The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Photos of the Week

Introducing Clover Chanel Wilson

By

Clover was born on June 26, and after a lot of prayers, the Wilsons were able to introduce her into their family on Aug 28. Clover is a lovable, smart and super-friendly puppy that fits right in with the Wilson household. Every member of this Land O’ Lakes family — Charlie, Billie Jo, Isabella, and 16-year-old family dog Sadie — is grateful for her and loves her dearly.

An homage to veterans

By

Events were held around The Laker/Lutz News region to pay homage to Veterans Day, a federal holiday on Nov. 11 to mark the anniversary of the end of World War I and to honor those who have served in the military. Here’s a look at the Field of Flags, which was organized by the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon. The display was put up in front of the Tampa Premium Outlets, located on one of Pasco County’s busiest roadways. The breeze lifts this flag, at just the right moment, to show off its features. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies; the stars, the 50 U.S. states. The colors have meaning, too. The white symbolizes purity and innocence; the red symbolizes hardiness and valor; and the blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.

(Mary Rathman)

Jammin’ at the skate park

By

(Fred Bellet)

Seven-year-old Jalen Diaz, of Tampa, watches skaters as they demonstrate their skills during the Skate Jam at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex. The young competitor said he’s been skateboarding for two years. His father, disc jockey Dondy Telesford, of Tampa, provided music for the event. See full story and more photos below.

The world of make-believe

By

A little girl pretends she’s a butterfly at the Dade City Monarch Butterfly Festival. The event had lots of opportunities, for young and old alike, to have a good time and appreciate the beauty of monarch butterflies. See more photos from festival in story. (Kelli Carmack)

A season for scarecrows and costumes

By

(Fred Bellet)

Four-year-old Aiden Trader patiently waits for a cup of lemonade, as his mom, Sabrienna Weldon, and friend Raymond Bouffier get beverages. They came to the Florida Pioneer Village & Museum’s annual Scarecrow Festival from Inverness, to have some fun in the sun.

A mighty load, for this little one

By

(Courtesy of Fred Bellet)

Four-year-old Lincoln Hollingsworth, decked out in his skeleton costume, carried the scarecrow that he and his parents, Scott and Lindsey Hollingsworth, made at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village’s Scarecrow Festival. Lincoln’s 1-year-old sister, Nora, helped, too. For more photos from the festival, see full story below.

Waiting on mama

By

Jia Wang is a regular reader of the Lutz News and submitted this photo he snapped in his front yard garden where he and his wife planted roses and bushes, such as bougainvillea. Wang was doing some trimming in the family’s yard when he heard birds ‘screaming,’ and discovered four baby birds nesting inside the bushes. The mother bird was watching Wang nervously from the roof of the house, as he carefully took a photo. The baby birds grew fast and left their nest about a week after Wang’s sighting.

What is a hockey game without a fight?

By

(Fred Bellet)

Referees break up a fight, but not before Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Cameron MacDonald, of Nova Scotia, Canada, gets the brunt of a glove in the face by Carolina prospect Seth Jarvis, No. 24, of Winnipeg, Canada. See the full story and more photos in the sports story below.

A treat for local first responders

By

(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club delivered a total of 12 gift baskets filled with snacks, treats and fruit to eight local first responder stations in Land O’ Lakes and Lutz, in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The club has long supported the fire and EMT first responders in the community and wanted to show their deep appreciation for the dedication and difficult work of our local heroes. Dee Knerr stops by Station 22 in Connerton to deliver a basket to the station’s captain and two firefighters. ** Please note that it is the policy of the fire departments not to release individual names of their firefighter/EMT staff.

Never Forget

By

(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club turned out in force to commemorate this most solemn and poignant 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on our country. The women formed a long queue of wavers to remind those in the heavy traffic and passers-by along U.S. 41 in Lutz to “Never forget”. The women received hearty responses from car horns, 18-wheeler airhorn blasts, and even the sheriff’s motorcycle sirens in support. Every year since the first anniversary in 2002, club members have been a visible presence, to remind the community that we are all in this together.