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Hometown Pasco

What's happening

By Times Staff Writer
Published June 19, 2005

The Dade City Garden Club recently held the final meeting of the year with a covered dish luncheon. The club also held an installation of new officers for the coming year.

President Sheryl Little led the business meeting. New officers were installed by Sue Porter of Azalea Circle and former president of the Dade City Garden Club. Officers installed for the 2005-2006 year were Little, president; Marilyn Graves, first vice president; Betsy Puterbaugh, second vice president; Elaine Williamson, corresponding secretary; Stella Piersall, treasurer; and Lonnie Graham, assistant treasurer.

A report was given regarding the recent dedication of the memorial brick patio t o Joan Pryor, current president of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs. Pryor was honored by her Dogwood Circle with a dedicatory center stone featuring the logo of her term as president of the state club. Participating in the ceremony was Little, and Pat Carver, chairman of the Memorial Brick Patio Committee.

The officers of Dogwood Circle unveiled the stone at the end of the ceremony. The center stone of the patio is surrounded by other stones, some of which have been engraved with the names of those honored by club members.

To honor someone with a Memorial Brick, call the co-chair of the committee, Ginnie Geiger, at (352) 567-2629 or Jo Ann Fiorelli at (352) 532-0683. Each engraved brick is $50. A brick may be sponsored in memory of a loved one or in honor of someone special on a meaningful occasion. The public is welcome to tour the gardens and view the Memorial Brick Patio.

The 2005-2006 Garden Club year will begin with a meeting at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 19 at the Dade City Garden Center, 13630 Fifth St.. To become a member, call second vice president Puterbaugh at (352) 567-0964.

Connie Baker of Sunrise Outreach Services, part of Sunrise of Pasco County Inc., was a recent guest speaker for the Dade City Kiwanis Club. Baker's topic was "Let's Blow the Whistle on Elder Abuse." The program focused on explaining, identifying and stopping the exploitation of older adults.

Facts Baker presented from the National Center of Elder Abuse, Washington, D.C., saying that 1- to 2-million Americans ages 65 or older have been injured, exploited or otherwise mistreated by someone they depend on for care or protection. Further, she shared data on elder abuse in domestic settings, suggesting that one in 14 incidents, excluding incidents of self-neglect, come to the attention of authorities. Current estimates put the overall reporting of financial exploitation at one in 25 cases, suggesting there may be at least 5-million financial abuse victims each year. Baker concluded her presentation by saying that it is estimated that for every one case of elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self neglect reported to authorities, about five cases go unreported.

Sunrise of Pasco County is at the forefront of protecting children, women and the elderly. To learn more, and to learn how to help, contact Sunrise of Pasco County Inc., P.O. Box 928, Dade City, FL 33526, or call (352) 521-3120.

The annual spring luncheon and meeting to wrap up the year was held recently at the Groves Golf and Country Club. More than 50 members and guests came together for the meeting. It was a time to celebrate achievements, honor individuals, install a new member and say farewell to club members who died during the past year.

Benton welcomed those attending and introduced guests. Rose Ann Leticia gave the invocation and Auralee Buckingham led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mary Woodwell read meeting minutes and gave the board's recommendations. Jean Butcher presented the treasurer's report, and Jo Van Bebber gave the projects report. An extensive review of the distribution of club money to a large number of community projects reflected the intensity of the work club members do in support of local causes.

Benton led the group in a tribute to fallen stars, six club members who died during the past year. On a nearby table were six poster displays, one for each of the members. As their names were announced a club member lit a candle in remembrance of the person. Carolyn Anderson lit a candle for Jo Winton ; Elaine Pittman remembere d Lillian Redfern; Bebber represented Norma Braden; Dora Bean lit a candle for Ellie Santarpia; Alice Driscoll remembered Nancy Jaszczak; and Shirley Simmons lit a candle for Lorene Thurston.

Pat Keel, president-elect for Florida Federation of Woman's Clubs, praised the group for its outstanding work and challenged members to continue community service projects.

Membership chairman Lorraine Dabney installed new member Neelam Chhabra.

Benton recently attended the state convention in Orlando where awards were presented for outstanding work in a variety of areas. The Lutz Land O'Lakes club walked away with a large number of awards, including first place as Outstanding Woman's Club in its size category. The club has won this coveted award 13 times out of the past 14 years.

The individual departments and committees comprising the first place state award were recognized and given a certificate. One of the feature projects the club sponsors is the annual Youth Writing Contest for Poetry and Short Story. In the poetry division, awards went to students Joshua June, Veoletta Range and Taylor Rowand. In the short story division, awards went to Derek Andersen, Jeffery Jung and Jessica Tabet.

In the Education Department, the Conservation Division and the Home Life Department, and International Affairs, the club placed best overall in each of the areas. The club took second place in the Newsletters and President's Project divisions. Their programs ranked a first place win.

A coveted award given each year that is voted on by the membership and announced at the spring luncheon is Club Woman of the Year. Marilyn Wannamaker presented this year's award t o Aniko Solomonson who is co-chairman of the arts/crafts department. Solomonson has won many state awards for her unusual crafts.

Entertainment for the spring luncheon was present by th e Silver Bells from the First United Methodist Church in Lutz, under the direction of Vicki Dyel Fleming.

Although the annual spring luncheon and meeting wrapped up the year and the general membership meetings won't commence until September, the committees continue working throughout the summer. The club will host luncheons on Thursdays throughout June at the Lutz Community Center to benefit their "Guv'na" candidate, club member Liz Iaconetti.

The club is also preparing for the "Guv'na of Lutz" Flea/Craft Market fundraiser. Preparations are also being made for the annual Lutz July 4 celebration and the spouse abuse shower and scholarship luncheon, upcoming events in July.

Sheila Hollahan won the prize for the most beautiful hat, and Anderson wore the most creative hat. A special recognition went to Gloria Kasouf, who has owned her hat for 42 years.

Appreciation for work on organizing the luncheon were extended to Bebber, hospitality chairman; Benton, programs, name tags, star note pads and smiley magnets; and Anita Kennebeck, table decorations.

For information about the Lutz Land O'Lakes Woman's Club call Benton at (813) 948-0823.

Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline honor society, has given Erin Renee Schultz of Land O'Lakes an award of excellence for the 2005-2006 academic year. The award will help enable Schultz to pursue a graduate degree in pharmacy at the University of Pittsburgh.

This honor counts Schultz among 100 students nationwide to receive the Phi Kappa Phi Graduate Fellowship and Award of Excellence. Since its creation in 1932, the graduate fellowship program has become one of the society's most visible and well-supported endeavors, allocating nearly $380,000 annually to deserving students for first-year graduate study. Currently, 60 fellowships of $5,000 and 40 Awards of Excellence of $2,000 are awarded each year.

The selection process for graduate fellowships and awards of excellence is based on the applicants' undergraduate academic achievement; leadership and service on the campus and in the community; evidence of graduate potential; personal statement of educational perspective, purpose, and objectives; and evaluation reports from three individuals who are in a position to attest to the student's performance, citizenship and character.

[Last modified June 19, 2005, 00:38:17]