The Laker/Lutz News

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Christine Holtzman

Real-life superheroes give young boy an epic parade

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In many ways, David Castle is a typical 8-year-old boy.

He loves superheroes, WWE, Fortnight, motorcycles, fast cars and fishing.

Eight-year-old David Castle, who has been in cancer treatment nearly a year, gives two thumbs up when he hears the sirens of the approaching parade that is heading down his street, in the Ashley Lakes community in Odessa. (Christine Holtzman)

But, unlike most boys his age, he’s been undergoing cancer treatments for the better part of a year.

Last October, he was diagnosed with a Stage 4 Wilms tumor in his right kidney.

After 46 weeks of aggressive treatment — including the removal of his right kidney, he recently was diagnosed with two new cancerous tumors in his right lung.

A ministry outreach group called Bringing the SON Light, organized a massive Halloween parade — including 250 to 350 vehicles. The ministry, based in Spring Hill, also organized a barbecue fundraiser to benefit David and his family.

Las Insportables Tampa Bay, Crystal Harley-Davidson, KW Morrow Electric Inc., were other sponsors, too.

Eight-year-old David Castle waves at the fleet of passing Pasco County Fire Rescue vehicles that kicked off the Halloween Day parade that was organized just for him. As she stands behind him, his mother, Tammy Miller, is overcome with emotion as rescue vehicles drive by.

Vehicles taking part in the parade included exotic sports cars, motorcycles, 4-by-4s and emergency vehicles from Pasco Fire Rescue, Lealman and Tarpon Springs.

They rolled by and packed David’s street, in the Ashley Lakes subdivision, in Odessa.

Many of those taking part dressed up as David’s favorite superheroes, and gave the 8-year-old gifts and cards.

Parade participants performed, too, burning their rubber tires on the asphalt to provide a smoke show for David.

The boy was obviously delighted.

A participant of the Halloween day parade for David Castle burns rubber on the pavement outside of the young boy’s Odessa home. Those taking part were encouraged to dress as superheroes and to do smoke shows — because those are some of the 8-year-old’s favorite things.

After the parade, there was a big barbecue fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting David’s family.

David’s mother, Tammy Miller, was thrilled by the outpouring of generosity for her son and her family.

It has been a challenging year, and more challenges lie ahead.

But, on Halloween, David was one happy boy — surrounded by his favorite things, in a community that clearly cares.

If you would like to help, a GoFundMe account has been set up for David and his family. Visit Go Fund Me online and search for “Help Fight the Fight for David.”

Published November 04, 2020

Dale Stutz, of St. Petersburg, receives a hug from 8-year-old David Castle. Stutz, who dressed as Thor for the Halloween event, is the president of a local chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association.
A steady stream of motorcycles, sports cars, emergency vehicles, and 4-by-4s, made their way to the Odessa community of Ashley Lakes — giving 8-year-old David Castle, a supersized Halloween parade. An estimated 250 to 300 vehicles joined in to treat the young cancer patient to a special day.
Tammy Miller — who is David Castle’s mother — can’t hide her excitement, as her son shows her one of the toys he received during the parade. The flatbed of a pickup truck was packed with toys for the 8-year-old.

Safe Autumn activities

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Seven-year-old Noah Claridge and his 2-year-old sister, Ava, pose for a family photo at the scarecrow-themed hay bale display. The siblings visited the Connerton pumpkin patch with their parents, Jennifer and Matthew. (Christine Holtzman)

Club Connerton previously has hosted several autumn events for residents in the Land O’ Lakes community — but this year, because of COVID-19, the activities were reimagined, to follow social distancing guidelines.

Instead of the adult beer garden and costume contests, Gregg Svendgard, Club Connerton’s general manager, and his staff, came up with some new activities.

There was the annual Monster Mash Dash Costume 5K Run, a pumpkin patch and a scarecrow-themed hay bale to give families a backdrop for photos.

Staff members disinfected pumpkins regularly, and plastic gloves were supplied to those picking out their perfect pumpkin.

The pumpkins were free, and each children received a bag with candy and a craft-to-go, while supplies lasted.

Seven-year-old Sophia Husby and her 5-year-old sister, Chloe, select their perfect pumpkins from the patch on the lawn of Club Connerton. The girls were there their parents, Juliana and Eric.
Four-year-old Kendall Smith is all smiles, as she proudly shows her mother, Tia, the pumpkin that she chose.
These costumed characters are getting ready to take off at Connerton’s annual Monster Mash Dash 5K. The participants, who live in Connerton, were disguised as superheroes and Harry Potter characters. From left: Chelsea Frati, Nicole Jarvis, Izzy Pettey, Marina Lowe, Adysson Lowe and Elyssa Lowe.

A glimpse into the farming life

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Three generations of Meltons have worked together to build a life around farming, ranching and family time on 1,500 acres in northeast Pasco County. Read more about the Melton farm operations in the full story this week.

Steve Melton, who has spent his life working the land, is retired now — and enjoys spending his time reciting poetry and doing heritage arts, such as making brooms and grinding sugar cane to make sugar cane syrup. (Christine Holtzman)

 

Take a moment. Savor a beautiful sunset.

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It’s no secret that the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has claimed lives, caused job losses, closed school campuses, canceled celebrations and caused anxiety — and yet, beauty still remains. This sunset was captured on a spring evening, over East Lake Ellis, in Land O’ Lakes. The lake is situated between Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, School Road and Hopson Road.

(Christine Holtzman)

Celebrating Earth Day, in the midst of a pandemic

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On April 22, we celebrate Earth Day, which originated in 1970 as a national day to focus on the environment. Take a drive out to the edge of Pasco County and it won’t seem like we’re in the midst of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic. Rather, there’s a sense of peace and tranquility — while the fields of rye and the garden crops grow, and cows congregate contentedly in a pasture. There’s a splash of color, too, in the wildflowers popping up along the side of the road. Today, we celebrate Earth Day, which originated in 1970, as a national day to focus on the environment.

When it is ripened, this field of rye, on a farm belonging to the Melton family, reminds Steve Melton of the amber waves of grain, which are celebrated in ‘America the Beautiful.’ (Christine Holtzman)
A group of families share a garden plot here in East Pasco — growing sweet corn, okra, kale, squash, mustard greens, turnips, collard greens and broccoli. Meanwhile, the cows hang out nextdoor.
These wildflowers provide a glimpse of the wild and colorful beauty that nature provides.

Rock ‘n’ Roll concert cures isolation blues

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With the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic changing the routines of everyday life, the Keystone Place at Terra Bella senior living community, at 2200 Livingston Road in Land O’ Lakes, came up with a creative way to safely engage and entertain its residents. To help reduce isolation during these challenging times, the community hired The Boomer Band to perform oldies from a flatbed trailer that was being pulled around the property. Many residents enjoyed the concert from the comfort of their apartment balconies.

From a flatbed trailer in the parking lot, The Boomer Band, a Pinellas County-based, two-piece pop/dance band, entertains the residents of the Keystone Place at Terra Bella senior living community on April 3. The senior living community hired keyboard/vocalist Kevin de Champlain and drummer/vocalist Vance Fontanella, to safely engage and entertain its residents, who have been isolated due to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. (Christine Holtzman)
While practicing social distancing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, several residents of the Keystone Place at Terra Bella senior living community in Land O’ Lakes enjoy the parking lot rock ‘n’ roll concert from the comfort of their apartment balconies. The Boomer Band, based in Pinellas County, entertained residents from a flatbed trailer that was pulled around to perform a set list in different parts of the community.
The Boomer Band perform a Fats Domino hit for the residents of the memory care unit at the Keystone Place at Terra Bella senior living community. Many of the residents listened from the comfort of their apartment balconies. The community hired the band to safely engage and entertain the residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Blessings and forever homes

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From its tranquil, wooded location — and before the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, one Lutz church hosted an event that was for the dogs — and, the cats.

The Unity North Tampa church, 19520 Holly Lane, had its first annual Pet Adoption Fair.

The Rev. Virginia Walsh, of Unity North Tampa, blesses Scrappy, a partially blind Corgi and French bulldog that was rescued 17-months ago by Ann Ottaviano, of Carrollwood. Ottaviano, who attended the fair with her adult daughter, Laura, said that the dog was recovering from severe burns to his back when she adopted him. At the pet fair, she adopted a black mouth cur named Maggie May, to be a companion for the dog. (Christine Holtzman)

The Rev. Virginia Walsh scampered around the church hall, as the event began, talking about why the church wanted to host an adoption fair dedicated to the animals.

The church moved to its current location, from Tampa, in June 2018.

Despite being set back slightly from the hustle and bustle of North Dale Mabry Highway, the property is quiet, and serene — featuring tall pines and grand oaks.

In the past, the church’s pet blessings have tended to be popular because people love their pets like family members, the church leader said.

This year, her congregation thought that it would be a wonderful idea to host an event on the church’s spacious property, and to invite the community to attend.

And, the idea for the Pet Adoption Fair was born.

Sitting at their vendor table, Janalea Hoffman, owner/founder of Rhythmic Medicine, left, plays a native flute, as her business partner, Marilyn Miller looks on. The women are snowbirds from Kansas, who live part-time in Sun City Center. They were at the Pet Adoption Fair selling native flutes and colorful pet T-shirts.

Before the reverend rushed outdoors to bless a pooch, she declared passionately: “We are excited to support finding good homes for these animals.”

Seven adoption agencies took part in the inaugural event. They were Pasco County Animal Services, SPCA Suncoast, Dachshunds Seeking Forever Home Rescue, Tampa Bay Cat Alliance, Tampa Bay Humane Society, Barking Out Loud Rescue, and A Promised Land Animal Rescue.

Many brought animals that were ready to be adopted that day.

A half-dozen vendors set up shop around the property, offering various food items, crafts, and pet gear and supplies.

Ann Ottaviano, of Carrollwood, and her adult daughter, Laura, came to the Pet Adoption Fair to find a companion for Ann’s 8-year-old partially blind Corgi and French bulldog mix, Scrappy.

Maggie May, a 3-year-old black mouth cur, hangs out of the Barking Out Loud Rescue van window, while she waits for the organization’s founder, Claudia Beaver, to set up the kennels. Maggie May, along with nine other dogs, traveled with the group from Highlands County, to be part of the Unity North Tampa’s Pet Adoption Fair. Maggie May found her forever home when Ann Ottaviano, of Carrollwood, adopted her during the event.

She adopted Scrappy 17 months ago from a shelter. He was severely abused, and had a bad case of heartworm. He was found in a cage; his front teeth are missing from trying to bite his way out.

Scrappy also endured the unthinkable.

Someone poured scalding hot water over his back, resulting in severe, visible burns.

When Ann saw him for the first time, in this poor condition, she really didn’t think of his issues. “I was sitting next to him at the kennel, and he looked up to me, and that was it. It was my intuition that I needed this dog.” She also said, “Dogs don’t need to be perfect.”

Her vet suggested that she get Scrappy a companion dog now, before he was completely without sight, to help him and comfort him in blindness.

She ended up adopting Maggie May, a 3-year-old black mouth cur, that was one of the 10 dogs arriving to the event with Claudia Beaver, the founder/director of the Barking Out Loud Rescue. Beaver’s agency is located in Lorida, in Highlands County.

As they work the bake sale during the pet adoption fair, Bobbie LeRoy, of San Antonio, left, converses with Donna Stevens, of Land O’ Lakes, inside the Unity North Tampa church. Several items were available for purchase, including brownies, red velvet cupcakes, snickerdoodle cookies, muffins, and bottled water. Proceeds from the sale benefited the church.

Maggie May was rescued from a Lake Placid ranch. Black mouth curs are dogs specifically bred for hunting and herding cattle. So, when she proved not to be a good farmworker, she was placed in a kennel, where she lived her whole life, before being rescued.

Before their blessing, Scrappy and Maggie May got acquainted with each other for the first time. As she watched them sniff each other’s face, Ann was confident that this pup will make a wonderful addition to her family.

Besides adoptions and blessings, the fair featured a bake sale and vendors.

The bake sale, held inside the church, offered patrons a selection of goodies, including  brownies, red velvet cupcakes, snickerdoodle cookies, muffins, and bottled water.

There was a free chance drawing, too, for a gift certificate from Pet Supermarket.

Proceeds from the pet blessing donations and from the bake sale will support the church’s ministry.

Published April 1, 2020

SPCA Suncoast board member Bessie Tomlin gives a hug to ‘Wafer,’ the chow mix that she brought to the Unity North Tampa’s Pet Adoption Fair last month. Wafer was one of the animals available for adoption at the event.

A place for friends, fun and food

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Normally, the county’s senior centers are places for gathering, and having fun and food. Concerns about the potential spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) have caused a temporary halt to these activities, but we recently dropped in to the senior center on the grounds of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Zephyrhills, before the threat of pandemic cast its shadow over daily activities. The Zephyrhills Senior Center, 5855 16th St., normally is an encouraging place where seniors can participate in a variety of enrichment activities that promote health, vitality, recreation and creativity. Other senior centers in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area are located in Dade City and Land O’ Lakes. Please check the county’s website to find out when activities will resume.

New River Branch Library customer service specialist Caille Branscombe, left, and Vera Greenwood, of Zephyrhills, both do a wall hanging craft, using old DVDs and yarn. The library employee, along with her co-worker Laura Covillon, were at the Zephyrhills Senior Center last month for one of the library’s weekly outreach programs. Such programs have been temporarily halted because of concerns about the potential spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). (Christine Holtzman)
Trying to keep his winning streak from the previous day alive, Mike Sims, of Zephyrhills, uses his hand to slide the puck to the opposite end of the tabletop shuffleboard, in order to score points. He is playing against his friend and frequent opponent, Joe Harvey, who is currently winning this round. The men both said that they come to the Zephyrhills Senior Center and play this game every day.
Holding a bunny made by finger knitting yarn, Linda St. Onge, left, and her friend Mary King, who is holding a macramé tree of life, admire some of the projects that the New River Branch Library’s outreach program was providing at the Zephyrhills Senior Center on that day. The ladies are both from Zephyrhills and say that they attend the center almost every day to play games, do activities and see friends.

 

Fair aims to find loving homes for pets

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Feeling the need to find forever homes for stray animals, The Unity North Tampa church, 19520 Holly Lane in Lutz, hosted a pet adoption fair last month. Dozens of kittens and 14 dogs were at the event. The adoption fair also featured pet blessings, performed by the Rev. Virginia Walsh. People wishing to have their pets blessed, could bring them on leashes or in carriers. Or, they could bring a photo of their pet to be blessed. For more coverage, see full story.

Tia Bednarczyk, founder of the Plant City rescue group, Dachshund Seeking Forever Home, holds Sally, a dachshund that will be ready for adoption after she recovers from dental surgery. The nonprofit group brought three dogs that were available for adoption.
Jane Piesco, of Land O’ Lakes, and her 14-year-old son, Seth, attend the Unity North Tampa’s Pet Adoption Fair with their dog, Pip. The family was sitting in the shade, as they awaited a chance to have Pip blessed by the church’s reverend, Virginia Walsh. (Christine Holtzman)
Church member and event volunteer Eileen Ross, of Lutz, cuddles with a kitten named Vera inside the safety tent that was set up to contain the kittens during the Unity North Tampa’s Pet Adoption Fair. The kittens were brought to the fair by the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.