The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Christine Holtzman

Enjoying the fresh ‘air’ at the Land O’ Lakes Skate Park

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Three friends recently enjoyed an evening of fun while getting some fresh ‘air’ at the Land O’ Lakes Skate Park, which is part of the recreation complex at 3032 Collier Parkway. The young men, all riding scooters, performed numerous tricks and maneuvers — both on the ground and in the air. There is no cost to use the park. Safety gear is strongly recommended.

Twelve-year-old Brandon Hwang, of Land O’ Lakes, gets some serious air off of the ramp during a recent evening of skating and hanging out with friends at the Land O’ Lakes Skate Park. (Christine Holtzman)
Between performing tricks on the ramps, 13-year-old Caydence Echlers, of Land O’ Lakes, uses the space inside the skate park to perform a maneuver known as a ‘double-tail whip.’
Riding up the center ramp, 15-year-old Dylan Viers, of Land O’ Lakes, does an impressive trick while several feet up in the air.

 

Fun in the sun — plus exercise, too

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Some residents of Betmar Acres, in Zephyrhills, hit the pool three times a week to work out and have fun at the same time.

From left: Joan Connell, Michael Blackman, T.A. Huggins and Bill Rood laugh, while the ball is in play near the net. (Christine Holtzman)

Laughter, cheers and good-natured teasing fill the air at the heated pool, while the players hit large colorful balls around, in water volleyball games.

About two dozen players jump, dive, swing and swat — in friendly games that give participants a nice workout, too.

Ninety-five-year-old Goldie Klebowski is one of the best players in the pool.

Besides playing water volleyball, she also manages a full schedule — volunteering at the Hospice thrift store and her church.

She offers this advice for aging well: “You need exercise, the more the better. Keep doing something, and feel good by helping others.”

Residents of Betmar Acres enjoy a series of friendly water volleyball games three times a week.

Betmar Acres, in Zephyrhills, is a manufactured-home community for residents age 55 and older. In the 1960s, there were just four mobile home parks in Florida, and Betmar founder M.H. Meengs saw the need for one in Zephyrhills.

Meengs turned his vision into an opportunity for development, when he bought 200 acres of former farm land along State Road 54.

He and his partner honored their wives by combining their first names — Betty and Mary — to christen the community, Betmar.

Today, Betmar Acres consists of nearly 440 acres, 1,700 homes, three clubhouses, 27 holes of golf, tennis and pickleball courts, two swimming pools, and a world-class shuffleboard facility. Residents at Betmar always have lots of recreational opportunities, including Bingo, ballroom and line dancing, live music shows, bocce ball, water aerobics, card games, computer and creative writing classes, block parties and garden clubs.

Published April 24, 2019

Tim Fisher, a snowbird from Michigan, pauses for a moment to consider his game strategy, during a water volleyball game at Betmar Acres.
Teammates Nancy Sisunik, a snowbird from Michigan, left, and Georgia Fulton, a snowbird from Ohio, both jump for the ball during an afternoon game.

Out & About Expo offered fun for all ages

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Children had plenty of options to have a good time at the Out & About Summer Expo, presented by The Laker/Lutz News, and sponsored by Kids R Kids Learning Academy in Land O’ Lakes.

Angelina Williamson, dressed as Queen Elsa of Arendelle from Disney’s ‘Frozen,’ posed with countless little princesses at Out & About Summer Expo presented by The Laker/Lutz News, and sponsored by Kids R Kids Learning Academy. Here, she shares a moment with 5-year-old Daphne Coffee, of Lutz. The little girl’s grandmother said Elsa is one of Daphne’s favorite Disney characters. (Christine Holtzman)

Kids posed for photos with the Easter Bunny and Queen Elsa, petted a horse and baby goats, searched for eggs and took home beach balls, balloons and other giveaways from exhibitors.

But, the fun wasn’t limited to the younger crowd — adults also had a chance to search for eggs and won 60 prizes, including gift certificates from all sorts of businesses, and even a $100 bill that was won by Glenn Roberts, of Land O’ Lakes.

Besides having a good time, there were ample opportunities to pick up information from vendors representing attractions, summer camps, museums, shops and local businesses.

And, in addition to discovering new things to do close to home, expo visitors also sampled goodies from local restaurants and took home some swag.

The event was held on April 20 at the Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

“The Out & About Expo was a wonderful extension of The Laker/Lutz News, because the No. 1  reason why people read us every week is to find things to do close to home,” said Diane Kortus, publisher and owner. “It was a joy to host an event that so many families enjoyed, and to offer a venue for businesses to connect with these families face-to-face.”

Two-year-old Mason Pollock, of Land O’ Lakes, gets a kick out of feeding Della the Goat. Della and her goat friends were a big hit with the kids.
Dozens of children race to collect colorful eggs at the start of one of the egg hunts during the event. There were egg hunts for both children and adults, and those finding eggs redeemed them for prizes.
Land O’ Lakes resident Glenn Roberts won a $100 bill at the adult Easter Egg Hunt. His daughter, 7-year-old Chloe, was almost excited as her dad. (Terri Williamson)

Playing a little B-I-N-G-O to benefit a school

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Maniscalco Elementary School, 939 Debuel Road in Lutz, had its  first Family Bingo Night to benefit the school. Dozens of students, their families and supporters joined together in the cafeteria for a fun-filled evening playing bingo for prizes. Besides winning bingo games, there were also chance drawings for gift baskets, games, gift cards and prizes. All proceeds earned from the event will benefit the Maniscalco PTSA.

Six-year-old Myah Piazza, of Lutz, left, uses an ink dauber to fill in the free square of her bingo card, while her father, Elijah, looks on. Myah is a first-grader at Maniscalco Elementary. (Christine Holtzman)
Dominique Orlandi, a math and science intern teacher at Maniscalco Elementary, holds up her card after winning the first game of the evening. She won a $5 cash prize.
Jessica Harlin, of Lutz, left, and 7-year-old guest announcer, Zoey Rosado of Tampa, call out numbers during one of the many games of the evening. Harlin, a PTSA member and the bingo night coordinator, mentioned that for a $1 donation, anyone in the crowd could be a guest announcer.

Egg hunt delights kids of all ages

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Children race to collect colorful eggs during an Easter Egg Hunt at the Out & About Summer Expo. There were three egg hunts, divided by age group, and those finding eggs could redeem them for prizes. Children weren’t the only ones having fun at the event — adults had a chance to hunt for eggs, too. Plus, guests could pick up free swag and find out more about area attractions, shops, restaurants and businesses.

(Christine Holtzman)

 

A friendly game of volleyball

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Residents of Betmar Acres enjoy a series of friendly water volleyball games three times a week.
Playing the back row center position, 95-year-old Goldie Klebowski hits the ball back toward her opponents and is considered one of the best players in the pool.

(Christine Holtzman)

 

An energetic performance enchants young minds

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The Hillsborough County Public Library and the Creative Arts Theatre Company presented a live action performance of ‘Wake Up, Brother Bear’ on April 11 at the Keystone Recreation Center, 17928 Gunn Highway in Odessa. The interactive play featured the adventures of Brother Bear and Sister Bear told through stories, songs and dance. Children in attendance were given a prop bag filled with items that allowed the youngsters to be part of the action. The Creative Arts Theatre Company is the City of Tampa’s professional theater company for young audiences.

‘Sister Bear,’ played by Betty-Jane Parks, left, dances with ‘Brother Bear,’ played by Nick Hoop, during a scene of the play, ‘Wake Up, Brother Bear.’ Parks and Hoop, along with their musical accompanist ‘raccoon’ friend, Nicole Crowther, are ensemble members of the Creative Arts Theatre Company. (Christine Holtzman)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three-year-old Reid Lamis, of Odessa, is all giggles as he shines a mini-flashlight toward his mother, Kim, during one of the many interactive scenes of the play. The flashlight was one of the numerous props found in the prop bags that allowed the children to be part of the story.
Nick Hoop, as ‘Brother Bear,’ left, and Betty-Jane Parks, as ‘Sister Bear,’ tell a story about a butterfly friend to a very engaged audience of preschool aged children and their caregivers.

 

Local business pays gift forward

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The Color Express, together with Land O’ Lakes Gators Youth Football, hosted a Community Day on March 31, at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The Color Express was a winner of the United Health Care/Buccaneers Spotlight on Small Business contest, and to pay it forward, it shared the prize with the community. The event was open to the public and featured the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Street Team Experience and some of their cheerleaders. Other highlights of the day included a football clinic headed by Land O’ Lakes High School Football Head Coach Chad Walker, a DJ, an instrument petting zoo, and canvas art painting, courtesy of The Color Express.

Three-year-old Taj Green Jr., of Land O’ Lakes, seriously selects a paint color, as he paints his football-themed canvas masterpiece. (Christine Holtzman)
As the crowd cheers him on, 10-year-old C.J. Coleman, of Land O’ Lakes, tests his skills during a basic tackling drill. The drill was one of the many football experiences at the event.

Painting rocks with a spring theme

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The Land O’Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, recently hosted a rock painting event where participants were encouraged to channel their inner artist by painting rocks with a spring theme, in honor of Earth Day. Acrylic paints were used to design bumble bees, ladybugs and garden flowers. The library hosts a rock painting class one Wednesday a month. Earth Day is on April 22.

Joyce Steinmiller, of Zephyrhills, uses a hairdryer to speed up the drying process of a painted rock. She and a group of friends usually paint rocks in order to hide them in area parks, in hopes of bringing a smile to the face of the person that finds it. (Christine Holtzman)
Adult Services Librarian Catherine Seavey, holds a map of Pasco County, while showing the class how they can use stickers to mark the approximate locations of previously hidden rocks. Library Tech Alesha Hassard is seen on left.
Jelysbeth Bobadilla, of Land O’Lakes, paints the fine details of her bumblebee. She is making the rock for her fiancé, because his favorite soccer team has a bee as their mascot.
A close-up look at a painted rock featuring a garden of flowers. This masterpiece belongs to Arlene Stonestreet, of Wesley Chapel.

Spring fling …

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Guests to the fourth annual Jelly Bean Fling at The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, 15606 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City, could enjoy an all-day Easter egg hunt, a bonnet parade, arts and crafts, a petting zoo, face painting, barrel train rides, the musical entertainment of Mr. Tommy, and photos with the Easter Bunny. For an additional fee, other options included a rock climbing experience, pony rides and a bounce house.

Sixteen-month-old Weston Elder, of Land O’ Lakes, is not sure what to think about the foam ears that he is wearing. The youngster attended the event with his brother, parents and grandparents. (Christine Holtzman)