By Times Staff Writer
Published September 25, 2005
Pasco County Sheriff Bob White was the guest speaker at a recent meeting of the Dade City Kiwanis. He brought club members up to date on the steps he has taken to keep fast-growing Pasco County safe and secure from violent crime and drug trafficking and abuse.
White provided an in depth presentation on how, over the past several years, methamphetamine abuse has grown into America's first homegrown drug crisis. There are dozen of street names for the drug including crank, crystal, meth, ice, speed, glass and chalk.
Unlike cocaine and heroin, methamphetamine, according to White, can be made in a kitchen sink with easily obtainable items such as cold medicine and batteries. It is also cheaper than other drugs and only a small amount is needed to produce an intense, long-lasting high. The intense euphoria produced by the drug makes it highly addictive. That and the accessibility has caused an epidemic of methamphetamine producers, sellers, and users across the United States.
White urged club members and any resident who suspects drug activities to call local law enforcement.
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The Oakstead Security Patrol recently sponsored a security exposition on the Oakstead grounds. The Pasco County Sheriff's Office sent the mounted patrol unit, made up of three officers on horseback, who talked about their responsibilities as law officers.
A deputy and a dog also put on a demonstration.
A large security van parked on the Oakstead property had many visuals and ideas to help residents understand and prevent crime.
About three years ag o Mario Grasso, an Oakstead resident, started a security patrol in the Oakstead community. This was in response to more that 100 calls per month the Pasco County Sheriff's Office was receiving regarding security conditions in the Oakstead area. Grasso recruited residents to help and now has six assistants who patrol regularly. As a result, calls to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office have dropped to fewer than 10 per month.
Oakstead, a community of almost 1,200 families, is located along State Road 54 in Land O'Lakes.
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Nicklaus Arnold of Sunrise Rotary of Dade City recently brought home greetings and best wishes from two Rotary Clubs in York, England. In his report Arnold said, "One of the things that makes Rotary so successful as an international service organization is its unity. Wherever a Rotarian may wander, he or she is a welcome friend at the local club."
Arnold further explained, "International cooperation results in international support and success for global and national service projects such as polio eradication, food and water for the hungry and disaster relief for the victims of hurricane Katrina."
Arnold also explained that most clubs have miniature identifying banners that they exchange with visiting Rotarians. Some offer plaques, certificates, letter or scrolls of greeting instead of the banner. Arnold obtained two banners in August during his stay in York.
The Dade City Sunrise Rotary meets at 7 a.m. Thursdays at Kafe Kokopelli at Meridian Avenue and Sixth Street in Dade City. For information, call (352) 797-0683.
HIGH FIVES
The Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce recently held its annual banquet in the Garden House at the Lange Farm in Dade City . Ralph Lupton served as master of ceremonies. Awards were presented to individuals and businesses who had been nominated by chamber members for their outstanding contributions during the past year.
Patrick Graham, owner of Accucheck Home Inspection Service, was named 2005 Citizen of the Year. Graham was recognized especially for his volunteer services to the community in many roles.
Other winners included Liz Geiger, Leadership in Government; Jackie Clarke, Volunteer of the Year; Lorenzo Coffie, Leadership in Youth Involvement; John and Diana MacDiarmid, Ambassadors of the Year; Mona Burtz and Jon O'Dowd from MJ Innovations, Chamber Member of the Year; Sonny's Real Pit Barbecue, Business of the Year; Pilot Club of Zephyrhills, Kiwanis Club of Zephyrhills and Noon Rotary Club of Zephyrhills, Community Involvement.
The Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, presently headed by director Donna French and president Pat Pennington, boasts a membership of about 435.
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Arthur F. Kirk, Jr., president of Saint Leo University , recently announced the appointment of Michael Nastanski as the new dean for the Saint Leo University School of Business. An expert in international business, Nastanski joined Saint Leo University in 2002 as an assistant professor of management and marketing, first at the Saint Leo University Key West Center and then, joining the School of Business at University Campus in 2003. He took the reins of the School of Business in July 2005.
As dean, Nastanski is responsible for Saint Leo's graduate and undergraduate business programs offered at the main campus and at the 15 continuing education centers located across the United States.
"I'm excited about the tremendous opportunity we have to leverage our teaching abilities with our cutting-edge Video Teaching Technology, connecting professors with students from all of our centers," Nastanski said.
Nastanski received his bachelor's degree in secondary education from Wayne State University in Michigan, his master's degree in business management from Central Michigan University and his doctorate from the University of Sarasota in 2001.
Nastanski recently published From Shanghai to Mumbai: Cases for Asian Strategy with the Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co. Prior to joining Saint Leo, Nastanski served as executive director of business development and marketing for Elcotel Telecommunications.
"Our ability to develop business graduates with a unique blend of business skills and integrity produces leaders who can not only make good decisions but, the right decision," Nastanski said in a news release. "We are changing the face of the business world, for the better."
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U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite recently announced the selection of the Rev. Dwight Wolter of Spring Hill as the 2005 Angels in Adoption winner for Florida's 5th Congressional District. Wolter is pastor of Spring Hill United Church of Christ.
"Rev. Wolter and his daughter, Linda, are wonderful and positive examples of what can happen when the choice is made to put a child up for adoption," Brown-Waite said in a news release. "More than 20 years after his heart wrenching decision, Rev. Wolter gave his daughter Linda the chance to connect and begin a relationship."
Today, Wolter and his daughter have formed a tight-knit bond and are working to speak out about the positives that can come from adoption.
The Angels in Adoption campaign is a national movement to raise awareness about adoption and related issues. The gala was hosted by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, with President and Mrs. Bush serving as honorary co-chairs of the event. Brown-Waite is an outspoken member of the coalition and is the mother of an adopted daughter.
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Vice president for University Advancemen t Susan H. Pierce recently announced the appointment of Lindsey Mann as director of corporate and foundation relations for Saint Leo University. Previously, Mann held the position of manager of donor relations and university events at Saint Leo. She also has experience in fundraising at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, where she served as the coordinator of annual giving.
In her new position, Mann is responsible for the strategic development of the university's corporate and foundation relations program and leading the process of securing philanthropic support for ongoing operations and strategic initiatives for the university.
Mann received her bachelor's degree from Hollins University in Roanoke, Va. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
"I look forward to building upon the strong foundation that has been laid in corporate and foundation relations at Saint Leo," Mann said in a news release. "It is important for us to continue stewarding local relationships while cultivating new relationships at a national level. This is an exciting time to engage corporations and foundations in the life of this great university."
UPCOMING EVENTSThe Lutz/Land O'Lakes Woman's Club is sponsoring the annual youth writing contest for students in Pasco and Hillsborough Counties. Students in grades 1-12 are encouraged to participate in this contest by entering one poem and/or one short story.
Poems may be any style with a minimum length of eight lines and a maximum length of 30 lines.
A short story entry may be on any subject and is limited to 2,000 words.
There are grade level categories: grades 1-3; grades 4-6; grades 7-9; and grades 10-12. The winner in each category will receive a $25 check and a $25 dollar gift certificate.
Each poem or essay must have the following in the top right corner of the page: name of author, address, age and phone number; name of school and grade; name of sponsoring club, in this case, Lutz/Land O'Lakes Woman's Club; and the title of the written work submitted.
All entries must be postmarked by Oct. 28 and can be mailed to GFCW Lutz/Land O'Lakes Woman's Club, attn: Sara Cooper, project chair, 19620 Lake Osceola Lane, Odessa, FL 33556.
Questions may be directed to Cooper at (813) 926-1646.
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Governor Jeb Bush, Florida Drug Control and the Pasco County School Board invite all families to participate in the annual event, "Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children," on Monday .
A news release from the school board says, "While having family dinner one day a year may not change a child forever, it is a good start with a plan that can alter the behavior of children as they grow into teens and young adults."
Research by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University consistently finds that the more often children eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink or use illegal drugs.
Created in 2001 by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, Family Day emphasizes the importance of regular family activities. The sponsoring members encourage all families to make family dinners a regular feature of their lives.
The third annual homecoming pep rally for the Land O'Lakes High School student body and the Land O'Lakes community will be 7 p.m. Oct. 5 in Gator Stadium.
There will be class skits, class competitions, and performances from the cheerleaders, band, dance team and other clubs.
Spirit shakers and megaphones will be distributed to the first 200 people who enter. Concessions will be available.
This event is free, and everyone is invited.
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Master gardener Chrissy McNally will make a presentation on herbs, how to grow them and how to take care of them, from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday in Clayton Hall at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36702 State Road 52, Dade City.
Master gardeners Peggy Fortner and Judith LeVault will also conduct a presentation on vegetable growing in cool weather.
The presentations are free to the public and coffee and snacks will be available. Door prizes will also be given.
Registration is requested. For information, call (352) 521-4288, (727) 847-8177 or (813) 996-7658, ext. 4288.
