Hometown

By Times Staff Writer
Published November 18, 2007

High Fives

Dr. Brian Roebuck of Good Shepherd Medical Clinic, 11329 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill, recently completed Community Emergency Response Team training.

Completion of the CERT training program now qualifies Roebuck as a member of the President's Citizen Corp. CERT is a program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and a part of USA Freedom Corp.

Roebuck is board certified in family practice. He received his medical degree in 1979 from Wayne State University in Detroit. He then had an internship in obstetrics and gynecology and completed his residency in family practice at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Mich., in 1982.

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Dean Linton of Brooksville was one of six Scouts who represented the Gulf Ridge Councilat the 21st World Scout Jamboree in Chelmsford, Essex, England.

The jamboree is held every four years, and Scouts must be between the ages of 14 and 17 to participate. This year's jamboree marked the 100th anniversary of Lord Baden-Powell, who founded the Scouting movement. The theme was "One World, One Promise." More than 40,000 Scouts from 150 countries attended. Prince Charles and Prince William attended the opening ceremonies.

In addition to attending the jamboree, the Scouts toured landmarks such as Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, the National Maritime Museum, Big Ben and Tower Bridge.

Linton, an Eagle Scout, was the only representative from the Withlacoochee District, covering Hernando, Citrus and Sumter counties. He is a member of Troop 796, which is chartered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of Brooksville. He is the son of Ruthanne and Gary Linton of Brooksville.

Clubs and Organizations

Carol Smith, a member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, Spring Hill Service League, was recently visiting relatives in Tennessee when she became ill and was admitted to Blount Memorial Cancer Center.

Smith was so thankful for the great care she received that she not only sent a letter of appreciation, but after returning to Spring Hill she sent more than 250 knitted hats for cancer patients at the center. The hats were knitted by Smith and eight other members of the Spring Hill Service League of the GFWC during monthly meetings.

The group participates in projects such as facilitating the donation, cleaning and distributing prom dresses to local needy teens, donating handmade quilts to Operation Smile, and donating money to the United Way.

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Brooksville Elks Lodge 2582 on Cortez Boulevard, recently held its very first Medal of Valor program.

Previously unaware of the program, Paul Stark, exalted ruler, was recently informed by the national Elks that the program existed. Gail Cleaves, chairwoman of the Elks veterans committee, immediately gathered her committee together and presented a ceremony for three local families who lost sons in the war on terror.

Recognized wereDan and Karen Barr, parents of Army Staff Sgt. Michael Wayne Schafer, 25, of Spring Hill, who died in 2005, while on patrol outside Kandahar, Afghanistan; Dee Mills, mother of Marine Corps Sgt. Lea Mills, 21, of Masaryktown, who died in 2006, in Al Anbar Province, Iraq; and Anita Lewis, mother of Army Spc. Cody Grater, 20, of Spring Hill, who died in July near Baghdad.

Onalee Lakin offered a prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Ann Murgita. Betty Corbin recited When Tomorrow Starts Without Me.

The Medals of Valor were presented by Kathy Knapp to the families of the three fallen heroes and each family member present received a rose. Another reading was given by Cathy Rosa, while patriotic music played in the background. Cake and coffee were served.

Cleaves closed the evening by saying, "America is the home of the free, because of the brave."

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The African-American Club of Hernando County lit up the night Sept. 29 at the SNPJ Hall in Spring Hill during the club's first "Oldies but Goodies" dance.

A packed house enjoyed the event, organized by Michele Boyd and her committee. A surprise floor show added to the excitement. Some favorite show groups were mimed, including the Supremes, who were acted out by Leana Wilkerson, Judy Woodson and Rita Thomas.

When the trio sang Stop! In the Name of Love, it brought the audience to their feet. Other entertainers included Fayne Upshur, Wallace Johnston and Gerald Boyd, who sang On Broadway by the Drifters and My Girl by the Temptations.

Plans are in the works to hold the event again next year.

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The 2007 Toys for Tots drive began for Marine Corps League, Spring Hill Detachment 708 with a fundraising party at the Lake in the Woods home of detachment members Skip and Jean Sponheim.

The Sponheims challenged their guests with their pledge of $200, which was then met and matched by three of their guests, who wished to remain anonymous. The night was a huge success, with $1,435 donated, along with several toys that will be distributed to needy Hernando County children in time for Christmas.

Notes of Thanks

On Oct. 13, I experienced a mechanical failure of my antique car. It happened about 2:30 p.m. on Spring Hill Drive. I immediately turned onto Bentley Avenue. A lady was driving behind me, and she turned off as well. She asked if I needed a cell phone to call for help or if she could help me. No less than 10 to 15 people came by to ask if they could assist me, including one of our local sheriff's deputies.

I am so sorry to say that I did not get the names of the considerate people who tried to help me. However, if any of you are reading this letter, I thank each and every one of you.

I had called AAA, and I would like to thank Mike at Mike's Auto Body. He took considerable concern and time with my antique car and made sure he got me and my car home safely.

We often read nothing but bad news in the paper. I want everyone to know that there are a plethora of well meaning and generous people in Spring Hill.

Thomas J. Gach Jr.

Spring Hill

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[Last modified November 17, 2007, 20:06:13]