The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Wildlife is on the move in the Sunshine State

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants to remind residents and visitors that spring has sprung in the Sunshine State.

The snowy plover (shown here), American oystercatcher, black skimmer and least tern lay their eggs and hatch their young on Florida beaches. Because of their declining numbers in Florida and habitat loss, these beach-nesting birds qualify for listing as state-threatened species. (Courtesy of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

This is an important time of year for wildlife.

Manatees will leave their winter warm-water refuges. Black bears will teach their young to forage for food. Many species will begin to migrate, mate, feed and nest.

This wildlife activity means people are more likely to encounter wildlife, and should take precautions to avoid disrupting these natural behaviors and prevent conflicts with wildlife.

The FWC offers these tips on how to enjoy and help conserve wildlife during the spring.

  • Manatees: Chances of close encounters between manatees and boaters increase in the spring, as manatees leave their winter-use areas and travel the intracoastal waterways. Boaters should increase their awareness and be on the lookout to avoid collisions with these mammals.
  • Nesting birds: Keep your distance from birds on the beach and birds gathering on tree islands. Disturbances can cause birds to abandon nests, which exposes eggs and chicks to predators. People should look out for eggs well-camouflaged in shallow scrapes of sand.
  • Alligators: When the weather warms up, alligators become more active and are visible as they begin seeking food.
  • Gopher tortoises: These tortoises forage for food and search for mates during the spring. Leave tortoises alone if you see them or their half-moon shaped burrow entrances.
  • Bears: Females are teaching their cubs what to eat and the skills necessary to survive. Secure or remove garbage, pet food and birdseed in your yard.
  • Sea turtles: These large marine reptiles begin nesting in the spring. Keep beaches dark and free of obstacles through October. Avoid using artificial light, such as flashlights or cellphones, on the beach at night.
  • Bats: Maternity season starts April 15. It is illegal to exclude bats during this time. Inspect and seal small cracks or holes that might allow bats inside your home.
  • Snakes: If you see a snake in your yard, or while hiking, stand back and observe it. Snakes don’t purposely position themselves to frighten people.
  • Injured and orphaned wildlife: If you find a baby animal, leave it alone. Its parent may be nearby searching for food or observing its young. But, report wildlife that you think may be injured or orphaned.

To learn more tips about wildlife in the spring, visit MyFWC.com/news/spring-news.

Published March 11, 2020

Poised for a treat

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Mallie, Rascal and Lola stand at attention at the dog beach on Honeymoon Island, as they wait for a treat. Their owner said a photo of all three dogs together is rare! The trio lives with Mike and Renda Flowers in Wesley Chapel.

Soaking up the sun

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Karen Whitenton, of Lutz, snapped this photo of a female cardinal that had just finished eating and still had a few seeds on her beak. Female cardinals are beautiful, especially when they are sitting in the sun, as it makes their colors deeper and richer.

Health News 03/11/2020

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(Courtesy of Gulfside Healthcare Services)

Casting a line for Gulfside
The Bay Area Bassmasters, a local fishing group, made its annual donation to Gulfside Hospice in the amount of $8,714.25. The funds were raised during the group’s 2019 fishing season through the Ina Mahoney Hospice Challenge. Each angler donated $1 per pound for each fish that is caught, which was then pooled with the club’s annual fundraiser/prize drawings. The group has donated more than $42,000 since 2010. From left: Tom Mahoney, Pamela Hardy, Carla Armstrong and Tom Craigshead.

Reading program for NICU babies
The NICU team at the Medical Center of Trinity has launched its Itty Bitty Book Club, championing a bedside activity that will provide developmental benefits to its youngest and most fragile patients, while promoting parental involvement in care.

The hospital’s staff partnered with parents and volunteers to initiate a NICU reading program designed to promote bonding, and foster a healthy habit and love of reading.

Reading to neonates helps advance brain development, and enhance vocabulary, listening, language and memory skills.

The new book club began on Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March 2.

The program’s goal is that each NICU graduate and their family receive the gift of reading. The hospital’s first supply of books has been graciously donated by the Medical Center of Trinity Volunteers.

Volunteer at Gulfside
Gulfside Hospice is looking for individuals who are passionate about helping people to join its team of volunteers and help with a variety of tasks.

Volunteer opportunities include patient care tasks, as well as positions that do not require working directly with patients.

Volunteers can offer companionship to patients at the Gulfside Centers for Hospice Care or at the patient’s home, offer respite care to give caregivers a break, staff the thrift shops, help at community and fundraising events, and more.

Those interested can complete an application online at Gulfside.org.

All new volunteers must complete an interview, background check, and various training based on the applicant’s choice of tasks.

For information, contact Laura Wright at (727) 845-5707 or .

Learn to quit smoking
The Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida program offers Phone Quit, Group Quit and Web Quit services, in addition to individual tools like text support, a Quit Guide and helpful emails.

Free nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine patches, gum or lozenges, also are available to tobacco users who are age 18 or older, if medically appropriate.

For information, visit TobaccoFreeFlorida.com/quityourway.

Chalk Talk 03/11/2020

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Prom Drive & Shop
Kids Helping Kids Pasco County will host a Prom Drive & Shop on March 14, at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Donations will be accepted from noon to 1 p.m. Items needed include formal dresses, suits, dress shirts, ties, women’s and men’s dress shoes, dress socks, jewelry, hair accessories, and gift cards for hair and nail salons.

Items will be collected, and then in-need teens will be able to shop for free from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit Facebook.com/KidsHelpingKidsPasco/.

Bunco for Backpacks
The ninth annual Marjorie’s Hope Bunco for Backpacks will take place March 14 at 7 p.m., at Seven Springs Golf & Country Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd., in New Port Richey.

There will be a Chinese auction, coffee bar, desserts, a cash bar, and a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $25.

For information on the charity, visit MarjoriesHope.com. For information on the event, call Debi Shackowsky at (727) 776-5458.

YEA! Awards
Hillsborough County recognizes positive contributions by young people through the Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards (YEA! Awards). Nominations are now being accepted through 5 p.m., March 16.

Nominations can be submitted for both Hillsborough County middle and high school students in these categories: Leadership; Success Despite Difficult Odds; and Volunteer or Community Service.

For details and nomination forms, visit HCFLGov.net/YEA.

Home-school sewing class
The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will host a home-school sewing class on March 17 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Students can learn the parts and functions of the machine; how to use a sewing machine; try different stitches; and learn about resources to create individual projects.

The class is for ages 9 to 17. A Foundry waiver and safety forms are required.

For information, call (813) 929-1214.

Intro to Acting
The Live Oak Theatre Company will offer an Introduction to Acting program through four one-hour classes, for ages 7 to 13.

Classes will take place at 5 p.m., on March 23, March 30, April 6 and April 13, at the Carol and Frank Morsani Center for the Arts, 21030 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville.

Topics will include basic acting skills and principles of acting; theatre terminology; theatre etiquette; using humor; and, memorizing and delivering monologues.

The cost is $40 for the course.

To register, email , or call (352) 593-0027.

NOTE: Belle of the Ball has CANCELLED shopping days on March 28 and April 4.
Belle of the Ball
The Belle of the Ball Project will provide free prom dresses and accessories to in-need high school girls on March 28, April 4 and April 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at its boutique, at 1210 Holt Ave., in Clearwater.

Dresses are available to all in-need high school girls for their high school dances, such as prom, homecoming and military balls. No appointment is needed.

For information, visit BelleOfTheProject.com.

Hunger Walk charity
During the month of March, One Community Now’s annual Hunger Walk on behalf of the Pack-a-Sack 4 Kids Program will be the featured charity at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s five office locations.

Children who live in danger of not having food on their dining room table are given a backpack full of healthy meals each Friday, to ensure that they have food to eat over the weekend. The students return the empty backpack to their school the following Monday, which is then refilled for the next weekend.

For information, call Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector for communications and special projects, at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

For details about the food program, call Patti Templeton at (727) 900-6280, or visit OneCommunityNow.com.

Project Yellow Light
Project Yellow Light is a scholarship competition designed to bring about change.

Applicants are asked to encourage peers to develop and embrace safe driving habits, through a video competition, a radio competition, and a billboard competition (the billboard contest has closed).

In addition to a scholarship, the winning video may be turned into an Ad Council PSA and distributed nationally to approximately 1,600 TV stations.

The winning radio spot may be shared on iHeartRadio’s national network and radio stations across the United States.

Students are asked to create a message to motive, persuade and encourage their peers to not drive distracted.

For both high school and college categories, the winner will receive a scholarship in the amount of $8,000 (video) and $2,000 (radio). Submissions in both categories are due April 1.

For details and information, visit ProjectYellowLight.com/how-it-works.

Woman’s club scholarship
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club is now accepting applications for separate annual scholarship opportunities, with these requirements:

  • Applicants for the Woman’s Club Scholarship must have a Lutz or Land O’ Lakes address, attend a Lutz or Land O’ Lakes high school, or be a member of GFWC Little Women of Lutz.
  • Erwin Technical College, Pasco-Hernando State College or Hillsborough Community College students/applicants may apply regardless of address.
  • Applicants for the Lutz Volunteer Fire Association Scholarship must be residents of Lutz.
  • Scholarship selections are based upon need, personal essay, recommendations, and service hours.
  • Applications are due by April 1 and should be mailed to the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club at the P.O. address on the application.

Forms are available through the local high schools.

For applications or more information, call Patricia Serio at (813) 220-9461.

 

A stunning sun parakeet

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Echo is a tamed sun conure that was hatched on March 6, 2019. He came to his owners when he was 12 weeks old. Echo loves to chew natural balsa wood blocks, snuggle, play with other birds, and sleep on his back. He eats pellets, vegetables, some pumpkin seeds, and fruits. If you would like to see more of Echo and his flock, look him up on Instagram under apolo_birds. Echo lives with Wilmer Apolo in Land O’ Lakes.

Scouting for a snack

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Squirrels usually will try every trick in the book to steal from a bird feeder, and this one was caught in the act by Mario Arruda in his backyard, in Land O’ Lakes.

Health News 03/04/2020

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Sherry Pressner (Courtesy of Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point)

Pressner takes over HR reins
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point has appointed Sherry Pressner as vice president of human resources (HR). Her career with HCA began in 2000 at the Medical Center of Trinity as a human resource generalist. Since that time, she has served in the role of HR vice president at Memorial Hospital of Tampa, Citrus Memorial Hospital, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, and most recently Blake Medical Center.

 

 

 

 

 

Volunteer at Gulfside
Gulfside Hospice is looking for individuals who are passionate about helping people to join its team of volunteers and help with a variety of tasks.

Volunteer opportunities include patient care tasks, as well as positions that do not require working directly with patients.

Volunteers can offer companionship to patients at the Gulfside Centers for Hospice Care or at the patient’s home, offer respite care to give caregivers a break, staff the thrift shops, help at community and fundraising events, and more.

Those interested can complete an application online at Gulfside.org.

All new volunteers must complete an interview, background check, and various training based on the applicant’s choice of tasks.

For information, contact Laura Wright at (727) 845-5707 or .

Learn to quit smoking
The Florida Department of Health’s Tobacco Free Florida program offers Phone Quit, Group Quit and Web Quit services, in addition to individual tools like text support, a Quit Guide and helpful emails.

Free nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine patches, gum or lozenges, also are available to tobacco users who are age 18 or older, if medically appropriate.

For information, visit TobaccoFreeFlorida.com/quityourway.

Three-year grant awarded
The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas (AAAPP) has been selected as one of 11 recipients statewide for the Innovation in the Health Care System grant, for funding from the Florida Blue Foundation.

The three-year, $300,000 grant will fund the AAAPP Senior Community Health Program, which strengthens the links between medical and social service providers, to improve access and health outcomes for under-resourced seniors.

The program currently operates out of the Baycare Turley Family Health Center in Clearwater and the WellMed Clinic in St. Petersburg. Funding from the Florida Blue Foundation will equip AAAPP to serve more seniors in the current sites and expand into Pasco County, with a newly developed partnership with the Medical Center of Trinity, an HCA hospital.

Chalk Talk 03/04/2020

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(Courtesy of Melonie Monson)

Student citizens honored
Ten students from across the community where honored as The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Students of the Month. Students are chosen by the teachers and administration of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. These students received recognition: Caleb Lare, The Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Alexander Vaughn, The Broach School; Jasen White, Chester Taylor Elementary School; Julian Martinez, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Grace Murphy, Heritage Academy; Angel Wansor, Raymond B. Stewart Middle School; Ansh Patel, West Zephyrhills Elementary School; Mackenzie Selvaggio, Woodland Elementary School; Tayler Stanley, Zephyrhills Christian Academy; and, Austin Linville, Zephyrhills High School.

Cyber crime & safety
The Rushe Middle School PTSA will host a Cyber Crime/Cyber Safety parent information night on March 5 at 6:30 p.m., in the cafeteria, 18654 Mentmore Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

The guest speaker will be Deputy Bryan Banner, from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, presenting tips and apps to keep kids safe. Pizza and drink will be served.

For information and to RSVP, call (813) 346-1200.

EpiPens now in schools
Pasco County Schools has partnered with the Florida Department of Health-Pasco County to implement an EpiPen in Schools Program.

Effective Feb. 14, two-dose regular and junior EpiPens were placed in each Pasco County public school to provide emergency anaphylaxis response during the school day.

Within days of the program’s launch, the student health team at Land O’ Lakes High School used the lifesaving device on a student with a peanut allergy.

At least three staff members on each campus will receive a 30-minute training from the school nurse, to prepare them to respond if a student or adult has an anaphylactic reaction.

The program is optional for charter schools.

Belle of the Ball
The Belle of the Ball Project will provide free prom dresses and accessories to in-need high school girls on March 7, March 28, April 4 and April 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at its boutique, at 1210 Holt Ave., in Clearwater.

Dresses are available to all in-need high school girls for their high school dances, such as prom, homecoming and military balls. No appointment is needed.

For information, visit BelleOfTheProject.com.

Early release day
Pasco County Schools has implemented a monthly, two-hour-early release time to allow for staff to engage in professional development aligned with student needs, and district and school priorities.

Early release days will take place on the second Wednesday of each month, with the exception of January and May.

The next early release day is March 11.

Prom Drive & Shop
Kids Helping Kids Pasco County will host a Prom Drive & Shop on March 14, at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Donations will be accepted from noon to 1 p.m. Items needed include formal dresses, suits, dress shirts, ties, women’s and men’s dress shoes, dress socks, jewelry, hair accessories, and gift cards for hair and nail salons.

Items will be collected and then in-need teens will be able to shop for free from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For more information, visit Facebook.com/KidsHelpingKidsPasco/.

YEA! Awards
Hillsborough County recognizes positive contributions by young people through the Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards (YEA! Awards). Nominations are now being accepted through 5 p.m., March 16.

Nominations can be submitted for both Hillsborough County middle and high school students in these categories: Leadership; Success Despite Difficult Odds; and Volunteer or Community Service.

For details and nomination forms, visit HCFLGov.net/YEA.

Hunger Walk charity
During the month of March, One Community Now’s annual Hunger Walk on behalf of the Pack-a-Sack 4 Kids Program will be the featured charity at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s five office locations.

Children who live in danger of not having food on their dining room table are given a backpack full of healthy meals each Friday, to ensure that they have food to eat over the weekend. The students return the empty backpack to their school the following Monday, which is then refilled for the next weekend.

For information, call Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector for communications and special projects, at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

For details about the food program, call Patti Templeton at (727) 900-6280, or visit OneCommunityNow.com.

History Day winners
These students from Rushe Middle School in Land O’ Lakes will represent #RusheNation at the state National History Day competition.

  • Arman Kumaraswamy: Individual Documentary
  • Rohil Agarwal: Individual Documentary
  • Liam Infanger: Historical Paper
  • Maggie Clohessy, Wade Clohessy and Lauren Hallauer: Group Exhibit
  • Reese Van Brocklin: Individual Exhibit

Scholarship dinner/dance
The African-American Club of Pasco County will host its seventh annual Scholarship Dinner Dance on March 21 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., at Seven Springs Golf and Country Club, 3535 Trophy Blvd., in Trinity.

The event will help to raise funds for $20,000 in scholarships in 2020.

Tickets are $65 per person. Reservations must be made by March 14.

For information and tickets, visit AACPascoFL.org, or call Trish Stevenson at (727) 495-3207.

Cursive contest
According to the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation, the annual Cursive is Cool® contests kicked off on National Handwriting Day, in honor of John Hancock’s birthday.

Campaign for Cursive® offers three contests: one in the United States and two in Canada (one for English writers and one for French writers).

Students in grades one to six have a chance to test their cursive skills and their creativity in answering one of the questions presented.

The deadline for the U.S. contest is March 15.

For information, visit CursiveIsCool.com or Facebook.com/CampaignForCursive/.

For questions, email Lauren Mooney Bear, contest organizer, at .

Great Outdoors contest
The TurfMutt Foundation announced The (Really) Great Outdoors Contest 2020, focused on encouraging kids to use their imaginations around the many uses and benefits of green space and the outdoors.

The contest is open to students in grades six to eight.

Created in partnership with Scholastic, the contest asks students to write about and/or draw a nature space their community could use.

Students are asked to include text to describe the space, discuss what elements are needed, and how the space will be used to benefit the community. Each entry can be no more than three pages.

The grand prize for a student is $2,500, with teachers and the school each receiving a $750 prize.

The first place student will receive $2,000, and teachers and the school will get $500 each.

Second place will garner the student $1,500, and teachers and the school will receive $250 each.

The third place student will get $750, and the teachers and the school will each get $125.

Teachers can download lesson plans and contest entry information at Scholastic.com/turfmutt.

Entries can be accepted online and uploaded by teachers, or mailed in by teachers and students alike.

The deadline for entries is March 16.

Transit authority to roll out new campaign

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The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded the Hillsborough County Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) with a Human Trafficking Awareness & Public Safety Initiative Grant totaling $100,240, according to a news release.

The grant will be used to conduct a public awareness campaign about human trafficking leading up to Super Bowl LV, in Tampa in 2021.

Human trafficking is a modern-day slavery, affecting millions of adults and children in the United States and across the globe.

Traffickers move their victims on all modes of transportation, and sometimes use public transit due to its low cost, greater anonymity in buying fare cards, and less direct interaction with government or transit officials.

“Human trafficking is an unfortunate reality of society today,” said Carolyn House Stewart, interim HART CEO, in the release.

“HART looks forward to utilizing this grant to train our employees, many of whom interact with hundreds of people daily, to help recognize the signs of human trafficking and create more awareness about the issue,” she added.

The campaign will include educational materials for the public, and provide critical training for HART employees in recognizing and reporting human trafficking.

The FTA’s Human Trafficking Awareness and Public Safety Initiative involves $5.4 million in grants.

Published February 26, 2020