Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Exciting New Year At Asturia

January 23, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

There is much to look forward to this New Year at Asturia, the master-planned community in Odessa that is one of the most desired neighborhoods along the popular State Road 54 corridor in central Pasco County.

After almost three years of development, Asturia is now in its third phase, having completed 300 homes and releasing another 100 lots to its builders. Hines, the developer behind Asturia, is looking forward to an exciting spring with several new model homes under way by its builders.

Ryan Homes is celebrating the grand opening of Asturia’s first townhomes on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 11 a.m. Visitors will enjoy the festivities as they tour two beautifully decorated model homes. Both floor plans offer 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2-car rear garages, and unique courtyards between the home and garage. Square footage is 1,580 in the Chopin model, and 1,740 square feet in the Haydn. Prices begin in the low $220s.

“We are very excited to be offering townhomes in Asturia,” said Creighton Call, project director for Hines at Asturia. “Many families are looking for the convenience, affordability and low-maintenance that comes with the townhome lifestyle. We look forward to welcoming first-time homebuyers coming out of apartments, and more families wanting to downsize their living space.”

Upon completion, Ryan Homes will have 105 townhomes in Asturia, all just a short walk to the community’s expansive Amenity Center. For families wanting to move soon, five quick move-in townhomes will be available.

Asturia’s traditional homebuilders are award-winning Ashton Woods, David Weekley Homes and ICI Homes. Builders are offering homesites nestled near the community’s nature preserves, and will be opening new model homes this spring in Phase III.

“We’re seeing a lot of pent-up demand for our traditional homes in Phase III, because of the outstanding reputation of our builders, and because some of the deepest and most beautiful conservation lots available are located in Phase III,” said Call.

David Weekley Homes, which has been building in Asturia since the community opened in 2016, has seven quick move-in homes available in a variety of one- and two-story floor plans and homesites. Prices begin in the low $300s.

ICI Homes is Asturia’s other premium builder, and is known for its open floor plans and Florida-lifestyle features, such as summer kitchen patios, open balconies, lots of windows and the ability to customize any floor plan. The builder has four move-in ready homes available, with prices beginning in the high $300s.

Families with children often choose Asturia for the outstanding public schools its children are zoned to attend — Odessa Elementary, Seven Springs Middle and J.W. Mitchell High. All are top-ranked by the Pasco County School District.

Another allure is Asturia’s unique amenity package, which includes a trail network, recreational parks and contemporary-style clubhouse, with a resort-style pool and state-of-the art fitness center. Neighborhood parks boast a Kompan play structure, a GaGa Ball court, and open event lawns to foster imaginative play and healthy, family fun.

Asturia’s system of picturesque walking trails and pocket parks feature bridges over sensitive land areas and trails that weave throughout the natural environment, resulting in one of Tampa Bay’s most sustainable, eco-friendly communities.

The community is just five minutes from the Suncoast Parkway, with close proximity to U.S. 41, U.S. 19 and I-75. It encompasses 500 acres of the former Behnke Ranch, which under Hines’ vision and management, has become an award-winning blend of shopping, office space, luxury apartments, single-family homes and townhomes.

Published January 23, 2019

Discover Your Dream Community With Cardel Homes

January 23, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

If your New Year’s dream is to build a new home on a beautiful conservation lot in a small, private community with no CDD fees, Cardel Homes gives you two exceptional choices.

The first is Oakwood Reserve in Lutz on Clement Road, located just 10 minutes from USF and 25 minutes to downtown Tampa. Clement Road is one of Lutz’s most idyllic rural roads, tucked between Livingston Avenue and Hannah Road. This unique community has magnificent, mature trees and will be home to just eight families, with lots ranging from 1 to 1.55 acres.

The Enclave at Lake Padgett is a secluded, gated community of just eight Cardel homesites off U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

Land O’ Lakes is home to another unique Cardel Homes community—the Enclave at Lake Padgett. This secluded, gated community of just eight Cardel homesites has convenient access off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard (U.S. 41), just two miles north of State Road 54.

All homes in the Enclave will back on to a natural lagoon that flows into Lake Padgett, and can be permitted for docks that are large enough for fishing, waterski or pontoon boats.

“It’s almost unheard of to find new home construction on Lake Padgett,” said Brian Phillips, vice president of sales and marketing at Cardel Homes. “This is an incredible opportunity for families wanting waterfront living on one of Pasco’s largest lakes known for fabulous water skiing and excellent fishing.”

Home prices begin in the low $500s at both Oakwood Reserve and the Enclave at Lake Padgett. Because of the limited number of lots available, Phillips expects both communities to sell out quickly.

One home site at Oakwood Reserve has already been sold, and an inventory home is being built on a second site, leaving only six remaining homesites in this unique community.

This inventory home will be a 3,939-square-foot Henley model, with 5 bedrooms, 4 baths and a 3-car garage. Features and upgrades include a 26 x 23 great room with 12-foot ceiling, 16-foot sliding glass doors that open to an extended covered lanai, upgraded kitchen cabinetry, quartz countertops, upgraded wood plank tile, tray ceiling in the master bedroom and foyer, coffered ceiling in the master bathroom, mosaic master shower floor tile, and an upper level with a large bonus room and fifth bedroom.

Priced in the low $700s, Oakwood Reserve’s inventory home will be ready this Spring for a family looking to move, before the start of the 2019-2020 school year.

Minimum homes sizes in Oakwood Reserve begin at 2,507 square feet, and at 3,000 square feet in the Enclave at Lake Padgett. The Henley plan is available in both communities, and is Cardel’s largest and most popular floorplan.

“The Henley offers our biggest great room and bonus room,” said Phillips. “At almost 4,000 square feet, it’s a lot of house for the money, and one of the best values we offer.”

For those wanting to build their home and select their options, interior colors and finishes, Cardel Homes is currently offering a 50 percent discount at its design center, up to $50,000.

“This is one of our most generous discounts ever, and we’re excited to be offering it to welcome in the New Year,” said Phillips.

Cardel also has an inventory home at the Enclave at Lake Padgett — the elegant one-story St. Lucia, which is 3,336 square feet with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and a 3-car garage.

This one-story beauty boasts 12-foot ceilings, a den off the entry, formal dining room with coffered ceiling, expansive great room, huge bonus room and a master suite with a sitting area and private lanai at the back of the house. Interior features include white cabinetry, quartz countertops, wood-plank tile throughout and tray ceilings in the foyer, bonus room and master bedroom.

The home sits on a private wooded lot, and features a large front porch and covered lanai in the back. An oversized dock is just steps away from the backyard, and is perfect to dock a boat and enjoy the natural waterfront view. This fabulous inventory home, including its waterfront dock, is selling for $679,000.

“This St. Lucia is the best of both worlds,” said Phillips “You can enjoy all the recreation that Lake Padgett has to offer, without the boat noise and traffic directly in your backyard.”

The unique communities of Oakwood Reserve and the Enclave at Lake Padgett offer families the most desired locations in suburban Tampa. Residents can enjoy beautiful conservation and waterfront views, acre-plus homesites and privacy in exclusive communities without CDDs. Be sure to call Cardel Homes to make an appointment to tour these communities before its best kept secrets are gone.

Published January 23, 2019

Asturia, Bexley and FishHawk Are Home To ICI Homes

January 23, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

ICI Homes, one of Florida’s most acclaimed builders, is building new homes in three of Tampa Bay’s most desirable communities — Asturia in Odessa, Bexley in Land O’ Lakes and FishHawk in Lithia.

All are master-planned communities with beautiful homes sites, excellent schools and expansive amenities that promote an active lifestyle. They are conveniently located close to major transportation arteries for quick access to downtown Tampa, MacDill AFB, the Westshore business district and area beaches.

ICI Homes’ award-winning model, the Shenandoah, is located in FishHawk Ranch and is a two-time grand showcase winner in the Parade of Homes.

Because so many families are currently buying homes while the economy is booming and interest rates remain low, ICI Homes is building inventory homes in all three communities, with several homes ready now.

“A lot of families have been waiting for Phase III to open because of our pristine homesites with conservation views and affordable pricing,” said Leah Turner, sales manager for ICI Homes. “We’re seeing lots of first- and second-time buyers because they love Asturia’s affordability, convenient location and outstanding amenities.” ICI Homes in Phase III begin in the low $300s.

The popular 4-bedroom, 3-bath Costa Mesa floor plan is one of the builder’s models. This 2,565 square-foot, one-story home brings together the gathering room, gourmet kitchen and dining room in one expansive space that incorporate lots of windows to bring in natural light and sunlight.

ICI Homes has 38 homesites available in Phase III, and over a dozen distinctive floor plans. The builder also has a few homesites remaining in the Asturia’s almost-completed Phase II, including three inventory homes and its Serena model home.

Bexley
For families looking for a new home in Land O’ Lakes, this is the last chance to buy an ICI Home in Bexley, an award-winning development by Newland Communities, located just east of Asturia along the State Road 54 corridor.

ICI Homes has permitted and is beginning construction on its three remaining homes in Bexley. The Costa Mesa, which is being built now, is 2,565 square feet and features 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and a 3-car garage. Another inventory home is the slightly smaller Egret VII, at 2,512 square feet, with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and a 2-car garage. Both are very open plans with lots of windows and natural lighting.

FishHawk
In the south Hillsborough community of FishHawk, ICI Homes is building new homes in WestLake — one of the last areas being developed in this master-planned community in Lithia.

WestLake is an enclave of 50 homes, with just 15 homesites remaining. Lots are uniquely positioned to take advantage of lake views and to protect massive oak trees and other mature trees. ICI Homes has two Acadia inventory homes — a 4-bedroom, 3-bath home open plan with quartz countertops and wood flooring. The Acadia begins in the mid $400s.

FishHawk Ranch is also home to ICI Homes’ award-winning model, the Shenandoah —a two-time grand showcase winner in the Parade of Homes sponsored by the Tampa Bay Builders Association. This unique plan is over 3,000 square feet and includes a detached garage with studio apartment. It is available on a leaseback option for $1.1 million.

FishHawk Ranch is a close-knit community that includes five preschools, three elementary schools, two middle schools and a high school all inside or within 1.5 miles of the development. Amenities include over 25 miles of paved nature trails, including the Lake House, Central Park pools and Born to Run Dog Park.

Build on Your Own Lot
With so much land available in Pasco and south Hillsborough, many families want to build a new home on land they already own. ICI Homes is one of the few semi-custom builders to offer a “Build On Your Lot” program.

“Many buyers with their own lot enjoy working with ICI Homes because they can easily customize our floor plans, and walk through our models to get a real feel for what their new home will be like,” said Turner.

Since ICI Homes was established in 1980, the company has built over 4,000 single-family homes in Florida, including the Tampa area, and has earned several prestigious awards for design and innovation. The sales center for Asturia and Bexley is at 15134 Aviles Parkway in Odessa, (813) 359-0264. In FishHawk Ranch, the sales center is at 13925 Lake FishHawk Drive in Lithia, (813) 217-5200.

Published January 23, 2019

Mattamy Opens Second Townhome Community In Lutz

January 23, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

There’s more good news from Mattamy Homes for families looking for affordable new construction in Lutz that offers excellent schools and one of the best locations in Tampa Bay.

Avea Pointe is a new townhome community located off Van Dyke Road on Lakeshore Drive. It is directly across from Lakeshore Preserve — Mattamy Homes’ very successful townhome community of 102 homes, which is closing out sales after opening in the fall of 2017. Only one home remains — a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath well-appointed Ormond model home.

“The demand for our townhomes in Lakeshore Preserve was so incredible that we are very happy to be offering families more townhomes with the same great location,” said Kathleen Dec, marketing manager for Mattamy Homes.

Avea Pointe will begin sales to the public on Saturday, Feb. 2 at 10 a.m., with the first residents expected to move into their new home in late spring. The community will offer amenities that will be completed later this year, including a resort-style pool, cabana, sun deck and tot lot. At completion, Avea Pointe will have 224 homes.

The gated community will offer three spacious floor plans designed very much like single-family homes, incorporating large open kitchens, optimized living spaces and 2-car garages.

Avea Pointe offers very distinctive plans— the Santa Rosa at 1,913 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, with an owner’s suite on the first level; the Sebring is an interior unit with 2,230 square feet and 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths; and the Venice at 2,574 square feet with 4 bedrooms (including a first-floor bedroom) and 3 baths. All homes feature 2-car garages and covered lanais.

Base prices of these townhomes are anticipated to begin in the low $300s, and come in three attractive exteriors — West Indies, French Country and Craftsman.

“We offer some of the most spacious townhome floor plans in the market, and their unique designs meet the needs of first-time homebuyers, families with children, empty-nesters and retirees,” said Dec.

Avea Pointe’s home designs can be experienced by visiting model homes at Lakeshore Preserve (directly across Van Dyke Road) and other Mattamy communities in Citrus Park, Oldsmar and Riverview.

Mattamy’s Lutz communities are just minutes from St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, and are convenient to shopping, dining and entertainment in Carrollwood, Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel. Their close proximity to the Veterans Expressway is an easy commute to Tampa, the airport and area beaches.

“Our location is one of the main reasons our homes at Lakeshore Preserve sold so quickly,” said Dec.

Excellent schools are the other reason Mattamy’s Lutz townhomes are so much in demand. This location is zoned to some of Hillsborough County’s best schools — Steinbrenner High, Martinez Middle and Schwarzkopf Elementary. All are located less than 3 miles away at the public school complex on Lutz Lake Fern Road. In addition, charter school Sunlake Academy of Math is less than a mile away.

Lakeview at Citrus Park
It’s only been six months since Mattamy Homes opened Lakeview at Citrus Park — its gated townhome community off Ehrlich Road at the Veterans Expressway — and already 23 townhomes have been sold.

“This is one of the prettiest and most convenient locations in the north Tampa area,” said Dec. “Our homeowners love being less than 2 miles from Westfield Citrus Park Mall, and their easy access to downtown Tampa just 15 miles away.”

Mattamy Homes found a perfect location that overlooks Gant Lake at the end of Tom Fuller Road, which gives resident access to the lake for fishing, kayaking and paddle boarding from its community pier. Other amenities include a children’s playground.

Lakeview at Citrus Park has three model homes that will open in early February. Upon completion, it will have 124 townhomes, ranging from 1,670 to 2,620 square feet, and offering 2 to 4 bedrooms, 2.5 to 4 baths, and 1- or 2-car garages.

Mattamy Homes is the largest privately owned homebuilder in North America, with a nearly 40-year history of operations across the United States and Canada. Every year, Mattamy helps 7,000 families realize their dream of home ownership. Visit MattamyHomes.com for more information, or call (813) 580-7303.

Published January 23, 2019

Festival offers heaping helpings of barbecue and blues

January 23, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

People of all ages headed to the ninth annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival to sample some ribs, barbecue chicken or pulled pork — and get their fill of the blues.

Smoke emanates from the grill, as Edwin Alvarez, of Kissimmee, prepares chicken on a stick, which is called Pincho. Alvarez and his boss, Luis Merced, of Largo, were preparing food for patrons at the barbecue festival. (Fred Bellet)

The scent of barbecue filled the air, Benny the Pig made the rounds and people sported pig hats — as they strolled around the Zephyrhills Community Venue, at 5200 Airport Road.

Some barbecue chefs traveled from far-off places to take part in a competition involving about 60 teams who vied for bragging rights and prizes, and a chance to advance to the World Food Championship.

Besides being able to enjoy barbecue, event-goers could check out items being offered by various vendors and could listen to blues musicians.

There was a car show and an aviation show, too.

Proceeds benefit community organizations, such as the YMCA, and for scholarships for Zephyrhills High School students.

First-timers at the Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival, left, Coral Etshman, of Tampa, gives friend Reggie Bowers, of Tampa, a taste of pulled pork.

The Ellie Lee Band was among the lineup of bands performing at the ninth annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival. Other bands playing were the Dave Shepard Band, Chuck Riley’s All Stars, The Bird Tribe and headliner Damon Fowler.

Jerry Newell, of Zephyrhills, had his own pig hat, which he wore to the festival.

Washing cars, to help Zack

January 23, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Members of the National Honor Society at Zephyrhills High School, under the supervision of science teacher and cross-country coach Vincent Baez, had a car wash fundraiser on Jan. 12 to benefit 18-year-old Zack Springfield, a member of the school’s cross-country team. Springfield is battling Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. The car wash was held at Coney Island Drive-In, at 5327 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

Zephyrhills High junior Abigail Boyko has a little fun, in between car washes, by blowing suds bubbles toward her friends, 15-year-old Samantha Wilkes, left, and 17-year-old Angel Bicknell. The young women are members of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society. (Christine Holtzman)

Seventeen-year-old Ethan Vest, a senior at Zephyrhills High School, washes and dries the back window of a sedan. The group washed dozens of cars in the quest to help Zack Springfield and his family.

Zephyrhills High School National Honor Society students scrub a car during the ‘Carwash for Zack’ fundraiser on Jan. 12 at Coney Island Drive-In, 5327 Gall Blvd.

Wrestlers test their mettle at tournament

January 23, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Wrestlers from several Tampa Bay area schools took part in the Bill Combs JV Invitational wrestling tournament on Jan. 15, at Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. Both female and male wrestlers competed. The tournament is sponsored by Bill Combs, of Brooksville, who is a National Wrestling Hall of Famer and Florida wrestling advocate. The competition is in its third year, and Sergio Matos, Sunlake’s wrestling coach and former student of Combs, is the event’s organizer.

Fourteen-year-old Cole Henderson, from Land O’ Lakes High School, is in the top position while wrestling 14-year-old Garrett Hoss from Tampa’s Jesuit High School. They were competing in the 106-pound weight class. (Christine Holtzman)

Fourteen-year-old Caitlyn Davis, a freshman at Land O’ Lakes High School, left, and her 16-year-old teammate Natalie Hall, do stretches before the wrestling tournament begins. Davis and Hall were among several females competing, often against members of the opposite sex. Wrestling requires athletes to prove themselves, Davis said. ‘It’s a lot of hard work.’

Seventeen-year-old Leo Lopez, from Wiregrass High School in Wesley Chapel, in front, shoots in for the takedown of 14-year-old Austin Black who wrestles for Sunlake High School.

New Art Gallery Opens in Dade City

January 22, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Out of Our Hands Gallery is a new shop in downtown Dade City that showcases a variety of original, handmade work from more than a dozen accomplished artists around Florida. It features artwork that works with any budget, and includes landscapes, abstract paintings, mixed media, sculptures, ceramics, metalwork, photography, jewelry, leather and décor gifts.

“We specialize in works from fine artists around the South,” said Russ Taylor, who owns the gallery with his wife, Lee, who also teaches art at Denham Oaks Elementary in Lutz. “In a world of mass production, we believe more people appreciate handcrafted art, similar to the farm to table movement with food, and craft breweries with beer.”

Many of the gallery’s artists are from the Dade City area, including Jayde Archbold (painter), Matthew Cicanese (photography), Amanda Dempsey (pottery) and Deborah Gillars (clay monoprint). Also exhibiting are the owners, Russ (painter) and Lee (mixed media). The gallery’s oldest artist is Frank Gabriel, an 80-year-old woodcarver from Lakeland.

The Taylors spent years exhibiting at art shows around the country, and decided to open a gallery after they bought a home in the Blanton Road area north of Dade City.

“We wanted to bring our artwork, and that of many talented artists we know, to our new community,” said Russ.

Why did the couple gave their gallery its unusual name?

“Asartists, we make things with our hands, but more importantly, everything is truly out of our hands and entirely in God’s hands,” Russ explained.

Now that their new gallery is open, the Taylors are looking to expand their offerings, including teaching and hosting adult workshops, classes and summer camps for kids.

“At 3,000 square feet, our gallery is quite large, and we’re dedicating half of this space for classes and community gatherings,” said Russ.

Out of Our Hands Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. It is

located in historic downtown Dade City, one block north of Meridian Street.

(352) 437-3204

14245 7th Street • Dade City, FL 33523-6255

outofourhandsgallery.com

Published 1/23/19

A Slice of New Jersey In Wesley Chapel

January 22, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By William Jacko

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

When he was 18, Rosario Lubrano left his hometown of Naples, Italy, and moved to Piscataway, New Jersey, to seek the kind of opportunity available only in the United States.

“The future brought me here to look for work and start a new life,” Lubrano said. “I had a friend whose family had a pizza place in New Jersey, went to work for them as a dishwasher, and stayed there from 1996 to 2005. I had never spoken English in my life, but by listening to customers, I started picking up the language, working with customers and making the pizzas, until I was running the store. That’s where I got my passion for food and pizzerias.

Lubrano moved to Florida when he had an opportunity to open his own pizzeria in Brandon. He called his restaurant Pomodoro Pizza, which means tomato in Italian.

His pizzeria was a success, and after a few years sold his business to be closer to his home in Wesley Chapel.

Lubrano recently reopened a new Italian restaurant in Wesley Chapel, also called Pomodoro Pizza, and was soon at work again creating his own personal Jersey/Italian style of food.

“I make the dough Sicilian style from scratch every day for pizzas, calzones and pretty much everything else,” Lubrano said. “All the sauces are made at the moment. We don’t have anything ready to go. When I make the sauce, I just keep it simple. I don’t really add too many spices. I just try to keep it tomato flavored, so when you eat the pizza, you don’t taste bunches of different spices. You actually taste the flavor of the tomato.”

Local residents from the northeast, as well as former customers in Brandon, love Pomodoro Pizza for its familiar New Jersey-style pizza that is hard to find in Florida.

“Every day we get customers who say they haven’t tasted pizza like this since they left New York or New Jersey,” said Lubrano.

Pizza may reign supreme at Pomodoro Pizza, but its menu also includes hot and cold subs, chicken and seafood dishes, and desserts. Stromboli, mozzarella Caprice, lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo, eggplant parmigiana, shrimp scampi, and many other Italian standards can be found at Pomodoro Pizza, all made according to Lubrano’s own recipes.

“We’re known for pizza, but we also have excellent pasta dishes, and appetizers and fresh salads,” said Lubrano.

Lubrano enjoys living in the Wesley Chapel area, close to his restaurant in Seven Oaks Plaza on State Road 56.

“We love Wesley Chapel because wherever you go, everything is kept up well, the community is growing and the people are so nice,” said Lubrano, who adds that he helps to support his community by sponsoring local soccer teams. “People are really happy with our new pizzeria in Wesley Chapel — so much, they keep coming back until they’re friends.”

So grab a slice at Pomodoro Pizza, close your eyes, and transport yourself to the Garden State—if only for a meal.

(813) 328-8063

27607 State Road 56

Wesley Chapel, FL 33544

www.pomodoropizzafl.com

Published 1/16/19

Pioneer Florida Museum hosts a sweet and spicy event

January 16, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Eleven-year-old Jonah Uilk, of Minnesota, enjoys a cotton candy treat. He was vacationing in Bushnell with his family. He and his mother, Heidi, and grandmother, Diana, were browsing the vendor booths. Ulik, who said he loves cotton candy, thought it was funny that the treat turned his mouth blue. (Christine Holtzman)

Whether they were tasting chili samples, watching syrup being made, or cuddling up with an animal at the petting zoo — there were lots of ways for people to enjoy themselves at Raising Cane, a Sweet and Spicy Event, held on Jan. 12 at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village in Dade City.

There was a Chili, Chili Verde and Salsa Competition, sanctioned by the International Chili Society, which offered cash and trophies for the first, second and third place winners.

And, there were two local chili challenges, with the City Chili Challenge featuring police chiefs, chamber executives and other local dignitaries. Also, there was a local chili challenge, which was open to anyone who wanted to put their chili or salsa to the test.

Event-goers could pay $5 for a tasting cup to sample and vote on their favorites from the two local chili challenges.

Museum volunteer Marcus Copeland, of Dade City, skims out the impurities in the sugar cane juice that is boiling in a large kettle during the process to make sugar cane syrup. Around 80 gallons will boil for approximately 4 hours. When the process is finished — about 9 gallons of the sweet and sticky concoction will remain as viable syrup.

In addition, there was a Southern Syrup Makers Association Sugar Cane Competition, and there was a petting zoo, featuring baby chicks, rabbits, goats and a horse.

Those who enjoy music could listen to various bands, and could do a little dancing, too.

And, vendors offered a variety of goods.

In addition to the chili and syrup tasting, attendees could take a stroll through the Pioneer Museum to catch a glimpse of Florida life from a bygone era.

Chris LaBorde, director of research with the U.S. Sugar Corporation in Clewiston, and Wayne Davidson, an agronomist with the Florida Sugar Cane League, helped educate the crowd about sugar cane and passed out samples so people in the audience could compare texture and flavor.

Karen Brown-Blonigen, of Tampa, dressed in period clothing, plays a mountain tune on her Dulcimer inside the Pioneer Florida Museum.

Steve Melton, president of the Southern Syrup Makers Association, was there, sharing his knowledge about cane syrup.

Melton said that sugar cane syrup was the staple sweetener more than 100 years ago.

It was frequently used for cooking, and families usually kept a bottle on the table, he said. Its popularity waned over time because of the labor-intensive process needed to produce the finished product.

Perhaps the highlight of the day was a visit to the sugar cane mill to watch the labor-intensive process involved in making a batch of sugar cane syrup.

By Christine Holtzman

Published January 16, 2019