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Helping your relationships thrive — not just on Valentine’s Day

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You come home from work and you see your husband sprawled out on the couch watching television, while dishes are piled up in the sink.

You get mad.

You’re thinking: Really, he’s just sitting there while there’s work that needs to be done?

Veronique Polo is a life coach at CREATION Wellness Center, which is part of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. She will be facilitating a class aimed at helping people to have thriving relationships. (B.C. Manion)

You’re not thinking: He’s exhausted. He just finished a tough day at work and he’s stressed out. He needs to relax a little.

These are the kinds of things that occur often in relationships and can sometimes result in a fight.

Choosing to “believe the best” of the other person, however, can help avoid conflicts and help relationships thrive.

That’s just one of the eight tips that Veronique Polo, a life coach at CREATION Wellness Center in Zephyrhills, will discuss on Feb. 22 at 1 p.m., during “Eight relationship tips — A class on taking any relationship from conflicting to thriving.”

CREATION Health is part of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, which is part of the Adventist Health System.

Polo said the advice she’ll be providing applies to relationships of all types, including romantic and family, as well as friendships, neighbors and colleagues.

She said the tips came from books she has read and her life experiences.

The goal, she said, is to provide practical information, which people can use in their day-to-day lives.

“So many times you go to a class, and you’re like, ‘Well, that’s great theory, but how does that work in my life?’” Polo said.

The life coach said “The 5 Love Languages,” a book by Gary Chapman, can help people better understand the needs of those they are close to in their lives.

Chapman’s book discusses these five love languages: gifts, words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time and touch, Polo said.

“The most important thing about the love languages is understanding what the person needs.

Not just what is natural to you,” she said.

She used this example: “One of my dearest friends, she loves gifts.

“I can text her how much I appreciate her. I can wash her car. She will like those things, but what really she appreciates is if I get her a little necklace that’s meaningful, or a gift card,” Polo said.

To her friend, a gift demonstrates that someone thought about her and what she likes, and went out to spend both time and money to get it for her.

For someone else, quality time may be much more important.

“There’s no right or wrong love language,” Polo said.

The key is understanding your loved one’s needs and making a commitment to seek to meet them.

She describes it like this: “There’s a love tank, and you are either going to fill it or not.”

She also noted that relationships can’t be one-sided.

“There are deposits and withdrawals, and people can’t keep making withdrawals, if they don’t make deposits,” she said.

The way to discover your loved one’s love language is to observe them, she said.

What someone gives, is likely their love language and what they want to receive, Polo said.

A wife might be wondering: ‘Does he really love me?’

Meanwhile, her husband is thinking: ‘I always give her gifts. I’m always telling her I love her.’

The thing is, her love language might be quality of time or acts of service — and the husband is totally missing it, Polo said.

So, the wife’s love tank is not being filled, Polo said.

That’s why it’s so important to communicate, the life coach added.

“Don’t suffer in silence.

“So many times when we feel hurt, misunderstood —  we regress, we isolate ourselves. That just inflames the problem,” she said.

Communication is a two-way street, she added.

“Don’t assume what your mate is thinking. Ask them questions.

“Being open about your thoughts and your feelings is how you get clarity in a relationship,” Polo said.

It’s also important to realize that each of us is responsible for our own happiness, Polo said.

“We blame others. We think: ‘I’m not happy because I don’t have money. My husband doesn’t make me happy, or my kids are brats. Or, whatever. It’s everybody else’s fault but yourself. You need to realize, you’re in control.

“It’s not your circumstance that makes you happy. It’s how you see it,” Polo said.

What: “Eight relationship tips — A class on taking any relationship from conflicting to thriving.”
Where: Florida Hospital Zephyrhills CREATION® Health Wellness Center Education Room, 38233 Daughtery Road, Zephyrhills
When: Feb. 22, 1 p.m.
Cost: Free, but registration is required
Info: (813) 779-6476 to register

 

Eight relationships tips:

  • If you can’t listen, don’t talk.
  • Believe the best.
  • Safety, security, love, acceptance
  • Learn about the love languages. They are: Gifts, words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, touch. (What someone gives is likely their love language, and what they want to receive)
  • You can’t control others, only yourself.
  • Stubbornness is the silent killer.
  • Take responsibility for your happiness.
  • Don’t suffer in silence. (Your mate can’t read your mind and you can’t make them guess — that’s unfair.)

Source: Veronique Polo, life coach at CREATION Health Wellness Center in Zephyrhills

Published February 14, 2018

Florida and Tampa Bay have bright prospects, economist says

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Florida and Tampa Bay will be in good economic shape for 2018 and beyond, an economist for Florida Taxwatch predicts.

Kyle Baltuch, who also is director of development at Florida Taxwatch, offered that assessment during a Feb. 2 luncheon hosted by the Pasco Economic Development Council.

He said his optimism stems in part from strides made last year.

Economist Kyle Baltuch was the featured speaker at a Feb. 2 business networking event hosted by the Pasco Economic Development Council. (Courtesy of Florida Taxwatch)

He pointed to Florida’s gross domestic product growth of 3.1 percent in 2017. That made Florida sixth in the nation and outpaced the state’s main competitors of New York, California and Texas.

A low unemployment rate (3.6 percent in 2017), combined with a strong housing and rental market (permit activity increased by 14.8 percent) and growth in industries like construction and management, are other positive indicators for the state going forward, Baltuch explained.

“Looking at the state as a whole we had a pretty strong 2017,” he added.

Florida’s economy is expected to reach the $1 trillion mark sometime this year.

To put that in perspective, Florida would rank as the 16th largest economy in the world, if it was a country.

Florida is a major player, he said, adding that he believes confidence in the economy will continue to have a positive effect on its growth.

Tampa meanwhile, is expected to have the second highest Gross Metro Product in all of Florida’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas in 2018.

Baltuch suggested one of the region’s largest and growing industries — the financial, insurance, real estate and leasing sector — is a positive indicator for at least the next few years.

“You want to be strong in those fields,” he said. “If you’re doing strong in real estate, you’re doing strong in rental. That means you have people that want to live in your area, and you have the jobs to pay for those.”

Other industries, including construction and phosphate mining, also have helped diversify Tampa’s economy, Baltuch said.

Some of Tampa’s major developments are another encouraging sign, he said.

For example, MetLife is expanding its Tampa operations with 430 additional high-wage jobs.

Strategic Property Partners, a real estate development company owned by Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, is designing an innovation hub in downtown Tampa. And, downtown Tampa is also the top pick for the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium.

“Tampa is absolutely on the upswing,” Baltuch said.

Elsewhere, the economist specifically praised Pasco County for creating jobs in the advanced manufacturing and information technology arenas. He expects the percentage of Pasco residents to live and work in the county to increase over the next five years to 10 years.

“Everybody, for years, thought of Pasco as a bed county for Tampa, but what we’re seeing here is more and more jobs created in the right area, and in the right fields,” Baltuch explained.

As for improvements, Baltuch said investing in infrastructure must be Florida’s top priority, particularly for attracting major corporations.

The state received a “C” grade on its infrastructure report card for 2017.

“Infrastructure is an issue here in Florida, an issue here in Tampa. The more we can get ahead of that curve, the stronger you’re going to better prepare yourself for the future,” he said.

Other priorities include improving the state’s education system at the kindergarten through 12th grade level, as well as the state college level, he said.

While Florida personal income grew 3.1 percent in 2017, per capital personal income growth ranked in the bottom 20 among all states, according to Florida Taxwatch.

Baltuch explained much of that personal income gain is by transients from other states moving to Florida for jobs.

“We really need to work on that education gap because that will help us keep some of the jobs in the state. You’d love to be filling those jobs by people that are already here,” he said.

Florida Taxwatch is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute located in Tallahassee.

Published February 7, 2018

These gardeners are breaking new ground, in more ways than one

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Community gardens are not a new concept, but the Watson Park Community Garden in Dade City has a new twist.

This garden is the first of its kind in Florida, and the people behind it hope it will become a model for others to follow.

At a ribbon-cutting and groundbreaking ceremony on Jan. 26, children from Cox Elementary School were among the first to get their hands dirty in the garden.

There were others there to celebrate, including Saqib Mukhtar from the University of Florida; Whitney Elmore and Eden Santiago-Gomez, of the Pasco County Extension Office; Camille Hernandez, mayor of Dade City; representatives from the Dade City Garden Club and Pasco County Master Gardeners; financial supporters and members of the community, too.

A cast of many played a role in making the garden become reality, Elmore said, in her opening remarks.

She credited Santiago-Gomez for coming up with the idea and working relentlessly to pursue it.

But, Elmore also noted that it was a collaborative effort and required the help of many.

“It’s the first one in the state that is a partnership between the University of Florida and a municipality (Dade City), so, we’re really, no pun intended, breaking ground, breaking new ground here,” Elmore said.

“Camille Hernandez, the City of Dade City and the commissioners were kind enough to see the value in this and allow funds for the fencing, for the irrigation. They had their work crews, city crews come in and put that in very quickly, a professional job, very, very well done,” Elmore said.

Mukhtar, associate dean for extension and program leader for agriculture, said “this will be a shining example of what can be done.”

Elmore noted: “We’ve got different types of plots. We’ve got regular raised-bed plots. We’ve also got handicapped-accessible plots.”

Eden Santiago-Gomez works with children from Cox Elementary School to begin planting in the Watson Park Community Garden. (B.C. Manion)

The value of community gardens goes beyond growing fruits and vegetables, both Elmore and Hernandez said.

“It really is an exciting day today,” Hernandez said.

She then shared Dade City’s vision for community gardens.

That vision, Hernandez said, is “to provide opportunities for people to grow food for themselves and for donations; to promote healthy diets and activities; to get to know their neighbors and make new friends; to learn from each other; to engage our youth; to promote environmental sustainability and to create a productive and beautiful common ground in our community.

“Today is all about engaging and educating. I’m excited about this wonderful opportunity,” she told the crowd before the ribbon-cutting to officially open the garden, which offers free garden plots for lease.

After the ceremony, Hernandez donned a pair of pink garden gloves and made her way into the garden.

This is the first of many community gardens that Elmore would like to see across Pasco County.

Another community garden is planned in Dade City, which Elmore expects to open within a few months at the Stallings Building, which is owned by Pasco County.

Other possibilities include establishing community gardens at public libraries on the west side of Pasco County, adding community gardens to development projects and possibly to schools, too.

Like Hernandez, Elmore sees enormous potential in the good that community gardens can do.

Besides producing wholesome food, they offer a place where people can learn, she said. They also can bring people together and can provide a source of nutrition to reduce chronic disease.

Elmore expressed gratitude for the widespread support.

“All of these folks saw the need. They all saw the potential for good. And, if it hadn’t had been for them, we couldn’t have made this happen,” Elmore said.

She heaped particular praise on Santiago-Gomez.

“This is the result of her brainchild, of planning, coordinating, being on the phone 24/7, and getting things done. A lot of labor on her part,” Elmore said.

Published January 31, 2018

It’s Kumquat Festival time

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A day set aside for tiny orange fruits and fun

It’s that time of year when the tiny tart orange fruit reigns supreme in Dade City — the town on the eastern edge of Pasco County, with quaint shops lining its downtown streets and a historic courthouse in its center square.

Bruce Gode, of Kumquat Growers Inc., arranges a display of kumquats for sale at last year’s festival. The tiny tart orange fruit plays a starring role at the Dade City Kumquat Festival each year. (File)

About 35,000 people are expected at the festival this year, said John Moors, executive director of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, which is the event organizer.

“They literally come from all over,” he said, noting visitors come from Sarasota, Sun City Center, all over Pinellas County, The Villages, The Nature Coast, Orlando, Lakeland, and other nearby areas.

Volunteers work all year to prepare for the event, and on festival day, crews begin to arrive at 4:30 a.m., to get the vendors lined up on the streets.

“We couldn’t do this without the almost 200 volunteers,” Moors said.

The free event features Kumquat Growers, in the Wells Fargo parking lot, where visitors can learn all about kumquats and purchase some to take home.

There are lots of fun things to see and do, too.

The festival features more than 400 vendors, offering everything from arts and crafts, to fresh produce to all sorts of kumquat products.

There’s a Kid’s Corral, with all sorts of activities for children, a Quilt Show at the Hugh Embry Library, and a car and truck show in the parking lot at the Judicial Courthouse.

If you enjoy entertainment, you’ll find plenty of choices — with a full slate of acts scheduled throughout the day. There’s also a Health & Wellness Area and an area where festival sponsors have set up their booths.

There’s free parking, free shuttles and free admission.

There’s also free entertainment all day, Moors said.

“You can spend your money on some of the arts and crafts that are featured, or in some of our wonderful shops,” he said.

This is a peek at last year’s festival, from a view looking west up Meridian Avenue.

The sponsors, including this year’s headline sponsor Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, play a vital role in making the event a success, Moors said. “We couldn’t do this without the support of our sponsors,” he said.

Besides entertainment, there’s plenty of choices for food and drink.

“The local restaurants do a great business. They adjust their menus, so they can get our attendees in and out. Have them well-fed, quickly and efficiently, so they can get on and enjoy the festival,” Moors said.

“This year, we’re featuring kumquat beer by a number of local craft beer breweries. There’s also kumquat wine available for sale by the bottle,” Moors said. “People can enjoy a beverage, and stroll along the streets and look at the arts and crafts featured.”

While the kumquat takes center stage during the event, this year’s crop has been negatively affected by citrus greening and insect damage, Moors said.

Still, Moors said, “there’s going to be kumquats for the festival, and there’s going to be ample kumquat products, pies, jams, jellies, ice cream, marmalade, kumquat beer and kumquat wine — all of those things will still happen.”

The growers are also working hard to replant trees and the hope is they’ll be back in full production within a year or two.

Meanwhile, preparations go on for this year’s festival, which Moors said is Dade City’s way to invite visitors to come see what the area has to offer.

“Our message is: Enjoy the festival. Come back and visit the area at your leisure,” Moors said.

21st annual Kumquat Festival
Where: Downtown Dade City
When: Jan. 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free admission and free parking. Free shuttles run continuously from the Pasco County Fairgrounds on State Road 52 and from a lot next to Jarrett Ford on the U.S. 301 Truck Route. The shuttles run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Parking is available near the festival, but those spaces fill quickly.
Details: More than 400 vendors will be offering arts and crafts, foods and all things kumquat. There will be live entertainment, a car show, a quilt show and activities for kids.
Info: There are information booths at the intersection of Seventh Street and Meridian Avenue, and also at the intersection of Third Street and Meridian Avenue. (They’re Orange Tents with information in large green lettering.) Pick up your festival information flyer there.

The Kumquat Festival entertainment lineup

Jan. 27 at the Historic Courthouse Square
9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.: Saint Leo University Totally TABS

10 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Calvary Assembly of Dade City (Christian Contemporary, National Anthem/Prayer)

11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.: Sweet-n-Southern Cloggers

Noon to 1:30 p.m.: Eli Mosley, country

1:45 to 2 p.m.: St. Rita Catholic Church Folklore Dancers

2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.: Dean Johnson’s Music & Friends, various styles

3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Seventeenth Street, contemporary/country

Turning Point Church of Dade City is providing and operating the sound equipment.

Published January 24, 2018

Flu can be deadly; use precautions to avoid it

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Sick people are showing up in doctor’s offices and emergency rooms seeking treatment for the flu.

Both in Florida and across the United States, flu activity is on the rise, according to Mara Gambineri, communications director for the Florida Department of Health.

“We’re seeing more activity across all age groups this year than we’ve seen in previous seasons at this time, which may be an early indication of a more severe influenza season,” Gambineri said, via email.

Kelly Ranieri, a registered nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, receives the flu shot from Pamela Wayne, also a registered nurse there. Hospital team members are required to get the flu shot every year for their own health and for that of their patients. (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

Several Pasco County public schools experienced some degree of significant absence related to flu activity in December before break, said Linda Cobbe, the district’s spokeswoman.

The concern was reported to the health department and a generic notice from the health department was sent home to all parents at Bexley Elementary School on Dec. 18 and at Plato Academy on Dec. 6, Cobbe said.

So far, the district hasn’t seen the same trends since returning from the holiday break, however, Cobbe said, the district’s nurse supervisor said this year is predicted to be “quite challenging” from a flu standpoint.

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, at 2600 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, has seen an uptick in flu cases.

“The surge that we’ve noticed has been mostly since Christmas, around Dec. 24, Dec. 25,” said Dr. Nadeem Khan, a community physician and the medical director, Infectious Diseases at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

In the first week of 2017, the hospital had eight confirmed cases of the flu. This year, it had 12 cases during the same week last year. The Wesley Chapel hospital also had 16 confirmed cases from Jan. 5 through Jan. 8, which is more than it had seen the entire previous week, according to figures supplied by the hospital.

“A lot of people did not get vaccinated this year. A lot of the patients you talk to, just didn’t do it,” Khan said.

Holiday crowds also likely figured in, Khan said.

During the holidays, people tend to travel, he observed. “You’re in planes. You’re in airports. There’s delays.

“Somebody is sneezing and coughing, and you can’t do anything about it,” he said.

The sudden cold weather likely contributed, too, he said.

“When your immune system goes down a little bit, you’re more susceptible,” he explained.

The flu cases seem to be coming in earlier than usual this year at Saint Joseph’s Hospital-North, 4211 Van Dyke Road, in Lutz, said Cindy McGrath, nursing manager in the hospital’s emergency department.

Dr. Nadeem Khan is a community physician and the medical director, Infectious Diseases at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel)

Both health care professionals said there are ways to reduce your chances of catching the flu, and it’s important to protect yourself.

Aside from getting a flu shot, washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water is perhaps the most important step you can take to protect yourself, Khan said.

“At restaurants, we’re picking up salt and pepper shakers. No one cleans those, ever. We’re touching menus that no one cleans. You need to make sure that you’re washing your hands, or using hand sanitizer,” he said.

He also recommends wearing a mask in crowded places, such as airports, airplanes and other places where you could be risking exposure from being too close to others in tight quarters.

“If you’re not sure what’s going on around you, it’s always better to get a mask.”

“Even if you look funny, or you think people are going to stare at you, who cares?” Khan asked.

Those who are most vulnerable to the flu include the very young and the elderly, according to the Florida Department of Health’s website. Pregnant women also are at risk.

People who have underlying medical conditions also are more susceptible to catching the flu, McGrath said.

Once flu symptoms begin to show up, it’s a good idea to see a health care provider for antiviral medication, both McGrath and Khan said. The sooner, the better, they said.

State and federal health officials still recommend getting a flu shot, even though it may not always prevent the flu.

“Flu vaccines can vary in effectiveness from season to season, but they continue to be the best way to prevent influenza infection and serious influenza complications,” said Gambineri, of the state health department.

Khan agrees.

“You might get sick even if you’ve had the flu shot, but not sick enough to be in the hospital or the ICU (intensive care unit),” he said.

Catching the flu can have serious consequences, Khan said.

“We definitely lose patients from influenza. That is something that people don’t understand. Young, healthy individuals, 23 to 30 years old. They die,” he said.

Symptoms:

  • High-grade fever, generally 101 degrees Fahrenheit or above
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Dry cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuff nose
  • Body aches, chills
  • Diarrhea, vomiting
  • Breathing difficulties

The infectious period can start 24 hours to 48 hours before symptoms show up.

Prevention tips

  • Get a flu shot
  • Wash your hands often, with soap and warm water, rubbing hands for 15 seconds to 20 seconds, then drying with a clean towel.
  • Stay away from people who are sick, and avoid crowded spaces, if possible
  • Wear a mask to protect yourself in crowded places, such as airplanes and airports

Avoid spreading the flu

  • Stay home when you are sick
  • Cover sneezes or coughs
  • Use a disposable tissue when blowing your nose and discard that tissue immediately
  • Wash your hands often, using soap and warm water. Rub your hands for 15 seconds to 20 seconds. Be sure to use a clean towel when drying your hands.
  • Do not share glasses, forks, spoons, toothbrushes and so on.

Sources: Dr. Nadeem Khan, Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel; Cindy McGrath, nurse manager for the emergency department and Kim Demers, assistant nurse manager for the emergency department at Saint Joseph’s Hospital — North; and, FloridaHealth.gov.

Published January 17, 2018

Region has frigid wake-up call

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The new year brought the first blast of winter to Pasco County, and to the Tampa Bay region.

Freeze warnings and wind chill advisories rained down daily from the National Weather Service, as frigid air dipped into north and central Florida, and stayed for days.

For the first time in decades, Tallahassee had measurable snowfall.

The Greenery of Tampa Bay, a nursery on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, covered some of its cold-sensitive plants, as arctic air arrived in Pasco County. (Kathy Steele)

Here in Tampa Bay, snow was a no-show, but temperatures plunged into the low 30s and upper 20s.

The unexpected weather meant many area residents turned on the heat in their homes for the first time, and pulled out those rarely used sweaters and coats.

Construction workers went to work wearing coats; nurseries were forced to cover cold-sensitive plants.

The hard freezes also put Pasco County, social service agencies, farmers, and wildlife officials on alert.

The county opened cold-weather emergency shelters for five nights in west and east Pasco, from Jan. 2 through Jan. 6.

In east Pasco, Restored Hope in Dade City, Samaritan Project of Zephyrhills, and Helping Rock, also in Zephyrhills, helped families and individuals to find shelters and resources for food and warm clothing.

In West Pasco, the United Way helped families who needed shelter, and Joining Hands Mission, in Holiday, helped individuals.

They are part of Pasco’s “Cold Weather Shelter Program” that provides outreach to the county’s neediest residents.

The program is a coalition of area churches; nonprofit agencies, such as the United Way, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross; the Homeless Coalition of Pasco County; and social service organizations.

Manatees are affected by extreme cold weather, often swimming into warm-water habitats, including discharge canals of power plants and natural springs. Wildlife officials asked that boaters watch out for manatees in shallow waters near the coast, both inland and coastal. Boaters also should obey posted manatee speed zone signs. (Courtesy of Southwest Florida Management District)

Pasco’s Office of Emergency Management, the sheriff’s office and public transportation department also provide support.

Shelters generally are opened when temperatures drop below 36 degrees, with or without wind chill, for four hours or more, according to the county’s website, PascoCountyFl.net.

The shelters, which normally open by 6 p.m., are operated by nonprofits and religious organizations. Churches and area motels often help out.

Depending on fund and donation availability, shelters can provide food, drinks and blankets, according to the county’s website.

Not all shelters are able to take families, but the program will find ways of providing shelter for families in need.

Kathy Hunt is the outreach director for Restored Hope, an organization she started about four years ago in Dade City.

She works with a local motel to secure rooms for homeless individuals and families. In one instance, a year ago, she helped a mother find warm shelter for three nights. She had been living in a shed, with her four children, Hunt said.

Over the past week, she monitored the phone line for her organization during the five nights of predicted freeze. A local motel provided a couple of rooms. And, she also checked on a homeless camp in the area.

“I’ve never seen cold that latest this long, this early,” Hunt said.

The Samaritan Project, in Zephyrhills, also monitored for phone calls, helping a couple of families find shelter.

“We want people to reach out to us,” said volunteer Paul Bathrick.

Eddy Reyes, founder of Helping Rock, said in total the three nonprofits in east Pasco, probably aided about 40 people who needed shelter from the cold. Helping Rock took in about eight people, he said.

Helping Rock is the only transitional housing program in east Pasco that can provide shelter services and other resources to the homeless population on a daily basis, Reyes said.

“There is a huge need,” he said.

Construction workers at a future apartment complex off State Road 54 are bundled up against the cold weather. (Kathy Steele)

The Pasco County Health Department offered tips on staying warm during the freeze.

Officials said to stay indoors as much as possible. When venturing outside, people should dress warmly in layers of clothing.

Also, as temperatures dip below freezing, home water taps should be kept slightly open so that they drip continuously. And, pets should be brought indoors and provided warm shelter.

Fire officials worried about the potential for house fires as residents sought to stay warm.

A major risk is the improper use of space heaters, said Karl Thompson, Pasco’s fire marshal and fire prevention division chief.

Residents in older homes, without central heat and air, are more likely to rely on those than people in newer homes, he said.

“I am worried as temperatures get into the 20s especially in some older, smaller homes that don’t have insulation,” he said. “These were built for Florida and not for the cold.”

People should avoid placing space heaters “too close to curtains. They can tip over and some don’t have automatic cutoff (systems),” Thompson said.

Christmas trees can also pose a hazard and should be disposed of, he added.

The cold weather also put farmers and wildlife officials on alert.

It’s early to know how crops, such as peaches and blueberries, will fare in the cold, but farmers are experienced in what to do, said Whitney C. Elmore, director of Pasco County Extension.

Pasco is unique in having “micro-climates” in different areas of the county, said Elmore.

For example, Dade City generally gets colder than Wesley Chapel.

“One or two degrees can make a difference,” Elmore said.

In addition to farm crops, landscaping also can take a hit from the cold.

Elmore said this was the first time in about seven to eight years that the area had a cold snap this early in the year, she said.

“A lot of people have taken that as a mandate to plant more tropicals,” she said. “I am concerned about that.”

People should take precautions and cover sensitive plants.

But, there is a right way and a wrong way to do that.

Elmore said the coverings – often bed sheets – should never touch the plants. It’s best to build a small scaffold that can hold up the coverings.

They should be removed when the sun comes up the next day, she added.

And, she cautions against using heaters to protect landscaping, including fruit trees. “This is certainly a fire hazard.”

Irrigation also can be an issue.

If possible, Elmore said irrigation systems should be turned off on the coldest nights.

“If they need to irrigate, it is best early in the morning when the temperatures are warming up,” she said.

But, residents should check with the county or extension agency regarding restrictions on when watering is allowed, she added.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission monitored populations of sea turtles and manatees, according to a news release from the state agency.

Sea turtles can be stunned by cold water temperatures, and float listlessly in the water or near the shore. While they might appear dead, wildlife officials said they often are still alive.

Residents can report such sightings to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-3922.

Manatees also are affected by extreme cold weather, often swimming into warm-water habitats, including discharge canals of power plants and natural springs.

Wildlife officials asked that boaters watch out for manatees in shallow waters near the coast, both inland and coastal. They also should obey posted manatee speed zone signs.

For information from Restored Hope, call (352) 437-4815; for the Samaritan Project, call (813) 810-8670.

For information on the county’s cold weather shelter program, visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Heating safety tips

  • Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from heating equipment
  • Have a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters
  • Never use your oven to heat your home
  • Have a qualified professional install stationary space heaters, water heaters or central heating equipment, according to local codes and manufacturer’s instructions
  • Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional
  • Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed
  • Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters
  • Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

Source: National Fire Protection Association

Published January 10, 2018

Local dancer gets big break in ‘The Greatest Showman’

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When Chelsea Caso recently went to watch “The Greatest Showman” at Cobb Grove 16 in Wesley Chapel, she wasn’t going to watch just any movie.

She was going to watch a movie that she is in.

And, the young woman who grew up in Lutz, didn’t go to the viewing alone. She joined 115 of her favorite people for a private screening.

Her family was there.

Her neighbors were there.

Chelsea Caso hugs one of her supporters before a private screening of ‘The Greatest Showman’ begins at Cobb Grove 16. Caso plays the role of Dancer Oddity 5 in the film, which celebrates diversity and the vision of P.T. Barnum, of circus fame.

Dancing friends she’d made through the years were there.

Former teachers were there.

People from every part of her life were there — to share a moment with her that had been about 18 years in the making.

“We’re just bursting with pride,” her mother, Kim Caso said, adding that having a private screening with family and friends had been part of the plan ever since Chelsea landed the role.

Chelsea, who has been dancing since she was 2, is Dancer Oddity No. 5 in the film.

“I’m the tattoo lady,” she said.

It’s a nonspeaking role, but offered Chelsea the chance to dance — the thing that she loves best.

During the audition, she recalls thinking: “This is exactly what I want to do.”

The movie, which stars Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron, has already been nominated for a Golden Globe for best motion picture, musical or comedy. Hugh Jackman also has been nominated for best performance by an actor in that category.

Chelsea is still trying to take it all in.

“I don’t have words yet. I really don’t. It’s just so much to process,” she said, before joining her friends and family for the private screening.

“I took my grandma and my mom and my godparents this morning, and they were all crying,” Chelsea said.

“I was sitting there thinking, all of the hard work, all of the hours and all of the work that she’s put in — it makes it all worthwhile,” said Eileen Hoffman, of Lutz, who is Chelsea’s grandma.

“I am so thankful that she is part of something that is so amazing. To be in a movie of this caliber, with the actors that are in it — the music, the choreography, the songs — all, wonderful,” Hoffman said.  “It’s the most amazing feel-good movie that I’ve seen in a very long time.”

Local girl makes good
Chelsea attended Lutz Elementary, Martinez Middle School, and Steinbrenner High School for one year before transferring to Blake High School in Tampa, which has a performing arts magnet program.

“When she was at Blake High School, we took her every morning and picked her up every day. From Lutz, that’s a little ride,” Hoffman said.

Chelsea also studied dance at Karl & DiMarco in Tampa, where her mom worked before starting Next Step Dance Studio in Lutz.

Chelsea Caso and her mom, Kim, stand in front of a poster for ‘The Greatest Showman.’ Chelsea, who grew up in Lutz, has a dancing role in the film. Chelsea began dancing when she was 2 and her mom, who has a dance studio in Lutz, began dancing when she was 4. (B.C. Manion)

Kim said Chelsea has “worked so incredibly hard, sacrificed a lot, and just has done so very, very well.”

Chelsea was just 9 when her mom began taking her to New York for dance classes. And, when Chelsea was 14, she auditioned for The Ailey School Summer Intensive Program and was accepted.

“We stayed up there for six weeks with her every summer,” Kim said. “I was up there for two weeks. Her dad (Andy) was up there for two weeks, and my mom (Eileen Hoffman) was up there for two weeks. We did shifts,” Kim said, noting she also has a son, Carson, who is now 15 and attends Wharton High School.

After graduating from Blake, Chelsea moved to New York intending to pursue classical dance. But, she changed her mind and decided to explore commercial dance, which includes such things as television commercials, music videos and movies.

Chelsea attended Broadway Dance Center, where she took a program introducing her to the commercial dance world and then signed with an agency called MSA, which has offices in New York and Los Angeles.

She had been working at a fitness place for about a month, when her agent called her to go to an audition.

She needed to be at the audition in two hours, the agent told her. Chelsea said she was at work and couldn’t leave. The agent said she had to find a way.

The last fitness class was over, so Chelsea cleaned things up and asked her boss if she could go to the audition. The boss let her leave.

“I ran home, got ready, did my makeup on the way to this audition and didn’t really know what I was auditioning for. I just knew where I had to be and what the time was.

“I got there and I saw a couple of my friends and I said, ‘What is this? What are we auditioning for?

“They said, ‘It’s something to do with Zac Efron. We don’t really know,’” she said.

“During the audition, I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is what I want to do. This is awesome,’” Chelsea said.

She left feeling good about the audition, and an hour later her agent called to let her know she had a callback for the next day.

Chelsea called her boss to say she couldn’t come into work the next day, but fortunately there was someone who could cover for her, she said.

She went to the audition and danced again.

“They called people back in to start singing, and I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m cut. I don’t really sing.’

“They said, ‘OK, these are the people who we want to sing. I didn’t get called, so I’m like, ‘OK, I’m cut. Onto the next.’”

But then, as she was gathering her stuff, someone came and called her name, and a few others, too.

The person told them: “Not all of the parts in the movie are singing. Don’t book anything.”

Chelsea called her agent to find out what that meant, and her agent said she’d have to wait to hear from the casting agency.

That was in August of 2016.

Three weeks later, Chelsea found out that she’d landed the part.

A musical about dreaming, diversity, acceptance
“The Greatest Showman” is a musical inspired by P.T. Barnum. It celebrates the birth of show business and tells the story of a visionary who rose from poverty to create a worldwide sensation.

It’s also a story about diversity and acceptance, and about breaking down barriers based on race and social class.

It took four months of rehearsal and three months of filming to make the movie.

Every day, Chelsea spent four hours in hair and makeup.

“They just put the tattoos on with water. It’s like a transfer sheet. I used to have to go home with them on. It was too much to redo them every day,” she said.

Now that the film has been released, Chelsea is getting ready to move to Los Angeles.

“It’s going to be a brand-new world. I have to kind of start over, but I feel with this on my resume now, it might be a little easier to get my foot in the door,” Chelsea said.

And, maybe, just maybe, the movie’s cast will be able to make an appearance at the Academy Awards, her mom said. “There’s talk they’re going to dance at the Oscars. We’ll see. We’re hoping.”

While the future is full of possibilities, Chelsea, her friends and family are clearly enjoying her success to date.

Harriette Jackson, whose daughter, Crystal Jackson, danced with Chelsea at Blake High, was among those invited to the private screening.

She’s thrilled for Chelsea.

“I think it’s awesome to be two years out of high school, to have landed a movie role. I am so proud of her,” Jackson said, adding “hard work pays off.”

Chelsea’s grandma is delighted, too.

“She’s always wanted to dance. She was very set in her mind what she wanted to do. She went after it.

“It’s just a wonderful moment in time — and we’re so thankful to be able to be sharing it with her,” Hoffman said.

Published January 3, 2018

2017 had it all: A sinkhole, Hurricane Irma, wildfires and floods

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But, it also was a year of significant growth, notable achievements and touching moments, too.

It’s not often that Land O’ Lakes makes the international news, but it did just that in July when a massive sinkhole swallowed two homes in Lake Padgett Estates.

This is an aerial view of a giant sinkhole that developed in Lake Padgett Estates, swallowing two homes and causing several others to be condemned. (File)

Then, just a few months later in September, the world’s attention turned to Florida as a potential category 5 Hurricane Irma appeared heading straight toward Tampa Bay.

The year also was marked by severe flooding and wildfires in Pasco County.

It also was a year for the changing of the guard, as Dan Biles was named Pasco County’s administrator to replace Michele Baker, who retired.

Scores of headlines during 2017 involved stories about the area’s congested roadways — and projects that are planned, underway or being discussed to improve traffic flow.

Major road projects that have begun or are planned include improvements to Interstate 75 and state roads 54 and 52. A four-lane extension of State Road 56, between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills, is also under construction.

With its sustained wind speeds of 185 mph, Hurricane Irma was deemed to be one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the Atlantic. At one point, forecasters said it appeared headed toward making a direct hit on the Tampa Bay region.

Another improvement, known as the diverging diamond, is planned to improve traffic flow at I-75 and State Road 56.

And, discussions continue over the best ways to reduce congestion at U.S. 41 and State Road 54, an intersection that handles roughly 100,000 vehicles per day.

The county also appears to be making progress in its quest to secure a permit for the extension of Ridge Road, a project it has been seeking for nearly two decades. While the project can’t come soon enough for supporters, its detractors remain steadfast in their opposition.

Increasing traffic is a symptom of Pasco’s robust growth
Housing developments, retail projects, restaurants, businesses and medical facilities are sprouting up on land previously occupied by citrus groves, farms and cattle ranches.

New schools continue to pop up, or expand, too.

Zephyrhills now has a permanent venue for community events, such as the Z’ Hills BBQ & Blues Fest, a popular event, which features blues bands and tasty barbecue.

In August, Pasco County Schools opened Bexley Elementary, in the Bexley subdivision off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes and Cypress Creek Middle High School, off Old Pasco Road, in Wesley Chapel. In the coming year, it plans to begin construction of Cypress Creek Middle School.

Also, on the same campus, the school district and Pasco-Hernando State College plan to operate a new performing arts center. That center will be built by the college with $15.5 million in state funds, but both the school district and the college will use it as a teaching facility.

Meanwhile, the school district continues massive renovation projects at Land O’ Lakes High School and at Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills.

More public school projects are expected, as funding for school construction gets a boost from increased school impacts fees adopted by the Pasco County Commission that will begin being phased in on Jan. 1.

On the private school front, North Tampa Christian Academy is expected to begin operations in Wesley Chapel in the fall of 2018.

Roy Hardy, of Dade City, who died this year, was known for his perfect Kiwanis attendance and his fish fry fundraisers for the Hardy Benevolent Fund to help cover medical costs for others in need.

And, a charter school also has announced its intentions to open in Wesley Chapel in 2019, but has not identified its location yet.

The year also signaled changes on the spiritual scene across the region, too.

Van Dyke Church in Lutz changed its name to Bay Hope and expanded the scope of its mission. North Pointe Church settled into its first permanent home in Lutz, and the Episcopal Church announced its intentions to branch into Wesley Chapel.

The region also added to its list of amenities during the past year.

In Wesley Chapel, the 150,000-square-foot Florida Hospital Center Ice opened in January, with its Olympic-size rink, three National Hockey League-size rinks and one junior rink. Several rinks can easily be converted to accommodate basketball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball and events such as corporate meetings, and parties.

In Land O’ Lakes, the Heritage Park Stage opened, off of U.S. 41. The project, which was years in the making, has already become a popular gathering spot for community events.

Starkey Park District Park also opened in Land O’ Lakes, off State Road 54.

Meanwhile, across the county, Zephyrhills added a permanent venue for community events, such as Pigz in Z’Hills, a popular barbecue and blues event.

A time of milestones and transitions
While new construction made the news, 2017 was also a year of big milestones, including R.B. Cox Elementary School’s 90th birthday, in Dade City, and the Dade City Garden Club’s 70th anniversary.

Andre Pamplona, general manager for Royal Lanes, said the closing of a bowling alley has an impact on the community. Royal Lanes, which opened in the 1970s turned off the lights for the final time in May. Lots of memories were made in that building, known for its bowling leagues and birthday parties.

But, it was also the year that Royal Lanes, a community fixture in Lutz since the 1970s for bowling leagues and birthday parties, turned out the lights for the final time in May.

On a more personal level, the region mourned the loss of some of its biggest champions, including Eddie Herrmann of San Antonio, Roy T. Hardy of Dade City and Ray Mason of Land O’ Lakes. All three men were known for their deep commitment to civic causes.

Others — who captured headlines for their excellence — included Margaret Polk, the Odyssey of the Mind team from Wesley Chapel Elementary School, and Courtney Urban, a volunteer for Gulfside Hospice who received a national award for her volunteer work.

Polk, a school nurse at Pasco High School, was named the Florida Association of School Nurses’ 2017 School Nurse of the Year.

Elaine Pittman, a Lutz gardener in her 80s, grows plants and sells them to raise money for Christian Social Services. She chose that cause because it feeds people who are hungry.

Wesley Chapel Elementary School’s “Catch Us If You Can” team, finished first in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals held in May at Michigan State University. Members of the team were Jake Piller, Sam Cappelluti, Isabell Barrios, Mina Melaika, Rowan Heyman, Jason Sherman and Justin Acosta. Teachers Veronica Acosta and Janet Heyman coached the team.

And, Urban, who initially began volunteering at Gulfside’s Thrift Shoppe in Lutz so she could hang out with her grandmother, went on to serve the organization in a variety of roles.

And then, there were the people who simply extended themselves to help others.

There was Elaine Pittman, a Lutz gardener in her 80s, who nurtures plant cuttings to create plants, which she sells to raise money for Christian Social Services, an organization that provides food for people who are hungry.

And, there was Whitney C. Elmore, who oversees Pasco County Extension.

Elmore reached out to help Frogmore Fresh Farm, outside of Dade City, after Hurricane Irma uprooted and toppled about 100,000 blueberry bushes. Elmore got the ball rolling, but hundreds of volunteers responded — stepping forward to help the farm.

Two Boy Scouts also made a difference in the communities where they live.

Michael Valenti of Lutz and Gabe Vega of Land O’ Lakes each spearheaded Eagle Scout projects.

Cypress Creek Middle High School students make their way to their second class the first day of school on the new campus in Wesley Chapel. Bexley Elementary School also opened for the first time in August, for the 2017-2018 school year.

Valenti spruced up the Lutz Memorial Park in Lutz, and Vega created a Rosary Garden at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Land O’ Lakes.

And, then, there was a trio of Wesley Chapel Girl Scouts in Troop 1263 who gave new life to Karina’s Garden, behind the administrative offices of Sunrise of Pasco County, in their quest to earn a Girl Scout Silver Award.

The girls — Paige and Kaitlin Trabouley and Alyssa Duran — added flowers, plants, butterflies and statuary to create a place of repose and refreshment in the garden which honors the late Karina Abdul, a former shelter director.

The garden now provides a place to take a break and enjoy nature, according to Vicki Wiggins, director of development for Sunrise, which is a domestic and sexual violence prevention and services organization.

The garden had been choked with weeds and had fallen into disrepair.

The girls and the volunteers they enlisted changed all that.

“It’s beautiful. I’m so happy they did this. They brought it back to life,” Wiggins told The Laker/Lutz News, when the project was completed.

Published December 27, 2017

Doggy dining now legal in Pasco County

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Pasco County now has an ordinance to permit doggy dining in outdoor areas of restaurants.

The Pasco County Commission adopted the new measure unanimously at its Nov. 28 meeting in New Port Richey.

A $50 permit fee was later approved on Dec. 12 in Dade City.

The commission’s action, however, is news to many area restaurants that already have been allowing patrons to enjoy a meal on their patios, with a tail-wagging companion lounging nearby.

It’s standard company policy at a number of restaurants. Yappy hours are popular as special events.

There are websites, too, that are devoted to marketing area restaurants that are dog-friendly, including BringFido.com and PascoPetFest.com.

BringFido provides information on dog-friendly hotels, as well as restaurants nationwide.

That site lists 17 Wesley Chapel restaurants that are dog-friendly, including Applebee’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, PDQ, Texas Roadhouse, Tijuana Flats, GrillSmith, and Panera Bread.

Dog-friendly restaurants on PascoPetFest.com include The Breakfast Nook, The Garden Café, Crab Shack Port Richey, and Pinchers Crab Shack.

Patrons at doggy dining spots throughout the county didn’t know anything was amiss, including Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

“We’ve been taking our dog out for six months,” Starkey said, adding, “I’m glad to be legal.”

Melanie Armstrong, owner of The Garden Café in Dade City, is among those who hadn’t heard of the new rules put in place.

“I’d like to know the details on what I need to do to be compliant,” she said.

Her restaurant has a large outdoor patio. On average, Armstrong said one or two patrons a day dine with their dogs, and servers keep things sanitary.

The dogs have been well-behaved, and it’s never been a problem, she said. “We have such a big patio. We try to capitalize on that. We get regular customers that bring their dogs.”

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano initially raised the issue at the Aug. 15 commission meeting in Dade City. He said a couple of restaurant owners in Port Richey had inquired about doggy dining, and about getting a permit.

Now, those who are adding doggy dining and those who have already been offering it, must get the required $50 permit or face fines.

During the August discussion, Mike Moore, who was commission chairman at the time, called for a low fee.

“We don’t want to overcharge for a permit they’re going to hang on their wall,” Moore said.

Paperwork for the permit requires a drawing of where the doggy dining will take place, though it doesn’t have to be professionally done.

Commission members gladly approved the new ordinance.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Moore said. “You see it in a lot of cities and surrounding counties. It’s about time we get in the game.”

Just one person spoke against the ordinance during the public comment portion of the hearing.

“You have servers who are busy. They pick up dishes. The family has allowed the dog to eat off the dish,” said Port Richey resident Richard Wilkey.

The dogs could have fleas, and they might urinate or defecate, he said. “It’s just totally unacceptable.”

That prompted Mariano to ask an assistant county attorney for a recitation on the regulations in place to address Wilkey’s concerns.

The county’s permit follows the state’s lead on the issue. The state requires:

  • Servers who touch or pet a dog to wash their hands
  • Dogs to stay at ground level and be on a leash
  • Dogs to stay off chairs and tables, and to refrain from eating off plates
  • Provision of a sanitizer station, and cleanup kit for dog waste
  • Posting of the permit and explanatory signs in a public place

Commissioner Mariano also noted: “Food establishments have a choice to allow it or not.”

Published December 20, 2017

Academy at the Lakes wins state football title

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They reached their goal.

Academy at the Lakes weathered chilly conditions and an undefeated opponent from Jacksonville to capture the school’s first-ever eight-man state football championship.

Offensive coordinator Landon Smith, a former National Football League player, was as happy as the team, as he holds the trophy bringing bragging rights to the school after winning the 2017 Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools (FCAPPS) state championship. (Fred Bellet)

An unwavering defensive performance — along with four combined touchdowns from freshman quarterback Jalen Brown and senior running back/linebacker Daniel Gonzalez — propelled the Wildcats to a 30-9 victory over the Old Plank Christian Academy Defenders in the Florida Christian Association of Private and Parochial Schools (FCAPPS) state championship on Dec. 9, at Southeastern University in Lakeland.

It was evident early, the Wildcats were the better team.

Academy at the Lakes scored on its first offensive possession —a 30-yard touchdown pass from Brown to freshman Jordan Oladokun, less than 7 minutes into the first quarter.

Brown added to the Wildcats lead late in the second quarter, diving into the end zone on a one-yard quarterback sneak — set up by his own 30-yard improvised run just a few plays earlier.

The team’s second scoring drive marked the “turning point” of the game, Wildcats head coach Shawn Brown said.

Academy at the Lakes head football coach Shawn Brown holds both trophies that he and his team won after defeating Jacksonville’s Old Plank Defenders at Victory Field in Lakeland.

“I think things were kind of going back and forth, then (Jalen) made that big run,” he said. “It was 8-0, then he kind of made that big run. I think it changed the whole momentum at that point.”

Old Plank had chances to narrow the gap, but was continuously plagued by its own mistakes in the form of penalties and turnovers, giving the Wildcats solid field position and extra offensive possessions.

A prime example: with the clock winding down in the second quarter, Old Plank quarterback Daniel Bosque fumbled just short of the end zone as time expired, preserving the Wildcats 16-0 lead at the half.

A costly turnover early in the second half made matters worse for the visiting Defenders, who entered the game 8-0.

Old Plank’s John Kilpatrick fumbled a punt return at the 25-yard line that was recovered by the Wildcats. The ensuing drive led to a 16-yard rushing touchdown by Gonzalez, just minutes into the third quarter.

Old Plank’s undisciplined play became chippy at times; the team was flagged for multiple late hits and facemasks.

Players, coaches and managers pose for a quick group shot after beating Old Plank. It’s the team’s first eight-man state title.

The Wildcats didn’t let some heated moments affect them, however.

“It could’ve gotten bad, and we could’ve lost our composure, and I think if we lose our composure, we lose that game,” Shawn Brown said. “We stayed true to what we do, kept the kids positive, and tried to walk away without losing their temper, and I think if we lose our temper, then we lose that game.”

Up 22-0, the Wildcats held the Defenders scoreless into the fourth quarter, until 244-pound fullback Quinton Sterling rushed two yards for a touchdown at the 9:22 mark.

“I think our defense, inevitably, is what won us this game, no doubt,” Gonzalez said. “We got some really key interceptions and really key three-and-outs, and that’s what won us this game. It wasn’t just the offense this game; we came together as a team.”

Gonzalez, named the game’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), for extra measure scored his second rushing touchdown of the night with less than 5 minutes left, all but sealing the win.

The two schools last met during the 2016 regular season, where Old Plank defeated Academy at the Lakes in that matchup, 41-20.

Academy at the Lakes head football coach Shawn Brown gets a second drenching by his son and team quarterback, No. 2 Jalen Brown.

Even with the three-score margin, the state championship was closer than most Wildcats games this season; they won their first two playoff games by 48 and 40 points, respectively.

“This is the best defensive team we’ve ever played this season,” Gonzalez said of Old Plank. “I’ve got to give them credit, but in the end we were the better team.”

And, despite making monumental plays on offense and defense, Gonzalez credited younger teammates for the team’s historic victory.

“It’s really interesting because the players that stepped up were all the young guys,” said Gonzalez, a senior team captain.

“We got the corner, Jordan Oladokun. We got Jalen Brown. And, those were the two people that really stepped up on offense and defense. They stepped up on both sides of the ball, and that’s the coolest part. It was the young people that stepped up.”

Brown, who took several big hits at quarterback, said the team never gave up.

“When we got knocked down, we got back up,” the freshman quarterback said. “The game started off a little tough, but we pushed through it, and our momentum carried us to this good victory.”

Chilly weather did not stop the Academy at the Lakes fans, as the bleachers were filled with supporters who found it was worth the drive to Lakeland to watch their Wildcats.

Gonzalez, who sported a ‘victory cigar’ after the game, was one of many players overwhelmed with excitement and joy in postgame festivities.

“I can’t even describe the feeling right now. I got the MVP. I got it all right now. I wouldn’t want anything more,” he said. “This is the best way to end my year. This is the best way to end a football season.”

He is one of the nine seniors on the roster and one of a handful who’ve been with the program since their freshman year.

The other seniors are: Thomas Kramer, Joel Eason, Evan Lutz, Tanner Bianchi, Isaiah Smith, Zachary Moore, Jack Passero and Cooper Weber.

Some, including Gonzalez, had never played organized football before joining the Wildcats program.

Academy at the Lakes No. 7 Daniel Gonzalez had no problem getting by the Old Plank Defenders. Gonzalez was the game’s most valuable player. The game is part of the 2017 Florida High School Football Playoff Brackets – FCSA 8-Man tournament.

“It’s awesome, because that’s my first true graduating class. They’ve come a long way,” said Shawn Brown, who’s in his fourth season as head coach.

The 2017 campaign signaled a complete turnaround for the Wildcats football program.

Academy at the Lakes went 2-8 in 2016, after finishing 4-7 and 3-5 the prior two seasons.

Coach Brown added: “To watch these kids as freshman, and some of them not knowing anything at all with football, to being like that doormat and getting pounded on. There are no words I’ve got to explain it. I’m speechless. I thought I’d have more to say. We reached our goal.”

The football program’s last state title came in 2006, when Academy at the Lakes played in the six-man ranks.

Academy at the Lakes athletic director Tom Haslam underscored the importance of the state title for the Land O’ Lakes private school.

“It’s great for everybody across the board, not just sports, but it transcends everything,” Haslam said. “So much dedication and hard work goes into it, and other kids see that and other kids want to be a part of that, whether it’s football, basketball or chorus, or whatever. And, it’s just kind of contagious.”

Academy at the Lakes Wildcats 2017 roster (By jersey number)
1—Jordan Oladokun, freshman

2—Jalen Brown, freshman

3—Tioma Stepanets, junior

4—Isaiah Smith, senior

5—Jamaal Johnson, junior

7—Daniel Gonzalez, senior

8—Jack O’ Malley, senior

9—Caleb Yann, freshman

10—Thomas Kramer, senior

11—Cole Lallanilla, sophomore

12—Denzyl Downing, sophomore

13—Anthony Quintana, sophomore

15—Joel Eason, senior

17—Zachary Moore, senior

18—Elijah Freedman, sophomore

22—Dylan Price, junior

23—Jack Passero, senior

47—Tanner Bianchi, senior

48—Andrew Kilfoyl, freshman

52—Matthew Martin, sophomore

54—Cooper Weber, senior

55—Jordan Witt, sophomore

60—Evan Lutz, senior

98—Jacon Ayoub, freshman

99—Dwight Downing, freshman

Inactives:
8—Jack O’ Malley, senior

20—A.J. Panepinto, eighth grade

81—Terrell Woods, eighth grade

87—James Elverson, eighth grade

Coaches:
Shawn Brown, head coach/defensive coordinator

Kevin Barrett, assistant coach/offensive & defensive line

Ben Donatelli, assistant coach/ line coach

Kirk Downing, assistant coach/stats

Steve Hagenau, assistant coach/trainer

Landon Smith, assistant coach/offensive coordinator

Jesus Solar, assistant coach/quarterbacks

Henry Oladokun, assistant coach/defensive backs

Troy Williams, assistant coach

Manager(s): A.J. Panepinto, Hunter Price

Ball Boy/Girl: Payton Williams, Katie Erin McCormick

 

Game-by-game results:
Aug. 25: at Citi Christian Academy (40-22 win)
Sept 7: Eastland Christian (50-35 loss)
Sept. 22: Canterbury (48-16 win)
Sept. 28: Solid Rock Community (80-0 win)
Oct. 2: at Saint Lucie Christian (49-12 win)
Oct. 13: Lakeside Christian (40-21 win)
Oct. 20: at Donahue Catholic (36-0 win)
Oct. 27: Seacoast Christian Academy (68-7 win)
Nov. 3: at Hernando Christian Academy (57-29 win)
Nov. 17: Canterbury (54-6 win)
Dec. 1: Eastland Christian (46-6 win)
Dec. 9: Old Plank Christian Academy (30-9 win)

 

Scoring Plays
First quarter
(5:35) — Academy at the Lakes (AATL) quarterback Jalen Brown completes a 30-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jordan Oladokun; two-point conversion good (8-0, AATL leads)

Second quarter
(2:51) — Brown rushes one yard for a touchdown; two-point conversion good (16-0, AATL leads)

Third quarter
(7:52)— AATL running back Daniel Gonzalez rushes 16 yards for a touchdown; extra point no good (22-0, AATL leads)

Fourth quarter
(9:22)— Old Plank Christian Academy fullback Quinton Sterling rushed two yards for a touchdown; two-point conversion attempt no good (22-7, AATL leads)

(4:40) — Gonzalez rushed three yards for a touchdown; two-point conversion good (30-7, AATL leads)

(1:10) – Old Plank credited for a safety (30-9, AATL leads)

Final: 30-9, AATL wins

Published December 13, 2017