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SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Vision still needed for sports complex By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Pasco County commissioners were introduced to a study that recommends building a multi-use indoor sports complex on parkland near The Shops at Wiregrass. But a more in-depth review between the Tourism Development Council and the commissioners will have to wait for a public workshop slated for late October or
early November. At the Sept. 22 commissioners’ meeting, Charlie Johnson, president of Chicago-based Johnson Consulting Co., spent a few minutes going over the firm’s report, officially released in August. “Economically, you’re healthy,” Johnson told commissioners. “I think it’s (indoor facility) very positive and trends are very supportive of this.” In addition to the indoor complex, ball
fields also would be built outdoors, but the focus, at least initially, would be on such indoor sports as volleyball, basketball, wrestling, cheerleading and martial arts. Johnson cited facilities in Round Rock, Texas, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as examples of municipalities with successful indoor facilities. The Porter family donated more than 200 See COMPLEX, page 11A
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Reaching out to help a friend By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
They are unlikely friends. She is 63 and he is 24. She lives in New Tampa, and he lives in Roatan, Honduras. But Sally Hillman and William BrownSantos have a friendship that transcends their ages and backgrounds, and now, Hillman is trying to help her friend. Hillman and her husband, Dave, met Brown-Santos about seven years ago when the couple was taking a shore excursion off a cruise ship at the port of Roatan, Honduras. They had visited a park to see the monkeys and parrots, and Brown-Santos was their tour guide. Hillman felt an instant connection. “He was so pleasant, and knowledgeable and funny,” she said. At the end of the tour, Hillman approached Brown-Santos to let him know she would like to stay in touch. He gave her his contact information, but since he’s in the habit of shortening his last name to Brown, the letter she sent didn’t reach him. About six months later, Hillman and her husband made the same cruise, this time taking the trip with her son and his friend. While there, she overheard BrownSantos’ voice, and they reconnected. This
B.C. MANION/STAFF PHOTO
Sally Hillman and William Brown-Santos pose behind Hillman’s New Tampa residence. Hillman is trying to help Brown-Santos find treatment to restore as much movement as possible to his right arm and hand.
Want to help?
Go to William’s Recovery Fund at GoFundMe.com/mj3g9k7h.
time, the connection stuck. They began corresponding, then texting and sending messages via Facebook. A couple of years later, Hillman went to Honduras again, this time with her daughter. They had the chance to spend time with
Brown-Santos’ family. All along, Hillman felt that Brown-Santos had been put in her life for a reason. Then, on Feb. 9, she received a frantic call from Brown-Santos’ mother. He had been driving his motorcycle at a high rate of speed, had skirted around a car parked on a curb, and ran head-on into a motorcyclist. At the scene, he was choking on his own blood, until a friend intervened. See FRIEND, page 11A
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Many people call it Halloween. For others, it’s a fall festival. Whatever you call it, it’s a time for special events and things to do in your area. Some are a bit frightening and geared toward adults. Others are fun and feature activities for children. There might be games, treats and maybe a few scares, but there’s something for everyone. And while Halloween is at the end of October, many events start much sooner. You have a whole month to find fun activities for the entire family. Here’s a rundown of treats (no tricks) happening this month:
categories for best dressed scarecrow, cutest scarecrow and scariest scarecrow. So you can make one and be one at this event. The Scarecrow Festival runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is $5 with children younger than five years old admitted free. For more information, call (352) 567-0262, or visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org. Mr. Tommy’s Halloween Special at The Shops At Wiregrass. The Shops at Wiregrass, at 28211 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel, has a Halloween theme for its regular Kids Club event. On Oct. 28, it will have a “Princess & Pirate Party” at its parking structure. There will be bounce houses, a photo booth, cookie decorating and a costume parade. It’s a quick event, but a good way to take in a family-oriented celebration on a weekday morning. Mr. Tommy’s Halloween Special runs from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. For more information and to join the free Kids Club, call (813) 994-2242, or visit TheShopsAtWiregrass.com.
Fall Family Festival at Saint Leo University. The university, 33701 State Road 52, will host a number of activities Oct. 9 through Oct. 11. There are free and low-cost athletic events, like volleyball and soccer. But the real treats start Oct. 10 at 11 a.m., when Saint Leo will host a free fair at The Bowl area (behind the Student Community Center) with plenty of Family Friendly Fun Day at family-oriented things to do. Children COURTESY OF CLOUD 9 STUDIOS Cobb Theatres. If you want to celecan enjoy an animal show, petting brate on Halloween without making a zoo, water races, a swing ride and Even the entertainers and staff at The Shops at Wiregrass get into the Halloween spirit at Mr. Tommy’s Halloween late night of it, consider the event at other activities. It runs until 3 p.m. Cobb Theatres Grove 16, at 6333 Another fun event takes place on Special. From top, Tommy Girvin (Mr. Tommy), Sarah campus Oct. 10 at 9:30 p.m. There Rasheid, Debbie Detweiler, Cyndi Clausen, Dani Maree Wesley Grove Blvd. in Wesley Chapel. will be a fireworks grand finale at The Stoughtenger and Emily Setz show off their costumes. Cobb is hosting a Family Friendly Fun Bowl to cap off a weekend of events. Day on Oct. 31 from 3 p.m. until 6 And it’s free to attend. p.m. Technically, the last event occurs Oct. 11 Children are encouraged to wear cosCrafts, community booths and food venat 11 a.m., also at The Bowl. The university dors will be on hand, but there’s a lot more tumes (no masks) and enjoy treats, prizes will host a 5K walk/run to benefit the Make- to the Scarecrow Festival than that. Like and games. And for those with a Halloween A-Wish foundation. making scarecrows, for example. For $3, hunger, the CineBistro, located upstairs, will For more information about the race and children can use hay and clothing, provided have a special holiday-themed menu. a list of events for the Family Fall Festival, by the museum, to make a scarecrow to For more information, call (813) 948visit SaintLeo.edu/FallFamily. 5444, or visit CobbTheatres.com. take home. There will also be a Touch-a-Truck area, Scarecrow Festival at Florida where children can climb on firetrucks and Fall Festival at The Grove. The Grove, Pioneer Museum. The museum, 15602 TECO trucks, and see police and sheriff’s 6105 Wesley Grove Blvd. in Wesley Chapel, Pioneer Museum Road, hosts this scarecrow- cars, and ambulances. A petting zoo, train has a full weekend of activities scheduled themed event on Oct. 10 for the third year rides, face painting, obstacle course and for Oct. 10 and Oct. 11. Live music, arts and in a row, after taking it over from games with prizes are all part of the event, crafts and free outdoor movies make up just part of the schedule. Downtown Dade City Main Street. too. Children’s activities include face painting Thousands of people attend each October, But since this is the Scarecrow Festival, and they expect this year’s event to be no do you need more scarecrows? How about See HALLOWEEN, page 11A different. a scarecrow costume contest? There will be