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Hernando Today

Brookridge UFO Show A Success

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By MARIA KARDOS Hernando Today correspondent

Published: December 19, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - "Playing for the Troops" was recently hosted by the Brookridge Community at its clubhouse. A capacity audience of more than 300 people attended and made donations toward the packages that are sent to troops overseas.

The event, produced and directed by Lucy Basta and the Pit Crew Band, featured talented resident performers and volunteers from outside the Brookridge Community. Dancers from the Brooksville Dance Academy performed, while the Lance Cpl. Buesing Young Marines acted as color guard as they were accompanied by bagpiper Tim Plavko.

Ed and Maxine Kolbe, Brookridge residents who head up efforts to send packages and communications to our servicemen, were impressed by the wonderful support of those who attended.

Local businesses donated a variety of fine door prizes which were awarded at the conclusion of the evening.

All who attended and supported this casual evening of fun and entertainment are so appreciated.

SAR delivers Christmas gifts to nursing home

LAND O' LAKES - Members of the Withlacoochee Chapter Sons of the American Revolution and members of the chapter's Ladies Auxiliary recently traveled to the Baldomero Lopez Veterans Nursing Home in Land O' Lakes to deliver Christmas gifts to the residents.

The facility is home to approximately 135 veterans, male and female, and is one of seven veterans nursing homes administered by the state of Florida.

The home was named for Baldomero Lopez, a native of Tampa, who graduated from Annapolis Naval Academy and entered the U.S. Marine Corps as a Lieutenant. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for valor during the Korean War. His Congressional Medal is displayed in the nursing home.

William Teater, the SAR Chapter's Veteran's Affairs chairman coordinated the chapter's Christmas gift activity with Susan Poynter, who is the activity director for the home.

Susan furnishes Chairman Teater with a list of residents who have no immediate family and would not receive gifts at Christmas.

In addition she also provides a list of needs for the nursing homes general population.

During this Christmas season, there are 10 residents of the veterans' home without an immediate family who received at least five gifts each from the Withlacoochee Chapter.

The gifts delivered by the SAR chapter were in excess of $4,000 and consisted of $750 in quarters that are used as prize money for the bingo games for the veterans, clothing, toilet articles, quilted lap blankets and shrugs, games, 20 cartons of cigarettes, books, video movies, candy and many miscellaneous items.

Pictures of the Withlacoochee Chapter Veterans Home visitation are displayed on the chapter's Web site located at flssarwith.org.

Spring Hill Garden Club holds first Holiday

in the Gardens

SPRING HILL The Spring Hill Garden Club held its firstHoliday in the Gardenson Dec.1, at the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens.

Garden club members planted evergreen trees throughout the gardens and these sponsors decorated the trees for the holidays:Hernando County Extension Service, KesselTech Inc., Rotary Club of Spring Hill Central, Jennifer and Company, floridaFIN, Operation PRIDE, Girl Scout Troops 704, 909 and 1014, Gulf Coast Academy, M&L Accounting, Gulf Coast Surgery, Deltona Elementary School, Boys and Girls Club, New Beginnings, Kiwanis Club of Spring Hill, Spring Hill Elementary, Friendship Club, Timber Pines Garden Club, Sun Trust Bank, A-1 Pets, Red Hot Flashes of Spring Hill, Gulf Coast Conservancy, Hernando County Parks and Recreation and the Spring Hill Garden Club.

Most of the organizations purchased the trees they decorated, making a permanent donation to the gardens.

Entertainment was provided by harpist Maria Valentine; Lynn Brainard and Jeff Miller of Dixie Blue; and Yolanda Martinez andher Suncoast Elementary School Chorus.

The trees will be available for viewing throughout December.Visitors will be able to vote for the "Best Decorated Tree" until Dec. 24. The winner will be announced after the holidays.

The Spring Hill Garden Club is grateful to the members ofall of theseorganizations for their support.

The Nature Coast Botanical Gardens are located at 1489 Parker Ave. in Spring Hill. From U.S. 19, go east on Spring Hill Drive for 4/10ths of a mile and turn left onto Parker Avenue.

The gardens are located on the left, past the fire house. The gardens are openyear round from sun-up to sun-down. The public is invited to check out what has been called "the best kept secret in Hernando County."

For more information, call 352-683-9933 or visit the Web site at www.naturecoastbotanicalgardens.com.

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