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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Farewell, and Godspeed, to Adam Kennedy

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The call brought Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning out of an early morning meeting. Crews Lake Middle School was on the phone. The principal hadn’t arrived. There were reports of a terrible wreck along his usual commute, and they were worried.

Saying he was on it, Browning rang up Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco and put the situation to him. “I’ll call you back,” Nocco said. Ten long minutes ticked by. Then, Nocco, on the phone.

“My condolences,” he said.

Now, Browning. “Those are the words no one wants to hear.”

(Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Thus began what Browning would come to know as “the worst I’ve had as the superintendent of schools.”

Adam Kennedy was, like many U.S. Marines, a Renaissance man. Smoker of savory meats; baker of perfect cheesecakes; housepainter, woodworker and cabinetmaker; golfer, triathlete, Xbox aficionado and Pokémon shark; tank driver and fan of Broadway musicals; warrior-philosopher, educator and servant leader.

And — and! — marvel his friends — he more or less mastered virtually all these skills before that maker of instant experts, YouTube, entered our lives. Adam Kennedy was old school.

Also, this: He is missed. As Nocco reported to Browning, the 46-year-old died on the way to work Jan. 20, when his 12-year-old Dodge pickup slammed into the back of a logging truck on State Road 52 that had slowed to make a turn just west of U.S. Highway 41.

A couple of weeks ago, some 800 mourners filled the school’s gymnasium to express, with tears and tender memories, why his premature passing left a sinkhole that will be slow to fill.

“He never gave you the answer,” Clarissa Stokes, his student, said into a melancholy microphone the other night. “He made you work for it.”

This was not College of Education theory at work. This was a revelation that came to Capt. Kennedy in the cockpit of an M1A1 Abrams tank on the outskirts of Baghdad. Deployed as part of Operation Desert Storm in 1991, it came to Kennedy he wasn’t sure exactly where he was, or what exactly motivated the Iraqis.

There in his war machine, Kennedy made a promise: If God saw fit to deliver him home, he would do whatever he could to make sure future generations of Americans did not suffer a similar fundamental shortcoming about the world.

It was a vow he followed as surely as if it had been an order from a commanding general.

Kennedy made it home, made his way into teaching, and began making his mark on young minds by inspiring them with the stories of those who went before.

Teaching rewarded him not only with young minds flickering to life, but also dedicated friends and a wife, Abigail, also a teacher, and their children, grade-schoolers Ethan and Hannah.

All were, and remain, staggered. Because Kennedy was young. And vibrant. But, as colleague Freda Abercrombie rightly noted, “It is not always the leaning tree that falls.”

Once a commander, in the classroom he was commanding.

“He told us, ‘Never present a problem without offering a solution,’” Stokes recited, “‘because then, you’re just complaining.’”

Witness after witness said much the same thing: Everything about him encouraged others to be better.

Mike Pellegrino admired him because Kennedy boosted his game.

Pellegrino noticed the new guy at Weightman right off, as you do men who wear suspenders and bowties.

Pellegrino and Kennedy wound up playing golf, training for triathlons and repairing houses together.

Pellegrino stood by him, when Adam took Abigail’s hand.

As Jim McKinney, a tech specialist who found a fellow traveler in Kennedy, said utterly without irony, “He liked retro things.”

As proof, he noted the singular time Kennedy shed his 1920s-teacher look to come to school, instead, dressed as Ben Franklin.

Browning imagined big things ahead.

Kennedy made assistant principal before he was 40, and rose to principal in 2015. All of which added to the devastation from the horror of that Friday morning.

The boss pauses here. There is a sniff. He remembers excitedly calling Kennedy to tell him about his new command. “He said [in Marine Corps monotone], ‘Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Right away, sir. Thank you, sir. Have a good day, sir.’ …  I thought I’d messed it up.”

He hadn’t, of course.

Kennedy, it turned out, absorbed the rigors of responsibility the same whether his view was through the periscope of an Abrams, or across the panorama of a middle school campus.

Only the rules of engagement changed. As did the lives of those who were blessed, in recent years, by that engagement.

Tom Jackson, a resident of New Tampa, is interested in your ideas. To reach him, email .

Published February 8, 2017

Pucker up for kumquats

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Every year when the calendar rolls up against the Dade City Kumquat Festival, I can’t help thinking about a scene from “Doc Hollywood” — the Michael J. Fox movie in which an aspiring Beverly Hills plastic surgeon gets waylaid in tiny Grady, South Carolina (played convincingly by Micanopy, just up the road).

While he’s there waiting for repairs to his wrecked Porsche and serving community service hours in the local hospital, preparations are underway for the local Squash Festival, which prompts a rumination on timing by the mayor (David Ogden Stiers).

Skip Mize, the longtime kitchen boss at Williams Lunch on Limoges, says that kumquat season at his popular Seventh Street eatery is fleeting. But, during that period, the ambitious menu features kumquats in all of the various forms.
(Tom Jackson)

It seems the zucchini and the Grady squash were locked in a battle over which would be the nation’s preeminent gourd when a shipment of the town’s signature crop was swept away by a tornado that was otherwise “bound for … agricultural stardom at the [1933] Chicago World’s Fair.”

“If it had gone the other way,” the mayor says, “there’s no telling where this town would be today.”

The parallel is not exact, but when it comes to festivals surrounding local harvests, and towns that are making the most of close calls, I can’t help thinking about kumquats and Dade City. Not that there’s anything wrong with either, except that kumquats are not, to choose one regional delicacy, strawberries. Nor are they tangerines or oranges — although all these and kumquats are related taxonomically.

Generally, however, humans do not have to work their way up to strawberries or tangerines or oranges. Each can be enhanced, of course, and often are, but each also, when ripe, is tasty right off the bush or branch. Fresh-picked kumquats, however, are an acquired taste.

Yes, you’d say, and so are Spanish olives, champagne, golf and PBS’ “Masterpiece Classics.” And, I would not disagree. Each requires a mature palate, and rewards the effort.

But, in my experience, bright little kumquats, so lovely in aspect and mesmerizing in fragrance, will flat out produce a three-day pucker when eaten fresh-picked.

Yes, even if you follow, precisely, the recommended regimen, rolling the fruit firmly between your thumb and forefinger to release the sweet oil in the skin before popping the whole thing, grape-like, in your mouth, you will wind up resembling someone eager to be kissed.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Still, the resolute tartness of kumquat pulp makes the little fruits conveyances for the delivery of sugar, the more the better.

So, part of me can never anticipate the Kumquat Festival without wondering, like the Grady mayor, how the arc of Dade City’s history would have bent if it had been Florida’s first to celebrate the subtly sweet temple orange, the easily peeled and delicate tangerine, or even the bold pink grapefruit.

But, no. Instead, The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce decided to organize a festival in its honor. And, they have it on the last Saturday in January — the same day as Tampa’s annual Gasparilla pirate invasion.

A challenging date for a challenging fruit. Because that’s how Dade City, the little town that can, rolls.

If you were there last weekend, you may have discovered that once they have submitted to the culinary expert’s machinations, kumquat-centered dishes can be exquisite.

And so, we turn to the Skip Mize, the longtime kitchen boss at Williams Lunch on Limoges, who advises us at the top, kumquat season at his popular Seventh Street eatery is fleeting.

This has more to do with preparation, which is labor intensive, than harvest season, which extends from November through March.

“There are some things you get to eat only at Thanksgiving, and some things you get to eat only at Christmas,” Mize says, “and some things you get to eat only around the Kumquat Festival. It’s tradition.”

For Mize’s kitchen, that tradition extends “only about two weeks, two-and-a-half weeks, tops.” But, what a season it is. His ambitious menu abounds with dishes featuring kumquats in various forms: sauced, jellied, jammed, candied and glazed; kumquats reduced, through repeated boiling, to simple syrup; and, ladled onto pork, chicken or salmon, kumquat chutney.

Similarly, on festival day itself, nearby Kafe Kokopelli always features kumquats in various forms, infused into everything from appetizers and cocktails — kumquat sangria sounds zesty — to entrees (who’s up for kumquat meatloaf?).

Without a gate admission, organizers say it’s impossible to know how many people attend the festival in any given year, but with roughly tens of thousands each year, it’s fair to say the crowd is substantially more than turned out for the Grady Squash Festival.

Then again, the movie had a happy ending: The doc got the gal; the town got the doc; the mayor, presumably, went on to many reelection landslides.

It’s a similar joy that descends, each year, on Dade City as a result of its embrace of its tart natural treasure.

Tom Jackson, a resident of New Tampa, is interested in your ideas. To reach him, email .

(Published February 1, 2017)

Extension Office could get makeover

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The Pasco County Fair Association is seeking a state grant to help pay for a $1.1 million upgrade of the Pasco County Extension Office.

The Extension Office — which is supported by state and county funding — now leases space from the fair association.

But, the facility needs improvements and more space to expand its services.

The state grant could address both needs.

The Pasco County Commission, on Jan. 24, gave the fair association the go-ahead to seek a state grant to help cover the costs.

Whitney Elmore, director of Pasco County Extension, says more meeting space is essential for the Extension Office to expand its services.
(Richard K. Riley)

The state grant requires a 40 percent match. So, the county has agreed to provide about $243,000, and the fair association would cover about $197,000, if the grant is approved.

The fair association would be in charge of completing the project, which will include securing contractors and obtaining county permits.

While the fair association and members of the community are on the same page now, that wasn’t the case during an October stakeholders meeting.

At that point, the county was considering options that included moving Extension to the Stallings Building, at 15029 14th St., in Dade City, leaving it at the fairgrounds or finding another location.

Those supporting the fairgrounds’ location said Extension should stay because its activities are closely aligned to those of the Pasco County Fair. But, those supporting the Stallings Building said the community living near there need the additional programs that Extension could bring to the area.

“From that last meeting in October, we really learned a lot from the whole community,” Cathy Pearson, assistant county administrator for public services said, at a Jan. 19 follow-up stakeholder meeting.

“It opened our eyes to what that community really needs. There’s a need in both places,” Pearson said.

“So, we had the opportunity in the last 60 days to meet with the Pasco County Fair board, and really voice our concerns about the building, and stuff that needs to be improved here.

“We also talked about operations.

“You know what? They really listened. They really did,” Pearson said.

Margarita Romo is delighted that the county is looking into ways to offer programs at the Stallings Building, at 15029 14th St., in Dade City. The neighborhood needs more services, Romo said. Cathy Pearson, an assistant county administrator is in the background.

If the grant is approved, Extension would move temporarily to the Stallings Building.

The county also will work with the community to develop a business initiative, Pearson said.

“What kind of community programs can we put in there?” she said. “We have until March 6 to work on our plan,” Pearson said.

If the state grant is approved, there would be more meeting space, more classroom space, a renovated kitchen, a new greenhouse, upgraded parking and other improvements, said Whitney C. Elmore, the Extension director.

She said she based her renovation plan on information she gleaned from other Extension directors around the state.

More meeting space is critical to enable Extension to expand its programs, Elmore said.

An updated kitchen also is needed to offer classes that are in demand, but can’t be provided because of inadequate facilities and equipment, she said.

Enhanced office space, a reception area and other improvements also would be completed in the proposed project. The overall space would increase from roughly 3,000 square feet now to more than 5,200 square feet, once the improvements are done.

The fair association should find out in May or June whether the grant has been approved.

If it doesn’t come through, the county and fair association will work together to see what can be done with the approximately $440,000 that’s available, Pearson said.

But, Pearson added: “We’re going to be optimistic, though, we know we’re going to get the grant. That’s what we’re going to think.”

Margarita Romo, who spoke passionately at the October meeting about providing more services to the community near the Stallings Building, said she’s thrilled about the direction the fair association and county are taking.

“I’m just very excited,” Romo said. “Everybody is going to have what they need.

“We want the master gardeners to be happy. We want them to come and help us to learn how to do things better than we did in the past.

“Most important is the children,” Romo said. “All of those children make up Dade City, too. It would be wonderful to be able to interact with each other, to see that the county cares about us, the Extension Office cares about us, that all of the master gardeners care about us.

“Then, we could begin to close that gap because you know we’ve all been so separated in different ways. And, it’s time to come together,” Romo said.

Published February 1, 2017

Design is final for new Zephyrhills City Hall

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When it comes to a new City Hall, the Zephyrhills City Council agreed that “bigger is better.”

Council members unanimously approved the design for the new City Hall complex on Jan. 23. The design calls for a two-story building of 19,615 square feet.

The $6.2 million price tag is about $300,000 greater than the alternative option, which called for a structure of 18,170.

Alan Knight, the council’s vice president, was the most outspoken advocate of proceeding with Harvard Jolly’s larger, more expensive, building.

The Zephyrhills City Council on Jan. 23 unanimously approved the design plan for a 19,615-square-foot, two-story City Hall complex. Construction will cost about $6.2 million. The total scope of the project is estimated at about $7.6 million.
(Courtesy of Harvard Jolly)

The city’s anticipated future growth is the main factor, Knight reasoned, in dishing out more dollars.

“We’re no longer a sleepy little town,” Knight said. “Zephyrhills is not growing, we’re exploding. I think to do anything to shortchange — or cut the building down— would be a mistake.”

He added: “We’re already the largest city in Pasco County, and I see nothing but growth.”

Council member Lance Smith concurred: “We need to do it first-class.”

The total scope of the City Hall project is estimated at about $7.6 million.

That includes additional “soft” costs, such as architect and engineering fees, furniture and technology expenses.

Other estimated expenses — relocation costs and temporary office space— are also included in the figure, as provided by the city.

The new complex will replace the existing City Hall, which is situated between the city’s public library and fire department on Eighth Street. A courtyard plaza and walkway eventually will link all three buildings.

With a modern stone and brick exterior, the new City Hall follows an architectural template similar to the Zephyrhills Public Library.

The complex’s interior, meanwhile, will be equipped with more open workspaces and multifunctional meeting rooms, which offer flexibility to accommodate public events.

The schematic rendering by Harvard Jolly shows the first floor houses the council chambers, and includes office quarters for the city’s building, finance and planning departments.

Other city departments, such as public works, the Community Redevelopment Agency and technology will be located on the second floor.

“This plan provides a lot flexibility for future growth,” said Amy Morgan, an associate architect with Harvard Jolly. “There are a couple of spare offices with plenty of storage.”

Phil Trezza, senior vice president at Harvard Jolly, expects the new City Hall to have “at least” a 50-year lifespan.

“The bones of the building will be pretty stout,” Trezza said, addressing the council. “We’re considering concrete block walls, and long-life materials.”

Trezza noted the design-development process will take another “five to six months” before construction can begin.

Construction, he said, will take another 12 months, placing the timetable to completion around mid-2018.

In the interim, the city must locate temporary quarters during the City Hall build out.

The council previously discussed the possibility of continuing to utilize the existing City Hall during construction, but safety and accessibility issues won’t allow that.

Temporary placement options include using extra space at the city’s police and fire stations, and other locations.

“We would all be within one block of each other,” said City Manager Steve Spina.

The City Hall complex marks the second major project Harvard Jolly and contractor A.D. Morgan has designed for the city in recent years.

In 2013, both firms were hired to help design the public library.

They later faced scrutiny over the project’s escalating costs.

At the time, the council was presented with an 8,500-square-foot facility for $1.7 million, but overall costs ended up totaling $2.26 million, a 33 percent increase from what the council originally agreed upon.

Spina, though, has reassured the council a similar instance will not occur, with members being involved in the project “every step of the way.”

Along with Spina, other city staff who’ve served on the City Hall review committee are: Sandra Amerson, Bill Burgess. Brian Williams, Gail Hamilton, Lori Hillman, Todd Vande Berg, Mike Panak and Shane LeBlanc.

Published February 1, 2017

Pasco approves digital billboards

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A 17-year ban on digital billboards in Pasco County has ended.

The Pasco County Commission has approved an ordinance to allow an illuminated, multi-image style of billboard advertising.

The ordinance allows digital billboards in exchange for fewer static billboards along the county’s highways.

Digital billboards will be restricted to the county’s major corridors, including segments of Interstate 75, U.S. 19, State Road 54, State Road 52 and U.S. 41.

The unanimous vote, at the Jan. 24 meeting in Dade City, concluded nearly two years of negotiation between the county’s legal staff and the outdoor advertising industry.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore said residents can expect to see less blight on the roadway.

“Not that we don’t like billboards and people advertising on them,” he said. “Less is better for the county and the community. Some of these structures that are dilapidated will end up coming down. It will be good to see them go down.”

While voting in favor of the ordinance, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey had reservations.

“I worry they’ll take down all the little ones and leave these big monsters all around,” Starkey said.

The swap-out agreement is based on square footage of a static billboard’s face, or the surface area displaying the advertisement. A billboard can have more than one face.

The county’s ordinance would require removal of 4,032 square feet of static billboard advertising for each digital billboard permitted. That is the equivalent of six static billboards to every one digital billboard.

A cap sets a maximum of 37 digital billboards in the county, with more digital allowed in some areas than others.

More than 500 billboard structures are scattered across the county. Under the new regulations, county staff anticipates a maximum of about 190 static billboards could be removed.

“I’m not talking faces, but structures,” said Elizabeth Blair, deputy district attorney for Pasco. “So, that’s a huge difference.”

The swap out, however, is expected to take some time.

Other regulations also are in place.

Each digital advertisement, for instance, must be displayed at least 15 seconds before rotating to a new image.

In addition to limiting the digital billboards to major corridors, the county also has declared some sites off limits for the electronic signs. Those include: The Heart of Land O’ Lakes Vision Plan, Connerton New Town, the Villages of Pasadena Hills Stewardship District and the State Road 52 gateway into Dade City.

On U.S. 19, if a digital billboard is permitted, all of the static billboards within the highway’s targeted area must be removed. On other roads, as digital pops up, half of the removed billboards must be on that same road.

Outdoor advertisers were in general agreement with the negotiated ordinance.

“I know we’re going to hit some snags as we go through, but I think it’s a strong ordinance,” said Tampa attorney Marilyn Healy, whose law firm represents outdoor advertising clients.  “We’re very committed to helping the county realize its goals and still have a few digital billboards,” Healy said.

Published February 1, 2017

Connected City vote on Pasco’s agenda

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A final decision on an ambitious technology-driven community in eastern Pasco County – known as Connected City – is at hand.

The Pasco County Commission will have a final public hearing on the project on Feb. 7 at 1:30 p.m., in Dade City.

The Meridian Autonomous vehicle, known as the World Bus by Mobi-Cubed, will be the first self-driving vehicle tested in the Connected City. The ‘city of the future’ is being developed by Metro Development Group in partnership with Pasco County.(Courtesy of B2 Communications)

The first public hearing on Jan. 24 offered a review of the project and an opportunity for public comment.

Pasco County and Metro Development Group are partnering on a 10-year pilot project, authorized by state law. About 7,800 acres were set aside for development projects that encourage advanced technology and high-wage jobs.

The area is bordered by Interstate 75, State Road 52 and Curley and Overpass roads.

Metro is the first to offer a development project for the area. More developers are expected to take part in Connected City in the future.

“This project arguably is one of the leading technology designs in the country right now,” said Kris Hughes, the county’s planning and development administrator. “It sets new standards for physical development. It makes Pasco highly competitive and attractive as a place to live and work.”

Several people spoke during public comment on Jan. 24. Most supported Connected City.

“I feel the benefits outweigh the concerns brought up,” said resident Dawn Newsome. “I’m excited to see the opportunities that Connected City offers us.”

Too many younger Pasco residents leave home to find good-paying jobs, but that could change with Connected City, she said.

Hope Allen, president of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, offered a letter of support from the chamber’s board. She said the project would bring jobs, new housing, economic development and entrepreneurship to Pasco.

Resident Jennifer McCarthy had concerns about property rights of people who have lived in the area for generations. She also worried about increasing traffic congestion.

At build-out in 50 years, Connected City is expected to have a population of about 96,000 residents, living in about 37,000 homes and apartments. About 7.2 million square feet of space will be available for job creation.

“At best, Connected City is going to generate jobs that aren’t just retail and construction,” McCarthy said. “At worst, it adds to the urban sprawl that already plagues the area.”

During a video presentation, Metro developers provided new details on their plans.

A groundbreaking for the manmade Crystal Lagoon at Epperson Ranch will be on Feb. 2. The mixed-use, master-planned community is within Connected City boundaries.

The 7-acre lagoon, with crystal blue waters, is creating a buzz with companies that want to locate within the Epperson community, said Kartik Goyani, vice president of operations with Metro.

To meet demand, Metro now is planning a second and larger lagoon on the northern portion of the site, Goyani said.

Metro previously announced partnerships with Saint Leo University for an education center within Connected City. In addition, Florida Hospital and Tampa General Hospital plan to set up a new medical partnership in Connected City.

Meridian Autonomous Systems will provide support for self-driving and electrical vehicles.

“We are going to be at the forefront of this technology,” Goyani said.

Metro also is developing technology to operate street lights on solar and wind power.

The Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) will partner with Metro to integrate learning activities into Connected City. Goyani also said the nonprofit is planning a $1 million exhibit on Connected City in 2017.

And, job creation already is coming into focus.

On Jan. 30, Metro Places had a job fair at Pasco-Hernando State College where more than 400 jobs were available.

“We hope to make this an annual event,” Goyani said.

Published February 1, 2017

Local residents attend Donald J. Trump’s inauguration

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When kindergarten teacher Kimberly Eberhard began her winter break, she never expected she’d have a front seat to history.

Kimberly Eberhard and her friend, Harley Kesselman, attend the inauguration ceremony for Donald J. Trump, the nation’s 45th president.
(Courtesy of Kimberly Eberhard)

But, there she was on Jan. 20, watching the nation’s 45th president, Donald J. Trump, taking the oath of office.

“It was silent,” the Wesley Chapel woman said, as everyone watched Trump recite the oath.

Then, a rousing round of applause and cheering broke out, said Eberhard, who teaches in Tampa. “You got chills throughout your body.”

She added: “Throughout his speech, everybody nearby was going, ‘Amen. Amen. Amen.’

“It was an incredible experience,” Eberhard said, noting she met people from all over — including such places as Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Montana.

Sandy Graves and her husband, Steve, took a road trip to get to the inauguration. (Courtesy of Sandy Graves)

Sandy Graves and her husband, Steve, both active in Pasco County Republican Party politics, also made the trek to Washington D.C. They drove so they could see some sights along the way.

Sandy Graves, who has attended previous inaugurations, said this one was not like the others.

“The mixture of people was different. It wasn’t our normal base of Republicans. It was very eclectic,” she said.

There was an excitement in the air, she added.

“I think it’s this sort of feeling that government can be tamed, not so over-burdensome. Just like Trump said in his speech, it (government) was going back to the people.”

She believes that Trump “really does believe that government should be for the people.

“I think he believes that government needs to be out of the way of creation of business,” she said. More than that, she said, she thinks Trump believes government should not impede innovation.

Ben Pumo and his daughter, Alyssa, and his wife, Elizabeth, pose for a photo on their way to Florida’s inaugural ball.
(Courtesy of Ben Pumo)

Ben Pumo, owner of Benedetto’s Ristorante Italiano, in Land O’ Lakes, also was at the inauguration, with his wife, Elizabeth, and his daughter, Alyssa.

“When Donald Trump won, that same night, I made my hotel reservations and my flight reservations,” Pumo said, knowing he would work on securing tickets later.

He has been actively involved in lobbying for small business interests and being involved in politics, and soon learned he would need to secure an invitation from U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, which he did.

“It felt good to be around people that supported your same views, behind small business and having my daughter and my wife be able to experience that with me,” Pumo said.

Published February 1, 2017

Local women join Women’s March on Washington

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When they set out for the 13-hour trek from Lutz to the nation’s capital, the women weren’t sure what to expect.

These women drove from Lutz to take part in the Women’s March in Washington D.C. They are, from left, Kathy Abrams, Betsy Murdock, Ivana Sheppard, Ana Torres and Katherine Pogorzelski.
(Courtesy of Betsy Murdock)

Betsy Murdock, Ivana Sheppard, Ana Torres, Kathy Abrams and Katherine Pogorzelski shared a van to make the trip.

Along the way, they wondered how big the crowd would be and how diverse.

When they arrived to join the Women’s March on Washington, on Jan. 21, the experience vastly exceeded their expectations.

The crowd was huge, and diverse.

They saw women pushing strollers. Women walking with walkers. Women in wheelchairs. They saw young men holding signs, dads with kids on their shoulders, old men taking the Metro to be part of the march.

One woman climbed a post to get a better view. Betsy Murdock could relate: She said she had to hold her cellphone high over her head to get photos of the crowd.

“It was an awe-inspiring experience for us all,” Sheppard said.

“The march breathed life into our belief in the common good that binds people of different races, genders, nationalities, sexualities, and all walks of life,” she said.

It was important to join the march, Torres said. “There were so many different issues that were affected by the election of Donald Trump that I was concerned about the vision that he represented … I didn’t want history to be written that said that we didn’t try to resist the vision that basically won the election.”

Abrams agrees it’s important to be involved: “I have never been active politically before. Now, I am.’”

Participating in the Women’s March was just the beginning, they said.

The March, Murdock said, was Day 1.

“It’s not ending at Day 1,” Murdock said.

Published February 1, 2017

Kumquat Festival traditions continue

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Many came wearing sweaters, or jackets, or long-sleeved shirts — but they came just the same to enjoy the Kumquat Festival in Dade City.

Bruce Gode, of Kumquat Growers Inc., arranges a display of kumquats for sale at the festival. 
(Richard Riley)

“Tens of thousands of people came from all over the Tampa Bay region — residents, winter visitors and tourists joined in the fun,” according to an email from John Moors, executive director of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the annual event.

Generous sponsors and more than 200 volunteers helped pull off the event, which generated an estimated $800,000 in economic activity, Moors added.

There were the usual things that people find at festivals — funnel cakes and festival queens, live entertainment and plenty of stuff to buy.

There were pony rides, plants for sale, quilts on display and a car show, too.

Plus, there were all sorts of kumquat goodies to taste and to purchase.

With newly purchased plants over her back and in her arms, Stephanie Simpson, right, poses with Shirley Perez, both of Tampa. Simpson, a retired veteran with five tours in Afghanistan, was visiting her first Kumquat Festival.

The festival once again showcased the quaint nature of downtown Dade City’s historic core.

The 21st annual Kumquat Festival is planned for Jan. 27, 2018. Planning begins this month.

Anyone who would like to be involved as a volunteer, sponsor or vendor should email or . For more information about the festival, visit KumquatFestival.org.

Published February 1, 2017

Festival showcases quilts, horses

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The Pioneer Florida Museum is hosting a festival that showcases the strength of draft horses, and the beauty and diversity of quilts.

Quilters can make intricate designs with their threads and fabrics, as shown here.
(Richard K. Riley)

The event is slated for Feb. 4 and Feb. 5.

The Southern Draft Horse Pulling Competition will be 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Feb. 4.

Other highlights include:

  • The Hoffman Challenge Quilt Collection on display
  • A show of dolls, quilts and clothing
  • A display of works by local quilters
  • A sale of quilts and supplies
  • A quilt appraisal and trunk show
  • Cane grinding and syrup making, Feb. 4
  • An arts and crafts show; traditional crafts
  • Festival vendors and a concession stand
  • Children’s activities

The museum is one mile north of downtown Dade City, off U.S. 301, at 15602 Pioneer Museum Road.

Farm Festival & Quilt Show
Where: 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
When: Feb. 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Feb. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Draft Horse Pull competition on Feb. 4, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.)
Cost: $10 for adults on Saturday and $5 on Sunday; $5 admission for children (6-12), both days. Children age 5 and younger are admitted free.

Published February 1, 2017