Hometown

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 27, 2008

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High Fives

Robert and Christy Jobmann have been pushing for a pediatric critical care unit in Hernando County since the death of their 7-month-old daughter, Rachael, in 2005. Rachael was flown from Spring Hill Regional Hospital to St. Joseph's, but died shortly afterward.

The Jobmanns began a campaign to bring to Hernando the kind of care they believe would have saved their daughter's life. Their nonprofit organization is called the Our Baby Ria Foundation.

The Jobmanns recently accepted a check for $5,000 from Modern Woodman of America for the nonprofit charity, which was established in Rachael's memory. The purpose of the charity is to get quality pediatric intensive and emergency care in Hernando County.

Modern Woodman has a match program for nonprofit foundations and therefore matched $2,500 that was raised during a bowl-a-thon for the charity in November.

For information on Our Baby Ria Foundation, visit www.ourbabyriafoundation.org.

Clubs and Organizations

The Hernando Beach Yacht Club brought in the new year with a gala event - a New Year's Eve party with a gold and white theme. Bill Lindsey provided dance music and Elvis impersonations.

A steak and lobster dinner was served, with a champagne toast at midnight. Members received horns and hats with streamers to toss at the stroke of midnight.

On Jan. 6, several club members attended the annual "Change of Watch." Past Commodore Fred Willett swore in the new bridge, officers and board of directors. Outgoing Commodore Bill Lavin thanked his bridge, officers, directors and committee chairmen for jobs well done.

Incoming Commodore Karen Gemmel reviewed coming events for 2008 and encouraged continued support.

At the Commodore's Ball on Jan. 26, Gemmel was feted. Lavin and his wife, Carmen, headed the event, which was decorated in gold, pink and white. Beef wellington and salmon were served.

Paul Cosenza, past commodore, presented the new bridge, officers and board of directors, and then presented the past commodores and their spouses attending. Lavin gave a champagne toast to Gemmel. Music was provided by the Phantastic Sounds.

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The K-Kids at Eastside Elementary School have taken on numerous projects since the start of the 2007-08 school year.

The first big project was organizing a recycling project. The project was kicked off with a schoolwide assembly that included guest speakers and a performance by members of the K-Kids, who led a recycling cheer to educate students and staff on the importance of recycling.

During the holidays, the K-Kids collected nonperishable food items, and, with the help of the Kiwanis Club of Brooksville and Bill Bush, the school's Kiwanis representative, the K-Kids provided five turkey dinners to the less fortunate.

The K-Kids have also collected coats and blankets for families in need, and purchased Christmas gifts for a foster child. Eastside's K-Kids are doing their best to live up to their motto: "Make the World a Better Place to Live."

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On Jan. 10, Sue Camillo, regent of the Fort Cooper Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which covers Citrus and Hernando counties, visited the Haley VA Nursing Home in Tampa and delivered items on their wish list.

Items included books, music CDs, game CDs, fleece lap throws, handmade quilts, wearing apparel and cash from chapter members.

Regent Camillo was greeted by Dr. Inez Joseph, associate chief, nursing service, and her assistant, Bert Dunbar, who expressed their appreciation for the gifts and money.

The Haley VA Nursing Home is part of the complex in Tampa that includes the James A. Haley VA Medical Center and its hospital, rehabilitation unit and the Fisher House.

The nursing home is a 146-bed facility for both male and female veterans, some of whom have no living family members. These veterans have limited funds to purchase anything not provided by the nursing home and limited emotional support.

DAR members nationally volunteer their time and financial assistance to veterans in both VA and non-VA facilities. For information on the Fort Cooper Chapter and membership in the DAR, contact Sue Camillo at (352) 382-7383, Morna Elhage at (352) 637-5264, or visit the Web site at www.rootsweb.com/~flfccdar/.

Notes of Thanks

Thank you to the young women who found my purse at the Spring Hill Wal-Mart and returned it to the service desk. It's wonderful to realize that there are good honest people in this world. And I'd also like to thank the staff at Wal-Mart for their care and concern. Yes there are angels out there.

Shirley Guderian,Spring Hill

[Last modified February 26, 2008, 20:01:36]