The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Watergrass girls on the run

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Watergrass Elementary school counselor Meredith Ward joined forces last year with third grade teacher Amanda Hoffman to start a girls running club.

Since Watergrass doesn’t have organized school sports, they felt it was a good way for their students to get active and develop interpersonal skills.

The Watergrass Elementary Owls Run Club is for fourth grade and fifth grade girls. They meet every Thursday afternoon and are preparing for a 5K race in March. (Photos courtesy of Watergrass Elementary)
The Watergrass Elementary Owls Run Club is for fourth grade and fifth grade girls. They meet every Thursday afternoon and are preparing for a 5K race in March.
(Photos courtesy of Watergrass Elementary)

“I had heard about how girls running groups really helped promote empowerment and that kind of girl power mentality, and I just thought, ‘Well, this would be really cool if I could start this here at Watergrass,’” Ward said.

The Watergrass Elementary Owls Run Club — for fourth grade and fifth grade girls — promotes healthy choices, and tries to build positive self-esteem and teamwork. It also focuses on setting goals and developing perseverance, as the girls begin their transition to middle school.

The club has provided an outlet for Watergrass students to socialize, outside of the regular school day.

“I’ve had some girls who’ve said, ‘I’ve made some new friends since being part of the group,’ and that’s important,” Ward said. “We’re focusing on positive relationships with other girls, and how we need to work together and build each other up.

“It’s kind of a byproduct to the health and fitness, and goal setting that we’re doing,” she said.

Ward, an avid runner in her own right, was initially surprised in the amount of interest the afterschool club generated.

She had hoped to attract about 15 students or so. But, the club wound up with double that, at 30 members last year. Currently, it has 33 members.

“We weren’t really sure what we were going go get, but we were thrilled to have so many fourth (grade) and fifth grade girls who wanted to come out and do this,” she said. “The response from the parents has been great, too.”

Through business donations, the club was able to create a pink T-shirt that says, “I Run Like a Girl, Just Try to Keep Up.”
Through business donations, the club was able to create a pink T-shirt that says, “I Run Like a Girl, Just Try to Keep Up.”

The Owls Run Club meets every Thursday after school, exercising in various open areas, as well as in nearby neighborhood communities.

It welcomes all skillsets—no matter how fast or how slow.

“We have a varied ability level,” Ward explained. “We have some girls that, maybe, without this group wouldn’t be very active, and then we have some that are already running a couple of miles a couple of days a week.”

Watergrass fifth-grader Elizabeth Parsons said the club is “really fun” because “we get to have more exercise.”

“I recommend (other schools) have running clubs, because it’s really good for you,” said Parsons, who’s in her second year with the club. “Some think that girls are not strong enough to run something, so we try to build up our self-esteem, and we encourage people.”

The encouragement aspect of the club is especially important for students going through personal issues, Ward added.

“Sometimes we’ll do mini-sessions before we start running where everyone shares a compliment or shares something positive that has happened during their week,” the school counselor explained. “Some of our kids may be going through family changes or may have experienced some kind of a loss.”

Ward said a few adult volunteers from the school have stepped up to help supervise the group, thereby accommodating the girls’ varied running and walking paces.

“We try to kind of break the groups down…where one of us will push up so the girls who are capable of running more consistently can do so, and this year we’ve had some other adults walk…forming a barrier in the back,” she said.

The presence of other adults has been a positive motivator for club members, Parsons said.

“They really encourage us,” the fifth-grader said. “For people that are behind, they say, ‘You can do it’ and ‘Keep up the good work.’”

The running club is currently training for the Watergrass Elementary Parent Teacher Association 5K on March 7.

Since the group meets just once a week, Ward said the training program is loosely based around the ‘couch to 5K’ program — jogging sessions at a comfortable pace, gradually adding more distance each week.

“Each week, we’ve been building our stamina…and the goal is for the girls to be able to participate in that race, and finish that race,” Ward said. “For some of them, it’ll be their very first 5K.”

After the race, Ward plans to scale down the club until October, bypassing the warm weather conditions at the beginning and end of the school year.

“It’d be nice to do it all year, but once it gets extremely hot, there are some concerns about overheating and hydration,” she said.

Published February 17, 2016

Pasco’s global markets expand

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When people talk about the global economy, they’re not just talking about deals that take place overseas.

Florida already plays a sizable role in international trade, and Pasco County companies are showing an increasing interest in attracting global customers.

About 100 people turned out to learn more at “Growing Global,” a half-day international exporting conference hosted by the Pasco Economic Development Council on Feb. 10.

More than 100 people attended Growing Global, a half-day international exporting conference, hosted by the Pasco Economic Development Council. (Photos courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)
More than 100 people attended Growing Global, a half-day international exporting conference, hosted by the Pasco Economic Development Council.
(Photos courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)

The conference, held at the Residence Inn in Land O’ Lakes, featured speakers from international countries and business experts who provided information aimed at helping companies understand the markets, and also to help smooth the way for those interested in exporting goods and services.

Pasco County is increasingly part of the global market, said Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco EDC. “It (international trade) is not reserved to those big cities, like Orlando and Miami.”

The conference attracted business owners, Pasco County officials and representatives of the Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida, Enterprise Florida, Tampa Bay Export Assistance Center and Pinellas County Economic Development.

Representatives from Canada, France, Germany and Mexico were there, too. They made sales pitches extolling reasons to do business with their respective countries.

They also shared data on imports and exports that already generate billions of dollars in global trade.

Louise Leger, acting consul general of Canada, reported that total trade between Canada and Florida is about $8 billion annually.

Max Stewart, regional manager of Enterprise Florida, encouraged business owners to take advantage of upcoming trade missions to Costa Rica and Mexico City.
Max Stewart, regional manager of Enterprise Florida, encouraged business owners to take advantage of upcoming trade missions to Costa Rica and Mexico City.

Canada is the No. 1 source of tourism to Florida, Leger said.

About one in nine Canadians visit annually and spend a total of about $4 billion.

Canada employs about 27,000 Floridians in 300 companies located in the state, including Circle K and TD Bank.

With the exchange rate currently favoring the stronger U.S. dollar, Leger said now is a good time to invest in Canada. “We are there to help you be successful, whether it is here or in Canada,” Leger said. The consulate is located in Miami.

Max Stewart, regional manager of Enterprise Florida, touted the state agency’s upcoming trade missions to Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Mexico City.

“This is the time to be thinking internationally,” he said. “The U.S. is really, really strong in this market.”

Trade missions can open doors to foreign markets more quickly, Cronin said. “It allows our companies to get a lot more exposure than they would otherwise get,” he said.

While the focus often is on products, Cronin added that services also are a growing segment of global trade.

Not everything sold overseas has to be something that gets “thrown in a box. A lot of people don’t recognize that,” Cronin said.

A brief panel discussion highlighted some challenges of doing business overseas including paperwork, obtaining work permits and cultural sensitivities.

The panel showcased local businesses: Earthworks Environmental, in Safety Harbor; York Bridge Concepts, in Lutz; and TwinStar Optics, in Port Richey.

Bill Cronin, president of the Pasco Economic Development Council, welcomed participants to a conference highlighting opportunities for local companies to enter the global market.
Bill Cronin, president of the Pasco Economic Development Council, welcomed participants to a conference highlighting opportunities for local companies to enter the global market.

“You need to have a strategy,” said Jonathan Brewer, owner of Earthworks Environmental, which specializes in soil cleanups. “It’s not going to happen overnight.”

Peter Thomas of TwinOptics makes opticals for laser-based weapons that require government approvals. “We worry about it being a weapon against the United States. A lot of time, we wait on (federal) government to get back to us.”

James York, of York Bridge Concepts, said companies that want to trade globally should “bring something unique to the table and, at some point, they (trade partners) are going to say ‘Hey, we need that’.”

York Bridge Concepts specializes in timber-built bridges for golf courses, trails and residential developments. The company began more than 30 years ago in Tampa, but moved to Lutz in 2008.

“We work in a global environment,” said Gil York, the company’s director of international development and public relations. “It’s irrelevant where you are located. It’s how you market your business.”

Published February 17, 2016

New school buses to run on natural gas

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Pasco County school buses have the green light to run on natural gas.

School officials expect the shift to save money in the long-term, while ushering in a more environmentally friendly fleet of buses.

On Feb.10, the Pasco County Planning Commission approved a recommendation from the county’s planning staff to allow construction of a bus maintenance and storage facility, and a refueling station on Interlaken Road in Odessa.

Future buses transporting children in Pasco County Schools are expected to use natural gas for fuel. (File Photo)
Future buses transporting children in Pasco County Schools are expected to use natural gas for fuel.
(File Photo)

The approximately 24-acre site on the north side of Interlaken Road will have the capacity to accommodate about 120 school buses and 180 personal vehicles.

In the first year of the program, school district officials plan to buy 30 to 35 new buses that run on fuel known as Compressed Natural Gas, or CNG. Those buses could be in service by spring of 2017.

More buses will be added year to year, slowly replacing some of the 470 buses in the fleet. The shift will reduce reliance on gasoline and diesel-burning fuels in favor of natural gas, which burns cleaner and emits fewer toxins.

Upfront costs are anticipated at about $1.5 million per year to buy buses. However, the school district could be reimbursed $25,000 per bus, up to 10 buses, through a state rebate program.

Clearwater Gas System, which is owned and operated by the city of Clearwater will supply the natural gas.

The planning commission’s approval came with conditions to address concerns raised by nearby residents.

An 8-foot masonry wall will be built. Activities within the compound will be set back 40 feet from residences, and efforts made to keep noise levels low.

Roadwork on a newly-extended Interlaken Road is under way. When completed in June, the two-lane road will have 6-foot sidewalks and an 8-foot multi-use trail.

Published February 17, 2016

Efforts on to settle renaming dispute

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Pasco County officials are trying to search out the historical boundaries between Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel to help determine the name of a new road near Cypress Creek Town Center.

Finding out that information could help determine whether a new stretch of Wesley Chapel Boulevard should:

  • Be renamed Circle O Ranch Parkway
  • Be named something else
  • Keep the name it has

The roadway, south of State Road 56, is planned as a southern continuation of Wesley Chapel Boulevard that will connect with County Line Road.

According to county records, a compromise decision to name the road “Town Center Parkway” was considered, but then abandoned.

“I don’t think Town Center is historical, but at least it’s a new beginning,” said Sandy Graves, a long-time Land O’ Lakes’ resident and a member of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber requested the name change to Circle O Ranch Parkway in December. The name would recognize the King family, whose ranch now is a prime development area for Tampa Premier Outlets and the Cypress Creek Town Center.

In the next weeks, meetings with groups who are at odds over the renaming will be held. Interested parties are being asked to provide evidence in the form of documents, oral histories, videos or anything that might shed light on the matter.

“We’ll put this in a staff report,” said Matt Armstrong, the county’s executive planner for the long-range planning department.

He hopes to have that available to Pasco County commissioners in March or April.

The effort is to give everyone a fair shake, he added.

But, county officials also are trying to put the focus on more than drawing a line between Wesley Chapel and Lutz-Land O’ Lakes.

Settling the boundaries also will affect future decisions on vision plans for each community.

“It’s more important to focus on the heart of the communities,” Armstrong said.

Pasco County commissioners unanimously agreed to continue the public hearing on the road’s renaming.

“It would be really nice to have some resolution to this contentious issue,” said Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

Renaming roads can be a delicate matter, said Commissioner Ted Schrader.

He had some concern, though, about road name confusion with Wesley Chapel Boulevard, State Road 54 and State Road 56 all converging at the same intersection. The entrance into the outlet mall, also at the juncture, is Grand Cypress Drive.

“What really resonated with me was the potential renaming and how four roads are at the intersection, all with different names,” Schrader said. “That really stuck with me.”

To date, county officials have met with area residents and members of the Central Pasco chamber.

A meeting is scheduled Feb. 19 with area residents and members of the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce.

Developers with Sierra Properties, which is building Cypress Creek Town Center, also are participating in discussions.

“This isn’t a chamber issue to me,” said Graves. “It’s something the county did that was wrong and needs to be corrected.”

Hope Allen, president of the Wesley Chapel chamber, declined to comment on the issue.

The Land O’ Lakes community crafted a vision plan and presented it to the county in 2003. The boundaries were Interstate 75, State Road 52, the Suncoast Parkway and the county line.

But in 2004, and Graves says without notice, the county renamed County Road 54 as Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

But, Lutz and Land O’ Lakes mailing addresses exist along the boulevard, north of State Road 56. The outlet mall and the town center have Lutz addresses, while Stagecoach and Grand Oaks subdivisions have Land O’ Lakes addresses.

“Lutz and Land O’ Lakes have been together forever,” Graves said. The King family had a Lutz address, but were ingrained in the Land O’ Lakes community, she said.

Still, she is hopeful that a resolution will soon be reached.

“The history of our community is very important,” Graves said.

Published February 17, 2016

Zika virus cases keep growing

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The news on the Zika virus keeps evolving, as the number of travel-associated cases in the United State continues to grow.

As of Feb. 10, there were 52 travel-associated cases of Zika virus in the United States, including 16 in Florida, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Feb. 3 directed state Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong to declare a public health emergency in Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Lee and Santa Rosa counties relating to travel-associated cases of Zika virus found in those counties.

At the time, those counties had reported a total of nine travel-associated cases of the Zika virus.

The Zika virus is spread through bites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the same mosquito that spreads the dengua and chikunguna viruses. (File Photo)
The Zika virus is spread through bites of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is the same mosquito that spreads the dengua and chikunguna viruses.
(File Photo)

The Zika virus is spread through the bites of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, the same species that spreads dengue and chikungunya viruses, according to the CDC.

It also can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, the CDC reports. It also notes that cases have been reported of the Zika virus spreading through blood transfusion or sexual contact.

There is no vaccine available for the Zika virus.

The most common symptoms of Zika virus disease are fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes. The illness is usually mild, with symptoms lasting several days to a week. Hospitalization is uncommon.

There have been reports of a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly in babies of mothers who had Zika virus while pregnant, according to the CDC. Knowledge of the link between Zika and birth defects is evolving, but until more is known, CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women.

Microcephaly is a birth defect where a baby’s head is smaller than expected, when compared to babies of the same sex and age, the CDC says. Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that might not have developed properly, according to the CDC.

The Zika virus also has been associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare disorder in which a person’s own immune system damages his or her nerve cells, but the CDC says more information is needed.

The Brazil Ministry of Heath has reported an increased number of people who have been infected with the Zika virus who also have Guillain-Barre syndrome. The CDC is working with Brazil to study a possible link.

The CDC recommends that people protect themselves by avoiding the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which bites primarily during the day.

To help protect yourself, the CDC recommends people:

  • Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants
  • Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes out
  • Sleep under a mosquito net if you are outdoors or unable to keep mosquitoes out
  • Use repellents registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Follow product label instructions
  • Reapply as directed

It also offers these additional tips: Do not spray repellent on skin under clothing, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent and do not apply insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months.

To protect your child, dress him or her in clothing that covers the arms and legs. Also, do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth or cut or irritated skin, the CDC says.

CDC Advisory
The Centers for Disease Control has issued an advisory for women who are pregnant or who are trying to become pregnant.

Women who are pregnant should consider postponing travel to areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. If they do travel to one of those areas, they should talk to their doctor or other health care provider first, and be sure to follow steps to avoid mosquito bites.

Women who are trying to become pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant should consult with their health care provider before traveling and should follow steps to avoid mosquito bites.

Also, the CDC notes that it is safe for pregnant women to use mosquito repellent. It is safe for women who are breastfeeding to use mosquito repellent, too. Anyone using a repellent should choose one that is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Source: Centers for Disease Control

Q&A

  1. Should a woman who has traveled to an area with Zika virus be tested for the virus?
  2. She should see her health care provider if she develops a rash, fever, joint pain or red eyes within two weeks of traveling to a country where Zika virus cases have been reported.
  3. Can a previous Zika virus infection cause someone who later becomes pregnant to have an infant with microcephaly?
  4. We do not know the risk to the baby if a woman is infected with the Zika virus while she is pregnant. However, Zika virus infection doesn’t pose a risk of birth defects for future pregnancies.

Source: Centers for Disease Control

Published February 17, 2016

Want to go to Ren Fest for free? Keep reading.

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It’s time to party like it’s 1399.

When you think of a Renaissance Festival, you might think of jousting, medieval-style costumes, arrows, swords and people eating turkey legs. And guess what? That’s exactly what you’ll find at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival, 11315 N. 46th St.

A sword fight on a giant chessboard? It must be the annual Bay Area Renaissance Festival. (Photos courtesy of Bay Area Renaissance Festival)
A sword fight on a giant chessboard? It must be the annual Bay Area Renaissance Festival.
(Photos courtesy of Bay Area Renaissance Festival)

Now in its 38th year, the festival sits in an area near the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa that has been converted into a European “village,” complete with all the characters you might find in that era.

And, the people tend to stay in character, too. Don’t ask them about websites and cellphones. They’ll look at you like you’re speaking a foreign language. But, if you want to catch a human chess match or some jesters on a stage, they can point you in the right direction.

There are actually several stages, located throughout the village, with shows running throughout the day. Some are musical, some are muddy, and others are slapstick comedy. There’s usually a performance going on somewhere.

In addition to the aforementioned jousting and human chess, there’s also gypsy dancing, magic, traveling fairies, puppets, games of skill, and activities for younger visitors.

Plus, there are rows and rows of vendors selling items you don’t often come across in the 21st century.

It’s nice to walk around the festival and see all the different shows, games and events happening at the same time.

It’s not fancy, but the people are friendly, and it almost feels like you’re really in a small village from ages past, filled with colorful costumes and plenty of things to do. That includes the visitors, who also dress up in pretty elaborate costumes sometimes. It’s not required, but if you have something that fits in with the time period, you’ll feel right at home.

It’s not exactly like old times, of course.

There are no famines or plagues to worry about, for example. So think of it as a visit to the past, only with plenty of food and drinks. And portable bathrooms, too. There’s something to be said for modern conveniences, right?

Knights will battle it out each weekend at the festival.
Knights will battle it out each weekend at the festival.

Unfortunately, there’s another modern aspect to the Renaissance Festival: At nearly $21 for adults, there’s no sign of 14th century pricing to be found. It’s a fun time, but not a cheap one.

Unless you read this column, that is. Because now you know that this weekend, Feb. 20 and Feb. 21, you can get in absolutely free. All you have to do is donate a little blood and you get a free pass to the festival. That’s worth a few minutes with the leeches, right?

I’m just kidding about the leeches. It’s a normal bloodmobile. But, it’s a great way to save a lot of money and donate to a good cause at the same time.

That’s a good weekend to attend the festival, too.

On Feb. 20 and Feb. 21, the theme is “Highland Fling,” which includes Celtic dancing, a kilt competition and the Highland Games, which are part of a strongman-type contest. That means watching feats of strength and heavy lifting while you enjoy a turkey leg. Hey, those can be heavy, too.

So, if you want to enjoy an annual tradition with plenty of games and entertainment, you can do it for free and help your community at the same time. No matter what century it is — saving money is always a smart move.

The Bay Area Renaissance Festival runs Saturdays and Sundays through March 20. Parking is free. For a complete schedule, visit BayAreaRenFest.com.

By Michael Murillo

Do you know of a fun event or location that might be a good fit for On the Cheap? Email Michael at . Keep it cheap, please.

Published February 17, 2016

New park seeks funding

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A grassroots effort from community members in Carrollwood Village spurred the idea for a new 50-acre park that may see the light of day in the next few years.

The Carrollwood Village Community Park expects to replace the Dale Mabry Wastewater Treatment Plant once it goes offline, and the land is converted to a green space.

While the green site should be available by the spring of 2017, there’s not a timetable yet for when the park may open, because there’s no funding available for the park’s construction.

A new 50-acre park expects to replace the Dale Mabry Wastewater Treatment Plant. (Photos courtesy of the Friends of the Northwest Regional Park)
A new 50-acre park expects to replace the Dale Mabry Wastewater Treatment Plant.
(Photos courtesy of the Friends of the Northwest Regional Park)

The county currently has $3.2 million for land acquisition and design of the park, according to Kyla Booher, manager of parks services with the Parks and Recreation Department.

However, about $4 million more would be needed to build the park, not counting administrative equipment or contingency costs.

“It’s a very rough estimate, but it could be upwards of more,” Booher said.

The construction funds would go toward site improvements, park access, infrastructure, lighting, landscape and other costs, the parks services manager added.

Booher said the parks department is still in the “very beginning” of the project’s development and environmental management process.

“We are in the planning process. We are looking at surveys right now,” Booher said. “We’re trying to solicit a design consultant for the master planning of the park.”

In September 2015, the parks department had a public meeting, seeking input from the community on the type of amenities they’d value the most at the 50-acre site.

Booher and her staff ranked the citizens comments, and created a top 10 “wish list” of amenities.

Walking trails, a dog park, a splash pad, a picnic area, a botanical garden and a nature center were some of the features most requested by community members.

“I think those are very reasonable requests,” Booher said. “There are much more that they wanted, but it wasn’t the general consensus.

“At this point, it’s going to be have a little bit more of a passive feel, so it may not have as much activity as a recreation site would with programs like dance and art classes.”

Hillsborough County has $3.2 million for the site’s acquisition and design. However, there is no funding for construction of the Carrollwood Village Community Park.
Hillsborough County has $3.2 million for the site’s acquisition and design. However, there is no funding for construction of the Carrollwood Village Community Park.

A more “passive” park is exactly what homeowners in Carrollwood Village want, according to Bill DeMare, co-chairman of Friends of Northwest Regional Park — the group responsible for spearheading the idea for a new park.

“We already have regional parks like Lettuce Lake Park, and we already have recreational parks — like basketball, tennis, indoor facilities, but this is more unique, and something the community can enjoy,” DeMare said.

“For years, we’ve talked about a dog park, a walking trail, and an area where you can just go and sit down and relax. It’ll be very serene.”

DeMare added it’s also important to have some sort of activity in the park, like an “upgraded” children’s playground.

“If we do a playground, it’ll be state of the art,” DeMare explained. It’ll kind of be a destination playground— not swings and slides— where parents and children can utilize ropes, ladders, rock formations and things of that nature.”

Once news spread about the retirement of the wastewater site, the Friends of the Northwest Regional Park collected several thousand individual signatures and received support from over 10,000 Carrollwood homeowners for a new park in the middle of Carrollwood Village.

“We started a grassroots effort to get the community behind the (park) idea, rather than allowing a developer to come in and have more congestion with stores or bars, or condos or apartments,” DeMare said.

The overwhelming support made the project an “easy sell” when presented to the Hillsborough County Commission last March, DeMare noted.

“It’s a lot easier to get approval when the community wants this,” Booher said. “The commissioners have been terrific.”

The community’s backing is one reason why the park services manager believes project will ultimately receive funding for construction.

“In my opinion, this is one of the more active projects that I’ve seen get picked up and get rolling with. There’s a very active group behind it, so who knows what could happen,” said Booher, referring to friends of the parks’ involvement. “I see this being a very high-profile political project that the community really wants, and typically, they find a way.

“It’s very fluid. It could happen at any time,” Booher said.

The next public forum will be held sometime in the spring or summer, Booher said.

Published February 17, 2016

Hunting for treasure in Webster

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If you can’t find the interesting and the unusual at the Webster Westside Flea Market, then you’re just not looking.

From a hog scraper, to a candlestick telephone, to a pair of 1950s roller skates with a key — the little flea market in rural Webster is a find all in itself.

Robert Borton recycles colanders to make table lamps, and sells them on Mondays at the Webster flea market. He’s a winter resident in Zephyrhills, but lives the rest of the year in Maine. (Fred Bellet/Photos)
Robert Borton recycles colanders to make table lamps, and sells them on Mondays at the Webster flea market. He’s a winter resident in Zephyrhills, but lives the rest of the year in Maine.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

In the pre-dawn hours, vendors arrive with their wares loaded in vans, pick-up trucks and car trunks stuffed to the max.

Then, they get to work setting up.

Some spread their trinkets out atop folding tables in the open air. Other arrange their items on rustic tables under covered sheds. Some scatter their goods on a plot of ground that is theirs for a day.

The ritual is the same every Monday, the only day of the week the market is open.

In winter — when the snowbird residents from up north migrate south — as many as 800 vendors stream in each Monday. Things slow down a bit in the summer season when the snowbirds reverse course. But, even then, 400 to 500 vendors unpack their goods at Webster.

With a 5 a.m., start time in winter, flashlights often light the way through rows and rows of vendors.

Bimmie Walters started out with a cardboard box of stuff that went unsold at her yard sale in Tampa. A friend suggested she take the box – probably some pottery knickknacks – and try Webster.

“I sold everything in the box,” Walters said.

That was 35 years ago.

“I fell into it,” she confessed.

Nancy Brennan, of Apopka, admires her old-style, trendy glasses in the mirror. She and husband, Shawn Brennan, were on their first shopping trip to the Webster Westside Flea Market.
Nancy Brennan, of Apopka, admires her old-style, trendy glasses in the mirror. She and husband, Shawn Brennan, were on their first shopping trip to the Webster Westside Flea Market.

And, now she and her husband, Ray Walters, are regulars at their permanent spot under a shed.

Webster can be as much about friendship as it is about sales.

Customers, especially the temporary snowbirds, stop by to get reacquainted.

“They expect to see you here,” she said.

Sometimes, Webster is about the thrill of the hunt.

There are things that one might expect: Picture frames, quilts, vintage clothes and Florida’s traditional pink flamingos.

And, there are less expected finds: A talking Pee-Wee Herman in his original box; a Grand Ole Opry Country Rose Barbie, collector’s edition, also in her box; and, a candlestick phone from 1915.

There are also doorknobs; buttons galore; a two-seater bicycle; a 1948 yearbook for Bowling Green State University; clip-on earrings; a Brownie camera; and, a photographer’s flash pan.

And, that’s just to mention a smattering of the types of items to be found at the Webster Westside Flea Market.

Anthony and Amy Ray hung around on Monday after a motorcycle swap meet at the market site on Sunday.

“It’s something to do,” said Amy Ray, who lives in Edison, New Jersey. “You don’t spend much money. You walk around.”

Good deals on hanging art, sculptures, rare books, toys, furniture, a talking Pee Wee Herman doll and old coins can be found at the Webster flea market.
Good deals on hanging art, sculptures, rare books, toys, furniture, a talking Pee Wee Herman doll and old coins can be found at the Webster flea market.

Her husband searched for lanterns, fishing gear and thermometers.

“I like hunting for stuff and looking for good deals,” he said. And, he added, “I like talking with people.”

The New Jersey residents weren’t alone in finding Webster. Vehicles in the parking lots sport tags from nearby Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties — and from as far away as Ohio, Arkansas, New York and Michigan.

The little market with the big-time reputation got its start in the 1930s as a farmers’ market.  Blue laws prohibited Sunday sales, so farmers came on Mondays.

Over the years, people added arts and crafts, collectibles and antiques.

Webster’s Westside Flea Market officially got its name in the 1960s. There is an East Side Market that is smaller, but it is owned and operated separately.

Alice Cushman and her late husband became owners of Webster’s Westside in 1992.

“We were looking for a good retirement nest,” said Cushman.

The site in total is 80 acres, with Westside claiming about 35 acres. But, there is room to add more vendor locations, Cushman said.

Over the years, she said, “It has grown like an old house.”

On weekends, the site is opened for a car and motorcycle show/swap meet. It is the largest monthly vehicle show in Florida, Cushman said.

A leather auction and a circus also drew crowds to the site on a recent weekend. Both could become annual events.

In Homosassa, Cushman owns Howards Flea Market, which is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Yolanda Burns, a Pennsylvania native and winter resident of Clermont, checks out an item that caught her eye in Bimmie and Ray Walters’ booth at the Webster Westside Flea Market. 
Yolanda Burns, a Pennsylvania native and winter resident of Clermont, checks out an item that caught her eye in Bimmie and Ray Walters’ booth at the Webster Westside Flea Market.

The growth boom in new housing is changing the makeup of shoppers, with more snowbirds becoming permanent residents, Cushman said.

“We’re benefiting from that,” she added.

Robert Borton owns a home in Zephyrhills, but also spends time in his native Michigan. In his spare time, he made birdhouses as a hobby, and now he gets creative with lamp shades made from colanders.

He is a six-year vendor at Webster.

“It gives me something to do while I’m here,” he said.

Apopka residents Nancy and Shawn Brennan are longtime snowbirds, but had never visited Webster until recently.

“We just never took off on a Monday,” said Nancy Brennan, who glammed before a mirror trying on an old-style pair of sun glasses. “I had friends who talked highly of it. We’re just looking for the interesting and unusual.”

Gail Walker looks for hard-to-find books, especially on the British royal family.

“I’m hooked on the royals,” she said.

Harvey Finkle is an optician on most weekdays, but Webster vendor on Mondays. His mother gave him a taste for antiques and collectibles when she ran estate sales in the mid-1960s.

“I always helped her out as a kid,” he said.

He sells old toys, vinyl records, mostly from the 1960s, and optical equipment from the 1940s. Among his finds were a lens-o-meter and trial lens set.

“I do this for fun,” Finkle said. “I meet a lot of interesting people.”

Shopping at Webster is a 15-year pastime for snowbird resident, Sandy Probst, and an obsession for her husband, Lester. “He will not go anywhere, except to play golf before he comes here,” she said.

What: Webster Westside Flea Market
Where: 516 NW Third St., in Webster
When: On Mondays, from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., in October through April; and from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., May through September
Cost: Admission is free.
For more information, call (352) 793-9877 or (800) 832-7396, or visit WebsterWestsideFleaMarket.com.

Published February 17, 2016

Zephyrhills chamber seeks new director

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For the second time in less than six months, the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce is seeking a new executive director to run its day-to-day operations.

Chamber president Tim Linville said the chamber hopes to have someone in place by early March to “get prepared for next year.”

Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce president Tim Linville is heading the five-member search committee to find a new executive director. (Courtesy of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce)
Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce president Tim Linville is heading the five-member search committee to find a new executive director.
(Courtesy of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce)

The new hire will replace Rod Mayhew, who left the post in January. He began working for the chamber last October, spending just around three months on the job.

According to Linville, the chamber’s selection committee began seeking Mayhew’s replacement three days after the 6th annual Pigz in Z’ Hills BBQ and Blues Festival ended on Jan. 16.

Linville said Mayhew was “looking for other opportunities,” adding that the chamber position “wasn’t a perfect fit for him.”

“He’s a good guy and, whatever he does, I’m sure he’ll be successful,” said Linville, who’s head of the selection committee.

Mayhew could not be reached for comment.

Mayhew was hired to fill the vacancy left by Vonnie Mikkelsen, who held the leadership role for six years before departing in July 2015 to accept a similar chamber position in Springfield, Oregon.

The executive director position pays between “$45,000 to $55,000,” according to the job posting.

The five-member selection committee is currently vetting candidates, and will choose “seven or eight” to do a phone interview, the chamber president said.

The top three candidates will get an in-person interview, with the committee choosing the top two to present to the chamber’s board of directors, which makes the final decision on whom to hire.

According to Linville, the chamber is looking to hire someone that “has past experience with chambers, or has been a director of other organizations.”

Published February 17, 2016

Attendance down for Pigz in Z’ Hills event

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The sixth annual Pigz in Z’ Hills BBQ and Blues Festival, drew a crowd of roughly 7,000.

That’s down about 3,000 from the previous year.

But, proceeds for the Jan. 16 event still met the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce’s projected revenue goals.

Attendance was down for the sixth annual Pigz in Z’ Hills BBQ and Blues Festival, but the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce still met its projected revenue goals for the event. (File Photos)
Attendance was down for the sixth annual Pigz in Z’ Hills BBQ and Blues Festival, but the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce still met its projected revenue goals for the event.
(File Photos)

One possible explanation for the reduced attendance could have been its simultaneous timing with The Tampa RV SuperShow at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

The RV SuperShow, held from Jan. 13 to Jan. 17, drew more than 62,000 visitors, according to its website.

Droves of people flocked to the RV SuperShow the same day as Pigz in Z’ Hills because of the especially pleasant weather on Jan. 16.

“We had some early morning rains on Friday (Jan. 15) and Sunday (Jan.17) that kept some people away, but on Saturday (Jan.16), you could barely get into the building with the vendor booths from the time the gate opened until the end of the show,” Florida RV Trade Association Marketing Director Dave Kelly said in a report published by The Jacksonville-Times Union.

Pigz in Z’ Hills will face the same competition next year, as it is slated for Jan. 21, while the Tampa RV SuperShow is scheduled Jan. 18 to Jan. 22.

While Pigz in Z’ Hills’ turnout may have been down, Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce president Tim Linville was pleased with the shindig.

“Overall, the event went great,” Linville said. “We had lots of vendors — the same number of vendors that we had last year — and the music was good. The attendees seemed to be happy.”

The chamber reached its revenue goals, and plans to donate $15,000 back to the Zephyrhills community.

Various charities and local youth civic groups—such as the Pasco County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, the YMCA of East Pasco, the Zephyrhills High School Interact Club and the Zephyrhills Army JROTC— will be beneficiaries.

Donations will be presented at the chamber’s “Pay it Forward” dinner on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Alice Hall Community Center.

The next Pigz in Z’Hills festival is slated for Jan. 21, 2017. The chamber hopes to find a permanent event location near the Zephyrhills Municipal airport that can provide water, electricity and permanent staging.
The next Pigz in Z’Hills festival is slated for Jan. 21, 2017. The chamber hopes to find a permanent event location near the Zephyrhills Municipal airport that can provide water, electricity and permanent staging.

Linville was concerned that the chamber wouldn’t be able to do the same donations as it did last year, but it expects to be able to.

One reason the chamber met its revenue goals amid spotty attendance was because organizers have learned to better manage expenses from year to year, Linville said.

For example, if an event banner is bought one year, it can be used in subsequent years, Linville added.

In an effort to further reduce expenses and improve efficiency, the chamber hopes to lock down a permanent venue location on another piece of land at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

Ideally, the new location will feature water, electricity and permanent staging, allowing for additional events in Zephyrhills.

“We have a lot of variable expenses that you can eliminate, if you have a fixed venue,” Linville explained. “Instead of having to set up a stage for one day, it can be set up permanently.”

It also will be good for other organizations that want to put on events, because they won’t have to rent a stage or rent generators, he said.

“It’s a lot more efficient that way,” he said.

Linville said the new venue could be up to 20 acres, which is significantly larger than the three acres that are currently used for the Pigz in Z’ Hills festival.

“A new venue…will give us a new and improved layout, which will help with music and vendors, and also the attendees,” he said. “It can be better organized.”

A larger venue may also pave the way for the return of the Celtic Festival and Highland Games to Zephyrhills. The festival’s immense popularity forced it to vacate its venue at Zephyr Park in 2011, with the hopes of finding a more accommodating location.

Published February 17, 2016