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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Cold Iron

Community rallies support for sick girl

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A barbecue fundraiser is planned to help the family of a 5-year-old girl who has been diagnosed with a terminal form of brain cancer.

The family of Baylor Nichols received word in April that the little girl, from Brooksville, has a form of brain cancer known as Diffuse Instrinsic Pontine Gliomas.

To add to that devastating news, the girl’s parents, Donnie and Carly, were informed that the cancer is life-threatening and they only may have one year left with their daughter.

Baylor has undergone radiation therapy and two surgeries. She also is participating in a clinical trial at Children’s National Hospital in Washington D.C.

The community support has been strong, Carly said.

She said it provides “a great overwhelming sense of comfort to know that there’s so many wonderful people who care and are very selfless.”

Besides supporting the family emotionally, a barbecue is planned to generate some financial help for them, too.

The American Eagle Antique Mall is hosting the benefit on Nov. 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at 14232 Seventh St., in Dade City.

Patrons can purchase a meal for $10, consisting of barbecue or baked chicken, beans, coleslaw, bread and tea.

A silent auction and a raffle will be held, and bracelets in various sizes will be sold for $3 each.

There also will be live music from Those Unscrupulous Sunspots and Cold Iron.

To find out more, to volunteer or to make a donation to the silent auction, please contact Thalia Stilson at (352) 521-3361.

Barbecue fundraiser
When: Nov. 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: American Eagle Antique Mall, 14232 Seventh St., in Dade City
Cost: Free admission
Details: The benefit will help Donnie and Carly Nichols, whose daughter, Baylor, was diagnosed with brain cancer.
Info: To donate toward the silent auction, to volunteer or to find out more, call Thalia Stilson at (352) 521-3361.

Published October 30, 2019

Paulie Palooza rocks out at new venue

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When people gather this year to check out the music at the fifth annual Paulie Palooza, they’ll be arriving at a new event venue.

This year, the bands will be performing at the Zephyrhills Community Event Venue, at 5200 Airport Road.

Paulie Palooza will be playing at a new venue this year. The event is scheduled for March 18 at the Zephyrhills Community Event Venue. It will feature live bands, vendors, a silent auction and more. Proceeds benefit Gulfside Hospice.
(Courtesy of Gulfside Hospice)

The bands will start playing March 18 at 10 a.m., and performances will continue throughout the day, until 5 p.m.

The musical lineup includes:

  • Cold Iron
  • The Dade City Connection
  • David Teague
  • Backwaters Own
  • The Jase Randall Band
  • Ralph’s RV
  • White RV

But, there’s more than music at Paulie Palooza. The event also features local vendors, silent auctions, a car show, food and drawings, said Kirsty Churchill, of Gulfside Hospice.

The cost for admission is $5, and those attending are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.

Event proceeds support hospice patient care in Pasco County through Gulfside Hospice.

The event all began with Paul Correia’s desire to do something for Gulfside Hospice, which provided care for his father as he was approaching his death.

It started out as a birthday party, which has turned into an annual fundraiser, Churchill said.

Gulfside Hospice appreciates Correia’s work and generosity, Churchill said.

Paul Correia launched Paulie Palooza to raise money for Gulfside Hospice, who provided care to Correia’s father before his death. Since its inception in 2012, Paulie Palooza has raised more than $20,000 to support Gulfside Hospice.

Every penny helps, she said, noting that no patient is ever turned away from Gulfside Hospice because of an inability to pay.

Churchill said it’s not known yet how the new venue will affect attendance, but the venue is large — enabling the event to have more options for things to do for event-goers.

When the venue was used this year for the first time for the Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival, it drew an estimated 11,000 — the festival’s largest crowd ever.

The 14-acre site has a 20-by-40-foot stage and enough stalls, equipped with water and electricity, to accommodate 48 vendors.

Gulfside Hospice serves patients living in Pasco County who are facing end-of-life illnesses.

The interdisciplinary care team provides medical care focusing on symptom management and pain control. It also offers emotional and spiritual care from social workers, chaplains and volunteers.

For more information about Gulfside Hospice, call (800) 561-4883, or visit GHPPC.org.

Paulie Palooza
Where: Zephyrhills Community Event Venue, at 5200 Airport Road
When: March 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $5 admission, free parking; proceeds go to Gulfside Hospice
Details: Live music, local vendors, car show, food and more
Info: To find out more, contact Ashley Thibedeau, special events coordinator, at (727) 845-5707 or , or visit Facebook.com/GHPPC.

Published March 15, 2017

Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest draws record crowd

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About 8,000 people attended the fifth annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest, breaking another record for the event founded in 2010 by the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

Besides attracting thousands to enjoy the barbecue and bands, the event on Jan. 17 at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, also lured 51 teams to compete to see who makes the best barbecue. Thirty-nine teams competed at the professional level, and there were 12 backyard barbecue teams, according to a news release issued by the chamber.

With limited room for dancing, Cindy Crismon of Zephyrhills, center, managed to strut her stuff in the crowd while jamming to the music of The Lauren Mitchell Band. This was her first Pigz In Z'Hills BBQ & Blues Fest. She is a winter resident from Lake Orion, Michigan. (Fred Bellet/Photo)
With limited room for dancing, Cindy Crismon of Zephyrhills, center, managed to strut her stuff in the crowd while jamming to the music of The Lauren Mitchell Band. This was her first Pigz In Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest. She is a winter resident from Lake Orion, Michigan.
(Fred Bellet/Photo)

Figures have not been tallied, but organizers estimate the event exceeded last year’s proceeds of $30,000.

The money raised benefits local youth and education programs and community services of the Chamber of Commerce.

A crew of more than 100 volunteers pitched in to make the event a success. Many worked the entire week, some arriving at dawn and staying past sunset, to get things ready for the festival and to take it down and clean up the grounds.

“Beyond even our own optimistic projections, Pigz in Z’Hills belongs to Zephyrhills,” Vonnie Mikkelsen, executive director of the chamber, said in an email.

“I’m thrilled by the positive outcome and so very happy for the volunteers, the participants and the community who came together to make it happen,” she said.

There were thousands who arrived by car, and at least 26 private aircraft took advantage of the airport’s “Fly-in” option.

Besides enjoying barbecued foods of many styles, spectators had the chance to listen to music performed by TC Carr & Bolts of Blue, The Lauren Mitchell Band, Doug Deming & The Jewel Tones and Cold Iron.

The event venue was larger this year, too, to make room for increased demand for kids’ activities, vendors, a classic car show, and aviation and military history displays.

The Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ competition is sanctioned by the Florida BBQ Association and is a qualifier for three prestigious championship contests: the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational in Lynchburg – considered the Superbowl of BBQ contests; American Royal World Series of BBQ in Kansas City – the world’s largest and oldest contest; and the Sonny’s Smokin’ Showdown Invitational – the FBA’s newest contest.

Wink’s Barbecue led by Wink Yelverton of Fort Walton Beach, FL won Grand Champion Professional Division qualifying his team for all three prestigious contests. Peter Golob of Extra Mile BBQ from Loveland, Ohio took Reserve Champion. In the Backyard Division, Bettern Store Bot, Dave Grantham of Bushnell won Grand Champion while Bamboo Warrior, head cook Curley McKenzie of Thonotosassa took Reserve Champion.

Pigz In Z’Hills BBQ & Blues benefits local youth and education programs and community services of the Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, visit ZephyrhillsChamber.org, call (813) 782-1913, or visit the chamber’s Facebook Page.

Published January 28, 2015

Holy Smoke! Blues, Barbecue in Zephyrhills

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The holidays are associated with great family, great friends and great food. In fact, sometimes the food is the best part: Turkey, ham, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and other dishes all make a welcomed appearance.

It’s all great, but something is missing. Where are the ribs? The chicken? The pulled pork? The sweet, tangy sauce that gets on your fingers? The baked beans and corn on the cob? The smoke from the grill that makes your mouth water?

Where’s the barbecue?

There will be plenty of vendors, but people will still line up for their favorites. (File Photo)
There will be plenty of vendors, but people will still line up for their favorites.
(File Photo)

You probably didn’t find it at the holiday dinner table, but you can make up for lost time on Jan. 17. That’s when the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will host the Fifth Annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, 39450 South Ave.

As the name implies, it’s a barbecue-themed event. Vendors offering a variety of meats and platters will be on hand, offering their own take on chicken, pork and other traditional courses. It’s all barbecue, but each one is a little different. The sauces, spices and sides make each one unique and worth trying. Whatever type of barbecue you prefer, you’re likely to find someone serving it hot.

They’re competing for prizes, too. Thousands of dollars’ worth. This is the Florida State Championship sanctioned by the Florida BBQ Association. Did you even know there was a Florida BBQ Association? I didn’t, but I think I want to join it. Maybe they need taste-testers.

Anyway, the competitors are putting their best foot forward (or rib forward, I suppose) to create a variety of great tastes. You might not be an official judge, but you can pick your own winners from the competing vendors.

Now, you might have noticed that there’s more than barbecue happening in the name. It’s a blues fest as well, and music is a big part of the event. Cold Iron, Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones, The Lauren Mitchell Band and TC Carr & Bolts of Blue will all be performing. Just bring a lawn chair (no coolers or pets), find a nice spot and enjoy the show.

Rows of business vendors will be there, too, providing information about different services and offering some giveaways as well. If you’re the kind of person who goes through a lot of pens, I definitely recommend visiting this area. I can say from experience that this is a good way replenish your supply and support some local businesses at the same time. I know you’re not going there for pens, but this is “On the Cheap,” after all.

But wait; there’s more. Aircraft displays, a car and motorcycle show and the WWII Museum of Military History all add to the entertainment. There’s even a special area for children. There’s so much to do, I’m willing to make a pretty bold claim: You could be a vegetarian and still have a good time here. Even without the food there’s hours of fun and music to enjoy.

And, of course, it’s cheap. Admission to Pigs in Z’Hills is free. It costs $10 to park, but if you bring friends or family in one car, it’s a good deal. You do have to pay for food, beer and other drinks, of course. So your appetite might make this cheap event not so cheap. But I can’t advise you to skip the food, because it’s really good. So maybe eat breakfast first, so you can sample the best of the barbecue without eating your way around the airport. And you might be tempted. Like I said, the food is really good.

Pigs in Z’Hills runs from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. For more information, call (813) 782-1913 or visit ZephyrhillsChamber.org.

Schedule of events:
10 a.m. Pigz in Z’Hills opens (free admission, $10 to park)
10:30 a.m. Cold Iron performs
12:15 p.m. Jewel Tones performs
2 p.m. Lauren Mitchell Band performs
3:45 p.m. TC Carr and Bolts of Blue performs
6 p.m. event endsTwo Kidz Zones, concession vendors, business expo and military aircraft displays will be open throughout the day.

Published January 14, 2015