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North Pointe Church

99-year-old says celebration was  her ‘best party’ ever

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The threat of the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) killed Debbie Storts’ original plans for celebrating her mom’s 99-year-old birthday.

The original birthday plans for Evelyn ‘Ev’ Furman’s 99th birthday had to be canceled, so her daughter, Debbie Storts, came up with a Plan B to mark the day. (Courtesy of Debbie Storts)

“Family was supposed to fly down and we were going to go to the Rusty Pelican for a lunch on April 4. So, that was canceled,” Debbie said.

“I was also going to do a luncheon prior to that for her friends and my friends. So, we scratched that, as well,” she added.

Instead of coming to a luncheon, neighbors and friends walked up — or rode by in cars or on bicycles to wish Evelyn “Ev” Furman a wonderful day.

The party, in the Twin Lakes subdivision of Land O’ Lakes, was held on April 9, Ev’s actual birthday. It lasted from 10 a.m. until noon.

There also were people from North Pointe Church in Lutz, and Hand and Foot card-playing friends from the Land O’ Lakes Recreational Complex in Land O’ Lakes.

Some of Debbie’s friends from Pine View Middle were there, too. The middle school was Debbie’s last stop before retiring from a 26-year teaching career in Pasco County Schools.

The party attenders kept an appropriate distance — at least 6 feet away — from Ev.

Decorated cars drove by and people walked by to wish Evelyn ‘Ev’ Furman a happy 99th birthday.

Debbie served up cookies and candy, from a 6-foot-long tray.

When people brought presents, Debbie had them leave them at the end of the driveway.

“I let them sit there,” Debbie said, and then after retrieving them, she wiped them down.

“She did quite well. She got a lot of stuff,” Debbie said.

Ev had a ball.

Her first present, she said, “was a beautiful orchid.”

She received about 75 cards, but not all of them came from the party.

“I look through them, and it’s just wonderful to think —  I’m 99 and holding,” Ev said.

“I’ve had a good life,” said the woman, who taught fourth grade for 31 ½ years and loved doing that.

Lots of folks showed up to help Evelyn ‘Ev’ Furman celebrate her 99th birthday.

One highlight from those years was a friendship that began during her very first year of teaching, with a student named Pat Owen, who kept in touch.

“I still hear from her. In fact, her birthday is this Friday, so I’ll be calling her,” Ev said.

Over the years, Eve said she’s enjoyed traveling and has been to such places as Europe, Alaska and the Panama Canal.

She said she’s never experienced anything like the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s very sad. To think, people are out of work and they don’t have money for the food.”

But, Debbie didn’t let the pandemic ruin her mom’s birthday.

Even though Ev’s son, Gary Furman, from Georgia; her daughter, Darlene Conville, from Michigan; and her grandson, Derrick Storts, from Winter Park, couldn’t be there — the birthday girl said she still had a grand time.

Next year, when Ev turns 100, the party will be in a big ballroom, Debbie said.

But, topping this year’s celebration might be a challenge.

“It was the best party I ever had,” Ev said.

Published April 29, 2020

Diane Breinig, left, and her mom, Anna Martindale, came ready with their party horns to help make the day fun.
Debbie Storts delivers goodies to well-wishers who attended her mom’s birthday drive-by and walk-by party. Ev Furman turned 99 this year.

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

A church finds its permanent dwelling place

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North Pointe Church, which has seen much change since forming more than a dozen years ago, finally is getting a permanent home.

The church, which most recently has been meeting at Sunlake High School, plans a soft opening for its new location in early May. It plans a free community getting-to-know-you barbecue on May 20, followed by its official grand opening services on May 21.

The church had its formal groundbreaking on April 10 of last year, in hopes of completing the project in plenty of time for services on Easter.

Senior pastor Steve Wells credits his staff, church members and church supporters for the work that’s been done to get ready to give North Pointe Church its first permanent home in 12 years. From left, church staff members shown here are Lance Courtney, student pastor; Deanna Porter, children’s ministry director; Steve Wells, senior pastor; Leila Povlack, women’s ministry director; Kylie McCracken, communications director; and Chris White, worship leader.
(B.C. Manion)

But, as often happens, construction didn’t go quite as quickly as planned, said Senior Pastor Steve Wells. The requirement to install a 30,000-gallon water tank to provide fire protection for the property caused most of the delay, he said.

The church’s new home, at 19862 Amanda Park Drive, is on a 33-acre site off County Line Road in Lutz.

“We’re finally putting down roots. That’s a big deal for a church that’s been portable for 12 years,” Wells said. “We believe that God is planting us here.”

The church began meeting in 2004, in the auditorium at Wharton High School, as a church planted by Belmont Church of Temple Terrace. It became its own church the following year.

It moved from Wharton to a warehouse space in Land O’ Lakes in 2008, then moved again in 2015 to Sunlake High in Land O’ Lakes, where it is meeting now.

Its membership grew from 40 when it started to 300 now. It draws worshippers from as far west as Odessa, as far east as Zephyrhills, as far north as San Antonio, and as far south as Thonotosassa.

The 12,000-square-foot worship center which is approaching completion doesn’t look like a church — and that’s intentional, Wells said.

The pastor foresees the building being used for all sorts of gatherings, including live performances, corporate recognition parties, team building exercises and so on.

He wants to give people many reasons to enter through the church’s doors.

North Pointe currently has two services on Sundays, which Wells expects to continue. When the time is right, he expects a Saturday service to be added.

All of the services are contemporary, with music provided by highly skilled musicians, the pastor said.

The worship center is able to accommodate 450 people, but there is plenty of room to grow, Wells said.

The church aims to be a place where people can find help with life’s practical challenges, as well as to grow spiritually, Wells said.

In addition to having facilities for private events, the church also plans to offer foster care training, adoption services and adoption counseling, Wells said.

The pastor believes the church’s new location represents a physical manifestation of God’s word in action.

Here’s how the location came about.

In 2008, church members prayed over an 11-acre site, hoping that a door would open for the land to become the location for the church’s first permanent home.

That didn’t happen.

And, while it desired a larger piece of property, the church decided to search for a 3-acre piece because that was in keeping with its finances, Wells said.

As it turns out, another property — directly next to the original piece that they had prayed over — became available.

Although the church was looking to buy a 3-acre piece, the owner said: “Well, I’ll sell you 3 acres for the same price as 33 acres. Decide what you want to do,” Wells said.

That decision was easy, he said.

As Wells surveys the property, he sees enormous possibilities.

He is delighted that the members of North Pointe Church finally will have a home where couples can be married and children can be baptized. The property also provides a place for church picnics and other activities, and will be available for rentals for all sorts of events, Wells said.

Visiting the church property is like taking a step back in time.

Much of the property features Old Florida’s unspoiled beauty, with its ancient oaks and paths shaded by tree canopies.

“You don’t have to go far away to feel like you went far away,” Wells said.

The church plans to take advantage of that natural beauty.

It also intends to provide a trail to encourage both physical and spiritual fitness.

As people walk the trail, they’ll be able to make periodic stops to do fitness — or spiritual — exercises, Wells said.

It’s been a big project, which has benefited from the help of church staff, church members and church supporters, Wells said.

Creating the church’s permanent home has been both daunting and thrilling at the same time, Wells said.

“It’s the most exciting, humbling, overwhelming, intimidating thing I’ve ever been a part of,” the pastor said.

Published April 26, 2017

North Pointe Church to have a home of its own

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There was a time when North Pointe Church prayed over an 11-acre site, hoping that a door would open for the land to become the location for the church’s first permanent home.

That was in 2008.

That prayer wasn’t answered.

Pastor Steve Wells said North Pointe Church’s new site demonstrates God’s word in action. “God’s word says he’ll give you exceedingly more than you ever asked, dreamed or imagined — He’s given us exceedingly more than we could have ever asked, dreamed or imagined.” (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Pastor Steve Wells said North Pointe Church’s new site demonstrates God’s word in action. “God’s word says he’ll give you exceedingly more than you ever asked, dreamed or imagined — He’s given us exceedingly more than we could have ever asked, dreamed or imagined.”
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Instead, another property — three times the size of the parcel the church prayed over — became available in 2015.

And, it’s in essentially the same spot, just facing the other direction, said North Pointe’s Pastor Steve Wells.

The incredible thing was that the church had been hoping for at least 10 acres to plant its permanent home, but then decided that a 3-acre site was probably more feasible, given its finances.

When it learned about the 33-acre property where it’s planning to build, it simply was seeking to buy a few acres, Wells said.

The owner told the church it could buy a few acres, or all 33, for the same price.

Wells saw the hand of God in that transaction.

“God’s word says he’ll give you exceedingly more than you ever asked, dreamed or imagined — He’s given us exceedingly more than we could have ever asked, dreamed or imagined,” Wells said.

On April 10, the church celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction on a 12,000-square-foot structure that will serve as the church’s first permanent worship center.

The site is off County Line Road and Amanda Park Drive, in Lutz.

Plans for the first phase include a 12,000-plus-square-foot worship center, with gathering areas, administrative offices and spacious natural places on the property. The goal is to open the new sanctuary by late December or early January.

Wells is excited about the church finally having a home of its own.

Members of North Pointe Church enthusiastically toss dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony for the church’s first permanent home. (Photos courtesy of Northpointe Church)
Members of North Pointe Church enthusiastically toss dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony for the church’s first permanent home.
(Photos courtesy of North Pointe Church)

North Pointe had its first meeting in 2004 in the auditorium of Wharton High School, as a church planted by Belmont Church of Temple Terrace. The following year, North Pointe became its own church, Wells said.

In 2008, it moved from Wharton to a warehouse space in Land O’ Lakes, and then it moved again, in 2015, to Sunlake High School in Land O’ Lakes.

The church has grown from 40 members to more than 300, Wells said. It draws members from as far west as Odessa, as far east as Zephyrhills, as far north as San Antonio and as far south as Thonotosassa.

Because its members come from numerous communities, the church was delighted when it found a location that’s so centrally located, Wells said.

North Pointe aims to be a church that helps people deal with life’s practical challenges, and encourages them to grow spiritually.

North Pointe Church’s new building is deliberately designed to allow a variety of uses within the building, says Pastor Steve Wells.
North Pointe Church’s new building is deliberately designed to allow a variety of uses within the building, says Pastor Steve Wells.

“A church is a place for you to find hope and freedom in Christ,” Wells said. “But, what we realize is that people aren’t looking for hope and freedom in Christ — people are looking for help and healing. And so, what we want to be able to do is offer programs in our community that offer help and healing, in hopes of being able to introduce them to hope and freedom.

“People face impossible situations all of the time. Our Bible teaches us, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’ which means, the impossible is possible through Christ.

The church aims to help people with everything from marriage counseling, to weight loss, to addiction recovery, to budgeting.

“People want to learn to quit smoking, or stop drinking. Countless families in our church are going through foster and adoption processes,” he said. “We want to be an advocate of foster care and adoptive care.”

Hard hats, shovels and an earth mover signify a big day for North Pointe Church in Lutz.
Hard hats, shovels and an earth mover signify a big day for North Pointe Church in Lutz.

Eventually, the church wants to build a second structure that will house its various programs aimed at helping people address practical challenges in life.

“We all struggle with stuff. We believe that when you add God to the equation, the practical problems that you’re facing really become something that you can navigate,” Wells said.

Besides providing worship and other church services, Wells envisions the church as being a place that will attract a variety of other uses, such as live theatre productions, awards ceremonies and corporate events.

“It’s going to be a picture-perfect place to get married,” Wells added.

The pastor is excited by the possibilities that having a permanent church home presents.

“Buildings don’t change lives. It’s what goes on inside,” Wells said.

“Although this (groundbreaking) is a great celebration, it’s not a finish line.”

“Really, it’s a starting line moment,” Wells said.

North Pointe Church meets on Sundays, at 9:15 a.m. and 11 a.m., at Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O Lakes. For more information, visit NorthPointeFl.org.

Published April 13, 2016