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JANUARY 14, 2015
Flu cases are up: Take precautions By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Chances are that you know someone who has become ill with the flu this year. It could be a family member, a colleague, a friend or someone at church —whoever it is, Dr. James Robelli, of St. Joseph’s Hospital North in Lutz, offers this bit of advice: “If you know someone that has the flu, stay away from them.” More people are coming down with the flu, as compared to prior years, said Dr. Nadeem Kahn, chief of medicine and direc-
Dr. James Robelli
Dr. Nadeem Kahn
tor of infectious control at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel has reported a significant increase in the number
of flu cases coming into the hospital, according to statistics provided by Tracy Clouser, director of marketing. In December, it saw a 274 percent increase in flu cases in its emergency department and a 125 percent increase in the number of patients admitted with the flu. Robelli, who is medical director of the emergency department at St. Joseph’s North in Lutz, also reported an increased number of flu cases. See FLU, page9A
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Watoto choir shares story of Africa’s vulnerable children By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
The Watoto Children’s Choir is kicking off its four-month United States tour with appearances in Florida, including local stops. The choir’s tour, entitled “Beautiful Africa: A New Generation,” seeks to raise awareness about the plight of orphaned and vulnerable children in Africa. The performances — which are free and open to the public — include original African music, dance routines and life-transforming stories from rescued orphans and women who are part of the choir. Local stops on the tour include a 7 p.m. performance Jan. 14 at Victorious Life Church, 6224 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, and three performances at Van Dyke Church in Lutz. The Van Dyke performances are at 6 p.m. on Jan. 17, and 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 18. Van Dyke is at 17030 Lakeshore Road. Each of the children in the choir has suffered the loss of one or both parents. They live in Watoto Children’s Villages where they are nurtured to become productive citizens and leaders in their own country. Edwinsmith Kigozi, now 29, was just 11 years old when he went to live in a Watoto Village. His parents had both died. His uncle did not have the means to support him and they welcomed Watoto’s help, said Kigozi, now a team leader with the organization. The concerts feature a fusion of contemporary gospel and traditional African rhythm. Watoto’s children’s choirs have been traveling internationally since 1994 as amSee CHOIR, page9A
Keeping heritage alive in East Pasco By Michael Murillo
long celebration of African-American culture the group, it’s by design. Asukile and the rest held at the end of each calendar year. of the society take the “East Pasco” part of Asukile said it’s the principles of the organization’s name seriously. Local Imani Asukile walks among the head- Kwanzaa, including its focus on community events attended by local residents are what stones at Indian Pond Cemetery in Dade support, interaction and problem solving, keep the group motivated. City, looking at the writing on each one. He that guide the African American Heritage “In everything we do, we try to focus on knows some names, knew some of the peo- Society of East Pasco County throughout the local issues and individuals. Most black hisple personally and even has a relative buried entire year. tory programs are national or international, there. But not every grave is clearly marked “In everything that we do, Kwanzaa is and we don’t have a problem with that,” he and some of the names are unknown. the foundation of our existence, so to said. But we try to say ‘How can we take the What is known about the old graves is speak,” he said. “That’s where everything same application and apply it here locally?’” that those who were buried there long ago springs from.” See HERITAGE, page9A — some at the beginning of the 20th cenIf community seems to be a big focus for tury — faced segregation and discrimination. “This was the premiere cemetery for blacks in this area. They only allowed blacks to be buried at the Dade City Cemetery in the early 1970s,” Asukile said. Now, as president of the African American Heritage Society of East Pasco County, he wants to make sure the area isn’t forgotten, along with other important places, events and people in local history. His group hosts military appreciation services at Indian Pond Cemetery each year to honor African American veterans. At a recent event, around 60 people gathered to honor World War II veterans. Their families received special congressional coins and certificates from the Wounded Warrior Project. For the heritage society, those events create recognition for the veterans, and those buried at the cemetery where the events are held. “You get inspiration from their stories when you understand their struggles, their victories, the hills they had to climb,” Asukile said.“We have to keep them alive.” His group keeps those and other stories alive by hosting different events throughout MICHAEL MURILLO/STAFF PHOTO the year. They have youth forums to inform Imani Asukile and the African American Heritage Society of East Pasco County have events young people and provide a platform for at places like Indian Pond cemetery in Dade City. The group wants the people and places them to express their thoughts. And they have events to celebrate Kwanzaa, a week- that make up the area’s history remembered and honored.
mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF WATOTO CHILDREN’S CHOIR
The Watoto Children’s Choir is touring around the Southeastern United States, including stops in Wesley Chapel, Lutz and Tampa. Allan Nyakaana takes center stage here.