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St. John Missionary Baptist Church

Celebrating some of life’s big moments

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If ever there was a time when joy was needed, 2020 was the year.

Here’s a look, in condensed form, at some of the stories revealing big moments and happy times in The Laker/Lutz News region, during the year that was.

(File)

Soaring into the wild blue yonder
Olivia Jenkins flew her first solo flight from Tampa North Flight Center in Lutz, aboard a Cessna 172 Skyhawk, on Sept. 23. In doing so, she achieved a personal goal to fly solo before even getting a license to drive a car. She intends to get her private pilot’s license when she turns 17, on Feb. 10. She has big plans after that, too. She will seek a congressional nomination to a military service academy, and one day hopes to fly for the U.S. Air Force or perhaps to fly helicopters for the Army.

Superheroes give boy an epic parade
David Castle — an 8-year who loves superheroes, WWE, Fortnight, motorcycles, fast cars and

fishing — had a very special Halloween when hundreds of people joined in to put on an epic parade for him. Superheroes dropped by and bikers threw up smoke, giving David a day to get his mind off cancer and just enjoy being a kid. He’s had a hard battle — but on this particular day, he was surrounded by people who wanted to make him happy, and they did.

Making birthdays happy, despite COVID-19
When Kynlee Kuberski wasn’t able to celebrate her 11th birthday at Universal Studios, her mom, Jessi, took to social media inviting people to drive by to wish her a happy, socially distanced birthday. People responded, making the day a treat for Kynlee, who lives in Connerton. Kynlee, center, reacts as a Pasco County Fire Rescue truck drives by — adding to the fun. Her mother, Jessi, stands to her left, and her older sister, Kalyn, is on her right.

 

When original plans for Evelyn “Ev” Furman’s 99th birthday were canceled, her daughter came up with Plan B.
The plans were all set. Furman’s family planned to travel to Land O’ Lakes and to take her to the Rusty Pelican to celebrate her 99th birthday.
A birthday lunch with friends was planned, too.
Neither happened, thanks to COVID-19.
Instead, her daughter, Debbie Storts organized a party — inviting people to drive, walk or bicycle by the house to help Ev celebrate.
Storts used a 6-foot tray to hand out cupcakes. Those bringing gifts left them at the edge of the driveway, where they were collected and sanitized, before being delivered to the Birthday Girl.
Although the original plans fell through, Ev didn’t mind.
“It was the best party I ever had,” she said.

 

The Rev. Harold Thomas, and his wife, Bermice, enjoy lunch, during the “Birthday King’s” surprise birthday party.
Members of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, in Dade City, wanted to do something special for the Rev. Harold Thomas, who was turning 85.
So, they threw him a surprise celebration, complete with a drive-by parade with police sirens, and a luncheon with social distancing.
The finishing touches were a red robe and crown, for the “Birthday King.”
The pastor has led the church for 37 years.

 

Faithful woman has a national role
Michele Bowman, who lives in Zephyrhills, has achieved something attained by only three other Floridians in 117 years. She’s been elected as one of nine national directors for the Catholic Daughters of America.
The organization promotes spiritual growth, charitable giving, community service and sisterhood.
She wants to expand the membership and to attract younger members.
“It’s a problem when your membership starts to age out” she said, in a Laker/Lutz News interview. “We may have to change the way we approach things, and I’d like to have a voice in this because I believe it’s a big issue. We should be proactive.”

 

Gesture honors a Marine’s service
Otis Felder, a retired U.S. Marine, was already having a pretty good Veterans Day — even before he made his daily trek to the dog park at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, off Collier Parkway. But when he arrived, it got even better. That’s when he was surprised by a new bench at the park, which his friends had dedicated to him. ‘Holy mackerel,’ the 84-year-old said, when he saw the bench. ‘I never expected anything like that.’

 

 

Military veteran Francis Xavier O’Connell salutes the flag during a ceremony in his honor.

Venue changes, but dignity preserved
A date had been set to honor Francis Xavier O’Connell — a decorated military veteran and a former prisoner of war — during the legislative session in Tallahassee, but that couldn’t occur because of COVID-19.
So, new plans were made to provide a socially distanced ceremony at Angels Senior Living at the Lodges of Idlewild, in Lutz, where O’Connell lives.
Because of the COVID-19 lockdown, he had to watch the ceremony through glass doors, as it was performed outside.
O’Connell’s niece, Carolyn Matthews, who was involved in arranging the tribute, said members of two veterans groups stepped forward to help create a meaningful and dignified event.

 

 

First Day, learning in-person
Beyond requirements for masks, social distancing and frequent hand-washing, the first day of school in the 2020-2021 school year will stand out for Principal Tim Light for another reason, too. It was his first ‘First Day’ leading Cypress Creek Middle School in its newly opened home on Old Pasco Road. He’d been planning for the day for months, and he was ready. ‘I’m very excited,’ Light said. ‘Honestly, I never thought this day was going to get here.’

First Day, learning remotely
Five-year-old Brooklyn Holtzman, of Land O’ Lakes, had her first day of kindergarten at home — learning remotely through Pasco County Schools’ MySchool Online. She’s enrolled at Sanders Memorial STEAM Magnet School. She even had a special hat for the day.

 

Celebrating the Lightning’s Stanley Cup
The Tampa Bay Lightning injected joy and excitement in the midst of a global pandemic by defeating the Dallas Stars, to bring home the Stanley Cup.
Amelie Arena was open for a limited number of spectators and outdoor watch parties were socially distanced. Spectators wore masks. (They’re not masked up in the photo, but once the picture was taken they put their masks back on.)
When the Lightning won the cup, euphoria erupted.
Mary, David and Kimberly Eberhard are loyal Lightning fans.
When she’s not cheering on the Lightning, Mary’s financial acumen helps keep The Laker/Lutz News running smoothly.

Pastor is ‘Birthday King’ for a day

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Members of St. John Missionary Baptist Church recently helped to celebrate the Rev. Harold Thomas’ 85th birthday, and his 37th year of leading the church.

In the midst of COVID-19, the church couldn’t host the gathering it wanted, so it adapted to the times, according to Bermice Thomas, the pastor’s wife, who provided information about the event.

Pastor Harold Thomas celebrates his birthday, seated next to his wife, Bermice Thomas. (Courtesy of Bermice Thomas)

Church members outfitted Thomas with a “Birthday King” robe and crown, and had a surprise luncheon — adhering to COVID-19 social distancing.

Festivities included a parade of law enforcement officers from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and the Dade City Police Department — complete with lights and sirens, the pastor’s wife reported.

Pastor Thomas has “humbly served” at the church, located at 14549 Eighth St., in Dade City, his wife said, via email.

She thanked ANA’s Devine Events for providing beautiful decorations for the church’s dining area.

She said the pastor’s birthday was on July 21, but members decided it would be more of a surprise if they had the party on July 19 — the same day as church service.

Festivities included a parade by members of the Dade City Police Department and Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, complete with lights and sirens. The law enforcement officers couldn’t stay for the party, but they posed with the pastor for a photo. From left: Pasco Sheriff’s Lt. J. R. Law, Dade City Police officer Jose Felix, Pastor Harold Thomas, Dade City Police officer Devon Greenwald and Dade City Police Sgt. Rob Tungate.

Those attending the morning service were invited to share in the lunch.

The luncheon foods came from Olive Garden and Wingstop.

Bermice Thomas said her husband rode with her to Wesley Chapel to pick up the chicken wings — one of his favorite foods.

His wife said she drove slowly deliberately, to ensure they arrived at the church close to the arranged time of the law enforcement parade.

The pastor became somewhat suspicious when she got of the car quickly, to go into the church.

“The cars were waiting to proceed at 1 p.m. sharp starting at the corner of Sumner Avenue and 10th Street,” she reported. “As the sirens got closer, Rev. Thomas, as well as everyone, came out to the covered sidewalk to see what was going on and why the sirens were so close.

“When the officers turned into the church parking lot with all the bells and whistles, my husband asked what was going on.

“The officers got out of their vehicles and those gathered began singing Happy Birthday, and each officer came up to congratulate him on 85 years,” Bermice Thomas’ email says.

Even though the officers could not stay to enjoy lunch, the pastor’s wife said, “I’d like to thank Chief Walters and the Dade City Police department for sharing in this wonderful blessing.”

She also appreciated the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office for being there.

Pastor Thomas was moved to tears by the touching tribute, her email says.

Published August 05, 2020

The church hall was decorated for a party, celebrated with COVID-19 social distancing.
Rev. Harold Thomas dons a cape and crown, as he celebrates his 85th birthday.

Mickens Field improvements underway in Dade City

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Construction on a new concession/public restroom building at Mickens Field soon will be underway, with completion targeted for the end of October.

The Dade City Commission awarded the bid and approved contract to Borregard Construction Inc., for the project, at 14318 Canal St., in Dade City.

Completion of a new concession building at Mickens Field in Dade is expected by Oct. 31. (File)

The action came during a June 23 virtual meeting by a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Nicole Deese Newlon casting a dissenting vote.

The city has $150,000 budgeted for the project, funded through the local government infrastructure surtax, also known as Penny for Pasco.

Borregard posted the lowest bid among six proposals received, in the amount of $89,750.

The company’s bid is all-inclusive and in compliance with specifications included in the city’s request for proposal, per a memo from Dade City Manager Leslie Porter.

That was a point of contention at a previous commission meeting on June 9.

City staff initially recommended entering contract negotiations with Ryman Construction of Florida Inc., who generated the highest evaluation score among six proposals and a bid of $113,727.

While the lowest bidder, Borregard’s evaluation score ranked fifth of sixth proposals, as city staff explained the company did not submit all requested information.

But, Commissioner Jim Shive disagreed with staff’s recommendation earlier this month, suggesting the city simply proceed with the lowest bidder, Borregard, a Dade City-based company with a 20-year running relationship with the city.

He reasoned the city should be more conservative with construction projects near-term, citing possible budgetary impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and cost overruns on previous projects.

He also argued the project — a 672-square-foot concrete block structure and roof — shouldn’t be a complicated undertaking for any construction company.

The decision was tabled until the June 23 meeting, so the city manager could review the matter and make another recommendation.

The Mickens Field building has a target completion date of Oct. 31. The old concession/restroom structure was demolished in late May by the city’s public works department.

In other action, commissioners unanimously approved preliminary construction plans for Hilltop Estates, a 250 single-family lot subdivision on 61 acres of land, situated off of U.S. 301 and Clinton Avenue.

Some other citywide updates shared during the meeting:

  • Downtown sidewalk pressure washing is scheduled for July 5.
  • The City Hall lobby will be open to customers beginning on July 6. Masks will be required and visitors will not be allowed in staff areas.
  • Utility billing turnoffs and late fees will resume in August.
  • The city has applied for a grant through the Florida Redevelopment Association, for transportation enhancements to the Roy Hardy Trail.
  • City staff is gathering information on wayfinding signage, and will schedule a presentation at an upcoming commission meeting for further input and direction.
  • Dade City Manager Leslie Porter is seeking to temporarily outsource the city finance director functions to a freelance accountant who has worked with other local governments, until a permanent replacement can be found.
  • Sarah Rader was sworn in as deputy city clerk, taking over for Erika Cordoba, who is now working in the city’s planning and zoning department.

Commissioners farewell

Dade City Commissioner Nicole Deese Newlon (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

The June 23 virtual meeting marked a farewell for Mayor Pro Tem Eunice Penix and Commissioner Nicole Deese Newlon. Neither commissioner sought re-election.

Penix, a retired schoolteacher, served as a commissioner for nearly 27 years, dating back to August 1993.

Newlon, a commercial law attorney, served one four-year term after being elected in a three-way race in April 2016.

Penix took time to deliver some parting words to thank the Dade City community: “I’m grateful for the citizens of Dade City for allowing me to serve them for 27 years. I am so honored. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love all of you.”

Newlon did not offer any comments.

Dade City Mayor Pro-Tem Eunice Penix

Fellow commissioners, meanwhile, shared positive words to Penix and Newlon for their dedication and service to the municipality.

They lauded Penix for her smile, wisdom and powerful invocations, while Newlon was regarded for her tenacity and overall sense of humor.

Some Dade City residents also weighed in, to recognize the outgoing commissioners for their contributions over the years.

Dade City resident Clyde Carter, a minister at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, said: “We do appreciate everything that they’ve done during their tenures, and continue to do things even past their tenures in the community. I do want to give a shout out this evening and we thank them very much from a community standpoint.”

Dade City resident Christopher King, who operates a youth mentorship charity and is running for Penix’s vacated commission seat, echoed similar sentiments: “I wanted to just say thank you to Commissioner Penix and Commissioner Newlon for their time and service on the commission, and their commitment to the community. All the things they have done is a tribute to their work ethic, loyalty and patronage to Dade City….and we will miss you dearly.”

Published July 1, 2020