Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Digest

Briefly

By TIMES WIRES
Published October 16, 2006

Lennar Homes will include a 2007 Ford Mustang with the purchase of any Lennar Spotlight home bought before Oct. 31. Hernando Oaks and Hampton Hills, two communities in Hernando County, are participating in the promotion. Just for visiting any Lennar model-home center, prospective buyers can register to win a new Mustang, no purchase necessary. For information, call 727 942-2718.

* * *

TJM Properties, which owns Spring Oaks Assisted Living Facility, 7251 Grove Road, west of Brooksville, has announced the acquisition of Forest Oaks Assisted Living Facility, 8055 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. The public is invited to tour the facilities.

Mona Herreid will be doing admissions and tours at Forest Oaks. For information, call 683-3323. Wendy Hopkins will be doing admissions and tours at Spring Oaks. She can be reached at 592-1150.

* * *

The Olympic Grill, 3429 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill, had its grand opening last week.

The Greek cuisine restaurant, which will also serve American favorites, is owned by Georgios and Anastasia Stavropoulos, who have 35 years of customer service experience.

The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Greek wine and beer and other beverages will be available.

The restaurant will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. For information, call 684-0905.

* * *

Flagstone Pavers, 9070 Cobb Road, Brooksville, has donated a marquee sign for Tom Varn Park.

The dedication ceremony was Oct. 4 at the park, and Mayor Joseph E. Johnston III presented Geoff Bond with a proclamation recognizing and honoring Bond and Flagstone Pavers for their donation to the community. The sign will be used to announce city of Brooksville and Recreation Department events.

Who's news

Registered nurse Joan O'Malley, assistant director of nursing/unit manager, was chosen associate of the month for September at Spring Hill Health and Rehab Center, 12170 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill.

This year, O'Malley will celebrate her 50th anniversary in nursing. She graduated and received her registered nursing degree from Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y. She spent 30 years as an emergency room nurse in Queens, N.Y. O'Malley moved to Spring Hill 12 years ago and has been at Spring Hill Health and Rehab Center for the past seven years.

Employees chosen as Associate of the Month receive $50, a designated parking space and other special recognition.

* * *

Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill, has announced its "stars" for the month of September. Each month, an associate representing each of the hospital's three areas of service - nursing, ancillary and support - is chosen in a process that involves nominations and voting by the staff.

This month's stars are Brenda Cavonis, Lisa Emerson and Brian Hagen.

Cavonis, a registered nurse and operating room charge nurse, has been with Oak Hill since 1992. She started in the nursing department on the third floor as a certified nursing assistant prior to transferring to the operating room. Cavonis runs the OR control desk and is also the OR module coordinator. She lives in Brooksville. Emerson is the rehab coordinator and has been at Oak Hill since 1997. She has worked in registration and central scheduling for the emergency room and outpatient services, as well as the business office. She left the hospital in 2001 and returned in 2003.

Emerson manages the rehabilitation office and assists the director of rehabilitation services.

She and her husband, Gary, live in Homosassa with their son.

Hagen, maintenance technician, joined Oak Hill's plant operations department in March 2001, where he maintains the air-conditioning equipment. Hagen and his wife, Virginia, live in Homosassa. They have a daughter in college.

* * *

Peter John Pereyra of Gray Information Solutions, 12812 Coronado Drive, Spring Hill, has completed training and certification for the CompTIA Server + Certification.

CompTIA Server + Certification validates the knowledge and skills of advanced information technology technicians. Achieving the certification demonstrates that a person possesses the skills and abilities necessary to perform basic server support and provides a foundation for further professional growth.

Training was conducted by Adaptec Corp. The certification is a partial requirement for Gray Information Solutions to become an authorized IBM warranty service provider.

* * *

Dr. James J. Ronzo, a fellowship-trained spine surgeon with Gulfcoast Spine Institute, 10091 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill, recently passed his Part III clinical examination of the board exams. His score was 97 percent.

The two-day exam covers individual chart surveys and surgical observations. Board-certified surgeons observed Ronzo performing actual surgeries. The examiners look for pre-op evaluations or workups, surgical indications, operating room relationships and conduct, and surgical technique. Ronzo scored 100 percent. The board certification exam is taken within the first six years upon completion of a doctor's internship.

Ronzo can be reached at 592-7772.

* * *

Dr. Michael W. Higgins of Hernando Orthopaedic & Spinal Surgery, 10429 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, attended the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics' 70th annual Clinical Assembly of Osteopathic Specialists. The assembly was in New Orleans from Sept. 14 to 17.

Higgins attended seminars focusing on new spinal technologies, pediatrics, sports medicine and adult arthritic conditions. He earned 28 hours of educational units.

Higgins can be reached at 688-6035.

Events

The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have ribbon cuttings at the following businesses this week:

- Clipper Magazine, at the chamber's Spring Hill office, 4044 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. For information, call Holly Kemper at 428-6695.

- Browning Insurance Agency, 1 N Main St., Brooksville, at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. For information, call Mark Browning at 796-3532.

- Cheladyn Enterprises, 10184 Hernando Ridge Road, Woodland Waters, north of Weeki Wachee, at 11:30 a.m. Friday. For information, call Jason Cheladyn at 754-9222.

* * *

Ruth Wharton, owner of The Book Fair, 1219 Kass Circle, Spring Hill, will celebrate 23 years in business today through Saturday. This week, customers will receive a complimentary gift and details on a drawing for a special gift. Call 686-1682.

* * *

A breast cancer fundraiser will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Avon Development Center, 3517 Commercial Way, Spring Hill; and at Big Lots, 20040 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, on Oct. 25.

Each Wednesday in October, independent sales representative Susan Dixon will sell Avon products to raise money to fight the disease. For each purchase, a free breast health resource guide will be given, and those who make a purchase will be entered in a drawing to win a $75 basket of Avon products. All proceeds from the sale benefit the Avon Breast Cancer Foundation.

Call Dixon at 684-9299.

* * *

Kellie Edwards of Nature Coast Catering and Kristina Boone, a Party Lite consultant, will present an "Evening of Decadence - Chocolate & Candies," at 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Spring Hill Community Association's Lake House, 1202 Kenlake Ave., Spring Hill.

The event is a fundraiser, with 50 percent of the proceeds benefiting the Humane Society of the Nature Coast. The evening will include appetizers, desserts, a chocolate fountain, coffee and hot chocolate, and a cash bar. Host will display and sell gift items for the holidays. Entertainment will be provided by Teri Lyons and the 4 Non-Breeders.

Tickets are $30, and the deadline for purchasing tickets is Wednesday. Call Kellie Edwards at 585-6497.

* * *

The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly after-hours business mixer from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill. Contact Heather at 796-0697.

* * *

Oak Hill Hospital will host a reception for newcomers to the community at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Hernando Medical Office Building, Entrance C, Room 403, 11375 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill.

The free reception has limited seating and reservations are required. To RSVP, call 597-6333.

* * *

The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Society of Accountants will have its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Wellington at Seven Hills clubhouse, 400 Wexford Drive, Spring Hill.

The speaker will be Kay Torano, public affairs specialist for the Social Security Administration, Tampa office. The topic will be Social Security benefits, Medicare participation and general information regarding the Social Security program.

Reservations are required. Call Barbara Kight at 799-6308 no later than Tuesday. Call Pat Cornett at 597-3460.

* * *

Diven Investments, 12458 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, will offer a free seminar, "Building Your Financial Stability and Independence with the Help of Equity Index," at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, Spring Hill.

The speaker will be Jim Diven, investment consultant and president of Diven Investments. Lunch will include a choice of grilled chicken caesar salad, turkey croissant or stuffed shells. RSVP by today to Jim Diven at 683-4

* * *

The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce presents its "Keys to Success" from 8:30 a.m. to noon Friday at the Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, Spring Hill.

The business development series provides professional training opportunities throughout the year to new and existing businesses.

The cost is $15 per person in advance, $20 at the door. Advance reservations are required. Call 796-0697.

* * *

The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a tribute to Hernando County National Guard Troops, beginning at 2 p.m. Oct. 22 at the National Guard Armory, 38017 Live Oak Ave., at the intersection with 5th Street, Dade City.

Members of Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 116th Field Artillery have returned home after a 15-month deployment to Afghanistan. Festivities will include the unveiling of a monument in their honor. The monument will include eight soldiers from Hernando County: Sgt. 1st Class Randal Sikes, Robert Armstrong, Joseph Beichner, Trevison Clark, Christopher Dillow, Richard Roush, Keith Ward and Christopher Booth.

A benefit concert will begin at 4 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Donald McBath Activity Center (Pasco High School), 36850 State Road 52, Dade City, featuring Pure Country Gold, Jennifer LeMoss and River Junction Band.

Tickets are available at both Hernando County Chamber offices for $10 per person. Children under 10 are free.

For more information, contact Carla Hayes at 796-0697, ext. 15.

* * *

Carrabba's Italian Grill, 12957 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill, will honor the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind during its opening night, beginning at 4 p.m. Oct. 23. For each meal served, a donation will be given to the Lighthouse

Lighthouse staffers will be present to greet Carrabba's patrons and to answer questions about services and programs that are offered free of charge to visually impaired and blind residents of Hernando County.

For more information, call 597-9805.

If you have announcements you would like to share with our readers, mail the details to Jean Hayes, Business Digest, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613-6174. You may also e-mail items to jhayes@sptimes.com or fax them to 754-6133. Items may be edited for length and clarity. Photos are published as space permits; they will not be returned.

[Last modified October 15, 2006, 21:47:42]