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Hometown Pasco

What's happening

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 27, 2005

HIGH FIVES

Kimberly Anne Scalzo of Land O'Lakes was recently selected to participated in Nationals' 2005 Miss Teen Tampa/St. Petersburg pageant competition that will take place today. To be considered for this pageant Kimberly submitted an application and took part in an interview session with Patty Neider, this year's Tampa/St. Petersburg pageant coordinator.

Participants compete for a share of more than $20,000 in scholarships, prizes and specialty gifts that will be distributed to contestants. Scalzo will participate in the Miss Teen division, one of three divisions that will have young ladies between the ages of 10 and 19 competing in modeling routines which include casual wear and formal wear. Scalzo will also display her personality and speaking skills while interviewing with this year's judging panel. Personality is the number one aspect that each contestant is judged on during all phases of competition.

The winner of the Miss Teen Tampa/St. Petersburg title will represent the local area at the Cities of America National Competition that takes place in Orlando later this year. At that pageant, over $60,000 in prized and awards will be presented.

Participants incur no costs in the pageant competition. Community businesses, organizations, and private individuals assist each contestant by becoming an official sponsor. Through sponsorship, each contestant receives the necessary training, rehearsals, and financial support to allow for competition fully prepared and with confidence.

For information about this pageant, call coordinator Patty Neider at toll free 1-800-569-2487.

The eighth annual Kumquat Festival Recipe Contest, coordinated by Betsy Crisp, family and consumer sciences faculty of the Pasco County Extension Office, and Maxine Clayton and Jan Devine, home and community educator volunteers, drew the largest number of entries since the contest began eight years ago. There were 18 youth entries and 24 adult entries.

On Jan. 14, contestants brought their finished products to the Pasco County Extension Office at the fairgrounds in Dade City to be judged. As the entries arrived, photos were taken and judges went to work immediately, judging all the hot foods first. These were primarily entrees. The desserts, jams, and jellies were judged later.

"Just as the number of entries has increased over the years, so has the creativity and quality of the recipes submitted," Crisp said.

The contest features two divisions, youth and adult, and five categories: meat, vegetable or salad, dessert, jam or jelly, and miscellaneous. The most popular category, the one with the largest number of entries, continues to be desserts, and with the large number of entrees in the categories it often has to be subdivided so that cakes do not compete with cookies.

A total of 29 ribbons were awarded at the annual 4-H Barbecue Chicken Dinner held at the National Guard Armory in Dade City on Jan. 28. Blue, red and white ribbons came with cash prizes. Best of show winners, one in the youth division and another in the adult group, received gift baskets. All participants received a copy of the annual Kumquat Festival Cookbook, which contains recipes of those who have entered the contest over the past seven years. In 2006, the 2005 winning recipes will be included in the cookbook.

Winners of this years contest are:

Best of Show, youth division - Cory Lovell for kumquat grouper and kumquat polenta.

Best of Show, adult division - Betty Hayner for Bet Cliff's kumquat cake.

Blue ribbons, youth division - Shilon Armold, Brittany Burris, Savannah Charles, Quantabia Manner, Charlene Morris and Caitlin O'Fry.

Red ribbons, youth division - Robert Colon and Stephen Medina.

White ribbons, youth division - Rusty Godbey, Alex Holloway, Kareen Libord, Rathburn Mackenzie, Whiteney Weems and Jasmine Williams.

Blue ribbons, adult division - Barbara Beavers, Bertha Kimball, Laura Manson, Nancy Morrison and Tena Wells.

Red ribbons, adult division - Esther Barker, Barbara Beavers, Jan Devine, Joan Gauriage, Marilyn Gilbert, Bertha Kimball, Nancy Morrison an d JoAnn Mow.

White ribbons, adult division, - Barbara Beavers, Brent Benjamin, Nancy Morrison, Naomi Kornfeld and Marge Vanyur.

The contest is sponsored by the Florida Association for Home and Community Education Volunteers, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the Pasco County Extension and the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

For information about the kumquat recipe contest call Betsy Crisp at (352) 521-4288.

The Fifth Annual Miss Kumquat Pageant was held recently at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Dade City. The event included six junior pageant competitions followed by the pageants selecting Miss Teen Kumquat and Miss Kumquat. The latter two events included talent, interview, on-stage question, evening gown and swimwear competitions.

Highlight of the pageant was the appearance of Miss America 2004, Ericka Dunlap, who appeared at the Miss Teen Kumquat and Miss Kumquat competitions. The winners of these two competitions go on to compete in the Miss Teen Florida and Miss Florida pageants.

Lauran Simpson, 13-year-old daughter of Wilton Simpson and Debbie Felts was named Miss Teen Kumquat Festival 2005. Melissa Ali Marcus, 23-year-old daughter of Lori and Alan Marcus, was named Miss Kumquat Festival 2005.

Other winners in the Miss Teen Kumquat Festival were first runner-up, Jennifer Johnson, 15, daughter of Donna and Jim Johnson; second runner-up, Shakayla Rainey, 15, daughter of Gwendolyn an d James Rainey; third runner-up, Ada Marinelli, 16, daughter of Susan Marinelli; and fourth runner-up, Rachael Lee Stroud, 13, daughter of Allison an d Bill Adams.

Additional winners in the Miss Kumquat Festival were first runner-up, Andrea Neoka Apple, 19, daughter of Neoka and Dennis Apple; second runner-up, Gentry Elizabeth Mander, 17, daughter of Deanna Bardin Mander and Albert Rosenbury; and third runner-up, Ashley Michelle Hayden, 17, daughter of Norma and Albert Hayden.

Winners in the talent division were Melissa Ali Marcus and Andrea Neoka Apple. Interview winners were Gentry Mander, Ashley Hayden and Andrea Apple. Lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit winner was Melissa Ali Marcus.

Winners were announced in several other age divisions. Pee Wee Miss Kumquat Bud title went to Andrianna Newsome, 9-month-old daughter of Vanessa and Eric Newsome.

In the Miss Kumquat Bud division, the winner was Kayla Marrie Ortiz, 2-year-old daughter of Ashley and Jose Ortiz. Other winners were first runner-up, Molly Anne Roderick, 3, daughter of Shelley and Stanley Roderick; second runner-up , Leah Meeker, 3, daughter of Lisa and Donald Meeker; third runner-up, Destiny Danielle Grannis, 3, daughter of Tammy and Timothy Grannis; and fourth Runner-up, Haley Rives, 1, daughter of Nikki and Tom Rives.

In the Miss Kumquat Bloom division, Savannah Grizzaffe, 6-year-old daughter of Kimberley and Glen Grizzaffe was the winner. Others who took titles were first runner-up, Courtney Graham, 5, daughter of Shawn and Del Graham; second runner-up, Emilee Tribodeau, 5, daughter of Beverly and David Tribodeau; third runners-up with a tie were Oliva Isabel Perez, 4, daughter of Enedlia and Joel Juarez; and Erin Lynn Whitney, 6, daughter of Sherry and Aaron Whitney; fourth runner-up was a tie between Cassidy Danielle Henry, 5, daughter of Carrie and Gary Henry, and Taylor Sanders, 5, daughter of Vanessa and Scott Sanders.

The Miss Kumquat Blossom title went to Courtlyn Burris, 9-year-old daughter of Chamanda and Paul Burris. Other winners were first runners-up with a tie were Jazzmin Hoppstadter, 7, daughter of Dawn and Mike Hoppstadter, and Cheyenne Nicole Gordon, 9, daughter of Patty and Ben Gordon; second runner-up, Jentry Lee Nobles, 9, daughter of f Lisa and Mike Nobles; third runner-up, Ariana Simmons, 9, daughter of Beverly and Theo Simmons; and fourth runner-up, Shelby Amber Lynn Henry, 8, daughter of Carrie and Gary Henry.

Nicholette R. Clark, 11, daughter of Trish and Harry Clark was named Miss Kumquat Maiden, Other winners in this division were first runner-up, Cameron Burris, 11, daughter of Chamanda and Paul Burris; second runner-up, Devon Haley Firestone, 11, daughter of Rickie Firestone; third runner-up, Jessica Boyd, 10, daughter of Shonda and Donnie Boyd; and fourth runner-up, Brittney Martin, 12, daughter of Selena and Rick Martin.

The Miss Kumquat Princess title went to Marissa Collier, 13, daughter of Carla and Keith Collier. Other winners for this title were first runner-up , Ashley Renee Gibson, 13, daughter of Tammy an d Richard Gibson; second runner-up, Rachel Shields, 13, daughter of Pam and John Shields; third runner-up , Sarah Glynn Lightfoot, 16, daughter of Kelly Porterfield; and fourth runner-up, Katlan Sterling, 13, daughter of Kim and John Sterling.

The Miss Kumquat Festival Pageant is held each year prior to the Kumquat Festival that takes place in Dade City.

The Pasco County Commission recently commended Rosemary Lyons for being awarded Humane Educator of the Year.

Lyon joined the Animal Control Division in October 2002 as education coordinator. She immediately began to update and modernize the classroom and community presentation materials being provided to groups ranging in age from 5 years to senior citizens. Through her efforts, the students and citizens are learning about humane care for pets, animal safety and laws, and about the variety of services provided by the Animal Control Division within the community.

Lyons has personally arranged for many donations of supplies needed at the animal shelter. Using a variety of sources for such donations, Lyons has saved taxpayers' dollars, the commission said.

In January 2004, Lyons won a photo contest sponsored by the National Animal Control Association magazine. Her entry in the category of Captivating Cats appeared on the magazine cover.

Lyons also won an honorable mention certificate for Exceptional Commitment to Community Wide Youth Education, by the National Association for Humane and Environmental Education in January 2004. She was also named Pasco County Employee of the Month for February 2004 and 2004 Humane Educator of the Year by the Florida Animal Control Association.

County commissioners offered public praise and appreciation for the outstanding job Lyons is performing.

Adoptable animals can now be viewed on several Web sites, at county libraries, on the county cable channels, and on a weekly television state segment. These efforts have contributed significantly to a greater number of animals being adopted, commissioners said.

The fourth annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life at Wesley Chapel will be held April 8-9 at Wesley Chapel High School.

Teams representing area businesses, schools, churches, clubs, families and neighborhoods are encouraged to participate, raising money for the American Cancer Society's programs of research, education, advocacy and patient services.

Teams spend 18 overnight hours at the relay site as they circle the track. Entertainment and games keep things lively, and teams may continue to raise money at their campsites.

Cancer survivors are honored with a special reception and are invited to take the first lap. A luminaria ceremony is held shortly after dark. Luminaria personalized with the names of loves ones who have been cancer victims or who are still fighting the disease are lit around the track.

The Wesley Chapel relay is recruiting teams, registering survivors for the reception and signing up more committee members. Anyone interested in participating or businesses who would like to sponsor the relay may contact the event chairman, Daniela Gelpke, at 813 334-1677, or e-mail her at dsanch76@hotmail.com

The Land O'Lakes High School Varsity cheerleaders, under the coaching guidance of Pennye Garcia, recently competed at the Florida State Fair. Performing in the Ford Amphitheater, the squad achieved third place, the highest place the Land O'Lakes cheerleaders have ever received at this competition. The team received a trophy and a check for $400. Each cheerleader also received a medal for placing in one of the top three spots for the competition.

Garcia expresses her great admiration and respect for the excellent job the squad has done saying, "They have participated in cheerleading for over 200 hours since last May. This was a nice way to end the season."

The junior varsity cheerleaders received a fourth place in their division at the Florida State Fair competition.

In other cheerleading news, there will be a parent meeting at 7 p.m. March 31 for those interested in trying out for cheerleader at Land O'Lakes for the 2005-2006 school year. The meeting will be held in the Land O'Lakes High School cafeteria. Try out packets will be available after the meeting, in the high school office, and at Pine View Middle School office. All packet material must be returned to Garcia by the first day of tryouts. Anyone having questions prior to the March 31 meeting may call Garcia at (813) 794-9400. Tryouts run from April 25-29. Practice will begin the week of May 2.

Members of the Trilby community celebrated the grand opening of the historic Owensboro Park recently with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce was sponsor of the event.

Those on hand to witness the park's official opening were Trilby honorary mayor and president and founder of the Trilby Community Association, Denny Mihalinac, members from the Pasco County Sheriff's office and representatives from the local fire department. About 100 people attended the ribbon cutting.

Mihalince reports other news from the Trilby community, including the Trilby Security Patrol becoming involved with members of the Trilby Trails horse community, organizing security patrols on horseback. Residents participating in the security patrol will take the county sponsored police patrol class and will use their personal horses for patrol riding.

Milahinec expressed his enthusiasm in seeing so many agencies and citizens, "stepping up and asking what they can do to help."

[Last modified February 27, 2005, 00:41:54]