The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Coming soon: outlet mall’s job fair

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In a sign that Tampa Premium Outlets is gearing up for its October opening, planning is under way for a job fair to fill approximately 800 positions.

The hiring event is scheduled for Aug. 27, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Embassy Suites, at 3705 Spectrum Blvd., in Tampa.

Tampa Premium Outlets Job Fair will help fill more than 800 jobs. (File Photos)
Tampa Premium Outlets Job Fair will help fill more than 800 jobs.
(File Photos)

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and Career Central at Pasco-Hernando State College are event coordinators.

The chamber will invite retailers to a private breakfast before the fair. Members also are helping promote the event.

“It’s so exciting to see this,” said Hope Allen, the chamber’s executive director.

Career Central at Pasco-Hernando State College is preparing for a job fair that’s expected to attract between 1,000 to 2,000 applicants, said Ana Segovia, a business consultant with Career Central.

It proved difficult finding a venue in Pasco large enough to accommodate the event, Segovia said.

“The job fair is really important to us and to our retailers who want to fill all these jobs,” said Les Morris, spokesman for Simon Property Group. “Our motivation is to have a large, centrally located venue that people can get to easily.”

Work is heading into the home stretch at the soon-to-open Tampa Premium Outlets.
Work is heading into the home stretch at the soon-to-open
Tampa Premium Outlets.

Retailers are beginning to send in job descriptions with positions expected in retail, management, security, maintenance and food preparation.

Segovia said fliers and social media are among the various ways the word will be spread about the job fair.

In other news, developers of the outlet mall have released the first official list of stores set to open on Oct. 29.

In a July 22 news release, 14 stores are identified, out of more than 110 stores expected to open at the center.

Stores identified by the mall so far are Adidas, Banana Republic Factory Store, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Coach, Cole Haan, Disney Store Outlet, Ecco, Express Factory Outlet, Fossil, Gap Factory Outlet, Hartstrings, Nike Factory Store, Puma and Samsonite.

Saks OFF 5th was announced previously as the mall’s anchor.

More announcements are anticipated in coming weeks from Simon, the global real estate company that is building the mall, off State Road 56, at the Interstate 75 interchange.

While store announcements are trickling out, nearly 80 stores have applied with Pasco County for building permits and have been identified in media reports in recent weeks.

Among the newest ones – not included in the news release – are Forever 21, Kitchen Collection, The Cosmetic Company, PacSun, Tillys, Guess, Motherhood Maternity, the Luggage Factory, The Limited and Aldo Shoes.

For information about the job fair, call Career Central at (352) 200-3020.

Published July 29, 2015

Their crime-fighting careers inspire crime novels

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Diane and David Munson, two authors from Tampa Bay, draw from their law enforcement careers to create crime thrillers.

In addition to her private practice work as a lawyer, Diane worked as a federal prosecutor.

David was a special agent with what is now known as NCIS (Naval Crime Investigative Service), and also did undercover work for the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Local authors Diane and David Munson recently gave a talk at a luncheon meeting of the Lutz Rotary Club (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Local authors Diane and David Munson recently gave a talk at a luncheon meeting of the Lutz Rotary Club
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

They are the co-authors of nine novels and are in the midst of writing another.

Their most recent release, “Embers of Courage,” involves Eva Montanna, a federal agent, whose task force teammate is captured by militants during a CIA operation in Egypt.

Montanna risks her life to defeat tyrants oppressing Christians, and is plunged into a daring rescue mission.

The Munsons also wrote “The Camelot Conspiracy,” which deals with John F. Kennedy’s assassination, and “Stolen Legacy,” which involves World War II and the Monuments Men.

The couple recently spoke at the Lutz Rotary Club luncheon meeting at Heritage Harbor.

They shared their backgrounds and talked about how that experience comes in handy, when they were creating fictional accounts that involve courtroom drama and investigations to track clues to unravel mysteries.

“We like to say that Dave nailed them, and I jailed them,” Diane told those gathered.

She said the most popular question the couple gets is: “Is the NCIS show realistic?”

It is, in a lot of ways, she said. But in real life, investigations and convictions occur at a much slower pace.

As she introduced her husband, she talked about the risks he encountered as an undercover agent.

“Dave really did face danger,” she said, noting he worked on undercover operations that yielded high-level arrests.

David talked about the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and about information the couple gleaned in researching their novel, “The Camelot Conspiracy.”

He brought along some props, too, including photographs of Dealey Plaza, in Dallas, Texas, where JFK was shot.

While he didn’t take a position on whether Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, he noted there are many interesting questions involving the case.

It doesn’t take much to create a conspiracy, David said.

Essentially, a conspiracy occurs whenever there are two or more people who agree to commit a crime, and one of the co-conspirators commits an overt act, he said.

“Most of the investigations at the federal level involve conspiracies,” he said, noting he was once involved in a case that had 40 co-conspirators.

The ideal way to crack a conspiracy case is to infiltrate the group as an undercover agent, he said, noting that’s precisely what he did when working for the DEA.

In one case, David arrested four associates of former Panamanian President Manuel Noriega, who then testified against the dictator.

Published July 29, 2015

Compark 75 plans expansion in 2016

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Compark 75 is growing again.

The industrial park, off Wesley Chapel Boulevard, will add a new 65,000-square-foot building to four buildings that are already leased almost to capacity.

The permitting process for the new structure is under way, with construction set for 2016.

Compark 75, which is next to the Tampa North Aero Park and visible to motorists on Interstate 75, has found ways to attract new tenants. It is getting ready to expand again, with a 65,000-square-foot building expected to begin construction in 2016. (File Photo)
Compark 75, which is next to the Tampa North Aero Park and visible to motorists on Interstate 75, has found ways to attract new tenants. It is getting ready to expand again, with a 65,000-square-foot building expected to begin construction in 2016.
(File Photo)

No tenant has signed on yet, but that’s typical for an industrial park that, from the start, has proved that location and the right market conditions will produce results.

“All of our tenants have come after the building was built,” said Heidi Tuttle-Beisner of Commercial Asset Partners Realty, an agent for the property. “They feel confident in the level of activity.”

In October, Compark 75 will welcome two new tenants.

Streetside Classics Cars specializes in the consignment, purchase and sale of classic and collectible cars. Compark 75 is its fourth showroom. Other locations are in Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth and Atlanta.

An orthodontics distribution company also will relocate from Tampa into about 41,000 square feet of space at Compark 75.

The company name has not been announced, but Tuttle-Beisner said, “It’s a high-end, incredible company.”

The office park is strategically located next to Interstate 75 about halfway between the State Road 54 and State Road 56 interchanges.

Suncoast Parkway is 12 miles to the west. The Tampa North Aero Park is along the park’s northern boundary.

A $15 million expansion of Compark 75 broke ground in 2014. It was the first major investment in commercial office construction in Pasco County since the recession.

Ross Kirk, owner of KVR Development LLC, handles the development and design of the park. Larry Morgan, president of HR Pasco LLP, owns the park.

“It’s a collaborative effort,” Tuttle-Beisner said.

The 165-acre site is zoned light industrial and can accommodate warehouse, manufacturing and office uses. About 105 acres is wetlands, which will not be developed.

“It will remain the greenest industrial park in the Tampa Bay area,” she said.

Among tenants at the park are the Pasco County Tax Collector’s office and the U.S. Geological Survey Florida Water Science Center.

Nearly two years ago, J.T.D. Enterprises relocated from Michigan to Compark 75. The company manufactures tubular fabrications and assemblies used in products such as golf ball retrievers and flagpoles. Its products also are applicable to defense technologies.

Companies attracted to Compark 75 generally are looking to expand in locations that offer easy access to the interstate system, and they find that in Pasco, Tuttle-Beisner said.

The area’s attractiveness also is being helped by retail development along the State Road 54 and State Road 56 corridors.

The Shops at Wiregrass and the soon-to-open Tampa Premium Outlets are adding amenities and jobs to the area. But Tuttle-Beisner noted: “All the jobs can’t be retail.”

Compark 75 is helping diversify Pasco’s economy by bringing manufacturing and distribution companies into the mix.

“There is nothing else out there like this,” Tuttle-Beisner said.

Published July 29, 2015

Scout has a sign in mind for Old Lutz School

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Eagle Scout projects are an important part of earning the distinguished designation from the Boy Scouts of America. But because they’re normally completed while a candidate is close to graduating high school, their schedule is pretty full.

In many cases, they might only have a few months to design, present and complete it.

Sam Crawford doesn’t have that problem.

He’s not getting ready to graduate high school. He hasn’t even started it yet.

Sam Crawford's project mentor, Michael Ritchie, made a detailed sketch of the proposed sign. It will need adjustments and an architect's touch before it can get final approval.
Sam Crawford’s project mentor, Michael Ritchie, made a detailed sketch of the proposed sign. It will need adjustments and an architect’s touch before it can get final approval.

Crawford, 13, will start his freshman year at Steinbrenner High School this fall. He’s also working toward his Eagle Scout designation.

The Lutz teenager had the option of either wrapping up his project and becoming a very young Eagle Scout, or spending more time on it and making it something big.

Crawford went big.

“I just really wanted to do a project that, when I was older, I could still see it, and it would still be in use,” Crawford said.

So, as he heads off to his new school, he’ll be doing something for an old one — a very old one.

His project involves the Old Lutz School, at 18819 U.S. Highway 41 N.

The school was built around 1927, and served as a school until the mid-1970s.

Now, the structure serves as a symbol of the community, a gathering place for civic groups and a host for local events.

It is also the beneficiary of Crawford’s Eagle Scout project.

Right now, as drivers on U.S. 41 pass the school, they likely have no idea what’s happening at the school, because the sign is too small to be seen clearly from both sides of the highway.

Crawford’s solution? A bigger sign that’s easy to read.

Scouting is important to Sam Crawford, who will attend Steinbrenner High School this fall. He's also working toward his Eagle Scout designation with a project that benefits the Old Lutz School. Shown here, he is standing next to Scoutmaster Jeff Potvin. Joey Hermes, another scout, is in the background. (Photos courtesy of Sam Crawford)
Scouting is important to Sam Crawford, who will attend Steinbrenner High School this fall. He’s also working toward his Eagle Scout designation with a project that benefits the Old Lutz School. Shown here, he is standing next to Scoutmaster Jeff Potvin. Joey Hermes, another scout, is in the background.
(Photos courtesy of Sam Crawford)

Current plans call for it to be 10 feet long and about 8 feet tall, with removable lettering and a protective cover on the signage.

Plans also call for a shingled roof and brick construction, to make the sign both durable and attractive.

When finished, the sign will be the perfect place to list announcement and events for both the school and local organizations.

Even with quality materials and a sturdy design, it might seem like a simple thing to put up a sign.

But this is no simple sign. Crawford wants it to use electricity so it will be useful at night, and the school only has a couple of outlets.

He’ll also need permits to build it, which will take time to secure.

And, he has to find a way to pay for it, since a sign this elaborate will cost thousands. He’s getting material donations and the Citizens for the Old Lutz School Building are chipping in a good amount, but Crawford still needs to raise money to make up the difference.

In all, his Eagle Scout project will take about a year from start to finish. And, he’s already about halfway there.

He’s fine with taking a little extra time to create something that will be useful for years to come. He also expects to learn quite a bit by the time the project is finished.

“I’m very excited, because I’ve never led something this big,” Crawford said.

“It’ll teach me a lot about leading a group of people, and I think I’ll learn a lot from the experience,” he said.

Crawford’s extra efforts are appreciated by the people who are most involved in the school.

“He’s a very nice guy and working very hard on it. It was a big project for him to take on,” said Phyllis Hoedt, co-chair of the Citizens for the Old Lutz School Building.

The new sign will be oriented so drivers traveling north and south can see it clearly, Hoedt said. It will help promote events at the school, such as yard sales, flea markets and their annual Christmas event. The end result should be better promotion on a busy highway, and better attendance at events.

“We’ll have a nice sign to advertise what’s going on the community,” she said.

For now, that nice sign is still in the planning stages.

Crawford still needs a professional sketch by an architect and must finalize structural details so it can be built once they get the proper permits. But once it’s completed, it will be useful and a point of pride.

“I really enjoy (the project) because I’ve grown up in Lutz all my life. I feel like giving back to the community and putting this sign in, it really will help the community for many years to come,” Crawford said. “Hopefully more people will be showing up at the events — thanks to the sign.

Published July 29, 2015

Higher property taxes appear likely in Pasco County

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Pasco County commissioners have agreed to advertise a tax hike that could fully pay for salary increases for Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco’s deputies.

The increased revenues might also pay for a few other items on a wish list suggested by commissioners, including new fire rescue vehicles, additional code enforcement officers, and more money for libraries.

But the increased tax rate will not become final until commissioners approve the approximately $1.3 billion budget in September, and they can always roll the proposed rate back.

However, commissioners, at the July 21 meeting in New Port Richey, had to approve a tentative millage rate that can be advertised in trim notices sent to property owners.

The vote came before a standing-room-only crowd.

The board has adopted rate of 9.4, which is about half a mill higher than the current rate of 8.9.

For a $150,000 house, with taxable value of $100,000, the increase would mean about $36 a year in additional property tax.

Between now and September there will be workshops and public hearings where commissioners might get an earful from unhappy taxpayers.

Or, they could be greeted with cheers from Nocco and others who say the pay increase is critical to public safety.

“It’s just hard for Republicans to raise taxes. We know we’re going to get hammered,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.  But she said, “I’m not here for a career. I’m here to do what’s best for the county. I’m willing. If we don’t invest in our county, how can we possibly expect anyone else to?”

The crowd packing the commission’s meeting room included deputies, first responders and their family members.

They made it clear, as they have at other commission meetings, that they will not be satisfied with anything less than a full funding of Sheriff Chris Nocco’s requested budget increase of $6.5 million.

Kathleen Stevenson, the wife of a Pasco County deputy, told commissioners she never knows each day if her husband will come home safely.

“I want to say what an impact you can make today by putting yourselves in our shoes,” she said. “How much value do they (deputies) have for you? If you think things are improving in this county, you have blinders on.”

The sheriff’s total budget would be about $104 million for 2016, if fully funded. The increase is largely for salary and benefits to jump-start a three-year plan to make Pasco competitive in hiring and retaining deputies. The increase also includes funds for the jail’s new camera security system and maintenance of the department’s helicopter unit.

The sheriff’s department lost 44 deputies last year, many of them choosing to take higher paying jobs in Tampa. Nocco said he expects to lose about 60 deputies by the end of the year.

Pasco ranks 55 out of all 67 counties in Florida in per capita funding for law enforcement, and dead last among Tampa Bay area counties including Pinellas, Hillsborough, Citrus and Hernando, according to data provided by the sheriff’s department. That data also shows the department’s current budget is the lowest among counties with similar or smaller populations.

For example, Pasco’s 2015 law enforcement budget of about $98 million is significantly lower than Pinellas’ budget of nearly $249 million, even though Pinellas has about 61,000 fewer residents.

“It pains me that political leaders in this county have not made public safety funding a priority that gets us out of last place,” said Gary Bradford, a retired Tampa police detective who is a member of the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association. “I’m ashamed of it. We have to start. We have to start now.”

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano drew a round of applause when he suggested a higher millage rate than the one eventually adopted.

“We need to make a move,” he said. “We’ve got a chance for a giant leap in this area. I don’t think anyone here wants to be at the bottom of any pile.”

Mariano also championed an end to parking fees at county parks, saying it is time for the county to stop pushing off decisions from year to year.

County officials estimate the annual revenues from parking fees are about $341,000.

But Mariano said, “Our tax base is only going to grow. It’s going to get better.”

Commission chairman Ted Schrader took the opposite view.

“It’s not really going to get better,” Schrader said. “It’s going to get worse.”

Schrader asked Assistant County Administrator Heather Grimes to highlight the crisis that could confront county officials in the next years.

The problem, Grimes said, is that recurring revenues aren’t keeping pace with recurring expenses.

Ending parking fees would be a deal breaker for Schrader who said there was a fairness issue in ending those fees while also increasing the annual storm water fee by $10. He also said the county can’t afford, at least in 2016, to increase library funding to its 2008, pre-recession level.

One source of funding that could help offset or reduce a tax increase is a one-time payout of about $7.4 million from BP Oil. Pasco County commissioners recently agreed to accept the funds as settlement against the oil giant for damages related to the 2010 oil spill at the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, off the shores of Louisiana.

The funds probably will be received within three months.

Five Gulf States, including Florida, sued BP for its losses, including tourist-related dollars. The state received more than $3.2 billion from more than $18.7 billion in total from BP. Louisiana received the largest settlement of about $6.8 million but Florida received the highest payout for its total economic losses, pegged at about $2 billion.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore suggested giving $2 million of the county’s share to fund the sheriff’s requested budget.

“That will get him one step closer to the volume of raises he needs to keep people here,” Moore said.

He also supported a budget that funds four additional code enforcement officers. “People are concerned about the image and appearance of the county,” he said. “What’s going to take care of that? Code enforcement.”

Commissioner Mike Wells restated his previous desire to give pay increases to every county employee, possibly with the BP settlement.

“It’s all about raises,” he said. “We have to take care of everybody.”

Published July 29, 2015

School supply drives aim to help kids, teachers

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Chambers of commerce, businesses, civic organizations, churches and community groups are busy collecting items that students will need once school begins.

Some efforts are broad outreach programs, and others involve individual churches.

Efforts are underway to help students who need supplies for the coming school year. (File Art)
Efforts are underway to help students who need supplies for the coming school year.
(File Art)

Some seek to help teachers fill their supply cupboards so they won’t have to dig into their own wallets to pay for supplies their students need.

Others give the items directly to children and families in need.

There is an ever-growing list of efforts, but here are some of the ongoing or planned efforts to date:

  • The First National Bank of Pasco is collecting school supply and monetary donations for its Stuff the Backpack Drive, through Aug. 7, at any of its three branches in Zephyrhills and Dade City. Monetary donations will be used to purchase additional school supplies. Items needed include liquid soap, Ziploc bags, crayons, highlighters, backpacks, rulers, folders, index cards and more. For locations, visit FNBPasco.com.
  • Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care is collecting school supplies, through Aug. 8, at all five of its thrift shops. Anyone who donates will receive a voucher for 25 percent off a single item (sale items and furniture excluded) that is valid for one week after the donation, at any thrift shop location. Supplies needed include backpacks, colored pencils, crayons, erasers, folders, glue sticks, markers, notebooks, paper, pencil cases, pens, scissors and yellow pencils. All supplies will be distributed to needy children in Pasco County through the Kiwanis Club of Greater West Pasco. For a list of shop locations, visit GHPPC.org.
  • Children’s Home Society of Florida, 1515 Michelin Court in Lutz, is collecting backpacks and school supplies, through Aug. 11. To arrange a drop-off or pickup, or for information, call Rachelle Duroseau at (813) 428-3832, or email .
  • Sharpline Investigations is hosting a school supply drive, through Aug. 21, with local drop-off locations in Wesley Chapel and Lutz. Supplies needed include backpacks, pencils, pens, spiral notebooks, composition books, binders and notebook paper. The supplies will be distributed to students in Hillsborough and Pasco counties that are at risk in attendance, academics and behavior. For information and locations, visit SharplineInvestigations.com/giving-back-to-the-community/.
  • The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is collecting school supplies, from July 31 to Aug. 2, for the Stuff the Bus for Teachers program. Some of the school items needed include mechanical pencils, pens, scissors, pink erasers, dry erasers, dry erase markers, hand sanitizer, rulers, copy paper (white and colors), spiral notebooks, folders (3-prong and no prong), and colored pencils. For information and donation sites, email .
  • Cobb Theatres Grove 16, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., in Wesley Chapel is hosting its seventh annual Back to School Bash on Aug. 15. The event, themed “Fantastic Four,” will take place from10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Festivities will include activities such as face painting, games, haircuts, health screenings and school supply giveaways.

The theater is still seeking sponsors. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor or partner, call Demene Benjamin at (813) 948-5445, or email ">.

  • The United Way of Pasco County will host the 5th Annual Stuff the Bus for Teachers, July 31 to Aug. 2, at various Walmart and Publix locations, and is looking for volunteers.

There are three-hour shifts available: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

To sign up, visit tinyurl.com/stuffthebus2015 or UnitedWayPasco.org.

For information, call (727) 835-2028.

  • C1 Bank and Goin’ Postal are collecting school supplies, and donations will be given to local schools for on-campus personnel to distribute to students in need. Goin’ Postal locations are:
  • 14247 Seventh St., Dade City
  • 27221 State Road 56, Wesley Chapel
  • 28500 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel (inside Walmart)
  • 38439 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
  • 7631 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills (inside Walmart)

C1 Bank, 7435 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills, also is collecting supplies and will host the Back-To-School Community Party Aug. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be a limited number of drawstring bags with school supplies, and drawings for gift cards, as well as games and puzzles, chalk art, coloring contests, a dance contest and more.

For information, call Shelly Brantman at C1 Bank at (813) 715-4700.

Published July 29, 2015

 

Fresh faces on school campuses

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As students head back to school this fall, they may see a few unfamiliar faces.

Pasco County Schools has transferred or appointed new administrators at several school campuses across the district.

In some cases, administrators are being promoted from another position, are returning to a campus where they worked before or are being elevated where they already work.

So, here’s a rundown on some of the recently appointed principals and assistant principals in schools serving Central Pasco and East Pasco schools:

  • Angie Stone, principal at Zephyrhills High School
  • Jeff Wolff, principal at Pasco Middle School in Dade City
  • Kim Anderson, principal at San Antonio Elementary School
  • Kara Smucker, principal at Quail Hollow Elementary School in Wesley Chapel
  • Jason Petry, principal at Sanders Memorial STEAM Elementary in Land O’ Lakes
  • Phillip Bell, assistant principal at Sunlake High School
  • Deborah Collin, assistant principal at Dr. John Long Middle School
  • Trudy Hartman, assistant principal at Lake Myrtle Elementary School
  • Eric McDermott, assistant principal, Zephyrhills High School
  • Kyle Ritsema, assistant principal at Pine View Middle School
  • Shannon Schultz, assistant principal at Land O’ Lakes High School
  • Scott Davey, assistant principal at Wesley Chapel High School
  • Nena Green, assistant principal at Pasco Elementary School
  • Timothy Light, assistant principal at Wiregrass Ranch High School
  • Heather Ochs, assistant principal at Sunlake High School
  • Pio Rizzo, assistant principal, Pine View Middle School

Students in the Pasco public school district will begin their first day of classes on Aug. 24.

Besides new administrators, there are a few other new things in store.

For one thing, the district is opening its first magnet school, which is located at Sanders Memorial Elementary and will focus on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. The school building has undergone a massive renovation, which has included remodeling some buildings and constructing new ones. When it opens, the school will feature the latest in technology and will foster a collaborative learning environment for students and teachers.

Wiregrass Ranch High School also will experience some major changes this year, as the school adopts a 10-period day. The arrangement is aimed at managing a student enrollment that is expected to approach 2,500. By having more periods, the school can stagger student starting times to limit the number of periods when the entire student body is on campus.

Quail Hollow also will begin the school year with an entirely remodeled building, complete with classrooms that have doors and windows. It also will be equipped with updated technology.

Published July 29, 2015

Veggie Van to deliver fresh produce in East Pasco

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For many low-income families, putting fresh fruits and vegetables on a grocery shopping list is a luxury out of reach.

They live in what are known as food deserts, where the only choice for buying groceries is a corner store or a convenience shop.

The Veggie Van is a point of pride for Tom Looby, left, president of the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA; Kelley Parris, executive director of the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County; Ann Shafer, loan officer at Bank of America; Lakeisha Hood of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; and Michelle Maingot, chairwoman of the YMCA’s board of directors. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)
The Veggie Van is a point of pride for Tom Looby, left, president of the Tampa Metropolitan YMCA; Kelley Parris, executive director of the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County; Ann Shafer, loan officer at Bank of America; Lakeisha Hood of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; and Michelle Maingot, chairwoman of the YMCA’s board of directors.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)

Fresh produce is either nonexistent or so costly families can’t afford it. Catching a public bus to a grocery store isn’t always a satisfactory answer.

“You can only carry so much on a bus,” said Mike McCollum, executive director of the Bob Gilbertson Central City Family YMCA in Tampa.

So, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA came up with a solution – the Veggie Van.

The program operates on a two-week rotation, delivering seasonal produce to families in need. The refrigerated truck, loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables, will be parked at the Lacoochee Community Center in Stanley Park on Aug. 4 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Other participating communities are Sulphur Springs, Wimauma Village and Tampa Heights, in Hillsborough County. The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, the Bank of America and the Joy McCann Foundation are among the sponsoring partners.

On July 10, McCollum and other dignitaries, including Tom Looby, president of the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, officially rolled out the yellow and orange van.

The vehicle sparked interest from passersby while parked for a week in the lot across from the Central City YMCA on Palm Avenue in Tampa.

“It just looks cool,” said Looby. “We will go to (families) in this visually, appealingly colorful van. But instead of the ice cream truck, it’s the Veggie Van.”

A summer youth camp for children ages 5 and 6 hiked over from the Bob Gilbertson Central City YMCA in Tampa to get bags of vegetables to take home.
A summer youth camp for children ages 5 and 6 hiked over from the Bob Gilbertson Central City YMCA in Tampa to get bags of vegetables to take home.

As many as 50 food deserts have been identified including the Lacoochee community, said Elizabeth Roman, the mobile food market director for the Tampa area YMCA.

In the future, more communities in Hillsborough and Pasco counties could become stops for the Veggie Van.

“There are many families not able to access fresh fruits and vegetables,” Roman said. “We’re trying to eliminate the gap, if we can.”

Children and families who qualify for free or reduced meals at schools automatically qualify and only need to sign up for the program. Families in Lacoochee can sign up at local Boys & Girls Clubs or on the day the van comes to the community center.

A nutritionist, with the local extension agency, will work with families on food preparation, tips for shopping, food safety, nutrition plans and the need for physical activity.

“We strongly believe the Veggie Van will change the face of hunger in the Tampa community,” said Jacqueline Hunter who will work with the Veggie Van program in Hillsborough. She works for Hillsborough County Extension.

In Lacoochee, an extension program, Family Nutrition Program of Pasco County, will partner with the Veggie Van. The county program has been providing nutritional and educational services at Lacoochee Elementary School for about eight years.

The first three years of the Veggie Van will cost about $200,000 from a combination of funds from the YMCA and grants from the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County and Joy McCann Foundation. In addition, Bartow Ford donated the van and CGM Services provided the van’s cooling system.

Representatives of Florida’s Department of Agriculture are serving as advisors for the mobile market.

The idea for Veggie Van had been percolating for more than a year. The agencies found common concern about giving families more access to healthy, nutritional food.

And, Looby said the Joy McCann Foundation already was supporting a food program in Lacoochee. The YMCA itself has ongoing programs in Pasco. “It made sense for everyone to make the connections,” he said.

Interested families can contact Elizabeth Roman at (813) 229-9622, ext. 1729, or email to ">.

Published July 22, 2015

Lutz artist’s work selected for international exhibit

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Elizabeth Fontaine-Barr always wanted to be a painter — whose works would sell and gain recognition for artistic excellence.

She got there, but it was no simple path.

She enjoyed drawing as a child. She won art awards in high school. And, in college, she obtained an art degree.

So far so good.

Elizabeth Fontaine-Barr's ‘Off the Path’ was accepted into the International Society of Acrylic Painters open exhibition in California. Landscapes are preferred subjects for the artist. (Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Fontaine-Barr)
Elizabeth Fontaine-Barr’s ‘Off the Path’ was accepted into the International Society of Acrylic Painters open exhibition in California. Landscapes are preferred subjects for the artist.
(Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Fontaine-Barr)

Then she realized something was missing.

“They don’t tell you how to make money when you graduate in painting,” Fontaine-Barr said.

Knowing there would be bills to pay as an adult, the New Orleans native had studied advertising design in New York.

She opened a store back home with another artist where they taught art classes to children and did custom picture framing.

Then she was a freelance commercial artist, and she went on to become the editor for a New Orleans hospital newsletter.

After that, Fontaine-Barr went into advertising sales, managed a rock ‘n roll band, and spent time in the health field. And during that time, she worked on film and video, serving as a production coordinator when she moved to Florida.

“I’ve worn a lot of different hats,” she admits.

Now, Fontaine-Barr, who moved to Lutz in 1990, wears the hat that fits her best.

She returned to painting and is selling her work.

She’s being recognized with admittance into the 18th Annual International Society of Acrylic Painters open exhibition, July 30 through Aug. 23, in Paso Robles, California. Her accepted piece, “Off the Path,” made the cut after being scrutinized by a juror, who examined all the submissions and accepted just 58 into the exhibition.

“Off the Path,” like most of Fontaine-Barr’s works, is a colorful landscape that doesn’t look like anything you’d see in real life.

Elizabeth Fontaine-Barr has been a custom picture framer, an editor, and a manager for a rock band among other careers. But she came back to painting, which she has loved since her childhood.
Elizabeth Fontaine-Barr has been a custom picture framer, an editor, and a manager for a rock band among other careers. But she came back to painting, which she has loved since her childhood.

She draws inspiration from real-life landscapes — often they’re vacation photographs — and puts them through the filter of her own emotions.

The result is an expressionist’s interpretation of the image. “Off the Path” is filled with vibrant hues and an expansive sky.

Unlike many of her works, it doesn’t have foliage to break up the scene.

The inspiration for her ISAP entry came from a photograph of a different painting of a landscape, though you wouldn’t recognize the painting or the original image in Fontaine-Barr’s art.

Once it goes through her creative process, all that’s left is her own impression of what she’s seen.

“Just because I’m looking at a photograph, it’s not going to look like that photograph,” Fontaine-Barr said. “It’s just a trigger for an emotion that I am trying to get down on canvas.”

Fontaine-Barr started getting back into painting around 2008, and it took some adjustment.

Like a blank sheet of paper can be intimidating to a writer, a blank canvas can be daunting to a painter, she explained.

When her creativity flows, she takes advantage of it while she can, coming back to a work periodically on a piece until it’s done.

And because she’s not replicating that particular landscape, it can be hard to tell where it’s going or when she’s actually finished.

“Sometimes, because I’m not drawing what I’m seeing, I don’t know how this is going to turn out,” she said. “It’s almost like the painting has to paint itself.”

Fontaine-Barr does the actual painting, and now she’s doing some selling as well. She estimates that she’s sold more than two dozen works, and hopes “Off the Path” will be another.

Still, it’s no fast track to wealth.

Once an artist factors in the cost to enter exhibits, ship the painting to the event and give the gallery its cut, a painter isn’t looking at a life of luxury, even if the work sells.

Fontaine-Barr won’t be attending the exhibition in California. Going there would add even more to the expense.

Still, being accepted into exhibitions is good for an artist’s resume, Fontaine-Barr said. In addition to the ISAP exhibition, she’s been accepted into regional and local events, as well.

Also, if an artist wants gallery representation — something Fontaine-Barr is considering pursuing in the future — it helps to have a proven track record of acceptance.

As she continues her artistic pursuits, she’s keeping up with her own family’s track record of creativity. Her husband, John, is a musician, and her daughter, Hannah, is involved in ballet.

After spending years in creative and noncreative careers, Fontaine-Barr is again finding satisfaction and success putting her own creativity on canvas.

“I finally came full circle back to my passion,” she said.

For more samples of Fontaine-Barr’s work, visit FontaineGallery.com.

Published July 22, 2015

 

Historian sheds light on German POWs in Dade City

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The recent death of Eva Martha (Goddard) Knapp has sparked memories of the work she did to trace the history of German prisoners of war who lived and worked in the Dade City area during World War II.

Knapp, who died on June 20, 2015 in St. Petersburg, was a noted historian in the Pasco County Historical Society.

This photo was taken during the 1995 dedication of a historic marker to record the fact that German prisoners of war lived in Dade City during World War II and served as laborers. They were paid the prevailing wages, but the U.S. government deducted money to cover expenses for housing and feeding them. (Courtesy of Fivay.org)
This photo was taken during the 1995 dedication of a historic marker to record the fact that German prisoners of war lived in Dade City during World War II and served as laborers. They were paid the prevailing wages, but the U.S. government deducted money to cover expenses for housing and feeding them.
(Courtesy of Fivay.org)

She was particularly known for the research she did about the German POW camps, including a camp housed in an area now known as Pyracantha/Naomi Jones Park.

Knapp donated many of her materials to the University of South Florida, according to local historians Madonna Wise and Eddie Herrmann, who put together some background information about Knapp, following her death, which they shared with The Laker/Lutz News.

According to their research, a biographical excerpt on Knapp in the USF collection details Knapp’s involvement in collecting information about the German POWs.

The USF excerpt says that during the 1991-1992 school year, Knapp was teaching English at Hernando High School in Brooksville, and her 10th-grade class read Betty Greene’s novel, “The Summer of My German Soldier.”

Eva Martha Knapp, former president of the Pasco Historical Society, did extensive work to trace the history of the German prisoners of war who lived in Dade City during World War II. (Courtesy of Madonna Wise)
Eva Martha Knapp, former president of the Pasco Historical Society, did extensive work to trace the history of the German prisoners of war who lived in Dade City during World War II.
(Courtesy of Madonna Wise)

After reading the book, Knapp’s students interviewed family members and acquaintances that were old enough to remember World War II to see if they knew if German prisoners of war had been held in Pasco County, the excerpt says.

During those interviews, they heard that some German prisoners had worked at the Pasco Packing Company, the excerpt adds.

So, two students visited the company and learned from company executives that German POWs indeed had worked there.

The class also was able to locate some of the men who had been prisoners in Florida camps, and who had remained in Florida after the war.

The class received a letter from a former prisoner, detailing some of his experiences.

Ludeke Herder, a prisoner who was a Protestant, shares his memories of one Christmas in a letter dated Jan. 9, 1992.

Because it was Christmas, the prisoners were allowed to go to a “Protestant-Lutheran Church in Tampa,” he writes.

“Our guards were inside the church too, without guns. After the worship, our guard told us to leave the church through the same door, like we came in, but the vicar told us to go through the door at the side of the church. Our guard was mad, but allowed us to take the other door,” he adds.

The story of the German prisoners of war who lived in Dade City is recorded on this historic marker. (Courtesy of Fivay.org)
The story of the German prisoners of war who lived in Dade City is recorded on this historic marker.
(Courtesy of Fivay.org)

As they came through a small door, he continues, “the people gave us cakes, candy and coffee and it was a wonderful Christmas day and I never can forget such a kind gesture.”

Letters such as this one are the types of items contained in the collection at USF, which resulted from the students’ and Knapp’s research efforts.

The archive also contains photocopies of material gathered by Knapp during her research, including copies of official documents from the National Archives, correspondence with former German prisoners of war, photocopies of Der P.O.W. Zeit-Spiegel (a publication) and other materials.

Knapp worked extensively with Herrmann to archive the information.

Herrmann shared some of his knowledge about the German prisoners during a recent interview.

The men lived in the Dade City camp, but went out to do jobs, Herrmann recalled.

“They went out every day. They rode a bus to go to work in Brooksville,” he said. They dug lime rock at a mine that was used in building construction.

“They worked in the orange groves,” Herrmann added. “They got to be friendly with people. They even worked in people’s yards.”

Additional details of the prisoners’ experiences in Dade City are contained on a historical marker Branch Camp No. 7, placed there in 1995 by the Pasco County Historical Preservation Committee.

The marker explains that the demands of World War II created a shortage of agricultural workers here at home.

To reduce that problem, the United States Army established about 500 prisoner-of-war camps to supply laborers.

Camp Blanding, near Starke, was headquarters for the 22 camps in Florida, with the Dade City camp being designated Branch Camp No. 7, according to the marker.

The Dade City camp began in March 1944 and housed about 250 men, many who had been involved with Rommel’s famed AfrikaKorps.

The camp was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It had a three-tent mess hall, which was also used for church services, classes and movies.

It also had a canteen attached to a small day room; a larger day room with table tennis and a piano; sleeping quarters and latrines, according to the marker.

The prisoners handled a variety of jobs, according to the marker. They worked at the McDonald Mine in Brooksville, where they made limestone bricks for Pasco Packing Building No. 7, and at Cummer Sons Cypress Mill in Lacoochee.

The prisoners’ spiritual needs were attended to by a minister of the Zion Lutheran Church of Tampa and by priests from nearby Saint Leo Abbey.

Knapp developed lasting friendships with the prisoners and even traveled to Germany to visit them.

She was long-time member of the Pasco Historical Society, where she served as president of the society in 2002.

She presented to the society in May of 1995 on her research about the prisoner of war camp and Pasco Packing.

She also participated as a costumed docent, demonstrating, and teaching spinning and weaving skills at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village.

She is survived by two sisters, Margaret Allen and Jane McDavitt; three children, Diana Neff, Roberta Stalvey and Howard Knapp; eleven grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pasco Historical Society or the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village.

More information is available at EastPascoHistoricalSociety.com/pascomurals.html or WarLinks.com/memories/knapp.

Published July 22, 2015