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The Samaritan Project appoints new leadership

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Roxanne Geisenheimer is the new executive director of The Samaritan Project of Zephyrhills, according to a news release from the nonprofit organization.

The Samaritan Project is a one-stop program that helps people in Zephyrhills who need help with rent, housing, food and utility bills. Local business owners and the Zephyrhills-Wesley Chapel Ministerial Association started the project in 2008.

Roxanne Geisenheimer
(Courtesy of The Samaritan Project)

Geisenheimer was already working with The Samaritan Project on special events, including the recent Harvest Festival. She also is organizing the 12th annual Golf Scramble, and the Christmas Cards on Fifth. The latter is an annual project done in partnership with Goin’ Postal and Skywatch Signs.

“I believe The Samaritan Project does great work in our community, but there is always room for it to grow and expand in scope of how many people we can help,” said Nick Deford, in a written statement. He is a Samaritan board member, and had been acting executive director until Geisenheimer’s appointment.

“As long as there are people dealing with homelessness and issues that lead to it, we have more work to do,” he said. “It is time for The Samaritan Project to grow, and I believe Roxxy is the person to lead us through that growth.”

Zephyrhills is Geisenheimer’s hometown.

She attended Colorado Mountain College, where she majored in English and humanitarian courses, such as ethics and psychology. She returned to Zephyrhills in 2008, and operated a design and technology business.

Geisenheimer has been active with Main Street Zephyrhills and The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, where she is the marketing and operations coordinator.

“Her education and experience will be a tremendous asset to the program,” said Carol Greene, also in a written statement. She is service coordinator for The Samaritan Project.

Geisenheimer said she is honored to serve the community in this new capacity.

“The Samaritan Project holds a critical role in helping our neighbors in need,” she said. “I am excited to see how we can grow together.”

Published November 15, 2017

It’s the holidays: Time for yummy traditional Southern pies

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When it comes to Southern pies, Florida has its famous Key Lime pie.

Georgia has a classic Buttermilk Custard pie.

And, North Carolina has its Chocolate Chess pie.

But when it comes to the fall, seasonal favorites are apple, pecan, pumpkin and sweet potato — in alphabetical order.

That’s because the ingredients needed for the seasonal pies are at their peak.

And, it turns out that these pies often add the exclamation to a traditional Thanksgiving feast.

Many recipes are passed from one generation to the next, to carry on the family traditions.

Last year, the editors of Delish conducted a national Favorite Turkey Day Pie survey, which revealed that pumpkin remains the No. 1 favorite, with 36 percent of those polled choosing it. Pecan pie came in second, with 15 percent of the vote. Apple came in third, at 14 percent, sweet potato pie garnered 10 percent of the top votes and chocolate pie scored 8 percent. The remaining pies — cherry, blueberry, lemon meringue and others — received 5 percent of the votes or fewer.

The survey data was broken down even more. Evidently, pumpkin is more popular in the western part of that nation, where 46 percent ranked it first, compared to 39 percent of Midwestern voters and 33 percent of northeastern. Surprisingly, pumpkin pies scored only 30 percent of the top vote in the South.

Among age groups, pecan pie scored the second highest votes and apple pie ranked third, among Gen Xers, between the ages of 38 and 53. Pumpkin pie was most popular with the baby boomers, ages 54 to 72; and traditionalists, ages 54 to 72 , but slightly less than a third of millennials, ages 18 to 37, ranked pumpkin pie first.

Here are some cooking tips to help you, as you create new pie traditions to enjoy, as you gather to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Cooking Tips:

  • Use a prepared pie crust. That saves time, trouble and cleanup. If crusts are refrigerated, rest on counter for approximately 15 minutes to reach room temperature, or microwave on defrost for 10 seconds to 20 seconds, before unrolling.
  • 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.
  • To make your own pumpkin pie spice: Use 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg, 1 tablespoon ground ginger, and 1 ½ teaspoons cloves. Mix well and store in a small, air-tight jar.
  • The best apples for baking include Braeburn, Cortland, Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, McIntosh and Rome.

By Betsy Crisp
Betsy Crisp, MS, LD/N, Professor Emeritus, UF/IFAS Extension – Family & Consumer Sciences

Recipes

Pumpkin-Pecan Pie with Cinnamon-Pecan Crust and Streusel Topping

Ingredients

Crust:

½ (14.1-ounce package) ready-prepared/refrigerated piecrusts

Spray cooking oil

½ teaspoon cinnamon sugar

1½ tablespoons finely chopped pecans, toasted

Filling:

1 can (15 ounce) pumpkin (not pie mix filling)

1 cup fat-free evaporated milk

½ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

3 large eggs, lightly beaten

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping:

¾ cup pecan halves, coarsely chopped

1/3 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons butter, melted

½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Open package and remove one roll/pie crust. Bring to room temperature and then unroll into a 9-inch pie plate, lightly-greased (with spray cooking oil).
  • Evenly sprinkle dough lightly with cinnamon sugar and pecans. Lightly press into dough with back of spoon. Fold under edges and crimp into points with fingers, or with tines of fork, and set aside.
  • In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together pumpkin, milk, sugar, eggs, spice and salt. Pour into pie plate.
  • In another bowl, add together all topping ingredients, mix well, and set aside.
  • Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove pie from oven. Carefully cover edges with a 3-inch wide strip of aluminum foil to prevent burning and return to oven for 40 more minutes.
  • Remove pie from oven. Remove aluminum and add streusel topping. Return to oven for 15 minutes to 20 minutes. You may have to cover top of pie with aluminum foil after 10 minutes to prevent topping from burning.
  • Cool completely on a wire rack. Makes 8 servings. Leftovers must be refrigerated.
(Betsy Crisp)

Apple-Cranberry Pie with Cinnamon Crust

Ingredients

Crust:

1 package (14.1 ounce) / two ready-prepared/refrigerated piecrusts

Spray cooking oil

1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar, divided

Filling:

½ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed

1½ tablespoons lemon juice

3 tablespoons flour

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon ground allspice

1½ pounds (approximately 5 cups slices/5 medium) baking apples, washed, cored and thinly sliced

½ cup dried cranberries

1½ tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

Topping:

water

½ teaspoon cinnamon sugar

Instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Open package and remove one roll/pie crust. Bring to room temperature and then unroll onto flat surface covered with waxed paper or parchment. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon cinnamon sugar on each side of crust before pressing into a 9-inch pie plate, lightly-greased (with spray cooking oil). Set other roll aside.
  • In a bowl, combine sugar, lemon juice, flour, salt and spices. Stir in apples and cranberries.
  • Turn fruit mixture into pastry-lined pie plate. Dot with butter pieces.
  • Cover with top crust. Fold under and crimp edges to seal. Cut several slits in top.
  • Brush crust lightly with water and sprinkle cinnamon sugar.
  • Bake 15 minutes. Cover edge with 3-inch wide aluminum strip and continue baking.
  • Bake approximately 25 minutes to 35 minutes more, until crust is brown and juices begins to bubble thru the slits in the top crust. Let cool 2 hours before cutting.

Published November 15, 2017

Avalon Park West signs first commercial tenant

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Avalon Park West in Wesley Chapel announced its first commercial tenant for the master-planned community’s “town center.”

Power Martial Arts signed a five-year lease for about 2,500 square feet of retail space in Downtown Avalon Park West, according to a news release from Avalon Park Group.

A groundbreaking is expected in 2018, with a grand opening in 2019.

Power Martial Arts currently operates at the Lake Bernadette Community Center in Zephyrhills.

The town center for Avalon Park West is planned as a central gathering spot for residents in the Wesley Chapel area.

“We’re very excited about getting this place, a permanent home to teach martial arts to the community,” Matthew Brown, the owner of Power Martial Arts, said in a written statement. “To be part of the launch of this great concept will be a great adventure.”

Avalon Park West is at 33613 State Road 54, about 7.5 miles east of Interstate 75. It is within easy access of The Shops at Wiregrass and The Groves at Wesley Chapel.

At build out, the community will have about 4,800 residences, including single-family houses and apartments. About 560,000 square feet of commercial space and about 120,000 square feet of offices are planned.

Avalon Park Group, based in Orlando, has already built or is currently building about 700 single-family homes. Construction will begin on the town center in 2018, including a mixed-use building and a charter school. Openings are planned by 2019.

For information, visit AvalonParkWest.com.

Published November 15, 2017

Get close to the animals at ‘Barnyard Bash’

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Families looking for a close encounter with animals may want to check out the “Barnyard Bash” at the Home Sweet Home Animal Rescue in Wesley Chapel.

Valerie Burke’s affection for animals began when she was ‘knee-high to a grasshopper’ and has never waned. She now operates Home Sweet Home Animal Rescue in Wesley Chapel. (B.C. Manion)

Children and adults, alike, can meet Arnold the Pig, Ollie the Goose, Effie the Goat and other animals at the event on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the rescue, 4129 Fox Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Besides getting a chance to meet the animals, there will be an education tent, food, a bounce house, games and other activities.

Those wanting to visit the barnyard will be required to wear sneakers or other close-toed shoes.

“We did this last year, and we had a ball,” said Valerie Burke, the founder of Home Sweet Home Animal Rescue.

About 100 people turned out and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, said Burke, who said her love for animals began when she was “knee-high to a grasshopper” and has stayed with her for life.

Last year, she said, “we had kids face-painting kids,” she said, which was fun for the kids and fun for adults to watch.

Ollie the goose, also known as Oliver, was rescued from a parking lot at a lawyer’s office in the Westshore business district in Tampa.

Burke began the barnyard rescue operation because she saw a need for it.

It began with one injured animal.

“One thing led to another,” Burke said. “People would bring me injured animals and sick animals, from as far away as the Panhandle. I’ve had several come from Gainesville.

“We do a lot of special needs animals here,” she said. Without the rescue operation, many of the animals would be euthanized, Burke said.

“One of our ducks is missing half her bill. I have a parrot missing his leg. Some are missing toes,” she said. “We try to make it comfortable for them.”

Currently, she has 40 ducks, three geese, seven goats, a pig, 20 or so chickens and some parrots.

They come to her in different ways.

Oliver, also known as Ollie, is her Chinese goose. He was dropped off at a lawyer’s office, off Westshore Boulevard in Tampa.

Valerie Burke knows how to make her goat, Effie, happy.

Ollie’s girlfriend, Greta, an African goose, was dumped with her mate in Safety Harbor. Her mate was killed by a predator.

“So, she came here; her and Ollie are best friends,” Walker said.

Harley, one of the ducks, is named for the Harley-Davidson dealership in Brandon that found her.

Burke said she has been the recipient of animals that were starved nearly to death, or were abandoned at apartment complexes.

“We take in the ones that are the forgotten ones,” she said.

The barnyard bash is a way for people to have fun, but also develop a greater understanding of animals, Burke said.

And, while visitors to the Barnyard Bash are invited to get closer to the animals, they are not permitted to chase them, Burke said.

“This isn’t a petting zoo. It’s all about respect. This is their home, so you have to respect them in their home. If they come up to you, great. If they don’t, well, they don’t,” Burke said.

She is looking forward to the event.

She’s confident that the adults and children will have a good time.

Plus, she added, “I’m going to have a great time.”

Barnyard Bash Family Event
Where: Home Sweet Home Animal Rescue, 4129 Fox Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel
When:  Nov. 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free event, but donations are accepted.
Details: Kids and adults can meet barnyard animals, learn about caring for animals, enjoy games and refreshments. There will be take-aways, a bounce house, an education tent, an opportunity to take pictures, ask and answer questions, and win prizes. Sneakers or close-toed shoes are required in the barnyard.

Learn ways you can help by visiting HSHARTampa.org.

Published November 8, 2017

Land O’ Lakes SwampFest looks to take center stage

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When the dumpster arrives at Land O’ Lakes Community Park, that’s a sure sign that the carnival equipment to set up the Midway is soon to follow, according to Doug Hutchinson, coordinator for the Land O’ Lakes SwampFest.

SwampFest 2017 will feature a few new twists, according to Hutchinson, the longtime coordinator of the community fair.

First off, the event will be using Heritage Stage, the newly opened stage at Land O’ Lakes Community Park.

The Midway at Land O’ Lakes SwampFest will feature rides of all types, for children and adults, alike. (File)

“We’re pretty excited about that,” Hutchinson said, noting the ones who seem most delighted about the stage are the dance groups that will be performing on it.

“When I told them that we were going to be on the stage, not under a tent, they were all excited,” he said. “It’s so good for the community.”

The entertainment lineup for this year’s event includes Nunes at Night, on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. and 3-Dom Band, on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. On Nov. 12, there’s a larger slate of entertainers, with Nicole’s Dance Center at noon; Show on the Road at 1 p.m.; Beyond Chaotic at 2 p.m., and Suncoast Dance at 3 p.m.

The event also is adding some food trucks this year, in addition to the foods that can be purchased on the Midway, Hutchinson said. Otherwise, the rides and the food on the Midway will be similar to those at the event last year.

There are also plans for a beer garden, Hutchinson said, but added that he was awaiting official approval.

Armbands for unlimited rides will be sold in advance for $15 and at the Midway for $25, Hutchinson said. Parking is free on Nov. 9, the preview night, and $5 on other days of the festival.

The event is getting more popular every year, Hutchinson said, noting it tends to attract between 500 and 750 people on Friday night and Sunday, and about 2,000 on Saturday.

On Saturdays, families generally come during the day, with a younger crowd at night, he said.

SwampFest started out as a community carnival, then evolved into the Flapjack Festival, which eventually moved to Dade City and then died.

This event is smaller than Flapjack was and that’s what organizers want it to be, Hutchinson said. “We want it to be more of a community fair.”

Proceeds from SwampFest benefit the venues that help sell the tickets and Land O’ Lakes High School’s athletic booster club, where they benefit the whole school.

“We don’t want to build something for one team and use all of the money for that,” Hutchinson said. “It’s better to use that money for items that benefit everyone.”

For instance, for a few years in a row, SwampFest proceeds were used to purchase equipment for the weight room, he said.

That benefits all students, not just athletes, he said. “They have a weightlifting class.”

Event proceeds also paid for the high school’s sign, which is out near Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, also known as U.S. 41.

“It takes some really dedicated people to pull this thing off,” Hutchinson said, noting there’s about eight or 10, who really do a lot of the work.

“It takes months to put it together,” he said, and then, at the event, there are scores of volunteers who help with parking, garbage collection and other chores.

Land O’ Lakes SwampFest
Where: Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
When: Nov. 9, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Nov. 10, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Nov. 11, noon to 11 p.m.; and Nov. 12, noon to 6 p.m.
Cost: Parking free on Nov. 9; $5 on Nov. 10 through Nov. 12. Armbands for unlimited rides are available for $25 each at the Midway; $15 each, in advance. They are available on the SwampFest website and at Land O’ Lakes High School, Sanders Elementary School, Pine View Middle School, Sugar and Spice Learning Center, and at the Village Lakes Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, Wilderness Lakes Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and Sunlake Beef O’ Brady’s.
Details: Rides, games, food, live entertainment.
Info: LOLSwampFest.com

Published November 8, 2017

New district park opens in Starkey Ranch development

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Pasco County residents have a new district park, shaped and landscaped out of a former cow pasture at Starkey Ranch.

But, before children could run bases at the new ball fields or play hopscotch at the playground, the “premier” park got its official unveiling at a ceremony on Oct. 31.

About 30 people attended, including members of the Starkey family, the development team for the master-planned Starkey Ranch community, all five of the current Pasco County commissioners, school board members, and Pasco County School Superintendent Kurt Browning.

Members of the Starkey family were recognized for their vision in fostering the Starkey Ranch District Park. They were joined on stage by Pasco County commissioners and Starkey Ranch developers. (Kathy Steele)

“It’s a first-class park, and I hope it’s the beginning of what all parks in Pasco will look like,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “This should set the bar for all the parks.”

An R.O.T.C. color guard presented the colors during the Pledge of Allegiance.

River Ridge High School students with the Knights of Jazz entertained. Guests enjoyed a catered luncheon.

The ribbon cutting marked the completion of the first phase of what is estimated to be a $14 million project, spread over several years. Two additional phases are planned.

No construction date is scheduled for the next phase. The park is being completed on a pay-as-you-go plan.

The county budgeted about $7.3 million for the initial design and construction of the park. The county, Pasco County Schools and Wheelock Street Capital agreed to a public/private partnership to build it. The partnership was the first of its kind in Pasco.

Once completed, the shared site is expected to have 14 ball fields, a library, gymnasium, media center, tennis and basketball courts, a paved trail, a black-box theater, and a school for elementary and middle school students.

The school will be built on pastureland adjacent to the park, with an anticipated opening in August 2021.

“That might sound like a long time off,” said Browning. “But, in school years…that’s short.”

The district park is in Odessa, off the main entrance into the master-planned community of Starkey Ranch, at 2500 Heart Pine Drive.

The newly dedicated park has a playground, pavilion, three multi-purpose fields, practice fields, a softball field, a paved trail, concession building, restrooms and a maintenance building.

The seed for the park began with talks between county and school board officials. Initially, plans were to co-locate county and school district facilities.

But, then in 2013, the school district suggested a more ambitious approach to share facilities and create the public/private partnership.

“They took a chance to get this done,” said Dan Green, a principal at Wheelock Street Capital and developer of Starkey Ranch. “But, it’s all coming together to make this a premier place to live in Tampa Bay.”

Construction on Starkey Ranch was just getting started in 2014, said Matt Call, project director for Starkey Ranch/Wheelock Communities.

“We had to build all the infrastructure into the park,” he said. “There was no Heart Pine Drive. This was just a cattle field.”

Per the cooperative agreement, the developer initially will pay for operation and maintenance at the park, with the county gradually sharing in the costs. By the eighth year, the county will have full responsibility for the park.

The arrangement helped the county and school board leverage available taxpayer funds for the project, said Browning.

For instance, the school’s gymnasium, media center, library and black-box theater will be shared among residents and students.

“We want to keep the costs off the taxpayers,” he said.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells said the county has come a long way in developing its park system since his days playing soccer as a teenager.

He recalled a do-it-yourself method of mowing a playing field in his neighborhood the night before a soccer match.

“This is very exciting,” he said. “I can’t wait to see thousands and thousands of our youth out here enjoying this.”

Published November 8, 2017

MacDill AFB’s changing missions through 75 years

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MacDill Air Force Base has been around for more than 75 years — with roles that have changed to correspond with evolving military needs.

Since it was established in 1941, MacDill Air Force has had a significant impact on Tampa Bay’s economy. It now employs 15,000 military personnel and 3,700 civilians, with an estimated annual economic impact of approximately $2.9 billion on the community. (Courtesy of Tampa Bay History Center)

The base now houses the 6th Air Mobility Wing, with operations primarily in aerial refueling mission and personnel transport.

Its purpose was quite different during World War II, however.

The Tampa Bay History Center, in partnership with the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, recently had a presentation documenting the history of MacDill Air Force Base.

The event was led by Clete Belsom, a retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force and a docent at the history center.

Belsom, who volunteers once a week at MacDill, detailed how the air force base has evolved over decades. He also described the important role the base has played in the area’s history and economy, during an hour-long interactive discussion.

This is a B-17 in flight. Between 1942 and 1945, the 91st Bombardment Group — which operated the B-17 Flying Fortress — flew 9,571 combat missions throughout Europe.

As war clouds gathered in the late 1930s, the United States War Department ordered the development of six new strategic bases nationwide.

Interestingly enough, Tampa was chosen over Arcadia for the country’s southeast base location.

“The War Department said, ‘Wait a minute, Arcadia’s so isolated. It doesn’t make sense.’ And, it really didn’t make sense,” Belsom said.

MacDill was originally established as Southeast Air Base in 1939.

It was later activated on April 16, 1941, dedicated after Col. Leslie MacDill, a pilot in the Army Air Corps who died in a plane crash in Washington D.C.

“He was an up-and-coming star and very, very well thought of; he would’ve done quite well,” Belsom said.

In its earliest years, MacDill Air Force Base’s mission was transitional training for the B-17 Flying Fortress. Those operations were led by Maj. Clarence Tinker, an Osage Indian who became the highest-ranking Native American in the military during World War II.

In its earliest years, MacDill’s mission was transitional training in the B-17 Flying Fortress.

Maj. Clarence Tinker, an Osage Indian — who went on to become the highest-ranking Native American in the military during World War II — led MacDill’s operations in the beginning.

“The B-17…carried all of the heavy bombing load that the U.S. did in Europe during World War II. They specialized in daytime precision bombing,” Belsom explained.

Between 1942 and 1945, the 91st Bombardment Group — which operated the B-17 Flying Fortress — flew 9,571 combat missions throughout Europe.

Of those missions, 197 airplanes were lost, 1,010 airmen were presumed killed or missing, and 960 crewmembers were taken as German prisoners of war.

During the Second World War, MacDill AFB had several support units, including the Women’s Army Corps that trained in photo labs and also served administrative roles.

MacDill also hosted a number of bomber aircraft during the war, including the B-17, B-26 Marauder and the B-29 Superfortress.

Servicemen were trained to be pilots, gunners, engineers, mechanics, radio operators, navigators and other roles.

MacDill also was home to other support units, including the Women’s Army Corps and an all-black aviation engineer unit.

It’s estimated that 100,000 crewmembers were trained at MacDill during World War II, with 15,000 stationed at the base at any given time.

At its apex, there also were 488 German POWs.

“How would you have liked to have been a German soldier…and you get sent to Florida? There was not a better outcome, I’m sure, that a POW could’ve had than these folks,” Belsom said.

Between the 1960s and 1980s, MacDill AFB served as a Tactical Air Command, stationing fighter wings like F-4s and F-16s up through the 1980s.

Additionally, 20,000 residents of Hillsborough County were engaged in the war effort, while thousands more served in defense jobs.

Another interesting fact: During 1942 —MacDill’s first full year of operation — there were 2,000 soldiers married in Hillsborough County.

Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s MacDill trained crews for the B-29, B-50 and B-47—the first swept wing strategic bomber in inventory, Belsom explained.

The base later transitioned to Tactical Air Command, stationing fighter wings like F-4s and F-16s up through the 1980s, he said.

Belsom pointed out MacDill nearly closed in the early- to mid-1990s after the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission identified it on a list of bases to be closed after all its tactical fighters were relocated to a base in Arizona.

But, MacDill’s shutdown was averted because of the significance of U.S. Central Command and Special Operations Command on foreign fighting activities, particularly the Middle East.

MacDill AFB had hosted a number of bomber aircraft by the end of World War II, including the B-17, B-26 Marauder and the B-29 Superfortress.

It didn’t hurt, either, that U.S. Reps. Sam Gibbons and Bill Young backed the air force base.

“They were very, very influential congressman, so I’m sure they played a part in arguing why MacDill made sense to maintain,” Belsom said.

Today, the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill performs air refueling, airlift, and contingency response missions for the U.S., and allied forces around the globe. It’s also home to the KC-135 Stratotanker and the Gulfstream C-37A executive transport jet.

MacDill, too, houses U.S. Central Command and Special Operations Command.

The base’s establishment, meanwhile, has provided significant financial growth in the Tampa Bay community.

Currently employing 15,000 military personnel and 3,700 civilians, the base, which sits on nearly 6,000 acres, has an estimated annual economic impact of $2.9 billion on the region.

MacDill also has enhanced Tampa Bay’s culture, Belsom said.

“Much like the immigrants who came here to work in the cigar industry back in the late 1880s and the early 1900s, I think (MacDill) enriched the social climate of Tampa just by their presence, because they have a lot of folks who not just come here for two or three years, but then come back later and retire,” Belsom said.

Published November 8, 2017

Gearing up for a Thanksgiving tradition

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What began 22 years ago, as a way to provide a Thanksgiving meal to international students at Saint Leo University, evolved over time into a joint effort by the Benedictine Sisters of Florida and Saint Anthony Parish to feed the hunger “of anyone alone or in need” on Thanksgiving.

“Our outreach is to migrants, the homeless, those who are alone, and those seeking fellowship on this day of thanks and gratitude,” Sister Roberta Bailey, prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, said via email. “It is always a fun day of family and friends coming together in community to give thanks,” she added.

It takes a lot of helpers to peel enough potatoes to feed about 350 people on Thanksgiving Day. (Courtesy of Benedictine Sisters of Florida)

The meal is served on Thanksgiving Day at 2 p.m., in the Saint Anthony Parish Hall. Deliveries are also made to people who are unable to get to the hall, according to Faith Pridmore, director of mission advancement for the Benedictine Sisters of Florida.

Sister Mary David Hydro chairs the event and there are generally about 25 volunteers, including those that deliver, Pridmore said.

“We usually feed about 225 at the parish hall, plus the deliveries, plus we usually send pans of food over to the abuse center, so we feed about 350,” she said.

The menu consists of turkey, salad, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, pie, and coffee, iced tea, lemonade and water.

“We actually get the turkeys sliced,” Pridmore said, which cuts down on labor. But, volunteers “come the night before and usually peel 100 to 125 pounds of potatoes.”

“The Women’s Club over at St. Anthony’s do the pies,” she said. Except, “Sister Donna DeWitt does all of the pumpkin pies that go in the take-outs to the homebound.”

“The day of, Sister Donna does all of the cooking. So, the stuffing and the turkey and the gravy and the mashed potatoes and the green beans — and she has some helpers.

“Then, we have the drivers.

“Then, we have the servers at the parish hall,” Pridmore said.

“Ellen Mejias is the volunteer kitchen manager. She’s got two older daughters that help, usually, and her husband,” Pridmore said.

The idea is to provide “a feeling of fellowship, community and faith” in addition to the holiday meal.

“The kids over at Saint Anthony’s usually do the decorations. We try to make it as special as we can,” Pridmore said.

The Saint Leo University student Social Work Club, under Dr. Veronika Ospina-Kammerer, does fundraising each year to support the holiday tradition, Pridmore said.

Others help, too.

For instance, Pridmore said, “The Golden Corral gives us the rolls and their honey butter.”

If you would like to help or attend this year’s gathering, please call (352) 588-8443.

Those wishing to attend are asked to call by Nov. 17 at 1 p.m., so organizers can get a head count.

Published November 8, 2017

Zephyrhills considers some fee increases

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The City of Zephyrhills is updating its comprehensive list of fee schedules — and many come tagged with price increases.

The proposed fee resolutions and amendments incorporate public record requests, venue rental policies, cemetery lots, and site plan reviews, among others.

The fees were discussed during an hour-long city council workshop meeting on Oct.  23.

Rental charges for Alice Hall will remain at $40 per hour, but minimum hourly requirements have been added, under Resolution No. 739-17. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

Perhaps the largest proposed change is to the city’s site plan review fees for new business development projects, such as restaurants, retailers and so on.

Under Resolution No. 741-17, the Site Plan Review Fee will double to $1,000, up from $500 per 1,000 gross square feet.

Todd Vande Berg, the city’s planning director, said the fees haven’t been adjusted in several years and would still be in line with surrounding communities, such as Port Richey, New Port Richey and Plant City.

He also noted the proposed fees are still considerably less than the $5,000 charged by the county for similar projects.

City Manager Steve Spina added site plans reviews and development projects require the services and resources of nearly a dozen city staffers from multiple departments.

“It’s a lot of staff time to review and coordinate all the different aspects that go into these kinds of reviews,” Spina said during the workshop.

“In the long run, you have to justify your costs. I think this helps us do that. It helps us get reimbursed when we hire consultants to do things, and it helps with some of the staff time that goes into it—and it’s a lot of time for them,” he said.

Rental policies for both the Alice Hall Community Center and the Airport Venue were also presented at the workshop.

The charge for renting out Alice Hall will remain at $40 per hour, but minimum hourly requirements have been added, under Resolution No. 739-17.

A rental minimum of two hours will be required from Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., while a minimum of four hours will be required for rentals Friday, Saturday and Sunday, between 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, the city plans to establish rental prices for its community airport venue, which is home to the annual Pigz in Z’ Hills BBQ & Blues Fest.

Since its launch in January, Spina said the city has struggled to determine rate charges for event hosts.

The 14-acre community venue site, at 5040 Airport Road, includes a 20-by-40 stage and 50 vendor spaces equipped with water and electricity, along with additional space for freestanding vendors, business expos and children’s activities.

The venue is situated north of the Zephyrhills’ City Yard, stretching to Airport Road and backing up the southern boundary of the Lincoln Heights subdivision.

Rates will be based on a sliding scale, dependent on attendee figures and if alcohol is served, per Resolution No. 745-17.

For example, renting the venue for less than 500 people could cost between $300 and $360. An event with more than 10,000 attendees, such as Pigz in Z’ Hills, could cost somewhere between $2,600 and $3,100.

Those figures also incorporate cleanup, city personnel and employee labor. There’s an additional surcharge for booths and trailers.

Spina said the finalized fees first have to be “cleaned up” and will be presented to the council at a later date.

Besides venues, shade hangar rentals at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport will increase to $125 per month, up from $95. All other prices at the airport will remain the same, per Resolution No. 743-17.

Those aren’t the only price changes coming to the city.

Cemetery and cremation lots at the city’s Oakside Cemetery are increasing for residents and non-residents, the first price change since 2005.

Cemetery lots for residents and city employees will be $800, up from $750, while cremation lots will be $350, up from $300, under Resolution No. 740-17.

Cemetery lots for non-residents jumps to $1,200, up from $810, while cremation lots will be $525, up from $350.

Spina defended the price increase for nonresidents during the workshop, noting many people will “shop” cemeteries from across the region, which may eventually lead to lot availability issues for the city in several years from now.

“We have a lot of people coming from St. Petersburg or elsewhere to use the cemetery because it’s less expensive. It could be a space issue down the road,” he said.

A fee policy for public records requests also was introduced.

Requests estimated to require more than an hour of a city employee’s time; a minimum deposit of $25 will be required. Additional charges will be added to cover the cost of posting and packaging.

Spina noted the city has received an influx of requests daily and weekly, often related to council actions, police incident reports, and personnel records.

“People have a right to the public record, so you have to try to determine to balance those customer needs,” he said.

Other workshop items, including transportation impact fees and fire user fees, were tabled for a later date.

The basic fee schedule, per Resolution No. 738-17, includes the following figures:

Copies

Single-sided copies, up to 8 ½” x 14” – $0.15

Double-sided copies, up to 8 ½” x 14” – $0. 20

Ledger size, 11” x 17” – $0.20

Certified copy of a public record – $1

DVD/CD of electronic or audio public records – $5

DVD/CD imaged documents (building plans and permits) – $5

Duplicate videotape – $1

Plans/Maps

8 ½” x 11” — $2

11” x 13” — $2

18” x 24” — $5

22” x 34” — $5

24” x 26” — $5

34” x 44” — $10

36” x 48” — $10

Published November 8, 2017

Land O’ Lakes gets beefed up emergency services

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Pasco County Fire Rescue No. 37 has added ambulance service.

The station is at the entrance to Ballantrae in Land O’ Lakes. The new service became effective on Sept. 1.

Pasco County Fire Rescue No. 37 is located in a high-growth area off County Road 54, near the Ballantrae and Bexley subdivisions. It recently added an ambulance service and six emergency responders. (Courtesy of Pasco County Fire Rescue)

Six paramedics and emergency medical technicians have been added, to provide 24-hour coverage for the rescue unit.

The station, which is at 18105 State Road 54, is currently using one of the department’s spare vehicles until the new squad arrives, which is expected within a month.

Division Chief Shawn Whited said the service area for the new ambulance is essentially Stonegate to the east and Odessa to the west.

Before the new ambulance service was added, the area was being served by an ambulance coming from the fire station in Trinity, or from the other Land O’ Lakes station, which is at U.S. 41 and State Road 54, Whited said.

“If the ambulance for Land O’ Lakes was out, because that was the only ambulance for Land O’ Lakes, we’d get one from either Wesley Chapel or Trinity,” Whited said.

“We had a big gap there,” he said.

The county has been able to send emergency responders because all of the county’s fire trucks have advanced life support, but they had to wait for a rescue unit to transport patients to the hospital, Whited said.

Getting the additional coverage is important because population continues to increase in the area near Station 37, he said, noting that Bexley, Longlake Ranch and Concord Station are growing communities.

“That Land O’ Lakes area between the Suncoast Parkway and (U.S.) 41 is one of the largest growing areas in Pasco County,” Whited said. “With all of those homes, we want to make sure they have proper fire and EMS coverage in there.

“Now, if you’re having a true medical emergency, like a heart attack or a stroke, we can get you to the hospital faster — without having to wait for that unit to come from Land O’ Lakes or Trinity or Wesley Chapel,” he said.

Published November 8, 2017