The Laker/Lutz News

Mike Camunas

Lutz parade back with a bang

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The excitement is palpable — like waiting for a firework to illuminate the night sky.

The annual Lutz Fourth of July Celebration and Parade is back on. Following a two-year COVID pandemic hiatus, the little town in northern Hillsborough County is ready to celebrate independence, and its citizens, once again.

“We sure hope everyone is excited for it to be back,” said Jennifer Rankin, this year’s parade organizer. “Because everyone (behind the scenes), who are helping and putting it together — that’s all I see, and they’re super excited for it. I also see everyone posting on Facebook or online about their excitement, so we just hope — for all the people involved and who have spent so much time and work to put it together — that everyone is just as excited as we are for it to be back.”
Back in 2020, with the pandemic raging, businesses closed, and severe mask and six-foot rules in effect, organizers deemed it too risky to host the event that’s been going on for more than 75 years. Last year, too many of these hurdles still remained.

The annual Lutz Fourth of July Parade, seen here in 2018, has been on a two-year hiatus due to COVID-related concerns. However, this year’s edition is back on and ready to feature more than 40 floats from local businesses and organizations, the 5K race, the cake contest and the return of the Guv’na announcement. (File)

Now, the parade, the 5K and mile fun run, the cake contest and, of course, the Guv’na Race all are back in full force.

This year’s parade, Rankin said, should feature more than 40 floats. She even expects several new floats, as a popular Fourth of July parade in Brandon was canceled and many from that might join the Lutz parade.

“I know that we’ll get at least seven more floats because I’m one of them that still needs to sign up,” Rankin said with a laugh and referring to her business, Al’s Lawn Care Products and Services.

Rankin herself is most excited for the cake contest to return, as she says the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Women’s Club takes all the cakes and auctions them off to help fund the parade and the nonprofits.

“A lot of people meander off and don’t see the cakes because of the parade,” she added, “but that’s my favorite part of the whole day!”

The parade also will include widely known local organizations, such as the Little Women of Lutz, the Lutz Civic Association, Boy Scout Troop 12 and the North Tampa Lutz Cadet Squadron. Local businesses, churches, law enforcement agencies, schools, military organizations, politicians and more also will be in attendance, several of them with floats coming down Lutz Lake Fern Road and ending at the Lutz Junction Train Depot, in front of Lutz Branch Library.

The annual Lutz Fourth of July Parade ends here at the Lutz Junction Train Depot, at the corner of Lutz Lake Fern Road and U.S. 41. It’s here that the newest Lutz Guv’na will be announced from candidates Atlas Cortecero, David Penzer and Stacee Campbell. (Mike Camunas)

Also back are the candidates for the honorary Lutz Guv’na, one of whom will be replacing current Guv’na Amy Lancaster, who has held “office” for two years now.

Candidates Atlas Cortecero, David Penzer and Stacee Campbell have been hitting the campaign trail hard, looking to raise the most money and earn that coveted Guv’na sash.

“All the candidates have done more events so far than I have ever seen done in past years,” said Rankin, who was the 2015 Guv’na. “I think they are so excited to be around people, to do stuff, and each one of them is having a crazy amount of events and a crazy amount of people turning up for them.

“As a former Guv, I would get down in the dumps if not many people came to one of my fundraisers, but the turnouts (to theirs) have been incredible.”

Rankin said adding the parade back into the mix not only has helped the Guv’na race, but goes back to benefiting those who really matter: local nonprofits and charities.

Which is why she also feels the parade could be one of the best ever.

“You don’t realize how much it hurts (the nonprofits and charities) by not having (the parade and the Guv’na Race) the past two years,” she said. “Because some really need it, like the Old Schoolhouse, which needs new windows and gates, and termite treatment. Or the Civil Air Patrol or the Girl and Boy Scouts. This year all of them could receive more (contributions) than ever, and it’s all because everything that makes Lutz Lutz, is finally back.”

Annual Lutz Fourth of July Parade
Where: Corner of Lutz Lake Fern Road and U.S. 41
When: July 4, with festivities starting at 7:15 a.m., the 5K starting at 8 a.m., and the parade at 10 a.m.
Details: A parade featuring floats, antique cars, fire trucks, sheriff’s patrol cars, local organizations, a cake contest and announcement of the 2022 Lutz Guv’na.
Info: Visit tinyurl.com/ywjx2da4.

Other events

Starkey Market’s Annual Fourth of July Extravaganza
Where: 3460 Starkey Blvd., New Port Richey
When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Details: A family friendly evening of fun, food, fireworks, music. Bring your own chairs and blankets to enjoy a space in the huge open field. Children ages 6 and younger get free admission, and limited tickets are available.
Cost: $10-$25
Info/tickets: Visit tinyurl.com/bdh9vjs7.

Seventh Annual Zephyrhills Summerfest: An Independence Day Celebration
Where: Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave.
When: July 2, noon to 9:30 p.m.
Details: A daylong festival featuring food and drink vendors, local merchants, and fireworks at dark.
Info: Call 727-674-1464.

Fourth of July Celebration at Avalon Park
Where: 33613 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel
When: July 4, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Details: Patriotic bake-off, bike parade, bounce houses, food trucks, community performances, vendors and more, before fireworks at 9 p.m.
Info: Visit AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com, or call 813-783-1515.

Fourth of July Bash!
Where: Plantation Palms, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
When: July 2, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Details: Live music, and food and drink specials, at the neighborhood clubhouse and restaurant, Mulligan’s. Prizes for most patriotic dressed.
Info: Visit Facebook.com/PPgolfclub.

Published June 29, 2022

It’s all in the bag

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As long as the bags are flying, this league will continue to grow.

Chapel’s Baggers Cornhole League founder Jarrett Scheer. (Mike Camunas)

Because for Chapel’s Baggers Cornhole League, it’s all about giving players in Central Pasco a place to play.

“I mean, we only started about six months ago,” league founder and manager Jarrett Scheer, a Wesley Chapel resident, said. “We started with 32 players and now we have more than 60 at a tournament. Weekend tournaments do better, obviously, but the weekday tournaments — people are looking for something to do and go out — and those have great turnouts, as well.”

One very popular feature for this cornhole league is that it’s indoors. Given the heat and the rain, players are liking the competition that doesn’t have them in their backyards, sweating and being attacked by bugs.

“People don’t like the elements to affect their throws, so it’s nice and climate-controlled. The better players like it inside because that’s where they play the really big tournaments: inside,” Scheer added.

Scheer and fellow organizer, Jack Piety, host a weekly tournament, where players can win monetary prizes. Every Wednesday, the league sets up at Double Branch Brewing and Bites, at the Grove at Wesley Chapel. Scheer recognized the need for a cornhole league or group because he was tired of traveling a long way just to play.

“Honestly, (I just had to) get (the) name out there — you go and play tournaments, and you just get going with word of mouth and starting a Facebook group … because there was nothing in the Wesley Chapel or Land O’ Lakes area,” Scheer said. “Driving an hour or so to play a cornhole tournament wasn’t always the most fun thing to do.

Mike Forsythe, of Lutz, left, and Scott Lofmark go head-to-head in a cornhole match, one hosted by the newly-formed Chapel’s Baggers Cornhole League based out of Wesley Chapel.

“Double Branch is just a big space, and with the area there at the Grove at Wesley Chapel, (it) is just booming right now. … And so we get all walks of life that come and play. I even have an 11-year-old kid that comes and beats everyone — he’s pretty good. There are even a few 70-80-year-old players, too. Men, women, children, all skill levels — they just show up and play.”

Scheer welcomes all kinds of competition, to those just looking for fun or those who really are out for competitive play. However, to combat ringers coming in and running a tournament, especially as a two-person team, the tournaments will be Switcholio format.

This is a blind-draw, round-robin tournament, in which players get a new partner for every game and ranked on an individual basis. The organizer can use the leaderboard to recognize and reward top finishers, or seed them into a single elimination playoff.

More so, the league uses the Scoreholio app and site, which allows for live-time scoring. Players can view the leaderboard on a monitor Scheer sets up, as well as on their phones.

Bags lie in wait to be tossed during a Chapel’s Baggers Cornhole League event, at The Groves Golf and Country Club clubhouse in Land O’ Lakes. The league hosts several tournaments monthly, with monetary payouts to the winners and attendance growing with each outing.

That app has helped garner more players for the league.

“I’ve been playing a long time and just found people on there who told me about (this league),” said Brian Robinson, a Brandon resident who traveled to Land O’ Lakes to play in a tournament. “I just play to have some fun, maybe win some money, but this was a bunch of good people — good vibes,” said Robinson.

“I found it on Facebook,” said Howard Smith, a Lakeland resident who entered a tournament because he was staying with his girlfriend in nearby Lutz. “The tournaments are real cool and a great way to win some money. I like the competition — it’s different than just playing around in your backyard.”

“And,” Robinson added, “it’s gone from 30 to 60 people, so it’s definitely popular, definitely something people are looking for here. But hey, the more people, the better the payout (laughs).”

The league is getting players from all over, too. As far as Sarasota and Sebring, to name a few. Which Scheer is all on board for.

“So, I get people from all over the place and they’re like, ‘Oh, wow. I really like this place (Double Branch).’ So they come back or they even go to the other places at the Grove — it helps all the places in Wesley Chapel,” he said. “I hope we just keep getting bigger because I want to bring business to businesses that don’t usually get as much business.

“Just by playing a little cornhole.”

Chapel’s Baggers Cornhole League
Details: A league based out of Wesley Chapel, open to all ages. There are occasional tournaments on the weekends, but the league plays every Wednesday at Double Branch Brewing and Bites, at the Grove at Wesley Chapel. Tournament winners are awarded monetary prizes, paid for by fees to compete.
Info: Visit the league’s Facebook Group, at Facebook.com/groups/4369806859780455.

Published June 29, 2022

Kristin Allen, of Auburndale, lets a bag fly during a Switchholio tournament hosted by Chapel’s Baggers Cornhole League.
Chapel’s Baggers Cornhole League players can view live scoring on the Scoreholio app, which is helpful during tournaments, to see who they are playing next or how well they are doing.
Tyler Schenfield, left, and Matt Parker compete during a Chapel’s Baggers Cornhole League tournament, at The Groves Golf and Country Club clubhouse in Land O’ Lakes.
Shane Kneep, of Sarasota, is all smiles before he tosses during a Chapel’s Baggers Cornhole League tournament.
Mike Smith, of Ellenton, whispers to his bags to fly true as he competes in a match hosted by Chapel’s Baggers Cornhole League tournament.

Richard Fernandez, of Land O’ Lakes, left, and Gary Montemurro compete during a Chapel’s Baggers Cornhole League tournament, at The Groves Golf and Country Club clubhouse in Land O’ Lakes.

Teen golfer makes history

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It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks for Dade City’s Bailey Shoemaker. Fresh off appearing in the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open from June 2 through June 5, Shoemaker won the 93rd Florida State Golf Association (FSGA) Women’s Amateur Championship on June 19 at Streamsong Golf Resort.

(Courtesy of Florida State Golf Association )

At 17, Shoemaker becomes the first junior golfer to win this championship. This also is her second FSGA championship victory, after winning the Women’s Four-Ball Championship with Madison Hewlett in 2020.

“This win is just so incredible,” Shoemaker said in a news release from FSGA. “It’s one of the oldest state championships, and there are so many iconic winners and people that have gone on to do great things as professionals and great things for the game. I am just so honored to be added to that list.”

The championship format was 36-hole stroke play for the first two rounds, then the field was cut down to 64 players and switched to single-elimination match play for six rounds. Shoemaker, who is committed to play collegiate golf at the University of Southern California, ended up playing 130 holes of golf over five days, after defeating University of Florida junior Maisie Filler, 3 and 2, in the final round.

It’s been a heck of a June for Shoemaker, too.

At the U.S. Open, Shoemaker finished tied at 48th, with a combined score of 293 (9 over par).
Shoemaker played well in the first three rounds, however, seemed to struggle in the final round on June 5 when she shot an 8-over-par 79. Her best round came on Day 2 when she shot a 1-under 70.

Tournament winners

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(Courtesy of John Medvid)

This month’s South Pasco Bassmasters (SPB) fishing tournament saw the group head to the Kissimmee chain of lakes, including Lake Hatchineha in Osceola County. Winners this month included Randy Hoedy, holding a big bass weighing 6.81 pounds. Hoedy teamed up with Paul Daniels, and the duo also snagged bass of a combined total of 18.23 pounds. They used soft plastics in about 16 inches of water to catch their fish. SPB’s next tournament will be on July 16, at Eagle Lake in Largo.

Indoor soccer clinics

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Wesley Chapel Recreation Complex will host indoor soccer clinics on Fridays for players 5 to 12 years old, through July 29. Each clinic lasts an hour, with the first for ages 5 to 8 starting at 6:30 p.m., and the second for ages 9 to 12 starting at 7:45 p.m. Players will learn technical skills, and game and scenarios tactics. Each clinic cost is $15 per player. Register online at Secure.rec1.com/fl/pasco-county-fl, or call 813-345-3145.

Summer Day Camp

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Pasco County Summer Day Camp program will be Monday through Friday, until July 29 (no camp on July 4). The Summer Day Camp will be limited to ages 5 to 13, with Nature Day Camp at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park limited to ages 7 to 13. Hours will be from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 813-345-3145.

More than $12 million in state funding coming to Zephyrhills

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The City of Zephyrhills has announced it will receive slightly more than $12 million for three local infrastructure-related projects.

The state allocations were approved as part of the 2022-2023 Florida state budget, signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 2.

The City of Zephyrhills has announced it will receive slightly more than $12 million in state funding for local projects. (Mike Camunas)

The funds will be used on work at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, road projects and sewer and water main improvements.

“Receiving these appropriations helps to improve the infrastructure throughout the City of Zephyrhills in a multi-faceted approach,” Billy Poe, city manager for the City of Zephyrhills, said in a news release.

Poe also expressed his appreciation to Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson, Sen. Danny Burgess, and Rep. Randy Maggard for their support of the Zephyrhills community.

Poe also thanked Gov. Ron DeSantis for “seeing the value in these infrastructural improvements in the City of Zephyrhills.”

Here are the specifics:

Municipal Airport improvements: $6.6 million
Several projects are already underway at the airport, including a runway extension that is expected to be completed soon. The additional funds will be used to design and construct a new Fixed Based Operator (FBO) Terminal Building, Taxiway F and two new box hangars. Future development of the airport and the adjacent Industrial Park is expected to attract new corporate and recreational aircraft operations, including increased jet traffic. When this happens, new jobs are expected from the increased capacity for aviation businesses, including pilot lessons, new hangar construction, mechanical businesses and corporate relocations and from maintenance, repair and overhaul businesses.

Kossik Road and Fort King Road Sewer Main/Water Main Extension: $3.5 million
This is the second part of a three-phase project to improve utility access in the north end of the city. When completed, the overall improvement will create a looped system, allowing for redundancy, as well as improving fire flow and water quality.

The sewer part of the project will allow decommissioning of up to 400 existing septic systems and prevent nearly 2000 new onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems. It also will provide reclaimed water to benefit the Hillsborough River Basin minimum flow levels.

South Avenue Extension – National Guard Entrance Road: $1.94 million
This funding is intended to provide to access a new Florida National Guard facility that is planned for Zephyrhills. In 2021, a $25 million appropriation was approved to to construct a new facility in Zephyrhills. The Guard selected a location just north of Sixth Avenue and South Avenue and the airport. However, the proposed site does not have improved access from Sixth Avenue. The extension project consists of purchasing the right-of-way, a quarter-mile roadway to access the Guard site, stormwater and extension of 1,300 linear feet of water main and sewer main to service the site from the Sixth/South Avenue intersection. The industrial access road is a critical segment to access both the armory and future industrial development.

Poe said these funds couldn’t come at a better time, especially as the city has numerous projects already in the works or on the books.

“With the growth we’re experiencing (in Zephyrhills) — not just residential, but commercial and citywide,” Poe said, “that comes with improving the water and the sewers and the streets and even the airport. These are all much-needed improvements.”

Published June 22, 2022

These artists create to their own beat

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Admittedly, Jasmine Williams didn’t have a name for the painting.

A portrait of the artists and the works they created during an evening of music and art during Beats ‘N’ Brushes, an event held at the James Irvin Civic Center, during Dade City’s Juneteenth Week. (Mike Camunas)

But at the same time, she holds no illusions that she’s an artist.

“I teach dance for (Pasco County) Parks and Rec,” said Williams, who works out of the James Irvin Civic Center in Dade City. “So it doesn’t have a name — maybe ‘Paint The City.’ But really it’s all about shapes when you add the buildings. It can be New York City or downtown Tampa — even this one here has a little Taj Mahal look to it,” she said, with a laugh.

Williams was referring to paintings completed by about a dozen adults and children who came to the first Beats ‘N’ Brushes.

They gathered for an hour-and-a-half on June 15, listening to music and painting their version of a sunset scene.

“I’m very happy with the turnout,” Williams said. “It’s nice to be able to do something a little different and for the community.”

The event was developed by Sandra Wright, who started The Wright Movement, which raises awareness about pancreatic cancer, and Kimberly Miller, a coordinator for parks and recreation.

Nine-year-old Olivia King, of Zephyrhills, is focused on her piece of art, during the Beat ‘N’ Brushes event.

Miller came up with the idea for the event.

Each of the women also painted a skyline.

“There are already a lot of paints with adults, so this was something that was fun that also kids could do,” Wright said. “They can stay inside from the heat, instead of (playing) something like kickball or basketball, and do something a little different — and paint like adults.

“Plus, something like this helps bring a little more awareness to taking care of your health, pancreatic cancer and also the community. … It was a great turnout, and I can’t wait until next year and see if it gets even better,” Wright added.

Beat ‘N’ Brushes was among several events scheduled in Dade City during Juneteenth Week, to commemorate the historic end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865.

Other events slated during the week included a Family Bowling Night, A Night To Remember Exhibit at Pioneer Florida Museum & Village and a Juneteenth Community Celebration at the Civic Center on June 18.

Published June 22, 2022

Bermice Thomas, of Dade City, adds a palm tree to her painting, giving it a local feel, during Beats ‘N’ Brushes.
A closer look at one of the skylines created during the event.

Local coffee shop also brews up trivia, live music

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The only thing Jason Mitchell used to know about coffee was how to drink it.

“That’s pretty much it,” said Mitchell, who now owns Mitchell’s Coffee Time, a small coffee shop and restaurant in Lutz. “Always wanted to own one, but never could because of my deployments (in the military). But we’ve been here since April 2020 now.”

Mitchell is a 20-year veteran. He retired in 2017, after numerous deployments and dozens of countries visited.

Jason Mitchell stands behind the counter at Mitchell’s Coffee Time with his daughter, Alexxus, who works there part-time as a barista. Jason’s three daughters all work for the family business in Lutz that features coffee, light food and weekly events, including trivia and live music. (Mike Camunas)

He was running his car detail business, but wanted to operate the coffee shop he now owns.

“I met the previous owner because we had been detailing his car for three years,” he said. “He wanted to sell, and we basically jumped right into the 45-day transition.

“He taught us everything we needed to know about having a coffee shop business. I did my own research and looked at YouTube videos, but we do our own thing here.

“We do things a little differently,” he said.

Indeed, the Mitchells do.

More than half his family works at the shop.

His 22-year-old twin daughters, Alexxus and Destiny, are baristas, while his 15-year-old daughter works occasionally, when she needs to earn money.

Mitchell’s Coffee Time serves up more than coffee. It hosts events, from trivia every Thursday, to Bible study group meetups, to Zumba classes and live music.

Kyra Kalodimos, of Land O’ Lakes, enjoys an iced coffee while listening to music and doing a little midday work at Mitchell’s Coffee Time in Lutz.

Jason likes to consider it more of a hangout than just a coffee shop.

Indeed, for many, it’s a place they go to for more than just a cup of joe.

“I can tell when (customers) are meeting a client, whether it be Realtors or an insurance salesperson,” he added. “Which I think is great. We don’t want to be like some chain coffee place where you get your coffee and get out.”
Mitchell is a hands off-type owner because he has a full-time job working down at MacDill Air Force Base.

He pops into the shop a couple times a week, mostly for a coffee, but the baristas run the place.

They have the freedom to experiment with new drinks and just have fun, as well.

“We’re very different from a chain coffee shop,” Destiny said. “From the coffee to just the stuff we have and events. But I’m glad. It’s better to be different.

“It’s so much fun, even though we didn’t know that much about coffee. Once you work at a coffee shop, you’ll learn so much more about coffee than you ever thought you could know about coffee. We learned on the go. It was a process, but, honestly, it was a fun one.”

And Jason plans to include more fun.

Curbside service is on the horizon, but more events will be coming, such as painting with a twist for both adults and kids, and bingo for older customers.

“Word of mouth definitely helps us, especially when they find out that we host a lot of things like trivia and music,” Jason said.

“Sometimes it’s a little hard to see us because of the way (State Road 54) is built, but once they come in or find it, they’re like, ‘didn’t know this was here, but I love it,’” he said.

Mitchell’s Coffee Time
Where: 22299 State Road 54, Suite 102, Lutz
When: Mondays, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Tuesdays, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Details: This coffee shop, which is family owned and operated, offers drinks, light food and weekly events, including trivia and live music.
Info: Call 813-428-6550, or visit MitchellsCoffeeTime.com.

Published June 22, 2022

The strength of a mother

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If there’s anyone who knows what it’s like to exercise as a mother, and also while pregnant, it’s going to be Land O’ Lakes trainer Barb Ladimir.

She does, after all, have five kids.

“When you’re carrying a person, literally pushing on your abdomen, moving your pelvis, that’s going to put a strain on the back,” she said. “That’s why the program has you do it right, either during the whole nine months of the pregnancy or especially after the birth.”

Local trainer Barb Ladimir works with clients during a session of her Fitness 320 boot camps she hosts at varying locations in Land O’ Lakes. Ladimir, a mother of five, works with many women to help them get back into shape after giving birth. (Mike Camunas)

That’s why her fitness program, Fitness320, has different focuses to tackle certain types of aspects women will need, and eventually want, to get and remain healthy.

For starters, Ladimir hosts boot camps — group fitness classes for women.

The locations are in Pasco, but also are available in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

The boot camps provide a safe space for women — usually mothers looking to get back in shape — that are not a gym atmosphere and provide more one-on-one training expertise.

“When you get to a group fitness class, you’re going to see like 95% women,” Ladimir said. “Husbands sometimes show up to work out, but we don’t just have random men show up. Which is fine, because women love group fitness, and this is for women and moms who lead busy lives and to do it with a community of friends.”

As a mother, Ladimir knows that not everyone should jump right back into a boot camp, especially soon after childbirth. That’s why she also is a Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist, and certified to work with pregnant women and recent moms. That prompted her to create her Strong as a Mother program that integrates some aspects into the boot camps, but goes beyond those to target women’s cores. This is to make sure that after nine months, more damage isn’t done to the abdomen and core.

“Will I get you back to CrossFit or to running a marathon? Yes, of course,” Ladimir said. “But you can’t go from childbirth to six weeks later trying to lift too much weight or running 13 miles. Nor should you. (The) Strong as a Mother program should be given to women as like a fourth trimester.

Trainer Barb Ladimir works with Land O’ Lakes resident Cynthia Soto during a boot camp session as Kristin Sicuranza, of Trinity, right, puts in the work. Ladimir’s boot camps, which are part of her Fitness 320 program, are geared toward women and moms who lead busy lives, but are looking to get healthy and stronger with a community of friends.

“Most of the women coming to my classes, they may not be brand new moms, but they are moms, they’ve had kids and, most likely, they didn’t take care of their bodies afterward. That’s why the fitness program ensures they don’t get hurt, but still build strength in a progressive way.”

Jenny Hassenfelt, a 50-year-old mom of six, said these programs helped her get in shape, not only the right way, but in the best way.

“(Strong as a Mother and the bootcamps) really emphasize form and technique,” Hassenfelt said. “This really breaks it down and you’re really learning correctly how to work the right muscles and to stretch out any problem areas.

“My abs were pretty much shot from six kids — I never thought I would get them back or they wouldn’t stay flat. But these programs taught me how to breath and hold the core. I tend to slouch a lot, so she yells at me for that, but my stomach is a lot flatter than I ever thought it would be after six kids. I’ve done a lot of other programs and never, ever saw the results that I have seen with her.”

Hassenfelt knows being a new mother can come with the desire to get back to being and feeling healthier. And, she said, that also can be a tough road.

“I think (the boot camps are a) great place to start,” she added. “And Strong as a Mother, for people who have injuries, that’s a really good place for them to start. Boot camp gets them back into the right program, while Strong as a Mother teaches basics slowly, so they don’t get injured again,” she said.

At the boot camps, Ladimir isn’t there to be drill sergeant or a cheerleader. She’s there to be a teacher, teaching women the proper way to get back in shape and to be strong mothers.

“With Fitness320, that’s not a fitness reference, but the Bible verse (Ephesians 3:20) that says, ‘He is able to do immeasurably more than anything we can ask or imagine according to the power that is within us,’” Ladimir said. “The programs show you how you have more power within, and it’s my job, as a coach, to bring that out in these women.

“If I can empower these women with fitness, then I’ve done my job.”

Barb Ladimir

Fitness320
Details: A total encompassing workout program that can include Intentional 21 dietary programming that reduces inflammation; boot camp works out, in-person and via Zoom; and Strong as a Mother: a core-specific strengthening program for new mothers.
Info: Visit fitness320.com.

Published June 22, 2022