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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Railing together for train fun

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Train enthusiasts and visitors to Dade City Heritage Museum wave as a CSX locomotive passes and the conductor waves back, at Railfan Friday on June 16. Dozens of train and rail fans come to not only discuss trains and video and photograph the handful of trains that pass by, but also see the three scale model train layouts in the J.R. Hubbard Memorial Train Room, learn more of the train history at the museum, which is a former Atlantic Coastline Train Depot and see the train vendors on hand to sell model trains and other train paraphernalia. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

A train whistle blows in the distance and everyone scatters to get into place.

They’re train enthusiasts and they’re vying for the best spot to video and photograph as a CSX locomotive pulls dozens of cars down the track that runs parallel to the U.S. 98 Bypass., and just mere feet away from the Dade City Heritage Museum.

This group enjoys all kinds of trains — both full-scale and model-scale locomotives, cars and cabooses.

With each gathering of Railfan Friday, the number of event-goers increases at the museum that embraces its train roots and history, as the building housing the museum was a former Atlantic Coastline Train Depot.

“We used to only do it once a year, but the response and feedback has been overwhelming that we hold (Railfan Friday) more often,” said Joy Lynn, the museum’s founder. “We did one in the spring and were looking at doing one about every four to six weeks, but the turnout is always so good that we know we’ll end up doing it again.”

During Railfan Friday, visitors can enjoy everything the museum has to offer, at no charge.

There are food vendors on hand, as well as others selling model trains and other train paraphernalia.

When train enthusiasts and locals aren’t camping out waiting for the next train to pass by, they’re inside enjoying the impressive J.R. Hibbard Memorial Train Room, which features three scale model train layouts.

The largest of the layouts — still a work in progress — is set to replicate the town of Dade City, right down to models of historic businesses and buildings all over the city.

One of the three scale model train layouts J.R. Hubbard Memorial Train Room inside the Dade City Heritage Museum is being designed to look like the town of Dade City and eventually will feature models that look like the city’s historic buildings and businesses. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

Lynn says the plan is for the business to sponsor their own building, as the Train Room runs on donations from visitors or Railfan Fridays.

“It’s taking some time and you see some of them already, like the Historic Courthouse, but eventually, there will be a Lanky Lassie’s and American Pizza Oven or Kafe Kokopelli down there, just like in downtown,” she said.

The latest Railfan Friday, on June 16, saw more than a hundred visitors, including popular train aficionado, Danny Harmon, who has an extensive train following on YouTube.

The former train depot now-turned museum was the first site in Pasco County to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places in July 1994. The tracks that run closest to the depot were the first to reach Dade City in 1887.

Much of the building has been maintained in its original state, aside from some federally funded minor renovations in 1996-1997.

Jeanette Wallace, who came from Lakeland to Dade City for Railfan Friday at Dade City Heritage Museum, films as a CSX train goes down the track that runs parallel to the U.S. 98 Bypass. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

The station was preserved and reopened as a tourist destination in 2008 and became the 501(c)3 nonprofit and solely-volunteer-run Dade City Heritage Museum in 2018. It houses artifacts, photographs, documents and records of historic places and longtime residents of Dade City. The museum consists of a main exhibition space, a model train room, and a Community Archive and Reading Room.

J.R. Hubbard Memorial Train Room

Where: Located inside Dade City Heritage Museum, 14206 U.S. 98 Bypass, Dade City

Details: Features three scale model train layouts that were all donated by local Dade City residents, and includes models that will represent buildings and businesses located throughout Dade City.

Info: Visit DadeCityHeritageMuseum.org

Published on June 28, 2023.

From left: Dade City siblings Darla, Eloise, Everett and Abigale Hedgecock watch as a train passes by the Dade City Heritage Museum on the U.S. 98 Bypass. They counted how many cars the locomotive pulled down the track. (MIKE CAMUNAS)
Savannah, left, and Korbin Stuart, of Inverness, play along the track, trying to feel vibrations from incoming trains that will travel past the Dade City Heritage Museum on U.S. 98. (MIKE CAMUNAS)
Ryleigh LeBlanc, of Dade City, looks, but still doesn’t touch while enthusiastically checking out one of the three scale model train layouts in the J.R. Hubbard Memorial Train Room. (MIKE CAMUNAS)
Sumadhva Hebbani, a Tampa resident who is a train enthusiast, eagerly looks over train model locomotives on sale inside the Dade City Heritage Museum during Railfan Friday on June 16. (MIKE CAMUNAS)
David Schock, left, and his son, Evan, enjoy watching a model train make its way around a very large layout intended to resemble Dade City. The model train was running on June 16, in the J.R. Hubbard Memorial Train Room, at the Dade City Heritage Museum. (MIKE CAMUNAS)
One of the three scale model train layouts in the J.R. Hubbard Memorial Train room is set to replicate the town of Dade City. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

New rules apply to wireless devices in schools

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Stock art

Pasco County Schools has adopted a new policy relating to wireless communications devices.

In essence, the policy requires:

  • Students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade keep their wireless communication devices (WCDs) on silent mode and completely out of view for the entire school day.
  • Students in grades six through eight keep their devices on silent mode and out of view throughout the school day, except for during the student’s lunch period, or when expressly authorized by a classroom teacher for a specific instructional activity.
  • Students in grades nine through 12 keep their devices on silent mode and out of sight for the entire school day, except for during the student’s lunch period, in between class periods or as expressly authorized by a classroom teacher for a specific instructional activity.

As defined by the board’s policy, WCDs include peripheral devices such as headphones, earbuds and watches.

The school board adopted the policy at its June 20 meeting.

Materials in the board’s agenda packet note “the board is aware that WCDs are used by students and parents to communicate with each other. However, the use of WCDs on school grounds must be appropriately regulated to protect students, staff and the learning environment.”

The background materials added: “Whether intentional or not, WCDs can remove students socially, intellectually and emotionally from being present while at school or when involved with school-related activities.

“The district wants all students to have the greatest opportunity for face-to-face engagement with their teachers and peers, as not being presently focused can increase social and academic isolation issues. In addition, while the use of social media can be intentional and positive, it can also be used in a way that causes others to feel left out, judged, anxious and targeted. “Unfortunately, WCDs can also be used by students to initiate and perpetuate inappropriate and/or unlawful conduct that can disrupt the orderly operation of schools and jeopardize the health, safety and welfare of others in the school community,” the agenda materials say.

School board member Colleen Beaudoin raised objections to the part of the policy that prohibits elementary teachers from allowing students to wireless devices in connection with specific lessons.

But Superintendent Kurt Browning said, “There’s no need to have elementary school students with cell phones. It is incredibly rare that you will have a teacher in elementary school that is engaging kids on their personal devices.”

Initially, the superintendent said, “I wanted a scorched-earth approach — which is no cell phones anywhere, pre-K/12. That’s where I started.

“I became a little more lenient in middle school, which is grades six through eight, by saying, you can have them at lunch. And, in high school, I became a wee bit more lenient by saying you can have them not only at lunch, but also at passing (between class periods), but in no circumstances, will you take them out, whether you’re in first grade, or fifth grade, or sixth grade or 12th grade during instructional time,” he said.

The district is “spending an incredible amount of resources on support and supporting schools and curriculum,” Browning said. It has invested in instructional assistants, tutors and materials aimed at helping turn students around, he said.

“Yet, we have kids in some of our classrooms that stay wed to these things (WCDs),” Browning said.

But Beaudoin said she sees no reason to prevent elementary teachers from using the tool, when appropriate.

“I think we should treat our teachers as the professionals that they are and why would we take away an option from teachers who are using technology effectively?” Beaudoin said.

She thinks the policy sends the wrong message to elementary school teachers.

Browning responded: “At no time, when we crafted this policy, did I, as superintendent, or staff, want to impugn the professionalism of our staff or teachers in pre-K/5. That was never the case.”

Rather, he said, the focus was on the potential harm that wireless devices can cause.

Published on June 28, 2023.

Premier Soccer FC scores honor for excellence

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The Pasco County Commission recently honored the accomplishments of Florida Premier FC, an organization that’s been operating in the county for 44 years. From left are: Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley; Kristin Russell (goalkeeping director); Danielle Fotopoulos (elite clubs national league director); Pasco Commission Chairman Jack Mariano; Nathan Binder (soccer director); Ljubo Korda (girls director); Bosho Maric (chief operating officer); Pasco Commissioner Seth Weightman and Pasco Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. (Courtesy of Florida Premier FC)

In the beginning, Florida Premier FC was a small recreational neighborhood club, known as the West Pasco Soccer Association.

That was back in 1979, when the club was relatively unknown.

Since then, it has grown into one of the nation’s most successful youth soccer organizations, giving youths an opportunity to play recreational and competitive soccer — while at the same time giving the athletes an opportunity to develop a work ethic, form relationships and stay fit, according to a recently adopted resolution by the Pasco County Commission.

“Florida Premier FC strives to develop future leaders by teaching kids teamwork, respect, and values in a positive training environment, while developing necessary skills to have a successful future on and off the field,” according to the county board’s resolution, adopted on June 6.

The resolution details many of the soccer organization’s accomplishments.

For instance, “Florida Premier FC has proudly sent over 40 players to play NCAA soccer on athletic scholarships this year and has placed over 400 of their players in college as student athletes,” it says.

The organization also “hosts teams from all over the United States every weekend, invests in the community, and has a positive economic impact on Pasco County,” the resolution notes.

Beyond that, its soccer programs are highly successful.

“The boys and girls programs are ranked No. 1 in the state and Florida Premier FC

currently has seven teams competing for the national title at the highest youth soccer competition,” according to the resolution.

In addition to its tournaments, “Florida Premier FC provides a low-cost recreational soccer program so that all families have the opportunity to involve their children in the sport while also providing over $100,000 in hardship and scholarship money every year to kids in Pasco County,” the resolution says.

Florida Premier FC also hosts a no-cost program for disabled children in Pasco and provides free clinics in the community six times each year. Plus, it works with multiple nonprofit organizations, hosts fundraising events, and gives soccer balls to schools, according to the resolution.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano told his colleagues that his daughter knew she wouldn’t pursue playing Division 1 soccer, but enjoyed competing.

“She made the most of that opportunity,” he said.

“I will say the training, the camaraderie of going into a tournament and winning — the thrill of that is phenomenal,” Mariano said.

“Sports is just a great thing for the families. It’s great for the kids. It keeps them busy. It keeps them out of trouble. It keeps them motivated. It leads to great things to happen,” Mariano added.

The county board chairman was impressed by the number of scholarships associated with Premier Soccer FC.

“That’s phenomenal. I salute all of the work that you do,” Mariano said.

Nathan Bender, director of soccer at Florida Premier, responded to the board’s recognition.

“On behalf of Florida Premier, we want to thank the county commission — Kathryn Starkey, Jack Mariano, Seth Weightman, Ron Oakley and Gary Bradford — for all of you, and what you guys do, to elevate and push Pasco County forward, as the premier county in Florida.”

He thanked the county’s Parks and Recreation department, specifically mentioning Keith Wiley, Brian Taylor and their team.

“Without this team, we literally would not be able to do what we do,” Bender said.

Soccer players compete on a field at the Starkey Ranch District Park. Florida Premier FC, which began in 1979 as a small neighborhood club, hosts scores of soccer tournaments throughout the year. It has been instrumental in putting Pasco on the map among national soccer circles. (Courtesy of Mike Moore)

“They provided a world-class facility for our players and families to play on and impacted thousands of kids’ lives.

“We want to thank (County Administrator) Mike Carballa and (Assistant County Administrator) Cathy Pearson for all of the support to the club, and the community.”

He also expressed appreciation for the county’s tourism arm, Florida’s Sports Coast, and Adam Thomas, the county’s director of tourism and Consuelo Sanchez, sports development and tourism manager.

Each weekend, Florida Premier FC brings 80 teams and more than 5,000 people to Pasco County, Bender said.

“On a monthly basis, this brings in an impressive 360 teams and 20,480 people into our county.

“Over the course of a year, which is a 10-month season for us, our contributions are even more  impactful, with this year, 3,600 teams coming and 204,800 individuals coming to Pasco to play Florida Premier.

“We’re honored to consistently showcase the potential and the allure of Pasco County to all of those attending.

“We know that none of this impact would be possible without our partnership with Florida Sports Coast and with you,” Bender told the commissioners.

Florida Premier FC has come a long way since its inception at Mitchell Field, as just a small neighborhood club with a few teams, he said.

“We’ve been lucky enough to grow into one of the most successful and largest youth organizations in the entire country, and in the past year, have represented USA on an international stage, as well.

“As a non-for-profit club, as you mentioned, our mission is to serve the community in any way that we can.

“We want to enhance the lives of every member of Pasco County, through the beautiful game of soccer, through community engagement and through helping change young people’s lives, on and off the field.

“Each year, the club has been able to give over $100,000 in scholarships to players and families that are experiencing financial hardships and ensuring these young men and women can pursue their dreams and experience their dreams.

“We’ve been lucky enough to send 40 players this year alone, to play on an academic scholarship and continue their dream of playing collegiate soccer.

“This year we have 150-plus seniors graduating that will go on to attend university and colleges, many are the first person in their family to attend university and college,” Bender said.

Bender said he also appreciates the work that’s done by the Florida Premier FC board of directors to foster the organization’s success.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey noted that years ago, when her daughter wanted to play Division 1 soccer, she was forced elsewhere for training because there weren’t any opportunities in Pasco.

That’s no longer true today.

Published on June 28, 2023.

Voter-backed salary increases expected to start soon in Pasco schools

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Pasco County Schools and the United School Employees of Pasco have reached an agreement on how funds from a voter-backed tax increase will be used to raise salaries for non-administrative district employees.

Payment of the salary supplements is expected to begin with the start of the eligible employees’ 2023-2024 work calendars on or after July 1, according to information in the Pasco County School Board’s June 20 agenda packet.

The approved plans outline how to distribute these funds to eligible teachers and school-related personnel (SRPs) for the 2023-2024 school year.

The school district also developed a plan for the distribution of a proportional share of these funds to eligible district employees who are not represented by the union.

For the 2023-2024 school year, approximately $53,470,000 of referendum revenue will be generated based on a 1 mil levy of the projected 2023 Pasco County tax roll, according to district calculations, according to the agenda packet materials.

Assuming a maximum collection rate of 96%, establishing 5% reserve for fund balance and providing eligible charter schools with their proportional share of funds, the district estimates that $43,880,000 will be available to provide non-recurring salary supplements, including mandatory employer deductions for the district’s non-administrative employees.

By providing a proportional share of funds to each of the eligible employee groups, an estimated $28,860,000 will be provided for instructional employees, $10,410,000 for SRP employees, $3,730,000 for non-instructional, non-bargaining employees and $880,000 for professional-technical employees, the background materials say.

On another salary-related matter, the board and the union are expected to soon begin the traditional annual negotiations process for the 2023-2024 school year.

In other action, the board discussed two new tools the district intends to use to help improve communications with parents and bus safety.

The first tool — called “Where’s the bus?” — is an app allowing parents to see where their student’s bus is located. The board also expects to eventually have cards students can use to check onto and off of the bus.

“We know with our driver shortage we do have a lot of late buses in our system. We’ve worked hard on making sure that we’re connecting our routing system with our communication. This would then ramp that up and provide additional communication,” said Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services.

The district also wants to improve its use of data to make its bus routing more efficient. By having daily counts, the district will have better information to use when making routing decisions, Kuhn said.

The district also plans to install a more sophisticated video system on its buses, which also will have additional features, Kuhn said. The system will provide reliable video and additional capabilities that are intended to enhance the district’s safety efforts.

Published on June 28, 2023.

Zephyrhills considers naming park to honor Ellis Harrold

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Lincoln Heights Park, located on Lincoln Avenue, east of Airport Road in Zephyrhills, may soon have a new name, as the City Council has voted to convene a special city advisory board to consider renaming the park. Spearheaded by new councilman Steve Spina, the board will consider changing the name of the park to honor Ellis Harrold, the city staff’s first African American employee. He worked for the city for 34 years. (MIKE CAMUNAS)

The City of Zephyrhills is home to many parks, large and small, but one tucked inside one of its oldest neighborhoods may soon be getting a new name.

The city has convened a special advisory board to consider renaming Lincoln Heights Park. City Councilman Steve Spina has suggested changing the park’s name to Ellis Harrold Neighborhood Park, to honor the city’s first African American, who was on the city’s staff for 34 years.

The idea came up during a June 12 City Council meeting, when City Manager Billy Poe brought forth a resolution to convene a special city advisory board to rename Lincoln Heights Park, which sits between homes on Lincoln Avenue, just east of Airport Road.

The newly elected Seat 2 City Councilman Steve Spina brought forth the resolution.

In a letter to advocate the renaming of the park to honor Ellis, Spina wrote: “I believe Mr. Ellis Harrold meets these criteria, in breaking the racial barriers of his time, in contributing to the fabric of the community and having support of the neighborhood of which he resides and where the park is located.”

The City Council voted 5-0 to convene a special advisory board to consider the park’s renaming.

The special advisory board will consist of seven members: two planning commissioners, two historic planning members, two parks and recreation representatives, and the mayor, Melonie Bahr Monson.

Spina told city leaders that he has spoken to several residents of the neighborhood surrounding the park and “has the full support” of them, including the Rev. Adrian Gay of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, which is close to the park.

Harrold has lived in Zephyrhills since 1957 and previously resided in the city’s Lincoln Heights neighborhood. He was hired by the city in 1962.

The city honored Harrold with a proclamation on Feb. 27, which in part, noted that when Harrold was hired he “broke barriers that existed at the time and opened doors for other African Americans to work for the City of Zephyrhills.”

Ellis Harrold, center, is surrounded by family members on Feb. 27 when the City of Zephyrhills honored him with a proclamation for his 34 years of dedicated service to the city. He was the city staff’s first African American employee hired by the city. (Courtesy the City of Zephyrhills)

The board will come up with a few suggested names, but ultimately the City Council will choose the name and then appropriate changes, including signage at the park, will be made.

Meanwhile, the board will hear public comments, including suggested names from residents, all of whom can support naming it after Harrold or suggest other names and/or individuals they may think worthy of the honor.

“There were several people there the night of his proclamation (in February), so we think that residents in Lincoln Heights are very supportive of naming it after Mr. Harrold,” Poe said.

Published on June 28, 2023.

Land O’ Lakes man singled out for his volunteer ombudsman efforts

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Robert “Bob” Fortney has been named the District Ombudsman of the Year for the North Pinellas and Pasco Council of the Florida Ombudsman Program, which is part of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

Bob Fortney holds a certificate recognizing his contributions to the Florida Ombudsman Program. (Courtesy of Bob Fortney)

Fortney was recognized for exceptional service in a presentation made on May 22.

Volunteers in the ombudsman program are involved in advocating for quality long-term care in senior living facilities throughout Florida.

The volunteers receive special training and are certified. They work to identify, investigate and resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, long-term care residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

In another honor, Fortney received the President’s Volunteer Service Award and Medal, as well as a letter from The White House, in recognition of his 292.45 hours of volunteer service

Fortney lives in The Groves Golf and Country Club in Land O’ Lakes.

Published on June 28, 2023.

Bringing these American flags to an honorable end

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Flags awaiting a dignified disposal ceremony. (Courtesy of Raymond Williams)

American Legion Post 108 hosted a Flag Retirement Ceremony on the afternoon of June 11, at Harvester Community Church at 2432 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

The ceremony retired 357 community flags, bringing the total the group has retired to more than 1,700 to date, according to information provided by Raymond Williams, second vice commander of the American Legion Post 108.

Post Commander Randy Holeyfield presided over the ceremony and Retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James S. “Hammer” Hartsel delivered the keynote address. Hartsel is the executive director of Florida State Veterans Affairs. 

Besides the speakers, the ceremony included the Legion Rifle Team, its Color Guard and a bugler who played ‘Taps.’

Post 108 partners with Pasco County Fire/Rescue, which collects unserviceable flags that are brought by the public to the county’s fire stations.

Post 108 then conducts public ceremonies to honorably dispose of the flags.

Before the ceremony, Post 108 held a picnic, with about 150 people in attendance, Williams estimated.

A Dunkin’ truck was on hand providing samples, and a Tap Truck dispensed fruit punch and lemonade.

Published on June 28, 2023.

‘Prescribed fires’ aim to reduce wildfire risk

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To help reduce the risk of wildfires — set by lightning or other sources — the Southwest Florida Water Management District conducts “prescribed burns” in specific areas, according to a news release from the district.

Some major benefits of prescribed fire include:

  • Reducing overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires

    The Southwest Florida Water Management District conducts ‘controlled burns,’ which are intentionally set fires aimed at providing active forest management by reducing the risk of wildfires and promoting the growth of new, diverse plants and creating other benefits. (Courtesy of the Southwest Florida Water Management District)
  • Promoting the growth of new, diverse plants
  • Maintaining the character and condition of wildlife habitat
  • Maintaining access for public recreation

The water management district has scheduled these “prescribed burns” at these Pasco County properties, between June and September:

  • Starkey Wilderness Preserve: This preserve is located east of New Port Richey, west of the Suncoast Parkway, north of State Road 54 and south of State Road 52. Approximately 1,500 acres will be burned in small, manageable units. 
  • Cypress Creek Preserve: Cypress Creek Preserve is located east of Ehren Cutoff, 1 mile south of State Road 52. Approximately 100 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
  • Upper Hillsborough Preserve: Upper Hillsborough Preserve is located south of County Road 54 and east of Chancey Road in Zephyrhills. Approximately 1,000 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
  • Conner Preserve: Conner Preserve is located south of State Road 52 and west of Ehren Cutoff. Approximately 400 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.

The water management district conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year, the release says.

Published on June 28, 2023.

Pasco County building leader wins top state honor

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The Building Officials Association of Florida has selected Esther Oluyemi as its 2023 Building Official of the Year, according to a county news release.

Oluyemi is the county’s building official, in the county’s Building Construction Services department.

She was nominated for the award by the county’s building construction services team for her continuous efforts to keep Pasco County a safe place to live, work and play, according to the release.

The award is bestowed by the Building Officials Association of Florida (BOAF) to someone whose contributions to the code enforcement profession, and the building industry, as a whole, is considered to be commendable, the news release adds.

“I’m humbled and deeply honored to accept this award,” Oluyemi said, in the release. “I take pride in my work and strive to make sure everyone in Pasco is safe and healthy.”

“The role of the building official is integral to the health and safety of our residents and visitors,” Pasco County Administrator Mike Carballa, said in the release. “We commend Esther for her efforts in leading the way for Pasco County.”

Oluyemi received the award on June 12 at the BOAF’s conference in Orlando.

Published on June 28, 2023.

There’s a local connection to that familiar ‘Publix’ name

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You might call it a twist of fate — for all of the parties involved.

The late Lakeland developer John E. Melton, who has descendants living in Trilby; the once-heralded Publix Theatre Corporation; and George Jenkins, founder of Publix supermarket, all have a connection to the widely known supermarket’s chain name.

Publix now has 1,300 locations, operating in seven states, with 225,000 employees.

The first store with the name “Publix” opened in Winter Haven on Sept. 6, 1930. (Courtesy of Publix Corporation)

Of course, Publix also has cooking schools, corporate offices, grocery distribution centers and manufacturing facilities. 

It is the largest employee-owned company in the United States. 

But have you ever heard how Publix got its name?

Melton’s Machinery Museum was established in 2002. It represents: ‘Investing in the future, by preserving the past.’ (FILE)

John E. Melton, who was a prominent Lakeland businessman, had developments including Cleveland Heights and the 18-hole golf course and country club adjoining Lakeland.   

He was the first to plan a multipurpose building anchored by a grand movie palace in Polk County, according to a published history of the Polk Theatre, in Lakeland.

At the time, about 15,000 people lived in Lakeland, which was a predominantly rural community.

It turns out that the timing of John E. Melton’s project wasn’t great.

Florida’s economic bubble burst around 1926 and the developer sold his unfinished building to Publix Theatres Corporation in 1928.

Publix Theatres was the movie group that at one point operated 19 opulent theaters in Florida, according to a report in The Palm Beach Post.

Many of the Publix Theaters ended up closing their doors at a time when borrowing money became nearly impossible.

John E. Melton had experienced the same kind of problems.

The name that had been used by the theater company that purchased his theater ended up being the name that Publix supermarkets would adopt.

Hannah Herring, a media relations manager for Publix told The Laker/Lutz News:

“Mr. (George) Jenkins had an admiration for the name of Publix.”

In a speech on file as a “Florida Memory” at the state library in Tallahassee, and later published as The Publix Story, Jenkins himself explains, “…I liked the sound of the name so I just took it for my store.”

Much of the history of Publix is preserved at its Lakeland headquarters, in Jenkins’ old office, which has been  preserved from the 1970s. His original Rolodex is there, as are his eyeglasses. There are receipts from the first transactions after Publix installed ATMs in 1982. There are copies of the first prescriptions written when pharmacies were added to the Publix stores in 1986.

Perhaps the largest historic exhibit there  is the 4,200-pound safe that belonged to Jenkins’ grandfather, dating back to 1873.

There are also Publix shopping carts, from the 1940s.

The Polk Theatre, built in 1928 by John E. Melton, has a Renaissance-era Mediterranean-themed décor. The two-level auditorium has 1,400 seats. Some of the theater-developer’s descendants live in Trilby. (Courtesy of Doug Sanders)

While Publix supermarket would go on to create a sizable presence in the grocery industry, the Melton family has a legacy of its own.

John E. Melton’s son, “Jack” Melton III  moved to Trilby, in northeast Pasco, to grow watermelons.

He and his four sons and his daughter created a ranch and farm operation that expanded to include a cow/calf operation, working quarter-horses, citrus crops and seed harvesting.

The family continued to assemble acreage through the years, growing their enterprise to 1,500 acres. 

Steve Melton, the grandson of John E. Melton, created his own kind of attraction:  Melton’s Machinery Museum, a free museum featuring antique agricultural tools and equipment. 

With its array of diverse artifacts, the agriculture museum aims to keep alive the history of the agrarian way of life.

The museum is open by appointment only. To schedule one, email Steve Melton at

Doug Sanders has a penchant for unearthing interesting stories about local history. His sleuthing skills have been developed through his experiences in newspaper and government work. If you have an idea for a future history column, contact Doug at .

Published on June 28, 2023.