Atlanta-based Discovery Point Child Development Center opened its first child-care center in Hernando County on July 26.
The 10,000-square-foot center is at 100 Seven Hills Drive, Spring Hill. The center can accommodate about 236 children, ages 6 weeks to 12 years old.
Before- and after-school care will be provided for the older children. Discovery Point will provide bus service to and from nearby elementary schools.
The center will feature age-appropriate classrooms and playgrounds as well as a commercial kitchen. The center will feature a computer learning center and age-specific curriculums.
Each Discovery Point Child Development Center is locally owned and operated under the guidance of the franchise organization. Discovery Point plans to build at least eight more locations in Pasco, Hernando and Hillsborough counties.
For information, call the Discovery Point center in Spring Hill at 686-0728.
Jacqueline Morris, executive director of the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, reports that the Maddux Report is preparing to publish its 2004 corporate report on Hernando County in its October issue.
The full-color report is used by the chamber and the Hernando County Office for Business Development in marketing efforts to promote the region for relocations and expansions.
This edition of the Maddux Report offers chamber members an opportunity to showcase their businesses and support the efforts of presenting Hernando County as a "great place to work and live."
Maddux Report representative Barry Rothstein will be contacting chamber members who might be interested in participating.
For information, contact Morris at 796-0697.
Sal and Sunday Messina, owners of Global Freight & Pack N Ship, 5437 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, have added U-Haul truck and trailer rentals to the services they offer.
The Messinas chose to make U-Haul rentals part of their business because of the international company's well-established name and reputation among customers.
Global Freight & Pack N Ship now offers customers a wide selection of equipment designed specifically for moving household furnishings, including trailers, car-top carriers and trailer rental hitches.
The business offers furniture pads, appliance and furniture dollies, and side-view mirrors.
For information, call 666-4933.
On June 30, Joni Industries, 16230 Aviation Loop Drive, south of Brooksville, celebrated the Fourth of July with a patriotic promotion day. The event included free refreshments and a chance to win a 25-foot American flag pole kit.
More than 200 participants attended. At the end of the day, Reggie Miller presented the door prize to Gloria Watts after her name was selected.
Another Fourth of July event is planned for 2005.
Who's News
Dr. Robert Blackburn, board certified family practice physician with All-American Medical Associates of Spring Hill, attended the American Osteopathic Association House of Delegates annual meeting July 16-18 in Chicago.
Blackburn represents District 13 for the Florida delegation, which includes Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. He is a director on the board of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association, representing all medical specialties in this area.
During the meeting in Chicago, multiple resolutions were reviewed and acted upon. The resolutions provide the medical associations with recommendations on health care issues.
Capital City Bank, a subsidiary of the Capital Bank Group, has announced the appointment of David T. Alberson as community president for Hernando and Pasco counties. Alberson's office is at 14302 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill.
Alberson comes to Capital City Bank with more than 35 years of experience in banking management and real estate. He earned a reputation as a community leader during his tenure as senior executive vice president at SunTrust Bank in Brooksville from March 1973 to September 2001.
During that period, Alberson served as president of the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce. He was instrumental in the unification of the Hernando County Chamber of Commerce and the Greater West Hernando County Chamber into the present-day chamber.
As community president, Alberson is responsible for all of Capital City Bank's banking services and operations in Hernando and Pasco counties. Capital City Bank maintains offices at: 14302 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill; 10290 Regency Park Blvd., Port Richey; and 7101 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill.
Alberson can be reached at 797-6707 in Hernando County and at (727) 834-8400 in Pasco County.
The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed a new team member. Vivan Bogul joined the chamber as a membership representative. She will help the chamber increase and retain membership.
The chamber is at 101 E Fort Dade Ave., Brooksville. For membership information, contact Bogul at 796-0697, ext. 26.
Events
The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have the following ribbon cutting and open house this week:
Habitat for Humanity, 2035 Broad St., south of Brooksville, ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday . For information, contact Cliff Fouts at 754-1159.
Central Hernando Surgical Associates, 15439 Cortez Blvd., west of Brooksville, open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday . For information, contact Dr. Kimberly Clayton at 544-5848.
The Service Corps of Retired Executives, Pasco-Hernando Chapter 439, will present a seminar for those seeking to launch a business or expand one from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the SCORE office, 6014 U.S. 19, New Port Richey, on the third floor of the Bank of America building.
Participants will learn how various types of business loans are obtained, how credit reports and credit scores affect credit worthiness, what the "5 C's" are and how they affect one's ability to borrow, and how to determine the best bank for one's business needs.
Hap Fairman, SCORE's in-house expert on business financing, will present the program.
The fee is $25; preregistration is not required. For information, call the SCORE office at (727) 842-4638 or Stu May at 688-6903.
The Nature Coast Chapter of the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management will meet at 5:45 p.m. Aug. 10 at Oak Hill Hospital, 11775 Cortez Blvd., fourth floor, Spring Hill.
The topic of the meeting will be "How Valuable Is the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management To Your Practice?" The speaker will be Richard Blanchette, founder of the association.
The association is dedicated to the professional development of its members in health care practice management. Interested practice managers are invited. Call Diana Brijbag, education director, at 597-1960.
The five Edward Jones investment representatives in Hernando County will host a free video presentation about saving for college and applying for financial aid at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at their individual offices.
The one-hour televised event will address the benefits and suitability of a 529 plan, the different types of financial aid available and strategies to combine public and private financing.
The interactive event is presented at Edward Jones branch offices nationwide via the firm's private video network.
To reserve a seat or for information, call Paul Conrad at 688-0731, Jim Diven at 597-2534, Frank Lauesen at 688-0215, Brande Sanders at 796-8819 or Ron Wheeles at 796-7225.
The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly Networking at Noon luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 13 at Whistle Junction restaurant, 13235 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill.
The cost is $10 per person. RSVP to Pat Crowley at 796-0697, ext. 13, or Kellie Edwards at ext. 15.
The lunch is normally open to chamber members only, but members are inviting nonmember businesses to join them to network and learn more about what the chamber has to offer.
Oak Hill Hospital will host a reception for those who are new to Hernando County to introduce them to services available throughout the county.
Members of Oak Hill's staff will conduct a tour of the hospital and share information about medical services as well as information about restaurants and entertainment, government services and schools, sports, parks and recreation, voting and vehicle registrations, and where to shop.
The reception will be at 10 a.m. Aug. 19 at the Hernando Medical Office Building, Entrance C, fourth floor, Room 403. Refreshments will be served. Free valet parking is available.
Anyone interested is asked to RSVP to 597-6333 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. Seating is limited.
The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly after-hours business mixer at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at Hogan Law Firm, 11027 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill.
Food and beverages will be available. For information, contact Kellie at 796-0697, ext. 15.
The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly breakfast meeting at 7:45 a.m. Aug. 25 at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Course Lane, Spring Hill.
The cost is $10 per person. This month's sponsor is Alan's Roofing. The speaker will be Domenick Maglio, owner of Wider Horizons School, who will discuss how to balance work, family and community life.
For information, call 796-0697.
If you have announcements, mail the details to Jean Hayes, Business Digest, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613-6174. You may also e-mail items to jhayes@sptimes.com or fax them to 754-6133. Items may be edited for length and clarity. [Last modified August 2, 2004, 01:00:29]
