What's happening
By Times Staff Writer
Published July 18, 2004
CLUBS AND ORGS
Twenty-six students at Eastside Elementary School received letters of congratulations from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office for their acts of kindness. The letters were presented to the students by Capt. Mike Owens during an all-you-can-eat ice cream party at Denny's Restaurant in Ridge Manor West.
Denny's has established a "Partners in Education" relationship with Eastside Elementary, and treated the students as a reward for their kind behavior. Each child also received a gift box filled with crackers, toys and coupons.
The simple acts of kindness performed by the students ranged from picking up items for classmates and opening doors to comforting someone who was sad.
Students attending the ice cream party included: Kelsie Carver, Trae O'Neal, Selena Tesseneur, David Symansky, Cole Kenney, Carolyn Defilippo, Angie Grande, Nicholas Greiser, Bryan MacAbee, Daronda Stephens, Chris Hobaugh, Dale Yaeger, Emily Antonini, Hannah Jimmerson, Marketa Munford, Billy Jones, Caleb Jones, Cody Suiters and Amanda MacAbee.
Students Breanna Twinning, Angela Tejera, Kaylen Tejera, Shelby Oesterreicher, Ashley Chatman, Justin Bard and Taylor Kuhn were unable to attend the party.
Adult chaperones and teachers from Eastside who attended the party were Joan Swain, Beverly Holland and Lionel Thornton.
Denny's employees who made sure the students had a great time were Maureen Boyle, general manager; Josh Brezenoff, assistant manager, and servers Randy Benson, Stephanie Mocas, Maria Fraccia and Rosemary Muffley.
The Hernando County Sheriff's Office presented its 2004 first quarter employee and citizen awards during a special ceremony.
Deputy Ed Mabesoone received the deputy of the quarter award. He has been assigned to the court service section for more than 14 years and has served as bailiff for Judge Peyton Hyslop during a majority of that time.
Mabesoone maintains order and security during court. He also represents the judicial services section during the sheriff's Citizens Academy, using a PowerPoint presentation he designed.
Phyllis Payne was named employee of the quarter. Payne is a receptionist and switchboard operator in the lobby of the Brooksville office. She is the first point of contact when people visit the Sheriff's Office and always projects a positive image.
Ribbons of commendation were presented to deputies Marisabel Kelly, Bill Boettger and Lou Roqueta, and to Brian Brock, Jack Sutton, Alan Stewart and Henry Wilson.
While traveling on the Suncoast Parkway on her day off, Kelly came upon a vehicle fire with the driver trapped inside. Kelly extinguished the fire as citizens Brock, Sutton, Stewart and Wilson pulled the driver to safety.
Roqueta and Boettger are credited with saving the life of a man who was passed out in his vehicle on the side of the road. The deputies administered CPR until an ambulance arrived. The man, who began breathing again, was taken to the hospital.
Certificates of appreciation were presented to Melissa Alicea, Sally Arick, Susan Bifulco, Roseanna Caylor, Candyce Green, Kay Scallorn, Pauline Harris, Donna O'Brien, Janise Rivera, Michelle Stegner, Peggy Stegner, Kathy Traylor, Matt Waskey and Carol Woodbury, and also to members of the sheriff's Explorer Post 409.
The Records and Automated Records Management System clerks were honored for their endurance and patience during a recent upgrade of the agency's computer system. Members of Post 409, who have been part of the agency for more than two decades, put in thousands of community service hours each year. They also learn about law enforcement and compete in numerous state competitions.
Citizen awards were presented to Nasir Husain, Capt. Fritz Nott, Jim Williams, Carlo Daleo Sr. and Mike Gagliano.
Husain is credited with providing information to deputies that led to the arrest of an armed man who had just robbed a bank. Nott provided help to the sheriff's marine unit through his job with Hernando Beach Marine Towing.
Williams, a retired police chief, coordinates the police academy at the Pasco-Hernando Community College Dade City campus. He also provides the mandated Incident Command System course. This course of instruction by Florida Department of Law Enforcement must be accomplished by 2008. Due to Williams' efforts, more than 220 of Hernando's sworn personnel have successfully completed the instruction.
Daleo is the owner of AA Painting. When the Sheriff's Office opened its new substation in Hillside Estates in south Brooksville, Daleo donated several gallons of paint for a map drawn on the basketball court.
Gagliano is a volunteer who coordinates the sheriff's Safety Phones for Seniors program. He also donates his time and equipment as a disc jockey at community events. He recently purchased a pair of Vivitar digital camera binoculars for the agency.
Longevity awards were presented to the following: Deputy Ron Rags, 25 years; Sgt. Alan Murphy and deputies Carlos Douglas and Perry Flinn, 20 years; Karen Roy, Sgt. Melissa Ciucci and deputies Bud Bridges, Mike Glatfelter, Marisabel Kelly, Steve Kelly, Gary Mason, Lou Roqueta and Steve Snell, 15 years;
Lora Demaio, Sgt. Harold "J.R." Hutchinson and deputies Peter Ciucci, William Boettger, Michael Burzumato, William Horvath, John Melanson, Debra Miles, Clayton Miller and Brandon Ross, 10 years.
HIGH FIVESGeorgette Schmania was chosen as artist of the month for July at the West Hernando/S.T. Foggia Library, 6335 Blackbird Ave., Spring Hill. Her oil paintings depict scenes such as gardens and florals from her native Europe.
After retiring to Spring Hill, Schmania discovered an artistic talent while participating in a hobbyist workshop at a local enrichment center; she subsequently became a serious student of local artist and teacher Diane Becker and is now devoted to painting as an avocation. Schmania is a member of the Spring Hill Art League.
For information or library hours, call 540-6391.
NOTES OF THANKSThe Community Resource Council of Hernando County had its first Ladies Night Out on April 30. We wish to thank the following sponsors for their generosity: Cheric Caprera of Atria Evergreen Woods; Jennifer Reedy of Elite Respiratory and Medical Supplies; Patty Lima of Tangerine Cove; Debbi McNiff of Rehab Kinetics; Carl Vacarro of Seabreeze Oxygen and Medical Supply; Sharon Murphy of Alterra Sterling House of Spring Hil, and Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Brooksville.
We would also like to thank the following vendors: Lori Morrison with At Home America; Brenda's Floral Boutique; Michelle Jennings with Creation Station; Kathy Brown with Home Interiors; Joyce West, licensed massage therapist; Kalani Burbank with Longaberger; Maria Jimencz with Princess House; Racquel Weaver with Premier Designs; Nancy De La Torre with Silpada Designs; Kimberlee Johnson with Stampin Up; Georgie Gibson with Tastefully Simple; Angela Hobbs with the Pleasure Company; the Repair Shop; Suzanne Hill with Oxyfresh; Jamie Ward with Tupperware; Eberbach Plastic Surgery; Dr. Robert Blackburn; Tara Reedy with Accessorize; Caroline Lomicka with Designer Stuff Plus, and Kim Luis with Avon.
Everyone who attended had a great time. And because of this great time, we are organizing another event for the fall.
Debbie McNiff, Treasurer