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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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This week’s Sunlake softball game benefits Wounded Warrior

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The Sunlake softball team doesn’t have a winning record. After their home finale against the Zephyrhills Bulldogs, the team won’t be thinking about a state championship.

The Sunlake Seahawks are closing out their home softball schedule with green camouflage shirts to commemorate their benefit for the Wounded Warrior Project on April 10. Their opponents, the Zephyrhills Bulldogs, also are participating with special shirts for the game. (Courtesy of Nelson Garcia)
The Sunlake Seahawks are closing out their home softball schedule with green camouflage shirts to commemorate their benefit for the Wounded Warrior Project on April 10. Their opponents, the Zephyrhills Bulldogs, also are participating with special shirts for the game.
(Courtesy of Nelson Garcia)

The game also won’t affect the Class 5A-District 8 standings, where the Seahawks are near the bottom.

Still, the game on April 10 might be the most important one of the season.

Sunlake’s game will not only feature two softball teams looking for a win, it will serve as a benefit for the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance and services to injured military service members. Attendees can support the organization by making a direct donation at the game, or by purchasing arts, crafts or T-shirts that will be on sale from a variety of booths.

A portion of those proceeds will go to the organization.

Coach Nelson Garcia, who organized the event with his wife Denise, isn’t surprised that a team starting four freshman would endure some growing pains in the win-loss column. But he believes that supporting charitable organizations as a team — the Seahawks also had a Pink Out event earlier in the year to support breast cancer awareness — helps them grow in important ways that go beyond the playing field.

“They’re learning not only goals of softball, but in life and giving back to the community also,” Garcia said. “They’re very excited to do it. They can’t wait.”

Garcia spent 14 years with the fire department, so he understands the importance of serving the community. But while the team is eager to show support for the military and will wear special green camouflage shirts during the game (Zephyrhills also is participating, and will don orange camouflage shirts), the issue is particularly important for their coach and his family.

Garcia’s son, Sgt. Anthony Michael Garcia, was wounded in 2011 during his first tour in Afghanistan. He was approximately 15 feet away from an improvised explosive device, more commonly known as an IED, when it exploded.

Garcia’s son recovered and is now serving in his second tour of the region. But he realizes that many members of the military have worse outcomes and often need support, and the organization helps with everything from prosthetics to post-traumatic stress disorders.

“It seems like people forget that they go over there and they’re serving right now and they’re getting wounded,” Garcia said. “How many don’t come back, or don’t come back all intact? The great thing about the Wounded Warrior Project is they help all the military personnel in all the branches to get their lives back together when they come back.”

The event is open to the public and begins at 6 p.m., with the game starting at 7. There also will be giveaways, a hospitality tent for active and retired military, and a U.S. Army recruiting booth.

Sunlake High School is located at 3023 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

For information about the Wounded Warrior Project, visit WoundedWarriorProject.org.

Published April 9, 2014

Political Agenda 04-09-14

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Mike Wells Jr.
Mike Wells Jr.

Wells challenges Wilson for commission seat
Mike Wells Jr. has a name that is quite familiar to Pasco County residents, thanks to his father, longtime property appraiser Mike Wells Sr.

And now the younger Wells wants to make a name of his own by challenging Pasco County Commissioner Henry Wilson in the Republican primary. In making the announcement, Wells doesn’t share a lot about his platform, except that he knows being a commissioner “demands hard work as well as leadership skills attuned to citizens’ needs.”

“With the blessing of my family and friends, I am committing myself to do all that is necessary to run a positive and informative campaign,” Wells said, in a release. “For most of my life, I have seen government at work. I am now ready to participate in the democratic process by doing what it takes to earn the job of representing the citizens of District 4.”

Wells will have to start by raising money, and lots of it. Wilson, who was first elected in 2010, already has a running start with more than $17,000 raised and at least $16,000 in the bank, according to election records, through the end of February. Wilson’s biggest month was in January when he hauled in $8,735, at least half of it coming from builders and developers.

Wells’ father served on the county commission himself in the 1980s, and was elected the county’s property appraiser in 1996. The younger Wells said he’s been active in political campaigns since he was 12, and has worked in both sales and management for Enterprise Rent-A-Car for 17 years.

Primary elections are set for Aug. 26.

Health care group supports Ross
Healthcare Leadership Council has named U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, a “Champion of Health Care Innovation.”

The advocacy group is a collection of chief executives from various companies in the health care field. It said Ross was dedicated to new developments in health care technologies, treatments and practices.

“Innovation is a necessity, not an option, in addressing the challenges facing our health care system,” said HLC president Mary Grealy, in a release. “We applaud Rep. Ross’ leadership, dedication and vision in advancing the quality and cost-effectiveness of American health care.”

Ross is set to face Democrat Alan Cohn in the November general election.

Poll workers needed for August, November elections
Energetic? Service-oriented? Then the Pasco County supervisor of elections may be looking for you.

Poll workers are needed for both the primary election Aug. 26 and the general election Nov. 4. Positions are paid, but potential candidates will need to be able to stand, bend, stoop, lift approximately 30 pounds, and have normal vision and manual and physical dexterity.

Applicants also need to write and read English, have an email address, and be able to work the entire day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

All positions receive mandatory paid training the month preceding both the primary and general elections.

For information, call (800) 851-8754, or visit PascoVotes.com.

Ross wants to curb federal unions
U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, is once again going after federal employees who spend work time conducting union business, asking the Personnel Management director in Washington for a report on such practices.

“Since taxpayers pay the salary of all federal employee, they have a right to know how much of their money is used for conducting union business while on the clock,” Ross said in a release. “We are more than $17 trillion in debt. I believe in fair representation. However, we must ensure that we are spending the people’s hard-earned money wisely.”

Federal employees spent roughly 3.4 million hours doing union work in 2012, according to Ross. Those lost hours cost $155 million.

Groups like the National Federation of Federal Employees disagree, however. They say that federal unions exist solely to “address crucial workplace issues and defend employees from adverse actions.”

If such meetings were moved to nights or weekends, it would still require managers and such, who would then have to be paid for additional time.

Ross is so far facing Democrat Alan Cohn.

Burgess, Diaz to speak at Republican club
Republican Florida House candidates Danny Burgess and Minnie Diaz are set to speak at the Wesley Chapel Republican Club April 10 beginning at 6:30 p.m., at Wesley Chapel Hyundai, 27000 Wesley Chapel Blvd.

For information, email Mike Moore at .

U.S. Chamber endorses Ross
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce officially endorsed U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, and thanked him for his support of free enterprise and job creation.

“Too many of our neighbors are still unemployed and left suffering by our stagnant economy,” Ross said in a release. “I’m committed to continuing the fight to get the federal government out of the way of business owners so they can create jobs and we can unleash the power of the American economy.”

Ross is set to face Democratic challenger Alan Cohn in November.

Business Digest 04-09-14

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Animal hospital, gym set to move
Wesley Chapel continues to grow along the State Road 56 corridor between Interstate 75 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, with members of the Pasco County Development Review Committee set to give its blessing this week on a 22,600-square-foot shopping center.

Tentatively known as the Dr. Reddy Commerce Center, it will be located at 27029 State Road 566, east of Mansfield Boulevard. The center is slated to become home to an animal hospital, a martial arts center, and the new home for CrossFit 14, which right now is located just down the road at 27233 State Road 56.

The commerce center will be two buildings located on just under 3 acres of land purchased by Sree Reddy DMV PA last June for $795,000. Dr. Sree Reddy runs Seven Oaks Pet Hospital, also located just blocks away.

Reddy’s animal hospital is only expected to take up 4,500 square feet, while CrossFit 14 will need more than 12,000, according to documents filed with Pasco County.

The development review committee is set to make a final decision on the preliminary site plan when it meets April 10.

Housing recovery proven by Connerton success
Connerton is trumpeting evidence of a housing recovery in Florida after selling 70 new homes in the past year, and projecting to do 120 more in 2014.

The reason for its success has come from moves its developer, Hayman Woods, did during the housing crisis, according to a release. And it started with protecting the investments of the 300 families already living there, while at the same time preparing for new buyers.

Among the things the Dallas-based developer did was:
• Pay subsidies to the homeowners association, which allowed club amenities to continue to operate at a high level throughout the downturn.

• Made what it called a substantial investment in the community development district to make sure landscaping, security and infrastructure were maintained.

• Provided incentives to bring quality homebuilders into the community and restart construction in early 2013. Those companies include Ryland Homes, M/I Homes, Taylor Morrison, and Homes by WestBay. There are six furnished models available from these builders.

Houses at Connerton are priced between $192,000 and $525,000. The community is located at U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes, and features two miles of nature trails, a 10,000-square-foot clubhouse and miles of winding roads and walkways.

PHSC hosts manufacturing jobs events
Pasco-Hernando State College and Career Source will host two manufacturing events, which includes opportunities for on-the-job training programs.

The first event takes place April 9 at Alumi-Guard, 2401 Corporate Blvd., in Brooksville, beginning at 8 a.m. The second takes place April 16, also at 8 a.m., at the SmartStart Dade City Incubator, 15000 Citrus Country Drive, Suite 103, in Dade City.

For information, email Margie Burnham at , or call (727) 816-3227.

Lawn Doctor opens in Lutz
Jonathan Player and Rodney McClain are the newest franchise owners of Lawn Doctor, opening their business for the North Tampa-Lutz area as well as Northeast Tampa area.

The two, according to a release, plan to continue expanding their business to all the open areas of the region, heading south toward Bradenton.

Lawn Doctor is a lawn care company founded in 1967 that works through more than 450 franchises across the country.

For information, call (813) 433-1222, or visit LawnDoctorNorthTampa-Lutz.com.

Women-n-Charge meet in May
The next meeting for Women-n-Charge takes place May 2 beginning at 11:30 a.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa.

The meeting includes lunch, speaker Kelly Mothershead from A Focus on Fitness, and time to network.

Cost is $15 for members, and $18 for guests and those who don’t pre-register by April 29.

For information, call (813) 600-9848, or visit Women-n-Charge.com.

Seminars to provide info on trusts
Two free seminars will take place in April discussing trusts and how the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 will affect it.

The first seminar takes place April 22 beginning at 5:30 p.m., at Independent Financial Services, 20635 Amberfield Drive, Suite 102, in Land O’ Lakes. The second will take place April 24 at 5:30 p.m., at First National Bank of Pasco, 13315 U.S. 301, Dade City.

To register in advance, call (813) 908-2701.

Pasco considering ban on hiring smokers for county jobs

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It’s hard to argue the numbers against smoking: It’s caused 20.8 million deaths since 1965, it’s been linked to 12 kinds of cancer and 17 chronic diseases, and can create similar problems to anyone else exposed to the smoke, according to the U.S. Surgeon General.

Life is becoming more and more difficult for tobacco users. Not only is space to light up becoming scarce, but jobs might be more difficult to find as well. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Life is becoming more and more difficult for tobacco users. Not only is space to light up becoming scarce, but jobs might be more difficult to find as well.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

So for Pasco County, banning cigarette smoking is a no-brainer. However, preventing smokers from being hired by the county? That might be a little more problematic.

Yet Pasco is starting that push, although county performance development director Marc Bellas admits that he’s still not sure exactly how the new program will shake out.

“Everyone in this organization knows this is coming, but what we don’t know is what it will look like, when will it happen, and how it will impact each one of them,” Bellas said.

Governments have found some success — and failures — when it comes to implementing policies that would ban hiring smokers. Temple Terrace made national news more than a decade ago when it tried to control smoking in its workforce, and the negative backlash caused them to change gears.

But that was a different time, when Florida’s ban on indoor smoking in most public places was still in its infancy. In 2003, the argument was to help lower health insurance costs. Today, however, the carrot being dangled is healthier living.

“What they’re looking for is kind of a more environmentally friendly and positive work place,” said county public information officer Doug Tobin. “That includes a smoke-free campus, as well as a policy where new employees would be prohibited from smoking.”

And the idea is not new in Pasco County. Both the fire department and sheriff’s office already restrict smoking among employees, Tobin said, and the county itself has flirted with the idea for several years now.

A smoking policy for the county government is far from complete, Bellas said. However, he brought up some initial ideas to the Pasco County Commission last week to get some of their feedback.

In its current form, employees hired after Oct. 1 would be required to sign an affidavit affirming they have not used tobacco products for one year, and agree to submit to a nicotine test if they’re every suspected of smoking. Those who were hired before Oct. 1 would no longer be allowed to use tobacco products while they are on the clock.

New hires would not be allowed to smoke or use tobacco products at all, not even at home, or on the weekends. If they are discovered to have violated the policy, they could be disciplined and even fired.

Yet, even Bellas admits that sometimes a plan looks far better on paper than it does in the field. And his goal is to not make it more difficult to compete for good employees with other counties and private industry by having too restrictive of a policy.

“We have a few challenges that we can’t ignore,” he said. “Between 24 and 25 percent of our employees right now use tobacco, and a lot of them are in the entry-level positions in roads and bridges, and in utilities. The folks in those departments already have a hard enough time keeping those positions filled. If we take one more thing away, and they believe it’s going to be a problem, then that is not a good choice for us.”

That means there’s still a lot of work to do on the policy before it’s completed, Bellas said, and there’s a good chance that what is finally approved to begin next October could be quite different from what’s on the table today.

And the talk alone of implementing the policy seems to have had some positive effect already. Commissioner Henry Wilson, who serves on a committee addressing this issue, told commissioners at the recent meeting participation in smoking cessation programs has drastically increased over the past two months.

“They know the conversation has started,” Wilson said. “This is nothing else but to create a healthy work environment, and that’s what we’ll try to do.”

Published April 2, 2014

Lutz game company goes mobile with ‘Battle Gems’

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If you’re one of the millions of people who play video games on a computer, cellphone or mobile device, you might imagine that the games come from a giant complex in Silicon Valley, or a high tech company in a foreign country.

But sometimes they come from Lutz.

Adam Bohn isn’t big on traditional business attire, but his Lutz-based company, Artix Entertainment, is big on video games. Their latest offering, ‘Battle Gems,’ is their first on mobile platforms. (Courtesy of Adam Bohn)
Adam Bohn isn’t big on traditional business attire, but his Lutz-based company, Artix Entertainment, is big on video games. Their latest offering, ‘Battle Gems,’ is their first on mobile platforms.
(Courtesy of Adam Bohn)

“We are a carefully-guarded secret treasure of Lutz, and we love being here,” said Adam Bohn, chief executive of Artix Entertainment.

The company began in 2002 in Bohn’s spare bedroom, and today the company employs nearly 50 people and operates out of Northpointe Village.

Artix has had great success creating online role-playing games, also known as RPGs, and massive multiplayer online games, or MMOs, that are playable through an Internet browser. The company boasts more than 170 million players who have signed up for the games, which are free to play with upgrades and other in-game advantages available at a price.

But with a trend toward mobile-platform gaming, Artix didn’t want players leaving the company’s games at home with their computers. So, after eight months of development, they’ve recently entered the mobile game market with “Battle Gems,” a free game that combines puzzle, fighting and role-playing elements.

Players can battle more than 100 different foes, collect items and complete quests, all through their cellphone or tablet. The entire game can be played with no cost to the user, Bohn said, but faster play options and other perks are available for a one-time $10 upgrade.

The game currently is available on Apple’s iTunes Store, and should be available soon on Google Play as well.

Strong user reviews and early adopters are important to making a game successful, and with nearly 80,000 downloads in the first week of release and good word-of-mouth, Bohn said his team’s first attempt at mobile gaming has been a satisfying one.

“We’ve put a lot of heart into this game, but we didn’t expect the kind of reaction that our players are giving us,” he said of “Battle Gems.”

“Very consistently, from people who know us and people who don’t know us, we’re getting (user grades of) 4.5 out of 5, and 9 out of 10. The reviews have been just overwhelmingly positive.”

Bohn acknowledges that “Battle Gems’” flat-fee upgrade option might not produce the most revenue possible, but he believes that many “free” games end up costing players too much money in the long run. Bypassing time restrictions in some games could cost an additional dollar each time, and individual items might cost anywhere from a few dollars to upwards of $40.

While Artix’s games aren’t designed to extract that kind of revenue for the right to keep playing, he believes that providing value is more important, and Bohn wants them designed so players can enjoy it without being asked for extra money at every turn.

Instead of focusing just on revenue, Bohn said that his team put extra emphasis on creating a wide variety of monsters and characters the player will face.

“We built this game with more monsters than most mobile apps would ever dream of having,” he said. They also made the game larger than originally planned, boosting the number of levels from 256 to 480.

While Artix is enjoying the positive feedback from “Battle Gems” and is looking forward to introducing it on the Google Play store, the future is constantly part of the discussion for a technology-based company. Bohn expects the turnaround time for their next mobile game to be shorter, but he wants the content to be even more creative and outlandish.

The company also is looking into bringing versions of their popular browser-based games to the mobile platform. Bohn indicated that original content will always be part of Artix Entertainment’s future projects.

“Honestly, we have no shortage of game ideas,” Bohn said.

For more information about Artix Entertainment and its games, visit Artix.com, HeroMart.com.

Published April 2, 2014

Experience vs. New Blood

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Three elections, six candidates, and three incumbents — all with more than a half-century of government experience.

Voters head to the polls April 8 in Dade City, St. Leo and Zephyrhills, where they will decide, among other things, whether they want to keep longevity in their city government, or find a fresh perspective.

Each of these municipalities faced controversy in recent months. Dade City abruptly turned one high-level government job into two, pushing out a longtime employee. St. Leo could see its government shaken up later this year if parts of Lake Jovita successfully de-annex itself, possibly eliminating two commission seats. And, Zephyrhills is facing a tough decision on what to do with its top executive, where one race could easily seal the fate of City Manager Jim Drumm.

Three communities have their future in the balance, and every single vote has the potential to be the ultimate decider.

Dade City: Scott Black vs. Angelica Herrera
St. Leo: Raphael Davis vs. Donna DeWitt
Zephyrhills: Alan Knight vs. Jodi Wilkeson

Running the Boston Marathon is on Trout’s ‘bucket list’

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When Trish Trout runs with thousands of racers at the 118th Boston Marathon in April, she’ll cross an item off her bucket list.

Trish Trout says she’ll complete the Boston Marathon even if she has to crawl or roll across the finish line. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Trish Trout says she’ll complete the Boston Marathon even if she has to crawl or roll across the finish line.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“Boston is the crown jewel of running, and coming from a non-elite running status, it always seemed like it was a dream too far out of reach,” the 39-year-old mother of two said.

The Wesley Chapel woman couldn’t picture qualifying and she knew the only other way would be to run for a charity, something she couldn’t quite foresee happening. But one of her co-workers encouraged her to see if she could run for a charity. He told her: “If you can get in, I will help you with fundraising.”

So, Trout decided to try, and was accepted to run as part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge.

Last year’s bombings in Boston didn’t dissuade her from the desire to run the 26.2-mile race.

“It motivates me more,” Trout said. “It has given me a way to show my kids, ‘Yes, there are people who do bad things, but if we let that stop us, then we let them win.’”

Her daughter Alexa attends Wiregrass Ranch High School, and her son Adam attends John Long Middle School. They’ll both be in Boston to watch their mom run.

“People ask me, ‘Are you sure you want to take your kids there?’” Trout said. “I say, ‘Absolutely, there’s no greater sense of accomplishment than seeing your kids in an environment where everyone who is there is there for the same reason, to accomplish something that is greater than themselves.’”

She knows it’s no easy feat to complete a marathon. And she realizes she is not the ideal candidate to make the run.

“If you look at me, I’m not built to be a runner,” Trout said. But she’s determined to make it happen.

“I will crawl. I will roll. It doesn’t matter. I will cross that finish line on the day that I’m supposed to,” Trout said.

Trout has run in a half-dozen half-marathons and began training for the Boston Marathon around September. Generally, she does her shorter runs on weekday evenings — making her way through the neighborhoods of Meadow Pointe and Plantation Palms. She prefers running in the road because the pavement is easier on her knees and hips than sidewalks.

She does longer runs on the weekends.

Trout, who is a quality assurance analyst for a software company, enjoys running for causes. She ran a Gasparilla 15-kilometer on a team to raise awareness for human trafficking. She’s running the Boston Marathon to help raise money for cancer research.

“I find it easier to go on the long, lonely runs knowing that I’m running for somebody else,” Trout said.

She’s running the Boston Marathon as a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge. She has pledged to raise at least $9,650.

So far, she’s raised just over $8,000.

“Everybody knows somebody who has dealt with cancer,” Trout said. “And, what I have done is — each mile, because there’s 26 miles, I’ve been asking people if they’d be willing to sponsor a mile,” Trout said. “I have the .2, because the marathon is 26.2 miles. My daughter wants that part. I keep telling her she’s got to up the ante if she wants that part.”

Trout said she’s hoping to exceed her pledge and raise at least $13,100 for Dana-Farber, which is a cancer institute in Brookline, Mass. She picked that number because “13.1” signifies a half-marathon, the distance she normally runs. If she raises $13,100, she’ll shave her head in a show of solidarity with cancer patients who do not think they have anyone supporting them.

Trout said her goal is to complete the marathon in no more than 5 hours and 30 minutes. Initially, she was shooting for 5 hours and 15 minutes, but she’s coming off a slight injury.

Trout’s familiar with the course because she drove it in November when she was in Boston for Thanksgiving.

“I got goose bumps, and I started to cry when I stood at the starting line. I was in the moment,” she said.

She’s anticipating a similar show of emotion on April 21, as she crosses the finish line.

Regardless of the time she turns in, Trout said this experience already has taught her a few things about herself.

“It reaffirms the fact that, when I make a decision, I’m going to do whatever it takes to stick to it,” she said. “And, I’m a lot stronger than I thought I was.”

Anyone interested in donating can visit RunDFMC.org/2014/trish.

Published April 2, 2014

Youth ministry uses puppets to spread gospel message

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The music is cranked and the kids are clapping, jumping and gliding around in a second-floor room in the education building at Van Dyke Church in Lutz.

The members of the 2013 Puppets for Christ touring team are, in front, kneeling from left, Madison Welch, Preston Keleher, Allison Tsay, Jessica Grimes, Alex Whittington. Standing in back, Sarah Brennan, Sandy Graves, Zoe Wallace, A.J. Collado, Cody Coates, Meaghan Heveran, Conner Berg, Jaelin Brigner, Becky Bonanno, Lindsey Proulx, Jordan Reineke, Sarah Lucker. (Courtesy of Sandy Graves)
The members of the 2013 Puppets for Christ touring team are, in front, kneeling from left, Madison Welch, Preston Keleher, Allison Tsay, Jessica Grimes, Alex Whittington. Standing in back, Sarah Brennan, Sandy Graves, Zoe Wallace, A.J. Collado, Cody Coates, Meaghan Heveran, Conner Berg, Jaelin Brigner, Becky Bonanno, Lindsey Proulx, Jordan Reineke, Sarah Lucker.
(Courtesy of Sandy Graves)

They are waving flags, raving poi balls and making dance moves, as they practice a routine for a future performance.

The middle and high school youths are part of a group called PfC, which stands for Puppets for Christ. If the name implies some kind of sedate puppet presentation laced with staid Bible lessons, think again.

This group has a groove on, and the kids are using music and props they created to help share a gospel message through performances that both they and their audiences enjoy.

Normally, they perform under black lights, wearing black costumes with mesh or cloth hoods that cover their faces. They use neon puppets, signs and other props to get across their message.

The ministry has won a fair number of awards at competitions, and recently was one of the ministries showcased at the 2014 Real Ideas Conference at Van Dyke Church, which attracted about 650 people from 177 churches to learn practical ways to enliven their churches.

At the recent practice, PfC volunteer director Becky Bonanno recalled that the ministry began about 15 years ago, with two little green puppets that came in a curriculum kit, when she used to teach children’s church.

She and her husband used the puppets in the ministry, and their son Nick later asked if he could put together a puppet team.

Initially, it was intended to just put on puppet shows at the church. But PfC kept growing and has evolved into an ongoing ministry that now has 21 members, from various middle schools and high schools.

Beyond performing locally, the group hits the road once a year on a tour, where they perform primarily at other churches in the Southeast, said Sandy Graves, the other co-director. They perform in such places as Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston and Jacksonville, but they’ve also been as far away as Chicago and Washington, D.C.

They also perform locally, generally for vacation Bible schools, inner-city ministries, children’s homes, domestic abuse shelters and other churches.

The troupe meets for an hour and a half weekly, gathering on Wednesday nights to work on routines and plan out future performances. Sometimes they have prop parties.

There’s a storage room at the church that is chock full of puppets of all shapes and sizes. There are huge elephant puppets and strap-on flamingo puppets. There are all sorts of neon signs and decorations.

“It’s so much fun,” Bonanno said, noting she had no idea the direction that PfC would take when it began.

There are stories of parents who did not come to church, but began attending after bringing their children to a puppet show, Bonanno said. There are stories of kids who were on the puppet team that wound up getting married when they became adults.

Many of PfC’s members are siblings of former members or were invited by friends to give it a try.

“My brother was in it, and I started watching it when I was in third grade,” said Cody Coates, 17, who was so eager to join he persuaded Bonanno to let him join in sixth grade.

“It’s a blast,” said the Steinbrenner High School student said. “This is the only thing I’ll cancel my friends for. I’ve missed birthday parties.

“I like that I can be a Christian while still having fun. You’re spreading God’s word,” Coates added.

If the audience hasn’t heard of them, they’re in for a surprise, he said.

“No one expects to see a fun, black-light puppet show,” Coates said.

Emily Keleher, another PfC member, was surprised the first time she saw a show.

“I thought it was going to be a little puppet show, and then I saw it,” the Martinez Middle School student said.

She enjoys performing, but she thinks the best part of being involved is hanging out with other members of the group.

Jerry Grimes, 13, who is new to the group this year, said he wanted to join after seeing a performance when he was young.

“I would come to these puppet shows, and I was like, ‘Oh, wow, that’s really fun.’ Now, I’m doing it,” said the Walker Middle Magnet School student.

He gets a kick out of watching children react. “It’s been very fun, just to see the smiles on kids.”

As they run through their routines at practice, the kids are clearly enjoying themselves. They seem to have an easy rapport with Bonanno and Graves.

As they talk about their upcoming tour, for instance, one kid tosses out an idea: “We could do a flash mob on the metro,” he said.

It’s an idea, Bonanno said, that’s worth considering.

Published April 2, 2014

New coach, no problem: Wiregrass Ranch baseball team keeps winning

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For the past five seasons, the Wiregrass Ranch Bulls boys baseball team has finished the year with a winning record. Last year, they reached the playoffs for the first time in school history and made it all the way to the regional final.

Zachary Drury, one of Wiregrass Ranch’s seniors, said that new coach Marshall McDougall has been a great fit for the Bulls as they build on last year’s success. (Courtesy of Michael Drury)
Zachary Drury, one of Wiregrass Ranch’s seniors, said that new coach Marshall McDougall has been a great fit for the Bulls as they build on last year’s success.
(Courtesy of Michael Drury)

But this year, they entered the season with a coach who wasn’t involved in the team’s previous success. Marshall McDougall had not only never coached at Wiregrass Ranch before, he had never coached at the high school level before.

For a team on the rise, it might seem like a risky move to put the team’s future in such inexperienced hands. But about halfway through the season, that move looks like a brilliant one.

Wiregrass Ranch currently has a 10-4 record, and is in the hunt for the Class 7A District 8 title with a 4-2 record. That mark includes an impressive 12-2 win over district foe Steinbrenner on March 25, and their new coach is pleased with the team’s strong start.

“As a whole, our team is pretty solid all the way through,” McDougall said. “It’s a matter of keep pushing the kids, keep improving and keep playing hard, and I think our kids can go a long way.”

While he hasn’t spent much time as a coach, McDougall makes up for it in real-world baseball experience. He played professional baseball for more than a dozen years, including a stint with the Texas Rangers. And his baseball days aren’t far behind him: At 35 and retired from the game for just two years, he’s able to not only instruct the team verbally, but go out on the field and show them exactly what he means.

McDougall believes the ability to participate with his team allows them to learn in non-verbal ways and buy into his system since it’s coming from someone who can still play the game at a high level.

And his players agree.

“Sometimes he’ll go out there and show us we’re not as good as we think we are,” said senior Ryan Girard, who pitches and plays first base for the team. “He’s definitely still got all the skills, and he passes them on to us as best he can.”

The team sees that McDougall knows what he’s doing, Girard said, and they can follow his lead knowing it comes from experience and knowledge of the game.

Zachary Drury, a senior who is a pitcher and plays third base for Wiregrass Ranch, also believes that McDougall’s ability to show the team how to execute plays is an advantage. But he said that his coaching style also helps the team succeed by allowing them to grow without over-the-top yelling and unproductive pressure.

“He doesn’t really get mad. I mean, he gets mad, but he doesn’t make you afraid to make a mistake,” Drury said. “He’s a really cool guy and we enjoy having him.”

And while the Bulls are enjoying a winning record, McDougall doesn’t want them getting complacent. The coach sets up individual competitions in practice so the players get used to trying to win on a regular basis regardless of record.

And there are small consequences for losing, such as a few laps or cleaning up after practice. Just enough, McDougall said, to keep them from being OK with losing or not hungry enough to continue improving.

While he believes Wiregrass Ranch can go far this year, McDougall is adamant that his goals don’t really matter. It’s the players, not the coaches, who must have the drive to set high objectives and then find the will to achieve them.

“My goal is to help them reach their goal. That’s the best way I can put it,” he said. “We (the coaches) are not playing. It’s up to them to decide what they want. My job is to teach them small things and try to make them reach the goal they want.”

Wiregrass Ranch baseball, at a glance
Feb. 7 – Win vs. Strawberry Crest, 4-2
Feb. 13 – Win vs. Hudson, 13-0
Feb. 18 – Win at Freedom, 8-2
Feb. 21 – Win vs. Steinbrenner, 4-2
Feb. 25 – Win at Sickles, 4-2
Feb. 28 – Win vs. Mitchell, 4-1
March 4 – Loss vs. Gaither, 3-1
March 13 – Win vs. Zephyrhills, 5-0
March 18 – Win at Weeki Wachee, 15-1
March 19 – Loss vs. Springstead, 3-2
March 20 – Win vs. Bishop McLaughlin, 8-4
March 25 – Win at Steinbrenner, 12-2
March 27 – Loss at Sunlake, 6-5
March 28 – Loss at Sickles, 2-0
March 31 – at Pasco, late
April 1 – vs. Ridgewood, late
– Courtesy of MaxPreps

Published April 2, 2014

City manager merry-go-round returning Spina to job?

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If Jim Drumm believes some of the rumors he’s heard, then former Zephyrhills city manager Steve Spina might become the Jay Leno of local government.

Zephyrhills city manager Jim Drumm is facing a very uncertain future in his government job, something he said could be because of unsubstantiated rumors that his predecessor, Steve Spina, wants to return. (File Photo)
Zephyrhills city manager Jim Drumm is facing a very uncertain future in his government job, something he said could be because of unsubstantiated rumors that his predecessor, Steve Spina, wants to return.
(File Photo)

The late-night comedian stepped aside from “The Tonight Show” in 2009, but returned to the job a short time later after replacement host Conan O’Brien fell out of favor.

The same might be happening in Zephyrhills, Drumm told the city council last week. Hearing reports that Spina might be looking to return to city management after some time teaching, Drumm said some council members might be hoping they can get Spina to take his old job back.

In fact, it’s one of the few things Drumm says makes sense on why the council would suddenly be talking about letting him go as city manager after three years.

“I have great respect for Dr. Spina,” Drumm said in a prepared letter to the council March 24. “I have not had his long tenure to compete with his knowledge and his many contacts. If it is not the intent of the city council to hire Dr. Spina, then I remain perplexed by the issues that warrant me to not continue working together to improve Zephyrhills.”

Spina, who retired as city manager in 2011, told The Laker after last week’s meeting that he wasn’t commenting on such rumors, except to say that they are not accurate.

Three city council members have expressed a desire to part ways with Drumm, and feel now is the best time since his contract runs out in May. To renew that contract would require a supermajority on the council — four votes — they say, and those votes just aren’t there.

Drumm disagrees with that interpretation of the city’s charter. His contract might have a set beginning and end date, but the charter is clear that it takes four votes to appoint a city manager, and four votes to remove him. And whether Drumm has a contract or not, without those four votes, the council can’t force him out.

“My take is that I would remain a city manager without a contract,” Drumm said, adding that there were times in Spina’s 15-year tenure where he worked without a contract, too, protected by the four-votes clause of the city charter.

Both City Attorney Joe Poblick and outside labor attorney Brian Koji agreed that Drumm has a finite contract with the city. If four council members don’t vote to renew it, then Drumm is out of a job.

Councilman Kenneth Compton, however, doesn’t have a lot of confidence in the track record of the city attorney and lawyers he may consult when it comes to labor issues. Compton, who has pushed for more discussion on Drumm’s employment situation, said the city took heavy financial losses from two recent labor disputes. He fears that forcing Drumm out could result in another legal dispute, one that could be yet another loss for Zephyrhills in front of a judge.

“The contract has a term limit, but the charter doesn’t,” Compton said, adding that the charter would supersede any contract the council writes, since the charter is essentially Zephyrhills’ constitution. “I don’t like ending this, but if we’re going to do it, I want to make sure we are as accurate as possible.”

The battle lines over Drumm have been drawn, it seems, as far as the council is concerned. Lance Smith and Ken Burgess originally recommended cutting Drumm loose, and last week, had Charles Proctor join their side. That leaves just Compton and Jodi Wilkeson in support of Drumm, or at the very least, gathering more information on making sure the city is protected legally.

Wilkeson suggested a third legal opinion be sought, something Mayor Danny Burgess was against.

“How much weight are we going to give this third opinion?” Burgess asked. “We had two attorneys that we paid for opinions who are very qualified and very good at what they do. And here we’re just going with a firm (for a third opinion) based on name recognition.”

Compton and Wilkeson picked out the Tampa firm Fowler White as one they recognized from a list of potential firms Poblick shared at the council meeting, and chose that firm for the third opinion.

Seeking that additional legal counsel does buy Drumm more time as it delayed a decision to the April 14 council meeting. However, that pushes the meeting until after the upcoming municipal election where Wilkeson is defending her seat against former high school football coach Alan Knight.

If Knight wins the election and decides against retaining Drumm, he would be the fourth vote and would likely make any legal questions moot.

Published April 2, 2014