Advertisement

Hernando briefs for May 23

 
Published May 22, 2014

Historical marker dedication: The Historic Hernando Preservation Society will host a dedication ceremony at 10 a.m. May 30 for the unveiling and dedication of a state historical marker for Chocachatti (or "Red House"). It will be on the south side of State Road 50 bypass, just east of Emerson Road, in Brooksville.

The location was recently designated a landmark site by the state Division of Historical Resources.

The ceremony will include James E. Billie, chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, who covered the cost of the marker. Also participating will be Paul Backhouse, curator of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and tribal preservation officer of the Seminole Tribe. Author and Seminole historical Brent Weisman will speak.

For information, contact John Yeager at jdyeager94@gmail.com.

Nominate the next Great Brooksvillian: The city of Brooksville is accepting nominations for the next "Great Brooksvillian," who will be honored at a ceremony during the Founder's Week Celebration in October. Nominations will be accepted through 5 p.m. today.

The annual program recognizes outstanding individuals who have made significant positive contributions to the history, culture and/or economy of the community.

Each year's honoree is presented with a plaque, and a perpetual plaque is maintained at City Hall. Nomination forms are available online at cityofbrooksville.us or at the City Clerk's office at City Hall, 201 Howell Ave., Brooksville.

Also, the city is accepting volunteers wishing to serve on the screening committee to review the nominations. For information, call (352) 540-3853 or email jpeters@cityofbrooksville.us.

NAMI offers computer classes: The National Alliance on Mental Illness/NAMI Hernando will offer a 10-week advanced computer class at 3 p.m. Tuesdays, June 3 to Aug. 5, at the Beautiful Mind, 10554 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill.

The course will cover training in basic system operation, the Internet, email, word processing and security. Participants do not need to have a computer; the classes will be presented using paper handouts.

The cost is $50. Registration and advance payment are required. For information, call Rita on Tuesdays or Wednesdays at (352) 684-0004.

Boot camp: The Hernando County Recreation Department will offer Better Body Boot Camps on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, starting June 2, at the following locations:

• Morning session, 7 to 8 a.m., Veterans Memorial Park, 12254 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill.

• Evening session, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Delta Woods Park, 3400 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill.

The cost for each six-week session is $60, or $15 per drop-in (discounts available for seniors, athletes and teenagers). No experience or equipment is required. For information or to register, call the recreation office at (352) 754-4031 or the instructor at (952) 388-9275.

Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines

Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines

Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter

We’ll deliver the latest news and information you need to know every morning.

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

SHINE volunteers needed: Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, a volunteer program of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, is looking for volunteers in Hernando and Citrus counties.

SHINE helps clients make the best Medicare choices for their budget and needs. Volunteers are asked to dedicate about 16 hours per month, mostly during workday hours, and more during certain times of the year.

A three-day training program is offered, followed by mentoring sessions with trained volunteers.

All costs are covered during training and afterward. The next training session will be May 28-30 in Homosassa.

For details or to request an application, call toll-free 1-800-262-2243 or visit the website at floridashine.org.

Buy Rays tickets, benefit Education Foundation: The Hernando County Education Foundation is selling reduced-price tickets through Monday for a Day with the Rays on June 8 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, when the Tampa Bay Rays play the Seattle Mariners; doors open at 11:40 a.m. with the game starting at 1:40 p.m.

Baseline box tickets are $20 each. A portion of the purchase price will benefit the foundation.

To order tickets, visit hcefrayday2014.eventbrite.com. For information, contact Steve Smitten at steven.smitten@axa-advisors.com or call (813) 466-3142.

Relay for Life yard sale: A Relay for Life multifamily yard sale will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 6 at 4227 Sweetbay Court, off Lake in the Woods Drive, behind Target.

The sale is being hosted by the Champions for a Cause relay team, which is a group of 11th-grade students in the International Baccalaureate program at Springstead High School. Proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. For information, call Sheila at (352) 796-6133.

Luau with Elvis: The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10209 Ladies Auxiliary will host a Blue Hawaii Luau with Elvis from 1 to 4 p.m. June 8 at the post, 14736 Edwardn R. Noll Drive, Spring Hill.

The event will feature Kenn "E" Grube as Elvis. There will be a barbecue, and guests will receive leis and can have their picture taken with Elvis. Dressing in grass skirts or Hawaiian attire is encouraged.

Tickets are $15 each and must be purchased before June 5 in the canteen. No tickets will be sold at the door.

For information, call (352) 796-0398.

Black Educators Caucus banquet: The Black Educators Caucus will host its 33rd annual scholarship banquet at 6 p.m. June 14 at the Palace Grand, 275 Della Court, Spring Hill.

The theme is "Education: The Key to Unlock the Future." The speaker will be LaKimbre Joyrell Brown, who started her educational journey in the Hernando County School District and is now the instructional superintendent for the District of Columbia Public Schools in Washington, D.C.

At the banquet, two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to Hernando County minority students. Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for students. For information or tickets, call Viennessee Black at (352) 584-4158.

Donate old computers: Communities in Schools of Hernando County has started a Computers for Kids program, which takes older computers and refurbishing them, then granting them back to students and schools.

CIS is working with Computer Corrections owner James Tomasello to create workable computers from donated computers. Donations may be dropped off at Store-Right Self Storage, 7294 Broad St., Brooksville.

For additional information, contact Communities in Schools president Tracy Echols at (352) 277-3322 or echolst@cishernando.org. Visit the website at cishernando.org.

Teachers can send in wish lists: The United Way of Hernando County is accepting teacher wish lists for the annual Stuff the Bus event, which will be Aug. 1 to 3.

Hernando County schoolteachers may submit applications through July 25 online at unitedwayhernando.org/stb-application.

The United Way is offering a new incentive this year. In addition to the school supplies teachers will receive, for every teacher who signs up and completes a volunteer shift at a bus location, one stuffed backpack with age-appropriate classroom supplies will be provided to a needy child at the teacher's school.

Non-teachers interested in volunteering for the event may fill out an application at unitedwayhernando.rg/volunteer-hernando. Area businesses are encouraged to become a drop-off/collection site. For information, call (352) 688-2026.

Musical instruments wanted: The Hernando Youth Orchestra is seeking donations of old and unwanted musical instruments. All types of instruments are welcome.

Some of the young musicians of the orchestra are in need of instruments. Some borrow their instruments from the school system and lose access to them over the summer months; others are in need of a replacement instrument.

All donations are tax-deductible. Pickups can be arranged. For information or to schedule a pickup, call (352) 600-9555. Information about the orchestra is available at hernandoyouthorchestra.org.