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By MICHELLE JONES
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 28, 2001
For the second year in a row members of the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce met at the Wesley Chapel High School for their first general meeting of the year. The students in the school's television production center gave a tour of the facility and did a demonstration of the morning show where announcements for the day are given. Laci Garrett, a senior, and Leigh McIlwaine, a junior, served as anchors for the show. There are 16 students in the class led by Bruce Brill, the instructor. The meeting, attended by approximately 35 people, was held in the school's media center. Two speakers gave a presentation after being introduced by Beth Brown, a member of the chamber's board of directors and one of the school's assistant principals.
Patrick McDermott, director of the school's almost completed center for performing arts, talked about the center and what it would mean to the community and to the students.
"It is almost state of the art," he said. "I hope to bring in the Count Basie Band and Duke Ellington to perform."
He said the plans are for the 900-seat theater to be completed by the later part of March.
Dr. Janet Scaglione also spoke of her work at the school and at the University of South Florida.
"I work with USF to improve teacher education," she said. "Business partnership with educators is important. If you want to improve education in Pasco County you need to support a teacher."
Florida is facing a critical teacher's shortage.
"It is not a high wage job," she said. "And, it is a thankless job. If you care, find a way to thank a teacher."
Candidates are needed for the first ever Wesley Chapel honorary mayor's race sponsored by the chamber. Allyn Welch and Pam Johnson are the only two who have agreed to run for the title. A $50 application fee and the determination to raise some funds to benefit the chamber is all it takes to run.
The new 2001 chamber directory is available at the chamber office.
The third annual Publix Associate Appreciation Day is scheduled for Thursday. Employees, in Pasco County, raised more than $176,000, a $16,000 increase over last year, for United Way. The total amount, including the Publix corporate match, is more than $300,000 or a $32,000 increase over last year. Historically, Publix is 25 percent of United Way's campaign.
Citizens for Sanity will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Pasco Professional Center, 4111 Land O"Lakes Blvd. The organization is a non-profit group made up of people who want to improve the quality of life and government in Pasco County. For information, call (813) 996-5575.
Tots' Night Out, a special bedtime story program, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at the Land O'Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway in Land O'Lakes. Toddler Storytime, for children ages 1-3, is scheduled for 10:15 a.m. Friday and Preschool Storytime, for children ages 3-5, is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday. The Teen Advisory Board will meet at 4 p.m. Fridayto discuss programming especially for teens. For information, call (813) 929-1214.
Ross McIntosh, of Lutz, has been named to the President's List for the fall 2000 semester at Oklahoma Christian University. He is the son of Bruce and Catherine McIntosh and a junior at the school where he is majoring in computer science. He earned a 4.0 grade point average for the semester with a course load of 12 hours.
Members of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce are planning their annual Business Expo 2001 for March 2-3 at the Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex on Collier Parkway. In addition to the expo, there will be a Taste of the Towne. For information on booth rental call the chamber at (813) 996-5522.
Strategies for Funding your Children's Education is scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 17 at the American Express Financial Advisors office at 1851 Collier Parkway in Land O'Lakes. This seminar is free, however seating is limited. All participants will receive educational materials and refreshments will be served. For information call Gordon Engebretson or Cheryl Burbano at (813) 996-9550.
The second annual Pull Your Heart Out for the New Port Richey Marine Institute is scheduled for 8 a.m. Feb. 10 at the Gulf High School track and field area, in New Port Richey. Teams will attempt to pull a 20-ton fire truck across a finish line first. Cost is $500 for a team entry fee and cumulative weight of the members of the team must total 2,500 pounds or less. For information or application, call (813) 841-4361.
Members of the Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a Super Bowl party for the residents of the Lopez Veterans Nursing Home in Land O'Lakes at 6 p.m. today. The Knights of Columbus raised the money through their dollar a night program. Members of area veterans organizations will be assisting the residents as they attend the party. There will be refreshments for the residents as they watch the football game.
Applications for the Pasco County Fair Parade, scheduled for 1 p.m. Feb. 19 in downtown Dade City, will be taken until 5 p.m. Feb. 16. The initial lineup will be based on entries made before Feb. 9. Entry in the parade is free and applications are available at the Pasco County Fair Office, 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City, at chambers of commerce throughout the county and at Pasco County public schools. Units will be judged in the following categories: commercial, civic-sponsored, baton, marching unit, mounted horse units and individual western rig. A Best of Parade ribbon will be awarded. A midway preview will be featured from 4 to 9 p.m. the same day with free admission. The midway will feature $12 pay-one-price special for unlimited rides. Although the exhibits won't be open Monday but the Celebrity Milk-Off will be held at 4 p.m. followed by the Youth Heifer Show at 7 p.m. Both will be held at the Albert A. Barthle Livestock Pavilion. The exhibits will be open throughout the remaining six fair days until Feb. 20. For information, call the fair office at (352) 567-6678.
-- Michelle Jones covers central Pasco community news. She can be reached at (813) 226-3459. Her e-mail address is jones@sptimes.com.