Hernando County business digest

Briefly

The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteer role models for its Junior Achievement "Diploma See — Economics for Success" program, designed to inspire eighth-grade students to stay in school.

Individuals interested in volunteering may train at one of two sites — from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday at SunTrust Bank's Sun Room, 23 N Main St., Brooksville, or from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Tuesday at Career Central, 7361 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill.

The next program will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 14 at West Hernando Middle School, 14325 Ken Austin Parkway, west of Brooksville.

For information on the program, training or to register, contact Carla Hayes at (352) 796-0697 or send e-mail to carla@hernando chamber.com. For information on Junior Achievement and the Economics for Success program, visit ja.org/programs/programs_mid_econ_success_obj.shtml.

Who's news

John Lipinski of Spring Hill has launched a new Internet, pop radio station "Star 99 Spring Hill." The station plays Top 40 hits without offensive language, oldies, country, Christian contemporary, and also hosts a gospel/hip-hop show, On the Set with Brue and Kamille, which airs at 8 a.m. Sundays.

The station can be found at star99springhill.com. For information, call (352) 346-5845 or send e-mail to john@star99springhill.com.

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Dr. Eid Guirguis, a board-certified pediatrician and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, has opened Ocean Pediatric and After Hours Care at 1198 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill.

Guirguis treats a wide variety of injuries and illnesses, including allergies, minor cuts, sprains, digestive concerns, rashes and most minor sports injuries. He also offers annual physicals, immunizations and treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Guirguis completed his post-graduate work at Columbia University Medical Center, an affiliate of the Harlem Hospital department of pediatrics.

Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with after-hours availability from 5:30 to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday. New patients and walk-ins are welcome.

For information, call (352) 835-7111.

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The Brooksville Business Alliance, a cooperative group of local businesses, organizations and people interested in working to preserve, revitalize and promote the city of Brooksville, recently elected new officers.

They include Lisa Callea, president, owner of the Rising Sun Cafe and co-founder of Love Your Neighbor; Michael Hannigan, vice president, city of Brooksville; David Curtis, secretary, owner of Brooksville Computer; Fran Simard, treasurer, a resident; C.J. Brady, member at large, owner of Brooksville Printing; and George Rodriguez, member at large, owner of Rogers' Christmas House Village.

The alliance sponsors the Market on Main Street in downtown Brooksville the third Saturday of each month. For information, visit brooksvillebusiness.com.

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Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill, has announced its "stars" — associates of the month — for April. Each month, an associate representing each of the hospital's three areas of service — nursing, ancillary and support — is chosen in a process that involves nominations and voting by the staff.

The April winners are Linda Baillie, Jake Artemis P. Adlao and Deborah Pupo.

Baillie, a registered nurse, originally joined the hospital in 1995, then left because of a family illness. After nursing school, she returned in 2008 and began working in the medical/surgical unit. Baillie currently works in the emergency care unit. She and her husband, Roy, live in Weeki Wachee. They have a son, and Linda has two sons.

Adlao, a rehab aide, began working in the rehab department in September. He and his wife, Lucy, live in Brooksville with their son.

Pupo, a registered nurse, works in the endoscopy/pre-op department. She and her husband, Kevin, live in Weeki Wachee with their daughter and son.

Events

During May, Chick-fil-A, 13143 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill, will offer a free breakfast item to Hernando County school employees from 6 to 10:30 a.m.

Employees must present a valid school ID and may choose either a Chick-fil-A chicken biscuit or chick-n-minis.

For information, call (352) 596-2826.

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Belk Department Store, 13151 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill, will have its spring charity day sale from 6 to 10 a.m. today.

The four-hour shopping event provides a chance for customers to support charities and local schools.

In return for a $5 donation, customers receive a ticket admitting them to the charity sale and entitling them to merchandise discounts ranging from 20 percent to 50 percent. Customers also receive $5 off their first purchase of $5 or more at the event, and Belk cardholders receive double points for card purchases.

New this year, the first 100 customers will receive free Belk gift cards, ranging in value from $5 to $100, and a chance to win one of three $1,000 Belk gift cards being awarded companywide.

In addition, all participating charities and schools will be automatically registered to win one of three $1,000 donations from Belk in a companywide drawing.

Participating local charities have been selling Charity Sale tickets in advance, with proceeds from each $5 ticket retained by the charity. Tickets are also being sold at the store, with proceeds divided among the participating charities and schools.

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Superior Bank will have a Spring Fling/Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at its Spring Hill branch at 1300 Pinehurst Drive.

The event is free and open to the public. More than 30 local crafters will display and sell their handiwork. There will be a bounce house for kids and music broadcast by Mike, a local disc jockey with Nature Coast Professional Disc Jockeys. Superior Bank's Spring Hill staffers will serve free hot dogs, chips and soft drinks.

For information, call Tammy LaValle at (352) 666-5200.

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The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have the following ribbon cuttings during the coming week:

• Swanie's Supper Club, 6172 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, noon Tuesday. For information, contact Marti Carroll at (352) 597-5588.

• Brooksville Regional Women's Imaging Suites, 17240 Cortez Blvd., west of Brooksville, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Enter through the outpatient entrance. For information, contact Robin Schnieder at (352) 796-5474.

• Badcock Home, Furniture & More, 18885 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, noon Thursday. For information, contact Rita G. McDougal at (352) 796-7240.

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AAA Auto Club South, 1410 Pinehurst Drive, Spring Hill, will offer a free homeowners insurance discount workshop from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. AAA members and nonmembers are welcome.

Participants will learn how to benefit from wind mitigation features that may already be present in their homes. There will be light refreshments and door prizes.

Anyone interested should RSVP via e-mail to sbrandon@aaasouth.com or call Sharon Brandon, insurance manager, at (352) 683-3446, ext. 2241.

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Hernando Biz ... Net-Connecting for You, a networking group, will meet at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Course Lane, Spring Hill.

A minimal dues structure is in place. Members are asked to attend at least three meetings a month and order breakfast from the menu.

New members are welcome. For information, contact Ray Heter at (352) 688-1900 or rheter@cortezcommunitybank.com.

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Genesis Adult Care Home, 7237 Davenport Lane, Spring Hill, will have an open house from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

The event, sponsored by Nurse On Call Home Health Care, Medical Services of America, Stolte Eye Center and PineBrook Pharmacy, will include refreshments, door prizes and free chair massages. For information, contact Erna Harrigan at (352) 293-3620.

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The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly Business After Business Social from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at 5160 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. The event is sponsored by Nature Coast Chiropractic. For information, call Rhonda Garafano at (352) 686-8821.

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Green World Path, 1665 Donto Way, Brooksville, will offer a free educational program about the Pay It Forward Farm at 6 p.m. Thursday.

The speaker will be Christina Collins, Florida program director for the Pay It Forward Farm, in Hudson. The farm is a multifaith community outreach for single moms and their children, promoting self reliance and sustainability.

Staffers will offer tours of the Green World Path facility and garden. For information or directions, call (352) 799-0200.

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The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will present the Chick-fil-A Leadercast Be the One event Friday at Northcliffe Baptist Church, 10515 Northcliffe Blvd., Spring Hill.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., with refreshments provided by Chick-fil-A. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with lunch provided by Chick-fil-A.

The conference will take place in four sessions, each with guest speakers. Participants will learn the keys to connecting with others, how to set oneself apart from the competition, new ideas for creative problem solving, best practices for leading in challenging circumstances, how to create strong team cultures, and how to avoid, detect and reverse decline.

Tickets are $59 for nonprofit organizations and chamber members and $69 for nonmembers. There is a $5 ticket discount for groups of 10 or more.

For information or tickets, call Carla Hayes at (352) 796-0697.

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Nature Coast Business Professionals, a nonexclusive networking group, will meet at 8 a.m. Friday at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Course Lane, Spring Hill.

The group's goal is to develop long-term relationships with other business professionals. There are no membership fees.

For information, call Deborah Cutlip at (352) 684-9137 or visit naturecoastbusinessprofessionals.com.

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Keller Williams Realty-Elite Partners will have a family-friendly fundraising event, rain or shine, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 15 at 2715 Forest Road in the Timber Pines Center, Spring Hill.

The event will benefit both the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind and the Hernando Shriners Club. The highlight will be a raffle and auction. Items include gift certificates for golf, bowling, bingo, jewelry, water parks, restaurants, movies, oil changes, wildlife parks and pest control service.

There will be games and face painting for the children and entertainment throughout the day. For information, call Carol Fernandes, Sue Eckert or Sandi Ziegler at (352) 688-6500.

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The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will offer a DiSC workshop for effective communication from 9 a.m. to noon on June 18 and 25 in the chamber training room at 15588 Aviation Loop Drive, south of Brooksville.

DiSC is an instrument-based learning system, pioneered more than three decades ago. Participants will receive their own personalized DiSC profile, along with interactive coaching to help them understand their own style and priorities, understand others for better relationships and learn the secrets of reading people.

The workshop is open to chamber members and the public. The course consists of two three-hour sessions taught by Lori Bainum, a DiSC facilitator and a corporate trainer specializing in communication, team building, leadership and motivational speaking.

A certificate of completion will be awarded to those who complete the workshop. Only 25 seats are available. Groups are encouraged to participate.

The cost is $199 per person for chamber members — $299 for nonmembers — and includes lunch on both dates. For information or to register, call (352) 796-0697, ext. 255, before May 14 or send e-mail to training@ hernandochamber.com.

If you have business announcements you would like to share with our readers, mail the details to Jean Hayes, Business Digest, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613-6174. You may also e-mail items to jhayes@sptimes.com or fax them to (352) 754-6133. Items may be edited for length and clarity. Photos are published as space permits; they will not be returned.