The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Zephyrhills/East Pasco News

New members sought for historic board

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The City of Zephyrhills is actively seeking three additional members to join its Historic Preservation Board, according to a news release.

The Board administers various programs aimed at preserving the city’s heritage, including Historic Façade Grants and the review of Certificates of Appropriateness for alterations, demolition and new construction in historic districts, the release says.

The board was established to oversee the designation and regulation of the city’s historic, archaeological, cultural and architectural resources. Members help to shape the future of the community while honoring its past by advising the City Council on matters related to historic preservation.

Meetings take place on the second Thursday of each month, with agendas available beforehand and minutes accessible after approval.

Online applications for board membership are available on the city’s website, at https://ow.ly/635N50QZ5JJ.

For additional information or questions, contact Hunter Gearhart, City of Zephyrhills historic preservation specialist/community planner, at 813-780-0000, ext. 3502, or .

Published April 3, 2024

Call it puppy love – Dade City Dogs’ Day packs ‘em in for 14th year

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Every dog has its day, as the saying goes, and organizers of Dogs’ Day in Dade City made sure of that on March 16 with an event that drew plenty of pooches eager to claim their spotlight.

Kathy Jennings, of The Villages, and her 9-year-old Pomeranian, Autumn Grace, are decked out in St. Patrick’s Day attire as they lead off the Dog Wagon Parade, part of the 14th Dogs’ Day in Dade City event on March 16. (Courtesy of Susan Green)

Staged in downtown Dade City for the 14th time since its founding 15 years ago, the event offered dogs and their human companions a variety of opportunities to show off their talents or simply relax and socialize with others.

Since it began, the canine celebration has occurred every year except 2020, when social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic prevented it, said Lucy Avila, who co-founded the event with former Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez, the Dade City Youth Council and several downtown businesses. 

“We wanted to bring something new into our community,” said Avila, who continues to coordinate the event. “I love dogs, and so does she (Hernandez). I said, ‘Let’s do a dog event.’” 

Dogs’ Day has always been envisioned as “just a fun day for people to come together with their best friend, which is their dog,” she said.

Darla Belevich, of Zephyrhills, and her miniature long-haired dachshund, Honey Bee, see eye to eye on a variety of tricks during the ‘Canine Got Talent?’ competition, one of several activities for dogs and owners attending Dogs’ Day in Dade City.

But along the way, she added, money raised from donations has helped fund numerous community improvement projects, including cleanup stations at the city’s dog park and along the recreational Hardy Trail, support for the Dade City Police K-9 unit, training for dogs of military veterans and pet food for families struggling to make ends meet.

At this year’s event, dogs of just about every size, breed and color — many in costume — packed the city’s Agnes Lamb Park. More than 20 vendors set up shop, offering doggie treats ranging from massages to canine catnip, as well as fresh lemonade, fruit and other refreshments for the two-legged visitors joining the celebration.

“We wouldn’t miss this for the world,” said Gail Yeager of St. Petersburg, who had an elaborately decorated stroller with the sign “Queen of Shenanigans” for her Yorkshire terrier, Hetty, but spent much of the time cradling her furry friend in her arms.

The pair was decked out in St. Patrick’s Day regalia for the event’s costume contest, but Yeager said the real attraction of the event was the camaraderie and the opportunity to spend time with so many different people who love dogs. 

“It’s all-American,” she said.

Aylin the miniature poodle sports a colorful do, as he walks with human companion Sarah Seijas, of Inverness, and Seijas’ two costumed Chinese Crested canines, Maverick and Corrie, who ride in style during the Dog Wagon Parade at the 14th Dogs’ Day in Dade City.

Diane Cole, of Dade City, dressed up as a country music singer with an inflatable guitar, and her miniature poodle, Loki, was dolled up to match with a doggie shirt that made him look like he was playing the guitar. 

“This is dog people’s heaven,” Cole said, adding that she has attended every Dogs’ Day in Dade City event in the past five years.

As in years past, Dogs’ Day opened with a dog wagon parade, followed by several light-hearted competitions for owners and their dogs, including costume contests, a talent

and a race among 30 dog-and-human pairs trying to score the fastest time for eating ice cream and yogurt. 

The rules specified that only tongues could be used to lap up the treats — more of a challenge for the humans licking ice cream out of a cup than the dogs wolfing down yogurt in a matter of seconds.  

Remington, a deaf Australian shepherd, waves his paw on command in response to hand signals from his owner, Bailey Turner. The pair went on to win the ‘Canine Got Talent? competition March 16 during Dogs’ Day in Dade City.

New beginnings amid the fun
While fun was the primary goal for most of the adults, children and dogs that flocked to the park, the event offered something more for Sasha, a blonde cocker spaniel seeking a new leash in life. 

Sasha was among several dogs brought to the event by the Florida Cocker Spaniel Rescue group, which set up a tent and dog pens in one corner of the park. The young spaniel found her forever home with Barbara and Andrew Melanson of Largo.

The Melansons pre-qualified to adopt a new dog and then traveled to Dade City to spend time with the rescue group’s available dogs and introduce them to Reese’s, the couple’s cocker spaniel named for the famous chocolate-covered peanut butter candy. Sasha and Reese’s hit it off, and the Melansons were smitten with her, too.

Carol Cansler, who runs the Wesley Chapel-based rescue group, said she has been bringing adoptable dogs to the Dade City event for years. She said attendees often fall in love with one of the canine candidates for adoption and ask to take it home, but the rescue group insists on pre-qualifying all prospective dog parents through an application process. 

At the other end of the park was a tent display highlighting the awards won by Christiana Crespo, 16, and her border collie, Zelda. The duo from Bushnell placed fifth in the AKC Junior Open Agility World Championship held last year in Great Britain and qualified for the organization’s junior team again this year. The teen is raising funds to compete in Belgium in July.  

Christiana, who helped Zelda demonstrate her talents on stage during Dogs’ Day, was among the beneficiaries of funds raised during this year’s Dade City event, which also benefited some animal rescue groups. Christiana’s mother, Maite, said the junior agility team members are responsible for raising their own funds for travel and lodging during competitions, and that typically costs thousands of dollars

Published March 27, 2024

Dogs of all shapes and sizes and their human companions pack Agnes Lamb Park in downtown Dade City for the community’s 14th Dogs’ Day event on March 16.
Zippy, a Belgian Malinois, shows off one of the 70 tricks in his repertoire, according to his owner, Dianne SanLorenzo, of Zephyrhills, who coached him on stage during the Dogs’ Day in Dade City talent competition.
Diane Cole, of Dade City, and her miniature poodle, Loki, wear matching country music band costumes at the Dogs’ Day event March 16 in downtown Dade City.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diane Cole, of Dade City, and her miniature poodle, Loki, wear matching country music band costumes at the Dogs’ Day event March 16 in downtown Dade City.
Pat Kaufman, of Dade City, and her Dalmatian, Easy, polish off the last of their refreshing treats after participating with 29 other dog-and-human pairs in the Dogs’ Day Ice Cream and Yogurt Eating Contest.
Lucky dog Sasha looks right at home with one of her new owners, Barbara Melanson. Melanson and her husband, Andrew, of Largo, adopted Sasha from the Florida Cocker Spaniel Rescue group at Dogs’ Day in Dade City.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christiana Crespo, 16, and her border collie, Zelda, were among beneficiaries of proceeds from Dogs’ Day in Dade City. The duo placed fifth in the AKC Junior Open Agility World Championship competition in Great Britain last year and is raising money to compete again in Belgium in July.
Lucy Avila, left, longtime coordinator of Dogs’ Day in Dade City, proclaims Bear, a Pomeranian pooch held by his owner, Molly Blair, as the 2024 Dog Mayor of Dade City. Blair was the top fundraiser for the event, securing Bear’s ‘election’ by netting $700 for various charities.
Rollo, a Catahoula Leopard mixed-breed dog belonging to Cara Calton and her 2-year-old daughter, Emilia, greets Chula, a Chihuahua-mix held by his owner, Richard Helmbrecht. All are local residents who turned out for Dogs’ Day in Dade City on March 16.

Pasco County opens new Fire Rescue station

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Pasco County Fire Rescue celebrated its new Land O’ Lakes Fire Rescue Station 28 with a grand opening on Feb. 23. Fire Rescue leaders and Pasco County officials took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Pasco County officials and Fire Rescue leaders took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at new Fire Rescue Station 28 in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The station, at 21709 Hale Road, is centrally located and will house EMS supervisors who will provide direction and oversight for field operations in emergency situations, according to a news release.

The station includes a “Decon Depo,” where firefighter gear and equipment are inspected and cleaned to get rid of cancer-causing carcinogens.

The facility also will be home to a fire engine providing advanced life support to the community, the release says.

The same morning, Pasco Fire Rescue hosted a push-in ceremony at Station 16, 35801 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills, to unveil its newest engine serving the Zephyrhills community. 

“The health and safety of our fire crews is the main focus of each new station we build,” said Pasco County Fire Rescue Chief Anthony Perez, in the release.

“And this location will help shorten response times in the Land O’ Lakes community, adding an extra layer of protection for the people who live here or come to visit,” said Perez.

Published March 27, 2024

 

Zephyrhills celebrates its heritage with 113th Founders Day Festival

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Long before water made Zephyrhills a nationally known brand, wind was the force that put the city on the map. And over a century later, the same gentle winds that gave the city its name helped draw crowds to Zephyrhills’ downtown for an activity-packed 113th Founders Day Festival.

The Civil Air Patrol’s Zephyr Airport Cadet Squadron and Zephyrhills Police Department lead the city’s 113th Founders Day parade along Fifth Avenue on March 9. (Susan Green)

More than 50 vendors’ tents and food trucks stretched for several blocks along Fifth Avenue on March 9, and attendees celebrated the city’s 1910 birth with a 40-unit parade and an old-fashioned pie-eating contest, among many other activities.

Zephyrhills native Judy Holt, 73, said the parade is a Founders Day mainstay, and watching it brought tears to her eyes.

“I try to be here every year,” she said. “Watching the parade brings back a lot of good memories.”

Cecilia Poupore, a Zephyrhills winter resident since 2001, staked out her seat along the parade route early. She said she tries not to miss the annual event, and she was especially pleased with the 2024 version.

“I like the parade, I like the vendors and I love the weather,” she said.

Zephyrhills’ city and emergency services are represented with several units in the 113th Founders Day parade, including the city’s 1920s-era American LaFrance fire truck.

Organized by Main Street Zephyrhills, the festival kicked off at the city’s historic train depot with a 5K run, sponsored by East Pasco YMCA. It included children’s activities at the Zephyrhills Public Library, a downtown art show sponsored by the Zephyrhills Art Club, an open house and food concession at the historic Woman’s Club building, and other fundraisers staged by local civic groups.

“The main focus is to bring more foot traffic to downtown,” said Antwon Gildon, Main Street director and festival coordinator.

“As the largest city in Pasco County by population, it’s hard to say we’re undiscovered or unknown,” he said, adding that the city wants to make sure its commercial core benefits from the explosive housing growth in and around Zephyrhills in recent years.

“Our goal is to get people to see businesses they might not be familiar with.”

The Zephyrhills High School marching band drumline keeps the beat for the city’s 113th Founders Day parade on March 9 in downtown Zephyrhills.

Reveling in Zephyrhills’ RV history
The theme for this year’s festival was “Return of the Tin Can Tourist,” a nod to the city’s heyday as a top stop for retirees seeking a place to park their campers in the 1950s and ‘60s.

Dozens of vintage campers and travel trailers were on display at Zephyr Park on the outskirts of downtown. The exhibit — known as a “rally” among vintage camper and travel trailer collectors — was the first of its kind in Florida to be sponsored by Vintage Camper Trailers magazine of Sacramento, California.

Caroline Lacitinola, who owns the publication with her husband Paul, said their company has organized rallies on the West Coast for years. When Main Street Zephyrhills invited them to come to Florida, it was good timing because the couples’ kids had left for college and the older Lacitinolas had the time and resources to make the cross-country trip.

More than 50 vendors set up shop along Fifth Avenue and neighboring streets in downtown Zephyrhills for the city’s 113th Founders Day Festival.

“It’s super fun when you get a group of people together who love vintage trailers,” she added. “They have the same passion.”

The oldest camper on display at Zephyr Park was a 1957 Corvette model that was restored by Kevin and Janet Stone of Sarasota. Kevin said the couple acquired the relic when his daughter and son-in-law were buying a house, and their lender wouldn’t close on the sale until the dilapidated trailer was hauled off the property.

He and his wife spent two years during the COVID-19 pandemic restoring their prize. The exterior still sports its original jalousie and awning windows and metal siding, although the siding has been repainted. He said the couple had to gut the interior but chose the new wood wall and door paneling because of its authentic appearance.

A few campsites away from the Corvette camper was a 1961 Shasta travel trailer owned by Tim and Margie Suddard of Ormond Beach. Tim said the couple acquired it 10 years ago and spent four years restoring it.

Contestants try to wolf down an entire cherry pie without using their hands during the 113th Founders Day Festival pie-eating contest sponsored by Village Inn. From left to right: Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe; John Williamson, representing Lee Reed Insurance in downtown Zephyrhills; and Wesley Chapel residents Evon Constantine and Claribel Florez, both representing festival exhibitor Walmart Health.

He said they tried to stay true to the trailer’s original design but made some changes to accommodate their modern lifestyle. For example, he replaced the original interior gas lamp and a hand-primed water pressure pump with electricity-powered versions.

Back at the downtown festival, some store owners offered camper-themed goods, and many festival activities also followed the theme.

At the city library, Amelia Carden, 2, was among children who used icing and candy to decorate camper-shaped cookies. Her mother, Alexandra Carden, said she discovered the kids’ event listed on Facebook. While visiting the library, she and her husband Will noticed the downtown festival activities and planned to check them out. The family lives in Zephyrhills but had not attended the festival before.

Christine Mitchell, who owns the Vintage Chix furniture and collectibles boutique with her husband Pete, said she ordered some camper-themed knickknacks and yard flags to sell during the festival. Her family has traveled in campers and participated in rallies and she was happy that Main Street Zephyrhills adopted the “Tin Can Tourist” theme for Founders Day.

She said sales were brisk and she was pleased with the turnout for the event.

“This brings people in,” Mitchell said.

Gildon said the Zephyrhills Founders Day Festival doesn’t commemorate a particular founder. But he and others at the festival acknowledged that Capt. Howard Jeffries, a Union Army veteran of the Civil War era, is widely credited with revitalizing the town in 1910 by establishing a retirement community for veterans known as Zephyrhills Colony Company.

According to the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, the community was originally settled in 1882 under the name of Abbott.

The historic Jeffries house in downtown Zephyrhills was restored a few years ago and now houses Tina & Joe’s Café, which partnered with the Zephyrhills Rotary Club to offer a pancake breakfast to festival visitors.

Published March 20, 2024

Winners of the Dade City Miss Kumquat Pageant wave at the crowd during the 113th Founders Day parade on March 9 in downtown Zephyrhills.
Janet and Kevin Stone of Sarasota welcome visitors to check out their 1957 Corvette camper during a vintage camper rally March 9 at Zephyr Park, part of the Zephyrhills 113th Founders Day Festival.
Amelia Freiermuth, 7, of Zephyrhills, decorates a camper-shaped cookie during a kids’ activity at the Zephyrhills Public Library as her mother, Joellynn, looks on. The activity was part of the city’s 113th Founders Day Festival on March 9.

Community celebrates Benedictine Sisters

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The Saint Leo University community celebrated the 135th anniversary of the founding of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida on Feb. 28, the date in 1889 when five nuns arrived in rural East Pasco County from Pennsylvania to staff schools. 

Sister Roberta Bailey, prioress, discusses the history of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida. (Courtesy of Caroline Jorgensen/Saint Leo University)

At the request of Father Gerald Pilz, the nuns began teaching in San Antonio and St. Joseph, helping to create the school that would become Saint Leo University and to found the Benedictine Sisters of Florida.

During Saint Leo’s lunch and program, Father John McEvoy gave the opening prayer and Town of St. Leo Mayor Mike D’Ambrosio read a proclamation, recognizing the 135th anniversary and in honor of the sisters’ service to the community.

Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida, acknowledged the significance of the occasion: “We are grateful for all that God has done for us throughout these 135 years since our founding sisters ventured forth from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Pasco County, Florida. We’ve opened and withdrawn from schools — all still a credit to our transitional skills as they continue in some form to serve the founding purpose. Some changes were welcome and settled in easily; some sat uneasy on the sisters’ shoulders as they responded to ‘the call of our times,’” said Bailey in a news release.

Saint Leo student Lili Kozlowski greets the Benedictine Sisters of Florida.

From 1929 to 1959, the sisters operated St. Benedict’s Prep school for boys. Holy Name Academy provided day and boarding programs for girls until 1964, according to the release.

“Shifting gears, we built new dormitories and a cafeteria to provide services to Saint Leo College students,” Bailey said. “In 2014, we made the courageous decision to ‘begin again’ the great adventure of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida. We sold our property north of Highway (County Road) 52 to Saint Leo University and built a one-level house on a former citrus grove across the highway.”

The prioress also noted the many careers the sisters have had: classroom teachers, principal, mission superior, CCD teachers and coordinators, and “mom” at Good Counsel Camp. The Benedictine Sisters of Florida have served as archivists, hospice volunteers, health care providers, laundry and kitchen staff, seamstresses, artists and more.

“The Benedictine Sisters, and the monks, offer an example of flexibility, perseverance and stability. Their many friends within and outside our community clearly pay tribute to our sense of radical Benedictine hospitality. In conclusion, the Benedictine Sisters of Florida continue to ‘do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, thanking God through him,” said Bailey.

Published March 13, 2024

Pasco Extension opens food pantry in Dade City

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(Suzy Hazelwood/Pexels)

UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension Pasco County has announced a new food bank providing essential food items for community members at the One Stop Shop, 15029 14th St., in Dade City.

The food pantry will be open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It will be stocked by The Volunteer Way and will provide these types of food: protein, beans, frozen vegetables, and fruit, according to a news release.

Families can receive one box per week, with amounts of food based on family size. Food items will vary, as will amounts. 

For additional information, call 352-521-1254.

For more about the Extension Service, including volunteer opportunities, visit MyPas.co/UFIFASPascoExt.

Published March 13, 2024

Park renamed for celebrated city employee

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In honor of the City of Zephyrhills’ first African American employee hired in 1962, the Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Park recently was renamed the Ellis Harrold Park during a dedication ceremony, at 39508 Lincoln Ave., in Zephyrhills.

Ellis Harrold worked as a driver for the City of Zephyrhills Public Works-Sanitation Division for 34 years, before retiring in 1996. His contributions paved the way for increased diversity within the municipal workforce.

Harrold was known to support the children residing in the Lincoln Heights area, offering guidance, love and support, as well as clothing and food to those in need.

He and his wife, Doris, raised seven children and one grandson, and have 25 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and 14 great-great grandchildren. Harrold celebrated his 90th birthday on Feb. 25.

The park boasts amenities including a basketball court, picnic shelters and a swing set. The new sign installed will be donated to the Harrold family as a keepsake once the city updates all park signage as part of a community-wide rebranding.

Published February 27, 2024

Ellis Harrold, second from right, sits among family and friends during a dedication for the park renamed in his honor. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)
This temporary Ellis Harrold park sign will be donated to the family once the City of Zephyrhills installs new signage as part of its rebranding.

Traffic detour in Dade City begins March 1

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The Florida Department of Transportation, District Seven has issued a notice to drivers in and around the Dade City area.

Beginning March 1, Southbound U.S. 98 Bypass/U.S. 301 will be closed from River Road to Meridian Avenue. The closure will continue for approximately 10 months. Northbound U.S. 98 Bypass/U.S. 301 will remain open to traffic.

Drivers will need to access properties in the closure area from northbound U.S. 98 Bypass/U.S. 301 or local streets.

The determined detour route is: Traffic traveling southbound on US 98/US 301 approaching the work zone will be detoured south on US 98/Seventh Street through downtown Dade City. Drivers who want to continue on southbound US 98/US 301 or access Old Lakeland Highway will turn left onto Meridian Avenue and go east, then turn right onto southbound US 98/US 301.

To help avoid delays and bypass downtown Dade City, trucks and other large vehicles that are using southbound US 98 to continue south beyond Dade City are encouraged to take SR 50 west to southbound Interstate 75 and return to US 98 on eastbound State Road 52.

For project information and to sign up to receive email alerts about closures and progress updates, visit FDOTTampaBay.com/project/939/256423-3-52-01.

Published February 28, 2024

Residents offered opportunity to do some spring cleaning

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A free community cleanup is scheduled for Feb. 24, from 8 a.m. at Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills.

The cleanup is being hosted by the City of Zephyrhills and Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), according to a news release.

The city is encouraging residents to take advantage of this opportunity to declutter and enhance the community’s overall appearance.

Crews and dumpsters from the city’s Public Works Department will be on-site, adjacent to the park’s tennis courts, to assist with the disposal of appliances, electronics, furniture, mixed debris, tires and other items.

Participants should keep the following in mind:

  • This is a mobile drop-off-only event; alley sweeps and pickups will not be a part of this initiative.
  • To ensure the safety of all participants and the environment, hazardous materials and chemicals will not be accepted.
  • Proof of City of Zephyrhills residency will be required to participate.

For additional information, contact the City’s Public Works Department at 813-780-0022.

Published February 21, 2024

Three-way stop coming to Blanton Road, in East Pasco

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a task order with HNTB Corporation involving the installation of a three-way stop at Blanton Road and Lake Iola Road.

The board approved the task order for $187,317.79 during its Feb. 6 meeting.

The task order covers the design and post design services relating to the three-way stop project.

The Blanton Road and Lake Iola Road intersection currently experiences high crash rates. To enhance safety, the intersection will be realigned, and a three-way stop sign traffic control will be implemented.

The design work covered by the task order will be completed within 270 calendar days.

The projected cost for the improvement is slightly more than $3 million, with a portion of that amount planned in fiscal year 2024 and the remainder in fiscal year 2025, according to background materials in the county board’s Feb. 6 agenda packet.

Published February 21, 2024