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Hernando Today

Hernando History Ornaments Ready

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

Hernando Today

Published: November 18, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - This year, why not hang a little Hernando history on your Christmas tree?

The Hernando County Tourism Development Council (TDC) announces its new 2008 Christmas collector ornaments are ready for sale.

For about 12 years, the TDC has been producing these ornaments depicting different historical sites in the county.

A standard ornament sells for $10. A signed and numbered artist's edition goes for $15.

This year, the TDC celebrates the "Nature Coast" with a depiction of Jenkins Creek, named for Cyprian Jenkins (1811-1893), an early settler of Hernando County.

The blue matte-finish ornament has a silver design of the creek.

On the second ornament, the city of Brooksville commemorates the Brooksville Women's Club, founded in 1910. Done in a burgundy colored matte-finish with gold print, the design features a picture of the current clubhouse.

The artist for both ornaments is Mary Alice Queiros, known for her work with the Brooksville Mural Society. Queiros, who moved to Hernando County from Massachusetts in 1995, was instrumental in the creation and continued operation of the Brooksville City Hall Art Gallery.

Past ornaments depicted the Lake Lindsey Methodist Church, the former home of W.S. Jennings (Florida's 24th governor) and the city of Brooksville's 150th anniversary.

To buy an ornament, stop by the Hernando County Welcome Center at 30305 Cortez Blvd., inside the Best Western Hotel at State Road 50 and Interstate 75.

For more information, call the TDC office at 754-4405.

In other news:

• The TDC announced it collected $20,352 in bed tax revenue in September, up slightly from $20,344 in August, TDC Coordinator Sue Rupe said.

In September 2007, the TDC received $24,991.

Rupe attributes the decline to the economy and high gas prices.

The county tacks on a 3 percent bed tax on people who stay in local hotels, motels, mobile home parks, recreational vehicle parks, campgrounds and any other sleeping accommodations rented for a period six months or less.

• The TDC will meet at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Best Western at 30305 Cortez Blvd., near Interstate 75.

At that meeting, the Brooksville Ministerial Association, seeking $5,000 for its Freedom Festival event in July, will give another presentation to TDC members. After the council approved the request at an earlier meeting, it received a complaint.

"(The) TDC's public sponsorship of a ministerial association's faith-based concert sends a message of exclusion and preference to non-Christian members of the community," wrote David Barkey, with the Southern Area Counsel of the Anti-Defamation League.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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