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Mike Camunas

Local softball player honored

June 20, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Georgia Gwinnett College senior and former Carrollwood Day School standout player and captain Sydney Pelaez was named the 2023 Diamond Sports/NFCA NAIA Catcher of the Year on June 6, capping off a stellar four year collegiate career.

This season, Pelaez batted .438 with 77 hits, 46 RBI and scored another 46 runs while starting all 57 games for the Grizzlies. She led the team with seven home runs and had 17 doubles.

Pelaez ended GGC career with a .390 average and school-record 247 hits, 156 RBI and 62 doubles. Pelaez is second in program history with 220 games played and her 21 home runs are tied for second in the school’s record book.

Flag football team headed to nationals

June 20, 2023 By Mike Camunas

The champion Montreal Alouettes, of Land O’ Lakes (Courtesy of Greg Mark)

The Montreal Alouettes, a.k.a Skylarks (formally Battlehawks), a Land O’ Lakes-based youth flag football team, recently won its league championship and a chance to compete for the national championship beginning July 6 at the University of Maryland.

The Skylarks had a tough — but ultimately — victorious road to become champions. The team started as the fifth seed in the playoffs. 

It had to defeat the Seahawks, a team that had beaten them in the regular season. It won that game 33-14. Then, the Skylarks played the No. 1-seeded Colts. The Skylarks dominated again, this time 28-6.

Then, after waiting an hour before the championship game started, the Skylarks defeated the Dolphins, a team which had defeated the Skylarks 25-12 in the regular season. Again, the Skylarks dominated, winning 33-6 for the 3/4 UA RISE Spring Season Championship.

Team members include Ty Camp, Colton Leitzell, Austin Leitzell, Lincoln Lovelace, Zane Miller, Christian Mirabella, Parker Nichols, Michael Noto, Jesse Toro, Justin Vaca, James Vargas and Mason Thayer, and are coached by Greg Mark and Matt Mirabella.

For information on the team, visit tinyurl.com/yu6s7cs4.

Living large with the largest lagoon

June 13, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Pasco County is becoming the Land of Lagoons.

Joining its sister lagoon in the nearby Epperson community in Wesley Chapel, Mirada Lagoon in San Antonio officially opened its sandy shores and expansive waterways to its Mirada residents, as well as the public, on June 2.

The Mirada Lagoon, 1 Mirada Blvd., San Antonio — the largest human-made lagoon in the country — opened to the public, and Mirada residents, on June 2. The lagoon has 15 acres of water and offers activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, and obstacle course, water slides, a swim-up bar, lounging and beach play and playgrounds. (Mike Camunas)

At 15 acres of water, Mirada Lagoon is the largest human-made lagoon in the country. It has a 5,100-foot perimeter, 17.2 million pounds of sand and 33 million gallons of water.

“We have something for everyone,” said Jonathan Kelly, Mirada lagoon general manager. “And we’ll just add more, such as a few things still needed to get put in — more food trucks, the volleyball court — but as the largest lagoon in the nation, we want to have the best amenities to offer residents and visitors.”

Mirada Lagoon, 1 Mirada Blvd., San Antonio, is indeed built for the residents of the Mirada Community, which is a 2,000-acre master-planned community just off the new State Road 52. The community features approximately 4,500 residential homes, with prices ranging from $200,000 to nearly $1 million.

The community, and lagoon, is managed and owned by MetroPlaces and MetroLagoons, which also owns and operates the Epperson Lagoon and Community that opened in 2017.

Mirada Lagoon boasts a number of amenities. It also offers a limited number of visitor day passes.

Mirada Lagoon, the largest human-made lagoon in the country, features a waterpark playground and water slides for residents and daily visitors who come to play in the 15 acres of water at Pasco County’s newest attraction.

The attraction offers kayak and paddleboard rentals, as well as the opportunity to book about 45 minutes of play on the floating obstacle course, AquaGlide. There’s a waterpark playground for kids and a water slide for older youths and adults.

Additionally, there are beach areas with complimentary, first-come, first-served beach seating, but also beach umbrella rentals, as well as cabanas.

There also is Gasparilla Island — a sandy beach island surrounded by clear blue shallow water.

“That is quite popular to grab a spot and just spend the day for sun and fun,” Kelly said. 

There are four concession stands, as well as permanent food trucks on the grounds. There’s also a resort-style swim-up bar, where patrons can order beverages. The lagoon also has The Hub, which will live music, events and entertainment.

There’s also Cabana Cove, which is the exclusive, 21-and-up area where residents and visitors to Mirada Lagoon can rent lounging chairs and even floating cabanas known as AquaBanas — an inflatable experience for up to eight people.

Mirada residents Emmy Jacobstein, left, and Grayson Montoya play in the sand at Mirada Lagoon, the nation’s largest human-made lagoon.

“When those are available to rent, they go really quick,” Kelly added. “That’s a really popular attraction we have here.”

Mirada Lagoon
Where: 31461 Mirada Blvd, San Antonio, FL 33576
When: Sunday to Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Cost: Day passes start at $20
Details: The Mirada lagoon, with its 15 acres of water, is the largest human-made lagoon in the country. It offers daily public access, as well as activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, an obstacle course, water slides, a swim-up bar, lounging and beach play, a playground, concession stands and will have food, permanent trucks and events.
Info: MetroLagoons.com/lagoon/mirada
Grand Opening Celebration: The grand opening celebration is scheduled for June 24 and June 25, from 11 a.m to 8 p.m.

Published June 14, 2023

AquaBanas are a fun feature at Mirada Lagoon. The popular amenity gets rented out very quickly.
Miranda Lagoon offers watersport activities such as renting kayaks or paddleboards to explore the expansive attraction.
Mirada Lagoon will feature permanent food trucks, in addition to the four concession stands on its grounds.

A flagship celebration, history lesson

June 13, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Every year in the middle of June, poles are surveyed.

That’s because the nation recognizes Flag Day, commemorating the adoption of the flag of the United States, or Old Glory, on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; on Aug. 3, 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday. (Mike Camunas)

The Flag Resolution was passed, and stated: “Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day and on Aug. 3, 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday.

On June 14, 1937, Pennsylvania became the first state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday, and several other states, such as Washington, Massachusetts and New York, have held flag parades for decades.

Throughout grade school, several lessons were taught, telling students the story that credits Betsy Ross for sewing one of the first flags from a pencil sketch handed to her by George Washington. However, no such evidence exists either in George Washington’s diaries or the Continental Congress’ records.

By her family’s own admission, Ross ran an upholstery business, and she had never made a flag as of the supposed visit in June 1776. That being said, researchers accept that the first flag evolved, and did not have one design.

The current design of the U.S. flag is its 27th and the design has been modified officially 26 times since 1777.

The national flag of the United States consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton (referred to specifically as the “union”) bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows, where rows of six stars alternate with rows of five stars. The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 U.S. states, and the 13 stripes represent the thirteen British colonies that declared independence from Great Britain and thus became the first states in the U.S.

Published June 14, 2023

 

Prelude to a festive song

June 13, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Paul Lewis can’t play the song — but he wrote it.

Such is the life of some composers, including this one.

Lewis is a musician and the owner of Prelude Academy of the Arts, a music school in downtown Dade City.

Paul Lewis, the Dade City native, musician and owner of Prelude Academy of the Arts, had a song he composed featured in the 7th New Music on the Bayou Festival from May 31 to June 3 in Monroe and Ruston, Louisiana. (Mike Camunas)

Over the course of two years, he composed and wrote a beautiful cello/electronic music piece — titled ‘Xenon’ — which was selected to be played in the 7th New Music on the Bayou Festival from May 31 to June 3 in Monroe and Ruston, Louisiana.

Lewis, a talented musician, plays several instruments, including the double bass.

But he can’t play this song he composed.

“It’s a great honor to be chosen for the festival, but, sadly, no, I can’t play it — it’s way above my level,” said the 35-year-old Dade City native, who also plays in the Dade City Orchestra. “I wrote it for a very talented cellist, Eduard Teregulov, who will do a chamber performance in Monroe.

Sheet music composed by Paul Lewis, owner of Prelude Academy of the Arts in downtown Dade City.

“When I was writing this piece, Edward asked me to write him the piece for the cello and had no idea what it would be about. As a composer, I really feel the need to have hooks (in the piece), otherwise, I don’t see the point, and I don’t think anyone is going to remember if it doesn’t have interesting hooks,” the composer said.

He acknowledges as he sat down to write the score, he was still trying to figure out what direction he was going in, the motifs, rhythms and hooks.

But then he stumbled upon inspiration.

“I came across this wonderful Greek proverb,” Lewis said. “‘A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.’ … That’s powerful. I wanted this piece to be about that, and it’s a little political, but I really do believe in that phrase … and the biggest issue I have is the stifling of innovation — that I don’t understand and I think this piece is about not doing that.”

The percussion studio room at Prelude Academy of the Arts in Dade City.

Xenon is a dense, colorless, odorless noble gas found in Earth’s atmosphere in trace amounts. However, xenon can be used to balance out nuclear fission, which inspired the innovation part of Lewis’ piece.

In the end, it was the Greek proverb that moved him.

“I don’t like to be practical with music — I like to hint subtly in it,” he said.

The festival received 337 submissions from 180 different applicants from 34 states and 18 countries. Lewis became one of 50 composers whose work was selected for the weeklong celebration. 

Lewis and his wife, Charlotte, who is co-owner of Prelude Academy, attended the festival so they could “get to see it played and played well by someone who is good and someone we know,” she said. 

It was a musical trip worth the wait.

Charlotte Lewis, owner of Prelude Academy of the Arts in downtown Dade City, works on some guitar lessons with a student.

“I heard it through all its stages of development — from ‘What do you think of this?’ and ‘What do you think of that?’ Every part,” Charlotte said. “I make the noise — I don’t write it, so I only know composing through Paul, but it’s nice to see his project where he has all this creativity pouring into it and I can just look at it from the outside and offer a gentle critique.

“We joke because I tell him, ‘I would tell you if I didn’t like it,’” she continued. “It’s a delicate balance being the married couple and working partners, because if something doesn’t sound good, we want to be supportive, but still give real feedback.

“So, he might pout and then rewrites.” 

The couple opened their flourishing music academy in November 2021, and have seen an influx of local musicians walk through its doors. Those learning music there are both experienced and aspiring, and they use all kinds of instruments to create classical to pop.

Students range from age 80 to 18 months.

The academy’s growth has happened faster than its owners expected — creating the need to hire three more instructors to respond to the demand. Paul teaches percussion and piano, while Charlotte gives guitar lessons. One of their instructors gives lessons on trumpets, bagpipes and other brass instruments.

And the reception from the Dade City community has been music to their ears.

“We love that Dade City is invested in us,” Charlotte said. “And the music.”

‘Xenon’ by Paul Lewis
Details: Paul Lewis’ piece for cello and electronics was featured in the 7th New Music on the Bayou Festival from May 31 to June 3 in Monroe and Ruston, Louisiana. The festival received 337 submissions from 180 different applicants from 34 states and 18 countries. Lewis became one of 50 composers selected for the festival.
To hear the score, visit Soundcloud.com/plewismusic/xenon.
To learn more about the festival, visit NewMusicOnTheBayou.com, and to learn more about Prelude Academy of the Arts, 14249 Seventh St. Dade City, visit PreludeAcademy.com.

Published June 14, 2023

McGough, local football star, excelling in USFL

June 13, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Alex McGough doesn’t mind being a local celebrity. 

Not just in his hometown of Tampa — specifically the Lutz and Central Pasco areas — but also in Birmingham, Alabama, where he’s the starting quarterback for the United States Football League’s Stallions.

Former Gaither High star Alex McGough leads the United States Football League (USFL) with 16 passing touchdowns and helped lead his Birmingham Stallions to the 2022 championship. He went 7-for-10 passing for 77 yards and a touchdown. (Courtesy of Aliyah Hill)

“Alabama really loves their football and they’re not lying when they say it,” the former Gaither High football star said. “They support us and it’s great, and it’s fun to get recognized in town at the store or in a restaurant, be asked for a selfie. That’s nice, but I’m just really happy playing football again on a consistent basis.”

McGough was selected with the sixth pick of the first round of the 2022 USFL Draft by the Stallions, however, he suffered an ankle injury in the team’s first game on April 16, 2022. The Stallions went 9-1 that season and made it to the championship game vs. the Philadelphia Stars. McGough came into the game for the injured J’Mar Smith and went 7-for-10 passing for 77 yards and a touchdown, helping the Stallions earn their first USFL championship with a 33-30 win.

“Last season was an interesting roller coaster of things that led to that (performance in the championship game),” McGough said. “I just went into that game preparing like I always do and, unfortunately, I hate that he had to come out due to injury, but I just went out there and played like I always do and I was just happy we fought the way we did.

“It was pretty unbelievable how it all happened and the emotions of it didn’t hit me until the next day.”

It’s been a long journey for McGough, who started his high school football career at Wesley Chapel High before transferring to Gaither prior to his sophomore year. As a Cowboy, McGough passed for 1,727 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior, then another 1,258 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior year in 2013 before signing with Florida International University (FIU).

“Yeah, of course, I think about those days, but I also think 10 years — it kind of just puts in perspective how fast it can go when you’re not paying attention,” McGough said.
While at FIU, McGough had a record-breaking career starting as a true freshman, throwing for 1,680 yards and 14 touchdowns and earning a spot on the Conference USA All-Freshman Team. As a sophomore, he set single-season records in pass attempts (420), completions (269), yards (2,722) and touchdowns (21). 

Injuries limited his playing time as a junior, but he still threw for 1,891 yards and 13 touchdowns, and when his college career was over, he had a school-record 9,091 passing yards and 65 touchdowns in 45 games.

Alex McGough started his high school football career at Wesley Chapel High before transferring to Gaither High prior to his sophomore year in 2011. (File)

Then it was time for the National Football League.

The Seattle Seahawks took McGough in the seventh round (220 overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft, becoming the first quarterback drafted by that team since they selected Russell Wilson in 2012.

Unfortunately, though, McGough didn’t see any real NFL action, instead bouncing around on practice squads with the Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans.

He got a second stint with Seattle and even started a preseason game, but never got to play meaningful professional games until he was with the Stallions.

“I am happy I chose to stick with (football),” he said. “I mean, the goal is to get back to the NFL, but, again, I’m just loving being able to play regularly again.”

Not only is McGough playing regularly, he’s now one of the best USFL quarterbacks, leading the league with 16 passing touchdowns and is second in passing yards, with 1,822 yards. 

With a record of 7-2 — which is first place in the South Division over the Memphis Showboats, New Orleans Breakers and Houston Gamblers, respectively — McGough and the Stallions are eyeing back-to-back USFL championships.

“Coach (Skip Holtz) really puts an emphasis on each week and comes in with the 0-0 (record) mindset,” McGough said. “We’re not to worry about the playoffs, but that we be better than the next team and handle each week like we should — and the chips will fall where they may.”

This year’s playoffs begin on June 24, with the championship game set for July 1.

As McGough continues the season, he still fondly remembers his “glory days” as a local football star — and celebrity.

“That’s why they call it glory days, right?” McGough said. “The goal was always to make it to the NFL and play at the highest level, but it’s hard to say I haven’t thought about that, but I don’t ever really think about it all the time or in the moment — I’m just trying to win games, like I always have either back home or at FIU or here in Birmingham.

“But (playing here in Birmingham) is going great and I’m really enjoying it.”

United States Football League (USFL)
Details: A professional American football minor league that began play on April 16, 2022. As of 2023, the league operates eight teams in four cities, seven of which are east of the Mississippi River. All eight teams bear the brands of teams from a previous incarnation of the United States Football League that operated from 1983 to 1985. The current USFL champions are the Birmingham Stallions, who won the league’s championship game against the Philadelphia Stars on July 3, 2022, 33-30.
For more information on the USFL, visit TheUSFL.com.

Published June 14, 2023

Sunlake runner, team excel at states

June 13, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Alex Pena (Courtesy of Randal Reeves)

Putting an exclamation point on a stellar high school running career, Sunlake senior distance runner Alex Pena took home the state title in the 1600 meter race at the Class 4A state championships on May 20 at the Jax Track at Hodges Stadium at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Pena ran a time of four minutes, seven seconds, which represented the event’s fastest time in all state classifications, as well as the eighth-fastest in Florida High School history.

By overcoming an early season injury, Pena worked with his coach, Randal Reeves, and developed a “cross training” plan that enabled him to keep his fitness level high throughout the season.

Pena also placed sixth in the 3200-meter race at the state championships with a 9:19 time. At the Class 4A-District 6A meet, he also finished first in the 1600 meter (4:29), the 800 meter (1:56) and the 3200 meter (9:34).

Additionally, several other Sunlake distance runners were at the state championships, including freshman Christian Hindman in the 1600 meter (4:24) and the 3200 meter (9:35). 

Sophomore Cade Culpepper placed ninth (9:24) in the 3200 meter, junior Joshua Hindman placed seventh in the 800 meter (1:56), Abigail Williams placed 10th in the 3200 meter (11:25) and Christian Hindman placed 15th in the 1600 meter (4:33). 

Sunlake also had two field event athletes competing at the state meet, with Jadyn Wolf placing 15th in the pole vault and Kendyl Okin placing eighth in the javelin.

AATL softball players earn honors

June 13, 2023 By Mike Camunas

A handful of Academy of the Lakes softball players earned season honors after finishing 2023 with a 17-8 record, and ending in the Class 2A regional semifinals.

Junior outfielder Adelaide Aliano (.425 ag., 29 runs, 31 hits, 16 RBI), junior pitcher and third baseman Shannon Kendall (.340 avg., 19 runs, 17 hits, 18 RBI, seven doubles, two triples, four homers), junior pitcher Sydney Kline (3.97 ERA, 6-0, 78 K; .333 avg., 15 runs, 23 hits, 19 RBI, five doubles triple), junior shortstop Juliana Ries (.313 avg., 23 runs, 21 hits, 7 RBI, double, triple) and junior first baseman and Bethune-Cookman College commit Molly Blackwood (.393 avg., 10 RBI, homer in nine games due to injury) were all named to the All-State Academics honors team.

Additionally, the Wildcats softball team became the first varsity team to be awarded the school’s first on-campus outdoor field on March 28, christening it with a 16-1 win over Hernando Christian.

Pasco High names new football coach

June 13, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Fred Hicks (Courtesy of Pasco High Athletics)

The Pirates announced on June 5 the hiring of Armwood High defensive coordinator Fred Hicks as its new football coach, replacing the departing Alphonso Freeney, who accepted a head football coaching job at Saks High School in Alabama.

The Hawks’ defensive coordinator led a unit that allowed 12.2 points per game in 2022, when Armwood went 6-4.

Freeney turned around a Pasco team that went 0-10 in 2021 and led the Pirates (9-2) to a Class 3S playoff berth.

Dade City chamber executive says it’s the ‘right time’ to retire

June 6, 2023 By Mike Camunas

It may not be his hometown, or even where he lives, but John Moors has played an instrumental role in sharing the story of Dade City.

Now, the leader of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce says it’s “the right time” to leave the post that he’s held for more than a dozen years.

The chamber, with its 400-plus members, is committed to economic development and improving the quality of life in Dade City.

John Moors, executive director of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is stepping away from his leadership role on June 7, after leading the chamber for 12 years. The chamber, a nonprofit organization, has 400-plus members committed to economic development and improving the quality of life in Dade City. (Mike Camunas)

“The hardest thing when it comes to retiring is that you ask, ‘What’s next?’” Moors told The Laker/Lutz News. “My wife retired already, and we decided to renovate the house — spend time with the grandchildren, travel and other stuff, so the timing was right.

“It has been a pleasure to serve The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and to be associated with the marvelous people and businesses that make the Dade City area so unique,” he added.

“So, it’s the right time.”

Moors joined the Chamber in December 2010 after a career in the hotel business in both Canada and the United States and as the Convention Center administrator for the City of Tampa. He had also spent time as an adjunct professor teaching event management and hospitality at nearby Saint Leo University.

Moors has always been an outsider — that is, not a native of Dade City.

When he took the position, he considered that to be an advantage.

“(Not being from Dade City) it (could have gone) either way,” Moors explained. “Sure, it can be an advantage to have deep, historic roots in the community, but at the same time, it can be an advantage to come in with a 30,000-foot view as someone who is not influenced by opinions of people. But my goal was always to just come in and do the best you can for the people you serve.

“So when I did come in, it was about taking the time to listen and watch what’s going on and see who the players are in town, and become ingrained in the community, even if you’re not from that community. It’s important to know the history and background of the community and really know what their goals are and what they want out of a community.”

Moors is proud of the initiatives he spearheaded during his tenure.

There are three, however, that stand out, he said.

He helped create the SMARTstart Pasco Incubator Network with the Pasco Economic Development Council. Created in 2012, SMARTstart has a suite of programs intended to benefit companies of all sizes, from start-up to established businesses. The program offers low-cost workspaces, educational resources, guidance, a collaborative environment for area entrepreneurs, and microloans to help businesses that can’t secure traditional financing.

The Incubator Network, specifically, nurtures early-stage ventures during the phase when they are most vulnerable, helping them to survive and grow.

“To have that in conjunction with Saint Leo (University), TECO and the City of Dade City, that was very important,” Moors said. “It was happening at places like (University of South Florida) and (University of Tampa) and in Gainesville (at the University of Florida), so why not here?”

Moors also is proud of how he, chamber members and community volunteers were able to make the Kumquat Festival, the city’s signature event, bigger and better.

Moors has always considered the event an opportunity for Dade City to offer its hospitality and give visitors a taste of its good old-fashioned Southern charm.

John Moors, executive director of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, is retiring from his post on June 7, after a 12-year tenure.

The hope is that long after the festival ends, people who came to the event will return to Dade City, to enjoy the shops and restaurants in the community’s downtown.

He said he’s proud of using the festival to promote Dade City, and to support the well-being of its downtown.

Moors also is proud of the chamber’s leadership in creating and hosting “Access East Pasco and Access to Opportunity” events like the one that is set for June 16 at Saint Leo University.

The events are informative networking luncheon and panel discussions featuring leading area business and government influencers regarding the growth, development and business potential of the Greater Dade City area and beyond.

“It’s important to have these meet-and-greets where people can talk to each other and the leaders about growth and development in person, not just reading about it on social media or in the newspapers,” Moors said. “They get to see them in person, ask questions to the panels or one-on-one and, to me, that has always been important.”

Moors has seen plenty of change during his time at the helm.

He’s witnessed growth in the business community, and an expansion of residences, parks and amenities.

He’s quick to point out that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the way businesses operate, with several shifting from brick-and-mortar physical locations to e-commerce, and some converting to hybrid operations — offering in-person and online services.

“That’s changed the last couple of years with the pandemic — the physical presence, the brick-and-mortar is no longer needed for things like banking,” Moors said.

“Even when you have a physical shop, the way of business has changed, so (chamber) members have had to change the way they do things,” he added.

As for Moors’ replacement, a succession plan, monitored and administered by the chamber’s board, is in place.

Chamber Board President Matt Maggard of Shumaker and the executive board of the chamber will oversee the transition.

Moors will be missed.

Dade City Mayor Jim Shive said “it has been a privilege working with John over the years. John’s business acumen and keenness has served the chamber well, and was very instrumental in pulling the chamber through the last couple of years during COVID.”

Shive added: “The last (12) Kumquat Festivals have been very successful due to his fiscal responsibility. As a city, we are very appreciative of the chamber for their continuing efforts in putting Dade City on the map with the annual Kumquat Festival.

“We certainly have enjoyed our partnership with the chamber under his reign as executive director, and he will truly be missed.”

Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce “Access East Pasco”
When: June 16, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Saint Leo University, 33701 County Road 52, in St. Leo
Details: An informative networking luncheon and panel discussion event featuring leading area business and government influencers regarding the growth, development and business potential of the Greater Dade City area.
Info: DadeCityChamber.org/access-east-pasco

Published June 07, 2023

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