Second- and third-grade students from Elfers Christian School were visitors to the museum on May 22, 2019. A larger picture is here.

The Veterans Memorial on Orange Lake will be re-dedicated Saturday morning (5/18) at 9 a.m., as it has recently been refurbished. Afterwards, everyone is invited to the museum free tours and cold beverages. The memorial was first dedicated on Memorial Day in 1947 by the American Legion, whose members built the structure, although it is dedicated to all U. S. veterans.

Yolanda Mercado, president of the Gulf Coast chapter of Gold Star Mothers, was our guest speaker at the museum on May 11, 2019.

The board members of the West Pasco Historical Society were sworn in on May 11, 2019, by New Port Richey Mayor Rob Marlowe, on the far right. The board members pictured are (left to right): Brian Schmit, Heather Fiorentino, Trishia Rich, David Prace, Judith Koutsos, Jeff Miller, Bob Hubach, Antonia Miernik, Anne James, and Bob Langford. Not pictured: Diane Faulkner, Ken Weightman, and Rao Musunuru, M. D. (director emeritus). Photo by Sherri Hubach. A larger photo is here.

Here are some photos from the WPHS fundraiser held on May 10, 2019. Thank you Jan Stephenson! (Photos are available in higher resolution on our Facebook page.)

Hertta (Pohto) Holfeld, who is 92 years old, from the Finnish-American Club was a visitor to the museum on May 10, 2019. She donated a few items to the museum and gave us the disappointing news that the Finnish-American Club is disbanding after about 70 years of operation, because of declining membership. Their building on Grand Boulevard is for sale. New Port Richey has had a significant Finnish-American population since the 1910s.

The West Pasco Historical Society has a special event scheduled for Friday, May 10, at Peace Hall in Sims Park — An Evening with Jan Stephenson. Hall of Fame golfer Jan Stephenson will tell stories of her amazing career. As one of the most iconic figures in American sports, Jan has fascinating experiences from the golf course as well as her time on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and her experiences with George Bush and Donald Trump. She will also treat participants to a complimentary wine tasting from her own winery. By attending this event, you’ll also be supporting the West Pasco Historical Society. The price is $30 per person. Doors will open at 6:30 at Peace Hall. Please note that tickets may be available at the door but to ensure that you get tickets, we suggest that you order them in advance through the West Pasco Historical Society Online Store (link below). Please print your receipt from the online store, but we will have at the door a list of those who purchased tickets online.

WPHS Online Store

You can also get more information by phone and reserve tickets by phone. Please call Annie at 727-777-2217 or email treasurer.wphs@gmail.com.

The Board of Directors of the West Pasco Historical Society met at the museum on May 8, 2019. New board member Heather Fiorentino was present, as was guest Evie Parks, who told us about the centennial celebration of the Land Office Building coming next month.

Walt Casson, a great friend of the West Pasco Historical Society, holds in his hand the first ever Gulf High School yearbook, published in 1940. The Corsair has photos of 28 seniors. Walt donated the yearbook to the museum along with some nice photos. The next Gulf High School yearbook, called the Buccaneer, was published in 1942. Walt edited the 1951 Gulf yearbook, when he was a senior.

Visitors to the museum on May 4, 2019, were Carlton Sumner (GHS ’63) and Julie Sumner (GHS ’65), posing in this picture with Bob Langford (president of the WPHS), and Anne James (WPHS board member). Here’s a fun fact: Carlton and Bob were part of a local band called the Intruders, who were the opening act for the Rolling Stones when they performed in Clearwater on May 6, 1965.