The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Reasons To Smile

Dogs Days brings smiles, and barks, to Dade City

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The 13th annual Dogs’ Day in Dade City brought out its usual crowd of dogs, and owners, to Agnes Lamb Park on March 18, attracting several businesses and local organizations to the event. Dog-Mania & Cats, Dade City Animal Clinic and Nutrena Farmers Feed Depot were part of Dogs’ Day activities, including costume contests, a dog parade, talent portions and even an ice-cream eating contest that pairs the dogs with the humans (who eat yogurt). Ava Larkin’s dog, Luna Belle, was named Dog Mayor, which is awarded to the person who raises the most money for the fundraiser and then has the honor of having his or her dog named Dog Mayor for a year. Sponsors for this year’s event were The New Barker, an online dog magazine and the Green Door on 8th.

(Courtesy of Kevin Taggerty)

Local artists shine at fine arts show

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The Zephyrhills Art Club (ZAC) hosted a Fine Arts Show on March 10 and March 11, featuring the works of numerous local artists.

The show was held at First Baptist Church in Zephyrhills. In addition to the artwork, the event featured raffle baskets, silent auction items and a ZACporium that housed a collection of used frames, art books, canvas, easels, art supplies and other art-related items available for purchase.

The art club is an organization of artists who work together to enhance the appreciation of fine art in the communities and to provide for the promotional and educational needs of artists, according to its Facebook page.

Winners in various categories were:

  • Abstracts: Judy Rogers, first place
  • Abstracts: Sue Rhinehart, first show winner
  • Animals: Patricia Lynn Ashford, first place
  • Best of Show: Thomas Gale
  • Flowers/Still Life: Elaine Marisch, first place
  • People: Sally Yoder, first place
  • People’s Choice: Sandra Lallemand
  • Portraits/Miniatures: Kelly Colton, first place
  • Sculpture: Virginia Drouillard, first place
  • Seascapes: Thomas Gale, first place

Published March 22, 2023

Sally Yoder
Thomas Gale
Patricia Lynn Ashford

A budding naturalist

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Doug Stentz, of Dade City, snapped this photo of his great granddaughter, Briella, staring intently and closely at a caterpillar, giving it a full inspection. Stentz said his granddaughter is 2 years old and loves nature.

Who’s ready for a game of kickball?

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Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley accepts the trophy from Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles. (Courtesy of Office of Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller)
vThese are the players that competed against each other in a kickball tournament on Feb. 26 at Heritage Park, in Land O’ Lakes.

Employees from the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Office squared off against employees from the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office in a kickball showdown on Feb. 26 at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, with the Supervisor of Elections Office pulling off the victory.

Teams from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and Tax Collector’s Office had been expected, but were unavailable for the tournament.

 

Sweets for the sweet

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club delivered sweet chocolate treats to both the Lutz and Land O’ Lakes branch library staffs, on Valentine’s Day. The club wanted to show its appreciation to the librarians for their contributions to the community and their efforts to promote reading among very young children. Woman’s club member Lucy Albury surprises a Land O’ Lakes Library staffer with the gift.

A walk through the past

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Anita Nales was a lucky winner of tickets to the Dino & Dragons exhibit. Here, her two great grandchildren take a walk on the wild side, visiting these life-size creatures of the past. The exhibit runs through Feb. 26 at the Harry Schwettman Education Center in New Port Richey.

Trotting through the shops

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(Mike Camunas)

It stopped traffic, but decidedly so, as the world-famous, iconic Budweiser Clydesdales were able to trot around the plaza across from Tampa Premium Outlets in Lutz, showing off their gorgeous hauling skills to onlookers and cars driving by. Total Wine & Liquor hosted the event, and for a few hours these horses displayed why they are so beloved. The ride started at the liquor store, then went over to nearby Ford’s Garage and then down Sierra Center Boulevard to Bahama Breeze and to the Hyatt Place, and back through the parking lot. Those who attended were able to pose for photos with the majestic horses.

A curious cat

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Zander is a 1 year old Nebelung cat that was abandoned in a box on the side of the road as a kitten. The Eurell family took him in and he’s been a wonderful addition to their home. Zander is very friendly and loves reading The Laker. He lives with Owen Eurell in Land O’ Lakes.

Carving up some impressive art work

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Von Nicholson, also known as Hoosier Carver, stands near one of his creations, which was commissioned by June Griffin. (Courtesy of June Griffin)
This angel, eagle and wolf was carved by Von Nicholson, also known as Hoosier Carver, from a large tree trunk, in Lake Bernadette. (Mike Camunas)

Lake Bernadette residents Butch and June Griffin commissioned Von Nicholson, also known as Hoosier Carver, to carve an angel, eagle and a wolf out of a large tree trunk on the side of their property at 35406 Zilla Way, in Zephyrhills. The project took Nicholson about three weeks to complete and has become the talk of the East Pasco neighborhood.

Honoring the fallen, through a special jump

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Legacy Expeditions, a veteran-owned extreme expedition company, completed a celebratory jump at Skydive City in Zephyrhills on Jan. 18. )Courtesy of Kevin Weiss, City of Zephyrhills Public Information Office)

Legacy Expeditions, a veteran-owned extreme expedition company, completed a celebratory jump at Skydive City in Zephyrhills on Jan. 18 to honor 13 service members who died in Kabul Afghanistan during the American’s withdrawal in August of 2021.

The celebratory jump was part of their Triple 7 Expedition, involved nine former U.S. and Canadian military service members who broke three world records during the expedition and made  jumps in all seven continents in 6 days, 6 hours and 6 minutes.

Their first jump was Jan. 9 in Antarctica and the seventh jump was in Australia. They broke the six-continent team and tandem records on Jan. 14, in Abu Dhabi, in 4 days and 10 hours: a record set in 2008 with a time of 8 days and 7 hours.

Then, on Jan. 15, the team set the seven-continent team and tandem skydiving records, previously set in 2019 with a time of 6 months and 4 days.

The expedition was completed to raise 1,400 life-changing scholarships to support  families of fallen and disabled service members and first responders, through Folds of Honor Foundation.

Published January 25, 2023