Local News

Future of Pasco lives and dies with municipal airports

April 17, 2014 By Michael Hinman

The expansion of State Road 56 into Zephyrhills could be key to a major economic boom for Pasco County, and two candidates seeking to replace state Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, in Tallahassee agree state-level leadership must be in place to make sure it happens.

Former Zephyrhills mayor Danny Burgess, left, joins Republican challenger Minnie Diaz in a political forum at the Wesley Chapel Republican Club hosted by county commission candidate Mike Moore. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo) — Former Zephyrhills mayor Danny Burgess, left, joins Republican challenger Minnie Diaz in a political forum at the Wesley Chapel Republican Club hosted by county commission candidate Mike Moore.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

Danny Burgess and Minnie Diaz both shared their visions for House District 38 during a meeting last week of the Wesley Chapel Republican Club. The two are seeking the Republican nomination to face Democrat Beverly Ledbetter in the November election, and both flexed their conservative values in front of the small crowd in the training room at Hyundai of Wesley Chapel.

“To have State Road 56 coming all the way to Zephyrhills with our municipal airport sitting right here, we are going to benefit so much as a community, as a district and as an area,” said Burgess, who up until last Monday was mayor of Zephyrhills. “That is such an asset for this area.”

Yet, proposed projects like the private elevated toll road could disrupt plans to start that expansion in the next two to three years, with the Florida Department of Transportation likely going to “hold back” until a final decision can be made on the controversial 33-mile project.

“All they are looking for is a green light or red light by the county to see whether or not they are going to approve it,” Burgess said. But for the elevated road itself? “It is not what we want.”

Diaz said the developers behind the elevated road project, International Infrastructure Partners, have far too many unanswered questions surrounding them for her to support the project.

“We need to look, as a county, at other alternatives,” she said. “Sure, we want to go all the way into Zephyrhills so that the east and west can become more easily accessible. But the original plans are just too big. I think we can probably break it up into smaller pieces and make that work for Pasco County.”

Diaz is a native of California, but has lived in Pasco County for more than a decade after making her career in the U.S. Air Force. She has always been excited about the economic possibilities when it comes to aeronautics, she said, and Pasco County has two airports — Zephyrhills and Tampa North Executive Airport in Lutz — just miles apart that could bookend a major industrial corridor.

“It would be attractive to those in the manufacturing of aerospace and aviation technologies,” Diaz said. “My vision for Pasco is to make Pasco so attractive, it would be a secondary hub for these industries, yet not impact the quality of water and agriculture that is part of our East Pasco makeup.”

While the state should lead the charge, Diaz says she still supports local governments having a final say.

“My role (in the House) should be in advocating economic growth,” she said. “You tell me what you want, and I’ll see that it’s done on the state level.”

One of the key components of listening closely to local city and county governments is that leaders at the state and federal level have a tendency to paint with a broad brush, Burgess said.

“What is best for Broward County is not always best for Pasco County,” he said. “We need to absolutely protect our home rule. That is the doctrine that our state has adopted many years ago, and it allows our local governments to make their own decisions, to adopt their own charters and adopt their own ordinances.”

During the forum, Burgess highlighted his time as both the youngest city councilman in the state (he was first elected in Zephyrhills when he was 18), and later the youngest mayor in the city’s history, fresh out of law school.

Diaz acknowledges she has not held elective office before, but that hasn’t stopped her from trying to make a difference when it comes to making laws. A bill she helped craft was in committee late last week, she said, and is designed to provide funding to jails to help train officials on how to provide services to the mentally ill.

“It will not have cost us any money as taxpayers,” Diaz said. “The initiative was written in such a way that it requires funding from other sources like gambling and lottery. It would not create an increase on our community burden.”

The primary election for House District 38 is Aug. 26, with the winner heading to the general election Nov. 4.

And your most-admired judge is …
House District 38 candidates Danny Burgess and Minnie Diaz were asked during a recent Wesley Chapel Republican Club forum to identify their favorite U.S. Supreme Court justice.

It’s definitely not Elena Kagan or Sonia Sotomayor, two justices appointed by President Obama, Diaz said. Instead, she likes Clarence Thomas.

“He had to go through those (sexual harassment) hearings unfortunately, and I think his time is coming up now,” Diaz said. “He needs to step up and confront the current judges and be more vocal and create more advocacy for conservatism.”

Burgess, himself a lawyer, says he prefers Antonin Scalia.

“You become fascinated by this man’s legal opinions, the way he words his opinions,” Burgess said. “He is really an asset to the Supreme Court, and I just hope that he can stick around for as long as he can muster.”

Published April 16, 2014

Pasco agribusiness teacher wants her knowledge to grow in Korea

April 17, 2014 By B.C. Manion

Kelli Hamilton has a condition and she isn’t a bit ashamed to admit it.

“I’m an ‘ag’ nerd,” said the Pasco High School agribusiness and natural resources teacher.

Kelli Hamilton enjoys sharing her knowledge of agriculture in different parts of the world with her students at Pasco High School. She plans to get an up-close look at agriculture in South Korea this summer through an overseas study program. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Kelli Hamilton enjoys sharing her knowledge of agriculture in different parts of the world with her students at Pasco High School. She plans to get an up-close look at agriculture in South Korea this summer through an overseas study program.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

She’s so interested in agriculture that she’s planning to spend a month in South Korea this summer learning about that country’s agricultural education programs. Hamilton already has been to Ireland and to Iowa to get acquainted with agriculture in those parts of the world.

She’s making the trip to South Korea through a University of Florida/Penn State Program for undergraduate, graduate and kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers. Hamilton is among a group of teachers from Florida, Pennsylvania and Connecticut who are making the trip, traveling with eight students from Pennsylvania State University, and four faculty members from the two universities.

While in South Korea, they will see the country’s Future Farmers of Korea program, which is based on FFA. They also will observe various levels of education programs and various agricultural techniques.

The trip begins June 14 and concludes July 13.

“I’m pumped,” Hamilton said. “I definitely want to learn more about how they do their education system.”

She hopes to pick up different teaching techniques and to have a better understanding of the differences between agriculture in South Korea and agriculture here.

“I’m intrigued about the Korean agriculture just because it’s a developing country,” Hamilton said. “They’ve had a lot of strife in the past 50, 60, 70 years, so I want to see how they’re changing and adapting to that.”

The study abroad course and experience is a joint venture between the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication at the University of Florida, and the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education at Penn State.

In an essay explaining why she wanted to study abroad in Korea, Hamilton wrote, “When traveling overseas, we are able to see the same thing through a different set of lenses.

“Agriculture is in every corner of this planet,” she added. “It is different in some ways, but ultimately the same.”

She also expressed confidence that she could transfer the knowledge she gains into lessons in her Pasco High classroom.

Hamilton already knows how to give students real-world lessons, said Amber Hill, 17, a senior.

“She’s an amazing teacher. She doesn’t just give us facts. She gives us hands-on opportunities. She cares about what you learn,” Hills said.

Besides investing her time in the trip, Hamilton also is investing her money. She’s eager to make the trip.

“I’m pumped,” Hamilton said. “I’m going there to see how they do agriculture education, at all different levels from elementary to high school to college.”

Recently, Hamilton was talking to her students about differences that farmers encounter in different parts of the world. She talked to them about how terrain, equipment, weather, water and soil fertility can influence what crops are produced and where they are marketed.

She talked about some of the strengths and pitfalls of modern machinery and technology that today’s farmers can use.

“I actually went to visit a farm in Iowa. They have this huge sprayer, and it was on a pilot,” Hamilton said. “Basically, they use GPS.”

By using modern technology, farmers can fully utilize the space they have, can reduce manual labor, and can use less fuel, she said.

But there can be a downside.

“There was a lot of rain this past year, so part of the field had fallen down into the river, Hamilton said. “The tractor was on autopilot and it didn’t account for that terrain washing into the river, so he (the farmer) ended up flipping his brand-new sprayer.”

The farmer went into the river with it, and it turns out that it’s not so simple to shut down the computer system, she said. There’s a lot of debate in the United States and internationally about the benefits and risks of new technology, she said.

Hamilton also talked with the students about the economics of agriculture and the rules of supply and demand. If there’s a high supply and a low demand, prices drop, she told them.

Courtney Nathe, 17, said she hopes Hamilton will create a presentation that the teacher can share with students when she returns.

“I definitely think it’s a good opportunity for her, just to see what it’s like in an international market,” Nathe said.

She also thinks Hamilton is a worthy candidate for the program and will be able to convey what she learns to her students.

“She makes class interesting. She communicates well with teenagers,” Nathe. “She’s young enough that she does understand (teenagers), so it makes the class a little bit more interesting and we learn.”

Published April 16, 2014

Outlet mall moves forward, but can Wesley Chapel claim it?

April 17, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Now that developers of a proposed outlet mall just off Interstate 75 took a big step forward last week with revised site plans for their 57-acre project, one question remains on the minds of local businesses: Will the new mall include “Wesley Chapel” in its name?

Plans for Tampa Premium Outlets Mall call for nine buildings with 482,000 square feet of retail. It would be the first of seven phases on 57 acres of land off Wesley Chapel Boulevard and State Road 56. (File Photo) — Plans for Tampa Premium Outlets Mall call for nine buildings with 482,000 square feet of retail. It would be the first of seven phases on 57 acres of land off Wesley Chapel Boulevard and State Road 56.
(File Photo)

“I think on one hand, we would love to have our local identity,” said John Hagen, president and chief executive of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc. “We would love to see that be more prominent, but we also benefit from our association with Tampa and Tampa Bay. It’s a mixed bag, but I see both things.”

Simon Property Group, part of the development team that’s officially JG Cypress Creek LLC and Tampa Premium Outlets LLC, have named the project on Wesley Chapel Boulevard and State Road 56 “Cypress Creek Town Center Premium Outlets Mall.” However, it’s unclear whether that name is just a working title, or if that is a final decision.

A request for comment from Simon about the name was still pending when The Laker/Lutz News went to press.

Wesley Chapel might be part of the greater Tampa Bay area, but the community has long sought its own identity, and has pushed hard for businesses — especially high-profile ones — to include “Wesley Chapel” in names, and not “Tampa.”

Because this mall will be so prominent for the thousands of travelers that take to I-75 each day, this could very well become a place maker for Pasco.

“Outlet malls draw regionally and nationally with snowbirds and all that sort of thing, and we see it in some respect as a tourism play,” Hagen said. “Once you get things going there, we can leverage some hotel development, and you’ll probably see some office buildings as well as an area like that can really come alive. It should be exciting.”

Hagen points to The Shops at Wiregrass as a prime example of what a major shopping center can do, especially as other businesses come to fill in around it.

The revised plans call for the entire mall property to be constructed in seven phases, beginning with outlet mall itself. The mall calls for nine buildings with 482,000 square feet of retail. Overall, the project is calling for 1.1 million square feet of retail space.

The mall got back on track last November after developers finalized an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about how the project would impact surrounding wetlands and waterways.

Back then, Simon officials said the mall could open as early as the end of this year. However, County Administrator Michele Baker later put that timeframe somewhere around summer 2015.

There are still other questions to answer beyond the mall itself, including what plans are to expand and extend Wesley Chapel Boulevard, and other infrastructure improvements needed to accommodate the mall.

“That particular piece of road, down to State Road 54, is already designed,” Baker told members of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce back in January. “When we balance our capital improvement budget, we look at the needs for the what and where, and we balance that. The road got pushed out because we didn’t have a mall there that needed it.”

Published April 16, 2014

Seminar helps business owners understand Obamacare

April 17, 2014 By B.C. Manion

There are supporters and detractors of the Affordable Care Act — better known as Obamacare — but no matter where you stand on the issue, unless you qualify for a subsidy, you’ll pay higher insurance rates.

Insurance agent Jason Greif helps explain some of the ins and outs of health care reform, also known as Obamacare. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Insurance agent Jason Greif helps explain some of the ins and outs of health care reform, also known as Obamacare.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

That’s what Jason Greif, an insurance agent with U.S. Health Group, told members of a health insurance reform class at the SmartStart Dade City incubator April 8.

The insurance agent, who has been in the industry for eight years, explained changes in health care law, talking about the pros and cons of the new requirements, and the different kinds of insurance coverage that are available in the health care marketplace. Greif also explained the penalty for not purchasing health insurance, which is now mandatory, and he talked about the risks that people face when they don’t have insurance.

“A lot of people are misinformed,” Greif said.

Part of Obamacare took effect on March 23, 2010, he said, noting that’s when insurance companies had to begin covering what has been defined as essential health benefits.

“There are 10 of them,” Greif said. They include services ranging from child immunizations to maternity care, mammograms to colonoscopies.

“What do you guys think is going to happen to the rates if the insurance companies have to cover everybody’s colonoscopy? They go up,” he said. “I actually am for Obamacare for a lot of different reasons. But it has increased the rates.”

Another big change happened on Jan. 1. That’s when insurance companies could no longer deny coverage.

“No matter what, anybody can get health insurance,” Greif said.

That’s good news for people who were denied coverage before, but it drives up insurance rates as a result. In the past, people with certain conditions could only get coverage as part of a group.

“It’d really be disheartening for me to say, ‘There’s nothing I can do. You have diabetes, I can’t get you insurance,’” Greif said. “Nobody could do anything for them,” unless they were able to get covered through a group.

“It’s almost more of a socialistic approach to healthcare. But for people that are sick, for people that get a subsidy, it’s actually an amazing program because those people were not able to get insurance,” Greif said.

This year’s open enrollment is over. The only way to enroll through the marketplace outside of the enrollment period is to have a life-changing event such as moving, losing group insurance or having a child, Greif said.

The next enrollment period begins Nov. 15.

Those who want to get an idea of what their rates would be can go to a website, HealthSherpa.com, to get a fairly close estimate of what to expect, Greif said.

“This is a great website. The quotes are usually $5 higher or lower. It’s a way you can get an accurate quote and you don’t have to go on Healthcare.gov and create a profile and give all of your personal information out,” he said.

Now, health insurance rates are based on age, tobacco use and ZIP code, Greif said. Eligibility for subsidies is based on income.

Still, there are choices in the types of coverage and the rates that are attached to those, he said. Some coverage types allow people to choose doctors who are inside or outside of their network, while others allow people to use only doctors within their networks.

Some of the networks have more doctors than others, Greif said. It’s important to find out exactly what the plan includes.

Greif recommends a plan that allows individuals the most latitude when it comes to selecting which doctors and hospitals will treat them.

For those who disregard the law and do not get health insurance, the penalty is either $95 or 1 percent of the individual’s modified gross adjusted income, whichever is higher, Greif said.

Regardless of where people stand on Obamacare, Greif said having coverage is essential. Without it, he said, people who have serious medical emergencies or conditions can go bankrupt in a matter of days.

Published April 16, 2014

Finally! PHSC gets first no-hitter after 23 years

April 17, 2014 By Michael Murillo

Steve Winterling has been coaching at Pasco-Hernando State College since the school began its baseball program back in 1992.

Freshman Danny Rodriguez, a Steinbrenner High School graduate, threw Pasco-Hernando State College’s first no-hitter in the 23-year history of the baseball program. (Courtesy of Steve Winterling) — Freshman Danny Rodriguez, a Steinbrenner High School graduate, threw Pasco-Hernando State College’s first no-hitter in the 23-year history of the baseball program.
(Courtesy of Steve Winterling)

He’s seen a lot of things on the field during that time, but on March 26 he saw something he had never seen before: One of his pitchers throw a no-hitter.

Freshman Danny Rodriguez struck out nine batters in seven innings of work in the Conquistadors’ 13-0 victory against Morton College. The game was seven innings long because it was part of a double-header, which is common at the collegiate level.

His efforts however earned Rodriguez National Junior College Athletic Association Pitcher of the Week for Division II baseball.

“It’s always exciting when you get those,” Winterling said. “We’ve had several one-hitters over the years. They (no-hitters) just don’t happen a whole lot.”

While he was excited for his player and team, Winterling isn’t obsessed with game statistics. He had to go back to his office and confirm that it was indeed the first no-hitter in school history.

The no-hitter itself also was special because it was executed so well, Winterling said. Morton College only had two men reach base all game, and both of those were due to PHSC errors. Rodriguez didn’t walk a single batter in the contest.

It also was an impressive accomplishment because the Conquistadors had a large lead, Winterling said, which sometimes allows pitchers to relax and lose focus since the game is likely in hand.

Because the school only gets its athletes for a couple of years, Winterling said he’s used to relying on freshmen for success on the field, and Rodriguez has the characteristics he likes in young players. Specifically, he prefers athletes who are able to keep cool under pressure and not let emotions dominate their play.

“He has a very good baseball mind. He’s got a good temperament,” Winterling said of Rodriguez. “He’s not an emotional kid, really. He’s in control of himself.”

Rodriguez hasn’t let his no-hitter affect that control or his focus on continuing his strong freshman campaign. He said it was a great moment, but he was just doing what he’s supposed to do.

“I wasn’t trying to (throw a no-hitter) at all. I was just trying to do my job and keep the ball down,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez showed prowess as a pitcher, but one interesting fact about his past on the baseball diamond is that he was a starter at Steinbrenner High School — at shortstop.

He didn’t see much time on the mound during his high school campaign. But with a 6-2 record in his freshman year for PHSC, and a no-hitter already under his belt, Rodriguez is feeling comfortable in that role.

However, he hasn’t abandoned his old position entirely.

“Now I think of myself more as a pitcher, but I still think of myself as a middle infielder, too,” he said. “I still practice with them.”

As rewarding as it was to record a no-hitter for the individual, the team and the school, both player and coach are on the same page regarding how long they allowed themselves to bask in the moment: Not long.

“I didn’t forget about it, but I know I have to work on my next start and keep focused on that, Rodriguez said. The no-hitter “was nice, but I have to stay focused.”

That focus paid off in his next start, a win April 4 against Clearwater Christian College.

After the no-hitter, Winterling didn’t spend much time celebrating, either, opting instead to focus on the team’s next game and their effort to reach the postseason. As the only NJCAA Division II school in the state, PHSC has to qualify for a regional tournament in North Carolina by playing at least .500 baseball during the season.

After starting the year 1-6, the Conquistadors found their footing and won 17 of their next 22 games. As a result, the team is on the cusp of the tournament despite a recent cold streak.

So while the accomplishment is one for the record books, both coach and player have moved on to the team’s goals.

“I let the kids enjoy it. That’s something for the kids to enjoy,” Winterling said. “I go back and do my work and get ready for the next game.”

Published April 16, 2014

All on-the-job training for Zephyrhills’ newest councilman

April 17, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Zephyrhills doesn’t waste time when it comes to elections.

Last Monday, less than a week after the election, Alan Knight was installed as the new city councilman following his victory over one-time council president Jodi Wilkeson. And there isn’t even time for Knight to catch his breath.

Moments after the swearing in, Knight was asked to consider two board appointments, donating vehicles to a local college, who should build a new skate park, and, according to the agenda, decide the fate of City Manager Jim Drumm.

Being a council member is not as easy as some make it look, and there’s a steep learning curve that Knight, a former high school principal and football coach, will have to endure, Wilkeson said after the election.

“I know that he’ll do a fine job,” she said. “But there’s still so much to learn once he gets up there.”

Wilkeson was first elected to the council in 2008, and described her loss last week as disappointing.

“I worked as hard as I could, and I can’t imagine another thing I could’ve done to garner more votes,” she said. “I do think I was hurt a little bit by Mr. Knight’s name recognition. He’s impacted the lives of just a tremendous amount of people.”

Yet, it’s the Drumm situation that may be affected the most from the election. Wilkeson essentially delayed the council’s attempt to remove Drumm from the city manager position last month by asking for a third legal opinion on whether the council can do that without a supermajority.

Her perceived support of the embattled city manager may have cost her votes as well, Wilkeson conceded.

“I just feel that it’s imperative that we treat him fairly,” she said. “He didn’t make any really egregious missteps, and he helped get us out of a million-dollar deficit. He had exactly the skills we needed at the time.”

Drumm “did a fine job,” Wilkeson said, but is a bit introverted, which may have worked against him in terms of relationships.

As for Wilkeson’s political future, she’s not sure what might happen next, but she isn’t ruling anything out.

“I never say never,” Wilkeson said. “If a group of concerned citizens came to me and said they wanted me to run again and they would support me, I would consider it. I enjoy being involved in the community and bringing my training and education to the table for the benefit of the city. But I don’t have any aspirations right now.”

Incoming St. Leo commissioner says there’s no interest to dissolve town

Ray Davis says the rumor mill in St. Leo has it all wrong.

Although he’s the third Lake Jovita resident to be elected to the small town’s commission — ousting longtime commissioner Donna DeWitt — he’s focused on making sure his neighborhood is no longer a part of St. Leo, one way or the other. However, Davis says he has no intention of dissolving the Town of St. Leo itself to make that happen.

Yet, how he can help de-annexation along as a commissioner is unclear. The town attorney has cited past legal opinions she says forbids St. Leo from de-annexing the small portion of the Lake Jovita subdivision inside its town limits. Any area that can be annexed by a municipality, based typically on population, cannot be de-annexed, according to the state attorney general’s interpretation of the law.

Because of that, the decision to allow Lake Jovita to de-annex lies with the legislature, in a bill introduced last March by state Rep. Amanda Murphy, D-New Port Richey. It passed its final committee on Friday, and should soon be heading to the House floor.

“They call me ‘Plan B,’” Davis said following the election. “You never know what’s going to happen.”

Davis did not want to speculate on what would happen if the state didn’t open the door for de-annexation. When asked if he would vote to dissolve the town itself in that instance, Davis was non-committal.

“I think it’s wise not to make a statement based on speculation, and I don’t think that’s the smart thing to do,” Davis said.

DeWitt, who expects to get her job back when Lake Jovita is de-annexed and three positions suddenly open on the commission, prays there’s a town to come back to.

“Hopefully, they won’t do anything drastic until they can get de-annexed out of the town,” she said.

Many projects have been put on hold while the Lake Jovita issue has remained hot in recent months, including a request by the Iafrates family to annex 179 acres of land on St. Leo’s south side. Although it’s not directly related to the Lake Jovita issue, commissioners decided to delay that prospect until the de-annexation question is resolved.

Despite the legal opinion, Davis maintains the commission still has the power to vote a de-annexation. The only reason why it didn’t happen before, he said, was because Lake Jovita didn’t have a majority on the commission until this past election.

DeWitt’s support of the de-annexation did not become known until after he had filed to run, Davis added.

“We didn’t know that, and we had only heard that through hearsay,” he said. “Now we’re just waiting to see what happens.”

Published April 16, 2014

Preparations abound for area Easter celebrations

April 17, 2014 By B.C. Manion

One will have food trucks, while another is encouraging carpooling.

One plans a lakeside “Sonrise” service, while another will have water baptisms following its early morning services.

Mike Holm releases a dove at a sunrise service at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. Holm lives in Zephyrhills, but leads a church that’s located in Lutz. (Courtesy of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills)

And those are just a few of the variations on the theme of Easter expressed through planned celebrations at area churches.

Exciting Idlewild Baptist Church has five celebrations planned this Easter, including food trucks on April 19 and special performances by the orchestra and choir the next day, on Easter morning.

The church’s website poses the question: “Hunting for something more this Easter?” And then it answers that query with an invitation to come and discover more at the Lutz megachurch at 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd.

The church plans “to celebrate the glorious meaning of the Resurrection” with services set for 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on April 19, its website says. Food trucks will be there from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., that day for anyone who wants to grab a bite to eat.

On Easter morning, services are planned at 8, 9:30 and 11, with the orchestra and choir prompting worship. Breakfast treats will be available and photographers will take free family photos in the Gatheria, the church’s large gathering space, following each service.

Mike Holm, a minister who lives in Zephyrhills but who leads a church in Lutz, said Easter is a tremendously important day in the Christian calendar.

“It’s because the Resurrection of Jesus is the central event of all humanity,” said Holm, who is pastor of Calvary Chapel of Tampa in Lutz, and president of the Zephyrhills/Wesley Chapel Ministerial Association.

Jesus’ death and Resurrection means “that death has been defeated,” Holm said, allowing for “complete reconciliation” with God.

While St. Timothy Catholic Church is welcoming worshippers, it’s advising them that they may want to attend an earlier Mass or to carpool. The church, at 17512 Lakeshore Road, has fewer parking spaces because of a construction project at its campus.

Its Mass schedule includes an Easter Vigil Mass at 8 p.m. on April 19, an Easter Sunrise Mass at 7 a.m., and Easter Masses at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. on April 20.

For those who like to get up with the birds, Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church at 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, will have a 6 a.m. Easter sunrise service. The church also will have an Easter Vigil Mass at 7:30 p.m. on April 19 and Easter Sunday Masses at 7:45 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Its Spanish Mass is at 1:30 p.m.

At First United Methodist Church in Lutz, 960 Lutz Lake Fern Road, worshippers will have plenty of choices. There’s a lakeside Easter “Sonrise” service at 7 a.m., followed by a traditional chapel service at 8 a.m., a blended service at 9:45 a.m., and a contemporary service at 11 a.m.

There’s also a pancake breakfast between services, with a donation box available for diners to make contributions.

On its website, First United Methodist encourages worshippers to bring fresh flowers to adorn the cross, signifying that new life comes through the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Grace Family Church, at 5101 Van Dyke Road in Lutz, is inviting worshippers to Easter Sunday services at 7 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. A water baptism will follow the 7 a.m. sunrise service.

Some of the highlights of Easter services around the area include:
• Lutz First Baptist, 18116 N. U.S. 41, April 18 at 7 p.m., and April 20 at both 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

• Northpointe Church, 2427 Old Cypress Creed Road in Land O’ Lakes: April 19 at 6:30 p.m., and April 20 at 9:15 a.m. and 11 a.m.

• Benedictine Sisters of Florida, Saint Leo University, 33201 State Road 52 in St. Leo: April 19 Easter Vigil at 8 p.m., and Easter Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m.

• Heritage Church, 1854 Oak Grove Blvd., Lutz: Easter Sunday services at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

• Keystone Community Church, 21010 State Road 54 in Lutz: Easter Sunday sunrise service at 7 a.m., and late service at 10:30 a.m.

• Messiah Lutheran Church and Preschool, 14920 Hutchison Road in Tampa, Easter Sunday outdoor sunrise service at 7 a.m., and contemporary service at 9:45 a.m.

• Van Dyke Church, 17030 Lakeshore Road in Lutz: Easter services at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on April 19, and at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on April 20.

• St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 12747 Interlaken Road in New Port Richey, Easter Sunrise service at 7:30 a.m. in the church parking lot, but it will move indoors if it is raining. There also will be an Easter Vigil at 7:45 p.m. on April 19 and two Masses on Easter, at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., on April 20.

Published April 16, 2014

Pets give patients a paw-inspiring boost at St. Joseph’s

April 17, 2014 By Michael Murillo

Hospital patients enjoy getting visitors, whether they’re friends, family, neighbors or church members.

Jason, left, and Journey are two of the volunteer therapy dogs at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North. The program, which began last July, now has six dogs visiting patients during the week. (Courtesy of St. Joseph's Hospital-North) — Jason, left, and Journey are two of the volunteer therapy dogs at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North. The program, which began last July, now has six dogs visiting patients during the week.
(Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

But sometimes it’s the visitors on four legs that bring out the biggest smiles.

“Everybody enjoys a visit from a therapy dog,” said Ron Graff, whose Golden Retrievers, Journey and Jason, make weekly visits to St. Joseph’s Hospital-North on Van Dyke Road in Lutz. “I get comments from patients all the time that many of them are missing the pets that they have at home, and it was just great to be able to spend a little bit of time talking to the dog or petting the dog.”

Graff brings one of his dogs to either the St. Joseph’s location in Lutz or Tampa a couple of times a week, and spends about 90 minutes walking the halls and seeing if patients would like a visit from a therapy dog. Many say yes, and each session lasts up to 15 minutes as patients interact with them and enjoy a break from the routine life of a hospital stay.

Patients also like to hear information and stories about the dogs, especially Journey. Born without a front left paw, the 5-year-old gets around just fine with the help of prosthetics.

So when Journey at 75 pounds and Jason at 90 pounds make their way down the hallway, they attract attention for several reasons, and find themselves welcome in many rooms.

Graff pointed to studies showing health benefits of human interaction with pets, but said the response from seeing one of his dogs on visiting day is immediate and easy to see.

“There are certainly situations where patients are very quiet and somewhat withdrawn,” he said. “They just brighten up when the dogs come in, and as we leave, they’re clearly feeling much better about it.”

Nurses also will direct him toward patients who might be having a tough day, received difficult news, are struggling with treatment, or simply could use a visitor.

It’s not just the patients who look forward to their visits, volunteer resources auxiliary coordinator Karen Telfer said.

“At the nurse station, as soon as they see them approaching you can tell that they can’t wait to come and say hello,” she said. “They know all the dogs by name. It just seems like a real morale booster for the staff.”

There are currently six dogs in the rotation at St. Joseph’s-North — Graff’s dogs are two of them, Telfer said. Each one is trained, evaluated and certified by a nationally recognized dog therapy organization.

All of the dogs must be up-to-date on vaccinations and shots and undergo health screenings. The owners also go through normal hospital volunteer protocol.

While the pet therapy has been around for a while at the Tampa location, it’s relatively new in Lutz: St. Joseph’s-North began its program just last July. In that time, Telfer believes the program has already reaped dividends in the form of happier patients and genuine anticipation of their visits.

“It cheers them up and boosts their morale,” she said. “We’ve actually had one patient say they hoped they were still there the next week to see that dog again.”

In fact, the feedback has been so positive and implementation so easy, Telfer would like to see it expanded at some point in the future. Right now they have one service dog coming each weekday between the hours of 1 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Her goals for the program include expanding so two or three service dogs could be scheduled on those days, as well as finding possible weekend options.

Graff enjoys giving back to the community and volunteering his time, along with Journey and Jason, to benefit others. But he said the best part of the experience is being able to reflect on what they accomplish after each visit.

“My favorite part is really just seeing the reaction from patients, and after about an hour or an hour-and-a-half, heading home and knowing that we’ve been able to make at least one person feel better even though they’re in the hospital,” Graff said.

Published April 16, 2014

Winery wants to add its label to local make-it-yourself market

April 17, 2014 By Michael Murillo

It used to be the location of a shipping and printing company. But if all goes as planned, 3901 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., will soon be a place to find merlot, not mailing supplies.

Land O’ Lakes Winery needed county approval to open its business, which will include the manufacture of wine and consumption of alcoholic beverages. With those hurdles cleared, the company hopes to open in a few months. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo) — Land O’ Lakes Winery needed county approval to open its business, which will include the manufacture of wine and consumption of alcoholic beverages. With those hurdles cleared, the company hopes to open in a few months.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

Land O’ Lakes Winery is making final plans to move into the location this week, and should be up and running in a few months. And after about a year of planning and permits, the owners are excited to start filling bottles.

“We’re pretty psyched,” said Sue Hardy, who owns the new winery with her business partner, Corey Kempton. “We’re getting so much positive feedback. The buzz is getting out there. I think it’s just one of those things where people want something like this, and there’s just nothing like it out here.”

More than just a place to purchase adult beverages, Land O’ Lakes Winery will feature do-it-yourself services where friends or families can come in and actually make their own wines under professional supervision and guidance. The company also will create several wines under its own label, and offer an area on-site where people can socialize and have a glass of wine or beer along with some food pairings.

The goal is to make the location a place where people can make, buy and try different wines while supporting a local business.

While Hardy is pleased with the company’s progress and eager to get the doors open, she admits that the business wasn’t automatically a shoo-in to get approved. Starting a business that includes the manufacture of wine and consumption of alcoholic beverages on-site meant getting conditional use approval from the Pasco County Commission, which they picked up late last year.

That decision clears the way for the company to offer what Hardy believes will be a unique and fun experience for area residents who might want to make wine, then gather for a wine tasting.

Creating their own wine might not be a common activity for wine lovers, but Hardy, who enjoys making her own, said it’s a rewarding one. Utilizing a community room, the kits provided will allow a group to make approximately 30 bottles of wine from a process that takes between six to eight weeks. And the wine they’ll create will not only be cost-effective when compared to buying similar quality from a traditional retailer, but should have a more prominent taste than they might find in store-bought wine.

“The quality of the wine you make is so much better. There are less sulfites,” Hardy said. “There’s a very distinct bite to store-bought wine, and it has to do with the preservatives that they have to use so that is has a longer shelf life.”

While the wines still contain sulfites as they have antioxidant and antibacterial properties, having a smaller amount leads to a smoother taste.

That taste also means a shorter shelf life: The wine people buy at retail outlets can be stored for decades, but Hardy said that wine made in a community room is best when consumed within about five years.

Customers also will be able to purchase the company’s own wine as well. While details have not been finalized, Hardy said they’ll probably begin with around 20 wines of their own, as well as other brands from other manufacturers.

The name of the company and the street on which it will be located are not coincidences. While opening day is still a few months away, Hardy wants to forge a strong identity with Land O’ Lakes in the minds of customers, and let them know that they’ll be supporting a local business with strong local ties.

“I think it’s a pride thing,” she said. “I think Land O’ Lakes has come a long way, and I don’t think it’s getting the notoriety it deserves.”

Published April 16, 2014

Business Digest 04-16-14

April 17, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Women-n-Charge awards grant
Angela Gilbert, third from left, was the winner of the Women-n-Charge career advancement grant, founder of Building a Foundation. The grant is for continuing education, and will help with her advocacy for homeless individuals and families, veterans, and women and children leaving domestic violence shelters to help them acquire safe and affordable housing. Joining Gilbert are, from left, Suzin Carr, Paula O’Neil, Pat Carroll and Elayne Bassinger.

Levy joins GulfShore Bank board
Jonathan Levy of Lutz has joined the board of directors for Tampa-based GulfShore Bank.

Levy is co-founder and managing partner of Redstone Investments, having been involved in the real estate and construction industry for more than 30 years. He started his career with Burdman Bros., a family-owned real estate construction and property management company.

Levy started Redstone in 1987 as JLB Investments with cousin Lee Burdman. Based on Youngstown, Ohio, Redstone is a development, management and acquisitions company with a focus on shopping center development.

Seed Library launching
The official launch of The Seed Library will take place April 22 beginning at 10:30 a.m., at Morning Star Fisherman, 33336 Old St. Joe Road in Dade City.

There will be an open house with free facility tours until 1:30 p.m. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., hosted by the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

Social for Women-n-Charge
Women-n-Charge will host a social and open house April 17 beginning at 5 p.m., at City Grill, 5429 Village Market in Wesley Chapel.

No RSVP or meeting fees are required.

For information, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

Forum, mixer with Zephyrhills chamber
Upcoming events with the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce includes the East Pasco Transportation Forum it’s hosting with the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce April 16 beginning at 4:30 p.m.

It takes place at the East Pasco Adventist Academy, 38434 Centennial Road, Dade City, and will discuss Pasco County’s Mobility 2040 plan and its impact on businesses and economic development on that side of the county.

The chamber will then host a mixer with Skydive City, 4241 Sky Dive Lane in Zephyrhills, April 17 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Manufacturing Café at SmartStart
A manufacturing café event hosted by Pasco-Hernando State College and the Pasco-Hernando Workforce Board will take place April 16 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the SmartStart Incubator, 15000 Citrus Country Drive, Suite 103, in Dade City.

To reserve a spot, call (727) 816-3227, or email Margie Burnham at .

Upcoming SCORE seminars
The Pasco-Hernando Chapter of SCORE, which historically stands for Service Corps of Retired Executives, will host the following upcoming free seminars. For information, visit Score439.org.

• E-Marketing Concepts May 6 at 5:30 p.m., at New Port Richey Branch Library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey. Attendees can obtain an understanding of e-marketing technologies and how they may help to enhance the ability of a small business to reach customers and communicate their brand, products and services.

• Introduction to QuickBooks May 8 at 5 p.m., at Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill; May 29 at 5:30 p.m., at New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills. This two-hour seminar is designed for those planning to start a business, or who have recently started a business, but who have not yet set up an effective record-keeping system.

• Using the Internet in Your Business April 24 at 5:30 p.m., at the New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills; May 14 at 5:30 p.m., at Hugh Embry Branch Library, 14215 Fourth St., Dade City; May 27 at 5:30 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. After reviewing the various roles a website can support in enhancing a business, participants will be walked through an eight-step process of key activities needed to quickly leverage this technology in many businesses.

• Marketing to Grow Your Business May 8 at 5:30 p.m., at Regency Park Library, 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey. Participants can learn how and where to find some of the answers about what works and doesn’t work, what information is required to write a sales and marketing plan, how to profile customers, determine the best type of advertising and promotions, and what can be learned from competitors.

• Banker’s Delight Business Plan May 20 at 5:30 p.m., at Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, 15588 Aviation Loop Drive, Brooksville. Bankers are not typically interested in the extensive business plans discussed in most books. Instead, they just want the facts. This seminar will walk participants through these dozen or so pages critical to obtaining financing.

• How to Apply for a 501(c)(3) May 20 at 5:35 p.m., at Centennial Park Library, 5740 Moog Road, Holiday, and the same day at Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Road, Hudson. An interactive seminar designed to assist participants in the completion of the IRS’s nonprofit application.

(Courtesy of Greater Dade Chamber of Commerce)

New facility in Dade City
Apollo Group LLC had a ribbon-cutting and grand opening for its new facility on the corner of Pasco Avenue and Sixth Street in downtown Dade City. Hosted by the chambers of commerce in Zephyrhills and Dade City, Faith Knight (peeking over the top) and James Hubbs (at the door) offer mediation services, substance testing and legal case management for employers, families and organizations.