The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News

Event raises awareness about human trafficking

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The third annual Light Up the Night Awareness event was more than just the glimmer of candles.

It radiated hope, for many.

The beautiful, clear cool weather attracted a large gathering to help support victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and drug abuse.

The event began at 4:30 p.m. with the 5K run and 1-mile walk/run at the Porter Campus of Pasco-Hernando State College, with 314 participants.

Ceremonies then moved to the upper deck of the parking garage at The Shops at Wiregrass, where inspirational speakers, musicians, vendors, activities and entertainment for all ages.

Awards were presented to a number of organizations, including Bridging Freedom, Healing Root Ministry, Justice Restoration Center, Loving You Where You Are At, and Redefining Refuge.

Ceremonies concluded with a candlelight vigil.

By Randy Underhill

Published January 24, 2018

Three-year-old Olivia Luna, of New Port Richey, is held by her mother Veronica, as the little girl pets a therapy horse owned by Julie Shematz, from Beauty from Ashes Ministries. Olivia’s dad, Alan, watches as his daughter pets the horse. (Randy Underhill)
Jennifer McGill, a Nashville recording artist, performs ‘Unbreakable’ for the large crowd on a cool pleasant evening for the Light Up the Night awareness event on Jan. 20.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edie Rhea, a survivor of abuse, addresses a crowd at Pasco-Hernando State College before the 5K and 1-mile walk/run. She was abused for a number of years, but survived and now heads Healing Root Ministry at First Baptist of Lutz.
Overflow performs as the opening act of Light Up the Night on Jan. 20.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both artists and visitors flock to Wesley Chapel for arts fest

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At the Kid’s Art Garden section, Kaitlyn Pratt of Tampa, watches her 1 ½-year-old son, Reid, as he paints a picture using watercolor paints. (Christine Holtzman)

Sunshine and mild temperatures combined to offer perfect weather for the 13th annual Suncoast Arts Fest, at The Shops at Wiregrass on Jan. 20 and Jan. 21.

Paseo Drive was closed to vehicle traffic, so approximately 125 vendors could line the street, showcasing their wares — including photographic prints, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, garden decorations, clothing and more.

The free Kid’s Art Garden area allowed children of all ages to express their creativity through face painting, watercolors, sidewalk chalk and other interactive activities.

The bluegrass folk band Gypsy Wind plays a jazzy number during its set on the afternoon of Jan. 20.

The Emerging Artist exhibit displayed some of the best work created by Pasco County students.   The event included free entertainment throughout the weekend, making this a fun, family friendly gathering.

Proceeds from the annual arts festival benefit arts education in Pasco County public, private and charter schools.

By Christine Holtzman

Published January 24, 2018

 

 

Shane Maiden, left, and his 10-year-old son Shane Jr., of Wesley Chapel, use 3D glasses to admire the various lowbrow pop art works of Vodka Bacon Studios. Artist Nelson Perez, who grew up in Tampa but now lives in St. Louis, states that his art is 2D, but has a 3D effect when viewed with 3D glasses.
At the Land O’ Lakes High School Honor Society booth, Arty Contreras, left, a 2016 graduate of Land O’ Lakes High School, holds a mirror so Penelope Pratt, age 5, of Tampa, can admire herself painted as a blue tiger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melrose Hinton, age 4, of Clearwater, left, gets her face painted as her favorite animal, a butterfly, by Ariana Quiles, age 16, a sophomore at Land O’ Lakes High School.
Bryan Hoag, of Tampa, a cast member with the Bay Area Renaissance Festival, plays the role of ‘Simon Lattaire,’ the village tin smith.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brandon Wilde, of Tampa, a cast member with the Bay Area Renaissance Festival, dances in the street as he portrays the character of ‘Mathis Henshawe,’ a master mummer of monologues.
Six-year-old Katie Cullison, left, and her 4-year-old sister Olivia, of Wesley Chapel, use chalk to draw a flower and a heart at the Kid’s Art Garden area of the Suncoast Arts Fest.

Suncoast Arts Fest getting ready for really, really big show

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Fine Arts of the Suncoast Inc., is getting ready for this 13th annual Suncoast Arts Fest — featuring 110 artists from across the country and Canada.

Photographer Thomas Styczynski is from Santa Barbara, California. (Courtesy of Jennifer Douglas, Suncoast Arts Fest festival manager)

The event, held at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, is scheduled for Jan. 20 and Jan. 21.

When the weather is good, the two-day event has drawn up to 80,000 visitors, said Jennifer Douglas, the festival manager.

She noted that “the quality of the art continues to grow, along with the reputation of the festival.”

The festival manager added that she’s “particularly proud of the live entertainment we’ve lined up for the Mainstage.

“I think our visitors will be blown away by the talent and diversity featured this year,” Douglas said.

Beyond a wide array of art to see and purchase, the free public event also offers live entertainment, chalk art murals, kids’ art projects and other highlights.

Mr. Harley will be providing an interactive show for children during the Suncoast Arts Fest, being held this weekend at The Shops at Wiregrass. He is slated to perform on Jan. 21.

Artists must compete for a place in the show, and this year there were 166 applicants vying for a spot. Categories at the show include ceramics/clay, digital, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, leather, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and wood.

The juried arts competition will award $14,000 in cash prizes.

Live entertainment will be featured on the Mainstage at Center Court, located at the festival midpoint across from Macy’s.

The festival will kick off on Jan. 20 with performances by The Richey Suncoast Kid’s Theatre and The Wesley Chapel Wind Ensemble.

At noon, Gypsy Wind, will share its unique blend of bluegrass, folk and old jazz favorites. Other performers in the afternoon will include The Frankie Raye Trio, and at 3:40 p.m., headliners Violectric, with its passionate fusion of classical string instruments and cutting-edge technology and effects.

Glass artist Rollin Karg is from Kechi, Kansas.

As the current Artists-in-Residence at Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Violectric has opened for Sting, Adam Levine, Ne-Yo, David Foster, Kristen Chenoweth, Katherine McPhee, Sia, Twenty-One Pilots, Rascal Flatts, and Huey Lewis and the News.

On Jan. 21, Suncoast Arts Fest radio sponsor, WGHR Hits 106, will be broadcasting live with performances on the Mainstage by children’s musician, Mr. Harley; followed by classical world guitarist Nikola Baltic, and Pasco favorites Barefoot Bob and the Hope. Tampa blues legend Sarasota Slim will close out the festival.

The event also has plenty of activities for kids.

The Kids’ Art Garden, presented by Suncoast Credit Union, has free Picasso-themed art projects, face painting and a scavenger hunt.

The Art Makerspace, sponsored by Chasco Middle School, will demonstrate its mobile 3D printer, and the festival’s Emerging Artist Exhibit will be back, featuring the talent of Pasco County elementary, middle and high school students.

This drawing is by artist Marie Rust, of Bitely, Michigan.

Other highlights will include chalk artists and strolling entertainment by the Bay Area Renaissance Festival.

Suncoast Arts Fest is produced by Fine Arts of the Suncoast Inc., a charitable organization dedicated to developing a community culture that embraces the arts.

All proceeds from the Suncoast Arts Fest benefit “Arts for Education,” a grant fund created by the festival’s parent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Fine Arts of the Suncoast Inc. This mini-grant program provides project support to supplement arts education funding in public, private and charter schools in Pasco County.

In 2017, more than $6,000 in mini-grants was awarded, bringing the grand total distributed to nearly $100,000 since the organization’s inception.

Suncoast Arts Fest
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass
When: Jan. 20, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Jan. 21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free admission and parking
Details: A juried show featuring works by 110 fine arts and crafts artists from across the nation and Canada. The event also features live entertainment and children’s activities.
Info: SuncoastArtsFest.com

Published January 17, 2018

Meadow Pointe residents rally against 7-Eleven

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A proposal to build a 7-Eleven at the intersection of Mansfield Boulevard and County Line Road is on hold while developers decide their next step.

Pasco County commissioners on Jan. 9, and members of the county’s Development Review Committee, on Jan. 11, both voted to continue public hearings on the matter until “a time uncertain.”

Area residents of Meadow Pointe II hope the project won’t proceed, according to Chris Dillinger, who has spearheaded the opposition effort with Meadow Pointe residents.

“If developers do pursue this, we’re not going to stop and let this happen. We’re going to fight it tooth and nail,” Dillinger said.

The site is next to Kids R Kids Learning Academy of Meadow Pointe. Dillinger has one child, 8 months old, at Kids R Kids, and another who attended prekindergarten.

Residents who oppose the gas station and convenience store worry about children’s safety, and an increase in traffic generally at the intersection.

More than 900 people have signed an online petition Dillinger created at Change.org opposing the 7-Eleven. He also created a Facebook group, “MP711.”

No one spoke at the county commission or development review committee meetings on behalf of the applicant and Meadow Pointe developer, Trout Creek Properties.

County officials said the property’s current neighborhood commercial zoning doesn’t permit underground fuel storage and gas pumps. They suggested Trout Creek seek a modification to the zoning.

Trout Creek in its initial rezoning application asked for general commercial. County officials were uncomfortable with that category.

That designation would allow some “ugly stuff,” including junkyards, said Corelynne Howell, a county senior planner.

7-Eleven filed a separate pre-application in fall 2016 prior to preliminary discussions with county planners, and before the rezoning application.

The proposed convenience store would be more than 3,000 square feet and would have 16 gas pumps.

Opponents say a gas station next to a children’s day care and school is unsafe. They also worry about traffic in and out of Kids R Kids, and at the intersection.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore agrees with the opponents.

“I don’t think this is the most suitable location for them,” Moore said. “I’m 100 percent against it.”

Dillinger said an added worry would be if a road connection were built to link Mansfield Boulevard in Pasco and Kinnan Street in Hillsborough County. That would cause a significant increase in traffic on Mansfield Boulevard, he said.

Dillinger believes the expectation of that linkage is what made the Meadow Pointe location attractive for 7-Eleven.

“It’s all related,” Dillinger said.

Connecting the two roadways, which currently dead-end at the county line, has been debated for years. The issue currently is under review, with Pasco awaiting the results of a study to evaluate the pros and cons of more county-to-county road connections.

If a public hearing is rescheduled on 7-Eleven, Trout Creek must again post signs on the site, and send new notifications to  affected property owners regarding the hearing date.

Published January 17, 2018

Design work to start on $15.5 million PHSC performing arts center

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Design work is expected to get underway soon on a Pasco-Hernando State College performing arts center that is planned for the Cypress Creek Middle High School campus, off Old Pasco Road.

The $15.5 million project will be built by the state college, but both the college and Pasco County Schools plan to use the facility for educational programming.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, sees enormous potential for a planned $15.5 million performing arts center that will be built on the Cypress Creek Middle High School campus by Pasco-Hernando State College.
(B.C. Manion)

Additionally, Pasco County Schools is planning to begin construction on Pasco County Middle School, which is scheduled to open in August of 2020.

“We’re designing the middle school, with the performing arts in mind,” said Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools.

“We’re going to have some dance rooms at the middle school. We’ll have a black box theater at the middle school. We’ll have a chorus room. We’ll have an orchestra room,” he said.

“Sometimes the college might be in our middle school at night, using the black box theater, and we might be in the new performing arts center, using the stage,” Gadd said.

Harvard Jolly — the architect for the middle school project — also has been selected to do the performing arts center, said Tony Rivas, PHSC’s associate vice president for facilities management and administrative services.

Creative Contractors has been selected as the construction management firm, Gadd said.

Both Creative Contractors and Harvard Jolly have experience with performing arts center projects, Rivas said.

The architect will be holding design charrettes with the users in January and February, to discuss design considerations.

The design must take into account the users’ needs, budget and state regulations for educational facilities, Gadd and Rivas said.

It also must consider how spaces interact with each other, Rivas said.

“You want to get certain things close to certain things, and you want to not necessarily be in proximity for other things because of noise levels or distractions. Those things come into play,” Rivas explained.

The arts center will be a teaching facility, but there’s also a desire to have a facility that can be used as a public venue, too, Gadd said.

Initially, the goal was to secure about $60 million in funding for a performing arts facility that would have accommodated about 3,500 seats, Gadd said. Actual funding came in at $15.5 million, which means the center will be much smaller.

Gadd said he hopes the new center will have a stage large enough to accommodate an orchestra. “If you have a stage that can hold an orchestra, then it can hold anything,” he said.

Construction is not likely to begin for about a year.

The college is in charge of construction, but the school district is providing about 5.5 acres for the site.

Lots of details regarding cost-sharing for operations and shared use of facilities still need to be worked out, Gadd added.

Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services, said the school district plans to offer curriculum such as digital design courses, lighting, production, cinematography and traditional arts programs for students who are interested in the performing arts.

Rivas noted that that it’s very early in the process, but as things progress, information about the project will be shared in a number of venues to keep lines of communication open. For instance, the construction manager will have a website that will have progress photos and different milestone events.

“We have to be attuned to the fact that we are in the community. We’re going to keep that awareness and sensitivity, and always try to be a good neighbor,” Rivas said.

Creative Contractors has extensive experience in building performing arts centers — both professional and educational, said Joshua Bomstein, president of the Clearwater-based company.

“We’re finishing the Tampa Theatre renovation right now. We did the complete renovation of the Capitol Theatre in downtown Clearwater. We’ve done all of the work at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater,” he said.

His company also did the Clearwater High School performing arts building, the performing arts building at Manatee High School, and the performing arts auditorium at Generations Christian Church in Trinity.

Bomstein is excited about the new project.

“This is going to be phenomenal facility. I predict and promise that,” he said.

Published December 27, 2017

New connection being eyed between Mansfield and Kinnan

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Pasco County officials aren’t taking a position as yet on tearing away barricades, and connecting Kinnan Street and Mansfield Boulevard.

Hillsborough County officials, however, are budgeting $250,000 to get the job done.

Some residents worry about safety issues for schools if Kinnan Street, in Hillsborough County, and Mansfield Boulevard, in Pasco County, are linked. (File)

Hillsborough’s budget decision won’t influence Pasco’s decision, according to Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

Pasco wants to know the results of a study that it funded to evaluate the pros and cons of three road projects to extend or open roadways that dead-end at the border between the two counties.

The results of that study, known as the Wesley Chapel Roadway Connection Study, are expected in January.

“We’re evaluating to make sure we look at these very, very carefully,” Moore said. “What are the benefits for Pasco County residents?”

Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan, who asked for the funds to be included in Hillsborough’s budget, couldn’t be reached for comment.

One project under review would link Kinnan Street, in Hillsborough County, with Mansfield Boulevard, in Pasco County.

Other choices would be extensions to Wyndfields and Meadow Pointe boulevards that would link with existing and future roads in the K-Bar ranch development in Hillsborough County.

Barricades are placed at the dead-end where Kinnan Street and Mansfield Boulevard meet. A study could determine whether the roads are removed and the roads linked.

The matter of Kinnan and Mansfield has long divided the two counties, and the city of Tampa. The roads are divided by about 60 feet of vacant land, that frequently attract illegal dumping.

A forum in April drew about 100 people to discuss ways to improve traffic flow north and south across the borders.

There appears to be a general consensus that more connections are needed. But, there are differing views over where to build those connections. The potential Kinnan-Mansfield connection is especially contentious.

Mansfield is located off State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel, just beyond The Shops at Wiregrass.

Many residents in the Meadow Pointe community object to the extension, contending that Kinnan’s two-lane design isn’t compatible with Mansfield’s four lanes.

Widening Kinnan also is problematic because there in no available land, they say.

Residents also cite safety concerns due to the location of three public schools, and Pasco-Hernando State College, along the route.

Moore said the safety issue is being examined.

The road connection study, which had been due in November, was pushed to January to include traffic data from a full school semester.

Hillsborough residents, primarily New Tampa, are pushing for more north-south connections.

Driving in the area now can mean navigating a circuitous route along County Line Road, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Cross Creek Boulevard and Morris Bridge Road.

The lack of connections means it can take twice as long to make trips to shopping centers, restaurants and other Wesley Chapel destinations, those favoring more connections say.

The lack of connections also has negative impacts on Hillsborough businesses, they add.

Published December 6, 2017

New Christian academy scheduled to open in fall 2018

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The North Tampa Christian Academy, now under construction, is scheduled to open in the fall of 2018.

School officials expect it to open with 250 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, said Dawn McLendon, marketing and enrollment director. It also expects between 50 and 60 in its early childhood program, which will serve students beginning at age 2.

The school, being built at 5619 E. County Line Road in Wesley Chapel, is a private Christian school, sponsored by the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

This is what the campus of the North Tampa Christian Academy is expected to look like when it opens for the 2018-2019 school year next fall. (Courtesy of North Tampa Christian Academy)

The denomination has sponsored schools throughout the United States and across the globe.

“We’re one of the largest denominationally sponsored school systems,” McLendon said.

The conference has 30 schools in Florida, including one in Zephyrhills and one in Tampa.

“We don’t have a traditional setup, where you think of rows of desks and 25 kids, 30 kids, 40 kids,” McLendon added.

While it isn’t the same, its setup is similar to the private model of a lower school, middle school and upper school, McLendon said. “It’s divided by buildings (which serve specific age groups), more than grade structure,” she explained.

The North Tampa Christian Academy emphasizes the “whole person” approach to education, by promoting a balanced development of the whole person – spiritually, physically, intellectually, socially and emotionally, background materials say.

Its design — both programmatically and physically — seeks to create an environment that fosters collaborative, project-based learning, with focus on service to others and real-world experience, according to information supplied by McLendon.

Construction is underway at North Tampa Christian Academy, a new private school that is scheduled to open in Wesley Chapel in the fall of 2018.

The learning environment is designed to encourage an appreciation of beauty and the natural environment, and will incorporate strong connections between indoor and outdoor areas – including learning terraces, gardens, shaded reading areas, nature trails and playfields.

“The design is very intentional,” McLendon said, with the goal of providing students with the individual attention they need to reach their potential, while also promoting group learning.

Even the furniture is designed to honor learning styles and learning preferences of students, she said.

Planning for the school began in 2012, when the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, in collaboration with Adventist Health Systems and the Florida Hospital West Florida Region, began to envision the school.

A 43-acre site for the school was purchased on Aug. 17, 2015.

Prakash Nair of Fielding Nair International, a global leader in innovative school design, is the school’s designer, and Wannemacher Jensen Architects is the project architect.

A ground-breaking ceremony was held Nov. 4, 2016.

Sandra Doran is head of school, Stephen Herr is associate head of school, and McLendon is marketing and enrollment director.

The school is now accepting applications for the 2018-2019 school year, which begins in fall of 2018.

North Tampa Christian Academy
North Tampa Christian Academy, now under construction at 5619 E. County Line Road in Wesley Chapel, is scheduled to open in fall 2018.

Here are some facts about the school:

  • It will serve children from age 2 through grade 12.
  • Its curriculum is based on the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist Educational Standards, the Common Core Curriculum, and the Next Generation Science. There is an emphasis on project-based learning, competency-based grading and real-world teaching.
  • Students do not need to be of the Seventh-Day Adventist denomination to attend the school.
  • Tuition ranges from $11,900 to $15,900 per year, based on the student’s grade level. Scholarships may be available through the Step-Up Scholarship and the McKay Scholarship programs, and families can work with the school leadership team to assess the family’s financial scholarship needs.

For information, visit the school’s website, NorthTampaChristian.org, attend an upcoming information session, contact the school through email , or call (813) 591-0309.

Published December 6, 2017

Road extension expected to spur economic growth

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Construction on the State Road 56 extension began in February and is expected to wrap up in late 2019.

When finished, the new four-lane segment will provide a 6-mile link between Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel.

The extension will be from Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wiregrass Ranch to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills.

A silt fence is installed as construction gets underway on a section of the new State Road 56 extension. The project will be completed in late 2019. (Courtesy of Florida Department of Transportation)

The road project also will add a 10-foot wide multi-use trail on the south side of State Road 56, a five-foot sidewalk on the north side, and seven-foot bicycle lanes going in each direction.

Traffic signals will be installed at Morris Bridge Road, at the new intersection with State Road 56, and at U.S. 301 where it connects with the new extension.

Major benefits are anticipated for traffic relief and economic development.

“Obviously, this will help relieve the traffic for people back and forth from Zephyrhills to Wesley Chapel, and vice versa,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore.

But, the east-west connection also should remove some traffic from State Road 54, which is clogged with traffic backups daily, he said.

The project has other impacts, too, Moore said, “It will be a huge economic boon to the area. The opportunities will open for more jobs.”

State Rep. Danny Burgess, a former mayor of Zephyrhills, agreed.

“This means everything,” he said.  “It helps in the revitalization of the area. That’s why, when I got to Tallahassee, I fought so hard for four lanes.”

Initial plans were to build a two-lane extension, with the possibility of adding another two lanes in future.

One beneficiary of the road extension will be the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, which is undergoing significant upgrades. Approximately 440 acres next to the airport is being prepared for future marketing as site-ready for development.

A site evaluation and marketing study completed by Duke Energy in 2015 identified the location, which has a CXS rail line spur, as a prime site for aerospace manufacturing, light industrial and assembly companies, and the plastics industry.

Moore said the State Road 56 project will give the site direct links to Interstate 75 and Interstate 275, and make the site attractive to developers and businesses nationwide.

Florida Department of Transportation officials estimate the project’s cost at about $58 million. Another $8 million in interest is expected.

More than half the funding is from the state transportation department.

The county received nearly $23 million in a 30-year, low-interest loan from the State Infrastructure Bank. The bank provides loans and other assistance to public or private entities for projects that qualify for aid under federal and state law.

Developers for four residential projects along the route agreed to a repayment schedule through county-collected mobility surcharge fees.

As a backup, revenues from gasoline taxes and special assessments might be applied.

The city of Zephyrhills agreed to pay up to 10 percent of annual loan payments – about $1.3 million – to cover any costs not paid by developers.

State transportation officials suggested the state bank loan after residents lobbied during a town hall meeting to scrap the two-lane extension in favor of building four lanes.

Published November 29, 2017

Episcopal church branching into Wesley Chapel

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Picture, if you will, a church that does not yet have walls, or established ministries — but is rooted in an ancient tradition.

While it’s a blank canvas at the moment, a new Episcopal church in Wesley Chapel won’t remain that way forever — and beginning in January, meetings will be held to begin organizing the church’s first location in the community.

“We call it church planting. It’s like the sower (in the Bible) who sows the seeds; it’s planting,” said the Rev. Adrienne Hymes, whose official title is Diocesan Missioner for Church Extension.

Rev. Adrienne Hymes is leading an effort to establish a new Episcopal church in Wesley Chapel. (B.C. Manion)

She has assembled a core group of five people to begin one-on-one conversations with people in the community to find out more about Wesley Chapel’s needs.

The core group also will focus initially on the areas of theological and spiritual formation; discipleship, evangelism and mission.

Hymes expects to have a location by January and to begin holding monthly meetings.

“It will start out once a month on Wednesday nights, and then as we grow, we’ll be looking at Sundays,” she said.

The church currently is in talks for a possible location in a business park off of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

As more members join, a launch team will develop.

After that, it’s hard to predict how fast the move will be to a new location, how large the church will be, how many services and the exact shape of the ministries, Hymes said.

“With something like this, this really calls on us to lean heavily on the Holy Spirit movement — which can be a slow movement, or it can set on fire really quickly,” she said.

One thing is clear; the Episcopal church wants to be a presence in Wesley Chapel.

“Wesley Chapel is growing exponentially, and there are no signs of it stopping,” Hymes said.

The Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida has been wanting to establish a presence in the community for many years. The diocese has 77 churches.

The diocese perceives a need in Wesley Chapel, and funds from a three-year national grant are being used to help support the effort to establish a church in that community.

“We do know there are Episcopalians who have been waiting for a (local) church for a long time. If you grew up in the tradition, you want an Episcopal church,” she said. Other Episcopal churches are miles away — in New Tampa, Zephyrhills and New Port Richey.

As the effort gets underway for a new church in Wesley Chapel, Hymes noted: “It just turns out that God sends servants and God sends resources, so that we are really able to focus on establishing a presence out there at this time.”

She is looking for people who want to part of a ground-floor, grassroots effort.

“We’re looking for entrepreneurial types. We’re looking for people who are visionaries. People who can see things that aren’t there yet,” Hymes said. “We’re going to need people who vision and dream,” she added.

“Normally, when you walk into a church, you’re worshipping — things are there,” Hymes said.

Some people definitely prefer it that way, she said.

If, however, “you’re comfortable with not knowing everything and the details, those are the people that we need.

“It’s kingdom-building work,” she said, and she’s looking to attract people from all walks of life to play a role.

There may be architects and construction workers, business people and others, she said. Retired people, who have just wrapped up a long career, may want to get involved in beginning something new, she said.

“Maybe you’ve been a strategic planner your whole life,” she said. “You’re not done yet.

“Right now, we’re in this wonderful dance of the Holy Spirit, wondering what is going to happen next,” said Hymes, who is clearly excited by the prospect.

“How many people have a chance to get on the ground floor of a brand-new church that does not have a name yet?

“Every time we meet and every time a new person shows up, the DNA for this church is being created,” Hymes added.

For those who do not know much about the Episcopal church, Hymes offered a brief overview.

“Our history and our roots run deep. The Episcopal church’s roots are rooted in the church of England, which started in the 16th century. What we offer is an ever-ancient liturgy that people can tap into and hold onto,” she said.

“If you’re led to the doors of this church, we welcome you, and we invite you into the rich Anglican tradition,” she said.

At the same time, the church’s ministries adapt to meet the changing needs of the community it serves, she said.

Those helping to lay the groundwork for the church will be learning about the needs it is called to serve in Wesley Chapel area.

If you’d like to get involved or would like to know more, contact Hymes at (813) 418-1281 or by email at .

Published November 29, 2017

Avalon Park West signs first commercial tenant

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Avalon Park West in Wesley Chapel announced its first commercial tenant for the master-planned community’s “town center.”

Power Martial Arts signed a five-year lease for about 2,500 square feet of retail space in Downtown Avalon Park West, according to a news release from Avalon Park Group.

A groundbreaking is expected in 2018, with a grand opening in 2019.

Power Martial Arts currently operates at the Lake Bernadette Community Center in Zephyrhills.

The town center for Avalon Park West is planned as a central gathering spot for residents in the Wesley Chapel area.

“We’re very excited about getting this place, a permanent home to teach martial arts to the community,” Matthew Brown, the owner of Power Martial Arts, said in a written statement. “To be part of the launch of this great concept will be a great adventure.”

Avalon Park West is at 33613 State Road 54, about 7.5 miles east of Interstate 75. It is within easy access of The Shops at Wiregrass and The Groves at Wesley Chapel.

At build out, the community will have about 4,800 residences, including single-family houses and apartments. About 560,000 square feet of commercial space and about 120,000 square feet of offices are planned.

Avalon Park Group, based in Orlando, has already built or is currently building about 700 single-family homes. Construction will begin on the town center in 2018, including a mixed-use building and a charter school. Openings are planned by 2019.

For information, visit AvalonParkWest.com.

Published November 15, 2017