Reasons To Smile

Petty Officer 1st Class David Andralouis, a Wesley Chapel native, is one of the sailors supporting a 123-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure the safety of Americans, according to  a Navy Office of Community Outreach news release.  Andralouis joined the Navy 12 years ago and today serves as a mission technician with Trident Training Facility Kings Bay. ‘Serving in the Navy is my way of life,’ Andralouis said, in the release. ‘It’s been a great challenge with great reward.’

Submariners make up only 10% of the U.S. Navy’s personnel, but they play a critical role in carrying out strategic deterrence, one of the most important roles in the Department of Defense, according to the release.

The mission of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) Maritime Operations Unit (MAROPS) is to make sure all are safe on the water.

In early May, MAROPS corporals were called to assist a different resident: a dolphin calf that was days- or hours-old, alone and in distress.

An off-duty PSO deputy was fishing off the coast of Hudson when he discovered the small dolphin swimming in circles and struggling to get above water to breathe.

The deputy contacted MAROPS and the young mammal was taken by boat to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Ultimately, the dolphin was transferred to the care of SeaWorld Rescue, where it was showing signs of improvement and swimming on its own.

This World Turtle Day, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds the public that as they enjoy the beaches this Memorial Day weekend, everyone can help sea turtles have a successful nesting season by giving them space, removing beach furniture at night, keeping beaches clean and dark, and never disturbing their nests.

Florida’s sandy beaches provide important spring and summer nesting habitat for several species of federally threatened and endangered sea turtles.

For more information about nesting sea turtles and how to help, visit MyFWC.com/seaturtle.

Two furry friends have been named winners of Gulfside Hospice’s 2023 Virtual Pet Pageant, raising $6,737 to support the organization’s Pet Peace of Mind program.

Thaddeus, a 10-month old orange tabby cat, was awarded “Most Popular.” The community votes on the winner in this category through donations, and Thaddeus alone brought in $1,500 in votes.

Teddy Bear, a 4-year-old shih tzu, was awarded “Most Photogenic,” determined by a volunteer committee of Women for Gulfside members.

The Virtual Pet Pageant is an annual event presented by the Women for Gulfside to raise funds for the Pet Peace of Mind program that supports Gulfside Hospice patients and their pets during the end-of-life journey. This extra support helps to relieve stress and anxiety for hospice patients and improve their overall quality of life. This program relies entirely on donations.

For more information about the contest or the pet program, contact Carla Armstrong, director of philanthropy, at 727-845-5707, , or visit GulfsidePets.org.

The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club provided craft materials and instruction to kids at Crews Lake Wilderness Park, in celebration of Earth Day. The youth learned the importance of monarch butterflies in the ecosystem and about tagging the butterflies to track their annual migration and life span. Visitors also could see real butterfly eggs on a milkweed flower and craft their own beaded caterpillars on leaves. Club members Karen Phillips and Helen Fornino participated and showed the learning materials and craft used to help bring awareness to the environment.

The Chalk Art Festival, held at the KRATE at the Grove in Wesley Chapel, gave about 10 artists the chance to show off their talents — and imaginations — through works of chalk art on parking spots. See more photos in story above.