Hometown

By Jean Hayes, Times Staff Writer
Published February 17, 2008

High Fives

Timber Pines is a second home to many folks from up north, including a group of residents who also live in Linville Land Harbor in Linville, N.C., for part of the year.

In fact, the group numbers more than 30 couples, and many singles - and once there were more. As word spread in North Carolina about Timber Pines, word also spread in Timber Pines about Linville.

Today, the group holds two reunions each year, one in North Carolina, called the Timber Pines North Reunion, and one in Florida called the Land Harbor South Reunion. Roy and June Tucker are members of the group, and this year, at the reunion in Timber Pines, they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Roy, 83, and June, 82, were married Jan. 17, 1943, in Montgomery , W. Va. They both graduated from East Bank High School in West Virginia. Roy was inducted into the Navy in 1943 and made the military his career. He was discharged in 1967. The couple lived in Venice, Fla., for 32 years before moving to Spring Hill. The couple has been summering for the past 27 years in Land Harbor.

The Tuckers have three children: Mike Tucker, who lives in Hernando Beach with his wife, Susan; and twins Bonnie Troy, who lives in Fort Myers with her husband, Jeff, and Ron Tucker, who lives in Dunedin with his wife, Elaine. The Tuckers have three grandchildren: Michael Tucker II, Lea Reynolds and Ashley Tucker.

The Tuckers are both active golfers and also enjoy bocce ball, bridge and working at the St. Martin's Episcopal Church thrift shop in Hudson.

Members of the crowd were surprised and happy for the couple when they learned of the anniversary. Son Mike and his wife, Susan, also attended the reunion.

Clubs and Organizations

New board members have been elected to lead the Hernando Computer Club, and some have returned for another year.

Don Karslake will continue for a second year as president. Prior to moving to Florida five years ago, he was a sales and marketing consultant in the public and private sector.

Michael Sexton is joining the board as vice president. He has spent 35 years in the telecommunications industry, where he dealt with computers and networking. Sexton was a design engineer and taught computers, programming and data networking to technicians and managers. He has a master's degree in adult learning and development.

George Reilly, another new board member, will be the club's secretary, replacing John Lubertowicz, who resigned after eight years of service. Reilly spent 47 years in the maritime industry.

Lorraine Backey, a director in her third year, will serve as treasurer. She was a corporate secretary for an industrial motion picture and television production company and later established and ran the first word processing center for United Airlines.

Brigitte Haag is returning as education director for her second term. She is also an instructor for the club. Haag is a former science and math teacher who later owned a manufacturing business.

Nancy Sexton is joining as program director. She will plan the monthly membership meetings and other activities. Sexton owned a computer consulting business.

Jean Hook, a new board member, will be the membership director, replacing Paul Lutz. For many years, Hook owned a restaurant business.

Ron Purkhiser will continue for a second year as facility director. He is in charge of all computers and electronic equipment, as well as software installation. He is also an instructor for the club. Purkhiser was a certified welder and trainer for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. for 40 years, and also started and operated a small electronics repair center.

Notes of Thanks

The SPCA of Hernando, 9075 Grant St., west of Brooksville, would like to sincerely thank the First United Methodist Church in Spring Hill for volunteering at the shelter on Jan. 13. The youth group enthusiastically helped at the shelter by walking the dogs and cleaning the cat area.

Additionally, we would like to thank the Roop family of Spring Hill for allowing their daughter to have a lemonade stand and donate the proceeds to the shelter. We would also like to thank Jennifer Gable, Tara Peck and Tandra Peck, who also had a lemonade stand and donated the $50 proceeds to the shelter.

We understand the importance of recognizing these warm-hearted, caring students who give back to the community in such a selfless way. Our students are our hope for the future, and we can rest assured that our future is in good hands based on the character displayed by these students. What wonderful role models they are.

Kathi Jackson

SPCA of Hernando

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[Last modified February 16, 2008, 20:18:38]