Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Hometown Pasco

What's happening

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 30, 2005

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.

A large number of community leaders, donors, volunteers and supporters helped to cut the red velvet ribbon that wrapped around Hernando-Pasco Hospice's new Hospice Care Center that opened recently at 37439 Clinton Ave. in Dade City.

The opening of the sprawling, 16-suite facility marks the non-profit agency's second permanent hospice care center in Pasco County. A 24-bed hospice care center opened in January 2004 in New Port Richey and was later named Marliere Hospice Care Center after a major donor.

Both facilities, primarily intended for terminally ill patients in need of short-term, specialized, round-the-clock care due to a variety of acute medical needs, are the only licensed in-patient hospice facilities by the Agency for Health Care Administration in Pasco County. Hernando-Pasco Hospice estimates it will care for more than 400 patients annually in its newest center.

The hospice care center will take the place of an isolated wing in Dade City's Royal Oaks Nursing Center that Hernando-Pasco Hospice has been renting since 1991. The care center offers all the comforts of home and welcomes family members and loved ones who might want to stay with the patient overnight. The facility has an open door policy 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The private suites are complete with carpeted floors and traditional furniture that includes dressers, nightstands, lamps, sofas with pull-out beds, tables and recliners. To add to the homey atmosphere, there are no room numbers.

Each suite also has its own television. Muted wallpaper and artwork add a soothing touch. Neighboring suites share a large bathroom and all but one room have French doors leading to a private verandah with patio furniture and a scenic view of trees, shrubs and flowers.

The 16 suites are equally divided into four pods. In the center of each pod is a living area with oversized couches and chairs. Historic black and white photographs of Dade City grace the entryway and there is a large country kitchen and adjoining dining area.

Two staff cooks and many volunteers will spend their days cooking and baking for patients and families. Beverages and homemade cookies will be available for those who might be hungry or thirsty late at night. The fully stocked snack bar is also open.

Hernando-Pasco Hospice never charges patients of families for meals at its three hospice care centers or three hospice houses. The agency also provides care to patients and families throughout its service area of Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties regardless of ability to pay.

For young visitors there is a playroom. A screened-in, covered verandah, immediately off the dining area, has green and white patio furniture and can be enjoyed year round by patients and visitors.

The care center team includes registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, a social worker, chaplain, cooks and volunteers.

A unique aspect of the hospice care center in Dade City is the memorial walkway in front of the building near the flagpole. Those who would like to remember or honor a loved one who served in the military can sponsor an engraved brick. The winding walkway with a fountain, in back of the care center, is a traditional memorial walkway intended primarily for those who have died.

Individuals who give freely of their time play a key role at the care centers. Volunteers visit with patients and families and prepare meals and snacks. There are many volunteer opportunities on a flexible schedule for both permanent residents of the community and seasonal residents. Trainings are offered once a month.

For information about Hernando-Pasco Hospice, donations or volunteer opportunities, call toll-free 1-800-486-8784.

The Wachovia Foundation recently donated $2,000 to Community Aging and Retirement Services. The money will be used to support the ongoing computer classes at the CARES Crescent Enrichment Center in Dade City. The classes, which are popular with local seniors, include beginners, intermediate, Internet and a special "Protect Your Computer" class. For information or to enroll in a class, call the center at (352)518-9300.

The Wachovia Foundation donated the money as part of Wachovia's mission to help build strong and vibrant communities, improve the quality of life and make a positive difference in communities, like Dade City, that the company serves. Their donation recognizes CARES commitment to the community and the vital services the agency provides to help and support older adults in the area.

The Pasco County Commission recently recognized Maida Hale, deputy clerk of the circuit court, and expressed their appreciation for the dedicated years of service she has provided.

Hale recently retired from her position after more than 18 years. She was employed as a records specialist I with the Support Services Division of the Pasco County Clerk of Circuit Court. Hale transferred to the Court Services Division in the County Traffic Department in 1988. In 1990, she became a docket clerk in the Traffic Department and was then promoted to traffic records clerk in 1995. She was further promoted to traffic specialist in February 2002.

In the capacity of traffic specialist, she served as the backup to the traffic supervisor for more than three years. Her duties included docketing criminal paperwork, calendaring violation of probation cases for court, assisting in the training and development of staff, answering questions in relation to the operations of the department, and acting in a supervisory role in the absence of the traffic supervisor.

Hale is experienced with Florida statutes, rules, ordinances, and administrative orders pertaining to the department. Hale also assisted the cashier with processing over-the-counter customers, with whom she had excellent rapport. Over the years, Hale received numerous written reviews from the public regarding her outstanding service.

The Commission expressed appreciation to Hale for her outstanding contributions to the residents of Pasco County.

In honor of her career achievements, Shelayne Witte of Land O'Lakes, earned the use of one of the exclusive Mary Kay pink Cadillacs, the most coveted incentive award presented by Mary Kay Inc. The pearlized pink color is unique to the Mary Kay Career Car Program.

In addition to pink Cadillacs, Mary Kay also offers the independent sales force the opportunity to earn the use of the Pontiac Vibe and the Mary Kay Signature platinum Pontiac Grand Prix as part of its notable Career Car Program. Currently, about 12,000 independent sales force members in the United States have qualified to earn the use of a career car.

Witte took delivery of her new Cadillac, her third Mary Kay career car, at Coastal Cadillac in Port Richey.

Witte began her Mary Kay career as an independent beauty consultant in 1996 and through sales and team building accomplishments, became an independent sales director in 2001. In this capacity, she provides education, leadership and motivation to other Mary Kay independent beauty consultants and offers her customers Mary Kay products.

[Last modified October 30, 2005, 01:13:18]