Mary Rathman

A friendship is born

August 30, 2022 By Mary Rathman

Lady ‘Addie’ Adeline is a 10-month-old Airedale Terrier that sits very attentively and watches cows in the pasture. On this particular day, a calf came to the fence to greet her and cow-watching turned to cow-kissing (licking). After a few kisses and licks, Addie motioned, as dogs do, to say, ‘let’s play,’ but the calf skittered off with the herd. Addie lives in Lutz with her mom, Rose Llauget, and watches for the cattle every day, waiting to see her new friends.

On a snail search

August 30, 2022 By Mary Rathman

Betsy Crisp set up a wildlife camera on the water’s edge of Treasure Lake, in Land O’ Lakes, while she was on vacation. This limpkin stopped by several times and seemed to pose for the camera! Limpkins forage by walking in shallow water, searching for snails visually, and by probing in mud and floating vegetation.

Flip has earned his name

August 23, 2022 By Mary Rathman

Flip was adopted when he was 3 years old from the Humane Society in Tampa. He had a rough start in life, and it took him a while to learn how to be a dog. From the first night in his new home, Flip began stealing and relocating his owner’s flip-flops, hence his name. Flip loves toys, and in this photo he is supervising the repair of his well-loved ‘Mr. Bill.’ Flip lives in Land O’ Lakes with his mom, Elizabeth Vig.

An afternoon siesta

August 23, 2022 By Mary Rathman

Leslie Ann Baker recently noticed this large, sleepy white pelican roosting on a rock, on the shore at Zephyr Lake in Zephyrhills. Unlike most pelicans, Baker said this bird didn’t seem to mind her approaching it. One of the largest birds in North America, with a 9-foot wingspan, the white pelican is similar to the brown pelican in shape, but much larger. The white pelican also feeds cooperatively in shallow lakes and does not dive from the air for fish.

Health News 08/24/2022

August 23, 2022 By Mary Rathman

Chief operating officer named
HCA Florida Trinity Hospital has announced the addition of Matthew Johnston as chief operating officer (COO). Johnston will oversee daily operations with direct supervision of the hospital’s essential departments, according to a news release.

Johnston comes from The Medical Center of Aurora, an HCA system in Colorado, where he was vice president of operations and chief staffing officer. His executive leader responsibilities included rehabilitation services, respiratory therapy, laboratory, wound care, facilities, construction, environmental services, food services, security and guest services with more than 500 caregivers across five campuses, including a Level II trauma center, behavioral health and wellness facility, a boutique surgery hospital and a free-standing rehabilitation facility, the release said.

He joined HCA in 2012 as an administrative resident, and quickly rose through a variety of positions and responsibilities within the Colorado hospitals.

Johnston joined HCA Florida Trinity Hospital on Aug. 15 of this year.

New Urgent Care opens
Tampa General Hospital has opened a new Urgent Care at 13531 State Road 54 in Odessa, as of Aug. 15.

The facility will cover: infections, coughs, cold and flu symptoms; minor burns, fractures, sutures and more; primary care services; MVA and employer solutions; laceration, fracture and orthopedic care; on-site X-ray and DME; expanded lab-based testing options; and an exceptional patient care experience, according to a news release.

The Urgent Care will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
For information, visit FastTrackUrgentCare.com.

Chalk Talk 08/24/2022

August 23, 2022 By Mary Rathman

Apps parents should know
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) recommends parents and guardians talk with students about safe and appropriate behavior online, and stay aware of what apps students are using.

According to the PSO Facebook page, here is a list of apps (updated August 2022) that parents should look out for:

ASK.FM is known for cyberbullying. The app encourages users to allow anonymous people to ask them questions.
BADOO is a dating and social networking app where users can chat, share photos and videos, and connect based on location. The app is for adults, but teens are known to create profiles.
BUMBLE is similar to the popular dating app Tinder. Kids have been known to create fake accounts and falsify their age.
CALCULATOR% is only one of several secret apps used to hide photos, videos, files and browser history.
DISCORD allows users to talk to friends or strangers in real-time via voice, text or video chat, while playing video games. Users have reported being confronted with racial slurs, explicit content and cyberbullying.
GRINDR is a dating app geared toward LGBTQ+ people, and gives users options to chat, share photos and meet up based on a smartphone’s GPS location.
HOLLA is a video chat app that allows users to meet people all over the world in just seconds. Users have reported being confronted with racial slurs, explicit content and cyberbullying.
HOT OR NOT encourages users to rate your profile, check out people in their area, and chat with strangers. The app’s goal is to ‘hook up.’
KIK allows anyone to contact your child directly, bypassing traditional text messaging features and giving users unlimited access to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
LIVE.ME is a live-streaming video app that uses geolocation to share videos; users can earn “coins” as a way to “pay” minors for photos.
MEETME is a dating social media app that allows users to connect with people based on geographic proximity, and users are encouraged to meet each other in person.
OMEGLE is a chat app connecting users with strangers. Criminals may use the app to exploit children, often recording the video chat and using it for blackmail.
REDDIT is a chat/discussion board app. Users can post whatever they want, with no identity verification. Users have reported being confronted with racial slurs, explicit content and cyberbullying.
SKOUT is a location-based dating app and website. Users younger than the age of 17 cannot share private photos, but kids can create an account using a different age.
SNAPCHAT in recent years has been one of the most popular apps. Users can take a photo/video and are promised it will disappear, but features allow users to view content for up to 24 hours.
TIKTOK, the mobile device app, is popular with kids for creating and sharing short videos. It has very limited privacy controls, and users can be vulnerable to cyberbullying and explicit content.
WHATSAPP, a popular messaging app allows users to send texts, photos, voicemail, make calls and video chat worldwide. The app uses an internet connection on smartphones and computers.
WHISPER is an anonymous social network that promotes sharing secrets with strangers. It also reveals a user’s location so people can meet up.

Scholarship benefit
BCMF Calstrong in Trinity/Odessa and LiveFit in Hudson are partnering to host their first Walk-A-Thon on Sept. 10, at 11539 Pyramid Drive in Odessa.

The event will benefit The Ashley Morrison Heart Scholarship for Pasco County high school athletes. Any remainding funds will be donated to meningitis research.

For more information, call 727-842-7000.

Classroom grant program
The Pasco Education Foundation helps to leverage money from the community to support local schools, to fund projects that improve student learning and make a positive, long-term impact in the classroom.

The grant program serves to provide schools and educators with an opportunity for financial support for innovative and creative curriculum, special activities, and classroom or school projects.

Innovative Classroom Project applications for 2022 are now open.

Every teacher has ideas to help their students engage in learning, and the foundation is looking to bring these to fruition in the classroom.

The grant program provides teachers across Pasco County the financial resources they need to inspire learning. (Individual projects have a limit of up to $1,000. Group projects may vary.)

To read all the guidelines and complete an application, visit PascoEducationFoundation.org/departmentsschool/. Applications are due on Sept. 12.

School Fishing Club
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) 2022-2023 School Fishing Club Program offers school fishing clubs or teams the opportunity to apply for the Florida R3 Fishing Grant.

The grant program is focused on engaging youth anglers to ensure the future of fishing in Florida.

The Florida Sport Fish Restoration R3 Grant will award up to 40 high school fishing clubs or teams $500 to assist with club expenses, the purchase of fishing licenses or gear for the participants.

The grant program is open to new or existing freshwater and/or saltwater fishing clubs or teams in public, private and charter schools throughout Florida.

To be considered for the grant, the clubs or teams must have a minimum of five members and be represented by a school faculty member or parent who will follow the provided instructor’s manual.

Applications can be found online at MyFWC.com/SFC — scroll down to “Florida’s R3 Fishing Grant Program.”

The deadline for submitting applications is 5 p.m., on Sept. 16.

Anniversary plans
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) will celebrate 50 years of service to the district with free community celebrations, a speaker series, and other events and initiatives. The school’s golden anniversary year officially began in July and will conclude on June 30, 2023.

The first of five campus-based community celebrations will be presented at the East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road in Dade City, on Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event, taking place during Hispanic Heritage Month, will feature the flavors and sounds of Latin culture, and guest speakers will explore local history and Hispanic culture.

Free entertainment, family activities, food, campus tours and demonstrations will be included, and application fees to PHSC will be waived for prospective students attending the event.

Other campus celebrations will be hosted at the Brooksville, New Port Richey, Spring Hill locations, and the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel throughout the anniversary year.

Details on events and activities will be posted and announced online at PHSC.edu/history.

Women gear up for annual arts and crafts show

August 16, 2022 By Mary Rathman

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club is wasting no time in preparation of its annual December arts and crafts show. The members are busily crafting items — such as angel ornaments and recycled men’s ties — to be sold in the club’s booth. The women are savvy recyclers and extremely eco-conscious They routinely upcycle items rather than tossing them away in area landfills. The group enjoys the camaraderie and socializing on craft days, working with sister members and guests. From left: Aniko Solomonson, Debbie Cardona, Shirley Willhite and Margee Carpenter. For more information on this community service organization, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org, or its Facebook page.

Urgent need for blood donors

August 16, 2022 By Mary Rathman

OneBlood has an increased need for Type O blood, according to a news release.

Multiple hospitals throughouth OneBlood’s service area are experiencing high usage of Type O, and it is putting increased pressure on the blood supply.

“It is vital that a robust supply of Type O blood is available at all times. OneBlood is urging all eligible donorS with Type O blood to please visit a OneBlood donor center or Big Red Bus blood drive as soon as possible,” said Susan Forbes, senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations, in the release.

Forty-five percent of the U.S. population has Type O blood, making it the blood type in the highest demand by hospitals, and it is used to help save trauma patients, the release said.

To find a donation location, visit OneBlood.org.

Chalk Talk 08/17/2022

August 16, 2022 By Mary Rathman

Stepping up for others
Davron, an executive search and outplacement services business, completed its second annual Back-To-School Drive and its third year contributing to Christian Social Services (CSS) in Land O’ Lakes. Davron donated to CSS a total of 186 backpacks and a multitude of school supplies, along with $1,860 to help with the food pantry. From left: Matthew Noble and David Coreen, Davron; Sandra Stack and Jacquie Petet, CSS; and Lacy McElfresh, Eric Maddox, Leah Stevens and Wyatt Durney, Davron.

Scholarship endowment
In recognition of a distinguished business career and more than a decade of service at Bloomin’ Brands Inc., Bloomin’ Brands is investing $300,000 to establish a scholarship endowment through the Hillsborough Community College (HCC) Foundation, to honor retired chairman and CEO and current member of the board of directors Elizabeth “Liz” Smith, according to a news release.

The gift will fund the Elizabeth Smith Endowed Scholarship and will provide three full annual scholarships to female students for the duration of their studies at HCC.

Priority will be given to eligible students with a major in business operations/management and secondarily to those with the greatest financial need.

The scholarships will be awarded in spring 2023 for students beginning their studies in the fall of that same year. Subsequently, the scholarships will be awarded every year in that same time frame.

For more information on the Elizabeth Smith Endowed Scholarship, email Stephen Shear at , or visit HCCFoundation.com.

Keep students safe
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO), school resource officers and school crossing guards are dedicated to keeping students, schools and faculty safe, to promote a positive and supportive learning environment.

With school back in session, communities will see more school buses, bike riders and pedestrians with students.

Below are steps to take to help to keep students safe, according to a PSO news release.

Drivers should always follow the speed limit and slow down in school zones and near bus stops.
Cross at the crosswalk where drivers expect pedestrians to cross, until the crossing guard or signal indicates you may pass.
Take time to learn your state’s school bus stop laws. Do not pass a stopped school bus with flashing lights and a deployed stop sign.
PSO recommends parents and guardians talk with students about safe and appropriate behavior online, and stay aware of what apps students are using (more on this in next week’s edition of The Laker/Lutz News).
PSO urges parents and guardians to reiterate to students to make sound decisions and to report anything suspicious to a responsible adult.

Merit scholarship winners
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recognized more than 1,200 additional winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by colleges and universities.

Sponsor colleges include 82 private and 73 public institutions located in 42 states and the District of Columbia.

These local students were selected as winners:

Andrea L. Burgess, Lutz, Steinbrenner High School: National Merit University of South Florida Scholarship
Devin T. Connerney, Lutz, Gaither High: National Merit University of Florida Scholarship
Robert M. Muldrow, Odessa, Berkeley Preparatory School: National Merit University of Florida Scholarship
Eric T. Reichard, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch High: National Merit University of Florida Scholarship
Marc Taylor, Lutz, Hillsborough High: National Merit University of Florida Scholarship

Student achievement
April Prier, of Lutz, has been named to the Chancellor’s List at Troy University, Alabama, for the summer semester/Term 5 of the 2021-2022 academic year. The Chancellor’s List honors full-time undergraduate students who are registered for at least 12 semester hours and who earn a grade point average of 4.0.

Scholarship benefit
BCMF Calstrong in Trinity/Odessa and LiveFit in Hudson are partnering to host their first Walk-A-Thon on Sept. 10, at 11539 Pyramid Drive in Odessa. The event will benefit The Ashley Morrison Heart Scholarship for Pasco County high school athletes. Any remainding funds will be donated to meningitis research. For more information, call 727-842-7000.

The grant program is focused on engaging youth anglers to ensure the future of fishing in Florida.

The Florida Sport Fish Restoration R3 Grant will award up to 40 high school fishing clubs or teams $500 to assist with club expenses, the purchase of fishing licenses or gear for the participants.

The grant program is open to new or existing freshwater and/or saltwater fishing clubs or teams in public, private and charter schools throughout Florida.

To be considered for the grant, the clubs or teams must have a minimum of five members and be represented by a school faculty member or parent who will follow the provided instructor’s manual.

Applications can be found online at MyFWC.com/SFC — scroll down to “Florida’s R3 Fishing Grant Program.”

The deadline for submitting applications is 5 p.m., on Sept. 16.

Anniversary plans
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) will celebrate 50 years of service to the district with free community celebrations, a speaker series, and other events and initiatives. The school’s golden annivesary year officialy began in July and will conclude on June 30, 2023.

The first of five campus-based community celebrations will be presented at the East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road in Dade City, on Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event, taking place during Hispanic Heritage Month, will feature the flavors and sounds of Latin culture, and guest speakers will explore local history and Hispanic culture.

Free entertainment, fmaily activities, food, campus tours and demonstrations will be included, and application fees to PHSC will be waived for prospective students attending the event.

Other campus celebrations will be hosted at the Brooksville, New Port Richey, Spring Hill locations, and the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel throughout the anniversary year.

Details on events and activities will be posted and announced online at PHSC.edu/history.

Tigger likes to chill out

August 16, 2022 By Mary Rathman

Tigger is Anne Griva’s daughter’s cat, but they both now live with her in Land O’ Lakes, so Anne is Tigger’s ‘step-mom.’ Tigger is spoiled, but lovable.