The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Arts in Motion’s new musical is ‘Seussical’

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When Arts in Motion presents “Seussical” at Pasco Middle School this weekend, the audience will recognize Dr. Seuss’ famous characters and stories that have entertained children for decades.

And they’ll also experience something that sets the play apart from many musicals: A lot more music.

“It is honestly, let’s say, 97 percent music,” said director Craig Hartfield. “There’s very few lines, and even those lines are in verse, because it is Seuss.”

The cast of ‘Seussical’ has been rehearsing at The Alliance Church of Zephyrhills, but performers will bring the production to Pasco Middle School this weekend. From left to right are Josh Corjay, Melanie Kender, Roman Ricardo and Rhett Ricardo. (Courtesy of Arts in Motion)
The cast of ‘Seussical’ has been rehearsing at The Alliance Church of Zephyrhills, but performers will bring the production to Pasco Middle School this weekend. From left to right are Josh Corjay, Melanie Kender, Roman Ricardo and Rhett Ricardo.
(Courtesy of Arts in Motion)

Having that many musical numbers presents challenges from a production standpoint.

But Hartfield brings extensive experience to the job.

He has been directing acting for decades and has directed “Seussical” before, but this is his first play with Arts in Motion.

And, as a play for Arts In Motion — a local nonprofit dedicated to cultivating arts education and youth theater — all the characters are played by actors ranging in age between 5 and 18 years.

In “Seussical,” the age of the average performer is just over 10.

The actors also have a little extra work, too.

“Seussical” is double-casted, meaning the major roles are played by more than one actor. Most actors also perform in more than one role.

That format requires a tight production with actors knowing what role to play and where to be at any given moment,

Hartfield isn’t worried.

He’s happy with his cast and the support he’s received from Arts in Motion.

“They’re very organized. It’s very important to them that there’s a strong level of support for me and the kids in the show,” Hartfield said about Arts in Motion.

Having multiple roles gives the cast a chance to get in a lot of work, rather than learning one character’s lines and waiting around for their speaking role.

Some actors will be speaking or singing as one character and then dancing as another.

When it comes to “Seussical,” there are many moving parts.

The play has nearly 50 cast members playing more than two dozen important roles.

It’s reassuring that the children are all interested in theater and really want to be there, Hartfield said.

The training they get by being in Arts in Motion productions also makes his job easier, he added.

“They’re well-trained. They know what they’re supposed to be doing,” Hartfield said.

Melanie Kender, a senior at Pasco High School, definitely knows what she’s doing. In six years with Arts in Motion, she’s performed in around a dozen productions, and now she’s a Cat In The Hat and a Wickersham Brother in “Seussical.”

As an experienced performer, Kender helps the younger actors get comfortable with the ins and outs of community theater.

“The training that we get through Arts in Motion, we carry on with it, and we grow with it,” Kender said.

That includes beyond high school.

Kender plans to pursue theater opportunities at Pasco-Hernando State College.

For now, she’s getting into her roles.

For the Cat In The Hat, that meant reading the books and watching clips of Mike Myers’ take on the character in the 2003 film.

Kender also spends hours each week rehearsing with the cast at The Alliance Church of Zephyrhills, and will start five-hour days as the show draws near.

The end result should be a unique take on the character, especially if people are expecting a male in the role.

“It’s a whole other level of trying to accomplish this character,” Kender said. “I’m going to be the best Cat I can be.”

Hartfield is expecting all the actors to be at their best, and for the audience to enjoy the unusual take on stories they already know.

Instead of a simple retelling, “Seussical” blends several stories together, providing familiarity and something fresh for those who already love Dr. Seuss.

“The storylines are all in there, but no entire story is told. It’s not about telling one story. It’s about taking all these stories and mixing them into this one musical,” Hartfield said.

Showtimes are May 22 and May 23 at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on May 23 and May 24 at 3 p.m. Pasco Middle School is located at 13925 14th St., in Dade City. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for students.

For more information, visit ArtsInMotionPasco.org.

Published May 20, 2015

Giving youths a healthy place to hang out

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It’s a Saturday morning and the sound of a basketball hitting the court reverberates throughout the gym in the Saint John Paul II Youth Center.

Sneakers squeak, as players race back and forth down the court in a pickup game during the center’s open gym.

It’s quiet outside of the St. John Paul II Youth Center now, but once programming gets into full swing, the foot traffic is expected to pick up. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
It’s quiet outside of the St. John Paul II Youth Center now, but once programming gets into full swing, the foot traffic is expected to pick up.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Located on the campus of St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lutz, the center officially opened on the Feast Day of Saint Timothy in late January.

The 18,000-square-foot facility was built with kids in mind.

Besides basketball, the court can be used for volleyball, kickball and other games.

The youth center also has a café, a recording center, a game room, multiple gathering spaces and a sound system that plays throughout the building.

There’s also a patio area and a green space for outdoor events.

While others were busy playing basketball, 9-year-old Gabe Linder and 10-year-old Aviva Banks were playing a game of Ladder Toss, which involves tossing two balls connected by a string to try to land them on the rung of a ladder.

The kids seemed to be having fun.

The two were good-natured competitors, with Linder coaching Banks, as they went along.

“Try it underhand,” he suggested.

Whenever one of them had a good shot, they were both enthusiastic.

In another room at the center, musicians have a chance to jam and, once it is soundproofed, to record music.

CJ Linder, 10, was in that room — banging out a drum solo.

He paused, briefly, to offer his assessment of the youth center. “I think it’s pretty cool,” he said.

In terms of programming, the center is in its infancy, said Judy Anderson, the youth ministry coordinator.

When its fully up and running, she envisions a place that is teeming with activity.

Besides offering places to play sports and make music, there are also places to play board games, to watch big-screen TVs, to grab a snack, just hang out and chat, or attend Faith Formation classes.

“This is a dream come true,” said Anderson, noting it has been one of St. Timothy’s goals for at least a decade. It’s just an answer to prayer, I tell you.

“We haven’t had a dedicated space for youth only. We’ve had to modify the adult space, over in the parish hall. Now, we have this dedicated space,” Anderson said.

The total cost of the center is about $2.3 million, including furnishings. The cost of the construction is being funded by St. Timothy parishioners via the Forward in Faith Campaign, which is also raising funds for Diocesan projects, including the Mother Teresa of Calcutta school and other projects.

The furnishings for the center have been funded, or donated, by parishioners and through fundraising activities such as the March Madness Auction Dinner and the Family Fall Festival.

The idea was to create a magnet for youths.

“Kids were going other places, and we wanted to figure out, ‘Well, how can we attract them?’ ” Anderson said.

Diane Elsen, a longtime church volunteer, believes the youth center will have a huge impact.

“I just think it’s going to transform youth ministry at St. Timothy’s,” Elsen said.

“It gives them (youths), just the ability to have somewhere to hang — because that is so important to people their age,” Elsen said.

Parents welcome the center, too, Elsen said.

“They know how important it is for kids to have a place to gather,” she said.

The youth center will help with the church’s outreach efforts, too, both Anderson and Elsen said.

“We want to make it available to our community at St. Timothy’s, and we want them to bring their friends,” Anderson said. “Our Pope Francis has made it very clear. We need to be welcoming to everybody.”

Elsen added: “It gives us a chance to evangelize others. Friends can come.”

The youth center’s décor includes posters of saints, so visitors can learn about them and, Anderson hopes, be influenced by their examples.

“We take the time, and we talk about Jesus, in between sports. It’s a great segue to learn about their faith and have fun at the same time in this space,” Anderson said.

The youth center also will provide an indoor gym for students attending the Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School.

The school, formerly known as Most Holy Redeemer Catholic School is now located at 302 E. Linebaugh Ave., in Tampa, but is moving this fall to St. Tim’s campus at 17512 Lakeshore Road in Lutz.

Anderson coached at Most Holy Redeemer for 14 years.

She recalls practicing outdoors on 90-degree days, when her players could barely keep hydrated enough to have a decent workout.

There were other issues, too, such as highway noise and court conditions.

“We had to sweep the leaves and the nuts off each time we practiced. We had to haul water out there,” she said.

Anderson is pleased that Mother Teresa of Calcutta teams will have an indoor gym. It’ll also be nice for after-school sports and for indoor gym on rainy days, she said.

But that doesn’t mean the kids will play inside all of the time.

“We want them to still be outside for fresh air,” Anderson said.

Published May 20, 2015

Circle K buys the Land O’ Lakes Plaza

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Circle K is the new owner of the Land O’ Lakes Plaza, a nearly 50-year-old shopping center along the busy commercial corridor of U.S. 41, at Hale Road.

The plaza, built in 1966, is considered to be Land O’ Lakes’ first shopping center. Today, the approximately 2.4-acre plaza is occupied mostly by mom-and-pop enterprises including a barbershop, a liquor store, a café, a nail salon and an antique shop.

Circle K plans to tear down the Land O’ Lakes Plaza to build a new 5,000-square-foot convenience store with gas pumps and a car wash. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
Circle K plans to tear down the Land O’ Lakes Plaza to build a new 5,000-square-foot convenience store with gas pumps and a car wash.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

The $1.55 million sale between the plaza’s owner, A & M Somerset Inc., and Circle K closed about two weeks ago, according to Georgia Watson, a broker with Grimaldi Commercial Realty Corp. She represented A & M Somerset in the transaction.

“It was purchased as an investment,” Watson said. “It was purchased strictly to redo the property. The whole shopping center will be demolished.”

Circle K has filed a conceptual plan with Pasco County’s planning department for a 5,000-square-foot Circle K store with gasoline pumps and a car wash. Currently there is an older Circle K and Shell gas station at U.S. 41 and Hale, immediately north of the plaza.

County records show Circle K General Inc., bought that adjacent corner site in 1987. The property was sold in 2004 to RI CS2 LLC, but continued to operate as a Circle K store and gas station. Development plans filed with the county do not show what will happen to the existing Circle K.

Circle K representatives could not be reached for comment.

The trend in recent years is for brands, such as WaWa, Thorntons and Circle K, to build modern, more trendy gas and convenience stores, Watson said.

WaWa representatives had looked at the site, she said, but didn’t pursue a contract. “This (Circle K) seems to be the best fit.”

The new development is a welcome addition, Watson said.

“Land O’ Lakes has kind of been behind Wesley Chapel, Lutz and Odessa. They are growing much faster than we are,” she said. “It’s nice to see some good activity going on.”

Published May 20, 2015

 

Charter panel’s first meeting sparks controversy

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Sparks flew at the first meeting of a charter review panel that could recommend major changes in how the county operates.

The meeting was called to take care of housekeeping chores, such as by-laws and scheduling decisions, but it got underway with a jolt.

Clay Colson interrupted Pasco County Chairman Ted Schrader’s introductions to declare a “point of order” and challenge the panel’s right to meet.

Colson argued that the May 11 meeting date failed to satisfy a 30-day deadline set by county commissioners when they approved the panel and appointed its members.

Schrader threatened to have a deputy sheriff remove anyone disrupting the meeting. And Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder said the date was chosen by consensus among panel members. He added that a court order would be needed to shut down the meeting.

Former Pasco County Commissioner Michael Cox will lead the charter panel and business owner Randy Maggard will serve as vice-chairman.

“I don’t personally believe county government is broken,” Cox said. “Can we make it better? That is my hope.”

Speaking during the public comment portion of the meeting, Colson said, “I don’t feel represented by a single one of you. None of you has my best interests at heart.”

Colson also told the panel he and others plan to gather the required signatures to establish a charter commission that would include members that reflect Pasco’s diversity.

Since its appointment in April, the panel has come under criticism because all 15 members are white, and only one panel member is a woman. There are five alternates.

Pasco’s five commissioners each made two appointments. The five members of Pasco County’s legislative delegation rounded out the panel, with one appointment each.

Under state law, either a majority of commissioners or a petition signed by 15 percent of the county’s registered voters – about 45,000 signatures – can create a charter commission. Once a commission is created, it must complete a charter that Pasco voters would approve or reject.

However, the Pasco commission created a panel, rather than a commission, to allow an option of recommending no change to Pasco’s government. If a charter were recommended, a vote likely would be scheduled in 2016.

The panel will consider issues such as whether the county should have single-member districts, whether commissioners should have term limits and whether the administrator should be appointed or there should be an elected administrator or mayor.

Panel members briefly introduced themselves and explained why they want to serve.

Real estate broker Patti Spoeth, an alternate, said she wanted only to do “what is best for our county.”

Attorney Robert Eckard said, “If there is a better way to do government, I think it behooves us to look at that.”

Panel members also adopted by-laws and agreed to broadcast future meetings on Pasco TV.

The next meeting will be June 8 with other meetings to follow on the second and fourth Mondays of each month for approximately 18 months.

During public comment, residents expressed concerns and displeasure with the panel.

Published May 20, 2015

Apartments and new retail coming to Wiregrass

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More retail and a new apartment complex — on vacant land northeast of The Shops at Wiregrass — are on the drawing board at Pasco County’s planning department.

Forest City Enterprises, the developers of The Shops at Wiregrass, and NRP Group are partnering on the next phase of development on the former Wiregrass Ranch property in Wesley Chapel.

Conceptual plans filed with the county show a development of 248 apartments and 127,000 square feet of retail.

Among the retail possibilities are restaurants, a specialty market, a cinema and shops.

Forest City will handle the commercial side of the project. NRP Group will build the apartment complex.

The retail portion likely will fall within 120,000 square feet but could be somewhat larger or smaller depending on the tenants’ needs, said Abbas Hasan, manager of planning and development for the Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises.

The next step is filing an application with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the federal agency that would approve a permit for the project.

“The process takes quite a long time,” Hasan said. “We’re trying to get all the pieces together.”

Specifics on tenants and construction schedules are on hold until the Corps of Engineers weighs in, and the project is further along.

“The Shops at Wiregrass are basically a lifestyle center and an open-air mall. This is more a few large anchor type users and more specialty stores,” Hasan said. “It will complement the mall and others in the area.”

The apartments will be linked with the retail, so that residents will be able to walk to the retail part of the development, said Kurt Kehoe, vice president of NRP Group, which has offices in Lake Mary, Florida.

“Being able to have the pedestrian and vehicular connections to both existing and upcoming commercial is key,” Kehoe said. “In a suburban area, this is not normally what you find.”

The project will include three-story and four-story buildings, with upscale apartments. Most of the apartments will be one-bedroom and two-bedroom layouts, though some will have three bedrooms, Kehoe said.

Some apartments will have detached garages. There will be a clubhouse, pool and fitness area.

“Generally there is a lot of optimism for the tri-county area, especially Pasco,” he said. “There’s a lot of desire to live, work and play out there.”

Published May 20, 2015

Stacey Nance will lead Tampa Premium Outlets

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A long-time mall manager with Simon Property Group will be transferring from Indiana to become the general manager at Tampa Premium Outlets.

Stacey Nance has been tapped by Simon to take on management duties at the much-anticipated 441,000-square-foot outlet mall under construction near the State Road 56 and Interstate 75 interchange.

An opening date is slated for October.

Nance’s appointment was effective on May 18.

Stacey Nance, a long-time mall manager in Indiana, will be the general manager for Tampa Premium Outlets. (Courtesy of Simon Property Group)
Stacey Nance, a long-time mall manager in Indiana, will be the general manager for Tampa Premium Outlets.
(Courtesy of Simon Property Group)

“Stacey is a motivated and detail-oriented individual with years of leadership experience,” Regional Vice President Mary Spaulding said in a news release announcing Nance’s selection.

Nance started with Simon 17 years ago as director of marketing at Muncie Mall in Muncie, Indiana. She held that job for nine years before shifting career direction into mall management. She has been in charge of overall operations at Muncie Mall, Muncie Plaza and Northwood Plaza in Indiana.

She is a graduate of Ball State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and management, with a specialization in sales and promotion.

Simon, the mall’s developer, has estimated that the project will yield between 300 and 500 construction jobs and as many as 800 retail jobs. More than 110 retailers are expected to open, though, to date, only the anchor, Saks Off Fifth Fashion Outlet, has been announced. The mall is expected to have regional appeal as a destination for shoppers from Pasco, Hillsborough and surrounding areas.

A job fair likely will take place about 60 days prior to opening date, said Simon spokesman Les Morris.

Simon Property Group has more than 80 Premium Outlets worldwide with upscale retailers such as Banana Republic, DKNY, Dior and J. Crew. The outlet mall is a major feature within the master-planned community known as Cypress Creek Town Center. Three developers, including Simon, are working on different residential and commercial phases of the project.

Published May 20, 2015

 

Business Digest 05-20-15

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Grants awarded
Women-n-Charge awarded two $1,000 grants to women in business that it deemed to be deserving. Centennial Bank sponsored both grants, which are awarded annually.

One grant went to Dawn Easter, on behalf of Pasco Mental Health Foundation, which provides mental health services and education to Pasco residents who wouldn’t be able to access evaluation, counseling, therapy or medications any other way. The other grant went to Connie Lindsay of Liberty Manor for Veterans. The organization provides housing to veterans, specifically targeting honorably discharged veterans who have become homeless.

Women-n-Charge supports and assists women in managing their businesses more effectively.

For information, call Amanda Wright at (813) 501-7220, or email her at .

Spring mixer
East Pasco Networking Group will host its annual Spring Mixer May 20 at 6 p.m., at Blackstone Reef & Grill, 38361 County Road 54 in Zephyrhills. The guest speaker will be Bob Hatfield from U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ office.

This is a family oriented event with prizes and surprises. There will be a 50/50 from the first five months that will benefit the Samaritan Project of Zephyrhills.

For information, call the group’s chairman, Nils Lenz, at (813) 782-9491, or email him at . Or call vice chairwoman, Rosie Paulsen at (813) 909-6965, or email her at .

Open house
Small World Pediatrics will have a ribbon cutting and open house on May 20 from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 2527 Windguard Circle, Suite 102, in Wesley Chapel. The clinic also is welcoming a new addition to its staff, Dr. Nancy M. Silva.

This free event will have refreshments, prizes, drawings and a special guest for the kids: Mr. Tommy’s Mobile Music Bus, a music classroom on wheels with educational music sessions that are fun. Bring the family, children and neighbors.

To register or RSVP, call (813) 907-8001.

Business forum
The Lunch N’ Learn Business Forum will meet on May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce boardroom, 6013 Wesley Chapel Blvd., Suite 105, in Wesley Chapel.

The guest speaker will be Joanie Sigal, director of business development at SJS Marketing. She specializes in email marketing and social media integration with email marketing. She will discuss how to target your market.

The $15 cost includes lunch. RSVP and prepayment are required. No walk-in seating is available.

For information, call the chamber office at (813) 994-8534.

Bank branch closing
Centennial Bank will be closing its Wesley Chapel branch at 28909 State Road 54 on Aug. 7, according to a May 5 letter sent to customers.

The bank branch at 23000 State Road 54 in Lutz is located less than 15 miles from the Wesley Chapel office. It is a full-service facility ready to meet your banking needs. Customers will be able to conduct the same transactions and receive the same customer service that has been provided at the Wesley Chapel branch, according to the letter.

For more information, contact Regional Retail Leader Melissa Wade at (352) 518-1504, or email .

East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group will meet May 26 at Rose’s Café at 38426 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills.

Networking begins at 8 a.m., with the meeting starting at 8:30 a.m.

Shahra Anderson, regional director for U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is the guest speaker.

For information, call Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491, or email him at .

Optimist club
The Optimist Club of Dade City will meet on May 26 at 6 p.m., at the First National of Pasco, 13315 U.S. Highway 301 in Dade City.

For information, email .

Ribbon cutting
Tampa Bay Jaw and Facial Surgery will host a ribbon cutting and grand opening on May 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at 29164 Wesley Chapel Drive. Come and meet the physicians, Michael Barbick and Neeraj Nagella, and the center’s staff at this free event.

For information, call (813) 991-6886, or visit TBJAFS.com.

Women of Wesley Chapel
WOW, Women of Wesley Chapel, will host a breakfast meeting on June 3 from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the Health and Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, in the second floor conference room.

Guest speaker will be Edie Rhea, a survivor of human trafficking.

The 2015 annual WOW membership cost of $10 is due at the meeting and will cover the entire 2015 calendar year for WOW only. This doesn’t include chamber membership. No credit cards will be accepted at the door. Cash or check only.

For information, call The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce at (813) 994-8534.

Ribbon cutting
Sliding Door Roller Replacement will hold a ribbon cutting and a mixer on June 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 19121 U.S. Hwy 41 in Lutz. The store is on the east side of the highway, south of County Line Road.

For information call Michelle Chomo at (813) 909-ROLL.

Women-in-Charge
Join Women-n-Charge on June 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa, for lunch and networking.

The guest speaker will be Ginger Rockey-Johnson, the Original Spice Girl of Tampa Bay who will talk about “The Art of the Pitch.” Group members share their talents, build relationships and share their resources with other women in business.

The cost is $15 for members (Tuesday before the meeting), and $18 for all guests (and members paying after Tuesday).

Register online at Women-n-Charge.com.

For information, contact Judy at (813) 600-9848 or .

Wesley Chapel networking group
Networking for Your Success meets every Thursday at 8 a.m., at Lexington Oaks Country Club, 2615 Lexington Oaks Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Cost is $5, and annual membership to the group is $79.

Land O’ Lakes to get Dairy Queen, apartments

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A Dairy Queen and a long-planned apartment complex at Terra Bella are under construction on State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes, between Livingston Road and Via Bella Boulevard.

The fast-food restaurant is expected to open in two to three months, possibly by the Fourth of July weekend, according to Keith Bennett, owner of Retail Site Development.

Dairy Queen is expected to open by July 4 on a parcel next to the Terra Bella subdivision off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
Dairy Queen is expected to open by July 4 on a parcel next to the Terra Bella subdivision off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

The Dairy Queen location is one of several outparcels adjacent to Terra Bella that are available for commercial development. These smaller commercial projects are benefiting from proximity to shopping malls such as The Grove in Wesley Chapel, The Shops at Wiregrass and the soon-to-open Tampa Premium Outlets, Bennett said.

“Between those three projects…you’re getting outward growth,” he said. “It’s natural for commercial development like this, with interested companies like Dairy Queen.”

The fast-food restaurant will seat about 75 people and have a drive-through window. Bennett owns additional commercial parcels adjacent to the Dairy Queen site.

Once that project is complete, he said, “We’ll look to see what we choose to do with the balance.”

Southeast Commercial also is marketing commercial outparcels fronting State Road 54 at Terra Bella.

Behind the Dairy Queen site, along Venezia Avenue, construction also is under way on Alta Terra Bella, an apartment complex of 311 garden apartments in 14 three-story buildings.

The North Carolina-based Wood Partners is building the complex as the final residential phase of Terra Bella, a community of more than 250 single-family homes.

A groundbreaking was held late in 2014. Construction is expected to finish by May 2016, but leasing could begin as early as September of this year, according to a press release from Wood Partners.

The project is projected to generate $24.5 million in local income, $2.5 million in taxes and other revenues for local governments, and nearly 380 jobs. The data provided by Wood Partners in its press release is based on a formula used by the National Association of Home Builders.

Published May 13,2015

People and pets gather for dog park opening

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When residents (and their dogs) showed up to commemorate the grand opening of the Rotary Club of New Tampa Dog Park on May 2, they admired the new facility located at 17302 Commerce Park Blvd.

But they might not have known how much time and effort went into it.

Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn shook hands and gave dogs a friendly scratch or two at the opening of the Rotary Club of New Tampa Dog Park on May 2. (Courtesy of Bob Thompson)
Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn shook hands and gave dogs a friendly scratch or two at the opening of the Rotary Club of New Tampa Dog Park on May 2.
(Courtesy of Bob Thompson)

“We actually started on this two years ago,” said Joyce Gunter, the Rotary Club of New Tampa’s committee chairwoman for the dog park. “It took a long time, and we’re so excited that it’s finally open.”

It took $25,000 and a couple of years of planning and coordination with the City of Tampa to bring the dog park to fruition.

The Rotary Club of New Tampa approached the city looking to start a public/private partnership on a project that would benefit the community. The city suggested the dog park, which was planned but not fully funded. If the rotary club could match their funds, the city explained, the project might get completed.

So the group set to work, obtaining sponsors to help raise the money. They also sold space at the park itself, one little block at a time. Engraved bricks in two different sizes have already been placed to outline concrete at the park. The Rotary Club of New Tampa sold more than 300 bricks at a cost of between $50 and $100.

That kind of positive response not only reinforced the idea that residents wanted a dog park in the area — there isn’t one for at least 13 miles — but showed the community’s willingness to step up and financially support the cause.

“It confirms my thought that there are a lot of great people in this community, and all you have to do is ask and talk about things you can do, and people are willing to help and join in,” Gunter said.

Now that the park is finished and open for guests, people in the community can enjoy its amenities. At just under an acre, they had room for benches and picnic tables, stations containing cleanup bags, and a water fountain with special accommodation for four-legged visitors. There’s also a large special section specifically for smaller dogs.

Shade was a big part of the design.

Some dog parks, Gunter explained, have very little shade, which can be uncomfortable when it’s hot outside.

The Rotary Club of New Tampa Dog Park has plenty of trees which provide an abundance of shade, which makes for a more pleasant visit.

After just a few days, they’ve already received some feedback as to potential improvements.

For instance, mud puddles can be a big attraction to dogs, but they aren’t welcome with owners. So, a dog-washing station to help everyone come home clean is one possible improvement.

In addition to plenty of canine representation at the opening, two-legged dignitaries were there as well. Lisa Pontilione from the Tampa City Council, state representative Shawn Harrison and Mayor Bob Buckhorn all came out for the event, alongside brick purchasers, Rotarians and those who were eager to use the facilities.

One guest was not able to be there, unfortunately.

Gunter’s labrador mix, Linkin, passed away before the park opened.

He would have loved it, Gunter said. She plans to frequent the park with another pet at some point in the future.

Until then, she’s happy to see others use the park and appreciate the hard work and time put in by the Rotary Club of New Tampa.

“It’s so nice to drive by there and see a lot of people utilizing the park, and seeing the dogs having a great time,” she said.

The dog park is open every day from sunrise to sunset.

Published May 13, 2015

Once again, the Lutz Guv’na sash is up for grabs

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Campaign season has begun again in Lutz.

Candidates for Lutz Guv’na will gather on May 16 at the Old Lutz School to lie, make promises they’ll never keep and try to grab a little cash for their campaign.

Lutz wouldn’t have it any other way.

Last year's Lutz Guv'na candidates had to show off their knitting skills to impress the community. There are new, secret challenges for this year’s crop of hopefuls. (File Photo)
Last year’s Lutz Guv’na candidates had to show off their knitting skills to impress the community. There are new, secret challenges for this year’s crop of hopefuls.
(File Photo)

The candidates aren’t running for political office. They’re vying for the ceremonial title of Lutz Guv’na, an annual tradition that reduces the campaign to its lowest common denominator: Money.

The amount of money — raised by each candidate in creative ways — is how a winner is determined.

But the money raised by these candidates doesn’t go to slick television ads or campaign tour buses like you might see in a political election. It goes directly to local organizations and charities, making the Lutz Guv’na race an elaborate community fundraiser with some unusual traditions.

According to Suzin Carr, the ceremonial kickoff on May 16 is a fun way for the public to meet the candidates and enjoy the spectacle.

“It is a great thing to watch some small-town silliness at its finest,” she said.

Carr is quite familiar with this brand of silliness because she’s been the Guv’na — twice.

Now she gets to enjoy the festivities from the other side, playing the role of candidate recruiter and all-around Guv’na ambassador.

The candidates will be put through their paces that afternoon, taking part in a question and answer session that demands creative answers.

They’ll also have a chance to make outlandish campaign promises that defy logic, science and common sense. And they’ll be forced to play some games that remain secret so as not to give them any hints at what’s in store.

Overall, the goal is to raise money, and the Guv’na race does it well. Last year the candidates raised $9,000 in all, with less than $20 separating the winner — Dr. Cindy Perkins — from the runner-up.

But all of the candidates played a role in helping around 20 different groups, including scout troops, the Lutz Civil Air Patrol and the Old Lutz School.

The annual Guv’na’s race also fosters a sense of closeness for area residents in an era when old neighborhoods tend to lose their identity over time. Carr sees small-town events like the Guv’na race as a way for Lutz to keep its character intact.

“I think that when you have things like this, it brings to the table how important a small community is,” she said.

But a race is only as good as its candidates, and Carr said there are three good ones this year. Jennifer Rankin, Cheryl Lynn Ayres and Karen Sue Molis have thrown their hats into the ring, and Carr expects them to work hard until the race ends and the winner is announced, traditionally on Fourth of July weekend.

“We have three really solid, dynamic, fun candidates, and I’m looking forward to seeing how this year turns out,” she said.

Of course, that number is subject to change, Carr said.

Individuals with a sense of charity (and good humor) are still welcome to join the race. So, anyone looking to improve the fortunes of local Lutz groups is welcome to vie for the Guv’na sash and test their fundraising mettle against this year’s crop of hopefuls. And it wouldn’t hurt to make some wild promises that aren’t grounded in reality, Carr said.

The final tally of candidates will gather for fun and games on May 16, and they hope more of the public will show up to support them and the crazy race they’ve signed up to run over the next several weeks.

Carr will be there to make sure things stay just as crazy as ever. Even though she doesn’t don the sash anymore, it’s still a part of her commitment to the community.

“Once a Guv’na, always a Guv’na,” she said.

The free event runs from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. The Old Lutz School is located at 18819 U.S. 41 N. For information about joining the race, contact Carr at (813) 453-5256.

Published May 13, 2015