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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Zephyrhills/East Pasco News

Dogs’ Day set for furry fun in the sun

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Owners and their canines will have the chance to display some team effort at the annual Dogs’ Day in Dade City event on March 16.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the function will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The day will have a host of fun activities designed for patrons and their furry friends to work collaboratively.

Once again ‘man’s best friend’ will be the center of attention at the 10th annual Dogs’ Day in Dade City event on March 16. (Courtesy of dogsdayindadecity.com)

At 10 a.m., the Dog Wagon Parade will allow owners to showcase their dogs in stylish costume.

Owners may also bring their own custom-designed wagon for their pet to cruise in.

This will be followed by the Dog Costume Contest at 11 a.m., where the best-dressed pooches will be eligible to win prizes.

The noontime K-9 Challenge will encourage owner and dog to work through an obstacle course.

As the newest edition, Bow-Wow Rally will run throughout the event – a game of strategy.

And, if your dog has certain skills to show off, then don’t miss the Canine Got Talent competition at 12:30 p.m.

Owners and their furry friends can prepare to get their faces messy with the Ice Cream/Yogurt Eating Contest at 1:30 p.m.

Local vendors will also be available to offer food, as well as pamper dogs with massages, manicures, treats and clothing.

The event will be at Agnes Lamb Park at 14200 Ninth St., in Dade City.

Proceeds will go toward the Pet Pantry for Love One Another ministries.

For additional information, call Lucy Avila at (352) 424-4972.

Dogs’ Day in Dade City
Where: Agnes Lamb Park, 14200 Ninth St., Dade City
When: March 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Patrons can bring their furry friends out for a parade, team activities and food, among other things.
Info: Call Lucy Avila at (352) 424-4972.

Published March 06, 2019

Having fun in downtown Zephyrhills

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The seventh annual Paulie Palooza drew hundreds to Fifth Avenue in Downtown Zephyrhills for food, music and fun on Feb. 23 The event, held at Main Street Zephyrhills, featured live music throughout the day, food trucks, vendors, face painters, auctions and drawings for prizes donated by local businesses. Proceeds from the event benefit Gulfside Hospice and help support patient care and bereavement services for Pasco County residents.

Cork Welsh, of Zephyrhills, right, dances with his wife of 39 years, Kelly, to the live music of the band, Backwaters Own. The couple came to the festival with friends. (Christine Holtzman)
A row of 1960s Mini’s line a section of Fifth Avenue in downtown Zephyrhills during the seventh annual Paulie Palooza festival. Dion Jardine, of D.J. Mini Parts of Wesley Chapel, organizes area meet-ups for enthusiasts of these classic cars.
Donning a cowboy hat and a smile, 10-year-old Logan Farmer, of Zephyrhills, waits for his mother, Amanda Clayton, as she parks the car. The mother and son had been in the convenience store when they saw the Paulie Palooza festival in progress and decided to check it out.
Six-year-old Peyton Thomas, of Zephyrhills, left, and her 5-year-old sister, Braelee, watch their aunt, Autumn Kimura of Tampa, as she packages freshly made kettle corn into a bag for a customer. Kimura and her step-father own Monkey Business Concessions.

 

Taking a blast into the past at Zephyrhills Founder’s Day

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Get ready to travel back in time, exploring Zephyrhills history during the Founder’s Day Parade and Heritage Festival on March 9.

Celebrating the community’s 109th year, the event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the theme “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” – the evolution of transportation in Zephyrhills.

The parade is set to begin at 10 a.m., showcasing vintage automobiles, decorations and a marching band along Fifth Avenue.

These Model T Fords rolled down the road during a previous Founder’s Day celebration in Zephyrhills. (File)

From noon to 4 p.m., guests can sit by the Hopkins’ family porch and take a trip down memory lane — through accounts shared by various storytellers, including Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield.

At 2 p.m., a beard and mustache contest is scheduled at 4/One: The Gentlemen’s Quarters barbershop.

Contenders have the opportunity to win prizes, including cash, for their unique facial hair.

There also will be rows of vendors offering items, such as arts and crafts, as well as information about businesses. A plant expo also is planned.

Hungry patrons can get their fill from various food trucks, including a new offering this year: Gyros for Heroes.

The slate of entertainers includes The Time Travelers, the Chipco Creek Band and the Country Jam Band.

Kids can show off their skills through chalk drawing, and there will be hayrides for them to enjoy, too.

The function will be at Main Street Zephyrhills, 38537 Fifth Ave., and will proceed further into Downtown Zephyrhills.

Proceeds will go toward local businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Admission and parking are free, and pets are welcome.

To register for the beard contest, the parade, or as a vendor, visit MainStreetZephyrhills.org.

109th Founder’s Day Parade and Heritage Festival
Where: Main Street Zephyrhills, 38537 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
When: March 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: This year, the festival aims to inform and entertain guests with Zephyrhills history, featuring planes, trains, and automobiles. The event will have its annual parade, ‘Tales of the Hills’ story time, a beard and mustache contest, as well as food and music.
Info: To register for the beard contest, the parade, or as a vendor, visit MainStreetZephyrhills.org.

Published February 27, 2019

Civil War history comes to life at Pioneer Florida Museum & Village

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Civil War buffs had a chance to see history come to life at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village over the weekend.

Confederate Soldiers fire during a Civil War battle re-enactment at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village in Dade City. (Fred Bellet)

Re-enactors also had a chance to take part in battles and skirmishes on the museum grounds.

The sounds of soldiers shouting commands and the smoke from firing guns filled the air.

Little ones shielded their ears to avoid the loud sounds of the guns.

Besides seeing the soldiers in action, visitors could tour confederate and union camps, see re-enactors in character and get a glimpse of Civil War life.

They also could see traditional period demonstrations and a ladies fashion show feature clothing from that period. There was live music, too.

Six-year-old Gregory Jacobsen holds his ears during the booming sounds coming from the 12-pound Mountain Howitzers. This was the young boy’s first experience of seeing a Civil War re-enactment. He was there with his dad, Benjamin Jacobsen, of Tampa.
Portraying a Confederate courier, Chuck Sheridan, of Sanford, delivers a message to Gen. Harding.
The trio, 7 lbs of Bacon, entertained the crowd by playing music of the 1800s.
The Union soldiers defeated the Confederate soldiers on one day of the two-day event, and the Confederate soldier defeated the Union soldiers on the other day.
From the audience area, Samantha Johnston, of Seffner, portrays a Southern Belle. She was applauding the efforts of the 5th Florida Company B, at the end of the Civil War re-enactment event.

Local performers win big at Access Broadway in Orlando

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Graham Music Studios, from Dade City, recently competed at Access Broadway in Orlando, and came home the big winners.

“I am absolutely thrilled. It’s sort of a David and Goliath kind of thing because the other studios are just mega-studios,” said Alison Graham, who is the director of Graham Music Studios. “They come from cities where they have multiple performing arts magnet schools, and we come from a city where the big high school doesn’t even have a chorus.”

Front and center: Shelby Surratt; second row from left: Channing Romesser, Megan Phillips, Catherine Beard and Macy Pickerall; third row from left: Analiese Gallagher, Victoria Campos, Jasmine Kurz, Mikayla Mauradian, Kalli Keith and Emma Shireman; and, back row from left: Amanda Cloversettle, Genevieve D’Water, Lyndsey Furtado and Bernadette Richter. (Courtesy of Graham Music Studios)

“There were six top vocal awards for the whole weekend. We were entered in four of them, and won three of them,” Graham said.

“We were incredulous,” she said, referring to herself, the girls and their parents. “The first time, we were just jumping and screaming. The second Broadway Star, I just started bawling. And then the third one, I was like: “I cannot believe this.

“It was really, really exciting,” she said.

To understand how well they did, Graham said, “you have to see the mega-studios, with all of their props and money.”

Graham credits the singers’ success to their commitment, and the support of their parents and the community of Dade City.

“These girls, they work so hard,” Graham said.

One team, called Showbiz, won Platinum and took first place overall.

The team competed against 536 other acts from performing arts studios, and came out on top.

Another team known as Showstoppers — also received a Platinum rating and placed fourth overall in the competition, with their performance of “Up The Ladder To The Roof” from Everyday Rapture.

The Dade City studio also won the award for the best Broadway Vocal, for its performance of “Five Forever,” from Little Women. In that competition, Graham enlisted the aid of a boy singer to round out the group. She knew she had the right group of voices to compete well with that song, she said.

Showbiz is made up Sarah Atkins, Carly Bowling, Gianna Como, Isabella Como, Ellie DeLloyd, Lyra Lacson, Larkin Mainwaring, Kassie Miller, Mackenzie Robinson, Payton Rodgers, Analee Tomkow, Marlee Tomkow and Karis Williams.

Another team from the Dade City music studio — its oldest group of performers, known as Showstoppers, is made up of Catherine Beard, Victoria Campos, Amanda Cloversettle, Genevieve D’ Water, Lyndsey Furtado, Analiese Gallagher, Jasmine Kurz, Kallie Keith, Mikayla Mauradian, Megan Phillips, Macy Pickerall, Georgia Piersall, Bernadette Richter, Channing Romesser, Emma Shireman and Shelby Surratt.

Kassie Miller, Sarah Atkins and Bella Como celebrate.

The singers winning the best Broadway Vocal were Roman Ricardo, Macy Pickerall, Isabella Como, Megan Phillips and Shelby Surratt. They received a Platinum rating,  as well as first place.

Shelby Surratt and Megan Phillips also took home the award for the best duet/trio of the weekend with their performance of “You Love Who You Love,” from Bonnie and Clyde.  They received a Platinum rating, first place overall and are the title holders for best duet /trio vocal.

The youngest group from Graham Music Studios, Showtime, received a High Gold Rating for its performance of “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.” They placed third place overall in their age group.

That group is made up of Katarina Carroll, Kennedy Eldridge, Kassidy Graham, Anabelle Harris, Sally Harper, Sarah Hoerbelt, Kaylab Kelly, Emeley Poblick, Sophie Poblick, Asha Queen-Badal, Rio Riccardo, Mackenzie Trenkle and Keaton Ward.

Winning in Orlando qualified the group to compete in New York, but it typically doesn’t compete at nationals because of the expense, Graham said.

However, this year, a group of about 30 will be traveling to New York, to take part in an invitation-only master class with the cast of “Anastasia.”

The students will get to take part in the master class, get to meet the cast members at a party and have their photos taken with them. Then, they’ll get to watch the play, too.

It’s an experience that Graham expects will leave quite an impression on the girls: “To get to go backstage in the warmup rehearsal hall of “Anastasia,” and have a master class, with the actual people in the show —it’s just incredible.”

The trip is planned over spring break.

And, it’s happening partially because of fundraising efforts and generous gifts to help defray expenses.

One of Graham’s former students has sponsored one of the girls, making it possible for her to make the trip.

Others have chipped in during fundraisers.

When they were seeking donations at a Publix store, a fire truck pulled up, Graham said.

“Five firemen jumped off and gave us like 20 bucks each,” she said.

That’s just one example of the community’s generosity, she said.

Published February 27, 2019

Search reopens for city manager

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The search for a new city manager in Dade City will continue — after city commissioners were unable to come to an agreement with its top candidate for the position.

Contract talks broke down the past several weeks between the commission and Christopher Edwards, a real estate associate in Tallahassee and former deputy director of the Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economy Vitality.

The Dade City Commission has reopened its search for a new city manager, after contract talks broke down between its top interviewed candidate. Applications for the position will be accepted through March 15. (Kevin Weiss)

Edwards declined the city’s base salary final offer of $85,000 on Feb. 8. In his final counter-offer, Edwards had sought a base salary of $94,500.

Both parties remained at odds over other stipulations, including severance pay, terms of resignation and accrued vacation leave, protocols for accrued leave, and pay increases related to the completion of a master’s degree.

With that, the commission voted on Feb. 12 to advertise for the position again.

The application requests Florida local government experience among its requirements, and notes that a master’s degree is preferred.

Applications will be accepted through March 15 at 5 p.m.

Commissioners began the search process for a new city manager in late November, to replace outgoing Dade City Manager Billy Poe, who served in that role for nearly 11 years.

Poe accepted a position with the City of Zephyrhills to become its deputy city manager, at an annual salary of $105,000. He will transition to the city’s top leadership position once Zephyrhills City Manager Steve Spina retires sometime this summer.

Poe’s contract with Dade City expired on Feb. 7. He exited the city making $99,500 per year.

Dade City finance director Leslie Porter has since been appointed to serve as Dade City manager, until a new hire is made.

The decision to reopen the job search for city manager was preceded by some debate.

Commissioner Jim Shive made a motion to enter negotiations with the commission’s second-ranked candidate, Melanie Romagnoli, a program administrator for the Pasco County Office of Economic Growth.

The motion died for lack of a second.

Shive cited Romagnoli’s experience in local government, planning, construction and economic development, as reasons she is qualified to take over the Dade City manager position.

According to the Pasco County government website, Romagnoli is responsible for the implementation of Pasco’s Economic Development Plan and the administration of the Jobs and Economic Opportunities Trust Fund (Penny for Pasco).

Additionally, Romagnoli spent more than 20 years working in planning, community development, real estate, and economic development organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, prior to her role with the county.

Shive said the commission would “be foolish” to not consider Romagnoli for a subsequent interview to then enter contract negotiations.

“I would challenge anybody to pick up her resume and say that she’s not qualified to do the work of city manager,” Shive said.

He added, “Let me tell you, this city has been stagnant with growth all around us. We need somebody that can take us to the next level. I believe she is that person. …I think she is well-rounded. I don’t think that we can afford to pass the opportunity up, without taking a look, in fairness.”

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez concurred proceeding with Romagnoli “would be in the city’s best interest,” provided a contract agreement could be reached.

Said Hernandez, “I think she’s got a wealth of information, wealth of contacts, and I do believe that she can now bring us to the next level, but if she’s not interested, then I would reopen it.”

Other commissioners, however, disagreed.

Commissioner Scott Black acknowledged Romagnoli “does a great job with what she does.” He also said he has “a lot of respect for her.”

However, he said: “I’m looking for somebody that has the breadth of knowledge and the breadth of experience to be able to come in and hit the ground running, and that’s my concern here…”

Black noted that whoever the city hires shouldn’t be on a learning curve in the position. Instead, he suggested they should already have experience with issues such as storm water and wastewater treatment, developing a comprehensive plan and so on.

Said Black, “I feel like, it looks like if we’re going to be paying close to the salary that we were paying our previous city manager, I would want someone that has a firm knowledge of all of the things that come with being a city manager.”

Black also expressed concern the original pool drew only 12 applicants and only two had prior city management experience.

He blamed the time frame for the opening job posting —  Dec. 3 through Dec. 21— for the perceived lack of qualified candidates in the first round.

Commissioner Nicole Deese Newlon echoed similar concerns.

She noted that neither Edwards nor Romagnoli were ranked among her top three choices for the position after the commission interviewed seven candidates back on Jan. 18.

“I would like more applicants,” Newlon said. “…I mean, I just want someone to wow me, to come in ready to work, have the ability and strengths that we need, and, I just don’t feel that way about the (current) candidates.”

Following the commission’s decision, the mayor described the search for a new city manager “a bit exhausting,” but added, “it is no need for panic mode.”

“I think we are in good hands between the commission and staff here, and I think we will move forward…and do the very best that we can,” Hernandez said.

Published February 20, 2019

Paulie Palooza has a new venue

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The annual Paulie Palooza will return to liven Downtown Zephyrhills on Feb. 23, but this year, the event has a new venue: Main Street Zephyrhills at 38537 Fifth Ave.

The new location was selected to incorporate downtown businesses into the festival, said Leesa Fryer, event planning specialist at Gulf Hospice and Pasco Palliative Care.

Aside from shopping at vendors, the Paulie Palooza fest in Zephyrhills allows patrons to relax on lawn chairs with refreshments, while listening to musical performances. (Courtesy of Gulfside Hospice and Pasco Palliative Care)

The festival, now in its seventh year, will be from noon to 9 p.m.

Guests can enjoy offerings from a variety of vendors, including food, arts, crafts and jewelry. There will be face-painting for kids, too.

And, the Zephyrhills Brewing Company will be there.

Items will be auctioned off, and there will be prize drawings for items that have been donated by local businesses.

Live musical performances will be given throughout the day.

Admission wristbands are available for a $5 donation. Parking is free and pets are allowed.

Visitors are asked to bring their own lawn chairs, as seating is limited.

All proceeds benefit Gulf Hospice and Pasco Palliative Care.

To register as a vendor, purchase a wristband or for additional information, visit GulfSide.org.

Paulie Palooza
Where: Main Street Zephyrhills, 38537 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
When: Feb. 23 from noon to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: The festival features vendors, prizes and musical performances.
Info: To register as a vendor, purchase wristbands or for additional information, visit GulfSide.org.

Published February 13, 2019

Pigz in Z’Hlls attracts record crowd

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The ninth annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival attracted more than 13,000 people, according to event organizers.

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

Event-goers headed to the festival venue, at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, to enjoy a day of live performances by blues musicians and other bands, and to enjoy barbecue chicken, pork, brisket, ribs and foods offered by other vendors.

Fifty-three teams competed in the professional and backyard categories, with the professional teams having a chance of winning $10,000 in prizes.

Backyard Bro’s took the grand champion honors, while Pig Chika Cow Cow, was the reserve champion.

The backyard division winners were: LaFamigilia BBQ, grand champion; Quid Pro Q, reserve champion; and Bahr’s Smokin’ Butts, third place.

There were also 42 teams, of two people each, that vied for $500 in prize money  in the event’s inaugural cornhole competition.

Efforts have already begun to prepare for next year’s event, slated for Jan. 18, 2020.

Published February 13, 2019

Responders’ work praised in Dade City Business Center fire

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Pasco County Commission Chairman Ron Oakley praised the work of emergency responders who converged on the Dade City Business Center, in Dade City, to put out a two-alarm fire, which began in the early afternoon on Jan. 18.

Pasco County Fire Rescue was among numerous agencies responding to a two-alarm blaze at the Dade City Business Center. It took 19 hours to put the fire out. Pasco County Fire Rescue investigators attributed the cause of the fire to welding being done by an employee. (Courtesy of Pasco County Fire)

It took about 18 hours to bring the fire under control, according to a report from Pasco County Fire Rescue.

Pasco County Fire Rescue investigators attributed the cause of the fire to welding being done by an employee. The estimated damage to the business center was put at $3 million.

Oakley said local firefighters were joined by crews from other counties and received support from various agencies, in the quest to put out the raging fire.

“At the height of the fire, there were approximately 114 personnel on the scene working to mitigate the incident,” Oakley told his fellow Pasco County commissioners, during the board’s Jan. 22 meeting.

“There were no injuries. That’s the best part of the whole thing,” Oakley said.

“The fire started about 12:30 or 1 o’clock on Friday. You could see it from downtown Dade City. Just black smoke. It was hard to figure what was going on at the time.

“It started in one warehouse and it moved from one to three warehouses, and it affected five out of seven businesses right in that area in the business center,” Oakley said.

Combating the fire involved having to shut down the railway, which is no easy feat, he said.

Fortunately, there was sufficient water at the business center site to battle the blaze, Oakley said. Otherwise, crews would have had to close U.S. 301 to get to the closest water, Oakley said.

The commission chairman said he plans to send a letter thanking everyone who helped, including various agencies and the businesses that provided food to feed those working the incident.

Published January 30, 2019

East Pasco honors Martin Luther King legacy

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In ceremonies large and small across the country, the nation paused to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a slain civil rights leader whose birthday is commemorated each year through a federal holiday.

An event to honor the birthday of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., attracted a large crowd at the Lewis Abraham Boys and Girls Club on Jan. 21. (Courtesy of Richard K. Riley)

Locally, there were various events to observe Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, including one at the Lewis Abraham Boys and Girls Club in Lacoochee.

Speakers lined up to offer remembrances of King, who would have turned 90 this year.

Cassie D. Coleman, president of the Martin Luther King Committee, organized “The Dream that Changed the World” event.

She read from Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech.

As a pianist played a quiet ballad, punctuated by responses of “amen” from the crowd, Coleman recited these words: “With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.”

Coleman extended a warm welcome, to all those present, and the audience joined in singing, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

“Today is an awesome celebration,” Coleman said, reverently.

Pastor Philip Williams of the Glorious Church of God offered opening prayer to a congregation. The Jan. 21 event was in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“We just don’t celebrate a man, but we celebrate a prophet that was sent by God to change the world as we know it,” she said.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez was among those attending.

“Dr. Martin Luther King devoted his life to advance equality, social justice, opportunity for all and challenged all Americans to participate in the never-ending work of building a more perfect union,” Hernandez said.

She emphasized the important role that citizens have in creating a safer and unified community.

“It’s Dade City’s desire to educate our residents to remember the dream that changed the world,” the mayor said.

The Pasco County Community Choir took the stage and amplified the gymnasium with their voices — accompanied by piano, tambourine and rhythmic hand claps from the audience.

Then, the Rev. Dr. Willie Roberts delivered his message: “I challenge all of us here today to dare to dream,” the minister said.

He noted that Dr. King’s vision was bigger than himself and compared him to such pivotal figures as Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

He emphasized that making a dream come to fruition involves risk, and he asked the audience what they were willing to give up, in the quest for a better tomorrow.

He asked the audience to ask themselves: “Are you here to hinder, to help or to hurt?”

The program concluded with several pre-collegiate high school students taking the stage to read the biographies of female civil rights advocates, including Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Ella Baker and Ida B. Wells – who were instrumental in advancing Dr. King’s cause.

Published January 30, 2019