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Quinn Porter Miller

Weatherford makes PHSC’s hall of fame

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Will Weatherford, the former Speaker of the House of the Florida Legislature, was inducted into Pasco-Hernando State College’s Legislative Hall of Fame on Sept. 20.

The ceremony was at the state college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., according to a news release from the college.

From left, Pasco-Hernando State College Trustees Ardian Zika, Morris Porton, and Marilyn Pearson-Adams, former Speaker of the House Will Weatherford, PHSC President Tim Beard, PHSC trustee Robin Schneider and PHSC Board Chair Ed Blommel. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)
From left, Pasco-Hernando State College Trustees Ardian Zika, Morris Porton, and Marilyn Pearson-Adams, former Speaker of the House Will Weatherford, PHSC President Tim Beard, PHSC trustee Robin Schneider and PHSC Board Chair Ed Blommel.
(Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

Ed Blommel, chairman of PHSC’s District Board of Trustees, officiated over the ceremony, which included the unveiling of a plaque to be displayed in perpetuity in the Legislative Hall of Fame.

Weatherford received an identical plaque.

“We recognize Will Weatherford, who has proved to be an unwavering champion for PHSC,” Blommel said, according to the release.

“Speaker Weatherford assisted the college in getting the funding for the construction of the beautiful Porter Campus ($52.2 million), including fighting off a veto and legislative resistance to get the final installment after construction was underway and nearly complete,” he added.

Timothy Beard, the college’s president, also recognized the former speaker’s efforts to provide equity in funding for the Florida College System, leading to a $7.7 million funding increase for the college and for securing more support for PHSC from the State Board of Education.

A number of special guests were at the event, including Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Florida College System Chancellor Madeline Pumariega, Rep. Danny Burgess, Pasco County Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning, Pasco County School Board Member Alan Altman, Bill and J.D. Porter and Quinn Porter-Miller.

Weatherford’s induction makes him the second member of the Legislative Hall of Fame, which is a new tradition at PHSC. The honor recognizes legislators for supporting the college and higher education opportunities for their constituents.

Sen. Jack Latvala, who was inducted in July, was the first to receive the honor.

Weatherford and Latvala are both members of the inaugural class of 2016.

Published October 5, 2016

History fair focuses on Wesley Chapel

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If you’re curious about the history of Wesley Chapel, there’s a new event designed to help you learn about the community’s past.

Pasco-Hernando State College is hosting the Wesley Chapel History Fair on March 31, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd. The event will be in the college’s conference center.

Pasco-Hernando State College is hosting a history fair on March 31, with speakers sharing stories about Wesley Chapel’s past. Madonna Wise will talk about her book, “Images of America: Wesley Chapel.” (Photos courtesy of Madonna Jervis Wise)
Pasco-Hernando State College is hosting a history fair on March 31, with speakers sharing stories about Wesley Chapel’s past. Madonna Wise will talk about her book, “Images of America: Wesley Chapel.”
(Photos courtesy of Madonna Jervis Wise)

The event will showcase stories and anecdotes about the area, as it has evolved from a rural community into a center for growth in Pasco County.

Madonna Jervis Wise will talk about her latest book, “Images of America: Wesley Chapel,” which recounts what Wesley Chapel was like when the community still had moonshiners, alligator hunters, turpentine and timber operations.

Wise also will be signing copies of her book, which will be available for purchase at the event.

Other highlights will include presentations from two women who will share stories about their family members.

Stephanie Black, director of the Pioneer Museum & Village, will recount tales of the legendary Lonnie Tucker, and Quinn Porter Miller will share vignettes about James H. “Wiregrass” Porter, and her family.

Thomas Touchton, founding Chairman of the Tampa Bay History Center, will share the J. Thomas and Lavinia W. Touchton Collection of Florida Cartography.

Angelo Liranzo, a librarian who spearheaded the digitizing of more than 100 years of area newspapers, will provide a hands-on demonstration regarding local historical resources.

There was a time when Wesley Chapel was widely known for its moonshining operations and its alligator hunting. The community has been transformed in recent years into a major growth center in Pasco County.
There was a time when Wesley Chapel was widely known for its moonshining operations and its alligator hunting. The community has been transformed in recent years into a major growth center in Pasco County.

Wise, who has also written local history books about Zephyrhills and Dade City, said it was harder to find a starting point in Wesley Chapel because the community did not have a city hall or established town center.

So, she relied on her knowledge of genealogy and tracked down people she could interview, which led to more interviews and documents to help tell the community’s story.

Putting together the book meant interviewing scores of pioneer descendants, culling through land records, visiting properties and even putting together a map to get a sense for what it used to be like.

As Wise did her research, she said one surprising discovery was that women in the community had long been acknowledged for their contributions.

“Pioneer women of Wesley Chapel were revered for their tireless days of toil, with a nurturing spirt and the skill to raise large families,” she wrote in her book.

Published March 23, 2016