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New twists in cake, pie contests By Ashley Schrader The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent
The annual Fourth of July cake and pie contest in Lutz this year will have a few new ingredients. One change attempts to level the playing field. From past experiences, contest coordinator Marilyn Wannamaker said she has observed that it was not fair to have a 4year-old compete against a 20-year-old.That inspired the addition of a new category. Now there will be three categories instead of two. It will break up adults 18 and older in their own group, with teens between 12 and 17 competing against each other, and children from 4 through 11 in
their own category. Also new this year, the contest will be move to the Lutz Senior Center. Previously, it was at the Lutz Fire Department building, but the volunteer fire department has since been replaced with a county crew and the building sold. This year will be Wannamaker’s “last hurrah,” as the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club member plans to turn over the task of organizing the event to someone new next year. At age 83 and after running the contest for 12 years, Wannamaker said it’s time to give someone else a turn. The Lutz woman said she originally found herself interested in the annual contest beSee CAKE, page 14
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Marilyn Wannamaker, who has coordinated the cake and pie contest for the Lutz Fourth of July celebration for a dozen years, says this is her ‘last hurrah’ in that capacity.
Local events display patriotic spirit on July 4 weekend
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COURTESY OF LIANE CARUSO
Lutz Guv’na candidate Liane Caruso has plenty of support for her campaign, including her sister-in-law, Dr. Dae Sheridan, right, and her daughter, Lila.
Liane Caruso working to brand herself Lutz Guv’na By Michael Murillo mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com
Liane Caruso runs Limelight Marketing Consultants, a full-service marketing firm she started in 2009. When she’s working, Caruso always is thinking about how to make something better known, bigger and more successful. Even as a candidate for Lutz Guv’na, she can’t take off her marketing hat. “I would hope that one day this Guv’na thing could be a really big deal,” she said.“I know there’s a lot of people who know about it, but I’m finding that there a lot of people who don’t know about it, and I think what a great way to bring attention to Lutz and the businesses of Lutz. “It’s a great concept, and I hope that it only continues to grow.” Caruso decided to help it grow by sign-
Local residents wanting to see fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July can enjoy them before, during and after the actual holiday. Multiple venues will host fireworks shows as part of special holiday celebrations July 3-5, along with a number of other activities to help celebrate Independence Day in Wesley Chapel and Land O’ Lakes. Those who want to celebrate early can visit The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel, on July 3.The shopping complex, home to around 100 different retailers, is the site of the third annual Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Freedom Festival. Last year’s event drew around 30,000 people. The free event begins at 5 p.m., and includes a watermelon-eating contest and a bicycle-decorating contest. But one of the highlights is a patriotic-themed pageant to crown Little Miss and Mr. Firecracker across several age groups. The pageant was a favorite in 2013, and should be bigger this year, said Debbie Detweiler, director of marketing for The Shops. “It’s grown so much that we’re having it hosted up on the center court stage this year,” she said.“It was a really popular part of the event last year, and we want to make See FIREWORKS, page 14
This is one in a series of stories profiling the candidates for Lutz Guv’na.
ing up as a candidate for the ceremonial title, given to the person who raises the most money during the campaign.The winner will be announced during Lutz’ annual Fourth of July celebration, and all monies raised go to local organizations. To help add a little marketing savvy to the race, Caruso launched ILoveLutz.com, which provides fundraising opportunities for her campaign. But once the race ends, she wants to see it grow into a site for local businesses to make their presence known to visitors and increase visibility for the community in general with news releases, business reviews, and a calendar of upcomSee CARUSO, page 14
COURTESY OF TONY MASELLA/OURTOWNFLA.COM
The third annual Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Freedom Festival at The Shops at Wiregrass features a fireworks display on July 3 at 9 p.m.