Hometown

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 4, 2007

Military News

Navy Seaman Recruit Krystal Airall recently completed Navy basic training at the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Airall 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 was also placed on physical fitness.

Airall is a 2007 graduate of Central High School and the daughter of Vonnette Airall of Spring Hill.

Clubs and Organizations

Knights of Columbus, St. Joan of Arc Council 11317 has formed a Squires Circle, with the assistance of Sir Knight Sal Rotella, who formed a similar group at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church about five years ago.

With Rotella's help, along with five boys who transferred to the newly established circle at St. Joan of Arc, the new group currently boasts 17 young men and many adult counselors. Rotella will serve as program director; and Jim DeMarco, Albert Peura and Frank Shellcock will serve as assistant directors.

Squires Circles are designed to be run both by and for young Catholic men. In Florida, there are only 26 active Squires Circles; in Hernando County, there are now two. About 35 years ago, Knights of Columbus, St. Jude Council 6383 formed the first Squires Circle, but it is no longer active, according to Robert Miller, state chairman. St. Frances Cabrini Council 13209 formed Hernando's second circle.

The Squires Circle was established in 1925, in New Mexico by Barnabas McDonald, who had gained a national reputation for his volunteer work with delinquents and orphans. He felt he could build on the success of groups like Boy Scouts and Big Brothers.

Each Circle is supervised by a Knights of Columbus council or assembly, and has an advisory board made up of either the grand knight, the deputy grand knight and chaplain, or the faithful navigator, the faithful captain and faithful friar.

New squires inducted include: Angel Morera Jr., Alex Morera, Chris Norcia, Nick Norcia, Michael Dolin, John Ricciord, Marshall Dillion, Joseph Morrizo, Russell Alonzo, Daniel Francois, Edward Hopper and Kevin Dewitt.

The five young men who transferred to the new circle have been assigned positions in the circle. The remainder of the positions will be filled at a later time. To date, T.J. Panepinto is the chief squire; Anthony Mediate, deputy chief squire; Mike Bene, service chairman; Michael Saverino, sentry squire; and Joseph Saverino, membership chairman.

The purpose of the Squire Circle is to prepare young men to become members of the Knights of Columbus. The obligations of membership include aspiring to imitate Christ to better progress in wisdom, age and grace, and pledging to give loyal service and devotion to country and church.

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Following a performance during the PhilFest 2007 in Tampa, the choral and dance group of the Hernando County Philippine-American Association was invited to perform during the Spring Hill Community Association's 40th birthday celebration Sept. 22.

The group's rendition of the Pinoy Medley and Halina Sa Kabukiranand cultural dances Tiniklin and Pandango Sa Ilaw were the highlights of the presentations.

The association was formed in 2005 to promote Philippine culture and values, and to serve the community. For information on HCPAA, visit www.hernandocountyphil-am.org.

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Kids Night at the Spring Hill Community Association's 40th birthday celebration, on Sept. 21 at the Lake House, was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Spring Hill.

The club coordinated the Friday night event with the Spring Hill Community Association, which was the presenter of the weekend celebration, Sept. 22 and 23. Kids Night was an evening of fun for families and younger children.

The Kiwanis Club provided free kids bags and other giveaways, rides, a midway, face painting, entertainment, cotton candy, hamburgers, sausage and pepper sandwiches, hotdogs, Italian ice and ice cream. The highlight of the night was the grand prize drawing of a new BMX bicycle, donated by Zoltan Serfozo, owner of Extreme Bicycles in the Northcliffe Plaza in Spring Hill.

Dylan Buchman, 6, son of Ruth and Craig Buchman, was the winner. In addition, Serfozo fitted Dylan with a bike helmet so he could safely ride his new bicycle.

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The Hernando County Commission recently presented Airman 1st Class Felicia Hunt with a proclamation, commending her for heroism and for putting into action her Air Force skills and training.

Hunt helped save the lives of two young people while on a recent boating trip.

Though she was unaware of the situation, two young men had been pulled out of the Weeki Wachee River after they were found face down in the water, not breathing. After Hunt's boat passed a group of people standing on the beach, she heard one utter, "Oh, God, why?" Hunt, without hesitation, dove in and swam to the beach to offer help.

After announcing that she had been trained in CPR, Hunt began administering lifesaving skills to the first patient, and continued until he was stabilized. She then began assisting the second patient. She remained on the scene until paramedics took over.

[Last modified November 3, 2007, 20:12:05]