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WESLEY CHAPEL – The Heritage Arts Center Association awarded $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors Conway Theel and Larkin Mainwaring during the Spotlight on Talent Performing Arts Competition on March 15 at Wesley Chapel High School. 

Theel’s performance on the piano and Mainwaring’s vocal range received high scores from the show’s judges. 

They were among more than 120 young people, ages 6 to 18, that performed during Spotlight on Talent. 

A handful of people in 1983, led by Sally Blackwood, envisioned a competition that promoted the performing and visual arts. Spotlight on Talent has grown from 30 acts at the county fair to an $18,000 event spanning two shows.

A matinee showcased younger students and groups. An evening show focused on older students and groups.  

A 15-member board of directors worked for three months to coordinate the show. The final production team included eight additional community friends who gave their time.  

Barbara Friedman was the executive producer. Lauretta Brown, Michelle Twitmyer and Laurel Weightman were assistant producers.  Clint Roberson, David West and Ben Alexander served as masters of ceremonies. 

Thirty-one corporate/community sponsors donated toward the over $6,000 for cash prizes, trophies and ribbons. A large donation from Suncoast Credit Union allowed the Heritage Arts Center Association to award two scholarships instead of one. 

 

Matinee Show Winners

• CATEGORY 1: Adelynn Erickson (first place, contemporary dance), Amber Luu (second, piano), Addie Pereira (third, piano) and Ruby Ricardo (fourth, musical theater).
• CATEGORY 2: Akshath Anand (first place, vocal & piano), Gabriella Tigley (second, piano), Savanna Nelson (third, ballet dance) and Naomi Reed (fourth, piano).
• CATEGORY 3: Kennedy Kring (first place, pointe dance), Chloe Adams (second, contemporary dance), Tenley Ryman (third, contemporary dance), Jacob Burkett (fourth, piano) and Penelope Whipple (fifth, lyrical ballet).
• YOUNGER GROUPS: Avery & Kailani (first place, contemporary dance), Velvet Voices (second, vocal duet), AIM’s Melodic Stars (third, vocal) and Titanic Duo (fourth, violin & piano).

 

Evening Show Winners

• CATEGORY 1: Tavin Groomes (first place, musical theater), Paul McGill (second, piano), Rio Ricardo (third, musical theater) and Jerry Lee (fourth, piano).
• CATEGORY 2: Makenna Henry (first place, contemporary dance), Naomi Lopez (second, lyrical dance), Anna Hutchinson (third, jazz dance), Logan Gilbreath (fourth, guitar) and Srikruthi Neralla (fifth, vocal).
• CATEGORY 3: Conway Theel (first place, piano), Samuel Wu (second, piano), Reagan Ricardo (third, musical theater), Larkin Mainwaring (fourth, vocal) and Alynza McBride (fifth, ballet dance).
• OLDER GROUPS: AIM Stars Acting (first place, acting), AIM’s Harmonic Stars (second, vocal) and Star Company I (third, contemporary ballet). 
• PASCO HERITAGE SCHOLARSHIPS: Conway Theel (piano) and Larkin Mainwaring (vocal).

 

DADE CITY – Putting aside the disappointment and losses suffered from Hurricane Milton, the Dade City Garden Club is gearing up for a day of celebration with butterflies, bees and free family fun taking centerstage. 

The Dade City Garden Club is partnering with the city to present the Monarch Butterfly Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 5 at the newly renovated Touchton Park with festivities flowing into Dade City Garden Club gardens.

Main attractions will include a plant sale, a Kids’ Zone, strolling entertainment, educational exhibits and presentations, food, prizes and an eclectic market that will satisfy shoppers. Live butterflies displayed during the event will be released into the gardens at the close of the day. 

The Dade City Garden Club is also holding its biennial National Garden Clubs Small-Standard Flower Show, Blooms & Bees – The Buzz in the Garden, with the purpose of educating club members and the viewing public; stimulating an interest in horticulture and floral design; and providing an outlet for creative expression. 

After the participants’ entries are evaluated by accredited Florida Federation of Garden Clubs judges, the show will open to the public on April 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dade City Garden Club, across the street from Touchton Park.

The Jolley Trolley will be in town thanks to the Community Foundation Tampa Bay. Visitors will be able to park downtown and hop on the free trolley to the festival and/or flower show from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. One pick-up/drop off location will be adjacent to the Robert B. Sumner Judicial Center (38033 Live Oak Ave.) and the other location at the Dade City Heritage Museum and Welcome Center (37800 Church Ave.). Parking is available in city and county-owned lots and other areas around the downtown. 

Attendance at both events is free. Email or visit dadecitygardenclub.com for more information.

ZEPHYRHILLS – Bauducco Foods broke ground on a production and distribution facility March 21 at Zephyrhills Airport Industrial Park.

The company, which produces more than 400,000 tons of baked goods annually, analyzed over 160 potential sites across seven states for its expansion, according to Bauducco USA CEO Stefano Mozzi.

“Zephyrhills stood out as the ideal location,” Mozzi said. “From the business-friendly environment to the fantastic support from the business development teams in the state, county and the city, we knew Zephyrhills was the right place.”

Bauducco expects to invest over $200 million into a facility on its 72-acre site. 

The facility will be used to produce and distribute its products across the U.S. Products will include biscuits, wafers and its signature Panettones.

With advanced production technologies in place, Bauducco will have greater flexibility to expand its product offerings, bringing new products to market.

“Their investment not only brings hundreds of high-wage jobs and economic growth but also reinforces our city’s reputation as a prime destination for business and industry,” Mayor Melonie Bahr Monson said during the groundbreaking. “We look forward to a prosperous partnership and the sweet success that lies ahead!” 

The Zephyrhills facility will be developed in three phases. The first phase is expected to be operational by mid-2026, the second phase by 2028 and the third by 2030. 

Bauducco anticipates creating 600 new jobs in the Tampa Bay area, of which 120 full-time positions will open during the first phase. 

“We are grateful for the meaningful partnerships that Bauducco has already formed in our community, and we are looking forward to seeing this project progress,” said Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco Economic Development Council. “There will be many new jobs coming to Pasco County in the near future as a result of this investment in our community.”

On the web: bauducco.com

 

DADE CITY – Pasco’s County commissioners honored two men who each recently retired after decades of service to Pasco County and Dade City on March 11.

They were Ronnie Deese, who retired Jan. 17 from Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, and Chief James Walters, who retired Feb. 28 from the Dade City Police Department.

The resolution the commissioners adopted honoring Deese said, among other things, that he had been hired as the chief financial officer for Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative on Sept. 1, 1988. 

During his 36-year career with the cooperative, Deese oversaw annual budgets of $600 million and played a key role in the redevelopment of the Lacoochee area.

His role at the cooperative included locating substation sites and negotiating contracts for pole attachments and towers.

He was involved with the Boys and Girls Club in Lacoochee, with the community of Lake Jovita and with the Walmart Distribution Center coming to Hernando County.

Deese served on several boards, including the Pasco County Fair, Pasco-Hernando State College, AdventHealth Dade City and the Chamber of Commerce.

“I’ve tried to help my community like y’all have,” Deese said, “It’s something we strive to do.

“I’ve had a lot of coworkers, friends and citizens of this county that I have depended upon that I could always go and ask for help, money, whatever was needed to better our community.

They haven’t buried me yet so I plan on continuing these projects.”

Deese added that he had started a new project a few days ago.

“I’d like to see that our senior citizens who are impoverished get an opportunity to go out to a few restaurants and that is a goal of mine,” Deese said. “That’s the new project that we’re taking up.”

Walters became chief of the Dade City Police Department on Aug. 17, 2018, following the retirement of Raymond Velboom.

Walters joined the department as a patrolman in 1995 and moved up in rank over the years including detective, sergeant, captain and chief.

The resolution the commissioners adopted honoring Walters said, among other things, that he was committed to protecting life, property and individual rights while maintaining peace and order, and instilling the core values of respect, integrity, professionalism and service. 

Walters taught at what is now Pasco-Hernando State College in the Law Enforcement Academy, from 1999 to 2018, teaching well over 1,000 recruits, many of whom work for the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. 

Walters earned a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from St. Leo University in 2006 while he was a sergeant with the police department. He continued to work at the university as an adjunct faculty in the criminal justice program.

Since 2018, Walters made it a priority to host an annual Back to School Shop with a Cop program to help instill confidence in students and ensure they have the essentials to be successful.

He was awarded the President’s Award through the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce in 2019 and elected president of the Tampa Bay Area Chiefs of Police Association in 2022.

Walters promoted his philosophy of the Stop, Walk, and Talk program to assist in fostering a culture of trust within the community of Dade City.

He also fostered strong relationships with Pasco County, Pasco Sheriff’s Office, Pasco County School Board, Pasco County Emergency Management and Pasco County Fire Rescue.

“It’s nothing without the partnerships as you all well know,” Walters told commissioners. “I’m grateful for the partnership that we had and hopefully continue to have with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and just keeping all our citizens and visitors to this community safe.”

 

DADE CITY – Pasco County commissioners are considering setting parks and recreation funding aside from the general fund to better support park operations and maintenance. 

As the county prepares its annual budget, the needs of parks and recreation compete with the needs of other departments. This has caused parks and recreation to fall behind.

Amielee Farrell, director of the Pasco County Office of Management and Budget, introduced the idea March 11 of creating a Municipal Service Taxing Unit for parks and recreation. 

The department would have its own millage rate placed on property tax bills, much like the fire department. Its revenue may increase over time as the county experiences growth. 

District 2 Commissioner Seth Weightman was the biggest supporter of going this route. 

Weightman appreciated the transparency of a separate fund. If commissioners wanted to adjust the budget to manage growth, he said the public would have an opportunity to advocate for or against. 

District 3 Commissioner Kathryn Starkey favored this approach as well.

“It doesn’t matter to me as long as we get the money to safely and professionally operate and maintain our parks,” Starkey said. “We have more parks coming online with no money to maintain them.”

District 5 Commissioner Jack Mariano initially pushed back on the idea. 

“The bottom line is we control the budget,” Mariano said. “If we want to increase the budget, I don’t need an MSTU to increase the budget.”

Mariano also had concerns about getting buy-in from cities. He felt like if the county goes in this direction, it needs buy-in from all cities to make it fair. About 91% of the county is unincorporated. 

County officials acknowledged there has been mixed reaction from cities about this idea. 

One potential equalizer that may be explored is charging fees to use county parks. 

 

ST. LEO – Saint Leo University students say they are committing to nurturing their relationship with God this Lenten season as they joined with faculty, staff and the public on Ash Wednesday, March 5. 

Lent is a time when Catholics and many Christians prepare to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection at Easter. It is marked by prayer, fasting and giving.

University Ministry team members Kevin Floyd, Michael Bogush and Arielle Jacus made the sign of the cross on the foreheads of those who stopped by their tent outside of the Student Activities Building on Ash Wednesday. 

“Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel,” they said as they imposed the ashes.

This is a call to remind everyone of the importance of rejecting sin and that life on Earth does not last forever.

Bryannah Valcourt, a freshman psychology major from Haiti, said she is focusing on improving her faith this Lent. 

“I’m also fasting from TikTok,” Valcourt added.

Having grown up in the Catholic faith, student Elise McDonald said taking part in the receiving of ashes is a tradition for her.
“My grandma and I would do it together,” McDonald said, noting her grandmother passed away last year. “It was a very special time for us.”

This Lent, “I’ll be getting closer again to my faith,” McDonald added.

Junior marketing major Brennan Roohan said Ash Wednesday is a time to “repent, live a virtuous life, live in the grace of God and love your neighbor.”

Darwin Marrero, a sport business major and member of the Saint Leo Lions baseball team, said he hopes to “have a better relationship with God,” this Lent. “This is a new opportunity to grow in my beliefs and in my faith.”

The Saint Leo community had opportunities throughout the day to join in Ash Wednesday observances with Mass and ashes distributed at noon by the Benedictine Monks of Saint Leo Abbey and then the imposition of ashes from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., also at the Saint Leo Abbey Church.

 

ST. LEO – Saint Leo University celebrated the grand opening of its new nursing space Feb. 6 on the second floor of Benedictine Hall.

The grand opening featured a ribbon-cutting, prayer, blessing, opening remarks and tours.

“Our repurposed, state-of-the-art simulation and learning space on the second floor of Benedictine Hall continues the caring legacy of the Benedictine Sisters [of Florida] who once resided here [Holy Name Priory, 1960-2014],” said Dr. Kathleen Van Eerden, dean of the College of Health Professions. “The new high-tech nursing classrooms and simulated clinical settings provide immersive learning environments that prepare graduates for safe practice.”

The second floor is devoted to the university’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program with 2,158 square feet renovated out of 4,256 square feet, allowing for more spaces to be created and dedicated to health care in the future. 

The second floor includes two conference rooms, two classrooms, five offices, three simulation rooms, one assessment room and one simulation control room.

The simulation rooms are complete with human patient simulators including a child, a pregnant mother and newborn, and an adult model that Saint Leo nursing students use to practice their skills. The  life-size simulators mimic human appearance. They are mechanical and computer-controlled to show symptoms and the way diseases affect a body.

“The simulators have blinking eyes; heart, lung and bowel sounds; pulses; blood pressure; and more,” Van Eerden said. “Faculty can adjust the simulator to mimic various diagnoses and conditions.”

The mom simulator can go into labor, experience difficulties and give birth to the newborn simulator.

Bella Romeo, a junior nursing student, describes the new nursing floor as “home.”

“I feel welcomed and at home here,” Romeo said. “We all come together here, we share ideas and we work as one. This is a no-judgement zone. We know we can make mistakes and learn from them.”

Romeo is interested in becoming a geriatric nurse with the hopes of one day owning a small facility for those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

State funding as well as private donations helped build the nursing program and pay for renovation costs as well as equipment, hiring of faculty and staff, and other needs. 

The university recognized the need for nurses and launched the bachelor’s degree program in 2021. It also created the College of Health Professions, which includes the bachelor’s and master’s programs in social work. 

The Florida Legislature designated $740,000 for the nursing program and building in its 2023-24 budget.

Data from the Florida Hospital Association shows Florida is experiencing a shortage of nurses and projects a deficit of about 59,000 by 2035 while the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the country will need more than 200,000 registered nurses from now through 2031. 

By the end of its first five years of operation, Saint Leo’s nursing program is expected to add nearly 200 nurses to the workforce.

“Thank you for helping us strengthen the future of health care, one nurse at a time,” University President Ed Dadez said to those gathered for the grand opening.

Saint Leo has introduced measures to help nursing students succeed. 

The university provided free housing to more than 70 students during the fall 2024 semester through its Nursing Housing Award.  An annual financial aid award of $7,680 covers on-campus housing costs. Saint Leo is accepting applications for the Nursing Housing Award for fall 2025. Students must meet eligibility criteria to qualify. 

In spring 2024, Saint Leo University’s nursing program formed a partnership with AdventHealth Zephyrhills, creating a Dedicated Education Unit to train future nurses. Students were paired with a nurse preceptor or mentor from AdventHealth. The students worked side-by-side for 12-hour shifts with their mentors and university nursing instructor Paige Porter.

The DEU program has expanded this year, and Saint Leo nursing students now are assigned to AdventHealth Dade City in addition to AdventHealth Zephyrhills. 

“AdventHealth has such a culture of care, for the employees as well as the patient,” Porter said. “This pairs with the core values of Saint Leo.”

With the opening of the new dedicated nursing space, “Saint Leo is positioned to prepare a new generation of nurses for our region, state and nation,” Van Eerden, the dean said. “With our new contemporary learning space and our program focus on the core values and caring, we know that our Saint Leo nursing graduates will make a difference.”

 

Project Vendors

Vendors who assisted with the project were S3 Design Inc. & Consultants, Cooperative Building Solutions, Sound Interiors Inc., GreenTeam Building Services (Plumbing), A&G Electrical Technologies, Total Building Solutions Inc., Skywatch Signs, Cintas, Prodigy Flooring Inc., Miller Electric Co., and AVI-SPL.