The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Let’s put one myth to bed for good: Vaccines do not cause the flu

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Influenza is so common that sometimes the risk it poses is overlooked. But the truth is, the flu can cause serious illness that leads to hospitalization or even death – especially when the virus is coupled with a significant underlying health condition. Despite the availability of the flu vaccine, some still resist, in some cases falling prey to the misguided notion that the vaccine causes the flu. This is fiction.

“We’ve had influenza vaccines for many years, and the components have been refined and formulations are now safer than ever,” says William Russell, M.D., Managing Partner, Conviva Care Center® Palm Beach. “We continue to push hard to get flu vaccines into the arms of everyone, especially those in a high-risk category.”

Dr. Russell said scientists and doctors continue to learn more about the flu, including its effects on certain age groups. “If you look at the general population, those seniors 86 and above are at the greatest risk and need the vaccination the most,” he said. “COVID technology is relatively new, but the influenza technology has been refined over many, many years. It’s safe and effective and the best way to protect you and your family.”

The reason a person might think they are getting the flu following a flu shot is the natural response of the body’s immune system. “You don’t get the flu from a flu shot, and any symptoms are normally very mild,” said Dr. Russell.

Respiratory viruses can be devastating to older adults, but are largely preventable with immunizations that preserve a good quality of life. “It’s always good to talk to your primary care physician because they know science, and they know you,” said Dr. Russell. “They will help in the decision-making process of which flu vaccine works best for you based on dosage and formulation.”

In Palm Beach, well over 90 percent of at-risk seniors have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Now, well into flu season, Dr. Russell and his team remain on-message that people can receive a COVID-19 vaccination and a flu shot at the same time, without fear of complications or severe side effects.

“Make no mistake about it – Flu A and Flu B are always out there ready and waiting to pounce, so the best defense is to maintain your health by getting a flu shot,” says Dr. Russell. “It’s smart to protect yourself and your family. What we saw during the pandemic was, in many cases, people behaving with incredible responsibility, and we’re hopeful that same behavior carries over as we get further into flu season.”

At Conviva Care Center, the mission is one of service to its senior population. Fulfilling its mission requires living the values and delivering on the promises of doing whatever it takes to make sure patients age well. More than eight million seniors reside in Florida and caring for their unique needs is Conviva’s biggest priority.

Visit ConvivaCareCenters.com.

True patriotism on display

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(Fred Bellet)

Tunnel to Towers Foundation supporter Jim McKiernan, of Spring Hill, was among the many flag-toting motorcyclists who welcomed event-goers as they disembarked from shuttle buses. See full story and more photos in the above featured top story.

Be safe, and merry, this holiday season

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Here is a compilation of safety tips, from various sources, to help you enjoy a safe and festive holiday season:

Christmas Tree Fire Safety Tips
The National Fire Protection Association suggests these steps to reduce the risk of a Christmas tree fire in your home:

  • Choose a fresh, healthy tree with green needles that don’t fall off when you touch them.
  • Before placing the tree in its stand, cut about 2 inches from the base of the trunk. This will help the tree to draw up water.
  • Check the water level in the stand daily and be sure to keep the tree well-watered.
  • Keep the tree at least 3 feet away from any heat source, such as a space heater, candle, fireplace or heat vent.
  • Be sure that your tree does not block an exit.
  • Use only decorative lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
  • Be sure light bulbs, strings and connections are not broken or damaged in any way.
  • Turn out tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
  • Dispose of tree after Christmas, or when it is dry.
  • When disposing of tree, keep it away from your home or garage.

Shop safely
Tips from the Tampa Police Department:

  • Lock your car doors to prevent quick access for burglars.
  • When possible, shop with a companion, especially during the evening hours.
  • Stay alert to your surroundings when walking to and from your vehicle.
  • Have your keys in your hand when you are walking to your vehicle.
  • Park in well-lit parking lots.
  • Avoid parking next to large plants or shrubbery, where criminals can hide.
  • Keep valuables out of sight, in your vehicle and your home.
  • Take only the credit card or number of checks you plan to use.
  • Dispose of boxes or containers carefully, to avoid ‘advertising’ purchases.
  • Report any suspicious behavior by calling 9-1-1, remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Choosing toys, shopping online
Tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission

When choosing toys:

  • Follow age guidance and other safety information on the toy packaging and choose toys that match each child’s interests and abilities.
  • Get safety gear, including helmets, for scooters and other riding toys – and make sure that children use them.
  • Keep small balls and toys with small parts away from children younger than age 3, and keep deflated balloons away from children younger than age 8.

When buying online:

  • Buy from stores and online retailers that you know and trust.
  • Scrutinize the product, the packaging and the label to avoid buying counterfeits. If the price seems to be too good to be true, that is a sign it could be a counterfeit.
  • Look for a certification mark from an independent testing organization and look for the manufacturer’s label on electrical products.

Food safety tips
Whether you are having a holiday gathering, or not, it’s always a good idea to keep in mind the four steps of food safety, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

  • Clean: Clean hands, surfaces and utensils with soap and warm water before cooking. Wash hands for 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry. After cleaning surfaces raw poultry has touched, apply a sanitizer.
  • Separate: Use separate cutting boards, plates and utensils to avoid cross-contamination between raw meat or poultry and foods that are ready to eat.
  • Cook: Confirm foods are cooked to a safe internal temperature by using a food thermometer. Turkey should be cooked to 165 °F, as measured in three places — the thickest part of the breast, the innermost part of the thigh and the innermost part of the wing.
  • Chill: Chill foods promptly if not consuming immediately after cooking. Don’t leave food at room temperature for longer than two hours.

Published December 15, 2021

Tips to avoid these ‘top 12’ scams of Christmas

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The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has released its Naughty List, with the top 12 scams of Christmas, along with tips for avoiding them.

These scams are frequently accomplished through email and social media sites, so be particularly careful when clicking into an email or onto a site.

Here’s the BBB’s naughty list:

  • Misleading Social Media Ads: As you scroll through your social media feed, you often see items for sale from a small business. Sometimes the business even claims to support a charity to try to get you to order, or they offer a free trial. BBB Scam Tracker receives reports of people paying for items that they never receive, getting charged monthly for a free trial they never signed up for, or receiving an item that is counterfeit or much different from the one advertised. Do your homework and research the company before ordering.
  • Social Media Gift Exchanges: Each holiday season this scheme pops back up, and this year is no different. A newer version of this scam revolves around exchanging bottles of wine; another suggests purchasing $10 gifts online. Another twist asks you to submit your email into a list where participants get to pick a name and send money to strangers to “pay it forward.” There is even a twist about “Secret Santa Dog” where you buy a $10 gift for your “secret dog.”

In all of these versions, participants unwittingly share their personal information, along with those of their family members and friends, and are further tricked into buying and shipping gifts or money to unknown individuals. And it’s an illegal pyramid scheme.

  • Holiday Apps: Apple’s App Store and Google Play list dozens of holiday-themed apps where children can video chat live with Santa, light the menorah, watch Santa feed live reindeer, track his sleigh on Christmas Eve, or relay their holiday wish lists. This holiday season, like last year when COVID-19 caused children to skip the traditional in-person visit with Santa, apps may play a more important role than ever. Review privacy policies to see what information will be collected. Be wary of free apps, as they can sometimes contain more advertising than apps that require a nominal fee. Free apps can also contain malware.
  • Alerts About Compromised Accounts: BBB has been receiving reports claiming your Amazon, Paypal, Netflix or bank account has been compromised. Victims receive an email, call or text message that explains that there has been suspicious activity on one of their accounts, and it further urges them to take immediate action to prevent the account from being compromised. Be extra cautious about unsolicited calls, emails and texts.
  • Free Gift Cards: Nothing brings good cheer like the word ‘FREE’. Scammers have been known to take advantage of this weakness by sending bulk phishing emails requesting personal information to receive free gift cards. In some of these emails, scammers impersonate legitimate companies like Starbucks and promise gift cards to loyal customers that have been supporting their business throughout the pandemic. They may also use pop-up ads or send text messages with links saying you were randomly selected as the winner for a prize.

If you have received an unsolicited email with gift card offers, do not open it. Instead, mark it as Spam or Junk. However, if you opened the email, do not click on any links.

  • Temporary Holiday Jobs: Retailers typically hire seasonal workers to help meet the demands of holiday shoppers. Shippers and delivery services are top holiday employers this year because of the increase in online orders and the need to get most of these packages delivered before Christmas. These jobs are a great way to make extra money, sometimes with the possibility of turning into a long-term employment opportunity. However, jobseekers need to be wary of employment scams aimed at stealing money and personal information from job applicants. Keep an eye out for opportunities that seem too good to be true.
  • Look-Alike Websites: The holiday season brings endless emails offering deals, sales and bargains. Be wary of emails with links enclosed. Some may lead to look-alike websites created by scammers to trick people into downloading malware, making dead-end purchases and sharing private information. If you are uncertain about the email, do not click any of the links. Instead, hover over them to see where they reroute.
  • Fake Charities: Typically, 40% of all charitable donations are received during the last few weeks of the year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations had to cancel their usual fundraising events and awareness campaigns, and are now inviting donors to support online. Donors are advised to look out for fraudulent charities and scammers pretending to be individuals in need. Avoid impromptu donation decisions to unfamiliar organizations. Responsible organizations will welcome a gift tomorrow as much as they do today. Where possible, donate to the charity through their website and use a credit card.
  • Fake Shipping Notifications: More consumers are making purchases online, there also is an increase in the number of notifications about shipping details from retailers and carriers. Scammers are using this new surge to send phishing emails with links enclosed that may allow unwanted access to your private information or download malware onto your device. They may also try to trick people into paying new shipping fees.
  • Pop Up Holiday Virtual Events: This year, many local in-person events such as pop-up holiday markets or craft fairs, have moved online. Scammers are creating fake event pages, social media posts, and emails, charging admission for what used to be a free event. The goal is to steal credit card information. Confirm with the organizer of the event if there is an admission fee. In the cases where there is a charge, use a credit card. If the event is free, watch for scammers trying to claim otherwise.
  • Top Holiday Wishlist Items: Low or ridiculously priced luxury goods, jewelry, designer clothing, and electronics are almost always cheap counterfeits and knockoffs. This year, the Galactic Snackin’ Grogu Animatronic (aka Baby Yoda) and game consoles are some of the items in high demand. Be very cautious when considering a purchase of these high-value items from individuals through social sites.
  • Puppy Scams: Many families, especially those with children, may be considering adding a furry friend to their household this year. However, you could fall victim to a pet scam, which are on the rise this year. Request to see the pet in person before making a purchase.

For general information on how to avoid scams, visit BBB.org/AvoidScams. For more advice, read BBB’s tips on online shopping. If you’ve spotted an online scam, report it to BBB ScamTracker.

Published December 15, 2021

Looking to make your holidays merrier?

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If you want to amp up your holiday cheer, you have plenty of choices throughout Tampa Bay.

From a floating pirate ship light display in the Hillsborough River, to visits with Santa at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, to ice skating rinks at the St. Pete Pier, Curtis Hixon Park and Tropicana Field — there seems to be something for everyone who wants to get out for some fun.

Here’s a sampling of highlights:

Celebrate Christmastime at Snowcat Ridge theme park in Dade City by chilling out in a snow play dome, ice skating, snow tubing or renting an igloo. (Courtesy of Snowcat Ridge)

PASCO COUNTY

• Through Dec. 31: “Symphony in Lights,”  at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel, features snowfalls, Christmas trees, and lights dancing to music. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; free. TheShopsAtWiregrass.com.

• Dec. 15: Holiday Movie Night in the Garden, with “Christmas Vacation” and an ugly Christmas sweater contest, at Florida Avenue Brewery, 2029 Arrowgrass Drive, Wesley Chapel. 7 p.m.; free. FloridaAveBrewing.com; 813-452-6333.

• Dec. 18: Mrs. Claus Craft Fair, at Harley-Davidson of New Port Richey, 5817 State Road 54, New Port Richey; noon to 4 p.m.; NPRharley.com; 888-296-4819.

• Dec. 21 to Dec. 23: Church Street Christmas, along Church Avenue in downtown Dade City. This features carolers, dancers and musicians, decorated homes, luminary-lit sidewalks and more. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; ChurchStreetChristmas.org for parking information.

• Daily: Ice skate and snow tube, play in a snow dome, even rent an igloo at Snowcat Ridge theme park, at 27839 Saint Joe Road, Dade City. The alpine snow park also features shopping, food and drinks. 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., or 11 p.m., depending on date. Tickets, $39.95, sold at SnowCatRidge.com. 813-576-1450.

ZooTampa celebrates with ‘Christmas in the Wild,’ showcasing light displays, holiday enter-tainment, music and a holiday marketplace. (Courtesy of ZooTampa)

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY

• Through Dec. 23: 40th Annual Victorian Christmas Stroll, at the Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, with Christmas past exhibits, tiny antique Christmas trees, vintage Santas, a 14-foot tree adorned with antique ornaments; holiday music, refreshments and more. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Advanced tickets required. Adults, $16, seniors, $14, youth, $10. Buy online at PlantMuseum.com; 813-254-1891. Masks required.

• Through Dec. 30: “Christmas in the Wild,” at ZooTampa, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa, features light displays, entertainment, and Twinkletown Marketplace with holiday treats and ornament displays. A red-and-white lit Candy Cane Carousel and Mrs. Claus’ Sweets Shoppe are other delights, along with Christmas treats and drinks for sale. Times vary per night. Reservations encouraged for timed tickets selling for $29.95, for ages 3 and older. Buy at ZooTampa.org; 813-935-8552.

• Through Jan. 2: Christmas Town at Busch Gardens, 10165 N. McKinley Drive, Tampa, features thousands of twinkling lights, holiday shows, Santa visits, ice skating and fireworks shows, music, food, and train rides under lights. Admission starting at $90 for adults. Nightly; BuschGardens.com; 813-884-4386.

• Through Jan. 2: The Polar Express 4-D Experience, at The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Dec. 18 and 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., kids can make socially distanced Santa visits. From Dec. 26 to Dec. 31, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Jan. 1 to Jan. 2, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Snow Days features a Winter Wonderland Dance Party, interactive activities and times when visitors can throw snowballs at “pollution monsters plaguing our oceans.” Advance, timed tickets are encouraged and sold at FLaquarium.org. Prices vary by day but are generally about $30 for adults, $27 for ages 3-11, and free for ages 2 and younger. 813-273-4000.

The Victorian Christmas Stroll, at the Henry B. Plant Museum on the University of Tampa cam-pus, in downtown Tampa, features trees adorned with antique ornaments, exhibits of Christ-mases past, as well as holiday music and refreshments. (Courtesy of the Henry B. Plant Museum)

• Through Jan. 2: Downtown Tampa’s Winter Village, at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Drive, offers ice skating, a cafe, shopping and holiday activities sponsored by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Hours vary by day. For details and ice skating tickets, see WinterVillageTampa.com.

• Dec. 18: Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade along the Hillsborough River downtown. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. See from The Tampa Riverwalk, lit up with Christmas lights and twinkling trees now through Jan. 2. Also, see floating light displays – think pirates and a pirate ship – in the river, buy drinks and food in restaurants and bars along the walk. For directions and parking information, see TheTampaRiverWalk.com.

• Dec. 18: Watch the Tampa Holiday Lighted Boat Parade aboard the American Victory Ship & Museum, 705 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Enjoy entertainment, spirits and eats from food trucks. 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. $15 for adults, $10 for kids 4-12, free for 3 and younger. AmericanVictory.org. 813-228-8766.

PINELLAS COUNTY

• Through Jan. 2: “Enchant Christmas,” at Tropicana Field, Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg, features a Christmas light maze and village, an ice skating trail, thousands of lights, holiday treats and music, Santa, an artisan Christmas market and more. Adults, $25 to $35; ages 3 to 17, $25. Christmas brunches and dinners are an additional fee. Hours vary by date. See EnchantChristmas.com for details. 833-362-6445.

• Through Jan. 17: Winter Beach, at St. Pete Pier’s Spa Beach Park, 600 Second Ave., N.E., St. Petersburg, cools things down with a real-ice ice skating rink, Santa, an arcade, free holiday concerts, and a holiday market with local vendors and artists. Free admission. Skating fee, $17 for 75 minutes, which includes skate rentals.  See WinterBeachStPete.com to purchase timed skating tickets and to view skating hours. The pier district is generally opened from 30 minutes before sunrise to 11 p.m.

• Dec. 16: Christmas Extravaganza Market, 612 Cleveland St., Clearwater, with 50 local artisans and businesses at pop-up shops circling a Christmas tree. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. TheMarketCulture.com.

• Dec. 16 to Dec. 20: Christmas at the Station, at the Dunedin History Museum, 349 Main St., Dunedin, presents a North Pole Christmas experience with elves, visits with Santa, children’s activities, snow, snowball contests and musical performances. Hours vary by date. Tickets, $20, (free for age 1 and younger) must be purchased in advance online at DunedinMuseum.org. 727-736-1176.

• Dec. 18: Brunch with Santa at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, includes admission to the aquarium, brunch and a family photo with Santa. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. $54.95 for adults, $44.95 for children. Reservations encouraged. Buy tickets online at CMaquarium.org. 727-441-1790.

By Karen Haymon Long

Published December 15, 2021

Enchant Christmas transforms Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg into a winter wonderland, with an illuminated ice skating trail, a light maze, artisan market and more. (Courtesy of Enchant Christmas)

 

 

 

Symphony in Lights at The Shops at Wiregrass features decorated trees, snowfalls, and lights dancing to music. The Wesley Chapel event draws big crowds. (Courtesy of The Shops at Wiregrass)
Sonny Masterson, of Tarpon Springs, serves up hot chocolate at the ‘chocolate bar’ at Snowcat Ridge. (Courtesy of Penny Carnathan)
Sonny and Sierra Masterson, of Tarpon Springs, get a thrill on the snow tubing slide at Snowcat Ridge. Sonny wanted to play in snow for his fifth birthday. (Courtesy of Trent Alyse)

 

Landowners can apply to conservation easement program

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications from agricultural producers and forest landowners from Florida for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service accepts these applications year-round, but producers and landowners should apply by Dec. 31 to be considered for funding in the current cycle, according to a news release from the USDA.

The easement program provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands, and their related benefits.

Under the Agricultural Land Easements component, the NRCS helps Indian tribes, state and local governments, and non-government organizations protect working agricultural lands and limit non-agricultural uses of the land.

Under the Wetlands Reserve Easements components, the NRCS helps restore, protect and enhance enrolled wetlands.

“This is a great opportunity to combat the climate crises and conserve Florida’s lands, biodiversity and natural resources, Juan Hernandez, the Florida State Conservationist for NRCS, said in the release.

The land easements protect the long-term viability of the nation’s food supply by preventing the conversion of productive working lands to other uses, and has other benefits, too.

The wetland reserve easements provide habitat for fish and wildlife, improve water quality by filing sediments and chemicals, reduce flood, recharge groundwater and have other benefits, according to the release.

To apply, contact the NRCS at your local USDA Service Center. To find your local service center, go to Farmers.gov.

Published December 15, 2021

Kathryn Starkey is Pasco County’s board chairwoman

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Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey (File)

The Pasco County Commission has selected board member Kathryn Starkey to be the board’s new chairwoman.

Board member Jack Mariano has been named vice chairman.

Starkey represents the commission’s District 3 seat; Mariano represents District 5.

Ron Oakley, the immediate past chairman, represents District 1; Mike Moore, represents District 2; and, Christina Fitzpatrick represents District 4.

In addition to reorganizing the board, the board also approved new district boundaries.

That exercise, known as redistricting, is done every 10 years, following the completion of the U.S. Census.

The idea is to have districts of roughly equal in terms of population size.

The new districts took effect on Dec. 7.

To see the districts and who represents you, visit bit.ly/CommissionDistricts.

Published December 15, 2021

The holidays are here — let’s have a cup of cheer

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If  you believe everything you hear and read, you might think that gaining weight at the holidays is inevitable.

But that simply isn’t so.

A study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine found that, on average, the weight gain from Thanksgiving to New Year’s ranges from 1 pound to 3 pounds.

Of course, that varies from person to person, but whether it’s 1 pound or more — the downside is that you’re starting off the New Year on the wrong foot.

Plus, according to another study from the New England Journal of Medicine, while half of us seeking to lose holiday weight gain will do so quickly, others won’t return to our pre-holiday weight until May.

It’s also important to remember that the holiday food we consume isn’t the only thing that packs on the pounds.

What we drink matters, too.

As you are considering those calories from appetizers, meals and desserts, don’t forget to add up the calories you’re drinking, too.

For instance, those pumpkin spice lattes you ordered in October (and September and August) typically had 50 grams of sugar, and 390 calories for a 16-ounce cup.

You could have had an entire lunch for 390 calories — without the sugar.

Consider counting your holiday drink as your dessert, to avoid loading up on too much sugar.

Another small compromise? Skimp on the whipped cream, caramel, or chocolate sauces.

By Shari Bresin

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County

RECIPES
Adult holiday beverages typically feature a splash of alcohol, but here are some festive drinks the whole family can enjoy.

Peppermint Floats (Get your candy canes ready)
This recipe from Kroger.com creates a drink that tastes like Christmas.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ quarts mint chocolate chip ice cream
  • 4 ½ cups 7Up, chilled
  • Whipped cream
  • Crushed candy canes

Directions:

  • Put 2 scoops of ice cream in glass.
  • Fill glass with 7Up.
  • Top with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.
  • Add a candy cane or two in the glass, just for show.

Yield: Six tall glasses

Apple Pie Milkshakes (Great way to use up leftover pie)
This recipe from Betty Crocker makes two servings.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
  • 1 Tablespoon milk
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 slice cold apple pie, cut into chunks

Directions:

  • Place ice cream, milk and cinnamon in a blender.
  • Cover and blend on high until smooth and creamy.
  • Add chunks of pie; cover and blend until smooth.
  • Pour into 2 glasses; add whipped cream and cinnamon.

Gingerbread Lattes (Who needs a fancy coffee shop; you can make your own)
This simple recipe comes from AARP.

Ingredients:

  • 2 shots espresso
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon molasses
  • ¾ cup milk (whole or 2% is better for frothing)

Directions:

  • Gently whisk coffee, spices, molasses and sugar in a measuring cup, then pour into a mug.
  • Froth milk or warm it on the stove and slowly pour into mixture.
  • Drizzle salted caramel syrup on top.

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix (Fewer ingredients, same great taste)
This recipe comes courtesy of University of Illinois Extension.

Ingredients:

  • 2 ¾ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 cups unsweetened cocoa
  • 2 teaspoons salt

Directions for mix:

  • Whisk sugar, cocoa and salt in a large bowl until mixed well.
  • Store prepared mix in an airtight container.

Directions for hot cocoa:

  • Heat milk in the microwave or on stove, to not quite at a boil.
  • Stir in 3 Tablespoons of mix per 8-ounce cup of milk.
  • Add whipped cream, marshmallows, sprinkles or other toppings, as desired.

Yield: Makes 25 8-ounce servings

Published December 15, 2021

In the eyes of the beholder

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(Fred Bellet)

With art in her eyes, a display of handcrafted gift items are reflected from the sunglasses of onlooker Monica Kasson, of Odessa. Kasson, a fiber artist who works with tie-dye and other art forms, was browsing through the Lutz Arts & Crafts Show.

Shoppers flock to the Lutz Arts & Crafts Show

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Barbara Karnay, of New Port Richey, waits for customers under the roof of the Nature Coast GFWC booth to buy her Christmas wreaths that were fashioned from clothespins. (Fred Bellet)

After calling off its biggest fundraiser of the year last year, the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club resumed its popular holiday shopping festival and art show over the weekend at Keystone Prep High, in Odessa.

The 42nd annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Show featured plenty of tasty treats to eat and myriad choices for shoppers looking for unique items for people on their holiday gift lists.

The annual arts and crafts show —now  known throughout the region — started small, with a crafts show at the Old Lutz School.

It has been held in recent years at Keystone Prep High, 18105 Gunn Highway, in Odessa.

The event, geared with holiday shopping in mind, has been held without fail for decades, except for two years. It was canceled in 2015 because of a sinkhole in Lake Park, and it was called off last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It typically attracts between 20,000 and 30,000 over the course of the weekend, giving people a chance to shop, enjoy each other’s company, and take in the sights and sounds.

This year’s event featured more than 200 vendors. Santa was there and an orchestra played holiday tunes.

The woman’s club uses proceeds from the event to support scholarships and numerous community organizations and causes.

Published December 08, 2021

Artist Michael Howland’s fluidic work of an American flag was an eye-catcher for many strolling through the Lutz Arts & Crafts Show. Howland is from Keystone Heights, outside Gainesville.
Michele Northrup, a former Lutz Guv’na, hawks her hot sauce. The Saucy Queen, of Lutz, gets an assist from Atlas Cortecero, as she lets the crowd know how saucy her sauce is.
Kathleen Nay makes her way into the menagerie of metal birds, part of a display under the tent of Robyn’s Garden of Metal Garden and Lawn Ornaments. Nay, along with her sister, Elaine Duncan, both of Tampa, were checking out the artistic wares at the Lutz Arts & Crafts Show, presented by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, on the grounds of Keystone Prep High School in Odessa.
Ten-month-old Kate Aldridge lets out a yawn, as her mom Courtney Aldridge, of Land O’ Lakes, pushes her stroller along one of the rows of vendor tents. Kate’s brother, Chandler Aldridge, 4, was there, too, along with friend Jill Melle, of Brooksville.
Timmy, a 3-year-old French Bulldog, had it made in the shade as Jenny Engle wheels him through the arts and crafts show. Engle is fostering the dog for Southern State Bully Rescue. The woman was accompanied by her friend Krissy Mazza. They are both from Shady Hills.
Mary Rich, of Land O’ Lakes, and Sharon Greene, of Tampa, look over the old wooden post office boxes for sale under Paul D. King’s booth at the Lutz Arts & Crafts Show. The boxes — some of which date back to the 1800s — were converted by King into savings banks.
Bill Genovese, of Tampa, and also a member of the New Horizons band, sported this heels-over-head elf hat, adding merriment to the season.