Lutz Little Women Volunteer at State Veteran's Home
Miriam Mahmoud, a 17-year-old junior at Tampa Catholic High School, gently patted the older man on the shoulder. Together they placed a blue marker on "B 7", and Miriam gave her partner an encouraging smile. A soft blanket lay around the man's shoulders; his oxygen tank kept a steady tap with each breath.
At a nearby table, Katie Freedland, an 18-year-old Gaither High School senior, waited patiently, then helped her partner locate "O 65." Together they placed a red marker on the card and exchanged looks of satisfaction.
The setting was the activity room of Baldomero Lopez State Veterans' Home in Land O' Lakes, and the occasion was the recent regular bingo night with the Lutz Little Women, girls 12 to 18, who are a junior group of the Lutz/Land O' Lakes Woman's Club.
Mentored by Pat Serio and Marilyn Wannamaker, the girls, including Miriam and Katie, take their volunteer roles seriously, as do the older women who serve as sponsors and offer guidance to the Little Women's Club.
About 25 veterans were intent on the bingo game, hoping to win one of the gold Sacagawea dollar coins given as prizes. There was a kind of intense silence as the game continued. The spirit was good natured, yet competitive.
Marilyn Wannamaker cranked the wire cylinder and the next yellow ball dropped into the chute. "B 9," she called. Immediately Bob Buckley shouted "bingo!" Dorothy Hardy, another member of the Lutz/Land O'Lakes Woman's Club, verified the winning card.
Buckley, a two-year resident of Baldomero Lopez, and a Marine from 1949 to 1952, happily claimed his prize. He and Miriam celebrated the moment of his win.
Across the room, Katie sat between John and Gloria Peters. John, a World War II Navy veteran who saw action at Normandy, has lived at the state veterans' home for the past year. Gloria, his wife of 29 years, drives from their home in New Port Richey to share the bingo evenings with her husband. Another number was called. Gloria reached out and stroked John's hand, then placed a marker on one of the two cards in front of them.
The group played one final round of "fill up the card." Gloria and John won the last game and a round of applause erupted.
A survey of the room revealed a great deal about the game players. Individual interests were displayed on shirts, hats, wheelchairs and walkers, and the prevailing theme was one of patriotism. One man wore a shirt with a USA emblem in red, white and blue. Across the back of a wheelchair was an American flag surrounded by the words, "Faith, Hope and Victory." Another man in a red and green flannel shirt wore a cap with a Navy emblem.
The color scheme in Baldomero Lopez is red, white and blue. On one wall is a sign with red hearts and stars surrounding the word "America" printed in red, white and blue. Vases hold red, white and blue carnations, and even the dessert, strawberries on angel food cake with whipped toping, seemed to fit.
Another evening of bingo closes. Katie and Miriam carried desserts to the veterans, as Serio commented, "We will be back again with the girls for another evening of bingo." The Lutz Little Women's Club, formerly known as the Sparkling Lakes Juniorettes, are seeking new members and will hold open house for those interested at the Lutz Library at 7 p.m. Sept. 13. The group is a community service club of young women who are willing to work on volunteer projects such as the bingo nights at Baldomero Lopez, as well as learn leadership and speaking skills. For more information about the Lutz/Land O'Lakes Woman's Club or the Little Women, call Pat Serio at (813) 948-4752 or Marilyn Wannamaker at (813) 949-1482.
Rotary clubs challenge for hurricane relief
Eugene Beil, district governor for the area Rotary clubs, was proactive following Hurricane Charley. Beil sent messages of encouragement prior to the hurricane. He stated that, as always, the Rotary clubs with their motto of "service above self" would be available to help communities in need.
After Hurricane Charley had hit, leaving behind a path of devastation, Beil responded again, suggesting that the local Rotary clubs give their "happy dollars" to assist hurricane victims. "Happy dollars" are the dollars collected weekly to celebrate special events and commemorate occasions among the Rotarians.
The local Rotary Clubs of East Pasco went one step further to challenge each other during the week. The first club to meet was Daybreak Rotary Club of Zephyrhills. The club donated $250 to district governor Jerry Hearn of Punta Gorda for relief efforts. President of Daybreak, Madonna Wise, commended the club on this donation.
Upon hearing of Daybreak's donation, Land O'Lakes/Wesley Chapel Rotary Club president Suliman Hashmi inspired his club to donate $500 to the Polk County hurricane relief efforts via district Rotary governor George Banning.
Both Suliman and Wise then attended the Noon Rotary Club of Zephyrhills and told president Mike Fike that if they could double effort throughout the week, they challenged his club to double again to a sum of $1,000. The Zephyrhills Noon Rotary Club, rose to the occasion with a $1,000 donation.
Rotary is a service organization and takes great pride in assisting community efforts and projects. Club members say the friendly challenge was a wonderful way to build camaraderie and have fun while rallying around a joint effort to assist victims of Hurricane Charley.
The Zephyrhills Noon Rotary meets Thursdays, 12:15 p.m., at the Alice Hall Community Center, 38115 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills.
The Land O'Lakes/Wesley Chapel Rotary meets Fridays, 7:15 a.m., at Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel.
Daybreak Rotary of Zephyrhills meets Tuesdays, 7:00 a.m., at the Zephyrhills First Baptist Church, 38300 Fifth Avenue, Zephyrhills.
WHAT'S HAPPENINGMiss Central Pasco County Pageant Announced
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce has announced plans for the 2005 Miss Central Pasco County Scholarship Pageant to be held Oct. 23 at the Groves Golf and Country Club on U.S. 41 in Land O'Lakes.
The scholarship pageant is open to girls ages 16 to 19 who live in a central Pasco community. As a nonprofit organization,the pageant has maintained a tradition for many years of empowering young women to achieve their personal goals by awarding scholarships to the queen and runners-up. Contestants receive scores based on community involvement and the areas of interview, sportswear and evening wear competition.
Entry fee for the pageant is $150 and covers the costs associated with production of the pageant such as advertising expenses, facility rental, music, sound, lighting, administration and other expenses.
In addition to crowning Miss Land O' Lakes, awards will be presented to the four runners-up, the photogenic winner and Pageantry Spirit Award. The contestant selling the most tickets to the pageant will be crowned People's Choice.
The signed and completed application, fact sheet, photocopy of birth certificate or valid driver's license or identification card, and the $150 sponsorship fee must be turned in by Oct. 1.
A program book will showcase all contestants and present the sponsors of the pageant. Advertisement spaces are available at the following prices; business card size, $35; quarter page, $75; half page, $150; full page, $200. The ad page is a way participants can acknowledge their sponsor, family members or friends. Ads my be dropped off at Cool Beans Cafe or the Central Pasco Chamber Office and are due Oct. 1.
Tickets for the pageant can be purchased by calling pageant headquarters at (813) 991-7149 or they can be purchased at the door the night of the pageant. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
The 2004 Annual Florida Coastal Clean Up is scheduled for Sept. 18. A variety of volunteer opportunities are available.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the central Pasco Country area clean up, may call site coordinators at (813) 996-7341, Ext. 4288 or Dora Bean at (813) 996-4228. Those interested in being business sponsors may call Kurt J. Conover at (813) 4696.
The main collection site for the central Pasco area will be SunTrust Bank at 21744 State Road 54 in Land O' Lakes.
The generosity of community sponsors is allowing for a great day for all volunteers who participate. Hungry Harry's Famous Bar-B-Que is sponsoring lunch beginning at 11 a.m. Taylor Rental will supply tables and chairs. SunTrust Bank is providing the collection site and a tent for shade. The Land O'Lakes McDonald's will provide orange drink for volunteers. These businesses have been annual sponsors for over 13 years and their contributions play a large role in the annual coastal clean up. Several other local businesses are providing door prizes for which all participants will be eligible.
For further information regarding the annual coastal clean up call Kurt Conover at (727) 861-5141 or (813) 949-4696.
Daybreak Rotary of Zephyrhills hears Loeffler speak
The Daybreak Rotary of Zephyrhills met recently at the Zephyrhills First Baptist Church. Guest speaker for the occasion was Bob Loeffler, head chaplain for the Pasco County Detention Center in Land O'Lakes. Loeffler has been a chaplain for two years in the Pasco County jail after many years in the same role at the Pinellas County jail.
After being introduced by program chairwoman Lea McKenney, Loeffler discussed the goals of the ministry to provide avenues for inmates to make changes in their lives and offer support for their families. He answered questions regarding the jail and discussed the needs for more facilities. A major objective of the ministry is to bring a second chaplain to serve the jail population. Loeffler can be reached at http://www.goodnewsjail.org
Loeffler is also affiliated with Good News Jail and Prison Ministry. The organization was founded in 1961 with the focus of providing chaplains to America's jails and prisons. In the organization, chaplains must develop their own financial support by relying on the ongoing generosity of friends within the community.
Other items of interest were discussed during the meeting. President Madonna Wise praised the club on the recent donation to Punta Gorda for hurricane relief efforts and also for the 98 percent attendance achievement.
Chris Robin, golf chairperson gave an update on the upcoming major fundraiser scheduled for Oct. 1 at Scotland Yards Golf Course. It was announced that the Daybreak Rotary would work the refreshment stand at the first Zephyrhills Bulldog football game on Aug. 27. Manny Funes directed that activity.
Denny Mihalinec was recently elected president of the Greater Trilby Community Association. Other officers elected at the meeting are Karyn Pirrello, vice president; Richard Riley, secretary; and Kathleen Fink, treasurer.
The community association was founded two years ago by Mihalinec. Electing officers is the first step in becoming a nonprofit organization. The group is focusing on several issues including establishing a community center, conducting a food drive, reopening of Peterson Park and acquiring a sheriff's substation in Trilby.
The association also discussed a new Web site designed for the northeast Pasco area. The site is www.northeastpasco.com
The Greater Trilby Community Association meets the third Thursday of each month at Old Community Hall on State Road 575 next to Trilby United Methodist Church. The meetings are open to the public and anyone interested in community improvements is invited to attend.
"Everybody bring a neighbor or two to the next meeting," Mihalinec said.
Pasco Pirate Invasion coming
Pasco High School will present Pirate Invasion 2004, from 3-5 p.m Friday. The event will take place on the town square and will include pillaging and raiding of local restaurants by the Pasco High School faculty and staff. A pre-game boat regatta Will take place at Pirate's Bay in W.F. Edwards Stadium. Local politicians will be seen in the pirate stockade.
For information contact Pasco High School, (352) 524-5500.
