The week in words

By Times Staff Writer
Published October 28, 2007

"I've got a king cobra who wants to kill me every time I take him out of his cage. So, yes, he's got a heck of a personality."

Jim Mendenhall of Spring Hill, a snake handler and lifelong admirer of the species, answering a question during a recent presentation.

"She's housebroken. She sits on command. She lays in bed and watches TV with us. She's our baby."

Patricia Dorvee, explaining to Hernando County Commissioners the special relationship her family has with Baycon, their potbellied pig. Commissioners allowed the family to keep the pig at their Weeki Wachee Acres home, despite zoning regulations against livestock in residential areas.

Editor's note: The following is a recap of the week's news events , in the words of the newsmakers.

"Leave me alone. I'm going back into the woods to die."

Pete Bell, speaking to Darcy Chase several months ago when Chase offered him a meal at a Brooksville restaurant. The encounter helped lead to the formation of Love Your Neighbor Inc., a nonprofit group that provides dinner every Sunday for people, whether homeless or not.

"God gives us the opportunity to help others, but we miss them. I've missed many, but thank God, I didn't miss this one."

Darcy Chase, reflecting on the Love Your Neighbor's efforts.

"Not everyone believes in angels but when a soldier in the middle of the desert opens a box and finds a Christmas tree, trimmings, goodies and cards inside, it's a pretty safe bet he or she will feel an angel is on his or her shoulder."

Barbara Newlin, an organizer of the Trees for Troops effort in Hernando County, which has been collecting miniature artificial Christmas trees and donated items for a holiday treat for service personnel serving overseas.

"We didn't have all those red tags and impact fees. Those were the good old days. The fun has gone out of this business. It's no longer enjoyable."

Monte Ford, one of the founders of Pine Aire Homes, which has been building homes in Hernando since 1974.

"We can't save all of them, but we've got to try. We have to show them someone cares."

James Yant, an organizer of Youth Recovery Services Inc., a group that aims to help youths who have had minor scrapes with the law avoid getting into deeper trouble.

"That's not enough room. Tractor-trailers are knocking down the curbs. We have more people making U-turns. Some have to back up (to complete the turn)."

Ed Ryan, manager for three years of the Shell gas station at Spring Hill Drive and Mariner Boulevard. Some residents have complained that the recently renovated intersection now has U-turn lanes that are too narrow.

"You can't drive a 30-inch peg into a 20-inch hole. We added three lanes to that intersection."

Bill Bachschmidt, co-owner of DAB Constructors Inc. of Inglis, the major contractor on the Spring Hill/Mariner project, acknowledging the project had limitations.

"People need to realize it's like a one story house going to a six story house while you're living in it. It is bound to inconvenience."

Bachschmidt, responding to complaints that the project took too long to finish.

[Last modified October 27, 2007, 20:08:30]