Mary Rathman

09/08/2016 – Community Bible study

September 7, 2016 By Mary Rathman

Harvester United Methodist Church, 2432 Collier Parkway, will host a nondenominational community Bible study on Thursday mornings, open to all women. The study year starts on Sept. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with “Return to Jerusalem.” For information and to register, contact Tylene Headley at .

Technology for seniors

September 7, 2016 By Mary Rathman

The New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills, offers “Beginning Technology Training for Seniors,” by appointment. Adults age 50 and older can sign up to get one-on-one basic technology tutoring. Bilingual tutoring is available. For information or to schedule an appointment, call (813) 788-6375.

Join local Cub Scouts

September 7, 2016 By Mary Rathman

Cub Scout 33, of Land O’ Lakes, is looking for new recruits. Boys in first through fifth grade (7 to 10 years old) are eligible. Scouting activities emphasize character development and personal fitness while creating memories and adventures. The pack meets every Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., in Rosary Hall at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway. For information or questions, email .

09/11/2016 – Spartan Pledge event

September 7, 2016 By Mary Rathman

The Pasco County Vet Center and the Firefighters Charities of Pasco Inc., will host a Spartan Pledge Event on Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Verizon Event Center, 8718 Trouble Creek Road in New Port Richey. Veterans, community first responders and families are invited to attend.

There will be a Spartan Pledge Ceremony at noon. The pledge is an oath taken by a veteran, first responder, caregiver or anyone who feels the need, stating they will not attempt suicide without first reaching out to a “Battle Buddy.” The pledge will be administered with the Spartan Sword, forged from 25 pounds of metal from the fallen World Trade Center.

There also will be live entertainment, a bounce house, and representatives from veteran and community agencies. Barbecue will be available for purchase.

For information, call (727) 372-1854.

09/11/2016 – ‘Thank You’ service

September 7, 2016 By Mary Rathman

Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will host a service to celebrate local police officers, and fire and rescue first responders on Sept. 11 at 10 a.m. All police officers, first responders and their families are invited to participate.

A complimentary lunch will be provided after the service.

Fire stations and sheriff’s offices close to the church, can provide Atonement with the number of officers and responders that will be on duty that day, and Atonement will deliver food to those officers and responders, as well as treats to their four-legged friends.

For information, call (813) 973-2211.

Health News 08/31/2016

August 31, 2016 By Mary Rathman

June Cunningham is nurse of the year
The Medical Center of Trinity has recognized registered nurse June Cunningham as Nurse of the Year and the Frist Employee Humanitarian Award winner. Cunningham, of the hospital’s Wound Care In-Patient Unit, was chosen from 106 members of the nursing team who were nominated, for Nurse of the Year; and, she was nominated by staff and physicians for the humanitarian award. Cunningham also was named the 2016 Good Samaritan Health Clinic Nurse of the Year. She attended nursing school at North Hampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

MOSI partners for autism
The Museum of Science & Industry and Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay have formed a partnership in order to make learning more fun and more open to all families in Tampa Bay.

The partners will work under the motto “partnering toward a more autism accessible experience,” which will hopefully lead to more vital science and math education for a wider range of students, a richer and more fulfilling time for families that include children with autism spectrum disorder, and guidelines for other museums and businesses looking to create a more inclusive experience.

An assessment has been done at the science center, and some potential changes identified include revising maps and signs to clearly show families what kinds of sensory information to expect in certain areas, and rearranging some exhibits to allow families to bypass sections that could be overwhelming.

MOSI’s new website, set to launch in September, will incorporate new features to improve autism accessibility.

Dr. Caselnova back in Zephyrhills
Bayfront Health Dade City has welcomed Dr. Michael Caselnova, a family practice physician at Bayfront Health Medical Group, back to his previous clinic location at 7209 Green Slope Drive in Zephyrhills.

Caselnova’s services include chronic illness treatment, immunizations, preventive health care, and sports and school physicals.

For information, call (813) 602-8841.

Working with seniors
Florida’s Long-term Care Ombudsman Program has advocate positions available in Hillsborough County, for those interested in volunteering. Volunteers visit with residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult-family care homes to ensure residents are treated with dignity and respect.

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

Candidates should enjoy working with seniors and those with disabilities, plan to volunteer 20 hours a month, pass a background check, complete certification training, communicate well, and attend a monthly meeting.

For information, call (888) 831-0404, or visit Ombudsman.MyFlorida.com.

Hospital gets Gold Plus Award
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills received the Get with the Guidelines Heart Failure Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures as outlined by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology.

Hospitals that receive the gold plus award have reached a goal of treating heart failure or stroke patients with an 85 percent or higher compliance to core standard levels for 24 consecutive months, as established by the AHA and American Stroke Association.

The hospital’s heart institute also has received recognition for treating coronary intervention, heart failure, chest pain, open heart surgery and electrophysiology.

Oak Hill promotes Tim Krusko
Oak Hill Hospital in Brooksville has promoted Tim Krusko, executive chef, to director of food and nutritional services.

Krusko has served as executive chef for the past year, and has been an integral part of the food and nutrition services leadership team.

With more than 20 years in the food service industry, Krusko has extensive culinary and management experience. He studied culinary arts at the Florida Culinary Institute in West Palm Beach.

Chalk Talk 08/31/2016

August 31, 2016 By Mary Rathman

New leaders for board of trustees
The Pasco-Hernando State College District Board of Trustees elected Edward Blommel to serve as chair, succeeding Morris Porton. John Dougherty was elected as vice chair.

Blommel, of Dade City, is a retired regional manager for the Tampa Electric Company with 40 years of service and had served in the Florida National Guard.

He has served on the boards of numerous organizations and committees, including United Way of Pasco County, Pasco Regional Medical Center, Pasco Economic Development Council, Pasco Public Education Foundation, to name a few.

Dougherty, of Spring Hill, has 36 years of experience as a financial planner and business adviser. He is a managing member of Dougherty & Associates LLC.

He was elected to the PHSC Foundation Board of Directors in June 1997 and served a two-year term as chair from 2008 to 2010.

Porton, outgoing chair, was recognized with a plaque from the board for his leadership throughout his 2016-2017 term.

School supply lists online
School supply lists for the following local schools can now be found on TeacherLists.com. Parents can print the lists or, for the first time, look up the lists on a Smartphone in store aisles. TeacherLists.com automatically shares the lists with national retailers like Target and Staples.

Academy at the Lakes, Land O’ Lakes
Imagine School at Land O’ Lakes
New River Academy, Wesley Chapel
Seven Oaks Elementary School, Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel Elementary School

More than 50,000 schools have lists posted to the website. Lists for more than 1 million classrooms are live on the site, and include required and requested items, as well as specific notes and clarifications from teachers and school staff. Parents also can print coupons for back-to-school savings.

Wiregrass Ranch open house
Wiregrass Ranch High School PTSA will host an open house on Sept. 6, at the school, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

There will be a PTSA general assembly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Jersey Mike’s will be on-site selling its Philly steak sandwiches.

During the open house, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Parks Ford of Tampa will host “Drive One 4 Ur School.” The dealership will donate $20 for each test drive, up to $6,000 total, to the school. Funds raised will benefit teacher grants.

For information, call (813) 346-6000.

College Nights at PHSC
Pasco-Hernando State College will host three College Nights for prospective students in the Pasco County area.

Sept. 13 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Dade City campus, 36727 Blanton Road
Sept. 14 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at New Port Richey campus, 10230 Ridge Road
Sept. 15 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Nature Coast Technical High School in Brooksville

Representatives from PHSC, and many public and private colleges, universities, other educational institutions, and the military will participate and provide residents in PHSC’s two-county area with a one-stop opportunity to get information on admissions, financial aid, and programs for post-secondary study.

High school students, parents and prospective students of all ages can attend.

Admission is free. For information, call (855) 669-7472.

Youth art contest
The Medical Center of Trinity will have its fifth annual “Expressions of Thanks” youth art contest.

Youth from kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to celebrate the service of all U.S. military veterans, those who currently serve our nation and their families, by submitting artwork, poetry or an essay. The deadline is Sept. 30.

Participants and their families will be invited to a reception on Nov. 6 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and all entries will be on display Nov. 6 through Nov. 27.

Each participant will receive a recognition certificate. First place winners in each grade level will receive a $25 gift card. The grand prize winner will receive their choice of either a bicycle or an iPod Nano.

For complete rules and submission requirements, call (727) 834-4868, or email .

‘Helping hands’ pack meals for Africa
Representatives from the Diocesan Hispanic Assembly, Hispanic youth adults, and students from Tampa Catholic High School worked together to assemble more than 10,000 nutritious meals to send to Burkina Faso, Africa, through the Helping Hands program, on Aug. 20.

The food-packing program is a joint effort between Catholic Relief Services and Stop Hunger Now.

The West African country of Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Catholic Relief Services gave a presentation on local and world hunger, followed by lunch, and an education session on Burkina Faso, prior to food packing.

For information, contact Vivi Iglesias, associate director of Hispanic Ministry, at (727) 341-6851.

Student leadership retreat
Pasco-Hernando State College hosted Ardian Zika as the keynote speaker at its annual Student Leadership Retreat. Zika addressed a crowd of 156 PHSC students and 82 staff, faculty and guests at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel.

Zika is a member of the PHSC District Board of Trustees. He is a senior vice president and middle market banking director at ServisFirst Bank for the Tampa Bay region.

The retreat included interactive workshops, team activities, and opportunities to network and socialize with student and college leaders from all five PHSC campuses. The theme, “Learn. Live. Lead.,” was incorporated into all workshop and general sessions.

Credit union awards college scholarships
Declan Finora, a 2016 Pasco High School graduate, was one of three recipients of a $500 college scholarship from the Tampa Chapter of Credit Unions.

TCCU consists of 20 credit unions in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Hernando counties.

All graduating high school members of the Chapter’s credit unions can apply for scholarships.

Religious studies department names chair
Dell deChant, a master instructor in the Department of Religious Studies at The University of South Florida where he has served since 1986, has been named the new chair of the department.

The author of three books, and more than 40 articles and chapters in professional publications, deChant is a specialist in religion and contemporary cultures, currently focusing on the contemporary ecological crisis in American popular culture and religion.

He has received the university’s undergraduate teaching award and USF’s undergraduate advising award twice.

deChant previously served as associate chair of the department from 2005 to 2012, and from 2015 to 2016. He also served as the undergraduate director and in various administrative posts in the department.

English classes
Tampa Bay Presbyterian Church, 19911 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., will offer ESL (English as a Second Language) classes on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Classes are taught by native English speakers using several ESL and Bible study resources.

The classes are for beginners and intermediate-level speakers. The cost is $40 per semester, which covers a workbook and class materials.

Child care will be available.

For information and to register, call (813) 360-2077.

Breast cancer group

August 31, 2016 By Mary Rathman

Florida Cancer Affiliates, 3611 Little Road in Trinity, will host a breast cancer support group on Sept. 1 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., for anyone who has been touched by breast cancer, not just patients. All breast cancer survivors are invited to attend, too. Light refreshments will be served. For information, call (727) 372-9159.

Weekly grief support

August 31, 2016 By Mary Rathman

Keystone Community Church, 21010 State Road 54 in Lutz, will host a weekly grief seminar and support group on Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., from Sept. 1 through Nov. 23. The group is designed to help anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one rebuild their life. For information, contact Cathy Wirt at (813) 948-4522 or .

Arrhythmia seminar

August 31, 2016 By Mary Rathman

The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, 2700 Healing Way, will offer a seminar on “Does Your Heart Skip a Beat?” on Sept. 6 at noon. Participants can learn the signs, symptoms and treatments of arrhythmia or irregular heartbeats. A meal will be provided. For information and to register, call (813) 929-5432, or visit http://FHWesleyChapel.org/events.