The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

 

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Getting a sneak preview of a coming attraction

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Dozens of people had a chance to get an early look at The Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center, which is expected to open in August in Zephyrhills. The facility will offer much more than tennis. To find out more about it, read this week’s sport story!

All racquet Sports USA’s Marcos del Pilar, second from left, is the promotions and sales manager for the center. He shows some of the features that are expected at the new tennis center. Looking over his shoulder is Ileana Figueroa, of Zephyrhills. Others pictured are Lawrence Popescu, of Wesley Chapel; Alan Secrest, of Zephyrhills; Marvin Tyler, of Land O’ Lakes; and Jet Hall, of Zephyrhills. (Fred Bellet)

This Lutz girl is wild about goats

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Eleven-year-old Sophia Phillips first became acquainted with goats when she was just 2 years old, at the petting zoo at ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Now, she lives in Lutz and has three goats of her own and helps take care of 18 others. Find out more in our feature story of the week.

As her T-shirt says, Sophia Phillips, 11, is ‘Just a Girl Who Loves Goats.’ Lazar Wolf eyes Sophia, probably hoping for a snack. (Fred Bellet)

Prepare now for above-normal hurricane season

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Experts are predicting an above-normal 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season — and you can reduce your risks by being prepared.

The following lists, compiled from disaster preparedness guides assembled by Hillsborough and Pasco counties, as well as other sources, are intended to help you prepare now to protect yourself and your property from destructive hurricane winds.

It’s a good idea to stay informed when a hurricane threatens. Both Pasco County and Hillsborough County have alert systems, which can keep you abreast of threats. To find out more, visit PascoCountyFl.net and HillsboroughCounty.org.

Annette Rogers, of Land O’ Lakes, shovels sand to fill several sandbags at the self-service station set up by Pasco County, in the parking lot of the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex. The government agency set up several stations throughout the county, offering free sand and sandbags. Two years ago, Rogers’ property experienced minimal flooding during Hurricane Irma and she was taking no chances for this storm. (File)
Plan how you will evacuate, in the event you are ordered to do so.

 

Community celebrates Juneteenth at gathering in Union Park

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A community Juneteenth celebration was held last week in Wesley Chapel’s Union Park. The event, held on June 19, marked that historic day in 1865, when slaves in Texas learned they were free. This year’s celebrations across the nation have taken on a particular significance, in the aftermath of the May 25 death of  George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, who died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, knelt on Floyd’s neck. The Juneteenth event at Union Park featured prayer, song, dance and mingling. Some black-owned businesses also offered items for sale, too. Organizers urged those attending to wear masks, to avoid the potential spread of COVID-19.

Carmel Friendship Church donated the signage used for the celebration. (Fred Bellet)
Alexandra Archibald, of Wesley Chapel, and others at the gathering wore Juneteenth T-shirts to mark the historic day of June 19, 1865, which was when slaves in Texas learned they were free.
Aniya Stratford of the Carmel Friendship Church sang ‘Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,’ at the first annual Juneteenth Family Day Celebration at Union Park, a community in Wesley Chapel.

Hitting the gyms…

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As Florida reopens for business, lots of people have begun hitting the gyms and fitness facilities again. Whether it’s to take a dip, walk a treadmill, lift weights or work with ropes, gyms are beginning to see activity again. Unlike some businesses, they had been totally shut down in recent weeks, due to concerns about the potential spread of COVID-19.

Nancie Howley, 62, of Lutz, is working on her steps on the stairstep machine during a recent workout at Anytime Fitness, 1408 N. Dale Mabry in Lutz. She steps for about an hour, three times a week. (Randy Underhill)
Ron Emery, 55, of Wesley Chapel, is on the ropes — working on strength, endurance, and fat burning at Strive Athletic Club 2626 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Wesley Chapel. He’s been a member for 11 years and is there Monday through Saturday, as a personal trainer.

 

Mandy Johnson, 43, of Land O’ Lakes, burns calories during her 30-minute to 45-minute workout on a recent Saturday afternoon at Anytime Fitness, at 1408 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz.
Twenty-three-old Gillian Sanfilippo uses the cable pulls to strengthen the abdominal area, chest and back, as she works out at Strive Athletic Club, 2626 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

…to make up for lost time

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Seventy-year-old Carlos Sanchez takes laps at the Zephyrhills YMCA, at 37301 Chapel Hills Loop. He swims a mile daily. (Randy Underhill)
Gabe Marrero, 36, of Wesley Chapel, uses dumbbell curls to enhance the size of his biceps during a Saturday afternoon workout at Strive Athletic Club, 2626 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. He typically works out five days a week, doing cardio and strength-training exercises.
Sixty-eight-year-old Gary DeLong, of Dade City works out at the Dade City YMCA, at 3803 Meridian Ave., on a recent Friday afternoon. He works out five days a week, doing cardio and strength training.

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)

Signs of support and appreciation

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Expressions of appreciation for first responders and health care workers, and words of encouragement for the community are showing up in all sorts of ways during this coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Here are a few examples.

Drive-up customer Rylee Fitzsimmons, of Land O’ Lakes, received a free meal from server Emily Spedale, at Walk-On’s Bistreaux and Bar, 25372 Sierra Center Blvd., in the Cypress Creek Town Center. The restaurant, off State Road 56, had a community give-back day. (Randy Underhill)
John Bush, left, shift manager; Shelly Mathis, morning manager; and Mason Bragg, stand next to a red ribbon, symbolizing support for first responders. They work at the McDonald’s in Dade City.

 

Working through a pandemic

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While some workers have been forced to stay at home by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order, others have continued working because their jobs are deemed to be essential. Here’s a look  at some of the work that’s been going on across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Miguel Hernandez secures shingles to a new structure on State Road 54, at Stonewood Professional Park in Land O’ Lakes. Hernandez, who lives in Dade City, has worked for Imperial Roofers for 12 years. (Randy Underhill)
Over the road driver Anthony Forrest, age 55, from Houston, Texas, fuels his semi tractor at the Flying J Travel in Dade City. He was on his way back to Houston last month, after picking up a load of plastics from Tampa.
Debbie Barthle, of St. Joseph, stops by a fresh produce stand operated by Vernon Jones, on Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel. The stand has been busy, Jones said.

Having fun and exercising — in the great outdoors

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There’s no doubt that many people have been feeling a bit cooped up in recent weeks, in the midst of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. But, there are ways to exercise and have fun, as seen around The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Six-year-old Eliza Nudo and her 4-year-old brother Everett Nudo go fishing for the first time with their new fishing gear. They used hot dogs for bait. Their dad, Joe Nudo, and mom, Jessica, help supervise the fun. The family lives in Connerton. (Randy Underhill)
Hitting the links on a recent Sunday afternoon were, from left: Janette Thibodeau, Meg Merritt, Rod Merritt and Ray Thibodeau. The retirees live in The Groves, in Land O’ Lakes.
Carol Moore, of Wesley Chapel, walks Annie, her 10-year-old Chihuahua, through the neighborhood on Saturday afternoon. The tiny dog goes for two walks each day.
Jogger Christa Lusk, 41, takes a 2-mile jog on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Connerton. She works from home and jogs five times a week.