Hometown

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 23, 2008

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Clubs and Organizations

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office recently held its "Behind the Star" essay contest for kids ages 8 to 16. "Behind the Star" is a semiannual newspaper publication that is distributed in both the St. Petersburg Times and the Tampa Tribune.

There were three age groups with one winner in each group. This year's winners wereJackson Rossiter, Lacey Tipton and Briana Mitten.

The essay topic was "Good Deeds," and each entrant had to write about a good deed they did this past summer.

The Sheriff's Office thanked Billy Healis of the Wal-Mart Distribution Center for his assistance in making the contest possible. The Wal-Mart Distribution Center donated three new 20-inch TV/VHS/DVD combos for the three winners.

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The annual Festival of Trees was held at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Brooksville on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. It was sponsored by the Brooksville Woman's Club and St. Anthony Catholic Church.

The "Spice of Life," by Green Earth Herbals, was chosen as the first-place tree; "Holiday Reflections," by St. Anthony Catholic Church, took second place, and "Angels Among Us," by Gail Case, won third place.

Thirty-nine groups offered their crafts and gifts for the Christmas celebration.

Thirty-five groups decorated trees. More than 200 people attended the event.

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The Kiwanis Club of Brooksville sponsored the 33rd annual Kiwanis Christmas Parade in Brooksville on Dec. 8.

Parade entry winners in the youth category includedJolly Rancher's 4-H Club, first place; Hernando Christian Academy, second place; and Suzuki Strings, third place.

In the adult category, winners includedChrist Lutheran Church, first place; Hernando-Pasco Hospice, second place; and Sons of Confederate Veterans, third place.

In the commercial category, winners includedDiAna's Dance Express & Dragon Dojo, first place; Center Stage Dance, second place; and Hernando County Freebooters, third place.

In the horse category, winners wereCroom Horse Trail Riders Club of Brooksville, first place; All Creature's Great & Small 4-H Club of Floral City, second place; and Triple B Riding Club of Riverview, third place.

The grand champion was the Methodist School Center.

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Marilyn Bates, a local Realtor and member of Hernando County's Environmentally Sensitive Lands Committee since 1990, was honored at a recent meeting for her years of service.

Since Bates was named to the committee, the program has acquired the Cypress Lakes, Fickett Hammock and Peck Sink properties.

Over the years, the committee has assisted on numerous other projects, including the Bayport Park renovations. The county continues with its efforts on environmentally sensitive land issues.

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Nearly every month, veterans committee members of Brooksville Elks Lodge 2582 travel to the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home in Land O'Lakes. In December, members visited twice.

The second visit was to assist the Nature Coast Volunteers for Veterans, which was putting on a Christmas party at the nursing home. Each veteran was presented gifts and refreshments. Some of the veterans enjoyed dancing with lodge members.

Members of the lodge's veterans committee who attended included chairman Gail Cleaves, Beth Geiger, Ann Murgita, Betty Corbin, Cathy Rosa, Kathy Knapp, Onalee Lakins and Jean Hockenberry. Also in attendance was Everett Patterson, the lodge's leading knight, and his wife, Maude, as well as exalted ruler Paul Stark.

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The Spring Hill Art League has announced the winners of its annual Fall Harvest of Art show.

The Best of Show winner was Larry Whidden. Patty Ritter was chosen by popular vote as Your Favorite Artist.

In the fine arts category, Chuck Huddleston won first place; Julie Komenda and Karin Best won second place; and Bob Corrigan and Peter Gerbert took third place. Honorable mention was given to Lynne Simon, Bernadette Huff, Carol Kreider and Nancy Beltz.

In the photography category, winners were Jane Hyner, first place; Sandy McRanie, second place; and Joe Galletta, third place.

In the fine craft category, winners were: Bonnie Eastwood, first place; George Lytle, second place; and Nanette Asbury, third place. Honorable mention was given to Hil-Dee Fisher, Bob Grant, Scott Anderson and Roger and Marsha Kruse.

In the country craft category, winners wereBonnie Anhalt, first place; Gladys Oefelein, second place; and Pebler Mazza, third place.

In the student category, the Best of Class award was presented to William Baldwin, Hernando High School; Kimberly Johnston of Hernando High won first place; Brandan McGherity of Hernando High won second place, and Alex Ortiz of Central High won third place.

Notes of Thanks

This is a letter of thanks and appreciation for the firefighters and paramedics of Stations 3 and 4 in Spring Hill, specifically, and to all the other firefighters and paramedics who respond at a moment's notice to help young and old in emergencies.

This is a "better late than never" attempt to thank the professionals from Stations 3 and 4 who came to our assistance at home, not once but six times within just a few months, during the first part of 2007. It was a hard year for us health-wise, and if it hadn't been for their promptness and experience, we possibly would not be here to let them know how much we really do appreciate their dedication, professionalism and compassion.

We can only say thank you - there is no other way we can show our appreciation. They are wonderful angels in disguise and we wish the best of everything for them and their families in the new year.

Douglas and Natalie BleicherSpring Hill

[Last modified January 22, 2008, 19:45:51]