Local News

Old car, pay phone booth perfect for this garden

November 13, 2013 By B.C. Manion

Maryhelen Zopfi gets a kick out of finding new uses for old stuff.

The avid gardener’s green thumb is on glorious display at her North Mobile Villa Drive home in Lutz, where she grows roses, orchids, crotons, fruit trees, orchids, grapevines and all sorts of other plants.

But her enthusiasm for gardening is perhaps outdone by the funky stuff she has all over her place.

Maryhelen Zopfi has added another point of interest to her eclectic collection of yard art that embellishes her garden and koi ponds at her home in Lutz. This 1997 Buick front end makes a perfect waterfall, she said. (Photo by B.C. Manion)

Recent additions to her eclectic outdoor décor include the front end of 1997 Buick that she’s converted into a waterfall for her koi pond in her backyard. The pond, by the way, is a former swimming pool, which is partially covered by a deck.

The deck, it turns out, is the perfect cover for the koi — should a hungry bird swoop down to try to grab a quick bite to eat.

The Buick’s front end is raised up on blocks, spilling water through its grill into the pool below.

Meanwhile, out front, Zopfi has added an old-fashioned telephone booth amidst her plants, just for fun.

She also has a smaller waterfall in her front yard, which, by the way, she thinks would be a perfect candidate for the front end of a Smart car.

Zopfi, who describes herself as a “stay-at-home gardener,” always is thinking up stuff she can do to keep adding interest to her yard. Besides being full of whimsy, her yard also is environmentally friendly, too.

She won Hillsborough County’s 2012 Florida-Friendly Landscape Water-Wise Award for the many water-conserving practices she observes.

For instance, she catches rainfall in a barrel to water a portion of a garden. She diverts runoff from her rooftop and pipes it into areas of her garden. She also uses landscape beds to keep storm water from spilling out of her yard. And, she uses micro-irrigation to apply water where needed without wasteful spraying.

Zopfi gets a kick out of showing off her handiwork. She welcomes garden clubs to come take a tour of her yard. She’s also been known to set up tables in her driveway, to let garden club members have a meeting and eat lunch.

Her generosity does have its limits, though.

The garden club members have to bring their own lunch.

If your garden club would like to schedule a visit to Zopfi’s garden, you can email the request to .

Meeting first chance for residents to change Gall Boulevard

November 13, 2013 By Michael Hinman

It won’t be long before Zephyrhills gets full control of Gall Boulevard, a road that has served as the primary artery through the city for decades.

But the transformation of the road from a highway to a main street has its challenges. Which is why city officials have scheduled a group of four community workshops, the first one coming up Nov. 14.

Right now, Gall Boulevard is the main artery through Zephyrhills. But with the state taking over the one-way streets on either side, the city is set to get control of Gall with plans on making it into a main street. (file photo)

“The city kind of feels that we’re standing at the crossroads over an upcoming future transformation of our urban core,” said Zephyrhills planning director Todd Vande Berg. “There are a lot of things going on and have been going on, and we want to update everyone on that, and get their input as well.”

The overall project has been called “(Re)Imagine Gall Boulevard,” and will focus on the road between North Avenue and South Avenue. As through traffic shifts to the one-way pairs, which opened in the 1990s on Sixth and Seventh streets, the plan is to turn Gall Boulevard into a destination where residents and visitors can live, work and play.

How to approach that will be up to the community, Vande Berg said. City officials already plan to work on sidewalks, signage, landscaping, and an overall style plan for businesses. But what happens beyond that is going to require a lot of ideas, and then some decisions.

“It’s one piece of the pie, but it’s a pretty big piece,” Vande Berg said. “We are establishing the framework for the future of the whole (U.S.) 301 corridor, not just how it’s going to function, but at the development side of it as well.”

Thursday’s meeting could probably be better described as a charrette. These are intense planning and designing sessions, typically where every idea is put on the table, and bounced off different people for feedback.

City officials have some ideas of their own, and they’ll present those first. But then it will open up to the audience, bringing everyone into the discussion. Even more, the city is setting up electronic polling technology that will allow everyone to see real-time what the crowd thinks of ideas, which could fast-track popular plans, and set aside ones that may not have a lot of support.

The city recently expanded its Community Redevelopment Area to encompass the Gall Boulevard stretch. This move not only will allow the city to keep tax revenue collected in that specific area, but it also allows officials to set up development standards that can help define a community.

The City Council will be called upon to make final decisions on the project at some point after the community workshops, but there might be some challenges in making the transition along the way.

Primarily, some businesses like fast food restaurants on Gall Boulevard are designed as stops for through traffic more than community pedestrian traffic. If the primary through traffic shifts more to the one-way pairs, there is a chance some could turn around and face the other way — putting their back to Zephyrhills’ new main street.

“We are a little unique here where some of the fast food and other businesses control frontage on both streets,” Vande Berg said. It will be up to officials to encourage alternatives for those businesses, however, maybe even finding a way to serve both streets.

And that’s where workshops like Thursday’s will help in the city’s efforts to expand its main street beyond Fifth Avenue.

“We want to make 301 more multi-modal and more pedestrian friendly, but after that, it’s up to our residents,” Vande Berg said. “This is a great way for us to get a feel from the city, to get their input, and help us make this a success.”

If you go
WHAT: (Re)Imagine Gall Boulevard community workshop
WHEN: Nov. 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
WHERE: Alice Hall Community Center, 38116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
DETAILS: Call Todd Vande Berg, (813) 780-0006, or email him at

One-time CiCi’s Pizza location has new owner

November 13, 2013 By Michael Hinman

The former home of CiCi’s Pizza in Zephyrhills now has a new owner.

NW Evergreen Opportunities IV LLC, a real estate investment fund out of Portland, Ore., purchased the 12,600-square-foot Zephyr Place plaza for $1.9 million, primarily assuming nearly $1.7 million in loans borrowed against the property.

The former home of the CiCi’s Pizza location in Zephyrhills now has a new owner in what has been the city’s second-largest real estate transaction this year. (Photo by B.C. Manion)

The purchase was in lieu of foreclosure from Synovus Bank, according to Pasco County property records.

Zephyr Place LLC built the 6830 Gall Blvd., location near the Pin Chasers bowling alley in 2008. The company was owned by CiCi’s franchisees Giorgio and Lisa Bertrand, who operated a CiCi’s there until earlier this year, when it closed its doors. The center has been mostly vacant ever since.

NW Evergreen Opportunities IV is a part of Red Hills Acquisitions LLC in Oregon, and focuses primarily on distressed and foreclosed real estate, according to the Portland Business Journal. It provides an alternative to lenders, who otherwise would have to foreclose on a property owner who is not making the mortgage payments.

NW Evergreen has not announced its plans for the property. A request for comment to one of Red Hills’ principals, Mike Parthasarathy, was not returned.

This is only the third major commercial real estate transaction in Zephyrhills this year. National Retail Properties LP of Orlando bought two parcels in June: the SunTrust Bank location at 5435 Gall Blvd., for $3.5 million, and the Arby’s restaurant location at 7446 Gall Blvd., in June for $1.5 million.

Experiencing the sites and sounds of Georgia

November 13, 2013 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Lee Heffelfinger

We have certainly survived the summer heat and the daily summer rains. It really made the flowers beautiful and the grass cutting was a weekly job, or I should say every five days a clipping was due.

Russ and I, along with Joe and Ann Casey, motored to the Oktoberfest festivities in Helen, Ga. We did a lot of visiting local landmarks such as Babyland General, home of the original, and still going strong, Cabbage Patch Dolls and all their accessories. We got to see firsthand how the Cabbage Babies are born. Everyone should see this at least once, and I think it’s about the 14th time we have seen it.

We visited the gourd place where they grow all the different kinds and shapes of gourds, clean and dry them, and design everything imaginable, from dessert dishes to candle holders to musical instruments.

The day we spent in Dahlonega, Ga., was great. We ate our noon meal at the Smith House, a Gold Rush-days boardinghouse, and saw the gold mine shaft that started the gold rush craze way back before the gold rush in California of 1850.

We tramped through at least 15 antique shops, and Ann did find a few missing pieces to a set of dishes she had.

On the way back to Helen, we stopped at three different wineries, and by the time we got to the Oktoberfest, where we unwound with a beer garden brewski and tried our version of the chicken dance, listened to the genuine German polkas, and smelled the fresh wurst and sauerkraut. We were glad to get out in the fresh air and walk back to our motel.

What a wonderful vacation that was. If only Helen was not so far from Zephyrhills.

The attendance for our coffee and doughnut social was strong all summer, certainly not back to full capacity, but picking up. Hosts for October were Janet Clarks, Richard and Dea-Ann Burgess, Al and Deanie Bennett, Sy and Mabel Budzinski, John Raab, and Russ and myself.

We’ve had our share of bad luck. Madeline Macomber had a bad fall with surgeries and bruising to her face. John Phillips had surgery on his legs. And his daughter, Judy, has been here from Belfast, Maine, to help take care of him.

John’s son, John Jr., also is spending some time with his father. Vernita Perdue is struggling with chemo for multiple myeloma and kidney problems. Hopefully she will be able to come to her home here for the winter since we are so much closer to medical facilities here.

We lost several of our members: Sally Cavanaugh, Rosemary Leibrook and Harold Palmer. Our sincere sympathy to their spouses and families.

Harold Palmer’s family had a memorial service at the Faith Baptist Church for him, and his wife Bessie was brought from the rehab center where she is recuperating. Also in attendance were his four children: Denise, Roy, Mary and Kathy, all from western New York. A luncheon was served at our clubhouse for those that wanted to honor his memory.

Harold was a helper with so many projects during his 20-plus years as a resident of our park. He helped with shuffleboard, card games, coffee and doughnuts, and served on the board of directors. We are going to miss seeing him riding his lawn tractor down the street as he was heading to mow the many lawns, during the heat of the summer for the people from the north, even though he was having health problems and advancing age.

Our bus trips are once again on the go. We’re looking forward to our trip to Branson, Mo., for nine days of music, shows and entertainment. We will be there at the time you are reading this.

On Dec. 7, we go to the Early Bird Dinner Theater in Clearwater to enjoy “Boeing Boeing,” and Dec. 17-18, we go to Fort Lauderdale to enjoy the Christmas lights along the Jungle Queen Cruise route. Plus we can’t miss going to a casino, or two.

What a great way to participate in the holiday excitement. If you want to go along, call me at (813) 780-1012.

Good hauntings at Grand Horizons for Halloween week

November 13, 2013 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Helene Rubenstein

As more and more people return to Grand Horizons, so many activities seem to start up once again.

We just returned from Connecticut, and we find more new neighbors to get to know and to socialize with. Yes, our community is certainly growing in leaps and bounds.

On Oct. 26, there was a pancake breakfast in the community center hosted by Terry and Mim Gardner. I spoke to Mim and she mentioned that about 65 people attended this breakfast, which had good food, much laughter and loads of friendship.

Mim also went on to say that Paul and Norma Oi, David and Joyce Billig, and Rosemary Semian helped out with the serving and cooking. They did have a drawing and there were two winners who went home with a smile.

In addition to this, Chuck Carlson volunteered to help out in future pancake breakfasts.

So you see, there are always people to help out in any way that they are asked for. There is a definite pride within our community.

Bob and Sandi Blais portrayed a German couple and earned honors as the best-dressed couple at a Halloween potluck on Oct. 31. (Photo by Marty Rubenstein)

On Oct. 31, we had a Halloween potluck party at the community center hosted by Robbie Lockard. She had loads of help but “special” thanks go out to Ken and Barb Holzapfel, and Ron and Joyce Bell.

There were many more helpers who pitched in to make this party a success and there were about 90-95 people. There was a variety of music by Gary Wilcox.

It was difficult to pick out the best costume as all the witches, goblins, ghosts, and a variety of other costumes, were out in full force. A prize was awarded for the best costume and, let me tell you, it was one tough decision. I didn’t envy the judges.

Best costume for a woman was Marie Paolantonio who was dressed as the merry widow, while Ernie Rice won for best male costume as he dressed as Columbo. Finally, the best-dressed couple was Bob and Sandi Blais dressed as a German Oktoberfest man and woman.

On Nov. 1, there were 77 people who filled the community center for the first “egg n’ bag” of the season. We all had a fun time, and like last year, the eggs were fantastic and the potatoes were delicious.

Then, on Nov. 2, there was a fashion show sponsored by Bon Worth and hosted by Kathy Cribbs. I can just see Kathy, along with a group of women, getting ready to model their clothes. Behind the stage, I am sure you would find hectic moments and so much talking.

I spoke to Kathy and she told me that she got six models and they donned three outfits each. A terrific job was done by one and all. They also had door prizes won by some lucky people. After the show, they served some cookies and coffee.

Let us not forget the Nov. 16 yard sale at each individual house. In addition to this, there will be a book sale, bake sale, and lunch will be served at the community center. Who knows, you may be able to find the exact trinket that you have been looking for, so please circle the date on your calendar and come and see.

Young girls keep smiling … through pain of arthritis

November 13, 2013 By B.C. Manion

At first blush, Lindsey and Ashley Valenti look like typical preteenage girls.

They enjoy doing typical preteen things: Going to Disney theme parks, attending birthday parties and playing.

But doing even these simple things is difficult for the Wesley Chapel girls, as they both suffer from juvenile arthritis.

Ashley Valenti, left, and her sister Lindsey have been selected as the child honorees for the Tampa Bay Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Walk/Run event in December. Both girls have had to curtail many of the activities they enjoy because of the pain they suffer from juvenile arthritis. (Photo by B.C. Manion)

Still, they keep an upbeat attitude, which their mom, Mary Valenti, said is probably one of the reasons they’ve been chosen as the child honorees for Tampa’s Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run/Walk. The event is set for Dec. 21 at the Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough County Community College. Besides a 5-kilometer and one-mile run, there also will be activities for kids, a silent auction and awards.

Valenti is pleased that her daughters were selected for the honor because she thinks it’s important to spread the word about juvenile arthritis, a condition she believes is often misunderstood. Both girls — who also require a monthly infusion of antibodies because of an immune system condition called specific antibody deficiency — were diagnosed in 2010, but Valenti suspects that they had the condition much longer.

Lindsey, 12, said she began noticing problems with her knees about two years before she was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. She was taking a dance class and one part of a routine required dancers to spring up from the floor.

“All of the girls were able to get off the floor with ease,” Lindsey said. All except for her. She had to push herself up.

When Valenti reported that Lindsey’s knees were swollen, it was explained away as “growing pains,” she said. Lindsey had back pain, which doctors said could be kidney infection. She had severe fatigue that was chalked up to her immune system condition.

“It took us a very long time to come to this diagnosis,” Valenti said.

But it didn’t take as long to recognize Ashley’s condition, her mom said. When Ashley complained that her foot hurt, they initially thought she had turned her ankle.

When that wasn’t the problem, Valenti wondered if Ashley also might have juvenile arthritis. A rheumatologist confirmed her suspicion.

Many people have never even heard of juvenile arthritis, Valenti said. Often, they trivialize the condition, saying things like their grandmother or grandfather has arthritis.

“They don’t get it. They don’t understand it. This is a life-altering diagnosis,” Valenti said. “They look so normal and healthy, that’s why we have trouble getting across to people how serious this is.”

The arthritis they have is aggressive and lifelong. It affects organs. It affects their heart. It causes blindness.

“These are things we constantly having to get checked,” she said. “We have a team of about seven specialists.”

Lindsey remembers that recently she saw her neighbors playing outside.

“We used to be out there with them, and now we can’t,” she said. “It hurts to run. We’d go and play tag. We live in a lot of pain.”

When Lindsey wakes up in the morning, she has at least an hour of stiffness “with every joint, my neck, my knees, everything.”

The arthritis has prompted Lindsey to be home-schooled, taking classes through Florida Virtual School. But it can be hard, because Lindsey is at an age where having a social life is important. Being out of sight means being out of mind, she said, noting she doesn’t attend many birthday parties because she’s not invited.

“I have a wheelchair that I use off and on during flares, and sometimes I think kids are almost scared of what to say, so I’m avoided,” Lindsey said. “Ashley will go and play with the Barbies and she’ll need help getting up. And, I’ll sit down on the floor, and I’m pulling on the chair to try to get myself up. Even getting up from a chair is sometimes hard.”

Ashley attends Wesley Chapel Elementary School, but is frequently out of school to attend doctor’s appointments and get treatments.

Valenti and her husband Tony try to keep things as normal as possible for her girls. When Ashley’s school had a Halloween parade, for instance, Valenti pushed her daughter around in a wheelchair so Ashley could take part.

“She’s fifth grade, it’s her last one. We’re fighting to make it memorable for her because fifth grade is a big deal,” Valenti said. “I don’t know how much more schooling she’s going to be able to attend. We have some decisions to make for next year. We’re probably going to have to do the virtual school as well. But it’s a tough choice. She’s a very social kid.”

Besides robbing her children of their childhood, the disease has posed challenges for the entire family, Valenti said, especially when it comes to finances. There’s the cost of medical treatment, doctor visits and medication. There’s also the cost of just driving the girls to their medical appointments, which include trips to St. Petersburg and Gainesville.

“We bought a brand new car in May just because we travel so much, and I already have 12,000 miles on it,” Valenti said.

They’ve formed a fundraising team they call the Valient Valentis, and they’ve had some local events to raise money to help battle arthritis. They’re determined to do what they can to help their daughters and others who suffer from juvenile arthritis.

WHAT: Jingle Bell Run/Walk
WHO: Tampa Bay Arthritis Foundation
WHEN: Dec. 21, with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m.
WHERE: Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough Community College, 4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd.

New Lutz water line will close two wells

November 13, 2013 By Michael Hinman

One more Lutz subdivision is coming off well water with a new pipeline set to connect the Crystal Lakes Manors with Hillsborough County’s water distribution system.

The 4.5 miles of pipeline will take a year to build, beginning next year, and may disrupt traffic on U.S. 41 and Lutz Lake Fern Road. But in the end, the $4.8 million project will not only improve water for Crystal Lake residents, but could set up the rest of Lutz for connection to the main water system in the near future.

“I’m happy with what’s being proposed,” said Kim Foster, a resident of Crystal Lakes Manors who attended a recent informational meeting at the Lutz Community Center. “The water we have now is adequate and good, but we live right next to the chlorination facility, so we’ve always had concern with having high-chlorinated water.”

Whether that’s an issue or not will be eliminated with the new pipeline, which will mean the closure of the chlorination facility and two wells, which currently serve the nearly 200 homes in the community.

The project will be constructed in three phases, first beginning on the west side of U.S. 41 from West Chapman Road past Lake Drive. Then it’s Crenshaw Lake Road along the west side of U.S. 41 to Crystal Lake Road. Finally, the project will end once the county connects from just south of Fourth Avenue Southeast on the east side of U.S. 41 to First Avenue Southeast.

A lot of the project will coincide with a resurfacing project planned by the Florida Department of Transportation in 2014, allowing the two projects to piggyback, said Charles Cullen from the engineering design firm behind the project, CDM Smith.

“With the resurfacing of U.S. 41, that impact would’ve been felt regardless of the pipeline project,” he said.

That could mean some lane closures along U.S. 41, but Lutz Lake Fern Road should remain mostly clear since work there would take place in the right of way. Most of the construction will take place during the day beginning at 7 a.m., with some overnight work when needed.

The only communities and homes being connected to the new line right now are those immediately adjacent to the construction site. That left some unanswered questions for one resident.

“They didn’t explain anything that would happen to the existing water lines, or if other people would be able to connect to it,” said Tom De St. Jean, who also lives on Crystal Grove Boulevard. “It doesn’t make sense to bring that water line out there, and not let people connect. If you are not adjacent to the line itself, you cannot connect.”

That’s because the county’s comprehensive plan for the area only allows for connection by communities that are immediately adjacent to it, county water officials said during the meeting.

Construction is set to begin in March, and wrap up sometime during the spring of 2015.

Nurse earns national accolades creating new approach to care

November 13, 2013 By B.C. Manion

Susan Scherer — one of four finalists for a national nursing honor — wants to help patients understand their medical conditions and to obtain the most appropriate care.

Scherer will find out Friday if she received the 2013 Oncology Nurse Excellence award from the Academy of Oncology Nurse Navigators when they meet in Memphis, Tenn.

Susan Scherer, a nurse who lives in Land O’ Lakes, has created a business called RN Cancer Guides. It pairs an oncology nurse with a patient to help the patient gain a clearer understanding of complex medical issues as well as the complicated medical system. (Photo by B.C. Manion)

Scherer is gratified to be recognized as being among the nation’s leading oncology nurses, but she is even more excited about a business she has launched that will serve patients in a new way: RN Cancer Guides.

It pairs oncology nurses with cancer patients to help the patients gain a better understanding of their medical condition, and to be better equipped to manage their care. It’s a unique approach, Scherer said, noting “it’s never been done.”

The company is in its infancy, but the Land O’ Lakes nurse foresees vast potential for expansion, as there is no shortage of a need for the services her company provides.

In a nutshell, RN Cancer Guides provides a nursing expert to review a patient’s medical records and medications, and to accompany a patient on important doctor visits when patients are at a decision point in their care. They also help patients become aware of resources that may be available to help them reduce medication and medical service charges, or to help cover those costs.

Prior to launching her business this summer, Scherer worked as a nurse at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute. Before that, she was a nurse in Minnesota where she suffered a stroke. That gave her a greater affinity for working with patients with neurological conditions.

Scherer’s goal is to help patients learn enough to handle their health care issues on their own, but she said most people are not equipped to deal with the complex issues that confront cancer patients. On top of that, patients generally are grappling with emotional and financial pressures, as well as impacts their conditions have on their work and family lives.

She believes oncology nurses are in a unique position to help cancer patients understand their condition, become more aware of their options, and pursue appropriate care.

“Nurses seem to be the point of contact. Patients really open up to nursing,” Scherer said.

She also is a staunch advocate for patient rights.

“People are having to take more responsibility for their own health care,” Scherer said. “I believe people have the right to hear what’s going on, honestly, with them.”

Unfortunately, many people find doctors to be intimidating, she said. “There’s a whole generation of, ‘Well, the doctor said …’”

Finding appropriate care is essential, but that doesn’t always happen. “People will shop for cars more than they will their own physician,” she said.

Scherer’s service helps people gain greater insight about their options and resources that may be available to help them. It also helps patients realize they need to advocate for their health care.

“I give them a voice. I say, ‘You have every right to say what you have to say. You have every right to be heard. This is your life,’” she said.

She believes patients want to be informed about their condition, — even when the news is bad.

“If you arm people with education and you tell them the truth, they can handle it a lot better than if you blindside them,” Scherer said.

She believes her new venture is particularly timely.

“Right now, we have this health care system and nobody knows what’s happening. It’s mass chaos. Looking at how fragmented that things are right now, now is the time to help out,” she said.

RN Cancer Guides serves patients at any stage of their diagnosis, she said.

Costs for the service vary. For newly diagnosed patients with no complications, the service is $750, which includes 10 hours of service and a doctor’s visit.

The cost increases to $1,000 for 15 hours of service and a doctor’s visit, for more complicated cases, and $2,000 for up to 20 hours of service and a doctor’s visit for even more complex cases.

There’s also an hourly consulting service available at $149 an hour. And, there are corporate programs available, too, for businesses that want to provide a cancer assistance program for their employees.

When the patient is facing an important decision, the oncology nurse will accompany them on that doctor visit, Scherer said.

“When I go into physicians’ offices, I have to not be adversarial. I’m supposed to be an extension of everybody, to make sure they’re all talking,” Scherer said.

If she wins the award on Friday, it won’t be Scherer’s first honor. In 2005, she received a Florida Hospital Heroes Award after she and her husband, Nick, traveled to Mississippi twice in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The couple hauled a trailer full of food and supplies to dispense to storm victims. She also provided medical assistance, administering tetanus shots and helping in other ways.

Anyone who would like to know more about RN Cancer Guides can call (813) 360-1145, can email , or can visit the company’s website at www.RNCancerGuides.com.

Porter Campus aims to become hub of academic activity

November 13, 2013 By B.C. Manion

Deja Ventura couldn’t be more excited about the January opening of Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel.

The new campus — PHCC’s fifth — will make life much easier for Ventura, a student at the college.

“I can’t wait,” she said.

Ventura and others attended an information session last week in a conference room at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. There, faculty and administration for the new campus gave the crowd a virtual tour of the new facility, and shared their aspirations for the quality of education it will bring to its students.

Having a campus in Wesley Chapel will reduce Ventura’s commuting time for school by two hours, she said. It takes the 20-year-old an hour to drive each way to her classes now at PHCC’s New Port Richey campus.

Ventura’s also pleased that the new campus is near Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, where Ventura eventually wants to work.

The Wiregrass Ranch High School graduate said she was a patient at the hospital, and the positive experience she had there helped seal her decision to pursue a nursing degree.

Julio Rivera, an employee in the hospital’s cafeteria, is also looking forward to the opening of the new campus, as he pursues classes in information technology.

“I live 5 to 10 minutes from here,” he said. “I drive by here all of the time.” Rivera said.

Stan Giannet, provost of Porter Campus, was enthusiastic about what the school intends to offer its students.

“We’re very fired up,” Giannet said, noting that PHCC expects to branch into four-year degree programs next year, with bachelor’s degrees in nursing as well as supervision and management.

Stan Giannet, provost at Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, looks forward to creating a sense of community on campus and connections with the community it serves. (Photo by B.C. Manion)

The community college has received approvals from the state for the programs and is awaiting approval on its application for accreditation for the programs.

Once that clears, PHCC plans to change its name to Pasco-Hernando State College.

The four-year programs are slated to begin in fall of 2014.

Porter Campus also plans to be the only PHCC location to offer two new certification programs that the college will launch in 2014. Those certification programs are for surgical and pharmacy technicians, both fields where workers are in high demand.

One of the college’s missions is to help address workplace needs. “We want to be at the table to offer some solutions,” Giannet said.

The new campus is well equipped to serve student needs, Giannet said. It has a seven-story building, which includes four stories of classrooms on top of a three-story parking deck.

Beyond traditional classrooms, it also has nursing, computer and science labs as well as a two-story library. The nursing labs are so current that the mannequins used there can breathe and talk.

The campus also features two outdoor plaza areas, which Giannet believes will be popular places for people to congregate, for academic discussions and social gatherings.

He aspires to make the new campus an intellectual, cultural and community hub.

“We want to make it a vibrant campus for this community,” Giannet said.

The campus doesn’t have a cafeteria, but Giannet said students, staff and faculty members have many dining opportunities nearby.

“It’s so ideally situated in the heart of Wesley Chapel. There are restaurants that are peppering this entire area,” he said, adding that the library will have a coffee shop.

Besides offering a wide variety of programs, the college is committed to helping its students succeed, Giannet said.

“You are not a number. You are known. This is the kind of climate we are going to have at Porter Campus at Wiregrass,” Giannet said.

Courses will be offered in a variety of ways. Some will be taught in the traditional mode of a teacher delivering face-to-face instruction. Some will be offered online. Some will be a combination of both.

Pam Medley, the assistant dean of student development, said the college wants to help students get the classes they need.

Those transferring in must be sure to get their transcripts, to help them during the enrollment process, she said. Unofficial records can be used during the registration process, but official records are needed to release financial aid.

It’s also important for high school graduates to be aware that they can enroll as early as May for classes that begin in August.

The college will work closely with high schools for dual enrollment, where high school students can earn college credits, Medley said. She expects those relationships to be especially close between the college and Wiregrass Ranch High School, which is across the street from the new campus, and with Wesley Chapel High School, which is nearby.

The college also has a Teaching-Learning Center, which is committed to helping students achieve their potential. The idea is to help students engage in learning, whether they are tackling a complex research project or struggling to stay on pace, said Natalie Epo, coordinator of the Teaching-Learning Center.

Classes at Porter Campus are set to begin Jan. 13.

For more information, go to www.PHCC.edu.

They fly the friendly skies to help those in need

November 13, 2013 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Sherri Lonon

Two local residents were nominated for pilot of the year honors for their dedication to the nonprofit that flies missions of mercy throughout the Southeast.

John Hanselman and David Trilling are on a mission to give back to others in need.

As pilots for Angel Flight Southeast, Trilling of Lutz and Hanselman of Odessa, give their time and donate their personal aircraft and fuel to take patients in need of medical care to appointments. Whether it’s transporting a child to another state for cancer treatments or flying a transplant organ from a donor hospital to a patient in need, Hanselman and Trilling stand ready to answer calls for help when they arise.

For their efforts, Angel Flight Southeast has nominated both Hanselman and Trilling for its pilot of the year award. The award is the highest honor Angel Flight bestows on its volunteer pilots.

Angel Flight Southeast is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that serves Florida. Through a network of about 650 volunteer pilots, the agency helps those who are unable to take commercial flights — whether for financial or medical reasons — get to their appointments within the state, or in other states. It’s part of the Air Charity Network, which logs more than 22,000 missions annually, according to Angel Flight’s website.

Trilling won pilot of the year during a ceremony Sunday night, while Hanselman received the “Above & Beyond” award, given to pilots who not only volunteer their time, planes and fuel for Angel Flight missions, but also work to raise awareness for the charity, and will often help with fundraising.

Hanselman and Trilling both say they are honored by the nominations and wins, but admit they don’t take to the skies in hopes of earning awards.

“Most pilots just absolutely love to fly, and they love to fly with purpose,” said Hanselman, who has been flying for Angel Flight for about a year.

Hanselman first learned about the organization in the 1980s while he was working on his pilot’s license. He promised himself if he was ever in a position to take part, he would.

When Hanselman retired and sold his stake in a business, he bought a Cessna 206h and kept that promise to himself. His first flight for the nonprofit was a year ago.

For Hanselman, being a part of such a “noble enterprise” is reward enough.

“I enjoy flying, and at the same time, it’s giving back,” he said.

Trilling’s motivations are similar.

“After five years of flying, earning ratings and certificates, I wanted to use the acquired flying skills to do interesting flying as well as give back to the community,” he said.

Trilling learned how to fly after working 35 years in the food research and development arena.

“After retiring, I consulted and learned how to fly, always having been interested in planes and the magic of flight,” he said.

Now a flight instructor and volunteer with Angel Flight, Trilling uses his personal plane, a Mooney, to conduct missions of mercy.

As for the nomination, Trilling is honored, but says that “all of the pilots who contribute their time and planes for this purpose are pilots of the year.”

For more information about Angel Flight, visit the nonprofit online at www.AngelFlightSE.org.