The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

A unique hitchhiker

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(Courtesy of Pasco County)

A GoPasco bus driver snapped this photo along Little Road in New Port Richey. The alligator seemed to be waiting in the shade to hopefully snag a bus ride, to escape the heat.

Chalk Talk 07/26/2023

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Incredi-Bowl Z’Hills
The fifth annual Incredi-Bowl Z’Hills will take place on July 29 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Pin Chasers in Zephyrhills, to benefit local youth and education programs, scholarships, and other community service projects.

The event will include prizes for the winning team, a wine raffle, and raffle prizes. Individual play is $45. Team play (five bowlers) is $200. All tickets include two hours of bowling, rentals, and unlimited drinks and food.

Sponsorships are available. For information, call Vicki Wiggins at The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce at 813-782-1913.

Back-to-School Drive-Thru
The Church @ Myrtle Lake, 2017 Reigler Road in Land O’ Lakes, will host a Back-to-School Drive-Thru on July 29 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., for kindergarten through 12th-grade students. Backpacks and school supplies will be provided for each child, while supplies last.

For information, visit MyrtleLake.com.

Academy Open House
Prelude Academy of the Arts, 14249 Seventh St., in Dade City, will host a Back-to-School Open House on July 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will include light refreshments, a tour of the studio, information about upcoming events, and sign-up for group classes or private lessons.

For information, visit PreludeAcademy.com.

Back-to-School Bash
The sixth annual Bullard Family Foundation’s Back-to-School Bash, in partnership with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and presented by AdventHealth, Fran Haasch Law Group and Skanska, will return to Raymond James Stadium on July 29.

Guests can pick up a free backpack filled with school supplies, and take advantage of free medical, dental and vision services, as well as complimentary haircuts, food and entertainment. Admission is free and open to the public.

Registration is not required, but families must register for medical, dental and eye care services, online at tinyurl.com/BASHMEDICAL2023.

To register for backpacks, visit tinyurl.com/BASH2023Backpack.

Back to School Bash
Zephyrhills Chick-fil-A, 7490 Gall Blvd., will celebrate its second birthday with a Back to School Bash on July 29 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This community celebration will include giveaways, games, free health screenings and more. No registration is required.

Erase the Need
Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy C. Millan announced the annual school supply drive to “Erase the Need” for teachers and students in Hillsborough County, through the month of July.

Each year, the Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF) distributes supplies to serve around 100,000 students, according to a news release. Supplies are available to teachers in Title 1 schools to shop for much needed classroom resources, for free.

Items such as backpacks, pencils, paper, notebooks, and more can help make a big difference in a student’s life.

To find a tax collector’s office near you for donation drop-off, visit HillsTax.org.

To learn more about HEF and how to help, visit EducationFoundation.com.

Class Registration Open
The Straz Center Patel Conservatory’s registration is now open for dance, music and theater classes. Fall classes will begin Aug. 28.

Patel offers more than 100 classes, ranging from tap dance to musical theater to improv to trumpet ensemble, for students of all ages and experience levels.

New classes this year include Scene Study and Yoga for the Performer.

Homeschool classes such as Homeschool Theater and Homeschool Performing Arts are held on Wednesdays.

Some classes require auditions. Registration for auditions can be done online at StrazCenter.org/auditions or by calling 813-222-1040.

Registration for fall classes is online at PatelConservatory.org, through email , in person at the Patel Conservatory Admissions Office, or by calling 813-222-1040.

To arrange a tour, call 813-222-1029 or email .

Donation Drive
Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices will collect donations in July for the Pasco County School District’s ABC (Assist, Believe & Care) Program. ABC was created to provide financial assistance to students and their families who are experiencing economic hardship, especially when those needs interfere with the student’s ability to be academically successful.

“While the impact of COVID may be lessening, there are still many other challenges caused by these uncertain economic times,” Fasano said, in a news release.

“The strain can be enormous on a family, especially when a parent loses a job, or a single parent is struggling to raise children while doing all they can to make ends meet. Children without food, adequate clothing or other unmet needs often suffer academically,” said Fasano.

Cash donations go into a fund teachers can use when they see or learn of a need a student may have.

The donations can be made at any of the tax collector’s five office locations in Pasco County, or they can be mailed to: Tax Collector Mike Fasano, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526. In the check’s memo line, write “Pasco ABC Program.”

For information, call 727-847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

It’s not too late for a hurricane checklist

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Florida is in the midst of its hurricane season, which started June 1 and ends Nov. 30.

After assessing damages done from hurricanes in the past few years, Floridians are encouraged to have at least seven days of supplies, including food, water, medicine and batteries, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management website.

Every family and business is advised to stock up adequately and to prepare to face the season.

The Emergency Management group offers affordable disaster prep tips such as picking up at least one nonperishable food item on every grocery trip to build a disaster supply kit over time.

Items can include, but are not limited to: canned fruits, vegetables and meats; bottled water; nonperishable pasteurized milk; protein or fruit bars; dry cereal or granola; and peanut butter.

Visit FloridaDisaster.org/kit to download and print a checklist that covers first aid, documents, food and water, pet care items, clothing, phone numbers, vehicles, and general items such as medications, cash, cellphone chargers, and books and games for children.

For information about planning for any disaster and preparedness tips, visit FloridaDisaster.org or Ready.gov/.

For business owners who want to ensure their ability to continue business after a disaster, visit FloridaDisaster.org/business/planning-for-businesses/, to start planning.

Published July 19, 2023

Health News 07/19/2023

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Mike Murrill (Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

New president/CEO named
AdventHealth has named Mike Murrill president and CEO for AdventHealth Zephyrhills, AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Connerton, effective July 30, according to a news release.

Murrill started his career with AdventHealth more than 20 years ago as an administrative resident. 
He most recently served in the Southeast Region of AdventHealth, where he led AdventHealth Redmond in Rome, Georgia, through its transition into the AdventHealth system, in addition to his role as regional CEO.

Previously, he served as president/CEO of AdventHealth Gordon and AdventHealth Murray, also in the Southeast Region, as well as president/CEO of UChicago Medicine AdventHealth LaGrange and UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale in the Great Lakes Region.
Murrill earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Andrews University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado and is a Fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives. 

“I’m honored to step into this new role and join the talented team extending Christ’s healing ministry in West Florida,” said Murrill in the release. “AdventHealth has passionate and highly skilled leaders and caregivers across its continuum of care, and I’m excited to start working with our colleagues in Zephyrhills, Dade City and Connerton.”

Luke Schmid (Courtesy of JDRF Northern Florida Chapter)

Lutz youth advocate
Eleven-year-old Luke Schmid, of Lutz, recently visited Washington D.C., to represent type 1 diabetes (T1D) face-to-face with decision-makers in the government at the JDRF Children’s Congress.

Schmid called on members of Congress to renew the Special Diabetes Program, a federal program funded at $150 million per year to support research to prevent, cure and treat T1D. The program is set to expire in September.

The youth shared his experiences about living with T1D and why research to fund life-changing therapies until a cure can be found is critical.

Schmid loves to play soccer and read, and is a part of his school’s engineering club.

Schmid previously met with members of Congress through Promise to Remember Me meetings with his mother.

Mental health services
Christie Campus Health, a provider of mental health and well-being support services to colleges and universities nationwide, has announced a partnership with The University of Tampa (UT) to offer its students access to the 24/7 Clinical Support Line, according to a news release.

“We are delighted to partner with The University of Tampa to help them expand mental health services for their students,” said Kaitlin Gallo, Ph.D., Christi Campus chief clinical officer, in the release.

“The 24/7 Support Line gives students instant access to licensed clinicians at any time, anywhere. The resource will be a great asset to not only students, but faculty as well,” said Gallo.

Students also will be connected to next steps, if required, to ensure they receive the mental health support they need.

Christie Campus currently offers its comprehensive mental health platform to more than 100 colleges and universities, supporting more than 700,000 students nationally and internationally.

To learn more, visit ChristieCampus.com.

Hospital Honor
The American Heart Association recently recognized AdventHealth Zephyrhills with the Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Award. The hospital team also achieved Stroke Honor Roll Elite, which recognizes the facility for administering the life-saving drug TPA to stroke patients within 45 minutes of arriving at the hospital. This honor highlights the AdventHealth Zephyrhills’ efforts in applying the most up-to-date, evidence-based treatment guidelines to improve patient care and outcomes in the community.

Cutting-edge technology
AdventHealth Wesley Chapel announced the purchase of cutting-edge technology for its hematology department that aims to significantly expedite the turnaround time for cancer test results, according to a news release. The AdventHealth Wesley Chapel Foundation provided more than $400,000 in donations for this addition to the lab.

The new Sysmex and Cellavision technology allows one scientist to complete about three to five times as many patient samples at a time.

The new Sysmex performs a complete blood count, makes a slide if needed, stains the slide, and transitions the slide to the Cellavision.

The Cellavision then captures many microscopic pictures and uses mathematical formulas to categorize the blood cells, the release said.

Scientists then review the images, reclassify them as necessary, and provide results quickly.

The new lab technology also will cater to the growing demand for oncology services in Pasco County, while easing the workload of the health care team, through a more integrated and automated diagnostic process.

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel expanded its oncology services just over two years ago, recognizing the increasing and crucial need for cancer treatment in the county.

Chalk Talk 07/19/2023

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School Supply Drive
Davron, an executive search and outplacement firm in Land O’ Lakes, is hosting its annual Back-to-School Supply Drive, to benefit Christian Social Services (CSS) of Land O’ Lakes. CSS provides food, clothing and other services for disadvantaged families throughout central Pasco and northern Hillsborough counties.

Needed donations include: pencils/pens/colored pencils; washable markers/Expo markers; pencil sharpeners; crayons; paper; spiral/composition notebooks; safety scissors; Elmer’s glue and glue sticks; folders; calculators; and erasers.

Items can be dropped off at 8429 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Monday through Friday, between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., until July 27. 

Donations also can be made through an Amazon wish list, at Amazon.com/registries (search for “Davron”).

Back-to-School Drive-Thru
The Church @ Myrtle Lake, 2017 Reigler Road in Land O’ Lakes, will host a Back-to-School Drive-Thru on July 29 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., for kindergarten through 12th-grade students. Backpacks and school supplies will be provided for each child, while supplies last. For information, visit MyrtleLake.com.

Back-to-School Bash
The sixth annual Bullard Family Foundation’s Back-to-School Bash, in partnership with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and presented by AdventHealth, Fran Haasch Law Group and Skanska, will return to Raymond James Stadium on July 29.

Guests can pick up a free backpack filled with school supplies, and take advantage of free medical, dental and vision services, as well as complimentary haircuts, food and entertainment.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required, but families must register for medical, dental and eye care services, online at tinyurl.com/BASHMEDICAL2023. To register for backpacks, visit tinyurl.com/BASH2023Backpack.

Back to School Bash
Zephyrhills Chick-fil-A, 7490 Gall Blvd., will celebrate its second birthday with a Back to School Bash on July 29 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This community celebration will include giveaways, games, free health screenings and more. No registration is required.

Erase the Need
Hillsborough County Tax Collector Nancy C. Millan announced the annual school supply drive to “Erase the Need” for teachers and students in Hillsborough County, through the month of July.
For almost 35 years the Hillsborough Education Foundation (HEF) has been committed to strengthening public education through advocacy, investment of resources, and programs that empower every student to achieve academic and personal success.

Each year, HEF distributes supplies to serve around 100,000 students, according to a news release. Supplies are available to teachers in Title 1 schools to shop for much needed classroom resources, for free.

Items such as backpacks, pencils, paper, notebooks, and more can help make a big difference in a student’s life.

To find a tax collector’s office near you for donation drop-off, visit HillsTax.org.

To learn more about the Hillsborough Education Foundation and how to help, visit EducationFoundation.com.

Class Registration Open
The Straz Center Patel Conservatory’s registration is now open for dance, music and theater classes. Fall classes will begin Aug. 28.

Patel offers more than 100 classes, ranging from tap dance to musical theater to improv to trumpet ensemble, for students of all ages and experience levels. New classes this year include Scene Study and Yoga for the Performer. Homeschool classes such as Homeschool Theater and Homeschool Performing Arts are held on Wednesdays.

Some classes require auditions. Registration for auditions can be done online at StrazCenter.org/auditions or by calling 813-222-1040.

Registration for fall classes is online at PatelConservatory.org, through email , in person at the Patel Conservatory Admissions Office, or by calling 813-222-1040.

To arrange a tour, call 813-222-1029 or email .

Incredi-Bowl Z’Hills
The fifth annual Incredi-Bowl Z’Hills will take place on July 29 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Pin Chasers in Zephyrhills, to benefit local youth and education programs, scholarships, and other community service projects. The event will include prizes for the winning team, a wine raffle, and raffle prizes.

Individual play is $45. Team play (five bowlers) is $200. All tickets include two hours of bowling, rentals, and unlimited drinks and food.

Sponsorships are available. For information, call Vicki Wiggins at The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce at 813-782-1913.

Student achievements

  • Scott Abramson, Odessa: Dean’s List, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington
  • Trinity Alvarez-Wilson, Lutz: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
  • Skylar Barnes, Lutz: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
  • Austin Brown, Lutz: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
  • Averie Bennett, Odessa: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
  • Hannah Coleman, Lutz: President’s List, Tallahassee Community College
  • James Cook, Lutz: Dean’s List, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts
  • Matthew Daniels, Lutz: President’s List, Tallahassee Community College
  • Jamie Denney, Lutz: President’s List, Tallahassee Community College
  • Colin Frederick Gaynor, Odessa: Dean’s List, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Brett Gwinn, Lutz: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
  • Joshua Harris, Odessa: Scholastic Honor Roll, Oregon State University
  • Logan Hinsberg, Odessa: Dean’s List, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Graydon Horn, Odessa: Dean’s List, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Noah Kilpatrick, Lutz: Dean’s List, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
  • Brycen Lowe, Lutz: Dean’s List, Carthage College, Kenosha, Wisconsin
  • Jaeden Lowther, Odessa: President’s List, Kennesaw State University, Georgia
  • Ryleigh Mcelroy, Lutz: President’s List, Tallahassee Community College
  • Miller Raeckers, Lutz: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
  • Robert Thomas, Lutz: Dean’s List, Tallahassee Community College
  • Christiana Till, Odessa: Dean’s List, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

Diablo is a ‘spicy’ companion

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Diablo is a 7-year-old chihuahua from Kentucky. He loves going on walks with his dad and taking naps with his mom. He may only weigh 4 pounds, but he’s a chunky boy at heart and loves all food! He’s a little spicy sometimes, but gives the best snuggles. Diablo lives in Land O’ Lakes with Kasey Taylor.

Our country’s national symbol

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John Oddo, of San Antonio, captured these incredible photos of a bald eagle at the Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club. These regal birds of prey measure 30 inches to 40 inches from head to tail, with a 7-foot  to 8-foot wingspan, and weigh from 8 pounds to 14 pounds. The distinctive white head and tail feathers appear when the eagles mature at 4 or 5 years old. Bald eagles are believed to live 30 years or longer in the wild.

Girl Scouts earn ‘gold’ for their achievements

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Thirty-two young women across the Tampa Bay area have earned the most prestigious award in Girl Scouting — the Gold Award. They were honored on June 10 at the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida’s (GSWCF) Annual Gold Award Ceremony, according to a news release.The award is the highest achievement a Girl Scout can earn, available to girls in high school who create a significant and sustainable positive change in a community.

Gold Award recipients address the root cause of a problem, plan and implement innovative solutions to drive change, and lead a team of people to success.

These young women were among the 32 teens that were honored with the highest achievement of Girl Scouting — the Gold Award. (Courtesy of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida)

Earning the Gold Award distinction were: Emily Allen, Skylar Anderson, Courtney Bennett, Yasmine Bouanani, Shaw Bouley, Abigail Cardoza, Georgia Chandler, Elaine Feaster, Isabela Fry, Riley Glogowski, Alexis Hatch, Madison Hurst, Lauren Kacinko, Nitya Katwala, Edy Krook, Emma Lefferts, Presley Lomel, Mariam Masud, Silvana Messina, Isha Patel, Saylor Purks, Emma Ream, Lisa Rosario, Kathleen Roset, Taylor Russell, Audrey Shelby, Samantha Squires, Maggie Warren, Abigail Weber, Emma Weiland, Amanda Whittlesey and Ayla Yebba.

“These Gold Award Girl Scouts courageously made a lasting impact throughout the Tampa Bay Area and beyond – and as a result, they know they have the power to do it again,” Cami Gibertini, GSWCF board president, said in the release.

The 2023 Gold Award Girl Scouts in West Central Florida invested more than 3,200 hours in planning and implementing projects that tackled many pervasive issues.

Each year, the projects are evaluated by the High Awards Committee for various scholarship opportunities.

The GSWCF Scholarship was presented to Emily Allen for her project that created community gardens to promote mental health initiatives.

Elaine Feaster’s literacy awareness project and Samantha Squires’ rain garden projects earned each of them an Ann Hensler Scholarship — an award established in 1999 in memory of former GSWCF CEO Ann Hensler. 

In addition, a $10,000 GSUSA Gold Award Scholarship will be presented later this summer to a GSWCF Gold Award Girl Scout whose project exemplifies the core components of the Gold Award and demonstrates extraordinary leadership to drive lasting change in her community and beyond.  

To learn more about the 2023 Gold Award Girl Scouts in West Central Florida, visit GSWCF.org/en/events/gold-award-ceremony.html.

Published July 12, 2023

New initiative focuses on residents’ food knowledge

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Hillsborough County Extension Services has announced a community initiative to educate and engage residents on their local food system  — on the production, distribution, marketing, access and consumption of food.

Hillsborough County Extension wants to hear from residents about the county’s food system. (File)

The “Homegrown Hillsborough” program will focus on community nutrition, food entrepreneurship and agricultural production designed to strengthen the relationship that county residents have with their food, according to a news release.

To help develop the initiative, residents are asked to complete a survey to help the county create food system programs and projects relevant to the interests and values of residents.

The goal of the survey is to discover what aspects of the food system Hillsborough County residents are interested in learning more about. It will gather information on these topics;

  • Interest in buying locally grown food
  • Interest in growing your own food
  • Knowledge of food insecurity in Hillsborough County
  • Accessibility to foods that promote a healthy lifestyle
  • Maintaining a robust agricultural economy
  • Preserving local farming

Residents living in urban, suburban and rural areas in Hillsborough can participate in the survey, which will be available through the end of the year.

Visit sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/hillsborough/homegrownhillsborough/ to access the survey online.

Published July 12, 2023

Grant cycle open for organizations that provide autism services

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Purchases of the Florida Support Autism Specialty License Plate generate funds to support nonprofit organizations that provide direct services for individuals with autism and related disabilities within the state.

(File)

“By purchasing a specialty license plate, individuals not only show their support but also contribute to funding the exceptional work carried out by organizations providing vital autism services across the state,” said Kim Vassar, chair of the Autism Services Grants Council in Florida, in a news release.

During 2022, the council awarded a total of $141,000 in grants to 19 Florida-based nonprofits, the release said.

Recently, it celebrated the sale of its 13,000th license plate.

“Every license plate on our roadways serves as a rolling billboard, raising awareness and reminding everyone that individuals with autism are an integral part of our community,” Vassar added.

All nonprofit organizations with a current Internal Revenue Service designation as a 501(c)(3) exempt organization and a current State of Florida Charitable Solicitation Registration number that provide services to individuals with autism and related disabilities in Florida are eligible to apply for grants.

Grant funds can be used to purchase vehicles, real property, building improvements, or for capital campaigns, endowments, lobbying, research, incurred debt, and program expenses incurred prior to grant approval.

Grant awards are for one year and will not exceed $10,000.

All proposals are due by July 31 and are available online at AutismLicensePlate.com/grant-application/.

Published July 12, 2023