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Sun and clouds mixed. High 87F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph..
Partly cloudy. Low 68F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.
On Wednesday, October 12, from 11 a.m. to noon, HPH Hospice in Lecanto invites you to attend our monthly educational series featuring Balance and Fall Prevention for October. This is a fun and engaging event offering tips on how to keep your balance and prevent falling.
This presentation will be held at the HPH Hospice House at 2939 W. Gulf-to-Lake Highway in Lecanto. Reservations are required, as space is limited. Call 352-359-8373 or email lucass@chaptershealth.org to RSVP or for more information. Light refreshments will be served.
The next blood drive for Knights of Columbus Council 6168 Our Lady of Grace Parish will be on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the council hall, 2389 W. Norvell Bryant Highway, at the corner of West Pinecone Avenue and County Road 486 in Lecanto.
Blood is still urgently needed, so come support this important, life-giving community event. Donors receive a free mini physical, an E-gift card, a complimentary continental breakfast, and other items of appreciation from LifeSouth. For any questions, call LifeSouth at 352-527-3061.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Citrus) offers the interactive In Our Own Voice presentation at the YMCA, 4127 W. Norvell Bryant Highway, from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13.
Mental health encompasses a wide range of conditions ranging from treatable conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and OCD, to more serious illnesses such as bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia.
Come and listen, ask questions, and share experiences. Mental health doesn’t have to be scary.
A light lunch will be provided. Register by calling the YMCA at 352-500-9622 or go to namicitrus.org/event/attend-in-our-own-voice -presentation to reserve a space.
HCA Florida Citrus Hospital is offering a free breast cancer seminar on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m. at the Citrus Memorial Health Foundation YMCA in Lecanto.
“Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment” will feature a presentation from general surgeon Dr. Torr Carmain. The seminar will focus on breast health screenings, prevention, diagnosis and available treatment.
Anyone interested in learning more about breast cancer diagnosis and treatment is welcome to attend. An RSVP is not required but encouraged by calling 352-637-3337 or visiting HCAFloridaHealth care.com.
The women’s breast cancer support meeting will be held at 11:45 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at the Robert Boissoneault Oncology institute in Lecanto. A light lunch will be provided.
Program speaker will be Cici Arkoub from Unique Lingerie Services at Heath Brook in Ocala, showing durable medical equipment for women.
Any woman facing breast cancer or going through treatment is always welcome to attend our meetings the second Friday of each month. RSVP to facilitator Judy Bonard at 352-220-3693 if you would like to attend.
The Citrus Medical Society will be meeting over Zoom on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 6 p.m.
All society members, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and retired physicians are welcome to attend. The first 10 attendees will get a lottery ticket.
There will be a local presentation by Frank Di Piazza, executive director for The Florida WellCare Alliance, titled “Cyber security: How safe is your data health practice?”
Afterwards, there will be a guest speaker from the University of Florida Shands Hospital, Dr. Aaron Franke, talking about neo-adjuvant immunotherapy for Resectable NSCLC.
To register for the meeting, go to tinyurl.com/3mbupjbb and pick the above date.
Relief Share, a Citrus County-based medical surplus recovery organization, is seeking volunteers to help with sorting and inventorying a large quantity of medical supplies donated by area hospitals and health care facilities.
Volunteers meet most Saturdays at Technology Conservation Group (TCG) in Lecanto, which has donated air-conditioned storage space to Relief Share.
Adult volunteers will work with local high school student groups to sort, inventory, and box medical supplies for shipment to hospitals and clinics in developing countries. Other volunteer days/hours are also available and retired health care professionals are welcome.
For nearly 20 years, Relief Share has recovered medical surplus locally to save lives throughout the world. The charity recently delivered more than three tons of supplies to hospitals and the front line in Ukraine. It has provided disaster relief to Haiti, Central America, and Nepal, and ships medical supplies to Venezuela.
For more information, visit relief-shareflorida.org or email megan@relief-shareflorida.org.
HPH Hospice in Lecanto provides comfort and care, giving patients the best possible remaining quality of life and supporting their families through this stressful time. As a nonprofit, HPH Hospice never turns anyone away for lack of funds.
Sometimes the needs of patients and their families expand the realm of their care. The Citrus Hospice House has a food pantry with non-perishable items, but other items are not included, like paper goods and cleaning supplies. Help may also be needed to pay a power bill, rent or mortgage for a caregiver.
To help, organizations could have a “supplies drive” or fundraiser with members on behalf of financial support of patients along with a presentation by HPH Hospice. To schedule or for more information, email lucass@chaptershealth.org or call 352-359-8373.
Items needed are: paper towels, toilet paper, garbage bags, dish soap, air fresheners, towels & washcloths, toothpaste & toothbrushes, body lotion, deodorant, shampoo, bar soap, body wash, new blankets, personal care wipes, mouth wash, razors, shaving cream and facial tissues. HPH Hospice also accepts non-perishable food items and is in need of volunteers for companion visits of the patients.
Exercise is considered one of the best ways to stay healthy. Unfortunately, just going out and exercising isn’t always the easiest option. A previous injury may make it difficult to move around or the high impact exercises that everyone else is doing may be too hard.
This is where your local library comes in. The Coastal Region branch in Crystal River offers a free, low impact chair exercise series called “Sit & Be Fit!”
Classes are held Thursdays beginning at 10:30 a.m.
This class focuses on low impact stretches and strengthening exercises, all done from a seated position. These exercises are aimed at improving flexibility, learning weight control and reducing the chance of injury.
Also, stop by the Homosassa branch on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. for belly dancing or the Lakes Region branch in Inverness on Wednesdays at 4:45 p.m. for Yang Tai Chi.
These programs are free for everyone with no registration required. For more information, visit citruslibraries.org or follow @CitrusLibraries on Facebook and Instagram.
Coping with Dementia LLC and Dementia Education Inc. have announced that Citrus Walk Aware for Alzheimer’s will take place in Floral City on Oct. 15.
This year’s event will include two options: a walk on the Withlacoochee State Trail or a tour of the Historic District of scenic Floral City. Pets are welcome as well.
The 2022 Walk will be the fifth year for the event. The event will dedicate its proceeds to dementia education, awareness and the support of families living with dementia.
Funds are raised through sponsorship fees, donations and participation fees, which are $20 per person. Prizes will be given, including plaques for the largest team and top individual fund-raiser.
In addition to the walks, there will be music, food and other entertainment in the Floral City Town Center with free parking close by. Activities will begin at 8 a.m. and finish by noon.
For information on how to register, how to form a walking team or how to become a sponsor, contact Janice Martin at 352-477-1866 or email seniorliaisoncf@gmail.com.
Zumba classes with Certified Instructor Donna are held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to noon at the Central Citrus Community Center, 2804 W. Marc Knighton Court, Lecanto.
Classes are low impact and geared to seniors with a lot of laughter included. Get a good workout while dancing and having fun. The cost is $5 per class.
To pre-register or for more information, call 352-527-5993 or email miss-donna@tampabay.rr.com. Classes are not held on government holidays.
Among the wellness programs offered by Friends of Citrus and the Nature Coast at its Wings Grief Center, 8471 W. Periwinkle Lane (gold building on right) in Homosassa Springs is Café Break!
At Café Break! Anyone grieving or lonely can find a safe place to socialize with others, work puzzles, play games or chat over a cup of coffee and snacks for 2-1/2 hours starting at 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays and at 9 a.m. Thursdays.
For more information or to join this program that follows CDC guidelines, call 352-249-1470.
From Head To Toe Salon offers free face lift exercise classes at 9 a.m. every Monday. The salon is located at 21 N. Croft Ave. in Inverness.
In this one-hour class, learn to sculpt and revitalize your face with 25 facial exercises that build volume, minimize wrinkles and lift and tone for a more youthful appearance.
Space is limited, so call master esthetician Stephanie Gombrelli at 352-613-6111 to reserve a spot.
Chemotherapy patients receive free microblading (eyebrow permanent makeup) by Stephanie Gombrelli at From Head To Toe Salon in Inverness.
Call 352-613-6111 for more information and to schedule.
Citrus Libraries will host several Health & Wellness events.
On Mondays at 5:30 p.m. at the Homosassa branch, belly dancing classes will be available.
On the last Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m., the Coastal Region branch hosts Doreen Lavista who guides an immersive meditation session. Bring a yoga mat, cushion, pillow or back support for using a chair.
Every Wednesday at 4:45 p.m. at the Lakes Region branch, Eric Poling teaches Yang Tai Chi 13. This form emphasizes building strength, balance and coordination through simple movements. Registration is required.
On Thursdays, Tai Chi classes are held at the Floral City branch. The first class is Beyond the Basics Tai Chi at 9:30 a.m. and is designed for seasoned participants. Those looking to learn more about Tai Chi should attend the 10:45 a.m. beginner class.
For more information, follow @CitrusLibraries on Facebook and Instagram or visit citruslibraries.org.
Any veterans in Citrus County who cannot afford their eyeglasses or are in need of vision care can contact Inverness Lions Club at 352-560-8741.
The club can help with any vision need. Residency and income requirements apply.
The East Citrus Community Center, 9907 E. Gulf-to-Lake Highway in Inverness, offers healthy choices on its community class schedule.
Tai Chi will be offered from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesdays. From 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, certified Silver Sneakers Flex instructor Kathy Johnson will lead “Kathy’s Crazy Cardio Class.”
The cost for each class is $3 per person or $1 for Silver Sneakers members. For those who wish to participate in both classes, there is a reduced cost of $5 per person. For more information, call 352-344-9666.
Citrus County Parks and Recreation’s offer a water aerobics class from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at Bicentennial Park Pool, 8145 W. Bicentennial Park Drive in Crystal River.
The cost is $3 per person per class. These classes offer a fun, healthy fitness workout without added stress on joints. Participants must be 16 years or older.
For more information, call 352-795-1478.
Stepping Stones to Wellness will meet from 9:30 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday at the Friends of Citrus and the Nature Coast Wings Grief Center, 8471 W. Periwinkle Lane in Homosassa.
The group is facilitated by yoga teacher Ellen Armitage. By combining walking in place, guided meditation/relaxation exercises and a process group, it is designed to help promote overall well-being.
Provided as a community service, the class is offered at no charge. To reserve a spot, call 352-249-1470. For more information, call friendsofcitrus.org or visit Friends of Citrus on Facebook.
The Friends of Citrus and the Nature Coast advanced yoga group meets from 4 to 5 p.m. every Thursday at the Wings Grief Center, 8471 W. Periwinkle Lane in Homosassa.
The class is facilitated by Ellen Armitage, a yoga teacher with more than 20 years of experience helping others find their way to their highest self.
Sessions are provided as a community service and are offered at no charge. To reserve a spot, call 352-249-1470. For more information, call friendsofcitrus.org or visit Friends of Citrus on Facebook.
Citrus Pregnancy Center is offering free pregnancy testing and free early pregnancy sonograms at both locations: 726 NE U.S. 19 in Crystal River and 3185 E. Thomas St. in Inverness.
For more information, call 352-341-5176.
Dr. Joseph Bennett offers monthly “Fireside Chats” beginning noon the first Wednesday of each month at the Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute (RBOI), 522 N. Lecanto Highway.
Sessions often feature guest speakers, as well as open discussion regarding health and cancer care. A light lunch is provided, therefore RSVP is requested.
Bennett welcomes questions and open discussion, so bring your questions or email them ahead of time to cjbennett@rboi.com. Those who have not received their COVID-19 vaccination will be asked to wear a mask and practice social distancing inside the building.
Call Shawn at 352-527-0106 to make a reservation.
If you are in need of scarfs, wigs, or other helpful items for those going through cancer treatments, call Medical Social Worker Wendy Hall, LCSW, at 352-527-0106. Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute in Lecanto has a resource room with more than 100 wigs available for free. Stop in the Lecanto office from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or call to make an appointment.
Medical Social Workers at RBOI will assist individuals needing support through the emotional turmoil caused by cancer with resources, including application for Citrus Aid Cancer Foundation assistance. Many services including Zoom meetings for support and education are available for patients with cancer, and their loved ones. Call 352-527-0106.
Citrus Healing Impaired Program Services (CHIPS) is offering free hearing screenings for Citrus County residents at the old train depot, 109 NE Crystal St. in Crystal River.
Screenings are by appointment only. Low-income hearing aid assistance is available.
To learn more, call Maureen 352-795-5000.
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