The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Reasons To Smile

Everyone deserves some downtime

By

(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club took some time off for a beach getaway at Treasure Island, after a very busy summer of projects. This summer respite was a well-deserved break for the ladies, before they dive into a new club year filled with a multitude of community service projects and volunteerism. For more information on the club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org.

No creature sighting here

By

(Courtesy of Angie Ng)

Wesley Chapel resident Angie Ng took a fun selfie after finding the Loch Ness Monster, or Nessie — a tiny stuffed animal she got while on her trip to Scotland. (See full story, A Monster Accomplishment, in Local Sports.)

Lutz scouting leaders to be honored at breakfast

By

(Courtesy of Boy Scouts of America, Greater Tampa Bay Area Council)

Lutz residents Fifi and Mark Rose will be honored at a breakfast, open to the public, on Sept. 8 at 9 a.m., at Busch Gardens, at the Gwazi Pavilion.

The event will raise funds for Scouting programs, through the Boy Scouts of America, in the Tampa Bay area.

Mark and Fifi have been involved with Scouting for decades, and have volunteered at the unit, District, Council, Area, Region, National, and International levels.

They are being recognized for their work with disadvantaged youth and are being awarded the Whitney M. Young Award, according to a flier detailing the event.

Mark and Fifi have generously decided to match donations up to $35,000 for this event, and every dollar the event raises will support Scouting.

To RSVP, go to the Boy Scouts of America, Greater Tampa Bay Area Council’s website. For more information, call 813-872-2691.

Published August 24, 2022

Women gear up for annual arts and crafts show

By

(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club is wasting no time in preparation of its annual December arts and crafts show. The members are busily crafting items — such as angel ornaments and recycled men’s ties — to be sold in the club’s booth. The women are savvy recyclers and extremely eco-conscious  They routinely upcycle items rather than tossing them away in area landfills. The group enjoys the camaraderie and socializing on craft days, working with sister members and guests. From left: Aniko Solomonson, Debbie Cardona, Shirley Willhite and Margee Carpenter. For more information on this community service organization, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org, or its Facebook page.

Spending quality time with seniors

By

(Courtesy of Linda Mitchell)

Little Women of Lutz members Alexis Mitchell, Alyssa Mitchell and Zoey Cropper (in blue shirts), joined the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s club for games and crafts at the Land O’ Lakes Senior Center of Pasco County. Club members and center residents played dominos and painted door hangers. The residents also learned how to make ground sleeping mats — a specialty of the woman’s club — for the homeless.

Giving back, for the animals

By

(Courtesy of Pasco County Animal Services)

Girl Scouts Troop 50156 donated numerous supplies, including much-needed food and litter, to Pasco County Animal Services in Land O’ Lakes. Troop members also helped to weed the shelter’s spree yard and took a tour of the shelter to learn more about what happens there.

Send us your First Day of School photos

By

It’s that time of year when students of all ages are beginning a new school year and for many, that means it’s time to pose for the traditional First Day of School photos.

The Laker/Lutz News loves sharing these photos that have been taken by parents, grandparents, friends and relatives.

It has become of our annual tradition to share these special moments with our readers, and we can’t do that unless families choose to send their photos to us.

Besides being fun in the moment, in many ways these photos are similar to tiny time capsules, capturing a moment and recording changes in height, hair styles and fashion over time.

We hope you enjoy seeing these photos as much as we enjoy publishing them.

If you’d like to submit your photos, please be sure to let us know:

  • The first and last name of the student
  • The student’s age and grade
  • What school the student attends and the name of their community, such as Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, and so on
  • The name of the person submitting the photo, along with contact information, in case we have questions.

We’re planning to publish the photos on Aug. 24.

To enable us to meet that deadline, please send your First Day of School photos by Aug. 14, to .

Jazzy likes The Laker

By

(Courtesy of Debbie Morton)

Dog walker Debbie Morton shared this photo of Jazzy, a 1-year-old whippet, who lives in Land O’ Lakes. Jazzy waits patiently for Morton to arrive so she can retrieve the paper for her owner, Christina Becker. Jazzy likes to read The Laker, too!

A 4th of July Celebration

By

(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club sponsored the big 4th of July Parade and Celebration in Lutz, for the first time since the pandemic — to the theme of “We’re Back!” The event attracted thousands of spectators for an old-fashioned, small-town, family friendly Independence Day.

A friendly hello!

By

Lisa Vaile lives in Wesley Chapel and loves to take wildlife photos when she takes her boat out. Here, this pelican seems to be waving a hearty hello. See more of Vailes’ photos in our Local Wildlife section.