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Hometown Citrus

What's happening

By Times Staff Writer
Published March 6, 2005

CITRUS KIDS

During the week of Jan. 30 though Feb. 4, students at Pope John Paul II Catholic School celebrated Catholic Schools Week with special activities each day.

On Jan. 30, students wore their school uniforms to Mass. A picnic was held on the school grounds, where students and their families learned to square dance, played softball and socialized while eating some great food.

Jan. 31 was Pajama Day and Backwards Schedule Day. Students and faculty looked like they had just gotten up as they came wearing PJs and robes of all sorts. The class schedule was reversed so that all Monday activities were done in reverse order. Students in fourth through eighth grades were treated to a presentation by author Stephen Austin. At the end of the day, students gathered together in their Circles of Life groups (groups of six to eight students headed by a staffer, meant to promote community and provide a sense of belonging to students) to read a book together and have milk and cookies - an appropriate way to end Pajama Day.

Sports and Crazy Hat Day took place Feb. 1. It was also the day of the pep rally and plush pig race rematch. Students wore their favorite team's jersey and/or a crazy hat. In the afternoon, the cheerleaders led the school in rooting for their favorite relay teams during the Pep Rally. Scooter races pitted faculty and student relay teams against each other. The Balloon Pop required each participant to fend for themselves as they tried to pop others' balloons but also to keep their balloon from being popped by someone else. The crowning event, however, was the rematch of the pig races. On Jan. 5, the Kindergarten class pig won the race between the colorful mechanical pigs. This time the winner was Bacon Jr., the third-graders entry.

On Feb. 2, all PJPII students boarded buses and traveled to Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School for a Mass with four other north county schools. PJPII was the host school, coordinating the event and providing door holders, altar servers, Mass readers, the choir and music. Bishop Lynch and nine priests from the various northern parishes co-celebrated the Mass. Afterwards, the students attended a picnic lunch, followed by a concert of Christian music.

On Feb. 3, students dressed as twins (or triplets) with someone else, one or more other students or adults. They also participated in a Jog-a-thon to benefit their adopted sister school, Fe Y Alegria in Peru.

In the afternoon, the eighth grade played the faculty in two volleyball games as the rest of the student body and staff cheered on their favorite teams.

Friday evening, the Parent Teacher Organization sponsored the Lowdown Hoedown Dance and Barbecue to top off a week of celebration. Mr. Frank Briercheck, a student's parent, served as dee jay, principal Dr. Whitaker served as square dance caller, and Mrs. Hirth, cafeteria manager, coordinated the kitchen volunteers to serve the meal. Student cowboys and their families enjoyed the fellowship and reminisced about the many activities throughout the week.

The Friends of the Citrus County Library System's fourth annual Spring Book Sale will be held from April 8 through April 12 at the Citrus County Auditorium at 3610 S. Florida Ave. (U.S. 41 S) in Inverness.

The Friends' semi-annual sale features more than 50,000 good quality, bargain-priced books, audio and videotapes, CDs, records, magazines and puzzles. There are more than 40 categories of fiction and non-fiction, including mystery-thrillers, romance, Westerns, vintage and collectible, large print, computer, cooking, religion, children's, crafts and sewing, travel and foreign language books.

The book sale opens with a special preview sale from 5 to 8 p.m. April 8. Admission to the preview is $5. The sale continues from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 9; 1 to 4 p.m. April 10; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 11; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 12.

Monday will be half-price day. Tuesday will feature a $3 bag special.

Donations of gently used books are welcome and may be dropped off at the circulation desk at Central Ridge, Coastal Region or Lakes Region libraries. Proceeds benefit the Citrus County Library System.

For book sale information, call 746-1334 or 527-8405.

The Citrus County Veterans Coalition met Saturday at the Lecanto Government Complex for its monthly business meeting. They discussed the "Military Veteran's Reunion Cruise" benefit which sets sail in December.

This is a fundraiser to assist needy veterans with financial help. There will also be 1,500 tickets available for a $2 donation for an opportunity to win a free cruise for two on this seven-day adventure. The cruise visits various ports and includes special events and parties. Ticket sales could put $3,000 in the veteran's assistance fund.

The general membership meeting previously scheduled for March 19 has been postponed due to a scheduling conflict and has been rescheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. April 9 at the Crystal River National Guard Armory. The meeting will feature national, state, county and Veterans Affairs speakers to bring all veterans up to date on veteran's benefits and progress on the County Resource Building and Veterans Clinic.

For more information, call Chris Gregoriou, coalition chairman, at 795-7000.

Editor:

The ninth annual "School"astic Classic golf tournament sponsored by the Women of Sugarmill Woods On Feb. 7 was a huge success thanks to the sponsors, the 180 women golfers who participated and the community at large. More than $12,000 was raised for the "Take Stock in Children" program.

Presently nine children from grades 6 through 11 are participating in the program. With money raised from this tournament, along with matching funds from the state, three more young people will be chosen for scholarships this year.

Upon graduating from high school, each of these children will receive a full college scholarship - two years at a community college and two years at a four year Florida college to complete a degree.

As a member of the Women of Sugarmill Woods, I want you to know how much our group appreciates the many donations of cash and tournament gifts from individuals and businesses both inside and outside of Citrus County. Due to all of you, this year's tournament was another smashing success. It is wonderful to be a part of such a caring community.

Mary Dunker, 2005 chairman, "School"astic Classic Golf Tournament