The Laker/Lutz News

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Club Connerton

Safe Autumn activities

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Seven-year-old Noah Claridge and his 2-year-old sister, Ava, pose for a family photo at the scarecrow-themed hay bale display. The siblings visited the Connerton pumpkin patch with their parents, Jennifer and Matthew. (Christine Holtzman)

Club Connerton previously has hosted several autumn events for residents in the Land O’ Lakes community — but this year, because of COVID-19, the activities were reimagined, to follow social distancing guidelines.

Instead of the adult beer garden and costume contests, Gregg Svendgard, Club Connerton’s general manager, and his staff, came up with some new activities.

There was the annual Monster Mash Dash Costume 5K Run, a pumpkin patch and a scarecrow-themed hay bale to give families a backdrop for photos.

Staff members disinfected pumpkins regularly, and plastic gloves were supplied to those picking out their perfect pumpkin.

The pumpkins were free, and each children received a bag with candy and a craft-to-go, while supplies lasted.

Seven-year-old Sophia Husby and her 5-year-old sister, Chloe, select their perfect pumpkins from the patch on the lawn of Club Connerton. The girls were there their parents, Juliana and Eric.
Four-year-old Kendall Smith is all smiles, as she proudly shows her mother, Tia, the pumpkin that she chose.
These costumed characters are getting ready to take off at Connerton’s annual Monster Mash Dash 5K. The participants, who live in Connerton, were disguised as superheroes and Harry Potter characters. From left: Chelsea Frati, Nicole Jarvis, Izzy Pettey, Marina Lowe, Adysson Lowe and Elyssa Lowe.

Living The Dream In Connerton

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Homebuyer preferences are constantly evolving, no matter the age of buyers. The days of formal living and dining rooms have changed into great rooms and family living centers. Luckily, most buyers – regardless of age – are looking for the same features in a community.

A recent study by the National Association of Home Builders revealed that although priority rankings vary slightly between generations, different age groups actually have very similar tastes in what they want in a new home community.

Among the top four most-desired amenities, three were the same for every age group — the desire to live in a suburban community, close proximity to parks and access to walking/jogging trails. The fourth most popular desire is an outdoor, resort-style pool.

The community of Connerton provides all of these amenities for its residents, plus a host of activities that allows them to meet neighbors and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. At Connerton, you will find carefully planned parks and green spaces, a paved trail system within the community and a natural, unpaved trail system in the 3,000-acre Conner Preserve.

Adding to its suburban appeal, many home sites are located on conservation, ponds and lakes. Club Connerton features a resort-style pool, special activities and vacation camps for kids, and an award-winning staff that was recently recognized by the NAHB as its Gold Award Winner for Best Lifestyle Program in the Nation.

Connerton’s suburban setting includes convenient shopping at the community’s entrance at The Arbors Village Center. This busy shopping center is anchored by Publix Super Market, and also offers banking, restaurants, hair and nail salons, a pool store, a liquor store, insurance agencies, a UPS store, pet grooming and a veterinarian clinic. Across the street is a Walgreens drugstore.

Connerton Residents Tell Their Stories
Today’s homebuyers have many choices when looking for a new home community, so we asked some of our residents why they chose Connerton.

Katie and Andrew Ebendick moved to Connerton because they found it to be a family oriented community with lots of activities for adults, as well as children.

When Stephanie and Stephen Adcock began looking for a place to raise their children, they drove from the Citrus Park area and let their children play at the Connerton Cove playground. There they met a neighbor who was out playing with his own children, and he told them how much he loved the neighborhood.

Stephanie Adcock, who is also a Realtor, had this comment. “It has been nine years since we made the decision to join the peaceful Connerton community, and we have never regretted our choice. The friends that we have made are priceless and have made raising a family of four children a beautiful experience. I am never without a helping hand, and my children and I have made many friendships that will last a lifetime.”

Danielle Ludwig and her family moved to Connerton in 2016. “The reason we chose Connerton over anything else was the pool, the events that are hosted and the amenities. We looked at other communities, and at the time, there were no other communities around like Connerton.”

The Allenbaughs fell in love with the fact Connerton had the Norman Rockwell look about it, and just the whole feel of the community. And, the Becwar family agrees, saying they felt that Connerton had that hometown, American feel that they really liked. They also thought the Clubhouse was great, and the people just absolutely fabulous!

See For Yourself
Connerton is not just another community — it’s a New Town, a lifestyle and place where hundreds of families have made their new home. With 77 percent of residents moving from within the Tampa Bay area, and another 6 percent relocating from other parts of Florida, Connerton has truly become the premiere community of central Pasco County.

So please stop by, take a tour of the Clubhouse and visit the model homes offered by M/I Homes, Lennar, Inland and Homes by WestBay. You may just decide to stay for a lifetime.

Connerton is located approximately six miles north of the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. For more information, visit Connerton.com.

According to the NAHB study, top amenities buyers want are:

  1. Suburban setting
  2. Parks and green spaces
  3. Paved trail systems for walking, jogging and biking
  4. Outdoor, resort-style pools
  5. Exercise rooms and equipment
  6. Village centers with retail services and restaurants
  7. Lakes and ponds
  8. Natural, unpaved trail systems for walking and hiking

Connerton — Much More Than Just A Place To Live

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In the heart of Pasco County in Land O’ Lakes, the community of Connerton continues to grow, as hundreds of new homes are built for people of all ages, fulfilling their dreams to live in a community that offers much more than just a place to live.

Connerton provides more for its residents than other planned communities because it has been designated a “New Town” by the Florida Legislature. Being a New Town means Connerton can create opportunities for a diverse tax base and future job generation, offering residents a community where they can live, work and play!

More Amenities.
Club Connerton serves as the community’s social hub and sports recreation center. Its resort-style pool and its unique giant water bucket is a favorite of Connerton youngsters, who rush to get drenched by the fast-falling water. An outdoor grill and game area were recently added for residents’ enjoyment, and the latest in exercise equipment is found at the Fit and Flourish room. Tennis, pickleball and basketball courts are part of the amenity complex, where residents are always welcome to join in pickup games.

More Family Fun.
A full-time activities director and support staff offer a complete spectrum of activities designed to please the little ones, teenagers and adults. These include yoga, Pilates, girls’ night out, cigar night, dive-in movies, community yard sales, Winter Wonderland and the annual Independence Day Celebration that draws more than 7,000 attendees.

In January, Connerton was the proud recipient of the 2018 Gold Award for Best Lifestyle Program for a Community during the National Association of Home Builders Sales and Marketing Awards gala in Orlando. Entries were submitted from around the nation, and Connerton walked away with the top award, edging out communities from California, Texas and South Florida.

More Nature and Trails.
With Connerton’s appreciation of nature, green space and conservation areas, residents enjoy more than 7 miles of trails and oversized sidewalks to bike, walk or simply enjoy a family stroll. A scenic 2-mile trail winds its way through natural wilderness, lakes and wetlands, and includes elevated boardwalks for bird watching and viewing other Florida wildlife.

Adjacent to Connerton is Conner Preserve — almost 3,000 acres of wildlife habitat donated by Connerton and managed by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.  Biking, camping, hiking, equestrian use and model airplane flying are some of the recreational activities found in the Preserve.

More Quality Schools.
Connerton Elementary is conveniently located within its borders and offers many school-based activities, including band and chorus, a Fall Festival, Science Fair and PTA special events. Residents can also register their children at close-by Sanders Memorial Elementary, a STEAM magnet school specializing in science, technology, engineering, art and math. 

Older students attend Pine View Middle School, which has the distinct honor of being Pasco County’s first International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Candidate School. Land O’ Lakes High School is located right down the road and is the assigned high school. An A-rated school and designated International Baccalaureate World School, Land O’ Lakes High has been named ‘One of America’s Best Public Schools’ by U.S. News & World Report. Private, charter and parochial schools are also in the area.

More Parks.
Who doesn’t love a park? Residents looking for a place to picnic, or just a quiet place to read, visit one of the many neighborhood parks – Connerton Cove, Garden Party Park, Magnolia Park or Storybrook Park, which is also home to the community dog park.

More for All.
It’s easy to see why Connerton is “The Community of More…” If you’re looking to move, a visit to Connerton is well worth your time to visit. Five quality builders offer many floors plans and homesites. Models by M/I Homes, Lennar, Homes by WestBay and Inland Homes are open seven days a week. Luxury custom homebuilder Arthur Rutenberg Homes has 90-foot homesites available in the gated area of Rose Pointe.

For additional information, call (813) 996-5800, or visit Connerton.com.

Published April 25, 2018

Don’t Let The Parade Pass You By!

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Spring is in the air, and once again Connerton is blooming with new homes, new families and plenty of fun activities for its residents.

Your family can discover Connerton over the next two weekends, during the 2018 Parade of Homes presented by the Tampa Bay Builders Association. For the second year in a row, Connerton is featured as a Parade Showcase Community, and its builders are showing off with four beautifully furnished model homes.

The 2018 Parade of Homes dates are March 2 to March 4, and March 9 to 11. Models are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The Parade is free and open to the public.

Tour Club Connerton

Winner of Best National Lifestyle Award

Make Club Connerton your first stop during the Parade of Homes. This expansive, family focused activity hub is the epicenter for Connerton residents, and captures the community’s unique vibrant lifestyle.

Begin your tour at the Visitor Center inside Club Connerton, and learn about Connerton’s 13-year history and New Town designation by the Florida Legislature. You’ll see an overview of the 4,800-acre master-planned community and its many neighborhoods, parks, connecting trail system, and the adjoining Connerton Preserve sanctuary.

Next, tour the 10,000-square-foot clubhouse, with fitness center, kids activity room, multipurpose area, café and resort-style pool with outdoor kitchen and ping pong/pool tables. Common areas surrounding Club Connerton include basketball, tennis and pickleball courts, as well as an outdoor amphitheater, gardens and walkways.

In January, Connerton was proud to receive the 2018 Gold Award for Best Lifestyle Program for a Community during the National Association of Home Builders National Sales and Marketing Awards gala in Orlando. Entries were submitted from around the nation, and Connerton walked away with the prestigious Gold Award, edging out communities from California, Texas and South Florida.

Unique Floor Plans and Decorating Ideas

Close-by Club Connerton are the four Parade models built by Homes by WestBay, Inland Homes, Lennar and M/I Homes. A representative from Arthur Rutenberg Homes will be at the clubhouse to provide custom home plans for its 90’ homesites in the gated area of Rose Pointe.

Whether you enjoy touring new homes because you’re in the market for a lifestyle change, or you’re just looking for design and decorating ideas, you’ll be delighted with the variety of floor plans and beautiful home sites available in Connerton.

Party In The Park

During the Parade of Homes, walk across the street from Connerton’s model center to a quaint neighborhood park for free hot dogs and refreshments on Saturday and Sunday. This peaceful retreat is one of several neighborhood parks where Connerton residents enjoy picnicking, playing games or enjoying a quiet place to read and relax. There’s even a community dog park for residents’ furry friends.

As you drive through the community, you will appreciate Connerton’s green space and conservation areas, its miles of trails and oversized sidewalks for biking and walking, and a scenic two-mile trail and boardwalk that winds through natural wilderness, lakes and wetlands.

 Enjoy Your Visit

There’s no doubt that Connerton lives up to its tagline — “The Community of More…”

Just ask residents, who are out and about all day long. With the community’s award-winning activities, top-rated schools, exceptional builders, beautiful clubhouse, natural conservation areas, and miles of trails, residents of all ages and interests have many reasons for choosing Connerton.

As a “New Town” designated community, its master plan has the potential for up to 5,000 homes, millions of square feet of retail and office space, a government center and more than 1,000 acres of natural protected spaces.

Construction has recently begun on the community’s next phase, located at the east end of Pleasant Plains Parkway. The developer will soon break ground on 259 single-family lots, many with water or conservation views.

Connerton is located in Land O’ Lakes, about six miles north of the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41. For more information, visit Connerton.com.

 

Published February 28, 2018

Connerton hosts ‘stud’ parties

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Connerton is hosting three events to give people a chance to write a few words of encouragement and inspiration for retired U.S. Army Sgt. David Roca and his family, who will be receiving a mortgage-free home from Connerton, Lennar and Operation Finally Home.

Roca sustained several traumatic brain injuries in combat during his deployment to Iraq. One of those injuries occurred when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle.

Construction is already underway at 8743 Savory Walk Drive. The family of four is expected to move in on April 30, thanks to an expedited permitting and review process by Pasco County.
(Courtesy of Grey Street Studios Inc.)

Roca and his three children were surprised on a windy, chilly March morning when they found out they would be moving into a home in Connerton, a 4,800-acre mixed-used, master-planned community in central Pasco County.

Roca and his children, Alex, Amelie and David Jr., will be moving into a 2,065-square-foot, four-bedroom home, being built by Lennar Homes. The family is expected to move in on April 30.

Those who would like to extend their congratulations and well wishes will have a chance to write them on the home’s studs before the dry wall is installed, said Joan Stout, a Connerton marketing consultant. Those signings will take place at the home site, 8743 Savory Walk Drive in Connerton, on April 1, April 2 and April 8, from noon to 3 p.m.

Those unable to come during those times should visit Club Connerton, at 21100 Fountain Garden Way, where they can sign a heart. Those hearts will be stapled to the framing of the home, Stout said.

The Roca family will be able to read the notes, as they do a walk-through of the home before the drywall is installed. That walk-through is expected on April 9.

Grey Street Studios Inc., also will do a video tour to capture the notes of love so that the family will have a permanent remembrance of the wishes extended to them from the community.

This is the sixth home Lennar has provided to military families around the country, and the first in the Tampa Bay market.

Based in Texas, Operation Finally Home has provided more than 150 mortgage-free homes for veterans during the past 10 years.

Published March 22, 2017

There’s plenty of cheer to spread around this season

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If you’re looking for a way to get into a festive mood, you won’t have to look very far.

There are loads of celebrations planned throughout The Laker/Lutz News’ coverage area.

A familiar community landmark will be decked out again for the holidays for the 19th annual Christmas at the Old Lutz School.

Rooms are dressed up with holiday décor and community groups provide entertainment.

Visitors to the annual Christmas at the Old Lutz School always find plenty to look at, such as decorated trees, miniature train sets and nutcrackers. (File Photos)
Visitors to the annual Christmas at the Old Lutz School always find plenty to look at, such as decorated trees, miniature train sets and nutcrackers.
(File Photos)

Santa will be visiting on Dec. 12, between 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., for a breakfast with Santa, at a $4 charge, which includes a variety of activities for children.

During the week, several local churches, schools and other groups are slated to perform at

The Christmas House, also known as The Old Lutz School, is at 18819 N. U.S. 41.

The Christmas House will be open for free tours on the evenings of Dec. 10, Dec. 12, Dec. 13, Dec. 15, Dec. 17, Dec. 19, Dec. 20, Dec. 22, Dec. 26 and Dec. 27, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Collection barrels will be there to collect nonperishable food items and toys for families needing help.

Heritage Church in Lutz is hosting “Miracle on Main Street,” a Christmas musical billed to be entertaining for people of all ages. The church at 1853 Oak Grove Blvd., will be staging the free event on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 13 at 11 a.m.

The Carrollwood Cultural Center, at 4537 Lowell Road, in Tampa, is hosting a series of events during December, including a Holiday Choral Tapestry with the Carrollwood Community Chorus, on Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m., with tickets ranging from $10 to $16. It also is hosting a Holiday Concert with the Carrollwood Winds, on Dec. 13 at 4 p.m., with tickets ranging from $10 to $16.

On Dec. 5, the community of Connerton will be having a holiday bazaar, with a variety of vendors offering holiday crafts, unique gifts and other items for purchase. Admission is free to the event, being held inside Club Connerton, at 21100 Fountain Garden Way in Land O’ Lakes.

train set rgbA family event called Traditions on the Green is planned for Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The event features a breakfast with Santa, face painting, a holiday bounce house, puppet shows, local band performances, crafts and other activities. Admission is free.

The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its 2015 “Magical Night Christmas Parade,” sponsored by Bayfront Health Dade City.

The parade will begin at 7 p.m., on Dec. 4, in historic downtown Dade City. It will feature dozens of floats, entertainment acts, bands, seasonal displays, and a visit from that jolly old elf, Santa Claus.

The following day, on Dec. 5, the downtown Dade City merchants will celebrate a Christmas Stroll from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Country Aire Village, in Zephyrhills, is scheduled to have its annual Holiday Bazaar on Dec. 5 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event, at 39333 Blue Skye Drive, includes coffee and donuts at 7 a.m., and a luncheon from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

nutcrackers rgbOther highlights include items for crafters, a clothing boutique, a Chinese auction, a three-wheel bike raffle, a bake sale and a cookie walk.

A Country Christmas Open House is planned for Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City. The event will feature crafters, cookies, punch, holiday music and more.

A Christmas in the Park is set for Dec. 6 at 7 p.m., at the San Antonio City Park, at 12202 Main St., San Antonio.

The Florida Orchestra is also planning a series of holiday concerts. On Dec. 4 through Dec. 6, the orchestra will present the “Hallelujah” chorus, and during the weekend of Dec. 11 through Dec. 13 it will perform a Holiday Pops. For more information about ticket prices and venues, visit FloridaOrchestra.org.

Published December 2, 2015