Youths on 4-H Drill Team riding into spotlight
The eight-member squad will perform an equestrian riding routine today at the Citrus Stampede Rodeo Show.
By JORGE SANCHEZ
Published November 20, 2004
Today's Citrus Stampede Rodeo Show will feature the talents of many regional rodeo riders, but sitting tall in the saddle alongside them will be members of the 4-H Drill Team, who will entertain the audience with an equestrian riding performance.
The eight-member team has been practicing nearly every weekend since early August to come up with the routine, said Cheryl Lane, who describes herself as a "4-H mom." Her son Michael, 17, is a team member and a senior at Citrus High School.
After qualifying to join the drill team on the basis of public speaking, projects and good citizenship, the members look forward to their turn in the spotlight at tonight's show.
Team members are Michelle Hall, 13, Inverness Middle School; Dennis Bray, 14, Inverness Middle; Michael Lane, 17, Citrus High; Amber Lawson, 15, Crystal River High School; Danielle Horst, 16, Citrus High; Molly Thomas, 11, Lecanto Primary School; Richelle Jenkins, 10, Lecanto Primary; and Cassandra Hibbard, 13, Inverness Middle.
The performance will be after the saddle bronc riding competition and will last about 10 minutes. Members of the team will carry sponsors' banners at other times during the rodeo.
The Citrus Stampede rodeo will be at the livestock arena at the fairgrounds, 3600 S Florida Ave. (U.S. 41) in Inverness. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the rodeo starts at 7:30 p.m. The rodeo is a fundraiser for the Citrus County 4-H Foundation. Tickets at the gate are $15 for adults and $5 for children. For information, call 564-4525.
In other weekend entertainment activities:
JAZZ SINGER: Smooth jazz singer Prudence Johnson will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday at Curtis Peterson Auditorium at Lecanto High School and follow with a show at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the CFCC Ocala Fine Arts Auditorium at the CFCC campus on State Road 200, Ocala.
Tickets are $717 for reserved seating and $15 for unreserved. Johnson, with three musicians, will breathe fresh interpretation into classic tunes by Irving Berlin and George Gershwin.
Johnson is best known for her radio appearances on A Prairie Home Companion. She has recorded three albums with vocal jazz ensemble Rio Nido and has released two solo albums. She appeared in Robert Redford's movie A River Runs Through It. For tickets or information, call the CFCC Foundation office at 746-6721, ext. 1416.
CRAFTS: The Winter Wonderland Craft Show will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at the Crystal River National Guard Armory, Venable Street at U.S. 19. The show, in its 14th year, will benefit Special Olympics of Citrus County. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Family Resource Center as a donation. Free admission and parking. Raffles for handcrafted gifts. Call Marie or Gene at 621-3608.
PUMP BOYS' FINALE: Pump Boys and Dinettes has its final performances this weekend at Playhouse 19 community theater, 865 U.S. 19, Crystal River. Show times are 8 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15, available at the box office. Call 563-1333 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
CITRUS HIGH SCHOOL PLAY: The Citrus High School drama troupe will present The Heiress at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. today at the Citrus High cafeteria and auditorium. Admission at the door is $7.50.
ART CENTER THEATRE PLAY: Arsenic and Old Lace will be performed at 2 and 7:30 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Art Center Theatre at the Citrus County Art League, 2644 N Annapolis Ave., Citrus Hills. Tickets at the door are $15. Call the box office at 746-7606.
Jorge Sanchez covers arts and entertainment in Citrus County. Call 860-7313 or e-mail sanchez@sptimes.com