• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
  • Online E-Editions
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits

Earth Day

Celebrating Mother Earth’s bounty

April 21, 2020 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

In honor of Earth Day, let’s recognize how the Earth provides foods to keep us nourished and fed.

Gardeners tend to have an appreciation for what the Earth has to offer, but that may be especially true right now — as the world grapples with the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

A microwavable silicone popcorn popper is an easy way to make popcorn. Pour enough kernels to fill the base, close the lid (this one is foldable flaps) and microwave for about 2 minutes, or until the pops are 1 second to 2 seconds apart. (Shari Bresin)

Fears have caused people to panic shop and hoard food.

People who grow their own food don’t have such worries.

So, even if you aren’t yet a gardener, perhaps the recent times we’ve been living through will serve as a motivator for you to consider taking it up.

Having a diet that consists primarily of foods that came from a plant is helpful to maintain good health.

It’s hard to get the recommended amounts of vitamins, minerals and fiber if you mostly consume processed prepackaged foods. If you’re doing that, you’re likely consuming too much sodium, fat and sugar.

Food from the ground, such as herbs, spices, beans, nuts, whole grains, vegetables and fruit are full of nutrients. They’re considered nutrient-dense foods because they have a high nutrition content, with few calories.

A calorie-dense diet, on the other hand, is one that has lots of calories and little nutrition.

For instance, think of the choice between a sugary soda vs. a homemade fruit smoothie.

Your body will get lots of calories from the soda, but negligible nutrition.

A fruit smoothie, on the other hand, has much more nutrition. To make one, use a small amount of 100% juice, some plain flavored yogurt, and various fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, bananas, kale and so on.

Or consider the difference between a doughnut and a bowl of oatmeal (no sugar added), mixed with fruit.

The doughnut provides plenty of calories, sugar and fat. The oatmeal with fruit provides fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Some options are less obvious.

When choosing packaged foods, be sure to read the ingredients.

Here’s a tip: Look for packaged foods with a short list of ingredients, and ingredients that are easy to pronounce.

Also, be sure to check the nutrition content on the nutrition facts label.

Be sure to keep in mind that even when a meal starts off healthy, it can quickly become less healthy by heaping on toppings containing fat, sodium, sugar and calories.

One way to add flavor to your foods while skipping all of the extra calories is to use herbs and spices.

So, skip the sauces, gravies or dressings, and use herbs and spices to add flavor.

Here are some popular herb/spice combinations, recommended by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, for livening up common meals:

  • For beef: Try bay leaf, marjoram, nutmeg, sage, thyme, onion powder or pepper
  • For lamb: Try curry powder, garlic, mint or rosemary
  • For pork: Try onion powder, garlic powder, sage, pepper or oregano
  • For veal: Try bay leaf, curry powder, ginger, marjoram or oregano
  • For chicken: Try ginger, marjoram, oregano, paprika, poultry seasoning, rosemary, sage, tarragon or thyme
  • For fish: Try curry powder, dill, dry mustard, marjoram, paprika or pepper

And now, for some popular combinations for vegetables that are currently in season:

  • Carrots: Try cinnamon, cloves, dill, ginger, marjoram, nutmeg, rosemary, sage
  • Corn: Try cumin, curry powder, onion, paprika, parsley
  • Potatoes: Try dill, garlic, onion, paprika, parsley, sage
  • Summer squash: Try cloves, curry powder, marjoram, nutmeg, rosemary, sage
  • Tomatoes: Try basil, bay leaf, dill, marjoram, onion, oregano, parsley, pepper

Here are a couple of tips.

Herbs (the leafy part of the plant) and spices (the root, bark, stem, etc.) can be fresh or dried; just know that if a ratio calls for one and you substitute for the other, the amount will vary.

Keep in mind that 1 tablespoon of cut fresh herbs is the equivalent of one teaspoon of crumbled dried herbs and ¼ teaspoon to ½ teaspoon of ground dried herbs.

Also, remember there really isn’t a right or wrong way to flavor your food. So, add spices and herbs, based on your personal preferences — and enjoy!

By Shari Bresin

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

Recipe
Here’s a nice healthy snack you can make for the kids (or yourself) as they do school, or you work at home.

Directions:
Pop popcorn kernels on your stove, or in a microwavable silicone popcorn popper.

Instead of the typical toppings of salt, butter or cheese — try topping the popcorn with some olive oil and dried herbs or spices.

Some possible topping flavor combinations include:

  • Rosemary and ground pepper
  • Garlic powder and onion powder
  • Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes
  • Cilantro and lime juice
  • Basil, oregano and red chili powder

Published April 22, 2020

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: coronavirus disease-2019, COVID-19, Earth Day, herb/spice combinations, popcorn recipe, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension

Painting rocks with a spring theme

April 17, 2019 By Christine Holtzman

The Land O’Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, recently hosted a rock painting event where participants were encouraged to channel their inner artist by painting rocks with a spring theme, in honor of Earth Day. Acrylic paints were used to design bumble bees, ladybugs and garden flowers. The library hosts a rock painting class one Wednesday a month. Earth Day is on April 22.

Joyce Steinmiller, of Zephyrhills, uses a hairdryer to speed up the drying process of a painted rock. She and a group of friends usually paint rocks in order to hide them in area parks, in hopes of bringing a smile to the face of the person that finds it. (Christine Holtzman)
Adult Services Librarian Catherine Seavey, holds a map of Pasco County, while showing the class how they can use stickers to mark the approximate locations of previously hidden rocks. Library Tech Alesha Hassard is seen on left.
Jelysbeth Bobadilla, of Land O’Lakes, paints the fine details of her bumblebee. She is making the rock for her fiancé, because his favorite soccer team has a bee as their mascot.
A close-up look at a painted rock featuring a garden of flowers. This masterpiece belongs to Arlene Stonestreet, of Wesley Chapel.

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News Tagged With: Collier Parkway, Earth Day, Land O' Lakes Library

Celebrate Earth Day in the garden: Reduce, reuse and recycle

April 17, 2019 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Rain barrels, compost and using organic matter for mulch are some excellent ways to go green in the garden.

But, there also are endless ways to upcycle outdoors to attract wildlife, while reducing, reusing, and recycling more nontraditional items into creative and fun, and practical items.

As Earth Day 2019 approaches, which is officially on April 22, consider using those old nylons to tie up newly planted trees or stake a tomato plant.

Egg cartons are great for growing transplants. (Courtesy of the University of Florida)

A milk jug with multiple holes poked in the lid makes an excellent watering can for gently sprinkling flower pots.

You can also cut a milk jug in half and use the bottom half as a planter for seeds (just cut a few slits in the bottom for drainage) and the top half as a soil scoop with a built-in handle.

Have some old mini-blinds that you just can’t bring yourself to throw out? Cut the slats into 6-inch strips and use them for plant labels in the garden.

Plastic or foam drinking cups make great seed starters (again cut a few slits in the bottom for drainage), as do fabric shopping bags, which look beautiful hanging on a porch or along a wall with trailing flowers flowing out and over the top.

Or, you can take paper towel or toilet paper tubes, partially roll them in a few sheets of newspaper and fold over the bottom, slip out the tube and voila! You have instant biodegradable seed-starting containers that you can plant directly into the garden without having to remove the seedling.

Old newspapers and cardboard boxes make outstanding weed blockers. Simply layer them over weedy spots in the garden and overlap them slightly to block the sun from reaching the ground, top them with some soil or mulch to hold them in place, and you’ll have months of excellent weed control. Just avoid the glossy or waxy paper products, as they might leach things into the environment that don’t belong.

Egg cartons are great for growing transplants. And, for a splash of color and whimsy, old wine bottles can be partially buried upside down, one after the next, along paths and flower beds to make beautiful borders that will add an enchanting decorative touch with many colors and heights.

Got an old mailbox? Don’t throw it out. Remove the door and add a block of wood to seal the opening. Cut a central hole cut out of the block for birds to enter and exit. No need to add strings or nesting material as these can be harmful to wildlife. The birds will do the heavy lifting on move-in day to build their nests inside.

Or, remove the mailbox door and add dozens of various widths of bamboo shoots to create a bee abode. More pollinators mean more flowers and fruits in your garden, and a healthier environment.

Plastic drink bottles can be turned into mini-greenhouses by simply removing the bottom and using the top half as a cover to protect tender seedlings from cold, with the bottom becoming a planter.

Old glass plates or chinaware make pretty “puddlers” for butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators needing to rest and drink from shallow water. Even an old boot can make a great garden planter that will surely get some attention.

Most anything that seems like it has lived out its useful life can be helpful in the garden.

Place old dryer sheets or the lint from the dryer lint trap in the bottom of a pot to prevent soil from flowing out of the bottom of the pot.

Old T-shirts work well for this, too.

Not listening to those old CDs anymore? String them together and use them to harmlessly ward off birds from using your garden as a buffet.

Find an old wooden pallet or gutter? These can easily be turned into great planters for shallow rooted plants, such as strawberries or ornamentals such as petunias.

Lean a pallet up against a tree or barn and let the plants flow down like a trellis. Beautiful and functional!

Arrange three or four pallets, turned on end and tied together to form a square and you have a compost bin.

The possibilities are endless.

Going green is easy, cheap and environmentally beneficial for us all.

Upcycling household items to something with a useful, new life can be rewarding and fun. Let the creative juices flow, get the kids or grandkids involved and make a difference this Earth Day.

By Whitney C. Elmore and Emily Carter

Dr. Whitney Elmore is the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension Director and an Urban Horticulture Agent III. Emily Carter is an intern from the University of Florida.

Published April 17, 2019

Filed Under: Nature Notes Tagged With: Earth Day, recycle, UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, upcycle

A vision with a purpose

September 5, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Keep Pasco Beautiful has been named the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Non-Profit for 2018.

The award honors Keep Pasco Beautiful’s continuous efforts to engage the community in litter and waste reduction, while encouraging beautification.

(Courtesy of Pasco County)

“Our organization does amazing things in the community thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and partners who share our vision and passion,” Kristen King, coordinator of Keep Pasco Beautiful,, said in a news release.

“We appreciate the Chamber’s recognition and support,” King added.

Keep Pasco Beautiful coordinates and develops a variety of annual local-level beautification and cleanup events, often with ties to national efforts, including: Coastal Cleanup (led by The Ocean Conservancy), Great American Cleanup, Earth Day, and the Pasco Upcycle and Art Festival.

This year, Keep Pasco Beautiful is promoting the importance of trees while hosting a sapling giveaway in partnership with the Rotary Club of New Port Richey and the City of New Port Richey.

The organization also brightened the landscape at Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes, planting nine trees with the help of Sunlake Key Club volunteers and Covanta Pasco’s sponsorship.

Keep Pasco Beautiful was founded in 1992 and continues its mission with a small, but dedicated, team.

For information, visit KeepPascoBeautiful.org.

Published September 5, 2018

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home, City of New Port Richey, Coastal Cleanup, Covanta Pasco, Earth Day, Great American Cleanup, Keep Pasco Beautiful, Kristen King, Land O' Lakes, Pasco Upcycle and Art Festival, Rotary Club of New Port Richey, Sunlake Key Club, The Ocean Conservancy, West Pasco Chamber of Commerce

Festivities set to honor Earth Day

April 19, 2017 By B.C. Manion

Finding ways to celebrate Mother Earth and to recycle, upcycle and preserve its precious resources are the themes of Earth Day celebrations planned around the region.

One of the largest area events planned for Earth Day, known as Earth Day Tampa Bay, got its start as EcoFest at Learning Gate Community School in Lutz.

One shopper can collect 500 bags in a year, according to this depiction of the concept that was seen walking around at last year’s Earth Day Tampa Bay, also known as EcoFest, at Lowry Park.
(Courtesy of Learning Gate Community School)

Now, in its eighth year, the event has become Tampa’s signature Earth Day event, and it has grown into a collaboration between Learning Gate, the University of South Florida Office of Student Affairs and the City of Tampa.

The event is set to take place at the Lowry Park Zoo Bandshell area, at 7525 N. Boulevard, in Tampa, on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

Thousands of people typically attend the event to learn the latest in earth-friendly practices and products, and to check out the fun activities offered for kids.

The event celebrates the principles of sustainability: Ecology, Equity and Economy. This year’s sponsors are Tampa Bay Water and Tampa Electric Co.

Planned highlights include a parkour agility course created by a participant in American Ninja Warrior, a kid-friendly Yoga Zone with classes, crafts, games and other fun activities.

Costumed superheroes will be roaming around; bands will be performing, and there will be plenty of chances to pick up some pointers on sustainable living.

Michele Northrup, organizer of the event, has been involved since the beginning.

“It’s going to be exciting this year,” said Northrup, noting “we have over 138 vendors.

“We have sustainability experts … We’ll have hybrid and electric vehicles. We have one vendor … who will demonstrate wind power,” she said.

The Owl Sanctuary will be bringing the beautiful owls that it protects, Northrup said.

There also will be interactive booths and chances for people to purchase everything from local honey to handmade soap to all sorts of other eco-friendly items, she said.

While EcoFest is expected to draw thousands to Lowry Park, Pasco County also is hosting an Earth Day celebration.

The family friendly event will take place at Crews Lake Wilderness Park, 16739 Crews Lake Drive in Spring Hill. It is scheduled for April 22, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“We’re excited that the event will actually fall on Earth Day this year,” Lottie Kelley, event chair for Earth Day, said in a release. “This year, we’re adding the Suncoast Trail Earth Day Ride and Rick’s Raptor Rescue,” she said.

Other planned activities include:

  • Children’s crafts and education displays
  • An Interactive Water Ventures Learning Lab
  • A Florida native plants sale
  • Pet adoptions
  • A ladybug release
  • Upcycle vendors
  • An appearance by Spike, the 10-foot alligator from Croc Encounters
  • Household hazardous waste collection
  • Electronics recycling
  • A pill take-back program (for unwanted or expired medications)

Concessions will be sold by Mary Giella Elementary School as a PTA fundraiser.

Also, the University of Florida’s IFAS/Extension will offer two workshops: Rain Water Harvesting at 10 a.m., and Composting at 12:30 p.m. Preregistration is required for both workshops. Sign up online at Pasco.IFAS.ufl.edu/events_calendar.shtml.

To sign up, click on April and scroll down to event 1 of 2.

For more information about the festival, contact Keep Pasco Beautiful Coordinator Kristen King at (727) 856-7252 or kking@@pascocountyfl.net.

Published April 29, 2017

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: American Ninja Warrior, City of Tampa, Crews Lake Drive, Crews Lake Wilderness Park, Croc Encounters, Earth Day, Earth Day Tampa Bay, EcoFest, Keep Pasco Beautiful, Kristen King, Learning Gate Community School, Lottie Kelley, Lowry Park Zoo, Lutz, Mary Giella Elementary School, Michele Northrup, Mother Earth, N. Boulevard, Rick's Raptor Rescue, Spring Hill, Tampa Bay Water, Tampa Electric Co., The Owl Sanctuary, UF/IFAS Extension, University of South Florida

‘Waste Not, Want Not’ – Reducing food waste

April 19, 2017 By Betsy Crisp

As we prepare to celebrate Earth Day — on April 22 —I thought I’d share some facts about how much food the average American family wastes each year, and then focus on how we can reduce food waste.

Depending on what figures you look at, the average family of four in the United States wastes from about $1,350 to $2,275 every year.

When broken down by components, it turns out that fresh fruits and vegetables are the food we waste most, making up 22 percent of the food we throw away.

Trying to cut down on that waste is not a new effort.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been offering advice on this topic to consumers since World War 1.

One campaign poster offered these keys to making the most of our food:

  • Buy it with thought
  • Cook it with care
  • Serve just enough
  • Save what will keep
  • Eat what would spoil
  • Remember: homegrown is best
  • Don’t waste it

These principles still hold true today.

The Environmental Protection Agency also offers tips for reducing food waste on its website.

My personal favorite is “Be Creative: If safe and healthy, use the edible parts of food you normally would not eat.”

Looking to try a new kind of coleslaw? How about using watermelon rind in your recipe? (Courtesy of National Watermelon Promotion Board)

 

The EPA offers examples of using stale bread to make your own croutons and to sauté beet tops for a delicious side dish.

Besides avoiding waste, tips like that can help you stretch your food dollars.

When it comes to vegetables, for instance, most of us only consume the most common, or best known, part of the plant.

But, many vegetables have a secondary — usually lesser known and overlooked, but edible — part that I refer to as the “unusual edibles.”

If you buy your produce at the grocery store, these parts of the plant often have already been removed and discarded before packaging. But, if you grow your own produce, you can easily take advantage of these lesser-known options for consumption.

Although many of these secondary parts are edible, the flavor and texture may be an acquired taste.

For example, there are many species of cabbage and all the leaves are edible, but the leaves of some species are too strong for most people’s liking.

Edible leaves and stems of the sweet potato are eaten in many parts of the world, but some are very bitter.

Since there is such a great variety of plant species, the flavors of their parts also vary greatly.  Some parts need to be cooked to improve their edibility, but some leaves may be eaten fresh. Use care: Some leaves can be mildly poisonous.

The rind from a watermelon can be used to make tasty pickles.

Here are just a few examples of the most common vegetables with edible parts that might surprise you: Besides eating the parts of the beets, carrots and radishes we are familiar with, the leaves of those plants are also edible.

We generally eat the flower parts of broccoli and cauliflower, but we can also eat the stems and leaves.

We commonly eat stalks of celery, but the lesser-known edible parts are the leaves and seeds.

And, as watermelon comes into season, I am reminded of my personal favorite – watermelon rinds can be made into pickles (see recipe).

My grandmother, like many who survived the Great Depression, did so by being “thrifty.” She was a great cook, and taught my mother and me to “waste not, want not” by saving all the vegetable scraps such as celery leaves, onion skins and so on, to make stock for soup. Soups are a great way to reduce food waste and stretch your food dollars.

It’s never too early to learn how to be better consumers of Mother Nature’s bounty.

At camp one summer, we taught Pasco County youth about “upcycling” and highlighted some of these principles by having a sampling of “unusual edibles” — including pickled watermelon rinds. They also learned how to plant and grow more produce from kitchen scraps, including fruit and vegetable tops and seeds.

Betsy Crisp is a Professor Emeritus, UF/IFAS Extension – Family & Consumer Sciences

RECIPE #1

Easy-to-Make Watermelon Rind Refrigerator Pickles

Ingredients:
4 cups water
1 tablespoon coarse/kosher salt
2 cups peeled watermelon rind, cut into 1 x 1/2 x 2 inch pieces, leaving a thin layer of pink
3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 allspice berry (whole allspice)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
4 peppercorns
4 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon pickling spice
1 long slice of fresh gingerroot, preferred (but 1 tsp ground ginger to a 1/2-inch piece of fresh)
1/4 teaspoon celery seeds

Instructions:

  1. In large pot, bring water and salt to boil over medium high heat.
  2. Add pieces of rind and boil until tender (about 5 minutes).
  3. Place in colander to strain liquids from rinds.
  4. Transfer rinds to a large metal bowl.
  5. In saucepan, combine remaining ingredients.
  6. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
  7. Simmer for 15 minutes, until slightly reduced.
  8. Pour over watermelon rinds in bowl.
  9. Place plate over top to keep rinds submerged in liquid.
  • Cover and refrigerate for one day to improve flavor.
  • Transfer to a glass canning jar (one quart or two pint jars) and keep sealed in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Makes 4 cups = 1 quart / 2 pints

Note: These are not processed in a boiling water bath canner and not intended to be stored on the shelf. They must be kept in the refrigerator.

RECIPE #2
Watermelon Rind Slaw

Ingredients:

Dressing
1/4 cup fat-free, plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
1 1/2 tablespoons stone-ground mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon poppy seeds
2 teaspoons olive oil
dash salt and pepper (to taste)

Slaw
4 cups grated watermelon rind (with fruit and green peel removed)
1 cup carrot, grated
1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple, diced

Instructions: 

  1. In a small bowl, blend dressing thoroughly and set aside.
  2. Place watermelon rind on several layers of paper towels to soak up excess fluid.
  3. In a medium-sized bowl, add dressing, rind, carrot and pineapple. Toss to thoroughly coat.

Makes 4 servings (1 cup each)

Watermelon facts
About 85 percent of watermelons are purchased in fresh form by consumers. Although there is some watermelon production in virtually all states, about three-fourths of all watermelons grown in the U.S. are grown in Florida, California, Texas, Georgia and Indiana. On an average, per person basis, we eat more than 15 pounds of fresh watermelon each year. While many people are just accustomed to eating the juicy flesh of the watermelon, both the seeds and the rind are edible, too.
For recipes, nutrition and other information, visit the National Watermelon Promotion Board at Watermelon.org.

Published April 19, 2017

 

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Betsy Crisp, Earth Day, National Watermelon Promotion Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture, watermelon recipes

EcoFest offers fun, and food for thought

April 22, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Thousands turned out for the sixth annual EcoFest at the picturesque setting of Lowry Park.

This year’s event had the feel of a farmer’s market and that was intentional, said Michele Northrup, an event organizer from Learning Gate Community School.

Thousands of people streamed to Lowry Park on April 18 to celebrate Earth Day a bit early. The event initiated by Learning Gate Community School in Lutz had to be moved to a larger venue last year because it has become too large for the school’s campus. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Thousands of people streamed to Lowry Park on April 18 to celebrate Earth Day a bit early. The event initiated by Learning Gate Community School in Lutz had to be moved to a larger venue last year because it has become too large for the school’s campus.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

The charter school, located in Lutz, has spearheaded the event since its inception.

As its name implies, the festival celebrates efforts to make the earth more sustainable by promoting energy conservation, environmental protection and healthy living practices.

The event initially took place on the grounds of the school in Lutz, but it outgrew that location.

This year, the event was on April 18 and was presented by the school, the City of Tampa and the University of South Florida’s Patel College of Global Sustainability.

Festival-goers checked out entertainment and educational presentations near the band shell at Lowry Park, 7525 N. Boulevard, and browsed through a wide assortment of vendors on the park grounds across the street from Lowry Park Zoo.

The event gave people a chance to begin celebrating Earth Day — officially April 22 — a bit early.

There were 167 vendors at the event this year, which is a record, according to Northrup. It’s also a sizable jump from last year, when there were 118.

Event-goers could pick up foods from organic farms, buy healthy pet treats, pick up some local honey, grab a bite from some food trucks or enjoy organic popcorn.

There were loads of speakers and entertainers, too.

Amanda Renaud, of Topsy Turvy, an entertainment group, strolled on stilts through the festival, towering above the crowd and flashing a bright smile.

Samantha Petrone, who played the character Ariel from The Little Mermaid, had to be carried across North Boulevard, to be placed in her spot beneath a tree.

She and other members of the Much Foundation, of Tampa, attracted attention from fascinated children and parents snapping photos of their youngsters, posing with the characters.

Last year, the event was selected as the “Best Community Event” by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Northrup was clearly enthused, as people continued streaming into the event this year.

“We made the event bigger and better than ever,” she said.

Published April 22, 2015

Filed Under: Local News, Lutz News Tagged With: Amanda Renaud, City of Tampa, Earth Day, EcoFest, Learning Gate Community School, Lowry Park, Lowry Park Zoo, Lutz, Michele Northrup, Much Foundation, North Boulevard, Samantha Petrone, Topsy Turvy, U.S. Green Building Council, University of South Florida

Protecting the earth, all year long

April 22, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Corrine Goodman is a big fan of Earth Day.

“My only desire for Earth Day would be is that it’s a month long,” said the Lutz woman, who is an avid gardener.

“We’re the caretakers of this earth,” said Goodman, whose water-saving practices earned her the 2014 Community Waterwise Award in Pasco County.

Corrine Goodman poses near some of the roses in her backyard. This gardener from Lutz believes in protecting the earth every day, not only on Earth Day, which is celebrated annually on April 22. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Corrine Goodman poses near some of the roses in her backyard. This gardener from Lutz believes in protecting the earth every day, not only on Earth Day, which is celebrated annually on April 22.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Her yard is a work in progress — and it’s progressing quite nicely.

“This was the ugliest house on the street, when I moved in, in January of 2010,” said Goodman, who lives in Carpenter’s Run.

“There wasn’t grass. We had weeds,” she said.

Currently there’s a rather large patch in the front yard that looks somewhat bare.

That’s where the oak tree used to be, Goodman explained.

But the tree was pushing up the driveway and someone walking past tripped, so Goodman took out the tree.

The area looks somewhat sparse now, but Goodman has plans for it. She’s transplanted an ornamental cassia tree, which is a host to sulphur butterflies.

“Now that I have some sun in the front yard, I’ve put in some milkweed to attract butterflies in the front yard, as well as the backyard,” Goodman said.

In other spots in her front yard, there are splashes of color — from red amaryllis blooms, and there’s a trio of old tires she’s now using as plant containers.

Along the side yard, there’s a thriving lion’s whiskers bush — with beguiling orange blooms.

“They’re a really nice plant (for) hummingbirds, bees, butterflies,” Goodman said.

In the backyard, the fragrance of rosemary wafts through the air and Tibetan prayer flags flap in the breeze.

Goodman isn’t Buddhist, but she likes the flags.

“The mythology is every time the wind blows and the flags move, a prayer is being sent to the creator for us,” she said.

Around her yard are fully mature plants that once were mere cuttings from plants in other people’s yards.

“That beach sunflower — that was one scraggly little plant,” she said. “That’s one plant, that has spread like that.”

Her garden boasts all sorts of plants and flowers. She has roses, sages, lilies, honeysuckle, pineapple, angel trumpet and camellias, to name just a few.

And, her garden is thriving even though she uses no irrigation, no pesticides and very little fertilizer.

“I have a really nice balance of good bugs, bad bugs, so I don’t have to use pesticides.

“I don’t fertilize very much, because the mulch disintegrates.

“The only water this yard gets is from the rain barrels and from nature. I have no irrigation, no sprinkling system,” she said.

Tending the garden takes work, but for Goodman, it’s an exercise that’s good for the soul.

“This is my oasis. This is where I come.”

“When I go out and I sit in my garden in the morning, I take my coffee out and it, to me, it’s like my holy space or my sacred space.

“I enjoy the butterflies, the lizards, the cockroaches — I mean, everything has a purpose.”

She believes in the theory that one person respecting and tending the earth can affect the whole world.

“It’s the old butterfly effect — ‘If the butterfly flaps its wings in Africa, that vibration carries around the globe.’

“I truly believe that.”

Published April 22, 2015

Filed Under: Local News, Lutz News Tagged With: Carpenter's Run, Corrine Goodman, Earth Day, Lutz

Earth Day coming to Crews Lake Park

April 22, 2014 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Crews Lake Park will celebrate Earth Day April 26 with a day-long event featuring workshops, crafts and even a ladybug release.

The event is sponsored by Pasco County Parks & Recreation, Covanta Pasco, the University of Florida Pasco Cooperative Extension and Pasco County Utilities. It takes place at the park, located at 16739 Crews Lake Drive in Spring Hill, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Two workshops are scheduled, the first talking about rain water harvesting at both 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., and a worm composting workshop at noon. There also are opportunities for attendees to bring in electronics for recycling, including televisions — although more than two televisions will cost $7.

The event also will accept any mercury-containing device, with each person bringing that receiving a $5 gift card from Walmart. Anyone with expired or unused medications can bring them to the event as well as part of its pill take-back program.

Crews Lake also will the the site Saturday for hazardous household waste collection from residential sources only. The utilities department will accept all kinds of waste, except explosives, biomedical, business, household trash, substances in containers greater than five gallons, radioactive materials, drums of any size, yard debris, carpet and padding, and construction demolition debris.

The event will include a native plant sale, as well as train rides from Central Pasco & Gulf Railroad.

For more information on the event, call (727) 856-2917, ext. 201.

Earth Day itself is celebrated April 22, calling attention to the need for environmental protection.

Filed Under: Updates Tagged With: Central Pasco & Gulf Railroad, Covanta Pasco, Crews Lake Drive, Crews Lake Park, Earth Day, Pasco County Parks & Recreation, Pasco County Utilities, Spring Hill, University of Florida Pasco Cooperative Extension, Walmart

Primary Sidebar

Top Shelf Sports Lounge in Wesley Chapel

Foodie Friday Gallery

Search

Sponsored Content

Avalon Applauds… Norah Catlin

February 23, 2021 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

CONGRATULATIONS to Norah Catlin, for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel. Catlin, a senior at Wiregrass Ranch … [Read More...] about Avalon Applauds… Norah Catlin

More Posts from this Category

Archives

What’s Happening

03/05/2021 – Apple Pie Bombs

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer “Foodie Feast: Apple Pie Bombs” on March 5. Participants can learn how to make tasty, apple pie bombs. Watch the prerecorded video between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., online at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . … [Read More...] about 03/05/2021 – Apple Pie Bombs

03/06/2021 – Pancakes and trains

The Grand Concourse Railroad, 11919 Alric Pottberg Road in Shady Hills, will offer a Pancake Breakfast and Unlimited Train Rides event on March 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for kids. For information, visit Grand Concourse Railroad on Facebook. … [Read More...] about 03/06/2021 – Pancakes and trains

03/08/2021 – Tomato garden

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present a video on how to grow a tomato garden. Those interested can view the video at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary, all day, on March 8. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email . … [Read More...] about 03/08/2021 – Tomato garden

03/09/2021 – Grilled cheese

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present a video on how to make green grilled cheese on March 9 at 4:30 p.m., for grades four to seven. To view the video, visit the Library Cooperative on Facebook or Instagram. … [Read More...] about 03/09/2021 – Grilled cheese

03/09/2021 – Poetry discussion

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will host a virtual poetry discussion group on “Female Power!” on March 9 at 6:30 p.m., for ages 16 and older, via Zoom. Participants can share a favorite poem or take part in discussions on poems about women or written by women poets. Themed poems will be sent out to help with the session. Registration is required. For information, contact Amaris Papadopoulos at 727-861-3020 or . … [Read More...] about 03/09/2021 – Poetry discussion

03/09/2021 – Technology Tuesday

The Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will offer a Technology Tuesday: Robots & Machines on March 9, through a curbside pickup activity. The kit will help kids learn more about technology, from robots to coding, through online and hands-on activities. The pickup is limited to 35 participants and must be reserved ahead of time. A book bundle can be included. Kits must be picked up between March 9 at 10 a.m., and March 13 at 5 p.m. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 03/09/2021 – Technology Tuesday

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz NewsFollow

The Laker/Lutz News
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
14h

SWFMD executive director wins geology alumni award. https://buff.ly/3uCXm6G

Reply on Twitter 1367520307708370944Retweet on Twitter 1367520307708370944Like on Twitter 1367520307708370944Twitter 1367520307708370944
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
3 Mar

Save money, get back behind the wheel. https://buff.ly/3rdM07h

Reply on Twitter 1367228541998350339Retweet on Twitter 1367228541998350339Like on Twitter 1367228541998350339Twitter 1367228541998350339
LakerLutzNewsThe Laker/Lutz News@LakerLutzNews·
3 Mar

"It’s Not Wednesday Until You Read The Laker!" This week's papers are out in print & online https://buff.ly/2UTt6EA

Reply on Twitter 1367181738309517312Retweet on Twitter 1367181738309517312Like on Twitter 1367181738309517312Twitter 1367181738309517312
Load More...

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Top Stories

Solution to Land O’ Lakes traffic jams still years away, if then

Helping people get from place to place, safely

Giving entrepreneurs tools they need to succeed

Zephyrhills discussing 911 dispatch

No plans to shutter Zephyrhills police department

Local Jewish temple gifted Torah

Save money, get back behind the wheel

Pasco County Fair lives up to its billing

Meals on Wheels looks to expand

Pasco Planning Commission seeks three volunteers

Operation Feed Pasco closes, amid success

It’s strawberry (shortcake) season again

Grove Theater now open in Wesley Chapel

Secondary Sidebar

More Stories

Check out our other stories for the week

Solution to Land O’ Lakes traffic jams still years away, if then

Helping people get from place to place, safely

Giving entrepreneurs tools they need to succeed

Zephyrhills discussing 911 dispatch

No plans to shutter Zephyrhills police department

Local Jewish temple gifted Torah

Save money, get back behind the wheel

Pasco County Fair lives up to its billing

Meals on Wheels looks to expand

Pasco Planning Commission seeks three volunteers

Operation Feed Pasco closes, amid success

It’s strawberry (shortcake) season again

Grove Theater now open in Wesley Chapel

Sports Stories

Land O’ Lakes Little League celebrates 50th anniversary

Cypress Creek High coach earns regional honor

Saint Leo acrobatics coach steps down

Loving Hands Ministries golf tournament

First Tee – Tampa Bay awarded $100,000 grant

Copyright © 2021 Community News Publications Inc.

   