LEARN
Community Comes Together for a Celebration of Students, Families, and the New School Year
As the summer winds down and families across Wesley Chapel prepare for the new school year, Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel is gearing up to celebrate with a community-wide Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 2nd from 10 AM
– 2 PM. This exciting event, hosted in partnership with Collide Community Church, will bring together local families, vendors, and businesses for a day of fun, giving, and connection.
In true Avalon Park fashion, the Back to School Bash will join forces with the regularly scheduled Farmers Market, creating an enhanced experience for attendees. Whether you are coming for the fresh produce, handcrafted goods, or family-friendly activities, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
The event will feature:
• School Supply Giveaway for 250 local students
• Game Changers Game Truck – an interactive, airconditioned video game experience for kids
• Local Vendors featuring handmade goods, services, and back-to-school essentials
• Food Trucks offering delicious bites for the whole family
• Kid Zones & Activity Areas to keep little ones engaged and entertained
• Wellness & Family Resources available from local organizations
Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and partners, this event is entirely free and open to the public. Special thanks to AdventHealth for their donation to support student supplies and to Bay Area Renaissance Festival for sponsoring the distribution of backpacks to students in need. Collide Community Church has played an integral role in coordinating the event and ensuring its success.
“We are passionate about loving our neighbors well, and this event is a beautiful example of how church and community can come together to make a tangible difference,” said Smaya Pearson, Collide Community Church. “Every backpack, every smile, every connection is an opportunity to reflect God’s love in action.”
“We are incredibly proud to see so many community
partners step up to make sure kids in Wesley Chapel head back to school with confidence and support,” said Stephanie Lerret, SVP Marketing & Community Relations. “This is what Avalon Park is all about—creating a sense of place where families and businesses grow together.”
While you are at the Bash, take time to visit the growing list of local businesses in Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Be sure to check out the newly opened nail salon, Avalon Nail Art, for your back-to-school pampering, grab a treat from one of our eateries, and explore the shops that make this community so vibrant.
This event is a perfect reminder of what makes Avalon Park Wesley Chapel so special—neighbors coming together, kids being celebrated, and local businesses playing a vital role in community life.
Mark your calendar for August 2nd, bring your family and your school spirit, and meet us in the heart of Downtown Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.
For event details and vendor info, visit AvalonParkWesleyChapel.com.
Coffee with Beat: Back to School and the Heart of Our Community
collective energy that sweeps through Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Backpacks are packed, routines return, and a new season begins. But here, back to school is not just about students—it is a time when the entire community leans in, together.
When we began shaping Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, we knew that great communities begin with great schools. Early on, we had the opportunity to donate land for New River Elementary, ensuring a strong public school anchor in our master plan. Later, we partnered with Pinecrest Wesley Chapel to bring a high-quality K 8 option into the heart of the community. Today, I am proud to say that construction is underway on the community’s first high school, right in the Downtown, fulfilling another important part of the original vision.
That vision has always gone beyond the buildings. We believe in “teaching by living together”—in creating places where families walk to school, meet their neighbors, and learn by doing. It is the reason we planned for parks, trails, and gathering spaces right alongside classrooms and homes. Education should not end at the school gate—it should be part of everyday life.
You see this spirit clearly in our Back to School Bash, where this year over 250 students will receive
place the way we did.
We have also been intentional about providing opportunities for learning at every stage of life. While Avalon Park Wesley Chapel may not have the exact same amenities as its sister community in Orlando, our commitment is the same: to create spaces where people of all ages can grow, explore, and connect. Whether through wellness programs, small business support, or creative and cultural initiatives, lifelong learning is woven into the fabric of our town.
This season also brings out the best in our small businesses—many of whom offer specials for teachers and parents, or contribute to school drives and youth programs. It is heartening to watch a whole town turn its focus toward supporting the success of students, educators, and families alike.
For me, back to school is a symbol of something larger—a chance to begin again, to recommit to the values we hold dear in Avalon Park: creation, inclusion, and collaboration. These are not just ideas on paper—they are what you see when neighbors lend a hand, when a child walks safely to school, when a local business gives back.
As we begin this new school year, I want to thank you—for your trust, your partnership, and your belief in building something meaningful together.
Here is to a great year ahead—for our students, our families, and the entire Avalon Park Wesley Chapel community.
PUBLISHER
Beat Kahli
EDITOR Stephanie Lerret
ART
DIRECTOR Kenzie
Farrish The Avalon Park Sun is published by Avalon Park Group. Interested in Advertising with us? Email Marketing@AvalonParkGroup.com or call 407.658.6565.
3801 Avalon Park East Blvd. #400 Orlando, FL 32828 www.AvalonParkSun.com
Back to School Season at The Flats at Avalon Park: The Perfect Place to Call Home
As the back-to-school season begins, families across Central Florida are preparing for routines, school supplies, and schedules. For residents of The Flats at Avalon Park, that preparation comes with a unique advantage—convenience, community, and connection, all in one place.
Walkable to A-Rated Schools
One of the standout benefits of living at The Flats is its proximity to top-tier education. Located in the heart of Avalon Park Wesley Chapel, The Flats offers walkingdistance access to highly-rated schools, making the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up a breeze. Whether your family includes little learners heading to elementary school or teens navigating high school, parents can rest easy knowing that quality education is just steps away.
A Community That Supports Learning and Lifestyle
The Flats is more than just a place to live—it is a community designed with connection and convenience in mind. With local cafes, green spaces, and after-school programs, nearby, there are countless opportunities for both structured learning and creative exploration right outside your door.
Families love being part of a neighborhood that encourages education while offering safe, walkable streets and a welcoming, small-town feel. And with events happening year-round in Downtown Avalon Park—from seasonal festivals to farmers markets— there is always something happening to enrich your family’s lifestyle.
A Smart Choice for Families and Professionals
The Flats at Avalon Park offers modern, spacious apartments designed to suit the needs of today’s families and young professionals. With on-site amenities, maintenance-free living, and the added benefit of being part of a vibrant, master-planned community, The Flats is an ideal home base as you navigate the school year ahead.
Whether you are a teacher looking for a quick commute, a parent prioritizing education, or a student pursuing higher learning, The Flats combines convenience, comfort, and community like no other.
Make your move this school year to a place where location, lifestyle, and learning come together. Schedule a tour today at TheFlatsAtAvalonPark.com or call 813-851-4228 to learn more.
LEARN
WORK
Pasco EDC Honors Dewey Mitchell With 2025 Leadership Award
Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) is hosting the 37th Annual Awards on September 4, 2025. This year, the Pasco EDC Policy Council has selected Mr. Dewey Mitchell as the 2025 Leadership Award recipient. The Leadership Award recognizes an individual in economic development who has had a remarkable impact on Pasco County and our community.
Dewey Mitchell is the Owner and CoBroker of one of the primary local real estate firms, Capstone Tropical Holdings, Inc., comprised of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group and other entities. In this role, Mitchell has brokered many deals in Pasco County that have resulted in a positive economic impact locally. These projects include residential development in Trinity, Mitchell Ranch Plaza, The Villages of Mitchell Ranch, Starkey Wilderness Preserve, and Trinity Corporate Center.
Outside of real estate, he is heavily involved in numerous community organizations which include Metropolitan Ministries, the YMCA, Florida Council of 100, BayCare Health System, Saint Leo University, Pasco Economic Development Council, and more. In 2024, he was inducted into the Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame by the Florida Council on Economic Education.
Mitchell grew up in Pasco County with his parents on their family ranch and
throughout high school. He played football and was a national age-group judo champion in 1973 and 1974 and Florida state wrestling champion in 1974. He then went out of state for college to the University of Alabama on a football scholarship, even playing in the 1978 National Championships, holding “1st team status”. Mitchell later graduated with a bachelor’s degree in commerce & business administration/marketing. He continued to excel in Judo earning seven gold, three silver, and five bronze medals from various national championships and went on to lead the U.S. Olympic Judo Team as Captain in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, California.
Mitchell is family-centered and is married to his high school sweetheart, Becky. Together they have two children, Derek (deceased) and Carly, a son-in-law James and four grandchildren, Jimmy, Bodhi, Mac, and Cash.
“We are proud to present Dewey with this year’s Pasco EDC Leadership Award,” said Bill Cronin, President/CEO of Pasco EDC. “This prestigious honor has been awarded to some of the most influential individuals who have made a lasting impact on Pasco County. Dewey’s contributions to our local economy and his unwavering commitment to the community make him a truly deserving recipient. He is a humble and impactful leader, not only through his business accomplishments, but also through his generosity and service.”
The award will be presented during the awards program on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Saddlebrook Resort. If you would like to attend, reserve your spot now, as seating is limited, here
PLAY
Coming together to create a healthy community
AdventHealth brought Christmas Magic to Pediatric Patients in July
In the heat of summer AdventHealth Tampa brought the magic of Christmas. All month long, community members donated toys, games and financial gifts to support pediatric patients receiving care at AdventHealth Tampa. The special Christmas in July was meant to bring comfort, smiles and a bit of cheer to children who may be going through a difficult or scary time.
The month of giving came to a close with a big celebration on Friday, July 25.
“For children staying in the hospital, every day can feel uncertain and overwhelming, but a simple toy can make a world of difference during treatment,” said McKenzie Doll, the executive director for the AdventHealth Tampa Foundation. “This Christmas in July event is also a powerful reminder that joy and kindness can shine any time of the year.”
AdventHealth Tampa offers Advanced Children’s Emergency Room care, a level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and on-site pediatric specialty services. To learn more about pediatric care at AdventHealth Tampa, click here.
Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s Offices Raised
$10,393 for Pasco
Association for Challenged Kids (PACK)
During the month of June, the Pasco Association for Challenged Kids (PACK)was the June Charity-of-the-Month at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office. A total of $10,393.11 was raised to assist PACK’s summer camp program operate. The important activities offered by PACK fill in a several week gap between the end of the school year and the start of summer classes for the students who attend.
“We are amazed!” remarks Barry & Paula Cohen, the founders of PACK. “We knew you guys would try hard for PACK, but that amount of money is incredible! We appreciate everything that Mike Fasano and everyone at the Pasco Tax Collector’s Office have done on our behalf. It’s so wonderful to know that money is there for next year. Mike and his staff have always been there for us for 28 years, and we can’t tell you how much that means. My kids still have really nowhere else to go so it’s wonderful they will have camp next year.”
“It was an honor to feature PACK during the month of June,” comments Tax Collector Mike Fasano. “This special organization has been a part of my life for close to thirty years. Thank
you to a very generous community for donating to help improve the lives of young people with a variety of disabilities. I appreciate all who made this large donation possible.”
For more information about Pasco Association for Challenged Kids (PACK)please visit the website www.pascopack.org If you care for more information about the promotional and charitable giving programs at the tax collector’s office, please contact Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at 727-847-8179 or visit www. pascotaxes.com
Finding Our Third Spaces—Together
By Stephanie Lerret, Editor
This morning, a friend and community partner, Ricky Ly of Tasty Chomps, posed a thought-provoking question on his Facebook Group: Orlando Foodie Forum Presented by Tasty Chomps: How do we encourage the creation of more Third Spaces in this city/county/community?
To be honest, I had never heard the term “Third Space” before. But as I read Ricky’s explanation—a place that is neither home (our “first space”) nor work or school (our “second space”), but somewhere in between where people can gather, relax, and connect with others—I realized that the idea was deeply familiar. These are the places where we connect, gather, laugh, learn, and build community. They are the “living rooms” of our neighborhoods, and in many ways, Avalon Park was built on the principles of creating those very spaces.
After replying to Ricky’s post, I found myself thinking: Maybe not everyone realizes just how many third spaces already exist right here in Avalon Park. And if we do not talk about them, how will others know how to engage with them, or more importantly, help shape what comes next?
We are fortunate to have a community designed for connection. From Rudraksh Indian, where you can grab a bite, and stay awhile, to Rita’s Italian Ice, which brings people together over a sweet treat, to ISI Elite Training, where there is a shared love for a good team sweat. Add to that The Flats leasing office where pop-up classes take place, seasonal festivals, and community events. With businesses opening their
doors and many more to come, they are all places where, while they may not all be designed for hanging out, you are still likely to be greeted with a smile and a warm welcome.
Then there are the informal third spaces—the kind that spring up out of need and community initiative. The kids kicking soccer balls, pick-up volleyball games on an undeveloped lot, evening strolls in our parks—these aren’t just activities; they are how neighbors become friends.
But even with all of these, I believe we still have room to grow. What we are missing are more spaces where we can be active together, intentionally and often. Spaces that invite connection through movement, creativity, and shared purpose. And the good news is, there is energy in our community to make that happen.
We are starting to rally a group of residents and neighbors who want to help bring more of these third spaces to life—especially here in Wesley Chapel. If this sparks something in you, we would love for you to join us. Please reach out to info@avalonparksun.com to get connected and help shape what comes next.
So I ask you: What is your idea of a Third Space?
What would you like to see in Avalon Park that is not already here?
And how can we be more welcoming, more intentional, and more loving neighbors to one another?
This conversation is just beginning— and it starts with you.