GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club recently wrapped up its flea market fundraiser at the Old Lutz School and sends out a thank you to all who contributed to its success, through donations of goods or purchases. The monies raised will go far in providing scholarship awards as well as funding the club’s many projects benefiting the local community and beyond. For more about the club, visit its Facebook page or GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org.
Reasons To Smile
Leaping into life!
This is Leap Year baby girl Lennox Mae born Feb. 29, at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz, with her parents Julien and Mercedez. Known as “Leap Day, ” Feb. 29 is considered the rarest birthday a person can have. Given that Feb. 29 occurs only once every 1,461 days, the likelihood of a baby born on Leap Day is quite low — roughly 1 in 1,461. So, will Leap Day and Year babies, or “leaplings,” like Lennox Mae celebrate their birthdays Feb. 28 or March 1? St. Joseph’s Hospital-North says celebrate both days! Why not? Who wouldn’t want two celebrations of their birthdays? Twice as much joy! Congratulations to this family and all families with a Leap Year baby in 2024! The next Leap Day and Year happens in 2028.
Celebrate with flowers!
National Floral Design Day on Feb. 28 recognizes the art and history of floral design. For thousands of years, floral design has been an important cultural art form, which can be celebrated in a bouquet, painting, in textiles, a garden or a floral arrangement.
Manatees return to Florida waters
The Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP), in collaboration with SeaWorld Orlando and six other zoological and manatee care organizations, released five orphaned manatees to Blue Spring State Park in Florida after a years-long journey of rehabilitation by multiple members of the partnership, according to a news release.
MRP is a cooperative group of nonprofit, private, state and federal entities who work together to rescue, rehabilitate, release, and monitor sick and injured manatees. The manatees originally were rescued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and MRP Partners between 2020 and 2021.
Every animal returned will be fitted with a GPS tracking device that will allow researchers the ability to monitor their movements and ensure their acclimation to their natural habitat for the next year.
Manatees that were transferred back to Florida waters are:
- Squirrel: originally weighed 116 pounds and was released at 960 pounds
- Lizzie: 63 pounds, released at 855 pounds
- MaryKate: 107 pounds, released at 815 pounds
- Clank: 128 pounds, released at 725 pounds
- TinkTank: 124 pounds, released at 840 pounds
Published February 21, 2024
Serving others with a smile
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club serves lunch at the Trinity Cafe in Tampa every month. The women greet the homeless and food-insecure with a warm smile, and serve chef-prepared meals, in a comfortable setting, with dignity and grace. For more information, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org or its Facebook page. From left: Shirley Willhite, Pam Blumenthal, Deb Cardona, Jeannie Sheets, Melba Pineiro, Gina Caper and Nancy Branham.
Recognizing female athletes
Around the country, Feb. 7 is National Girls & Women in Sports Day, recognized by schools, organizations and teams during the first week of February. Athletics play an important role in female lives, no only by establishing a routine for a healthy, active lifestyle, but sports build confidence, leadership skills and the ability to work with a team. The Laker/Lutz News gives a shout out to all female athletes and their strength of accomplishment, no matter what sport they take part in.
Day of service for woman’s club
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club donated and delivered 517 pounds of food to the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry in Land O’ Lakes, on Jan. 15, the National Day of Service. The food will be distributed by the pantry to those in the area who are in need of food. For more about the club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org or its Facebook page.
National Compliment Day is Jan. 24
National Compliment Day on Jan. 24 offers a wonderful way to brighten someone’s day or to give credit for a job well done. A compliment has a powerful effect. It can instill confidence in a child, or validate someone’s hard work. A compliment not only improves the receiver’s mood, but it also says something about the giver. It tells them you noticed. Whether we recognize someone’s achievement or their classic style, a compliment can go a long way. Give an extra compliment on Jan. 24 or any time one is deserved!
Canines earn retirement
The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) announced the retirement of two of its K-9s — Brasko and Dobies — after their years of dedicated service to the county’s citizens.
K-9 Brasko, a German shepherd, has served Pasco County since May 2015. He was certified in both patrol work and narcotics detection, successfully keeping narcotics off Pasco streets, as well as locating those who were missing and apprehending dangerous suspects.
In both 2015 and 2017, the canine earned first place over 100 dogs in a narcotics detection competition. In retirement, he will remain with his partner, Dep. Adam Tellier, and Tellier’s current K9 partner, Flash.
K-9 Dobies, a labrador retriever born in Hungary, was certified in narcotics detection and began serving Pasco County in 2016, making him the PSO’s oldest serving K-9 at the time of his retirement.
The retriever served in many units throughout his career, including the School Resource unit, where he made frequent visits to schools throughout the county. He also served in the Community Engagement unit.
K-9 Dobies will continue to live in his retirement with his partner, Cpl. Christina Demas, and Dema’s current partner, Knox.
Candy houses add color and smiles to festivities
Church Street Christmas in Dade City offered an abundance of activities, including a Gingerbread Contest with a variety of donated entries from the community. Judges’ winners were Bard Fuller, first place; Nancy Clemmons, second place; and Corin Hall, third place. The Adult People’s Choice winner was Tanner Politi and the Youth People’s Choice winner was Ashley Weits.