PAGE 8 - May 14, 2008
THE NEWSCASTER-Nature Coast News
The Newscaster online: www.newscasterarchives.com
Pre-plan and Prepare
Yankeetown Students Treated to Field
By Mike Moore, Newscaster Correspondent
Trip at Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve
The armory at the corner of Hwy 19 and
Students at Yankeetown School were treated to an educational field trip to the With-
Venable St. in Crystal River was host to the
lacoochee Gulf Preserve this past week. Yankeetown School teacher Genie Sturtevant taught
season's final "All-Hazards Expo" last Satur-
her science students the importance of the aquifer through the preparation of a puppet show,
day. The main auditorium was wall to wall
a scale model city showing pollution points and a working replica of a real aquifer where steps
with vendors and agencies all trying to get
of pollution can be seen as they happen. These students in turn presented these realistic
the word out; the west coast of Florida is at
learning lessons to the younger students on their visit to the preserve. The whole theme and
risk. The lessons learned in New Orleans are
learning experience was on the importance of water.
a potent motivator in Citrus County to relay
The young students were entertained with information put to them in a manner they
the message: pre-plan and prepare.
will not soon forget. Water is a limited resource and now is the time to start being aware of the
Experts were on hand all day Saturday to
consequences of over-withdrawal and residential and commercial pollution. Mary Alice
get that message directly to the public. A line-
Makoid, Southwest Florida Water Management District Youth Specialist was on hand for the
up of speakers included everyone from Capt.
presentations and touring the preserve. She will be looking into the possibility of a weather
Joe Eckstein, Citrus County Emergency Man-
cam possibly being put on top of the observation tower. Mary had nothing but praise for
ager, to Steve Jerve, Tampa Bay's News Chan-
Genie and her amazing efforts to teach students a living science lesson.
nel 8 chief meteorologist. Topics ran the range
from personal safety to property loss after a Tampa Bay's Channel 8 chief meteorologist
Steve Jerve speaking to a crowd at the Cit-
disaster.
Every year churns up several major hurricanes rus CountyAll Hazard Expo."Keep the wind
in the Atlantic; some of those make it in to out" was Jerve's number one tip on mini-
the Gulf of mexico. Fifteen named storms are mizing damage to property in a strong storm;
predicted for the 2008 hurricane season. Ac- he explained, "even a cracked window can
cordingly, the prediction from the experts for allow enough air in to blow a roof off, board
a major hurricane to come ashore in the Cit- up or shutter your home and evacuate to a
rus County area is not if, but only a matter of safe place during a hurricane."
when.
"Planning is key", says Capt. Joe Eckstein, "please don't wait until the last minute before
a storm and then call for help; we may not be in a position at that time to help you." "If you
show up at Home Depot only several hours before a storm and there is no plywood left, you
leave your home at a much greater risk without wind protection; keeping the wind out is the
best defense to minimize wind damage"
The message was replayed again and again by every vendor and agency at the expo. Pre-
planning saves lives and property. Whether it is retractable window shutters or locating a
pet-friendly emergency shelter (Lecanto Primary School, by the way), thinking now about
what coastal living in an area that has the potential of hosting landfall of a storm with
165+mph winds, can make the hit much less severe.
Help Your Mom Save $3,600!
Special to The Newscaster by Adon Williams, Social Security District Manager
The Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve was an open air class room recently as Genie Sturtevant's
People all over the country are helping their moms save as much as $3,600 per year
science class taught younger students about watershed, pollution and conservation of our
on the cost of prescription drugs. You can too!
aquifer. Photo and story by Sally Price
We all know the high cost of medicine can be a burden on mothers who have limited
income and resources. But there is extra help - available through Social Security - that could
Social Security has an easy-to-use online application that you can help complete
pay part of her monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. The
for your mom. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov. To apply by phone or have an
extra help could be worth up of $3,600 per year.
application mailed to you, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and
To figure out whether your mother is eligible, Social Security needs to know her
ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA-1020). Or
income and the value of her savings, investments and real estate (other than the home she
go to the nearest Social Security office.
lives in). To qualify for the extra help, she must be receiving Medicare and also have:
To learn more about the Medicare prescription drug plans and special enrollment
·
Income limited to $15,600 for an individual or $21,000 for a married couple
periods, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-
living together. Even if her annual income is higher, she still may be able to get some help
2048). Help your mom save up to $3,600 a year on her prescription drugs. Long after the
with monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. Some examples
candy and flowers are gone, the extra help through Social Security will keep on giving.
where income may be higher include if she or her spouse:
-Support other family mem-
bers who live with them; -Have earnings from work; or
-Live in Alaska or Hawaii;
Lots and Lots of Lots!
and ·
Resources limited to $11,990 for an individual or $23,970 for a married couple living
together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks and bonds. We do not
2 waterfront lots leading to the Gulf $89,900 each
count her house and car as resources.
2 waterfront lots leading to the Withlacoochee $110,000 each
Hickory Island
2 private acres on Debra Street $29,900
Lovely building lot in Peaceful Acres $17,000
"Preserving Florida's Southern Spirit"
1 wooded acre on Linda Street $33,900
75 acres (some waterfront) Otter Creek $450,000
Restaurant and Seafood Market
1 acre backing up to Gothe State Park $49,900
Lighthouse Lounge
PLUS 3/2 waterfront home on Tiger Lake
Restaurant Hours:
JUST REDUCED $95,900
Sun-Thurs. 5 0
Diamond Investments, Inc.
6am-3pm
Drink Specials
Darryl A. Diamond
www.diamondhomesandland.com
Fri-Sat. 6am-9pm
352-447- 4442
$2 Margaritas
Lic. Real Estate Broker
Real Estate Investment Consultant
$1 Draft Beers
352-447-2520
Cell "call Shirley 352 400-0301
Darryl-Vicki Diamond & Shirley
$1.50 Well Drinks
48 Hwy 19 S. Inglis
"The Diamond Team"