Collier Parkway

Renovations making progress at Land O’ Lakes library

April 5, 2022 By Mike Camunas

The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library is fenced off now, as the facility undergoes a major renovation. It is expected to reopen this summer, though a specific date has not been announced. (Mike Camunas)

The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, at 2818 Collier Parkway, closed on Aug. 14, to enable the start of a massive renovation.

But it won’t be much longer now, before eager patrons can begin streaming through the doors of the popular library.

The reopening is expected this coming summer, though a more precise date is not yet known, according to Bob Harrison, marketing program manager for the Pasco County Library System.

Harrison said the roof has been replaced.

Other elements of the project are making progress:

The interior walls are in place and the finish work will begin soon
The mechanical systems are being finalized
Outdoor spaces are in the works

The library’s interior will be completely updated and modernized.

That means there will be new spaces for adults, teens and kids, meeting spaces, new technology, an expanded lobby, a renovated makerspace and a central service desk.

The renovation is being paid for through a General Obligation Bond (GO Bond) that was approved by Pasco County voters in November 2018. A GO Bond is a municipal bond secured by the issuing government’s pledge to use all available resources, including tax revenues, to repay holders of the bond.

While the renovation work continues, books and other materials can be placed on hold and picked up at other open libraries, or next door to the Land O’ Lakes Branch, at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center, 3032 Collier Parkway.

For more information, about the county’s library system, log onto PascoLibraries.org.

Published April 06, 2022

Making bath time less ‘ruff’

March 22, 2022 By Mike Camunas

This place is for the dogs.

Sit. Stay. Splash.

No, it’s not a dog groomer. It’s actually a self-serve dog wash.

It’s a start-up business that Alison Sebesta opened in February.

She admits she may have had ulterior motives when creating her storefront, at 1930 Collier Parkway in Lutz.

“I just want to pet dogs all day,” Sebesta, an owner of two Corgis, said with a laugh.

“All of us have dreams that make our hearts happy and the last three weeks have definitely done that for me.”

Sebesta opened Sit. Stay. Splash., on Feb. 22, as a way for dog owners to groom their dogs, in between groomer appointments.

Rei is bathed by her owner, Sofia Lopez, at Sit. Stay. Splash., in Lutz.

The setup makes it easier to bathe dogs, whether they are larger, elderly, or skittish.

“It’s about replacing what (the owner) would do at home,” Sebesta, a Land O’ Lakes resident, said. “You’re not on your hands and knees for hours soaking wet.”

At Sit. Stay. Splash., Sebesta installed five raised tubs so owners can remain standing while bathing a dog that can be tethered, to remain close. Each tub has an easy-to-use spray nozzle and soap, making washing and rinsing a breeze.

There also is a walk-in station for very large or older, or physically challenged dogs that can’t make it up the steps to the raised tubs.

Bath services start at $10. Sebesta handles clean-up duties.

“Any dog can come here,” Sebesta said. “I wanted to make sure we could bathe any type of dog.”

Cadbury gives Sit. Stay. Splash. owner Alison Sebesta kisses during bath time at the self-serve dog wash in Lutz.

There also are blow-drying stations at Sit. Stay. Splash., which allow for additional grooming needs from nail trimming, light hairstyling, and even scented sprays. Sebesta provides aprons, soaps/conditioners and towels, however, owners are more than welcome to bring their own supplies, such as treats or specialty shampoos.

That is why Kristin Reynolds and her husband, Ryan, bring their 10-month-old chocolate lab, Cadbury, to Sit. Stay. Splash.

“Right now he needs some medicated shampoo, but also, it’s just so much easier to bathe him here,” Kristin Reynolds said. “He’s 10 months old and 80 pounds already, and we just can’t do it in the bathtub.”

“He doesn’t really like the dryer, but he tolerates (a bath) a lot more,” her husband added. “This place is great because I just can’t get down on my hands and knees. This is just way easier on both of us.”

Amy Bailey has been taking full advantage of Sit. Stay. Splash.’s opening, as her dog, Sadie, a Doodle mix, is always in need of grooming. Bailey can’t get to the groomer on a weekly basis, so the self-service wash has been perfect for Sadie, whose fur needs to be blown dry or else it will mat.

“It’s been a lifesaver for me, because I just can’t sit on the floor for an hour and blow dry her,” Bailey said. “Both (the wash and dry station) have been great, but the blow dryer is the big reason we’re here.”

Sebesta will be there to help, sometimes assisted by her Corgis, Odin and Dashel. All she wants is to make bath time as easy as possible.

And to have a little fun with dogs, too.

“At the end of the day, this isn’t the groomer. It is supposed to be as stress-free as possible for every dog,” Sebesta said. “I want the community to enjoy it, I want the owners to enjoy it and — I just want to pet dogs, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Sit. Stay. Splash.
Where: 1930 Collier Parkway, Lutz
Services: Dog bathing, drying, self-service grooming
Owner: Alison Sebesta
Info: 813-406-4293 or SitStaySplash.com

Published March 23, 2022

Cadbury gives his owner, Ryan Reynolds, a knowing look during bath time at Sit. Stay. Splash., a self-serve dog wash, at 1930 Collier Parkway in Lutz.

Sit. Stay. Splash., is a self-service dog bath business in Lutz, where dog owners can use a raised tub and blow-drying module, as an easier way to clean and groom their pets.

Sadie gets the blow dry treatment at Sit. Stay. Splash., in Lutz.

Pasco moratorium area set to expand

February 1, 2022 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission is set to expand the area where new applications for multifamily are on hold.

The county board heard public comment on the proposal at its Jan. 25 meeting, with final action set for Feb. 8. The expanded moratorium would be retroactive to Jan. 6, the date of the Pasco County Planning Commission’s public hearing on the issue.

The larger area was proposed by Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, who has championed the pause on new multifamily applications — to allow completion of a study to determine whether the county has an oversaturation of entitled apartment developments.

This map depicts the original boundaries for Pasco County’s temporary pause on accepting new multifamily applications, and the approved expansion area. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Moore repeatedly has warned his colleagues about potential long-term consequences from allowing too many approvals of apartment projects.

He fears the prospect of an oversupply leading to buildings being abandoned, as renters move to newer developments. That, he has said, will set the stage for blight and increased crime.

The temporary moratorium on new multifamily applications applies only to an area within Moore’s District 2.

The temporary ban on new applications applies to an area essentially made up of Wesley Chapel and Land O’ Lakes.

The area initially was generally defined as between State Road 52, on the north; U.S. 41, on the west; State Road 54 on the south; and, Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, on the east. The boundary zigzags between Moore’s District 2 and Commissioner Ron Oakley’s District 1.

The proposed expansion includes several additional areas along the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor.

The expansion area can generally be defined as State Road 54 to Collier Parkway to County Line Road (south) to Mansfield Boulevard to State Road 56; and from just east of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and State Road 54 due north to Interstate 75 to Overpass Road and west to the existing moratorium boundary.

The moratorium expires on April 1.

Originally, the moratorium was set to expire on Sept. 28, 2021, but the county board extended it for 185 days, to allow more time to complete the study.

The study is examining whether there’s a potential oversaturation due to existing and possible future multifamily developments, and to determine whether additional regulations are necessary.

Revised on Feb. 10, 2022

Pasco moratorium area to expand?

January 11, 2022 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a proposal that would expand the area where new applications for multifamily are on hold.

The planning board voted to recommend approval of the expansion during its Jan. 6 meeting.

This map depicts the original boundaries for Pasco County’s temporary pause on accepting new multifamily applications, and the proposed expansion area. Approval of the expanded area appears likely, as the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction on the issue, directed staff to initiate the process for amending the map. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Moore repeatedly has warned his colleagues about potential long-term consequences from allowing too many approvals of apartment projects.

He fears the prospect of an oversupply leading to buildings being abandoned, as renters move to newer developments. That, he has said, will set the stage for blight and increased crime.

The temporary moratorium on new multifamily applications applies only to an area within Moore’s District 2.

The temporary ban on new applications applies to an area essentially made up of Wesley Chapel and Land O’ Lakes.

The proposed expansion includes several additional areas along the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor.

The planning board’s recent recommendation follows Moore’s request to apply the moratorium to areas that became part of his district as a result of redistricting.

(The board recently adopted new boundaries for commission districts in response to population changes recorded by the 2020 U.S. Census. Redistricting is an exercise that aims to balance out population within individual voting districts.)

The call for expanding the moratorium area does not include a request to extend the April 1 deadline on the moratorium.

Originally, the moratorium was set to expire on Sept. 28, 2021, but the county board extended it for 185 days, to allow more time to complete the study.

The study is examining whether there’s a potential oversaturation due to existing and possible future multifamily developments, and to determine whether additional regulations are necessary.

It aims to identify how much multifamily already is entitled and to examine market demand, occupancy rates and other issues.

A housing market research firm is preparing the report and will present it to the board.

That report will cover the current quantity of multifamily dwelling unit entitlements and the current acreage of land zoned for multifamily dwelling units, including the acreage having potential for multifamily units upon approval of a conditional use.

It also will include the potential number of multifamily dwelling units available through existing land use equivalency matrices to accurately calculate and determine the true potential for the oversaturation of multifamily dwelling units within the moratorium area.

If the expansion area is approved by the county board, it would take effect on Jan. 6 — the date of the planning board’s public hearing on the topic.

In extending the original deadline, county staff said the extension was justified because of procedural delays, staff shortages, and the complexities associated with accurate data collection.

In its original approval of the ordinance allowing the temporary pause on new multifamily applications, the county board described the action as being “in the best interest of the public health, safety, and welfare, and (noted) that it advances a valid and important public purpose.”

Published January 12, 2022

Pasco’s growth fuels economy

November 23, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Apartment construction is dominating residential development along the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor — a magnet for development in the midst of Pasco County’s surging growth.

As rooftops on luxury apartment homes pop up, retail is following, as evidenced by roadside signs and county permits.

Signs like these, east of Odessa, off State Road 54, are popping up on former pastureland up and down the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor. (Fred Bellet)

Former pastures along the heavily traveled road are occupied now with shops, restaurants, apartments, auto dealerships and Class A offices.

The Shops at Wiregrass, near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, in Wesley Chapel, has added Athleta; go! Calendars & games; and, siKicks (a footwear and collectibles shop); Charming Charlies; and, Hickory Farms. Coming soon are Body Details; JABZ Boxing; and The Living Room.

Besides expanding its retail, Cypress Creek Town Center, a massive development west of the Interstate 75/State Road 56 interchange, is jumpstarting its residential plans.

County building permits indicate that Garrett Apartments are coming to Grand Cypress Drive, and Silversaw at Wesley Chapel is rising along Garden Village Way and Citron Boulevard.

Valentino’s Fine Jewelers and The Good Feet Store have opened on Sierra Center Boulevard, the town center’s prime east-west road, and Carrabba’s Italian Grill is coming.

Construction on Miller’s Ale House, meanwhile, is ongoing at the Wesley Chapel Boulevard entry into Tampa Premium Outlets, on the south side of the highway.

Zaxby’s restaurant has opened on Sun Vista Drive near Costco. New offerings at Tampa Premium Outlets will include a Frosty Cart by Wendy’s and new jewelry selections with Banter at Piercing Pagoda.

BMW of Wesley Chapel is building a six-story building on State Road 56. (Fred Bellet)

Just west of Wesley Chapel Boulevard, on the north side of State Road 54, owners of El Dorado furniture store are laying groundwork for a 70,000-square-foot store.

When it opens, expected around June, shoppers will be able to stroll along a streetscape, enjoying more than 20 storefronts showcasing furniture styles from contemporary to traditional.

The Capo family, who is developing El Dorado, opened their first store in the late 1960s in Miami.

The family opened a store in St. Petersburg in late 2019, before the COVID shutdown and, despite the timing, it has fared well, according to Pedro Capo, chief operating officer at El Dorado.

Now, Capo said he expects to hire and train about 50 employees for the Pasco store, likely beginning in March or April.

Capo is optimistic about the Pasco store’s prospects, noting that the county’s residential growth bodes well for building a strong customer base.

El Dorado will join WaWa, Firestone and Burger King along State Road 54 frontage at the Brighthouse Crossings apartments.

Just west of Brighthouse, a Woodie’s Wash Shack has opened at the Shoppes at Cypress Creek. Fazoli’s Italian restaurant is another potential tenant for the new plaza.

More housing and dining options

In Land O’ Lakes, the Avidity Living apartment complex is being built off State Road 54 and Oak Grove Boulevard. The 252-unit development is scheduled to open in 2022.

Also, coming to this location, is EOS Fitness.

Willow Bend Town Centre, at State Road 54 and Collier Parkway, recently added Ayoki Japan restaurant. Esporta Fitness is a rebranding of the former LA Fitness. And a sign near the center’s entrance off the state road suggests Pasco will get another car wash – Vortex Express Car Wash.

A new apartment community, Avidity Living, is being built at State Road 54 and Oak Grove Boulevard, in Land O’ Lakes. EOS Fitness will be built at the intersection. (Fred Bellet)

West of U.S. 41, vacant land at Ballantrae and Cypress Ranch is sprouting “coming soon” signs as construction begins on apartment units, new retail, and a proposed Class A office complex, known as 54 Crossings.

On the south side opposite Ballantrae, the Cypress Ranch development includes Azora, a new apartment complex, with a spring 2022 opening. Signs in front of the complex show a cornucopia of proposed shops including ALDI grocery store, Chick-Fil-A, another EOS Fitness, Honest-1 Auto Care, and The Learning Experience.

“We are happy to confirm that we will open our newest Lutz, Florida location next year, with construction scheduled to begin soon,” according to Matt Thon in a statement provided by email. Thon is the Haines City division vice president for ALDI.

No further details were provided regarding the construction schedule or opening date.

A Circle K is under construction at this location, and a Woodie’s Wash Shack, is coming.

On the north side, 54 Crossings is a proposed 60,000-square-foot Class A office building, at Aprile Drive, adjacent to Ballantrae’s row of fast-food restaurants that includes Taco Bell and Dairy Queen Grill & Chill.

East of the Suncoast Parkway, the master-planned community of Bexley at Newland is moving dirt for a major retail and business center, off State Road 54 and Bexley Village Drive. Known as the Hub at Bexley, the commercial complex is scheduled for a summer 2022 opening.

Bexley’s website describes the Hub as a “retail and business destination,” with a summer 2022 opening. Bexley residents can walk or bike along connecting trails to enjoy dining, shopping, live concerts and family events. But it also is envisioned as an attraction for Tampa Bay residents with easy interstate access.

Construction continues at The Towns of Oakstead, on the north side of State Road 54, in Land O’ Lakes. (Fred Bellet)

The Hub also includes a large outparcel on Bexley Village Drive, adjacent to the Springhill Suites hotel and opposite the delivery entrance into the Amazon warehouse. The site will become home to 4 & Co., with about 35,000 square feet of Class A offices and co-work spaces. Memberships and limited passes will be offered. Amenities will include a gym, yoga studio, sauna, a treatment room for acupuncture and massages, and conference rooms.

West of Suncoast Parkway, the Shoppes at Crossings Boulevard initially welcomed HotWorx and Jimmy John’s restaurant. New signs in the development indicate additional tenants will be there, including Beyond 2020 Vision Specialists, PTI Solutions, Touch Nail Spa, and Shauby Dental Institute.

Another apartment complex, Avilla Suncoast, is under construction at Redstone Way and Crossings Boulevard, immediately behind the new Hooters restaurant.

Next along the route, The Preserve Marketplace, off South Branch Road, is increasing its retail and business options with Caring Paws Animal Hospital, 100% Chiropractic, PostNet, Lin China restaurant, Papa Johns restaurant, Burger Fi, Chipotle, Panera Bread, and the USF Federal Credit Union. The shopping center is anchored by the Greenwise Publix grocery store.

Starkey Ranch Town Center, at Gunn Highway and State Road 54, is expanding, too. A shell building is under construction, but the new tenants are not yet identified.

Starkey Ranch Business Park on Heart Pine Avenue recently added Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop. Tropical Smoothie Café has a ‘coming soon’ sign. Butcher’s Mark Fresh Meats and Marinades is another shop on its way.

Clearly, there’s a lot going on, along State Road 54/State Road 56 — and there’s no indication that the pace of activity will slow anytime soon.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

By Kathy Steele

Skateboarders show off skills at Land O’ Lakes competition

November 9, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Seven-year-old Jalen Diaz, of Tampa, watches skaters as they demonstrate their skills during the Skate Jam at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex. The young competitor said he’s been skateboarding for two years. His father, disc jockey Dondy Telesford, of Tampa, provided music for the event. (Fred Bellet)

Skaters took to their boards at a course at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex recently to test their skills against other enthusiasts.

They had three minutes to demonstrate what they could do and they were judged on the difficulty of their run, as well as variety, style and execution.

Fifteen skaters competed in four divisions, split up by ages 6 to 8; 9 to 12; 13 to 17; and 18 and older.

The Trick or Treat Skate Jam was presented by LANDO Skateboard and the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, at 3032 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

Skaters paid $25 to participate, which included a free T-shirt.

Entertainment was provided by DJ Dondy!

Skaters came from Tampa, New Port Richey, Land O’ Lakes and Dade City. There was even one skater there from Wildwood, New Jersey, He was visiting a friend who lives in the region.

Published November 10, 2021

Gage Warner, of New Port Richey, positions his skateboard at the top of the starting ramp, as he prepares to start his three-minute run on the skateboard course.

Organizer and judge Greg Mark, of Land O’ Lakes, and fellow judge Tony Grzanowski, of Tampa, work on the judging cards.

In the older division, Skate Jam winner Tyler Radford, center, is flanked by second-place winner Gage Warner, left, and Erik Thielbar, third place. Besides certificates, the winners received prizes from Dairy Queen and other local businesses.

Organizer Greg Mark, top/center, stands with the winners in the youth division, 7-year-old Jalen Diaz, of Tampa, bottom/left, who won second place and 8-year-old Jude Crerand, of Dade City, who won first place.

On his way to a winning position in the age 18 and older division, Gage Warner speeds down the starting ramp, as he races against the clock during his three minutes on the skateboard course.

Erik Thiebar, of Land O’ Lakes, finds himself shadow-dancing, as he makes is way to the top of the ramp.

Competitors watch as eventual winner 32-year-old Tyler Radford, of Tampa, prepares to finish the course. Erik Thiebar, center, of Land O’ Lakes, records Radford’s skateboarding excellence from the top of the ramp.

Mitch Chaput prepares to start his three-minute run on the skateboard ramps and rails during the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex’s first Trick or Treat Skate Jam. The event, which is planned to be held annually, featured 15 contestants, ranging from 6 to over 18, competing for prizes. Chaput, who lives in Wildwood, New Jersey, was visiting friend and fellow skateboarder Gage Warner, of New Port Richey, who also took part.

Competing in the age 6 through 8 division, 8-year-old Jude Crerand, of Dade City, gets set to take on the skateboard course.

Tyler Radford, 32, of Tampa, is on his way to winning the first-place award, as he glides across a tabletop and drops down on his skateboard to complete the run.

Parking lot upgrades planned at rec center

October 19, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Florida Parking Inc., doing business as Yellow Dawg Striping of West Central Florida, has been awarded a bid to repair and resurface the existing parking lot at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center Complex, off Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

The bid was awarded in an amount to exceed $249,516, according to agenda backup materials in the Pasco County Commission’s Oct. 12 meeting.

The county sent automatic email notices to 142 vendors, including 19 from Pasco County.

Additionally, 20 manually searched for and downloaded the solicitation, including two from Pasco.

The parks, recreation and natural resources department requested the bid be awarded to Yellow Dawg, and the purchasing department concurred.

There was no discussion by commissioners, who approved the bid award as part of the county board’s consent agenda.

The project will be paid for with parks, recreation and natural resources budget for fiscal year 2022.

Published October 20, 2021

New irrigation system coming to recreation center

August 18, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Coastal Design Consultants Inc., has been hired by Pasco County to perform engineering and design services required to prepare construction plans for the replacement and expansion of the irrigation system at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

The engineering and design work involves providing plans for a system that will irrigate the ball fields, the soccer fields and common areas at the recreation center, at 3032 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

Coastal Design must work with the county to field questions regarding the construction plans and specifications. It also must perform a limited amount of observation, to ensure construction work is proceeding in a manner that it will conform with approved plans and specifications.

The Pasco County Commission approved paying Coastal nearly $50,000, as part of the board’s consent agenda on Aug. 10. Items on the consent agenda are adopted in a single motion, without comment, unless someone wants to pull an item from the agenda for discussion.

Funding for the project is coming from the General Obligation Bond funds, approved by voters, to support improvements at the county’s parks and recreational facilities.

Published August 18, 2021

Pastor ready to ‘just pedal’ into retirement

June 23, 2021 By B.C. Manion

Officially, he’s the Rev. Monsignor Ronald Aubin.

Around Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, in Land O’ Lakes, though, he’s better known as Father Ron.

The Rev. Monsignor Ron Aubin led Our Lady of the Rosary through many changes during his 27 years as pastor. Here he is blessing ground for a new construction project. (Courtesy of Our Lady of the Rosary)

Aubin, who has been at the church for 27 years, has led the parish through two relocations, construction projects, rapid growth, the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic — and those are just some of the high-profile events.

There also are the more intimate — and more regular rituals — of being a parish pastor.

The First Communions he’s distributed.

The homilies he’s delivered.

The marriages and funerals he’s officiated.

And, the visits he’s made to nursing homes, hospitals and to the jail, to offer words of comfort and spiritual guidance to others, in a time of need.

Aubin was ordained to the priesthood on April 23, 1981, making this year his 40th as a priest.

He arrived at Our Lady of the Rosary on July 1, 1994, when the church was still located on the southwest corner of U.S. 41 and State Road 54.

Both of those roads were two lanes at the time, and there were very few stoplights, the pastor recalled.

The Rev. Ron Aubin, left, of Our Lady of the Rosary, received the title of monsignor. He stands alongside the Most Rev. Robert Lynch, then Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

“There are two churches there now. One on the north side of the highway and one on the south side of the highway. Both were ours. Except the one on the north side of the street used to be on the south side of the street.

“When they widened the intersection there — widened (U.S.) 41 to four lanes, did the whole intersection, they were going to chop off the (smaller) church,” Aubin said. Instead, the building was sold to the Episcopal Church, which paid $1, and moved it across the street.

Our Lady of the Rosary had already relocated into the larger building at the intersection, which would later become home to Keystone Community Church.

Our Lady of the Rosary moved to its current campus at 2348 Collier Parkway, on Nov. 27, 1999.

The new construction at the site began with a church and an office, and over time, has included classrooms, an early childhood center and, most recently, a youth center.

“Everything on this property was done during my years here — thanks to the efforts of a good number of people,” the pastor said.

Aubin has already experienced some moments of personal joy. Some of the brightest moments came when three parishioners — Israel Hernandez, Kyle Smith and Bill Wilson — were ordained to the priesthood, the church leader said.

Over the years, the church also built some strong, longstanding ministries.

Father Ron, as he’s known around Our Lady of the Rosary parish, said he was raised in an environment ‘where Christ was the center of our lives.’ He said he was surrounded by Irish priests and nuns at church and in school at his parish of Immaculate Conception. ‘We jokingly referred to them as FBI — foreign-born Irish, as opposed to the CIA, conceived in America. That was my world.’

Its scouting program, which includes Troop 33 and Troop 34 — boasted 11 Eagle Scouts in a single ceremony two years ago.

Its Knights of Columbus Council 8104 is known for the legendary fish fry it hosts each Friday during Lent.

And, its food pantry operated by St. Vincent de Paul is a regular source of help for those in need.

Its membership also has grown considerably, too, through the years.

When Aubin arrived at the parish, it had 830-some families; now, it has well over 3,000.

It had a greater membership at its peak, but then the Great Recession hit, forcing young families to move, to seek employment, the pastor said.

“When you’re parents raising babies, you can’t sit back and wait for something to happen. You’ve got to go and find a job. There are some neighborhoods, I am told, that half of the houses were sold, in this area,” Aubin.

The Recession was challenging — but COVID-19 essentially shut everything down.

“There was just zero contact,” Aubin said.

“They couldn’t come here. We couldn’t go there.

“We couldn’t even go to the hospitals to visit people. We couldn’t go to the jail, the nursing homes — any of those places,” he said.

The parish adapted. Staffers with technical know-how stepped up to begin live-streaming Masses in Spanish and English.

The Rev. Monsignor Ron Aubin, better known as Father Ron, holds some gluten-free communion wafers, with an aim to be sensitive to parishioners’ dietary needs.

Staff reached out to parishioners to send in large photos of themselves that could be attached to chairs, so priests could look at the faces while saying the Mass.

The parish followed guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and from the Diocese of St. Petersburg, in re-establishing in-person services.

Still, as the country reopens, Aubin expects that some who stopped attending during the pandemic, won’t return.

The trend toward disengagement began about a dozen years ago, Aubin said.

Before the Great Recession, the church had about 1,200 kids in its various programs, he said. Pre-COVID, they were down to 800. During COVID-19, the programs were virtually non-existent.

“I was at a meeting yesterday and other pastors were voicing the same concern. We really have to try to reach out to our young families,” Aubin said.

That disengagement is not something that Aubin — who attended Catholic schools and joined the seminary at age 16 — personally understands.

God, he says, has been “the ‘be all, end all,’ of my life.

“I can’t imagine this present world or the world to come without him. So, I want to share that gift with others,” Aubin said.

The pastor does understand, however, that reaching young people today is much different that it was during his youth.

Fortunately, Aubin expects the new leadership at Our Lady of the Rosary to bring fresh ideas and new energy.

The Rev. Justin Paskert, who will be the new pastor, is coming to the parish from his role as chaplain for the Catholic Student Center at the University of South Florida.

“I’m excited for the parish,” Aubin said.

“I love this place. There’s a certain sadness in leaving, but there’s also joy in knowing that it’s going into good hands. Father Justin will revive it and get it moving again.”

Aubin’s final Masses are this weekend, on June 26 and June 27.

His message will focus on his mantra through the years at the parish, based on a poem called “Just Pedal.”

In essence, it’s about keeping the faith and carrying on, even when the future is not always clear.

“Just pedal. Embrace the change,” Aubin said. “You just have to keep on moving. If you’re not changing, you’re dying.”

Published June 23, 2021

Retiring ‘Old Glory’ with dignity

June 23, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Waves of flames consumed about 400 tattered, torn and faded American flags in a dignified Flag Retirement Ceremony, hosted by Lutz/Land O’ Lakes American Legion Post 108.

The remnants of some 400 retired American flags can be seen going up in flames, as members of the American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard stand at attention. (Fred Bellet)

Post Commander Randy Holeyfield presided over the June 12 event, which was held on the grounds of Harvester United Methodist Church, at 2432 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

Holeyfield explained the history of the traditional method of disposing of American flags.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James S. “Hammer” Hartsell also offered a few words, to mark the occasion. Hartsell is now executive director of the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs.

The flags were arranged on a multi-tier burn pit. They ranged in size from 2-feet-long to 32-feet long. Post members called the giant flag “Big Bertha.”

Once in their place, the flags were doused with charcoal fluid and ceremoniously set ablaze.

The hundreds of flags — some cloth and some nylon — had been collected from community and other service organizations in Pasco, Hernando and Hillsborough counties.

Published June 23, 2021