Dec. 13- 19, 2019

THE

Dec. 13- 19, 2019 Volume V, Issue XLX.

Hernando Sun

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The Hernando Sun All Local Christmas Gift List

The Hernando Sun turns 'five-ish'

12/5/2019 3:47:13 PM

By ROCCO MAGLIO rocco@hernandosun.com

SPORTS Girls prep basketball rankings PAGE 14

Pace Center for Girls receives Farm Bureau donations PAGE 22

GOOFY STUFF Eight lives gone PAGE 23

The Hernando Sun newspaper turned five years old in November or will turn five in March. It depends on what you consider the beginning of the newspaper.

The first steps where you start to figure out how you go about creating a newspaper or when you actually print your first issue or create a website.

In November of 2014, the Hernando Today newspaper closed. We were concerned that without a local newspaper See TURNS FIVE-ISH, Page 5

All of our past issues since March 2015 are stored on these racks in our office in Brooksville.

Weeki Wachee on the silver screen

At Country Depot you can find a variety of handbags.

by JULIE MAGLIO julie@hernandosun.com

BY MEGAN HUSSEY MHUSSEY@HERNANDOSUN.COM

Waves, an independently produced motion picture directed by Orlando resident Trey Edward Shults, is a heralded family drama that boasts six film awards, numerous positive reviews, and some settings that may be familiar to Hernando residents.

The film, starring Sterling K. Brown of "This is Us" and Kelvin Harrison Jr., was shot partially at Weeki Wachee Springs. The film features exterior shots of the Weeki Wachee sign, along with shots of characters enjoying the Mermaid Show and kayaking down

Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians at Pixabay.

e

GOLF TOURNEY RAISES OVER $1700 FOR HPH HOSPICE — page 20

See WAVES, Page 19

Let's get ready to wrestle

By MEL SUITER Photography by ALICE MARY HERDEN

Weeki Wachee Aidan Mayberry competes with Springstead Jayson Johnson during the wrestling dual at Weeki Wachee High School. The tournament was held on Friday, December 6 and Saturday, Dec.7, 2019.

WEATHER: FRI

WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. --- The echo inside the gym was a welcome sound appreciated by the crowd watching young gladiators of the mat battle hard and to start the 2019 state of Florida High School wrestling season.

The athletic department at Weeki Wachee High School rolled out three wrestling mats, invited 12 teams and one of those teams was Springstead High School with some of the members of the Spring Hill Wrestling Club who See WRESTLE, Page 12

Finding a gift is often a difficult task, many of the people we buy gifts for can afford to buy any of these gifts themselves, so if they really wanted it they probably already have it. One way to find a unique gift is to stay local. A gift from where you live will be unique in another area, so it is more likely to be appreciated. Local gifts are usually handmade by individuals living in your community or are the products of small businesses. These gifts connect you with your community and the recipient of the gift appreciates the hard work that went into making the product (and your efforts in thinking about it just a little deeper than pulling up your browser and clicking a button).

Rather than fighting the crowds at the large chain stores this time of year, you can visit a less traveled local store to purchase a local gift.

Christmas is about bringing joy to those you love, not standing in giant shopping lines and navigating through a crowded parking lot.

I am much happier knowing that my loved one did not withstand such pain to buy me a gift and may have had some fun doing it.

Receiving a gift which supports a local business, craftsman or artisan brings more joy all around and that is what the season is about.

Here are a few options we’ve found for purchasing local gifts.

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LOCAL & STATE 2 OUT & ABOUT 7 SPORTS 12 BUSINESS & COMMUNITY 18 OPINION 21, 22 LEGAL NOTICES 23

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Hernando Sun Staff & Regular Contributors Julie B. Maglio: Editor, Publisher Rocco Maglio: Barrista, Publisher Sue Quigley: Layout and Community Reporter Lisa MacNeil: Local Government and Community Reporter Cheryl Clanton: Photographer, Community and Sports Reporter Andy Villamarzo: Sports Reporter Mel Suiter: Sports Reporter Melissa Fordyce: Community Reporter Alice Mary Herden: Photographer, Community and Sports Reporter Sarah Nachin: Community Reporter Toby Benoit: Hunting Sports, Community Writer Kathryn Dentato: Government Reporter Jessica Williams: Reporter Sabrina Sivert: Reporter Robert Helde: Reporter Vincent Cardegin: Columnist Dr. Domenick Maglio: Columnist William Holland: Columnist Ellen Corsi Tutko: Ad Sales Representative (614) 208-2066 Dali Rivera: Ad Sales Representative (917) 604-5667 Sarah Nachin: Ad Sales Representative Subscribe We currently offer a 52 issue subscription for $31.50 and 26 issues for $18.90. Fill out the form in this issue and mail along with your check made out to "Hernando Sun Publications" to P.O. Box 12203; Brooksville, FL 34603 For Subscription Customer Service, Please call (352) 238-5454 News Desk For news tips, concerns, or corrections call: (352) 238-5454 news@hernandosun.com

HOW TO READ YOUR MAILING LABEL & YOUR EXPIRATION DATE **********************************CAR-RT LOT **R 084 749 12-15-19 0048A24 JANE DOE XXXXX 34TH ST SPRING HILL, FL 34609-0389

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The information in bold is important to your subscription account. The number in this example: 749 is the Account Number. The Date 12-15-19 is the subscription expiration date. The subscriber name and address is below. Everything not in bold is information the post office uses to deliver and sort the mail such as the specific Route Number in the top right corner R 084 in this case. Your label may have a FIRM, ADC or 5-DIGIT code instead.

The Week of Dec. 13- 19, 2019 ID STATEMENT: Hernando Sun is published weekly, by Hernando Sun Publications, LLC at 13491 Simmons Lake Road, Brooksville, FL 34601.; Publication Title: The Hernando Sun; Publication number: 16590; Issue Date: Dec. 1319, 2019; Statement of Frequency: Weekly; Subscription Price: $31.50 annual, $18.90 semi-annual; Known Office of Publication: 13491 Simmons Lake Rd Brooksville, FL 34601; Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Approved at Tampa Bulk Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) 5433 W Sligh Ave Ste A Tampa, FL 33634-9651; POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Hernando Sun P.O. Box 12203 Brooksville, FL 34603

CORRECTIONS: Last week the last paragraph of the Rose Rocco article was cut off. Here is the full paragraph: Rose Rocco worked hard to improve the community and we are better for it. She followed her heart and was passionate about helping others. She was a devoted mother, wife, and friend to many.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEETINGS Brooksville City Council Meeting Monday, December 16, 2019 7:00 PM Location 201 HOWELL AVENUE, BROOKSVILLE, FL - JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, III COUNCIL CHAMBERS

Board of County Commissioners Regular Meeting Tuesday, December 17, 2019 9:00 AM Location: JOHN LAW AYERS ROOM 20 NORTH MAIN STREET BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA 34601

Arrest Summaries AT T E N T I O N : T h e d a t a p r o v i d e d i n t h e arrest summaries is only arrest information. This data does not reflect charging decisions made by the State Attorney’s Office or the outcome of criminal trials.

“I know I shouldn’t be doing that.”

BERKE, CHARLES J YOB: 1968 CHARGES: STALKING Arrested at: 11/27/2019 21:00 997 S MILDRED AVE, BROOKSVILLE, FL, 34601 Arrest Summary: On 11I24l2019 at approximately 1830 hours, it was brought to law enforcement attention by a passerby that a male wearing a blue shirt, grey jacket, and blue jeans was standing in the woods outside of the Dunkin Donuts drive-thru observing employees. Contact was made with the defendant on the sidewalk located in front of the Dunkin Donuts. The defendant was advised it was brought to law enforcement’s attention that he was watching employees through the Dunkin Donuts drivethru. The defendant then stated, “I know I shouldn’t be doing that.” The defendant stated it’s my “happy time.”

The defendant admitted to frequenting this Dunkin Donuts often to see a specific person. When asked who the person was, he stated the victim’s name. I asked the defendant if he knew the victim’s schedule and he nodded his head up and down before saying, “Yes.” The defendant admitted to frequenting the Dunkin Donuts often to see the victim, and admitted to standing in the bush line of the drive thru at least once a week for the last several months. The defendant described this situation as “embarrassing.”

Next, I entered the store and asked for the victim, who provided me with her information. I explained to the victim the information that the defendant had told me.

The victim stated, “Yeah that guy creeps me out.” The victim stated one day she was taking his order, and he asked if he could say something. The victim figured it was about the product and stated, “I like you” and explained to the victim he did not want it to come off as “weird.” The victim advised he comes to her work almost every day and she has witnessed him watching her through the drive-thru approximately three to five times. The victim advised he would stand adjacent to the drive-thru window in the woods and just “stare” at her.

When I asked the victim how long this has been going on for she advised a few months. The victim explained that she feels extremely uncomfortable and doesn’t feel safe in her workplace due to his behavior. I asked the victim if there were any other employees that would See ARRESTS Page 3

Dec. 13- 19, 2019

LOCAL & STATE FROM naval base shooting TO $100M reef restoration

state news in review

Fatal Shooting At Pensacola Naval Base

Dec. 10 that Navy suspended flight training for about 175 Saudi Arabian students in wake of Florida base shooting Friday.

lawyers who claim the case is moving much too swiftly and runs the risk of legal errors. That could December 6, 2019 mean a conviction of Cruz might be Ana Ceballos reversed on appeal, sending it back NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA for another high-profile trial.

Cyberattack downs city Prosecutors have been pushing TALLAHASSEE --- Three people computers in site of Navy hard to start the trial with jury were killed and eight individuals attack selection beginning Jan. 27. were wounded early Friday after

By BOBBY CAINA CALVAN Broward State Attorney Mike Satz, a gunman opened fire at a naval who is the chief prosecutor on the air base in Pensacola, according to TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — case, said the motion to delay trial authorities.

Federal authorities are investigating must be heard quickly.

The alleged shooter, a Saudi a cyberattack on the city of “We just can’t wait until the last national, was killed by a sheriff’s Pensacola, Florida, home to the minute,” Satz said at a hearing. deputy, Escambia County Sheriff naval air station where a Saudi Cruz, 21, faces 17 counts of firstDavid Morgan said. flight student killed three sailors and degree murder and 17 counts of The suspect was a trainee with wounded eight others on Friday. attempted murder in the Valentine’s the Saudi Arabia Air Force, Florida “I can confirm the city of Day 2018 massacre at Marjory Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters Pensacola has experienced a Stoneman Douglas High School. He during a press conference Friday cyberattack and we’ve disconnected faces the death penalty if convicted, afternoon. much of our city’s network until although his lawyers say he will “The government of Saudi Arabia the issue can be resolved,” said plead guilty in return for a life needs to make things better for these the city’s spokeswoman, Kaycee prison sentence. victims. I think they are going to Lagarde.

In their motion, defense lawyers owe a debt here, given that this is “As a precaution we have noted that of 38 capital punishment one of their individuals,” DeSantis reported the incident to the federal cases in Broward County since said. government,” Lagarde said, 1994, the average time they President Donald Trump said acknowledging the deadly violence remained pending between arrest in a tweet that King Salman of at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. and trial was 52 months, or a little Saudi Arabia called him to give his City officials became aware of the over four years. condolences. Saudis are “greatly attack at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, On the current schedule, Cruz’s angered by the barbaric actions of many hours after the shooting. They trial would begin less than two years the shooter,” Trump tweeted. expressed caution about linking the after the mass shooting on Feb. 14, DeSantis, a former Navy attorney two incidents — although they were 2018. He was arrested that same who is a close ally of Trump’s, said not prepared to outright dismiss any day. Defense lawyers say that is the gunman’s nationality will likely connections. far too fast for them to adequately add an additional layer to federal “It’s too early to confirm or prepare a defense in a case of such authorities’ probe into the shooting. dispel,” Lagarde said. “That magnitude.

“When you have a foreign would be a question for the federal “We want to make sure it’s done national involved, particularly agencies.” once and it’s done right,” said in that part of the world, the A spokesman for the FBI in Gordon Weekes, chief assistant investigation is obviously going Pensacola said he could not confirm public defender in Broward County. to be different than if it were if his agency had a role in the “Expedience has taken precedence just somebody from the local cyberattack investigation. over the prudent disposition of this community. And I think you will see Much of the city’s computer case.” that as things go on,” the governor systems remained offline Monday The defense motion suggests said. morning. However, city officials that one reason for the accelerated Capt. Timothy F. Kinsella Jr., the stressed that all emergency services schedule is tha t Satz, retiring naval base’s commanding officer, were running, including 911 in 2020 after 44 years as top declined to say whether the shooting services. prosecutor, wants to get a conviction would be investigated as an act of Some phone lines to city offices of Cruz next year. Another reason, terrorism. were not working as the city and the defense says, is that Scherer “I appreciate the question, but federal authorities continued their is up for re-election, and a third is it is not something we want to investigation. The city’s email and simply the massive media attention speculate on right now,” Kinsella other electronic services were also the massacre has received. told reporters. “We are taking care down until further notice.

Scherer sought Tuesday to keep of what we need to take care of right “We’re continuing to operate. We the case on track for a Jan. 27 start now.” just might have to do some things by scheduling the December hearing But U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose a little bit old-school, with pen and on the motion for a continuance. congressional district includes paper,” Lagarde said.

“It’s better to have it sooner rather Pensacola, called the shooting a She could not immediately discuss than later,” the judge said. terrorist act. how officials became aware of the The defense motion notes that “This event demonstrated a cyberattack. there are at least 1,000 witnesses serious failure in the vetting process “We don’t want to get into too identified by prosecutors in the and in the way in which we invite many specifics because of security,” case, and each of them must be these people into our community,” she said. interviewed by Cruz’s lawyers. said Gaetz, a Republican who is also City officials asked for patience There are about 4 million pages close to the president. in a community still grieving over of evidence, thousands of photos, Trump, however, said that King the shooting at the Navy installation, videos, and social media posts and Salman said the shooter “in no way a central part of the local economy much more. shape or form represents the feeling and public life.

There is still a huge amount of of the Saudi people who love the Investigators are trying to work to be done by the defense, American people.” establish whether the killer, 2nd Lt. Weekes said.

Gaetz, who has joined Trump in Mohammed Alshamrani, 21, of the “This court is pushing it forward demanding a crackdown on illegal Royal Saudi Air Force, acted alone at breakneck speed to acquiesce to immigration, called on Friday for or was part of a larger plot. the state,” he said. “extreme vetting” of foreign trainees coming to U.S. military bases.

‘It was mayhem’: 10 Officials want $100M for The Pensacola base has long students arrested in high provided aviation training to reef restoration in Florida students from different countries, school brawl Keys according to Kinsella. The base has several hundred foreign trainees, the MELBOURNE, Fla. (AP) — Ten KEY LARGO, Fla. (AP) — naval base’s commanding officer students were arrested at a Florida Federal officials have announced said. high school following a large fight plans to raise $100 million to fund “It is something we have been Tuesday afternoon, authorities said. projects to restore seven significant doing for quite a while,” Kinsella The brawl started with two girls coral reef sites in the Florida Keys said at Friday’s press conference. fighting in the hallway at Palm Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

“The cross-pollination and crossHigh School, Melbourne police said.

“Mission: Iconic Reefs” calls training that we do with our allies is There were no immediate reports of for restoring nearly 70 acres (28 something that we have done for a injuries, Florida Today reported. hectares) of the Florida Reef Tract, long time.”

The students, nine juveniles one of the largest strategies ever and one adult, were separated and proposed for coral restoration, the Morgan said his office began taken into custody by officers from National Oceanic and Atmospheric receiving reports of the shooting several agencies. The teens at the Administration said Monday. shortly before 7 a.m. Friday. It took 1,600-student school could face a NOAA officials said the between three to five minutes for misdemeanor charge of disrupting a organization will work with partners law enforcement officers to respond school function, Melbourne police to secure public and private funds. to the shooting, he said. reported.

“We have identified some iconic “They ran to the fight, not from “It was mayhem. We’re reefs here in the Keys that we the fight,” Morgan. “Even though investigating what happened and want to help restore,” sanctuary they knew there was an active how it got to this,” Melbourne superintendent Sarah Fangman said. shooter --- and again the chances of police Sgt. Martin Miller said.

“These reefs have been suffering putting your life in danger are great Brevard Public School District from a number of threats for years --- guess where they went? They officials also were reviewing the as have reefs around the world.” went inside.” incident.

NOAA officials have received DeSantis, whose administration It was not immediately known if inquiries from government leaders deployed a state mental health the students would be released into wanting to know what can be done coordinator to help witnesses and the custody of their parents or turned to save the reefs, Fangman said. families of the victims cope with over to juvenile authorities.

Since the 1970s, tropical cyclones, the tragedy, said state officials will heat-induced coral bleaching, cold continue to monitor the case and Judge to consider delaying snaps and disease events have remain in communication with reduced coral coverage in the Keys. trial start in Parkland White House officials.

Outbreaks of stony coral tissue loss massacre The governor’s revised schedule disease, first noticed off Miami Friday afternoon included calls with By CURT ANDERSON AP Legal in 2014, have spread as far as Affairs Writer Trump and U.S. Defense Secretary Cozumel, the Caribbean region, and Mark Esper. have baffled marine biologists. The FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) disease has not affected branching The Escambia County sheriff — The judge overseeing the case of species such as elkhorn and staghorn expressed gratitude for the support Florida school shooting defendant from the state. coral.

Nikolas Cruz said Tuesday she will “Trust me, the relationships run Restoration efforts involving deep here. This is going to be one of consider a defense request to delay growing and transplanting corals those times where anything we need, the start of trial beyond late January. have proven successful in the Keys, Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth we are going to get,” Morgan said. motivating plans for the largeScherer set a Dec. 19 date for scale restoration effort within the arguments on the motion by defense sanctuary.

Editor’s Note: AP reported on

LOCAL & STATE

Dec. 13- 19, 2019 hernandosun.com

Arrest Summaries have witnessed this behavior and she stated.“Yes, my friend.”

The passerby was later identified, and provided me with a sworn written statement.

I then made contact with the witness at her residence in Brooksville. Upon arrival, the witness explained she immediately knew what individual I was talking about.

She advised she did not know him by name but he would frequent the store multiple times a week. The witness advised she has seen this individual stand adjacent to the drive-thru window and just “watch” the victim. I asked the witness how many times she has witnessed this and she stated at least three or four times.

The witness provided me with a sworn written statement that was later placed into Records.

On 11I26l2019 the victim was presented a photo pack by a Deputy with no prior knowledge to this case. The victim selected Charles Berke’s photograph, who is the defendant in this case.

On 11/27/2019 contact was made with the defendant at his residence located on Mildred avenue, Brooksville. Prior to taking the defendant into custody Miranda Warning was read from my agency issue Miranda Card. Post Miranda the defendant refused to speak with me.

The defendant was taken into custody, and transported to the Hernando County Detention Center, where he is being held on a $1,000 bond. His court date will be held on 12/20/2019 at 0900 hours.

“Didn’t do anything wrong.”

MCKINNEY-GRAY, KRISTEN HAILEY YOB: 1996 CHARGES: AGGRAVATED ASSAULT-LEO, FLEEING/ATT ELUDE POLICE OFFICER, DRIVE WITH LICENSE REVOKED OR SUSPENDED Arrested at: 12/02/2019 23:10 16425 SPRING HILL DR, BROOKSVILLE, FL, 34604 Arrest Summary: On 11I18l2019, a traffic stop was conducted on a 2005 Saturn Ion bearing Florida tag... due to this deputy having knowledge of the driver being Kristen Mckinney Gray, who had five active felony warrants out of Hernando County. This deputy also had knowledge of Kristen’s license being suspended. This traffic stop was conducted on Barclay Avenue near Cortez Boulevard.

I then positioned my marked agency Ford Explorer in front of the vehicle and activated my emergency lights and sirens.

I then exited my vehicle and shined my light into the front windshield and confirmed the defendant to be the driver and sole occupant.

I then proceeded to the driver side

THE HERNANDO SUN

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AT T E N T I O N : T h e d a t a p r o v i d e d i n t h e a r r e s t s u m m a r i e s i s o n l y a r r e s t i n f o r m a t i o n .

This data does not reflect charging decisions made by the State Attorney’s Office or the outcome of criminal trials.

window and ordered the defendant to “exit the vehicle”. The defendant then looked directly at me and repeatedly stated “why” and “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

While I was on the driver side, Deputy Longobardi was on the passenger side, illuminating the interior of the vehicle with a flashlight. I then again ordered the defendant to “exit the vehicle” at which point she put the vehicle in reverse and backed up approximately one car length.

The defendant then quickly accelerated towards this deputy (in a northwest direction), at which point I was forced to run to the shoulder of the road to avoid being struck. The defendant then proceeded through the light, which was now green, and headed west on Cortez Boulevard.

I then entered my agency vehicle and began to proceed in the same direction.

The defendant was then observed turning north onto Sunshine Grove Road, at which point my immediate supervisor instructed me not to pursue the vehicle.

During this offense, myself and Deputy Longobardi were both wearing agency issued uniforms. FClC/NCIC check did confirm Kristen’s license to have been suspended since 10/26/2017 for violation of chapter 893.

On 12/02/2019 it was learned that the defendant had been arrested for her warrants and was currently at the Hernando County Jail.

The defendant was then given a court date of 12/30l2019 and held on a bond of $8000.00.

“Just give me a ticket.”

MONGE, VICTORIA LOUISE YOB: 1984 CHARGES: RESIST/OBSTR OFFICER W/O VIOL Arrested at: 11/27/2019 23:16 ELGIN BLVD & LANDOVER BLVD, SPRING HILL, FL, 34608 Arrest Summary: On 11l27/2019 a white Kia Sedona van… was observed to be traveling northbound on Bromley Avenue.

K-9 Deputy G. Locke observed the vehicle to fail to come to a complete stop at the stop sign posted on Bromley Avenue and Springwood Road. Deputy G. Locke observed the vehicle to continue onto Springwood Road passing the stop sign.

A traffic stop was initiated by Deputy G. Locke in the area of Landover Boulevard and Elgin Boulevard.

Deputy G. Locke made contact with the driver of the vehicle, who provided her Florida Driver’s License identifying her as defendant, Victoria Monge. As Deputy G. Locke continued to speak with the defendant he asked for her proof of insurance in which she failed to provide

it and replied “just give me a ticket.”

The defendant then became extremely aggravated and started screaming at law enforcement. Deputy M. LaPalme arrived on scene and witnessed the defendant’s actions. Deputy G. Locke asked the defendant to step out of the vehicle in order for him to complete a drug sniff with his K-9 partner Argo. The defendant refused and stated her rights were being violated. She was then asked multiple times to comply and continuously refused to exit the vehicle; She was then warned if she failed to comply with orders she would be taken into custody for obstructing an investigation in which she still once again, refused to exit the vehicle. At that time Deputy G. Locke took control of the subject by taking hold of her arm and asking her to exit the vehicle once more. During this time she began actively resisting arrest as she began screaming, kicking, and flailing her arms about.

At that time Deputy M. LaPalme assisted in taking control of the female with Deputy G. Locke and both deputies were able to place her into custody. Deputy G. Locke with placing the defendant in the rear seat of Deputy M. LaPalme’s marked patrol vehicle. During this time she continuously screamed anti cop slurs and was upset that she was being “stalked” as she was pulled over on 11l19l2019 and was subsequently arrested for possession of a controlled substance, Hydromorphone Hydrochloride .The previous arrest was documented under 2019-37763.

The defendant was then transported to the Hernando County Jail where she was provided a court date of 12/20/2019 at the Hernando County Courthouse in Courtroom B at 0900 hours.

I request the defendant be held on No Bond status due to currently being out on bond at the time of this offense.

“Yeah it’s just a little bit of meth...”

RISPOLI, JOHN JOSEPH YOB: 1989 CHARGES: POSS OF METH, POSSESSION DRUG PARAPHERNALIA Arrested at: 12/01/2019 22:58 SPRING HILL DR & BISHOP RD, SPRING HILL, FL, 34606 Arrest Summary: On 12/01/2019 I observed a white 2019 Kia Soul bearing Fl tag exiting the parking lot of the Circle K located at 11091 Spring Hill Drive, Hernando County Florida. The vehicle began exiting the gas station, approaching Spring Hill Drive then proceeded to travel west.

The vehicle failed to ever stop or yield for oncoming traffic, thus impeding other

motorist traveling on Spring Hill Drive, in violation of F.S.S. 316.125(2). I was in an unmarked agency vehicle, parked stationary with a clear unobstructed view of the traffic violation. A traffic stop was then conducted at the intersection of Spring Hill Drive and Bishop Road.

I approached the passenger side of the vehicle, and observed the white male passenger to be making furtive movements, reaching underneath his seat multiple times. I told the passenger to stop reaching under the seat, when he then placed both of his hands in the air. I asked the passenger to exit the vehicle, to which he complied. Ithen recognized the passenger to be John Joseph Rispoli (the defendant) due to previous law enforcement interactions.

I asked the defendant if he had any weapons on his person or inside of the vehicle (due to his furtive movements), which he advised he did not. The defendant did advise that there was a syringe in one of his pockets, stating “it’s empty you can take it out of there.” I began a pat down of the defendant and removed the syringe from his left cargo pocket. While removing the syringe, I observed a folded up piece of foil inside of the same cargo pocket. I asked the defendant if I could remove the foil, to which he then looked down at the ground in a disappointed manner and stated “Yeah it’s just a little bit of meth, if any.” I then removed the foil from his pocket, and upon unfolding it I observed small pieces of a crystal like substance, which through my training and experience recognized to be consistent with methamphetamine.

At this point the defendant was placed into handcuffs, and I began searching the vehicle. During the search, I observed another syringe approximately a quarter of the way filled with a clear liquid substance directly on the ground of the passenger side where the defendant exited the vehicle. The search of the vehicle

yielded negative results for any other illegal narcotics or contraband.

I reestablished contact with the defendant, who was advised of his Miranda Rights.

The defendant was asked about the syringe that was located on the ground, to which he advised belonged to him. He stated that it was on his lap earlier, and that it must have fallen to the ground at some point.

The crystal like substance and clear liquid substance from the syringe were each tested separately, and each field tested positive for methamphetamine utilizing MDMA Reagent 15 test kit. I later weighed the substances on the certified OHAUS scale at the Hernando County Jail (SIN 8033491150). The crystal like substance inside of the foil weighed 1.01 grams, and the syringe with the liquid weighed 2.97 grams. The defendant was transported to the Hernando County Jail where he was given a court date of 12I23l2019 in courtroom D of the Hernando County Courthouse at 1315 hours. He was given a total bond amount of $3,000.

Sheriff’s Office Briefing Notes Please note – Due to Marsy’s Law, specific information will no longer be provided on incidents that are classified as crimes. Marsy’s Law prohibits law enforcement from releasing any information that could identify the victim of any crime (name, address, sex, age, or any other information).

Monday, December 2, 2019 LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS • Deputies responded to: o Domestic Battery by Strangulation/Criminal Mischief – District 1/Zone 2 – A couple got into a verbal argument that turned physical when the male suspect grabbed and then began choking the female victim. The woman tried to call for help, but her cell phone was broken during the struggle.

While the suspect fled prior to law enforcement’s arrival, he was apprehended a short time later – Arrest/Male – 2019-39109. o Residential Burglary – District 2/ Zone 6 – The homeowner returned home to find a side door to his residence had been pried open.

Several high dollar electronic items were taken – Active investigation – 2019-39111. o Robbery – District 1/Zone 5 – Investigation active – 2019-39138. o Vehicle Burglary/Stolen Vehicle/ False Imprisonment/Assault – District 2/Zone 2 – A couple recently broke up following a two-year relationship. The female victim was confronted in a parking lot by the male suspect. The male suspect proceeded to batter the female while she was sitting her vehicle. The suspect then took the woman’s keys and fled only to return a short time later and drive off in the victim’s vehicle. The vehicle was later returned to the parking lot where it was taken – Active investigation – 2019-38992.

• Schools: o Powell Middle School – Student commented to a school counselor about wanting to commit self-harm – Student Baker Acted – 201939051. o Weeki Wachee High School – Two students found in possession of alcohol on campus – Both students issued juvenile civil

citations – 2019-39074.

• Schools:

o Springstead High School – Student found in possession of vaping device – Student issued juvenile civil citation and suspended from school – 201939034.

o Central High School – A student was found in possession of a vaping device that contained THC. The student was arrested for possession of hashish oil. The student also received three days of OSS – 2019-39207.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019 LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS • Deputies responded to: o Attempted Burglary Conveyance – District 1/Zone 9 – Deputies responded to the Dollar General located at 19458 Cortez Boulevard in reference to a vehicle alarm going off in the parking lot.

Witnesses gave a description of the suspect who attempted to enter the vehicle. Deputies made contact with the suspect who was placed under arrest – Arrest/Male – 201939194. o Providing False Information to LEO/Resisting without Violence – District 2/Zone 1 – Deputies made contact with the driver in a business parking lot. The driver provided false information to the deputies.

The suspect fled the scene -Investigation active – 2019-39180. o False Bomb Threat/Unlawful use of a Two-Way Communication Device – District 2/Zone 3 – The owner of a business reported receiving a phone call about a possible explosive device on the premises. The business was evacuated and searched. No explosive device was found – Investigation active – 2019-39261. o Residential Burglary – District 1/Zone 7 – The caretaker for a residence called deputies to report the house had been burglarized.

Numerous items were reported to have been taken from the residence – Investigation active – 2019-39089. o Aggravated Battery/Petit Theft – District 1/Zone 8 – An employee called the sheriff’s office to report two individuals were causing a disturbance at the business. The individuals left prior to law enforcement’s arrival – Investigation active – 2019-39263. o Death Investigation – District 1/Zone 1 – 71 YOA Male – Investigation active – 2019-39275.

o Central High School – A student was found in possession of a water bottle that contained whiskey – Student was issued a juvenile civil citation and given 10 days of OSS – 2019-39153.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019 LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS • Deputies responded to: o Suspicious Package/HAZMAT – District 2/Zone 2 – The homeowner advised she received a package in the mail that contained a powdery substance that made her skin itch. The powdery substance was later determined to be crushed Styrofoam used for packaging – 2019-39337. o Vehicle Burglary x 2/Possession of Methamphetamine – District 2/ Zone 4 – Deputies responded to the area in reference to an individual on a bicycle attempting to gain entry into vehicles. Deputies quickly located the suspect for questioning. He was found in possession of methamphetamine and various drug paraphernalia.

The suspect admitted to entering two unlocked vehicles and removing numerous items – Arrest/ Male – 2019-39326. o Flee & Elude/Resisting LEO – District 1/Zone 9 – A traffic stop on a motorcycle was attempted on U.S. 41, near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Brooksville.

Both individuals on the motorcycle fled on foot. One suspect, Juliana Martinez, W/F DOB/05-12-1998, was arrested at the scene. The male suspect was not located – Arrest/Female – 2019-39389. o Commercial Burglary – District 2/Zone 2 – Deputies were called to a business in reference to two individuals attempting to remove a chair and a large planter from the front of a business. The male suspect was apprehended at the scene, while the female suspect fled and has yet to be located – Arrest/Male – 2019-39386.

Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Zone/District Map

o Grand Theft – District 1/Zone 5 – A homeowner reported that a homemade trailer was stolen from his residence in January of 2018.

He has since moved to Missouri, however, decided to report it after recently receiving a toll violation notice in the mail involving the trailer – Investigation active – 201939341.

• Schools: o Nature Coast Technical High School – Two students were found using a vaping device in the bathroom – Both students were issued juvenile civil citations and given three days of OSS – 201939304.

Thursday, December 5, 2019 LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS • Deputies responded to: o Residential Armed Burglary – District 2/Zone 4 – The homeowner was preparing to show his home to a potential buyer when he noticed an unknown individual inside the residence. The suspect fled from the scene, but was apprehended a short time later. He was found in possession of numerous stolen items along with several knives – Arrest/Male – 2019-39474. o Suicide – District 1/Zone 6 – 59 YOA/Male – Investigation active – 2019-39489. o Agency Assist – District 1/Zone 5 – Deputies were called to assist the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office with a stolen vehicle case. A stolen Ford F750 water tanker truck out of Citrus County was mapping in

Hernando County. The vehicle was not located at the site – Investigation active – 2019-39420.

will be considered for expulsion – 2019-39463. o West Hernando Middle School – During a verbal argument a student made a comment about bringing a weapon to school to injure another student – Investigation active – 2019-39451

o Resisting without Violence/ Possession of Crack Cocaine/ Possession of Paraphernalia – District 1/Zone 5 – Deputies were notified a wanted person was seen driving in the area of Twigg Street in Brooksville. When deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop the driver and a passenger fled on foot. Deputies were able to take the wanted person into custody following a short foot chase.

Deputies found crack cocaine and a scale in the vehicle – Arrest/Male – 2019-39491.

Friday and Weekend, December 6-8, 2019 LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS • Deputies responded to: o Missing Endangered Adult/ Recovered – District 1/Zone 3 – 41 YOA Male – Recovered – 201939581.

• Schools: o Springstead High School – A student made comments of committing self-harm – Student was Baker Acted – 2019-39437.

o Throw Deadly Missile/Criminal Mischief – District 2/Zone 4 – A known individual threw an unknown object at a woman’s vehicle as she was stopped at a stop sign. The individual also threw an object at the deputy’s vehicle as the deputy arrived on scene – Arrest/Male – 2019-39632.

o Nature Coast Technical High School – A student was found in possession of a vaping device – Student received a juvenile civil citation and 10 days of OSS for multiple infractions – 2019-39406.

o Agency Assist/Traffic Fatality – District 1/Zone 5 – A vehicle was traveling south on the Suncoast Parkway when an individual jumped into the path of the moving vehicle. The pedestrian died at the scene – The Florida Highway Patrol handled the investigation.

o Nature Coast Technical High School -- A student was found in possession of a vaping device – Student received a juvenile civil citation and three days of OSS – 2019-39412. o West Hernando Middle School – Student found in possession of a vaping device – Student issued a juvenile civil citation – 2019-39355.

o Domestic Battery – A couple was involved in a verbal argument that turned physical when the male suspect hit the female victim.

o Central High School – Two students got into a fight. The student who was the aggressor received a juvenile civil citation and

See BRIEFINGS, Page 4

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HERNANDO SUN

LOCAL & STATE

hernandosun.com Dec. 13- 19, 2019

Kass Circle 'CRA' approves area plan without tax increment financing option

by LISA MACNEIL lisa@hernandosun.com The Board of County Commissioners acting as the Community Redevelopment Agency met on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 to approve the Community Development Area Plan, as well as adopt the 2020 budget and meeting schedules.

The Agency unanimously approved all of the items, with the modification that the Area Plan be approved without a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) option.

The simplest definition of a TIF comes from Wikipedia: “A public financing method that is used as a subsidy for redevelopment, infrastructure, and other community-improvement projects.”

At least ten other funding sources exist in several forms, such as from the gas tax and parks and recreation impact fees.

Grant funds could also be applied.

Michelle Miller of the Planning Department presented the long-term plan to the agency, focusing on the goal of Kass Circle regaining a sense of identity and restore community culture. The

redevelopment is expected to progress through 2050.

The massive redevelopment plan provides remedies for re-establishing business in vacant commercial areas, providing affordable housing, libraries, and various other community-specific entities to revive the area.

The commissioners were not amenable to the TIF option, citing various reasons and concerns, primarily that the county would be subsidizing the Kass Circle area, and also any increases in costs in the county. The current tax revenue specific to the area was not available at the Tuesday meeting.

Commissioner Steve Champion commended the ideals of the plan, but questioned how it fit with private property rights. “These are a bunch of empty retail (buildings) and restaurants that have been run down, and we’re talking about libraries … can we force anything on these private properties?”

Jeff Rogers explained that Community Redevelopment is an economic tool that is used by local government to

identify areas where it would like to see investment back into the area. Business taxes in that area are dedicated directly back to the community, rather than being distributed throughout the county.

Champion returned to the business development aspect, saying, “19 and 50 have taken all the business (from Kass Circle), and it’s never coming back. Ever.

I just don’t see it as very viable.”

Ron Pianta also explained that the focus of redevelopment goes beyond the shopping centers. “The area is much larger, and includes the surrounding residential community.” He went on to say that these area residents wish to see the county make the investment in helping that community improve itself.

Pianta acknowledged that the shopping centers are an economic driver for the community as well, however they serve the surrounding residents.

Commissioner John Allocco said he was uncomfortable about the narrow focus on the one area. “The next thing you know, it will be the Hernando Beach CRA, and the Masaryktown CRA …

before you know it, all the growth in the community and any tax is going to specified for one specific area in the county.”

Commissioner John Mitten considered the presentation “Very cogent and very well presented.” Impressed by the overall quality, Mitten considered the plan one that would rival that of a large city with ten times the staff. “It’s very easy for us to take a look at a difficult area of the county, and say, ‘Well I don’t live there,’ and then watch funding not always get to those challenged areas.”

Mitten added, “A lot of (items in the plan) would be something an HOA (homeowners’ association) would take care of -- that make you take pride and feel good about where you live. There’s no such thing in this area … Do we just let it go, or try to figure out how to make it a better place?”

School Board refinancing debt to keep state funding for additional 18 years

by JULIE B. MAGLIO julie@hernandosun.com

that the district shares with the county. By securing the debt with the revenue funds, the special act says the legislature won’t Joining Joyce McIntyre, Hernando adopt, repeal or modify the special act County School District’s Director of to reduce the revenue source or impact Finance and Purchasing, for Tuesday’s certificate holders of these bonds. workshop presentation on a bond Superintendent Stratton succinctly refinancing maneuver was Ritesh Patel, explained, “To keep the $200,000 coming the school district’s bond counsel with in, we have to have debt out there and Nabors, Giblin and Nickerson P.A. that’s the million we are borrowing. and Laura Howe with Public Financial We can infuse that into our schools Management, the district’s financial immediately to keep $200k times 18 management advisor. (years) and bring in roughly $3 million The purpose of the refinancing over that period of time.” maneuver is to extend an annual $200,000 McIntyre explained that the plan is state revenue stream for another 18 years to refinance a revenue bond which will after 2031, when bonds are set to expire. allow cash options By keeping the bonds in place, the state - possibly about $1 million to use cannot change legislation to alter the state to finance the cost of acquisition, funding stream per a special legislative construction and installation of certain act. capital improvements at various district Patel warned that if the district does not facilities. choose to refinance the debt, after 2031 Howe said that it’s a good time to the legislature could repeal the special act refinance as rates are nearing historic or modify it to change the revenue stream lows. The current debt service rate is

5% on the original $3 million bond. By refinancing the rate will drop to 2.9%.

The district’s resolution states the rate cannot exceed 3.75%.

They have consulted with the facilities department on projects which would meet state tax code requirements. Patel explained that under the tax code, there are restrictions on how long you can finance improvements. The useful lives for the proposed projects were provided by the facilities department and Patel said there wouldn’t be any tax issues with those projects.

Patel gave some background on the state funds being received by the district.

They are originally racetrack and Jai Lai funds guaranteed to be paid by the state. Racetrack and Jai Lai funds were depleted in 2000 and in 2009, the legislature replaced the parimutuel funds with a portion of state sales tax. “So that’s actually what the security is,” explained Patel.

Proposed improvement projects to

H-19-47 school site County approves private ²

be funded by the $1 million include bathroom epoxy floor replacement, classroom carpet replacement, cafeteria and hall VCT floor replacement, replace rotten covered areas with new metal insulated roofs… replace failing lights with LED lights.

School board member Jimmy Lodato expressed some concern about extending the debt service another 18 years for $1 million in capital improvements. “By the time we get to 18 years down the road, we’ll have to replace these (make the improvements) one more time.”

During the school board meeting that evening, school board members took the first steps to refinance the bond. They unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of Capital Improvement and Refunding Revenue Certificates, Series 2020 under several parameters.

Sheriff’s Office Briefing Notes from page 3

6.d

Photo date: 2016

Commissioners approved a Master Plan Revision to allow the For Each 1 Reach 1 Mentoring Program to proceed with construction of their new facility on Sunshine Grove Road.

Lynette Mackey, Executive Director of the private school, which will focus on K-8 students who have had difficulty in traditional learning environments, dispelled some circulating rumors which likened the program to a detention center or punitive environment from which students would try to escape.

One citizen commented, “When you’re dealing with kids that are court-appointed or … are already in the law system, what’s to stop them from breaking the law again?”

Mackey describes the students of the school as, “not able to keep up with the mode of life moving fast. They can reach the finish line, just not when the average child will reach it.”

Some students have external needs that mainstream schools don’t provide, such as clothing and personal care items.

Fearing as many as 500 vehicles queuing for pick up and drop off, the most cited concern of local residents opposing the facility was of increased vehicle traffic.

Alan Garman of Procivil 360 also addressed the BOCC, showed that the current zoning would allow for other traffic-producing businesses without board approval, such as a convenience store with 4 fueling stations.

Since most of the

Deputies were unable to locate the suspect at the scene – Investigation active – 2019-39661.

Sunshine Grove Rd

by LISA MACNEIL lisa@hernandosun.com

Attachment: H1947 Aerial (16452 : Master Plan Revision- H1947 - Lynette Mackey)

This map was prepared by this office to be used as an aid in land parcel location and identification only. All land locations, right-of-way widths, acreages, and utility locations are subject to field survey or other appropriate verification.

Montour St.

o Domestic Battery Over 65 YOA – District 1/Zone 4 – Hernando County Fire Rescue responded to a residence where they found a woman unconscious. Deputies responded to the scene to investigate. Initially the victim denied knowing how her injuries occurred. The victim eventually identified the person who injured her – Arrest/Male – 2019-39656. o Missing Juvenile – District 2/Zone 2 – A 15 YOA male left his residence on foot – Investigation active – 2019-39767. o Domestic Violence – District 2/Zone 4 – A third party called authorities to report a male suspect was battering a female victim outside of their residence – Arrest/Male – 2019-39754. o Narcotics – District 1/Zone 6 – During a traffic stop deputies discovered the driver had a suspended driver’s license. Deputies located marijuana and ecstasy in the vehicle – Arrest/Male –2019-39778. o Death Investigation – District 2/Zone 3 – 43 YOA female – Investigation active – 2019-39783. o Suspicious Incident – District 2/Zone 7 – An individual was spotted in the parking lot of a park mumbling to himself. Some teenagers became concerned and reported the suspicious individual to adults. The man left prior to law enforcement’s arrival – Investigation active – 2019-39790.

Above: Map of the parcel for 0 the proposed school.

concern was for traffic on Montour Street, CJA asked if an entrance could be made from Sunshine Grove. Garman explained, “Typically, you don’t put a driveway onto a four-lane road if you can afford it. It’s not appropriate to put it there.”

The school has planned 9 classrooms, with a maximum capacity of 15 students, a cafeteria and gym with an equipment building. It will also have unique features such as child care facilities, summer day camps, a junior-olympic sized pool and splash pad. The proposed student enrollment is 135 students with 10 to 15 staff members.

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HCSO ALERT: Sheriff's Vice Unit Shuts Down Drug House On 12-10-19, detectives with the Hernando County Sheriff's Vice and Narcotics Unit with assistance from the Hernando County Sheriff's S.W.A.T. Team, executed a search warrant at 2279 Rio Circle in Spring Hill.

Deputies have responded to calls for service or initiated activity at this residence over 200 times since January 1, 2019. Most calls for service involved illegal drug activity or wanted persons.

Throughout the investigation, detectives learned the owner of the residence Nicholas Mario Pisciotta, was selling a moderate amount of illegal narcotics from the residence in an effort to fund his own addiction. Pisciotta also permitted his friends and acquaintances to come to his residence to both use and sell illegal narcotics.

During the execution of the search warrant on 12-10-19, detectives located a minimal amount of illegal narcotics and a vast amount of drug paraphernalia (see photos). To reiterate, Pisciotta was not suspected of dealing large amounts of illegal narcotics. He permitted others, who did not live/stay there, to sell illegal narcotics from his residence.

The individuals listed below were located in the residence. Each was arrested and charged as follows: Pisciotta, Nicholas Mario DOB/07-24-1960

o Threats via Communication to Kill/Harm – District 2/Zone 2 – A mother called to report her son had Packet Pg. 394 received a death threat over the phone. Neither the mother, nor the son could identify the caller – Investigation active – 2019-811.

o Drug Equipment - Possess and/or Use o Drug Possession - Possession of Methamphetamine w/Intent to Deliver o Drug Possession - Possession of Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) w/o Prescription o Opium or Derivative - Sell o Heroin - Sell o Opium or Derivative - Possess w/ Intent to Sell, Manufacture or Deliver o Possess Structure/Vehicle Known to Sell Drugs o Heroin - Possess w/Intent to Sell, Manufacture or Deliver o Drug Equipment - Possess and/or Use o Bond - $34,000.

Vondelinde, Cody Insoo DOB/05-27-1983 o Possession of Harmful New Legend Drug w/o Prescription o Possession of Harmful New Legend Drug w/o Prescription o Drug Equipment - Possess and/or Use o Drug Possession - Possession of Controlled Substance w/o Prescription o Bond - $4,000.

Fallanca, Carmella Catherine DOB/06-21-1990 o Possession of Harmful New Legend Drug w/o Prescription o Possession of Harmful New Legend Drug w/o Prescription o Drug Equipment - Possess and/or Use o Drug Possession - Possession

o Felony Battery/Resisting Arrest/Aggravated Assault/Resisting Arrest/Criminal Mischief/ Possession of Methamphetamine – Deputies conducted a traffic stop on an individual wanted for battery. The driver attempted to drive away from deputies before eventually getting his vehicle stuck in front of residence. The driver fled on foot and was unable to be located by deputies. A baggie of methamphetamine was found in the vehicle – Investigation active – 2019-39836. o Death Investigation – District 1/Zone 5 – 57 YOA Male – Investigation active – 2019-39828.

• Schools: o Weeki Wachee High School – A student made

of Controlled Substance w/o Prescription o Bond - $4,000.

Teter, Brittany Elizabeth DOB/09-22-1990 o Possession of Harmful New Legend Drug w/o Prescription o Possession of Harmful New Legend Drug w/o Prescription o Drug Equipment - Possess and/or Use o Drug Possession - Possession of Controlled Substance w/o Prescription o Bond - $4,000.

Swisher, Shawn Allen DOB/09-18-1986 o Possession of Harmful New Legend Drug w/o Prescription o Possession of Harmful New Legend Drug w/o Prescription o Bond - $1,000.

The investigation continues.

LOCAL & STATE

Dec. 13- 19, 2019

hernandosun.com THE HERNANDO SUN

ABOVE: Our website captured by Archive.org on Dec. 17, 2014. RIGHT: The first issue we printed was March 2015. It was eight pages.

TURNS FIVE-ISH from page 1

the area would become a suburb of Tampa, where the majority of the coverage highlighted people, places, and events out of the area. We saw the need and attempted to convince others that we needed to create a newspaper. After a little while we decided our best option was to start the newspaper independently, which was a brave decision since neither of Julie or I had experience as journalists.

In March of 2015, the Hernando Sun newspaper printed its first newspaper.

The newspaper had no ads and was only eight pages. The first issue was free and since then the cost has stayed the same at $.75 an issue.

The website debuted earlier, it was first captured by archive.org on December 17, 2014. There were a surprising number of articles on the website at that time. There was significant coverage of the Christmas activities and Julie hand drew a cartoon.

We are planning to celebrate our 5 year anniversary in March. Last year we celebrated turning four in November.

There are several important dates and we will celebrate them all. Here is to turning five.

In those five years the Hernando Sun has grown up. We have won several awards from the Florida Press Association, but we are most proud of the numerous thank you and supportive letters we have received from our readers. You truly are our inspiration.

Our readers are also our watch dogs.

They call to tell us when our newspapers are buried under other publications, or when our rack has been moved out of

the way in the store. We have learned that the delivery personnel of other publications in the area are commission based, which leads to aggressive tactics.

Recently, a reader called to let us know that there was a 9 inch stack of circulars on top of our papers at one of the stores.

She alerted a manager and asked where the Hernando Sun was. Through her tenacity, the issue was corrected before we even got there. If this reader had not stepped in, then we wouldn't have sold a single paper. Through the due diligence of our readers, we are able to continue to bring you great local coverage.

In January 2019 the Hernando Sun Newspaper was featured in an article in the Tokyo Shimbun, a Japanese newspaper with a circulation in the millions. The article was about how communities are reacting to their local newspapers closing and this Japanese newspaper chose to highlight Hernando County and the Hernando Sun for their article on changing media in the United States. They spoke with us about choosing to start a newspaper, which is a rarity in America today.

Just this week a university student in Boston Massachusetts contacted us with questions about starting a newspaper in reaction to a newspaper closing.

Not only are newspapers closing, but there has been significant consolidation.

Gannett which was purchased by Gatehouse although they kept the Gannett brand name, controls hundreds of daily, weekly, community newspapers, and community sites. At the time of their See TURNS FIVE-ISH, Page 21

The

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Questions? Visit oakhillhospital.com/NICU or call 352-606-7300.

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THE HERNANDO SUN

hernandosun.com Dec. 13- 19, 2019

IN, OUT & ABOUT

Historic Downtown Brooksville

Holiday Calendar of Events DECEMBER 13TH Friday Night Live Christmas Edition, Night Market & Food Trucks rally 6pm - 8pm at Hernando Park Bandshell Christmas on Main Music: Saxophonist Dell Barnes, 6pm at the Courthouse DECEMBER 14TH Kiwanis Christmas Parade, 10am Throughout Downtown Destination Brooksville Christmas Festival, 12pm - 6pm Throughout Downtown Cookies & Egg Nog, 12pm - 5pm at The Mirador Pet Pictures with Santa,Vendors, Food & Treats 5pm-8pm at AKA Salvage & Designs Christmas on Main Music: Hernando Symphony's Brass Quartet, 6pm at Courthouse DECEMBER 18TH AND 19TH Santa & His Reindeer featuring the Christmas Circus Show, 6pm-8pm at Hernando Park Tickets are available at Friday night live or day of event at the Library entrance to Hernando Park. $5 per person $20 per family max!

DECEMBER 19TH Christmas on Main Music: Stir Up the Gift, 6pm at the Courthouse Christmas Carriage Rides, 6pm - 10pm Departing from the Courthouse Reservations are only made in person day of event beginning at 4pm at the Courthouse Types of carriages: Vis-Ă -Vis (4 seat carriage) $10 per person Santa's Sleigh (9 seat carriage) $10 per person Holiday Wagon (16 person wagon) $5 per person *No charge for infants riding on a lap DECEMBER 20TH Christmas on Main Music: Wesleyan Church King's Bells, 6pm at Courthouse See Santa at the Christmas Tree, 6pm - 9pm at the Courthouse Christmas Carriage Rides, 6pm - 10pm (see full details on december 19th) DECEMBER 21ST Arts & Autos, Art/Handmade Exhibitor Market and Car Show 2-6pm, Main St. and Ft. Dade Christmas on Main Music:Al Chance 6pm Florida Cracker Christmas featuring The Bellamy Brothers, 6pm - 11pm at Florida Cracker Kitchen tickets $10 per person via Eventbrite, benefiting Operation Heart F.E.L.T.

www.HistoricDowntownBrooksville.com

Dec. 13- 19, 2019

hernandosun.com

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THE HERNANDO SUN

hernandosun.com Dec. 13- 19, 2019

IN, OUT & ABOUT

Upcoming Event Preview Everything that will get you out and about...

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA JAZZ AND BLUES WITH THE MUDDS SATURDAY, DEC. 14, 2019 SUNDAY, DEC. 15, 2019 FROM 2 PM Breakfast With Santa TO 5 PM AT THE SPARACIASaturday, Dec. 14, 2019 from 9:00 – 11:00am WITHERELL WINERY IN BROOKSVILLE

Join us for a fun filled festive morning! We will have pancake breakfast, face painting, arts and crafts, and of course, a meet and greet with Santa! Event includes an emailed photo with Santa. This event is FREE for members and $3 a person for community members.

Pre-Registration at our Member Service desk is required.

Hernando County YMCA is located at 1300 Mariner Blvd, Spring Hill, Florida 34609

CALLING ALL ARTISTIC TYPES HELD BY THE NATURE COAST ART LEAGUE EVERY MONDAY

The Mudds’ sound ranges from relaxing easy listening to upbeat Louisiana style jazz. The Mudds have self-released 3 full length discs over the past three years.

Sam writes original songs and constantly adds new songs to their vast setlist inspired by masters such as Percy Mayfield, Eddie Boyd, Ollie Shepard, Willie Dixon, Bill Withers, Simply Red and ZZ Top. Band members Sam Mudd (vocals/guitar) and wife Betsy Mudd (bass), perform mostly as a husband and wife duo, sometimes featuring guest musicians on Harmonica, Horns, Percussion/Drums, and keys. This is a band that fits any venue or festival. They live in Inverness, FL centrally located to Ocala, The Villages, Orlando and Tampa Bay. When you hear their music you’ll want to kick back and listen for a long time.

Some people create art because it is fulfilling and we enjoy it. Some people have aspirations to become a celebrated artist. If you enjoy creating artistic works then you have a lot in common with the Nature Coast Art League. Come visit with us at one of our weekly “Create-A-Long” meetings. The meetings will be held every Monday from 9 a.m. to Noon.

At The Lake House on Kenlake Drive in Spring Hill. We encourage you to check us out.

For more information, contact Carole Babicz at 352-596-1015.

The Lake House is located to 1202 Kenlake Drive in Spring Hill, Fl 34606.

Sparacia Witherell Family Winery & Vineyard is .ocated at 21509 Snow Hill Road, Brooksville, Florida 34601

Brooksville’s

NEW YEAR’S EVE TANGERINE DROP JOIN US FOR THE REVIVAL OF BROOKSVILLE’S FAMOUS NEW YEAR’S EVE TANGERINE DROP. 9PM TO MIDNIGHT DEC. 31 AT BROOKSVILLE MINING ENRICHMENT CENTER 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd, Brooksville

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MUSIC, FOOD, GAMES AND THEN IT’S TANGERINE TIME! FREE FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT. LOCAL MUSICIANS BILL CREEL AND JOE SOLOMON WILL BE ENTERTAINING

Dec. 13- 19, 2019 hernandosun.com

How's the weather?

BY STEVE NORRIS HERNANDO SUN Rain chances increase to around 50% for Friday and Saturday with high temperatures in the mid to Upper 70s. Looks like we're in for plenty of sunshine for Sunday and Monday with highs in the 70s but cool with Lows near 52. Get set for a strong cold front to move through on Tuesday and bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms and that will be followed by some chilly air.

The high temperature on Wednesday will probably struggle to get out of the upper 50s and could drop into the upper 30s at night. Cool temperatures will then stick around at least through Christmas Eve. Winter begins officially Saturday night, December 21st at 11:19 p.m.

Eastern time. It is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight and the longest night of the whole year. The sun is also now at its lowest point in the sky of the year. The days then start getting longer after the 21st with the sun setting about 30 seconds later each day so we gain about six minutes of sunshine by the end of December and 36 minutes by the end of January. Be sure to check in on our Facebook weather page daily, Tampa Bay Weather Watch and you can reach me anytime with questions or comments, weather1@charter.net Remember to like my Facebook pagr Tampa Bay Weather Watch for occasional updates.

Submit briefs to pr@hernandosun.com EDUCATION/ SCHOLARSHIPS Holliday Karatinos, PLLC Scholarship Program Combined $5,000 - Deadline: 5/1/2020 The Holliday Karatinos, PLLC Scholarship Program is designed to help high school seniors and college students who are interested in pursuing an institution of higher education. With combined scholarship grants worth $5,000, they are excited to help students achieve their goals as they recognize the value of education as a vital foundation for the creation and fulfillment of advantageous careers. They look forward to reviewing your application, and wish you success in all your future endeavors.

Eligibility Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent U.S. resident Be accepted to an institution of higher learning.

High school seniors who are 18+ (or need parent written consent) and all college students (2 year tech, or 4 year university, colleges, undergraduates) Employees of Holliday Karatinos Law Firm, PLLC, Consultwebs.com, Inc., their boards of directors and immediate family members are not eligible for this essay contest.

ESSAY The following documents must be provided for consideration (.doc, .docx, or .pdf format only) to the attention of Joan E. Hahn via email only to Joanhahn@helpinginjuredpeople.com An official copy of a current academic transcript Proof of legal residency in U.S. (i.e. birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, permanent resident card, etc.)

Proof of acceptance to an institution of higher learning.

Submit a digital photo (.jpg) of yourself.

A one-page essay of 600 words with the focus on: Importance of the 7th Amendment in the US Constitution Please include the following, in addition to the requirements set forth above: Include your full name, email address, mailing address, and phone number at the top of your essay. This will be the information that we use to contact you if your essay is selected as the winner, but will not be shared with the public if you become a finalist. If you are one of the 3 winners, your name and image will be shared with the public.

Please include 1-2 sentences about yourself. (What school, college or university you attend or plan to attend and your plans for the future, and what school you are attending now.)

DEADLINE: Application materials should be emailed in .pdf, .doc. or .docx format only to Joan E. Hahn to Joanhahn@helpinginjuredpeople.com TIMELINE Essay submissions open: March 1, 2020 Essay submissions close: May 1, 2020 Winners contacted and announced by: June 1, 2020 Suncoast Credit Union Scholarship Application - (3) $2000 - Deadline March 30, 2020 Eligibility: Be a high school senior attending public or private school or be home-schooled.

Have demonstrated financial need.

Be enrolled in accredited 4-year college/university, 2-year college or technical school in Florida.

Begin post-secondary school in the 2020-21 academic year.

Use scholarship funds for tuition, required educational institution fees, and/or other direct course-related expenses required of all students enrolled in the course of instruction.

NOT be Directors, employees, or family members of Directors or employees of Suncoast Credit Union, Members Title Company, Members Insurance Services, Members Trust Company or Suncoast Realty Solutions LLC. Please click below for the application, eligibility requirements, and checklist.

CONTACT: Tammy Brinker brinker_t@hcsb.k12.fl.us 352-540-4180 Mary & Bob Sierra Family Foundation Scholarship - (3) $10,000 - Deadline April 20, 2020 Eligibility: Must be enrolled in a public school as a senior Must have a 3.2 GPA or higher on 4.0 Scale Min. SAT Score of 1170 and/or Min. ACT score of 26 Must have financial need Must attend college full time at a 2 year Community College or 4 year University/College with minimum of 12 credits Submission Requirements: Handwritten applications will NOT be accepted. (No exceptions) Completed Application & Essay Copy(ies) of College Acceptance Letters Two Letters of Recommendation & Copy of Transcript Go to https://hernandoeducationfoundation.org/scholarships-2/ for more information or to download the application.

Sentence House Scholarship - $3500 - Deadline: 12/30/2019 The Sentence House company believes in valuing education by providing help to those who are in need to fund their various dreams. Since schooling and education can be very expensive, they understand how difficult it could be to fulfill your dreams. Since books expenses, housing costs, tuition fee, the cost of undergraduate and the cost of graduate school. All of these expenses can easily start adding up to huge sums of dollars.

Who can apply: The students from the US, Canada, Australia, and UK can apply for this scholarship.

Amount of Award: One scholarship of $3500.

Direct link of scholarship page: http://sentencehouse.com/sentence-house-scholarship/ Deadline: December 30, 2019

- $750 - Deadline: 3/15/2020 Eligibility : Students in grades 9th – 12th who reside in Hernando County, Florida. (Students are not eligible for award two years in a year.)

Awards : Scholarships will be awarded for private study of instrument or voice lessons.

To Apply : Students must submit a completed application form along with a letter of reference and a CD recording for pre-audition screening. Recordings can be MP3 or WAV file format. Finalists will be invited to live auditions on a Sunday in march – date, location, and schedule will be provided.

DEADLINE : Sunday, March 15, 2020.

MAIL TO : Hernando Jazz Society, PO Box 3757, Spring Hill, FL 34611 AUDITIONS: Sunday in March (To Be Determined) Finalists must bring 3 copies of the sheet music and perform a solo with accompaniment. Accompaniment can be live or recorded. (NOTE: Extra credit will be awarded for performances of Jazz music – see Extra Credit Sheet.)

Family and Friends may attend the auditions, however, all questions posed to the applicant must be answered by the applicant only.

Applicants will be waiting in a separate room until their scheduled time to perform.

WINNERS : Scholarships winners are expected to perform live at the last Hernando Jazz Society session of the 2019-2020 season on Sunday, May 3, 2020.

QUESTIONS : Contact Jean Spaulding, at (352) 6509101 or by email: jeanspauldinghjs@gmail.com or Eddie Lawrence, President, Hernando Society, at (352) 683-7254, or by email: Edlawjazz@yahoo.com National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarship - $500 - Deadline: January 10, 2020 The Annuttaliga Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is offering a $500 scholarship to a senior student who is in financial need and wishes to pursue a degree at an accredited college. The scholarship is offered at Hernando High School, Hernando Christian Academy and Nature Coast Technical High School.

The student wishing to apply for the DAR scholarship should submit a 500-600 word essay, typed, doublespaced using a regular font. The paper should contain original thought and have references. The topic this year is to choose a person, man or woman, who lived at the time of the Revolution. The essay should discuss the person’s life and delineate the contributions this person made to the success of the American Revolution. A good source where such a person might be found is the website for Annuttaliga Chapter, DAR. There the student will find a list of Patriot Ancestors of the Chapter members.

For all details and information please go to: .https://annuttaligadar.wixsite.com/annuttaligadar Deadline: Essay is due in the second week of January, 2020 Florida Futures Project Scholarship - $1,000 - Deadline: 01/15/2020 The Florida Futures Project is a first of its kind statewide scholarship competition that invites high school seniors to craft solutions to large-scale challenges facing the Sunshine State. We dare you to think differently and challenge the status quo. We categorically reject cynicism and inaction. Instead, we challenge you to imagine what Florida could be and how your idea will improve lives in your community and across our state. Our 20192020 essay competition will focus on climate change mitigation and adaptation. We believe in bold ideas for a brighter future – do you? Deadline: 01/15/2020 Eligibility: Any high school senior (as of September 1st, 2019) in the state of Florida is eligible for the essay competition.

For more information: https://floridafuturesproject. com/2019-2020competition/ Adult Education Classes are being offered at Temple Beth David 13158 Antelope St. Reb Tuviah will be leading us in “Exploring the Genesis Story”. The classes will be held on Mondays at 10:30am and 7:30pm.

The dates and topics are: 12/9 (Joseph). Classes are free for TBD members and $5 for non-members. The classes are open to the public. For more information

call 352-686-7034.

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY “KICK” Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament Support United Way’s Free Book Program Spring Hill, FL – Save the date for United Way of Hernando County’s 5th Annual competitive “KICK” Start to Early Literacy Kickball Tournament. Join United Way at Anderson Snow Park on February 22, 2020 and root for your favorite Hernando County businesses as they compete to win the Ultimate Traveling Trophy. The first teams kick off at 9:00AM sharp.

All proceeds from this tournament will benefit the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, which currently supplies over 1,000 Hernando children with a free book every month until the age of five. The books are mailed to the children regardless of their family’s economic status.

This fun family day is jam-packed with activities for all ages: FREE Admission, Food, Raffles & Giveaways; Entertainment; Vendor Tables; Bounce House & Kid Zone And so much more!

Volunteers are also needed for this tournament. Sign up on Lend a Hand Hernando to be a scorekeeper, work the raffle table, or help in the Kid Zone.

For more information, visit www.UnitedWayHernando.org/Kickball or call the United Way office at 352-688-2026.

Historic Hernando Preservation Society Meeting The December meeting date has been changed to Thursday, December 19 at 6:30 pm at City Hall so that members can attend the Tree Lighting Ceremony at the historic Hernando County Courthouse. We will hold elections for our Board and Officers at the meeting please come cast your vote! We will also be selecting our Lee Anne Shoeman Award winner. Please bring a dish to share as well as an inexpensive (less than $5) wrapped Christmas ornament for our gift exchange.

Please join us to make important decisions about HHPS for next year, and have some fun.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Orientation & Training Join us as a defender of potential by becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister and together, we can change the world. All it takes is 4-8 hours a month, depending on the program, with a focus on being consistent and spending one-to-one quality time with your Little. Let's clear a path to a child's biggest possible future.

The first step is to attend a Big Orientation & Training session where you’ll learn about our programs, commitments, expectations and our kids.

Get more details about volunteering » https://bbbstampabay.org/be-a-big/ We have two school based programs in the county: Brooksville Elementary and Spring Hill Elementary Contact: Sheri Chancey, 352-410-4442, sheric@bbbstampabay.org Dates/Times/Locations: Dec. 12 (Thursday), Noon-1:30 p.m., YMCA, 1300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill Hernando County Retired Educators Association Please join us if you are a former employee of any district or state school. We meet the first Tuesday of every other month-Feb.,Apr.,June, Aug.,Oct.,Dec.at 10:00 am in the Medical Arts Enrichment Center, next to the Bayfront Health Brooksville hospital on Cortez Blvd.

We have interesting meetings with speakers on a variety of topics. We monitor our FRS pension and support future teachers with scholarships.

Look us up on facebook or go to the HCREA unit of FREA website. http://www.frea.org. Diane: 352-628-4681 National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) NARFE Chapter 1322 meets every third Friday of every month with the exception of June-August at 1:00 P.M. at the Enrichment Center of the Medical Arts Complex at Bay Front Health Hospital located at 17222 Cortez Blvd, Suite 120 Brooksville, FL. As a group, NARFE supports legislation beneficial to current Federal employees and annuitants and opposes legislation contrary to their interests. There will be no meeting in October or November. Our next meeting will be Friday, December 20th at 1:00 P.M. Contact Dennis Foley at 352-754-6160 or e-mail peacock1973@att.net for information.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR HERNANDO SUN READERS

What’s On & Where To Find It!

TV's Best Bets: Week of Dec. 15 White House Christmas 2019 HGTV, 5pm Maureen McCormick, The Brady Bunch’s Marcia, joins home renovation expert and star of Windy City Rehab Alison Victoria to cohost this special that includes a room-by-room tour of the White House in all of its decorated-for-the-holidays glory.

A Beauty & the Beast Christmas ION Television, 7pm Ginger Holiday, a peppy Christmas influencer, is convinced by her agent to fake a holiday romance with viral bad boy Beau Bradley to gain more followers.

Snowbound for Christmas UPtv, 7pm Original Film!

A marketing executive is invited by her charming and handsome boss to pitch a major project to prospective clients at a posh resort, and the two get snowed in before any of the other guests can arrive.

The 42nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors CBS, 8pm Actress Sally Field, singer Linda Ronstadt, children’s television program Sesame Street, conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and R&B collective Earth, Wind & Fire are the recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors recognizing their contributions to arts and culture.

The Christmas Caroler Challenge: “The Auditions Part 1” The CW, 8pm New Series!

This Christmas caroling competition series features 12 extraordinary Christmas carol groups, each with their own stylized brand of performance, celebrating the great Christmas music we have all come to love.

The Simpsons: “Bobby, It’s Cold Outside” FOX, 8pm Springfield Mall hires a new Santa -and it’s Bart’s archnemesis, Sideshow Bob! The possibly reformed evil genius couldn’t have anything to do with the packages being stolen from people’s doorsteps, could he?

A Cheerful Christmas Hallmark Channel, 8pm Original Film!

Lauren and her best friend think they have landed their dream job -- personal “Christmas coaches.” This holiday season promises to be their biggest ever when they land a royal client, the Anderson family, who has moved from England.

Rediscovering Christmas Lifetime, 8pm At the annual Snowflake Festival, the founders’ grandson butts heads with a decorator .

Christmas Double Feature TCM, beginning at 8pm Tonight’s back-to-back Christmas-themed features are Holiday Affair (1949) and Remember the Night (1940).

Bless the Harts: “Miracle on Culpepper Slims Boulevard” FOX, 8:30pm Betty (voice of Maya Rudolph) tries to figure out how to give the family the best Christmas presents on a budget in the new episode “Miracle on Culpepper Slims Boulevard.”

9

Business & Community Briefs

Hernando Jazz Society Scholarship - 1st $1000 - 2nd

Sunday, Dec. 15

THE HERNANDO SUN

Bob’s Burgers: “Have Yourself a Maily Linda Christmas” FOX, 9pm Gene and Louise (voices of Eugene Mirman and Kristen Schaal) scramble last-minute to find the perfect gift for Tina (voice of Dan Mintz) in the new episode “Have Yourself a Maily Linda Christmas.”

Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9pm Original Film!

Chloe wants to expand the family company and must work with former rival Ryan , who has recently returned to Angel Falls.

Watchmen HBO, 9pm Season Finale!

Set in an alternate history where masked vigilantes are treated as outlaws, the groundbreaking series (based on the graphic novel) from creator Damon Lindelof comes to a season close tonight.

Shameless: “Adios Gringos” Showtime, 9pm Head of household and perennial partier Frank Gallagher and son Liam move ahead in their scheme to sell a blackmarket baby.

Good Eats Food Network, 11pm Eat, drink and be very careful about overimbibing around the holidays!

Thankfully, host Alton Brown is here with some low-alcohol drink ideas.

Lost Secrets Travel Channel, 11pm Season Finale!

Did espionage by former slaves help the Union win the Civil War? In the season finale, Justin Jampol uncovers that Harriet Tubman was only one of a group of African American secret agents working for the Union as spies, in a military operation so secret that President Abraham Lincoln didn’t even tell the secretaries of war and the Navy about it.

Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas getTV, 12am (late-night) The crooner and the rock chameleon’s stirring “Peace on Earth/The Little Drummer Boy” duet is the hour’s most memorable scene (though Crosby closes with the always sublime “White Christmas”).

Monday, Dec. 16 The Neighborhood: “Welcome to the Scooter” CBS, 8pm In the sophomore comedy’s first Christmas episode, lovable curmudgeon Calvin agrees to help perpetual nice guy Dave search for a stolen gift while Calvin’s wife, Tina , tries to revive some holiday traditions.

NFL Football: Indianapolis at New Orleans ESPN, 8pm Live The Indianapolis Colts visit the MercedesBenz Superdome in New Orleans to face Drew Brees and the Saints in this Week 15 Monday Night Football matchup.

Nick Cannon’s Hit Viral Videos -Holidays 2019 FOX, 8pm Nick Cannon and special celebrity guests Kelly Osbourne, Jeannie Mai and J.B. Smoove showcase the funniest and most

TV Weekly Magazine is your essential guide to finding new shows, old favorites, new channels or streaming services.

unbelievable viral videos, from comical holiday mishaps to adorable pets to mischievous kids -- and everything in between!

The Voice: “Live Finale, Part 1” NBC, 8pm Live In the final phase of the competition, the remaining four artists perform live in front of coaches Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani to compete for the title of “The Voice.”

PLUS:

Comprehensive TV Listings

All Rise: “The Joy From Oz” CBS, 9pm Amid holiday parties, Lola must defend herself before the Commission on Judicial Performance after a complaint is made against her in the new episode “The Joy From Oz.” Greatest Holiday Commercials Countdown 2019 The CW, 9pm Kevin Frazier and Keltie Knight host this holiday special counting down the 12 best holiday commercials ever -- one for each of the 12 days of Christmas.

PLAN

Bull: “Imminent Danger” CBS, 10pm In the new episode “Imminent Danger,” Bull and the TAC team take a difficult pro bono murder case before the holidays and realize it will take a Christmas miracle to win because the presiding judge holds a grudge against Bull.

A Very Brady Renovation: Holiday Edition HGTV, 10pm Food Network’s Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) and HGTV’s Jasmine Roth team up with the Brady Bunch cast to whip up ‘70s-inspired treats and retro DIY decorations to adorn the show’s famous home in festive Brady Bunch style.

Holidays With the Houghs NBC, 10pm Brother and sister -- and Emmy-winning choreographers -- Derek and Julianne Hough put their friendly sibling rivalry on display in this festive hourlong holiday special.

Independent Lens: “Attla” PBS, 10pm Discover the inspiring true story of Alaska native and dog musher George Attla, who, despite having only one good leg, rose to international fame through fierce determination to be a champion.

Tuesday, Dec. 17 NHL Hockey: Buffalo at Toronto NBCSN, 7pm Live Jack Eichel and the Buffalo Sabres cross

Crossword, Games, Trivia, Q&A & More!

YOUR WEEK!

Good Trouble: “Nochebuena/A Very Coterie Christmas” Freeform, 9pm In this special two-hour holiday event, the cast of The Fosters reunites when the Adams-Foster family gathers to spend Christmas with Callie and Mariana.

Christmas With the Tabernacle Choir Featuring Kristin Chenoweth PBS, 9pm In PBS’ 16th annual installment of the Tabernacle Choir’s holiday performance, Emmy and Tony winner Kristin Chenoweth performs holiday hits and classics including “Mary, Did You Know?” and “We Need a Little Christmas” from Mame.

Horoscope, Soaps, Sports & Movies

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HERNANDO SUN

hernandosun.com

IN, OUT & ABOUT

Dec. 13- 19, 2019

FARMERS MARKETS Spring Hill Farmers Market Saturdays 10AM- 3PM 3021 Commercial Way; Spring Hill, Florida 34606 We are an outdoor market featuring local small businesses. We have over 45 vendors every week. Beasley Farms, Everlast orchids, Yalahala Bakery, Better Baked Goods, Come Unity Garden, Growin’ Crazy Acres, Healthy Green CBD oil, Avon, Amish Food, Moringa, Hurds Bagels, Edens Nectar and so many more local, talented vendors.

Brooksville Farmers' Market The Brooksville Farmers Market every Sunday, 9am-3pm, 615 Old Hospital Drive, Brooksville, FL 34601. 1st Sunday, Yoga at the Market; fourth Sunday, Hernando County Extension education series. November special events: November 24th "Junk in the Trunk Community Garage Sale" and "Hernando Rock Hounds Gem and Fossil Show and Workshop." Live music every weekend, kids games, local produce, arts, crafts, "Fresh Access Bucks" SNAP matching program provides up to $40 matched for EBT users each day they use their card at the Market. Details at www.HernandoGrowers. org or www.Facebook.com/HernandoGrowers, 352-584-5773.

ONGOING Toasting the Holidays New Art Exhibit The Holidays are almost here! Another beautiful year filled with talent and color. The artwork in the gallery is for sale. Perhaps you will find that special piece that you cannot live without?

The Uptown Gallery at the Brooksville City Hall is open to the public from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Daily except Holidays.

We are located at 201 Howell Avenue, Brooksville, Florida 34601 Dec. 13- 14 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever Dec. 13- 15; FRI 7:30PM; SAT 2:30PM & 7:30PM; SUN 2:30PM The Live Oak Theatre 21030 Cortez Blvd, Brooksville, Florida 34601 Adults - $20. Children 13 and under - $5 with the purchase of an adult ticket. purchase tickets at mkt.com/liveoaktheatre TICKETS ARE GOING FAST! Hernando County Utilities Water Awareness Series Offers Class on Lawns WHEN: Friday, December 13, 2019, 10:00am – 12:00pm Hernando County residents are invited to attend a free seminar, “Winter Cold Protection in Your Florida Yard & Cool and Colorful Yards” on Friday, December 13, 2019, 10:00am – 12:00pm at Hernando County Utilities, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, 34613. BJ Jarvis, County Extension Director, Citrus County, will talk about how to keep your Central Florida plants safe during a frost or freeze event. Lilly Browning, Hernando County Florida-Friendly Landscaping will show how to turn your yard into a winter wonderland - Florida-Style! Light refreshments will be served. Registration is requested. Call 352-754-4705 to register for the free class, or register online at http://HernandoWAS2020.eventbrite.com Train Show & Swap Meet WHEN: Saturday, December 14, 2019, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Open House, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Dana’s Railroad Supply, 4042 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill, FL 34606 Description: ALL SCALES ENCOURAGED. ADMISSION FREE! Table space $10.00 per table. (Bring your own table and chair). Set up time 7:30 a.m.

(352) 684-2484. www.danasrailroadsupply.com.

Country Depot Christmas Festival with Pete Hunt and the Southern Branded Band WHEN: Saturday, December 14, 2019, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Country Depot, 36 N. Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34601 Description: Christmas Festival comes to Country Depot in Downtown Brooksville. After the Parade, Pete Hunt and the Southern Branded Band appearing at the Country Depot 12-3. FREE ADMISSION! (813) 2976276. Facebook: Country Depot, Instagram: country_depot, or www. countrydepotstore.com.

May-Stringer Community Christmas Night of Lights Tour 601 Museum Court, Brooksville, FL Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019 6:00PM - 9:00PM Admission $5.00 HANDICAP ACCESS AVAILABLE on First Floor Only Tour our Victorian Home Decorated by Our Local businesses Aarons, Checkers, Chinesegut Nature Center, Coastal Cooling Heating, Country Kitchen, DAR-Winding Waters Chapter, Done Rite Pools, Junior Service League, Marker 48 Brewery, Patricia’s Boutique, Southern Coast to Country and Suni Skyz Farms.

Bring your Cameras; Special Appearance by Santa!

Enjoy Santa’s Hot Chocolate & Homemade cookies Christmas Celebration Fundraising Event WHEN: Saturday, December 21, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: Brooksville Women’s Club, 131 S. Main Street Brooksville, FL 34601 The Life Center Of Hernando Presents Its First Annual Christmas

Calendar of Events

Celebration. Proceeds to benefit The Life Center of Hernando, a not for profit, providing shelter & making a difference in the lives of homeless young single mothers with small children. Tickets: $25 per person.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: $300 Gold Sponsor: Promo Items given at event & platform to briefly speak about your business. $200 Silver Sponsorship: Promo Items given at event $100 sponsorship to help support the contest Join us for a fun Christmas event and a worthy cause. For questions or to sponsor contact: AL Peterson, Esq. : APLAWFL@gmail.com or (727) 835-6602 Breakfast with Santa.

December 14th 9-11am Join us for a winter wonderland full of arts and crafts, games, breakfast and of course, pictures with the jolly man himself.

Y Members: Free Community Members: $5/person YMCA of the Suncoast--Hernando County 1300 Mariner Blvd; Spring Hill, FL 34609; 352.688.9622 May-Stringer Community Christmas Tree Lighting 601 Museum Court, Brooksville, FL Saturday, December 14th, 2019 6:00PM - 9:00PM Admission $5.00 HANDICAP ACCESS AVAILABLE on First Floor Only; Tour our Victorian Home Decorated by Our Local businesses Aarons, Checkers, Chinesegut Nature Center, Coastal Cooling Heating, Country Kitchen, Done Rite Pools, Junior Service League, Marker 48 Brewery, Patricia’s Boutique and Suni Skyz Farms. Bring your Cameras- Special Appearance

by Santa!

Enjoy Santa’s Hot Chocolate & Homemade cookies Downtown Brooksville Christmas Parade Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 10 AM – 1 PM N Main St, Brooksville, FL 34601 Kiwanas Club of Spring Hill with Special guests Remember When Christmas Festival- Destination Brooksville Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 12 PM – 6 PM WHERE: Little Lady Cafe, 13 S Brooksville Ave, Brooksville, Florida 34601 A full day of fun with Santa! After the parade downtown, there will be Santas everywhere, a singing Santa on stage, photos with Santa, pet photos with Santa, kids activities, animal balloons, food, vendors and FUN! Then a free outdoor movie! Dreams do come true in Santa's favorite town, Downtown Brooksville.

NIGHTS OF LIGHTS 2019 FORT COOPER STATE PARK This year’ s Nights of Lights will be held at Fort Cooper State Park, 3100 S. Old Floral City Road in Inverness on Dec. 13, 14, and 15 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Friends of Fort Cooper, this annual event welcomes thousands of visitors who enjoy listening to holiday music as they wander through the trails, trees, pavilion and social hall that are decked out in holiday lights and decorations. Santa Claus welcomes children each night in the social hall. Visitors roast marshmallows and create their own s’mores at a bonfire supervised by volunteers. . Refreshments will be served in the park pavilion all three nights. In lieu of an entrance fee, visitors are asked to bring a non-perishable food item or toy for the Citrus United Basket of Inverness or pet food for the Citrus County Animal services.

Brooksville Bike Rally Sunday, December 15, 2019 at 9 AM – 3 PM 615 Old Hospital Dr Brooksville, Fl 34601 (The Morgue) Live music with Bottoms Up, Sunday, December 15th from 11 A.M. - 3. P.M. The Brooksville Bike Rally will include Biker Games, live music, vendors, Food and more!

Dec. 20 - 22 Historic Downtown Brooksville Mural Tour Dec. 20; 10:30AM Hernando County Arts Council 300 South Main St, Brooksville, Florida 34601 Join Jan Knowles, local historian and Arts Council’s Projects Coordinator, on a one-hour walking tour of downtown Brooksville’s murals and public art.

Jan says, “We invite you to visit our historic downtown, learn the insider information on our murals and other public art, have a lovely luncheon at one of our excellent restaurants, and check out a shop or two.”

•Tours begin and end at the Hernando County Courthouse steps, 20 North Main Street, Brooksville, FL. •Tour time: 10:30 am–11:30 am (Check-in 10:20 am).

•Advanced registration is required. Register at hernandoarts.org/murals.

•Minimum of 5 and maximum of 15 people required for the tour to be conducted.

•Donation only–your donation helps support the arts in Hernando County.

•For more information, to register by phone, or to schedule custom tours on other days, call Jan Knowles at 352-279-5182, or email hernandfineoarts@gmail.com.

The tours are sponsored by the Hernando County Fine Arts Council and featured on the Florida Mural Trail.

Life Center of Hernando First Annual Christmas Celebration Fundraiser Saturday, December 21, 2019 From 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location: Brooksville Women’s Club 131 S. Main Street; Brooksville, FL 34601 Tickets: $25 per person Proceeds to benefit The Life Center of Hernando, a not for profit, providing shelter & making a difference in the lives of homeless young single mothers with small children.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES: $300 Gold Sponsor: Promo Items given at event & platform to briefly speak about your business. $200 Silver Sponsorship: Promo Items given at event 512154616137c9c3d76eff6dea0511ad $100 sponsorship to help support the contest Join us for a fun Christmas event and a worthy cause.

For questions or to sponsor contact: AL Peterson, Esq. : APLAWFL@gmail.com or (727) 835-6602 Weeki Wachee Boat Parade 2019 Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 7 PM – 9 PM Upper Deck; 5386 Darlene St, Weeki Wachee Gardens, Florida 34607 Arts and Autos Dec. 21; 2-6PM This blended event has a new name but same great atmosphere! An old time car show under the grandfather oaks in Historic Downtown Brooksville. Taking place the 3rd Saturday of every month, 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm in Historic Downtown Brooksville, Florida. Presented by Lowman Law Firm with Brooksville Main Street. FREE ADMISSION. Food and drink available from our AMAZING downtown restaurants and special car show only reserved parking (entrance at 201 Howell Ave in front of City Hall), or just cruise in and park anywhere in Downtown to join the fun. Car Show parking begins at 2 P.M. Come check out the Uptown Art Gallery and see the fabulous works created by our local artists. Enjoy free hands on art activities for the entire family. Take a stroll down Main Street and step into one of our quaint restaurants or shop our local boutiques and stores. There will be a market showcase exclusively of artists, handmade/handcrafted exhibitors, and a collection of some of our local non-profit organizations in our community.

We will also have space dedicated to our locally owned and operated brick and mortar businesses that are located in the city limits of Brooksville. As always, live music and great family atmosphere for you to enjoy beautiful Historic Downtown Brooksville!

Sounds of the Season concert; Hernando Symphony Orchestra WHEN: Sunday, December 22, 2019 at 2 PM – 4 PM WHERE:Central High School, 14075 Ken Austin Pkwy, Brooksville, Florida 34613 Purchase Tickets at hernandosymphony.com 352-584-1210 Chanukah Luncheon WHEN: Sunday, December 22, at 12noon.

WHERE: Temple Beth David 13158 Antelope St. Spring Hill The Sisterhood of Temple Beth David 13158 Antelope St. Spring Hill is having a Chanukah Luncheon on Sunday, December 22, at 12noon. Lunch will be deli platters, latkes, and dessert. There will be a gift exchange ($10 item), Chanukah music, candle-lighting, fun and games. RSVP by December 16 to Renee at 727-807-6577 and mail a check for $5 to Temple Beth David Sisterhood. The event is open to the community.

Candlelight Christmas Services WHEN: Dec. 24 - Candlelight Christmas Services 4 & 7 pm. Children's Procession of the Christ Child, choirs, carols, bells, Holy Communion, candle lighting. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6193 Spring Hill Drive.

Dec. 31, 2019 Brooksville's New Year's Eve Tangerine Drop 9PM Dec. 31, 2019- 12:01AM Jan. 1, 2020 Mining Association Enrichment Center- Bud McKethan Park 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34601 The Tangerine Drop is back! The 8 foot fiberglass tangerine was last dropped on New Year's Eve in 2009. This is a family friendly event.

Vendors, live music and games as well!

MOVIE TIMES

GTC BEACON CINEMA 12961 Cortez Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34613

TV's Best Bets: Week of Dec. 15 continued the border for a battle against Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

NCIS: “The North Pole” CBS, 8pm Dogs of the Year The CW, 8pm Join Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner at the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog in New York City as they count down the top 10 dog stories of 2019.

The Resident FOX, 8pm Midseason Finale!

“The Simpsons” Marathon FXX, beginning at 8pm FXX knows exactly what you want for Christmas: A two-week marathon of The Simpsons! The festivities begin tonight with “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” from 1989 and continue in episode order (including The Simpsons Movie) through New Year’s Eve. The Voice: “Live Cutdown Show” NBC, 8pm Live In anticipation of the season finale, relive the artists’ performances before the winner is crowned.

The Ornament of the World PBS, 8pm Filmed in Córdoba, Granada, Seville and Toledo, this is the story of a remarkable 800-year period when Muslims, Christians and Jews in medieval Spain forged a common cultural identity that often transcended their religious differences.

In Memoriam TCM, beginning at 8pm Turner Classic Movies airs an evening of films starring notable actors who passed away this year, and who weren’t already honored by TCM in a stand-alone marathon.

The Real Housewives of Orange County: “Whooping It Up for Wedding Bells” Bravo, 9pm Season Finale!

Shannon goes on a date with a man who she plans to invite to Vicki’s engagement party. Emily helps Gina pack up her Coto house.

FBI: “Ties That Bind” CBS, 9pm This week on the Dick Wolf drama, the bureau’s New York office investigates the link between a former kidnapping victim and a series of murders that includes the daughter of an NYPD detective among its body count.

Chopped: “New Year’s Party” Food Network, 9pm Is your New Year’s resolution to become a better chef? Get a head start and pick up some tips from this special Dec. 31-themed episode of the cooking competition hosted by Ted Allen.

Empire FOX, 9pm Midseason Finale!

Well Groomed HBO, 9pm This captivating look into the world of competitive and creative dog grooming follows the lives of a group of dog lovers whose dedication to transforming their beloved poodles into living sculptures is bold, imaginative and eye-opening.

The Voice: “Live Finale, Part 2” NBC, 9pm Live Season Finale!

In the live season finale, host Carson Daly will reveal who America has chosen to be this season’s winner.

Counting On TLC, 9pm Season Finale!

In tonight’s season finale, the four pregnant Duggar girls and Jessa have a maternity photoshoot, when a surprise guest reveals she’s also expecting.

NCIS: New Orleans: “Requital” CBS, 10pm In a case of evil begetting evil, the pursuit of Eddie Barrett -- the slippery criminal who took the life of Special Agent Christopher Lasalle -- turns up another plot that needs NCIS’ attention.

Treadstone: “The Cicada Covenant” USA Network, 10pm Season Finale!

Bentley makes a choice. Tara takes action. Edwards runs into complications.

SoYun cuts a deal.

Wednesday, Dec. 18 Soundtrack Netflix New Series!

This romantic musical drama follows the love stories connecting a diverse group of people in Los Angeles through the music that lives in their hearts and minds.

NBA Basketball ESPN, beginning at 7pm Live ESPN’s Wednesday night NBA twin bill has the Miami Heat at the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics at the Dallas Mavericks.

College Basketball ESPN2, beginning at 7pm Live A college basketball tripleheader on ESPN2 has Tennessee at Cincinnati and North Carolina at Gonzaga, followed by Kentucky vs. Utah in the Neon Hoops Showcase from Las Vegas to benefit Coaches vs. Cancer.

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: “All in the Family” and “Good Times” ABC, 8pm Live The live broadcast television event returns, this time re-creating holidayinspired episodes of All in the Family and Good Times with an all-star cast.

Survivor CBS, 8pm Season Finale!

The Masked Singer FOX, 8pm Season Finale!

Pets on Sets: “Other Animals” TCM, beginning at 8pm Wild animals are the subjects of tonight’s themed programming lineup featuring famous creatures in films, including deer (The Yearling, 1946), lions (Born Free, 1965), orangutans (Every Which Way But Loose, 1978) and dolphins (Flipper, 1963; Flipper’s New Adventure, 1964).

Born This Way: “A Very Born This Way Christmas” A&E, 9pm Series Finale!

The cast gathers in this one-hour special to reflect on their personal growth across the four seasons of the show and discuss its impact on the way society views people with disabilities.

Finding the Way Home HBO, 9pm Inspired by the work of J.K. Rowling’s foundation Lumos, this eye-opening documentary tells the stories of eight children who have been reunited with family members or placed in loving foster homes after being exposed to the distressing conditions prevalent in orphanages and institutions around the world.

Property Brothers: Forever Home: “Family Tradition” HGTV, 9pm Season Premiere!

Jonathan and Drew step in to help a couple who both grew up in “forever homes.” The young family loves the location of their single-story home -- they can walk to both work and school -- but the cramped kitchen and awkward layout doesn’t work for their busy lives.

The Great Food Truck Race: Holiday Hustle Food Network, 10pm Season Finale!

Five aspiring food truck teams have competed in wintry New England locations. Who will go home with the holiday prize of $50,000 and who will leave with coal in their stockings?

Thursday, Dec. 19 A Christmas Carol FX, 7:30pm Original Film!

Guy Pearce (L.A. Confidential) stars as Ebenezer Scrooge and Andy Serkis is the Ghost of Christmas Past in this adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic.

Christmas With the Tabernacle Choir Featuring Kristin Chenoweth BYUtv, 8pm A longer version of the annual holiday spectacular, starring the Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra at Temple Square and

Bells on Temple Square, and featuring Emmy- and Tony-winning star Kristin Chenoweth, is presented with 30 additional minutes of songs and stories. iHeartRadio Jingle Ball 2019 The CW, 8pm The lineup for this year’s concert includes Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, BTS, Billie Eilish, the Jonas Brothers, Sam Smith, Camila Cabello and more.

The 2020 Miss America Competition NBC, 8pm Live Reigning Miss America Nia Franklin will pass her crown to the next amazingly talented young lady in a live competition from Mohegan Sun casino and resort in Connecticut.

NBA Basketball TNT, beginning at 8pm Live Some of the NBA’s elite are in action tonight on TNT as LeBron James and the L.A. Lakers visit Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, followed by James Harden and the Houston Rockets in Los Angeles to take on Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers.

Santa’s Baking Blizzard Food Network, 9pm Season Finale!

It’s time for the final round of the competition featuring master ice sculptors and some of the country’s best bakers joined together to create mind-blowing Christmas scenes -- and hoping to win the $25,000 prize.

Project Runway: “Sleigh the Runway” Bravo, 9:30pm The unconventional materials challenge gets a holly jolly update as the show’s remaining designers must create a festive party dress.

Gwen Stefani’s You Make It Feel Like Christmas NBC, 10pm Three-time Grammy-winning performer, songwriter and recording artist Gwen Stefani brings her passion for Christmas to this modern take on the traditional holiday special.

Friday, Dec. 20 The Two Popes Netflix Original Film!

Frustrated with the direction of the church, Cardinal Bergoglio requests permission from Pope Benedict to retire in 2012. This leads to Benedict revealing a secret that would shake the foundations of the Catholic Church.

The Witcher Netflix New Series!

Geralt is a solitary monster hunter who struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Freeform, 6:15pm You know Buddy the Elf and Frosty the Snowman. But first came Rudolph, the most famous reindeer of all.

Celebrating Marvel’s Stan Lee ABC, 8pm Filmed in part in front of a live audience, this special takes viewers on an actionpacked journey throughout the life of Stan Lee and across the Marvel Universe, sharing never-before-seen interviews and archive footage with Lee himself from deep within the archives.

“I Love Lucy” Christmas Special CBS, 8pm Two colorized episodes of I Love Lucy are featured in this holiday special. In “The Christmas Episode” (1956), Lucy and Ricky decorate the Christmas tree and reminisce about how their lives have changed since the birth of their son, Little Ricky.

The Christmas Temp Lifetime, 8pm A struggling artist picks up festive odd jobs -- and maybe her temp agency’s HR manager in the process?

Global Citizen Prize NBC, 8pm John Legend hosts this inaugural ceremony that celebrates individuals taking action to end extreme poverty.

Live PD A&E, 9pm

Sure to be on the list : a shootout with bank robbers, a deputy hanging out of a speeding car and that time a mom forgot her son drew an adult image on her snow-covered rear window. Happy holidays, officer!

Van Helsing Syfy, 10pm Season Finale!

Trending Fear Travel Channel, 11pm New Series!

Two years ago, Adam Ellis documented the alleged haunting of his New York apartment under the hashtag #DearDavid.

Saturday, Dec. 21 College Football ABC & ESPN, beginning at 12pm Live ABC and ESPN combine to televise six college football postseason games today: Celebration Bowl (ABC), New Mexico Bowl (ESPN), Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl (ABC), Camellia Bowl (ESPN), Mitsubishi Motors Las Vegas Bowl (ABC) and R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl (ESPN).

College Basketball CBS & FOX, beginning at 12pm Live A big Saturday of college hoops includes Kansas at Villanova and Texas at Providence on FOX. CBS airs UCLA vs. North Carolina and Ohio State vs.

Kentucky in the CBS Sports Classic from Las Vegas.

Wizarding World Holiday Marathon Syfy, beginning at 3:30pm Celebrate the holidays with all of the Harry Potter films, plus Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The marathon runs until the evening of Monday, Dec. 23.

Christmas Love Letter Lifetime, 6pm Original Film!

When relationship advice columnist Amalie Hess receives an unsigned love letter in a Christmas card, she returns to her hometown to solve the mystery of who sent it and maybe find true love.

12 Pups of Christmas ION Television, 7pm Can a “canine therapist” find homes for a dozen doggies by the 25th?

Homicide for the Holidays: “Christmas Heartbreak” Oxygen, 7pm Because sometimes you need counterprogramming. Tonight’s case: a couple found murdered inside their home on Christmas morning.

Double Holiday Hallmark Channel, 8pm Original Film!

Career-minded Rebecca’s plans for Hanukkah go askew when a promotion opportunity comes up at work.

Christmas Hotel Lifetime, 8pm Original Film!

Erin works at the high-end Windsor Hotel in New York City hoping to soon be promoted to manager of the luxury chain’s upcoming hotel in Rome.

Christmas on My Mind Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, 9pm Original Film!

When Lucy wakes up with a wedding dress in hand, she believes that she is late to her wedding with her ex-boyfriend Zac . However, she has no recollection of the past two years, including the fact that she is engaged to another man.

Ultimate Hanukkah Challenge Food Network, 10pm Molly Yeh hosts this first ever special Hanukkah competition. Inspired by the Festival of Lights, four seasoned chefs must pull out all the stops as they craft deliciously innovative dishes for judges Duff Goldman and Sharone Hakman.

Saturday Night Live: “Eddie Murphy/ Lizzo” NBC, 11:30pm Live Former SNL cast member Eddie Murphy returns to the show for his first time as host since 1984. Recent Grammy nominee Lizzo makes her first appearance as musical guest.

--

SPRING HILL 8 Address: 2955 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606 Phone: (352) 666-6656

Friday Dec. 13

Code 8 Stephen Amell, Robbie Amell 98 minutes 11:25 AM The Death and Life of John F. Donovan (R) Natalie Portman, Jacob Tremblay 123 minutes 1:00, 10:15 Jumanji: The Next Level 3D (PG-13) Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart 114 minutes 12:30, 12:45, 3:30, 3:45, 6:45, 7:00, 9:45, 10:05 Dark Waters (PG-13) Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway 126 minutes 12:15, 3:30, 6:45, 9:55 Frozen II in RealD 3D (PG) Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel 104 minutes 1:00, 4:00, 7:15, 10:05

The Good Liar (R) Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen 109 minutes 3:45 PM Honey Boy (R) Shia LaBeouf, Lucas Hedges 95 minutes 1:35, 4:30, 7:30, 10:25 Last Christmas (PG-13) Emilia Clarke, Henry Golding 102 minutes 4:15, 7:15, 10:15 Midway (PG-13) Woody Harrelson, Patrick Wilson 138 minutes 12:00, 3:15, 6:30, 9:55 Jojo Rabbit (PG-13) Roman Griffin Davis, Scarlett Johansson 108 minutes 12:45 PM

Dec. 13- 19, 2019 hernandosun.com

Library Programs

SH- Spring Hill Branch Library, located at 9220 Spring Hill Drive.

WH- West Hernando Branch Library located at 6335 Blackbird Ave, Weeki Wachee, FL 34613 BV- Brooksville/ Main Library located at 238 Howell Ave, Brooksville, FL 34601 EH- East Hernando Branch located at 6457 Windmere Rd, Brooksville, FL 34602 Please note that if events are full at the time we gather this insformation, they will not be printed on the calendar.

Dec. 14 Game On! - EH 12/14/2019 10AM - 4PM Enjoy family gaming at the East Hernando Branch!

Health Insurance Marketplace - SH 12/14/2019 10AM 2PM Need help with the application and enrollment process with the Health Insurance Marketplace? Staff from Premier Community Healthcare will be able to assist you!

Holiday Sing-Along! - SH 12/14/2019 3:30 - 4:30 PM In the mood to sing some holiday songs? Then join us at the Spring Hill branch for our Saturday afternoon sing-alongs! And while you're here, enjoy some holiday refreshments.

Dec. 16 Free Hepatitis A and B Vaccinations (booster shots) - BV 12/16/2019 10AM - 12PM The Department of Health will be available in the Main Library Meeting Room providing Hepatitis A and B vaccinations at no cost as part of their Hepatitis Outreach and Education Campaign. Registration is not required.

Meditation Break - WH 12/16/2019 12 - 12:30 PM Enjoy a 30 minute Monday meditation break - show up for any or all sessions!

and Winter with a collection of fun crafts that will celebrate the holiday season. For kids ages 5 and up. All supplies provided.

Dec. 17 Toddler Storytime - BV 12/17/2019 10:30 - 11AM; 12/19/2019 10:30 - 11AM; 12/20/2019 10:30 - 11AM Stories, songs, and more in a storytime program designed for children between 18 months - 3 years old.

Preschool Storytime - BV 12/17/2019 11:15 - 11:45 AM; 12/19/2019 11:15 AM - 12PM; 11:15 - 11:45 AM Stories, songs, and more in a storytime program designed for children between 3 - 5 years old.

Spring Hill Book Discussion - SH 12/17/2019 12 - 1:30 PM; 1:45 - 3PM Angel City by Patrick Smith Movies @ Your Library - EH 12/17/2019 2 - 4PM Movies on the big screen with free popcorn.

Dec. 18 Baby Storytime - SH 12/18/2019 10:15 - 11:15 AM; 12/20/2019 10 - 10:30 AM A storytime featuring stories, bouce rhymes, songs and more just for babies and their caregivers.

Beginners Tai Chi - BV 12/18/2019 10:30 - 11:30 AM Registration is open Are you curious as to how you can help your breathing and movement? Tai Chi might be the answer...

Storytime - EH 12/18/2019 10:30 - 11AM Stories, songs, and more in a storytime program designed for children between 18 months - 5 years old.

Book Discussion Group - EH 12/18/2019 2 - 3:30 PM A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles Financial Management Series - BV 12/18/2019 2 - 4PM This month's topic: CalendarBased Budgeting

Holiday Crafts for Kids WH 12/16/2019 4:30 - 5:30 PM Come observe the holidays

Dec. 19

THE HERNANDO SUN

11

MARRIAGES

12/19/2019 11AM - 12:30 PM Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave Book Discussion Group - WH 12/19/2019 2 - 3:30 PM Look Me in the Eye by John Elder Robinson Ukulele Strum and Sing WH 12/19/2019 4 - 5:30 PM Get together with other uke enthusiasts and enjoy strumming and singing your favorite tunes. All ages and skill levels welcome.

Holiday Storytime - SH 12/19/2019 4:30 - 5:30 PM H appy Holidays! Celebrate the season with some fun stories!

Join us for this all-ages family storytime as we read stories all about the holidays and the winter season. After the program, children can enjoy a treat of milk, hot chocolate, and cookies!

Cooke, Kaleb Patrick and Brown, Krista Ann on 12/04/2019 Harvey, Brendan Richard and Martin, Layci Jade on 12/04/2019 Jackson, William and Beiswenger, Anna Danielle on 12/04/2019 Ting, Andrewston Ming Tzer and Su, Yi Chieh on 12/04/2019 Engdahl, Jarett Morgan and Pujals, Ramos Darimarie on 12/05/2019 Fabbri, Willliam Charles and Anderson, Patti Mae on 12/05/2019 Young, Dyrel Lamont and Schaufler, Crystal Hope on 12/05/2019 Qasim, Muaamar Faisalismael and Clegg, Stacey Renee on 12/05/2019 Oyola, Santiago Jesus David and Fuentes, Ramos Ada Neidy on 12/05/2019 Wright, Joshua Kevin and Chrisley, Amber Ashley on 12/06/2019 Banaszek, Tyler Joseph and Nichols, Hannah Marie on 12/06/2019 Rivera, Cameron Luis and Oakes, Brittany Lynn on 12/06/2019 Huckaby, Timothy Wayne and Yorke, Glenda Elizabeth on 12/06/2019 Fonck, Floyd Leslie and Greco, Elena Louise on 12/06/2019 Bouchard, Matthew Scott and Anders, Alvin Edward on 12/09/2019 Green, Thomas William and Saldarriaga, Maria Eugenia on 12/09/2019 Hendricks, Christopher Mark and Sexton, Shelby Nicole on 12/09/2019 Vestal, James Randal and Gibson, Donna Loraine on 12/09/2019 Ranger, Leah Haven and Leonard, Bryanna Kari on 12/09/2019 Binford, Michael William and Neumann, Leslie Lang on 12/09/2019 Aponte, Steven and Collar, Amanda Christine on 12/09/2019 Young, Jared Alan and Jones, Toni Lynn on 12/09/2019 Squillace, Michael and Shipp Sharon, Le Ann on 12/10/2019 Gaustad, Jakob Steven Kenneth and Brady, Brianna Nicole on 12/10/2019 Vargas, Nico Jordan and Gagnon, Hannah Marie on 12/10/2019 Weaver, Dennis Alan and Jackson, Ashley Nichole on 12/10/2019 Hammer, David Lee and Maye, Carolyn Ann on 12/10/2019

Solution to Crossword on page 16

SHINE - EH (individual counseling by appt. only) 12/20/2019 12 - 2PM Free Medicare and Health Insurance Counseling and Information during open enrollment period.

By appointment only. Call 352-593-0705 for more information.

Tai Chi 2 - BV 12/20/2019 1 - 2PM Registration is open Have you completed our Beginner's class and would like to learn some new moves? Then Tai Chi 2 is for you!

It's JAZZ! - SH 12/20/2019 3 - 4:30 PM Join us for another special musical program in our ongoing series about the Golden Age of Jazz. Presented by former NPR Jazz Radio Announcer Peter LaMattina.

Dec. 21 Game On! - EH 12/21/2019 10AM - 4PM Enjoy family gaming at the East Hernando Branch!

Holiday Sing-Along! - SH 12/21/2019 3:30 - 4:30 PM In the mood to sing some holiday songs? Then join us at the Spring Hill branch for our Saturday afternoon sing-alongs! And while you're here, enjoy some holiday refreshments.

Book Discussion Group - BV

CALENDARS FOR ENRICHMENT CENTERS MINING ASSOCIATION ENRICHMENT CENTER 352.544.5900 John Gary Grubbs Blvd; Brooksville DEC 16 9-4 Cards & Board Games 9-4:00 Puzzles 1-3 Creative Art DEC 17 9-4 Cards & Games

SPRING HILL ENRICHMENT CENTER 10441Quality Drive Spring Hill, Florida 34609 Medical Arts Building Ste #105; Located on the campus of Bayfront Health Spring Hill tel. 684.7568 DEC 16 8-4 Cards, Games & Puzzles 9:00-10:00 Chair Exercise 9-11 Share A Craft 9-12 Painting 9-4 SHINE by Appt Only Call 593-0705 12-3:00 Current Events 12:30-4 Canasta- Hand & Foot 1:00-Chewin’ the Fat! 1-4:00 Painting DEC 17 8-4 Cards, Games & Puzzles 8:30-9:00 Weights & Squats BROOKSVILLE ENRICHMENT CENTER 17222 Hospital Blvd Brooksville, Fl 34601 Medical Arts Building Ste #120 Located on the campus of Bayfront Health Brooksville tel. 544.6022 DEC 16 9-4 Cards, Games & Puzzles 9-12 Crafts 9:30 Exercise 10:30-12:00 AARP DriverTek workshop 1-4:00 Alzheimer's DEC 17 8-3 Sewing Group 9-4 Cards, Games & Puzzles 9-12 Crafts 9-5 SHINE BY APPT9:30-11 BINGO

9-4 Puzzles 1:00 Alzheimer’s Support Group by appointment DEC 18 9-4 Cards & Board Games 9-4:00 Puzzles 11-1 SHINE-appointment only Call 593-0705 4:45-7:30 Funtastic Gymnastics- Call 352.942.0012 to sign up

DEC 19 9-4 Cards & Games 9-4:00 Puzzles 12:30-4 Nature Coast Basket Weavers DEC 20 9-4 Cards & Board Games 9-4:00 Puzzles 10:00 Career Source Staff Christmas meeting/Party 12:30-3:30 Early American Rug Hookers

9:00-10:00 2-mile walk 9-11 Share A Craft 10:00-11:00 YOGA 11-12 Social Seniors 1:00-Chewin’ the Fat! 1-4:00 Scrabble 1-3 Deaf Services & FREE amplified Phone 1:30-3 FREE Ear Wax Removal 1:30-3:30 FREE Tobacco Cessation 6:30-8:30 TLC for Mom

DEC 19 8-4 Cards, Board Games & 8:30-9:00 Weights & Squats 9:00-10:00 2-mile walk 9-11 Share A Craft 9-4 SHINE by Appt Only Call 593-0705 1:00 Chewin’ the Fat! 1-4 Scrabble 6:30-8:30 Mom to Mom

DEC 18 8-4 Cards, Games & Puzzles 9:00-10:00 Chair Exercise 10-2 Vocational Rehab 10-12 Ceramics 10-11 Bingo 12:30-4:00 Advanced Canasta Hand & Foot 1-4 Advanced Mah Jongg 1:00-Chewin’ the Fat!

DEC 20 8-4 Cards, Games & Puzzles 9:00-10:00 Chair Exercise 9-11 Share A Craft 10-11:30 Crochet Classes 10-11 YOGA 11-12 Blood Pressure checks

by Home Instead 12:30 Music with Gale 1-4 Mah-Jongg 1-4 Canasta 1:00-Chewin’ the Fat! 3-6:00 TLC for Mom’s

10:00 Ear Wax Removal 10-12 Deaf Services & FREE amplified Phone 10-3 HC Quilt Guild 3-4 Brain Injury 5-9 DC Christmas Party

Group 7 Toastmasters- Public Speaking

DEC 18 9-4 Cards, Games & Puzzles 9:30 Exercise 9-1 Crocheting, Knitting, & Warm Up America 10:30 Birthday Club 11:30-12:30 Blood Pressure 12:30-1:00 The Grande “Deal of Fortune” W/Karen (Ballroom) 12:30-4:00 CanastaHand & Foot (Room #10) 1-3 Pencil Sketching 1:00 Music with Gale 6:30-7:30 AA Support

DEC 19 9-4 Cards, Games & Puzzles 9-12 Crafts 9:30-11 BINGO 8-3 Sewing Group 10:30-12 Caring K9’s 1-3 Creative Art 6-8 DC (SAS) Room #1 7:30-9:00 AL-Anon DEC 20 9-4 Cards, Games & Puzzles 9-12 Crafts 9:30 Exercise 10-1 Quilters with a Cause 11:30-2:45 NARFE Meeting (Room #6) 2-4 Ostomy Support GroupGroup ((Ballroom)

Bible Word Search puzzle on page 21

Solution to Sudoku from page 16:

(puzzle on page 21)

12

HERNANDO SUN

hernandosun.com Dec. 13- 19, 2019

SPORTS

Soccer Report: Nature Coast and Weeki Wachee battle it out at the top the Sharks held firm.

Meanwhile creating 10 shots on goal of their own, the Sharks came away 2-1 Going into Thanksgiving victors with Zacary Arciboth Nature Coast Tech diacono and Jaxston Soto and Weeki Wachee’s boys bulging the net at the other programs had not lost a end. Zacary Arcidiacono game and all eyes were on netting for the first time the eagerly awaited match- this season and sending the up after the break.

Hornets to their first defeat It was to be Weeki who could be pivotal come play maintained their form off time. moving into the game as The Leopards finally got they started the week on off the mark with back to the back of a 2-2 tie on back victories. A 8-0 drubthe road at South Sumter bing of Hernando Christian before getting back to Academy, Jacob Kelly (3), winning at home against Nathan D’Alfonsono and Citrus (3-0). Nature Coast Jacob Powell all finding meanwhile hit a bump in the net. They were backed the road as Cypress Creek up by former HCA student came and conquered the Zayne Loftin netting a hat Shark Tank courtesy of a trick against his former 2-1 victory. team.

Winning ways returned A 4-1 victory against for them courtesy of a 8-0 Crystal River on Wednesvictory across the county at day night saw another Central. But it was Friday win before Lecanto ended night’s matchup against their run courtesy of a 2-1 the Hornets that had the defeat. players excited before kick It was a good week over off. at the Springstead Eagles Seth Tarbox entered camp as they were on the the game having already road north at both Lecanto amassed 13 goals on and Central. Back to back the season and while he victories by score lines of bolstered his tally with 3-0 and 7-0 helped them another on Friday night, move to 3-2-3 on the

BY JONATHAN STONE PHOTOGRAPHY

BY BETTY KOLAR

Land O’ Lakes Taylor Denney blocks the ball from Annabella Savelli of Springstead during Monday nights game.

Owen King #16 of NCT intercepts a pass with a header. Nature Coast wins the game with a score of 2 to 1 against Weeki Wachee during Friday night's conference game.

season.

Weeki Wachee girls coach Amy Mainella and her team started the week on a high as they battled past Pasco side Fivay.

Mainella, in her first season with the Hornets, said after the game “We did well building from the back, a good defense performance.” Her defense stood proud conceding just one goal behind a penalty kick which allowed Marleen Ohr the opportunity to hit a brace. Ohr, who had missed a couple of chances earlier in the game popped up with just 12 minutes to go, to net the winner and take Mainella’s side to their 2nd win of the season. The week went downhill from their however as they came back from away trips to Citrus (1-0) and Nature Coast (80) winless.

The Sharks however maintain their amazing start to the season as they move to 10-0 behind three 8-0 victories. Crystal River, Zephyrhills and Weeki Wachee couldn’t even get on the score sheet as coach Brandon Chitwood and his team took all 3 games using the FHSAA ‘mercy rule’ to end things early.

Kalenna Bush (1) blocks the kick from Kobi Page (2) during the Springstead home game against Land O’ Lakes.

Kennedy Weismann scoring 15 - yes fifteen - goals on the week.

Springstead Eagle’s girls program ended the week with a morale boosting 3-0 win over fellow county side Central. Their 2nd win of the season

helped alleviate some of the pressure after losses to Land O’ Lakes (5-0) and Lecanto (8-0) to start the week.

Across the county at Hernando High School and David Shrader’s Leopards shared a mix

bag as they moved to 4-41. Starting the week with a 7-1 loss his Leopards team peaked in midweek, despite numerous season ending injuries, to beat Crystal River 8-2 before losing 6-2 at Lecanto on Friday night.

Weeki Wachee Wrestling Duels from Page 1 came to get some work done out on the mats.

For some of the members of the club it is the next step in their wrestling careers, the junior varsity level of a high school program with a tradition of an outstanding wrestling program at Springstead High School.

Springstead High School junior varsity wrestling coach Louis Kachiroubas is still watching the progress of his wrestlers not only from the program of the club but all his wrestlers now are now getting coached on how to to respect the sport.

A chance to work on the skills that they have learned, to see competition and according to Kachiroubas is the most important thing at this point of the season.

The Weeki Wachee High School Wrestling Tournament lasted for two days and what Kachiroubas likes about it is the format.

“It is a round-robin

format and allows the wrestlers a chance to compete,” Kachiroubas said. “Mat time is so important and in this format of a tournament, everybody has a chance to work.”

Each team at the start of the day faces another team and gathers points, like at a duel meet and then those results are taken into consideration and they form the two pools for the teams to participate.

Both days Springstead High School found themselves in pool B and faced the competition from the same pool.

The host school Weeki Wachee High School wrestling program was strong but they did have some company.

Lecanto High Schools and Belleview showed that they were a complete team and joined the Hornets in pool A. West Port High School and Central

High School were the surprise teams of the tournament with both teams winning some close matches. For the Wolf Pack they had the most dominating girls in the tournament.

Kachiroubas said during a break in the action that his team didn’t score very many points and on Friday they did win a couple of matches but the Eagles had a lot of weight classes that they had to forfeit and the Eagles lost six points.

Against the Hornets, Springstead only won two matches because of the forfeit and lost the match with Weeki Wachee getting six pins during the match.

Kachirbous said that the real wrestling begins the weekend of December 13 and 14 a Friday and Saturday as some good wrestling teams will be invading the gym at Hernando High School including Springstead High School.

Weeki Wachee Aidan Mayberry competes with Springstead Jayson Johnson during the wrestling duel at Weeki Wachee High School. The tournament was held on Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7, 2019.

With the spirit of the season and the occasion, you can almost hear ring announcer Michael Buffer immortal words- “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!”

Wrestler Caleb Murray (NCT) hugs Andrew Hernandez (Fivay) after suffering some upper body pain after the competition.

SPORTS

HUNTING

Dec. 13- 19, 2019

hernandosun.com

THE HERNANDO SUN

13

Springstead boys roll to 75-55 win over New Port Richey Gulf

take on Weeki Wachee.

Matt McGarry’s group has high expectations this 2019-2020 season after making some good strides SPRING HILL- When last year. Springstead has Springstead entered the a couple blowout wins gymnasium on Thursover Gulf and Dade City day night, the Eagles Pasco this year and that’s were coming off their provided the Eagles a good first loss of the season to spark to kick things off.

Crystal River. So it was “I do believe we are a bit understandable that playing some good basSpringstead was looking ketball,” McGarry said. to take out its frustrations “Starting off the season on New Port Richey Gulf 2-1 is always good. We when they took the court. needed a loss like the With the Eagles heading Crystal River... When in at 1-1 after two games, there’s a solid team like Springstead brought Crystal River, we have themselves back above to do all the little things the .500 mark once again. well. We have to beat Springstead used a huge all these good teams we first quarter and a big have on the schedule.” performance from Unique This season is unlike Torain, as the Eagles rolled year’s past, as Florida to an easy 75-55 victohigh school basketball will ry over the Buccaneers. reward spots in the postSpringstead plays again season to district chamFriday night when they pions and then to others

based on a points system.

The importance of game to game is much higher now, with Springstead now knowing they must pickup quality wins all throughout the year. The Eagles will have no shortage of good teams they will be facing, with Land O’ Lakes and Nature Coast both on the schedule.

“This year is the first time I’m really just focusing on us and we will reap the benefits of it,” McGarry added. “Being good in the county is great. Being good in the tri county area is great but we are really just worried about exactly what we are doing. (Points system) definitely makes every game important. There’s Springstead High,1, Unique Torain, skies for a dunk no more worrying about the district tournament. We against Gulf High Thursday at Springstead. have to be ready to show out everywhere we go.”

Defeating Gulf soundly was on the checklist to start the season and Torain showed up big. Torain scored a game-high 32 points and added two assists and three rebounds.

Fellow teammate Kurt Carlson had himself a nice night, scoring 14 points and notching 14 rebounds.

Springstead rushed out to a 31-10 lead in the opening quarter and never looked back. The Eagles went into halftime with a comfortable 58-30 lead.

“We came out with some really good pressure and bad scenarios,” McGarry said. “The second quarter got away from us a little bit. We came out a lot better in the second half.”

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andy@ hernandosun.com and follow him on Twitter @ avillamarzo.

Springstead ,4, Gavin Korth-Loder gets fouled on his way

BY ANDY VILLAMARZO SPORTS REPORTER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOE DICRISTOFALO

Toby Benoit is a best selling novelist and professional outdoorsman with thirty-five years of experience guiding and outfitting for big game all across America. Toby is a renowned archer and turkey hunting expert who manufactures custom game calls and is a regular judge at NWTF sanctioned turkey calling events across the Southeast.

Python Bowl 2020

Taking advantage of the hype surrounding Super Bowl LIV, with assistance of the Miami Super Bowl Host committee, Governor Ron Desantis has announced the 2020 Python Bowl! The Python Bowl will be held throughout South Florida or more specifically our Everglades region on January 10th through the 19th.

It’s a python catching contest that is open to the public and orchestrated to help rid our state of the invasive Burmese pythons.

And, as many of you may already have figured out, I’ve got my team assembled and am signed up!

And the reward for all of the long hours and hard work it takes to locate and catch these giant serpents?

The top hunter in their two divisions, pro and rookie, catching the longest python will each win $2,000. The award for the most pythons in both pro and rookie categories will win a $5,000 Tracker 570 Off Road ATV. Other money and prizes will be up for grabs by random drawings too. The winners of the Python Bowl 2020, will be announced on January 25th at a Super Bowl LIV event.

Now, as the Python Bowl is open to the public, any hunters who wish to register must first complete a free online training course offered by the Florida Wildlife Commission on how to catch and handle pythons without putting yourself in harms way. That’s the important part as I’ve been bitten a few times now and I can assure you that it is not at all fun.

These snakes have double rows of needle sharp teeth that curve backwards and it takes some real effort to get them off of you once they’ve gotten a hold.

Pythons have been slithering freely throughout our Everglades for nearly two decades and population estimates range from one hundred thousand to well over a quarter of a million depending on the source.

They have been causing some serious damage to the ecosystem of our Everglades as they feed ime on native wildlife; in with a some parts, the mammal population has been depleted by as much as ninety percent. So, to make a bigger impact, the governor also announced that python contractors will immediately be able to access an additional one hundred and fifty more miles of secondary trails within Big Cypress National Park.

Rodney Barreto, chairman of the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee, sits on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conser-

to the basket by Gulf High, 0, Derek Brown.

HCA still looking for a win

BY MEL SUITER PHOTOGRAPHY BY BETTY KOLAR HERNANDO SUN

Dec 5 game begins with a tip-off between #21 of Tampa Bay Christian Academy and Riley Decker from Hernando Christian Academy.

vation Commission.

“We know Governor DeSantis and many partners have long been committed to environmental initiatives like this,” Barreto said. “With the support of the Miami Super Bowl Committee, we now have a broader audience ready to learn more about the unique ecosystem of South Florida and how they can help conserve it.”

This is a really great opportunity for us to make a meaningful impact on the

python invasion. It is also the first time that a Superbowl committee, has elected to make an environmental issue their top charity and I for one am very happy to hear that they have.

As always, if you have any comments, questions or just want to share your success from the woods, give me a shout out at Toby@HernandoSun.com.

God Bless and Good Hunting!

Toby and girlfriend Susan Shepherd with a hatchling Burmese python.

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. --- It could have been another David versus Goliath story, but unfortunately for Hernando Christian Academy they were not able to achieve the upset on Dec. 5.

Undersized but still competing with courage, Hernando Christian Academy was defeated by Tampa Bay Christan Academy 73-52, leaving the Lions still looking for their first win of the season.

Hernando Christian Academy basketball coach Jeff Moore was not too upset with his team during and after the game.

He applauded the effort by his team from the sideline and encouraged his team, but in the end there were too many Rams that didn’t miss the basket.

“I am not upset with our guys, we played hard and competed,” Moore said, after the game outside the locker room.

“We were playing against a team that has got seven seniors, so we’re playing boys against men at this point.”

The man for Tampa Bay Christian Academy stands 6 feet and 10 inches and weighs close to 260 pounds and is able to dominate every part of the court including the bench.

Quantavious Brown’s scoring average is 23 points per game, he scored 20 points against the Lions and that led all scores.

Brown does have a supporting cast that surrounds him but the Rams at times play with a lack of discipline. Once they gained their focus, though, they became too fast and too quick for the Lions’ defense.

The job of guarding Brown was

assigned by Moore to senior forward Riley Decker, at the start of the game he smiled looking toward the ceiling of the Lion’s Den waiting for the tip off that he knew along with the rest of the crowd he would not control-he was right.

Decker did his best to guard Brown and he did manage to frustrate and irritate Brown.

The offense for the Lions did have some moments when they were flowing and they caught the Rams by surprise because of their lack of discipline but untimely turnovers by senior point guard Carlos Gonzalez stopped the momentum that the Lions were finding.

Gonzalez made eight turnovers, including four in a row in the second quarter that stopped any kind of momentum for the Lions. His frustration handling the ball against the Rams resulted in bad looks at the basket and taking too many bad shots.

“I was 0-11 in the game!” Gonzalez said to a teammate leaving the gym.

“Unbelievable!”

For Hernando Christian Academy the best sound of the night came as the final horn sounded ending the game and they lined up to shake the hands of the Rams.

Moore and his team will be getting ready to continue with the schedule as the Lions will be on the road for the next three games before they get back to the coziness of the Lion’s Den. Moore does know that sometimes good coaching is the ability to get your team to forget the losses during the season and against Tampa Bay Christian Academy, the sooner they can forget the game against the Rams - the better off the Lions will be.

Lions Riley Decker dribbles the ball between Rams #15 and #21during the non-conference game between Hernando Christian Academy and Tampa Bay Christian Academy on Dec. 5, 2019.

14

HERNANDO SUN

SPORTS

hernandosun.com Dec. 13- 19, 2019

Hernando County prep sports news & notes

BY ANDY VILLAMARZO HERNANDO SUN

Nature Coast has seven players name to Gulf Coast 8 1st Team All Conference Now with high school football complete around the state of Florida, some of the awards are starting to compile around the area. Nature Coast announced seven of their players being named to the Gulf Coast 8, a new conference that was created this past summer, which is made up of the five public schools in Hernando County and three in Citrus County.

The Sharks' six players that were named to the all-conference team were: quarterback Fabian Burnett, wide receiver/ cornerback Dedric Hall, outside linebacker Michyl Shaw, place kicker Alex Florkowski, defensive lineman Andre Dillard and offensive lineman Micheal Marotta. The six athletes were vital in Nature Coast's run of clinching another district championship and notching a postseason victory.

Nature Coast's run through the postseason ended in a Class 5A region semifinal loss to Orlando Jones.

Central’s Jesse Sorensen picks up first college offer The off-season brings a lot for high school football players, as they enjoy a brief rest before jumping into another sport or begin training for spring football. It’s also a time for colleges to evaluate game film and begin to hand out offers to prep players around the country and Hernando County has its fair share.

Central’s offensive lineman Jesse Sorensen received his first collegiate offer from Concordia University Chicago just over a week ago, per an announcement on Twitter. Sorensen enjoyed a good individual season statistically despite the Bears finishing with a record of 3-7. The lineman had two pancake blocks on the season and also racked up 44 tackles and nine of them going for a loss of yardage.

Springstead adds beach volleyball to athletics program Springstead athletic director Dustin Kupcik announced on Monday afternoon that the school would be adding another sport to their athletics program. That sport would be beach volleyball, per the press release that was sent out early in the week. The only other school nearby that also carries a beach volleyball team is Bishop McLaughlin, located just south in northern Pasco County. The Eagles become the first school in Hernando County to offer the sport.

"Springstead is proud to announce that we have officially added Girl's Beach Volleyball to our athletic offerings for the Spring 2020 semester. We've officially joined the SSAC in their 4th year offering the sport to high schools in the state of Florida." - Per the release sent out on Monday.

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@ gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.

Hernando County girls prep basketball rankings

BY ANDY VILLAMARZO PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALICE MARY HERDEN HERNANDO SUN

Week 3 of the regular season for prep girls basketball in the state of Florida begins this week. We now take a look at the Hernando Sun Top 5 Prep Girls Basketball Poll heading into Week 3 of the regular season.

No. 1 Weeki Wachee (4-1): The so called demise of Weeki Wachee’s girls basketball team is very much exaggerated and the Hornets have gotten off to a very good start. After dropping a tough one against Nature Coast, Weeki Wachee has won three straight games in a row against Hernando, Springstead and Zephyrhills.

Don’t expect the Hornets to fall off anytime soon here.

No. 2 Nature Coast (42): It’s been Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde when it comes to Nature Coast’s girls basketball team. When it comes to giving Weeki Wachee their lone loss of the season, that honor goes to Nature Coast. But then the Sharks have some head scratching losses against Wildwood and Hernando. If the Sharks want to take the No. 1 spot, consistency will be the key.

No. 3 Hernando Christian (5-0): The Lions have always quietly been one of the better teams in Hernando County and this season is no different. So far they’ve had a relatively easy schedule and they’ve rushed off to a 5-0 start, holding opponents

Springstead 1: Morgan McDaniel goes up for a layup for two points against Springstead Wednesday night.

to under 11 points or less three times in five games. the Lions are on pace for another winning season and should be in the thick of things when the playoffs come around in late January.

No. 4 Hernando (2-4): Hernando is an up and down roller coaster of a club.

Outside of one blowout loss to Crystal River to start the season, the Leopards have remained in every game they played in. Hernando’s three other losses have come to Lecanto, Weeki Wachee and The Villages Charter. An

Saint Leo fell to #2 Nova Southeastern

By MEL SUITER SAN ANTONIO, Fla. --- Saint Leo University welcomed the No.2 team in the nation according to the National Association of Basketball Coaches inside the Marion Bowman Activities Center on Dec. 6 Nova Southeastern University is a physical team, they have size, they have speed and they average 122 points a game.

Saint Leo University fell to the Sharks by the score of 9277,for their second conference loss.

During the team’s warm up, Saint Leo University senior guard Kyran McClure was in a zone and caught the attention of Nova Southeastern University basketball coach Jim Crutchfield.

“Do I have to start guarding you now?” Chrutchfield asked from the sideline as he watched a three point shot find its way Saint Leo No. 13 Kyran Mcto the target. Turning to his Clure was on a roll until he was assistant coaches, Crutchfield injured Friday night Dec. 6. exclaimed, “Wow! He is good!” Photo by Alice Mary Herden.

McClure would have been a difference in the game before disaster crushed the Lions worse than the loss to the Sharks.The biggest loss for Saint Leo University came at 13:59 mark of the first half. McClure came down from making a three point shot on top of a defender's foot and turned his left ankle.

The shot went in the basket, in fact McClure was perfect before he went down on the floor with the injury. He did not miss a shot, he was 4 of 4 from the field, three of those shots were from behind the arch and he made two trips to the free throw line, he didn’t miss those shots either.

Saint Leo University held the lead, Chrutchfield and his team was worried and the Sharks showed some emotions on the sideline.

Nova Southeastern University took a page out of the University of Arkansas playbook, from former Razorbacks basketball coach Nolan Richardson and deployed the Sharks version of 40 Minutes of Hell by running a full court press defense.

It is designed to put pressure where ever the ball is on the court, trying to create trap situation that lead to turnovers but if the opposition can beat that defense, it can lead to uncontested baskets.

To beat that defense you have to have good ball movement and a good point guard that can handle the ball and make good decisions.

Saint Leo University basketball coach Lance Randall saw the magic that was happening in front of him, with McClure able to meet the requirements to beat the full court press. Then like magic, it disappeared. As he watched McClure on the court in pain.

“If that kid could have played, he would have played so it is probably fairly bad. He is tough as they come,” Randall said.

“In a game where you need your point guard, so we had to play Isaiah Hill and Rusty Moore had to play all those long minutes, handle the ball break the press and guard their best ball players.

They did a great job but there was some stretches were they wore us out.”

Moore finished the night with 20 points to lead the Lions with points, Hill helped by scoring 13 points and he was able to dish out seven assists.

Nova Southeastern University wanted to take control of the paint area under the basket. They wanted to take advantage of See ST. LEO, Page 15

upset win over Nature Coast was a surprising one at that.

No. 5 Springstead (2-5): After starting the season off hit with wins over Dade City Pasco and Central, the Eagles have dropped four games in a row. The Eagles will have to regroup somehow, despite a schedule that is filled with some tough opponents. If Springstead is going to turn it around, they will have to compete against some good clubs, including Nature Coast and New Port Richey River Ridge.

No. 6 Central (0-4): The Bears are hanging in there, but barely as they’ve only scored over 20 points just one time this season. Central has played teams tough throughout the rough stretch but it’s going to only get tougher as the season continues. Can Central put together a couple good performances?

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@ gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.

-

Sports Calendar Boys Basketball 12/13 Central - Weeki Wachee (JV/V) At Weeki Wachee 6:00/7:30PM 12/16 Central- Hernando High (JV/V) at Central 6:00/7:30PM 12/16 SHS-Citrus (JV/V) at SHS 6:00/7:30PM 12/17 WWHS- Crystal River (JV/V) at Crystal River 6/7:30PM 12/18 Central- South Sumter (JV/V) 5:30/7:30PM At Central 12/18 HHS- Fivay (JV/V) at Fivay 6:00/7:30PM 12/18 SHS- River Ridge (JV/V) at RR 6:00/7:30PM 12/19 WWHS-River Ridge (JV) at RR 6PM 12/20 Central - Springstead (V) 7:30PM Girls Basketball 12/13 Central- Weeki Wachee Varsity At Central 7PM 12/13 HHS- SHS (V) at SHS 7:00PM 12/13 NCT-Crystal River at NCT (JV/V) (Conference game) 6:00/7:30PM 12/16 Central - HHS Varsity at HHS 6:30PM 12/16 NCT- Lecanto (JV/V) at Lecanto 6/7:30PM 12/16 SHS- Citrus at Citrus 7PM 12/16 WWHS- Crystal River (JV/V) at WWHS 6/7:30PM 12/17 NCT- Gulf (JV/V) at Gulf 6/7:30PM 12/18 WWHS- South Sumter (JV/V) at South Sumter 6/7:30PM 12/19 SHS- River Ridge (JV/V) at SHS 6/7:30PM 12/19 WWHS- Mitchell (JV/V) at Mitchell 6/7:30PM 12/20 Central- SHS (V) at Central 6PM Boys Soccer 12/13 Central- Citrus (JV/V) at Citrus 600 W. Highland Blvd, Inverness FL 34452 6/7:30PM 12/13 HHS-NCT (V) at HHS 7:30PM 12/13 SHS- WWHS (JV/V) at WWHS 12/16 Central- HHS (JV/V) at Central 6/7:30PM 12/16 NCT-Lecanto (JV/V) at NCT 6/7:30PM 12/16 SHS- Citrus (JV/V) at Citrus 6/7:30PM 12/16 WWHS- Crystal River (JV/V) at Crystal River 6/7:30PM 12/18 Central- Gulf (JV/V) at Central 6/7:30PM 12/18 HHS- Zephyrhills (V) at HHS 7:30PM 12/18 NCT-Wiregrass Ranch (JV/V) at NCT 6/7:30PM 12/20 Central- WWHS (V) at WWHS 7:30PM Girls Soccer 12/13 Central- Citrus (V) at Central 6:30PM 12/13 HHS- NCT (V) at NCT 6PM 12/13 SHS-Pasco at SHS 6:30PM 12/16 Central- HHS (V) at HHS 6:30PM 12/16 NCT-Lecanto (JV/V) at Lecanto 6/7:30PM 12/16 WWHS- Crystal River (JV/V) at WWHS 6/7:30PM 12/18 NCT-Pasco (JV/V) at Pasco 12/19 Central- Gulf (V) at Gulf 6:30PM 6/7:30PM Girls Weightlifting 12/13 Disparti Invitational at River Ridge HS (NCT, SHS) 12/18 Hernando County Championship Meet at Weeki Wachee High 1PM Wrestling 12/13 - 12/14 Kiwanis Invitational at Hernando High Central, Hernando High, Springstead Varsity Wrestling 12/20 - 12/21 Corey Hill Tournament at Springstead High School HCA LIONS 12/13 Soccer vs. 1st Academy at HCA 4PM 12/13 MS Boys Basketball vs. St. John Lutheran 5PM 12/13 Girls Basketball (V) vs. St. John Lutheran 6PM

SPORTS

Dec. 13- 19, 2019 hernandosun.com

NCT-Hernando rival game goes to the Sharks

BY MEL SUITER PHOTOGRAPHY

BY ALICE MARY HERDEN

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. --There is still plenty of room for improvement!

The first half of the rival game, Friday night, December 6 was a half where Nature Coast Tech High School did just about anything they wanted to do inside the Hernando High School Gym. If the Sharks wanted to drop their shoulder and drive toward the basket, they could do that and if the offense wanted to take perimeter shots, they could do that too but in the second half the Sharks almost let the win escape.

Almost!

Nature Coast Tech High School won for the second time this season by defeating Hernando High School 55-44, and getting off to a good start in the 2019 state of Florida boy’s basketball season is something that most Sharks basketball fans can appreciate.

In the first half, it was the combination of the Leopards not being prepared for the Sharks and the ball not going through the hoop for them either which created opportunity for the Sharks and they were able to score from the mistakes by the Leopards.

The challenge of coaching with a big lead was once again a lesson that Nature Coast Tech High School basketball coach David Pisarcik had to teach his team. He was worried about the first five minutes of the second

15

Bucs defeat Colts in 38-35 thriller

BY ANDY VILLAMARZO HERNANDO SUN

Hernando Jacob Batten (11) performs a layup during the game against Nature Coast Tech Friday night, December 6 at Hernando High.

half.

The defense for the Sharks only gave up nine points to the Leopards offense, before retiring to the locker room to get a drink and to regroup.

Hernando High School basketball coach Travis Bruns did all the talking and his team did not interrupt him while he was outlining the new game plan against the Sharks.

Bruns explained that the 1-3-1 zone defense was out and the full court press was the defense of choice for the Leopards for the second half.

Hernando High School started the second half with a new attitude, a new interest

Sharks Dedric Hall (2) dribbles down court to set up the play.

in the game and with a new defense that suited the Leopards.

The defense would greet the ball as it entered the court, the press created a lot of confusion for the Sharks and created turnovers and that is what Bruns and his team wanted, instant offense and not much court distance to move the ball toward the basket.

With a 20-point deficit, Bruns said that his team just dug too deep of a hole for them to climb back into the game.

“The fouls, we had better rotation on defense, half court trap was better,” Bruns

said after the game describing the difference between the halves. “We didn’t do much in the first half but when we did, it was ineffective. Guys weren’t rotating and they were more disciplined after halftime.”

Nature Coast Tech High School next game will be a home game against crosstown rival Springstead High School, Tuesday night, December 10 and the varsity is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

Pisarcik and his team will be working on the little things and he tells the fans that it is a work in progress and that the best is still to

Hernando Landon Carter (22) tries to maneuver around NCT (20) Karl Roseus

Central boys beats Lecanto on the court- ready for Citrus ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALICE MARY HERDEN

Brooksville--Last season for Central was rough with twelve wins and fifteen losses which included losing against Lecanto twice. However, on the night of February 12, 2019, Central took the Districts Quarterfinals title win defeating Lecanto 60-57.

When Central faced Lecanto during the Thanksgiving Tournament on November 29 at Weeki Wachee High school, Coach Matt Zandecki observed Lecanto’s game strategies and their players’ performances.

They were prepared to face Lecanto again on Tuesday Dec. 3, this time on their home court. The first quarter Central was playing at a fast pace, which resulted in fouls that could have been controlled, 8 in just the first quarter.

“Honestly, I am not too pleased with how we played today. We have a problem coming out fast in the first quarter,” Zandecki said.

Once the team settles down, their play improves tremendously as was the case Tuesday night.

Central’s season is off to a good start, and with the win against Lecanto 67- 51 on Dec. 3, they have a 4-0 winning streak.

“We are definitely a

THE HERNANDO SUN

Central’s Contae Cason (4) attempts a layup for two points during the match against Lecanto Tuesday night at Central High School.

second-half team. The main thing is I rather play well the third or fourth quarter than the first quarter,” Zandecki said. “I think we are able to persevere through adversity and if we don’t hang our heads and we fight through it, we will be okay.”

Next up is Central at Inverness Citrus tonight, Dec. 6 at 7:30 PM. Central’s DeShawn Brown (00) waits for the playset up during the match against Lecanto.

TAMPA- At one point in Sunday’s game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it seemed like all hope might be lost.

Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston started off the game with an interception on his first pass for the third time this season.

Winston hit Mike Evans on a 61-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, but the superstar wide receiver pulled up on a bad hamstring and did not return.

Down 35-21 in the third quarter, a lot wasn’t going well for Tampa Bay in earning its sixth win of the season.

That until the heroics of Winston and the defense came into play. Winston overcame throwing three interceptions and ended up connecting on a go-ahead 12-yard game winning score to Breshard Perriman en route to the Buccaneers beating the Colts 38-35 Sunday afternoon at Raymond James Stadium.

Despite picking up the win over the Colts (6-7), the Buccaneers are now mathematically eliminated from postseason contention, as the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Detroit Lions 20-7, thus ending Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes. Tampa Bay still has a lot to play for despite not being able to make the playoffs anymore. Now riding a 3-game winning streak, the Buccaneers will look to make it four in a row when they travel up to Detroit to face the Lions on the road.

Coming off the Buccaneers’ 28-11 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars last week, Tampa Bay was hoping for another strong defensive performance against another AFC South opponent in the Colts. Indianapolis (6-7) took advantage of the early Tampa Bay miscue and turned it immediately into points, as Jacoby Brissett hit Marcus Johnson on a 46-yard touchdown pass.

The Buccaneers weren’t done with the turnovers in the first quarter, with tailback a fumble by Dare Ogunbowale which led to a field goal by Chase McLaughlin to put the Colts up 10-0 quickly. Tampa Bay wouldn’t go down quietly, as Winston engineered another scoring drive and snuck it in from a yard out. Though Winston ended the day with three interceptions, he finished with 456 yards on 33-of-45 passing and four touchdown passes and one rushing (five total touchdowns). Winston hurt his right hand during the first half and didn’t begin the second half at quarterback, with Ryan Griffin getting the snaps.

Tampa Bay (6-7) had to play from behind, down 35-21 during the third quarter and Winston would return and lead the comeback. The good Winston throws ignited the comeback, as he hit on a 17-yard touchdown to Justin Watson. Todd Bowles’ defense would begin to make some plays (Devin White forced fumble) and combined with a Matt Gay field goal, brought the Buccaneers within 35-31 heading into the fourth quarter. Winston notched his third interception in the fourth quarter, but bounced back from the turnover with a 12yard touchdown pass to Breshard Perriman with 3:51 left.

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andyvillamarzo@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.

SAINT LEO from page 14

their size and be physical under the basket.

Nova Southeastern out scored the Lions 5228 in the paint, were able to get 17 offensive rebounds for second chances that they converted into 21 points.

There was a lot of pushing, a lot trying to establish position and there was a lot of chippy play by the Sharks as they tried to intimidate the Lions under the basket.

“I really appreciated the guts that our guys showed,” Randall said. “They had some flurries and that is what they do. We made some defense mistakes and some of our better offense players struggled on the little things and it ended up big things. We had a lineup out their that was competing and fighting and trying to battle and I appreciate that we did!”

The defense for the Lions allowed the Sharks to shoot 53.5 percent from the floor and had five players in double figures, led by power forward RJ Sunahara with 25 points, five blocks before he fouled out of the game.

“I liked our intensity, I thought we had a good level of intensity to play on the road,” Crutchfield said, before boarding the bus.

“Saint Leo has got an outstanding ball club they came out of the blocks fast. I thought our guys played pretty smart, still made a lot of mistakes. I thought that we played hard and beat a good team on the road.”

Randall said that the Lions and his coaching staff will not know the severity of the left ankle injury to McClure until the early part of the week.

Whether it is good news or bad news the season continues for Saint Leo University and they will have to be ready to play against another Sunshine State Conference game. This week’s game will be against the neighbor down the interstate, the University of Tampa will be stopping by the Marion Bowman Activity Center. The game against the Spartans is scheduled for Saturday, December 14, starting at 7:30 p.m.

The lights in Randall’s office will be burning a little longer, this week as he makes out his Christmas list for that old jolly fellow with the white beard. Placed on the top of the Christmas list is a healthy team.

16

HERNANDO SUN

hernandosun.com Dec. 13- 19, 2019

FUNNIES

Solution to Soduku on page 11

4. ©Which Testa2018 King Old Features Synd., Inc. ment prophet predicted

6. Which of these wasn’t a gift from the wise men (Magi)? Silver, Myrrh, Gold, Frankincense ANSWERS: 1) New; 2) Nazareth; 3) Jacob/ Heli; 4) Micah; 5) Bible not specific; 6) Silver Christmas gift? “Test Your Bible Knowledge: 1,206 Questions to Sharpen Your Understanding of Scripture,” by Wilson Casey, is available in bookstores and online. (c) 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

King Features Weekly Service

BIBLE TRIVIA 1. Is the book of 2 Thessalonians in byorWilson Casey the Old New Testament or neither?

2. In Song of --- Solomon 2:1, the Shulamite calls herself two kinds of 1. Is the book flowers, the rose andoftheMat...? Daisy, thew in the Sage Old or New Lily, Cinnamon, 3.

From Titus 1,orPaul wrote, “Unto Testament neither? the pure all things are ...”? Gold, Righteous, Worthy, Pure 2.

Where did the angel by 4. What archangel is mentioned name in theappear book of to Jude?

Gabriel, Gabriel Mary Silas, Michael, Melchizedek saying, “Blessed art thou 5. In 1 Kings 21, who forbade among women”?

NazaNaboth to give his vineyard to Ahab? reth, Tyre, Ninevah, The Lord, Jezebel, Absalom,Gazi Balaam 6. In Psalm 103:5, what bird’s youth is renewable? Dove, Eagle, Raven, 3. With two different Swallow biblical answers, ANSWERS: 1) New; who 2) Lily; 3) was father of Pure; the 4) Michael; 5) Joseph?

The Lord; 6) Eagle Jacob/Heli, Gideon/ “Test Your Bible Knowledge,” feaIshmael, Solomon/Naturing 1,206 multiple-choice queshum, Samuel/Pilate tions by columnist Wilson Casey, is now available in stores and online.

5. For the journey to Bethlehem how did Mary and Joseph travel? Bible not specific, Cart, Rode donkey, Small raft

October 15, 2018

Jesus would be born in Bethlehem? Amos, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum

(puzzle on page 11)

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

Dec. 13- 19, 2019

hernandosun.com

THE HERNANDO SUN

17

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

All local Christmas Gift List from page 1

Treasures from the Heart This shop in downtown Brooksville supports several animal rescues through their sales. In addition to their normal inventory, they are offering a soap gift pack for $11; features full size liquid hand soap and large triple-milled bar soap. Mug gift pack is a retro Santa mug with 3 packages of Land O' Lakes hot cocoa mix for $10. 15 N. Main Street; Suite A; Brooksville, FL 34601 Country Depot Lots of interesting home decor, accessories, and apparel. A personal favorite is the cowboy boot toilet bowl brush holder. 36 N Broad St, Brooksville, FL 34601

farm. You can pick your fruits and veggies for the week and get a few bottles of wine to give away for Christmas gifts. The farm is located at 19125 Phillips Rd in Masaryktown. 352-308-0110.

The Olive Grove is offering a gorgeous holiday basket containing a Koroneiki Olive Tree, Extra Virgin Koroneiki Olive Oil, Olive Oil Soap and organic spice mix. It’s very affordable starting at $35.00. The Olive Grove also has a variety of classes, seminars and workshops during the year. An annual membership is $100 and includes all Workshops and Events and 1/2 price or cost on outside events.

15016 Rester Dr, Brooksville, FL 34613

The mall serves as an incubator for local small businesses. There are boutiques, a computer store, watch store, and a lady that makes chocolate dessertsyum. This Saturday, Santa will be there 11AM-1PM. 3021 Commercial Way Spring Hill FL 34606 Brooksville Farmers Market The Hernando County Growers' Association does a fantastic job organizing this weekly market. The market has many local growers and locally produced goods. You can check them out this Sunday 9am 3pm and participate in their Christmas Toy Drive.

Santa will be there at noon.

Dana’s Railroad Supply Close to the junction of Forest Oaks and Deltona boulevards in Spring Hill, stands Dana’s Railroad

Unique Gift Shop

Supply, a family-run model railway hobby shop. So many great items for the model railroad enthusiast.

Gift Certificates Available. Train Set Raffle for a Train Set on Saturday, December 21. Tickets are $1.00 or 6 for $5.00. 4042 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill, FL 34606

Readers’ Choice Silver Winner 2019

Christmas Festival

Saturday, December 14th, 12-6 After the Parade in Downtown Brooksville

Accurate Chiropractic Clinic If the person you are buying a gift for lives here in Hernando County, what is better than a massage?

Accurate Chiropractic Clinic is The Hernando Sun Reader’s Choice Gold winner for massage therapy this year. They are having a Christmas Holiday Gift Certificate Sale. You can purchase three 30 minute massages for $100 or a one hour massage for $50.

You can call them at 352-684-2707. They are located at 12082 Cortez Blvd in Brooksville.

Towne Square Mall isn't a typical mall.

Hernando Beach Marina Purchase a gift certificate for a boat rental for your out of town friends and they will probably take you out on the water when they come to visit. Plus they have a tiki bar with good food and beer.

4139 Shoal Line Blvd, Hernando Beach, FL 34607

Pete Hunt and Southern Branded Band Appearing at the Country Depot 12-3

Mon-Friday 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm

36 N. Broad St., Downtown Brooksville Train Show & Swap Meet—

All Scales Encouraged

Table Space: $10 per table (Bring your own table & chair) Set up time: 7:30 a.m.

DANA’S RAILROAD SUPPLY LIONEL TRAIN DAY

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7TH 9:00 A.M.—2:00 P.M.

TRAIN SHOW & SWAP MEET

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14TH 9:00 A.M.—2:00 P.M.

OPEN HOUSE

9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

Carlisle’s Meat Market Checkout Carlisle’s for some awesome meat rubs and barbecue sauces. Again, if your gift receiver lives in town, then a gift certificate to Carlisle’s is a great option. They have an amazing selection of meat, poultry and fish. They are also in the Christmas spirit. Santa was visiting last weekend and they are participating in the toys for tots collection. 7601 Horse Lake Rd Brooksville, Fl 34601 Masaryk Winery/ Upicktopia For a sophisticated local flavor, look no further than Masaryk Winery. Their wines are made on site from the fruit they grow as well as fruit from other Florida farms. They have a variety of wines available from dry and sweet blueberry to pinot noir and wild honey flower. Masaryk Winery is part of the Upicktopia

Masaryk Winery/Upicktopia

Your fresh local fruit and vegetables, boutique winery hand-crafted!!

Hand pick your vegetables & fruit in our open fields from 9am-6pm

Free Wine Tasting Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 8 pm Savor our delicious wines, have a snack, take home a basket!

Enjoy our special events scheduled throughout the holidays!! We look forward to seeing you!

19121 Phillips Rd, Masaryktown, FL (352) 308-0110 www.masarykwines.com

18

HERNANDO SUN

hernandosun.com Dec. 13- 19, 2019

TRAVEL & LEISURE

A unique experience in a unique place INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

By SUE QUIGLEY

Chilling out in an ice hotel

BY SUE QUIGLEY suequigley@hernandosun.com

It’s certainly been chilly this past week and Floridians are not too partial to the cold. It made me wonder how Floridians would fare in the Arctic Circle as I did one winter week. Not only did I brave the wind and snow outside but I also slept on an ice bed for several nights.

Along with a group of university alumni friends, we were visiting Alta in the very north of Norway. The tiny town is located in Norway's Finnmark county, more than 375 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. Alta is famous for its dark skies, glittering stars and the Northern Lights.

If you’re shivering already and can’t possibly imagine visiting a part of the world that experiences permanent twilight for a large part of the winter and doesn’t see the sun for months at a time, it’s not really that bad. Norwegian hospitality is superlative and more than makes up for the chill outside.

Alta is also home to the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, the world’s northernmost ice hotel, built from the ground each year with hundreds of tons of ice and thousands of cubic metres of snow called “snice.” The ice shimmers and is perfectly clear.

The whole structure is made by local workers and artists and takes about five weeks to build. Each year, the hotel assumes a theme like the Vikings, Nordic legends and myths, Wildlife of Alta valley and Arctic life.

The hotel has a variety of rooms, including suites, a restaurant and an ice gallery with stunning sculptures. The experience throughout is of being in a crystal, shimmering and perfectly clear and relaxing on a bed made of pure ice.

There’s also an ice chapel for wedding ceremonies with frozen benches draped in animal skins and an ice bar that serves bright blue vodka in carved ice glasses.

Bedroom temperatures range from 0 to minus 6 degrees Celsius (32 to 21 degrees Fahrenheit) so it’s important to wear the right clothes obviously. Thermal underwear is definitely a must. The brand Uniqlo is highly recommended.

It’s soft, lightweight and can be bought anywhere in the US. Products range from sleepwear to outdoor jackets and jeans.

At night, the ice beds are prepared with reindeer skins and cosy sleeping bags. Sleeping came easy wearing a set a thermal pyjamas and tucked up in a beautiful, soft sleeping bag. There wasn’t a single hot water bottle in sight.

There’s plenty of daytime activities to enjoy too. From fjord gazing and sea fishing to petting reindeer and skiing.

The real highlight of the mini-vacation for me was a dogsledding expedition.

I was allowed complete control of the dogsled and six-husky team. The huskies were very good-natured, full of energy and

desperate to get going. It was an amazing sensation travelling at quite a speed through the snow and frozen landscape.

But for the rest of our group, it was seeing the Northern Lights (aurora borealis) — an incredible natural light display in the Earth's sky in the high-latitude regions.

Coming from Scotland, I had experienced the polar lights many times.

It’s caused by collisions between electrically charged particles released from the sun that enter the earth's atmosphere and collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen. The aurora danced in the sky over our heads for about

See ICY Page 19

Local sales agent. Local Medicare Advantage plans.

Herb Hamilton

Licensed Sales Representative 15176 Copper Loop Brooksville, FL 34604 (813)751-4629, TTY 711 UHCMedicareSolutions.com

FOR DETAILS ON ALL OF OUR UPCOMING EVENTS VISIT: WWW.HISTORICDOWNTOWNBROOKSVILLE.COM

HERNANDO SUN

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

hernandosun.com Dec. 13- 19, 2019

19

TRAVEL & LEISURE WAVES

ICY

from page 1

from page 18 15 minutes, shifting and falling in multiple shades of pink, green, yellow, blue and violet.

For evening entertainment, we sipped ice blue vodka and admired the handcrafted ice sculptures before devouring a delicious meal in the restaurant. All the food is locally sourced from nearby mountains, fjords and the sea.

Whenever I visit a different country, I want to eat what the locals eat so that means a lot of game and fish. My first evening meal was King crab, followed by reindeer and then a small chocolate mousse.

The second evening, we tried Lapskaus - a hearty, thick stew something like Irish stew; Kjøttboller very like Swedish meatballs; and Pinnekjott made of lamb.

But for those who can’t live without burgers and fries, pizzas or tacos, those are available too.

the Weeki Wachee River.

ABOVE: Aurora borealis.BELOW: Dogsledding is just one of many activities to enjoy in Norway. Others include reindeer petting, snowboarding, and sea fishing.

(Crowns) 2,560 per night.

(USD 300) An alternative to travelling to Europe is to stay at an Ice Hotel in Canada.

Hôtel de Glace, Québec: Located in Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier. Book

a night at the stunning Hôtel de Glace at the Valcartier Vacation Village (20 minutes north of Québec City). This ice hotel offers basic rooms as well as themed suites, including some with fireplaces.

Look for a package deal that includes activities like dog sledding and snow tubing, or a visit to the vast indoor waterpark.

Accommodations start at $300 per night per person.

HOW TO GET THERE

Air travel from the US to Norway Norwegian Air out of Tampa to Bergen in premium Cabin costs around $900 in premium cabin.

From Bergen to Alta would cost in the region of $350.

The next Igloo Hotel will open Dec. 20, 2019.

Closed Dec. 23 to 25, 2019.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Double room, 2 persons, Norwegian Krone

"The filmmakers knew that they wanted Weeki Wachee as a location," said Guy Balson, a Clearwater-based movie location scout that secured the film's locales for the shoot, overseen by A24 Films. "They picked the spot."

Balson said that he traveled to Weeki Wachee in advance to get some photos of the amphitheater and surrounding areas at the park, then returned summer 2018 to join the Waves crew for a day's worth of shooting.

"Both the film crew and the Weeki Wachee staff were well-organized and got the job done," he said.

And at the film's cast and crew premiere in Miami, Balson revealed, audience members immediately recognized the popular water park.

"They showed the Weeki Wachee sign," he said. "And people cheered."

Waves marks the third production that Balson helped to stage at Weeki Wachee, and the second independent film. The first was Full Grown Men, starring rock legend Debbie Harry as a retired Weeki Wachee mermaid.

John Athanason, public relations manager and Development Rep. at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, has seen his share of professional film productions shot at the park, with the staff welcoming celebrities that range from Larry the Cable Guy to Paris Hilton to film television and web-based content. As far back as 1948, portions of the William Powell and Ann Blyth comedy Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid were filmed at Weeki Wachee.

"We've been around for 70 plus years, and it doesn't surprise us when people want to film here," he said.

"People have great memories of Weeki Wachee, their hearts are here."

"They come here to film a beautiful place," he said.

Balson believes that, with the success of Waves, more people will discover the beauty and magic of Weeki Wachee Springs.

"Talk about great advertising for an already successful park," he said. "Weeki Wachee is a one of a kind place."

For more information about filming at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, please visit https://weekiwachee. com/weeki-wachee-media/filming/.

Your Healthcare is Just Around the Corner Right Here in Brooksville Sharon Powers, DNP, APRN

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20

HERNANDO SUN

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

hernandosun.com Dec. 13- 19, 2019

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

Local golf tournament raises more than $1700 for HPH Hospice

ABOVE: From left to right: Denny Compston, Tom Malek, Garry Cerniglia, Bob Workman, Patrick Hramika, Ron Morrison and John Poliakon ABOVE RIGHT: HPH Director of Philantropy Dwight Kerr accepts check from tournament organizer Patrick Hramika RIGHT: Patrick Hramika and his grandson check in golfers for the tournament.

Computer Services

Business Services

• Diagnostics

• Computer Networking

• Virus Removal

• Firewalls

• Custom Builds • Hardware upgrades • Memory • SSD installs • Monthly Support Contracts • Laptop Batteries Drop off and pickup only

by LISA MACNEIL lisa@hernandosun.com

Golf tournament organizer and former hospice patient Patrick Hramika’s diligent efforts paid off this past Saturday, December 7, as he presented HPH Hospice with a check for $1740.00.

• Remote & On site Support • Offsite Cloud backup • High Speed Wireless • Business Phone Solutions • VoIP . Digital . Hosted • Sound Systems . A/V . Sound Masking • CCTV . Access Control • Network cabling (Licensed FL. ES 12000217 & Insured)

For More Information or Appointment Call 352 796 9891 www.wilsontechgroup.com

“I had to give back,” Hramika said.

“That’s what this is all about.”

Following the National Anthem, sung by Live Oak Theatre’s Randi Olson, 70 golfers in teams of threes and fours descended on the tee boxes at Rivard Golf Club to compete for fun and prizes for hole-in-ones, closest to the pin and longest drives.

Dino’s Plumbing Friendly Kia Joni Industries Hernando County Fire Rescue Local 3670 Kelly Pest Control Kohl’s Red Room Salon and Color Lab Rivard Golf Club Rookie’s Sports Bar Sherwood Florist Tropics RV Park Walmart Neighborhood Market Weeki Wachee Barber Wholesale Liquors Hramika credited his niece Lori Shaffer, wife Eileen and good friend Greg Ollivent with the reception buffet, appreciated by hungry players. The reception was held at the Tropics RV Park clubhouse, where a 50-50 raffle was held, followed by the long-awaited Great American Duck Pluck.

Local Sponsors include: Avalon Liquors Brannen Banks Blades & More Brooksville Country Club Deep Blue Liquors

THE HERNANDO

SpORTSmAN'S Club

Located 9 miles North of S.R. 50 on U.S. Hwy 19

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

• 80 Acre shooting facility • Clubhouse •General Rifle/Pistol Range • IDPA • USPSA •Junior Programs & 4-H • IHMSA • Archery •Skeet, Trap & Five Stand Range • Cowboy SASS •Black Powder Rifle/Pistol • Bullseye • Steel • High Power • Rifle • Action Rifle • Fast Draw • Appleseed Rifle • Bowling Pin

HUNTERS Education Classes

RANGE HOURS

Monthly Firearms classes for CCW SAT. & SUN 9AM-3PM

Tues - Fri 9AM-2PM; Tues and Thurs Eve. 5PM - 7PM www.hernandosportsmansclub.com 352-597-9931

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! 120 Medical Boulevard, Suite 100 Spring Hill, Florida 34609 Dr. Amy Ross MD Fellowship Trained Mohs Surgeon Dr. Amy Ross MD Fellowship Trained Mohs Surgeon

352-701-2018

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“You’ve Never Been Treated So Well”

Juliette Pistorino, PA-C Mauri Maurizio, PA-C

HERNANDO SUN

LEGAL NOTICES IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR HERNANDO COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO.: 19-CA-001121 DIVISION: COAST EQUITIES INC, Plaintiff, vs.

JOSEPH BORDANARO and DELORES BORDANARO, Defendant(s).

NOTICE OF ACTION To JOSEPH BORDANARO,: YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that an action to Quiet Title to real property described as: Lot 9, Block 288, ROYAL HIGHLANDS, UNIT NO. 5, according to the plat thereof, as recorded in Plat Book 12, Pages 45 through 59, inclusive, of the Public Records of Hernando County, Florida. has been filed by Plaintiff, COAST EQUITIES INC, and you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, on Alisa Wilkes, Esq., 13400 Sutton Park Dr. S., Suite 1204, Jacksonville, FL 32224, (904) 6209545 on or before Dec. 5, 2019 and file the original with the Clerk of Court and Plaintiff’s attorney, otherwise a default and judgment will be entered against you for the relief demanded.

Witness my hand and the seal of this court on this 24 day of Oct, 2019.

Doug Chorvat Jr. Clerk of the Circuit Court By: /s/ Elizabeth Markidis Deputy Clerk (Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20, 2019) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR HERNANDO COUNTY, FL PROBATE DIVISION CASE NO.: 19-CP-001260 Division: Probate IN RE: ESTATE OF JOAN ANN KNOWLES, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the estate of Joan Ann Knowles, deceased, whose ate of death was October, 28, 2019, is pending in the Circuit Court for Hernando County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 20 N. Main Street, Brooksville, Florida 34601. The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is December 6, 2019.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR HERNANDO COUNTY, FLORIDA CIVIL DIVISION CASE NO.: 2019-CA-851 DIRECT GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff, v.

MIKAYLA ANTOINAE TAYLOR, et al., Defendants.

NOTICE OF ACTION TO: MIKAYLA ANTOINAE TAYLOR and HORACE BERNARD TAYLOR, address unknown.

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for declaratory relief has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Plaintiff, DIRECT GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY, through its counsel Robert K. Savage, Esq., whose address is 412 East Madison Street, Suite 815, Tampa, FL 33602, no later than 28 days after the first publication of this Notice, and file with the clerk of this Court, Doug Chorvat Jr., whose address is 20 N Main St, Brooksville FL 34601, before service on Plaintiff, or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against for the relief demanded in the declaratory judgment action.

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk's office. You may review these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court's office notified of your current address. Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed to the address on record at the Clerk's office.

Dated: DEC - 4 2019 DOUG CHORVAT JR. Clerk of the Court & Comptroller By: /s/ Elizabeth Markidis As Deputy Clerk (SEAL) (12/13/2019), (12/20/2019) (12/27/2019), (01/03/2020)

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE Notice is hereby given that Richard Stotts and Jeffrey Stotts, owners, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of “Stotts Inc.” located in Hernando County, Florida, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations, Florida Department of State, pursuant to section 865.09 of the Florida Statutes.

(12/13/2019)

hernandosun.com Dec. 13- 19, 2019

Obituaries IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 5TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT IN AND FOR HERNANDO COUNTY, FL PROBATE DIVISION File No. 19001055CPAXMX Division: Probate IN RE: ESTATE OF OSCAR B. HAWKINS JR, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The administration of the Estate of OSCAR B. HAWKINS JR., deceased, whose date of death was July 16, 2019, is pending in the Circuit Court for Hernando County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 20 North Main Street, Brooksville, Florida 34601. The names and addresses of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative's attorney are set forth below.

All creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against Decedent's Estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this Court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against Decedent's Estate must file their claims with this Court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. The date of first publication of this notice is December 6, 2019.

Signed on November 27, 2019.

DAVID P. BROWNE, ESQ. Attorney for Personal Representative Florida Bar No. 650072 David P. Browne, P.A. 27299 Riverview Center Blvd., Suite 103 Bonita Springs, Florida 34134 Telephone: (239) 498-1191 Facsimile: (239) 498-1366 Email: David@DPBrowne.com OSCAR B. HAWKINS III Personal Representative 9648 Cockerham Lane Huntersville, NC 28078 (12/06/2019), (12/13/2019)

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE Notice is hereby given that PAUL RODNEY PAQUETTE, owner, desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of “I FIX KAYAKS” located in Hernando County, Florida, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations, Florida Department of State, pursuant to section 865.09 of the Florida Statutes.

(12/13/2019)

Attorney for Personal Representatives: /S/ Stephanie M. Braat, Esq. Attorney Florida Bar Number: 105419 11567 Trinity Boulevard Trinity, FL 34655 Tel: 727-847-4878 Email: sbraat@krglawgroup.com Personal Representative: /S/ Colin Knowles 30 Hampden Pl. Windsor, CT 06095 (12/06/2019), (12/13/2019)

What are your Christmas Traditions?

Gloria Irene DeLong (nee Phillips): May 3, 1938 to November 24, 2019.

Gloria had a kind adventurous and fun loving spirit. It was important to her to travel and understand and share perspectives about the world.

She experienced life to its fullest. In addition to being a loving daughter, mother, grandmother, wife, friend, and teacher, she was a scuba diver, pole vaulter, fisher woman, skier, sailor, tennis player, and avid golfer.

She was beautiful inside and out, and had class. She loved music and had a special place in her heart for the Three Tenors, and Bocelli. She loved people and enjoyed good conversation over a glass of wine and a fine meal.

Gloria passed unexpectedly Sunday 11/24/2019, nearly recovering from a recent surgery.

She will be greatly missed, and her spirit will live on in her 3 children, Mike, Krista, and Kim, their spouses Therese, Mike, and Jeff, her 6 Grandchildren Kyra, Haley, Dylan, Emma, Austin, and Liam and her many lifelong and new friends.

The family will be hosting a celebration of life for Gloria in 2020.

Information and condolences can be shared online at Ward Funeral Home in Brampton Ontario.

Denig Marie, age 85, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. Marie is survived by her children, Diana (Salvatore), Clifford, Kim, Dawn (Christopher), and Guy (Lynn); 8 great children; and 7 great grandchildren. Src; Brewer

United States Air Force veteran. Src; Merritt

Munnerley Thomas Oliver , age 70, of Weeki Wachee, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. He is survived by his children: Tamela, Kimberly, and Thomas II; 6 grandchildren; And 2 great-grandchildren. Src; Brewer

Bradley Cecil U. Jr., age 91, of Brooksville, passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. He was a United States Army veteran. He is survived by his wife, Marlene; children: Rob, Mark, Kathleen, Elaine, Mary Ann, John, Robin and Katheryn; 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will take place at 11:00am, Saturday, December 14, 2019 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Src; Merritt

Stolz Josephine, age 82, of Brooksville, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. Josephine was predeceased by her son, Jeffrey. She is survived by her husband William; son; Bill (Dawn); 2 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild. Src; Downing

Lehrbaum Don, passed away on Wednesday December 4, 2019. He is survived by his wife, Mary, children: Debora (Steven), David (Vicki), Vicky (Steven), Barrett, Jennifer (Kenneth), Kathryn (Ronald); 27 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. Src; Pinecrest

Throckmorton Ursula, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. Src; Turner

Anderson Aca, passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. Src; Brewer

Prokos Jason Alexander, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. Src; Turner

Langley Elaine passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. Src; Brewer

Sevigny Roger, age 84, of Brooksville, passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. He was a

Mounce William Edward, Jr., age 64, of Brooksville, passed away on Wednesday, Decem-

Share your traditions with us for next week's article on Christmas Traditions.

ber 4, 2019. Src; Brewer Koel Karl, age 88, of Brooksville, passed on Thursday, December 5, 2019. Karl is survived by his daughter, Deborah; 4 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-greatgrandchild. Src; Brewer Scott Ralph William, passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2019. Src; Turner Plumadore Julie, age 61, of Spring Hill, passed away on Thursday, December 5, 2019.

She was preceded in death by her parents Cornelius and Henrietta Dugan; brother Michael Dugan. She is survived by her husband Stephen M. Plumadore; and son Matthew. Src; Turner Ross David, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2019. Src; Brewer Torres Haydee, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2019. Src; Brewer Hern Marie Nina, passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2019. Src; Brewer Cope Judy, passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2019. Src; Brewer

SOLUTION ON PAGE 11

Email jessica@hernandosun.com

SOLUTION ON PAGE 11

The Jan. 1, 2019 article in the Tokyo Shimbun featuring the Hernando Sun newspaper.

TURNS FIVE-ISH from page 5

consolidation Gatehouse had over 600 news sources and Gannett had more than 400. This means that a large portion of the "local coverage" is in fact controlled by giant conglomerates.

Local independent newspapers were once the bedrock of this country. These newspapers were shaped by and helped to highlight

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what was happening in the local community. The owners and the contributors lived in the community that they covered and were able to use this familiarity to make sense of what was happening in the community.

The Hernando Sun is a return to this tradition of a truly local newspaper. As it turns five over its

birthday months, it is important to detail how unique our local newspaper truly is. Hernando County has something that few other areas possess, a locally owned, family run newspaper with many contributors from the community. This would not have been possible without the support of the community and we thank you.

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HERNANDO SUN

hernandosun.com Dec. 13- 19, 2019

Farm Bureau women donate gifts to Pace Center for Girls

by SARAH NACHIN HERNANDO SUN

You could see their faces light up with smiles as the three girls walked into the room and spied the table covered with an assortment of hair care items. The hair dryers, shampoo, conditioner, barrettes and other “goodies” were a gift from the Hernando/Citrus Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Committee to the young ladies at the Pace Center for Girls in Spring Hill.

Pace operates centers throughout the state. It receives approximately 47% of its funding from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, 23% comes from the Department of Education and the rest comes from corporate and individual donations.

The organization works with middle and high school girls who have emotional or academic issues and need more one-on-one attention than they would normally receive in a regular academic environment. The ratio of adults to students in the classrooms and in all settings at the center is 1 to 14. The program focuses on academics, along with social and emotional development and leadership skills.

Each girl has an individualized academic plan geared to her strengths and weaknesses. Regarding behavior and attitude, the young ladies work their way up

Back row (L-R): Joan Casey, Norma Keene, Brianne Bird, Valerie Ansell; Front row (LR) Xonjenese Jacobs, Maegan, Julia, "Cat"

through five different levels.

With each level, they receive rewards, as well as more responsibility and more privileges. It is non-residential, but the students attend year round. This enables them to sometimes surpass their peers who attend school for nine months only.

The hair care items were collected by the women who attended the District 5 Women’s Leadership retreat and by some of the people who work in the District 5 Farm Bureau offices. District 5 covers Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Lake and Sumter counties.

Valerie Ansell, one of the members of the Leadership Committee, and Hernando/ Citrus Women’s Committee Chair Joan Casey spearheaded the project.

“Part of our mission is to serve women and children.

Besides this project we’ve collected books for the

Redlands Migrant Christian Association. Other outreach projects include a youth speech competition on a topic related to agriculture.

We also do tours of farms,” remarked Ms. Ansell.

The women also plan to donate money to each of the Pace centers in their district to build pollinator gardens.

They will help the girls plant flowers that will attract butterflies and other friendly insects.

Ms. Xonjenese Jacobs, the Social Services Manager at the Spring Hill Pace Center, spoke like a proud mother when she described the accomplishments that the young ladies have made while in the program. She conveyed an easygoing and friendly manner as she related the field trips that the girls have been part of and the other rewards that they receive when they attain a milestone.

Although the hair care items might not seem like a big deal to many people, the three fifteen year-old girls who were present at the get-together expressed their appreciation for the thoughtful donation.

“Cat,” who has been in the program for eight months and is at the second level of achievement, remarked, “It’s great. You guys are awesome.”

“I feel very excited and overwhelmed,” commented Julia, a third level student who has been at Pace for sixteen months.

Maegan, a fourth level student, who has also been in the program for sixteen months stated, “I’m absolutely ecstatic and grateful for all of you. It really means a lot.”

Cat, Julia and Maegan are an inspiration and shining examples of how young people can turn their lives around given the right environment. Social service agencies such as Pace are a vital component of our community and merit all the support we can give them.

For more information on Pace Centers for Girls call 352-533-1012 or go to www.pacecenter.org. To find out more about the Florida Farm Bureau go to www. floridafarmbureau.org.

Athletic Support: Coach tells player not to 'shoot'

By Eli Cranor Dear Athletic Support: My son’s seventh grade basketball season is underway. He’s one of the starting five and was really having fun until his coach told him not to shoot the basketball anymore.

Yes, I’m serious. His coach pulled him aside a few games ago and told him he wasn’t a “scorer.” This coach urged my son to focus on defense and rebounds. Needless to say, this didn’t go over too well with my son. He loves scoring baskets. Honestly, I’m at a loss for words. Why on earth would this coach have told my son such a thing? — Bewildered Mother Dear Bewildered: Let me start by saying, seventh grade basketball seems like too young an age for any coach to be revoking a player’s shooting privileges. However, I must also remind you that basketball is a team sport.

This means not every kid can be the star. Not every player on the team is going to be a designated “scorer,” either.

That being said, there are many different ways to score points in basketball.

Steph Curry makes his mark behind the three-point arch.

LeBron James is devastating when driving to the basket.

But there are other players — the less heralded stars, the defensive specialists and rebound kings — that mean just as much to their teams as the superstars.

Take Kawhi Leonard for example. He’s a soft-spoken, out-of-the-spotlight kind of player, who also happens to be the 2019 NBA Finals MVP. In college, Leonard played ball for the San Diego State Aztecs. His college career was less than spectacular, but he had a mantra that served him well as he transitioned to the NBA: “The board man gets paid.”

When asked about this strange refrain during the Raptors title run last season, Leonard said, “I used to say that back when I was in high school and college, just wanting to get to (the NBA). It’s about working hard, outworking an opponent. Rebounds help you win games, big rebounds, offensive rebounds, limiting the team to one shot.”

In other words, even as a budding basketball superstar, Kawhi Leonard knew the importance of hard work. He knew the game wasn’t about him; it was about the team. Mr. Leonard is one of my absolute favorite athletes. He rarely shows emotion. He never argues with the refs. And he’s a beast when it comes to defense and rebounds.

Modern-day basketball is definitely an offensively orientated game. Maybe that’s why your son’s coach is so focused on his “scorers.”

Regardless, I would turn your son’s attention in the direction of Kawhi Leonard. Let him watch a few Clippers’ (Leonard was traded in the offseason) games on television. He’s an unselfish player who does all the little things right.

If your son hones his skills on the defensive side of the ball and outworks other players under the rim, maybe he’ll finally get his chance to take a few shots. In the end, a team must outscore its opponent to win the game, but don’t forget Kawhi’s sage advice: “The board man gets paid.”

Eli Cranor is a former professional quarterback and coach turned award-winning author. Send questions for “Athletic Support” to eli.cranor@gmail.com or visit elicranor.com.

ADOPT TODAY

Weekly dose of...

The US Constitution

Article 1 of the Constitution of the United States of America.. [With] Ratification of the constitution of the United States by the convention of the state of Rhode Island and Providence plantations ... In Convention, May 29, 1790

For any person who does not have a Constitution and would like one, please contact The National Center for Constitutional Studies at (208) 645-2625 or https://nccs.net for a copy.

The point of publishing the Constitution over the next several months is to better understand precisely what the document is and says, not argue about its points.

Article. I. (The Congress) Section. 2. (paragraph 5) The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

(Note: This is the first information regarding how the US House shall govern itself. They will elect a Speaker and whatever other officers they wish, and the House shall have sole power to impeach.

Impeach – to create/establish/produce a statement of charges of misconduct.)

NOTE THAT Section 2 was all about members of the US House of Representatives. Next week will begin Section 3 with the same information for US Senators.

Please contact hamiltonhernando@hotmail.com if you have any questions about this passage.

D#10322399 – Lil Bit is a sweet red and white Terrier mix, approximately 4 1/2 years old and 37 lbs. She was relinquished to the shelter along with several other dogs who weren't being properly cared for. Lil Bit was underweight, but is eating well and getting plenty of exercise, so is beginning to look and feel her best. Although she's a bit nervous, she's enjoying her time with the volunteers who are giving her lots of TLC. Lil Bit is hoping to find that someone special who will allow her time to get settled into a new home.

She's really deserves a warm, safe place to land. Since she has a high prey drive, we recommend she be placed in a home with no small children or animals. Lil Bit is spayed, micro-chipped, vaccinated, heartworm tested and will have a 1-yr county animal license at the time of adoption.

D#10322388 – Daisy is a beautiful fawn with black female Black Mouth Cur mix, approximately 4 years old and 47 lbs. She was relinquished to the shelter along with several other dogs who weren't being properly cared for.

Daisy was underweight, but is eating well and getting plenty of exercise, so is beginning to look and feel her best. She's enjoying her time in the spree areas entertaining herself with her toys and walks well on a leash. The volunteers are giving her lots of TLC and she's ready to find a new home of her own. Since she has a high prey drive, we recommend she be placed in a home with no small children or animals. Daisy is spayed, micro-chipped, vaccinated, heartworm tested and will have a 1-yr county animal license at the time of adoption.

D#10322397 – Willow is a beautiful black and tan female Black Mouth Cur mix, approximately 4 years old and 31 lbs. She was relinquished to the shelter along with several other dogs who weren't being properly cared for. Willow was underweight, but is eating well and getting plenty of exercise, so is beginning to look and feel her best. Check out her markings – she's absolutely stunning!

She's treat motivated, so willing to learn, and walks well on a leash. Willow is ready to find her furever home, but would do best in a family with no small children or animals. Willow is spayed, micro-chipped, vaccinated, heartworm tested and will have a 1-yr county animal license at the time of adoption.

Adoption fees are $50 for adult dogs over 25 pounds, $70 for puppies and small dogs under 25 pounds, $25 for heartworm positive and senior dogs, $20 for adult cats and $40 for kittens. For more information/availability on these beautiful pets, please contact Hernando County Animal Services at 352-796-5062, or AC@hernando. fl.us.

HERNANDO SUN

hernandosun.com Dec. 13- 19, 2019

23

OPINION

Savings and work are becoming dirty words

American values are supposedly radically changing by greater acceptance of socialist style government. Polls are showing a large percentage of millenials favor socialism/communism over capitalism. Revisionist history and civics in the public school and progressive university professors believe in indoctrinating college students to the virtues of socialism and communism over the free market. All of these factors have had a profound impact on our culture.

The educational institutions have self-promoted the need for higher degrees, which has stimulated a high-priced industry. College tuition has exploded. Parents and students have been taught to believe that university degrees are necessary to obtain an above livable wage. College graduates on the average are over $37,000 in debt after being sold a bill-of-goods that a college degree will insure a professional

position with excellent salary and benefits. The negative impact of these exaggerated promises of wealth after graduating is what encourages students to live above their means.

They piled up debt as college tuitions have escalated with a vengeance. The students rarely consider the price in choosing a university or working part time jobs at school.

Instead they think their degreed position will take care of the problem.

Many of these students with huge debt upon leaving the ivory towers accept a position far below their inflated expectations.

They are realizing the hole they have dug for themselves. The most obvious way to reverse the college student financial disaster is to join the too-good-to be-true socialist movement. The progressive politicians are advocating forgiving all college loans.

This potential progressive policy is hard to resist when your loan remains the same after paying only

DOMENICK J. MAGLIO, PH.D.

been a movement away from the work ethic and saving for the inevitable “rainy day.” Each new government “give away” program has seduced more citizens to trade in reality for false promises. The increased dependency on the “nanny government” has led Americans down Traditional Realist a path of expanding taxes for the productive people the smallest amount for to transfer their money to years. people who know how to Additionally, the proplay this socialistic welfare gressive politicians are system talking about guaranteeing These players of the money to each family for system have learned to betheir housing, food stuffs come victims in exchange and medical services. This for their personal dignity policy would make work and freedom. The promand savings passé. It would ises of free housing, food, indeed be an answer to vacations, health care, these millenials who are education and financial ignorant of elementary assistance is beyond naïve. economics and training in It is discernably false. reality.

Most parents no lonSavings and work have ger view their mission been under attack as a as training their children social safety net since the how to survive when they Lyndon Johnson, “Great are deceased. Many have Society.” As our federal assets that the children government has increased will inherit making them benefits to gain votes in financially independent our elections, there has according to the parent’s

Responders are there when we need them WILLIAM F. HOLLAND

MINISTER / CHAPLAIN There was a time when like many others, I did not have a clue about the extensive training and dedication of our first responders. As a certified fire chaplain, I now know that battling structure fires is only one of many complex and dangerous situations they encounter. The development of these courageous men and women comes not only with many hours of on the job experience, but also years of classroom instruction and continuing education. Just as in college, instructors teach with power point presentations and videos from all branches of State and Federal emergency management and along with the class work, there are weekly drills with hands on training. Creating practice fires and learning how to battle them or re-enacting an active shooter situation is just a small part of what they are prepared to face. Thank God for the tax revenue which provides state of the art equipment for crisis situations like exposure from hazardous and chemical spills, flood rescue with boats, natural gas leaks, and cave and mountain search and rescue just to name a few. Whether carrying someone over their shoulder while climbing down a ladder or using the hydraulic cutters and spreaders whenever there is a serious vehicle accident, they not only have the capability to extract victims but are also trained to administer emergency medical assistance that can save lives before they are transported. These are just some of the situations they face as there is not enough time or space here to list the many specialized responsibilities and resources.

Here is a true story about an EMT named Joseph who was finishing up a night shift when he walked into a doughnut shop for his nightly coffee, something he had done hundreds of times before. This time, however, his carbon monoxide detector, purchased only recently after the death of a local business owner, began going off. He asked the doughnut shop employee if he was feeling symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

When the employee said he felt fine, Joseph was sure the device was malfunctioning. Even so, something told him to check again. After clearing the device,

he asked the employee if he could walk back to the ovens.

The device confirmed this time that the entire shop was flooded with Carbon Monoxide. Joseph quickly evacuated the building and called his dispatcher and amazingly prevented the death of the person who was working that night. Or what about a paramedic named Kimberly who was attending her daughter’s volleyball tournament when she noticed a woman in distress at the event. After assessing the situation, she ran around the corner of the gymnasium, where an automated external defibrillator was available and she managed to restart the woman’s heart and saved her life. This is the level of determination and perseverance it takes to become a highly trained professional who is always on call.

When we think of modern day superhero’s our attention turns to the movies or sports, but our first responders are the real hero’s which rarely receive the appreciation and respect they deserve. Because of the time commitment alone, first responders make substantial personal sacrifices. Whatever activities, hobbies, or family time they enjoy often takes a backseat to their service to the community. As a member of state and local crisis response teams, I’ve also attended training exercises because I desire to witness what firefighters do and I desire to develop relationships with them. The hard work and dedication these individuals demonstrate every day is nothing short of amazing.

I’ve personally watched them crawl on their bellies carrying full gear including oxygen tanks through dark tight spaces and then pull 450 feet of heavy hose on a 90 degree afternoon. Each member learns to trust each other with the understanding that someone’s life depends on their success and this includes being responsible for those they are working with. Just like everything else in life, taking the job seriously and regular practice is critical to becoming good at what we do which is why so much time is invested with training exercises and practicing with simulated emergencies. I hope we never need them, but if we do, they are only minutes away. Here is what one veteran firefighter had to say, “Being a first responder allows us to intervene with perfect strangers on the worst day of their lives.

Protecting and serving another William F. Holland Jr., DD., C.ED.D. is a Christian minister, chaplain, and author.

Discover more about his ministry at billyhollandministries.com can be contacted at P.O. Box 1394, Nicholasville, KY 40340

wishful thinking. Millenial “fund babies” will explode on the horizon when their Baby Boomer parents pass on but will vanish without learning to control their spending.

As Bobby Dylan sang, “The Times They are A Changing,” is a summary of what is happening today.

No one can predict natural or personal catastrophes or changes in the stability of a nation’s character.

Confiscation of property by exorbitant taxes, or outright confiscation, unrealistic high minimum wages, depression, or being conquered by another nation or a host of other occurrences would radically alter these “takers” lifestyle.

Productive, hardworking and frugal citizens have created the USA’s incredible wealth. Redistributing their hard-earned wealth will only last so long.

We have seen throughout history, there is no guarantee the US will remain a beacon of freedom and prosperity. The Venezuela debacle of being reduced

to a banana dictatorship should enlighten the millenials. Without wise, moral parents and historical training we are doomed to decay and losing our dignity and freedom. However, they are not being taught these moral truths in public school or in higher education.

Our corrupt politicians must be punished with consequences for their corrupt deeds or they will lead us into greater wasteful ways. We need to reward the work ethic and living within one’s means by reducing the socio/economic safety-net and stop victimhood as destructive to our free capitalist society.

If citizens live within their means and work hard, they will climb the socio-economic ladder. When people honestly earn their assets or their wealth, they greatly appreciate the opportunity the USA affords them. It is the American way that will allow us to maintain our status as a moral and prosperous country.

Eight Lives Gone My wife’s male cat was fixed before he fully entered puberty, so I don’t know why he suffers from wanderlust, but he does, and he hunts the house looking for trouble.

Oh, he pursues the usual stupid cat thing of leaping up on tables and shelves and knocking pictures and knickknacks over and onto the floor while rubbing his scent against them. But lately he’s been onerously adventurous.

Before the week of Thanksgiving I came home from taking my motherin-law to her foot doctor and found a potted plant, which my wife had recently put on the kitchen counter, completely dug up.

I know it was him because I’ve caught him digging in pots around the house before, but he’s never emptied one so thoroughly.

Previous to that he started dragging the rug from the small bathroom out into the hallway where he clawed out bits of fiber that he then batted around the house, so now I have to keep that door closed. A week earlier he destroyed both of our living room lamps by running into the extension cord and pulling them off the end tables.

The shades were dented, and the ceramic cores were shattered. I saved the bulbs.

The day before Thanksgiving I kept catching him on the kitchen counter doing something to the turkey I was thawing in the filled sink. I didn’t find any claw or teeth marks, but there was always water everywhere. Maybe he was drinking, or more likely he was pawing at the bird to see if it was dangerous before taking a bite.

Later that afternoon, with the Butterball in the fridge, I made pies, two pumpkin and one pecan, and decided to protect them with a big bowl and cake covers, just in case he decided to explore.

My wife’s name for him is Holmes. My name for him has been Stir-fry, but now I call him Eight Lives Gone.

One more bad-cat move and I’m buying a skinning kit, turning him into gloves, kitty potpie, and donating his bones to the comparative anatomy department of the local museum.

When I was younger, I could tolerate such felonious hijinks, even appreciated some, but now pets are just a nuisance. The media insistence that they lower your blood pressure is a lie to me.

I’ve asked around, and it’s a lie to others, also.

Oh, the female cat does stuff, too, but it’s my impression that she’s just following the male, checking out what he’s doing and getting some of the blame that way.

GOOFY STUFF

By VINCENT CARDEGIN AWARD WINNING COLUMNIST

Mostly she’s a docile cat, even timid. Still, every morning when I get up I sing aloud a cats version

of the theme song from Cops: “Bad cats, bad cats, whatcha gonna do…,” even before I see what damage has been done.

I’m tempted to start an organization called No Pets Allowed (NPA) with a hat and tee-shirt logo of a pawprint in a red circle and two diagonal bars for a red X.

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HERNANDO SUN

hernandosun.com Dec. 13- 19, 2019

Empowerment through creativity

BY MEGAN HUSSEY MHUSSEY@HERNANDOSUN.COM

Can ornaments be empowering?

In the case of a special teen enrichment program coming up next week in Spring Hill, the answer is yes.

Ornaments of Empowerment, an event set for 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 19, at WellCome OM Center, 4242 Lake in the Woods Drive in Spring Hill, is a free DIY craft and discussion program open to all middle and high school students. At this event, kids will be encouraged to create decorative ornament balls that double as messages of hope; using craft materials supplied free of charge to them at the center.

"The kids will be given clear ornaments balls, which they can decorate any way they like," said Sarina Singh, Peer Educator of the Be EMPOWERED program at WellCome OM Integral Healing & Education Center. "Inside, they can write messages stating the things that make them feel good about themselves, maybe their kindness or their athletic ability."

Participants also are encouraged to make gifts of their creations, including messages for friends in

their ornaments.

Ornaments of Empowerment is a program of Be EMPOWERED Teens & Youths, a project of The Auroveda Foundation, a non-profit organization which attempts to create a global community of healthy and educated individuals.

"Our mission is to empower teens and youths with the knowledge they need to feel confident and make healthy, safe decisions throughout their lives," states a related informational blurb. "It focuses on critical health topics including self-worth, consent and boundaries, communication, diversity and inclusion, mental health, and more. We hold weekly free educational discussion groups for teens, host special events, and offer volunteer opportunities to improve teen health in the community. We welcome students of all genders, sexualities, cultures, and beliefs."

The ornament session in particular, says Singh, is intended to help students relieve post-exam stress and deal with anxiety and self-esteem issues.

"This is a fun, casual session

where the teens can feel free to talk things out as they work," she said. "They can feel comfortable here, talking to other kids."

And when this work is complete, each kid will come away with a fully decorated ornament ball with an opening top; one that reveals a positive 'pick me up' message for themselves or for friends.

"This is their chance to express themselves," said Singh.

Other Be EMPOWERED sessions include workshops and discussions that offer practical advice and support for today's teens, including an upcoming discussion about how to deal with critical relatives during holiday celebrations.

"Creating a community of informed, open-minded, confident young people," is always the goal of Be EMPOWERED events.

"We want to make these kids feel special," said Singh, "and to have fun."

To register for Ornaments of Empowerment, visit https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/ornaments-of-empowerment-tickets-84644224153 or call 352-6004242.

Christmas Tree lighting ceremony downtown draws a big crowd

It was a wonderful evening of performances, but what was equally impressive was the number of people who packed the normally sleepy streets of Brooksville to share in some Christmas spirit. Large cameras were setup to record the event for posterity with technicians setup inside an EMS vehicle on the courthouse lawn. It had the feel of an iconic small town Christmas movie set. The event has grown tremendously in the last five years due to the hard work and dedication to all those involved in organizing the event.

Ft FAITH

Faith. A powerful element in fighting cancer.

Joyce Dean has more energy than most 70-year-olds. She’s full of stories about love, family and her days as the first African American professor at Edison Community College. 25 years ago, Joyce went for a routine annual physical. She was diagnosed with advanced multiple myeloma — a cancer with a grim prognosis at the time. She was referred to Florida Cancer Specialists, and she’s been a patient ever since.

Living with cancer hasn’t been easy, but with over two decades of compassionate, cutting-edge care, and a little faith, Florida Cancer Specialists has shown Joyce that when hope and science join forces, great outcomes can happen.

“Without Florida Cancer Specialists, I wouldn’t be here.”

-Joyce Dean, Patient & Cancer Fighter

Where hope is powered by science.™ FindHopeHere.com

Proud to serve patients at our three Hernando County locations.

New cancer patients are seen within 24 hours.* FLCancer.com/HernandoTrials Ayman Barakat, MD Sawsan G. Bishay, MD Jasmin Desai, MD Ramana Dutt, MD Larry Gandle, MD

Mary M. Li, MD, PhD Vikas Malhotra, MD Shilen Patel, MD Raju Rao, MD Thomas H. Tang, MD

*Patients with a new cancer diagnosis will be scheduled Monday-Friday, within 24 hours of physician referral. All required paperwork must be provided at time of referral.