Month: May 2022

Sand Pine Teacher Corinne Staney Retires After 53 Years

Second-grade teacher Corinne Staney has retired once before, in 2005, before moving to Wesley Chapel.

But this time, she says, after 53 years in education — including the last 15 at Sand Pine Elementary — it’s for good.

“I promised my granddaughter this would be the last year,” Staney says. “I’m looking forward to spending time with my family, that’s really important, and now’s the time.”

May 27 will be the last day of school for Staney, 75, who lives in Meadow Pointe with her husband Joseph, a retired educator who spent 36 years as an administrator and coach. She has left a lasting legacy that will be hard to replace.

“It’s going to be a huge loss for us,” says Sand Pine principal Christina Twardosz, “but we are super excited for her to be able to spend some time spoiling herself.”

Twardosz says if anyone deserves it, it is Staney, who is always one of the first to arrive and among the last to leave every day at Sand Pine.

What will Staney do on May 28, her first day as a retiree? She’s going to start off with a book to read just for enjoyment, for the first time in forever. She may work on her cooking and rediscover a few hobbies. Michaels is her favorite store, so maybe a little crafting here and there. And, she has a daughter, Lisa Couture, and a son, Tim, as well as grandkids Dom, Ryan and Maddy, and of course, her husband to keep her days filled.

Her family may want to keep her away from tutoring or volunteering at any schools, however. When she retired the last time, it was a tutoring gig that led to a year of being a preschool teacher that then led to her applying for an opening at Sand Pine.

Teaching, she says, is in her blood. Her grandmother taught in a one-room schoolhouse, and because her parents — her dad managed a meat department in a grocery story and her mom had to turn down a scholarship and became an executive secretary — couldn’t go to college because they had to work during World War II, they emphasized the importance of education to their daughter.

Staney cut her teaching teeth in Worcester, MA, at a number of different schools, always in grades K-5. She was active in the teacher’s union, joined a group of education researchers at nearby Clark University, absorbed herself into the field of teaching and eventually “retired” to Florida.

But, she says she was called back to the classroom, as retirement turned into more of a very short sabbatical.

“I was bored…and I just love what I do,” Stanley says. “I love working with kids, I love learning new things, I love having a job that makes you want to get up in the morning and go. Kids are phenomenal. Every year is a fresh new start, a chance to be better, and a chance to be a part of a group of people that want to teach and learn. It’s fantastic.”

Staney says teaching won’t make you rich, but if you can find joy in it, it can make you happy.

“Her love and joy for children is inspiring,” says Twardosz.

As this issue is reaching your mailbox, there’s still a few days of classes left, and Staney plans to enjoy every minute of what’s left. She has given away many of her books, to a new teacher and another who teaches children with special needs, and her Christmas tree. Her most prized teaching possession — a ceramic apple that she was given by her fellow teachers to mark her 50th year as a teacher — will be displayed at home.

She could, quite honestly, teach forever, and that’s why, some days, as her final year as a teacher winds down, she has to hold back the tears.

“I didn’t cry until I thought about all of the years and all of the kids,” Corinne says. “But every year when school is ending I have a hard time.”

When she closes her eyes, she says she can still see her first class in 1969 at Woodland Street School in Worcester, and most of her classes since.

But, she says her last class may just be her most special one.

“All of them were adorable,” Stanley says. “I just look at their faces and have such high hopes for them. They clap for each other, encourage each other, all for one and one for all. The future looks pretty bright if you just look at the kids’ faces.”

Corinne Stanley sand pine

For Business Or Unemployment Law, Call Attorney Derek Usman

*Attorney Derek Usman, who has an office on BBD Blvd. in New Tampa, has opened a second location in downtown Tampa to be closer to the courts.* ***(Photo courtesy of Derek Usman)***

Attorney Derek Usman says a piece of advice in a self-improvement book stuck with him and has become a cornerstone of how he practices law.

“I treat each case like it’s the most important case,” he says. “I approach each of them in the same manner, whether it’s a small claims case or a filing for the Supreme Court.”

This philosophy has helped his New Tampa-based business, The Usman Law Firm, P.A. — located in the Central Bank building on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. south of County Line Rd. — to grow through referrals and word-of-mouth among clients who need legal expertise for litigation, employment law and business law.

He established his firm in the community where he lives, knowing that many residents of our area may need an employment or business law firm, and may want to work with someone who is a part of their community.

“New Tampa- and Wesley Chapel-area residents are business owners and employees, and executives of businesses,” says Usman, “sometimes they are people who work for corporations that are relocating to the Tampa Bay area. They have a local resource right here. They don’t have to go to a big downtown firm.”

But, if they do want a downtown firm, Usman has that covered, too. He recently opened a second office in downtown Tampa to have more accessibility to the courts and to court personnel.

“Lawsuits always involve two sides,” he says, “and oftentimes, the opposing counsel is downtown.”

He says maintaining a second office in the heart of where most litigation happens allows him to communicate better with opposing counsel, while keeping his New Tampa office as his primary work location.

“Attorneys are fraternal,” he says. “It makes it easier to talk with them because you have a connection and a familiarity. A personal relationship makes things smoother.”

He values those personal relationships, which is why he always gives his full attention and diligent preparation to every case that comes before him. A client he helped with one of those “small cases” came back to him when something much bigger came up. This led to Usman recently filing a federal case on behalf of a St. Petersburg-based startup company, called Priatek, alleging its former executives stole technology and forced out the company’s president.

He says he was hired to represent that firm because one of its investors appreciated the way Usman treated his earlier case.

“That was a small claims trial, with a low dollar amount, but he knew that I prepared well,” says Usman.

And, Usman adds, he had no expectation that one case would lead to a bigger one, but that he treats everyone the same, across the board. He works hard to ensure each of his clients is represented well, no matter how minor their complaint may seem.

Happy Clients…

Jerry Newberry is a client who says he experienced that quality representation first-hand. As president of a local company, he was looking for an attorney to review some corporate documents he had prepared.

After finding Usman by searching online, Newberry says he was able to get an appointment quickly, go over his questions, and that Usman got back to him with all of his questions answered in just a few days.

“I was really happy,” Newberry says. “I had a bunch of questions because I don’t understand legal mumbo jumbo, and he answered all of them. I appreciated his timeliness and his feedback was very thorough.”

Plus, Newberry says he has worked with several lawyers who run up costs very quickly, but notes that Usman’s fees were very reasonable.

“I’ve dealt with 30 to 40 attorneys over 30 years, and he was painless,” says Newberry. “He was very willing to do whatever I needed, and he explained everything in a way that I understood and felt comfortable (with). I’m definitely pleased and will certainly use him again.”

Usman says he understands that litigation can be expensive and that a lot of the expense is hard costs, such as court fees, that clients have to pay.

He emphasizes that’s why he has multiple fee arrangements to meet each client’s needs. Fees can be paid as contingent, fixed or hourly billing.

“I work with clients on payment options,” he says. “Even though litigation is a costly endeavor, I don’t want that to deter you from pursuing actions on your behalf.”

Derek says many attorneys who practice business and employment law specialize in either initial transactions or disputes. However, Derek isn’t limited to only one area or the other.

He says his clients benefit from the hands-on experience he has had in courtrooms, from county courts, to state, federal and even appellate courts. Because he sees how litigation plays out in court, he knows the pitfalls to look out for in drafting agreements and other documentation.

“I know both parts and have experience in both,” he says. “I have more practical knowledge when it comes to forming agreements because I know what usually gets litigated in court.”

After moving from Chicago to Wesley Chapel in 2015 to be closer to family, Derek opened his local office of The Usman Law Firm off of Bearss Ave. In 2018, he moved to his current office on BBD to be right in the heart of the community where he lives and serves his neighbors.

Derek earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Indiana University in Fort Wayne in 1997 and his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the Northern Illinois University College of Law in 2001.

He is admitted to practice before the bars of Florida, Illinois, the U.S. Tax Court, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Derek volunteers his time as part of the network of attorneys who work on both local and national cases with Alliance Defending Freedom, a faith-based nonprofit that focuses on legal advocacy.

The Usman Law Firm is located at 20701 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. For more information, please visit UsmanFirm.com or call (813) 377-1197.

usman law

A Fresh Start For The New River Library

Nearly a year after it unofficially opened following major renovations, the New River Library at 34043 S.R. 54 finally got its official Grand Opening last month.

The library was closed from October 2019 through a soft opening in April 2021, receiving a major upgrade that was extended by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The New River Library was officially rededicated with a ribbon cutting and ceremonial release of butterflies on April 21, attended by Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, Pasco Libraries regional manager Angelo Liranzo, other library officials and the architects of the project.

Liranzo praised the efforts of landscape architect Celia Nichols, who transformed the outdoor space at the library.

“What we have now is completely different and totally transformed into something so wonderful,” he said. “Instead of just a community garden…we have 28 planter beds that can be reserved for a quarter at a time.

Liranzo added that all of the planter beds already have been checked out and that there is now a waiting list.

The library also has a larger and brighter lobby, two soundproof study rooms and a larger one for bigger groups, four new family bathrooms, a larger children’s area, a teen room and an upgraded scanning and printing area.

The new outdoor study area and community garden are highlights. The garden has four water barrels, a butterfly garden and sensory items for children who are on the autism spectrum.

New River Library

Local WC High Schools Looking For Starting QBs and more

Spring football always presents a host of questions for area coaches to answer.

Who is going to start here, who is going to block there, and who is going to step up in the fall?

But, in Wesley Chapel this month, all three local high schools have at least one question in common:

Who is going to play quarterback?

The game’s most important position at Wiregrass Ranch (WRH), Wesley Chapel (WCH) and Cypress Creek (CCH) was handled by seniors Rocco Becht, Ethan Harper and Owen Walls, respectively. Together, the trio passed for more than 4,300 yards and 45 touchdowns. Their backups threw a combined five passes, completing one.

So, who will line up under center on May 19 when Cypress Creek hosts a jamboree against Pasco and St. Petersburg Catholic and Wiregrass Ranch visits Berkeley Prep at 7 p.m., or May 20 when Wesley Chapel hosts Land O’Lakes at 7 p.m.?

Good question.

Bryson Rodgers is considered one of the top prep receivers in the country.

Nowhere does the quarterback search seem more of a necessity than at WRH, where the Bulls are flush with a pair of fantastic, dare we say once-in-a-lifetime wide receivers.

Rising senior Bryson Rodgers recently committed to Ohio State — which had two wideouts drafted in the first round of last month’s NFL Draft — and rising junior Izaiah Williams picked up a college offer from national champion Georgia last week, to go with those he has received from the likes of Florida State, Cincinnati and Michigan.

Bulls coach Mark Kantor admits it’s not ideal to have to find a new, unproven quarterback for a roster that arguably has the two best receivers in school history, but he has his fingers crossed that the answer emerges from the spring battle between last year’s backup Elijiah Brown and junior varsity starter Brendyn Collela.

“They’re even right now,” says Kantor.

While Kantor would like to see a starter emerge that can take advantage of his star receivers, who combined for 1,200 yards and 18 TDs last year, he does have the area’s top returning running back in Kenneth Walker, who scored seven TDs last year.

Quarterback aside, Kantor does have other issues. He has an offensive line to replace, though he feels good about the spring efforts so far and thinks he has found four of the five future starters, and his defense has to be better.

Last fall, the Bulls lost four of their last five games and surrendered an average of 37 points in those losses.

He is counting on guys like rising senior Nick Johnson (LB) and Elijiah Westbrooks (CB), rising junior Jaden Bering (MLB) and rising sophomore Ola Omaloye (MLB) to pack some extra punch into the defensive unit.

“We’ve got to get back to playing physical defense,” Kantor says. “I gotta find some dudes who want to crack-a-lack.”

CCH Grooming Neimann

Meanwhile, at Cypress Creek, Walls’ departure will hurt, but coach Mike Johnson likes what he has seen in jayvee starter and rising junior Jack Neimann this offseason.

“I think we’ve got some great guys trying to fill those shoes,” Johnson says. “Jack is a guy who has been productive, and we have a lot of confidence in him.”

While quarterback may be the biggest loss, the entire offense is in need of a spring overhaul. Even if Neimann can prove to be the answer at QB, he will need blockers, pass catchers and running backs and the Coyotes went into spring looking for all those things.

Dylan Lolley, a 6-3, 225-pound tight end, is a great route runner and had 28 catches for 329 yards last year, so he’ll be counted on to replace a lot of the 1,200 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns lost to graduation. And, rising senior running back Tre Gibson is expected to take over in the backfield.

As for the offensive line, Johnson says a torn ACL, back surgery and dislocated elbow will keep three of his veteran offensive/defensive linemen sidelined this spring, but he feels good about the fall.

Defensively, it’s been a five-year battle to find a unit that can produce like Johnson wants it to. In the team’s brief history, the Coyotes have been allowing more than 30 points a game.

Can The ‘Cats Run To Wins?

While the Wildcats (6-4 last season) also need a quarterback, they don’t rely on the pass as much as their area counterparts.

Harper threw for 600 yards last season, so whoever inherits the reigns between rising senior Dillon McGinnis, junior Colin Opperman and sophomore Desmond Devore won’t be asked to do too much.

Instead, how they lead WCH’s run-first offense will be the key.

“Whoever shows the leadership for the position will be the guy,” says coach Anthony Egan.

Egan has rising senior bookend tackles in Max Hambrecht (6-4, 325) and Ryan Warren (6-3, 270) and tight end Conner Libby (6-5, 230) to anchor his offensive line, so look for the Wildcats to do what the coach likes best and pound the rock while controlling the clock. The loss of 1,000-yard rusher Jaylan Blake needs to be replaced, and Egan says last year’s fullback Mason Quinn could be that guy.

On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Josh Poleon will anchor the unit, which is in rebuilding mode. The hardest part about rebuilding, whether it’s finding one player like a quarterback or an entire defensive line, are the number of choices. At Wesley Chapel, Egan’s biggest spring battle could be finding enough players.

“We’re still struggling with numbers,” says Egan, who had about 45 kids out this spring. “It definitely presents some special challenges. We have good kids, with great skills, but we need more of them.”

bryson rodgers cypress creek Wesley Chapel Wiregrass Ranch

Ice Dreammm Shop At The Grove Navigating Supply Chain Issues

*Owner Joe Schembri is happy to still be able to scoop an ever-changing variety of ice cream flavors, despite some supply chain issues.*

When I read an article on Axios Tampa Bay (Axios.com) about how inflation and supply chain issues have adversely affected ice cream shops across the Tampa Bay-area, all I could think of was Joe Schembri, the owner of the Ice Dreammm Shops off S.R. 54 in Lutz and at The Grove in Wesley Chapel.

I got in touch with Joe and he said that yes, the cost of dairy products, stabilizers and other ingredients for his amazing homemade ice cream had increased significantly, but that his bigger problem was that the supply chain for spoons, cups and even Oreo cookies had been so inconsistent that he has had to buy some of those items in bulk whenever he was actually able to find them.

“It’s been a nightmare the past several months,” Joe says, adding, “thankfully, though, I haven’t had to raise prices yet to our customers. We’ve absorbed some of the losses caused by increased costs and lack of availability, but we have really great customers who continue to support us even when we haven’t always had the right-sized cups for our ice cream and milk shakes.”

So, What’s New?

Schembri, who is an avowed ice cream lover who left his IT job to open the Ice Dreammm Shop in Lutz, even though he somehow keeps himself in great shape, is always coming up with new ice cream flavors. I recently sampled his new bourbon ice cream flavor, which is infused with “a ton,” according to Joe, of smooth bourbon in every batch. It’s creamy, delicious and can definitely give you a buzz if you eat enough of it. (Note-I felt fine after my small-size scoop).

But, with favorites like smooth chocolate velvet, locally roasted coffee, cookies & dreammm, cookie dough, my favorite fluffernutter and more always rotating on and off the board, plus alcohol-infused favorites like salted caramel latté and rum haven, plus sugar-free and vegan varieties, there are few ice cream shops anywhere that can match the Ice Dreammm shop for variety of flavors — or deliciousness of flavors.

When we last wrote about the new Ice Dreammm Shop location at The Grove last year, Joe was only serving his awesomely gooey, chewy chocolate chip cookies freshly baked in-store. But now, Joe’s selection of fresh-baked goods include double chocolate and peanut butter chocolate brownies, peanut butter nutella cookies, “brookies” (half-brownies, half-cookies), cookie butter cookies, blondies, snickerdoodles, sugar cookies, oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and more.

“People seem to really love our baked goods, especially with their ice cream,” Joe says. “If you ask for something we don’t already make, we might just end up making them in the future.”

In addition, Joe also offers a tremendous number of toppings (at least 20) to go with your favorite ice cream flavors, from hot fudge, caramel, marshmallow, whipped cream and peanut butter to sprinkles, crumbled Oreo cookies and so many more. The waffle cones are made fresh in-house and are hard to resist when you walk in and smell them cooking.

The Ice Dreammm Shop also offers amazing ice cream pies with your favorite flavors and toppings, hand-spun milkshakes and malts, ice cream floats and even coffee drinks like affogato (a scoop of ice cream drowned in espresso), cold brew coffee and cold brew floats and even locally roasted hemp coffee.

And, the fun doesn’t stop there, as Joe allows every customer to spin his wheel as long as you have 12 “stars” (customers earn one star with each $5 spent at Ice Dreammm), and you can win anything from one free scoop of ice cream, a milk shake, ice cream “nachos” to free ice cream for a year.

Even the one marker on the wheel where you don’t win something to eat or drink is pretty cool — a free high five from Joe. And, even though only one spot on the wheel offers the free ice cream for a year, Joe says more than 100 customers at the Wesley Chapel location have landed on the big win since it opened last summer.

The Ice Dreammm Shop is located at 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 101. For more information, call (727) 495-6730. The Lutz location is at 23912 S.R. 54, Suite 2. For more information, call (813) 586-3767. Visit IceDreammmShop.com to order online from either location. Both locations are open every day.

ice dreammm