The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Lutz

Lutz is gearing up for the Fourth of July

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The Fourth of July is just weeks away, and Lutz is gearing up for its annual festivities.

This is a place that enjoys its Independence Day traditions, and it likes the community to join in on the fun.

So, if you’re thinking about being in the Fourth of July Parade, it’s a good idea to let Cheryl Benton know. She’s the one that makes sure you get your form filled out, so she can reserve you a spot in the parade lineup.

And, if you’re looking to earn some bragging rights for your baking skills, it’s a good time to get in touch with Karin D’Amico to find out about the rules and categories in the Cake Bake competition.

Three-a-half-year-old Logan Freelen got an early start at the one-mile run during Fourth of July festivities last year in Lutz. The little boy makes his way up Lutz Lake Fern Road with his dad, Richard Freelen of Riverview, during the last leg of the run before the start of the parade and festivities. (File Photo)
Three-a-half-year-old Logan Freelen got an early start at the one-mile run during Fourth of July festivities last year in Lutz. The little boy makes his way up Lutz Lake Fern Road with his dad, Richard Freelen of Riverview, during the last leg of the run before the start of the parade and festivities.
(File Photo)

If you’re planning to run in the 5K or take part in the 1-mile fun run or family walk, Terry Donovan is the guy who is in charge of those activities.

The main thing is, if you want to take part, it’s not too early to begin gearing up for the annual event.

One of the highlights each year is the auction that takes place after the parades, where cakes and pies that have been entered into the Cake Bake competition go home with the highest bidder.

And, finding out who will win the annual Lutz Guv’na race is always fun, too.

This annual competition, which raises money for local organizations, is a good-natured competition where the only qualification that the winner must possess is the ability to raise money. Whoever raises the most money wins.

This year, Greg Gilbert and Andre Pamplona are squaring off to see who will claim the title and be sworn in over a copy of Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham.”

The 5k and fun run get things rolling, generally drawing in the neighborhood of about 600 participants, said Donovan, the race director.

Runners begin arriving around 6 a.m., to register or pick up their packets.

The 5k is a chip-timed event.

The race, which originates at the Lutz Community Center, has been going on for decades.

And, many of the runners have been racing since they were young, Donovan said.

“I don’t really run anymore, I shuffle,” he joked.

The cake and pie competition also tends to get a lot of repeat entries.

Last year’s cake and pie contest drew 28 entries, including a 5-pound apple pie, a cake shaped like a fish and another with the look of the community’s iconic train depot.

Wilma Lewis had eight entries in the competition.

And, Shirley Simmons entered her famous, made-from-scratch pound cake, which fetched $75 in the auction after the parade.

Those interested in entering the competition should touch base with D’Amico to find out the various categories.

The parade — which has an old-fashioned feel — tends to attract scouts, schools, politicians, community organizations, law enforcement and local businesses.

It also draws a wide assortment of vehicles, ranging from antique fire trucks to flatbed trucks, military vehicles to classic cars, and bicycles to convertibles.

The parade route, which goes down Lutz-Lake Fern Road, turns to go in front of the Lutz Branch Library.

“We have 11 different trophies,” Benton said. “We have one for antique vehicles. One for bicycle entry. One for commercial. One for a family entry. Most comical. Most patriotic. Neighborhood entry. Walking unit. Youth entry. Judge’s favorite. Grand Marshal’s Choice.”

She thinks people enjoy the Fourth of July festivities because it’s a fun way to start off the holiday.

“It’s crafted after an old-timey Fourth in the park,” Benton said.

“It’s a community thing. It’s something for the kids to do on the Fourth of July,” Benton said.

All sorts of entries are welcome, she said. But, she does have a request: “Please no high-powered water guns,” she said.

“Because they have soaked little babies before,” she explained, and that’s not cool, she added.

Benton is in charge of getting the parade entries lined up along the route.

That requires marking spots on the street, based on the size of the entry, she said.

“It’s a hot job, I can tell you that,” she said, noting the spot for each entry must be painted on the street.

“They can email me, and I can email them an entry. It’s .”

Lutz Independence Day festivities
July 3
Cake entry drop off: Call Karin D’Amico at (813) 786-8461 for time and location

July 4
Festivities take place at 101 First Ave. N.E., in Lutz

6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.: Cake registration deadline. For information, call Karin D’Amico at (813) 786-8461

8 a.m.: 5K begins (registration and packet pickups begin at 6 a.m.) For information about the 5K, 1-mile fun run and family walk, call Terry Donovan at (813) 949-6659

8:45 a.m.: 1-mile fun run and family walk begins

9 a.m.: Flag raising ceremony

9:30 am: Race trophies presented

10 a.m.: Lutz Community Parade begins. To sign up to be in the parade, email Cheryl Benton at Although she prefers emails, she can be reached by telephone at (813) 948-0823.

11 a.m.: New Guv’na sworn in; parade trophies awarded; Cake Bake Auction

Parade breakdown begins immediately after the festivities. Volunteers are welcome to help.

Published June 8, 2016

Steinbrenner and Gaither claim state titles

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The varsity baseball teams for Steinbrenner and Gaither high schools each completed impressive seasons, with both teams capturing state titles.

Steinbrenner High School baseball players celebrate the school’s first varsity baseball state title. They defeated Oviedo Hagerty in a 9-4 win in the Class 8A Florida High School Athletic Association state championship game. (Courtesy of Steinbrenner High baseball)
Steinbrenner High School baseball players celebrate the school’s first varsity baseball state title. They defeated Oviedo Hagerty in a 9-4 win in the Class 8A Florida High School Athletic Association state championship game.
(Courtesy of Steinbrenner High baseball)

Steinbrenner took its first baseball state title with a 9-4 win over Oviedo Hagerty in the Class 8A Florida High School Athletic Association state championship game on May 21 at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers.

The Warriors (27-5) trailed Hagerty 4-1 in the sixth inning before erupting for an eight-run seventh inning, thanks to timely run production from junior Patrick Morris, and seniors Ryan Russell and Drew Burkhart.

On the mound, Morris and fellow junior Dave Crawford combined to pitch seven innings, giving up four runs (two earned).

The Warriors entered the state championship game on a 13-game winning streak, with their last defeat being a 7-3 road loss against Hillsborough High on March 29. For next season, the Warriors lose eight seniors, but return ace right-handed pitcher CJ Van Eyk (12 wins, 0.77 ERA, 130 strikeouts in 91 innings). Morris, the team’s top power hitter with four home runs and 11 doubles in 2016, also returns.

Gaither’s team prevailed in a nail-biting 2-1 extra-inning game over Venice High, securing the program’s first Class 7A FHSAA state championship.

Players from Gaither High School’s varsity baseball team signal that they’re No. 1. The team beat Venice High to secure the program’s first Class 7A FHSAA state championship. (Courtesy of Gaither High baseball)
Players from Gaither High School’s varsity baseball team signal that they’re No. 1. The team beat Venice High to secure the program’s first Class 7A FHSAA state championship.
(Courtesy of Gaither High baseball)

The Cowboys (20-9) held a 1-0 into the third inning before Venice tied the game 1-1. The Gaither offense finally got a spark in the eighth inning when leadoff hitter Jose Cadenas singled, and eventually scored the winning run on a Venice throwing error. Gaither senior pitchers David Masuck and Josh Bobrowski held Venice’s offense in check, combining to allow just one run on seven hits (no extra base hits), and one walk.

The Cowboys lose eight seniors from this year’s squad, including ace lefty Gavin Gillespie (0.79 ERA, 89 strikeouts in 88 and two-thirds pitched). However, second-year coach Nelson North will have the luxury of getting back five of the team’s top six hitters in 2017, including Cadenas, Chipper Holland, Kenny Rodriguez, Danny Gutcher and AJ Drisdom.

Steinbrenner and Gaither met once during the regular season, with the Warriors defeating the Cowboys 7-3 on March 31 at Gaither High.

–Information and statistics were gathered from FHSAA.org and Maxpreps.com.

Published June 1, 2016

Lutz Learning Center seeks expansion

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The Lutz Learning Center is looking to expand operations into Pasco County.

The school, located on a 1-acre campus at 621 Sunset Lane in Lutz, is seeking an additional site to accommodate more families, said Kimberly Wilson, the school’s director of innovation.

“We’re bursting at the seams,” she said referring to the current campus.

The independent private school currently has an enrollment of 120 students, ranging from pre-kindergarten to sixth grade.

Wilson noted grades seven and eight will be added next year, with an eventual goal of serving high school students once the expansion is in place.

The school uses a “Limitless Potential” philosophy and a “Differentiated Instruction Curriculum” model, in which students are advanced based on where they belong socially, emotionally and academically.

For example, a student may be in their first grade year, but understands concepts equivalent to a third-grader.

“We look at education like the rungs on a ladder,” Wilson said. “Our model is very different, so we don’t use grades, meaning just because a child is in their second grade year doesn’t mean that they’re only around second grade kids. Basically, every child is two years academically advanced.

“We plug a child in where they belong…and encourage them to just climb as high as they can.”

Annual tuition at the school ranges from $7,700 to $8,500.

The original campus — built in 1980 — will still remain, Wilson said.

Published May 25, 2016

Lutz Guv’na candidates square off in amusing debate

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There were only supposed to be two candidates facing off head-to-head at the annual Lutz Guv’na debate at the Old Lutz School on May 14.

That was until a mystery candidate was revealed prior to the debate: Donald Trump. Or, more accurately, someone dressed in a suit sporting a latex mask in the likeness of the Republican presidential candidate.

Lutz Guv’na hopefuls compete in a makeshift bowling event during the Lutz Guv’na Debate at the Old Lutz School on May 14. (Kevin Weiss/Staff Photos)
Lutz Guv’na hopefuls compete in a makeshift bowling event during the Lutz Guv’na Debate at the Old Lutz School on May 14.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photos)

The entertainment had just begun, as actual Guv’na hopefuls Greg Gilbert and Andre Pamplona answered mostly tongue-in-cheek questions from dozens of Lutz residents, and family members, in the crowd.

They also squared off in a makeshift bowling competition, plus costume and watermelon-eating contests.

In between the fun-filled activities was emcee Paul Vahue of First Baptist Church in Lutz, steering the event along, all while providing several jokes and one-liners to those gathered at the Old Lutz School.

The day’s silliness was done in an effort for both Gilbert and Pamplona to drum up as much support as they could, hoping to raise as much money as possible for their “campaigns,” which ultimately go to benefitting several nonprofits and local organizations.

Those in attendance quickly discovered where each candidate’s “political” obligations stand: their Lutz businesses — Beef O’ Brady’s and Royal Bowling Lanes, respectively.

Gilbert’s slogan was “Beef it up at Brady’s,” while Pamplona’s was “Raising the education of bowling.”

A watermelon-eating contest was just one of the many entertaining activities during the Lutz Guv’na Debate on May 14. From left, Andre Pamplona, Donald Trump look-alike and Greg Gilbert.
A watermelon-eating contest was just one of the many entertaining activities during the Lutz Guv’na Debate on May 14. From left, Andre Pamplona, Donald Trump look-alike and Greg Gilbert.

Most of the adulation and amusement came during the question-and-answer format of the debate, where each candidate (and Trump) made countless exorbitant promises and guarantees.

One hot-button issue was how the candidates would prevent unwanted migrants, especially snowbirds, from coming into Lutz.

Gilbert’s solution was to have “all Canadians stopped in Land O’ Lakes.” Pamplona, on the other hand, had a more grandiose idea.

“I will build a huge wall of bowling pins around Lutz,” he said with as much seriousness as the Guv’na hopeful could muster.

Roaring laughter ensued.

The debate didn’t stop there.

The candidates disputed: Who should appear on the nickel: Homer Simpson versus Hillary Clinton. How to spend Lutz citizens’ money wisely: Beef O’ Brady’s versus Royal Bowling Lanes.

But, they agreed on one thing: How to appeal to women voters — with their good looks.

Another key, and laughter-filled, moment came when the candidates were asked, “What song best describes your work ethic?”

Gilbert answered swiftly, “It’s 5 O’ Clock Somewhere,” naming the popular tune by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett.

Pamplona opted to sing — or to attempt to sing — the lyrics to the hit Rihanna song, “Work,” perhaps appealing to the younger “voters.”

The candidates’ performances throughout the afternoon festivities did enough to even impress two former Guv’nas.

“I think they did a fantastic job on their answers,” said Suzin Carr, the only two-time Guv’na. “We’ve got 2 ½ candidates that were really putting themselves out there for the community.”

“They did great,” said Jennifer Rankin, outgoing Guv’na who raised more than $9,200 throughout her 2015 race. “They did very well. I wanted to be up there.”

The annual Guv’na Race fundraiser continues through the Fourth of July weekend, where the winner is announced, and earns the coveted “sash” from Rankin, the prior year’s winner.

The race, which started in 1991, is sponsored by the Lutz Civic Association. It typically raises several thousand dollars for about 20 beneficiaries.

Dignitaries at Saturday’s event included volunteers from Steinbrenner High School, the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, the GFWC Little Women of Lutz, representatives from the Old Lutz School and the Lutz Civic Association.

For more information on getting involved or participating in Guv’na fundraising events, contact Greg Gilbert at (813) 909-2300 or , or Andre Pamplona at (813) 949-3603 or .

Published May 18, 2016

Imagine School at Land O’ Lakes gains enrollment

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The Pasco County School Board has approved an enrollment increase for Imagine School at Land O’ Lakes, a charter school on Sunlake Boulevard, across the street from Sunlake High School and Rushe Middle School.

The school was operating at 728 students, but will be able to increase the enrollment to 800 students for the coming school year.

This photo was taken when the seventh-graders from Imagine School at Land O’ Lakes traveled to Tallahassee to take part in the ‘Rally in Tally’ for charter schools. (Courtesy of Imagine School at Land O' Lakes)
This photo was taken when the seventh-graders from Imagine School at Land O’ Lakes traveled to Tallahassee to take part in the ‘Rally in Tally’ for charter schools.
(Courtesy of Imagine School at Land O’ Lakes)

Principal Aimee Williams said the school requested an increase, because it has been operating with a continuous waiting list of 400 to 600 students.

In its backup materials, the school district staff noted that Imagine is a highly performing charter school.

Williams credits the school’s success to two key factors: “Retention of staff and retention of families.”

More than 30 of its staff members have been there for five years or longer, she said.

There’s not much turnover in students, either.

Next year, the school will be graduating its first crop of eighth-graders who have been at the school since kindergarten.

Imagine opened nine years ago in a business park in Ballantrae and moved in January 2012 to what was then a new school building.

The school’s charter was renewed in 2013 for 15 years, extending the charter to 2028.

The school has a STEAM-certified staff.

It received the 2016 Promising Practice Winner by Character Counts and was 2015 runner-up in the National School of Character competition by Character Counts. It also was 2015 runner-up for National School of the Year by Imagine Schools.

Imagine’s students come primarily from Lutz and Land O’ Lakes, but also from Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey and as far away as Brandon in Hillsborough.

The opening of Sanders Memorial Elementary STEAM School and the scheduled opening of a charter school in Lutz next year doesn’t worry Williams.

The principal thinks that families choose to keep their children at Imagine because of the quality of education they receive, and the relationships that have developed between the families and staff.

“We’ve proven our worth, and the families are committed,” Williams said.

Published May 18, 2016

Check out these local authors

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If you enjoy learning about local history, love to solve mysteries or are in the mood for a bit of romance, a selection of books by local authors may be right up your alley.

More than 20 local authors will gather at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at The Shops at Wiregrass on May 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., to sell their books, field questions on writing and chat with patrons.

Jamie Elizabeth Tingen has a new book for this year’s author fair, ‘Betrayed by a Butterfly.’ The author describes it as a novel of deceit, mystery and romance. (Courtesy of Jamie Elizabeth Tingen)
Jamie Elizabeth Tingen has a new book for this year’s author fair, ‘Betrayed by a Butterfly.’ The author describes it as a novel of deceit, mystery and romance.
(Courtesy of Jamie Elizabeth Tingen)

The bookstore, at 28152 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel, hosts the annual event to give local authors a chance to showcase their works.

Local authors get a chance to sell their books, but also have a chance to network with each other and encourage aspiring writers.

The showcase will include a wide selection of titles across many genres including business, quilting, spirituality and romance, to name a few.

Some of the authors have been there before, including Madonna Jervis Wise, who has written several books. Her most recently published book, “Images of America: Wesley Chapel,” shares the community’s story through historic photographs and tales of the families who settled there.

Jamie Elizabeth Tingen, another author who has been at the event before, will be there with a new book this year. She describes her new book, “Betrayed by a Butterfly,” as a novel of deceit, mystery and romance.

John Chaplick, of Lutz, will be making an appearance, too. His titles include “The Rivergrass Legacy,” “Forbidden Chronicles of a Roman Centurion” and “Bridge of The Paper Tiger.”

Other authors expected to be on hand include Barbara Post-Askin, Ben Gold, C. Johnson, Debbie Lum, Dee Segarra, Elizabeth Rivera, Evelyn Taylor, Jeanette Dundas, Jenice Armstead, Jonathan Chateau, Josh McMorrow-Hernandez, Jwan Israil, Kimberly Karalius, Lorelie Dionne Orat, Lucille Rose D’Armi-Riggio and Maria Rooney.

Six tables will be set up on the bookstore’s second floor, with authors grouped together by genre, said Lisa Kuehner, assistant store manager for Barnes & Noble.

The store hosts the annual showcase to give the community a chance to find out about the local writers and their books.

“It’s our way of supporting local authors,” Kuehner said.

Local authors event
What: Meet more than 20 local authors who will be on hand to field questions and sign books.
When: May 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 28152 Paseo Drive, at The Shops at Wiregrass

Published May 18, 2016

Lutz Guv’na Race Kickoff set for May 14

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Get your checkbooks ready, the annual Lutz Guv’na Race is underway.

Two candidates: Greg Gilbert of Beef O’ Bradys in Lutz and Andre Pamplona of Royal Bowling Lanes, will face off in the 2016 Guv’na Debate on May 14 at the Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41. The debate will run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. as both candidates field questions from the audience and partake in quirky activities to raise money for their “campaigns,” with proceeds benefitting local nonprofits and community organizations. The event is free and the public is welcome.

“They’re two very good and solid candidates.” – Suzin Carr on Lutz Guv’na candidates Greg Gilbert and Andre Pamplona. (Courtesy of Suzin Carr)
“They’re two very good and solid candidates.” – Suzin Carr on Lutz Guv’na candidates Greg Gilbert and Andre Pamplona.
(Courtesy of Suzin Carr)

“They’re always very tongue-in-cheek kind of things, and they’re doing those to earn money for their campaigns,” said Suzin Carr, ambassador for the Lutz Guv’na Race. “The whole goal of the Guv’na race is to raise the most money and ‘buy their way into office’ and we proudly admit that in Lutz.”

The annual charity event— which started in 1991— is sponsored by the Lutz Civic Association, and typically raises several thousand dollars for about 20 beneficiaries.

The race continues through the Fourth of July weekend, where the winner is announced, and earns the coveted “sash” from the prior year’s winner. Last year’s winner was Jennifer Rankin, who raised more than $9,200 throughout the 2015 race.

“It’s been going on for more than 25 years and it’s just a wonderful event that benefits a lot of nonprofits and community organizations in the area, like the scouts and the Old Lutz School and the Friends of the Library,” Carr said. “They all get a portion of the money that is raised by writing grants for that money once it’s raised by the Lutz Guv’na Association.”

Typically, the race has about three or four candidates, Carr said, adding, there’s still time is anybody wants to step into the race.

The debate emcee will be Paul Vahue of First Baptist Church in Lutz, whom Carr described as “a very funny guy.”

Carr, a former two-time winner of the Guv’na Race, is also seeking additional community involvement and volunteers for the Guv’na festivities.

“We are really encouraging the community to come out,” she said. “We really need community involvement for programs like this to continue.”

For more information, contact Suzin Carr at (813) 453-5256.

Published May 11, 2016

New charter school won’t open until 2017

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Several families in the Lutz and Land O’ Lakes area were anticipating Sunlake Academy of Math and Science to open in time for the 2016-2017 school year, but that isn’t going to happen.

Instead, the public charter school, which is being built at 18711 North Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz, is set to open in August 2017.

This is a prototype of what Sunlake Academy will look like once it’s complete. The 40,000-square-foot facility expects to accommodate 1,150 students, from kindergarten through eighth grade. (Photos courtesy of Charter School Associates)
This is a prototype of what Sunlake Academy will look like once it’s complete. The 40,000-square-foot facility expects to accommodate 1,150 students, from kindergarten through eighth grade.
(Photos courtesy of Charter School Associates)

The school, operated by Charter School Associates (CSA), scheduled a Parent Information Session on April 11, expecting to open for the 2016-2017 school year. But on April 27, Michael Strader, president of Charter School Associates, addressed a letter to parents and guardians, saying, “the opening of Sunlake Academy of Math and Science will be deferred to August 2017.”

He explained the delay this way: “Although the property developer and general contractor were originally confident that our new school would be ready for the Aug. 10 opening date, we recently learned that delays in the receipt of various building and site permits will push the completion of the school past that date.”

In an interview with the Laker/Lutz News, Strader indicated his group tried finding a temporary facility to hold classes until construction was complete, but to no avail.

“We couldn’t find an existing facility nearby that would be within a reasonable commute—like people who live close to where the school is planned—that would accommodate the number of students that made applications,” Strader said. “We really…examined a number of options, including area churches. We looked to see if there were any hotels with large conference facilities or meeting facilities in the immediate area, and there just seemed to be none available that we could schedule for several weeks.”

The highway entrance of Sunlake Academy, at 18711 North Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz. Up until April 27, the school advertised it would open in August 2016.
The highway entrance of Sunlake Academy, at 18711 North Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz. Up until April 27, the school advertised it would open in August 2016.

Several parents suggested the possibility of utilizing portable classroom buildings in the short-term. However, Strader noted portable classrooms weren’t really a feasible option, either.

“The only thing with portables is they require many of the same infrastructure that a permanent building would require with utility connections, hard roads for life safety vehicles — fire trucks, ambulances — so portable classrooms aren’t as simple as just bringing them in and setting them up,” Strader said.

Sunlake Academy was originally proposed to be located on an 8.4-acre piece of land at the southwest corner of Lutz Lake Fern Road and Sunlake Boulevard. However, those plans changed after objections from nearby residents and numerous conditions attached to the county’s approval for the site.

Changing locations and obtaining site permits for the North Dale Mabry location has been an ongoing process, Strader acknowledged.

“I understand that (the North Dale Mabry) area is going through a whole new floodplain recalculation by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, so that had some kind of impacts on it, and we were just later than anticipated in receiving all the site permits, and that’s what ultimately put the project behind,” the CSA president said.

Once open, the 40,000-square-foot, two-story charter will be large enough to accommodate about 1,150 students, from kindergarten through eighth grade. The charter, which will be tax-funded and tuition-free, is expected to pull students from within a 5-mile radius of the school’s location, which is about a half-mile north of Exciting Idlewild Boulevard.

It will have a focus on STEM curriculum, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math. It also will offer an interdisciplinary approach to learning, in which lessons will emphasize the interrelationships between various subjects.

The school’s features will include a library and media center, science laboratories, computer labs, art rooms and an area for outdoor activities.

Despite the school’s deferred opening, Strader said he’s had conversations the school’s developer, Charter School Properties, to ensure construction isn’t delayed even further, “so that prospective parents could certainly see a building there and have confidence that the school will indeed be ready for August 2017.”

According to Strader, the school was expected to be built in two phases, progressively adding more students during each phase. Now with the additional construction time, both phases should be complete for the 2017-2018 school year.

“There was a lot of interest in the school and we had done quite well with interested parents,” he said. “So, if the demand is still there next year, we’ll have the facilities to grow…beyond the initial 600 students that we’d anticipated for this year.”

Published May 11, 2016

Carrying a torch for peace

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‘Peace

Such a wonderful thing

It makes you think of a bell’s ring’

The message of peace in Jonathan Fields’ poem hung in the air.

It was written on paper, dangling on a string — reminiscent of  a knitted square in a quilt of poetry made by students at Learning Gate Community School.

Natabara Rolloson of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Peace Run leads Learning Gate students on a race across the campus. (ourtesy of Pierre Lantuas-Monfouga)
Natabara Rolloson of the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Peace Run leads Learning Gate students on a race across the campus.
(Courtesy of Pierre Lantuas-Monfouga)

About 600 students at the Lutz-based charter school shared artwork, poetry and songs of peace with the North American torch relay team from the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Peace Run.

About a dozen relay runners dropped by both Learning Gate campuses on May 3.

The kindergarten through sixth grade school is on Hanna Road. The school for seventh- and eighth-graders is on Lutz Lake Fern Road.

The torch runners also made visits to a school and neighborhood center in Pinellas County before heading to Alabama.

The team is on a 10,000-mile North American relay that began in New York City in mid-April and will finish in New York in mid-August. Members represented several countries including the United States, France and Hungary.

The “Peace Run” is the inspiration of Sri Chinmoy, an athlete, philosopher, artist, musician and poet who organized the inaugural run in 1987 to promote international friendship. Since then more than 5 million people have participated and runners have visited more than 140 countries, according to the website for the Peace Run foundation.

Cathy Oerter, left, gave certificates of excellence from the Al Oerter Foundation to Learning Gate students, Simon Noguerol and Kaitlyn Detuccio. Al Oerter was a four-time Olympic gold medalist. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)
Cathy Oerter gave certificates of excellence from the Al Oerter Foundation to Learning Gate students Simon Noguerol and Kaitlyn Detuccio. Al Oerter was a four-time Olympic gold medalist.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)

To prepare for the visit, Learning Gate students wrote poems. First-graders created paper chains with messages for peace. Students also practiced songs to perform for their guests.

“Each student wrote a way they show peace to each other,” said first-grader Margo Armstrong who read from a statement from classmates on why they made the peace chain.

“You children are definitely the voices of the world,” said Cathy Oerter.  “It’s all about the journey of self-discovery.”

Oerter’s husband, Al Oerter, was a four-time Olympic gold medalist in the discus throw. He was the first athlete to win gold at four consecutive Olympic games, setting records each time.

He died in 2007 but his nonprofit Al Oerter Foundation continues to promote character and integrity through support for sports and the arts.

His wife said the foundation often partners with the Sri Chinmoy relay runs.

She presented certificates of excellence to two Learning Gate fifth-graders Simon Noguerol and Kaitlyn Detuccio.

Several students read their poems.

Learning Gate fifth-grader J. B. Montague, holds the relay torch with Andran DeAngelo, captain of the relay team for the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Peach Run.
Learning Gate fifth-grader J. B. Montague, holds the relay torch with Andran DeAngelo, captain of the relay team for the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Peach Run.

Fourth-grader J.B. Montague shared his mathematical prowess, detailing his classmates’ accomplishments in March, the national month for reading awareness.

He added up more than 12 million seconds spent in reading.

The motto for the bi-annual torch relay is ‘Peace begins with me.”  The run promotes the universal connections among people around the world, said Arpan DeAngelo, the United States team captain.

Besides the North American relay, a second team began a 16,000-mile run in Portugal in February and that will conclude in Rome in October. A third relay in the South Pacific begins this month.

Relay runner Natabara Rolloson led students on a brief race as a “peace train” across campus, leading the way and carrying the flaming torch. At the end, students were invited to walk up, touch the torch and make a wish for peace.

“It helps children and adults to realize that peace is very natural to anyone of any age,” said DeAngelo.

For information, visit PeaceRun.org.

Published May 11, 2016

 

Papal honors bestowed during special ceremony

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The pastors of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Land O’ Lakes and Saint Peter the Apostle in Trinity have received honors bestowed by Pope Francis.

The Rev. Ron Aubin and the Rev. Dennis Hughes now have an additional title, besides pastor and father — they now also bear the title of monsignor, a designation that is bestowed on those who have been named a Chaplain of His Holiness.

The Rev. Ron Aubin, left, of Our Lady of the Rosary, has received the title of monsignor. He is shown here with the Most Rev. Robert Lynch, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. (Courtesy of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church)
The Rev. Ron Aubin, left, of Our Lady of the Rosary, has received the title of monsignor. He is shown here with the Most Rev. Robert Lynch, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
(Courtesy of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church)

The Most Rev. Robert Lynch, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, nominated the men for the honor, which was officially conferred during a special ceremony on April 17 at the diocese’s Bethany Center in Lutz.

The evening also included the award of the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal to 14 recipients. One person also received the Benemerenti Medal.

To be nominated to be designated as a monsignor, one must be at least 65 years old, Aubin said.

It’s typically a recognition for efforts made over a lifetime of ministry, said Aubin, who said he grew up in Catholic family, attending Catholic schools and felt called early on to be a priest.

He was surprised when he got the call from the bishop, informing him he was being nominated for the honor.

“It’s nice to be recognized,” Aubin said, adding that he thinks the older parishioners at Our Lady of the Rosary were more excited than he was by the honor.

While he is grateful to Bishop Lynch and Pope Francis for the designation, he said, “As far as I’m concerned, there’s no better title than Father.”

Aubin also noted: “when the kids started calling me Papa Ron, that was the best honorific.”

“I’m just a pastor. That’s all I am. It’s all I wanted to be,” Aubin said.

The Rev. Dennis Hughes, pastor of Saint Peter the Apostle Church in Trinity, also has received the title of monsignor. (File photo)
The Rev. Dennis Hughes, pastor of Saint Peter the Apostle Church in Trinity, also has received the title of monsignor.
(File photo)

The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal, considered the highest honor which the church awards to its lay and religious members, is granted by the Pope following the nomination of a bishop, who provides a case statement regarding the nominee’s worthiness for the designation.

Including those designated during the ceremony, only 62 men and women in the diocese of St. Petersburg have received this distinction in the past 20 years.

Local recipients of Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal were: Gerald Phillip Giglia, of St. Timothy Church in Lutz and,  Arthur Francis Kirk, former president of Saint Leo University, of St. Leo Abbey/St. Rita Catholic Church, Dade City.

Published on May 4, 2016