The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Through the lens, a look back at 2020

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Sometimes, a picture really is worth a thousand words.

Here’s an array of images that help tell the story of the year 2020 in The Laker/Lutz News region. The photos were captured by Fred Bellet, Kelli Carmack, Christine Holtzman, B.C. Manion, Randy Underhill, and local organizations and readers, too.

Five-year-old Clint Chessher, of Zephyrhills, reacts with excitement as he sits on the spinning wheel of the ‘Hillbilly Village’ funhouse at the Pasco County Fair, in February. The little boy was at the fair with his dad, Dwayne, and some family friends. (File)
Volunteer Deanna Okun, left, administers a medical exam inside the Medical Detainment room to McKitrick Elementary second-grader Jyles Morales, during a series of activities that were done to simulate what immigrants encountered when they arrived at Ellis Island in the early 1900s. Students were asked such questions as, ‘Have you been sick lately?’ And, ‘Do you have any allergies?’ The simulations are intended to help children gain a better understanding of the immigrant experience.
Signs like these have become part of the landscape, as hospitals and the community, support frontline workers during COVID-19.
The Allen family, of Lutz, including, from left, Joshua, Hayley, Cannan and Taylor, enjoyed watching a movie together at pop-up drive-in at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park. The COVID-19 pandemic forced movie theater screens to go dark earlier this year, and it’s hard to say if they will rebound. Meanwhile the pandemic also triggered a resurgence in the popularity of outdoor movie theaters, whether permanent, or pop-ups.
It takes more than a pandemic to crush the enthusiasm of bug lovers — VW Bugs, that is. This beautiful 1962 Volkswagen Bug — complete with matching luggage — belongs to Jose m.Reyes Nieve. It was among the assortment of pristine, interesting and unusual VWs on display at the 32nd annual Florida Bug Jam, held in November at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City.
Adjusting to current conditions has been the mantra for hospital workers throughout The Laker/Lutz News region. Caring for COVID-19 patients is just one of the adjustments they’ve made. Other issues have included obtaining sufficient personal protective equipment; on-again, off-again elective surgeries; and providing emotional support for patients isolated from their families.
The Zephyrhills High School Marching Band was one of the first marching bands taking part in the Zephyrhills 110th Founder’s Day Parade & Heritage Festival, during March. This year’s theme was ‘The Roaring ’20s: Glitz, Glam and Tin Cans’ – which celebrated the decade of the Charleston, flappers and gangsters.
Tomas Alzamora embraced the spirit of the day at the Taco Festival, held at the Grove in Wesley Chapel, in September.

 

There were lots of big issues on the ballot for the November 2020 general election, and Valerie Cooper wanted to make sure her vote counted. She voted early at the New River Branch Library, in Wesley Chapel. A record number of Americans voted in the election, with the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris ticket surpassing 80 million votes, the most in the nation’s history. Inaugural Day is set for Jan. 20.
Matthew Misener, shows off his impressive double axe throwing skills at Molly’s Hatchet axe throwing experience, at the Wesley Chapel Art & Blues Festival in November, at the Grove in Wesley Chapel. The Zephyrhills native is the operations manager and event coordinator for Molly’s Hatchet, a competitive axe-throwing venue in downtown Zephyrhills.

 

 

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