Grower’s Corner
Nature Coast Chapter, Florida Native Plant Society, Holds Monthly Meeting
The subject of the upcoming May 11, 7:30 PM meeting:”The Real Florida – Wild Beauty”, presented by Katie MacMillen, Recreation Leader-Environmental Educator for Pasco County Environmental Lands Program. Central Florida’s unique position leads to an amazingly wide variety of biological species of native plants, insects, birds, reptiles and amphibians, freshwater and marine life. Katie is bringing us a slide show program that will be the best-of-the-best of photos taken over a number of years by local photographer Ann-Marie Prokopiak. The plant photos focus largely on native plants, with a few non-natives as well. The program is accompanied by gentle, Hawaiian slack-key guitar. Come join us for this beautiful program, enjoy some refreshments, and perhaps take home a native plant!
Meetings of the Chapter are free and all interested parties are invited to attend, to bring questions about their yard, and participate in the native plant drawing. Location: St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 7922 State Road 52, Hudson, FL 34667. Telephone inquiries are taken by Mary at (727) 849-2335. Chapter website: http://www.pasconativeplants.org.
Pasco Extension Office Offers Saturday Seminar
May 8, 9-11:00 am Saturday Seminar – Getting Started with Bonsai
Come learn about this ancient art form using plants. Land O Lakes Community Center at 5401 Land O’Lakes Blvd. (US Highway 41), Land O’ Lakes.
All Seminars are FREE and open to the public. Anyone requiring reasonable accommodations under the Americans With Disabilities Act may contact the Extension office prior to the seminar. To pre-register or for additional information, please call 352-521-4288, 813-996-7341, ext. 4288 or 727-847-8177 ext. 4288 or visit our website events calendar at http://pasco.ifas.ufl.edu Extension programs are open to all persons regardless of age, race, color, sex, disability, religion, or national origin. Pasco County Cooperative Extension is a joint effort between the USDA, the University of Florida, and the Board of County Commissioners.
Begonia Society – May 22 Meeting
The Begonia Society of Tampa Bay will meet May 22, 2010 (4th Saturday of may) at 10:30 am. The meeting is held at the Famous Tate warehouse, 6401 No. 54th Street, just west of 56th Street off of Diane. Light refreshments will be served andl newcomers and visitors will receive a free Begonia Plant. This month’s program will be presented by Betsy Lieberman of Tomboy Tools. Betsy’s programs are always very imformative and interesting. She will demonstrate the advantages of her line of tools and also have them available for sale. For further information, contact Merle DeLane at (863) 738-8722.
Top 10 Tree Care Myths
Should you prune your trees in the spring? How deep must fertilizer be applied to reach the roots of your 
trees? Which species of trees should be topped to keep them from falling on your house? Most homeowners treasure the trees on their property but know little about how to care for them. Much of what you may have heard about tree care is actually incorrect, based on myths and misconceptions. Here are the Top 10 myths of tree care:
MYTH #1: When a tree is planted, it should be securely staked to ensure the development of a stable root system and a strong trunk. Although it is sometimes necessary to stake trees to keep them upright and allow establishment, there are some adverse effects of staking. Compared to staked trees, unstaked trees tend to develop a more extensive root system and better trunk taper. Allowing a small amount of movement can help root and trunk development. Of course, the worst effect of staking is the possibility of trunk damage from the staking wires or ties. Staking materials usually should be removed after one year to avoid “girdling” the tree.
MYTH #2: Newly planted trees should have their trunks wrapped with tree wrap to prevent sunscald and insect entry. Studies using most common tree wraps have shown that they do not prevent extreme fluctuations in temperature on the bark. In some cases, the temperature extremes are worse. Also, tree wraps have proven quite ineffective in preventing insect entry. In fact, some insects like to burrow under it.
MYTH #3: Trees should be pruned back heavily when they are planted to compensate for the loss of roots. Tree establishment is best with unpruned trees. Although pruning the top can reduce the amount of water that evaporates from the leaves, the tree needs a full crown to produce the much-needed food and the plant hormones that induce root growth. The tree will develop a stronger, more extensive root system if it has a fuller crown. Limit pruning at the time of planting to structural training and the removal of damaged branches.
MYTH #4: When removing a branch from a tree, the final cut should be flush with the stem to optimize healing. First of all, trees don’t “heal” in the sense that wounds on people heal. Our bodies regenerate tissues in much the same form of the tissues that were removed (to a limited extent). Trees compartmentalize wounds, generating woundwood over the wounded area. Flush cutting removes the “branch collar,” creating a larger wound than if the branch were removed outside the collar. Also, it is likely that some of the parent branch tissue will be removed. The spread of decay inside the tree is greater with flush cuts.
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Church and Charities
Gospel and Country/Western Music
Every Saturday from 2PM-5PM we have a Gospel and Country – Western Music concert. Admission is free, but donations are welcome and appreciated. If you are a singer or musician and are interested in performing, please come and join us. Trilby United Methodist Church, 37504 Trilby Road
Saturday Night Gospel Sing Along
Karaoke and Open Mic at New Hope Baptist Church 3514 Allen Road Zephyrhills, FL. In the rear of the Fellowship Hall this Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 6 PM until 8 PM (Every Third Saturday) Dust Off Your Guitars, Mandolins, Banjos or Whatever You Have and Come Out and Join Us In A Time Of Fellowship, Praise and Worship. Free Refreshments!
Faith Based Addiction Recovery
“Let’s Celebrate Recovery!” Lovehouse Ministriesnow meet at His Gathering Place, 39031 CR 54 in Zephyrhills, across from Talia Apartments. Donuts & Coffee at 9:30 am, Testimonies & Teaching at 10:00 am, followed by Praise & Worship Service 10:45 am. Everyone is invited to this causal, exciting, full gospel, course of action! Pastors Marie & Wyley Johnson have worked in Addiciton Recovery Ministry for over 20 Years and established Hope House Recovery, a residential, 12-Step, Faith Based Court Approved Program for those chained by one of Satan’s greatest tools—drugs or alcohol. Please call (813) 997-3679 for more information. Upbeat Keyboard Player needed.
Sports Brief
Pirates Seek 10th Straight Regional Playoff Berth
When the District 4A-7 baseball tournament opens next week at Death Valley the Pasco Pirates will be looking for its fifth straight district title and 10th consecutive trip to the state regional tournament. Six of those nine regional playoff berths have come as district champions. Those district titles came in 2001, ‘03 and ‘06 through ‘09. The Big Red was runners-up in ‘02, ‘04 and ‘05.
Coach RICK GILES Pirates will not enter this year’s tournament as the favorite, but are given a good chance of finishing second and earning their 10th straight state regional tourney berth. Coach Giles does not agree with this prediction. He believes his Pirates can earn their 10th straight regional berth and the team’s fifth straight district championship. The team to beat for a district title is the Wesley Chapel Wildcats
The Pirates led by pitchers BRENNAN ALLEN, CHRIS DIOUS and KEVIN GUDE are hoping not to face the Wildcats before the championship game. The final seeding will determine which playoff game Allen will pitch. If the Pirates reach the semifinals it could be Allen to try to nail down a regional playoff berth. Another district title would be nice, clinching a playoff berth is more important.
Offensive wise the Pirates will count on the bats of TREY DUDLEY-GILES, COLE STANCIL TYLER BROCK, and Allen. Should the Pirates face the Wildcats either in the semifinals or finals they will have to prove they can beat the ‘Cats for the first time this season. The Big Red will have to successfully swing the bats against some strong Wesley Chapel pitching led by Cole MIRAGLIA and BRANDON MUMAW.
With both The Pirates and Wildcats having a good season coach Giles is expecting a good crowd for the seven team tournament. Thanks to the Florida High School Activities Association, realignment has placed the Zephyrhills Bulldogs in District 4A-8. That tournament also begins next week.
Host Families Sought For Foreign Exchange Students
CASE, Cultural Academic Student Exchange, a nonprofit organization founded in 1988, will be placing 
foreign exchange students in Florida for a second school year. Students come from 23 participating countries in Europe, Asia, South America and North America. CASE is excited to include students from the YES scholarship program this school year. These young high school students are from Bangladesh, West Bank, Bahrain, Jordan, Pakistan, Kuwait, and Yemen. They come to the US to experience first-hand the operation of such American ideals as the free-market economy, democratic principles and community service. The ultimate goal of the CASE program is to increase international understanding and create good will among all nations.
Host families for students are needed in Sarasota, Manatee, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Hernando counties. All students speak English, are between 15 and 18 years old, have spending money and insurance. Host families provide a bed and up to two meals a day. Exchange students can share a room with a family member of the same sex who is within 5 years of age, the exchange student must have his or her own bed.
School districts have limited spots available for foreign exchange students. By deciding to host now you’ll have a lot more time getting to know your student and building a lasting bond before they arrive. CASE also offers an outbound program for American Students to travel abroad. For more information contact Debbie Rich at 941-896-5230 or 1-888-430-4795
Sports Brief
Three Brandt Siblings Hurl Wins On Same Day
Recently former Pasco Pirate right hander AARON BRANDT, current Pirate softball ace COURTNEY BRANDT and future Lady Pirate TAYLOR BRANDT all pitched on the same day and won. Aaron pitches for Saint Leo University and younger sister Taylor hurls in the local senior Little League softball program.
A beaming PHIL BRANT remarked to this writer last Friday morning; “talking about being a proud dad I was certainly one that day.” While Courtney will be a senior next year Taylor will enter her freshman year at the local high school. When teasingly asked if she would move up and replace her older sister next year she just looked at me and gave an are you kidding- type smile.
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is Celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
A Street Party will take place on Saturday, April 10th from 5:00 to 10:00 pm at the Chamber Building and surrounding area. The Dade City Chamber is located at the corner of
8th St. and Church Ave. in downtown Dade City.
5:00-7:00 pm “Taste of Greater Dade City”
Local Restaurants & Caterers will serve up a sampling of their cuisine.
$1.00 tickets will be available for purchase at the Welcome Table.
You may purchase as many tickets as you like for “tasting” from
Angel Tea Room, Beef ‘O’Brady’s, Chef Larry, Del Carmen, Francesco’s, Manolo’s,
Papa Joe’s, Smitty’s Smokehouse, The Garden Café, and Tom’s.
Come early for best selection, when it’s gone, it’s gone!
Moving On with Parkinson’s Disease: A Parkinson’s Patient Shares His Journey and Successes in Reversing PD Symptoms
Over 1.5 million people in the U.S. suffer from Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative neurological disorder most recently brought attention to by Michael J. Fox. In his new release, Move On with Parkinson’s: An Inspirational True Story as Told by a PD Patient (published by LuLu), author Michael Stanfield shares his struggle with Parkinson’s and the medical treatments and exercise that helped reverse his symptoms.
After years of declining health, strength and coordination, Stanfield was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease six years ago. His neurologist declared that he already had PD for at least eight to ten years before that, a surprising and unwelcome finding. He battled PD every day by sticking to a closely monitored program. The author is eager to help other Parkinson’s patients who can benefit from his experience with the disease.
Multi-Community Effort Will Help Haitian Earthquake Victims
Joe Potter, Correspondent
Businesses and residents of Dade City, Zephyrhills and Wesley Chapel recently worked together to collect wheelchairs, canes, walkers and crutches to help victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake that struck Haiti. Through these efforts, the lives of 88 Haitians will be significantly improved by giving them the gift of freedom of mobility. Some residents of the Driftwood Patio Home and Condominium Development on Wire Road near Zephyrhills High School helped to kick off the drive by taking calls to arrange for pick up of donations that donors could not deliver to the drop off site.
A total of five canes, 16 wheelchairs, 20 sets of crutches, 47 folding walkers and nine boxes of orthotic supplies were collected during the one-week drive.
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