Reasons To Smile
An act of generosity
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club filled 25 backpacks with cold weather wear, such as hats, gloves, sweaters, sweatshirts and scarves, for those in need. (Architectural Signage in Land O’ Lakes donated the backpacks.) Club president Elayne Bassinger and members Dee Knerr and Nancy Taylor delivered the backpacks to The Rope/Core Center in Hudson, which serves housing-insecure veterans and the homeless population. This was one act of kindness performed by the woman’s club in keeping with the ‘GFWC Florida Days of Service.’ For more information, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org, or its Facebook page.
A towering addition to Sensory Garden
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club raised funds through its Arts & Culture Committee programs to purchase and have installed a large elm tree, standing 15 feet tall, in the club-designated garden at Camp Idlewild in Land O’ Lakes. Lois Cohen, left, and Elayne Bassinger, were there to supervise the placement of the tree (behind them) in the Sensory Garden, which benefits autistic children and others who frequent the special needs camp. As the weather warms up, the women plan to continue to add special features to the garden, including a variety of flowering plants and shrubs to attract butterflies, birds and bees.
Miss Pasco Outstanding Teen
Larkin Mainwaring is a 15-year-old ninth-grader at Pasco eSchool and lives in Dade City. She recently was crowned Miss Pasco County Outstanding Teen. Larkin is passionate about singing and performing, and has been with Showstoppers Performing Arts since she was 8 years old. She also is passionate about raising awareness for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a genetic disease that she lives with. Larkin is excited to represent and serve Pasco County for the next year.
These little libraries are popular
The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club donates hundreds of books for the community over the course of every year, to two Little Free Libraries and other outlets that the club supports. Recently, the Nye Park little library was damaged beyond repair, and a gentleman from a Lutz woodworkers group promptly stepped forward and handcrafted and installed a colorful box (shown here) filled with club-provided reading material for local children and adults. Faith Sincich regularly restocks the two boxes and has said that they are well-used by readers.
A ‘sweet’ gesture for seniors
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club assembled hundreds of Valentine’s Day cards and treats for homebound seniors, to be delivered by Meals on Wheels along with the client’s meals. Each packet contains a Valentine with a handwritten message and a chocolate heart confection, to help raise the seniors’ spirits and bring them cheer. From left: Helen Fornino, Dorrien Zilavetz, Lois Cohen, Judie McHenry, Aniko Solomonson and Sandi Giddens.
Woman’s club steps up with book donations
Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club donated copies of the children’s book entitled, ‘Twenty-One Steps,’ to Lutz, Miles and Connerton elementary schools. The book chronicles the little-known history of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery, in Washington D.C., and pays homage to America’s fallen, telling the story of the soldiers who guard the tomb. The book also illustrates the history of the ‘unknowns,’ marking the 100th anniversary of the first burial of an unknown World War I veteran. Dee Knerr, left, and Faith Sincich delivered the books.
An amazing start to the new year
Meet Eliana Rose Jones — the first baby born at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in 2022. Baby Jones was born at 4:53 p.m., New Year’s Day, weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces. Her proud parents are Sheree and Ian of Land O’ Lakes. The hospital gifted the family a basket of goodies to start the year off in an amazing way. Congratulations to the family and the St. Joseph’s Hospital-North maternity teams.
Touchdown!
Retired Buccaneers teamates Oddie Harris and Donnie Elders delivered an early Christmas gift to some football-loving veterans, when they visited Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes, with pictures to sign for autographs. The visit came about after Harris met the wife of a veterans home resident on a flight back to Tampa.
A driving force to help feed the hungry
The activities committee at Morningside RV Estates in Dade City recently hosted its annual food drive for the local St. Vincent de Paul Society pantry. Volunteers picked up a total of 194 bags of food from the residents of Morningside and then delivered the donations to St. Vincent’s, where the food was sorted. Mike and Theresa Hosmer started this bi-annual event in 2012. Since then, 3,497 bags of nonperishable food items have been donated to the pantry. From left: Dave Swinson, Lucky Kosto, Wayne Chase, Karen Violette, Ted Trzebiatowski, Don Handel, Ron Suski, Ann O’Brien, Gary Crandlemire, Lynn Swinson, Dave Gwinner, Gene Schmersal, Bill Dupras, Dick Friday, Bill Schulte and Shirley Majeskie.