Hometown

By Times Correspondent
Published October 3, 2007

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Military News

Cadet Adam Norton, U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps-Suncoast Squadron, recently graduated from recruit boot camp at the Naval Technical Training Center in Pensacola.

Norton's "Romeo Company" earned the rank of "honor company."

Norton, 17, graduated from airman training at the naval station in Norfolk, Va., in July and was promoted to the rank of E3 airman. While there, he worked on F-18 Hornets and the F-18 Super Hornet.

In June, he went to Pensacola for two weeks of recruit training. While there, his unit was asked to participate in the 65th anniversary ceremony of the Battle of Midway. Other participants included sailors, soldiers, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen from the base. Norton's unit was awarded the honor award, and Norton received a plank owner certificate.

Norton is a junior at Central High School, where he is a petty officer 2nd class squad leader in the Navy Junior ROTC program. He is the son of Joseph and Virginia Norton of Spring Hill.

High Fives

Local entertainer and recording artist Mary Swan recently returned from Philadelphia, where she had been invited to attend the 50th anniversary celebration of Dick Clark's American Bandstand on Aug. 2.

Bandstand, which actually began in 1952, went nationwide in August 1957. Jerry Blavat was the emcee for the event. Many famous artists attended, including Swan's idol, Connie Frances, Chubby Checker, Charlie Gracie, Bill Haley's Comets, and Danny and the Juniors.

The celebration was at 46th and Market streets in Philadelphia, the site of the original Bandstand shows. Many of the original dancers were there, including "Arlene and Kenny" and "Justine and Bob."

Swan said she enjoyed a fantastic day. She also appeared on Good Morning Americaon Aug. 5.

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Lorinda Eldredge of Spring Hill has been named to the dean's list at St. Leo University. A grade-point average of 3.7 or higher must be obtained to make the list. Eldredge also received the Datatel "Angelfire" scholarship, which is awarded to Vietnam veterans or their family members.

Eldredge is a member of the Psi Chi Honor Society and the National Honor Society for Psychology. A junior, Eldredge will graduate in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in psychology. She is the wife of James A. Eldredge.

Clubs and Organizations

Members of the Suncoast Harmony Chorus, west-central Florida chapter of Sweet Adelines, International surprised their director, Amy Riddle, with a birthday party during a recent rehearsal.

Riddle was presented with a birthday cake loaded with tall, black candles to drive home the "over the hill" theme. In addition, chorus members dressed in black to tease Riddle on the arrival of her fourth decade.

For information about Suncoast Harmony Chorus or Sweet Adelines, International, contact Cindy at 597-4376 or visit www.suncoast-harmony.com.

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The Hernando County Commission recently presented the Spring Hill Dixie Softball Darlings All Stars with a resolution proclaiming county recognition for the team's representation of Hernando County and Florida at the Dixie World Series in North Carolina.

The team, which consists of 12 girls ages 7 and 8, were the 2007 Florida State champions. They advanced to represent Hernando and Florida at the Dixie World Series, where they tied for third place.

Team members included: Sarah Brown, Breana Desmond, Celine Kordon, Lauren Jones, Alyssa Gonzalez, Amanda Leyden, Abby Marshall, Taylor Russell, Kama Woodall, Brittney Howell, Abbey Primavera and Skylar Heyward.

Melissa Russell was the team manager; Tony Brown, Mark Kordon and Glenn Primavera were the assistant coaches.

[Last modified October 2, 2007, 21:22:33]