The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

A very popular bird

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Marisol Fontanez snapped this brilliant cardinal in her front yard in Dade City. The cardinal is the official state bird of no fewer than seven eastern states. They are also known as cardinal-grosbeaks and cardinal-buntings. Note: Florida’s state bird is the common mockingbird.

Chalk Talk 07/03/2019

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School physicals
Pasco County Schools and the Florida Department of Health (DOH) will offer school physicals and immunizations at these locations, for the upcoming school year:

  • New Port Richey Clinic, 10841 Little Road: July 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call (727) 861-5260.
  • Dade City Clinic, 13941 15th St., and New Port Richey Clinic: Aug. 5 to Aug. 8 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call Dade City at (352) 521-1450.
  • Wesley Chapel Clinic, 33845 State Road 54: Aug. 6 to Aug. 8 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (813) 780-0740.

Each student initially entering a Florida school must have a physical exam, signed and stamped by a licensed provider, and dated within one year prior to registration.

Students also must have proof on file, using the Florida Certificate of Immunization (DH680) that they have received required immunizations.

The DOH-Pasco sites are providing free childhood immunizations and low-cost ($25 per child) school physicals by appointment at sites across Pasco County.

Parents should call their nearest clinic for information and to schedule an appointment.

The first day of school in Pasco County is Aug. 12.

Beyond the Bell program
Pasco County Schools is adding two Beyond the Bell fee-based afterschool enrichment programs for the 2019-2020 school year, at John Long and Weightman middle schools.

Beyond the Bell offers middle school students academic enrichment, skill building and positive youth development.

Activities include sports skills and drills, scholar’s club, project-based learning, techno time, and enrichment programs that feature special guests on a variety of topics. Friday frolics also include field day, movie time, video game tournaments and other just-for-fun activities.

Beyond the Bell currently is offered at Charles S. Rushe and River Ridge middle schools.

Registration began July 2.

To learn more, visit MyASEP.com/btb, or call the Office for After School Enrichment Programs at (813) 794-2298.

Student achievements
Spring Dean’s List:

  • Madalyn Alston, Dade City: Anderson University, South Carolina
  • Calee Ash, Lutz: Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas
  • Nicole Leigh Avary, Odessa: Clemson University, South Carolina
  • Summer Breeze, Land O’ Lakes: Columbus State Community College, Ohio
  • Kaylynn Butts, Lutz: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Jennifer Clifford, Lutz: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Natalie Dambrosio, Lutz: Tallahassee Community College
  • Ryan Davey, Lutz: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Moriah Davis, Lutz: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Sydney Freeman, Odessa: Valdosta State University, Georgia
  • Samuel Goetz, Odessa: Tallahassee Community College
  • Michelle Graham, Lutz: Mercer University, Macon, Georgia
  • Evan Hayes, Lutz: Tallahassee Community College
  • Eric Holmes, Odessa: Hinds Community College, Raymond, Mississippi
  • Sarina Hunt, Lutz: Tallahassee Community College
  • Emily Leonard, Wesley Chapel: Mercer University
  • Nathan Mansour, Odessa: University of Dayton, Ohio
  • Rachael Martin, Odessa: Tallahassee Community College
  • Kelly McDermott, Lutz: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Jake Thomas Michaelson, Odessa: University of North Georgia, Dahlonega
  • Kevin Nguyen, Lutz: Tallahassee Community College
  • Clare O’ Keefe, Lutz: Endicott College, Beverly, Massachusetts
  • Samantha Politano, Land O’ Lakes: Florida State University
  • Carolyne Rogers, Odessa: Tallahassee Community College
  • Amy Stanton, Odessa: Georgia College, Milledgeville
  • Ashlyn Stevens, Lutz: Harding University
  • Emma Williams, Land O’ Lakes: Mercer University
  • Alexis Yahre, Lutz: Valdosta State University, Georgia
  • Emily Ymiolek, Lutz: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

President’s List:

  • Amanda Clifford, Lutz: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Peter Politano, Land O’ Lakes: Florida State University

Provost’s List

  • Kelsey Bognar, Lutz: Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York

Poster contest winners
A resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County recognized and commended Pasco County elementary students as the recipients of first prize for their respective grade levels in the 10th annual Water Awareness Poster Contest.

The contest was developed jointly by Pasco County Utilities and the Florida Governmental Utility Authority, in cooperation with Pasco County elementary schools, in order to educate young citizens about water-related issues.

The winning students are: Adalina Palermo, kindergarten, Trinity Oaks; Annaliese Hatfield, first grade, Trinity Oaks; Arianna Bailey, second grade, Trinity Oaks; Sydney Williams, third grade, Trinity Oaks; Sienna Gennaro, fourth grade, Deer Park; and Melina Gerig, fifth grade, Fox Hollow.

To see the posters, visit WaterContest.org.

Cooperative education
University of Alabama student Chase Memmer, of Odessa, will participate in the school’s Cooperative Education Program during the summer, and will working at Quincy Compressor.

The program offers work related to the academic major or career interest of each student, and allows more than 280 students to alternate periods of full-time study with periods of full-time employment.

While in school, students carry regular course schedules. While on co-op, students work with professionals in their fields who supervisor their training and work.

At work, co-op students earn competitive salaries and may receive benefit packages, too.

Participants maintain full-time student status while at work and have priority registration status each semester through graduation.

Florida ranks at the top
U.S. News & World Report has named Florida the top state in the country for higher education.

This is the third year in a row Florida’s higher education system has earned the top ranking.

Metrics considered by U.S. News & World Report include the share of Floridians holding college degrees, the time it takes students to complete both two- and four-year college programs, the cost of in-state tuition and fees, and the burden of debt that college graduates carry.

Florida’s 28 state colleges are the primary point of access to higher education in Florida, with 65 percent of the state’s high school graduates pursuing postsecondary education beginning at a Florida college, and 82 percent of freshman and sophomore minority students in public high education attending one of Florida’s 28 colleges.

To see the higher education rankings, visit USNews.com/education.

Health News 07/03/2019

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Audiologist attends conference
Dr. Judith L. Reese, of JC Audiology in Lutz, attended a conference in St. Joseph, Michigan, for hearing professionals from around the country and Canada. Presentations were focused on improving hearing aid patients’ experiences with the ever-changing technological developments in hearing devices.

Dr. Judith L. Reese, left, with Dr. Gyl Kasewurm (Courtesy of Charlie Reese)

The guest speaker was Dr. Gyl Kasewurm, of Professional Hearing Services, who discussed industry developments and best practices related to new technology, as well as quality consumer education.

“Hearing devices nowadays are the most complicated and sophisticated consumer electronic item that a person can buy,” Dr. Reese said, in a release.

“The best way to ensure that devisces are working optimally for the consumer is to make the ideal match of individual need, specific hearing impairments, with the right technology and ongoing professional adjustments,” Reese said.

Dr. Reese opened her practice, the first female-owned private practice audiology company in the greater Tampa area, in 2005.

Volunteer to drive for cancer patients
The American Cancer Society Road to Recovery program provides patients in need with rides to treatment.

Drivers can donate their spare time to take patients to their cancer-related medical appointments.

Volunteer drivers must complete online training courses to prepare them for the role, and the American Cancer Society will screen each volunteer.

Requirements include: a good driving record; a current driver’s license; access to a safe and reliable vehicle; proof of adequate automobile insurance; schedule availability; and, regular desktop, laptop or tablet computer access.

For information on the transportation programs, visit Cancer.org/roadtorecovery, or call (800) 227-2345.

Hepatitis A can be prevented
According to the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County, Hepatitis A is a virus that is a vaccine-preventable form of infectious hepatitis.

Hepatitis A is contagious and can harm your liver.

Hepatitis A can be present for up to two weeks without symptoms, but during that time can be spread to others, usually when an uninfected person ingests food or water that has been contaminated with the feces of an infected person.

Symptoms usually start 2 weeks to 6 weeks after infection and last less than two months.

Common symptoms include stomach pain, nausea and vomiting, and yellow skin or eyes.

The best defense against Hepatitis A is to wash your hands and get vaccinated.

An information line is available to the public, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Call (844) 225-5364.

Luc is the sweetest snuggler

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Kelsey Parker, of Wesley Chapel, has been in love with her boy, Luc, from the moment he was born on Sept. 2, 2017. Luc is a Pembroke-cardigan corgie and loves attention.

A thing of beauty

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Valerie Sercu, of Wesley Chapel, found, rescued and celebrated the beauty of this juvenile mud snake found in her pool. When captured, a mud snake does not bite, but may press its pointed tail tip harmlessly into its captor.

Health News 06/26/2019

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Courtesy of Richelle Hoenes-Ahearn

Wrapping children in comfort
As an official Project Linus blanket-making site, 45 volunteers from AdventHealth Tampa hand-made 110 blankets to share with pediatric patients at the hospital. AdventHealth employees and members of the community, dubbed ‘blanketeers,’ stepped up to help provide comfort to children who are seriously ill or traumatized. Two of the volunteers were a mother and father whose 9-month-old daughter had received a blanket as a newborn.

 

Hospital achievements
The Medical Center of Trinity has been recognized with the following:

  • Initial Accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, for its internal medicine residency program. The program is accredited for 50 residents starting July 1. This is the hospital’s first step in developing a graduate medical education residency program and a logical progression as the hospital continues to expand into other residency specialties.
  • Healthgrades 2019 Patient Safety Excellence Award. During the study period, 2015 to 2017, the hospital demonstrated excellent performance in safety provided for patients in the Medicare population, as measured by 14 patient safety indicators defined by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Seniors benefit from CARES programs
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five county locations highlighted CARES (Community Aging & Retirement Services) as its May charity of the month, and raised $7,700 for the organization.

In a release, Jemith Rosa, president and CEO of CARES, said, “The money they raised for CARES will help frail elderly people in Pasco County who are facing illness, hunger and isolation.”

CARES has “always been important to me,” Fasano added.

“CARES, and more importantly the people they serve, hold a special place in our hearts. The health care professionals who volunteer their time at the senior health clinic to help this aging and medically fragile population are to be applauded for their work.

“The people who make sure food is delivered on a daily basis to homebound seniors, and the caregivers who often give up other aspects of their life to care for their frail loved one, all make this organization unique in our community,” Fasano said.

For information about CARES and its programs, call Jemith Rosa at (727) 863-6868, or visit ElderAffairs.state.fl.us/.

AdventHealth gets A grade
AdventHealth West Florida Division has earned the highest marks possible for patient safety and quality in Tampa Bay.

The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit health care ratings organization, announced its safety ratings for more than 2,600 hospitals across the country.

Only about one-third of those hospitals received an “A” grade, including seven in the AdventHealth West Florida Division: AdventHealth Carrollwood, AdventHealth Lake Place, AdventHealth North Pinellas, AdventHealth Sebring, AdventHealth Tampa, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Zephyrhills.

Chalk Talk 06/26/2019

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Pace Center’s first Hernando graduates
Three students have become the first high school graduates at the Pace Center for Girls in Hernando County, since its inception in January 2018.

From left: Amy Curran, teacher; Hannah Kennedy, graduate; Kaitlyn Witherill, counselor; Brianna Roden, graduate; Mindi Shaw, teacher; Kayleigh Barton, graduate; and Paula Green, teacher. (Courtesy of Pace Center for Girls)

Hannah Kennedy, Brianna Roden and Kayleigh Barton graduated from the center that was founded to serve struggling middle and high school girls who wanted to make positive changes in their lives.

As a movement, Pace was founded in 1985 to provide an opportunity for young women and girls to create a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy.

Girls attend Pace during the day and are enrolled in all academic classes taught by teachers who are certified through the State of Florida.

The students also meet with counselors who provide mental health services for the girls and their families.

A typical enrollment is between 18 months and 21 months and, upon exit, follow-up services are provided for at least a year.

The program is free for girls who reside in Hernando County and meet eligibility requirements.

For information about the Pace Center for Girls, call Diane Jerome, community engagement manager, Center for Girls – Pasco and Hernando, at (727) 849-1901, ext. 1908.

Super Saturday
Saint Leo University, 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo, will host Super Saturday on June 29 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., for students who have committed to join Saint Leo for the fall term.

Students who are still making a college decision can also attend, and will have the opportunity to experience the school’s academics, community and student services.

The event will include college-specific orientations, class registration, FAFSA filing assistance, housing selection, issuance of parking decals and student ID cards, campus tours, residence hall walk-throughs, and more.

Prospective students and their families can also bring transcripts for the final round of fall semester instant admission sessions, complete an on-site application, take placement exams, submit a deposit, and meet faculty and staff.

Local retailers also will be available so families can shop for room furnishings and various services in preparation for college life.

And, University Campus Admissions will be giving away multiple scholarships totaling up to $5,000.

Participants can take part in games, novelties, crafts, listen to music, win radio station prizes, and visit the food trucks, too.

The event is free.

For information, visit SaintLeo.edu/super-Saturday.

Chamber scholarships
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce presented scholarships to four Pasco High School graduates at its Business Breakfast at AdventHealth Dade City, in May.

The students awarded scholarships were Paul Leon, Sarah Peterson, Kaleigh Sinka and Megan Simonelli.

Third-graders improve proficiency
Pasco County third-graders improved their overall proficiency (Level 3-5) on the English Language Arts Florida Standards Assessment by 3 percentage points over last year (57/60) and outperformed the state by 2 percentage points (58/60).

These schools saw improvement of 10 percentage points or more:

  • Academy at the Farm, 12 percentage points
  • Chasco Elementary, 14 percentage points
  • Connerton Elementary, 16 percentage points
  • Lake Myrtle Elementary, 11 percentage points
  • Learning Lodge Academy, 27 percentage points
  • Oakstead Elementary, 11 percentage points
  • Richey Elementary, 10 percentage points
  • Sand Pine Elementary, 26 percentage points
  • Seven Springs Elementary, 19 percentage points
  • Veterans Elementary, 11 percentage points

Another 23 schools increased or maintained the percentage of students scoring a Level 3 or higher.

Overall, Pasco County’s third-graders showed the highest proficiency percentage in the Tampa Bay area.

Timothy Beard aces review
Pasco-Hernando State College president Timothy Beard earned near-perfect scores on his annual review, for a second year in a row, by the college’s District Board of Trustees.

The nine-member College Board of Trustees gave him an overall average score of 4.8 out of 5, noting his excellent communications with the District Board of Trustees, community stakeholders, and with  administrators on the college’s administrative leadership team.

Beard earned a 4.86 for board relations; a 4.72 for community, state and national relations; a 4.78 for fiscal accountability; a 4.82 for leadership; and a 4.81 for accountability.

This review is consistent with last year’s review that showed Beard’s strong marks in all categories. The president’s overall average score of those categories in 2018 was 4.79.

Universities collaborate
Two Catholic universities have come together to make it easier for education, health care, law enforcement and other public-service professionals to pursue a graduate degree for career advancement.

Through a collaborative effort, Saint Leo University will provide prospective students with an easy-to-navigate admissions process, and Notre Dame de Namur University will offer a quality online master’s degree program in public administration that fits the career and lifestyle needs of adult students.

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program prepares professionals for administrative and management positions in public, nonprofit and service-related organizations.

The MPA is the preferred degree for many public-sector leaders because it delivers a comprehensive overview of organizations that rely on government budgets, taxes, or grants for funding.

The fall term for the Notre Dame program begins on Aug. 26. Applications will be accepted through mid-August.

To learn more about the master’s program and admissions, visit SaintLeo.edu/ndnu, or call (888) 875-8265.

 

Pop along with Oreo

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Oreo the guinea pig was born last August and was adopted as an early Christmas present last November. She is a sweet guinea pig that received her name because of her hair color. Oreo is black on the bottom, white in the middle and black on top — just like an Oreo cookie. She is very similar to a cat, as she cleans herself, is litter trained and purrs when she is held. Oreo loves to sit on her male human’s lap while being brushed and held. When she gets excited, she runs around her cage and ‘popcorns.’ When cavies (the scientific name for guinea pig) get excited, they pop straight up in the air and run around. Oreo is a delight for her family, Rachel and Jack Tipton, of Wesley Chapel.

Iconic wildlife

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Steve Vinik and his wife frequently see a variety of birds in their Lexington Oaks community in Wesley Chapel, including sandhill cranes. The cranes have been known to take turns pecking birdseed from the Viniks’ bird feeder. Some of the sandhill crane’s favorite meal items include seeds, plant tubers, grains, berries and insects. Unlike other wading birds, sandhill cranes do not ‘fish.’

Health News 06/19/2019

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(Courtesy of Kirsty Churchill)

Fashion show supports Hospice
Gulfside Hospice presented a Spring Charity Fashion Show and raised more than $13,000 to support hospice patients and families. The show featured spring and summer fashions presented by Dillard’s from The Shops at Wiregrass, and included a seated lunch, vendor expo and door prizes. Deiah Riley, of ABC action News, emceed the event. Most of the show’s models were staff and volunteers from the Gulfside organization. Dr. Lisa Barker, medical director for Gulfside Hospice, and her husband, Kipp, show off their outfits.

 

 

Nursing excellence
The Medical Center of Trinity recognized two nurses for the Excellence in Nursing Awards, established by HCA to honor outstanding nurses who demonstrate excellence in professional mentoring and compassionate care.

Beverly Hoenes, RN, charge nurse, received the Excellence in Nursing for Compassionate Care award.

Hoenes has served patients at the Medical Center of Trinity for 25 years. She is a strong patient advocate, with a focus on excellent patient care. Hoenes also provided mentorship for another registered nurse from another unit other than her own.

The Excellence in Nursing Professional Mentor Award was presented to Kimberly Cain, RN.

Cain provides excellent care for patients and mentoring new registered nurses at the same time. She received her certification as a medical surgical RN to further her knowledge.

Presidential awards
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point announced that two if its volunteers are the recipients of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, from the office of the President of the United States.

To receive the award, an individual must have volunteered a minimum of 15 years and logged in more than 7,500 hours of service.

Dan Hammer and Elliot Lorenzi were both recognized with the award.

Hammer began volunteering in 2000 and has more than 45,000 hours of service. He currently volunteers in the hospital CSU and serves as volunteer chairperson for that department.

He is a past president of the Volunteer Association Board from 2004 through 2008.

In 2002, Hammer was selected as the Volunteer of the Year and, in 2008, he was presented with the Frist Volunteer Humanitarian Award.

Lorenzi has been volunteering since 2003 and has accumulated more than 37,000 hours of service.

He is currently serving as a courier, has been the courier’s team leader, and has been on a variety of volunteer committees, including bylaws, chairman of the awards committee, finance committee, chairman of the scholarship committee, and was the liaison for the Quality Council.

Lorenzi served as president of the Volunteer Association from 2012 through 2016, received a Star Award in 2006, the Volunteer of the Year in 2007, and the Frist Volunteer Humanitarian Award in 2010.