The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

A family trio

By

Three-year-old Luey, left, and 2-year-old Jax are both Shih Tzus. Although they are not biologically related, they love each other like brothers. They currently are adapting to life with their new (human) baby sister, Scarlett. Luey and Jax live with their proud owner Amy Hin in Wesley Chapel.

Woodstorks soar like raptors

By

Elaine Parker said this curious woodstork came up to her truck while she was getting ready to take her dog for a walk in Zephyr Park. This bald-headed wading bird stands just over 3 feet tall, and roosts and nests in colonies in trees above standing water. Florida populations have declined as water management has become a more difficult problem.

Health News 05/24/2023

By

New partnership
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County is partnering with Pasco County Schools to provide WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) services at The Hub, at Gulfside Elementary School in Holiday, according to a news release.

WIC is a supplemental nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding assistance, and referrals for health care and community services.

Gulfside Elementary is a Community Partnership School that provides a range of services to families through innovative partnerships with agencies and organizations in the area, such as the University of South Florida, Premier Community HealthCare, the YMCA, and the Florida Department of Health-Pasco County. Providing WIC services on a school campus is a first for Pasco County.

WIC services will be available at Gulfside, 2329 Anclote Blvd., every Wednesday. 

OB/GYN accreditation
AdventHealth Tampa has announced the accreditation of its new Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program.

The four-year training will provide a learning environment that combines robust clinical experiences, including hands-on experience, new ways of learning, and opportunities to develop professionally, according to a news release.

AdventHealth’s residency program will focus on creating a culture of learning that aligns with its mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ.

The program welcomes people from all backgrounds, encourages people to fearlessly express genuine caring, compassion and empathy, and is deeply dependent on teamwork. The curriculum is evidence-based, employing the best practices in educational theory and state-of-the-art facilities, the release said.

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program will welcome new residents on campus in Summer 2024.

Those interested must submit an application online through the Electronic Residency Application Service from the Association of American Medical Colleges, at tinyurl.com/yc3fk5wt.

Applications must be submitted by Oct. 1 to be eligible for consideration.

Patrol cars get AEDs
AdventHealth Heart of Florida is teaming up with the Haines City Police Department to provide life-saving devices to help officers respond to emergency calls, according to an AdventHealth West Florida Division news release.

The hospital is donating seven AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) to be placed in patrol cars. An AED is a medical device used when a person is in cardiac arrest — pads are placed on a person’s chest, the machine monitors the heart rhythm and, if needed, delivers an electrical shock to help reestablish a normal heart rate. An AED can be more effective than CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) alone, when used during a heart attack.

Haines City Police Chief Greg Goreck said in the release, the donation is another example of a great partnership with AdventHealth that helps serve Haines City residents.

To learn more, visit AdventHealth.com.

Chalk Talk 05/24/2023

By

Blake Carroll (Courtesy of Carol Carroll)

Newly commissioned officer
Blake Carroll, of Land O’ Lakes, graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, with a degree in management, and was commissioned as an officer on May 17. He also was the captain of the academy baseball team, and set season and career home run records there. Carroll is a graduate of Bishop Mclaughlin High School, Imagine Charter School, and Lake Myrtle Elementary School. His first assignment will be to serve as deck watch officer on the Coast Guard cutter, Venturous, in St. Petersburg.

Pasco Graduations
Pasco County graduation ceremonies will take place at the University of South Florida’s Yuengling Center, 12499 USF Bull Run Drive in Tampa, unless otherwise noted. For more information, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us.

  • May 23: Pasco eSchool, 6 p.m., River Ridge High School Center for the Arts, 11646 Town Center Road, New Port Richey
  • May 25: Marchman Technical College, 6 p.m., River Ridge Center for the Arts
  • June 1: Wendell Krinn Technical High School, 6 p.m., in the school gymnasium, 7650 Orchid Lake Road, New Port Richey
  • June 2: Gulf High School, 9 a.m.; Anclote High School, 1 p.m.; Cypress Creek High, 6 p.m.; Pasco High, 7:30 p.m. (Pasco High stadium)
  • June 3: River Ridge High, 9 a.m.; Zephyrhills High, 1 p.m.; Wiregrass Ranch, 6 p.m.
  • June 5: Hudson High, 9 a.m.; Land O’ Lakes High, 1 p.m.; Wesley Chapel High, 6 p.m.
  • June 6: Fivay High, 9 a.m.; Sunlake High, 1 p.m.; JW Mitchell High, 6 p.m.
Dylan Lolley (Courtesy of Todd Lolley)

Coast Guard appointment
The United States Coast Guard Academy has recognized Dylan J. Lolley, of Wesley Chapel, for superior academic achievement and leadership potential.

Lolley attends Cypress Creek High School and has accepted an appointment to attend the Coast Guard Academy and will be sworn in on June 26 as a member of the Class of 2027.

Fewer than 400 appointments are offered annually for admission to the Coast Guard Academy.

Cadets receive a full tuition scholarship and monthly stipend for a five-year service commitment to the Coast Guard upon graduation. All graduates receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are guaranteed a position of leadership as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Coast Guard.

Robotics Teams win
The George Steinbrenner High School JROTC’s VEX Robotics teams traveled to the JROTC VEX Robotics National Championships, where 130 teams from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Space Command JROTC programs gathered to compete.

The Steinbrenner Warriors 1 team partnered with a team from JROTC Hawaii and finished first in their division.

The Steinbrenner Warriors 2 team partnered with a team from Indiana to finish first in their division, which set them up to face Warriors 1 in the final round for the national title.

Both alliances played a best-of-three titles match — Warriors 1 team won two out of three.

Warriors 1 earned the Divisional Champions and are the 2023 National Champions.

Warriors 2 are the runner-up in the national title, Divisional Champions, earned the Think Award for programming, and placed third in the skills competition.

Free summer program
The City of Zephyrhills Parks & Recreation will host a free summer recreation program from June 5 to July 6, Monday through Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. to noon, at R.B. Stewart Middle School, 38505 10th Ave., in Zephyrhills.

The program is open to students who have completed kindergarten through fifth-grade levels during the 2022-2023 school year.

Activities include art, bowling, movies, swimming, tennis, open gym activities, and more.

Space is limited to 120 students. Pre-registration is required online at ci.zephyrhills.fl.us/225/Summer-Recreation-Information.

Student achievements

  • Troy Bacon, Odessa: President’s List, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester
  • Sabrina Burke, Odessa: Omicron Delta Kappa, Rollins College, Winter Park
  • Raul Dopico, Lutz: Omicron Delta Kappa, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg
  • David Hernandez, Lutz: Dean’s List, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester
  • Lillian Hilt, Land O’ Lakes: Dean’s List, Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City, Tennessee
  • Amy Osterman, Lutz: Certificate Program, Family Nurse Practitioner, Carson-Newman University, Jefferson City, Tennessee
  • Meredith Padellaro, Lutz: Master of Science in Nursing, Regis College, Weston, Massachusetts
  • Sarah Shortridge, Odessa: President’s List, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester
  • Matthew Stewart, Odessa: President’s List, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester
  • Steve Turpin, Lutz: President’s List, Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester
  • Alice Washburn, Odessa: Marion Military Institute President’s List, Utah Military Academy

Best in Show
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis announced that Madeline Teague, a senior at Hernando High School, won the Best in Show at the 2023 Congressional Art Competition, in Land O’ Lakes. Teague used oil, acrylic and glitter to create her artwork entitled “Amour.” Her showpiece will be hung in the U.S. Capitol for the next year. The panel of judges, comprised of volunteers from Hernando and Pasco County Fine Arts Council, also chose a top piece of artwork from each county, which will hang in Bilirakis’ local offices for the next year.

  • Citrus County: Illiana Enger, Lecanto High, “Upstream”
  • Hernando County: Natalie Hartman, Spring Hill Christian Academy, “Faber Est Suae Fortunae”
  • Pasco County: Katelyn Morrison, J.W. Mitchell High School, “On Repeat”

Free art classes
The Prodigy Cultural Arts Program at Saint Leo University will offer free visual art classes for youth ages 10 to 13, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tuesday classes start on June 6 and will focus on clay work. Thursday classes start June 8 and will focus on studio art. The programs will take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Saint Leo University, 33701 County Road 52 (formerly State Road 52) in St. Leo, in the Fine Arts Building, Room 107.

Prodigy is sponsored by the University Area Community Development Corp. (CDC) and the State of Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

The program uses visual arts to help youths build life skills, including communication, leadership, goal-setting and problem-solving skills.

For enrollment information and an application for the classes, contact Fignole Desir at or 813-558-5212, ext. 502; or email Lisa Rapp McCall at .

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.

New classes at Lighthouse
Lighthouse Community School will begin offering classes for elementary school age children in the 2023-2024 school year, according to a news release. Lighthouse Preschool of Wesley Chapel already has 3- to 4-year-olds enrolled in its programs. 

The community school model brings together aspects of homeschooling and the benefits of classroom learning. Students are given qualified instruction on campus two days per week. Parents are responsible for homeschooling two days per week using the curriculum and lesson plans sent home by the classroom teacher.

“After many years of requests from parents, we decided to expand Lighthouse to include these older students,” said Director Heather Olsen, in the release. “Our plan is to begin with two teachers in a combined kindergarten/first grade class and to add additional classes as more people express interest.”

Lighthouse Community School is a Christian school that meets at Grace Community Church, and is located 1.5 miles north of State Road 54, near Wesley Chapel District Park.

For information, visit LighthouseWesleyChapel.com. To schedule a tour, call 813-994-8678.

Community dedication recognized

By

Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppes recently recognized its volunteers for their time and dedication.

Renee Wingeier, center, receives the President’s Volunteer Service Award from Bryanna Tanke, left, and Michelle Cooper. (Courtesy of Gulfside Hospice)

Two volunteers received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, an award that is given to individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.

The awards were given to Renee Wingeier, a volunteer at the thrift shop in Hudson, for her 8,833 hours of service since 2016, and Joan Foreman, a volunteer at the Lutz shop, for 4,590 hours of service since 2009, according to a news release.

“Our volunteers are such a special part of what we do at the Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppes, and because of them, we are able to raise as much funding as possible to support patients in need,” Aaron Barrish, director of Thrift Shoppes at Gulfside, said in the release.

Jennifer Schweikhart, right, presents the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Joan Foreman.

“Renee and Joan have given so much of their time to Gulfside, and we could not be more grateful for their time and service through the years,” said Barrish.

In addition to Wingeier and Foreman, awards were given for hours of service volunteered throughout 2022.

Eight volunteers received the Gold award for more than 500 hours of service; 26 volunteers received the Silver award for 250 to 499 hours; and 26 volunteers received the Bronze award for 100 to 249 hours.

In total, the 122 Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppes volunteers gave 17,017 hours of service throughout 2022.

Gulfside also recognized five volunteers during its appreciation activities for having more than 15 years of service: Frances Hunt, 17 years; Margaret Rice, 17 years; Jeanette Tatro, 18 years; Janet Toth, 15 years; and Mary Wainwright, 15 years.

The Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppes are primarily run by volunteers, and all proceeds from the stores go to benefit hospice patients and their families through Gulfside Hospice.

For more information, call 800-561-4883, or visit Gulfside.org/thrift-shoppes.html.

Published May 24, 2023

Soaring to new heights

By

From left: Jaymin Anzaldua, 18, Windsor Academy in Tampa; Logan Covington, 16, Steinbrenner High in Lutz; and Jackson Davis, Wendell Krinn Technical High in New Port Richey were among the Eagle Scouts honored at a recent Greater Tampa Bay Area Council of Boy Scouts of America reception. (Courtesy of Greater Tampa Bay Area Council of Boy Scouts of America)

The Greater Tampa Bay Area Council of Boy Scouts of America (BSA) recently recognized area Eagle Scouts for their community service, leadership and accomplishments, at a May 7 reception in their honor.

The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest in Scouting and requires earning at least 21 badges, completing an Eagle Scout community service project, and holding leadership positions in the Scouting unit. It can be earned by both boys and girls by their 18th birthday.

The council had 236 Scouts who earned the rank between May 1, 2022, and April 30, 2023.

The event also included the announcement of the council’s Eagle Scout Project of the Year by Jackson Davis of New Port Richey. Davis raised $15,000 and worked to turn an old school bus into a Mobile Food Pantry for Messengers of Hope Mission in Odessa. It has been named the BSA National Service Territory 16 winner of the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award for 2023.

Published May 24, 2023

These free fish can help fight mosquitoes

By

Mosquito season has officially begun and Hillsborough County residents will have various opportunities to pick up free mosquito fish this summer, at events across the county, according to a news release.

Hillsborough County is giving away fish to help people reduce mosquito populations near standing water, such as koi ponds or other water bodies. (File)

Homeowners can use the fish to help fight the insects on their property.

The free giveaways are only for Hillsborough residents who have intentional standing water, such as koi ponds or other bodies of water that are filled 12 months a year.

Mosquito fish fight mosquitoes before the insects can bite, by eating mosquito larvae. They are small enough to hide from predators, and their favorite food is mosquito larvae, according to the release.

Hillsborough operates its own mosquito fish hatchery to breed healthy fish for the giveaways.

The Mosquito Management Services educational trailer also will be on site at each event to help residents learn about eliminating the pests and to illustrate the work the county does to keep residents healthy and safe.

To receive fish, a resident must show photo ID proof of living in Hillsborough County so county staff can scan or enter the ID information into the county’s mosquito database.

Quantities of the fish are limited and will be available only while supplies last.

For a complete list of dates and locations for upcoming giveaways, visit HillsboroughCounty.org/en/newsroom/2023/04/28/fight-mosquitoes-with-free-fish.

Published May 24, 2023

In a ‘league’ of their own

By

(Courtesy of Carrollwood Service League)

The Carrollwood Service League, a nonprofit, serves the Tampa Bay community through various service projects.

This year, Liberty Manor for Veterans was chosen as the league’s Charity of the Year.

The charitable group raised a  total of $17,000 through a fashion show and luncheon and a check was presented to the veterans organization.

Liberty Manor’s mission is to promote the developmental and social needs of disabled and honorably discharged veterans who have fallen victim to homelessness. The group provides transitional supported housing and establishing objectives to contribute to self-sufficiency. 

For details regarding a Service League membership, email . For more information on Liberty Manor, call Connie Lindsay at 813-900-9422, or visit LibertyManor.org.

Published May 24, 2023

Water safety requires a watchful eye

By

Summer is fast approaching and parents are urged to be more vigilant for their children’s safety around pools and other bodies of water, whether at home or on vacation.

May is National Water Safety Month and drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death among children.

The American Lifeguard Association points out more than 33% of public pools have been impacted by a lifeguard shortage, whether by curtailed hours, reduced programs or outright closures, according to a news release.

With fewer lifeguards keeping watch over pools and beaches this summer, there is an increased drowning danger and water safety is even more important.

Here are some tips to follow:

  • Always designate a “water watcher” — an adult who has his or her eyes on the kids at all times and isn’t distracted by conversation, text messages or a cold alcoholic beverage.
  • Novice swimmers should wear a lifejacket in pools and lakes.
  • Enroll in swim and water survival lessons, even for infants.

To learn more about water safety and what to do in the event of an emergency, visit tinyurl.com/3u62etp2, for information from the Red Cross.

Published May 17, 2023