The Laker/Lutz News

Pasco Sheriff's Mounted Posse

Enjoying a day out, while raising money for hospice care

By

Hundreds of people turned out to the Gulfside Hospice Charity Festival of Arts, recently held at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.

Eleven-year-old Brennen Lay, center, of Port Richey, keeps his eye on music teacher Katherine Hintz, of Land O’ Lakes, as she and violinists from Hintz Academy of Music perform. Thirteen-year-old Sasanka Sentail, left, of Land O’ Lakes, follows along. (Fred Bellet)

The event, on April 23, raised more than $20,000 to support hospice patient care and bereavement programs at Gulfside Hospice, according to a news release from the organizers.

The festival opened with the presentation of colors by the Pasco Sheriff’s Mounted Posse and a performance of the national anthem by Miss Pasco County’s Outstanding Teen, Larkin Mainwaring.

Guests enjoyed hands-on art stations, purchased art and grabbed a bite to eat from the food trucks.

A talent showcase highlighted all kinds of performers, including dancers, musicians, singers, a comedy act, and more.

Miss Pasco County Anastasia Valimaki performed her signature speed painting talent for the crowd, and held a meet-and-greet with Mainwaring throughout the day.

“We are here to help hospice patients and their families receive hospice care and bereavement services. Gulfside Hospice does not turn any patient away because of an inability to pay, and that’s only possible because of the support we gather from the community,” Carla Armstrong, director of philanthropy, said in the release.

“It’s a day of fun and a day that celebrates the arts, because there’s nothing that celebrates life more than creativity and art,” Armstrong added.

For more information about upcoming events to support Gulfside Hospice, visit Gulfside.org, or contact Leesa Fryer, fundraising & event planning manager, at 727-845-5707 or .

Published May 04, 2022

Land O’ Lakes’ artist Terry Smith displays some of his paintings featuring nature scenes from the great outdoors.
‘Popcorn,’ a 10-year-old standard poodle and service dog checks out what’s on the menu, as the dog’s owner, Vivian Calabria, visits the vendor and exhibit tents.
Anshita Sahu, 12, who studies at Hintz Academy of Music, provided a soothing sound, during the academy’s performance at the Charity Festival of Arts. The Land O’ Lakes musician was accompanied by violinists.
Five-year-old Hayleigh Perkins, of Land O’ Lakes, holds a coloring book she received at the festival. She and her parents, Rich and Michelle Perkins, checked out the art projects, to vote for their favorite.
Six-year-old twins Blake and Mia Carreras select materials under one of the art project tents at the festival. They were accompanied by their parents, Yasir and Ami Carreras, of Land O’ Lakes.
Lucy Santanello votes for her favorite artwork at the Gulfside Hospice auction and art exhibit tent. Santanello and friend Millie Biggs drove to the event from New Port Richey.
Wherever Michelle Fisler went at the Charity Festival of Arts, onlookers did a double-take. After all, Rascal, a 4-year-old skunk from Florida Skunk Rescue, hitched a ride on her shoulder. Fisler said, as pets, skunks are comparable to cats.
Ileana Scopano, third from right, a volunteer member of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, dances next to the horses as music plays over the public address system at the festival. The posse took part in the presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star-Spangled Banner.
The GFWC Women’s Group performs its version of, ‘I Will Follow You,’ from the movie, ‘Sister Act.’ From left: Dee Knerr of Tampa; Kay Taylor, of New Port Richey; Pam Blumenthal, of Wesley Chapel; and, Elayne Bassinger, of San Antonio.
Vocalist Doug Karl opened the event with lively, foot-stompin’ music.

 

 

Bring The Family To The 10th Annual Paulie Palooza Music Festival

By

Saturday, Oct. 16 from noon to 9 p.m., in downtown Zephyrhills

Paul Correia was introduced to Gulfside Hospice back in 2008 when a friend, Kymberly Corkum, asked him to play with his musician friends at the annual Ride for Hospice — an event she helped organize with the Pasco Sheriff’s Mounted Posse to raise money for the nonprofit.

Crowds sit in front of the stage on Main Street Zephyrhills at the 2019 Paulie Palooza Music Festival.

“That was my first experience with hospice, and I learned how important this organization is to our community,” said Correia, co-owner of Sunstate Aluminum in Zephyrhills. “My job was to ask other local musicians to donate their talent and perform at the event, and we had so much fun, we continued to play every year.”

In 2010, the benefits of hospice became very personal to the Correia family, when their 93-year-old father became a patient of Gulfside Hospice during the final two weeks of his life.

“After dad died, I was even more thankful for hospice and became more involved in the fundraiser. Then in 2012, when the Sheriff’s Posse needed to step back its involvement, I decided to relaunch the event as tribute to my father, and we changed its name to the Paulie Palooza Music Festival,” said Correia.

“I’m proud that this year is the 10th Paulie Palooza Music Festival, and we’re hoping it will be our biggest fundraiser yet,” he said.

The all-day music festival takes place on Sat., Oct. 16 from noon to 9 p.m., on Main Street Zephyrhills (Fifth Avenue and U.S. 301). The daylong event features live music by local musicians; vendors; food trucks; an auction; prize drawings; and much more family fun. A $5 donation gives all-day access to the entire event.

Paul Correia, founder of the Paulie Palooza Music Festival

A change this year is the October date for the event, which previously was held in the spring. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, this past March Paulie Palooza went virtual for its ninth annual event, which makes next month’s festival its 10th anniversary.

“We are happy to be moving back to our signature event schedule, and look forward to seeing everyone in person this October on Main Street Zephyrhills,” says Leesa Fryer, fundraising & event planning specialist for Gulfside Hospice. “There are so many other community events in March for people to choose from, we decided to move Paulie Palooza to October so more people can attend.”

Fryer is in charge of overall planning for Paulie Palooza, and has limited spots still available for vendors, food trucks and sponsors. Vendor fee is $75, and sponsorships are available starting at $200, and include a vendor spot along with additional benefits. More information is available online at PauliePalooza.org, or by contacting Fryer at 727-845-5707 or .

Current event sponsors include Rockstar Sponsors O2 Solutions and Michels & Lundquist Funeral Home; Crooner Sponsor Norm & Sons Tire & Auto Repair; Roadie Sponsors DeliverCareRX, Medfleet and Right at Home; Groupie Sponsors ABC Supply Company Inc. and Ryman Construction of Florida Inc.; and Super Fan Sponsors Bahrs Aluminum & Construction, Bahr’s Propane Gas & AC Inc., Heister Automotive Performance, Sunstate Aluminum, and SouthState Bank. The Laker/Lutz News is the media sponsor.

Proceeds from Paulie Palooza benefit Gulfside Hospice. Since its founding, the festival has raised more than $71,000 to benefit Gulfside Hospice, which provides patient care and bereavement services to more than 650 patients and families every day in our local community.

About Gulfside Healthcare Services:
Gulfside Healthcare Services is a nonprofit organization serving the community for more than 30 years. Its three lines of business include Gulfside Hospice, offering care for patients at end of life; Gulfside Palliative Care, providing treatment options for those with chronic illness; and Gulfside Home Health, helping patients stay independent through skilled nursing and rehab at home. For more information about Gulfside Healthcare Services, visit Gulfside.org, or call 800-561-4883.

Published October 06, 2021