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LUTZ – Pasco Economic Development Council received two 2025 Excellence in Economic Development Bronze Awards from the International Economic Development Council. 

The awards recognized Pasco EDC in the categories of Email Newsletter and Recovery, Resiliency & Mitigation, which impacted over 500,000 residents. 

“Our team works hard to maintain relationships with Pasco County businesses through the Pasco EDC Business Retention and Expansion program, and it is exciting to see the Pasco Biz Connect campaign being recognized as a part of their efforts to support business growth in our community,” said Bill Cronin, president and CEO of Pasco EDC.

Email Newsletter Award 

Pasco EDC won in the bronze category for its Pasco Biz Connect campaign.

This campaign promotes the Pasco EDC Business Retention and Expansion program by using themed monthly email newsletters, social media and new website features, including a new blog page and resource library, to provide relevant content to the business community. The campaign has surpassed the previous year’s total social media engagement halfway through the campaign’s second year. The campaign maintained an email click-through rate of 16%, well over the industry average of 2.6%.

Recovery, Resiliency & Mitigation Award 

Pasco EDC won in the bronze category for emergency communication efforts during the 2024 hurricane season.

The team worked with local, state and federal agencies to share recovery and mitigation updates and resources with the community. 

The past year’s storms were the worst to hit the area in over 100 years, and Pasco EDC worked with its partners, including Pasco County Government and Florida SBDC at USF, to disseminate information in a timely manner to businesses. During the 2024 hurricane season, there were over 1,000 clicks in Pasco EDC emergency communication emails, which included links to various partner resources. During this same timeframe, Pasco EDC social media posts relating to emergency communications reached over 144,000 impressions.

“Pasco EDC is leading the field of excellence in economic development with its programs,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC president and CEO. “These awards shine a spotlight on Pasco EDC’s commitment to its community and showcase the significant impact of economic development.”

Pasco County offers 4-H Teen Leadership Club

PASCO COUNTY –  Join UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County for this year’s 4-H Teen Leadership Club, now through Aug. 31, 2026. 

It’s a great opportunity for teens to gain hands-on experience and improve leadership techniques.

4-H members join community clubs where they work with adult volunteers to complete projects, community service, camps and workshops, including leadership, community service and citizenship.

The cost to join is $25. Email for specific dates/times/locations or to join any clubs. 

On the web: https://florida4h.ifas.ufl.edu/.

Timeline extended for Morris Bridge Road repair

ZEPHYRHILLS – Pasco County Public Works and Utilities crews continue to repair the intersection of Morris Bridge Road and Chancey Road.

An evaluation revealed the need for deeper structural repairs and the replacement of a large water main. Officials say these upgrades will help prevent future washouts and keep the intersection resilient for years to come.

Replacing the damaged water main is expected to take at least eight weeks for delivery and installation. Crews will then rebuild the road, which is expected to take an additional five to eight weeks.

New Port Richey presents Buccaneer Jam Fest

NEW PORT RICHEY – Local musicians and Gulf High School alumni Shadofax will take the stage during the City of New Port Richey’s inaugural Gulf High Buccaneer Jam Fest.

The event will showcase Gulf High School musicians and singers. Gulf High School alumni are encouraged to perform. Sign up to perform or volunteer at buccaneerjamfest.com. 

“This is an opportunity to honor the oldest high school in West Pasco County and its alumni,” said Peter Altman, councilman for the City of New Port Richey. “I am a proud alumnus of the Class of 1975, and my former classmates and I are celebrating our 50th reunion together. The Jam Fest will be great entertainment that should be enjoyed by all music lovers, and we hope that the entire community will come out to support our local talent.”

The event takes place from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 3 at Sims Park Amphitheater, 5547 Main St. The event is free and open to the public. 

Hillsborough County to unveil monument

TAMPA – Military families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice join a unique union known as Gold Star Families.

Hillsborough County Consumer & Veteran Services and the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County invite the community to the dedication event for the new Gold Star Family Monument at 10 a.m. Oct. 11 at Veterans Memorial Park & Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins, Jr. Museum, 3602 N. U.S. Hwy. 301, Tampa.

The monument will be installed in front of the Veterans Resource Center with the ceremony held at the outdoor amphitheater a few steps away. The dedication ceremony and unveiling will feature Armwood High School JROTC Color Guard, rifle salute and taps, and remarks from Annette Kirk, national president of American Gold Star Mothers Inc.

Quick Hits

• The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office recently thanked Pasco County Fire Rescue for saving a deputy trapped under a propane semi-truck in October 2024. Crews used the Jaws of Life to free the deputy in under 10 minutes.
• Wesley Chapel District Park is registering vendors for its Spooktacular from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 25. Call 813-345-3145 for details. 
• Main Street Zephyrhills is registering groups and floats for its 2025 Veterans Day Parade at 10 a.m. Nov. 8 in downtown Zephyrhills. Learn more at mainstreetzephyrhillsevents.org.

ST. LEO – In December 2024, the late Pope Francis declared 2025 a Jubilee Year of Hope, encouraging all to “look beyond the darkness of the world today to the hope that all find through a life in Christ, and to offer hope to others.”

Now, Saint Leo University will share songs and words of hope through its Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee 2025 Concert, at 7 p.m. Oct. 8, in the Saint Leo Abbey Church. 

The Abbey Church also is one of the six churches designated as official places of pilgrimage for the jubilee year for the Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg.

“The jubilee [year] we are now celebrating helps us to realize that hope is a constant source of joy,” said Pope Leo XIV.

Saint Leo University’s Department of English, Music and the Arts and the Catholic Identity Advisory Committees are hosting the event to spread that joy to the community through music as well as to showcase the talents of its students and faculty members.

What is a Jubilee Year?

The practice of observing a jubilee year has ancient roots with Pope Boniface VIII instituting the first Christian Jubilee in 1300. A jubilee year is a “special period of prayer, reflection and penance in the Catholic Church,” notes the U.S. Conferences of Catholic Bishops, and “for acts of mercy, forgiveness, and charity.”

In declaring 2025 the Jubilee Year of Hope, Pope Francis cited Romans 5:15: “And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

The 2025 jubilee is centered on the theme “Pilgrims of Hope” with participants traveling to Rome or making pilgrimages to local Catholic churches. But the key message is to spread hope and share the love of God. “During the Holy Year, we are called to be tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind,” noted the late Pope Francis in his announcement of the jubilee.

Much like the jubilee hymn Pilgrims of Hope which includes, “Like a flame my hope is burning, may my song arise to you: Source of life that has no ending, on life’s path, I trust in you,” the university is planning a concert that will uplift and inspire.

Under the direction of Cynthia Selph, director of music and music ministry, performances will feature all types of music, from classic hymns to songs by The Beatles and contemporary Christian artists.

Tickets and Donations

Seating in the Saint Leo Abbey Church will be first come, first seated. Those attending will find parking in the campus lots, 33701 County Road 52, St. Leo, FL 33574.

Admission donations of $5 will be accepted online (find this story on our website for the link, which is too lengthy for print). Funds will support Saint Leo’s music programs.

ZEPHYRHILLS – Main Street Zephyrhills shared updates with the city council on Sept. 23 as the organization prepares to close out the year with major events like Halloween Howl, Veterans Day Parade and Festival of Lights. 

Antwon Gildon, Main Street director and coordinator, said the organization has received great response from promoting its events on water bills. 

“I noticed it,” Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson said. “I wrote a note that said, ‘Whoever thought of this is a genius’ because I never thought about it before. That was great.”

Gildon said he wished he could take credit for the idea.

“Without having a local newspaper, we’re having to be as creative as possible,” Gildon said. “It’s just one of those things where it may not reach everyone but it’s going to reach someone that something else may not reach.”

Main Street Zephyrhills has accumulated 17,000 followers on Facebook with more than 256,000 page views over the past 90 days. The organization also has 1,800 followers on Instagram.

“I just recently found out if you don’t comment or like when you see a post, it will not stay high on your algorithm,” Gildon said, encouraging followers to engage with their content to ensure future updates aren’t buried. 

The organization’s promotions committee is trying to get companies along U.S. 301 to promote upcoming Halloween and Christmas events on their signs. 

The design committee has been working on the look of 2025 Halloween Howl bags. Gildon said the design will be unveiled in a few weeks on social media. Expect a bag that is a bit smaller than last year’s orange ones.

Gildon told the council to expect some more updates on the Historic Home Theater after Halloween. He said Main Street staff met with architects to review the demo package for the theater. 

The venue will be used for Halloween Howl’s Haunted Theater theme. That event takes place from 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25 with food trucks, hayrides, games and a haunted area at the theater. 

The organization’s economic vitality committee has worked with downtown building owners to fill vacancies. Members have reached out to companies about locating shops and restaurants to downtown.

“It has been a very successful reemergence of downtown,” Gildon said. “There’s only a few spaces that remain available and the majority of those spaces that remain available are due to size and some limitations that the new owners may take over. But every smaller location that can be re-leased has actually been re-leased pretty quickly.”

Main Street Zephyrhills also plans to roll out a community engagement series.

“We’re going to take Main Street outside of the district and go and talk with the community and just see some of the things that they’re looking forward to seeing in the downtown district,” Gildon said. 

The organization committee has raised nearly $8,000 for its investor drive. He feels confident Main Street Zephyrhills can reach its $20,000 goal by the end of the year. 

Wilkeson recommended anyone wanting to support Main Street Zephyrhills to sign up for its investor program, in which they can get updates on events and other perks. There are investor levels for individuals and businesses. 

The organization has also secured more than $8,500 in title sponsors for upcoming events. Gildon expects more to come in once they secure a Festival of Lights title sponsor. The theme of this year’s festival will be “Christmas in Toyland.”

Upcoming Main Street Events

• Oct. 25: Halloween Howl, 4-9 p.m.
• Nov. 8: Veterans Day Parade, 10 a.m.
• Nov. 16: Paulie Palooza, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Nov. 24: Christmas Tree Lighting, 7 p.m.
• Dec. 6: Festival of Lights, 4-9 p.m. 
• Dec. 6: Christmas Parade, 7 p.m.

Now that we’re officially in pumpkin spice season, it made me wonder … what is the history of pumpkin spice?  

How did this seasonal staple come about in the first place?  

And what makes it so embedded in “fall culture?”

While the craze took off after Starbucks debuted the pumpkin spice latte in 2003, the pumpkin spice blend itself is over 200 years old, with two spice-filled pumpkin pie recipes found in the 1798 cookbook “American Cookery.”

By the 1930s, spice manufacturing companies combined the ingredients into a single product, so people no longer had to buy the separate spice ingredients – cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves are the core components.  

Its purpose is to enhance the flavor of pumpkin. It doesn’t contain any actual pumpkin.  

While this might be common knowledge to many, Reddit threads tell us otherwise, as there are people on there that are shocked to learn that there is no pumpkin in pumpkin spice, similar to how there is no hamburger in Hamburger Helper.  

Pumpkin itself is bland; you wouldn’t even want your latte tasting like actual pumpkin.  

It is mostly made of water (up to 90%), and so the pumpkin spice is needed to make it more appetizing in various pumpkin dishes.

These days, however, pumpkin spice anything (latte, donuts, cookies, cream cheese, yogurt, etc.) have more sugar than authentic pumpkin, if it has any at all, and may have some, all, or none of the spices of pumpkin spice.  

Basically, food companies make pumpkin spice products to remind you of pumpkin pie, which we usually have positive associations with (Thanksgiving, family time, cozy nights, cooler weather, etc.).  

Because we like joy and happy memories, food that reminds us of this (plus the scarcity effect that it’s a limited time) prompts us to buy it.  

The high sugar content also makes us come back for more.  

Some food companies simply put caramel coloring in the product to make it look like pumpkin, and various preservatives to give it a look and taste of pumpkin pie without actually putting pumpkin or pumpkin spice in it, solely to capitalize on the pumpkin fad during this time of year.  

More marketing than pumpkin goes into it.  

In fact, you may recall the outrage over a decade ago when Starbucks customers learned that there wasn’t any pumpkin in the pumpkin spice latte, leading Starbucks to change the recipe and add pumpkin puree to the pumpkin spice flavored syrup in 2015.  

But based on the popularity of it before then, it’s clear that pumpkin wasn’t even necessary taste-wise, but people demanded it based on principle.  

So, are your pumpkin spice foods really made with pumpkin, just the spices or just flavoring agents and preservatives?  

You will have to read the ingredients list to find out.

And it’s not just food.  

Pumpkin spice candles, air fresheners and hand soaps are also popular this time of year.  

The scent is just as powerful as the taste in evoking comforting memories.  

Have you ever had a pumpkin-spice product during the other months of the year?  

It just doesn’t have that same comforting effect.

So whether you love or hate this pumpkin phrenzy, it’s safe to say this fall tradition is here to stay.  

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County, An Equal Opportunity Institution.

TAMPA – Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with government, interfaith and community leaders, gathered Aug. 23 for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Tampa Florida Temple. Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, presided at the event and Elder Brook P. Hales, General Authority Seventy, conducted. The Apostle and longtime Tampa resident offered a dedicatory prayer over the land and all who will be influenced by it.

“We ask that Thou might bless this land and this sacred house once constructed, that it might be a light and strength to the Latter-day Saints and to all the community,” Elder Andersen prayed. “Let our friends and neighbors feel Thy Spirit and increase their faith in Thy Son as they sense what has come to this place.”

The Andersens have deep roots in the Tampa area. Elder Andersen’s wife, Kathy, was born and raised in Florida, much of it in Hillsborough County. They lived in the Tampa area from 1977 to 1993 raising their family, until church service moved them elsewhere.

Sister Andersen reflected on the growth of the church in the Tampa area since she was a young girl where she was taught about Jesus Christ. “I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. I love to listen to His words. ‘Come follow me,’ he said.”

Five hundred members and friends gathered at the 12-acre site at 9445 Camden Field Parkway in Riverview. Among the honored guests were Florida State Representative Michele Rayner, the Rev. Glenn Dames of AME Church and leaders from Metropolitan Ministries.

“The temple is going to touch the lives of tens of thousands of people,” said Patrick Davis, Associate Director of Development at Metropolitan Ministries. “I understand the importance of the temple in the community. I do feel very blessed, because we all bring our blessings to this temple.”

Florida is currently home to more than 176,000 Latter-day Saints in nearly 280 congregations. The first congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ was created in 1897. The Tampa Florida Temple will serve more than 27,000 members in and around the Southwest Florida Gulf Coast.

Local members Ikwo and Dinah Ibiam explained that having a temple in the area sends a message that this is a place where people strive to be good.

Latter-day Saints consider each temple a house of the Lord and the most sacred place of worship on earth. Temples differ from the Church’s meetinghouses (chapels). All are welcome to attend Sunday worship services and other weekday activities at local meetinghouses. The primary purpose of temples is for faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ to participate in sacred ceremonies, such as marriages, which unite families forever, and proxy baptisms on behalf of deceased ancestors who did not have the opportunity to be baptized while living.

TAMPA – Lashundranette Sanders spent years raising her three children in a crowded, termite-ridden house, where temperatures inside often rivaled the Florida heat outside. 

To make matters worse, police were at times called to respond to gunfire in the neighborhood. 

Despite working as a billing specialist at an insurance company, finding safe, affordable housing remained out of reach. All that changed when Lashundranette and her family received the keys to their newly built Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough home in East Tampa. Volunteers, community supporters and Habitat leaders celebrated the home’s dedication.

“I have wanted a home of our own for as long as I can remember. Home means mine, ours, us,” Lashundranette said. “I knew that with hard work and determination, I could apply and get a home and still be able to support my kids. I have been telling them: ‘Give momma some time, and we will have a home to call our own.’”

Habitat homeowners and their families invest hundreds of “sweat equity” hours helping build homes, volunteering at events, and working at Habitat’s ReStore home improvement store. Mortgage payments fit the family’s budget and never exceed 30% of the homeowner’s income.

“In Tampa Bay, the shortage of affordable housing is real,” said Tina Forcier, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Bay Hillsborough. “But when families secure a safe, stable home they can afford, it transforms everything: their sense of security, their ability to thrive and their hope for the future.”

Lashundranette had a message for the volunteers who helped build her new home.

“I cannot thank you enough,” she said. “This home is a dream come true and will always be what I have wanted for life.”

• 003: Firefighters from Land O’ Lakes Fire Rescue Station 23 join Nancy Taylor in showing off their snack baskets. Photo courtesy of Pennee Bowen

LUTZ – The Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club honored first responders on Sept. 11 and remembered those lost Sept. 11, 2001 by waving flags in front of the Old Lutz School.

As part of a Civic Engagement Community Service Project, the club assembled eight snack baskets from member donations. These baskets were delivered to local fire stations in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes in appreciation of their dedicated service to the community.