Christine Holtzman

‘Clear the Shelters’ is a howling success

August 28, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

Hundreds attended the ‘Clear the Shelters’ event on Aug. 17 at the Pasco County Animal Services complex, 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’ Lakes.

Josh Naaman, of Largo, left, and his wife, Hande, bond with Piper, their new dog. Once they laid eyes on the mixed-breed pup, the couple knew they need not look further. It was love at first sight. (Christine Holtzman)

The event, launched five years ago by the television media company NBC Universal, is a national pet adoption drive that aims to find forever homes for thousands of animals in need.

Participating shelters nationwide either reduced or waived pet adoption fees.

The Land O’ Lakes shelter, waived its fees for the third year in a row. The only requirement was the purchase of the appropriate licensing for the new adoption.

Normally, adoption fees run $70 to $85 for dogs and $40 to $50 for cats. The fees include spay/neutering, vaccinations, microchip, heartworm testing for dogs, FIV and feline leukemia for cats.

Dianna Strauss, of Land O’ Lakes, a volunteer with Pasco County Animal Services, gives Letty, a large, female mixed-breed dog, a treat. Strauss shares her feelings about the pooch, describing her as a very sweet, and gentle dog.

Spencer Conover, the assistant director for Pasco County Animal Services estimated that around 500 people would attend the event, looking for a new companion.

In just the first two hours of the event, 13 dogs and 7 cats were officially adopted.

By the time the event wrapped up, there were 41 adoptions and 37 pending adoptions, according to Animal Services’ Facebook page.

Leading up to the event, veterinarians, staff and volunteers worked diligently to make sure that many of the 254 available animals were ready to go to their new homes on the same day of their adoptions.

Thirteen-year-old Courtney Woods, of Hudson, cuddles a small black kitten that she will name Astro, once he is officially adopted. Along with her mother, Jody, Woods attended the event with her sister, Allie, and her friend, J.J. Algarin.

Those that had not underwent the necessary spay/neuter or microchip procedure, will be placed on a short adoption hold (typically less than a week), until the requirements are met.

Strays, whether they are runaways or abandoned, make up the largest population of animals in the shelter.

Conover said the biggest challenge lies in the lack of microchipping, which is crucial in helping lost pets find their way home.

A very low percentage of the pets they see have been microchipped, he said.

Animals they adopt out are microchipped.

For more about ‘Clear the Shelters,’ visit ClearTheShelters.com.

Published August 28, 2019

Officially adopted and heading to his new home, Blue, a male mixed-breed dog, cannot contain his excitement, as he jumps and licks Frank Izquierdo. He and his girlfriend, Anna Chiacchio, of Lutz, left, are first-time pet owners. They were equally ecstatic to make their new buddy a part of their family.

Lucia Patterson, of New Port Richey, holds Mia, her Teacup Yorkie, as she leans in to greet one of the several dogs up for adoption. Lucia, and her husband Ross, were at the event looking to find another companion.

Nicole Whitley, of Lutz, stretches out to pat Anastasia, an active 3-year-old gray cat, as her 12-year-old son, Tovyah Whitley Jr., looks on. The pair was at the event looking at dogs, but warmed up to the idea of adopting a cat, once they visited with Anastasia.

Petey, a large mixed-breed dog, greets visitors outside the Pasco County Animal Services building during the ‘Clear the Shelters’ event. He was picked up as a stray several months ago, making him a long-time resident at the shelter. Volunteer Rhonda Revels describes him as being good-tempered and loveable, and good with kids. He’s not so wild about cats and little dogs.

A curious, mixed-breed female dog peeks out of her cage, as a crowd of people walk by.

Using sewing skills to make a difference

August 28, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

When feeling the pressures of life, Suze Swink, of Zephyrhills, often escapes by diving into her crafts. When she felt the need to do something more productive and purposeful with her skills, she helped co-create the fiber arts group, ‘Yarn for a Cause.’ The group, which now has five members, meets each Thursday at 6 p.m., at the New River Branch Library in Wesley Chapel. They crochet, knit and sew unique, and useful items to benefit a number of local organizations and causes. They work together on projects and do individual work, as well. Most of the materials they use to make pillows, linens and clothing come from donations. They upcycle materials into useful and functional pieces for people in need. The group welcomes new members of all skill levels. For more information, call the New River Branch Library (813) 788-6375.

Suze Swink, of Zephyrhills, co-founder of the ‘Yarn for a Cause’ group, shows off a purse that she made by recycling a pair of denim shorts. The purses will be donated to the Samaritan Project of Zephyrhills, an organization that assists homeless individuals. (Christine Holtzman)

While attending her first ‘Yarn for a Cause’ meeting, Joan Armstrong, of Wesley Chapel, examines two completed soap bags that will be donated to the homeless outreach group, Samaritan Project of Zephyrhills. Armstrong recently moved to the area from Washington State, and was looking for an activity that would allow her to make a difference. After her first meeting, she said, ‘I think I’ve found it.’

Gerry Austin, of Wesley Chapel, enjoys chatting with other members of the ‘Yarn for a Cause’ group, during a recent meeting at the New River Branch Library. The 86-year-old is crocheting yarn to make a soap bag, that will help the homeless store bars of soap. Austin also makes beanie caps for children living in the village of Hewe, Papua New Guinea.

Hoping for a new home

August 28, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

Anastasia, a 3-year-old gray cat, is gazing out the window perhaps hoping that her new owner would soon be picking her out to take home, during the recent ‘Clear the Shelters’ event at the Pasco County Animal Services shelter, 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’ Lakes.

Safety a priority on the first day of school

August 21, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

Cypress Creek Middle High School Assistant Principal Julieann Usry directs traffic in the carline, as parents drop off their children on the first day of school.

New school year, smooth start

August 21, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

At Cypress Creek Middle High in Wesley Chapel, students streamed on to campus, where they were greeted by staff members, who directed traffic and answered questions. As the bell rings, signaling the start of first period, students rush to their destinations, as school counselor, Kristine Fewox, center, helps two students find their class schedule.

Note: First day of school student photos can be found in our e-edition!

Getting up-close and personal with reptiles

August 14, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

A love of dinosaurs at age 5 led Bruce Shwedick into a lifetime of work with reptiles.

The Plant City man, who operates Reptiles Discovery, recently brought his traveling reptile show to the Hugh Embry Branch Library in Dade City.

Bruce Shwedick, of Reptile Discovery, feeds a piece of banana to ‘Baby,’ a yellow-footed tortoise. The 35-year-old Baby was hatched at the Bronx Zoo. These tortoises are found in the Amazon rainforest and are among the largest of the land turtle species. (Christine Holtzman)

Shwedick’s show features gentle, captive-born reptiles, which he presents in a safe, non-threatening manner to people at his shows.

He focuses on educating the audience, with the purpose of helping them understand these often misunderstood creatures. His talks emphasize the need for safety and for conservation.

Since Reptile Discovery was founded in 1994, Shwedick has put on shows in more than 1,000 schools, in 45 states, and in Washington D.C.

Shwedick, a Maryland native, said he was just 10 when he followed in his older brother Michael’s footsteps in raising reptiles. Michael is also a reptile specialist, and is the founder of Reptile World Inc., in Maryland.

The brothers enjoyed visiting the National Zoo and the Smithsonian in Washington D.C..

Seven-year-old Samantha Cook, of Dade City, gets a chance to touch a blue-tongued skink lizard, held by handler Bruce Shwedick.

Shwedick said he still has fond memories of those experiences today.

The reptile handler began presenting educational shows in 1974.

He has traveled to Africa, South America and throughout Asia to learn more about these creatures, by speaking to people in those locales and observing reptiles in the wild.

The reputation he has developed because of his knowledge about reptiles has led to shows at theme parks and to the role of reptile curator at Cypress Parks. He even was featured on Nickelodeon’s “LIVEWIRE” many years ago.

Recently Shwedick — also known as Mr. Bruce — shared his knowledge and showed off his reptiles at the Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City.

Eight-year-old Lauren Cook, of Dade City, pets ‘Chopstick,’ a 25-year-old Chinese alligator. ‘Chopstick’ has been accompanying his handler, Bruce Shwedick, to presentations for more than 20 years.

He captivated the crowed with a mix of personal stories, reptile facts, safety tips and a presentation of live reptiles.

Children and adults in the audience had the chance to touch many of the reptiles he exhibited.

One of those was ‘Baby,’ a yellow-footed tortoise, who was gentle and graceful, and loved to eat bananas.

The reptile handler also brought “Chopstick,” a docile, Chinese alligator, that he’s been taking to shows for more than 20 years.

Another reptile he displayed was “Alexander the Great,” an alligator snapping turtle from the Okefenokee Swamp. His appearance was brief because the swift-moving turtle was not quite as friendly as the others.

Mr. Bruce also showed off a blue-tongued skink lizard, a corn snake, a West African slender-snouted crocodile, and at the show’s conclusion, a 14-foot-long albino reticulated python, named “Banana Boy.”

Published August 14, 2019

Rhiannon Spillane, of Wesley Chapel, and her 2-year-old son, Harrison Martin, touch ‘Banana Boy,’ a 14-foot-long albino reticulated python, as handler Bruce Shwedick cradles the snake’s head.

A close look inside the mouth of an alligator snapping turtle. This species has the ability to attract fish, using its worm-like tongue.

Bruce Shwedick, of Reptile Discovery, shows the audience a West African slender-snouted crocodile, named ‘MBecky’. Shwedick also raised MBecky’s parents.

Putting on a puppet show

August 14, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

Four-year-old Evan Pilcher, of Lutz, and his 7-year-old brother, Eli, put on a puppet show for their dad, Eric and infant brother, Easton. The boys were spending a rainy morning recently at the Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road. The boys were using a new puppet stage that was made possible by the nonprofit group, ‘Friends of the Lutz Branch Library.’ The stage features a plaque, dedicating it to Anne Emme, a ‘Friend’ that passed away in 2018. The friends organization continues to seek new members and financial contributions to support programs at the library. For more information, visit FOLTampa.org, or call (813) 273-3652 and ask for the Lutz Branch Library.

Reptiles put on quite a show at the library

August 14, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

During a recent show at the Hugh Embry Branch Library in Dade City, Bruce Shwedick, owner of Reptile Discovery, a mobile, live reptile show based in Plant City, shows off a corn snake to 12-year-old Isaac Dawkins, of Dade City, left, and 8-year-old Soren Wallace, of Dade City.

Sunday is a fun day at Zephyr Park

August 7, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

Dozens of families braved the heat and humidity on a recent Sunday afternoon to have some fun at Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills. The vast 34-acre venue features a waterpark, walking trails, a lake for fishing, tennis courts, picnic shelters and playground equipment. Many areas of the park are shaded by large, Civil War-era oak trees.

Brooke Vanderhoeven, of Zephyrhills, center, sits on top of the jungle gym with her two daughters, 13-year-old Chloe Castleberry, left, and 6-year-old Emma Braddam, during a recent family outing at Zephyr Park. Their afternoon of fun began at the waterpark, before they made their way to the playground. (Christine Holtzman)

After getting the courage to stand on the top of the spiral ladder, 4-year-old Siyanni Alexander, of Dade City, holds on tight as she looks down at her grandfather, Brian Hecker, for encouragement. The pair was enjoying the day at the park, while Siyanni’s mother was at home, recovering from a recent surgery.

After an afternoon of splashing around the waterpark, Cindy Reeves, of Zephyrhills, center, shares a picnic snack with four of her 14 grandchildren. From left: 2-year-old Talon Bowman, 6-year-old Wyatt Gillman, 1-year-old Emma Bowman, Cindy Reeves and 4-year-old Weston Bowman.

Library gets by, with a little help from its ‘Friends’

August 7, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

A group that is passionate about broadening the offerings at the Lutz Branch Library is trying to bolster its numbers. The nonprofit group, the Friends of the Lutz Branch Library, is looking for a few new members that share a passion for books and the betterment of their local community. Volunteers meet nearly every Wednesday morning at the library to do work in the Book Depot. The group also welcomes monetary support to help pay for programs, such as ‘Tricky Dogs,’ a drum circle and puppet-making workshops. The organization also provides crafting supplies and snacks for various programs. For more information, visit FOLTampa.org, or call (813) 273-3652 and ask for the Lutz Branch Library.