The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Free balance program

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Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point will offer a four-week balance program on March 21, March 23, March 28 and March 30, at the Rao Musunuru MD Conference Center, 14100 Yosemite Drive in Hudson. Classes meet from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Participants can learn to view falls as controllable, set goals for increased activity, exercise to increase strength and balance, and more. For reservations and information, call (727) 869-5498.

Diabetes self-management

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CARES (Community Aging & Retirement Services) will offer a six-week diabetes self-management workshop on Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to noon, starting March 21, at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. Those diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, caregivers and spouses can attend. Participants can learn techniques to deal with symptoms, appropriate exercise, healthy eating, use of medication, and more. Admission is free, but reservations are required. For information, call (727) 514-4770.

Geriatrics seminar

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The Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point will offer a seminar on “Polypharmacy in the Elderly” on March 22. Registration and lunch begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by the tutorial at noon. The guest speaker will be Dr. Gerald Sokol, board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and therapeutic radiology. Reservations are required. For information, call (727) 869-5498.

Fitness for heart health

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The Health & Wellness Center at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, 2700 Healing Way, will have a “Fitness to Improve Your Heart Health” lecture on March 22 at 6:30 p.m. Participants can discover how important fitness is to the prevention and treatment of heart disease and other coronary issues. Admission is free for center members, and $5 for non-members. Reservations are required. For information, call (813) 929-5432.

Diabetes awareness

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The American Diabetes Association will present a diabetes awareness seminar at Pasco-Hernando State College, Porter Campus at Wiregrass, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, on March 22 at 1 p.m. For information, call (813) 527-6615.

Caring for Cancer group

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Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville, will host a “Caring for Cancer” group on March 22 at 12:30 p.m., for anyone who is dealing with cancer, cancer survivors, family members and caregivers. The meetings cover a wide range of topics, and educational material about cancer and cancer treatment is provided. For information or to register, call (352) 597-6095

Integrity award winner Michelle Zito

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(Courtesy of Access Health Care)
(Courtesy of Access Health Care)

Access Health Care in Spring Hill recognized its employees at its annual ACES Event (Access Celebrates Excellent Service). The winners in the many categories were chosen based on information provided as to why team members felt a fellow employee deserved to be recognized.

Each winner received a certificate, a trophy and eight-hours of paid time off.

The winners were Ailen Busek, best attitude; Jennifer Tuttle, best coworker; Bob Davis, best skills; Joanna Gambina, dirty job; Michelle Zito, integrity; Theresa Baxter, most hospitable; Maria Cain, most humble; Marjorie McIntosh, most tactful; Michele Ricci, most teachable; Patricia Robinson, participation; Kristy Stauffer, ray of sunshine; Eglis Harriette, most dependable; Caroline Glinski, team player; Tyler Trowell, unsung hero; Patricia Dearing, HIPAA hero; and Lana Cahill and Regina Conner, best idea.

Chalk Talk 03/16/2016

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(Courtesy of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce)
(Courtesy of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce)

Citizens of the Month
The Greater Dade Chamber of Commerce recognized student Citizens of the Month for February, selected for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. Those honored were Nikki Lang, Academy at the Farm; Ava Mazurkiewicz, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Christian Williams, Saint Anthony Catholic School; Aubrey E. Prescott, Centennial Elementary; Maria Campos, Lacoochee Elementary; Ahmy S. Arca Jr., Pasco Elementary; Grace Harrison, Rodney B. Cox Elementary; Tyler Albritton, San Antonio Elementary; Gabriel Bishop, Centennial Middle; Garion D. Pope, Jr., Pasco Middle; Samuel Baldwin, James Irvin Education Center; and Jackson Hancock, Pasco High.

Head Start applications being accepted
The Pasco County Schools Early Childhood Programs Department will have open application days across the county for Head Start and Early Head Start for 2016-2017.

Expectant mothers and parents/guardians of infants, toddlers and children through age 4 may apply. Eligibility is based on family need and income.

Locations, dates and times are as follows:

  • Alice Hall Community Center, Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills, on March 29, April 26 and May 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • RCMA-The Stallings Building, 15029 14th St., Dade City, on April 20 and May 17, from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Lacoochee Elementary School, 38815 Cummer Road in Dade City, on April 20 and May 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • District Office Complex, Portable 23, 20425 Gator Lane in Land O’ Lakes, on April 28 and May 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

For required documents and information, visit PascoSchools.org/ecp, or call Alexis Russell at (727) 774-2730 or (813) 794-2730.

History fair at Porter Campus
Pasco-Hernando State College will host a Wesley Chapel History Fair on March 31 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Participants will hear stories and anecdotes relating to the area’s rich and colorful history with special presentations.

Madonna Jervis Wise will discuss her newest book, “Images of America: Wesley Chapel.”

  1. Thomas Touchton, founding chairman of the Tampa Bay History Center, will introduce the historical connection with Wesley Chapel and his exhibit at the center.

Angelo Liranzo, librarian, will provide a hands-on demonstration of local historical resources.

For information, visit PHSC.edu.

Constitutional essay contest
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, as part of Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’ Neill’s Constitutional Officers Essay Contest, will accept entries at his office. The contest runs through March 31.

The contest is for Pasco County middle school students in sixth to eighth grade. Students of Pasco’s public/charter, private, nonpublic and home-schools can participate.

In 500 words or less, students must answer the question “Do You Think Taxes Are Too High or Too Low? Why?”

Entries will be reviewed on how well the student communicates his or her response, as well as overall essay structure, appearance and readability.

Students in public/charter schools are asked to submit their essays to their principal, who will forward them to the tax collector’s office.

Students in private, nonpublic or home-schools may send essays directly to Greg Giordano, director of customer relations, Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, 8731 Citizens Drive, Room 120, New Port Richey, FL 34654.

Entries will be accepted up until 5 p.m., March 31.

For questions, call Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179.

Scholarship essay contest
The Holliday Karatinos Law Firm PLLC Scholarship Program is sponsoring an essay contest to help high school seniors and college students in Florida interested in pursuing an institution of higher education.

Students can submit a one-page essay of 600 words on Personal Injury: Concussions in Sports, addressing whether they think there is enough emphasis on safety in sports to prevent concussions, and what the student thinks should be done to curb concussions in high school athletics.

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent U.S. resident, be accepted to an institution of higher learning, and a high school senior (who is 18 years of age or older, or has written parental consent) or college student (two-year tech, four-year university, colleges, undergraduates).

A combined total of $4,500 in scholarship grants will be awarded.

The deadline for essay submissions is April 1. Winners will be contacted and announced by April 15.

For complete details, visit Holliday Karatinos Law Firm PLLC on Facebook.

03/26/2016 – Native plant sale

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The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will have a native plant sale on March 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. There will be a variety of nursery-grown native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, vines, grasses and groundcovers, free literature and nursery information, native plant books for sale, and a master gardener information table. For information, visit PascoNativePlants.org.

03/25/2016 – Walk of the Cross

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Florida Hospital Zephyrhills will host its annual Good Friday “Walk of the Cross” on March 25 starting at 5:30 p.m., at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 5316 11th St., in Zephyrhills. The walk is sponsored by the Zephyrhills-Wesley Chapel Association, and takes individuals on a 1.5-mile pilgrimage with stops outside seven Zephyrhills’ churches. Participants can take turns carrying the cross. A brief reading will take place at every stop. The walk ends at 6:45 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 38635 Fifth Ave., for a Good Friday service. Admission is free. The walk will take place rain or shine. For information, call (813) 783-6192.