Mary Rathman

Two-for-one shot

November 16, 2022 By Mary Rathman

This American kestrel and a grackle didn’t seem to mind sharing the same spotlight when Lillian Cucuzza, of Land O’ Lakes, found them perched side by side at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex on Collier Parkway.

Health News 11/16/2022

November 16, 2022 By Mary Rathman

Joanne McCarn, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North director of patient services (Courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

Hospital receives redesignation
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz this year was redesignated as a Pathway to Excellence Program through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, following its previous designation from 2017 to 2021. The current redesignation is good through 2026, according to a news release.

The program recognizes health care organizations for positive proactive environments where nurses excel, nursing leadership fosters a collaborative culture, and hospital policies reflect nursing input where patients and nurse safety come first.

“This (designation) is important in the nursing profession because nurses have to have their voices heard. It’s an opportunity for nurses to bring up areas they want to improve and ways to improve. We work together as a team to move forward toward those objectives,” said Joanne McCarn, director of patient services, in the release.

The director oversees nursing personnel at the hospital, and leads and evaluates the nursing team, and helps to set nursing objectives and long-term goals.

“The designation is important for patients to know that their nurses are their advocates,” said McCarn.

(Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

New pre-op unit aims for a smoother transition
AdventHealth Dade City has unveiled its new 4,500-square-foot pre-operative (pre-op) unit. The space has doubled in size and features eight private bays to substantially decrease infection risks for patients, and provide families with a calm environment before surgery. Clinical teams have direct access from the pre-op to the operating room, which contributes to a smoother flow of patient transport.

Chalk Talk 11/16/2022

November 16, 2022 By Mary Rathman

Sunlake’s raven mascot shows off the numerous Acts of Kindness recorded by students during a Raise Craze fundraiser. (Courtesy of Lynnette Offutt)

Crazy about kindness
The Sunlake Academy of Math and Science PTSO (Parent, Teacher, Student Organization) last month hosted a Raise Craze fundraiser. Students logged their AOKs (Acts of Kindness) and placed a heart on a kindness tree, and celebrated with a Kindness Karnival — a day of sports and friends.

The final stats from the fundraiser:

$56,533 total raised
3,063 Acts of Kindness logged
Top Raising Class: $3,335
Top AOK Class: 254
Two top-earning students; three top AOK elementary students; three top AOK middle school students

The Raise Craze team and volunteers worked diligently to make the fundraiser a success, along with Sunlake families, teachers and staff.

Investiture ceremony
Saint Leo University will host an investitute ceremony of the Papal Knighthood of the Order of St. Gregory for Rabbi A. James Rudin on Nov. 20 at 1 p.m., according to a news release.

Rudin is one of the co-founders of the university’s Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies.

Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston will conduct the ceremony on behalf of Pope Francis.

This is the third time in history a pope is honoring an American rabbi with the Papal Knighthood of the Order of St. Gregory the Great. This also marks the first time in his papacy Pope Francis is granting the honor to a Jewish person, the release said.

Student news
Payton VanNort, of Lutz, is a crew member for Marietta College’s (Ohio) performances of “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.”

VanNort, who is majoring in theater directing, will fill the role of an assistant stage manager in the production.

Music performance
As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, Pasco-Hernando State College will host the band Decades Replay on Dec. 1 from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., at the West Campus Performing Arts Center, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey.

Decades Replay is a tribute band that plays ’70s, ’80s, ‘90s and 2000s music across the nation and is nd is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The band covers the biggest hits by artists such as Madonna, Michael Jackson, Guns N’ Roses, Duran Duran, Prince, Journey, Cyndi Lauper, The Cure, Pat Benatar, The Cars and many others. Costumes, props and performance provide a full decades stage show.

The cost of admission is $50. For information and tickets, visit PHSC.edu and click on the 50 Anniversary banner at the top.

Emerging Scholars Program
As part of Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) celebration of National First-Generation Student Day, its Kelly/Strul Emerging Scholars Program has announced applications are now open for the Class of 2027, according to a news release.

The Scholars Program offers academically gifted, first-generation, low-income high school seniors the opportunity to graduate from FAU, debt-free.

Selected scholars will receive four-year financial aid packages for tuition, on-campus housing, books, a meal plan and additional resources needed to complete their college degree, the release said.

“First-generation students need support from a network of resources in order to pursue their academic goals,” said Aubrey Strul, co-founder of the Scholars Program, in the release.

“Our vision is to provide the financial, academic, social and career guidance necessary to level the playing field for Florida’s bright, capable future scholars,” Strul said.

Prospective emerging scholars must meet the following criteria:

First-generation student (defined as parents not having attended college)
2023 high school graduate
Accepted to FAU for the Fall 2023 semester

As part of the application process, future scholars need to submit a completed FAFSA application to assess eligibility for Federal Pell Grant funds, commit to enroll in 30 credits per academic year, and agree to live on campus for all four years.

Applications must be submitted by Feb. 1.

For information on applications, email Dr. Keven Allen, director of First-Generation Student Success, at .

To learn more about the Emerging Scholars Program, visit KellyStrulScholars.fau.edu.

Using a 529 account for education
Setting up a 529 account is a good way to save for education costs, according to the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA). These education savings accounts get their name from the governing section of the federal tax code.

Saving for college in a 529 account isn’t the only option.

The 529 plan in some states allow people to save for kindergarten through 12th grade education, as well as for college, according to a news release.

The funds from some plans also may be used for apprenticeship programs, or even to repay college loans.

And accounts don’t always have to be opened by parents. Grandparents and other relatives can open accounts for children. In some states, adults can open accounts to save for their own college education.

Money withdrawn from a 529 account generally is free of federal tax, as long as it is used for qualified eucational costs, which include tuition and fees, room and board, books, computers, and certain expenses for special-needs students.

Withdrawals also may be exempt from state taxes, depending on where the account holder or beneficiary lives.

Find out what your state offers before setting up a 529 account, and check into 529 accounts that aren’t limited to specific states.

KHEAA is a nonprofit agency established to improve students’ access to college, and provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents.

To learn more, visit KHEAA.com.

Band program headed to D.C.
The Pasco High School Band Program, under the direction of Kyle Spence, is set to head to Washington D.C., from May 25 to May 30, to perform in the National Memorial Day Parade.

The “Marching Band of Pirates” also are scheduled to perform in front of the Lincoln Memorial, and will visit the Smithsonian Museums and Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at the World War II Memorial and the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier.

If you would like to donate to the band’s trip, visit PHS.pasco.k12.fl.us/dc-page/. A schedule of the trip also is on the website.

A daylight time change signals a battery change

November 8, 2022 By Mary Rathman

Daylight saving time ended on Nov. 6 and Pasco County is asking residents to remember to replace the batteries in the back-up memory of their irrigation controller, and to check all irrigation settings for proper watering days, times and durations.

The controller’s back-up memory prevents the device from resetting to factory default settings, in the event of a power outage.

The default settings may range from three or more irrigation events weekly, and can result in a significant and unexpected increase in costs, according to a news release.

Residents should refer to the user manual for their individual controller make and model for specific information about memory retention.

Irrigation in Pasco County is day and time specific.

Additional information regarding watering days, times and settings can be found online at bit.ly/PascoWatering.

Published November 09, 2022

Offering a bit of dignity, and courage

November 8, 2022 By Mary Rathman

Hillsborough County Children’s Services is accepting donations of new or gently used duffel bags and suitcases through its Duffels of Dignity program.

Often, children in foster care or those escaping domestic violence or homelessness do not have proper luggage to store their belongings and instead use garbage bags.

The program aims to “help fill them with courage.”

Donations that are accepted include:

New or gently used duffel bag (24 inches to 28 inches) or suitcase (wheelie bags, suitcases with handles and backpacks all are accepted)
Personal care items
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Comb and brush
Shampoo/conditioner
Deodorant

All personal care items should be new and in their original packaging.

Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Hillsborough County Children’s Services, 3191 Clay Magnum Lane in Tampa.

Duffels to Dignity also has an Amazon Wish List, and the items can be mailed through the website directly to the Children’s Services campus. To see the items on the wish list, visit Amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/B6IAUACIID21.

Published November 09, 2022

With the holidays approaching, keep packages safe

November 8, 2022 By Mary Rathman

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) frequently receives reports of package theft, especially as the holiday season approaches.

To help eliminate the opportunity for thieves to steal packages, the PSO offers these tips:

Have shipments made to a community office or a trusted neighbor.
Schedule a delivery day/time when you are available.
Leave specific instructions for delivery that include a location out of sight from the road.
Request curbside or in-store pickup from retailers.
Use delivery lockers if available near you.
Install a visible surveillance camera.

Following these safety tips can help to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of theft.

For additional safety information, visit the PSO’s social media channels.

Chalk Talk 11/09/2022

November 7, 2022 By Mary Rathman

(Courtesy of Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce)

Student Citizens of the Month
The East Pasco Chamber Foundation in partnership with the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce recognized nine students as Citizens of the Month for October. Students are chosen by the teachers and administration of their individual schools for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community. This is the 25th year the Zephyrhills Chamber has honored students through the program. Receiving recognition are: Kamryn Morfey, Academy of Spectrum Diversity; Rylee Bowman, Chester W. Taylor Elementary School; Eva Pena, Heritage Academy; John Blandford, Raymond B. Stewart Middle; Gov Ramirez and Esmerelda Soto, The Broach School; Dexter Balch, West Zephyrhills Elementary; Adriele Jerabek, Woodland Elementary; and Tessa Starnes, Zephyrhills High.

Centennial Fall Festival
Centennial Middle STEM Magnet School, 38505 Centennial Road in Dade City, will host a Fall Festival on Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festival will include food, pumpkin painting, a petting zoo, pumpkin bowling, a fall photo booth, pumpkin tic-tac-toe, STEM activities, haybale lassoing, scarecrow contest, bouncy house, music and more. For information, call 352-524-9700.

School Choice events
Mark your calendar with the following dates related to School Choice in Pasco County:

Nov. 14 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Pasco Pathways Expo, at River Ridge High School
Nov. 17 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Pasco Pathways Expo, at Wesley Chapel High School
Jan. 9 to Jan. 20: Pasco Pathways Application Window
Feb. 27 to March 8: Notification and Acceptance Window

For more information, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/schoolchoice.

Fee adjustments meeting
Pasco-Hernando State College’s (PHSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT) will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at a Nov. 15 meeting at 6 p.m., at the Instructional Performing Arts Center in Wesley Chapel.

Fee adjustment proposals are reviewed and approved for DBOT consideration by PHSC’s Council of Academic Affairs.

Many fee adjustments relate to vendor increases for workforce courses, laboratories, and program testing.

Some fees may be covered by financial aid, scholarships and grants.

For details regarding proposed fee adjustments, justification for the fees and fee implementation details, visit Policies.phsc.edu, and click on Policies and Procedures, and then Public Disclosure.

School grants awarded
The Southwest Florida Water Management District awarded $107,969 in grants to 58 educators within the district, as part of the Splash! school grant program.

The program provides up to $3,000 per school to enhance student knowledge of freshwater resources, for kindergarten through 12th grade.

Splash! grants encourage hands-on student learning through STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities, as well as engagement of the greater school community through awareness campaigns.

The district awarded grants to these schools/teachers in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area:

East Pasco Education Academy: Dr. Jose Olmo
Pine View Elementary School: Jaime Gauvin

Grants are available to support water education programs and activities that are focused on water cycle basics, freshwater or estuarian ecosystems, water quality and water conservation.

For more information, visit WaterMatters.org/SchoolGrants.

Rudin is one of the co-founders of the university’s Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies.

Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston will conduct the ceremony on behalf of Pope Francis.

Student initiation
Marissa Rakauskas, of Odessa, was initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Rakauskas was welcomed into the society at Jackson University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Financial Aid tip
High school students who plan to play college sports must make sure they are eligible. Requirements differ for the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics or the National Junior College Athletic Association, according to the Kentucky High Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA).

Athletes at an NCAA Division I or Division II school must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Home-schooled students must register at the Eligibility Center and meet the same requirements as other student-athletes.

NCAA Division III schools don’t give athletic scholarships. Students who want to play sports at a Division III school should contact the school to find out what its policies are.

Students who want to play sports at an NAIA college or university must register with the NAIA Eligibility Center.

To play sports at an NJCAA school, students must have a high school diploma or a GED. Home-schooled students must meet different requirements.

KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency established to improve students’ access to college.

For more information and details on financial aid tips, visit KHEAA.com.

Afterschool Meals Program
Pasco County Schools has announced the approval of 51 schools for participation in the Afterschool Meals Program, a subcomponent of the Child Care Food Program.

Afterschool Meals is designed to provide nutritious food to children participating in afterschool programs on campus. Approved schools hosting these activities (including PLACE) after school hours will have the ability to provide meals.

These schools in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area have been approved to participate in the program: • Elementary schools: Centennial, Chester Taylor, Lacoochee, New River, Pasco, Quail Hollow, R.B. Cox, San Antonio, West Zephyrhills, and Woodland

Middle high schools: Centennial, East Pasco Education Academy, Pasco, R.B. Stewart
High schools: East Pasco Education Academy, Pasco, Zephyrhills

Parents should contact the coordinator of the program their child is participating in, to determine if meals will be provided.

Health News 11/09/2022

November 7, 2022 By Mary Rathman

A member of one of Gulfside Hospice’s grief support groups takes part in a painting workshop, to help ease the pain of their loss. (Courtesy of Gulfside Hospice)

A creative outlet for grief
The bereavement services team at Gulfside Hospice hosted a painting workshop for those in the organization’s grief support groups, as another outlet for them to channel their pain and understand their emotions.

During the workshop, the group followed along with an instructional video and created their own masterpiece on canvas, as they worked through their emotions and grief.

“We find that giving people outlets to create where there is loss is very helpful. They get to put beauty back into their world,” said Lynda Woodring, manager of caregiver support and bereavement services at Gulfside, in a news release.

“They enjoy the socialization that happens in these settings also, as it allows them to meet new friends and talk with people experiencing similar situations,” said Woodring.

Other hands-on workshops are planned, including a Holiday Grief Workshop where participants can make an ornament in memory of their loved ones.

For more information about bereavement services or upcoming workshops, call 727-845-5707.

Take Back Day a success
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) partnered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for a Prescription Take Back Day on Oct. 29.

Citizens dropped off their unused and expired medication to be disposed of properly and kept out of the wrong hands.

PSO members and volunteers collected approximately 394 pounds of medications.

For future DEA Prescription Take Back Days and other PSO community news, follow PSO on social media, or visit News.PascoSheriff.com.

Sunrise Shelter fundraiser
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club hosted a fundraiser to benefit the Sunrise Shelter of Pasco County, a domestic violence facility that has long provided free emergency shelter and services to women and children in need of protection.

The club has supported this facility for many years and particularly during October, which is designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The women were proud to present a donation of $1,000 to the shelter’s mission, as well as a truckload of handbags filled with personal hygiene and other needed items for the women and children in residence.

Dutchess is a resilient dachshund

November 7, 2022 By Mary Rathman

About a month ago Bonnie Caston, of Zephyrhills, found out that her 6-year-old dachshund, Dutchess, needed to have both her eyes removed. Bonnie said Dutchess amazes her every day, going up and down the stairs, and going back to her spunky self. Dutchess’ motto is: ‘I may be blind, but I am not handicapped.’

Endangered, but not yet extinct

November 7, 2022 By Mary Rathman

The Laker/Lutz News staff writer Mike Camunas snapped this photo of a beautiful monarch butterfly in his parent’s yard in Land O’ Lakes. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s addition of monarch butterflies to its “endangered” species list this past summer underscores the importance of protecting these winged creatures.