Longleaf Farmers Market Moves to Thursday ~ 3 to 6 PM
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Sheriff’s Resource Officer of the Year

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 John Peteck 5670…CPL. John Peteck Sheriff’s Resource Officer at Hudson Middle School was voted 2006-2007 Sheriff’s Resource Officer of the year. He has been assigned to Pine View Middle School in Land O’Lakes beginning this school year.

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Training Department of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office

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 Chris Ryan 5663…The shooter, played by Sheriff’s Explorer Chris Ryan, 17 of Berkley Prep. is taken in to custody by Pasco Sheriff Corporal Arthur Morrison and Corporal Mike McKnight in exercise held at Wesley Chapel High School on August 1, 2007, by the Training Department of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office in order to train school resource officers and officers from the Dade City and Zephyrhills Police Departments on the best procedures for handling emergencies.

 Arthur Morrison 5658…Pasco Sheriff Corporal Arthur Morrison and Corporal Tuni Roach, learn to search the hallways for a shooter that will reduce the likelihood of death or injury to themselves, innocent students and even the shooters themselves. The exercise was held at Wesley Chapel High School on August 1, 2007, by the Training Department of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

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West Pasco Habitat  for Humanity Green House 

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3926…Taking a short break from their goal of erecting the shell of a house in a single day are Randy Belbeck, a volunteer from River Ridge, Jeanie Almo construction supervisor for West Pasco Habitat for Humanity, Melissa Weiss Home owner, Al Couture President of West Pasco Habitat for Humanity, Roger Vigrass volunteer from New Port Richey, John Jones volunteer from New Port Richey, Greg Mirga of Fort Myers, Greg Watkins volunteer from Land O’Lakes and Thomas Cappadona of Vision Builders Group, a New Port Richey based contracting company specializing in Green Homes that are extremely Hurricane resistant. For more information go to MyFloridaBuilder.com 

 3913…Dave Chadzyuski and Greg Mirga of Fort Myers install brackets for securing the roof for the Structural Insulated Panels (SIP), replacing the standard pressure treated wood, that will be able to stand up to hurricane wind of 200 mile per hour according to Thomas Cappadona of Vision Builders Group. SIPs are made utilizing one pound density foam cores of expanded polystyrene sandwiched between two layers of strong, 26 gauge, zinc aluminum alloy metal.  

3929…Construction supervisor for West Pasco Habitat for Humanity, Jeanie Almo helps, John Jones, a volunteer from New Port Richey and Thomas Cappadona of Vision Builders Group, raise the roof for new home owner Melissa Weiss and kids Ryan, 17; Alex, 13; and Susan 12; who will be putting about 250 hours of work of sweat equity into her home.  

3933… The use of Structural Insulated Panels (SIP), in the construction of this “Green” house in the Moon Lake area will save the Weiss Family about 50 to 70 percent compared to what a regular residential home owners might spend on air conditioning and heating bills. Commissioner Jack Mariano was one of the dignitaries that brought his hammer out for the West Pasco Habitat for Humanity on June 8, 2007.

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First Annual West Pasco Habitat for Humanity 5 K Run
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2708… The First Annual West Pasco Habitat for Humanity 5 K Run was a big success, thanks in part to event coordinator, Jeanie Almo, who welcomed racers crossing the finish line at the Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park like Olika Hart, formerly of Moldova, currently of New Port Richey, Niesa Jones of Tampa, first place winner in her category, Athena Papadopolilos of Ridgewood High School, her mom Karen Papadopolilos and her sister Amaris Papadopolilos, all of Port Richey and Jeff Goggin of Palm Harbor West Pasco Habitat for Humanity on June 16. Photos of this event by Anthony V. Masella Jr. 2713… Habitat for Humanity Development Coordinator George McCoy (in back),  congratulates Volunteer Coordinator Nick Zouski for his work on the First Annual West Pasco Habitat for Humanity 5 K Run, and by Carrollwood runner Antoinette Powell and Rodney Wynn of Clearwater on June 16th. The group is always in need of volunteers so call (727) 859-9038 or to get more information visit www.westpascohabitat.org . 2715…Overall First place winner, with a time of 20:20 was Mark Palamar of Trinity and taking first place in the over 70 age group was Fred Bauermeister of Trinity in the First Annual West Pasco Habitat for Humanity 5 K Run at Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park.

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 “BEST OF LONGLEAF”  CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED

            NEW PORT RICHEY –  Perry Reader, president of Crosland’s Florida Division,  announced the winners of the “Best of Longleaf” contest on Monday, April 2, 2007. Over a hundred visitors toured the five model homes and voted for their favorite during the month of March.  Windward Homes received the most votes and was awarded the title “Best of Longleaf.”  Longleaf’s other builders are Cardel Homes, Inland Homes, and David Weekley Homes.“We’ve all felt that our Briarwood model at Longleaf is one of the most distinctive homes we’ve ever built,” said Chad Horne, co-president of Windward Homes.   “Our interior designers outdid themselves in furnishing and decorating the home, and we are proud to accept this award.”  Longleaf visitor and “Best of Longleaf” voters Ron and Rhoda Carter of Tarpon Springs were also winners in the contest.  The Carters won a 42” Panasonic plasma television in a drawing among visitors who voted in the “Best of Longleaf” contest.  “I can hardly believe it!” exclaimed Rhoda Carter. “I thought visiting Longleaf was amazing all by itself but now I really do.”

About Longleaf...Longleaf is located three miles west of Gunn Highway on Highway 54 and offers a wide variety of home styles.  The community includes Village Greens, a Town Hall, Longleaf Elementary School, and Downtown Longleaf with its shops, restaurant, hair salon and dry cleaners.Crosland is developing neighborhoods III and IV which will reflect Longleaf’s traditional neighborhood design to encourage strong community and sense of place, while also maintaining an excellent value and responsibility to the environment.  Longleaf is one of many fine, master-planned communities which operate as a Community Development District (CDD) for the purpose of protecting the future of the community and the quality of life enjoyed by its residents. Longleaf’s Discovery Center on 3050 Starkey Boulevard in New Port Richey is now open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 5 p.m. For additional information call (727) 372-4663 or visit www.longleaftown.com.

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Memorial Day at Longleaf

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Brad Colley_9998-p…Lots of families gathered to celebrate Memorial Day at one of the community parks in Longleaf. Bikes and golf carts were decorated and everyone participated in a parade to the park where they ate and played games.  Pictured are (from left): Brad Colley, Kevin Scheiring, Tammy Scheiring, Robbie Lynn, and Cameron and Joshua Colley (in front) 0021-p…Longleaf Elementary student Danielle Brissae (from left), and friends Audrey and Danita Hiles enjoyed the games, food, and fun while celebrating Memorial Day at Longleaf on May 28

0015…Isabel Bradley and Vincent Salzano enjoyed the softball game at the Memorial Day Celebration at Longleaf on May 28

Juan Gonzalez_0009-p…Organizers for the Longleaf Memorial Day Celebration were (from left): Juan and Alison Gonzalez, and Deb and Bob Morris 0005-p…Kim Koenig (holding Danny Koenig) and Jacob Morris can’t wait to eat the food prepared by volunteer Bob Morris (in back) at the Longleaf Memorial Day Celebration on May 28 0018…Vincent Salzano didn’t mind that there was grass on his watermelon during the Longleaf Memorial Day Celebration on May 28

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Longleaf Owney Park ribbon cutting May 5

 Photos of this event by Faith Jordan-Masella.

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3668…New Port Richey Post Office’s Ray Torres (on right), of Spring Hill, cuts the ribbon for Owney Park at Longleaf with a large crowd of residents and their pets on May 5. There was lots of food, face painting, and vendors for animals on hand. The park was named after Owney-the Mascot of the Railway Mailservice. 3632…Jacob Morris (from left), Chris (Toast) Kono, Matthew Smith, and Troy Honiels, students at Longleaf Elementary know just which branches to climb on the large Oak Tree in the newly dedicated Owney Park at Longleaf. They were at the ribbon cutting on May 5.  3614…Paisley Brandstatter, (from left), a Longleaf resident, shows off her new Pug puppy Edward at the ribbon cutting celebration for Owney Park at Longleaf on May 5 to Kimberly Locher of Crosland holding daughter Abby Locher, and Jazlay Villafana, of Holiday.  The “pet friendly” park was named after Owney-the Mascot of the Railway Mail service.   

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Ehren Black Cemetery in Pasco County Cleaning Up
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2722…Members of the Black Caucus of Pasco County and friends Ola McClendon of Land O’Lakes, Blanche Benford of Wesley Chapel, Angela Bowman of Wesley Chapel, Author/ local historian Jeff Cannon and his father, Dan Cannon of Hudson worked hard Saturday June 16^th cleaning up the Ehren Black Cemetery, located about 2 miles northeast of the intersection of US 41 and the Ehren Cutoff. Photos of this event by Anthony Masella Jr.

Ehren Tombstone 2…The Ehren African American Cemetery named for the Town of Ehren and its sawmill was also known as the Mt. Carmel Cemetery, named after the Mt. Carmel Church, which also sat on the site. That was because the sawmill and town used this cemetery to bury its African American people.  Ehren was established as a town in the late 1890's and used a sawmill as its staple industry. Photos and information of this and other cemetery sites by Jeff Cannon can be found at www.pascocemeteries.org.

Ehren Cemetery 3…According to historical documentation some of the headstones that were in this cemetery, during its livelihood, dated from the mid 1800's indicating its existence long before the sawmill. It's possible these African American settlers worked on the many farms in the area prior to the arrival of the sawmill. There are few headstones remaining and there are many graves in this cemetery that are unmarked. It's documented that many of the tombstones were made of wood, which have long since decayed away. There is still a grave in this cemetery that is marked with a large wooden post and many others that have garden fencing surrounding an area that has no markers. Photos and information of this and other cemetery sites by Jeff Cannon can be found at www.pascocemeteries.org.

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Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green 

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  324…Director Pam Marron of the Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green admires the work of C. Heather Brady, an Artist from Masaryktown whose unique style of mixing photography, composition and weaving won recognition as an emerging artist by the Gasparilla Art Festival, on April 28th.  351…USF Professor and lover of the Arts Pat Nickinson of Lutz is very impressed with the three dimensional artistry in copper of Kurt Ruby (KurtRuby.com) at the Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green show on April 28th. 359… Cynthia ”CJ” Jennings of Land O’Lakes stand amongst her unique, eclectic and High Country offerings (sweetharvestfarms.com) at the Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green show on April 28th. 360 362…Self taught folk artist Jack Beverland of San Antonio (mr-b-folkartist.com) is also fills in as a Math teacher at Land O’Lakes High School and uses concepts of geometric shapes in his works based on images from our youth, the dreams we all have and the way we would all like it to be, on display at the Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green show on April 28th. 373…Pre-K Kitty Cat Saavedra O’Donnell of Grace Christian School in Hudson cannot get close enough to her Mom Mari Miyashiro at the Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green show on April 28th.  378… Rosanne Mangano Miller and Charles Miller of Lutz display their collection of fine jewelry at the Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green show on April 28th. 381…Artist Kasey Cleaver of Confusion Art Glass in New Port Richey works in fused art-glass to creates one of a kind items for the home on display at the Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green show on April 28th.  385… Shanna and six year old Megan Sell of Sell’s Broadway Dance Company in New Port Richey (727 376-2600) specializes in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Hip Hop, Musical Theater and turning little girls into mysterious little kitty cats at the Longleaf Fine Arts on the Village Green show on April 28^th, with their knowledge of face painting aquired from Shanna’s work on the Broadway musical CATS.

 Event: 4/28/2007  Contains: 64 photos 20070428-01  670488

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ToysMakers with the Pasco County EMS

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 Tom Loughlin and his crew of Toy Makers make a delivery to the Pasco County Emergency Medical Services in Land O’Lakes to drop off toys that the EMS personnel can give to children in distress who have been involved in accidents or victims of abuse to calm them down and take their mind off of their immediate situation. Tom Loughlin unloads his truck of toys for the kids in need.

 The ToyMakers...A group of retirees, a varied group consisting of a couple of truck drivers, a human resources supervisor, a printing press operator, an art teacher, two military officers (Vietnam), a grocery store department manager, a PhD in ice mechanics, an auto body mechanic, a nuclear engineer, a manufacturing department engineer, a furniture maker/carpenter, a fireman and a minister also do woodworking and have named themselves “The ToyMakers” . Their ages range from 59 to 86 and come from many walks of life, but have a couple of common interests. One, they enjoy working with wood and two, they love to bring smiles to the faces of children who are in some type of emotional or physical distress.

      This group makes simple wooden toys of many shapes and sizes, adds wheels and paints them with bright colors. The group makes approximately 4,500 – 5,000 toys per year and use about 20,000 wheels for these toys. Every three months the toys are then donated and delivered to many charitable agencies for distribution to the children. Some of these agencies include the Ronald McDonald Houses in Tampa, St. Pete, Orlando and Gainesville. Also receiving toys are the All Children’s Hospitals and Clinics, Shriner’s Hospital, Pasco EMS and many others. Their toys have also reached the far corners of the earth including Iraq and Afghanistan through friends at Mc Dill, and Bolivia through the Rotary Club. They have also sent toys to Texas and Mississippi after the Katrina hurricane through the Rotary Club and a couple of their own members. Through missionaries, the toys have made their way to Mexico and the eastern Caribbean.

Helping them out is a group of women in Hudson, dubbed “The Angels”, who meet in Beacon Woods. They sew their little fingers off and have supplied them with hundreds of dolls. Their dolls have also made the way of our toys. During the month of June 2006, they commemorated the making of their 200,000^th toy. Quite an accomplishment for a small group started in 1982 when the grandson of Jim McCullagh come home from All Children’s Hospital and told his grandfather that he didn’t have any toys to play with while he was there. From there a legend grew and the rewards have been many smiles!

The ToyMakers has been growing in these past two years, but their facilities have limited them to the present number of members. They are a non-profit organization and if you would care to help contact The ToyMakers, Inc., c/o Tom Loughlin at 727-868-9342 or visit, www.thetoymakers.org.

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Western Pasco Democrat Club BBQ  

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Event: 4/21/2007  Contains: 23 photos 20070421-02   664955

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Carrabba's Italian Grill Grand Opening  

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6868…Carrabba’s Italian Grill server Allison Freitas (from left) greets Kathy Dunkley, Executive Director of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Evelyn Clay, Chamber President, and Chip Wichmanowski, President of the Pasco Education Foundation at the restaurants Grand Opening on March 26.  A portion of the proceeds from the opening night was donated to the Pasco Education Foundation.   6849…Peter Barrett proprietor of Carrabba’s Italian Grill prepares to cut the ribbon during the ribbon cutting ceremony with the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce on March 26.  He was joined by (center) Evelyn Clay, Chamber President, Kathy Dunkley, Chamber Executive Director, chamber members and business associates. 

Event: 3/26/2007  Contains: 23 photos  20070326-01 644265

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Parade Homes - Morrison Homes on display during the Parade of Homes

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5596…Sales consultant for Morrison Homes, Justin Olds explains the unique features of a Morrison Home as well as the new Community, Connerton, being built just north of Land O’Lakes High School on off State Route 54, to a potential new home owner Susan Maguire of Oldsmar as her six year old Kevin looks on, during the Parade of Homes on March 11^th. 5612…Connerton was designed and developed to incorporate the beauty of nature into each residence that can be seen in this home, as you look out to the back yard from the living room, built by Morrison Home and on display during the Parade of Homes on March 11^th. Photos of this and other events by Anthony Masella Jr.

Event: 3/11/2007 Contains: 39 photos  20070311-03 630224

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Bonefish Grill Grand Opening in Trinity  

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0359…January 25^th, two days after opening their doors to the new Bonefish Grill to the public for the first time, manager of the Steve Teichgraeber (far right) and members of his staff are ready to provide excellent service to complement the outstanding food on their menu at the brand new restaurant located on 10750 State Road 54 in Trinity. Photos of this event by Anthony V. Masella Jr. 

Event: 1/25/2007  Contains: 18 photos  20070125-03 605334

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Dozens of Model T cars visit Land O’Lakes Baldomero Lopez Nursing Home  

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Model T on the road 9129… Model T on the road. Model T 9429… Model T 9419… Model T 9428…Members of the Fun T Club of Central Florida is a club dedicated to the first mass produced motor cars in the world, the Model T Fords. They rode all over Pasco County Saturday January 13th enjoying the 81 degree weather stopping at many locations. In Land O’Lakes they had lunch at Rapscallions and then brighten the days of many residents at Baldomero Lopez State VA Nursing Home. If you want more information about this club call (352) 585-2805. Terry Gregory 9425… Baldomero Lopez Nursing Home resident Terry Gregory and Anthony Masella of Land O’Lakes admire the 1914 Model T Ford to their right and appreciated the members of the Fun T Club of Central Florida for bringing the vehicle around on January 13^th.

Event: 1/13/2007  Contains: 10 photos  20070113-04 598140

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Boy Scout Bike Rodeo with Sheriff Dept

at East Lake Park  

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Event: 11/11/2006 Contains: 3 photos  20061103-03  562130

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Buffalo Wild Wings Open - Trinity

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Event: 10/6/2006  Contains: 10 photos 20061006-03 537827

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Pasco Economic Development

Awards Banquet  
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Hernando Pasco Hospice shared an award in the Special Contribution Category at the Pasco Economic Development Council’s 20th Annual Industry Appreciation Banquet held at Saddlebrook.  

Event: 9/5/2006  Contains: 24 photos 20060905-03 500532

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Suncoast Vet ground breaking

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Suncoast Veterinary Care Center had their ground breaking with the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce on August 8.  Pictured are (from left): Kathy Dunkley, Chamber Executive Director, Sandy Stepanek, of ERA Russell Adams, Meg Dyer, Sandra Fletcher and Jane Birkhold-Freeman, Chamber Ambassadors, Andrew Daniels, Dr. Jo Ann Daniels, Dr. Deborah Sullivan, Mark Tamboe, Chip Crouse and Donna Piscitelli, Chamber Ambassadors, and Michael Dyer. 

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Suncoast Bike Path in Pasco County

7545  People who have stressful professions, like Mike Lozano, Medical Director for the Bay Flight Medical Center in Pasco and Andrew Madeloni, who teaches the 7th grade social studies at Chasco Middle School, really love to unwind down the Suncoast Bike Path. “I like to start at Starkey Park in New Port Richey” says Madeloni, “it’s about 6 ½ miles to the intersection on State Route 54”. Lozano and Madeloni both agree that the Suncoast Parkway bike path is one of the greatest treasures in Pasco County and would like to invite everyone to don the proper safety equipment, get on a bike and take a cruise down the Parkway. Photos of this and other events by Anthony V. Masella Jr.

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Republican Executive Committee Meeting

in Land O'Lakes 

7096… The Pasco Republican Executive Committee voted to endorse Charlie Crist for Governor, Gus Bilirakis for Congress and Cathi Compton of Zephyrhills, for the Pasco County School Board. Compton waits with her family for her turn to address the crowd of around 125 Republicans at Land O’Lakes High School. Another candidate for the School Board, Allen Altman also spoke to the crowd.   7088… Bill Bunting reviewed the recent activities of the Pasco Republican Executive Committee like the Ronald Reagan Dinner last month and the opening of regional offices of the growing organization. 125 people came out to Land O’Lakes High School Auditorium Thursday night July 20th, for a Pasco Republican Executive Committee Meeting to meet candidates for County Commissioners, School Board, representatives and other offices in Pasco County.

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Republican Party of Pasco’s 3rd Annual Ronald Reagan Day Dinner

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Event: 6/16/2006  Contains: 76 photos  20060616-02 416171

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Earth Day Crews Lake Park Shady Hills  

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Event: 4/29/2006  Contains: 14 photos 20060429-01 374110

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 Kids Dirt Devils Racing St Rte 52

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Event: 4/8/2006  Contains: 48 photos 20060408-05 374467

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CARES Toast & Benefit for Kurt Browning

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Event: 4/20/2006
Contains: 27 photos 20060420-02 370346

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Pasco Co Development at Starkey

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Event: 4/4/2006  Contains: 14 photos 20060404-1 359336

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Moonlight Festival at Starkey's Flatwoods Adventures  

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Event: 3/11/2006  Contains: 15 photos 20060311-5 342992

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