The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Keystone Park slated for upgrades

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Major upgrades are on tap for the Keystone Park & Recreation Center in Odessa.

A renovated community center, expanded playground, resurfaced tennis courts and the creation of a walking trail with exercise stations are some of the higher priorities for a $2.5 million improvement project.

Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation has outlined several enhancements to the Keystone Park & Recreation Center in Odessa. The park is budgeted for $2.5 million in improvements this year. (Courtesy of Hillsborough County)

Additional parking, along with drainage and lighting improvements, are also expected from the project, which is funded through Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation’s Capital Improvement Program.

The entire scope of the project will be finalized after public input is received and analyzed by Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation.

An open house is set for Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m., at the Keystone Recreation Center, 17928 Gunn Highway in Odessa.

At the meeting, a short presentation will be given on the project, and parks and recreation officials will be available to answer questions.

Attendees can also fill out comment cards on park upgrades and desired requests.

From there, work will be prioritized based on the highest demand of requested changes, and maintenance and operational feasibility.

The design and permitting process is expected to begin sometime this year.

The entire project could be complete as soon as spring 2019, according to Kyla Booher, planning and development manager for the county’s parks and recreation department.

Keystone Park averages about 4,500 monthly visitors.

Keystone Park averages about 4,500 monthly visitors. Possible improvements for the complex include a renovated community center, expanded playground, resurfaced tennis courts, and the creation of a walking trail with exercise stations. Additional parking and drainage and lighting improvements also are expected.

Besides a community center, the 26-acre park features a playground, baseball field, multipurpose field, four tennis courts, two basketball courts, two picnic shelters and a park restroom building.

As part of planned upgrades, the county may look to reconfigure some of those amenities, Booher said, “so that it lends more towards a friendly site that is accessible.”

That could include the transformation of its lone baseball field to an open field space for special events and more informal sports activities. An AAU baseball team, the Tampa Thunder, is no longer a tenant of the park.

Accommodating more after-school youth is another general objective.

Proposals call for a new or expanded playground and a multipurpose court.

Other feasible upgrades range from new signage and security cameras, to additional water fountains, benches, picnic tables and other miscellaneous amenities.

Public meeting on Keystone Park improvements
Where: Keystone Park Community Center, 19729 Gunn Highway, Odessa
When: Jan. 11 at 6:30 p.m.
Details: The park and community center are slated for upgrades beginning in late 2018. The scope and specific type of the improvements won’t be decided until after residents have had an opportunity to give their opinions.
Information: Hillsborough County Citizen Engagement at (813) 272-5272.

Here’s a look at some possible renovations and improvements to the Keystone Park & Recreation Center, based on the Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation’s master plan.

  • Renovate/expand community center
  • Restroom renovations
  • Replace and/or resurface tennis courts
  • Install basketball court cover
  • Construct more paved parking lots
  • Re-sod multipurpose playing field
  • Remove & relocate basketball court
  • Install band shell with concession
  • Expand playground area and install sun shades
  • Explore alternatives to the baseball field location
  • Remove miscellaneous surplus buildings
  • Consolidate drain fields
  • Add miscellaneous amenities: new signage, water fountain, benches, picnic tables, security cameras, landscaping

Published January 10, 2018

Ballantrae Village is adding more shops

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Taco Bell is the newest tenant at the Shoppes of Ballantrae Village.

The Mexican fast-food restaurant joins DQ Grill & Chill and Circle K in a retail shopping plaza that is almost fully constructed, off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes.

Within 30 days, Dunkin’ Donuts is expected to open in a spot between Taco Bell and DQ Grill & Chill.

Taco Bell is open for business at the Shoppes of Ballantrae Village. The fast-food restaurant joins Circle K and DQ Grill & Chill. (Kathy Steele)

In March, more shops, a spa, a dental office and a Japanese restaurant will open, said David McComas, chief executive officer of European Equities Corporation. His firm is handling tenant negotiations for the plaza.

The list of tenants includes Domino’s Pizza, T-Mobile and Hungry Greek.

Dentist Lisa Brooks also will occupy one suite, and Casablanca Spa will be in another.

“It will be nice. It will create some balance,” McComas said. “I think it will have a lot of curb appeal. Everything is coming out tastefully.”

The current list of shops and restaurants aren’t all that will open.

Three additional parcels are currently under negotiations, McComas said. And, another outparcel on the opposite side of Aprile Drive, across from Taco Bell, likely will have a day care center, he said.

One access point into the plaza is at Aprile Drive, a new road that intersects with State Road 54, by the Taco Bell on the eastern boundary. Entry also onto Aprile Drive and the plaza can be made at the entrance into Ballantrae subdivision, farther west at Ballantrae Boulevard, by Circle K.

The area is bustling with new development, spurred in part by about 50,000 vehicles that drive along the state road daily. And, new residential is bringing more customers to the area.

The Ballantrae community is built on about 436 acres, has six villages and about 970 homes.

To the south of Ballantrae, Long Lake Ranch homes are under construction. Northward, Bexley Ranch and Asturia are adding new subdivisions, with single family homes and apartments.

And, Mystic Pointe is a new apartment complex under construction at Meadowbrook Drive.

Published January 10, 2018

Compark 75 sold to Atlanta investors

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Compark 75, a Class A industrial park off Wesley Chapel Boulevard, is under new ownership, according to a news release from Cushman & Wakefield.

Rick Brugge, executive director of Cushman & Wakefield

The real estate services company negotiated the sale of five buildings at the park to MDH Atlantic Acquisitions LLC. The Atlanta-based real estate investment company has more than 11 million square feet of properties in the southeastern United States.

Rick Brugge, executive director of Cushman & Wakefield; Mike Davis, vice chairman; and Michael Lerner, executive director, negotiated the sale as part of Cushman & Wakefield’s Capital Markets team. They represented HR Pasco LLP, and closed the deal in November.

The sales price was not made available.

According to the news release, Compark 75 is the only Class A facility currently serving the northeast Tampa Bay area, including north Hillsborough and south Pasco counties.

“It tends to attract very good leases and a high quality of tenants,” said Brugge, president of Cushman & Wakefield.

Compark 75 has about 286,000 square feet in five small-bay, light industrial buildings.  The buildings are about 91 percent occupied, with about 26,000 square feet available for lease.

The space could be suitable for two to three new tenants, said Brugge.

Current tenants include the Pasco County Tax Collector, U.S. General Services Administration, Ortho Technology, Morgan Auto Group and Streetside Classics.

The 165-acre site is zoned industrial, and is suitable for warehouse, manufacturing and office uses. About 105 acres is a wetlands and conservation area.

The five buildings were built between 2007 and 2016, using “tilt-wall” construction, where concrete panels are poured on site and later tilted into place. Suites range from 3,300 square feet to more than 41,000 square feet. Features include rear-loading docks, 18-foot to 24-foot clear heights, early suppression fire sprinkler systems and 118-foot truck courts.

Compark 75 recently sold to an Atlanta-based investment company, MDH Atlantic Acquisitions LLC. The park has five industrial buildings that are close to fully occupied. (Courtesy of Cushman & Wakefield)

While the park is largely leased to tenants, two industrial condominiums under private business ownership are located at Compark 75. They weren’t included in the sale.

The Pet Lane mailing address for Compark 75 puts it in Lutz, but the 165-acre site is located off County Road 54 (Wesley Chapel Boulevard), about halfway between the interchanges of State Road 54 and State Road 56, with Interstate 75.

Suncoast Parkway is about 12 miles to the west. And, the Tampa Aero Park is on the park’s northern boundary.

The park provides diversity to the central Pasco area, which is booming with residential and retail development, such as The Shops at Wiregrass, Estancia, Bexley, and Tampa Premium Outlets.

In 2014 owner Larry Morgan launched a $15 million expansion of the privately-developed park. Morgan is the founder of Tires Plus, and his family-owned business has several automobile dealerships. Gov. Rick Scott attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion.

The construction marked the first major investment in commercial office construction in Pasco County since the real estate crash in 2008.

Published January 10, 2018

New space sought for Zephyrhills Senior Center

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Pasco County Senior Services is seeking a new location for the Zephyrhills Senior Center, after its abrupt closure at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church.

Last month, the church informed the county it no longer could support the program, citing financial reasons.

The senior center closed on Dec. 31. It been operated at the church since 2010.

The Zephyrhills Senior Center has been located at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church since 2010, but closed on Dec. 31, after the church said it no longer could support the program, citing financial concerns. (File)

Under a public-private agreement, the church lent out its multipurpose space at no cost, while the county provided meals and other services to seniors in the community.

Dozens of residents took advantage of the Zephyrhills programs each day.

Those seniors have since been redirected to the Dade City Senior Center, until the county finds a new facility to support a program in Zephyrhills.

Officials hope to pinpoint a permanent location within the next few weeks, likely under another public-private scenario.

It’s not the first time Zephyrhills seniors have been forced to trek to Dade City to receive meals and services.

The senior space was shut down in September 2016 for kitchen renovations, after black mold was discovered.

The facility reopened nine months later, after a $33,000 makeover fully funded by the church.

Besides Dade City and Zephyrhills, the county’s senior services division operates facilities in Port Richey, New Port Richey, Land O’ Lakes and Shady Hills.

At each facility, hot, balanced meals are served five days a week, free to seniors age 60 and older.

The locales also provide seniors with entertainment and socialization.

Card games, bingo and puzzles were some of the regularly scheduled events at the Zephyrhills Senior Center.

Movies, live music and guest speakers were also presented there each month.

Those broad offerings will remain at the new location, according to Diane Cunningham, senior services manager for Pasco County.

“When we move to the new location, we will continue to offer a variety of activities, exercise, events, trips, nutritional education and nutrition counseling,” Cunningham wrote in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

“We are working with other organizations to increase activities and provide more informational programs,” she added.

The Zephyrhills Senior Center has had several locations during its history.

The senior program has also been hosted by First Church of the Nazarene in Zephyrhills and Trinity Church of Wesley Chapel.

From 1993 to 2008, the Zephyrhills Senior Center was located on Airport Road and owned by CARES (Community Aging and Retirement Services) Inc.

Published January 3, 2018

Hitting the road to promote better hearing

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The Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida Inc., has put a van on the road to expand its ability to provide early intervention for children with hearing loss.

The organization, headquartered in New Port Richey, serves the entire state.

It added the van so it could provide pediatric hearing screenings and evaluations, as well as fitting and dispensing of hearing aids, in rural and under-served communities.

Debra Golinski is the executive director of the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida Inc. She hopes the organization can create a fleet of seven vans to help it achieve its goal of providing services across the state. (Courtesy of Debra Golinski)

“It’s part of our mission for early identification of hearing loss,” said Debra Golinski, executive director of the Sertoma Foundation. “We’ve always tried to serve the entire state of Florida, and in order to do that more effectively, the mobile van was the answer for us,” she said.

The van makes scheduled stops at day care centers across the state, to allow for screening of children who are infants through age 5, Golinski said.

If a child doesn’t pass the first time, a rescreening is scheduled. If the child still doesn’t pass, the parents are asked to have the child’s primary care physician do a check.

“We discover there’s about 20 percent that need further testing. Sometimes it’s fluid in the ear. Sometimes it’s ear wax. There are different reasons that they don’t pass. That’s why we have to refer back to the primary care,” Golinski said.

“If they indeed need hearing aids, we have an audiologist who will come back to do the fitting and dispensing at a very reduced rate,” she said.

There are clues that a child may have hearing loss, she said.

If your child isn’t paying attention to you, there may be a hearing issue, Golinski said. Or, “if they don’t respond to what you’re talking about, if they don’t respond to noises,” she said.

Sometime, hearing loss isn’t easy to spot, she added.

“Children adapt. We’ve found kids that were completely deaf in one ear, but they adapted. The family never knew.

“It’s just like anything else, you learn to adapt. That’s why we take the initiative to make sure they’re screened,” Golinski said.

The Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida Inc., has added a van to help it provide early intervention to children with hearing loss. (Courtesy of Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation)

The idea is to help children who need it, as soon as possible.

When children can’t hear, they can be at a disadvantage in developing their vocabulary and speaking skills, she said.

By intervening early, help can be provided to help children avoid learning delays and can minimize or eliminate the need for special education, she said.

“When they hit kindergarten, our goal is that they will mainstream,” Golinksi said, rather than requiring special education services.

Golinski said the response to the mobile van, which was added last fall, has been tremendous.

“I’ve never been upstaged by a van so much in my life,” she said, with a laugh.

“We’ve screened over 2,000 children since we started,” she said, noting the van has traveled to more than a dozen counties, including Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Clay, Levy, Marion, Lake, Seminole and Brevard, among others.

“We are doing great things with one van. We’d love to have more. My vision is that we would have seven vans across the state, doing this,” Golinski said.

She hopes that can be accomplished within a few years.

For more information about this program, or to help provide funding or a van to expand the services, call (727) 312-3881.

Published January 10, 2018

Human trafficking happens everywhere, including Pasco County

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Elected officials, law enforcement and other stakeholders in Pasco County have teamed up this month to shed light on the growing issue of human trafficking.

The problem was at the forefront of a Jan. 5 press conference that featured Pasco County District 1 commissioner Ron Oakley, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, State Rep. Danny Burgess, Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco and others.

“We’re not afraid to say there’s a problem,” Nocco said. “There’s a problem here in Pasco, there’s a problem here in Tampa Bay, there’s a problem in the state of Florida, there’s a problem nationally, and there’s a problem globally.”

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco detailed the warning signs of human trafficking during a Jan. 5 press conference.
(Kevin Weiss)

Nocco said it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact number of victims in the county. Many human trafficking cases go unreported, he said.

That’s why the sheriff is urging people to be on the lookout—and report—any suspicious activity.

He noted major events — such as the NHL All-Star Game on Jan. 28 in Tampa— oftentimes leads to an uptick in prostitution, due to the number of travelers coming into town.

“If there’s a house in your community, and you see a lot of people coming in and out, see a lot of young girls and even young boys, call law enforcement,” he said.

“If you’re in a restaurant and see something that doesn’t look right, call law enforcement.”

Nocco explained sex trafficking doesn’t just lurk in low-income areas, motels or adult establishments.

“Everybody thinks it’s always going to be a seedy part of town; it could be a very high-class area, a high-class neighborhood, where they’re smuggling young girls or young boys,” Nocco explained. “This is not a crime that’s about stereotypes. It’s every race, color, creed, gender, ethnicity and sexual preference. Everybody can be a victim of this.”

He noted that preventing more victims starts “at home” with parents informing their children about human trafficking, and the dangers it presents.

“If you create an environment where the kids are loved,” Nocco said, “basically you’re reducing the factors that will allow them to be victims of human trafficking. “You also have to be a parent to other kids in your neighborhood, because there’s going to be parents…that don’t care.”

Elected officials, meanwhile, are working to tackle the trafficking problem at large.

The U. S. Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign has set aside Jan. 11 as ‘Wear Blue Day.’ It’s a day to pledge solidarity with victims of human trafficking and to raise awareness about, and work to end related crimes. The entire month of January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. (Courtesy of U.S. Department of Homeland Security)

The House of Representatives has introduced legislation holding websites accountable for soliciting human trafficking, called the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017. Bilirakis said he expects it to pass sometime this month. The House also passed a Homeland Security funding bill that appropriates $2.1 billion—an increase of nearly $94 million —  for domestic and international investigations programs, including efforts to combat human trafficking and child exploitation.

Elsewhere, the U.S. Senate introduced the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act of 2017, a bill that would help shut down websites that knowingly provide a platform for sex trafficking. The bill has been reported out of committee and is awaiting passage.

“It’s a nonpartisan issue,” Bilirakis said, “and all stakeholders must work together to solve the problem.”

The month of January has been declared National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, by a presidential proclamation.  And, Jan. 11 is the U. S. Department of Homeland Security’s “Wear Blue Day,” a day to pledge solidarity with victims of human trafficking and raise awareness about, and work to end related crimes.

Called Blue Campaign, it is the unified voice for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to combat human trafficking.

Locally, one group is trying to do its part to find solutions.

The Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking, formed in 2014, is chaired by by Liana Dean, a social worker at BayCare Behavioral Health.

The group is made up of 11 stakeholders representing different sectors of the community. The stakeholders include county government, law enforcement, behavioral health, business and service providers, the school district, faith-based community and others.

It promotes public awareness about human trafficking, creates educational programming opportunities and advocates for strategies to aid survivors of human trafficking.

Since its formation, the commission has taken several active steps to curb human trafficking on a regional level.

It worked with the Pasco County Commission in 2016 to pass an ordinance that mandates signage to raise awareness of human trafficking be posted in the restrooms and dressing rooms of sexually oriented businesses, such as adult entertainment establishments and unlicensed massage services.

It also worked with the National Human Trafficking Hotline and WTOG-TV/CW44 to produce three public service announcements designed to educate the public about the local presence of trafficking.

The commission also has trained more than 3,000 members of the community on human trafficking through its community awareness presentations.

Jennie Sammur, who was recognized as the group’s Volunteer of the Year, helps with social media and public relations strategies.

Sammur, a Tampa-based real estate agent, said awareness is “very key in correcting this horrific crime in our community.”

Florida has consistently ranked third in the number of cases reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, behind only California and Texas.

Published January 10, 2018

Lutz resident receives ‘Community Champion’ award

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It’s not all that uncommon for Freddy Barton to spend part of his weekend working — heading out to talk to people in the community.

If he’s headed out from his Lutz residence on his motorcycle, chances are he’s going to go hang out with some kids — to find out what’s on their minds.

“I’m talking to kids. I’m trying to probe their mind, to figure out, ‘What does it take to make you feel that you can have a chance in life?’” he said.

Freddy Barton’s work, both in volunteer and professional roles, aims to help people avoid violence, build job skills and find ways to be engaged, whether at play or at work. He has been named one of six ‘Community Champions’ across the state by Molina Healthcare of Florida. (B.C. Manion)

Barton recently was named one of six “Community Champions” across the state by Molina Healthcare of Florida at the organization’s eighth annual recognition event. The awards dinner was held at Busch Gardens.

Over the course of his life, Barton has done volunteer and professional work aimed at helping youths to avoid violence, helping both youths and adults to develop job skills, and helping those who have been incarcerated to make successful transitions into society after their release.

While working with incarcerated men, he created relationships through mentoring that continue to this day.

The Community Champions program celebrates the vision of Dr. C. David Molina, the founder of Molina Healthcare, as well as community partners who work together to care for society’s most vulnerable individuals.

Each Community Champion was nominated by a community-based organization.

Recipients received a $1,000 grant to give to a deserving nonprofit organization. Barton chose to donate his to the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, where he previously worked.

Barton said he was nominated for the award by two professional colleagues and by one of the men he mentors.

He was gratified by the recognition.

In his current role, as executive director of Safe and Sound Hillsborough, he works in a collaborative that aims to prevent violence.

Safe and Sound is the outgrowth of a think tank pulled together by Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner in 2013, in response to the Sandy Hook shooting deaths.

“When that happened, it was like a national wakeup call to everyone,” Barton said.

“You can’t do anything to stop the random shooter, but you can do something to address the community violence that occurs,” he said. “We look at violence as a disease, something that is preventable.

“My role is to work within the communities in which we serve, tie together elected officials, public agencies, private sector, residents, youths, adults — all together — to find out what do we need to do to address the factors that contribute to violence,” he said.

The work includes looking at issues such as truancy, mental health needs, job opportunities and re-entry after incarceration, Barton said.

Before taking his current job, he worked for Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, which built homes, built commercial development, had a workforce development team and created a vocational school.

Currently, he said, he’s out in the community, working to discern what the problems are and how they can be addressed.

“How do you stop violence? We’ve been trying to stop violence since Cain killed Abel.

“It’s not going to stop overnight. It didn’t start overnight,” he said.

But, there are some steps that can help, he added.

“I’m focusing on out-of-school-time opportunities for kids,” Barton said. “If we don’t find something for kids to do, they’re going to find something to do.  And, it’s not going to be what we think.”

For instance, Barton was instrumental in getting Hillsborough County to unlock a recreational center that had not been used for several years.

“With The Children’s Board and the county’s (Hillsborough County) help, we started up a camp. We said, ‘Let’s only have about 30 kids, let’s run a test. Within a day, we had 54 kids signed up.

“Now, it’s an afterschool Safe Haven for kids. We’ve got all types of programming,” he said.

Kids need to be engaged, and they need opportunities, Barton said.

“We look at spring break, we look at summer break, we look at over the winter break — whenever the kids are out of school,” he said.

It’s also important for youths to understand the repercussions of their actions, he added.

“They’re living out fantasies that they see in video games,” he said. Often, they don’t realize the serious consequences that can result,” Barton said.

Baron and his wife, Denise, have two sons, 14-year-old Tahj and 11-year-old Cameron.

Published January 10, 2018

Eating bugs: That’s what’s trending now

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As one year ends and another begins, it’s natural to reflect on the year that has passed and the new one that’s coming.

You can incorporate cricket flour into your banana bread for added nutritional value. (Betsy Crisp)

It’s that time of year when many of us make resolutions. Some resolve to improve our health by losing weight and getting fit. Others want to be more organized. Some want to simply enjoy life more. Others are determined to learn something new. There are those who seek to get a better handle on their finances by spending less and saving more. And, of course, there are always those who want to do more traveling.

Along those lines, here’s a look back at some of the top food trends of 2017 and a look ahead at the top food trends predicted for 2018.

Figuring out food trends is important to both companies and researchers.

Major companies such as Whole Foods, Forbes, Specialty Foods, and even the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences take time to review and publish their predictions. Here are some of the predictions from 2017:

  • “One bowl” menu items became popular in 2016 and continued to keep our interest in 2017.
  • Spicy dishes and condiments continue to thrive.
  • Eggs are a good source of protein and reasonably priced with a good profit margin for restaurants so, for many reasons, they have remained at the top.
  • Street foods/food trucks grew in popularity and continue with a wider variety of offerings.
  • Plant-based meat substitutes have gone beyond burgers and can even replicate shrimp.
  • Kale became a superfood in 2016, but has lost its lead to other greens (dandelion greens, Swiss chard, carrot tops, etc.) in 2017
  • The hot color in foods last year was purple.

So now, here’s a look at what’s predicted for 2018 by UF/IFAS state Specialists.

  • Bugs are in. Insects such as mealworms and others are trending as a good and more sustainable source of protein. They are now referred to fondly as “micro-livestock” Insects (ants, beetles, cockroaches, crickets, grasshoppers, mealworms, etc.) are already a favorite in other countries (Australia, Brazil, China, Ghana, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands and Thailand).
  • Backyard chickens are back. Many states, counties and cities are reviewing ordinances to allow backyard chickens, even in residential areas, so that homeowners can raise small flocks of chickens to have a convenient source of fresh eggs. Be sure to check the rules in your area before you set up a hen house in your backyard.
  • The cottage food industry is expected to grow, as state lawmakers amended a law to allow food entrepreneurs to make more from certain items, such as breads, cookies, cakes, pies, candies, honey, jams, jellies, dry herbs, flavored vinegars, nuts, coated nuts, popcorn, popcorn balls, trail mixes and granola in their home kitchen and sell directly to consumers. The original income limit for these businesses was set at $15,000 per year, but has been amended to $50,000. Such businesses do not require a permit or license to operate from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and are not inspected by any state government entity.

The term “foodie” has become popularized in recent years, as a way to describe people with a keen interest in what they’re eating, where it came from, how it was grown and how it was prepared.

One of the best ways to be a foodie is to grow and cook your foods — which can help you save money, too.

Another good thing to keep in mind, as we begin a new year, is the importance of finding ways to reduce the amount of food we throw out.

We need to find ways to feed more people, so we can end hunger in the United States.

Many food banks are teaming up with restaurants to find more creative ways to do this, and we, too, can do our part to help end hunger.

Betsy Crisp, MS, LD/N is a professor emeritus for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension – Family & Consumer Sciences

Cricket Banana-Nut Bread
Ingredients:
4 medium ripe bananas

2 large eggs

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup canola oil

½ cup cricket flour (or if you cannot get past the “yuck factor,” substitute all-purpose)

1 ¾ cups whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ cup walnuts, chopped

½ cup raisins and/or shredded coconut (optional)

Topping:
1 ½ tablespoons cinnamon sugar (optional)

Note: To make your own cinnamon sugar: Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons (or more) of ground cinnamon. Mix well and store in a small, air-tight jar.

Instructions:
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

Grease a 9-inch by 5-inch loaf pan and dust with flour.

In large bowl, add bananas, eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until just blended.

In another bowl, add cricket flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder and cinnamon. Mix these dry ingredients together using a whisk.

Add bowl of dry ingredients to larger bowl with wet mixture, and beat together on low speed until just blended.

Turn off the mixer and scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula to get any flour that remains into the batter, then mix the batter on medium speed for another minute.

Using the spatula, stir-in the walnut pieces.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar (optional).

Bake 60 minutes to 70 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean).

Let cool on wire rack for at least 10 minutes/you can easily handle it and remove from the pan. Cool completely before slicing.

Published January 10, 2018

2017 was a good year; we expect 2018 to be even better!

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One of the pleasures of getting older is that during the holidays, I no longer fret about finding the “perfect” gift for those I love, or worry about which relative I’m obligated to spend Christmas with, or stress about hosting holiday parties.

This year, I celebrated Christmas with my daughter and Florida family over New Year’s, and will open presents in mid-January with my son’s family in Kentucky.

With family celebrations delayed a bit, I had time over Christmas to reflect on 2017 and to think about the many things I am excited about in the new year.

Since many of my achievements and aspirations involve this newspaper, I thought I’d share some of my thoughts with you.

Looking Back
The Laker/Lutz News continued to grow in circulation, content and advertising revenue in 2017. Not too many years ago, many people believed print was dead — especially newspapers. But, that certainly is not the case here at The Laker/Lutz News, as we continue to buck the downward trends reported by most daily newspapers.

This past year, we added more than 1,000 papers to our home delivery routes, bringing our weekly circulation up to 45,322. We continue to add circulation, so we can deliver to new households going up in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel.

New residents are keenly interested in their new community, and like you, look to us to keep them informed about their neighbors, things to do, government, schools, local sports, business openings, roads and growth issues.

Our newsroom expanded this past year with the addition of freelance photographers Randy Underhill and Christine Holtzman. They join longtime photographers Richard Riley and Fred Bellet as regular contributors to our papers.

Madonna Jervis Wise, a historian living in Zephyrhills, also began writing occasional columns for us, joining Doug Sanders, another local historian.

Other regular contributors are Betsy Crisp, who writes our What’s Cookin’ column and Nicole Pinson and Whitney C. Elmore, who write about gardening topics for Nature Notes.

I’m proud of our editorial team that received a total of 15 awards from the Florida Press Association and Community Papers of Florida.

This work has been accomplished by Editor B.C. Manion, staff writers Kevin Weiss and Kathy Steele, and editorial assistant Mary Rathman, as well as freelance contributors.

Matt Mistretta and Stefanie Burlingame have used their skills to present a well-designed newspaper, with outstanding content, to our readers every week.

We also earned many awards on the advertising side of our business, including Best of Show at the Awards for Excellence ceremony sponsored by Community Papers of Florida. This prestigious award recognized “Fun on 41 – Discover the Wonders,” a full-page ad that uses a hand-drawn map to illustrate shopping destinations and restaurants along U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

To stay on top of the many new businesses opening in our area, we added new sales staff in 2017 — Cheryl Michel in Land O’ Lakes and Anne Kibbe in East Pasco. Anne performed so well in Dade City and Zephyrhills that she was recently promoted to sales manager, and works closely with Cheryl and Rachel Thompson, our passionate classified sales person.

This sales team joins Terri Williamson, our longtime senior account manager who works with businesses in Wesley Chapel and Lutz.

Terri played a key role in the launch of our monthly section, There’s No Place Like Home, that’s written for folks looking to buy a new home in Pasco and north Hillsborough. Terri’s involvement with the Tampa Bay Builders Association has been instrumental in this section’s success, and is a tribute to her commitment and hard work.

Backing up Terri is team member Carolyn Bennett, whose superb organizational skills keep Terri moving forward. And, backing me up is Accounting Manager Mary Eberhard, whose financial oversight of our company keeps our cash flow maximized and my stress level minimized.

Looking Ahead
We’ve had a strong fourth quarter and expect business to continue at a brisk pace, as we enter 2018. We are well-positioned to grow along with our community, and we are excited about the New Year.

Hiking Spree showcases regional parks, trails

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Take a hike — that’s what the Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation wants you to do this winter.

The county’s Hiking Spree program returns for its second year, with a new set of diverse trails for residents and visitors to explore.

The program began in November and runs through March 31.

Here’s how it works:

  • People may walk any of 20 designated trails on their own, with friends, as part of a group, or with a member of the Parks & Recreation staff. There also is a wild-card hike of sorts: Hikers choose their own trail, which can be anywhere.
  • Participants can receive a brass medallion or Access Hiker patch after completing eight of the 20 hikes.
  • The program works strictly on an honor system. Nobody monitors your progress.
  • Anyone can participate. There are no age or physical restrictions, and you don’t have to be a Hillsborough County resident.

It’s designed to offer something for everyone from hiking rookies to seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

Some of the trails are at well-known regional parks, such as Lettuce Lake, Upper Tampa Bay, and Lithia Springs.

Lettuce Lake Park’s Boardwalk Run is included on this year’s Hiking Spree. It is one of 20 trails people are encouraged to try out this winter. (File)

Others are at more obscure preserves, including Alafia Scrub and Blackwater Creek.

Those who want a more leisurely walk can go to neighborhood and recreation centers, including Northdale, All People’s, and Valrico, which are part of the program, too.

Each trail has a classification and difficulty rating. Distances range from about one-third mile to more than 4 miles.

Hikers can walk paths near their homes, but also are encouraged to explore new terrain.

“We’ve basically highlighted 20 trails that we thought people would like to see,” said Dana McDonald, special events coordinator for Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation.

“We wanted to make sure there were acceptable trails. We wanted to make sure there were some easier trails for people who just started out — a little bit more primitive trails for people who really want to get deep into nature.”

While still new, the outdoor initiative already seems to be a hit.

About 1,000 people participated in the inaugural program last year.

Thousands more are expected to take part this year. In fact, more than 3,200 people have already registered for this year’s challenge.

The hiking event promotes the county’s parks and trail offerings, encouraging people to get active outdoors and experience “natural” Florida.

Set across fall, winter and early spring, it’s also timed to take advantage of the cooler, drier weather and to coincide with prime bird-watching season.

“It’s a way to kind of get out and turn off the cellphones, turn off the electronics and just kind of be out there, take some time for yourself,” McDonald said.

“It’s a great way for families to explore nature,” she added.

Hiking Spree is modeled on successful programs elsewhere, most notably in Akron, Ohio. There, the Summit Metro Parks community hiking event draws some 12,000 participants annually.

Parks & Recreation officials hope to surpass that mark one day.

“We want to take as many people out to our parks as possible,” McDonald said. “We just want to make sure people see it and they experience it.”

For information or to register, visit hcflgov.net/hikingspree.

Here’s the list of parks and trails for the 2018 Hiking Spree:

  • Alafia Scrub Nature Preserve, Riverview: River Bend Trail (1.5 miles)
  • Alderman’s Ford Conservation, Plant City: Two Rivers Loop (1.9 miles); Enchanted Forest Run (1 mile)
  • All People’s Life Center, Tampa: Nature Trail (0.40 miles)
  • Bell Creek Nature Preserve, Riverview: Nature Trail (4.1 miles)
  • Blackwater Creek Nature Preserve, Plant City: Central Loop (4.2 miles)
  • Branchton Neighborhood Park, Tampa: Gray Fox Fitness Trail (.75 miles)
  • Channel Park Trailhead, Tampa: Upper Tampa Bay Trail—north to Wilsky Road Trailhead and return (3 miles)
  • Cockroach Bay Nature Preserve, Ruskin: Nature Trail (.70 miles)
  • Edward Medard Conservation Park, Plant City: Singing Bluffs Trail (.70 miles)
  • Eureka Springs Conservation Park, Tampa: Serenity Loop (.35 miles)
  • Golden Aster Scrub Nature Preserve, Gibsonton: Nature Trail (3.5 miles)
  • Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, Tampa: Hammock Run or Boardwalk (2.1 miles)
  • Lithia Springs Conservation Park, Lithia: Fish Hawk Trail North (3 miles)
  • Lower Green Swamp Nature Preserve, Plant City: Nature Trail (2 miles)
  • Northdale Neighborhood Park, Tampa: Owl Fitness Trail (.45 miles)
  • Peterson Road Neighborhood Park Trailhead, Odessa: Upper Tampa Bay Trail—south to Ehrlich Road and return (2.4 miles)
  • Ruskin/Baudette Neighborhood Park, Ruskin: Quiet Pines Fitness Trail (1.2 miles)
  • Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park, Tampa: Bobcat, Eagle and Otter Trails (1.7 miles total)
  • Valrico Neighborhood Park, Valrico: Rolling Acres Fitness Trail (.40 miles)
  • Wild-card trail (choose your own)

Published January 3, 2018