The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

In Print: A hospital for Connerton, and a chat with St. Nick

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An area has come into its own when it has added a hospital. And Connerton has taken a huge step in that direction.

As Connerton continues to grow just north of Land O’ Lakes, entrances from U.S. 41 and State Road 52 will have to be improved, Pasco County officials say. (File photo)
As Connerton continues to grow just north of Land O’ Lakes, entrances from U.S. 41 and State Road 52 will have to be improved, Pasco County officials say. (File photo)

Pasco County’s Development Review Committee has given an initial approval on the second phase of Connerton’s overall project — and that includes early plans for a 150-bed hospital.

“What we’re doing right now is securing approval of the entitlement limits so that can decide what they can put there, depending on the market at the time,” Connerton representative Stew Gibbons told reporter Michael Hinman. “It’s a great location, especially when Ridge Road goes through, which will give you access across the county.”

Florida Hospital owns a bunch of land in Connerton through its University Community Hospital Inc., name. And if anyone builds there at this point it would be them.

But are they ready do it? Find out in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, available now in driveways and newsstands everywhere, or for free online with our e-edition by clicking here.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis has spent a lot of time working on veterans issues, but now he’s focusing on yet another pressing matter that may not get the attention it deserves: mental health.

Bilirakis invited Pennsylvania congressman Tim Murphy to Land O’ Lakes recently to talk about a new bill he authored that could change the face of how we approach mental health care in the coming years.

“On any given day, half-a-million people in this nation are in jail with a mental illness,” Murphy told participants of a recent mental health roundtable at Rasmussen College, according to reporter B.C. Manion. “We have to stop pretending that we can just wish this away.”

Unfortunately, many people’s introduction to mental health care in the county is through the state’s Baker Act, which requires mental health institutions to release those under forced observation after 72 hours.

“Who came up with 72 hours for mental illness?” Murphy asked, adding that the time limit “doesn’t make clinical sense.”

Find out what can be done in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, available now, or by reading our free online e-edition by clicking here.

And do you hear reindeers on your rooftop? Then that means Santa Claus is coming to town. And our very own Michael Hinman sat down with the jolly old elf himself to talk about what kids are asking for this year.

OK, so it wasn’t actually Santa Claus, but one of his many helpers — retired Q105 radio personality Pat George. He said history is starting to repeat itself because once again, boys are asking for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — something that probably hasn’t been on too many people’s minds since the 1990s.

But what about girls? Is there a new Barbie? Maybe something from the Disney movie “Frozen”? Or how about …

“A lot of them want guitars,” George said. “I don’t know what it is out there driving it, and I’m pretty up on a lot of music. But it might be because there are a lot of shows on television right now where girls are not only singing, but they’re playing instruments too. So maybe we have Taylor Swift to thank for that.”

So what is Santa’s secret? Find out in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, or read it online for free by clicking ho-ho-ho.

And finally, photojournalist Fred Bellet has some great pictures to share from a couple of events that you might be interested in. First in the final smaller edition of the East Pasco edition of The Laker, Fred offers a full-page look at the Pearl Harbor remembrance event in Zephyrhills. It’s something you don’t want to miss.

Then, Fred was out and about finding a number of great holiday moments in all different kinds of places. See a little of what he found by clicking here, and also by clicking here.

All of these stories and more can be found in this week’s The Laker/Lutz News, available in newsstands throughout east and central Pasco County as well as northern Hillsborough County. Find out what has your community talking this week by getting your local news straight from the only source you need.

If The Laker/Lutz News is not coming to your door, call us to see where you can get your copy at (813) 909-2800, or read our free e-edition by clicking here.

The Laker staff shares holiday memories

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Anyone picking up the print edition of The Laker/Lutz News this week will find a little something special from many of the people who help put the newspaper together each and every week.

Everyone here in our Land O’ Lakes office was given an opportunity to share a favorite holiday memory, whether it be something recent, or even something from their childhood or past. Nine of our crew here shared their stories, which you will find scattered in the Christmas Eve edition of your community paper.

Here are some snippets of what you will find. The first is from account manager Suzanne Beauchaine, talking about a crazy cold, yet warm Christmas.

 The house would be full of light and warmth for about an hour, and then poof — everything was dark. There was no way to know how long we would be without light.

Typically, the power would be out for an hour or two, but sometimes it would be out for three.

We were forced to sit and relax by candlelight, and we found ourselves engaged in pleasant conversation. We had no idea when we would receive the glorious gift of electrical power again.

Customer service manager Carolyn Bennett shared her royal Christmas fit for a princess.

I wanted a bedroom fir for a princess. I wanted pink walls and a full-sized white canopy bed with layers of purple ruffles, white nightstands with small lamps that were fitting, and a white fur rug to place my princess feet upon. This was a Christmas wish.

As the gifts started going under the tree, I would try to figure out which part of my princess room could fit into the box. The day arrived when a very large, but flat, gift appeared. Could it be my princess bed?

My parents asked me if I really thought a big canopy princess bed could fit into such a box. How could it? I knew they were right: No way a bed could fit into that box.

Why should Christmas come to our home when my one and only wish was not coming true?

Getting together for a hayride was always a fantastic way to get into the holiday mood. We held these rides during the holidays for years in our Wesley Chapel neighborhood.
Getting together for a hayride was always a fantastic way to get into the holiday mood. We held these rides during the holidays for years in Mary Eberhard’s Wesley Chapel neighborhood.

Our accounting manager Mary Eberhard talked about making wonderful memories at the holidays.

My parents had this great idea and rented two cabins at Mohican State Park. They drove up early, and since we were only staying there a few days, my mom brought just a handful of small Christmas decorations to make the cabin look a little festive before the rest of the family arrived.

They didn’t have room to bring a tree, so my mom jokingly said that if we saw a tree lying in the road to bring it with us.

My sister, brother and I were driving up to the cabin, and sure enough, there was a beautiful blue spruce tree on the side of the road.

My mom couldn’t believe it.

Michael Hinman, our news editor, explored the cultural differences when it comes to religion and the holidays by attending a Christmas Eve Mass in his Pennsylvania hometown.

Once the priest arrived at the altar, he started talking. I’m sure what he was saying was profound, but what really got my attention is that behind me from a balcony on the second story, a small choir started a low, dramatic hum.

The priest continued to talk, and he held out his hands, first at waist level, and then on a slow rise up. As his hands ascended higher and higher, so did the crescendo of the choir behind us.

Suddenly, the priest’s hands shot straight up into the air, and the choir was in full majestic sound. At the same time, all the holiday lighting came to life around the beautifully adorned sanctuary, and it was as if a small slice of heaven had enveloped the room.

I was shocked and I was awed. I was overwhelmed by the sound, the light, the energy.

Publisher Diane Kortus discovered how wonderful it was for childhood Christmas ornaments to find new homes.

The most emotional unveilings are of ornaments given to me the first Christmas after the births of my son and my daughter. My favorites are a little brown ceramic bear with dangling arms that a sister-in-law made for Andy in 1988. And a pink Hallmark carousel pony with Rachel’s name and birthday, May 4, 1992.

My Christmas boxes seem to have more ornaments for “Baby’s First Christmas” than any other theme. There is something endearing about the birth of a child that prompts friends and relatives to bestow these special ornaments on parents.

And then, in what seeks like no time at all, reindeers made out of clothespins and glitter-globbed Santas with cotton ball bears take over the ornament box.

Community editor B.C. Manion is probably one of the most festive people in our office when it comes to Christmas, but there was even a time when she needed an act of kindness to rekindle her Christmas spirit.

I have always looked forward to Christmas

Except for one year.

My sister Anne Marie was very ill, and I just couldn’t feel the joy of the season.

So instead of going to get a freshly cut tree from a lot and decorating it with my friends, Bob and Heather, I decided not to put up a tree.

When I told Heather that I was skipping our annual tradition, she invited me to come to their place and help them to decorate their tree. As I put ornaments on their tree’s branches, I knew the decorations evoked memories of happy events, important places, and special moments for my friends.

And I thought to myself: I have a fine collection of ornaments, too.

Editorial assistant Mary Rathman says there’s nothing like a Polish Christmas.

Christmas Eve, or “Wigilia,” was our most important holiday tradition. We’d eat delicious pierogi and break bread. The bread, or Christmas wafer called oplatek, was imprinted with a holy picture. We offered our oplatek to family and friends to ask for their forgiveness, or to extend a wish for happiness.

Also on Christmas Eve, I or one of my three sisters would add hay to our creche in preparation for the Christ child. We’d then dress in our Sunday best, pile in the car, and attend midnight Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Even though we didn’t understand the language of our parents — no matter how hard they tried to teach us — just listening to the Polish Christmas carols gave me more reasons to love the season.

Our administrative coordinator, Kathy Welton, talked a little bit about a shy boy making his singing debut one Christmas.

When my son was a little older than 3, the blond-headed, blue-eyed tyke was extremely shy. Whenever someone he didn’t know well would drop over, Michael would try to hide behind me.

That is until one Christmas when we had a house full of visitors.

I had mentioned to my brother, Tom, Michael’s tendency to shy away from people. So during our gathering, Tom asked Michael, “What’s your favorite song?”

Without missing a beat, Michael said, “Sunshine on My Shoulders.”

“Can you sing it?” Tom asked.

And finally, senior account manager Terri Williamson shared how the spirit of giving comes full circle.

We lived in Flint, Michigan, the hub of the automobile industry. My mom worked at General Motors and was bringing up four children on her own. She couldn’t afford big Christmas presents, and while we never went hungry, we sure ate a lot of hamburger casserole meals.

We loved mom’s company party. We hardly ever got to go to a movie, and if we did, we never got popcorn. Plus, the gifts were always things we enjoyed.

Those holiday parties made a real difference in my life, and to this day, they have inspired me to want to bring cheer to children who otherwise might not receive Christmas presents.

Want to read the full vignettes from everyone? There’s only one way to do it: Check out the Dec. 24 print edition of The Laker/Lutz News.

Congresswoman plans forum to discuss new Cuba relations

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Of all the states directly affected by the change in diplomatic policy with Cuba, none are likely affected more than Florida.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, is planning a community forum in early 2015 that she hopes will help community leaders and residents learn more about what those changes mean as President Obama begins to “normalize” relations with Cuba.

“We will engage the entire community, and work toward positive change that America’s policy shift will provide,” Castor said, in a release, “Whether it is travel, trade, or cultural exchange opportunities.”

Castor is working with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and Tampa International Airport to put together there regional forum, although no formal date or time has been set as of yet.

“At the turn of the 20th century, Tampa was central to the Cuban independence movement,” Castor said. “Similarly, Tampa will lead the way in the coming years on the new opening for normalization of relations with Cuba. We have already made much progress, especially with establishing direct flights from Tampa to Cuba, and our numerous arts and cultural exchanges to build business and cooperative ties with Cuba.”

Obama has plans to lift restrictions on travel, commerce and financial activities. Over the next six months, the U.S. State Department will review Cuba’s place on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, and conduct discussions with Cuba relating to migration, according to a release.

On top of that, the U.S. Treasury Department will increase the amount of money that can be sent to Cubans each quarter from $500 to $2,000, and loosen bank restrictions as well.

The U.S. Commerce Department also will loosen an array of export limits, including the longstanding ban on popular items like Cuban cigars.

Some Republicans, including U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Miami, have opposed the new plan unveiled by the Obama administration last week. Rubio, whose family roots are in Cuba, claimed it’s not the decades-long embargo that is hurting the Cuban people in general, but a totalitarian regime.

His Kentucky colleague, however, Sen. Rand Paul, said the sanctions have not worked, and it’s time to change the American approach to Cuba. Some leaders in the Republican-controlled congress say they will try to block the administration’s plans for Cuba.

Charitable giving is up, but not why you think

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The economy is starting to take off again, and with that, so are charitable donations.

A new survey from the Saint Leo University Polling Institute showed that 67 percent of Americans say they plan to give as much or more to charities than they did last year. That’s up a bit from 2013 when just 59 percent of people said they planned to give the same or more as they did the previous year.

“This may be another indication of not only an improving economy, but of increasing confidence in people’s own economic security,” said Susan Kinsella, the human services department chair at Saint Leo University, in a release.

In the survey, conducted between Nov. 25 and Dec. 6, 18 percent said they were going to give more this year than last year, compared to 15 percent the year before. At the same time, 49 percent said they would stay steady in donations compared to 44 percent last year.

Another 27 percent said they would lower their donation, or give nothing at all, compared to 32 percent in 2013.

For those who are giving, 49 percent said they were influenced by their own ethical principles, while just 15 percent said it was based on religious teachings or beliefs. At the same time, 23 percent said they were not influenced at all by ethical principles, religious beliefs, or nudging from family members or peers.

“Giving is really a personal choice, and individuals are influenced by ethical principles over religious teachings by more than a 3-to-1 margin,” Kinsella said. “Another factor to consider is that this is the United States, and we are known for being a generous country. We don’t hesitate to open our purse strings to help others in need.”

More than 1,000 adults were polled, with a margin of error plus or minus 3 percent.

Looking for a reason to get health insurance?

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The new year is coming, and with it a chance for many people to figure out whether they want to have health insurance for the coming year.

Bayfront Health Dade City, however, feels the decision to pick up health insurance is an easy yes — even for people who are generally quite healthy, because no one knows when they might be faced with an accident and need medical care.

And without that insurance, that person or his or her family may not be able to afford medical care when they need it most.

Also, those with health insurance are more likely to see their doctor before their condition worsens and becomes more expensive to treat. Those with diabetes and do not have health insurance have a higher mortality rate those than with diabetes and health insurance at the same time.

If someone doesn’t have health insurance and experiences a serious illness or medical emergency, he will be responsible for all his medical costs, the hospital said. Health insurance protects people and their families from financial hardships that may result from health care expenses.

Also, some colleges, universities and international programs require proof of health insurance to enroll.

One of the biggest changes to health insurance in recent years thanks to the Affordable Care Act is where someone cannot be denied because of pre-existing conditions, such as having diabetes or a previous cancer diagnosis. At the same time, all insurance plans on the marketplace must cover essential health benefits, including emergency services, hospitalization, outpatient care, pregnancy and maternity, mental health and substance abuse, and prescription drugs, among others.

Marketplace health plans also must cover a set of preventive services, like screenings, tests and vaccinations to keep adults and children healthy. Those preventive services are provided free of charge, meaning no copays or deductibles.

Many people may qualify for lower costs on a health plan, the hospital said. Depending on household income and family size, people could qualify for financial assistance from the government, or subsidies, toward the cost of the premium and other financial obligations like copays and deductibles.

Also, some people may qualify for lost-cost coverage through Medicaid. In all states, Medicaid provides health coverage for some low-income people, families and children, as well as pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Although Florida has chosen not to expand Medicaid, there are still many people who qualify for Medicaid coverage in the state, the Dade City hospital said.

If nothing else, those without health coverage in 2015 who can afford it may have to pay a penalty of $325 per adult, $162.50 per child, and up to $975 per family — or 2 percent of family income, whichever is higher.

For example, a family of four with a household income of $40,500, would have a penalty of $975, since 2 percent of income would be $810. However, a family of four with a household income of $65,000 would have to pay the 2 percent, which in this case would be $1,300.

Bayfront Health Dade City is offering help through the 2015 enrollment deadline of Feb. 15, at (352) 518-1055.

Merry Christmas, Florida: $2 gas is coming

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Georgia and Tennessee have gas stations where prices have fallen below $2 a gallon. And it looks like Florida might not be far behind.

Stations in the Jacksonville area reported prices of $2.10 over the weekend, according to AAA. And if prices keep falling at the current rate of 2 cents a day, that area will be at $2 a gallon by the end of the week.

“Gasoline prices are plunging with little sign of slowing down,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said, in a release. “Oil prices dropped for the fourth consecutive week because of increased oil production and low demand, and that’s keeping downward pressure on the price of gasoline. It is unclear exactly how low prices will go, but gasoline will keep getting cheaper as long as oil does.”

More than 89 million Americans are taking to the road this week, and when they do it, they will find the cheapest gasoline since May 2009, and the lowest Christmas prices since 2008, Jenkins said. On average, Americans are saving $13 for a tank of gas compared to this time last year, and if prices were to remain at these levels, households would save $550 next year, according to the Energy Information Administration.

“Plunging pump prices have boosted disposable income by more than 3.5 percent, which encourages Americans to travel,” Jenkins said. “AAA expects the highest number of travelers during the year-end holidays on record, which dates back to 2001.”

Florida prices were at $2.48 per gallon on average, down 12 cents from last week, and 35 cents from a month ago. Gas was 88 cents more expensive a year ago.

Although nowhere local has gas as close to $2 as Jacksonville does, many service stations are well below the state average.

In Land O’ Lakes, both the RaceTrac and the Hess station on the State Road 52 area reported prices of $2.35, according to GasBuddy, while the Sunoco on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard near Causeway Boulevard, reported the highest prices at $2.53.

In Wesley Chapel, Sam’s Club reported the lowest prices in the entire area at $2.24 on State Road 56. Four other stations were at $2.39, but well above the reported number from the high-volume retail store.

Lutz had gas prices ranging from $2.37 at Metro Gas on State Road 54 near Foggy Ridge Parkway, to $2.49 at three stations, including two near Van Dyke Road.

The cheapest gas in Zephyrhills is at the Marathon station on Eland Boulevard and Geiger Road with a reported price of $2.34. In Dade City, it was the Clark station at the lowest, with $2.33 per gallon on U.S. 301 near Long Avenue. The Chevron station on Fort King Road and Clinton Avenue was the most expensive, according to the website, at $2.45.

Scott celebrates Florida job creation milestone

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Gov. Rick Scott is cheering job growth in Florida, saying that more than 700,000 jobs have been added to the state since December 2010. That came on the heels of nearly 39,000 new jobs created in November, the highest single month of private sector job growth since Scott took office.

That milestone is significant, he said, because it surpasses a campaign promises to create 700,000 jobs in seven years. Scott, however, is only tracking private sector jobs, and not counting the more than 25,000 government jobs that have been cut since he took office, according to statistics provided by Politifact.

Also, the milestone is a bit different from Scott’s original campaign promise that he would work to create 700,000 jobs on top of the 1 million jobs economists said Florida would add on its own by 2017, even if state lawmakers did nothing to help create them. Those jobs were expected to come as a natural extension of the improved economy on the national scale.

Scott, however, no longer mentions the additional 1 million jobs number, and instead has said he’s satisfied a campaign promise three years early.

“I applaud our job creators across the state who sacrifice and work hard to create new jobs,” Scott said, in a release. “Every job impacts a family, and we will keep working each day to make Florida the world’s No. 1 destination for jobs.”

The state’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.8 percent, down nearly a half-percent from where it was a year ago.

Scott’s office also touted a quarterly Manpower Employment Outlook Survey that showed 22 percent of businesses saying they expected to hire more workers during the first three months of 2015.

In November, Florida’s 24 regional work force boards reported nearly 34,000 people were placed in jobs in the state. An individual who receives employment and training assistance through a CareerSource Center, and finds a job within 180 days, is deemed a placement, and can be reported by a regional work force board. Of these people, nearly 6,800 were receiving unemployment assistance.

Premier to take over maternity services

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Premier Community Healthcare Inc. will soon inherit prenatal services to expecting mothers from the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County.

The state agency will no longer provide those services effective Jan. 31, and already has stopped accepting new prenatal clients.

Premier will take over that care for current prenatal clients who have not chosen an alternative provider by Jan. 12.

“This local collaboration with Premier, Medical Center of Trinity, Healthy Start Coalition and private physicians furthers our commitment to pregnant moms and their babies to have good outcomes,” county health officer Mike Napier said, in a release. “A community-based system of care that leverages limited resources is key to long-term sustainability.”

The Pasco health department is helping current clients make the transition of their care by transferring medical records to new providers. The goal, Napier said, is to have a seamless transition for everyone, but also to ensure pregnant women know where to get care in the county.

For more information on the transition, call (727) 841-4425, ext. 1013.

Graduation rates up at Pasco schools

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Nearly 70 percent of all Pasco County’s public high school earned an A or B grade from the state, with no D’s or F’s — and graduation rates are up to almost 80 percent as well.

Florida released its grades for high schools on Thursday following a more strict grading scale that suggested some schools may not improve as well as educators may have hoped. Yet, five schools in Pasco received an A grade — with Land O’ Lakes High School improving from a B to an A.

Graduation rates in the county hovered around 76 percent last year, but climbed to 79.4 percent this year, well above the state average of 76.1. Pasco County Schools superintendent Kurt Browning said it’s that statistic, not the grades, that parents should be focused on.

“I’m ecstatic about the significant increase in our gradation rate,” Browning said, in a release. “I can say that I’m pleased that most of our schools either maintained or raised their grades, especially when the bar was set higher this year. But I’d still caution anyone from reading too much into these grades.”

The preliminary grades this year for Pasco’s high schools were:

Anclote High School C
Fivay High School B
Gulf High School B
Hudson High School C
Land O’ Lakes High School A
Mitchell High School A
Pasco High School B
Ridgewood High School C
River Ridge High School A
Sunlake High School A
Wesley Chapel High School B
Wiregrass Ranch High School A
Zephyrhills High School C

Health 12-17-14

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(Courtesy of Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care)
(Courtesy of Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care)

Remember loved ones with paper dove
Gulfside Hospice’s five thrift shop locations will be selling paper doves to remember loved ones, while supplies last. For $5, you receive two doves to write a loved one’s name on — one for a tree at the shop, and one for your tree at home. Erin Labbe, Gulfside Hospice special events coordinator, hangs a dove to honor a loved one. For information and shop locations, call (800) 561-4883, or visit GHPPC.org.

Huntington’s disease support
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will host a support group for anyone whose life is affected by Huntington’s disease Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

Guests should check in at the front desk for directions to the meeting room.

For information, call Nina Qualters at (727) 236-3578, or email .

Breast cancer support group
Florida Cancer Affiliates will host a breast cancer support group meeting Dec. 18 at 6 p.m., at its Trinity center, 3611 Little Road.

For information, call (727) 372-9159.

Lymphedema support meeting

The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will host a lymphedema support group meeting Dec. 18 at 3 p.m.

Lymphedema is a persistent swelling usually affecting an arm or leg that sometimes occurs as a side effect of cancer treatment.

For information and reservations, call (727) 834-5630.

Caring for Cancer group
Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., in Spring Hill, will host Caring for Cancer, a support group for anyone dealing with cancer, cancer survivors, family members and caregivers, Dec. 23 at 11 a.m.

Participants will receive educational material about cancer and cancer treatment.

For information, call Julie DiRenzo at (352) 597-6030.

Free health care event
The Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., will host a free health care event Jan. 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Guests can get help in choosing and signing up for a health care plan.

For information, call (813) 995-0078.

Tools to Quit smoking
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will offer the free Tools to Quit program for tobacco users Jan. 6 at 2 p.m.

Participants will set a quit date, make a plan, and work through steps to quit.

Those attending also will receive free optional nicotine replacement therapy including patches, lozenges or gum.

For information and to register, call (813) 929-1000, Ext. 208, or email .

Lodge offers TOPS program
J.F. Swartsel Lodge, 3309 Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz, offers the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) program every Wednesday.

Weigh-in is at 9 a.m., followed by a meeting at 9:45 a.m.

For information, call Mary Clark at (813) 908-3587.

Balance program for senior citizens
Anytime Fitness, 7016 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Lutz, is offering an Agility & Balance Program for senior citizens on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.

The cost is $5 per session for Anytime Fitness members, and $8 for non-members.

For information, call Tom Marbell at (352) 409-2984, or email .

Caregiver support
The Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support group meets the first Wednesday of the month at 11 a.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway.

The group is open to anyone who has a loved one with any form of dementia.

Topics include caregiving frustrations and successes.

Admission is free.

For information, call (813) 996-1361, or email .

Senior citizen strength classes
The Groves Golf and Country Club, 7924 Melogold Circle in Land O’ Lakes, offers a Silver Sneakers Strength & Balance program on Wednesdays at 9 a.m.

These are low-impact classes to improve flexibility and balance.

Classes are free to Silver Sneakers members, and $5 for non-members.

For information, call Tom Marbell at (352) 409-2984, or email .

OLOR cancer network
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church Family Cancer Network meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month in Rosary Hall, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, beginning at 7 p.m.

Cancer survivors and caregivers are invited to attend.

For information, call (813) 949-4565.

Free pregnancy care
LifeChoices Women’s Care, 1527 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 101 in Lutz, offers free pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasounds to teenagers, women and couples facing an unplanned pregnancy.

The center is open Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Appointments are recommended.

NAMI offers support
The Pasco County Chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness offers the following support groups:

Family & Friends Support Meetings for family and friends of those with mental illness:

  • NAMI Pasco Office, Jallo Plaza, 6480 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, first and third Tuesday of every month, at 7 p.m.
  • Medical Center of Trinity West Campus, 5637 Marine Parkway in New Port Richey, second and fourth Monday of every month, at 7:30 p.m.

NAMI Connections for those living with mental illness:

  • NAMI Pasco Office, 6480 Jallo Plaza, 6480 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, every Tuesday, at 7 p.m.
  • Medical Center of Trinity West Campus, 5637 Marine Parkway in New Port Richey, every Wednesday, at 7 p.m.

For information, call (727) 992-9653.

Celebrate Recovery from addictions
Victorious Life Church, 6224 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, offers a Celebrate Recovery group on Mondays at 6:30 p.m.

The group is a recovery resource for healing from addictions. Participants will discuss hurts, hang-ups and habits.

For information, call (813) 973-2230.

Oak Hill offers mammograms for uninsured
Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville, offers digital mammography screenings for $60 to patients without health insurance.

The screening includes the imaging and the radiologist’s reading.

Patients do not need a prescription from a physician to schedule a screening.

For information, or to schedule an appointment, call (800) 921-7158.

Veteran hotline help
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has a toll-free help line to provide emotional support and resource referral to veterans in a five-county area.

The service covers Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Manatee counties.

The hotline is staffed by veterans.

Any veteran needing help or information can call (844) 693-5838 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

After-hours and weekend calls will be answered by crisis specialists in the Crisis Center’s 2-1-1 call center.