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Hometown Hernando

What's happening

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 30, 2005

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

The Scarlet Belles of GlenLakes, a chapter of the Red Hat Society, had a Christmas luncheon on Dec. 16. The price of admission was a donation of a stuffed animal.

The theme was Animal Kingdom, and the women collected a variety of stuffed animals. Donations were then made to Oak Hill Hospital's pediatric unit, along with other local charities, including the Dawn Center.

Pediatric unit staff members were thrilled to accept the Christmas gifts from members of the Scarlet Belles.

On Dec. 12, about 140 members and guests of Walter Weiss Memorial Post 196 of the Polish Legion of American Veterans and the Ladies Auxiliary celebrated their Polish heritage with their Oplatki Christmas Celebration.

The annual event featured traditional food, costumes, folk music, dancing and the ceremonial breaking of the blessed Christmas wafer, the oplatki (pronounced oh-pwhat-key).

Father Maurice Manton, pastor of Immaculate Conception Old Roman Catholic Church in Hudson, opened the annual affair at the Deerfield community clubhouse south of Brooksville with an invocation and the blessing of the food. The breaking of the oplatki followed.

Afterward, everyone was invited to come forward to place a decorative item on the unadorned Christmas tree at the center of the dance floor. Within minutes, the tree was a beautiful sight to behold.

The sledz canapes (pickled herring) were prepared by Anastasia Lipitak, with assistance from Joe McDonald. National 1st vice commander Ernie Stetz and past department of Florida president Ursula Stetz purchased and prepared all of the kielbasa and sauerkraut.

The golabki (pronounced go-whomp-key) were prepared by the team of Anastasia Lipitak, John and Anne Rakucewicz, Gene Dzialowy, Lois Dzialowy, Walt and Millie Stachowicz, Gloria Murray and Chuck Kern.

The kitchen staff was headed by Ursula Stetz, Anna Mazur and Anastasia Lipitak, assisted by Elaine Barnett and Rose McDonald. Anna and Mitch Mazur did several tasks, including most of the other shopping and the preparation of the potato pierogi, string beans and salads. Millie Stachowicz took care of the coffee station.

Ernie Stetz led the Polish and American Christmas carols. A surprise early appearance by Santa ( Ron Barnett) with gifts for the children followed. Members and guests then enjoyed dancing the waltz, polka and obedek, or just listening to the traditional Polish and American sounds of Stetz and his four-piece band, the Bee Sharps.

Dozens of raffle prizes were donated by members and friends of the post. Guests were asked to bring a small Christmas gift for a hospitalized veteran. More than 80 gifts were received and then distributed to veterans at Bay Pines VA Medical Center in Pinellas County on Dec. 23.

For information about membership, call commander Frank Makosiej at 796-1923 or auxiliary president Lois Dzialowy at 683-8927.

Members of the Holiday Spring-Chix, a chapter of the Red Hat Society at Holiday Springs RV Resort in Spring Hill, recently entertained residents at Crown Pointe Senior Living Community and at Holiday Springs RV Resort with Christmas songs.

The women also adopted a local family for Christmas and provided them with a food basket and gifts.

For information about the group, contact Annette Smerdon, queen mother, at 684-9410.

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Spring Hill were invited by Monica Anderson of Weeki Wachee Springs to join Spring Hill Fire Rescue as they delivered Santa and a holiday-dressed mermaid to visit the exceptional student education students at Deltona Elementary School on Dec. 13. ESE teacher Paul Babij helped coordinate Santa's visit.

Spring Hill Fire Rescue's Engine 2, driven by Lt. Scott Edmisten, took Santa and mermaid Heather Flowers to the school, where the children and parents with cameras waited outside patiently.

When the fire engine arrived, they were greated with cheers from the students. Flowers greeted the children and posed for pictures with Santa and firefighter Matt Harchak by the truck. Flowers also passed out coloring books, candy canes and lollipops to each student.

Kiwanis members Diane Marsh, Al Johnson and Rich Boothby said the children had joy on their faces when they saw Santa, the mermaid and the fire truck.

"Seeing those kids' faces gives you a whole new perspective on what life is all about," Johnson said.

The Kiwanis Club of Spring Hill had its annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church on Dec. 11.

The day, with many families attending, kept the kitchen crew busy turning out hundreds of pancakes, complete with bacon and sausage. The breakfast gets larger and larger with families returning every year for the fun, festivities and entertainment.

Every child had a choice of a wooden toy or a small stuffed animal to take home. Santa and Mrs. Claus passed out candy canes, lollipops and coloring books.

The children took turns sitting on Santa's lap, giving him their wish lists and taking pictures.

Entertainment was provided by Suncoast Elementary School's chorus and Just Dance Academy. Members of the Key Club a t Springstead High School helped serve the breakfasts.

The event ended with the drawing for a $500 cash prize (first place), a 20-inch black and chrome Schwinn bicycle (second place) and a holiday edition Barbie doll (third place).

The event's success, in large part, was the result of donations from many people and organizations, including Ackley Dental Group, Allstate Insurance-Julia DeCamp, Hardees of Weeki Wachee, HealthSouth Rehab Hospital, Hogan Law Firm, Marine Corps League Spring Hill Detachment 708, McDonald's on Commercial Way, Oak Hill Hospital, Publix, Raymond James & Associates, Residence of Timber Pines, State Farm Insurance-April Smith, Stan Antonoff, Rich Boothby, Rich Boothby Jr., Godfrey Eason, Donna Gaula, Irv Homer, Al Johnson, Curt Krabel, Walt Luffsey, Diane Marsh, Jim Marsh and Beverly Reso.

[Last modified January 30, 2005, 00:42:59]