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Pasco County Fairgrounds gears up for Rattlesnake Festival

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The Rattlesnake Festival, a community tradition for more than a half-century, has moved to a new locale — the Pasco County Fairgrounds.

The move from San Antonio City Park — its venue for 51 years — comes as the event’s host, The Thomas Promise Foundation, decided it was time for a roomier setting.

The Crabgrass Cowboys perform at the San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival & Run, celebrating the festival’s 50th anniversary. The festival is now called The Rattlesnake Festival. (File)

While shifting to the fairgrounds, many of the event’s traditions will continue.

For instance, Tony and Carol Noble, are set to open their kettle corn stand; the popular gopher tortoise races will be offered; Cowboy Tom will be there; and there’ll be a snake show, too.

The two-day event is set for Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The admission charge is $5, with free entry for those age 2 and younger.

Tony Noble, who was raised in San Antonio, reflected on what made the festival special to him as a kid, such as the races and the grilled barbecue chicken dinners.

The festival has evolved over time, but many of activities he grew up with will be offered this year, he said.

Jim Mendenhall’s snake show is one of those longstanding festival features. The Squamata Reptile show provides a chance for people to learn about snakes and other reptiles, and to see them in action, too.

The Croc Encounters crocodile show, will be there, too, and so will Florida Fish and Wildlife’s demonstration. There will be a petting zoo and pony rides for the kids.

Cowboy Tom will saddle up on his horse for his Wild West Show, and children will have the opportunity to compete their wooden turtles in the Gopher Race.

A $15 wristband will allow visitors unlimited fair rides, and individual tickets can be purchased for one-time rides.

Vendors will offer food, crafts and other items for purchase.

Miss Pasco County Courtney Graham will open the festival with the national anthem Saturday at 9:45 a.m.

Other live performances will include Jesse and Noah Bellamy, Johnny Shelton and the Showstoppers.

The 40th Rattlesnake Run will remain at San Antonio Park and take place on Oct. 20 at 8 a.m.

Participants can choose the 1-mile or 5-mile run and are welcome to bring their dogs.

Proceeds from the festival and run will go toward The Thomas Promise Foundation, which distributes more than 1,200 food bags to Pasco County students on Friday, so children don’t go hungry over the weekend.

The organization decided to take over the annual festival after the San Antonio Rotary Club celebrated the festival’s 50th anniversary in 2016.

“We were very successful last year,” said Joe Simmons, executive director of the foundation. “We raised enough funds to be able to provide over 40,000 meals to kids within our program.”

The Thomas Promise Foundation will co-host this year’s run with the Zephyrhills High School cross-country team and the I Play Track Foundation.

A portion of the funds collected from the run will go toward a member of the school’s cross-country team who is suffering from bone cancer.

Rattlesnake Festival
Where: Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City
When: Oct. 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: $5 admission; free for those age 2 and younger
Details: Vendors, live performances, animals and food
Info: Contact Joe Simmons at (813) 782-0000 or , or visit RattlesnakeFestival.com.

PUblished October 17, 2018

Scream-A-Geddon brings horrors to Dade City

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Scream-A-Geddon puts a scare into any outsider who dares to enter.

Scattered across acres upon acres in the middle of the woods off Saint Joe Road in Dade City, the independent horror park gives its visitors an interactive experience through six distinct attractions.

Scream-a-Geddon is on acres and acres of haunted land at 27839 Saint Joe Road, in Dade City. (Fred Bellet)

At one end of the park, in an attraction called “Deadwoods,” visitors navigate through dark, winding trails, where they encounter the cannibalistic Tate family.

At another side of the park, parkgoers wreak havoc on flesh-eating zombies from a militarized school bus mounted with 18 paintball guns in the attraction “Zombie Paintball Assault.”

In another unique area, called “Rage 3-D,” visitors wear 3-D glasses, and get up close and personal with crazed clowns and other abnormal creatures, testing their senses, as they make their way through creepy rooms that twist, turn and rotate in the midst of roaring music.

Under a starry twilight sky, a crowd begins to gather as they wait in line to go through the unorthodox entrance of a scary feature called ‘Demon’s Revenge,’ at Scream-a-Geddon on St. Joe Road.

Meanwhile, “Demon’s Revenge,” “Blackpool Prison” and “Infected: Ground Zero” provide their own sets of horrors — all aiming to live up to their frightening names.

Geof Kledzic, the Scream-A-Geddon general manager, is hard-pressed to pick a favorite.

“There’s great scares all over the place, so I love ‘em all,” Kledzic said. “They each have certain things that make them unique.”

Scream-A-Geddon attracted more than 40,000 visitors last year.

Open every night through Nov. 3, Kledzic expects an even bigger turnout this Halloween season.

“Every year it continues to grow,” he said, noting word-of-mouth about the park has drawn people all throughout Tampa Bay and central Florida.

His main selling point of the horror park is that “you can do things (at Scream-A-Geddon) that you can’t get anywhere else.

“Where do you get to take a walk in the woods?

Playing the part of a crazed clown called ‘Boogie-Woogie,’ 18-year old Dakota Loomis, of Zephyrhills, frightened visitors crossing his path in a featured area called ‘Rage 3-D.’ It was among several Scream-a-Geddon horrors.

“Where do you get to ride a militarized school bus and mow down zombies?

“You don’t do that at Busch Gardens or Universal (Studios).

“So, people start sharing that news, and people drive a great distance to come here,” the general manager explained.

Scream-A-Geddon launched in 2015 after its parent company, Indiana-based Point Summit Inc., expanded operations to Florida.

The company also operates Indy Scream Park in Indianapolis, and other adventure parks, including TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park, located on the same property as Scream-A-Geddon.

Unlike other horror parks, Kledzic said Scream-A-Geddon prides itself on a format of sending small groups of visitors into an attraction at a time.

In the Rage 3-D room, Laura McCudden of St. Petersburg looks for her husband, Lenny McCudden, during their first Scream-a-Geddon experience.

That’s different from what Kledzic describes as “conga lines” of people, which, he said, too often gives away “the scare.”

Upping the scary meter even more, some Scream-A-Geddon attractions give visitors the option to be touched or grabbed by the frightening characters.

“People love that,” Kledzic said of the interactive offerings. “You cannot get that anyplace else.”

For 26-year-old Lakeland resident Kyndil Rogers, the horror park fares favorably to others she’s visited.

“It’s a lot more interactive,” she said. “Really scary.”

Her friend, 29-year-old Brandon Gonzalez, also of Lakeland, was likewise impressed at how Scream-A-Geddon’s attractions and characters were brought to life.

“Here, it’s more realistic,” he said. “It makes the experience a lot better.”

New Port Richey resident Kirsty Roach expressed similar sentiments during her first-time visit.

“The haunted houses are amazing — like a lot better than (Howl-O-Scream) Busch Gardens. I’d go that far. I think it’s that good,” Roach said.

A crazed prisoner, played by 20-year-old Levi Caruthers, of Zephyrhills, waits for another victim to cross his path. Visitors at Scream-a-Geddon find themselves walking through what one visitor called ‘a funhouse on steroids.’

“I like that not everybody’s piled on top of each other,” she added.

Haunted House enthusiast Eva Dunn and her group of friends made the drive from Apopka to see what Scream-A-Geddon was all about.

She left happily frightened.

Among her favorite stops was “Blackpool Prison.” The attraction is controlled by “the worst of the worst” criminals where the only way to get out alive is through them.

It also offers visitors the option to be grabbed, held back, sent into hidden cells, removed from their group or even forced to remain.

“They grabbed a lot more than I thought,” Dunn said, with glee. “They said, ‘grab,’ and you know we’ve heard that before at other places, but here they actually grab you and it was like, ‘Wow!’ (because) they spin you around and shove you.”

“Demon’s Revenge” was the scariest part of the attraction for Dunn’s friend, Richard Doran, also of Apopka.

She said ‘hello’ to guests as they arrived. When guests departed, Mia Hernandez, 21, of Wesley

He said that’s because it is set up like a maze inside a mental ward with walls that gradually close in.

“It’s really nice. I like how it made you feel like it got smaller and smaller as you went through,” Doran said.

Dunn quickly pointed out her friend screamed the whole way through. “Right in front of my ear!” she said, with a boisterous laugh.

Meanwhile, those seeking a break from loud shrieks and bursts of adrenaline can head to the center of the park, called the “Monster Midway.”

It features carnival games, food and drink trucks, and picnic tables set near a bonfire.

Visitors, however, shouldn’t let their guard down too much.

Roaming throughout the park on any given night are hordes of ghoulish creatures, clowns and zombies, keeping visitors on high alert.

Scream-A-Geddon
What: Tampa Bay’s haunt experience features six terrifying attractions in one location.
Where: 27839 Saint Joe Road, Dade City
When: Every night through Nov. 3. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Who: Recommended for adults and teens, but younger children may attend with parent or guardian.
Cost: Prices start at $28.95. Fast pass and group packages also offered.
Info: Visit ScreamAGeddon.com, or call (813) 452-5412.

Published October 17, 2018

Carballa appointed assistant county administrator

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The Pasco County Commission has confirmed the appointment of Mike Carballa to serve as the assistant county administrator for public infrastructure.

Carballa’s confirmation became effective on Oct. 14.

Mike Carballa is Pasco County’s new assistant county administrator for public infrastructure. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

County Administrator Dan Biles recommended Carballa for the position after a nationwide search, which attracted more than 40 applicants.

Carballa joined the county’s staff in April 2014 as director of utilities engineering.

He has been serving as the interim assistant county administrator for public utilities since June 2018.

Carballa has more than 12 years of directly related experience in the private sector working on projects for both private and public utilities, according to county documents.

He also served as a captain in the United States Air Force, where he oversaw various

utility projects, in the design, construction and maintenance side of utilities engineering and operations.

Carballa hold a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from theUniversity of South Florida, and a master’s degree in business from the University of Florida.

He is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Florida.

Biles told commissioners that following the national search and a couple of rounds of interviews, “the whole team decided that the most appropriate person for the Public Infrastructure assistant county administrator position is Mike Carballa.”

Published October 17, 2018

Efforts underway to help Hurricane Michael victims

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In the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, some local efforts are underway to help the storm’s victims.

Hurricane Michael was monstrous, clocking winds at 155 mph and becoming the first Category 4 storm to slam into Florida’s Panhandle.

A look at some of the devastation in Gulf County, where Pasco County teams are helping in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. (Courtesy of Pasco County Fire Rescue)

Its fierce winds and storm surge have reduced coastal communities to rubble, and after wreaking its havoc on the Panhandle, the destructive storm made its way through Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.

At least 18 deaths had been reported as of Monday, with eight in Florida, three in North Carolina, one in Georgia and six in Virginia, according to the website, Weather.com.

Authorities predict it will take some time, even years in some cases, for areas hit by Hurricane Michael’s fury to recover.

While being spared the storm’s wrath, the Tampa Bay region is responding with ways to help.

A local donation drive is being coordinated by the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon, the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and Wesley Chapel Nissan.

Donations can be dropped off through Oct. 19 at Wesley Chapel Nissan, 28519 State Road 54, in Wesley Chapel. The dealership’s hours are 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.

These are the items that are needed:

  • Portable generators
  • Insect repellent
  • Bottled water
  • Bleach
  • Disinfectant wipes
  • Latex gloves
  • Large garbage bags
  • Brooms
  • Mops
  • Sponges
  • Laundry detergent
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Soap
  • Feminine products
  • Diapers
  • Baby wipes
  • First aid kits/supplies
  • Tarps

“We’re going to pack trucks on Saturday, and if we can get in, we’ll leave on Sunday,” said Chris Casella, president-elect of the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon.

“We’re going to be delivering it to St. James Episcopal Church,” he said.

A few of the items collected so far in the showroom at Wesley Chapel Nissan. (Courtesy of Chris Casella)

Thomas Dwyer, the pastor of the church, also serves as the president of the Rotary Club of Port St. Joe.

The Wesley Chapel club wanted to be sure it had a focused effort, with a local contact to make sure the supplies could be distributed there.

“Rotary District 6950 — which is Citrus County, Pinellas County, Hernando and Pasco — they sent out 1,900 emails to our members,” Casella said. “A lot of people are sending us checks, and we’re just going to go shop on Saturday.”

The effort is focused on providing practical items that people need that the Federal Emergency Management Agency doesn’t provide, such as cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items.

“Insect repellent is going to be huge. These people are going to be outside all day long,” Casella said. Plus, there’s no electric, so the windows are open.

“The focus on television has been Mexico Beach and Panama City. You don’t hear about Port St. Joe, at all,” Casella said. “A small town like Port St. Joe will get neglected.”

Two of the Rotary Club’s Interact Clubs are also doing supply collection drives, Casella said. One of those clubs is at Wesley Chapel High School and the other one is at Cypress Creek Middle High School.

“The chamber (North Tampa Bay Chamber) has been incredible with this. They’re mobilizing local businesses,” Casella said.

Other Rotary Clubs are pitching in.

And, Wesley Chapel Nissan’s ownership and management has played a vital role by allowing the dealership’s staff to help and making room for the supplies in the dealership’s showroom, Casella said.

Mady Miller, a student from Sanders Elementary School, organizes a water collection drive at her school, which results in a truck full of water collected in a single day. (Courtesy of Chris Casella)

In addition to those efforts, Pasco County government is lending its assistance to hurricane victims, as well.

Troy Stevenson, of Wesley Chapel Nissan, said “we’re convoying up Sunday. We’ve got Wesley Chapel Nissan employees, Wesley Chapel Rotary and North Tampa Bay Chamber.”

“By the end of the week, we’ll probably be sending up two truckloads.”

One team from Pasco Emergency Services (911) was deployed to Bay County. The six dispatchers on the team are relieving and supporting the 911 center there, according to Brendan Fitterer, public information officer for Pasco County.

Pasco Emergency Management also has deployed the State of Florida Region 4/6  All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) to Gulf County.

This group is made up of personnel from Pasco County Fire Rescue and Emergency Management, as well as personnel from Hernando, Sumter, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sanford counties, the University of South Florida and the Lakeland Police Department.

The all-hazards team is being deployed for both Emergency Operations Center support and field operations, as needed, Fitterer said, via email.

Published October 17, 2018

Ten-year-old uses home décor business to pursue Olympic dreams

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In the age of GoFundMe campaigns and other fundraisers — where someone is always seemingly always asking for a handout — 10-year-old Hailey Henderson is using her own hands to try to make her dreams come true.

The Wesley Chapel youth has launched a home decor business — Hailey Brooke Designs  — stamping personalized books for nearly every occasion.

Ten-year-old Hailey Henderson helps pay for her figure skating lessons through her home décor business, Hailey Brooke Designs, where she stamps personalized books. The business started in August after Henderson discovered her talent for crafting with her grandmother. (Courtesy of Melissa Nordholm)

Each sale helps pay for her figure skating lessons at Florida Hospital Center Ice, with her ultimate goal to compete in the Olympics.

Though she’s only been skating for a year, Henderson has experienced almost immediate success.

This past skating season, the Weightman Middle School sixth-grader won two competitions in her division — the 16th annual Labor Day Invitational, in Fort Myers; and, the 2018 Southwest Florida Fall Classic, in Ellenton.

She also earned a second place finish at the 2018 Orange Blossom Open, in Oldsmar.

The rink is Henderson’s happy place.

As she gracefully skates across the ice, she doesn’t have a care in the world.

“You don’t have to think about school, you don’t have to think about homework, you don’t have to think about anything else,” said Henderson, who skates for Champions’ Edge Skating Club, based out of Florida Hospital Center Ice.

“I like doing my jumps because you get a certain feeling where like you’re in the air and it just feels so cool,” she said. “I just love it.”

Hailey Henderson, 10, of Wesley Chapel, last month won first place in the 16th annual Labor Day Invitational, in Fort Myers. She also recently won the 2018 Southwest Florida Fall Classic, in Ellenton. She dreams of competing in the Olympics.

Henderson, however, understands figure skating is an expensive sport.

So, with some help from her mother, Melissa Nordholm, Henderson upcycles books and gathers other materials for the chic creations.

Her items are available on Etsy, an e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items and supplies.

The business started in August after Henderson discovered her talent for crafting with her grandmother.

Nordholm said her daughter does most of the manual labor.

“She gets to sit there and stamp them all,” Nordholm explained. “The actual design of the books is pretty much independently her.”

The personalized book sets can be customized with family and pet names, as well as favorite quotes and song lyrics.

Henderson has also branched out to specific themes, for occasions such as Halloween and Christmas.

For example, her “Trick or Treat” handmade set comes wrapped with Halloween-colored raffia and a creepy-crawly spider detail.

Henderson’s catalog of items includes a wide assortment of handmade sets, including those themed for all branches of military and law enforcement and firefighters.

Her “Protect and Serve” handmade set, for instance, comes wrapped with natural jute and adorned with a resin police ornament on top.

“It’s just so much fun. It’s like another hobby,” she said.

Her favorite design is the Breast Cancer Awareness themed set.

It’s decorated with a pink awareness ribbon and wrapped in pink raffia, with quotes such as ‘Hope, Courage, Strength,’ ‘Stronger than Cancer’ and ‘I Can and I Will.’

The disease hits close to home to Henderson. Her great-aunt has been battling it for eight years now.

“She’s been fighting breast cancer for quite a long time, so it’s pretty meaningful,” Henderson said, also adding “and I like pink, so it goes together.”

The Wesley Chapel youth continues brainstorming to come up with other book set ideas for the future.

“We’re thinking about doing a Teacher Appreciation one for the teachers and some baking ones, like ‘Bakers Gonna Bake’ or ‘Watch Me Whip,’ because it’s funny,” Henderson said.

Nordholm smiles broadly, as she considers the sacrifices her 10-year-old daughter is making to run her own business. “It’s definitely very heartwarming,” she said.

Watching her daughter in skates, makes her proud, too.

“I love that she’s got that childlike wonder and her dream is to go to the Olympics. I love that she thinks she can achieve it. It definitely makes us feel pretty amazing as parents,” Nordholm said.

So far, most of the book set orders have come from Wesley Chapel and Pasco County, but a handful of orders have come in from other states.

With each order, Henderson writes every customer a handwritten ‘thank-you’ note.

“You are the reasons my dreams are coming true, XOXO Hailey,” each note reads.

To order one of Henderson’s designs, visit Etsy.com, and search for HaileyBrookeDesigns, or visit tinyurl.com/y9wqwjpc.

Published October 10, 2018

Political Agenda 10/10/2018

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Wesley Chapel Republicans
The Wesley Chapel Republican Club will meet Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m., at Lexus of Wesley Chapel, 5350 Eagleston Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. Numerous candidates will be featured. Admission is free, all are welcome, and coffee and homemade desserts will be served. For more information, contact Peter Cracchiolo at (813) 360-9813 or at .  

Candidate forums
There are three upcoming candidate forums, according to the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections’ website.

They are:

  • The American Association of University Women on Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey. The forum will feature all candidates running for U.S. Congress, the Florida Legislature and Pasco County School Board.
  • The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 15, at the East Pasco Adventist Academy, 38434 Centennial Road in Dade City. A meet and greet begins at 6 p.m., with the forum starting at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend the event and will have the opportunity to submit questions to the moderators for consideration.
  • The League of Women Voters-Pasco on Oct. 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The forum will feature all candidates running.

East Pasco Democrats
The East Pasco Democratic Club will meet Oct. 15 at 4:30 p.m., at Omari’s Grill at Scotland Yard Golf Club, 9424 U.S. 301, in Dade City. The meeting will end at 6 p.m., and will reconvene at 6:30 p.m., at the Dade/Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum at East Pasco Adventist Academy, 38434 Centennial Road in Dade City. For more information, visit EastPascoDems.com, or call (813) 383-8315.

Car giveaway helps Pasco woman on her road to success

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Melissa Pack finally has a car she can call her own.

The Zephyrhills woman received the keys to a 2000 Hyundai Elantra at the United Way of Pasco County, in Land O’ Lakes, on Oct. 1.

Before she received the car, the 37-year-old had no personal means of transportation.

Spectators watched at the ceremony where Pack received the car, which came complete with a big red bow.

Melissa Pack is all smiles, as she sits in her Hyundai Elantra, which she received through Wheels of Success and United Way of Pasco County. (Brian Fernandes)

The gift was made possible through the collaboration of Wheels of Success and United Way of Pasco County.

Wheels of Success CEO Susan Jacobs offered a few words, before presenting the keys to Pack, who works as a cashier at the Lowes Home Improvement store in Zephyrhills.

Those celebrating the moment included Pack’s supervisor, John Chilbert; Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley; and Alice Delgardo, president of United Way of Pasco.

Chilbert was the one who worked behind-the-scenes to help get the car for Pack.

He took notice of his employee’s unwavering dedication, and the fact that Pack had never missed a shift and voluntarily worked additional hours. He also knew that she accomplished that without having her own transportation.

So, along with the Make a Difference charity, Chilbert referred Pack’s current situation to Wheels of Success and United Way to see what could be done.

“For every person we put in a car, we turn down 20,” Jacobs said. “We do about 50 to 100 cars a year on average.”

Established in 2003, Wheels of Success doesn’t receive government funding. It relies on vehicle and community donations.

Jacobs explained the importance of collaborating with other organizations, as about 80 percent of their car giveaways have been joint efforts.

Its partner, United Way of Pasco County, allocated grant money on a quarterly basis to help finance the car.

“We were able to, because of community dollars, grant them funding to do this,” said United Way’s Patty Sutton of the local support.

Through the partnership, Pack was put on the ‘Build a Life’ program, which is intended to help get drivers on their feet after having setbacks of some kind.

Pack will also receive evaluations to make sure the vehicle is up to par with its expected standards, and she has year-long roadside assistance with AAA through Wheels of Success.

In addition to giving her a way to get to work, the car is beneficial in other ways, too, Pack said.

“I’ll be able to get groceries easier, day-to-day things that people don’t think about when they have a car,” said Pack.

She realizes that it not only helps her directly, but it also has a positive impact on those who rely on her as well.

Before receiving the Elantra, Pack had to find a way to get her mother to her doctor appointments. Sometimes that meant borrowing a friend’s vehicle.

Sutton hopes the community understands that their generous donations ultimately help to make life better for people like Pack.

“You’re not helping an organization, and you’re not giving a hand-out. You’re helping an individual,” Sutton said.

Published October 10, 2018

Dade City Scarecrow Festival aims to be fun

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The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village in Dade City is gearing up for its annual Scarecrow Festival, set for Oct. 13.

An array of live performances will be given throughout the day, including the East Pasco Gymnastics Team and songs by Mr. Tommy.

The Indian Corn Maze, a new attraction, will allow guests to navigate turns from start to finish at this year’s Scarecrow Festival. (Courtesy of Brenda Minton)

Food concession stands will be available, as well as vendors offering items such as jewelry, beauty products, clothing and crafts.

Professional portraits will be offered by Christina Strong Photography from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., free of charge. Photos will be posted on the museum Facebook page for guests to download.

Some picture-worthy engagements include snapshots with Ruby Cornbread – a live scarecrow, as well as decorated hay rolls and pumpkin patch cut-outs.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and free for those age 5 and younger.

Visitors also will have the opportunity to create and take home their own scarecrows for $5, while Conductor Joe will offer free rides on his barrel train.

A new attraction, the corn maze, will allow participants to find their way through  for $2 a person, with no charge for those age 3 and younger.

Parking is free at the museum and the Robert D. Summer Judicial courthouse.

Buses will be available to shuttle guests from the courthouse to the museum for free.

Pets are not allowed at the event.

Proceeds will benefit the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, and the Special Olympics.

“[The function] allows us to host school field trips at reasonable prices, and provide historical preservation and education in the community,” said Brenda Minton, museum event coordinator.

Scarecrow Festival
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
When: Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for age 5 and younger
Details: Food, games, prizes, and the chance to create and take home scarecrows
Info: Contact Brenda Minton at (352) 206-8889 or at .

Published October 10, 2018

Community gets a look at Woodland Elementary renovations

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A special rededication and ribbon-cutting ceremony offered the Zephyrhills community an up-close and in-depth look at the newly renovated Woodland Elementary School.

More than 100 guests attended an event that showcased the school’s $12 million makeover, at 38203 Henry Drive in Zephyrhills.

Following introductions and a brief presentation, attendees were able to tour the campus, which was complete in time for the start of the 2018-2019 school year in August.

Pasco County School District Officials mark the rededication of Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills. The school was built in 1976. (Kevin Weiss)

Renovations included the addition of more than 100 paved parking spaces, a new and expanded administration suite, 12 additional classrooms, a new art room, two new music rooms, an expanded student drop-off loop for parents, and a renovated kitchen and cafeteria, with a multipurpose room and stage.

Funding for the improvements came through Penny for Pasco.

The enlarged cafeteria allows the school to cater to twice as many students at one time, which helps the school trim the time needed to serve lunch.

Before the renovations, lunch would begin as early as 10:15 a.m., to serve all students.

Woodland principal Shauntte Butcher said the new cafeteria also “provides for a perfect venue for community outreach and parent involvement.”

She noted the cafeteria has already hosted a standing-room-only open house, and accommodated hundreds for parent and grandparent breakfasts, PTA meetings and so on.

It also doubles as an auditorium space to host concerts, plays, talent shows and more.

“We have the opportunities to do things like never before,” Butcher said. “The possibilities and opportunities are endless.”

Meantime, Woodland’s old cafeteria has been repurposed into four classrooms, and the old kitchen is now a lab for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or what is being called a STEM-nasium.

The $12 million renovation of Woodland Elementary School included the addition of more than 100 paved parking spaces, a new and expanded administration suite, 12 additional classrooms, a new art room, two new music rooms, an expanded student drop-off loop for parents, and a renovated kitchen and cafeteria, with a multipurpose room and stage. Funding for the improvements came through Penny for Pasco.

The STEM-nasium will be equipped with a 3D printer, thanks to a $2,000 donation from the Pasco Education Foundation — presented during the rededication ceremony.

Butcher said Woodland students “are genuinely excited to use the technology featured in the STEM-nasium,” adding it also provides “creative, innovative learning stations for group collaboration.”

Other improvements include new furniture for the school’s existing classrooms, media center and teacher workroom. Restrooms were updated, too.

When the school was built in 1976, it was designed for 652 students.

As enrollment grew, more and more portable classrooms were moved onto campus to accommodate students.

The school’s new capacity is 900.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said the renovations were long overdue to the decades-old campus.

“It’s beautiful,” Browning said of the new-look school. “We are super excited about it, and we’re super excited about the teachers that teach here and the administration that leads this school, and, I’m excited about the future of the kids at this school.”

Said Butcher, who’s been at the school as principal since 2016: “To think about where the school has come from 40 years ago, to where it is now, is truly amazing. Never in my wildest dreams did I think, when I began my first principalship here, that I would be leading the renovation of a school.”

Published October 10, 2018

Pasco Picnic set to ‘talk old times’

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The annual Old Timers Picnic will be held on Oct. 13, inside the Clayton Building at Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City.

Traditionally, the event has been hosted by the Burkett family. But, this year’s picnic will be headed by Sam Sessa, along with a committee.

Long-time Pasco residents come to the annual Old Timers Picnic to socialize and share homemade dishes. This group attended a previous gathering. (File)

Anyone who has lived in Pasco County for 20 years or longer is invited to attend, and those joining in the festivities are welcome to bring their families.

There’s no official start time. Food will be set out and ready to eat at noon, but guests are encouraged to come earlier to socialize.

The picnic offers visitors the opportunity to reminisce , to look through scrapbooks and old newspapers, and to enjoy a potluck meal.

“You get a feeling of camaraderie – talking to your old friends and how the way things used to be,” said Diane Jones, who helps to publicize the event.

Attendees are asked to bring their own covered dish to share and tableware, as the setting will be potluck-style.

The committee will be serving fish, as well as lemonade and iced tea.

Prizes will be available for the oldest man and woman attending, the couple married the longest and the person who traveled the farthest.

A brief business meeting will also be held to elect committee officers for the following year.

Old Timers Picnic
Where: Pasco County Fairgrounds Clayton Building, 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City
When: Oct. 13. Food will be put out at noon, but those attending are encouraged to come earlier.
Cost: Free (Please bring a dish to share)
Details: Anyone who has lived in Pasco County longer than 20 years is invited and is welcome to bring their family. There’s a chance to win a prize, to share stories and photos, and to partake in a potluck meal.
Info: Call Diane Jones at (352) 588-3368, or email her at  .  

Published October 10, 2018