The Laker/Lutz News

Salvation Army

Marilyn Wannamaker leaves a legacy of service

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wannamaker led by example.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“She was our life coach.

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

“Our mom volunteered for everything,” Mark added.

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

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

He wasn’t complaining: He was proud.

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

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

“She had immaculate penmanship,” he marveled.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Published February 27, 2019

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

Rallying ’round the blueberry bushes

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Hurricane Irma blew across the landscape, uprooting and toppling about 100,000 blueberry bushes at Frogmore Fresh Farm, outside Dade City.

Pasco High senior ​Matt​ ​Gregory, 17,​ took a break and used a cane stake to stretch out his back.​ ​Gregory​ ​and​ ​senior​ ​Nathalie Sawczuk, 17,​ ​​(obscured​ ​by​ ​plant)​ were​ ​among​ ​students​ ​who​ ​volunteered​ ​at Frogmore Fresh Farm. (Fred Bellet)

In Irma’s aftermath, the farm’s general manager, Leonard Park, knew he had a narrow window to salvage as many of the plants as possible. He also knew he didn’t have enough labor to make that happen.

An unexpected phone call from Whitney Elmore offered some hope.

Elmore is the chief executive director of the University of Florida/IFAS Pasco County Extension, in Dade City.

“She wanted to know if she could send some volunteers to help,” said Park. “I thought she meant a van with maybe 20 people.”

Elmore had bigger ideas, and put social media to work.

“This went viral,” said Elmore. “It’s been all over Facebook and Twitter.”

Pasco County, the University of Florida and the extension service worked as a team to put out the word.

Land​ ​O’​ ​Lakes​ ​resident​ ​Tom​ ​Stewart​ ​staked​ ​fallen​ ​blueberry plants​.​ ​Stewart​ ​said​ ​he​ ​learned​ ​about​ ​the​ ​event​ ​at Frogmore Fresh Farm on​ ​​Facebook.

On a hot, Saturday morning, about 200 volunteers drove their cars and trucks down a narrow dirt lane, off St. Joe Road, to put in a day’s work and save the blueberries.

Volunteers focused on about 23 acres of the approximately 145-acre farm. That is where the youngest blueberry plants had either been uprooted or knocked down.

Farm employees were able to put their attentions on more mature plants elsewhere.

The turnout caught Park by surprise.

“It’s heartwarming. This is a tremendous benefit to us,” he said. “This (the young plants) is the future. We’re going to keep on, keeping on.”

It was all for a good cause, said Elmore.

Frogmore Fresh Farm benefits the county’s economy. The Sigety family, which owns the farm, does charitable work in Pasco, donating to food banks and providing internships to local students, Elmore said.

University​ ​of​ ​Florida​ ​graduate​ ​students​ ​Carlos​ ​Zambrano​, right, ​and​ ​Dario​ ​Racano,​ both​ ​of​ ​Gainesville,​ staked​ ​young​ ​blueberry​ ​plants​ ​at Frogmore​ ​Fresh Farm.

“It’s about being part of the community and making it better for everyone,” she said.

About 50 students and faculty members came from UF. Two sororities also sent volunteers.

“People have driven two hours basically on a call from social media, which is really interesting,” said Kevin Folta, UF professor and chairman of the university’s horticultural sciences department.

“But, this is what we’re supposed to do as a land grant institute. It fits our mission well.”

Frogmore’s blueberries are hybrids developed through UF research. Folta said the plants produce fruit after the harvests in other countries, such as Chile.

It opens markets for Florida blueberries that might not be available, he said.

Linda​ ​Dao,​ ​a​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Florida​ ​senior​ ​biology​ ​major,​ ​worked to​ ​fix damaged​ ​blueberry​ ​plants​ ​that​ ​fell​ ​over​ ​from​ ​the​ ​force​ ​of​ Hurricane Irma’s wind.

They are rooted in wood chip beds and hydrated with an irrigation system, sort of as a “big, crazy hydroponic garden,” Folta said.

“None of this would happen naturally,” he said. “It’s a system that works and brings millions of dollars to the state of Florida. Blueberry acreage is exploding.”

Elmore said Florida produces about 20 million pounds of blueberries annually, with a value of about $82 million to $100 million.

UF wasn’t alone in rounding up students to help.

Another 50 or so volunteers were from Pasco High School’s science club and student body council. There also were students from Saint Leo University, local residents, and church members.

The Salvation Army provided bottled water.

Margarita Roma, local migrant activist and executive director of Farmers Self-Help Inc., came with about 10 volunteers. Most were teenagers, wearing T-shirts in support of DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Kevin Folta, professor and chairman of the University of Florida’s horticultural sciences department, relied on social media to recruit about 50 UF students to help salvage blueberry plants damaged by Hurricane Irma.

Those children, often referred to as Dreamers, are undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children before age 16, and who have lived here since June 15, 2007.

“It’s good for our kids to have visibility,” she said. And, good to show that they can help the community they live in, she added.

Jose Pedro Lopez, 14, wanted people to know that Dreamers are like everyone else. “They should be able to live a free life,” he said.

Volunteers headed into the field, one group at a time.

In groups, volunteers carried batches of cane stakes and rolls of tape, and walked into the field.

Jim Moll, the extension service’s Florida-Friendly Landscaping program manager, gave tutorials on blueberry care.

Plants had to be stood upright, firmly replanted, and wrapped with tape to keep foliage from drooping.

“It doesn’t have to be a pretty knot, just effective,” Moll said. “You want it tight, but, not too firm. You don’t want to cut off circulation.”

Moll felt optimistic.

Pasco High School student, ​Roney​ ​Webster, 17,​ ​ties green tape​ ​around​ ​a​ ​​stake​ ​to support a damaged blueberry plant.

The plants “will be traumatized from being whipped in the wind,” he said. “The good news is they are all green. They aren’t limping.”

Samantha Acacio, 21, bent down to tie a knot around a blueberry plant. She felt a connection to the environment, as she worked to put the plants upright.

“These (plants) produce oxygen,” said Acacio, a pre-med student at Saint Leo University. “Why not have more oxygen in the world? It’s motivation. They weathered the storm, and we’re going to help them stand upright.”

Wesley Chapel residents Maleena Newcomb, 14, Allie Black, 14, and Ana Anderson, 24, might have been volunteering at an annual coastal cleanup, if not for Irma.

But, they were happy to find themselves being useful at the farm instead.

“It’s a good effort,” said Black. “You get community service hours. It’s all good.”

Gayle Womer and her daughter, Jenny Konow, attend First Baptist Church in Dade City. Konow is a 4-H leader.

Konow said they had some experience with blueberry plants. “We’re small hobby farmers,” she said. “We kind of know the struggles if you need help.”

But, it was her 11-year-old son, Archer Konow, who told his family that they had to volunteer. He loves everything about farming.

“It’s good to help people after hard things come through,” he said. If it’s a business, he added, “You need to help out.”

Roney Webster, 17, is a Pasco High senior. He volunteered around his community to help neighbors with cleanup.

This was one more chance to help.

“It’s just giving back,” Webster said. “I’ve been outside pretty much every day helping people.”

Published September 27, 2017

Massive sinkhole swallows two homes

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Recovery efforts expected to take months

Efforts are beginning in a recovery process to address impacts from a massive sinkhole that swallowed two homes in the Lake Padgett community of Land O’ Lakes.

Kevin Guthrie, Pasco County’s assistant county administrator for public safety, said authorities received a 911 call at 7:21 a.m., on July 14, reporting a depression forming under a boat.

A depression indicating the presence of this sinkhole was initially reported to Pasco County authorities around 7:21 a.m., on July 14. It grew quickly, swallowing two homes and the roadway in front of it before going dormant that evening. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

First responders from Pasco County Fire Rescue were on scene by 7:36 a.m., according to county officials.

“Very quickly, it (the sinkhole) started expanding toward the house, and then the house started falling in,” Guthrie said, estimated that happened within 30 to 40 minutes of them being on scene.

First responders rescued two dogs from one home and quickly evacuated other nearby homes, he said.

When Guthrie arrived, shortly after 9 a.m., the sinkhole was at the edge of the driveway of one of the destroyed homes.

“Within 45 minutes, the entire roadway was in,” he said.

In addition to the two homes — at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive and 21835 Ocean Pines Drive — that were destroyed, the county tagged nine other homes as being unsafe to enter.

Despite the extensive property damage, however, no one was injured.

The neighborhood was cordoned off on July 14 to keep people safe and keep curiosity seekers out.

Besides a heavy presence of public safety officials, scores of media outlets swarmed the neighborhood on July 14. News trucks straddled the normally quiet residential streets, and drones and helicopters buzzed overhead.

The story made the national news, received extensive coverage on local television stations and captured air time on NPR, too.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey visited the site on July 17, to see the devastation firsthand and to announce a relief effort established to help those affected.

“Seeing it on TV is very different from seeing it live,” Starkey said, of the sinkhole’s damage.

“This is just devastating for our community. I’m just very thankful we had no loss of life,” she added.

The commissioner also offered this reassurance: “I wanted our residents and our citizens to know that the Pasco County Commission is here for them.”

Kevin Guthrie, Pasco County’s assistant county administrator, addresses the media at one of several briefings regarding the giant sinkhole that opened up in Land O’ Lakes. (B.C. Manion)

United Way of Pasco has partnered with the county to help the people who have been affected by the sinkhole, said Alice Delgardo, CEO of the organization.

A sinkhole relief fund has been set up by United Way of Pasco, and another one is being established by SunTrust Bank, Delgardo said.

Anyone wishing to contribute can be assured that those accounts are legitimate and will provide help to those affected, Guthrie said.

Immediately after the news conference with Starkey, water quality sampling began.

Water at the nine homes that were evacuated will be tested, as well as another 11 homes in the neighborhood, Guthrie said. Results were expected by the afternoon of July 18 (after The Laker/Lutz News went to press).

No other action by the county was expected on July 17.

“We are still in that 48-hour waiting period that the Department of Environmental Protection has asked us to do.

“The Department of Environmental Protection will be back today (July 17) to do another water level assessment to make sure that things are not growing,” Guthrie said.

Before it went dormant, the sinkhole grew to 225 feet in diameter and 50 feet deep, Guthrie said.

“I don’t recall any sinkhole of this size (in Pasco County), nor one that had water in it,” Starkey said.

“I believe this is the largest one in the state of Florida in recent history,” Guthrie said.

Guthrie is unsure when the residents who were evacuated will be able to return home.

“Engineers are telling us that it’s not safe, as we move that heavy equipment in and out of here, with the sinkhole. We don’t know exactly where that safe edge is at.

“We’re going to be working with building engineers, with civil engineers … We are going to do everything in our power to get those people back in their homes as soon as we possibly can,” he said.

Guthrie also wanted to assure area residents: “We’re going to communicate with them every step of the way. We’re going to walk this road, hand-in-hand. We’re going to keep them informed. Do not fear, we are not going to turn our back on you. We are not going to let you down. We are going to be with you, every step of the way.

“The full strength of the Board of County Commission, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, The United Way and Red Cross, Salvation Army and our community is all standing here with them, and we’re going to work it together,” Guthrie said.

Sinkhole relief efforts
Need help?
Citizens who need help can reach out to the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army of Pasco County, Pasco County Human Services or United Way of Pasco County.

Want to help?
Those wanting to help can visit UnitedWayPasco.org and click on the sinkhole relief banner; text sinkhole41444 or check with SunTrust Bank, which also is setting up a relief fund account.

What’s next?

  • Pasco Emergency Management has moved from a response phase to a recovery phase, which is expected to take months to repair the sinkhole.
  • Pasco County is now treating this as a hazardous materials incident because of septic tank issues and building debris. The county began testing water quality of the nine evacuated homes on July 17 and planned to test it on 11 other homes in the neighborhood as well.

Additional residents wishing to have their water tested for E. coli ($7 fee) or other possible contaminants (additional fees apply) may do so through the Pasco County Environmental Lab. Go to PascoCountyFl.net/index.aspx?NID=1476.

  • County officials will meet with homeowners and insurance companies to start discussing mitigation
  • Residents who were evacuated will be allowed back into their homes as quickly as possible, but the county will be consulting with experts to be sure it is safe for them to return.

Published July 19, 2017

Woman’s club offers giant flea market

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Clothing items, as usual, are in high supply.

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

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

“People walk out with armfuls,” Serio said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Published March 1, 2017

Illegal dumping at bins targeted

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Donation bins that collect used items – mostly clothing – can sometimes become magnets for illegal dumping.

Pasco County commissioners want to break that pattern with an ordinance establishing a registry and regulations on the location and oversight of the bins.

The county’s development review committee reviewed the draft ordinance on Sept. 28.

A donation bin near Sam’s Club, off State Road 56, became a dumping site in March as people dropped off used furniture, a mattress and other junk. (File Photo)
A donation bin near Sam’s Club, off State Road 56, became a dumping site in March as people dropped off used furniture, a mattress and other junk.
(File Photo)

Public hearings on the ordinance are scheduled for Oct. 11 in Dade City, and October 25 in New Port Richey.

County commissioners got a preview of the proposed regulations at their Sept. 27 meeting.

“It’s been a pet peeve of mine,” said Elizabeth Blair, senior assistant county attorney, who made the presentation at the meeting.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore began pushing for regulations in February, and snapping photos of dumped furniture, televisions and bags of clothes that couldn’t fit into the overflowing bins.

“We need some relief,” he said. “This can’t continue.”

However, he added, “We want legitimate charities to continue receiving donations. Most of the charities do a good job of cleaning them out.”

The worst offenders, Moore said, are the companies and organizations that collect clothes to sell for profit.

The proposed regulations would apply to donation bins and also to semi-tractors or trailers, or other temporary facilities used to collect recyclable or for resale materials and goods.

Permanent facilities with collection operations, such as those associated with Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift stores, aren’t included. Also, donation bins set up during permitted events aren’t subject to the ordinance provided the bins are removed within 48 hours of the event’s conclusion.

The ordinance would restrict bins to general and neighborhood commercial districts as well as light manufacturing and general industrial park districts. They also would be allowed in nonresidential areas within commercial and industrial districts that are part of master-planned developments. The regulation would require a company name, contact information and a tracking number be visible on the bins.

The proposed ordinance also calls for requiring permits to be be obtained before the placement of any donation bin. It would allow just one bin per location. However, a second bin can be approved if the location has more than 300 feet of road frontage.

The ordinance would prohibit placing bins in rights of way.

Other proposed requirements include:

  • Site plans detailing locations
  • Written consent from the property owner, or a legal representative of the owner
  • A pickup schedule for emptying and maintaining the bins
  • Proof applicants can legally operate a business in Pasco and the state

Permits for the bins would be renewed annually.

Published October 5, 2016

 

Flea Market has ‘banner year’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Published March 16, 2016

Efforts yield socks and shoes for charity

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Land O’ Lakes’ brothers, Owen and Grady Matthew, want to provide socks for the homeless.

And, Zephyrhills retiree Janet Chubinsky wants to give new shoes to children in need.

The efforts are separate, but both are making strides in reaching their goals to help others.

Kid President, a YouTube character played by 11-year-old Robby Novak, inspired the Matthew brothers to get involved.

Owen Matthew, left, and Grady Matthew challenged students and families at Countryside Montessori Charter School to a sock drive that collected 1,552 socks for the Salvation Army. (Courtesy of Countryside Montessori Charter School)
Owen Matthew, left, and Grady Matthew challenged students and families at Countryside Montessori Charter School to a sock drive that collected 1,552 socks for the Salvation Army.
(Courtesy of Countryside Montessori Charter School)

Kid President declared the month of October as “Socktober,” and challenged children across the nation to host sock drives to help homeless people.

Sixth-grader Owen and second-grader Grady embraced the challenge, and enlisted the help of nearly 300 students and their families at Countryside Montessori Charter School in Land O’ Lakes.

By the end of the month, the sock drive doubled its goal of 770 socks by donating 1,552 socks to the Salvation Army.

“We have amazing parents,” said Holly DePiro, volunteer and fundraising coordinator for Countryside Montessori Charter School. “You ask, and they go with the cause. The kids get excited.”

Though it was a one-time event, DePiro said it could be repeated. “If there is a need out there, then we’re on it,” she said.

The school is having a food drive in November.

Students also are collecting leftover Halloween candy to send to troops overseas for Operation Gratitude.

A toy drive is planned for December.

Chubinsky, 81, transplanted a shoe donation program she started in Tennessee to Pasco County when she and her husband retired to Zephyrhills four years ago.

“I need to have something to do,” Chubinsky said.

Lachoochee Elementary School students, Damarko Cross, 5, and his sister, Demyia Cross, 7, show off the new shoes they got from COPE (Children Outreach Program Effort). (Courtesy of COPE)
Lachoochee Elementary School students, Damarko Cross, 5, and his sister, Demyia Cross, 7, show off the new shoes they got from COPE (Children Outreach Program Effort).
(Courtesy of COPE)

Her daughter, an educator in Tennessee, suggested that Chubinsky visit area schools to find out what they needed.

On her first visit to Raymond B. Stewart Middle School in Zephyrhills, she heard a familiar response. Thirty-six students at the school needed shoes.

“The goose bumps went right through my body,” Chubinsky said.

She delivered 36 pairs of donated shoes within days and the Children Outreach Program Effort (COPE) was off and running.

Chubinsky, the organization’s program director, enlisted two friends to help and they dubbed themselves “Two and a half women.” When the program began, two of the volunteers were retired and one worked part-time, she explained.

This year Chubinsky anticipates giving away 900 pairs of shoes.

She works with Pasco County Schools’ ABC coordinators at 10 schools to deliver pairs of shoes, and socks, as requested, to area schools.

The school district’s ABC program seeks to help students who don’t have appropriate clothing, shoes that don’t fit or who eat all of their meals at school.

Chubinsky has 11 volunteers but would love more.

“We don’t have enough volunteers or a place to house our shoes,” she said.

Local civic groups and area businesses, such as the Elks, Eagles, Sunshine Eatery, Methodist Ladies Club and Rotary clubs, give generously.

COPE also received 300 pairs of shoes from Sole4Souls, a global nonprofit that fights poverty by collecting and distributing clothes and shoes. COPE paid Sole4Souls $2 a pair for freight costs, Chubinsky said.

She may be retired, but Chubinsky keeps busy.

She tools around in a 2000 model SUV with magnetic signs displaying the COPE logo – a large sneaker.

The sign has attracted some interest from people who want to volunteer, she said.

COPE meets the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m., at various locations. Plans are in the works for fundraising events in 2016.

“It’s God’s work,” Chubinsky said. “We’re all volunteers.”

For information on COPE and its meetings, contact Chubinsky at (352) 668-4397 or .

Published November 11, 2015