Christine Holtzman

Helping to create a community display

July 31, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

Artists of all ages are invited to take part in the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library’s special community ceramic tile painting summer program, being held at the library every Monday at 3 p.m., until Aug. 5. There is no cost to take part and all of the materials are provided. Participants are encouraged to use their favorite book to inspire their work of art. The tiles will be used to make a mosaic art display, that will be hung in the library, to be enjoyed by library patrons.

Eleven-year-old Bronx Murray, of Wesley Chapel, and his 9-year-old sister, Mia, show their completed masterpieces to their father, Nathaniel. Bronx created a Pokémon drawing and Mia painted her last name encompassed in stars. (Christine Holtzman)

Ten-year-old Silas Rogers, of Land O’ Lakes, paints a scene on his ceramic tile from his favorite book, ‘Little House on the Prairie.’ His mother, Angela, said her son likes to learn about the American Wild West, and recently discovered the television show on Amazon Prime.

A close-up look of a dragon tile painted by 11-year-old Diya Patel, of Odessa. Dragons are her favorite thing to draw.

Zany science show offers fun way to learn

July 24, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

Professor Gazoontite’s science was zany, fun and chock-full of interesting facts. The professor, also known as Tim Falter, performed his show at Zephyrhills City Hall on July 17. His appearance, made possible by the Friends of the Zephyrhills Public Library, was tied into the theme of “A Universe of Stories.” The free show featured experiments and entertaining ways for the crowd to get involved.

Tim Falter, also known as Professor Gazoontite, right, and volunteer 6-year-old Audney LaPoint, of Zephyrhills, perform a balloon experiment that demonstrates how the potential air in the balloon changes into kinetic energy (the energy of motion) when the air in the balloon is released. (Christine Holtzman)

In an experiment that simulates the space shuttle re-entering the atmosphere, volunteer Leslie Nowicki, of Zephyrhills, left, uses a blow torch to heat one side of a thermal block. Professor Gazoontite holds 9-year-old Kiley Weitzel’s hand to the block, to show that the extreme temperature in the front does not affect the back, replicating the protection that the space shuttle tiles provide to the astronauts.

In a propulsion experiment, Professor Gazoontite, portrayed by Tim Falter of Plant City, right, uses a bicycle pump to inflate approximately 70 psi of air into a recycled soda bottle. The bottle will shoot like a rocket along the safety line after the cord, being held by volunteer 7-year-old Ella Van Holten, of Wesley Chapel, is released. Ella’s mother, Natalie, is seen holding the tower.

Showing off their horticultural expertise

July 24, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society recently had a “Propagation Show and Tell” presented by master gardener Eileen Hart and native plant nursery owner David Barnard. Hart demonstrated the technique of air-layering, as a propagation method for woody shrubs and trees. Barnard, owner of Cypress Acres Nursery, in Land O’ Lakes, shared his knowledge of plant propagation and germination. Both experts have more than 30 years of experience. The chapter meets at the Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings are free and open to the public.

David Barnard, owner of Cypress Acres Nursery in Land O’ Lakes, explains his method of plant propagation and germination, using a tray of seedlings as an example. Barnard has been growing native plants for 30 years. (Christine Holtzman)

Joel Jackson, of Land O’ Lakes, a 39-year member of the Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, auctions off several plants before the meeting, including this Trumpet Creeper Vine. Jackson is a former manager for Park Planning, Design and Conservation in Hillsborough County. Carl Waldron, of San Antonio, is behind Jackson.

During the hands-on portion of the meeting, master gardener Eileen Hart, left, shows 10-year-old Lily Cochran, of Odessa, center, and her 8-year-old sister Violet, the proper way to cut into the bark, to begin the air layering propagation process. Carl Waldron, of San Antonio, watches from the back.

Vets Healing Vets program debuts at library

July 17, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

Vets Healing Vets is a new no-cost, therapeutic craft program being offered at the New River Branch Library, for veterans of all ages and their families.

Meg Schmelz, of High Springs, left, and William E. Lee Jr., of Wesley Chapel, show attendees a leather purse craft kit, and the completed project. Schmelz hosts the Vets Healing Vets program in Alachua County, where Lee was a member before he moved to Pasco County three months ago. (Christine Holtzman)

The program meets on the last Friday of the month at 10:30 a.m. It made its debut on June 28.

During the session, veterans put together craft kits and, at the same time, they’re able to socialize and build relationship with other veterans and their families.

The activity also can help improve veterans’ mental and physical well-being, and can help boost their self-esteem.

Nine-year-old Melody Darby, of Crystal Springs, left, and her siblings, 9-year-old Aiden Miles, 15-year-old Destinee Darby and 12-year-old Lacienna Darby, work on a project using pipe cleaners and beads. Melody met the program host, William E. Lee Jr., at the library when she saw him in uniform and thanked him for his service. In return, he invited the family to the inaugural meeting.

The craft kits are assembled by the nonprofit group, Help Heal Veterans, in Winchester, California. They’re distributed by the National Sons of AMVETS.

Kits range in various degrees of difficulty. Categories include leather making, woodworking, paint-by-number projects, and jewelry making.

U.S. Army veteran William E. Lee Jr., of Wesley Chapel, leads the program at the New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel.

Lee is the recipient of numerous medals, including four Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star.

Ultimately, he’d like to see the program offered at every Pasco County library, and for every veteran to receive a kit.

To find out more about the program, call (813) 788-6375.

Published July 17, 2019

Dade City family event helps those in need

July 17, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

The Pioneer Florida Museum, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, hosted its third annual Family Field Day event last month. The free, family event featured many classic field day games, such as relay races, tug of war, and barrow races. Other attractions included bounce houses, water games, face painting, Karaoke, music, food, games and a giant slip-and-slide. There also were numerous drawings with prizes donated by local businesses and sponsors, including the Tampa Bay Rays and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In lieu of admission, organizers accepted monetary donations, as well as unused socks, toiletries, and nonperishable food that will benefit Friends of Joshua’s House (a safe haven for abused children) and Bright Hopes (a homeless resource organization).

The Field Day was presented by Color me Abstract, a nonprofit organization that helps families balance their lives through education, art and service to their community.

Playing a friendly game of Tug of War against friends, 3-year-old Liam O’ Connor, of Wesley Chapel, left, and his neighbors, 9-year-old Chloe Zeledon, center, and her 6-year-old sister, Sophie, demonstrate a determination to win. (Christine Holtzman)

Five-year-old Hannah Johnson, of Dade City, enjoys a trip down the giant slip-and-slide at the third annual Family Field Day event.

Felecia Harvey, of Dade City, reacts, after a water balloon exploded above her head. Her 6-year-old daughter, Serenity, threw a ball that hit the target, which triggered the device to pop the balloon.

Ten-year-old Blake Kongmanichanh, of Wesley Chapel, left, and his 8-year-old brother, Cameron, hop in sacks toward the finish line, during the last leg of a relay race. The brothers raced each other twice, and each took a win.

Library hosts yoga classes geared towards kids

July 17, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

Kids are learning to do yoga on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway. The sessions are geared toward children ages 2 through 12. The half-hour class gets children up and moving with yoga exercises and music. It also teaches relaxation through meditation. Wanda Vargas, a certified kid’s yoga teacher with 15 years of experience of working with children, leads the class. Each child should bring a yoga mat or a beach towel to class. A signed waiver is required to participate. For more information, call (813) 929-1214.

Six-year-old Dax Spring, of Odessa, left, and his 4-year-old sister, Emery, each practice the ‘upward dog’ yoga position during a recent kid’s yoga class at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library. (Christine Holtzman)

While his sisters participate in the yoga program, William Thompson, of Wesley Chapel, does a headstand against a shelf. The 3-year-old learned how to do headstands from his older sister, Aurora, who used to be in gymnastics.

Yoga instructor Wanda Vargas watches over her class during the conclusion of the evening’s yoga program. During the last exercise, she had the children lay down and relax, and imagine that they were floating on a magic carpet.

Enjoying the country’s independence — in grand style

July 10, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

Residents in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area had plenty of options for celebrating the nation’s birthday this year. They could watch colorful fireworks displays, go for a run, or join in myriad community celebrations. This is a look of festivities held in Lutz, including the Fourth of July parade — a tradition that’s still going strong after three-quarters of a century.

Grandmother Donnette Mintzer, of Land O’ Lakes, watches the parade pass by with her 7-year-old granddaughter, Savannah Vining, right, and her 9-month-old grandson Colton Caudell, who proudly held an American flag. (Christine Holtzman)

Thirteen-year-old Kate Frederick, of Wesley Chapel, left, and her 11-year-old sister, Ava, sit on the back of a golf cart decked out with streamers and a message of Lutz pride. The girls are members of the GFWC Little Women of Lutz.

David Bellingar, of Lutz, relaxes in his lawn chair along a shaded portion of the parade route. He won his Lutz-themed hat many years ago, during a Lutz Guv’na fundraiser held by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.

Connerton celebrates Independence Day with a bang

July 3, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

The Connerton community in Land O’ Lakes drew a large crowd to its old-fashioned neighborhood party celebrating Independence Day. The June 29 event, free and open to the public, featured games, bounce houses, a rock-climbing wall, live music, a live DJ, numerous food trucks and local crafters. Thunderstorms and heavy rain rolled through the area midway through the evening’s festivities, but cleared up just in time for the spectacular fireworks display at 9 p.m.

Hundreds look up to the sky to watch the spectacular fireworks display during the Connerton community’s Independence Day celebration. (Christine Holtzman)

Decked out in red, white and blue, 8-year-old Gracelyn Bahnick, of Land O’ Lakes, and her 7-year-old sister, Olivia, show off their Fourth of July flag swag. The girls attended the event with their parents, Jill and Jon.

Lutz school hosts nationally recognized STEM camp

June 26, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

Lutz Preparatory School recently was the site for Camp Invention, a nationally recognized summer STEM camp, open to children in kindergarten through fifth grade. The camp is a program of the Nation Inventors Hall of Fame, in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Campers learn about the importance of intellectual property. They also explore and design, and take part in hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Each year, the camp features a new curriculum, which is inspired by inventors hall of fame inductees. At the end of the weeklong program, each camper took home a robot.

Using her remote-controlled ‘orbot’ robot, 10-year-old Madelyn Getchell, of Carrollwood, center, successfully knocks over a cardboard tower. Seventeen-year-old leadership intern Erika Hanzelka, of Lutz, left, and 9-year-old Tyler Jorgensen, of Lutz, look on. (Christine Holtzman)

Six-year-old Christopher Cruz, of Tampa, explains his blueprint plans for underwater scuba gear, to teacher Jenny Holden. Holden teaches the Deep Sea Mystery class at Camp Invention.

In the Innovation Force class, taught by Paige DeAngelis, 8-year-old Rachel Mendelsohn, of Wesley Chapel, shows off her completed projects, as well as her crazy hair design, that celebrates crazy hair day at the camp.

Going batty at the library

June 26, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

About 75 people attended “Bats!” a program geared for children in grades four through seven, held on June 19 at the Hugh Embry Branch Library, 14215 Fourth St. in Dade City. Francine Prager, a rescuer with a Lutz-based bat rescue and rehab center, presented the program, which detailed the many fact about bats worldwide, and in our backyards. She also dispelled many misconceptions about bats.