The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Photos of the Week

Want to get in the holiday mood?

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If you’re in the market for holiday cheer, drop by The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel. There’s a nightly lights show, photos with Santa are available, there’s ice skating on synthetic ice, rides on the Wiregrass Express steam train, and performances by local groups.

The Symphony in Lights, The Shops at Wiregrass’ annual holiday show, features holiday décor decked out with dazzling lights — choreographed to dance to the holiday music of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The free show is from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., until Dec. 31. (Christine Holtzman)
During a recent evening at The Shops at Wiregrass, the Wiregrass Express takes passengers for a leisurely cruise down Paseo Drive at sunset. The train is being driven by engineer David Waite, of Wesley Chapel, who has worked at The Shops for three years. The retired banker said that his job is fun because he likes to put a smile on the face of everyone riding the train.
Twelve-year-old singer Larkin Mainwaring’s performance of ‘Silent Night,’ captivated the audience at The Shops at Wiregrass. The singer, from Dade City, was performing as part of the Graham Music Studios’ holiday show at the Wesley Chapel regional mall.

Teach-In offers glimpse into diverse career paths

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Schools across Pasco County welcomed speakers from wide-ranging professions to talk to students about their jobs at the annual Great American Teach-In, held during November. Most speakers visited schools on a single day, but others came on other days that week. Forty-three speakers, in wide-ranging professions, gave 30-minute to 45-minute presentations at Pine View Elementary, at 5333 Parkway Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Jennifer Leon, director of outreach for Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, shows off the bite marks and claw marks on a ball that was played with by one of their resident leopards. Leon talked to fourth-graders in Elizabeth Schmitt’s and Dawn Otto’s classes, explaining the rescue’s mission, the cats in their care, and how the children can aid with the preservation of big cats. (Christine Holtzman)
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Ed Ether shares a photo of a payphone to a group of fifth-graders in Kelley Hepner’s and Sara Martin’s classes. The officer showed the photo, while talking about vast changes in technology during his 26-year career in law enforcement.
Busch Gardens zoo educators Miguel Reynel, left, and his colleague Lexie Dobert speak to students in Tiffany Randall’s fifth grade class during the Great American Teach-In program on Nov. 20. The pair spoke about the responsibilities of being a zoo educator. Reynel is seen holding ‘Tequista,’ an American alligator that resides at Busch Gardens.

Library brings in the island sound

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Visit the Hugh Embry Branch Library on a Tuesday morning, and close your eyes and listen to the sweet strumming sounds coming from the weekly Ukulele jam. It would be easy to picture yourself at a beach luau in Hawaii. Karen and Peter Sears lead the program, after falling in love with the ukulele two years ago. They credit the Tampa Bay Ukulele Society, YouTube instructional videos, the Zephyrhills-based Hunter’s Run jam group, and hours of daily practice, for helping them master the instrument. The branch library, at 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, hosts the weekly jam every Tuesday morning from 10 a.m. to noon. To find out more, call (352) 567-3576.

Sue Dombrowski, center, is clearly feeling holiday cheer, as she plays ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.’ Also, from left: Rozanne Henrich of Dade City, Joanne Allen of Zephyrhills, and Janet Ness of Zephyrhills (on Sue’s right). (Christine Holtzman)
Pam Lain, of Zephyrhills, strums and sings along to the group’s performance of the song, ‘Silver Bells.’ Lain, a piano player, began to learn the instrument about five months ago.
Ukulele Jam instructors Peter Sears, of Dade City, left, and his wife Karen perform the song, ‘Let it Snow,’ during a recent Christmas-themed jam at the Hugh Embry Branch Library. The instructors used sheet music on an iPad, but the music also was projected on the screen for others playing in the room.
Janet Ness, of Zephyrhills, carefully inspects how her fingers change cords, during a performance of the song, ‘Silver Bells.’ Ness has only been playing for three weeks, and seems to be picking it up rather quickly. Instructor Karen Sears said the hardest part of learning to play involves switching cords.

Supporting Pasco families at Thanksgiving

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Michelle Patel, of Land O’ Lakes, is a mom on a mission. She is the founder of the nonprofit organization, Kids Helping Kids Pasco County Inc. For several years, she and her 8-year-old son, Kyran, packaged meals for a few food insecure families that they encountered online or in their neighborhood. A year ago, Patel decided to share her vision on Facebook, in hopes of helping more families in need at Thanksgiving. She was astonished at the community’s overwhelming response, which this year led to helping 89 families — totaling 451 people — across Pasco County. In addition to the Thanksgiving food drive, the organization also hosts a Christmas toy and clothing drive.

Josh Zappe, of Land O’ Lakes, left, and his 13-year-old daughter, Jamie, sort through donated food items, for baskets for Dade City families. After they finish helping at the park, they will be delivering baskets to New Port Richey families. (Christine Holtzman)
Michelle Patel, the founder of Kids Helping Kids Pasco County Inc., left, and her partner Dara Dimeler watch over what they call the ‘organized chaos’ of the Thanksgiving food drive last weekend at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park. The women were part of a contingent of 82 volunteers who organized, packaged and delivered food baskets to 89 families throughout Pasco County.
Jen Abreut, of Land O’ Lakes, right, watches carefully as her 9-year-old daughter, Layla, picks up a heavy bird. Layla’s older brother, 10-year-old Brody, looks on. The Abreuts were heading out the door, on their way to deliver the turkeys and food baskets to four families in New Port Richey.

Helping others, not only at Thanksgiving

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Jackie Smack, a five-year volunteer with the Neighborhood Care Center, 5140 Sixth St., Zephyrhills, sorts through a large donated pile of clothing, carefully inspecting each piece for defects, such as rips or stains. The center prides itself on making sure that decent quality items are available for their recipients. For more than 25 years, the Neighborhood Care Center has been helping Zephyrhills residents in need by providing free food, clothing, hygiene products, kitchen supplies, furniture and other items.

(Christine Holtzman)

Hanging out with alpacas

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Visitors at Sweet Blossom Alpaca’s fifth annual Alpaca Open House had a chance to get up close and personal with alpacas. According to the venue’s website, alpacas are “somewhat timid, but very curious and intelligent.” The website also notes, “they are more cat-like than dog-like” in their attitude toward humans. The event, at 37543 Pappy Road, in Dade City, drew a big crowd.

An Huacaya alpaca looks curiously at a photographer — checking out the clicking sound of the camera. (Fred Bellet)
A hungry llama has its choice of handouts, as visitors line up along the fence at Sweet Blossom Alpacas’ open house.
As adults check their phones, curious children saw eye-to-eye with the curious alpacas.

Having fun at Swamp Fest

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The 11th annual Swamp Fest enjoyed beautiful weather and big crowds. There was plenty to see, eat and do at the festival, held at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. Here, 9-year-old Kahlen Ruby, of Land O’ Lakes, an early arrival at the festival, had a bird’s eye view of the midway, as she rode on Sky Quest Swings. Kahlen’s dad, Scott Ruby, preferred to keep his feet on the ground.

(Fred Bellet)

Saluting Vietnam veterans

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Dignitaries, veterans and members of the community gathered for a tribute to Vietnam-era veterans at the 2019 Swamp Fest at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park on Nov. 2. U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis was among those gathered to honor the veterans at the event, which included a video of various phases of the Vietnam War. It was presented by The Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes and Acme On the Go mobile advertising. The event was held on the morning of the first full day of Swamp Fest. The tribute preceded the annual celebration of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, which is the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, in 1918.

Among the 16 Vietnam War veterans recognized for their service, Vinnie Rega (right), 74, of Port Richey served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, in 1965 and 1967. A mobile LED display at the event was provided by Matt Prenderville, of Acme On the Go, of Wesley Chapel. (Fred Bellet)
John A. Conkle, 71, of Lutz, and Jim House, 74, right, of Land O’ Lakes, salute as the Color Guard from Boy Scout Troop 149 of Wesley Chapel posts the colors. Both veterans served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.
Jerome Sableski, of Palm Harbor, reflects on his years in Southeast Asia. He served with the U.S. Navy from 1968 to 1970. Sableski represented Veterans Alternative in Holiday.

Veterans recognition

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Vietnam War veterans pose for a picture with U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, who presented lapel pins to those veterans being recognized. (Fred Bellet)
Presented by The Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes and Acme On the Go mobile advertising, a video of various phases of the Vietnam War was shown as part of the ceremony held prior to the start of the Swamp Fest at Heritage Park. Wearing his Army veteran T-shirt, David Jacobs, 69, of Lutz, and others watch a commemoration video.

Fall fun at the pumpkin patch

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Seven-year-old Elizabeth Gordon, left, hugs her 3-year-old cousin, Montana Graham, in the pumpkin patch at the St. Joe Fall Festival, that was held earlier this month. The event took place at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Saint Joseph, 32145 St. Joe Road in Dade City. The girls are both from Dade City.

(Christine Holtzman)