The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Lutz

2017 had it all: A sinkhole, Hurricane Irma, wildfires and floods

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But, it also was a year of significant growth, notable achievements and touching moments, too.

It’s not often that Land O’ Lakes makes the international news, but it did just that in July when a massive sinkhole swallowed two homes in Lake Padgett Estates.

This is an aerial view of a giant sinkhole that developed in Lake Padgett Estates, swallowing two homes and causing several others to be condemned. (File)

Then, just a few months later in September, the world’s attention turned to Florida as a potential category 5 Hurricane Irma appeared heading straight toward Tampa Bay.

The year also was marked by severe flooding and wildfires in Pasco County.

It also was a year for the changing of the guard, as Dan Biles was named Pasco County’s administrator to replace Michele Baker, who retired.

Scores of headlines during 2017 involved stories about the area’s congested roadways — and projects that are planned, underway or being discussed to improve traffic flow.

Major road projects that have begun or are planned include improvements to Interstate 75 and state roads 54 and 52. A four-lane extension of State Road 56, between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills, is also under construction.

With its sustained wind speeds of 185 mph, Hurricane Irma was deemed to be one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the Atlantic. At one point, forecasters said it appeared headed toward making a direct hit on the Tampa Bay region.

Another improvement, known as the diverging diamond, is planned to improve traffic flow at I-75 and State Road 56.

And, discussions continue over the best ways to reduce congestion at U.S. 41 and State Road 54, an intersection that handles roughly 100,000 vehicles per day.

The county also appears to be making progress in its quest to secure a permit for the extension of Ridge Road, a project it has been seeking for nearly two decades. While the project can’t come soon enough for supporters, its detractors remain steadfast in their opposition.

Increasing traffic is a symptom of Pasco’s robust growth
Housing developments, retail projects, restaurants, businesses and medical facilities are sprouting up on land previously occupied by citrus groves, farms and cattle ranches.

New schools continue to pop up, or expand, too.

Zephyrhills now has a permanent venue for community events, such as the Z’ Hills BBQ & Blues Fest, a popular event, which features blues bands and tasty barbecue.

In August, Pasco County Schools opened Bexley Elementary, in the Bexley subdivision off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes and Cypress Creek Middle High School, off Old Pasco Road, in Wesley Chapel. In the coming year, it plans to begin construction of Cypress Creek Middle School.

Also, on the same campus, the school district and Pasco-Hernando State College plan to operate a new performing arts center. That center will be built by the college with $15.5 million in state funds, but both the school district and the college will use it as a teaching facility.

Meanwhile, the school district continues massive renovation projects at Land O’ Lakes High School and at Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills.

More public school projects are expected, as funding for school construction gets a boost from increased school impacts fees adopted by the Pasco County Commission that will begin being phased in on Jan. 1.

On the private school front, North Tampa Christian Academy is expected to begin operations in Wesley Chapel in the fall of 2018.

Roy Hardy, of Dade City, who died this year, was known for his perfect Kiwanis attendance and his fish fry fundraisers for the Hardy Benevolent Fund to help cover medical costs for others in need.

And, a charter school also has announced its intentions to open in Wesley Chapel in 2019, but has not identified its location yet.

The year also signaled changes on the spiritual scene across the region, too.

Van Dyke Church in Lutz changed its name to Bay Hope and expanded the scope of its mission. North Pointe Church settled into its first permanent home in Lutz, and the Episcopal Church announced its intentions to branch into Wesley Chapel.

The region also added to its list of amenities during the past year.

In Wesley Chapel, the 150,000-square-foot Florida Hospital Center Ice opened in January, with its Olympic-size rink, three National Hockey League-size rinks and one junior rink. Several rinks can easily be converted to accommodate basketball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball and events such as corporate meetings, and parties.

In Land O’ Lakes, the Heritage Park Stage opened, off of U.S. 41. The project, which was years in the making, has already become a popular gathering spot for community events.

Starkey Park District Park also opened in Land O’ Lakes, off State Road 54.

Meanwhile, across the county, Zephyrhills added a permanent venue for community events, such as Pigz in Z’Hills, a popular barbecue and blues event.

A time of milestones and transitions
While new construction made the news, 2017 was also a year of big milestones, including R.B. Cox Elementary School’s 90th birthday, in Dade City, and the Dade City Garden Club’s 70th anniversary.

Andre Pamplona, general manager for Royal Lanes, said the closing of a bowling alley has an impact on the community. Royal Lanes, which opened in the 1970s turned off the lights for the final time in May. Lots of memories were made in that building, known for its bowling leagues and birthday parties.

But, it was also the year that Royal Lanes, a community fixture in Lutz since the 1970s for bowling leagues and birthday parties, turned out the lights for the final time in May.

On a more personal level, the region mourned the loss of some of its biggest champions, including Eddie Herrmann of San Antonio, Roy T. Hardy of Dade City and Ray Mason of Land O’ Lakes. All three men were known for their deep commitment to civic causes.

Others — who captured headlines for their excellence — included Margaret Polk, the Odyssey of the Mind team from Wesley Chapel Elementary School, and Courtney Urban, a volunteer for Gulfside Hospice who received a national award for her volunteer work.

Polk, a school nurse at Pasco High School, was named the Florida Association of School Nurses’ 2017 School Nurse of the Year.

Elaine Pittman, a Lutz gardener in her 80s, grows plants and sells them to raise money for Christian Social Services. She chose that cause because it feeds people who are hungry.

Wesley Chapel Elementary School’s “Catch Us If You Can” team, finished first in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals held in May at Michigan State University. Members of the team were Jake Piller, Sam Cappelluti, Isabell Barrios, Mina Melaika, Rowan Heyman, Jason Sherman and Justin Acosta. Teachers Veronica Acosta and Janet Heyman coached the team.

And, Urban, who initially began volunteering at Gulfside’s Thrift Shoppe in Lutz so she could hang out with her grandmother, went on to serve the organization in a variety of roles.

And then, there were the people who simply extended themselves to help others.

There was Elaine Pittman, a Lutz gardener in her 80s, who nurtures plant cuttings to create plants, which she sells to raise money for Christian Social Services, an organization that provides food for people who are hungry.

And, there was Whitney C. Elmore, who oversees Pasco County Extension.

Elmore reached out to help Frogmore Fresh Farm, outside of Dade City, after Hurricane Irma uprooted and toppled about 100,000 blueberry bushes. Elmore got the ball rolling, but hundreds of volunteers responded — stepping forward to help the farm.

Two Boy Scouts also made a difference in the communities where they live.

Michael Valenti of Lutz and Gabe Vega of Land O’ Lakes each spearheaded Eagle Scout projects.

Cypress Creek Middle High School students make their way to their second class the first day of school on the new campus in Wesley Chapel. Bexley Elementary School also opened for the first time in August, for the 2017-2018 school year.

Valenti spruced up the Lutz Memorial Park in Lutz, and Vega created a Rosary Garden at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Land O’ Lakes.

And, then, there was a trio of Wesley Chapel Girl Scouts in Troop 1263 who gave new life to Karina’s Garden, behind the administrative offices of Sunrise of Pasco County, in their quest to earn a Girl Scout Silver Award.

The girls — Paige and Kaitlin Trabouley and Alyssa Duran — added flowers, plants, butterflies and statuary to create a place of repose and refreshment in the garden which honors the late Karina Abdul, a former shelter director.

The garden now provides a place to take a break and enjoy nature, according to Vicki Wiggins, director of development for Sunrise, which is a domestic and sexual violence prevention and services organization.

The garden had been choked with weeds and had fallen into disrepair.

The girls and the volunteers they enlisted changed all that.

“It’s beautiful. I’m so happy they did this. They brought it back to life,” Wiggins told The Laker/Lutz News, when the project was completed.

Published December 27, 2017

Recalling some top moments in sports for 2017

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Coaches were celebrated, state titles acquired and local athletes turned in outstanding performances.

The past year brought countless moments and lasting memories in sports, from Lutz and Land O’ Lakes, across to Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills.

Here’s a look back at some of the top sports happenings from 2017:

Florida Hospital Center Ice opens
Hockey and ice-skating enthusiasts rejoiced when the largest ice sports facility in the Southeastern United States finally opened its doors in Wesley Chapel.

Florida Hospital Center Ice has been a hit since it opened in January. The five-rink facility is on pace to draw 1.5 million visitors in its first year. (File)

The 150,500-square-foot Florida Hospital Center Ice, unveiled in January, took about 2 ½ years to complete.

The main attraction of the $22.5 million complex, of course, is its four full-size rinks (one Olympic, three National Hockey League) and one kid-size rink.

Previously, many Pasco and northern Hillsborough residents would trek to Brandon’s Ice Sports Forum to get their hockey and skating fix. Others may have used the Clearwater Ice Arena or the Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Oldsmar.

Besides serving local hockey players, skaters and curlers, the facility already has scored on Pasco’s sports tourism initiative by hosting a number of camps, collegiate competitions and other tournaments — drawing an estimated 1.5 million visitors in its first year.

It has also become the training home of the U.S. women’s national hockey team, as members prepare for the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Land O’ Lakes High wins state softball title
It had been nearly 25 years since a Pasco County school won a state softball title — until May 20.

On that day, Land O’ Lakes seized the Class 6A state softball championship, unseating powerhouse Plantation American Heritage 3-1, at Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach.

Land O’ Lakes High School ended Pasco County’s state softball title drought, after defeating American Heritage 3-1 in the Class 6A state championships on May 20. The victory marked the first fastpitch title for the Gators, and first for a Pasco school since 1992

The achievement marked the first fastpitch title for Land O’Lakes and the first for a Pasco County program since Ridgewood High won in 1992.

What made the victory even sweeter for the Gators was downing the same team that eliminated them in the 2016 state semifinals.

They did it in comeback fashion, too.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth inning, Land O’ Lakes unearthed timely hits and capitalized on opposition mistakes to build the lead for good — against an American Heritage program that was making its fourth-straight championship game appearance and had previously won seven state titles.

The Gators ended the year with a 29-3 record.

And, the accolades didn’t stop there.

In July, Gators coaches were named the 2017 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) High School Coaching Staff of the Year, beating out staffs from other top-tier programs in California, New Jersey, Illinois and Kansas. The recognition went to Gators fourth-year head coach Mitch Wilkins and assistants Edwin Rodriguez, Janet Sciales and Vinny Guarracino.

Paralympic athletes excel at nationals
It was another banner year for Paralympic Sport Tampa Bay.

The team in July won its second straight Small Team Division at the National Junior Disability Championships in Middleton, Wisconsin.

Three athletes — Eric Lowry, 17, of Land O’ Lakes; Danielle Kanas, 12, of Lutz; and 16-year-old Logan Krepop of Parrish — earned a combined thirty-three medals and set nine national records. In total, they collected 18 gold, 11 silver and four bronze medals.

Paralympic Sport Tampa Bay this July won its second straight Small Team Division at the National Junior Disability Championships in Middleton, Wisconsin. Lutz resident Danielle Kanas, a single-arm amputee, earned 15 gold medals and set six national records this year.

Kanas — a single-arm amputee, missing her left arm below the elbow — herself collected 15 gold medals and set six national records this year.

That included a javelin throw of 19.66 meters, shattering the previous record for her age group by six meters.

After the season, Kanas earned Paralympic Sport Tampa Bay’s “Spirit of Excellence” award. The club’s highest honor, it recognizes courage, strength, determination and demonstration of a positive attitude as a role model.

Beyond athletics, Kanas is a “straight-A” student at Martinez Middle School, and member of the National Junior Honor Society, a Girl Scout, and patient ambassador at Shriner’s Hospital for Children-Tampa. She’s also a talented guitar player.

The others likewise have overcome various hardships to shine in athletics.

Lowry has spina bifida and competes from a wheelchair. It didn’t stop him from benching 190 pounds, earning a gold medal and setting an Adaptive Sports Junior national record.

And Krepop, who has cerebral palsy, earned a gold medal in the 400-meter run. His time of 1:33.14 set a new Adaptive Sports record for his age group.

Zephyrhills High honors winningest football coach
It was the perfect time for Zephyrhills High School to honor its winningest football coach.

The Bulldogs earned a district championship, won a playoff game, and finished the season with 10 wins.

That was all last done in 2002 — under former longtime coach Tom Fisher.

This year, the school’s Bulldog Stadium was formally renamed Tom Fisher Field at its Oct. 27 homecoming

During the school’s Oct. 27 homecoming, Zephyrhills High’s Bulldog Stadium was officially renamed Tom Fisher Field after its longtime coach of 21 years. Fisher retired in 2008 as the program’s winningest coach, with 124 career victories.

The dedication ceremony was attended by Fisher, and drew dozens of former players and coaches, as well as many of his family members and friends.

Fisher — regarded as a hard-nosed, no nonsense type who voraciously studied game films — retired in 2008 after 21 years as head coach.

In his tenure, Fisher won 124 games (most in program history) and led Bulldogs teams to eight playoff berths, four conference championships and three district titles; he also was a four-time conference coach of the year.

Moreover, the Zephyrhills football program had gone 47 years without a state playoff appearance until Fisher’s arrival, making it in his first season in 1989.

Another example of Fisher’s extensive impact: The Bulldogs’ past two head coaches, Nick Carroll and Reggie Roberts, both played for him over 20 years ago.

The most successful player under Fisher was defensive lineman Ryan Pickett, who played 14 years in the NFL, mostly for the St. Louis Rams and Green Bay Packers. Pickett, a 1998 Zephyrhills graduate, started as a freshman at Ohio State, left after his junior season to play professionally and was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Though its been nearly a decade since the 65-year-old Fisher last roamed the sidelines, he still can be found in the stands at many Bulldogs home games.

Academy at the Lakes wins state football title
Following three straight losing football seasons, Academy at the Lakes football experienced a remarkable turnaround in 2017 — capped by its first eight-man state title on Dec. 9 with a 30-9 win over Jacksonville Old Plank Academy.

The Wildcats, under fourth-year head coach Shawn Brown, finished the season 11-1, with a 7-0 district mark.

Many of their wins came in dominating fashion, with an average scoring margin of nearly 34 points.

Academy at the Lakes football overcame three straight losing seasons to win its first eight-man state title on Dec. 9. They finished the season 11-1, after going a combined 9-20 the past three years.

It was quite the contrast from past years.

The team went 2-8 in 2016, after finishing 4-7 and 3-5 the prior two seasons.

This year’s success harkens back to its summer offseason program, which included weightlifting sessions three days a week, participating in Division I college camps, and competing in various seven-on-seven tournaments — sometimes facing 11-man schools from Classes 7A and 8A.

The Wildcats’ solid talent base didn’t hurt its gridiron performances, either.

Senior tailback/linebacker Daniel Gonzalez was the most productive two-way player in the eight-man ranks— rushing for 1,125 yards and 24 touchdowns on offense, and tallying 138 tackles and 7.5 sacks on defense.

Several others made significant impacts as well, including freshmen Jalen Brown and Jordan Oladokun, juniors Jamaal Johnson and Dylan Price, and senior Isaiah Smith, among others.

The football program’s last state title came in 2006, when Academy at the Lakes played in the six-man ranks.

Some other notable highlights from 2017:

  • Wesley Chapel High varsity softball has first winning season in program history
  • Cypress Creek High varsity football wins its inaugural game against Gulf High
  • Wesley Chapel hoops product Erik Thomas appears in NCAA Tournament
  • Academy at the Lakes athlete Alexis Kilfoyl makes 2017 USA Softball Junior Women’s National Training Team
  • Land O’Lakes’ Jabari Ramsey becomes the first boys swimmer from Pasco County to win three-straight state titles in the same event (100 breaststroke).
  • Carrollwood Day School volleyball wins the Class 4A state title, to earn the school’s first state championship in any sport.

• Steinbrenner baseball alum Kevin Merrell is selected by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of the Major League Baseball Draft.

Published December 27, 2017

Park and Bark is for those who love shopping, and dogs

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Tampa Premium Outlets has an extra attraction for shoppers who hate to leave their four-legged companions at home.

A new business, Park and Bark, gives shoppers a chance to leave their dogs with a pet sitter at the mall.

Owner Laura Vinogradov plans to open several Park and Bark services in Florida. For an hourly fee, shoppers at Tampa Premium Outlets can get short-term dog sitting at the mall. (Kathy Steele)

Park and Bark, which opened in mid-November, operates in a climate-controlled trailer in a parking area across from the McDonald’s restaurant.

Owner Laura Vinogradov is an animal lover providing what she believes is the first, and only, pet-sitting service of its kind in Florida.

“It’s an idea I’ve had for many years,” Vinogradov said. “So many services are coming to where people are. Why not dog sitting?”

Park and Bark is a very specific service.

“It’s not boarding. It’s not overnight. It’s not doggy day care,” Vinogradov said.

The service charges an hourly rate. Customers can drop off their dogs for up to two hours at a time.

If more shopping time is needed, owners must return to walk their dogs before heading off again to the mall.

One recent morning, Remy and Percy settled into their enclosed pods while their owner was shopping.

Remy, a 6-month-old Doberman Pinscher, waits in his pod at Park and Bark until his owner returns from shopping. The short-term dog sitting service is available at Tampa Premium Outlets.

Remy, a Doberman Pinscher puppy, playfully batted around a square container with hidden doggy treats. His Dachshund sibling, Percy, rested on a soft mat in his own pod.

Vinogradov has two large pods and four smaller ones, but there is room for expansion.

While this is the owner’s first Park and Bark, she anticipates taking her concept statewide.

Negotiations are ongoing for two additional locations at undisclosed sites. They could open in 2018.

“We all know the retail market is changing,” Vinogradov said. “Malls are looking for the next draw to set themselves apart for the next shopping experience. We see Park and Bark as added value for them,” she said.

Vinogradov is a world traveler with a background in journalism and nonprofits.

She also has years of experience in the pet care industry.

She previously operated The Barking Lot boarding kennel in Lutz for about six years.

She has bred and trained show dogs. And, she also worked with the Israeli Schutzhund Club, training dogs for search and rescue work.

She spent about 18 months researching and checking locations for Park and Bark, including Orlando.

“I really wanted to come back to Lutz,” Vinogradov said.

Percy the Dachshund waits patiently in his pod at Park and Bark while his owner shops at Tampa Premium Outlets.

The outlet mall, and her former neighborhood, fell into place as the best location.

The mall sits at the crossroads of State Road 56 and Interstate 75, where residential and commercial growth are spreading.

Vinogradov figures local residents can take advantage of the dog-sitting service, but she thinks vacationers will, as well.

Travelers with their dogs on board, can hop off I-75 for a breather, or to indulge in a shopping spree or have a meal in a sit-down restaurant.

Most of the time, families would have to take turns caring for their dogs while others shopped or dined. Or, families would have to go to the drive-through window for fast food.

With Park and Bark, people and pets can enjoy their visit, Vinogradov said.

“Pets become like children,” she said. “They (pet owners) want to travel with their dogs and keep them close.”

For information, call Vinogradov at (813) 600-7985, or email .

Published December 6, 2017

Superb Location and Lutz Schools at Lakeshore Preserve

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Close to the Veterans and St. Joseph’s North

 Lakeshore Preserve by Mattamy Homes is a new townhome community in Lutz that is ideal for homebuyers looking for affordable new construction, maintenance-free living, excellent neighborhood schools and fast access to the Veterans Expressway.

Sales have excelled at the community of 102 homes, located on Van

Dyke Road and Lakeshore Road, less than a half mile west of Dale Mabry Highway. Four beautifully decorated models are open daily, and several quick move-in homes are available.

The newest furnished home, the Marianna, was just completed in November and is ideal for first-time homebuyers. Its base price starts from an affordable $199,990, and offers three bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a 1-car garage.

In October, Mattamy celebrated the completion of its 13,672 square-foot outdoor activity area, which was ready for the Lakeshore Preserve’s first residents.

This outdoor area comes equipped with a 780-square-foot covered cabana with breeze fans, an outdoor kitchen, hammocks, shaded seating areas and a games area. It surrounds the 1,424-square-foot resort-style pool.

“Lakeshore Preserve’s superb location and thoughtfully designed townhomes make this community unique to the north Tampa area,” said Lisette Minnick, director of sales for Mattamy Homes.

The community is situated in a desirable Lutz location, just minutes from St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, and convenient to shopping, dining and entertainment venues in Carrollwood, Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel.  Its close proximity to the Veterans Expressway makes it an easy commute to Tampa, the airport and area beaches.

Schools zoned for the community are top-rated Steinbrenner High, Martinez Middle and Schwarzkopf Elementary.  Charter school Sunlake Academy of Math and Science opens this fall, and several private schools are close-by, including Academy at the Lakes and Carrollwood Day School.

Lakeshore Preserve offers five townhome plans that feature Mattamy’s signature design style and distinctive architectural features.  Meticulous attention was paid during the architectural design process to ensure that all usable living space is optimized and enhances any lifestyle.

Townhomes range in size from 1,667 to 2,608 square feet, and have 2 to 5 bedrooms, 2.5 to 4 baths, and 1- or 2-car attached garages. Base prices range from $199,900 to $304,990. A wide array of quick, move-in townhomes are available for move in now and through this Spring.

Some of the interior features that are included with every home are granite kitchen countertops, hardwood 42-inch upper cabinets, 9’4” ceilings on the first floor, and sod with lawn irrigation. In addition, a first-year builder warranty and 10-year transferrable structural warranty are included.

On select homes, options are available such as an expanded kitchen island and a second owner’s suite, which combines the space of two smaller bedrooms and creates a second private retreat. A limited number of one plan is available that offers the owner’s bedroom on the first floor.

The community encompasses 20 acres, and several of the buildings have conservation views.

To learn more, please visit Mattamyhomes.com or call Melanie Sikorski at (813) 659-5854.

Mattamy Homes has proven excellence by being North America’s largest privately owned homebuilder with over 90,000 homeowners. Founded in 1978, it is the largest privately owned homebuilder in North America and has sold more than 90,000 homes in hundreds of communities, including the metropolitan areas of Tampa, Sarasota, Naples, Orlando, Jacksonville, Charlotte, Phoenix and Tucson.

Published November 22, 2017

This special league puts the focus on fun

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Wins and losses don’t matter in this softball league.

But having fun does.

Some members of the Idlewild Baptist Church Special Needs Softball League get together for a group shot. (Fred Bellet)

Every fall and spring, Idlewild Baptist Church (IBC) in Lutz hosts a softball league for the special needs community in Tampa Bay.

It’s called the IBC Champions Division.

And, together it brings children and adults of all ages, with varying physical and mental disabilities.

Some players have autism. Others have Down syndrome. It has even accommodated a blind player in the past.

“We have them all, and we love them all,” said Louise Faust, one of the league’s volunteers.

Christine Hoerner, 30, of Wesley Chapel avoids an inside pitch for a ball as she takes her turn at bat. Christine knocked one to the wall. Catcher David Johnson of Spring Hill looks on.

Faust, along with a handful of others, serve as designated “Field Buddies.” They keep the games moving along and shielding players from any hard-hit balls.

The league draws more than two dozen special needs players from Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Church membership isn’t required to participate.

“It’s not all folks from within our church congregation,” said Deana Troyer, manager of Idlewild’s special needs. “There are people from the community here that may be part of the church or part of no church, but this commonality draws them together.

“We all come out and have a blast,” she added.

Troyer noted the special group bonds over their relative circumstances.

“They look out for each other. They operate like a family,” she said.

The six-game fall season ran from Oct. 7 to Nov. 18.

Special Needs Softball League player Alan Alvarez gets a big hug for a great game from Deana Troyer, manager of the special needs ministry at Idlewild Baptist Church.

Games are played for about an hour on Saturday mornings at Idlewild’s Champions Field, a fenced-in complex made of rubber pavement — from recycled tires — to safely accommodate wheelchairs and walkers, and help prevent injuries from accidental falls. Donations to the church’s foundation helped build the facility in 2011.

Unlike other recreation sports, the rules of this league are lenient and accommodating.

There are no practices. No one keeps score. Players can opt to hit off a tee or receive pitches from a designated coach or player. Anyone can hit a home run and run the bases if they so choose. And, teams are split in half, based on who shows up each week.

“We have our own rules,” Faust said. “It’s just for fun and everybody enjoys it. I enjoy it, too.”

Count 52-year-old Kelly West among those who look forward to games each week during the season.

Designated catcher David Johnson, right, helps Colton Smith, 24, of Tampa cross home plate as a teammate bats him in during a game of the Idlewild Baptist Church Special Needs Softball League.

West, who has Down syndrome, is accompanied to each game by her mother, Donna West. The pair were among the first arrivals at a recent Nov. 11 contest.

“It’s cute and it’s fun, and they really enjoy it. I know my daughter does,” Donna West said.

Kelly proved one of the game’s standouts, eking a standup triple out of a groundball. Her energy and enthusiasm never wavered.

What does she adore most about the league? “We’re a family,” she said.

Another player, 36-year-old Tim Culver, has played in the league for the past four years. “Making friends” keeps him coming back.

Kelly West,52, of Carollwood is all smiles after being safe at third base during the Idlewild Baptist Church Special Needs Softball League.

Christine Hoerner, too, has been in the league for several years. The 30-year-old is known among her peers for her hitting power — slugging her share of home runs. In fact, the field clears to the dugout when she steps to the plate. “I like to hit it over the fence,” she said.

Besides its players, Champions Division softball holds significant meaning for its volunteers.

Kathy Alvarez has helped as a coach, since the league began more than a decade ago when games were played on regular fields, until the Champions Field was constructed.

Alvarez said the program provides an opportunity for special needs players to learn new skills, while getting exercise and having an all-around good time.

“They look forward to it and they’ll see me at church and say, ‘Coach, baseball’s coming soon,’ and it might be in June and they’re already looking towards October.”

She added some newcomers are initially hesitant to participate, but eventually warm up to the idea once seeing others play.

Tim Culver,36, of Tampa, a member of the Idlewild Baptist Church Special Needs Softball League gets a hit as designated catcher, David Johnson of Spring Hill watches the special needs adult get a hit at the church’s sports complex off Van Dyke Road.

Alvarez explained: “What’s interesting about it is I can get a new kid…and they won’t want to get out of the car, or they’ll sit on the bench and won’t want to play, which is fine. Then the next week, they say, ‘Hey, I’ll come up to bat,’ and in a couple weeks they know that they hit the ball, they run the bases. They learn on their own just by watching; it’s an awesome thing to go through.”

Henry Morales, another volunteer, likewise has seen the progression of players firsthand, since he began volunteering over six years ago. He supports his niece, Christine Hoerner.

Said Morales, “Some of them have never played any kind of baseball or anything before coming here, so you kind of start them off on the tee ball like a 3-year-old. And when we first started in 2011, a lot of them were doing that. Now, almost all of them are taking pitched balls and hitting them.”

The softball program also puts regular life into perspective for David Johnson, another “Field Buddy.”

Rounding the bases, Tim Jabadoss, of Lutz, can sometimes be confused with his twin brother, Thomas Jabadoss. They both play on the same team.

He explained: “We go through our everyday lives, stressing, ‘Man, I’ve got to do this…’ We think we have a big burden on our shoulders, but when you stand behind home plate and you watch them play and laugh and give you high-fives, your problems don’t seem that bad.”

He added: “Every time they give me high-fives and give me hugs, it just makes my day. There are some things you just can’t forget. It sticks with you; it stays with you.”

In addition to softball, Idlewild Baptist Church offers a comprehensive special needs program.

Among the highlights are a fishing program, called Fishing, Faith and Fun, beginning in January. There’s also a Christmas pageant, featuring special needs participants, on Dec. 3.

For more information on the programs, visit Idlewild.org/category/special-needs/.

Published November 29, 2017

Denham Oaks offers patriotic welcome to veterans

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Denham Oaks Elementary School was awash in red, white and blue as children and staff offered a warm welcome to about 75 area veterans at a Nov. 10 celebration.

A group of Boy Scouts served as the color guard at the Nov. 10 tribute to veterans at Denham Oaks Elementary School. (B.C. Manion)

As they arrived, a series of signs posted outside the school honored the men and women who have served in the nation’s military.

There were posters and other artworks all over campus carrying the same message of gratitude.

Fourth- and fifth-graders expressed their appreciation through a gallery of patriotic artworks. Second-graders made ornaments for the veterans to take home, and third-graders made them greeting cards.

All of the school’s students learned patriotic songs to sing at the event.

“As you can see, our whole school is decked out to celebrate our veterans,” said Principal Mardee Kay Powers, who leads the elementary school at 1422 Oak Grove Blvd., in Lutz.

Principal Mardee Kay Powers chats with Sgt. Maj. Daniel Billiott, of Wesley Chapel, before the tribute to veterans began.

Music teachers Amarilys Barbosa and Jodi Mark, art teacher Lee Taylor, and physical education teachers Fred Cornelius and Justin Partain organized the event, which included all 725 students and the school’s staff.

Mark brought the event to Denham Oaks two years ago, from Lake Myrtle Elementary, where she used to teach.

Veterans attending the celebration were clearly touched by the school’s gesture.

Some came wearing military uniforms, while others dressed more casually.

They took turns at the microphone, telling the crowd what branch of the military they served in and where they served. They also gave shout-outs to their sons or daughters, grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or others who had invited them.

A crowd of school children and spectators paid tribute to men and women who served in the nation’s Armed Services.

Several expressed gratitude for the obvious preparation the school had made for the day, for their appreciation of the armed forces and for their reverence toward the American flag.

Teachers involved in putting together the program seemed pleased to play a part.

“It happens to be my favorite performance because it’s teaching them (students) the respect for their country, the respect for the veterans. It’s also the only event where we can get the entire school — because of the numbers — all together at the same time,” Mark said.

“All of the kids are getting into it,” Partain said.

Cornelius agreed. “It’s special because they see the value of what our vets did for us.”

A line of first-graders makes its way to a celebration for veterans at Denham Oaks Elementary School.

Barbosa also noted: “When we’re teaching these songs, we’re teaching them what it means to be a veteran. We’re teaching them why this country is so great and what makes it so great.”

Edwin Aguiar said he couldn’t resist attending the ceremony.

“My granddaughters (Lilliana Nazar and Gracey Jayska) — you cannot say ‘No’ to them, so I decided to take the day off and come in,” Aguiar said.

Derrick Jayska, another Army veteran, is Gracey’s dad. He said he also has a niece and nephew at the school.

“It’s awesome to come out and see all of the stuff they did.”

Army veterans Edwin Aguiar and Derrick Jayska view artwork created by Denham Oaks Elementary students to thank veterans for their service.

“It’s nice to see that they’re teaching them the history behind things.”

Caryl Wheeler, a spectator, from Lutz, was pleased that her husband and other veterans were honored.

She also was impressed by the ornament and greeting cards the children made for veterans to take home.

“They thought enough to give this to our veterans, the people who served our country — when there is so much hatred now for the American flag,” Wheeler said.

“I’m glad that this school and other schools throughout Pasco County are doing a great job of promoting the flag and the country,” she added.

Published November 15, 2017

Local volunteer wins national award

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When Courtney Urban began volunteering at the Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppe, at 1930 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Lutz, it was just a way to spend some extra time with her grandmother.

“The big thing in the beginning was just going with her,” said Urban, who began her volunteer work in 2013.

Courtney Urban now volunteers at the front desk at Gulfside Center for Hospice Care in Zephyrhills. She used to volunteer at the Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppe in Lutz. Recently, she received a national honor for her volunteer work. (B.C. Manion)

“But then it became my own thing. I loved going there. When I got to be the cashier, it was fun to interact with all of the customers. I kind of took it into my own hands, rather than just to be there with grandma,” the now 19-year-old said.

Over the years, she has logged more than 800 volunteer hours, and recently, Urban was honored with the Volunteers are the Foundation of Hospice Award by the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization, at a conference in San Diego. Urban was recognized in the Young Leaders category.

The University of South Florida student was both surprised and delighted to be singled out.

When she started her volunteer work, she was sorting clothes and having fun with her grandma. Then, she began cashiering and enjoyed interacting with customers, she said.

Most recently, she has been pitching in at Gulfside Center for Hospice Care, at 5760 Dean Dairy Road in Zephyrhills.

Initially, she served as a compassion companion volunteer, and now she’s helping at the front desk.

Her work as a volunteer has changed her.

“It’s helped me come out of my shell. I was very shy in high school. I was the kid that hated when I had to speak in front of the class. I wasn’t good at making friends.

“Now, I can walk into a room and instantly strike up a conversation with a patient or their family. I enjoy speaking with people, now. I feel like I opened up,” Urban said.

It also has broadened her perspective.

“I also didn’t realize how many different kinds of people are out there in the world. When I come here, I talk to all kinds of people, from different backgrounds,” she said.

She’s listened to patients reminisce, she said.

“Some patients can’t talk for an extended time, so I’ll tell my story to them. But most of them, they love talking about the good old days, when they were younger, what they used to do,” she said.

The volunteer work has influenced her career path.

She’s studying health science at USF, with plans to continue her education and pursue a career in hospice nursing.

“I always knew I wanted to be in the medical field,” said Urban, who attended Sunlake High School, Rushe Middle School and Lake Myrtle Elementary.

She had considered possible careers in anesthesiology or public health.

But, when she began volunteering at Gulfside, she realized she wanted to become a hospice nurse.

“I always knew I had a connection with elderly people. My time here, in just a few weeks I realized that I loved it here. I loved the atmosphere. I loved talking with the patients. I thought, ‘Hey, this is something I want to do.’,” she said.

“I come in here and I talk with the patients a lot. I just feel like I fit in.

“Yes, it is very sad, when I come back the next week and there isn’t a patient that I talked to, but I feel like I have a calling here. I can do the work here, so I need to be here,” she said.

She attended the conference in San Diego with her mom and her grandmother.

Her grandmother is Carol Antrim, of Lutz.

Her parents are Suzette Urban, the principal’s secretary at Sand Pine Elementary, and her dad, Joseph Urban, an electrical inspector for Pasco County. Urban lives with her parents in Land O’ Lakes.

The young woman encourages anyone who has ever considered volunteering, to give it a try. It doesn’t matter whether the volunteer is young or old, or what kind of work they do, she said.

“You could volunteer at the animal shelter, at the hospital, youth centers, rec centers, anywhere. “It really helps you find something that’s greater than yourself,” Urban said. “You get that satisfaction: You know you’ve helped somebody.”

Published November 1, 2017

New retailers open at Tampa Premium Outlets

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Tampa Premium Outlets has added four new retailers, and four more will open in time for holiday shopping season, according to an announcement from Dancie Perugini Ware Public Relations.

Tampa Premium Outlets is adding new retailers to its shopping directory, including Pop Cult. The store sells posters, gifts, figurines and accessories. (Kathy Steele)

The four new recently opened retailers are Volcom, Pop Cult, Green Mango and Happy Dough.

  • Volcom designs, markets and distributes board sports-oriented items, including clothing, footwear, accessories and related products for young men and women. It is open in Suite 638 near Under Armour and PacSun.
  • Pop Cult sells mid-20th century and early 21st century global mainstream items such as posters, gifts, figurines and accessories. It is open in Suite 938 near Steve Madden.
  • Green Mango serves up fresh cups of mango, with a twist. Customers can get their treat with a hint of lime, chili powder or simply freshly peeled. It is in a kiosk outside of Market Hall, near Auntie Anne’s.
  • Happy Dough scoops edible gourmet cookie dough that is safe to eat, has no preservatives and can be baked. It is in a kiosk near Under Armour, and across from PacSun.

The four other shops that are coming in the fall are Bath & Body Works, Finish Line, Candy Barrel and Lavender Nails & Spa.

  • Bath & Body Works offers personal care products. White Barn will open in conjunction with Bath & Body Works. It offers diffusers and home décor. Find both at Suite 860.
  • Finish Line offers top brands in footwear, clothes and accessories. The shop is opening in a new space in Suite 830, near American Eagle Outfitters.
  • Candy Barrel is a candy emporium with sweets and treats from old-fashioned hard candy to flavor nerds. It will open in Suite 420 near Guess.
  • Lavender Nails & Spa is a full nail and spa salon that will open in Suite 430, also near Guess.

The new arrivals add an eclectic mix of merchandise and sweet treats to the mall’s store directory.

Nearly 100 name-brand shops offer daily savings on merchandise of about 25 percent to 65 percent.

The outlet mall is at 2300 Grand Cypress Drive, off State Road 56, at the Interstate 75 exit, in Lutz.

For information, visit PremiumOutlets.com/tampa.

Published November 1, 2017

The Ice Dreammm Shop scoops ice cream and nostalgia

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Ice cream dreams bring back sweet memories to Joe Schembri.

There were family trips to what he remembers as “Roger’s Place” on State Road 52. Later on, ice creamy treats came from a shop near a Home Depot, known affectionately as the “Home Depot” ice cream.

“All we did was ice cream every week,” said Schembri, who lives in Land O’ Lakes. “That was family time and we loved it.”

Nearly three months ago, Schembri opened his own shop, and his first business – the Ice Dreammm Shop – in a small plaza at 23912, Suite 2, State Road 54, in Lutz.

The shop will host a “customer appreciation day” and grand opening on Oct. 22 from 1 p.m. to 3

Ice Dreammm owner Joe Schembri spreads the message “sharing is caring” at his new shop off State Road 54. (Kathy Steele)

p.m.

The triple “m” in the name is part of the shop’s signature logo, and a reminder of yummy ice cream cones from childhood.

The menu of specialty flavors for children and adults add a non-traditional punctuation to the shop.

Just plain vanilla won’t do.

Instead, flavors include creamy vanilla bean, rice pudding, sweet corn, cotton candy, and an overload of Oreo cookies in cookies n’ dream.

The newest recipe, available for adults only, is pecan bourbon neat. Other adult flavors are the tried and true favorites of Rum Haven and whiskey-laced Fire N Ice.

Still, Schembri hasn’t forgotten what he loved about the ice cream experience. The Ice Dreammm Shop is a very traditional family place, a throwback to the old days.

Chess and checkers games are laid out on tables.

Children can pick from more than 20 games like pick up sticks and dominoes.

A flat screen television tunes into children’s programs.

A sofa and chairs in the entry way are a comfy, living area. The restroom has a baby-changing area.

If students or professionals want to settle in with computers, and hang out for a while that’s the idea, said Schembri.

Families are welcome to linger, too.

“Parents can sit and eat while the kids play,” he said. “Everyone can relax. I see parents showing kids how to play chess, and kids showing parents how to play chess.”

Schembri began laying the foundations for his shop nearly two years ago. He researched on the Internet. He watched videos all about ice cream machines. He talked with ice cream shop owners to find out about the challenges.

Schembri quickly learned about the community of small business owners, especially ice cream shop owners.

Everyone seemed willing to share advice and experiences including David Alima, co-owner of the Charmery in Baltimore.

Schembri got excited when he found a dealer in Brooksville who sells ice cream machines.

“This is in my back yard. It must mean something,” he said.

Schembri also went to an ice cream “boot camp” at The Villages, a retirement community near Orlando.

“We got to play with the machines, making recipes,” Schembri said. “I loved it.”

He worked for months making up recipes in his garage and testing them with friends at parties.

“All good things start in a garage,” he quipped.

His girlfriend, Brooke Purvenas, helped him scout locations and found the storefront at the plaza off State Road 54, near Highland Oaks Preserve subdivision.

Purvenas works days at Ice Dreammm.

Schembri takes over in the afternoon after he leaves his job at Bisk, a company that partners with nonprofit universities to promote online learning programs.

Schembri also partners with local companies, such as In the Loop and Craft Life Brewing. “We put their beer in our ice cream,” he said.

Coffee is from the Hemp & Coffee Exchange in Tampa.

He is constantly dreaming up new flavors and he’s also open to suggestions from his customers. They jot down potential flavor combinations and he considers them.

Cherry pineapple, apple tart, flan and blue cheese and walnuts have their fans. And, one day they could be on the menu.

A recent addition is chocolate bacon toffee.

It may not seem like a combination that would work, but it’s the perfect blend of sweet and tart, Schembri said.

“Why not have something unique?” he asked.

That sentiment — of being one of a kind — seems to fit right in with Ice Dreammm Shop’s general theme.

Revised Oct. 12, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

It’s time for the Autumn Market at the Old Lutz School

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Organizers of Autumn Market Day at the Old Lutz School hope that motorists passing by on busy U.S. 41 will decide to stop and shop for awhile.

This year’s Autumn Market Day is set for Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the school grounds at 18819 N. U.S. 41.

The event seeks to raise money for upkeep and improvements at a school that is on the National Register of Historic Places and where generations of Lutz children were educated before it was closed a few decades ago.

The building is considered a community icon and there’s such a strong attachment to it that a group called Citizens for the Old Lutz School

Here’s what the Old Lutz School looked like decades ago — not much different from what it looks like today. (File)

holds occasional fundraisers to preserve the building for future generations.

“We really, really need people from the community to come out and walk the event. You can’t have these things and nobody show up because then you don’t have these special events anymore,” said Suzin Carr, a two-time Lutz Guv’na who has been the lead organizer of the event in recent years, but is transitioning out of that role because she has moved to Citrus Park.

Stefanie Ensor, another former Lutz Guv’na, is the new market coordinator, Carr said, adding that Ensor has done an excellent job of organizing the event.

Ensor said she expects 35 to 40 vendors to be there, offering jewelry, candles, tote bags, vintage gifts, plants, custom handmade wood signs, among other things. Some nonprofit organizations and a politician have also rented out spaces, she said.

“It’s a perfect holiday time to buy gifts and to support local vendors as well as nonprofits,” Carr said. Plus, there will be a bake sale.

Proceeds from the Autumn Market will be used to pay for electricity and building upkeep.

“We’re always up there replanting and weeding and painting and mulching,” said Ensor, a member of the Old Lutz School Board.

The event also includes a micro-irrigation and water conservation class by the Hillsborough County Extension Service, which begins at 10 a.m.

The Old Lutz School Museum also will be open, with some long-time Lutz residents there to talk about Lutz’s early days, and the role the school has played over time.

The old brick building was designed by Frank A. Winn Jr., who also designed the Seminole Heights Methodist Church in Tampa, the Municipal Fishing Pier and Pavilion in Ballast Point Park and Tampa Heights Methodist Church, according to the Citizens for the Old Lutz School’s website.

Originally, the building had four rooms downstairs and a large auditorium upstairs. But within a few years, the auditorium was divided into four rooms, plus a teacher’s room, the website reports.

The site where the old brick school building stands is the same place where Lutz had its first schoolhouse.

That was a one-room frame schoolhouse, built by the North Tampa Land Company in 1910, says an account on the group’s website. Records show that 37 students, first through eighth grade, attended Lutz School in 1912. They were taught by 18-year-old Callie Berry, who was the school’s principal and teacher — earning $39 a day.

Published Oct. 11, 2017