Lutz NEWS
ee r F
SERVING LUTZ/ODESSA
LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
Estabrook’s knack for collaboration receives honor
Auto Accident? Slip and Fall? FREE CONSULTATION
No Fees Or Costs Unless You Win
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
HOLLIDAY KARATINOS LAW FIRM, P.L. HelpingInjuredPeople.com Call Attorney
JIM HOLLIDAY 813-868-1887 “I Will Aggressively Fight To Protect Your Legal Rights” 18920 N. Dale Mabry Hwy Ste 101 Lutz, FL (Corner of Sunlake & Dale Mabry)
Walk-Ins Welcome
“The doctors and nurses are fantastic.”
GREAT
FRED BELLET/PHOTO
Exceptional Labor and Delivery Care
PUMPKIN! Could it be all those swimming lessons that are helping Nyla Liddles, 5, grow right before everyone’s eyes? The Lutz resident was with her mom Taeesha Liddles during a stop at the pumpkin patch at the Seal Swim School.
StJosephsNorth.org
As an educator, Dave Estabrook was known for his ability to look at issues from various vantage points and collaborate with others to solve problems and help people thrive. On Oct. 2, his contributions to education and to the Land O’ Lakes community were honored at a ceremony to dedicate the first phase of the David R. Estabrook Center for Collaboration at Charles S. Rushe Middle School on Mentmore Boulevard in Land O’ Lakes. Rushe principal David Salerno, who followed in Estabrook’s footsteps at two points in his career, described Estabrook’s leadership style. “Immediately, I ob- Dave Estabrook served a leader who made it his mission to seek input from many stakeholders — as many stakeholders as possible — when making decisions,” he said.“Not only that, he specifically sought out people that he thought may have a different point of view. He believed in the importance of considering all aspects of problems before recommending a solution.” Estabrook hired Salerno to be an assistant principal at Pine View Middle School after Estabrook moved up to become the school’s principal. Salerno would later follow Estabrook as principal of Rushe. “I learned from him that the best way to effectively collaborate, to bring about a meaningful change, is to build strong relationships centered on both communications and trust,” Salerno said. The ceremony to honor Estabrook was carried over the school’s closed-circuit television. Superintendent Kurt Browning, Assistant Superintendent Ray Gadd and Chief Financial Officer Olga Swinson were there. So was school board member Joanne Hurley. Estabrook’s wife Lori, his daughter and son-in-law Mallory and Chris Mullis, and Lori’s daughter and son Amy Harris and Geoff Hartwig, were there, too. The ceremony marked the dedication of the David R. Estabrook Center for Collaboration. See ESTABROOK, page 11A
BC1403701_0814
GIVE US A TRY & FIND OUT WHY WE ARE A TOP RATED CONTRACTOR. NEW LOOK
O C TO B E R 8 , 2 0 1 4
SAME GREAT SERVICE
Doing spiritual work, using talent, and a pair of shears By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
24/7 Emergency A/C & Plumbing Service A/C LICENSE #CAC1816647
PLUMBING LIC. #CFC1428982
CornerstonePros.com
813-949-4445
B INSIDE PAGE 1B
Mayra Santiago has devoted more than half her lifetime styling people’s hair to help them look good. Normally, she uses her expertise to tend to customers at Ulta Beauty, a products retailer with salon services in The Grove at Wesley Chapel. But over the summer, Santiago joined a group from Vida Community Church on a mission trip to Colombia to cut hair for people living in a rural village there. “I never, never, never in my life expected to cut hair in the Amazon,” the 43-year-old said. Vida is a bilingual church temporarily based in Land O’ Lakes, with members primarily joining it from Lutz and Land O’ Lakes. Pastors Dwight and Lizania Miranda lead the church, which has a heart for missions. Vida aims to help people meet their needs, both here and in other countries, said Mayra and her husband, Eddie, who have belonged to the church for seven years. When she heard there was a need for someone who could cut hair, Santiago felt compelled to go. She was pleased to put her talents to use for others because she loves being a hairstylist. “It’s my passion,” she said. Joining the mission trip, she said, was a blessing. The experience didn’t just help others, it helped her, too. “I appreciate everything better now,” Santiago said. She now has a deeper understanding of just how fortunate she and others are for the everyday comforts and conveniences
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAYRA SANTIAGO
Mayra Santiago poses with a young child during the Wesley Chapel woman’s trip to the Amazon. The hairstylist went with her church on a mission trip because she heard there was a need for someone who could cut hair.
that most residents of the United States take for granted, she said. Santiago traveled to Colombia on July 16, and returned July 28. The 18-member church group flew to Bogota, then caught a connecting flight to Leticia. From there, they rode on a boat — which broke down dur-
ing their trip — to arrive near the remote village where they stayed. Once the boat landed, Santiago’s group walked the rest of the way, lugging their stuff for a 20-minute trek. Santiago marveled See SHEARS, page 11A