The Laker/Lutz News

Florida State Fair

Local photographers win big at state fair

By

Members of the Land O’ Lakes Photography Club claimed a half-dozen awards in the Florida State Fair’s annual contest.

This photo, by Lillian Cucuzza, won first place in the Color-Animals (Wildlife) category. She calls it ‘Sunrise Dip’ because the photo captures an American Avocet taking a drink in the early morning sunrise.

The prize-winning photographers shared their photos with The Laker/Lutz News.

Creative competitions have been part of the fabric of the fair since its beginning in 1904, according to the fair’s website.

“Competitors from every corner of the state have pushed the boundaries of innovation as they battled it out for the blue-ribbon prize in quilting, baking, painting, or other skills. That tradition continues today as our youth and adult artists & crafters, bakers, woodworkers, horticulturalists, needle artists, photographers, and more bring their best work to be judged at the fair,” the website adds.

This year’s fair was held April 22 through May 2 — delayed year because of concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published May 19, 2021

This image of a colorful array of umbrellas by Velma Herrig captured an honorable mention in the category of Color-Still Life & Things. It was taken in a Safety Harbor art shop that had decorated its ceiling with colorful umbrellas.
This photo, by Allen Craley, won first place in the Color-Scene (Land, Sea, Sky-scapes) category. It depicts a dramatic scene at an agricultural landscape off Route U.S. 301, in rural southern Maryland. The photo was taken last summer.
This photo, by Susan Hill, took home the first place award in the Color: Pets & Farm Animals category. It shows two canine brothers, Charlie, on the left, and Buster, demonstrating some good old-fashioned sibling rivalry as they spar over a toy.
Velma Herrig won an honorable mention in the Black&White-Scene (Architecture & City Scapes) for this photograph of Egg Rock Lighthouse. It was taken at Bar Harbor, Maine, during a boat tour around the bay and Acadia National Park.
George Capaz captured this image of the Amargosa Opera House Hotel, in Death Valley Junction, California. Capaz won third place in the Color-Scene (Land, Sea, Sky-scapes) category.

This award winner is equally at ease in a barn, or a classroom

By

Camryn Farquhar, an athlete and a scholar, keeps picking up awards.

Recently, she was named Pasco County’s Career Technical Education High School Student of the Year.

She also was named Wesley Chapel High School’s Outstanding Senior.

The barn makes a perfect backdrop, as Camryn Farquhar sports her Future Farmers of America jacket. (Courtesy of Camryn Farquhar)

And, those are just the latest of her many accolades.

She loves the classroom.

But, she feels most at home in the barn.

She grew up with horses. She used to raise hogs. Now it’s more about showing livestock, connecting with cows and learning all she can about the dairy industry.

“But, this is more than just farming,’’ Farquhar said.

The agriculture lifestyle, through the Future Farmers of America (FFA), includes training in business, leadership and public speaking. It included a stint as Champion Youth Ambassador for the Florida State Fair. It has propelled her to the University of Florida, where she plans a major in agricultural communications and education.

“When you say FFA, people sometimes have a preconceived idea of what it’s all about,’’ said Farquhar, who carried a 4.5 GPA and served in student government. “The truth is, it’s very important that the general public know about this industry. “It’s really important.

“It’s always nice to get honors, but I think it’s especially nice to be recognized in a field with so many great kids at our school and so many great kids throughout the county. I was just over the moon to be selected.’’

Farquhar, who competed in cross-country for Wesley Chapel and remains an active runner, always remembers being surrounded by animals. But, her interest really began when her mother, Erin, became an agriculture teacher.

Her mom came to the field by accident.

“I didn’t realize there were agriculture teacher jobs,’’ said Farquhar’s mother, a former special education teacher. “I was saying, ‘Why is there a barn at school?’ “But, when I stumbled into it and changed jobs, I immediately fell in love with it. It combines teaching with animals and plants. It probably would’ve been my passion earlier had I known it existed,” she said.

“It’s not like Camryn was pushed into this. She always had a natural interest. I know she got an award once and someone said, ‘Of course she did. Her mother is the ag teacher.’ But truly, she has made her own path. It’s not like we go home, sit around the kitchen table and talk about agriculture. She has developed this interest on her own.’’

Farquhar is the oldest (by 10 minutes) of triplets, along with siblings Ryan and Tifani, who are both headed to Florida State University. Ryan, who plays lacrosse and dabbles in FFA, plans a sports management major. Tifani, a projected criminology major, is best known as a standout diver, although she, too, has competed in FFA, but not to Camryn’s extent.

“We get compared to each other a lot, even though we are really different,’’ Farquhar said. “I think it’s an example of three people finding things they love and are passionate about, then following through. It’s not that one is better than the other. It’s just what you’re interested in.

“There were definitely advantages to having my mother be the (agriculture) teacher, but maybe some negative experiences, too, just an assumption that things were given to me. She has helped me and inspired me, but I worked pretty hard for everything I’ve done. It has mostly come about because I’ve loved it so much,” she said.

COVID-19 brought about a different way of celebrating Farquhar’s honors.

She learned of the CTE award (which included nominees from robotics, automotive, health and video production programs) through a Zoom call with school officials, including Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning. At Wesley Chapel, the Outstanding Senior award was noted by administrators delivering balloons, flowers and confetti poppers, along with plenty of mentions on social media.

Farquhar had been a well-decorated performer before, having earned honors at the Florida State Fair and Pasco County Fair, along with being selected to a state dairy judging group.

“These awards bring more focus to our program and that’s great,’’ Farquhar’s mother said. “We’re trying to foster a love of agriculture for the kids. They can learn about nutrition, developing foods, animal systems, environmental protections, and maybe that could become a career. At the very least, they will become more educated and become better consumers. We’re thrilled when agriculture is seen in that light and part of all aspects of school, not just having a notion that they’re just the ‘cowgirls.’

“I think Camryn was very honored just to be nominated. She was humbled by that. To actually be selected was very touching and meaningful.”

By Joey Johnston

Published July 15, 2020

Escape life’s upheaval at familiar county fair

By

You don’t need a consumer confidence report to know that the economy is on a rebound trajectory. Instead, just open your eyes to what’s going on in Pasco County, where change, once more, is afoot.

You can scarcely swing a surveyor’s plumb bob without whacking evidence of our resurgence. Earth movers are moving earth. Grimy guys with signs are redirecting traffic. New construction is erupting like mushrooms after a summer thunderstorm.

Entire parts of the county are hardhat zones, and it’s all pretty much good, this investment in things that bring new jobs and opportunity.

Amid the flying dust, the big machines belching smoke and the sense of anticipation that attends it all, humans are naturally grateful for what is reliable and unchanging. It’s why we celebrate efforts to preserve vast swatches of virgin land and lovely old buildings. It’s also among the reasons to cheer the return this week of the Pasco County Fair.

Mckenna, left, and Brianna Childs, of Dade City, wait in the stall area at the 2016 Pasco County Fair, until they are called for their part in the Possom Trot club 4-H events.
(File)

The county fair is our annual Brigadoon, a touchstone that remains virtually the same one year to the next, despite all the change that swirls around it. And, we not only count on its constancy, we are reassured by it.

There may be a connected city — whatever that is — surrounding jaw-dropping manmade lagoons back up the road. Traffic engineers might be spellbound by the prospect of a “divergent diamond” interchange at State Road 56 and Interstate 75. Riders can access Wi-Fi on all county buses now. In short, we’re so cutting edge you could lose a finger.

But, just beyond the ticket-takers at the county fair, it might as well be … well, frankly, you can pick your year. Because, with the exception of a detail here or there, it never changes.

Pasco’s fair week — always the third week in February, always nestled between the Florida State Fair and the Plant City Strawberry Festival — is a comforting little slice of yesteryear, where the familiar abounds: Pig race, poultry preens, cities, towns and communities boast, young pageant princesses seek their first crowns, and performers with unusual talents bring fresh meaning to the term “side show.”

Where, besides a county fair, after all, are you likely to run across the self-proclaimed “only traveling ‘Lumber Jill’ show in North America?” Or, a psychologist who promises to “explore the hilarious side of hypnosis” in a “wacky show that rivals reality television”?

This year’s opening day event is history, of course, but as a past participant, I would be remiss if I did not throw some love in the direction of the goofy opening-day “Celebrity Milk-Off.”

Nevermind that the annual descent into bovine mayhem is that variety of celebrity events in which, as humorist Dave Barry observed, all the celebrities require name tags.

In truth, almost nobody comes to see Pasco hotshots ineptly yanking on poor heifers’ delicate faucets. They come, instead, to see which cow will relieve herself smack dab in the middle of a squeeze duel.

In this way, the milk-off is a lot like the Daytona 500.

What else? With the possible exception of a rickety rollercoaster, the county fair’s midway offers all the rough-and-tumble kinetic experiences sufficient to eliminate weak-stomached NASA astronaut applicants.

Speaking of stomachs, fairs are pretty much the originators of food trucks, although you aren’t likely to be able to find a barbecue sundae, corndogs or fried, well, everything at the Taste of New Tampa or those downtown Tampa food-on-wheels roundups Mayor Bob Buckhorn fancies.

And, a bellyful of fried-everything is exactly what is needed when you board a ride in which you will spend substantial moments suspended upside down.

Then again, you don’t have to eat fair fare. Up at the Madill Building, they’re grilling juicy hamburgers that will transport you to 1957. And, at the next window, you’ll find strawberry shortcake that’ll save you the trip to Plant City.

There’s also this to like: At 30-odd windswept acres atop a hill overlooking State Road 52, the Pasco County fairgrounds is contained. Compare that to the Florida State Fair, which sprawls across a daunting 330 acres.

The county fair is relentlessly doable, then, and that, also, is to its credit.

Its midway, resembling a droopy barbell, is as organized as such things can be: big-kid rides in a big grassy plaza on the north end, little-kid rides on the south, and connecting them an avenue of games of — *cough-cough* — skill.

Just the way it’s always been. And, that’s just the way county fair-goers like it. Familiar. Comfortable. Traditional.

Something reliable to hang onto in this time of hurry-up upheaval. This is the week to lose yourself in yesteryear. Our changing world will be waiting when you get back.

Tom Jackson, a resident of New Tampa, is interested in your ideas. To reach him, email .

Published February 22, 2017

Resolve to have fun in 2017

By

Maybe 2017 is the year that you’re going to have more fun.

But, perhaps you want to improve planning your activities, and to get a better handle on your spending, too.

The Laker/Lutz News is here to help.

Whether you’re new to area, or have lived here for decades, this guide is intended to help you plan fun activities for you and your family, without breaking the bank.

January
Raising Cane, a sweet & spicy event
When: Jan. 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
How much: Admission: $5 per person
Details: Cane syrup making, cane syrup competition, chili cook-off, salsa competition, greased pole climbing, iron skillet toss, entertainment and vendors

This blues band is keeping the crowd entertained at the Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues fest. (File Photos)

Seventh annual Pigs in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues
When: Jan 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 5200 Airport Road, at the new community venue
How much: Free admission; $10 parking
Details: Mouth-watering barbecue, blues music, classic car show, aircraft displays, World War II museum, beer and wine, gift vendors, business showcase, kids zone and more
For information, call (813) 782-1913, or visit ZephyrhillsChamber.org.

 

12th annual Suncoast Arts Fest
When: Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Jan. 22, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel
How much: Free admission and parking
Details: More than 125 fine artists and craftsmen; live entertainment; emerging artist booth, featuring work of area middle and high school students; street painting; roaming entertainers; and, free art projects for the kids

Dade City’s annual Kumquat Festival
When: Jan. 28, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Downtown Dade City
How much: Admission and parking are free; free shuttles for satellite lots
What: Local entertainment, antique cars, arts and crafts, activities for kids, vendors, health and wellness, kumquat pies, kumquat products, quilt challenge and more
Several events are held leading up to the festival, visit DadeCityChamber.org for information.

February
Farm Fest & Quilt Show
When: Feb. 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Feb. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Florida Pioneer Museum & Village,15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
How much: $10 per day, or $15 for both days.
What: Draft horse pull on Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. (Bring your own lawn chair, limited seating); quilt show, activities, music and more
For information, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.

Florida Ranch Days
When: Feb. 11 and Feb. 12
Where: Little Everglades Ranch, 17951 Hamilton Road, Dade City
How much: Free admission; parking, $10 for cars and $25 for RVs
Details: Live entertainment on multiple stages; guided ranch tours on hay wagons; swamp buggy rides; trading post; food roundup; children’s area; and more
For information, visit RanchDays.com.

Third annual Snowbird Palooza
When: Feb. 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
How much: Free parking and free admission
Details: Entertainment, speakers, coffee and donuts social, Bingo tent, live magician, art classes and more
For information, email .s.

Pasco County Fair
When: Feb. 20 to Feb. 26
Where: Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52, Dade City
Details: Midway, fair food, entertainment, competitions
For a schedule of events, admission charge and other information, visit PascoCountyFair.com.

March
Flea Market at the Old Lutz School
When: March 3 and March 4
Where: The Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41 N.
How much: Admission is free.
Details: Thousands of items for sale to generate funds for causes supported by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.

Second annual Land O’ Lakes Music Fest
When: March 11, noon to 8 p.m.
Where: Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
How much: Early bird $10 general admission, $15 at the gate; Early bird $25 reserved seating, $30 at the gate; $5 parking.
Details: Live music, car show, bounce houses, obstacle course, video games, food and drink vendors, business and arts & crafts showcase. No outside food or coolers allowed. Event will be held, rain or shine.

Founders’ Day Parade in Zephyrhills
When: March 11, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Main Street Zephyrhills District
How much: Free admission
Details: A parade to celebrate Founders’ Day in Zephyrhills. This year’s theme is classic board games.
For information, visit MSZI.org.

Savage Race
When: March 18 and March 19
Where: 17951 Hamilton Road, Dade City
Details: Twenty-five obstacles, mud in your underwear, chip timing, T-shirt, beer, action photos, camaraderie, memories
For information, visit SavageRace.com.

Dogs Day in Dade City
When: March 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Agnes Lamb Park, in downtown Dade City
Details: Dog wagon parade, dog costume contest, canine got talent, ice cream/yogurt eating contest and more

Zephyrhills Pie Festival
When: March 25, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 38116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
How much: Free admission and parking; $10 all-you-can-eat pie buffet, from noon until 3 p.m.
Details: Pie bakers and vendors, slices of pie and whole pies for sale; pie-eating contests, a pie buffet, local business showcase, kids’ area, DJ entertainment and other activities

Gran Fondo Florida
When: March 26, start time 8 a.m.
Where: San Antonio
Details: Bicycle road race through the rolling hills of Dade City and San Antonio. Cyclists can choose to ride three distances: 30 miles, 60 miles or 100 miles, and are timed on certain stretches of the race.For information, visit GranFondoNationalChampionshipSeries.com.

April
Jelly Bean Fling
When: April 8, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
Details: Easter bunny, Easter bonnet parade, egg hunt, face painting, bounce house and more
For information, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.

Easter Sunrise Service
Where: Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills
When: April 16, 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.
How much: Free admission
Details: Live Christian music, an inspirational message, a live dove release and free refreshments. Seating is limited and lawn chairs are encouraged.

 

 

 

 

Wesley Chapel Boat Show
When: April 21 to April 23
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel
For information, visit TheShopsatWiregrass.com.

June
Third Annual Zephyrhills SummerFest
Where: Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
When: June 24, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
How much: Free admission, free parking
Details: Live entertainment; bounce houses, slides, a rock wall, trampoline and other kids’ activities; vendor village of arts & crafters; pet friendly; fireworks at sunset
For information, contact .

July
What: Lutz Fourth of July
When: July 4, parade starts at 10 a.m. (There’s a race and other festivities before and after the parade). More details will be available closer to the event.
Where: Downtown Lutz, near the Train Depot
How much: Admission and parking are free.

November
29th annual Florida Bug Jam
When: Nov. 11 and Nov. 12
Where: Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52, Dade City
For details, visit FloridaBugJam.com.

 

 

 

December
Lutz Arts & Crafts Show
When: Dec. 2 and Dec. 3|
Where: Keystone Preparatory High School, 18105 Gunn Highway in Odessa
Details: Hundreds of arts and crafts vendors and food booths in an annual show that draws tens of thousands of shoppers

Christmas in the Park
When: Traditionally held on the first Sunday in December
Where: City Park, 12202 Main St., in downtown San Antonio
How much: Free admission, free refreshments
Details: Annual lighting of giant Christmas cards, old-fashioned carol singing and other nostalgic touches.

Tampa Tour de Clay
When: Dec. 9 and Dec. 10
Where: Stops at area pottery studios
How much: The tour is free.
Details: Those making the tour will have the chance to watch kiln openings, talk with nationally known ceramic artists and perhaps do a bit of shopping.
For details, visit TampaTourDeClay.com.

Church Street Christmas
When: Traditionally held on select dates in December
Where: Historic Church Avenue in Dade City
How much: Admission is free
Details: Enjoy carolers, musicians and other entertainers along a street where the sidewalks are lit by luminaries and the houses are brilliantly decorated.

Old Lutz School Christmas House
When: Traditionally held on select dates in December
Where: 18819 U.S. 41 N.
How much: Free admission; donations of toys and nonperishable foods are encouraged
For details, visit OldLutzSchool.com.

Festival of Lights on Main Street
When: Traditionally held on the first Saturday in December
Where: On Fifth Avenue, from Seventh to 10th streets in downtown Zephyrhills
How much: Admission is free
Details: The event includes food, entertainment, holiday activities and a Christmas parade.

REGIONAL EVENTS
These events are beyond The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, but may be of interest to our readers.

Gasparilla Parade of Pirates
When: Jan. 28, 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: The parade goes from Bay to Bay and Bayshore boulevards, and continues on a route through downtown Tampa, ending at Cass Street and Ashely Drive. (People begin gathering hours before the parade begins; parking can be difficult to find).
Details: The parade includes 130 units, including floats, marching bands, pirates and more.

Florida State Fair
When: Feb. 9 through Feb. 20
Where: Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 U.S. 301 N.
Details: Fair foods, midway, entertainment, competitions
For information, visit FloridaStateFair.com.

Bay Area Renaissance Festival
When: Weekends, Feb. 18 through April 2
Where: 11315 N. 46th St., Tampa
How much: $17.95 adults, $9.95 children; free parking
Details: Step back to medieval times, with live jousting, and old time foods and shops.
For information, visit BayAreaRenFest.com.

Strawberry Festival
When: March 2 through March 12
Where: 303 N. Lemon St., Plant City
Details: Strawberry shortcake, entertainment, festival rides, contests, fair foods, competitions and more.
For information, visit FlStrawberryFestival.com.

Chasco Fiesta
When: March 24 through April 1
Where: Downtown New Port Richey
Details: Chasco Fiesta is a nine-day festival with events ranging from a Native American Pow Wow, to a street parade, to a boat parade to shows, a carnival, a fiesta and more.
For information, visit ChascoFiesta.com.

Florida Blueberry Festival
When: April 22, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and April 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Historic downtown Brooksville
How much: $10 for adults (over 18); $5 for ages 13 to 17; free for those 12 and under; $5 in designated parking areas. The event is pet friendly.
Details: Entertainment, fresh blueberries, kids zone, arts and crafts, beer, wine, food and more
For information, visit FloridaBlueberryFestival.org.

Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Races
When: April 29, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Contachobee Fort Brooke Park, 601 Old Water St., Tampa Bay
Details: Rowing teams compete
For information, visit PanamDragonBoat.com, and click on “Events.”

GeckoFest
When: Sept. 2, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: 3101 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport
Details: The theme of the 17th annual GeckoFest will be Geckostock, a celebration of the 1969 Woodstock Festival, as was hippies and the “Peace and Love” generation.

Published January 4, 2017

Three cheers for state champs

By

When Pasco-Hernando State College won a state championship last month, there was a lot of cheering.

Not just from fans or family members.

The cheering actually came from the team itself.

Because that’s exactly how they won the title – from cheering.

Practice and teamwork have helped Pasco-Hernando State College’s cheerleading squad claim a state title. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Practice and teamwork have helped Pasco-Hernando State College’s cheerleading squad claim a state title.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

The PHSC cheer team won the College Co-Ed Level Six division state title at The American Cheer & Dance Championships for Florida, held Feb. 7 at the Florida State Fair. Their routine, which lasted 2 minutes and 30 seconds, earned a score of 92.30 out of 100, which earned the team first place in their division.

“I’m very proud of them,” said Sophia Haddad, the team’s head coach.

Haddad is in her first year leading the team, but she’s no stranger to PHSC cheerleading. She helped start the cheer team as a student back in 2009, and was part of the cheerleading squad that also won a state title a few years ago.

At just 23 years old, Haddad has athletes on the team who are older than her.

She considers it an advantage, to be close in age to the cheerleaders on her squad.

It helps her connect with the team, and she’s not afraid to get on the mat herself and demonstrate what to do, if it will help get her message across.

“I can see it through their eyes,” Haddad said. “I think I can relate a little bit more to them.”

As a former state champion, she also can relate to their success.

Haddad writes the team’s routines, and said she’s able to highlight their strengths in a way that judges will notice.

Those strengths include moves like stunting and pyramids, which require not just physical ability and skill, but a level of trust and teamwork that’s hard to achieve.

The team’s success stems not only from the members’ talent.

A good attitude, Haddad said, is essential to creating a successful routine and a championship squad.

“You can come in and have good skill, but if you’re not a team player and you don’t have the right attitude, then you’re not anything to the team. You’re not helping them in any way. If anything, you bring them down.”

Right now nobody is bringing down the Conquistadors, who will travel to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for the national championships, which begin March 20.

The team will compete as a group and also in a separate stunting category.

Haddad has a good feeling about how they’ll perform on the national stage.

Karlee Roach, a PHSC sophomore who attended Land O’ Lakes High School, shares Haddad’s optimism about the team’s prospects.

Roach cheered for her school as a Gator, but said things become a little more intense at the college level when a state title is on the line.

“The pressure of it, representing our school, was very, very different than high school,” Roach said.

Winning the title also brought special satisfaction for her.

In high school, she felt like the squad during her senior year had the talent to win the state championship, but it didn’t finish in the top three.

She still believes the scoring was questionable and did not represent what the team achieved on the mat.

Winning at PHSC has provided some validation for Roach and her squad.

“That is why I wanted to join the cheerleading team here, because I wanted to prove that I am not fourth. I am first. And it’s not just me. It’s the team. We are,” Roach said.

Roach takes her cheerleading seriously, and she proves it outside of practice and competitions. She’s in the gym three or four times a week, doing weight training or cardio to stay at her best. Everybody on the team puts in their time to perform at a championship level, she said.

But for all that work, many people still think of the cheerleaders as the people on the side of a game, or simply dancing around. They don’t see the practice time, the injuries, the training and the teamwork that goes into building a winning program.

“A lot of work goes into it, and nobody realizes how much,” Roach said.

At PHSC, that’s changing.

Roach has been stopped by faculty and school administrators and congratulated for the team’s success. Over time, people are recognizing that the team’s hard work is paying off, and it feels nice to be noticed for their accomplishments.

For Haddad, those accomplishments include being good students. As an academic advisor for the school, she knows the importance of making sure athletes put importance on their classes.

Cheerleading helps in those and other areas, by teaching team members the importance of working in groups and providing support, whether it’s at the base of a pyramid — helping get the best out of a teammate, or focusing on a common goal, like a state or perhaps a national title.

“I’m really lucky. I have a great team,” Haddad said. “They have great attitudes, they’re great students. The overall package. And that’s really what I look for. You can’t be a good cheerleader here if you’re not a good student. You have to have both.”

Published March 11, 2015

Save some cash at the county fair

By

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s fair season.

That means good rides, good entertainment and good food — or bad food, if you’re a fitness expert. If they can deep-fry it, you can probably buy it at a fair.

There's nothing quite like fair food, and you'll find plenty to enjoy at the Pasco County Fair. (File Photo)
There’s nothing quite like fair food, and you’ll find plenty to enjoy at the Pasco County Fair.
(File Photo)

The Florida State Fair in Tampa is underway and the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City kicks off at the end of the month.

But if you don’t catch the one in the middle, you’re really missing out.

The Pasco County Fair begins Feb. 16 at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, naturally, and there’s a lot to see and do. You can certainly purchase wristbands to ride the rides, and play carnival games until your wallet runs dry.

But this is “On the Cheap.” We’re looking to save you money.

And the truth is, there are so many fun things to experience at the fair that are already included in the admission price, you could go for the whole day and not spend a penny once you get inside. No matter what you like to do, there’s something that will catch your eye.

Let’s start with the show animals: Local fairs have always been places to see the very best in livestock, and this is no exception. Bulls, steers, heifers and other animals will be on display, shown and judged.

But there are also other animals, like alligators and seals — not together, of course.

They’re not looking for ribbons. They’re there to entertain. Kachunga & the Alligator Show and the Sea Lion Splash are two regular shows that perform daily at the fair. And if you like your entertainment on two legs, Ron Diamond’s magic and illusion show will offer sleight of hand, comedy and even some hypnosis.

Oh, did I mention the pigs yet?

Robinson’s Racing Pigs and Paddling Porkers have been a fair staple for years, and for good reason. It might be your only chance all year to see racing pigs: Little pigs, mid-size pigs and giant pigs racing around a track to the delight of sizeable crowds. It’s as weird as it sounds, and it’s a lot of fun, too.

On special nights, the Pasco County Fair also has boxing matches and rodeos. Throw in plant sales and a baby pageant, and you have enough to keep you busy for a couple of visits.

Again, none of that costs extra. It’s all included in your fair admission.

So while you’re free to spend some money and have a good time, it’s not required. Just pay at the gate and enjoy all the different events.

Regular admission, by the way, is $8 for adults and $5 for children, ages 6 to 12. If they’re younger than that, it’s free. Parking is free, too. That’s a good deal, but it’s not the best deal. If you really want to go on the cheap — and why wouldn’t you — I suggest you go on Tuesday, Feb. 18. On that day, admission is just $3 per person.

That’s a great deal for all the things you can see and do.

You’ll save so much money, you might want to treat yourself to some deep-fried candy. Just don’t tell your dentist.

Pasco County Fair
Feb. 16 through Feb. 22. It begins at 3 p.m., and usually runs until 11 p.m., or midnight.

The fairgrounds are at 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City.

For more information, visit PascoCountyFair.org.

Published February 11, 2015

Big competition: Students prep livestock for fair judging

By

Land O’ Lakes High School has nice football and baseball fields. But if you go past them, you might see something unusual.

Like a barn with livestock, and students training them.

Stephanie Dahm, a junior at Land O’ Lakes High School, works with Dixie, a 700-pound heifer at the school’s barn. Dahm and Dixie will compete at the Florida State Fair and Pasco County Fair. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Stephanie Dahm, a junior at Land O’ Lakes High School, works with Dixie, a 700-pound heifer at the school’s barn. Dahm and Dixie will compete at the Florida State Fair and Pasco County Fair.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

“People think we’re crazy,” said sophomore Augusta Browder. “They think we’re just out there rolling around with them (the animals). They don’t think we’re being serious about it.”

But they’re not being crazy; they’re being competitive. The school’s members of Future Farmers of America, now known as the National FFA Organization, are prepping their livestock to be judged along with other animals at the Florida State Fair and Pasco County Fair next month and other competitions throughout the year.

Some of the animals stay on school property. Other students own their animals and have homes that can maintain them, so they live on their land.

But wherever they stay, caring for them is hard work.

Browder gets up around 5:30 a.m., every morning, to feed her animals at her home, and does it again at the end of the evening. She can’t take extended time off, and she also has to practice with them so they’ll perform well when the time comes to be judged in categories such as appearance and showmanship. She’ll show a heifer and a steer this year, and she has a bull named Buster that she’s already planning to show next year.

Actually showing them only comes after getting the animals, caring for them and learning their behaviors and traits. The students often are showing large animals that are several times their weight, so developing a strong relationship is important.

“It’s spending time with them. If you don’t spend time with them, they’re not going to do what you want,” said Stephanie Dahm, who’s showing a 700-pound heifer named Dixie at the Florida State Fair and Pasco County Fair.

While Dahm said that Dixie is a calm heifer with a good demeanor, she still has to spend a lot of time with her. That means at least an hour or two each day during the week and then more time on the weekend.

Dahm has shown animals before, and had a Florida White rabbit that won Best of Breed at the Florida State Fair and the Pasco County Fair last year.

The jump to livestock is good practice for her; she plans to study livestock management and ranch management when she goes to college.

Browder, who wants to be a large animal veterinarian, also has a lot of experience raising and showing animals. And while she wants to win when she competes, it’s the experience and the friendships that make it worthwhile.

“I actually met one of my best friends at the Pasco County Fair two years ago,” she said. “We all realize that we’re doing this for responsibility, for leadership, to do something,” she added.

In order to do something special with their four-legged partners, they have to practice quite a bit. On many afternoons, FFA members will be out with their livestock, going through movements and practicing techniques. Even if some people at the school don’t even know they’re out there.

A lot of people at our school, when I say we have a barn, they’re like ‘We have a barn?’ Not many people know about this,” Browder said.

But for around 30 members of the school’s FFA program, it’s an important part of their high school experience. They learn how to handle different animals, they learn time management skills, and they get to spend time with both schoolmates and show partners.

“I love being out there with my friends, and I love being out there in the ring. Some people do sports, and I do cows,” Browder said. “I love it.”

Dahm agrees.

“There’s something about cows,” she said.

Published January 28, 2015

Florida looking for influential women in agriculture

By

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is looking for nominations for its 2014 Woman of the Year in Agriculture award.

Since 1985, this award has recognized 30 women who have made a significant contribution to Florida agriculture, according to a release. Recipients of the award have come from all parts of the industry, including cattle, vegetables, timber, citrus, row crops, equine, horticulture, tropical fruits, sugar cane, dairy, agricultural journalism, and agricultural education and outreach.

Last year’s award went to Lynetta Usher Griner, who was recognized for her contributions to forestry, environmental stewardship and wildlife conservation. She was the first woman elected president of the Florida Forestry Association.

Nominees must be at least 25 and be active in the agriculture industry. They also need to have been a state resident without a break since 2004.

A possible candidate is one who serves her community in some professional or civic capacity, and has made some unique and outstanding contribution to the agriculture industry.

The deadline to submit for the award is Aug. 15, with the winner announced at next year’s Florida State Fair in Tampa.

For more information, or to download a nomination application, visit tinyurl.com/AgWoman2014.