The Laker-Wesley Chapel/New Tampa-June 23, 2021

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JUNE 23, 2021

MPO board turns up heat on Port Richey

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

The Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization’s board delivered the City of Port Richey a clear message earlier this month: Start showing up consistently or get booted from the board.

Complaints about the city’s absence at MPO meetings have been growing louder, and last month, the board asked the organi-

zation’s new executive director, Carl Mikyska, to find out if the board had the latitude to change its composition.

The Pasco MPO — which is the lead transportation planning agency for the Pasco region — is made up of the Pasco County Commission and representatives from the cities of Zephyrhills, Dade City, New Port Richey and Port Richey.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said he’s been voicing his concerns

for years about Port Richey’s lack of attendance at the meetings. If the city isn’t going to be there, Moore has said, the seat should be filled by someone who will.

Port Richey Mayor Scott Tremblay showed up at the MPO board’s June 10 meeting to address the issue.

Pasco MPO board chairman Lance Smith welcomed him, warmly.

See MPO, page 9A

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East meets West in All-Star clash Academy at the Lakes All-Star East catcher Josiah Bayona dives for a foul tip during game action against the West All-Stars as family and friends look on. Both West baseball and softball teams beat the East in the fourth annual All-Star games at Bishop McLaughlin High School baseball field. See the story in Sports on page 10A.

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Improvement aimed to move freight, boost safety

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is planning an improvement in the U.S. 301/U.S. 98 corridor that’s intended to accommodate increased truck traffic and to improve the road’s safety.

Details of the plan were discussed during the Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization on June 10, and a public hearing is set for June 24 to give interested stakeholders a chance to learn more and comment on the plans.

“This project is along U.S. 301, from south of U.S. 98 to State Road 50, in both Pasco and Hernando counties,” Ashley Henzel, the FDOT project manager, told Pasco MPO board members.

“It’s a distance of approximately 4 miles.

“The existing right of way varies throughout the corridor, with a minimum width of 100 feet.We will need additional right of way to accommodate roadway improvements, as well as flood plain compensation sites and stormwater management facilities,” Henzel said.

“U.S. 301 is a main north-south arterial highway in Pasco and Hernando counties.

It connects to a number of regionally significant corridors, including State Road 50 and U.S. 98.

“The purpose of this project is to widen U.S. 301 from a two-lane undivided facility to a multilane divided facility to address existing safety issues and to accommodate future traffic growth.

See SAFETY, page 9A

Mitchell High School’s Keaton Howard’s second home run ended the extra-inning game at the fourth annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes Pasco County All-Star baseball game. Girls played in the All-Star softball game on an adjacent field.

Fivay High School’s All-Star West’s No. 19 Erik Scott leads off second base. The East team came from behind, but still lost to the West All-Stars in extra innings.

Seminar sheds light on stigma

By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

STIGMA EXPERIENCED EVERYWHERE

The old adage,“sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me,” may not be exactly true — at least for those who are working to overcome alcohol and substance addiction, mental illness and cultural competency issues.

In other words, hurtful words do matter.

That was the consensus of a group of panelists affiliated with the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Addiction Prevention (Pasco ASAP), a nonprofit organization working to mobilize the community to prevent substance use by implementing evidence-based strategies that produce environmental-level change.

The panelists spoke at a June 1 webinar, titled “Change The Language ASAP.” The webinar sought to bring awareness to the role stigma plays in addiction, and how everyday words and phrases may have an influence regarding whether someone seeks needed help.

The hourlong discussion was moderated

by Pasco Sheriff’s Office Cpt.Toni Roach, who oversees the agency’s Behavioral Health Intervention Team (BHIT) unit.

Cesar Rodriguez understands the problem better than many, as someone who has been in recovery for seven years, after battling a heroin addiction.

He has seen dark days, including an overdose that nearly killed him.

Now, he’s general manager at Sun Coast Roofing and Solar and is proudly married, with two children.

He’s also been a Pasco ASAP volunteer since 2015. He helps with fundraisers, town halls, and other outreach events.

Although he’s in a good place today, it didn’t come without constant struggles due to stigma, he said.

Before ultimately finding his path to treatment and recovery, Rodriguez told those listening in that derogatory terms, such as “junkie” and “alcoholic,” thrown at those with addictions can morph into a self-fulfilling prophecy — creating barriers that can discourage people from seeking help.

“You begin to believe the labels, and you think you’re not worthy, because you feel like you’re not worth the help,” Rodriguez explained.“You start believing what everyone’s

called you, you apply the label to yourself, ‘Well, I’m just a junkie, I’m not worth it, this is what a junkie does.’”

Stigma shows up in the real world, too, when individuals in ongoing recovery are looking for work.

With multiple felony convictions and a spotty work history, Rodriguez struggled for months, trying to find a job or even land an interview.

“I got door after door shut in my face,” Rodriguez said.“It was really disheartening.”

The increasing use of online applications also prevented face-to-face meetings with hiring managers, where life circumstances could be illuminated in more detail.

“We live in a time where almost every application is digital, so, if you look at me on a digital application with no opportunity for me to present myself and put no personality or anything to it, I just get shifted out of the pile,” he said.

Finally, he was hired for an entry-level labor position with Sun Coast Roofing.

Shame and bias toward former addicts is pervasive on social media, too.

Rodriguez has witnessed online users condemning and humiliating professionals and local businesses owners who are anonymously seeking help via 12-step recovery programs.

See STIGMA, page 9A

Mural aims to refresh downtown Zephyrhills

By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

A downtown public art wall project is aiming to refresh the City of Pure Water.

The City of Zephyrhills last month unveiled a vibrant, large-size mural on the south-facing wall of 5210 Seventh St., also home to Painted Pixie hair salon.

The mural, roughly 90 feet wide by 9 feet tall, is titled ‘Ocea,’ which means water goddess in Greek mythology.

The colorful work was completed by Lakeland-based artist Jonathan Sierra, along with assistant artist Fonz Eljaiek. The duo worked throughout May on the project, sometimes laboring 18-hour days, from early morning to midnight, weathering heat, wind and other conditions.

Highlighted by various shades of blue, the mural features a woman’s full face — Ocea — creating ripples in water as she’s lifting her head right above sea level. Other elements and imagery in the piece incorporate aquatic life, such as a manatee and bass, as well as the sun, a lake, forests and hills, spread across waves of blue.

It’s estimated a couple gallons of paint were used for the $5,000 piece, made possible through partnerships with the City of

KELLI CARMACK

The City of Zephyrhills on May 26 unveiled a vibrant large-size mural on the south-facing wall of 5210 Seventh St. The mural, roughly 90 feet wide by 9 feet tall, is titled ‘Ocea,’ which means water goddess in Greek mythology.

Zephyrhills, Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Main Street Zephyrhills Inc. Sierra’s proposal was selected from among 26 submissions to the mural design committee for the public art project.

Main Street Zephyrhills Inc.’s call for art simply asked for designs that represented Zephyrhills as “The City of Pure Water,” forcing respondents like Sierra to use their imagination and creativity in their drafts.

“When Zephyrhills pitched this project…it was a longshot, a shot in the dark,” Sierra said.

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“I put out a concept of what I thought resonated with what the theme was.”

In preparing his scope of work, Sierra researched what scientists have discovered about the water’s properties to gain a “deeper” grasp of where he wanted to go with the piece.

“We wanted to establish a wave, we wanted to make an impact that evoked a connection that humanity has with water,” Sierra explained of Ocea.

He added the mural otherwise serves to evoke intentions of love, peace, unity, creatives and growth.

Besides discussing the meaning of the piece in detail, Sierra was complimentary of the Zephyrhills community, during the May 26 unveiling ceremony that drew dozens of residents and stakeholders.

“It has been so overwhelming with the love and support that I’ve experienced with the community here in Zephyrhills,” said Sierra, noting countless locals engaged with the artists during the mural journey.

“The people that came by and honked their horns, gave us a fist bump, gave us two thumbs up, have given us so much great feedback and love, and all of that gives us energy and momentum to keep moving on the job and continues to thrill us. It was really fulfilling, the entire process.”

Sierra acknowledged beforehand, that really all he knew about the city was the bottledwater brand, Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water.

“That’s what everyone usually knows, is the brand,” said Sierra, who runs a firm specializing in advertising, branding and creative designs.“When I started to unpack and find out, (I learned the city) had nothing to do with the water bottle, and the brand at all.”

The mural is a first in what Main Street Zephyrhills — which fosters business and family friendly events in the city’s historic downtown — hopes becomes a full series of public art displays throughout city limits.

Based on fundraising efforts, other murals could be coming to one of the fire rescue sta-

tions, as well as the Fraternal Order of Eagles building on Fifth Avenue, for instance.

“This is a special time for the City of Zephyrhills and Main Street association,” said Main Street Zephyrhills president Linda Kerns, during the ceremony.

“Art unites a community and this is our start.We’ll have small (art displays), we’ll have large, but it’s the opportunity for us all to coordinate, to collaborate and become a more solid community.”

The mural likewise helps “increase the visibility of Zephyrhills” to visitors and passers-by, Zephyrhills CRA director Gail Hamilton said.

The city official pointed out public artwork — murals, statues, sculptures — helps make a city memorable and stand out, referencing St. Petersburg,Winter Park, or Savannah, Georgia.

“It’s what makes a town a town, a city a city, and we’re missing that,” Hamilton said.

“We want Zephyrhills to be out there. It’s our hometown and we want other people to enjoy our hometown, whether it’s a day, an afternoon, a lunchtime…”

The mural also should make Seventh Street and the surrounding downtown area more inviting for residents, Hamilton said, where they may be more inclined to discover local businesses and the walkability of the surrounding area. “It amazes me that people don’t know that we have a walkable downtown,” she said.

Sierra took similar views on the significance that public art brings to communities, small and large.

“It brings life to the current residents,” he said.

“It turns what used to be something that’d you’d ignore, walk past and not really pay attention to, but now, it creates a moment that people are inspired by.

“On top of that, it creates a destination spot for Zephyrhills. We can start to build a collection of these going forward with other artists, so that we can bring more people here and continue to grow.”

Meantime, Sierra wishes Ocea is a springboard for other amateur and professional artists to have their work on display throughout the small-town East Pasco municipality.

“I’m hopeful that it opens up opportunities for other artists,” he said.“I’m hopeful that it opens up the city to new eyes and the city continues to grow.There’s a lot more growth coming into the city, thousands of homes are being built, so I’m hoping this starts a wave of new art, a wave of new culture, a wave of community that lasts for ages.”

Main Street Zephyrhills is in the process of raising funds for an ongoing art series, with plans to launch a GoFundMe page for donations.

Visit MainStreetZephyrhills.org for more information.

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June 23, 2021

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Pastor ready to ‘just pedal’ into retirement

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

Officially, he’s the Rev. Monsignor Ronald Aubin.

Around Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, in Land O’ Lakes, though, he’s better known as Father Ron. Aubin, who has been at the church for 27 years, has led the parish through two relocations, construction projects, rapid growth, the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic — and those are just some of the high-profile events.

There also are the more intimate — and more regular rituals — of being a parish pastor.

The First Communions he’s distributed.

The homilies he’s delivered.

The marriages and funerals he’s officiated.

And, the visits he’s made to nursing homes, hospitals and to the jail, to offer words of comfort and spiritual guidance to others, in a time of need.

Aubin was ordained to the priesthood on April 23, 1981, making this year his 40th as a priest.

He arrived at Our Lady of the Rosary on July 1, 1994, when the church was still located on the southwest corner of U.S. 41 and State Road 54.

Both of those roads were two lanes at the time, and there were very few stoplights, the pastor recalled.

“There are two churches there now. One on the north side of the highway and one on the south side of the highway. Both were ours. Except the one on the north side of the street used to be on the south side of the street.

“When they widened the intersection there — widened (U.S.) 41 to four lanes, did the whole intersection, they were going to chop off the (smaller) church,” Aubin said.

Instead, the building was sold to the Episcopal Church, which paid $1, and moved it across the street.

Our Lady of the Rosary had already relocated into the larger building at the intersection, which would later become home to Keystone Community Church.

Our Lady of the Rosary moved to its current campus at 2348 Collier Parkway, on Nov. 27, 1999.

The new construction at the site began with a church and an office, and over time, has included classrooms, an early childhood center and, most recently, a youth center.

“Everything on this property was done during my years here — thanks to the efforts of a good number of people,” the pastor said.

Aubin has already experienced some moments of personal joy. Some of the brightest moments came when three parishioners — Israel Hernandez, Kyle Smith and Bill Wilson — were ordained to the priesthood, the church leader said.

Over the years, the church also built some strong, longstanding ministries.

Its scouting program, which includes Troop 33 and Troop 34 — boasted 11 Eagle Scouts in a single ceremony two years ago.

Its Knights of Columbus Council 8104 is known for the legendary fish fry it hosts each Friday during Lent.

And, its food pantry operated by St. Vincent de Paul is a regular source of help for those in need.

Its membership also has grown considerably, too, through the years.

When Aubin arrived at the parish, it had 830-some families; now, it has well over 3,000.

It had a greater membership at its peak, but then the Great Recession hit, forcing young families to move, to seek employment, the pastor said.

“When you’re parents raising babies, you

COURTESY OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY

The Rev. Monsignor Ron Aubin led Our Lady of the Rosary through many changes during his 27 years as pastor. Here he is blessing ground for a new construction project.

The Rev. Ron Aubin, left, of Our Lady of the Rosary, received the title of monsignor. He stands alongside the Most Rev. Robert Lynch, then Bishop of the Diocese of St. Petersburg.

The Rev. Monsignor Ron Aubin, better known as Father Ron, holds some gluten-free communion wafers, with an aim to be sensitive to parishioners’ dietary needs.

can’t sit back and wait for something to happen. You’ve got to go and find a job.

There are some neighborhoods, I am told, that half of the houses were sold, in this area,”Aubin.

The Recession was challenging — but COVID-19 essentially shut everything down.

“There was just zero contact,”Aubin said.

“They couldn’t come here. We couldn’t go there.

“We couldn’t even go to the hospitals to visit people. We couldn’t go to the jail, the nursing homes — any of those places,” he said.

The parish adapted. Staffers with technical know-how stepped up to begin live-streaming Masses in Spanish and English.

Staff reached out to parishioners to send in large photos of themselves that could be attached to chairs, so priests could look at the faces while saying the Mass.

The parish followed guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and from the Diocese of St. Petersburg, in reestablishing in-person services.

Still, as the country reopens, Aubin expects that some who stopped attending during the pandemic, won’t return.

The trend toward disengagement began about a dozen years ago,Aubin said.

Before the Great Recession, the church had about 1,200 kids in its various programs, he said. Pre-COVID, they were down

Father Ron, as he’s known around Our Lady of the Rosary parish, said he was raised in an environment ‘where Christ was the center of our lives.’ He said he was surrounded by Irish priests and nuns at church and in school at his parish of Immaculate Conception. ‘We jokingly referred to them as FBI — foreign-born Irish, as opposed to the CIA, conceived in America. That was my world.’

to 800. During COVID-19, the programs were virtually non-existent.

“I was at a meeting yesterday and other pastors were voicing the same concern.We really have to try to reach out to our young families,”Aubin said.

That disengagement is not something that Aubin — who attended Catholic schools and joined the seminary at age 16 — personally understands.

God, he says, has been “the ‘be all, end all,’ of my life.

“I can’t imagine this present world or the world to come without him. So, I want to share that gift with others,”Aubin said.

The pastor does understand, however, that reaching young people today is much different that it was during his youth.

Fortunately,Aubin expects the new leadership at Our Lady of the Rosary to bring fresh ideas and new energy.

The Rev. Justin Paskert, who will be the new pastor, is coming to the parish from his role as chaplain for the Catholic Student Center at the University of South Florida.

“I’m excited for the parish,”Aubin said.

“I love this place. There’s a certain sadness in leaving, but there’s also joy in knowing that it’s going into good hands.

Father Justin will revive it and get it moving again.”

Aubin’s final Masses are this weekend, on June 26 and June 27.

His message will focus on his mantra through the years at the parish, based on a poem called “Just Pedal.”

In essence, it’s about keeping the faith and carrying on, even when the future is not always clear.

“Just pedal. Embrace the change,”Aubin said. “You just have to keep on moving. If you’re not changing, you’re dying.”

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June 23, 2021

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What’s Happening

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

SUMMER READING

VIRTUAL THEATER

Fourth of July parade canceled

The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System kicked off its Tails and Tales 2021 Summer Reading Program, for all ages.The program includes a series of reading challenges, activities and online presentations that will feature animal encounters, magic, music, science, trivia and more. Participants can be eligible for prize drawings that include books, Bluetooth speakers, cameras, gaming consoles, headphones, robotics, tablets and other items.Visit HCPLC.org, and click on the “Online Events and Classes” tab, to find live or pre-recorded programs. For information, call 813-273-3652.

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer a virtual, live story time on June 30 at 10:15 a.m., entitled “Meow-sterpiece Theater.” Participants can wear their dressup clothes, grab their “opera glasses,” and join in for a day at the theater, for a rendition of “The Suitcase” by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros.To register, visit PascoLibraries.org. For information, call the New River Library at 813-788-6375 or the Hugh Embry Library at 352-567-3576.

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club has announced that there will not be a Lutz 4th of July parade and celebration this year. The club is the major sponsor of the popular annual event, but will be unable to execute the planning due to the ongoing stringent Hillsborough County COVID restrictions.

The sanctions only recently have been relaxed, but did not permit sufficient time to arrange or to have the use of the county facilities necessary for the production.

The woman’s club is looking ahead to July 2022, in which the event once again will include the Lutz Guv’na race, the parade, the cake-bake contest, the footrace, and food and activity booths.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office and community partners, such as the Pasco NAACP and local churches, will host its next free drivethru food distribution on June 24, at West Pasco Little League, 6220 Pine Hills Road in New Port Richey.The event will run from 9 a.m., until the food supply is gone.

Distribution is on a first-come, first-served basis, rain or shine.

ANIMAL STORY TIME

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will present a Story Time with ZooTampa:Amphibians on June 24 at 9:30 a.m., for ages 3 to 6.The program will include stories, action rhymes, songs and interactive online activities, combined with an animal encounter, to promote literacy skills, reading readiness and social interaction. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

SUSTAINABILITY CLUB

The Sustainability Club Summer Reading Series is a collaboration with Hernando County Public Libraries, Pasco County Public Libraries, Pasco-Hernando State College and the New Port Richey Public Library.The program is offered in a virtual setting, via Zoom. Upcoming topics will include Social Sustainability on June 24 and Financial Sustainability on July 22.

Reading will be comprised of articles that anyone can access through the Florida Electronic Library (FEL).All library card holders have access to FEL.Articles and Zoom links will be emailed to participants when they register for the event.

Registration is online through PascoLibraries.org. For questions, email Kayla Kuni at Pasco-Hernando State College at kunik@phsc.edu.

DOG CRAFT

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present a Summer Reading craft video on June 24 at 10 a.m. Participants will use their own supplies and follow along to create a heart dog.Visit Facebook.com/CPLib to access the instructions.

VIRTUAL PLAY

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will present a virtual play, “The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus,” on June 24 at 11 a.m., June 26 at 9:30 a.m., and June 29 at 4:30 p.m., for ages 4 to 8.

The play centers around an 8-year-old girl and her pals who build a junkyard fort that draws the attention of a talking coyote.

There will be a Q&A session after the performance. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

PET PARTY

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host a Zoom Pet Party on June 26 at 11 a.m.There will be a ‘paw-some’ pet showand-tell, a discussion on pets, a game, a story and some dancing. Registration is required at PascoLibraries.org.A link to the party will be provided after registration.

BOOK READING

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer a virtual Summer Reading story time on June 24 at 10 a.m., with the reading of “Bark George.”Visit Facebook.com/southholidaylib/ for the video.

CRAFT KIT

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

BIRD PROGRAM

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will host “Shake Your Tail Feathers” on June 30 at 6:30 p.m., for all ages. Participants can see live birds and learn about various species of birds from around the world. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

curbside craft kit on June 26 at 10 a.m., while supplies last.The kit coordinates with the Page Turners’ weekly theme of “Celebrity Critters.” For information, call 813-929-1214.

REPUBLICAN CLUB

The Republican Club of Central Pasco will meet on June 28 at the Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.The guest speaker will be Commissioner Jack Mariano on the state of the county as it returns to normal from COVID-19.A social begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by a business meeting at 7 p.m.

For information, call 813-996-3011.

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer an animal-themed craft video on July 1 at 10 a.m. Participants will use their own supplies and follow along to make dinosaur eggs.Visit Facebook.com/CPLib.

TURTLE CRAFT

The Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., will offer take-and-make turtle crafts on July 1 and July 2. Supplies are included along with step-by-step instructions.There are different crafts for ages 3 to 5, and 6 and older. One craft per child, per visit, while supplies last. For information, call 813-780-0064.

SEED PICKUP

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer an adult curbside Seed Club pickup from June 28 to July 3.

Participants will receive a seasonal seed packet for okra, with tips and supplies to get started. Registration is required at PascoLibraries.org.

PREHISTORIC STORY TIME

FELT BOARD

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will offer a take-andmake felt board pizza box craft from June 28 to July 3, for preschool ages. Supplies are limited. For information, call New River at 813-788-6375.

SAFARI STORIES

DINOSAUR EGGS

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will host “Animal Safari Stories” on June 29 at 2 p.m., for ages 3 to 8. Storyteller Katie Adams will present animal folk tales from around the world, as part of the 40th annual TampaHillsborough County Storytelling Festival.

Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org.

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present a virtual prehistoric story time on July 1 at 10 a.m., with the reading of “Dinosaurs Love Underpants.”

To view the video, visit Facebook.com/southholidaylib/.

MEN’S DIVORCE SUPPORT

Emerge Strong-Divorce Coaching for Men will host a men’s divorce support group, via Zoom, the first and fourth Thursday of every month, at 7 p.m. Participants can meet others going through similar circumstances. Register on Facebook @TheDivorceCoachForMen, or email TheDivorceCoachForMen@gmail.com.

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ANIMAL TRIVIA

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present “Famous Animal Trivia” on July 2 at 6 p.m., for ages 18 and older, via Zoom.

Participants can test their knowledge about animals that have become stars on the screen, in literature, and on the internet. Registration is required at PascoLibraries.org.A link will be provided after registration.

BLOCK PARTY

The Tampa Theatre will host a block party on July 2 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., in front of the theater, to celebrate the “Summer of Soul” documentary.There will be musicians, dancers, community partners and vendors.Admission to the block party is free for all ages.Tickets for the 7:30 p.m., screening of the documentary are $11.50. For details and tickets visit TampaTheatre.org/movie/summer-of-soul/.

SAFARI CRAFT

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer a curbside pickup craft based on a safari story theme on July 3 at 10 a.m., while supplies last. For information, call 813-929-1214.

ANNUAL SUMMERFEST

The sixth annual Summerfest, a 4th of July Celebration will take place July 4 from noon to 9 p.m., at Zephyr Park in Zephyrhills.There will be live music, a vendor market, pony rides, food trucks, bounce houses, water slides, games and giveaways, and fireworks when it gets dark.Admission is free. For information, call 727-674-1464.

AVALON PARK 4TH OF JULY

Avalon Park Wesley Chapel will host its 4th of July Celebration on July 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.The event will include a patriotic bake-off, a bike parade, bounce houses, food trucks, community performances, and vendors. For information and details, call 813-783-1515.

FREEDOM FEST

The American Victory Ship, docked behind The Florida Aquarium in Tampa, will host a Freedom Fest for guests to view Tampa’s 4th of July boat parade, fireworks and a Blessing of the Fleet, on July 4 from 6 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.The boat parade is scheduled to arrive alongside the ship at 6:30 p.m., and fireworks are scheduled for 9:15 p.m.

There also will be adult refreshments, food trucks, a Kids Zone, musical entertainment, festive characters, photo ops, dancing, games, and a silent auction with military collectibles and sports memorabilia. No

outside food or beverages will be allowed on board.Tickets are $14 for adults, $7 for ages 4 to 12, $11 for military/veterans/first responders. Kids ages 3 and younger are free.There is a discount available for groups of 10 or more.Admission does not include food or beverages.To purchase, visit Eventbrite.com.

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The 12th annual Harvest Festival scheduled for Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in downtown Zephyrhills, is seeking vendors.Applications are being accepted for vendors/ministries, sponsors and food trucks. For information, call 615-440-2044.

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ART EXHIBITION

The Pace Center for Girls – Pasco County has teamed up with The Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) for an art exhibition entitled,“My Art My Way.” Arts4All Florida coordinated the statewide artist-in-residence program for students with and without disabilities in schools and the Department of Juvenile Justice facilities.The inspired artworks will be on display at MOSI, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., in Tampa, through July 16. For information, visit Arts4AllFlorida.org, or call Dee Miller, director of education, at 813-957-1772.

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UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension 4-H will host summer day camps (at various locations) through July 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for ages 5 to 18.The program is designed to explore the environment, wildlife, engineering, art, science and more. Day camp activities include horseback riding, cooking, fishing and gardening.The cost for each camp ranges from $15 to $40 per person. Spots are limited. Registration is required at bit.ly/4HSummerDayCamps. For information, call 352-518-0156, or email sreighter@mypasco.net.

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Drop-off locations are: • District I Office, 7432 Little Road, New Port Richey • District II Office, 36409 State Road 52, Dade City • District III Office, 11530 Trinity Blvd., Trinity • Land O’ Lakes Detention Center, 20101 Central Blvd., Land O’ Lakes

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June 23, 2021

5A

New private hockey school approved in Wesley Chapel

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

The Pasco County Planning Commission has approved a request by Russ and Leanne S. Henderson for a special exception to permit a private hockey school in an agricultural district, about 2 miles north of Overpass Road, on the west side of McKendree Road.

The school, which is planned on a 10.3acre site, is limited to a maximum of 20 people, including students and employees.

In addition to the ice rink, the school will have a shop where students could get snacks — similar to a school bookstore, according to backup materials in the planning board’s agenda packet.

The ice rink will be located within the business core zone of Connected City, the application says.

It is going in next to a nonprofit equine ranch and rescue at 9249 McKendree Road.

Dr. Judy Horvath, who operates the equine center, said the facility provides therapy for both horses and people.

“Our concern is obviously for the horses, for the safety of the horses and the people that visit them,” Horvath said.“It’s an all-volunteer organization.

“We are worried about the safety of the horses because of the noise factor, of the compressors and the chillers,” Horvath told the planning board during its June 3 meeting.

“We’ve gotten verbal reassurance that those chillers will somehow be insulated, or

Girl Scouts earn highest honor The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report

Forty Girl Scouts in west central Florida were honored for the dedication they put into earning their Girl Scout Gold Award — the

highest and most prestigious achievement in Girl Scouting.

The award recognizes girls in grades nine to 12 who “demonstrate extraordinary leadership through the planning and execution of

put on the other side, which would be wonderful,” she said.

The planning board voted to approve the request, but added a requirement that the operation will meet the county’s standard noise conditions.

Horvath also voiced concern about the ice rink’s potential environmental impacts.

“There’s ammonia runoff from an ice rink,” she said. “We’re hoping that will be taken care of appropriately.”

If there is ammonia runoff, she said, “it could affect pastures, it could affect groundwater. I’m just looking for reassurances on that.”

But Henderson said,“there’s no ammonia used, in what we do.

“The ice rink is literally just water that’s put

on the ground that gets shaved off,” he said.

I wanted to reassure Judy because the horses are important to me, as well.”

He also doesn’t expect much noise from the ice rink.

“All of the chillers are in the southeast corner of the property, which is the furthest place it can be, in terms of the horses and the equine center,” Henderson said. .

“The chillers we’re using are brand new.

I don’t think it’s going to be an issue for Judy or the horses,” he added.

Horvath was the only person, aside from the applicant and his representative, to offer public comment on the request.

The planning board, which has jurisdiction over this type of application, voted unanimously to approve the request.

sustainable, measurable, difference-making projects,” according to a news release.

Each girl chose her own project — the subjects spanned a wide range of interests and needs, including social, environmental, educational, health, emotional and ecological.

Girl Scouts must spend a minimum of 80 hours planning and implementing their Gold Award projects, which often encompasses one

year to two years from the project’s start to finish.

Those receiving the Girl Scout Gold Award reside in communities across west central Florida and represent Hernando, Hillsborough, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties.

Within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, one Girl Scout is from Lutz and one is from Wesley Chapel.

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#TheLakerTopPop TheLakerTopPop A celebration of ‘top pops’ # The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report

With Father’s Day this past Sunday, The Laker/Lutz News wanted to help to celebrate all dads.

Readers were asked to send in a photo of their favorite “dad,” along with a short story on why he deserved to win.

Winning entries were chosen by People’s Choice and Publisher’s Choice.

Congratulations to these two ‘top’ dads in our #TheLakerTopPop photo contest.

Keyllan Cannon, of Lutz, nominated her husband, Jackson, who was the People’s Choice with the most votes.

Keyllan had this to say: “My husband, Jackson Cannon, became a father fairly young. He was only 20 when we married and 21 when our first child was born.Yet he has possessed a natural inclination toward fatherhood from the beginning. He is firm yet gentle, encouraging and protective.

From the moment he learned we were having a baby, he has worked tirelessly to provide a loving, stable home for his family.

We have grown to a family of five now, and I

know he has looked to the example of his own father these last years, who is the epitome of hard work and perseverance.”

Jessica Valentin, of Wesley Chapel, nominated her husband,Anthony.

Her story warmed the heart of The Laker/Lutz News publisher, Diane Kortus, who chose Jessica’s entry for the Publisher’s Choice award.

Jessica said:“I know a picture says a thousand words, but I will add a few more to this one. Anthony is the BEST dad because he is a GIRL-DAD. He is their provider and protector above all. He gives them most of what they want, but all of what they need.

He guides them and supports their ideas and interests to the point of exhaustion.

Then wakes up the next day to do it again.

They may have their eyes set on their futures and their goals, but he always has his eyes set on them. He is the best father in the world.”

The staff at The Laker/Lutz News thanks everyone who entered the contest, as there were many wonderful photos and story submissions.

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7A

Send school news to news@lakerlutznews.com

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Dean’s List: • Jose Bautista, of Lutz,Avila University, Kansas City, Missouri • Jennifer Clifford, of Lutz, University of Alabama,Tuscaloosa • Moriah Davis, of Lutz, University of Alabama • Sydney Fleeman, of Odessa,Valdosta State University, Georgia • Michelle Graham, of Lutz, Mercer University, Macon, Georgia • Olivia Jablonski, of Odessa, Samford University, Birmingham,Alabama • Emily Leonard, of Wesley Chapel, Mercer University • Brianna Pearson, of Lutz,The College of Saint Rose,Albany, New York • Angelo Sardegna, of Lutz, Curry College, Milton, Massachusetts • Sierra Sosa, of Odessa, Samford University • Christiana Till, of Odessa, University of Alabama • Troy Tsotsos, of Land O’ Lakes, Mercer University • William Tucker, of Lutz, Samford University President’s List: • Jack Houser, of Odessa, University of Alabama • Elijah James, of Odessa, Kennesaw State University, Georgia • Emily Ymiolek, of Lutz, University of Alabama Graduate degrees: • William George Albrecht, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science in engineering, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, Louisiana • Clare O’Keefe, of Lutz, Bachelor of Science in sports management, Endicott College, Beverly, Massachusetts • Royce Pope, of Lutz, Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, Centre College, Danville, Kentucky • Sydnee Turner, of Lutz,Associate of Science in nursing, Lincoln Memorial University,Tampa

UNLIMITED BUS RIDES

Students can ride Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) Department buses on regular routes all summer for just $20.

The special student rate is effective now through Aug. 31.

The Summer Haul Pass can be purchased at these locations:

• Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Office,West and East Pasco Government Centers • Pasco-Hernando State College bookstores in Dade City, New Port Richey and Wesley Chapel • PCPT Administrative Office, 8620 Galen Wilson Blvd., Port Richey • All Pasco County Libraries For information about the pass, bus routes and schedules, visit RidePCPT.com.

FREE VACCINATIONS

The Florida Department of Health – Pasco County is teaming up with Pasco County Schools and Health Hero to offer free COVID-19 vaccinations to Pasco County students age 12 and older.

The free vaccinations also will be made available to children’s eligible family members.

Students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian to receive the vaccine.

The Pfizer vaccine will be distributed at several school locations around the county.

Appointments are required to ensure a smooth and efficient experience.

July 12: • J.W. Mitchell High School, 2323 Little Road,Trinity - 8 a.m. to noon, in the cafeteria. Enter the school from Photonics Drive and park in the first parking lot on the right.

July 13: • Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes – 8 a.m. to noon. Park in the student parking area.

July 14: • Pasco High School, 36850 State Road 52, Dade City – 8 a.m. to noon. From State Road 52, pull in after the tennis courts and park in the staff or gym parking lot.

• Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd.,Wesley Chapel – 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Park in the faculty parking lot and take the sidewalk between Building 300 and the main office.

Parents are encouraged to fill out the online registration available from the school district website (Pasco.k12.fl.us), and select from the available dates, times and locations.

An individual registration form must be completed for the student and every additional family member.

SUMMER FOOD SERVICE

Pasco County School’s Summer Food Service program will continue through July 27, at selected school campuses and at bus stop locations around the county.

All school location meal packs will contain seven breakfasts and seven lunches, and will be provided curbside on Tuesdays only, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., to any-

COURTESY OF KYLE LOJACONO

Wharton High seniors Taryn Bartley, Taylor Kaliszewski, Payton Kenny, Alexandria Massey, Vlada Pitner and Callie Zack were part of the Blue & White staff. Not pictured is senior Fallon Lavine. Kyle LoJacono, adviser, sits at the top.

School paper earns first Wharton High School’s school newspaper, the Blue & White, was named a Most Outstanding High School Newspaper 20202021 by the American Scholastic Association.

“This is the best we’ve ever done in this national competition,” said Kyle LoJacono, Blue & White adviser, in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

“Not only did they (students) create one of the best student-run high school newspa-

pers in the nation, but they did it with half the staff working from home while e-learning, and half in person.That speaks to their dedication and also their ability to communicate and get the job done under less-than-ideal circumstances,” said LoJacono.

Blue & White’s editor-in-chief, Callie Zack, is the third person in her family to be on the newspaper staff at Wharton. LoJacono noted: “We had a great mix of leadership styles.”

one age 18 and younger.

East Pasco school sites include: Cypress Creek High, Double Branch Elementary, New River Elementary, Pasco High, Quail Hollow Elementary, R.B. Cox Elementary, R.B. Stewart Middle, San Antonio Elementary, Sand Pine Elementary, Watergrass Elementary, Wesley Chapel Elementary, Wesley Chapel High, West Zephyrhills Elementary, Wiregrass Ranch High and Woodland Elementary.

In Central Pasco: Connerton Elementary, Lake Myrtle Elementary, Oakstead Elementary, Odessa Elementary, Sanders

Memorial Elementary and Sunlake High.

Students attending PLACE or Extended School Year programs at the schools will receive their meals on campus and are not eligible to participate in curbside meal pickup.

School bus stops will distribute meal packs on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For bus stop locations and menus, and to participate in the meal pickups, visit tinyurl.com/3mp6x4dh.

For questions or more information, email FNS@pasco.k12.fl.us.

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MPO, from page 1A “I’m happy that you’re here today. We want the input of Port Richey. I feel like it’s very much needed. I think we’re all in this together,” said Smith, who represents the City of Zephyrhills.

Tremblay said he’s not sure the MPO board’s absenteeism records are accurate regarding Port Richey’s attendance. He said there have been occasions during remote meetings when the city’s vice mayor was virtually present, but wasn’t able to be recognized because his microphone was muted.

Tremblay also said he would appreciate receiving the agenda materials at least 15 days in advance of an MPO meeting, so the entire Port Richey council could have the opportunity to weigh in on issues.

He said he feels uncomfortable voting on substantive issues as just one representative of Port Richey’s five-member council. He also noted that’s not an issue for the Pasco County Commission, because the entire county board sits on the MPO board.

Tremblay also mentioned concerns that voting solo on issues involving the entire city might constitute a violation of the Port Richey city charter.

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano then said: “Let me ask the city of New Port Richey, Zephyrhills and Dade City: How is your charter set up where you can actually sit here and make a decision that you think is best for your city? Do they empower you to do that, is something in your charter different than Port Richey, do you know?”

Chairman Smith responded:“I don’t even know that our charter, our particular charter, considers that. At every reorganization, we delegate responsibilities, as a body, to certain individuals to sit on different boards.”

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey told Mariano:“Jack, every board that we sit on, I sit on TBARTA (Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority),Tampa Bay Water — I am the authorized person from my board to make that decision for the board.”

Moore said that’s the way it works all over the county.“It’s nothing new. It’s nothing out of the ordinary.”

David Goldstein, Pasco’s chief assistant county attorney, agreed:“It’s done through delegated authority.”

Moore also told Tremblay that he doesn’t support the mayor’s request to get MPO agenda materials two weeks early.

“For us to make special exceptions because this is the way you want to do it, I’m sorry, that’s not how it’s going to work,”

SAFETY, from page 1A “This particular segment has a high crash rate, that ranges from two to five times the statewide average for a similar facility,” Henzel added.

She also noted:“U.S. 301 is an important freight route that spans all of the way from Sarasota to Delaware.

“This particular route serves as an alternative route to I-75 (Interstate 75), and has a potential to safely accommodate higher truck volumes.”

The planned improvements include roadway widenings, stormwater management facilities, flood plain compensation sites, as well as various intersection improvements, median modifications and multimodal facilities, she said.

The current existing roadway section is a two-lane road with 4-foot paved shoulders in Pasco County and a two-lane paved road

Moore said.

Goldstein also told Tremblay that he wouldn’t be at liberty to pick and choose which items he would vote on. “If you attend this meeting, you do have to vote,” Goldstein said, unless there’s a conflict of interest.

The attorney also noted that any item requiring a financial commitment from Port Richey would have to be taken back to that respective city council to authorize the expenditure.

Board chairman Smith and Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez voiced support for Port Richey’s participation.

Hernandez put it like this: “I do understand the importance and significance of the small cities being part of this board and understanding all of the transportation needs. It is important to have them on here.”

Smith told Tremblay that decisions have been made in Port Richey’s absence that have affected the city.

“So, you need to be here, to have input on it,” Smith said.

He told Tremblay:“I am looking forward to your continued attendance.”

PORT RICHEY MAYOR OFFERS ASSURANCES

The Port Richey mayor assured the MPO board:“We do want to make it clear that we do have an interest in this board.We have an interest in working not only with the county, but with the cities, especially our sister city, New Port Richey, which is right next to us.We do have some overlapping projects.”

Moore, however, expressed skepticism.

“My only fear, and I’m being honest here … is that we end up having this same discussion six months down the road, or a year down the road. People show up for a while and then they don’t show up for months.”

Pasco County Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick also weighed in:“I feel it’s important for all of our municipalities to have a voice on this board, but I do also think that attendance is extremely important.

“Attendance needs to be accounted for.”

Goldstein offered this suggestion: “The MPO board has to go through reapportionment next year, after the decennial census, anyway.

“What I recommend you do is direct staff to start keeping track of attendance between now and the time that you reapportion.

“If you find that it’s (Port Richey’s attendance) a continual problem, when you reapportion next year, you can then look at eliminating that seat, or multiple seats, if you want to,” Goldstein said.

The MPO board members reached a consensus to proceed with that approach.

WHEN: June 24, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with formal portion of the meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Ridge Manor Community Center, 34240 Cortez Blvd., Ridge Manor ATTEND VIRTUALLY: Via GoTo Meeting.

Preregistration is required, on the project website, https://www.fdotd7studies.com/ projects/us301-us98-to-sr50/.

with 6-foot paved shoulders in Hernando County.

For more information, call project manager Ashley Henzel at 813-975-6433 or email at PEashley.henzel@dot.state.fl.us.

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People use social media to post old mugshots and share past criminal histories.

Said Rodriguez:“I have friends that are business owners that are also in recovery, and I see it used against them in social media,‘Hey, did you know the guy that owns this business, here’s his mugshot,’ and people post it on social media.

“To have their mugshots paraded around Facebook, saying,‘Don’t let this person in your house, he’s a drug addict with a record.’

“Well,” Rodriguez continued,“if you’re not a strong person, that might send you running, that might send you back out again.”

Recovery is hard, he said.

It’s particularly tough when someone has been successful in recovery — built a business or a brand, and rebuilt trust — and someone comes along to tear it down — “just out of petty jealousy or ignorance,” he said.

Stigma even exists within the recovery community, said panelist Toni Reynolds, a certified peer recovery specialist who’s also in long-term recovery.

In particular, there can be judgmental attitudes toward people on medication-assisted treatment used to treat opioid addiction, like Suboxone, Subutex, Sublocade or Vivitrol.

Panelists said these medications are used by many as critical first steps in the recovery process.

“There’s still a lot of tension when people announce they’re on that (medication), and a lot of times they’re not welcomed into traditional 12-step meetings. I think it really hinders their ability to feel like they’re part of a community,” Reynolds said.

She said she personally experienced pressures among coworkers at a former workplace, while she was in a recovery program.

“It was kind of frowned upon that I was in recovery,” Reynolds said.

“Some people that I worked with weren’t supportive, and they almost encouraged me to party with them, and it just wasn’t something that I wanted to do with my life,” she said, noting she was not willing to go backwards.

Stephanie McCann has been in recovery for four years now.

Overcoming addiction and a jail stint, the 32-year-old panelist assists others as a recovery support specialist for BayCare Health System.

McCann was an IV drug user for 12 years, abusing opiates and methamphetamine among other substances, before undergoing residential treatment.

She agreed with the assertion about negative perceptions toward medicated-assisted treatment — including medical marijuana — within recovery communities, such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous.

While considerable stigma remains in those

rooms, McCann said, she’s also recently observed increased understanding of the methods others are using to get clean.

“I think it’s a work in progress and it’s getting better,” McCann said.“I think people are getting a little bit more open to the fact that not everyone’s path to recovery is the same, and that’s OK, because ultimately, if they stride to recovery, what path they took is not necessarily as important.”

The speaker also noted that people often are reluctant to be open about issues surrounding substance abuse and mental health because of stigma.

As an example, McCann said her mother once displayed embarrassment in a doctor’s office when the daughter revealed to nurses and physicians she was attending Narcotics Anonymous groups.

“It really showed me that like older mindset with mental health and substance abuse, that it just wasn’t something you talked about in front of other people,” said McCann.

McCann, however, refuses to stay silent regarding her own assorted life experiences.

“I’ve totally embraced it,” she said.

She added:“Recovery is so much of who I am now, and the path that I’ve taken through addiction has made me the person that I am now, and I’m just not able to be quiet about it.”

Stigma surrounding substance abuse and mental illness also seeps into medical profession, said Dr. Philip Richmond, who serves as medical director at Country Oaks Animal Hospital in New Port Richey.

Richmond freely offered up his past challenges with alcohol since high school, and having suicide ideations back in 2008 upon entering the field as a “newly minted” veterinarian amid stress and other factors.

The panelist referenced a study that claims around 12% to 15% of physicians will encounter an alcohol or substance use disorder.

He also referenced a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study that reveals veterinarians are about 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population.

Yet, these problems remain “very stigmatized” throughout the medical community, Richmond said, as health professionals feel they must resolve issues themselves, without outside help.

“We (as medical professionals) somehow think that we should be able to outthink things, that we should be able to tough it out,” said Richmond.

“That’s what almost led me to not being here, was thinking,‘It shouldn’t happen to me, look at all these things I’ve done in my life, I should be able to overcome this by myself,’ and I 100% could not.”

In his case, colleagues intervened.They recognized what was happening and got him into an inpatient treatment facility, which saved his life.

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Community Sports Your Neighborhood Sports Source

All-Star showcase offers lasting memory for seniors

By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

F

or some, it might represent the final time they compete in an organized baseball or softball game.

For others, it’s a confidencebuilding stepping stone for the launch of their respective collegiate athletics careers.

For all, it was a special event to cherish and remember.

The fourth annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Pasco County AllStar Baseball and Softball Game brings together the best senior players, from every school, to compete in one last game for bragging rights between the county’s east and west sides.

About 45 baseball players and 26 softball players were selected for the event, representing the following schools: Academy at the Lakes, Anclote, Bishop McLaughlin, Cypress Creek, Gulf, Fivay, Hudson, Mitchell, Land O’ Lakes, Pasco, River Ridge, Sunlake, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills.

Besides four designated all-star head coaches, coaches from just about every program pitch in to assist in some form or another.

The May 22 games were played simultaneously on adjacent baseball and softball fields at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, in Spring Hill.

The West All-Stars reigned supreme over the East All-Stars in both contests.

The West claimed victory in the softball game on a 10-0 mercy rule.

Baseball offered more hijinks, as the West won 11-8 on a three-run, walk-off blast from Mitchell’s Keaton Howard in the bottom of the ninth inning to break an 8-8 tie.

While winning was important, to players and coaches alike, the showcase was more about capping four years of high school and relishing the prep ballfields one final time with families, friends and teammates, in a relaxed setting.

Consider it a swan song, of sorts.

“Think about it — this’ll be the last game that these seniors play, not only for the school year, but for their whole high school career, so we’re sending them out with a big bang,” said FCA Pasco area director Bob Durham, who coordinates the all-star showcase.

“It’s the best players from every school, getting to play with each other, but against the other side of the county, so they’re pretty excited about it, and they’re ready for their summer, but they’re ready for one more game.

“We just try to make it a special experience for these kids and the parents, and the fans and the community. Every school in the county’s involved, so they try to promote it for a week or two before the game to get some attendance out here.”

Rosters were finalized midway through the regular prep season, where all-star baseball and softball coaches deliberated the best collection of players through a draft format, taking into account offense, defense, and pitching metrics, among other factors.

These coaches “sell their players” to one another, Durham said, until they can all agree upon a final roster. Usually, this exercise takes place in a physical meeting room, but this year the selections were made in a virtual setting on Zoom.

The all-star event also included an awards dinner banquet the night before, as well as a couple tranquil meetings and practices in the week leading up.

In the awards ceremony, Durham explained athletes were recognized not only for on-the-field accolades and statistics — like countywide leaders in strikeouts and RBIs — but also in exhibiting FCA’s core values of service, integrity, teamwork and overall excellence; athletes gunning for these awards submitted personal stories of how they exemplified these qualities in their day-to-day life.

Recognition was bestowed for highest GPA and character, as examples.

“We want to honor those values in kids,” said Durham, “so we make it special, not only in just a game with skill, but in virtues and character.”

PUTTING RIVALRIES ASIDE TO HAVE FUN

Wiregrass Ranch varsity softball coach Yamani Vazquez said the all-star shindig is an opportunity to put school rivalries aside and celebrate together in pre-game festivities and practices.

10A

June 23, 2021

FRED BELLET

Mitchell High School All-Star West’s Alandra Coure gets a hit against the East team during the 10-0 rout won by the West.

Fivay High School All-Star West’s Samantha Proctor gets a hit against the All-Star East team during game action at Bishop McLaughlin High School.

Mitchell High School’s No. 12 Keaton Howard heads back to the dugout after slamming his second home run, ending the extra-inning game against the East.

Ironically,Vazquez’s daughter, Hailey was a standout pitcher at Cypress Creek High School — a rival of the program he coaches.

“This is the moment that everyone comes together,” said Vazquez, who’s involved in the event each year. “They were really in high spirits. It was like they knew each other and were really talking to each other. It’s good, because it brings all teams together, and that’s what it should be, you bring the best players from all the teams, to play together.”

Wesley Chapel varsity softball coach Lauren Pasquale — serving as East All-Star head softball coach — likened the event as “a fun last hurrah” and “the prom of the softball season.”

Pasquale graduated from Zephyrhills in 2011 and went on to play Division I softball at College of Charleston in South Carolina.

A decade ago, she competed in the prestigious statewide Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA) All-Star Classic.

Pasquale didn’t know many of her fellow peers in that event, so there’s something extra special about having a county-specific sendoff for high school seniors, she said.

“Looking back, it would’ve been cool to do this,” Pasquale said,“because it was more kids that you grew up with and played with, so it would’ve been more like a community feel versus a one-in-the-number kind of feel.”

Wiregrass Ranch varsity baseball coach Marshall McDougall, serving as East All-Star head coach, also characterized the event in a good light:“I think it’s one last time for the kids to go out and have fun, with kids they’ve grown up with, so they’re all the same age, they all play in this area.

“A lot of kids have played together at younger ages and then with different schools, so I think it’s a really good experience they get to play together again, and their parents get to see them play one last time, in a relaxed setting, there’s no stress, and just have some fun.”

A pair of mid-week practices that coaches organized wasn’t about structured drills or high-intensity workouts, but more so about positive messaging as players head off to new endeavors.

McDougal put it like this: “As coaches, you just like to think you can leave an impression on all the kids, about, ‘Hey, baseball’s supposed to be played for the love of the game, have fun with it, you learn a lot of life lessons from it, so just play baseball.’”

That was the general mindset for Cypress Creek pitcher/shortstop Zachary Buelk leading into the contest.

The 6-foot-4 Buelk — primed for college ball at Georgia’s Thomas University — steered Cypress Creek to a 20-6 mark and the 4A regional quarterfinal in early May, posting a 0.51 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 27.1 innings pitched.

“We didn’t get as far as we wanted to (with Cypress Creek),” he said,“so it’s fun to come out here and have one last game, and not really have stress on it; just come out and just play baseball.”

East All-Star teammate Josiah Bayona was a super utility standout at Academy at the Lakes, leading the team in batting average (.361) and stolen bases (33) this season, among other categories.

The county all-star happening has “just been a great experience” for him.

“It’s sort of like one last high school game — a great end to how it should be, compared to the teams here who ended their seasons early, due to just the postseason (losses),” said Bayona, who’s signed with NAIA Webber International University in Babson Park.

He added:“Some of these guys I played with when I was in Little League when we were 7.You know, it’s fun seeing these guys as we’re growing up and now that we’re seniors.”

Academy at the Lakes right-handed utility Vanessa Alexander will continue her

www.LakerLutzNews.com

softball career at Brown University, a Division I Ivy League school in Providence, Rhode Island.

Getting picked for the all-star showcase is “really special,”Alexander said, though she acknowledged mixed emotions gearing up for a move some 1,300 miles north of Land O’ Lakes.

“It’s really exciting, but also kind of sad,” Alexander said, before the game.“It’s bittersweet, since this is my last high school game ever, but I’m really excited…to get together and play one last time.”

With the COVID-19 pandemic still on many minds,Alexander said,“I’m really fortunate and glad we were able to play a full season and play this all-star game, which I think is really awesome that they put on every year.”

Sunlake star outfielder Kendra Falby likewise expressed appreciation to organizers for rebooting the all-star event after it was wiped out last year amid the peak of the coronavirus outbreak.

“Because of COVID, we haven’t really gotten to do much, so it’s been nice to come together and put something on for us, so it’s been like super special,” Falby said.

Falby has already made quite a name for herself in the sport on a widespread scale — a Division I University of Florida signee and member of the 2019 Canadian U-19 women’s national team. The 5-foot-7 lefty hitter also boasted the state’s seventh-highest batting average (.678) along with eight doubles, six triples and 29 steals, across 18 contests this past year.

Despite garnering more notable accolades elsewhere, being involved with the local showcase still holds meaning for Falby.

“It’s cool,” she said, “because working hard all season and then it paying off and being a part of a very select few, it’s an honor.”

Check out the full Pasco County All-Star rosters online at LakerLutzNews.com.

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

B

JUNE 23, 2021

Retiring ‘Old Glory’ with dignity The Laker/Lutz News Staff Report

Waves of flames consumed about 400 tattered, torn and faded American flags in a dignified Flag Retirement Ceremony, hosted by Lutz/Land O’ Lakes American Legion Post 108.

Post Commander Randy Holeyfield presided over the June 12 event, which was held on the grounds of Harvester United Methodist Church, at 2432 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

Holeyfield explained the history of the traditional method of disposing of American flags.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James S.“Hammer” Hartsell also offered a few words, to mark the occasion.

Hartsell is now deputy executive director of the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs.

The flags were arranged on a multitier burn pit.They ranged in size from 2-feet-long to 32-feet long. Post members called the giant flag “Big Bertha.”

Once in their place, the flags were doused with charcoal fluid and ceremoniously set ablaze.

The hundreds of flags — some cloth and some nylon — had been collected from community and other service organizations in Pasco, Hernando and Hillsborough counties.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James S. ‘Hammer’ Hartsell spoke to those attending the Flag Retirement Ceremony. Hartsell now is the deputy executive director of the Florida Department of Veteran Affairs.

FRED BELLET

The remnants of some 400 retired American flags can be seen going up in flames, as members of the American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard stand at attention.

Jim Littrell, adjutant of American Legion Post 108, works on a multi-tier burn pit to accommodate some 400 American flags that were being disposed of, in a respectful way, during the post’s Flag Retirement Ceremony. Littrell lives in North Tampa.

Kurt Gies, commander of American Legion Post 63, had the honors of fire duty. Here, he sprays down the huge flames that consumed the American flags. Only ashes remained, after the fire was extinguished.

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North Tampa Behavioral Hospital employee Rodney Williams, of Wesley Chapel, left, attends the Flag Retirement Ceremony, with several veterans from the facility. For Williams and the others, it was a moving moment as fire consumed the worn, faded and tattered American flags.

Jack Evans, a member of Tampa’s American Legion Post 5, looks on while Randy Holeyfield, commander of the Lutz/Land O’ Lakes American Legion Post 108, addresses the crowd. Holeyfield’s talk explained the history of the solemn ceremony.

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PET PAWS PET PROGRAM RECOGNITION Hillsborough County’s Pet Resource Center has been recognized with a national award for an innovative program that helps people stay with their pets, instead of surrendering them to a shelter.

The National Association of Counties on July 11 will present the Pet Resource Center (PRC) with a 2021 Achievement Award in the Human Services category, at a conference in Maryland.

The PRC earned the award for its “Keeping Pets with their People” program,” which began after shelter staff realized that many people that came to the shelter to surrender their dog or cat did so because of short-term issues that, if addressed quickly, could allow the pets to remain with their owners.

Common reasons for animal surrenders include a need for affordable medical care, short-term assistance with food and supplies, pet training issues, and finding breed-friendly housing options.

The shelter created a multi-disciplinary

team of veterinarians, shelter staff, animal control officers and pet owners who researched options and resources, which resulted in a creation of a full-time pet support team that provides assistance to help a struggling family with a pet.

The Hillsborough County PRC is at 440 N. Falkenburg Road in Tampa, and can be reached at 813-744-5660.

ROAD TRIPS WITH PETS

During the summer months, pet parents are gearing up to hit the road, whether for a day trip or a getaway.

Trips With Pets offers these measures to ensure your pet is happy and safe while traveling.

Secure your pooch: One of the most overlooked precautions is securing your pet in the vehicle. The rest of the family buckles up, so a pet should, too. A roaming pet can cause a distraction to the driver. Methods to use include a pet seat belt, travel kennel, pet car seat, and vehicle pet barriers.

Say no to heads out the window: Most dogs love to ride with their heads out the window, but there are risks.The dog can potentially fall or jump out, but also can be injured by flying stones, dust, bugs and other objects. And, too much persistent wind in the pet’s face can seriously hurt its eyes and ears.

Don’t leave your dog alone: Don’t leave your pet alone in the car, particularly in hot weather. The temperature in a car can skyrocket in a very short time.

Leaving the windows cracked does not help.An unattended pet also can be a target for pet thieves.

Keep water handy: Dogs get more dehydrated than people. The panting and excitement seems to add to their need to ‘wet their whistles.’ Bring clean, fresh water along so the pet can sip it from time to time, but don’t overdo it, as too much water can cause an upset stomach.

Also keep food intake to a minimum.

Make plenty of pit stops: Make sure you allow for ample time to stop along

the way, to allow your pet to take potty breaks and stretch its legs. Most thruway travel centers have designated dog potty areas. Bring poop bags, too, in case you have to pick up after your pooch.

For more information and travel tips, visit TripsWithPets.com.

SHARE YOUR PET NEWS

If you have pet news about adoptions, walks or other events for pet owners and their pets, you can let us know by sending us an email. We just need the basics: who, what, when, where and why.

The information should be submitted two weeks prior to the desired publication date. We also need a contact name and number, in case we have questions.

There is no guarantee of publication, but we consider each item we receive.

If you’d like to make a submission, send it to news@lakerlutznews.com.

Readers can find Pets of the Week and Local Wildlife photos on our website at LakerLutzNews.com.

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If you would like to adopt Bucky or Wiggins, be sure to visit Pasco County Animal Services at 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’ Lakes. The adoption center is open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6:30 p.m. All adoption fees include spay/neuter, microchip and vaccines. For more information, email adoptionpartners@pascocountyfl.net.

The LAKER / Lutz NEWS CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1. Plant of the mint family 7. Hand tool 13. Made of the color of gold 14. A volume of several novels 16. Type of degree 17. Good job!

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SEE SOLUTIONS, PAGE 9B

June 23, 2021

3B

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The Alliance for Healthy Communities (AHC) has welcomed Dr. Lauren Bates as its new incoming executive director.

Bates is a lifelong advocate of health and wellness and will be a tremendous asset to the families of Pasco County, said Chrissie Parris, AHC president, Lauren Bates in a news release.

Bates earned her undergraduate degree from Xavier University in pedagogy and education, with a minor in Spanish.

She holds a master’s degree in environmental science, policy and geography from the University of South Florida, and went on to earn her Ph.D., from Ohio State University.

Prior to joining the Alliance for Healthy Communities, Bates served as the national director of research and data at a nonprofit for youth and their families, and served as the principal investigator and supervisor for health and wellness projects with multiple agencies at the federal and state levels.

The AHC is the umbrella organization that hosts the Alliance for Substance Addiction Prevention (ASAP) coalition and STAND Above the Influence youth coalition, and was formed to expand these programs.

For questions, comments or concerns, or to reach out to Bates, email ahced@empoweredcommunities.org.

MOBILE UNIT ADDS DATES

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

A physician’s prescription is required for

ages 40 and younger; no prescription is needed for those older than 40.

Upcoming mobile unit stops in May include: • June 26, 10 a.m. to noon: Meadow Pointe HOA, 1500 Meadow Point Blvd., Wesley Chapel • June 29 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.:American House Senior Living, 38130 Pretty Pond Road in Zephyrhills • July 15, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Palm Tree Acres/Sunnyside MHP, Clubhouse of Palm Tree Acres, 36006 State Road 54, Zephyrhills • July 15, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Zephyrhills First Church of the Nazarene, 6151 12th St., Zephyrhills • July 19, 9 a.m. to noon: Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, 35880 Fifth Ave. • July 20, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: Lexington Oaks Community Clubhouse, 26304 Lexington Oaks Blvd.,Wesley Chapel For questions, call 813-601-1925.

To schedule an appointment or for other mobile unit stops, visit AdventHealthMobileMammography.com, and select “Schedule Appointment” and then “Corporate.”

CONVERSE WITH A NURSE

The Alliance for Healthy Communities will host “Converse with a Nurse,” free virtual groups for moms and moms-to-be.

• June 30 at 1 p.m.:“Mindfulness,” by Alyssa Smith, Florida Department of Health • July 14 at 1 p.m.:“Healthy Relationships,” by Megan Koontz, Sunrise Domestic and Sexual Violence Center After each presentation, participants can stay to chat with a nurse, and ask questions and connect to services.

For information, email Eve.Hosley@baycare.org or Missy.Coyle@baycare.org.

To register, visit EmpoweredCommunities.org/event/.

EYESIGHT PROGRAM

The Zephyrhills Lion’s Club will host its monthly eyesight program on the first Thursday of every month, from 9 a.m. to noon, at 5827 Dean Dairy Road in Zephyrhills.

Participants should bring government ID, social security card, bills, proof of income, proof of government assistance, and insurance information.

The program is open to the public, and to all ages.

For information, call 813-395-5996.

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FATHER/SON NURSING DUO The most recent study by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing indicates that only about 9% of registered nurses (RNs) are male, up slightly from about 7% in 2013, according to a news release.

In recognition of Father’s Day, BayCare Health System wanted to spotlight the father/son nursing duo of Jim Wilson and Ryan Wilson.

Jim has been a nurse since 1992 and an RN in the surgery department at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz, where he has worked since 2010.

Ryan is an RN in the interventional radiology department at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. He has been a nurse for seven years,

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June 23, 2021

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with five of those years at St. Joseph’s.

Both father and son went into nursing as career changes.

Keeping it all in the family, Susan Wilson (wife and mother) was a registered nurse for 20 years, and Susan’s mother also was a nurse.

Ryan is mechanically inclined and handson, so being an interventional radiology nurse suits him.

Earlier this year, both father and son were honored by their respective hospitals within weeks of each other.

Jim was awarded a Clinical Nurse Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award, and Ryan was named Team Member of the Month (May).

Swinging into summer, safely

By Mary Rathman mrathman@lakerlutznews.com

Florida’s Poison Control Centers – Jacksonville wants to help families swing into summer, and to do so with safety in mind.

“From snake bites and jellyfish stings, to pool chemical accidents and foodborne illnesses, poisonings increase during the summer,” said Dr. Dawn Solee, center director, in a news release.

“The kids are home from school, families are traveling and more people are outdoors – this leads to more exposures,” said Solee.

Here are some summer safety tips to follow: • Pool chemical safety: Ensure you are in a well-ventilated area when using pool chemicals, and follow product instructions carefully. Do not store chemicals where flammable items may mix, and never mix pool chemicals because it could create a toxic gas. Keep all chemicals stored up and away from children.

• Snake bites: If someone has been bitten by a venomous snake, call the poison control center or, in dire circumstances, call 911. If bitten, remove jewelry and tight clothes, immobilize the extremity, keep the affected area at or below the heart, and wash the area gently. Do not feed the victim, place ice on the bite or apply a tourniquet.

• Insect repellent usage: Read and follow all instructions carefully. Do not use on a child’s hands, eyes, mouth or cut/irritated skin. Spray into an adult’s hands and then apply to the child. Do not use combination sunscreen/repellent products. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied, and repellent should not be reapplied. After returning indoors, wash skin with soap and water.

• Other outdoor hazards: At the beach, keep a spray bottle of vinegar handy for jellyfish stings. If stung, call poison control for treatment advice. For spider bites, call the poison control center immediately.

Apply a baking soda paste to common insect stings, then call poison control for more specific advice. Treat all wild mushrooms as poisonous, unless you are absolutely certain they are OK to eat.

Florida’s Poison Control Center can be reached at 800-222-1222, 24 hours a day.

For more information, please visit FloridaPoisonControl.org.

Conserving water is critical in dry conditions

By Mary Rathman mrathman@lakerlutznews.com

Pasco County Utilities has issued an urgent reminder to residents, to conserve water whenever possible and to follow watering guidelines, regardless of your watering source, as many areas in Pasco continue to experience dry conditions with little to no rainfall.

Pasco County’s reclaimed water supply is critically low, the utilities department said in a news release.

How and when you water your lawn can put additional strain on the system, especially if your sprinkler system isn’t working correctly. It is important to check your sprinkler system’s settings, use the correct watering schedule and water only during your scheduled times, the release said.

Here are some effective irrigation tips that also can help you save money: • Irrigate only on your assigned watering day.

• Follow the watering schedule specific to your water source, whether it is potable, reclaimed or well water.

• Remember:Watering is prohibited be-

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tween 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., regardless of the water source.

• If water pressure seems low, run sprinklers between midnight to 6 a.m., on your watering day.

• To avoid over-watering, use suggested run times specific to your irrigation system.

• Check your system for broken or misdirected spray heads, which can waste water.

“Water conservation is always important, and during periods of extremely dry conditions, it becomes even more critical that we all do our part to conserve water – especially outdoors,” Pasco County Utilities Customer Service Director Sandra Anderson said, in the release.

“We encourage everyone to consider skipping their watering day or week and consider hand-watering hot spots within the landscape where necessary,”Anderson added.

Pasco County Utilities has a longstanding mission to provide high quality water, wastewater, reclaimed water and solid waste services.

Visit PascoCountyUtilities.com, for service updates and more information on how to conserve water.

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What’s Cookin’

Cool foods to eat on hot days

By Shari Bresin Special to The Laker/Lutz News

With 90-degree days well underway, perhaps your appetite has dipped a bit.

The decreased hunger pangs have nothing to do with your summer lifestyle or busy schedule, though.

They can be explained by biology.

The hypothalamus has numerous responsibilities, including temperature regulation and appetite control.

When it is extremely hot, the hypothalamus works overtime to help keep us cool.

Digestion, however, generates heat within the body —making it harder for the hypothalamus to keep us cool.

So, if the hypothalamus suppresses our appetite, we create less digestion, which improves the ability of the hypothalamus to keep us cool.

Of course, everyone’s metabolism is different.

Some people may have no problem eating soup when it’s 95 degrees.

And, summer and barbecues seem to go hand-in-hand, making steak and hamburgers a staple for many — regardless how hot it is, or how hungry they are.

With that being said, what’s on your pool party menu?

Foods that are cold and light are a popular option.

Also, don’t forget that being outdoors means we are sweating, so be sure to drink plenty of fluids.

When you’re planning an outdoor gathering, consider serving salads, fruit, and fruit-infused water to your guests.

It’s a good idea to offer cold food options, too — for a main dish or a side — if you’re having a barbecue.

Think anything ending in the word “salad.” Think pasta salad, tuna salad, egg salad, fruit salad, bean salad and so on.

Sandwiches also are a cool alternative for outdoor gatherings.

Cold cut sandwiches with sliced tomatoes and cheese on deli bread are great, but sandwiches don’t always need to include bread.

Think of lettuce wraps, tuna boats with cucumbers, slices of chilled hard-boiled eggs topped with salsa and slices of cucumber, or cucumber sandwiches —folded up pieces of turkey and cheese on cucumbers.

You can hydrate by eating fruits and vegetables containing high water content.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, cucumber, celery, watermelon, iceberg lettuce, spinach, zucchini, strawberries, and cauliflower are all 91% or more water by weight.

Oranges are close, at 86%.

You can make fruit and cheese skewers, or make flavored water, such as strawberry, lemon and mint; cucumber, lemon and celery; kiwi and orange; or cucumber, lime and thyme.

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

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Cucumbers are hydrating and versatile.

They can play the role of a bun, in a sandwich. Or, serve as a supporting player in a salad, or be the main ingredient in a meal, such as tuna boats.

Tuna Boats Serving Size Serves 4: 1/2 cucumber and 6 ounces filling per serving Ingredients 2 large cucumbers 1 lemon 2 green onions 1 (6-ounce) can low-sodium tuna, packed in water 1 (15 ½-ounce) can white beans 1 Tablespoon canola oil 1 Tablespoon Dijon or country mustard ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper Directions 1. Rinse cucumbers. Peel off skin every ¼ inch, all the way around. Cut lengthwise.

Scoop out the seeds with a small spoon.

2. Rinse lemon. Zest using the small holes of a box grater. Cut in half. In a small bowl, squeeze juice. Discard seeds.

3. Rinse and chop green onions.

4. Drain tuna. In a colander, drain and rinse beans.

5. In a medium bowl, mash beans lightly with a fork.

6. Add green onions, tuna, oil, mustard, salt, pepper, lemon zest, and 2 Tablespoons of the lemon juice to beans. Mix with a fork.

7. Fill each cucumber half with ¼ tuna mixture. Serve.

Source: This recipe comes from Cooking Matters, one of Extension’s partners.

Foodborne illnesses increase during the summer months, likely due to outdoor gatherings.

Don’t let food out of temperature control for more than one hour if it’s over 90 degrees.

If it’s under 90, it can go up to two hours without temperature control.

Be especially mindful of this for buffetstyle events.

Have a cooler packed with ice and a thermometer to make sure cold food is not in the temperature danger zone, when bacteria grows the fastest (40⁰-140⁰).

Separate ready to eat food from uncooked food if you’re cooking with raw meat.

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A d v e r T I S e r

P r o f I L e

Dementia Care Only at Memory Lane Cottage Special to The Laker / Lutz News

FILE

Olivia O’Malley, of Land O’ Lakes, holds a trash bag open, as her father, Michael, throws away a decaying trash bag that was found on the side of Parkway Boulevard, during a previous coastal cleanup.

Keep Pasco Beautiful earns honors

By Mary Rathman mrathman@lakerlutznews.com

Pasco County is known statewide, and beyond, for its seagrass and salt marsh coastline, acres of conservation land, and rich natural resources. Keeping the environment in tip-top shape is the goal of Keep Pasco Beautiful, and the group is being honored for those efforts.

Pasco County announced that the Keep Florida Beautiful network has named Keep Pasco Beautiful as “Affiliate of the Year.”

There are more than 40 affiliates in the Florida network.

“We are extremely honored to receive this award,” said Keep Pasco Beautiful coordinator Kristen King. “This recognition

shows that even in challenging times, our community bands together to protect our environment and create a positive impact.”

Keep Pasco Beautiful was recognized for its Pasco Earth Day Celebration, its Great American Cleanup, and its ongoing social media engagement.

Keep Florida Beautiful also commended Keep Pasco Beautiful for its ongoing, successful community partnerships that benefit both the local community and the organization.

Keep Pasco Beautiful is supported

by Pasco County Department of Public Works and Pasco County Solid Waste.

To volunteer or to learn more about the organization, please visit KeepPascoBeautiful.org.

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In the six years since Memory Lane Cottage opened in New Tampa, its exceptional staff has helped individuals and families cope with the challenges that come with dementia-related diseases. Their quality care and compassion are so genuine that several residents have lived at Memory Lane since the facility opened.

“The fact that many of our residents have been here for so long says mountains about the quality of life we provide at Memory Lane Cottage,” said Administrator Kelly Irish “We are dedicated to providing a loving, intimate, environment where our residents retain a sense of independence and dignity.”

Memory Lane Cottage has just 20 residences. It’s this small size and its commitment to only memory care patients that attracted Irish, who was recently named administrator after 12 years working in senior care management, in both corporate and private settings.

“Because we’re not trying to be everything to everyone, we can focus 100% on memory care residents,” said Irish. “We do not offer independent living or assisted living, and this makes us really unique.”

A common problem for dementia patients, Irish continues, is sensory overload in loud, noisy and crowded environments often found in larger facilities.

“Memory care residents have difficulty processing information in a crowd, and can be overwhelmed by the constant distractions and noises of a large community,” Irish said. “Our environment is peaceful and more conducive to people with memory loss.”

The building that houses Memory Lane Cottage is designed to look and feel like a luxury estate home. It’s furnished, private suites have full baths, all of which

Kelly Irish, Administrator

open directly to a common living room and dining area located next to the kitchen, just like a private home.

The scent of cinnamon baked goodies wafts regularly from its open kitchen to stimulate residents’ appetites. Each resident has a mailbox in the courtyard to check, and outside is a private courtyard with walking paths and gardens to encourage residents to explore and enjoy the outdoors in a safe setting.

Family involvement is very important to the Memory Lane Cottage community, and staff welcomes input from family members to help guide the level of service they provide. Many employees, including Irish, have had family members with dementia, and have a personal understanding of the emotions and challenges families face.

“Coming to terms with a family member’s dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis isn’t easy, and choosing a compassionate environment for your loved one’s longterm care can be equally daunting,” said Irish. “We’re here to help, and invite you to visit Memory Lane Cottage to see if we’re the right place for your loved one.”

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