Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Don’t Let The Parade Pass You By!

March 9, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Spring is in the air, and once again Connerton is blooming with new homes, new families and plenty of fun activities for its residents.

Your family can discover Connerton over the next two weekends, during the 2018 Parade of Homes presented by the Tampa Bay Builders Association. For the second year in a row, Connerton is featured as a Parade Showcase Community, and its builders are showing off with four beautifully furnished model homes.

The 2018 Parade of Homes dates are March 2 to March 4, and March 9 to 11. Models are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The Parade is free and open to the public.

Tour Club Connerton

Winner of Best National Lifestyle Award

Make Club Connerton your first stop during the Parade of Homes. This expansive, family focused activity hub is the epicenter for Connerton residents, and captures the community’s unique vibrant lifestyle.

Begin your tour at the Visitor Center inside Club Connerton, and learn about Connerton’s 13-year history and New Town designation by the Florida Legislature. You’ll see an overview of the 4,800-acre master-planned community and its many neighborhoods, parks, connecting trail system, and the adjoining Connerton Preserve sanctuary.

Next, tour the 10,000-square-foot clubhouse, with fitness center, kids activity room, multipurpose area, café and resort-style pool with outdoor kitchen and ping pong/pool tables. Common areas surrounding Club Connerton include basketball, tennis and pickleball courts, as well as an outdoor amphitheater, gardens and walkways.

In January, Connerton was proud to receive the 2018 Gold Award for Best Lifestyle Program for a Community during the National Association of Home Builders National Sales and Marketing Awards gala in Orlando. Entries were submitted from around the nation, and Connerton walked away with the prestigious Gold Award, edging out communities from California, Texas and South Florida.

Unique Floor Plans and Decorating Ideas

Close-by Club Connerton are the four Parade models built by Homes by WestBay, Inland Homes, Lennar and M/I Homes. A representative from Arthur Rutenberg Homes will be at the clubhouse to provide custom home plans for its 90’ homesites in the gated area of Rose Pointe.

Whether you enjoy touring new homes because you’re in the market for a lifestyle change, or you’re just looking for design and decorating ideas, you’ll be delighted with the variety of floor plans and beautiful home sites available in Connerton.

Party In The Park

During the Parade of Homes, walk across the street from Connerton’s model center to a quaint neighborhood park for free hot dogs and refreshments on Saturday and Sunday. This peaceful retreat is one of several neighborhood parks where Connerton residents enjoy picnicking, playing games or enjoying a quiet place to read and relax. There’s even a community dog park for residents’ furry friends.

As you drive through the community, you will appreciate Connerton’s green space and conservation areas, its miles of trails and oversized sidewalks for biking and walking, and a scenic two-mile trail and boardwalk that winds through natural wilderness, lakes and wetlands.

Enjoy Your Visit

There’s no doubt that Connerton lives up to its tagline — “The Community of More…”

Just ask residents, who are out and about all day long. With the community’s award-winning activities, top-rated schools, exceptional builders, beautiful clubhouse, natural conservation areas, and miles of trails, residents of all ages and interests have many reasons for choosing Connerton.

As a “New Town” designated community, its master plan has the potential for up to 5,000 homes, millions of square feet of retail and office space, a government center and more than 1,000 acres of natural protected spaces.

Construction has recently begun on the community’s next phase, located at the east end of Pleasant Plains Parkway. The developer will soon break ground on 259 single-family lots, many with water or conservation views.

Connerton is located in Land O’ Lakes, about six miles north of the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41. For more information, visit Connerton.com.

Published February 28, 2018

Moonshine, Turpentine and Timber

March 7, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The theme of this year’s 108th Founder’s Day in Zephyrhills is “Timber, Turpentine and Moonshine.”

The trio of products played an important role during Zephyrhills’ early days.

Vast pine and cypress were abundant throughout the area and provided raw materials for building. Besides timber, they provided turpentine and related products.

Around 1931, 19-year-old Lonnie Tucker watches for revenuers. He is pictured in Wesley Chapel with his moonshine still. (Courtesy of Madonna Jervis Wise)

Greer’s Lumber Mill, operated by Jim Greer, was the largest employer for the first two decades and fortified settlers with resources to build their cracker homes.

The Great Depression closed Greer’s Lumber Mill.

But, the town began to flourish again after 1932, when I.A. Krusen purchased 13,000 acres and opened the Krusen Land & Timber Company.

Later, Camp Number 39 of Hercules Powder Company was opened in Zephyrhills and had the distinction of being the largest employer in the city from 1946 until its closing in 1962.

Farmers and ranchers within a 35-mile radius contracted with Hercules to remove pine stumps, which were processed into products such as rosin, turpentine and pine oil, as well as byproducts used in paper, paints, varnishes, adhesives, asphalt emulsions, gun powder and dynamite.

Although Zephyrhills was less distinguished for moonshine than neighboring communities, such as Wesley Chapel, an occasional settler turned to moonshine stills, as well as charcoal kilns and cash-crops, to subsist.

When Prohibition banned the manufacture, transportation and sale of alcohol, moonshine stills provided an alternative source of liquor. Even after Prohibition ended, occasional moonshining continued until the 1950s. Several families still hold moonshine recipes.

Marlo Hilton, a hometown girl and 1998 Zephyrhills High School graduate, remembers using a metal detector at her family’s ranch to explore the area to the west of her home, where Stanley Ryals, her great-grandfather, had his moonshine still.

“They were a tough breed,” said Hilton, who spoke lovingly of her iconic great-grandfather, who died in 2000.

Ryals used profits from bootlegging, as well as the sale of sweet potatoes, to purchase 640 acres in the Zephyrhills area. Later, he opened Zephyr Lumber and Saw Mill where he logged, cut and sanded timber.

Ryals contributed much to the city, serving as president of the chamber of commerce in the late 1950s and as a founding member of Zephyrhills Noon Rotary Club, where he had a 30-year perfect attendance record.

Ryals’ father-in-law was Wesley Wells, the chief of police in Zephyrhills.

Stanley Ryals, for whom the Founder’s Day brew, ‘Ryals n’ Shine,’ is named, is shown here with a draft horse in Zephyrhills. He was 45 at the time. Ryals was a Zephyrhills businessman who operated the lumberyard and earned funds in his early years from moonshining to purchase a section of land. Much of that land is still owned by his family on Eiland Boulevard. (Courtesy of Marlo Hilton)

His grandson, Boe Hilton (who is Marlo’s father and a 1971 graduate of Zephyrhills High) observed that his grandfather understood people and knew how to build upon their strengths.

The most notorious bootlegger in the area was Clarence Lane, who described himself, in a 2005 interview, as one of the top 10 moonshiner/bootleggers in Florida.

Lane said during the 1930s many of his customers were law enforcement officers and judges.

Lane said he began moonshining as a teenager, learning the skills from his father. His first still was in Kathleen. Later, he moved to Zephyrhills.

At age 19, Lonnie Tucker from Wesley Chapel, worked in Zephyrhills for I.A. Krusen during the day in the Lumber Company. He also operated a still near the current location of Saddlebrook Resort.

Tucker later worked at Moody’s Hardware, in Zephyrhills, for more than a quarter-century.

His daughter, Anna Jo Bracknell, will be on hand at Founder’s Day for one of the porch talks at the Howard B. Jeffries house.

She plans to share stories about moonshining during her 1 p.m. talk on March 10.

Zephyrhills’ 108th Founders Day
When: March 10 (Parade begins at 10 a.m.)
Where: Downtown Zephyrhills in the morning and early afternoon; Zephyrhills Airport in late afternoon
Cost: Free admission
Details: There will be an old-fashioned hometown parade; food and drink available for purchase; children’s activities, a skydive demonstration and fireworks to cap off the day.

By Madonna Jervis Wise

Published March 7, 2018

Pasco County Fair offers heaping helpings of fun

March 7, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Nine-year-old Hannah Creech, a fourth grader at The Academy at the Farm, shows her newly cleaned, 6-month old crossbred pig, ‘Pancakes.’ (Richard K. Riley)

The 71st annual Pasco County Fair, which wrapped up on Feb. 25, offered spectacle, entertainment, challenging competitions, and, of course, fair food.

The event gave artists a chance to exhibit their work, gave livestock owners an opportunity to compete with their animals, offered fair-goers an assortment of amusement options, and gave the young and old alike a place to spend some time simply enjoying themselves.

Published March 7, 2018

Dusty Myers of Jumpertown, Mississippi, has been a rodeo clown for 20 years. He is with Tayloe Glass of Hayneville, Alabama, a wrangler with the rodeo organizer.

Darrell and Chris Freeman present Southern Gospel Country Music in Dan Cannon Auditorium.

Two Pasco students get ready for a ride on an elevated circular swing.

A fairgoer, Tammy Pilcher of San Antonio, is lost in the wall of balloons and prizes.

The Ferris Wheel at the Pasco County Fair was a beauty, with its elevation and lights.

Potluck and trivia brings everyone together

February 28, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

A crowd attended the potluck at Grand Horizons.

On Feb. 25, approximately 55 people got together at the community center for a potluck. The potluck was hosted by Nancy Huey, and what a fine job she did. She did have some help from the people that attended, but Nancy organized the entire lunch, which consisted of many breakfast items, plus so much more.

There were some eggs, sausage, quiche, deviled eggs, biscuits and gravy, and more. There were so many desserts that you had trouble choosing. There was a cake, cheese twirls, Watergate salad, muffins and several other desserts. There also was some coffee.

Before tables were called to get food and fill plates, Jim Leitzke said grace, while everyone observed a moment of silence.

After the potluck, we had a trivia contest, and this was presented by Dick and Connie Kingsbury.

Not everyone stayed, but we still had a good turnout of approximately 40 people. Some more people came in later.

This was loads of fun, and it definitely was a good mixture of questions. We each (the teams) picked a name for our group, and the contest consisted of three parts with 10 questions, and a bonus of five more questions for each group.

There was a prize for the grand winners — a gift card to Dairy Queen.

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

Zephyrhills prepares for its 108th Founder’s Day

February 28, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Zephyrhills’ Main Street is rallying merchants, community activists and citizens for its 108th Founder’s Day celebration on March 10.

Gail Hamilton, of Zephyrhills Community Development, and Anna K. Stutzriem, Main Street coordinator for Main Street Zephyrhills, are in the midst of planning festivities for the daylong event.

Stutzriem hopes this year’s event will help restore the glory of the community’s time-honored Founder’s Day event.

The goal is to provide hands-on opportunities, so visitors can see how the city got to where it is today. This year’s theme is “Moonshine, Turpentine & Timber.”

Model T Fords rolled down the road in a previous Founder’s Day celebration in Zephyrhills. (Courtesy of Madonna Jervis Wise)

Plans include a morning race to kick off festivities. People of all ages are encouraged to take part. They can choose from a one-mile run/walk; a 5K race or a 10K race.

An old-fashioned Florida parade is planned as well, with Greg First serving as the master of ceremonies.

The parade will take place on Fifth Avenue at 10 a.m. A number of awards will be given for categories, including best costumes, best walking/marching unit, best of theme, and more.

Warren Earle, who was named citizen of the year by The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, will be the grand marshal for the parade.

The 90-year-old volunteer is known for bringing fresh doughnuts and a bouquet of flowers on Monday morning for the workers at City Hall, when he arrives to make preparations for City Council meetings. He’s been volunteering in Zephyrhills for 15 years, and has worked tirelessly in supporting the Zephyrhills Little League, the Zephyrhills High School band, the Zephyrhills Color Guard, the Zephyrhills ROTC, the Zephyrhills Fire Rescue Cadets, the Elks Lodge Project, and the renovation of the historic Howard B. Jeffries House.

Following the parade, there will be a ‘Community Picnic Table,’ similar to the old-time “Dinner on the Ground,” available from the south side of Eighth Street, extending along Fifth Avenue.

The elongated table will be adorned in a classic red gingham cloth where folks can converse, savor the local food from area restaurants and vendors, and enjoy entertainment provided by local dance studios on the nearby Eiland Band Stage.

New this year, vendors will be placed near the median along Fifth Avenue. To facilitate safety and comfort for the anticipated crowds, a police officer will be stationed on each city block of the parade.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office’s mounted patrol took part in a previous Founder’s Day celebration in Zephyrhills.

Hayrides will be available from the New Era 4-H Club of Zephyrhills, pulled by draft horses with a host narrator in vintage costume who relates accounts of Zephyrhills history, including a few morsels from the past.

New Era 4-H will host a downtown petting zoo for children and families, as well.

Zephyrhills Brewing Company will blend a pre-prohibition beer recipe for Founder’s Day. Proprietors Terry Hilferding said that she and her husband, Robert, have collected recipes throughout the years and will concoct a batch reminiscent of the 1911 timeframe.

An Open House at the Howard B. Jeffries Home at 38537 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills, will include “Tales on the Porch” from noon until 4 p.m.

The Hopkins Family Porch was recently renovated by Dwight Hopkins who donated materials and volunteered labor to replace the porch.

Speakers will deliver informal anecdotes about pioneer life starting at noon, and guided tours will be available of the historic home.

Arts and crafts booths, as well as food and merchandise vendors, will be stationed along Fifth Avenue.

Old-fashioned kids’ carnival games also will be offered by Boy Scout Pack 72.

And, the Women’s Club of Zephyrhills will host an open house.

In addition, there will be a Beard and Moustache Competition at 2 p.m. Categories include: natural beard, styled beard, longest beard and mustache.

Numerous other activities are planned, including a Master Gardener Booth, where you can learn more about Florida plants and ask gardening questions. Master Gardeners Diana Williams and Jeannine Thompson will be on hand.

Meanwhile, at the Zephyrhills Airport, Zephyrhills Noon Rotary, with Mike Fike coordinating, will host a Skydive Exhibition beginning at 4 p.m.

T.K. Hayes, of Skydive City, will facilitate a multi-person jump to be followed by a flag ceremony. Subsequently, a concert series will culminate in fireworks at the airport at 7:45 p.m.

Planning to attend the parade?
Be sure to arrive well before 10 a.m. to find parking. Bring a folding chair and place it along Fifth Avenue, or nearby.

After enjoying festivities downtown, you can go to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, at 39450 South Avenue, around 4 p.m., to see a Skydive exhibition, enjoy music and watch fireworks to cap off the day.

Want to run or walk?
People of all ages are encouraged to take part in the one-mile run/walk, 5K or 10K. Those interested can sign up at FoundersDayRace.com.

‘Ryals ’n Shine’
Sip a taste of the vintage recipe entitled ‘Ryals n’ Shine,’ on March 10 at the 108th Founder’s Day in Zephyrhills. Robert and Terry Hilferding of Zephyrhills Brewing Company, who collect recipes and brew up signature beers that date back to colonial times, will salute the community’s past with a pre-prohibition ‘recipe’ they have coined for Stanley Ryals, a Zephyrhills businessman who was recognized for citrus, ranching, building, lumbering and moonshining.

By Madonna Jervis Wise

Published February 28, 2018

Candidates file for local, state and federal races

February 28, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Beginning this week, The Laker/Lutz News will revive Political Agenda — a column that runs only during election years.

It is the newspaper’s goal to give candidates a place where they can announce they are running for office, let voters know of upcoming Meet the Candidate nights or political forums, or update voters on any news that may be pertinent to them in the coming elections.

This column also will announce upcoming meetings of political parties, if they are submitted in a timely manner and there is space available.

This column is not a forum for posting fundraising events.

The column will run periodically, depending on the volume of submissions.

There is never a guarantee of publication, but we do consider each item we receive.

Anyone who would like an item to be considered should email it at least two weeks prior to the desired publication. Our newspaper publishes on Wednesdays. Send your submissions to .

This week’s column lists the candidates for Pasco County Commission, Pasco County School Board, as well as state and federal races that Pasco voters will vote on, according to websites maintained by the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections and Florida’s Division of Elections.

Future columns will cover other races.

Candidates who have filed for Pasco County Commission seats:
Pasco County Commission, District 2
Mike Moore, Republican
Kelly Smith, Democrat

Pasco County Commission, District 3
Brandi Geoit, Democrat
Mike Wells, Republican

Candidates who have filed for Pasco County School Board:
Pasco School Board, District 1
Allen Altman, No Party Affiliation
Kenneth J. Mathis, No Party Affiliation
Brian Staver, No Party Affiliation

Pasco School Board, District 3
Cynthia Armstrong, No Party Affiliation
Heide R. Janshon, No Party Affiliation

Pasco School Board, District 5
Mike Aday, No Party Affiliation
Megan C. Harding, No Party Affiliation
Kathryn ‘Kassie’ Hutchinson, No Party Affiliation
Tara M. O’ Connor, No Party Affiliation

FEDERAL ELECTIONS
U.S. Rep. District 12
Gus M. Bilirakis, Republican (Incumbent)
Stephen M. Perenich, Democrat
Angelika Purkis, No Party Affiliation
Robert Matthew Tager, Democrat
Sunil Mathew Thomas, Democrat
Kimberly H. Walker, Democrat

STATE RACES
STATE SENATE RACES
District 10
John Legg, Republican
Wilton Simpson, Republican (Incumbent)

District 16
Bernard “Bernie” Fensterwald, Democrat
Ed Hooper, Republican

District 20
John Houman, Republican
Tom Lee, Republican (Incumbent)
Kathy Lynn Lewis, Democrat

STATE HOUSE RACES
District 36
Linda Jack, Democrat
Amber Lynn Mariano, Republican (Incumbent)

District 37
Ryan Patrick Boney, Republican
Tammy Garcia, Democrat
Bill Gunter, Republican
Ellie Rudisill, Republican
Ardian Zika, Republican

District 38
Daniel Wright Burgess Jr., Republican (Incumbent)
John David Hayes, No Party Affiliation

Upcoming meetings and events
Land O’ Lakes Democratic Club : The Land O’ Lakes Democratic Club will have its next meeting on March 7 at 6:30 p.m., at Brick City Eatery, 16540 Pointe Village Drive, Suite 108, in Lutz.

The Wesley Chapel Republican Club will meet March 8 at 6:30 pm at Lexus of Wesley Chapel, 5350 Eagleston Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. The guest speaker will be Baxter Troutman, former state representative from Polk County and candidate for Florida Agriculture Commissioner. For more information, contact Peter Cracchiolo at (813) 360-9813 or .

David TK Hayes, candidate for the Florida State House District 38, is hosting a meet and greet March 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at The Brass Tap, 37916 Pasco Ave., in Dade City.

On March 17, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, The Democratic Progressive Caucus of Pasco will have a Democratic candidates’ forum with Stephen Perenich, Robert Tiger, Kimberly Walker and Kathy Lewis. The public is invited but due to limited space, please RSVP at tinyurl.com/ybsx6cvv.

Published February 28, 2018

Updated March 7, 2018

Reenactment offers living history lesson

February 28, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Re-enactors displayed the mighty force used to fight the enemy during the Civil War Reenactment on the grounds of the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village in Dade City. (Richard K. Riley)

The grounds of the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village in Dade City stepped back in time over the weekend for Civil War Reenactments and a Living History Encampment.

Skirmishes emerged from the village and battles took place on the afternoons of Feb. 24 and Feb. 25.

Spectators enjoyed the demonstration, as re-enactors advanced on the battlefield during the skirmishes.

Some in attendance really got into the spirit by wearing period-style clothing to the event.

The conclusion of the battle was signaled by the playing of “Taps,” while war casualties remained strewn about the battlefield.

Members of the 14th Brooklyn New York State Militia gather in their part of the Union encampment. They are Peter Kalloch, of Hudson; Tom Stanton, of Pinellas Park; Pete Kannenberg, of Seminole; Rick Smith, of Summerfield; and Bob Gilliland, of Osprey.

Members of the Alabama Artillery crew drill with their 12-pound howitzer before the afternoon skirmishes. From left: John Butler, of Hudson; Jeff Young, of Apopka; Darin Kerwin, of Fort Myers; and, Rosalind Wheeler, of Valrico.

Some of the attendees for the Pioneer Florida Museum Civil War Reenactment came in their own period clothing to enjoy the day. Doug and LuAnne Taylor, of Zephyrhills, sit in front of Ted Johnson, of Dade City, and Matt DiPalma, of Tampa.

Infantrymen of the H Company of the 37th Alabama infantry ‘stack rifles’ on command for battlefield storage.

The flu won’t keep residents down

February 23, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

The flu bug has been very active here in Gem Estates, but it looks like we are putting it behind us.

There were 87 present at last week’s Thursday morning coffee hour. Today (Feb. 22), we had 127 for this social hour.

Those in sick bay are Mike Mitchell and John Raab.

Crystal Gage and Ryan St. Denis, two of Canada’s skilled performers, are highlighting the entertainment at Gem Estates Mobile Home Village on March 9 at 7 p.m.

Crystal is a very talented songstress and can get you clapping, stomping, laughing and moving along with the beat as she goes from gospel to country and more.

Ryan St. Denis, her partner in life as well as on the stage, is skilled in several different instruments. His main instrument is the fiddle, and he is sure to wow you with fantastic renditions from country, pop, oldies and a polka.

You don’t want to miss the fabulous duo. The tickets are $10 each. Call Lee at (813) 780-1012 for tickets or further information.

By Mabel Budzinski, Gem Estates

We all scream for ice cream…and tacos, and pancakes

February 21, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

On Feb. 15, approximately 120 residents came to the community center to enjoy a taco bowl dinner, hosted by Margaret and Andy Castonguay, plus Rachel and Ron Gamache. Ron and Rachel worked side by side with Andy and Margaret, as they will be taking over hosting this great function. In the past few years, Margaret used to make the shells from scratch, but now she is teaching Ron how to make them, and the two made all that were needed.

Frank Fogle and Vivian Sturdevant (Courtsy of Helene Rubenstein)

The entire dinner consisted of meat, and toppings such as diced tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, olives and onions. All of the toppings were placed on a table, so you could add them, according to your taste.

Before tables were called for dinner, Vivian Sturdevant said grace, while a moment of silence was observed.

The helpers that were there to have the dinner run smoothly and efficiently were Ron and Joyce Bell, Rachel and Ron Gamache, Fred and Pat Mengel (who sold the tickets plus helped in the kitchen), Bill King, and Andy and Margaret Castonguay. All the people who attended had a marvelous time and a good meal.

Two days later, Feb. 17, our monthly pancake breakfast was held in the community center, and 81 residents attended the breakfast. The pancake breakfast was hosted by Mary and Dave Heim.

Before tables were called, Jim Leitzke said grace, while people in attendance bowed their head in prayer.

The breakfast consisted of pancakes, French toast, sausage, orange juice and coffee. This is all you can eat.

There were helpers in the kitchen: Norma and Paul Oi, Rosie Semian, Linda Rogers, Diane Taggart, Chuck Carlson and, of course, Mary and Dave Heim.

The next day, we had an ice cream social also at the community center. There was a crowd in the center and almost all the seats were taken. There were over 110 people in attendance.

The ice cream social was hosted by Sandy and Al Lindke, and Greg Thomas. They had several helpers, and they all had a specific job to do. Everything ran smoothly. The helpers consisted of Shirley and Chuck Carlson, Andy and Margaret Castonguay, Chris and Rich Fulton, Ron and Rachel Gamache, Bill King, Al and Sandy Lindke, and Greg Thomas.

There was chocolate and also vanilla ice cream, and you either got one scoop of each or, if you asked, you got two of whatever flavor you wanted. They had all different kinds of toppings, including nuts, cherries, pineapple. bananas, M & Ms, chocolate shots, colored sprinkles, whipped cream, crushed butterfingers, hot fudge and chocolate sauce.

Pictures were taken, and everyone had a delightful time.

By Helene Rubenstein, Grand Horizons

‘An Evening in Paris’ offers tender moments

February 21, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Hundreds turned out to ‘An Evening in Paris,’ a Father/Daughter dance, where fathers and their daughters danced the night away. (Randy Underhill)

Whether they were rocking it out, slow dancing, or shuffling to “The Cupid Shuffle,” the daughters and dads at “An Evening in Paris” Father/Daughter Dance were sharing some special moments.

Six-year-old Daniella Rodrigues, of Land O’ Lakes, received her first corsage.

Scott Hancock and his 4-year-old daughter, Amelie, shared a slow dance.

Zoli Summerville and her dad, Cory, of Wesley Chapel, played a game of bat the balloon.

Brooke-Lyn Warren, age 8, of Lutz, gazes up and smiles at her father, Benjamin Warren, as they partake in their first dance of the night.

Whatever they were up to, these girls and their fathers appeared to be enjoying each other, and having a good time.

More than 500 attended the event, on Feb. 16, at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, off Collier Parkway. It was the largest attendance since the tradition began nine years ago.

Besides dancing, the event included movies, formal father-daughter portraits, gift raffles, food and drink.

Numerous local sponsors were instrumental in helping to create the special night for daughters and their dads.

By Randy Underhill

Published February 21, 2018