The Laker-Land O' Lakes-March 24, 2021

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MARCH 24, 2021

Forum explores economic security

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

The Pasco unit of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County recently hosted a webinar aimed at raising awareness about the “Economic Security in Pasco County during the COVID Outbreak.”

Panelists provided a look into Pasco County’s and the Pasco Economic

Development Council Inc.’s response to those struggling individuals and businesses — due to COVID-19.

The panelists also discussed ongoing programs aimed at helping people keep a roof over their heads, helping the homeless secure housing; and helping people develop skills to lead to higher-paying jobs.

Chris Conn, voter services chair of the league’s Pasco unit moderated the session,

which featured Marcy Esbjerg, director of Pasco County’s community development department; Brian Hoben, community services director in Pasco County; Don Anderson, CEO of the Pasco Homeless Coalition; and Mike Bishop, director of stakeholder engagement at the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc. See SECURITY, page 9A

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A day for the dogs (and their owners) As the Pasco High Navy JROTC School Color Guard marches in step presenting the colors, Brooksville resident Robert Westfall’s 5-year-old Boxer-Rottweiler, named Roman, was on his leash at the Dogs’ Day event at Agnes Lamb Park. More photos, page 7A.

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Cody, an 8-year-old Yorkie, was dressed as a tarantula for the dog costume contest

by Orkin Man Scott Smith, of Clermont.

Stephanie Morrow, a member of the Calvary Assembly Church in Dade City, sang the national anthem, as the Pasco High School Navy JROTC color guard presented the American flag during the event.

Kumquat Festival set for March 27 These female Eagle Scouts are If you go blazing a new trail

By Kevin Weiss

kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

The 24th annual Kumquat Festival will take on more of a spring feel, among other twists and turns due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The popular event traditionally held the last Saturday in January is instead set for March 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in downtown Dade City, around the iconic Historic Pasco County Courthouse; the original event date was pushed back due to COVID19.

The Kumquat Festival is organized each year by The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce in coordination with other community stakeholders.

And, it’s all in the name of celebrating, of course, kumquats — a tiny, tart citrus fruit native to Southeast Asia, but grown in Dade City.

The festival features all things kumquat, including such specialties such as kumquat ice cream, kumquat pie and kumquat beer.

You might also find some non-edible items such as kumquat lotions, balms and body butters.

As in previous editions of the festival, downtown Dade City will be transformed into an open-air marketplace featuring local businesses, hundreds of specialty vendors and dozens of partner sponsors.

Other happenings throughout the day include: • “Kumquat Growers” series to learn about and purchase kumquats • Farmer’s Market • Kid’s Corral with a variety of activates for children of all ages • Quilt challenge • Car and truck show Some of the more interactive live enter-

24th annual Kumquat Festival

WHEN: March 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Historic downtown Dade City, near Meridian Avenue and Seventh Street COST: Free admission, free parking DETAILS: Festival-goers have a chance to get a taste of Old Florida, in a community known for its hospitality and charm. There will be loads of vendors, places to purchase food and drink, activities for kids, and a car and truck show, among other things.

By Joey Johnston Special to The Laker/Lutz News

tainment options have been pared down from prior years, however, out of COVID-19 health and safety precautions.There won’t be shuttle services to remote parking lots, either, because of COVID-19.

Admission is free. Self-parking will be available throughout the city limits and downtown, including private lots, church lots and street parking. Masks will be required by all vendors and attendees.

The festival — which puts Dade City at the regional fore for the day — otherwise epitomizes the locale’s “iconic, old Florida, down home sort of feel,” chamber Executive Director John Moors told The Laker/Lutz Newspaper in a recent interview.

“I think the whole fact that it’s kumquats is kind of a funny thing,” Moors said.“There’s lots of strawberry festivals, blueberry festivals, all sort of other things, but this is the only one we’re aware of that actually features kumquats and a lot of folks aren’t even sure what a kumquat is, so it kind of lends itself to that quirky, kind of fun, sort of entertainment day that you don’t find at the

Two years after the Boy Scouts of America opened its ranks to girls, two members of a Lutz troop have become part of the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts.

Crystal Ming Torres, 16, of Carrollwood, and Sianna Eldert, 18, of New Port Richey, were among 300 girls nationwide to officially earn the distinction on Feb. 8. They are members of Troop 339G, which is chartered by the First Baptist Church of Lutz.

It’s always notable when anyone earns the rank of Eagle Scout (only 6% of all Boys Scouts reach that level).

This was different.

This was history.

“Personally, it was a goal of mine that I wanted to achieve, to prove to myself that I could achieve anything that my brother could do or my dad could do,’’ Torres said.

“I’m a pioneer.That was important to me. I also wanted to be that role model for younger girls.’’

“It’s a tremendous honor to be an Eagle Scout,’’ Eldert said.“You are respected and viewed as a leader. You’re going to change the world.’’

Torres and Eldert already have changed the world — along with everyone’s perceptions.

“We have celebrated everything they have done, but also reminded them of the obligation they both have going forward,’’

See KUMQUAT, page 9A

See SCOUTS, page 9A

Two new STEAM magnet schools coming to Pasco?

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

The Pasco County school district is looking to convert Centennial Elementary School in Dade City and Marlowe Elementary School in New Port Richey, from traditional elementary schools into STEAM magnet schools.

The acronym STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

Students now assigned to Centennial and Marlowe would be reassigned to nearby schools, and a lottery system would be used to assign students to the new magnet schools.

If the district proceeds with this plan, the change would not occur until the 20222023 school year, and boundary hearings would not occur until this coming fall, according to Steve Hegarty, district spokesman.

The issue came up at the Pasco County School Board’s March 2 meeting, when Don Peace, president of United School Employees of Pasco (USEP), complained about the district’s handling of future staffing for the two schools.

Peace objected to the new job description for STEAM magnet teachers.

“Normally, for contract waivers, major changes in curriculum — such as Wendell Krinn (Technical High School), Pine View (Middle) and Gulf Middle — or school closings, as in Hudson Elementary, Ridgewood, and the Lacoochee proposal, USEP is invited to go to the school, along with district staff, to explain the contractual protocol for what is about to transpire.

“That did not happen with these two schools.

“In fact, when I first heard the details of what was transpiring, I had a district employee make a phone call to put a stop to what was going on. But that did not happen.

“Interviews took place, in an unacceptable manner, for jobs that do not yet exist, at schools that have not yet been voted to be closed, and for a job description that is yet to be approved.

“It appears the cart is in front of the horse,” Peace said.

Peace then told board members that approving the proposed job description would, in essence, create an elite position.

“Why would you want to create divisiveness among teachers?” the union president asked district officials.

“I would contend that with training, professional development and proper guidance, there are numerous teachers across this district that would be able to work in a STEM/STEAM school and be highly successful, if given that opportunity,” he said.

Peace suggested the board delay voting on the new job description, and instead hold a workshop to discuss the issue in greater detail.

Superintendent Kurt Browning responded to the assertions.

“I agree with Mr. Peace when it comes to the fact that any of our teachers, given the opportunity and the professional learning, could probably make it work in a STEM or STEAM environment.

“What Mr. Peace didn’t mention is what I call the ‘want to’ (factor). Do you want to

put the effort into working at a STEM or STEAM school?

“We learned lessons when we converted Bayonet Point Middle and Centennial Middle. We did not have a separate job description for that. Honestly, it was more difficult to set the expectations for our staff.

“I will tell you that this job description, in no way, shape or form, is — as Mr. Peace has indicated — divisive. It is not intended to do that. It is merely to set expectations, for teachers that want to move to a STEM or STEAM environment.

“It is different, a lot more technology-driven, project-based learning.”

“It is a choice school,” Browning said.

When the schools held faculty meetings to discuss the change, a number of teachers approached the principals and said,“I get it.

I just don’t want to do it.”

The new magnet schools will choose teachers based on the new job description.

While current teachers may be assigned to different schools, they will not lose their jobs, Browning said.

But before approving the new description, school board members asked for more information.

Board member Cynthia Armstrong asked for more details about how the job description was developed. Board member Alison Crumbley echoed that request.

Samantha Del Valle, assistant director of leading and learning, said “we knew we needed a job description to really be transparent with the staff that we’re going to hire and to share with them what would be expected, as they take those positions.”

So, the job description is based on the practices that happen in a STEAM classroom.

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Hiring will mirror the process used in hiring teachers for Sanders Elementary STEAM Magnet School in Land O’ Lakes, Del Valle said.

The questions district officials asked, when drafting the new job description, included: “What is a STEAM teacher? What practices are happening in the classroom?

What does STEAM look like and how do we make sure that that occurs in our two new schools?” Del Valle said.

School board member Colleen Beaudoin emphasized that she wanted it to be clear to district teachers that the new job description does not create an elite class of teachers.

“We’re not saying that these teachers are any better than any other teachers. These are just a specific skill set needed for these types of schools. I don’t want to give the impression that we’re saying that teachers at one school are any better than teachers at another school,” Beaudoin said.

Besides looking for teachers who have the attributes described in the job description, they also must be willing to undergo additional training, Del Valle said.

Plus, there is a preferred qualification related to computer science.

Browning reiterated Beaudoin’s point, noting the teachers are not better teachers.

“They’re different teachers.

“This job description was not designed to divide teachers,” the superintendent insisted.

He also said the shift to the STEAM magnet schools is intended to give parents additional options.

“Parents are wanting something different,” Browning said.

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This tiny baby’s brief life inspired others

By B.C. Manion

Brooklyn’s Life Celebration and Committal Services

bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

A celebration of life and committal services will be held for Brooklyn Rose Buzek on March 27 at Garden of Memories, in Tampa.

Brooklyn weighed 1 pound, 10 ounces and measured 12.5 inches long, when she arrived into the world on Aug. 20.

She was born at just 24 weeks gestation, and spent 187 days at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, in Tampa, before going home with her parents,Amber and Dennis.

A GoFundMe page was set up by Donna Robinson, of Tampa, to help the family.

The page expresses how Brooklyn’s life affected others.

“At just 7 months old, Brooklyn had already taught us all so much about strength, perseverance and overcoming obstacles,” the page says. “With the odds stacked against her since birth we have watched in awe as the miracle baby continued to fight the good fight.”

It goes on: “During her short life she withstood more than any human should have to, but her fighter spirit, which was earned honestly from the parents who have been by her side each and every step of the way, rose to each challenge she faced.”

After Brooklyn’s release from the hospital, her parents dedicated themselves to her 24-hour care.

On the morning of March 15, they realized something was wrong with the baby, and called 911. Brooklyn was airlifted to St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, in Tampa, but did not survive.

The infant’s obituary describes the imprint she left on others.

“Brooklyn’s journey impacted many people from those who knew and cared for her to friends around the world who have followed her miracle story from conception.

Brooklyn was loved deeply by so many and

WHEN: March 27, 1 p.m.

WHERE: Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 E. Lake Ave., Tampa All are welcome to attend.

COURTESY OF THE BUZEK FAMILY

Her life was brief, but Brooklyn Rose Buzek was an inspiration for others.

her memory will live on through all of the family and friends who have been there along the way,” the obituary reads.

In an interview with The Laker/Lutz News, Amber said she found out she was pregnant on Mother’s Day — which was a surprise because she and Dennis had been together 18 years and she didn’t think she could get pregnant.

They were excited by the news.

They had a baby shower on Aug. 16, at the Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park Community Center, in Land O’ Lakes.

Amber said she recalls feeling crampy and uncomfortable earlier on that day.

“But I had never been pregnant before, so I was just, ‘This is what it’s like to feel pregnant,’” she said.

Later that night, she asked Dennis: “Honey, can you take me to the emergency room around the corner. I just want to make sure everything is OK.” They went to a 24-hour ER, but were advised to go to a hospital.

The couple went to St. Joseph’s HospitalNorth in Lutz, and from there, Amber was transported to St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, in Tampa, where Brooklyn was born on Aug. 20.

After Brooklyn’s birth, the couple made daily trips to the NICU, and took photos to record their baby’s journey. They also learned how to use the equipment they would need to use in caring for their baby at home.

Amber’s grief at the loss of her daughter,

is palpable.

“It’s hard because everybody is like,‘Oh, God had better plans.’ But, I don’t understand how the plan for her — not to be here — could have been better than the life we could have gave her,”Amber said.

She said she’s not sure she will ever understand.

She is grateful, though, for the help of others, particularly Donna and Ron Robinson, who stepped in to make the funeral arrangements.

“I don’t know how I could have done it without them,” she said.

As for herself, Amber said she is just trying to pick up the pieces.

“I’m just trying to take it one day at a time,” she said.

In addition to her parents, Brooklyn is survived by siblings Brittany Buzek, Braily Buzek and Brandyn Buzek, grandmother Tena Frost, aunt and uncle Pam and Kevin Oliva and a large extended family, according to the online obituary.

The family welcomes all to attend Brooklyn’s Life Celebration and Committal services on March 27 at 1 p.m., at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 E. Lake Ave.,Tampa, Florida, 33610.

To read more about Brooklyn, visit Brooklyn Rose Buzek’s Journey, on Facebook.

If you would like to help, visit the GoFundMe page, at Tinyurl.com/4tchjh77.

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March 24, 2021

3A

What’s Happening

Your Community Calendar • Submit 2 weeks in advance to: news@lakerlutznews.com • All listings free of charge

VIRTUAL TOWN HALLS

The Straz Center will present “Voices of the Community,” virtual town hall meetings, on the third Thursday of each month through June, at 8 p.m., on Facebook Live. Each meeting is free, and will feature different presenters and themes, with the goal to amplify Black voices.

• March 25:“History Makers,Trail Blazers” celebrates the African American women who advanced civil rights and inspired generations.

• April 22:“A Jazz Legacy” takes a journey through Tampa Bay from the historical relevance of Tampa’s Central Avenue and St. Petersburg 22nd Street. Black musicians, such as The Deuces, filled the cities’ segregated community “jazz joints” with the music they originated.

• May 27:“Dance, Dance, Dance” discusses how the art form helped define the communal and cultural richness of communities of color.

• June 24:TBD (to be determined) To take part in the virtual meetings, visit Facebook.com/StrazCenter.

WEST PASCO ART GUILD

The West Pasco Art Guild, 6206 Jefferson St., in New Port Richey, hosts general membership meetings every month, via Zoom, followed by an artist’s demonstration. Monday evening classes will resume in mid-April.Visit WestPascoArtGuild.org or its Facebook page for details, including upcoming Zoom workshops and meetings.

FISH FRY FRIDAY

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, will offer a Lenten Fish Fry Friday on March 26.This year, dinners are prepaid, take-out only, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., due to COVID-19 restrictions. Each dinner includes two pieces of fish and up to three sides.The cost is $10 per meal.Walkup orders will be available, on a firstcome, first-served basis. Proceeds will go toward scholarships for students at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School in Spring Hill.To preorder a meal, visit KnightsLOL.org/takeout.

REMIX PERFORMANCES

The Straz Center for the Performing Arts will resume live, in-person Arts Legacy Remix performances on the Riverwalk

Stage, continuing through May. • March 26:“Bridges of Rhythm” — Latin rhythms to celebrate cultures from Central and South America, Spain and Portugal • April 16:“A Journey Through Central and Eastern Europe” — A melodic journey through Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Russia and more • May 21:“Jazz, Jazz, Jazz” — Performance

by The Straz High School Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra and others All concerts are from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tickets are free but required in advance at StrazCenter.org.There is a $3.90 processing fee.

HAZARDOUS WASTE

The West Pasco Government Center, 7536 State St., in New Port Richey, will be the site for a Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Collection Event on March 27 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event is free to Pasco County residents, but there is a $5 charge to dispose of TVs, computer monitors, computer towers and laptops.There is a $10 charge for TVs that are 36 inches and larger. For a full list of waste items that can be dropped off, visit bit.ly/2mx7K0h.

SPRING BOOK SALE

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a Friends of the Library Outdoor Spring Book Sale on March 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.There will be lowpriced, gently used books, DVDs, games, crafts and more. Masks and face coverings will be required. Purchases are cash only.

All proceeds will go toward the support of the library.There also will be a chance to win a gift basket. In case of inclement weather, the sale will take place in the meeting room (capacity will be limited).

For information, call 813-929-1214.

KUMQUAT FESTIVAL

The 24th annual Kumquat Festival is scheduled for March 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in downtown Dade City.There will be more than 200 vendors (socially distanced), including arts and crafts; food from local restaurants; an interactive Kid’s Corral; kumquat products and beer; a car show; and more. Masks will be required by all vendors and attendees. Port-o-lets will be cleaned frequently, and hand sanitizers See WHAT’S, page 5A

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Scavenger hunt

Gulfside Hospice will host a Community Easter Scavenger Hunt on March 27, at Gulfside’s Bereavement & Community Outreach Center, 6224 Lafayette St., in New Port Richey.

The public is invited to reserve a spot to join the fun. Limited time slots are available for one family at a time to walk through the hunt, stop at a photo area, and collect take-andmake crafts, and candy. Goody bags will be provided for the first 100 kids.

Registration is required by 3 p.m., on March 26. Signup is at bit.ly/GH-Easter-Egg-Hunt.

For information, contact Leesa Fryer at 727-845-5707 or leesa.fryer@gulfside.org.

Drive-thru Egg Hunt

The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel will host a free Egg Hunt Drive-Thru on March 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road. Guests can sport their Easter best, decorate their vehicles, and bring baskets for the drive-thru “Eggstravaganza.” The first 300 cars will receive an “adult egg.” Vendors are still being accepted. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Underdog Fund, scholarships and the Wesley Chapel community. For information, email rotaryjodie@gmail.com.

Beeping egg hunt

The Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind will host a Beeping Easter Egg Hunt for children who are visually impaired on March 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 9130 Ridge Road in New Port Richey. Children can hunt in the garden/playground in groups of up to 20 children with siblings, per 30-minute session, for social distancing. The beeping eggs will be disinfected between sessions. By the end of the hunt, the kids’ baskets will be full. Teens also will have games for the kids to play and the Easter Bunny will make an appearance.

For information, call 727-815-0303.

DIY egg kit

The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, will offer an egg-decorating kit on March 29, all day. The kit includes crafts, activities and an egg. Pickup is at the library. For information, call 352-567-3576.

Egg hunts & train rides

The Concourse, 11919 Alric Pottberg Road in Shady Hills, will host Easter egg hunts and train rides on April 2, April 3 and April 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There also will be vendors, food, and a visit from the Easter Bunny and Mother Goose. Trains leave the station every hour for the egg hunts. Wear an Easter bonnet and join the parade. Admission is $6 per person. Kids age 1 and younger are free. Credit cards will be accepted. For information, visit the Grand Concourse Railroad on Facebook.

Easter egg hunt

The Church at Myrtle Lake, 2017 Reigler Road in Land O’ Lakes, will host a children’s Easter egg hunt on April 3 at 11 a.m., for prekindergarten through fifth grade. There will be a free lunch, children’s goodie bags, candy and prizes. Admission is free. Also, the church will host a drive-in Easter service on April 4 at 10:30 a.m.

Guests can bring lawn chairs or stay in their vehicles. Activity bags will be provided for children. For more information, please call 813-949-5516, or visit MyrtleLake.org.

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WHAT’S,

from page 4A

will be available throughout the festival.

No shuttle service will be provided to and from the Fairgrounds; and there will be no Park & Ride service from U.S. 98 and U.S. 301.Admission is free.To learn more, visit KumquatFestival.org, or call The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce at 352567-3769.

PLANT SOCIETY

The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will host a native plant sale on March 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.There will be a large selection of quality nursery-grown plants, a plant profile for each purchase, society members on hand to answer questions, and carts available for plant transportation. Guests must wear a mask and follow social-distancing rules. Hand sanitizers will be available. For information, visit PascoNativePlants.org or FNPS.org.

SUMMER CAMP EXPO

The fifth annual Healthy Family & Summer Camp Expo will take place March 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel.There will be summer camp providers; representatives from special needs camps; health and small business exhibitors; a Pin Chasers photo booth; a kids’ fun zone; live entertainment; a kids talent showcase at noon; photos with the Easter Bunny and an Easter treasure hunt; and free expo bags and hand sanitizers (while supplies last).To be eligible for giveaways, register at FamilyFriendlyTampaBay.com.

LOQUAT FESTIVAL

The annual Florida Loquat Festival returns on March 28 and April 3, as a mini-festival, with the theme “Back to the Future,” in New Port Richey. Participants must observe the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines to wear face masks and maintain social distancing.The festival on March 28 will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Wright’s Natural Market, 5800 Main St., and on April 3 from noon to 2 p.m., at the Cotee River Brewery, 5760 Main St. Each location will strive to offer fresh loquats; loquat preserves and pastries; and festival T-shirts.The brewery will offer loquat beer and loquat tea. For information, visit the Florida Loquat Festival on Facebook.

STREET MARKET

The Shops at Wiregrass will host a Street Market on March 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.There will be free masks, extra handsanitizer stations, and socially distanced seating areas.Vendors will be spaced apart. Offerings will include soaps, clothing, jewelry, home furnishings and more.There also will be live music and artists.The Street Market takes place on the fourth Sunday of the month.

GUARDIAN AD LITEM

The Guardian ad Litem Program advocates for abused, neglected and abandoned

children, and volunteers are needed to help the program with its mission.There will be online Guardian ad Litem information sessions on Tuesdays, at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., for those interested in being a ‘child’s voice.’To see the schedule and to learn more, visit HeroToAChild.org/calendar and click on GAL Program Calendar Pasco. For questions, contact Larnelle Scott at larnelle.scott@gal.fl.gov, 727-834-3493, ext. 3768.

OPEN MIC DAY

A Cup of Organic will host an Open Mic Day at Crossvine at Connerton, 20421 Rose Cottage Way in Land O’ Lakes, on April 3 from noon to 2 p.m. Performer signups begin at 11:30 a.m.All ages are welcome.This is an outdoor event (weather permitting), so bring a chair!

Available seating is limited. For information, call 813-546-6659.

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PEDAL FOR PREVENTION

Pedal for Prevention will take place on April 10 from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Starkey Park Bike Trail, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., in New Port Richey, Shelter No. 5.The event aims to bring awareness on preventing substance abuse, to promote recovery, and to educate Pasco County youth. Participants can bike, walk or run.

The cost is $25 per adult.Youth ages 17 and younger are free. Registration is through EventBrite.com.

NETWORKING GROUP

The East Pasco Networking Group will meet on April 13 at 7:30 a.m., at IHop, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.The guest speaker will be Rosie Paulsen, commissioner, published author, speaker, and Medicare broker. For information, contact Nils Lenz at 813-782-9491 or nilslenz@gmail.com, or Vicky Jones at 813431-1149 or donlvicl@yahoo.com.

ARTS FESTIVAL

Support Gulfside Hospice by attending the Charity Festival of Arts on April 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

There will be live entertainment from local talent groups.The arts will be showcased through dance, voice, music, acting, visual art and more, provided by local artists, businesses and organizations.

Activities also will include a “take-andmake” project.Admission is $5 per person, for ages 3 and older. For information, contact Leesa Fryer at 727-845-5707 or leesa.fryer@gulfside.org.

From the car and truck show to kumquat pies, the 2021 Annual Kumquat Festival packs a load of fun into a single day at the heart of charming downtown Dade City, Florida. With more than 200 vendors all socially distanced, delicious food from local restaurants, vendors and food trucks, an interactive Kid’s Coral, and even kumquat beer, it’s a day that is as entertaining as saying the name of the quirky little fruit it honors.

COVID PRECAUTIONS YOUR SAFETY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY. • Masks required by all vendors and attendees.

• No shuttle service to and from the Fairgrounds.

• No Park & Ride service from US 98 and 301.

• Port-O-Lets will be cleaned frequently.

• Hand sanitizers available throughout the Festival.

DIRECTIONS TO DADE CITY: From Interstate 75, east on Highway 52 to Downtown.

From US Highway 301, north or south into Downtown.

LEARN MORE VISIT WWW.KUMQUATFESTIVAL.ORG OR CALL THE GREATER DADE CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AT 352-567-3769.

Advance Equine Dentistry • All American Gutter Protection • ANDServices BayCarePlus Medicare Advantage • Beauty by Ernestine Salon and Day Spa Benedetto's Farm To Table • Bolton Pest Control • Centennial Bank First National Bank of Pasco • Global Turf Equipment Sales & Rentals Home Performance Alliance • Independent Financial Services Older, Lundy, Alvarez & Koch Law • Senior Helpers

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa will host these upcoming summer camps: • June 7 to July 30 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the club locations • June 7 to July 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., on school sites (locations pending) Summer camps will be closed July 2 to July 5.

Registration is now open.

For details and to register, visit BGCTampa.org.

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March 24, 2021

5A

IERN NA’s ’s donated over 20 bags of cllothing to AmV Veets, a veterraans service orrgganiization.

Leading up to Th Thanksgiving, the company held a ‘Pie Yo Your Managers in the Fa Face’’ day!

Twelve w IERN NA A’s ’s employees made th heir own chili to be judged by local celebrrities.

IERN NA’s ’s 2021 1 Chili Cook Offf, from left: Anthony Beccht, t, Ve Veronica V eronica Alfaroo,, first-place winner w Megan Schwarz, Charlene Ierna an nd Chad W Weetzzel.

IERN NA N A’s ’s kicked off the New Ye Yeear ar with a curbside blood drive, donating over 20 pints of whole w blood.

IIERNA’s ERNA’s Happy H a ppy E Employees mployees C Create reate Happy Happy C Customers ustomers Since 2003, IERNA A’s Heeating, Cooling & Plumbing has generated hundreds h of positive reviews and thousands of satisfied customers. In a highly competitive industry y,, the Lutz-based company has established itself at the forefront of HV VA AC and plumbing in the Tampa Bay area.

For a company of fewer than 100 employees, what is the secret to IERNA A’’s success?

“Employee engagement,” says Charlene Ierna, owner and president of the 18-year-old company.

“W Wee are known for our workmanship, customer service and brand,” says Ierna. “What many do not realize is the hard work and efforts behind the scenes to keep our employees’ morale and energy levels high.”

When Ierna founded her company y,, her sights were set on establishing a company that really takes care of not only its customers, but also its employees.

“W Wee foster an environment where employees have room to grow and thrive in a culture where they want to be. If your employees aren’t happy y,, how can your customers be happy?” asks Ierna.

IERNA’s management team believes wholeheartedly that their customers are only as satisfied as their employees. That’s why they have frequent company events where employees can take a break, relax, enjoy great food and bond.

Through the years, IERNA A’’s has sponsored employee Christmas parties, other holiday-themed parties, cruises and random company outings, “just because.”

Most recently y,, the company y hosted a Chili Cook Off for employees. The event was judged by three local celebrities and friends of the company: Anthony Becht, former tight end for the New Yo York Jets and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; V Veeronica Alfaro, former WQYK radio personality and voice actress; and Chad W Weetzel, president of Carrier Enterprise Florida. Each tasted 12 varieties of chili to determine the winner of a $500 cash prize and lots of swag.

Another fun event was a photo contest where technicians showcased their artistic talents by taking pictures of interesting air conditioners and ornate plumbing fixtures. The top five photos were canvasprinted and proudly hung in the main office for all to see.

“Employee engagement isn’t all fun, games and prizes,” said Ierna. “It’s also deeper and more personal, and includes showing appreciation, recognition and making sure employees feel involved in what’s going on in our organization.”

Research shows that employees are more motivated when they feel recognized and believe that the work they do is meaningful. “Our management team takes this to heart tenfold and makes it our duty to let employees know their worth,” said Ierna.

Encouragement and congratulatory messages are shared across IERNA A’’s emails, Facebook pages and internal newsletters. Employees are acknowledged when they earn a certification, on their birthday y,, to welcome a new baby and other personal achievements.

Every time an individual tech hnician is called out in a positive review w,, the customer customeer service team adds it to the monthly “kudos” board. Each month the tecchnician with the most kudos gets a prize, their picture in the company newsletter and is praised all ov ver social media.

Employees also value their company’s community support. This includes curbside blood drives, doonating clothes to veterans, sponsoring little leaagues and installing equipment for local community heroes.

“Employees want to be a part of a corporate cultu ure that gives back and strives to make a difference in their community y,,” said Ierna.

All of this employee-focused engagement translattes to satisfied customers.

“Who makes a customer feel more valued than an n employee feeling the same way? Who gives a cu ustomer more legendary service than an employee wh hose company is constantly making sure their neeeds are met?” Ierna proudly asks.

Customer satisfaction is the goal for many compaanies. But at IERNA A’’s Heating, Cooling and Plumbing, its goal is employee engagement, because haappy employees result in happy customers.

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It was a great day for dogs, in Dade City There were Yorkies, a French Bulldog, a Basset Hound and others, and whether they were there to show off or just hang out, these dogs and their owners were having a great time at Dogs’ Day in Dade City. People came to Agnes Lamb Park from all over to enjoy the festivities, which included a dog wagon parade, a costume contest and other activities. Eventgoers also had the chance to see a presentation of the colors by the Pasco High School Navy JROTC color guard and to hear a rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” by Stephanie Morrow, a member of the Calvary Assembly Church of Dade City.

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Participants in the Dog Wagon Parade strolled along the sidewalk around Agnes Lamb Park in Dade City.

Miles, a 7-year-old Bassett hound belonging to Gary Metz, of Zephyrhills, was more enthusiastic than he looked as he checks out the Dogs’ Day scene.

Nine-year-old Bromley, a Yorkie belonging to Ken Alberts, of Pinellas Park, lines up for the dog wagon parade at Agnes Lamb Park in Dade City.

As spectators only, Ronald Bell, of Dade City, brought his French Bulldog named Rosebud to the Dogs’ Day event at Agnes Lamb Park.

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To view all the rankings, data and methodologies for the 2021 Best Online Programs, visit USNews.com/online.

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The Republican Party of Pasco Scholarship Committee is now accepting applications for Pasco County Schools’ graduating seniors, including pubic, home-schools, charter and private schools.

Graduating seniors from any Pasco County high school are eligible if they meet this criteria: • Must be a registered or preregistered Republican • Have a cumulative 3.0 GPA • Complete a 650-word minimum essay on the topic:“What is the importance of conservative values for young people in today’s world?”

• Extra points will be given for club and social activities, volunteer hours and campaign participation • Must be planning to attend an accredited community college/university or accredited vocational school in Florida Applications can be found online at PascoGOP.org, at the individual’s high school career counselor’s office, or at the Pasco Republican Party office in Hudson.

Applications and essays must be emailed to info@pascogop.com, or to RPOP, 12043 Cobblestone Drive, Hudson, FL 34667, Attention: Sandy Graves, scholarship chair.

For information and questions, call 727863-5400, or email info@pascogop.com.

The deadline to apply is 5 p.m.,April 30.

Five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded in May.

WATER SAFETY PROGRAM

The Rotary Club of Trinity will visit the Tanglewood Learning Center in New Port Richey on March 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., to present the Josh the Otter Water Safety and Literacy Project to 60 preschoolers.The program promotes water safety and drowning prevention through the “Josh The Baby Otter” book.

The club partners with the drowning prevention nonprofit that created the program, the Joshua Collingsworth Memorial Foundation, which was established in honor of 2-year-old Joshua who died in 2008 after falling into the family pool.

The Trinity Rotary is looking to expand its awareness of drowning prevention with the Josh the Otter program to other schools and groups serving children.

For information, contact Becky Bennett at 727-967-7509.

STUDENT DEGREES

These local, Odessa students recently earned degrees from Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, Utah: • Kea Allen: Master of Business Administration • Aneta Budzinski: Master of Science, Nursing – Leadership and Management • Rachel Morrell: Bachelor of Science, Nursing

SAINT LEO RECEIVES HONORS

Saturday, April 17 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Land O' Lakes Heritage Park 5401 Land O' Lakes Blvd (US 41) $5 Admission Per Person (ages 3+) Kids Activities, Ve Vendorrs & Exhibits Proceeds Benefit:

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Saint Leo University earned honors in three categories for providing the best online education bachelor’s programs in the United States, according to the 2021 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Programs edition, released earlier this year.

The school received honors in the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in Business (tied for 65th), Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (ranked 75th), and Best Online Bachelor’s Programs (tied for 93rd) categories.

Launched in December 1998, Saint Leo was one of the first institutions to embrace online education with the creation of the Center for Online Learning, according to a news release.

U.S. News assessed universities and colleges based on four categories: • Engagement, which ranked bachelor’s degree programs based on promoting student participation and interaction with faculty members • Services and technologies, which looked at how well institutions support technology, learning assistance, career guidance and financial aid • Faculty credentials and training, which ensures that online instructors’ credentials mirror those of campus-based bachelor’s programs and makes sure faculty have proper training to teach distance learners • Expert opinion, which enlists a survey of high-ranking academic officials who look at tangible factors affecting program quality

Art entries & talent applications due by Fr Friday, April 9.

See w weebsite ffoor more inffoormation and ffoorms.

NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS

Take Stock in Children, a need-based scholarship program with the Pasco Education Foundation, has announced that its application period for the 2021-2022 school year is now open to students currently in eighth grade attending Pasco County Schools.

The program is statewide, and provides scholarships, mentoring and hope, to help break the cycle of generational poverty through education.

Eligibility requirements and online applications are posted at TakeStockPasco.org or PascoEducationFoundation.org. The deadline to apply is April 15.

Selected students will be provided with a college readiness coach, a mentor, and College & Career Readiness Services.

HOW EDUCATED IS FLORIDA?

WalletHub has released its report on 2021’s Most & Least Educated States in America.

In order to determine the most educated states, WalletHub compared all 50 states across 18 metrics that examined the key factors of a well-education population: educational attainment, school quality, and achievement gaps between genders and races.

Florida’s rankings are (1=Most; 25=Average): • First: Gender Gap in Educational Attainment • Fifth: Average University Quality • 29th: Percentage of Bachelor Degree Holders • 29th: Percentage of Graduate or Professional Degree Holders • 31st: Racial Gap in Educational Attainment • 32nd: Percentage of Associate Degree Holders or College-Experienced Adults • 33rd: Percentage of High School Diploma Holders For a full report, visit WalletHub.com/edu/e/most-educatedstates/31075.

CHILD CARE COURSES

Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is offering a course for child care directors to become credentialed and a course for those seeking a child care professional credential.

The Operation of an Early Childhood Center course will be offered as a remote, online class via Zoom, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., from May 17 to July 16.

The Childcare Professional Credential course will be offered as a hybrid course meeting via Zoom for 48 of the 120 class hours, on Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., from May 13 to Aug. 3.The remaining course hours will be delivered through online assignments.

Both courses are T.E.A.C.H. scholarship eligible (visit Teach-fl.org.) and Rapid Credential scholarship eligible (visit PHSC.edu/academics/job-training/scholarship).

Students need to apply as soon as possible, as T.E.A.C.H. takes six weeks to eight weeks to process, and Rapid Credential is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

To learn more about these courses, or to enroll, visit PHSC.edu/academics/continuing-education, or email ce@phsc.edu.

HOST AN EXCHANGE STUDENT

The nonprofit organization International Student Exchange (ISE) is looking for volunteer families to host international high school students in the coming academic year.

Host families can expect to gain a new family member, experience a new culture, create lifelong friendships, and make a positive impact, locally and globally.

The exchange students are between the ages of 15 and 18, and come from countries such as Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Thailand, Brazil, Italy, Norway and more.

The deadline to match students with families is Aug. 31.

Families can select a student based on shared interests, hobbies, gender, etc.

Family screenings include a background check, an in-home interview, and a verification of personal references.

International students are English-speaking and have their own spending money.

Families will provide a caring environment, a room and daily meals.

Those who host ISE students are eligible to claim a $50 charitable contribution deduction on their itemized tax returns for each month they host a student.

For information, call 727-237-1885, or visit ISEusa.org.

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SCOUTS, from page 1A

within their troop and community, and complete a community service project.

Torres, working in conjuncsaid Matt Cordani, scoutmaster tion with Owl’s Nest Sanctuary for the Lutz boys troop and assisfor Wildlife, built six nest boxes tant for the girls troop. “As an for screech owls and a carrying Eagle Scout, you carry that with case for transporting injured you the rest of your life. It isn’t, birds.

‘I was an Eagle Scout.’ It’s always, Eldert’s project concerned ‘I am an Eagle Scout.’ raising awareness of “It’s really impressive how Dysautonomia, a rare condition quickly they’ve come in and in which the autonomic nervous made an impact to the program. system (ANS) does not work New girls came into the troop, properly. It may affect the funcfollowed by younger girls. They Crystal Ming Torres tioning of the heart, bladder, can run their own organization, intestines, sweat glands, pupils plan their own campouts. I think and blood vessels. Eldert, who they are on par with any boys was diagnosed with troop in the (Greater Tampa Bay Dysautonomia, visited pediatriArea) council (which encompasscians and family care physicians, es 192 Boy Scout troops in nine and presented them with gift counties).They are motivated to baskets that contained informaexcel.’’ tion pamphlets and a book Torres, a junior in the about the condition.

International Baccalaureate pro“It’s so misdiagnosed and gram at Hillsborough High hardly anyone knows about it,’’ School, is the daughter of Dr. G.S. Sierra Eldert Eldert said.“My project was realTorres and Cindy Zhang-Torres. ly personal for me. I wanted this Her father, uncle and brother are all Eagle condition to receive more attention.’’

Scouts.Torres earned 38 merit badges and Both Eldert and Torres are now familiar qualified as an Eagle Scout with Silver Palm. with raising awareness for a cause.They said She’s a member of Hillsborough High’s they have enjoyed receiving local media atvarsity cheerleading and varsity tennis tention after their notable accomplishment. squads. She’s planning a career in medicine “I was on three different news stations and has her sights set on attending the and featured in the local newspapers,’’ Eldert University of Florida. said.“One of the camera guys told me,‘We Eldert, who graduated last summer from need to get you an agent.’ The attention Florida Virtual School, is seeking a bachelor’s opened my eyes and let me know that this degree in Media Communications from Full was kind of a big deal. I loved the attention Sail University. She’s the daughter of Tanya and it gave me an opportunity to talk about and Michael Eldert. Her father and uncle are my journey.’’

Eagle Scouts. Eldert, who earned 23 merit “I’ve had all sorts of interviewers — febadges, plans to own a marketing and male and male — the main reaction we’re graphic design business. getting is we have done something amazAs part of the Eagle Scout requirements, ing,’’ Torres said. “I think I’m starting to both Torres and Eldert had to earn at least understand the impact. It makes me realize 21 merit badges, take on leadership roles what we’re doing is important.’’

KUMQUAT, from page 1A wonderful theme parks that Florida offers.”

SCALED BACK, BUT STILL LOTS TO SEE AND DO

The event will showcase around 250 vendor booths — each spaced about 12 feet apart instead of side-by-side as in previous years.

Due to physical distancing requirements, organizers had to cut back on about of a third of vendor booths from prior years.

While forced to scale down overall, organizers felt it important to still put on the family friendly event for the community, Moors said.

“This year, we just really wanted to have an event because there isn’t a lot going on and so many things have been canceled and we just thought,‘Well, if we can do this safely, let’s just give it our very best shot and try to keep everybody safe,’” Moors said. “It’s going to be different, and maybe not as convenient as it has been in the past, but hopefully we have a successful day and a successful event, and then next year we’ll be back to something a little different, maybe a little more extensive.”

In the way of attendance prognostications, Moors acknowledged he’s “really not sure what to expect,” considering the date change and ongoing pandemic concerns.

Simply,“We’re hoping for a good event,” he said, then adding “the safety of our volunteers, attendees, our vendors is at the forefront.”

Moors asked those attending to exercise some patience:“We know it’s going to be a

little different and it’s not going to be the same, but come out and enjoy it, have some fun and take a deep breath, and we’ll all get through this together.”

Meanwhile, festival-goers also will have a chance to land a sneak preview of The Block, downtown Dade City’s newest event and entertainment center located at 14313 Seventh St. Walk-in tours of the facility will be offered, to let visitors check out the progress so far, with updates on the project’s brewhouse, CrossFit gym, wedding venue and other amenities.

The facility’s entrance corner will have an assortment of tents with a live band, and food and drinks during the Kumquat Festival, too.

While technically separate from the Kumquat Festival, Moors said having coinciding activities at The Block are “a fabulous addition” to festival day.

The Block is a new take on two existing buildings, totaling 21,000 square feet that run together with an outdoor patio with seats, tables and string lights hanging above.

The premises has an extensive history as a car dealership, going back for decades.

The renovated space, conceptualized by local real estate developer Larry Guilford, takes on some influences from the Tampa Heights neighborhood’s popular Armature Works.

The Block will include a wedding and event venue, outside bar, brewery, catering business, space for food trucks, CrossFit gym and more. It is slated to open this spring.

For more information about the Kumquat Festival, visit KumquatFestival.org, or call The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce at 352-567-3769.

SECURITY, from page 1A Besides discussing specific programs, the speakers fielded questions. One related to a perception by some that people receiving help might not truly need it, or are duping the system.

Esbjerg responded: “We need to be the voice for people who don’t have a voice. So many of our vulnerable citizens do not have a forum to have a voice.

“Let’s look at what the public narrative is.The public narrative is very quick to share about the people who have gamed the system.The people that are taking PPP (federal paycheck protection program) money, and buying Lamborghinis and yachts; the people that forged Publix memos so that they could get their rent paid — all of those kind of things.

“So, why are we not sharing the real need? The real true need of people? Why don’t they get as much time, if not more?

“The most important thing that we (program administrators) can do is make sure that we deliver our services effectively, efficiently and equitably — and we make sure they’re getting out to the right people, and the people that really need it,” Esbjerg said.

When it comes to ensuring an adequate supply of workforce housing and housing for the homeless, the government needs to intervene and subsidize, Esbjerg said.

It needs to encourage the development of workforce housing, she said. It also needs to help homeless people transition into stable housing.

A community needs a balance in its housing inventory, she said.

“Right now, Pasco County has a high percentage of single-family owner-occupied housing, it’s like 72% to 28% rental housing.

That’s not balanced,” she said.

“Rental housing doesn’t just affect lowincome people. It affects seniors downsizing. It affects millennials who saw their parents get burned by the housing market and they’re not willing to become new homeowners, at this point,” she said.

“We want a community that takes care of all members of the community,” she said, and that means having housing for those transitioning out of homelessness to marketrate million dollar homes, and everything in between.

RECOGNIZING REAL NEED

Bishop observed that there are real needs in the community and they must be recognized.

“Big buildings and equipment are great in business, but that’s not what makes business happen. It’s the people.We need to take care of our people, and understand that people that have challenges need assistance, and that’s a real thing.

“We went through a very rough time.

We’re still going through that right now.We’re all together. Divisiveness needs to stop,” he said.

Anderson said exposure to the struggle helps to build empathy.

“I think putting a face on homelessness, or those that are disenfranchised, is the best thing we can do. I think it leads to compassion and understanding,” he said.

Hoben and Esbjerg said the county is administering programs that provide rental

Need help?

Check these resources: • Pasco County: PascoCountyFl.net (Click on specific departments), or call Community Development, 727-834-3450; Community Services, 727-834-3287 • The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County: PascoHomelessCoalition.org, 727-842-8605 • Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.: PascoEDC.com, 813-926-0827

assistance, utility assistance, housing rehab and property tax assistance. Details about those programs are available on the county’s website.

In Pasco, Esbjerg said, housing costs are not the problem. Low wages are the big issue, she said.

“There are so many families that are costburdened, that are spending more than 30% of their income on housing,” she said.

Efforts are being made to improve that picture, Bishop said.The Pasco EDC and the county work to recruit companies that offer higher wages, he said. Plus, there are training programs, such as AMSkills, that aim to equip workers for better-paying jobs.

Anderson told listeners about the ALICE Report.The acronym stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

These are the people who don’t own property or have other assets, he said. They are working, but have little income.

Their housing requires a large percentage of their income — making them vulnerable to becoming homeless, he said.

“If there’s any silver lining to the COVID pandemic, it’s the monies that are coming down that allow us to address homelessness,” Anderson said.

Right now, Pasco is focused on a Housing Surge.

“The county commissioners, via community development and Marcy and her team, allotted the coalition $3.8 million over two years, to house 225 households in a span of months,”Anderson said.

The downside is the lack of available rental units.

To combat the lack of rental units, Anderson said,“We’ve asked the community, when you see a ‘For Rent’ sign, whether it’s a room, an apartment, a trailer, a house — we want you to take a picture with your cellphone, and we want you to send it to RentinPasco@gmail.com.”

Esbjerg believes the Housing Surge’s success will boost the overall quality of life in Pasco County.

“All too often we connect economic prosperity, or stability, with higher-paying jobs and more money,” she said.

But, she argues that stability of housing is critical to improving the overall quality of life.

When people have a home, she said, “they’re able to engage in the community and shop at the local stores, and things like that.”

Housing 30% of the county’s homeless will have a significant impact, she said.

“I think will be transformative for our community, for the individuals that experience it, and for quality of life as a whole — which will extend to positive economic outcomes for the entire community.

“You’ll be able to see the difference in our community,” Esbjerg predicted.

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March 24, 2021

9A

Community Sports Your Neighborhood Sports Source

Expansion plans unveiled for Zephyrhills tennis center

By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

T

he Sarah Vande Berg (SVB) Tennis & Wellness Center in Zephyrhills has sights on a major expansion to significantly enhance its tennis offerings and also establish a boarding program — all of which may run upwards of $20 million, when all is said and done.

The existing tennis center situated on 10 acres of land at 6585 Simons Road already has garnered much attention for its present slew of amenities, including: • 11 regulation-size outdoor tennis courts (nine clay surface, two hard surface) • Eight outdoor pickleball courts • Four outdoor padel courts • Outdoor multipurpose turf field • Nearly 8,000-square-foot indoor clubhouse, featuring a full-service restaurant/cafe, fitness center, salt room, yoga room, cryotherapy chamber and pro shop.

But, the center could be broadening its reach through an expansion that would be funded by a state appropriation, private investments and financing.

Preliminary details and various renderings were announced during a special presentation at the facility on Feb. 25.

Perhaps of greatest interest to the general public are proposals to nearly double its tennis offering by installing 10 more courts.

This would include six outdoor regulation hard surface tennis courts, plus a 30,000-square-foot multi-use indoor sports complex with room for four full-size tennis courts, as well as other athletic events, trade shows, banquets and ceremonies.

A nearly $4.7 million state appropriation for the slate of courts is being sponsored by state Sen. Danny Burgess, a Republican from Zephyrhills.

Besides helping to stimulate Pasco’s economy, the initiative would “provide access to low-income residents and children, as well as to provide athletic tournaments and events to east Pasco,” according to the state funding proposal.

If approved in the 2021 state budget, funding would become available around July, with expectations to begin construction by September or October, said Pascal Collard, the CEO of the SVB Tennis & Wellness Center.

Plans call for a half-dozen hard courts to be built on the northeast corner of the tennis center property, while the multi-use complex would be situated on another adjacent 10-acre tract of land southeast of Simons Road purchased by Collard and other private investors a few months ago.

Collard emphasized the need for the court additions during the presentation, citing the facility’s rampant demand since opening October 2020, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic: “We have days where there’s a waiting list. We have days where there’s not enough space on the parking lot.We are already too small.We are, literally.There are moments where we don’t have enough courts,” he said, during the special presentation on the proposed expansion.

Adding an indoor component is particu-

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THIS OUT

SAINT LEO’S PAIGE PATTERSON TAKES CONFERENCE CROWN

Saint Leo University women’s crosscountry runner Paige Patterson took first place last month at the 2021 Sunshine State Conference (SSC) Championships, at the Rinker Athletic Complex in West Palm Beach.

The junior from Edmonton, Alberta, clocked a 22:34.88 in the 6K race, besting the second-place finisher (Embry Riddle’s Alyssa Jack) by 8 seconds.

Patterson makes history as the program’s third runner to win an individual conference title, joining Colett Rampf and Tereza Novotna. Her first-place finish at the conference meet is the first for the Lions women’s distance runner since Rampf won in 2017 (which marked her fourth-straight crown).

FILE

COURTESY OF SARAH VANDE BERG TENNIS & WELLNESS CENTER

The Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center in Zephyrhills could be in store for a roughly $20 million expansion that calls for an international sports boarding program and a slew of indoor and outdoor tennis courts.

Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center CEO Pascal Collard

larly important, too, Collard said, noting, “sometimes it rains, sometimes it’s too warm for the kids” to play tennis and other sporting activities.

AN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS BOARDING PROGRAM?

Aside from further beefing up tennis offerings, Collard and other private investors are pursuing financing to establish an international residential sports academy and boarding program — similar to a scaleddown version Bradenton’s IMG Academy and Wesley Chapel’s Saddlebrook Preparatory School.

The concept calls for an assortment of phased-in student condos, dormitories and houses on the adjacent land tract that would eventually accommodate from 60 to 80 international students. That would be called the Sarah Vande Berg Learning Village.

A shared master plan rendering shows a dormitory building, 31 individual 1,500square-foot homes and a three-story condo building with nine two-bedroom units and nine one-bedroom units, with walkable or rideable connections to the present tennis center.

Renderings also show the learning village subdivision is slated to feature a community center, pool, park, playground, community garden, and pond and fountain, among other outdoor and recreational features.

Here’s how the sports academy would work: International and out-of-state students would train and reside at the tennis center properties, then get bussed to North Tampa Christian Academy in Wesley Chapel for a more traditional academic setting, Collard said.The academy also would offer training and development packages for youth golfers and soccer players, Collard said, through partnerships with Dade City’s Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club, and Florida Premier FC. Depending on the amount of amenities and programs (boarding, meals, sports training, academics), costs could run anywhere from $50,000 to $70,000 annually per visiting student, Collard said.

Meanwhile, he added, there will be opportunities for area-based youth to enroll in various portions of the sports academy, while still living at home. Various sports

COURTESY OF SARAH VANDE BERG TENNIS & WELLNESS CENTER

This rendering shows plans for an international sports academy boarding community on property adjacent to the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center, at 6585 Simons Road in Zephyrhills. The community would feature dormitories, apartments and housing for international and out-of-state students looking to enhance their athletic skills, in hopes of securing college scholarships or professional opportunities. The concept would be similar to Bradenton’s IMG Academy and Wesley Chapel’s Saddlebrook Preparatory School.

academy scholarships also will be made available for Zephyrhills area youth through the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Foundation, he said.

“This is going to enhance what we’re trying to do here for the kids,” Collard said.“We went to be special and different, and bringing some stuff to the table that nobody has, and that’s truly what we’re doing with everything.We want to create an atmosphere that kids are loving…”

Collard acknowledged the boarding program initiative is “not a done deal yet,” though he noted that multiple banks are interested in taking on the project.

Collard indicated initial investment for the boarding campus may be in the ballpark of $10 million to $15 million.

The proposed project also has an ambitious timeline.The idea is to open a portion of the boarding program in conjunction with the multi-use complex around September 2022, he said.

Benefits of the expansion, as outlined in the presentation, include: raising the city’s regional and national profile; additional tax revenue and increased property values (projected up to 15% or more); and, providing a valuable community resource; and, introducing a diverse international presence to Zephyrhills.

The existing $4.9 million Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center is a public-

private partnership between Collard and the City of Zephyrhills.The municipality owns the facility while Collard’s company,Tennis Pro Florida LLC, is tasked with management and day-to-day operations.

The facility is named after Sarah Vande Berg, a former Zephyrhills High School district champion and three-time state qualifier who died in an automobile accident in South Carolina at the age of 21, on Oct. 11, 2015, while a member of the University of South Carolina-Upstate women’s tennis team.

Collard and his team were responsible for leveraging connections and forging partnerships with individuals and organizations to bring aboard some of the facility’s splashier features — such as the salt room, cryotherapy, and restaurant.The city — with the help of a state appropriation and other impact fees — funded the tennis portion of the facility.

Collard brings a varied tennis background, having founded other academies in his native Belgium, and being a former tennis director at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel and The Merion Cricket Club, in Haverford, Pennsylvania.

His professional coaching resume includes working with several widely known international tennis pros, including Younes El Aynaoui and Dominique Monami, among others.

Championship stage!

Zephyrhills Christian Academy product Evan Miller, a junior at the University of South Carolina, recently qualified for the 2021 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships after earning a fourth-place finish in the 200-meter dash (20.93) at the SEC Indoor Championships last month. He also posted a personal-best 20.87 in the meet’s preliminary race.

Miller was surpassed only by Louisiana State University’s Terrance Laird (20.28), the University of Florida’s Joseph Fahnbulleh and the University of Kentucky’s Lance Lang in the conference’s 200-meter finals.

At the national championships on March 12 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Miller finished 13th in the 200-meter preliminary race, clocking 21.33.

Prior to the college ranks, the Zephyrhills native won the Class 1A

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COURTESY OF KYLE LOJACONO

School record reset COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

crown 100-meter dash (10.75) at the 2018 FHSAA State Track & Field Championships. He also was a member of Zephyrhills Christian’s 4x100 relay team that won back-to-back state crowns in 2017 and 2018.

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Wharton High School junior distance runner Brooke Reif recently broke her own school track record in the 3,200-meter run, clocking a 11:09 at the 48th annual Ram Invite at Sarasota Riverview High School. Reif previously had set the Wharton 2-mile record in a preseason run when she timed 11:18.38.

Reif is building off a strong cross-country season, where she placed 31st in the 4A state meet (20:04.2).

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March 24, 2021

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MARCH 24, 2021

Here’s a fish story for the ages Knowing Your History

By Doug Sanders Special to The Laker/Lutz News

H

ere’s a big fish story that has its origins in the year 1923.

The recounting of it begins with a visit to a house in San Antonio in 1974, to repair a ringer on a wall telephone.

Ken Zifer was assigned by Florida Telephone Company, at that time, to maintain the San Antonio 588 exchange.

“When I left his house to put my hand tools back in the truck, Mr.Walter Friebel followed me outside,” recalls Zifer, who now lives in Cleveland,Tennessee.

“Being an avid fisherman all my life and associated with Great Bass Fisherman, I asked him if he was doing any fishing in this neck of the woods,” said Zifer, who was 27 at the time that he made the telephone repair.

Friebel lived across the street from the San Antonio City Park and the St. Anthony Catholic School, so Zifer knew the house was not far from Clear Lake, in neighboring St. Leo. Friebel told Zifer that he had not been fishing for quite a long time.

Then he told Zifer:“I (once) was paddling the boat when my brother caught the World Record Bass.” Zifer asked:“Would you mind telling me about it?”

And that begins a look at a relatively unknown chapter in Pasco County history.

Born in Germany in 1893, Friebel’s brother, Frederick Joseph “Fritz” Friebel, had used only one fishing rod and reel, and he did not let Walter fish that day.

Fritz Friebel was a traveling salesman.

Francis Finn was 75 when he told the St. Petersburg Times in a 2005 story that his uncle Fritz was a generous man who would bring roller skates, baseball gloves, bats and balls for the kids to play with during the Great Depression.

Fritz Friebel was an avid angler, too, who lugged his tackle along with him, as he made his rounds across Florida, selling hardware.

Sources say he went fishing with a cou-

COURTESY OF JACK VOGEL

Will Plazewski, local historian and water clerk for the City of San Antonio, helped to obtain this photograph, which shows, from left: Matt Klassen, an unidentified man in the center, and Frederick Joseph ‘Fritz’ Friebel holding his record largemouth bass in 1923.

ple of friends at Big Fish Lake in 1923.

Online records with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) indicate his famous fish catch happened on a Saturday, May 19, 1923.

That wasn’t the way the fisherman recalled it, in a story published on Oct. 12, 1952, in The Tampa Tribune.

In that account, he said:“It was a Sunday morning when I should have been in church, and I had to call a grocer to open his store to get the fish weighed.”

Fritz Friebel had landed a 20-pound, 2ounce largemouth black bass that measured 31 inches long with a 27-inch girth.

According to Ken Duke’s story for ESPN

Sports on Aug. 7, 2009, Fritz Friebel used a Creek Chub No. 700 Straight Pike Minnow “to catch the giant fish.”

Five years later he was featured in a rod and reel catalog under the heading: “The Black Bass Record has been Broken, Not Cracked or Bent, but Crushed, Torn Apart and Split Wide Open.”

The catalog added this: “Gentlemen anglers all! Please leap to your feet and throw your hats into the air. Rah, Rah! To Mr. Friebel and his black bass!”

Onlookers in 1923 accused Fritz Friebel of cheating by adding pounds with lead sinkers in his fish.

But, the fisherman debunked that assertion.

“Friebel pulled out his pocketknife,” Duke writes,“slit the fish’s belly open and suggested that they reach inside to find out.”

Fritz Friebel was a no-nonsense angler.

As his daughter explained to ESPN Sports,“Daddy didn’t own a boat. He wore the worst-looking clothes because he often waded into water up to his armpits while fishing.”

After he made the catch, the big bass was put in a block of ice at the Knights hardware store for people to come by to see it.

According to the FWC’s website, Fritz Friebel’s catch in Pasco County “…was weighed on a postal scale and witnessed, but a (state) biologist did not document it at the time to establish an official record.”

In other words, it is the largest unofficial

Whoppers WORLD RECORD: George W. Perry, 1932, Lake Montgomery, Georgia, 22 pounds, 4 ounces FLORIDA RECORD: Uncertified Frederick Joseph “Fritz” Friebel, 1923, Big Fish Lake, Pasco County, 20 pounds, 2 ounces FLORIDA RECORD: Certified Billy O’ Berry, 1986, unnamed lake, Polk County, 17 pounds, 2 ounces

Source: Florida Trend Magazine

big bass landed in Florida.

ESPN Sports says it registers as the 11th largest largemouth black bass ever caught in the world.

For years, a wooden sign commemorating Fritz Friebel’s accomplishment has stood in San Antonio’s downtown park.

Most conservation-minded anglers release large fish because of their future spawning potential.

Not Fritz Friebel: He treated his family to a big fish dinner.

COURTESY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT COURTESY OF DOUG SANDERS

The family of Fritz Friebel had this new marker built and shipped to Florida, where new generations can read about the fishing legend in the San Antonio City Park.

Fritz Friebel reportedly caught his bass from Moody Lake north of San Antonio. He wanted to keep other fishermen ‘off the track’ from where he really was fishing at Big Fish Lake (pictured here) on the Barthle Brothers Ranch northwest of San Antonio.

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Michael Ereon caught his barred owl perched atop a couple of street signs in Lexington Oaks, in Wesley Chapel. Barred owls roost quietly in forest trees during the day, though they occasionally can be heard calling in daylight hours. At night they hunt small animals, especially rodents, and give an instantly recognizable ‘Who cooks for you?’ call.

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The Pet Peace of Mind program at Gulfside Hospice helps to support hospice patients and their pets through the end-oflife journey together. Special programs like these allow Gulfside to go the extra mile with compassionate care for the community.

With a goal to raise $5,000 for the Pet Peace of Mind program, Gulfside will host its first Virtual Pet Pageant. All pet owners and pet lovers are invited to enter their furry, feather, finned or fanged friends into this new contest to help hospice patients and their pets.

Winners will be announced online on April 11, National Pet Day. Prizes will be awarded to two winners in each category of furry, feathered, finned or fanged.

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Participants also can show support by casting a vote or making a donation.

TIME FOR A BAT CHECK

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding property owners to check their homes and other structures for bats.

Bat maternity season (when bats gather to give birth and raise their young) runs from April 15 to Aug. 15. During this time, it is illegal to block bats from their roosts.

If bats are excluded during maternity season, the flightless young can become trapped inside structures and die.

Now is the time to check your home for any entry points, ensure that no bats are present, and make any necessary repairs.

“It’s important for homeowners to know the signs that bats might be present in their home, and to know how to prevent them from taking up residence,” Terry Doonan, mammal conservation coordinator for the FWC, said in a news release.

“Remember, bats can enter through very tiny spaces, smaller than your thumb,” Doonan said.

Guidelines on how to safely exclude bats from buildings can be found at MyFWC.com/bats.

For information on how to conduct a bat exclusion, watch the video “How to Get Bats Out of a Building” on YouTube, or visit the Bat Conservation International website, at BatCon.org.

It is illegal to harm or kill bats in Florida, so guidelines have been developed to ensure bats are removed safely and effectively outside of the maternity season.

SHARE YOUR PET NEWS

If you have pet news about adoptions, walks or other events for pet owners and their pets, you can let us know by sending us an email. We just need the basics: who, what, when, where and why.

The information should be submitted two weeks prior to the desired publication date. We also need a contact name and number, in case we have questions.

There is no guarantee of publication, but we consider each item we receive.

If you’d like to make a submission, send it to news@lakerlutznews.com.

Readers can now find Pets of the Week and Local Wildlife photos on our website at LakerLutznews.com, under the Pets/Wildlife link.

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PET PAWS

Louis can be a loyal friend Louis is a gorgeous guy with a sweet, loving nature. This 4-year-old enjoys splashing in the water and plays well with other dogs. He is quite strong and could work on his leash manners, but he is eager to learn new skills. He's even practiced at the shelter’s obstacle course. Louis does have some health concerns that can be managed, and the Animal Services staff can go over them. Make an appointment to meet Louis.

COURTESY OF PATRICIA SERIO

A bit of comfort

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club personally donated and delivered 138 new dog blankets to All Creatures Animal Hospital in Lutz. The hospital will distribute the donations to local animal shelters. The blankets go a long way in helping to make shelter dogs more comfortable while awaiting adoption. Woman’s club members Dianne Finn and Marguerite Humet, left and right, deliver the blankets to an All Creatures staff member.

County transfers funds for park improvements The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report Pasco County has transferred funding from its engineering services division to its parts, recreation and natural resources division to pay for land needed for a roads project.

The transferred funds, totaling $329,500, will pay for park improvements at the Samuel W. Pasco Recreation Complex, to include new sidewalks and an Americans with Disabilities Act accessible parking expansion, and the Wesley Chapel District Park

Squeak is very curious Squeak is a beautiful girl with a sweet, funny personality. This 5-year-old is friendly and will come right up to you to be petted. She has lived in the Feline Freedom Room at the shelter with another cat and they got along fine. She likes to roll on her back and bat her toys around. If you're looking for a feline friend to keep you company and make you smile, schedule an appointment to meet Squeak.

If you would like to adopt Louis or Squeak, be sure to visit Pasco County Animal Services at 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’ Lakes. The adoption center is open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6:30 p.m. All adoption fees include spay/neuter, microchip and vaccines. For more information, email adoptionpartners@pascocountyfl.net.

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The Pasco County Commission approved transferring the funds from engineering services to parks and recreation to purchase 6.59 acres, which was previously part of the Wesley Chapel District Park.

The land was needed to accommodate a northbound off-ramp from Interstate 75 and to widen Overpass Road, between I-75 and Boyette Road.The land will be contained in the right of way of the road project. The cost for the land was $50,000 per acre.

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Veteran Army Specialist Stephen Peterson raises the flag in front of his new home, which was provided by Homes for Our Troops. Peterson was wounded in Afghanistan.

Army veteran gets a warm welcome to his new home The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report

Veteran Army Specialist Stephen Peterson received a warm welcome to his specially adapted custom home in Land O’ Lakes, on the morning of March 13.

The national nonprofit organization, Homes For Our Troops, donated the home to Peterson during a special key ceremony.

The custom home, at 24235 Hideout Trail, is adapted to meet Peterson’s needs.

The Army veteran was severely injured while serving in Afghanistan. He was riding in a vehicle on a route clearance mission when an improvised explosive device exploded directly under his seat, a news release said.

He immediately lost his right leg in the blast, and sustained fractured hips, a fractured

tailbone, and a traumatic brain injury.

His new home features more than 40 major special adaptations, such as widened doorways for wheelchair access, a roll-in shower, and kitchen amenities that include pull-down shelving and lowered countertops.

The home also is designed with hallways that are accessible for wheelchairs and with cabinets that are within reach.

Homes for Our Troops donated the house to Peterson, using contributions from donors, supports and corporate sponsors.

Those attending the ceremony in Land O’ Lakes were required to wear masks or facial coverings as a precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

To find out more about Homes for Our Troops, visit HFOTusa.org.

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From left: Stephen Peterson and his wife Brittany, U.S. Congressman Gus Bilirakis and Homes for our Troops President/CEO Tom Landwermeyer.

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What’s Cookin’ Celebrate women’s history month — with a cookie

By Shari Bresin Special to The Laker/Lutz News

You may have already heard that a woman invented the recipe for the ever-popular chocolate chip cookie, but have you ever heard the back story?

Well, since it’s Women’s History Month, it seems an opportune time to share it — while at the same time celebrating women’s achievements in the arenas of food science, food safety, food technology — and myriad accomplishments in other fields, too.

The story of the chocolate cookie begins in the 1930s, when Ruth Graves Wakefield and her husband, Kenneth, ran the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts.

Ruth was in charge of making meals for the guests, and she quickly became wellknown for her impressive baking skills. In fact, travelers came from all over New England to enjoy her bakery items.

Her go-to dessert to serve was chocolate butter drop do cookies, a popular recipe from colonial times.

On one particular day, in 1938, she went to bake them, as she normally would.

It’s not entirely clear what happened next.

One story says that Ruth lacked the baker’s chocolate she needed, so she took a piece of a Nestle semi-sweet chocolate bar and used an ice pick to chip off pieces

of chocolate into the batter, thinking they would blend throughout the cookie dough and melt.

Of course, they held their shape — turning gooey and soft instead.

Another story says it wasn’t baker’s chocolate that she was lacking, it was nuts.

So, instead of serving plain butter drop do cookies, she decided to add pieces of chocolate to substitute for the nuts.

There’s another theory, too — that one says that Ruth planned to make the chocolate chip cookies all along.

After all, she did have a degree in household arts, and worked as a food lecturer and dietitian.

Some say she had been experimenting with new desserts with a friend, Sue Brides, and that the cookies were a result of her meticulous recipe development.

Whatever the case, the new cookies became a guest favorite.

She called them Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookies, and regularly made them for visitors.

Their popularity grew throughout the Northeast.

She had originally published a recipe book in 1931; she added the chocolate chip cookie recipe in a 1939 reprint edition.

The recipe was then featured in the Boston Herald, and was later promoted on the radio show “Famous Foods from Famous Eating Places,” hosted by the brand character Betty Crocker, according to the New York Times.

IT DOESN’T MAAT ATTER

After that radio show, the cookies became nationally known.

Nestle’s sale of chocolate bars skyrocketed.

Ruth sold the rights to Nestle to print her recipe, in 1939, and the company later hired her to be a consultant on future recipes.

It’s said the best perk of her job was free chocolate for life.

Nestle also started selling “chocolate morsels” — commonly called chocolate chips — that same year.

The company printed the recipe for the cookies on the back of its packaging.

In fact, that’s where you can still find it today — with a few changes to make it current.

Ruth and her husband sold the Toll House Inn in 1966.

The inn caught fire in 1984 — a sad ending to a place where culinary history had been made.

Still, the name lives on, through the recipe for a cookie that’s become a favorite for many.

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

Recipe and cookie image courtesy of NESTLÉ®. NESTLÉ® NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® are trademarks of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Vevey, Switzerland.

The chocolate chip cookie, originated

by Ruth Graves Wakefield, had its start in New England, during the 1930s.

Original NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 large eggs 2 cups (12-ounce package) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels 1 cup chopped nuts (Optional. If omitting, add 1 to 2 Tbsp. of all-purpose flour.)

Directions Step 1: Preheat oven to 375° F. Step 2: Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

Step 3: Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

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HOSPITAL CELEBRATES 40 YEARS

Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, a Level II Trauma Center, celebrates its 40th anniversary on March 23, in recognition of its historical beginning and contributions to the community.

The Pasco County Commission on March 9 presented the hospital with a proclamation in appreciation of its four decades of service.

More than 82,000 patients yearly arrive from the West Suncoast, Nature Coast, and across the nation to receive superior care at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, a facility that is connected to the nation’s leading health care system, HCA Healthcare, according to a news release.

“Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has been providing exceedingly excellent and exceptional service for the past 40 years, with constantly evolving cutting-edge technology and progressively improving world-class patient care,” said Dr. Rao Musunuru, who has served as chairperson of the hospital’s Board of Trustees multiple times over the past 40 years and was instrumental in establishing the nationally acclaimed heart institute, in the release.

COMFORT FOR THOSE IN NEED

Three members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club — Dolores Tarafa, Debbie Cardona and Dee Knerr — designed and fabricated “fidget” lap blankets for patients at the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home Memory Unit in Land O’ Lakes.

The women did some research and learned that this type of blanket is a very helpful tool in calming the anxiety of dementia patients.

Many hours of sewing and handcrafting went into each piece, and 10 blankets were delivered to the nursing home facility’s activities director, Johanna Snee.

For information on the club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org or its Facebook page.

INCONTINENCE HEALTH TALK

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Florida’s Poison Control Centers kicked off National Poison Prevention Week (March 21 to March 27) by educating the public on learning how to prevent and respond to a poisoning emergency.

In 2020, Florida’s Poison Control Centers handled 224,592 incoming calls, including 117,409 that were reported as known or possible exposure to potentially toxic substances (drugs, chemicals, bites/stings, food poisoning, and more).Thirty-eight percent of the calls involved children under the age of 6, and 86% of those who called with poison emergencies from home were managed safely at home without the need for an emergency room facility visit, according to a news release.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers has online events scheduled for the week.

Upcoming events include: • March 25 at 1 p.m.:Tox Talk – When Life Happens, for adults • March 26 at 1 p.m.: Virtual Escape Room, for teens and adults More information can be found on Florida’s Poison Control Centers’ Facebook page.

OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

AdventHealth Zephyrhills and AdventHealth Dade City will host a virtual health talk on “Fecal Incontinence:Tools to Regain Control” on April 6 at noon.

The guest speaker will be Dr. Sudhir Kalaskar, fellowship-trained colorectal surgeon.

Participants can view the talk on the hospitals’ Facebook pages.

For information and to register, call 877534-3108, or visit AHZephyrhills.com.

BALANCE CLASSES

Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in collaboration with CARES (Community Aging and Retirement Services) will present a Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls class, every Tuesday and Thursday, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., for four weeks, from April 6 through April 19.

The classes will take place at the Musunuru Senior Center, 12417 Clock Tower Parkway in Hudson.

The eight, two-hour sessions use group discussion, problem-solving strategies, videos and gentle physical exercise. Older adults can learn positive coping methods to reduce the fear of falling, and remain active and independent.

Class size is limited and reservations are required.

All participants will be screened prior to entry and must follow CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines.

Those interested should plan to attend all eight sessions.

For information and to register, call 727869-5498.

PEDAL FOR PREVENTION

The Alliance for Healthy Communities will host “Pedal for Prevention” on April 10 from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Starkey Park Bike Trail, Shelter No. 5, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., in New Port Richey.

The event will help to prevent substance abuse, promote recovery, and educate Pasco County youth.

Participants can bike, walk or run. All fitness levels can attend.

The cost for adults is $25. Kids age 17 and younger are free.

Three start times will be available to keep the event socially distanced. Participants can select a preferred time when they register.

Registration is online at EventBrite.com.

For information, email Eve.Hosley@baycare.org.

GULFSIDE BENEFIT FESTIVAL

The Charity Festival of Arts is planned for April 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., to benefit Gulfside Hospice.

The event will feature a local talent showcase and art competition for all ages, along with vendors, exhibits and kids’ activities.

Applications for talent and art are due by April 9.

Entry forms and vendor information are available at CharityFestivalOfArts.org, or by contacting Leesa Fryer at 727-845-5707.

LOCAL HOSPITALS RECOGNIZED

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Zephyrhills are the only Tampa Bay hospitals to achieve Healthgrades’ 2021 America’s 250 Best Hospitals Award, according to a news release.

The distinction places the two hospitals in the top 5% of nearly 4,500 hospitals assessed across the United States for superior clinical performance, according to Healthgrades.

"Patient safety and high quality of care continues to be our priority and we are honored to receive this recognition, said Erik Wangsness, president and CEO,AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, in the release.

“This award is a testament to the hard work of our physicians and team members who are committed to keeping our patients safe during the COVID-19 pandemic and each and every day,”Wangsness said.

During the 2021 Healthgrades study period, these facilities showcased superior performance in clinical outcomes for patients who suffer heart attacks, stroke, heart failure and sepsis.

“Clinical excellence is at the core of our care and this distinction highlights our ongoing commitment to provide our expertise to every patient, every time,” said Amanda Maggard, president and CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills and AdventHealth Dade City.

“This prestigious honor celebrates the dedication of our teams who continue to go above and beyond to ensure our communities are receiving the best care possible and experiencing better outcomes,” said Maggard.

To learn more about how Healthgrades determines award recipients, and for more information on Healthgrades Quality Solutions, visit HealthGrades.com/quality.

cations made in the state during February of 2021. To see the full report, visit TopAgency.com/report/business-application-report/.

COURT RULING LOWERS HILLSBOROUGH’S SALES TAX

Send business news to news@lakerlutznews.com

NEW CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

Darren Ghanayem has joined the team at Gulfside Healthcare Services as chief information officer.

In this new posi- Darren Ghanayem tion, Ghanayem will oversee the design, development, maintenance and reliable operation of efficient and innovative technology solutions for the organization. He will be charged with continually seeking opportunities for improvement, automation and insights to enable the business success by providing provide quality patient care, according to a news release.

“I’m passionate about leveraging technology solutions to improve business results and performance. Doing this with a mission around providing a valuable service to society is icing on the cake,” Ghanayem said, in the release.

BOARD APPOINTMENTS CONFIRMED

The Pasco County Commission confirmed these appointments to various boards during its March 9 meeting.

• Appointed Hope Kennedy to the Pasco-Hernando Workforce Board • Appointed Turner Arbour to the PascoHernando Workforce Board • Reappointed Mike Davis, Linda Mather, Ralph Acton, Kurt Conover, Jay Michlin and Les Stearns to the Jobs and Economic Opportunity Committee • Approved the appointment of Brenton Basinger and Alex Quinn to the Jobs and Economic Opportunities Committee

BECOME A HART REGISTERED VENDOR

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) is hosting a virtual small business forum on March 25 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., to educate businesses about potential HART opportunities. HART procurement staff will share how to become a registered vendor and offer information about free small business certifications. To register, email DBE@GoHART.org. For more information about HART and TECO Line Streetcar service, visit GoHART.org.

FLORIDA LEADING IN BUSINESS CREATION

A TOP Data study reveals that job losses and a changing business environment have contributed to a record-breaking number of Americans setting up a business since the onset of the pandemic.TOP Data’s study analyzed new business applications across the nation and found that Floridians are at the front of the list, with 50,972 business appli-

The Florida Supreme Court has struck down a 1% discretionary sales surtax, adopted through a ballot initiative of Hillsborough County voters.

As a result, the combined sales tax in Hillsborough County is now 7.5%.

The revised combined 7.5% rate is composed of the 6% state sales tax plus the 0.5% school capital outlay surtax, the 0.5% indigent care surtax, and the 0.5% local government infrastructure surtax.

The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce circulated information about the change, to keep its members up to date.

GLAMOROUS KITCHENS & BATHS

Glamorous Kitchens & Bath Inc. and Matlock Custom Homes Inc., held a ribboncutting and grand opening celebration on March 16, at 16921 Gunn Highway, to celebrate the full-service home remodeling company. Its staff includes architects, designers and craftsmen, supported by production, procurement and service personnel.

VIRTUAL VETERANS JOB FAIR

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis will host a virtual job fair for veterans, guard and reserve members, and military spouses from March 30 through April 1.To find out how to register and for any other information, contact Bilirakis’ office at 727-232-2921.

Own Yo Your Ho ome For Just $865/mon nth FUN 55+ SENIOR COMMU UNITY!

BEAUTIFUL UPDAT ATED HOMES AMENITIES: Heated swimming pool, shuffleboard, horseshhoe pits,, clubhouse ZEPHYRHILLS: Close to shopping,, restaurants,, medical facilitiess & 20 minutes to Ta Tampa PLANNED SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: Dinners, dancing,, bingo & entertainment FINANCING A AV VA V AILABLE

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FREE BUSINESS PLAN WEBINARS

Pasco-Hernando SCORE is offering these free business webinars: • April 12, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: How to Start a Business.This will cover key issues for starting a business, including finding good people, structuring the business, understanding cash flow, finding the money and creating a business plan. Mike Lewis, a Pasco-Hernando SCORE member will present the webinar.

• April 20, from noon to 1 p.m.: Learn about the Business Model Canvas, which provides an easier way to develop a business plan.This webinar teaches participants how to visualize in a single page all the building blocks of your business plan and still follow a detailed and rigorous process.

This webinar is being presented by Jose Melgar, a Pasco-Hernando SCORE member.

To register for these webinars and to find out about other resources available through Pasco-Hernando SCORE, visit PascoHernando.score.org.

4627 FLAMINGO DR – $29,500 – PRICCED TO SELL Make an offer! 2/2 corner lot witth enclosed Fl room, 2 carports and storage shed.

0

PRICE REDUCED TO $27,00

5103 FISHER – $8,5000 – Large 1 bedroom, 1 bath.

Screen room, 2 sheds, 2 window a/c.

new windows and vinyl floors. Beautiful kitchen, unique counter and new appliances.

5147 IDYLL – $32,0000 – 2/2 double wide newly remodeled New appliances a and New central AC, all new floorrs bathrooms and Kitchen, plumbingg and water heater.

36006 State Road 54 541 Zephyrhills, FL 335 9 (813) 782-3259 hp.com manager@palmtreemh com www.palmtreemhp.c

5 & Dean Dairy Road State Road 54 5028 Fisher St • Zephyrhills, FL 33542 3) 782-1189 (813 sunnysidemhp.com manager@s nnysidemhp.com www.sun

4833 SANDPIPER LANE – $27,500 OBO – 2/2 with

GROWPASCO OFFERS BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Kevin Harrington, a Shark Tank original, is the keynote speaker at GrowPasco, a daylong event offering 12 breakout sessions for entrepreneurs and executives.The registration fee for the event is $40 per person, with a $20 per person rate for Pasco businesses and residents.The event will be on May 8, at Hyatt Place Tampa Wesley Chapel, at 26000 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz.To register, go to PascoEDC.com.

Sign up to be a volunteer, e and start making a difference today!

Current V Voolunteer Opportunnities: • Patient & Caregiver TTeelephone Support • Providing Respite/ Breaks for caregivers • Light Housekkeeeping COURTESY OF TIDAL WAVE AUTO SPA

Second Tidal Wave opens

Tidal Wave Auto Spa has opened at 2209 Sun Vista Drive, next to the Costco, in the Cypress Creek Town Center, off State Road 56. This is Tidal Wave’s second location in Lutz. The company has been washing cars since 2004, according to a company news release. It now has 62 locations in nine states. The company offers customers an Unlimited Wash Club Plan, allowing customers to visit as often as they like for a monthly rate.

• Ve Veteran-to-V Veeteran • Arts & Crafts Program • Music Support • Running Errands

• Administrative Support • Thrift Shoppes Support • & More

New volunteers ages 15+ are always welcome. TTeeens can earn community service hours for scholarships. Gulfside's team will work with your schedule and preferences so that you can volunteer the best way that suits you.

Learn More: Gulfside.org | 727-845-5707

www.LakerLutzNews.com

March 24, 2021

7B

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GENERAL EMPLOYMENT

Immediate HIRE!

Work for the FDVAGreat Benefits!!

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PART TIME & FULL TIME POSITIONS Professional House Cleaner to join our friendly cleaning company, serving Land O' Lakes, Lutz, Wesley Chapel & New Tampa.

••• Must have Prior experience, be reliable, & having own transportation is a MUST!

FDVA-BALDOMERO LOPEZ STATE VETERANS’ NURSING HOME 6919 PARKWAY BLVD. LAND O’ LAKES, FL 34639

Call Linda at 813-263-7966

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minerals and other oil & gas interests. Send

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Sr. CNA: full time, Position #50000136

Denver, Co 80201

OPS SLPN: part time, Position 50506025

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OPS RN: part time, Position #50506019

MANUFACTURED HOMES

OPS FOOD CONTROL SPECIALIST: part time, Position # 50509451 FOOD SUPPORT WORKER: full time, Position # 50000146

New and Used homes available in Arbor Oaks, a 55+ community located in beautiful Zephyrhills.

Limited Time 50% lot rent for 1 year with new home purchase Newby Realty 941-479-2849

Pre-employment level 2 background check and drug testing Good communication skill and computer skills a must Apply at https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com Reference position number EEO/AAE/E-VERIFY FOR SALE

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Fictitious name notice? Job to post? Room for rent?

Obituary? Garage or yard sale?

Get the word out in The Laker/Lutz News!

Call 813-909-2800

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details to P.O. Box 13557,

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