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Largo

Spend a little time ‘off the grid’ — and have some fun

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Going off the grid can be therapeutic.

So can browsing through antique and home decor stores, boutiques, and wine and cheese shops.

Petal & Vine in Antique Alley, in Belleair Bluffs, is a combination florist and gift shop, with an array of home decor, baby items and more. (Karen Haymon Long)

Or so I tell myself when I decide to head to stretches of two roads with shops I like that are close to each other in Largo, Clearwater and Belleair Bluffs, in an area north of West Bay Drive in Pinellas County.

I turn off my cellphone, so I can shop totally uninterrupted, something I rarely do on an ordinary day.

Sometimes, I take along my lunch and eat in the car between stops.

Other times, I treat myself at Wildflower Cafe, a pretty “ladies who lunch” spot, or a diner called Greek Islands, both close to the Largo shops.

My favorite shop along Clearwater-Largo Road is The French Nest Marketplace. It’s owned by Julianne Marie Bourdreaux, a friendly woman who offers classes on milk paint furniture painting. She greets customers with a lilting “bonne journee” and an offer of hot tea in a flowered china cup.

Coastal Living, a shop in Largo, specializes in coastal repurposed furniture, seashells, lamps and more.

She sells antiques and new home decor, holiday gifts, charming greeting cards, lamps and an array of French linens, tableware, soaps and signs. Outside, in what she calls her rustic garden, you can find a revolving selection of recycled garden statuary and planters.

I can’t go there without buying something: an antique whiskey decanter or a first-edition “Treasure Island,” with illustrations by N.C. Wyeth. And, always, I pick up some greeting cards by artist Vicki Sawyer, whose whimsical birds, sheep and rabbits never fail to make me smile.

On the same street, but with very different inventory, Oddities and Antiques sells everything from concrete moon faces to an assortment of old dolls hanging from the ceiling – some with fish hooks dangling from their foreheads and stomachs. It has crucifixes, old dental equipment, vintage postcards, driftwood, a boy mannequin, bones, books and old bottles.

Outside, hanging from a chain, a human skeleton, adorned with metal butterfly wings, twirls in the wind.

It’s like an old museum of grab bag items thrown together. It’s fascinating and a little creepy. A sign over one door even says 666 – the devil’s sign –  and its motto, “a unique blend of unusuals.” A stuffed wolf – or is it a dog? – wears a stethoscope and sits on a table behind pink and blue eyeballs and a ceramic hand. Beware: It’s only open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

I also like Marcotte’s Design Salvage, where I recently bought a linen tea towel with a map of Florida on it. It’s too pretty to use as a towel, so I will use it as a tablecloth instead. This shop sells furniture, chalk paint, vintage lighting, architectural salvage, pillows, cabinet knobs, green glassware, barn doors, baskets, napkins, lamps, signs – many with coastal colors and themes.

The French Nest Marketplace feels like an inviting shop in France, where the owner offers cups of hot tea while you shop and greets you with a friendly ‘bonne journee’ when you arrive.

Next door, Marcotte’s Coastal Market is also worth a spin around. There just aren’t many stores like these in our area, so it’s a treat to see what they have.

Coastal Living, on the other side of Clearwater-Largo Road, sells seashells, nautical lamps and tableware, clothes, repurposed furniture and an assortment of antiques, and new gift and decor items. A few years ago, I bought a beautiful antique lamp there that has palm trees on a reverse painted shade.

Recently, I saw a lamp made from a ship’s porthole there, another lamp with a crab base and a wreath of oyster shells.

For a more whimsical, eclectic experience, make your way to Pirates of Largo, which is jam- packed — inside and out — with yard art, signs, glassware, framed posters, knickknacks, jewelry and a wild array of other things. A framed photo of Marilyn Monroe gazes out at an Elvis head. Across the room, sits a blue dog and, on one wall, there’s a vintage Miami poster.

You never know what you will find, which is part of the fun.

Other treasures await over in Belleair Bluffs, along Indian Rocks Road, where I like to check out Antique Alley, with its cluster of shops. Down the road there are a few nice women’s clothing boutiques, and a wine and cheese market called Bella Vino.

My favorite spot in Antique Alley is a combination florist and gift shop called Petal & Vine. It sells holiday and garden items, sail bags, baby gifts, jewelry, clothes, greeting cards, some food items and unusual cut flowers.

I saw some tempting Halloween decorations – a concrete pumpkin with a gold stem, a lime green pumpkin, a black cat ornament, a skeleton tea towel – on my last visit.

Oddities and Antiques sells everything from this wolf wearing a stethoscope to crosses and old dental equipment and spooky dolls.

Down the alley, a shop called Nostalgia sells framed black-and-white old photos of Havana and the Florida Keys for $40 each, dishes and other home goods with Cuban themes, as well as coastal items.

Mango Etc. art gallery sells artist Frida Kahlo-inspired pillow cases, artwork and dolls that are sure to please her fans, me included.

Next door, at Chloe’s Home Decor, I bought a glass jar with a bird on its lid that I filled with limes. For Thanksgiving, I subbed them out for baby pumpkins.

Collum Antiques, next door to Antique Alley’s much-heralded Astoria Pastry Shop, specializes in Civil War guns, swords, bowie knives, decoys and American Indian turquoise jewelry. Its owner Charles Edward Collum says he’s been there 30 years and knows where everything is in his chock-a-block shop.

South from Antique Alley, on Indian Rocks Road, I enjoyed browsing through For the Love of Boutique and two other shops called Suzette’s On the Rocks Boutique and Suzette’s Too, owned by sisters. All three sell clothing, shoes and jewelry in tranquil settings.

Tranquility, I found, is possible if you click off your phone, take your time, and explore a part of Florida you’ve never been to before. For good measure, take home a Florida tea towel souvenir to remind you of your travels.

Tips for the Trip: Where to Shop

In Largo and Clearwater:
The French Nest Marketplace, 556 Clearwater-Largo Road, N., Largo; open daily

Marcotte’s Coastal Market, 607 Clearwater-Largo Road N., Largo; open daily

Marcotte’s Design Salvage, 617 Clearwater-Largo Road, N., Largo; open daily

Coastal Living, 904 Clearwater-Largo Road, Largo; open Wednesday-Sunday

Oddities and Antiques, 1764 Clearwater-Largo Road, N., Clearwater; open Thursday-Saturday

Pirates of Largo, 1780 Clearwater-Largo Road, Clearwater; open Wednesday-Sunday

In Belleair Bluffs:
Antique Alley, 596 Indian Rocks Road, N.; some shops closed Sunday and Monday

For the Love of Boutique, 428 Indian Rocks Road, N.; closed Sunday and Monday

Suzette’s on the Rocks Boutique and Suzette’s Too, 400 Indian Rocks Road, N.; closed Sunday

Bella Vino Wine & Cheese Market/Espresso & Wine Bar, 100 Indian Rocks Road, N.; closed Sunday

Where to eat:
Wildflower Cafe, 1465 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater; open for breakfast and lunch daily

Greek Islands, 1501 Clearwater-Largo Road, N., Largo; open for lunch and dinner daily

By Karen Haymon Long

Published November 28, 2018

Incentive money brings more jobs to Pasco

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Pasco County commissioners approved an incentive payment of $141,000 to Meopta U.S.A, an optics manufacturer bringing nearly 50 new jobs to the county.

Meopta USA is opening a plant in Trinity that will manufacture precision optics for a variety of uses including binoculars, scopes, and assemblies for the military and aerospace industries. (Courtesy of Shannon Jackson)

The company is relocating its headquarters from Long Island, New York, to 7826 Photonics Drive, in Trinity.

Meopta officials plan to renovate a building formerly occupied by another optics manufacturer, VLOC, Inc. That company closed in 2014.

Pasco can thank a Largo-based company for its good fortune in landing Meopta.

Nearly a year ago, the Largo company, also an optics manufacturer, was looking to be bought out. Meopta officials decided to buy the company’s assets, with initial plans to move everything to their plant in Long Island, New York.

But, Reinard Seipp, Meopta’s general manager, said he saw a lot of “know-how and talent” in the area.

But there was a problem.

“I didn’t want to live in Largo,” he said. “I happened to like Pasco, right away. I live here. I love it.”

Meopta is expected to make about a $5.2 million capital investment in the project.

Salaries are expected to be about $49,000 a year, or about 125 percent of Pasco’s average wage.

Meopta manufactures and distributes precision optics mostly for military uses, Seipp said.

Its optics are used for binoculars as well as spotting and rifle scopes. Meopta also makes prisms, optical mirrors, periscopes for tanks and assemblies for the aerospace and medical industries.

“Our products flew on space shuttles,” Seipp said.

The Pasco Economic Development Council worked with county staff to recruit Meopta to Pasco.

The Pasco County Job Creation Incentive Program also will aid Meopta in filling job positions.

Seipp has met with representatives of AMskills, a Tampa Bay initiative that aids high school students, adults and veterans seeking manufacturing jobs.

Seipp is optimistic about the company’s future.

“I think 47 jobs is a start,” Seipp said. “We’re not going to stop there by a long shot.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you enjoy pottery, this tour is for you

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People who are drawn to pottery are naturally attracted to the Tampa Tour De Clay, said Kim Wellman, of Wellman & Welsch Pottery in Lutz.

This tour offers so much more than the chance to add some unique pottery pieces to your collection, said Wellman, whose studio is one of four stops on the tour.

It also offers provides a closer look at what goes into the creation of ceramic art.

Adrienne Welsch peers into the center shelf of the large kiln where the work of her father, Harry Welsch, cools after being fired the evening before. (Fred Bellet/Photos)
Adrienne Welsch peers into the center shelf of the large kiln where the work of her father, Harry Welsch, cools after being fired the evening before.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

Tour-goers can talk to nationally known ceramic artists, can see demonstrations, and can get a better idea of the techniques and processes used.

Taking the tour tends to deepen participants’ appreciation of pottery, said Wellman, who has been creating ceramic pieces since the mid-1970s.

“There’s all this stuff going on behind the scenes that you didn’t know was going on. When they realize how much is involved, then you begin to appreciate it more,” she said.

This year’s Tampa Tour De Clay features 24 nationally acclaimed ceramic artists.

Other highlights include pottery demonstrations, kiln openings, charity chance drawings, refreshments, and the opportunity to meet the artists and purchase handmade works.

“This tour is modeled after several artists’ tours around the country,” said Harry Welsch, who is Wellman’s husband.

Harry Welsch begins to form the clay, after it has been flattened with a press.
Harry Welsch begins to form the clay, after it has been flattened with a press.

“The four stops are what’s convenient for people to get to in one day,” Welsch said. “If they follow the schedule and spend a couple of hours at each, it just seems to be a good number.”

Wellman added: “We each have a few guest artists. So we tend to bring in people who are different from anything that you might have seen before.”

The kiln openings are one of the tour’s high points.

Each studio is planning a kiln opening on Dec. 10. The first will be at 9 a.m., at Pottery Boys Studio, 30 Bogie Lane in Largo. The next will be at noon, at Hidden Lake Pottery, 16705 Hutchison Road in Odessa. The third will be at the Wellman & Welsch Studio, at 17202 Whirley Road in Lutz, at 2 p.m. And, the last will be at San Antonio Pottery, at 11903 Curley St., in San Antonio, at 4 p.m.

As the kiln is emptied, Wellman said, those taking the tour will get a chance to hold a piece of warm pottery, and to learn more about the pieces.

Kiln openings are the time when ceramic artists get to see the results of their handiwork.

“You pull them out — and there are these beautiful colors,” Wellman said.

It can be a time of delightful surprises — or not.

Beautiful ceramic works fashioned by Harry Welsch and Kim Wellman have their start in a block of clay.
Beautiful ceramic works fashioned by Harry Welsch and Kim Wellman have their start in a block of clay.

Sometimes there are imperfections that need to be addressed before a piece can be sold. Other times, the flaws can’t be fixed.

“The way you stack a kiln matters,” said Welsch, who has a background in physics and chemistry, as well as a master’s in fine art. “It can affect the way the work comes out.

“In this kiln, it’s about a 16-hour cycle, from cold start, room temperature, to about 2,400 degrees,” Welsch said, describing the kiln at his studio.

“We control the amount of fuel and the amount of air. We prefer most of the time to have the atmosphere neutral, or not too much oxygen, not too much fuel.

“If you take out some of the oxygen, you get an incomplete burn. What happens is that the flame gets so hot, you’ve got to get oxygen somewhere. And, it comes out of the chemicals in the glaze,” he said.

“You can look in there and see it (the fire), kind of dancing around the work,” he said.

The shelves inside the kiln can be adjusted, and the number of pieces placed inside the kiln varies, Welsch said.

Generally, it takes about two weeks of work to fill the kiln for a firing, he said.

But, numerous steps precede the final firing.

“To make this body of the mug, without the handle, it’s less than a minute. And then, to make the handle, is less than a minute,” Welsch said. “The actual making of this thing is probably less than 5 minutes.”

But, then it has to air dry, then go into an electric kiln, at around 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit. Then the piece is glazed before it is fired in the hotter kiln, at about 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit, he said.

The couple’s involvement with pottery began when Wellman enrolled in a pottery class.

Welsch recounted: “It’s all her fault. She thought she might want to try it out. She was way too good.

“There are few people who are naturals. They sit down at that wheel and they center,” he said.

“She did.

“What was happening is that she was making work way faster than the lady that ran the class could fire it.

“I built our first wheel and kiln before I knew how to make pots. That’s what husbands do,” he said.

Wellman added: “This is what I was supposed to be doing. Every day, I want to come out to the studio. I still do, after 40 years.”

They began making pottery in Bradenton in 1975 and moved their studio to Lutz in 1991.

Their daughter, Adrienne Welsch, is also involved.

She grew up around pottery making.

She said she does prep work, creates some pieces and helps organize the work flow in the studio.

By doing that, she said, she saves her parents time, so they can focus on pieces that require a greater degree of mastery.

The arrangement seems to suit the trio just fine.

Tour De Clay
A self-guided tour of four local pottery studios, featuring 24 nationally known artists.
When: Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What: The tour’s highlights include kiln openings, pottery demonstrations, entertainment, charity chance drawings, refreshments, the opportunity to meet the artists and to purchase unique handmade works.
How much: The tour is free. Those visiting all four pottery studios will have a free chance to win prizes.
Where: The tour stops are:

  • Pottery Boys Studio, 30 Bogle Lane, Palm Harbor, 34683 (Kiln opening Dec. 10, 9 a.m.)
  • Hidden Lake Pottery, 16705 Hutchinson Road, Odessa, 33556 (Kiln opening, Dec. 10, noon)
  • Wellman & Welsch Pottery, 17202 Whirley Road, Lutz, 33558 (Kiln opening, Dec. 10, 2 p.m.)
  • San Antonio Pottery, 11903 Curley St., San Antonio, 33576 (Kiln opening, Dec. 10, 4 p.m.) Please note: The San Antonio Pottery will be open until 8 p.m. on Dec. 10.

For more information: Visit TampaTourDeClay.com.

Published December 7, 2016

There’s no shortage of holiday cheer here

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The Thanksgiving turkey and all of the fixins’ — and all of the leftovers — are gone.

The lighted entryway at the Florida Botanical Gardens sums up the sentiment of many holiday events in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area and the Tampa Bay region. (File Photo)
The lighted entryway at the Florida Botanical Gardens sums up the sentiment of many holiday events in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area and the Tampa Bay region.
(File Photo)

Lucky for you, you’ve got a whole month of holiday happenings available for your enjoyment.

Here’s a look at just some of the free and low-cost options being offered in the The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, with a few other regional events tossed in that we thought would give you some holiday pleasure.

 

Lutz

  • 37th annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Show, on Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Keystone Preparatory High School, 18105 Gunn Highway in Odessa. The event is free, but there will be a $5 parking charge to benefit the school. Event organizers expect about 355 vendors, and between 30,000 to 40,000 festival-goers.
  • 20th annual Christmas at the Old Lutz School, on select evenings from Dec. 8 through Dec. 27 at the school, 18819 N. US 41 in Lutz. Hours are 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., on Dec. 8, Dec. 10, Dec. 11, Dec. 13, Dec. 15, Dec. 17, Dec. 18, Dec. 20, Dec. 22, Dec. 26 and Dec. 27. Admission is free, but there will be barrels to collect nonperishable food items and toys for families that are less fortunate. The building is decked out for the holidays, and there will be entertainment, too.
  • Breakfast with Santa at the Old Lutz School, on Dec. 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the school, 18819 N. US 41. There is a $4 charge for breakfast, and a visit from Santa Claus.
  • Handbells & Friends, a free holiday concert on Dec. 14 from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., at First United Methodist of Lutz at 960 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road. The public is welcome to this concert which will feature handbells, vocals and other instruments.
  • Tampa Bay Tour De Clay, a free family friendly, self-guided tour of four local pottery studios, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour includes: Pottery Boys Studio, 30 Bogle Lane in Palm Harbor; Hidden Lake Pottery, 16705 Hutchinson Road in Odessa; Wellman & Welsch Pottery, 17202 Wirley Road in Lutz; and, San Antonio Pottery, 11903 Curley St., in San Antonio. (San Antonio Pottery will be open until 8 p.m. on Dec. 10). For more information, visit TampaTourDeClay.com.

North Tampa

  • CABA tree lighting, Dec. 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Elmcroft at Carrollwood, 2626 W. Bearss Ave.
  • Build a Toy with Santa at the Museum of Science & Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., in Tampa. Children will be able to come to the museum’s Idea Zone creativity lab to make a toy to take home. Santa Claus will drop by the workshop to share pointers on holiday cheer. The workshop will be open through Jan. 3. It is included in the normal museum admission charge. For more information, visit MOSI.org.
  • Christmas in Song, free concert on Dec. 18 at 7 p.m., in the sanctuary at Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church, 2902 W. Fletcher Ave., Tampa. This free, family friendly concert features the church’s chancel choir, orchestra and handbells.
  • “Simply Christmas,” Christmas Eve services at Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church, 2902 W. Fletcher Ave. The evening will include a Spontaneous Christmas Pageant at 5 p.m.; a contemporary Christmas service at 6:30 p.m.; lessons and carols at 8 p.m.; and, traditional communion services at 11 p.m.

Land O’ Lakes

  • Christmas Holiday Bazaar at Harvester United Methodist Church, 2432 Collier Parkway, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free to this event, which features a free photo with Santa, a bounce house village, a candy trail, holiday shopping, food trucks, giveaways and games. Those attending also will have a chance to meet the Mascot “Blue” from the Tampa Yankees. Plus, there will be resources for families affected by autism, including sensory-friendly activities for children.
  • Heritage Holiday Card Walk, sponsored by the Wesley Chapel Land O’ Lakes Satellite Rotary, from Dec. 3 to Jan. 7 at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

The event will have around 30 full-size cards on display, ranging in size from 6 feet by 4 feet to 8 feet by 4 feet. Cards can be placed on Dec. 3 between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. For information, call (813) 996-3011.

  • 23rd annual Flapjack 5k and 1-mile run, on Dec. 11, at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway. The 5k starts at 8 a.m., and the 1-mile starts at 8:45 a.m. A flapjack breakfast follows the race for each runner; non-runners can donate $5 for breakfast. Santa will be there for photos, too.

Wesley Chapel

  • CalAtlantic Homes presents Symphony in Lights, with shows on the hour between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., through Dec. 31 at The Shops at Wiregrass, at State Road 56 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in Wesley Chapel. The show features snow, sparkle and sounds of the season. For more information, visit TheShopsAtWiregrass.com.
  • Movies under the stars, Holiday Movie Marathon at Tampa Premium Outlets, 2300 Grand Cypress Drive in Lutz. See TampaPremiumOutlets.com for dates and times. The outlet center also will have community holiday entertainment, on select days and times through Dec. 24, and also will have a Community Gift Wrap through Dec. 24, with local organizations benefiting from donations.

Dade City

  • Country Christmas Open House, at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, on Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event offers free admission to the attraction, with the donation of an unwrapped toy that will be given to a local Dade City charity. The event starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. This is a great opportunity to come out and visit the museum’s charming history, do some holiday shopping with its vendors, listen to some Christmas music and hear the Solid Gold Barbershop Quartet. Bring the kiddos out to see Mr. Tommy Presents. He will have two performances at 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. Santa & Mrs. Claus will be here from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and we will offer complimentary photos by photographer Christina Strong. The barrel train also will give rides, and there will be a train show in the Mable Jordan Barn. The museum will serve punch and cookies, and hot dogs and hamburgers will be available at the concession stand. For more information, call (352) 567-0262 or (352) 206-8889, or visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.
  • Country Crafters third annual Arts and Crafts Fair, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Country Aire Manor Clubhouse, 10249 U.S. 19 in Dade City. This event features a wide assortment of locally produced items, which are available for purchase.
  • The Market Place, on Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Seventh Street and Bougainvillea Avenue in downtown Dade City. The market will feature unique holiday presents, the jazz band from Pasco High School and musician Derrick Tucker. Vendors will be offer homemade cookies, honey, jams, handmade soaps, jewelry, garden accessories, fresh produce, Scentsy, Thirty-One, handmade baskets/gourds, hand-designed coasters, artwork and more. The Market Place is free and pet friendly. It is sponsored by the Dade City Youth Council.

Zephyrhills

•   Festival of Lights on Dec. 3 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., in downtown Zephyrhills. Free photos with Santa will be offered at 38439 Fifth Ave., courtesy of Goin’ Postal. Santa will take a brief break at 6 p.m., to appear in the lighted nighttime parade.

  • Jingle Bell Boutique & Bake Sale, on Dec. 3 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the GFWC Woman’s Club of Zephyrhills Clubhouse, 38545 Fifth Ave., in downtown Zephyrhills. In addition to the customary bake sale, this will be the first year for the Jingle Bell Boutique, which will feature several women’s home-based businesses or showcase their handiwork of hobbies gone wild, and will give shoppers a chance to buy local. Proceeds from the bake sale and vendor fees will support the woman’s club’s projects.
  • Tampa Bay Tour De Clay, a free family friendly, self-guided tour of four local pottery studios, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour includes: Pottery Boys Studio, 30 Bogle Lane in Palm Harbor; Hidden Lake Pottery, 16705 Hutchinson Road in Odessa; Wellman & Welsch Pottery, 17202 Wirley Road in Lutz; and, San Antonio Pottery, 11903 Curley St., in San Antonio. (San Antonio Pottery will be open until 8 p.m. on Dec. 10). For more information, visit TampaTourDeClay.com.

Downtown Tampa

  • Free screening of the movie “Elf” at Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin St., in downtown Tampa on Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m., for a cocoa and cookies social in the theater’s lobby. A big announcement will be made at 7 p.m., followed by the movie. Admission is free and open to the public; however, guests are asked to visit TampaTheatre.org/events/Elf and click on the “Buy Tickets” link to print their complimentary Eventbrite ticket for guaranteed entry.

West Pasco

  • River Lights Boat Parade and holiday festival. The West Pasco Business Association is joining New Port Richey Main Street on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 in Sims Park, near downtown New Port Richey, for the free “River Lights Boat Parade” and a holiday festival. The movie “Polar Express” will be screened on Dec. 2 in the park. The boat parade begins at 7 p.m., on Dec. 3.
  • Sixth annual “How the Grinch Saved Christmas” will be on Dec. 9 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., at the Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave., in New Port Richey. The West Pasco Business Association is hosting this event, which includes members of the association and the community.

Tickets are available online at WPBA.biz for $45. For more information contact Maria Johnson at (727) 934-0940 or "> .

Largo
More than than 750,000 lights have transformed the Florida Botanical Gardens, at 1250 Ulmerton Road in Largo, into a holiday wonderland. Visitors can stroll through the gardens from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., nightly through Dec. 31. A donation of $4 is suggested for those 13 and older, while children 12 and under, and parking, are free.

For more information, call (727) 582-2117 or visit, FBG.Org.

Published November 30, 2016

Lighted hummingbirds, butterflies and snowmen — oh, my!

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If you’re the kind of person who enjoys seasonal decor, you’ll find plenty to like at Holiday Lights in the Gardens at the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo.

The gardens — home year-round to an interesting array of plants and trees — decks out with 750,000 holiday lights and a huge array of seasonal decorations during the event.

Visitors to Holiday Lights in the Gardens at Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo will encounter colorful lights throughout the display, decking out everything from berry bushes to stately palms, to pointy cacti and floral beauties. Here, a set of round colored lights seems to be the perfect addition to this berry bush. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)
Visitors to Holiday Lights in the Gardens at Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo will encounter colorful lights throughout the display, decking out everything from berry bushes to stately palms, to pointy cacti and floral beauties. Here, a set of round colored lights seems to be the perfect addition to this berry bush.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

The display features such things as lighted lollipops, giant snowflakes, ornaments and snowmen, too. There’s also a choo-choo train, gingerbread men and a gingerbread house, as well.

Plenty of the lighted decorations pay homage to Florida’s natural life, including a turtle, a gator, hummingbirds, flamingoes and butterflies.

The lighted figures are placed throughout the garden, adding color and complementing the garden’s natural beauty. For instance, a group of illuminated flamingoes appears to be prowling under some drooping angel trumpets.
The event is the largest fundraiser for the gardens and depends on the help of about 450 volunteers, as well as donations to make the event a success.

Visitors who want their kids to have a chance to tell Santa what they would like will have until Dec. 23.

But, the event continues nightly, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., until Dec. 31.

An up-to-date schedule of nightly, family friendly entertainment can be found on the Florida Botanical Gardens’ website at FLBG.org, or by calling the Holiday Lights hotline at (727) 582-5800.

If You Go
What: Holiday Lights in the Gardens
Where: Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo
When: Nightly through Dec. 31, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
How much: $4 donation suggested per person, for those 13 and older. Parking is free.
For more information, go to FLBG.org.

These snowmen were a big hit with visitors during a recent evening at Holiday Lights in the Gardens at Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo.
These snowmen were a big hit with visitors during a recent evening at Holiday Lights in the Gardens at Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo.
Visitors to Holiday Lights in the Gardens at Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo will find plenty of interesting light displays, as well as natural beauty. On one path, tree branches form a canopy, presenting a multitude of flowering natural ‘ornaments.’
Visitors to Holiday Lights in the Gardens at Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo will find plenty of interesting light displays, as well as natural beauty. On one path, tree branches form a canopy, presenting a multitude of flowering natural ‘ornaments.’
Holiday Lights in the Gardens offers visitors lots of reasons to enjoy the holidays, including creative light displays, refreshments for purchase, holiday music and entertainment.
Holiday Lights in the Gardens offers visitors lots of reasons to enjoy the holidays, including creative light displays, refreshments for purchase, holiday music and entertainment.

Russian politics played a role in San Antonio train depot

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The history of a train depot building in San Antonio is rooted in political uncertainty in Russia roughly 135 years ago.

On Feb. 17, 1880, a second assassination attempt on Emperor Alexander II occurred in the imperial dining room of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Terrorists blew up the dining room, killing or maiming 67 people – but the emperor wasn’t present during the attempt on his life.

The Orange Belt No. 203 was the primary locomotive that was used for the tourist line between San Antonio and Blanton in 1976. It was built in 1925 for the Washington & Lincolnton railroad that ran out of Lincolnton, Georgia. When it had mechanical problems, the railroad was able to lease Orange Belt No. 11. (Courtesy Jack Bejna/railroadpictures.net)
The Orange Belt No. 203 was the primary locomotive that was used for the tourist line between San Antonio and Blanton in 1976. It was built in 1925 for the Washington & Lincolnton railroad that ran out of Lincolnton, Georgia. When it had mechanical problems, the railroad was able to lease Orange Belt No. 11.
(Courtesy Jack Bejna/railroadpictures.net)

The previous year, nitroglycerine was used in a failed effort to destroy Alexander II’s train. And, there was the unsuccessful mission to blow up the Kamenny Bridge in St. Petersburg as the tsar was passing over it.

These events, and the political uncertainty that followed them, prompted Piotr Alexandrovitch Dementieff, a Russian nobleman, to flee to Florida as a Russian exile.

Dementieff, who later shortened his name to Peter A. Demens, would go on to become a co-founder of St. Petersburg, Florida.

And, the city would become home to the southern terminus for one of the longest narrow gauge railroads in the United States at the time of its completion in 1888.

The decision to locate a railway line in St. Petersburg was made during the same time that Henry B. Plant was opening up a rail line near Port Tampa, which had a depth of 5 feet.

St. Petersburg, by comparison, had a harbor with a depth of 18 feet, enabling it to import and export more cargo.

With dozens of railroads competing in Florida, Demens saw an advantage in running a railroad north from St. Petersburg to transport the area’s abundant long-leaf yellow pine and its citrus.

Known as the Orange Belt Railway, the mainline was 152 miles long.

It was the first to cross central Pasco County diagonally — through Trilby, San Antonio, Ehren, Drexel and Odessa.

The Orange Belt Railway also played a role in the development of other towns along its route including Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Clearwater and Largo.

San Antonio’s historic depot is the last one remaining on the Orange Belt Railway. The railway crossed Pasco County for 80 years, connecting northern markets in the St. Johns River area with St. Petersburg. The depot was completely restored in 1996 with a $15,600 preservation grant from the state, plus a $25,000 contribution from Pasco County and countless hours of volunteer help. The depot currently serves as railroad museum, a community building and a voting precinct location. (Doug Sanders/Photo)
San Antonio’s historic depot is the last one remaining on the Orange Belt Railway. The railway crossed Pasco County for 80 years, connecting northern markets in the St. Johns River area with St. Petersburg. The depot was completely restored in 1996 with a $15,600 preservation grant from the state, plus a $25,000 contribution from Pasco County and countless hours of volunteer help. The depot currently serves as railroad museum, a community building and a voting precinct location.
(Doug Sanders/Photo)

As a narrow gauge (3 feet) railway company, Demens had arranged for some incredible financing — which left him in debt with angry capitalists in Philadelphia.

“At one time, his creditors chained his locomotives to the tracks,” writes Glen Dill for The Suncoast News in August 1988. “At another time, his unpaid track-laying crew stormed after him on a hand car, planning to lynch him.”

The Orange Belt faced many hardships in its early years due to debt run up during various phases of construction.

Frigid temperatures during the Great Freeze of 1894-1895 killed many citrus groves in Florida.

The freeze also ended Demens’ ownership of the Orange Belt.

Within weeks, he sold the Orange Belt Railway to railroad tycoon Henry B. Plant.

Plant converted most of the railway to standard gauge (4 feet 8 1⁄2 inches), which made it more profitable.

In 1902, the Plant system became part of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. Passengers would later ride on that railroad in luxury Pullman railcars with sleeper berths during Florida’s land boom in the 1920s.

As cars, buses and planes took more passengers, the Atlantic Coast Line discontinued its train service in 1970.

The depot in San Antonio was left abandoned and forgotten until 1976, when a group of Tampa residents organized under the name of Robert Most and Associates. They took passengers on a round-trip railroad excursion, typically a 90-minute trip, from San Antonio to Blanton on weekends and holidays.

The last ride took place on Feb. 21, 1978.

Sections of the Orange Belt rail line are now part of the Pinellas Trail in Pinellas County, the South Lake Minneola Scenic Trail in Lake County and the West Orange Trail in Orange County.

The depot in San Antonio is a reminder of the vibrant role that railroads played during the early days of Florida’s development.

The historic depot is the last one remaining on the Orange Belt Railway, which crossed Pasco County for 80 years, connecting northern markets in the St. Johns River area with St. Petersburg.

The depot was completely restored in 1996 with a $15,600 preservation grant from the state, plus a $25,000 contribution from Pasco County and countless hours of volunteer help.

With a history that had its roots in politics, the San Antonio depot also has a connection to political life today.

Besides serving as a railroad museum and community building, it’s a voting precinct, too.

Peter Demens won a coin toss, according to a local legend, and named St. Petersburg, Florida, after his hometown in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Demens was selected as a Great Floridian in 2000 by the Florida Department of State and the Florida League of Cities.

By Doug Sanders

Doug Sanders has a penchant for unearthing interesting stories about local history. His sleuthing skills have been developed through his experiences in newspaper and government work. If you have an idea for a future history column, contact Doug at .

Published December 9, 2015

Buzzing bees, bromeliads and beauty

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It’s summertime, so that means the kids are out of school and out-of-town guests are flocking to Florida to take advantage of the state’s world-famous theme parks and its gorgeous beaches.

But here’s a place, just off the beaten track, that’s truly one of Tampa Bay’s gems.

Ingredients derived from the purple coneflower have been widely used in folk remedies for generations and are still used for medicinal purposes today. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Ingredients derived from the purple coneflower have been widely used in folk remedies for generations and are still used for medicinal purposes today.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

The Florida Botanical Gardens offers visitors a chance to experience beauty, learn about nature, get some exercise and find a nice shady spot for a picnic lunch.

The attraction, at 12520 Ulmerton Road in Largo, has another huge plus: It’s free.

You don’t have to go to Disney World or Busch Gardens to see topiary. You can visit the Wedding Garden at the Florida Botanical Gardens to see a Cupid topiary take aim at a leafy green heart.

If palm trees are your thing, you’ll enjoy the collection here, including a date palm, a ribbon palm, a European fan palm, a Zombie palm, a Sugar palm, a cardboard palm, a triangle palm — well, you get the idea.

In other spots, guests can get closeup looks at spiky “crown of thorns” plants, gorgeous water lily blooms, exotic bird of paradise plants and clusters of bananas.

There are trails especially designed for children.

There are areas likely to interest gardeners.

There’s wildlife, too, including wading birds and turtles.

There’s also something else that visitors need to know about. There are alligators.

They typically lurk below the water — but sometimes they surface to make an appearance.

The key is to be aware of them, stay away from them and take seriously the warning signs that are posted around the property.

While the Florida Botanical Gardens is a great place to visit, it’s a good idea to go early in the day before Florida’s brutal heat and humidity take hold.

Slather on plenty of sunscreen. Spray on insect repellent. Drink plenty of water.

Bring a camera.

And, enjoy.

Florida Botanical Gardens: It’s a place to experience beauty, learn about nature, reflect and relax.
Where: 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, Florida 33774
How much: Admission is free
Check website for hours of operation: PinellasCounty.org.

Published June 10, 2015

Imagine student spearheads clothing drive

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The first visits to ask local business owners for donations took a special effort from an 11-year-old who is shy. But Alexandra Westcott had a good reason to get a little help for Pasco County’s foster children.

“I felt bad for the kids who didn’t have much in life,” she said. “I wanted to help by allowing people to donate things.”

The sixth-grader at Imagine School of Land O’ Lakes knows what it means to not have a home. Her parents, Tara and Rick Westcott, adopted her from China when she was a 15-month-old toddler.

Rick and Tara Westcott are proud parents of 11-year-old Alexandra Westcott, who received a certificate of appreciation from Eckerd Raising Hope. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
Rick and Tara Westcott are proud parents of 11-year-old Alexandra Westcott, who received a certificate of appreciation from Eckerd Raising Hope.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

“I think she wanted to give back because she feels fortunate to have a forever home,” her mother said.

So, Alexandra spearheaded a clothing drive, from May 1 through May 12, to benefit Eckerd Raising Hope.

Eckerd is a national nonprofit organization that provides assistance and resources to more than 18,500 children and families annually.

The organization’s Raising Hope program operates “Rooms of Hope” where foster children and their caregivers in the Tampa Bay community can shop free of charge. They fill their carts with new or slightly used clothes, toiletries, baby items, school supplies, duffel bags and comfort items such as blankets and stuffed animals.

Boxes of donated items were picked up at the school on May 18. The donations included several boxes of infant formula provided by a local doctor. Several National Junior Honor Society students, including Alexandra, helped load the goods into a van for delivery.

Alexandra learned about Eckerd Raising Hope while talking with her mother about her parents’ experience taking foster parenting classes.

The Westcotts had tried for a long time to adopt. A parent in one of the classes told them she was adopting a child from China and suggested the Westcotts do the same.

Tara Westcott also remembered information about the Eckerd charity. “We had learned foster children who were taken out of their home would take all their belongings in a garbage bag,” she said.

The nonprofit seemed a good project for Alexandra who is a member of the National Junior Honor Society. Honor students are challenged to be active in school activities and in their community. This is the first year Imagine has sponsored an honor society chapter.

Imagine principal Aimee Williams quickly gave permission for Alexandra to enlist students in grades six through eight for the project.

About 120 students from Imagine brought in donated items.

“Each of our grade levels has to do something,” Williams said. “We would rather kids pick the project than us. I would hope they could learn they can be decision makers,” the principal said.

Alexandra, who will turn age 12 in June, has volunteered in the community before, including performances with other students at the Ronald McDonald House.

“This is her first really big thing,” her mother said.

She was up to the task.

She explained in detail to classmates what the project was and how it would operate. Kelly Rossi, who is the charity’s director, recalled that she didn’t have to add much to Alexandra’s presentation.

“It was definitely my first event with a student this young,” Rossi said. “But I really gave her the tools, and she did all this. She’s so mature.”

Eckerd Raising Hope serves about 200 to 225 children a month at each of three locations in Trinity, Dade City and Largo. There are about 6,000 foster children in the Tampa Bay area.

Rossi said the supplies collected from Alexandra would be given to children in Pasco.

“Often times they come with nothing. The state doesn’t fund those extra things,” Rossi said. “I can’t have them going to school without shoes and clothes.”

Alexandra created a flier with a personal essay on why she wanted to help foster children. Knowing that children often left their homes with their clothes in garbage bags “really pulled at my heart,” she wrote. New duffel bags would help them “keep their dignity at a very hard time of their lives.”

She also told her mother she wanted to collect stuffed animals, or plush toys, as handouts because she knew how frightened the foster children would be. At Rossi’s suggestion, she asked donors to shop at Dollar Tree to maximize the number of items they could give. From a list provided by Rossi, Alexandra also put together a gift set of Dollar Tree items including toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorants, shampoos, African-American hair products and hairbrushes.

Toiletries especially are needed items, Rossi said.

Alexandra’s drive and determination did not surprise sixth- grade science teacher Adrian Denson, who serves as her advisor.

“She is definitely diligent,” he said. “She’s a really good kid.”

Rick Westcott said he and his wife drove their daughter to local businesses but left everything else up to her.

“She personally has gone in and asked for donations,” he said. “If a child is going to volunteer, they should do the work and not let parents do it for them,” he added.

The best thing about the project was seeing people give so much, Alexandra said.

And, she isn’t finished yet.

Alexandra dances five nights a week at Contempo School of Dance in Lutz. Owners and students there are gearing up for more donations to Eckerd Raising Hope.

For information about Eckerd Raising Hope visit Eckerd.org, or call (855) 450-4673.

Published May 27, 2015

If you’re looking for holiday cheer, check this out

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There are plenty of local holiday happenings to appeal to young and old, but there’s a wide assortment of regional attractions to help brighten the season as well.

Experience the charm of an old-fashioned Christmas at the 33rd annual Victorian Christmas Stroll at the Henry B. Plant Museum. (Courtesy of Henry B. Plant Museum)
Experience the charm of an old-fashioned Christmas at the 33rd annual Victorian Christmas Stroll at the Henry B. Plant Museum. (Courtesy of Henry B. Plant Museum)

If you’re looking for something fun and affordable to do, here’s a list of possibilities.

TAMPA
The 33rd annual Victorian Christmas Stroll at the Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd. — Beneath the towering silver minarets of the former Tampa Bay Hotel, visitors have the chance to peek at 14 rooms decked out in 19th century themes for the holidays.

Carolers sing in the evenings in front of a 15-foot tree, and visitors are invited to sing along. Complimentary spiced cider and cookies are served on the veranda.

The stroll is being offered daily through Dec. 23, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for senior citizens, and $9 for kids between 4 and 18.

Wild Wonderland at Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave. — Enjoy a holiday stroll around the zoo and see a dazzling display of lights synchronized to holiday music, see lighted animal figures and possible snow flurries, enjoy rides, and see some penguins.

Admission is $15 for adults, 
$13 for children between 3 and 11, and free for children younger than 3.

Ice Palace at International Plaza, 2223 N. West Shore Blvd. — The mall transforms into the Ice Palace, a 30-foot dome with snow, a light show, and interactive snow globes depicting scenes from the Disney movie “Frozen.”

Entertainment includes an icy handprint experience, size comparisons with Sven and Olaf — characters from the movie — and photos with Olaf on an ice throne.

The attractions run through Dec. 24 during mall hours.

For information, visit ShopInternationalPlaza.com.

Tampa’s Downtown on Ice at Curtis Hixon Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive — Skaters can enjoy an outdoor rink in the park. Each 90-minute session, including skate rental, is $10.

DOVER
Nights of Shimmering Lights at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Road — Drive through two miles of dazzling displays, illuminated tunnels, and dancing light-emitting diodes, while listening to holiday tunes on your radio.

The attraction includes more than 2,000 sculpted light displays.

After you drive through the light tunnels, stop at Christmas Village, where you can drink hot chocolate, watch holiday movies, and have a picture taken with Santa.

Admission is $15 per car Monday through Wednesday evenings, and $20 per car Thursday through Sunday evenings.

LARGO
Holiday Lights in the Gardens at the Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road — Every evening through Dec. 31, visitors can stroll through the gardens from 5:30 to 9:30, enjoying laser lights, flora and fauna displays, decorated trees, a 7-foot gingerbread house, and more.

There’s free entertainment, and visits from Santa Claus.

Admission is $4 for those 13 and older

WESLEY CHAPEL
Symphony in Lights at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive — The shopping center offers nightly synchronized music and light shows on the hour, from 6 p.m. through 9 p.m., through Dec. 31.

The free attraction features a 55-foot tree with more than 250,000 lights and snow flurries. 

INDIAN ROCKS BEACH
Holiday Lighted Boat Parade at the Holiday Inn Harbourside, 401 Second St. — Come watch a parade of all kinds of boats decked out for the holidays.

The parade is open for all kinds of boats, including canoes and rowboats. It begins at 7 p.m. on Dec. 20, and starts and ends at the Holiday Inn at Harbourside.

SPRING HILL
The Celebration of Lights, at Safety Town 15325 Alric Pottberg Road — Drive along a mile-long route to see a dazzling display of animated lights.

The event was the vision of Dave Parrish, a community leader in West Pasco County, who died before his vision could come to life.

The event is open at dusk through Jan. 4. Entry fees are $20 per car, and $40 for a 14-passenger van.

Published December 17, 2014

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Animal services gives Valpak a try

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The little blue envelopes coming to homes around the Thanksgiving holiday will have a little something extra: Appeals from Pasco County Animal Services to adopt a pet.

Pasco County commissioners will consider Wednesday an agreement between the animal shelter and Valpak Direct Marketing Systems in Largo that will distribute 100,000 customized coupons in two drops around the region between Nov. 17 and Dec. 8.

The coupons will feature reduction in adoption rates from $70 to $20 for dogs, and $40 to $5 for cats. That would include spay and neuter, microchip and vaccines, valued between $425 and $470, according to documents filed with the county.

The overall distribution includes two different test markets. One will be mailed in a Valpak envelope, while the second batch will not be included with the company’s distinctive mailer. The company will track the success of each mailer using a unique promo code that will be featured on each run. It would be specific to dogs and cats, and whether the coupon was placed inside a Valpak envelope or not.

The program is free to the county during its trial run, said animal services director Michael Shumate.

Consideration of the program is part of the county commission’s Nov. 5 meeting, set for 10 a.m., at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.