Community Calendar for the week of August 27

Friday

Suwannee Insurance Ribbon Cutting

A grand opening ribbon cutting will be held for Suwannee Insurance at 1:30 p.m. by the Greater Chiefland Area Chamber of Commerce at  2467-B North Young Blvd. after the August regular Chamber meeting.

Please come out and show your support for a new local business and Chamber member.

Quarteback Club BBQ sale

The Chiefland High Quarterback Club is selling BBQ lunches for $8. The lunch is pulled pork, baked beans, cole slaw, bun and dessert. Club members can pick up tickets to sell  at the high school. The goal is for the club's 40 members to sell 500 meals by the Aug. 24 club meeting. To pre-order lunches, call Becky Tyson at 493-6000 or Abraham Blitch at 493-0964.

 

Saturday

Political rally for Bronson candidates

A political rally will be held from noon to 8 p.m. at the Bronson Youth League Park for candidates in the Sept. 8 Bronson Town Council elections.

Three seats are up in the election. Candidates will have an opportunity to make speeches, answer questions from members of the Bronson Chamber of Commerce and meet voters and answer their questions.

Tuesday

Soil and Water Board meets

The Levy Soil and Water Conservation District Board will hold its regular monthly meeting on  at 6:30 p.m. at the Lighthouse Restaurant, Fanning Springs.

A copy of the agenda may be obtained by Darlene Smith at (352) 486-2672 Ext. 3.

Saturday September 5

Williston Friends hold book sale

Friends of the Williston Public Library will hold its first book fair of the fall from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the City Hall Community Center,  at the south end of Williston City Hall. There will be a huge number of books and magazines.

Volunteers are needed to help set up on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. to sort and set up on Friday, and to set up and work the sale on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 The book fairs are one of the main sources to raise money for the library.

To volunteer for this season's sales and events, call Mary McDaniell, 528-5972.

Shrine Breakfast

The Suwannee River Shrine Club will hold its semi-monthly country breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the clubhouse on Highway 26, about a half-mile north of Fanning Springs.

The menu includes sausage, eggs, bacon, biscuits, sausage gravy, grits, pancakes and coffee. The cost is $5.50 per person. The public is invited.

September 5-7

AmVets Post Labor Day Marathon

The 2nd Annual Car-Truck-Bike Show will be hosted by the Sons of AmVets Squadron 88 in Bronson, located  next to the Bronson Speedway on State Road 24. Music will be by DJ Jeff.  Pulled pork plate meals will be available for $6 and chicken leg quarter meals will be available for $5.

Pre-registration is $15, or day of show $20.  Registration is open from 9:00 am until noon.  Awards presented at 2 p.m.  You can pick up a registration form at Ace Hardware in Bronson or at Post 88.

On Sunday there will be  the annual karaoke contest starting at 1 p.m. at the Post.  This year there will be a junior and senior division.  Juniors are age 15 and under and seniors start at age 16 and up.  Entry fee is $5.  There will be first  and second place money awarded for the junior division, and first- through third-place money will be awarded for the senior division.  The Post  will provide the judges for the competition.  Contestants are asked to arrive early to register.  Judging will be based on two songs, no longer than 4 minutes each.  Judging is on technical difficulty, personal appearance, and vocal ability, eye contact with the audience and judges, and overall presentation of your song selections.  For information,  contact Carol Perkins at (352) 278-2972. 

A cookout hosted by Sons of the post will consist of hamburgers, bratwurst, hotdogs and fries. 

Monday, the Post members will be joined by the LifeSouth Bloodmobile. Post 88 will also have a membership drive for the AmVets, Sons and Auxiliary. There will also be a cookout.

September 10-11

AARP Driver Safety Class

Take an AARP Driver Safety class as a refresher at Old Town United Methodist Church on Highway 19. Class begins at 9 a.m. each day.

Check with your insurance carrier to ask if you are entitled to an insurance discount, good for three years.

The course fee is $14, for AARP members $12. To register, call Lee Miller at (352) 498-5004.

September 12

Ride to Provide looking for riders

    The Fourth Annual 2009 Ride to Provide to benefit Levy Association for Retarded Citizens (LARC) through 60 of the prettiest miles in Levy County is today. The ride has a new starting point: the new Bronson Middle High School leaving at 10 a.m. It will reach Chiefland between 10:30 and 10:45 a.m., on its way to the LARC campus in Otter Creek where it ends with as picnic lunch.

    This is a law-enforcement escorted ride, and all intersections are held for riders – no red lights.

    Entry in the ride is free, although organizers will ask nicely for a donation to help support LARC. Last year's ride provided $10,000 for the organization that serves more than 40 developmentally disabled adults in Levy, Gilchrist and Dixie counties.

    For more information, to pre-register for the Ride or to be a sponsor, call Sean Mullins at 352-528-2222 or email smullins@ridetoprovide.net, or visit www.ridetoprovide.net.

American Legion Yard Sale

    The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 91 of Trenton will be having a Yard Sale from 8 am to noon at the American Legion Post 91, 5 miles north of Trenton on U.S. Highway 129 in Walker's curve. All proceeds are in support of veterans and community project.  at the American Legion Post 91, 5 mi north of Trenton on US129 in Walker's curve.

 

September 15-October 20

Healing Hearts - Sharing in Grief and Hope

    Haven Hospice is offering a six-week support program for adults grieving the loss of a loved one.  Please note that date, time and location is subject to change and will be confirmed when you call to register. While the sessions are free, you must register to attend. Training will be at Cross City Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, 583 N.E. Hwy 351, Cross City on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. To 11:30 a.m. From September 15 through October 20. To register or get more information, call Alesha Smith at (352) 493-2333 or (800) 677-5428.

September 19

Everett Family reunion in Trenton

    The annual Everett family reunion will be held  at 11:30 a.m. at the Trenton Community Center, 214 SE 3rd Ave., Trenton. The brief business meeting will be followed by a covered dish luncheon.

    Those attending should bring a covered dish or dishes to share. Drinks and tableware will be provided. All Everett Descendants are cordially invited to attend.

September 26

Women's Expo has flu shots

    The Women’s Health & Fitness Expo will be held Saturday, September 26, from 9 a.m. To 2 p.m. at the National Guard Armory in Crystal River.

    Exhibitors include experts on cardiac, vision, rehabilitation, dental, hearing and women’s health, among others. There will be a variety of free screenings, information on nutrition, exercise, vitamins, and chiropractic health, plus the LifeSouth Bloodmobile for blood donations and the Alzheimer’s Association mobile van offering memory screening.

    Nature Coast Emergency Medical Service members will be on hand between 9 and 11 a.m. to administer  flu vaccinations to those 18 or older. The immunization is free with a Medicare Part B insurance card in hand; for all other others it is $30 in cash or by check.

    The event is hosted by the Business Women’s Alliance of the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce. Other sponsors include Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center, the Citrus County Chronicle and WRGO Radio. Proceeds from the Expo will go toward the education of students from Citrus High School, Crystal River High School, Lecanto High School and / or Withlacoochee Technical Institute who pursue health careers.

October 16-17

Cracker Cattle Drive & Hernando Heritage Days

    Saddle up your horses and join in an old fashion cracker cattle drive the weekend of   October 16-17. Camp out Friday night with campfire, music, entertainment and much more.

     Saturday, bright and early, the cattle will be herded towards the heart of town in Hernando, picking up the riders that opt for the Saturday one-day ride.

    Meals on the trail are included in price. Directions and other pertinent information will be mailed once a registration is received.  Ride one day or two.  Cost of two-day ride:  adults, $200, and riders age 18 and under, $150. Cost of one-day, Saturday only: adult, $100, and riders 18 and under, $75.

    All proceeds from the Hernando Southern Heritage Days Cattle Drive and Festival benefit the restoration and upkeep of the Historic Hernando School.  

    For information and registration packets, call (352) 419-4857.

October 15-22

Second Annual Fall Paddle Florida

    The second annual Fall Paddle Florida event is October 15-22, beginning at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak and concluding at Manatee Springs State Park in Chiefland.

    Last year’s inaugural event hosted 160 paddlers on the 123-mile, seven-day excursion.

    The fall excursion includes daily stops and overnight camping along the recently completed Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Overnight camping is at the Suwannee River State Park, Lafayette Blue Springs State Park, Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort & Campground, Ivey Memorial Park, Gornto Springs, and finally Fanning Springs State Park.

    Fall registration is capped at 200 paddlers. The registration fee begins at $300 per adult, $275 for senior adults and $250 for children and includes a T-shirt, boat decal, camping, maps and river descriptions and entertainment/activities for the paddlers.

    “Paddle Florida allows novice and experienced paddlers alike to explore parts of natural north Florida that few natives or tourists have ever experienced,” said Bill Richards, organizer of Paddle Florida   “A unique feature of Paddle Florida events is that participants camp each night on the river, truly immersing themselves in the natural experience. At each campsite, paddlers are treated to professionally catered meals, campfires, professional musical entertainment, and other surprises,” added Richards.

    Paddle Florida is held in cooperation with the Florida Park Service and the Suwannee River Water Management District. 

    For more information, go to www.paddleflorida.org or call Bill Richards at (352) 377-8342.

December 12

Rock Crusher Canyon Concert

    Blake Shelton, Jason Michael Carroll, Craig Morgan will perform Saturday, Dec. 12, at Rock Crusher Canyon, Crystal River. The first performance starts at 2 p.m. and tickets are $25 to $75. To order tickets, call Mike Hampton’s Pitching In Foundation at 527-3297, visit Fancy’s Pets in Crystal River or log on to  www.ticketmaster.com.

Ongoing

Boys & Girls Clubs want clunkers

    Florida Boys and Girls Clubs are looking for “Clunker Cars” to be donated as a way of raising funds. The benefits offered for donating include a tax write off for the donors and knowledge that the old clunker is helping a “Positive Place for Kids”.

If you want to donate a car, the Florida Clubs can be reached by calling 1-800-246-0493.

TOPS meeting

    Come visit a TOPS meeting.  The TOPS convention was last month and members want to share information about it.

    We meet at St. Albans church on Wednesday at 10:30 am to noon. Both  men and woman are welcome .Taking Off Pounds Sensibly may be just what you need.

Rotary Clubs

Chiefland Rotary meets at noon Wednesday at BubbaQue’s, Main Street, Chiefland.

Williston Rotary meets at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church, 247 NE 1st Street.

Grand Slam Bridge on Mondays

    Grand Slam Bridge, with two tables in play, will be held at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Chiefland on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those interested in participating are asked to call Joan at 493-0279.

    Both weekly and substitute players are needed.

    Players Joan Donaldson and Marie Smith have won two weeks in a row.