The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

A graduation ceremony for one

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Some days don’t go exactly as planned.

Just ask Danielle Bunin.

The Land O’ Lakes’ resident was in line on April 30 waiting for the procession to start for her commencement ceremony at Saint Leo University.

While waiting, Bunin —six months pregnant at the time — stepped away from the crowd to get some fresh air. She passed out, fell down and landed on her stomach.

Bradley Bunin, left, holding 2-year-old Ashton Bunin, beams with pride as his wife, Danielle Bunin, holds the master’s degree given to her by Saint Leo University President William Lennox. (Courtesy of Ben Watters/Saint Leo University)
Bradley Bunin, left, holding 2-year-old Ashton Bunin, beams with pride as his wife, Danielle Bunin, holds the master’s degree given to her by Saint Leo University President William Lennox.
(Courtesy of Ben Watters/Saint Leo University)

After an ambulance ride and four hours in an emergency room, Bunin heard the good news that her baby would be fine. But, she had missed a graduation that meant so much to her and her family.

She had expected to receive her second degree from the university that day — a master’s in business administration in human resource management.

“She was really looking forward to making that walk,” said her husband, Bradley Bunin. “She was so upset that she didn’t make it.”

It turns out that the staff at Saint Leo wanted to make things right.

On June 6, Bunin received her degree at a commencement ceremony held just for her at Saint Leo’s main campus, off State Road 52 in St. Leo.

She received her degree from William Lennox, the university’s president.

Family members looked on, with pride.

Bradley Bunin’s brother, Matthew Bunin, flew in from Las Vegas to attend the ceremony.

“It’s inspiring to see what she has accomplished,” her brother-in-law said.

Danielle Bunin and Lennox stood in caps and gowns outside the president’s office, framed under an archway.

After receiving her degree, Bunin responded with gratitude.

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. It’s incredible that you were able to make this happen,” she said.

Lennox said personally bestowing the degree to her meant something special.

“We know how much work goes into this. It’s important to do this,” he said.

Saint Leo has nearly 16,000 undergraduates and graduates who enroll in course work at more than 40 locations in seven states, and online from anywhere.

Lennox said the university reaches out in particular to students who are in mid-career seeking to expand their possibilities.

“That takes an awful lot of work from the family,” he said.

Danielle Bunin gave credit to her husband.

She works at home as a social media marketer. Bradley Bunin is a salesman with an IT company.

She often spent nights doing coursework and taking tests that had to be finished within specific deadlines.

Her husband would free up her time and watch after the couple’s 2-year-old son, Ashton.

“It was a team effort,” she said.

Danielle Bunin and her family might also qualify as “Team Saint Leo.”

Bradley Bunin is a Saint Leo graduate.

His wife received her bachelor of arts degree two years ago when she was then pregnant with Ashton. At that ceremony, Danielle Bunin’s mother, Lorene Mervis, also received her bachelor of arts degree in sociology.

The next order of business is awaiting the arrival of the newest Bunin – a second son.

The baby is due in August.

Published June 15, 2016

No one hurt in Saddlebrook fire

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Quick actions by a student at Saddlebrook Preparatory School averted the potential loss of life, in the early morning hours of June 9.

About 2:30 a.m., the student smelled smoked and went searching for the source.

When he saw smoke, “he pulled the alarm. He started knocking on doors. His roommates went and knocked on doors. He called security, and security came down and they knocked on doors,” said Pat Ciaccio, general manager of Saddlebrook Resort Tampa, at 5700 Saddlebrook Way in Wesley Chapel.

It took 55 Pasco County Fire Rescue firefighters more than an hour-and-a-half to extinguish the blaze that broke out in the boys’ dormitory at Saddlebrook Preparatory School in the early morning hours of June 9. No one was injured, but the damage was extensive. (Courtesy of Pasco County Fire Rescue)
It took 55 Pasco County Fire Rescue firefighters more than an hour-and-a-half to extinguish the blaze that broke out in the boys’ dormitory at Saddlebrook Preparatory School in the early morning hours of June 9. No one was injured, but the damage was extensive.
(Courtesy of Pasco County Fire Rescue)

The resort has been home to an international school for aspiring professional tennis players and golfers since 1993. Ninety-six students, from 26 countries, attend the school, including 54 who board at the resort. While the school is for students from grade three through 12, it only boards eighth- through 12th-graders.

There were 28 students and two adults in the boys’ dormitory which caught fire, and everyone got out of the building without injury, Ciaccio said.

“We were able to get all of the students out actually, before there were flames. There was just smoke at the time,” Ciaccio said.

“From that point on, it turned into a three-alarm,” Ciaccio said.

Pasco County Fire Rescue Training Chief Shawn Whited said when the fire department crews arrived, “they had heavy fire through the roof of the building.

“As we were getting there, we realized there was a lot of fire there, so we called for a second- and third-alarm to help fight the fire,” Whited added. “The building was heavily damaged. The roof was burned off.”

It took 55 firefighters more than 1 ½ hours to put out the fire, and fire department investigators were still on the scene hours later, trying to determine the cause for the blaze, Whited said.

It turns out that the fire was started by a faulty bathroom exhaust fan/ bathroom heater mounted in the ceiling, Whited said.

No estimates were available on the extent of the loss, but Whited described the damage as extensive. “They’re going to have to gut the entire building,” he said.

On the afternoon after the fire, Ciaccio said, “Really, the extent of the damage — it’s too early — the adjusters aren’t even at the property yet.”

In the short term, the boarders from the boys’ dorm were relocated to the next courtyard.

“They’ll remain in there, those that stay for summer school, and then next school year, we’ll go back into there until Courtyard 11 is rebuilt,” Ciaccio said.

The general manager praised the students, resort staff and emergency rescue workers for their response.

The student who smelled the smoke “went into fire-drill mode,” Ciaccio said, explaining that the school and dormitories have monthly fire drills to know how to handle such emergencies.

“When your chief of security is calling you at 3 a.m., it’s not a good phone call. To arrive on property shortly after that and to have everything as buttoned down — you don’t ever want the tragedy to happen, but you feel good about the preparation,” he said.

“In an hour’s time, we had them (students) relocated to another courtyard, and they were in rooms, laying down,” he said.

He was particularly impressed by the way the students conducted themselves.

“They are in pressure situations all of the time on the tennis court, on the golf course. And, obviously that just extended into their personal lives, because they handled this situation so effortlessly.

“We were business as usual today. The kids were in class, taking exams,” Ciaccio said.

That is, except for the 28 who were in the dorm on the night of the fire. They were excused from exams.

Published June 15, 2016

First-time Guv’na candidate enjoying the ‘campaign’

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Andre Pamplona is relatively new to the area, having moved to Lutz from Miami just last June.

But, that didn’t stop the general manager of Royal Lanes Bowling from jumping into the race to become Lutz Guv’na.

Pamplona was first encouraged to run by Suzin Carr, who serves as ambassador for the annual race for the honorary title. Carr is the only one who has been named Guv’na twice in the Lutz charity event.

Andre Pamplona is a candidate for the Lutz annual Guv’na Race. Pamplona is the general manager of Royal Lanes Bowling, at 1927 Brinson Road in Lutz. (File Photo)
Andre Pamplona is a candidate for the Lutz annual Guv’na Race. Pamplona is the general manager of Royal Lanes Bowling, at 1927 Brinson Road in Lutz.
(File Photo)

For Pamplona, it was a “no-brainer” to throw his name into the hat, and “help the community” through fundraising.

Having a storefront property in Lutz has made fundraising efforts relatively seamless.

“One of the things we already do a lot here at Royal Lanes is try to make a venue for nonprofit organizations to raise funds in a very inexpensive way,” Pamplona said. “We try to gear it to as many different groups as we can,” he said.

“It’s one of those things where the community is aware of (the Guv’na Race) because it’s been around for so many years, so it wasn’t really something I had to pitch too hard,” he added.

As one of just two Guv’na candidates, Pamplona has also been able to make several newfound personal connections while acclimating himself to his new surroundings in West Central Florida.

“Everyone’s been very receptive,” he said. “I was able to meet a lot of people in the community that otherwise would have just been patrons of mine, but they don’t see me face-to-face and you don’t get to say ‘Hi’ all the time. So, you’re able to meet different people in the community.”

Pamplona has already raised “quite a bit of money” through a few fundraising events at the bowling alley. He’s also received some donations from bowlers at Royal Lanes.

Not big contributions, mind you.

“It’s been nickels and quarters at a time,” he said.

Whether he wins this year or not, Pamplona said he’d “definitely” consider getting involved in Guv’na festivities again.

“Because I have the (bowling alley), it makes no sense for me not to do it every year,” he said.

“Even if I don’t run, I’ll maybe get behind a candidate to hold events here at Royal Lanes; a lot of people that ran in the past didn’t have a storefront or a brick-and-mortar, so it was hard for them to raise funds.”

One aspect of the Guv’na Race that Pamplona won’t soon forget is his participation in last month’s amusing Lutz Guv’na Debate at the Old Lutz School, where he squared off against fellow Guv’na candidate Greg Gilbert, of Beef O’ Brady’s, in a mostly tongue-in-cheek event. That’s where Pamplona unveiled his campaign slogan: “Raising the education of bowling.”

“It was a lot of fun,” he said about the debate. “The good thing about it was instead of being a serious or tense thing, we came up with a lot funny answers here and there; the watermelon-eating contest was the best part.”

The Guv’na race continues through the Fourth of July weekend, where the winner is announced, and earns the coveted “sash” from the prior year’s winner. Last year’s winner was Jennifer Rankin, who raised more than $9,200 throughout the 2015 race.

The annual charity event— which started in 1991— is sponsored by the Lutz Civic Association, and benefits about 20 local causes, including the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Old Lutz School and the Friends of the Library.

The winner of the Guv’na Race may also earmark 10 percent of what they raise to the organization of their choice.

If you’d like to contribute to Pamplona’s campaign, call (813) 949-3606.

Published June 15, 2016

Lutz Cemetery Association seeks donations

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The Lutz Cemetery has been a landmark in the community for a century, but it often goes unnoticed.

There’s a group of dedicated volunteers, with the nonprofit Lutz Cemetery Association, who want to make sure that the grave sites within the cemetery off U.S. 41 are not neglected.

Donations help pay for upkeep, including mowing grass and maintaining gravesites.

Bill Garrison planted flags at the Lutz Cemetery to honor the many veterans buried there. (File Photo)
Bill Garrison planted flags at the Lutz Cemetery to honor the many veterans buried there.
(File Photo)

Many burial plots over the years were sold without perpetual care plans, according to Kathy Vanater, secretary/treasurer of the association.

The group raises money to help maintain the cemetery. It will have a booth at the annual Fourth of July festivities in Lutz, but donations are welcome any time, Vanater said.

About 1,600 people are buried at the Lutz Cemetery, including members of prominent families, past and present.

Among them are Fred Polen, a teacher at Myrtle School, and later a mail carrier; Herbert Vernon, owner of Vernon & Land Co.; and, three generations of the Goheen family.

It is also the final resting place of Oscar Cooler, a champion of Lutz youth sports; and Carolyn Meeker, former president of the Lutz Civic Association.

The hallowed ground is a legacy donated to Lutz residents by C.E. Thomas, who was president of the North Tampa Land Company in the early 20th century.

A group of Chicago investors bought about 32,000 acres, north of the city of Tampa. They sold vacant lots to some of the early settlers of Lutz, and made an offer that anyone who bought 10 acres could have a free lot in town or a burial plot in the cemetery.

For many years after its founding, Lutz residents would gather once or twice a year to clean up the cemetery. However, that practice ended long ago. In the 1950s, the nonprofit association stepped in to fill the gap.

For information or to make a donation, people can stop by the association’s booth on July 4. Or, donations can be mailed to Lutz Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 1353, Lutz, FL 33548.

Published June 15, 2016

Welcome 700 Dade City Families!

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With this edition of The Laker, we’re proud to welcome 700 Dade City families to weekly home delivery of our newspaper.

If you live in the downtown area, or in subdivisions south of town along Fort King Road and Clinton Avenue, you most likely found today’s paper in your driveway, and can look forward to receiving it every Wednesday.

In addition to this new home delivery, we’ll continue to distribute 2,000 Lakers every week to 60 newspaper boxes, business locations and public buildings in the Dade City – San Antonio area. In Zephyrhills, we have another 130 outlets and 6,300 papers.

Adding circulation is a big deal in the newspaper world, especially one that represents a 35 percent jump in one community, all in one week. And we do so without hesitation, and with much confidence, because Dade City readers and business leaders have been asking for home delivery of The Laker for some time.

So when The Tampa Tribune stopped publishing so suddenly and unexpectedly in early May, we decided there was no better time than right now to add home delivery in Dade City. With the help of the fine folks at The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, we selected neighborhoods with demographics that matched those of newspaper readers, and decided to take the plunge and add all 700 homes the Chamber was recommending.

Our goal is to fill the void left behind by the closing of The Tampa Tribune, which always had a strong following in east Pasco. Earlier this year, we began to step up our East Pasco news coverage when we hired Kevin Weiss as a full-time reporter assigned to Zephyrhills, Dade City and San Antonio.

Kevin, a 2014 graduate of the University of South Florida, has the enthusiasm, energy and passion about community journalism that make his stories easy to read and understand. He is a talented, hard-working young man I’m proud to employ, and one I hope you have an opportunity to meet.

Joining Kevin in our East Pasco news coverage is Kathy Steele, a seasoned journalist and excellent writer who covers transportation, growth and development, as well as Pasco County government. Kathy joined our staff a year-and-a-half ago after 15 years as a Tampa Tribune reporter.

Our newest journalist whose coverage includes East Pasco is Tom Jackson, another Tampa Tribune veteran who wrote a column about Pasco County politics and people for more than 18 years.

Tom began writing his column for The Laker two weeks after The Tampa Tribune shut down. His knowledge about Pasco County, and his genuine love for its people, passionately pours through his words.  You’ll know what I mean if you read Tom’s column last week about the tragic bicycling death of Joe Hancock, a Dade City citrus farmer whose family has lived in Dade City for generations. It was a poignant column that was so well written that it brought me to tears, even though I did not know Joe or his family.

It’s Kevin, Kathy, Tom and editor B.C. Manion, who brings all this talent together, to give you an interesting and relevant news package every week. Their work makes The Laker different from other newspapers in East Pasco.

We give you a broader, county-wide viewpoint that includes news and stories about issues and people throughout central and east Pasco, including Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes and Lutz.

People in Dade City and Zephyrhills are a vital part of this larger Pasco community. It’s where you shop, work, attend school, meet friends for dinner or drinks, go to movies, practice your faith, and visit family and friends.

Because your interests go beyond the town limits of Dade City and Zephyrhills, The Laker will continue to bring you stories about this larger, vibrant community where we make our lives.

Published June 15, 2016

$90,000 makeover gives public pool a fresh look

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Swimmers were splashing around the pool at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, enjoying the facility which recently received a $90,000 makeover.

Some adult swimmers swam laps, while some kids received instruction from Coach Robin Hilgenberg.

Lifeguard Jordan Wheeler, 19, of Land O’ Lakes, keeps a close watch on the swimmers in the pool at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex. This is his third season at the pool. (Fred Bellet/Photos)
Lifeguard Jordan Wheeler, 19, of Land O’ Lakes, keeps a close watch on the swimmers in the pool at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex. This is his third season at the pool.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

A little while later, others joined in, taking a refreshing dip on a scorching hot day.

Normally, the pool is open in time for Memorial Day holiday, but this year it wasn’t, because of delays on the project to upgrade the pool.

Besides resurfacing the pool, and repainting the deck, the pool’s shower facilities were improved, too.

The last time the pool had been resurfaced was during the 1990s.

Jordan Wheeler, a head lifeguard at the pool, said the improvements are noticeable.

“If you go in there, it feels a lot better on your feet. There were some holes on the backside over there, that got completely mended,” he said.

It looks better, too, he said.

“The water, now, is a lot more blue,” said Wheeler, who is working at the pool for his third season.

Coach Robin Hilgenberg, with the Florida Elite Swim Team, teaches a group in her swim class the importance of being able to float on one’s back.
Coach Robin Hilgenberg, with the Florida Elite Swim Team, teaches a group in her swim class the importance of being able to float on one’s back.

The pool has a capacity for 150 guests, but typically doesn’t get that crowded, he said, noting the most he’s seen there at one time was about 120.

A number of summer camps visit the pool, and the kids seem to enjoy themselves.

“It gets rowdy, that’s for sure,” he said.

The pool’s upgrades were done primarily in the off-season, he said.

“We were only closed for about a week and a half in the time that we’d normally be open,” Wheeler said. “It was less than optimal that we didn’t get to open on Memorial Day. Usually, a lot of people want to come by. It’s practically the first day of summer. People want to go out and spend their day out at the pool.”

“We’re really excited to have this facility cleaned up a little bit, because last year it was kind of in sad shape,” said Kristany Fitzthum, supervisor at the site.

With the repair work completed, Fitzthum hopes people will take advantage of the pool.

Like a synchronized swimmer, Marie Berghoefer, of Land O’ Lakes, works on her backstroke as she sweeps through a lane in the recently reopened swimming pool at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex. Berghoefer has been a regular at the pool for 10 years.
Like a synchronized swimmer, Marie Berghoefer, of Land O’ Lakes, works on her backstroke as she sweeps through a lane in the recently reopened swimming pool at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex. Berghoefer has been a regular at the pool for 10 years.

“I don’t think many people know that we’re open. Our first day, we had four people here. Yesterday, we had 12 or 13,” she said.

To make matters worse, there was lightning on both afternoons, which meant they had to clear the pool.

When lightning is within a 10-mile radius of the pool, it is cleared for a half-hour before swimmers can return, Fitzthum said.

The price of admission is reasonable, Fitzthum noted. The daily charge for swimming is $4 for adults and $3 for children. Passes also are available. A family of four, with two adults and two children, is $120; an adult pass is $80, and a child’s pass is $60.

“The New Port Richey Recreation Center, it’s $7 to get in and swim, per person,” Fitzthum said.

Another advantage at the Land O’ Lakes complex is that there’s an adults’ only hour from 11 a.m. to noon, she said.

The pool temperature is kept at 80 degrees to 83 degrees.

“Most of the people who come here are really local. Most of our people who come are regulars. So, we can form really good relationships with them. We know all of them by name,” Fitzthum said.

Nancy and Bernie Guss, who live in Plantation Palms, are both retired from Pasco County Schools.

Lifeguard, Zachary Daniels, 19, of Hudson keeps a close eye on swimmers from his chair, high above the pool at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex. Daniels recently joined the pool’s staff.
Lifeguard, Zachary Daniels, 19, of Hudson keeps a close eye on swimmers from his chair, high above the pool at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex. Daniels recently joined the pool’s staff.

They began using the pool when it opened, and their now-grown daughter was a member of a swim team there.

“We can do our yard work in the morning, and then just come over here in the afternoon and relax,” Nancy Guss said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of classes they offer. I hope they have a variety of classes,” she said.

Marie Berghoefer, who was doing laps, said she’s been swimming at the pool for 10 years. A lifelong swimmer, she said she enjoys coming to the pool and will be there as often as she can be this summer.

Carrie Kukuda, also of Land O’ Lakes, was swimming laps, too.

She said she appreciates the convenience of the pool, not only for herself but for members of the triathlon team from Get A Grip Total Fitness, where she is the owner, trainer and head coach.

As Coach Hilgenberg taught her class, some parents looked on.

Debbie Fisher has two kids — 13-year-old Tyler Esenberg and 11-year-old Kayla Esenberg — in the class, and Larisa Curbelo’s son, Nick, is taking it, too.

“This is their first day,” said Fisher, who lives in Lake Padgett. “They want to try out for high school swim. They want to be ready,” Fisher said. Tyler is going into eighth grade, and Kayla will be in seventh.

“They learned how to swim in Coach Robin’s backyard when they were young,” Fisher said, but they don’t swim competitively, and they want to learn the proper techniques.

She was glad they were there.

“They look happy,” Fisher said.

Curbelo, who lives in Wilderness Lake Preserve, said her 12-year-old son is “big into fitness now.”

She’s impressed by the pool at the Land O’ Lakes complex.

“It’s a beautiful pool,” she said.

“It’s great that they have somewhere to go,” Curbelo added.

The pool is open Tuesdays through Sunday. It opens at 11 a.m. on weekdays, and closes at 6 p.m. It opens at 11 a.m. on weekends, and closes at 7 p.m.

Week day hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Weekend hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Adults swim only, 11 a.m. to noon
Closed on Mondays, except for holidays
Daily admission: $4 adults, $3 children. (Passes: Family, $120; adult, $80; child, $60)

Published June 15, 2016

Bids come in too low for Eve’s Garden

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Auctioneer Marty Higgenbotham called a halt to the public auction of real estate at Eve’s Garden when it became clear the bids were too low.

Auctioneer Marty Higgenbotham, left, and Evie Lynn, owner of Eve’s Garden, confer on price of a bonsai plant during public auction of real estate, plants and other inventory. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)
Auctioneer Marty Higgenbotham, left, and Evie Lynn, owner of Eve’s Garden, confer on price of a bonsai plant during public auction of real estate, plants and other inventory.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)

But, Higgenbotham and owner Evie Lynn say they will keep working to sell the property for the best price they can get.

“It was too soon, too quick,” said Lynn of the auction’s scheduled date of June 10.

Potential buyers didn’t have enough time to review the site’s commercial potential and make an offer, she said.

Higgenbotham Auctioneers International handled the auction of real estate, plants and inventory at Eve’s Garden, 5602 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

After 33 years, Lynn is relocating her business to about 55 acres in Groveland in Lake County. She anticipates a grand opening in December.

About 20 people waited under an intense sun, as Higgenbotham kicked off the auction. Only two people bid on the real estate, and their offers climbed no higher than $445,000 for one parcel. Bidding started at $400,000.

“We sell mobile homes for $400,000. Are you kidding me?”  Higgenbotham said.

Total acreage is about seven acres, with frontage on U.S. 41 and lake frontage to the rear of the site. The parcels, of 2.1 acres and 4.7 acres, could be purchased separately or together.

Susan Barreto and her brother-in-law, Frank Corradini, both of San Antonio, bid on several bonsai plants during a public action at Eve’s Garden.
Susan Barreto and her brother-in-law, Frank Corradini, both of San Antonio, bid on several bonsai plants during a public action at Eve’s Garden.

The property includes the nursery, gift shop and warehouse. Inventory included bonsai, bamboo plants, koi fish, jewelry, nursery supplies and other gift items.

Local gardeners often came to Eve’s for bonsai and other plants and gifts. But, the vast majority of Lynn’s business has been on the wholesale side, nationwide, to gift shops, nurseries and brand name stores, such as Walgreen’s and Publix. Her bonsai nursery is one of the largest in the nation.

While the real estate didn’t sell, some plants and other inventory from Eve’s Garden and gift shop did sell.

San Antonio resident Frank Corradini and his sister-in-law, Susan Barreto, bid on several bonsai plants. Corradini has created his own bonsai for about 40 years.

He admired Lynn’s specimens.

“These are just so nice,” he said. “I want to expand my garden a bit.”

Published June 15, 2016

Upscale RV park rolling into Dade City

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Recreational vehicles and RV parks dot the landscape of rural thoroughfares surrounding Dade City.

But, just north of the historic downtown district, a very uncommon RV park is being planned. This project, an upscale RV gated community with amenities more often found in pricey single-family home subdivisions, is moving toward development.

Hill Country Estates is at 17151 U.S. 301, atop one of Dade City’s rolling hills.

Hill Country Estates has 37 ready-to-build lots for RV owners looking for homes with pull-through garages and amenities such as a guest house, garden, court yard and observation deck atop the garage. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
Hill Country Estates has 37 ready-to-build lots for RV owners looking for homes with pull-through garages and amenities such as a guest house, garden, court yard and observation deck atop the garage.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

“It’s a pretty unusual project,” said Jack Buckley, real estate solutions provider with Exit Realty in Land O’ Lakes.

The site has 37 ready-to-build one-acre lots.

Construction on the first site is anticipated within 45 days.

A standard feature will be a pull-through RV garage. Buyers will have several floor plan options ranging from about 1,200 square feet up to a more customized 5,000 square feet.

There will be one-bedroom, one-bath; two-bedroom, two- bath; and three-bedroom and two-bath houses.

Amenities can include an observation deck atop the garage, a pool house, garden and courtyard. The base price will be about $505,000. There also would be fees for a homeowner’s association.

“We like to think these would be a second residence,” said Buckley. Though for some, he said it could be a third or fourth home.

Interest in the homes has been high, Buckley said, with more than 90 inquiries. Developers hope to acquire an additional 98 acres from an adjacent golf course in order to build another 80 homes, he said.

The initial goal is to sell at least half of the existing lots, and then expand, Buckley added.

The project’s location is centrally located with easy access to Interstate 75, and trips to Tampa International Airport and downtown.

But, Buckley said there also is plenty happening now and in the future in Dade City. Potential projects could include a new golf course and a boutique hotel, he said.

The Publix grocery store that opened in late 2015 at the corner of U.S. 301 and Clinton Avenue is also a plus. It’s a short drive from Hill Country Estates.

“That’s a big feature for us, because years ago where would people go to do their shopping?” Buckley said.

Published June 15, 2016

Famous Tate aiming for fall opening

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A new Famous Tate could be open as soon as fall.

Site preparation for the 13,700-square-foot appliance store is underway off U.S. 41 in Lutz. The store will sit on an outparcel in front of the Walmart Supercenter, and will be Pasco County’s third Famous Tate.

Famous Tate of New Tampa Inc., purchased the 1.5-acre vacant lot in March 2015.

A new Famous Tate off U.S. 41, in front of Walmart Supercenter, is expected to open by fall. It will be Pasco County’s third Famous Tate appliance store. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
A new Famous Tate off U.S. 41, in front of Walmart Supercenter, is expected to open by fall. It will be Pasco County’s third Famous Tate appliance store.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

Owner John Horst said at the time that he wanted his company to be “a player” in the growth coming to the area.

“We have a lot of customer base,” said Claude Ward, the company’s general manager.

But, growth in the area also will bring more traffic, he said.

“As traffic becomes a hardship, people only drive so far, so we have to be more centrally located for our customers.”

Bulldozers recently cleared the land. The next step will be building permits to begin the store’s construction.

It tentatively is set for a fall opening, said Ward.

Famous Tate was founded in 1954. Its Pasco locations are 5419 Village Market in Wesley Chapel, and 8010 Grand Blvd., in Port Richey.

The store will have company, as developers are starting to buy more of the outparcels surrounding the Walmart location.

The discount store and the County Line shopping plaza are located in a pie-shaped swath of land between U.S. 41 and North Dale Mabry Highway, with entrances off both roadways.

New Port Richey Hospital Inc., a subsidiary of HCA Holdings Inc., recently bought a 1.6-acre vacant lot, across from Famous Tate. Plans are to build a health care facility, according to a press release from The Land Sharks LLC, which brokered the sale.

Another outparcel is slated for a Stor-Kwik Self Storage.

Mark Cooney of The Land Sharks also anticipates a restaurant and automobile store are potential new tenants on other outparcels.

Published June 15, 2016

Land O’ Lakes native screening TV pilot

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Ryan Paul James’ first brush with fame came at the age of 6, when his name was listed in The Laker/Lutz News.

“I was playing Little League there, with the Red Sox. All of the players were mentioned there in an article,” said James, a former Land O’ Lakes resident, now an actor and writer who lives in Los Angeles.

Since moving to L.A., he’s performed in two dozen plays, has written 10 plays and is now shopping a pilot for a television show he’s written called “The Comeback Kids.”

The show is about a pair of actors who were famous as children and are attempting a comeback, decades later.

Melissa Disney is married to Ryan Paul James, who grew up in Land O’ Lakes. He’s shopping a television pilot, ‘The Comeback Kids,’ and she’s an acclaimed voiceover artist. She’s also related to Walt Disney, although she never met him. (Courtesy of Ryan Paul james)
Melissa Disney is married to Ryan Paul James, who grew up in Land O’ Lakes. He’s shopping a television pilot, ‘The Comeback Kids,’ and she’s an acclaimed voiceover artist. She’s also related to Walt Disney, although she never met him.
(Courtesy of Ryan Paul james)

While no one has picked up the television show yet, it has been screened at film festivals in such places as Los Angeles, Honolulu, Miami, Switzerland, Australia and London.

It also has picked up a number of awards.

It’s a project James has been working on for five years. He’s written eight episodes of the show and has casted most of them, with different stars who would be making appearances as themselves, or performing a role in the sitcom.

The TV pilot most recently screened on June 10 at The Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

James said his desire to act began when he was a young boy, when his dad was a wildlife officer and the family lived on the grounds of Pine View Middle School in Land O’ Lakes.

“Living in the middle of nowhere and playing there on the campus of Pine View, I would let my imagination go.

“I remember, that, like for a year, they were building their (Pine View Middle) gym. I don’t think I can get in trouble for this anymore — but I would go in there and play Indiana Jones,” James said.

“I would watch probably too much television,” he added.

His acting debut came in 1994 when he played the role of a Mousekateer on the Mickey Mouse Club, filmed in Orlando. His acting teacher, who was the show’s casting director, got him the gig, he said.

He knew from the beginning the role would be a short run.

“When I was brought on, they’d already announced that the show was cancelled,” James said.

He replaced a cast member who wanted to go to Los Angeles to pursue a music career.

James moved to Los Angeles in 1995 to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

But, that didn’t last long, either.

“I was so homesick, and I hated L.A. — could not stand it,” he said.

So, he returned to the Tampa Bay area, where he became a disc jockey on 100.7 Kiss FM.

“I wasn’t really looking to get into radio, but it just happened for me. I bounced around to a couple of other radio stations. A radio station out here in Los Angeles heard one of my air checks, and they called me up and wanted to see if I would be interested in coming out here,” he said.

He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do.

So, he prayed about it.

“I was like, ‘God, you’ve got to give me a sign here’,” James said.

He knew he couldn’t afford to move to L.A., but within a month of his prayer, he had booked two national commercials and had received the offer from the radio station.

“And, so I thought, ‘I’ll give L.A. one more shot.’

“Here I am, 12 years later, married, with a kid,” James said.

His wife, Melissa Disney — a cousin of Walt Disney — is a voiceover artist.

Though not a household name like her cousin, she has attracted her own share of fame.

She narrated the trailer for the action movie, “Gone in 60 Seconds,” — widely credited as one of the first major movie trailers to employ a female voice, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She also has voiced The Academy Awards, The Emmy’s and the Billboard Music Awards.

While James and his wife work in the industry, their 4-year-old son, Ryder, gets a chance to dip into the lifestyle, too. He already has met such international stars as Madonna, Harrison Ford and James Earl Jones.

Although the Land O’ Lakes native has lived in L.A., for a dozen years, he still gets homesick and travels back to the area to visit family a couple of times a year.

Every time he comes home, he must make one stop before returning to L.A.

He drops by Larry’s Deli, on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, where he loads up on Cuban sandwiches to take back to California.

The mere mention of them, James said during a recent telephone interview, makes his mouth water.

Published June 15, 2016