Local News

Dim those lights — and sleep better at night

May 11, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Imagine creating a device that would help people sleep better at night.

A trio of local girls came up with a prototype for an invention that would do just that.

Their idea – and the entry it generated — garnered a second place prize in the the Bright Schools Competition, a national contest co-sponsored by the National Sleep Foundation and the National Science Teachers Association.

Sarah Szymanski, a teacher at Pine View Middle School, left, coached Grace Nobles, Catie Tomasello and Sophia Nobles in the Bright Schools Competition. The team finished second in a competition that included students from across the U.S. and Canada. (Courtesy of Heather Tomasello) — Sarah Szymanski, a teacher at Pine View Middle School, left, coached Grace Nobles, Catie Tomasello and Sophia Nobles in the Bright Schools Competition. The team finished second in a competition that included students from across the U.S. and Canada.
(Courtesy of Heather Tomasello)

The team of middle schoolers, made up of Catie Tomasello, of Land O’ Lakes and Grace and Sophia Nobles, of New Tampa, called themselves Team iLUMENate and submitted a project called “The iLUMENate Prototype.”

In essence, the prototype uses a light tracker, a cell phone app and a Smart Home system to monitor the amount of light a user receives throughout the day. The device adjusts the user’s environment to provide the proper amount of blue light exposure, for optimum light and sleep.

Besides creating the prototype, the team wrote a brief research paper and created a video for their prototype.

“Blue light is essential for regulating your circadian rhythm. You get too much of it at night, it prevents the body’s producing of melatonin. It makes it hard to sleep,” 14-year-old Grace Nobles explained.

“They say an hour or two before bed to stop using your devices. Teenagers, especially, have an issue with getting enough sleep,” she added.

Twelve-year-old Sophia Nobles designed the virtual floor plan that was used to demonstrate the concept in the project.

Catie Tomasello created a video to show how their prototype would work. It shows a Smart House, where lights are dimmed to reduce light exposure.

The girls began working on their entry at the beginning of the school year and invested between 40 and 50 hours on the project, said Heather Tomasello, Catie’s mom.

They bounced their ideas off of Sarah Szymanski, a teacher at Pine View Middle School, who was their coach. She also reviewed their research and their video, Heather Tomasello said, noting Szymanski was Catie’s former teacher.

The girls, who are homeschooled, decided to enter the contest after Heather Tomasello saw it on a list of contests sponsored by the National Science Teachers Association.

The Bright Schools Competition was open to students in sixth- through eighth-grade in the United States and Canada.

For their second-place finish, the girls each earned a prize of $2,500.

Their coach will receive an all-expense paid trip to the NSTA conference and membership to the NSTA.

The moms were delighted with the contest results.

“I was very excited,” said Shawn Nobles, who is Grace and Sophia’s mom.

“I was blown away,” Heather Tomasello said.

These girls are no strangers to achievement in academic circles.

Sophia took part in the White House Science Fair last year.

And all three girls have been on successful teams in the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision competition.

Both Sophia and Grace have competed in ExploraVision three times and their teams have won honors twice. Catie competed on five teams and won honors four times. Last year, her team took the top national prize.

Published May 11, 2016

Weight loss clinic opening in Wesley Chapel

May 11, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

A new weight loss clinic is opening in Wesley Chapel this week.

Bayfront Health Medical Group will open a satellite office at 2718 Windguard Circle, Suite 101 in Wesley Chapel.

The weight loss clinic will allow Bayfront Health Dade City general surgeon Dr. Naga Thatimatla, also known as Dr. Thati, to consult with Wesley Chapel patients, and have one-night stays post-weight loss surgery. The actual surgeries will take place at Bayfront Health Dade City.

Dr. Thati will begin seeing patients on May 13.

He specializes in bariatric surgery, using a technique known as the gastric sleeve, which is a form of laparoscopic (minimal-invasive) surgery removing nearly 80 percent of the stomach.

Gail Burkett underwent a significant transformation after getting a sleeve gastrectomy, losing 179 pounds since January 2015. (Courtesy of Bayfront Health Dade City) — Gail Burkett underwent a significant transformation after getting a sleeve gastrectomy, losing 179 pounds since January 2015.
(Courtesy of Bayfront Health Dade City)

According to Bayfront Health’s website, the surgery takes out the portion of the stomach that curves outward, called the fundus. Once the fundus is taken out, the remainder of the stomach is closed into a tube shape, resembling a banana. With a much smaller stomach, patients fill up quickly at mealtimes, and ultimately, eat less.

“It makes it easier to lose weight after the surgery,” Dr. Thati said. “People are not struggling to lose weight. They don’t have the hunger, so they don’t have the temptation. A lot of people, when they look at the food, their preferences change.”

The surgeon noted the procedure has quickly become the most popular form of bariatric surgery, due to its simplicity to perform, and its long-term results.

“It has less complications compared to the other procedures like gastric bypass surgery and lap-band surgery. In terms of weight loss, it’s superior compared to the lap-band and comparable to gastric bypass surgery in terms of results,” the surgeon explained, adding it takes him about 40 minutes to perform the procedure.

“Overall, it creates a new life, basically,” he said.

The procedure in essence created a new life for one of his patients, Gail Burkett, a 57-year-old Dade City resident and Bayfront Health employee.

Since entering a six-month weight management program in January 2015 to having the operation in June 2015, Burkett has lost a total of 179 pounds.

“I had never had a ‘full’ feeling, until after I had the surgery. Then I knew what feeling full meant. But I had never had that before,” Burkett said, noting there’s significantly less stress on her knees.

“When I first came to work (at the hospital), I would park as close as I possibly could park to get into the building. Now, I park up on the hill and I walk down every day.”

Not only does Burkett look and feel healthier, but the surgery has also allowed her to discontinue medications for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 Diabetes.

Dr. Naga Thatimatla will begin seeing patients at a weight loss clinic in Wesley Chapel on Friday, May 13. The surgeon specializes in sleeve gastrectomy, a form of bariatric weight-loss surgery.

“On average, people lose like 100 pounds four to six months after the procedure,” Dr. Thati said. “The basic aim behind this surgery is to improve the quality of life with this problem of obesity — in terms of medications they take before surgery…and the activity level of what they do.”

The surgery is typically reserved for adults with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater — categorized as “morbidly obese.” Patients with a BMI between 35 and 40 may qualify for the surgery if they are associated with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Nearly 35 percent (or nearly 79 million) of U.S. adults are obese, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s more than double the obesity rate in 1980, which hovered around 15 percent.

“Obesity is exponentially increasing, there’s no doubt about it,” Dr. Thati said.

The bariatric surgeon blames the American environment as one of the key factors for the disturbing obesity rates, in particularly, the omnipresence of unhealthy foods combined with stressful, more sedentary lifestyles.

“The food,” he said, “is the main culprit.”

The surgeon currently does not recommend the procedure for adolescents under 18 years old, since their bodies are still developing.

“We don’t have studies to show how they react, how the body changes…so we don’t want to change anything before their body is complete,” he said.

Though the procedure’s complications are minimal compared to other bariatric techniques, there is about a “2 (percent) to 3 percent chance” of developing blood clots or leaks, the surgeon acknowledged.

“Just like any other procedure, the operation has complications, but less compared to the other kinds of procedures,” he said.

Published May 11, 2016

Saint Leo offers new creative writing program

May 11, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Poet and soon-to-be-published novelist Steve Kistulentz is a man enjoying a year of firsts.

He is the director of Saint Leo University’s first low-residency graduate program in creative writing.

The launch begins with an eight-day residency from July 16 to July 23. Enrolled students will attend seminars and writing workshops. And, they will hear readings from awarding winning writers, Jesse Goolsby and Tom Piazza.

The program will offer a special track toward a graduate degree for students interested in war literature written for or by veterans.

Poet and novelist Steve Kistulentz is director of the graduate program in creative writing and associate professor of English at Saint Leo University. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University) — Poet and novelist Steve Kistulentz is director of the graduate program in creative writing and associate professor of English at Saint Leo University.
(Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

In 2017, the publishing house of Little & Brown will release the 50-year-old Kistulentz’s first novel, “Panorama,” which tells the story of a New Year’s Eve plane crash and what happens to its survivors.

Before that, he will launch the new writing program at Saint Leo.

“I want to show the non-traditional student that no matter who you are or where you are or what you are doing, there is a path to success and a way to be mentored there through this program,” said Kistulentz, who also is an associate professor of English at the university.

The program confers the Master of Arts degree and is intended for completion in two years. It includes 36 hours of graduate study in fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction.

Those who want to write about war can choose among those genres and take specific courses that tackle wartime or post-war experiences.

Following the initial residency, semester work will be done largely online, with mentoring from writers with national reputations. In total, students will complete four semesters of course work, three summer residencies, and submit a book-length thesis.

Tuition is $595 per credit hour for the 2016-17 academic year. Unsubsidized loans may be available. Accreditation for the program is pending with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The special track aimed at veterans who may want to write about their war experiences is unique to Saint Leo.

“We wanted to capitalize on Saint Leo’s long-time commitment with the men and women of our armed services,” Kistulentz said.

Saint Leo also continues its tradition of reaching out to nontraditional students.

Kistulentz took his own nontraditional path toward poetry and fiction writing.

He had a nearly 17-year career as a political consultant for national campaigns and wrote speeches, television commercials, promotional materials and magazine articles.

“I have written in just about every genre,” Kistulentz said.

He was director of a similar creative writing program at the University of Tampa.

But at Saint Leo he is building the program from scratch.

“I have always known that this is always what I wanted to do, a Saint Leo-type program,” he said.

Kistulentz is taking the best of what he learned from other creative writing programs including the Creative Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa. He was at the university from 2003 to 2005 and earned a Masters in Fine Arts.

His first book of poetry, “The Luckless Age,” won the 2010 Ben Saltman Award. His second poetry book, “Little Black Daydream,” came out in 2013.

The fact that he is a college professor is to him something of a miracle. He grew up in a family of sharecroppers and coal miners.

It was the GI bill that put his father through college, and set him on a path toward higher education.

“I was the first generation in my family expected to go to college, and then continue on with my education,” he said.

But he didn’t follow a traditional path toward a writing career.

That’s what is so satisfying to him about Saint Leo’s commitment to nontraditional ways to help its students.

“I think it’s important to note that Saint Leo is one of the real innovators in providing alternative learning solutions for people with careers and family commitments who wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend a graduate program,” Kistulentz said.

For information, on the program and the application procedure, visit www.saintleo.edu/admissions/graduate/creative-writing.aspx.

Published May 11, 2016

These pint-size Olympians were a big hit

May 11, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The Pee Wee Olympics, at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center, was one of those events where everyone seemed to be having fun.

The competition, held on April 30, was geared toward children 5 and under.

Styrofoam weights on the end of a plastic barbell made a fun activity for John Potthast,4. His dad and mom, Paul and Lisa Potthast of Land O’ Lakes looked on as he hoists the weights overhead. John’s twin sister, Kathryn, 4, and brother, Ryan, 7, were present, too. (Fred Bellet/Photos) — Styrofoam weights on the end of a plastic barbell made a fun activity for John Potthast,4. His dad and mom, Paul and Lisa Potthast of Land O’ Lakes looked on as he hoists the weights overhead. John’s twin sister, Kathryn, 4, and brother, Ryan, 7, were present, too.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

It gave youngsters who are too young to compete in organized recreational sports a chance to test their skills in 12 Olympic-style events in the gym.

Of course, the events were scaled down to suit the toddlers and preschoolers that took part.

The ‘weightlifting’ station, for example, consisted of two Styrofoam plates attached to a plastic barbell.

Other popular stations included the tricycle race, soccer kicking and mini-hoop shooting.

While some events — such as the ‘fast dash’ race — were timed, they were all done for fun. It wasn’t about who was the best, it was more about being able to finish the course. Kids were allowed to do as many events as they wanted, in no particular order. Those that completed every event at least once were awarded a participation medal, and an opportunity to get their photo taken on the ‘winners’ stage.

Creating a list of events and configuring them to be suitable for such a young age range was a process that took several hours beforehand, according to Mandy Stephens, a recreation leader at the complex.

Eric Schaefer, right, stands near his son, 4-year-old Cole Schaefer, of Land O’ Lakes, as the little boy tries to decide what event he wants to start.

“We were just throwing ideas on what supplies we already have…and adapting it to the events,” she said. “We had to be creative.”

That creativity appealed to many parents and guardians, who expressed their pleasure with the event.

They obviously enjoyed the event’s atmosphere, which centered on positivity and excitement.

Having the activities organized inside the recreation center’s air-conditioned gymnasium was another plus, considering the humid weather outdoors.

“I think it’s really cute,” said Cindy Griffiths, the grandmother of 5-year-old Kent Craighead. “It’s nice for the younger kids to get out, and everything’s made for the kids. When they’re young like this, there’s not a lot (out there), so this was nice.”

Mike Phillips, of Land O’ Lakes, gave the event high marks, too. “It’s really cool, I like the idea,” said Phillips, who brought two children, Kori and Rilynn, to the event.

The recreation center regularly organized an annual Pee Wee Olympics, but stopped a few years ago.

Center leaders decided to restart the event again last year and attracted about 35 participants. This year, it drew 55.

Children line up for their turn on the tricycle course during the Pee Wee Olympics, at the Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex on Collier Parkway. — Children line up for their turn on the tricycle course during the Pee Wee Olympics, at the Land O’Lakes Recreation Complex on Collier Parkway.

“It’s just something for our toddlers, or for the younger kids who aren’t in youth sports yet,” said Cindy Szappan, the complex’s recreation supervisor. “It’s something for them because the parents are always looking for stuff for their younger kids to do.

“Most of our other (activities) starts at (age) 5, (or) 6,” Szappan added. “So, it’s hard because they have active kids, but there’s nothing…sports-wise for them to do.”

With a sizable climb in participation compared to last year, Szappan plans to organize two Pee Wee Olympics events each year — one in the fall and one in the summer. Having two competitions each year will require additional help from about around 15 volunteers, officials said.

This year, several volunteers from Sunlake High School, Weightmann Middle School and the Central Pasco Girl’s Academy helped make the nearly two-hour event run relatively seamlessly.

“It was really organized and it really worked well for the kids,” said Nicole Busha, a Sunlake High junior who volunteered on behalf of the school’s Key Club.

Pee Wee Olympics Stations
There were 12 events at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center’s Pee Wee Olympics:

Weightlifting
Tricycle Rally
Mini-Golf
Shot Put
High Jump
Long Jump
Hoop Shoot
Soccer Shoot
Javelin Toss
Discus Throw
Hurdles
Fast Dash

Published May 11, 2016

Knowledge is power in the war on sexual assault

May 4, 2016 By B.C. Manion

A group of men and women gathered at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch on April 26 for a community seminar on the issue of sexual assault.

The Sexual Assault Awareness Symposium, co-sponsored by PHSC and Sunrise of Pasco County Domestic & Sexual Violence Center covered a social issue that’s often difficult for people to talk about.

It’s a widespread problem, however.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 20 percent to 25 percent of college females are raped at some point in their college career.

Terri O’Brien, of Sunrise of Pasco County Inc. Domestic & Sexual Violence Center, said sexual violence is any kind of unwanted sexual contact. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — Terri O’Brien, of Sunrise of Pasco County Inc. Domestic & Sexual Violence Center, said sexual violence is any kind of unwanted sexual contact.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

It’s an issue that affects the way people think and how they live, said Terri O’Brien, director of training for Sunrise.

About midway through the seminar she asked the same question twice — first to the men assembled, and then to the women.

“What precautions do you take on a daily basis to avoid being sexually assaulted?” she asked.

The men offered no response.

The women, however, did: “Don’t walk to my car alone at night,” one said.

“Watch what you drink at the bar,” said another.

“Have my keys out (when walking to the car),” replied a third.

If she didn’t have to worry, O’Brien said, “I’d sleep with my windows open at night.”

It’s a fear that judges others with a broad brush, she added.

When women walk alone at night, they put their guard up, if they see a male approaching, O’Brien added. It can be “the nicest guy in the world” but most women view him “as a potential threat,” she said.

Such concerns, however, pale in comparison to the trauma that occurs to someone who is sexually assaulted, the experts at the seminar said.

“It changes their entire lives,” said Clarice Freese, a Sunrise counselor who has worked with survivors of sexual violence for 40 years.

The impact of sexual violence affects survivors, loved ones, the community and society, O’Brien said.

“Sexual violence is any type of unwanted sexual contact,” O’Brien said.

“It’s (sexual assault) not about sex. It’s about power, control and anger,” Freese said.

There are lots of ways to pressure people to have unwanted sex, O’Brien said, asking members to offer their thoughts on some of the possibilities.

“Guilt,” one suggested – “Don’t you love me?”

“Blackmail,” said another – “I’m going to out you.”

“Abuse of authority” and ”physical dominance” were other responses offered.

Sexual assault is a hard topic to talk about, Freese said, especially for survivors.

“You’re terrified that you’re going to be blamed,” she said.

When someone is assaulted, it is common to feel numb, she said.

But as those feelings wear off, a rape survivor often feels the need to talk about it.

For those who don’t know where to turn, the rape crisis hotline is a good place to start, Freese said.

“When you call a 1-800 number, wherever you’re calling from, you will be connected to the closest available rape crisis center, automatically connected,” she said.

“When I make that call, I begin to connect with someone that is going to listen through my experience. They will not judge me. They will not make demands of me. They will not say I have to, or I should. They will give me concrete, good information,” Freese said.

“What is information? Information is power,” Freese said.

Clarice Freese, a counselor to survivors of sexual violence, said unfortunately not enough has changed in the 40 years she’s been working the in field.

“I’m going to be given enough information to make a good choice for myself.

“Rape is a crisis. It’s a big one,” Freese said.

But survivors can find their way back from it and they don’t have to do that alone, she said.

What you can do:

Call the hotline at (352) 521-3120 or call 911, if you choose to report
If reporting, consider not washing or changing clothes. Important evidence may be collected.
You have a right to a free exam, whether you report or not.

• If you are unsure of what to do, consider speaking to a rape crisis counselor or someone you trust. Sunrise of Pasco County, Inc. Domestic & Sexual Violence Center, provides services free of charge. For more information, visit SunrisePasco.Org or call (352) 567-1681.

Published May 4, 2016

Fallen officers honored at memorial service

May 4, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

Dozens of citizens, along with well over a hundred Pasco County law enforcement officers, joined together at the Historic Dade City Courthouse to honor fallen officers — both past and present.

Fallen officers, both locally and nationally, were honored during a 90-minute ceremony at the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service on April 29.

During the solemn occasion, several speakers — including Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera — discussed the importance of law enforcement, commemorating those that have fallen, and those who presently serve the community.

Lopez-Cantera highlighted the state’s 2015 crime rate dip, saying, “We talk about how great it is to live in Florida and we talk about how many people are moving to our state, but don’t think for one second that we don’t always remember and recognize that we would not have these communities, these businesses moving to Florida if we did not have a 44-year low in our crime rate.

Dade City Police Chief Ray Velboom addresses the crowd at the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Historic Courthouse in Dade City. (Kevin Weiss/Staff Photos) — Dade City Police Chief Ray Velboom addresses the crowd at the annual Law Enforcement Memorial Service at the Historic Courthouse in Dade City.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photos)

“We do not forget that these men and woman protect our families, protect our business and even protect those that level meritless criticism against them,” Lopez-Cantera added. “We say, ‘thank you’ to those that have served, currently serve and their families.”

Dade City Police Chief Ray Velboom told the crowd he hopes “some year we could come to these services to remember those that have only lost their lives in the line of duty in the past, and we would have no new names to add to the memorials here or across the country.”

The 35-year veteran of law enforcement pointed out nationwide increases in line-of-duty deaths by gunfire, with 17 incidents thus far in 2016.

“We wonder why this is going on and despite all the many changes we’ve made over the years, we still see the violence and the death,” Velboom said, noting there’s been a national upheaval in policing since the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014.

Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was killed by Darren Wilson, a white police officer. The shooting prompted protests for weeks in the city, a suburb of St. Louis.

“While it’s been proven the officer acted appropriately, the event cast a shadow over the department, its practices and cultures,” Velboom said, adding “and law enforcement all around the country is being painted with that same broad brush.”

Velboom acknowledged the importance of law enforcement officers to earn the trust and respect of the citizens they serve to prevent issues in the future.

“We must continue to work on building positive relationships with our community and be as transparent as we can,” he explained. “We must work on this every day, with every action.”

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco discussed the cultural significance of the “thin blue line,” a symbol of solidarity for police officers and their families.

More than 100 law enforcement officers and dozens of citizens were present for the memorial service.

“We sometimes hear a few people talk about the thin blue line in a negative manner — where they think the blue line represents a policy where law enforcement officers have a protocol…to protect criminals who wear a badge,” Nocco said.

But Nocco said, “We actually hold the greatest responsibility to hold up the integrity of the badge, especially to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while wearing it,” Nocco said.

Despite recent negativity and pessimism toward law enforcement nationwide, Nocco, Pasco’s sheriff since 2011, said, “our world consists of men and woman, and families who understand there is good and evil in this world and evil must be defeated, no matter how ugly that may look.”

The sheriff went on to say, “Most importantly, our world is made up with true heroes, who are filled with so much bravery and love that they’re willing to give up their earthly body to protect another human being.

“We honor their sacrifices — not just on one day, but every day,” Nocco said.

Pasco County fallen officers

• Lieutenant Charles A. “Bo” Harrison

End of Watch: June 1, 2003

Cause: Gunfire

• Deputy Sheriff John Herbert “Bert” McCabe

Pasco County Sheriff’s Office

End of Watch: June 26, 1948

Cause: Automobile accident

• Deputy Sheriff William Henry O’Berry

End of Watch: Jan. 1, 1926

Cause: Gunfire

Constable Arthur Fleece Crenshaw

End of Watch: Oct. 4, 1922

Cause: Gunfire

Deputy Sheriff Sheldon S. “Shelley” Nicks

End of Watch: May 8, 1909

Cause: Gunfire

Others honored:

• Deputy Sheriff John Charles Mecklenburg
Hernando County Sheriff’s Office
End of Watch: July 3, 2011
Cause: Vehicle pursuit

• Trooper James Bradford-Jean Crooks
Florida Highway Patrol
End of Watch: May 19, 1998
Cause: Gunfire

• Federal Prohibition Agent John Van Waters
United States Department of the Treasury – Internal Revenue Service – Prohibition Unit
End of Watch: Oct. 4, 1922
Cause: Gunfire

Papal honors bestowed during special ceremony

May 4, 2016 By B.C. Manion

The pastors of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Land O’ Lakes and Saint Peter the Apostle in Trinity have received honors bestowed by Pope Francis.

The Rev. Ron Aubin and the Rev. Dennis Hughes now have an additional title, besides pastor and father — they now also bear the title of monsignor, a designation that is bestowed on those who have been named a Chaplain of His Holiness.

The Rev. Ron Aubin, left, of Our Lady of the Rosary, has received the title of monsignor. He is shown here with the Most Rev. Robert Lynch, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. (Courtesy of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church) — The Rev. Ron Aubin, left, of Our Lady of the Rosary, has received the title of monsignor. He is shown here with the Most Rev. Robert Lynch, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
(Courtesy of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church)

The Most Rev. Robert Lynch, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, nominated the men for the honor, which was officially conferred during a special ceremony on April 17 at the diocese’s Bethany Center in Lutz.

The evening also included the award of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal to 14 recipients. One person also received the Benemerenti Medal.

To be nominated to be designated as a monsignor, one must be at least 65 years old, Aubin said.

It’s typically a recognition for efforts made over a lifetime of ministry, said Aubin, who said he grew up in Catholic family, attending Catholic schools and felt called early on to be a priest.

He was surprised when he got the call from the bishop, informing him he was being nominated for the honor.

“It’s nice to be recognized,” Aubin said, adding that he thinks the older parishioners at Our Lady of the Rosary were more excited than he was by the honor.

While he is grateful to Bishop Lynch and Pope Francis for the designation, he said, “As far as I’m concerned, there’s no better title than Father.”

Aubin also noted: “when the kids started calling me Papa Ron, that was the best honorific.”

“I’m just a pastor. That’s all I am. It’s all I wanted to be,” Aubin said.

The Rev. Dennis Hughes, pastor of Saint Peter the Apostle Church in Trinity, also has received the title of monsignor. (File photo) — The Rev. Dennis Hughes, pastor of Saint Peter the Apostle Church in Trinity, also has received the title of monsignor.
(File photo)

The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal, considered the highest honor which the church awards to its lay and religious members, is granted by the Pope following the nomination of a bishop, who provides a case statement regarding the nominee’s worthiness for the designation.

Including those designated during the ceremony, only 62 men and women in the diocese of St. Petersburg have received this distinction in the past 20 years.

Local recipients of Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal were: Gerald Phillip Giglia, of St. Timothy Church in Lutz and, Arthur Francis Kirk, former president of Saint Leo University, of St. Leo Abbey/St. Rita Catholic Church, Dade City.

Published on May 4, 2016

Trekking to Iowa to compete at World Finals

May 4, 2016 By B.C. Manion

After competing together for years, a local Odyssey of the Mind team has finally accomplished its goal of qualifying to compete at the World Finals in Ames, Iowa.

Now, the team is busy raising the $5,000 they need need to make the trip.

They’re doing car washes, a garage sale and restaurant fundraisers, and are hoping for the community’s support to help make their dream come true.

The four-member team is made up of students attending three different high schools.

Two of them — Kaden Robinson and Donovan Snider — attend Wesley Chapel High School. Another — Kayla Gutierrez — attends Wiregrass Ranch High School. And, Alec Guillen attends Eastlake High School.

The coaches for the team are Kayla’s mom, Tammy and Kaden’s brother, Devin.

Coach Tammy Guitierrez, left, will be accompanying a local Odyssey of the Mind team who is making the trek to the World Finals in Ames, Iowa, at the end of May. From left are three members of the team, Kayla Guitierrez, Kaden Robinson and Donovan Snider. Alec Guillen, the other member of the team and Devin Robinson, the other coach, are not pictured. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Coach Tammy Guitierrez, left, will be accompanying a local Odyssey of the Mind team who is making the trek to the World Finals in Ames, Iowa, at the end of May. From left are three members of the team, Kayla Guitierrez, Kaden Robinson and Donovan Snider. Alec Guillen, the other member of the team and Devin Robinson, the other coach, are not pictured.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

The students from Wiregrass Ranch and Wesley Chapel have been competing together since they have been in middle school.

Other team members have come and gone, even as late as this year.

Odyssey of the Mind is an international program that encourages youths to work together as teams to use their creative and analytical skills to solve problems.

Last year, the team was on the brink of qualifying for the World Finals. They placed third at state, but only the top two teams advance to the world stage.

The year before, they came in fifth.

The core group has been together for five years, and that’s an advantage, Gutierrez said.

“We’re able to get working faster because you know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. You know who works well with what and who doesn’t, so you’re really able to divide and conquer the workload and get things done quickly,” she said.

Robinson noted another benefit: “It’s much easier to motivate each other, as well. Being together for so long, you tend to form a bond, like family.”

It’s a bond that extends beyond Odyssey, Robinson said. “We’re there in support for each other, whenever we’re going through anything in life.”

Snider agreed: “We’re a family first and a team second.”

The team has done most of the preparation it needs to do before making the 20-hour trip to Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, for the competition that will be held May 25 through May 28.

Now, they’re focusing mostly on fundraising and have a number of events planned in coming weeks.

At the world competition, they’ll be testing their skills against teams who are converging on Iowa from all over the globe. About 800 teams are expected to compete and countries that will be represented there include Russia, China, India, Poland, Japan and Morocco, to name just a few.

During one part of the competition, they’ll be presenting a play. The theme of their presentation will be “Saying Goodbye to Odyssey,” which draws on their years of competing in the competition, and which draws on their creativity and problem-solving.

“We have 8 minutes for set up and performance,” Gutierrez said. “We’re bringing past Odyssey into the present so we can move through to the future because we’re all moving on,” she said.

The entire team plans to shift into judging OM after this year because Robinson is graduating and will no longer be able to compete with them.

Snider said he’s grateful the team has held together for this long and is happy to be going out on a high note by competing at the international level.

“We’ve been trying for five years,” Snider said.

For more information about the team or the competition, or to help the team, contact Tammy Gutierrez at

Fundraisers for Odyssey of the Mind Team

Carwash: 5811 Ehren Cutoff, Land O Lakes, May 14 and May 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Moe’s fundraiser: 28211 Paseo Drive Suite 100, Wesley Chapel. May 7 and May 14, 3 p.m. to closing

Texas Roadhouse fundraiser: 26409 Silver Maple Parkway, Wesley Chapel, May 16, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Buffalo Wild Wings fundraiser: 26725 State Road 56, Wesley Chapel, May 9 and May 18, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Garage Sale: 30546 Eastcourt Drive, Wesley Chapel, May 7 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Published May 4, 2016

She’s back in the saddle again

May 4, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

Christina Glenn is back to training and riding thoroughbreds on a daily basis.

The 18-year-old was sidelined for a few years because of surgery required by a congenital heart condition.

She was born with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, meaning she had an extra electrical pathway between her heart’s upper chambers (atria) and lower chambers (ventricles), resulting in episodes of rapid heartbeats (tachycardia).

The rare condition affects about four out of every 100,000 people.

Christina Glenn and her former horse, Longo, leap through a jumping obstacle. Longo has jumped as high as 5 feet and has won several equestrian circuits. (Courtesy of Christina Glenn) — Christina Glenn and her former horse, Longo, leap through a jumping obstacle. Longo has jumped as high as 5 feet and has won several equestrian circuits.
(Courtesy of Christina Glenn)

Now a freshman at Pasco-Hernando State College, Glenn began riding horses at about age 7, but had to stop to have a heart procedure.

“When I was little, I always liked horse movies…and being outdoors,” said Glenn, noting she has an affection for all animals.

“It’s all she wanted to do since she was a little girl,” her mother, Monique said. “She would always say, ‘I want to ride horses, I just want to ride horses.’”

Shortly after she began riding as an adolescent, Glenn’s cardiologist advised her to stop the activity until she had heart surgery. The surgery removed the extra electrical pathway through the use of a catheter-based procedure, otherwise known as ablation.

Heeding her physician’s recommendation, Glenn stopped riding for about five years before being receiving the OK to resume equestrian-related activities.

She hasn’t stopped riding since.

“I like the adrenaline and the thrill,” said Glenn, who trains horses at Showcase Farms in Lutz. “I’m actually the only one in my family that really likes (riding) horses; we’re actually all allergic to horses.”

Shortly after starting back up, Glenn “fell in love” with Longo, a 1,200-pound horse named after Tampa Bay Rays all-star third baseman Evan Longoria.

Formerly mistreated when it was younger, Longo came to Glenn as a very “scared and skittish” horse, making its training a lengthy work-in-progress.

“He was like the horse that no one wanted to ride in the barn,” said Glenn, a 2015 graduate of Sunlake High School. “When we went to our first (equestrian) show, we couldn’t even get a saddle on him. He was rearing up and bucking and would try to run you over.”

To contain the horse, Glenn would work with Longo four days to five days a week, training him as a show hunter and jumper over a period of about four years.

“There’s a lot of therapy with horses,” Monique said. “They worked together and created that bond and strengthened each other, and helped with each other’s weaknesses.

“They both healed each other,” Monique added. “I think she healed his heart and he healed hers, too.”

Glenn developed Longo—who’s show name is ‘Home Run Hitter’— to the point where he was able to surpass 5-foot jumps, and perform well in several equestrian circuits throughout the state, including the 2015 HITS (Horse Shows in the Sun) Horse Show in Ocala, where together they placed first in a class of 60 entries.

“They won a lot of competitions together—a lot of really good competitions together,” Glenn’s mother said.

With Longo aging—he’s approximately 20 years old — and Glenn’s desires to compete at an even higher level, she made the tough decision to sell the aging horse in December to Kaycie Smith, a fellow equestrian.

“This is kind of his retirement job because he’s jumping 2 (feet) to 3 feet now,” Smith said. “He’s not jumping as high now that he’s a little older.”

“It worked out the best way possible,” said Glenn, noting she’s often able visit Longo at the stables in Lutz. “He can still jump, but we don’t want to injure him.”

Glenn’s current project is a 1,400-pound, 5-year-old horse named Zen, whom she bought from an owner in Colorado a few months back.

Zen is still in the beginning stages of his training and development, Glenn said, adding she plans to start competing with the horse this summer.

“He’s very hard to train, and didn’t (initially) know what I was asking him, but these last few weeks, he’s already gotten 50 times better than he’s been,” Glenn explained. “We’ll probably do a few shows this year, get him off the property and get him used to the environment of showing.”

As she continues to work with Zen and to continue her equestrian career, Glenn hopes to one day become a full-time horse trainer.

“I’m thinking about…majoring in Family Counseling and Psychology, and working with children and horses in some kind of a therapeutic way,” she said. “That’d be my dream job.”

As for her heart condition, Glenn said she had a few episodes during her senior year of high school, where she would sometimes get dizzy and “pass out” during intense physical activity.

While noting she’s fine now, Glenn and her family continue to closely monitor her health.

“We’re just keeping an eye on it and (keeping) our fingers crossed,” her mother said.

Published May 4, 2016

Putting the spotlight on substance abuse

May 4, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Taking aim at substance abuse requires a new mindset, if efforts are to succeed, speakers said at the fifth annual Substance Abuse Prevention Conference on April 29.

The biggest crisis hitting Florida today is the heroin and opioid epidemic, but the issue isn’t treated that way, said Mark Fontaine, executive director of Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association.

“We have 13 cases of Zika virus and we write all about the 13 cases of Zika virus.

“We have people dying every day in this state from heroin and from other drugs — we have more deaths in Florida than from auto accidents or from firearms, from addiction. That is not on the front page every day.

“In the city of Delray, there were 163 overdoses from January through the end of March,” Fontaine added. “We need a higher profile around this issue.”

His remarks came during a panel discussion at a conference that drew about 400 people to the Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel. The conference was presented by BayCare Behavioral Health and the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP).

The panel was just one of many ways that conference-goers could learn more about substance abuse issues and ways to tackle the problem. There were vendors there and numerous breakout sessions during the afternoon.

During the panel discussion, Fontaine said it’s not enough to merely focus attention on the problem of substance abuse, there’s also a need to shift society’s attitude about addressing it.

“This is a health condition. This is not a criminal justice condition. People have drug problems and they are addicted to drugs. We need to change the conversation to this being a condition that needs help, it needs assistance, it needs information, we need to make treatment available,” Fontaine said.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco characterized the issue as a community problem, requiring a united response.

“Our jail is probably the largest hospital in the county because we’re dealing with so much addiction,” Nocco said.
“Our role is to break up the criminal enterprise. But law enforcement alone cannot win the war on drugs,” he said.

People with substance abuse will find a way to fuel their addiction, he said. “That’s a mental health issue. That’s a healthcare issue.”

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said the issue hits close to home because she has a relative who has struggled. She said the county has taken aim at drug houses, through the county’s code enforcement efforts.

Michael J. Napier, administrator for the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County, said a more coordinated approach is needed, tied to specific goals.

“We’re really at a point where we need to be able to do an assessment of — what is the status of Pasco County?” Napier said.

He suggests that it’s time to “put a stake in the ground, set some measures and then hold ourselves each accountable that we accomplish that measure.

“It isn’t always about dollars. It’s about organizations and aligning resources,” Napier said.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning agreed with both Nocco and Napier.

““It is a community problem. We are in this together. We have to get it fixed together,” Browning said. “We need to have a coordinated effort. We need to have a plan. We need to be committed to it.”

The substance abuse problem is widespread, Browning said. “We deal with affluent families and we deal with families in poverty. What I find is that substance abuse issues cut across all socioeconomics.”

It’s a problem that can affect any family, agreed Kelly Mothershead, owner of A Focus on Fitness, based in Wesley Chapel.

“I’m actually a parent of an only child who died from a prescription drug overdose five years ago. It was devastating,” Mothershead said. “None of us thinks our child will be a prescription drug addict.”

Her son was in culinary school and was injured at work. He was prescribed Oxycontin, and it snowballed from there. He went through rehab, was injured at work again, and once again received a prescription for Oxycontin – despite Motherhead’s objections. He died of an overdose three days later.

She decided to get involved.

“We need to talk about it. We don’t talk about drug addiction because there’s a stigma attached to it. We don’t want anyone to know that our child is addicted to drugs. We don’t want anyone to know that there’s someone in our family that’s a recovering addict,” Mothershead said.

That has to change, she added.

“It’s a disease and we need to come together to fix it.

“We have to educate ourselves, our businesses, our communities — not just our kids,” Mothershead said. She suggests delivering some of this education in the work place, to give working parents access to the information.

Involvement is exactly what’s needed, said Lt. Commander Michael Muni, who served on President Barack Obama’s National Heroin Task Force and was one of the event’s keynote speakers.

It’s difficult work, Muni said.

“There’s not very much recognition for doing this work. There is no fame. There is no fortune in this work,” he said.

But it’s essential to have goals, in order to make progress, he said.

He encouraged conference-goers to be inspired and to step up their efforts.

“The time will never be right. The place will never be right. The situation will never be right. You have to make the opportunity. You have to make the conscious decision that you want to do something great.

“Greatness is a lot of small things, done well. And, it’s done at a local level,” Muni said.

Published on May 5, 2016