Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce gave the Presidents Award to Ben Pumo, owner
of Benedetto's Ristorante located in Land O’Lakes, at their Awards Banquet June
19. Photos of this and other events by Anthony V. Masella Jr
June 19,
2009
-07
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Girl Scouts of Land O'Lakes
at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Local Girl Scouts Bridge to Next
Level
May 13, local Girl Scout troops of
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida’s Land O Lakes Service Unit
participated in a bridging ceremony at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Activity Center in Lutz.
Boys in Lutz’s Cub Scout Pack 212 gathered last weekend (Saturday) for some
wet fun, and to decorate their float for next Saturday’s Independence Day parade
in Lutz. Top row (l to r): Cody Foster, Trent Innocenti, Christopher Barnes.
Middle row (l to r): Kyle Bowman, Paul Coats, Zachary Huff, Cameron Rios, Jandor
Myers, William LeNoir, Nicholas Rios, Shane LeNoir, Mason Sims. Bottom row (l to
r): Andrew Wise, Daniel Knox. Photos of this and other events by Anthony V.
Masella Jr
June 27,
2009-05
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Arrest made in teen's killing
Detectives are questioning potential witnesses after Dustin Sean White was killed in an early morning shooting.
Deputies look for evidence near
the area where they say Dustin
White was shot and killed.
Tribune
photo by JASON BEHNKEN
A 19-year-old
man has been arrested in the
Sunday morning shooting death of
Dustin White, 17, at a clubhouse
in Lake Padgett Estates East,
the Pasco County Sheriff's
Office said.
Douglas
Gabriel Cevallos Jr. of 2900
Banyon Hill Lane, Land O' Lakes,
was charged with manslaughter;
he was booked into Land O' Lakes
Jail on Tuesday afternoon and
released Wednesday after posting
$50,000 bail.
Cevallos and
White were at a party at 4508
Parkway Blvd. about 2 a.m. when
a fight erupted in the nearby
parking lot of the community
clubhouse, sheriff's spokesman
Kevin Doll said. Cevallos picked
up a gun that had been dropped
during the fight and fired one
shot that killed White.
to benefit
Lutz resident Donna Coberly, a Cystic Fibrosis patient, in need of a
lung transplant. Monetary Donations welcome, All checks to be payable
to the Willow Bend Community Church; for THE DONNA COBERLY BENEFIT
TRUST FUND.
Pancakes,
coffee and other goodies also for sale. LOCATION: WILLOW BEND
COMMUNITY CHURCH 2541 HENLEY ROAD, LUTZ, FL, 33548.
DIRECTIONS: located 1 mile west of US 41, just 70' south of SR 54 on
Henley Road. Henley Road is 3.5 miles east of the Suncoast
Parkway.uncoast Parkway.
June 6,
2009
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UCH Physicians Care, Dr. Kenneth L. Savage, Jr., D.O.,
has a ribbon cutting with the Central Pasco Chamber
of Commerce. He is located at
2416 Land O' Lakes Blvd, Land O' Lakes and can be
reached at 813-909-2368.
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Connerton has many amenities and now has a hospital!
University Community Health opened Long Term Acute Care Hospital at
Connerton. Photos also include their brand new
Outdoor Amphitheatre. For
more info, go to theRose Cottage Welcome Center, 20421 Rose Cottage Way, Land O’ Lakes,
Florida 34637, or call 813-995-2460 or Toll Free
1-888-281-0739, or you can visit their website:
www.Connerton.com.
A fund-raiser was held April 13,
to help Keelyn Cardona whose father was killed in action in
Afghanistan Feb. 28. Keelyn Cardona, 9, is the daughter of
Heather Ashby and the late Santos Cardona. Santos Cardona had
been a defense contractor with American Canine and was working with
a bomb detecting dog in Afghanistan, said Heather Ashby, who was
Santos Cardona's companion for many years.Santos Cardona died when a
Humvee in which he was riding struck an improvised explosive device
and turned over, Ashby said.
Keelyn Cardona lives in Land O’ Lakes with her mother. Santos
Cardona and Ashby met in Germany in 1997 while both were serving in
the US Army. The fund-raiser was held at Tijuana Flats, 23100
State Road 54, Lutz. A face painter or balloon artist will attend
the event, Ashby said. The restaurant contributed 20 percent of
sales that evening to the Keelyn Cardona fund that has been set up
at Bay Gulf Credit Union for her daughter's future expenses,
including college, Ashby said. People wishing to make donations to
that fund (Account No. 100252) may do so in person at Bay Gulf
Credit Union, 2255 Collier Pkwy., Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639.
Both the account number and Keelyn Cardona’s name should be
indicated on the check or deposit slip, Ashby said. Deposits may
also be made by mail or in person to other Bay Gulf Credit Union
branches as long as the proper identifying information is provided,
Ashby said. “The community has really been wonderful” in helping her
daughter, Ashby said. Ashby is a Tampa native. She got out of the
Army in 2000, shortly after Keelyn was born. She and Santos Cardona
lived in Land O’ Lakes for 18 months after he left the Army in
August 2007 until he began his defense contractor’s position in
Afghanistan. The Army allowed Cardona to keep the Belgian Malinois
dog, Duco, who he had been working with while in the service. Duco
lives with Ashby and Keelyn. “He was a very private person, but he
cut up a lot and loved having a good time,” Ashby said of Santos
Cardona. “He loved being in the military and serving his country. He
enlisted when he was 18,” Ashby said. Also, Ashby said, Santos
Cardona enjoyed spending as much time as possible with Keelyn, who
is a third-grader at the Learning Gate Community School in Lutz.
April
13,
2009
01
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Central Pasco Chamber
Business Expo
in Land O'Lakes, Florida
Chef Ben Pumo, owner of the
Award Winning Benedetto’s Italiano Ristorante gave a cooking
demonstration at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce Business Expo and
Taste of the Town held on March 13 and 14 at the Land O’ Lakes
Recreation Complex. He made Maine Lobster Risotto with fresh tomato,
shallots, garlic and sherry in a cream sauce garnished with fresh
broccoli that he then served to the large hungry crowd. The smell
permeated while lots of great networking was going on between the 88
businesses who participated and the public visitors. Benedetto’s
Italiano Ristorante is located at 21529 Village Lakes Shopping Center,
Land O' Lakes. They can be reached at 813-909-9694 or at
www.benedettoitaliano.com. ...Bonnie Kerr, of Loyless
Funeral Home, promoted the many different services they offer such as
cost-effective burial and cremation packages to meet any family's
financial needs, online obituaries, Funeral Broadcasting LIVE, and Flag
Retirement. Old flags may be dropped off any day of the week and they
will be used for the veterans who are cremated. For loved ones who
cannot be at the funeral service, Loyless offers LIVE streaming video
that runs in real time, at up to 30 frames per second, as if you were
watching T.V. This option comes through your email. Loyless Funeral
Home is located at 5310 Land O'Lakes Blvd., Land O'Lakes.
They can be reached at 813-996-6610 or www.LoylessFuneralHome.com. ...David
Hevia, owner of Kiefer Village Jewels, with helpers Donna Piscitelli,
and Meredith Kleker, promoted his business and the special necklace
designed by Piscitelli that is being raffled off to support the Land O’
Lakes Relay For Life. Kiefer Village Jewels is located at 24144 State
Road 54, Lutz. They can be reached at 813) 909-2393 or www.kvjewels.com.
.............. Dr Jo Ann Daniels, of Central Pasco Vet Care (on right),
gives out one of the prizes that she raffled off at the Business Expo.
Central Pasco Vet Care is located at 17945 State Road 54, Lutz. They
can be reached at 813-926-1126 or www.CentralPascoVetCare.com. ...
Kathy Leung, of Golden Inn, and her beauty queen daughter Shirley Leung,
the current Miss Teen Wesley Chapel, of Academy at the Lakes, served up
some great Bourbon Chicken and other selections at the Taste of the Town
on March 14. Golden Inn is located at 23042 State Road 54, Lutz. They
can be reached at 813- 909-1818 or www.GoldenInn.net. ...Michele
McCarthy (on left) and Joan Stout, of Connerton, tried to sell a
hundred homes at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce Business
Expo. They did well explaining what a beautiful community Connerton is
with so many amenities although they did came up a bit short of their
goal. But the people will come to Connerton once they find out how
special it is. The Rose Cottage Welcome Center at Connerton is located
at 20421 Rose Cottage Way, Land O’ Lakes. They can be reached at
813-995-2460 or 1-888-281-0739, or
www.Connerton.com. ... Rob Kress, and Cindy Griggs, of Ierna Air
Conditioning and Heating promoted their company that earned the Central
Pasco Chamber’s 2007 Business of the Year Award for a company with more
than 10 employees. They can be reached at 813-948-6355, 866-323-COOL
(2665), or
www.IernaAir.com.
Robin Perez, Land O’
Lakes Honorary Mayor, of Bay Gulf Credit Union, got some shredded pork
with yellow rice and black beans from Rapscallions at the Taste of the
Town at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce Business Expo.
Rapscallions is located at 4422 Land
O Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes. They can be
reached at 813-235-6511, or www.rapscallions.net.
..Steve Chojnacki , owner of Primrose School at
Collier, a Five Star Accredited School, and Kristine Smith, Curriculum
Coordinator, promoted their upcoming Summer Camp at the Business Expo.
Your child’s imagination doesn’t take the summer off. At Camp Primrose,
your child will learn valuable skills while spending the summer with
friends in a safe, educational environment. Each themed session is
designed to stretch your child’s imagination, social skills, and
learning skills by incorporating our Balanced Learning curriculum. They
offer a flexible camp schedule to fit your needs and a small group size
of 1 teacher to every 12 campers. Space is limited. You must be 5
years old by September 1, 2009. Primrose School at Collier is located at
23021 Weeks Boulevard, Land O'Lakes and they can be reached at
813-242-7800 or www.primroseschools.com.
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Conner
Preserve Grand Opening
The
District celebrated the grand opening of the Conner Preserve. The
event included a ceremony, guided hikes, model airplane
demonstrations, children’s activities, water quality monitoring
demonstrations and more. The District purchased the 2,980-acre
property in 2003 to preserve and restore this important natural
habitat. The preserve’s entrance is located approximately 3.5
miles east of U.S. 41 on State Road 52 in Pasco County.
Recreational opportunities include
bicycling, bird-watching, equestrian, hiking and
picnicking. Equestrians must obtain a free
day-use permit and carry proof of a horse’s
current negative Coggins test. Camping will be
available in the future. The preserve also has a
model airplane flying field, which is managed by
Bay City Flyers. Portable restroom facilities
are located at the entrance and at the model
airplane flying field. The preserve is open
daily from sunrise to sunset. For more info:, go
to
www.watermatters.org.
Debbi Yamokosi, of Treasured Pets Resort & Spa, LLC held her ribbon
cutting with the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce on January 15.
Several family members and business associates joined her for food,
treats, and fun.
Treasured Pets Resort & Spa is located at
2643 Narnia Way, Suite 101, Land O' Lakes. They can be reached
at 813-909-7387 or
www.treasuredpetsresortandspa.com
Log Cabin Archery offers
Archery, Paint Ball, and Fun
Amanda Nail,
of Land O' Lakes, demonstrates her expertise archery style while
practicing at Log Cabin Archery located at
4629 Land O Lakes Blvd, Land O Lakes. They can be reached at (813)
996-1345
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Benedetto's Ristorante
Benedetto's Is A Secret No More
By MARY PATRICK, Tribune correspondent
Published: January 2, 2009
LAND O' LAKES - Inside, a piano player tickles the ivories. Outside, a
singer croons
romantic songs to diners. On the menu are upscale Italian
favorites. And it's all in a strip mall. Actually, it's the parking lot
of a strip mall. And it's in Land O'Lakes. When Benedetto's decided to
put up a sign proclaiming the place one of Tampa Bay's "best kept
secrets," they weren't exaggerating. Upscale enough and with a decent
enough wine list to be a good location for an "event" meal - a big date,
say, or a birthday - but also family-friendly, the place quickly went
from "never heard of it" to "in our Top 10" of praise-worthy restaurants
in
North Tampa (or, in this case, southern Pasco County). The
place is owned by chef Ben Pumo, who supervises a kitchen where they
make their own
fresh pasta and sauces every day, as well as cut their own
meat.
CLICK HERE: (for more)
A
traditional Holiday Celebration. Meet on the Green of the Land O’ Lakes
Community Center U.S. Highway 41. Sunday, December 14, 2008 3:00 p.m.
to 5:00 p.m Featuring: Local Church and School Choirs, Bell’s
Angels Bell Choir, Award Winning Puppet Team P.F.C., Dr. Susan MacManus,
Representative Will Weatherford and other long-time Lakers with hometown
tales, holiday sugar cookies, hot apple cider and much more. So
bring your lawn chair and enjoy the fun!
Russell Remalia, D.O. (center
holding scissors) prepares to cut the ribbon at the Ribbon Cutting
Ceremony with the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce on December 8.
This beautiful new office is located east of the Suncoast Parkway
at 16541 Pointe Village Drive, Suite 207, Lutz. They can be
reached at (813) 920-8300, or www
Rocky Contreras and Dr. Bobby Smith (center with scissors), of
KnowledgePoints,
prepare to cut the ribbon at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the
Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce on December 3.
KnowledgePoints offers affordable tutoring with proven results. They
provide individualized instruction that focuses on helping children
build skills and gain the confidence to succeed, and they tie that in
with their unique motivational system that makes learning fun.
Knowledge Points works with children ranging from Pre-K beginning
readers through 12th graders, and they provide instruction in Reading,
Writing, Math, Study and Organizational Skills, and SAT/ACT Prep. They
also provide Gifted Learning and Homework Help. Ask us about their
guarantee!
KnowledgePoints
is located at
2201 Collier Parkway, Land O’Lakes, in the Publix plaza at SR 54 and
Collier Pkwy. They can be reached at
813-787-1225 or
www.knowledgepoints.com/landolakes.
NFL Alumni Tampa President Tim Watson of Wesley Chapel,
(on left),
introduced several former football players at the Gala Fundraiser Event
to benefit seven local charities on November 30.
November
30, 2008
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Kaleb (on left), and his brother Trevor, of Oakstead Elementary, enjoyed
climbing on top of the Fire Engine at the UPS Store in Lutz to tell
Santa Claus what they wanted for Christmas on November 29. The store is
located at 23110 SR 54, Lutz, and can be reached at (813) 948-2287.
November
29, 2008
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Logan Taylor 8 of Lake Myrtle Elementary with sister Kelsey Taylor 11 of
Chuck Rushe Middle School admire this 1929 Flat Track Ford, owned by
Bill Little of Land O’Lakes on display at the Auto show held Space Box
Storage located at 2550 Land O’ Lakes Blvd November 22. Ashley Taylor 5 with brother Austin
Taylor 9 both of Lake Myrtle Elementary admire the 1937 Four Door Chevy
owned by Earlene Burleson Tampa at the
Space Box Auto show, November 22. Bill Lehman, Property Manager of Space
Box and host of the Auto show at the 130,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art
facility in Land O’Lakes poses with Dori Williams of LA Fitness in
Carrollwood located at 17631 N.Dale Mabry and Tiffany Edgar 15 of Tampa
November 22.
Newly
appointed Secretary Brenda Landry with Honorary Deputy Mayor Gloria
Dale, Heritage Park Foundation Treasurer Alan Cotterill and volunteer
Gloria Kasouz discuss events to promote the park, future plans for it
and plans for "Traditions on the Green" holiday celebration at the park
set for Sunday, December 14 at the Land O' Lakes Community Center.
Creative World of
Land O’Lakes, an early childhood learning center, held their Grand
Opening with the help of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Miss
Central Pasco Taylor Mock of Land O' Lakes HS and Jr. Miss Central Pasco
Anastasia Stroup of Wiregrass Ranch HS (with crowns) seen her sitting
with Directors Management team Holly Brady and Kellie Howard, Teachers
Summer Easton, Nilda Ramos and Justine Cuviello with many students from
the new center located at 9511 Land O’Lakes Blvd.
Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Chalmers, of
Lighting & Bulbs, Inc. (center with scissors), prepare to cut the ribbon
at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Central Pasco Chamber of
Commerce on November 19. Several chamber members and business
associates joined them. Lighting & Bulbs Supply, Inc. is located at
5110 Land O' Lakes Boulevard, Land O’ Lakes. They can be reached at
www.lightingandbulbssupply.com Phone: 813-996-7006.
November
19, 2008
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TAMPA,
Fla. (Nov. 18, 2008) – On Nov. 7,
Connerton opened the 11,000-square-foot, $8 million dollar first phase
of Club Connerton. The resort-style activities center features a super
pool aquatic playground with water features; fitness center with Cybex
equipment and locker rooms; kid’s club with structured activities;
ConnerTown Café; meeting rooms; tennis, basketball, and volleyball
courts; and an outdoor amphitheater.
Club Connerton is the centerpiece of the larger Gardens Village
Center, which will also include retail shops and professional office
space. Once future phases are complete, Club Connerton is planned to
total more than 25,000 square feet...to read more,
CLICK HERE:
November
18, 2008
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Loretta Becker (center with scissors) of Tender
Moves, Inc. prepares to cut the ribbon at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on
November 12. They can help "Move Seniors Tenderly". They can be
reached at 813-482-2620, or P.O. Box 292, Land O' Lakes, or at
www.movingseniorstenderly.com
November
12, 2008
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York Bridge Concepts, Inc. held their ribbon cutting on November
10. Their new location is at
2420 Brunello Place,Lutz, (Near Devonwood on SR 54
West of Hwy 41). They can be reached at
Toll Free: 800-226-4178, or 813-933-1304, or
www.ybc.com
November
10, 2008
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Sally and Gary Secunda (center, with scissors),
prepare to cut the ribbon during the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the
Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce on November 7. Several chamber
members and business associates joined them and previewed the thousands
of outdoor gear items they have in their store. They are located in
Eagle Plaza at the intersection of SR 54 and Oak Grove Blvd.. They can
be reached at 813-949-9600 or at www.Go2Outfitters.com.
Go 2 Outfitters owner Gary Secunda (on right), shows a
Pasco County Sheriff some of the outdoor gear products at the Flapjack
Festival that was held on November 2 at the Pasco County Fairgrounds.
Go 2 Outfitters is located in Eagle Plaza at the intersection of SR 54
and Oak Grove Blvd.. They can be reached at 813-949-9600 or at
www.Go2Outfitters.com.
Click
>>>
Here (Contains
photos of Honorary Mayor Installation, Cake & Pie Baking Contest,
Flapjack Eating Contests, Mr. Legs, entertainers, and lots more).
Robin
Perez, of Bay Gulf Credit Union, won the title of Honorary Mayor of Land
O’ Lakes on October 31 at the Flapjack Festival put on by the Central
Pasco Chamber of Commerce at the Pasco County Fairgrounds. Brinkley
Simpson, of Denham Oaks Elementary, was the winner of the Best Costume
Girl at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce Flapjack Festival held at
the Pasco County Fairgrounds.