Navy Seaman Stephani Wood recently completed Navy basic training at the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill., with honors, and she was meritoriously promoted to her current rank.
During the eight-week program, Wood completed a variety of training, including classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis is also placed on physical fitness.
The final event of boot camp is "Battle Stations," an exercise that gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet.
Wood is a 2004 graduate of Nature Coast Technical High School south of Brooksville; she is the stepdaughter of Dennis Smith and the daughter of Traci Smith of Brooksville.
HIG H FIVES
Brittany Morgan, 12, was recently selected to perform the roles of soldier and candy cane in The Nutcracker ballet to be performed at the Center for the Arts at River Ridge High School in Pasco County in December.
Brittany takes dance lessons at the Just Dance studio in Spring Hill, under the direction of instructor Diane Morgan.
Brittany has been dancing for 10 years, and this will be her second year of performing in The Nutcracker. Brittany is a student at Powell Middle School and the daughter of Diane and David Morgan of Spring Hill.
The ballet will be presented by Expressions, The Dance Company. For information, call (727) 842-8175.
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Two Brooksville singer/songwriter/composers, each with original songs, put on a benefit concert at the Springs Theatre in Tampa on Oct. 2.
Dr. Maria Doherty and Lana Stebbins, or "Lana" as she prefers to be known professionally, met at a recital in early spring. They soon discovered that they were at the same point in making their CDs, as well as a few music videos.
Doherty suggested that they consider performing to showcase their original music. After the place and time were chosen, the two decided to donate part of the proceeds to the American Red Cross and its hurricane relief fund.
The music Doherty and Lana perform is primarily pop. Doherty's forte includes ballads and some dance beats; Lana's is the electric guitar.
During the performance, Doherty sang 10 of her songs, with a few of them enhanced by three dancers up on stage with her. Lana performed five of her songs with music videos playing in the background for three of them.
Doherty had help with her CD from Jeremy Silverman, who wrote the music to her lyrics, and John Stephan, who produced the CD. Lana's CD and videos were produced by Ken Veenstra of Progressive Media in Tampa.
"We spent countless hours filming and editing," Lana said.
Both singers extended their gratitude to Stephan and his staff at Springs Theatre for all their hard work preparing for the concert, in spite of the power outage the day before the event, due to Hurricane Jeanne.
Both employ the services of Sly Bryant of St. Petersburg as voice coach. Laurie Fitch of Brooksville, whom Doherty studies under and whom Lana sings with, lended support to the two singers.
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Nicole Noreen, 19, was recently crowned Miss Junior South Brooksville and will be competing for the title of Miss Junior Florida on Jan. 15.
The winner of the state title will travel to Atlanta to compete for the national title of Miss Junior America.
Noreen attends Pasco-Hernando Community College. After PHCC, she plans to transfer to the University of South Florida and major in marketing. In addition, Noreen hopes to do professional modeling and commercials. She works as a finance clerk at the Hernando County Government Center.
Noreen is a 2003 graduate of Hernando High School and the daughter of Kim and Bill Gandy of Brooksville and Eric Noreen of Brooksville. The Miss Junior America Pageant has been in existence for 20 years. For information, call toll-free 1-800-786-1115.
CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
The Community Performing Arts Guild is selling season subscription passes for its 2004-05 concert series.
Individuals who purchase a subscription may attend all seven season events, plus a bonus concert on Feb. 5. The bonus concert will feature acclaimed organist Hector Olivera.
All performances are at Mariner United Methodist Church, 7079 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. For information about season subscription passes, call 544-1068 or 596-6143.
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Members of the Opera Lovers Club had their second monthly meeting Sept. 25 at Lykes Memorial Library on Howell Avenue in Brooksville. Randi Rosmarin was the speaker and presented the program, "Opera in the Movies and Commercials."
Arias from various movies were played, and examples of opera use in commercials were given. Club members shared familiar opera arias from their personal CDs, and then members shared their experiences and feelings from listening to each of the arias.
Rosmarin has been an opera buff since she was in her teens. She shared with the group experiences from her favorite place - the Lincoln Center in New York City, which encompasses Avery Fisher Hall, the New York State Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. The first opera Rosmarin experienced was La Traviata.
The Opera Lovers Club's next meeting will be from noon to 2 p.m. Oct. 30, at the West Hernando/S.T. Foggia Library, 6335 Blackbird Ave., Spring Hill. For information, call Kathy at 688-4741 or Judy at 686-3250.
RECREATION AN D SPORTS
The West Hernando Athletic Club Seniors is a softball league for individuals 55 and older. The 60-game schedule runs through April. The playoffs are in May. Larry Wagner umpires all games.
The 2004-05 teams include: Casablanca Pub, American Legion Post 186, Moose Lodge 521, Elks Lodge 2582, Suncoast Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center/Dr. Fady Zeidan, Ron Fee and Chaney Chiropractic Clinic. The commissioner is Sal Ficarra.
On Sept. 29, Chaney Chiropractic took the first game, defeating the American Legion by a score of 12-11. In the second game, Casablanca Pub beat the Moose Lodge, 18-13.
On Oct. 1, the Elks Lodge hammered the American Legion, 16-2. Chaney Chiropractic stopped Ron Fee, 15-11.
On Oct. 4, Suncoast Orthopedics pummeled the American Legion, 21-4. The Elks Lodge defeated Ron Fee, 24-9.
On Oct. 6, Chaney Chiropractic slipped by Casablanca Pub, 5-3. Ron Fee defeated the American Legion, 18-3.
On Oct. 8, Suncoast Orthopedics triumphed over the Moose Lodge, 14-11. Casablanca Pub beat the Elks Lodge, 22-10.
On Oct. 13, Suncoast Orthopedics defeated Ron Fee, 21-15. The Moose Lodge walloped the Elks Lodge, 32-7.
League members recently mourned the loss of former league member Billy Constatine, who died Oct. 6. The league extended its sympathy and prayers to his family. To date, the wins and losses are:
Chaney Chiropractic, 6-0
Casablanca Pub, 5-2
Suncoast Orthopedics, 5-2
Moose Lodge 521, 3-4
American Legion 186, 2-5
Elks Lodge 2582, 2-5
Ron Fee, 1-6
Games are at 9 and 10:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Veterans Memorial Park in Spring Hill. For information, contact Lloyd Rogers, league secretary, at 596-7412.
