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Saturday, December 12 AVALON AGLOW (5 - 8PM) Monday, December 14 COOKIE DECORATING CONTEST (6 - 8PM) Tuesday, December 15 CAROLING (5:30 - 6:30PM) Wednesday, December 16 ORNAMENT DECORATING (6 - 8PM) Thursday, December 17 HAYRIDES (5 - 9PM) Friday, December 18 MOVIE NIGHT (6PM) THESE EVENTS ARE FREE, BUT TICKET RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED THROUGH THE EVENT PAGE:
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While our event is outside, all guests are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines as it pertains to social distancing and face masks. If you do not feel well or are uncomfortable being at a public event, please do not attend.
SO MUCH TO DO IN AVALON PARK WESLEY CHAPEL! Partnerships Make Us Even Better TOP-RANKED CHARTER SCHOOL
Families with school-aged children who live in and around Avalon Park have the option of sending their children to a brand-new charter school at the community’s entrance. Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel opened in time for the 2020-21 school year, with over 650 students in attendance. The school is operated by Pinecrest Academy Inc., one of the largest charter school companies in Florida. “Our dream of offering families a topnotch charter school is finally a reality,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for the Avalon Park Group. “Our goal is to have the very best school in the entire state.” The new school serves children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade, and plans to add seventh and eighth grades in coming
LIBRARY PROGRAMS IN YOUR BACKYARD
Having a library in the center of your community is something residents of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel truly love and value. The New River Library, a branch of the Pasco County Libraries system, is located on State Road 54, at the west entrance to the community. The New River Library is currently going through a complete renovation and expansion of its building and outdoor areas, and is also upgrading its technology capabilities. When completed early next year, it will be a showpiece for all of Pasco County. Visitors will love the library’s new modern look, covered walkway entry, much faster Internet speeds, expanded youth areas, and a makerspace that opens into a shaded classroom for outdoor activities. Patrons can expect “a complete re-imagining from top to bottom,” including space for do-it-yourself activities and gardening programs hosted by master gardeners or Pasco County Extension agents, said Bob Harrison, marketing program manager for Pasco County Libraries. The New River Library will re-open with its garden area greatly expanded from six raised beds to 26 beds. About half will be used for workshops and demonstrations, and the rest will be available to people who want to grow flowers or vegetables. “It’s really kind of neat that the library team gave us this opportunity,” said Judy Curran, the library’s youth services provider. Also, new at the library is a unique children’s activity, Story Walk, which will encourage children to follow a winding path where they will stop at stations and read pages from a storybook. “I think Story Walk is going to bring even more people when we reopen,” Curran said. “This little idea I had has really expanded.” To encourage full use of the library’s new capabilities, a new employee is being added who will be assigned to community outreach and helping organize library events. For information on New River and video on renovations, visit Facebook.com/newriverlibrary.
years. Its core curriculum consists of English/language arts, mathematics, social science and science. Electives include performing and fine arts, and world languages. Classrooms are designed for face-to-face instruction, but built-in cameras and microphones enable teachers to provide real-time, distance learning to students who are studying at home. Interested families can go to PinecrestWesleyChapel.com for more information and to apply for enrollment. Students are still being accepted in some classes for the current school year. Pinecrest has 16 schools, most located in South Florida. The Florida Department of Education reports that for 2018, all Pinecrest Academy schools earned an “A,” and one of the schools was the top-performing K-8 school in the entire state.
EXPAND YOUR ARTISTIC WORLD Take painting lessons, learn how to build beautiful pottery, explore photography and dabble in oldfashioned art techniques at the new East Pasco Gallery of the Pasco Fine Arts Council, located inside the Welcome Center for Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. A partnership between the Pasco Fine Arts Council and the Avalon Park Group brings arts and cultural events, exhibits and workshops to residents of east Pasco County for the first time in the Council’s 40-year history. “We want to have art classes and workshops for our community and neighbors, and a place to share artwork created by kids and adults,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of marketing for Avalon Park Group. One of the partnership’s main achievements during its first year together is its month-long art shows. “We are thrilled to provide a home for the Pasco Fine Arts Council in Wesley Chapel,” said Lerret. “It fits in perfectly with our vision to build Downtown Avalon Park as the cultural and event center of central and east Pasco County.”
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It’s Thanksgiving.Tradition says it’s best spent in a full house of family and friends, carving the turkey, sharing a table, then strategizing the busy weekend shopping plans. Medical experts have this advice: Maybe next year. With COVID-19 again on the rise, holiday traditions probably need to be temporarily halted — or at least revised. “People have to be much more cautious,’’
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said Mark Vaaler, chief medical director at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz.“We know the nationwide (COVID) numbers and now they are definitely increasing in Florida. Most of it has been through community spread.Any of these gatherings have the potential for some negative effects.’’ But, in many cases,Vaaler said he knows Thanksgiving gatherings will go on as planned. If so, he advises they should be held with reasonable precautions. “If you are at-risk, someone over 65, with diabetes or obesity, you should think long and hard about whether this is a year you
can get by without a traditional Thanksgiving,’’Vaaler said.“The general rule of thumb is 10 or less (people), which is usually difficult to do for a Thanksgiving gathering. “Then it’s about common sense. Social distancing and masks.You shouldn’t bring in family or friends who you haven’t been in contact with or you’re not sure where they’ve been. We’re blessed with good weather in Florida, so I would recommend holding it outside, if possible.That would be See GATHERINGS, page 11A
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His artistry conveys meaning Travel around Dade City or venture into Wesley Chapel, and chances are you’ve seen artist Mark Hannah’s work. Sometimes it shows up as a sign that conveys what a business offers; other times, it’s a mural meant to create an atmosphere. Above, Mark Hannah uses his painting skills to help the San Antonio business, Tangerine Hill, convey what they have to offer. Turn to Page 1B to learn more about the artist and his work.
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Whether it’s a portrait of a widely known entertainer, or a detailed painting of a tree — Mark Hannah uses his artistic touch to help convey a message or add beauty to many Pasco County places.
Mark Hannah is known widely in Dade City for creating murals that help businesses convey a theme.
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The Pasco County School Board has extended the district’s mask policy through the end of the school year. The action came during the board’s Nov. 17 meeting, at the recommendation of Superintendent Kurt Browning. It also followed an afternoon workshop involving Pasco County Schools staff and the Florida Department of Health-Pasco County, covering the district’s response to COVID-19. According to agenda materials, the proposed rule “is required to protect the health, safety and welfare of students and staff.” It “mandates and requires that all employees, contractors, visitors, and students wear a mask or other face covering while on school property and/or engaged in school activities.” The policy also “requires that proper social distancing must always be observed to the maximum extent possible.”Also,“whenever feasible and possible, students, staff, and visitors must remain six (6) feet away from persons that are not members of their
household.” School board member Megan Harding addressed the issue during the board’s evening session. “I know that COVID-19 is real,” Harding said.“People in our community have suffered from it. Megan Harding People in my family have suffered from it and people in our school family have suffered from it. “There no manual that has taught us how to run our school district during a pandemic. Our superintendent and staff have done an amazing, amazing job in making sure our students and teachers are the safest that they can be. Our principals have been tasked with a huge undertaking to keep their students and staff safe. Hours upon hours of work, and for that I am so grateful. “I truly believe that we have done a great See MASK, page 11A
delay hiring decision
They want county to advertise the opening. By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
The Pasco County Commission wants the county to advertise a top administrative position before deciding who should get the job. Commissioners made that decision during their Nov. 17 meeting, when they were asked to confirm the selection of Gary Joiner to be the director of administration in the county’s building and construction services department. The job pays $125,000. Sally Sherman, assistant county adminisSee HIRING, page 11A
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The Pasco County School Board is scheduled to set boundaries for the new Starkey Ranch K-8 school at the board’s Dec. 1 meeting. The school — part of a complex that includes a theater, library and cultural center — is scheduled to open in the 2021-2022 school year. The board held a public hearing on the proposed boundaries during its Nov. 17 meeting, with no one stepping forward to offer public comment. “Starkey Ranch K-8 is built to house about 1,500 students. Initially, the school will open with kindergarten through seventh-grade students. The plan is to grandfather rising eighth-graders to their existing school,” Chris Williams, the district’s planning director told the school board during the public hearing. “Staff put together a plan to rezone about 450 students from Longleaf and Odessa elementary schools to Starkey Ranch. “In addition, approximately 100 students from River Ridge Middle School are proposed to be rezoned to Starkey Ranch,” he said, noting the students assigned to Starkey Ranch K-8 live in the development. “With the Starkey Ranch development continuing to build houses for the next couple of years, we expect growth of about 200 K-8 students per year, so with growth, we anticipate approximately 750 K-7 (kindergarten through seventh grade) zoned students upon opening. “That leaves quite a few seats open for magnet school. However, we will be working to make sure we keep seats available and open for growth, in that area,”Williams added. District staff had an open house to ex-
plain the boundary proposals, and also accepted comments via the district’s Let’s Talk portal,Williams said. Six comments were received via Let’s Talk. “One person requested Asturia to be zoned for Starkey Ranch; one requested the Woodlands neighborhood of Longleaf to be zoned for Starkey Ranch. Others had questions about Starkey Ranch registration and grade configurations,”Williams said. The district also is recommending a slight boundary shift affecting the Watergrass and Wesley Chapel elementary schools. The change is being made as a result of the Epperson Ranch subdivision, Williams said. “That area of Epperson Ranch being developed goes all of the way up to Tindale Road. “You’ll also notice a small sliver above Tindale Road that has a few houses. Originally, when we were developing this plan, there were no elementary children who lived there who were attending the zone of Wesley Chapel elementary, but come August, one student did move into that area. We’ve been talking among ourselves.They will be rezoned to Watergrass Elementary, but if they choose to remain at Wesley Chapel Elementary, we plan on accommodating them,”Williams said. Additionally, Superintendent Kurt Browning does not intend to reset school choice for any of these schools that are affected by the boundary changes and grandfather children in with transportation. The final public hearing on the proposed boundary changes for Starkey K-8, as well as Watergrass and Wesley Chapel elementary, is set for 9:30 a.m., on Dec. 1, in the board chambers at district headquarters, 7205 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.
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Veterinarian honors his father, by donating a barn By Joey Johnston Special to The Laker/Lutz News
Dade City’s Centennial Elementary School has a brand-new barn for its 4-H Club. But, this structure is much more than a sturdy protective home to hogs and sheep, with goats on the way. It’s a son’s tribute to his late father, a pioneering marine biologist and beloved resident of Dade City. The “Blake Barn’’ was funded by a $10,000 donation from Dade City veterinarian Jonathan Blake, in the memory of his father, Norman Jasper Blake. The elder Blake, who was 74 when he died in 2018, initiated the University of South Florida marine science program at its St. Petersburg campus. “We are so appreciative of Dr. Blake’s generosity because when we put out the word for fundraising, we thought it would take a couple of years to happen,’’ said Kristi Dorough, a third-grade teacher at Centennial and the 4-H club leader. “Now we already have it and it’s already making a huge impact for our students. It has been wonderful.’’ Blake said he had been searching for a way to honor his father. Centennial’s plans seemed like a perfect fit, especially considering the family’s connections to the school — his mother,Virginia, was a charter faculty member when the school opened in 1986 and his son, Levi, is currently a fourth-grader there. “It was a good opportunity for my wife and I to get involved,’’ Blake said.“I’m interested in the teaching of agricultural science and maintaining the roots to the rural nature of our Dade City area, and teaching kids where their food comes from. “Those are important values that we are slowly losing. So it’s a perfect marriage — a way to honor my dad and, at the same time, do something good for our community.’’ Centennial principal Gretchen RudolphFladd said Dorough began the 4-H club about three years ago. Some chicken coops were moved to the campus, but overall, Centennial relied on another barn. When some Zephyrhills High School seniors donated three prize-winning sheep to Centennial, there was a problem — nowhere for the sheep to live. So the plans began. It played nicely into the plans of Rudolph-Fladd, who wanted Centennial to become a STEAM school.While the “A’’ typically stands for the Arts, at Centennial, it stands for Agriculture and Aviation (including the use of drones). “We want our ‘A’ to be cubed and the science learning is so closely tied to our community,’’ Rudolph-Fladd said. “It has worked so well. We are delighted that the Blake name will resonate forever at our school.’’ The Blake Barn, which will include a plaque about Norman Jasper Blake and a wrought-iron sign, has eight stalls. It was constructed by Affordable Building, a Hernando County company. So far, the 4-H Club has 15 members
COURTESY OF GRETCHEN RUDOLPH-FLADD
Funds for the Blake Barn at Centennial Elementary School were donated by Dade City veterinarian Jonathan Blake, in honor of his late father.
Centennial Elementary School’s robust 4-H Club got a major asset with the construction of the Blake Barn.
from kindergartners to eighth-graders.The older students attend Centennial Middle School. Besides the plans for hogs, sheep and goats, there also are designs on bringing in dairy cows. “From a very practical standpoint, the barn allows us to house more animals and grow our ability to educate the students,’’ Dorough said.“If some members live in the city limits and don’t have the farmland, they can keep their project at the barn. “It opens up so many opportunities.The young members can see what the older kids are doing.That will get them excited and interested.’’
Blake said it’s an appropriate way to honor his father, who spent his life dedicated to education and conservation. He had a particular interest in the study of scallops, oysters and clams. Blake said his father was instrumental in returning the scallop population to West Central Florida. “He had friends everywhere,’’ Blake said. “He would love to see these kids using that barn.When I hear ‘Blake Barn,’ those words cause me to choke up because I know it would’ve meant a lot to him.’’ The University of South Florida-St. Petersburg meant a lot to him, too. But, he moved his brood to the family land in Dade City.
The LAKER / Lutz NEWS
The Blake Barn already has hogs and sheep that are cared for by the Centennial Elementary School 4-H Club students.
For more than three decades, he made a long commute to work. But, the communityfeel of Dade City was more than worth that trade-off. “It is a great honor for my husband to be remembered,’’Virginia Blake said.“It means a lot that my son gets to honor his dad. We miss him very much, and I know all of this would make him happy.’’
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Pasco Thanksgiving closings Medicare plans* for 2021
The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report
Pasco County government offices, including the constitutional offices and the courts, will be closed on Nov. 26 and Nov. 27, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. All government offices and the courts will reopen on Nov. 30, according to a county news release. The Pasco County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources’ offices, recreation complexes and community centers also will be closed Nov. 26 and Nov. 27. Parks and beaches, however, will stay open to the public from dawn to dusk. Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) will be closed, and bus services will not run on Thanksgiving, but will be open on Nov. 27, and will be providing service on all fixed routes and paratransit. Administrative offices for PCPT will be closed to walk-in customers on Nov. 27, but phone lines will be open.
Pasco County Libraries will be closed from 5 p.m. Nov. 25, through Nov. 27. Libraries will resume regular business hours on Nov. 28. The Pasco County Animal Services Administration Office, Adoption Center, Intake/Reclaim Shelter and Field Services will be closed Nov. 26 and Nov. 27.An animal control officer will be available for emergencies only. The Adoption Center & Intake/Reclaim will resume regular business hours Nov. 28. The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility, West Pasco Class III, and the East Pasco Transfer Station will be closed to the public and Pasco County licensed commercial haulers on Nov. 26, and also will be closed to the public on Nov. 27, but they will be open to Pasco County licensed commercial haulers. Regular business hours will resume on Nov. 28. The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office will be closed Nov. 26 through Nov. 28.
Meals On Wheels for Kids expands By Mary Rathman mrathman@lakerlutznews.com
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The Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger (TBNEH), a tri-county leader in hunger relief, research and program development, will expand Meals On Wheels for Kids (MOW4Kids) into Lutz (zip codes 33548, 33549) and Safety Harbor (zip codes 33759, 34695, 33761), in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties, respectively. The program will begin delivering food to children attending school from home the week of Nov. 30. Deliveries will take place out of Mort Elementary School in Tampa and Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center in Safety Harbor, in partnership with the Nutrition Services and Transportation Departments at Pinellas County Schools and Hillsborough County Schools. The Network’s innovative MOW4Kids program launched this past March, and was developed in response to COVID-19 school closures, to serve children (18 years or younger) with meals delivered to their homes by volunteers. The program presents an alternative option for kids that are not able to access meal distribution sites throughout the county and/or kids that have difficulty accessing open food pantries. Currently, MOW4KIDS serves Clearwater, Gulfport, Lealman, and St. Petersburg in Pinellas County; Tampa
(33612 and 33613) and Wimauma in Hillsborough County; Dade City in Pasco County, and will continue to expand the program, to include Safety Harbor and Lutz. Volunteers with level 2 background checks will help deliver Meals On Wheels for Kids on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting at 10 a.m., and will board public school buses, along with the bus driver, to then go out and deliver shelf-stable boxes of food and cold meal packs to children and families. At the core of this program is nutritious food delivered to the homes of children and their families, and it will provide meals and shelf-stable groceries, including produce, as resources allow. To receive meals delivered to your home, visit NetworkToEndHunger.org/mow4kids/, or call (813) 344-5837. Volunteers are needed each week to help pack boxes and deliver meals on various days throughout the week out of Mort Elementary School in Tampa and Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center in Safety Harbor. Routes take about an hour to complete. To sign up, visit NetworkToEndHunger.org/volunteer/. The Network also is currently accepting donations at NetworkToEndHunger.org, to help support the MOW4Kids program.A donation of $20 will provide a week of Meals On Wheels for Kids deliveries to children in need.
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Saying Goodbye To My Family Homestead After A Lifetime Of Looking For A Home That Feels Just Like It By Diane Kortus Publisher
W
e have been publishing a monthly Home Section in The Laker/Lutz News for several years, and each month I write the stories you read in this section. I’ve learned much about the developers and builders behind many of Pasco County’s masterplanned communities, and enjoy telling their stories and those of the people who live in these new neighborhoods. This month, I thought I would share with you my personal story about home ownership, and why a home means so much more to me than just its physical structure. My first home, of course, was my childhood home in St. Paul, Minnesota. I was the fourth child in my family, and was 9 months old when my parents bought a farmhouse built in 1885 on five acres just outside the city limits. Six more children were born in this house, and it became our family homestead for the next 65 years. I left Minnesota for Florida when I was 25, and when I went back home to visit once or twice a year, I always stayed at my childhood home. After my father retired, the house became his primary hobby, and Dad loved showing off his most recent home improvement projects to me, not long after I walked in the door. As we became adults, the house remained the gathering place for all family occasions, and the house, my Dad and
This farmhouse, built in 1885, was the childhood home for Publisher Diane Kortus and her nine siblings in St. Paul, Minnesota.
my siblings became forever intertwined. After my father died in 2016, our stepmother stayed in the house until she decided she didn’t want to go through another Minnesota winter in a 135-year-old farmhouse. So, this summer she moved to a senior community with lots of activities and no worries about the furnace going out or waiting for the driveway to be plowed. A few months later, our family home was sold to a young couple who “wanted to raise their children in an old home with character.” While we were happy a new generation would be making new memories in our family home, selling it was very emotional because it was the last physical connection with our Dad, and there would no longer be a
place for large family gatherings. For me, that old farmhouse symbolized the love and stability of my family. As a child, I always imagined that when I grew up, I would buy a house just like it to raise my children and live in forever. Well, things didn’t quite work out that way. Over the course of my life, I have owned six homes, never living in any one of them for more than seven years. But, I have never given up my fantasy of a forever home. When it was time to move and look for the next house, I always searched for what I believed would be the perfect home to live in for the rest of my life. And, when it was time to move again a few years later, I was always sad to say goodbye and begin the search for our next home.
As I got older, and my children went off to college and then their own lives, I began to spend more time gardening and taking care of my shrubs and plants. I have even added orchids to my landscape, and when they bloom, I send pictures of the flowers to my sisters, as I once sent photos of my kids. I would rather be home than anyplace else — it’s a retreat that protects me and envelops me in serenity. It’s a place to display and enjoy family photos, favorite books and artwork from my daughter and local artists. My current home in Land O’ Lakes is my all-time favorite — but then I’ve said that about every home I’ve owned. It’s the first brand new home I’ve bought, and I’ve lived here already for over three years. Right now, I see myself staying here forever, but I know from my personal history that I will likely be moving again. Perhaps that is why I enjoy writing stories for this Home Section, because it lets my mind drift to the newest master-planned community coming to Land O’ Lakes or Wesley Chapel. I get to learn firsthand the latest in home design with flowing floor plans, new trends in finishes and the adaption of digital technology for the home. I hope that you, too, can close your eyes and visualize living in one of the communities or homes I have written about in this Home Section. Even if you are not looking to buy a home today, I hope that reading about what’s new in housing locally will help you find your next home, which perhaps will become your forever home.
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… At Avaalon Park Wesley Chapel • Classic homes rich in design and skillfully crafted d parks, tree-lined streets and wide front porches • Neighborhood • Tr Traditional dow wntown with shops, restaurants and offfiices • Tr Trails connectiing neighborhoods to downtown • New homes frrom the low $200s to over $400s • Resort-style am menity centers with pools, wo workout areas, tot lots and splash pad • We Wesley Chapel schools, including on-site elementary school c school at community entrance • K-8 Pinecrest charter
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Kia of Wesley Chapel Partners With Avalon Park
Sponsors Fireworks at Avalon Aglow!
K
ia of Wesley Chapel believes nothing is more important than supporting its community, and is thrilled to be the fireworks sponsor for Avalon Aglow on Dec. 12. When asked why giving back to the local community is so important to him and his staff, Shawn Visconte, who is general manager at the dealership, says it’s the right thing to do. “People like that we’re involved
with the community — for folks who haven’t done business with us in the past, they see us and understand who we are, what we do, and what we believe in,” says Visconte. Most of Visconte’s employees live close to the dealership, which is located on State Road 54, just east of I-75 and a few miles west of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. “Our employees call the Wesley Chapel area their home, and proudly contribute to our local community
through their families’ involvement and support of area schools, community organizations and clubs, veterans groups and places of worship,” said Visconte. “We hope to sponsor many fun community events, such as Avalon Aglow, in 2021 and beyond.” Know an organization that is looking for extra volunteers? Let Kia of Wesley Chapel know and they may be able to help! Email Emily Brun at ebrun@kiaofwesleychapel.com.
Avalon Aglow Kicks Off A Magical Month of Holiday Joy Of the many things that sets Avalon Park Wesley Chapel apart from other planned developments is its long history of organizing special events for area residents to enjoy. This year, the Avalon Park Group is launching its first ever HOLIDAY WEEK, with safe, family friendly activities every day of the week from Saturday, Dec. 12 through Saturday, Dec. 18. All events are free, but do require registration to allow for social distancing planning. You must register to reserve your place at these events by going to the community’s website at AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com, or its Facebook page at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Call (813) 783-1515 with questions, or email info@ AvalonPark WesleyChapel.com.
Pictures With Santa
Saturday, Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. Inside Avex Model Home 5263 Little Stream Lane
Avalon Aglow
Saturday, Dec. 12, 5 to 8 p.m. Fireworks begin at 8 p.m., but be sure to come out sooner to check out exhibitors and enjoy fun activities. 5060 River Glen Blvd. Wesley Chapel
Cookie Decorating
Monday, Dec. 14, 6 to 8 p.m. Frost gingerbread cookies with sprinkles and candy Inside the Avex Model Home 5263 Little Stream Lane
Caroling Night
Shawn Visconte, general manager of Kia of Wesley Chapel, coordinated his dealership’s donation of 117 face shields to Advent Health Wesley Chapel.
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Kia Gives Face Guards to Wesley Chapel Hospital
I
n August, Kia of Wesley Chapel received 117 face shields for staff to use while working and talking with customers. While thankful and appreciative of the corporate donation, employees at the local dealership preferred using traditional face masks, instead of the shields. Rather than letting the face shields sit unused, General Manager Shawn Visconte had an idea. “I thought to myself… our local hospitals could probably really use these face shields much more than us,” says Visconte. So, he called Advent Health Wesley Chapel and asked if they could use more face masks. “And they said, ‘Absolutely’,” says Visconte. Visconte arranged for a meet-up with workers from Advent Health Wesley Chapel, and gave them all 117 face shields. “They told me, ‘You should see some of the face shields we use.’ Basically, a lot of them were old and beat up, so this was perfect timing for them,” said Visconte.
Join neighbors and visit homes in Cypress Village and Hawthorne Meet at Avex Model Home 5263 Little Stream Lane
Ornament Night
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 6 to 8 p.m. Two ornaments to choose from Inside the Avex Model Home 5263 Little Stream Lane
Sleigh Ride Party
Thursday, Dec. 17, 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy a lazy sleigh ride pulled by tractors (reindeers were too busy) Begins at Avex Model Home 5263 Little Stream Lane
Movie Night
Friday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.
Kia of Wesley Chapel recently donated 117 face shields to Advent Health Wesley Chapel to be used as personal protection equipment for its staff.
Every month there is Movies Under The Stars, with hit movies perfect for families of all ages. In December, the movie is ELF, one of the most endearing Christmas movies ever made. The show begins at 7 p.m. and takes places outside the community center.
Downtown Avalon Park Is Also Downtown Wesley Chapel
A
valon Park Wesley Chapel soon will offer residents places to shop and work when its downtown center is completed. Infrastructure construction has begun on the first phase, which will include two office buildings, two mixed-use retail/residential buildings and a community park. “We will be building beautiful, multi-story buildings with commercial space designed for businesses our residents want close to home — restaurants, bakeries, coffee shops, bars and entertainment, hair and nail salons, as well as activities like dance, gymnastic and karate studios,” said Stephanie Lerret, senior vice president of the Avalon Park Group. In addition to shops and markets, the community’s downtown area will have over 500,000 square feet of commercial space. “We are not just developers— we are building a brand new town with family events all year-long,” said Lerret. “We’re bringing together everything a family needs to enjoy
Rendering of office buildings planned for Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.
life today, and in the future.” Few communities offer the recreational activities found at Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, thoughtfully created for residents of all ages. New in 2019 was an expansive second amenity center with a zero-entry pool, splash pad, spa and picnic
area. Avalon Park families also enjoy a wide array of other amenities, including another swimming pool, tot lot, basketball courts, pocket parks with mini-libraries, dog park, and trails and walkways that will interconnect with its planned downtown.
Already, 1,500 people call Avalon Park Wesley Chapel home, and over 750 homes have been sold since it opened in 2012. The community will continue to grow over the next several years and, at build out, will be home to 10,000 residents residing in 4,400 single and multifamily homes.
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GATHERINGS, from page 1A
Anecdotally, he has noticed more people declining to get a flu shot because they feel they’re fine with masking and social distanca very good idea.’’ ing. Vaaler said he knows his recommendaIt’s a similar attitude to holiday gathertions might cause some raised eyebrows ings. from families that have clamored “You try to warn people, but for the holidays. some just don’t want to hear it, He said that’s understandable. or be told what to do,’’ Vaaler People are seeking normalcy said.“They’re family.They want to after a mostly rough 2020 for hug and kiss because that’s how schools, businesses and almost you express appreciation and every other walk of life. love. “I do have a fear that the holi“The point is you can still days could bring even more have these gatherings if you limit rough times,’’Vaaler said.“People the people and adhere to precauare very, very tired of wearing tions. Stay outdoors if you can. masks, observing social distancMaybe it’s not a normal ing and all the rest. I think some Mark Vaaler Thanksgiving, but it’s the best apfolks will say,‘I’m getting together proach for everyone’s sake.’’ with my family, no matter what,’ Beyond the holidays, Vaaler and they’ll conduct activities and proceed cautioned that there’s no quick end in sight. like these are normal times. “I’m pretty convinced we’ve got several “There have been studies where a super more months of pain ahead of us,’’ Vaaler spreader event is traced back to just one said.“We’re getting encouraging news about person in the gathering being positive. But, the effectiveness of vaccines to mitigate the afterward, dozens were infected.Although I spread, but realistically that’s at least sumunderstand people being fatigued by mertime until we get enough people COVID, it’s just a good idea to wear the vaccinated. masks and take precautions, especially if “In the short term, I believe we’re still in you’re around people you’re not normally a situation where COVID is part of our lives. exposed to on a daily basis.’’ My optimistic viewpoint is the summertime Vaaler said he’s not surprised Florida is in (for a return to normal). My pessimistic view its current state of rising COVID cases. is toward the end of next year. Until it’s all When the numbers dropped a few months clear, all of us must continue to take the back, he detected some complacency. proper precautions.’’
HIRING, from page 1A trator for development services, spoke in glowing terms of Joiner’s qualifications and “fit” for the job. He has 30 years of professional experience, including as Pasco’s county property appraiser. He initially filed for reelection, but failed to qualify in the race for the seat that was won by Mike Wells Jr., who just left the county board. County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, however, wasn’t so sure that Joiner is the right choice for the job. “I have a little reservation with this selection, just from my own personal interaction when I found something that wasn’t correct, in his world of property appraising,” Starkey said. She said she brought the issue to Joiner’s attention repeatedly and it wasn’t corrected. “It took me talking to Dr. (Marc) Bellas (performance management director) about it, to get it fixed, and it cost this county tens of thousands of dollars. “The inaction, of fixing the problem, does not sit well with me,” Starkey said. She suggested:“I think we maybe need to keep looking.” Commissioner Ron Oakley was willing to support Joiner’s hiring, noting that he trusted County Administrator Dan Biles’ selection. But, Oakley’s motion to confirm the appointment died, for a lack of a second. Newly elected Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick asked if the position was advertised. Biles said it was not. Commissioner Mike Moore observed: “Typically, on a director-level position, from my memory, unless it’s an internal promotion, they are always publicized. I don’t remember one time, when we did not publicize an opening, unless it was an internal promotion.” Biles responded:“In general, we would.” In this case, however, he and Sherman believed that Joiner “specifically had the skills and experience necessary to do the job.” Biles also noted that Joiner “was already effectively a Pasco County employee, as the property appraiser.
“It just made sense to just go directly to him, and not go through the process, when I already knew who I thought we needed to hire,” Biles said. The county administrator continued: “Anytime you go through that (hiring) process, you put other people through time and effort to get through that. If you already know who you think you want to hire, it probably makes sense to go straight to the end result.” Fitzpatrick asked if the board could put off the decision until its Dec. 8 meeting, to provide the time to advertise to be sure that the county had the best person for the job. Moore told Fitzpatrick that the decision could be delayed. Biles told Fitzpatrick that he would prefer not to do that. “The board obviously can direct us to what the board wants us to do. I will go back to the hiring and firing of the county employees is an operational decision. We bring the directors and above to board for confirmation,” Biles said. But, Commissioner Jack Mariano said, he, too, supported advertising the job. “I think we’re best serving the people of Pasco by looking at everybody out there. Let’s go look at the talent that’s out there, and who wants this job, and find out what’s best for the position,” Mariano said. Starkey again expressed her dissatisfaction with Joiner’s response in her previous interaction. “It wasn’t my role to fix it. I brought it to the attention of someone in a leadership position that should have fixed it. I brought it to his attention multiple times, and it never got fixed on their end.That, to me, is a lack of leadership. I think you need leadership in that position,” Starkey said. Sherman assured Starkey if an issue arose, it would be addressed. But, Fitzpatrick made a motion to delay the issue until the board’s next meeting, with the position to be advertised to ensure the best candidate is selected. Starkey seconded the motion, which passed on a 5-0 vote. Moore noted the board’s action does not take Joiner out of the running for the job.
COURTESY OF FOREST HILLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Community garden is growing again The boxes were cleaned, new soil was added, and gardeners planted fall gardens at the Forest Hills Community Garden, on the property of the Forest Hills Presbyterian Church. Spring gardeners had a bountiful harvest of green beans, lettuce, tomatoes, okra, peppers, marigolds, zinnias and sunflowers. Fall gardeners already have harvested mustard greens and collards, and peas and green beans are popping up, too. For readers in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area who enjoy gardening, there are boxes rent for $25 for a growing season, and are on a first-come, first-served basis. The garden is at 709 W. Linebaugh Ave., in Tampa. For information, call Linda Swiger at (321) 278-4320, or there are leaflets in a marked container next to the church mailbox.
MASK, from page 1A job of keeping our schools open and functioning for our students. “Nobody likes wearing a mask. They’re uncomfortable, and our students can’t see their teachers or principals’ smiling faces. “While many students aren’t struggling with keeping them on, I have seen firsthand, the added layer of stress, making sure they are properly being worn, and the reminders that teachers are faced with having to give their students, daily. “However, it is our job to keep our students safe, and our staff safe, along with ensuring they receive the world-class education they deserve. “I’m not a doctor or a health official.The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is still recommending that masks are worn, local government still has a mandate in place and our local health officials are recommending we still wear them. “We saw that today, in the workshop — all of the data.We know that we can’t properly social distance our students in the classroom, and the cafeterias and the hallways, due to square footage.This is another layer of protection. “I want our teachers to feel supported and safe, when they’re coming to work. “And, I want our students to feel safe coming to school,” she said, and she wants
parents to know that their children are safe. “Mr. Browning, we’ve done such an amazing job in including our parents in many of our discussions around COVID-19, and for that I’m thankful. “We’ve allowed our parents to choose whether it felt safe enough to send their child back to brick-and-mortar, or whether they wanted to do MySchool Online. I truly hope that we continue, with the support of the health department — that we keep our parents involved in those conversations,” she said. Harding said she knows that COVID fatigue is real, and she would like to see the district move toward allowing: students to collaborate more; live performances with limited audiences; staff breakfasts; and, group staff meetings. She said she understands that any changes must be done safely. However, she added: “I really want our children to go to school. I want our children to participate in sports, the arts, field trips and events, but most importantly, I want our children to be safe.” She asked for assurances that the district could change its policy if conditions improve, and she was assured that it could. She’s in favor of relaxing the rule, as soon as it’s safe to do so. “I don’t want our students to go to school forever with a mask on,” Harding said.
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November 25, 2020
11A
Community Sports Your Neighborhood Sports Source
Locals stand out at state golf championships By Kevin Weiss
Class 3A
kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
I
f one thing has been learned over time — simply qualifying for Florida’s high school state golf championship tournament is an accomplishment in itself. It’s an opportunity this year reserved for a combined 45 boys teams and 45 girls teams across three classifications. Including individual qualifiers, fewer than 300 boys and golfers apiece — among the countless thousands of prep golfers — were able to showcase their skills and lay claim among the state’s elite. Within those numbers were two teams and another four individuals from The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. The 2020 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state golf championships ran from Oct. 27 through Nov. 4, at Mission Inn Resort & Club, in Howey-in-theHills. Boys competed at the Lake County resort’s 6,764-yard El Campeon Course, while girls played the 5,455-yard Las Colinas Course. Perhaps the most noteworthy showing came from the Steinbrenner High varsity girls team — as it marked its ninth straight year the program has qualified for states as a team. Coached by John Crumbley, the Warriors finished 10th out of 13 schools in the twoday Class 3A tournament. They were paced by sophomore Kavya Ajjarapu, who carded an 8-over par across two rounds (70-78 — 158) to finish tied for 12th out of 78 golfers. It marked the end of an impressive season for Ajjarapu, who also took home a 3A-9 district crown after shooting a 2-under 69 at TPC Tampa Bay back in early October. Other Steinbrenner golfers were McKenzie Kane (+11), Posie Farrelly (+11), Zoe Spanos (+70) and Paige Maginness (+121). The 3A match also experienced solid individual performances from Sunlake High freshman Alyssa Mixon and Wiregrass Ranch High senior Norah Catlin. Both tied for 32nd, shooting 14 strokes above par across the 36 holes. For Catlin, it marked her fourth straight state title appearance, going down as the most decorated female golfer in her school’s history. She’s also a three-time Pasco County Sunshine Athletic Conference Player of the Year. In 2A, Cypress Creek boasted a pair of individual qualifiers in sophomore Tiffany
BOYS No local schools or individuals
COURTESY OF CARROLLWOOD DAY SCHOOL ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT
The Carrollwood Day School varsity girls golf program achieved a milestone in qualifying for its first-ever state finals appearance as a team.
GIRLS Individual qualifier(s) Alyssa Mixon, Sunlake (tied 32nd) 78-80 — 158 Norah Catlin, Wiregrass Ranch (tied 32nd) 80-78 — 158 Steinbrenner (10th place) 338-334 — 672 Kavya Ajjarapu (tied 12th) 70-78 — 148 McKenzie Kane (tied 24th) 80-75 — 155 Posie Farrelly (tied 24th) 72-83 — 155 Zoe Spanos (tied 75th) 104-110 — 214 Paige Maginness, (77th) 117-148 — 265
Class 2A
BOYS Individual qualifier(s) Connor Newbold, Cypress Creek (29th) 80-78 — 158
COURTESY OF KATHLEEN KANE
Steinbrenner High sophomore Kavya Ajjarapu finished 12th overall at the Class 3A state golf championships. It concluded an impressive campaign for Ajjarapu, who also took home a 3A-9 district crown.
COURTESY OF WIREGRASS RANCH
Wiregrass Ranch High senior Norah Catlin wrapped up her fourth straight state golf finals appearance. She tied for 32nd overall in the Class 3A tournament.
GIRLS Individual qualifier(s) Tiffany Colin, Cypress Creek (16th ) 80-78 — 158
Class 1A
BOYS No local schools or individuals GIRLS Carrollwood Day (14th place) 366-358 — 724 Sophia Dyer (31st) 77-78 — 155 Elyse Meerdink (tied 40th) 82-78 — 160 Olivia Hasselbach (56th) 89-79 — 168 Mikaela Arey (94th) 117-124 — 241 Paige Bhuniak (95th) 145-148 — 293
COURTESY OF CYPRESS CREEK HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT
Cypress Creek High School was represented by a pair of state qualifiers in sophomore Taylor Colin, left, and freshman Connor Newbold. Colin finished 16th in the Class 2A girls tournament, while Newbold finished 29th in the 2A boys match.
Colin and freshman Connor Newbold. Colin went 14 over par to finish 16th among 95 girls golfers. She was key to her team during a banner season — helping the Coyotes finish with a 5-0 regular season mark and runner-up in the Sunshine Athletic Conference tournament. Newbold logged a 14 over par to finish 29th out of 97 boys golfers. He also was integral as the No. 1 golfer on the Coyotes boys
team, which reached the 2A-2 region tournament at Dubsdread Golf Course in Orlando. Meanwhile, in the 1A ranks, the Carrollwood Day School varsity girls team made its first state appearance in program history. The Patriots — who placed 14th — were pushed by seventh-grader Sophia Dyer, who finished 31st overall after posting an 11 over par (77-78 — 155).
Dyer comes from a something of a legacy golf family. Her older brother, Blake, is a former standout on the University of Florida men’s golf team who also finished runner-up at the 2016 Florida State Amateur. Her father, Kevin, lettered for the Florida Gators from 1984-1988 and was on the 1985 SEC Championship team. Other Carrollwood Day golfers included Elyse Meerdink (+16), Olivia Hasselbach (+76) Mikaela Arey (+97) and Paige Bhuniak (+149). By comparison, last year’s state tournament saw one team and another six individual qualifiers from our coverage area.
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schoolwide competition designed to promote good sportsmanship and school spirit. It was created in 2013, with the idea of the school community to come as one “to create something exciting and unique.” The deadline to submit entries will be Feb. 1. Criteria for submissions have changed LAND O’ LAKES slightly this year due to COVID-19 protocols JUNIOR GOLF EVENT that some schools are following. The Ancient Order of Hibernians There will be two separate category winDivision 2 Pasco County will host a junior ners this year to accommodate game golf skills challenge on Dec. 5, at Plantation attendance limitations, restrictions on Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantations Palms crowds and gatherings, physical and disBlvd., in Land O’ Lakes. tance learning, and so on. The event is open to boys and girls, ages The first category will be for schools 7 through 15. who have no restrictions or changes due to Participants will hit drives, chips and COVID-19.These are schools that still allow putts in competition with others of similar full game attendance, student sections, pep age. The competition is expected to run rallies and more. from 8 a.m. to noon, with ages 7 to 9 kickThe second category will be for schools ing off at 8 a.m.; ages 10 and 11 at 9 a.m.; who have had to alter their typical protoages 12 and13 at 10 a.m., and ages 14 and cols.These are schools that have limitations 15 at 11 a.m. on game attendance and may not have stuThe event is limited to 75 participants, all dent sections at all, do not allow pep rallies of which must be accompanied by a parent or large gatherings, and have students who or guardian. are distance learning and unable to physicalTrophies will be awarded to all age- ly be in attendance. group winners. Schools must submit a video that is 90 Cost is $25, which includes practice balls seconds to three minutes in length. The and a commemorative golf towel. video must contain a 30-second part on Proceeds from the event will benefit boosting school morale in creative ways, Pasco Kids First, a nonprofit with services and encouraging positivity and strength centered around the prevention, assessment through these difficult times; content must and treatment of child abuse and neglect. be appropriate; and it must be uploaded Rules and safety guidelines are available onto FHSAA’s YouTube channel. in the Plantation Palms pro shop.To register Judging will come from FHSAA’s Studentor for more information, contact Bob Athlete Advisory Committee and social Blanchard at (813) 263-6462 or media fan voting. golfnut2003@msn.com. Videos will be ranked based on the following categories: positive emphasis, spirit, SCHOOL SPIRIT COMPETITION originality, creativity and organization, and Time to again show off your school spir- student body and community participation while still focusing on safety. it. Winners of each category will be anThe Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) welcomes all member nounced March 9.A plaque and banner will schools to participate in the 2020- be presented to each winning school. Past winners of the contest include Clay 2021 Sunshine State Spirit Showdown — a
THIS OUT
12A
November 25, 2020
www.LakerLutzNews.com
COURTESY OF DAVID MILES
Tampa Bay Lightning team chiropractor Timothy Bain stands next to the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup at B3 Medical in Wesley Chapel.
Up close with the cup Local chiropractor Dr. Timothy Bain was able to spend the day with the NHL’s Stanley Cup at his Wesley Chapel-based practice, B3 Medical, at 2818 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Suite 100. Bain has been the Tampa Bay Lightning’s team chiropractor since 2011, assisting players on injury prevention and body maintenance. He was part of the team’s exclusive 52-member traveling party (including (Green Cove Springs), Fort Walton Beach, River Ridge (New Port Richey), Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach), Lake Howell (Winter Park), and Atlantic Coast
players and coaches) to the NHL’s quarantine “bubble” for the postseason tournament in Canada.The Lightning won the Stanley Cup on Sept. 28, defeating the Dallas Stars in six games in the finals. Bain’s B3 Medical practice also has locations New Tampa, Carrollwood and Riverview. He also works with a sports performance facility at Saddlebrook Resort & Spa designed for elite-level athletes. high schools. Visit tinyurl.com/yxfnmelp for more information about the Sunshine State Spirit Showdown.
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What’s Happening
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CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS
The Concourse once again will host its Celebration of Lights on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, from Nov. 27 to Dec. 20. Friday and Saturday hours are from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday hours are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.The cost is $20 per carload for the drive-thru experience throughout the property. Get a ticket at the Train Depot for the Grand Concourse Railroad miniature Holiday Train (Friday and Saturday nights only).The Concourse is at 11919 Alric Pottberg Road in Shady Hills. Tickets are at the gate only (cash, debit and credit cards). For information, visit CelebrationOfLightsFL.org.
ART GUILD RESUMES
The West Pasco Art Guild Inc., a nonprofit art association in Pasco County, will reopen for weekly activities after Nov. 26.The guild’s goal is to create, foster and sustain interest in the involvement of fine arts, to sponsor education, programs, displays and exhibitions, and to increase the skills of the members and artists in the area.The organization is entirely self-sustaining and receives no state or federal funding. Donations are accepted.Visit WestPascoArtGuild.org for details.
HOLIDAY EVENTS
The Shops at Wiregrass will offer these holiday entertainment events: • Strolling entertainers: from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., on Nov. 27; Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 28 to Dec. 20; and daily from Dec. 21 to Dec. 24. • Movie Night Thursdays: through Dec. 10 (except Thanksgiving), at 6:30 p.m. • Live music: Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 19, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Upcoming movies include “The Grinch” on Dec. 3 and “Ice Age:A Mammoth Christmas” on Dec. 10. For information on the lineup of music and entertainers, visit TheShopsAtWiregrass.com.
MAKE FRY BREAD
The Regency Park Library Facebook page will share a video for “Fry Bread:A Native American Family Story” by Kevin Noble Mallard, and then participants can learn the fry bread recipe inspired by the story, on Nov. 28 at 2 p.m. For information, call the Regency Park at (727) 861-3049.
CAR/TRUCK SHOW
Zephyrhills Moose Lodge No. 2276 will host its annual Car and Truck Show on Nov. 28 from noon to 4 p.m., for all ages, at 3011 Gall Blvd. Car judging starts at 12:30 p.m.All cars must be registered for judging. There will be a motorcycle poker run, awards, prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction.The lodge and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves are teaming up to collect an unwrapped gift or a $5 donation for Toys for Tots.A hamburger, chips and soft drink will be available for purchase for $6.
TREE PAINTING
The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host a virtual craft for adults on Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. Participants can learn to make a tree painting using bundled Q-tips. For the step-by-step video, visit Facebook.com/cplib.
WINTER TERRARIUM
The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer a virtual craft class on Nov. 30 at 10 a.m., that combines nature with art. Participants can learn to make a wintertime terrarium. Materials will not be provided for this garden craft.To view the video, visit Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary.
TEA MEDITATION
The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer a virtual Full Moon Tea Meditation on Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m. Join in with a cup of your favorite hot beverage, which will be used as a tool for becoming more aware of the present moment.Arrive at the meeting 15 minutes early to share your favorite mug and what your favorite beverage is. Registration and a signed waiver are required. For information on how to join, call Amaris Papadopoulos at (727) 8613020.
HOLIDAY BOOK SALE
The Friends of the Land O’ Lakes Library group, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a
“Resume Review.” Library staff will make notes and suggestions to have your resume stand out, no matter what field of work you are pursuing. Patrons will be served on a first-come, first-served basis, and should allow one to two weeks for the review to be sent back. Be sure to include contact information.Also, patrons can pick up a Career Development Kit that includes resources on resume tips, job searches, online applications, interview tips, skill building, library databases on career development, local organizations and resources, and recommended reading. For more, call (813) 929-1214.
The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City will present its annual Country Christmas & Vintage Market on Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Complimentary photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus start at 1 p.m. There also will be live entertainment and the Barking Dogs will perform, as well as a Cutest Elf Contest (five age groups); an Elf Hat Hunt; a Best Decorated Building contest; activities for kids with candy and prizes; Reindeer Games; Make an Ornament; model trains; blacksmith demonstrations; food and shopping vendors; a concession stand; and more. Parking is free. Admission is $5; kids under age 5 are free. Pioneer also is collecting canned food to benefit The Thomas Promise Foundation. Guests must wear a face mask, wash hands often and use hand sanitizer, and follow 6foot social distancing guidelines. For a schedule of events and information, visit Pioneerfloridamuseum.org. Holiday Craft Book Sale from Nov. 30 to Dec. 19. Guests can browse craft books, cookbooks, and other holiday-related items. Cash only, supplies are limited, and face masks and social distancing are required.All donations will benefit the Land O’ Lakes Library. For information, call (813) 929-1214.
DOWNTOWN ICE RINK
The Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park, featuring a riverfront ice skating rink and a nightly light show set to holiday music, has opened in downtown Tampa. New this year is a train ride around the park, offering another way to take in the light show.The ice rink will operate at half-capacity, and tickets must be purchased online in advance, at WinterVillageTampa.com.All skaters must wear masks, and ground decals will help participants to follow social distancing guidelines. No ticket is needed for the Winter Village.The train cars will be limited to one family at a time, and the cars will be sanitized between rides. The train will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
PANTRY FOOD DRIVE
The Helping Hands Food Pantry of Wesley Chapel’s Food & Fund Drive will run through Nov. 30.Total Air Solutions, 1015 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in Tampa, will be a drop-off point. Items needed the most include peanut butter and jelly; macaroni and cheese; spaghetti sauce; boxed pasta; rice; beans; soup; canned vegetables; canned fruit; and cereal. For information and other food donation locations, call (813) 247-2665, or visit TotalAirFl.com.
RESUME REVIEW
The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer resume reviews through Nov. 30. Drop off a copy of your resume and/or cover letter to the library’s service desk or curbside, or email the same to lol@pascolibraries.org with the subject line
CHRISTMAS STROLL
AdventHealth Zephyrhills will present an inaugural Christmas Stroll on Dec. 4 through Dec. 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., on its fitness trail, 7050 Gall Blvd. Guests can take a socially distanced walk on the trail filled with holiday decorations, music, lights and oversized Christmas cards. No reservations required. For information, visit AHZephyrhills.com.
DRIVE-IN CONCERT
Pasco County Libraries will host a free drive-in live-streamed concert on Dec. 4 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Hudson Regional Library parking lot, 8012 Library Road. Local artists Shaun Hopper and Chris Barbosa will open for the Sarasota Slim Band.Attendance is limited to 50 vehicles. Preregistration is required online at bit.ly/32wPLds. For those attending in person, the concert will be broadcast on 88.1 FM.The event also can be watched on YouTube.com/pascocountylibraries.
TREE & LIGHT FEST
A Holiday Tree & Light Festival is planned at the Grove at Wesley Chapel on Dec. 4 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.The festival will include Santa, Christmas trees, a light show, hayrides, games, live music/entertainment, prizes, artisan vendors, food trucks and more.Tickets start at $5. For information, visit tlceventsandpromotions.com/eventdetails/holiday-tree-festival.
CRAFT FAIR FUNDRAISER
Forest Lake Estates will have its annual Holiday Craft Fair on Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at 6429 Forest Lake Drive in Zephyrhills.There will be a variety of handcrafted items, including jewelry, sewing, florals, paintings, pottery and more. Proceeds will benefit Everyday Blessings, The Thomas Promise Foundation, and the Pregnancy Care Center in Zephyrhills.
MAIN STREET CHRISTMAS
Main Street Christmas in Time Square will take place on Dec. 5 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Main Street on Fifth Avenue in Zephyrhills.There will be hot cocoa, food trucks, Santa, Christmas carols, a tree lighting at 6:30 p.m., and a movie at 7 p.m. Admission is free. For information, visit the Events link at ZephyrhillsChamber.org.
SOCK SNOWMAN
The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer a virtual craft on Dec. 5 at 2 p.m., for kindergarten through fifth grade. Participants can learn how to make a nosew sock snowman.To view the video, visit Facebook.com/cplib.
HOLIDAY MARKET
The Tampa Bay Moms Group (TMBG) will host a Holiday Market on Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Tampa Premium Outlets, 2300 Grand Cypress Drive in Lutz. There will be local unique small businesses and vendors offering personal services, hand-made items and more.The Moms Group will collect nonperishable food items and unwrapped toys for families in need.There will be swag bags for the first 100 guests to bring a donation to the TBMG table, as well as 100 bags for the first 100 moms to visit the TBMG table. Guests can keep an eye out for a favorite princess, super hero or Santa himself. Event is rain or shine. For details or vendor information, email steffany@tampabaymomsgroup.com, kristyl@tampabaymomsgroup.com or tascha@tampabaymomsgroup.com. Check “Holiday Market” on Facebook for updates.
CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK
The Founders Garden Club of San Antonio will host a “Christmas Drive Around the
Park” on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m., at the San Antonio City Park, 32819 Pennsylvania Ave. There will be Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and a lighting of Christmas cards and a Christmas tree, while a special Christmas music program plays throughout the park provided by Saint Leo University Radio WLSL 92.7 FM.The program will end at 8 p.m. Complimentary homemade packaged cookies will be handed out and Santa’s elves will give out goodie bags to children. For information, call Barbara Berberich at (352) 668-4540.
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
The Suncoast Harmony Chorus wants to share a magical, musical COVID-free Christmas greeting, by offering to telephone your family or friends, anywhere in the United States, and deliver a live performance of a chosen Christmas carol. Calls will be available on Dec. 14 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and on Dec. 20 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Participants can purchase one song for $10 or two songs for $15, to the same phone number. Choose a time and a favorite Christmas song:“Little Saint Nick,”“Caroling, Caroling,”“Do You Hear What I Hear,” a Carol Medley (“It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” and “Silent Night”),“Go Tell It on the Mountain,” or “Angels We Have Heard on High.” For information and an order form, visit Suncoast-Harmony.com. For questions, call (813) 996-4680. Orders and payments must be received no later than Dec. 10.
AVALON AGLOW
Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will host its annual Avalon Aglow on Dec. 12 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at 5060 River Glen Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.There will be a bounce park, food trucks, vendors, community performances, pictures with Santa, and fireworks at 8 p.m.Avalon also will host cookie decorating on Dec. 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; caroling on Dec. 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; ornament decorating on Dec. 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; hayrides on Dec 17 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and a movie night on Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. Guests are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines for social distancing and face masks. Events are free, but ticket reservation is required at AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com, or by calling (407) 658-6565.
SPOTLIGHT ON TALENT
The Heritage Arts Center Association is looking for entries to its 38th annual Spotlight on Talent, a performing arts competition for young people through high school seniors.There will be more than $4,000 in cash prizes, and trophies, as well as a $1,000 scholarship awarded to a graduating Pasco County senior. Applications are available at HeritageArts.org, or at area schools, studios and Chambers of Commerce in East/Central Pasco. Entry deadline is Jan. 28.The preliminary contest will be Feb. 13 and the final show on March 6.There will be a “Plan B” in place if COVID-19 is still active.
ART SHOW CANCELED
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club has canceled its annual December Lutz Arts and Crafts Show, due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, and potential for infection of vendors, club members and the public. Plans are in the works for 2021, so stay tuned.
FINE ARTS CLASSES REOPEN
The Pasco Fine Arts Council is currently open and starting fall classes. Safety precautions include sanitization of the center, reduced class size to eight students, and mandatory face masks. For a printable class schedule (watercolor, oil, acrylic, drawing, pottery) or to sign up, visit PascoArts.org, or call (727) 545-7322.
LIVING COLOR EXHIBIT
The Tampa Museum of Art, 120 W. Gasparilla Center, will showcase its newest exhibit,“Living Color:The Art of the Highwaymen,” through March 28.The exhibit brings together 60 paintings from five private collections, featuring the works of the core group of Florida Highwaymen.These celebrated African American artists depicted the state’s natural environment and rich tones through their unique, self-taught painting styles.
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The LAKER / Lutz NEWS INSIDE: Directories, Classifieds, Games & More
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N OV E M B E R 2 5 , 2 0 2 0
Artist thrives — with a community of happy clients By Joey Johnston Special to The Laker/Lutz News
M
ark Hannah is a busy guy. So busy, in fact, that he hasn’t used a business card in about 10 years. “I really should have one,’’ he said. “One of these days.’’ One of these days, when his work slows down … and that doesn’t appear to be anytime soon. Hannah, a Dade City artist who specializes in handmade signs, logos and murals, has a lineup of Pasco County businesses that want his services. It’s all word of mouth — and the word is good. In a 2020 world where such art is driven by digitally created computer creations, Hannah remains hopelessly old-school. He hand-sketches everything, then paints it on a wall. He uses a grid system that produces an uncanny reproduction. And, it looks a lot better than a vinyl logo that was purchased online. “Watching Mark work is the craziest thing you’ll ever see,’’ said Amber Langston, owner of Wesley Chapel’s Four Leaf Cross Fit.“Our logo has a circle in it.You can’t really mess with a circle. It would look terrible if it’s the slightest bit off. It’s so perfect. “Everybody wants their picture in front of that mural so they can put it on social media. It’s amazing branding for us. That mural makes our gym pop. It embodies our brand and it means a ton to us. Outside of purchasing equipment, it was the best money we’ve spent.’’
COURTESY OF MARK HANNAH
Dade City artist Mark Hannah uses his sign-painting skills in all sorts of places.
WITH THIS ARTIST, QUALITY IS JOB ONE
Brian and Rebecca DeCook work out at Four Leaf Cross Fit. They loved Hannah’s mural. So when they opened Highland Axe Throwing at the Grove in Wesley Chapel, they knew who to call. “I was stunned by that huge mural at Four Leaf,’’ Rebecca DeCook said.“It looks like professional street graffiti, something you’d see in Los Angeles or New York. I didn’t know the guy (Hannah), but I knew we had to use him. “I have pretty high standards. People say, ‘Oh, I’d never do work for you.’ For him to meet my expectations would’ve been a challenge for him. He exceeded them. He had no idea what he was walking into, but he wowed me.’’ DeCook said it’s all about Hannah’s personal touch. She was leery of anyone trying to replicate her company’s intricate Highland cow logo, but she said it turned out beautifully. “When you hire him, you’re not hiring a company, you’re hiring Mark,’’ DeCook said. “You’re hiring an artist.You’re hiring the Van Gogh. It’s not like when you hire a company and they sent you someone that does just enough where you won’t complain and you settle. His prices are fair, but it’s not about the money. It’s about the pride he has in his work. I would never use anyone else.When you consider the price and craftsmanship, no one can come close.’’ Elsewhere in the Grove, Hannah’s work is displayed at Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar and Restaurant. He painted a mural of Billy Joel sitting at the piano. It was so good, he followed it with an Elton John mural, then one of Alicia Keys. “Mark’s work gives our place a lot of personality,’’ Treble Makers owner Jamie Hess said. “It makes us unique. And, it’s a local artist, so it fits because we like to have local musicians. “It was very entertaining for me to watch him at work. He showed me a drawing of what he was thinking for Billy Joel. He absolutely nailed it. He gets up on the ladder, free-hands the whole mural and does his thing. He has a gift like you see in so very few people.’’ Hannah said he always felt comfortable doing artwork — or any kind of work, really. He was a self-described “class clown and partier’’ who hated school and wound up getting his GED. He went to commercial art school and learned how his drawings could be used for consumers. He did layout for newspapers, then some screen painting.
Mark Hannah’s artistry helps set a mood for many local businesses.
Mark Hannah poses by his Elton John mural, which was produced for Wesley Chapel’s Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar and Restaurant.
Mark Hannah hand-paints signs and murals on the walls of local businesses.
But, around Dade City, he learned the craft of sign painting from some veteran artists and fell in love with the concept. “Some business owners just like the hand-painted feel of a sign, especially in Dade City with the quaint antique stores and the old downtown,’’ said Hannah, 53. Always a free spirit, Hannah worked at a number of jobs, including machinist, tree surgeon, landscaper and house painter before venturing into his own sign-painting business in 2003. He was moderately successful, but toward mid-2009, when the American economy had tanked due to the Great Recession, he was desperate. “I had no work because everything had dried up,’’ Hannah said.“Oh, I had a safety net
with family and friends that would’ve bailed me out. But, I had five bucks to my name. Literally. Five bucks.That’s how bad it was.’’ He walked into Francesco’s New York Style Pizza in Dade City. He had just enough money for one slice and a soda. “I was still wearing my work uniform, splattered with paint,’’ Hannah said. “The owner walked out and said, ‘Are you an artist? I want to do a mural on this wall. Can you do that?’ “I was like,‘Yes sir, I can,’ and I was like Speedy Gonzalez getting my stuff together. That moment was really when it all started.’’ Since then, Hannah has enjoyed a few side gigs, such as producing giant papiermache replicas of political candidates, including one of Mitt Romney that was used at the 2012 Republican National Convention in Tampa and another of Donald Trump that wound up on MSNBC.com’s front page. He’s also the lead guitarist in a rockabilly band (Skinny McGee and his Mayhem Makers), which has taken him to Las Vegas,
Los Angeles, and Europe (six times). But, at his core, he’s a hometown artist. He mostly does mural work, sign painting and lots of projects for the Pasco County Fair. He couldn’t imagine anything better. “I think part of it is I’m from here and people know me,’’ said Hannah, whose business is known as Hannah Designs Artwork. “I really love my life and what I do. It’s so important to have good people skills. Every time you get a new job, it’s a new client and potentially a new referral. “My goal is always to work with somebody, give them what they want, be fair, do a great job, make them extremely happy and have them tell somebody else. I’m extremely blue-collar — more that than artsy — so I understand the importance of work and being timely. It’s going well. I could do stuff on a computer, but that’s nothing like being on the ladder and swinging paint. I’m one of those fortunate guys who’s doing what he loves to do.’’ For more information, Hannah can be reached at markhannahdesigns@gmail.com or (352) 467-0664.
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Samoa (light-colored boy) and Fiji (tiger-striped girl) both were discovered, years apart, under a loading dock of a warehouse in South Florida, where Char Vinik worked. Samoa’s mother is Fiji’s grandmother. The loading dock seemed to be a safe place for stray cats to have their litters, but Samoa needed to be rescued from the nearby trash bin by office staff before collection day. Fiji was rescued when she was a tiny baby and needed to be bottle fed. Char and Steve Vinik are fortunate they could give these two a good home, and are thankful for their company and affection. Samoa and Fiji like to lounge on the patio furniture and now with the Viniks in Wesley Chapel.
BRAVING THE ELEMENTS
On a recent windy day, Max Rathman found this tiny Cuban tree frog clinging to a leaf on one of the plants in his front yard. This kind of tree frog can be 1.5 inches to 3 inches long, and it typically eats beetles, roaches, spiders and other small invertebrates
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!
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PET PAWS KEEPING PETS SAFE AT THANKSGIVING Like everything else in 2020, for most people, this Thanksgiving will look quite different. There might be fewer human visitors, but one thing for certain is that many American homes have newly adopted dogs and cats to be thankful for, and pets are grateful to be spending the holiday in foster homes. Many people are counting the blessings of having a pet in the home for the first time this year, according to a Best Friends Animal Society news release. For this reason, the Best Friends national animal welfare organization (dedicated to ending the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters) is offering a few special precautions to help make this Thanksgiving a happy and healthy holiday for all family members, including our pets. Families may be tempted to give in to their begging pets, but sharing the feast can lead to trouble for pets. Here are some guidelines from the animal society: • Too much rich, fatty food, or simply new, unfamiliar foods can upset a pet’s stomach - and even cause pancreatitis, which can be life-threatening. Owners should go easy on the tidbits. • Poultry or ham bones can break up or splinter in a pet’s stomach and be deadly, so dogs and cats should never be allowed to gnaw on them, and bones should go outside to the trash immediately. Other food-flavored items such as plastic wrap, string, mesh or the pop-up timer can smell tempting to curious pets,
but can injure their stomachs if stolen and ingested. • Chocolate, especially that used for baking, is toxic for dogs, so it should be kept out of reach. Other common food items that can be poisonous to dogs include onions, raisins and grapes, so avoid sharing these. It is a good idea to review these rules with any guests as well, since well-meaning holiday visitors might not know the potential harm caused by slipping treats to the pets. If pet owners want to make the holiday special for their four-footed family members, they should plan ahead and have safe food items on hand, like canned pet food or tasty pet treats, or a fun toy. There also are recipes online for homemade dog and cat treats that are fun to make and extra special. A final note to consider: Many common decorative plants and flowers can be toxic for curious cats and dogs, so before buying plants or creating the centerpiece, check to ensure that you’re not using anything that could poison your pets. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, some plant hazards include amaryllis, baby’s breath, sweet William, some ferns, hydrangeas and others. Thanksgiving is often one of the busiest evenings for emergency vet clinics, so it’s an important time to be extra careful with animal friends, especially when many animal hospitals are operating under COVID restrictions. To check out a community lifesaving dashboard and more information, visit BestFriends.org.
That car driving down the streeet playing music loud enough h to rattle eve every windo ow on your block? To To oss ss them this t ad d. d
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Charlie Reese
Charlie used to be editor or of The Laker/Lutz News back in the early 1990s, when Dale Mabry, U.S. 41 and S.R. 54 were all two-lane roads. “Now the area has grown wn and so have these papers,” says Charlie, “The success of these papers is because they continue to report on what is happening in our community and our neighborhoods.” As for his favorite section of the paper, he loves checkking out the “W Wildlife of the We Week” photo section. “The photos readers send in are splendid,” says Charrlie. Now, Charlie is president and “Listener-in-Chief” at JC Audiology, an independent hearing aid dispenser in Lutz. JC Audiology was founded by Dr. Judith L. Reese, Charlie’s wife, in 2005. “I am always cheered up when I see the hysterical adds from JC Audiology and the beautiful audiologist that smiles back at me,” sayss Charlie.
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The LAKER / Lutz NEWS CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1. Opposite of west 5. __ Caesar, comedian 8. Helps little firms 11. A way to censor 13. Expresses atomic and molecular weights 14. Chalcedony 15. Type of sword 16. A corporation’s first offer to sell stock to the public 17. Attired 18. A sequence of winding turns 20. Pal 21. Expresses pleasure 22. Amendable 25. Clear 30. A way to cut off 31. Indigenous Thai person 32. Pale brownish yellow color 33. Aquatic plants genus 38. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! 41. Merchants 43. Fix a chair 45. Throws into disorganization 48. Famed German composer 49. Keyboard key 50. Oral polio vaccine developer 55. Partner to pain 56. Where golfers start 57. Jenny __: weight loss program 59. Sailing dinghy 60. Suffix that forms adjectives 61. Speeds at which music is played 62. Body part 63. Fall back 64. Ancient Greek sophist
SEE SOLUTIONS, PAGE 11B
DOWN 1. One point south of due east 2. Wings 3. One point south of southeast 4. The shirts on our backs 5. One who works on the seas 6. Select jury 7. Small intestines parts 8. Plant of the heath family 9. Extrasolar planet 10. Creates more of 12. Before 14. Forms over a cut 19. Runs down 23. Exercise regimen __-bo 24. Unkeyed 25. Principle underlying the universe 26. Corpuscle count (abbr.) 27. Residue 28. Company that rings receipts 29. Rugged mountain range 34. Commercials 35. NY footballer 36. They __ 37. Soviet Socialist Republic 39. Poked holes in the ground 40. Pitchers 41. Your 42. Diana __, singer 44. Important document for inventors 45. Bangladesh capital 46. Fluid that flows in the veins of Greek gods 47. Famed daguerreotype photographer 48. Where military personnel work 51. Play a role 52. La __ Tar Pits, Hollywood 53. Unstressed-stressed 54. Type of palm tree 58. Judo garments
www.LakerLutzNews.com
November 25, 2020
3B
NEW OPERATIONS CENTER
Send business news to news@lakerlutznews.com
GREATER ZEPHYRHILLS CHAMBER BREAKFAST The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce is having its business breakfast on Dec. 3 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 38421 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills.The fee is $10, and includes a continental breakfast.A tree auction will be held, so businesses can buy a tree to decorate their business. Danny Burgess, just elected to represent District 20 in the Florida Senate, will be the guest speaker.
YMCA AND KIA JOIN FORCES
The Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA and KIA of Wesley Chapel are working together on a bike drive to benefit the YMCA youth at Sulphur Springs K-8 Community School. The community is asked to donate new bikes to students in need.A collection dropoff will be available Dec. 18 to Dec. 20, at KIA of Wesley Chapel, 28555 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel. Hours are Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. “We wanted to team up with the Y to provide kids with a different type of ride – a new bike. Besides putting a smile on their faces during what could be a difficult holi-
COURTESY OF SAN ANTONIO CITIZENS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Holding shovels, from left: Jay Vogel, supervisory committee chair; Billy Cowan, Consultants & Builders Inc.; Jack Vogel, board chair; Tim Baldwin, director; Bob Hatfield of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ office; and Patty Sarne, the credit union’s president & CEO.
day season financially for their families, what better way to stay healthy, get outside, and ride with their friends to school or the park,” Emily Brun, Community Coordinator, KIA of Wesley Chapel, said in a news release.
SURVEY SHOWS MOST AMERICANS WON’T TRAVEL FOR HOLIDAYS
The hotel industry is renewing its calls to Congress to pass another COVID Relief Bill, citing the findings of a new national survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association.That survey shows that 72% of Americans are unlikely to travel for Thanksgiving and 69% are unlikely to travel for Christmas, according to a news release
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FOUNDATION CHIROPRACTIC HAS A NEW HOME
Foundation Chiropractic recently had a ribbon cutting to celebrate its new location in Northpointe Village.Those attending the open house could enjoy refreshments and had a chance to win prizes. Foundation Chiropractic is at 16541 Pointe Village Drive., No. 207, in Lutz.
IERNA’S RECEIVES NATIONAL HONOR
IERNA’s Heating & Cooling Inc. of Lutz, and Florida and Trotter Air Services LLC of Plano,Texas were named the 2020 Charles Bryant Award winners. The Charles Bryant Award, named for the company’s founder, recognizes loyal Bryant Factory Authorized Dealers (FAD) that epitomize the characteristics of Charles Bryant, including professionalism, quality, reliability and community spirit, according to the news release. Bryant, a leading supplier of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, is a part of Carrier Global Corporation. “We’re so proud to have been named a
The San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union had a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Operations Center on Nov. 13.The 11,000-square-foot facility is expected to open in late 2021. It is next to the credit union’s branch in San Antonio, at 12552 Curley St., according to a news release. “Building this facility is an example of our commitment to our members, our staff and our communities,” Patty Sarne, president and CEO, said in the release. “As our membership and our communities continue to grow, this facility will help us attract highly talented individuals to join our team, provide additional job opportunities and advancement for our current staff, and expand our footprint in our membership field,” she added, noting the credit union is proud to build its new center in the town where it began. 2020 Charles Bryant Award winner,” Charlene Ierna, owner, IERNA’s Heating & Cooling Inc., said in the release.“We pride ourselves on providing our customers with reliable, quality equipment that is installed and serviced by a team of skilled and courteous technicians. So, it’s truly wonderful to be recognized for how we conduct business. Our relationship with Bryant has been fantastic since we first opened our doors in 2003,3 and we make sure we are doing ‘Whatever it Takes’ for our customers each and every day.”
BUSINESS SPECIALIZES IN SHORT-TERM RENTALS
A new company, based in Wesley Chapel, specializes in full-service short-term rental property management and marketing.The company helps homeowners increase their income, while delivering boutique-level service to its homeowners and guests.The company’s service area is expected to include Wesley Chapel, Winter Haven, Lakeland, Brandon, Land O’ Lakes Lutz, Zephyrhills, San Antonio and Dade City. To find out more, please visit floridalakes.itrip.co, or send an email to either kim.gauthier@ itrip.net or Charles.gauthier@itrip.net.
Mulligan Financial Helps Businesses Grow BY SECURING LOW INTEREST DEBT This past spring, Dade City resident Jennifer Mulligan found herself at a crossroads like a lot of people because of the coronavirus pandemic. “As terrible as the virus is, there was also a silver lining, because it allowed me to step back, reflect and set new goals for myself,” said Mulligan. Although not yet 40 years old, Mulligan had a bucket list of things she wanted to accomplish. She had spent 20 years in a fasttrack banking career, starting as a teller and rising to positions at J.P. Morgan Chase, PNC Bank, Bank of America and Synovus Bank, with responsibilities that included market president, mergers and acquisitions, and establishing a small business banking team. And, while her career was skyrocketing in Tampa Bay and later Chicago, Mulligan also was a single mom raising a daughter. “By the time COVID happened, my daughter was 20 and married, and I had just finished building a new home. So, I finally had time to do things I had dreamed about for several years — beginning with writing a book,” said Mulligan.
In less than six months, Mulligan wrote her book, “You’re The Best Investment,” hired a publisher and, on Nov. 19, hosted a book launch with four other women authors at the Tampa Club. “I had overcome adversity, and accomplished much during my 20 years of banking, and wanted to share my story in the hopes it would inspire other women. I believed if I could do it, other women could, too,” she said. The book begins with Mulligan becoming a mother at 17, and ends with the opening of her financial brokerage firm this past September. She chose her book’s title because from the day she started her first job, she believed nothing was more important to her future than investing in herself. “I wanted to share the empowering skills I learned in cheerleading, in the corporate world, and as a mentor and coach – skills that helped make me successful in a very competitive, and primarily male, business world,” said Mulligan.
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As Mulligan was writing her book, she also began developing the outline for a new business to help small businesses apply for and receive funding for growth and stability. “I discovered there were many people with similar banking and financial backgrounds, who also were pivoting in their careers due to COVID,” said Mulligan. “Soon, I had seven experienced professionals wanting to join my team, and we opened with offices throughout Florida, including South Florida, Orlando and Tampa Bay.” Local consultants working with Mulligan are Katherine Ziolkowski and William Tessaro in Dade City, Rick Soriano in Wesley Chapel and Arielle Zapotta in South Tampa. Operating as financial brokers, Mulligan and her team find funding for businesses who want to take on debt to buy equipment needed for expansion, support payroll during growth, buy/renovate commercial real estate (owner occupied or not), open a franchise and other opportunities. They also help businesses apply for SBA loans, including Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) applications. “We shop the best terms for a business, and present the loan to traditional banks for conventional loans, SBAb501c and PPP loans, and also funding from private investors and equity funds,” said Mulligan. Many business owners begin their search for financing with the bank that holds their operating and savings accounts. Often, however, their application is denied, explains Mulligan. “It’s not unusual for a bank to turn down a small business loan — not because there is anything wrong with the applicant, but because the loan doesn’t fit with the business mix the bank is looking for,” said Mulligan. “And, after your bank turns you down, a business owner often loses confidence and doesn’t look elsewhere for funding.” Mulligan continues that banks have appetites for different kinds of businesses, and often are unable to fund start-ups or conventional loans because of banking regulations. “But, private investors don’t have the same restraints, and will often loan a business money after it is turned down by the company’s bank,” she said. Mulligan Financial helps businesses in several categories, including medical practices, technology companies, franchises, manufacturing, commercial real estate, assisted living/managed care and homebuilders. The firm also works with businesses to consolidate or restructure their debt to lower interest rates. The company typically works with loans beginning at $500,000, equally divided between new loans and loans being refinanced to take advantage of record low interest rates. Mulligan is proud to be a recent nominee as an “Inspiring FinTech Female of 2020,” a national organization with 5,000-plus members that recognizes women who are transforming financial technology firms, and are advocates for women and gender equality. If you are looking for financial services for your business, go to MulliganFinancialService.com, call Jennifer Mulligan at (813) 480-1210, or email MulliganFinancial123@gmail.com.
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LEADERSHIP WEBINAR Saint Leo University’s Tapia College of Business will present a free virtual Leadership Re-Imagined Webinar on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m., entitled “Finding Strategic Flexibility to Power Through the Pandemic and Beyond,� to assist small businesses. The discussion will take a closer look at how businesses are thinking and acting differently, and why flexibility is an indispensable mindset. The guest speakers will be Dr. Drew Gold, associate professor of management for the Tapia College of Business, and Brian Quinn, chief development officer for Domio Inc. To register, visit www.SaintLeo.edu/business-events. For information, email Kim Bulmanski at kim.bulmanski@saintleo.edu.
COLLEGE ESSAY TIPS
The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host a live event, “College Essays for Teens,� on Dec. 4 at 4 p.m., to discuss the best tips and methods to writing college essays. The program is for teens in grades eight to 12.There will be a Q&A session after the presentation. Registration is required. Zoom meeting details will be sent out the day before the event. For more information, call Amaris Papadopoulos at (727) 861-3020.
HEALTH PROGRAM ACCEPTS PEPIN
Amidst an unprecedented school year, Pepin Academies hopes to stay one step ahead of illness, helping to stop the spread and keeping more kids healthy with the help of Kinsa smart thermometers, according to a Pepin news release. As one of the schools accepted into the Lysol + Kinsa FLUency health program, all Pepin Academies families will receive free Kinsa smart thermometers, and will be able to see aggregate, anonymous information on any symptoms and illnesses going around the school. “This school year is unlike any other, as our nation continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and its widespread impact,� said Inder Singh, Kinsa founder and CEO. “Never has the need for real-time insights been greater, empowering schools to make data-driven decisions to keep their students healthy and learning.We’re excited to work with Lysol again to bring the free
COURTESY OF PASCO COUNTY CLERK & COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE
Lucy Butler, first place
CONSTITUTION ESSAY WINNERS Pasco County fifth-graders who entered the eighth annual Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Constitution Essay Contest drew inspiration from culture and history. Lucy Butler, from Bexley Elementary School, earned top honors in the contest by penning an inspired fan letter to the United States founding document. Part of Lucy’s essay read: “The U.S. Constitution protects the rights of American citizens. In our country, the government does not hold us back from being free. We can say or write what we want (unless it’s plagiarism), we can choose our religion, and we can protest things that aren’t fair‌â€? Lucy also backed up her research with a shout-out to the musical “Hamilton,â€? and Federalist Papers co-authors James FLUency program to thousands of schools to help provide these insights.â€? The FLUency program, now in its sixth year, will help nearly 350,000 families this year across almost 4,000 schools in the United States and Canada. “The health and well-being of our students and teachers is our top priority, while continuing to support learning and education,â€? said Catherine Hernandez, registered school nurse for Pepin Academies Tampa. “We are grateful to be part of this innovative program, giving us a look at the trends affecting our classrooms.â€?
‘TYPE’ CAPSULE CONTEST
The Pasco County Library Cooperative is sponsoring a 2020 “Type Capsule� Essay Contest through Dec. 31, for grades three to five. Because 2020 has been a historic year, students are asked to answer this question: “If you made a time capsule, what would you want to share about the year with future generations?� The essay can discuss something the
Derek Knoedler, second place
Bethany Fissehaye, third place
Madison and John Jay. She made arguments for the Constitution that resonate with her today. She wrote, “‘Hamilton’ is my favorite musical, but before I was introduced to it, I really didn’t think about the U.S. Constitution.� One of the judges wrote that Butler’s introduction paragraph was “interesting and conversational,� and it immediately pulled the reader in. Essays by Oakstead Elementary 10-yearolds Derek Knoedler and Bethany Fissehaye claimed second and third place, respectively. Derek extolled the virtues of the Constitution’s “building blocks of our governing system,� creating “checks and balances to ensure that no one has too much power.� child experienced during 2020 and explain why it is worth remembering. Third-graders should write at least three paragraphs; fourth-graders, four paragraphs; and fifth-graders, five paragraphs. Essays should not be more than three pages of writing. The student also can include images, but the images must be on separate pages from the writing itself. For more details and deadline, visit PascoLibraries.evanced.info/signup.
FISH ART CONTEST
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in partnership with Wildlife Forever, will host the Florida State Fish Art Contest. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade can compete in the free contest for a chance to win state and national honors, and prizes. The program is designed to inspire creativity, while encouraging the next generation of anglers and conservationists. Florida winners will be selected by the FWC in four grade categories: kindergarten through third grade; fourth through sixth
For Bethany, the Constitution is personal. She notes the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, and the 13th Amendment abolished slavery. She wrote, “No more African Americans like me must live in such a terrible way.â€? The essays that were recognized with honorable mentions were submitted by Saksham Batra, Henry Perez, Heidi Keck, Alyssa Kasubinski, Dequrez Gulley Jr., Kayla Golden and Ashley Parenton. Pasco Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles said,“Congratulations to all who entered in this extremely difficult year.The courage of so many young people choosing to write and compete when so much seems at loose ends, gives me confidence that the rock of our republic – the Constitution – will make sure we endure.â€? grade; seventh through ninth grade; and 10th through 12th grade. State winners will advance to the national competition to be judged for top prizes, such as Best of Show. To enter, students should submit their entry consisting of the following: • An original horizontal 9-inch by 12-inch piece of artwork featuring any fish from the Official Fish List • A piece of creative writing, no longer than one page, about the chosen species (required for grades four to 12) • A Florida State Fish Art Contest entry form The deadline to enter is March 31. Participants can mail entries to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Attn: Laura Rambo, Florida Fish Art Contest, 620 S. Meridian St.,Tallahassee, FL 32301. Entrants also can submit photos or a scanned copy of the entry to R3@MyFWC.com. For complete contest information, entry forms and the Fish On! Lesson Plan, visit StateFishArt.org.
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WE’RE SAILLING THROUGH THIS T TOGETHER R! COURTESY OF MAIN STREET ZEPHYRHILLS
The popular Festival of Lights Christmas Parade in Zephyrhills has been called off, amid ongoing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. The event was originally scheduled for Dec. 5.
No Festival of Lights this year, in Zephyrhills By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
One of the most popular holiday events in Zephyrhills won’t be happening this year after all — because of the ongoing concern about the coronavirus pandemic. City leaders pulled the plug on the Festival of Lights Christmas Parade, typically held each year and hosted in partnership with Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., and the Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The downtown event had been scheduled for Dec. 5. Typically, the celebration draws more than 15,000 people. Because of the parade’s popularity, the Zephyrhills City Council and other city officials felt it was prudent to cancel the event in the interest of health and safety.The issue was discussed at length during a Nov. 9 regular meeting. As an alternative to the holiday festival, Main Street Zephyrhills and Zephyrhills CRA are organizing a smaller downtown gathering on Dec. 5 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the town square on Fifth Avenue. Activities will include a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, pictures with Santa, food trucks and a family movie. Meanwhile, scrapping the full-blown parade is on par with other local municipalities that also have canceled similarly sized Christmas-themed events. Dade City has canceled its Christmas festival, as has Lakeland and Plant City, respectively Because of those cancellations, city leaders voiced concerns that an influx of residents from other communities would flock to Zephyrhills to check out its Christmas parade, if it had one. Officials also said it would be difficult to
create controlled entrance points, check temperatures and make sure everyone followed mask-wearing and social distancing guidelines. Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe underscored the impact if someone (or multiple people) with COVID-19 showed up to a fullscale Christmas festival. “It just takes one and it’s a mess for us,” Poe said at the meeting. “(It’d be) a news media frenzy on Zephyrhills on, ‘How did you have this large event that you weren’t able to control?’” Poe went on to explain there’s a difference between a city sponsoring such an event and a private organization or location — such as Busch Gardens, Disney, the Grove at Wesley Chapel. Those groups, Poe said, “have very controlled entrance points” to maintain order and safety protocols. The increasing positivity rates in local schools is another concern, the city manager said, noting,“I know that a couple of us have had kids impacted multiple times this year already.” While concurring with Poe’s comments relating to public safety, Council President Charles Proctor said it’s a shame the event has to be canceled. “I’ve lived in this city for over 30 years and I’ve never missed a Christmas Parade, so it breaks my heart that because of all this, we have to do what we have to do, unfortunately,” Proctor said. “The last thing I want is for us to have an event and somebody get sick, and then the city is thrown under the bus for not being responsible. It’s hard to make decisions like this and shut down, but our hands are tied with the guidelines. I mean, we have to do what we have to do to keep our citizens safe.”
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LUNG CANCER AWARENESS
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Medical Center of Trinity wants to share its comprehensive Lung Cancer Screening Program. Through Incidental Findings and Scheduled Low-Dose CT Screening, the hospital is finding lung cancer before it becomes symptomatic, according to a hospital news release. “A dedicated Lung Cancer Program provides great benefit to the community through early detection and with an established goal of a reduction of mortality from cancer. Our team of caregivers work together to identify cancer, establish the best course of treatment and provide ongoing support throughout the cancer journey” said Dr. Mathew Ninan, thoracic surgery and director of Thoracic Surgery and Lung Nodule Program, HCA West Florida. Incidental Findings: Utilizing innovative technologies to detect suspicious lung nodules by analyzing CT exams, which include the lungs, in any of the hospital’s emergency departments (Trinity, Citrus Park, Lutz, Palm Harbor), outpatient imaging and inpatient services. Scheduled Screening: Low-Dose CT Lung Screening is referred through a physician, is quick and painless, requires no needles or dye, and uses less radiation than traditional CT scans. Studies have shown screening those at high risk with Low-Dose CT scans before symptoms are present can find lung cancer early, when it is easier to treat and more likely to be cured. Early Detection is Key: Lung cancer has the lowest five-year survival rate at only 18%. The five-year survival rate for lung cancer drops dramatically from a stage 1 diagnosis (68-92% survival) to a stage 4 diagnosis (010% survival).
FIRST PROGRAM GRADUATE
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point announced that on Oct. 31, Dr. Katie Groff
became the first graduate of the hospital's Cardiology Fellowship Program. She began the program on Nov. 1, 2017, after being the first resident to start with the hospital's graduate medical education (GME) Internal Medicine Residency Program. Groff is continuing her GME training in the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program, which she is scheduled to complete on October 31, 2021. The Cardiology Fellowship Program is a three-year program and is in Continued Accreditation status from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Cardiology Fellowship is one of the 11 programs that is offered at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, for a total number of 119 residents and fellows that occupy these programs. The hospital congratulated Dr. Katie Groff on her outstanding accomplishments, and thanked all its caregivers and attending physicians who have contributed to supporting the GME programs and future physicians' education and training.
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point Weight Management Center will host monthly Weight Management Support Group meetings on-site, on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The group is free and open to all community members, and will take place at the Rao Musunuru M.D. Conference Center, 14100 Yosemite Drive in Hudson. Attendees will be screened for illness prior to entering the meeting room, with masks and social distancing protocols in place. Bayonet Point also is offering an Online Virtual Weight Management Support Group Meeting option for the community. The next virtual support group is scheduled for Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. Computer/internet access is required to participate. For more information or to register (advance registration is requested, but not required to attend), call (727) 869-5498 or (888) 741-5119. Participants also can register online at BayonetPointHospital.com.
BE A SHINE VOLUNTEER
The SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) Program is a statewide volunteer program that offers seniors, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers, free, unbiased counseling on Medicare, prescrip-
The Laker/Lutz News likes to keep our readers informed about available classes, seminars, lectures and events regarding health and wellness issues. Submit information, at least two weeks in advance, to be considered for publication. Submissions should include who, what, where, when, cost, contact information, identifications for individuals in a photo (unless it is a large group), and a photo credit. This information should be emailed to news@lakerlutznews.com.
tion drugs and other health insurance matters. The SHINE SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) Program educates beneficiaries on how to protect, detect and report suspected Medicare fraud, waste and abuse. Individual volunteers complete professional training by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the local Area Agency on Aging; serve the community by educating others on an individual basis and through outreach events; and, gain knowledge about Medicare to benefit themselves and loved ones. In order to participate, a volunteer application and online orientation must be completed. To learn more, call (727) 217-8111, or visit FloridaShine.org and click on the Join Our Team link.
GULFSIDE FUNDRAISER
The third annual Charity Casino Night to benefit Gulfside Hospice has been rescheduled to Jan. 30, due to the current pandemic. It will be held at the Heritage Springs Golf & Country Club in Trinity. All proceeds will provide patient care and bereavement support in Pasco County through Gulfside. For tickets and sponsorship information, visit CharityCasinoNight.org.
NEW BOARD MEMBERS
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) affiliate in Pasco County (NAMI Pasco) has announced its 2020-2021 Board of Directors. “The pandemic has created an increased need for mental health support in our community” said Debbie L. Proulx, executive director.“I have faith that this new board will help us expand our reach and meet the need.” NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. The nonprofit provides free mental health support, advocacy, outreach, and education to those with mental health conditions and support to their loved ones. Loni Aurbeck, Pasco Outreach Diversion and Prevention supervisor for Metropolitan Ministries, will assume the role of board president. Also joining the board as vice president is Marie Macher, an active NAMI Pasco volunteer and peer leader for the past seven years. Completing the Executive Board are Meghan Shattuck as secretary and Dr. Eddie Williams as treasurer. Additional board members include past president Stephanie Centella, Shawna Levondosky, Sylvia Escala-DeRosa, Lucy Miller, Christine Pringle, Ken Delaney and Elaine Sabra. For information on NAMI Pasco, visit NamiPasco.org.
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind (LVIB) of Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties has named Stefanie Pontlitz as its new executive director. Pontlitz will succeed Jonathan Fister, upon his retirement. Pontlitz joins the Lighthouse after serving as vice president of development for Youth and Family Alternatives, and prior to that, COO (chief operating officer) of the United Way of Pasco County. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank Jonathan Fister for his years of service and wish him well in his retirement. We are thrilled that Stefanie has agreed to be the new executive director of the Lighthouse. Her extensive leadership and fundraising experience will enable us to expand our services to the blind and visually impaired community,” said Jennifer Selk, Lighthouse board chair, in a news release. Pontlitz is a Pasco County resident and has held multiple positions in the community, including president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals; president of Leadership Pasco; founder and president of Business Networking International – Outlook to Success Chapter; president of Junior Service League; president of Trinity Rotary; and others. She also was named Hometown Hero in 2017, by It’s Your Home Trinity magazine. “I am incredibly excited to join the Lighthouse. I’ve seen the dedication and passion the staff have for their clients, and I look forward to working with them and the board of directors. By empowering those with visual impairment and blindness, we provide members of our community with the chance to achieve their goals and live independent lives. A mission I am proud to be a part of,” said Pontlitz. For information about the Lighthouse, visit LVIB.org.
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Support your local small businesses! 10B November 25, 2020
DRIVEWAY & SIDEWALKS
www.LakerLutzNews.com
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www.LakerLutzNews.com
November 25, 2020
11B
MEDICARE ELIGIBLES
H RRY! HUR Y The Annuaaal Enrollment T Perio od Deadline To Sw witch Medicare Advantage g Plans is De De ecembe er 7th
$0 Montthly Premiums on Most Plaans $0 or Lo Low ow Copays for Tier 1 Prescriptions
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.60
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FREE
ATTEND A FREE SEMINAR NEAR YOU! You u must register du ue to limited seating.
12/1 1/20 10:00 a.m. a m OR O 1:00 p.m. pm cal Center 1903 - 19 903 E. Fletcher Ave. • Tampa, a
MEMBERS
2 Attend a Seminar 3 Log into a Webinar S
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bl
OPTIMUM OPTIMUM M HAS MANY SAFE CONSULTATION CONSU ULTATION OPTIONS O T MAKE ENROLLMENT ENR ROLLMENT TODAY TO ODAY EASY: PTIONS TO 1 Call us tod day
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C Us Now! Call Now w!
1-866-701-3185* TTY 711 www.youroptimumhealthcare.com * Please call between Oct 1st and Dec 7th 2020 Optimum HealthCare, Inc. is an HMO H with a Medicare contract and a contract with the state Medicaidd proogram. Enrollment in Optimum HealthCare, Inc. depends on contract renewal. For accommodation of persons with special needs att meetings call 1-866-245-5360 (TTYY: 711). Every year, Medicare evalu e uates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Optimum HealthCare, Inc. complies with applicable Federal civil rights g laws and doess not discriminate on the basis of racee, e color, color national origin, origin g age, age g disability disa yy, or sex. Optimum HealthCare, Inc. cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por p motivos de raza,, color,, nacionalidad,, edad,, discapacidad p o sexo. Optimum p HealthCaare,, Inc. konfòm ak lwa sou dwa sivil Federal ki aplikab yo e li pa fè diskriminasyon sou baz ras, Ă“ Si habla espaĂąol, tiene a su dissposiciĂłn servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingĂźĂstica. Llame al 1-866-245-5360 (TTY: 711). Kreyòl koulè, peyi orijin, laj, enfimite oswa sèks. EspaĂąol (Spanish): ATENCIĂ“N: Ayisyen (French Creole): ATANSYON: Si w pale Kreyòl Ayisyen, gen sèvis èd pou lang ki disponib gratiss pou ou. Rele 1-866-245-5360 (TTY: 711). H5594_21NP_Upload02_M
12B November 25, 2020
www.LakerLutzNews.com