The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Cooper and Charlotte are pals

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Cooper and Charlotte enjoy long walks, chasing balls and playing with each other. They are great company for each other and they love cuddling with their human ‘golden’ mama. Cooper and Charlotte live with Dar Keppel in Land O’ Lakes.

Winter visitors

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Sue Dow snapped this group of pelicans at Zephyr Park. Unlike the brown pelican, which is found year-round in Florida, and non-breeding white pelican juveniles, healthy adult white pelicans are winter visitors to the state. And did you know that a group of these birds can be known collectively as a brief, a pod, a pouch, a scoop and a squadron?

Harp player brings soothing sounds to patients

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Judy Raab, “musician in residence” at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz, administers a different kind of medicine to the patients there.

“My hope is to improve the hospital environment, bring down the stress level and humanize being in the hospital,” Raab said, in a news release from the hospital.

Judy Raab is a ‘musician in residence’ at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz. (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

She plays for two hours a week, asking patients if they are open to a music session.

She usually plays for them in their rooms or in an area just outside their rooms where patients can hear her. If she plays for a patient, her session is charted on the patient’s medical record, similar to them receiving medicine.

The Carrollwood resident is a certified music practitioner and has played harp for more than 35 years, including 10 years at St. Joseph’s North.

She plays for patients, staff and visitors and is compensated through BayCare’s spiritual care department and St. Joseph’s Hospitals Foundation, according to the release.

Raab said the instrument is a good fit for the hospital environment due to its soothing and soft nature.

“The harp is not overwhelming like a wind instrument that can occupy a whole room,” Raab said, in the release. “With the harp, I can project directly to that individual person.”

The musician has written about her work and has been published in scholarly journals on the subject. She holds a unique degree: a Master of Arts (MA) in arts in medicine from the University of Florida. The degree teaches people how to safely and effectively engage the arts, like music, into health care environments.

Raab said her work is rewarding. “It is very satisfying and fulfilling to use my skill set and be certified to play in hospitals,” she said. “It is nice to hear a patient say ‘This is really cathartic, it is really helping me.’”

Raab also plays the harp at hospitals at St. Joseph’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, in Tampa, as well as other health care facilities.

Published March 15, 2023

Help the shelter to help the rescues

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Pasco Friends of Animal Services is dedicated to enriching the lives of pets at the Pasco County Animal Shelter, in Land O’ Lakes, and improving the likelihood of adoption into loving homes. The primary focus of the campaign is to build up the medical fund, which will help enhance the health, welfare and environment of sheltered animals.

During the month of March, Pasco Friends of Animal Services will be the featured charitable giving organization at Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s office, according to a news release.  

“Without question, our medical fund improves the quality and length of those sick and injured animals’ lives and helps them get into their fur-ever homes sooner,” said Abbey Cox, president of Friends of Animal Services, in the release.

“For many of the animals, the medical fund makes the difference between living a happy life and not. On behalf of our board of directors we thank every donor and dedicated employee of the Pasco Tax Collector’s Office for helping to change an animal’s life,” said Cox.  

Donations can be made at any of the tax collector office locations. For more information, visit PascoTaxes.com, or call Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector/Communications & Special Projects, at 727-847-8179.

For more about Pasco Friends of Animal Services, visit FPCAS.org, or call Bridget Mire at 813-929-1212, ext. 1418.

Published March 15, 2023

Community contest recognizes landscaping

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Hillsborough County Extension Service is seeking entrants for the annual Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards competition.

(File)

The awards have been presented for 20 years to individuals and businesses that have demonstrated the best use of irrigation systems or techniques that conserve water resources and protect the environment.

Those interested in being considered for the award can enter by submitting an online application by midnight on June 30.

The entry must include photos that show the landscape from the front, back and sides. 

Finalists will receive an on-site evaluation by a county Extension Office representative, along with a local water utility representative.

The awards aim to promote appropriate gardening habits and to recognize community members who are committed to creating sustainable landscapes, according to a news release.

Nearly 50% of water used at home goes into yard maintenance, the release said.

But the Hillsborough County Extension Service wants to remind residents that it is possible to have a Florida-Friendly landscape with little water other than rainfall.

The winner will receive a handmade steppingstone.

For more information about the program, visit Awards.TampaBayWaterWise.org.

To submit an online application, visit Awards.TampaBayWaterwise.org/enter-your-landscape/.

Published March 15, 2023

Chalk Talk 03/15/2023

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(Courtesy of Centennial Elementary School)

Elementary student wins award
Kayden Pennington, a student at Centennial Elementary School in Dade City, was awarded Pasco County’s Dade City Center for the Arts Georgia O’Keeffe award at the County Fair, which took place Feb. 20 through Feb. 26. Pennington, holding her award-winning art piece, stands alongside Centennial art teacher Katie Sutton.

New forensics program
Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) Explorer Post 916 now offers an innovative new forensics branch, according to a PSO Facebook post. The program will provide those ages 14 to 21 with the opportunity to learn about the world unmanned aerial systems (or drones) and forensics from experienced professionals at the PSO. The new branch will meet at Safety Town, 15362 Alric Pottberg Road in Shady Hills. To learn more, visit PascoExplorers.pascosheriff.com/drones-forensics-program/.

Transition Services Night
Cypress Creek High School, 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, will host an ESE Transition Services Night on March 22 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., in the school cafeteria. The event is for all Pasco County Schools students and their families to learn about agencies and services for children and young adults with special needs. Dinner will be provided. Reservations must be made by March 20 online at EventBrite.com or by email to . Registrants must include the total number of people attending.

Math hotline
Hillsborough County Public Schools offers a free Math Homework Hotline/Show on select Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., for students who need help with math. On Spectrum Channel 635 and Frontier Channel 32, tutors start taking calls at 5:30 p.m. (call 813-840-7260), followed by a live broadcast at 6 p.m., featuring a variety of topics.

Upcoming shows are: March 23, Pythagorean Theorem; March 30, Transformations; April 13, Statistical Measures; April 20, Data Displays; April 27, Semester 2 Review; and May 4, Algebra Review.

Phone lines are only available during the live shows. For more information, visit MathHomeworkHotline.com.

School officially named
A new school for kindergarteners through eighth-graders, being constructed off Curley Road, has been named Kirkland Ranch K-8.

The Pasco County School Board selected the name from a list of 60 suggestions, during the board’s March 7 meeting.

The new magnet school, scheduled to open in the fall of 2024, will be on the same campus as Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation and a charter school operated by Pepin Academies, through a unique partnership between the school district and Pepin.

Kirkland K-8 is expected to attract middle school students primarily living within the boundaries of Thomas Weightman, John Long and Centennial middle schools and its elementary-aged students primarily from Watergrass, Wesley Chapel and San Antonio, and even farther out, Double Branch, Seven Oaks and Wiregrass elementary schools.

Other names suggested for the new school included DeSantis, Epperson, Boyette, Kelly Boyd K-8, Creo, Dick Butkus School of Knowledge, Discovery Ranch Academy, Double Branch Academy of Innovation, Elon Musk Magnet School, Barack Obama, Dr. Martin Luther King, Independence, W.E.B. Dubois Academy, Wonders and World’s Best School.

Hillsborough scholarships
The Hillsborough County Community Action Board Scholarships, worth up to $5,000, are available to eligible Hillsborough County students who want to continue their post-secondary education.

The scholarships can be used at trade schools, community colleges or for university programs, and are awarded to students to help alleviate some of the financial burden of tuition. The scholarships are for the 2023 fall semester.

Read the full 2023 application package online, at tinyurl.com/225tdxjx, to ensure all documents are complete and requirements are met. Eligibility guidelines are subject to change based on grant requirements. Applications are due by March 24.

For questions, call 813-272-5220.

Republican Party scholarship
The Republican Party of Pasco will award a $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior.

Student requirements are: 

  • Must be a registered (or pre-registered) Republican
  • Have a cumulative 3.0 GPA
  • Be a current senior of any Pasco County high school (public, private, charter, vocational or home-school)
  • Must attend an accredited community college, university or vocational school in Florida

Applicants are required to write an essay and answer the question, “What is the importance of conservative values for young people in today’s world?” The deadline to apply is March 24.

For information, visit PascoGOP.com/rpop-scholarship/.

Bounce Party benefit
The Union Park Charter Academy, 32775 Oldwoods Ave., in Wesley Chapel, will host a Pasco Kids Bounce Party on March 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., to benefit the academy, hosted by the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel.

The event will include 16 inflatables for kids with obstacle courses, bounce houses, slides, games and more. Food also will be for sale. The cost is $20 per child for a play-all-day wristband. Parents are free and must supervise their children and be present at all times.

To buy tickets, visit Pasco Kids Bounce Party on Facebook. For information, call 813-358-7306.

Easter breakfast
The East Pasco Education Academy, 35830 State Road 52 in Dade City, will host Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on April 1 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. There will be a pancake breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., followed by an Easter Egg Hunt, games and a petting zoo area for children ages 12 and younger, who will receive an Easter bag.

The pre-purchase ticket price is $10 per person. Free cinnamon rolls to the first 50 people who register. For information and to register, visit tinyurl.com/4ek3a4n3.

Woman’s club scholarships
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club will award $5,000 Lutz Volunteer Firefighter Endowment scholarships to two Lutz resident students and three additional $2,000 awards, for a total of $16,000 in scholarship grants. The club is accepting applications from high school seniors with a Lutz or Land O’ Lakes home address.

Applications can be found online at GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org. The deadline to submit is April 3.

For questions, email Lucy Albury at .

Celebrating educators
Irish 31 Pub House and Eatery, its iCare Foundation, and community partners are celebrating the I.R.I.S.H. (influential, reliable, impassioned, selfless, humble) in those who have an undeniable impact on youth. 

The sixth annual iCare Foundation Cheers to Public Service Awards will reward 25 extraordinary local educators — teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade in Hillsborough, Pasco or Pinellas counties. Those chosen will receive $1,000 plus other gifts from friends of the program.

For more information and to nominate someone, visit Irish31.com/cheers. The deadline is April 7.

Student achievements

  • Scott Abramson, Odessa: Dean’s List, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington
  • Chelsea Aquino, Odessa: graduate of The University of Tampa
  • Jaime Arredondo, Lutz: graduate of The University of Tampa
  • Camryn Bliss, Lutz: Chancellor’s Honor Roll, University of Mississippi
  • Charles Clerc, Odessa: Dean’s List, University of Maryland Global Campus
  • Mikayla Croissant, Lutz: President’s List, Flagler College, St. Augustine
  • Caitlyn Culpepper, Odessa: Chancellor’s Honor Roll, University of Mississippi
  • Jackie Figueredo, Lutz: Dean’s List, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne
  • Daniel Higgins, Odessa: Dean’s List, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinoi
  • Zoe Howell, Dade City: Dean’s Academic Honor List, Baylor University, Robbins College of Health & Human Services, Waco, Texas
  • Olivia Jablonski, Odessa: Dean’s List, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama
  • Natalia Kaminski, Wesley Chapel: Honor List, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla
  • Brady Lindauer, Land O’ Lakes: Dean’s List, Saint Mary’s University, Winona, Minnesota
  • Brycen Lowe, Lutz: Dean’s List, Carthage College, Kenosha, Wisconsin
  • Max Martino, Lutz: Dean’s List, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne
  • Kelsey Mitchell, Odessa: graduate of The University of Tampa
  • Cassidy Mizzi, Lutz: graduate of The University of Tampa
  • Aaron Molloy, Lutz: graduate of The University of Tampa
  • Holly On, Odessa: graduate of The University of Tampa
  • Carly Price, Odessa: President’s List, Husson University, Bangor, Maine
  • Vasant Ramnarine, Lutz: Dean’s List, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne
  • Victor Reyes, Lutz: Dean’s List, University of Maryland Global Campus
  • Madeline Rodriguez, Lutz: President’s List, Flagler College
  • Emily Rogers, Lutz: Dean’s Academic Honor List, Baylor University, Robbins College of Health & Human Services, Waco, Texas
  • Kaitlyn Ryan, Lutz: Dean’s Honor Roll, University of Mississippi
  • Emara Saez, Lutz: Dean’s List, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts
  • Angelo Sardegna, Lutz: Dean’s List, Curry College, Milton, Massachusetts
  • Julie Stevens, Odessa: graduate of The University of Tampa
  • Savanah Tribbe, Odessa: Presidents, List, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, South Carolina
  • Thea Wangsness, Dade City: Dean’s List, University of Minnesota Twin Cities
  • Laura Watford, Odessa: Dean’s List, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama

New heart failure unit opens

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Team members of AdventHealth Tampa’s new Advanced Heart Failure Unit attend its ribbon-cutting. (Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

AdventHealth Tampa has announced a new 20-bed unit dedicated to patients diagnosed with heart failure. The new unit allows AdventHealth’s board-certified cardiologists to provide advanced therapies and highly specialized care to patients who have the most progressed stages of the disease, according to a news release.

“With this unit in the hospital, we are able to work together with physicians in other areas to fully understand the comprehensive needs of our patients and provide a better care plan,” said Dr. JaMia Washington, fellowship-trained cardiologist in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology, in the release.

“We have access to mechanical therapy support that can keep a heart beating, lowering the need for a heart transplant or improve a transplant patient’s health while they wait for a new heart,” said Washington.

Drs. Gus Agocha, JaMia Washington, Oliver Abela, Rozales Swanson and Merna Armanious are leading the heart failure program for patients at AdventHealth Tampa. They are part of a team of more than 70 board-certified cardiologists and providers serving patients in the Greater Tampa Bay area.

Heart failure symptoms include shortness of breath; chronic coughing or wheezing; swelling in feet, ankles or legs; dizziness; nausea or lack of appetite; and sustained exhaustion or weakness.

To speak to a physician or to find out more, call 813-644-4572 or visit AHMGTampaBay.com.

All for one, and one for all

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Lonna Vizzari has a menagerie of beloved pets at her home in Lutz. Here, Mittens shows Dust how to drink out of the sink, and Blaze tells Shadow and Honeybear what they can and can’t do in the house. Vizzari said her pets are very attentive.

 

Kingfisher on patrol

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John Oddo spotted this belted kingfisher at the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club in San Antonio. The belted kingfisher often is first noticed by its wild, rattling call as it flies overhead. It can be seen perched high or hovering, then plunging headfirst into the water to grab a fish. These birds sometimes come into backyards that contain ponds or goldfish pools.

A budding naturalist

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Doug Stentz, of Dade City, snapped this photo of his great granddaughter, Briella, staring intently and closely at a caterpillar, giving it a full inspection. Stentz said his granddaughter is 2 years old and loves nature.