Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies

What's happening

Saint Leo University recently hosted a president's annual community breakfast and dedication of its new San Antonio office at 32223 Michigan Avenue.

Saint Leo invited local civic and business leaders to attend and enjoy a community breakfast. Saint Leo presiden t Arthur Kirk presented a snapshot of progress that Saint Leo University has made toward its goal of becoming a leading Catholic university of international consequences in the 21st century, while staying faithful to its Benedictine roots.

The San Antonio Annex houses two online academic programs: Distance Learning and College of Online Learning. The Distance Learning staff moved from offices in Chesapeake, Va., and the College of Online Learning moved from an office in Tampa.

"Bringing these two programs together will enhance our "one university' goal and improve the communication and support between University Campus, the College of Online learning and Distance Learning, and greatly enhance the quality of education for all Saint Leo students," said Kirk. "The opening of this building is but one of the many results of Saint Leo's tremendous growth and expansion."

For more information about Saint Leo University visit www.saintleo.edu

Pasco County Extension agents Betsy Crisp, Jean Hink and Ed Jennings recently attended the annual Extension Professional Associations of Florida meeting in Sarasota. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences faculty from across the state use this opportunity for their five professional organizations - Florida Extension Family and Consumer Sciences, Florida 4-H Extension Agents Association, Florida Association of Agricultural Agents, Florida Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals and Epsilon Sigma Phi - to convene and conduct business, provide professional development opportunities and honor their peers.

This year, Crisp, acting county extension director and family and consumer sciences agent, was awarded two plaques. One plaque was an Environmental Education Award for her local water conservation and recycling efforts, including participation in Pasco's annual Coastal Cleanup event. The second plaque was an Early Childhood Child Care Training Award for her program Giving Meals Eye-Appeal: Food Adventures for Children, which encourages children to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Hink, 4-H agent, and Crisp received the Florida 4-H Extension Agents Association Search for Excellence Award. They also received the Institute of Food and Agricultural Science Gold Image Award for the third annual extension open house, which showcased a wide variety of educational exhibits, lectures and hands-on activities. Both were team awards.

Jennings was the livestock agent in Pasco County for many years before moving to Sumter County to serve as the county extension director there for several years. He recently returned to Pasco County to take the position of regional specialized agent - livestock for Pasco, Sumter, Hernando and Citrus Counties. Jennings was recognized by the Florida Association of Agricultural Agents for serving on its executive board and serving as chairman of the exhibits committee for national meetings held in Orlando in July of this year.

Local veterinarian Chet Taylor was presented the Florida 4-H Extension Agents Association Friend of Extension Award for his generous support of youth in Pasco County. Taylor, a University of Florida graduate, was given the opportunity to address the group of almost 300 faculty and agents from across the state. He told several interesting stories about his personal experiences growing up and learning about animals, about the impression it made in his life, and how much he enjoys helping youth today achieve their goals.

The Pasco County Extension offices are located at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36702 State Road 52, Dade City. For information, call (352) 521-4288.

A tiny girl, dressed in a frilly, purple dress hung on solidly to her pink baby bottle. A baby boy, pacifier planted firmly in his mouth, bounced on his dad's lap as the music from It's a Small World echoed in the room. Moms and dads were equally busy, involved in last minute dressing of children, making sure little faces were sparkling clean and every hair was neatly in place.

The large gathering room at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Leonard Road in Land O'Lakes was the setting for the recent annual Lil' Mister and Lil' Miss Flapjack Pageant. About 100 friends and family members crowded the room and visited in the moments leading up to the pageant. Occasionally, a baby squealed with delight at the festive activities and bright lights. Carla Collier helped put the finishing touches in place before the pageant began.

Opening the ceremony was Rhiannon Roberts, a dual enrollment student at Land O'Lakes High School and Pasco Hernando Community College, singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

First up in the pageant competition were the 6-11-month-old girls, vying for Baby Girl Flapjack. Winner of this event was Briley Wolaver.

The 6-11-month-old boys group for Baby Boy Flapjack saw Daniel Lee Davenport named the winner. By the time announcements were made for top honors, little Daniel was sound asleep on his mother's shoulder. She collected his prize as he snoozed.

The next group of contestants competed for the title of Pee Wee Girl and Boy Flapjack and included contestants age 12-23 months. Winning in the girls' category was Madison Estep and Lucas Angelo Natividad toddled away with winner of the boys' division.

The Lil' Petite Flapjack and Lil' Master Flapjack contestants, ages 24-36 months, took the stage next. Winner from the girls' group was Raquelle Gerena and, from the boys' group, Ricardo Antonio Natividad took top honors.

In the Junior Miss Flapjack division, Summer Marie Anderson was crowned top winner and, from the Junior Mister Flapjack group, Chad Miller was declared winner. This group included children 7-9-years-old.

Miss Flapjack, a category for girls 10-12 years, saw Erika Bendert named winner.

Mackenzie Mitchell received the Photogenic Award.

The highlight of the pageant each year is crowning Lil' Miss Flapjack and Lil' Mister Flapjack, and this event is the grand finale of the activities. Ashley Robarts and Deane Stewart captured these titles to the cheers and applause of the audience.

During a brief intermission, students from Renaissance Academy Chorus entertained with song and dance.

Marissa Collier, former Junior Miss Central Pasco and Nalini Herpal, 2005 Miss Central Pasco County, were announcers for the event.

Judges were Karen King, well known for her community service in Pasco County, the owner of Centron Security Systems, and program manager for the 2-1-1 program with the United Way of Pasco County; Delores Williams, cheerleading coach at Wesley Chapel High School; and Frank Cropanese, who has 10 years of experience judging local and community pageants and has been involved in community theatre, acting management and has coached school sports teams.

Guests of honor recognized during the pageant were Kathy Dunkley, executive director of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce; Larry DeLuceney, president of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce; Gloria Dale, deputy honorary mayor of Land O'Lakes; Meredith Kleker, director of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and owner of Cool Beans Cafe; Pat Martinez, director of Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and owner of Country Gardens Floral Shop; Faith Jordan-Masella, director of Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and co-owner of LandOLakesFLA.com and honorary mayor candidate of Land O' Lakes; and Bruce O'Grady of Connerton Trophies.

The American Heart Association will sponsor the 2005 Nature Coast Heart Walk on Saturday , beginning at 8 a.m., at the Concourse, Rotary Pavilion in Spring Hill. The Heart Walk is a 3-mile walk benefiting the American Heart Association's life-saving research, education and community programs.

"This year, our goal is to have 1,500 walkers participating and raising $250,000 to save lives from this country's number one and number three killers, heart disease and strokes," said King Helie, owner of King Helie Planning Group, and chairman of the 2005 Nature Coast Heart Walk.

"Funds raised from the Heart Walk support heart and stroke research as well as public and professional education programs," said Helie.

As the signature fundraising event for the American Heart Association, the Heart Walk promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living in a fun family environment.

The Heart Walk is presented locally by Subway and Gateway Honda. Other sponsors include Champions Club, Morton Plant North Bay Hospitals, Lexington Homes and Publix Super Market Charities.

Media sponsors for the event include Bright House Networks, WDUV-FM 105.5 and WPOI-FM 101.5. Subway restaurants sponsor the Heart Walk nationally.

For information or to register for the walk, call toll-free at 1-800-275-0448 or visit www.heartwalk.kintera.org/2005naturecoastfl

The Little Miss Dade City/Sunstate, Miss Teen Dade City/Sunstate and Miss Dade City/Sunstate Scholarship Pageant will be held Nov. 19 at the Pasco Middle School auditorium, 13925 14th St., Dade City.

The Little Miss pageant is open to girls ages 1-17, as a junior in high school, and ages 17-24, as seniors in high school. Anyone living in the following ZIP codes areas are eligible to enter: 33597, 33576, 33525, 33544, 33543, 33541 and 33540.

The Little Miss contestants will be scored in casual school wear, stage speech, beauty, poise and stage presence in gown.

The Teen Miss contestants, for girls ages 13-17, will be scored in interview, talent, casual wear, aerobics wear, evening wear and overall composite. The winner in the Miss Teen Dade City/Sunstate will go on to the Miss Outstanding FLA Teen pageant to be held in April 2006.

The Miss Dade City/Sunstate contestants will compete in interview, casual wear, swimwear, talent, evening wear and overall composite. Winner of this category is eligible to compete in the Miss Florida Scholarship Pageant to be held in June 2006.

Entries fees are: Little Miss pageant, $50 in advance or $70 at the door; Miss Teen Dade City, $100; Miss Dade City, $150 sponsorship. All entry fees help with costs associated with the production and scholarships.

The program book will showcase all contestants for the Miss Teen Dade City and the Miss Dade City pageant. Fees for advertising are: business card size, $25; quarter page, $75; half page, $250; and full page, $5000. All ads are due by Nov. 1.

Tickets are $7 and will be available only at the door on the night of the event.

For detailed information or application procedures, go to www.Starrzoftomorrow.com or call Connie Jones at 352567-9674 or Madelyn Tesar at (352) 567-3430. All applications and information relating to program ads may be delivered or mailed to 37011 Church Ave., Dade City, FL 33525.

The Sunrise Rotary Club of Dade City will sponsor a turkey shoot from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 30 at Little Everglades Ranch, off U.S. 301 and Ashbrook Road. All money raised will benefit local charities and the Rotary Foundation.

Turkey shoots go back to colonial times. During those days, the target was a live turkey, but today a turkey shoot involves targets that look like turkeys. The targets are set up and groups of shooters take turns trying to get as close as possible to a designated mark in the target, using a shotgun. The person from each group that hits closest to the mark wins a gift certificate for the purchase of a turkey at a local grocery store.

A trained professional oversees the turkey shoot.

In addition to the Turkey Shoot, a shotgun will also be raffled off. The cost of each raffle ticket is $5, or three tickets may be purchased for $12.

Fees are $10 per adult for one shot at the turkey shoot and lunch. Additional shots are $5 each. Tickets are available at Academy at the Farm, All-Pro Times, Citrus Chrysler, Growers Fertilizers and Kafe Kokopelli, or by calling (352) 567-1919 or (352) 797-0638.

The annual Scarecrow Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday around the Historic Courthouse Square in Dade City. Highlights of the event include make your own scarecrows and harvest hats; visit the pumpkin patch; shop at the farmer's market; and tour historic front porches. There will be live music and family entertainment along with games, activities, food and drink. The Scarecrow Festival is a small town family oriented fall festival.

The Thespian Troupe, in conjunction with the adult education drama class at Land O' Lakes High School, will present Design for Murder, a murder mystery by George Batson, in the Land O'Lakes High School mini-theatre on Friday and Saturday.

The play stars Smyra Yawn as socialite Celia Granger and Bryan Ellrod as her son, David. A servant's murder throws Celia and her family and friends under suspicion and a mystery unfolds.

Josh Peterson plays the crafty detective. Alan Holton is the womanizing chauffeur, and Kelly Kroeger and Sarah Adams provide some comic relief as Celia's longtime friends. Shanna Connolly is the weary housekeeper, and Natascha Thill and Bianca Noble are the maids with a secret. Chris Hawthorne makes an appearance as a police officer.

The crew includes student director Brittany Padley; stage manager, Allie Moltisanti; props crew head, Katie Lee Meusling. Connolly and Nobel are assistants. Crew members include Elle Agosta, Leandra Argyros, Jessica Beeler, Sierra Butler, Megan Cannon, Hawthorne, Nicole Ketz, Kevin Kerr, Katie Koepnick, Megan Monroe, Kelley O'Brien, Lauren Parater, Tanja Schunemann, Danielle Stickradt, Mary Sysmanski and Maria Waters.

The play is directed by Ramona Quave, Land O'Lakes High School drama teacher and Thespian Troupe sponsor.

Tickets are $5 and can be reserved by calling (813) 794-9400 or (813) 794-9526. Specific seats can be reserved for those with special needs. Tickets will also be sold at the door as long as seats are available. Seating begins at 6:15 p.m.