The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
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Land O' Lakes Community Park

Land O’ Lakes SwampFest looks to take center stage

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When the dumpster arrives at Land O’ Lakes Community Park, that’s a sure sign that the carnival equipment to set up the Midway is soon to follow, according to Doug Hutchinson, coordinator for the Land O’ Lakes SwampFest.

SwampFest 2017 will feature a few new twists, according to Hutchinson, the longtime coordinator of the community fair.

First off, the event will be using Heritage Stage, the newly opened stage at Land O’ Lakes Community Park.

The Midway at Land O’ Lakes SwampFest will feature rides of all types, for children and adults, alike. (File)

“We’re pretty excited about that,” Hutchinson said, noting the ones who seem most delighted about the stage are the dance groups that will be performing on it.

“When I told them that we were going to be on the stage, not under a tent, they were all excited,” he said. “It’s so good for the community.”

The entertainment lineup for this year’s event includes Nunes at Night, on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. and 3-Dom Band, on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. On Nov. 12, there’s a larger slate of entertainers, with Nicole’s Dance Center at noon; Show on the Road at 1 p.m.; Beyond Chaotic at 2 p.m., and Suncoast Dance at 3 p.m.

The event also is adding some food trucks this year, in addition to the foods that can be purchased on the Midway, Hutchinson said. Otherwise, the rides and the food on the Midway will be similar to those at the event last year.

There are also plans for a beer garden, Hutchinson said, but added that he was awaiting official approval.

Armbands for unlimited rides will be sold in advance for $15 and at the Midway for $25, Hutchinson said. Parking is free on Nov. 9, the preview night, and $5 on other days of the festival.

The event is getting more popular every year, Hutchinson said, noting it tends to attract between 500 and 750 people on Friday night and Sunday, and about 2,000 on Saturday.

On Saturdays, families generally come during the day, with a younger crowd at night, he said.

SwampFest started out as a community carnival, then evolved into the Flapjack Festival, which eventually moved to Dade City and then died.

This event is smaller than Flapjack was and that’s what organizers want it to be, Hutchinson said. “We want it to be more of a community fair.”

Proceeds from SwampFest benefit the venues that help sell the tickets and Land O’ Lakes High School’s athletic booster club, where they benefit the whole school.

“We don’t want to build something for one team and use all of the money for that,” Hutchinson said. “It’s better to use that money for items that benefit everyone.”

For instance, for a few years in a row, SwampFest proceeds were used to purchase equipment for the weight room, he said.

That benefits all students, not just athletes, he said. “They have a weightlifting class.”

Event proceeds also paid for the high school’s sign, which is out near Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, also known as U.S. 41.

“It takes some really dedicated people to pull this thing off,” Hutchinson said, noting there’s about eight or 10, who really do a lot of the work.

“It takes months to put it together,” he said, and then, at the event, there are scores of volunteers who help with parking, garbage collection and other chores.

Land O’ Lakes SwampFest
Where: Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
When: Nov. 9, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Nov. 10, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Nov. 11, noon to 11 p.m.; and Nov. 12, noon to 6 p.m.
Cost: Parking free on Nov. 9; $5 on Nov. 10 through Nov. 12. Armbands for unlimited rides are available for $25 each at the Midway; $15 each, in advance. They are available on the SwampFest website and at Land O’ Lakes High School, Sanders Elementary School, Pine View Middle School, Sugar and Spice Learning Center, and at the Village Lakes Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, Wilderness Lakes Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and Sunlake Beef O’ Brady’s.
Details: Rides, games, food, live entertainment.
Info: LOLSwampFest.com

Published November 8, 2017

A good week to be a newspaper publisher

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Some weeks being the publisher of a weekly newspaper is more fun than others. And, the past week was one of them.

Let’s begin with the recognition we received at the annual meeting of the Florida Press Association. Led by editor B.C. Manion, our news department received 10 statewide awards for outstanding photography, news stories and feature writing.

These awards convey the quality of work my staff does reporting about issues, new developments and people in our community.

Awards also give our readers outside validation that our stories meet high standards, as compared to our industry peers.

Because we print a lot of papers every week — nearly 45,000 —  our entries compete in the largest circulation category of this competition. This means we are up against entries from large, corporate-owned newspapers with budgets and staffs that are much bigger than ours.

Here at The Laker/Lutz News, we have just four journalists, editor B.C. Manion, staff writers Kathy Steele and Kevin Weiss, and news assistant Mary Rathman. Working alongside our staff are freelance photographers Richard Riley and Fred Bellet, who are regular contributors to our papers.

It is significant that our small newsroom receives journalism awards every year, because it shows we consistently do good work. This year we had an especially strong showing, making us one of the best newspapers in the state. My staff is thrilled, and I couldn’t be prouder.

After the Florida Press awards, I thought things couldn’t get much better. But, they did.

At last week’s dedication of Heritage Stage at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, The Laker/Lutz News was honored again by having our name engraved in the building’s dedication plaque.

Our part in this community project was small, especially when compared to that of the Heritage Park Foundation and its leader, Sandy Graves.

Throughout the years, The Laker/Lutz News has written many stories about the Foundation’s efforts to raise money for the stage. And, we’ve regularly reported on the group’s diligence to influence public officials to provide the money, property and construction oversight to build the stage.

Today’s story on the front of our B Section reflects on the 20 years it took for this stage to become a reality. The Laker/Lutz News has kept the community aware of the Foundation’s fundraising activities, and its ultimate success.

We were just one of many business owners and community leaders whose names are memorialized on the Heritage Stage dedication plaque. Many of us attending the ribbon cutting had an emotional high as we listened to the amazing sound of the Sunlake High School Band, and were led in the Pledge of Allegiance by students from Sanders Elementary. The stage’s acoustics were superb, and it’s exciting to finally have a place in Land O’ Lakes for people to gather for community events and concerts.

I believe there is a connection between these two recognitions. Both occurred because we want our newspaper to be a valuable resource in our community, documenting the happenings of Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

It is gratifying to receive accolades from our peers in journalism and from the communities we serve, but we recognize that the real prize comes from the satisfaction we derive from delivering stories and photographs that are important to you and your neighbors.

Published August 23, 2017

Land O’ Lakes community stage is ready for action

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After years of persistence, Land O’ Lakes finally has a place where residents can gather to hear concerts, watch plays or gather for other community events.

Construction of the Land O’ Lakes Community Stage is completed and the venue is now ready for groups to use it, said Sandy Graves, one of the prime movers behind getting the project done.

Graves has been talking for decades about the need for a venue to generate a greater sense of community and provide a place where people could gather for old-fashioned fun.

Construction has been completed on the stage at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. It is expected to become a popular place for concerts, plays, movies and other community activities. (B.C. Manion)

Finally, construction of the stage has been completed, and Graves and Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, threw a topping-off party on July 6 to thank those who played a role in pulling the project off.

About 65 people were expected, Graves said.

The party featured a barbecue and entertainment by Union West, a band made up of Steve and Cindy West.

Guests also were offered a turkey leg to take home, as a memento of the evening.

The turkey legs served as a reminder of the turkey legs that volunteers with the Heritage Park Foundation sold for years at the Flapjack Festival to raise money for the stage.

Joanne Hurley, retired Pasco County School Board member, recalled those efforts. “We were raising money, a dollar at a time through the sale of those turkey legs.

“We had car shows, anything we could do to raise a little bit of money,” she said.

In the end, it took a $250,000 state grant, and a partnership between governments, businesses and community volunteers to bring the vision to life.

The open-air stage is on a grassy area, west of a fenced-in ballfield at Land O’ Lakes Community Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

It is the latest improvement at the park, which underwent a $2.3 million makeover that included additional amenities and upgraded facilities.

Union West, a band made up of Cindy and Steve West, was the first band to perform at the new stage at Land O’ Lakes Community Park.

Graves said Richard Corcoran, now Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, played a critical role in securing the state’s Division of Cultural Affairs grant for the stage.

But, during the Aug. 16 groundbreaking ceremony for the stage, Corcoran credited Graves for her passionate persistence.

“Sandy — she just dogged it, day in and day out,” Corcoran said. “The perseverance is something I’ve never seen.”

Gadd played a leadership role in securing help from business partners — in the form of donated or at-cost goods or services — to complete the project within budget.

Now that the stage is complete, Hurley is excited about the potential.

“We have a venue now, where people can come for movies, or for concerts. The school is right across the field now. The school is going to use this for their productions.

“It is truly a community place where people can enjoy the arts of all kinds,” Hurley said. “Twenty people can use this, or 500,” she said. “It’s just another welcome addition to our community.”

Susan MacManus, a long-time supporter of the project, was at the party, too.

“There’s nothing like a community park to bring people together, neighbor to neighbor, business to business. It’s a good thing,” MacManus said.

Graves is thrilled by the project’s completion.

“It’s surreal. So many years, I toted that picture (of the potential stage) around,” Graves said.

The project exceeded her expectations, she said.

“It’s beautiful,” Graves said.

Now, she’s looking forward to schools using the stage for concerts and to the venue being used for other community events.

Anyone who wants to book the venue should get in touch with the parks department for information, Graves said.

Community and business partners
These people and organizations played a supporting role in bringing the Land O’ Lakes Community Stage project to life:

  • Peter Gottschalk, architect
  • Coastal Design Consultants, Paul Manuel
  • Walbridge, Richard Marshall, Tim Sewell, Mary Layton
  • DC Johnson & Associates Inc., Dan Johnson and Andy Getz
  • Copperstone Executive Suites, Mary Lynn and Gary Gorsline
  • Ervin Bishop Construction Inc., Sonny Bishop
  • Schaer Development of Central Florida, Skip Schaer
  • RIPA and Associates, Frank Ripa
  • Quality Roofing Inc., Rick Jenkins
  • JN Electric of Tampa Bay, John Narcisi
  • PSI Investigation
  • Driggers Engineering Services Inc.
  • Lowe’s Home Improvement
  • Accurate Signs on Time, Amy Daigrepont-Calkowski

Published July 12, 2017

Land O’ Lakes gets a bus circulator route

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Local buses will begin making stops along the first circulator route to serve Land O’ Lakes.

For the first week, from May 22 to May 27, rides will be free.

A ribbon cutting ceremony at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park at 5104 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., will take place May 18 at 9 a.m. Ceremonies will be in the pavilion by the southwest corner of the parking lot.

Riders can try out the first Land O’ Lakes circulator route for free, from May 22 through May 27.
(Courtesy of Pasco County)

Buses will run hourly, but service to a few stops, such as the Florida Hospital at Connerton and the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center, will be intermittent.

The route will circulate from County Line Road to Central Boulevard, and will follow State Road 54 to Collier Parkway. Passengers can transfer to the Pasco County Public Transit buses on Route 54 to reach other parts of the county.

Pasco County commissioners are committed to a strong transportation system that connects people with government agencies, parks, schools, shopping and jobs, said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, in a press release from the county.

“The new Route 41 is another example of that commitment,” Moore said.

Stops along the way will include Walmart, the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, the post office and Land O’ Lakes High School. A stop at the Target Super Store on North Dale Mabry Highway will allow passengers to transfer to buses operated by the Hillsborough County Area Regional Transit system, known as HART.

The Land O’ Lakes circular route is the third new route in 2017. Estimated costs were about $300,000 for annual operating costs, and a one-time purchase of a bus for about $110,000.

Two other new routes along State Road 54 and in the Moon Lake area of New Port Richey already are operating.

Published May 17, 2017

Heritage Park Foundation plans reorganization

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The Heritage Park Foundation — the primary mover behind the construction of a stage at Land O’ Lakes Community Park — is hosting a reorganizational meeting on Feb. 1 at 6 p.m.

The foundation has been involved with the park and community center for years.

This sign announces that a stage soon will be available for festivities in Land O’ Lakes. It is being built at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.
(B.C. Manion)

It has hosted family events in the past and brought attention to the Pasco County Commission about needs at the community center.

In recent years, the park has been renovated. A stage also will be added — through a partnership involving the foundation, Pasco County, Pasco County Schools, the state of Florida and local businesses.

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a spring music festival, and several other groups have expressed using the park for future events.

The Feb. 1 meeting will feature Brian Taylor, of the county’s Parks and Recreation Department, who will discuss new ideas for “Friends of the Park” organizations throughout Pasco County.

The meeting will be at the community center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Anyone interested in the park or community center, or activities at those facilities, is invited to attend.

Published January 25, 2017

Setting the stage for community gatherings

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Someday when the crowds gather to enjoy a school recital, or attend a concert, or watch a play — the stage at Land O’ Lakes Community Park will just be a fixture, a venue for events.

But last week, the yet-to-be built stage was the star of the show.

Elected leaders, government workers, business partners and community activists join together to toss dirt signifying the groundbreaking for a stage to be built at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)
Elected leaders, government workers, business partners and community activists join together to toss dirt signifying the groundbreaking for a stage to be built at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

That’s when local politicians, community activists and interested residents gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking for the stage, which will be built on a grassy area west of the park’s fenced-in ball field.

The ceremony signaled the end of a quest for a stage that began decades ago.

The construction of the stage follows a $2.3 million project to breathe new life and expand amenities at Land O’ Lakes Community Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Construction of the stage is expected to begin in October and to be completed by January.

The idea for a stage was nothing new, but funding for it was elusive.

Everything finally came together, in what Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore described as a “public, public, public, private, private, private, private, private, private partnership.”

By all accounts, it took a $250,000 grant from the state, the cooperation of local governments, the generosity of local partnerships and the involvement of community activists to make the vision a reality.

And, of course, there was Sandy Graves.

“I can tell you that this doesn’t exist but for Sandy Graves,” said Richard Corcoran, Speaker-designate of the Florida House of Representatives.

Corcoran helped secure the grant from the state’s Division of Cultural Affairs for the stage, but he credited Graves’ passion for making it happen.

“Sandy — she just dogged it, day in and day out,” Corcoran said. “The perseverance is something I’ve never seen.”

Sandy Graves, a native of Land O’ Lakes, has been pushing for years to get a stage built at Land O’ Lakes Community Park. She envisions all sorts of gatherings to draw the community together. Construction is set to start in October.
Sandy Graves, a native of Land O’ Lakes, has been pushing for years to get a stage built at Land O’ Lakes Community Park. She envisions all sorts of gatherings to draw the community together. Construction is set to start in October.

Corcoran said Graves told him: “I want to bring to my community something that’s great, something that’s beautiful, and where children can learn about arts and culture, and have this great asset to the community,” he said.

“I’m pretty conservative — but if there’s ever a project that belongs in a budget, it’s when it’s an individual who is fighting for something beautiful for her community. She doesn’t have a lobbyist. She doesn’t have power. She doesn’t have any of that stuff, but a heart, and a passion and a vision,” Corcoran said.

Graves, who declares herself a proud “Laker,” said anyone who has ever met her knows within a couple of minutes that she’s a native of Land O’ Lakes.

It’s a place that’s known for its community spirit, she said, pointing to the Land O’ Lakes Community Park as a prime example.

“It was built in the 1960s, after fish fries and donations, from loads of Lakers,” she said.

“This was before the county had a parks and recreation department, and before red tape was invented.

“So, in keeping with that tradition, Heritage Park (Foundation) was created,” she said.

The foundation has aimed to keep the park alive and has dreamed of adding a stage that could serve as a focal point for community events.

“Heritage Park Foundation has a motto: Building a better community by building a better community center,” she said.

The construction of the stage is the result of many, many people who have come together to help make it happen, Graves said. She named off dozens of people and organizations that have been involved through the years. She also remembered those who help carry the torch, but have since passed on.

“I want to thank the members of our organization (Heritage Park Foundation) that are not here today,” she said. “We hope they’re smiling down on us and saying, ‘Job well done.’”

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, also took to the podium to thank the business partners who are either providing their services for free, or at cost, in order to bring the project in within budget.

The result will make a difference, said school board chairwoman Joanne Hurley, who recalled selling turkey legs at the Flapjack Festival years ago, to help raise money for a stage.

Hurley praised the partnerships that came together to make the vision a reality. She expects generations of people to enjoy events at the park.

The stage will be used for plays, recitals, concerts, pageants and other presentations, Moore said.

“This stage is actually going to be a cornerstone of future cultural events here in Land O’ Lakes,” Moore said.

Recognitions galore!
The list of people, companies and organizations that had a hand in bringing the stage project to life at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park is long.

These are the people and organizations that got a mention during speakers’ remarks at the stage’s groundbreaking on Aug. 16:

  • Members of the Heritage Park Foundation, especially Kurt Conover, Tim Hayes, Lee Cannon, John Mitchell and Joanne Hurley, and newer members Terri Dusek, Helen Rodriguez and Stefanie Bracciale. Also, members of the foundation who have passed way.
  • Longtime supporters: The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, the GFWC Lutz Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, the past Land O’ Lakes Rotary, Lonnie and Bobby Piper, Susan MacManus, Hungry Harry’s, Keystone Community Church and the Candlewood Community Church
  • School bands and choirs that performed in the park, with the hopes that one day there would be a stage to showcase their talent.
  • Pasco County Schools
  • Pasco County
  • Pasco County Parks and Recreation
  • Humberto Gonzalez, Rick Buckman, Brian Taylor, Mike Walcott and A.J. Fernandez
  • Richard Corcoran, speaker-designate for the Florida House of Representatives
  • Sandy Graves
  • Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools
  • Peter Gottschalk, architect
  • Coastal Design Consultants, Paul Manuel
  • Walbridge, Richard Marshall, Tim Sewell, Mary Layton
  • DC Johnson & Associates Inc., Dan Johnson and Andy Getz
  • Copperstone Executive Suites, Mary Lynn and Gary Gorsline
  • Ervin Bishop Construction Inc., Sonny Bishop
  • Schaer Development of Central Florida, Skip Schaer
  • RIPA and Associates, Frank Ripa
  • Quality Roofing Inc., Rick Jenkins
  • JN Electric of Tampa Bay, John Narcisi
  • Door and Hardware Openings Inc., Mike Gonzalez
  • Accurate Signs on Time, Amy Daigrepont-Calkowski

Published August 24, 2016

Setting the stage for community gatherings

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A groundbreaking ceremony is set for Aug. 16 for a stage to be built at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

“It’s been a long wait, but we’re very excited,” said Sandy Graves, of the Heritage Park Foundation, who has played a leading role in helping to bring the vision to life.

“It was (state Rep.) Richard Corcoran, working with the governor, to get our cultural affairs money, to help us do the stage,” Graves said.

“I’m also grateful to the school board and Ray Gadd (Pasco County Schools deputy superintendent) for taking the lead for helping us get together community participation, with different builders and suppliers that helped us do it for the amount of money that we had,” Graves added.

There have been some changes to the design of a stage planned for the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, since this original rendering was drawn. But, the overall appearance will be very similar, said John Petrashek, director of construction services for Pasco County Schools. One big difference, though, is that plans now call for a copper-colored roof. (File Photo)
There have been some changes to the design of a stage planned for the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, since this original rendering was drawn. But, the overall appearance will be very similar, said John Petrashek, director of construction services for Pasco County Schools. One big difference, though, is that plans now call for a copper-colored roof.
(File Photo)

There has been “a great, great response from the community,” said John Petrashek, director of construction services for Pasco County Schools.

“The architect, Peter Gottschalk, is doing this gratis. He’s a local Land O’ Lakes architect. Coastal Design is doing the civil design. They’re doing that pro bono.

“People have really stepped up,” Petrashek said.

Other companies have stepped up to provide free labor and materials at cost, Petrashek noted.

The roof on the stage has been upgraded to a copper-colored roof, he added.

“We wanted it to stand out,” Graves said. “Mary Lynn and Gary Gorsline of Copperstone (Executive Suites) donated $1,600 because we wanted a copper-color roof on it.”

The beginning of construction will signal a major milestone in the quest to give the community a place to gather, Graves said.

Over the years, foundation members sold turkey legs at the community’s Flapjack Festivals, sold coffee at the opening of the Suncoast Parkway, sold water at a balloon festival at Starkey Park, and sold doughnuts and coffee at the Central Pasco Chamber’s community expos.

The biggest boost for the project came last year when the governor approved a $250,000 grant from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs.

It took three governors to finally get the state’s support, Graves has noted in previous interviews. Gov. Jeb Bush and Gov. Charlie Crist both said no before Scott said yes.

The contract between Pasco County and the state Division of Cultural Affairs calls for the construction to be completed by June of 2017.

The completion can’t come too soon, Graves said, noting some of the people who have been pushing for the stage, sadly, have passed away and won’t be able to see it come to fruition.

Graves envisions plays, concerts and other events at the stage once it’s done.

“I know it’s going to be used well, in the community. We’re just making this park a very, very special park,” she said.

Groundbreaking for Land O’ Lakes community stage:
Aug. 16 at 8 a.m.
Land O’ Lakes Community Center, picnic pavilion, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Published August 3, 2016

Easy Business Software wins regional award

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A  company that was born out of the necessity to help a sick 2-year-old in the family recently won third place in Bright House Networks Regional Business Awards.

This recognition comes in addition to the Land O’ Lakes’ company’s top honors in Business Technology from the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., last year, and its recent placement on the semifinalist list in the statewide Florida Companies to Watch program.

From left, Gary Gorsline, his wife, Mary Lynn, and their daughter, Leana, are shown during a Bright House Networks Regional Business Awards celebration. Their company, Easy Business Solutions, captured third place honors. (Courtesy of Gary Gorsline)
From left, Gary Gorsline, his wife, Mary Lynn, and their daughter, Leana, are shown during a Bright House Networks Regional Business Awards celebration. Their company, Easy Business Software, captured third place honors.
(Courtesy of Gary Gorsline)

Gary Gorsline is CEO, and his wife, Mary Lynn, is vice president of the company called Easy Business Software.

The software product that the company is known best for was inspired by their daughter Chelsea’s illness.

She was born with skin allergies that were so severe that they were life-threatening, Mary Lynn said.

As a result, the young girl’s medical chart was loaded with information, Mary Lynn said.

But, one day, when she took her daughter to the doctor’s office, the chart was flat — the records had been misplaced.

In addition to dealing with the missing information, Mary Lynn found herself feeling frustrated as she constantly repeated the story about her daughter’s illness to about 40 different doctors. She was worried she might give doctors inaccurate information, as the family pursued an effective treatment for Chelsea.

Mary Lynn said she turned to Gary to see if he could use his technology know-how to figure out a way that the information could be shared.

Gary, who developed an expertise in computer programming while working for the government, took on the challenge.

The goal of interoperability is to connect different clinical and health care IT systems, so they can exchange and use a patient’s medical history to create better care at lower costs, he said.

The result of his efforts was X-link Medical Software, an interfacing technology that pulls systems and data together. X-link provides the capability to bi-directionally exchange data.

Easy Business Software, which goes by EBS for short, also provides consulting services to health care organizations.

That information can help the providers reduce costs and improve patient care, Gary said.

Leana Gorsline, director of business development, said the company’s prospects are bright, as both medical technology and health care gain greater public attention.

Gary said he sees enormous potential for the collection and analysis of data to lead to improved health care.

“The connectivity that we dreamed of so many years ago is finally on the verge of mass adoption,” he said.

Gary and Mary Lynn, who live in Lutz, also are the owners of Copperstone Executive Suites, a Land O’ Lakes office complex, at 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

The office complex has full-time tenants, part-time tenants, and a room that can be rented for luncheons, business meetings, parties, church services or other events. The Laker/Lutz News is among the companies leasing space at Copperstone.

Gary is the president of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers, Suncoast Chapter and serves on a number of advisory boards.

Mary Lynn has been actively involved in the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce for years, and also serves on the Heritage Park Foundation, an organization that is working to get a stage for the arts built at Land O’ Lakes Community Park.

Published February 24, 2016

Editor Note: The name of the company was incorrect in the print edition on 2/24/2016. The correct company name is Easy Business Software.

2015 marked by growth, loss, compassion

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New construction captured many headlines during the year 2015 in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

But, so did traffic issues and changes happening in area schools.

Other news chronicled setbacks and tragic losses. But, there were inspiring stories, too.

Tampa Premium Outlets, a 441,000-square-foot mall with 100-plus designer brand shops, opened in October off State Road 56, near the Interstate 75 interchange.

Saint Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio held a dedication ceremony in February, to celebrate the school’s new brick classroom building. (File Photos)
Saint Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio held a dedication ceremony in February, to celebrate the school’s new brick classroom building.
(File Photos)

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel embarked upon a $78 million expansion project – 2 ½ years ahead of schedule — to add 112,000 square feet and renovate 11,000.

Florida Hospital Center Ice, a new 150,000-square-foot sports facility, broke ground on Feb. 24. It will have an Olympic-sized hockey rink, four other rinks and the ability to accommodate other sports.

Lutz and Land O’ Lakes also saw their share of growth.

New homes and apartments are popping up along the State Road 54 corridor and along portions of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.

A Lowe’s home improvement store opened on State Road 54, the Land O’ Lakes Community Park underwent a $2.3 million upgrade, and a new Pasco County Utilities Administration building opened off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, also known as U.S. 41.

Just outside Dade City, an aerial adventure park, known as Tree Hoppers, began operation, and a number of new businesses have settled into the downtown historic district.

Of course, the new development has added to the area’s traffic jams, which won’t be resolved in the short term.

But, there are efforts being made to address the issue.

The Florida Department of Transportation is exploring solutions to address traffic flow at U.S. 41 and State Road 54. There are efforts to extend State Road 56 between Meadow Pointe and Zephyrhills, and, construction work continues at the I-75 and State Road 52 interchange.

On the education scene, there was a changing of the guard in top leadership at Saint Leo University, just outside Dade City. Dr. Arthur Kirk retired, and Dr. William J. Lennox Jr. assumed the top post.

Pasco-Hernando State College also has a new president, with Dr. Timothy Beard being named to the post after the retirement of Dr. Katherine Johnson.

This photo, taken in the 2014-2015 school year, gives an idea of the crowding that Wiregrass Ranch High was experiencing before it went to a 10-period school day. The school went to a staggered schedule this school year, to reduce the impacts of crowding.
This photo, taken in the 2014-2015 school year, gives an idea of the crowding that Wiregrass Ranch High was experiencing before it went to a 10-period school day. The school went to a staggered schedule this school year, to reduce the impacts of crowding.

The state college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch also hit a milestone, announcing that it would be surpassing the 3,000-student enrollment mark.

On another front, Sanders Memorial Elementary School reopened in Land O’ Lakes, as Pasco County Schools’ first magnet school. It is a STEAM school, with a curriculum that focuses on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.

Pine View Middle School also launched an effort to become the public school district’s first International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme.

And, Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel began operating on a 10-period school day, to reduce the number of students on campus at the same time.

A more permanent solution to Wiregrass Ranch’s overcrowding is expected to occur when the district opens a new school for grades six through 12 that is being constructed on Old Pasco Road.

In another change, the district adopted new boundaries for a new elementary school in Wesley Chapel, off Mansfield Boulevard, which is scheduled to open next fall.

The new school will relieve significant overcrowding at Seven Oaks Elementary. The boundary shifts, which were controversial, will increase enrollment at Denham Oaks Elementary in Lutz.

In other school news, St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lutz opened the Saint Paul II Youth Center and opened a new elementary school to house Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School.

Saint Anthony Catholic School also marked a milestone — dedicating a new brick classroom building in February.

While much of the news in 2015 was about progress and new beginnings, not all of the news was positive.

For instance, the GFWC Lutz Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club was forced to cancel its 36th annual arts and crafts show, because a sinkhole developed at Lake Park.

Chairman Ted Schrader, holding scissors, slices through the ribbon, as he and other dignitaries celebrated the opening of the Utilities Administration Building.
Chairman Ted Schrader, holding scissors, slices through the ribbon, as he and other dignitaries celebrated the opening of the Utilities Administration Building.

The annual two-day event, which has drawn about 30,000 shoppers a year, was the club’s biggest fundraiser. So, besides disappointing shoppers and about 300 vendors, the cancellation also will reduce the club’s ability to help scores of community organizations and charities.

The year also was marked by the passing of Land O’ Lakes cross country coach Kris Keppel and Laura Hauser, a former non-instructional employee of the year, who worked at Wesley Chapel Elementary before she became too ill to work. Both lost battles with cancer. And, car accidents claimed the lives of Pasco High student Jordan Ivie and Wesley Chapel High.

These deaths inspired demonstrations of respect, generosity, compassion and kindness — to help those grieving their loss.

In another show of support, the community of San Antonio rallied to hold a benefit for Lewis and Diane Riggleman, whose home was destroyed by fire.

Other uplifting moments involved Suellen Smith, the cafeteria manager at Zephyrhills High, who continues her tradition of collecting and giving away dress shirts, dress pants, gowns and dresses to help outfit young men and women for prom, homecoming, weddings and other special occasions.

Another big moment for 2015 involved Leigh Dittman, a Gaither High student from Lutz.

The 15-year-old recently reached a goal she set when she was 7: To raise $1 million for Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The young woman has a disorder known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease.

During a recent interview, she said she was motivated to raise the money for Shriners because of how giving it has been to her.

“They are such an amazing group of people, and they’ve given me so much, with my life. It seemed like the right thing to do,” Dittman said.

Published December 30, 2015

Land O’ Lakes stage project makes progress

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The Pasco County School Board approved a contract that gives the school district the lead on constructing a stage at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park.

The contract between Pasco County and the state Division of Cultural Affairs calls for the construction to be completed by June of 2017.

The school board’s vote on Dec. 15 approved an agreement between the board and the county for the school district to assume the responsibility for getting the design work, permitting and construction done.

Future performances, by groups such as Pine View Middle School’s band, will take place on a new stage at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, once the new stage is completed. The project must be completed by June 2017, according to an agreement between Pasco County and the Pasco County School Board. The band, shown here, recently performed at Traditions on the Green. (File Photo)
Future performances, by groups such as Pine View Middle School’s band, will take place on a new stage at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, once the new stage is completed. The project must be completed by June 2017, according to an agreement between Pasco County and the Pasco County School Board. The band, shown here, recently performed at Traditions on the Green.
(File Photo)

“The school district is able to make the process a bit faster,” said Sandy Graves, of the Heritage Park Foundation, who played a pivotal role in securing the funding for the stage.

“I am elated that the school board is taking on the project,” Graves said, via email.

The money for the project came from a $250,000 appropriation by the Florida Legislature, following years of lobbying efforts.

The quest for a stage at the park has been nearly 20 years in the making, Graves said, during a previous interview. It took three governors to finally get the state’s support.

Construction of the stage follows the completion of a $2.3 overhaul of Land O’ Lakes Community Park. That improvement included the installation of a Bermuda grass practice field, a Bermuda grass football field and a 300-foot Bermuda grass softball field.

The upgraded park also has a new concession building with restrooms and a meeting room, a maintenance building, open space, two shelters, new parking lots, a new playground and a remodeled patio area. There’s also a four-tenths-of-a-mile walking trail.

Over the years, the Heritage Park Foundation has had all sorts of fundraisers and events to draw attention to its cause.

Foundation members sold turkey legs at the community’s Flapjack Festivals, sold coffee at the opening of the Suncoast Parkway, sold water at a balloon festival at Starkey Park, and sold doughnuts and coffee at the Central Pasco Chamber’s community expos.

They also had events, such as Traditions on the Green and Scarecrows ‘N Stuff, to keep the issue in the public eye.

Both the county and the school district will benefit from the project, by using it for various public and school cultural activities, including music, dance, theater, creative writing, visual arts and other art forms, according to the agreement the school board approved.

Graves envisions the stage as becoming a popular place for people to gather, to have good old-fashioned fun.

Published December 30, 2015