The Hernando County Commission recently recognized the efforts of Debbie Walker-Druzbick, Enrichment Center coordinator, and Oak Hill Hospital's Enrichment Center for the Blankets of Love program that distributes electric blankets to needy families. Chuck Hill, Enrichmement Center director; A. Jeanette Fryer, Title III supervisor; Gini Sommerfeld, Oak Hill Hospital volunteer, and George Popovich, director of Senior Services, Mid-Florida Community Services, attended the ceremony.
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Hernando County Government's County Connection program graduated its 10th class Dec. 2. Twenty-five Hernando County residents completed the nine-week program, which is offered free of charge twice a year. The program provides insight into the county's services and functions. Graduates include Rose Shade, Louise Voscinar, Eleanor Carter, Libby Phillips, Beverly Thomas, Doris Cupeles, Veda Ramirez, Linda Harmon, Mary Dowdell, Jean Olejniczak, Lois Peters, Margaret Sprake-Jones, Judy Holmes, Kay Busch, Al Johnson, Lois Ross, David Sprake-Jones, Sandra Smith, Jack Clymer, Walter and Mary Carr, Hazel Land, Terri McClanahan and Dan and Florence Vasto. For information about the next program which will begin in March, call Brenda Frazier at 540-6780.
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It was a feast for the eye and the holiday spirit for spectators who lined the canals the Hernando Beach Yacht Club's annual Christmas Boat Parade.
The Levine family and others hosted neighbors and friends with cheese and wine to watch the decorated boats. Ten entries were recorded this year.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary boat with Dave Morris and his crew led the parade, the Marine Patrol brought up the rear. More than 150 visitors watched from the Yacht Club docks.
Following the parade, more than 100 members and guests enjoyed a home-cooked chili dinner at the club.
The prize for best original design was won by Bobbie and Lee Williston with their Santa Sleigh II. The best lighted design prize went to Marti Marasco, and the funniest design was won by Pat Foley.
The yacht club offers many activities to its members. The next event will be the formal Commodores Ball in January. For information, call 684-7979.
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Dec. 7 will always be a memorable day for Americans. The day Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941 invokes memories for older Americans, younger Americans and those just learning the nation's history.
The Telephone Pioneers, Bell South Spring Hill Life Member Club recently created a World War II Veterans Memorial at Chocachatti Elementary School, with the cooperation of principal Michael Tellone and the school employees and students.
Trees were planted in honor of veterans from Hernando County who gave the ultimate in service to our country in World War II. A plaque inscribed with their names is surrounded by roses at the school.
On Dec. 7, at a memorial service at the school, members of the West Pasco Rose Society, which serves Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties, presented a certificate of appreciation to the three managers of the beautification and recycling microventure at Chocachatti, including Michelle Frangione, Marisa Welch and Joey Wajerski.
Jody Ware, teacher/coordinator of the beautification and recycling microventure, and the other students who help care for the memorial were also present.
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The Spring Hill Art League had its annual christmas luncheon Dec. 9 at the Wellington at Seven Hills clubhouse. Following a buffet lunch, officers were installed.
New officers include: Rosalie Washington, president; Louise Voscinar, vice president; Audrey Coy, treasurer, and Esther Pohl, recording and corresponding secretary.
Members of the president's committee include: Voscinar, scholarships; Rosalie Rochford, publicity; Isabelle Papazian, membership; Paul Shaskan, directory; Louise Applegate, newsletter; Marie Pastori, programs, and Rose Loske, sunshine.
For information about the league, call Rosalie at 688-6896.
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At the general meeting of the Hernando Beach Yacht Club on Dec. 8, the 2005 officers were announced.
Officers include: Sally Cosenza, commodore; Ronald Hinson, vice commodore; Gregory Frey, rear commodore; Robert Webb, fleet captain; Jack Tooman, treasurer; Joyce Quattro, assistant treasurer, and Gail Martinsen, secretary.
Members of the board of governors include: Mel Haines, Bill Lavin, Paul Cosenza, Dick Weichman, Marlene Ritter and Ed Galant.
In addition to announcing the officers, club members discused special events that took place in 2004, including the Hernando Beach Seafood Festival, a flea market and the Christmas Boat Parade. Funds raised through the events will be used to help run the organization during the coming year and replace the dock along the canals.
Membership in the Hernando Beach Yacht Club is open to all. Owning a yacht or even a kayak is not necessary; only a love of boating is needed. The club offers social dinners each Wednesday and other events throughout the year. For information about the club, call Hinson at 597-8904.
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There was a record turnout for photos with Santa at the Humane Society of the Nature Coast's Christmas bazaar Dec. 4, according to Joanne Schoch, executive director.
Santa's last photo session at the Humane Society's thrift store was Dec. 11. Cats, dogs, birds and other pets were welcome.
The holidays may be over now, but the society's thrift and gift shop is still open. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. The shop is at 9017 Commercial Way, north of Weeki Wachee.
Donations are accepted at the store. When possible, donors are asked to call prior to dropping off large donations. For information, call Joanne at 232-3032.
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For the past eight years, a group of thankful emergency department nurses at Oak Hill Hospital has recognized the emergency department volunteers at Christmastime with a luncheon hosted by the emergency department staff.
The staff prepares and serves the food, provides a place for fellowship and gives the volunteers small gifts of appreciation for their dedication and commitment.
Emergency department nurses Isabella DiScepolo, Carolyn LaRosa and Bonnie Thompson have coordinated the luncheon with the help of other emergency department staff members since it began.
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At the Wellington Golf League's holiday dinner, Joe Ferraro of the Wellington at Seven Hills won the drawing for a new TaylorMade r7 driver.
The driver has a retail value of $500 and was donated by the charity department of TaylorMade-adidas Golf. Other winners received golf outings at local courses and a dinner for two at the Wellington clubhouse.
Over a recent six-week period, members of the Wellington Golf League community collected $636 for the Alzheimer's Family Organization, which serves Central Florida, to support services and programs for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers.
For additional information on services and programs, call (727) 848-8888 or toll-free 1-888-496-8004.
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Robert Knowles, Spring Hill Regional Hospital Auxiliary volunteer and gift shop treasurer, recently presented a check for $250 to C. Ray Wallace, director of the New Beginnings Youth Shelter in Brooksville, to help cover the cost of the shelter's Thanksgiving dinner and to assist in restocking the food pantry.
The auxiliary is nonprofit, so all money received through sales in the gift shop, as well as craft and bake sales the auxiliary holds, is returned to the community in donations to various organizations and through medical scholarships.
Individuals interested in learning more about the Spring Hill Regional Hospital Auxiliary may call 688-8200, ext. 3890.
HIGH FIVES
Upper elementary and junior and senior high students from Wider Horizons School sang Christmas carols recently for residents at Alterra Sterling House of Spring Hill, an assisted living community. The students were accompanied by staff members.
MILITARY
Army Spc. Darryl Johnson, 30, placed 70th in a recent marathon in Afghanistan.
The race, believed to be the first marathon in Afghanistan, was contested over nearly six laps of an airstrip in a remote camp in central Uruzgan, according to CNN.com.
The event was held in connection with the Honolulu Marathon, which began nine hours after the Afghanistan event.
Johnson, who is with the Horseheads-based 204th/528th Engineering Battalion of the New York Army National Guard, completed the race in 5 hours, 9 minutes and 16 seconds.
The marathon in Afghanistan attracted 184 soldiers and civilians working for the United States. It was, according to CNN.com, the idea of members of the Army's 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, based at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, who didn't want to miss out on the competition.
Troops were transported by helicopter from across Afghanistan for the race, CNN.com reported.
Johnson is a 1992 graduate of Owego Free Academy in Owego, N.Y., and a six-year member of the National Guard. He is scheduled to complete his tour of duty in April. Johnson is the son of Alfred and Juanita Johnson of Spring Hill.
