Hometown

By TIMES STAFF
Published August 19, 2007

High Fives

Rose Pellgrin celebrated her 95th birthday on July 22 with more than 70 of her closest friends and family members at the Harmony House Family Restaurant in Masaryktown.

Restaurant owners Pete and Mariana Mandreanu, along with their sons, Adrian and Dan, aspired to make the party special for the woman they've grown to know and love.

Pellgrin has been eating at Harmony House practically since it opened, more than 12 years. Sometimes she stops by just for soup, which she often takes to go, delivering it to the group home where her daughter, Marian, who has Down's syndrome, lives.

The entire restaurant was decorated in pink, one of Pellgrin's favorite colors. From flowers on the tables, to the tablecloths, napkins, plates, balloons and other decorations, pink was the theme. Even the waitresses, who normally wear burgundy tops, switched to pink for the day.

At other parties, the guest of honor might be found sitting at the head table, basking in the spotlight, waiting for guests to visit and offer salutations. But not Pellgrin. As guests arrived for her party, she acted as hostess, greeting everyone and thanking them for coming.

On the dance floor, no one would ever guess Pellgrin's age. She kicked up her heels with Mariana Mandreanu and daughter Marian.

Pellgrin was lavished with gifts, which is not customary for the woman known for hosting a Christmas party each year for developmentally disabled children, all clients of the Key Center in Citrus County. She purchases most of the gifts herself so everyone goes home with one. This year will mark the 27th Christmas party Pellgrin has organized.

"I'm doing God's work," she says modestly.

Clubs and Organizations

Brooksville Moose Family Center 1676 on Wiscon Road presented three high school seniors with $750 scholarships during a ceremony at the lodge.

Kevin Moglia, a member of the scholarship committee, presented scholarships to: Christopher VanLeuven from Nature Coast Technical High School, Shawna Trammell from Central High School and Macie Butler from Seminole Ridge High School.

The Moose Defending Circle Scholarship program has been awarding seniors for outstanding community service work and a commitment to continue their education for the past seven years.

Veterans

U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite recently presented seven Hernando County veterans with medals to honor their military service.

Edward Carroll of Spring Hill received the United Nations service medal, Korean service medal, National Defense service medal and Korean War service medal.

Michael Gagliano of Spring Hill received the Bronze Star, Army commendation, good conduct medal, National Defense service medal, Vietnam service medal, Republic of Vietnam campaign ribbon, expert badge and auto rifle bar, marksman badge and rifle bar, and Cold War recognition certificate.

Russell Lebaron of Brooksville received the good conduct medal, National Defense service medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary, Vietnam Service medal, Republic of Vietnam campaign ribbon, sharpshooter badge and pistol bar and rifle bar, and the Marksman badge and auto rifle bar.

Michael Lentini of Spring Hill received the Cold War recognition certificate.

Henry Norman of Spring Hill received the Cold War recognition certificate.

Joseph Walters of Brooksville received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air medal, good conduct medal, American Campaign, WWII Victory, African-Middle Eastern Campaign and honorable service lapel pin.

Shirley Weisberger of Spring Hill, in memory of her late husband, Martin Weisberger, received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air medal, Honorable Service lapel button, American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, WWII Victory and good conduct medal.

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[Last modified August 18, 2007, 20:42:20]