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Pasco’s free lunches take to the road
By Michael Hinman mhinman@lakerlutznews.com
It’s hard to imagine getting through most days without that noontime break for lunch. That packed sandwich, frozen entrée, or maybe even a quick trip to a local eatery, is something many people take for granted each day. But for 36,000 students in the Pasco County school district, that trip to the cafeteria may be the only nutritious meal they have all day, paid for through federal tax dollars. What happens, however, when school lets out? These students,
who account for nearly 53 percent of the entire school population in the county, still need to eat. And they’re not being left behind. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services manages a federal program known as Summer BreakSpot. Last year alone, it provided more than 12 million meals to nearly 300,000 children statewide, setting up hundreds of locations where kids in need can be sure to have something good and nutritious to eat. MICHAEL HINMAN/STAFF PHOTOS “We want kids across Florida to Kids gather to greet one of the mobile food units used by Pasco eat healthy, wholesome food County Schools to bring free lunches to children from disadvan-
See LUNCHES, page 14 taged homes through the Summer BreakSpot program.
JIM HOLLIDAY
Mad voters could affect turnout this November
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The third annual Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Freedom Festival at The Shops at Wiregrass features a fireworks display on July 3 at 9 p.m.
Three days of fireworks: Local events display patriotic spirit By Michael Murillo mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com
Local residents wanting to see fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July can enjoy them before, during and after the actual holiday. Multiple venues will host fireworks shows as part of special holiday celebrations July 3-5, along with a number of other activities to help celebrate Independence Day in Wesley Chapel and Land O’ Lakes. Those who want to celebrate early can visit The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel, on July 3.The shopping complex, home to around 100 different retailers, is the site of the third annual Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Freedom Festival. Last year’s event drew around 30,000 people.
The free event begins at 5 p.m., and includes a watermelon-eating contest and a bicycle-decorating contest. But one of the highlights is a patriotic-themed pageant to crown Little Miss and Mr. Firecracker across several age groups. The pageant was a favorite in 2013, and should be bigger this year, said Debbie Detweiler, director of marketing for The Shops. “It’s grown so much that we’re having it hosted up on the center court stage this year,” she said.“It was a really popular part of the event last year, and we want to make more room for it.” Winners will be announced for participants in three separate categories: Ages 3 months to 1, ages 2 to 4, and ages 5 to 8. See FIREWORKS, page 14
There’s one question Susan MacManus gets more than any other as we head into a contentious election season.And despite her long and impressive credentials as a political science, even she can’t answer it. Who will occupy the governor’s desk after November? Will Rick Scott stay put? Will Charlie Crist return as a new man? Or is it time for Nan Rich to take over? “Who is going to win the governor’s race? I don’t know yet,” MacManus, a Land O’ Lakes native, told the Republican Club of Central Pasco on June 25.“And neither do you.” Two things for certain are that this could not only be the most expensive governor’s race in history, but also the most negative. Political groups on both sides already have launched mud-slinging ads against each other, Scott taking hits for the Medicare scandal that rocked his former company in the 1990s, and Crist for raising taxes and fees during the economic downturn. Want a good look at what’s to come? One only has to look back to the recent special Congressional election in Pinellas County between Democrat Alex Sink and Republican David Jolly, MacManus said. “The mood of the public is a very angry mood,” the University of South Florida professor said.“They are very disappointed in See VOTERS, page 14
MICHAEL HINMAN/STAFF PHOTO
University of South Florida political scientist and Land O’ Lakes native Susan MacManus shared some of her observations about the upcoming Florida gubernatorial race with the Republican Club of Central Pasco last month.