Business Briefcase

BPW installs officers

SPRING HILL Hernando County Business and Professional Women (BPW) held the installation of the 2008-09 officers during its June meeting. Liz Jennings, past president and current BPW state secretary, officiated the ceremony. Pictured from left are Terry Haehnel, corresponding secretary; Karen Lund, 1st vice president; JoAnne Clay, president; Linda McKenna, 2nd vice president; and Ruth Hoock, recording secretary/treasurer. The BPW meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of every month in the community room at Atria Evergreen Woods, located at 7030 Evergreen Woods Trail. For more information, call 686-0360.

Oak Hill Hospital announces its Associates of the Month

BROOKSVILLE Oak Hill Hospital recently announced its Star Associates of the Month for July. Each month hospital associates are chosen in a process that involves nominations and voting by their peers, patients, patient families and physicians. This month's Oak Hill Hospital "Stars" are Karen Ross, Stephen Bock and Diana Michelle Ryder. Ross is a staff nurse who works in the critical care unit. Bock is a patient transporter who assists patients prior to their diagnostic exams. Ryder is a radiology technologist who works in the mammography unit. Oak Hill Hospital has been serving the Nature Coast since 1984. It is the largest medical facility in Hernando and Citrus counties and has 204 acute care beds. It offers the area's only comprehensive heart program, including open heart surgery

BPW holds Scholarship Award Dinner

SPRING HILL The Hernando County Business and Professional Women (BPW) held its annual Scholarship Award Dinner June 24. Three local students were presented with $1,000 scholarships. Cheryl Adamick, a student at Pasco-Hernando Community College, was awarded a scholarship for her efforts as a single mom to return to school and continue her education while maintaining a full time job. Jim Greig, dean of students at PHCC, was the guest speaker. He discussed the key roles women have played in the workforce throughout history.

McKenna and Wagoner are scholarship winners

SPRING HILL Karen Lund, recording secretary of Hernando County Business and Professional Women (BPW), also was the scholarship award chairwoman. She presented two scholarships during the June 24 award dinner. Lauren McKenna was awarded the Joan Lentini Scholarship and will be attending the University of Florida to pursue a career in physical therapy. Alyson Wagoner, a graduate of Springstead High School, will be pursuing a career in Elementary Education at Warner Southern College.

Ribbon cuttings are scheduled for this week

The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce will have the following ribbon-cutting ceremonies this week.

Freedom Health/Optimum Health Care Inc. - 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, at Northcliffe Blvd. in Spring Hill. For more information, call Robert Babcock at 352-433-4960.

The Growth Church - 11:30 a.m. Thursday, July 24, at 4044 Commercial Way in Spring Hill. For more information, call Jeremiah Law or Christine Fogg at 352-293-4305.

The Dunes Golf Club - 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 25, at 18200 Seville Clubhouse Drive in Spring Hill. For more information, call Jim Cocchi at 352-596-7888.

Colon care seminar will take place Tuesday

SPRING HILL Oak Hill Hospital recently announced it will continue its popular community education series from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Dr. Steven Visnaw will present "Colon Care." He will cover all aspects of colon care from signs and symptoms to preventive screenings, medications, surgical procedures and aftercare. All presentations of the For Your Health community education series include complementary refreshments. Seating is limited and reservations are advised. For more information or to make a reservation, call 597-6333. The seminars are conducted in the fourth floor classroom of Hernando Medical Center, which is adjacent to Oak Hill Hospital at Entrance C.

Schenck to be guest speaker at Wednesday chamber meeting

BROOKSVILLE Rep. Robert Schenck, R-Spring Hill, will be the guest speaker at the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce Monthly Membership Meeting. The event will begin at 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, July 23, at the Silverthorn Country Club, located at 4550 Golf Club Lane. Schenck will discuss Florida's economy and how it will affect the state budget. The Humane Society of the Nature Coast will sponsor the meeting.

Christmas in July event to be held July 28

BROOKSVILLE The Hernando Builders Association is holding its Christmas in July for the Troops General Membership Meeting (GMM). The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Monday, July 28, at Silverthorn Country Club. This special GMM is dedicated to the men and women who have served or are currently serving in the military. This is the second year HBA has held the event. The entrance fee to attend is $25 plus an item to send to the troops overseas. The group will collect items during the month of July at its office, located at 7391 Sunshine Grove Road in Brooksville. Reservations are required. For more information, call the HBA office at 596-1114.

SEBC will begin July 31

ORLANDO The 30th annual Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) will host 10,000 construction professionals from throughout the Southeast July 31 through Aug. 2 for its premier building industry tradeshow and education conference. The event will take place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. The tradeshow will feature the best and latest in new home construction products and services. Educational programs feature professional designation courses, intensive construction training, seminars, continuing education classes and a panel of state housing experts discussing the region's housing market statistics and trends. For more information, visit www.SEBCSHOW.com.

Book Fair offers gas card drawings through July

SPRING HILL The Book Fair has continued to celebrate its 25 years in business. This month, it is offering a weekly drawing for a free gas card. For more information, call Ruth Wharton at 686-1682. The Book Fair is located at 1219 Kass Circle.

Leukemia Support Group won't meet in July or August

SPRING HILL Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope will not hold its Leukemia/Lymphoma Support Group either in July or August. The group usually meets from 5 to 6:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of every month at the institute's Spring Hill Center, located at 10441 Quality Drive next to Spring Hill Hospital. Meetings will resume in September. For more information, call Jeff Haight at 688-7744. Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope is affiliated with US Oncology, the nation's largest health care services network dedicated exclusively to cancer treatment and research. US Oncology provides extensive services and support to its affiliated cancer care sites nationwide to help them expand their offering of the most advanced treatments, build integrated cancer care centers, improve their therapeutic drug management programs, and participate in many of the new cancer-related clinical research studies. Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope has six locations throughout Pasco and Hernando counties. For more information, call 1-888-206-0054 or visit www.FloridaCancerInstitute-NewHope.com.

Dixon to be guest speaker at Aug. 11 Support Group

SPRING HILL Oak Hill Hospital recently announced Karen Dixon, physician's assistant-certified, will be a guest speaker at Oak Hill Hospital's bimonthly Healthy Hearts support group. Dixon is a P.A. in cardiovascular surgery and has been with HCA-The Health Care Company for more than 16 years. She came to Oak Hill Hospital from Regional Medical Center, Bayonet Point. She has been with Oak Hill since the opening of the Heart Institute. Dixon is a graduate of Washington University in Washington, D.C. Her topic of discussion will be "Cardiovascular Anatomy and Disease." The Heart Institute at Oak Hill offers a bimonthly support group open to anyone looking for information on cardiac disease. The meeting will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Enrichment Center at Oak Hill Hospital, located at 11375 Cortez Blvd. The purpose of the support group is to provide information and answer questions about all aspects of the heart. For more information, call 597-6331 or visit www.OakHillHospital.com.

Caregiver Support Group will meet Aug. 14

SPRING HILL Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope will hold its Caregiver Support Group at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14. The group meets the second Thursday of every month at the Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope's Spring Hill Center, located at 10441 Quality Drive, Suite 203 in the Medical Arts Building next to Spring Hill Hospital. For more information call Dorothy Hiller at 688-7744.

Annual Truck Night Explosion to be held Aug. 23

SPRING HILL The Hernando Builders Association will present its Annual Truck Night Explosion at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Palace Grand, located at 275 Della Court. There will be a variety of prizes, including a 2008 truck, 2008 car, Harley Davidson motorcycle, Wave Runners, all-terrain vehicles or $20,000 in cash. There will be other prizes given away all night valued from $50 to $800. Tickets are $100 each, which includes dinner for two and entry into the reverse drawing for the grand prize. The maximum number of tickets sold is 450. Seating is limited so ticket holders must RSVP to attend the event. For more information or to purchase a ticket, call the HBA office at 596-1114.

Exhibit space available for Sept. 18 Job Fair

BROOKSVILLE The 13th Annual Hernando County Job Fair "Opportunity 2008," hosted by Hernando Today, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at Heffernan Hall in St. Anthony Church, located at 20428 Cortez Blvd. The event will run until 8 p.m. and will feature the area's various employers. Exhibit space is available for $89 per table if registration is received prior to Aug. 15. Space is limited. For more information on sponsorship, registration or attendance, call Denise Nohejl at 544-5206.

Chamber will offer "Assertiveness Training" course

BROOKSVILLE The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce recently announced it is offering a course in "Assertiveness Training" to its members and the general public at large. The course consists of five weekly sessions from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 22, 29 and Oct. 13, 20 and 27 in the Capital City Bank conference room at 14203 Spring Hill Drive. It will be conducted by Vince Vanni, who has provided a wide range of training programs to countless business professionals and public officials. Vanni will combine his 35 years in sales, marketing and communications to help participants develop a clearer understanding of the assertive communication style. Topics will include the comparison of assertive and aggressive behavior styles, learning how to take criticism and knowing when to walk away. Assertiveness training is used by countless corporations to produce positive communications professionals. A certificate of completion will be awarded to those who attend 80 percent of the course (four of the five classes). The fee is $60 for chamber members and $120 for nonmembers. For more information, call the chamber office at 796-0697, Ext. 18 to register.

Sponsorships still available for Oct. 18 Health Fair

BROOKSVILLE Sponsorships are still available for the fourth Annual Hernando County Health Fair, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 18. The annual event has drawn as many as 2,000 visitors. Various sponsorship packages are available for as little as $500. The Health Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Brooksville Elks Lodge 2582, located at 14494 Cortez Blvd. More than 65 local health care businesses share information, give demonstrations and provide free health screenings for the community. In addition, flu and pneumonia shots are available. Attendees may sample complimentary items from local food establishments and some of Hernando County's best entertainers perform free of charge. For more information on becoming an events sponsor, call Denise Nohejl at 352-544-5206.

Chamber accepting registrations for Oct. 30 reception

WEEKI WACHEE The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce is accepting registrations for the Oct. 30 New Residents Reception at Weeki Wachee Springs. Participants will get to market their businesses to more than 300 new Hernando County residents. This deal is being offered to chamber members only. Tables are reserved on a first-come-first-paid basis. For more information, call 796-0697.

Rotary Club of Spring Hill Central meets every Thursday

SPRING HILL The Rotary Club of Spring Hill Central meets every Thursday throughout the year at the Wellington Clubhouse, located at 400 Wexford Road. Past Rotarians always are welcome to visit. Those interested in becoming a member are encouraged to have lunch with group members at 11:45 a.m. every Thursday. For more information, call Brooks Edwards at 666-4107 or Josh Kelly at 666-0068. The Web site is located at www.shcrotary.com.

Chamber offers marketing opportunity

SPRING HILL The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce is offering its members the opportunity to market their business with table top space at any of the upcoming monthly membership meetings. The cost for the table top is $50. For more information, call the chamber at 796-0697.

Dawn Center offers free speaker's bureau

SPRING HILL The Dawn Center, Hernando County's domestic and sexual violence shelter, has a free speaker's bureau available to organizations that are interested. Advocates at the center can offer seminars on domestic and sexual abuse and keys to prevention. .For more information, call Morgan Moeller at 592-1288.

Local women's business network meets twice per month

SPRING HILL The Hernando County Home Business Women's Network group meets twice a month. The Spring Hill Chapter meets on the first and third Wednesday and the Brooksville Chapter meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. This is a non-compete group for women who are home-based, own their own store or office and are entrepreneurs. The members network to help one another promote products and services as well as helping in the community. For more information on meeting times and locations, visit www.hchomebusinesswomensnetwork.com.

Business Briefcase, compiled by Tony Holt, is published each Monday. News releases must be received by the Wednesday before the desired publication date. Items of interest include employee promotions, company openings, closings, expansions and relocations, business celebrations, classes, lectures and special events. Send news to Hernando Today, 15299 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, Fla. 34613, or e-mail them to wholt@hernandotoday.com.