The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Stay safe, in and around the water

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Summer is just around the corner, and the West Central Florida county health departments are encouraging communities to participate in water safety, and to take preventive measures to avert drownings.

Certified swim instructor Teddy Sandoval, left, and 6-year-old student Haya Autabachy, of New Tampa, warm up during a water safety class last year at the New Tampa Family YMCA. (File)

With myriad pools, lakes and other surrounding bodies of water in Florida, water safety is key to prevent drownings.

Children ages 1 to 4 are more likely to drown in a home swimming pool, compared to children ages 5 to 19, who are more likely to drown in natural bodies of water, according to a news release from the Florida Department of Health-Pasco County.

As a parent or a community group member, the goal is to keep water activities fun and safe as the summer months approach, the release said.

In recognition of National Water Safety Month, the following safety tips are provided by WaterSmartFL.com.

  • Supervision: Ensure that your family is knowledgeable around the water, and assign a “water watcher” by having an adult actively watch a child or adult that is in or around the water.
  • Barriers: A child should never enter a pool area unaccompanied. Barriers include gates, fences, walls, doors and windows, recommended to aid in the assistance and protection of those at risk.
  • Emergency Preparedness: Have a phone nearby to call 911, if needed. Know your location and the type of emergency the call is about. CPR and first aid also are important to know.

Beach and lake swimming

  • Swim It: Always swim with a buddy, and when safety flags and signs give the all-clear in open water (at the beach or a lake).
  • Shore It: Stay on dry land if you have a cut on your skin or if your immune system is weakened, or you don’t have a buddy to swim with.
  • Dodge It: If you encounter animals that live near or in the water, stay away. Also stay clear from red tides and algal blooms that can cause skin irritation, burning eyes, and throat and breathing irritations.

For information, visit NWSM.phta.org.

For questions, call your local county health department.

Published May 04, 2022

Abby is a fashionista

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Abby is an unsighted, smart, loving rescue dog. She came in second place, in the cutest costume category, at this year’s Dogs Day in Dade City. Abby has won that same category for the past two years: Last year, she wore a Brownie Girl Scout costume, and recently she portrayed ‘The Little Mermaid.’ She reads The Laker Lutz News with her family every Tuesday. Abby lives with the Mountain family in San Antonio.

A majestic sighting

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Michele Wyatt quickly grabbed her camera when she spotted this eagle in her backyard, in Stagecoach Village in Land O’ Lakes. Wyatt said it was pure luck that the eagle had not yet flown off.

Health News 05/04/2022

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Helping to fill a need at Oasis
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club recently toured the Oasis Pregnancy Care Center in Land O’ Lakes. Dave Dorsey, Oasis development director, explained the center’s role in the community and how it serves expectant and new mothers. Within the center is a baby boutique to help new mothers stock up on baby items. The woman’s club donated a supply of maternity clothing, baby items, clothes, diapers and other needed equipment. From left: Pam Blumenthal, Dave Dorsey, Linda Mitchell and Joyce Humphrey. For information about the woman’s club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org. For more about Oasis, call 813-406-4965.

Donate to CARES
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices will feature CARES (Community Aging & Retirement Services) as its charitable organization for the month of May, and accept donations.

CARES provides services to vulnerable seniors who need meals, home health care, home maintenance, and help with pet care.

“Your kindness will help families in Pasco County who need in-home health services, adult day care and assistance for family members who need a break from the stressful demands of caregiving,” said Jemith Rosa, CARES president and CEO, in a news release.

“Your generosity will help frail elderly people in Pasco County, who are facing illness, hunger, and isolation. Additionally, the family members and caregivers need help as well,” said Rosa.

All proceeds from this promotional effort wil benefit the CARES We Help campaign.

For information about CARES and its services, call Jemith Rosa at 727-863-6868, or visit CARESFL.org.

For more about the promotional and charitable giving programs at the tax collector’s office, call Greg Giordano at 727-847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

(Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

A little ‘elbow grease’ goes a long way
Nearly two dozen team members from AdventHealth Dade City, AdventHealth Wesley Chapel and AdventHealth Zephyrhills lent a helping hand to a single mom of four, to build her first home through the Habitat for Humanity Dream Builders Bash. Team members assisted first-time homebuyer Bellvis Hooks to install siding.

Chalk Talk 05/04/2022

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School Lunch Hero Day
The District School Board of Pasco County recognizes May 6 as School Lunch Hero Day.

Its proclamation reads:

“Whereas, nutritious meals at school are an essential part of the school day; and

“Whereas, school nutrition professionals prepare healthy meals for our students, adhere to strict nutrition standards, navigate student food allergies, and offer service with a smile; and

“Whereas, the School Lunch Hero Day is a chance to showcase the difference school nutrition professionals make for every child who comes through the cafeteria; and

“Whereas, Friday, May 6, 2022, is School Lunch Hero Day.”

The proclamation was duly signed at a regular public meeting on April 19, according to a Pasco County Schools’ website post published on April 25.

Teacher signing day
Pasco County Schools hosted a signing day on April 27, for high school students declaring their intent to return after college, to teach in Pasco schools. The 17 students are graduating from Pasco’s New Teacher Academy (NTA), where they have had the opportunity to explore their chosen profession.

Along with the graduating seniors, the signing day also featured an NTA graduate who completed college and has been hired as a teacher at Fox Hollow Elementary School.

“This is a day of celebration for these students and for Pasco County Schools,’’ said Beth Hess, lead of the New Teacher Academy, in a news release.

“To have our own students returning as teachers is a win for everyone. We are succeeding in our goal, which is to inspire the desire to teach,” Hess said.

The NTA was established at River Ridge High School in 2016 for students considering a career in teaching to learn more about the profession. It has expanded to include River Ridge Middle School.

The NTA also provides students with hands-on experience at elementary schools in Pasco County.

Student news
Constance Emilia Sargent, of Lutz, was initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, at the University of Idaho.

Writers Retreat
The Sandhill Writers Retreat (SWR), based at Saint Leo University, will host the SWR Reading Series on May 9 to May 12 and May 16 to May 19, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., via Zoom.

The series will offer an opportunity to come together as a literary community.

During the eight evening sessions, the reading series will showcase established and acclaimed poets, writers and publishers.

Seven guest faculty will give a brief talk or lesson and a reading, and one evening of the series will be open mic.

Faculty guests include: Denise Duhamel, poet; Amina Gautier, short fiction writer; Rick Campbell, poet and former Anhinga Press director; Gregory Byrd, poet and fiction writer; Kimberly Davis, publisher and editor; Julia Koets, poet, writer and memoirist; and Geoffrey Philip, poet and writer.

The retreat is open to the public.

Registration is $20 and covers all eight nights of poetry, literature and more.

For details, visit SaintLeo.edu/sandhill-writers-retreat.

For information, email .

Virtual Parent Night
Pasco County Schools will host Florida’s B.E.S.T Standards for Mathematics Virtual Parent Night on May 10 at 6 p.m.

To RSVP, visit tinyurl.com/yckeb7d4.

Nominate a student
Hillsborough County is accepting nominations for the Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards (YEA! Awards), until 5 p.m., on May 13.

The YEA! Awards were created in 2010, to recognize Hillsborough County students for making a difference in their community.

Students honored show initiative, innovation, and a commitment to themselves and others, while pursuing excellence in a leadership capacity. This can be demonstrated in academics, community service, athletics, performing arts, conservation, or other areas.

Nominations can be submitted for both middle and high school students, in each of these categories:

  • Leadership — demonstrating positive impact on others in an ongoing endeavor, such as sports, academics or the arts
  • Success Despite Difficult Odds — overcoming tremendous personal difficulty to attain success and to make a positive impact on others
  • Volunteer or Community Service — allocating discretionary time to help others to complete a project that has improved the community

Nominations will be reviewed by the Commission on the Status of Women.

The awards will be presented in June by the Board of County Commissioners.

Forms are available for online submissions at HCFLGov.net/YEA.

For more information, call Hillsborough County Communications & Digital Media at 813-272-5194.

Fifth-grade exhibition
Pine View Elementary, an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, will host the Pine View Elementary International Baccalaureate Magnet School PYP Exhibition on May 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at 5333 Parkway Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Fifth-grade students will showcase their culminating, collaborative experience of their final year of the IB primary Years Program. The exhibition is a “demonstration of student agency, as learners exercise voice, choice and ownership by inquiring into local or global issues that are significant to them,” an email to The Laker said.

The opening ceremony will be at 5:30 p.m., followed by student presentations.

Eliminate the ‘itch,’ with mosquito fish

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Hillsborough County Mosquito Management Services’ popular Mosquito Fish Giveaways will begin in May, with a kickoff event in Odessa, and will continue throughout the summer across the county, according to a news release.

(Courtesy of HillsboroughCounty.org)

Mosquito fish fight mosquitoes before the insects can bite, by eating mosquito larvae.

The free fish are to be placed in intentional standing water like koi ponds, horse troughs, or rain barrels. The fish are small enough to hide from predators, and their favorite food is mosquito larvae.

Last year, Hillsborough launched a new mosquito fish hatchery to breed healthy fish for the giveaways.

To receive a fish, you must have a photo ID that shows you live in Hillsborough County.

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

Mosquito Management also will have an educational trailer on-site at each event, to help residents learn about eliminating mosquitoes, and to illustrate the work the county does to keep residents healthy and safe. The trailer will be on-site from 8 a.m. to noon, at each of the giveaways.

The Keystone Recreation Center, 17928 Gunn Highway in Odessa, will host the kickoff fish giveaway on May 7.

For a list of upcoming events and locations, visit tinyurl.com/5eymzmpy.

Published April 27, 2022

Gracee is her own Instagram model

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Gracee is a 3-year-old Blue Merle Rough collie that is very energetic and loves to play with her brother, Jax. She loves to play ball and frisbee, loves walks, attention and lots of treats. Gracee lives with three cats and her owner, Kathy Smith, in Wesley Chapel.

Spring is here!

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Steve Vinik, a regular contributor to our Local Wildlife section, grabbed his camera once again to capture this beautiful portrait of sandhill crane and its babies. Vinik lives in Lexington Oaks, in Wesley Chapel.

A symbol of hope

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(Courtesy of AdventHealth Zephyrhills)

The 37th annual Easter Service at AdventHealth Zephyrhills attracted more than 200 people.

Pastor Keith Smith, of Dade City Christian Church, presided during the service and the Dade City Christian Church provided music during the first live service, following virtual services two years in a row, according to a news release from the hospital.

The service also featured a dove release to symbolize love, peace and happiness for the world.

The hospital’s mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ was at the front of the service, the release said.

In a statement, Amanda Maggard, president and CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills and AdventHealth Dade City, said: “Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of our king, Jesus Christ. It is a time to be thankful, hopeful, and an opportunity for a fresh start. The last two years have been filled with challenges, but with each challenge we have faced, we have had hope to help us overcome whatever was put in front of us. This year, we are even more hopeful that as a community, we will continue to rise above whatever comes our way. The fact that we are able to be here today in person, together, exemplifies our resilience as a community.”

A gesture of kindness

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The GFWC Wesley Chapel Woman’s Club hand-made Easter bunnies from washcloths, and added an egg with candy for the children, to donate to the Sunrise Domestic Violence Shelter. The women also made up Easter baskets for the Sunrise staff. From left: Melissa Zincke, LeeAnn Carr, Annette Bellingar, Shantel Meyers, Carmen Quiles, Linda Jenkins and Liz Chavez. (Courtesy of Shantel Meyers)