Help Santa give a gift to special child

By MICHELLE JONES

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 9, 2000

Santa Claus will be coming to Odessa on Dec. 16 with a sleigh (well, a flatbed truck) full of hay and several elves. The jolly fellow will be distributing candy to neighborhood children from 6 to 8 p.m.

Sponsored by the AmVets Post 9 of Odessa, Santa will be sitting on a rocker and available to distribute gifts if notified in advance. Miriam Stockman said to call the post at (813) 920-9023 and drop off the gift at 14540 State Road 54 with the name of the child and address before Dec. 15.

Library offers bedtime stories for kids Monday

Tots' Night Out, a special bedtime story program for children ages 1-5, is scheduled at 7 p.m. Monday at the Land O'Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway. The Teen Advisory Board will meet at 4 p.m. Friday to discuss programming for teens. Toddler Storytime, for children ages 1-3, and Preschool Storytime, for children ages 3-5, are scheduled at 10:15 and 11 a.m. Friday. For information, call (813) 929-1214.

Wesley Chapel chamber's monthly mixer is Thursday

The members of the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will have their monthly mixer from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at SouthTrust Bank at County Road 581 and State Road 54. Everyone is asked to bring a toy for children in need. Applications are now being taken for the first Honorary Mayor of Wesley Chapel. Applications and rules are available at the chamber office, 5450 County Road 581, Wesley Chapel. The winner will take the "Oath of Office" at the Share the Vision Community Festival in March. After paying a $50 application fee, the candidates will have until March 17 to raise funds to support the chamber and their race. The candidate who raises the most will be declared mayor.

Rotary Club meets Fridays at Comfort Inn

The Land O'Lakes/Wesley Chapel Rotary Club meets at 7:15 a.m. Fridays at the Comfort Inn in Wesley Chapel, behind the Cracker Barrel restaurant. For information, call Dave Marshall, president, at (813) 973-7142.

Restaurant raising money to help needy families

The Golden Inn Chinese Restaurant in the Willow Bend Towne Center in Land O'Lakes has a money tree to benefit needy families in the area. Restaurant patrons have been putting money on the tree, and before Christmas the money will be donated to the Moose Lodge for distribution. Last year, 15 families were helped with the proceeds from the tree. For information, call Will Jones of the Moose Lodge at (813) 996-5554.

School to host holiday program, talent show

The drama club at Weightman Middle School will present Little Cosette and Father Christmas at 8 p.m. Thursday. The school's chorus will sing Christmas carols from 7 to 8 p.m. before the presentation. The free concert and play will be held in the school's cafeteria, at 30649 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.

On Dec. 21, the school's 10th annual talent show is scheduled from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Singers, dancers, musicians and the House Cats, the faculty ensemble, will perform. Cost is $2 for students; free for guests. This show is a fundraiser for the school's gifted program and is planned and organized by a committee of sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders. To celebrate the school's 10th anniversary, the committee is inviting past principals and former show winners to participate as judges. Prizes $50 for first place, $25 for second and $15 for first.

Games, crafts featured at Holiday Fun Factory

A Holiday Fun Factory is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 16 at the Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway. Children ages 3 to 5 will play games and do crafts. The event is sponsored by the Pasco Parks and Recreation Department. For information, call (813) 929-1220.

Also at the complex, a winter camp for children ages 6 to 12 be held Dec. 22 and 26-29, and Jan. 2-5. Cost is $30 per child and includes the fee for a field trip. Sports, crafts and games will be featured. For information, call (813) 929-1220.

Children 10 and younger can get photo with Santa

Children ages 10 and younger are invited to have breakfast with Santa Claus at 9 a.m. today at the Land O'Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway. Cost is $7 and includes a photo of the child sitting on Santa's lap. For information, call (813) 929-1220.

Citizens for Sanity to meet Wednesday

Citizens for Sanity will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Pasco Professional Center at 4111 Land O'Lakes Blvd. For information, call (813) 996-5575.

Land O'Lakes students to perform in Tampa

Members of the Land O'Lakes High School Advisory Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the school's media center. Students Jeremy Barber, Laura Ayoub and Patrick Reichner have been named to the Florida Music Educators Association/Florida Vocal Association, the All State Sight Reading and Mixed Choirs for the 2000-2001 season. They will compete Jan. 13 in Morsani Hall at the Performing Arts Center in Tampa.

Boy Scout troop selling shorts and pants today

Members of Boy Scout Troop 350 will be selling men's shorts and casual dress pants today at the Zephyrhills Flea Market at County Road 39 and Old Lakeland Highway. Shorts are $6 each or three for $15, and trousers are $7 each or three for $18. Proceeds will benefit the troop.

Central Pasco chamber luncheon seminar planned

Members of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce are invited to attend a free information luncheon seminar at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Memorial Gardens, State Road 54 in New Port Richey. For reservations, call Suzanne Mandeville at (813) 920-4241.

The November Beautification Award, sponsored by the chamber, went to Jim Hill, president of Sunshine Youth Services on State Road 54.

Benefit open house planned at new Outback

The new Outback Steakhouse scheduled to open in Wesley Chapel this month will have an opening celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday. Admission is $20 and include hors d'oeuvres and drinks, with proceeds benefiting pediatric cancer research. The address is 5710 Oakley Blvd. in Wesley Chapel.

Contestants sought for Miss Pasco Pageant

Area women ages 17 to 24 are invited to compete in the Miss Pasco County Pageant scheduled for 8 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Dan Cannon auditorium, in conjunction with the Pasco County Fair in Dade City. The pageant is affiliated with the Miss America program. Contestants will compete in evening gown, swimsuit and talent events and will be interviewed. Judges will be from the Miss Florida Pageant Scholarship Program.

The pageant is open to single women from Pasco County or counties that border Pasco. They must have lived in the area for the previous six months. There is no entry fee, and the deadline to apply is Jan. 19. For information, call (352) 567-6678.

Memberships available to Pasco County Fair

Membership cards to the Pasco County Fair Association are available for $18 for individuals and $35 for families. Members will receive free admission to the fair each of its seven days the fair. In addition, free parking is provided in a preferred member's lot. The fair is scheduled for Feb. 19-25 at the fairgrounds in Dade City. For information, call (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.

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