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Hometown Hernando

What's happening

By Times Staff Writer
Published July 24, 2005

HIGH FIVES

David Rice's 2004 custom Merlot Thunderbird took first place at the Carlisle All-Ford Nationals, June 3-5, at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania.

Rice, of Spring Hill, displayed his Thunderbird among more than 2,000 cars on the show field. Rice has owned the car since it was new. He was among the more than 45,000 enthusiasts who attended the event.

Famous racer and team owner Bud Moore signed autographs, as did many other special guests. The Ford Thunderbird celebrated its 50th anniversary this year with one car from each year represented in Carlisle's Thunderbird Evolution display.

The Rev. Douglas Zipperer, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Brooksville, was recently presented the G. Ross Freeman Leadership Award for 2005 at the Florida annual regional conference. Bishop Timothy Whitaker presided.

Zipperer is among 25 pastors from the nine-state Southeastern Jurisdiction who have received the award in the last four years for inspiring ministries of men in evangelism, missions and spiritual growth. He is the third pastor to receive the award in Florida.

Billy Sims, president of men's ministries at First United Methodist Church of Brooksville, nominated the pastor, who has been at the Brooksville church for 12 years.

A selection committee appointed by Rodney Akers, president of the Florida conference of men, made the final choice.

In addition to recognition by the conference, Zipperer will be invited to participate in a clergy think tank with five other pastors from conferences in the Southeast who are being recognized this year for leadership among men.

Leanne Chiarello graduated from the University of Florida College of Dentistry on May 27 with a doctor of dental medicine degree. She will be practicing dentistry in Wesley Chapel.

Chiarello is a 1996 graduate of Springstead High School. She received her bachelor's degree in food science and human nutrition from the University of Florida.

Chiarello is the daughter of Guido and Barbara Chiarello of Spring Hill.

The Timber Pines Garden Club recently awarded $1,000 scholarships to two outstanding Hernando County high school graduates.

Both students, Jodi Moores and Catherine Ann-Nadine Williams, met the club's criteria. They both have a strong desire and determination to better their education.

Moores is a Central High School graduate, and Williams graduated from Hernando High School.

Presenting the scholarship awards was Ann Elliott, the garden club's corresponding secretary and scholarship chairwoman.

The Hernando County Commission recently proclaimed the week of June 19-26 as Amateur Radio Week in Hernando County.

According to the proclamation, "There are more than 684,000 amateur radio operators in the United States, licensed by the Federal Communications Commission of which almost 40,000 are in the state of Florida.

Amateur radio operators are a non-commercial radio communications service sanctioned by the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service, the American Radio Relay League, the Florida Department of Emergency Management, and the Hernando County Emergency Management Department."

On June 25 and 26, the volunteers demonstrated their emergency communication skills during their "Field Days," when they tested their emergency communication capabilities with other amateur radio operators throughout the United States.

The county commissioners said they appreciate and commend the amateur radio volunteers for their important contribution to the health, safety and welfare of the community.

I wish to thank Paradise West Realty for making Memorial Day such a beautiful day in our neighborhood. They had put small American flags in each yard on our entire street. Thank you! The Trent Team is great.

Renee Key, Spring Hill

About 1 p.m. on June 4, the battery in my vehicle died at the Kash n' Karry parking lot in the plaza by Northcliffe and Mariner boulevards.

Rather than call AAA, I walked across the street to the Hess gas station to get help. When I asked out loud about anyone being able to jump start my car battery, one man said he would help.

The man drove a red pickup. In my haste to get to Wal-Mart to buy a new battery, I didn't remember to thank him or offer him compensation. I'd like to say a belated thank-you.

When I got to Wal-Mart at 1:30 p.m., the auto repair area was real busy and the attendant, a young lady with a blond pony tail, told me it would be a while. I explained that I needed to be on the road by 2:30 p.m. to make a 3:30 appointment.

She was very nice and offered to replace my car battery as soon as possible. I was on my way by 2:20 p.m.

Can you believe it - two good deeds in one day! What is this world coming to? People are remembering to treat others like human beings. I may look forward to living past my prime at this rate.

Bunni Amore, Spring Hill

On June 27, about 2:30 p.m., my husband Bill and I parked at Home Depot on Commercial Way to do some shopping.

Bill has had Parkinson's disease since 2002. As we walked into the building, I hurriedly turned to get a basket. I had hardly turned around when Bill had fallen to the ground.

Before I could return to him, six or seven people immediately surrounded him, helping him to get up. One lady said, "I'm a nurse," and she instructed the men on how to lift him upright. I was amazed at their strength, compassion and concern.

Others scurried bringing chairs and a wheelchair. Within seconds, Bill was checked over and safely seated in a wheelchair and we could proceed into the store.

I did thank everyone, but I am writing this to say that you all have deeply touched my heart with your love, help and care, and I shall remember you always. Before God, I shall speak of you and tell Him how grateful I am.

It's people like you who make America the great country that it is.

If I were an artist, I'd make sculptures of you all helping my husband to get up, with our flag flying behind you, and it would represent to the world and to Almighty God what our nation stands for.

Grace Larkin, Brooksville

Too many times we concentrate on the evil in this world and forget about the good that happens. Let me share what happened to me on my way home from a church function.

I had been placed on a new blood pressure medication and, to my dismay, the side effects were horrendous - headache, severe dizziness and double vision, all made it nearly impossible to correctly judge distance and proper turning radius. Because of this, I ended up on a curb half a block away from my house.

Two anonymous road angels appeared, and the gentleman drove my car off the curb and into my garage. He and the lady (in another car) made sure I was all right and went their ways.

I'd like to thank each of them for their help and understanding. By the way, I am no longer taking that medication, so it's safe to be out on the road again.

Juanita M. Kriebel, Spring Hill

[Last modified July 24, 2005, 00:22:18]