The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Land O’ Lakes’ honorary mayor begins his term

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Tariq Zidan ponied up more than $1,000 and was named the honorary Mayor of Land O’ Lakes.

He didn’t win the title through a shady deal in a smoke-filled room or making bribes to fix an election.

Zidan won the honorary title fair and square.

Tariq Zidan is given the mayor's sash by outgoing mayor Terri Dusek at the Central Pasco Chamber's awards and installation banquet on June 26. (Fred Bellet/Photo)
Tariq Zidan is given the mayor’s sash by outgoing mayor Terri Dusek at the Central Pasco Chamber’s awards and installation banquet on June 26.
(Fred Bellet/Photo)

He raised the most money during the campaign which ran from early March until late June. The funds go to the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, and the mayor’s sash went to Zidan.

“It feels fantastic,” said Zidan. “This was my first shot at fundraising, so I’m not a heavy-hitter. But I’m very satisfied with my first efforts on my way to becoming a heavy-hitter with fundraising.”

Zidan succeeded in his first fundraising effort by putting together a trio of successful events at area venues: A Bunco game night at Copperstone Executive Suites, a trivia night at Stage Left and a karaoke night at City Grill. Together, they raised the amount that earned him the win. He credits April Saland and Elisabeth Butterfield with making the Bunco and karaoke events successful.

Zidan, who runs Zidan Marketing & Media, an online marketing and web design company, was honored with the title at the chamber’s awards and installation banquet on June 26. It was also a celebration of the organization’s 40th anniversary, and included the installation ceremony for the chamber’s new officers.

As the new mayor, Zidan can look forward to ceremonial events such as ribbon cuttings and other appearances.

Zidan also gets to direct some of the money he raised to the charity of his choice. He chose the Bubba The Love Sponge Foundation, which was founded by the popular radio personality. The charity assists the surviving family members of fallen officers and first responders.

For Zidan, it’s a chance to help families who have lost loved ones serving the community.

“It’s what makes our country great,” he said. “We’ve got to pay it forward to the people who make it all possible.”

Zidan joined the Central Pasco Chamber last October. The Lutz resident has been a member for just a small part of the chamber’s 40 years, but said it’s already done a lot for him.

“It has presented the opportunities to create some great relationships and foster those relationships on a business and personal level,” he said.

One of those relationships is the reason he’s the mayor today. The now former mayor, Terri Dusek, convinced Zidan that he’d be a good replacement for her when her term ended. Now that he’s the mayor, Zidan said he’ll be active in finding more people to run for the office.

Each mayor is different, and Zidan wasted no time in putting his own stamp on the office. He’s already updated the traditional sash by adding a large clock to it. It’s a tribute to rapper Flavor Flav, who is known for wearing clocks at appearances and concerts. Zidan believes the accessory gives the sash a needed bit of flash.

“I figured I’d give it an untraditional spark. Bling it out a little bit,” he said.

While the mayor title doesn’t come with any real responsibilities or tangible duties, Zidan said the benefit of having the race is very real for the chamber and its goals.

“It creates attention and gets people interested, which is always a good thing,” Zidan said. “I think that chambers that don’t do it are missing out on an opportunity for an organic degree of exposure that they can only benefit from, and the Central Pasco Chamber has done that,” Zidan said.

Published July 15, 2015

Centennial Bank will acquire Bay Cities Bank

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Home BancShares Inc., the parent company of Centennial Bank, and Florida Business BancGroup Inc., parent company of Bay Cities Bank, are merging.

Home BancShares will acquire FBBI for $101.6 million, an amount that is the second largest paid for a Florida bank since 2007. The bank in the past three years has also bought Heritage Bank of Florida in Lutz, and Florida Traditions Bank in Dade City.

A closing date on the purchase will be in October.

It is not yet clear whether any Bay Cities Bank locations will close as a result a merger between Home BancShares Inc., the parent company of Centennial Bank, and Florida Business BancGroup Inc, the parent company of Bay Cities Bank. This Bay Cities Bank is located in Lutz. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
It is not yet clear whether any Bay Cities Bank locations will close as a result a merger between Home BancShares Inc., the parent company of Centennial Bank, and Florida Business BancGroup Inc, the parent company of Bay Cities Bank. This Bay Cities Bank is located in Lutz.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“I think it is a good thing for our shareholders,” said Gregory Bryant, Bay Cities’ president and chief executive officer.

Customers also should benefit from more services and products that can be offered by the resulting larger company.

After the acquisition, Home BancShares will have about $8.5 billion in total assets. Headquartered in Arkansas, the banking corporation has locations there and in Florida, Alabama and New York City.

“We look forward to adding Bay Cities’ experienced bankers to our team and to serving the customers of Bay Cities by providing the same friendly, local service they have grown accustomed to, while also providing increased resources through the combined franchise,” Centennial Chief Executive Officer Tracy French, said in a news release.

The Tampa-based Bay Cities brings more than $540 million in total assets, $391 million in loans and $461 million in deposits into the deal, the release states.

“We built a franchise in a good market,” Bryant said. “I think the price reflects that.”

The bank currently has six branch locations in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, and in Sarasota. There also is a loan company in Clearwater.

Details on the transition are being worked out, and it is not clear yet if any locations will close, Bryant said.

The merger is part of a trend that has emerged since the financial crisis of more than five years ago, he said.

One reason is that low interest rates are affecting banks’ operating margins. But another issue is the increase in banking regulations in response to the crisis. Smaller banks, in particular, are burdened with absorbing regulatory costs, Bryant said.

“I think there is some pressure on the banking sector that would suggest consolidation is going to continue,” he said.

Published July 15, 2015

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