The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Tampa homebuilder plans luxury homes on Lake Padgett

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It’s a grassy tract with trees now, but luxury homes are slated for construction on more than 9 acres on Carson Drive, east of U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

Tampa homebuilder Timothy Mobley of Mobley Homes wants to build the Manors on Lake Padgett, a gated enclave of eight homes on waterfront lots.

A vacant parcel off Carson Drive is the proposed site for eight luxury houses that will be sold and built by Tampa-based Mobley Homes. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
A vacant parcel off Carson Drive is the proposed site for eight luxury houses that will be sold and built by Tampa-based Mobley Homes.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

The project is in early stages, with plans to file for approvals with Pasco County, likely by the end of summer, said Renee Riordan, sales agent with Mobley Homes.

“They are beautiful lake frontage,” said Riordan. “You can’t always find sites like this.”

The lots are priced at about $200,000 each. The website for Mobley Homes, MobleyHousing.com, pegs home prices as starting in the upper $500,000 range. Mobley Homes would have several design plans available for houses of about 3,000 square feet, according to the website.

Riordan said Mobley Homes is fielding inquiries from prospective homebuyers.

The site is located across from the Countryside Montessori Academy on Carson Drive. The road is north of the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41, also known as Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. It dead-ends behind the Village Lakes Shopping Center.

Carson Drive is a two-lane roadway and a frequent cut-through for motorists who want to avoid the busy intersection at State Road 54 and U.S. 41.

Pasco County records list the taxable value of the property as about $852,000. Mobley is a partner in BCL Florida LLC, which owns the property.

Published July 15, 2015

 

Wesley Chapel company expects to expand to new markets

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KeriCure Inc., a Wesley Chapel company, has secured a patent that is expected to open new doors for partnerships with pharmaceutical and medical device companies.

“Our foundation of the company was actually built around this nanoparticle drug delivery technology that I helped to create at the University of South Florida,” said Kerriann Greenhalgh, who operates the company from her Wesley Chapel home.

Kerriann Greenhalgh shows off the products her company has developed which are sold online and in stores. She expects a much broader array of uses for her product, now that she has secured a new patent. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Kerriann Greenhalgh shows off the products her company has developed which are sold online and in stores. She expects a much broader array of uses for her product, now that she has secured a new patent.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

The company, which launched in 2011, has been offering consumer products to help promote the healing of cuts and wounds on people and pets, through liquid bandages sprayed on the skin.

The polymer retains its elasticity, protecting the wound and allowing the cut to heal.

The products for people are sold under the names Natural Seal Liquid Bandage, Natural Seal and Natural Seal on the Go, and are available at Publix, Kroger, Price Choppers, Marsh and Meijer, and in natural product stores throughout the United States.

The pet products are known as Tough Seal for Pets and Champion Seal, and are available online and at some feed stores.

The company also has a professional line of liquid bandage products, under the name of KeriCure’s Advanced Seal — Rx for Medical Use. That formulation is used by physicians in various cosmetic, dermatological, burn, wound care and post-surgical applications.

With a patent granted in June, Greenhalgh expects her unique polymer to be used in a much broader array of applications.

The patent “gives us the opportunity to talk to larger pharmaceutical companies — who have products, drugs, bioactives that they want to deliver topically — and tell them we have a great, FDA-cleared system in place now, and that we can incorporate their drug into and provide very sustained release with our product,” Greenhalgh explained.

“One area that we’re looking at is in the anti-cancer area,” she said.

“We would incorporate a very well-known anti-cancer drug into our polymer system,” she said. Or, her product could be used to apply radiation seeds topically.

Patients could benefit from her company’s product, she said.

“The beauty of this is that they wouldn’t have to be getting exposed to massive amounts of radiation. It would be extremely targeted,” she said. “So, you would get rid of a lot of the side effects that happen with radiation.

“That is a very serious opportunity,” she said.

KeriCure is currently talking to various companies that have an interest in its technology, Greenhalgh said, including 3M. “They have a couple of projects that they’re interested in having us collaborate on.”

Greenhalgh said she launched the company as a consumer products company because it was the smoothest way to raise revenue.

“We really want to grow in the biotech space and create products for advanced wound care, like chronic wounds and burn wounds,” Greenhalgh said. “We’re actually in talks with a couple of large wound care companies, as a private label. We do have a very interesting opportunity in front of us right now.”

“We’ve just been asked to go to CVS and present to its private label group of buyers, so they’re interested in bringing the product on as a CVS product,” she said.

“We just got picked up by Cardinal Health. They’re the largest medical product distributor in the U.S.,” she said, adding her company will be attending Cardinal Health’s trade show in Las Vegas this month.

It also is presenting at Winn-Dixie’s local buyer division this week.

Greenhalgh grew up in New Tampa and graduated from Wharton High School before obtaining her bachelor’s degree and doctorate from USF.

The scientist lives with her husband, Daniel Opp, and their son, Nolan Opp, near Quail Hollow.

Published July 15, 2015

Local mom’s website highlights family friendly fun

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As a mother with two young children, Miriam Cook wanted to find inexpensive, family friendly things to do. The Land O’ Lakes resident would search the Internet for fun places to go, but was frustrated that it wasn’t as easy as it should have been.

“I was watching online and couldn’t really find anything that was what I wanted, with events and stuff like that,” Cook said. “So I thought, I have to create my own.”

A side benefit of running a website about family friendly events is that there are places to visit. Daughters Hazel, left, and Jasmine approved of the outing to The Potter's House Studio in south Tampa, which was running a special. (Courtesy of Miriam Cook)
A side benefit of running a website about family friendly events is that there are places to visit. Daughters Hazel, left, and Jasmine approved of the outing to The Potter’s House Studio in south Tampa, which was running a special.
(Courtesy of Miriam Cook)

Around eight months ago, she did just that. Now, FamilyFriendlyTampaBay.com is a destination for thousands of users each week, highlighting local freebies, cheap movies and other low-cost activities that everyone in the family can enjoy.

Cook takes her job as event seeker seriously, with specific criteria in mind when she’s looking for places to go. She’s looking for places that appeal to all family members, so children of all ages can have fun. Alcohol can’t be the focus of the event, she said, and accommodations like restroom facilities are important.

Price matters, too, of course.

Cook uses her own family as a template. She has two sisters with children who are in the education field, and she wants to highlight events that families like theirs can afford.

As a former preschool teacher herself, she knows that families often have to stick to a tight budget, and the event has to be something that fits, or is worth saving for if it’s pricier.

Her website is finding an audience. She records about 225,000 page views a month, with about 54,000 different users in that time frame.

And they’re sharing their opinions too, which Cook says makes her project unique.

“There are a couple sites that are similar to mine, but none of them have reviews.” Readers can find ideas on the website, then go on the Facebook page and share their opinions about what they did.

Cook brings her own review committee with her when she attends events. If daughters Jasmine, 5, and Hazel, 3, want to go back to a destination, Cook knows she has a winner. And on weekends, husband Ben joins in as well.

Still, it takes work to keep a popular website running and current with the latest happenings. She spends time each day researching deals in the area, and her email inbox is full of messages from different businesses and public relations companies. She filters through the offerings and compiles the list she thinks represents the best of Tampa Bay.

The site isn’t a moneymaker yet, but Cook can see it growing into a business in the future. She’s already planning expansions into other markets such as Orlando and Miami.

But for now she’s working toward building the site’s popularity and gaining the trust of local families. And the positive feedback she’s received from friends and people at her church is an indication that she’s on the right track.

“My focus has really just been trying to get the word out that my website’s here to help people out,” Cook said.

Cook also wants those families who visit the site to attend and support as many events as possible, which will encourage companies to take note of the demand for events that go easy on a budget and everyone can enjoy.

“If we go and participate in these events, then they’re more likely to cater to families and make sure that their events or their location is more family friendly,” Cook said.

For more information, visit FamilyFriendlyTampaBay.com.

Published July 15, 2015

Zephyrhills is crowing about clean neighborhoods

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Rocky Rooster isn’t out to ruffle anyone’s feathers. He just wants to crow about strutting through clean neighborhoods in Zephyrhills.

On July 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Rocky Rooster will be the mascot and booster of neighborhood pride at the first city-sponsored neighborhood cleanup day.

“We’re really trying to get the word out,” said Gail Hamilton, director of the city’s Community Redevelopment Area.

Rocky Rooster wants to know if you’ve ‘Got Trash?’ (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)
Rocky Rooster wants to know if you’ve ‘Got Trash?’
(Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

The focus area for the cleanup is between Seventh Street and 11th Street, and 11th Street and Sixth Avenue, near downtown.

Fliers are being mailed to property owners. Code enforcement officers are personally delivering fliers to residents living within the cleanup’s focus area.

The campaign slogan is “Make our city something to crow about.”

The program emerged after City Manager Steve Spina asked city department heads to discuss how to improve code enforcement.

Organizers want to convey the message that the city and residents can work together to clean up the neighborhoods.

“We just thought some people are overwhelmed and don’t have vehicles to haul junk to the landfill,” said Hamilton. “It’s like a carrot instead of a stick. We’re really trying to rid the focus area of detrimental items that have accumulated over the year.”

Still, there could be consequences for residents who opt out of the cleanup.

“If they don’t use our services, code enforcement will come behind and start issuing citations,” Hamilton said.

On cleanup day, dumpsters will be placed at Eighth Street and Eighth Avenue. City crews will clean up rights-of-way and alleys. Residents will be asked to haul trash and junk to the curb for pickup. Volunteers from the city will pitch in when needed.

Hamilton noted that the area has some elderly residents who may not be physically able to do the clean up work.

No hazardous waste, such as paint and chemicals, will be accepted.

City officials hope residents will join the cleanup and have fun at the same time.

They’ve taken a light-hearted approach with Rocky Rooster — a nod to the chickens and roosters seen frequently roaming the neighborhood.

“You like the chickens, or you hate them,” Hamilton said. “We decided to take a negative and make it fun.”

Residents who participate in the cleanup can enjoy a community block party afterward, with hot dogs and drinks. They also can chat with the city’s department heads, including Hamilton and Spina.

Because this is the first time the city has done this, officials don’t know how many residents will participate or how much the program will cost the city.

Once that is determined, plans are to develop a budget and schedule a second cleanup in another neighborhood.

Eventually the city hopes to cover all neighborhoods within the 500 acres of the redevelopment area.

“We’ll keep working at it until we get it done,” Hamilton said.

 Published July 15, 2015

Vintage wine is a gift that won’t be refused

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Richard Abbattista knows about rare wines. And he knows when to make the kind of wine offer no one would want to refuse, least of all movie director and wine magnate Francis Ford Coppola.

Abbattista is retired from a 40-year career in the New Jersey wine industry. He worked for hundreds of wineries around the world including Coppola’s winery in Napa Valley, California.

Richard Abbattista, and his wife Phyllis Bross, gave movie director and wine magnate Francis Ford Coppola a vintage bottle of wine. (Courtesy of Richard Abbattista and Phyllis Bross)
Richard Abbattista, and his wife Phyllis Bross, gave movie director and wine magnate Francis Ford Coppola a vintage bottle of wine.
(Courtesy of Richard Abbattista and Phyllis Bross)

Along the way, Abbattista won a bottle of 1973 Inglenook Estate Charbono in a sales incentive program in the 1980s. It is still unopened.

So when he read in “Wine Spectator” that Francis and Eleanor Coppola bought the historical Inglenook wine estate in 1975, Abbattista knew he wanted to send his prized wine to the director.

The California winery dates back to the late 1870s.

The bottle of wine was a thank you, Abbattista said, for Coppola’s great movies, such as “The Godfather” trilogy, but also for making great wines. As an industry insider, he felt pretty sure Coppola didn’t have this particular estate bottled wine.

He left a voice message and exchanged emails with Lorraine Gaudet, office manager for The Family Coppola: Wine, Food, Resorts and Adventure. Gaudet responded that Coppola would indeed be happy to accept Abbattista’s “very generous offer.”

She sent a wine-shipping box with a prepaid label and, on July 7, Abbattista sent his gift on its way to Coppola in California.

Published July 15, 2015

 

Freedom Fest entertains and delights

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The fourth annual Wesley Chapel Freedom Festival drew thousands to The Shops at Wiregrass on July 3.

Kids and adults face-planted in watermelon during the watermelon-eating contest.

David Towner, of Tampa, stopped for a snapshot while making his way along the booths and exhibits at The Wesley Chapel Freedom Festival on July 3. There were 50 vendors at this year’s festival. The event drew an estimated 40,000, up 10 percent over last year, said Debbie Detweiler, marketing director for The Shops at Wiregrass. (Fred Bellet/Photos)
David Towner, of Tampa, stopped for a snapshot while making his way along the booths and exhibits at The Wesley Chapel Freedom Festival on July 3. There were 50 vendors at this year’s festival. The event drew an estimated 40,000, up 10 percent over last year, said Debbie Detweiler, marketing director for The Shops at Wiregrass.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

Competitors put their creativity on display for the bike-decorating contest.

Little boys and little girls did their best to charm the judges and the crowd during the Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker Pageant.

Children had a blast jumping around in bounce houses and playing with animal-shaped balloons.

The parking lots were full. Restaurants were buzzing. And people of all ages were decked out in red and white and hanging out all over the mall during the event, hosted by The Shops at Wiregrass and the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel.

Festivities concluded with a 10-minute fireworks show, sponsored by Land O Lakes Moving, which drew “Whoos!” and “Whoas!” along with oohs and ahs from those gathered.

“I feel like I’m at Disney World,” one boy in the crowd pronounced.

Xavier Abreu, 10, of New Port Richey, keeps an eye on the competition as Wesley Chapel's Michael Lopergalo, 11, eats his way closer to the rind and wins first place in the youth division of the watermelon-eating contest.
Xavier Abreu, 10, of New Port Richey, keeps an eye on the competition as Wesley Chapel’s Michael Lopergalo, 11, eats his way closer to the rind and wins first place in the youth division of the watermelon-eating contest.
Four-year-old Noor Keraa wore her patriotic headdress as she watches the contestants of the Little Miss Firecracker pageant during the Wesley Chapel Freedom Fest at The Shops at Wiregrass. She was at the Independence Day event with her dad, Sami Keraa of Wesley Chapel.
Four-year-old Noor Keraa wore her patriotic headdress as she watches the contestants of the Little Miss Firecracker pageant during the Wesley Chapel Freedom Fest at The Shops at Wiregrass. She was at the Independence Day event with her dad, Sami Keraa of Wesley Chapel.
Some of the older contestants took to a little exercise with Hula Hoops before the start of the Freedom Fest Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker pageant.
Some of the older contestants took to a little exercise with Hula Hoops before the start of the Freedom Fest Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker pageant.
Madelyn Moodie, with parents Rachell and Matt Moodie, was the Little Miss Firecracker overall girls winner. (Photo provided)
Madelyn Moodie, with parents Rachell and Matt Moodie,
was the Little Miss Firecracker overall girls winner.
(Photo provided)

 

Two-year-old Jaycee Watkins, of Wesley Chapel, gets in a little exercise prior to her stage appearance for the Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker Pageant. She was there with her mom, Casie Watkins, of Wesley Chapel.
Two-year-old Jaycee Watkins, of Wesley Chapel, gets in a little exercise prior to her stage appearance for the Little Miss & Mr. Firecracker Pageant. She was there with her mom, Casie Watkins, of Wesley Chapel.

 

Details emerging for Tampa Premium Outlets

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Pasco County is awash in building permit applications for Tampa Premium Outlets, a project under construction off State Road 56 at the Interstate 75 exchange.

As construction proceeds, the fence along State Road 56 gives passersby a peek at a sign with a rendering of the interior of Tampa Premium Outlets. The grand opening is set for Oct. 29. (Fred Bellet/Photos)
As construction proceeds, the fence along State Road 56 gives passersby a peek at a sign with a rendering of the interior of Tampa Premium Outlets. The grand opening is set for Oct. 29.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

The anchor store, Saks Off 5th, is eyeing more than 27,000 square feet for its merchandise, according to county records. Others that have filed initial applications include Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Gap, American Eagle Outfitters, Fossil, J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Vera Bradley, Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren and Papaya.

The food court will go eclectic.

GreenLeafs & Bananas, Asian Chao, Villa Italian Kitchen and South Philly Steaks & Fries have all signed on.

Official announcements of the store lineup are anticipated over the next weeks in phases, probably in batches of 10 or 15, said Les Morris, spokesman for the Simon Property Group.

“We’re excited,” he said. “I’m not aware of another market…where the interest has been so high for so long.”

A job fair is in the works, Morris said.

These towers provide a point of interest at Tampa Premium Outlets, a project taking shape on State Road 56, just off Interstate 75.
These towers provide a point of interest at Tampa Premium Outlets, a project taking shape on State Road 56, just off Interstate 75.

Mall construction has generated between 300 and 400 jobs. Retail shops are expected to more than double that, with an estimated 800-plus jobs for the community.

Typically, job fairs are six to eight weeks prior to the grand opening.

Since Tampa Premium Outlets opens on Oct. 29, Morris expects an announcement of the job fair’s date and location to be made around August.

“We want it to be accessible and well-known so people can get their jobs,” he said.

Shops at Tampa Premium Outlet, and food court fare, include:

Adidas

American Eagle Outfitters

Ann Taylor

Asian Chao

Asics

Banana Republic

Calvin Klein

Carter’s

Christopher & Banks

Coach

Cole Haan

Columbia Sportswear

Converse

Easy Spirit

Ecco Shoes

Express

G.H. Bass & Co.

Gap

Godiva Chocolates

Famous Footwear

Fossil

Fragrance Outlet

GreenLeafs & Bananas

Gymboree

Haagen Dazs

Hanes

Helzberg’s Diamonds

Hurley

Janie & Jack

J.Crew

Jockey

Kay Jewelers

Levi’s

Lucky Brand Jeans

Michael Kors

Naturalizer

New Balance

Nike

Nine West

New York & Co.

O’Neill

OshKosh B’gosh

Papaya

Perfumania

Puma

Rack Room

Ralph Lauren

Reebok

Robert Wayne Shoes

Saks Off 5th

Samsonite

Seiko

Skechers

South Philly Steaks & Fries

Sperry

Swarovski

Talbot’s

The Loft

Tommy Hilfiger

Van Heusen

Vera Bradley

Villa Italian Kitchen

Wilsons Leather

Published July 8, 2015

Fourth of July sparkles with patriotism

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Patriotism was on full display at the Independence Day festivities in Lutz.

Whether they were part of the parade, or on the sidelines watching, people came wearing red, white and blue — and were ready to celebrate.

The nation’s colors showed up everywhere.

Jennifer Rankin wins the honorary title of Lutz Guv’na 2015. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)
Jennifer Rankin wins the honorary title of Lutz Guv’na 2015.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

They were on flags, in hair ribbons, on cowboy boots and emblazoned on the front of semi-trucks.

The parade, a community tradition, included the usual suspects.

There were Boy Scout troops, Girl Scout troops, elementary school kids and military veterans, too.

The veterans arrived in Jeeps and trucks, on motorcycles and some, riding stylishly, in a motorcade of Corvettes.

Adults and kids rode on floats featuring local businesses and area churches and sports teams.

Belly dancers jiggled their way down the parade route, while dancers from Dancercise showed off smooth moves and kids from martial arts studios broke boards with their hands and feet.

There were even some inflatable characters, including one representing the Civil Air Patrol and the Michelin man, who was there to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Dumas Tire Pros, a Lutz tire and auto repair shop.

Boy Scout Troop 12 has been a mainstay at the Lutz Fourth of July parades for decades.
Boy Scout Troop 12 has been a mainstay at the Lutz Fourth of July parades for decades.

“We like to support our community,” said DeWitt Dumas, of Dumas Tire Pros, and the company appreciates the community’s support, he added.

Lots of spectators arrived early to get a nice, shady spot.

Sam Calco was there early, staking out a spot for his family.

“We’ve lived in Lutz since ’87. We’ve made it every year, except for when we were out of town,” said Calco, who found a choice spot, under an oak, next to the library.

Now, with 4-year-old grandson, Leo McCullers, the event is even more fun, Calco said, noting, “He enjoys the beads and the candy and the fire trucks and the police cars.”

Karen Lucchese, another Lutz resident, said the parade is a great way to start Independence Day.

“To me, this is what it’s about. It’s all about hometown America. It’s exactly what you’re supposed to do for the Fourth of July, and it gives you a real sense of community,” said Lucchese, who was at the parade with her husband, Phil, her son, Tyler, his girlfriend, Lexi Neth and some other friends.

Little kids and adults lined the parade route, vying to take home some swag. There were beads, of course, but all kinds of candy, too. Some people walking down the parade route were handing out sunscreen and cardboard fans — welcome gifts on a sunny, sweltering day.

The parade wasn’t the only attraction.

There were amusement games and pony rides for kids, a cake and pie auction.

The cake and pie contest drew 28 entries, including a 5-pound apple pie, a cake shaped like a fish and another with the look of the community’s iconic train depot.

Wilma Lewis had eight entries in the competition.

Military officers rode in style during the Fourth of July in Lutz.
Military officers rode in style during the Fourth of July in Lutz.

“I’m thinking she’s wanting one of those blue ribbons,” said Karen D’Amico, who coordinated the competition this year, under the tutelage of Marilyn Wannamaker.

Shirley Simmons entered her famous, made-from-scratch pound cake, which fetched $75 in the auction after the parade.

Another highlight of the day was the swearing-in of Jennifer Rankin, as the honorary Lutz Guv’na for 2015.

It was a moment that Rankin has desired since she was a student at Lutz Elementary School.

Of course, at that time, she thought it was a real political race.

Once she learned it was to raise money for community organizations, she was even more enthused, she said while on the campaign trail.

As a Lutz native who grew up in the family business, Al’s Lawn Care on North Dale Mabry Highway, Rankin said she was pleased to represent the family business which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

She thanked her family members for all of their hard work in helping her to win the race, and she thanked everyone who donated to the cause.

Others competing for the title were Cheryl Lynn Ayers and KarenSue Molis.

Ayers raised more than $2,800 in her bid for the title, Molis raised more than $7,300 and Rankin raised more than $9,200.

“These ladies are awesome,” said Suzin Carr, a two-time Guv’na, who announced the new Guv’na.

“Every penny, nickel, dime — counts,” Carr said. “Last year there were more than 20 local charities here that got a piece of this pie.”

Lutz wasn’t the only place hosting celebrations during Independence Day weekend. The Shops at Wiregrass and the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel hosted the fourth annual Wesley Chapel Freedom Festival, and the Pasco County Fairgrounds had its annual Sparklebration celebration.

Published July 8, 2015

Read-a-thon celebrates literary event

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When Harper Lee’s novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” was published in 1960, it captured the Pulitzer Prize, became an American classic in literature and was made into an Oscar-winning film, starring Gregory Peck.

Now, the sequel to that book is scheduled for release on July 14 and Barnes & Noble bookstores throughout the United States are celebrating the literary event by staging read-a-thons of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

The Barnes & Noble at The Shops at Wiregrass will have its read-a-thon on July 13, on the second floor of the bookstore, near the fiction section, said Karen Dietz, store manager.

The event will begin at 10 a.m., and volunteers will continue reading passages from the book until they have finished reading the entire novel.

It is expected to take between nine and 11 hours to complete the book, Dietz said.

“Of course, it’s available in audio, so we kind of gauged it by that,” Dietz said.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” deals with the serious issues of rape and racial inequality. Its narrator is Scout, a 10-year-old tomboy.

Lee’s other novel, “Go Set a Watchman,” revolves around the now-adult Scout, returning to her native Alabama from New York to visit her father.

The book was written before “To Kill a Mockingbird” but was only recently discovered.

Dietz said she was very excited when she learned that Lee had a second book.

“Go Set a Watchman,” Dietz said, “is being called the biggest literary event in our lifetime.”

She said her store is lining up volunteers for the read-a-thon.

“We would love to have as many people as possible, to celebrate this event,” Dietz said.

The plan is for each person to read 20 minutes to 30 minutes, but the length could vary based on how many people sign up.

The book, “Go Set a Watchman,” will not go on sale until the next day.

“We have been waiting over 50 years for this book. So, it’s a big deal,” Dietz said.

The new book’s release comes amidst conflicting reports over when the manuscript was discovered and by whom.

According to published accounts, publisher Harper Collins and Lee’s lawyer, Tonja B. Carter, have said that Carter stumbled upon the novel last August, but another report claims that it was first discovered in 2011 by a rare books expert from Sotheby’s auction house.

What: ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ read-a-thon
Where: The Barnes & Noble bookstore at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28152 Paseo Drive, Suite 100 in Wesley Chapel.
When: The read-a-thon begins at 10 a.m. on July 13 and is expected to last between 9 hours and 11 hours.
To find out more, call (813) 907-7739 or email .

 

‘Go Set a Watchman’ goes on sale
Where: Barnes & Noble store at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28152 Paseo Drive, Suite 100, in Wesley Chapel.
When: 7 a.m. on July 13
Details: Those buying the book during the special event will receive a free cup of coffee from the bookstore’s café. The first 20 people to purchase the book will also receive a ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ tote bag.

Published July 8, 2015

Memories of Grandma Martinucci, and her chicken cacciatore

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I come from a very large family — the fourth of 10 siblings. My oldest brother was just 14 when my youngest sister arrived, which made for an incredible busy household bursting with children, from infants through high school students.

With so many mouths to feed, our mother rarely asked us kids what we wanted for dinner. Not that it really mattered — we learned at an early age if we did not eat what was put in front of us, a sibling gladly would clean our plate.

Diane Kortus grew up in a family of 10 children, so it was always a big treat to choose what she wanted for her birthday dinner. She always chose Grandma Martinucci’s chicken cacciatore, shown here. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Diane Kortus grew up in a family of 10 children, so it was always a big treat to choose what she wanted for her birthday dinner. She always chose Grandma Martinucci’s chicken cacciatore, shown here.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

There was only one day of the year when our mother asked what we wanted for dinner, and that was our birthday. Most of my brothers and sisters chose standard kid foods— macaroni and cheese, pancakes and fried bologna sandwiches.

But much to the chagrin of my siblings, I always asked mom to make chicken cacciatore for my birthday dinner. My brothers and sisters would wail, “not spaghetti again,” but to me, chicken cacciatore was special because it was the only Italian dish Mom made with chicken instead of meatballs.

We were a brood of half-Polish and half-Italian kids, but since mom was Italian, we ate a lot more Italian dishes than Polish.

Thinking about this today, pasta and red sauce is inexpensive to make, and since mom cooked dinner for 12 people every night, I’m sure cost factored into her decision of what to make for dinner.

Every week my mother and Grandmother Martinucci, who immigrated from Italy in 1912 when she was 12 years old, chopped onions and garlic, sieved fresh tomatoes, added fresh basil and oregano, and put on a huge pot of red sauce with hamburger and meatballs.

But when they made chicken cacciatore, the red sauce was cooked down without any meat until it was time to drop in sautéed chicken pieces. Then the red sauce and chicken simmered on the stove for hours, until the chicken fell from its bones.

To this day I love chicken cacciatore because it makes me feel special.

Here is my grandmother’s recipe, which is over 60 years old.

But don’t wait for a special occasion to enjoy it. It’s easy to make and takes less time than lasagna or other pasta dishes.

Grandma Martinucci’s Chicken Cacciatore
For the chicken

  • 5-6 lbs whole chicken cut into pieces, or 5 lbs chicken legs and thighs
  • ¼ c. olive oil
  • salt, pepper and other preferred seasonings

For the sauce

  • 2 medium onions, thinly sliced – not chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 large can tomatoes (29 ounces)
  • 1 large can tomato sauce (29 ounces)
  • 1 large can tomato puree (29 ounces)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • ½ tsp oregano leaves (crushed)
  • ½ tsp basil leaves (crushed)
  • ½ tsp celery seed
  • 2 T sugar
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3/4 c. dry red wine
  • 1 c. water

Select chicken with skin on the bone. This can be a whole chicken, or an assortment of legs, thighs and breasts. If the breasts are large, cut in half.

Wash and pat dry chicken dry. Coat with seasoning and brown all sides in olive oil, about 10 minutes on each side. Set aside.

For sauce, saute onions and garlic in olive oil (until the onions are clear). Add other ingredients and cook on low between two hours and three hours, until the sauce thickens. Add chicken pieces, and cook for another hour until the chicken begins to fall off the bone.

Chicken cacciatore can also be made ahead of time and popped in the oven for 45 minutes before serving. If you want to do this, place your browned chicken in a large 9 X 13 casserole dish, and pour the red sauce over the chicken. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes to an hour, until the red sauce bubbles and the chicken pulls away from the bone. If desired, sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella or other Italian cheeses on top the last 5 to 10 minutes, until melted.

Serve with pasta.

Editor’s Note: Some of our favorite foods not only taste good, but prompt cherished memories, too. We hope this new feature, ‘Recipes to Remember,’ will provide a source of recipes for foods you will enjoy. We also hope the recipes we feature will inspire you to share your recipe, and the story behind it. Want to know more? Email .

Published July 8, 2015