The LAKER
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EAST PASCO EDITION
LAKERLUTZNEWS.COM
One of Pasco County’s most popular doctors has a new home.
We are proud to announce Joseph Nystrom, M.D., will be joining Bayfront Health Medical Group on August 31. To schedule your appointment, call 352-567-6763.
13933 17th Street, Suite 101 Dade City, FL 33525
BayfrontDadeCity.com
SEPTEMBER 30, 2015
Stepping into the world of dementia By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
The tourists sat waiting for instructions. They filled out forms. They answered questions. Then, they began putting on special equipment. They put ridged plastic insoles into their shoes. They put on plastic gloves for protection and a different outer glove for each hand. Then, they stepped up a few steps into a dim room, where they donned special headphones and glasses. Next, they were asked to perform a list B.C. MANION/STAFF PHOTO of tasks. People wait to experience ‘The Virtual Dementia Tour.’ When taking the tour, they wear Through the headphones they heard recordings of chatter and continual noises. gloves, headphones and glasses, and walk on ridged plastic insoles in their shoes in an experience that simulates impacts of dementia. The glasses obscured their vision. It didn’t take long to discover that the experiences on this “Virtual Dementia Tour” Scharfeld, a senior care specialist and owner proven method that builds sensitivity and were disorienting and frustrating. of Senior Helpers, based in Spring Hill. awareness in individuals caring for those “I felt lost. I really felt lost,” Grace Walker His company brought a mobile Virtual with dementia by temporarily altering parsaid. “You can’t see, you can’t hear. You’re Dementia Tour to American House ticipants’ physical and sensory abilities. mixed up,” said the woman who works in Zephyrhills last week. The tour is designed to simulate: housekeeping at American House The Virtual Dementia Tour was created • Loss of auditory interpretation and inZephyrhills, on Pretty Pond Road. by P.K. Beville, a geriatric specialist, as her That’s understandable, said Glen postgraduate work. It is a scientifically See DEMENTIA, page 11A
Member of the Medical Staff at Bayfront Health Dade City. Bayfront Health Dade City is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.
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COURTESY OF RICHARD RILEY
Joint ribbon cutting welcomes doctors
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce recently participated in a joint ribbon cutting with partners The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce and Bayfront Health Dade City. Doctors KT, Thomas and Elizabeth John (center) and their team have officially joinedthe Bayfront Health Network, and Bayfront Health Dade City hosted an Open House and Ribbon Cutting on Sept. 22, at their office in Zephyrhills. The Bayfront Health Medical Group, located at 6340 Fort King Road, can be reached at (813) 782-6116.
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Thousands are expected to visit the Scarecrow Festival to pick out pumpkins, make their own scarecrows, and even take part in the scarecrow costume contest.
Halloween happenings fill upcoming calendar By Michael Murillo
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B Worth the Trip
INSIDE, PAGE 1B
mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com
Many people call it Halloween. For others, it’s a fall festival. Whatever you call it, it’s a time for special events and things to do in your area. Some are a bit frightening and geared toward adults. Others are fun and feature activities for children. There might be games, treats and maybe a few scares, but there’s something for everyone. And while Halloween is at the end of October, many events start much sooner. You have a whole month to find fun activities for the entire family. Here’s a rundown of treats (no tricks) happening this month: Fall Family Festival at Saint Leo University. The university, 33701 State Road 52, will host a number of activities Oct. 9 through Oct. 11. There are free and low-cost athletic events, like volleyball and soccer. But the real treats start Oct. 10 at 11 a.m., when Saint Leo will host a free fair at The Bowl area (behind the Student Community Center) with plenty of familyoriented things to do. Children can enjoy an animal show, petting zoo, water races, a swing ride and other activities. It runs until 3 p.m. Another fun event takes place on campus Oct. 10 at 9:30 p.m. There will be a fireworks grand finale at The Bowl to cap off a weekend of events.And it’s free to attend. Technically, the last event occurs Oct. 11
Scarecrow Festival at Florida Pioneer Museum. The museum, 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, hosts this scarecrowthemed event on Oct. 10 for the third year in a row, after taking it over from Downtown Dade City Main Street. Thousands of people attend each October, and they expect this year’s event to be no different. Crafts, community booths and food vendors will be on hand, but there’s a lot more to the Scarecrow Festival than that. Like making scarecrows, for example. For $3, children can use hay and clothing, provided by the museum, to make a scarecrow to take home. There will also be a Touch-a-Truck area, where children can climb on firetrucks and TECO trucks, and see police and sheriff’s cars, and ambulances. A petting zoo, train rides, face painting, obstacle course and games with prizes are all part of the event, too. COURTESY OF CLOUD 9 STUDIOS But since this is the Scarecrow Festival, Even the entertainers and staff at The Shops do you need more scarecrows? How about at Wiregrass get into the Halloween spirit at a scarecrow costume contest? There will Mr. Tommy’s Halloween Special. From top, be categories for best dressed scarecrow, Tommy Girvin (Mr. Tommy), Sarah Rasheid, cutest scarecrow and scariest scarecrow. Debbie Detweiler, Cyndi Clausen, Dani So you can make one and be one at this Maree Stoughtenger and Emily Setz show event. off their costumes. The Scarecrow Festival runs from 9 a.m. at 11 a.m., also at The Bowl. The university until 4 p.m. Admission is $5 with children will host a 5K walk/run to benefit the Make- younger than five years old admitted free. For more information, call (352) 567-0262, A-Wish foundation. For more information about the race and or visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org. a list of events for the Family Fall Festival, See HALLOWEEN, page 11A visit SaintLeo.edu/FallFamily.