The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Mary Rathman

An unusual guest

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Jackie Reyes was in her yard in Land O’ Lakes cleaning up her banana tree, when she found this spotted oleander caterpillar moth on one of the leaves. Reyes said she has never seen anything like it. The moth’s coloration and resemblance to a wasp may help it escape hungry predators.

Chalk Talk 04/14/2021

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(Courtesy of Eliza Smith)

Land O’ Lakes teen to compete
Miss Land O’ Lakes Teen USA Eliza Smith, a sophomore at Land O’ Lakes High School, will be competing in the 2021 Miss Florida Teen USA pageant July 16 to July 18, in Orlando.

Smith has a GPA of 4.6, with all honors and AP classes. She has been a member of the National Junior Honors Society, and has received a nomination for the Future Leaders of Medicine Award.

Smith aspires to attend Duke University, to major in health sciences with a minor in psychology, with the hope of becoming a physician’s assistant.

Her platform, “Be Bold Be Beautiful Be You,” strives to educate people about the importance of mental illness awareness, reduce the stigma around them, and learn how to better support someone with a mental illness.

Free VPK offered
Pasco County Schools offers free VPK for three hours a day, for the 2021-2022 school year. Children must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, to be eligible. For information, contact the Pasco Schools VPK office at 813-794-2672.

Victory High open house
Victory High School will host an open house on April 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., in the Calvary Chapel Worship Center, Room 111 and Room 112, 6825 Trouble Creek Road in New Port Richey.

The open house is for new students, ages 14 to 19, seeking recovery from addictions, who are interested in enrolling in the private high school.

Preregister by emailing .

For information on the school, visit VictoryHighSchool.net.

Scholarship deadline extended
The deadline to apply for college scholarships of up to $5,000 from Hillsborough County Social Services and the Community Action Board has been extended to April 16.

Application materials can be downloaded on the county’s scholarship application page, at Tinyurl.com/ffzrrth8.

Detailed instructions on how to apply also can be found on the page.

Students may submit completed applications online only. Recipients will be notified in writing prior to the fall semester.

For questions, call Irina White at 813-272-5074.

Award recipients
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) has announced the recipients of its annual NISOD Excellence Awards, which recognize men and women each year who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues.

The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) award recipients are:

  • Carolanne Azan, DBA, assistant professor, Bachelor of Applied Science in supervision and management
  • Karen Lotz, assistant professor, Bachelor of Nursing
  • Jonathan Spiewak, instructor, mathematics

Because the 2020 conference was canceled, PHSC also recognized these honorees:

  • Gary Cors, J.D., professor and paralegal program director
  • Gloria Pray, assistant professor, economics and director of business programs
  • Jeremy Scarbrough, Ph.D., instructor, philosophy

Prepaid scholarships
Hillsborough County Public Schools, in partnership with the Florida Prepaid College Program, is offering two scholarships to students worth a total of $9,000.

Superintendent Addison Davis’ Future of STEM Scholarship is a two-year Florida college plan worth $8,000, and is designed to encourage new teachers in areas with critical shortages. The scholarship will be awarded to a senior student attending Hillsborough County Public Schools who will study to become a teacher in a STEM subject.

Davis’ Preparing Students for Life Scholarship is a Florida 529 Savings Plan worth $1,000. It will be awarded to a parent or guardian who attends a kindergarten registration event or begins the registration process prior to April 30. The eligible student’s name will be drawn at random.

For information about both scholarships, visit bit.ly/HCPSscholarship.

Course fee adjustments
The Pasco-Hernando State College’s Board of Trustees will consider approving proposed adjusted course-related fees at its April 20 board meeting, at 6 p.m., at the West Campus in New Port Richey.

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.

All fees charged by vendors are negotiated by the college, with additional fee increases and decreases expected in the coming academic year.

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

Republican scholarships
The Republican Party of Pasco Scholarship Committee is now accepting applications for Pasco County Schools’ graduating seniors, including pubic, home-schools, charter and private schools.

Graduating seniors from any Pasco County high school are eligible if they meet this criteria:

  • Must be a registered or preregistered Republican
  • Have a cumulative 3.0 GPA
  • Complete a 650-word minimum essay on the topic: “What is the importance of conservative values for young people in today’s world?”
  • Extra points will be given for club and social activities, volunteer hours and campaign participation
  • Must be planning to attend an accredited community college/university or accredited vocational school in Florida

Applications can be found online at PascoGOP.org, at the individual’s high school career counselor’s office, or at the Pasco Republican Party office in Hudson.

Applications and essays must be emailed to , or to RPOP, 12043 Cobblestone Drive, Hudson, FL 34667, Attention: Sandy Graves, scholarship chair.

For information and questions, call 727-863-5400, or email .

The deadline to apply is 5 p.m., April 30.

Five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded in May.

Health News 04/14/2021

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(Courtesy of Shantel Meyers)

A brighter day for residents
The GFWC Wesley Chapel Woman’s Club painted mason jars and added flowers to deliver to 85 residents at the Hanna Assisted Living Facility in Tampa. Two of the club’s future Juniorettes also hand-made Easter cards to go with all the floral arrangements.

Ethical company
HCA Healthcare has been recognized for the 11th time by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2021 World’s Most Ethical Companies, according to a news release.

HCA Healthcare is one of seven honorees in the Healthcare Providers category.

The COVID-19 pandemic was at the forefront of 2020 and HCA Healthcare responded by protecting its colleagues and patients, and by partnering with others to improve care beyond the organization.

The company has not laid off any employees due to the pandemic and, in April, it instituted a pandemic pay program, which allowed the organization to continue to pay more than 127,000 colleagues, even when their hours were affected by the significant decrease in patients visiting hospitals across the country.

And, HCA Healthcare hospitals do not bill patients who are diagnosed with COVID-19, whether they have insurance or not, for testing or hospital care related to the treatment of the coronavirus.

In 2021, Ethisphere recognized 135 honorees spanning 22 countries and 47 industries.

To view the full list of the 2021 World’s Most Ethical Companies, visit WorldsMostEthicalCompanies.com/honorees.

BayCare recognition
BayCare Health System has been named one of the 2021 Best Workplaces in Health Care & Biopharma by Great Place to Work and Fortune, according to a news release.

BayCare ranked seventh on the list based on feedback from more than 825,000 employee surveys from companies across health care and biopharma industries.

Employees evaluated their workplace in more than 60 different categories during a global pandemic that put health care and biopharma organizations on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19.

BayCare ranked as a top health care organization out of 28 large companies in the country for creating a great workplace experience for all team members, no matter who they are or what they do.

Gulfside receives grants
Gulfside Hospice has received two grants from United Way of Pasco, totaling $15,000, toward patient care costs and bereavement services, according to a news release.

The Community Impact Funding Grant provided $10,000 toward hospice charity care. The contribution will help cover hospice care costs for patients who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid benefits and cannot afford private insurance.

An additional Family Bereavement Grant was given to Gulfside in the amount of $5,000. These funds will provide staffing necessary for delivering free bereavement support services to Pasco County clients, training/certification for counselors to expand their skills, and equipment and software to create online content as a community resource.

For more information about Gulfside Hospice, visit Gulfside.org.

Spring weather brings out residents and wildlife

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(Courtesy of Mary Rathman)

The recent cooler temperatures, and breezy, sunny Spring days brought out an abundance of residents and wildlife at Lettuce Lake Park. The Hillsborough County-run park, which opened in 1982, is 240 acres, just outside the city limits of Tampa, on Fletcher Avenue between Interstate 75 and the University of South Florida. The Hillsborough River runs through it.

Local troop donates cookies

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(Courtesy of Crystal Crist)

The Girl Scouts just finished the 2021 cookie season and Troop 389 of Zephyrhills was able to donate 48 boxes of cookies to Meals on Wheels East Pasco – the group’s ‘hometown hero.’ Meals on Wheels provides fresh meals to seniors, people with disabilities, and other community members who have a limited ability to shop and/or prepare food for themselves. Troop 389 is looking forward to the 2022 cookie season! From left: Natalie O’Donovan, Tabitha Crist and Michelle McKay.

Art contest invites kids to think about ‘home’

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The Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) has launched a statewide art contest, inviting kids and teens to submit their visions on the theme, “What does home mean to you?”

The contest aims to increase awareness of the importance of having a home, by encouraging kids across the state to use their imaginations to illustrate the meaning of what their home truly means, according to a news release.

Kids and teens ages 5 to 18 can visit Florida Housing’s website and upload an image of their artwork, or print out the online form and mail it directly to Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Attention: External Affairs Department, 227 N. Bronough St., No. 5000, Tallahassee, FL  32301.

A Florida Housing committee will review all designs and select the top 40 submissions to be displayed in the Florida Housing building throughout the month of June, in honor of National Homeownership Month.

The winning artworks will be announced on Florida Housing’s webpage and social media.

The deadline for submission is May 3.

For information, visit FloridaHousing.org/artcontest.

Published April 07, 2021

NAMI chapters get a boost from grant

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In its continued efforts to improve access to mental health services, the BayCare Health System recently awarded a $100,000 grant to the four National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) affiliates in the Tampa Bay area.

The grant allows the chapters to collaborate on an awareness campaign to reach across the Tampa Bay area, as well as to meet the unique needs of the Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk county NAMI organizations, according to a news release.

The mission of NAMI is advocacy, education, support and public awareness, so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

The mental health service organization provides free support groups and education courses to individuals and their families by supplying resources to local behavioral health agencies, and by sharing experiences during presentations to corporations, faith organizations, community groups and others, the release says.

The affiliates in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Polk counties each will receive $25,000, while Pasco County requested and received $21,928. Each chapter requested money to meet needs specific to that area, and each also contributed more than $7,700 of its grant money for the awareness campaign, “You Are Not Alone.”

The campaign will consist of direct mail and social media, with the goal of reaching those who feel alone during this time of social isolation and physical distancing, to spread the word that help is available.

Published April 07, 2021

Jaxson is very friendly

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Jaxson loves everyone he meets, including people, dogs and cats. And, everyone who meets Jaxson loves him, too! Jaxson loves to hunt lizards, chase leaves, take walks, eat treats and get petted. He likes to swim and has no problem getting a shower. Jaxson happily lives with this ‘rescued’ family – Mike, Kathy and Shane Fooshee, in Lutz.

Sing a happy tune

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Karen Whitenton, of Lutz, loves to hear the Carolina wrens sing. She enjoys their happy and loud sounds. She said the wrens sometimes nest right outside her window. Whitenton said she looks forward to checking out the wildlife photo every week in The Laker/Lutz News.

Health News 04/07/2021

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(Courtesy of AdventHealth West Florida Division)

ThunderBug helps to raise awareness
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the Tampa Bay Lightning helped AdventHealth to spread the word. Before puck drop against the Dallas Stars at a recent game, ThunderBug stopped by AdventHealth Tampa and AdventHealth Connerton to raise awareness and encourage the community to get screened. Hospital team members also dressed in blue to honor the month.

Autism Awareness Month
The Autism Society in 1970 launched an ongoing nationwide effort to promote autism awareness and assure that all affected by autism are able to achieve the highest quality of life possible, according to its website.
The society in 1972 launched the first annual National Autistic Children’s week, which evolved into Autism Acceptance Month. This April, it continues its efforts to spread awareness, promote acceptance and ignite change.
The Autism Society of America recognizes Autism Acceptance Month (AAM) in April 2021 with its “Celebrate Differences” campaign. Designed to build a better awareness of the signs, symptoms, and realities of autism, #CelebrateDifferences focuses on providing information and resources for communities to be more aware of autism, promote acceptance, and be more inclusive in everyday life.
The Autism Society recognizes that the prevalence of autism in the United States has risen from 1 in 25 children in 2010, to 1 in 54 in 2020 – and, due to this continued increase, the goal of AAM is to further increase awareness about autism signs, symptoms and opportunities through information and referrals, events, printable and digital resources, and community partnerships with businesses and organizations dedicated to building inclusive experiences.
The Autism Society has a variety of resources designed to inform and encourage communities to celebrate differences, and become more inclusive of individuals with autism.
For information, visit autism-society.org.

Child abuse prevention
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused financial strain, isolation and anxiety, and children are more vulnerable than ever, according to a Champions for Children news release.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and four local nonprofits will work together to ensure that at-risk parents have the knowledge, skills and resources they need to promote children’s social and emotional well-being, and prevent child abuse and neglect.
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, Feeding Tampa Bay and the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County will join Champions, to help equip families with “resources, support and coping strategies that allow them to parent effectively, even under stress,” said Dr. Amy Haile, executive director, Champions for Children, in the release.

Hospital hits milestone
Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point’s TAVR team completed a milestone of 500 transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures.
The innovative procedure has shifted aortic valve replacement from the operating room to a hybrid cardiac catheterization lab, reducing procedure time, recovery time, and improving outcomes for patients with heart valve disease.
In TAVR, the new valve is guided up to the patient’s heart via an artery, as the physician directs the position with X-ray guidance. The new valve is placed into the diseased valve and opened like an umbrella, pushing aside the old valve and providing a new, clear pathway for blood flow through the valve.
At Bayonet Point, the procedure is primarily performed without general anesthesia, allowing for a faster recovery.

New infusion center
Patients with COVID-19 in Tampa Bay now have the option to receive another innovative new treatment, as AdventHealth has opened a clinic offering monoclonal antibody therapies, according to a news release.
The 18-chair outpatient infusion unit, in Hillsborough County, is treating adult patients with the monoclonal antibody bamlanivimab.
The treatment is intended for those who have developed COVID-19 symptoms, are not hospitalized or on oxygen, but are at high risk for progressing to a more severe case.
To qualify, patients must also have a high-risk factor, such as diabetes, heart disease or obesity, and have a doctor’s order.
If a patient is 65 or older, they must simply have a positive COVID-19 test within the 10-day symptom window and a doctor’s order.
The monoclonal antibodies are the latest in a suite of innovative treatments offered by AdventHealth, including remdesivir, sarilumab, dexamethasone and convalescent plasma.
To schedule an appointment, call 321-235-6185.