Local News

Dade City attracts thousands to 22nd Kumquat Festival

January 30, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Thousands streamed to the 22nd annual Kumquat Festival in historic downtown Dade City on Jan. 26

Members of the Mexican dance troupe, the Folkloric Toltecatl, featured 11 Mexican folklore dancers. They are from Dade City. (Fred Bellet)

In an open letter, John Moors, executive director of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, recapped the event, and offered a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the army of volunteers who helped to pull it off.

“Over 400 vendors and sponsors sold and promoted their wares and services,” Moors said, in a news release.

“Our entertainment stage at the Historic Courthouse featured free live performances from wonderful local talent all day. Many of the shops and restaurants in Dade City, and the surrounding area, enjoyed their busiest day of the year,” Moors added.

A 10-year old Treeing Walker Coon Hound, named Zissou, waits patiently by his master, Nicholas Moo’s side, as Moo and his wife, Jenna, of Altamonte Springs, select bags of the Nagami-type kumquats to take home. It was the family’s first visit to the Kumquat Festival.

On behalf of the chamber, its board and its staff, Moors extended “heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors (especially our headlining sponsor, AdventHealth Dade City), vendors and supporters.”

The festival was supported by a $60,000 marketing campaign and, in conjunction with the City of Dade City, Pasco County Tourism and Visit Florida — which all promoted Dade City and the area as a unique place to visit, Moors noted.

He credited Bobby Van Allen and Jason Sasser, the festival co-chairs, for leading the efforts of more than 200 volunteers.

Moors estimated that the event generated more than $1 million in economic activity, based on calculations derived from the State of Florida Economic Impact Multipliers.

Zephyrhills winter resident Karen Bennett’s face says it all, as she discovers the taste of a very tart Nagami-type kumquat. She and fiance, Russ Spreeman hail from Houghton Lake, Michigan.

Moors also credited a number of others for making the festival a success.

Dade City Police Chief Jim Walters and Lt. Bill Rowe co-chaired the event’s safety and security team, including support from multiple agencies, Moors noted.

Others pitching in included the Pasco High School and the Saint Leo University ROTC, who helped with parking.

The Pasco-Hernando State College Fire Cadets helped with numerous tasks, and Joyce and Rick Dodd organized our “Welcoming Committee” for the early morning volunteers, Moors wrote.

Plans are already starting for next year’s event.

Published January 30, 2019

At the corner of Third Street and Church Avenue, 3-year-old Holly Reffuse and her cousin, Lisa Yawns, of Dade City, were selling parking spaces in Yawn’s yard during the Kumquat Festival. Cars would stop and they would be directed into their yard where Chris Yawns directed the parking.

Two-year-old Dixie Cross, of Brandon, discovered there’s nothing quite like a hot dog, after having her face painted. Her mom, Jamis Cross was ready with a napkin.

After waiting in a long line, Carolyn Bartow of Tampa, top center right, and her daughter, Alison Place, of Tampa, right, eat slices of Kumquat refrigerator pie, as Place’s 3-year-old daughter, Nora, waits from her stroller for a taste. They headed north to Dade City instead of attending Tampa’s Gasparilla, held the same day.

Lutz church offers help in dealing with divorce

January 30, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

The process of divorce, let alone the aftermath, can be challenging, and the St. Timothy Catholic Church offers a program that aims to help.

The church’s Surviving Divorce program begins on Feb. 7.

The Lutz church began the program more than four years ago when it was suggested by parishioners from Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Land O’ Lakes.

Brian Smith and Gina Gawienczuk will help facilitate the upcoming Surviving Divorce Program at St. Timothy Catholic Church starting Feb. 7. (Courtesy of St. Timothy Catholic Church)

St. Timothy was accustomed to offering marriage and grief counseling, but divorce was a new field for the church.

“The program is designed to slowly move you in a way of healing and it builds every week,” explained Gina Gawienczuk, ministry resource specialist at St. Timothy.

The 12-week course is led by trained facilitators who address issues associated with divorce, such as anger, depression, learning to forgive, finances and annulments.

Those attending the sessions are at various stages. Some are considering divorce, some are in the process, and other are already divorced.

Brian Smith had been divorced for more than a year, when he joined the program. Hearing other people’s stories helped him realize he wasn’t alone and helped him heal emotional wounds.

While open to those of any faith, including non-believers, the program does address the issue from a Catholic perspective and offers an approach that involves bringing God into the situation.

The class begins with a video, followed by small group discussions.

Besides discussing their thoughts on the video, group members are encouraged to share their experiences with each other.

By Week 11, the topic of annulment is addressed through a 20-minute talk, followed by questions.

At that stage, if someone wants to proceed with annulment, they can set up an appointment at the church.

For those seeking one-on-one counseling beyond the program, St. Timothy will refer them to either a spiritual advisor or an organization such as Life Connections Counseling Center.

Surviving Divorce Program
Where: Parish Hall at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Road in Lutz
When: Starts Feb. 7, on Thursdays, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: $30 registration
Details: St. Timothy Catholic Church offers a program to help people who are struggling with the different aspects of divorce.
Info: Email Gina Gawienczuk at . Registration can be done at the church office or online at SaintTims.org/Surviving-Divorce/.

Published January 30, 2019

County and United Way help during shutdown

January 30, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Pasco County and United Way of Pasco have stepped up to help keep some local nonprofit agencies operating during the federal government shutdown.

The Pasco County Commission approved a $400,000 temporary loan to help the agencies in danger of ceasing operations during the federal government shutdown, due to funding shortages.

The county is loaning the money to United Way, which will act as an intermediary — lending the money to the agencies in need, which will reimburse the United Way, which, in turn, will repay the county’s loan.

Chuck Anderson, director of United Way, told commissioners: “The federal government shutdown has had a huge impact on agencies, individuals, a lot of people.

“A survey was done of our agencies, two in particular who are in danger of not being able to continue their programs if they do not receive some type of interim funding between now and the first of the upcoming month,” he said.

The funds must be repaid within 60 days of the conclusion of the federal government shutdown.

Anderson thanked commissioners for stepping in to help.

“There are so many people who would go unserved without this support, so thank you on their behalf,” Anderson said.

Published January 30, 2019

AdventHealth Dade City is getting a major makeover

January 23, 2019 By B.C. Manion

A hospital that has served Dade City for decades is undergoing a substantial renovation — which will give it a new look and allow it to expand the services that the health care facility offers.

The project carries a $22.2 million price tag, including $20 million provided by AdventHealth Dade City’s parent company and $2.2 million raised locally, according to Jason Newmyer, administrator/vice president for AdventHealth Dade City.

Jason Newmyer stands in the old lobby of AdventHealth Dade City. The hospital is getting a massive makeover, which will give it a fresh look and will enable it to expand its services. (B.C. Manion)

The hospital is at 13100 Fort King Road in Dade City.

The work, being done in four phases and expected to be completed by the end of this year, “is truly going to holistically change every aspect of this hospital,” the hospital administrator said.

The work ranges from new paint and flooring throughout the 100,000-square-foot facility, to new diagnostic equipment, to reopening two units in the hospital that were not operating when AdventHealth Dade City acquired it last April.

The new equipment includes a 128-slice CT scanner and a da Vinci surgical system.

The CT scanner will “do head and heart studies faster and more effective than anything we’ve ever had here at this hospital. And, as effective as anything that’s in the Tampa market,” Newmyer said.

“Strokes and heart attacks can be diagnosed here as fast and as accurate as any other facility — if not better,” he said.

The da Vinci surgical system allows physicians to perform minimally invasive surgeries robotically.

The hospital also plans to bring MRI equipment indoors, instead of having it outdoors in a truck, which is where it was when they acquired the hospital last year.

The changes are all in keeping with AdventHeath Dade City’s mission to be caretakers of health care in the community, Newmyer said.

The hospital’s staff realizes that patients want to feel cared for, want to feel safe, want to have their privacy protected and want to be able to trust that they are receiving a high quality of care, Newmyer said.

Comfort is important, too, he said.

“People now care about aesthetics and experience. We are very intentional about how we
redesign and build this space,” the hospital administrator said.

This is what the new interior of the lobby at AdventHealth Dade City will look like, once the renovation is completed. This view shows the interior, looking from the new chapel’s entry. (Courtesy of AdventHealth Dade City)

The upgrade involves taking advantage of the hospital’s existing capacity, Newmyer explained.

“When we purchased this hospital, two of the four units were dark — not being used,” he said.

One of those areas is being converted into a transitional care unit and the other will be used as a surgical unit.

The transitional care unit will enable the hospital to “take care of patients that are sicker and patients that have more physical needs, that need to be addressed from that post-acute care perspective in a way that this hospital and this community hasn’t been able to in the past,” Newmyer said.

The surgical unit will offer “a brand-new surgical experience for patients that come in here,” Newmyer added.

The pre-op unit will be vastly different, too. In the past, the area consisted of bays, separated by curtains. The new space will have individual rooms, which are larger than the previous bays — allowing privacy and the patient to have family wait there with them.

Other changes will be a new lobby, including a chapel, which will have a sliding door that resembles barn doors. That’s in keeping with Dade City’s agricultural roots, Newmyer said.

The cafeteria also is being overhauled. It will be larger, with indoor and outdoor seating, and will have a large table where families can sit together.

Besides having a fresh look and new equipment, the hospital expects to hire about three dozen new employees, Newmyer said, boosting its current staff of 300 by nearly 10 percent.

The hospital also is looking to bring on six more physicians this year, and is continuing to partner with local independent physicians, as well as large physician groups, he said.

The hospital is approved for 120 beds, but because two units have been turned off, it has only been using 60 beds.

Work is obviously underway at the hospital, with about half of its parking lot closed off.

Hospital operations continue, though, with people using different ways to get around the facility’s campus.

Efforts also are underway to secure the local contributions, Newmyer said, noting there will be naming opportunities for the operating room services, the chapel and the cafeteria.

The hospital welcomes community involvement — whether it be philanthropic support to friendship,” Newmyer said.

The hospital administrator invites anyone who would like to help, or even if they’d just like more information about the hospital’s renovation, to reach out to him.

Or, he said, you can just let him know that you’d like to visit for a cup of coffee and a tour.

He’s already given dozens.

Newmyer can be reached at

Published January 23, 2019

Plenty on tap for Pasco ASAP in 2019

January 23, 2019 By Kevin Weiss

As it continues its mission to reduce the overuse and misuse of illicit drugs and alcohol, the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention has witnessed progress during several areas during the past year.

During 2018, Pasco County:

Saw its drug poisoning death rate, or overdoses, register a slight decrease — for the first time since 2014
Reported lower figures of illicitly used prescription pain relievers among its high school student population
Saw a decline in alcohol usage among youth in the county
Registered dips in other alcohol-use indicators, such as underaged drinking and impaired driving

Chrissie Parris, interim director for the alliance, which is also known as ASAP, characterized those reports as “big wins” and “good signs” for the county during a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) interim coordinator Chrissie Parris (Courtesy of Chrissie Parris)

“The message seems to be getting out there,” Parris said, regarding the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

But, there continues to be much work to be done by ASAP — a coalition which seeks to address the underlying issues of addiction, and ways to address and prevent it in among youths and adults.

The opioid crisis will continue to be a priority area for ASAP in 2019, Parris said.

Reducing alcohol abuse will be a key issue, too.

Parris said ASAP has seen an increase in total deaths in related to alcohol overconsumption —despite the decline in alcohol usage in the youth population countywide.

Chronic liver disease also remains one of the top 10 causes of death in Pasco, she said.

“Alcohol is never off of the table,” Parris said. “It’s still the most prevalent drug that we see.”

Meanwhile, she said the organization will seek to address a drug that has popped up on its radar of late: methamphetamine.

More drug users have turned to meth as law enforcement and health organizations crack down on other substances, she added.

“A lot of it has to do with availability and accessibility,” Parris said, also noting that meth “creates a strong psychological dependence very quickly.”

Parris said ASAP is trying to find ways to interface with meth users in the county.

Parris put it this way: “We have a hard time finding out, ‘What’s the underlying cause there?’ and ‘Why are we still turning to meth?’ It seems to be more of a cultural thing in certain pockets of the county.”

Another “big priority” for ASAP this year is reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues, Parris said.

Part of that involves increasing awareness regarding the need to recognize early signs and symptoms of possible mental illness, and helping those who are struggling to gain access to assistance.

The coalition also is working on several programming tracks with health care professionals, recovery community organizations and the faith-based community, to provide more awareness on available resources for substance abuse prevention and recovery.

There will also be several workshops and other general meetings throughout the year to engage youth, parents and other community members, Parris said.

“We’re trying to help everybody work better together, to fill in those gaps in services or pockets of need in our community.

“We’ll continue to build our action plans around drugs that we see trends with in Pasco County,” Parris said.

The alliance also plans to have its annual conference, “Strengthening Our Communities on Mental Health and Drug Prevention,” on May 14 at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel.

The event’s keynote speaker is Austin Eubanks, a Columbine survivor, who will discuss how he treated a lot of his emotional pain with opioids he was prescribed after being shot in the school shooting, and what communities can do for prevention, treatment, recovery and relapse prevention for substance abuse.

“It’s pretty powerful,” Parris said of Eubanks’ talk. “We’re really excited to have him on board.”

For more information on ASAP, visit PascoASAP.com, or call (727) 315-8658.

Published January 23, 2019

Congressional aide offers dialogue on veteran issues

January 23, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

Rob Fleege, veterans liaison for U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, recently updated members of American Legion Post 108 and other veterans about what the congressman is doing to address issues facing former soldiers.

And, he gave the veterans a chance to share what was on their minds, during a Jan. 12 session at the Harvester United Methodist Church in Land O’ Lakes.

Fleege, a veteran himself, briefed his fellow comrades on a number of issues being tackled by Bilirakis.

Rob Fleege, veterans liaison for U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, spoke to former servicemen on Jan. 12 at the Harvester United Methodist Church, in Land O’ Lakes. His talk covered what the congressman is doing to address veterans’ issues. (Brian Fernandes)

One of the congressman’s chief efforts involves finding ways to prevent veteran suicide, Fleege said.

“We’ve created a congressional working group whose sole purpose is to figure out veteran suicide,” he added.

The group is made up of mental health experts from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) who have served in the military and can understand those they treat.

The first part of the process is analyzing the Transition Assistance Program and what improvements could be made there.

The program’s goal is to help returning troops to reintegrate back into civilian life.

According to Veterans Affairs, anywhere from 11 percent to 20 percent of soldiers returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder during any given year.

Bilirakis wants to help these individuals, but his office is equally invested in those who served in conflicts decades past – such as the Vietnam War.

“Why are older veterans killing themselves?” Fleege asked.

The congressman also is making efforts to pass the Blue Water Navy Act.

The bill would grant health care and disability benefits to naval officers exposed to the Agent Orange toxin during the Vietnam War.

The bill passed in the House last year, but failed to pass in the Senate.

Bilirakis remains hopeful that there is bipartisan support to address veteran concerns, Fleege said.

Attendees also had the chance to comment or ask questions about issues important to them.

One issue that came up involved the current federal government shutdown.

Hunter Knight Anstine is a former member of the U.S. Coast Guard and current commanding officer of American Legion Post 108.

His son currently serves in the Coast Guard and is personally feeling the consequences of the shutdown.

“There’s something fundamentally wrong when the fifth branch of the military, people who can’t just call in sick, are not getting paid,” the veteran said.

Other members in the audience raised concerns about affordable housing and finding work.

Fleege said Bilirakis is working with the Department of Urban Development — to address the housing concerns through the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program.

This not only assists veterans in getting stable homes, but also pinpoints the issues that lead to homelessness, such as mental illness and substance abuse.

“We’re going to have another job fair,” Fleege added. “This is a continuing initiative we have every year to get all the veterans in one spot and get services with companies that are hiring.”

The liaison also noted that through a veteran advisory committee, Bilirakis is seeking jobs for veterans that offer livable wages.

When asked about the veterans who don’t qualify for VA services, Fleege mentioned the Mission Act.

The act, passed in 2018, assists veterans in getting adequate medical care through a civilian market when it is not provided by the VA.

Fleege’s passion for assisting fellow veterans stems partially from personal experience.

He served 18 months in Iraq as a sergeant, and has had personal experience with PTSD.

He went back to school and received a master’s degree in public health and a master’s degree in social work, specializing in mental health.

“I needed to figure out what happened to me,” Fleege said.

“Getting this background in mental health started to peel back the layers of why I was crying in inappropriate times,” he said.

Fleege decided to dedicate himself to working with other veterans to help them achieve a healthier life, and after he worked in Veterans Affairs for nine years, Bilirakis offered him the opportunity to advocate for former soldiers in the 12th congressional district.

As the meeting concluded, Fleege invited anyone with questions or concerns to reach back to him.

He also urged anyone struggling with PTSD to seek help from mental health organizations, such as the Veterans Alternative in Pasco County.

Finally, he reminded his comrades: “We have charged ourselves, as veterans, to take care of our brothers and sisters.”

Published January 23, 2019

It’s not too late to protect yourself from the flu

January 23, 2019 By B.C. Manion

Ideally, the best time to get a flu shot is before flu season begins in October.

But, it’s still not too late to protect yourself before flu season hits its peak, which is typically closer to February, said Dr. Melissa Wahba, an emergency room physician at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, in Lutz.

Some people believe that getting a flu shot can cause them to get the flu, but that’s a misconception, said Dr. Melissa Wahba, an emergency department physician at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, in Lutz. (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

The most vulnerable populations are children under age 5, but especially under age 2; people over age 65; and, those with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and pregnant women, Wahba said.

Protection is important, to avoid potentially tragic consequences of being infected by the virus, she said.

“Influenza can certainly be a deadly virus and even if it is not life-threatening to yourself, contracting it likely means you’re going to pass it on to someone else, and it could be someone who falls into one of those high-risk categories,” she said.

She continued: “So, making a choice of whether or not to be vaccinated is not really just reflective of impact on yourself. It will impact those around you.

“That’s especially true if you are taking care of any of the patients in those high-risk populations.”

Plus, she added: “Health care personnel, day care workers, people who are working in dialysis units — anyone who is working with those more vulnerable populations — they have an even greater responsibility to make sure that they’re being vaccinated.”

There’s a common misconception that someone can get the flu by getting a flu shot.

“That is not true,” the emergency department doctor said. “Patients can have side effects from the flu vaccine, but they’re extremely mild. Most commonly, they might have redness, soreness, tenderness or some swelling at the site of the injection. Fewer might actually get a low-grade fever, a headache, or feel a little bit achy.”

Dr. Melissa Wahba, an emergency department physician at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, in Lutz, said it’s not too late to benefit from getting a flu shot. The peak of the season generally begins around February.

It’s also important to know that it takes two weeks from the time you get the shot for it to take its full effect.

“This year’s vaccine includes protection against Influenza A H1NI, Influenza A H3N2, and Influenza B, and certainly, we are by far seeing the most cases of H1NI,” the doctor said.

“The vaccine is targeted directly against that particular subtype of Influenza A. The vaccine itself seems to be right on par with what we’re seeing clinically,” Wahba said.

People sometimes say they have the flu, when they actually have a cold or a stomach virus, she said.

“Influenza is generally quite a bit worse than just a cold,” she said.

If you think you have the flu, it’s important to keep away from other people, she said.

In its early stages, a patient can go to urgent care, or use an App, to get medical attention.

When caught early enough, a doctor may be able to prescribe antiviral medication to help reduce the effects.

There are times, though, when patients need to go to the emergency department, the doctor said.

Adults should receive emergency care when:

The patient is having difficulty breathing, or experiencing rapid, shallow breathing
The patient isn’t able to drink
The patient is experiencing chest pain, abdominal pain, or confusion

Babies and small children should receive emergency care when:

A child cannot drink fluids; a baby cannot drink his or her bottle
There’s a decrease in a child’s wet diapers
There’s a decrease in tear production when a child is crying

She advises that patients pay close attention to their symptoms.

“Sometimes in the course of influenza, patients will have an improvement in their symptoms, and then they will actually get worsening of symptoms with fever and increased cough. Those patients should definitely come to the hospital. They could be developing one of the complications that we see with influenza,” Wahba said.

Even when the flu is not life-threatening, it still disrupts daily life, so the doctor recommends getting a flu shot to reduce the risk of becoming ill.

“Truthfully, as long as the virus is circulating, there is benefit to being immunized,” Wahba said.

“People who read this and go out and get vaccinated right away, will be protected before we hit peak season.”

Flu Symptoms
Influenza (also known as flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and, at times, can lead to death. Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who are sick with flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:

Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headaches
Fatigue (tiredness)

Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

Reducing the impact
Antiviral treatment, prescribed by a doctor, works best when started soon after flu illness begins. When treatment is started within two days of becoming sick with flu symptoms, antiviral drugs can lessen fever and symptoms, and shorten the time you are sick. They also may reduce the risk of complications, such as ear infections in children, respiratory complications requiring antibiotics, and hospitalization in adults.

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Help prevent the spread of flu

Get vaccinated
Wash your hands often, with soap and water (use an alcohol-based sanitizer if soap isn’t available)
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
If you get sick, stay home until you are fever-free for at least 24 hours (that is, your fever is gone for at least 24 hours without the assistance of a fever-reducing medication)

Source: The Florida Department of Health

Published January 23, 2019

Kumquat Festival offers fun, Old Florida charm

January 23, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

Susan Frimmel enjoys the social gathering — known as the Kumquat Festival — that brings all things kumquat to Downtown Dade City.

Taking part in the festival, known for its Old Florida charm, has been a tradition for her for 15 years, and this year promises to be no exception.

Frimmel, administrative director/marketing for AdventHealth Zephyrhills, said she’s looking forward to the event, set for Jan. 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Whether it’s kumquat marmalade, kumquat salsa or kumquat wine, chances are you’ll be able to find it in downtown Dade City, during the community’s annual Kumquat Festival. (File)

She is teaming up with AdventHealth Dade City staff to pitch their tent and give out 10,000 of the items they’re known for – tote bags.

“People will come back year after year to get the next edition,” Frimmel said, referring to the bags.

They come in handy for holding arts and crafts purchases from vendors, and, of course, kumquat treats.

For the 22nd year, vendors will offer pies, salsas, craft beer and wine – all flavored with the diminutive orange fruit described as the “little gem of the citrus industry.”

John Moors is the executive director of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, which leads an army of volunteers, organizes event vendors and solicits the support of scores of sponsors to pull off the annual event.

“It was first started by a group of folks here in town that put a little festival together on the courthouse lawn with a few dozen vendors,” Moore recalled.

Now, both vendors and visitors come from across the country to attend the festival, which showcases Old Florida’s charm in a quaint downtown that boasts a historic courthouse, shops and restaurants.

Frimmel said it took a trip out of state for her to realize that the Kumquat Festival is a nationally recognized event.

“It’s something that’s known in a broader sense than just our local community,” she said.

The crowds have increased through the years, and the festival has added more offerings for patrons, especially for the children, Frimmel said.

This year’s kids’ area will include bounce houses, pony rides, face painting and other activities.

There’s a $20 entry fee, for those wishing to register their car for the all-day car show contest.

Downtown restaurants will be open for business, and there will be food trucks at the event, too.

The musical lineup includes Melissa Lee Zenker, the Strawberry Express Cloggers and the Calvary Assembly of Dade City.

Besides doling out tote bags, AdventHealth will offer health information and pamphlets detailing upcoming hospital events.

“My team has a great time at the event interacting with the guests,” Frimmel said.

Besides greeting and meeting new visitors, Frimmel is ready to direct them to the various attractions the festival has to offer.

And, she’s looking forward to reuniting with friends that she’s come to know through festivals in the past, she said.

Festival admission and parking are free.

Shuttle buses will transport guests from the Pasco County Fairgrounds to Downtown Dade City – at no charge.

Proceeds from the festival benefit The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and the nonprofit organizations that help put the event together.

Registration for the car show can be done at 8 a.m., in Downtown Dade City, or online at RonnieSetsers.com.

For additional information, call the chamber at (352) 567-3769, or email .

Kumquat Festival
Where: Downtown Dade City
When: Jan. 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: The event features live performances, an all-day car show, arts and crafts, activities for the kids, various vendors — and all things kumquat.
Info: Call (352) 567-3769, or email .

Published January 23, 2019

Duke’s landscaping plan gains approval

January 23, 2019 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Planning Commission has approved a landscaping plan submitted by Duke Energy Florida LLC., in connection to an electrical substation in Wesley Chapel.

The planning board had previously approved the electric company’s request for an expansion to its electrical substation on a 20-acre parcel on the north side of Satinleaf Lane, about 650 feet west of Smith Road. However, that approval was contingent on Duke’s subsequent submission of a landscaping plan relating to the project for the planning board’s approval.

Residents of Meadow Pointe had sought additional landscaping to reduce the visual impacts from the expanded substation.

Drew Gilmore, a public engagement specialist for Duke Energy, outlined the company’s plan for buffering the substation from its neighbors’ views.

The plan he presented included more trees and a different assortment of plantings than initially proposed. The electric company also has agreed to add more trees in an area within the Meadow Pointe subdivision.

However, while Meadow Pointe residents wanted more landscaping, those living closest to the substation — in Satinleaf — told commissioners they didn’t want any additional landscaping between their properties and the substation.

Rather, they said, they prefer a view of open pastureland.

Planning commissioners voted to keep the additional landscaping, to buffer the substation from Meadow Pointe, and to eliminate the proposed landscaping between Satinleaf and the substation.

In other action, the board:

Approved a request from Tracy L. and Raul Rodriguez Jr./Keiro Academy, for a private school on 20.6 acres of land zoned for agricultural and residential use. The parcel is on the east side of Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, about one-half mile north of Darby Road.

According to the applicant’s information, “Our student population will primarily demonstrate anxiety, sadness, defiance and school refusal issues stemming from technology overuse. Our students simply need to reconnect with nature in a screen-free environment and to develop social and life skills to succeed. We intend to create a program exclusively for boys age (15 to 20) and seek to maintain a daily census of 32 students who will live on the property.

Recommended approval of a license for the sale of alcoholic beverages at Chipotle Mexican Grill, at the northwest corner of State Road 56 and Grand Cypress Drive, extending to Sierra Center Boulevard.

The Planning Commission is the county’s land planning agency. It has decision-making authority for special exception requests, which can be appealed to the Pasco County Commission.

All other planning commission decisions are recommendations to the Pasco County Commission, which has final authority on zoning and land use matters.

Published January 23, 2019

Festival offers heaping helpings of barbecue and blues

January 23, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

People of all ages headed to the ninth annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival to sample some ribs, barbecue chicken or pulled pork — and get their fill of the blues.

Smoke emanates from the grill, as Edwin Alvarez, of Kissimmee, prepares chicken on a stick, which is called Pincho. Alvarez and his boss, Luis Merced, of Largo, were preparing food for patrons at the barbecue festival. (Fred Bellet)

The scent of barbecue filled the air, Benny the Pig made the rounds and people sported pig hats — as they strolled around the Zephyrhills Community Venue, at 5200 Airport Road.

Some barbecue chefs traveled from far-off places to take part in a competition involving about 60 teams who vied for bragging rights and prizes, and a chance to advance to the World Food Championship.

Besides being able to enjoy barbecue, event-goers could check out items being offered by various vendors and could listen to blues musicians.

There was a car show and an aviation show, too.

Proceeds benefit community organizations, such as the YMCA, and for scholarships for Zephyrhills High School students.