Hometown

By TIMES STAFF
Published August 12, 2007

High Fives

The Florida's Coast to Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross, which includes Marion, Lake, Sumter, Citrus, Hernando, Flagler and Volusia counties, had its 90th annual meeting June 20 in Daytona Beach.

The 2007 Volunteers of the Year, by service area, were honored, including: Albert Abend, Citrus/Hernando; Paula Wehr, Volusia/Flagler; and Mary Tata, Lake/Sumter/Marion.

The 2007 Rookies of the Year (by service area) were honored, including: Chris Knudsen III, Citrus/Hernando; Philip Mortimer, Volusia/Flagler; and Michele and Glenn Shepherd, Lake/Sumter/Marion.

The following were elected and installed to the board: Lori Stone-Maschund, Rick Rice and Pete Zahn. Re-elected to the board were: Jessie Clark, Barbara Kingston, Dennis Kozack and James Ryan.

The following will serve as officers: Peggy Hildebrand, chairman; Sherry Burger, vice chairman; Rick Thompson, secretary; and Laura Bounds, treasurer.

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Allison Gibson, a teacher at Eastside Elementary School, recently won first prize in Honeywell's second annual "Got 2B Safe!" awards program. The program recognizes teachers who are committed to keeping children safe from abduction and sexual exploitation.

Because of her work, Gibson will receive $500 worth of school supplies. The program sponsors are Honeywell and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Clubs and Organizations

Members of Cub Scout Pack 459, sponsored by Brooksville Elks Lodge 2582, recently attended the Elks Umatilla, Florida Youth Camp. The boys enjoyed activities including swimming and canoeing, but because of the ongoing drought, there was no fishing tournament.

The total cost of the three-day camp was $600 per boy, and the lodge donated $250, which was used as the deposit for registration. Earlier this year, the pack held a spaghetti dinner at the lodge to raise funds to help with camp expenses.

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Kathy Jones, interim executive director for the United Way of Hernando County, announced that the organization has completed all of the United Way of America membership requirements satisfactorily and on time.

The requirements included: self-assessment profile, membership requirements certification, membership investment, and the Database 2 Survey of total resources generated (a survey that captures the full extent of a community's resource development efforts during the year).

"The membership standards must be certified annually in order for us to remain a member of the United Way system," Jones said.

United Way of Hernando County helps provide funding for programs that address the nurturing children and youth, family and individual life skills, helping in hard times and good health.

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The Hernando County Sheriff's Office recently had its second annual Behind the Star coloring contest. Behind the Star is a semiannual newspaper publication that is distributed in both the St. Petersburg Times and the Tampa Tribune. There were two age groups, with one winner in each group.

The main purpose of the coloring contest is to let children know that Sheriff Richard B. Nugent and employees of the Sheriff's Office care about them and want to give them an opportunity to participate in events. The kid's page of the Behind the Star publication is titled "Kids are Stars Too."

The Sheriff's Office thanked Billy Healis with the Wal-Mart Distribution Center for his assistance in making the contest possible. Wal-Mart Distribution Center donated bicycles for the winners.

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On June 16, the Epsilon Epsilon Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi had its legacy tea at the home of Peggy Brim.

The Beta Sigma Phi legacy program allows members to enroll girls at any time, from birth to their 18th birthday. Upon enrollment, the sponsor receives a necklace and membership card to present to her legacy.

The Saturday before Mother's Day is the suggested date to have a Legacy Day ritual celebration to recognize the young women and present them with the necklaces.

In addition to a welcome letter, the legacy receives birthday cards, newsletters and other special correspondence from the international organization until she reaches her 18th birthday. Once she reaches 18, she may affiliate with a chapter. Upon joining a chapter, the legacy's first-year fees are waived.

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Seventy members of the Withlacoochee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, the recently chartered Citrus County Fort Cooper Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and guests convened a joint meeting at the Inverness Golf and Country Club on June 25.

The Withlacoochee Chapter Color Guard, dressed in colonial military uniforms, posted the colors to the drum beat of junior member Paul Pardee. The Fort Cooper Chapter flag was presented to Carolyn Ohlmeyer, first vice regent, by John Tucker, DAR liaison chairman, as a gift from the Withlacoochee Chapter.

The Withlacoochee Chapter presented the SAR bronze good citizen medal to Marine Lance Cpl. Michael Harres, who served two tours of duty in Iraq with the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. Harres is a graduate of Central High School and the son of Dr. Burt Harres of Spring Hill. The presentation was made by John Shinn.

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[Last modified August 11, 2007, 20:48:41]