The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

University of South Florida

Bully for USF Hockey

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It’s a sea of green. And gold.

It’s the fans for the University of South Florida (USF) Hockey team, as the team takes the ice at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel,

The USF Hockey Club, which has been playing since 1987, currently calls AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel home and features a full schedule, including a whole slate of home matches that fans can attend, free of charge. (Mike Camunas)

The fans, decked out in the school colors, are coming out in force to support the Bulls, a club team that plays a full season of games and competes in the College Hockey South Conference, and for the Cup, at the season’s end.

“We have the best fans in the league, by far,” said Alden Spratt, a freshman forward, who is majoring in Political Science.

“We get the best crowds, and it’s a lot more fun than anything I’ve played in up North,” added freshman forward Charlie Rongo, who hails from New Jersey.

“We love playing in front of a packed crowd,” agreed junior forward Zach Parker, a Wesley Chapel native, “and all we want to do is put on a show for them.”

So far, on Fridays and Saturday evenings, the Bulls (8-5-1) have been putting on a hockey show. A show that anyone — student or just hockey fan — can attend for free.

Charlie Rongo, a freshman forward on USF Hockey, sits in front of the net looking to deflect in a shot in a contest rival Central Florida on Nov. 5.

It was evident during a recent game that fans are coming out in force for the Bulls.

They played in front of a sold-out crowd against rival Central Florida on Nov. 5. Before the game, longtime USF women’s basketball coach Jose Fernandez dropped the ceremonial puck.

“It’s a different type of hockey than what we’re used to — a fun and electric atmosphere,” Spratt, a Philadelphia native, said. “Up North, you play hockey, you try to get on a college team or go to the NHL (National Hockey League). It’s not as fun as this.”

The USF Hockey Team was founded in 1987 by two students — Eric Mattson and Chip McCarthy — who loved and missed hockey while attending USF, so they began looking into forming a hockey club. The team’s first season began in 1989, when the Bulls went 8-3.

Wesley Chapel native and Wiregrass Ranch High graduate Zach Parker stands on the bench during a game against rival Central Florida on Nov. 5. Parker is one of a handful of locals on the team and also works at Center Ice.

Since then, USF has appeared in 11 postseasons and has seen its fan base grow, which is especially impressive since Florida is always considered a “non-hockey state.”

“I blame the Tampa Bay Lightning for winning so much,” Rongo said, jokingly. “They made hockey fans out of everyone. I walk around campus, and everyone is wearing a hockey cap or sweatshirt, and I think our fans love seeing hockey, especially as a fun, college thing to do.

“I mean, we got a guy who brings a cone to every game and uses it as a megaphone!”

“Hockey is obviously a big (sport) up North,” Spratt added. “I came down here and expected (the big sport) to be baseball and football, and it is, to an extent, but the atmosphere here around hockey was not something I really expected.”

For Parker, the love of hockey in Florida is nothing new.

“I live five minutes from the rink,” said the 2017 Wiregrass Ranch graduate, who also works at Center Ice. “It would have been great to have it, like, 10 years ago, but people around here have loved hockey for a long time.

“I love Tampa, I love hockey, and it’s great to be able to stay home and do what I love.”

Rango loves playing hockey in Florida, too.

“You know, I played in Canada,” he said, “and there, I step outside, I’m frozen.  Down here, I play and then I step outside and I’m headed to the beach (laughs).”

While the crowds are lively and the games are exciting, in the end, the players know that they are not destined for the NHL spotlight. This is a recreational activity for them, a way to keep playing the sport they love, get some exercise and, as always, be hit with a shot of adrenaline playing in front of a raucous crowd.

USF Hockey, which plays its home games at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, usually has large, loud crowds, all of which came to see some hockey action, free of charge.

“For me,” Parker said, introspectively, “yeah, this is kind of it. I will finish out my senior year and go onto a career. Of course, I’ll always love hockey or try to find a way to play, but we play here, for USF, for the club, because we love it.

“We play for the love of the game.”

USF Hockey
When: Friday and Saturday evenings
Where: AdventHealth Center Ice, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Wesley Chapel
Cost: Admission to games is free
Details: The University of South Florida (USF) Hockey Club has been playing since 1987 and competes in the College Hockey South Conference, which features several other teams, such as Florida, Florida State, Miami, Central Florida and the University of Tampa. The season concludes with a three-day conference championship tournament. The top eight teams from that advance to the 2023 CHS Tournament, held in West Chester, Pennsylvania in March.
Next game: Dec. 3 against the University of Tampa, 7 p.m.

Published November 16, 2022

Hale Road rezoning gets ‘no’ vote from divided planning board

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In the end, a majority of the Pasco County Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of  a rezoning requested for a 109-home subdivision in Land O’ Lakes.

The proposed site for the development is on the southwest and northwest corner of the Hale Road and Collier Parkway intersection, straddling Hale Road. It is approximately 5,700 feet east of U.S. 41, according to documents contained in the planning board’s Sept. 22 agenda packet.

The planning board voted 3-2 to recommend denial.

Opponents to a proposed rezoning on Hale Road want the request to be rejected. The sign also indicates a backlash against elected leaders, springing from dissatisfaction regarding Pasco County’s continued growth. (Mike Camunas)

That vote followed about four hours of testimony, with representatives for the applicant claiming the proposed single-family development is compatible with the sea of single-family developments surrounding it.

Opponents questioned the claim of compatibility, raised issues about Hale Road’s ability to handle the additional traffic, voiced concerns about potential environmental damage that could arise and cautioned against setting a precedent for increased development on similar properties on Hale Road.

In calling for denial, the planning board cited Hale Road’s substandard road conditions, incompatibility with surrounding development, and other issues.

County planners, however, had recommended approval of the request.

Next, the Pasco County Commission will consider the request. It has final jurisdiction on land use and zoning issues.

Cyndi Tarapani, of Tarapani Planning Strategies, represented KB Home, at the planning board’s meeting.

She told the planning board:  “We believe we made every reasonable effort to be a good neighbor.”

The future land use designation for the property allows up to six homes per acre, Tarapani noted. This proposal calls for 2.5 homes per acre.

The future land use designation would allow up to 214 homes. The applicant’s initial request was for 150, but that has since been reduced to 109, Tarapani said.

The developer also plans to use 50-foot lots on areas adjacent to neighboring subdivisions and plans to provide buffering, even though none is required, the professional planner added.

Plus, the developer will pay $281,600 to mitigate traffic impacts and will provide a left-turn lane into the property, she said.

But none of the developer’s changes appeased the opposition.

Opponents came ready for battle
An army of objectors — many wearing green shirts and some carrying signs — turned out to the public hearing.

The contingent included students from Land O’ Lakes High School who argued against the rezoning, based on research showing potential environmental threats.

Opponents repeatedly raised concerns about safety hazards on Hale Road, which the county deems a substandard road.

Mike Della-Penna, who lives nearby, said: “There haven’t been many improvements on Hale Road in the 32 years I’ve lived there and I don’t expect many to be happening.”

Others said the proposed density is contrary to existing lot sizes in nearby developments.

“You have an established pattern of development on Hale Road, and these lots don’t meet that standard,” said Lisa Moretti, who opposes the rezoning.

This sign urges rejection of a proposed rezoning on Hale Road, which would allow a subdivision of 109 houses on Hale Road. A portion of the proposed site is next to the Rosebud Continuum, at 22843 Hale Road. (Mike Camunas)

Moretti cited eight approved developments on Hale Road, which have larger lot sizes.

“The proposed development is 109 lots, over 2 ½ times as many as the largest approved development already there and over five times greater than the average approved development,” Moretti said.

“This (proposed) development is totally an aberration of compatibility,” Moretti said.

Dr. T.H. Culhane, another opponent, stepped up to the podium wearing a Patel College of Global Sustainability T-shirt.

“I request, respectfully, that you recommend denial for this land-grab application for this last tiny refuge of wildlife, this last sanctuary of sanity, in an increasingly sprawl-filled neighborhood,” said Culhane, a University of South Florida professor.

Culhane talked about working for six years at the Rosebud Continuum, at 22843 Hale Road. It’s a place that focuses on promoting sustainable living practices.

“I and my professional colleagues — graduate students — have conducted landscape research, habitat restoration and wildlife surveys.

“We’ve worked hard on invasive species removal and repatriation of Florida native plants and wildlife,” Culhane said.

“I scuba-dived Lake Rosebud to observe the alligators and fish, therein, and watched and delighted with the sandhill crane families and gopher tortoises that are all over making their nests, now that we’ve re-wilded the property.”

The Rosebud Continuum relies on the area’s existing character, he said.

“On the world stage, we know we can be far more innovative than the current Hale proposal,” said Culhane, who told the planning board he holds a master’s degree and PhD in urban planning from the University of California Los Angeles.

Michelle Dillard, a nearby resident, raised concerns about the potential runoff causing pollution of nearby lakes. Residents near King Lake already have spent thousands to improve the water quality in that lake, she said.

“We have to keep our lakes safe. We have to keep them alive,” Dillard said.

Speakers asked the planning board to protect the interest of current residents, rather than accommodating developers.

Brian Bishop — whose mother, Maryann Bishop, owns the property occupied by the Rosebud Continuum — said he’s concerned about adding traffic to Hale Road.

“I think we’ve already established that the situation on Hale Road is not a desirable one,” he said. “To me, this is a no-brainer.”

He asked the planning board to not allow KB Home “to make a bad situation worse.”

One resident invited the planning board members to come out to the area to watch traffic when school lets out. She said there’s one particular bicyclist, who has a large backpack on — that she’s seen nearly get hit on more than one occasion.

Russell Watrous, another rezoning opponent, voiced concerns about a potential precedent being set by approval of this request.

“There are four pieces of property on Hale Road, very similar to the one KB Home wants to develop right now,” he said. “We’re at a turning point in Land O’ Lakes, and you can see it. Almost every one of these feeder roads and back, secondary roads are being developed,” Watrous said.

Published September 28, 2022

Firestorm of controversy halts incinerators in Lutz

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Opponents — both residents and elected leaders alike — vowed to go to the wall to prevent a set of commercial incinerators from setting up operation in Lutz.

But in the end, they didn’t have to: The applicant retreated.

Louis Geraci LLLP has dropped the request for state permits to operate two Air Curtain Incinerators (ACIs), at 1225 Crystal Road.

That action came after the opposition’s full-scale attack.

But the story is more complicated than that.

Essentially, the applicant had been pressing on through the process to obtain a permit for the two ACIs, in what amounts to an administrative action at the local level.

The county’s Environmental Protection Commission (EPC)’s staff was handling the air permit application — under a contract with the state to perform such reviews.

Due to the nature of the request — and its “potential to generate smoke and dust from the burning,” the EPC declared the application one of “heightened public concern” and notified nearby property owners and registered neighborhood organizations of the request. The EPC staff also scheduled a virtual community meeting for Aug. 23.

When word of the request got out, opposition erupted.

More than 600 people registered to attend the virtual meeting and hundreds bombarded the Hillsborough County Commission, which also sits at the EPC board, urging them to kill the project.

The EPC board took up the issue at its Aug. 18 meeting, but before it began its discussion, it listened to 45 minutes of public testimony during its normal public comment period at the beginning of the meeting.

So many people signed up, the board limited each speaker to 2 minutes each, instead of the normal 3-minute limit.

Speakers cited potential health hazards for children playing outside, which is a normal course of affairs in Lutz.

They said residents of senior living facilities should be able to go outdoors to enjoy some fresh air.

They raised objections about potential negative impacts for people who have asthma or other respiratory ailments.

They said the operation would reduce their quality of life, damage their property values and pose a threat to the area’s wetlands and wildlife.

“I don’t understand why an application like this wasn’t immediately rejected,” said Bryan Flynn, a Lutz resident. “This application is considering allowing an amount of toxic materials to fall back down to earth in this well protection zone, and have the ash wash directly into wetlands and waters connected directly to the aquifer that we drink from.”

Lutz resident Jen Messer wanted to know: “Is it safe to have all of these extra dump trucks hauling waste through our community, where kids stand waiting on the street for buses every morning?”

Dr. James Costello, a professor at Moffit Cancer Center and a professor at the University of South Florida, who lives in Lutz, raised concerns about the emission of cancer-causing toxins.

State Sen. Janet Cruz, whose district includes Lutz, said neighbors were in the dark about the project until a few days before.

“They’ve (the applicants) been quietly clearing the land and preparing for this, and the residents had no idea. They’re flabbergasted. Once more residents see what’s happening, I think you’ll see an army of folks here,” she predicted.

After the morning’s public comment session ended, Commissioner Ken Hagan weighed in — excoriating the proposed incinerators.

“The notion of building and operating commercial incinerators on a permanent basis in a residential area is outrageous.

“By now, we’ve all received an avalanche of contacts. I think, over 400 emails; 1,500 individuals signed a petition from the greater Lutz community expressing opposition, frustration, disbelief and concerns about the possibility of having two massive fire pits operating in such a diverse and populated area.

“They are turning to us to protect them and their families.

“Candidly, I’ve represented this area for a long time. I cannot recall another issue in Lutz that has generated so much opposition. I think you probably have to go back to the ‘80s when the East-West road … was proposed to go through the Lutz community and there was a significant uproar about that,” Hagan said.

He made a motion to direct EPC staff to halt the process, and for the EPC board to voice the board’s objections to the secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, to the governor and to the Hillsborough County legislative delegation.

Hagan acknowledged the action could prompt legal action against the board, but he said some things are worth taking that risk.

His board colleagues unanimously agreed to kill the project, but debated the best way to achieve that.

Ultimately, the board voted unanimously to support Hagan’s motion.

Additionally, Commissioner Stacy White suggested asking county staff to prepare a county-initiated rezoning “based upon the health, safety and welfare concerns we’ve heard today” and to research whether that action could trigger a zoning in progress.

He made that motion to do that, which the board supported unanimously.

Now that the incinerators application has been dropped, it appears the publicly initiated rezoning won’t be necessary.

Board members did indicate that they want to discuss the rezoning process and how they can prevent similar situations in the future. The issue is expected to come up at the board’s Aug. 25 land use meeting.

Published August 24, 2022

Gearing up for the new school year

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As students in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area head off to school for the 2022-2023 academic year, those arriving at Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation will be helping to usher in the new school’s traditions.

Kirkland Ranch, at 32555 Innovation Drive in Wesley Chapel, is a magnet school that will specialize in preparing students in career fields and technical trades such as automotive maintenance and repair, including diesel; biomedical sciences; building trades and construction technology; cybersecurity; digital media and multimedia design; engineering and robotics; welding; electricity; and, patient care technology.

Students at Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52, in St. Leo, will have an opportunity to learn in the school’s new robotics and artificial intelligence lab, on the first floor of Kirk Hall.

Dr. Monika Kiss explains some of the features of Saint Leo University’s new Robotics and AI Lab. (Courtesy of Chad Gonzalez/University of Saint Leo)

The lab is part of the university’s new School of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Data Science (CARDS), which brings together several popular areas of study and degree.

At Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, 33347 State Road 54, a new middle school building will help to accommodate students at the growing charter school.

Those are just a few changes that await, as a new academic year gets into full swing soon.

The first day of school for students is Aug. 10 in Pasco and Hillsborough public schools.

The beginning of the school year varies for private schools, Pasco-Hernando State College, Saint Leo University and the University of South Florida, as well as for home-schooled and online students.

Typically, the beginning of the school year means that families are doing some shopping, or taking advantage of school supply giveaways.

For those still needing to shop, the Florida Back-to-School sales tax holiday remains in effect through Aug. 7. In general, the tax holiday means no taxes are due on the retail sale of:

  • Clothing, footwear and some accessories (selling for $100 or less per item)
  • Certain school supplies(selling for $50 or less per item)
  • Learning aids (selling for $30 or less per item)
  • Personal computers and certain computer-related accessories for personal use (selling for $1,500 or less)

Public school students in Lutz and Odessa attend schools in either Hillsborough or Pasco, depending whether they live north or south of the county line. Some Hillsborough students also attend Hillsborough schools in New Tampa.

Students in Central Pasco attend schools in Odessa, Lutz and Land O’ Lakes, while those in East Pasco attend schools in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Dade City, St. Leo and San Antonio.

There’s some overlap between communities, since the shapes of school zones vary and there are magnet schools that draw students from beyond traditional boundaries.

As the school year kicks in, the impact on area traffic will be noticeable, as students, teachers, cafeteria workers, assistant principals, principals and other staff members make their way to their respective campuses.

And before heading back, it’s a good idea for students and parents to do a little homework to find out more about what to expect in the coming school year.

School websites often offer a wealth of useful information about school rules and expectations, how to sign up for various activities, fees that are due, and so forth.

Be sure to check the Twitter and Facebook social media channels for individual schools and your school district, too, to see if there’s any current news that’s helpful to you.

For instance, those following the Pasco County Schools’ website would know that the federal government is ending free meals it had been providing for all because of COVID-19 relief funding.

Some students will qualify for free or reduced price meals. But here are this year’s charges for paid and reduced price meals.

Elementary: Breakfast: $1.60 paid, 0.30 reduced; lunch, $3 paid, 0.40 reduced

Middle: Breakfast: $1.75 paid, 0.30 reduced; lunch, $3 paid; 0.40 reduced

High: Breakfast: $1.75 paid,  0.30 reduced; lunch, $3.75 paid; 0.40 reduced.

As the new school year begins, both Pasco and Hillsborough public schools continue to work to fill staff vacancies.

The school boards in both districts also are urging voters to approve a tax increase that they say will help them to attract and retain quality staff.

In Pasco, the ballot question asks for a yes or no vote on whether to levy an additional tax, not to exceed 1 mil, beginning July 1, 2023 and ending no later than June 30, 2027.

The proceeds, according to the ballot question, will be used “for essential operating expenses to maintain salaries competitive with the market, attract and retain high-quality teachers, bus drivers and other non-administrative school support employees.”

In Hillsborough, the tax increase also would last four years, unless extended by voters, according to the district’s website.

At least 75% of the proceeds would go for increased compensation for teachers, counselors, media specialists , bus drivers and transportation assistants, classroom assistants, and other non-instructional support staff.

Hillsborough also would use proceeds to protect and expand art, music, physical education and workforce education.

Voters will decide the outcome of the ballot initiative, in their respective county, during the Aug. 23 Primary Election.

Published August 03, 2022

No rest for the wicket

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Like many recreational sport leagues, they just needed a place to play.

Unlike many recreational sport leagues, the demand unexpectedly bowled its way right onto the pitch.

The Tampa Falcons pick up a hit in a match against Tampa Shaheen during a weekend match at their pitch, located at Wesley Chapel District Park. The two teams are part of the Tampa Premier League, a cricket organization that hosts several matches and series throughout the year. (Mike Camunas)

“I was playing American College Cricket with USF’s (the University of South Florida’s cricket) Club Team, and we won two championships,” Wesley Chapel resident Nagesh Nayak said.

“When I graduated from USF, there was nowhere I could still play. When I was looking for a place to play, I drove by the empty land on Wesley Chapel District Park and proposed (playing there) to the county — (Parks and Recreation Manager) Brian Taylor and (Pasco County Commissioner) Mike Moore — and they said if you want to play, go ahead.

“So we built a pitch, and then (cricket), all of sudden, was in high demand. People kept coming out and it just kept spreading, so more people wanted in.

“It was like a gradual cult,” he said.

Back in 2016, after Nayak built the pitch at the district park, he started Tampa Premier League, which has cricket teams mostly locally, including places such as Wesley Chapel, Tampa and several near USF, but also as far as St. Petersburg.

Tampa Avengers bowler Gaurav Samant goes sideways with his delivery over the pitch to the St. Pete Shields during a cricket match at Wesley Chapel District Park.

Initially, there were eight teams.

But demand was so high, more teams were added. The league now has 21 teams.

“I don’t always remember names, but I remember faces,” Nayak said. “I think that everyone remembers everyone else out here. So, they just keep telling more and more people about where they can play cricket.

“Free agents are a big thing with us (at this league), especially someone moving to the area, who might not know anymore,” he said. “So, through the Facebook page and social media and messaging, we help get him on a team in the right area or one that might need him.”

Tampa Premier League founder and manager Nagesh Nayak

Nayak says about 80% of the league is USF students, however, there are several teams that come from varying workplaces that have formed a team. For instance, one team is made up of Citibank employees; another, of pediatricians and doctors from New Tampa.

The league hosts six games to 10 games per weekend, and each team is guaranteed per season, or series.

Each series can have a different champion, such as Nayak’s team, the Wesley Chapel Legends, which won the Titan Cup V T20 series in November. Another team — the Tampa Avengers — is looking to defend its Tampa Bay Summer 2021 Super 16 Bash by winning this summer’s Wesley Chapel Summer Blazing 16 series.

The Avengers are off to a good start, defeating the St. Pete Shields on June 18 at the district park.

Cricket is the main sport for India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, said Gaurav Samant, an Avengers all-arounder. He bowls (pitches), bats and plays the field.

“Each of those (countries) has some guys out here because it’s something we all share the love of to play. It’s incredible that so many of us love cricket this much.

“And also still great competition.”

Samant is a great bowler, but admits that “everyone wants to bat — everyone.”

“Bowling — people do it, but batting is what everyone looks at — (it’s) where you can entertain the audience,” he said.

Through all the entertainment, the real reason is obvious why all these players brave the heat and play matches throughout the year.

“This is for the love of the game,” Avengers’ coach Balaramraju Kalidindi said. “This is like a hangout for us. It’s pretty serious, but we still enjoy the game. It’s fun hanging out with friends.

“Cricket is one thing that brings us together.”

Tampa Premier League
Info: A cricket league that plays its games at Wesley Chapel District Park on the weekends. The league has varying series all year long and teams are consistently being added. To learn more about the league, visit tampa-cricket.com/TampaCricket.

The Basics of Cricket
During normal cricket play, 13 players and two umpires are on the field. Two of the players are batters and the rest are 11 members of the fielding team. The other nine players in the batting team are off the field in the pavilion.

The bowler, or pitcher, intends to hit the wicket (a set of three wooden stumps and two bails) at the end of the pitch — a 22-yard center part of the field — with the ball or, at least, to prevent the striker, or batter, from scoring runs. The striker, by using his bat, looks to defend his wicket and, if possible, hit the ball away from the pitch in order to score runs. Once the ball is put into play, the striker and the other batter, or non-striker, attempt to score runs by swapping places on the pitch. The fielding team then tries to prevent run scoring by “dismissing” the batters, so they are “out” and are said to have “lost their wicket.”

Means of dismissal include being bowled, when the bowled ball hits the stumps and dislodges the bails, and by the fielding side either catching a hit ball before it touches the ground, or hitting a wicket with the ball before a batter can cross the crease line in front of the wicket to complete a run.

Published July 06, 2022

Tampa Avengers fine leg fielder Saurav Sharma makes a catch of a cricket ball during a match at Wesley Chapel District Park, securing an out.
St. Pete Shields’ Mohammad Raz connects with his cricket bat during a match hosted by Tampa Premier League at Wesley Chapel District Park.
Tampa Avengers bowler Aneel Mohammad delivers a ball over the pitch during a match at Wesley Chapel District Park.

 

Chalk Talk 05/11/2022

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Showering teachers with tokens of appreciation
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club has always prioritized education, and supports the local teachers and schools often. Club member Sabrina Scott, center, recently visited the Lutz K-8 School to deliver snacks and treats to PTA representatives, which were distributed to the teachers as small tokens of the club’s gratitude and in commemoration of Teacher Appreciation Week. Similar gifts of appreciation were delivered to the teachers at Connerton Elementary and Miles Elementary, as well. The woman’s club has supported these three schools for many years.

Eighth USF president named
Florida’s Board of Governors has confirmed Rhea Law as the University of South Florida’s (USF) eighth president. Law spent the past eight months serving as interim president, and is the first USF alum to fill the role, according to a University News post.

“Under her leadership, the university recently experienced the most transformational legislative session in USF history, with record-setting investments in operations on all three USF campuses. She also led the effort to complete USF’s new five-year strategic plan, created a collaborative working group to develop a more transparent budget model and has fostered greater communication and collaboration across campuses,” the post said.

Law also is a founding member of the Board of Directors of the USF Law Alumni Society, served as a member of the USF Research Foundation Board, and was named a 2018 Distinguished Alumna by the USF Alumni Association.

Planet Fitness offers pass
Planet Fitness will offer a High School Summer Pass program from May 16 through Aug. 31, for all high-schoolers ages 14 to 19.

Students will be able to work out at no cost, at any Planet Fitness location.

The fitness center aims to help teenagers stay physically and mentally fit over the summer, by providing a way to exercise for free while school is out.

The program, which used to be called the Teen Summer Challenge, first launched in 2019, and more than 900,000 teens signed up.

To encourage teens to take advantage of the program, all participants automatically will be entered into a sweepstakes awarding one person, in each state, with a $500 scholarship.

Additionally, one grand prize of a $5,000 scholarship will be awarded at the end of the summer.

The scholarships can be used for academic or athletic activities, or other programs.

Teens can preregister for the program online at PlanetFitness.com/summerpass.

Ukulele for home-schoolers
The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a Ukulele Basics class for home-schoolers on May 17 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Participants can learn the basics during this hands-on workshop, presented by Candy Otte of the Tampa Bay Ukulele Society.

Ukuleles will be provided, but home-schoolers can reserve a ukulele to play at home later.

Masks are recommended, but not required.

Registration is a must, online at PascoLibraries.org.

College prep seminar
The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will present “Preparing for College: Academically, Socially and Financially,” on May 17 at 4:30 p.m.

High school and middle school students and families can attend, to learn about the importance of preparing early for college. Topics also will include how to gain acceptance and how to fund the college of your choice.

Registration is online at PascoLibraries.org.

Free summer program
The City of Zephyrhills will present the 2022 Free Summer Recreation Program from May 31 to July 7, Mondays through Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to noon, at Stewart Middle School, 38505 10th Ave., in Zephyrhills.

The program is limited to 120 students who have completed any grade in kindergarten through fifth grade, in 2021-2022.

For information and to register, visit www.ci.zephyrhills.fl.us/225/Summer-Recreation-Information.

Citizens of the Month
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has named 13 students as Citizens of the Month, for March and April.

Students are chosen by the teachers and administrators of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community.

These students received recognition: Ivani Sharrock and Nicholas Dester, Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Jordan Reed, The Broach School; Parker Dixon and James Spivey, Chester Taylor Elementary; Evelean Grantham and Lazaro Martin, Heritage Academy; Gissel Garcia-Romero and Lacy Ferris, West Zephyrhills Elementary; Mackenzie Gavin and Nathaniel Fuller, Woodland Elementary; and Annalyse Guash and Brooke Lea, Zephyrhills High.

Student inductions
Rebecca Moore, of Odessa, and Alex Kiester, of Lutz, have been inducted into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Florida Southern College.

Saint Leo awards degrees
Saint Leo University will host a doctoral hooding ceremony on May 13, for more than 40 students receiving degrees in business administration, criminal justice, and education.

Two in-person commencement ceremonies will take place on May 14, at which time degrees (doctoral, master, bachelor and associate) will be awarded to more than 1,200 students.

Kylie Culver will be honored as the Class of 2022 valedictorian, and will deliver the official “farewell.” Culver will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in history, and minors in Spanish and world politics.

The salutatorian is David Pacheco, who will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in computer science, information assurance.

For details on the times and ceremony locations on campus, visit SaintLeo.edu.

To access a livestream, visit the school’s website, where a link will be posted the day of.

Best high schools ranked
U.S. News & World Report has named the best high schools in the Tampa area, as well as national rankings, according to its website, USnews.com.

The top 10 high schools were ranked as follows:

  • Plant High, No. 1 in Tampa; No. 632 in National Rankings
  • Steinbrenner High, No. 2 Tampa; No. 742 National
  • Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High, No. 3 Tampa; No. 790 National
  • Newsome High, No. 4 Tampa; No. 903 National
  • Palm Harbor University High, No. 5 Tampa; No. 985 National
  • Osceola Fundamental High, No. 6 Tampa; No. 1,326 National
  • Robinson High, No. 7 Tampa; No. 1,351 National
  • St. Petersburg Collegiate High, No. 8 Tampa; No. 1,354 National
  • Sickles High, No. 9 Tampa; No. 1,367 National
  • Land O’ Lakes High, No. 10 Tampa; No. 1,380 National

Other area school rankings in Tampa included Wiregrass Ranch High, No. 12; Mitchell High, No. 14; and Sunlake High, No. 15.

Hillsborough Virtual School came in at No. 19 in the Tampa area.

Lutz filmmaker offers glimpse into nature’s secrets

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Alexis Yahre’s appreciation for nature began when she was young.

But she had no idea that her time in Future Farmers of America and at Nature’s Classroom would contribute to her becoming a talented documentary filmmaker.

Lutz native and local filmmaker Alexis Yahre has been hitting the festival scene hard. She premiered her documentary, ‘Nature’s Secrets: Florida State Parks,’ at the Gasparilla Film Festival at Tampa Theatre in March, and will be showing it at the Sunscreen Film Festival from April 28 through May 1 at the Sundial AMC 12 Theatres in St. Petersburg. (Mike Camunas)

The 21-year-old Lutz native has channeled her love for nature into a film project that is being screened at film festivals.

And that’s all before the mass communications and broadcast production student graduates from the University of South Florida (USF).

She wants her film to encourage people to take a closer look at nature’s beauty.

“It’s right in the tagline (of my film), ‘In our own backyards, there are hundreds of worlds to explore,’” Yahre said.

“My goal with this film is to share some of the beautiful parts of the community I grew up in, so that others can appreciate and help protect them, too,” she said.

Her film, “Nature’s Secrets: Florida State Parks,” focuses on the nature preserved in Florida’s state parks.

As a one-person film crew, she visited a dozen of the more than 100 parks in this state.

Then, she interviewed numerous people from the park system who devote themselves to conserving and protecting the parks, and helping others to develop an appreciation for Florida’s natural environments.

The film is already garnering attention on the festival circuit, including being nominated for “Best Student Film” at the Cannes World Film Festival. Additionally, Cannes awarded Yahre with “Best Young Director.”

The documentary had its first theatrical screening at the 2022 Gasparilla International Film Festival in March. That even came with a red carpet appearance for the young filmmaker, at Tampa Theatre in downtown Tampa.

Next, on April 28, her film will be shown at the Sunscreen Film Festival at the Sundial AMC 12 Theatres in St. Petersburg. There will be showings there through May 1.

The young woman’s foray into filmmaking surprised her mother, Nicole Yahre.

“Honestly, I thought she would be a farmer,” Nicole said.

But she quickly recognized her daughter’s talent because even when she was young, she was landing editing jobs.

Her father, Adam, had a hand in helping her develop those editing skills.

“My dad is a software guy, so he got a computer and just put every professional program available on there,” said Alexis, a graduate of Steinbrenner High. “It really started with Adobe Premiere when I was 10 or 11 and took off from there.”

Learning software at such a young age led to editing opportunities for Alexis.

One of her jobs was creating content for the meat processing equipment company, Tipper Tie.

The work included producing videos for the Fresh-N-Ready salad bowl, the Herb Shooter and other products.

The job also inspired the name for Pepperoni Studios, the production company she founded, which produces her freelance work and personal projects.

Her technical skills and her eye for nature have impressed her professors at USF.

In fact, Kristofer Atkinson already has agreed to produce her next film. It will focus on college students taking a “gap year.”

“Most of my students are prolific filmmakers,” said Atkinson, Alexis’ mentor, who helped her navigate producing the film and getting into festivals.

“I do everything in my power to help them,” Atkinson said. “Maybe 15 become filmmakers, but two or three of them are excellent filmmakers, and she will be one of those.

“She has real directorial prowess, a real eye behind the camera and does a great job interviewing. I was duly impressed just how laser-focused her vision was from beginning to end.

“So, I’m hoping one day she will be thanking me at the Oscars,” he said, with a laugh.

Alexis graduates from USF in May and already works as an educator in Hillsborough County.

She feels her true place, however, is behind a camera — and then in the editing room.

At the same time, she’s at one with nature and she hopes her film will inspire others to explore the great outdoors.

“I just want people to know they live super close to all these parks,” she said.

“I just think it’s a huge untapped resource,” she said, adding, many don’t realize the treasures that are right in their own backyard.

She also is thrilled with the favorable reception enjoyed by “Nature’s Secrets: Florida State Parks.”

“Considering that I made this (film) without a budget or experience, I didn’t expect to see this kind of success,” she said. “I’m overjoyed that I can be a part of the festival and share a topic that I’m passionate about with the world.”

Her parents are delighted by her success.

“(Her father and I) are so proud of her and love that she’s being able to do what she loves doing,” her mom said.

Nature’s Secrets: Florida State Parks
Director: Alexis Yahre
Runtime: 10 minutes 30 seconds
Synopsis: Alexis Yahre invites viewers on a journey through the Florida State Park system to capture the sights of whimsical animals, and hear the stories of some the unsung heroes who labor to conserve their habitats. Along the way, she uncovers secrets about the parks and highlights some of Florida’s best lesser-known places.
Film includes: Hillsborough River State Park, in Hillsborough County; Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, in Port Richey; and, Honeymoon Island State Park, in Dunedin.
To view a trailer of the film, log onto YouTube.com/watch?v=WZTRdnxDHL0.

Published April 27, 2022

Zephyrhills librarian captures award-winning image

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The timing could not have been better.

“On that particular night, the moon was perfect,” Lori Brightwell, Zephyrhills librarian, said about her prize-winning photograph.

The former professional photographer also noted: “With the right lighting and cropping, basically anyone can have equally good pictures.”
She used her iPhone to capture the moon shining through clouds, above Zephyrhills City Hall, with a fountain lit up in the foreground.

Lori Brightwell, a Zephyrhills librarian, captured this image she calls ‘City Hall at Night.’ Brightwell placed third in the Florida Cities and County Management Association’s Membership Directory Photo Contest. The image will be featured on the association’s homepage for three months. Brightwell was a professional photographer for 22 years. (Courtesy of Lori Brightwell)

She knew it was a great photo, but was totally unaware of the photo contest.

It turns out that Kevin Weiss, the city’s public information officer, submitted the image as an entry in the Florida Cities and County Management (FCCMA) 2022-23 Membership Directory Photo Contest.

It was one of 47 submissions from jurisdictions across Florida that generated more than 25,000 views.

Brightwell’s photo garnered 360 votes, which yielded her third place in the competition.

Her photo now will be featured on the FCCMA home page from Jan. 1, 2023 to March 1, 2023.

“I’m very happy people voted for it,” Brightwell said.

She said it didn’t matter that her photo didn’t capture first place.

“I’m glad it’ll be on the cover, so everyone can see a part of this town that I just think is beautiful,” Brightwell said.

Before “accidentally becoming a librarian,” Brightwell worked as a professional photographer in the Temple Terrace area for more than two decades.

She graduated from the University of South Florida with a major in photography; she specialized in shooting weddings and national horse shows. In those days, Brightwell shot film and developed it in a darkroom at her house.

“I was told I would never get a job in photography,” she said, noting at that time, “there weren’t many women in photography either.”

But she worked as a photographer for 22 years.

When photography turned digital, it was harder to find work, Brightwell said.

That’s when she bought a horse from a principal, who helped her get a job as a school’s media specialist for a year while she also taught photography as an online class.

Shortly after, she became a librarian in downtown Zephyrhills and never looked back at photography — except when she has some free time.

“Honestly, this city is really a gem of a city,” she said.” There are so many little places that I wish I could do nothing but take pictures, if I weren’t always in the library. The snapshots that tell the story of Zephyrhills — the little details. That’s how you see the whole story of this town, which, in my opinion, is really beautiful.”

Especially late at night.

“I sent it to the city, just joking about how late us librarians leave, and I thought they might not think it was funny,” she said. “They loved the picture.”

“So, sometimes,” Brightwell said, “it’s worth it to leave that late.”

Published March 23, 2022

This German POW’s art made an indelible impression

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The April 14, 1944 headline on the front page of The Dade City Banner read, “Nazi War Prisoners Arrive in Dade City.”

The story described a camp designed and built by U.S. Army engineers for 250 German prisoners of war and 60 military police.

These POWS were veteran members of Erwin Rommel’s famed “Afrika Korps”— a name Adolf Hitler personally chose for his expeditionary force heading into North Africa in February of 1941.

The hand-painted mural by German prisoner of war Heinz Friedmann remains visible 77 years after it was created. The mural is in the Florida offices of the Indianapolis-based Superior ROW Services, which is located at the Dade City Business Center. (Courtesy of J.W. Hunnicutt/Paul Prine)

As Germany’s most effective tank commander, Rommel was called “The Desert Fox.” He was the field marshal for Hitler’s Operation Sonnenblume (Sunflower).

Until the defeat of the Afrika Korps in May of 1943, Rommel had fought military campaigns for Nazi Germany in Libya, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.

But the loss of an estimated 378,000 German and Italian soldiers, who became POWs, ended Hitler’s quest to conquer the deserts of Africa.

The POWs were shipped to 500 camps in the United States and were spread throughout 45 states.

Florida received 10,000 POWs that were scattered among 22 camps, including Branch Camp No. 7, in Dade City.

The grounds of the former POW camp now are occupied by Naomi Jones Pyracantha Park, along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

During the two years the German POWs lived in Dade City, they picked fruit and built a warehouse at Pasco Packing Association.

It was not uncommon during this time for the German POWS in Dade City to receive food or clothing as equal as the U.S. servicemen who guarded them.

At the same time, German POWs in Russia were routinely slaughtered, according to historical accounts.

“Most of the prisoners are young and groups of them last evening were singing. They would no doubt be singing ‘God Bless America,’ as they seemed rather content to be here,” a Banner report said.

The good treatment inspired POW Heinz Friedmann, who was a professional artist, to create a large, aerial-view mural of the citrus plant buildings, water tower and surrounding orange groves on the walls of the executive office of the president of the Pasco Packing Association, L.C. “Mark” Edwards Jr.

Charles Arnade, a former professor of Government and International Affairs at the University of South Florida, wrote an account in 2003, which helps create a fuller picture of Friedmann.

Arnade, who is now deceased, wrote that Friedmann “also drew a huge orange on the company’s water tower. Mr. Friedmann also sketched local citizens’ portraits, of which two have survived in personal possessions.”

Not forgotten by the plant’s director, Friedmann later received shoes from Pasco Packing for his bride-to-be, as shortages lingered with many things in postwar Germany.

The artist also was brought back to Dade City in 1986 to take part in the citrus plant’s 50th anniversary.

Martha Knapp, a retired schoolteacher and past president of the Pasco County Historical Society, also did research involving the German POWs in Dade City.

Files at USF, from Knapp’s donated collections, include information gleaned from interviews of seven surviving Germany POWS gathered in Stuttgart in late 1997.

Plans for them to reunite in 1998 did not come to fruition.

Published March 02, 2022

Business Digest 02/23/2022

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Chamber networking
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce has a brochure exchange lunch and networking session on the fourth Thursday of each month. This month, it is Feb. 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Widow Fletcher’s, 4927 U.S. 19, in New Port Richey. For more information, email

Bexley apartment project
The Spectrum Companies and equity partner FCA Partners has announced it has purchased land for a 350-unit multifamily development within Bexley, a master-planned community in Land O’ Lakes, according to a news release.

Spectrum is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based commercial real estate development and management company with projects across the Southeast. It plans to build 327 apartment homes in a mix of three- and four-story elevatored buildings. Also included will be 23 for-lease townhomes designed as three-story carriage residences with tuck-under garages, the release says.

SCORE webinars
SCORE offers a wide array of free webinars and seminars, aimed at helping entrepreneurs.

You can register at PascoHernando.score.org. Here are some upcoming sessions.

  • How to apply for a business loan, March 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Health insurance needs for small businesses, March 22 from noon to 1 p.m.
  • Conflict resolution in the workplace, March 30 from noon to 1 p.m.

Allied Universal is hiring
Allied Universal, a security and facility services company, is looking to hire 400-plus security professionals in Tampa. The company is hosting open house hiring events every weekday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., through April 28, at the company’s branch office, at 4200 West Cypress St., Suite 550, in Tampa.

Crunch Fitness reopens
Crunch Fitness has reopened its Land O’ Lakes location, at 2126 Collier Parkway, following a $2 million renovation and expansion.

The club celebrated the completion of its project during a grand reopening party on Feb. 19, according to a news release.

The renovation includes a child care center, boxing, hot yoga, group fitness, enclosed HIIT (high-intensity interval training) studios, and a private relax-and-recover area. It also includes doubling power racks, additional turf, and new fitness equipment.

The facility has been expanded by 25,000 square feet, bringing the total to 47,000 square feet.

New center director
The University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business has appointed Michael D. Wiemer to be the director of the Fintech Center within the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance, according to a newsletter circulated by the business college.

Fintech’s focus is on the evolving financial technology industry.

Amazon hiring events
CareerSource Tampa Bay is hosting in-person hiring events for Amazon, which will be hiring to fill more than 100 job openings.

To learn more about the events, visit CareerSourceTampaBay.com/jobfair/.

NetFest at the barn
The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc. (Pasco EDC) is hosting its NetFest event, which provides the opportunity to mingle with hundreds of business and community leaders, while supporting economic development. The event is set for March 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Starkey Market, 3460 Starkey Blvd., in Trinity.

The event will be held rain or shine. The cost is $55 per person ($45 per person for Pasco EDC investors and guest). Admission includes dinner, two drink tickets, live entertainment and networking opportunities.

To register, visit PascoEDC.com.