Congratulations to the owners of the new Tous les Jours bakery franchise at 27209 S.R. 56 โ in the former location of Capital Tacos.
Like the Tous les Jours inside the Lotte Plaza Market in New Tampa, the Wesley Chapel location offers a large selection of freshly baked croissants, pastries, donuts, breads and more โ in both sweet and savory varieties โ as well as cakes, coffee drinks, teas, smoothies, lemonades and much more.
Photographer Charmaine George and I have visited the new Tous les Jours twice and the first thing we both noticed is how much nicer and more spacious the new location is than the one in the Lotte Plaza Market food court. There are several tables, as well as couches, for enjoying your purchases inside the shop, which in no way still resembles the old Capital Tacos.
As for the baked goods, among the sweet options weโve sampled are an almond croissant, a large Mont Blanc pastry (which is like a huge, crispy outside-flaky inside cinnamon roll), a strawberry croissant filled not only with super-fresh strawberries, but also whipped cream, and a mini caramel apple pie. The savory items weโve tried and enjoyed include a ham-&-cheese croissant, a spinach and feta pastry (which is both sweet and savory), a croque monsieur sandwich (a grilled French-style ham and cheese sandwich) and a sausage onion pastry, which is like a hot dog surrounded by a pastry with onions, cheese and ketchup. There also are several different kinds of milk breads, full bread loaves stuffed with whipped cream and so many more. We havenโt tried any of the cakes yet, but give us time!
As for beverages, Iโve enjoyed both the vanilla latte and caramel macchiato and Charmaine and I agreed that the fresh, thick, hand-spun mango smoothie (below) was delicious. There also is a huge selection of hot and iced teas available and more!
Tous les Jours is a French-inspired โ its name literally means โEvery Dayโ in French) โ Korean-owned chain of bakeries with 1,700 locations around the world, including more than 100 (and growing) in the U.S.
The Wesley Chapel Tous les Jours is open every day from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and although the menu doesnโt include some of the freshly made sandwich items other Tous les Jours stores carry, the hope here is that theyโll add some of those items in the future.
For more info, call (813) 388-5612 or visit tljus.com. โ GNย
As previously announced, the last remaining Newย Tampa Winn-Dixie supermarket, located at 6425 County Line Rd. (in the same plaza as LA Fitness), closed on Dec. 8 and is in the process of being converted to the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel areaโs third ALDI grocery store.ย
We were told that it would be several months before the new ALDI would open, but this Germany-based international brand already has nearly 2,500 U.S. supermarkets and more than 200 stores in Florida, including at 18002 Highwoods Preserve Pkwy. in New Tampa and at 2215 Sun Vista Dr. in Lutz (in front of Costco).
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the still-open (at least at our press time) Winn-Dixie in the Towne Center of Wesley Chapel plaza on Wesley Chapel Blvd. told us there are no plans to close that store. โ GN
As a direct-mail newspaper that only hits mailboxes every four weeks, itโs hard for us to publish some stories because theyโre already โoldโ by the time our next issue reaches you.
For example, by the time this issue reaches you, Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa will all be distant memories and the year 2025 will already be in full swing, as even the kids will be back in school the same day this issue is scheduled to reach you.
Even so, photographer Charmaine George and I attended many of the local holiday-themed events last month โ some or even all of which you may have missed โ including two different local performances of โThe Nutcracker,โ the annual New Tampa Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah lighting events and even the unique second-annual Renaissance-era โMadrigal Dinnerโ hosted by the Freedom High chorus at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center, which isnโt specifically a holiday event, but which was held on December 5 and included an actual delicious dinner for those who attended.
The two photos above are from the New Tampa Dance Theatreโs โpreviewโ performance on Dec. 7 at the Shops at Wiregrass. Charmaine took these pictures since neither she nor I were available to attend NTDTโs full โNutcrackerโ ballet performances at the University of South Florida Dec. 20-22. Charmaine said that the huge crowd of people at the mall was definitely captivated by the ballet.ย
I took the three photos above during one of the Tampa City Ballet (TCB)โs three performances of โThe Nutcrackerโ at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC) Dec. 13-15. Not only were the dancers (adults and children) all amazing, the choreography by TCBโs Paula Nunez, as well as the costumes and sets, were all as impressive as you would see at any big-city ballet company performance of Tchaikovskyโs holiday masterpiece. TCB also performed โThe Nutcrackerโ at USF Dec. 7-10.ย
I had really hoped to attend Freedom Highโs Madrigal Dinner at NTPAC (see the left photo and the photo below) but Charmaine said it was super-fun, with great singing, funny skits and a delicious dinner of chicken parmesan and salad, plus tiramisu for dessert.ย
On Dec. 2, the City of Tampaโs New Tampa Recreation Center and Parks & Recreation Department hosted the annual Christmas tree lighting event and parade (photos below) and a nice crowd of around 200 people attended to participate and watch the youth dance performances, enjoy the lighting ceremony and spend a little quality time with Santa Claus himself!ย
And finally, on Dec. 26 (the second night of Hanukkah), the New Tampa Rec Center also hosted the second annual Hanukkah menorah lighting event, which featured prayers, songs and a wonderful message delivered by Rabbi Mendy Yarmush of Chabad of Wiregrass, which is now the only Jewish congregation in New Tampa or Wesley Chapel. Both the Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations at the Rec Center were organized in part by District 7 Tampa City Council member Luis Viera.
Freedom Highโs Madrigal DinnerChristmas Tree Lighting Event and ParadeChristmas Tree Lighting Event and ParadeHanukkah Menorah LightingHanukkah Menorah Lighting
(l.-r.) Jordan Kornberg of Mast Capital, Pasco County Comm. Jack Mariano & Florida Sports Coast exec. director Adam Thomas were among those who took the first swings on the new driving range at Saddlebrook Resort on Dec. 11.ย (Photos by Charmaine George & Gary Nager)
Since Mast Capital purchased Saddlebrook Resort & Spa from the resortโs late founder and owner Tom Dempsey back in 2022, the Wesley Chapel community has been anxiously waiting to see what Mast was going to do to update and upgrade what was once the jewel of Wesley Chapel.
To that end, on Dec. 11, Saddlebrook and Mast unveiled the resortโs newly relocated golf driving range with a โfirst driveโ ceremony, a champagne toast and a great party that thunder, lightning and the possibility of heavy rain cut short.
With Saddlebrookโs former driving range along S.R. 54 being replaced with apartments, the range was relocated to a portion of the former Palmer Course, one of two Arnold Palmer-designed 18-hole courses at the resort. But, Mast decided to do away with nine of the Palmer Courseโs 18 holes and the new driving range takes up about six of the other nine holes.
When the renovations are complete, Saddlebrook will be left with 27 holes of championship golf.
(Above, l.-r.) Saddlebrook managing director Raj Mohan, Kornberg & Mariano all spoke at the event.ย
Mast Capital chief investment officer Jordan Kornberg promised that the new driving range โis just the beginning. We will be returning Saddlebrook to its former glory.โ
Among those joining Kornberg for the ceremonial first drive (complete with exploding golf balls) were the resortโs managing director Raj Mohan, District 1 Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano and Florida Sports Coast executive director Adam Thomas.
Mohan said he was looking forward to the community seeing the changes now in motion at Saddlebrook and Mariano also expressed excitement for the future of the resort.
Attendees were treated to a picnic-style lunch with fried chicken, beef brisket and curried pork with all the trimmings, as well as enough umbrellas for everyone in attendance, as heavy showers were a looming possibility.
For more information about Saddlebrook Resort, visit Saddlebrook.com or call (813) 973-1111.ย
Roxanne Coriell, Adam Wilinsky, Antonyia McCray & Bonnie Walters All Still Vying For Top Honorsย
(L.-r.) 2024 Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year Dr. Clayton Nylund of Blake High, Hillsborough Superintendent of Schools Van Ayres, 2025 Teacher of the Year finalist Roxanne (Roxi) Coriell, School Board chair Jessica Vaughn & Hunterโs Green Elementary principal Nicole Libby. (Photo provided by Hillsborough Public Schools)ย
Four representatives of New Tampaโs public schools have been announced as finalists for the 2025 Excellence in Education (EIE) Awards.
From more than 13,000 teachers in Hillsborough County, one of five finalists will be named Teacher of the Year at the event, which is hosted by the Hillsborough Education Foundation, in partnership with Hillsborough County Public Schools, on Thursday, January 23, at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Tampa.
(Above, l.-r.) Dr. Clayton Nylund, Jessica Vaughn, 2025 Teacher of the Year finalist Adam Wilinsky, Pride Elementary principal Paulette English, and Van Ayres.
Similarly, one of five finalists will be named the Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year, and one of four finalists will be awarded Instructional Support Employee of the Year honors.
New Tampa is represented in all three of the categories, including two of the Teacher of the Year finalists.
Roxanne (Roxi) Coriell, a kindergarten teacher at Hunterโs Green Elementary, and Adam Wilinsky, a fifth grade math and science teacher at Pride Elementary, are both finalists for Teacher of the Year.
In addition, Antonyia McCray, the success coach at Freedom High, is a finalist for Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year.
And Bonnie Walters, Secretary 4 atย Tampa Palms Elementary, is a finalist for Instructional Support Employee of the Year.
TPE secretary 4 Bonnie Walters.ย
On December 2, the finalists were visited by the โSurprise Patrol,โ made up of representatives from the Hillsborough Education Foundation, Hillsborough County Public Schools and the EIE event sponsors.
Roxi Coriell was visibly shocked as the Surprise Patrol entered her classroom that Monday morning, the first day back after this yearโs Thanksgiving break.โIโm so honored to be the Hunterโs Green Teacher of the Year,โ she later said, โand then, every step of the way, has been another complete surprise.โ
HGE principal Nicole Libby says Coriell is an innovator who genuinely deserves the nomination.
โMrs. Coriell is an exceptional educator who truly embodies the qualities of a dedicated and impactful teacher,โ Libby says. โHer ability to create an engaging, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment sets her apart and makes her incredibly deserving of this recognition.โ
Meanwhile, at Tampa Palms Elementary, principal Angela Gluth says secretary Bonnie Walters, who has worked at the school for 27 years, is the heartbeat of their campus.
(l.-r.) School Board member Lynn Gray, Antonyia McCray, Freedom principal Kevin Stephenson & School Board Vice Chair Karen Perez
โIf she were to win at the District level, it would mean everything to us,โ Gluth says. โIt would be an opportunity for everyoneย to know what we already know about how special and amazing she is. She doesnโt necessarily want the recognition, but I canโt think of a more deserving person.โย
Congratulations to all four of the finalists, as well as to all of the teachers and school staff members who were chosen to represent their respective schools as nominees for this yearโs EIE awards. That complete list appears below.
New Tampaโs 2025 Hillsborough Education Foundation EIE Awards Nominees
Chiles Elementary
Teacher of the Year: Felicia Sell, 2nd Grade Teacher
Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year: Marie Exantus, Varying Exceptionalities (VE) Teacher Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Cristhian Valladares Murillo, Night Crew Leader Custodian
Clark Elementary
Teacher: Brittany Long, 5th Grade Teacher
Ida S. Baker: Donna Clark, ESOL Resource Teacher
Support Employee: Alena Plumb, Secretary 1
Heritage Elementary
Teacher: Heather Leitzke, Access Points Teacher
Ida S. Baker: Lauren Sturlaugson, Media Specialist
Support Employee: Aracely Garcia, Head Custodian
Hunterโs Green Elementary
Teacher: *Roxanne Coriell, Kindergarten Teacher
Ida S. Baker: Michelle Lilius, ESOL
Resource Teacher
Support Employee: Ivan Vazquez Rico, Custodian
Pride Elementary
Teacher: *Adam Wilinsky, 5th Grade Teacher
Ida S. Baker: Christine Goff, School Counselor
Support Employee: Alexandria DeJoseph,
Principalโs Secretary
Tampa Palms Elementary
Teacher: Elizabeth DaSilva, 3rd Grade Teacher
Ida S. Baker: Lindsay Vizzi, Speech Lang. Pathologist
