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Pat Serio

Charities hit hard

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It was a gorgeous day on March 7, as patrons streamed into the annual Fabulous Flea Market  hosted by the GFWC Lutz Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, at the Old Lutz School.

Crowds were lined up on both sides of the school, on U.S. 41, waiting for the sale to start.

Elaine Pittman, affectionately known as “The Plant Lady,” said she sold more plants in a single day than on all but one other day during numerous years she’s sold plants at the market.

Woman’s Club member Elaine Pittman, also known as The Plant Lady, sells plants that she’s nurtured, to raise money to support Christian Social Services, which has a thrift store and food pantry. (B.C. Manion)

But, her plans to sell additional plants at the Spring Market, hosted by Citizens for the Old Lutz School, were dashed when the event was canceled because of concerns about the potential spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

Like a switch had been flipped, cancellations started happening all over.

The Taste of North Tampa Bay, The Land O’ Lakes Music Festival, The Jelly Bean Fling and numerous other events have been called off.

In the words of Pat Serio, who sits on the board of directors for the GFWC Lutz Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club: “Everything has completely shut down.

“I’m co-editor of the newsletter, and we cancelled our newsletter because frankly we had nothing to report because all of our calendar events for the next month would have to be listed as TBD (to be determined).”

Besides erasing opportunities for family fun and giving vendors a chance to make money — the cancellations have ripple effects.

Proceeds from Pittman’s plant sales, for instance, help to support Christian Social Services. That organization operates a food pantry within its thrift store, at 5514 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

The GFWC Lutz Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club and scores of other civic groups rely on fundraising efforts to help others. The woman’s club supports roughly 100 local organizations and charitable causes, Serio said.

The Spring Market and Fall Market are the fundraisers held each year to support upkeep of the Old Lutz School, said Stephanie Ensor, a member of Citizens for the Old Lutz School Building.

Besides raising money, the events help acquaint the community with the local historic landmark where generations of Lutz residents went to school.

Thirty-eight vendors had signed for the market. Proceeds from the event were intended to help pay for needed repairs because of termite damage.

Doors need to be replaced, Ensor said.

“The windows are rotting,” she added. “They are so expensive, we can only replace a couple at a time.”

Food pantries are feeling the pinch, too.

Robin Granger, of Life Church in Wesley Chapel, operates a food pantry and a weekly community lunch.

“The problem is, the stores that we get donations from, they don’t have very much,” Granger said.

“Typically, we pick up food from Costco three days a week and we have not gotten hardly anything at all,” she said.

Meanwhile, she said, “I know that folks that are under-resourced are really struggling.

“We did an emergency box for a single mom a couple of days ago. She worked at one of the local restaurants as a server, but they cut her hours. When they cut her hours, she was trying to get back on food stamps, but that’s a process. Meantime, she doesn’t have enough food for her kids,” Granger said.

“We’re a little concerned about having enough food for all of the folks that we serve.

“During this whole week, we’ve had emergency boxes of food going out.”

Concerns about the economic and health crisis prompted by COVID-19 are stressing people out, Granger said.

“There tends to be a lot of folks who are a little bit scared.

“I lead the single moms group at the church. Being a single mom and not having income is really, really frightening,” Granger said.

Published April 1, 2020

Marilyn Wannamaker leaves a legacy of service

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She was a fixture for years at Independence Day celebrations in Lutz, overseeing the annual Cake Bake Contest.

She was a regular, too,  at the Christmas House at the Old Lutz School, serving up hot chocolate and doling out cookies.

But, those are just a couple of the many, many ways that Marilyn Wannamaker served the community of Lutz.

Marilyn Wannamaker was known for her steadfast service to the community of Lutz, and her kind, caring ways. (Courtesy of Pat Serio)

She was deeply involved in the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, occupying nearly every office, including president for two terms.

She was devoted to helping young girls develop a heart for community work, as well as leadership skills, through her role as adviser to the Little Women of Lutz.

Marilyn Wannamaker’s life was remembered on Feb. 23, during a Memorial Eucharist at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church in Tampa.

During the religious ceremony, she was eulogized by her sons, Mark and Scott Peterson; and by Annette Bellinger, a first vice president of the Woman’s Club, and Jane Mason, current adviser for the Little Women of Lutz. Her son, Mark, also shared some thoughts provided by his wife, Val Peterson.

Bellinger recalls feeling a little bit intimidated when she met Wannamaker, who was president of the woman’s club at the time — and had total command of club protocol.

But, Bellinger said her initial concerns were quickly erased, as she witnessed Wannamaker’s incredible warmth.

Wannamaker paid attention to people, and became aware of not only details in their lives, but in their loved ones’ lives, as well, Bellinger said.

Wannamaker led by example.

“She was always willing to work,” Bellinger said. “Even when she didn’t feel that great, she still turned up.”

Mason, who now works with The Little Women of Lutz, recalled Wannamaker’s passion for that group.

During Wannamaker’s tenure as its advisor, The Little Women of Lutz cooked dinner at the Ronald McDonald House, helped at the Lutz Branch Library, kept a stretch of road clear of trash; and helped a family at Christmas, and performed other acts of community service.

Working with the girls was a source of joy to Wannamaker.

“To me it’s wonderful to watch them grow and develop into wonderful young women,” she told The Laker/Lutz News, in a feature story about the group.

Wannamaker’s sons — Mark and Scott — were unabashed in expressing their affection at her memorial.

“Mom never missed an event,” Mark said. “She graded our homework.

“She was our life coach.

We have so many fond memories of our mom,” he said.

“Our mom volunteered for everything,” Mark added.

Over the years, she was active on the board of the Lutz Volunteer Fire Department, held the honorary title of Lutz Guv’na, was head of the St. Clement’s Altar Guild, and was a Salvation Army bell ringer, among other things.

Mark said her calendar was so crowded that he would have to call her weeks in advance to get a date to take her out to dinner.

He wasn’t complaining: He was proud.

Her son, Scott, said his mom was a good sport.

When he was playing Little League baseball, she’d put on a glove to go outside to play catch with him. And, she stepped up to become the official scorekeeper.

“She had immaculate penmanship,” he marveled.

She encouraged his love of music, even to the point of allowing his bands to practice at their house.

“I don’t know how many times that poor woman had to hear ‘Gloria,’” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Wannamaker enjoyed traveling and had the chance to visit such places as Scotland, Australia and the Far East.

She enjoyed those trips, but she was always happy to return to Lutz, where she spent much of her time and energy working to improve community life.

After the service, her friend Pat Serio, another member of the Woman’s Club, described Wannamaker as “a very, very involved friend, and a dear, caring person.

“Marilyn will definitely leave a large void in my life, as well as in our club and the Lutz community,” Serio said.

Wannamaker was always thinking of others, even to the end, her sons said.

One of her final requests was that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Little Women of Lutz, c/o Lutz Land O’ Lakes Women’s Club, P.O. Box 656, Lutz, Florida 33548-0656.

Published February 27, 2019

Treasure-seekers may discover hidden gems at Lutz Flea Market

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Elaine Pittman is looking forward to the annual flea market at the Old Lutz School.

She’s a staple at the annual event, hosted by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.

With her handy magnifying glass, Roseanne Lange carefully analyzes donated jewelry items before deciding a price for them. Lange is one of the volunteers from the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club getting ready for the annual flea market, which will be March 1 and March 2 this year. (Brian Fernandes)

Nicknamed the ‘Plant Lady,’ Pittman will have her signature booth displaying an array of plants and flowers outside.

“Plants have always been my hobby,” the 87-year-old explained. “I had my first garden bed when I was about 11 years old living on Long Island.”

Over the years, she has sold African violets, Christmas cactus, amaryllis and kalanchoes plants of different sorts.

Not far from Pittman’s booth will be the woman’s club ‘juniorettes.’

The teenage girls will be selling baked goods to satisfy hungry patrons.

Rooms throughout the school have been stocked with various goods. Each room has its own theme.

One room displays racks of clothes organized by size, while others offer jewelry,

chinaware and electronic appliances, among others.

Outside, there will be tents showcasing furniture, handbags, shoes, toys and seasonal decors.

Pat Serio, another club member, said “you can’t beat our prices.”

Plus, she noted: “Everything is carefully cleaned, organized and well-priced.”

The club is still accepting donations to help raise money to benefit the woman’s club scholarship program and other local causes. The money that Pittman raises through plant sales is used to benefit Christian Social Services, which, among other things, helps feed the hungry.

Donors who have items they’d like to contribute to the flea market are welcome to drop off items at the school on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. February 27 is the last day to drop off donations.

This year’s flea market will be March 1 and March 2 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Admission and parking will be free to the public.

For additional information, call Annette Bellingar at (813) 482-8183.

Flea Market
Where: Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41, Lutz
When: March 1 and March 2, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: The Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club will sell clothes, furniture, kitchen appliances, toys, dishes and other items. Baked goods and drinks will also be available.
Info: Call Annette Bellingar at (813) 482-8183.

Published February 20, 2019

Honoring the anniversary of September 11

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Flag-wavers held their flags high, as drivers passing by on U.S. 41 honked their horns in support.

The red, white and blue draped with stars has always symbolized America, but on this particular Tuesday, it held a much more significant meaning. It was 17 years to the day of the 9/11 attacks.

Local members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, and other members of the community, stood outside the Old Lutz School, flags in hand, to commemorate the lives lost that horrific day.

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, among others, came out front of the Old Lutz School to hold American flags high in remembrance of 9/11. (Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

They, like others in the country, paused to reflect and show gratitude to heroes past, and those still present.

The events of Sept. 11, 2001 changed the way of life in America.

On that morning, 19 men hijacked four U.S. commercial airplanes, crashing them into the Twin Towers in New York City, the Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  A total of 2,977 people were killed in the attacks orchestrated by al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, according to national reports.

The aftermath left many with long-term effects, both physical and emotional.

“In 2002, we started this because we wanted to remember,” said Pat Serio, coordinator of the event. “We wanted to share our patriotism and support.”

Serio, like others, knows exactly where she was when she first heard of the attacks.

She was at home watching the news when regular broadcasting was interrupted by the flowing smoke from the World Trade Center.

Her initial reaction was: ““It has to be an aviation problem,” she recalled.

Not long after, Serio came to find out that the country was under attack.

“As a (native) New Yorker, I felt the impact,” Serio added.

Dee Knerr, who also took part in the flag-waving tribute, said she was scheduled to fly back to Florida on Sept.11, after visiting family in Ohio.

“I was scheduled to fly home that afternoon, getting ready to go to the airport,” said Knerr. “Of course, all the flights were cancelled.”

After working 40 years at the Lutz Post Office, Knerr is now retired and dedicates her time to the woman’s club.

Besides remembering the lives that were lost on Sept. 11, the tribute was also intended to honor American troops, law enforcement and firefighters.

“They put their lives out there every day for us,” said Knerr. “I want to thank them all from the bottom of my heart.”

Ben Nevel, a member of the Citizens for the Old Lutz School Building, also took part in the tribute.

“We all need to stand together,” said Nevel, a veteran of the Vietnam War.

Another member of the crowd was Linda Mitchell, a Lutz native and retired teacher.

She recalled being conflicted, as the news broke about the terrorist attacks.

She decided not to show the news coverage in her class.

“It was hard being a teacher during that day,” she said. “We wanted to know as citizens what was going on, but we were protecting our students.”

Before retirement, she had the opportunity to teach children who were born after 9/11.

She said there was a stark contrast between how students who lived during the incident perceived it, and those who came after.

The memorial also came as something personal for Mitchell, as both her husband and son serve as Hillsborough County firefighters.

In waving their flags, the men and women gathered in front of the Old Lutz School were reminding those passing by about the need to remember the fallen, and to express gratitude for the men and women who continue to put themselves in harm’s way, whether they are wearing military uniforms, or serving as first responders.

Published September 19, 2018

This flea market — a woman’s club tradition — has bargains galore

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The Old Lutz School, at 18819 N. U.S. 41, was abuzz with activity on Feb. 26, as scores of volunteers prepared for the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club annual flea market.

“It’s our second largest fundraiser of the year,” said Pat Serio, a club member, as she consulted with other club members about where to put various donations.

Pat Serio is holding a cigar box purse that will go for $15. (B.C. Manion)

“It’s always much anticipated by the community because we’ve been doing it for so many years. We started out many decades ago,” Serio added.

“We started out at the Train Depot Park, but we quickly outgrew that, and we’ve been at the Old Lutz School ever since.

“We fill each of the classrooms with items, and we have a larger and larger footprint outdoors, adding tents each year,” she said.

Donations come in from the community and from the woman’s club members.

“We have everything from antiques and collectibles – silver, china, crystal in one special room. We have a home goods room, with kitchenware and décor items. We have a huge selection of beautiful clothing. Ladies, men, children’s clothing.

Club member Jean Palmieri sorts through hardcover books that will be sold for $1 each at the flea market, March 2 and March 3, at the Old Lutz School.

“Outdoors we have florals. We have a little mini-garden center, with artificial flowers and plants. We have toys, baby equipment, sports equipment, tools — something for everybody,” Serio said.

Volunteers were all over the place, getting ready for the sale. They were hanging clothes on racks, putting housewares on shelves, carrying donations inside, or arranging them in tents outside.

Club member Jean Palmieri was helping to sort books.

“We have a huge collection of books. Hardcover books are only $1. Soft covers are a quarter,” Serio noted.

But, those aren’t the only good deal, she added. “We have super bargain prices.”

“All proceeds go back to the community. This is our second-largest fundraiser of the year. Second only to the big arts and crafts show,” Serio continued.

The proceeds support scholarships and provide assistance to a wide assortment of community causes, including schools, libraries, Boy Scouts, and so on.

There will be a food booth, with hot dogs, breakfast items and soft drinks.

And, there will be a plant booth, too.

“The funniest thing is that we club members are our best customers. We donate the bulk of the goods, and we buy the bulk of the goods. We buy each other’s clothing, then next year, these fashions show up in the clothing racks of donations again,” Serio said.

It’s also a great place to catch up with old friends, Serio noted.

Club member Helen Fornino holds a painting and asks Pat Serio, another club member, where the item should go.

“Our women see neighbors and former neighbors. People come back, year after year, even after they’ve moved.

“It’s always the first weekend in March, so they know to anticipate that,” Serio said.

Old-time Lutz residents and former residents also enjoy spending time at the Old Lutz School, Serio noted.

“They reminisce about going to school there. So many people come through and they go, ‘This was my classroom.’

“They get all nostalgic,” Serio said.

Palmieri, who has been a woman’s club member for three years, said she enjoys being involved.

She said she joined because she wanted to help the community.

But, she said, pitching in has rewards of its own.

“It helps me feel good to know that I’m doing something beneficial for other people,” Palmieri said.

GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club annual flea market
Where: Old Lutz School, 18819 N. U.S. 41 in Lutz
When: March 2 and March 3, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Details: Bargain hunters will find plenty of good deals during this market, which features everything from crystal and china to pots and pans. There’s furniture, hardcover books, potted plants and all sorts of other stuff. This is the club’s second-largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds are used to support scholarships and benefit a wide assortment of local community groups.

Published February 28, 2018

Woman’s club offers giant flea market

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Donations are still rolling in for one of the Tampa Bay area’s most popular flea markets.

The annual GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club flea market is scheduled for March 3 and March 4 at the Historic Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41 in Lutz.

Events hours are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., on both days.

The annual GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club flea market is scheduled for March 3 and March 4 at the Historic Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41 in Lutz. The hours both days are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The flea market has been a staple in Lutz for more than 35 years.
(Kevin Weiss)

Club members have been gathering and sorting thousands of donated goods since Feb. 13.

Locals have provided a wide range of items, including household and children’s goods, antiques and collectibles, sports equipment and gardening tools.

Higher-end products, such as silver and crystal, also will be sold at the market.

Clothing items, as usual, are in high supply.

They’ll also be in high demand, said Pat Serio, one of the flea market’s organizers.

“Clothing is so hugely popular, because most items are $1 per piece, with the exception of a few boutique items,” she said.

“People walk out with armfuls,” Serio said.

Many flea market items, Serio said, are in the $1 to $5 range.

Other goods — like children’s toys and crafts — can be had for a quarter.

Shoppers, too, can often find rare “treasures” — like depression-era glasses — at relatively good prices.

“We’re our own best donors. We give the bulk of this stuff, and we solicit all of our friends,” Serio said. “We love donating, and we love shopping.”

The flea market has been a staple in Lutz for more than 35 years, organizers say. It had modest beginnings, with “just a few tables” at the Lutz Train Depot.

In a short time, however, the event outgrew that location.

Now, thousands flock to the Historic Old Lutz School during the two-day run.

It is now the club’s second-largest fundraiser, behind the annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Show each December.

Sales from the flea market go toward the club’s college scholarship fund.

At the end of the event, leftover items will be donated to local organizations, including Goodwill and Salvation Army, local nursing homes, veterans’ charities and local libraries.

Put simply: “Nothing goes to waste,” Serio said.

Besides the woman’s club, groups such as Boy Scout Troop 12 and the University of South Florida’s Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority chapter pitch in to help with the event.

About 80 other volunteers also help, including club members’ husbands and children.

Last year, the flea market was the organization’s primary fundraiser after the arts show was cancelled due to a burgeoning sinkhole in Lake Park.

That led to a budget shortfall — which the organization is still recovering from, Serio said.

Even so, the burden for a banner showing is lesser compared to 2016.

“There isn’t so much stress about how much money we’re going to make to fill the coffers,” Serio said. “But, there’s always stress involved in coordinating, and there’s a lot of chaos involved…”

Still, members find a way to have a fun experience once the flea market commences.

“We all enjoy it,” Serio said.  “We like to think of ourselves as the ‘Chiseler’s North.’”

Karin D’Amico, the club’s president, acknowledged the event takes “a lot of work.” However, the immense community support makes it worthwhile, she said.

“We have carload after carload of people …dropping off stuff,” D’Amico said. “That’s what I think is (special) — the community coming out for us, and you can really feel the support…”

Anyone who wishes to donate items for the flea market still has time. Donations will be accepted until March 1. All donations should be in clean and in working order. Large appliances and sleeper sofas cannot be accepted.

To find out more about making a donation, call (813) 948-4752.

GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club Flea Market
Where: Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41 in Lutz
When: March 3 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and March 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For information, call (813) 948-4752.

Published March 1, 2017

Lutz Arts & Crafts show set for December

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With a new venue in place, the 37th annual GFWC Lutz Arts & Crafts Show promises to be “bigger and better than ever.”

The show — one of the most popular events in Hillsborough County — will be on Dec. 3 and Dec. 4 at Keystone Prep High School, 18105 Gunn Highway in Odessa.

After last year’s show was cancelled due to a sinkhole at Lake Park, the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club scrambled for about three months to find a new permanent venue location.

The club signed a five-year contract with Keystone Prep to hold the festival on the school’s property, which spans over 60 acres.

“We’ve got a lot more room,” said club chairwoman Faith Sincich.

The 37th annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Show will be held on Dec. 3 and Dec. 4 at Keystone Preparatory High School in Odessa. (File Photo)
The 37th annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Show will be held on Dec. 3 and Dec. 4 at Keystone Preparatory High School in Odessa.
(File Photo)

Other possible venues — Land O’ Lakes Community Center and the Florida State Fairgrounds — were also explored.

“Our club really banded together,” said Kay Taylor, art show director. “We have 100 members, and we had people from the whole club check out venues.”

The club is hoping for a “smooth transition” in the show’s first year at Keystone Prep.

“We’re trying to anticipate every single hiccup that can happen,” Sincich said.

The show director agreed.

“We know we have more to address,” Taylor said, “because the county provided things like dumpsters and electricity.”

After the show’s cancellation in 2015, this year’s event may prove to be one of the largest ever.

The club expects to have 355 vendors — about 50 more than two years ago — and anywhere from 30,000 to 40,000 attendees.

“We’ve never been this full at this time,” Taylor said. “We have a lot of new vendors.”

Additionally, existing vendors, Taylor said, will have more distinctive offerings compared to previous shows.

“What they did 10 years ago isn’t what they’re doing today,” Taylor explained. “The crafts are more sophisticated and evolving. It is a perfect place to go Christmas shopping.”

Attendees can expect to see a wide assortment of items, including paintings and photography, jewelry, plants, and various forms of art — metal art, wood art, yard art.

“If it’s a craft, we have it,” Taylor said. “We’ve got some really unique items coming in this year. There’s a guy that makes lamps out of musical instruments.”

There will also be an eclectic offering of soap crafts, club members said.

“One lady makes hers in the shape of desserts, so her display looks like a bakery,” Sincich said. “It’s really a cool display.”

The show’s food offerings have expanded, too.

The club expects 14 food booths, which will be arranged in a U-shape, resembling a makeshift food court.

“We bumped up our food vendors,” Sincich said. “We have a cake vendor coming in, as well as an award-winning barbecue guy.”

The arts & crafts show is the largest yearly fundraiser for the club, which gives back to the community in the form of college scholarships and donations to local charities.

To make up for the shortage of funds triggered by the cancellation of last year’s show, the woman’s club hosted several smaller events and fundraisers throughout the year.

Yet, it wasn’t enough.

Approximately $16,000 was taken out of the club’s scholarship budget as a direct result of the festival’s cancellation.

“It really hit our budget very hard,” said Pat Serio, head of public relations for the woman’s club. “We had to scale everything back. It’s been a very difficult year for fundraising.”

Show vendors, too, “took a hit” by last year’s cancellation.

“This was a big event for them,” Sincich said, “and the vendors are very anxious to be back.”

Described as a “family friendly event,” the annual shindig is a staple for the Lutz community.

“Typically, it is a very nice weekend,” Sincich said. “One thing I like about it is I see a lot of people and friends. It’s like a huge community event…and I’m really happy to welcome Odessa, because I think that’s kind of a similar community. It’ll be fun to incorporate their community with ours.”

What: 37th annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Show
When: Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Keystone Preparatory High School, 18105 Gunn Highway in Odessa
Cost: Free admission to the show, but there will be a $5 parking fee to benefit the school.
For information, call Kay Taylor at (727) 842-8624 or Lois Cohen at (813) 528-1179.

Show Categories (Awards up to $250 in each division)

  • Division I—Painting: Graphics, Drawings, Watercolors, Acrylics
  • Division II—Sculpture: Wood, Clay, etc.
  • Division III—Crafts: Fine, as well as Wood, Jewelry, Wearable Art, etc.
  • Division IV—Photography

Published November 9, 2016

 

Flea Market has ‘banner year’

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A new event layout, plus substantial community support, helped turn the annual GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club’s annual flea market into a hit.

“We had a banner year,” said Pat Serio, co-chairwoman of the flea market. “It did not break a record, but it was a very good year for us, and we wanted to thank the community for really stepping up to our requests for donations, and they certainly came out to shop.”

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club opted to expand the layout of the flea market at the Historic Old Lutz School by adding additional pop-up tents behind the facility.

Additional pop-up tents were added behind the Historic Old Lutz School. The expanded layout helped spread out both the crowd and the merchandise. (Photos courtesy of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club)
Additional pop-up tents were added behind the Historic Old Lutz School. The expanded layout helped spread out both the crowd and the merchandise.
(Photos courtesy of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club)

Serio said the expanded layout, which was former woman’s club president Kay Taylor’s idea, allowed for “better flow of traffic” for flea market shoppers.

“We’ve had a lot of feedback from customers who’ve been coming to our flea market over the past decade, and they loved it because it was expanded,” said Serio, noting they plan on having a similar event layout next year. “We had more than ever in terms of merchandise, and it was spread out, and we were able to display it better as a result.

“It just worked so well. It was very convenient. It just spread the crowd out, too.”

The new tent layout also improved the aesthetics of the popular flea market, which is usually the club’s second-largest fundraiser each year.

“In prior years, we were forced to layer things and stack things, so people sometimes can’t see what is being offered,” Serio said. “This was really very good in terms of staging.”

Serio estimates “somewhere between 1,500 to 2,000 people” visited the flea market, on March 4 and March 5.

Additionally, sales were up from last year’s flea market, Serio said.

The annual GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club Flea Market attracted between 1,500 and 2,000 shoppers for its two-day event. Sales were up over last year’s totals.
The annual GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club Flea Market attracted between 1,500 and 2,000 shoppers for its two-day event. Sales were up over last year’s totals.

“That’s what we always aim to do — have more success than the prior year is always the right direction to be in,” she said.

Serio noted the flea market had a lot of leftover items — enough to fill three trailers for beneficiaries like the Goodwill and Salvation Army.

“Usually, we have two small trailers but, for some reason, Goodwill sent out what I referred to as an 18-wheeler. I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, where are we going to put this?’ But, we put (the trailers) side-by-side. Goodwill came by with a second trailer, and we filled all of it,” Serio explained.

“Due to the nature of the beast, we always have a lot of leftovers. That isn’t indicative of our sales,” she said.

The woman’s club plans to have a board meeting on March 17 to discuss how the organization will divvy up flea market funds for donations and college scholarships.

Serio said the organization will be able to award college scholarships this year, but there will be fewer than last year.

Typically, the organization provides about a dozen of those scholarships, totaling $18,000 to $20,000 in donations each year. However, the cancellation last December of the club’s annual arts and crafts festival put a significant dent in the club’s finances. The arts and crafts festival normally is the club’s biggest fundraiser, so its cancellation has caused the group to shift gears.

“We have to revise and do things quite differently because of this year’s situation,” Serio said.

The club expects to host several small events throughout the year to raise additional funds.

Published March 16, 2016

Arts and crafts festival finds new home

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The GFWC Lutz Arts & Crafts Festival has a new home.

After months of searching, the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club found an ideal fit for the festival at Keystone Prep High School, 18105 Gunn Highway in Odessa.

The festival is slated for the first weekend in December.

The GFWC Lutz Arts & Crafts Festival will take place at Keystone Prep High School on Dec. 3 and Dec. 4 this year. Last year’s festival was cancelled at Lake Park after a sinkhole developed in a road. (File Photo)
The GFWC Lutz Arts & Crafts Festival will take place at Keystone Prep High School on Dec. 3 and Dec. 4 this year. Last year’s festival was cancelled at Lake Park after a sinkhole developed in a road.
(File Photo)

According to woman’s club president Cathy Mathes, the two-day festival will be at Keystone Prep for “the next few years.”

Mathes was particularly impressed by the school’s large property, and the school’s enthusiasm in hosting the event.

“They’re getting the students involved. They have a really involved parent club that’s going to be doing a lot of work, too,” the club president said, noting the festival will be mutually beneficial for fundraising purposes.

Last December, the 36th annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Festival was cancelled at Lake Park due to a sinkhole that was estimated as being around 6 feet wide and 100 feet deep. The club had also encountered some problems with flooding on park roads during previous arts and crafts festivals.

After the cancellation, the woman’s club opted to find a new location to house the popular event, which typically attracts up to 30,000 people.

The festival is the largest yearly fundraiser for the club, which gives back to the community in the form of college scholarships and donations to local charities.

The process of finding a new location was “quite a search,” according to Pat Serio, head of public relations for the woman’s club.

“Finding a new venue is not as easy as it appears,” Serio said. “We can’t just relocate to a (land) parcel. We have to have infrastructure and electricity.”

Serio added it was important to keep the arts and crafts festival near Lutz.

“A lot of people pitched location ideas, but some weren’t practical or weren’t going to work,” Serio said.

“Someone, for instance, suggested the (Florida State) Fairgrounds. We can’t do that; we have to keep it in our area.”

To make up for the dearth of funds caused by cancellation of the festival nearly three months ago, the woman’s club plans to host several smaller events and fundraisers throughout the year.

“We’re trying to take the burden off our club members’ shoulders, because it’s a heavy financial demand on us,” Serio said. “We’re trying to reach our (donation) numbers.”

One new event, titled ‘White Nights,’ is slated for October near the Lutz Branch Library. It will feature music, food and original artwork for sale at reasonable prices.

Published March 2, 2016

 

Woman’s Club scrambles for donations

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The sinkhole that developed at Lake Park in October hasn’t done anyone any favors, especially the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.

The nearly 6-foot-wide, 100-foot-deep sinkhole forced the closure of the park in early December, forcing the cancellation of what would have been the 36th Annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Festival.

The event, which has attracted nearly 30,000 people in recent years, typically provides the club with several thousand dollars to give back to the community in the form of donations to nonprofits and college scholarships for local students.

“We’re really hard-pressed for funds as a result of the event being cancelled,” said Pat Serio, head of public relations for the woman’s club. “It is our largest fundraiser of the year and, as a result, our budget and our treasury is going to seriously suffer.

“Our scholarships in particular (will be affected) because we usually give upwards of $20,000 a year in scholarships, as well as the rest of the money we donate to the library, the Old Lutz School, Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, Relay for Life, veterans’ charities and all that across the board,” Serio said.

The club is currently scrambling to put together some smaller fundraisers while seeking help from local community members to raise funds.

Upcoming events include a Valentine’s Day celebration on Feb. 12 and the club’s annual Flea Market at Old Lutz School on March 7 and March 8. In June, they will partner with Burger 21 for a one-day project, in which a percentage of the restaurant’s sales for that day will go to the club.

“We’re just working on lots of different little things, because it’s really hard to do a huge thing like the (arts & crafts festival) as a startup, so we’re going to be doing a lot of little things for this year,” said Cathy Mathes, president of the woman’s club.

Mathes, who took over as president in December from Kay Taylor, said it was frustrating to have the festival cancelled on such short notice, preventing the organization from having enough time to find a temporary location.

“At some point, we thought they could maybe just put some dirt in it,” Mathes said about the sinkhole. “But, they didn’t know the extent of it, until they did more investigating.”

Mathes added the club plans to find a new permanent location for the arts & crafts festival this December, saying they’ve encountered “other issues at Lake Park,” such as flooding on park roads that vendors and attendees would have to constantly maneuver around.

“It’s time to just find a new location,” Mathes stated. I think we can still have a really good show.”

While nothing has been finalized, the plan is to host the festival at one of the “big schools” in the area.

“I heard someone recently say how they looked forward to going to the festival, and they were disappointed. We’ve had lots of that,” the club president explained. “And, lots of people have asked me, ‘Are you going to do it again?’ and I say, ‘Yes. Yes we are.’”

The closure of Lake Park also has affected Hillsborough County as well. According to Forest Turbiville, the county’s director of conservation and land management, the park generated $119,000 in 2015 through a combination of entry fees, canoe rentals, shelter rentals and other special events.

“Keeping the park closed is going to have an impact,” Turbiville said. “What that impact is right now I’m not sure, but we can probably extrapolate those numbers based on previous years and business that we’ve done from November to December to January.”

Turbiville said the county is still looking into solutions for the sinkhole, with the assistance of Ardaman & Associates, an environmental consulting firm.

“We’ve discussed different ideas as far as filling it, keeping it fenced off,” Turbiville said about the lone sinkhole amidst the park’s nearly 600 acres of land. “I’ve asked our consultant to give me a proposal to take a look at the entire park and give out some kind of assessment…as far as any sinkhole activities, risks and things like that, because we need to make sure the public is safe before we start putting people back in there.

“This whole area has had a history of being quite abundant with sinkholes,” he said.

Being that the park’s land is actually owned by the city of St. Petersburg, Turbiville said he would need to get its approval as well before there’s a remedy for the sinkhole. But, he added: “If we were to do anything out there, I’m sure they would approve it.

“We just need to come to some consensus as far as what the plan is moving forward,” he said. “We’ll lay out a plan looking at the entire park and sinkhole risks, and we’ll have a better timeline on the park reopening, whether that’s going to be a month from now or two months from now.

“My guess is it’s going to be awhile before the park reopens,” Turbiville said.

Published January 20, 2016