While the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron is affiliated with aviation, its their performance on ground that has granted them national accolades. The squadron’s color guard team, known as The Wesley Chapel Knights, has won two consecutive national championships in 2018 and 2019. 1st Lt. Cesar Alayon is one of the commanding officers who helps oversee the local cadets. “We’re the only team in … [Read more...]
Lutz Independence Day has tradition, flair
July 11, 2018 By
The atmosphere was festive as thousands converged on the community of Lutz to celebrate the Fourth of July, on a bright, sunshiny day. The event included a 5-K, a 1-mile fun run, a baking contest, a flag-raising ceremony, a baking contest and, the main attraction — a parade. This Independence Day marked the nation’s 242 birthday, and was the 74th time that Lutz to … [Read more...]
Building the community, one check at a time
October 11, 2017 By
After the race for the Lutz Guv’na wraps up every year, the money raised is doled out to local groups and causes. This year the race drew candidates Greg Gilbert of Beef O' Brady's Lutz, Jessica Sherman with Pinch A Penny, and Kori Rankin, of Kori Rankin Photography. Ultimately, Rankin won the Guv’na’s sash. Her stepmother, Jennifer Rankin, won the sash in 2015. The 2017 campaign for the … [Read more...]
Lutz celebrates Independence Day
July 13, 2016 By
Lutz was awash in red, white and blue, during the community’s Independence Day celebration. Tributes to Old Glory showed up on T-shirts, hats, shorts and skirts. There were patriotic socks and headbands, too. Runners took part in a 5K or a one-mile fun run, and bakers showed off their skills in a cake and pie contest. Entries in the baking contest included cakes from 10-year-old … [Read more...]
Shops at Wiregrass debuts flagpole on Flag Day
June 22, 2016 By
Initially billed as a celebration to unveil a new 40-foot flagpole at The Shops at Wiregrass, the event took on a more somber tone in light of the mass shootings in Orlando. At the beginning of the Flag Day ceremony, Greg Lenners, the general manager for The Shops at Wiregrass, asked for a moment of silence. That moment lasted 49 seconds. Each second symbolized the loss of a life on … [Read more...]
Festival shares joys of flight
September 2, 2015 By
People who are drawn to hot air balloons and aircraft enthusiasts will have plenty to see and do at Festival of Flight 2015. The event, which will take place from Sept. 11 through Sept. 13 at Tampa North Flight Center, features hot air balloon rides, tethered balloon rides, two balloon glows, two balloon launches, helicopters, planes, live music, a specialty car show and more. Admission is … [Read more...]
Fourth of July sparkles with patriotism
July 8, 2015 By
Patriotism was on full display at the Independence Day festivities in Lutz. Whether they were part of the parade, or on the sidelines watching, people came wearing red, white and blue — and were ready to celebrate. The nation’s colors showed up everywhere. They were on flags, in hair ribbons, on cowboy boots and emblazoned on the front of semi-trucks. The parade, a community … [Read more...]
Festival of Flight features a flying pig and a soaring clown
September 18, 2014 By
The second annual Festival of Flight will offer event-goers the chance to see more than two dozen hot air balloons, to explore all types of aircraft, to grab a bite to eat, and to enjoy live music. Admission is free, and parking is $2. This year, there will even be a flying pig and a giant clown among the hot air balloons, said festival director Jessica Warren of American Balloons. … [Read more...]
Missing plane search expands into Brooksville area
April 10, 2014 By
As the search for a Zephyrhills pilot and his plane concluded its fourth day, members of Civil Air Patrol's Florida Wing and local officials have pushed their search further south into the Brooksville area. Theodore Weiss was last seen taking off from a social pilot gathering in Dunellon Saturday in his two-seat, single-engine Sonex homebuilt plane, but never made it to the Zephyrhills … [Read more...]
Search for missing pilot turns to Citrus County
April 9, 2014 By
Aerial searches continue Wednesday by Civil Air Patrol's Florida Wing for a Zephyrhills pilot and his single-engine plane that has been missing since Saturday. Those efforts are now focused on the Withlacoochee State Forest for Theodore Weiss and his Sonex homebuilt airplane. It was last seen Saturday at a Sonex event in Dunellon, when Weiss took off to head back to Zephyrhills Municipal … [Read more...]
