The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Much to celebrate at Rainbow Village

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Our main hall was set up for a Super Bowl party to watch the championship game on our new large projection screen that was hooked up to a television. It was a great way to watch the action of the game. Some diehard football fans brought their food and comfortable chairs to enjoy the event.

Ron and Betty Laskey celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with Betty’s three sisters and their daughter, Jill. Funny hats have been a long tradition when the family gets together. (Courtesy of Sandra Gilbert-Abel)
Ron and Betty Laskey celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with Betty’s three sisters and their daughter, Jill. Funny hats have been a long tradition when the family gets together. (Courtesy of Sandra Gilbert-Abel)

There was a group of football fans on Crimson Lane that had a 52-inch television sitting in front of their unit cheering on their team to win. They were enjoying their party on a beautiful night to be outside.

Clayton and Chris Sanderson were the chairpersons of the Canadian dinner. They had 80 people at the covered-dish dinner. They had a guest speaker that talked about snowbird insurance for the Canadians, they played a game called “How Much of a Canadian Are You?” had a silent auction, and handed out door prizes.

The entertainment was Doug Sawyer and seven of his Canadian friends playing and singing for the dinner. Great job, Clayton and Chris.

Steve Jeffris, a resident at our resort, put on a great one-man band and variety show. He performed to a full house.

He had four of our residents come up on stage and help him with the song “Moving On Over” as his back-up singers. They were so funny. Steve put on a great show, as always.

The Rainbowettes Red Hat ladies’ service project for this year was to host a spaghetti dinner to benefit the special needs children of Zephyrhills. The dinner was a great success. A big thank you to Steve Lykins and Rich Vogel for cooking the spaghetti using Tony Andrade’s famous sauce, and Del Larkin, Dick Luce and Dale Mosley for cooking 36 pounds of spaghetti.

A big thanks for all those that purchased tickets to support our project. God bless you all.

Ron and Betty Laskey celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at a party their daughter Jill hosted for them. Many family members came to Florida to help Ron and Betty celebrate. Many friends and neighbors were honored to be guests at the party also. Each person shared a story about Ron and Betty on how they got to know them.

This is one great couple that does so much for others in our resort. We wish you many more years together.

Sherry Cherry was our entertainment for our ice cream social. Her first song was “Crazy,” which she sang that to Maynard Gross. It was so funny, and Maynard was a good sport during the song.

Then Sherry picked on Rich Vogel, and he was a good sport, too. It was requested that she sing “12 Days of Christmas” with 12 residents portraying each day of Christmas. It was great fun with Sherry Cherry, a beautiful lady that donated her fee to the pregnancy center.

We have a special little lady at Rainbow Village who just celebrated her 94th birthday. Ruth Simmons Rounds has been coming to Rainbow Village for 27 years. She came with her late husband Howard, and for the past 14 years, she flies down from DePeyster, N.Y.

Howard and Ruth were farmers in New York and worked very hard on the farm. They did some traveling around the states with their camper before becoming snowbirds. Ruth has vision problems, but you would never know it the way she gets around. She has many friends that help her and also some friends from New York that check on her.

Ruth and Howard were blessed with two children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She always has a smile on her face. We love you, Ruthie.

Our last show of the season is the Jimmy Smith “Remembering the Legends and Gospel Show” on March 5 at 7 p.m. The ticket price is $8 each and can be purchased by calling Sue Flynn at (813) 782-5075.

By Sandra Gilbert-Abel

Published Feb. 19, 2014

Sundance Park

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(Courtesy of Barb White)
(Courtesy of Barb White)

 

Dressed for the tea
Nearly 60 residents attended the women’s club February meeting and potluck luncheon at Sundance Park. Ann McDonald, the women’s club president, shared details for the donations to local charities. Next month’s meeting with be a ‘Mad Hatters Tea Party’ theme. There will be prizes given for the prettiest, most creative, funniest and craziest hats.

 

 

(Courtesy of Barb White)
(Courtesy of Barb White)

A little bit of country
Sundance resident Smokey Greene entertained the crowd at the Sundance Park February meeting/luncheon with country music and a patriotic song. You can visit his website at SmokeyGreene.com.

Published Feb. 19, 2014

Spaghetti and fun at Grand Horizons

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We started off the week at Grand Horizons with several activities, including a lively game of shuffleboard, card games, Wednesday’s coffee and doughnuts — which included checking our blood pressure — and so much more.

Helene Rubenstein, left, sees a move she can take during a game of dominoes. (Courtesy of Marty Rubenstein)
Helene Rubenstein, left, sees a move she can take during a game of dominoes. (Courtesy of Marty Rubenstein)

On Jan. 13, some 20 of us got together for a game of dominoes. This was so much fun, and after several years of playing, gets to be more enjoyable each time. Eugene and Nancy Martin originally brought the game to us. They sure picked a winner, as more and more people come to learn this fun game and usually end up sticking with it.

As Nancy and Eugene would say, “Reserve your seat for next week,” and they also mention, “Let us punch your ticket.”

There was a homeowner’s association town hall meeting at the community center the following day. Several people attended this meeting, which was quite informative, and there was an open discussion after the meeting.

Also, at this time, there was a book club at Nancy Martin’s house with several residents from Grand Horizons and a few residents from Spanish Trails. Once at the book club, we discussed portions of the very last book that we read, “Cross Roads” by William Paul Young. This was a good book, and Nancy Martin led the discussion.

Before the discussion, desserts were served, and there were quite a few. We also decided on a book for the next month, “A World Full of Strangers,” written by Cynthia Freeman.

Jan. 15 came upon us, and as usual, every Wednesday we have coffee and doughnuts. Rich Fulton brings us the birthdays and anniversaries that are to be celebrated during the week. We also hear updates on different activities that are going on at Grand Horizons.  All in all, it is a great time to socialize and greet people who you haven’t seen during the week.

This was a busy day, as later on we had our writing group at Nancy Martin’s home and prompts were given to the people who attend this group to write on.  Some of the prompts really get you to think, and I for one love this group.

Then later on we had a lively game of hand and foot in the community center. This is a game that flows so easily and can become exciting at certain points.

There was anticipation for Jan. 16 to arrive with a spaghetti dinner put on by Andy and Margaret Castonguay. The community had been looking forward to this for a good time, and they definitely were not disappointed when the day eventually arrived. There were approximately 110 people there to enjoy this dinner.

It started off when Cookie said grace before the meal started and did a splendid job of it. As each table was called forward to get their spaghetti, a crisp salad was served along with some garlic bread. Upon completion of the meal, cake also was served to everyone.

The people who helped out in preparing and serving the food were Dudley and Carol Newvine, Jack and Pauline Gadbois, and Ken and Cheryl Leone.

There were many other volunteers who helped clean up. Our sincere thanks go out to all of them. One thing that Grand Horizons has is many volunteers.

Our next dinner will be Feb. 6, and we are looking forward to a taco dinner that also will be hosted by Andy and Margaret.

On Jan. 17, several people were in the community center for a game of Rummikub. This also is a lively and fun game that can become very addictive. Before we knew it, we realized it was time to leave. I am telling you, we become so engrossed with the game that time just flies by.

We are looking forward to our next big show called “Ireland’s Happy Man” by Cahal Dunne. Terry Gardner will be the host for this show that I will tell you about next time.

By Helene Rubenstein

Published Feb. 5, 2014

Activities are heating up at Happy Days

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If the normal weekly activities did not drag the warmth lovers out into the park, such as sports, crafts, card games, health activities, or tours, then the current ones certainly had.

Bill Wellivere, left, awards Ron Howe his prize for first place in the inaugural turkey shoot of the season. (Courtesy of Ron Graham)
Bill Wellivere, left, awards Ron Howe his prize for first place in the inaugural turkey shoot of the season. (Courtesy of Ron Graham)

Our second open-mike karaoke was a huge success arranged by our resident karaoker Nancy Warren. Nancy is the spark plug that gets this going. Altogether, more than 70 people left their inhibitions at home and filled the two-hour session with song, to the delight of all. This solidifies the karaoke nights into our calendar in February and may become a regular event. Stay tuned, or was that in tune?

The first turkey shoot and hot dog lunch of the year was, as usual, a big success. Winners were Jim Howe, Ontario, 134; Don Goyette, Massachusetts, 114; Mike Bilak, West Virginia, 106; Pauline Thibault, New Hampshire, 105; and Ray Henderson, Ontario, 98. It sounds more like reading a vacation road map with all the territory covered than where our players hailed from.

The hot dog lunch, with Dave Lalonde and Don Temple grilling and a gaggle of volunteers inside, served 182 dogs (actually, it was people) with condiments of chili, sauerkraut, onions and the regular stuff, served with chips and a soda for $1.50, or two dogs for $2. What a deal.

The annual chili supper, as Chef “Boy r Phil” says, becomes a two-day pot extravaganza, with a 32-gallon pot in the kitchen and another pot the next day. The recipe is fairly simple: meat, beans, veggies, tomatoes, and anything else that cannot walk in the door.

Volunteers donate all the makings under the chef’s supervision. Meat is browned and everything is dumped in.

It is an all-day process, but never boring with Phil’s sense of humor stoking the fires and the Saturday open jam entertaining the chefs.

Approximately 122 people scoffed it down and many took a baggy home, but not in paper bags. Phil has worn his apron well at this function for 18 years and promises to bring a surprise into the mix for next year.

The annual pie auction again was a huge success for sugar lovers. Well, some were sugar-free, but the list is mouth watering anyway. We hit an all-time record with 45 pies baked and donated. The hall had that bakery smell when we arrived for coffee hour.

We had cream pies: lemon meringue, coconut, peanut, candy bar, rhubarb, kumquat, banana split, strawberry cheesecake, cherry cheesecake and pecan. We also had fruit pies; apple, Dutch apple, pear, lemon, key lime, cranberry raisin, pumpkin, chocolate; and of course berry pies: strawberry French glaze, strawberry, mixed berry and blackberry.

Yum, Yum. I am assured that was a no-calorie day.

On another topic, prepping for the second annual Goofy Golf Tournament started for the team at the end of December and really started heating up as January progressed. The format has now expanded to 18 holes, covering every street in the park.

Signups are way ahead of last year at this time, and will beat this by about 15 percent on game day. Volunteers have also stepped up to guarantee an 18-hole track.

Boy, are activities heating up. By the time the magic northern migration begins, we will be ready to head home for a rest, that is if the snow has melted.

By Ian Marwick

Published Feb. 5, 2014

A stitch at a time at Leisure Days

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The quilt show is just around the corner, but the Leisure Days quilters already are preparing their 2015 park quilt.

Members of the Leisure Days Quilters stand proud with their 2015 quilt. Guests can see demonstrations of hand quilting at Leisure Days’ upcoming quilt show. (Courtesy of Anne Astles)
Members of the Leisure Days Quilters stand proud with their 2015 quilt. Guests can see demonstrations of hand quilting at Leisure Days’ upcoming quilt show. (Courtesy of Anne Astles)

The quilters of Leisure Days RV Resort are getting ready for their ninth annual quilt show on Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Several visitors last year said the Leisure Days quilt show was the “best in the area.”

Visitors are invited to view the numerous quilts on display, have fun at the raffle table, watch a hand-quilting demonstration, and enjoy visiting with other quilters and friends.

A very special drawing will take place at this year’s show. Gertrude Dupuis of Midland, Mich., was an avid quilter, but unable to finish her last quilt. At her daughter’s request, the Leisure Days Quilters accepted her beautiful hand-pieced quilt as a group project to complete.

The quilt, appraised at $2,300, was presented to Gulfside Regional Hospice for fundraising. The drawing for the quilt will be at the annual quilt show on Feb. 8. Tickets will be on sale at the Leisure Days park-wide sale on Feb. 1.

Leisure Days is at 33543 Leisure Days Drive, off Morris Bridge Road and State Road 54, in Zephyrhills.

By Anne Astles

Published Feb. 5, 2014

Kicking up their heels at Rainbow Village

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January was a very busy month for Rainbow Village. Most of the snowbirds had arrived after Christmas and ready for all the activities ahead of them for this month.

The Rainbowette Red Hat ladies enjoy an outing at the Whistle Stop in Plant City. (Courtesy of Sandra Gilbert-Abel)
The Rainbowette Red Hat ladies enjoy an outing at the Whistle Stop in Plant City. (Courtesy of Sandra Gilbert-Abel)

Our board member Maggie Stewart organized a welcoming coffee for all the new residents of Rainbow Village. She had help from Polly Ollie and Sue Phillips.

Each board member shared what events they were in charge of and explained how things get done at our resort. The security committee also explained how we all help to secure the park. Our manager also explained rules and activities of our resort. It was a great turnout for this event.

Our annual bean soup dinner, chaired by Les Mallery, was a big success. They used those great Michigan beans. A lot of planning goes into making this dinner, and Les had a great group of helpers. Great job, Les and helpers.

It was a cold Friday morning for our second yard sale of the season. The weather didn’t keep the people from coming to our resort. It is always fun to see what our neighbors have for sale that maybe we could use. Thanks to Emil Ruhlig for organizing this event.

The Snow Ball dance with Travis Golden was a sold-out event. Travis had almost everybody out dancing to his music. He played music that we could line dance, chicken dance, slow dance, jitterbug, twist and waltz to. He even danced with the crowd. The decorations were really nice with lit up snowmen on the tables as centerpieces.

Thanks to Carol Halliday and Sue Larkin, and their committee, for a great dance.

Congratulations go out to Jeannine Beland and her sister, Claudette Poulin, for coming in third in the Carefree Shuffle tournament. It sure was a long day for the ladies and quite an honor because there were lots of shuffleboard teams from the Carefree parks. Rainbow Village is so proud of both of you.

Magician Chuck Frankie performed some card tricks, rope tricks and money tricks. It was an enjoyable night of magic at our Sunday night ice cream.

Rainbow Village performers put on some funny skits at our ice cream social. Mary Jo Gorsch was in charge. It was fun to watch our residents perform.

From the time Joe Wright started his show, he had us all in stitches from his stories, to the crazy faces that he makes. He is a great steel guitar player that played with Charlie Pride for many years. Jimmy Frable played in the band that backed up Joe.  Jimmy has been playing his music in Dollywood this past year and starts up again in the beginning of May. The show was great.

Our next show is Sarah Getto, a musician and songwriter, who will perform Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. Call Sue Flynn at (813) 782-5075 for tickets. Cost is $8 each.

We look forward to more great events in February. The way at Rainbow Village is you can participate in all the activities or not participate in anything. That is your option.

By Sandra Gilbert-Abel

Published Feb. 5, 2014

Sundance Park puts health and wellness first

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(Courtesy of Barb White)
(Courtesy of Barb White)

Residents of Sundance Park take part in free health screenings during the Health & Wellness Expo on Jan. 21. A variety of brochures also were available with valuable health information. The event included refreshments, door prizes and giveaways.

 

 

 

(Courtesy of Barb White)
(Courtesy of Barb White)

Sundance homeowners association representative Sara Lawson and Bayfront Health Dade City’s Patty Richter put together the annual Health & Wellness Expo at Sundance Park. Vendors included Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services of Florida, Heritage Park Health & Rehabilitation, Meridian Acupuncture Center, Pasco County Health Department, North Tampa Behavioral Health,  and Westbrook Manor Assisted Living & Memory Support, as well as others.

 

 

 

 

 

(Courtesy of Barb White)
(Courtesy of Barb White)

The signup table was a busy place during the Sundance Health & Wellness Expo on Jan. 21.

 

Pasco’s new cheerleading state champion is Sunlake

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Just weeks after they took the Best of Pasco crown, the Sunlake High School cheerleading squad earned a new honor last weekend: Class 1A Medium division champions for the state.

They had to wait a day because of snow in the Panhandle, but the Sunlake High School cheerleading squad took the state crown for the first time last weekend in Kissimmee. (Courtesy of Pennye Garcia
They had to wait a day because of snow in the Panhandle, but the Sunlake High School cheerleading squad took the state crown for the first time last weekend in Kissimmee.
(Courtesy of Pennye Garcia

The cheerleaders took the FHSAA crown during the competition in Kissimmee, where they were the only school representing Pasco County.

“The girls are very excited, as well as myself,” Sunlake head coach Pennye Garcia said in a release. “They have been trained to know that we need to focus on the task at hand. Between the semifinal and final competition, I made a couple of changes to better our score, and it proved to be in our favor.”

The first FHSAA state championship for the team had to come with some waiting. The cheerleaders earned first place during competition Jan. 30, but one team competing got held up by weather, and didn’t make it there until Friday, Garcia said. Everyone had to wait until the next day, to give that team a chance to compete.

However, late Friday, Garcia got the email that Sunlake had won it all.

The cheerleaders will receive their trophy and medals during a planned pep rally at Sunlake Feb. 14.

To see highlights of the winning routine from Sunlake, visit Bright House Sports Networks at tinyurl.com/SunlakeCheer.

Published Feb. 5, 2014

 

An exceptional school for exceptional children opens in New Tampa

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Marilyn Davis, director of Esther’s School in New Tampa, has openings for 30 exceptional students for the 2014/15 school year (starting in August 2014). Spaces are available to early applicants beginning in March. Esther’s School specializes in children with autism, Downs’ syndrome, ADHD and other learning differences.

“Each child receives individual attention, impossible in a public school,” says Marilyn. “We have one teacher for every four or five students. Our goal is to bring every child up to their full potential.” Some of Esther’s graduates have gone on to junior college.

“After receiving a number of requests for a school in the Tampa area, we found a wonderful location with the Saint James United Methodist Church,” says Marilyn. “St. James has a strong special needs ministry serving children and adults.”

Esther’s School is a Bible-based; Christian special needs school with a full curriculum covering all subject areas from kindergarten through 12th grade. “Each child is tested for proper placement with- in the curriculum,” says Marilyn. “Every child works at their own pace.” We work closely with each child to help them grow up to lead successful, independent lives.”

EsthersSchoolEsther Berry founded Esther’s School in February 2005. With little more than an unction and great concern for the education of differently abled children, Esther’s School was launched as a private coed Judeo-Christian School in St. Petersburg, Florida. In desperation to achieve better services for her own son diagnosed with Down Syndrome, Esther Berry took on the journey and formulated a place where others could join her in gaining exceptional curriculum development, counseling and tutoring for their child struggling to cope with classes in traditional educational institutions.

Esther’s son is now 22 and living independently as a fully functional adult with a job.

With modest beginnings, servicing only two students the first year, Esther’s School currently serves 90 students in four locations. St. James in New Tampa, starting Monday, February 3rd, will be the fifth location. Esther’s husband, Chris Berry, is traveling to Panama in February to oversee the opening of their sixth school. The pastor of a church in Panama sought out Esther to help him set up a special needs school.

Marilyn has worked with Esther’s school for eight years. “We’ve had children come into our school that wouldn’t come out from under their desk,” says Marilyn. “Within the first year, they’ve moved into active participation with the rest of the class. It truly is an exceptional school.”

Tuition has not been raised in seven years. The majority of the tuition is normally covered by the McKay scholarship program or the Florida Step-up program for lower income families. Esther’s School also offers a few scholarships to help parents with costs not covered by other programs on a first come, first serve basis.

Esther is committed to helping all children to learn and grow into healthy happy adults. A few years ago, Esther was instrumental in setting up three schools in Africa for AIDS orphans.

Esther’s New Tampa school is located at St. James United Methodist Church, 16202 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. You can call Marilyn Davis directly at (813) 454-8377 for an application or further information.

The main campus is located at the New Beginnings Nazarene Church in Pinellas Park. Currently, only the main campus offers a summer school program.

Additional schools are located at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Seminole, 5418 Madison Street, New Port Richey, and the Christian Retreat in Bradenton. Visit their website at EstherSchool.net.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

He has the solution to health care confusion

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Ed Klaameyer, a licensed agent for US Health Advisors, strives to help people successfully navigate the health care jungle. “Health care is on everyone’s mind,” says Ed. “It’s always a topic of conversation at the BNI (business) networking group I belong to in New Tampa.”

Ed Klaameyer
Ed Klaameyer

“It’s very confusing with all the changes taking place,” says Ed. “People are trying to figure out who and what to believe. There is so much conflicting information being presented by the media.”

Ed’s role is to help people understand the health care marketplace and make the best choices for both the short-term and long-term. His goal is to provide his clients with a comprehensive health care plan that effectively meets their needs without breaking their budget.

He was an international sales manager for 15 years with DHL when the package delivery industry was starting up. “Our culture was changed forever through the impact companies like DHL, Federal Express and UPS had on us,” says Ed. “It changed the way businesses operate and what customers expect from them.”

“We’re now seeing the same long-term cultural effects taking place with health care,” says Ed. “Everyone, regardless of their age, whether they work for a big company, small company or are self-employed, are being affected by these changes.”

Ed’s primary focus is on small businesses with less than 10 employees, sole proprietors and families. “I owned a small business for 15 years, so I understand what business owners and their families go through as they’re making health care decisions,” says Ed. “Their biggest cost is payroll with health care coming in second and rising fast.”

“Our motto is HOPE: helping other people everyday,” says Ed. “The first thing I look at is what they feel their needs are. Then we look at networks, doctors, hospitals, prescriptions and premiums. These are the key items for building a comprehensive health care plan.”

US Health Advisors represents US Health Group. Insurance is underwritten by Freedom Life Insurance Company of America.

“We’re the only insurance company that offers a premium rate lock in,” say Ed. “This means your premiums won’t increase for up to three years.”

Solutions provided by US Health Advisors are not off- the-shelf plans. The three key areas that Ed looks at are sickness, accident and wellness (prevention). This enables the client to focus on the areas of greatest concern and create a health plan that meets their specific needs.

“The ability to customize the plan is a real blessing,” say Ed. “This allows me to help business owners set up a plan that takes care of their unique requirements.”

Ed has also been able to help companies supplement their existing health care plan. He can help them to cover deficiencies in their existing group plan without needing to give up what they already have in place. This gives the employees the additional coverage they need without losing their existing benefits.

Ed and his wife Jan have been married for 30 years. They moved to Florida from New York in 1998 and have been residents of Land O’ Lakes since 2002. Ed and Jan have been members of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for nine years. Ed is currently the president of the church’s board of directors.

For a free consultation, call Ed at (813) 318-1012

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.