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Hometown Hernando

What's happening

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 6, 2005

HIGH FIVES

On Oct. 7, students of Alpha Delta Epsilon's Phi Theta Kappa honor society at the North Campus Pasco-Hernando Community College presented Youth and Family Alternatives with a check for $200 for the New Beginnings Youth Shelter.

To raise the money, Phi Theta Kappa members sold pizza, donated by Hungry Howie's Pizza & Subs and Village Pizza, to students and faculty on the PHCC North Campus on March 17. The purpose was to raise awareness and funds for the shelter.

New Beginnings Youth Shelter in Brooksville is a runaway and youth crisis program for troubled youngsters ages 10 to 17.

Phi Theta Kappa is an organization that provides service to the college and the community. According to president Kara Groom: "$200 may not seem significant to most people, but it will go a long way to provide clothing and incidentals for the youth in crisis. Help takes many forms small and great to make a difference."

On Sept. 27, the Kiwanis Club of Spring Hill had its last meeting under the direction of president Beverly Reso. Reso had taken over as president for Dr. Brent Novak, who was unable to complete his term. Reso was also the 1998-99 club president.

During the luncheon meeting, two guests of the club were recognized: Maria Kardos of the Hernando Today and Jean Hayes of the Hernando Times. Both writers were presented certificates of recognition and Kiwanis pens for their reporting on news of the club.

Treasurer Jim Aten reported on the recent yard sale, headed by Cathy Edmisten. The sale netted about $2,000 after expenses. Edmisten reported that George's Appliance and TV Center donated the use of a truck to transport the donated sale items. More than 25 members assisted with the yard sale.

At the end of the meeting, the gavel was passed from Reso to incoming president Michael Jackson.

The Spring Hill Garden Club hosted an evening organ concert featuring Bob Speaker from the Fletcher Music Center on Sept. 24.

The concert was held at the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens where the audience listened to an array of songs. The hour-long presentation ended with everyone singing a few favorites, including "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and "God Bless America."

The next concert sponsored by the Spring Hill Garden Club will be held Dec. 11. For information about the club, contact Don Kubiak at 685-2150.

Arc Nature Coast customer Steve Groesbeck was recently nominated as Respect of Florida's Outstanding Employee of the Year for 2005.

In honor of the nomination, Terry R. Farmer, president and CEO of Respect of Florida, awarded Groesbeck a plaque, letter of recognition and a check for $100. On Sept. 22, Mark W. Barry, Arc Nature Coast's executive director, presented Groesbeck with the plaque, letter and check.

Respect's mission statement reads: "To facilitate the placement of individuals with disabilities in competitive employment, using all methods of employment and training to achieve that end."

The Outstanding Employee of the Year award recognizes Groesbeck's work and service on a day-to-day basis throughout the year.

Groesbeck was nominated by Stan LaVoie, Arc Nature Coast's Southwest Florida Water Management District enclave team leader. In his nomination, LaVoie wrote: "Steve is always on time, is well groomed and always works well as a team player."

Groesbeck began working with the Arc's Swiftmud enclave team in 2001. "We're very proud of Steve and his accomplishments," Barry said.

The mission of the Arc Nature Coast is to provide individually tailored, quality support for individuals with disabilities and their families in order to promote prosperous fulfilling lives in the community. For information, call 544-2322.

The Ice Age was the topic of the second lecture in the eight-part series in the University of South Florida's Learning in Retirement Hernando program called "The Big Bangs of History."

Gregory Hebert and USF doctoral candidate Jonathan Dean presented the lecture Sept. 26. Almost 60 students took notes and engaged in questions and discussion after the lecture.

The eight lectures that make up the program include: the Big Bang, the Ice Age, Prehistory, the Peloponnesian Wars, Church and Middle Ages, the Renaissance, History of Pictorial Art and History of Music.

The Hernando study group is a USF organization, and USF is affiliated with the Elderhostel Institute. Elderhostel is a membership organization of adults who join in a learning community for educational trips. Learning in Retirement Hernando does not offer trips, but brings educational lecturers and courses to seniors in Hernando County.

The Learning in Retirement program meets at Brooksville City Hall or at the Hernando County Government Center. Each session is presented by an expert.

For information, contact Jane Brennan at 597-0507 or George Warren at 688-5845.

The first meeting of the 2005-06 year for Preceptor Delta Iota sorority was at the home of Lydia Dodson. A covered dish dinner was served, and the women exchanged "secret sister" gifts.

Officers this year are: Libby Murray, president; Jan Mazourek, vice president; Carol Landers, secretary; Barbara Jacobs, treasurer; Marsha Roderick, financial secretary, and Taylor Theodore, city council representative.

GlenLakes Garden Club members recently held a luncheon and invited last year's scholarship winner, Megan Bartlett, as their special guest.

For the third consecutive year, the club will be working to raise money to award a $1,000 scholarship to a deserving Hernando County high school student.

The scholarship is open to all Hernando County graduating seniors who plan to major in horticulture, landscape design, botany, plant sciences or a related field. Bartlett, last year's winner, attends Harvard University, where she is majoring in plant sciences.

Scholarship applications will be available in each of the high school's guidance offices. All applications must be completed and received no later than March 13, 2006. Students must have at least a 2.5 grade-point average to qualify.

Dr. John P. Turi, a local chiropractor, and his assistant, Robin Dusch, recently earned their first-degree black belts in tae kwon do.

The two have been studying the martial art since October 2002 to enhance their health and wellness.

Turi and Dusch had originally been taking lessons locally, until the dojo they attended closed. Wanting to continue, and being so close to reaching the new rank, they contacted grand master Dr. Ibraham Ahmed in Michigan, with the World Martial Arts College, which is affiliated with the United States Tae Kwon Do Han Moo Kwan Association of the World Tae Kwon Do Federation.

Ahmed agreed to allow Turi and Dusch to continue with their studies and, when ready, test them via videotape. The two taped their katas and sent them off for review. Both were promoted.

The Hernando Athletic Association's Screaming Eagles youth football league played games on Oct. 8 at Veterans Memorial Park in Spring Hill.

In the Flag Division, the Tiny Titans beat the Little Jets, 19-12.

In Division 1, the Regulators defeated the Bulldogs, 26-24. Also, the Bobcats beat the Eagles, 12-6.

In Division 2, the Eagles pummeled the Cowboys, 36-6, and the Patriots blanked the Mad Dawgs, 26-0.

In Division 3, the Eagles defeated the Raiders, 32-19, and the Warriors beat the Gators, 35-34.

The Hernando Athletic Association is a nonprofit organization. For information about the league, call president Kathy Mahla at 683-6855 or treasurer Patty Fulkerson at 683-7506.

Hometown Hernando welcomes reports on recreational and sports activities, both youth and adult, that do not normally run on the Sports pages. Send your news and results to: Jean Hayes, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613-6174.

[Last modified November 6, 2005, 01:59:22]