Digest

Hometown Hernando

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 24, 2007

Military News

Navy Reserve Seaman Apprentice Michael J. Daniello recently completed Navy basic training at the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill., with honors.

During the eight-week program, Daniello completed a variety of training, including classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis is also placed on physical fitness.

Daniello is the son of Barbara J. and Dennis J. Daniello of Spring Hill.

High Fives

Five-year-old Skylar Daniel; her mother, Brooke Daniel, and grandmother, Janice Daniel, all headed to Tampa on Sept. 15 to attend the free 2007 open house at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

Skylar, who attends kindergarten at Chocachatti Elementary School and is a student at Erin's Danceworks, was excited to see the Radio City Rockettes. She watches them repeatedly on a videotape as they perform during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The day included a tour of the center, free food samples and face painting, but Skylar's goal was to have the Rockettes sign her "Christmas in New York" pop-up book on the page where they are featured.

The Rockettes were caring, gracious and encouraging to Skylar and all the others who stood in line waiting to visit with them. When Skylar approached, the dancers not only signed her book, but asked her to dance for them, which she did. But an even bigger highlight came for Skylar when the Rockettes asked her to dance with them in their famous kick routine.

Clubs and Organizations

In a fictional scenario, Jane Doe, a 92-year-old woman living alone in Hernando County, at or below the national poverty level, is faced with a choice. Does she pay her electric bill, purchase food for her pantry or buy prescription medication this month? The Senior Rx Assistance Program was set up to help seniors who are faced with such an emergency crisis.

The program, a charitable trust, was formed by state Rep. Robert Schenck. The program is provided through a network of community volunteers and agencies that are committed to providing services and advocacy to help people improve their lives.

The program recently received several generous donations, and Schenck was on hand to recognize the donors. The Hernando County Firefighters Professional 3760 and Spring Hill Firefighters Professional 2794 recently donated $4,000. In addition, the Spring Hill firefighters donated another $1,000. The program also received a grant of $2,500 from the Community Foundation of Hernando County.

Senior Rx is for Hernando County residents 60 or older who need financial assistance in purchasing prescription medications.

According to Debbie Walker-Druzbick, president, the funds could not have come at a better time, because the summer has been long and hot, which made for rising utility bills.

For information about the program, call 597-6331 or stop by the Oak Hill Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd. (behind the hospital), Spring Hill. Senior Rx is a nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.

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The Hispanic Scholarship Civic & Cultural Foundation had its fourth annual Spanish Heritage Festival on Sept. 29 at the Hernando County Fairgrounds. The foundation's mission is to help disadvantaged Spanish students in the community with scholarships.

The festival, according to Gladys del S. Pedersen, president, was a celebration of the entire community coming together, sharing Spanish music, food and traditions.

The event featured carnival rides, games of chance and a Spanish food court, along with the usual fair foods, entertainment, a salsa demo, raffle, nonstop music provided by D.J. Mr. T and the festival queen pageant. Proceeds from the event benefit the foundation's scholarship fund.

Entertainment was provided by John Leggio's Center for the Performing Arts, Elvis impersonator Kenny Grube, Sean and Jessica Doolittle, the Dragon Dojo and DiAna's Dance Express. Representatives of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office brought their DARE car, and Spring Hill Fire Rescue displayed its fire safety house.

Elvia Yuliska Acre, 18, a senior at Hernando High School, was crowned queen. Members of her royalty include: Veronica Tuza, 17, from Springstead High School; Rachel Kibbit, 17, from Nature Coast Technical High School; Hunter Joy Hayes, 13, from Parrott Middle School, and Natalia Casvajal, 13, from J.D. Floyd Elementary School.

Judges included John Leggio, Orlando dAgrella and Jean Hayes, community news coordinator for the Hernando Times.

Business sponsors included: A Special Occasion, AllStar Real Estate, Belk, Brighthouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill in Port Richey, Chili's Grill & Bar, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Dunkin' Donuts, Hernando County Emergency Management, Home Depot, House of Claddagh, Johnny Carino's, LaBella Sausage, Long John Silver, Mike's Auto Body & Repair, Mariner Bowling Lanes, Murphy's Market, Nature Coast Cafe, Office Depot, Papa Joe's Italian Restaurant, Pit Boss Bar-B-Q, Publix at Barclay and Mariner Commons, Russell Group/Russell Pool Services, Red Lobster, Sam's Club, Sherwood Forest, Sweet Bay, the Breakfast Club, the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Spring Hill and WWJB Radio.

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A dinner was held at American Legion Post 186 on Sept. 29 to honor the young men and women who the post and auxiliary sponsored to attend the 2007 Boys State and Girls State programs, as well as the Americanism essay winner.

Representing the post, Charles Murray served as Boys State chairman, assisted by George Kennedy. Following interviews done months ago, the post selected five student delegates and two alternates.

Representing Auxiliary Unit 186, Betty Lou Bennett was the Girls State chairwoman, assisted by a committee that included Mary Ann Slajchert, Betty Corbin (past president) and Terry Dewey (past president). The auxiliary committee selected four delegates after they completed interviews.

Selected as delegates for Boys State, were: Matthew David Frketic, Scott Daniel Bishop, Elas Daniel LeBron, Christopher Jones and Nathan Scott Barnwell.

Selected as delegates for Girls State were: Rachel Kibbit, Lauren McKenna, Mallory Mengler and Camille McAvoy.

Toni Palermo, although unable to attend, was recognized for being the 2007 winner of the Americanism essay contest, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.

The 2007 Girls State program was June 14-22, and the Boys State program was June 24-30. The programs provide the students with citizenship training, government education and a sense of pride in American traditions and values with a better understanding of the responsibilities of citizenship.

Following the dinner, the delegates shared stories of their time in Tallahassee. They spoke about the experiences and knowledge they acquired in writing bills, passing laws and other parliamentary procedures.

Housing was provided at Florida State University. The students received three hours of college credit and one credit for a high school social science course.

[Last modified October 23, 2007, 20:02:51]