Blue Ridge Regional Library

Hometown Happenings 0629

Library programs

Hernando County Public Library System will offer the following activities as part of its Florida Library Youth Program: at 10:15 a.m. June 29, "Make and Take Craft," East Hernando branch Library, 6457 Windmere Road, Brooksville; at 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. June 30, "Tony the Balloon Guy," Main Library, 238 Howell Ave., Brooksville; and July 1, "Facts and Crafts," Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive; at 10 a.m. to learn about Australia and at 2 p.m. to learn about China. Registration is not required, but parents/guardians must remain on library premises. For information, call the library at (352) 540-6391.

Brooksville Book Discussion Group will meet at 6 p.m. July 18 at the Main Library, 238 Howell Ave., Brooksville. "My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey" by Jill Bolte Taylor will be the topic of discussion. In 1996, then 37-year-old Harvard-trained brain scientist Taylor suffered a stroke. The book chronicles her journey from debilitating stroke to full recovery. Registration is not required, but copies of the book are limited. New members are welcome. For information, call the library at (352) 540-6392.

Seniors

AARP Chapter 1026, Hernando County East, will meet at 11:30 a.m. June 30 at Buffet City, 13235 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Topics will be "Blessings in a Backpack" by Ron VanMetre of People Helping People and "Hurricane Preparedness" by Hernando County Emergency Management. Bring a nonperishable item. Since seating is limited, reservations are required. Call Steve Mattingly at (352) 754-9404 or Kathy Casey at (352) 428-2368.

AARP Chapter 1091, Hernando County West, will hold multiple meetings as follows: July 6 at Spring Hill Public Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive. The topic will be "Write your own Biography…a Workshop," and box lunches will be brought in from Honey Baked Ham. Seating is limited to the first 40 callers; and July 15 at Spring Hill Diner, 7385 Spring Hill Drive at Kass Circle. The topic will be "Final Arrangements…What you need to know" presented by Grace Memorial Gardens, Hudson. Both meetings will begin at 11:30 a.m. In addition, the following two meetings will be identical in content as follows: July 12 at Outlet Mall, 3021 Commercial Way, Spring Hill; and July 20 at Elks Lodge 2582, 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. The topic will be "Medicare Fraud." Both meetings begin at noon, but plan to arrive at 11:30 a.m. Since seating is limited, reservations are required. Members and newcomers are invited. For reservations or information, call Bob Williams at (352) 596-0722.

Thank You Friends of the Blue Ridge Regional Library

I would like to take this moment to Thank Thomas Perry for all that he has done for the Bassett Historical Center and the promotion of regional and local history. Tom has tirelessly devoted his efforts and resources in support of the Bassett Historical Center and many other deserving organization. The Patrick Henry Chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) presented Tom with their Community Service Award in February 2011. The DAR Chapter in turn received a third place award from the entire Commonwealth of Virginia for their nomination of Tom for Community Service. The Colonel George Waller Chapter of the SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) presented Tm with their Bronze Good Citizenship Award in 2005. Tom’s mission has always been the education and promotion of history. He started the J. E. B. Stuart Birthplace Preservation Trust, Inc. in 1990 and the online Free State of Patrick website in 2004, which has grown to over 500 members. Tom has produced the Laurel Hill Teacher’s Guide for educators and the Laurel Hill Reference Guide for groups. Additionally, Tom speaks with students at several local schools and colleges. Tom has his collection of papers relating to J. E. B. Stuart and Patrick County history at his alma mater Virginia Tech in the Special Collections Department of the Carol M. Newman Library under the auspices of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies. He has donated his collection of over 14,000 photos and images to the Bassett Historical Center and the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History. Tom as instrumental in developing the Historical Symposium held to benefit the Bassett Historical Center’s Building Fund, as well as, encouraging James I. Robertson, Jr. to be a speaker. He has presented multiple “First Saturday” programs annually, on various local topics of local history over the past five years. He served as editor of the Henry County Heritage Book and Tom’s Arcadia Publishing’s Henry County Virginia book went to the Bassett Historical Center’s Building Fund to help raise over $50,000 for the expansion of the building. Tom participated in the Big Read in October 2010, holding the final event for Poe on Halloween at the Bassett Train Depot. Tom has gone above and beyond for the promotion of local and regional history and deserves a huge Thank You for all he has done for the Blue Ridge Regional Library system and the Bassett Historical Center. The deeds listed above are just a sampling of Tom’s outstanding contributions. We are truly fortunate to call Thomas Perry our friend!

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