The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Advanced care planning

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Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care will host a free seminar on end-of-life decisions and advanced care planning on June 7 at 11 a.m., at the New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel. Aging with Dignity’s 12-page document, “Five Wishes,” will be distributed to all seminar participants. Light refreshments will be served. For information and to RSVP, call Anna Davis at (727) 992-8042.

Eight-week bereavement group

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Gulfside Hospice will offer a new eight-week bereavement support group for individuals coping with the loss of a loved one. The group will start June 7 and meet on Tuesdays at 3 p.m., at Gulfside’s Bereavement and Community Outreach Center, 6230 Lafayette St., in New Port Richey. The group sessions will emphasize discussion and participation, while focusing on various aspects of grief and the healing process. For information about attending, call Kelly Cavagnetto at (813) 431-3348.

Hormone replacement therapy

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The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, 2700 Healing Way, will have a seminar on “Hormone Replacement Therapy: What You Need to Know” on June 7 at noon. Participants can learn the symptoms and treatment options for menopause. The guest speaker will be Dr. Areej Salem, gynecologist. For information and reservations, call (813) 929-5432.

Health News 06/01/2016

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New MRI system is faster, more comfortable
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive diagnostic imaging exam of the soft tissue, bone and muscle. MRIs have become one of the fastest-growing types of medical diagnostic tests in the United States.

(Courtesy of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills)
(Courtesy of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills)

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills recently installed a MAGNETOM Aera 1.5 T MRI System from Siemens Healthcare, for faster and more comfortable exams for patients.

The new equipment boasts a wide-open bore, which is the tube-like structure of an MRI machine where the patient lies during the imaging process. This design helps reduce the closed-in feeling of traditional MRIs, and its short design allows for exams to be performed with the patient’s head outside the system.

There also are patient-friendly features including a mood light application so patients can set the mood for their exam through custom lighting to create a more relaxed environment.

Ann Amato honored for volunteer work
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point honored Ann Amato, in a private ceremony, for her 30 years of service to the hospital. Amato was born in Elmurst, New York, 85 years ago.

In her years of service, she has logged in an excess of 9,200 hours. Amato is usually the face that greets you at Welcome Center A on Wednesday afternoons. She is regarded as diplomatic and patient, and said interacting with visitors and guests means a lot.

Chalk Talk 06/01/2016

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(Courtesy of Mary Hanchar)
(Courtesy of Mary Hanchar)

Students garner merit awards
The Lexington Oaks Women’s Club recognized three outstanding Lexington Oaks students with merit awards. With Cindy Cox (second from left), the club’s president, are recipients (from left) Cara Adipietro and Gabriela Santiago, who each received a $500 award in honor of Mary Lou Kruse, a former Lexington Oaks resident women’s club member, and Amanda Barry who received the $250 Christopher Helbing Memorial Award.

Pasco graduates garner more than $23 million in scholarships
Pasco County Schools will graduate more than 4,300 students in 2016, who have earned in excess of $23 million in scholarships.

Graduation ceremonies will take place June 2 through June 5, except Marchman Technical College, which was May 25 at the Center for the Arts at River Ridge.

The University of South Florida’s Sun Dome will host J.W. Mitchell, Sunlake, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch, Zephyrhills, Hudson, Anclote and Fivay graduates.

Pasco eSchool students will have their ceremony at Crews Lake Middle School. Gulf High’s graduation will be at Calvary Chapel Worship Center. River Ridge and Ridgewood graduations will be in each of the school’s gymnasiums, and Pasco High’s ceremony will be in its football stadium.

Senior week at SunWest Park
SunWest Park, 17362 Old Dixie Highway in Hudson, will host Senior Week, May 31 to June 3, allowing graduating high school seniors to get in free, with a student ID. SunWest Park is the closest beach to Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and East Pasco. There is swimming, floating inflatables, volleyball, an aqua park and more. For information on the park, visit SunWestPark.com.

Saint Anthony school dedication
Saint Anthony Catholic School, 12155 Joe Herrmann Drive in San Antonio, will host a dedication of the newly renovated school building on June 3. There will be a blessing and dedication at 10 a.m., followed by an open house and refreshments.

For information, call Sister Alice Ottapurackal at (352) 588-3041.

Students earn regional science award
Colby Tomasello and Clay Kennedy, ninth-graders at Land O’ Lakes High School, won the Toshiba/National Science Teachers Association ExploraVision Regional Award for their “Recharge Roadways” proposed prototype.

Both students joined Joshua Burke, of Jesuit High School, to form a team that presented its prototype as a renewable energy resource for electric vehicles. The proposal repurposes roadways to function as a continuous recharging mechanism.

The team was coached by Land O’ Lakes High teacher Victoria Savosh and mentored by Heather Tomasello.

Each team member, teacher and mentor received a Toshiba 8GB Excite tablet and a framed certificate. Land O’ Lakes principal Ric Mellin received a plaque and a Toshiba laptop. Savosh will use the laptop as a student station in her classroom.

As regional award winners, the team advanced to the national competition in Washington D.C.

PHSC students advance to national SkillsUSA
Pasco-Hernando State College students Toshia Knous and Richard Yackel were awarded gold medals at the SkillsUSA state competition and will advance to the national competition at the 52nd annual National Leadership and Skills Conference June 19 to June 25 in Louisville, Kentucky.

SkillsUSA is a national organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations and for further education.

The NLSC is a showcase of career and technical education students representing 52 state and territorial associations. Knous will compete in Practical Nursing, and Yackel will compete in Related Technical Math.

PHSC student Margaret Liwski received a bronze medal, having placed third in the state competition in the Job Interview category.

For information about the career programs at PHSC, visit PHSC.edu/careers.

 

06/14/2016 – Zephyrhills Art Club

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The Zephyrhills Art Club will meet on June 14 at 7 p.m., at American House, 38130 Pretty Pond Road in Zephyrhills. The evening will include zentango drawing, so guests should bring a sketch pad and drawing utensils of choice. Guests should park in the back of the building, and enter in the back through the dining hall to the Community Room on the first floor. Members also meet at Humana, located next to Staples and across from Walmart, on Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; and at the Zephyrhills Library, 5347 Eighth St., from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call (813) 780-8562.

Free kids’ shows at Cobb

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Grove 16 Cobb Theatres, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will show free summer kids’ movies at 10 a.m., every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Same day ticketing only. The first movies are “Norm of the North” and “Shaun the Sheep” on June 14, June 15 and June 16. Large groups, schools and camps are welcome. For information, call (813) 948-5444.

06/14/2016 – Native plant society

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The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will meet June 14 at 7 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. Lara Milligan, natural resources agent for University of Florida/IFAS Extension in Pinellas County, will present “The Coyote in Florida.” There will be light refreshments and a native plant drawing. For information, call Sandy Vanno at (727) 207-1853.

06/13/2016 – Driver safety class

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The AARP Driver Safety class will be offered at the Meadow Pointe Community Center, 28245 County Line Road in Wesley Chapel, on June 13. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. For information, class time and registration, call (813) 753-4305.

06/11/2016 – San Antonio block party

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The South San Antonio Arts & Antiques District will host a block party to welcome South End to its shops on June 11 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Historic 1946 Herrmann Building, 11851-11903 S. Curley St., in San Antonio. Refreshments will be provided. For information, visit Herman Building 1946 on Facebook.