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MARCH 24, 2021
Forum explores economic security
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
The Pasco unit of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County recently hosted a webinar aimed at raising awareness about the “Economic Security in Pasco County during the COVID Outbreak.” Panelists provided a look into Pasco County’s and the Pasco Economic
Development Council Inc.’s response to those struggling individuals and businesses — due to COVID-19. The panelists also discussed ongoing programs aimed at helping people keep a roof over their heads, helping the homeless secure housing; and helping people develop skills to lead to higher-paying jobs. Chris Conn, voter services chair of the league’s Pasco unit moderated the session,
which featured Marcy Esbjerg, director of Pasco County’s community development department; Brian Hoben, community services director in Pasco County; Don Anderson, CEO of the Pasco Homeless Coalition; and Mike Bishop, director of stakeholder engagement at the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc. See SECURITY, page 9A
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A day for the dogs (and their owners) As the Pasco High Navy JROTC School Color Guard marches in step presenting the colors, Brooksville resident Robert Westfall’s 5-year-old Boxer-Rottweiler, named Roman, was on his leash at the Dogs’ Day event at Agnes Lamb Park. More photos, page 7A.
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Cody, an 8-year-old Yorkie, was dressed as a tarantula for the dog costume contest by Orkin Man Scott Smith, of Clermont.
Stephanie Morrow, a member of the Calvary Assembly Church in Dade City, sang the national anthem, as the Pasco High School Navy JROTC color guard presented the American flag during the event.
Kumquat Festival set for March 27 An entertainment By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
The 24th annual Kumquat Festival will take on more of a spring feel, among other twists and turns due to the coronavirus pandemic. The popular event traditionally held the last Saturday in January is instead set for March 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in downtown Dade City, around the iconic Historic Pasco County Courthouse; the original event date was pushed back due to COVID19. The Kumquat Festival is organized each year by The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce in coordination with other community stakeholders. And, it’s all in the name of celebrating, of course, kumquats — a tiny, tart citrus fruit native to Southeast Asia, but grown in Dade City. The festival features all things kumquat, including such specialties such as kumquat ice cream, kumquat pie and kumquat beer. You might also find some non-edible items such as kumquat lotions, balms and body butters. As in previous editions of the festival, downtown Dade City will be transformed into an open-air marketplace featuring local businesses, hundreds of specialty vendors and dozens of partner sponsors. Other happenings throughout the day include: • “Kumquat Growers” series to learn about and purchase kumquats • Farmer’s Market • Kid’s Corral with a variety of activates for children of all ages • Quilt challenge • Car and truck show Some of the more interactive live enter-
If you go 24th annual Kumquat Festival WHEN: March 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. WHERE: Historic downtown Dade City, near Meridian Avenue and Seventh Street COST: Free admission, free parking DETAILS: Festival-goers have a chance to get a taste of Old Florida, in a community known for its hospitality and charm. There will be loads of vendors, places to purchase food and drink, activities for kids, and a car and truck show, among other things.
venue in downtown Zephyrhills?
By Kevin Weiss kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
tainment options have been pared down from prior years, however, out of COVID-19 health and safety precautions.There won’t be shuttle services to remote parking lots, either, because of COVID-19. Admission is free. Self-parking will be available throughout the city limits and downtown, including private lots, church lots and street parking. Masks will be required by all vendors and attendees. The festival — which puts Dade City at the regional fore for the day — otherwise epitomizes the locale’s “iconic, old Florida, down home sort of feel,” chamber Executive Director John Moors told The Laker/Lutz Newspaper in a recent interview. “I think the whole fact that it’s kumquats is kind of a funny thing,” Moors said.“There’s lots of strawberry festivals, blueberry festivals, all sort of other things, but this is the only one we’re aware of that actually features kumquats and a lot of folks aren’t even sure what a kumquat is, so it kind of lends itself to that quirky, kind of fun, sort of entertainment day that you don’t find at the
Downtown Zephyrhills could get a little louder and livelier in the next year or so — if a proposed project pushes through. The City of Zephyrhills is considering the creation of its own entertainment backyard featuring food trucks, vendor carts, games, live music, public art installations and various seating areas. Picture it as a scaled-down version of the popular Sparkman Wharf waterfront venue in downtown Tampa’s Channelside. The Zephyrhills concept, called “Little But Loud,” would be developed on a 150-foot by 60-foot city-owned vacant lot at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Eighth Street. The site was once home to a Disabled American Veterans chapter building, and is situated just a block north of Fifth Avenue and adjacent to Zephyrhills City Hall. Gail Hamilton, director of the Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), presented two concept renderings at a CRA meeting in January. The first concept shows semi-rigid covered seating, covered seating area, food cart court, game lawn/overflow seating, outdoor seating and food truck access. The second concept shows an event stage/elevated seating area, mobile high-top seating, food and vendor stalls, a semi-rigid
See KUMQUAT, page 9A
See VENUE, page 9A