The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Top Story

Tampa Theatre hosting 13 nights of Halloween frights

By

Tampa Theatre becomes a macabre movie palace around Halloween. Photo courtesy of Tampa Theatre

TAMPA – The ghosts of Tampa Theatre have been waiting for the past seven months for the newly restored movie palace to reopen just in time for its 100th birthday and Halloween festivities. 

The 14th annual A Nightmare on Franklin Street series may be a little shorter this year, as it follows the Centennial Celebration mid-month, but it includes classic horror films, cult favorites, “Mummy & Me” family-friendly films, ghost tours and more Halloween-themed fun.

 

GHOSTS OF TAMPA THEATRE TOURS

Who was the man in seat 308? Where did Robert Lanier tear his final ticket? And what has led to Tampa Theatre being known as one of the most haunted buildings in town? Hear stories of the theater’s ghostly guests, preternatural patrons and eternal employees in a two-hour tour. Tampa Theatre members get in free. General admission tickets cost $15: 

  • 3 p.m. Oct. 19, 22, 26 and 29
  • 11 a.m. Oct. 23, 24, 30 and 31

 

“MUMMY & ME” FAMILY FILMS

The family-friendly screenings allow adults to bring children to age-appropriate film for free. 

Children 12 and younger are admitted free with a paid adult ticket for the following: 

  • “Sing-Along KPop Demon Hunters” (2025, Rated PG) at 3 p.m. Oct. 24
  • “Hocus Pocus” (1993, rated PG) at 3 p.m. Oct. 31

The first 200 guests to arrive for “KPop Demon Hunters” will receive a foam glow stick, courtesy of series sponsor Bank of America.

 

STAGE AND SCREAM… ER… SCREEN

Cozy up under the movie palace’s starlit sky for an evening of Campfire Stories at 7 p.m. Oct. 27. The Suncoast Storytellers are back with a program of PG tales appropriate for all ages. General admission tickets cost $10. Tampa Theatre members get in free.

The series includes plenty of specialty screenings for adults:

  • On Oct. 23, the theater remembers the late Tim Curry in two of his most iconic roles with screenings of “Legend” (1985) at 7 p.m. and “Clue” at 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for members or $13 for others. 
  • The theater welcomes back the “Beyond Any Measure” shadow cast for two screenings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975) at 7 and 11 p.m. Oct. 24. Audience participation is encouraged, but leave sticky/drippy props at home. Tickets cost $14 for members or $17 for others. The show is for adults. 
  • Tampa Theatre and the Henry B. Plant Museum will co-host a screening of Bela Lugosi’s classic “Dracula” (1931) at 2 p.m. Oct. 25 in celebration of the museum’s new exhibit, “Cigar City Cinema.” The theater will also show the Spanish-language feature “Drácula” (1931) at 4 p.m. in the Taylor Screening Room.
  • The theater welcomes actor Chandler Riggs (Carl from “The Walking Dead”) for an evening of conversation and a preview screening of his new short film, “Biohazard,” at 7 p.m. Oct. 29. Then join Tampa horror filmmaker and actor Joe Davison (“Stranger Things”) for the premiere of his new feature, “Demon Queen Pinball Machine.”

The Big Picture series is back as well. The series takes a look at some of the thrillers Tampa Theatre premiered in its earliest days: “Notorious” (1946) at 7 p.m. Oct. 21 and “The Third Man” (1949) at 7 p.m. Oct. 28. There is also a 30th anniversary screening of “Scream” (1996), classic titles like “A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984), “Young Frankenstein” (1974) and “Halloween” (1978), cult films like “Gorgo” (1961), “Strait-Jacket” (1964) and “Burnt Offerings” (1976) and modern favorites like “Shadow of the Vampire” (2000), “The Mummy” (1999) and “The Shape of Water” (2017) – a total of 42 showtimes.

Times, titles and tickets are available at the Franklin Street Box Office and online at TampaTheatre.org/NIGHTMARE.

Silly socks spark conversations about mental health

By

AdventHealth staff show off their silly socks in honor of National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth

TAMPA – Silly socks were on display Sept. 17 across AdventHealth locations throughout Tampa Bay, but the message behind them was serious: supporting the mental health and well-being of the clinicians who care for others.

Staff at more than 14 AdventHealth hospitals and medical group locations participated in the Let’s Sock About It campaign in recognition of National Physician Suicide Awareness Day. 

The local initiative used colorful and mismatched socks as a simple conversation starter, encouraging colleagues to check in on one another and talk openly about stress, burnout and mental health.

The idea originated after a physician accidentally wore mismatched socks to work, leading to conversations throughout the day.

“Sometimes we just need a reason to start talking,” said Leila Durr, director of Physician and APP Well-Being Services for AdventHealth West Florida Division. “A colorful pair of socks can open the door to important conversations about mental health, stress and the support systems available when people need them.”

Dr. Arielle Ashkenazi of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel said burnout in medicine isn’t discussed enough and encourages physicians to continue finding points of connection. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth

Those conversations matter to Dr. Arielle Ashkenazi, chief resident at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel.

“Burnout is very real in medicine,” Ashkenazi said. “I’m grateful we’re talking about it more openly and that resources are available when people need support. We also need to remember to give ourselves the same grace and compassion that we give our patients.”

AdventHealth offers mental health and well-being resources for staff, including confidential counseling, peer support programs and wellness services.

Community market coming to Saint Leo University in October

By

Saint Leo University add activity to Kirk Hall Lawn with a recurring market. Photo courtesy of Saint Leo University

ST. LEO – Saint Leo University is partnering with Tampa Bay Markets to launch an open-air event featuring local makers, growers, artisans and small businesses this fall on its East Pasco campus. 

The Saint Leo University Market will debut Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Kirk Hall Lawn as part of Saint Leo University’s Family Weekend. The event will feature vendors, live entertainment and family-friendly activities.

The market is free and open to the public. Park is also free.

“Saint Leo University has always been a place where people come together, and this market gives us a new way to welcome our neighbors to campus,” said Stephen Kubasek, vice president of university advancement. “We’re excited to create an opportunity for our university and surrounding communities to begin new partnerships and experience our campus in a new way.”

The Saint Leo University Market will return on select Saturdays in November, February, March and April.

Each market will feature a curated mix of local vendors offering seasonal produce and plants, artisan and specialty foods, fresh-baked goods, handmade crafts and gifts, bath and body products, jewelry, clothing and accessories. A rotating lineup of acoustic musicians and DJs will provide entertainment at each market. 

“We are thrilled to partner with Saint Leo University to launch this new community market,” said Tiffany Ferrecchia, founder and CEO of Tampa Bay Markets. “It is a privilege to serve Saint Leo’s students, faculty and families, as well as residents throughout St. Leo and the surrounding communities. Our goal is to create a welcoming gathering place where people can connect, discover talented local makers and growers, support small businesses and enjoy the beautiful Saint Leo campus. We look forward to building a vibrant market that becomes a meaningful tradition for both the university and the community.”

 

Want to go?

Catch the Saint Leo University Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 17 and Nov. 14, 2026, and Feb. 13, March 13 and April 10, 2027, at Kirk Hall Lawn, Saint Leo University, 33701 County Road 52, St. Leo. Admission is free.

On the web: network.tampabaymarkets.com

 

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North urges women to get mammograms

By

Technologists Rebecca Caplinger (left) and Kari Koch in an imaging mammography room at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North

LUTZ – St. Joseph’s Hospital-North urges women to make a promise to get a mammogram. 

Patients can book a screening mammogram as soon as the next day at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North’s Shimberg Breast Center.

Dr. Diane Durgan

“Women of every age should know their risk for breast cancer,” said Dr. Diane Durgan, a BayCare Medical Group breast surgeon with an office in the Physician Office Building on the St. Joseph’s Hospital-North campus, 4211 Van Dyke Road, Lutz. “If you don’t know your risk for breast cancer, you should ask your doctor to calculate it for you. This will let us know how we’re supposed to watch you and screen you for breast cancer.”

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North’s Elaine Shimberg Breast Center uses 3-D technology to produce high-resolution mammograms. The technology can compare images side by side from year to year. Biopsies can also be performed with the patient sitting instead of lying on the stomach with the face downward. 

“Every woman over 40 should at least, at the minimum, be getting a mammogram every year,” Durgan said. “Every woman should also be doing monthly breast self-exams. This is also important for younger women. If you see something abnormal, let your doctor know. Let us know so you can see a specialist.”

Visit BayCareBreastHealth.org to schedule a mammogram screening.

PHSC gets $850,000 to train future health care workers

By

Pasco-Hernando State College continues to receive investment from the Florida Legislature. Photo courtesy of PHSC

WESLEY CHAPEL – Pasco-Hernando State College will expand and update nursing and allied health programs after receiving an $850,000 appropriation from the Florida Legislature. 

This is the third straight year lawmakers have funded the Institute for Nursing & Allied Health Advancement, which was formed to close the region’s health care staffing gaps.

PHSC established the institute with a $1.5 million appropriation secured by Rep. Randy Maggard and Sen. Danny Burgess in 2024. With an additional $750,000 last year and $850,000 this year, the state has now committed roughly $3.1 million to the effort.

PHSC has begun directing the state’s investment into the following initiatives:

  • $800,000 to expand the college’s simulation center, providing students with realistic clinicals using advanced manikins, virtual reality and actors without risking real patient safety.
  • $150,000 to provide 12 additional seats for prospective students in a future dental hygiene cohort.
  • $300,000 to increase enrollment in nursing programs.
  • $5,000 in scholarships for 25 students in grades 6-12 to attend health care career camps at no cost to their families.

These initiatives will assist in training the people who staff the exam rooms, operating rooms and emergency vehicles across Pasco and Hernando counties: registered nurses, radiographers, surgical technologists, medical assistants and phlebotomists. Most finish training to graduate in two years or less and go to work locally.

“It is inspiring to come together with health care leaders from across our community, recognize the challenges we share and partner with an institution so deeply committed to workforce development,” said Sally Seymour, CEO of HCA Florida’s Bayonet Point Hospital. “Together, we are helping build the systems and talent pipeline needed to ensure our communities continue to receive the care they need for years to come.”

PHSC President Eric Hall said the state’s continued investment allows the college to respond to one of the region’s most pressing workforce needs. 

“By expanding access to high-quality nursing and allied health education, we are creating more opportunities for students to enter meaningful careers while ensuring our local health care providers have the skilled professionals they need to serve a rapidly growing community,” Hall said. 

 

Golisano gives $40M to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital

By

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital celebrated a $40 million gift. Photo courtesy of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
The hospital is scheduled to open in 2027. Rendering courtesy of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital

WESLEY CHAPEL – Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital announced a $40 million gift from Paychex founder Tom Golisano to support the construction of its new campus in Wesley Chapel. 

The gift is the largest donation in the 100-year history of Johns Hopkins All Children’s. In recognition of the gift, the new building will be known as Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Golisano Children’s Medical Center at Wesley Chapel.

The center also became part of the Golisano Children’s Alliance, a growing national network of 21 children’s hospitals advancing pediatric care.

“We are grateful to Mr. Golisano for seeing the promise of this investment, the strength of the Wesley Chapel and All Children’s communities, and the potential of what we can create together,” said Alicia Schulhof, president of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. “His generosity will be felt not only in the physical building, but in the young lives and healthier futures that unfold within it for generations.”

The five-story, 56-bed hospital is part of a more than $300 million investment on a 112-acre property near Interstate 75 and Overpass Road in Pasco County. The new campus is expected to open in fall 2027.

“As a father and grandfather, I’ve seen firsthand what it means for a family to have a great children’s hospital close to home in a difficult moment,” Golisano said. “My hope is that no family, no matter where they live or what they can afford, has to travel far or wonder if their child will get the best care available.”

Jenine Rabin, executive vice president of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, said the goal was to fund a large portion of the campus through philanthropy.

“This transformational donation is going to help accelerate the additional fundraising that’s needed to bring expert medical care to the Wesley Chapel area and surrounding communities,” Rabin said. 

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Golisano Children’s Medical Center at Wesley Chapel will feature a 17-room emergency department, four operating rooms, an infusion center, sleep laboratory, gastroenterology procedures suite and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. The second floor will include 25,000 square feet of outpatient care space with 36 rooms. 

Construction on the campus began in 2025 and is currently on budget and on schedule to open in fall 2027. Exterior walls, windows and the roof are in place. Drywall, electrical work, plumbing and other interior work are underway. Johns Hopkins All Children’s has also started hiring staff for the new hospital.

“We will be able to weave the Golisano Children’s Alliance into the DNA of what we do in Wesley Chapel, and we are grateful that Mr. Golisano’s support will help us bring the pediatric expertise that this community needs,” said Joseph Perno, chief administrative officer for the new hospital. “We are excited to make the community and the Golisano organization proud.”

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Golisano Children’s Medical Center at Wesley Chapel is part of a broader era of expansion for the organization. Other projects underway include a 28,000-square-foot expansion of the Emergency Center and surgery suites at the St. Petersburg campus, expanded urgent care services in Tampa, obstetrics and gynecologic care and additional outpatient care along Florida’s west coast.

The Warlock House Enchantment opens gates for Spookfest

By

The Warlock House Enchantment will offer statuary tours on Tuesdays and Fridays in October. Photo courtesy of The Warlock House Enchantment

 

Artist Lewis VanDercar, known as the “Warlock of Wesley Chapel,” created a peculiar environment at The Warlock House Enchantment. Photo courtesy of The Warlock House Enchantment

WESLEY CHAPEL – Lewis VanDercar spent decades transforming his Wesley Chapel property into an unusual world of sculpture, statuary, artwork, unconventional architecture, gardens and peculiar creations. 

VanDercar was once known locally as the “Warlock of Wesley Chapel.” Halloween was part of family life at The Warlock House Enchantment during the 1970s, with costumes, tricks, treats and playful surprises. 

The family is opening the gates to a new generation, beginning with its first-ever Spookfest on Oct. 3 and continuing with statuary tours on Tuesdays and Fridays in October at 7 and 10 p.m.

Warlock Family Spookfest is a whimsical, family-friendly Halloween adventure at the historic property. Families will explore magical villages; meet playful characters; enjoy games, crafts, live entertainment, food and vendors; and discover art and local history.

Children will carry Warlock Apprentice Passports, collecting stamps through themed experiences including pirates, mermaids, herbology, bubbles, carnival games, broom decorating and storytelling. They can earn a special prize when they complete their adventure. 

Warlock Family Spookfest takes place from 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 3 at The Warlock House Enchantment, 25950 Queen Sago Place, Wesley Chapel. 

Admission costs $15 for adults, $10 for children 10 and older, and free for children younger than 10. 

Costumes are encouraged. The experience is playful rather than scary.

Learn more at thewarlockhouse.com.

Custom homebuilder incorporates models into sales approach

By

Construction is underway on the Westshore model, a four-bedroom, four-bathroom home with an elevator. It is expected to be completed in spring 2027. Photo courtesy of American Momentum Bank

TAMPA – AR Homes by Custom Craft is expanding its presence in Tampa Bay.

The custom homebuilder is taking a different approach to sales through a series of model and inventory homes designed to meet demand for high-end luxury homes. Included in the projects is a model storm-ready home in South Tampa that is designed for coastal and flood-prone areas.

The projects are being financed by American Momentum Bank. The bank has provided over $3.27 million in loans to finance the projects, which include a 4,068-square-foot inventory home in Odessa, a 3,824-square-foot inventory home in Lutz and a 4,785-square-foot model home in Tampa.

“Despite what’s happening in the overall market, the luxury home market in Tampa is strong,” said Adam Smith, president of Custom Craft Homes. “While it’s not common for custom homebuilders to be investing in inventory and model homes, it’s part of our overall growth strategy and will allow us to cater to our high-end clientele and deliver luxury homes quickly.”

Custom Craft Homes specializes in “on-your-lot” custom luxury homes in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. It has built homes in the Avila Golf & Country Club subdivision in North Tampa, and the Skylake and Victoria Lakes communities in Lutz and Odessa, respectively.

Model homes are uncommon among custom builders, but leaders at Custom Craft Homes believe they play an important role in helping luxury buyers understand a home’s design, finishes, sight lines and livability before making a purchase decision.

“We believe that when people can see and touch a home and get a sense of your architectural style, they become more comfortable in their buying decisions,” Smith said. “This has been proven by the bigger builders, and it’s the reason we feel strongly about building a model luxury home.”

Custom Craft Homes was founded in 1988 and self-funded all projects, until it established a relationship with American Momentum Bank in 2025. The first loan was to build a four-bedroom, four-bathroom home in Odessa – the “Grandview” model in Victoria Lakes – which now serves as a model home open to the public seven days a week between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“American Momentum Bank has deep experience working with homebuilders in the Tampa Bay area, having financed the construction of hundreds of new homes across West Central Florida, including townhome, infill spec homes, and horizontal and vertical construction within small to mid-sized subdivisions,” said Valerie Girrens, senior vice president, senior commercial relationship manager at American Momentum Bank. “We remain committed to residential construction throughout various market cycles.”

The storm-ready model home, located at 210 S. Occident Street in Tampa’s Beach Park neighborhood, will be an elevated three-story residence that combines AR Homes’ architectural style with enhanced protection from potential flood risks. The first floor will feature a six-plus-car garage, with living spaces on the second and third floors.

The “Westshore” model is a four-bedroom, four-bathroom home with an elevator, a gourmet kitchen with Gaggenau appliances, 90-degree sliding glass doors that open to the outdoor living space, a pool, a sunken fire pit and a floating staircase. The home features impact windows and doors and a whole-home generator. Construction is underway and is expected to be completed in spring 2027.

Construction is also underway on the “Grayton” model in the Skylake community in Lutz. The four-bedroom, four-bathroom home includes a club room that can be used for recreation or a media room. The outdoor space also includes a custom-designed outdoor kitchen, pool and spa and a 659-square-foot cabana providing covered outdoor space for indoor-outdoor living. The home is available for purchase and expected to be completed in February 2027.

“What we are finding is that people want something they can move into within 90 days, whether they are relocating or just looking to upgrade their home,” Smith said. “Custom homes have a lengthy planning and completion process, so having inventory available gives buyers a faster path to ownership while still delivering the design, quality and craftsmanship they expect from us.” 

Health & Wellness: Doctor performs 1,000th robotic surgery

By

A robot positioned in an operating room for a surgery. The surgeon operates the robot from a console. Photo courtesy of BayCare Health System

 

Doctor performs 1,000th robotic surgery

LUTZ – Dr. Louis Matherne IV, a general surgeon at Lutz’s St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, recently performed his 1,000th robotic surgery.

A surgeon guides and controls the robot’s mechanical arms and surgical instruments from a console with a high-resolution 3-D screen. When the surgeon moves, the robotic arms respond precisely to those movements in real time. The instruments work identically to the movement of a surgeon’s arm, elbow and wrist, however with an enhanced range of motion. 

Matherne performs surgeries on the gallbladder, appendix, colon, small bowel and hernias. Robotic surgery can offer patients smaller, more precise incisions, faster recoveries, shorter hospital stays and outpatient surgery options. 

 

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel expands stroke treatment

WESLEY CHAPEL – AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has added a biplane neurointerventional suite designed to provide advanced treatment for severe strokes.

The technology allows physicians to perform minimally invasive procedures including mechanical thrombectomy, which removes blood clots from the brain and restores blood flow in patients experiencing severe ischemic strokes.

“Having the ability to provide advanced stroke intervention on our campus means patients can receive critical treatment faster, which can lead to better outcomes and improved recovery,” said Dr. Jason Maljaar, medical director of neurology.

The hospital has also added specialized neurointerventional physicians, allowing more patients to receive treatment in Pasco County without being transferred to another facility.

The suite can also be used to treat brain aneurysms, perform diagnostic cerebral angiograms and provide other emergency and elective neurovascular procedures.

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel is a Primary Stroke Center and is pursuing Comprehensive Stroke Center designation.

 

BayCare names first support services VP

CLEARWATER – BayCare has hired Lawrence “Wren” Roberts as its first vice president of support services.

Roberts brings more than 30 years of support services leadership experience, including nearly 20 years overseeing health care operations across multiple facilities.

He joins BayCare from Centra Health in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he most recently served as senior director of support services. He oversaw food and nutrition, environmental services, security, emergency management and life safety across the health system’s campuses.

Roberts previously worked for Marriott and Sodexo. He also managed food production for South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City from 1992 to 1995.

 

AdventHealth Heart of Florida earns safe sleep designation

DAVENPORT – AdventHealth Heart of Florida has received the Gold Level Safe Sleep Hospital designation from the Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program.

The designation is the program’s highest level of recognition for hospitals providing infant safe sleep education, staff training and community outreach.

AdventHealth Heart of Florida provides safe sleep training for care teams, educates parents and caregivers before discharge and connects families in need with safe sleep spaces for newborns. 

“Every family deserves access to the information and resources that can help keep their baby safe,” said Janell Chyle, director of women’s services at AdventHealth Heart of Florida.

 

Quick Hits

  • September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Tuesday, Sept. 8, is 988 Day. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay answers local calls to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It also provides suicide prevention care coordination services. On the web: crisiscenter.com

Whiskey Joe’s cuts water use with new technology

By

Whiskey Joe’s has received a rebate on technology that helps it reduce water usage. Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Water
Whiskey Joe’s has received a rebate on technology that helps it reduce water usage. Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Water

TAMPA – The kitchen at Whiskey Joe’s thaws frozen food as part of its daily routine. Now, it’s doing so more quickly while using significantly less water.

The waterfront restaurant is the first business to receive a Tampa Bay Water Wise rebate for a commercial food-defrosting technology. The rebate helps offset the cost of the new CNSRV system, which is expected to save about 2,000 gallons of water every day. 

Whiskey Joe’s defrosts nearly one ton of product each week.

Rather than continuously using and wasting drinking water throughout the thawing process, the system recirculates the water. It can also be used to quickly cool large quantities of hot food, giving the kitchen another opportunity to cut down on water use.

“We’re always looking for ways to make our kitchen run better, and this was a change that made sense for us,” said Martin Duffany, brand manager at Whiskey Joe’s. “We can keep doing what we need to do in the kitchen while using a lot less water, and the rebate helped make the decision easy.”

The project comes as the Tampa Bay region remains under a Stage 3 Regional Water Supply Shortage.

“Saving 2,000 gallons of water a day with one piece of equipment is pretty significant,” said Amelia Brown, demand management program manager at Tampa Bay Water. “We know the upfront cost could make it harder for businesses to make these kinds of changes. This rebate helps make this investment a little easier for Whiskey Joe’s, and now that change is making a difference every day.”

Tampa Bay Water Wise helps businesses make water-saving improvements by offering rebates that can offset some of the upfront cost. Whiskey Joe’s received a $1,000 rebate toward the food-defrosting system, which costs approximately $3,600 without a rebate.

Larger projects may qualify for customizable rebates covering up to 50% of eligible project costs. Restaurants can also receive up to $200 for qualifying WaterSense toilets and half-gallon urinals.

“We know businesses are looking at their bottom line, too,” Brown said. “If you can save water and lower your utility costs at the same time, that’s a win for the business and for Tampa Bay.”

On the web: tampabaywater.org/conservation/tampa-bay-water-wise/