Dade City Car Show Dade City Jan. 5dadecitynews.org/uploads/8/8/8/8/88887854/dcn01-03-19aweb.pdf ·...

PART 2In our second edition of Top Stories: the Dade City hospital

gets new owners; the city manager decides to move south; the Rattlesnake Festival moves to new venue; San Antonio honors Hermanns were among the major stories.

Hospital Changes HandsAdventist Health System announced April 2 that it had

officially taken ownership of Bayfront Health Dade City and changed its name to Florida Hospital Dade City.

The agreement included the hospital as well as its physician clinic operations and outpatient services.

“Our organization is growing, and we are excited about the opportunity to deliver Christ-centered, wholistic care to those in Dade City and the surrounding areas,” said Terry Shaw, president/CEO for Adventist Health System.

A separate announcement was made indicating Adventist had gifted FHDC up to $20 million for capital investments.

Volume VIII • Issue 21 Your Hometown News Source • dadecitynews.org January 3, 2019

Dade City NewsServing Dade City • San Antonio • Saint Leo

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Norman Brown is ready to begin the next chapter in his life after working for the Pasco County School District for 30 years.

He retired from Pasco High School on Dec. 21 after having served as an assistant principal there since January 1999.

“It’s bittersweet. I will be sad when I leave but I am ready to start that next chapter in my life. It was time to go. It’s a good time to do it at the end of the first semester,” Brown said.

He began his career with Pasco County schools in 1988 as a behavioral specialist at Hudson High School. Brown

Pasco High Assistant Principal Retires

Top Stories • Continued on Page 6A

Story and photo by Joe Potter

New Year, New Places To Go

With the start of the new year comes a plethora of new things to try and an assortment of new places to explore. Dade City alone has three new small-town businesses guaranteed to pique one’s interest.

Slated to open this month is the Farmhouse Market and Café. Owned

Stop in soon for a freshly made salad or sub, or make you own with some of the farm fresh produce found at Farmhouse Market and Café.

Brown • Continued on Page 4A

by Emily Kochanski

Jason Newmyer and Amanda Maggard reveal the new sign in front of Florida Hospital Dade City’s main entrance at 13100 Fort King Road during a May 8 celebration.

Norman Brown was an assistant principal at Pasco High School for 19 years before retiring in December.

Check Out New Local Establishments

Photo by Keri McAlpine

in Dade City News

Places Continued on Page 3A

INSIDE:2A - Boy Scouts Visit National Cemetery5A - Miami Man Survives Fearsome Flight 4018A - Years Of Successful Citrus1B - Top Sports Of 2018 In the Dade City News2B - Santa’s Tree Provides For Families3B - Helping Hands For Foster Kids8B - Symphony Hosts Holiday Concert

Photo Provided

2A • January 3, 2019 Your Hometown News Source • dadecitynews.org Dade City News

Josue Negron, 19, of 15121 Davis Loop, was arrested by the Pas-co Sheriff’s Department on Dec. 26 on a charge of aggravated battery. Police responded to the 15000 block of Manatee Avenue in reference to an aggravated battery

complaint on Dec 2. Contact was made with the victim who advised that she and her husband were in their front yard clean-ing up after a party when she observed Ne-gron running at her with a baseball bat. Approximately 20 other people appeared, and a brawl ensued. The victim advised that Negron allegedly struck her in the face and head with the bat, causing severe injuries, including fractures to her face, jaw and head and several lacerations that required stitches. The victim advised that she knew Negron to be one of her hus-band’s cousin’s family members and that the fight was the result of an ongoing fam-ily feud. Negron was identified by a photo lineup and later placed under arrest. He was transported to the Pasco County jail.

Information provided in the Dade City Po-lice report is taken from public record. All par-ties are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Dade City Police ReportThere’s No Place Like Jail For The Holidays

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Christmas Trees Recycled In Pasco

Pasco County Recycling encourages residents to recycle their Christmas tree following the holiday season. Recycled trees can be chipped into mulch, chopped into firewood or relocated as wildlife habitats – just remember to remove all decorations, tinsel and metal hooks.

Trees can be dropped off daily until Jan. 12 during normal business hours at any of the following local locations: John S. Burks Memorial Park, 13220 Gene Nelson Blvd., Dade City; Sam W. Pasco Recreational Complex, 39835 Chancey Road, Zephyrhills.

Other tree recycling stations are located in Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Spring Hill, Holiday, New Port Richey and Hudson.

Make a New Year’s resolution to recycle in 2019. Recycling is included in residential twice-weekly curbside garbage pickup. Visit bit.ly/2lWhIVh for information about recycling in Pasco County.

Boy Scouts Visit National Cemetery

Members of San Antonio Boy Scout Troop 311, and members of the public, traveled to the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell last month to lay holiday wreaths with a red bow on the veterans’ gravesites.

General sponsorships were available, but those with relatives or loved ones in the cemetery also had the option of a grave-specific sponsorship, allowing them to designate where their wreath will go.

The San Antonio Boy Scout members were on hand to place any grave-specific wreaths they were responsible for, and then lined up to lay general wreaths throughout the cemetery. A special program was also held the morning of Dec. 15 to remember and honor veterans.

Wreaths Across America is a national effort that places tens of thousands of wreaths each year. The Bushnell cemetery had their own goal of sponsoring and placing 30,000 wreaths. As of Tuesday, the goal was exceeded with 30,763 wreaths sponsored.

Next year’s ceremony will be held Dec. 14. Reach out to a local troop leader or member to inquire about sponsorships.

Wreaths Honor Fallen Veterans During Holidaysby Keri McAlpine

Ben and Max D’Water from San Antonio’s Boy Scout Troop 311 with their sister Meg D’Water from American Heritage Girls Troop laying a wreath at the grave of their grandfather Thomas R. Richter, U.S. Army.

Max, Ben and Bill D’Water from San Antonio Boy Scout Troop 311 participated in Wreaths Across America last weekend at the Florida National Cemetery in Busnell.

A line quickly formed to pick up a wreath and place it at a grave site as part of Wreaths Across America last weekend. Photos Provided

Mother and daughter Caylee and Patricia Walkins happily wait in line for a wreath to place in the Florida National Cemetery.

Dade City News Your Hometown News Source • dadecitynews.org January 3, 2019 • 3A

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and operated by Dade City residents Ronnie and Jenny Williams, the market/eatery will bring a touch of southern charm to the community along with farm-fresh produce and tasty homemade cuisine.

“We will have plenty of produce from local farms, fresh meats, and handmade farmhouse style décor,” said Ronnie Williams. “The café will be set up at the front of the shop and feature southern-style sandwiches and other carry-out items, such as salads.”

As active churchgoers, the Williams are all about giving back to their community, and what better way than with healthy alternatives to fast food housed inside a friendly, family atmosphere. The Farmhouse Market and Café will be located at 14124 Fifth St. and will be opening soon.

Speaking of healthy alternatives, fitness enthusiasts and health nuts can get an extra boost of energy with a handmade shake from Bryant’s Nutrition. An Herbalife nutrition club, the shop officially opened on Dec. 3 and is located next to Jazzercise and ABC Pizza on Heather Place off of U.S. 301.

“Herbalife is balanced nutrition. It helps keep your body healthy and can be used as a meal replacement,”

said Kendra Bryant, part owner and operator. “We offer teas and shakes in an assortment of flavors that can be used for weight loss or just to keep yourself healthy.”

In addition to the tasty beverages, Bryant’s Nutrition also offers small exercises classes, weight loss challenges, “Fresh Fruit Fridays” and other special events and activities. The shop is open Monday-Friday from 7-11 a.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 8-11 a.m.

While culinary businesses, like Bryant’s and the Farmhouse Market, are much welcomed establishments in Dade City, a touch of class is always appreciated. The recently opened Out of Our Hands Gallery provides just that. Owners Russ and Lee Taylor brighten up Seventh Street with many of their eye-catching creations, as well as those from other Florida artists.

“Russ and I have been artists all our lives. We met at an art show and began travelling and showing off our pieces,” said Lee Taylor. “We moved to Dade City in 2015 and saw a need for a gallery. We’re passionate about art and passionate about supporting other artists.”

The Taylors found their way to Dade City purely by accident and, having a keen eye for artistic beauty, fell in love

with the town’s picturesque qualities.“The charm of the city is what brought

us here to live. We actually got lost on our way to Crystal River,” Taylor said. “We were just captured. We absolutely fell in love, and we saw that it was open to the opportunity for art.”

From paintings to sculptures, Out of Our Hands Gallery has pieces to please any and all art lovers. The gallery is located at 14245 Seventh St. and is

open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Start your new year off right. Grab a farm fresh sandwich or salad from the Farmhouse Market and Café and pair it with a protein packed shake form Bryant’s Nutrition. Then, be sure to sate your artistic appetite at Out of Our Hands Gallery. And, as always, be on the lookout for upcoming changes in your community.

Places • Continued from Page 1A

Bryant’s Nutrition whips up protein and energy packed smoothies and shakes aimed to please any health-conscious individual on the go.

Out of Our Hands Gallery on Seventh Street features an assortment of pieces, all crafted by owners Russ and Lee Taylor and other skilled Floridian artists.


East Pasco EventsJan. 4 – First Friday – Downtown shops and restaurants will extend their hours from 5-9 p.m. Entertainment, refreshments, children and pets welcome. Visit Dade City Merchants Association Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dadecitymerchantsassociation/ for details.

Jan. 5 – Learn and Grow Volunteer Days – Join the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension Service at the Pasco County Farmden and Community Garden the first Saturday of every month from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Learn about gardening as you help grow food for the community. This fall, all the produce from our farm will be donated to the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. Bring a hat, water, gardening gloves and close toed shoes. This is a family friendly event, but please leave your four-legged members at home. Community garden plots are still available to lease for free. Contact Eden at (352) 518-0156 or [email protected] for information.

Jan. 5 – Cruise In – New season, new hours, new location, new management. Hundreds of awesome classic cars on display in downtown Dade City from 12-7 p.m. Music by Starvin Darvin. The car show does not take place months of June, July and August, due to weather. Call (352) 437-3059 for information.

Jan. 5 – The Market Place – From 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Hibiscus Park, located at Seventh Street and Bougainvillea Avenue, will be abuzz with a variety of vendors, crafts, foods, and more. Country music artist Melissa Lee Zenker will be performing from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. A drawing for an attractive gift basket will be offered, tickets will be sold for $1 each or six for $5. The drawing will benefit the Dade City Youth Council. Vendor opportunities available. Contact Lucy Avila at (352) 424-4972 for information.

Jan. 11-12 – Book Bazaar – Great bargains on gently used best sellers. Audio and video media, magazines and related materials for a modest cost. Open to the public. Held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St. Call (352) 567-7449 for information. Jan. 12 – Raising Cane: A Sweet and Spicy Event – The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village will host the annual sugar cane syrup making event from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Competition will consist of tasting and judging, chili cookoff, and more. Regular museum admission, $10 for adults and $5 for children. Contact the museum at (352) 567-0262 for information.

Jan. 14 – Canning Your Produce – Hosted by the UF/IFAS Pasco Extension. Learn the basics of home canning. Class will cover different canning methods, the right equipment you will need and food safety. Held from 2-3 p.m. at the Pasco County Farmden and Community Garden, 15029 14th St. Contact Eden Santiago Gomez at [email protected] or (352) 518-0156 for information.

Jan. 19 – Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ and Blues Fest – The ninth annual event will feature a barbeque competition, live music, classic cars, cornhole tournament and a kid’s zone. Held from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at 5200 Airport Road. Parking is free with $10 admission. Contact (813) 782-1913 for more information.

Jan. 19 – Martin Luther King Celebration – The parade will begin at 10 a.m. on Martin Luther King Boulevard and turn right onto Seventh Street. The scholarship banquet will follow that evening at 6 p.m. at the The Lewis Abraham Boys and Girls Club, 38724 Mudcat Grant Blvd. in Lacoochee. Tickets are $15/person, or a table for 10 for $100. Contact Cassie Coleman at (352) 206-1555 or at [email protected] for information.

Jan. 21 – Martin Luther King Program – The special program will take place at 11 a.m. at the Lewis Abraham Boys and Girls Club, 38724 Mudcat Grant Blvd. in Lacoochee.

Jan. 26 – Run For Life – The 5K and one mile fun run is now open for registration. The event will take place on Main Street in Zephyrhills and benefits the Pregnancy Care Center of Zephyrhills. To register, go to www.pcczephyrhills.org. All who register by Jan. 7 are guaranteed a t-shirt.

Jan. 26 – Kumquat Festival – You do not want to miss this annual event, held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in downtown Dade City. Craft and food vendors galore, kids corral, entertainment, and more. Free admission. Contact the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce at (352) 567-3769 for information.

Jan. 27 – Shabby Chic Vintage Market and Artisan Day – The annual event offers DIY workshops, a succulent creation station, an eclectic array of décor styles, artisanal food items, boutique clothing and more. This year’s event will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Grove in Wesley Chapel, 6105 Wesley Grove Blvd. Attendance and parking are free.

Jan. 30 – SmartStart Entrepreneur Education Series – Presenters will examine the top 10 secrets that will drive sales with social media/video marketing. Held from 6-8 p.m. at the Aligning Your Company’s Core Dade City Entrepreneur Center, 37837 Meridian Ave. #309. Visit www.smartstartpasco.com/events to RSVP.

Feb. 2 – Moonlight and Ivory – The 22nd annual concert and art show will be held at the Dade City Woman’s Club, 37922 Palm Ave. The matinee will begin at 2 p.m. with the art show following. Doors for the evening performance will open at 7 p.m. for the art exhibition with the musical concert beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Dade City Chamber of Commerce, American Eagle Antiques in Dade City, or online at heritagearts.org. The cost is $25 for the evening show and $15 for the matinee. Contact Jessica Werckman at (561) 400-1404 or [email protected] for tickets and information.

Feb. 2 – The Big Shred – Watch as professionals shred your sensitive, outdated documents. Held at the Robert Sumner Judicial Center, 38053 Live Oak Ave., from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Feb. 9 – Pasco Blues and Food Festival – Bring a lawn chair and enjoy live blues entertainment and delicious food at this all-day event. Held from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’Lakes Blvd. in Land O’Lakes. There is a $5 cash entry fee. Contact Drew at (727) 674-1464 or [email protected] for information.

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NEWS & ADVERTISING DEADLINE: Monday at 12:00 noon • CIRCULATION ISSUES: Please call the offi ce at (813) 783-1300LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Letters to the editor should be limited to 200 words. Pasco News Publications reserves the right to edit published letters. Letters to the editor are the writer’s opinion and do not refl ect the opinion of Pasco News Publications. Please include your name and phone number.ADVERTISING ERRORS: Pasco News Publications is not responsible for the validity of claims made by advertisers or for advertisers errors. Pasco News Publications is responsible only for the cost of space for the fi rst insertion.PASCO NEWS PUBLICATIONS IS A MEMBER OF: The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.COPYRIGHT: Contents copyright of Pasco News Publications, all rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole prohibited without prior, written permission of the publisher.

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My wife Jenny used to work in the health care industry for many years. One of her responsibilities was to make contact with insurance companies to make sure that if a surgery or a procedure was needed it would be authorized in advance. From what she said it was not uncommon for her to be on hold or discussing the procedure for sometimes more than an hour. I can relate.

The week before Christmas I was looking at my credit card statement online and discovered a couple of phantom charges. I am familiar with these. An unauthorized user will make a few small charges and if undisputed will nail your card big time. An airline in Brazil stood out like a sore thumb. They weren’t large amounts. After further research it was determined that it was my wife’s card. She only uses this particular card for purchases at a local gas station that she has used for many years.

When I saw the charges, I immediately called the number on the credit card. Between being on hold and finally getting

an agent the total time was more than an hour. The agent was very polite but I could hardly understand what she was saying and had to ask her to repeat herself many times. It was frustrating. The end result was she immediately cancelled the card, said a new one would be sent out and that we should receive it in seven to 10 days.

About a week later I noticed another charge. It was for a swanky hotel in Brazil. I called and the wait time was excessive again. I was on the phone for well over an hour and again I could not understand the agent very clearly. I figured that it was Jenny’s card that was recently cancelled. The agent assured me it was on my card this time. I was told it would be the same length of time to get a new card. I told the agent that the timeframe would be unacceptable. They did say they could send it out expedited at no charge and I should get it in a day or two. That’s more like it.

We do have other credit cards we can use in the interim. I didn’t realize how many things we had tied into these particular cards. I use mine for everything. Some recurring charges happen every single month. I do rack up a whole bunch of incentives just for using the card.

My major complaint with the bank card company was the wait time was excessive. I’m glad that my phone had a full charge. She did tell me that I was not responsible for any unauthorized charges. I called to try and help out the credit card company when I first noticed the unusual activity. Maybe next time when someone charges a wonderful trip to Rio with first class airline tickets I will wait until the bill comes in and then dispute the charges. From the way it went that day I really don’t think they would really care.

Time To Hire More Help

Commentary

First Things FirstGreg First

then worked as a supervisor in the ESE department at the district office in Land O’ Lakes from 1995-1999 before coming to PHS as an assistant principal.

“This is a fantastic school to work for,” Brown said regarding PHS.

He worked with three principals – Jackson “Buff” Johnson, Pat Reedy and Kari Kadlub – during his nearly two-decade tenure at PHS.

“They are all fine leaders,” Brown said.

He has worked at PHS long enough to see some children his former students enroll to take classes there, which he said is “pretty cool.” To him, PHS is a community school and his connection with the students helped to keep him going.

Brown said he “could write a book” about his experiences at PHS. Over the years he has noticed different trends among the student body, some good and others not so good.

The students at PHS were more respectable and attentive to their educations when he started working there, Brown said. He said he has noticed a steady decline in some of those traits over the years, which he attributes to the poor societal influences that students have nowadays.

Brown and his wife of 31 years live in Bushnell and he has been commuting from there during most of his career at the school. Brown has two sons, one of which is a senior at the University of Florida and the other is gainfully employed as an electrician in Tampa.

Brown has masters’ degrees in Applied Behavioral Analysis and in Educational Leadership and as a hobby is an avid beekeeper and bicyclist.

With no specific plans for what he will do during his retirement years, Brown said he may do some volunteer work and that he and his wife are considering moving to Tennessee.

Brown • Continued from Page 1A


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Miami Man Survives Fearsome Flight 401

Ronald Infantino once loved to fly, but now the thought of it fills him with unease. The Miami native narrowly survived a devastating plane crash 46 years ago. His story has reached many across the state of Florida and, as he visited family for the holidays, it made its way to the folks of east Pasco.

After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force, Infantino wanted to continue a life in the skies by working for Eastern Air Lines as a member of the flight crew. He moved from New York to Miami where he met his wife, Lilly.

Following their honeymoon, Infantino and his new bride traveled to New York to visit family who were unable to attend

the nuptials. It was on their way back to Florida that the unimaginable occurred. On Dec. 29, 1972, at precisely 11:42 p.m., Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 crashed in the Everglades. According to Infantino, a number of factors contributed to the crash. – factors that could have easily been avoided had the pilot and crew been attentive.

“When the pilot puts the landing gear down, they will normally see three green lights. In this case, there were only two lights, the nose gear did not light up,” said Infantino. “There was no way of knowing if it was simply a burnt-out bulb or a faulty gear. So, the pilot sent some of the crew below to where all the avionics were at to assess the problem.”

This potentially faulty bulb led to the

disastrous crash. With the pilot distracted by the nose gear dilemma, he failed to realize that he bumped the controls and switched from the altitude hold setting control wheel steering, causing the craft to descend to 900 feet, well below the desired altitude of 2,000 feet.

Neither the passengers nor the crew realized the plane was going down until it hit the ground. When Infantino came to, the water of the Everglades was resting just below his chin.

“I knew I was hurt, but I didn’t know how bad,” Infantino said. “At first, I thought I was the only one who had survived. It was so quiet, I couldn’t here a soul.”

Infantino’s right arm was over three quarters severed, his knee was severely dislocated, and he contracted gangrene from the swamp water. Of the 176 souls aboard Eastern Air Lines Flight 401, 101 perished that night. Lilly Infantino was among the fatalities.

Survivors spent five hours wading through water and wreckage in total darkness before rescue crews finally arrived. Infantino still recalls hearing

stewardess Beverly Raposa urging frightened passengers to “follow the sound of her voice” in the pitch blackness. She and Infantino’s recount of that fateful night, as well as the tragic tales told by fellow survives, have cemented the crash of Flight 401 in history.

As a direct result of the crash, Crew Resource Management became mandatory for aircraft pilots worldwide. The training is aimed at making problem solving and communication more efficient in the cockpit. Flashlights are also now standard equipment aboard all flights, something surviving flight attendants said would have been invaluable following the crash.

Nowadays, Infantino equates his feelings towards flying to riding in the passenger’s seat of a car travelling at 80 miles per hour, a nervous feeling he’ll never quite shake.

“Even flying up here for the holidays put me on edge. It’s the feeling of not being in control and of not knowing what exactly is going on up front,” Infantino said. “The aftermath of Flight 401 will never go away. It’s a part of me and a part of aviation history.”

Memory Of Crash Strong After 46 Years

Flight 401 was quite a craft, featuring eight-foot ceilings, a stand-up bar in the rear, a kitchen, and other luxuries.

by Emily Kochanski

Following the crash, disoriented and injured survivors roamed the Everglades in utter darkness, wading through water and wreckage with great difficulty.

Photos Provided


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Almost half of the funds – $9 million – were earmarked for interior renovations including a new lobby, updating the cafeteria and the intensive care unit.

With the addition of the Dade City hospital, Adventist Health System now has 27 hospital campuses in the state of Florida. The hospital network is a faith-based, non-profit health care organization and the parent company of Florida Hospital.

Jason Newmyer was named administrator as well as vice president of neighboring Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. Newmyer oversees strategic development and operations at the Dade City hospital.

The hospital began as a 64-bed hospital with only 28 physicians; now there are more than 120 licensed beds and more than 200 physicians serving the center on Fort King Road.

Adventist Health System then announced Aug. 14 that it will soon become AdventHealth.

Florida Hospital Dade City is now known as AdventHealth Dade City – an acute care hospital, designated as a primary stroke care center, with 27 medical specialties including bariatrics, cardiology, emergency services, gynecology, neurology, surgery and urology.

Billy Poe Heading To Zephyrhills

Dade City Commissioners praised Billy Poe during their Nov. 13 meeting after he told them he had accepted a job that will evolve into becoming city manager for Zephyrhills.

“It has been a unique honor to serve as … City Manager for nearly 11 years,” Poe read from a prepared statement. “I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to lead such a talented and dedicated team of employees. I will truly miss my relationships here.”

Poe said he was proud of the important work that has been completed during his tenure and was grateful for the commission’s collaboration and support, as well as the tireless efforts of the men and women of Dade City.

“I look forward to working with you to ensure a

smooth transition as I leave office on Feb. 7, 2019,” Poe, a native of Zephyrhills, said.

Poe will be shadowing Zephyrhills City Manager Steve Spina who will be retiring in July.

“I wish you only the best of luck in your future professional career and my personal thanks for all that you have done. We all want to thank you for the service you have provided to Dade City,” Mayor Camille Hernandez said.

Commissioners agreed during a Nov. 30 workshop to advertise the city manager’s position through December.

Snake Fest Slithers To Fairgrounds

During a March board meeting of the Thomas Promise Foundation, a final decision was made to move the San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival to the Pasco County Fairgrounds.

Thomas Promise Executive Director Joe Simmons, who headed the 51st installment of the festival in 2017, said after a long debate the board decided to officially move to the fairgrounds.

The foundation took the control of the festival from the Rotary Club of San Antonio in 2017 after the group said they could no longer keep it going, primarily because of a lack of volunteers necessary to run the event.

After informing the City of San Antonio in a March 15 letter of their intent to move the festival, the topic was discussed at the March 20 city commission meeting.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to make but it really still came down to having a place for everybody to park at the festival moving forward,” Simmons said. “That helped lead to the decision to move it to the fairgrounds.”

Since the festival will no longer be held in San Antonio, the official name of the event was altered to

simply “The Rattlesnake Festival”. The festival greatly expanded in Thomas Promise’s

first year of running it, going from less than 50 vendors to more than 100.

One big difference this year was there a $5 admission charge at the gates.

San Ann Father, Son Honored

A marker dedicated Oct. 22 in the northwest corner of the San Antonio City Park memorializes the contributions of Joe Herrmann and his son, Edward J. “Eddie” Herrmann.

Joe Herrmann, who passed away Sept. 11, 2002, at 90 years of age, was widely known and respected as an entrepreneur and visionary.

He was a founder of the San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union and a charter member of the Pasco County Fair Association. He also founded the Saf-T-Gas business and operated it for many years.

Eddie Herrmann, who passed away Oct. 21, 2017, at age 81, was a co-founder of the popular San Antonio Rattlesnake Festival.

Both men served as San Antonio’s mayor and as city commissioners.

Joe Herrmann was appointed by Gov. T. LeRoy Collins to serve out the unexpired term of Pasco County Commissioner A.H. Schrader Sr. after Schrader died in 1957.

Many people knew Joe Herrmann as “Mr. San Antonio”.

Eddie Herrmann was known as the “Culligan Man” from the 1950s through the 1970s before he sold his business and began working for Tampa Electric Company as a meter reader.

Freeze Curbs Kumquat CollectionA 20-degree January cold snap wiped out a large

portion of fresh crop at Kumquat Growers, putting a large dent into the popular Kumquat Festival.

Greg Gude, general manager at Kumquat Growers Inc., has had his share of agricultural struggles in the past; dealing with harmful insects and other damaging natural factors, but the freezing of his kumquat crop really put him in a tight spot.

Top Stories • Continued from Page 1A

Top Stories • Continued on Page 7A

Billy Poe answers questions during Zephyrhills city council interviews for the Assistant City Manager position on Nov. 7.

Jina Anderson, an educator at the Reptile Education Center booth, wears a Ball Python at the Rattlesnake Festival.

Members of the Herrmann family and the Pasco County Historical Society in front of a marker dedicated Oct. 22 to Joe and Eddie Herrmann.

Photo by Dave Walters

Photo by Richard K. Riley



“If the fruit freezes, it normally freezes at about 27-degrees,” Gude said. “We knew that we had lost most of the fruit because we were at 26-degrees for about four hours.”

Most of the plants seen on Gude’s farm were planted just last year and had not yet grown to full size. Fortunately, the roots of the infant kumquat trees were not touched by the cold, meaning that the trees themselves were still salvageable though the fruit was destroyed. “There was not a large crop anyway, but there was enough that we could bring to the festival,” Gude said.

Though the Kumquat Festival is not their primary moneymaker, the loss of the crop will put a crimp in their business. However, Gude still had plenty of kumquat products to sell at the festival, according to Dade City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Moors.

“The festival itself attracts several arts and crafts vendors and more, so there’s plenty of entertainment, regardless,” Moors said.

Four years ago the groves were producing 18,000 bushels of kumquats and last year were already down to 5,000 before the freeze. On its way to recovery, the Growers have planted 5,000 kumquat trees and are being extra careful to spray for unwanted pests and diseases.

San Ann Lumber Celebrates 95th Year

After 95 years in east Pasco County, the San Antonio Lumber Company has done their best to remain humble and conservative, yet still flourish as a business. Co-founded by Herman Schrader in 1923, the business has been passed down through five generations of family members with Sarah Schrader taking the helm in 2012.

The company’s longevity, growth and contributions to the community were recognized at the 32nd

Annual Awards & Trade Show for the Pasco Economic Development Council. The lumber company received the 2018 Medium Sized Business Award at the Sept. 6 event held in Wesley Chapel.

Located at 12744 Curley St., the company remains in its original location, which was chosen because it used to be adjacent to the railway for lumber deliveries. Since then, the railway has gone but the company remains and has even expanded to include buildings on the other side of Curley.

With 20 to 30 employees at any given time, San Ann Lumber also has a fleet of delivery vehicles to service all of Pasco and most of central Florida.

Many of the employees have more than 20 years of experience, and have deep roots in the community. The lumber company offers health and financial benefits among other services to ensure their employees are happy and can take care of their families while working there.

Youth Council Marks Decade Of ServiceDade City Mayor Camille Hernandez noticed

something odd when she was first elected to the city commission in 2006.

Nothing had been done about an ordinance enacted in 1999 to give young people a more meaningful role in city government.

It took a year before the first meeting of the Dade City Youth Council was held in May of 2007. Hernandez became the facilitator of the then-five-member group. Now with 16 members, the DCYC recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. One is an 8th grade student and the others are in high school.

The Youth Council’s first project was Movie In The Park, followed by the Love One Another feeding program.

LOA has since become a ministry of First Baptist Church with assistance from other area churches, including St. Rita Catholic Church and First Presbyterian Church. Youth Council members still help with LOA.

Some of their other signature projects include the Backpack Giveaway and Dog Days Dade City.

Top Stories • Continued from Page 6A

Greg Gude inspects each young kumquat tree for extensive damage to the roots and for salvageable fruit.

Sarah Schrader and Mike France of San Antonio Lumber Company show off their award at the evening trade show held Sept. 6 in Wesley Chapel. The banquet and awards ceremony allowed them to talk about the 95-year old company and thank the employees who make the company successful.

Photo by Emily Kochanski


SLU Celebrates Christmas With Blessing Of Nativity, TreeSaint Leo University kicked off the

Christmas season festivities at the university’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the main campus on Nov. 27.

Father Kyle Smith, university chaplain, read the Christmas story from the gospel of Luke.

Smith blessed the Christmas tree and the university’s Nativity, leading the SLU community in prayer as it prepared for Advent.

Music was provided by students Olivia Callahan and Allie Losee and Cynthia Selph, director of the university’s music program. Lucas Nocera, music minister for University

Ministry, played keyboard and led everyone in Christmas carols.

On a chilly night, students, faculty, and staff enjoyed Christmas cookies and treats to cap the evening.

Then on Wednesday and Thursday, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Language Studies and the Arts presented four performances of “A Saint Leo Christmas.” Students, faculty, and guests performed a celebration of Christmas in song.

Saint Leo holds its Christmas events before final exams begin so that students may study, but also so they have the opportunity to share in the season with the community. With a ‘Let there be light,’ Father Kyle Smith lit the university’s Nativity scene.

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Years Of Successful Citrus

After decades in business, success continues to blossom and grow at Hancock Groves, much like the fruit it produces.

The family owned and operated grove, located at 31107 Blanton Road west of Dade City, incorporated in the early 1980s but has been operating for much, much longer.

“We’re a century farm. That means we’ve owned and farmed the land for well over 100 years,” said owner Jane Hancock. “The Hancocks were in the cattle and grove business as far back as the 1800s.”

Hancock has been teaching for 29 years and doing so at San Antonio Elementary School for 25. She continues to run the grove in addition to her time teaching and became owner after her husband, Joe, passed away in 2016.

“This was Joe’s vision. When I started teaching, he decided that he was going to open a fruit stand in our small tractor shed in the back of the grove,” Hancock said. “He eventually got sick of the cold, so we built

another, larger building and started selling our fruit and other products from there.”

In addition to a variety of citrus, including grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, and more, Hancock Groves also cultivates strawberries and peaches.

Folks from all across Pasco County flock to the groves to pick their own supply of the delicious fruit, as well as to sample a number of imported citrus products in the grove’s gift shop. Some even come out just to take a family portrait, taking advantage of the scenic citrus landscape.

“People can come in and pick whatever they’d like, provided it’s ripe,” said Hancock. “We are open from the end of October through May, after we are finished selling the last of our peaches.”

The grove remains a popular spot for locals but, like any other produce business, Hancock Groves continues to face it share of difficulties.

“We’re battling greening now, which is pretty much devastating the citrus industry,” Hancock said. “The profit margin is decreasing rapidly. And with the greening, keeping the plants alive has become a delicate balance.”

The Hancock Groves is open to the public and Hancock invites all to come out to shop, taste and explore. She foresees many more successful years in business to come and owes her drive and passion for the business to one thing.

“A fool doesn’t know when to give up,” said Hancock. “And I won’t because this was my husband’s dream.”

Owner Of ‘Century Farm’ Keeps Dream Alive

Visitors are welcome to pick their own fruit from the groves or select from a pre-picked assortment inside.

Story and photos by Emily Kochanski

The grove also offers up an array of citrus-based products, including jams, honey, and candy, imported from other fruit growers across the state.

Jane Hancock keeps the business up and running with the help of her middle son and grove manager, Jackson.

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