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WESLEY CHAPEL/NEW TAMPA EDITION
SEPTEMBER 9, 2015
She knew how to make connections By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Cindy Freeman worked in a job that required excellent networking skills. Fortunately for her and the people she met, she had them. The 57-year-old woman, from Land O’ Lakes, succumbed to her battle with esophageal cancer on Aug. 29. Her funeral services were on Sept. 2, at Loyless Funeral Home in Land O’ Lakes. Freeman worked as the membership coordinator for The Greater Wesley Chamber of Commerce, helping new members become familiar with the community and helping established members make new connections. She sincerely cared about helping others succeed, friends of Freeman said, during recent interviews. So, when the 57-year-old woman from Land O’ Lakes became ill, her absence from
Freeman made a difference, Jadallah added. HOW TO HELP “I was like, ‘Oh, my Those wishing to help can do so at God, this woman is such a Cindy Freeman’s GoFundMe acbeautiful creature.’ She recount, at GoFundMe.com/b7z26v5c. ally cared. That’s why I Or, they can drop off donations at the loved her so much,” Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Jadallah added. Commerce, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd. When Jadallah learned that Freeman was ill, she Cindy Freeman wanted to deliver meals to Wesley Chapel functions was noticeable, her. But, she found out that Freeman said Ghada Jadallah, the chef for Dash of Salt couldn’t eat. ‘n Pepper, a catering business with a coffee Freeman’s death was a tremendous loss shop at Pasco-Hernando State College. for Hope Allen, the chamber’s executive diJadallah described Freeman as “the kind- rector. est person” who would “do anything to help “Her heart was good — she was an you.” amazing asset to our organization,” Allen “She helped me in every possible way said. somebody could help me,” Jadallah said, not“Every member, every day. That was our ing Freeman often helped Jadallah make slogan,” Allen said. “Some days it was just one connections with people who needed See CONNECTIONS, page 11A catering services.
The Tiki Cove docks on Lake Padgett By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Volleyball, a freshwater beach, and boats add up to a good time at The Tiki Cove on the shoreline of Lake Padgett. Partners Dave Hipps and Steve Slowey are bringing a new tiki-style bar and restaurant to Land O’ Lakes, on Station Lane, off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. They are kicking off with a series of weekend preview events on Sept. 11, 12 and 13. Plans are to open The Tiki Cove every other weekend, at least for the next few months. Once permitting is complete, construction can begin on the brick-and-mortar bar and restaurant. On the Mark Catering will provide the food, cocktails and beer, until the doors open on the bar and restaurant. “We’re looking to slowly evolve it,” said Dave Hipps, who is partnering with restaurateur Steve Slowey on the venture. Social media channels, primarily through The Tiki Cove Facebook page, are spreading the word. “It’s really letting people know what’s going on,“ Hipps said. On Sept. 11, the public is invited to a VIP preview from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Sept. 12, a “catch and release” fishing tournament will
KATHY STEELE/STAFF PHOTOS
Dave Hipps, owner of Land O’ Lakes Marine, is starting a new venture with The Tiki Cove. He is encouraged by new development in Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel, including Tampa Premium Outlets, and says the timing is right for a new waterfront bar and restaurant on Lake Padgett.
take place in the morning to benefit the Myocarditis Foundation, and honor the memory of Austin Vonckx. Afterward, The Tiki Cove will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. And on Sept. 13, Sunday Fun Day will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. One rule will be enforced. After 7 p.m., only people age 21 and older can be at The Tiki Cove.
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“That’s going to be a strict guideline,” Hipps said. Looking ahead, Rockstar Promotions will sponsor a volleyball tournament on Sept. 26 and Sept. 27. Until now, volleyball enthusiasts had to drive to Hogan’s Beach on the Courtney Campbell Causeway or Toasted Monkey in St. Petersburg. But now Hipps said, people can play closer to home. Aside from volleyball, Hipps said other games including ring toss and Jenga will be available. The catering company will have specialty drinks, such as Blue Heaven and Tiki Breeze, and a menu of fish tacos, mahimahi and burgers. And, there will be a dock and ample shoreline for boaters. The partners, along with their wives Laura Hipps and Sheri Slowey, believe The Tiki Cove is coming in on a wave of new development in Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel. “(The area) just really needs more venues like this, so they don’t have to drive half an hour to St. Petersburg,” said Dave Hipps, who owns Land O’ Lakes Marine. “Growth is coming with the (Tampa Premium Outlets) mall. This should be a great success.” The idea for The Tiki Cove came nearly five years ago, as Hipps and his wife took a boat ride and found themselves at a waterfront seafood restaurant off Gandy Boulevard.The style was Polynesian. See TIKI, page11A
Pasco wants a say in path of recreational trail By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
The Florida Department of Transportation is studying the proposed path for the South Sumter Connector Trail, a segment needed to close a gap in the planned 275-mile Coast-to-Coast (C2C) Connector Trail. Two routes are being considered for the connector, but just one passes through Pasco County. Most of both possible routes is in Sumter County, but the stakes are high for communities in Pasco, Sumter and Hernando counties that envision opportunities for recreation, tourism and economic development. The completed trail will pass through nine counties and link nearly 20 trails across the state from Pinellas County to Brevard County. The issue is slated for discussion on Sept. 10, at the 10 a.m. meeting of the Pasco
Metropolitan Planning Organization’s monthly board meeting. The session will be at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City. The agenda will focus on gathering public input for a southern route that begins along abandoned rail beds in northeast Pasco, parallels State Road 50, and crosses through the Withlacoochee State Forest. It ends in eastern Sumter. “The trail is going to be marketed internationally to a very active group of travelers,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “I think it’s going to be a really good tourism draw for our county,” added Starkey, who also serves on the MPO board. At one time, the expectation was for the
“Pasco County and its citizens are making a big effort to become the bicycle capital of the state, It’s important for economic prosperity.”
— Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey
trail route to come through Pasco, but since then, a second northern option was added, Starkey said. The proposed northern route begins in western Hernando County, and then moves southeast to Sumter along former railroad right-of-way. It would link the towns of Webster and Center Hill, and connect with the Withlacoochee State Trail. At the Sept. 2 meeting of the MPO’s See TRAIL, page11A