Marion Bastiani sat in the cool, dry confines of her granddaughter's car Tuesday afternoon as rain pelted the windshield.

About a hundred yards away, Bastiani's house sat in the middle of the new lake that has submerged Brookridge Boulevard, one of the main thoroughfares in the Brookridge community, west of Brooksville. On Sunday evening, as Tropical Storm Debby pelted Hernando County with rain, water started seeping into the home. Sheriff's deputies helped Bastiani onto a giant six-wheeled truck and drove her to safety.

Now, Bastiani watched from the water's edge as an insurance adjuster dressed in waders surveyed the damage. The water had subsided somewhat, but Bastiani's house and several others were still inaccessible by car.

"I'm just praying for it to stop raining," she said.

Storm-weary Hernando residents can relate, yet Debby's slow movement has stretched out the typical headaches that come with foul weather.

Across the county Tuesday, many of the dozens of residents who fled their homes due to rising water had yet to return, while others were starting to clean up.

Many homeowners were on edge — in some cases literally so — after sinkholes opened up in their neighborhoods.

And other residents on the coast and along the banks of the Withlacoochee River kept a wary eye on water levels as Debby slogged east and made landfall near Steinhatchee on Tuesday evening. Forecasters called for sustained winds of 40 mph along the coast, with gusts up to 60 mph.

Since Friday, the storm has dumped in excess of 15 inches of rain on parts of the county. The deluge has caused inland flooding at levels that longtime residents say they haven't seen in decades.

In the area near U.S. 41 and Powell Road, floodwaters in some homes were as deep as 5 or 6 feet.

"I feel for folks that lost their homes and suffered damage," county Commissioner Dave Russell said. "It's one of those events that's impossible to adequately plan or prepare for."

At least 30 sinkholes had appeared on county property by Tuesday morning, forcing several road closures, county engineer Brian Malmberg said during Tuesday's County Commission meeting. One of the largest swallowed both southbound lanes of Mariner Boulevard at Little Road, about a mile north of Spring Hill Drive. One opened under a home on Little, though the house had not collapsed by Tuesday evening.

Three more sizable chasms consumed sections of taxiway at the Hernando County Airport. The airport remained open.

And in Trillium, a subdivision along County Line Road, just east of the Suncoast Parkway, at least 15 sinkholes opened in retention ponds, then near homes bordering the area.

The county late Monday afternoon declared a local state of emergency, hoping to eventually land federal relief funds.

"I think the worst of it is over, but we have a lot of repairs to do," said County Commission Chairman Wayne Dukes, who signed the declaration.

At one point Sunday night, some 2,000 Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative customers in Hernando County were without power, according to spokesman Dave Lambert. By Tuesday afternoon, only a few Hernando customers served by WREC or Progress Energy were without power.

The American Red Cross opened a shelter Monday evening for people displaced by flooding, but no one had arrived by Tuesday afternoon. It was unclear Tuesday evening how many residents had to leave their homes. Teams comprised of staffers from the Property Appraiser's Office and the county Development Department had begun to assess damage.

Debby had little impact on Hernando's coastal areas by Tuesday afternoon, though water covered much of the beach at Alfred A. McKethan Park at Pine Island, prompting officials to close the park.

Water pushed up to the top of seawalls in Hernando Beach at high tide on Monday, but did not flow over them, said Carl Honeycutt, service manager at the Hernando Beach Marina.

Residents were asked to be wary during high tides over the next two days as Debby's winds change direction and start to push water onto the coast, said Bay News 9 meteorologist Mike Clay.

"Certainly there's going to be a risk of coastal flooding through (Tuesday) evening, and things should be better with each tide cycle after that," Clay said.

The threat of sinkholes weighed heavily on many residents.

On Tuesday morning, 46-year-old Chris Cook peered over the edge of a sinkhole that opened late Monday in the back yard of his home on Nodding Shade Drive in Trillium. Cook's wife and children went to stay with family members.

"Everybody's really worried; nobody wants to stay in their house," Cook said. "I'm probably eventually going to go, too."

Later, as a light rain fell, Nadine Mercader snapped photos from behind yellow caution tape circling the chasm on Mariner.

Mercader, 58, lives about a block away and has been unemployed since she was laid off from her sales manager job about two years ago. Citizens, the state's insurer of last resort, recently canceled her policy, she said, because her roof is too old. She has a mortgage and has been living on savings and money scraped together by working odd jobs.

She said it was hard not to think about all of that as hurricane season starts and sinkholes opened up around her.

"Am I worried?" she said. "I don't sleep."

The sinking earth comes as little surprise given the nature of the geology on the Nature Coast.

Florida is in the prime of its annual sinkhole season in late spring and early summer. Water in the aquifer supports layers of clay and sand on top of limerock, but that buoyancy effect disappears when levels in the aquifer drop, leaving underground voids, said Dave Arnold, professional geologist with the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Heavy rain in a short period adds significant weight to the soil above the voids, causing the surface to give way.

"The voids are pretty much ready to go," Arnold said. "They just need a trigger mechanism to make it collapse."

Staff writer Barbara Behrendt and staff photojournalist Will Vragovic contributed to this report. Tony Marrero can be reached (352) 848-1431 or tmarrero@tampabay.com.

BROOKRIDGE — The large blue-and-white sign at the entrance to this sprawling community of 2,433 doublewide manufactured homes in central Hernando County advertises it as "a retirement concept."

What that means is open to interpretation.

But one thing is clear: Never has it meant that Brookridge is a 55-and-older community.

Until now.

Earlier this year, Brookridge residents began casting ballots on an age-restriction measure that would alter who is and is not allowed to move into the community. In early March, it passed overwhelmingly, with more than 77 percent of the property owners who voted — 1,377 — approving. On April 5, it took effect.

With little fanfare, the amendment was recorded in Hernando County records. New signs were put up. The description at the top of the community newsletter was updated.

It was a quiet ending to a years-long effort to convert Brookridge, which opened in 1973, into a 55-and-older community — a move that has strongly, and sometimes bitterly, divided residents.

Earl Shockley, 86, has been coming to Brookridge for the winter from his home in Chicago for more than 10 years.

He was one of the 404 homeowners who voted against the measure.

"I'm just against discrimination," Shockley said Thursday outside his home. "Period."

Janet McGibbon, 77, a resident since 2005, said she, too, is deeply disappointed in the change.

She feels it is going to devalue her property by shrinking the pool of potential buyers.

But more than that, she thinks it's a shame that there won't be as many young people around.

"I think they help keep you going," she said.

Even before the vote, McGibbon had a nickname for Brookridge: the dead zone.

"All you see are fire trucks coming in, followed by an ambulance," she said. "It's like moving into the dead zone because you're going to end up dead in here."

Residents on the other side of the issue feel just as strongly.

Arline Hagenbruch, 77, said the change was a long time coming.

"I'm just thrilled to death," she said. "And my husband is, too."

Hagenbruch has lived in Brookridge roughly 20 years.

When she first moved in with her husband, the community was pitched as 55-and-older. When she discovered otherwise, she felt as if she had been sold a bill of goods.

"We were both very, very disappointed and disgusted," she said.

Like many other residents, Hagenbruch said she likes the idea of living in a 55-and-older community.

"It's not that I don't like kids," she said. "I don't like brats."

Most residents cite similar beliefs in support of the 55-and-older measure:

• There's nothing in the community especially for children — no activities, playground equipment or anything of that nature.

• Young families tend to do a worse job of taking care of their property and lawns.

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• Young folks also do not attend community functions as often.

• Younger people are more likely to get in trouble and misbehave.

Resident Bruce Gethen agrees that young and old just don't make for a good mix of people.

"I'm a senior now," the 85-year-old said. "It's someone else's turn to handle the kids."

He, like others, said younger people tend to bring more problems with them. And, there's the issue of property upkeep.

"The families with kids do not maintain their homes to the degree that retired folks do," he said.

The 55-and-older rule will not affect anyone who is already living in Brookridge; they're grandfathered in, said general manager Ray Geroux.

And people under 55 will still be able to move into the community as long as they're living with someone who is over, Geroux said. People who inherit homes may also move in, regardless of age.

It will only stop people from moving in if nobody in the home is 55 or older.

Currently, about 85 percent of Brookridge's homes have at least one person who is 55 or older. Geroux believes that number will gradually climb.

"The population has always seemed to have wanted (the 55-and-older rule)," said Geroux. "I believe, based on the majority of the feelings, it's a good thing."

Brookridge is no stranger to conflicts over age.

Last fall, the community decided to lock a back gate that was used by roughly 50 students living in the community to get to and from school. The property owners association initially hung a sign reading: "The rear gate will no longer be open for school children."

After a public backlash, they kept it open — with an added electronic gate.

This was not the first time the community had tried to become 55-and-older.

In 1988, residents briefly voted in the age restriction before a group of builders and developers sued the property owners association and won, preventing the association from enforcing the restriction.

The vote and court case generated heated debate, quite similar to the discussion of recent months.

"I think having the young around keeps old people young," said resident Muray Welsh in an April 1988 article in the Hernando Times.

On the other side of the issue was snowbird Bob Hoyle, who had this to say about kids living in Brookridge: "They lack discipline. They get on your lot. You tell them to get off, and they stick out their tongues."

Danny Valentine can be reached at dvalentine@tampabay.com or (352) 848-1432.

(Brooksville, FL) The Hernando County Utilities Department (HCUD) has redirected wastewater flows from the Brookridge Wastewater Treatment Facility, located at 8279 Grove Road in Brooksville, to the Glen Water Reclamation Facility, located at 11354 Hexam Road in Brooksville. This redirect is in an effort to regionalize the County’s wastewater treatment facilities and reduce operating costs.

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The decommissioned Brookridge Wastewater Treatment Facility is scheduled for demolition beginning June 2020. The demolition work, which will include the removal of all existing plant structures and pavement, is expected to be complete by January 2021. The selected contractor for this project is PAW Demolition.

This update is part of several planned improvements to the HCUD wastewater system intended to better position the County to serve current and future growth within the HCUD service area and ensure the utility will meet a higher level of treatment required in the Weeki Wachee spring shed. HCUD does not anticipate this project to disrupt water or sewer service for its customers during this timeframe.

Contact HCUD at (352) 754-4037 for more information.

By Andy Villamarzo

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Hernando Sun sports writer

TAMPA- One thing Tom Brady has remained legendary about is his off-season workout habits when he was with the New England Patriots.

Whether he was hosting workouts with his receivers, the likes of Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola or doing his own individual routines at the confines of his own home. If there’s one thing you can count on out of the new Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ starting quarterback is he will be getting the work in whether the team facilities are open or not.

The case has remained true with Brady coming down to Tampa, as the quarterback had a recent workout with several Buccaneers over at the football field of Berkeley Prep off of Hillsborough Avenue. It was reported by Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times and the report went nationally, as Brady was seen donning full gear with fellow teammates in an effort to begin learning his new playbook and teammates.

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Amongst the players that were reported at the workout was star wide receiver Mike Evans, tight end OJ Howard, wide receiver Scottie Miller, tight end Cameron Brate and starting center Ryan Jensen. Each player looks to play an intricate role within the Buccaneers’ offense for the 2020 season and getting to know Brady seems to be goal No. 1 this off-season. Brate, a former Harvard student, has been tabbed with helping Brady learn the Buccaneers’ playbook.

It’s been a bit of a wacky off-season for Brady with the current coronavirus pandemic continuing to ensue around the globe. Brady is renting out the Tampa home of Derek Jeter and in one of his first days in the area, accidentally walked into a home he thought was to be offensive coordinator’s Byron Leftwich. The meetup with the offensive coordinator created a big stir within NFL circles, as players are not to have in-person interactions with coaches.

Last month, Brady was kicked out of one of the City of Tampa’s local parks as the quarterback was trying to get a workout outside, but safer at home orders forced city officials to inform the future Hall of Famer that the park was closed. Brady just finished up playing in a charity golfing event with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Peyton Manning, which saw Brady tear his pants while bending down to get his golf ball out of the hole cup.

There’s plenty of work to be done for Brady and the Buccaneers’ offense, as they look to include the former New England Patriot Rob Gronkowski to the mix as well. ‘Gronk’ announced he would be returning to play football this off-season with none other than Brady and the new look Buccaneers. Gronkowski rounds out an impressive tight end room with Howard and Brate. Arguably Brady has his best set of receivers since the 2007 season when he had Randy Moss and Wes Welker in their primes.

It looks as if the NFL will start on time this upcoming fall, as states throughout the United States are beginning to loosen restrictions. The Buccaneers will be featured in five primetime games this fall and much of that can be contributed to the signing of Brady and Gronkowski to the team. Both players bring huge fanfare and hope that Tampa Bay can win a second Super Bowl title.

Andy Villamarzo can be reached at andy@hernandosun.com and follow him on Twitter @avillamarzo.

Brooksville

Brookridge Line Dance Club: 8150 Hampton St. Beginner lessons, 9 to 10 a.m. Thursdays; higher beginner lessons, 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Thursdays. $2 per lesson. Improver and low intermediate instruction, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays; $3 per lesson. Classes are open to both Brookridge residents and nonresidents. Norma, (352) 397-6088.

Brooksville Elks Lodge 2582: 14494 Cortez Blvd. For weekly schedule, call (352) 596-2582.

Brooksville Horseshoe Club: 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays, Tom Varn Park, 306 Darby Lane (next to the racquetball court and softball field). Richard Watson, (352) 584-4102 or richardpwatson@bellsouth.net.

Brooksville Music Club: 1 p.m. today, Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 200 Mount Fair Ave. Share a memory of music with a few bars of a song, or bring a tape or CD. Refreshments served. Charlene Johnston, (352) 666-4867.

Brooksville Writing Group: 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Lykes Memorial Library, 238 Howell Ave. Offered through the Hernando County Public Library System. (352) 754-4043. Web: hernandocountylibrary.us.

Conservative Christian Teens for America: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Community Bible Church, 5041 Griffin Road. (813) 732-1507.

Embroiderers' Guild of America, Sand Hill Crane Chapter: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 1, Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 200 Mount Fair Ave. Some members will take classes; others may participate in open stitching. Bring lunch. Mentors available. (352) 666-8350.

Hernando County Kennel Club: Weekly: Dog training classes, 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Hernando Council Senior Citizens No. 1, 8187 Fort Dade Ave. $10 per class. Carole, 666-1932.

Hernando County Shrine Club: Spaghetti dinner, 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, 13400 Montour St., west of Brooksville. Includes antipasto salad, spaghetti with meat and marinara sauce, Italian sausage and bread. Tickets: $7 in advance; $8 at the door. Larry, (352) 238-3806, or Jerry, (352) 610-4124.

Kiwanis Club of Brooksville: Dinner meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Country Kitchen Restaurant, 20133 Cortez Blvd. Shirl Hammatt, (352) 799-6573.

Kiwanis Club of the Brooksville Ridge: Breakfast meeting, 7:15 a.m. Friday, Country Kitchen, 20133 Cortez Blvd. Rich Linkul, (352) 597-6383. Web: kiwanisofthebrooksvilleridge.com.

Marine Corps League, Spring Hill Detachment 708: 8405 Sunshine Grove Road, west of Brooksville. Country-western dance, 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Includes pulled pork, baked beans and coleslaw. Prizes awarded for best western wear. Tickets are $10 each and must be purchased by today. No tickets will be sold at the door. For the weekly schedule of events, visit the website at mcl708.org. (352) 597-7979.

Nature Coast Orators Toastmasters Club: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Brooksville Regional Hospital Enrichment Center, Suite 120, Medical Arts Building, 17222 Hospital Blvd. Terry Weaver, (352) 796-9891 or tlweaver@wilsontechgroup.com.

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Rotary Club of Brooksville: Noon Tuesdays, Brooksville Country Club at Majestic Oaks, 23446 Links Drive (off Croom Road). Terry Weaver, (352) 796-9891. Web: brooksvillerotary.org.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8713 and Ladies Auxiliary: 1681 E Jefferson St. Dinner, 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday; $6. For weekly schedule, call (352) 796-4449.

Hernando Beach

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9236: 3435 Shoal Line Blvd. Steak shoot, 1 p.m. today; $8 per card. Breakfast, 9 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday; all-you-can-eat for $7. A spaghetti dinner will be from 5 to 7 p.m. May 1 for $6.50. For weekly schedule, call (352) 596-9236.

Spring Hill

AARP Hernando County East chapter 1026: 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Buffet City, 13235 Cortez Blvd. Detective Horvath from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office will discuss fraud and scams. Call Kathy for reservations, (352) 428-2368.

AARP Hernando County West Chapter 5445: 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Buffet City, 13235 Cortez Blvd. Pat Donovan from the Guardian ad Litem program will speak. RSVP to Edith, (352) 666-5483.

African-American Club: 2 p.m. May 2, Regency Oaks Civic Center, 4445 Breakwater Blvd. Tickets are available for the scholarship banquet, which will be May 19. (352) 597-8098 or (352) 835-7003.

FDNY Retired Firefighters of NY Association Chapter 343: "Firehouse" breakfast, 10 a.m. Tuesdays, VFW Post 10209, 14736 Edward R. Noll Drive. Kevin, (813) 528-8239 or Joe, (352) 686-4401.

Hernando Computer Club: Membership committee meeting, 10 a.m. Monday. All programs are at Grace Presbyterian Church, 8375 Spring Hill Drive. For class schedule visit hcc.org or call (352) 684-7171.

Hernando Hills Hi-Lites: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays, Fellowship Community Church, 11250 Spring Hill Drive. This is a women's a cappella chorus. Norma, (352) 540-9192.

High Point Bridge: Games (not duplicate) are 12:30 p.m. Fridays, High Point Community Center, 12249 Clubhouse Road. (352) 688-6409.

High Point Community Line Dance: Classes, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Mondays, Community Center, 12249 Clubhouse Road. $3. Louise Weber, (352) 683-8007.

Illinois Club of Spring Hill: 1 p.m. May 3, Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd. Jim Powers will give a presentation on home burglary. Visitors and new members welcome; annual dues are $12. Rich Bellem, (352) 688-8924.

Kiwanis Club of the Nature Coast: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Up 4 Breakfast, 14359 Spring Hill Drive. Meal is $10. Al Johnson, (352) 684-1661.

Kiwanis Club of Spring Hill: Noon Tuesdays, Pasco-Hernando Community College, Spring Hill Campus, Building B, 450 Beverly Court. Susan Myers, (352) 428-3717. Website: springhillkiwanis.org.

Knights of Columbus, St. Jude Council 6383: 10470 Spring Hill Drive. For weekly schedule call (352) 683-1227 or (352) 686-2650.

Ladies of the British Commonwealth: 11 a.m. Saturday, Spring Hill Branch/Harold G. Zopp Memorial Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive. After the meeting, a light lunch with tea sandwiches, dessert and tea will be served. Email lotbc2012@gmail.com or call Sheena, (352) 688-6503.

Michigan Club: Breakfast in the park, 10 a.m. today, Anderson Snow Sports Complex, 1360 Anderson Snow Road. Dave and Barb Selbach, (352) 592-9663, or Martha Wauters, (352) 596-4808.

Nature Coast Bridge Club: Bridge games, 12:30 p.m. weekdays, except for Thursdays, which start at 6:30 p.m., Towne Square Mall, 3021 Commercial Way. Lois, (352) 686-7283 or jfortunato1@tampabay.rr.com; or Mary Ellen, (352) 596-1524 or mentv@tampabay.rr.com. Web: daily-recap.com.

Nature Coast Decorative Artists: 9 a.m. May 4, Weeki Wachee Senior Center, 3357 Susan Drive. The project will be a watercolor heron, taught by Renee Burton. Dotti, (352) 527-2778, or Pat, (352) 249-7221. Web: naturecoastdecorativeartists.com.

Oak Hill Hospital H2U Partner's Club: 11375 Cortez Blvd. For weekly schedule, call (352) 597-6383.

Poor Rich's Chess Club: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, cafeteria, Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd. J.C., (352) 678-6987, or Andy, (352) 686-8195.

Rotary Club of Spring Hill: 7:45 a.m. Thursdays, IHOP, 3660 Commercial Way. Judy Hughes, (352) 597-4853, or Carol McElroy, (352) 684-6840.

Rotary Club of Spring Hill Central: 12:15 p.m. Thursdays, Silverthorn Country Club, 4450 Golf Club Lane. Robin, (352) 797-4645.

Senior/Babyboomer Singles Dance: 8 to 11 p.m. Wednesdays, Spring Hill Domino Club, 15120 County Line Road. Admission is $3. Sheila, (352) 293-4009.

Spring Hill Aglow International Lighthouse: Mother-Daughter Lunch, 1 to 3 p.m. May 4, Atria Evergreen Woods, 7030 Evergreen Woods Trail. The speaker will be local author and artist Jacque Coffee. The cost for lunch is $10. RSVP to Loretta, (352) 610-4164, or Rachael, (352) 848-4182.

Spring Hill Moose Lodge 521: 5214 Mariner Blvd. For weekly events call (352) 683-5666. Web: lodge521.moosepages.org

Spring Hill Toastmasters Club: 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Journey Christian Center, 3233 Commercial Way. Jscostanzo@tampabay.rr.com. Web: toastmasters.org.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10209: Annual auction, 1 p.m. Saturday, 14736 Edward R. Noll Drive. For weekly events, call (352) 796-0398.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8681: 18940 Drayton St., at County Line Road For weekly events, call (727) 856-1860.

Weeki Wachee

Hernando Harmonizers Men's Barbershop Chorus: 6:45 to 9:15 p.m. Mondays, Nativity Lutheran Church, 6363 Commercial Way. This is a men's a cappella chorus. Guests are asked to call (352) 556-3936 prior to a visit.

Monday Night Singles: 7 p.m. Mondays, Nellie's Restaurant, 6234 Commercial Way (Weeki Wachee Village). For singles 50 and older. Joanne, (352) 596-6969, or Phyllis, (352) 596-3125.

Weeki Wachee Area Club: Bingo, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, 7442 Shoal Line Blvd. (352) 596-3316.

CITRUS COUNTY

Floral City

Nature Coast Disc Golf Club: Handicap round of 19 holes of disc golf, 10 a.m. Sundays (sharp), Floral Park, 9530 S Parkside Ave., off U.S. 41. Buz Ryalls-Clephane, (352) 584-5078, or Brandi Laudermilch, (352) 263-4475.

Inverness

Citrus Model Railroad Club: The club has railroad layouts set up with HO, N and G scale model railroading. Viewing is open to the public from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays, Otto Allen Building, Citrus County Fairgrounds, 3600 S Florida Ave. Free, but donations are appreciated. New members welcome. Send email to conductor@citrusmodelrrclub.org. Web: citrusmodelrrclub.org.

PASCO COUNTY

Hudson

Aripeka Elks Lodge 2520: 9135 Denton Ave. For weekly events, call (727) 863-2520.

Polish-American Social Club: 7615 New Jersey Ave., Hudson. Country-western dance with the Country Backroads Band, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturdays; $5. John Lubertowicz, (352) 650-5664. Dinner-dance, 12:15 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Dinner choice is a traditional Polish dinner or baked chicken. $11 for members; $13 for nonmembers. RSVP to Dolores, (352) 596-4802, or Josephine, (727) 862-1520.

Send information for the Clubs column to Phyllis Day, Hernando Times, 15365 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34613; fax to (352) 754-6133; or email pday@tampabay.com (put the club's name in email subject line). Deadline for this news is two weeks before event or reservation deadline. Information cannot be published if the time, date, place, ticket price (if applicable) or contact person and phone number is missing. For information, call (352) 754-6101 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Hernando Quilters' Guild

9:30 a.m. Thursday, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6193 Spring Hill Drive. New members welcome; annual dues are $18. Barb Theriault, (352) 597-8816, or Karen Pilon, (352) 556-4720. Web: hernandoquiltersguild.com.

After Hurricane Irma's visit to Florida, the Tampa Bay Times checked in with people and agencies across Hernando County to see how they endured. While the area saw many downed trees and some flooding, most residents and officials reported no major damage. Megan Reeves, Times staff writer

Weeki Wachee State Park

Other than several downed trees and a lot of scattered plant debris, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park sustained no damage, said spokesman John Athanason.

The park closed Friday, Sept. 8, ahead of the storm and reopened Saturday, after the grounds were back to normal.

"It took a good week of our staff and volunteers working to clean it up, but we are up and running again," Athanason said.

Mobile homes

Overall, mobile homes in Hernando County fared well through the storm. The outlier was Clover Leaf Forest RV Park off Broad Street in Brooksville. Much of the community saw major flooding, with some residents' homes taking on several inches of water. Other homes were damaged by fallen trees and debris.

Larger mobile home communities in the county — including High Point and Brookridge, both off State Road 50 — only saw minimal damage, like displaced lawn ornaments, bent awnings and shifted carports.

Boyett's Grove and Citrus Attraction

Irma damaged citrus crops across the state, but Hernando's quintessential Florida orange crop was largely spared. Kathy Oleson, owner of Boyett's Grove in Spring Lake, said that while the property lost power and water, there was no major damage to structures or plants.

"We planned for a whole week in advance because we know that we have so much vulnerability," Oleson said.

No animals at the attraction were injured either. Oleson said smaller animals, like birds, ferrets and bunnies, rode out the storm inside the gift shop. Windbreaks were made out of large, circular hay bales for larger animals that had to stay outside.

The grove will reopen once fallen trees are removed and debris cleanup is complete.

Hernando Beach

Residents in Hernando Beach woke up grateful on Sept. 11 after Hurricane Irma passed over the Tampa Bay region. Besides a few sunken boats, the community saw little damage compared to past storms, said waterfront resident and county port authority vice chairman Frank Santo.

Santo said even the lowest areas of Hernando Beach, like Eagles Nest, experienced almost no flooding, likely because the storm surge and high tide did not come at the same time.

Chinsegut Hill

Chinsegut Hill's 1850s-era manor house and seven lodging cottages — the latter rented to evacuees during Hurricane Irma — braved the storm unharmed, said Brooksville Mayor Natalie Kahler, who also serves as manager for the historic property.

But the winding, wooded driveway to the house was a different story. Irma left it so littered with fallen trees and debris that it was blocked to traffic for days.

"We think a little tornado came through there," she said, adding that many trees had been snapped in half.

Kahler said the house reopened to the public this week, once power and water had been restored. Volunteers will continue cleanup while county workers remove larger downed trees.

Kahler said while the storm didn't do any severe damage to the house on the hill, more than five canceled events before and after the storm will cost the nonprofit organization that operates the property money that will be difficult to recoup.

Health services

Nina Mattei, emergency planner for the Hernando County Health Department, said no major health-related issues arose during Hurricane Irma. Only one health care facility, Atria Evergreen Woods assisted living facility in Spring Hill, evacuated residents in what was called "an abundance of caution."

Many other facilities in the county, Mattei said, opened as shelters to a few hundred special-needs evacuees from partner facilities in South Florida. Mattei said that before, during and after the storm, Health Department representatives kept in touch with medical agencies countywide to "support their efforts to prepare, respond and recover from the storm."

Contact Megan Reeves at mreeves@tampabay.com. Follow @mareevs.