The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Bell Lake improvements are complete

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(Mike Camunas)

Pasco County’s public works and engineering services have announced the completion of a 16-month project to expand and improve Bell Lake Road, in Land O’ Lakes.

The mile-long project— completed along Bell Lake, from east of U.S. 41 (also known as Land O’ Lakes Boulevard) to Banjo Lake Road — included work to provide improved drainage by replacing ditches and adding curb, gutter and inlets, as well as a closed pipe system. Five-foot sidewalks were added, too.

“This project was completed on time and under budget,” Engineering Services Director Margaret Smith said, in a county news release. “We’re proud of these important roadway updates, which help improve safety for those who drive the road and walk along the new sidewalks.”

Pasco County also helped with roadwork construction leading up to a new convenience store and gas station at U.S. Highway 41 and Bell Lake Road, the release said.

Published June 15, 2022

Hats off, grads!

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The Laker/Lutz News salutes grads of all ages!

There were lots of big moments being celebrated around our coverage area in recent weeks, and there will be more before Graduation Season 2022 concludes.

Whether your favorite graduate was making the transition from prekindergarten, finishing up a doctoral degree, or progressing at any stage in between — it was a time to pause and celebrate.

We invited you to share photos of your favorite graduates, and you responded.

Here’s a look at the gallery of photos we compiled.

Alexandra Paige Hendrix is a member of the Land O’ Lakes High School Class of 2022. Her mother, Lara Hendrix Brennan writes: ‘She loves God, family, friends, playing golf and animals. Alexandra will be attending Pasco-Hernando State College in the fall.’ (Courtesy of Lara Hendrix Brennan)
Cannon Frisco is a member of the Sunlake High School Class of 2022. Tammy Frisco writes: ‘Cannon will graduate with cum laude honors. He also won the Senior Superlative for Best Smile.’ Cannon plans to pursue the path to become an emergency medical technician/paramedic and firefighter. (Courtesy of Tammy Frisco)
Daniel Urbonas is the IB Valedictorian of the Class of 2022 at Land O’ Lakes High School. He is a National Merit Scholar and will attend the University of Florida, studying in the College of Engineering, Honors Program. (Courtesy of Pam and Allan Urbonas)
Ellie Guglietta graduated from voluntary pre-kindergarten at Kids’ Stuff Preschool, in Lutz. Jessie Guglietta writes: ‘When asked, Ellie wants to be a dog sitter, and singer and songwriter when she grows up. But for now she enjoys school, swimming and Disney!’ (Courtesy of Jessie Guglietta)
Nathan Christ is a graduate of Discovery Point Terra Bella in Land O’ Lakes. Victoria Christ writes: ‘He is very excited to graduate VPK (vol- untary pre-kindergarten).’ (Courtesy of Victoria Christ)
Trinity Swets is a member of the Class of 2022 at Land O’ Lakes High School. Katy Swets writes: ‘In this photo, she is at her annual dance banquet, for Contempo School of Dance. She currently is a dance student at Contempo, as well as a teacher.’ Trinity plans to continue to teach dance at Contempo and to attend Pasco-Hernando State College, in the fall. (Courtesy of Katy Swets)
Andrea Burgess is a graduate from Steinbrenner High School. She is the great-niece of Mary Jane Weeks, an account manager for The Laker/Lutz news. Mary Jane writes: ‘She graduated with a 6.04 GPA and will attend the University of South Florida this fall, working toward a double major in computer science and music. I am so proud of her.’ (Courtesy of Mary Jane Weeks)
Ethan Carnahan, of Lutz, graduated with honors from Hillsborough Virtual K-12. He will be attend- ing Florida Polytechnic University in the fall. (Shana Carnahan)
Katilyn Tawzer poses on her big day. Terry and Carroll Carpenter, longtime residents of Lutz, submitted this photo of their grand-daughter, Kaitlyn Tawzer, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. Her grandparents were there to see their first grandchild to graduate from college. Kaitlyn is a graduate of Blake High School. Her family lives in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Terry and Carroll Carpenter)
Lutz resident Mariah Tirado is a member of the Gaither High School Class of 2022. Her mom, Carolann Newsome, writes: ‘We are so proud of Mariah, she is truly one of a kind. She loves cowboy boots and rac- ing. Mariah races go-karts at Dirt Devils Speedway in Land O’ Lakes. She plans to become a Realtor.’ (Courtesy of Carolann Newsome)
Tracy Gaschler, who describes her- self as a super-proud momma, writes: ‘Rebecca Gaschler, of Lutz, graduat- ed with honors from the University of Central Florida Burnett Honors College with degrees in political sci- ence, pre-law and psychology. The National Merit scholar is the 2022 Austyn White Memorial Award recipi- ent for her contributions to the UCF Moot Court team, She placed in nationals this year.’ (Courtesy of Tracy Gaschler)
Daniella Gutiérrez graduated from Wesley Chapel Elementary School and will attend Thomas Weightman Middle School. Karem De La Hoz writes: ‘Good luck in middle school and remember, a positive mindset brings positive things.’ (Courtesy of Karem De La Hoz)
Kelsey Strigler, a graduate from Wiregrass Ranch High School, is heading to Florida State University. (Courtesy of Tara Strigler)
Kylie Strigler, left, and Delaney Strigler are both graduates of eighth grade at John Long Middle School, in Wesley Chapel. They’ll be attend- ing Wiregrass Ranch High School. (Courtesy of Tara Strigler)
Sebastian Gutierrez is a graduate of the Class of 2022 from Wesley Chapel High School. Karem De La Hoz writes: ‘Sending warm congratu- lations today and wishing you all the best at Wittenberg University. We are so proud of you!’ (Courtesy of Karem De La Hoz)
Nicole Sanchez is a graduate of the Class of 2022 from Saint Leo University, in St. Leo. She’s the digital content assistant for The Laker/Lutz News. The Laker/Lutz News staff says to Nicole: ‘We’re proud to salute our very own graduate! Congratulations, Nicole. We’re happy you’re part of our team.’ (Courtesy of Nicole Sanchez)
Rielly Perez, who played varsity baseball, and Brooke Lea, who played varsity softball, are both graduates of the Zephyrhills High School Class of 2022. Hiedi Perez writes that Rielly and Brooke have been friends since elemen- tary school and both are big believers in giving back to the community. Rielly will attend Nova Southeastern University. Brook will
attend the University of Central Florida. (Courtesy of Heidi Perez)
Everett Walker graduated from kinder- garten in Alpine, Wyoming. He lives with his mom, dad and little brother, Evan. He attends Thayne Elementary School. He is the great-nephew of Mary Jane Weeks, account manager for The Laker/Lutz News. (Courtesy of Mary Jane Weeks)
Kaylee Grace Billek is a volunteer prekindergarten graduate from The Cherry Tree. Shannon Billek writes, ‘I can’t believe your VPK year is over! Kaylee girl, you are the answer to my dreams. I am so proud of you and beyond excited you are now a Wildcat! Kindergarten here she comes!!!’ (Courtesy of Shannon Billek)
Luna Mistretta, 5, graduated from VPK at Temple Terrace Presbyterian Weekday School in Temple Terrace on May 26. She said she wants to be “a copy editor like Mama” when she grows up. She is the daughter of Ashley and Matthew Mistretta, art director of The Laker/Lutz News. (Courtesy of Ashley Mistretta)

A star-spangled show: benefit featured patriotism, pups

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Flags flap in the wind, as members of the Color Guard from Zephyrhills High School’s U.S. Army JROTC present the colors during the Star-Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance. The guard was part of a Memorial Day weekend event at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, to benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Let Us Do Good Village. (FRED BELLET)

A benefit was held over Memorial Day weekend to honor those who have served in the U.S. armed forces and to help the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

The May 28 event featured a presentation of the colors by the Color Guard from Zephyrhills High School’s U.S.Army JROTC.

There were musical acts, vendors, special guests and activities.

Kevin Wright and Chandler Entertainment LLC organized the event, which served as a fundraiser for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

During the benefit, U.S.Army veteran Staff Sgt. Steven Daily thanked Corsos for Heroes, as he received a dog named Six from the organization that provides service dogs for disabled veterans and first responders in need. Daily served in Afghanistan and Iraq and sustained injuries during his military service.

Tunnel to Towers is building the Let Us Do Good Village, off Parkway Boulevard, about one- half-mile east of Ehren Cutoff, in Land O’ Lakes.

The subdivision of more than 100 homes is planned on 75 acres donated by the Esther and Harold Mertz Foundation to the Stephen Siller Tunnel toTowers Foundation.

Three of the Cane Corsos who came along for the ride to the benefit for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Let Us Do Good Village check things out from the back of a donated school bus. (FRED BELLET)

The Tunnel to Towers Let Us Do Good Village will be the first of its kind community of mort- gage-free homes for the nation’s fallen first responder families, Gold Star families and catastrophically injured veterans and first responders.

Ground for the village broke back in December, with the first of 110 houses estimated to be completed and given to a veteran by December.

The neighborhood also will feature amenities, including an indoor basketball court, pool, tennis court, an ADA-accessible gym, a theater, an outdoor playground, a game room and more.

The foundation is named after Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter who had finished his shift and was on his way home when the Sept. 11 attacks occurred at the Twin Towers.

With 60 pounds of gear strapped to his back, he raced by foot through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he was one of 343 firefighters who perished that day.

Four-year old Hudson Kirby, of Lutz, plants an American Flag into the ground near the Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park stage. Hudson was at the benefit event for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and Let Us Do Good Village with his grandmother, Jewel Brown, of Lutz. (Fred Bellet)

He left behind five young children.

In another local story related to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the Wesley Chapel home of fallen U.S.Army Sgt. First Class Benjamin Bitner, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2011, was paid off by the foundation, according to a news release from the organization.

In observance of Memorial Day, the foundation paid off the mortgage on the homes of 21 Gold Star families in 16 states across the country.

Bitner left behind his wife,April, and two children, Rogue and Gunnar.

 

U.S. Army veteran Staff Sgt. Steven Daily, right, served in Afghanistan and Iraq and sustained injuries. He discussed his experiences during the event and expressed his gratitude to Corsos for Heroes. The 28-year-old St. Petersburg man received a Corsos for Heroes dog. The veteran was at the event with his wife, Rachael, an active member of the U.S. Air Force. Harry Toro, at left, a breeder from Lutz, was there to hand over the leash to Daily. (FRED BELLET)

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has set a goal to reach 1,000 mortgage-free homes delivered across the country to our nation’s military and first responders, by the end of the year, the release says.

Published on June 8, 2022.

This party goes on in the street

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Dade City Street Bash shuts down Seventh Street every second Friday of the month to host live music and vendors just in front of The Block, at 14307 Seventh St., in Dade City. (Courtesy of Larry Guilford)

Every second Friday evening of the month in Dade City, there’s a party in the street. A street bash, actually.

Dade City Brew House, the craft beer dispensary located in The Block on Seventh Avenue, began hosting the Dade City Street Bash back in February. And with each passing month, the street-wide, open-container, live music and vendor event gets bigger and bigger.

“It was definitely a way to get local merchants involved,” said Meghan Bertovich, manager and one of the owners of the Brew House. “And it’s a way to give the people of Dade City something to do, some place to hang out on a Friday evening. We found there is a fair share of people who work here, but don’t live here. … This gives them a reason to stay and meet more of the vendors, but also gives a reason for people to come out, bring their families, shop some and enjoy some live music.

“There’s a little bit of something for everyone.”

When Bertovich and fellow owner Geoff Layne started the Street Bash, they were “blown away with the response from the city.” Now, each Street Bash has grown not only in the turnout, but the amount of vendors looking to set up shop during the event.

Vendors are required to pay a fee to have a table or booth, with all proceeds of the Street Bash going to the Dade City Police Foundation.

“It gets bigger and better every month,” said Larry Guilford, founder of The Block, the renovated city block in which the Brew House is the main tenant.

“It really does give everyone a reason to come into downtown Dade City,” Bertovich added. “Because while it’s all on Seventh Avenue down to Meridian (Avenue), it has branched out to the side streets and even further into the rest of down- town. It’s always been about promoting local merchants and most of our vendors are from Pasco County, too, as well as the food trucks that will come out.”

Bertovich and Layne were more than happy to not only get the event going, but also to give the proceeds to the Dade City Police Foundation, as they are big supporters of the charitable organization. Bertovich is excited for the next Street Bash, which is set for June 10 and will feature live music from Lisa Kay and The Goldtop Band.

Bertovich said one great selling point of the Street Bash is that it’s a wet zone area. That means Brew House beers and drinks can be enjoyed anywhere on the street.

“It is nice, people trying our beer, and then they can take it to go and enjoy the music and the vendors,” Bertovich said. “It’s a way for us to get people to see the brewery, but we’re glad they can go and enjoy the whole event, even look at the car show when we have those parked along the street.

“It really is a great evening in Dade City,” she said.

Dade City Street Bash

When: June 10, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: Starting at the Dade City Brew House, at 14323 Seventh St., Dade City, and continuing down and past Meridian Avenue.

Details: Every second Friday of the month, Dade City Brew House takes over Seventh Street for local vendors, car showings, live music, food, and open-container wet zone for residents and visitors to enjoy part of Historic Downtown Dade City. The event is presented by the Brew House and Premium Title Inc.

Info: Visit DadeCityBrewhouse.com, or call 352-218-3122.

Published on June 8, 2022.

Part of Chancey Road is closed for repairs

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Chancey Road — between Sixth Avenue and Copeland Drive — is closed for repairs.

The project was scheduled to begin on May 1 and is expected to take about 30 days to complete depending on weather conditions, according to a news release.

The Pasco County public works project is addressing an area of the roadway where a hole formed. Crews will fill in the area and resurface the road.

Signs along Chancey Road will direct drivers to detour routes.

The construction crews will be working from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., on weekdays, with some week- end work possible.

Southern Road & Bridge LLC is the contractor on the job.

Published on June 8, 2022.

American Rescue Funds remain available

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Hillsborough County has $1 million remaining to be distributed to Hillsborough County nonprofit organizations that served the community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Hillsborough County Commission in January dedicated $5 million in American Rescue Plan money to help nonprofits in the county recover from the pandemic’s financial impact, according to a county news release.

Hillsborough County partnered with Community Foundation Tampa Bay to launch and administer the American Rescue Plan Nonprofit Safety Net program. Since then, over 200 local nonprofits have been approved for funding.

There’s still $1 million available in this fund.

To apply, nonprofit leaders can visit the Community Foundation Tampa Bay Safety Net Program for the online application portal, complete program guidelines, and full eligibility criteria.

Approved nonprofit agencies may use awarded financial assistance to offset revenue losses or cover incurred, unplanned costs resulting from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The application deadline is June 10.

Published on June 8, 2022.

Habitat for Humanity to benefit from gifts

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Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices will feature Habitat for Humanity as the charitable organization for the month of June, which happens to be National Homeownership Month.

All proceeds from the promotional effort will benefit Habitat’s homebuilding and homeownership programs, to help those without a home own one of their own, according to a news release from Fasano’s office.

There currently are 70 approved families wait- ing for an opportunity to build a home through Habitat for Humanity, the release says.

“Homeownership has the power to transform lives,” Fasano says, in the release.“It is an honor for our office to support Habitat as they build affordable, safe and stable homes for hard-working families in our community.”

Donations can be made at any of the five tax collector locations in Pasco County.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity and how you can receive services or help with Habitat’s mission, contact Devin West of the West Pasco Affiliate 727-536-4755, ext. 222, or Melissa Parks of the Central & East Pasco Affiliate at 352-567-1444.

Published on June 8, 2022.

Development plans keep pouring in, in Pasco

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval on a number of requests for zoning changes that will enable sizable projects.

Some of the projects call for adding industrial land, but others feature a mixture of residential and commercial growth.

One request, titled I-75 Logistics Center, MPUD (master-planned unit development) was formerly known as the Pasco Commerce Center MPUD.

The planning commission has recommended approval for a request for a substantial modification of this project to 56.17 additional acres of land to the site, and to increase the maximum entitlements for development to 1.9 million square feet of industrial on approximately 224.57 acres.

The item was recommended for approval, with conditions, by county planners and had been part of the planning board’s consent agenda. Items on the consent agenda are approved in a single motion, unless someone pulls the item for discussion.

In this case, planning board member Chris Poole pulled the item.

“I’m super excited about this project,” Poole said. However, he voiced concerns about the distance for the stacking of trucks that are headed northbound on Interstate 75 and are trying to come off to go to the commerce center.

Poole asked how the trucks will make the movement across three lanes of traffic to get to the site.

Brad Tippin, the county’s development review manager, noted that the Flying J. Travel Center is already located in this area.

Attorney Clarke Hobby, representing the applicant, asked his transportation expert, Steve Henry, of Lincks & Associates, to address Poole’s question.

Henry told Poole: “We have met with DOT (Department of Transportation) on numerous occasions on this, on working out the geometry of how that is all going to work.

“We’re also working with Flying J because they do have a median opening in the left-hand turning lane.

“We believe that with all of the improvements we’re doing out there, that it will function actually better than it is today.”

Poole asked directly: “So will trucks coming off northbound (I) 75 onto (State Road) 52, will they still be able to get across there, into that lane, coming across three lanes of traffic?”

Henry responded: “Sure.They may have to stop, so on red, they’ll be able to turn or once they have a green light, they’ll be able to get across there without any conflict in traffic.”

Poole added: “I’m concerned about any backing onto 75, so I wanted to raise the issue.”

Henry added: “We’re making sure that geometry works.”

In another application, relating to a proposed development in Land O’ Lakes, concerns were raised by an area resident about maintaining access to an existing property.

The request, under the name of Zona Law MPUD, is for up to 130 single-family units and associated infrastructure on 75.65 acres.

Attorney Clarke Hobby, representing the applicant, said this is the third MPUD from an original tract of land.

“The net residential density is under 3 (units per acre),” Hobby said.

He said he was aware that some neighbors are concerned about getting out onto U.S. 41.

He also noted that “for many years, DOT was against having a signal at Lake Patience and (U.S.) 41, but we understand that that has changed, and as part of this MPUD, my client is paying a proportion- ate, or fair share, towards the signalization, even though it’s probably a quarter or a half-mile away from the site.”

Hobby added:“I think the project fits in very well with the neighborhood.”

Betsy Law Lamoy, who lives in the area, told the planning board: “Several of my family members and I live on property directly south of this parcel being reviewed. I can’t say that I’m really for it being developed, but I understand, these things happen.

“My concern — our concern — is about a driveway, a road that provides access to our family property, that has been in our family for greater than 75 years,” she said.

The small driveway comes off a road that may be part of a future vision road, she said.

“It provides access to our property,” she said, adding the family wants to be sure it remains that way.

Hobby told the planning board:“We’re not going to land lock them. We can assure that there is no loss of access.”

The planning board recommended approval.

In other action, the planning board also recommended approval of these requests:

• A rezoning of a 740-acre site on the northeast quadrant of State Road 52 and Bellamy Brothers Boulevard for a request in the name of Hillcrest MPUD.The request is to allow a maximum of 1,800 detached single-family residences, 600 townhomes; 450,000 square feet of retail and, 200,000 square feet of light industrial/office on 740.2 acres. No one spoke against the request.

• A county-initiated rezoning for One Lacoochee Center WREC Property/EDC project. The request is from a residential designation to light industrial.

These requests now go to the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction over land use and zoning requests.

Published on June 8, 2022.

Pasco observes Juneteenth through events, celebrations

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By Kathy Steele

After being declared a federal legal holiday in 2021, Juneteenth is gaining greater recognition as communities across the nation celebrate, and commemorate, the historic end of slavery in the United States.

The holiday marks the day in history, when on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers reached Galveston, Texas, with the news that slaves were free.

President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free slaves in Confederate states in rebellion against the Union in 1863.Texas was the last Confederate state to fall to Union soldiers.

For generations Black communities celebrated Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, with picnics, church services, remembrances of ancestors, poetry readings and programs about African American heritage. Over the years, a handful of states, including Texas, recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday.

For many years, Pasco County has issued proclamations honoring Juneteenth.

Now, with a national holiday marking the day, Juneteenth is garnering more attention.

“I am very pleased and very happy with interest being shown not only in Pasco (County) but across the country. People are celebrating even before the day of Juneteenth.There’s great history here,” said Cassie Coleman, a member of the East Pasco Juneteenth Committee and an organizer of the Rosewood Traveling Exhibit.“I think it’s going to get bigger and bigger,” she said. She also thinks it will “teach our children a little bit more about our history.”

In Pasco County, the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Department is partnering with businesses and community groups to organize a week of Juneteenth activities. Partners include East Pasco Juneteenth Committee, AdventHealth, Pasco-Hernando State College, the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village and the Rosewood Family Reunion Inc.

In Wesley Chapel, residents of Union Park and Union Park East will host the third annual Juneteenth Family Day to “celebrate freedom,” on June 18 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., at The Landing. Festivities will include free drawings, games, spoken word performances, music, dancing, and food trucks.

In prior years of local Juneteenth events, Pasco County’s parks department and AdventHealth embraced the festivities with a goal to expand outreach for health screenings within Black and Hispanic communities.

In 2020, a Saturday event drew about 300 people, said Kimberly Miller, East Pasco recreational coordinator for the county’s parks department.

Last year as a national holiday, the Juneteenth crowd grew to more than 700 people, she said.

“It’s become huge.We’re looking to make it bigger and better.”

Festivities from June 15 through June 18 will include traditional picnics with health screenings, and family activities, music, a bowling night, a community paint party and a special presentation on the history and legacy of the Rosewood Massacre.

A special Rosewood Traveling Exhibit will be on display at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village from June 13 through June 20. On June 17, Rosewood descendants from the Lacoochee community will host a special presentation: A Night to Remember.

Lacoochee resident Ebony Pickett is a descendant of several survivors of the Rosewood Massacre.

The trauma of Rosewood is still felt, Pickett said. Some survivors changed their names soon after because they thought they would be tracked down.“It was a real fear,” she added.

Rosewood was settled in the 1840s by white and Black residents, but by the 1890s, the town was predominately Black. The one exception was a white family that ran a general store.

In the first week of January 1923, white mobs including Ku Klux Klansmen from surrounding counties descended on Rosewood fueled by an untrue report that a white woman had been assaulted and raped.They burned and destroyed the town. Some residents received shelter from the white store owner. Others fled into the nearby swamp and hid for days in bitter cold.Those who survived never returned but resettled in other communities, including Lacoochee.

The number of deaths is disputed.

The official record acknowledges eight deaths — six Black people and two white people. But Pickett said survivors remember many more Blacks died.

Rumors of a mass grave have persisted, despite official reports to the contrary.

Survivors were reluctant for many years to talk about the massacre until prodded by younger family members. Pickett said she didn’t hear the story of Rosewood until she was in third grade. It was a secret too dark to be spoken of publicly by those who lived through the assault, she said.

Pickett’s uncle, Willie Evans, who died in 2020, was among survivors who fought to secure reparations through the Florida legislature. A Rosewood claims bill was approved in 1994 that included direct payments to a small number of survivors and educational scholarships to descendants.

The Rosewood Family Reunion Inc. created the Rosewood Traveling Exhibit to tell their story. The special presentation will include members of the Rosewood families, a youth art show and a performance by the Rosewood Family Choir.

Pickett is glad to see Juneteenth becoming nationally recognized as a day to celebrate but also an opportunity to reflect and learn about the past. “We’re happy to do more,” she said.

Coleman agrees. “It’s something that will put us in mind of facts and history, so we won’t repeat it in future.”

Upcoming Juneteenth celebrations

These special events are planned during Juneteenth Week, June 15 to June 18

Beats N’ Brushes, a canvas painting party set to music

WHEN: June 15, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: The James Irvin Center, at 38122Martin Luther King Blvd., in Dade City
COST: $10 Tickets are required.
INFO: 352-521-4166

Family Bowling Night

WHEN: June 16, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: East Pasco Pin Chasers, 6816 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills
COST: $5 Tickets are required.
INFO: 352-521-4166

A Night to Remember

WHAT: A special presentation on the legacy of Rosewood and a youth art show.
WHEN: June 17, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. WHERE:PioneerFloridaMuseum&Village,15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City

COST: Free but pre-registration is required. Space is limited.
INFO: 352-521-4166

The Rosewood Traveling Exhibit

WHAT: A special exhibit on the legacy of Rosewood including photographs and artifacts from Rosewood family survivors

WHEN: June13 through June 20, during museum hours

WHERE: Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City

COST: Free but pre-registration is required. Space is limited. Contact the museum for hours and admission. INFO: 352-567-0262

Third Annual Family Celebration Day

WHAT: Juneteenth celebration organized by residents of Union Park and Union Park East
WHEN: June 18, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
WHERE: The Landing, 32885 Natural Bridge, Wesley Chapel

COST: Free
INFO: Email

Second Annual East Pasco Juneteenth Community Celebration

WHAT: Free health screenings; food trucks; family fun zone; games; drawings for prizes; local vendors; Juneteenth Toddler Pageant; and special performances WHEN: June 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: The James Irvin Center, at 38122 Martin Luther King Blvd., in Dade City

COST: Free
INFO: Contact Kimberly Miller at 352-521-4166 or

Published on June 8, 2022.

Eagle Scouts honored for community service and leadership at reception

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Among those attending the Eagle Scout Reception on May 22, from left: Mark Rhodes, Scoutmaster of Troop 212 in Lutz, 17-year-old Michael Jeffries, of Lutz, and Jeffries’ parents, Karen and Paul. The Eagle Scout attends Freedom High School. (COURTESY OF THE GREATER TAMPA BAY AREA COUNCIL OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA)

Eagle Scouts, and community service, leader- ship and accomplishment, were honored at the May 22 Eagle Scout Reception, hosted by the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council of Boy Scouts of America, according to a news release.

The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest in Scouting and requires earning at least 21 badges, completing an Eagle Scout community service project and holding leadership positions in the

Scouting unit. Girls and boys both are eligible to attain the rank.

The council had 206 Scouts earn the rank between May 1, 2021 and April 30, 2022, said council board member Nick Digirolamo, who served as master of ceremonies for the event, recognizing those Eagle Scouts. Many of the 206 being honored live in the Lutz and Land O’ Lakes area.

The Eagle Scouts, dressed in their uniforms, paraded into the banquet hall at the USF (University of South Florida) Embassy Suites, receiving a standing ovation from family members, Scout leaders and friends.

According to the news release, Digirolamo told the Eagles, “You are the best and brightest Scouting has to offer.”

He said the 206 Eagles had 24,328 of combined hours in volunteer labor for their Eagle Scout projects.

Thirteen-year-old Carly Winscott and 15-year-old Taylor Winscott are Eagle Scouts and members of Troop 834 in Pasco County. They were among those attending an Eagle Scout reception on May 22. (COURTESY OF THE GREATER TAMPA BAY AREA COUNCIL OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA)

He added that using the U.S. Department of Labor figures for employment, that was about $628,000 worth of service to the community.

The event also included the announcement of the council’s Eagle Scout Project of the Year.

Jacob Young, 17, of Lithia, received the award for his bat house that can shelter up to 3,000 bats. The Troop 61 member and Newsome High student built it for the nonprofit Future of Hunting in Florida using $3,500 he raised for the project.

His project will be entered into the competition for the National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year, sponsored by the National Eagle Scout Association.

Published June 8, 2022.