The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Photos of the Week

Library hosts yoga classes geared towards kids

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Kids are learning to do yoga on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway. The sessions are geared toward children ages 2 through 12. The  half-hour class gets children up and moving with yoga exercises and music. It also teaches relaxation through meditation. Wanda Vargas, a certified kid’s yoga teacher with 15 years of experience of working with children, leads the class. Each child should bring a yoga mat or a beach towel to class. A signed waiver is required to participate. For more information, call (813) 929-1214.

Six-year-old Dax Spring, of Odessa, left, and his 4-year-old sister, Emery, each practice the ‘upward dog’ yoga position during a recent kid’s yoga class at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library. (Christine Holtzman)
While his sisters participate in the yoga program, William Thompson, of Wesley Chapel, does a headstand against a shelf. The 3-year-old learned how to do headstands from his older sister, Aurora, who used to be in gymnastics.
Yoga instructor Wanda Vargas watches over her class during the conclusion of the evening’s yoga program. During the last exercise, she had the children lay down and relax, and imagine that they were floating on a magic carpet.

Enjoying the country’s independence — in grand style

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Residents in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area had plenty of options for celebrating the nation’s birthday this year. They could watch colorful fireworks displays, go for a run, or join in myriad community celebrations. This is a look of festivities held in Lutz, including the Fourth of July parade — a tradition that’s still going strong after three-quarters of a century.

 

Grandmother Donnette Mintzer, of Land O’ Lakes, watches the parade pass by with her 7-year-old granddaughter, Savannah Vining, right, and her 9-month-old grandson Colton Caudell, who proudly held an American flag. (Christine Holtzman)
Thirteen-year-old Kate Frederick, of Wesley Chapel, left, and her 11-year-old sister, Ava, sit on the back of a golf cart decked out with streamers and a message of Lutz pride. The girls are members of the GFWC Little Women of Lutz.
David Bellingar, of Lutz, relaxes in his lawn chair along a shaded portion of the parade route. He won his Lutz-themed hat many years ago, during a Lutz Guv’na fundraiser held by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.

Connerton celebrates Independence Day with a bang

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The Connerton community in Land O’ Lakes drew a large crowd to its old-fashioned neighborhood party celebrating Independence Day. The June 29 event, free and open to the public, featured games, bounce houses, a rock-climbing wall, live music, a live DJ, numerous food trucks and local crafters. Thunderstorms and heavy rain rolled through the area midway through the evening’s festivities, but cleared up just in time for the spectacular fireworks display at 9 p.m.

Hundreds look up to the sky to watch the spectacular fireworks display during the Connerton community’s Independence Day celebration. (Christine Holtzman)
Decked out in red, white and blue, 8-year-old Gracelyn Bahnick, of Land O’ Lakes, and her 7-year-old sister, Olivia, show off their Fourth of July flag swag. The girls attended the event with their parents, Jill and Jon.

Going batty at the library

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About 75 people attended “Bats!” a program geared for children in grades four through seven, held on June 19 at the Hugh Embry Branch Library, 14215 Fourth St. in Dade City. Francine Prager, a rescuer with a Lutz-based bat rescue and rehab center, presented the program, which detailed the many fact about bats worldwide, and in our backyards. She also dispelled many misconceptions about bats.

Seven-year-old Bryson Finlay of San Antonio, center, reacts with a smile, as he meets ‘Amelia’, an evening bat, up close. Also, from left, library volunteer Hannah Edgeman, Autumn Hoff of Dade City (in back), Beth Finlay (Bryson’s mom), and Francine Prager. (Christine Holtzman)
A close-up look at ‘Miracle’, a free-tailed bat.
Francine Prager, a rescuer with Tampa Bay Bats in Lutz, shows off ‘Amelia,’ an evening bat, to a group of children.

 

Church hosts huge community event

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Myrtle Lake Baptist Church, 2017 Reigler Road in Land O’ Lakes, recently hosted a fun, family event. The Big Event II featured games, food, drinks, live music, local vendors and a movie under the stars. Chance drawings took place throughout the day for prizes, such as Apple watches, a bike, restaurant gift cards, and a television. The free event was open to the public, and its goal was to give the community a chance to learn about the church, and give the church a chance to be involved with the community.

Fifteen-month-old Lily Hunter, of Land O’ Lakes, sits on her mom Kassi’s lap, as she gets her face painted by Emily Hinson, of Wesley Chapel. The young girl picked out a pink kitty cat for her design. (Christine Holtzman)
Carol Clark, of Land O’ Lakes, left, and Julie Stevenson, of Lutz, celebrate, after each got back-to-back wins during a friendly lawn game of cornhole.
Church member and volunteer Bill White, of Lutz, grills dozens of hot dogs at a time on the large barbecue grill. He estimates that around 400 hotdogs are cooked for this event.

Zephyrhills library hosts a silly science party

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Dozens of children in kindergarten through fifth grade tested their knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics recently at the Dr. Seuss Silly Science Party, hosted by the Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St. The summer reading program, presented by Seffner resident Tanci Mishler, featured several hands-on STEAM stations, with experiments primarily based on Dr. Seuss’s books. Participants tried their hand at balancing acts, center of gravity tests, counting, measuring weight, engineering and the arts. The free event was funded by the newly formed nonprofit group, Friends of the Zephyrhills Public Library.

A group of girls at the science station test their balancing skills, by stacking items, and getting them to hold for 5 seconds. The book, ‘The Cat in the Hat,’ influenced this gravity test. From left: 6-year-old Isabelle Jarboe, 6-year-old Samantha Stephens, 4-year-old Sydney Stephens, all of Wesley Chapel, and 6-year-old Elizabeth Ayres, of Dade City. (Christine Holtzman)
Seven-year-old Noah Purcell, of Zephyrhills, left, and his 10-year old brother, Nicholas, use a scale to determine how many plastic teddy bears it will take to balance one apple. This activity at the technology station was inspired by the Dr. Seuss book, ‘Ten Apples Up on Top.’
Six-year-old Elizabeth Ayres, of Dade City, smiles, after Tanci Mishler, of Seffner, compliments her work at the art station. Mishler, a former Hillsborough County librarian, organizes different themed programs at the library.

Kickoff to summer reading party is a blast

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The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, recently held its Summer Reading Club Blast Off party. The event featured dozens of attractions, such as water activities, Pasco County Utilities and Fire Rescue Touch-a-Truck, Pasco County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, dance parties, face painting, crafts, a bounce house and a mobile science center. Branch manager Robert Speich described the annual kickoff party as a way of getting patrons excited about summer reading, as well as letting the community know about the many programs and activities the library will have available throughout the summer.

Two-year-old Gabrielle Haile, of Land O’ Lakes, is fascinated by the large, inflatable elephant sprinkler at the Summer Reading Blast Off party, at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library. (Christine Holtzman)
Two friends, 6-year-old Iniya Singaravelan, left, and 5-year-old Haasini Pradip, both of Wesley Chapel, use an outdoor activity center, hosted by WaterVentures – Florida’s Learning Lab. The mobile science center’s public programs focus on conservation and the understanding of Florida’s ecosystems.
Nine-year-old Aubree Collins, of Land O’ Lakes, takes a hula hoop for a spin. The seasoned pro has been practicing for many years, since attending music festivals with her mother, Sarah.

Celebrate dad this week: Father’s Day is June 16

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As Father’s Day approaches, we set out to capture some special moments between dads and their kids, in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. Such tender exchanges can happen when a child is tiny, or a full-grown adult. We salute those dads who are never too busy to go fishing with their kids, or attend dance recitals, coach Little League, or do the millions of other things that dads do. Happy Father’s Day to you. Enjoy your day.

Anthony Sievert, of Land O’ Lakes, shares a strawberry Italian ice with his 4-year-old daughter, Alicia, on a recent afternoon in Land O’ Lakes. When asked what makes her dad special, Alicia said: ‘My dad tells me silly jokes, and he reads to me. I like when we play hide-and-seek. It’s my favorite game.’ (Christine Holtzman)
During an evening walk in Cypress Creek Preserve, off of Parkway Boulevard in Land O’ Lakes, Gerard Flaherty, of Land O’Lakes, poses for a picture with his two adult daughters, Alison Cagle, left, and Emily Flaherty. When asked to use one word to sum up how he feels about fatherhood, he replied: ‘Blessed.’

 

During a recent morning outing to the New River Branch Library in Wesley Chapel, Thomas Skinner, of Wesley Chapel, reads a book to Elaina, his 2 ½-year-old daughter. He calls fatherhood ‘the best thing in the world.’ He said being a dad requires tending to a child’s curiosity while maintaining the delicate balance of being loving, but also providing discipline.

Congratulations to the Class of 2019!

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Seniors from Cypress Creek Middle High School made history when they graduated on June 5, becoming the first class to graduate from the high school in Wesley Chapel. But, these graduates were among thousands picking up diplomas from schools across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. Whether they graduating from a small private school, from a large public high school, or a sprawling campus — these graduates have finished one chapter of their lives, and are onto the next.

Many seniors displayed messages on their caps, reflecting a bright future ahead, during the inaugural graduation of Cypress Creek Middle High School. (Christine Holtzman)
Graduate Jermyzhae Simmonsh proudly holds up her diploma, after receiving it from Cypress Creek Middle High Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles.

Candlelight vigil honors young girl killed while riding tricycle

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Little 3-year-old Remington ‘Remi’ Lily Solano has been described as a loving and affectionate child, a beam of light that could make anyone smile.

Standing behind the memorial table honoring his sister Remi, Londen Solano watches people pass out candles ahead of the vigil on the evening of May 31. The table was decorated with photos and personal items of the young girl, who died after being struck by a car while riding her tricycle on May 29. (Christine Holtzman)

She enjoyed swimming, and going to school, where she would eat hot dogs for lunch nearly every day.

She loved being outdoors and playing with her neighborhood friends, on the quiet dead-end street, Torvest Court, in the Suncoast Pointe subdivision in Land O’ Lakes.

She was doing what she loved doing the best on the evening of May 29 — riding her purple tricycle.

That’s when a neighbor backed his SUV out of his driveway and struck the young girl, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The child was flown to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa, where she passed away as a result of her injuries.

Remi’s grieving father, Casey Solano, left, and mother Kasey Clark, comfort each other before the candlelight vigil begins.

Two days later, dozens of family and friends, gathered outside the family’s home for a sunset candlelight vigil, to honor the little girl who would have turned 4 later this month.

Remi’s heartbroken family, parents Kasey Clark and Casey Solano, her big brother Londen, her aunt Tiffany Clark, and her grandmother Genevieve Clark huddled together — protected by layers of family members, close friends and grieving community members, offering solace for their unimaginable loss.

Between tears, they found the strength to share their favorite memories of the little girl, whom they affectionately called, “Remi the Pooh.’

At the vigil’s conclusion, the family asked the crowd to raise their candles — to light the way for Remi and to remember the little light who once beamed so bright.

Published June 05, 2019

Genevieve Clark, Remi’s grandmother, listens as another family member shares a memory of the little girl.
Family, friends and others gathered at a candlelight vigil for Remington Solano, a 3-year-old girl who lost her life after being struck by a car while riding her tricycle in her Land O’ Lakes neighborhood. At the conclusion of the vigil, those gathered raised their candles in a response to Remi’s family, to honor the little girl.