Firefighters Complete Training, Take Posts

Firefighters Complete Training, Take Posts

Thirty-four new firefighters started their careers this week with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) after a graduation ceremony in mid-July.

In a ceremony at Riverhills Church of God on Friday, the County’s newest firefighters received shields for their helmets and were pinned by family members or loved ones. During the event, they also learned which of Hillsborough’s 47 fire stations will be their new home. All of them will start by Tuesday morning, depending on their shift assignment, and they will begin to learn more about the communities to which they have been assigned.

The 34 new firefighters are a diverse group with several bilingual firefighters reflecting the County they are sworn to serve. HCFR serves the 1.1 million residents of unincorporated Hillsborough County with more than 1,200 firefighters. 

All of the new firefighters have graduated from Fire Academy and are certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). For the past four weeks, the recruit class has been through a Hillsborough-specific orientation to get them ready for their first days on the job.

NOTE: Story and images courtesy Hillsborough County, retrieved from provided video footage.

August 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press

August 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press

In this issue…

Celebrate graduation with new firefighters, relive the fun of the pancake breakfast and pool party, get some “creative junk therapy,” catch up with the Security Patrol, get some education about dementia and human trafficking, visit an interesting new museum, explore “SCC in the Summertime,” visit a kitty haven that’s fun for humans too, and be sure to get tickets for the Pelican Players’ Jack of Diamonds.

Then be sure to check out the Club News, Kings Point News, Military News, Sports, Arts, Faith & Service, and Community News sections to help you plan your month.

Read the AUGUST 2024 Issue of The NEWS

July 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

July 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

In this issue… Commemorate Memorial Day, pretty up a pond, marvel at award-winning photos, save the date for the annual SCC July 4th breakfast and pool party, check in with the LRPC, celebrate being “#1,” take advantage of an “exciting...

Rainbow Bridge Dedication

Rainbow Bridge Dedication

The Sun City Center’s CA Dog Owner’s Group held a dedication ceremony for their newly installed Rainbow Bridge. The Rainbow Bridge is where your special pets wait for you after they pass on, so you can enter heaven together. We are blessed to have a...

JUNE 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

JUNE 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

In this issue… Meet the SCC History Contest winner, enjoy Coffee and Conversation, save the date for the July 4 Pancake Breakfast, get to know Executive Secretary Alisha Marshall, commiserate at the Rainbow Bridge, honor our Veterans, get a...

MAY 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

MAY 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

In this issue… Fly with the Raptor Center and the Jet Jamboree, cruise by the Spring Craft Fair, learn with the Silver Ospreys, explore the sweet business of Beekeeping, peek at the Solar Eclipse, find some Family Connections, help protect our...

APRIL 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

APRIL 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

In this issue… The first part of the SCC Long Range Plan goes to a vote, have a great time at FunFest, marvel at beautiful Stained Glass Art, catch up with SCC softball, see What’s Blooming at Leu Gardens, enjoy a delicious visit to the...

March 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

March 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

In this issue… Join the Weavers celebrating Distaff Day, get the latest from the LRPC, SAVE THE DATE for FunFest on March 9, meet the new SCCCA Activities Director, explore the Florida State Fair, fly with some eagles, meet a writer imparting...

July 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

July 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

In this issue…

Commemorate Memorial Day, pretty up a pond, marvel at award-winning photos, save the date for the annual SCC July 4th breakfast and pool party, check in with the LRPC, celebrate being “#1,” take advantage of an “exciting opportunity,” meet a mathematical Miss America, get to know our local radio gurus, enjoy free music at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center, Pass It Forward with Rosa, listen to the many languages spoken in SCC, and take a glass-bottom boat ride at Silver Springs.

Then be sure to check out the Club News, Kings Point News, Military News, Sports, Arts, Faith & Service, and Community News sections to help you plan your month.

Read the JULY 2024 Issue of The NEWS

July 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

July 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

In this issue… Commemorate Memorial Day, pretty up a pond, marvel at award-winning photos, save the date for the annual SCC July 4th breakfast and pool party, check in with the LRPC, celebrate being “#1,” take advantage of an “exciting...

Rainbow Bridge Dedication

Rainbow Bridge Dedication

The Sun City Center’s CA Dog Owner’s Group held a dedication ceremony for their newly installed Rainbow Bridge. The Rainbow Bridge is where your special pets wait for you after they pass on, so you can enter heaven together. We are blessed to have a...

JUNE 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

JUNE 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

In this issue… Meet the SCC History Contest winner, enjoy Coffee and Conversation, save the date for the July 4 Pancake Breakfast, get to know Executive Secretary Alisha Marshall, commiserate at the Rainbow Bridge, honor our Veterans, get a...

MAY 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

MAY 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

In this issue… Fly with the Raptor Center and the Jet Jamboree, cruise by the Spring Craft Fair, learn with the Silver Ospreys, explore the sweet business of Beekeeping, peek at the Solar Eclipse, find some Family Connections, help protect our...

APRIL 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

APRIL 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

In this issue… The first part of the SCC Long Range Plan goes to a vote, have a great time at FunFest, marvel at beautiful Stained Glass Art, catch up with SCC softball, see What’s Blooming at Leu Gardens, enjoy a delicious visit to the...

March 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

March 2024 NEWS is HOT off the Press!

In this issue… Join the Weavers celebrating Distaff Day, get the latest from the LRPC, SAVE THE DATE for FunFest on March 9, meet the new SCCCA Activities Director, explore the Florida State Fair, fly with some eagles, meet a writer imparting...

Taking Our Best Shots of Florida Wildlife

Taking Our Best Shots of Florida Wildlife

Taking Our Best Shots of Florida Wildlife

By Bob Sanchez

Seven members of the SCC Photo Club headed to the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. With one enormous exception, all the fauna are native Floridians.

We snapped shots of birds such as flamingos, roseate spoonbills, wood ducks, various types of pelicans and birds of prey: owls, osprey, a Cooper’s hawk, a black-capped nighthawk, a caracara, and more. Of course, there were the familiar alligators and manatees. Oh, and a safely fenced-in panther.

Weighing in at three tons, the park’s only non-native resident was impossible to miss. Lu (for Lucifer) the Hippo, was born in January 1960 in the San Diego Zoo. Lu moved to Homosassa in 1964 and became an honorary citizen of our state in the 1990s, by proclamation of then-Governor Lawton Chiles.

We each paid $13 for admission and sprung for an extra $3 for a delightful round-trip boat ride to the Park where we found most of the animals. It’s a great place to bring the grandkids and spend a couple of hours enjoying nature. For more information, visit “homosassaspringswildlife.com”.

Rainbow Bridge Dedication

Rainbow Bridge Dedication

The Sun City Center’s CA Dog Owner’s Group held a dedication ceremony for their newly installed Rainbow Bridge.

The Rainbow Bridge is where your special pets wait for you after they pass on, so you can enter heaven together. We are blessed to have a replica of the original bridge in Lake Lure, North Carolina. Our very own Rainbow Bridge, where we can place collars, tags, or leashes in remembrance of our dear pets.

In attendance were CA President Ron Clark, Directors Carrie Blaylock, Geri Roberts, and Roger Zieg. Lyn Reitz, the CA manager also attended as well as many members of the D.O.G. (Dog Owners Group) Club. Our Club is very fortunate to have the support of the CA Directors and Manager.

A special thank you to Pastor Edwin Gonzales-Gertz from St. Andrews Presbyterian Church for giving the prayer and dedication.

The D.O.G. members also wish to thank Kerry Didday for building the eight-foot bridge, Terry Childress for painting the bridge, Sam and CA maintenance crew for leveling the bridge, and Ben Mayes for landscaping the area. Refreshments of cupcakes, cookies, and a cold, fruity punch was enjoyed by all.