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APRIL 16, 2014
Can mall save room for Wesley Chapel name?
By Michael Hinman mhinman@lakerlutznews.com
Now that developers of a proposed outlet mall just off Interstate 75 took a big step forward last week with revised site plans for their 57-acre project, one question remains on the minds of local businesses: Will the new mall include “Wesley Chapel” in its name? “I think on one hand, we would love to have our local identity,” said John Hagen, president and chief executive of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc. “We would love to see that be more prominent, but we also benefit from our association with Tampa and Tampa Bay. It’s a mixed bag, but I see both things.” Simon Property Group, part of the devel-
opment team that’s officially JG Cypress Creek LLC and Tampa Premium Outlets LLC, have named the project on Wesley Chapel Boulevard and State Road 56 “Cypress Creek Town Center Premium Outlets Mall.” However, it’s unclear whether that name is just a working title, or if that is a final decision. A request for comment from Simon about the name was still pending when The Laker/Lutz News went to press. Wesley Chapel might be part of the greater Tampa Bay area, but the community has long sought its own identity, and has pushed hard for businesses — especially high-profile ones — to include “Wesley Chapel” in names, and not “Tampa.” See MALL, page 14
FILE PHOTO
Plans for Tampa Premium Outlets Mall call for nine buildings with 482,000 square feet of retail. It would be the first of seven phases on 57 acres of land off Wesley Chapel Boulevard and State Road 56.
Preparations abound for area Easter celebrations By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
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One will have food trucks, while another is encouraging carpooling. One plans a lakeside “Sonrise” service, while another will have water baptisms following its early morning services. And those are just a few of the variations on the theme of Easter expressed through planned celebrations at area churches. Exciting Idlewild Baptist Church has five celebrations planned this Easter, including food trucks on April 19 and special performances by the orchestra and choir the next day, on Easter morning. The church’s website poses the question: “Hunting for something more this Easter?”And then it answers that query with an invitation to come and discover more at the Lutz megachurch at 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd. The church plans “to celebrate the glorious meaning of the Resurrection” with services set for 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on April 19, its website says. Food trucks will be there from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., that day for anyone who wants to grab a bite to eat. On Easter morning, services are planned
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at 8, 9:30 and 11, with the orchestra and choir prompting worship. Breakfast treats will be available and photographers will take free family photos in the Gatheria, the church’s large gathering space, following
each service. Mike Holm, a minister who lives in Zephyrhills but who leads a church in Lutz, See EASTER, page 14
Holocaust survivor shares his story at Land O’ Lakes High By B.C. Manion
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF FLORIDA HOSPITAL ZEPHYRHILLS
Mike Holm releases a dove at a sunrise service at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. Holm lives in Zephyrhills, but leads a church that’s located in Lutz.
As the speaker wrapped up his talk, Land O’ Lakes High School students streamed down to the front of the auditorium to shake his hand and pose with him for photos. They wanted a personal encounter with Philip Gans, a man who survived the horrors of the Holocaust during World War II. Gans was at the high school to share his story, so others won’t forget the atrocities
committed by the Nazis. “Your children will never have a chance to see a concentration camp survivor,” Gans said, speaking to teachers and students from U.S. history, world history and several other classes. Social studies teacher Whitney Miller arranged the visit, saying it’s important for students to use the most primary source of information they can receive. See HOLOCAUST, page 14
COURTESY OF WHITNEY MILLER
Philip Gans described the horrors of the Holocaust to several classes at Land O’ Lakes High School. He urged students to erase hate and to avoid being bystanders when others are doing wrong.