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Pasco eyeing vacation rental rules

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

Pasco County is looking to tweak its vacation rental rules, to make them more applicable to today’s times.

The issue came up during the public comment portion of the Pasco County Commission’s May 18 meeting.

Nancy Thrower, who lives in Hudson,

asked the board to amend the county’s ordinance that governs vacation rentals.

“I’m here today to request that you begin the process to amend the current Pasco County ordinance governing vacation rentals.

“As you know, the current Pasco County vacation rental ordinance, enacted way back in 1999, restricts vacation rentals to 30 days or more, unless community owners file a pe-

tition with 51% owner support to change the minimum to six days instead,”Thrower said.

“It would be to our whole county’s benefit to update this ordinance, as soon as possible, because right now, Pasco County is losing out on much-needed revenue.

“It is out of reach financially for most See VACATION, page 9A

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A riderless horse, with boots facing backward in the stirrups, is a traditional part of a ceremony held each year to remember law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. PSO volunteer Mary Findlay, the horse’s owner, walks on the horse’s left. In the forefront is Hernando County Deputy Tony Musto.

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Patriotism was on full display at the annual Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial ceremony on the grounds of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, along with several other area law enforcement agencies, on May 14 honored the life and sacrifice of law enforcement officers lost in the line of duty, as well as those who died of natural causes on the way to or from their jobs, during National Police Week.

The event was held on the grounds of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, according to the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page. Fallen officers were honored throughout the day on the agency’s social media sites.

The sheriff’s office was joined at the me-

morial event by Dade City Police, Zephyrhills Police, New Port Richey Police, the Florida Highway Patrol and Tarpon Springs Police.

A number of community leaders and elected leaders were in attendance, including Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, State Sen. Danny Burgess and Pasco County NAACP President Clyde Carter, who offered the invocation for the event, according to the Facebook post.

The event also featured significant traditions, including the appearance of a riderless horse and a gun salute.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis also recognized the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers by sharing information about those contri-

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Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore expressed optimism about the county’s tourism future, given amenities such as the 98,000-square-foot Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, in Wesley Chapel.

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Tourism is ramping up in Pasco County and considerable roadwork is underway, too, to make it easier for motorists to get around.

Those were the main messages delivered

by Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore at a meeting of the East Pasco Networking Group.

Moore, chairman of the Pasco County Tourist Development Council, described how well the 98,000-square-foot Wiregrass Sports Campus of Pasco County has been performing, even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The sports complex, at 3211 Lajuana Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, has been attracting youth and amateur sporting events year-round since its August 2020 opening.

The indoor space can accommodate up to 17 different sports — including basketball, volleyball and cheerleading, or pickleball, futsal, wrestling, mixed martial arts, karate and others.

This widespread flexibility has seemingly

By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

been put to good use, with weekdays set aside for residents and weekends generally reserved for large-scale tournaments that can become family affairs, as parents and siblings road trip together.

Moore observed the complex is “constantly full.”

“Every single weekend there is a tournament there where people are coming from somewhere else,” he said.“There’s weekends where we get over 2,000 room nights for those tournaments. So, what happens?

Hoteliers are obviously happy, supplying those jobs for our hotels. Those small businesses, restaurants, retail, gas pumps - everybody’s benefiting when you bring those people here.”

Moore also pointed to AdventHealth Center Ice, which has continued to be a major draw since opening in January 2017, at 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

At 150,000 square feet, it’s the largest ice sports facility in the southeastern United

As efforts continue to lessen stigma and discrimination regarding mental illness — the challenges have become even greater during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even so, there are ways to strengthen awareness and improve access to treatment and counseling for troubled youth and adults, according to Sativa Fisher, a social worker for the Hernando County School District.

Fisher was a featured guest speaker during an April 27 virtual social services event hosted by Saint Leo University’s East Pasco Education Center.

Her talk was part of a speaker series for students and prospective students interested in “helping careers.”

Topics for the free online series were selected with the goal of having broad appeal to those interested in social work, education, criminal justice, psychology, and human services.

Fisher’s presentation focused on her work, the prevalence of youth mental health issues and the function of social workers in the public school setting.

The social worker emphasized just how “widely underestimated” mental illness is in the United States, particularly among teens and high school students.

She cited these statistics and figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s 2019 Youth Risk

See TOURISM, page 9A

See YOUTH, page 9A

Pasco seeing tourism gains, road improvements kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

(813) 365-355 52

butions in a news release.

“According to Officer Down Memorial, there have been 124 police officers killed in the line of duty since January of this year,” Bilirakis said, in the release.

“Tragically, two of them have been my constituents: Deputy Michael Magli of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and Master Patrol Officer Jesse Madsen of the Tampa Police Department. I went to the funeral services of these two heroes, and shared the anguish of their grieving families and colleagues.These fallen heroes leave behind a distinguished legacy of service and sacrifice that deserves to be honored,” Bilirakis added.

Growth pressures being felt on Old Pasco Road

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

The Pasco County Commission voted last week to continue a hearing on a rezoning request by Victorious Life Assembly of God Inc., for a 122-unit subdivision off Old Pasco Road, 250 feet south of Overpass Road.

The application — which was accompanied by a request to deviate from some of the county’s land development code — received pushback from county board members.

Commissioner Mike Moore made a motion to continue the hearing until June 8, after technical problems made it impossible for commissioners to understand what the applicant’s representatives were saying — as they attempted to participate remotely.

Moore said he didn’t understand why the developer’s representatives were not present at the meeting, since in-person appearances are no longer prohibited due to concerns about COVID-19.

“I think this item should be continued until we can have the applicant sitting

right in front of us, so we can go back and forth and have a conversation, because right now, we can’t,” Moore said.

Moore’s remarks followed testimony by a woman who spoke on behalf of her son who lives near the proposed rezoning.

“I think we need to put the brakes on this project, at least until we get that red light and get the infrastructure done,” the speaker said.

She pointed to a new industrial park project that is being built near the proposed subdivision, plus the ongoing construction of a new interchange to Interstate 75, at Overpass Road.

Both projects are creating a significant amount of construction traffic, she said.

And, that’s on top of traffic created by Cypress Creek High School, Cypress Creek Middle School, she said. Plus, PascoHernando State College now has a new Instructional Performing Arts Center on the road, she added.

Moore agreed that the two-lane Old Pasco Road is being overloaded.

He said he’s very familiar with the road because he has a child attending Cypress Creek Middle School and another child at-

tending Cypress Creek High School.

“I drive it on a regular basis.The amount of school buses going on Old Pasco Road is incredible, and some of those areas with blind spots and the turns, with no shoulders,” he said.

“I have concerns.

“There’s a ton of development that’s currently going in on Old Pasco Road.

There’s a lot of proposed development, along Old Pasco Road, as well,” Moore said.

“One of the things that we agreed upon when we did the industrial park is that that industrial park cannot receive its CO (certificate of occupancy) until that portion of Old Pasco (Road), that sits in front of the industrial park, is widened.

“Nobody’s given me a set date of when the rest of Old Pasco Road is widened,” Moore said.

“I think we need to research that road. I think staff needs to come back to us and say,‘This is exactly when Old Pasco Road is going to be widened,” Moore said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano balked at the proposal for a park that is nine-tenths of an acre, versus the 1.2-acre park that’s required by code.

Planners supported the request, noting Wesley Chapel District Park is nearby, plus the developer agreed to dedicate a larger amount of land than required for right of way for the Old Pasco Road widening.

But Mariano said:“There’s no reason it can’t stick at 1.2, which is our code.Those kids need somewhere to play.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey wanted to know why the plans fail to indicate any kind of future trail. She said that county planners must start including that, to provide for the possibility of people getting from place to place, without relying on vehicles.

County Administrator Dan Biles responded:“We’ll have to check, but I think Old Pasco Road probably has a multi-use path, as part of the design for Old Pasco Road and I think Overpass also has one.”

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley supported Moore’s suggestion to continue the hearing.

The delay will enable the board to receive information it needs on when Old Pasco Road will be widened, and to find out more about the possibility of trails in the area, Oakley said.

TECO proposes solar farm in Zephyrhills

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

Tampa Electric Company is seeking permission to proceed with a 74.5 megawatt solar farm and substation, north of County Line Road and east of Paul S. Buchman Highway.

The request is part of the company’s longterm strategy to build a grid that is reliable and meets its customer’s needs, according to a March 20 letter the utility company sent to some Pasco residents.

The letter is among materials in the agenda packet for the May 6 meeting of the Pasco County Commission.

Tampa Electric, otherwise known as TECO, is seeking a special exception from the planning board to proceed with its plans.

Planning commissioners opened the hearing on the request, but continued it after the representative for the utility company had technical problems in making a remote connection.

One couple, who live in an area surrounded by the proposed solar farm, voiced opposition to the project.They said they’re concerned about potential — as yet unknown — impacts the solar farm could have on their health.

In its letter,TECO officials said “If all goes well, we hope the solar facility is complete and producing energy from the sun in 2023.”

The county allows solar farms as a special exception in some agricultural districts.

The proposed solar farm would be located on a 576-acre site that now contains the Palm River Dairy Farm and some single-family dwellings, according to materials in the agenda packet.

The site is in the southeastern portion of unincorporated Pasco County.

The future land use designation on the site is for residential and light industrial uses.

The current use of the site is for an active dairy farm, and as pasture for dairy cows and cattle.

The proposed solar farm will use film

photovoltaic (PV) panels that absorb sunlight and directly produce electricity, the agenda materials say.

The solar farm will encompass approximately 95 acres of the total site, but the panels will be situated at different locations on the land, according to maps in the file and meeting testimony.

Access to the property is from Bay Avenue.

The subject site is located next to Martin Marietta Materials, which uses are aggregate transfer facility, asphalt plant, rail spur, aggregate sorting and conveyance system, storage yard, sales and operational offices.

The solar farm will be unmanned and will be remotely monitored.

The maximum structure of the photovoltaic panels, supports, substation building, and any other structures shall be 15 feet. A lightning mast and the utility equipment located totally within the substation site may exceed this height, provided they comply with the additional setbacks of the county’s

land development code.

Conditions for approval, contained in the agenda packet, spell out minimum setbacks, buffering requirements and noise regulations.

Also, before approval of the preliminary development plan and/or preliminary site plan, the applicant shall provide a decommission plan for the site, which may be reviewed and approved by the county administrator or his designee.

If the applicant ceases operations or the solar farm no longer works properly or is abandoned, the applicant is responsible for decommissioning the solar farm within 180 days.

The decommissioning shall include the removal and disposal of all material and equipment, in a manner that is consistent with industry standards and practices.

The site also shall be restored to the condition that existed immediately following the initial site clearing and grading, the agenda materials say.

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Woman’s club attends convention

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Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s club recently attended the semiannual GFWC Florida State Convention in Orlando. Once the business meetings concluded, the gals swung into action. At right, club members performed as a team of ‘Pink Ladies’ cheerleaders, as part of the convention’s ’50s theme. The troupe also donned nuns’ habits and performed a song borrowed from the film ‘Sister Act.’ Above, from left: Sister Dolores (Dee Knerr), Sister Elayne (Bassinger) of the Holy Rosary, Mother Superior Annette (Bellingar) and Sister St. Catherine (Kay Taylor). For woman’s club membership information, visit the club’s Facebook page, or LutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org.

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COURTESY OF PASCO COUNTY

David Lambert was honored during the Pasco County Commission’s May 18 board meeting. Lambert received a standing ovation for all of the work he has done to serve on boards to help others, particularly those struggling with the challenge of mental illness.

David Lambert’s contributions attract attention

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

The Pasco County Commission took a few minutes at its May 18 meeting to thank David Lambert for his many efforts through the years to improve the quality of life in Pasco County.

Lambert, who has worked 27 years for the Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC), has played a leadership role on numerous boards and has been an advocate for increasing mental health services, according to a resolution adopted by the board.

He has been heavily involved in efforts to expand mental health services in Pasco and Hernando County through the “Recovery through Work” program known as Vincent House Pinellas, Vincent House Pasco, and Vincent Academy of the Nature Coast, according to the resolution.

Vincent House Pasco, in partnership with Pasco County’s Community Development department recently received the National Community Development Association 2021 Audrey Nelson Community Achievement Award. The project was cited as an “exemplary and innovative use of Community Development Block Grant funds,” the resolution says.

Vincent House Pasco joins Vincent House Hernando and Pinellas in delivering hope, providing individuals with mental illness the opportunity to rebuild their lives, to increase self-worth and to become productive citi-

zens, the resolution notes.

The honor also highlights Lambert’s work with numerous government and community leaders over the years to help create opportunities for others.

Lambert serves as president of Van Gogh’s Palette covering Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando Counties, which offers needed services to those living with mental illness.

He’s worked with WREC CEO Billy Brown and the WREC staff to improve mental health services throughout the Tampa Bay region, the resolution says.

He’s also worked diligently with Van Gogh’s Palette co-founders Elliott and Dianne Steele; founding board member and retired Pinellas/Pasco Public Defender Bob Dillinger; State Senate President Wilton Simpson; the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office; and the Pasco County Commission, the resolution says.

Lambert began his career at the WREC 27 years ago, as a meter reader. Over the years, he has worked as a lineman and journeyman, before moving into his current role in which he oversees five departments, including member and community relations, government affairs, purchasing, safety and human resources, the resolution says.

In his professional role, Lambert has worked closely with local, state and federal officials — fostering the goals and objectives of the WREC’s commitment to its members in its five-county service territory and the community, at large.

He’s held board roles in such organiza-

tions as the Pasco County Housing Authority, Pasco-Hernando Career Source Board and Feeding Pasco’s Elderly.

Besides being honored by the county board, Lambert was honored by Summer Blevins, a member of Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ staff.

“I am just here to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of David Lambert, and his countless contributions to our community, and to leave an extension of remarks that have been entered into the official Congressional Record on his behalf,” Blevins said, leaving a binder containing those remarks on the county’s board’s podium for Lambert to pick up.

Lambert was then invited to the podium to offer some remarks.

He responded first, by expressing gratitude.

“Thank you, and I’m very humbled by this proclamation.”

Then, he shared the accolades.

“A lot of credit goes to a lot of people who really have stepped up and done a lot of

things. No one does anything by themselves, and you all were instrumental in bringing Vincent House to Pasco, and your leadership was unbelievable.”

He specifically named County Administrator Dan Biles, Assistant County Administrator Cathy Pearson, and County Commissioner Jack Mariano and State Senate President Wilton Simpson for leaving no stones unturned.

“And, for that, you’re going to save thousands of lives,” Lambert said.

“Mental health is a big issue within our communities and, nationally, and we certainly need to focus on that a lot more. I’m just greatly appreciative,” he said.

His gratitude also extends to family, the WREC and for the people of Vincent House.

The people of Vincent House, he said, “prove to me every day, that just because you have a disability — a mental illness or something — you can lead a full and productive life, given the tools and resources, if you have them.”

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May 26, 2021

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There’s no place like in PASCO & NORTH HILLSBOROUGH

D.R. Horton New Homes Coming Soon in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel

D

.R. Horton is now selling homes in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel in its all-new community Westgate at Avalon Park.

“We are kicking off sales in mid-June, but you can join our interest list to be the first to know,” said Courtney Creighton, the builder’s West Florida marketing manager.

“We are not limiting the number of homesites we are releasing or can sell, and are not asking our buyers to engage in bidding wars for our homes.

The great room of the Camden model opens We are moving forward to to the kitchen and formal dining room. best serve the needs of our buyers by making as many homes available as we can.” summer. A grand opening celebration D.R. Horton is planning to build 30 for Real Estate Agents will take place new homes a month in Avalon Park toward the end of the summer.

Wesley Chapel, with some homes exD.R. Horton, the country’s largest pected to be ready for move-in later homebuilder since 2002, is building a this year and early 2022. Home prices total of 994 homes in Westgate, conwill begin in the low $300s for single- sisting of 768 single-family homes family homes, and the mid $200s for and 226 townhomes. Homesites are a townhomes. combination of 40-foot, 50-foot and Initial sales will be conducted 60-foot lots, with many backing up to through D.R. Horton’s online sales conservation and water. Construction team, and then move to the compa- is beginning with homes on 40-foot ny’s sales staff working inside its and 50-foot lots; larger homes on 60model homes. Their model home will foot lots will be released later. be open and staffed 7 days a week.

In Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, D.R. Their townhome models will open at Horton is offering homebuyers two the end of this summer, and a single- series to choose from— Express family model, the popular Series and D.R. Horton Preferred multi-generational 4-bedroom, 3.5- Series. bath Camden, will be ready early this Homes in the Express Series are

being built on 40-foot to 50-foot homesites, and range in size from 1,408 square feet to 2,601 square feet.

Floor plans will offer three to five bedrooms, two to three baths and one- or two-car garages, depending on a family’s needs.

The Preferred Series will include higher-end features and finishes.

Homes will be built on 50-foot and 60-foot homesites and will be available for sale in the future.

Townhomes will include three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, and a two-car-wide driveway. Two floor plans will be available at 1,673 square feet and 1,758 square feet.

All D.R. Horton homes will come equipped with a smart home automation system called Home is

Connected, America’s Smart Home®. Both townhomes and singlefamily homes will be built with concrete block on the first and second floors — a superior construction process. D.R. Horton is the only production builder that utilizes concrete block on two floors in its homes.

Westgate Village encompasses 285 acres in the back of Avalon, about a mile from its entrance on State Road 54, which offers residents a quiet, suburban setting. It will embrace its own set of amenities, including a resort-style pool, open-air clubhouse with an outdoor kitchen, playground, open sports field, and picnic area with pavilions.

D.R. Horton proudly operates in 43 of homebuilding’s top 50 markets in the U.S., in which it ranks among the top five in 31 of these markets. For more information visit drhorton.com or call (866) 475-3347.

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is a 1,650-acre master-planned community designed to live, learn, work and play.

At build out, it will have about 4,400 single and multi-family residences and be home to 10,000 residents. It’s downtown will have more than 560,000 square feet of retail and 130,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial space and apartments built above the storefronts. For more information visit AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com or call (813) 783-1515.

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However, when the opportunity for Bryant to start his own office in Wesley Chapel presented itself last year, Bryant jumped on the opportunity.

“The fact that I was already living here in Wesley Chapel and this opportunity came — it was very intriguing,” says Bryant, “I really wanted this area because of the growth, especially in the housing market.”

The Wesley Chapel office, located in the Northwoods Shopping Center on Bruce B Downs, officially opened right after Christmas in 2020, and had its ribbon cutting ceremony on Feb. 12.

Traditionally, most GEICO members tend to do their business online — either through the company’s website, mobile app or traditional 1-800 customer service number. But for the members who prefer to do business in person, Bryant and his team invite you to stop by their office.

“Some people want that human interaction and GEICO realizes that.

The expansion of offices in the last couple years is to make sure we cater to all audiences,” says Bryant.

“We truly get to know you and ask questions to figure out your financial situation, type of protection you need, etc., and then we customize a package that works best for you.”

When you step inside Bryant’s office, you will see an aquarium with two real life geckos, a fun nod to the company’s famous mascot.

GEICO offers a wide range of insurance policies, with its most popular being automobile. However, there’s lots of other insurances the company offers including motorcycle, RV, boat and renter’s insurance.

“We can also bundle your auto coverage with renter’s insurance through the GEICO Insurance Agency, so don't forget to ask us about getting a bundling discount,” says Bryant.

According to Bryant, the two main things that set GEICO apart are their customer service and competitive rates.

“With GEICO, you’re getting a really affordable policy with great customer service,” says Bryant.

Bryant is a graduate of the University of South Florida, where he earned his degree in Business Economics and his master’s in Business Administration. He is a proud active member of the North Tampa Bay Chamber, and is looking forward to getting more involved in the local community. For information, call 813-953-4200 or stop by 1227 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Wesley Chapel, FL 33544.

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Cornerstone’s Savings Club Will Keep Your Home Mechanical Systems In Top Condition

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t costs much less to maintain your home’s mechanical equipment than it costs to repair it. Yet, 90% of breakdowns are caused because many homeowners seldom (or never) have their equipment serviced by a licensed service technician.

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VACATION, from page 1A families to take 30 days off, in a row, for summer vacation.

“Pasco County businesses are also missing out on tourist revenue.

“We all know that COVID-19 really stressed our economy.

“The extra revenue generated from updating this ordinance would go a long way to helping local businesses continue getting back on their feet, and then prosper going forward.

“Our county businesses will definitely see an increase in customers, with this change, as it will help extend our tourist season.

“Third, investors are losing money.

“Many condo owners purchase their properties to enjoy themselves and use them as vacation rentals to help pay for them until they retire,” she told commissioners.

She said that changing the ordinance would be a step toward supporting local businesses.

“Passing an ordinance of no less than six days is sufficient to keep condo complexes and other associations from competing with hotels, while unburdening private businesses, so all can prosper.

“My ask is that you change the current 30-day Pasco County Vacation Rental Ordinance to a six-day minimum.

“Please empower homeowner associations and property owners with the right to propose a longer minimum stay for their own properties, if they so choose. Please amend this ordinance to make it less restrictive on our personal property rights, and help our local businesses thrive,”Thrower said.

Commissioners do not respond to speakers during the public comment period of their meetings, but later in the meeting, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said that the issues raised by Thrower are valid.

Starkey said there are vacation rentals all over the place in Gulf Harbors, and the county’s current ordinance is not working.

“I don’t think we can code enforce our way out of the new reality of short-term rental. So, in my opinion, we need to have rules in place that we can enforce. But we can’t enforce anything, when they’re not allowed.

“I think our short-term rental ordinance needs to go and we need to put rules in place — fire, safety.

“We need to manage them, and right now we’re not.

“So, I think we should talk about shortterm rentals," Starkey said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano said: “It is something we need to address. I think we need to scrap the ordinance, start afresh.

And start allowing people to do this, as quick as we can.A new set of rules.”

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder told the board:“You’ve got a 1999 ordinance that predated when the Legislature changed the rules and said anyone that had an ordinance in place at the time that they passed their legislation could keep it. But once you start playing with it, you lose that grandfather.

“The Legislature has taken away your ability to adopt a new one (vacation rental ordinance).

“If you scrap the ordinance, you scrap it.

Starkey added:“Right, we lose our grandfather.”

One option is to simply get out of the business, Steinsnyder said.

Mariano suggested:“Maybe we need to do an agenda item and we can discuss it.”

Starkey added:“Get tourism involved.”

Commissioner Mike Moore agrees that the county’s tourism team should be involved in the discussion.

Mariano asked Steinsnyder: “Can you bring what the effect would be, if we went with just the state regulation? So we can all look at it ahead of time before the next meeting?”

Steinsnyder agreed to do so.

YOUTH, from page 1A Behavior Survey: • 19% of students nationwide considered suicide • 16% of students nationwide made a suicide plan • 9% of students nationwide attempted suicide • Notable risk factors for suicide ideation include being a non-Hispanic, Black female who identifies as lesbian, gay or bisexual.

Fisher also shared various findings from Mental Health America, the nation’s leading community-based nonprofit to address the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting overall mental health of all: • 9.2% of United States youth ages 12 to 17 cope with severe major depression • The state prevalence of youth with severe major depressive episodes ranges from 6% in Mississippi to 13.2% in Nevada (Florida stands at 10%).

• The number of youth experiencing major depressive episodes increased by 121,000 from 2018 to 2019.

The social worker pointed to an “alarming” finding in her research cited from Mental Health America — youth experiencing major depressive episodes continue to go untreated.

Even among states with greatest access for youth, almost 50% of youth still do not receive the mental health services they need, according to the organization’s reports, Fisher said.

“It’s interesting how much of an issue mental health is, and how undertreated it is, even within our society today,” said Fisher, who obtained her bachelor of social work from Saint Leo University and her master of social work from University of South Florida.

Fisher also shared her thoughts about potential contributing factors regarding why suicide ideations and major depression have become so prevalent among American youth in recent years.

“We have many kids who have access to social media and are learning a lot more than they used to, and that’s become evident between both in elementary and middle school, and the things that they’re exposed to, they don’t know, developmentally, how to deal with it,” she said.

The pandemic hasn’t helped, either.

Fisher referenced data showing about 40% of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health this past year, up from about 25%, pre-COVID. Parents and caregivers are struggling “with everything that comes with being in this pandemic that we all have experienced,” she said.

The rising levels of stress, loneliness, depression, anxiety has all but “rubbed off” on children, Fisher said.

“I’ve heard more stories of families having friction, more arguments,” Fisher said. “(Students) just feel more anxious…and that shows up in their schoolwork, that shows up in their peer relationships, with their adult relationships.”

SOCIAL WORK DELIVERS REWARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

Fisher is one of 13 social workers in the Hernando County School District.

She started working this past school year, amid the pandemic.

Besides her educational background, Fisher joined the district equipped with real-world experience — having worked in internships in a hospital pediatric unit and

COURTESY OF MARY MCCOY, SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY

Hernando County School District social worker Sativa Fisher

residential program for adolescent girls.

In her role, Fisher assists kids, families and the community at large. She strives to “make a difference in someone’s life.”

She also described the duties of a school social worker, which includes making referrals, doing evaluations and completing behavior assessments. It also involves problem-solving through multi-tiered system of supports, counseling, teen parenting education, substance abuse education and more.

“It’s so much,” quipped Fisher, who also has started completing the supervision requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

She detailed how school social work has evolved from focusing on attendance and truancy issues to being more involved with students who have mental health and behavioral issues.

Today’s school social worker reaches out to parents of students who are undergoing major behavioral issues, gathers information on their home life, and offers potential solutions and sources of help.

Fisher put it like this:“Sometimes, parents don’t even know the resources available to them, so if they have a student who’s having major behavior issues and they don’t understand why, maybe we’ll talk a little bit about that. Some kids require a little bit more structure than other kids. Some kids require to be spoken to a little bit differently. Every child is different…”

School systems play an important role in helping bridge the mental health gap, she said.

“Many people will say,‘Oh, it’s on the parents,’” Fisher said.

But, parents don’t always know about services and because school attendance is mandatory until age 16, school districts are in a good position to observe students who have mental health needs and can help direct families to resources, she said.

One of the satisfactions of her job is seeing a student make positive changes during the course of a school year, Fisher said.

“It’s not anything that I necessarily do, it’s the choices that they make. I just give them the information and the platform to express and explore,” the social worker said.

“I have a couple of kids right now that I’ve been working with for several months, and they’ve turned their grades around, they’ve turned their peer relationships around, and that, I think, is the most rewarding.”

Want to show off your favorite grad?

We want to show off your favorite graduate, too.

Whether it’s a kindergarten graduation or if your loved one is celebrating a medical degree.We celebrate all graduates.

Please send us a photo, along with your graduate’s name, school, date of graduation and where it occurred.Also, please include your contact information, so we can reach out to you if we have questions (Don’t worry, your contact info won’t be published).

Please send your submissions by June 9 to bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com.

TOURISM, from page 1A States, with four full-size rinks and one kid-size rink.

It’s regarded for being the training grounds of the 2018 U.S. women’s national hockey team that went on to win an Olympic gold medal in PyeongChang, South Korea.

“The ice rink is incredible,” Moore said.

“They have tournaments on the weekends, international tournaments, and people coming from Canada, South America, people coming from over in Europe to literally play hockey right here at Center Ice.” Moore posited that such youth, amateur and community-focused facilities can yield very similar — if not greater — economic impact as a major professional sports franchise, such as the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which plays eight regular season home games, plus a few preseason and postseason contests.

“Those (facilities) have just as large of an impact as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers playing on Sunday, when you think about how many people are (cumulatively) traveling for those events, and especially when they’re every single weekend.

“Personally I think it’s so much better to have these types of facilities than a pro sports team, because it’s a year-round benefit for the businesses in Pasco County, not just eight times a year or 10 times a year.

“These people, they’re traveling with their families, too.These kids aren’t typically driving on their own, their whole family’s coming (to Pasco).”

Moore addressed other recreational and tourism developments, as well, such as the ongoing construction of a visitor’s center/bike hub in the heart of downtown Dade City, across from the Roy T. Hardy trailhead, at the corner of Church Avenue and Eighth Street.

The $250,000 project — expected to be complete in June — was funded by the county’s tourist development tax dollars.

The amenity is set to further motivate beginner and avid cyclists alike to stop in Dade City.

It also may serve as a driver for more organized road cycling races to the surrounding East Pasco area, too.

“We know how big biking is in this area,” Moore said.“You’ve got people coming from all over the country to Dade City, to ride those hills.”

Further on the tourism and recreation

front, Moore mentioned an 18,000-square-foot indoor recreation center at Wesley Chapel District Park will be complete in July.The public-use facility will offer programming for basketball, volleyball and other activities for all ages. There’s meeting room space for clubs and other organizations, also.“That’s going to be beautiful,” Moore said of the forthcoming center.

Regarding road construction, Moore pointed out that many of the roads that traverse the county are state roads — and a considerable amount of work is being done to improve those roads.

Among them are construction projects on State Road 52, State Road 54, and an interchange improvement at State Road 56 and Interstate 75.

There’s also a new diamond interchange that will include a flyover ramp for westbound Overpass Road access onto southbound I-75.

To accommodate the new interchange, Overpass Road will be widened from two lanes to four lanes between the interstate and Old Pasco Road, and six lanes between the interstate and Boyette Road. Blair Drive will be realigned to connect with Old Pasco Road. McKendree Road will be realigned to connect with Boyette Road.

The $64 million design-built project aims to provide more relief to other exits off I-75, Moore said.

“When you think about people living in Dade City and San Antonio, and coming and living in that area, they’ll be able to get off that new overpass interchange and go right through Epperson Ranch and Connected City, and get right into Dade City, if they don’t want to take the next Dade City exit.”

Moore added the project’s contractor,The Middlesex Corporation,“is moving really fast,” with an estimated completion of summer 2023.

Meanwhile, the commissioner mentioned the county has another $6 million in state funds to support connection and widening projects along the U.S. 98/U.S. 301 corridor.

These “important” roadway upgrades should help alleviate freight truck traffic and allow for the movement of goods without jumping major highways, he explained.

Combined with the proximity to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, CSX Transportation Railroad, and an emerging light industrial manufacturing hub, the roadway plan “really helps when you think about the economy in this area,” he said.

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9A

Community Sports Your Neighborhood Sports Source

Pasco All-Conference spring awards announced Compiled by Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

H

igh school coaches from Pasco County Schools recently announced Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) All-Conference Teams, Athletes of the Year and Coaches of the Year, for the 2020-2021 spring sports season.

Selections were made for both the East and West divisions.

The following high schools from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area were represented in the East: Cypress Creek, Land O’ Lakes, Pasco, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills.

Here is a listing of boys team and individual recipients within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area for baseball, lacrosse, tennis, track and field, and weightlifting.

(NOTE: The Laker/Lutz News will publish the Girls All-Conference listings in its June 2 edition.)

COURTESY OF LAND O’ LAKES HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS

In addition to winning a conference crown, the Land O’ Lakes High varsity boys track and field program won a district title and its first-ever 3A regional title.

COURTESY OF CYPRESS CREEK HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS

The Cypress Creek High varsity baseball team enjoyed a banner season, finishing with a 206 mark and a conference crown.

BOYS SPRING SPORTS

Defender: Pavan Singh, Wiregrass Ranch, junior Goalie: Logan Sanders, Wesley Chapel, senior

SAC EAST ALL-CONFERENCE BASEBALL Team Champion: Cypress Creek Coach of the Year: Joe Neale, Cypress Creek Player of the Year: Brian Holiday, Land O’ Lakes FIRST TEAM Pitcher: Peyton Petry, Cypress Creek, senior Catcher: Sean Esquinaldo, Wesley Chapel, junior Infielder: Ethan Petry, Cypress Creek, junior Infielder: Tim Dunn, Land O’ Lakes, junior Infielder: Josh Wollerman, Wesley Chapel, senior Infielder: Chris Lebron, Wiregrass Ranch, junior Outfielder: Maddox McDougall, Wiregrass Ranch, freshman Outfielder: Austin Coultas, Wesley Chapel, senior Outfielder: Joe Benigno, Wiregrass Ranch, junior Utility/DH: Brian Holiday, senior SECOND TEAM Pitcher: Zachary Showalter, Wesley Chapel, junior Catcher: Daniel Busot, Land O’ Lakes, junior Infielder: Trey Santana, Sunlake, junior Infielder: Victor Figueroa, Sunlake, junior Infielder: Zachary Bice, Wesley Chapel, junior Infielder: Chase Gilligan, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore Outfielder: Dyllan Brown, Cypress Creek, sophomore Outfielder: Jake Carrillo, Wesley Chapel, sophomore Outfielder: Dylan Makowski, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore Utility/DH: Bryce Braxton, Pasco, senior HONORABLE MENTION Jaxon Rivera, Zephyrhills, junior SAC ALL-CONFERENCE BOYS LACROSSE Team Champion: Mitchell Offensive Player of the Year: Nick Vreeland, Cypress Creek Defensive Player of the Year: Donovan Passarello, Sunlake FIRST TEAM Attack: Jeremiah Loo, Wiregrass Ranch, junior Attack: Colson Williams, Mitchell, sophomore Attack: Elijah Carter, Sunlake, senior Midfielder: Nick Vreeland, Cypress Creek, junior Midfielder: Chris Ferrini, Mitchell, freshman Midfielder: Garret Schwartz, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore Defender: Donovan Passarello, Sunlake, senior Defender: Charlie Fisher, Mitchell, sophomore

SECOND TEAM Attack: Gavin Eldein, Cypress Creek, senior Attack: Jake Sabina, Land O’ Lakes, senior Attack: Corey Hagerdorn, Wesley Chapel, sophomore Midfielder: Marc Ciccone, Wiregrass Ranch, senior Midfielder: Tyler Anderson, Sunlake, junior Midfielder: Andrew Allen, Mitchell, senior Defender: Alex Gregory, Cypress Creek, senior Defender, Justin Fisher, Mitchell, senior Goalie: Jamison Clark, Mitchell, sophomore HONORABLE MENTION Manny Torres, Pasco, senior SAC EAST ALL-CONFERENCE BOYS TENNIS Team Champion: Wiregrass Ranch Coach of the Year: Davis Wilson, Wiregrass Ranch Player of the Year: Logan Haga, Pasco FIRST TEAM Logan Haga, Pasco, senior Ninad Raut, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore Vlad Shumakov, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore Zak Herrmann, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore Belal Mansour, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore SECOND TEAM Oliver Andel, Wiregrass Ranch, sophomore Andres Quest, Land O’ Lakes, junior Veer Bajaj, Pasco, freshman Jake Albrighton, Pasco, senior Neil Patel, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore HONORABLE MENTION Grayson Smith, Wesley Chapel, junior Yahir Torres, Zephyrhills, senior SAC EAST ALL-CONFERENCE BOYS TRACK & FIELD Team Champion: Land O’ Lakes Coach of the Year: Anthony Hendrix, Land O’Lakes Track Athlete of the Year: Maguire Neal, Zephyrhills Field Athlete of the Year: Isaac Tavo, Land O’ Lakes FIRST TEAM 4x800 relay: Sunlake — Cade Whitfield, senior; Cody Smith, junior; Cason Meyer, junior; Andres Alfonso-Herrera, junior

COURTESY OF KRISTEL COTARD

Pasco High senior Logan Haga was named Sunshine Athletic East All-Conference Boys Tennis Player of the Year. He also won his second 3A individual state title last month, defeating Pines Charter High sophomore Sumedh Edavalluri 6-1, 6-2 in the singles finals in Altamonte Springs. Haga, right, stands alongside Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center CEO Pascal Collard, during a state title celebration.

110 hurdles: Maguire Neal, Zephyrhills, junior 100 dash: Timothy Jackson, Zephyrhills, junior 1,600 run: John Rowsell, Cypress Creek, senior 4x100 relay: Zephyrhills — Willie Queen, junior; Timothy Jackson, junior; Clayton Cornelius, senior; Maguire Neal, junior 400 dash: Clayton Cornelius, Zephyrhills, senior 300 hurdles: Maguire Neal, Zephyrhills, junior 800 run: Cade Whitfield, Sunlake, senior 200 dash: Timothy Jackson, Zephyrhills, junior 3,200 run: Colby Robbins, Sunlake, junior 4x400 relay: Sunlake — Elijah Mayfield, senior; Cade Whitfield, senior; Andres Alfonso-Herrera, junior; Parker Bates, sophomore Shot put: Isaac Tavo, Land O’ Lakes, senior Pole vault: Ruben Calles, Sunlake, sophomore High jump: Tanner Martin, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore Long jump: Isaiah Burns, Wesley Chapel, senior Triple jump: Darrien Smith, Pasco, junior Discus: Carlos Lacosta, Cypress Creek, senior Javelin: Carlos Lacosta, Cypress Creek, senior SECOND TEAM 4x800 relay: Wiregrass Ranch — Jaime Candelaria, sophomore; Joseph Medina, sophomore; Sebastian Hernandez, senior; Mason Spearin, freshman 100 hurdles: Tyler Adcock, Land O’ Lakes, senior 100 dash: Maguire Neal, Zephyrhills, junior 1,600 run: Alex Pena, Sunlake, sophomore 4x100 relay: Pasco — Darrien Smith, junior; Omarion Harrison, junior; Octaver Perez, senior; Josiah Harrison, senior 400 dash: Joseph Levesque, Land O’ Lakes, senior 300 hurdles: Tyler Adcock, Land O’ Lakes, senior 800 run: John Rowsell, Cypress Creek, senior 200 dash: Clayton Cornelius, Zephyrhills, senior 3,200 run: Alex Pena, Sunlake, sophomore Shot put: Aidan Marsh, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore Pole vault: Daniel Urbonas, Land O’ Lakes, junior

COURTESY OF SUNLAKE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS

Sunlake High senior Donovan Passarello was named Sunshine Athletic Conference Eastside Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Year. He finished the season with 120 groundballs, 22 caused turnovers, 12 goals, eight assists and three faceoffs won.

High jump: Isaiah Burns, Wesley Chapel, senior Long jump: Timothy Jackson, Zephyrhills, junior Triple Jump: Kennen Ayala, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore Discus: Isaac Tavo, Land O’ Lakes, senior Javelin: Aidan Marsh, Land O’ Lakes, senior SAC EAST ALL-CONFERENCE BOYS WEIGHTLIFTING Team Champion: Sunlake Coach of the Year: Trey Burdick, Sunlake Athlete of the Year: Andres Portillo, Sunlak FIRST TEAM 129 pounds: Nathan Reeves, Sunlake, senior 139 pounds: Eli Mayfield, Sunlake, senior 154 pounds: Jude Keliher, Sunlake, senior 169 pounds: Kevin Spillane, Sunlake, junior 183 pounds: Andres Portillo, Sunlake, senior 199 pounds: Will Arnett, Sunlake, senior 219 pounds: Osmany Aguilar, Land O’ Lakes, senior 238 pounds: Sean Henneman, Sunlake, junior Heavyweight/Unlimited: Aidan Marsh, Land O’ Lakes, sophomore SECOND TEAM 129 pounds: LaMont Sims, Pasco, junior 139 pounds: Jacob Smith, Zephyrhills, junior 154 pounds: Julian Galdos, Sunlake, senior 169 pounds: Owen Campione, Sunlake, junior 183 pounds: Chase Brownell, Sunlake, senior 199 pounds: Jordan McCaslin, Wesley Chapel, junior 219 pounds: Harrison Moran, Sunlake, senior 238 pounds: Theotis Smith, Zephyrhills, junior Unlimited: Jarrin Galyan, Zephyrhills, senior HONORABLE MENTION Paul-Andre Tre, Cypress Creek, senior Aiden Perez, Wiregrass Ranch, freshman

CHECK THIS OUT

SEND SPORTS NEWS TO KWEISS@LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM

Winning haul Jashua Dunn, left, and Calvin Crowe won the South Pasco Bassmasters (SPBM) May tournament in Lake Tarpon, hauling five bass for a total weight of 18.15 pounds. The catch also included the biggest bass of the tournament, weighing 5.43 pounds.

The duo’s strategy included fishing shoreline vegetation and residential canals using plastic frogs. The next SPBM tournament is June 19 on the Kissimmee Chain. For information, visit SouthPascoBassmasters.com.

COURTESY OF JASON ALVIS

District championship for Cypress Creek The Cypress Creek High School varsity girls lacrosse team wrapped up a banner 2021 campaign, winning a district championship en route to an impressive 15-5 mark. The program, in its fourth year, is coached by Jason Alvis and Sydney Maziarz.

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The LAKER / Lutz NEWS INSIDE: Directories, Classifieds, Games & More

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Along the 301 Bypass at Meridian Ave., Sandy Mann's ‘heart-work’ sits high above the railings in front of the Heritage Museum. Dan Mitchell, lower right, of San Antonio, leads the way to the heart, where he and some family members took a selfie.

Dade City put its heart, in art The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report

I

f you enjoy outdoor public art displays, then you may find a new one in Dade City quite appealing.

The display, unveiled during a “Take Heart” free event held May 15, features large 3D metal hearts — built by welding students at Pasco-Hernando State College and painted by local artists.

Although the event took place at Agnes Lamb Park, in downtown Dade City, the hearts, with their varying themes — are posted in downtown Dade City parks and along the Hardy Trail.

The public art exhibition was coordinated by the Dade City Center for the Arts (DCCA), a nonprofit organization that’s working to increase public art and art events in the city.

Local businesses and donors help to support the efforts.

During the event, people could compete for prizes by visiting each of the hearts and taking selfies with it, could enjoy music provided by a DJ, could grab a bite to eat and could chat with the artists.

The painted hearts measure approximately 36 inches by 36 inches by 4 inches, attached to steel posts secured to the ground, to withstand inclement weather conditions.

The heart signs also feature QR codes, directing people to DCCA’s website, to learn more about the artist who painted the particular piece, and where to find more of their work.

For more information, visit DadeCityArts.com, or call (352) 437-3204.

Ryah Taggerty, of Valrico, came up with a stunning collage of 20 symbols representing what Dade City is all about. Her heart is located on the Hardy Trail at Florida Avenue.

Three-year-old Briella Navarro, of Dade City, works on an artistic beaded bracelet at the booth set up in Agnes Lamb Park by the Boys & Girls Club of Lacoochee. The little girl was there with her mom, Patricia Navarro, and her 4-year-old sister, Galilea Navarro. Charlotte Lewis, representing the Boys & Girls Club provided information about the Prodigy Cultural Arts Program.

On the Hardy Trail at Howard Avenue, artist Raeyn Smith's heart — featuring kumquats — draws a crowd to take selfies with it.

This new piece of public art is quite a contrast from the nearby signs.

Sixteen-year-old Jessenia Mahamud and her mom, Linda Mahamud, were the first to see all of the hearts in Dade City — winning the heart-seekers challenge. The Dade City residents received a certificate and gift cards from local businesses.

”

Artist Mark Hannah’s heart, at its Church Street location, is a patriotic salute for all those who have served, or are serving.

Four-year-old King Michael Wells, of Brooksville, compares his newly made bracelet with one his 7-year-old cousin, A.J. Isaza-Cruz. They were there with their grandfather, Nelson Cruz, of Dade City.

Artist Russ Taylor, of Dade City, was standing near his work on the north end of Agnes Lamb Park. The iconic Edwinola served as a backdrop, as Taylor fielded questions about his work, which he titled ‘When Nobody’s Watching.’

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Jack loves attention Jack is a 15-year-old mixed breed. He is a rescue originally from Kentucky. Jack has moved around a bit during his life with his owners, but recently moved to their present home in Connerton.

Jack suffered a stroke earlier this year, and his owners weren’t sure if he would pull through, but Jack’s a fighter and never gave up. He is doing remarkably well. Jack lives with John and Maureen Fitzgerald in Land O’ Lakes.

PET OF THE WEEK FAMILIES RECEIVE A $30 GIFT CARD TO CHUY’S TEX MEX. Send us a picture and information on your favorite pet!

Write a short paragraph about why your pet is special along with a photo and mail to: Pet of the Week, c/o The Laker, P.O. Box 479, Lutz, FL 33548 or email to mrathman@lakerlutznews.com, ATTN: Pet of the Week PLEASE NOTE: OWNERS NAME AND ADDRESS MUST BE INCLUDED FOR YOUR PET TO BE CONSIDERED FOR PUBLICATION.

A HEARTY APPETITE

Randi Grainger is a photographer/videographer who enjoys taking little odd photos of wildlife, nature and whatnot, around the house. Grainger spotted this yellow rat snake on his property off Old Pasco Road, in Wesley Chapel. Adult rat snakes primarily eat mice, rats, squirrels and birds, as well as bird eggs. They are a common predator on wood duck eggs. Juvenile rat snakes eat small frogs, lizards and small rodents. These snakes are largely nonvenomous.

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Sandy is sweet & beautiful

Halo is 2 years old and weighs 50 pounds.

She gets the “zoomies” and loves to run around the yard at full speed. She is friendly toward people and other dogs, and she loves belly rubs. Halo walks fairly well on a leash, especially after she gets a chance to burn off some energy. She also knows the sit and lie down commands. When she tires out, she likes to sit next to her human or lie in the shade and relax.

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Sandy is a 6-year-old, 50-pound calm girl, with a playful side. Sandy is friendly with everyone, including children, and loves belly rubs. She would be wonderful as an only pet, though she is fine with other dogs when introduced slowly and given time to adjust. Sandy does have some medical concerns that Animal Services staff would be happy to discuss with you. She also would rather not share her food, but she’s working on that.

If you would like to adopt Halo or Sandy, 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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By Shari Bresin

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Most of us think of dinner as a hot meal.

It’s a meal that typically includes a meat or a plantbased protein; some kind of grain protein, such as spaghetti, rice or quinoa; a vegetable, and perhaps a dairy — if you add cheese or drink a glass of milk.

When it comes to fruit, on the other hand, that is more easily pictured as morning food, or snack.

Fruit is an easy go-to snack. It requires little or no prep work, aside from peeling it, or rinsing it and perhaps slicing it, if desired.

You have probably taken advantage of this convenience — by grabbing an apple, peach, banana, or pear, while dashing out the door.

But if you are familiar with the MyPlate image, you’ll know that about a quarter of your plate should consist of fruit.

While MyPlate provides a visual guide to help you remember food groups and visualize the portions, some of us don’t get an adequate amount of fruit throughout the day.

If you go to the MyPlate meal planner (MyPlate.gov/myplate-plan), it will give you an estimated amount of how many calories you should consume per day, based on your age, gender, and physical activity levels.

It will then give you a breakdown of how many servings of the five food groups you should get to attain this calorie level.

For most adults, both men and women, the fruit group ranges from 1.5-2 cups per day, depending on age and physical activity level.

If you eat three meals and one snack per day, for example, you’ll want to incorporate fruit as much as you can to reach the recommended cups.

And remember, fresh, frozen, canned, preserved and dried all count toward consumption. (The same goes with vegetables).

So, what counts as a cup?

One medium grapefruit (about 4-inch diameter), one small apple (about 2 ¼-inch diameter), about 8 large strawberries, or 2 halves of canned peaches.

You may be reaching the recommended amount and not even realize it.

Others, however, struggle on most days to get enough fruit in their diet.

Most of us find ourselves eating fruit during breakfast, as a snack, or for dessert — but you can also incorporate fruit in various

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dishes at dinnertime, too.

Some ideas — that don’t include pineapple pizza — are presented here: • Throw in chopped apples, sliced strawberries, tangerine segments or sliced kiwi into your salad.

• Pair seafood — such as fish tacos, shrimp or grilled white fish — with mango salsa.

• Slice avocado, which counts as a fruit, to top a burger, fajitas, salads, or even thinly sliced on sushi rolls.

• Use citrus in chilled soups, such as lime soup or lemon-parsley soup (These are especially refreshing on a hot summer day).

• Make meat and fruit kabobs by alternating chunks of meat, as well as sliced peaches, and chunks of mango and pineapple on a skewer to grill.Another variation is pink grapefruit and pork kabobs. (Note: If using wooden skewers be sure to soak them in water for 30 minutes before using, to prevent them from burning.)

• Create a grilled cheese sandwich using cheese, shredded chicken breast and pieces of pineapple between two buttered slices of bread.

• Grill watermelon wedges (triangles) and then flavor them with sweet and salty seasoning, such as sugar, salt, lime zest and red pepper flakes. Grill marks should appear after 2 minutes to 3 minutes on each side.

• Sweeten a traditional tuna salad by adding apple pieces.

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May 26, 2021

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What’s Happening

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

HURRICANE PROGRAM

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present a virtual hurricane preparedness program with Pasco County Emergency Management on May 27 at 4 p.m.

Participants can learn some of the basics on how to prepare their home and their family to get through storms as safely as possible.

Registration is required online at PascoLibraries.org.

SUSTAINABILITY CLUB

The Sustainability Club Summer Reading Series is a collaboration with Hernando County Public Libraries, Pasco County Public Libraries, Pasco-Hernando State College and the New Port Richey Public Library.The summer program is offered in a virtual setting via Zoom. Upcoming topics will include Environmental Sustainability, May 27; Social Sustainability, June 24; and Financial Sustainability, July 22. Reading will be comprised of articles that anyone can access through the Florida Electronic Library (FEL).All library card holders have access to FEL.Articles and Zoom links will be emailed to participants when they register for the event. Registration is online through PascoLibraries.org. For questions, email Kayla Kuni at Pasco-Hernando State College at kunik@phsc.edu.

JOB FAIR

The Shops at Wiregrass will host a mallwide job fair on June 1 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.A variety of stores and restaurants are looking for candidates, for full-time and part-time positions, for the summer.A full list of participating stores will be available at Guest Services after 3 p.m., on June 1.

Preregistration is not required. For information, visit tinyurl.com/89xfcack.

STORY TIME AT THE PARK

Families with children in elementary school and younger can attend a bi-weekly story time at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., New Port Richey.The next story time is on June 1 at 10 a.m. Limited spaces are available, and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Masks are recommended, but not required. Guests must register for each individual event. For information and questions, email Emilyb@pascolibraries.org.

JEWELRY-MAKING

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer a “BeJeweled” jewelry-making class, via Zoom, on June 2 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., for

Afternoon tea

Blanket Tampa Bay will host an Afternoon Tea fundraiser on June 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Empress Tea, 6463 W. Hillsborough Ave., in Tampa.

Blanket Tampa Bay was started in 2015 and is dedicated to serving the homeless by providing everyday needs. Each year, the organization gives out more than 5,000 blankets and thousands of hygiene items across the Tampa Bay community, involving people of every age, interest and need, according to its website.

Guests at the tea can learn more about the charity and enter to win a prize for the best hat.

The guest speaker will be Dennis Pitocco, of 360° nation, an organization comprised of a publishing division, a multimedia division and a social enterprise division that aims to reimagine and rediscover humanity at its best.

The cost is $20 per person.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Beth Ross at 813-300-9277 or beth@blanketampabay.org.

adults. No experience necessary.

Participants can join by phone if they don’t have access to the internet or a computer.

There is a supply list for the class.

Registration is required. For information, email sh@pascolibraries.org.

DAYS OF CARING

United Way of Pasco County is looking for volunteers to help with various service projects from June 3 to June 5.Available activities include: power-washing, painting, gardening, food box assembly, food distribution, classroom painting and organizing, and more. Pick a project at UnitedWayPasco.org/days-of-caring-2021.

For questions, email Laura Knight at laurak@unitedwaypasco.org.

CLASSIC MOVIES

The Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., will host its Summer Classics Movie Series, with added showings. Upcoming movies include: • “The Wizard of Oz,” June 4 and June 5 at 7:30 p.m., June 6 at 3 p.m.

• “Airplane!” June 13 at 3 p.m., June 17 at 7:30 p.m.

• “The Gold Rush,” June 20 at 3 p.m., June 24 at 7:30 p.m.

• “Citizen Kane,” June 27 at 3 p.m., Jul 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 at the box office and $12 online ($7 for theater members). Silent Films are $13 at the box office and $15 online ($10 for theater members). For details and a complete movie schedule, visit TampaTheatre.org.

READING CLUB

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a Summer Reading Club

curbside craft kit,“Farm Friends,” on June 5, starting at 10 a.m., while supplies last.

For information, call 813-929-1214.

WEST PASCO ART GUILD

The West Pasco Art Guild will host weekly art classes, via Zoom, on Thursdays. For information and to register, email zoomclasses@westpascoartguild.org.And, the guild hosts general membership meetings every month, followed by an artist demonstration. For information, visit WestPascoArtGuild.org.There also will be a workshop on June 5 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., on painting African American and dark-skin children.To register, send an email to helen@westpascoartguild.org.

ceremony at 10 a.m. Members from the Birds, Bees and Butterflies Committee will be on hand to answer questions about starting a butterfly garden. Free milkweed plants will be distributed and information on the Dade City Monarch Butterfly Haven certification program also will be available.

For information, email dcgcmonarch@gmail.com.

NEW TAMPA PLAYERS

The New Tampa Players have several shows coming up during the summer.

“Motherhood Out Loud” will take place on June 11, June 18 and June 19 at 7:30 p.m., and on June 13 and June 20 at 3 p.m., at Uptown Stage, at the University Mall, 2200 E. Fowler Ave., in Tampa.This presentation, arranged by Dramatists Play Service, includes the humor, raw emotions and rocky roads experienced in life.

Motherhood Out Loud contains adult language and adult content; parental discretion is advised.Tickets are $20. For more information, visit NewTampaPlayers.org.

HANDBELL CONCERTS

The Regency Park Library will host Planet Lego, via Zoom, for kids in kindergarten through third grade, on the first Saturday of the month.The next meeting is June 5 at 2 p.m. Participants can race against the clock to complete a Planet Lego mission.

For information, call 727-861-3049.

The SuncoastBronze Ringers will present concerts of English handbells, for all ages.

• June 12 at 4 p.m.: United Church of Christ, 4826 Bartelt Road in Holiday • June 13 at 4 p.m.: Palm Harbor United Methodist Church, 1551 Belcher Road in Palm Harbor • June 19 at 7 p.m.: First United Methodist Church, 960 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz Tickets are $10, and $7 for children and seniors.Tickets must be purchased online, in advance, at SuncoastBronzeRingers.com.All venues will adhere to social distancing. For information, call Valerie Bush at 240-7313004.

BOOK SIGNING

GARDEN SUMMER CAMP

PLANET LEGO

The Florida West Coast Writers will host a conference, book signing and raffle,“Ignite Your Imagination,” on June 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Hilton Tampa Airport Hotel, 2225 N. Lois Ave., in Tampa.There will be more than 30 authors, most of them local.Admission is free.

GARDEN DEDICATION

The Dade City Garden Club will dedicate the club’s butterfly garden as a certified Monarch Waystation on June 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the club, 13630 Fifth St., in Dade City.There will be a brief

UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension will host a Community Gardens Summer Camp program from June 14 to June 18, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., for kids ages 8 to 12, at its One Stop Shop, 15029 14th St., in Dade City.Activities will include gardening; seed planting; learning about good bugs and bad bugs; hydroponics and vermiculture; building toad houses; and more.All camp participants will be required to wear a face covering while attending events. For information, in English, call 352-521-1255. In Spanish, call 352-521-1254. Register at bit.ly/communitygardensummercamp.

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Pasco government’s Memorial Day closings The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report

The Pasco County government offices will be closed on May 31 in observance of Memorial Day and will reopen on June 1.

The county’s Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources’ offices, recreation complexes and community centers will be closed May 31, but parks and beaches will stay open to the public from dawn to dusk, according to a county news release.

Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) will be closed, and bus and paratransit services will not run on May 31.

Pasco County Libraries will be closed May 31.

The Pasco County Animal Services Administration Office, Adoption Center, Intake/Reclaim Shelter and Field Services will be closed May 31, and an animal control officer only will be available for emergencies.

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility, West Pasco Class III, and the East Pasco Transfer Station will be closed to the public on May 31, but will be open to Pasco County licensed commercial haulers.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices also will be closed, May 29 through May 31. The offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on June 1, for normal business, according to a news release from Fasano’s office.

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County board takes action on land use issues

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

The Pasco County Commission has awarded a $1.5 million contract for renovations at Hugh Embry Branch Library, in Dade City.

Commissioners selected Blackwater Construction Services LLC to do the work, out of nine responses received.

In other action, at the board’s May 18 meeting, commissioners: • Approved a rezoning to allow Cypress Ridge Professional Office Center on a 9.1acre site on the west side of Wesley Chapel Boulevard, north of State Road 54/State Road 56 • Approved a rezoning to allow a light industrial park district on a 5-acre site in East Central Pasco County, on the west side of

Old Lakeland Highway, north of Townsend Road • Forwarded a land use request for state review involving a proposal to allow a mixed-use development on a 35-acre site at the southwest corner of Roaches Run and Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, also known as U.S. 41. Once the state review is done, it will come back for a final vote by the county board, which is scheduled for July 6.A companion rezoning also must be approved before the development could proceed.

The proposed development would include retail, as well as a number of other uses that could include office/medical office; health care-related uses; light industrial; distribution; multifamily; single-family attached residential; senior retirement/assisted living; aggregate home and public/institutional uses.

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May 26, 2021

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STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS • Andrea Denton, of Wesley Chapel, was recognized to the Provost’s Honor Roll at Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas. Denton is majoring in respiratory care.

• Timothy John Elko, of Lutz, was named to the University of Mississippi, Oxford spring Dean’s Honor Roll.

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LOCAL GRADUATES

The University of Tampa (UT) hosted a virtual ceremony on May 8 to honor 1,781 degree-seeking candidates at the school’s 152nd commencement.

The event was viewed online by the students, family members and friends, UT faculty and staff, and the general public.

Graduating students in The Laker/Lutz News area include: • Alex Prendes, of Odessa, Bachelor of Arts - history • Alex Riccio, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science - accounting • Breanna Sumner, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science - criminology and criminal justice • Brieanna Rekow, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science - human performance • Emalee Jansen, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science - accounting • Hayley Jewett, of Odessa, Bachelor of Arts - psychology • Kaitlyn Thomas, of Odessa, Bachelor of Arts - design • Kaylyn Burroughs, of Odessa, Bachelor of Science - nursing • Lisa Jungmann, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science - criminology and criminal justice • Olivia Trinder, of Odessa, Bachelor of Science - nursing • Spender Anderson, of Odessa, Bachelor of Science - cybersecurity • Sydney Milton, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science - education, elementary • Terese Okulski, of Odessa, Bachelor of Science - nursing • Trevor Toma, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science - cybersecurity Each graduate received a personalized video commemorating their achievement.

COLLEGE TRANSFER TIPS

The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) offers these tips for students who plan to transfer between colleges this year.

Talk to a financial aid officer at your cur-

SAME DAY EMERGENCYY DENT TAL

COURTESY OF CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATES

Local student receives award

Each year, the City of Tampa Water Department recognizes outstanding STEM Fair projects at the elementary, junior and senior school levels with the Drinking Water Award. Lilienn Carpenter, a fifth-grade student at Sunlake Academy of Math & Science, in Lutz, this year received the award in the Hillsborough County elementary division, presented by Mayor Jane Castor. Carpenter competed with 1,800 other elementary students in Hillsborough County.

rent school to ask if you owe anything or to find out if you can get a refund. Also make sure you have done everything you need to do to get financial aid when you transfer.

In addition, students should contact the registrar’s office at their new school to find out which current school credits and grades will transfer.

Each college should have a contact person who can answer any questions to help make the transition.

For more information, visit KHEAA.com.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Goodwill-Suncoast volunteer program for high school students has pivoted to a virtual format this year.

Students in J.A.G. (Junior Ambassadors of Goodwill) can earn up to 25 hours of community service.

The virtual program allows students to volunteer on their own, at the direction of Goodwill Volunteer Services. Each program activity supports a different aspect of Goodwill’s mission.

For more information, please visit Goodwill-suncoast.org/junior-ambassadors.

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MOBILE MAMMOGRAMS

AdventHealth Mobile Mammography, formerly Tampa Bay Mobile Mammography, provides a quick, convenient way to get a mammogram, which is key to detecting breast cancer early.

A physician’s prescription is required for ages 40 and younger; no prescription is needed for those older than 40.

Upcoming mobile unit stops in May include: • May 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Zephyrhills Lions Club, 5827 Dean Dairy Road, Zephyrhills • May 27, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: The Grove Business Expo, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel • June 11, noon to 3 p.m.: Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, near Community Center • June 21, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Meals on Wheels of East Pasco, 38112 15th Ave., Zephyrhills • July 15, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Palm Tree Acres/Sunnyside MHP, Clubhouse of Palm Tree Acres, 36006 State Road 54, Zephyrhills • July 15, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Zephyrhills First Church of the Nazarene, 6151 12th St., Zephyrhills For questions, call 813-601-1925.

To schedule an appointment or for other mobile unit stops, visit AdventHealthMobileMammography.com.

STROKE CERTIFICATION

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has received Primary Stroke Certification from DNV GL Healthcare, an international accrediting body that emphasizes clinical best practices and a disciplined management system, according to a news release.

The certification signifies clinical excellence through diagnosis, stabilization and treatment by the hospital’s stroke team.

Prior to the certification, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North underwent a rigorous review process, as a team of DNV GL surveyors observed practices, interviewed teams and reviewed documentation.

The survey incorporates standards from the Guidelines of the Brain Attack Coalition and recommendations from the American Stroke Association.

The DNV GL certification is St. Joseph’s

Lions Club receives donation

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club continue to outdo themselves during this difficult pandemic year with their donations to myriad local organizations. Elaine Pittman recently delivered 91 pairs of eyewear to the Lutz-Land O’Lakes Lions Club for its mission in Third World countries. From left: Lions Club President Jackie Cameron, Elaine Pittman and Lions Club member Claudette Henry. For membership and community service information about the woman’s club, visit LutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org, or its Facebook page.

Hospital-North’s third significant award for the treatment of strokes and heart attacks in the last nine months.

For more information and to join our launch team, visit SparkPasco.com

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AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has been named to the Fortune/IBM Watson Health 100 Top Hospitals list.

This is the fourth consecutive year the hospital has been recognized with this honor, as one of the top performing hospitals in the United States.

“We are honored to be receiving this recognition for the fourth year in a row,” said Erik Wangsness, president and CEO of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel.

“At the heart of an award-winning hospital is an award-winning staff. This award recognizes our physicians’ and teams’ daily commitment to providing compassionate, whole-person care to our community. It is gratifying to know that one of the best 100 hospitals in the United States is right here in Wesley Chapel,” said Wangsness.

In addition to this accolade, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has again attained a CMS five-star ranking by the federal government.

The CMS ranking system assigns a star rating to hospitals based on performance across several quality categories.

Only 455 out of more than 3,300 CMSranked hospitals received a five-star rating.

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel was the only hospital in Tampa Bay to achieve a CMS five-star rating in 2020.

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Notice is hereby given that StoreRight Self Storage VI will sell the contents of the following self storage units by public auction to satisfy their liens against these tenants, in accordance with the Florida Self-Storage Facility Act. The auction will take place at this location on

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