The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Club encourages a love for reading

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The GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club was looking for a way to support the GFWC Florida Director Project, ‘Book Heroes,’ and decided to make a Little Free Library, a “take a book, return a book” free book exchange, for the community.

Little Free Libraries, like this one, can be found around the world in 91 countries. (Courtesy of Raequel Tomsich)

Little Free Libraries are a global phenomenon. The small, book exchanges number more than 80,000 around the world in 91 countries, according to LittleFreeLibrary.org.

The woman’s club found plans for the project and received a GFWC Focus on Literacy grant provided by Proctor & Gamble Company, to help with expenses.

Armed with his woodworking knowledge, Mike Tomsich, the spouse of a club member, helped turn the club’s vision into a reality by building the charming library.

In the meantime, the woman collected books for both adults and children and searched for a location for the library.

The New Tampa YMCA, at 16221 Compton Drive, agreed to allow the library to be placed on its property. On March 15, the GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club Little Free Library, Charter No. 84210, was installed and is now open to the public.

Members of the GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club proudly show off their Little Free Library now available to the general public at the New Tampa YMCA.

The Little Free Library works on the honor system and anyone can contribute or borrow books. Although the hope is that the community will actively add books to the library, the club is the steward of the library and will ensure that it is maintained, and will restock it, as necessary.

The library is registered and can be found at LittleFreeLibrary.org/ourmap/. The website is also the tool to find additional Little Free Library locations.

The New Tampa installment appears to be the first Little Free Library in the area that is open to the general public.

The club hopes that this library will encourage literacy and put books in the hands of those who might not otherwise have them at home.

Published April 3, 2019

Online registration now available for camps

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Online-only registration is replacing the long lines of years past, making signups for summer camps easier and just a click away.

Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) will open online summer day camp registration on April 6 at 10 a.m.

The seven-week camps for elementary and middle school children will run from June 10 to July 26.

Campers can experience activities such as games, sports, arts and crafts, field trips, movies, guest speakers, special events and more.

Camps will be offered weekdays at these locations:

  • Centennial Middle School
  • J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex
  • James Irvin Civic Center
  • Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park
  • Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex
  • Odessa Park Community Center
  • Rushe Middle School
  • Shady Hills Community Center
  • Starkey Park (Nature Camp)
  • Veterans Memorial Park

The first day of registration is for Pasco County residents only, and space is limited.

It is recommended by PRNR that parents or guardians create or update their account information prior to registration opening.

For account creation and registration, visit bit.ly/PascoCreateAccount.

Children can be registered for the entire summer, or select weeks.

Day camp fees, ages and times vary at each location.

Payment is due in full at the time of registration.

A free lunch and snack will be available at qualifying summer day camp locations.

For more information, visit bit.ly/PascoSummerDayCamp, or call (813) 929-1229.

Published March 27, 2019

Mid-day snack

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Cheryl Fernandez snapped this pileated woodpecker eating termites, in the vicinity of Hanna Road and Sunset Lane in Lutz.

Health News 03/27/2019

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Ombudsman program
Florida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program has advocate positions available in Hillsborough County.

Volunteers visit with residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult-family care homes to ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.

Training and certification are provided, and volunteers participate in council meetings, administrative assessments and complaint resolution in facilities.

If interested in becoming a volunteer/ombudsman, visit Ombudsman.myflorida.com, or call (888) 831-0404.

Hospitalist joins Access Health
Access Health Care Physicians has announced that Dr. Kemisha L. Key, board certified in internal medicine, has joined its medical staff as a hospitalist.

She completed her internal medicine residency at Advocate Christ Medical Center/University of Illinois at Chicago.

She received her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine and a master’s degree in public health, healthy policy and management, from Emory University in Georgia.

Key also has a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from the University of Michigan.

She joins Access Health from Georgia, where she served as a hospitalist in various facilities.

Chalk Talk 03/27/2019

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The Republican Party of Pasco recently hosted its Inaugural Five for Five Dinner to benefit its $5,000 scholarship fund. The five-course meal was hosted by Chef Ben Pumo of Benedetto’s Ristorante Italiano in Land O’ Lakes, and celebrity sous chefs, from left, included: Pasco County Commissioners Mike Wells and Mike Moore, State Rep. Ardian Zika, Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano and State Rep. Amber Mariano. The fund will provide five $1,000 scholarships to Pasco High School graduates.(Courtesy of Sandy Graves)

Essay scholarship
The Republican Party of Pasco will accept scholarship applications until April 15 from graduating seniors from any Pasco County high school.

To be eligible, applicants must be a registered Republican; have a cumulative 3.0 GPA and be a graduate of a Pasco County high school; complete a 650-word minimum essay on the topic of “What is the importance of conservative values for young people in today’s world?”; and must attend an accredited community college/university or accredited vocational school in Florida.

Applicants can receive extra points for club and school activities, volunteer hours and campaign participation.

The application is available online at PascoGOP.org, or at the high school career counselor’s office.

Email applications and essays to , or mail to RPOP, 12043 Cobblestone Drive, Hudson, FL 34667, Attn: Sandy Graves, scholarship chair.

Scholarships will be awarded in May.

Bingo fundraiser
Maniscalco Elementary School, 939 Debuel Road in Lutz, will host a family bingo night March 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the cafeteria.

Bingo cards will be $1 each, with package deals available.

There also will be food, drinks and raffle tickets for purchase.

All proceeds will benefit the Maniscalco PTSA.

For information, call (813) 949-0337.

Earth celebration
Hillel Academy, 2020 W. Fletcher Ave., in Tampa, will host “Shmirat HaAdamah: Popsicles on the Playground” on March 31 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

This Jewish holiday signifies ‘caring for the earth.’

Families can create crafts, take part in a scavenger hunt in the butterfly garden, listen to an outdoor story time, and tour Hillel Academy.

Popsicles will be plenty and the playground will be available.

The event is for families with children ages 6 months old to 8 years old.

For information, call (813) 963-2242.

Open house
Pasco-Hernando State College will host an open house at each of its campuses:

  • Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, Wesley Chapel, April 1 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • East Campus in Dade City, April 1 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Spring Hill Campus, April 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • North Campus in Brooksville, April 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • West Campus in New Port Richey, April 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Participants can learn about certificate, associate and bachelor degree programs, as well as financial aid, scholarships, and more than 50 student clubs and organizations.

For information, visit PHSC.edu/open-house.

Financial Literacy Expos
Pasco County Schools, along with various partners, will present two Financial Literacy Expos:

  • April 1 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Marchman Technical College, 7825 Campus Drive in New Port Richey
  • April 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road

Participants can learn about creating a financial plan, college funding/financial aid, planning for retirement, legal documents to protect your family, and more.

Register at Pasco.k12.fl.us/oll/financial_literacy/.

Mobile dental services
The Department of Health Pasco County is partnering with the Pasco County School Board to provide preventive dental services for students in Title 1 schools in Pasco County.

The dental bus will travel to selected schools to give dental assessments, sealants, fluoride varnish, and education for the students.

School schedules for the East side of Pasco County are as follows:

  • April 1 to April 4: Pasco Elementary School
  • April 8 to April 11: Chester Taylor Elementary
  • April 15 to April 18: Woodland Elementary
  • April 22 to April 25: Centennial Elementary
  • April 29 to May 2: West Zephyrhills Elementary
  • May 6 to May 9: San Antonio Elementary
  • May 13 to May 16: Quail Hollow Elementary
  • May 20 to May 23: Lacoochee Elementary

In order for a child to be seen on the bus, the required forms must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian.

For more information, visit Pasco.FloridaHealth.gov and click on “Smile Care A Van.”

Free prom dresses
Belle of the Ball will once again offer free prom dresses and accessories April 6 and April 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to in-need high school girls. The ‘boutique’ shop is at 1210 Holt Ave., in Clearwater.

Dresses will be available for prom, homecoming and military balls. No referral letter is necessary and no appointment is needed.

A $1 to $5 donation will be accepted, but is not required.

For information, visit BelleOfTheBallProject.com, or visit Tampa Bay Area Belle of the Ball on Facebook.

Rotary scholarship
The Rotary Club of Trinity is accepting applications for the organization’s 2019 Al Arzu Scholarship.

Applicants must be a high school senior, and reside in and attend school in Pasco County to be eligible to apply.

Applications must be postmarked by April 15.

For information, or for a scholarship application, email Candace Glewen at .

Both students and parents also learned about prevention and coping strategies.

Top Community Perks In The Highlands

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What are you looking for in your dream Florida home? Get ready, because the Highlands at Scotland Yards offers them all!

  1. Spacious New Homes: With features like open floor plans, two-car garages, and gourmet kitchens with stainless-steel appliances, you’re sure to love our model homes.
  2. Luxurious Amenities: Designed for active 55+ adults, our swimming pool, golf course and clubhouse create the ultimate social experience.
  3. Premier Location: Quaint and quiet Dade City has historic architecture, fantastic restaurants, and great antiquing. It also offers easy access to Wesley Chapel, Tampa and Orlando.
  4. Peace of Mind: With top-notch community property management taking care of your needs, you get to live carefree!
  5. Affordability: You own the home and enjoy a resort lifestyle for one monthly community fee. It’s high value and exceptional quality, all within your means!

Call (352) 775 -0452 to see for yourself. The Highlands at Scotland Yards is located at 9420 U.S. Highway 301, Dade City, FL 33525.

Published March 27, 2019

Work ethic pays off for Dade City native

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Ryan Lowery, a Dade City native and 2008 graduate of Pasco High, is serving at the U.S. Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Lowery has served for six years and works as a Navy fire control technician. He is serving within the U.S. Pacific Fleet area of operations.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Lowery (Courtesy of Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Rusty Pang)

As a fire control tech, Lowery is responsible for the weapon system onboard submarines and has the ability to work with sonar to track all contacts.

He credits his success in the Navy to many lessons learned in Dade City.

“From my hometown, I learned a good, hard work ethic, which leads me to successfully accomplishing my job on a day-to-day basis,” Lowery said, in a release.

Although there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Lowery noted he is most proud of advancing to the rank of petty officer second class because it is proof of his hard work and determination.

Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Lowery, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. His brother currently serves in the United States Army.

Lowery takes great pride in serving in the Navy.

“To wake up every morning, put on the uniform and go to work as a Navy sailor will forever have a great impact on my life. It means a lot to serve this country and to know that all of my loved ones are being protected,” he said, in the release.

Published March 20, 2019

Casino night will support Sunrise of Pasco

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Sunrise of Pasco, Domestic & Sexual Violence Center will present a Casino Night on April 13 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at 4G Ranch, 22501 State Road 52 in Land O’ Lakes.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will go directly to benefit participants of Sunrise of Pasco.

The event will include a bourbon bar, appetizers, cigars, an open bar, blackjack, roulette, craps, bingo and slot machines.

Sponsorship opportunities are available ranging from $500 to $5,000.

Individual tickets are $150 and include the open bar, heavy appetizers, a free cigar or wine glass, live entertainment, casino games and $2,500 in ‘funny money’ to get you started.

To purchase tickets, call (352) 521-3358.

For more information about the fundraiser, visit SunrisePasco.org, or email .

Sponsorship forms also can be secured by calling the above number or using the website.

Published March 20, 2019

Duke is a rescue

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Duke is a 3-year-old mastiff pit mix. He loves his new home with Nadia and Harold Green, of Lutz.

Hung out, to dry

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Marie Hammer snapped this photo as an anhinga dries out its feathers after diving in Lake Thomas, at The Preserve at Lake Thomas, in Land O’ Lakes. Unlike other birds, the anhinga does not have oil in its feathers, which allows it to dive deeper.