn Brooks Home Art Show
Where: 5242 Riva Ridge Drive in Wesley Chapel
When: Nov. 10, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Bernard and Gwendolyn Brooks will open their home gallery to the public with paintings for sale.
Info: To RSVP, call the Brooks at (813) 618-0916 or email .

Published November 7, 2018

Florida Hospital Dade City set for upgrades

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A slew of upgrades are coming to Florida Hospital Dade City.

The hospital’s parent company, Adventist Health System, is investing $20 million into various infrastructure and technological improvements to the 120-bed facility located at 13100 Fort King Road.

Florida Hospital Dade City president and CEO Amanda Maggard made the announcement during a recent breakfast meeting hosted by The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

Florida Hospital Dade City is getting a $20 million makeover over the next 18 months. (Courtesy of Florida Hospital Dade City)

The upgrades will include a new lobby and cafeteria, as well as renovated units and spaces, which will see new flooring and automated medical equipment.

Maggard said several of the upgrades will go into effect over the next 18 months, as other capital improvement projects are also being determined.

“We have some really exciting things that are about to happen,” she said.

In addition to facility renovations, Maggard also mentioned the hospital’s first-ever electronic medical records system, Cerner, launches on Dec. 2

The $5 million system is expected to make it easier for network providers to access and share information with the hospital.

“It helps us not just provide a more connected patient experience, but it helps us understand the data,”  Maggard explained.

Those aren’t the only changes coming soon to Florida Hospital Dade City.

Beginning in January, all of Adventist Health System’s wholly owned hospitals and hundreds of care sites across its footprint will adopt the AdventHealth name and logo.

Florida Hospital Dade City president and CEO Amanda Maggard (File)

In east Pasco, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, Zephyrhills Health and Rehab Center, and Zephyr Haven Health and Rehab Center will also take on the AdventHealth title.

That announcement was made by the company in August.

The organization said the naming structure was made to better allow consumers to more easily distinguish AdventHealth’s care locations and services; it does not reflect a change in ownership or business structure.

Maggard said of the rebranding: “This is not anything other than we’re trying to be that one unified team providing that same care. We have the same vision, the same mission across all of our facilities.

“You wouldn’t’ know as a consumer that we’re all connected. We’re one large organization with one goal, one purpose: To provide this whole-person care — not just your physical needs, but your mental and your spiritual needs as well.”

Adventist Health System is one of the nation’s largest faith-based health care systems, with more than 80,000 employees across 50 hospital campuses and hundreds of care sites throughout 10 states.

Published November 7, 2018

Construction begins to link recreational trails

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Pasco County’s engineering services had an event on Oct. 30 to celebrate the construction of the new Starkey Gap Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail that will link the Starkey and Suncoast Trails in Pasco County to the Pinellas Trail.

Construction of the new multi-use 2.4 mile-trail is expected to be completed in the summer of 2019.

Some cyclists were among those gathered to celebrate the beginning of construction of the Starkey Gap Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Once the segment is finished, it will provide connectivity to a trail that’s now more than 100 miles and continues to grow.

Construction of the Starkey Gap Trail is being funded and managed by the Florida Department of Transportation. After the trail is built, Pasco County will assume management of the trail.

This section of the trail is the last link of the Coast to Coast Connector Trail to be built in Pasco County. Once the Coast to Coast Connector Trail is completed, the network will stretch approximately 250 miles  — from St. Petersburg to Titusville.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who has played an instrumental role in addressing the need for recreational trails in Pasco, and across Florida, commented on the importance of this and other trail projects during an interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

“Before there ever was a Coast-to-Coast, we had this wonderful trail through Starkey Wilderness Park, which is a real jewel and it connects to the Suncoast Trail, which takes you all of the way up to Citrus County.

“The experiences on both trails are different, but they’re very special to serious cyclists.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey has a keen interest in linking Florida’s recreational trails together. She spoke during a recent event to celebrate the beginning of construction for the Starkey Gap Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail that will link the Starkey and Suncoast Trails in Pasco County to the Pinellas Trail.

“And then, you have the Pinellas Trail, which is a real economic driver for communities along that trail. It’s world famous.

“And, it just made so much sense to connect the two,” Starkey said.

She noted that she served on Florida’s Greenways and Trails Council, under governors Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist and Rick Scott.

While serving on that council during Bush’s administration, she said she learned about trails all over the state, and it just made sense to link those trails.

She was involved in linking the Starkey Trail to the Suncoast Trail, which provided a 100-mile trail, she said.

After that, she got started on working on the Starkey Gap link.

The Starkey Gap project will build a new 2.4-mile long multi-use trail from the Pasco/Pinellas County line to the southern end of the Starkey Trail, north of State Road 54 in Pasco County.

The trail will follow the Duke Energy right of way to State Road 54, west along SR 54 to Starkey Boulevard and then north to Starkey Trail.

The construction cost for the project is estimated at $2,615,000, according to a Florida Department of Transportation fact sheet. The work will be done by D.A.B. Constructors Inc., the fact sheet says.

Published November 7, 2018

Fighting child hunger in Pasco, one backpack at a time

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When Amber Chancey and her husband, Paul, moved to Wesley Chapel in 2016, the couple had no idea the impact they would have on their new community.

They did know that they wanted the best education for their children, and they also knew that a healthy, balanced meal played a vital role in this.

Since its founding in 2018, Full Circle Food Outreach has found an advocate in NYE Commercial Advisors — which allows food donations to be dropped off at the company’s office. (Courtesy of Amber Chancey)

Meanwhile, Susan Coffey, a third-grade teacher, and several colleagues at Double Branch Elementary School noticed there were children in classes who were constantly tired, hungry or asking to be allowed to take their school food home.

Double Branch already was collecting food donations to send home to families on a month-to-month basis.

And, when the Chanceys learned about the situation, they began brainstorming on how to better address the needs of hungry children.

That led to the creation of the Full Circle Food Outreach program, which began in February 2018.

“We thought this was an easier, more consistent way to get the food to the kids,” said Amber Chancey, who is the program’s president.

The food outreach works like this: Students either openly express a need, or school staff notices signs — such as a student falling behind academically, or not concentrating in class.

In collaboration with Full Circle Food Outreach, New Tampa Chiropractic was able to collect 80 backpacks worth of nonperishable foods this year. These items are distributed to students in Wesley Chapel schools on Fridays, so they have enough to eat over the weekend.

Once a need is determined, parents must agree to be part of the program, in order to receive a supply of food intended to last through the weekend.

After school on Fridays, each student that is participating receives a food bag with 13 nonperishable items, consisting of two breakfasts, two lunches and snacks.

“We wanted these students to have the same opportunity to benefit from their education,” Chancey said, regarding the intent of Full Circle Food Outreach. “They’re not coming to school hungry, and they’re able to focus.”

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), an estimated 6.5 million children live in households with an insufficient food supply, and roughly 16 percent of those homes have children under the age of 6.

Full Circle’s efforts have helped fill that gap at two Wesley Chapel schools, with Double Branch Elementary currently serving 21 students through the program, and Quail Hollow Elementary with 47 students.

One event that helped make this possible was a collaboration between Full Circle and the All Pro Dad organization, in which students’ fathers helped collect food donations on May 4.

The outreach also has received help from the community, when Full Circle hosted a “Stock-the-Pantry” food drive for the entire month of July.

Carmel Friendship Church, which partners with Full Circle Food Outreach, has stacks of nonperishable goodies so Wesley Chapel students won’t go hungry over the weekend while not in school.

Several local businesses volunteered themselves as drop-off locations for food donations, including NYE Commercial Advisors, New Tampa Chiropractic and Injury Center, Carmel Friendship Church, My Gym New Tampa, Faith Baptist Church and Premier Gymnastics.

The GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club also has contributed food and money.

A Stock-the-Pantry party was held at the Country Walk Clubhouse in Wesley Chapel on July 28 to showcase the collected food donations, amounting to a value of more than $2,000.

Open to the public with refreshments, the function also raised an additional $250 from raffle tickets for items such as two Chuy’s Dinner certificates, a girl’s cruiser bike and a two-night stay at a Northwest Florida condo.

According to the foundation, $5 is enough to feed one student for a weekend, and it is striving for the goal of collecting $17,000 for the 2018-2019 school year, allocating some 2,720 food bags.

Chancey wants to provide services to more schools in Pasco County, but because Full Circle is a nonprofit organization, it must depend on community and business contributions to expand its work.

Her objective is not only to ensure that students are well-nourished, but that they learn the importance of charitable work and, eventually, will give back to others.

“Potentially, they’re going to make better grades, that’s going to help them progress and end up in a better place as an adult,” she said.

To enroll a student in the program or to make a donation online, visit FullCircleFoodOutreach.org.

For additional information on the foundation, call Full Circle Food Outreach at (813) 619-8009, or email .

Published November 7, 2018

Pasco County Schools helping Hurricane Michael victims

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Pasco County Schools has given 20 school buses to Bay District Schools and is loaning 20 maintenance employees to that district to help it recover from Hurricane Michael.

David Fussell, of Bay District Schools, was among the bus drivers arriving in Pasco County last week to pick up buses that Pasco County is providing to assist the Bay school district, which is in the midst of recovering from Hurricane Michael. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Bay County school bus drivers traveled to New Port Richey on Nov. 1, where they picked up the Pasco school district’s buses to drive them back to Bay County, according to a news release from Pasco County Schools.

When the visiting bus drivers arrived at Fred K. Marchman Technical College, they were served lunch by the school’s culinary students. After lunch, they were escorted to the bus barn at Pinehill Road and Congress Street, to pick up the buses to drive back to Bay County. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office escorted the buses to Interstate 75, according to Linda Cobbe, public information officer for Pasco County Schools.

Bus drivers from Bay County District Schools traveled to Pasco County to pick up some buses to take back to their district, which is recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael.

The schedule called for laborers and experts in site development, tree trimming, heavy equipment, electricity, HVAC, carpentry and mechanics to travel from Pasco County, to help Bay County schools to prepare for students in that district to return to school on Nov. 12, the release said.

The Pasco school district crew was scheduled to depart on Nov. 3 at 6:30 a.m., from the Maintenance Department, 11835 Tree Breeze Drive in New Port Richey.

In the news release, Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said, “I can’t imagine what our colleagues are going through in the Panhandle, and we just wanted to give them the same kind of support I know they would give to us if we were in the same situation.”

Published November 7, 2018

Sharing joy through Operation Christmas Child

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Jennifer Hernandez is in the business of spreading love – not just locally, but globally.

For the past two years, she and Bridgeway Church, where she attends in Wesley Chapel, have been coordinating their efforts to help kids worldwide in what is known as “Operation Christmas Child.”

The nondenominational Christian project was first established in 1993 and is based in North Carolina under the Samaritan’s Purse organization.

Children within Fiji are elated as they receive special Christmas gifts from their friends in the U.S. (Courtesy of SamaritansPurse.org)

Samaritan’s Purse is headed by evangelist Franklin Graham who had a vision to help underprivileged youth gain something beneficial from the holidays. Thus was the beginning of Operation Christmas Child.

Since its inception 25 years ago, more than 157 million children across 160 countries have received shoeboxes with school supplies, personal hygiene items and toys.

This year, thousands of other volunteers nationwide are trying to reach 11 million children in need.

From Nov. 12 to Nov. 19, a National Collection Week will take place throughout the U.S., where donations can be handed in at various drop-off locations.

Hernandez, a drop-off team leader, recalled her reaction when a fellow church member initiated the idea to the congregation: “It looked like a worthwhile cause.”

Now in its third year, Bridgeway Church has collected more than 2,000 shoeboxes and hopes this holiday season will not be short of a success.

Bridgeway is one of seven drop-off locations for shoeboxes in Pasco County.

“The entire reason is to demonstrate God’s love through this tangible gift,” explained Dana Williams, assistant manager of media relations for Samaritan’s Purse. “This is an open door to share with a child that they’re loved and not forgotten.”

The manpower of Samaritan’s Purse is spread wide, as they train “local ministry partners” in other countries on how to receive the gifts and distribute them.

They will typically set up outreach events in a town’s church, school or community center and get the word out to parents that there’s a special surprise waiting for their children there.

Oftentimes, foreign pastors who know their communities well are granted the task of handing out shoeboxes to the children whom they know are in great need.

While adults can set up the shoeboxes themselves, youth are strongly encouraged to be involved, to help them learn how privileged they are here in the United States, Hernandez said.

Senders can include a letter in the shoebox, which enables the recipients the opportunity to respond.

“It opens up a relationship between the child that gets the box and the child here who sends the box,” she said.

An online donation of $9 will grant the donor a “follow your box” tracking label. By attaching the label to the shoebox, the donor can track which country it has been sent to.

To make a donation or to look up drop-off locations in your community, visit SamaritansPurse.org.

Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week
Bring donations to help fill shoeboxes to these drop-off locations, from Nov. 12 through Nov. 19 (hours vary by location):

Bridgeway Church, 30660 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel. For information, call (813) 907-1313.

East Pasco Adventist Academy, 38434 Centennial Road, Dade City. For information, call (352) 567-3646.

Fair Haven Baptist Church, 34927 Eiland Blvd., Zephyrhills. For information, call: (813) 782-7115.

Details: Various regions of Pasco County and the U.S. will be collecting and  packaging shoeboxes with gifts to send out to less fortunate children. For other drop-off locations and more information, visit SamaritansPurse.org.

Published November 7, 2018

Hugh Embry Branch Library now open again on Mondays

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A ribbon-cutting was held at Hugh Embry Branch Library on Oct. 29 to celebrate the fact that, once again, the library is open on Mondays.

The facility, at 14215 Fourth St., is one of four libraries across Pasco County where Monday hours have been restored.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley is joined by others during the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 29 to celebrate the restoration of Monday hours at Hugh Embry Branch Library. (Brian Fernandes)

The others are the Hudson Branch Library in Hudson, the Regency Park Branch in New Port Richey and the Land O’ Lakes Branch in Land O’ Lakes.

Pasco County Commissioners voted in 2010 to reduce library operating hours because of plummeting revenues during the Recession. Gradually, it has been adding hours back to libraries.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, who represents District 1, did the honors of cutting the ribbon during the festivities at the Hugh Embry Branch.

He also shared his thoughts about the vital role that libraries play in community life.

“You see not only older people in there, but young people and families – that’s very important to me,” Oakley said.

Many people need the services the library offers, said Angelo Liranzo, the Hugh Embry Branch manager. People visit the library to check out books, but they also come to work on school assignments, conduct research for job searches, or join in the library’s recreational programs.

With the restoration of funding, the Hugh Embry Branch is now open on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The additional hours allow increased access to the amenities that the library provides.

For instance, patrons can use a program called Freegal — implemented this year — to stream and download music legally onto their personal devices.

Films and e-books also can be conveniently transferred to laptops, tablets and smartphones with software like Kanopy and Hoopla.

There are also launchpad tablets that kids can use to play games, which help teach subjects, such as math and science.

“One of the great things about libraries is that we try to find ways to make learning seem like fun,” Liranzo said.

After Oakley concluded his remarks, those attending the celebration were able to enjoy refreshments and live music.

Published November 7, 2018

Swampfest offers food, fun and entertainment

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A light rain fell on the evening of Nov. 2 at the 10th annual Swampfest at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, but that didn’t keep the mostly young festival crowd from turning out to enjoy the rides, games, food trucks and entertainment.

Danielle Loomis, of Land O ’ Lakes, comforts her 4-year-old son, Jacob, as they get situated on the Ferris wheel on the afternoon of Nov. 3, at the 10th annual Swampfest, as operator Jamie Kieffer secures the bar. (Randy Underhill)

JT Curtis and the Florida Scoundrels entertained the crowd from the Heritage Park stage.

Attendance swelled the following day, as the weather was sunny and breezy — simply perfect for a day at festival.

The event, hosted by the Land O’ Lakes High School Booster Club, raises money, which benefits all of the students at the high school. For instance, proceeds from previous festivals have been used to purchase equipment for the weight room.

Besides carnival rides and food, the festival offered face painting for kids, the Kim Fish Beer Garden for adults and the Future Farmers’ goat-petting area.

Entertainment on the main stage included Show on the Road of Tampa, a song and dance routine of elementary school kids, and the local band The Big Bong Theory. Performers scheduled for Nov. 4 included Nicole’s Dance Center, Karl & Dimarco Dance Studio, Suncoast Dance Academy, Beyond Chaotic, and Pine View Dance and Cheer.

The event attracted people of all ages, from across Tampa Bay.

By Randy Underhill

Published November 7, 2018

Rick Bartz, left, of Land O’ Lakes, and Mary Law, also of Land O’ Lakes, grab a bite to eat from German Alarcon, at one of the many food trucks, Nov. 2 at Swampfest.
Eight-year-old Dalilah Pyles, of South Tampa, tests her skills at climbing the rope ladder on the afternoon of Nov. 3, at Swampfest.
It’s all smiles aboard the Magic Dragon at the 10th annual Swampfest, at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park Nov. 1 through Nov. 4. The Land O’ Lakes High School Athletic Booster Club hosted the event.
JT Curtis and Florida Scoundrels entertained the crowd the evening of Nov. 2 on the Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park stage. JT Curtis is a singer/songwriter, and a Nashville recording artist, who performs throughout the United States.

If you’re looking for piecrust perfection, check this out

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Maybe you are one of those who struggled making the perfect, flaky piecrust that your mother or grandmother did.

I know I worked like crazy to perfect that skill, but when they came out with the prepared and refrigerated type – I was hooked!

Maybe you just don’t like the typical type of crust that is used in most pies?

Right out of the oven, the pie looks fluffy. (Betsy Crisp)

Well, here’s something you might want to try.

You can call it impossible or just sheer magic.

But, the fact is, these recipes simply form the crust while the pie is baking.

To me, this might more aptly be described as a cross somewhere between a cobbler and a pie. For the result isn’t really a crust, and the it’s not really crustless.

Another plus? There are recipes for both sweet and savory concoctions. There are recipes for pumpkin, apple, custard, and coconut pies, as well as those for main dishes such as quiche, cheeseburger or taco pies.

I am not exactly sure where this idea originated.

I have seen an old Mennonite cookbook from my Iowa grandmother’s collection that featured similar recipes.

However, I’m also aware that some time back in the 1970s, a major food company began marketing a baking mix that you could keep on the shelf and draw from as needed for various recipes. Their test kitchens got busy and developed many recipes, and even printed several on the back of the box to entice consumers into using more of this versatile mixture.

If you don’t have that prepared/packaged baking mix on hand, you can try this substitute:

Homemade Baking Mix

Ingredients
1 cup of flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon sugar (optional)

½ teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon oil (or melted butter/margarine/shortening)

Instructions
Combine all ingredients except fat in a large bowl (or pulse in a food processor) and mix.

Add fat and continue process (or use a pastry cutter) until mixture resembles coarse meal (crumbly/size of peas).

Note: Try not to make up more than you can use in one day. Once the oil is added, it does not store well due to food safety concerns.

Recipes

Magic Coconut Custard Pie
(The first “impossible pie” recipe that seemed to appear promoting the baking mix product was for a coconut pie. This is a variation of the original.)

Ingredients
¾ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup butter (or margarine), softened

4 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup all-purpose flour

2 cups milk

1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Whipped topping (optional)
2 Tablespoons toasted coconut* for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F Fahrenheit.

Spray a 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.

Cream butter and sugar with a mixer (or 30-seconds in a blender).

Add eggs, one at a time.

Add flour and milk alternately, and mix until all ingredients are just blended.

Stir in coconut.

Pour into prepared pie pan (on top of a baking sheet – just in case it spills).

Bake for 50 minutes to 60 minutes until slightly browned on top and knife inserted in center comes out clean. It will rise up some, be light and fluffy, but still giggle.

Remove from the oven. Let cool 15 minutes to 20 minutes before placing in refrigerator to chill at least 4 hours, or overnight is even better. Don’t be surprised when it starts to fall/shrink down a little.

Serve with whipped topping and toasted coconut as garnish (optional)

Variations: 1) Increase vanilla to 1 ½ teaspoon to 2 teaspoons; 2) add ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg and/or sprinkle on top; 3) add 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, which equals approximately the juice from ½ a lemon.

Makes 1 pie, which has 6 servings to 8 servings.

Note: *To make toasted coconut: Make a thin layer of coconut on a flat baking sheet. Bake at 350°F. for 4 minutes to 5 minutes. Be sure to stir with a spatula after the first 2 minutes to 3 minutes to help brown evenly and not scorch. This can also be done on top of the stove in a fry pan on medium low-medium heat – stirring constantly. You can store in an air-tight container for up to two weeks.

Betsy Crisp is a Professor Emeritus, UF/IFAS Extension – Family & Consumer Sciences.

Magic Cheeseburger Pie
(This is a kid-friendly favorite!)

Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef (ground sirloin/chuck)

1 medium onion, chopped (approximately 1 cup)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 ½ teaspoons olive oil

2 large eggs

1 cup of milk

½ cup all-purpose flour

¾ teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Spray 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray.

In a large skillet cook the beef, onions, and garlic approximately 8 minutes to 10 minutes, until beef is browned/no longer pink. (Note: can also be cooked on high in microwave oven 5 minutes to 8 minutes depending on wattage). Drain fat/pat dry with paper towels.

Add Worcestershire and pepper, stir to mix and pour into prepared pie pan.

In a bowl with a mixer (or 30-seconds in a blender), combine oil, eggs, and milk.  Add flour, baking powder, and salt and blend well before pouring on top of meat mixture.

Top with shredded cheese.

Bake for approximately 30 minutes, until cheese is golden-brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Variation: To make a taco pie, add 1 package taco seasoning (preferably low-sodium) to ground beef when cooking.  Substitute 1 can (4.5 oz.) of diced green chilies for the 1 cup of chopped onion. Omit Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Hot sauce (1/2 teaspoon or to taste) can be added as well.

Makes 1 pie, which equals 4 main dish servings.

Published November 7, 2018