New roof will help cool Forest Lakes students

By EILEEN SCHULTE

© St. Petersburg Times, published October 1, 2000

A roof soon will be raised over a play area at Forest Lakes Elementary School.

About two weeks ago, the school broke ground on an open-air cover that will be constructed over a large slab of concrete where students play during physical education class.

The roof will cover about a third of the court. Depending on the time of day, it also will shade areas just outside the roofline.

The school has waited for a long time for this structure, and students have walked long distances to pay for it. For the past few years, much of the proceeds of school walk-a-thons -- called Dolphin Splash events -- have been earmarked for the $31,550 project.

During the Dolphin Splashes, students asked for pledges from their families and members of the community, then circled the school field for the walk-a-thon.

The annual October events are the only fundraisers Forest Lakes Elementary organizes. By this year's Dolphin Splash, the covered court will be almost finished. It will shield students from the sun as they play four-square and other games.

Parents and teachers long have been concerned about children who play sports during the heat of the day. They worry the sun will burn them and that children will become dehydrated.

"This is a tough time of year. It is hot and humid," principal Bob Evers said. "The (physical education) teachers are conscious of that, and modify the activities to the weather."

But kids like to go out and run and play, no matter how warm it is, Evers said. At least under a cover it will be cooler, and they won't get sunburned.

PTA president Susan Wigler said the cover will benefit her daughter Gabrielle, 7, who is borderline hypoglycemic, a condition that makes her sensitive to the heat.

"Last year during the second week of school, she collapsed on the court," Wigler said. "We had to take her to the doctor. He called it a heatstroke."

Wigler, whose 5-year-old son, Max, also attends the school, said she often sees children coming into the school with flushed cheeks after a period of outside play.

Evers said the 50-by-82-foot structure will be "safe and sturdy." It is prefabricated and comes disassembled, like "an erector set," he said.

The metal roof and sides may arrive as soon as Oct. 23.

"Right now, the footers are poured and ready to go," Evers said. "Next is the installation of the metal (cover). Last, it will be painted."

The top of the structure will be a metallic color, and the trim will be a burnished bronze.

Evers is happy with the colors and said he didn't want a shade that would clash with the school building.

The dedication will take place sometime in November.

"It's a welcome relief," Wigler said.

Library launches online book club Monday

Oldsmar Public Library will launch a new online book club Monday.

People who have their own computers can register at the Web site, http://www.tblc.org/opl. Those who don't can use the library's computers.

Each Monday, a new book begins. Each day, the library will send subscribers chapters by e-mail. If the subscriber gets hooked on the book, he or she can either purchase it online or reserve a copy at the library.

This service is free. For more information, call Janet Bergeron or Sue Tieri at (813) 855-5940.

Golf tourney to help fund five Little League fields

The Oldsmar Little League and Project Play Ball will host their first fundraising golf tournament Oct. 15 at East Lake Woodlands Golf and Country Club.

The money raised will help fund five new fields at Canal Park. The league hopes to raise enough money to begin construction on the fields by early next year.

The cost is $115 per player. The package includes dinner and prizes.

Registration begins at 11 a.m. There will be a shotgun start at 1 p.m. To sign up or to sponsor a hole, call Steve Gottscho at (727) 786-4341 or Gary Papa at (727) 787-1328.

Library group to host annual fall book sale

The Friends of the Oldsmar Public Library will host its annual fall book sale Oct. 19-21. The first day of the sale, reserved for members of the Friends only, will be from 4 to 6 p.m.

The remaining two days are open to the public. The hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 20 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 21.

The library is at 101 W State St.

Church to hold yard sale Oct. 14

Community United Methodist Church will hold a yard sale Oct. 14.

The church is at Buckingham Avenue and St. Petersburg Drive.

AARP monthly meeting addresses fire prevention

Fire prevention is the theme for this month's AARP meeting at 6 p.m. Monday in the social room at Harborside Healthcare, 3865 Tampa Road. It is a timely subject for AARP Chapter 4456. Fire prevention week is Oct. 8 to 14.

Oldsmar fire Chief Scott McGuff will be the featured speaker. McGuff has served as chief for 12 years. Before that, he was a volunteer firefighter for the city.

Registration begins at 6 p.m. A dinner of chicken and gravy or beef goulash will be served at 6:30 p.m. McGuff will begin his presentation at 7 p.m.

Frances Gaetz will give the devotions.

To register or for information, call chapter president Elizabeth Smith at (813) 855-4070.

Martial arts instruction offered twice weekly

Fourth-degree black belt Randy Babbitt conducts a Korean-based martial arts program from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday at the Oldsmar Recreation Center on Lafayette Boulevard.

The cost is $25 per month for Oldsmar residents, $30 per month for non-residents.

For information, call Babbitt at (727) 841-6993,or the city's recreation department at (813) 855-4211.

Workshop focuses on sharpening auction skills

"Going once . . . Going twice . . . Sold!"

If these words intimidate you and prevent you from participating in auctions, consider attending an upcoming auction how-to program at Oldsmar Public Library.

The free seminar will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 in the Rotary Reading Room. Two auctioneers will provide tips on locating auctions, bidding for items and selling items.

- If you have news or photos about Oldsmar organizations, churches, schools, neighborhoods or residents, please contact Eileen Schulte at the North Pinellas Times. You may call her at (727) 445-4229, fax material to her at (727) 445-4206, e-mail information to schulte@sptimes.com or mail it to the North Pinellas Times, 34342 U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor, FL 34684.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright