The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

Chalk Talk 08/04/2021

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Meet the Teacher
Seven Oaks Elementary School, 27633 Mystic Oak Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will host two Meet the Teacher sessions on Aug. 5, for students and families.
Prekindergarten through second-grade students can attend from 10 a.m. to noon, and third-grade through fifth-grade students can attend from noon to 2 p.m.
Students must be registered for school in advance. Summer registration hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At the event, families will need to report to the cafeteria first, to pick up classroom assignments. Both sessions will provide the opportunity to get teacher assignments, meet the teacher, get transportation information, tour the campus, order a yearbook, purchase spirit gear, join the PTA, and get answers to questions about the school.
For information, call Seven Oaks at 813-794-0700.

Free school supplies
There will be a back-to-school drive-thru event on Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon, at Life Church, 6224 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, that will include free school supplies. Students must be present. Giveaways are on a first-come, first-served basis. To donate a backpack through the Sydney Paige Foundation, visit tinyurl.com/h3v5w778.

Back-to-School Drive-Thru
The Church @ Myrtle Lake, 2017 Reigler Road in Land O’ Lakes, will host a Back-to-School Drive-Thru on Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon. This is a free backpack and school supply giveaway for kindergarten through 12th grade. One backpack per child in attendance, while supplies last. For information, visit MyrtleLake.org.

Back-to-School Extravaganza
Florida KidCare will present a Back-to-School Extravaganza on Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Tampa Premium Outlets. The event will include backpack giveaways, free school supplies, face painting, games, photo stops, characters, stage performances, and information on family services. For more, call 727-674-1464.

Back-to-School Bash
The First United Methodist Church of Lutz, 960 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, will host a Back-to-School Bash on Aug. 13 starting at 5 p.m., rain or shine. The event will include food trucks, bounce houses, make-and-take crafts, an indoor movie, and more. The Pixar movie, “Monsters University,” will begin at 7:30 p.m. Guests should bring a lawn chair or blanket. Popcorn and movie snacks will be available for purchase, as a fundraiser for the church’s youth mission trip. Those attending also are asked to bring a nonperishable food item for the Christian Social Services Food Pantry. RSVP by Aug. 6. Each preregistered child will receive a gift bag. Sign up at tinyurl.com/59c6rnue.

Back-to-School Drive
Mitchell’s Coffee Time, 22299 State Road 54, Suite 102, in Land O’ Lakes, is collecting school supplies for a Pasco Kids Helping Kids Back-to-School Drive. Items needed include backpacks, plastic pocket folders, half-inch binders, composition notebooks, paper, pencils/pens, erasers, markers, crayons, colored pencils, glue sticks, pencil cases/pouches, rulers, highlighters, dry erase markers, and one-, three- and five-subject spiral notebooks. For information, visit Facebook.com/KidsHelpingKidsPasco.

Shoe & sock drive
The Two Good Soles Shoes and Socks Drive is underway through Oct. 22, with the Pasco County government and constitutional offices working together to collect footwear for kids in Pasco County schools. Last year’s drive yielded 1,746 pairs of shoes and 5,773 pairs of socks. Social workers will distribute the items to Pasco County Schools students at the end of October. Drop-off locations/collection boxes are at the offices of the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller, the Pasco County Property Appraiser, and the Pasco County Tax Collector.

Electric co-op makes donation
The Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative made two donations to invest in the future of the community through its Educational Foundation, which receives monies from escheated Capital Credits.
A donation of $121,000 was made to the existing Central High School, in Brooksville, for new innovative equipment and technology for the classrooms.
A $400,000 donation was made to the Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation (currently under construction) for new equipment needed to prepare the estimated 1,000 future students for high-wage and high-skills careers. The school is planning for a fall 2022 opening.

Meal applications
Applications for the Pasco County Schools free and reduced meal plan are now available.
Currently, all 2021-2022 students will receive free breakfast and lunch regardless of eligibility.
However, Pasco County Schools strongly encourages families to complete a new meal application, as schools receive a portion of their funding based on the percentage of students who qualify.
To review the eligibility guidelines and to file an application, visit PascoSchoolMeals.com.

Pasco students start Aug. 10
Pasco County Schools offers these steps for getting back to school:

  • Know what the requirements are for immunizations, recommended adolescent vaccinations, waiver information, and information about physicals.
  • Check with your school for registration days/hours, and read registration requirements carefully.
  • Prepare for Day One by reviewing afterschool enrichment programs; bell schedules; bus stops; Code of Conduct/Dress Code; free/reduced lunch applications; high school graduation requirements; medications at school; online meal/snack payments; prekindergarten services; school lunch programs; and the school year calendar.
  • Parents should stay involved during the school year by checking grades online; elementary/curriculum guides; media and library resources; Pasco e-School; tips for parents; volunteer programs; and information on students with disabilities.

For more information and links to resources, visit Pasco County Schools at Pasco.k12.fl.us, or its Facebook page.

Dean’s List students
The University of Tampa honored 1,758 students who were named to the Dean’s List for the spring semester.
Local students from Lutz: Joseph Allen, Jaime Banks, Leigh Dittman, Rye Gapinski, Lisa Jungmann, Ashley Mueller, Connor Molloy, Victoria Nelson, Gage Robinson and Kayla Wittyngham.
Students from Odessa: Madeline Atherton, Cole Benjamin, Kaylyn Burroughs, Noah Doble, Amelia Iacovino, Hayley Jewett, Hope Lelekacs, Joshua Luther, Alex Prendes and Olivia Trinder.

Health News 08/04/2021

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(Courtesy of Andy Taylor/Pasco County)

‘Topping off’ a new build
Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore signs a beam that was later raised and placed in the new BayCare Wesley Chapel hospital. Also signing is Keri Eisenbeis, vice president of Government Affairs and Community Relations for BayCare. The beam-signing was part of a traditional topping off ceremony on July 16. The new hospital, being built off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, is expected to open in 2023.

Donations needed
The Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger is seeking donations and local volunteers for its Meals on Wheels for Kids program.

The program’s mission is to provide nutritious home-delivered, shelf-stable meal ingredients, produce and prepared meals to transportation-disadvantaged and/or homebound children and their families who lack adequate access to food distribution locations throughout the community.

Meals on Wheels for Kids provides a weekly delivery of meals and shelf-stable groceries, as resources allow.

All donations go to providing these deliveries to children enrolled in the program.

Donations will be accepted via the program’s website, NetworkToEndHunger.org/mow4k/, or by calling 813-344-5837. If no one answers, please leave a message and someone will return your call within 24 hours.

Homebound vaccines
The Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) has launched “We Will Meet You at Home,” to ensure that every older adult who wants a vaccine will receive one, according to a news release.

The initiative builds upon other programs throughout the state to provide homebound seniors access to COVID-19 vaccinations.

While many of Florida’s older residents have received a COVID-19 vaccination, not every senior is able to leave their home.

In these cases, the Florida DOEA and the state’s 11 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are offering seniors access to transportation to go and receive a vaccine. Elders also have the option of having a health care worker bring the vaccine to their front door.

DOEA’s statewide initiative is distributing over 175,000 informational flyers to older homebound adults requesting more information about vaccines or vaccine access.

The AAAs made tens of thousands of outbound wellness calls over a two-month period to identify people requesting more resources.

The DOEA’s Area Agencies on Aging connect seniors with community providers to get a ride to a doctor’s office, a pharmacy, a grocery store, or another vaccination site. The local AAAs also may assist in arranging a health care professional to come to the individual’s house to receive a vaccination.

If you or someone you know would like assistance with transportation in getting to a COVID-19 vaccination appointment or would like a health provider to bring a shot to your front door, call 800-963-5337, or email .

Noel is very special

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Noel has been with her owner since he was 5 years old. She seems like a grumpy cat a lot, but really is very sweet. Noel loves to be scratched under her chin and petted. She is afraid of strangers at first, but if you give her some time, she will come up to you and rub her head against your leg. She helps Christian Morales and his brother, of Wesley Chapel, by ‘acting’ in their movies.

Help quench firefighters’ thirst; get a free sub

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Firehouse Subs restaurants once again will host its bottled water collection drive through its ninth-annual H2O For Heroes campaign, on Aug. 7, nationwide, according to a news release.

Firehouse Subs has donated more than 4.1 million water bottles since the inception of its H2O For Heroes campaign. (Courtesy of Firehouse Subs)

The drive aims to help to hydrate local first responders during the record-breaking summer heat.

Guests are asked to bring in an unopened 24-pack of bottled water, any brand, to any of the Firehouse Subs franchises. In return for the donation, patrons will receive a free medium sub of their choice.

The collected water will benefit local fire and police departments, emergency victims, senior and community centers, and more, to aid those in need of water when hydration and other heat-related illnesses are most threatening.

The event returns after being canceled in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the campaign’s inception, H2O For Heroes has provided more than 4.1 million water bottles across the country.

For information and restaurant locations, visit FirehouseSubs.com.

Published July 28, 2021

Health News 07/28/2021

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Dr. Michelle Spencer

BayCare welcomes new physicians
Dr. Michelle Spencer has joined BayCare Medical Group, 28864 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel. She is the newest primary care physician at the Saddelbrook office, which opened this spring. She is board certified in family medicine, and is accepting new patients age 2 and older. Dr. Spencer joins the group after practicing family medicine in New Hampshire for more than 22 years.
To learn more, visit DrMichelleSpencer.org.

Dr. Shiva Tadakal

Dr. Shiva Tadakal also has joined the BayCare Medical Group office at 2529 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and speaks Hindu, Telugu and Kannada. Dr. Tadakal specializes in family medicine and also is accepting new patients.
To learn more, visit DrShivaTadakal.org.

 

 

 

New AdventHealth office
AdventHealth Medical Group Multispecialty at San Antonio now is open at 30115 State Road 52, Suite 101, in San Antonio.

The practice treats gastrointestinal, bariatric and other chronic digestive disorders.

“As we continue to grow in the community, our goal remains the same, to continue providing world-class and convenient patient care closer to home,” said Jason Newmyer, administrator/vice president for AdventHealth Dade City, in a news release.

“By opening this new practice, we will be able to expand our robust digestive health offerings and make our community a healthier place,” said Newmyer.

The 6,000-square-foot facility features onsite imaging, eight exam rooms, and onsite education/consultation rooms for patients to receive support during and after treatments.

Dr. Naga Thatimatla and Dr. Kalyani Meduri now are accepting patients at the practice.

For information, visit AHMGTampaBay.com.

Chalk Talk 07/28/2021

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Lisa Rapp-McCall (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Professor honored
Lisa Rapp-McCall, a professor in the graduate social work program at Saint Leo University, was honored by the National Organization of Forensic Social Work (NOFSW), which has 300 members, social workers and mental health professionals working in forensic settings around the country.

Rapp-McCall was named the NOFSW 2021 Sol Gothard Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.

The late Gothard was a member who started his career as a social worker and later became a judge, continuing his efforts to protect and to seek justice for abused children.

The award was presented to Rapp-McCall in recognition of her years of writing, teaching and researching in the areas of juvenile crime, child abuse and human trafficking, among other acts of service.

Rapp-McCall earned her doctorate in social work from the University of Buffalo. She is a resident of Hillsborough County.

Back-to-School Extravaganza
Florida KidCare will present a Back-to-School Extravaganza from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at these locations:

  • July 31, Citrus Park Mall
  • Aug. 8, Tampa Premium Outlets

The event will include backpack giveaways, free school supplies, face painting, games, photo stops, characters, stage performances, and information on family services.

For more, call 727-674-1464.

School supplies needed
The Hillsborough Education Foundation’s “Erase the Need” school supply drive will run July 28 through Aug. 6. The top 20 most-needed school supplies are: backpacks, cap erasers, 12-count colored pencils, composition books, copy paper, 24-count crayons, dry-erase markers, filler paper, glue sticks, glue bottles, highlighters, index cards, large pink erasers, pencils, pens, pocket folders, rulers, scissors, spiral notebooks and washable markers. Drop-offs can be made to the donation bins in the lobby at these area YMCAs:

  • East Pasco Family YMCA, 37301 Chapel Hill Loop, Zephyrhills
  • New Tampa Family YMCA, 16221 Compton Drive, Tampa

For information and more locations, visit EducationFoundation.com/DonateSchoolSupplies.

Meet the Teacher
Seven Oaks Elementary School, 27633 Mystic Oak Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will host two Meet the Teacher sessions on Aug. 5, for students and families.

Prekindergarten through second-grade students can attend from 10 a.m. to noon, and third-grade through fifth-grade students can attend from noon to 2 p.m.

Students must be registered for school in advance. Summer registration hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

At the event, families will need to report to the cafeteria first, to pick up classroom assignments.

Both sessions will provide the opportunity to get teacher assignments, meet the teacher, get transportation information, tour the campus, order a yearbook, purchase spirit gear, join the PTA, and get answers to questions about the school.

For information, call Seven Oaks at 813-794-0700.

Free school supplies
There will be a Back to School drive-thru event on Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at Life Church, 6224 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, that will include free school supplies. Students must be present. Giveaways are on a first-come, first-served basis.

To donate a backpack through the Sydney Paige Foundation, visit tinyurl.com/h3v5w778.

Back to School Drive-Thru
The Church @ Myrtle Lake, 2017 Reigler Road in Land O’ Lakes, will host a Back to School Drive-Thru on Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon.

This is a free backpack and school supply giveaway for kindergarten through 12th grade.

One backpack per child in attendance, while supplies last.

For information, visit MyrtleLake.org.

Student achievements

  • Haarika Gurivireddygari, a graduate of Steinbrenner High School, received a $5,000 scholarship from Wieland Rolled Products North America.
  • Sarah Jason-Vikram, of Wesley Chapel, was named to the Dean’s List and received an Associate of Arts, Psychology Transfer Pathway, with high honors, from Normandale Community College, Bloomington, Minnesota.

Shoe & sock drive
The Two Good Soles Shoes and Socks Drive is underway through Oct. 22, with the Pasco County government and constitutional offices working together to collect footwear for kids in Pasco County schools.

Last year’s drive yielded 1,746 pairs of shoes and 5,773 pairs of socks.

Social workers will distribute the items to Pasco County Schools students at the end of October.

Drop-off locations/collection boxes are at the offices of the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller, the Pasco County Property Appraiser, and the Pasco County Tax Collector.

Conference proposals sought
The Florida Organization for Human Services Inc. (FLOHS) will host a virtual conference scheduled for Oct. 6 and Oct. 7. The theme is “Resilient Horizons: Breaking Down Barriers.”

The educational nonprofit is seeking workshop proposals on how to be resilient through trying times, and that focus on how to provide knowledge and skills to help others.

The audience will include students, new practitioners and more established professionals.

Submissions may include interventions, skills, knowledge and wellness, as related to assisting Human Services professionals to master their craft and become more effective leaders.

Presentations are typically 60 minutes to 90 minutes long.

Proposals should target one of the following areas:

  • Ethics in Helping Relationships
  • Interviewing and Intervention Skills
  • Group Work
  • Case Management
  • Human Development
  • Social and Cultural Issues
  • Social Problems
  • Assessment/Treatment Planning
  • Intervention Models/Theories
  • Human Behavior
  • Social Welfare and Public Policy
  • Research, Program Evaluation and Supervision

The deadline for proposals is Aug. 1, and must include a CV/resume, a video (with an introduction of yourself and summary topic) or a 100-word to 300-word abstract.

All applicants that are approved will be notified by Aug. 15.

For additional submission details, or to email a proposal, contact .

Rylee is sweet, kind and gentle

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Rylee is a 4-year-old golden retriever. She gets to see her fur family (mom, dad, sister and brother) during family reunions, and it is the cutest and craziest thing when they get together. Rylee enjoys long summer days soaking in the pool, hunting lizards, and playing with her favorite snorting-pig toy. She lives for endless back scratches and treats before bed. Rylee lives the good life with her owners, Dan and Kelly Hicks of Land O’ Lakes.

Curious visitor

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Deanna Demspey, of Dade City, said this purple gallinule was very interested in what she was doing during a fishing trip she took at Lake Pasadena. Gallinules mostly are found near freshwater, of which ponds with emergent vegetation are their favorite for nesting.

Bella enjoys dressing up

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Bella is an 8-year-old Springer Spaniel. On hot days, she loves swimming in the pool with her family.  Bella loves to do tricks. When presented with a treat on the floor, Bella will sit and wait until she is told she can have the treat. Bella lives with the Eisenberg family in Wesley Chapel.

Beautiful and non-venomous

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Nancy Boatwright was taking her dog out for an evening walk, and when she returned, this scarlet king snake was approaching her garage. Boatwright encouraged the non-venomous snake to head toward the grass simply by standing between it and the garage. A coral snake has similar coloring to a scarlet king snake. To help remember whether a snake is poisonous, think of this rhyme: “Red on yellow, kill a fellow. Red on black, won’t hurt jack.” Boatwright has lived in Quail Hollow for 33 years and also has seen deer, rabbits, racoons, opossums, pigs, turkeys and other critters.