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By Times Staff Writer
Published November 21, 2007

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Military News

Coast Guard Seaman Callie A. Beasley recently graduated from the Coast Guard Recruit Training Center in Cape May, N.J.

During the eight-week training program, Beasley and fellow recruits also received instruction on the Coast Guard's core values - honor, respect and devotion to duty - and how to apply them in their military performance and personal conduct.

Beasley is a 2004 graduate of Hernando High and the daughter of Karen L. Beasley of Brooksville and Paul C. Beasley of Brooksville.

High Fives

The Hernando County Schools Adult Education GED Department, at Nature Coast Technical High School, was recently selected as a "Model GED Testing Center" for the state of Florida.

At the 17th-annual Adult and Community Education Conference in Orlando, Hernando County was selected as being above average or exemplary in the areas of: test administration, test operation, customer service, marketing and outreach, test accommodations and test security.

The award was presented by Bonnie Marmor, vice chancellor of workforce education, and accepted by Hernando County chief GED examiner Harry L. Wilson.

The process of becoming a model testing center is extensive and rigorous. A portfolio displaying proficiency in 26 competencies was developed and submitted for review. The school was visited by members of the GED Model Testing Center selection team, who observed actual GED test administrations.

The Hernando County GED Testing Center was the only school district in the state to be selected this year for the award. Wilson attributes the success of the Nature Coast center to the professionalism shown by the testing center staff in day-to-day operations and preparation for test administrations.

For information, call 797-7291.

Clubs and Organizations

The Hernando Computer Club, which meets at 13400 Montour St,, off Sunshine Grove Road, west of Brooksville, has been holding several events this year to raise money for new computers, which are used by members in hands-on classes in the club's lab.

With new technology advancing in the electronics world, updating the computers became a necessity to instruct members in the various programs available for computers, such as the new Vista program, digital photography and all its features, Web site building, Excel programming, PowerPoint, and many basic programs now available to the general and business public. All of the latest computer programs are taught at the club.

The club has lecture classes and also specialty classes in the lab, where members are taught by two instructors while using individual computers. With the wide selection of classes being offered, membership has grown. Lorraine Backey, club treasurer, jump-started the drive for new computers with a donation of $500. Under the direction of Vic Symonds, facilitator of the Build Your Own Computer special interest group, club members began building.

Symonds and his techies - Jim Rogers, Wolfgang Steinberger, John Hectus and Tim Neddy - demonstrated the "Alpha," one of five newly built computers, to the club's board of directors Oct. 2.

The club welcomes new members. For information, visit the club's Web site at: www.hcc.org or via phone at 592-0070.

* * *

The banner expressed the feelings of local NAACP branch members at the annual Freedom Fund Banquet - "The Hernando County NAACP Welcomes and Appreciates You."

The banquet was Oct. 13 at the Brooksville Elks Lodge. Banquet chairpersons included John and Virginia Cox and honorary co-chairwoman Gloria Arthur. The keynote speaker was attorney Darryl Rouson.

According to James Wise, the diverse audience mirrored the membership of the national organization, which was formed in 1910 by an interracial group of seven white people and one black person.

The Brooksville City Council and Hernando County Commission presented proclamations commending the branch and wishing it success. Hernando High School's ROTC students presented colors that waved throughout the Pledge of Allegiance and the spirited singing of the "negro national anthem," Lift Every Voice and Sing. The soul food dinner was catered by Just Ribs.

Rouson urged the mostly black audience to take interest in solving their community problems. He said, "Sheriff (Richard) Nugent can't do the job without your help." He applauded city and county government officials present for attending.

This event is the organization's major fundraiser for the year. Community support came from Brooksville Elks Lodge 2582, which provided the facility free of charge; Wal-Mart Supercenters, and Regions Bank. Others supported the event by purchasing ads or providing door prizes.

Florida NAACP president, Adora Obi Nweze, represented by Pat Spencer, Region IX adviser, appealed for memberships and encouraged registered voters to exercise their power at the ballot box. Wayman Boggs, Hernando County NAACP president, thanked everyone for their support.

* * *

Members of the Rotary Club of Brooksville volunteered at the recent Hernando County Job Fair. Many hours of community service were put in by the 18 Rotarians who cooked and served food and drinks for the large number of people attending and exhibitors.

This was the seventh straight year that the club has promoted and participated in this annual event.

Rotarians who participated included: Catie Blue, Anesta Boice, Denise Coit, Dudley Hampton, Barbara Manuel, Debra Otis, Liza Paul, Karen Phillips, Gretchen Pingley, Wiley McIlrath, Terri Rodgers, Kathi Ruebeling, Scott Sawyer, Karen and Ray Stanbro, Richard Trump, Shack Turner and Sue Wetherington.

[Last modified November 20, 2007, 20:57:57]