October 2019

New Port Richey, Fla. --- Tuesday night October 22, the night belonged to the sophomores that stepped out onto the court inside the gymnasium on the campus of Pasco-Hernando State College.

The pregame ceremony featured the seven sophomores that have worked hard and wore the bruises as a badge of honor. It was also a chance for the players to say thank you to their parents and to Pasco-Hernando State College volleyball coach Deann Newton for her coaching, teaching and being a friend.

Happy Halloween my friends and I hope everybody has fun tonight with the Trick or Treating crowds.  I know I’ll be coming in from the woods in time to pass out a few treats to any ghouls and goblins that may show up at my door.  Just as well too, since I’m not entirely fond of walking out of the woods after dark with the skunk apes roaming about this time of year.  What, there’s some of you who haven’t heard of Florida’s skunk ape? 

On Saturday October 26, the Rotary Club of Spring Hill Central held its second annual Nature Coast Seafood

Festival at Linda Pedersen Park on Hernando Beach. As the club's annual fundraiser this has become a large event for the county. Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Brooksville and Spring Hill were on hand to help out with activities scheduled throughout the day.

For over two decades, Thomas Ryan coached the PHSC softball team. During that time, he prepared many students for advancement in their sporting career through a positive and well-balanced environment.

Starting the 2019 Fall season, Stephen Mumaw and Assistant Coach Jeri Loffler are stepping into those roles; however, they are not new to the PHSC environment.

Mumaw’s daughter, Dana, played softball under coach Ryan as well as Jeri.

On Friday, October 25, the local office of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) held a “Lunch and Learn” at its Beautiful Mind Center on Spring Hill Drive. The meeting was free and open to the public and included complimentary pizza and beverages.      

Mike McDonald received a code enforcement violation for the four chickens he keeps at his business property at 321 Ponce de Leon Boulevard. During the citizen comment portion of the Oct. 7, 2019 meeting, a friend brought this to the attention of the city council and asked for a change to the ordinance. 

The item was added to the Oct. 21, 2019 agenda. The City Code 4-8.12 states that livestock animals and fowl can only be on residential parcels that are 10 acres or larger unless the property is zoned for agricultural use.  

In various meetings, citizens have brought their concerns about vandalism and issues with the restrooms at the city’s parks. Parks and Recreation Director Angie Whisnant briefed council members on specific problems with keeping the restrooms unlocked.

Whisnant provided pictures of the types of vandalism the park staff routinely witnesses. Staff have said the homeless have been aggressive toward them at times. 

On Sept. 4, 2019 the city of Brooksville agreed to fund the Brooksville Main Street program at $45,000 per year with several stipulations relating to financial disclosures.  It has taken some time for the parties to iron out a contract as the matter was postponed at both the Sept. 16 and the Oct. 7 meetings. The parties were able to reach an agreement by the Oct. 21 meeting at which time the contract was approved by council.

   I grew up being scared by Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, as well as B movie disembodied heads and floating brains.  The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits kept me on the edge of my dad’s den couch or gripping the carpet—I spent a lot of time on the floor back then when watching television.  But over the years I grew less scared by such movies and shows.

By Andy Villamarzo 

Hernando Sun sports staff writer