‘Homes For Our Troops’ Gives Two Wounded Vets The Keys To Their New Homes!

(Left Photo, l.-r.) Marine Sgt. Chris Lawrence raises the American flag at his new Homes for our Troops Home. Michelle, Cristiana, DeliaMarie, Chris and his sister Tameka check out their new kitchen. (Right Photo) Quincy, Skye & Warren pose for a picture in their new kitchen. 

Congratulations go out to former Marine Sgt. Christopher Lawrence and former Army Sgt. Quincy Lopez, who have now received the keys to their respective Homes for our Troops (HFOT)-provided homes, located in different parts of Wesley Chapel. 

Both severely injured veterans lost their respective right legs to improvised explosive device (IED) blasts while serving in Iraq and both chose Wesley Chapel for their new HFOT homes, both custom-designed by Kent Custom Homes. 

(l.-r.) Chris Gordon, Warren, Quincy & Skye Lopez, HFOT’s Bill Ivey & Chris & Michelle Lawrence.

They both also were honored at a dual ceremony that began at Sgt. Lawrence and his family’s new home on Steeplechase Rd. and continued at Sgt. Lopez and his son Warren’s new home on Country Club Rd. Both injured vets took down the HFOT flag they raised during their respective “Volunteer Day” events a few weeks earlier and raised American flags at the end of their respective Key Ceremonies. And, both expressed tremendous gratitude to HFOT, Kent Custom Homes, all of the volunteers who helped lay the sod and plant the plants at their new homes and, of course, to their families. 

Among the speakers preceding Sgt. Lawrence’s Key Ceremony were community engagement coordinator Jocelyn Phipps and executive director Bill Ivey of HFOT, which (as we’ve previously reported) is a 501(c)(3) military nonprofit that puts roughly 90 cents of every dollar it raises into building specially-designed homes for severely wounded soldiers who served after 9/11 — and that number is now up to 419 homes and still going. But, in addition to Sgt. Lawrence himself, the speaker who made sure no one in attendance had a dry eye was Sgt. Lawrence’s sister, Tameka. 

“It was no surprise when, right out of high school in 2005, Chris proudly joined the U.S. Marine Corps,” Tameka said. “He would always call me to say ‘I am safe’ and update me on where he was going. Then, on August 17, 2007, came the call that no family wants to hear — that Chris was being airlifted back home with life-threatening injuries. But, in his true spirit, he ended up coming back stronger and more determined than ever. Today, as we step into this beautiful new home, we are stepping into a space that represents healing, hope, honor and independence. This is a place where he will live with his family, where laughter will echo through the halls, where his family and friends will gather memories for years to come. On behalf of the Lawrence family, thank you from the bottom of my heart, to Homes for our Troops, for recognizing Sgt. Christopher Lawrence, his sacrifice, his service and his future. You have not only built walls and a roof, you have built a legacy of respect. Thank you all. I love you.” 

Not to be outdone, Chris said, “This day — September 6 — is a day of celebration, but it’s also [the anniversary of] one of the saddest days of my life. It was the day that I lost my crew, my team, so I have to acknowledge that. I’m a stubborn guy. After I got injured, they said, ‘You probably won’t be able to walk and you absolutely won’t be able to run.’ Now I run every chance I get and walk anywhere I can.” 

He added, “I was trying to find a purpose and decided to try to become a police officer. I put myself through the Police Academy, got turned down by a lot of departments until I was given an opportunity by a phenomenal academy and police department in Chula Vista, CA. I served there eight years before I realized that police work was probably not the right choice for someone with no toes. I also realized that stairs were not my friend and a friend of mine, a fellow Corpsman who also had a prosthesis, got a home from Homes for our Troops and I saw that he could get around and be a part of his family all the time. And that really motivated me to apply. And now, I know that this house is meant for me and my family to be in forever. So, thanks to Homes for our Troops and to all of you for being here today.” 

Sgt. Lawrence then got to raise the American flag at his new home (above right photo). 

On To Sgt. Lopez’s House 
(Above, l.-r.) Sgt. Quincy & Warren Lopez receive the keys to their new home from HFOT president & CEO, retired Gen. Tom Landwermeyer. 

Although both Sgt. Lawrence and Sgt. Lopez were honored at the first ceremony at Sgt. Lawrence’s house, the dual “Key Ceremony” event continued a short time later that same day at Sgt. Lopez’s new HFOT home on Country Club Rd., which also was custom-designed by Kent Custom Homes. 

At Sgt. Lopez’s ceremony, HFOT community engagement coordinator Krystina Goroshko first introduced Sgt. Lopez’s friend — and fellow HFOT home recipient — former Army Staff Sgt. Chris Gordon, who received his home in Groveland in Lake County, FL, in 2018. 

“I thought the house I got was pretty magnificent,” Staff Sgt. Gordon said, “but I’ll admit that I’m a little bit jealous of Quincy’s house. Not only does it have a lot of new features that mine doesn’t, this Wesley Chapel community is amazing!” 

Staff Sgt. Gordon also talked about a lot of the battles wounded soldiers with prosthetic limbs go through, including getting infections at their amputation sites, “but at least, when we receive these homes from Homes for our Troops, we don’t have to battle to take a shower or fix food in the kitchen anymore.” 

He added, “But, Quincy and Chris are now part of the [HFOT} family. I’m really excited to hear about all of the great things you go through in your new home, Quincy.” 

Next up was HFOT president and CEO and retired Army Brigadier General Tom Landwermeyer, who first echoed what Bill Ivey said at the first ceremony: 

Sgt. & Skye both love the new wide entrance way to the shower in his new home. 

“You all could be doing anything you want to do today, but you chose to be here with us, celebrating two veterans of the family. So, thanks for coming. But now, I’m going to say a few words about Quincy. He was 20 years old and living in New York when 9/11 happened. He decided at that time, as so many others did, even though he was already serving the public as a police officer, to change uniforms and join the military.” 

He added, “I always tell people that the one thing these homes can’t fix is their injuries. Yes, they make it easier for them to live, but they will have those injuries for the rest of their lives. Quincy is a single parent, one of the hardest jobs in the world, but he’s doing it. He’s a well-educated young man and a teacher and mentor to other veterans. So, Wesley Chapel, you have one of the most dedicated vets we have.” 

Sgt. Lopez said that one of the great things about his new home is that, “I’ve suffered a lot of injuries since my service in the bathroom and kitchen. I would have to use my wheelchair to get to the toilet and my walker to get where the toilet was and grab bars to get out of the toilet. But, this home is going to allow me to be a better veteran, a better father and serve my community better. Homes for our Troops isn’t just rebuilding families, you’re giving families back their brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, uncles and aunts. You’re rebuilding whole communities. I can’t thank you all enough.” 

He also thanked HFOT, “which gives 90 cents of every dollar to build these homes. That means the staff is so dedicated to this cause that they’re willing to sacrifice pay and time just to give back and serve us. I can’t thank all of them enough either.” 

Sgt. Lopez also said that he learned very quickly that “Wesley Chapel is awesome. It’s a great community for my son to grow up in and We’re so excited to come here to live.” 

To make a donation or for more info about Homes for our Troops, visit HFOTUSA.org. — GN, all photos by Charmaine George 

Orlando Health Makes $500K Donation To PHSC’s Nursing Program

New Hospital In Wiregrass Ranch Also Names Its Top Management In Advance Of Early 2026 Opening! 

Congratulations go out to Pasco Hernando State College’s Institute for Nursing and Allied Health Advancement, a college initiative housed at PHSC’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, which received a $500,000 gift from Orlando Health, Inc., on Aug. 28 (photo). 

PHSC’s Nursing Institute focuses on addressing critical workforce shortages in nursing and allied health fields within the region. This collaborative effort between the school and Orlando Health — which is getting ready to open (in the spring of 2026) the Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital just across S.R. 56 from PHSC’s Porter Campus — brings together PHSC and Orlando Health in a collaborative partnership certain to benefit both entities. 

“At a time when our communities face urgent health care staffing shortages, PHSC is proud to lead the way in developing collaborations that will work to increase the pipeline for both highly qualified faculty and expertly trained employees in the nursing and allied health care fields,” said PHSC president Eric Hall, Ed.D. 

Orlando Health’s $500,000 gift to the PHSC Foundation establishes a fund to support nursing and health care services. 

“We’re excited about this new alliance with Pasco-Hernando State College,” said Andy Gardiner, senior vice president of external affairs and community relations at Orlando Health. “Our contribution is not only an investment into the future of nursing, but also an investment into health care throughout the region.” 

The check presentation, held at the PHSC Porter Campus, featured a number of guest speakers, including District 54 State Representative Randy Maggard, Dist. 23 State Senator Danny Burgess, Dr. Hall, Lisa Richardson, Ed.D. (the vice president of advancement innovation and strategic partnerships at PHSC), and Gardiner. 

Last year, PHSC received $1.5 million in state appropriations to establish The Institute for Nursing and Allied Health Advancement. The mission of the institute is to cultivate a thriving heath care workforce in the region by fostering innovative partnerships, conducting impactful research and providing exceptional education and training in nursing and allied health fields. 

Meanwhile, Orlando Health is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with $9.6 billion of assets under management that serves the southeastern U.S. and Puerto Rico. 

Founded more than 100 years ago, the 3,487-bed system includes 33 hospitals and emergency departments – 26 of which are currently operational, with seven coming soon. 

More than 4,950 physicians, representing more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties, have privileges across the Orlando Health system, which employs more than 29,000 team members and more than 1,400 physicians. 

We were unable to attend this event, so we do not have any additional information about it. 

Management Team Named 

The management team at Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital, which will open next spring as a 102-bed hospital with the capacity to expand to 300 beds, has been named by the new hospital’s president Joe Delatorre. 

Courtney Adams, MSN, BSN, RN was named the chief operating officer, Tanya Knepp, MHA will serve as chief financial officer, Suzan Dolezal, MBA-HCM, BSN, CENP, RN, has been named chief nursing officer, and Richard Matte, MBA CST, will serve as assistant vice president, business development at the hospital. 

We look forward to meeting all of you soon. 

Schools On Wells Rd. To Get Sidewalks, Thanks To State Grant & A Weightman Student!

(l.-r.) Dr. Toni Zetzsche of Pasco County Schools, School Board member Megan Harding, State Rep. Randy Maggard, Pasco Comm. Seth Weightman, Josh, State Sen. Danny Burgess, School Board member Colleen Beaudoin and Pasco administrator Mike Carballa at the check presentation ceremony for the new sidewalks on Sept. 12. (Photo provided by Pasco County)

Meadow Pointe resident and Weightman Middle School eighth grader Josh Patrick was only twelve years old when he set up his first meeting with District 2 Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman last August to talk about the lack of sidewalks on Curley Rd. and Wells Rd. heading to the Wesley Chapel School Complex. 

“My mom always drives me to school,” Josh says, “but I saw a lot of kids walking and riding bikes that had to dodge cars all the time because there are no sidewalks. I just felt like something needed to be done.” 

Meadow Pointe resident and Weightman Middle School 8th grader Josh Patrick was only 12 years old when he made a presentation to the Pasco MPO about the lack of sidewalks near his school. (Photo provided by Josh Patrick.) 

Not only did Commissioner Weightman agree, he told Josh to appear at a Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting to present the issue, which he did (left photo) on Jan. 9 of this year. Thanks to Josh, the county requested funding to construct the sidewalks from the state legislature, which approved $1.5 million in this year’s state budget in June. 

“Sidewalk appropriation requests are my legislative ask for every session,” Comm. Weightman says. “But Josh definitely made this happen.” 

Josh says there’s a reason why he succeeded where others have failed. “Most of the time, when someone advocates for something, it’s usually always ‘concerned parents’ who attend those meetings,” he says. “I just think it’s a lot more impactful to have the students themselves there.” 

Josh was next invited to attend the check presentation ceremony (top photo) on Sept. 12 with District 54 State Representative Randy Maggard, District 23 State Senator Danny Burgess, Pasco County administrator Mike Carballa, Pasco School Board members Megan Harding (District 5) and Colleen Beaudoin (District 2), and Dr. Toni Zetzsche, the chief communications & community engagement officer for the Pasco School District. 

Weightman says that the survey work for the Wesley Chapel sidewalk project will begin next month and will take six months to complete. 

At the same time, the county will negotiate the design fee with a consultant and get the task order executed. Then, design and permitting will take about nine months, the procurement of all of the needed property for the project will take another six months, with another two months to award the contract and ten months to complete the construction. In other words, by the time the project is completed — around July of 2028 — Josh will be a junior in high school. 

“But, at least it’s going to be done,” Josh says. “It shows that just because you’re a kid, it doesn’t mean you can’t get things accomplished.” 

Of course, Josh’s parents, Mark and Marsha Patrick, are extremely proud of their son. We’re super-proud of him, too. 

Great job, young man! 

Rudraksh Indian Cuisine’s Grand Opening!

Although we first told you about the opening of Rudraksh Indian Cuisine at 4424 Friendly Way, Suite 115, in Downtown Avalon Park in our May 13 issue, owners (top photo) Manashi Borush (left) and Amit Ghorpade celebrated the “official” Grand Opening of their upscale Indian restaurant on Aug. 9. 

And of course, yours truly had to be there to enjoy some more unique flavors and wish the owners and their general manager Dee well. 

“A lot more people have been giving us a try since Tallo (the Caribbean-American fusion restaurant next door) opened,” Dee says. “But, they keep coming back because they found out that they love the food (like the tasty Tandoori lamb seekh kabobs below) and the atmosphere here, too. We have been super-busy on the weekends and the lunch and weekday dinner business is growing, too.” 

The place definitely was packed with both regulars and newcomers for the Grand Opening event, which included a complimentary glass of champagne and an incredible 30% off your bill. So of course, I had to grab a seat at the gorgeous, premium-liquor bar and not only try the lamb kabobs (right) but also the butter naan (below; I still prefer the lamb chops and garlic naan), and indulge in my still-favorite Rudraksh dish, the Lehsoni Gobi (crispy cauliflower with garlic sauce). For more info, call (813) 355-3914 or visit RudrakshIndianCuisine.com. — GN 

Lima Peruvian Cuisine — Have You Really Still Not Tried This Place?

Lima Rotisserie Chicken & Peruvian Cuisine owner Oscar Escudero is well aware that his restaurant, located in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center plaza on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. (a mile or so south of the Pasco County line), has been among my favorite restaurants in either of our distribution areas since he first opened in Feb. 2020. 

“Yeah, we opened less than a month before the pandemic hit,” Oscar remembers all too clearly. “And then, only a few months after we opened, the chef I brought over from Peru, Felix Picasso, suffered a stroke here in the restaurant.” 

In other words, no matter how much a certain editor has always loved his place, Oscar has faced several challenges, including having to take over as the main chef in the kitchen — despite previously working in real estate — and even though he had never even cooked in a commercial kitchen before. 

“Felix taught me how to take our recipes, which were mostly my mom’s anyway, and cook them for a large number of people,” Oscar says. “I have put in some 100-hour work weeks trying to keep this place going.” 

But, not only has Oscar kept Lima afloat, in the five+ years since he first opened, his newfound experience in the kitchen has helped him expand his already-delicious Peruvian-Chinese fusion menu with ongoing specials that are a treat for both your eyes and your palette. 

If you’ve been reading my reviews of Lima over the years, I’m sure you know that I’m basically addicted to his all-fish (since I can’t eat shrimp) Ceviché de Pescado, which is as good as any I’ve had anywhere in the Tampa Bay area, with its perfect blend of South American lime juice and spices, those delicious, giant Peruvian corn kernels and sliced red onions. I don’t eat the raw onions themselves, but the flavor they add is a necessity. I also love the wedge of sweet potato that’s soaked in the ceviche’s delectable juice. 

Well, on our most recent visit, Jannah, photographer Charmaine George and I sampled three new specials, including a “Marina Trio” (above left), which featured a nice-sized portion of that amazing fish ceviche, flanked on one side by Arroz Chaufa (Peruvian-Chinese-style fried rice) Mariscos, with shrimp, calamari, mussels and clams one side and by fried white fish fingers called Jalea on the other. Although I couldn’t eat the fried rice, Jannah and Charmaine agreed that it was delicious. I can vouch for the fried rice with either chicken or beef tenderloin tips, though. Yum! 

Next up was the Aticucho de Lomo de Res (top) — tender, tasty beef tenderloin tips (the traditional dish is often made with beef hearts) on skewers on a steaming dish with sizable sides of crispy potato wedges and grilled Peruvian corn. The only warning I’ll offer is that if you don’t like a very spicy dipping sauce, the innocent-looking side of pink rocato sauce is literally an eye-opener. 

And, even though Jannah doesn’t like her meal looking back at her, even she admitted that the third special we tried — the whole, deep-fried yellowtail snapper, served with thick yuca fries (right) — was excellent. The snapper was super-flaky and the flavor is unlike other whole snapper/fish you’ll find at other restaurants. 

The only regular menu item we sampled on our most recent visit, because we had never tried it before, was the aptly named Lima Bowl (below left) — a heaping portion of creamy (and well-spiced, but not spicy) chicken salad, made with Lima’s signature rotisserie chicken, served over white rice, black beans and Romaine lettuce with Peruvian-style pico de gallo. So good. 

Our Old Lima Standbys 

Of course, anytime a local place continues to attract my attention, there are always dishes Jannah and I allow ourselves to indulge in on a regular basis. Mine always starts with the aforementioned Ceviché de Pescado (although I also loved the new Ceviché Lima, which adds fried calamari and a savory golden pepper sauce to the usual ceviché), but Jannah’s absolute favorite dish at Lima is the Tallarin Saltado, which is similar to a Chinese lo mein-style dish, but combines flamed, sliced onions, tomatoes and cilantro, blended with fettuccine-style pasta and Peruvian soy sauce with a touch of sesame oil. 

I’m also partial to the variety of fried fillet of fish dishes, especially the Pescado a la Chorrillana, which is topped with sautéed spices, onions, tomatoes and cilantro, with a splash of wine, and served with jasmine rice, as well as the Asado de Res con Ensalada Rusa, which was a special I told you about last year that is basically the Peruvian version of beef pot roast/brisket, served with a Russian-inspired potato-&-beet salad. 

And yes, I’m also a fan of Lima’s signature crispy-skin, Peruvian rotisserie chicken, but I get almost as much enjoyment simply from the aroma of the chicken anytime you enter the restaurant. 

“It’s a very special oven we make the chicken in,” Oscar says. “We have quite a few regular customers who never get anything else.” If you’re one of these regulars, I get it, but my opinion is that you need to broaden your horizons. 

Don’t forget dessert. Charmaine and I both flipped for last year’s Cake de Maracuya, which is sort of like a passion fruit cake & flan combo. It’s light, airy and delicious. We also agreed that the special we tried this time around — the Tres Leches de Lucuma (right) — definitely had a different flavor than any tres leches we’ve had before, thanks to the South American lucuma fruit which we agreed is a combination of maple, butterscotch and caramel that is light and not too sweet. 

Other desserts include a creamy torta de chocolate, arroz con leche (rice pudding) and alfajores, which are crumbly cookies filled with dulce de leche (always on the front counter). 

Lima also serves beer (I usually get the Peruvian Cusqueña) and wine, as well as Inca Kola (regular and diet) and Peruvian juices in passion fruit and mango. The kids menu includes Salchipapas (French fries topped with diced hot dogs), as well as chicken tenders and fried fish strips. 

Lima (19062 BBD Blvd.) opens every day at 11 a.m. & stays open until 8 p.m. Mon.-Thur., 9 p.m. on Fri. & Sat. & 7 p.m. on Sun. For more info, call (813) 304-0205, order on UberEats or DoorDash, visit LimaTampa.com — and please tell Oscar I sent you!