KEEPING THE NEWS LOCAL & THE COMMUNITY CONNECTED.
VOLUME 3 EDITION 1
JANUARY 2022
LIVE
Celebrating 2022 in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel
the community performance entertainment together on stage. The first festival will be on Saturday, April 23rd at Absolutely Avalon where we will celebrate diversity in Avalon Park! There will be international food and music along with bounce houses, a laser light show, and community performances.
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COMMUNITY UPDATES
Last year was full of exciting events, ranging from art shows to festivals and from concerts to movie nights. We’re excited to share a new year of events with you! This year, there are several community festivals and events to look forward to in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. From food truck nights to family-friendly events, we have it all! Are you ready to find out more about upcoming events in Avalon Park Wesley Chapel? Let’s get started. Avalon Park’s monthly community events are a great way to bring your family together. There’s something for everyone with featured events like: Movie Under the Stars (Sep – April), Jazz Under the Starz (March – Nov), Artist Receptions, and Food Truck Nights! Whether you’re a music lover, foodie, or looking for
family fun; Avalon Park has something for everyone. We kick-off 2022 with a Movie Under the Stars featuring the movie SING. This event is perfect for a cozy night out with friends and family. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and join us at the Avalon Park community clubhouse on January 14th and every second Friday of every month starting at 7 PM. At Avalon Park’s many festivals, you’ll have a chance to visit with local organizations and businesses that share a passion for both families and our community. You can meet face-to-face with people who provide important resources like farm fresh food, housing, education and more— giving you peace of mind knowing that your family is well taken care of in our city. It’s also fun to make new friends while enjoying
These festivals are created to bring people together and they offer plenty of entertainment for all ages. We want to provide an array of opportunities for you to participate in our community. Are you an artist, passionate about the fine arts and would like to showcase your work? Apply to display your works of art with us at the East Pasco Fine Arts Gallery. Check out the application at Art Exhibit Application. Do you offer a product or service that would be a great fit for an upcoming event? Apply to be a vendor and share your products with thousands of attendees. Vendor Opportunities are available for all upcoming events! Check out all opportunities at Vendors | Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. For a full list of familyfriendly events, visit us at AvalonParkWesleyChapel. com and follow us on social media: @AvalonParkWesleyChapel.
LIVE ORLANDO
Coffee Hour with BEAT completely new focus and for others it will simply be a reset of focus.
Several years ago Avalon Park Group was the fortunate recipient of a community grant from Advent Health. APG was selected by Advent Health to go through a 3 year program, called Happy Healthy New Working Well, with Year the goal of becoming Over the holidays I was one of the healthiest companies to work reminded of the book, CREATION, written by for in Central Florida. my long-time friend Dr. We were informed that our application Des Cummings. The was selected amongst acronym stands for: many others because C = CHOICE, of our desire to push R = REST, the principals that we E = ENVIROMENT, would learn through A = ACTIVITY, the program to the T = TRUST, communities that I= INTERPERSONAL we build. It was a RELATIONSHIPS, great success, many O = OUTLOOK, and employees started N = NUTRITION. exercising, lost weight, I still have a copy were cured of Diabetes of this book after and other diseases, and all these years and some even stopped I still remember, I smoking. This was not hope correctly, the 8 just a focus on physical powerful letters: C R E A T I O N. Often health, but health from a holistic standpoint. when thinking about a healthy life, I refer to Team members began these 8 letters and what spending more time with their families and they reference. loved ones, took control of their finances and As I reflect on the focused on their mental accomplishments and health. I personally lost challenges and the some weight, ran a half goals of 2022, I, along marathon, and watched with Avalon Park my diet. Group, would like to declare 2022 as the HEALTHY YEAR. This While the Working Well grant period has year we will focus on ended, we continue Health. For some this to focus on health will be a continuation, and wellness in our for some it will be a
company. We have also began taking the steps to extend these principles into the community with a program called Live Well. In the coming months we will be releasing programs to the community as well!
elevators
As with many initiatives, the newness wears off and we need a reminder and motivation! I, as well as others in the office, regained the weight, missed going to the gym and who cannot resist the chocolates right at the front desk in our office!
-Choose the healthy version when at the store or restaurant
So, while I have not talked to Mari Robles our HR Chief, I am almost sure, she will be excited about my “fearless leader decision” during the holidays to reinvigorate the Working Well program. I am confident we can all do it again together. -Let’s start with using the stairs instead of the
-Visit the gym at lunchtime -Take a brief rest every 60 minutes -Spend time with family and friends
Accountability is an important part of getting healthy, hence on January 1st, in the morning I will “weighin” and report among those closest to me about the progress on a monthly basis. At APG this year, it is our goal to take the community with us. The dream of creating the healthiest community in Florida is alive. Every journey starts with a first step. You decide what your first step is. Have a Healthy 2022!
GET IN TOUCH - Have an inclusion for the Avalon Park Sun? Email: info@AvalonParkSun.com - Editorial Staff: Publisher: Beat Kahli Content Editor: Marielle Fernandez and Stephanie Lerret Graphic & Layout Editor: Kenzie Farrish 407.658.6565 3801 Avalon Park East Blvd. #400 Orlando, FL 32828
LIVE (Cont.)
January Update from Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore
Monoclonal antibody therapy treatment is now being handled by local healthcare providers. Monoclonal antibody therapy treatment is for individuals who have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19. You can find treatment locations online at FloridaHappy New Year!! I hope HealthCOVID19.gov. you and your families had a great Christmas On December 16th, I and holiday season. had the privilege of pre2021 was a great year for senting 100 Super Bowl Pasco County and more champion Tampa Bay exciting things will come Buccaneers to Paula Stain 2022. no, founder of the StaVaccine rollout is continuing with all Floridians of age now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Please check out the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County’s website at pasco. floridahealth.gov for all the latest information, including on COVID-19 booster shots.
strong! In Fiscal Year 2021, tourist development tax collections, paid by visitors staying overnight in hotels, was up 17 percent over our last fiscal year before COVID! This is great news and a strong endorsement of the strategy and work done by the team. I am adjacent to the Wiregrass proud to be the ChairRanch Sports Campus man of Pasco’s Tourist of Pasco County and on Development Council! land donated to the counIn December, we had two ty by the Porter family of Wiregrass Ranch. This tourism related ribbon cuttings. First, The Spoke new hotel will focus on athletes and their famiin Dade City is a cool no Foundation. These partnership between the lies coming to the sports campus. It will also have hats will be sent in care City of Dade City and packages to our military Florida’s Sports Coast as Wesley Chapel’s first rooftop bar, expected to units overseas. The Stano Pasco County’s tourism Foundation does a great Destination Management open in mid-January! job making sure our local Organization. The Spoke Please check out Pasunits know our commu- is a visitor information nities are thinking about center focused on cyclists co County’s website at them while they are dealong the Hardy Trail in MyPasco.net for all the ployed. Thank you to downtown Dade City. It latest information. the Bucs for donating the will have information, Have a wonderful and hats! local products, and a healthy start to the new place for the thousands Pasco’s tourism is still of cyclists come through year! Pasco County every year to learn more about our About: Commissioner Mike community! Moore represents District 2 Next, the new Residence on the Pasco County Commission. He lives in Wesley Inn by Marriott held a Chapel with his wife and ribbon cutting ceremothree children. ny in December! This is
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LEARN ORLANDO
Become a Master Gardener Volunteer in 2022 If you’re ready to improve your gardening skills while helping others, now’s your chance! The UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service is holding a free preview session for anyone interested in applying for the 2022 Master Gardener Volunteer Training Class.
as well as in-person sessions – running for seven consecutive weeks.
All applicants must attend the January 18, 2022 ‘meet and greet’ to be considered for the program.
WHEN: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 | 3-5 p.m.
The program begins in March and includes bi-weekly online training,
WHAT: Master Gardener Volunteer Training Course Meet and Greet WHERE: UF/IFAS Pasco Extension 36702 State Road 52, Dade City, FL 33525
HOW: Pre-registration is required: bit.ly/PascoMGV2022
LEARN (Cont.)
Check out our Januaruy events. there is something for everyone, and We can’t wait to see you soon! virtual options available online!
WORK ORLANDO
Long-Anticipated Ridge Road Extension Opens in Pasco County
Two lanes open; two more set to open in 2022 The Pasco Board of County Commissioners is pleased to announce Phase One of the long-anticipated Ridge Road Extension is now open! Pasco County Engineering Services team members directed drivers onto one eastbound lane and one westbound lane December 31, 2021, marking a
“The impact the Ridge Road Extension will have on our community is tremendous,” said Board Chair Kathryn Starkey. “This much-needed eastwest roadway will help reduce traffic on other thoroughfares in Pasco County and will also serve as a critical evacuation route during hurricanes. We’re thrilled it’s milestone more than two finally open,” she said. decades in the making. The 4.2-mile section of Click HERE to see drone roadway connects Moon video of the entire 4.2Lake Road to the Sun- mile stretch of the Ridge coast Parkway. For now, Road Extension between drivers will have access to Moon Lake Road and the the ramps heading south Suncoast Parkway: bit. onto the Suncoast and ly/3pjHxkQ west onto Ridge Road. The two additional lanes The new road includes of Phase One, the north- 16 bridges and 15 upland ern access ramps, and the wildlife crossings depaved pedestrian trail are signed to maintain habiall set to open in Fall 2022. tat continuity and reduce
wetland impact within the Serenova Preserve by 83 percent. The project will improve evacuation time from Pasco’s coastal evacuation zone by nearly 30 percent – or more than six hours. Construction on Phase Two of the Ridge Road Extension continues, with sections slated to be finished between 2022 and 2025. Phase Two will continue the connection 0.24 miles from the Suncoast Parkway to Sunlake Boulevard and then another 3.75 miles to U.S. Highway 41. To learn more about the Ridge Road Extension Project, please visit: bit. ly/RidgeRoadProject
Pasco Board of County Commissioners Undergoes Reorganization
BCC names new Chair/Vice-Chair
Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick, District 4
The Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BCC) reorganized at its regular meeting December 7, 2021, in New Port Richey. The board elected Commissioner Kathryn Starkey to serve as board chair and Commissioner Jack Mariano to serve as vice chair.
Vice Chair Jack Mariano, District 5
“It’s an honor to have been appointed the new chair,” Starkey said. “I’m proud of what the board has accomplished so far and look forward to continuing our work to make Pasco County the best place to live, work and play.” The BCC consists of the following members: Commissioner Ron Oakley, District 1 Commissioner Mike Moore, District 2 Chair Kathryn Starkey, District 3
The BCC also voted to adopt new county commission districts as required every 10 years following the U.S. Census. There are five commission districts in Pasco County, and each is nearly equal in proportion to population size. The new districts went into effect December 7, 2021. To find out which county commissioner represents you, click here: bit.ly/CommissionDistricts. County Commission meetings are usually held every other Tuesday, alternating between the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey and the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City. All Pasco BCC meetings are streamed online and broadcast on Pasco TV.
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Coming together to create a healthy community
An East Orlando Health Alliance
ORLANDO
ER expertise that revolves around you
Expertise. Innovation. Technology. From accidents and injuries to serious illnesses, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel provides comprehensive emergency care that leads to life-changing outcomes. Our world-class specialists use state-of-the-art technology to deliver award-winning emergency care when you need it most. So you can get back to life you love.
TheERExperts.com
LIVE WELL (Cont.)
COMMUNITY CORNER ORLANDO
valon pplauds Lana Guzman
If you know a student or nonprofit deserving of recognition, please email your nominee suggestion to kcarmack@lakerlutznews.com. PROFILED NOMINEES RECEIVE A $50 GIFT CARD FROM A LOCAL BUSINESS.
CONGRATULATIONS to Lana Guzman, a senior at Wesley Chapel High School, for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Guzman was recently chosen as Pasco County’s 2021–2022 Outstanding Senior. She serves as the Student Government Association’s executive president, Student Advisory Council chairman and the school’s National Honor Society secretary. She was also a Teen Play Leader for Glazer Children’s Museum where she provided information about exhibits, monitored activities and prepared materials for small groups. “Each leadership position and community involvement I have been blessed with has granted me the ability to inspire others through compassion and knowledge,” says Guzman. Maintaining a driven mindset has allowed Guzman to hold a 4.36 grade point average all throughout high school. “As a student, my goal has always been to strive for highest level of success and my motivation has been driven by my desire to reach my fullest potential,” says Guzman. On top of all that, Guzman was also the 2018 – 2019 Agriculture
Student of the Year, which is an industry she is extremely passionate about. Guzman is currently the Wesley Chapel High School’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter president, which has over 50 members. Guzman works alongside both the club’s advisor and officer team to organize events, competitions, meetings and volunteer opportunities. “Despite coming from a suburban background, agriculture has shown me the importance of an industry that makes up the food, fiber and shelter of our daily lives,” says Guzman. Upon graduating from Wesley Chapel High School, Guzman plans to attend the University of Florida where she will pursue a degree in agriculture education. “As a teacher, my goal is to build future leaders, create educated consumers and teach students to have respect for agriculture industries,” says Guzman. Guzman would like to thank her agriculture education teacher and FFA advisor, Mrs. Farquhar, for her support throughout the years. “She never failed to always be there whenever I needed her. I am forever grateful for the life changing impact Mrs. Farquhar has been in my life,” says Guzman.
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