The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Zephyrhills/East Pasco News

Primary election coming soon for District 38

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Randy Maggard and David ‘Mac” Macallister will face off in a primary on April 9 to determine who will represent the Republicans in a special election to fill the vacancy in District 38 House seat in the Florida Legislature.

The seat was vacated by Danny Burgess, who accepted an offer from Gov. Ron DeSantis to become the executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Early voting for the special election began on March 30 and ends on April 6.

Only registered Republicans can vote in the special primary election, said Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley. The district’s boundaries stretch roughly from East Pasco over to U.S. 41 in Central Pasco.

Voters casting a ballot in that election have the option of voting early at the Central Pasco Government Center, 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, or at the East Pasco Government Center, 14236 Sixth St., in Dade City.

The early voting sites will be open during the week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The winner of the special primary election will face Democrat Kelly Smith in a general election for District 38 on June 18.

Besides the special election on April 9, there’s also an election the same day for City Council Seat 1 in the City of Zephyrhills.

Manny Funes is facing Lance Smith for that seat. That election is open to all of Zephyrhills’ electorate, regardless of party.

There are no early voting days in Zephyrhills.

Published April 03, 2019

Get ‘uncorked’ and sample wines

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Wine enthusiasts are invited to sample various wines at ‘Uncorked,’ an event set for April 7 in Dade City.

The Dade City Garden Club will host the function from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The April 7 ‘Uncorked’ event will allow guests to wine, dine and socialize with others. (Courtesy of Joan Hepscher)

Various tables will offer an assortment of red and white wines for guests to sample from.

And, craft beer will be this year’s new feature provided by Barley’s Angels.

Each table will also include appetizers selected to complement the drinks.

As patrons enjoy food and wine outdoors, the Dennis Alfonso Combo band will once again perform live throughout the event.

Inside the garden clubhouse, guests can learn how to prepare new treats as they partake in several cooking demonstrations hosted by Chef R.J. Webb.

And, some lucky attendees won’t need to leave empty-handed because a raffle drawing will take place for a gift basket.

Tickets for the drawing can be purchased for $2 each or $5 for three.

Tickets for sampling are $40 each and parking is free.

Guests must be 21 years old or above, and no pets are permitted.

Proceeds will go toward preserving the club’s historic building, as well as garden maintenance.

The event will take place at The Dade City Garden Club at 13630 Fifth St., in Dade City.

Tickets can be purchased at the door, or in advance.

For advance tickets or for additional information, call Debbie Parks at (352) 567-9003 or (813) 714-5591, or email her at .

Uncorked event
Where: The Dade City Garden Club, 13630 Fifth St., Dade City
When: April 7 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $40 a ticket
Details: The ‘Uncorked’ event allows guests to sample various wines, craft beer and appetizers while enjoying a live performance. Cooking demos will be offered, as well as a chance to win a gift basket.
Info: For tickets or further inquiries, contact Debbie Parks by calling (352) 567-9003 or (813) 714-5591, or by emailing .

Published April 03, 2019

State Road 56 extension to Zephyrhills is progressing

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Pasco County’s efforts to extend State Road 56 from Meadow Pointe Boulevard to U.S. 301 are advancing, as construction is now in the latter phases of development.

“The main thing is the local connection between Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel,” stated Gregory Deese, resident engineer for the Florida Department of Transportation.

The project, which began two years ago, will offer motorists a direct route between the two communities.

Construction for the new State Road 56 extension is advancing as the road is set to be paved in the near future. Also, traffic lights will be set up where State Road 56 intersects with Morris Bridge Road and U.S. 301. (File)

This will be a new alternative to traveling on Old State Road 54 further north.

Deese noted that it may also be beneficial in serving as a new hurricane evacuation route for those distancing themselves from coastlines.

Currently, State Road 56 ends at its intersection with Meadow Pointe Boulevard.

The road’s future extension, heading east, is barricaded from public use as roadway is still being constructed.

There’s about ½-mile of roadway that remains to be built, at which point the 6-mile stretch will be paved with asphalt, Deese said.

Traffic lights will also be installed where State Road 56 intersects with Morris Bridge Road and as it intersects with U.S. 301.

That work will require some daytime lane closures on both Morris Bridge Road and U.S. 301.

Flaggers will signal motorists as opposing traffic will have to share lane space.

“We’ll have stop signs and ‘slow’ signs to make sure that [the] operation is safe,” the engineer said. “You’ll stop traffic in one direction to allow the opposite direction to go through.”

Closures are expected to take place before and after morning traffic peak hours, Deese added.

In addition to the lights where it meets State Road 56, Morris Bridge Road will undergo an expansion.

This will accommodate a northbound and southbound left-turning lane – both heading east and west onto State Road 56 respectively.

U.S. 301 will be expanded to include a right-turn lane, and re-striped to provide a left-turn lane – both heading westbound onto State Road 56.

The project also will provide easier access to the Zephyrhills Correctional Facility on U.S. 301 (Gall Boulevard).

A northbound left-turn lane and a southbound right-turn lane on U.S. 301 will be added as a convenient entryway onto the premises.

Also, a 10-foot-wide trail will be added on the south end of State Road 56 for pedestrians.

“The multi-purpose trail on [State Road] 56 is basically a path that rollerbladers or walkers will be able to use,” Deese explained.

Also included is a 5-foot-wide sidewalk on the north end, and two 7-foot-wide bicycle lanes – on both shoulders of the road.

These amenities will run the entire course of the 6-mile project.

The $59.2-million development is set for completion as early as this fall.

Published March 27, 2019

Jelly Bean Fling ushers in Spring

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It’s time to grab those Easter egg baskets for the annual Jelly Bean Fling in Dade City.

The event, now in its third year, will be on April 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Kids will be provided baskets for an all-day egg hunt. Each plastic egg will contain sweet treats inside.

The Jelly Bean Fling just isn’t complete without a special visit from Jasper, the Easter bunny. He will be one of the event’s attractions on April 6. (File)

Other activities offered through the day include a barrel train ride with Conductor Joe at the helm, and a chance to explore the interior of various vehicles with Touch-a-Truck.

A bounce house with a slide will be available, as well as pony rides.

Other animals will be there, too, as the Blake Veterinary Hospital will be offering a petting zoo.

There will be carnival attractions inside the Mabel Jordan Barn, which kids can enjoy with five free tickets they receive at admission.

Face painting, rock painting, hat decorating and making tulip crafts will be the featured activities there.

Everyone’s favorite bunny, Jasper, will make an appearance – posing for free snapshots with guests from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Food trucks will be on site, for those who want to grab a bite to eat, and there will be vendors offering wreaths, clothing, soaps, honey, jewelry and other items.

The event also features live music from Mr. Tommy, who will encourage guests to sing along at his shows, scheduled for 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The function will be at the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City.

Parking is free, while admission will be $10 for adults, $5 for students and free for those under age 5.

Additional tickets for the barn games can be purchased at 50 cents each.

For more information, contact Brenda Minton at (352) 567-0262 or at .

Jelly Bean Fling
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
When: April 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for those under age 5
Details: The public is invited to attend an Easter-themed event with an egg hunt, petting zoo, kids’ rides, games and a visit from the Easter bunny.
Info: Contact Brenda Minton at (352) 567-0262 or at .

Published March 27, 2019

‘Biggest Little Train Show’ delights train enthusiasts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maintaining a large layout is a group effort.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Christine Holtzman

Published March 20, 2019

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

Dade City picnic offers a taste of New York

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Those gathering had a chance to share special foods.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Published March 20, 2019

Zephyrhills Founder’s Day celebrates ‘Planes, Trains & Automobiles’

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Thousands flocked to downtown Zephyrhills to celebrate the city during the 109th Founder’s Day Heritage Parade & Festival on March 9. This year’s theme was “Planes, Trains & Automobiles” — honoring the impact that transportation has had on the growth and success of the community. A parade, which featured vintage automobiles, kicked off the event in the morning.

Dozens of local vendors and food trucks lined Fifth Avenue, and some side streets, offering patrons various dining and shopping options. Live music was performed throughout the day and there was a K-9 demonstration by the Zephyrhills Police Department. This year’s festival also featured the second annual Beard & Mustache Competition, which awarded cash prizes to the men with the most impressive facial hair.

The event was hosted by Main Street Zephyrhills, 38537 Fifth Ave.

Keeping up with the theme of this year’s Founder’s Day festival, 15-year-old artist Kaylee Day, of Zephyrhills, puts the finishing touches on her chalk drawing, a 1962 Corvette. She chose this particular automobile because it is her grandfather’s favorite car. (Christine Holtzman)
Rodney Walker, CEO and barber of The Gentlemen’s Quarters, left, signals for the audience to cheer if they think Charles Vickery of Odessa should win first place in the Beard & Mustache Competition. Vickery, with his 16-inch beard won the title and $250. Also pictured are James Martinez, of Zephyrhills, second from left, and Chris Vickery, of Land O’Lakes.
While the ReNewed Life Church Worship Team performs on stage, 6-year-old Skylar Allison, left, 4-year-old Mackenzie Fleming, center, and 7-year-old Amaya Jordan sit on the stage steps and watch videos on a phone. Skylar and Amaya are sisters and Mackenzie is their cousin. The girls all reside in Zephyrhills.

 

Work ethic pays off for Dade City native

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Ryan Lowery, a Dade City native and 2008 graduate of Pasco High, is serving at the U.S. Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Lowery has served for six years and works as a Navy fire control technician. He is serving within the U.S. Pacific Fleet area of operations.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Lowery (Courtesy of Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rusty Pang)

As a fire control tech, Lowery is responsible for the weapon system onboard submarines and has the ability to work with sonar to track all contacts.

He credits his success in the Navy to many lessons learned in Dade City.

“From my hometown, I learned a good, hard work ethic, which leads me to successfully accomplishing my job on a day-to-day basis,” Lowery said, in a release.

Although there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Lowery noted he is most proud of advancing to the rank of petty officer second class because it is proof of his hard work and determination.

Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Lowery, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. His brother currently serves in the United States Army.

Lowery takes great pride in serving in the Navy.

“To wake up every morning, put on the uniform and go to work as a Navy sailor will forever have a great impact on my life. It means a lot to serve this country and to know that all of my loved ones are being protected,” he said, in the release.

Published March 20, 2019

Dade City outlines priority projects

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Municipal business in Dade City is proceeding as usual, even as it continues its search for its next city manager.

Dade City finance director Leslie Porter, who’s serving the role of interim city manager, outlined several priority projects for the near term, ranging from personnel issues to facility upgrades to transportation updates, during a Feb. 26 regular commission meeting.

Dade City finance director Leslie Porter is also serving as the city’s interim city manager. (Courtesy of Dade City)

Porter said the city’s human resources department has begun reviewing personnel rules with city staff — looking to update any policies that may need to be tweaked and introduce any new ones that don’t currently exist.

Porter added the department is working to standardize employee evaluations to ensure each city employee has an annual review “so they know where they stand, what they’re doing right and what they can strive to do better.”

Developing a retail strategy is another ongoing priority during the city manager vacancy, Porter said.

The city is currently seeking professional firms for the creation of a retail market analysis and development plan, to help understand the retail landscape in the city’s market and broker potential business prospects.

Request for proposals for that project are due March 7.

From there, Porter said city administration will organize a special workshop or presentation, depending on the number of responses.

“We’ll see how many we have and come up with a game plan,” Porter said.

Porter said amending the city’s water rate ordinance is another objective — with plans to schedule a workshop in early April.

The interim city manager told commissioners she’s had preliminary discussions on water rates with City Attorney Nancy Stuparich and found “there are multiple areas that we feel need to be addressed.”

In 2017, commissioners approved a 2 percent water rate increase and 6.5 percent sewer rate increase each year over the next five years. It marked the first time those rates were raised in eight years.

Porter also noted city staff members are consulting with the Florida Department of Transportation to gain approval to install entrance signs at the city’s north and south apex. They also are working with the state transportation department on various other road projects within city limits.

Meanwhile, the interim city manager received direction from commissioners on a handful of other projects.

Commissioners appeared to be particularly interested in improving the restrooms and concession stand at Mickens Fields.

Multiple citywide projects are set to be addressed by interim city manager Leslie Porter, who’s also the city’s finance director. (File)

They directed Porter to obtain cost estimates on renovating or rebuilding those facilities and to bring that issue up as an agenda item within the next few meetings.

That particular fix-up project has come to the forefront of late with the Dade City Youth League’s Mickens Wildcats planning to use the football field this year.

The fields are located at 14318 Canal St.

“We owe it to that community to have (upgrades) out there, whether it’s for that group or for somebody else,” Mayor Camille Hernandez said.

“(Even) if the Wildcats aren’t coming, those bathrooms and that concession stand are in need of desperate repair and rehab, so either way we need to do it.”

Commissioner Scott Black concurred: “If we want that to be a viable ball field well into the future, we need to have those facilities there.”

The city previously obtained quotes on the Mickens Field repairs about a year-and-a-half ago, but no action was taken at the time, Porter said.

Elsewhere, commissioners advised Porter to gather real estate appraisals on the former police department building on Pasco Avenue, which has sat vacant since 2015.

Some possible options include selling the property, or demolishing the building and selling the lot.

The mayor called the vacant building an “eyesore” to the community.

“We want to put our best foot forward and that’s not our best foot forward over there,” Hernandez said. “Keeping status quo over there just like that and doing nothing is not an option.”

Also during the meeting, Hernandez thanked Porter for “keeping the ship sailing” by stepping into the interim city manager role.

Longtime Dade City manager Billy Poe left his post on Feb. 7, taking a similar position with the City of Zephyrhills. He announced his exit from Dade City in November.

The commission named Poe’s replacement in January, but were unable to come to a contract agreement last month.

“I know there’s lots to do on the project side as well as the personnel side, so I appreciate (Porter’s) willingness to do that, to keep us moving forward at this time,” the mayor said.

Applications for the new city manager will be accepted through March 15 at 5 p.m.

Published March 06, 2019

Development projects underway in Zephyrhills

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Much development is on tap for the city of Zephyrhills — from new commercial and residential properties, to ongoing road construction projects.

Zephyrhills planning director Todd Vande Berg discussed a number of those projects as the guest speaker of the East Pasco Networking Group’s February breakfast meeting.

Among the most ballyhooed is the Sarah Vande Berg Memorial Tennis Center, which will be situated west of Simons Road.

Zephyrhills city planner Todd Vande Berg discussed several city development projects at a recent East Pasco Networking Group breakfast meeting at IHOP in Dade City. (Kevin Weiss)

The speaker said the $3.5 million project is expected to break ground in May or June: “We’re getting real close with the final engineered site plan, as well as the architect plans.”

The facility will include a mix of 11 full-size outdoor clay courts and hard courts, including an exhibition court to attract various United States Tennis Association (USTA) sanctioned tournaments.

It also will feature multiple pickleball and padel courts, racquet sports “becoming more and more popular,” Vande Berg said.

Meanwhile, the indoor portion of the center will include a lobby and seating area, community room, kid’s club room, fitness center, plus “other unique elements,” like cryotherapy and salt room chambers. Additionally, Wesley Chapel-based Buttermilk Provisions restaurant will have an in-house bakery and coffee shop with artisan offerings.

The project is a public-private partnership between the city and Tennis P.R.O and its owner, Pascal Collard, who will operate and manage the tennis facility.

The tennis center is named after Vande Berg’s daughter, a former Zephyrhills High School district champion, who died in an automobile accident at the age of 21 in October 2015.

Much of the project’s funding is being offset by various impact fees and grants, Vande Berg said.

The city planner believes the tennis center could have international draw.

He said the USTA recently inquired about having the facility someday host matches for the Fed Cup, regarded as the premier international team competition in women’s tennis.

“It’s going to be a unique opportunity for all Pasco County and the region,” Vande Berg said of the tennis facility. “It’s going to be a huge deal.”

The speaker also noted some indoor/covered tennis courts could potentially be phased in later, at the discretion of the facility’s management team.

“That would make us very unique in the state of Florida, because there’s only one other facility in the state that offers that,” he said.

Also in the arena of business development, Vande Berg mentioned the city is working on a master plan for its industrial corridor — which encompasses about 4,000 untapped acres of property along the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport — to create a regional hub for light manufacturing companies.

Vande Berg said the master plan ties in with the four-lane extension of State Road 56 to U.S. 301.

The speaker noted Zephyrhills is also pursuing an additional extension to State Road 56 that would link to State Road 39; the city received $1 million in the Florida 2019 budget to fund a planning study for the project.

“One thing that we’ve heard from some manufacturers was, ‘Well, we need access to a four-lane road,’” Vande Berg said, “so that’ll make a big difference.”

Aside from trying to expand its industrial footprint, other commercial projects are in the works in Zephyrhills.

The city is set to get a Chick-Fil-A, Aldi Supermarket, PetSmart, Marriott Fairfield Hotel and Dollar General, along with other businesses.

Florida Medical Clinic is also undergoing a major health care facility expansion along Eiland Boulevard and Simons Road, Vande Berg said.

“There’s a lot going on in Zephyrhills,” the city planner said.

Vande Berg also touched on the city’s residential development, noting thousands of new homes and apartments will be coming online in the next decade.

Some of the larger developments include The District at Abbott’s Square, Zephyr Lakes, Hidden River, and expansions to the Silver Oaks and Silverado communities, while Wire Ranch Apartments and Pretty Pond/Wire Road Apartments are some the larger multifamily units in the works.

“The residential housing is booming,” Vande Berg said. “We have a couple thousand units coming on board and they’re not all retirees. A lot of these homes are single-family, younger families with kids.”

Published March 06, 2019