The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Reasons To Smile

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

10 Big Benefits of Smiling

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Everyone is encouraged to choose to smile every day, to boost mood and health. According to Very Well Mind, the 10 biggest benefits of this simple act are: Smiling helps you live longer; smiling relieves stress; smiling elevates mood; smiling is contagious; smiling boosts the immune system; smiling may lower blood pressure; smiling reduces pain; smiling makes you attractive; smiling suggests success; and smiling helps you stay positive. Check out VeryWellMind.com, for more information.

A puppy on a mission

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Lindsay Brauer of Land O’ Lakes submitted this photo of her pup bringing in the paper and said, “Cash says thanks for always keeping us up to date on all the things in Land O’ Lakes/Lutz!”

Just a little Christmas spirit

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The Laker/Lutz News’ editorial assistant Mary Rathman loves Christmastime, so much so, that she has a year-round room in her home dedicated to the holiday. When she needs a little bit of peace and calm, or to chat with family on the internet, this is her place to be.

A sea of tranquility

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Jeremy Vizzi snapped this shot of a Thanksgiving sunset over Land O’ Lakes, by piloting a drone about 350 feet above his house in Lake Padgett Estates. The peaceful sight renders a smile, and hope for the future.

Helping to take care of others

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(Courtesy of Kids Helping Kids Pasco County)

The Kids Helping Kids Pasco County wants to thank all its donors and volunteers who participated in its fifth annual Thanksgiving Meal Drive. The nonprofit organization was able to deliver meals to 57 Pasco County families (about 300 people). Yesterday we delivered meals to 57 Pasco County Families (nearly 300 people). For information on Kids Helping Kids, call 813-957-5711, or email .