‘T.D.’ & His Grandkids Share A Special Milestone

Dempseys graduatingWEBMasterson and Alexis Dempsey of Wesley Chapel graduated from Saint Leo University on April 30.

Alexis received her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree during the morning commencement ceremony, and Masterson received his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in International Tourism & Hospitality Management during the afternoon graduation exercise. Masterson, an Honors graduate, also got to deliver the farewell address to the Class of 2016.

Both are the grandchildren of Tom Dempsey, the founder, chairman and CEO of Saddlebrook Resort off S.R. 54. “T.D.” (as many in his family call him), who received an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Saint Leo in 2008 and is a Trustee Emeritus — got to personally present his grandchildren with their degrees. He served on the Saint Leo Board of Trustees and was on the search committee for Dr. Arthur F. Kirk Jr., the former president of Saint Leo University.

Dempsey, who has the middle name Leo, said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed watching them grow up. Alexis is a superstar and doing a fantastic job at the resort. Masterson already has over four years of experience at Saddlebrook and is pursuing his passion for music. I am extremely proud of them both, and presenting them with their degrees, was a special moment indeed.”

Both students currently work at Saddlebrook Resort. Alexis is the Catering & Conference Services manager, and Masterson is a DJ and entertainer as well as having experience as a guest activities specialist, corporate team building facilitator, athletic event referee and fitness instructor.

When asked about the significance of the upcoming milestone, the siblings, who are 16 months apart, responded in a similar fashion: “Saint Leo has been a part of our lives since we were young,” said Alexis. “The university’s values reflect our same family values – it’s the way were raised.”

Masterson added, “The same values are infused within the staff at Saddlebrook Resort. Our grandfather did everything for our family, and this attitude is reflected in his work – his leadership, service, and support to make the business successful. T.D. is a ‘big picture’ thinker. He believes in the importance of service leadership, and we had the privilege of witnessing it firsthand.”

Masterson was an actively engaged student who served as President of both the L.E.A.D. Scholars Organization and the International Tourism Club at St. Leo. He also is a Big Brother to the Gamma Upsilon Sorority and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. In addition, both he and Alexis served as peer ministers in Saint Leo Abbey’s Youth Ministry Program.

Alexis also stays busy with numerous community service activities. While earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, she was the recipient of a four-year merit award given to two students in each state based on exemplary community service and academic achievement. She logged more than 600 hours of community service with the Children’s Home Society of Central Florida. She is very active at her church, St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, and the Junior League of Tampa Bay, where she serves as Metropolitan Ministries Food and Materials Coordinator. She recently joined the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Club.

While Masterson described his sister as more “polished” and himself as more “raw,” he considers his sister his “co-warrior” through life.

“Now that we’re starting our professional careers in the family business, it’s an ‘open competition’ and we intend to push each other to be the best that we can be,” he said.

T.D. wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

Brass Tap Now More Than Just Beer

BrassTapIf you’re like me and not particularly into beer the may have been avoiding The Brass Tap in the Shops at Wiregrass mall, even though you like the location and the live music and other “stuff” going on there.

Well, avoid it no more. Owner Jeff Martin is proud to have added a full, premium liquor bat at the Wiregrass Brass Tap and will soon unveil a “new BBQ and more food concept in the vacant former location of 100 Montaditos, which is adjacent to The Brass Tap (which has seven locations throughout the Tampa Bay area) at the mall.

For more information, stop in at The Brass Tap (2000 Piazza Ave.), call 991-4343 or visit BrassTapBeerBar.com/Wiregrass

Susanna Martinez To Co-Anchor WCNT-tv

Susanna Martinez
Susanna Martinez

The producers of WCNT-tv are proud to announce that former Bay News 9 on-air talent (and longtime Wesley Chapel resident) Susanna Martinez will co-anchor the first-ever video news program dedicated to the residents and businesses in New Tampa & Wesley Chapel.

 WCNT-tv, the new YouTube-based video news show which is a partnership between Full Throttle Intermedia and the New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Neighborhood News, also is the exclusive webcast partner of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce. The program will come to you from the Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel Studio.
Susanna, whose roots are in television journalism, helped launch Tampa Bay’s first 24-hour local news channel, Bay News 9. For six years, Susanna worked as an on-air television news reporter, bringing some of the area’s most significant stories and weather-related news into the homes of millions of viewers throughout the 11th largest media market in the country.
Prior to moving to Tampa, Susanna was the main news anchor at WKAG-TV 43 in Hopkinsville, KY, where she started her broadcast career.
“Like Bay News 9, I think WCNT-tv will create another local phenomenon and I am excited to co-anchor the program with Neighborhood News editor Gary Nager,” says Susanna, who also is the public information officer for the Southwest Florida Water Management District (aka Swiftmud).
Look for more announcements about the launch date of WCNT-tv at NTNeighborhoodNews.com and in the next issue of Neighborhood News.

Chick-Fil-A Opening This Month

Chick-Fil-AThe long-awaited Chick-Fil-A, located in front of the Tampa Premium Outlets (TPO) mall (at 2391 Sun Vista Dr., off S.R. 56) and right between the new Culver’s and Cheddar’s restaurants, is expected to open on June 30, sources tell the Neighborhood News.

The highly-popular fast food restaurant chain specializes in chicken sandwiches, and the opening of the new 4,800-sq.ft. entry into the burgeoning Wesley Chapel food market along S.R. 56 will be another welcome addition to the corridor.

Ford’s Garage recently submitted a preliminary site plan application for a new establishment adjacent to the Pollo Tropical on the Northeast corner of S.R. 56 and Grand Cypress Drive (east of Wesley Chapel Blvd.) directly across from the Tampa Premium Outlets.

Cheddar’s, a Texas-based chain that specializes in food made from scratch ingredients, opened right next to the future Chick-Fil-A site on Monday.

On the passing of Muhammad Ali


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The photo shown here is perhaps the most famous fight photo ever — of then-Cassius Clay standing over Sonny Liston to win the heavyweight title in 1964.

But, I was only 5 years old that day & not yet a boxing fan.

So, my favorite memory of Ali was in March 1971, when I had just turned 12 years old & was able to attend the closed-circuit broadcast of the “Fight of the Century” between the unbeaten champ, Smokin’ Joe Frazier & the undefeated Ali.

I remember being in shock that Frazier hit Ali so often early throughout the fight and I actually remember gasping when Ali hit the canvas from a vicious Frazier left hook that likely broke his jaw just before the end of the 15th & final round.

Even though the fight went the distance, Ali’s aura of invincibility was gone forever, but what was left was the deep respect he earned from even his toughest critics.

Even in losing, there was no doubt that Ali – who won both rematches against Frazier – was the greatest heavyweight…No, make that the greatest boxer I ever saw lace on some gloves.