Hometown

By TIMES STAFF
Published July 29, 2007

High Fives

Heather L. McCarty has accepted the position of youth ministry director at the Ridge Manor Community Methodist Church on Cortez Boulevard in Ridge Manor.

A language arts teacher at Eastside Elementary School, McCarty has received several nominations for "Teacher of the Year" along with other awards of recognition for her work with students.

McCarty and her husband, Paul, were born and raised in Connecticut. They met in the youth group at the church where his uncle was pastor. They have been involved in church and community activities ever since.

McCarty attended Christian Liberal Arts College. The parents of five boys, the McCartys are in the process of adopting a baby girl from Guatemala.

Clubs and Organizations

The Hernando Performing Arts Guild presented its 2007 scholarships to students who are continuing their education in one of the performing arts - music or technical theater.

The recipients - Ben Gatza, Chynna Oden, Robert Tucker and Melissa Parker - each received $2,000.

Gatza, Oden and Tucker are recent graduates of Hernando High School. Parker is a former HHS graduate, who is enrolled at Stetson University.

Barbara Ferraro, guild president, and Kathy Vidal, guild scholarship chairwoman, presented the four students with their awards.

* * *

The Hernando County Philippine-American Association Inc. celebrated the 109th year of Philippine independence at Linda Pedersen Park in Hernando Beach on June 9 with a Family Day Grand Fiesta Party.

This year's affair surpassed attendance at last year's celebration, with 130 attending. Aurora Rice, association president, reported that new members had joined the organization, with a total of 100 families now in the registry.

Filipinos, Americans and other nationalities gathered to celebrate, taking part in games, raffles, contests, dancing, singing, swimming, crabbing, fishing, barbecued foods and special Philippine cuisine, including a "lechon" (pig roast) and desserts.

A brief history of the Philippines for the benefit of guests was shared. The Philippines became a colony of the United States from 1901 to 1941. During that period, the Japanese invaded and occupied the Philippines for four years until Gen. Douglas McArthur returned to liberated it in 1944.

The United States granted the Philippines its independence on July 4, 1946. However, in 1962, then-Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal changed the Philippine Independence Day celebration to June 12, which was deemed as the true independence from Spain in 1898.

* * *

The 10th annual Cancer Golf Awareness Tournament at Silverthorn Country Club netted $17,170 for Hernando-Pasco Hospice, a record. The fundraiser was hosted by the Silverthorn Golf Associations with the State Farm Insurance agents of Hernando County serving as the tournament sponsor.

Gold sponsors were: Century 21 Alliance Realty-Gail Spada and Re/Max Realty-Alan and Karen Hardy. Silver sponsors were: Eagle Buick Pontiac GMC of Homosassa, Leon and Ida Isaacs and Mortgage Solutions.

Bronze sponsors were: A&E Interlocking Pavers, Florida Fan and Light, Lynn Hayward, Pro Craft Installations, Rick Matthew Buick-Pontiac GMC of Homosassa, Spring Hill Regional Hospital, Suncoast Lawn Maintenance, Suncoast Turf Care and Turner Funeral Homes.

The foursome of Bernie Sheehan, Tom Sheehan, Jim Stack and Mary Stack won first place.

The tournament began in 1998 and was initially limited to members of Silverthorn Ladies Golf Association. In 2003, the Silverthorn Men's Golf Association paired up with the ladies to host the tournament.

Ida Isaacs and Joe Taylor were chairpersons for the event. Barbara Sparks was recognized at the luncheon for providing the vision for the fundraiser. Since its inception, the golf tournament has raised more than $56,900 for Hospice.

Hernando-Pasco Hospice is a nonprofit agency that provides care, comfort and support to individuals and family members affected by a life-limiting illness regardless of ability to pay.

Recreation and Sports

The 28th annual Florida's Sunshine State Games took place recently in Lakeland. The Olympic-style sports festival with 25 different sports boasted more than 7,000 athletes.

The Sunshine State Games is a program of the state of Florida, offering affordable competition for all of Florida's amateur athletes.

The tae kwon do competitions were held June 16, in accordance to modified World Taekwondo Foundation and USA Taekwondo rules for competition.

Representing Moon's Tae Kwon Do College of Spring Hill were Phylicia Irons, Nicholas Opalka, Jacob Magy, Corey Humphrey and Daniel Bystry-Wells. Accompanying the students were master Hyun-Wook Moon and instructor Nick Polley, 3rd Don black belt.

Irons, 15, earned a gold medal in forms and a bronze in board breaking. Opalka, 9, earned a gold medal in board breaking. Humphrey, 11, earning a gold medal in forms and board breaking. Bystry-Wells, 12, earned a gold medal in forms and a bronze in board breaking.

The students are now eligible for the Southeast Regional Games in August.

Notes of Thanks

The Hernando County Shrine Club would like to thank the thousands of Hernando County residents and businesses that supported our countywide Hospital Benefit Days campaign for 2007.

Our primary objective annually is to provide financial support for the Tampa Shriners Hospital for Children and the Egypt Shrine's hospital transportation fund.

The Shriners Hospitals for Children nationwide are dedicated to excellence in specialized patient care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs. Children up to the age of 18 with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for admission and receive all care at no charge, regardless of financial need or relationship to a Shriner.

One hundred percent of proceeds and individual contributions during the Benefit Days campaign go to provide financial support to the Shriners Hospital in Tampa and to the Egypt Shrine transportation fund, which provides free air travel for children with severe burn injuries to the nearest Shriners Hospital burn clinic for further treatment.

Currently, 581 Hernando County children are active patients and receiving treatment at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Tampa. On behalf of these kids and their families, we thank everyone in Hernando County for their generous support in our annual campaign to "Help Us, Help a Child Get Well" program.

Individuals who know of a child with orthopedic problems, severe burns or a spinal cord injury that a Shriners Hopsital might be able to help should call toll-free 1-800-237-5506.

Don Halloran, president Hernando County Shrine Club

[Last modified July 28, 2007, 22:17:43]