Advertisement

Hernando briefs for Oct. 5

 
Published Oct. 5, 2018

COUNTYWIDE

Funds are needed to make over playground

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Hernando County is seeking donations to help repair the playground at its Westside Preschool, which is in desperate need of a makeover. Funds are needed for a new PlayPour playground surface, a two-layer, seamless system incorporating a resilient base for maximum shock absorption and wear-resistant top surface. The area, which is about 650 square feet, is where the club's 1-year-olds and 2-year-olds play. The goal is to raise $10,000. For information or to donation, call Suzanne McClave at (352) 666-0068 or email smcclave@bgchernando.org.

National Merit Scholarship semifinalists named

Four Hernando County high school seniors were recently announced as semifinalists in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship program. They were among 16,000 semifinalists nationwide and 126 in the Tampa Bay area. The students are part of a group that represents the top 1 percent of U.S. high school seniors — what the National Merit organization calls "the nation's scholastic champions." The local students are: Antonio Belavilas, Jonathan C. Cunningham and Dustin Faulkenberry from Springstead High School; and Cynthia M. Ross from Weeki Wachee High School. Across the country, the newly named semifinalists will compete for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million to be offered in the spring. Among the factors considered are a student's academic record, participation in school and community activities, leadership abilities, employment, other honors and awards and SAT scores. Students also must be recommended by a high school official and write an essay.

Hog hunt permits will be available online

Southwest Florida Water Management District will host a series of hog hunts throughout the year to help reduce the feral hog population. The district has a three-phase hunting system. The first two phases will have separate registration processes. The single top producer from each Phase 1 and Phase 2 hunts will be asked to participate in hog management activities for Phase 3. All hunts adhere to the hog-dog format. No still hunts will be available.

Online registration for the Phase 1 hunt will be at 9 a.m. Oct. 2, and includes six hunts from October through December. Online registration for the Phase 2 hunt will be at 9 a.m. Dec. 18, and includes six hunts from January and February 2019. Phase 3 hunts may occur March through October 2019.

The district-managed properties will be temporarily closed to the public during the hog hunts. Only permitted hunters will be allowed access. To register, visit hoghunts.watermatters.org. Permits will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The cost is $75 for each permit. For information, call (813) 985-7481.

Applications available for preservation award

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

The Historic Hernando Preservation Society recently announced that applications are now being accepted for the Lee Anne Shoeman Preservation Award, presented annually to a person who has contributed to understanding the historic significance of Hernando County and to furthering historic education in Hernando County. The award is named in honor of Lee Anne Shoeman, a gifted educator and historian. The award serves as a beacon of hope that her work will carry on in those who love history. Nominations for the award, which resides in City Hall in Brooksville, are due by Nov. 1. For information or for nomination form, visit hernandopast.org/leeanne-shoeman-preservation-award-2018/.

Training will close Tax Collector's office, Oct. 8

All three Hernando County Tax Collector offices will be closed for training on Oct. 8. The offices, located at Hernando County Government Center, 20 N Main St., Brooksville; U.S. 98 N Branch Office, 11319 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Brooksville, and Westside Government Center, 7489 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. For information, call (352) 754-4180, (352) 754-4230 or (352) 688-5089.

BROOKSVILLE

Sponsors needed for murder mystery fundraiser

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Hernando County is seeking sponsors for its Murder Mystery Fundraiser from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 27 at Silverthorn Country Club, 4450 Golf Club Lane, south of Brooksville. Proceeds provide services to families in Hernando County during out-of-school time. Produced by the Dinner Detective, the event includes food, fun and criminal charges. There will be a 50/50 raffle and Jail & Bail. Sponsorship levels include: Detective, $10,000; Sleuth, $5,000; Bloodhound, $1,000; Gum Shoe, $750; Table Top, $500; full page program ad, $75; half page program ad, $50, and quarter page program ad, $25. For tickets, visit bgchernandoorg.presencehost.net/news-events/murder-mystery-dinner.html. For information, call (352) 666-0068.

Trunk or Treat Festival will benefit youth

Bene's Career Academy will host its third annual Trunk or Treat Festival from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 26 in the academy's parking lot, 698 S Broad St. The event, which is free and open to the public, will allow kids the opportunity to trick-or-treat from trunk to trunk in a safe environment. In addition, the event will offer a bounce house, concessions, games, a window contest, vendors and lots of activities. This year's fundraiser benefits Eckerd Connects' girls camp called Camp E-Nini-Hassee in Citrus County. The camp is for adolescent girls having emotional or behavioral difficulties. For information, call (352) 593-2259.

Church Pumpkin Patch will be Oct. 20

Brooksville Christian Church, 6197 Broad St., will host its Brooksville Pumpkin Patch and Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 20. Proceeds will benefit the church and Florida Urban Homesteading, whose mission and purpose is to foster activities towards homesteading self-sufficiency while engaging youth in groups such as FFA and 4H. For information, call (352) 796-3221.

Registration is open for veteran's parade

The city of Brooksville invites anyone or group wishing to show their appreciation for our veterans, to participate or view the Veteran's Appreciation Parade, Nov. 10. Local high school bands, scouts, organizations, businesses and those wishing to march in honor of a veteran, have already registered. Line-up begins at 8:30 a.m. in front of City Hall, 201 Howell Ave., and the parade starts at 10 a.m. There is no entry fee to participate. To register, call (352) 544-6022.

Halloween Harvest Festival will be Oct. 12 and 13

Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department will present its 28th annual Halloween Harvest Festival from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 12 and 13 at the Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St. The event features a haunted house (recommended for ages 8 and older), hayrides, games, face painting, food, a pet parade and costume contest for children (ages infant to 3, 4-5, 6-7 and 8-12). The haunted house opens at 6:30 p.m. both nights. The pet parade will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 12, with pre-registration at 6:30 p.m. The costume contest will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 13, with pre-registration at 6 p.m. Game tickets are four for $1; game armbands are $5, and nightly armbands are $10. Admission is free. The haunted house costs $4, hayrides $3, the pet parade $2 and the costume contests $2. For information, visit hernandocounty.us/parks_rec.

Woman's Club will host Victorian tea on Oct. 13

In honor of Brooksville's Founder's Week, the GFWC Historic Brooksville Woman's Club will have its annual Victorian Tea from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at the club, 131 S Main St. Advance tickets are $15, $18 at the door, and include fresh brewed tea, tea sandwiches, salad, home-baked desserts and scones. Reservations are recommended for groups of six or more. Proceeds benefit the woman's club's renovation fund, and the Crescent Community Clinic. For advance tickets, call the club at (352) 397-6158.

DADE CITY

Golf tournament benefits veterans

The inaugural HEAT's Hero Golf Tournament will be Nov. 2 at Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club, 12900 Lake Jovita Blvd. Sign-in/registration starts at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. tee time, shotgun start with buffet and brief program to follow golf. Putting contest will be held throughout the tournament. The event benefits the Veteran's HEAT (Honoring, Empowering, Assisting and Training) Factory, a free 14-week program for veterans with post traumatic stress disorder that incorporates exercise, yoga, psychoeducational group meetings and skills training. The four-person scramble is open to the public. Entry fee is $100 per golfer, includes buffet; buffet only for non-golfers is $25. The deadline to register is Oct. 15. For information or to register, call Kevin Coogan at (352) 279-8649.

HUDSON

Early Learning conference will be Oct. 20

Bishop McLaughlin High School, 13651 Hays Road, will host the 11th Annual Early Learning Conference from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Oct. 20. This year's theme is Navigating the C's of Early Learning, and topics include communication, curriculum, cooperation, compliance, challenging behavior, confrontation and character. Kevin Carnes, president of Lakeshore Learning, will serve as the keynote speaker. The event includes breakfast and lunch from Chick-fil-A, a door prize entry, access to an exhibit hall and four breakout sessions. The cost is $45 if registered by Oct. 5, or $50 the day of the conference. CEU's available for an additional $15. For information or tickets, call (727) 233-8291.

SPRING HILL

Tickets are available for Masquerade Party

The Latin American Civic and Cultural Association will have its annual Masquerade Party from 8 p.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 27 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6193 Spring Hill Drive. The event will feature live music by Los Hijos del Son and DJ Willie Matos. Tickets are $15. Bring your own beverage, small coolers permitted. Ice will be provided. Prizes awarded for best costume. For tickets or information, call Noemi De La Rosa at (352) 683-6742.

The Arc Nature Coast will be topic of AARP

Hernando County West AARP Chapter 5445 will meet at noon Oct. 9 at Kally K's Steakery & Fishery, 3383 Commercial Way. The speakers will be the Arc Nature Coast's Mark Barry, executive director, and Nancy Stubbs, development director. If ordering from the menu, please arrive at 11 a.m. To RSVP, call Bob Howell at (352) 683-9361.

Dress up for Halloween party

The African American Club of Hernando will host its Ghoulish Halloween Party from 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 27 at Senior Citizen Center, 7925 Rhanbuoy Road. Prizes will be awarded. Bring your own beverage. Tickets are $25. For information, call (352) 666-4421.

Female singers invited to open house

Suncoast Harmony Chorus, west-central Florida chapter of Sweet Adelines International, will host an Open House at 7 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Regency Oaks clubhouse, 4445 Breakwater Blvd. The event is an opportunity for women (ages 18-80) to experience a four-part a cappella harmony through demonstration and participation. For information, call Cindy at (352) 597-4376.

Friends of the Library Week is Oct. 21-27

The Hernando County Public Library System declared the week of Oct. 21-27 as Friends of the Library Week, and encouraged the community to visit the Little Red Schoolhouse bookstore, 1208 Kenlake Ave., where profits benefit the library. The Friends of the Library of Hernando County is a group dedicated to advocacy and fundraising for the library. You can also support the Friends of the Library by becoming a member. For information, visit HernandoCountyLibrary.us or call (352) 754-4043.

Contact Jean Hamilton at jhamilton@tampabay.com or (352) 848-1438. Follow @hayesjean1.

Contact Jean Hamilton at jhamilton@tampabay.com or (352) 848-1438. Follow @hayesjean1.