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Saint Leo conference focuses on WWI and its impacts

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Maybe you’re a history teacher, with a penchant for the World War I era.

This World War I-era poster was created by James Montgomery Flagg in 1918 and printed by the American Lithographic Company of New York. It shows Uncle Sam arm-in-arm with Britannia, accompanied by a lion (U.K.) and an eagle (U.S.A.). It will be included in Marco Rimanelli’s presentation at an upcoming conference at Saint Leo University. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Perhaps you have a fascination for the impacts that World War I had on politics, medicine, diplomacy or, even closer to home — your family’s personal history.

Maybe you’re just curious about what life was like in the wider world, during the time of Downton Abbey.

If any of this resonates with you, an upcoming conference at Saint Leo University could be right up your alley.

The university is inviting teachers, history and political buffs, veterans and the general public to a conference that centers on the history of World War I, and subsequent peace-building efforts.

The Nov. 16 event, called the Centennial of World War I & Peace 1914 to 1919 Interdisciplinary Conference, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the university’s campus in St. Leo.

The event comes slightly more than a century after the original Armistice Day — Nov. 11, 1918 —which marked the official end of World War I.

The conference is structured around three panels, with presentations by speakers and time allotted for questions and answers, said Marco Rimanelli, full professor of political sciences and international studies at the university.

The presentations will cover:

  • Military and diplomacy
  • Medical and health care issues in the Great War
  • The impact of the League of Nations

Rimanelli’s presentation is entitled “Alliances & U.S. Military in World War I: ‘Doughboys & Trenches, ‘Over There’”

Members of American Company A, Ninth Machine Gun Battalion set up in a French railroad shop on June 7, 1918. (U.S. National Archives and Record Administration)

“We want to try to give an overview,” said Rimanelli, a driving force behind the conference.

“World War I is essential in the emergence of America as a global super power, as well as the beginning of the demise of the European order,” Rimanelli said.

Panelist Dan DuBois, an assistant professor of history, will focus on how World War I played out in East Asia, in his talk entitled “Aye, What has Become of Civilization?: East Asia & The Great War.”

“To understand the current degree of distrust between the United States and China, that really begins in 1919,” DuBois said.

Interspersed between the panels, Saint Leo faculty members will help take conference-goers back to World War I through poetry readings and musical performances from the era.

Chantelle MacPhee, the university’s chair of language studies and the arts, will read “In Flanders Fields,” a World War I poem by John McCrae, a medic from Canada.

“He wrote it in the memory of those he saw perish with him,” said MacPhee , who herself lost great-uncles in World War I.

American troops going forward to the battle line in the Forest of Argonne. France, September 26, 1918.
(U.S. National Archives and Record Administration)

“In Flanders Fields,” she said, “is the most famous in Canada and is recited every Nov. 11, which is called Remembrance Day.”

Conference attendees also will be able to glean an additional sense of what life was like during World War I through an array of posters featuring combat scenes, war memorabilia, and a glimpse of African-American life at that time.

The $12 admission to the conference deliberately was kept affordable to encourage attendance. Admission includes lunch, snacks and beverages and there is no charge for parking.

Also, Saint Leo University alumni, students, faculty and staff will be admitted free, with proper ID.

Teachers attending the conference may also be eligible to apply for continuing education credit, which Saint Leo University will help to document.

Published November 06, 2019

Tourism to keep booming in Pasco County, officials say

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Tourism is booming in Pasco County — which reported nearly a million visitors last year.

And, the best may be yet to come, according to a presentation by county tourism officials Adam Thomas and Kolby Kucyk Gayson, during a recent Dade City Commission meeting.

The county now brands itself as “Florida’s Sports Coast,” with the tagline, “Let’s Play,” in its tourism pitches. Previously, it used the slogan “Visit Pasco. Open Spaces. Vibrant Places.”

Tree Hoppers Aerial Adventure Park, in Dade City, gives people of all ability levels the chance to experience a ropes course and ziplining. Tree Hoppers is one of Pasco County’s top tourist draws. (File)

It changed its brand in March to highlight the county’s growing list of recreational sports venues and outdoor activities.

“We were in dire need of a rebrand as a destination,” said Gayson, communications manager for Florida’s Sports Coast. “We needed our own identity within the Florida tourism market.”

Now, word is spreading about Pasco County in tourism circles regionally, nationally and even internationally, said Thomas, the county’s tourism director.

“In the past six, seven months, we’ve created some strong destination awareness, so the buzz is starting to get out there about the Sports Coast,” he said.

Thomas expects a noticeable uptick in activity once the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex of Pasco County comes online in July 2020 and begins booking events for 2021. The $44 million, 98,000-square-foot indoor space in Wesley Chapel will primarily accommodate basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, dance and gymnastics events.

“We’re thinking on a global scale for that facility,” Thomas said.

“It’s a one-of-a-kind facility,” he said, noting no other facility in the Southeast compares to it.

“We’re offering something that’s unique that people are going to travel around the state to come experience,” Thomas said.

The $44 million Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex is expect to draw tourists from across the country, and even internationally, after it opens next year. (Courtesy of RADD Sports)

The sports complex will ultimately benefit each surrounding community in Pasco, the tourism director explained.

That’s because, he said, there’ll be opportunities for marketing partnerships with local chambers and merchant’s associations, encouraging visitors to make trips to Dade City, Zephyrhills, New Port Richey and so on.

He put it like this: “The longer (tourists) stay here, the more money they spend. The more money they spend, the greater the economy gets.”

During the presentation, Thomas shared various tourism facts and figures from the past year.

There were 965,000 visitors to Pasco, booking 1.23 million hotel room nights in 2018, he said.

That generated roughly $57.5 million in sales tax for the county.

A group of skydivers enter a plane which they will jump from at Skydive City in Zephyrhills. Skydive City is one of Pasco County’s top tourist attractions. (File)

The economic impact generated an estimated $194 in tax savings for each Pasco household, Thomas added.

Additionally, tourism supports about 7,500 jobs each year, at hotels, restaurants, attractions and other businesses, he said.

That represents 13 percent of all jobs in the county, he said.

The tourism agency’s “bread and butter” is youth and amateur sports tourism. The next most popular categories are leisure and adventure travelers for activities including biking, fishing, boating, ziplining and so on.

He pointed out the county’s top tourist attractions annually, in order, are:

  • Skydive City in Zephyrhills
  • Giraffe Ranch in Dade City
  • Lift Adventure Park in Hudson
  • TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park in Dade City
  • Anclote Key Preserve State Park in West Pasco
  • Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park in West Pasco

He described adventure attractions as “where the rubber meets the road in pulling the entire 742 square miles of a destination together under one umbrella to call ourselves Florida’s Sports Coast.”

In addition to sports and outdoor recreation, Thomas said a greater focus is being placed on soliciting social, military, education, religious, fraternal groups, as well as business travelers, conventions and corporate retreats.

They’re doing that by leveraging meeting space that’s available at various hotels, golf clubs and local colleges.

“Those are the niche marketing segments or niche influencers that we’re trying to partner with and cater to,” Thomas said.

The bulk of the county’s visitors come from other areas of Florida and the Southeast region, followed by the Northeast and Midwest, he said.

But, he noted, there’s a growing number of international tourists. They made up 9% of all travelers to the area in 2018.

Pasco’s top international market is Canada, Thomas said. They mainly visit between January and April and their primary interests lie in outdoor activities, particularly cycling.

Meanwhile, as tourism grows, Thomas’ department is growing, too.

The agency has six staff members, including Thomas, but also is hiring a corporate tourism sales manager and a digital media producer, he said.

Published November 06, 2019

Political season is beginning to heat up

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It’s not 2020 yet, but the political season is underway, and candidates are beginning to make their intentions known.

This Political Agenda column is The Laker/Lutz News’ way to keep our readers informed of candidates who have filed, political party meetings, political forums and endorsements.

This column also includes information that’s pertinent for upcoming elections, such as deadlines for registering, new polling places, meet the candidate nights, political town halls and other relevant news.

It does not promote political fundraisers.

The column runs periodically, based on the volume of submissions, but it generally runs about twice a month.

Those wishing to submit items for possible publication should send the information at least two weeks prior to the desired publication date. The Laker/Lutz News publishes on Wednesdays.

Send your items to .

Here is your first helping of Political Agenda

Club meetings

  • The Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida-Pasco Chapter will meet Nov. 13, at the Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. Doors open at 6 p.m., for networking. The guest speaker is Brandi Geoit, candidate for Pasco County Commission, District 5. She will talk about her environmental issues vision relating to Pasco County. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call Lee Ogden at (813) 778-3097.
  • The Wesley Chapel Republican Club will meet Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m., at Toyota of Wesley Chapel, 5300 Eagleston Blvd. The guest speaker will be Pasco Commissioner Mike Moore. Admission free; all are welcome. Coffee and homemade desserts will be served. For information, call Peter Cracchiolo at (813) 360-9813.
  • The East Pasco Democratic Club will meet Nov. 18, at The Tavern at the Southport Springs Country Club, 3509 Southport Springs Parkway in Zephyrhills. The guest speaker will be Christine Bright on the topic of the National Popular Vote. Dining service begins at 5 p.m. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call (813) 383-8315.
  • The Central Pasco Democratic Club will meet on Nov. 20, at Meadow Pointe 1 CDD, Building A, at 28245 County Line Road in Wesley Chapel. The doors open at 6:15 p.m. The presentation will be given by Marilyn Holleran, who will discuss what the climate crisis means and how it can be solved. For more information, email .
  • Libertad-Club Republicano de Pasco County meets on the third Monday of the month, beginning with a 6:30 p.m. social hour, with complimentary coffee and pastries. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. All are welcome. The group meets at Havana Dreamers Café, 3104 Town Ave., Suite 107, in Trinity. For more information, call (727) 807-7990.

Published November 06, 2019

Own a piece of Florida history

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The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, at 4720 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey, will be offering historic photos, framed and under glass, for reasonable prices.

Each photo represents some aspect of early Florida life.

The tax collector’s office in New Port Richey is selling some historic photos of Pasco County, such as the sample shown here. (Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office)

The photos were on display in the Gulf Harbors office for many years prior to its recent renovation.

Framed photos 4 feet by 6 feet are $25, and framed photos 4 feet by 8 feet are $50.

The purchases are tax deductible because all proceeds will be considered donations to Pasco TC Gives, the nonprofit arm of the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office.

Pasco TC Gives supports charitable organizations that provide various services to residents in Pasco County.

The sale will run from Nov. 4 through Nov. 8, or until all the photos are sold.

The office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Published November 06, 2019

Principal raises the roof to promote literacy

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Students at Wiregrass Elementary School have a summer tradition.

They take part, every year, in the Scholastic Book reading challenge.

Several students passing by the courtyard area wave excitedly at Steve Williams, the school principal, as he broadcasts on Facebook Live from on top of the school’s roof to fulfill a promise he made to his students, who logged more than 160,000 minutes in the nationwide Scholastic Book summer reading challenge. (Christine Holtzman)

Two years ago, the students logged in over 43,000 minutes, and came in eighth in the state.

But, Steve Williams, principal of the school at 29732 Wiregrass School Road in Wesley Chapel, knew they could do better.

So, he challenged them to log in more than 50,000 minutes.

If they could, he promised he would spend time reading to them from the school’s roof.

The students slayed the challenge — logging more than 160,000 minutes of reading.

And, the principal responded by spending a full day on the school’s roof — about 32 feet above ground — reading through a megaphone to the students below.

Steve Williams, principal of the Wiregrass Elementary School, reads a book into a megaphone, so the students seated in the courtyard below could hear. The top student readers from each group and their classmates earned the right to enjoy a story from the courtyard.

About every half-hour or so, the principal went on Facebook Live to connect with the community and with his students.

Teachers could log in and let their students watch.

The principal read a series of fiction and nonfiction books. He read newspapers and textbooks. He regaled the audience with his thoughts about the characters, plots and illustrators.

As a special treat, the top reader in every grade level was invited to come to the courtyard to listen to the principal read a book to them, from his high perch, through a megaphone.

Williams said that the kids love the fact that their principal is willing to do fun and extreme things.

He summed up the rooftop challenge like this: “Today is really all about supporting literacy.”

Published November 06, 2019

From approximately 32 feet above the ground, Steve Williams, the principal of the Wiregrass Elementary School, waves to passing students and staff members from the school’s roof. Williams spent the whole school day on the roof, reading books through a megaphone, as well as broadcasting on Facebook Live, to promote literacy and to fulfill a promise he made to his students during the summer reading challenge.
Steve Williams, principal of the Wiregrass Elementary School, holds up a book that he will read during one of his broadcasts via Facebook Live. Every half-hour or so, Williams went on Facebook Live to connect with the community and with the students. Throughout the campus, teachers were able to log in and let their students watch.

 

Rattlesnake Festival makes gains despite ‘Nestor’

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The Rattlesnake Festival had its biggest year since The Thomas Promise Foundation took over, despite the appearance of Tropical Storm Nestor, event organizers say.

“We’ll be able to provide 100,000 lunches as a result of this years’ Rattlesnake Festival,” Joe Simmons, executive director for The Thomas Promise Foundation, said in a news release.

“That’s more than the last two years. Imagine what we could do if the storm hadn’t come through,” Simmons added.

David and Howard Bellamy performed for a sold-out crowd on Oct. 18 at the Rattlesnake Festival. It was their first performance at the event since 1968. (Courtesy of The Thomas Promise Foundation)

According to long-held tradition, The Rattlesnake Festival was held on the third weekend of October, which this year fell on Oct. 19 and Oct. 20.

Having the festival that weekend was decided in 1967, based on research by a weatherman that historically that weekend had the best weather.

Indeed, over the years the festival has enjoyed dry weather most of the time, according to the release.

But, not this year.

Tropical Storm Nestor crossed the Florida Panhandle and sent waves of heavy rain and tornado warnings on down the West Coast, the release reports.

Still, the weekend got off to a great start, with a successful Bellamy Brothers concert on Oct. 18, despite threatening weather. The band played to a sold-out crowd in the Dan Cannon Auditorium at the Pasco County Fairgrounds.

It was the internationally known musicians’ first time back to the festival since 1968 when they performed their first musical gig with their father at the festival in San Antonio City Park, which hosted the event for a half-century before moving to the fairgrounds.

“We so appreciate the Bellamy Brothers coming to the Rattlesnake Festival this year,” Simmons said, in the release. “It was the success of their concert that offset the bad day we had on Saturday and enabled us to have our best year so far.”

Rattlesnake Run organizers had to cancel the 5-mile and 1-mile runs because of a tornado watch that was in effect at the time the race was set to begin.

The rain-or-shine festival opened on time Oct. 19 but, because of heavy rains, some vendors and entertainment groups did not set up that day.

Weather began to clear at about noon and some festival-goers turned out, but organizers realized that Nestor had put a damper on their event.

“We were hoping to exceed the 10,000 mark on visitors,” Simmons said. “I believe that if the weather had been as nice on Saturday as it was on Sunday, we may have done so.”

By the evening of Oct. 19, the rain had stopped and “Rattlesnake Festival After Dark,” an event planned with adults in mind featuring local bands, was well-attended for a first-time event.

The following day, the even opened with sunshine, and the event went well.

“The weather is the weather, that’s true everywhere, but sometimes it seems especially true in Florida,” Simmons said.

“This is our third year running the festival and our second year at the Pasco County Fairgrounds. We’re already on the schedule for next year, which is Oct. 17 and 18, by the way. We planned a great festival and we’re glad that we were still able to have a better year than last year because it’s all about raising money to buy food to feed hungry kids.”

The Thomas Promise Foundation is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing weekend meals to food-insecure students in Pasco County Schools when breakfast and lunch programs are not operating. For more information visit TheThomasPromise.org.

Published November 06, 2019

Screenwriter premiers film in Bay area

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When Andy Warrener went to Villagio Cinemas in Carrollwood last week, he wasn’t going merely as a movie patron.

He was there to see the Florida premier of “The Black String,” a movie which the Odessa native co-wrote and co-created.

For Warrener, the film’s Florida debut was a moment that was years in the making.

‘The Black String’ co-writer Andy Warrener, left, and its lead actor, Frankie Muniz, stand together at the horror film’s Florida premiere at Villagio Cinemas in Carrollwood, on Oct. 25. (Courtesy of Andy Warrener)

“I’ve been in the screenplay format since I was 19,” he said. “Screenplays became a creative outlet.”

A photojournalist by trade, Warrener made a transition into the film industry. His love for literature also compelled him into that line of work, he said.

He moved to Los Angeles in 2002, where he lived for almost seven years.

While there, he met director Brian Hanson, who introduced a screenplay idea that Warrener found intriguing.

The concept dealt with a psychiatric patient who couldn’t distinguish between delusions or reality.

“I’m like ‘I love it. Let’s talk more about it,’” Warrener said. “Subsequently, we had meetings and sessions, and we fleshed out the idea. Next thing you know, there was a script.”

However, the two screenwriters began to focus their attention elsewhere, putting the script aside.

It wasn’t until 2017 that producer Richard Handley read the script, found it interesting and wrote a newer version – ultimately becoming the film’s storyline.

Jonathan, the main character of “The Black String,” is played by Frankie Muniz.

Muniz rose to prominence as a child actor starring in the television series “Malcolm in the Middle,” as well as several movies.

Initially, the film premiered at the Austin Film Festival in 2018.

The film also has been released on DVD, Red Box and Google Play.

Warrener, who considers himself a “horror film buff” said “The Blair Witch Project” and “Paranormal Activity” are some of his favorites.

“What makes those movies so scary, to me personally, is that it’s something that could happen to anyone,” he said.

He thinks “The Black String” is a film that resonates with viewers.

Although this was Warrener’s first screenplay to become a film, he has written nine others.

He also noted that he’s teaming up with Hanson again, and this time they’ll be working on a mystery-thriller.

And, Warren, who lives in Odessa again, said he’s not ruling out using Tampa Bay as the setting for future projects.

Published November 06, 2019

Planning Commission supports requested changes

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has given its stamp of approval for a number of requests that would affect property use in the central and eastern portions of Pasco County.

The Planning Commission makes the final decision on special exception requests, but its decisions can be appealed to the Pasco County Commission. The County Commission has authority over other land use and zoning matters.

At its Oct. 10 public hearing in Dade City, the planning commission:

  • Approved a special exception request by Gianna Mari Siervo Fragoso for a kennel for dog training on a 1.08-acre site on the east side of Boyette Road, about 650 feet north of Clearview Drive. The kennel, at 7242 Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel, will be used for dog training, boarding and breeding. Conditions limit use of the site to 30 dogs and specify that operating hours (open to the public) would be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
  • Approved a special exception request by Kelsey and Jeremy Whitmer to operate a bed and breakfast on a 10-acre site on the north side of Hanlon Terrace, about 1,100 feet west of Bellamy Brothers Boulevard. The site contains a two-story residence. The applicants propose to use the mother-in-law suite as their residence and to operate the bed and breakfast out of the remaining area of the existing structure. The applicants also wish to host events inside the bed and breakfast. The applicants note that the property can accommodate up to 10 guests at a time and the farmhouse provides a unique setting for nightly accommodations.
  • Recommended the County Commission approve a zoning request by Amanda M. Bray, aka Simmons, to change the zoning from a mobile home district to an agricultural residential district. The 3.78-acre property is at the southeast corner of the intersection of Hillbrook Avenue and Westbrook Street. The item now goes to the Pasco County Commission for a final vote, which is scheduled on Nov. 5 at 1:30 p.m., in Dade City.

Published October 30, 2019

Community rallies support for sick girl

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A barbecue fundraiser is planned to help the family of a 5-year-old girl who has been diagnosed with a terminal form of brain cancer.

The family of Baylor Nichols received word in April that the little girl, from Brooksville, has a form of brain cancer known as Diffuse Instrinsic Pontine Gliomas.

To add to that devastating news, the girl’s parents, Donnie and Carly, were informed that the cancer is life-threatening and they only may have one year left with their daughter.

Baylor has undergone radiation therapy and two surgeries. She also is participating in a clinical trial at Children’s National Hospital in Washington D.C.

The community support has been strong, Carly said.

She said it provides “a great overwhelming sense of comfort to know that there’s so many wonderful people who care and are very selfless.”

Besides supporting the family emotionally, a barbecue is planned to generate some financial help for them, too.

The American Eagle Antique Mall is hosting the benefit on Nov. 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at 14232 Seventh St., in Dade City.

Patrons can purchase a meal for $10, consisting of barbecue or baked chicken, beans, coleslaw, bread and tea.

A silent auction and a raffle will be held, and bracelets in various sizes will be sold for $3 each.

There also will be live music from Those Unscrupulous Sunspots and Cold Iron.

To find out more, to volunteer or to make a donation to the silent auction, please contact Thalia Stilson at (352) 521-3361.

Barbecue fundraiser
When: Nov. 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: American Eagle Antique Mall, 14232 Seventh St., in Dade City
Cost: Free admission
Details: The benefit will help Donnie and Carly Nichols, whose daughter, Baylor, was diagnosed with brain cancer.
Info: To donate toward the silent auction, to volunteer or to find out more, call Thalia Stilson at (352) 521-3361.

Published October 30, 2019

Brewery aims to become Wesley Chapel ‘gem’

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If all goes according to plan, Florida Avenue Brewing will open in Wesley Chapel by next spring.

It aims to become “a destination, a gem,” said Anthony Derby, the Founder and CEO of Brew Bus Brewing, located in Seminole Heights.

Brew Bus Brewing and Florida Avenue Brewing are affiliated, but Florida Avenue Brewing is considered to be the company’s flagship brand.

Anthony Derby is the founder and CEO of Brew Bus Brewing. (File)

And, while operations will continue in Seminole Heights, the Wesley Chapel location will be called Florida Avenue Brewing and will be known as the company’s flagship location.

The goal for the new Pasco County location is to create a place that people refer to as “a cool brewery,” Derby told those attending the North Tampa Bay Chamber economic development luncheon last week.

“The project that we’re building now is going to be able to do 60,000 barrels (a year). It will be the largest locally owned brewery in the state of Florida,” Darby said.

The brewery wants to be a place where people gather to drink , to eat, to play games — such as  bocce ball and cornhole — to listen to music, to watch sports, to celebrate special events, or to just hang out in the beer garden, he added.

He’s excited about the possibilities.

The brewery will operate in a 32,000-square-foot building, formerly known as Sports + Field, at 2029 Arrowgrass Drive.

“For us, it’s kind of a blank slate. We’re going to be able to do a lot of really cool things,” Derby said, noting he wants to incorporate the best elements of what he’s seen at breweries across the United States.

The company is making a sizable investment.

“Before we open the doors, we’ll have spent about $10 million on the project,” Derby said. That includes land acquisition, new equipment and building improvements. Over the course of the next five years, he expects the company to invest another $2 million to $3 million.

There will be an open kitchen, and also a larger closed kitchen.

Part of the brewery will have community seating, on a first-come, first-served basis — promoting a come-and-go vibe. And, a small space will be devoted to a more formal dining setting.

There will be a private event space, too, accommodating about 100 seated guests, or between 150 to 200 standing, Derby said. That area will have three huge sliders that open to a private beer garden.

Plus, a 3,500-square-foot outdoor beer garden is planned, too.

“We’re not building any new structures, but a lot of internal modifications need to happen,” Derby said.

“We are painting the entire façade, almost a whitewash brick with a gray metal roof and then some red or burnt orange accents.”

The entrance to the building will be moved.

Glass is being installed, so guests will be able to see into the brewery from the outside, and also from the dining room.

“We’re upgrading our water line from a 2-inch to a 4-inch,” he said, to support brewing operations. Additional power is needed, too, so an additional transformer is being added.

To preserve parking, they’re paving a roadway to enable valet parking for the special events area.

On the brewery side, all of the equipment will be new, including its canning line, which will be imported from Italy. It will be able to do about 250 cans a minute, compared to the company’s current canning line that does 50 cans a minute.

A grain silo is planned, on the State Road 56 side, to allow the brewery to buy grain in bulk.

Besides getting the site ready for the business, the company also will be hiring about 50 employees. That’s in addition to its 53 current employees in Seminole Heights, Derby said.

Jobs will include such roles as a lab manager, a general manager, an assistant general manager, an event coordinator and hourly employees, such as bartenders and servers.

Plans call for being open daily, with doors opening at 11 a.m. Closing times will be set, as the business dictates.

Published October 30, 2019