Table of Contents
NEW THIS WEEK
Support group winds down
The Women’s Breast Cancer Support Group will be having their last meeting May 13 at 11:45 a.m. in the lobby of the Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute in Lecanto. Any lady diagnosed with breast cancer or going through treatment for breast cancer is welcome to attend. At this meeting, they will be discussing issues some of the ladies are facing going through their treatments and handling their diagnosis.
To reserve a spot, call facilitator Judy Bonard at 352-220-3693 or Shawn Gundersen at RBOI 352-527-0106 as a light lunch is served to those attending.
The meeting is closed during the summer months and will resume in September at 11:45 a.m. the second Friday monthly.
Groups plans COVID remembrance
On April 30 at 4 p.m., Yellow Heart Memorial will host a COVID Remembrance at the Crystal River Mall, 1801 US 19, Crystal River.
The event will commemorate the more than one million lives lost to COVID-19.
Names of the community’s lost loved ones will be read and a tenth chair will be dedicated to the memorial representing 100,000 more lives.
To share the name of a loved one to be read during the remembrance, complete the form at tinyurl.com/452bayne.
A binder will be on the table at the memorial.
Feel free to bring stories, articles, obituaries, etc. to share with the community.
For more information, visit YellowHeart Memorial.com.
Attend a fireside chat
Dr. Joey Bennett hosts a monthly Fireside Chat the first Wednesday of every month at 11:45 a.m.
Shira Griffen, a yoga instructor, will be discussing the practice of yoga for wellbeing and will share techniques that can be applied to relieve stress and anxiety in our daily life.
The next meeting will be held on May 4 at Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute, 522 N. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto.
Therapeutic activities like yoga can complement medical treatment to heal the body, mind and spirit. Studies have demonstrated that yoga can combat fatigue and improve strength and range of motion for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Practicing yoga can also improve flexibility and strength, strengthen the core muscles in the stomach and back, ease stress and anxiety levels and improve sleep.
Come and hear what yoga is all about. This meeting is free and a light lunch is provided. To register, call Shawn at 352-527-0106.
COMING UP, ONGOING
UF Extension fall prevention class
UF Extension Citrus County is holding a class titled “A Matter of Balance” from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Wednesday from thru June 1 at UF/IFAS Extension Citrus County, 3650 W. Sovereign Path, Lecanto.
The class is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. Participants learn to set realistic goals to increase activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and learn simple exercises to increase strength and balance.
Pre-registration is required and is first-come, first-served.
For more information or to register, contact the UF/IFAS Extension Citrus County office at 352-527-5700.
Citrus Hospital to hold stroke seminar
HCA Florida Citrus Hospital will present a stroke seminar on May 17 at 2 p.m. at the Citrus Memorial Health Foundation YMCA, located at 4127 W. Norvell Bryant Highway, Lecanto.
“Stroke 101” will focus on the types of stroke, signs and symptoms. Attendees will learn about the steps they can take to prevent a stroke as well as the treatment and recovery process for stroke survivors. A brief question and answer session will follow.
Seating is limited, so an RSVP is required to attend. Call 352-637-3337 or visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com to reserve a seat.
Citrus Libraries: Healthy mind, healthy body
Citrus Libraries will host several Health & Wellness events throughout the month of April and beyond.
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.
Lions Club offers vision care for veterans
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.
Child Health & Safety Fair on April 30
The Department of Health in Citrus County (DOH-Citrus) and the City of Inverness will host a Child Health & Safety Fair on April 30 from 9 a.m. to noon at Depot Pavilion at Liberty Park, 286 N. Apopka Ave. in Inverness. The event is free and open to the public.
The event, geared toward families with children ages 5-11, will feature exhibits and activities including: kids yoga, cyber security, pool/water safety, bicycle helmet fittings, safe sleep, fire safety, vision screenings, nutrition education, information on low/no-cost car seats and more.
Community partners joining DOH-Citrus and the city include Cayla’s Coats, Citrus County Children’s Advocacy Center/Jessie’s Place, Citrus County Fire Rescue, Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, Citrus County Memorial Health Foundation YMCA, Citrus County Mosquito Control, City of Inverness Fire Department, Episcopal Children’s Services and Healthy Start.
For more information about DOH-Citrus, go to CitrusCountyHealth.org or follow them on Twitter at @FLHealthCitrus.
Seventh-day Adventists Health Screening Expo
The Inverness Seventh-day Adventist church will sponsor a Health Screening Expo on May 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Inverness Depot Pavilion, 300 Withlachoochee State Trail.
This is a free community event designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, prevent and manage disease and connect people to resources. Visit the Health Screening Expo stations about nutrition, exercise, water, sunshine, temperance, air, rest, trust, discover your health age and more.
They are also offering “Building Your Immune System Now!” at their Healthy Living Series on April 26 at 6 p.m. in preparation for the Health Screening Expo. The presenter is Carin Lynch from LIGHT Ministries.
The Healthy Living Series will be held at the Inverness Seventh-day Adventist Church, 638 S. Eden Gardens Ave., Inverness.
Senior Center low-impact Zumba classes
Zumba Classes with certified instructor Donna are held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to noon at the Citrus County Senior Center, Lecanto, 2804 W. Marc Knighton Court.
Classes are low impact and geared to seniors, with a lot of laughter included. Get your workout in while dancing and having fun; $5 per class.
Call 352-527-5942 to pre-register or email [email protected] for more information.
Community center adds new classes
The East Citrus Community Center, 9907 E. Gulf-to-Lake Highway in Inverness, announced two new additions to their 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.
Salon offers free facial exercise classes
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.
ABC of Dementia workshops in 2022
Coping with Dementia LLC and the Citrus County Library System will offer free ABC of Dementia workshops in 2022.
“Our ABC of Dementia workshop explains Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia in plain language, suggests techniques for becoming a better and less-stressed care partner and provides useful resources to families living with dementia,” Coping with Dementia president Debbie Selsavage said.
Remaining workshops are from 10 a.m. to noon on the following days:
May 16 and Sept. 19 at the Homosassa Public Library, 4100 S. Grandmarch Ave.
June 10 and Oct. 21 at the Lakes Region Library, 1511 Druid Road in Inverness.
Aug. 15 and Dec. 19 at the Coastal Region Library, 8619 W. Crystal St. in Crystal River.
Care partners and loved ones living with dementia are welcome. For more information or to reserve a seat, call 352-422-3663 or email [email protected].
Chemo patients receive free treatment
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.
Water aerobics at Bicentennial Pool
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’ meets weekly
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.
Wings Grief Center offers advanced yoga
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.
Free pregnancy testing, sonograms available
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.
RBOI has supplies for cancer patients
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.
Free hearing screening available
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.
