Zephyrhills/East Pasco News

Snakes, scorpions and tortoises, oh my

October 24, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Whether it was to learn about snakes, check out a Wild West Show, do a bit of arts and crafts, shopping or listening to music — visitors to the 52nd annual Rattlesnake Festival had plenty of choices. A crowd, estimated at over 9,000, visited the two-day show with near-perfect weather this past weekend at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City.

Pam Mendenhall displays a common black snake. Part of the show involved teaching the audience the difference between poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes. (Fred Bellet)

The lineup for the festival, which moved this year from San Antonio, featured reptile shows, Croc Encounters, Gopher Tortoise Races, nonprofit wildlife exhibits and performances by several local bands, including Jesse and Noah Bellamy. There were also bounce houses, a petting zoo, carnival rides, and barbecue and other food vendors.

“Moving to the fairgrounds gave us twice the space to expand the festival, plus room to grow in the future,” said Joe Simmons, who headed up the event. “We had more to offer, including moving the wildlife shows inside fair buildings, and adding more businesses and arts and crafts exhibitors.”

Simmons also said the move allowed the organization to offer free parking that was close to the event.

All money raised at The Rattlesnake Festival, after expenses, supports The Thomas Promise Foundation, a nonprofit that provides weekend meal packages for 1,200 underprivileged children who attend 27 Pasco schools.

Published October 24, 2018

Conner Heimes gets a close view of a corn snake as he peers through a glass cage housing the slithering snake. It was part of the ‘live’ display of snakes at The Rattlesnake Festival at the Pasco County Fairgrounds. The 4-year-old was at the event with his mom, Christina Heimes, his brother, Hunter, 10, and grandmother, Rebecca Heimes, all of Zephyrhills.

Inflating a balloon to be snapped by a bull whip, Mike ‘Lefty’ Remmert, of Tampa, readies the target, still in his mouth, as Cowboy Tom Glasco, of San Antonio, cracks the whip during his Cowboy Tom Wild West Show.

A large wooden rattlesnake head is controlled manually by Pam Mendenhall to open its mouth to show what the snake’s fangs look like. Pam, and her husband, Jim, presented the Mendenhall Snake Show displaying a variety of snakes.

Bernice DellaPorte, of Brooksville, works on a ‘Tree of Life’ sculpture, part of her Copper Forest Design line. She makes the piece from copper wire. Each Sculpture uses 170 strands of copper, which are each 16 inches long. The sculpture takes a day to create.

An Asian Water Monitor climbs off the shoulder of reptile exhibitor John Anderson, of Brooksville. The 2-year-old critter’s name is ‘Precious.’ The J&T Reptile exhibit was a popular feature at the Rattlesnake Festival.

Pythons like to climb to the highest branch, which is why this snake made its way to the crown of Courtney Graham, Miss Pasco County. Derek Dykstra, who is with the Rattlesnake Conservatory, brought the snake to the Rattlesnake Festival. (Vic Anthony)

110-foot observation tower in Dade City gains approval

October 17, 2018 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission has cleared the way for a 110-foot observation tower to be erected on a property off St. Joe Road in Dade City.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a conditional use request, submitted by Terry D. and Mary McKnight.

The application received a recommendation for approval by the Pasco County Commission, on a 3-2 vote, and a recommendation for denial by the county planning staff.

The staff said the proposed tower is not in keeping with the character of the area, but a majority of planning commissioner said it could be approved, along with a lengthy list of conditions.

The County Commission agreed with the Planning Commission’s recommendation.

Some area property owners objected to the tower. They claimed it is not a compatible use and could pose an invasion of privacy.

Terry McKnight, of 36210 St. Joe Road, told county commissioners that just five of the 19 neighbors receiving notice of the request had objected to his proposal.

“Nobody, that is not on our land, would be able to see all of the tower,” McKnight said.

Plus, he added, “relatively few people would be able to see the tower, at all.”

Those who would be able to see it — at most would be able to see about 50 feet of it, he said.

“But, they’ll be seeing it at some distance,” he said, and would be seeing the cabin, which is about 7 feet by 7 feet.

McKnight also showed commissioners some photographs taken by a drone at the exact spot where the observation platform would be.

Those photos essentially showed treetops, a lake and the sky.

“As you can see, the homes won’t even be visible from the tower, if it were to be erected,” McKnight said.

But, Stephen Futch, whose family owns property next to the McKnights, submitted a letter outlining 11 points of opposition.

“My great-grandfather was a county commissioner when this courthouse was built. So we have a long legacy in Dade City. That goes back 109 years ago,” Futch said, noting his mother used to live on the property, which is now part of an estate.

“Would you want to have a 110-foot tower next to your property?” he asked commissioners.

Another nearby resident, Doug Stentz, of 36125 Lynan Farms Drive, across the lake from the proposed tower, said he’s worried that the request could set a precedent.

“We don’t want a lot of towers around our lake,” Stentz said.

Two others spoke in support of the McKnights’ request.

Charles Waller, of 38038 Americana Ave., in Dade City, said he has an ownership interest in some nearby property, and he and his partners have no objections to the observation tower.

He noted that the McKnights’ property already has some unique features.

“This property has an iron fence along the front of it. That fence that came from a public housing project, over in Tampa.

“The bricks in the columns came from Sunken Gardens in St. Pete.

“There’s a beautiful fireplace out back that came from the stone in the Old City Hall here in Dade City,” Waller said.

He also noted that McKnight “has a vital interest in the Boy Scouts. He thinks that this will be an educational situation for them, and I certainly agree.

“These fire towers, which have been such an important part of our life here in Florida, are being decommissioned at a steady rate, and to have this one preserved here, I think is going to be an asset for us.

“It’s not going to harm any person. It will be a good thing for the community,” Waller said.

A room with a view
Margaret Woods, of 36332 St. Joe Road, said, “I’m the third property east of the McKnights.”

She noted that out of those notified about the McKnights’ request, just five objected.

“The rest of us have not objected,” Woods said. “Most of the neighbors that I talked to thought it was kind of a cool idea. We were excited about it from the very beginning.

“When you’re in the national forest and you see a fire tower in the forest, is it a blight upon the scenery in the forest? No, it isn’t.

“Certainly from the drone pictures you can see, there’s no privacy issue. Nobody is going to have anybody looking through their windows because of the tree canopy.

“I don’t see it as posing a danger for anyone. I don’t see it posing a privacy issue for anyone.

“And, I really don’t see that it ruins the view,” Woods said.

Commissioner Ron Oakley made a motion to approve the request.

“I don’t find that it’s going to be an eyesore,” Oakley said. “You’re going to be looking across a beautiful area of Pasco County, which is right here in East Pasco, which is pretty remarkable in itself, with our hills and trees.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said “My first thought on this was, ‘It’s very odd.’”

But, she added, “I’d probably want to stop by and climb it.”

“If you didn’t have the canopy and you could look down on everybody’s yards, that would be a little creepy, but I think you’ve got a good canopy. And, quite frankly, anybody could fly a drone these days and see much more than they should.

“I think the conditions are good conditions,” Starkey said.

Published October 17, 2018

Scream-A-Geddon brings horrors to Dade City

October 17, 2018 By Kevin Weiss

Scream-A-Geddon puts a scare into any outsider who dares to enter.

Scattered across acres upon acres in the middle of the woods off Saint Joe Road in Dade City, the independent horror park gives its visitors an interactive experience through six distinct attractions.

Scream-a-Geddon is on acres and acres of haunted land at 27839 Saint Joe Road, in Dade City. (Fred Bellet)

At one end of the park, in an attraction called “Deadwoods,” visitors navigate through dark, winding trails, where they encounter the cannibalistic Tate family.

At another side of the park, parkgoers wreak havoc on flesh-eating zombies from a militarized school bus mounted with 18 paintball guns in the attraction “Zombie Paintball Assault.”

In another unique area, called “Rage 3-D,” visitors wear 3-D glasses, and get up close and personal with crazed clowns and other abnormal creatures, testing their senses, as they make their way through creepy rooms that twist, turn and rotate in the midst of roaring music.

Under a starry twilight sky, a crowd begins to gather as they wait in line to go through the unorthodox entrance of a scary feature called ‘Demon’s Revenge,’ at Scream-a-Geddon on St. Joe Road.

Meanwhile, “Demon’s Revenge,” “Blackpool Prison” and “Infected: Ground Zero” provide their own sets of horrors — all aiming to live up to their frightening names.

Geof Kledzic, the Scream-A-Geddon general manager, is hard-pressed to pick a favorite.

“There’s great scares all over the place, so I love ‘em all,” Kledzic said. “They each have certain things that make them unique.”

Scream-A-Geddon attracted more than 40,000 visitors last year.

Open every night through Nov. 3, Kledzic expects an even bigger turnout this Halloween season.

“Every year it continues to grow,” he said, noting word-of-mouth about the park has drawn people all throughout Tampa Bay and central Florida.

His main selling point of the horror park is that “you can do things (at Scream-A-Geddon) that you can’t get anywhere else.

“Where do you get to take a walk in the woods?

Playing the part of a crazed clown called ‘Boogie-Woogie,’ 18-year old Dakota Loomis, of Zephyrhills, frightened visitors crossing his path in a featured area called ‘Rage 3-D.’ It was among several Scream-a-Geddon horrors.

“Where do you get to ride a militarized school bus and mow down zombies?

“You don’t do that at Busch Gardens or Universal (Studios).

“So, people start sharing that news, and people drive a great distance to come here,” the general manager explained.

Scream-A-Geddon launched in 2015 after its parent company, Indiana-based Point Summit Inc., expanded operations to Florida.

The company also operates Indy Scream Park in Indianapolis, and other adventure parks, including TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park, located on the same property as Scream-A-Geddon.

Unlike other horror parks, Kledzic said Scream-A-Geddon prides itself on a format of sending small groups of visitors into an attraction at a time.

In the Rage 3-D room, Laura McCudden of St. Petersburg looks for her husband, Lenny McCudden, during their first Scream-a-Geddon experience.

That’s different from what Kledzic describes as “conga lines” of people, which, he said, too often gives away “the scare.”

Upping the scary meter even more, some Scream-A-Geddon attractions give visitors the option to be touched or grabbed by the frightening characters.

“People love that,” Kledzic said of the interactive offerings. “You cannot get that anyplace else.”

For 26-year-old Lakeland resident Kyndil Rogers, the horror park fares favorably to others she’s visited.

“It’s a lot more interactive,” she said. “Really scary.”

Her friend, 29-year-old Brandon Gonzalez, also of Lakeland, was likewise impressed at how Scream-A-Geddon’s attractions and characters were brought to life.

“Here, it’s more realistic,” he said. “It makes the experience a lot better.”

New Port Richey resident Kirsty Roach expressed similar sentiments during her first-time visit.

“The haunted houses are amazing — like a lot better than (Howl-O-Scream) Busch Gardens. I’d go that far. I think it’s that good,” Roach said.

A crazed prisoner, played by 20-year-old Levi Caruthers, of Zephyrhills, waits for another victim to cross his path. Visitors at Scream-a-Geddon find themselves walking through what one visitor called ‘a funhouse on steroids.’

“I like that not everybody’s piled on top of each other,” she added.

Haunted House enthusiast Eva Dunn and her group of friends made the drive from Apopka to see what Scream-A-Geddon was all about.

She left happily frightened.

Among her favorite stops was “Blackpool Prison.” The attraction is controlled by “the worst of the worst” criminals where the only way to get out alive is through them.

It also offers visitors the option to be grabbed, held back, sent into hidden cells, removed from their group or even forced to remain.

“They grabbed a lot more than I thought,” Dunn said, with glee. “They said, ‘grab,’ and you know we’ve heard that before at other places, but here they actually grab you and it was like, ‘Wow!’ (because) they spin you around and shove you.”

“Demon’s Revenge” was the scariest part of the attraction for Dunn’s friend, Richard Doran, also of Apopka.

She said ‘hello’ to guests as they arrived. When guests departed, Mia Hernandez, 21, of Wesley

He said that’s because it is set up like a maze inside a mental ward with walls that gradually close in.

“It’s really nice. I like how it made you feel like it got smaller and smaller as you went through,” Doran said.

Dunn quickly pointed out her friend screamed the whole way through. “Right in front of my ear!” she said, with a boisterous laugh.

Meanwhile, those seeking a break from loud shrieks and bursts of adrenaline can head to the center of the park, called the “Monster Midway.”

It features carnival games, food and drink trucks, and picnic tables set near a bonfire.

Visitors, however, shouldn’t let their guard down too much.

Roaming throughout the park on any given night are hordes of ghoulish creatures, clowns and zombies, keeping visitors on high alert.

Scream-A-Geddon
What: Tampa Bay’s haunt experience features six terrifying attractions in one location.
Where: 27839 Saint Joe Road, Dade City
When: Every night through Nov. 3. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Who: Recommended for adults and teens, but younger children may attend with parent or guardian.
Cost: Prices start at $28.95. Fast pass and group packages also offered.
Info: Visit ScreamAGeddon.com, or call (813) 452-5412.

Published October 17, 2018

Car giveaway helps Pasco woman on her road to success

October 10, 2018 By Brian Fernandes

Melissa Pack finally has a car she can call her own.

The Zephyrhills woman received the keys to a 2000 Hyundai Elantra at the United Way of Pasco County, in Land O’ Lakes, on Oct. 1.

Before she received the car, the 37-year-old had no personal means of transportation.

Spectators watched at the ceremony where Pack received the car, which came complete with a big red bow.

Melissa Pack is all smiles, as she sits in her Hyundai Elantra, which she received through Wheels of Success and United Way of Pasco County. (Brian Fernandes)

The gift was made possible through the collaboration of Wheels of Success and United Way of Pasco County.

Wheels of Success CEO Susan Jacobs offered a few words, before presenting the keys to Pack, who works as a cashier at the Lowes Home Improvement store in Zephyrhills.

Those celebrating the moment included Pack’s supervisor, John Chilbert; Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley; and Alice Delgardo, president of United Way of Pasco.

Chilbert was the one who worked behind-the-scenes to help get the car for Pack.

He took notice of his employee’s unwavering dedication, and the fact that Pack had never missed a shift and voluntarily worked additional hours. He also knew that she accomplished that without having her own transportation.

So, along with the Make a Difference charity, Chilbert referred Pack’s current situation to Wheels of Success and United Way to see what could be done.

“For every person we put in a car, we turn down 20,” Jacobs said. “We do about 50 to 100 cars a year on average.”

Established in 2003, Wheels of Success doesn’t receive government funding. It relies on vehicle and community donations.

Jacobs explained the importance of collaborating with other organizations, as about 80 percent of their car giveaways have been joint efforts.

Its partner, United Way of Pasco County, allocated grant money on a quarterly basis to help finance the car.

“We were able to, because of community dollars, grant them funding to do this,” said United Way’s Patty Sutton of the local support.

Through the partnership, Pack was put on the ‘Build a Life’ program, which is intended to help get drivers on their feet after having setbacks of some kind.

Pack will also receive evaluations to make sure the vehicle is up to par with its expected standards, and she has year-long roadside assistance with AAA through Wheels of Success.

In addition to giving her a way to get to work, the car is beneficial in other ways, too, Pack said.

“I’ll be able to get groceries easier, day-to-day things that people don’t think about when they have a car,” said Pack.

She realizes that it not only helps her directly, but it also has a positive impact on those who rely on her as well.

Before receiving the Elantra, Pack had to find a way to get her mother to her doctor appointments. Sometimes that meant borrowing a friend’s vehicle.

Sutton hopes the community understands that their generous donations ultimately help to make life better for people like Pack.

“You’re not helping an organization, and you’re not giving a hand-out. You’re helping an individual,” Sutton said.

Published October 10, 2018

Dade City Scarecrow Festival aims to be fun

October 10, 2018 By Brian Fernandes

The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village in Dade City is gearing up for its annual Scarecrow Festival, set for Oct. 13.

An array of live performances will be given throughout the day, including the East Pasco Gymnastics Team and songs by Mr. Tommy.

The Indian Corn Maze, a new attraction, will allow guests to navigate turns from start to finish at this year’s Scarecrow Festival. (Courtesy of Brenda Minton)

Food concession stands will be available, as well as vendors offering items such as jewelry, beauty products, clothing and crafts.

Professional portraits will be offered by Christina Strong Photography from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., free of charge. Photos will be posted on the museum Facebook page for guests to download.

Some picture-worthy engagements include snapshots with Ruby Cornbread – a live scarecrow, as well as decorated hay rolls and pumpkin patch cut-outs.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and free for those age 5 and younger.

Visitors also will have the opportunity to create and take home their own scarecrows for $5, while Conductor Joe will offer free rides on his barrel train.

A new attraction, the corn maze, will allow participants to find their way through for $2 a person, with no charge for those age 3 and younger.

Parking is free at the museum and the Robert D. Summer Judicial courthouse.

Buses will be available to shuttle guests from the courthouse to the museum for free.

Pets are not allowed at the event.

Proceeds will benefit the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, and the Special Olympics.

“[The function] allows us to host school field trips at reasonable prices, and provide historical preservation and education in the community,” said Brenda Minton, museum event coordinator.

Scarecrow Festival
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum and Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
When: Oct. 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for age 5 and younger
Details: Food, games, prizes, and the chance to create and take home scarecrows
Info: Contact Brenda Minton at (352) 206-8889 or at .

Published October 10, 2018

Community gets a look at Woodland Elementary renovations

October 10, 2018 By Kevin Weiss

A special rededication and ribbon-cutting ceremony offered the Zephyrhills community an up-close and in-depth look at the newly renovated Woodland Elementary School.

More than 100 guests attended an event that showcased the school’s $12 million makeover, at 38203 Henry Drive in Zephyrhills.

Following introductions and a brief presentation, attendees were able to tour the campus, which was complete in time for the start of the 2018-2019 school year in August.

Pasco County School District Officials mark the rededication of Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills. The school was built in 1976. (Kevin Weiss)

Renovations included the addition of more than 100 paved parking spaces, a new and expanded administration suite, 12 additional classrooms, a new art room, two new music rooms, an expanded student drop-off loop for parents, and a renovated kitchen and cafeteria, with a multipurpose room and stage.

Funding for the improvements came through Penny for Pasco.

The enlarged cafeteria allows the school to cater to twice as many students at one time, which helps the school trim the time needed to serve lunch.

Before the renovations, lunch would begin as early as 10:15 a.m., to serve all students.

Woodland principal Shauntte Butcher said the new cafeteria also “provides for a perfect venue for community outreach and parent involvement.”

She noted the cafeteria has already hosted a standing-room-only open house, and accommodated hundreds for parent and grandparent breakfasts, PTA meetings and so on.

It also doubles as an auditorium space to host concerts, plays, talent shows and more.

“We have the opportunities to do things like never before,” Butcher said. “The possibilities and opportunities are endless.”

Meantime, Woodland’s old cafeteria has been repurposed into four classrooms, and the old kitchen is now a lab for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or what is being called a STEM-nasium.

The $12 million renovation of Woodland Elementary School included the addition of more than 100 paved parking spaces, a new and expanded administration suite, 12 additional classrooms, a new art room, two new music rooms, an expanded student drop-off loop for parents, and a renovated kitchen and cafeteria, with a multipurpose room and stage. Funding for the improvements came through Penny for Pasco.

The STEM-nasium will be equipped with a 3D printer, thanks to a $2,000 donation from the Pasco Education Foundation — presented during the rededication ceremony.

Butcher said Woodland students “are genuinely excited to use the technology featured in the STEM-nasium,” adding it also provides “creative, innovative learning stations for group collaboration.”

Other improvements include new furniture for the school’s existing classrooms, media center and teacher workroom. Restrooms were updated, too.

When the school was built in 1976, it was designed for 652 students.

As enrollment grew, more and more portable classrooms were moved onto campus to accommodate students.

The school’s new capacity is 900.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said the renovations were long overdue to the decades-old campus.

“It’s beautiful,” Browning said of the new-look school. “We are super excited about it, and we’re super excited about the teachers that teach here and the administration that leads this school, and, I’m excited about the future of the kids at this school.”

Said Butcher, who’s been at the school as principal since 2016: “To think about where the school has come from 40 years ago, to where it is now, is truly amazing. Never in my wildest dreams did I think, when I began my first principalship here, that I would be leading the renovation of a school.”

Published October 10, 2018

Take a swing at supporting Girl Scouts

October 10, 2018 By Mary Rathman

Members of Girl Scout Troop 148 of Zephyrhills are working hard to raise money for a final camping trip. (Courtesy of Tammy Whitworth)

Girl Scout Troop 148 of Zephyrhills is made up of young girls currently in high school. Its members are working hard to raise money for a final camping trip that will take them to the Florida Caverns, to Arkansas to mine for diamonds, and to the Georgia border for white-water rafting.

As part of its fundraising efforts, the troop will sponsor a golf tournament on Nov. 10 at Silverado Golf & Country Club in Zephyrhills, and is looking for prize donations and sponsors for the event.

The four-person scramble format is expected to draw 120 participants. The cost per player is $50.

Items also are being accepted to put into goodie bags, and a hole sponsorship is $50.

All proceeds from the tournament will benefit Girl Scout Troop 148.

For information and questions, contact Tammy Whitworth, troop leader, at (813) 510-8561 or ; or call Tracy Sullivan at (813) 679-6200.

Published October 10, 2018

San Antonio gardening fest offers lessons, vendors and fun

October 3, 2018 By Brian Fernandes

“Come one, come all – it’s a family event,” said Dorothy Moore, issuing an invitation to the upcoming Gardening 365 event at San Antonio Park.

At last year’s garden festival, visitor Hailey Ferrel, left, received help with her take-home plant from Pasco County Master Gardener Pam St. Louis. (Courtesy of Pasco County Master Gardeners)

Pasco County Master Gardeners, who are part of the University of Florida/Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences, are hosting the festival slated for Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Now in its second year, the festival’s theme this year is “Edibles.”

Those attending the event will have a chance to learn how to cultivate and maintain healthy organic foods year-round.

Multiple seminars will be offered, tackling such topics as: How to prune trees for hurricane season; How to grow Asian vegetables; Proper water conservation; and, Lasagna Gardening – layering your home garden.

Last year’s vendor, 3 Seasons Growers, provided the festival with a variety of flowers and plants for visitors to choose from.

“If they’re [visitors] looking at growing pesticide-free plants, this is the perfect way to learn,” Moore said.

The rain barrel seminar is the only course that has a fee, but it also includes a rain barrel that participants get to take home.

Vendors will set up throughout the park, offering shoppers a chance to buy a variety of plants and landscaping accessories.

The Kids’ Zone will be available for young ones to engage in free activities. And, there will be a food court and picnic benches.

Parking is available, and festival-goers are asked to bring only service animals, as needed.

For more information, contact Dorothy Moore at (352) 518-0156 or .

Gardening 365 Event
Where: San Antonio Park, 12200 Main St., in San Antonio
When: Oct. 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Pasco County Master Gardeners will present courses on planting and organic food alternatives. There also will be vendors and a Kids’ Zone.
Info: Call Dorothy Moore at (352) 518-0156, or email .

Published October 3, 2018

Sister Helen turns 105

October 3, 2018 By B.C. Manion

Sister Helen Lange, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in Saint Leo, celebrated her 105th birthday on Sept. 28.

There were 75 guests at the party, including three relatives, according to Cheryl Chadick, development assistant for the Benedictine Sisters of Florida.

The relatives who came to the party were Sister Helen’s cousin, Joan Schmidt, from Brandon; and, her niece, Monica “Shotsie” Keyes, who traveled from Salem, Virginia. Keyes was accompanied by her daughter, Stefanie Martin, who is Sister Helen’s grand-niece.

Sister Mary David Hydra escorts Sister Helen Lange to her 105th birthday cake, as Sister Roberta Bailey, Prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida assists. Sister Helen resides at the Heritage Park Health and Rehabilitation Center, and the other sisters live at the Holy Name Monastery in St. Leo. (Courtesy of Richard K. Riley)

Kym Hoerr honored Sister Helen with three dozen roses, Chadick added.

“The party was a huge success. Sister Helen looked beautiful, as usual,” Chadick said.

The festivities were held at Heritage Park Health and Rehabilitation Center in Dade City.

Sister Helen, formerly known as Laurina Lange, was still a teenager when she traveled by train from Texas to Florida to pursue the religious life, according to an Aug. 17, 2016 Laker/Lutz News report.

The year was 1930, and she was accompanied by four of her cousins — Irma Multer, Pauline Block, and Rosaria and Rosanna Matthiesen. They, too, had decided to answer God’s call.

She recounted many of her experiences in a memoir she wrote called “Kicking the Habit.”

In the account, she describes growing up on a farm in Olfen, Texas.

Her family prayed often, enjoyed making music, and had frequent gatherings with friends and relatives, her memoir says.

One of her favorite times of the year was Easter.

“Holy Week was truly Holy Week. There were no radios, no running around, no dancing or partying,” her memoir says.

Standing before attendees as they sing ‘Happy Birthday’ at her party, Sister Helen takes the first taste of the cake celebrating her 105 years.

“On Holy Saturday, all of us kids were sent out to pick flowers to build Easter nests for the bunny to come. While we were out hunting the flowers, little did we know that mom was busy dying the eggs — which we never saw until Easter morning.

“We made small nests with the wildflowers we picked out in the fields.

“On Easter Sunday morning, we all tumbled out of bed to see what the Easter bunny had brought. There were eggs of all colors neatly laying in our nest of flowers. What a beautiful day!”

She enjoyed shopping days with her mother, her memoir reports.

Once the necessary items for the household were purchased, she and her mother would stop by the drugstore for an ice cream soda.

“They only cost 25 cents back then,” her account says.

“Another favorite treat was a chocolate bar with marshmallows and nuts. This was called a Tango. It was only five cents,” the memoir adds.

Of course, living on a farm required hard work.

There was “cotton to chop, cotton to pick, maize to head, tractors to run, cotton to haul to the gin, repairs to be done. Too many chores to mention,” the book recounts.

And, she attribute her family’s deep faith as a key influence in her decision to pursue the religious life.

Over the years, Sister Helen would be a teacher, a band director and a principal. She would oversee a hostel for visitors from other countries. And, later, she would work in elder care.

She also moved around quite a bit. Her first assignment took her back to Texas, but she also worked in New Orleans and Slidell, Louisiana, and in various parts of Florida, including San Antonio, Venice, Sarasota, North Miami, Ocala and Jacksonville Beach.

Published October 3, 2018

Motocross enthusiasts can get their fill at Dade City track

October 3, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Revving up and getting ready to race is the name of the game at Dade City Motocross Raceway, behind the Pasco County Fairgrounds, at 36722 State Road 52.

From left: 11-year-old Kylen Bruce, 9-year-old Kolton Bruce, 10-year-old Tyler Ballenger, 11-year-old Anthony Monteleone and 5-year-old Whalyn Ballenger wait their turn before taking some practice runs. (Randy Underhill)

And, if you enjoy motocross, you’d likely enjoy an evening at this raceway.

A preview of what the place has to offer was on full display during a recent Saturday night practice session.

The raceway, established in 1979 and now owned by Randy Yoho, offers about 100 acres of a clay/sand track with tight turns and jumps galore.

Sanctioned by the American Motorcycles Association (AMA), the events include a local series, Gold Cup Series, Florida/Georgia Series, Florida Series and area qualifiers for the famous Loretta Lynn Championship series held on property owned by Loretta Lynn in Tennessee.

Nick Stokes, 24, of Land O’ Lakes, heads into a tight turn on the track, made up of clay and sand.

Practice nights are Thursday starting at 4:30 p.m., for peewee and novice riders, and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., for all other classes. Saturday evening sessions are from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., following the same order when no other events are scheduled for Saturday night races.

The practices keep safety in mind, and are divided into groups, generally by age and experience levels.

The fees are $10 for spectator and $10 per rider, with a membership of $25, or $10 a day.

Lessons also are available on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The instruction is available for people of all ages and no experience is necessary. Classes are $25 each and no membership is required.

The racetrack keeps both racers and spectators in mind, with restrooms equipped with showers, water hookups for RVs, a sheltered concession stand with seating, bleachers for seating, bike spray area and ample parking.

By Randy Underhill

Published October 3, 2018