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Central Pasco County
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December 2010
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Land O’ Lakes High is known for its Pasco County record 14
straight football playoff appearances, but when the season
shifts to winter the boys soccer team has its own streak.
The Gators (6-0) have won six straight district championships
and reached the postseason the last seven seasons. This year 10
seniors return for another title run
“We didn’t know what was going on with the program,” said senior
Hannah Noble. “We were lucky to get such a good coach so late in
the game.”
The Wildcats (5-4) reached back-to-back regional
finals the last two seasons with Karim Nohra as coach, but he
was not retained after the season. He is currently coaching at
Academy at the Lakes.
A few weeks ago it was uncertain who would lead the Wesley
Chapel High girls basketball team, but new coach Shawn Brown has
brought the team together despite having no summer workouts or
preseason.
Lutz Arts and Crafts Festival organizers are hoping for nicer
weather and a larger turnout after a 2009 event where attendance
was less than half its normal total. Jack Beverland of San
Antonio was a vendor for the first time at the Lake Park Arts
and Craft Festival last year.
Sunlake High’s wrestling team lost eight starters to graduation
from last year’s team, but there are 35 Seahawks ready to fill
that void this season.Sunlake team captain Sean Hart (reaching
out) grapples with Michael Dines during practice.“Our best asset
is our numbers,” said second-year Sunlake coach Russ Schenk,
also the school’s athletic director. “Each week our lineup
changes as new kids improve and rise to the top
Wesley
Chapel High School defeats
Sunlake High School 46 to 43 in Boys Basketball
action.
December
2010
Think green & recycle that tree for
mulch,
Pasco County
is
accepting clean trees through Jan 9
If your New Year's resolution is to be a little kinder to our
planet, you can start with that Christmas tree: recycle it.
Instead of tossing the tree to the curb — where it will get
mixed up with the other garbage and shoveled into the county's
waste incinerator — you can return your tree to the earth. The
county is accepting clean trees through Jan. 9 for chipping into
mulch for use at local parks. Make sure you remove all lights,
ornaments, tinsel and hooks, then bring the tree to any of these
locations:
Land O'Lakes Community Center, 5401 U.S. 41, Land O'Lakes.
Sam W. Pasco Recreational Complex, 9835 Chancey Road,
Zephyrhills.
Wesley Chapel Regional Park, 7727 Boyette Road, Wesley Chapel
(trees being collected at the north end at Overpass Road). \\
John S. Burks Memorial Park, 1322 Gene Nelson Blvd., Dade City.
Veterans Memorial Park, 14333 Hicks Road, Hudson.
Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Road, N
P R.
Shady Hills Park, 15840 Green Glen Lane.
Anclote Gulf Park, 2305 Baillie's Bluff Road, Holiday.
West Pasco Class III site, 14230 Hays Road, Shady Hills.
For information, call Pasco recycling coordinator Jennifer Seney
at (727) 847-8041, (813) 235-6012 or (352) 521-4285, ext. 8041
Over 6,000
expected to attend Christmas Services at Our Lady of the Rosary
Catholic Church in Land O'Lakes. Soloist Susan Cabrera sings
"Breath of Heaven" at Midnight Mass
Produced by Anthony V. Masella
Jr. of OurtownFLA.com
December
2010
Fundraiser for
fallen Deputy Mark
Longway
at Beef’O’Brady’s Wilderness
There was a fundraiser at Beef’O’Brady’s/Wilderness across from Land
O'Lakes HS, 7040 Land O Lakes Blvd for fallen Deputy Mark Longway who
lost his life in a fatal car accident while on duty. Longway is now
the 15th deputy to be etched in stone.
Longway’s eldest daughter, Brandi
Trzaska said “He always strived to be the best at everything he
did”. Trzaska tearfully shared that her father's purpose was to
serve. He served at the Sheriff’s Office for 6 years. before that he
was with the Air Force for 21 years. “He is a hero to us all.”
Autograph session
was held by former Buc Chris Hovan. Silent Auction with lots of great donated items.
Great way to give a little more back at Christmas to a great family.
Hollie’s Farm & Garden hosted its third annual Christmas Balloon
Glow at 20545 County Line Road in Lutz. The Balloon Glow offered
spectators a breathtaking view of inflated balloons lighted by
their burners. Spectators got an opportunity to get up close and
walk around the balloons inflate in their launch position on the
field, but do not ascend. As the pilots fire their burners, the
balloons glow against the blackness of the night sky offering
the unique beauty of the glow.
Honorary Mayor of Land O' Lakes Amanda Malhoit (left) turned
over her sash to Glenda Wilson with President Gary Williams and
Sherry Markee at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce's Annual
Christmas Holiday Party held at The Groves of Dec. 14 . Mayor
Glenda won by raising over a Thousand dollars in her Campaign
this year. The Honorary Mayor Campaign is designed to benefit
the Chamber, but also benefiting will be the Lutz-Land O' Lakes
Woman's Club and Treats for Troops. The traditional Wacky Tie
contest and Crazy Hat Competition was a big crowd pleaser.
The Chamber also collected toys for Christmas presents for
children involved in Big Brothers / Big Sisters.
Linda Adamo, the Lutz Little League, and
the bereaved families of Hillsborough County in conjunction with
the Worldwide Candle Lighting, held a vigil for local families
on December 12, 2010 at Lutz Little League. Readings, special
music, and the reading of children's names were done in a solemn
and respectful manner on a blistering cold Sunday night.
Families brought a picture or remembrance of their child that
was put on a table. The Adamo’s donated the candles and holders
and the lighters to start them.
Photos of this event by Anthony V. Masella Jr. can be found at
www.OurtownFLA.com.
East-West Animal Hospital teamed up with Kitty City Rescue
Foundation of Carrollwood to raise money for abandoned pets and
feral animal. The holiday event with Santa Claus was on Dec. 11
at the hospital, 1524 Land O’Lakes Blvd. in Lutz. Pets and
children are welcome as well as donations for Kitty City. The
hospital will take donations for flea, tick and heartworm
prevention and cash donations to assist animals in need. For
information, call (813) 948-6534 or visit
www.eastwestanimalhospital.com.
A chilly December morning
greeted hospital officials from Adventist Health Systems,
University Community Health, local politicians, dignitaries,
guests and press at the Wesley Chapel Medical Center ground
breaking ceremony, held yesterday. This is big news for this
growing area. Wesley Chapel will soon have a state of the art
hospital of their own. The location is Bruce B. Downs Blvd about
a mile north of the Shops at Wiregrass and across from the
upscale community of Seven Oaks. Expected to be completed in 2
years, this 200,000 square foot facility will open with 80 beds
and create between 300-400 jobs.
By Health & Fitness Expert Samantha Taylor
who is also a former food addict, on January 3rd
Monday 7 - 8:30 pm at Holiday Inn Express off Bruce B Downs near
I-75
8310
Galbraith, Tampa, FL 33647
behind
Muvico
Broadway Dancesations studio held an open house to celebrate their
new location at 1408 North Dale Mabry, Suite 106, in Lutz. Free
giveaway drawings, a dance team fundraiser, ribbon cutting and
performances were held. For information, call (813) 960-3025 or
visit www.Broadway-Dancesations.com.
Alice O’Donnell of Land O’Lakes and Dr. Jo Ann Daniels of the
Central Pasco Veterinary Care pose with Santa Claus holding
Mingo, Max and LB to help raise funds to help animals in need.
Dr. Jo Ann
Daniels of the Central Pasco Veterinary Care located at 17945
State Road 54 in Lutz enlisted Santa himself to help raise
funds to help animals in need. Donations were made in return for
photos of their pet with old Saint Nick. If you are interested
in making a donation to help animals in need pls call Dr.
Daniels ofc at 926-1126.
Addison Hall 4, Lily Hall 2 and their cousin Anna Sussman 4 of Land
O’Lakes admire the vast collection of little toy soldiers at
Christmas house at the Old Lutz Schoolhouse. This unique viewing
opportunity will be availability 6:30 – 9pm on December 14, 16, 18,
19, 21, 26 and 27. …Trains, trains and more trains are on display at
the Old Lutz Schoolhouse. The Christmas house will be availability
for viewing 6:30 – 9pm on December 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 26 and 27.
…Entire rooms decked out in full Christmas regalia makes the Old
Lutz Schoolhouse, truly a Christmas house and will be availability
for viewing 6:30 – 9pm on December 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 26 and 27.
…Hundreds of Santa’s are on display at the Old Lutz Schoolhouse in
Lutz. The Christmas house will be availability for viewing 6:30 –
9pm on December 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 26 and 27.
Heritage Park Foundation’s 3rd Annual Traditions on The Green
and the Land O' Lakes Saturday Market at Land O'Lakes Community
Center
The crowds
came out early to enjoy complimentary pancakes and enjoyed the
famous Pine View Middle School band. The children had fun at the
Christmas Village bouncing, craft-making, puppet shows and other
fun-filled activities. The crowd was entertained by the Land O'Lakes
High School band and then enjoyed checking out the 36 vendors with
lots of fresh, high quality produce with 65 feet of produce tables!
Canned food donations for Metropolitan Ministries was collected at
the event and there was also a visit from Ol' Saint Nick
himself! The event was held by The Heritage Foundation, which is
expanding the Community Center's use to more free family fun events
and activities. …Ashley Clemmer and her 19 month old daughter Kaylyn
check out the fruit at the Saturday Market at Land O'Lakes Community
Center …The Pine View Middle School Band played for the folks at
the Heritage Park and the Land O' Lakes Saturday Market at Land
O'Lakes Community Center.
… Land O’Lakes High School Jazz band entertained the crowd at the
Heritage Park and the Land O'Lakes Saturday Market at Land O'Lakes
Community Center.
December
2010
Lutz Cub Scouts Pack 12 assemble
gift bags for the homeless
The Lutz Cub Scouts, Pack 12, worked with the
Homeless Ministry of the First Baptist Church in Lutz, 18116 US
North 41, to assemble gift bags for the homeless. They will then
distribute approximately 70 gift bags to a homeless shelter downtown
Tampa on the Thursday night before Christmas. The cub scouts will
also make Christmas cards for the people on the street. Information
about this event is below.
Look for the new FRESH MARKET AT WIREGRASS, which will feature
vendors selling fresh local produce, fruits, flowers, cheese,
dairy products, and crafts
from 9am – 2pm on Saturday, December 4th. This will
become a monthly event to be held the first Saturday of every
month throughout the year.
By Anthony V. Masella Jr. can be found at www.OurtownFLA.com.
It was an evening of
crafts and fun,
organized by Greater
Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce. Families from all over our area came out
for an evening of crafts and fun, and visit from Santa! Choirs sang
all evening and people enjoyed the lighting of Christmas Tree, and
storybook reading of The Night Before Christmas.
Aaron Roberts 3, Griffin Roberts 5,
Aidan Perez 4 and Jonah Perez 5 enjoyed making their own hand made
crafts at the Annual Holiday Festival at the Grove at Wesley Chapel.
The
Youth Choir from Victorious Life Church did there very best to get
everyone into the Holiday Spirit at the Annual Holiday Festival at
the Grove at Wesley Chapel.
Standing in front of the Christmas Tree are
Laura Miller, President of the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and
Jeff Miller, Chairman of the Wesley Chapel Economic Development
Committee who joined other volunteers to help organize the Annual
Holiday Festival at the Grove at Wesley Chapel.
Don't
Miss
the
Charity
Gold
Party
for
Oasis
Pregnancy
Care
Center
this
Saturday
December
4th
from
noon
to
5pm
at
the
Cup
of
Organic
located
at
1900
Oak
Grove
Blvd.,
Lutz
Florida.
LAKE PARK 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway,
Lutz, FL 33558
MAKE SURE YOU ALL COME OUT TO THE LUTZ
ARTS & CRAFT FESTIVAL!! We will be selling SeeBliss Photography
at affordable prices. The event runs Dec 4 & 5/ 10am-4pm. Hope
to see you all there! Thank you for all the support!
December
2010
Extra Cash for Christmas
at A Cup of Organic
Charity Gold Party
at1900 Oak Grove Blvd in Lutz on SR 54
Overflow magazine is teaming up with The King's Gold Exchange
and A Cup of Organic to sponsor The 1st Annual Cash for
Christmas Charity Gold Party. The purpose of this event is to
raise money for Oasis - a Pregnancy Care Center. Bring your gold
to the event to earn extra cash for Christmas and to help a
great cause.
December
2010
The Festival of Lights
celebration
in
Downtown Zephyrhills
Parade
begins at 6 pm
Santa Claus will be available for FREE PHOTOS from 2 p.m. to
9 p.m. at Hut no. 8 in Downtown Zephyrhills during The
Festival of Lights celebration. (Photo sessions will halt
from 5:30 until the conclusion of the parade, as Santa is
the star of the parade which begins at 6 p.m. Santa will
again see children after the parade is over.) This year,
Santa’s entourage in the parade will be comprised of an army
of elves, angels and winter friends, and will feature live
music by the local band Street Life on one of two floats
that has been designed and built by LifeSize Greetings and
will be powered by D & G Green Products. Santa, Santa’s
floats, the band, and “Free Photos with Santa” are provided
courtesy of Goin’ Postal & Hut no. 8.
December
2010
Connerton Elementary
Dedication Ceremony
The
Connerton Elementary Champions held their Ribbon Cutting and
Dedication Ceremony with the help of school staff, students,
Parents, business partners and administration staff. …The Connerton
Elementary students sang a song written by Teresa Jennings called
“Champions” at the schools Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Ceremony. …
Mrs. Heather Fiorentino, Superintendent of School, Anna Falcone,
Principal and Wendy Carswell, Assistant Principal spoke to the
Connerton Elementary school staff, students, parents, business
partners and administration staff assembled at the Dedication
Ceremony for Connerton Elementary School in Land O’Lakes. Photos of
this event by Anthony V. Masella Jr. can be found at
www.OurtownFLA.com.