Local News

Freedom Fest entertains and delights

July 8, 2015 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

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.

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.

Details emerging for Tampa Premium Outlets

July 8, 2015 By Kathy Steele

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)

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.

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

July 8, 2015 By B.C. Manion

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.

“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.

“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

July 8, 2015 By B.C. Manion

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

July 8, 2015 By Diane Kortus

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

Getting food on families’ tables faster

July 1, 2015 By B.C. Manion

A Feeding America Tampa Bay facility in Land O’ Lakes is being repurposed, meaning it will no longer be a place where local agencies can pick up food for their pantries.

That will be an adjustment for local agencies — such as Daystar Hope Center of Pasco County Inc., in Dade City — that have been picking up food from the Land O’ Lakes facility to pack in bags and boxes to give to people in need.

Sister Jean Abbott, who oversees Daystar Hope Center of Pasco County Inc., said she hopes that changes being made by Feeding America Tampa Bay will allow her agency to pick up donations from food suppliers closer to her food pantry. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — Sister Jean Abbott, who oversees Daystar Hope Center of Pasco County Inc., said she hopes that changes being made by Feeding America Tampa Bay will allow her agency to pick up donations from food suppliers closer to her food pantry.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

But Thomas Mantz, executive director of Feeding America Tampa Bay, said he believes the new system that will be used in Pasco will help deliver more food to family dinner tables faster.

Under the new system, Feeding America Tampa Bay will pick up food from suppliers and deliver goods to local agencies directly, or will facilitate arrangements between local agencies and local food suppliers, Mantz said.

“We did this in Pinellas County two years ago,” he said, and the organization’s experiences have demonstrated that the model works.

The change will not mean less food going to feed the poor in Pasco County, Mantz said. “We are invested in Pasco.”

In 2013, 3 million pounds of food was distributed in Pasco. In 2014, the amount increased to 4.5 million pounds of food.

Still, there needs to be more, Mantz said.

“There’s not enough food in Pasco County to feed everybody,” Mantz said.

The Land O’ Lakes facility will stop providing food to local agencies in early July, Mantz said.

These are some of the items stocked in the pantry at Daystar Hope Center of Pasco County Inc. The inventory changes, based on what’s available, said Sister Jean Abbott, who oversees the food pantry.

It will be put to a different use, and that use will support the organization’s overall mission, Mantz said.

One possible use would be a chophouse, where fruits and vegetables would be chopped and bagged, to keep the foods fresh for longer periods, Mantz said.

Sister Jean Abbott, who oversees Daystar’s operations, said she would welcome arrangements that allow her pantry to pick up food items directly from local grocers.

“It eliminates them running their trucks all over the road. It eliminates us running our trucks all over the road,” she said.

“We used to go to Sweetbay. We went there twice a week,” she said. We’d gladly do that again. That was a sweet deal for us. We loved it,” she said.

In fact, when Kash’n Karry rebranded to Sweetbay, they got rid of all of the stuff that said Kash’n Karry,” Abbott said.

“We had two or three truckloads of stuff — out of their freezers, off their shelves, packaged things.

“Merciful heavens, we had stuff. It was wonderful,” Abbott said.

Published July 1, 2015

Author’s feline teaches about friendships, faith

July 1, 2015 By Michael Murillo

Angie Albrecht-Smith brings her cat, Willie, to any speaking engagements or book signings where he’s allowed.

He’s not there just for moral support. It’s his event as much as hers.

Willie, a Maine Coon, is the main character in Albrecht-Smith’s line of children’s books. The Land O’ Lakes resident released the second book in the “Willie’s Critter Tales” series earlier this year by Tate Publishing. “Willie’s Friend Visits” is the follow-up to “Willie Meets A Possum,” which was published in 2010.

Angie Albrecht-Smith likes to write out her stories on paper before heading to the computer. Sometimes the series protagonist, Willie, likes to supervise. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo) — Angie Albrecht-Smith likes to write out her stories on paper before heading to the computer. Sometimes the series protagonist, Willie, likes to supervise.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

In the stories, Willie encounters a variety of animals: Possums, deer, doves, chipmunks and other cats. He’s always eager to meet someone new, even if they’re very different than he is, with their own ways of eating and living.

While Albrecht-Smith confirms that the stories come from true events with a little imagination thrown in, there’s a parallel between Willie’s welcoming attitude and her own life.

Her husband, Frank, is a construction manager with specialized skills, and the couple have traveled all over the world during their 43 years together.

Every few years Albrecht-Smith has made a new home, sometimes in a different state, and other times in a different country. Whether it’s England, Trinidad or Saudi Arabia, Albrecht-Smith had the same open attitude toward different experiences as she gives Willie in her books.

“You have different mindsets and you have different cultures, but what God’s always shown me is you can find common ground,” she said of the people she’s met in her travels. “They want to provide for their family. They want to have a good life, and most people want to treat others well.”

Albrecht-Smith made an effort to live among the people in that particular country, rather than in a community with other Americans living there. She would go from house to house, introducing herself and her children, Abraham and Patience, to their new neighbors.

Even though some were hesitant, she soon forged friendships that way, and was able to bond with each community, even if they didn’t stay long.

Albrecht-Smith is used to making an impact on people in a short amount of time, and she wants to do the same with her book series.

Because they’re intended for children, the books aren’t long and are easy to read. The idea is that parents can read them to their children, or have the children read to their parents. In either case, the act of sharing fosters communication at a time when she sees too many people staring at a cellphone instead of interacting with someone close to them.

“We’ve lost the art of conversing,” Albrecht-Smith said. “Either that child reading to you or you reading to them — There is nothing that will replace that bonding experience.”

While the books aren’t overly religious, readers will usually find a mention or two of God in the story.

That’s also by design.

Albrecht-Smith is an ordained Christian minister, and faith plays a big role in her life. She’s also active with animal rescue organizations; her pets, including Willie, are rescues.

While the book aims to help people communicate, it also helped the author with communication when she went through a difficult time in her life.

The author’s son, Abraham, passed away (Albrecht-Smith prefers the phrase “called home”) around the time her first book came out. Doing publicity for the book became a cathartic experience, and the warm reception she received when she spoke was a help to her as both a writer and a mother.

“That is when I started breathing again. I love people. I love talking to them. I love listening to their stories,” Albrecht-Smith said. “That helped me more than anything.”

Albrecht-Smith is still talking to people, whether it’s talking to children about her latest book, or writing workshops with young adults.

And she’s still writing.

She plans to speed up the releases of her books, with a goal of the next one being published in 2016.

She wants to complete six books in Willie’s series before moving to a separate group of stories with her other cat, Ernie. Those stories should be more whimsical to match Ernie’s personality, she said.

Future stories will cover different topics, such as caring for a rescue pet, and what plans people make for their pets when they pass away (Patience now cares for Abraham’s cat). But they’ll keep the same respectful tone regarding meeting new people, sharing a variety of experiences and searching for common ground with those who seem different.

The same kind of respect for others that Albrecht-Smith maintained in her travels around the world.

“I never preached. I just tried to treat everybody like God treats me, which is very kind and very forgiving,” she said.

For more information about the “Willie’s Critter Tales” series, call (888) 361-9473, or visit TatePublishing.com.

Published July 1, 2015

Charter school finds a home

July 1, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Garden Montessori Charter School has signed a five-year lease on a new 22,000-square-foot home in a former fitness facility in Wesley Chapel.

“It’s a beautiful property,” John Selover, a consultant for the charter school said. “We’re really excited about it.”

Garden Montessori Charter School has signed a five-year lease on the property now known as Sports and Field, at 2029 Arrowgrass Drive. (Photos courtesy of Garden Montessori Charter School) — Garden Montessori Charter School has signed a five-year lease on the property now known as Sports and Field, at 2029 Arrowgrass Drive.
(Photos courtesy of Garden Montessori Charter School)

In addition to the building at the Sports and Field Inc. location, at 2029 Arrowgrass Drive, there’s a large fenced play area, Selover said.

“When we move in there this year, we’ll have temporary walls and partitions, with the idea that we’ll make that more permanent down the road,” he said.

The school is opening this fall with an enrollment of around 215 children, in kindergarten through second grade.

Selover said many people believe that Montessori education is a private-school only type of situation.

But Garden Montessori School is a charter school, meaning there’s no tuition for children attending the school.

The Sports and Field building, which has been leased to Garden Montessori Charter School, has an exterior rock wall.

The same is true for Countryside Montessori Charter School, which is located in Land O’ Lakes.

Garden Montessori School has its roots in a private preschool and kindergarten that has been offering the Montessori approach to education since 2009.

Parents of some of those children were interested in continuing to pursue that type of education in elementary school, and the school sought permission from Pasco County to open a charter elementary school.

There are still some seats available at Garden Montessori Charter School.

General information and enrollment details can be found at GMCSWC.weebly.com.

Published July 1, 2015

Study focuses on marketing property near Zephyrhills airport

July 1, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Duke Energy recently completed a site evaluation and marketing report on more than 440 acres next to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

The property, according to the report, can be made site-ready for aerospace manufacturing, light industrial and assembly companies, and the plastics industry.

“We want to help you, to encourage you, as you market the Zephyrhills airport’s industrial area,” said Beth Land, a consultant with McCallum Sweeney, a national firm that partners with the Duke Energy Site Readiness program.

The engineering firm, HRP Associates, also participated in the site’s analysis.

The site-readiness program began in 2005 for the purpose of identifying and improving industrial sites that can attract investments and jobs in communities within Duke Energy’s service region. In the past decade, 155 site readiness projects have been completed, mostly within Southeastern states.

Work on the Zephyrhills’ project began several months ago. Two other sites in Florida – the Deltona Commerce Park in Volusia County and Florida Energy and Aerospace Training (FEAT) Park – were evaluated in 2013.

The report was presented to a joint workshop of the Zephyrhills City Council and the Pasco County Commission on June 22, prior to the city council’s monthly meeting. There was no discussion from council or commission members afterward.

One of the initial steps recommended by Duke Energy is an environmental assessment of the industrial site. Pasco County might be able to use a portion of a $400,000 federal grant to complete the task, if property owners give permission. The grant was awarded recently to help Pasco County build an inventory of brownfield sites. An update is expected by October.

The term “brownfield site” generally refers to the reuse, expansion or redevelopment of property, which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The site readiness report for the Zephyrhills location provided a detailed look at the area’s prospects for future development, its strengths and weaknesses, and recommendations to boost its attractiveness to investors.

The team of evaluators found the site suitable for one or two large facilities built on site or a cluster of smaller facilities with multiple users.

“We’ve been very excited about the whole process,” said John Walsh, vice president of the Pasco Economic Development Council. “It’s an exciting opportunity to promote Zephyrhills and show the rest of the world we’re ready to bring investment opportunities and get some jobs here.”

As laid out by Land and Mark Sweeney, one of the owners of McCallum Sweeney, the path to certifying a site as market-ready takes commitment, time and resources.

“It can be very demanding at times,” said Sweeney.

But the rewards, as touted in the report, can be significant.

Among success stories for Duke Energy’s program is Severcorr Steel, which invested about $800 million in a facility in Columbus, Mississippi, and created 450 jobs. Among McCallum Sweeney’s clients are Hertz, Northrup Grumman, Nordex, Boeing and Alenia Aeronautics.

The key is to understand that economic development is a business with the community as the product being sold. “Everything about your community may be a factor they (investors) are considering in whether they want to locate in your community,” Sweeney said.

Among a list of considerations would be the site itself, the infrastructure including utilities, the labor force and quality of life factors.

There are issues with the site that should be addressed prior to marketing the site, Land said.

The property has three owners, 4 Rail LLC, Sysco Corporation and 5L Properties LLC. The portion owned by 5L Properties is zoned agricultural, and Duke Energy recommends either rezoning it as industrial or at least creating a timeline for completing the task.

There is access to the property from Chancey Road, Sixth Avenue and State Road 54, but it also is 13 miles from Interstate 75 and 20 miles from Interstate 4. An investor would want to know what routes are available to connect to interstate highways.

Duke Energy also recommends building a rail spur onto the property off the CSX rail line adjacent to the site’s western border. No cost estimate was provided.

Construction of a new wastewater line and lift station is needed, according to the report, at an estimated cost of about $1.7 million and a timeline of up to a year for completion.

The power company also recommends creation of a master plan for how to develop the site.

“This is a great spot. Our key to success is having pads ready,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore. There is a lot of opportunity here.”

Published July 1, 2015

Developer plans new homes in Land O’ Lakes

July 1, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Developers plan to build a new subdivision on land formerly owned by Lester Dairy Farm, off U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. The vacant land is the last significant undeveloped parcel along a corridor filled with new residential communities including Asbel Creek and Lakeshore Ranch.

To the north, Florida Citrus Investors owns more than 300 acres slated for townhouses. Across the highway the “new town” of Connerton is under development on about 8,000 acres of a former cattle ranch.

On June 24, Pasco County’s Development Review Committee gave unanimous approval to the residential community proposed by NVR Inc., the owner and developer of the dairy farm property. The Pasco County Commission must still give its approval.

Plans are to build nearly 490 single-family homes on about 300 acres, located on the west side of U.S. 41 and about a mile south of State Road 52.

Developers will be responsible for building the first two lanes of the Bulloch Road extension, which would bisect the site and connect with the portion of Bulloch within Asbel Creek.

They also would build a portion of a proposed east/west “vision” road, with access off U.S. 41. The roadwork within the subdivision is part of Pasco County’s long-range transportation efforts to increase neighborhood connectivity, and relieve traffic volume on heavily traveled highways such as U.S. 41.

Chris Williams, planning director for the District School Board of Pasco County, took the opportunity to push for more cooperation between planners with the county and school district on another “vision” plan for school construction.

He also serves on the county’s development review committee, and supported NVR’s project.

Connerton and other large developments often set aside acreage for future schools. But, Williams said smaller projects, such as Lakeshore Ranch, Asbel Creek, Tierra del Sol and the latest from NVR, rarely have the space.

“There already are 500 elementary school kids who live in these developments,” Williams said.

The school district has purchased land in the area for a future elementary school. However, Williams said planners with the county and the school district need to work jointly on school needs, not only with large development projects, but smaller ones as well.

“There is an accumulative effect,” he said. “We’re seeing this happen, and we need to set a school vision plan.”

Published July 1, 2015