By Times Staff Writer
Published September 12, 2004
Kris McAlvanah recently spoke to the Zephyrhills Daybreak Rotary about the Brain Tumor Action Network. Kris' husband , Thomas Patrick McAlvanah, a former president of Zephyrhills Daybreak Rotary and a Zephyrhills attorney, lost his battle with cancer a year ago. The fight for his life and for others with brain tumors became the passion of the McAlvanahs.
The Brain Tumor Action Network is designed to better educate tumor patients and their family members about various social issues which may directly affect the outcome of the care and treatment of brain tumor patients.
One Project of Brain Tumor Action Network is the project Hidden Under Our Hats. Brain tumor victims or their families donate a hat with their name, age at diagnosis and, for those who have died, the date of death, written on it. The hats become a traveling exhibit around the United States. Displayed at cancer centers, conferences and fund raisers, the hats help to increase awareness of brain tumors and the need for research funding. The hat exhibit was on display at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa in May of this year. For more information about Brain Tumor Action Network, visit their Web site at www.btn.org or call 813 748-4560. Kris McAlvanah invites e-mail inquires at Krismcbt@hotmail.com
Boy Scouts Take to Trail
Boy Scout Pack 311 recently completed an 8-mile bike ride on the Trilby Trail as a part of their summer activities. Scouts participating in the ride wer e Alex Timer, Drew Lockliear, Jonathan Nystrom, Jonathan Cosme, Todd Irland, Daniel Bennett, Josh Desert, Joey Nystrom, Craig Jarvis, Evan Westerfield and Tyler McBee. The Scouts and their families met on the trail next to the Trilby Post Office. From there they rode to Highway 50, where they cooled off with a snack before making the return trip to the post office. The Scouts spotted various wildlife along the way including a gopher tortoise, a wild pig and a snake.
The Scouts had several activities during the summer. Boys who participated in three activities earned a special badge. The final activity of the summer was a fishing trip.
For more information about Pack 311, call Donna Mercadante at (352)588-2792.
Students and Rotary Join for Activities
Students from four central and east Pasco County schools, their art teachers and members of local Rotary Clubs are working together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Rotary International. Rotary International was founded in Chicago on Feb. 23, 1905.
The participating schools: Pine View Elementary sponsored by Seven Spring Rotary Club; Wesley Chapel Elementary and Pasco Elementary, jointly sponsored by Dade City and Dade City Breakfast Rotary Clubs; and Woodland Elementary, sponsored by Zephyrhills Daybreak Rotary Club.
Other Pasco County Schools participating are Sunray Elementary, Chasco Elementary, Trinity Elementary, and Hudson Elementary. Local Rotary members are visiting students at the participating schools and sharing with them information about Rotary as an organization which provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards and helps build goodwill and peace throughout the world.
Students, in showing appreciation to local Rotaries for all they do for schools and communities, will design posters that show how Rotary International contributes to the local communities and around the world. Each participating student will receive a ribbon and the three finalists from each school will receive a savings bonds. An overall district poster contest winner will be announced at the end of September and will receive an additional prize.
The winning posters from each school and the district wide poster celebrating Rotary International will be announced Sept. 24.
The Rotary Club of New Port Richey is an overall sponsor and organizer for this event. For more information about this community awareness activity, please contac t Kurt Conover, Rotary President, at (727) 861-5141 or (813) 949-4696.
Fall Harvest Arts and Crafts Show
The 2004 Land O' Lakes Fall Harvest Arts and Crafts Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 9 and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Land O' Lakes Recreation Center on Collier Parkway.
In addition to arts and crafts there will be food and refreshments. The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is inviting crafters to participate. Those interested should call the Chamber office at (813)909-2722 for more information.
2004 Flapjack Festival Talent Contest
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is looking for vocal, music and comedy acts to perform at the Flapjack Festival on Nov. 5. Anyone 16 years or older with talents in vocal, instrumental or comedian abilities is eligible to participate.
For information, cal l Nelson o r Bickley Rivera at (813) 996-3426 or the Chamber office at (813)909-2722.
CARES Looking for "Giving Hearts"
Community Aging and Retirement Services Inc. is looking for philanthropists to honor when it celebrates its National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 12 with a luncheon hosted by Carrabba's Italian Grill. The theme for the day will be "Change the world with a giving heart."
This national day of recognition honors those outstanding people, corporations, service clubs, foundations and volunteers who give of themselves for the betterment of our community. National Philanthropy Day is celebrated in communities across the nation. In keeping with this spirit, CARES will present an award to all those for whom a complete application is received.
This year's award categories include Outstanding Philanthropist, Outstanding Volunteer or Volunteer Group Fundraiser, Outstanding Youth or Youth Group Philanthropist, and Outstanding Community Business Leader. To obtain an application, call Melissa Fahy at 727853-3002 or e-mail efahy@caresfl.com Applications must be received by Wednesday.
National Philanthropy Day was first celebrated in 1986 and recognizes the countless contributions of time and dollars made by individuals and organizations to charities around the world. CARES, along with other charitable organizations in our community rely heavily on charitable contributions to support their programs and services. CARES plans to show their appreciation for all that has been accomplished by honoring those "giving hearts" in the community at this special luncheon.
"Sowing the Seeds for Success' Conference
All families are invited to attend the 3rd annual family conference, "Sowing the Seeds for Success' on Oct. 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at River Ridge Middle/High School in New Port Richey. Breakfast and lunch will be served and childcare will be provided. Transportation will be provided for families from the east Pasco area.
The purpose of this conference is to assist families in understanding and meeting the needs of children, youth and young adults. Sample topics: Understanding Children's Learning Styles, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Bully Prevention, and FCAT for Families. Other topics will also be available. The conference is free but registration is required. To register or to get more information, call (813) 794-2203.
USF field trip for high school students
A field trip and tour of the University of South Florida campus is being sponsored by the Land O'Lakes High School Guidance Department. The trip takes place on Sept. 24. Admissions information, the application process and general information will be covered. Interested parents or high school seniors should contact Joan Kerwin at (813) 794-9409.
Brown-Waite hosts Small Business Advisory Board
U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite hosted a bi-annual meeting with her Small Business Advisory Board recently at Saint Leo University. The Small Business Advisory Board consists of owners and employees of local small businesses residing in the Fifth Congressional District. The Board was created by Brown-Waite so she could better represent the concerns and priorities of the small business community in Congress.
The guest speaker for this forum was Melanie Sabelhaus, the Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration in Washington, D.C. An accomplished small business owner and entrepreneur, Sabelhaus was the founder of a property rental and management company before joining the Small Business Administration. Brown-Waite and Sabelhaus briefed Board members on issues before Congress and assistance available to small businesses and answered questions and received input from the Board.
Country Music Awards
The Pasco Chapter of the Orange Blossom Country Music Association recently held competitions at the Land O' Lakes Recreation Center. More than 30 performers displayed their talents in the categories of traditional country, new country, bluegrass, traditional gospel, new gospel and dance team. Participants performed throughout the morning and awards were presented in the afternoon.
Male Vocal entertainer in the 3-6 year old category was 4-year old Zachary Johnson, who won top honors for his presentation of Toby Keith's "Should Have Been a Cowboy." Dressed in a complete cowboy outfit and hat, Zachary displayed confidence in his musical ability. Returning from the stage he was scooped into the waiting arms of his grandmother , April Kalloch of Hudson, who said, "Zachary has always been very musical." Zachary is the son of Micki and Rick Johnson and attends preschool at Schrader Elementary in Port Richey.
Taking the stage following Zachary was a newcomer to the Pasco Chapter. With the stage name of Victoria K, the 12-year-old performer took top honors as youth group female vocalist and entertainer of the year. Victoria K has performed throughout the state with Wiley Fox. She has performed professionally in Pasco County at such events as Chasco Fiesta and Talent Search Showcase. With a voice that has been compared to that of Patsy Cline and Lee Ann Rimes, Victoria K performed Good Old Country Girl from Tampa Bay. The original song was written for Victoria K by her voice coac h Al Kohen.
There were eight performers and award winners in the Traditional Country category. Natasha Elders was the 13-16 year old female vocalist. Elders has been participating with the Pasco Chapter for three years and is an international winner at the North America Country Music Festival International in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Holly Whitney was the 17-20 year vocalist of the year in Traditional Country. Holly has participated with the Pasco Chapter for three years and has been an award winner in Florida and Tennessee.
Beverly Lavertu won vocalist and entertainer of the year awards. She is a three-year winner in Florida and also is the 2004 International Entertainer of the Year. Lavertu is the president of the Pasco Chapter and state president of Orange Blossom Country Music Association, Inc.
William DeMers, with the stage nam e Billy Dee, was named most promising vocalist and received the Horizon Award for male entertainer.
Leland Elders was recognized as most promising entertainer of the year. He has also participated in international competition in past years.
Jim Pingel was adult male vocalist and entertainer of the year in Traditional Country. Jim is a retired trucker and sings with the Billy Cook Band that performs weekends at the Eagles in Hudson.
Duo vocal awards went to Beverly Lavertu and Jim Pingel.
In the New Country category, 5-year-old Madison Bachellor was female vocalist in her age group. Madison performs with teens and adults at dinner shows in Pasco County.
Chelsea Roach was female entertainer in the 7-12 year old category. Chelsea will be participating in the state contest next month in Mulberry. Mary Wright, a newcomer to the Pasco Chapter, was female vocalist and entertainer of the year in the New Country category. Mary performs at the Hudson American Legion.
Derek Smith, a charter member of the Pasco group, performed as adult male most promising entertainer and was also Horizon Male Vocalist of the Year. Derek is a past award winner at the 2000 state competitions in Winter Haven at the Citrus Festival.
Hank Eichner, a song writer and musician, as well as a vocalist, received awards for vocalist and entertainer. He has previously been recognized as Song Writer of the Year at national competition in March.
Completing the New country category winners was a duo vocal by Kaylee and Karlee Roach, who performed in the 7-12 year age group. With the stage name of Double Trouble, Kaylee and Karlee created their own routine and received awards for female entertainers in New Country.
Vera Goodchild and Barbara Buehring were presented awards for song writers of the year for their Gospel songs. New to the organization, Vera and Barbara live in Lutz.
The Orange Blossom Country Music Association, Inc., is a non profit country music association with a mission to create and provide venues for local, statewide and national exposure for country and gospel entertainers, artists, musicians, and songwriters. Established in 1997, the association is an affiliate of the North American Country Music Association International.
New members are always welcome and can gain information by calling (727) 869-0267.
