Vol. 3, Number 4 – July 2007 www.trilbyfl.com

The GTCA is planning an Old Fashioned Fourth of July Picnic in the Trilby Manor Park next to the Mt. Olive AME Church.

It all started in April. The Executive Committee of GTCA approved a Fourth of July family picnic designed to entertain and provide "old time" fun to include games and other activities for the youth and adults in the community.

The "Fourth of July" committee quickly expanded to 15 members - Richard and Kathy Riley, Carl and Tina Wells, Sandy Cooper, Bernadine King, Pastor Dave Huff, Judy Geiger, Harold Thomas, Gerri Farris, Herb and Evalyne Green, Kathleen and Jeremiah Fink, Kim Rowe and Corporal Dave Hink (Officer Friendly). The park at 37045 Polite Avenue (behind Trilby Manor, next to the Mt. Olive AME Church) is maintained by Pasco Parks and Recreations, through Dallas Snyder and his staff.

 

(Planning meeting at the park in May)

According to GTCA President, Herb Green, "The dedicated people have been meeting practically every Monday evening since April to put this event together, obtaining sponsors, contributors and co-coordinating participants."

"Now it's your turn to come eat and play with us!" he continued. Entertainment will be furnished by the cloggers, "Rhythm N Motion," and country and western music by the "Gathering Place." "We will have games including softball, basketball, horse shoes, sack races, egg and spoon races, badminton; a kids’ playground including a "tumble house" and slide. We will also plan to have an antique car show.

Food and drinks will be provided free of charge! Green states that "A good time is guaranteed!"

Page 2 of 6 Greater Trilby News July 2007

By Scott Black, Trilby Historian

By Shirley Huff

The Trilby and Blanton United Methodist churches are hard at work to open a thrift store at the Trilby United Methodist Church.

The money raised will be put back into the community and surrounding areas for outreach missions. Donations of "gently" used clothes and small household necessities will be accepted (and appreciated) at a later date, when the store is closer to opening. Because the store is small, we are limited in what we can accept, but we will use what we can!

Watch for signs and announcements about our opening date and pass the word: It’s a thrift store so let’s go shopping!

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Page 3 of 6 Greater Trilby News July 2007

Trilby United Methodist Church plans a Country Church Service for Saturday evenings. Pastor Dave Huff announced on Friday that a casual, blue jeans & shorts, country/western/gospel type service would commence on Saturday, July 7^th

The service, which starts at 6:30 pm will include blended gospel/contemporary music provided by "The Gathering Place" which has been providing Country/Western entertainment for the community for several months. They meet just prior to the planned church service at 4:00 pm. There will be congregational singing of gospel and "old favorites" hymns as well.

Pastor Huff says that he has been thinking about such a service with a relaxed setting for quite sometime, where people of any denomination can come as they are, bring their children, grandchildren, elderly parents and have fun while worshiping the Lord. "If they want to get up and get a soda or cup of coffee during the service," that's fine," said the pastor. He also said that this is not intended to draw people away from any other church service but is to supplement them and to provide a service for those who work on Sunday; those who don't have a church home and those that may want to attend such a service and go to their own church on Sunday as well. "I will say to my own congregations that I would like them to attend the Saturday night service but hopefully they will come to my Sunday service as well."

Pastor Huff hopes that all that are free to come will do so and just have "a good, old time, down-to-earth Christian experience."

By Herb Green

 

The Sawmill Camping Resort just up US 98 at the Hernando border has become the first organization to make a major donation to the GTCA since it earned its 501(c)(3) designation.

Our crack delivery team for The Greater Trilby News includes President Herb Green and his multi-purpose delivery vehicle.

Page 4 of 6 Greater Trilby News July 2007

Cameron Pope is a tall, solid, quiet-spoken young man who will be starting an exciting adventure this fall that will take him far from his home in Lacoochee. It will be an adventure that is the culmination of all his hard work and determination, his family’s love and pride in him, and the efforts of Bernadine King, his counselor and teacher from Pasco High and Career Central in Zephyrhills. What is this life-changing adventure? Cameron Pope is going to college to study psychology at Iowa University in Dubuque.

Like all high school students, Cameron wondered what his future would be. In his college essay, Cameron described his feelings.

"It really never occurred to me that I could go to college. I was always told to go to school, get good grades, and leave and never turn back," he wrote. "I came to the realization at the end of my junior year in high school that I needed to get serious about my future. Before that I was just doing enough to get by."

Bernadine King of Career Central talks fondly of Cameron. "He was in the work program with the Pasco-Hernando Job Corps for two years working at the Lacoochee Elementary School assisting the staff. Everybody loved him and requested him for his second year."

Unlike some seniors, he has a special combination of talent and character that had colleges seeking him out and asking him to attend. Cameron was a defensive tackle on the Pasco High School Pirates football team, and he showed so much skill and potential, college coaches came to his house trying to lure him to their schools.

"I was so impressed with the coach from Iowa University," Cameron’s mother Ursula said. "He seeks out students from small towns (looking outside the box he called it) and wants to show them what’s in the world outside. He was more interested in education than just football, and I hoped that Cameron would choose Iowa University because of that."

Before Cameron made his decision about his college choice he talked with his grandfather. He stated that he and his grandfather had a long discussion about life and where he wanted to be a few years from now. He continued in his essay, "One statement he made was that my window of opportunity is open and that I shouldn’t miss any chance that comes my way."

In the final paragraph of his essay Cameron showed why Lacoochee can point proudly to him as an example of the good things that are happening in the Tri-Community Area. He wisely wrote, "Football can only take me so far and a twist of an ankle could end it all, but an education is forever. Nobody can take away my education. I have the ability to get there, but my character will keep me there."

A member of The Greater Trilby Community Association heard about Cameron from Ms King and decided to make him the first recipient of its $500 Tri-Community Scholarship. The association hopes to raise future funds through grants and private donations for future scholarships.

In a meeting held Tuesday, June 19^th, over 20 Lacoochee residents committed themselves to start the process of establishing a local Crime Watch / Security Patrol. The first step is to attend a four-hour training session given by the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

Page 5 of 6 Greater Trilby News July 2007

Compiled by Suzanne Hill

The history of Blanton Methodist Episcopal Church, South (as it was then known) at its present location dates back to 1906. Prior to this date, the people of the community worshipped at Mt. Olive Church, located on what is now Dowling property about one mile north of the present church. Mr. and Mrs. Newton Dowling gave the land on which this church was built.

The Church records show that in 1895 (the earliest records on file) Mt. Olive was on the Pasco circuit with seven other organized churches including Prospect, Richland and Central Chapel.

The Blanton community had thriving turpentine still and saw mill industries at the turn of the century, and was laid out in lots and streets for a town. The people then thought it best to have a church and parsonage in Blanton. Through the generosity of some of the old settlers, land was obtained.

In 1903, a two-story house at Leonard, a railroad station between Blanton and Trilby was secured. It was moved in three sections on rollers, horse drawn, and then rebuilt on the parsonage lot. The church was built in 1906 under the direction of Mr. Tom Jordan and Mr. Will Heacock.

The old Mt. Olive Church was sold to Mr. Jordan who removed the steeple and moved the rest of the building to his property to be used as a dwelling. The steeple left on the Mt. Olive property was used by the children in the neighborhood as a playhouse.

The sawmill and turpentine industries did not last, and even though the town of Blanton never developed, the church continued strong

Over the years, one pastor has on various "charges" or groups of churches served the Blanton Methodist Church. The charge, as well as the district, changed from time to time. In 1962, for example, the charge consisted of Blanton, San Antonio, Trilby and Lacoochee, with the parsonage in Trilby. The Blanton parsonage was sold in 1917 and in 1946-47; an army barracks building was moved to the property and remodeled for use as a Fellowship Hall and Sunday school.

In the 1970's Blanton became part of a two-point charge with Community Methodist Church of San Antonio and in 2006 the charge was again changed, reuniting the Blanton and Trilby churches under the leadership of Rev. David Huff. The two churches immediately felt the bond of a kindred spirit and shared in celebrating Blanton's 100th anniversary on October 8,2006. United in God's love, we look forward to a second century of outreach and ministry as we bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the Blanton and Trilby communities.

By Michelle Jones -- Published June 16, 2007

Three Christian couples start a coffeehouse that offers spiritual stimulation and caffeine.

The Christian Edge Coffee House offers plenty of coffee, but its stock in trade comes from a higher authority.

"They have a calling from God," said Bill McCafferty, a regular. "They are giving more than they get."

The coffeehouse opened in November 2004 in a former retail store. It is north of Dade City on U.S. 301 and is open from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturdays.

Three married couples - Roger and Marion Kaminski, Brian and Robin Webb and Mark and Lana Springer -formed a nonprofit corporation named the Community Fellowship to open the ChristianEdge CoffeeHouse.

"We are trying to make positive changes in the community," said Roger Kaminski. "Our original thought was to form a community center for Lacoochee."

On the first Saturday night of each month it is Open Mike Night where anyone can sign up to sing or play an instrument, have a band play or perform Christian karaoke. This provides an opportunity for anyone to provide Christian type music. Other Saturday nights, Christian groups are booked.

"We have never had a problem getting musicians," Kaminski said.

The coffeehouse offers a menu including lattes, cappuccinos and other coffee drinks, smoothies and a variety of snacks, with suggested prices.

There is no cover charge, although they do pass a bucket for donations for the entertainment. The clientele consists of mostly adults and young families.

During the cooler months they average 60 to 65 patrons on any given Saturday night; however, during the summer the crowd dwindles to around 40.

Plans are to close during July for more renovations, including revitalizing the outside of the building.

A game room for the children is also part of the renovation plans.

"We want to reach out to the community and make a significant difference," Kaminski said.

The ChristianEdge CoffeeHouse telephone number is (813) 469- 0627.

Page 6 of 6 Greater Trilby News July 2007

When was the last time you sat down to a breakfast of hen berries, Trilby Sand, shingles, and tree squeezins? If you’re like me, the answer is "never."

I broadened my horizons on Saturday, June 2^nd, and went to the Masonic Hall in Trilby for the monthly breakfast, which is presented on the first Saturday of the month from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. For $4.00 you can choose what you want from the All-You-Can-Eat menu of hen berries (eggs), flap jacks (pancakes), pig patties or strips (sausage or bacon), shingles (toast), cat head biscuits and saw mill gravy, with cups of Joe (coffee), cow juice (milk) and tree squeezins (orange juice).

I wasn’t sure if the Masonic Hall would be open because tropical storm Barry was beginning to drop much-needed rain on Trilby and the rest of the state. But, when I opened the door, I was greeted by Barbara and Virgil (the Master of the Lodge) Bratcher and Loretta and Bobby (the Senior Steward) Grinds. They had been there since six preparing the breakfast. "Loretta hurt her hand this week but she’s still cooking for the cause," Barbara Bratcher commented as I filled out my order sheet.

While I waited for my breakfast, Virgil Bratcher filled me in on the Trilby Lodge. First, he pointed proudly to the painting of Louie King on the wall and said, "Louie was the Grand Master for the State of Florida in 2002. Pretty good for a small lodge like Trilby." Then he explained a little about the lodge and its work. "When a man becomes a member, his lifestyle doesn’t matter because everybody’s equal when we’re meeting. We will help anybody in need, and we even have a scholarship available just for the asking (no one’s asked for it this year)."

The Trilby Lodge also holds a spaghetti and salad dinner that costs $5.00 each on the third Saturday each month.

"The purpose of these meals is for the people of Trilby to get together and know each other," Virgil said as he delivered my breakfast. "And a community where everybody knows each other is a better place to live." I agreed as I sipped my tree squeezins.

---Kathy Riley, Editor

Trilby, like many historic communities in Florida has two separate cemeteries. One on the top of the hill at the end of Trilby Cemetery Road, is called the Trilby Cemetery, and has an association to clean, mow and maintain it.

The other cemetery is along the old railroad tracks and behind the community at the north end of Old Trilby Road. It is also called the Trilby Cemetery or the Trilby County Cemetery, but has no sign, no fence and is not maintained.

On June 16, 2007, some community members and families spent a few hours weed whacking, trimming and cleaning up a small part of the area. It was part of a countywide recognition by the Pasco Black Caucus for the abandoned Black cemeteries in the county.

Kathleen Fink was the local coordinator, and members of the GTCA Trailblazers were there at 9 am on Saturday with hand tools and determination. Scott Black, Trilby Historian, was there also and was clearing some brush to show one of the many sections of the cemetery that have been hidden. According to Black, the last burial that he knows of in the cemetery was in 2003.

Pasco Cemetery Historian Jeff Cannon arrived to document the existing conditions at the cemetery. Trilby Manor resident Hazel Wells and her husband visited during the clean-up and were disappointed with the lack of attendees.

Ryon Crowe and his nephew Lawrence Floyd came with tools and weed-whackers to clean up the Parker family plot for Father’s Day. Crowe’s father, Alvergin Crowe and Grandfather Mayo Parker were in the front part of the cemetery. He then worked with Aaron Fink and spent more time cleaning and cutting a large part of the entrance to the cemetery.

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