The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Bob Hatfield

Zephyrhills chamber presents awards, installs board

By

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce presented its 2018 Business and Community Awards last week at the annual Member Appreciation and Awards Banquet held at St. Joseph’s Parish Center, in Zephyrhills.

The event, dubbed “ZEPHYROPOLY,” attracted more than 200 business and community leaders, according to a chamber news release.

Community award winners display their trophies and certificates after the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Annual Community Awards and Membership Banquet on Thursday. From left; Beth Aker, East Pasco Meal on Wheels, Community Service Award; Anna Bailey, Creative Soul’s Café, Small Business of the Year; Robert and Terry Hilferding, Innovative Business of the Year; Cliff Martin, Jarrett Ford Dade City, Chamber Member of the Year; Vicky Wiggens and Kelly Sinn, Sunrise of Pasco County, Diamond Award; Todd Vande Berg, city planning director, Zephyrhills, Economic Development Champion; Lee Heffelfinger, ABC Pizza, Ambassador of the Year; Rod Rehrig, Marine Corp League, Citizen of the Year; Jonathan Till, Rep. Danny Burgess, Leadership in Government; Russ Heffelfinger, ABC Pizza, Ambassador of the Year; Cliff McDuffie, Zephyrhills Elks Lodge #2731 BPOE, Leadership in Youth Involvement; Kevin and Sandy Bahr, Cindy and Lenny Bahr, Bahr’s Propane Gas & A/C, Large Business of the Year. (Courtesy of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce)

This year’s theme focused on what makes Zephyrhills great, and the event featured state Rep. Danny Burgess, as its master of ceremonies. It’s the third time in a row that Burgess filled that role, and he donned a top hat and bow tie for the occasion.

Audience members played a game of “chance,” which involved visiting “properties,” such as Bulldog Way, Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, Main Street Zephyrhills and so on, where they took selfies.

Other highlights included having a chance to shake hands with a veteran, or thank Police Chief Derek Brewer or Fire Chief Brian Swartout for their services to the community, the release said.

Laughter could be heard throughout the hall as Kevin Bahr of Bahr’s Propane Gas & A/C, Bob Hatfield, aide to Congressmen Bilirakis, and Representative Danny Burgess were sent to jail and had to be “bailed out.” Our very own auctioneer, Steve Linder, got the crowd excited as he solicited bids, the release continued.

Awards were presented, too.

Here’s the list of winners:

  • Innovative Business of the Year: Zephyrhills Brewing Company, for innovative product or service, entrepreneurial spirit and corporate citizenship
  • Small Business of the Year: Creative Soul’s Café, for exemplary reputation, product or service, growth, leadership and corporate citizenship of a business with less than 25 employees
  • Large Business of the Year: Bahr’s Propane Gas & A/C, for exemplary reputation, product or service, growth, leadership and corporate citizenship of a business with 25 or more employees
  • Zephyrhills Economic Development Champion: Todd Vande Berg, city planning director, for exemplary contribution furthering economic development of the community
  • Leadership in Youth Involvement: Zephyrhills Elks Lodge #2731 BPOE, for exemplary contribution to youth in the community
  • The Diamond Award: Sunrise of Pasco County, for exemplary contribution by a nonprofit organization to the betterment of the community
  • Community Service Award: Beth Aker, for exemplary volunteer service to the community
  • Citizen of the Year: Rod Rehrig, for exemplary contribution to the betterment of the community over the past year
  • Leadership in Government Affairs: Jonathan Till, for exemplary contribution and public service at the city, county, state or federal government level
  • Chamber Member of the Year: Jarrett Ford of Dade City, for exemplary contribution and service to the chamber over the past year
  • Chamber Ambassador of the Year: Russ and Lee Heffelfinger, for exemplary service, leadership and representation by a chamber ambassador in the community

The chamber’s new board also was installed. They are: Dr. Randy Stovall (PHSC, Provost Emeritus), president; David West (Make a Difference), vice president; Vicky Jones (Palm Tree Acres MHC), president-elect; John Scott (Gulf Coast Financial Strategies), treasurer; and Jasmine Wilkins (San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union), secretary.

The board’s 2018-2019 directors are: Carolyn Hodges (Faithful Friends Pet Creation); Sam Abrahani (Zephyrhills Moose Lodge 2276); Alex Hulbert (Dewberry); Randy Light (Light Insurance); Kathy Britton (Berkshire Hathaway Home Services); Amanda Maggard (Florida Hospital Zephyrhills); Sam Turgeon (Sunlight Realty); Amy Chappell (CenterState Bank); Kevin Sullivan (Nicoletti Law Firm); and Dean Smith (Health Markets).

Published August 29, 2018

Shops at Wiregrass debuts flagpole on Flag Day

By

Initially billed as a celebration to unveil a new 40-foot flagpole at The Shops at Wiregrass, the event took on a more somber tone in light of the mass shootings in Orlando.

At the beginning of the Flag Day ceremony, Greg Lenners, the general manager for The Shops at Wiregrass, asked for a moment of silence.

That moment lasted 49 seconds.

Unfurling the 8-by-12 American flag, members of the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol prepare to raise the flag during a Flag Day ceremony at The Shops at Wiregrass. Cadets, from left, Andrew Alayon, 16, of Wesley Chapel; Cassie Ramer, 15, of Spring Hill; and Francisco Pulgarin, 16, and Elicia Smith, 15, both of Wesley Chapel, assist in the regional mall’s first flag-raising event. (Fred Bellet/Photos)
Unfurling the 8-by-12 American flag, members of the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol prepare to raise the flag during a Flag Day ceremony at The Shops at Wiregrass. Cadets, from left, Andrew Alayon, 16, of Wesley Chapel; Cassie Ramer, 15, of Spring Hill; and Francisco Pulgarin, 16, and Elicia Smith, 15, both of Wesley Chapel, assist in the regional mall’s first flag-raising event.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

Each second symbolized the loss of a life on June 12 at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

In asking for sign of respect, Lenners also asked those gathered to honor those who were injured, as well as their families and the community of Orlando.

Following Lenners’ remarks, Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore shared some history about Flag Day, noting that it was officially established by a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916.

President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress on Aug. 3, 1949 declaring June 14 as National Flag Day.

Moore invited those gathered to reflect upon the meaning of the American flag.

“Think to yourself: What does this flag mean to me?” Moore said. “In your heart, right now, what does it mean to you?” he asked.

“Who gave up their lives to keep that flag flying?” he asked.

Moore said when he thinks about the flag, he thinks about such things as freedom, family, veterans and pride.

The Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol handled the duties of presenting the colors and hoisting the flag.

Immediately after raising the 8-by-12-foot flag to the top of the pole, squadron members lowered it to half-staff, in honor of the Orlando shooting victims.

Those attending the event said they came to demonstrate their patriotism and celebrate what the American flag represents.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office mounted posse was on hand at the June 14 Flag Day ceremony, to celebrate the installation of a 40-foot flagpole at The Shops at Wiregrass.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office mounted posse was on hand at the June 14 Flag Day ceremony, to celebrate the installation of a 40-foot flagpole at The Shops at Wiregrass.

Teresa Fegan came sporting a blouse decked out with stars.

“I feel like we’re free in this country,” the 73-year-old Fegan said, explaining why she wanted to attend. “It’s wonderful to be a part of this country. I am so sorry for what happened in Orlando,” she added.

Her 80-year-old husband, Pete, said he posts a flag at his home on all of the nation’s patriotic holidays.

Fifty-year-old Juan Obando and his 42-year-old wife, Monica, came to the ceremony for two reasons.

They wanted to support their son, Juan Obando Jr., who is part of the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron, and they wanted to express their patriotism.

Gabriel Quinn, a cadet with the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, and others, salute, while Eric Johnson sings ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’
Gabriel Quinn, a cadet with the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, and others, salute, while Eric Johnson sings ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’

“We are American citizens,” Juan Obando said. “We are supporting America at this time,” he added, referring to the mass shootings in Orlando.

“It is so sad,” his wife, Monica said.

The event also attracted a number of dignitaries, including Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader and state Reps. Danny Burgess and Shawn Harrison. Bob Hatfield was there, too, representing U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

Eric Johnson, of Wesley Chapel Toyota, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” with a few members of the audience reverently joining in.

When adding the flagpole to the regional mall, Lenners said “we were methodical in looking for the location.

“We wanted something that was front and center,” he said. “This is certainly front and center.”

Published June 22, 2016

Zephyrhills chamber honors year’s best

By

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce awarded its leaders in community, business and government Thursday night during its annual awards banquet at Southport Springs Golf & Country Club in Zephyrhills.

The nominees were based on submissions from chamber members, and then selected by a committee that included Amy Chappell, Carolyn Hodges, Carolyn Sentelik, Cliff McDuffie, David West, Gary Hatrick, Jodi Wilkeson, John Kinsman and Rebecca Gaddis.

Award winners included:

Small Business of the Year (1-24 employees) — Skydive City

Large Business of the Year (25 or more employees) — Nestle Waters America/Zephyrhills water

Diamond Award (nonprofit) — Town Ark/The Thomas Promise

Innovative Business of the Year — Skywatch Signs

Leadership in Government — Bob Hatfield

Economic Development Champion — Vonnie Mikkelsen

Community Service Award — John and Diana MacDiarmid

Leadership in Youth Involvement — Kevin Barrett

Chamber Ambassador of the Year — Vicky Jones

Chamber Member of the Year — CenterState Bank

Citizen of the Year — Tim Pierson

Alice Hall Community Service Award — Earl Young