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Hometown Pasco

What's happening

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 16, 2005

From a Coin Harvest to a collection of memories in a yearbook to a Recipe Roundup, the children at Kids Stuff Preschool and Day Care are surrounded by activities that will likely influence them throughout their lives. Led by 45 creative and caring staff members, 270 children at the Land O'Lakes facility are learning to be community participants and contributors at a very young age.

During November, four pre-k classes, under the guidance of teachers Kim Copher, Isabel Trentman, Tanoi Quraishi and Judy DeFriese, had a Coin Harvest. The collection was for the children to buy toys for needy children at Kmart. Throughout the month families helped the preschoolers collect almost $800.

SouthTrust Bank and Bank of America took part by accepting the many handfuls of coins and turning them into dollars. SouthTrust also led the children on a tour of the bank, then treated them to cookies and juice.

Each child was given $10. Off they went to Big Kmart, where store managers gave the students a discount on purchases.

After shopping, Big Kmart treated the children to popcorn, drinks, cookies and treat bags. Photos from the Coin Harvest may end up in a yearbook that is now being created by parent volunteers at Kids Stuff. Creating a memory yearbook is under the direction of Amy Johnson, who lead the project. Other parents who played a role are Kathy Wan, Karen Jamai, Andrea Grace, Melanie Calvo and Pam McKinnon, Johnson said.

Organizers made sure that every child at Kids Stuff is represented in the book as many times as possible. Students also will help design the book's cover.

The price of the year book is pending and will be available later, but plans are for the books to be distributed the second week of May.

Another book that has already been produced and distributed at Kids Stuff is Recipe Roundup, a collection of favorite recipes submitted by parents of children at the school and by staff members.

The Recipe Roundup project was launched in September and handled by a committee of parents including Melanie Calvo, who headed the project, assisted by Kathy Goltermann, Fran Teza and Mandy Vess. The project took more than two months, and its purpose was to start a new tradition with children attending Kids Stuff. Plans include additional recipe books in the future.

Most of the recipes are usable on a daily basis, but one section, created by the children, is strictly for enjoyment. Teacher Jennifer Gebelein guided her 16 kindergarteners during Center Time, helping them write their own version of a favorite dish. The children also illustrated this favorite dish and drawings are included with the child's version of how to cook something.

The children's recipes include Stephan's version of pumpkin ice cream, where you "Mix 1 scoop of sugar, 5 scoops of peanut butter, and 7 scoops of ice cream in order. Put it in the oven for 53 hours. Then take it out and cool down. Then start eating it."

A recipe for pumpkin pie by Aidan gives instruction to "Mix one pumpkin, 3 spices, and 2 scoops of milk. Put it in the oven for 5 minutes. When all the guests get there, they have a party with it.'

Jackie Genovese, assistant director of the school, looked at her calendar and rattled off numerous upcoming events for children of the child care facility. From a study of communities, including creating a Land O'Lakes gingerbread community, to a variety of local field trips and the annual Easter Hats Parade, every week is packed with learning activities that build a life time of memories for the children.

Cathy Peckett is the owner and director of Kids Stuff Preschool and Day Care, 21360 Lake Floyd Drive, Land O'Lakes. For information about Kids Stuff, call (813) 949-2237.

Nature Coast Pet Expo

The first Nature Coast Pet Expo hosted by the Humane Society of the Nature Coast will be March 5-6 at the Hernando County Fairgrounds. All nonprofit animal rescue groups in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties are invited to participate in Adoption Alley free of charge.

The Expo is an opportunity to expose many animals that are available for adoption and to inform the community of the animal rescue work that is being carried on by many groups and people.

Any rescue groups wishing to sell products as fundraisers may reserve a vendor booth for $50. The booths will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis - early reservations recommended. Vendors of services or products booths are also $50. This fee covers the entire weekend. The Pet Expo will also include educational and safety seminars, pet demonstrations, contests and a fun time at the Doggie Fun Zone. Food and beverages will be available for purchase and there will be musical entertainment. The event is planned for both family members and their pets.

For information or to reserve a booth, call Joanne Schoch at (352) 683-7490.

Community members are invited to learn and explore important issues on the education of youth at a Community Night Event, "Always Reaching for Success," 3-7 p.m. Jan. 27 in the Center for Performing Arts at Wesley Chapel High School.

Keynote speaker will be Steven Constantino, vice president of research and development and founder of Family Friendly School. His topic will be "Engaging All Families and Community Members." Concurrent workshops will follow the keynote address and a light complimentary dinner will be provided.

The Community Night Event is sponsored by the Pasco County School Board. For information, call Lori Hartwig Yusko at (813) 794-2717; (727) 774-2717; or (352) 524-2717.

It is time for talented young people "to get their act together" for the upcoming 22nd annual "Spotlight on Talent" Competition. Proclaimed to be the local version of American Idol, the talent competition sports no record contracts but does offer checks and trophies to winners. The purpose of the competition, organized by the Heritage Arts Center Association, is to showcase and reward the effort and talent of students from kindergarten through high school age.

Many former contestants in Spotlight on Talent have gained valuable experience and confidence through their participation and have gone on to receive college scholarships and positions with professional performance organizations.

Applications are now being distributed to school music teachers in central and east Pasco County, and to many dance, vocal and instrumental studios. Applications are also available at local chambers of commerce. Singers, instrumental musicians, acrobats, novelty acts, bands, baton twirlers, dancers and other entertainers are welcome. Deadline for applications to be received is Feb. 10.

Preliminary competitions to determine finalists will be Feb. 19. The final competition will be 6 p.m. March 12 at Wesley Chapel High School's Performing Arts Center.

The final night of competition draws several hundred people who see quality performances conducted in a professional atmosphere. Judges from throughout central Florida, will determine winners and award $1,600 in cash prizes and trophies. There will be both solo and group acts. Participants are judged on talent with consideration given to stage presence and appearance.

In addition to acts for the competition, corporate sponsors are also invited to participate. For information about "Spotlight on Talent" performers or corporate sponsors can call Barbara Friedman at (352) 567-1720.

Daybreak Rotary Club got 2005 off to a good start with the first meeting of the year. Chris Robin led the group in the pledge while Buddy Hollyfield gave an invocation and Jean Murphy led the group in a song titled Service Above Self.

Sergeant of arms Jon O'Dowd asked everyone who did not have a resolution for the new year to participate in the fundraising fines for the day.

Daybreak president Madonna Wise announced the fifth annual Zephyrhills Celtic Festival, Feb. 12-13.

The club also recognized that member Nelson Ryman was in Haiti and that the recent club fundraiser had contributed to the Simonette, Haiti orphanage. President-elect Manny Funes asked Daybreak Rotary to assist with the tsunami disaster project at the Jan. 21 meeting.

Program of the day was introduced by Dennis Alfonso. Alfonso introduced member Clarence McKenney, who talked about New Year's resolutions and shared vignettes about humorous resolutions. Members enjoyed the humorous examples of resolutions dealing with topics that ranged from health and life to philosophy. After the meeting, representatives met with Zephyrhills City Manager Steve Spina and city planner Todd Vandenbery to discuss the status of the Daybreak Centennial Rotary project, the Zephyrhills Interactive Water Fountain. The Daybreak Club is contributing $45,000 to the project over five years. A district Rotary grant of $2,000 contributes to the 2005 donation.

The catered breakfast for the Daybreak meeting was prepared by Larry and Barbara Munroe of Rock and Soul Catering.

Daybreak Rotary meets each Tuesday morning at 7 at First Baptist Church, 38300 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills. New members are always welcome.

On Jan. 4, the Daybreak Rotary Club continued its membership drive with a fireside chat with the newest inductee , Kelly Bulloch, an engineer with Kimley-Horn in Zephyrhills.

Before being initiated into Rotary, a club tradition is to conduct a fireside chat. This provides an opportunity to share the history and mission of Rotary International and the local club's focus. The committee is honored to initiate new members during the centennial year of Rotary.

Rotary is the world's first service club. It was organized in Chicago on Feb. 23, 1905, by lawyer Paul P. Harris and three friends - a merchant, a coal dealer and a mining engineer. Harris wished to recapture the friendly spirit he had felt among business people in the small town where he grew up. The name Rotary was derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among member's offices.

During the fireside chat, the committee also discussed the friendly nature of the Daybreak Rotary Club and the various Zephyrhills service projects in which the club is involved. These projects include local scholarships, sponsorship of the Zephyrhills Academic Banquet, Neighborhood Care Center and several others.

For information about Daybreak Rotary of Zephyrhills, visit www.zephyrhillsrotary.org

[Last modified January 16, 2005, 00:52:46]