Photos of the Week

Voices lifted to heaven, in gospel-singing tradition

February 19, 2020 By Christine Holtzman

Nearly every seat was taken when the Trilacoochee Church of Christ, 20300 U.S. 301 in Dade City, had its annual Gospel singing event on the evening of Jan. 31. Church members and visitors alike sang along to classic hymns that were chosen by each of the five song leaders of the evening. Each song leader led three to five songs during the 1 ½ hour event. Minister Paul Blake said that his church hosts this popular event on the last Friday of each January – a tradition that began around a decade ago. The program gives the church the opportunity to reach out and connect with the people, all while spending time with each other, the minister said. Church member Steve Melton, of Dade City, said the event draws a crowd because ‘we just love to sing and enjoy worshipping God.’

Joe Brown, the first song leader of the evening, leads the audience in one of the three hymns he chose to sing. He is holding three fingers up, to signal that they are singing the third verse of the song. Brown, a member of the Lakeland Hills Church of Christ, traveled to the Trilacoochee Church of Christ to participate in the annual event. (Christine Holtzman)

After leading the participants in song as one of the five song leaders, Scott Hartsell, of Land O’ Lakes, left, takes a seat to sing hymns next to Brother Apollo Rodriguez, who is a Benedictine Monk at the Saint Leo Abbey.

Trilacoochee Church of Christ’s annual gospel singing event took place on the evening of Jan. 31, to a packed house. Members of the church and visitors alike enjoyed singing along to the classic hymns led by five different song leaders.

Jim Cooper, of Dade City, reads along in the ‘Hymns for Worship’ book during the annual Gospel singing event at the Trilacoochee Church of Christ. Cooper, a member of the congregation, attended the evening event with his daughter-in-law, Sue Cooper.

Seed library debuts in Land O’ Lakes

February 19, 2020 By Christine Holtzman

Library patrons can now learn how to grow vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers at home, plus get some free seeds to start their garden. The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, debuted its Seed Library on Jan. 21. Patrons can select seeds from within the library’s collection and find the growing instructions for them on the outside of the packet. More detailed information, provided by University of Florida/Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences-Pasco County Extension, is available in the binder located at the seed catalogue, as well as on the UF/IFAS website. The library’s website has a list of the seeds that are available.

The donated seeds are courtesy of True Leaf Market, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company, Burpee Gardens, BBB Seed Heirloom Vegetable & Wildflower Seeds, and the Friends of the Library. For more information, visit PascoLibraries.org/services/seed-library/.

Catherine Seavey, the adult services librarian at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, reads through the seed binder located at the library’s new Seed Library. The binder, provided by UF/IFAS Extension, contains detailed information on the various types of seeds offered through this new program. Seavey was one of the people responsible for bringing the program to the library. (Christine Holtzman)

Land O’ Lakes Branch Library’s new Seed Library provides vegetable, fruit, herb and flower seeds for free, to those interested in starting a home garden.

A close-up look at the packets inside of the tomato seed drawer at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library’s new Seed Library. Simple growing instructions are printed on the outside of each packet for the grower’s convenience.

Still sweethearts, after all these years

February 12, 2020 By Christine Holtzman

Earl Angel and his wife, Alice, will celebrate their 77th anniversary on Feb. 20. To find out more about the life they’ve shared and advice they have for maintaining a lasting marriage, please see full featured story.

Ninety-six-year-old Earl Angel kisses Alice, his bride of almost 77 years, in the living room of their Zephyrhills home. The couple were sharing their tips for a lasting marriage, just in time for Valentine’s Day. One of their tips: Kiss each other good night…and throughout the day, too. (Christine Holtzman)

While reminiscing on the life they have shared together for nearly eight decades, Alice Angel, 93, holds her 96-year-old husband Earl’s hand. Their 77th anniversary is on Feb. 20.

Earl Angel, 96, shares a laugh with his 93-year-old wife, Alice, while reminiscing about their early years together.

Mural project promotes healthy eating

February 5, 2020 By Christine Holtzman

The Autism Society of Florida, along with Pasco County Planning and Development, UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, and Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources organized a mural project — engaging youths with special needs, to promote healthy eating. The artwork for the mural, now on the wall at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, was designed by student artists with special needs, and on the autism spectrum, who submitted a colored drawing or painting depicting what sustainable ‘Food for All’ means to them. Six winners were chosen to have their work memorialized on a mural next to the new community gardens at the park. Artist Amy Nevins, of Palm Harbor, transposed the winning artwork onto the wall, and student artists, including those with special needs, helped to paint it. The official mural unveiling and a grand opening of the community gardens is planned for a family friendly event on Feb. 15 at 11:30 a.m.

Ten-year-old Jenna Nevins, of Palm Harbor, left, holds on to the palette of paint, so 6-year-old Vanessa Rodriguez, of Wesley Chapel, can move freely as she paints flowers on the Food for All mural at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park. Nevin’s mother, Amy, is the artist that transposed the winning drawings on the wall. (Christine Holtzman)

Promoting sustainable food awareness

February 5, 2020 By Christine Holtzman

Five-year-old Isabelle Romain, of Wesley Chapel, helps create handprint flowers on the Food for All mural at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park. Artist Amy Nevins, of Palm Harbor, right, transposed the winning drawings onto the wall.

Storytime offers fun for preschoolers and toddlers

January 29, 2020 By Christine Holtzman

The Hugh Embry Branch Library, at 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, hosts two 45-minute programs every Wednesday morning for toddlers and preschoolers. The Toddler Storytime is for children up to age 2, and the Preschool Storytime, ages 3 through 5. Each session mixes playtime, stories, songs and crafts to provide a learning experience for kids. Shaina Smith, the library’s youth service provider, leads the programs. She focuses on a theme, and selects books and fun activities to convey that theme. To find out more, call (352) 567-3576.

Candice Kyle, of Dade City, helps Kaizer, her 4-year-old son, to build a tower out of blocks. The mother and son were bonding during the playtime portion of the Preschool Storytime program at the Hugh Embry Branch Library in Dade City. The Kyles moved to the area from Georgia in September and are regulars at the library program. (Christine Holtzman)

Three-year-old Reese Frassrand, of Dade City, hugs her mother, Jennifer, before a recent Preschool Storytime at the Hugh Embry Branch Library. Jennifer said her daughter tends to seek out hugs when she’s feeling shy.

Shaina Smith, Hugh Embry Branch Library’s youth service provider, reads a book called, ‘Wild About Us’ by author Karen Beaumont, at a recent Preschool Storytime at the library. The program focused on the themes of having self-confidence and loving yourself.

A passport to learning about cultures

January 29, 2020 By Christine Holtzman

A new program at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library allows children to travel around the world -without leaving the Collier Parkway location. During the Jan. 21 session, The Around the World program centered on the world’s largest island: Greenland. Children could do crafts and activities aimed at teaching the kindergartners through fifth-graders about Greenland’s culture, language and food. The program, led by library associates Kerry Peters and Jayde Archbold, meets on the third Tuesday of each month.

As his dad, Chris, lends a hand, 5-year-old Harrison Symons, of Land O’ Lakes, left, uses his crafting skills to make a clay Narwhal, which is a unicorn-like whale found in the Arctic waters surrounding Greenland. This was one of the activities available during the Passport to Greenland event. Harrison’s 2-year-old brother, Greyson, is shown on right. (Christine Holtzman)

Five-year-old Arya Beck, of Land O’ Lakes, paints her depiction of the Northern Lights at one of the activity stations available during the Passport to Greenland event at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library. Her father, Bob, encourages her.

Six-year-old Aliyah Martinez, of Land O’ Lakes, left, 6-year-old Chael Williams, of Wesley Chapel, and 5-year-old Charlotte Maldonado, of Lutz, play at the sensory activity station that houses play ‘snow’ and toy animals. The ‘snow’ was made from baking soda and hair conditioner.

Celebrating Florida Arbor Day

January 22, 2020 By Christine Holtzman

The Florida Forest Service, partnered with Gro Inc., for a celebration on Jan. 18 at Drexel Farms in Land O’ Lakes. The event celebrated Florida Arbor Day, which is the third Friday in January. The public was invited to the celebration, which featured presentations given by the Florida Forest Service, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Nature Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Management. Free food and refreshments were provided, and the Florida Forest Service gave out potted 1-gallon shade trees to the first 100 people. The event was held on the property owned by Jason “Jake” English. The aim of the celebration was to showcase the importance of trees and natural resources.

Five-year-old Josiah Larson, of Lutz, holds the Long Leaf Pine seedling that he will plant on the Drexel Farms property. His father, Josh, assisted him. (Christine Holtzman)

Ethan Greene, a biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, right, speaks to the crowd about the importance of wildlife management for landowners. Also seen from left: Mona Neville, Florida Forest Service Pasco County Forester; Jason “Jake” English, Drexel Farms landowner; and, Emmett Calhoun.

A recently planted Long Leaf Pine seedling grows on the property of Drexel Farms. Drexel Farms is a tree farm that has been certified with the Florida Forestry Association. This seedling is one of the 5,600 that have been planted on the 30-acre property.

Story time is a tail-wagging time

January 22, 2020 By Christine Holtzman

To promote literacy to young children in a fun way, the Hugh Embry Branch Library’s Read to Rover program pairs storybooks with man’s best friend, for a tail-wagging time. Toddlers and preschoolers are encouraged to read a book (or show the illustrations) to a trained, certified support animal, who patiently sits by the child during their time together. The nonjudgmental environment, along with the calming influence of the support dog, helps promote the development of reading skills, in an exciting manner. For more information on this bi-monthly program, call (352) 567-3576.

Four-year-old Wren Demaree, of Dade City, shows certified support dog Marley Beans the illustrations of a book by author Maddie Frost. The little girl and the dog were at a recent Read to Rover event at the Hugh Embry Branch Library. Marley Beans, a 7 ½ year-old yellow lab, recently graduated from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs training program. (Christine Holtzman)

Two-year-old Dominque McKnight, of Dade City, reacts, when support dog Marley Beans gives him a kiss. Amber Elder, McKnight’s mother, said that her son loves cats, but is very shy around dogs. Instead of books, McKnight opted to show Marley Beans some Legos after their initial meeting.

Cheryl Snider, of Zephyrhills, praises her certified support dog, Marley Beans, during a recent Read to Rover event at the Hugh Embry Branch Library. Snider is a retired Disneyland executive administrator. The pup was just 7 months old when she rescued him. She knew the dog’s friendly and social nature would make him a great support dog. The two share a special bond. Snider sums it this way: ‘It’s Marley’s world, I just live in it.’

Big band orchestra draws big crowd at the library

January 15, 2020 By Christine Holtzman

So many people turned out to listen to the Florida Jazz Express that there was standing room only at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, in late December. The big band orchestra’s two-hour show featured 18 players, and its appearance was made possible by the Friends of the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library. The concert featured holiday music, standards, Latin music and modern tunes. Sarasota-based jazz vocalist Synia Carroll joined the band to belt out a few numbers, including one that she told the audience was her favorite – “I Love You Porgy,” a song originally from the 1935 production of “Porgy and Bess.”