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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

WUSF seeks storytellers for ‘One Small Step’ initiative

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As one of just six public media stations nationwide selected, WUSF will be part of a new StoryCorps initiative designed to reclaim America’s civil discourse, according to a news release.

Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and StoryCorps, One Small Step brings two people together who have differing political perspectives and asks them questions that reach the core of their beliefs, and the emotional experiences that brought them there, the release says.

The purpose of these interviews is to provide an opportunity for people to share personal feelings and experiences, and to enable those who disagree to listen to each other with respect. Rather than spark additional political debates, One Small Step encourages answers to questions like, “Was there a moment, event, or person in your life that shaped your political views?” and “What scares you most when you think about the future?”

These kinds of questions help people discover the root of their own political stances on various issues. The format allows participants and listeners who may disagree on policy to understand better why others may feel differently. There is no blame, no right answer, only lived experiences that participants can share with one another, the release adds.

“Our station is honored to be a part of this very special and important initiative,” JoAnn Urofsky, WUSF general manager and associate vice president, said in the release. “We are excited that the people of Tampa Bay will have their voices represented on a national scale.”

WUSF is eager to hear from voices in the Tampa Bay and hopes to obtain a diverse selection of participants for One Small Step. All backgrounds and opinions are welcomed and encouraged. For those interested in participating please visit WUSF online at WUSF.usf.edu, and click on the “One Small Step” tile for more information.

Published March 27, 2019

Land O’ Lakes music fest crowd gets in the groove

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Tyler Dusek, of the band Stonegrey, drives the beat for this popular local band. (Randy Underhill)

With temperatures in the 80s, and lots of local entertainment, the fourth annual Land O’ Lakes Music Festival seemed to hit a high note with the crowd.

People relaxed on lawn chairs, grabbed a bite to eat and chatted with friends, as four popular local bands entertained.

Solar Exposure, Peace of Woodstock, Stonegrey and the Bearded Brothers brought their own brand of music to this year’s fest, which drew its largest crowd to date.

Guitarist Kenny Brown, of Solar Exposure, rocks the rhythm as the opening act at the fourth annual Land O’ Lakes Music Fest.

People arrived early, to claim spots in the shade, or in the center of the park near the stage.

Food and beverage vendors, as well as local business sponsors, lined the outer edges of the park.

Solar Exposure took the stage at 4 p.m., and Peace of Woodstock followed. Stonegrey took the third slot and Bearded Brothers finished up the evening, with a concert at 10 p.m.

The music was high energy — bringing spectators to their feet, with singing and dancing throughout the day and into the night.

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park spent months planning the festivities and, based on the size of the crowd and the enthusiasm of concert-goers, it was a smash hit.

By Randy Underhill

Published March 27, 2019

People relax and enjoy the music of four popular local bands at the fourth annual Land O’ Lakes Music Festival.
Bassist Alvaro Torres, of Land O’ Lakes, brings back the looks and the sound of the ’60s as Peace of Woodstock reflects the music of the 1969 event.
Dee Dee Cook, of Land O’ Lakes, and husband Wally Cook grab some food and drink from the Mr. Paella tent. Employee Martha Massaro serves up the meal.
Lead singer for the Bearded Brothers, Thomas Giano, entertains the crowd, while performing one of the group’s many numbers at the fourth annual Land O’ Lakes Music Festival.

Major Central Pasco development is a step closer

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Pasco County is setting the stage for Project Arthur, a proposed Central Pasco development that is expected to become a major job generator, as well as a place where people will live, play and learn.

The proposed development would be located on land south of State Road 52, east of the Suncoast Parkway and west of the CSX rail line. It would cover 6,951 acres — and would include a 24-million-square-foot corporate park, housing and other supportive uses.

Under the approved land use, the project also could include up to 11,495 residences and other supportive uses.

The Pasco County Commission approved amendments to the county’s land use and highway vision map — necessary changes before the commissioners can consider proposed zoning on the land.

The zoning request for the Master Planned Unit Development, is expected to be brought forward in coming weeks, according to county staff and Clarke Hobby, the attorney representing the applicants.

The applicants are Angeline Corp., Bexley James P. Rev Trust & Bexley Mabel H. Rev Trust, and Bexley J P Tr & J.M. Family Partnership, and Len-Angeline LLC, according to county documents.

The board’s approval of the request had the effect of increasing the potential nonresidential development on the overall acreage by 19 million square feet.

Ernest D. Monaco, assistant planning and development administrator, presented the request at the board’s March 12 meeting.

Monaco said that the county’s planning and development staff and the county’s Planning Commission both found the request to be consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan.

The property has been used for cattle ranching and a pine plantation for decades, according to the county’s report. It has both uplands and wetlands areas. It contains oaks and pine trees, and forested and non-forested wetlands.

It has open water lakes, which are mostly remnants from prior borrow pit operations, the report says.

The project site’s proximity to the CSX railroad line provides an opportunity for commuter rail, in the event that the rail line is converted to a commuter rail line, the report notes.

Two of the county’s vision roads also go through the project: Ridge Road and Sunlake Boulevard. Also, the county collector connections to Lester Dairy and Roaches Run are shown on the corresponding rezoning request, the report adds.

Monaco also noted that the 2008 ULI (Urban Land Institute) Report specifically recommends economic development centers for the Central Market Area that are near strategic hubs.

“For that reason, the ULI Report specifically calls for the location of these uses along the Suncoast Parkway and State Road 52, at major intersections, such as the Project Arthur’s southeast corner of State Road 52 and the Suncoast Parkway,” the report says.

It also notes that ULI urges the county to promote higher density and more compact development to preserve open space, enhance ecological areas and promote a strong mix of uses within large, master-planned communities.

The proposed project calls for a corporate business park, which will provide large-scale employment opportunities, as well as supportive services, such as residential communities, parks, schools and other uses to be connected through walking and bike trails, the report adds.

No one from the public spoke for or against the request.

The details of the plan will be ironed out at the zoning stage.

Hobby, appearing on behalf of  the applicants, told board members: “We have a lot of work left to do, but this is a big first step.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey put the applicants on notice that she’ll want to see how the project handles trails. “There are some pretty important trails coming through that area,” she said.

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder reminded Starkey: “You have that opportunity to have that discussion at the MPUD (Master Planned Unit Development zoning) stage.

Commissioners approved the change on a 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Mike Wells absent.

Published March 20, 2019

Social workers can make transformative change

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When it comes to social work, the job responsibility should go beyond addressing baseline issues of clients and patients, according to Dr. Ruth Brandwein, one of the nation’s most accomplished and recognizable social work educators.

Social work should also identify solutions and take action for meaningful and impactful change for all individuals, families and communities, said Brandwein, the keynote speaker of Saint Leo University’s fifth annual social work conference on March 8.

The daylong event drew dozens of social workers, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, human service, criminal justice system professionals and students in Saint Leo’s bachelor and master social work programs.

Dr. Ruth Brandwein was the keynote speaker at Saint Leo University’s fifth annual social work conference. Brandwein was the recipient of the 2018 National Association of Social Work Lifetime Achievement Award. (Courtesy of Jo-Ann Johnston, Saint Leo University)

Those attending the conference participated in workshops that covered topics on school violence, transgender youth, substance abuse and addiction, trauma-informed care and more.

Much of Brandwein’s talk, however, centered on political action through social work.

It’s something Brandwein has vast experience with, as legislative chair for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Sarasota/Manatee and Florida chapter.

In her address to the audience, Brandwein expressed a call for more social workers to run for public office — noting there are not enough elected officials with backgrounds in the field.

The speaker put it like this: “Who better than social workers can advocate for the aging, for veterans, for mental health issues, for opioid issues, for child welfare, for human trafficking, for homelessness, for LGBTQ rights?”

She continued, “We have the skills that are necessary to be elected officials. We also are really good at communicating with people, good at making ideas known, good at listening, and good at interviewing people.”

Now retired at 78, Brandwein still serves as professor and dean emeritus at Stony Brook University’s School of Social Welfare.

Her career in social work is undoubtedly distinguished.

Among other career highlights, Brandwein is former president of the New York State Chapter of the NASW; co-founder and first chair of the Suffolk County Task Force on Family Violence; former member of the National Advisory Council on Violence Against Women; and, helped found and serves on the editorial board of Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work.
Brandwein also received the NASW’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

She was selected “for her decades of work advocating for children, the homeless, women and people of color, and for training generations of social workers to be strong and effective community organizers,” according to NASW.

Dozens of students and social work professionals attended Saint Leo University’s fifth annual social work conference March 8.

Her appearance at Saint Leo coincided with student groups from the university’s social work programs participating in Legislative Education and Advocacy Day, in Tallahassee.

The experiential trip—set for April 2 and April 3 — is designed to give students an understanding of lobbying, advocacy and the legislative process.

The speaker recalled a handful of her own experiences in working with legislators.
One of her biggest advocacy wins came years ago working in New York, advocating for free or low-cost childcare for single parents, for children up to 12 years old, she said.

On that subject, Brandwein underscored the importance of persistently reaching out to legislators on various social issues, whether it’s through personal visits, emails or letters, while at the same time understanding policymakers’ points-of-view on decisions.

Brandwein said it’s important to talk to policymakers “as though they’re intelligent human beings, which they are” and that it’s equally, if not more important, to build positive working relationships with elected officials’ legislative aides.

“The aides are the ones who do the research on the bills. They are the ones who make recommendations to the legislator,” Brandwein explained. “The aide — if you’ve talked to that person — then they can become your advocate.”

In her closing remarks, Brandwein stressed that social workers should never stop fighting for important issues, whether for children and families, or equal rights for all.

“Positive social change is never complete — it’s a work in progress,” Brandwein said.

With a grin and chuckle, she added: “I’m almost 79, next month. I’m still working on these things. I won’t finish. I can’t stop.”

Published March 20, 2019

High school fair offers diverse career paths

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While parents and students had an opportunity to learn about post-high school options — representatives from colleges, technical schools, military branches and other programs had a chance to make their pitch at the College and Career Fair recently at Wesley Chapel High School.

Those attending the March 11 event could pose questions to representatives from more than 40 organizations, and could take home brochures and other handouts.

Youseff Khalil, left, is supported by his parents, Ereny Youwakim and Bassem Rizk, at Wesley Chapel High School’s College and Career Fair. Here, the 16-year-old is filling out a computerized form at the National Aviation Academy booth on March 11. (Brian Fernandes)

Wesley Chapel High had the program in its gym, but the fair was open to students from other high schools, too.

“They (students) really like that it’s all in one place,” said Kelly Faysash, college and career specialist at Wesley Chapel High. “It’s a good opportunity to come one night with a parent and be able to [hear from] a lot of different colleges and universities.”

Keiser University, a private, nonprofit institution, was among those participating.

Pauline Hardy, admissions counselor from the New Port Richey Campus, was there to represent the Florida-based university, which offers services internationally, including programs in business, health care, criminal justice and psychology.

Hardy noted that Keiser offers programs that are convenient for students who have children, or full-time jobs.

“Some of the unique points are that you can take classes one at a time, and each class lasts four weeks,” the counselor explained.

Many of the university’s most coveted programs are medical – especially nursing.

Health care is an ever-expanding field, with numerous opportunities, Hardy said.

Across the gym, Michelle Turner was representing another school offering medical programs – Florida Career College.

One common question asked about the school is how it will help transition students into the workforce, Turner said.

The Wesley Chapel High School gymnasium hosted more than 40 representatives from colleges, academies and companies at its annual College and Career Fair. Parents and students from various high schools visited the many booths on March 11.

To that end, the college’s career service department stages mock sessions to help students prepare.

“They start working with them (students) one month in, to start grooming them with interview skills, their resume and how to present [themselves],” she said.

Some schools, however, including the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, focus on the world of arts.

The school is located in both New York and Los Angeles, offering courses in acting, as well as musical and dance theater.

The academy’s faculty attend various high schools across the nation to hold workshops. Students get an idea of what the school is about and have the chance to perform auditions.

Lauren Paha is a faculty member of the academy and will be hosting an audition at Wesley Chapel High in April.

She noted that financial assistance is a common area of concern for students and parents.

“Not only do we give away talent-based scholarships, we also do merit-based scholarships,” Paha stated. The school is also receptive to financial aid coming from outside the academy.

All of the instructors at the academy are still active in the industry – whether on Broadway, directing or singing, Paha remarked.

The bar is also set high for instructors at Full Sail University, requiring at least four years of industry experience.

“What we focus on is entertainment, media, arts and technology,” said Jolie Parris, outreach representative for the school.

The university logo was recognizable as several of its alumni have gone on to do artwork for big-budget projects.

Such projects include the Fortnite video game and films like The Incredibles and the Marvel comic series.

Dylan Miller, left, a Wesley Chapel High School junior, is accompanied by his mother, Danielle, at the school’s College and Career Fair on March 11. At the National Aviation Academy booth, Ayiende Smith explains what programs the school has to offer.

They, too, offer scholarship programs and have workshops at high schools, where student can create music beats and learn about animation.

Rebecca Maher attended the fair with her two daughters – students at Cypress Creek Middle High School.

Tuition was at the top of her mind, when visiting the booths.

She wanted to know: “First and foremost, are we going to be able to afford the school of their choice?”

The Wesley Chapel resident has been helping her daughters find scholarships online, but was also able to pick up information at the various booths.

While one daughter has set her mind on engineering, Maher still encourages both not to limit their options.

“There’s so many majors at all these schools, which is one of the things I try to impart to my kids,” she said.

Other options may be found outside of colleges, such as the Paul Mitchell company, which offers courses.

Those with an interest in hair styling can enroll in its cosmetology or barbering programs.

The programs offer career fairs so students can speak one-on-one with industry experts.

Besides offering financial assistance, Paul Mitchell helps in making a smooth transition into the workforce after completion.

“Job placement is one of the things we focus on,” said Melissa Salazar, marketing associate for the company. “To see someone go through the program and placed in the industry is super important.”

Youseff Khalil, a student from Cypress Creek Middle High School, was busy roaming the booths with his parents.

While he admitted an interest in engineering, he said he was open to other fields – even those outside of academia.

The military is one such alternative to schooling, which was represented by the National Guard and the U.S. Army.

Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Pelfort, of the National Guard, was ready to explain the benefits of serving this military branch.

“It looks good on a resume,” he said. “You’ll always get priority being in the military.”

Although some may decide to pursue a career in the military, others may use it as a means of getting a higher education, the sergeant said.

In the National Guard, a student can serve one weekend a month and two weeks out of the summer – granting more class and study time.

And, with a three- or six-year commitment, students are eligible for full tuition coverage.

“We’ll pay 100 percent up to a master’s degree,” Pelfort explained.

Also, an additional $380 a month is paid out to use for books and other  necessities.

The sergeant echoed a common message conveyed at many booths: “Take advantage of it and do it while you’re young.”

Published March 20, 2019

Hobby Lobby opens at Cypress Creek Town Center

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About two dozen shoppers were waiting when the Hobby Lobby Stores Inc., held its grand-opening celebration of its newest store, in Lutz.

They joined store employees and members of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce for the 9 a.m., ribbon cutting ceremony on March 18.

Brooke Pancoast, manager of the new Hobby Lobby in Lutz, does the honors of cutting the ribbon during the grand opening festivities. (Diane Kortus)

The store, at 25675 Sierra Center Drive, is Hobby Lobby’s 865th store. It is located in the Cypress Creek Town Center, which is west of Interstate 75, off State Road 56.

Suzanne Beauchaine, executive director of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, welcomed Manager Brooke Pancoast and her team to the chamber, which has a 44-year history of promoting the interests of businesses and supporting community organizations.

“Our new location is great for many of our customers, who have been driving to our stores in Zephyrhills and New Port Richey,” Pancoast said.

“While we expect to keep many of our loyal store customers in Zephyrhills, many will now shop at the new Lutz store because it is closer and more convenient,” said Kevin Ross, Hobby Lobby’s Zephyrhills store manager.

Monica Salter, right, and her daughter-in-law, Jennifer Salter, measure a ‘distressed’ end table that caught their eye during Hobby Lobby’s grand opening in Lutz.

Shoppers were eager to check out the new store.

“We love the home accessories and art supply areas of the store,” said Monica Salter, who attended the Lutz grand opening with her daughter-in-law, Jennifer Salter. “Plus, Hobby Lobby has wonderful discounts on holiday items that we always appreciate.”

Both women reside in Wesley Chapel, and have also shopped Hobby Lobby stores in Zephyrhills, North Carolina and Colorado.

Shopper Lynn Eberhart said, “I’m learning to quilt, and we came by to see what Hobby Lobby has for quilters.”

She came to the grand opening with her  husband, Joey, who said he enjoys looking at the memorable and clever signs Hobby Lobby stocks.

Hobby Lobby is a privately held national retain chain of craft and home décor stores.

Each store offers more than 70,000 crafting and home décor products, including floral, fabric, needle art, custom framing, baskets, home accents, wearable art, arts and crafts, jewelry making, scrapbooking and paper crafting supplies, according to a company news release.

The Oklahoma City-based private corporation got its start in 1970 as Greco, a miniature picture frame company. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The store is closed on Sundays.

Published March 20, 2019

Century-old bell stolen from Lutz church

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Members of Christ Cumberland Presbyterian Church are in disbelief as part of their identity has been stolen – a signature bell that has accompanied the church, throughout its history, as it moved from one location to the next.

The Lutz church became aware the bell was missing in mid-February, and officials still don’t know exactly which day the theft occurred.

This bell stand looks strange to members of the Christ Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Lutz, who are accustomed to seeing it with the church’s 116-year-old bell. The historic bell was stolen in February. (Brian Fernandes)

“We were stunned,” said Penny Knight, the church secretary. “It was so heavy and so securely placed, that we couldn’t believe it.”

A bicyclist who frequently rides around the church’s neighborhood, first noticed the bell missing from its metal frame.

He brought it to the attention of the church maintenance man and the authorities were informed.

With the bell taken, the only remnants left behind were a wrench and a foam cushion.

“They took a long pipe wrench,” speculated Cumberland Elder Sidney Swindle. “They unscrewed some nuts up on the top that held it to the frame.”

Swindle added that he thinks the cushion may have been used to delicately lower the bell to the surface.

Given how heavy the bell is – several hundred pounds – the theft was likely a team effort, the church elder reasoned.

Knight, who has attended the church since age 12, said the iconic bell has “been a long part of our history.”

In the late 1950s, Christ Cumberland Presbyterian Church was relocated to the Seminole Heights community in Tampa. Outside the sanctuary, the church’s bell was displayed upon a pedestal. (Courtesy of Sidney Swindle)

The bell was created in 1903 and has been a trademark of the church ever since.

Christ Cumberland was first established in Lakeland. By the late 1950s, the church’s wooden structure was uprooted from its foundation and relocated to the Seminole Heights community in Tampa.

“It was literally moved here by trucks and trailers,” the secretary recalled – and so too moved the bell.

After the church was torn down and rebuilt, the bell was displayed outside on a pedestal.

By the early 1990s, both the church and bell moved to another area of Tampa before settling in Lutz in 2002.

There the bell hung from a frame, stationed on the ground, between the sanctuary and the church’s adjacent building.

“In order to preserve it, we had it mounted on a concrete slab,” Swindle explained. “It was welded to the point that it would not move.”

This was done, in part, as a precaution to prevent kids from swinging the heavy object.

The theory is that it may have been stolen because the thieves think it has value, but Swindle notes that there is an engraving on the bell that identifies its original  home at the Lakeland Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

“The bell is very sentimental to us,” Swindle said.

The church remains optimistic for its return — even hoping that those responsible will have second thoughts.

Anyone with pertinent information is asked to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8000.

Published March 20, 2019

‘Biggest Little Train Show’ delights train enthusiasts

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Hundreds of model train collectors and enthusiasts converged at the historic Zephyrhills Depot Museum, 39110 South Ave., over the weekend to attend the Zephyrhills Model Train Show & Swap Meet.

Zephyrhills Trainmen Association members Bill Craven, a snowbird from Albany who resides part-time in Zephyrhills, left, and Glenn Young, a snowbird from Canada who lives part-time in Dade City, discuss the train that Young powered using a Wi-Fi interface. The interface allows the user to operate the lights and horns by using a cellphone as a remote. (Christine Holtzman)

The restored 1927 Atlantic Coast Line railroad depot has been hosting the event every other year (on odd years) for the past decade.

The show, known as the ‘Biggest Little Train Show in Florida,’ attracted numerous vendors dealing in predominately HO scale and N scale trains.

The Zephyrhills Trainmen Association — a  volunteer, five-member group of train buffs — has organized the show since its inception.

The centerpiece of the show is a 8-foot by 17-foot interactive HO scale layout, built and maintained by the Trainmen, which is on permanent display at the museum.

One of the four train systems speeding along the tracks inside this impressive display is rigged with a tiny camera that broadcasts onto a television, allowing the user to enjoy the ride, as if they were the engineer.

Eleven-year-old Aidan LeVasseur, of Land O’ Lakes, is mesmerized by a small N scale train making its way around the track. The layout was up for auction, sold to the highest bidder at the end of the show.

All of the buildings in the display are to scale, and many represent actual buildings, landmarks and businesses in Zephyrhills.

Years ago, several of these businesses paid to have their replicas professionally made, but the most enduring are the ones that were constructed by members of a bygone era, who have since passed away.

Maintaining a large layout is a group effort.

Trainmen member Bill Craven, a snowbird from Albany who lives part-time in Zephyrhills, appreciates what each member has to offer.

“Different men in the group have different skills, each guy is good at something. We have an electrician, we have a guy that could put new paved roads down, another guy knows computer-driven design. I’m good at the landscaping, making sure that the trees are in top shape,” Craven said.

Danny Miller and his wife, Jo, watch the trains of the large layout zip around the tracks. Danny is a huge train enthusiast.

Operating on a shoe-string budget, the Trainmen, who belong to the nonprofit organization Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., rely heavily on donations from estates, and in exchange, the donors can receive a tax benefit.

Estates often will donate model train collections because the surviving family does not have any interest in the hobby, or the collection may take up too much space. Many people donate to keep the history alive and to give their trains new life, for another generation to appreciate.

The group spends the two years in-between the shows collecting donations, taking inventory, and doing any necessary repairs and cleaning to prep them for the next sale.

In addition to the Trainmen’s offerings, there were several local vendors on hand selling everything from antique pieces, individual cars and full sets, to starter sets for those that are just beginning their journey in the hobby of model trains.

By Christine Holtzman

Published March 20, 2019

A close-up look of various HO scale engines that were available for sale.
For sale, an antique Lionel train from 1936, featuring Donald Duck and Pluto. William ‘Murph’ Murphy, the owner of K&M Treasures and Antiques in Zephyrhills, said that this Disney-themed train is what saved Lionel from going out of business after the Depression.

Pasco poised to lift ban on dock roofs on lakes

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The Pasco County Commission appears ready to allow boat docks on private lakes to have roofs over them.

Commissioners had a public hearing on March 12 regarding a proposal to amend the county’s land development code that currently prohibits the roofs.

No one from the public spoke for or against the proposed change during the public hearing.

This is a look at Bell Lake, which has some docks that have roofs. (File)

The change would apply only to inland water bodies, not coastal waters, according to Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder.

Commissioner Jack Mariano wanted to know if the county could allow the protection for boats on canals, if enough people in that particular neighborhood supported them.

Steinsnyder responded: “You really can’t legislate that way with your land development code.”

Commissioners are scheduled to have a final public hearing on the issue on March 26 at 1:30 p.m., in New Port Richey.

Though no one from the audience spoke during the commission’s recent meeting, three Land O’ Lakes residents previously spoke in support of the change at a Feb. 5 meeting.

Joe Steffens, Sandy Graves and Denise Brand, all of Land O’ Lakes, urged commissioners to allow the roofs over boat docks on private lakes.

Steffens, who is a marine contractor, has been pushing for a change — and has been discussing the issue with individual commissioners for the better part of a year to try to make that happen.

Both he and Graves told commissioners that the roofs over boat docks have been a way of life in Central Pasco, and asked them to drop the prohibition against them.

Brand, of Ukulele Brand’s restaurant in Land O’ Lakes, also requested the change noting that the restaurant would like to make changes to its dock and is worried that it wouldn’t be able to replace the roof.

Published March 20, 2019

Dade City picnic offers a taste of New York

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About 80 people packed the clubhouse at Country Aire Manor recently for the annual Otsego County picnic.

Besides catching up with friends and making new acquaintances, those gathering enjoyed a potluck lunch, had a chance to reminisce, and share their East Coast and Southern cultures.

New Yorkers and Floridians alike gathered for the 2019 NY Otsego County Picnic on March 8, at Dade City’s County Aire Manor clubhouse. Guests got to meet up with both new and familiar faces, while eating various foods. (Brian Fernandes)

Sally Harrington, of Cooperstown, New York, said she was happy to run into old friends.

“I’ve seen a lot of people that I haven’t seen in years – which is very surprising to me,” said Harrington, a Florida snowbird, who made a point to attend the picnic before heading back up North.

She was invited to the Dade City get-together by her friend Ken Morris, an Otsego County native with strong ties to the yearly picnic. His grandfather, a New York transplant to Zephyrhills, was one of the event’s founders.

“I was a high-schooler when I use to visit him,” Morris recounted. “It was a great place to get out of the snow.”

Word of the picnic typically gets around either by email chain, telephone calls or word of mouth.

As this year’s host, Rex Yurenka personally helped to circulate invitations.

“Most of these people are from New York and they have houses down here,” said  Yurenka, a snowbird himself.

Those gathering had a chance to share special foods.

Joe Corraro, for instance, prepared his signature-style meatballs for the picnic. A native of Otsego County, he also is a former firefighter and former pizza parlor owner.

Now a resident of Zephyrhills, Corraro has been a regular at the picnic for nearly a decade.

When it comes to deli sandwiches, Corraro observed, the North beats the South.

But, the South has a real advantage on another front, he said. The warm weather is a whole lot nicer than shoveling snow, he said.

Besides Corraro’s meatballs, the buffet included pasta salad, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, goulash stew and fruit salad, to name just some of the items.

And, this year, for the first time, the event featured live entertainment.

Guitarist Jim Dorn took to the stage, playing songs dating back to the 1960s.

Another high point was the chance drawing: Sixteen guests won prizes to take home.

Yurenka said he had just two rules for the picnic’s guests:  “Go away full and have a good time.”

Published March 20, 2019