The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Christine Holtzman

…and jelly beans

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Six-year-old Harry Parker, right, shows off his plush bunny that he named ‘Alex,’ to Sara Oglesby, who is dressed up as the Easter Bunny. The Parker family was vacationing in the area from Hertfordshire, England. (Christine Holtzman)

The perfect assist

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J.T. Winborn carries his daughter, Liina, a Sunlake High School athlete, off the track after she finished in first place of the girls 1600-meter run. The athlete collapsed at the end of the race, having used up all of her energy. Her father picked her up and tended to her to keep her in top form for her other events. For more coverage of the 2019 Sunshine Athletic Conference East Track Championships, check out our Sports section.

(Christine Holtzman)

Saint Leo University offers clinic for girls

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Saint Leo University’s new acrobatics and tumbling program hosted its first cheerleading, acrobatics and tumbling clinic for girls ages 9 to 18 on March 23, at the Marion Bowman Activities Center, 33701 State Road 54 in St. Leo. The clinic was geared to all skill levels and focused on acrobatic, tumbling and cheerleading set skills and the proper techniques used in the sport.

Ten-year-old Samantha Alexander, of Wesley Chapel, center, receives pointers from 18-year-old Alexis Schlitt, left, and 18-year-old Carlie Whidden, right, while seated on a ‘Pac-Man,’ which is a device designed to help teach the user how to do a backhand spring. Schlitt and Whidden are both on the cheerleading squad at Saint Leo University. (Christine Holtzman)
Monica Shaw, an 18-year-old varsity cheerleader from Lakewood Ranch, performs a maneuver called a ‘standing back tuck.’ University coaches, Allie Williams, Haylee Monk and Megan Kraus, provided the instruction.
A member of the Saint Leo University cheerleading squad teaches clinic participants a new dance routine, one that is typically performed during a competition.

Sale promotes the importance of native plants

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The Florida Native Plant Society, Nature Coast Chapter, had its biannual native plant sale on March 23 at the Harvester United Methodist Church, 2432 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. Jonnie Spitller, chapter president, said a Florida native plant by definition is a plant that was recorded at the time when Ponce De Leon explored Florida. She said native plants are important to the state’s environment and create habitat  for wildlife.

Customers at the plant sale could purchase plants grown in local native plant nurseries, which were accompanied by a plant profile to help them understand where to place in the yard and how to care for them. Chapter members and master gardeners also were there to answer gardening questions. Sale proceeds support the Florida Native Plant Society’s mission of preservation, conservation, and restoration of Florida’s native plants and the natural communities that support them.

Dwight Stempien, of Land O’ Lakes, left, takes a break along with his 9-year-old son, Mason. They have two Wild Coffee plants. Stempien’s wife, Jessica, was still busy shopping.
Terri Palmer, left, and John Pagan, of Land O’ Lakes, look over the assortment of bald Cypress trees. The pair was looking to add some native trees to their yard, and had already selected an Elderberry tree before stopping at the Cypress display. (Christine Holtzman)
A close-up look of a Pinxter Azalea bloom. According to the plant profile, the shrub blooms in the spring and flowers the best in full sun, is very showy and fragrant, has a long life, and is one of Florida’s most beautiful native azaleas.

‘Strut Your Mutt’ Fashion Show wows residents

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The Beach House at Wiregrass Ranch, 30070 State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel, hosted its inaugural ‘Strut Your Mutt’ Doggie Fashion show on March 16. All breeds were welcome to take part and free refreshments were offered after the show. Vendors sold goods and the event benefited the Alzheimer’s Association.

Joan Caldwell, a resident of the Beach House, gives her dog, Pumpkin, her attention ahead of the ‘Strut Your Mutt’ doggie fashion show. (Christine Holtzman)
Natalie Engel, of Wesley Chapel, walks the runway with her dog, Mr. Bean. The English Springer Spaniel wore a headband featuring two red hearts because, according to his owner, he is extremely loving.
Wearing a pink ‘Diva’ sweater and a straw hat, Gracie, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, acts just like a diva as she reluctantly marches down the runway. The little pooch is owned by Elly Patierno, of Land O’ Lakes.
Teresa Williams, of Wesley Chapel, struts Mya, a German shepherd, down the red carpet. The 7-year-old pup loves playing with toys, especially her Kong balls.

 

 

YMCA offers ‘Safety Around Water’ Program

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The Florida Blue Foundation, the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, and YMCA of the Suncoast joined forces to offer no-cost swim lessons to thousands of Tampa Bay area children, ages 3 through 12. Children were taught basic swimming skills and they practiced safety habits. The goal was to provide these lessons to 5,500 kids at more than 30 YMCA locations around Tampa Bay. The free four-day program will be offered again by the YMCA, May 28 through May 31 and Aug. 5 through Aug. 8.

New Tampa Family YMCA certified swim instructor Teddy Sandoval, left, and 6-year-old student Haya Autabachy, of New Tampa, warm up before Day 2 of water safety class. The children learned what to do if they see someone in the water that needs help. (Christine Holtzman)
Ten-year-old Ameer Autabachy, of New Tampa, right, utilizes a floating dumbbell, while swim instructor, Katherine Murashkina, looks on. This was Day 2 of the no-cost swim program taught during spring break at the New Tampa Family YMCA, 16221 Compton Drive in Tampa.
After completing an underwater activity, 5 1/2-year old Joshua Cheng, of New Tampa, clings to the pool wall. The youngster, who has taken lessons before, was attending the four-day session to brush up on his water safety skills.
Swim instructor Teddy Sandoval, left, assists 5-year-old Rylie McLaughlin, of New Tampa, as she gains confidence while doing a back float. This maneuver is part of the ‘swim-float-swim’ skill set taught during this program. The children learn two skill sets to use if they unexpectedly find themselves in water.