Category: News

Habitat for Humanity to Build First Home in Wesley Chapel

Volunteers from Wesley Chapel Toyota & Honda, the main sponsor of the ‘Raise the Roof’ project at the Shops at Wiregrass mall, work on a previous project for Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco. Photo: Eric Johnson

By Matt Wiley |
WESLEY CHAPEL — With all of the residential communities located within minutes of the Shops at Wiregrass mall, it may seem strange to see a home actually being built at the busy shopping destination. However, the construction of the house is part of a project by Habitat for Humanity (HFH) of East & Central Pasco that, upon completion, will be deconstructed and moved to its permanent location where a family in need will get to call it their home.

Beginning on May 17 at mall, a group of volunteers from HFH of East & Central Pasco, part of the non-profit Christian ministry that builds homes for families in need worldwide, will take part in “Raise the Roof,” an event that will begin constructing the walls of what will become the first HFH home built in the Wesley Chapel area. “This Wesley Chapel home will be this HFH chapter’s 120th home to date,” says Stephanie Black, director of development and public relations for Habitat of East & Central Pasco, which has built and rehabilitated homes in Dade City, Zephyrhills, Lacoochee and Land O’ Lakes.

Black explains that land prices have been the issue that has kept HFH from building in the Wesley Chapel area, until now. Recently, she says, Pasco County Community Development donated a building lot to HFH in Wesley Chapel.

“We hope this home and the occupants will always be examples of what can be accomplished through caring people and the HFH program,” she says. “Habitat doesn’t give away homes; it gives opportunity.” The event challenges local businesses and individuals to help eliminate poverty housing by donating some time, sweat and a few dollars to helping build a quality home for a local family in need.

Once the project is completed at the Shops at Wiregrass, the walls will be deconstructed in sections and then transported to the home’s permanent site on Brahma Dr. in Angus Valley, located off Old Pasco Rd., north of S.R. 54, an area from which Habitat hopes to have more land donated for future homes.Continue reading

Woman Steals, Sells $13K Of Jewelry In Wesley Chapel

Matt Wiley | May 14

A Zephyrhills woman has been arrested after attempting to sell thousands of dollars in stolen jewelry to the Cash for Gold pawnshop, located on Eiland Blvd. in Wesley Chapel, in February.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), Angela Christine Helton, 28, of Zephyrhills, was arrested around 2 p.m. on May 14, after it was discovered that she had sold stolen jewelry to Cash For Gold.

The PCSO report says that Helton was staying with a friend, 51-year-old Grazyna Kowalska, also of Zephyrhills, “to help her out.” Unbeknownst to Kowalska, Helton removed $13,000 in jewelry, including gold and silver necklaces, charms, bracelets and earrings.

Local Runners Unite, Run In Silence, To Honor Fallen In Boston Bombing

By Matt Wiley

An eerie silence fills the Shops at Wiregrass mall in Wesley Chapel, as hundreds of runners briskly pass, to honor those lost during the bombing of the Boston Marathon on April 15. The only sounds for the entire first mile of the race are those of feet hitting pavement.Continue reading

Students, Teachers Honored At Annual WCCC Pride Awards Ceremony

By Gary Nager

All too often, it seems, we hear people say, “How come there’s not a lot of good news about young people in this or any other publication?”Continue reading

Broadway Comes To Tampa Brings Back Favorites For 14th Show

By Matt Wiley

Saddlebrook Resort & Spa in Wesley Chapel is a ritzy joint, but on Saturday, May 11, it will have all the glitz and glamour of New York City’s “Great Whie Way,” as the stars of the Broadway stage come back to town for one night only.

For the 14th year, the New Tampa Players (NTP), Inc., presents the “Broadway Comes to Tampa” (BCTT) dinner gala, which literally brings the stars of Broadway’s most famous stage productions to Saddlebrook, located off S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel, to perform their hits for a small crowd in an intimate, dinner theatre/concert atmosphere.

“This being our 14th year (doing BCTT), I’ve decided to bring back some of our most requested performers,” says NTP president Doug Wall. “All of the stars are different from last year.”

Returning to the BCTT stage after a year’s hiatus is Neil Berg, Wall’s cousin and renowned Broadway and Off-Broadway composer, who in years past has provided narration and the musical accompaniment for the event. He missed last year’s event to accept the prestigious Ellis Island Congressional Humanitarian award, which certainly was a worthy excuse. Berg is the composer of the off-Broadway musical “The Prince and the Pauper,” as well as the Broadway-bound adaptation of the classic 1993 buddy movie “Grumpy Old Men,” which starred Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.

In addition to bringing back some favorites, Wall says he also has brought a new face to the event. Rebecca Pitcher, a Columbus Opera competition winner who is best known for her portrayal of Christine Daae in the classic “Phantom of the Opera,” as well as for her role as Johanna in “Sweeny Todd.”

This year’s BCTT also will feature Capathia Jenkins, who has appeared on Broadway in “Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me” and “The Civil War,” as well as on TV in “30 Rock” and “The Sopranos;” Danny Zolli of “Jesus Christ Superstar” fame, who most recently was named lead singer of “The World Rock Symphony Orchestra;” and Rob Evan of the platinum-selling band the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, who also has appeared on Broadway in the original cast of “Jekyll & Hyde,” performing in the lead role in front of more than 1,000 audiences. Also returning to BCTT is Carter Calvert, best known her role in the Tony-nominated “It Ain’t Nothing But The Blues.”

BCTT veteran Greg Wall, Doug’s brother, will once again be bringing his saxophone skills to the stage, which he also has lent to numerous film scores.

Although Saddlebrook certainly is a premier venue for such an event, NTP has been working for the past several years to secure a permanent home for its stage productions and special events, which the theater troupe has been planning on constructing on the land located across Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. from the entrance to Hunter’s Green. “Red tape” and funding issues have both played their part in preventing the construction of the theater thus far, but Wall says that NTP is still working towards having a home of their own and BCTT is the main fund raiser for the project each year.

To help raise funds, the event also will feature a silent auction and a raffle, with the Grand Prize winner receiving an all expenses-paid trip to New York City to see two Broadway shows.

“Broadway Comes to Tampa” is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at Saddlebrook Resort & Spa (5711 Saddlebrook Way, off S.R. 54). Tickets cost $175, or $1,750 for a table of ten and are available by calling 386-6687 or online at BroadwayComesToTampa. com. For tickets and other questions, including sponsorship opportunities, please contact Doug Wall at DNW122@aol.com.