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Saint Leo University honoring veterans

ST. LEO – Saint Leo University’s Office of Military Affairs and Services will host events honoring veterans, military personnel and their families as part of National Veterans and Military Families Month.

The Veterans Appreciation Month Opening Ceremony takes place from 11 a.m. to noon Nov. 5 at Glen E. Greenfelder and Janet L. Denlinger Boardrooms in the Student Community Center. Master Sgt. Frank Hernandez, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), will deliver the keynote address. Hors d’oeuvres and desserts will be served.

The fifth annual Chili Cook-Off will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Student Activities Building Loggia. Guests can sample chili recipes and vote for their favorites as the college honors veterans, military personnel and military-connected families. Email by Nov. 6 to enter the chili cook-off.

“Saint Leo has a long tradition of supporting those who serve our country and the families who stand alongside them,” President Jim Burkee said. “These events provide an opportunity to express our gratitude for their service and recognize the important contributions of our military-connected students, alumni, employees and community members.”

On the web: saintleo.edu

Pasco County teachers win water resources grants

TAMPA – The Southwest Florida Water Management District awarded $113,735 in grants to 56 educators as part of the Splash! school grant program. 

The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources in grades K-12.

Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness campaigns. 

Each school district allocates a portion of its annual youth education funding to support the Splash! grants.

The district awarded grants to the following schools/teachers in Pasco County:

• Centennial Elementary – Sarah Street
• Cypress Elementary – Breanne Wicklein
• Deer Park Elementary – Joenell Nolf
• Mary Giella Elementary – Amy Torre
• Shady Hills Elementary – Ashleigh Johnson

Grants are available to support water education programs and activities that are focused on water cycle basics, ecosystems, water quality and water conservation. 

On the web: WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants

University of Tampa names interim president

TAMPA – The University of Tampa has appointed Harris Pastides, former president of the University of South Carolina, as interim president following the resignation of Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg.

Pastides will transition into the role during the remainder of the fall semester as the university searches for a permanent president.

“My focus will be on listening, building on the university’s considerable strengths and working together to sustain its momentum and position it for continued success,” Pastides said. 

He served as South Carolina’s president from 2008 to 2019 and returned as interim president from 2021 to 2022. During his tenure, the university completed a fundraising campaign exceeding $1 billion.

Brainstorms sees need for science center

NEW PORT RICHEY – The Community Redevelopment Agency Board has directed city staff to begin negotiations with Main Street Reserve for redevelopment of the Main & Bank property.

The decision leaves out a competing proposal from Brainstorms Science Discovery Center, which sought to establish a permanent, family-oriented science discovery center downtown.

“We didn’t propose a science discovery center downtown simply because we needed a building,” said Daisy Thomas, vice president of the Brainstorms board of directors. “We proposed it because we believe children and families belong at the center of our community’s future, and downtown should reflect that.”

Brainstorms thanked its community supporters and said it will continue developing educational programs, partnerships and opportunities for a permanent location in New Port Richey.

Student Achievements

• Lutz residents Joseph Cerise and Hunter Starkey graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta at the end of the summer semester.
• The Hernando Healthcare Foundation delivered a giant check for $23,000 in September to the PHSC Foundation. The money will support scholarships. 
• The PHSC Foundation will hold its Golf Classic at 10 a.m. March 2 at the Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville. Register at giving.phsc.edu/golf.
• Mikayla Croissant, of Lutz, made the President’s List at Flagler College in St. Augustine. Students must earn a 4.0 GPA while completing at least 12 semester hours of graded credit.
• JoAna Mucklow, of Odessa, graduated from the University of Mississippi in August with a Master of Business Administration.
• Odessa residents Royce Porter and Lewin Richards as well as Timothy Santoro of Lutz, made the dean’s list at the University of Maryland Global Campus in Adelphia, Maryland. Students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 for the term.

TAMPA – Penguins, alligators and skunk sisters at The Florida Aquarium are celebrating Halloween with pumpkin enrichment activities designed to encourage natural behaviors and provide mental and physical stimulation.

The aquarium’s animal care team creates these experiences to engage the animals through new sights, textures and opportunities to explore, play and forage.
Some of that activity includes: 

• African penguins investigate a pumpkin carved with a rabbit design, topped with anchovies and capelin, two types of fish included in their diet.
• Striped skunk sisters Ginger and Juniper interact with the pumpkins and sample sweet potato, bell pepper, celery and mealworms.
• American alligators push the pumpkins around in the water with one gator chomping down on the gourd.

Visitors can enjoy more fall festivities at The Florida Aquarium, including Guppyween, which runs now through Halloween with trick-or-treating on Oct. 31. Activities include animal encounters, costumed divers and a new scavenger hunt throughout the week. Children in costumes receive free admission with a paid adult ticket at the ticket window.

On the web: flaquarium.org

• Rodney Corriveau, planning and economic development director for the City of Zephyrhills, speaks at the 10th annual Zephyrhills Economic Summit on Oct. 14 at city hall. Photo courtesy of East Pasco Chamber of Commerce
• From right: Ryan Gessman (Pasco Economic Development Council) moderates a discussion with panelists Aubrey Brown (CSX Transportation), Stacy Bertrand (Duke Energy Florida) and Tania Gorman (Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization) during the  Zephyrhills Economic Summit. Photo courtesy of East Pasco Chamber of Commerce

Zephyrhills Economic Summit spotlights industry, infrastructure

ZEPHYRHILLS – The East Pasco Chamber of Commerce brought together business leaders, community partners and residents for the 10th annual Zephyrhills Economic Summit on Oct. 14 at city hall.

Industry experts, workforce leaders and government representatives explored the opportunities shaping Zephyrhills’ economic future. 

City Manager Billy Poe served as the summit’s moderator. The program featured remarks from Randy Stovall, chairman of the Zephyrhills Economic Development Coalition; Shane Bedward, president and CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills; and Rodney Corriveau, planning and economic development director for the City of Zephyrhills.

Three panels led by the Pasco Economic Development Council examined business growth, workforce development and the infrastructure needed to support continued investment:

Making It in Pasco County

Tom Ryan, vice president of business development for Pasco EDC, led a discussion featuring:

• David Brown, vice president for market development, Tibbetts Lumber Co.
• Simo Koncalovic, founder, Remedial Systems Integrated LLC
• Julia Rocha, human resource business partner, Primo Brands

Building the Talent Pipeline

Turner Arbour, senior economic development manager for Pasco EDC, led a discussion featuring:

• Carlos Acevedo, business services consultant, CareerSource Pasco Hernando
• Rob Aguis, director of career, technical and adult education, Pasco County School District
• Beth Galic, president, Bay Area Manufacturers Association
• Natasha Sherwood, CEO, AMSkills

Roads, Rails, Land & Logistics

Ryan Gessman, economic development manager for Pasco EDC, led a discussion featuring:

• Stacy Bertrand, senior economic development manager, Duke Energy Florida
• Aubrey Brown, senior manager of business development, CSX Transportation
• Tania Gorman, executive director, Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization

The chamber thanked partners and sponsors of the program: AdventHealth Zephyrhills, City of Zephyrhills, Premier Community HealthCare, Chick-fil-A Zephyrhills, Florida Blue and Pasco EDC.

On the web: eastpascochamber.org.

TAMPA – The BayCare Proton Center is now open and accepting patients.

Located at the Fred J. Woods Radiation Therapy Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital, the new proton center gives eligible patients access to proton therapy, a specialized form of radiation treatment.

Proton therapy uses charged particles to precisely target tumors while reducing radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue. This approach may be helpful when cancers are near critical organs and for some pediatric patients whose bodies are still developing.  

The center uses a compact proton therapy system from Mevion Medical Systems designed to integrate into existing health care settings. An upright patient positioning chair allows patients to receive proton treatment while seated.

BayCare said a seated position will improve comfort and make the treatment less stressful. The patient chair will enable improved tolerance to proton therapy for patients who can’t lie flat on a table due to medical conditions. 

BayCare said this is the second site in the world to use this technology.

“The upright patient chair is an important differentiating technology of our proton therapy system, enabling our team to provide more comfortable treatments while maintaining the high precision of proton therapy,” said Dr. John Greskovich, medical director of the BayCare Department of Radiation Oncology. “Bringing this advanced technology to West Central Florida gives patients in our community greater access to proton therapy and is an important option as patients make decisions about their cancer care.”  

The $33 million investment strengthens cancer care services across BayCare’s network, expanding the treatment options available through its cancer care network.

BayCare has accredited radiation oncology programs at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg and Winter Haven Hospital in Winter Haven.  

BayCare’s cancer care network includes surgery centers, breast cancer centers, radiation oncology centers, infusion and chemotherapy centers and oncology physician offices across the region. 

BayCare said proton therapy gives eligible patients another treatment option to discuss with their physicians.

Visit baycare.org/specialties-and-treatments/cancer to learn more about proton therapy and available cancer services at BayCare Cancer Institute.

ZEPHYRHILLS – Main Street Zephyrhills has selected Ovation Construction to handle demolition work at the Historic Home Theatre property at 38521 5th Ave. 

The demolition will mark the first major on-site step toward converting the 1940s-era building into the future East Pasco Cultural Arts Center.

Ovation Construction will be responsible for the selective demolition phase of the project. This includes the removal of the unstable 1940s-era Quonset Hut structure at the rear of the property, clearing the way for construction crews to preserve the historic core of the main building while integrating modern spaces.

“Selecting Ovation Construction takes this project from the drawing board into real, physical progress,” said Linda Starr Kerns, president of Main Street Zephyrhills. “By removing the unstable rear structures, we are creating a blank canvas to build a vibrant place for live performances, community gatherings and economic growth in downtown Zephyrhills.”

The theater originally opened its doors in 1948 under the direction of lumber magnate and former mayor I.A. Krusen. The theater closed in 2007 after anchoring local entertainment for decades.

Main Street Zephyrhills acquired the property using state funding designated during the 2024 and 2025 Florida legislative session. Earlier this year, initial architectural designs by KMF Architects envisioned a fully renovated performance venue, versatile indoor gathering spaces and a rooftop event deck.

Demolition work is scheduled to begin in late fall. Main Street Zephyrhills continues to seek donations and community partnerships to support the restoration.

Visit mainstreetzephyrhills.org/historic-home-theater/ to learn more about the project. 

DADE CITY – For years, 12-year-old Adeline thought struggling to breathe through her nose was normal. Chronic congestion made singing, acting and talking difficult until an orthodontic scan led her family to AdventHealth and a diagnosis that changed her life.

“Adeline always was a stuffy child,” said her mother, Courtney Burgess. “I assumed it was allergies. She pretty much lived on allergy medicine, and she just always sounded like she had a stuffy nose.”

During a routine orthodontic visit, imaging revealed that Adeline’s nasal passages were obstructed. The orthodontist recommended her family consult an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Dr. Joseph Derbyshire, an AdventHealth ENT and facial plastics specialist, evaluated Adeline. Derbyshire determined that surgery could help improve Adeline’s breathing, so she underwent removal of her adenoids and reduction of her turbinates, or the structures inside the nose that can contribute to congestion and impaired airflow.

“For most pediatric patients, the adenoids are one of the biggest sources of nasal obstruction,” Derbyshire said. “They are located at the back of the nose, where they can be difficult to see, but they can contribute to chronic congestion and sinus problems.”

Adeline reported a significant improvement just weeks after surgery.

“Before, I thought singing and acting and talking were hard, but now it’s so easy,” she said. “I’m able to breathe normally, and singing has changed so much. I’m able to hit the high notes that I’ve always wanted to hit but that I was never able to before.”

At a follow-up appointment, Adeline demonstrated her renewed range by singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” hitting high notes she once struggled to reach.

“It’s so nice to know now that if I ever go out for a role with a really high song, I could get it,” she said.

TAMPA – AdventHealth Tampa will hold its annual memorial service in honor of National Pregnancy and Child Loss Remembrance Day.

The service will give the community an opportunity to remember their loved ones and connect with others who’ve experienced a similar loss. 

“To be surrounded in a group of people that truly have walked the same walk, have walked through the same grief journey, it’s very, very impactful,” said Rebeccah Vires, women’s health director at AdventHealth Tampa. “It also allows them to know it’s OK to still grieve someone years later, decade later, lifetimes later. It’s perfectly acceptable to do that.”  

The event is open to the public from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Oct. 15 at Taneja Chapel at AdventHealth Tampa, 3000 E. Fletcher Ave, Tampa. The hospital welcomes all who have experienced the loss of a child to come together to grieve and remember their loved one.  

“Maybe they didn’t realize that they weren’t alone, that there are a number of people who are also grieving and maybe there are things they have done in their journey that can be helpful to you,” said Alex Angellakis, mission and ministry director at AdventHealth Tampa.

Family and friends can honor their baby by writing their name on a heart to place on the memory tree. Participants can choose to share their stories and receive support or remain quiet and reflect in their own space.  

Siblings will also be provided with the opportunity to participate in doing crafts to honor their loved ones and talk with special counselors trained to work with children. 

“What we do is create an environment where, if they have other siblings, those siblings get to interact and play with our child-life specialists, creating an opportunity for them to tell us if they want to engage others or not,” Angellakis said.  

The event will conclude with a candle-lighting to pay tribute to all the lives lost. 

“It does give the opportunity for dialogue and to encounter others who’ve encountered loss if they want to, but if they just want to come in that solace and have that moment of remembering at the candle-lighting time, they can do that, and they can leave,” Angellakis said. 

WESLEY CHAPEL – The Pasco Economic Development Council celebrated the companies and leaders driving Pasco County’s growth and success at the 38th Annual Awards on Oct. 1 at the Pasco-Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center. 

The evening, which featured An Evening in Paris theme, brought together business professionals and elected officials to recognize the achievements shaping the community. 

Winners featured leaders in their industry, global companies choosing Pasco County to expand and an entrepreneur who used the SMARTstart Program to grow her business. 

The award winners for 2026 are as follows:

• SMARTstart Entrepreneur of the Year: Mary Katherine Mason Alston, Lanky Lassie’s Shortbread LLC

Mary Katherine Mason Alston opened Lanky Lassie’s Shortbread in downtown Dade City after using the SMARTstart East Pasco Incubator Kitchen to bake her shortbread. Her vision began after her grandma’s shortbread recipe won first place at a Highland Games festival. Now, Alston owns a brick-and-mortar location in downtown Dade City and ships her shortbread internationally.

• Industry Impact: Speros

Moffitt Cancer Center has expanded into Pasco County with Speros, a 775-acre research, industrial and clinical development hub. The campus has opened the Speros Outpatient Center and began treating patients earlier this year, bringing medical treatment closer to home for Pasco County residents.

• Economic Excellence Award: Bauducco Foods

Bauducco bought 85 acres of the Zephyrhills Airport Industrial Park ready site in the City of Zephyrhills. The company is expecting to invest over $200 million in the new facility, which will produce and distribute its product across the U.S.

• 

  Leadership Award: Michael J. Sierra 

Sierra has worked on numerous developments in the last 30 years including Cypress Creek Town Center in Pasco County and Avila, Tampa Palms and Lakeview Village in the Tampa Bay region. As director for the Sierra Family Foundation, the Tampa native has been involved with dozens of local and national nonprofits, including the YMCA and Pasco Education Foundation.

Winners were announced with videos created by sponsor TradeUp Marketing. Pasco EDC also recognized hospitality sponsor Florida’s Sports Coast and presenting sponsors AdventHealth, Speros and YorkBridge Concepts.

“We had a great evening recognizing the businesses and leaders who have made a significant impact in Pasco County,” said Bill Cronin, president and CEO of Pasco EDC. “It was truly an honor to recognize Michael J. Sierra with the Leadership Award. His dedication and commitment to our community have made a tremendous contribution to Pasco County and helped make it the place it is today.”