The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Pasco County Extension

New River Library offers patrons a fresh look

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It’s not a brand new library — but it sure looks and feels like one.

The New River Library, at 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, has reopened its doors after a massive overhaul that took longer than expected because of COVID-19 and material delays.

The red brick building, constructed in 1991, looks much the same. The inside, however, looks entirely new. (B.C. Manion)

The library officially reopened on April 30, but work is not completely finished yet on the outdoor garden spaces, and library staff is still awaiting the arrival of some furniture and materials.

Still, there’s an air of excitement as staff prepares to offer library patrons a more comfortable place to read, meet and take advantage of programming.

Most of the activities won’t kick into high gear until later this year, as the library continues to offer the vast majority of programming remotely.

Still, staff is eager for patrons to come in and take a look around.

“People are welcome to come in and they’re welcome to take our nickel tour, what we call a Sneak Preview,” said Angelo Liranzo, a regional manager for Pasco County Libraries.

The tour gives patrons a chance to see what’s there now and to hear about what’s coming.

Danielle Lee, branch manager at New River, is excited about the possibilities.

Those entering the library site now have two options. A driveway has been added on the east side of the library campus.

New landscaping has been added, too, with palm trees lining the sidewalk and flowering plants greeting visitors as they make their way to the front entryway.

Angelo Liranzo is a regional manager for Pasco County Libraries and Danielle Lee is the branch manager for the New River Branch Library, which was recently renovated.

“The outside is a lot more harmonious with Wesley Chapel, which has a lot new communities with beautiful entries into their subdivisions, and the library looks like it belongs in that area,” Liranzo said.

A giant mat at the front door gives patrons a chance to wipe off their feet before stepping onto the newly installed flooring in the library’s new lobby.

The space is much more open and brighter than the one it replaced, and there is seating available there. There are new restrooms, too, designed for individual or family use. Each restroom is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-compliant.

Inside the library, patron will find staffers at the service desk, ready to help people find what they need.

There’s a new children’s room, where children can play with toys. Future plans call for having story time there. Older kids can use the room’s computers.

The space has large windows looking out onto the library’s front yard, which is landscaped with trees and flowering plants. There’s also a view of busy State Road 54.

This is the library’s new children’s room. It offers comfortable seating, room to play, computers and a view, too.

“This is my favorite room,” said Danielle Lee, the branch manager. “It’s relaxing.”

There’s also an enclosed space for teens, which also has large windows.

“They’re going to have gaming computers in there, so if they’re playing on the computers they can have a good time and not disturb anyone else,” Liranzo said.

“We have study rooms that we never had before. Those are very nice,” Liranzo added.

Lee noted: “Study Room C is large enough — where a group can study.”

It can accommodate up to eight people, she added.

Liranzo also noted: “We still have our big open space that we can do programs in. We have enclosed spaces, where people don’t feel they’re being disturbed by noise. That’s something we never had before.”

The large space, which can be used for events, can become even larger because the furniture and bookshelves, are movable, Lee said.

There’s a community meeting room, too, which is equipped to facilitate Zoom sessions and big screen presentations.

The room can be reserved, but a priority system is used, with library programs getting first dibs, followed by government programs, and then, local organizations, Liranzo said.

The meeting room also is the space used by the Supervisor of Elections for a voting precinct.

There’s a new drive-thru book drop behind the New River Branch Library, giving patrons a chance to drop off books from the convenience of their car.

Outside, on the east side of the library, crews are hard at work installing garden spaces.

When finished, there will be community garden plots. There also will be a butterfly garden, a native plants garden, a seasonal plants garden and a sensory garden.

The library expects to partner with the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Pasco County Extension to offer demonstrations and learning opportunities, Liranzo said.

Nearly everything at the library has been redone or replaced.

“The exterior brick is the same. The roof is the same. But everything else was gutted out,” Liranzo said.

“We’re very fortunate that the Go Bonds were approved by the public,” Liranzo said, noting the bond proceeds paid for the cost of renovations, furniture and materials.

The library is far more than a place to simply read and check out books, Lee and Liranzo said.

It’s also a place where people gather for story time, book clubs, knitting, card games and an assortment of other activities.

That all came to a halt because of the pandemic, but library staff can’t wait for the day when the library can come back to full life — as a place where people can gather, to learn and to socialize.

New River Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel
Hours
Monday and Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Published June 02, 2021

What A Year It Was in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel!

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There certainly were many challenges in 2020, but also many good things to reflect on, that we are proud to share with you. Here are some highlights of the year from the team at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Partnership with the Pasco Fine Arts Council
In 2020, Avalon Park Wesley Chapel continued its partnership with the Pasco Fine Arts Council and its East Pasco Fine Arts Gallery, which is located in the community’s Welcome Center.

Before the pandemic closed the gallery down in March, three shows were held for watercolor artists Joye Moon and Lionel Sanchez, as well as contemporary painter Richard Terrill, who also is a resident of Avalon Park.

Jo Baughman, longtime director of the Pasco Fine Arts Council, recently passed away. She was involved with the arts organization for 22 years.

This arts partnership began in 2019, led by Jo Baughman, longtime director of the Pasco Fine Arts Council (PFAC), who sadly died in September.

It was just a year earlier that Avalon Park’s executive team met with Baughman to offer their Welcome Center as a new gallery on the east side of the county. The developer also committed to building a permanent Arts Center in its downtown in coming years.

For Baughman, who was involved in the Pasco Fine Arts Council for 22 years, the invitation from Avalon Park Wesley Chapel to work together accomplished a long-held dream.

In the year that Baughman headed up activities at the East Pasco Fine Arts Gallery, there were bi-monthly art shows exhibiting the works of local artists, and several workshops for beginning and experienced artists. And, when the pandemic changed how people could meet, Baughman organized virtual art shows and workshops.

The loss of Baughman was especially emotional for Stephanie Lerret, who worked closely with Baughman to set up the location of the East Pasco Fine Arts Council at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. “Jo had an unrivaled passion for the arts! Her desire to share that passion with others was an inspiration. We are blessed to have known Jo and to absorb her knowledge of the finer things,” said Lerret, senior vice president of the Avalon Park Group.

Pasco County Backs Downtown Avalon Park
In February, the Avalon Park Group received overwhelming support and backing from the Pasco County Commission to create a brand-new town center in its Wesley Chapel community.

Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is being established as a mixed-use development on 215 acres, and includes four freestanding office buildings that will have a mix of retail and commercial uses. The first phase is already under construction and, when completed, will have 75,000 square feet of commercial space within walking distance to residents living in the community’s single-family homes, townhomes and apartments.

“We are creating a real downtown with businesses offices, shops and restaurants, because we want to greatly reduce the need for our residents to drive outside their community to get to work, take kids to school, shop and dine, and enjoy indoor and outdoor activities,” said Lerret. “And now, with the full support of Pasco County, downtown Wesley Chapel will become a reality within the next few years.”

The Pasco County Commission unanimously voted to approve an incentive package totaling $33.5 million. The agreement outlines that in exchange, the Avalon Park Group will spend about $83.3 million to build roads, multi-story parking decks and transit-related infrastructure.

The project is expected to generate 1,065 full-time jobs and have a total economic output of $84.4 million, according to county documents.

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will include 2,695 residences, 165,000 square feet of class A office and 190,000 square feet of commercial space. “Fifty percent of the residential trip generation on the site will stay on the site, once the project is complete,” said David Engel, manager of the county’s office of economic growth.

New Townhomes by Avex Homes
In April, Avex Homes introduced the first townhomes in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, with two-car garages and private alleys in the rear.

“Our townhomes are beautifully designed with upscale custom finishes and offer buyers a tremendous value for the Wesley Chapel area,” said Cheryl Gonzalez, sales representative for Avex Homes. “Plus, every home comes with a two-car garage — something you rarely find in townhomes that begin under $250,000.”

Three floor plans are available, ranging from 1,608 square feet to 1,834 square feet, each with three bedrooms and 2.5 baths. Homes are solidly built with families in mind, and rich in architectural design, with distinctive exteriors and open floor plans. Each home has a front porch, covered lanai or private breezeway that connects to the garage.

“Buyers love our townhomes’ cozy feel and old-fashioned, traditional look,” said Gonzalez. “Our buyers can upgrade their home’s finishes to their individual lifestyle and design preferences, including flooring, cabinetry, countertops and lighting. These are not cookie-cutter homes.”

New Avex Model Home
A beautiful new model home by Avex Homes opened in June. The new Clayton model is one of the builder’s most popular plans because its spacious floor plan is perfect for families of all kinds.

“This is my favorite floor plan because it’s very open, but at the same time, everything is very nicely tucked away, which makes it feel much larger than its 2,000 square feet,” said Carlie Meadows, a sales associate for Avex Homes.

Meadows explains that every home built by Avex Home comes standard with granite countertops, 42-inch kitchen cabinets and ceiling heights of 9 feet, 4 inches on both the first and second floors.

The home opens into its dining room, which shows off the open floor plan that flows into the great room and kitchen. The master bedroom suite is on the first floor — a very popular feature that is attractive to families with children, and empty-nesters. A huge walk-in closet is located through the master bath.

The two additional bedrooms upstairs are quite large, at 14.4 feet by 11.2 feet, and each has a large walk-in closet. A full bath is located between the two bedrooms.

D.R. Horton to Build 1,000 Homes
In July, D.R. Horton announced that it will be building 1,000 homes in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel as the exclusive builder in the third phase of this prestigious master-planned community.

Currently underway is the construction of several townhome and single-family home models, which will open in early 2021 in Avalon Park’s new Westgate Village community. Pre-sales are expected to begin soon.

Single-family homes will be built on 40-foot to 50-foot homesites, with nine floor plans ranging in size from 1,504 square feet to 2,601 square feet. Homes will offer three to five bedrooms, two to three baths, and two-car garages, giving families square-footage options that best meet their needs.

Townhomes will include three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, and a one-car garage with a two-car driveway. Two floor plans will be available at 1,673 square feet and 1,758 square feet.

The Westgate Village community will embrace its own set of amenities for residents, including a resort-style pool, open-air clubhouse with an outdoor kitchen, playground, open sports field, and picnic area with pavilions.

New K-6 Charter School Opens
Few planned communities can boast of a tuition-free charter school at their main entrance. But this bragging right goes to Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, which is proud to welcome Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel.

The school opened its doors on Aug. 10 to over 600 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Students in all grades are immersed in new technologies, including robotics, and work in fully functioning STEM labs — something most schools do not offer.

“All Pinecrest schools have an emphasis on high-quality instruction. We’ll continuously be monitoring the data so we know what each student needs, and have many different programs available to focus on the needs of the individual student,” said Principal Aimee Mielke.

The school, on State Road 54, has several sections at every grade level, and will be adding seventh and eighth grades in coming years. The school also offers self-contained classrooms for gifted students, where pacing will be faster and performance tests much more in-depth.

Technology is an essential component of the new school, Mielke explained, and everything purchased for classrooms was chosen for student engagement. Laptops are provided for every student in grades two through six, as are iPads for first-graders and kindergartners.

Blue and green colors brilliantly burst along the hallways of the modern building that has 49 large classrooms, oversized art and music rooms, and high-tech science labs. The school is visually notable with unusual windows in the shape of half-moons, circles and squares that give students and faculty stunning lake and conservation views.

“Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, along with New River Elementary, are essential elements of building a brand-new town,” said Lerret, of the Avalon Park Group. “We are ecstatic to have both schools in our community to give our residents the best options and opportunities for themselves and their children.”

New River Library to Reopen in January
After months of work, Pasco County Libraries in January is reopening its New River branch, which is located at the west entrance of Avalon Park.

Having a library in the center of the community is something residents truly love and value. The New River Library is being completely renovated, including expanding both the size of its building and outdoor areas. The county also is upgrading the library’s technology capabilities, and when the library reopens, will be a showpiece for all of Pasco County.

Visitors will love the library’s modern new look, covered walkway entry, much faster Internet speeds, expanded youth areas, and a makerspace that opens into a shaded classroom for outdoor activities.

Makerspaces are do-it-yourself centers that foster hands-on discovery and stimulate imagination. An expanded garden makerspace will include programs hosted by Pasco County Extension agents and master gardeners.

Also, new at the library will be a unique children’s activity, Story Walk, which will encourage children to follow a winding path where they will stop at stations and read pages from a storybook.

Published December 30, 2020

Pasco Extension gets a new home

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Pasco County Extension is operating out of a new building at the Pasco County Fairgrounds.

The organization, which operates under a partnership between the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Pasco County, also has adapted its programming to provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whitney Elmore enjoys her new office at UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County. She said most programming is being done online now, but things will change once the threat from COVID-19 subsides. (B.C. Manion)

Dr. Whitney Elmore, director of UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, recently provided a tour of the new office to a reporter from The Laker/Lutz News.

The 6,400-square-foot facility is a massive upgrade from the Extension’s old office. It features a large, open classroom area — with the potential of adding a sliding wall, to convert the space into two rooms. It also has a small kitchenette and several offices.

“It’s a fantastic new opportunity, not only for the team, but for the citizens — to be able to come here and enjoy it —  a very functional space,” Elmore said.

The new office, which opened in June, was about five years in the making.

It was constructed through a $1.1-million state grant combined with $244,000 in funding from Pasco County and $197,000 from the Pasco County Fair Association. The fair association applied for the state grant, which required local matching funds.

“Now, we have this nice, new facility that really meets our needs, and again, is an excellent educational facility,” Elmore said.

Though the doors are open, people aren’t streaming in yet — as Extension takes precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, following UF/IFAS and Pasco County protocols.

Like other operations throughout Florida, the Extension office closed when Florida went on lockdown.

Then, Extension pivoted.

“We went virtual, quickly. It’s not a surprise, because that’s what Extension is, anywhere — we adjust, we’re flexible, we’re adaptable.

“Honestly, I can’t be prouder of this team. I’m not surprised, but I can’t be prouder of the team.

Receptionist Michelle Jedych loves Pasco County Extension’s new office, at the Pasco County Fairgrounds. She said it provides an inviting venue for people who are coming there to receive services.

“They just, literally, overnight, said, ‘OK, we’re not in person — which has been the standard for 100 years for Extension —  we’re going to make the best of this, we’re going to adjust and we put everything on line.

“So, they just picked up and ran with it,” she said.

Even those who were not particularly comfortable with technology made the switch.

“They knew this is what had to be done. There was not one complaint. There was not one grumble from this team,” Elmore said.

The staff stays focused.

“We are very mission-oriented. We have servant’s hearts. The public needed us in so many ways, and that shifted some, especially with what we call ‘pandemic’ gardening.

“The horticulture questions went through the roof, with people working in our community gardens. Our community gardens employees were considered essential because that’s food systems related and those continued on, not missing a beat.

“We set up dozens of online learning opportunities. We partnered with the Pasco EDC, the Sheriff’s Office, you name it, to offer a wide variety of learning opportunities,” Elmore said.

The efforts received a tremendous response.

“Just our social media engagement went up about 4,000%, in a month,” the Extension services director said.

“We had people from other countries that were tuning in. Definitely, other parts of the state. They learned about us and they also learned about Pasco County,” she said.

Extension and the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., also work together at a facility, called the One Stop Shop, on Lock Street in Dade City. The facility has a commercial kitchen and Pasco EDC offers programs aimed at helping entrepreneurs to establish businesses, and to help existing businesses thrive.

“We had people wanting to come from Miami to use our commercial space, at our One Stop Shop, because of some of the learning opportunities. It put a spotlight on Pasco County, and not just on Extension,” Elmore said.

Concerns about COVID-19 have caused a significant reduction of in-person classes and events.

“We do have some very small, in-person, teaching events. Those typically revolve around people needing to get a license, a certification, to continue or get new employment,” she said.

The University of Florida UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County now has a new facility at the Pasco County Fairgrounds.

Some changes made to remain safe during COVID-19 will become permanent.

“At the end of the day, it’s been in a lot of ways, very beneficial,” she said.

Online programs are not only safer, they’re more convenient, Elmore said.

Extension has introduced new programming, which Elmore expects to continue on — even after in-person activities pick up.

“It opened up lines of creativity and collaboration, across program areas that we never really explored before, that just make sense now,” Elmore said.

Despite valuable changes that have resulted from COVID-19, there have terrible consequences, too, Elmore said.

“There are tremendous negatives to what has transpired. Economics. Jobs. People getting sick and dying.

“We have experienced that loss in our Extension family. Dorothy Moore, she was one of our master gardeners. She passed away in July, in Dade City.

“That was a hard hit for us. Emotionally, that took a toll,” she said, plus it required Extension staffers who had been in contact with Moore to quarantine for 14 days.

Published October 07, 2020

Walking toward better health

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Pasco County Extension has kicked off a virtual 10-week walking program to promote good health through physical activity.

The program, planned by UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension encourages people to start taking steps to improve their health.

The 10-week program calls for those taking part to walk 30 minutes a day, wherever they choose, while tracking their progress for accountability and support through a virtual community, according to a Pasco County news release.

All are welcome.

The benefits of walking are known. It reduces the risk of heart disease and some cancers, improves blood pressure, blood sugar levels, energy, mood and more, the release says.

The virtual walking program will run from Sept. 14 through Nov. 22. An optional virtual kick-off event is set for Sept. 11 at noon.

Register by Sept. 8, at tinyurl.com/lwffall2020.

The program registration fee is $14.99 per person, and all ages are welcome.  Sign up with friends as a team or individually, or request to be assigned to a team.

For more information, contact Shari Bresin at (352) 518-0156 or .

Published September 02, 2020

New River Library In The Heart of Avalon Park

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Having a library in the center of your community is something that residents of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel truly love and value. The New River Library, a branch of the Pasco County Libraries system, is located on State Road 54, at the west entrance to the Wesley Chapel community.

Rendering of the covered walkway being built at the New River Branch Library.

The New River Library is currently going through a complete renovation and expansion of its building and outdoor areas, and also is upgrading its technology capabilities. When completed this fall, it will be a showpiece for all of Pasco County.

When the New River Library re-opens, visitors will love its modern new look, covered walkway entry, much faster Internet speeds, expanded youth areas, and a makerspace that opens into a shaded classroom for outdoor activities.

Library patrons can expect “a complete re-imagining from top to bottom,” including space for do-it-yourself activities and gardening programs hosted by master gardeners or Pasco County Extension agents, said Bob Harrison, marketing program manager for Pasco County Libraries.

The New River Library will re-open with its garden area greatly expanded from six raised beds to 26 beds. About half will be used for workshops and demonstrations, and the rest will be available to people who want to grow flowers or vegetables.

“It’s really kind of neat that the library team gave us this opportunity,” said Judy Curran, the library’s youth services provider.

Curran made the first plantings at the original New River Library in 2014, when employees were encouraged to adopt a special project. Curran’s garden idea received an enthusiastic response as soon as she posted it on the library bulletin board, and flowers and vegetables soon sprouted with help from a dozen youth and adult volunteers.

Also, new at the library is a unique children’s activity, Story Walk, which will encourage children to follow a winding path where they will stop at stations and read pages from a storybook.

“I think Story Walk is going to bring even more people when we reopen,” Curran said. “This little idea I had has really expanded.”

To encourage full use of the library’s new capabilities, a new employee is being added who will be assigned to community outreach and helping organize library events.

Funding for the renovations is from General Obligation bonds approved by voters in November 2018. For information on New River and video on renovations, visit Facebook.com/newriverlibrary.

Published June 24, 2020

New River library gets makeover

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New River Branch Library was feeling its age after more than nearly 30 years of service to patrons in Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel.

But soon, New River will be like new again.

Construction on major renovations and an expanded community garden is on schedule for a fall 2020 completion.

This rendering shows the covered walkway that is part of an expansion of the New River Branch Library. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

“We’re moving forward on it. The (coronavirus) pandemic has not slowed down construction,” said Bob Harrison, marketing program manager for the Pasco County Libraries.

All seven county libraries are slated for “a complete re-imagining from top to bottom,” Harrison said. Funding for the renovations is from the GO, or General Obligation, bonds approved by voters in November 2018.

Centennial Park Branch Library in Holiday also is in the process of being renovated.

When the New River renovation is finished, patrons can enjoy a new look, as well as upgrades in technology, high-efficiency air conditioning, teen and youth adult areas, faster Internet speeds, a covered walkway entry and a makerspace that opens into a shaded “classroom” for the community garden.

Harrison said the covered walkway and garden space will allow for “do-it-yourself” activities. It also can be used to host gardening programs delivered by master gardeners or Pasco County Extension agents.

During the COVID-19 shutdown, the original garden died off, but Judy Curran is ready to dig and plant anew when New River opens in the fall.

Curran, the library’s youth services provider, said the new garden will be larger and will have more activities.

A garden that had about six raised beds will expand to about 26 beds, Curran said. About half will be for workshops and demonstrations. The rest will be open to people who want to grow flowers or vegetables.

“It’s really kind of neat that the library team gave us this opportunity,” she said. “I’m hoping to expand some of my outdoor activities.”

A new employee assigned to community outreach will aid in organizing events.

Curran made the first plantings in 2014 when employees were encouraged to pick a special project to adopt. They could spend 10% of their work hours to make it happen.

Curran got enthusiastic responses as soon as she posted her idea on the library bulletin board. The garden beds soon sprouted with help from a dozen youth and adult volunteers.

New River’s garden was unique not only in Pasco County, but in Florida, as well. Curran said she even received a call from Chicago asking about the library’s garden.

The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library has since planted a community garden, too.

A project to plant fruit trees at New River is expected to continue.

And, a new children’s activity, Story Walk, will allow children to follow a winding path where they will stop at stations and read pages from a storybook.

“I think it’s going to bring even more people when we reopen,” Curran said. “This little idea I had has really expanded.”

For information on New River and video on renovations, visit Facebook.com/newriverlibrary.

Published June 03, 2020

Getting down and dirty in summer camp

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It’s a few minutes before class will start and 6-year-old Elix Danahue, 10-year-old Elizabeth Lankist and 11-year-old Karis Williams are looking forward to the day’s lessons.

The children are in a class being taught by Eden Santiago-Gomez.

The three children are among a group of 21 in a Farm to Table Summer Youth Camp, offered by the University of Florida/Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences and Pasco County Extension in Dade City.

Eden Santiago-Gomez helps children in a Farm to Table Summer Camp work on an experiment. The youths next to Santiago-Gomez, from left, are Isel Chavez, Alan Guzman and William Lopez. (B.C. Manion)

“It’s a summer camp that teaches kids how to grow their own food,” said Gomez-Santiago, who is the Extension Office’s community gardens program assistant. Among other things the camp teaches is “the importance of nutrition, as well as water conservation,” she said.

All three kids said they’ve been enjoying the camp and would recommend it to friends.

That may be due to the teacher’s approach. She limits how long she talks and instead concentrates on letting kids learn by doing.

She also brings in guest speakers to give the kids a deeper look at various topics.

It’s the first time that Gomez-Santiago has offered a summer camp for kids, but it won’t be the last. There’s a possibility she could offer this camp again near the end of the summer, if there’s enough demand.

Otherwise, she’ll likely offer it twice next summer, she said.

“Each day, I have a different theme. The first day was Gardening 101,” Santiago-Gomez said.

“Yesterday, we talked about good bugs vs. bad bugs,” she said.

“They got to do a scavenger hunt, where they looked for these good and bad pests, and different elements that plants need.

Each day of the week has had a different emphasis.

On Wednesday, the children focused on learning about the importance of conserving the environment.

Gomez-Santiago asked the kids to tell her what they knew about pollution, then she shared some video clips on the topic.

Next, they did an experiment that involved making edible water bottles.

Later in the morning, an agent was slated to visit the class to talk about vermicomposting, which uses worms to turn food waste into compost called worm castings. Worm bins tend to take up less space than traditional compost bins and can even be kept inside.

“Kids will get to make their own little bins and will take them home,” she said.

Other days of the week involved lessons on food conservation, aquaponics, different forms of farming and gardening.

There was even a visit planned involving an agricultural agent to talk about chickens and manure.

Karis and Elizabeth said they especially enjoyed the gardening.

“I’ve always had a knack for gardening,” Elizabeth said.

“I like gardening,” Karis agreed.

Elix said he pretty much likes everything about the camp.

“It’s just so fun,” the 6-year-old said.

Published June 13, 2018

Region has frigid wake-up call

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The new year brought the first blast of winter to Pasco County, and to the Tampa Bay region.

Freeze warnings and wind chill advisories rained down daily from the National Weather Service, as frigid air dipped into north and central Florida, and stayed for days.

For the first time in decades, Tallahassee had measurable snowfall.

The Greenery of Tampa Bay, a nursery on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, covered some of its cold-sensitive plants, as arctic air arrived in Pasco County. (Kathy Steele)

Here in Tampa Bay, snow was a no-show, but temperatures plunged into the low 30s and upper 20s.

The unexpected weather meant many area residents turned on the heat in their homes for the first time, and pulled out those rarely used sweaters and coats.

Construction workers went to work wearing coats; nurseries were forced to cover cold-sensitive plants.

The hard freezes also put Pasco County, social service agencies, farmers, and wildlife officials on alert.

The county opened cold-weather emergency shelters for five nights in west and east Pasco, from Jan. 2 through Jan. 6.

In east Pasco, Restored Hope in Dade City, Samaritan Project of Zephyrhills, and Helping Rock, also in Zephyrhills, helped families and individuals to find shelters and resources for food and warm clothing.

In West Pasco, the United Way helped families who needed shelter, and Joining Hands Mission, in Holiday, helped individuals.

They are part of Pasco’s “Cold Weather Shelter Program” that provides outreach to the county’s neediest residents.

The program is a coalition of area churches; nonprofit agencies, such as the United Way, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross; the Homeless Coalition of Pasco County; and social service organizations.

Manatees are affected by extreme cold weather, often swimming into warm-water habitats, including discharge canals of power plants and natural springs. Wildlife officials asked that boaters watch out for manatees in shallow waters near the coast, both inland and coastal. Boaters also should obey posted manatee speed zone signs. (Courtesy of Southwest Florida Management District)

Pasco’s Office of Emergency Management, the sheriff’s office and public transportation department also provide support.

Shelters generally are opened when temperatures drop below 36 degrees, with or without wind chill, for four hours or more, according to the county’s website, PascoCountyFl.net.

The shelters, which normally open by 6 p.m., are operated by nonprofits and religious organizations. Churches and area motels often help out.

Depending on fund and donation availability, shelters can provide food, drinks and blankets, according to the county’s website.

Not all shelters are able to take families, but the program will find ways of providing shelter for families in need.

Kathy Hunt is the outreach director for Restored Hope, an organization she started about four years ago in Dade City.

She works with a local motel to secure rooms for homeless individuals and families. In one instance, a year ago, she helped a mother find warm shelter for three nights. She had been living in a shed, with her four children, Hunt said.

Over the past week, she monitored the phone line for her organization during the five nights of predicted freeze. A local motel provided a couple of rooms. And, she also checked on a homeless camp in the area.

“I’ve never seen cold that latest this long, this early,” Hunt said.

The Samaritan Project, in Zephyrhills, also monitored for phone calls, helping a couple of families find shelter.

“We want people to reach out to us,” said volunteer Paul Bathrick.

Eddy Reyes, founder of Helping Rock, said in total the three nonprofits in east Pasco, probably aided about 40 people who needed shelter from the cold. Helping Rock took in about eight people, he said.

Helping Rock is the only transitional housing program in east Pasco that can provide shelter services and other resources to the homeless population on a daily basis, Reyes said.

“There is a huge need,” he said.

Construction workers at a future apartment complex off State Road 54 are bundled up against the cold weather. (Kathy Steele)

The Pasco County Health Department offered tips on staying warm during the freeze.

Officials said to stay indoors as much as possible. When venturing outside, people should dress warmly in layers of clothing.

Also, as temperatures dip below freezing, home water taps should be kept slightly open so that they drip continuously. And, pets should be brought indoors and provided warm shelter.

Fire officials worried about the potential for house fires as residents sought to stay warm.

A major risk is the improper use of space heaters, said Karl Thompson, Pasco’s fire marshal and fire prevention division chief.

Residents in older homes, without central heat and air, are more likely to rely on those than people in newer homes, he said.

“I am worried as temperatures get into the 20s especially in some older, smaller homes that don’t have insulation,” he said. “These were built for Florida and not for the cold.”

People should avoid placing space heaters “too close to curtains. They can tip over and some don’t have automatic cutoff (systems),” Thompson said.

Christmas trees can also pose a hazard and should be disposed of, he added.

The cold weather also put farmers and wildlife officials on alert.

It’s early to know how crops, such as peaches and blueberries, will fare in the cold, but farmers are experienced in what to do, said Whitney C. Elmore, director of Pasco County Extension.

Pasco is unique in having “micro-climates” in different areas of the county, said Elmore.

For example, Dade City generally gets colder than Wesley Chapel.

“One or two degrees can make a difference,” Elmore said.

In addition to farm crops, landscaping also can take a hit from the cold.

Elmore said this was the first time in about seven to eight years that the area had a cold snap this early in the year, she said.

“A lot of people have taken that as a mandate to plant more tropicals,” she said. “I am concerned about that.”

People should take precautions and cover sensitive plants.

But, there is a right way and a wrong way to do that.

Elmore said the coverings – often bed sheets – should never touch the plants. It’s best to build a small scaffold that can hold up the coverings.

They should be removed when the sun comes up the next day, she added.

And, she cautions against using heaters to protect landscaping, including fruit trees. “This is certainly a fire hazard.”

Irrigation also can be an issue.

If possible, Elmore said irrigation systems should be turned off on the coldest nights.

“If they need to irrigate, it is best early in the morning when the temperatures are warming up,” she said.

But, residents should check with the county or extension agency regarding restrictions on when watering is allowed, she added.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission monitored populations of sea turtles and manatees, according to a news release from the state agency.

Sea turtles can be stunned by cold water temperatures, and float listlessly in the water or near the shore. While they might appear dead, wildlife officials said they often are still alive.

Residents can report such sightings to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-3922.

Manatees also are affected by extreme cold weather, often swimming into warm-water habitats, including discharge canals of power plants and natural springs.

Wildlife officials asked that boaters watch out for manatees in shallow waters near the coast, both inland and coastal. They also should obey posted manatee speed zone signs.

For information from Restored Hope, call (352) 437-4815; for the Samaritan Project, call (813) 810-8670.

For information on the county’s cold weather shelter program, visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Heating safety tips

  • Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from heating equipment
  • Have a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters
  • Never use your oven to heat your home
  • Have a qualified professional install stationary space heaters, water heaters or central heating equipment, according to local codes and manufacturer’s instructions
  • Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional
  • Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed
  • Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters
  • Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

Source: National Fire Protection Association

Published January 10, 2018

4H Unidos Club aims to boost opportunities, bridge gaps

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There’s a new 4H Unidos Club starting in Dade City that’s intended to reach into a community that traditionally hasn’t been part of such clubs.

The club is specifically reaching out to Spanish-speaking youth and their parents, although it’s not an exclusive club.

“It’s a totally inclusive club. Anybody can join. That’s kind of the nature of 4H and all Extension activities,” said Whitney C. Elmore, director of the Pasco County Extension Office.

Grace Reich, who works at the Pasco County Extension Office, will take on a leadership role in a new 4H Unidos Club forming in Dade City.
(B.C. Manion)

However, Elmore noted, it became clear last year during community stakeholder meetings that more services were being requested in Dade City’s Lock Street area.

“Folks in the community were saying, ‘We want to know more about 4H,’” Elmore said.

The meeting is set for May 13, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Resurrection Park, at 37124 Lock St., in Dade City. Free hot dogs and chips will be served.

During the stakeholder meetings, Sammy Ortiz stepped forward and said he wanted to get involved. Both he and Grace Reich, from Elmore’s office, will take on leadership roles.

Elmore believes that “4H is the perfect vehicle, to talk about entrepreneurship and leadership skills.”

It also helps youths develop literacy about livestock and agriculture, both very important topics in Pasco County, she said.

Beyond that, club members have the chance to learn about environmental stewardship, sustainability, science, technology, engineering, mathematics and other topics.

These are among the things the community said they needed, Elmore said. “So, we’re doing our best to respond to that.”

To that end, the club will have an informational session to find out what potential members are interested in, and will begin planning future meetings.

The meetings likely will be in various locales around the community, Elmore said.

The information session will help set the tone for future meetings.

Besides delivering information, the session will be aimed at listening to what topics the community wants the 4H Club to explore, Elmore said.

“We can take it in a million different directions. That’s one of the best things about 4H. It’s definitely not one-size-fits-all,” Elmore said.

It’s not clear yet whether there will be fees, but if there are and a family can’t afford them, the University of Florida won’t allow that to be a limiting factor, Elmore said.

“We’re hoping that we’ll have sponsors step up out of the community to help fund some of the fees and some of the activities that the children will want to do,” Elmore added.

Grace Reich, who works in Elmore’s office, has stepped up to help lead the 4H Club.

“I’m part of this community. I’d like to see the Hispanic people be more involved in 4H, because we’re a big part of the community.

“I think they can see some things they haven’t seen before — opportunities that they don’t realize are out there. I think it’s a good thing,” Reich said.

The club is expected to meet at least once a month.

“We’re hoping to get an idea of what they’re interested in. What excites them,” Reich said.

Ortiz got involved after learning about the conditions in the Lock Street area.

“It goes back to coming to the Kumquat Festival and missing the turn to go onto Meridian, and going onto Lock Street, and Lock Street looking like it was a Third World country, and I said, ‘Why does Lock Street look different than Seventh Avenue?” Ortiz said.

“I want underprivileged kids to have the same opportunities (as other kids).

“It’s going to open up a whole new horizon for them,” he said.

“I’d like to see a melding of what they can learn from 4H — not just from an agricultural point of view, but how to deal with people, how to communicate, how to relate to people who are different from themselves.

His hope is that “at the end of the day, what will end up happening is that they can build community. They all go to school together, but they don’t live in the same area.

“This way, it will bridge a gap, build community,” Ortiz said.

He wants to plant seeds of hope in these youths’ hearts, that they could one day attend the University of Florida.

The program “may not change physically, the way that Lock Street looks, but if we can begin to impact the way that the kids think mentally, eventually the way that Lock Street looks will change because the kids on Lock Street will change.”

For more information about the new 4H Club, call Ortiz at (813) 563-5753, or reach him by email via ,

Or, contact Elmore at (352)518-0156 or .

New 4H Unidos Club
What: An information session about a new 4H Unidos Club forming in Dade City
Where: Resurrection Park Pavilion, 37124 Lock St.
When: May 13, 10 a.m. to noon
Who: Parents and youths are invited to learn about the new club.
Cost: Free
Details: Free chips and hot dogs will be served; parents and youths are invited to offer ideas about what kinds of activities the new club should do.
Information: Call Whitney C. Elmore at (352) 518-0156 or Sammy Ortiz at (813) 563-5753.

Published May 10, 2017

Pasco Extension eyeing options for new home

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Nobody disputes that Pasco County’s Extension Office is in serious need of an upgrade.

But that’s where the consensus ends.

Extension now operates out of space owned by the Pasco County Fair Association, under an annual $17,000 lease, which is currently on a month-to-month basis.

But the office is too small and outdated to meet Extension’s needs.

The county wants to improve conditions for Extension and has been weighing various options.

It held a community stakeholder meeting on Oct. 12 at the Stallings Building, at 15029 14th St., in Dade

Whitney Elmore, director of Pasco County Extension, said she needs more space to enable her to create more programs to serve more Pasco County residents.
Richard K. Riley/photos                                 Whitney Elmore, director of Pasco County Extension, said she needs more space to enable her to create more programs to serve more Pasco County residents.

City.

The county owns that building and had been leasing it out, but that lease ended and the building is now vacant.

Moving Extension to the Stallings Building is one of the options the county is considering, said Cathy Pearson, an assistant county administrator.

The building, constructed in 1991, is in generally good condition and is immediately available. It would cost an estimated $146,000 to renovate and the project would take about 120 days, Pearson said.

Some advantages are that it has a kitchen and there’s space to do a community garden center.

Another option the county is considering would keep the program at the fairgrounds, with improvements made there.

“We’re on hold right now. We want to look and see what it would cost to do some renovations to that,” Pearson said. “We haven’t had a chance to work those figures out. We want facilities to take a hard look at that in the next month or so and come back with some figures.”

The county doesn’t own the fairgrounds, Pearson said.

The county also considered a third option to move Extension to the county’s  old Data Center building, but that option doesn’t appear to be viable, Pearson said.

The building, constructed in 1977, would cost an estimated $606,000 to renovate and would take about a year, Pearson said.

A fourth option would involve a public/private partnership, but none has materialized so far.

“Is there something that we’re not thinking of?” Pearson asked.

County staff needs more time to evaluate the fairgrounds option, Pearson said, noting that it just began exploring that idea earlier in the week.

She estimated it would take about 90 days to evaluate that option and suggested meeting with the stakeholders again after the holidays.

Margarita Romo is urging Pasco County to relocate the Extension Office to the Stallings Building. She said area children need more opportunities and this would help to provide them.
Margarita Romo is urging Pasco County to relocate the Extension Office to the Stallings Building. She said area children need more opportunities and this would help to provide them.

Reaction from the crowd was all over the map.

Some support upgrading the fairgrounds building and keeping Extension there.

Others want the county to move the program to the Stallings Building because it could serve to help lift up a neighborhood where people struggle to provide opportunities for their children.

Some noted potential safety issues, if Extension moves to the Stallings Building.

A comparison of police calls shows that the neighborhood had more than twice as many police calls than the fairgrounds location.

However, some people in the crowd noted that improved trust in law enforcement has led to a greater number of calls, and the Stallings Building is in a more populated area than the fairgrounds, which makes police calls more likely.

Others in the crowd questioned how long it would take to upgrade the fairgrounds, how much it would cost and how Extension would operate in the interim.

A question also was raised about why the county would want to invest taxpayer money in a property not owned by the county.

Other questions included whether the county would continue to pay rent on the fairgrounds property and how the arrangement would affect Extension’s ability to control scheduling and programs.

Whitney Elmore, the director of Extension, said the main goal to expand the programming that’s available.

“Our existing facilities don’t allow us to expand,” she said.

Some speakers suggested relocating Extension temporarily to the Stallings Building, until renovations can be made to the fairgrounds, at which time it would move back.

Others suggested the county consider using both sites.

Margarita Romo, founder of Farmworkers Self-Help, urged the county to move Extension to the Stallings Building and to keep it there. The community’s children need more opportunities, she said.

“Come here, where it’s a challenge,” Romo said. “Take it on.”

LeAnne John, president of the Pasco County Fair Assoc., asked for time to determine whether improvements can be made at the fairgrounds to keep Extension there.

Leanne John, president of the Pasco County Fair Association, wants Pasco County to gather more information on whether it would be possible to upgrade the fairgrounds' building, so Extension could remain there.
Leanne John, president of the Pasco County Fair Association, wants Pasco County to gather more information on whether it would be possible to upgrade the fairgrounds’ building, so Extension could remain there.

“I grew up with the fair,” said Cindy Waller, John’s mom, and also a former president of the association. “If you want to showcase your Extension Office, what better place?” she asked.

Another meeting with stakeholders is expected after the county has gathered more information.

Published Oct. 19, 2016