The Laker/Lutz News

Carson Drive

Pasco County Schools hits million-meal mark

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Pasco County Schools has delivered more than a million meals to students since school campuses closed.

The district has been serving bagged meals at numerous sites and bus stops to provide meals to students who, in many cases, rely on schools for their only reliable source of food.

State Rep. Randy Maggard, left, and Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore worked with about 50 other volunteers to distribute 33,000 pounds of food at a Farm Share event on May 20 at The Shops at Wiregrass. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor/Pasco County)

Since March 23, when the district began its remote feeding efforts, the district has served 1,095,537 meals, according to Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services.

The district has been serving 10 meals per student age 18 and under, at each of its locations, accounting for five days’ worth of meals, including a breakfast and lunch for each day.

Last week, it served an additional five meals because the operation is closed this week.

Next week, it reopens on June 2. Check the district’s website for locations because some of them have been closed and consolidated with other locations.

The district also had three Farm Fresh Pop-ups last week — at Cypress Creek Middle High, Anclote High and Centennial Middle School.

The district’s maintenance team served 2,300 boxes of vegetables, weighing 10 pounds each, at those three sites.

Those aren’t the only efforts to help provide food for children and families in need, during this coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic.

Sunlake High School and Land O’ Lakes High School collected more than 2,000 pounds of food for the St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry, in their COVID-19 Quarantine Butterbowl.

An example of the fresh vegetable boxes being distributed through Farm Fresh Pop-ups organized by Pasco County Schools. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

“This week’s Butterbowl has ended, and the winner is the community,” tweeted Ric Mellin, principal at Land O’ Lakes High School. The donations exceeded expectations, he noted.

“Both schools should be proud of what they accomplished,” Mellin wrote.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, State Rep. Randy Maggard and more than 50 volunteers helped distribute 33,000 pounds of food to an estimated 700 cars on May 20 at The Shops at Wiregrass, according to Andy Taylor, Mike Moore’s aide.

A group of Saint Leo University students also were among the volunteers.

Meanwhile, food pantries are helping to put food on the tables of those in need, too.

Make a Difference Inc., will have a Mobile Food Pantry on May 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, 37722 State Road 52. No identification is required, and the food is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Atonement Lutheran Church, at 29617 State Road 54, has reopened its Helping Hands Food Pantry, and is providing a drive-thru service on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The church is observing social distancing restrictions.

Father and Son Love Ministries, at 21418 Carson Drive in Land O’ Lakes, operates a food pantry on Tuesdays, from noon to 2 p.m.; Fridays, from noon to 3 p.m.; and on Sundays, starting at 12:30 p.m.

Pastor C.J. Johns Sr., stands outside the new location for the Father and Sons Love Ministries, at 21418 Carson Drive, in Land O’ Lakes. The church has a food pantry and has noticed a much broader range of people coming in to pick up food items to help their families during this time of pandemic. (B.C. Manion)

On one recent Friday afternoon, the Land O’ Lakes pantry served 174 people.

The ministry has marked its floor to guide people through its pantry, in order to practice social distancing.

Pastor C.J. Johns Sr., said the pantry is serving a broader range of people because of economic impacts caused by the pandemic. Before, about three-quarters using the food pantry were elderly, but now they make up just about half.

Besides offering the pantry, the church also will make deliveries to people who are unable to come there.

Also, the First Presbyterian Church, at 5510 19th St., in Zephyrhills, is serving a free take-out meal every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the church.

Before heading out to any food pantry, it’s a good idea to call ahead or check the website to get the latest information on the days and hours of operation.

Published May 27, 2020

Collecting litter to help keep Pasco clean

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About 340 volunteers fanned out across Land O’ Lakes to pick up litter and trash along the area’s roads, public lands and waterways.

In their first year volunteering for the Coastal Cleanup event, the Dana family, from Wesley Chapel, work together to pick up trash that was discarded along Collier Parkway, north of Hale Road. From left: 7-year-old Peyton, Cliff, 10-year-old Ethan, and Lydia. (Christine Holtzman)

They were among the thousands who took part in Pasco County, as part of the annual International Coastal Cleanup event on Sept. 21.

Volunteers in Dade City, Lacoochee, New Port Richey, Port Richey, Hudson and Holiday also joined in the efforts that were organized by Pasco County and the not-for-profit environmental organization, Keep Pasco Beautiful.

Those pitching in on the Land O’ Lakes effort met around 8 a.m., at the community center at Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., to pick up gloves, trash bags, safety vests and bottles of water.

Event sponsors paid for the supplies, and volunteers who had registered received a keepsake bag and an event T-shirt.

Some of the volunteers have been helping out for decades, including 84-year-old Gloria Dale, of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, who worked at the registration table. She’s been pitching in for 26 years.

Eleven-year old Olivia O’Malley, of Land O’ Lakes, holds a trash bag open, as her father, Michael, throws away a decaying trash bag that was found on the side of Parkway Boulevard. O’Malley, a member of Boy Scouts Troop 34, and her dad also found a piece of a car bumper earlier in the morning.

Lottie Kelley, another longtime volunteer, has helped for 24 years.

She works for Covanta, one of the event sponsors, and was the Land O’ Lakes site captain.

Helping to keep Pasco clean and green is what makes the event important, Kelley said.

“Litter is very unsightly, and it’s not good for the county,” Kelley said.

Besides being unattractive, roadway trash can be dangerous for wildlife, she said.

“We need to keep the litter off the roadways, so the animals don’t eat it. They can end up being in a terrible situation,” Kelley said.

She said this year’s effort focused on roadways in Land O’ Lakes, including Ehren Cutoff, Collier Parkway, Parkway Boulevard, Hale Road, Bell Lake Road and Carson Drive.

Boy Scout troops 33 and 34, and Cub Scout Pack 33 from Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Land O’ Lakes,  collected trash along large stretches of Collier Parkway and Parkway Boulevard.

Twelve-year-old Wesley Swank, of Land O’ Lakes, emerges from the bushes with a large Styrofoam cup, that was discarded along Parkway Blvd, near Paw Place. Swank is a member of Boy Scout Troop 33, which is based out of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Land O’ Lakes.

The troops have been participating in this event for approximately 15 years and, over the years, have picked up all sorts of items, including a glass table, a microwave, beer bottles and even a device that looked like a pipe bomb.

The idea is to remove every piece of trash discarded on the roadways to prevent it from ending up in waterways, and eventually into oceans.

As each piece trash is picked up, it is recorded on sheets, or on a downloadable app provided by the nonprofit organization Ocean Conservancy.

The ocean-advocacy group is on a mission to tackle the greatest global challenges facing the ocean.

By recording the types of trash and the amounts, the group can establish a snapshot and a state-by-state index of the problem of marine debris.

Last year, 1,823 volunteers picked up 11.94 tons of trash throughout Pasco County, according to the Keep Pasco Beautiful website.

Published September 25, 2019

Five-year-old Aliya Goodwin, of Lutz, left, and 9-year-old Caleb MacKenzie, also of Lutz, take a break from picking up trash, and sit on the bumper of an SUV. The kids were volunteering their time by collecting trash along Parkway Boulevard in Land O’ Lakes with Cub Scout Pack 33.
Seven-year-old Brendan Pratt, of Land O’ Lakes, left, and his father, Michael, stand on the corner of Parkway Boulevard and Collier Parkway. To stay hydrated, Brendan is drinking water from a hose, that is connected to the backpack full of water that he is wearing.
Cub Scout Pack 33, based out of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Land O’ Lakes, picks up trash along Parkway Boulevard, near the corner of Collier Parkway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duke Energy is planning a project in Lutz-Land O’ Lakes

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Duke Energy plans to install a new substation and transmission lines to meet the electrical demands of the growing population and businesses in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes.

The energy company had a public open house at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Lutz to share its plans.

Those attending could drop by multiple booths, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., to learn the particular’s about the project’s engineering and potential impacts to traffic, the environment and vegetation.

Construction for the new substation is planned to start January 2020 at an open field in Land O’ Lakes, where Morgan Road and Land O’ Lakes Boulevard intersect.

A 230-kV line and two 69-kV lines will run from the new substation to the existing Denham substation on State Road 54.

Three routes are being considered:

  • Route 1 would run down the eastside of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard heading south, then turning east on to Carson Drive where it would then cut south through a trail to State Road 54.
  • Route 2 would take the same path as Route 1, while traveling on the westside of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.
  • Route 3 would cross from the west side of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard to the east side of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard and then head south, cutting through an open field and then turning east on Carson Drive, then head south where Route 1 and Route 2 run to State Road 54.

Property owners will be informed by letter in November regarding which route has been selected.

At the same time, Duke Energy will announce the path that a 230-kV transmission line will take  to get from the new Morgan Road substation to its endpoint at the intersection of North Dale Mabry Highway and West County Line Road in Lutz.

Currently, Duke and Pasco County are only making a proposal for the 3-mile path, and are working in accordance with the Tampa Electric Company.

Substations control the flow of electricity, taking high amounts of voltage and converting it to lower levels so transmission lines can distribute appropriate amounts to local communities.

Mark Hickson, a Duke Energy associate, was at the engineering booth and stressed the benefit of new lines for backup energy.

“These transmission lines are here to help boost the capacity so that during storms, winter peaks, summer peaks – we’re not in a situation [where] we could lose the area,” he said.

In addition to assuring the project will provide a safe infrastructure, Hickson stated that Duke is keeping in constant communication with the Pasco County officials.

The project will use overhead transmission lines, which the utility officials say are more cost effective and pose fewer impacts on natural resources, such as wetlands and wildlife habitats.

The proposed routes are not in dense residential areas.

Once the official path has been chosen, the public will be informed of any traffic detours needed during construction.

“We might have to close down a lane for a few hours,” said Drew Gilmore, lead public engagement specialist for Duke Energy. “That’s all carefully planned and choreographed.”

The company will avoid causing traffic delays during peak traffic times, Gilmore said.

The project is scheduled for completion in November 2021.

To view the current project proposals online, visit tinyurl.com/ybl5yhfl.

For additional information, contact Duke Energy at (877) 552-8725 or by emailing .

Published October 24, 2018

He offers humor, nostalgia and old-fashioned value

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If you’ve ever driven through the parking lot near the McDonald’s at U.S. 41 and State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes, you’ve probably seen a sign leading to Fred Wilsky’s shop.

“Sharpening Service” the sign proclaims, pointing east onto Carson Drive.

Sparks fly as Fred Wilsky sharpens the edge of a lawn mower blade in his Land O’ Lakes shop. (B.C. Manion)

If you head east on Carson Drive, you’ll see a series of signs — each getting you closer to the shop where Wilsky has been plying his trade for the better part of four decades.

You’ll go a mile or more before turning left onto a winding road. You’ll discover that Wilsky’s shop is well off the beaten path.

Inside the shop, it’s like taking a step back in time.

Wilsky is in the business of sharpening stuff.

He gives lawn motor blades a fresh edge.

He makes steak knives sharp again.

He’ll give a second wind to a saw blade, a new lease on life to a chainsaw and will make garden tools work as good as new.

“I sharpen almost everything — except a dull wit,” said Wilsky, who set up his shop in the late 1970s, after retiring from selling insurance.

While selling insurance, he said, he had several customers who were in the sharpening business. He thought to himself: “That’s something I would like to do.”

So, he went to a school in Minneapolis to learn how, then bought some used equipment and set up shop.

Now 90, he only does occasional jobs. But, he still has high standards.

“I try to never turn out a job that isn’t as good or better than the original,” he said.

“There are some things that I don’t sharpen because I don’t have the equipment to do it well enough that I am willing to do it for someone else,” he said.

For instance, he said, “I will sharpen my own router blades, but I’m not going to sharpen them for someone else because the finished job is not like it should be,” he said.

Most of his business comes from word-of-mouth, or referrals from local hardware or lawn mower shops, or from passersby who see his signs, he said.

Fred Wilsky is 90, but he still does occasional work in the shop behind his Land O’ Lakes home that he shares with his wife, Hilda.

He charges per the piece, and he generally needs to see the piece to determine if he can do it and how much it would cost.

Lawn mower blades, for instance, are normally around $3.50 each. But, sometimes they are too bent to repair, he said.

Many jobs can be handled on the spot, he added.

“To do a carbide saw would take 15 to 25 minutes, depending upon the size and the configuration of the carbide,” he said.

Generally, he said, it’s more economical to sharpen a tool, than to replace it.

“Almost always my price would be less than half than buying a new one. I can feel good about that,” he said.

He also gets satisfaction from helping people extend the life of a favorite tool.

Often, they are unaware, Wilsky said, “that it can be sharpened and be better than it was new.”

He likes to keep his shop open, he said, because “I’m helping myself a little bit. I’m also helping people take care of their tools.”

He recalled an instance when the owner of a lawn business — who had been sharpening his own blades — brought one into Wilsky’s shop.

Later, the man returned and asked Wilsky how he got such good results.

Wilsky responded: “No. 1, I’ve got the right piece of equipment. No. 2, I know what I’m doing with it. No. 3, cutting grass is your job, sharpening blades is mine.”

Over the years, Wilsky said he’s heard some common questions.

For instance, people ask: “Is this worth sharpening?”

Wilsky’s standard response: “Are you going to use it? If you’re going to use it, it’s worth sharpening, and it certainly will be a lot easier to use, after I sharpen it.”

People also want to know how often to sharpen steak knives.

“The answer is, ‘When they get dull,’” Wilsky said.

By the same token, a good set of steak knives can last a long time, he said.

“It’s not at all unusual to see a set of steak knives 50, 60 years or older,” Wilsky said. “I’ve got a knife in there that I believe is at least 80 years old.”

And, when it comes to steak knives, it’s the quality of the steel — not the name brand — that matters, Wilsky said. If the steel is soft, it won’t hold an edge, he explained.

There comes a point when a piece of equipment won’t benefit from sharpening, he said.

“The limit is how much steel there is,” Wilsky said.

If someone needs his services, Wilsky said, it’s best to call ahead.

“If I’m not here, there’s nobody to help them,” said Wilsky, whose shop is behind the home he shares with his wife, Hilda.

He also noted that he doesn’t work on Sundays.

If you would like to reach Wilsky, his number is (813) 949-4851.

Published August 2, 2017

Spooky Tails: All treats, no tricks for K-9s

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Gail Cooper loves dogs.

She is quick to share photos of her favorite four-legged members of the family.

More than 10 years ago, her doggie love and a photo swap session with a friend produced a spur-of-the-moment idea for a Halloween party for dogs.

Spooky Tails is an annual Halloween party and pet costume contest to benefit Pasco County Sheriff’s K-9 unit, especially its retired dogs. (Courtesy of Parwick Kennels)
Spooky Tails is an annual Halloween party and pet costume contest to benefit Pasco County Sheriff’s K-9 unit, especially its retired dogs.
(Courtesy of Parwick Kennels)

Cooper quickly gave the party – dubbed Spooky Tails – a community purpose. She made the event a fundraiser for the Pasco County Sheriff’s K-9 unit.

The 10th annual Spooky Tails will take place Oct. 8 at Cooper’s Parwick Kennels at 22129 Carson Drive in Land O’ Lakes. Co-sponsor of the Halloween party and pet costume contest is Benedetto’s Ristorante Italiano.

From noon to 4 p.m., the public is invited to enjoy an afternoon of food, music, games and prizes.

“It’s a good family event,” Cooper said.

Parking is available across the street from Parwick Kennels. Golf carts will ferry individuals, families and their dogs to the party site.

Texas Roadhouse and Uptown Pizza are the food vendors. Other vendors will have displays and booths, with dog and pet items for sale.

Participating businesses and community agencies include Busy Bee Crafts, Lutz Animal Hospital, The Spring of Tampa Bay, Ierna’s Heating and Cooling, and Pet City.

Past events have collected money to buy a Bite Suit to help train K-9 dogs or other training equipment. This year, donations will go toward the retirement fund which helps to pay for medical care for the dogs. The event also will honor the memories of K-9 Sam, K-9 Pete and K-9 Bud.

Texas Roadhouse and Benedetto’s also are hosting special events where people can meet a retired K-9.

On Sept. 28, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the K-9 will be at Texas Roadhouse at 26409 Silver Maple Parkway in Wesley Chapel. On Sept. 29, at the same hours, a K-9 will be at Benedetto’s, at 21529 Village Lakes Shopping Center, off State Road 54.

The number of dog retirees is increasing each year, and so is the need to provide financial support for these dogs, said Cooper.

Many of the vendors are dedicated, repeat supporters of Spooky Tails. There have been instances where a vendor changed a vacation day to be sure and make the party, Cooper said.

“It’s a community event where everybody steps forward and helps.”

Entry fees for the costume contest are $10 per animal or $20 for three animals. All pets in the contest or attending the event must be on a leash.

Display booths for Spooky Tails are still available, and more sponsors are needed.

For information, call Cooper at (813) 480-0811.

Published September 28, 2016

 

Tampa homebuilder plans luxury homes on Lake Padgett

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It’s a grassy tract with trees now, but luxury homes are slated for construction on more than 9 acres on Carson Drive, east of U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

Tampa homebuilder Timothy Mobley of Mobley Homes wants to build the Manors on Lake Padgett, a gated enclave of eight homes on waterfront lots.

A vacant parcel off Carson Drive is the proposed site for eight luxury houses that will be sold and built by Tampa-based Mobley Homes. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
A vacant parcel off Carson Drive is the proposed site for eight luxury houses that will be sold and built by Tampa-based Mobley Homes.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

The project is in early stages, with plans to file for approvals with Pasco County, likely by the end of summer, said Renee Riordan, sales agent with Mobley Homes.

“They are beautiful lake frontage,” said Riordan. “You can’t always find sites like this.”

The lots are priced at about $200,000 each. The website for Mobley Homes, MobleyHousing.com, pegs home prices as starting in the upper $500,000 range. Mobley Homes would have several design plans available for houses of about 3,000 square feet, according to the website.

Riordan said Mobley Homes is fielding inquiries from prospective homebuyers.

The site is located across from the Countryside Montessori Academy on Carson Drive. The road is north of the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41, also known as Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. It dead-ends behind the Village Lakes Shopping Center.

Carson Drive is a two-lane roadway and a frequent cut-through for motorists who want to avoid the busy intersection at State Road 54 and U.S. 41.

Pasco County records list the taxable value of the property as about $852,000. Mobley is a partner in BCL Florida LLC, which owns the property.

Published July 15, 2015

 

No tricks, but plenty of free community treats for Halloween

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Many families will go door-to-door in local neighborhoods searching for candy this Halloween. But if you’d rather do something different — or don’t want to limit the fun to Oct. 31 — there are several public events to enjoy.

Mr. Tommy, right, is a regular at The Shops at Wiregrass annual Halloween event, which will be on Oct. 29 this year. He’ll perform at 10 a.m., and serve as emcee for the costume contest at 11 a.m. (Courtesy of The Shops at Wiregrass)
Mr. Tommy, right, is a regular at The Shops at Wiregrass annual Halloween event, which will be on Oct. 29 this year. He’ll perform at 10 a.m., and serve as emcee for the costume contest at 11 a.m. (Courtesy of The Shops at Wiregrass)

Several activities — most of them free — occur the weekend before Halloween, while others are scheduled for the week of the holiday, and the rest on Oct. 31.

For families
Halloween Howl in Zephyrhills is an annual free event Oct. 25 along Fifth Avenue from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

There will be a costume parade, a hayride — which costs $2 — and free books for children. There’s also a haunted house at 38533 Fifth Ave., the historic Jeffries House.

The costume parade starts at 6 p.m., near the 7-Eleven on Fifth.

If daytime activities are better for your schedule, Hillbilly Farms at 10325 U.S. 98 in Dade City, will host its annual Harvest Festival Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hayrides, horseback rides, face painting, pumpkin painting and train rides on the Woodland Express all are on the agenda.

Food and other vendors also will be available.

If you’re looking for something on a weekday morning, The Shops At Wiregrass at 28211 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel will have a Halloween event Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to noon in its parking structure.

Around 400 children are expected to attend, with gift bags ready for each of them.

Debbie Detweiler, The Shops’ marketing director, said the shopping location enjoys putting something special on each year that attracts so many people.

“It’s just a great opportunity for us to be able to give back to the community and provide free entertainment for families,” she said.

That free entertainment includes cookie decorating, balloon art, face painting, crafts and a photo booth. There will also be a costume contest for children 11 and younger benefiting the American Cancer Society, with the winner receiving a family four-pack to Legoland.

The cost is $15 until the day of the contest, and $20 on the day of the event.

Registrations must be completed by Oct. 29 at 10:30 a.m. To register in advance, visit TheShopsAtWiregrass.com.

For pets
Your four-legged friends can participate in the Halloween fun with Spooky Tails on Oct. 25, an annual event at Parwick Kennels, 22129 Carson Road in Land O’ Lakes.

Starting at noon, children can enjoy pony rides and face painting, with a police dog demonstration at 1:30 p.m.

But it’s the pets that go all out for the event, with a costume contest that begins at 2:30 p.m. Each entry gets a free pumpkin and the winner receives $200.

Local business booths, raffles and live music round out the information and entertainment.

While it’s a fun Halloween-themed event, it’s also a fundraiser to help pay the bills for police dogs when they retire from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. It also helps pay for equipment and other supplies for the K-9 Unit.

In the past, Spooky Tails has helped pay for a bite suit, which is used in K-9 training drills.

For more information about the event, call (813) 949-1687, or visit ParwickKennels.com.

Halloween alternatives
If your family doesn’t celebrate Halloween, or you’d prefer to participate in a faith-based setting, there’s fall fun on your schedule, too. Several churches are hosting events on or around Halloween.

On Oct. 31, Myrtle Lake Baptist Church, 2017 Reigler Road in Land O’ Lakes, will hold a Trunk-A-Treat celebration from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free, and includes games, face painting, balloons and candy.

That same evening, Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, will host its Trunk or Treat event from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Children will go from car to car — with their trunks and tailgates open — in the church’s parking lot to collect candy and other treats in this family-friendly environment.

Also on Oct. 31, Idlewild Baptist Church, 18333 Exciting Idlewild in Lutz, will have its Light the Night event from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. No costumes are allowed, but there will be games, a hayride and inflatables.

The cost is $3 per person or $15 per family, with children under 2 admitted free.

Published October 22, 2014

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