The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Lutz

Storeright Self Storage to open in Lutz

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Construction workers are clearing land and building mini-warehouses for a new Storeright Self Storage facility in Lutz.

The project, at Crystal Grove Boulevard and U.S. 41, comes nearly 18 years after the Hillsborough County Commission approved a plan to allow about 75,000 square feet of offices, restaurants, drugstores and child care centers. Big box retail was banned.

However, in October 2017, county commissioners agreed that a second option for self-storage also would be allowed.

Representatives for Storeright proposed a project of up to 92,000 square feet of mini-warehouses, with space also available for boat and RV storage.

In June, county commissioners approved a request for a minor modification to the site plan that permits a septic tank system on the site.

Storeright representatives weren’t available for comment.

According to the company website, the family owned company, based in Lakeland, was founded in 2010, and has 14 self-storage locations in Florida.

Storeright’s facilities have both non-climate controlled and climate-controlled storage options, and many accommodate boat, automobile and RV storage.

The approximately 14-acre site is across from Walgreen’s drugstore on U.S. 41, and opposite the McDonald’s restaurant, off Crystal Grove Boulevard. The CSX rail line runs past the property, along the state highway.

The Florida Department of Transportation owns a small parcel, with a fenced-off retention pond, adjacent to the self-storage site.

According to county records from land use hearings, the site proved difficult to market due to nearly 5 acres of wetlands.

Hillsborough County records show Storeright Lutz XV LLC purchased the property in April for $725,000.

At a 2017 public hearing before a Hillsborough County land use hearing officer, four area residents objected to the project.

According to county records, they expressed concerns about drainage, traffic and decreased property values.

The hearing officer recommended approval of the project, with conditions.

Published August 15, 2018

Lake Park: It’s a go-to place for fun

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The common lament — ‘there’s nothing to do,’ could not be farther from the truth at Lake Park, a one-stop shop for solitary getaways and fun family activities at 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz.

Fourteen-year-old Dalton Gerbase, No. 9, of Odessa, is leading 14-year-old Evan Hall, No. 111, of Hudson. Trailing in third place is Thomas Flint, age 13, from Palm Harbor, as they race for the finish line at the Tampa BMX Raceway. (Randy Underhill)

For $2 per car, visitors to the 589-acre park will find themselves surrounded by recreational options.

There are pavilions and grills for those wanting to picnic, plus nearby playgrounds for the kids.

There are five lakes, as well as a boat ramp, canoe rentals and kayaking.

There also are places to fish, to watch birds and to go horseback riding.

For people who enjoy fitness activities, there’s a 2-mile path for walkers, joggers, runners and bicyclists.

And, for those who prefer a bit of solitude, there are plenty of spots where you can sit back and relax.

Marsha Johnson, left, and Andrew Johnson, both of Ruskin, fish for brim (bluegill) at one the five lakes at Lake Park. The park also offers a boat and kayak launch, and canoe rentals.

Lake Park also boasts some unique features, too, including the Tampa BMX Raceway, the Gasparilla Bowmen Archery Club and the Hurricane R/C club.

The Tampa BMX Raceway track was established in 1974 and revamped in 1989. It is operated by volunteers and through donations. Competitive racing starts on Fridays at 8 p.m., and on Sundays at 4 p.m.

The track hosts local competitions and larger BMX-sanctioned events. BMX Raceway is open to the public, except when there is an event.

The Hurricane R/C club track, not far from the BMX Raceway, is a dirt track laid out with jumps and tight curves. The challenging terrain requires the radio-control operators to stay focused in order to keep the cars upright and moving. This track also is open to the public, except during events.

David Humphrey gives his 11-year-old son, Meric, some instructions on arrow placement, as Meric prepares for target practice on a Sunday morning at the Lake Park archery range. The father-son duo is from Land O’ Lakes.

The Gasparilla Bowmen Archery Club operates on a range that is tucked away in the woods for safety reasons. Those using the range must follow a trail to the secluded area, where they will find an array of paper targets attached to bales of hay. The targets are stationed at varying distances.

The club holds competitive shooting, along with raffles, and different archery-related events. Gasparilla Bowmen Archery Club, a well-established organization, is widely known throughout Tampa Bay.

So, whether you’re looking for a place to have fun with your family or friends, or merely wanting to enjoy some solitary time, chances are you’ll find what you need at Lake Park.

The park is open during the spring and summer from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and during the fall and winter from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

By Randy Underhill

Published July 25, 2018

Political Agenda 07/18/2018

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Sample ballots available
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley has announced that sample ballots for the Aug. 26 Primary Election are available online at PascoVotes.com, and will be mailed to Pasco County voters on Aug. 6.

To view sample ballots online, voters need to know their voting precinct and party of registration.

Club meetings

Republican Club of Central Pasco
Mike Wells will be the guest speaker at the Republican Club of Central Pasco’s meeting on July 23. The club meets at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The social will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting starting at 7 p.m. For more information, call (813) 996-3011.

Trinity Democratic Club meeting
The Trinity Democratic Club’s July 25 meeting will feature Chris Hunter, candidate for the district 12 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Amanda Murphy, candidate in district 16 seat in of the Florida Senate. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., at Fox Hollow Golf Club, at 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity. Doors open at 5 p.m., for dinner and happy hour (self-pay) with food and beverages available for purchase throughout the meeting. For more information, call (415) 609-3633.

Candidate forums

  • Idlewild Baptist Church, at 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd., in Lutz, will host a candidate’s forum on July 29 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • The East Pasco Democratic Club will host a political forum for all Democrats, Republicans and no party affiliation for local and state offices on Aug. 4 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Alice Hall Community Center, 38116 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills. The League of Women Voters will be there to register voters or update voters’ current registration. Light refreshments will be served.

Ice cream social
The Central Pasco Democratic Party will host an ice cream social on Aug. 12 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Meadow Pointe Community Center, 28245 County Line Road. Those attending can meet other Democrats and talk with local candidates.

Endorsements

  • The West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association has endorsed Mike Moore, in his re-election bid for the District 2 seat on the Pasco County Commission, according to Moore’s campaign.
  • The Veterans Caucus; Alex Sink, former chief financial officer of Florida; and the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida, have endorsed Brandi Geoit in the race for District 4 seat on the Pasco County Commission, according to Geoit’s campaign.

Published July 18, 2018

Lutz Independence Day has tradition, flair

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The atmosphere was festive as thousands converged on the community of Lutz to celebrate the Fourth of July, on a bright, sunshiny day.

A large crowd gathers along the parade route and watches as Canine Companions proceeds to downtown Lutz.
(Courtesy of Randy Underhill)

The event included a 5-K, a 1-mile fun run, a baking contest, a flag-raising ceremony, a baking contest and, the main attraction — a parade.

 

This Independence Day marked the nation’s 242 birthday, and was the 74th time that Lutz to celebrate.

Vendors were there early, along with a small display of antique farm tractors.

Hundreds of runners for the 5-K and for 1-mile fun run were there early, too, warming up for their races.

The color guards for Boy Scout Troop 12 and the Civil Air Patrol presided over the flag-raising ceremony in front of the Lutz Branch Library.

Jennifer Rankin, right, swears in Domenic DiFante as the new Honorary Guv’na of Lutz, on the platform of the Lutz Train Depot.

People set up their chairs and blankets along the parade route, or sat on the bleachers across from the library.

And, the colors of the day were red, white and blue.

Parade-watchers had plenty to see in a fun-filled, parade that lasted nearly two hours and boasted 63 entries this year.

Vehicles drove by, with flashing lights and sirens, and parade participants tossed candy and beads to the delight of children along the route.

The stage of Lutz’s Train Depot building was the setting for annual changing of the guard, as last year’s Honorary Guv’na Kori Rankin passed along the coveted sash to Domenic DiFante, this year’s winner.

This year, the fundraiser brought in more than $13,600 in donations.

The cake auction was a big hit, as the 22 entries — including cakes, cupcakes and a 5-pound apple pie — fetched bids ranging from $25 to $125.

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, Inc., the Lutz Civic Association and several local businesses sponsored this year’s celebration.

By Randy Underhill

Published July 11, 2018

Grandmother Luz Breton, of Lutz, holds onto 2-year-old Eva Jimeno, as 7-year-old Sofia Caban, 4-year-old Bella Jimeno, and 4-year-old Victoria Caban, watch the parade and hope for candy and beads to be tossed their way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The top bidder for the Army Truck cake was June Mussleman, who won with a bid of $25. The cake was created by Sarah Robison, age, 15, of Lutz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew Delaney, age 9, a Trinity Oaks student, sits atop an antique Ford tractor as grandpa Rohn Harmer,75, stands by. Both grandpa and grandson took part in the run, with Andrew placing third in the 1-mile run.
Brian Zebrowski, of Lutz, hands his 6-year-old daughter, Gabriella, a treat from the Atomic Trolle, while 4-year-old Tre’Anna Harrison and grandmother Michelle Bollman,owner of the treat mobile, look on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The flag-raising ceremony was conducted by the color guards of Boy Scout Troop 12 and the Civil Air Patrol, Carmen Rae singing the Star Spangled Banner, in front of the Lutz Branch Library during the Lutz Independence Day festivities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The start of the 8 a.m. 5-K run heading west on Lutz Lake Fern Rd. There were 337 runners in the 5-K and 108 runners in the 1-mile run. Sixteen-year-old Jake Turner, from Brandon won the 5-K with a time of 16:20.

 

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North undergoing $75 million expansion

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St. Joseph’s Hospital-North is the midst of a $75 million expansion that will double the hospital’s capacity and support additional services.

Crews are currently working to build out four additional operating suites, in shelled spaces that were included during the original construction in anticipation of future need.

Ryan Bittner, project superintendent on a $75 million expansion project at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, explains the complexity of the construction drawings needed for the project.
(B.C. Manion)

The operating suites are expected to be completed in September, said Sara Dodds, director of operations.

Meanwhile, work is underway to prepare for a two-floor expansion.

That portion of the project is expected to begin in July, said Ryan Bittner, who works for Barton Malow and is the project superintendent for the hospital’s expansion.

“We’ll start with the concrete sheer walls first, like the stairwells, the structural concrete portions that we’ll tie all the steel into. Once that’s up, our steel contractor will come in and erect. That’s when you’ll see the biggest change because you’ll see all of the steel framing go up, the floors being installed, all of the decking,” he said.

The additional floors, which will each have 54 patient rooms, are scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2020, Dodds said.

Although the expansion of the facility at 4211 Van Dyke Road in Lutz, was always planned, the need came faster than initially expected, Dodds said.

“The growth rate around us is higher than the state of Florida and higher than the nation. If you drive around, there’s more than 1,000 homes and apartments going up, just within 1 mile of us,” she said, adding, “we are regularly now running at capacity.”

Sara Dodds, operations director for St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, is overseeing the expansion of the hospital, which she said was anticipated when the hospital opened in 2010, but came faster than expected because of area growth.

When the expansion is completed and the patient rooms are full, the hospital expects to add around 200 positions, including clinical staff and support services.

The expansion will allow the hospital to double the number of beds it has in its intensive care unit from 12 to 24, by converting 12 existing progressive care beds into intensive care beds.

The 108 beds being added will consist of 48 beds for patients receiving progressive care and 60 beds for those receiving medical surgical care.

Progressive care beds are for patients who are not typically as ill as those needing critical care, but require more specialized attention than a general patient recovering from surgery.

When the expansion is completed, the hospital will have 12 dedicated private rooms for infusion services, Dodds said. Currently, those services are provided in a shared space.

Before work began, the hospital reached out to its neighbors to share its plans, Dodds said.

“One of the things that there was concern about was the path of the deliveries and the construction crews, and we addressed that,” Dodds said, noting those deliveries and crews will not be cutting through residential areas.

The construction team will do what it can to minimize noise, but there will be noise, Dodds said.

“We’ll work with every patient that comes to make sure they understand there may be some noise,” she said, adding that the hospital will give patients earplugs, if they need them.

Crews are preparing to do the framing for the ceiling in four operating suites that are being built out at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North. The shells for the rooms were included in the original construction, in anticipation of future need.

“Whenever possible, we will minimize whatever work needs to be done at night,” she added.

If the project is finished on time, it will roughly coincide with the hospital’s 10-year anniversary.

When it opened, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North was the first new hospital that had been built in Hillsborough County for 30 years. Before that, area residents had to drive for miles to get to the nearest hospital.

Dodds vividly recalls opening day on Feb. 15, 2010.

She was a charge nurse at the time and remembers gazing out of the third-story window to see the hospital’s first patient approaching the building. It had 2,918 discharges that first year.

In 2011, its first full year of operation, the hospital had 4,831 discharges. That compares to 7,814 last year, which is a 61 percent increase since 2011, hospital officials note.

The larger hospital will address the community’s growing needs, Dodds said.

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, by the numbers

  • 7,814 discharges
  • 404 births
  • 4,467 outpatient surgeries
  • 42,869 emergency department visits
  • 463,414 lab tests
  • 799 team members
  • 156 physicians

These figures are for 2017, the last complete year that statistics are available.

Published July 4, 2018

Region gears up to celebrate nation’s Independence Day

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If you’re looking for some fun and patriotic ways to celebrate the nation’s birthday, you’ll find lots of options nearby.

The master-planned community of Connerton is hosting its fifth annual “Nation Celebration” on July 3 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at 21100 Fountain Garden Way in Land O’ Lakes.

Connerton, a master-planned community in Land O’ Lakes, offers a ‘Nation Celebration’ to celebrate America’s birthday. Benedetto’s, a restaurant in Land O’ Lakes, sponsors the fireworks.
(File)

The event will be an old-fashioned neighborhood party, open to the public, featuring a rock wall, free games, a live DJ, live music, food trucks, local crafters, free bounce houses and fireworks presented by Benedetto’s Ristorante Italiano.

Those wishing to be eligible for a chance to win a $250 gift card must register by June 30, at Connerton.com/event-signup.

If you enjoy a down-home Fourth of July parade, along with a flag-raising, a cake-baking competition and kids riding their bikes in the parade — the community of Lutz’s Independence Day festivities will be right up your alley.

Lutz prides itself on its annual event and this year promises to continue the community’s traditions, according to Jennifer Rankin, chairwoman of the festivities.

The day begins with people dropping off their entries for the Cake Bake competition.

Then, there’s the annual 5K which draws hundreds of runners, and the 1-mile Fun Run, a family friendly event.

The 5K starts at 8 a.m., July 4 at the Lutz Community Center, 101 First Ave. N., in Lutz.

In-person registration for the race can be done during regular business hours Monday through Friday, through June 30, at Big Fred’s Automotive Repair, 19301 U.S. 41 North, in Lutz.

On race day, registration is $30 and begins at 6:15 a.m., inside the Lutz Community Center, 101 First Ave., N.

The 5K starts at 8 a.m., July 4 on Lutz-Lake Fern Road, west of the intersection First Avenue.

The 1-mile Fun Run begins at 8:45 a.m.

For more information or to register online, visit tinyurl.com/y9o96scr.

Three-month-old Braylen Moore had a great viewing place for the parade, sitting on her mom’s — Emily Moore of Lutz — lap at the parade.
(File)

Other festivities include a flag-raising ceremony at 9 a.m., led by Boy Scout Troop 12 and members of the North Tampa/Lutz Civil Air Patrol Cadets.

After that, the parade begins at 10 a.m.

After the parade, the honorary Lutz Guv’na is proclaimed, and is sworn in over a copy of Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham.”

This year’s candidates are Kandy Sinquefield of American BellyDance Studio, Jessica Sherman of Pinch A Penny and Domenic DiFante of Panini’s Bar & Grill.

Then, come the “Cake Bake Auction,” which raises money to support local organizations and draws some good-natured bidding, as grandparents, parents and spouses get into friendly bidding wars to bring home their loved one’s baked treat.

Another highlight are the booths and vendors that parade-goers can check out, to find out more about local organizations, or grab a bite to eat.

And, while politicians are always a mainstay in the Lutz parade, there’s usually a greater number during an election year, and Rankin said that’s true this year.

She also noted that it’s not too late to join the parade, but the deadline for applications is July 1. Those interested in joining the parade can call Rankin at (813) 240-5492.

Other area events are planned in Wesley Chapel and at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City.

Avalon Park West in Wesley Chapel will host an Independence Day celebration on July 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at its clubhouse, at 5227 Autumn Ridge Drive. There will be an apple pie bake-off, a bike parade, a wet/dry bounce park, community performances, and fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call (813) 783-1515.

Meanwhile, the community of Seven Oaks has planned a “Fourth of July Celebration and Cardboard Boat Regatta” on July 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Seven Oaks Clubhouse, 2910 Sports Core Circle, in Wesley Chapel

Families can build a two-person cardboard boat, which must be able to race. There will be awards for fastest, best team, most creative, people’s choice, best younger team and the Titanic-best sinking. For information, visit 813Area.com.

Another Fourth of July celebration — Sparklebration 2018 — is planned at Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City.

Festivities will be on July 4 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Highlights include live entertainment, free face painting, and for a nominal charge: a bounce house, pony rides and a petting zoo.

There also will be a watermelon- and hot dog-eating contests, and a karaoke contest.

Fireworks are scheduled for 9:15 p.m., weather permitting.

Gates open at 4 p.m. Parking is $5 per vehicle. Admission is $6 for ages 13 and older. For information, visit PascoCountyFair.com.

Published June 27, 2018

North Tampa Aero Park airport up for sale

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North Tampa Aero Park is on the market.

The sales price for the licensed public airport is $4 million, according to brokers with CBRE.

The company’s airport specialist group is in charge of marketing and selling the airport, located at 4241 Birdsong Blvd.

“We’ve had quite a bit of interest,” said Gary Bauler, broker and first vice president for industrial properties at CBRE in Tampa.

The North Tampa Aero Park airport is up for sale. The asking price is $4 million. (B.C. Manion)

The airport, which dates to the mid-1970s, covers 21 acres sandwiched between Wesley Chapel Boulevard and Interstate 75.

Compark 75, a business park with premier office, warehouse and manufacturing tenants, is adjacent to the airport.

The airport offers about 10,000 square feet of maintenance hangar space; 3,500 square feet of offices; three platted residential lots; office and hangar buildings; a fuel farm, 16 T-hangars; annual runway easement income fees; a licensed Lasergrade and PSI testing facility; and a licensed Federal Aviation Administration repair station.

While most local airports are regulated by municipalities or aviation authorities, Bauler said North Tampa Aero Park is unique in being privately owned.

The Brammer family has owned and operated North Tampa Aero Park for years. But, Bauler said, “They think it’s time to get out of the business, and do something else.”

The area has seen a lot of changes since the airport opened in 1975, Bauler said.

“When it was originally built, Pasco was a lot more undeveloped,” he said. “Now, you’ve got a lot of residential and more businesses, like Compark 75. We’re encouraged that this is the right time to sell. There are a lot more affluent owners in the area now.”

Tenants at the airport include Happy Hangar Café, American Balloons, and Tampa North Flight Center, which is the airport’s fixed-base operator (FBO).

The flight center offers a range of services, including flight instruction, aircraft sales, instrument proficiency checks, parts sales and biennial flight reviews.

It has been a training and teaching resource for the Wesley Chapel Civil Air Patrol.

Some hangars are leased, but others are condominium hangars, whose owners are represented by a condominium association.

For information, visit CBRE.com.

Published June 20, 2018

Locals well-represented in 2018 MLB Draft

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Becoming a professional baseball player will soon be a reality for a handful of athletes with ties to The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

The 2018 Major League Baseball Draft ran from June 4 to June 6 — whereby four locals had their names called.

University of North Florida junior right-hander Frank German, who grew up in Lutz and graduated from Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, represented the highest local draftee when he was taken in the fourth round (127th overall) by the New York Yankees. German recently signed with the club for a reported bonus of $350,000.

German’s college teammate, junior lefty Austin Drury, a Land O’ Lakes native/ Wiregrass Ranch High School product, was also drafted, in the 34th round (1034th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Meanwhile, a pair of Saint Leo ballplayers also were selected — junior righty/first baseman Jake Sims, in the 31st round (921st overall) by the San Diego Padres; and senior second baseman Zach Scott, in the 32nd round (958th overall) by the Seattle Mariners.

Both Sims, who signed with the Padres on June 12 for an undisclosed amount, and Scott helped Saint Leo University to a 38-11 record and a 21-9 mark in the Sunshine State Conference.

They respectively join 49 other former Lions who have had their name called for the draft, dating back to 1969.

Elsewhere, Saint Leo signee Waylon Richardson was also drafted, in the 40th round (1,187th overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Richardson, a 6-foot-5 righty out of Kankakee (Illinois) Community College, opted to sign with the Phillies for an undisclosed amount, forgoing his eligibility to play baseball for Saint Leo.

The first-year player draft is Major League Baseball’s primary mechanism for assigning amateur baseball players, from high schools, colleges and other amateur baseball clubs, to its 30 teams — which offer up millions of dollars in signing bonuses to its top draftees.

All 30 MLB teams have until July 6 to get 2018 drafted players signed.

There were 40 rounds and 1,214 picks in total, during the three-day draft.

Players came from across the United States and Canada, from high school and college, and from every position on the diamond. There were players from 47 states taken.

Of those picks, 158 were from Florida, second to only California, which yielded 187 selections. Following California and Florida, were Texas (114 draftees), Georgia (65) and North Carolina (49).

Last year’s draft was particular fruitful for area talent.

Among the 2017 crop were four Steinbrenner High School products — Kevin Merrell (first round), Patrick Morris (14th round), Josh Falk (17th round) and CJ Van Eyk (19th round); Bishop McLaughlin products Nate Pearson (first round) and Paul Coumoulos (40th round); and Sunlake High School’s Tommy Mace (14th round).

Here’s a closer look at the local 2018 MLB draftees:

Frank German, right-handed pitcher (New York Yankees-fourth round, 127th overall)
Hometown: Lutz/Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School
College: University of North Florida

Frank German, a Lutz native who graduated from Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School before attending the University of North Florida, was selected as a pitcher in the fourth round by the New York Yankees in the 2018 MLB Draft. (Courtesy of University of North Florida Athletics)

As a fourth round selection, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound righty became the highest-drafted pitcher in North Florida program history, which previously never had an arm drafted within the top five rounds.

This past season, German went 8-3, posting a team-leading 1.58 earned run average and 108 strikeouts in 91.1 innings. He allowed one or fewer earned runs in 11 of his 14 starts, while notching six or more strikeouts in 13 contests. He also allowed just 14 walks and held opponent bats to just a .190 average.

German picked up All-American honors from D1Baseball (2nd team) and Perfect Game/Rawlings (3rd team), as well as being named an American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) All-South Region (2nd team) selection.

Additionally, he was a First-Team All-Atlantic Sun Conference honoree and was named a semifinalist for the prestigious Golden Spikes Award, given to the nation’s top college baseball player.

The accomplished thrower has a three-pitch arsenal, which includes a 90-mph to-94-mph fastball, along with a curveball and changeup — which some draft experts say projects him as an end-of-the-rotation starter at the next level.

As a high school senior, German earned 3A All-State honors and helped guide Bishop McLaughlin to the State Final Four.

Jake Sims, right-handed pitcher/first baseman (San Diego Padres—31st round, 921st overall)
Hometown: Guelph, Ontario, Canada
College: Saint Leo University

Saint Leo first baseman/pitcher Jake Sims was selected in the 31st round by the San Diego Padres. He signed with the club on June 12. (Courtesy of Saint Leo Athletics)

Sims proved himself a capable two-way player for Saint Leo in his first and only season with the club, coming from Roane State Community College in Tennessee.

At the plate for the Lions, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Sims, who bats left-handed and throws right, hit .250 with 17 hits, nine runs scored, four doubles and four home runs. He also drove in 13 runs while finishing the 2018 season with a .485 slugging percentage and .354 on-base percentage.

Meanwhile on the mound, Sims held a 2.35 ERA in six appearances with 10 strikeouts and just four hits allowed. He allowed just two runs in his 7.2 innings of work.

Sims is the second Saint Leo player to be drafted by the Padres, joining Darrin Reichie, a fourth-round selection in 1987.

Zach Scott, second baseman (Seattle Mariners—32nd round, 958th overall)
Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona
College: Saint Leo University  

Saint Leo second baseman Zach Scott was selected in the 32nd round (958th overall) by the Seattle Mariners. He is now one of three former Saint Leo University players to get drafted by the Mariners, joining Daniel Torres (2013) and Taylor Perez (2015), all infielders. (Courtesy of Saint Leo Athletics)

The 6-foot, 185-pound Scott was a mainstay at second the past two seasons for Saint Leo after transferring from Colorado Christian University.

He wrapped up the 2018 campaign with a .312/.570/.385 slash line, recording 58 hits on the year with 12 doubles, six triples and eight home runs, while scoring 45 runs and driving in 42 RBI in all 49 games.

Defensively, Scott posted a .947 fielding percentage with 85 putouts and 131 assists while turning 27 double plays.

He’s now one of three former Lions to get drafted by the Mariners, joining Daniel Torres (2013) and Taylor Perez (2015), all infielders.

Austin Drury, left-handed pitcher (Los Angeles Dodgers- 34th round, 1034th overall)
Hometown: Land O’ Lakes/Wiregrass Ranch High School
College: University of North Florida

Austin Drury, a Land O’ Lakes native and Wiregrass Ranch High School product, was drafted as a pitcher in the 34th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was teammates with Frank German at the University of North Florida. (Courtesy of University of North Florida Athletics)

A former A-SUN All-Freshman and Freshman All-American, the 5-foot-11, 175-pound lefty had a slightly down showing in 2018, finishing with a 4-4 record in 13 starts with a 4.85 ERA, recording 58 strikeouts in 68.2 innings of work and holding opponent’s to a .258 batting average.

Yet, his past success and potential as a southpaw is likely what intrigued pro scouts to call his name late in the draft.

In 2017, as a sophomore, Drury went 6-2 with a 2.43 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 74.1 innings, holding opponents to a .231 batting average.

Should Drury sign with the Dodgers, he’ll achieve a rare designation as a third-generation professional baseball player. His uncle, Ronald Kelly, and grandfather, Roy Kelly, both played in the minors.

Prior to college, Drury was a four-year member of the Wiregrass Ranch High School baseball team. His senior year he earned First-Team All-Pasco honors as the Bulls’ top batter (.380) and pitcher (1.83 earned run average).

He was also teammates with his older brother, Zach, at both Wiregrass Ranch and North Florida.

Published June 20, 2018

Lutz girl making TV show debut in ‘Kid Stew’ airing on WEDU

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Twelve-year-old Madison Maxwell has done hundreds of commercials, beginning when she was just 4.

But, the sixth-grader at Academy at the Lakes in Land O’ Lakes has never been involved in a television show.

Until now.

She’s one of nine cast members in a new series called “Kid Stew.”

Madison Maxwell, a sixth-grader at Academy at the Lakes, is a cast member of a new show called ‘Kid Stew,’ which will be airing in June on WEDU. (B.C. Manion)

The show was created by James Patterson, an internationally known author of books written for young readers.

Four episodes of “Kid Stew” have been filmed and four more episodes are slated for production this summer.

Each episode, which lasts 30 minutes, features humor, skits and a fast-paced delivery to provide an engaging approach to learning.

It’s been described as sort of a combination between a kid-friendly “Saturday Night Live” and the old PBS television show “Zoom,” said Sue Maxwell, who is Madison’s mom.

The cast members wear funny wigs, crazy facial hair and dress up like French waiters, sleazy record promoters, stuffy British TV hosts and famous historical characters, according to a news release.

The show will air locally, in a marathon scheduled for June 24 beginning at 9 a.m., on WEDU. It is being carried by more than 200 stations across the country.

Madison is involved in a recurring sketch, in which she and Blake McCall, another cast member, use a phone booth to travel back in time.

During those sketches, they visited Leonardo da Vinci, Cleopatra, Thomas Edison and Shakespeare, Madison said.

“That was very fun, except for the mosquitoes. I had 37 mosquito bites,” she said, noting the filming was done outdoors near a monastery, to give the time travel a historic feel.

Madison said it’s been fun to be in the show, and she was pleased to be selected for the cast. She found out about the auditions from her agent in Miami.

She said the show doesn’t require her to adopt an entirely new persona.

Madison Maxwell holds a ‘Kid Stew’ sign. The 12-year-old from Lutz has been in hundreds of commercials. This is her first television show.

“It’s your name, and you get to act like yourself and you are your own character,” she said. “You can just be free.”

The episodes are shot in Miami, Boca Raton and Ft. Lauderdale area, with seven of the nine cast members coming from South Florida and the other two, including Madison, from the Tampa Bay area.

A news release describes the show this way: “‘Kid Stew’ celebrates imagination, and encourages children’s interest in reading, music, art and creative expression. Featuring comedic sketches, music videos, fun facts, virtual visits around the globe, and guest appearances from creative adults and kids alike, the series offers four, half-hour episodes packed with fun in a ‘for kids, by kids’ format that appeals to elementary school age viewers.”

The creator, Patterson, is known for his tween-targeted franchises, which include “Jacky Ha-Ha,” about a 12-year-old girl who loves to make people laugh.

‘Kid Stew’ is co-produced by South Florida PBS and Patterson, and presented nationally by South Florida PBS via American Public Television.

Madison is excited about filming the rest of Season 1 and hopes there will be a Season 2.

She’s not sure what she wants to do in the future. At one point, she wanted to be a dolphin trainer. More recently, she’s been thinking about being an orthodontist, or perhaps a neurosurgeon.

At this point, it’s too soon to tell.

Madison lives in Lutz with her mom, Sue; her dad, Mike; and, her grandfather, Ki Kim.

Published May 30, 2018

Birchwood Preserve in Lutz Opens Phase II

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It has only been a year since Pulte Homes opened Birchwood Preserve in Lutz, and there has been so much demand that the community’s second phase is opening ahead of schedule this summer.

“Since we opened our sales center last May, we’ve sold close to 80 homes out of 120 available in our first phase,” said Vince Kuntz, Pulte’s sales consultant in the community. “The demand has been so good, that we’ve sold most of our 60-foot home sites in our Elite home series, and have a waiting list of buyers wanting larger lots in our second phase.”

Birchwood Preserve’s second phase offers another 76 home sites, many with conservation and water views. Like the first phase, 60-foot lots are reserved for homes with three-car garages, and 50-foot lots for homes with two-car garages.

The community’s second phase is also introducing Pulte’s Classic series of homes, which are designed to be more affordable, with prices beginning at $310,000 for 1,851 square feet.

“Homes in our Classic series meet Pulte’s high quality standards, but offer finishes that are less expensive to make homes more affordable, especially for first-time homebuyers,” said Kuntz. “By comparison, homes in our Signature series on 50-foot lots begin at $333,990 for 1,904 square feet.”

Birchwood Preserve’s new Classic series has eight floor plans, ranging from 1,851 to 4,274 square feet. Pulte is building a new model home for its Classic series, the 2,855 square-foot Citrus Grove. This two-story home offers 4 to 5 bedrooms, 2.5 to 3 baths, an owner’s suite on the first floor and a large game room upstairs.

“This is very much a family community, and our large, two-story homes are most in demand,” said Kuntz. “Our most popular floor plans are those with four and five bedrooms with over 3,000 square feet of living area.”

Birchwood Preserve’s biggest draw is its outstanding A-rated schools. It is the only new, single-family home community in Lutz that is zoned to all three schools at the highly desirable public school complex on Lutz Lake Fern Road — Steinbrenner High, Martinez Middle and McKitrick Elementary.

“When people walk in the door at our sales center, the first question they ask is about our schools, and 95-percent of the time, when they learn all grades are assigned to these A-rated schools, they are sold,” said Kuntz. “Nothing is more important to our buyers than being zoned to some of the best schools in Hillsborough County.”

Kuntz adds that while other new, single-family home communities in the area may be zoned to Steinbrenner High, none are also zoned to top-rated Martinez Middle and McKitrick Elementary.

“We even have families with babies moving here, because in a few years they want their child to go to McKitrick,” said Kuntz.

After schools, the second top reason families are choosing Birchwood Preserve is because of the community’s convenient location, a half mile west of Dale Mabry Highway and just south of Sunlake Boulevard where Geraci Road dead-ends.

“We’re less than two miles from the Veterans Expressway, and just as close to St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, and all the grocery, dining and retail on Van Dyke Road,” said Kuntz. “With our quick access to the Veterans, it’s easy to get to Tampa International Airport, the Westshore Business District, International Plaza and the Gulf Coast beaches.”

Homeowners in Birchwood Preserve share a fabulous amenity center in the heart of the community. This facility is already built and includes a resort-style swimming pool with cabanas and hammocks, a multipurpose clubhouse with kitchen, and a children’s exploration climbing dome playground with swing set and other discovery play equipment.

“Birchwood Preserve already has an active family lifestyle with many things to do for families with children of all ages,” said Kuntz. “Our residents quickly connect with one another, and have organized playgroups and their own online community network.”

When built out, Birchwood Preserve will have just 196 homes. Because of its small size, there is no CDD. Owners help support a beautifully landscaped gated entrance and the amenity center with an affordable HOA.

Most buyers are coming from surrounding neighborhoods in Lutz and Carrollwood, as well as Westchase and Citrus Park.

With its new second phase, Birchwood Preserve will offer a total of 18 unique single-family models, which range from 1,851 to 4,600 square feet, and offer three to six bedrooms, two to six bathrooms and two- or three-car garages.

Pulte’s Sales Center at Birchwood Preserve is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Please stop by to visit Kuntz and his associate, Amanda Barningham, at 18709 Birchwood Groves Drive, Lutz, Florida 33558

They can be reached at (813) 804-5705. You can also visit the website at
Pulte.com/birchwoodpreserve.

Published May 23, 2018