The LAKER
ee r F
EAST PASCO EDITION
LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
JANUARY 25, 2017
Thousands expected at Kumquat Fest By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
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B INSIDE, PAGE 1B
In the beginning, there was the kumquat. It’s a tiny fruit, with a slightly sweet and tangy, tangy taste. And, it’s the centerpiece of an annual tradition that often introduces visitors to Dade City’s Old-Florida charm. The festival that pays homage to the diminutive orange fruit began two decades ago, when Phyllis Smith, Roxanne Barthle and Carlene Ellberg were looking for a way to help inject new life into downtown Dade City.They put their heads together and de-
cided to have a festival to honor the kumquat. The inaugural festival was on the lawn of the historic Pasco County Courthouse. It included a few vendors, some food and some kumquat growers, from nearby St. Joseph, the Kumquat Capital of the World. Described as the “little gold gem of the citrus industry” by kumquat promoters, the fruit can be found in virtually every form at the annual festival. While the offerings change from year to year, there’s typically kumquat cookies and kumquat smoothies. Kumquat marmalade and kumquat salsa. Kumquat pie and
kumquat all kinds of other stuff. This year, more than 425 vendors and 40 sponsors are taking part in the festival organized by The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, said John Moors, the chamber’s executive director. The festival is slated for Jan. 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you’ve been there before, you’ll know the basics.Admission is free. Parking is free. Entertainment is free. And, there are two satellite parking lots, with free shuttles, Moors said. See KUMQUAT, page 15A
Monologue honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. By Kevin Weiss
kweiss@lakerlutznews.com
What would Dr. Martin Luther King have to say if he was alive today? One distinguished scholar has a theory. Saint Leo University hosted Dr. T. Leon Williams on Jan. 16 for a presentation he called: “The View from the Mountaintop: What Would Dr. King Say Today?” Williams is a North Carolina minister and former multicultural affairs director at Elon University. He began a series of monologues in 1999, in the vein of MLK — with the hope of educating students on the life and legacy of the celebrated civil rights leader. Though it’s been nearly 50 years since King’s assassination in 1968, Williams said America is still struggling with many of the same issues that confronted the nation a half-century ago. Williams cited numerous systemic problems, including racial tension, gun violence, black-on-black crime, police brutality, and poverty. Because of the continuing issues, Williams said the country is still in the midst of the civil rights movement. “If (King) was here today — based on what we see today on TV — I think he would just be devastated,” Williams said.“I think Dr. King would be saying,‘America, we have fallen apart, and we’ve got to get it together.” During his hour-long presentation, Williams assumed the persona of King, reflecting on the historical relevance of America’s progress on race divisions. During the talk, Williams claimed injus-
COURTESY OF AMANDA TOPPER, SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY
On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Saint Leo University hosted Dr. T. Leon Williams, who presented ‘The View from the Mountaintop: What Would Dr. King Say Today?’
tice and inequality has drawn a line of division in race relations and the distribution of wealth in America. The speaker later challenged the audience to accept a moral and social responsibility for promoting peace and harmony. He urged them:“Ask ‘What is my responsibility in reshaping the world?’” The biggest challenge, however, is for members of the audience to love another — regardless of race or class. “The problem in our world today is that
we have very little remembrance of what love is,” Williams said. “Love is caring for homeless and those less fortunate. Love is feeding the hungry. Love is obedience over sacrifice. Love neutralizes the weapons of hate.” Williams, too, advised the audience to open themselves up to new ideas. He encouraged them to read information that might differ from their current point-ofview. See MONOLOGUE, page 15A
Master plan developing for Hercules Park By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Hercules Park is still in line to become the property of the city of Zephyrhills. But, an agreement to transfer the parkland from the Pasco County School District to the city remains a work in progress. “We’re still on track to turn it over, and we will do that,” said Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools. The Zephyrhills City Council received an update on the matter on Jan. 10 from the city’s planning department. Site approval is nearly complete for a WaWa convenience store and COURTESY OF KIMLEY-HORN gas station at the corner Consulting firm Kimley-Horn completed a master plan for Hercules Park, including trails, an outdoor event cenof Eiland Boulevard and ter and a trailhead for bicyclists. U.S. 301. The city also is preparing a site, south of WaWa, for marketBased on an agreement with the school bicyclists, an outdoor center, playground ing to developers, possibly for a restaurant district, Pasco County operated the site as a area, and connecting sidewalks to area or retail. park for several years. However, the county schools and neighborhoods. A master plan for restoring and reopen- closed the park more than six years ago to “Mostly the interest is to keep it a passive ing Hercules Park also is on the drawing save money, and returned the property to park,” said Todd Vande Berg, the city’s planboard. the school district. ning director. The approximately 15-acre park site is a The Pasco County School Board agreed Preserving trees and low-impact activihistoric relic that once was part of about 80 last year to sell about 2.5 acres to GH & G ties are what people seemed to want as acres owned by the Hercules Powder Co. Florida LLC. A second parcel, south of opposed to building tennis or basketball The company, which converted pine WaWa, also will be developed. courts, he added. stumps into resin and turpentine, had been However, several acres of parkland will No decisions have been made on the futhe city’s largest employer. remain for transfer to the city of Zephyrhills. ture of the park’s aquatic center and The site also eventually became home to Consulting firm Kimley-Horn has com- swimming pool, he said. the park, Zephyrhills High School and pleted a master plan for Hercules Park. It But, he said, “Everything is moving forWoodland Elementary School. includes trails, a picnic area, a trailhead for ward for transfer.”