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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Wesley Chapel Boulevard widening to start soon

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Wesley Chapel Boulevard, between State Road 54 and State Road 56, is a busy road and has needed widening for years. That work is expected to begin in nine months, according to Margaret Smith, Pasco County’s engineer. (Mike Camunas)

Right of way needed to widen Wesley Chapel Boulevard has been acquired and the work to widen the busy road is expected to begin within nine months.

Once the project is completed, the road will have three lanes in each direction between State Road 54 and State Road 56.

Some of the widening work has already occurred.

The project is of considerable interest to motorists who use it for their daily commutes, to take advantage of the area’s shopping and dining options, and to access Interstate 75, via State Road 54 or State Road 56.

Wesley Chapel Boulevard also is known as County Road 54.

It straddles the edge of Cypress Creek Town Center, where State Road 54 turns into State Road 56, and it leads to the other part of State Road 54, which heads east through Wesley Chapel toward Zephyrhills.

Published March 22, 2023

Teachers bring dream to life at Montessori school in Dade City

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Kameeka Shirley and LaTania Scott were chatting over lunch one day when the teachers came to a realization that changed their lives.

“We were just talking about what we wanted for our children and what we wanted for ourselves,” Scott said.

Scott told Shirley: “I want to start a school.”

Shirley responded: “Me, too.”

“That’s literally how it started,” Scott said.

Kameeka Shirley, left and LaTania Scott, are co-founders of Blazing Stars Montessori School in Dade City. Both women are entirely sold on the educational approach and wanted to bring it to Dade City. (B.C. Manion)

At the time, they were teachers at a public Montessori charter school.

Now, they are running Blazing Stars Montessori School, at 12212 Fort King Road, in Dade City.

The school, which opened on Jan. 9, operates out of a 2,400-square-foot building that was previously occupied by a daycare.

It now serves 10 children, including two in after-care. The school continues to enroll students for this year and has begun accepting applications for the coming school year.

The school is affiliated with Wildflower Schools, a network established in Massachusetts, which helps teachers found and run micro-schools.

Blazing Stars is one of two Wildflower Schools in Florida, but there are hubs in other parts of the country, as well, Shirley said.

At the moment they are part of a hub made up of schools which don’t have any other Wildflower Schools nearby. But once more spring up in the area, they’ll form their own hub.

Scott noted: “Wildflower Schools are schools started by teachers, ran by teachers. So we are the admin, sometimes the cleaning crew. We are also the teachers, and our children attend.”

Blazing Stars’ enrollment includes Shirley’s 4-year-old son Kaden, and Scott’s 6-year-old son Maxwell and 4-year-old son Clayton.

The teachers wanted to launch the school for their personal happiness and for the happiness of their children, they said.

Both teachers are totally sold on the value of the Montessori approach to learning.

“I am just a pure Montessorian. I have never taught anything but Montessori,” said Scott, who has taught using that approach for 18 years. She also trains other teachers in the Montessori method.

Blazing Stars Montessori School is a private school that has brought the Montessori method of education to Dade City.

She’s excited about teaching in a small setting.

“I’m looking forward to being able to do Montessori, without any of the red-tape,” Scott said.

Shirley noted: “We will only ever be a two-classroom school.”

The school’s capacity if 47, and if it ever adds a higher level,  it would branch off to another location.

The idea is to keep the numbers low enough to provide a highly personalized education.

Blazing Stars begins working with children at age 3, but Shirley emphasized it is a school, not a daycare.

Its primary level serves children ages 3 through 6 and its lower elementary level serves children in ages 6 through 9.

Montessori instruction is not like a traditional school.

In a traditional setting, children sit at desks. At Blazing Stars, they move around, from room to room, picking up physical objects to help them understand abstract concepts.

The same materials can be used at various stages of learning, to build on understanding and help convey different lessons.

The hands-on approach provides a sensorial-based experience.

For instance, when a child is learning the difference between short and long, he can see and touch materials of different lengths.

Strings of beads, which can be easily counted, are used to teach mathematics.

The level of sophistication changes, as children progress through the system.

Cheyenne Chandler works with her child, Elliana, during a recent visit at Blazing Stars Montessori School, in Dade City. (Courtesy of Roda Routes Photography)

It’s a system of education that allows children who learn quickly to advance, while granting more time for students who need it.

“Montessori is the place where no child is left behind because every child works at their (own) pace,” Scott said.

Besides doing work indoors, the teachers think the children benefit from being out in nature and plan to use a sensory garden to help them learn.

Shirley said the lessons go beyond mere academics.

“We want to build an intentionally diverse community. We want students to know how to interact with many different kinds of people, with different ideas. 

“How do you respectfully disagree? How do you advocate for your needs, in a way that others can understand?”

“We want children to learn how to graciously be a part of our community,” Shirley said.

Scott emphasized the importance of being connected to the community.

“We want everybody to understand that we are part of the community and we want the community to be part of what we are doing here to help grow our children,” she said.

Montessori typically has been associated with high-income families, but both Shirley and Scott said Blazing Stars intends to help families who are interested in having their children enroll in the school, to explore all of their options.

They don’t want families to foreclose on the possibility of this type of education.

“Our equity principle is very important to us, that we make Montessori accessible to all families,” Shirley said.

Scott put it this way: “Montessori is not for the elite. It’s for everyone. It’s not just for those that can afford it.”

Learn more about Blazing Stars Montessori School
Open House: March 25, 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Information Session: 11 a.m. to noon
Where: 12212 Fort King Road, in Dade City

Published March 22, 2023

 

City of Zephyrhills revamps website, making it more user-friendly

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The City of Zephyrhills is continuing efforts to rebrand itself, and at the same time, it’s working to use advanced technology to streamline day-to-day operations and improve communications.

It will soon unveil a new city motto, logo, color scheme and other changes.

While that work is continuing, it also has redesigned its website.

Notable updates to the website include:

  • Specialized landing pages for the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency and its police, public works and human resources departments.
  • Updated content, throughout the redesign
  • Easier navigation
  • More appealing visuals
The City of Zephyrhills unveiled its redesigned website on March 20, making it easier to navigate for users. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

Elements of the website will change after the launch of the city’s rebrand.

The city also plans to install parks and recreation software, CivicRec, which will allow citizens to make reservations online at any time for Alice Hall Community Center, the Train Depot, cemetery plots, parks and recreational facilities, and so on.

The software is intended to ease the workload of the City Clerk, while at the same time giving citizens flexibility. In other words, reservations won’t be limited to in-person visits to City Hall, on Monday through Friday.

The web address has not changed and still be accessed at ci.zephyrhills.fl.us.

Published March 22, 2023

Planning is ‘a balancing act,’ planning board chairman says

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When the Pasco County Planning Commission considers a request, it needs to look at the issue from every side, board chairman Charles Grey said during a recent meeting.

“It’s a balancing act. You’ve got to balance the rights of a property owner with the rights and the expectations of the current citizens in the area. So, what we try to do is push and pull until we feel we have a reasonable balance in that area. It’s never going to be perfect,” Grey said, during a March 2 public hearing.

His remarks came during consideration of a request to allow a maximum of 162 townhomes, on a 40-acre site off Caroline Drive, in Wesley Chapel.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite, representing the applicant, said the request calls for 162 on land is designated on the long-range plan for up to 194 units.

The previous zoning allowed single-family detached residences; this one calls for townhomes, which essentially are attached residences, Wilhite said.

The site is within the county’s urban service area and the county has identified future “vision” roads in the area.

Vision roads are roads that are not yet part of any capital improvement plan, but are envisioned as being necessary to serve future growth.

Wilhite said there are two significant vision roads in the area, including a vision road that would extend Bruce B. Downs Boulevard through Wiregrass, Saddlebrook and north to Overpass Road.

The other vision road is an extension of Wells Road, Wilhite said.

“Because of these major roads, there will be higher density and intensity, as you approach these intersections,” Wilhite said.

She also noted there are some advantages of townhome development over detached single-family development.

“One of the benefits of the townhomes is that you have a central amenity,” she said. “By contrast, at individual residences, pools can be within 5 feet of the property line.”

Wilhite also noted: “Townhomes are commonly maintained. If you live in a townhome, you pay your HOA to maintain your roof, your paint, your shrubs, your grass and the landscaping in the common areas. In a single-family subdivision, you pay your HOA to chase your neighbor to try to get them to comply.”

She showed the planning board a visual of the proposed site plan.

“You see a lot of ponds on here because of the density. We have property. We’re able to cluster those townhomes and create a very nice living environment,” Wilhite said.

The attorney acknowledged that neighbors are concerned about additional traffic that will traveling down Caroline Drive, en route to State Road 54.

Several of those neighbors spoke during the public comment portion of the hearing, expressing concerns about traffic.

Others spoke about the incompatibility of a townhome community next to single-family homes, and others mentioned the potential loss of area wildlife and a concern about a potential increase in crime resulting from more people moving into the area.

The developer has agreed to pave Caroline Drive to Pasco County standards.

He also has agreed to install a sidewalk on one side of Caroline Drive.

That concession came after board chairman Grey asked if a sidewalk would be added on Caroline Drive, to address safety concerns.

“In order for me to feel comfortable about approving a new development, it needs to bring something to the existing area they don’t have. It can’t just take,” Grey said.

“If it doesn’t enhance the adjoining areas in some significant way, then why put it there? It’s not ready for it,” Grey said. “We’ve got to look out for our citizens.”

The developer also will do any necessary access management improvements that are required at State Road 54 and Caroline Drive.

Plus, there will be an emergency-access only gate at Tucker Road, but that designation could change in the future if Tucker Road is paved and the county’s future road network is established.

The developer also has agreed to construct a six-foot fence around the project, which will be gated.

The county’s planning staff recommended approval of the request and the planning board concurred, with the exception of Planning Commissioner Peter Hanzel, who voted no.

Hanzel said he would prefer the site be developed with larger, single-family homes.

Published March 22, 2023

Bridging the gap — using Popsicle sticks

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William Bryan searched the internet.

That was a no-brainer for the senior at Saint Leo University, who is majoring in cybersecurity.

William Bryan, a Saint Leo University senior majoring in cybersecurity, won the Ninth Annual Bridge-Building Competition on March 9. The contest involved students building bridges using nothing more than 200 Popsicle sticks and Elmer’s glue. Bridges were judged on their strength, aesthetics of design and other factors. Bryan’s bridge, Bridge-It, supported a record-breaking 93.8 pounds. (Mike Camunas)

But his search didn’t yield the answers he was seeking.

“I did look online, but it’s not as easy as going online and finding something because there is no right way to build a Popsicle stick bridge,” Bryan said. “Each competition has different parameters, from the amount of sticks you can use to specific dimensions.

“I really don’t know that much about engineering, but I knew that I needed triangles — and to get as much glue on the surface area as possible. The rest surprised me”

His biggest surprise, however, came in the way that he won Saint Leo University’s Ninth Annual Bridge-Building Competition on March 9.

In a record-breaking rout, his bridge — Bridge-It — held 98.3 pounds. He had expected his bridge would support about 40 pounds. When he shattered the record, spectators in Shelby Auditorium erupted with applause.

His bridge was among 10 in the contest, in which teams ranging from one to three members, sought to build the strongest possible bridge using only Elmer’s glue and no more than 200 standard Popsicle sticks.

The entries had to bridge a 1.2-meter span. 

Ebony Rolle, left, and Asha Burns watch as their bridge, Doja, collapses before they added barely any weight to it.

To test the strength, a bucket was hooked to the bottom of the bridge and contestants added bags of rocks until the span broke.

Bryan eventually ran out of rocks, so he placed a large heavy bucket on top of the bridge, which broke under the weight.

“When I was in middle school, there was a Popsicle (stick) bridge competition, but I wasn’t able to do it because I wasn’t invited,” said Bryan, who was accompanied by his wife, Jacquelyn.

“So this was a bit of redemption (laughs).”

Saint Leo has been hosting this competition for nearly a decade and it has always been open to all students, not just the ones who know more about physics, which is a requirement of biology majors. Many of those competing are biology majors.

Popsicle stick bridges were built, and then broken, during Saint Leo University’s Ninth Annual Bridge-Building Competition March 9.

Dr. Harsha Perera, assistant professor of physics and physical sciences in the College of Arts and Science, said that is part of the appeal of watching the competition.

“We even had someone from psychology sign up, so it’s for everyone. I believe this event sparked the enthusiasm for all the students regardless of their age or their major to learn engineering techniques on designing and building a bridge with the given material.”

For biology major Alex Keeler, she was just looking for a little fun during midterms.

She and her teammates, Juan Jimenez and Hannah Evers, dubbed their bridge,  “Jahkeg” — their initials. It was named Most Aesthetically Pleasing.

“I’m not going to lie,” Keeler said. “The extra-credit component definitely played into (entering the competition). … But we know just the bare minimum of physics, so we also went with what we found on Google.”

Perera added the competition will remain open to the public, not just Saint Leo students.

“We would love for high school students or middle schoolers to come and try the competition, especially if they’re interested in physics,” she said. “We welcome the public, and hopefully one day they’ll take us up on it.

“We’re pretty sure they’ll enjoy it as much as our college students did.”

Published March 22, 2023

Pasco board demands action to resolve permitting issues

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Pasco County board members are tired of constant delays in processing permits through their system.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley drew attention to the issue during the board’s March 7 meeting.

“I’ve been here six years … and for six years I’ve heard from many, many people that they would no longer do business in Pasco County because they can’t get a permit through our department,” Oakley told his colleagues.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley is fed up with delays that occur in processing permits through Pasco County’s system. He’s demanding action to improve the county’s performance.

He said he understands that some of the problems are a result of information missing from applications or difficulty in accessing information that’s in the system the county uses to process applications.

Whatever the reason, Oakley told County Administrator Mike Carballa that he wants the problem fixed.

“I always hear how long it takes to get a permit. It just continues. I’m just tired of it,” Oakley said. “I think it’s time that we really do something in that department, to straighten it up. It hasn’t changed,” Oakley said.

“I’m just tired of dealing with it. We need to have some changes. It’s got to happen. It can’t go any longer,” he said.

“I don’t know what we have to do, but we have to do something,” Oakley said.

Other county board members weighed in, too.

“I echo Commissioner Oakley,” Commissioner Seth Weightman said, noting he’s been compiling a folder of examples of problems with the process.

He said he’s identified steps within the process where failures are occurring.

Weightman added that these “are real-life examples, not just constructive criticism that the public shares with us.”

Commission Chairman Jack Mariano agreed with Oakley’s observation that too much time is spent following up on issues that should have been handled correctly the first time.

“It is such a burden to follow up over and over with these projects that are going on,” Mariano said.

Mariano said he has faith that Carballa will address the issue.

“He’s already started some changes,” Mariano said.

He also suggested a new approach.

“Maybe we need somebody to just take an application that comes in.

“Get a person to take the application and then let that person then walk it through, set up some type of new system.

“We definitely need some action,” Mariano said.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she’s encountered similar complaints.

She said she had just forwarded some information to county staff about a constituent who has been trying to get a certificate of occupancy for his business since October.

“It just takes too long. It’s too long,” Starkey said.

Published March 22, 2023

Local author fair helps boost literacy awareness

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It was a look at local books.

When the Dade City Heritage and Cultural Museum had its inaugural Local Author Fair on March 11, it provided a place for writers to show off and sell their books, connect with readers and to promote literacy.

Steve Altier, from Valrico, smiles as he talks about some of his books, such as ‘Lizardville’ and ‘The Ghost Hunter’ series during the Local Author Fair at the Dade City Heritage and Cultural Museum on March 11. (Mike Camunas)

For all the festivals and events that are held throughout town during the year, there wasn’t one focusing solely on reading.

Until now.

“We just noticed there was a need for it in this community — we noticed that this town has a lot of festivals and family friendly events, but nothing for literacy,” said Museum Volunteer Director Jayde Archbold, who organized the author fair. “But it worked out great, and I think people are having a great time, so, yeah, we’re going to want it to be a yearly thing now.”

The event was held in the old Atlantic Coastline Train Depot, which is the museum’s home.

Janet Watson, of Wesley Chapel, autographs her book for a fan and customer at the Local Author Fair at the Dade City Heritage and Cultural Museum on March 11. The inaugural event hosted more than 25 local authors from Pasco County, but also as far as from Brandon to Sarasota to Hernando County. The event gave authors the opportunity to promote themselves, their books and reading.

More than 25 authors — from Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties — were there to display books they’ve written and to sell them, discuss them and even do readings from them.

“We didn’t have a specific geographic area that we targeted authors, just a general area near to Dade City,” Archbold said. “We were just happy that when we put it out there, promoting it for authors to sign up, that we had such a great response that we had to stop because of our limited space. We accepted as many (authors) as we could, but we might need a bigger space — or maybe do it outside next year.”

The event was sponsored by Dade City booksellers, Lighthouse Books and The Book Shack, as well as American Pizza Oven.

Local authors in attendance included Janet Watson and J.L. LaPointe.

Shelby Mander, a Dade City native and teacher at nearby Centennial Elementary, was there, too, promoting her children’s book, “Petunia the Piccolo Player.” It tells the story of a musical elephant, Petunia Pachyderm, and her journey to make it to a big show.

Shelby Mander, a Dade City native and elementary school teacher, wrote her children’s book, ‘Petunia The Piccolo Player’ and promoted it at the Local Author Fair at the Dade City Heritage and Cultural Museum on March 11.

“I think (the fair) is the little push I need to start getting sales of my book,” Mander said. “This was a great way to meet other authors and see their works, see their set up and see how they do it, too.

“It’s been a great turnout from authors and from potential readers,” she added. “And I’ve really enjoyed hearing the stories, too. Not just hearing authors read excerpts from their books, but their stories about what they went through to get published, from beginning to end, to get their books made.”

Archbold is a librarian at Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center in Odessa and has worked for Pasco County Libraries for five years. For her, the event is about bringing literacy and local author awareness to Dade City, as well as the rest of Pasco County.

“There are local authors out there, making waves with their books, so we want to promote them,” she said. I think people underestimate the value of libraries to the community, or think that libraries are just for children now. Libraries, and this (fair), bring together local authors to show people what is out there, that people in the community, maybe even their neighbors, are out here writing, reading and promoting books that are good.

“People need to know who is around them that is contributing positive things in their community, so they can support them,” she added. “It’s always, ‘Support your local business, support your local artist, support your local events in the community.’

“So why not support your local authors, too?”

Published March 22, 2023

Arthur Auvil’s legendary fistfight drew attention

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“You can’t fight city hall!”

That’s a common expression used when someone is on the losing end of a public dispute.

Arthur Auvil once worked together in the practice of law with William Larkin, another prominent attorney in Dade City. (Courtesy of Tom Nichols)

But there is one case, reported nearly a century ago, that involved an actual fistfight at Dade City’s city hall.

The altercation happened in 1924 when Dade City Mayor Frederick Daniel Cosner and City Attorney Arthur Lee Auvil came to blows.

The fight took place on the chamber’s floor after Cosner made a derogatory remark about Auvil during a city commission meeting, according to a published report.

Cosner subsequently resigned in June of 1924 and was replaced by Orville L. Dayton, grandfather of Bill Dayton, an attorney in Dade City.

Bill Dayton later told The Tampa Tribune: “From all sources, it is quite clear that attorney Auvil won the fight, and very quickly!” 

Bill Dayton was the president of the Dade City Historic Preservation Advisory Board at the time when the Tribune’s report was published.

Julie Hale, of Dade City, currently sits on that same historic preservation board. 

She has the files and photographs that her mother, the late Mary Auvil Hale, had saved regarding her father, Arthur Auvil. He was Julie Hale’s grandfather.

The materials in Julie Hale’s collection reveal that there’s a lot more to Arthur Auvil’s story than the legendary fistfight at city hall.

Items in the collection include an account written by Mary Auvil Hale, recounting how Arthur Auvil ended up in Dade City.

He initially visited Dade City during a train trip he was taking in 1912, for an interview with a Clearwater law firm, the account says.

The train made a long stop in Dade City.

An undated photograph shows Arthur Auvil, grandfather of Jonathan Auvil, in the Rose Garden at the White House. Arthur Auvil is third from the right, with U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in the center of the picture. (Courtesy of Jonathan L. Auvil)

Arthur Auvil “spent the time seeing as much of the little town as he could and liked all that he saw. When he returned to the train, Clearwater was no longer an option,” Mary Auvil Hale wrote.

That same year she, her eight siblings and their parents, Ruby Sealy Auvil and Arthur Auvil, moved to Dade City.

Arthur Auvil went to work as city attorney for both Dade City and San Antonio. 

His accomplishments were many.

He wrote the city charter for Dade City.

He was elected to a seat in the Florida Legislature, serving from 1927 to 1929. He was elected again in 1933.

His campaign platform opposed “putting a sales tax on the poor man’s meat, bread and other necessities.”

He served in a multitude of roles, over time.

He was chairman of the committee for the construction of the Pasco County courthouse annex in 1938.

He was a prosecuting attorney for Pasco County for 10 years and was appointed as an assistant state attorney for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in 1935.

He had business and civic interests, too
He was a successful businessman.

He joined L.J. Gaskins and John S. Burks on July 19, 1923, when they filed a charter of incorporation for the Highlands Motor Company, with capital stock in the amount of $25,000.  

Highlands Motor Company was the premiere auto dealership in Dade City, from 1923 to 1955. (Courtesy of Pioneer Florida Museum & Village)

Highlands Motor Company was the premiere auto dealership in Dade City, from 1923 to 1955.

The site was later occupied by a number of dealerships.

He was involved in civic life, too.

He was a founding member of the Dade City Kiwanis Club and was a member of Masonic Lodge.

And, while no one seems to know the exact details of when, why or how it happened, Arthur Auvil also was included in a group photograph with President Woodrow Wilson in the White House Rose Garden.

Jonathan Auvil, who is Arthur Auvil’s grandson, said the family didn’t even know the photograph existed until it was found in the office safe of Bill Larkin.

His grandfather, Jonathan Auvil, recalls, “often traveled unannounced to members of my family.”

Larkin was Arthur Auvil’s law partner and a good friend. He was appointed to fill his friend’s unexpired term as prosecuting attorney of Pasco County more than 50 years ago.

Arthur Auvil passed away on Aug. 27, 1951, at his home, following a year’s illness. He was 74.

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 March 22, 2023

Pasco County Schools recognizes Medal of Honor recipients

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The Pasco County School Board took a moment from its March 7 meeting to honor the men and women recipients of the nation’s Medal of Honor.

State law designates March 25 as Medal of Honor Day, and required instruction on that day is intended to encourage patriotism and to make students aware of the sacrifices that veterans and Medal of Honor recipients have made in protecting democracy, according to a proclamation adopted by the school board.

Medal of Honor recipients are recognized for rising above the call of duty “at the risk of grave injury and loss of life,” the proclamation adds.

These “fearless service members distinguished themselves as heroes in the eyes of their comrades through their bravery and self-sacrifice,” according to the proclamation.

The U.S. Congress established the Medal of Honor in 1862, “as the highest award to be given to the country’s military forces in recognition of their incredible valor during armed conflict,” the proclamation says.

Before reading it, school board member Colleen Beaudoin addressed board members and others attending or watching the meeting.

“This really is more than a proclamation. This district is very committed to this,” Beaudoin said, noting she’s attending training on the topic with staff and teachers.

Teachers create lesson plans relating to the day, Beaudoin said.

Schools also have welcomed Medal of Honor recipients, who have come to speak at many schools over the years, the board member said.

Published March 22, 2023

R.B. Cox Elementary celebrates Black History and diversity

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The faculty and staff at R.B. Cox Elementary celebrates diversity throughout the school year.

“Our population of the community we serve here is very diverse,” Principal Kimberly Natal said. “Most of our students are Hispanic and African American, so it’s important to the community and it’s important to celebrate that diversity we have here at R.B. Cox and our community we serve.

“So, through committees, we plan this every year — we have a Hispanic Heritage and Black History celebration every year.”

The school held a Black Heritage Celebration on March 3, complete with educational and entertaining performances, readings and presentations.

Angela Theodore, from Hugh Embry Library in Dade City, tells the story ‘Anansi Does the Impossible!’ on March 3 during Black Heritage Celebration at R.B. Cox Elementary in Dade City. Students, families and community members attended the event to watch presentations and performances about Black Heritage and to see part of the Rosewood Traveling Museum. (Mike Camunas)

It ended with a traditional soul food dinner. 

“We celebrate diversity a lot at this school,” said secretary Monica Russ, who heads up the Black History Month Committee at the school. “At R.B. Cox, this is one of the times we do that, where we invite everyone out to come join and celebrate and learn about Black history and diversity.

“And everyone is welcome.”

Faces in the crowd proved that people of all races came together for the celebration — a fact that pleased the R.B. Cox event organizers.

“We have Black families, Hispanic families, even some white families and part of our police department is here, too,” Russ said. “Anyone that just wants to come out and be a part of us and part of this community — and we’re very pleased with how it turned out. Whenever you can get parents in the doors with kids and they learn something, come together as a community and enjoy time together, we’ll take it.

“The free soul food was a great draw, too,” she said, with a laugh.

The Rosewood Traveling Museum was a new highlight this year.

The Black Heritage Celebration, on March 3 at R.B. Cox Elementary, attracted a diverse crowd to enjoy educational and entertaining performances, as well as a soul food dinner.

The museum, and its foundation, is dedicated to remembering the town of Rosewood, which, in January 1923, underwent a racially motivated massacre of Black people and the destruction of the Black town in Levy County, Florida.

At least six Black people were killed, but eyewitness accounts suggested a death toll of 27 to 150.

The museum had about 10% of its collection on display, but the exhibit will be available to see at Pioneer Florida Museum & Village starting on Juneteenth (June 19).

Representatives from the Rosewood Family were on hand at R.B. Cox to tell about the museum and its causes and share some history of the massacre. Its choir also performed.

Harriet Clemons dances to music performed by the Rosewood Choir on March 3, during a Black Heritage Celebration at R.B. Cox Elementary, in Dade City.

“I’m connected to the (Rosewood) group through marriage,” Russ said. “It touched my family, so that’s what I think about when I think about Black History. … (Rosewood) is honoring 100 years, so (when) given the opportunity for them to come and share it with us, I jumped at it.

“Because I think it’s a great way to let people know who aren’t aware of that history, and we want to share our history,” she said.

Natal said she was pleased with the turnout, and the message for honoring “Bridge Builders, Obstacle Movers, World Changers” at the celebration. She also said the Black Heritage event, and the Hispanic Heritage one the school held in the fall, were the first ones held, post-COVID restrictions. 

She said it was uplifting to see the enthusiasm for the event’s return — from both staff and students.

“This year, we wanted to do it big since we hadn’t done it in a while,” Natal said. “It was a real grassroots effort from the staff to really bring in the community and celebrate the culture, and I think we’ll see even more people next time,” she said.

It’s important, the principal said, “for the kids to celebrate their heritages.”

Remember Rosewood – Centennial: 100 Years of History
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
When: Starting June 19
Details: The Rosewood Traveling Museum will be on display at Pioneer Village starting the week of Juneteenth (June 19), at no charge.
The Rosewood Museum is dedicated to remembering the town of Rosewood, which, in January 1923, underwent a racially motivated massacre of black people and the destruction of the black town in Levy County, Florida. At least six black people were killed, but eyewitness accounts have suggested a death toll of 27 to 150.
Info: Visit RememberingRosewood.com or PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.

Published March 15, 2023

Jada McClendon, of Dade City, performs on the drums on March 3, during a musical number at the Black Heritage Celebration at R.B. Cox Elementary.
The Rosewood Choir performed on March 3, during the Black Heritage Celebration at R.B. Cox Elementary, in Dade City.
R.B. Cox Elementary staff members wore shirts emphasizing such ideals as empowerment, education, inspiration and celebration, during the school’s Black Heritage Celebration on March 3.