The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Reasons To Smile

Rise and Shine!

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(Katie Fernandez)

The Laker/Lutz News’ social media team of Kelli Carmack and Katie Fernandez visited the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club in San Antonio to serve free donuts and coffee, and to get to know the members in the community. Friends and neighbors at TBGCC have a little fun during the event.

Local troop donates cookies

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(Courtesy of Crystal Crist)

The Girl Scouts just finished the 2021 cookie season and Troop 389 of Zephyrhills was able to donate 48 boxes of cookies to Meals on Wheels East Pasco – the group’s ‘hometown hero.’ Meals on Wheels provides fresh meals to seniors, people with disabilities, and other community members who have a limited ability to shop and/or prepare food for themselves. Troop 389 is looking forward to the 2022 cookie season! From left: Natalie O’Donovan, Tabitha Crist and Michelle McKay.

Wreath tributes for veterans

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(Courtesy of Liberty Manor for Veterans)

Mamie Robinson, of Plant City, made and delivered seven wreaths in an all-American motif to the residents of Liberty Manor for Veterans Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization, in Tampa. The mission of Liberty Manor is to promote the developmental and social needs of disabled and honorably discharged veterans who have fallen victim to homelessness, providing transitional, supported housing and establishing objectives designed to attribute to self-sufficiency. Anyone interested in assisting this initiative can contact Connie Lindsay at 813-900-9422, or visit LibertyManor.org.

Afternoon picnic kicks off Spring Break

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The Pasco Sheriff’s Office PSO4KIDS kicked off Spring Break with an afternoon picnic that included a cookout, games, prizes, a train ride, bounce house, and K9s, at Elsie Logan Memorial Park in Spring Hill. Local kids and community members got to hang out with sheriff’s office staff, check out patrol vehicles, meet the Mounted Posse, get a bite to eat, see a flyover from the Aviation Unit, and take part in a game of kickball.

Pasco Sheriff Officer Friendly Cpl. Jaime Garcia plays football with a young member of the Spring Hill community. (Courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)

 

Cpl. Arthur Madden covers a base during a kickball game at the PSO4KIDS picnic.

Recognizing community heroes

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Several fire stations were surprised with baskets of appreciation. (Courtesy of First United Methodist Church of Lutz)

First United Methodist Church of Lutz reached out to remind the community’s frontline workers that they are appreciated, loved and prayed for.

Members of the church created 21 baskets of love, each containing a poem, candies, snacks, bookmarks, pictures, and handwritten thank you cards.

The baskets were delivered to these offices:

  • Hillsborough County Sheriff, District 1
  • Hillsborough County Fire Stations 24, 34 and 40; Fire Station 5 University; and Fire Station Northdale
  • Pasco County Fire Stations 23 and 28
  • Pasco County Fire Rescue Headquarters
  • St. Joseph’s Hospital-North Floors 1, 2, 3,4, 5 and 6, as well as the pharmacy, rehab, radiology, respiratory, environmental services and security services.
Two hospital staff members at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North gratefully accept a token of appreciation for their work.

Good deeds go a long way

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(Courtesy of Pasco County Animal Services)

Christopher Cutillo practiced a good deed every day during February, including delivering groceries to seniors, helping to clean up people’s yards, and more. Cutillo stopped by Pasco County Animal Services to make dog treats (Milk-Bone and peanut butter sandwiches) for the pups. He was impressed with the animal shelter and is hoping to invite friends to join him on his next visit.

Warm Feet, Happy Hearts

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(Courtesy of Sandy Graves)

The Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes sponsored “Warm Feet, Happy Hearts,” a fundraiser to benefit Fostering Hope Florida. Fostering Hope has served thousands of children in foster care through housing, resources, events, advocacy, mentoring and educational programs, and continues to expand its reach. In addition to much-needed supplies, such as diapers, baby formula and strollers, the club presented a $500 check to the organization. Shown are: Judy Moore, selfie-taker; John Callendar; Ken Lemanowicz; Gloria Lawson, Fostering Hope director; Sandy Graves; Chris Poole; Joe Justice; Elle Rudisill; and Larry Giannone. Those attending via Zoom are seen in the background.

Little Free Library opens

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(Courtesy of North Tampa Bay Chamber)

The North Tampa Bay Chamber hosted a socially distanced grand opening and ribbon-cutting for a Little Free Library Wesley Chapel at The Shops at Wiregrass on Feb. 19. The event included a book signing, balloon twisting, gifts, music and more. The Little Free Library is a nonprofit that builds community, inspires readers, and expands book access for everyone, through a global network of volunteer-led little libraries. Guests were asked to bring a book and take a book from the new installation. The library is sponsored by The Wiregrass Ranch Foundation.

 

Loud and Proud for the Bucs

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club stopped for lunch after a recent outing and were delighted to find ‘Tom Brady’ in their midst. The club cheered for its hometown team in Super Bowl LV. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-9. From left: Joan Nordin, Dee Knerr, Deb Cardona, Annette Bellingar, Madeline McCulloh and Elayne Bassinger.