The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Zephyrhills/East Pasco News

History, locked in for a stay

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Pick a room — any room.

It surely will be decorated with Dade City lore and history.

At the Locke Inn — the town’s newest Airbnb rental, event space and attraction — there are six rooms, all featuring a distinction unique to Dade City. The old brick building was built in 1892 and served as the Pasco County Jail.

The Locke Inn, at 37739 Robinson Ave., Dade City, once was the town’s original jail. Constructed in 1892, it operated until 1938. The two-story brick building has been completely renovated into a six-bedroom Airbnb. It can accommodate up to 12 guests and can be used as an event space for weddings, parties and other events. The Inn also has themed bedrooms. Besides The Clink, representing the building’s history, there are other rooms that reflect Dade City’s identity, including The Atlantic Coast Room and The Kumquat Room. (Mike Camunas)

The building hasn’t held prisoners for decades, but now is booking plenty of visitors as Dade City’s newest, and hottest, place to spend the night after Lori Patrick McCarthy and her partners completely renovated the place.

“There are already a lot of venues in Dade City, but also not many places to stay,” McCarthy said. “We promote it as a place to stay, when using the other venues, or for event space for small parties or even a micro wedding (about 50 people).

“But really,” McCarthy said, “I love themes. I love when something has a theme, so that’s what we have here at the Locke Inn.”

Locke Inn actually has several themes for its six rooms.

In the upstairs, there are three rooms, each having a theme linked to Dade City’s identity.

There’s the Atlantic Coast Line Room, honoring the rail company that came through the town in the early 1900s and built the depot (now the Dade City Heritage Museum) in 1912.

There’s the Kumquart Master room, which, of course, honors the town’s love affair with its official fruit.

And, there’s also the Cattle Ranch Room to honor the town’s farming, agricultural and ranching history.

Downstairs, guests spend the night in the slammer.

The Atlantic Coast Line bedroom at the Locke Inn embraces the train line that has a long history in Dade City, and continues to run through the town.

Three rooms are grouped together in The Clink: The Warden Master room, and Cell Blocks 1 and 2, while the bathroom used to be where prisoners were held in solitary confinement.

“I think everyone thinks that everything in here is going to be old — it just kind of looks old — but everything is also brand new,” McCarthy said. “We renovated it from the ground up.

“The history is cool — its niche, and there’s all this history, which we want to honor.”

Locke Inne still features its original steel bars on the windows, including the window where visitors would come talk to prisoners.

The structure also features the original red tile roof.

Besides being a jail, the building housed the sheriff and his family.

At the time when the jail was built, the sheriff’s wife would cook for those who were incarcerated.

An antique piano sits in the lobby of the Locke Inn in Dade City. Now an Airbnb, the structure was built in 1892 to serve as the town’s original jail.

Moonshine was often on the grounds, as well, left for prisoners that requested it, while many poignant African American hymn songs also were sung there.

Architect Francis Kennard, from England, designed the building.

Capt. Augustine Henry Ravesies, who settled in Trilby after the Civil War, built it.

The structure is considered to be the first masonry building in Pasco County.

Six hangings took place there from 1892 to 1917.

“The jailhouse was an ominous place where picnickers situated themselves on the grounds for the spectacle of pubic hangings and where at least one unauthorized lynching occurred after a prisoner was seized from the jail,” according to “A Haunted History of Pasco County,” by Madonna Jervis Wise.

The Clink makes up the bottom floor bedrooms at the Locke Inn in Dade City. The two bedrooms in this part of the Airbnb have a jail theme.

There were jailbreaks, too, according to the Tampa Morning Tribune.

“It was important to keep the history,” McCarthy added. “Dade City is an amazing town, and while I’m not from here, I have fallen in love with the people and the town.”

The building sat abandoned for years, until Robert E. Meyer Jr., from Atlas Group Inc., purchased the crumbling jail in 1980 for $20,000 and renovated it.

It has served as a storage facility, law offices and even an insurance agency, as Buddy Jones owned it for 28 years.

Thirty years ago, Joan Rees discovered the original cornerstone in 1993, and it features the names of the county commissioners at the time. The stone was donated to the West Pasco Historical Museum at Sims Park in New Port Richey.

Despite the history that’s known about the jail, questions do remain.

For instance, is the Locke Inn haunted?

“Well,” McCarthy said with a laugh, “it depends on who you ask or what you feel while in the building.

An old-time telephone is part of the décor in the Locke Inn in Dade City, which embraces the structure’s history as the town’s original jail.

“I haven’t seen or heard anything here, but we’ve had people stay, and one of those people, he was crying because he said he felt something, which is kind of exciting and scary.

“He wasn’t scared, more like really excited.”

There isn’t an abundance of sightings at the old jail, except for one story.

In 1984, Tribune reporter Rosemary Brown exposed a legendary tale from local Billy Stewart, a jail detainee who spent days staring out from behind the prison bars and died.

He has been said to be seen periodically staring out from the windows.

Haunted or not, the town is embracing the work put into restoring one of Dade City’s oldest buildings and bringing its history to life, McCarthy said.

“We’re one block away from Seventh Avenue — right in the heart of town — and the whole community is so excited about this,” she said.

“They were so supportive and loving that we just didn’t knock it down and rebuild or make it into something more modern.

“It’s truly a part of Dade City again.”

(Courtesy of Madonna Jervis Wise)

Locke Inn
Where: 37739 Robinson Ave., Dade City
Details: The historic two-story building, constructed in 1892, originally was the Pasco County Jail. The structure has been completely renovated into a six-bedroom Airbnb. It can accommodate up to 12 guests and can be rented for weddings, parties and other special events.
Info: Visit LockeInn.com.

Some noteworthy events at Locke Inn/Pasco County Jail (Courtesy of Madonna Jervis Wise)
1892 – The brick jail is constructed and the marker at the Pasco County Jail lists these county commissioners: B.C. Campbell, T.F. Williams, L.S. Bradham, W.H. Haager, J.W. Clark.
Feb. 5, 1901 – A mob killed two black men, Will Wright and Sam Williams, in the jail. About 30 to 50 men broke down the outer door, then opened fire through the steel bars, shooting both prisoners dead.
Dec. 28, 1917 – The second and final public hanging takes place at the Dade City jail. Edgar London, a black man convicted of murdering his wife at Ehren, is executed by Sheriff I.W. Hudson, who sprang the trap door. Hudson was said to be unable to sleep after this execution.
Nov. 14, 1926 – Three inmates escape from the jail by digging a nine-foot tunnel. Their escape was discovered by Sheriff J.W. Hudson while on his usual rounds of the jail.

Published August 09, 2023

Clinton Avenue repaving in Dade City delayed

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(Mike Camunas)

The repaving project of Clinton Avenue in Dade City has been delayed indefinitely, according to a news release from Pasco County.

The pavement rehabilitation project had been set to begin July 28, with crews resurfacing the existing roadway and adding new pavement markings.

The county sent out a news release on July 26 saying a new completion date has not been determined.

The segment of Clinton Avenue under construction runs from U.S. Highway 301 to Old Lakeland Highway – in both directions.

When the project does resume, the county said to expect minor delays.

Work hours on the project will be Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

County officials also said to expect single-lane closures with message boards directing traffic during the weeks-long project, depending on weather conditions.

Published August 02, 2023

C.R. 54 improvements nearly complete

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Sometimes plans change.

While the project is nearly complete, the finished product of the County Road 54 Phase II will be different than originally planned, Pasco County officials told The Laker/Lutz News.

County Road 54 Phase II in Zephyrhills will consist of a two-lane roadway section east of U.S. 301 and west of 12th Street/Wire Road, with the addition of left and right turn lanes on County Road 54 at the intersection of 12th Street/Wire Road — and a left-turn lane on Wire Road. (Mike Camunas)

Originally, County Road 54 was expected to have a four-lane roadway section, east of U.S. 301 and west of 12th Street/Wire Road. Additionally, it would be a two-lane roadway section between 12th Street/Wire Road and 23rd Street. 

The section and plans, which are adjacent to Zephyrhills High, were per the Pasco County Commission’s approved route study. 

After 60% completion design phase, and during the utility coordination stage, it was discovered there would be substantial right of way costs resulting from impacts to a new Duke Energy transmission easement. Those costs would have occurred in the part of the project where the four-lane roadway section had been proposed, the county added. 

Relocating the Duke Energy facilities would cause significant impacts to the high school.

Design alternatives were provided, and the evaluation of alternatives involved five inter-agency meetings with staff from Pasco County, the City of Zephyrhills and the Pasco County School District. Parties involved agreed to a project redesign.

The current project consists of a two-lane roadway section east of U.S. 301 and west of 12th Street/Wire Road, with the addition of left and right turn lanes on County Road 54 at the intersection of 12th Street/Wire Road — and a left turn lane on Wire Road.

The remainder of the project’s design is unchanged from the original design, according to county officials.

Right and left turn lanes are proposed on County Road 54 at the intersections of 20th Street and 23rd Street, while a new traffic signal is proposed at 23rd Street.

Published August 02, 2023

Art that speaks their language

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Kendry Abreu Valerio used to be embarrassed to speak his native language.

However, now three years later thanks to art projects through Pasco County Schools’ English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, he is fluent in English — as well as a budding artist.

“I really learned English through this program and, at the same time, you learn a lot more about art and artists,” he said. “It feels a lot better now that I know I can speak English.”

Cox Elementary student Jazmyn Martinez Macayo, 8, smiles in front of her artwork poster board during the Dade City & Zephyrhills Young Artists Exhibit, at the Dade City Armory on July 18. About a dozen artists, all of whom were part of Pasco County Schools’ summer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, researched artists and created artworks — in a project aimed at helping them to hone their English language skills. (Mike Camunas)

His work was among about a dozen young artists on display at the first-ever Dade City & Zephyrhills Young Artists Exhibit, at the Dade City Armory on July 18.

He’s also one of many ESOL students who have learned English through hard work and creative, beyond-the-textbook art projects.

Students were told to research artists that inspired them, then create their own art. They had to present their art as if it was featured in an exhibit.

“It taps into the student’s creativity, for starters,” ESOL Curriculum Specialist Magda Mckenzie said. “It also makes kids feel comfortable, so they don’t feel embarrassed when speaking the English language. … So, we started working on developing oral English skills, and as we were focusing on specific artists, they read and studied a lot of biographies.

“Then they would have to tell us about their art.”

Pasco Middle student Mónica Hernández, 12, smiles as she shows off her artistic piece at the Dade City Armory on July 18 during the Dade City & Zephyrhills Young Artists Exhibit.

As a longtime Dade City resident, Mckenzie was inspired when she was driving downtown and saw that the Dade City Center for the Arts (DCCA) was hosting its Art Walk.

She thought: Why not have an exhibit for the students and their art?

Mckenzie approached DCCA with the idea, and the nonprofit’s vice president, Lucy Avila, and the center agreed to host the exhibit.

“A lot of times, when you’re trying to learn a second language, you’re doing two things at once: you’re learning content and, at the same time, they’re learning the language — that’s a tough thing to do, so I think this gives them an avenue to them be more successful,” Mckenzie said.

“Teachers love (the presentations), too, because the parents are involved, and when the parents see the progress, that definitely means a lot to the teachers.”

The student artworks represented nine different Latin American countries.

The exhibit was part of the ESOL summer session.

Dozens of people attended the Dade City & Zephyrhills Young Artists Exhibit, at the Dade City Armory on July 18.

For 3 ½ hour days, four days a week for five weeks, the students worked on their research, their artwork and their presentations.

“Every week they had to practice on how to talk to anyone, face-to-face, on their art, and what and who inspired them,” Mckenzie said. 

“And be able to do all of that in English.”

Students were from East Pasco elementary, middle and high schools, and were excited to show off their art and new communication skills at the exhibit.

Abreu Valerio, who said his artwork was inspired by Picasso, says he is now as confident as his fellow incoming Zephyrhills High freshmen — the ones whose first language is English.

“Having to present today really helped because you then hear English more and more and more,” he said. “It feels better because, sometimes, if you don’t know English, some people even make fun of you — so it feels really good that I know it so much better now.”

Isabella Lopez Flores, an 11-year-old Pinecrest Elementary student, said she was inspired by artists such as Frida Kahlo and Oscar Olivares, the latter being Venezuelan, such as herself.

She said the art project taught her English, and more.

About a dozen or so young English for Speakers of Other Languages students displayed their program artwork during an exhibit on July 18.

“It teaches you about a lot of places and things, but also a lot about art and artists,” she said. “I learned more about the countries and the world and more English. It wasn’t harder; it was more helpful — much more than reading a book, especially for me.

“When I didn’t know that much English, I would talk to my friends and they would help me learn more English, but would also help me through Spanish when I would need to talk to the teacher,” she said.

“It was all very helpful, but now I’m confident speaking to anyone in English.”

Dade City Center for the Arts
Details: The Dade City Center for the Arts brings the arts to the city and community by providing opportunities for artists to showcase their talents. The group uses community outreach and collaborates with Pasco-Hernando State College, Saint Leo University and area businesses. The organization is devoted to enhancing the Dade City environment through the arts and art events, including the Dade City Hale Bale Painting Project, the Kumquat Window Decorating Contest and the Dade City Art Walk.
Info: Visit DadeCityArts.com.

Published July 26, 2023

Committee seeks to preserve — and make — history

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Anything this old needs some help — not only to be preserved, but also to persevere.

That’s where the Dade City Historic Cemetery Preservation Committee comes in.

Dade City Cemetery, 38151 Martin Luther King Blvd., has several distinctive architectural features including mausoleums, decorative structures and monuments to territorial women and military veterans, dating back to the 1920s and ’30s. The oldest burial dates back to 1884. The Dade City Historic Cemetery Preservation Committee, based out of the Dade City Heritage & Cultural Museum, is working to have the cemetery listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. (Mike Camunas)

The group, formed five years ago, works to beautify, preserve and maintain the city’s historic cemeteries. It seeks to raise awareness, respect and appreciation for them, as well.

The committee routinely works with city staff and the Dade City Commission to implement projects that include much-needed improvements to the cemeteries. Currently, the committee’s board and volunteers are focused on getting the Dade City Cemetery, at 38151 Martin Luther King Blvd., listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

“It’s a process,” said Joy Lynn, committee board member and founder of Dade City Heritage & Cultural Museum. “I update the commission on that when I can, but then they ask us what they could do for us, and I mentioned we could use seating in the cemetery. It’s difficult for some folks to be on their feet for 90-minute tours.”

The committee provides Monuments By Moonlight Tours, which is a fundraiser that allows the committee to do work and restoration to the cemeteries.

When the committee was formed, most of the city-owned cemeteries were in disarray, so the funds they raised allowed fences and headstones to be mended and cleaned, fallen trees to be cleared, the addition of things like seating and better markers. And, of course, there’s the crusade to get the Dade City Cemetery on the National Registry.

For a property to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, it must meet at least one of four criteria — an event of historic importance must have happened there; a person of significant importance must have had an impact on the place; design or construction of the place must have great artistic and/historical importance; or there is potential historical information that can be found at the site.

Dade City Historic Cemetery Preservation Committee board member Joy Lynn stands near the sign that tells the history at Dade City Cemetery. Its first burial dates back to 1884.

Each nomination contains a narrative section that provides a detailed physical description of the property and justifies why it is significant historically with regard either to local, state, or national history.

The Dade City Cemetery dates back to the start of the city, with its first burial being in 1884. People laid to rest there include soldiers who fought in the U.S. Civil War and many of Dade City’s founders.

“When we came in five years ago, (the cemetery) was a disaster,” Lynn said. “You couldn’t see (markers and headstones), fences were broken, trees were all on the ground and the company hired to mow it wasn’t mowing like you should in a cemetery. No one was keeping care of the cemeteries, so I can only sing praises for how the city has helped and worked with us to improve them.”

The tours have become quite popular with local residents and out-of-towners alike coming to hear stories about the cemetery’s history, and possible hauntings.

Joy Lynn, Dade City Historic Cemetery Preservation Committee board member and founder of the Dade City Heritage & Cultural Museum, gives Monuments by Moonlight Cemetery Tours at Dade City Cemetery. The tours attract locals and out-of-towners.

“Normally, entering a cemetery entices individuals to think of death, a topic that is taboo or unpopular in most cases,” Lynn said of the tours. “However there is more than meets the eye in these eerie but intriguing places: Art, architecture, symbolism, science, nature, gardening, remembrance, and of course, a curiosity about whether it’s haunted.

“The purpose of this tour is to raise awareness of Dade City’s historic cemetery landmarks,” Lynn added. “Some people just want the history, a lot of people want the haunted aspect, some want both, and we have had sightings. 

“I honestly think, though, if someone were out here and to see something, they’d run right out of the cemetery (laughs).”

Lynn noted that several Dade City Police Officers have claimed to have seen something on the grounds and that some city workers “just refuse to come out here after dark.”

But beyond the intrinsic value of the tours, there’s also a financial benefit.

Lynn — assisted by Museum Director Jayde Archbold and Museum President Charlotte Lewis — provided a tour for 13 people in May, raising nearly $400 to support the committee’s causes.

Lynn also hosted Haunted Happy Hour, which was a paranormal-inspired walking tour that went to Locke Inn. That’s the site of the former 1892 Pasco County jail that was restored into an AirBNB.

Lynn is committed to Dade City history and sharing its stories.

There are reports of paranormal activity all over Dade City, she said, citing locations such as the cemetery, the jail, the former Keefer Building as examples.

“There’s a lot of activity,” she added, “and Dade City always wants to keep it kind of quiet, but anything we can do to preserve and restore our cemeteries, well, it’s helpful.”

Dade City Historic Cemetery Preservation Committee
Details: The Dade City Historic Cemetery Preservation Committee is organized under the nonprofit organization of the Dade City Heritage & Cultural Museum Inc.; the committee of volunteers is dedicated to the beautification, historic preservation, maintenance, education, appreciation, and respect of Dade City Historic cemeteries.
The committee is working with Dade City’s Commission to implement significant projects currently in the historic Dade City Cemetery and to have this cemetery listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
To learn more, visit DadeCityHeritageMuseum.org/cemetery-committee.

Published July 19, 2023

Dade City Cemetery, 38151 Martin Luther King Blvd., features several burials from the late 1800s. The Dade City Historic Cemetery Preservation Committee is working to have the cemetery added to the National Registry of Historic Places.

 

Mayor Monson moves in

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Her new title was coined years before she was elected, but has always had a nice ring to it.

“It’s Mayor Melonie or Mayor Monson,” Melonie Bahr Monson said, with a laugh. “My friend came up with that well before I was running, but was like, ‘Nooooo — we have to save it!’ … I guess I’m glad we did!”

That turned out to be a good call since Monson became the city’s new mayor, after tallying a whopping 59% of the vote in the April municipal elections. She assumed the role after Gene Whitfield stepped away after three terms as mayor.

Newly elected Zephyrhills Mayor Melonie Bahr Monson became the city’s 21st mayor in April after receiving 59% of the vote, defeating two other candidates. Before becoming mayor, Monson spent eight years as the CEO of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce. She’s seen here in front of her new home at City Hall in downtown Zephyrhills. Monson is the second female mayor in the city’s history. (Mike Camunas)

Monson, the city’s 21st mayor,  is just the second female mayor in the town’s history.

“It’s exciting because, in my whole lifetime, there’s never been a female mayor in Zephyrhills!” the 62-year-old said. “That was exciting when I was campaigning because I heard there was excitement — ‘Let’s have a female mayor!’

“I also didn’t want to run on that platform because I felt my experience and expertise was much more than just being a woman.”

Hometown hero
Monson came to Zephyrhills in 1969 when her family established Bahr’s Mobile Home Park.

She went to Zephyrhills Middle (now Raymond B. Stewart Middle) and was in the graduating class of 1979 from Zephyrhills High. She was named American Legion Student of the Year when she was in eighth grade, and played softball and golf in high school.

“My mother (Edna Bahr, 86) was very adamant that girls are going to be able to do anything boys can do,” Monson said.

Monson became a cosmetologist when she was 17 years old and did that for 33 years. She owned and operated her own business for 25 years. She moved from Zephyrhills to California, where she raised her children and ran her business.

But she came back to Pasco County’s largest city about 12 years ago. She knew it would be the place where she, and her husband of 29 years, Dennis, would retire.

“I thought I would just retire and play with grandbabies,” she said. “Nope. That’s not me.”

She worked as the town’s assistant city clerk, then joined The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, where she eventually became CEO, a role she held for eight years before stepping down in late 2022.

“I thought I’d just do it for fun, but I ended up running the show for eight years, so that was a little unexpected,” Monson said.

It was eight years well spent.

Monson calls running the chamber “one of the most political non-political jobs you can have” because of all the relationships she built, as well as being an ambassador to the city. That includes promoting the city, and its businesses, and trying to attract new businesses.

“There’s hardly anyone who doesn’t know Melonie,” new chamber CEO Vicki Wiggins said. “She loves to talk to people and has such a welcoming personality that you can’t help but like her. The chamber is the way it is because of that personality. She is the best ambassador for this city.”

Wiggins also knows Monson relished her chamber role.

“You’re the voice of the business community. You’re the voice of a lot of people, so you’re at everything and involved in everything, from festivals to meetings — everything,” she said. “You’re out there talking to everyone.

Melonie Monson’s campaign to become mayor included taking part in Zephyrhills’ Founder’s Day celebration in March. She considers herself to be an ambassador for the city and she intends to promote the town to both residents and visitors. (Mike Camunas)

“It was like everyone already knew me — or felt like they did.”

Which would come in handy running for mayor.

Running on familiarity
While it may be cliche, Monson feels she has hit the ground running as mayor.

That may be because she had thought about running for mayor for some time. When Whitfield announced on Dec. 16 he would not seek reelection, it ended up being the “perfect storm” for Monson to enter the race.

“I said for years, when the mayor retired, that I was going to run, and the kids thought it was a joke, but the hubby knew I was serious,” Monson said. “Everyone already saw me as the ambassador to the city and so it was a natural fit.

“If the citizens wanted someone with experience who was ready to rock and roll, “then I knew they’d vote for me,” she said. If they wanted someone different than that, they wouldn’t.

“One thing Mayor Whitfield told me is you can’t solve every problem — but you can listen to the people and direct them in the right way and really learn a lot of what people really need and want.”

Not only will Monson listen to her citizens and residents, she also listens to her fellow government officials, especially the City Council members.

“I think it’s important to have an ambassador like Melonie,’” City Manager Billy Poe said. “As we go through these changes and address various issues, someone like Melonie brings a level of trust to the community at-large. To have an additional leader who understands the issues and can go out and communicate the city’s direction for the community and our solutions, I think that’s extremely beneficial.”

Monson agrees.

Mayor Melonie Bahr Monson was sworn into office in April as Zephyrhills’ 21st mayor in town history.
(Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

“One of the biggest reasons I ran for mayor and not city council was the influence I knew I would have with my work behind-the-scenes — to talk things out,” she said. “I don’t get a vote, but when I’m at City Council meetings, I bring up points, and they still want to hear what I have to say because I’m the voice of the citizens.”

Children are the future
Monson already has initiatives in mind for her term as mayor.

“I’m passionate about the youth,” she said.

She recognizes Zephyrhills — the city, its downtown — has changed since she was out riding her bike down to places such as the movie theaters or the bowling alley.

It’s important, she said, for the city to have a place for the city’s children and teens.

“I want to get a civic center for our kids, if it’s the last thing I do in my term or terms,” Monson said. “We need a new place — something for kids to keep them off the streets and teach them how to be adults. I talked to (State) Sen. (Danny) Burgess about it and he was like, ‘Go for it!’”

Monson has an optimistic outlook.

“I’m excited about what the future holds, but I also don’t know how anyone could do this without any experience,” she said. “I’m grateful for my experience at the chamber because of the relationships I built and, now, I feel I’m making a positive impact for the citizens.

“I’m approachable — I’m going to interact with people, and sit down and talk with them. That’s why they elected me, and I really stepped into a great job — if you even want to call it a job.”

Published July 19, 2023

Zephyrhills preps for a plethora of new sidewalks

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The City of Zephyrhills announced it began its massive sidewalk construction project on June 19 that spans approximately 10,500 linear feet, in areas surrounding West Zephyrhills Elementary School.

This project aims to increase walkability and safety for schoolchildren, residents and visitors. It is scheduled for completion by June 19, 2024.

The City of Zephyrhills is spending $1 million to improve sidewalks across the town, including areas near West Zephyrhills Elementary, such as on Ninth Avenue, between First Street and Sixth Street. (Mike Camunas)

During construction, there may be times when resident driveway access will be affected. The contractor, BRW Contracting Inc., will seek to work with residents to provide as much advance notice as possible in these circumstances.

Construction-related noise and some minor traffic disruption with temporary lane/right of way closures is anticipated.

Construction work and streets to be impacted include:

  • Ninth Avenue from First Street to Sixth Street
  • 10th Avenue from First Street to Sixth Street
  • 11th Avenue from First Street to Sixth Street
  • 13th Avenue from First Street to Sixth Street
  • 14th Avenue from 37733 14th Ave. to Sixth Street
  • 15th Avenue from 37742 15th Ave. to 14th Avenue
  • Third Street from Ninth Avenue to 10th Avenue
  • Fifth Street from Ninth Avenue to 14th Avenue
  • Sixth Street from Ninth Avenue to 16th Street
A map of the City of Zephyrhills shows streets that will be affected during the sidewalk construction project in red. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe told The Laker/Lutz News in January that this sidewalk project was intended to “connect any missing links” so residents can get around town without crossing streets or have neighborhoods connecting to the schools via sidewalks.

The city earmarked $1 million of the 2022-2023 fiscal budget — $100 million, which is a 33% increase from the previous year — specifically to address this sidewalk project.

The sidewalks come in at the right time and coincide with several road work projects, such as extensions of Dairy Road and Kossick Road, and improvements to the intersection at County Road 54 and 12th Street, next to Zephyrhills High.

Published July 19, 2023

Shuffle of road work priorities ruffles feathers in Zephyrhills

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A project to address congestion near downtown Zephyrhills had been ranked fourth on the proposed Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) project priority list.

But it dropped to eighth place on the list after a discussion during the MPO board’s May meeting.

That action drew a response from the City of Zephyrhills during the MPO board’s meeting on June 8.

Lance Smith, a city councilman from Zephyrhills, said he’s not sure the Pasco MPO board should change the priority of projects that were ranked using a matrix to establish their place on the list.

Todd Vande Berg, planning director for the City of Zephyrhills, asked the board to reconsider its decision and restore the priority list to its original order.

“So, we heard there was some discussion about flipping the 301 rankings and placing some higher priority on the 301 project, south of town, down to 56,” Vande Berg said, during the public comment portion of the board meeting.

“The city has some concerns about this and we wanted to share some of those concerns.

“Not only has the project through town, through Zephyrhills, been on the project list for a couple decades, we’ve been patiently waiting for the State Road 52 project to get done,” Vande Berg said.

“Without these major road improvements, sidewalks, roads, lighting for safety, it’s kind of stymied our efforts for development and redevelopment.

“Meanwhile, the traffic through town has significantly gotten worse through the past couple decades.

“So, city staff, our city council and businesses are not excited about the ranking being changed,” the planning director said.

He noted that Zephyrhills’ city staff, the city council, the business community and the MPO’s technical advisory committee all recommend sticking to the original order.

Vande Berg also noted that the other project is expected to be addressed relatively soon.

“While there are traffic tie-ups at U.S.301 and State Road 56 during peak hours, Zephyrhills has congestion throughout the day,” he said.

Zephyrhills Councilman  Lance Smith suggested the ranking order could remain the same and that other interim improvements be made to lessen congestion at State Road 56 and U.S. 301.

Smith noted the original rankings were based using a set of criteria for prioritizing projects.

“Why are we changing it?” he asked.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano said the Florida Department of Transportation wants to see both projects done, back-to-back.

“I think they’re both going to fly,” Mariano said.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley observed: “Zephyrhills right now has three lanes going north and three lanes going south,” he said.

But U.S. 301 has just two lanes in the area near State Road 56, creating a bottleneck.

He’d like to see State Road 56 extended across U.S. 301, down through Crystal Springs and then around toward the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

Besides improving the transportation network, it could address stormwater issues in the Crystal Springs area, Oakley said.

Oakley added: “I’m for both (U.S. 301 projects). I just think that bottleneck at the south needs to be opened up or it won’t keep jamming all of that traffic back up to the city.”

Justin Hall, director of transportation development for the District Seven office of the FDOT, offered assurances to Zephyrhills’ officials that FDOT is very interested in improving conditions on U.S. 301.

The Pasco County MPO is the lead transportation planning agency in Pasco County. Its board is made up of the five members of the Pasco County Commission and one elected official from the cities of New Port Richey, Port Richey, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

Published June 21, 2023

Prelude to a festive song

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Paul Lewis can’t play the song — but he wrote it.

Such is the life of some composers, including this one.

Lewis is a musician and the owner of Prelude Academy of the Arts, a music school in downtown Dade City.

Paul Lewis, the Dade City native, musician and owner of Prelude Academy of the Arts, had a song he composed featured in the 7th New Music on the Bayou Festival from May 31 to June 3 in Monroe and Ruston, Louisiana. (Mike Camunas)

Over the course of two years, he composed and wrote a beautiful cello/electronic music piece — titled ‘Xenon’ — which was selected to be played in the 7th New Music on the Bayou Festival from May 31 to June 3 in Monroe and Ruston, Louisiana.

Lewis, a talented musician, plays several instruments, including the double bass.

But he can’t play this song he composed.

“It’s a great honor to be chosen for the festival, but, sadly, no, I can’t play it — it’s way above my level,” said the 35-year-old Dade City native, who also plays in the Dade City Orchestra. “I wrote it for a very talented cellist, Eduard Teregulov, who will do a chamber performance in Monroe.

Sheet music composed by Paul Lewis, owner of Prelude Academy of the Arts in downtown Dade City.

“When I was writing this piece, Edward asked me to write him the piece for the cello and had no idea what it would be about. As a composer, I really feel the need to have hooks (in the piece), otherwise, I don’t see the point, and I don’t think anyone is going to remember if it doesn’t have interesting hooks,” the composer said.

He acknowledges as he sat down to write the score, he was still trying to figure out what direction he was going in, the motifs, rhythms and hooks.

But then he stumbled upon inspiration.

“I came across this wonderful Greek proverb,” Lewis said. “‘A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.’ … That’s powerful. I wanted this piece to be about that, and it’s a little political, but I really do believe in that phrase … and the biggest issue I have is the stifling of innovation — that I don’t understand and I think this piece is about not doing that.”

The percussion studio room at Prelude Academy of the Arts in Dade City.

Xenon is a dense, colorless, odorless noble gas found in Earth’s atmosphere in trace amounts. However, xenon can be used to balance out nuclear fission, which inspired the innovation part of Lewis’ piece.

In the end, it was the Greek proverb that moved him.

“I don’t like to be practical with music — I like to hint subtly in it,” he said.

The festival received 337 submissions from 180 different applicants from 34 states and 18 countries. Lewis became one of 50 composers whose work was selected for the weeklong celebration. 

Lewis and his wife, Charlotte, who is co-owner of Prelude Academy, attended the festival so they could “get to see it played and played well by someone who is good and someone we know,” she said. 

It was a musical trip worth the wait.

Charlotte Lewis, owner of Prelude Academy of the Arts in downtown Dade City, works on some guitar lessons with a student.

“I heard it through all its stages of development — from ‘What do you think of this?’ and ‘What do you think of that?’ Every part,” Charlotte said. “I make the noise — I don’t write it, so I only know composing through Paul, but it’s nice to see his project where he has all this creativity pouring into it and I can just look at it from the outside and offer a gentle critique.

“We joke because I tell him, ‘I would tell you if I didn’t like it,’” she continued. “It’s a delicate balance being the married couple and working partners, because if something doesn’t sound good, we want to be supportive, but still give real feedback.

“So, he might pout and then rewrites.” 

The couple opened their flourishing music academy in November 2021, and have seen an influx of local musicians walk through its doors. Those learning music there are both experienced and aspiring, and they use all kinds of instruments to create classical to pop.

Students range from age 80 to 18 months.

The academy’s growth has happened faster than its owners expected — creating the need to hire three more instructors to respond to the demand. Paul teaches percussion and piano, while Charlotte gives guitar lessons. One of their instructors gives lessons on trumpets, bagpipes and other brass instruments.

And the reception from the Dade City community has been music to their ears.

“We love that Dade City is invested in us,” Charlotte said. “And the music.”

‘Xenon’ by Paul Lewis
Details: Paul Lewis’ piece for cello and electronics was featured in the 7th New Music on the Bayou Festival from May 31 to June 3 in Monroe and Ruston, Louisiana. The festival received 337 submissions from 180 different applicants from 34 states and 18 countries. Lewis became one of 50 composers selected for the festival.
To hear the score, visit Soundcloud.com/plewismusic/xenon.
To learn more about the festival, visit NewMusicOnTheBayou.com, and to learn more about Prelude Academy of the Arts, 14249 Seventh St. Dade City, visit PreludeAcademy.com.

Published June 14, 2023

Local partnership yields regional award

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A collaboration between the Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service and Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart Entrepreneurship Program has received an award in the 29th annual Future of the Region Awards.

Here’s a look at some of the commercial equipment used at the incubator kitchen, which operates at the Stallings Building, also known as The One Stop Shop, in Dade City. The kitchen resulted from a partnership between The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences-Pasco County Extension, Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart Entrepreneur Program and Pasco County. (File)

The honor recognizes the partnership for creating an incubator kitchen at the One Stop Shop in Dade City, according to a Pasco County news release.

“It’s an absolute honor to receive this award,” Dr. Whitney Elmore, director of Pasco Extension, said in the release. “Our goal for the kitchen is to help local businesses launch, grow and contribute to our economy.”

The incubator kitchen uses commercial kitchen equipment donated by Welbilt Inc.

Since the kitchen began operation in 2019, it has attracted 17 incubator members, who are now operating successful locations or catering businesses throughout the area, according to the release.

“It has been extremely fulfilling to provide guidance and support to the incubator members and watch as this partnership helped launch 45 new, food-related businesses right here in Pasco County,” Dan Mitchell, SMARTstart program director, said in the release.

To learn more about the Incubator Kitchen, visit MyPas.co/IncubatorKitchen.

The Future of the Region Awards recognize programs and projects that exemplify regionalism and also recognize outstanding achievements and contributions benefiting the Tampa Bay community.

To learn more about the regional awards, visit TBRPC.org/for/.

Published June 14, 2023