The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

A pause for reflection and gratitude

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Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United Sates for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It was originally known as Decoration Day.

The nonprofit Flags for the Fallen was established on May 14, 2012 for the sole purpose of ensuring that an American flag is placed upon every veterans’ gravesite at each national cemetery in the country in recognition of Memorial Day.

More than 3,000 volunteers, team leaders and area coordinators volunteered on May 28 to ‘plant’ a flag and offer gratitude to honor those buried at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, in preparation for the cemetery’s Memorial Day Ceremony on May 29.

The ceremony included a prelude with patriotic music, an introduction and welcome, the presentation of colors, the national anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, an Armed Forces medley, invocation, keynote speakers and special guests, a rifle salute, echo taps and a benediction.

For information about Flags for the Fallen, visit FlagsForFallenMilitary.org.

Wreaths Across America
When: Dec. 16
Where: Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell
Details: Volunteers can sign up to lay remembrance wreaths on the graves of the fallen heroes while saying the name of each veteran aloud.
Info: WreathsAcrossAmerica.org

Published June 07, 2023

American flags were placed by volunteers on each military gravesite in recognition of Memorial Day. (Mary Rathman)
Quiet, peaceful areas are offered for reflection at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. The cemetery was ‘decorated’ for Memorial Day.
More than 3,000 volunteers ‘planted’ American flags at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell in preparation for a Memorial Day Ceremony. 

Adding year-round garden color

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(Courtesy of Su Mellor)

The GFWC Wesley Chapel Woman’s club spent an afternoon painting stones to place in the garden the ladies created at Beach House Assisted Living. The residents now can view a colorful butterfly garden with added decorations. From left: Roberta Millard, Nancy Stikes, Esther Dean, Marie Ambrosino, Marcy Shepherd and Kim Hanscel. The woman’s club will meet on June 7 at Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, for those interested in learning more about its community projects.

Health News 06/07/2023

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Connie Bladon helps to pack produce bundles for vulnerable families. (Courtesy of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel)

A beneficial collaboration
AdventHealth Wesley Chapel collaborated with Atonement Lutheran Church’s Food Pantry and Dube’s Mobile Market on May 24 in an effort to provide fresh produce to families facing food insecurity in the community.

Volunteers assembled and distributed produce bundle bags, benefiting 540 vulnerable families, according to a news release.

Atonement’s pantry currently supports more than 500 local families on a weekly basis by providing essential food items. However, due to resource limitations, fresh produce has not always been available, the release said.

AdventHealth Wesley Chapel made the decision to fund the produce donation.

“AdventHealth Wesley Chapel has been in this community for 10 years and we know health care is about more than just treating illnesses, it’s about preventing illness and supporting a healthy lifestyle. By providing nutritious food to those who don’t normally have access to fresh produce, we can help support our community in maintaining a healthy diet and reducing the risk of chronic disease,” said Connie Bladon, director of community outreach, in the release.

In support of this initiative, Nicole Dube of Dube’s Mobile Market contributed $2,000 worth of fresh produce. Dube is an active partner with multiple local food banks.

(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Pinwheels for Prevention
GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club members Gail Howard, left, and president Elayne Bassinger attended a seminar and meeting in Tampa regarding the ‘Putting Children First Pinwheels for Prevention’ campaign, which raises funds through the sale of blue pinwheels to aid groups working with children who have suffered abuse. Bikers Against Child Abuse, a club that is similarly working to raise funds to bring awareness to child abuse, also attended.

Chalk Talk 06/07/2023

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(Courtesy of Melody Floyd)

Students recognized for community service
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce recognized its Community Involvement & Service Scholarship winners, all from Pasco High School. Sister Roberta Bailey, left, education committee chairperson, and Carolyn Hodges, right, education committee co-chairperson, congratulate Oliva Krol, Maggie Mashke, Gabriela Perez, Frida Rodrigues, Susanna Rom and Jordan Ware.

Water Awareness contest
More than 1,300 local students used their creativity to promote water conservation during the 14th annual Water Awareness Poster Contest. Students from 15 Pasco County elementary schools created artwork with the theme “We Need Water, Water Needs Us.”

Pasco County Utilities and the Florida Governmental Utility Authority, in collaboration with Pasco County Schools, hosted the competition. Judges use science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) learning standards when choosing the top posters. Winners receive trophies and gifts from the event sponsors.

Pasco County commissioners will recognize first-place students, in kindergarten through fifth grade, at their June 20 meeting. Winning posters will be on display in the lobbies of the West and East Pasco Government Centers through mid-August.

To learn more about next year’s program, visit WaterContest.org.

(Courtesy of Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce)

Student Citizens honored
The East Pasco Chamber Foundation in partnership with The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has recognized 10 students Citizens of the Month, for May. Students are chosen by their teachers and administration of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. The students honored were: Iva Kellerman, Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Dakota Shattuck, The Broach School; Alexander Sosa Cuza, The Broach School Elementary Campus; Ashley Montoya, Chester W. Taylor Elementary School; Jayci Hoogewind, East Pasco Adventist Academy; Nehemiah McClammah, Heritage Academy; Jordan Mitsch, Raymond B. Stewart Middle School; Christopher Le, West Zephyrhills Elementary; Evelyn Kamau, Woodland Elementary; and Siya Patel, Zephyrhills High.

Board meeting
The Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) District Board of Trustees will meet on June 20 at noon, at the PHSC East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road, Building A, in Dade City. Visit Policies.phsc.edu/district-board-trustees/agenda to see a copy of the agenda. For information, email Rhonda Dodge at .

HERricane Summer Camp
Pasco County Emergency Management invites high school students to take part in its inaugural HERricane program from July 17 to July 21 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Pasco County Emergency Operations Center, 8744 Government Drive, Building A, New Port Richey.

The free, weeklong program gives young women in ninth through 12th grades the opportunity to explore emergency management-related careers.

The program includes multiple sessions and activities with guest speakers. Each student will receive Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) certification upon completion. The program will count toward the student’s volunteer hours.

Incoming ninth-grade students can apply. Students younger than age 18 will need a parental/legal guardian’s signature.

Interested students should apply no later than June 16 by filling out an application that includes a short essay question, online at tinyurl.com/mw625fe8.

Summer Haul Bus Pass
Students can ride Pasco County Public Transportation (GoPasco) buses all summer through Aug. 31 for just $20. The special student-rate passes can be purchased at these places:

  • GoPasco Administrative Office, 8620 Galen Wilson Blvd., New Port Richey
  • Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office, East/West Pasco Government Centers
  • Pasco-Hernando State College bookstores – New Port Richey, Dade City and Wesley Chapel
  • County libraries, various locations

For more information on the pass and GoPasco bus routes and schedules, visit MyPas.co/SummerBusPass.

Scholarships awarded
The Knights of Columbus San Antonio Council 1768 awarded four $1,000 scholarships to one senior from each of the council’s four member parishes. The recipients were: Anna Anderson, Saint Anthony Parish; Maggie Mashke, Sacred Heart Parish; Frida Rodriguez, Saint Rita Parish; and Adeline Schiver, Saint Joseph Parish.

Student achievements

  • James Cook, Lutz: Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts
  • Hannah Drielick, Lutz: Dean’s List, Northern Illinois University-DeKalb
  • Daniel Higgins, Odessa: Business Administration, Finance and Accounting, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois 
  • Mykayla Christine King, Lutz: Dean’s List, Mars Hill University, North Carolina

Library reading program
The Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library will host its summer reading program with interactive events, reading challenges and prizes for all ages. Join the Reading Challenge, through the registration portal of Beanstack, to log reading and activities to unlock digital badges and prizes. The portal includes themed suggestions for kids, tweens, teens and adults.

Reading during the school-year gap can help critical thinking skills and the ability to retain information, as well as encourage an interest in reading for pleasure. Children can participate simultaneously in the Reading with the Rays program, too.

Pick up a Reading with the Rays game card at your library to be eligible for more prizes. Once a game card is completed, participants can turn it into their local library for a chance to win Tampa Bay Rays prizes, including tickets to a home game.

Visit MLB.com/rays/community/reading to download a game card.

Sonic donates to teachers
In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Month (May), Sonic Drive-In’s Sonic Foundation donated $1.5 million to match all public contributions made to requests on DonorsChoose, a national nonprofit that allows individuals to donate directly to public school classroom requests submitted by teachers, according to a news release.

Sonic helped fully fund nearly 15,300 projects from teachers and schools across the country, including two in Holiday that received a combined donation of $857. Gulfside Elementary School received funds for two projects: “Wiggle Seats for Wiggly Seats” and “First Year in First Grade…For All of Us!”

To donate to one or more of the public school teacher requests, visit DonorsChoose.org.

Ye Mystic Krewe scholarships
Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla announced it awarded 10 high school seniors from the Tampa Bay area with $120,000 in college scholarships.

Known for their pirating ways and stealing the key to the City of Tampa, the krewe has awarded $1,346,000 to students in Hillsborough County over the past 26 years through its community fund, according to a news release.

Tampa Bay area high school principals nominate one student for every 100 students or a fraction thereof in its graduating class. Nominees complete a comprehensive application, which then goes to a panel review. Finalists participate in face-to-face interviews before scholarship recipients are selected.

For more information, visit YMKG.com/ymkg-community-fund/.

Mya and Terrance love each other

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Mya is a husky and is a little more than a year old. She is still a puppy so she is a bit ‘crazy.’ Her best friend is Terrance, a brindle terrier mix rescue and the gentlest dog. Mya and Terrance live with proud owner Ellen MacNeil, and dad Rick, in Land O’ Lakes.

All about family

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Sue Dow snapped this photo of Muscovy ducklings at Zephyr Park. The ducklings will stay with their mom for 10 weeks to 12 weeks until they can regulate their temperature well enough on their own. They already know how to find their own food, but still need their family for warmth and protection.

Deputies rescue dolphin

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(Stock photo)

The mission of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) Maritime Operations Unit (MAROPS) is to make sure all are safe on the water.

In early May, MAROPS corporals were called to assist a different resident: a dolphin calf that was days- or hours-old, alone and in distress.

An off-duty PSO deputy was fishing off the coast of Hudson when he discovered the small dolphin swimming in circles and struggling to get above water to breathe.

The deputy contacted MAROPS and the young mammal was taken by boat to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Ultimately, the dolphin was transferred to the care of SeaWorld Rescue, where it was showing signs of improvement and swimming on its own.

Health News 05/31/2023

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Tom Craigshead, left, and Tom Mahoney, right, present the check to Carla Armstrong, director of philanthropy at Gulfside Hospice. (Courtesy of Gulfside Hospice)

A donation that ‘tips the scales’
The Bay Area Bassmasters presented a record-breaking donation totaling $12,710.69 to support Gulfside Hospice patients and families. The funds were raised through the fishing club’s annual Ina Mahoney Hospice Challenge, which was created in 2009 to celebrate the life of former member Ina Mahoney and to support Gulfside in gratitude for the care she received. With this year’s donations, the club has now raised nearly $65,000 in support of Gulfside Hospice.

Addressing mental health
The University of South Florida (USF) is partnering with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay due to a demand for guidance on how employers can address mental health.

The USF College of Behavioral and Community Sciences is offering a free, online course designed to help managers and employees become more well-versed in addressing mental health and its impact on their organizations.

Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace is a seven-session course that covers symptoms of some of the most common mental and behavioral disorders, how to identify behaviors that may suggest an impairment and how to approach the employee.

The course also will include information on available resources to help businesses attract and retain top talent.

A new, two-hour sessions will be released each week starting on June 12, with all sessions becoming available at the end of July. 

The course features 40 speakers from organizations and corporations across the country, such as Tampa Electric, Bealls and USAA.

The group of professionals includes executive coaches, intervention specialists and several USF faculty and staff members who have an expertise in mental health and human resources.

Registration is required, at tinyurl.com/339thefu. For more information, visit USF.edu/MHWW.

Upon completion of the course, participants have the option to earn a certificate and digital badge from the USF Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education for a $179 fee.

Gulfside donation
Gulfside Healthcare Services has announced it received a donation from the DeBartolo Family Foundation, which will support the direct services of its Family Bereavement program that provides grief and traumatic grief counseling at no cost.

“We are humbled by the generosity of the DeBartolo Family Foundation and appreciative of their support so that we may continue to strengthen our local community. This recognition from such a supportive local partner allows our organizations to work together to continue creating powerful and lasting impacts in the lives of many Pasco County and Tampa Bay area residents,” said Linda Ward, president and CEO of Gulfside, in a news release.

Chalk Talk 05/31/2023

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Sarah Robison will serve on a youth council to advocate for a healthier, safer planet. (Courtesy of Sarah Robison)

Environmental youth council
Sarah Robison, of Lutz, a college sophomore and youth leader in environmental activism, has been selected to serve on Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Program’s 2023 Future Blue Youth Council (FBYC), a global group of diverse young leaders who will work together to empower peers to advocate for a healthier and safer future for the planet.

The Bow Seat Ocean nonprofit program is based in Massachusetts and its mission is to engage youth in ocean conservation and advocacy through arts.

The youth council members will mentor grantees of the international Fellowship Program, a by-youth, for-youth FBYC initiative that provides funding and guidance to young people who are addressing water-related challenges in their local communities.

Robison was selected from more than 50 applicants worldwide and will join 13 other young leaders on the 2023 Future Blue Youth Council.

Robison was awarded first place in the A Voice for Animals contest by the Humane Education Network and Animal Welfare Institution, in 2020.

Currently, she is the founder and president of the CARE Club, an international organization of high school and college students who are committed to making a positive impact on the planet.

Those interested can visit the club’s Instagram page: @careclub2023_2024.

For information about the youth council, visit BowSeat.org/get-involved/alumni/future-blue-youth-council.

Merit Scholars announced
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced this year’s National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners. The 2,500 students were chosen from more than 15,000 outstanding finalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program.

The scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised information submitted by both the finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.

Each award is supported by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s own funds. These area students are among the $2,500 scholarship winners:

  • Thehan V. Atalugama, Land O’ Lakes High (Probable career field: Science/Research)
  • Andrews S. Domonkos, Land O’ Lakes High (Finance)
  • Kartikeye Gupta, Steinbrenner High (Science/Research)
  • Allen Ho, Land O’ Lakes High (Environmental Engineering)
  • Rishabh Kanodia, Land O’ Lakes High (Computer Science)
  • Saneyah Khan, Academy at the Lakes (Neuroscience)
  • Diganto N. Ray-Sarkar, Wesley Chapel home-school (Biomedical Engineering)
  • Joshua K. Selvan, Hillsborough High (Medicine)
  • Andria Wang, Land O’ Lakes High (Computer Engineering)
(Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Commencement celebrations
More than 1,300 students participated in Saint Leo University’s commencement ceremonies on May 13, at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Students from the university’s main campus, its Florida locations, and those who study online throughout the world came together to celebrate their achievements and receive their doctoral, master, bachelor and associate degrees. University Campus undergraduate students received their bachelor and associate degrees, while graduate students in the College of Education and Social Services received their doctoral degrees in criminal justice and education, and master degrees in criminal justice, education, emergency and disaster management, human services administration, instructional design, and social work.

CSI Summer Camp
Saint Leo University will offer its CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) Summer Camp from June 18 through June 24 at the campus, 33701 County Road 52 (formerly State Road 52) in St. Leo.

The camp is open to rising high school juniors and seniors, ages 15 to 18, with parental consent.

Campers will experience hands-on and behind-the-scenes evidence collection, documentation and preservation as they work a variety of mock crime scenes.

Participants should expect to be involved in:

  • Practical exercises lifting fingerprints, casting foot and tire impressions, drawing and photographing evidence
  • Learning about types of bugs relating to crime scene decomposition
  • How to dig up human remains
  • Exercises about interview, interrogation and legal aspects of CSI, and then presenting their findings to a mock grand jury

Campers also can experience residence hall life and join other campers for meals, swimming, movies and other evening activities.

For more information, contact Nikki Heister at or 352-588-8487.

To register, visit CSICamps.totalcamps.com/shop/Event.

Student achievements

  • Maxwell Gebhart, Wesley Chapel: Master of Science (Biology), Minnesota State University-Mankato
  • Marissa Schabes, Lutz: Dean’s List, Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina
  • Alice Washburn, Odessa: Dean’s List, Marion Military Institute, Marion, Alabama

Online academy debuts
Covenant Journey Academy (CJA) recently made its national debut at the National Religious Broadcasters convention and at the Florida Parent Educators Association, which is the nation’s largest homeschool convention, according to a CJA news release.

The CJA is a full-service, kindergarten through 12th grade, online Christian academy available to anyone around the world, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It has more than 150 courses taught by certified teachers.

The academy’s mission is to offer families a biblically integrated alternative to an on-campus classroom.

In addition to homeschool, Covenant offers Christian school affiliation options. 

CJA also offers six languages, including Spanish, French, Latin, German, Chinese, and American Sign Language. Students can begin Spanish as early as kindergarten.

To learn more, visit CJ.Academy online, or call 407-875-1967.

Homeschool Conference
The Tampa Bay Homeschool Conference is scheduled for July 22 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at The Common at Trinity, 1540 Little Road in Trinity.

The keynote speakers will be Brenda Dickinson, founder/president, Home Education Foundation; and Nicole Thomas, founder/CEO of Nicole the Math Lady.

The conference’s mission is to inspire, educate and empower the community. Whether you are new to homeschooling, wondering if homeschooling is right for your family, or you’re a homeschooling veteran, there will be something for everyone at this event.

For details, visit TampaBayHomeschoolConference.com.

Eddy loves running water

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Eduarda, aka Eddy, loves to sit and rest in a prim and proper way! She loves to watch her owner do the dishes. Her favorite thing is running water and she has even learned to turn on the bathroom faucet for a drink. Eddy lives with her proud owner, Beth Musgrove, in Zephyrhills.