for social distancing and computer time will be

limited to 30 minutes per person, per day.

Limited hours of operation for each library lo-

cation along with number of patrons allowed per

facility at one time are listed below:

Brooksville/Main Library - 238 Howell Avenue

in Brooksville

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. –

12 p.m. and 2 – 6 p.m.

Number of patrons allowed at this facility at

one time: 22

East Hernando Library - 6457 Windmere Road

in Brooksville

Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. –

12 p.m. and 2 – 6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. – 12

p.m. and 2 – 5 p.m.

Number of patrons allowed at this facility at

one time: 20

District Declares

Phase I Water Shortage

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s

(District) Governing Board voted today to declare a

Phase I Water Shortage for the District’s central and

southern regions, which include Charlotte, DeSoto,

Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pi-

nellas and Sarasota counties.

The primary purpose for a Phase I water shortage is

to alert the public that watering restrictions could be

forthcoming. The order also requires local utilities to

review and implement procedures for enforcing year-

round water conservation measures and water short-

age restrictions, including reporting enforcement ac-

tivity to the District.

A Phase I water shortage order does not change

allowable watering schedules, however it does pro-

hibit “wasteful and unnecessary” water use.

The District considers both natural water resource

conditions and the viability of public water supplies

when deciding to declare a water shortage order –

that means, restricting the amount of water the public

can use.

The District has worked diligently with our partners

to implement water conservation programs and de-

velop alternative water supplies. Even though we are

Ridge Manor News

Due to the Covid 19 virus and the stay at

home order, the quarterly meeting of the Ridge

Manor News Board of Directors has been post-

poned until a later date.

Community Center Update

During these unprecedented times the Ridge

Manor Community Center will remain closed for

the protection and safety of our residents. The

Governor has lifted some restrictions but none

that enable us to reopen. The community board

will reassess the situation on May 15th. The board is

anxious to reopen and will stay on top of

changes to the Governor’s plan as they transpire.

At this time there is no plan to reopen until regula-

tions allow us to resume some of our activities

with a reasonable assurance of safely.

When the time comes that we can reopen, we

will get the news out to the community through

Ridge Manor News, Facebook sites, our event

sign at the Center and by phone contact to as

many of our neighbors as possible. Please refrain

from calling about when we will open and be as-

sured that we will let you know in advance. Thank

you all for your patience during a trying time. We

all need that socialization and will be happy to

again see our friends and neighbors again. We

will keep you informed.

Hernando County

Public Library System

Per the Governor’s Executive Order 20-112, all

Hernando County Public Library System (HCPLS)

locations will re-open to the public at 25 percent

capacity beginning Monday, May 4, 2020 with

limited hours of operation.

Limited hours to the public will allow for en-

hanced cleaning and continued monitoring of

social distancing accommodations. All Library

locations will be closed for two hours, mid-day (12

– 2 p.m.) to accommodate for cleaning, shelving

and other related tasks. Computers will be set up

Number 19 Volume 57

experiencing drought conditions, there is still an

adequate water supply available to the public.

Florida’s dry season runs October through May

and April is historically one of the driest months of

the year. The District encourages water conserva-

tion year-round, and offers many tips to reduce

water use and additional information on our web-

site at WaterMatters.org/Conservation.

Withlacoochee River System Update

April Showers Bring May Flowers…and Some

Relief to our Declining Water Resources. Last

month our region received an average of 4.6

inches of rainfall; much higher than the historical

average (2.7 inches) for April. That’s more rainfall

than the previous three months combined and a

welcome relief after essentially no rain in March.

The sharp decline our water levels and river

flows were experiencing has come to a stop, at

least temporarily. Aquifer levels have continued

to steadily decline (which is normal for the dry

season) and are now in the 59th percentile for this

time of year.

Overall, our rainfall deficit for 2020 (actual rain-

fall received minus historical average rainfall)

shrunk from -6.3 inches to -4.4 inches after a wet

April. Unless we receive above average rainfall in

May, we can expect water levels and flows to

continue to decline until our wet season officially

begins this summer.

Withlacoochee River

(from the Green Swamp past Hwy 200):

The sharp declines we saw in March came to

an end this month, because of high rainfall in

April.

Along the entire river, water levels and flows have

either held steady or increased over the past

month.

In the Green Swamp (where the river begins)

river levels remained about the same and essen-

tially no flow is still exiting the swamp. Farther

downriver, flows have increased over the past

month. Flow increases at Hwy 44 and Hwy 200

(downstream of the Wysong Structure) are also

due to an effective hydrilla treatment in the Out-

let River of Lake Panasoffkee in early April.

Lake Panasoffkee and Wysong:

Water levels on Lake Panasoffkee fluctuate

based on changing inflows and outflows, much

like a bathtub or swimming pool. Creek inflows

remained about the same over the past month.

Outflows from the lake to the Withlacoochee

River increased by about 50% due to a successful

2

hydrilla removal project in early April. The combi-

nation of greater outflows but more rainfall on the

lake, resulted in a net water level decrease of 2

inches in April. In March, water levels fell nearly 4

inches.

The Wysong water conservation structure re-

mains raised, helping to conserve water upstream

and in Lake Panasoffkee. The main gate (220 ft

wide) is currently fully raised while the independ-

ent gate (19 ft wide) has been partially lowered in

April, due to an increase in river flows and levels.

We can expect lake levels to continue to decline

over the next month or so, unless our region re-

ceives above average rainfall in May.

‘Big Daddy’

Robert Stevens

Stevens, Robert, 79, passed away on April 25,

2020 in Brooksville, Florida. He was born on Octo-

ber 27, 1940 in Sky, Kentucky. Robert was a mem-

ber of Croom-A-Coochee Baptist Church. He is

survived by his wife, Charlotte Stevens; and 2

stepsons, Brian and Jerry Ballou; daughter, Betty

Sue Jones; one granddaughter, and one great

grandson, and lots of friends and neighbors.

He is also survived by 2 brothers, Earl and Carl

Stevens; and 5 sisters, Frances Squires, Shirley

Yeager, Charlene Stevens, Sue Chapman, and

Joyce Quinn.

No services are scheduled at this time.

3

4

1. Delete

6. Arrangement

holder

10. Backside

14. Couch

15. Wild goat

16. Rodents

17. For all to see

18. Harvest

19. Nile bird

20. Forgiving

22. Subject to legal

action

24. Cards with just

one symbol

25. Often removed in

childhood

26. A spring that

discharges hot water

and steam

29. Dry

30. Assist

31. Go-between

37. Physically weak

39. Zero

40. Palm cockatoo

41. With great

strength or power

44. Bearing

45. Minute opening

46. Not digital

48. Spartan

52. Lose traction

53. Shoot for

54. A place for

healing

58. Train track

59. Slovenly person

61. Feather

62. Monster

63. Lack of difficulty

64. Mischievous

65. Require

66. Pitcher

67. Streets

1. Biblical kingdom

2. Rend

3. Affirm

4. Expressive of

ridicule

5. Inveigle

6. Covid 19

7. Cain's brother

8. Ocean

9. Feat

10. Operatic solos

11. Jewish teacher

12. Motionless

13. S S S S

21. Flowerless plant

23. Asian country

25. Fairy tale baddie

26. Hook

27. A river in Spain

28. 365 days

29. Nimble

32. Habituate

33. Armored animal

34. A dog wags this

35. Chocolate

cookie

36. What the bell did

38. A pariah

42. Envision

43. Long-haired

Tibetan oxen

47. Youngster

48. Moses' brother

49. Practice

50. Steeple

51. Covered with thin

linoleum squares

52. Not drunk

54. A flexible tube

55. A type of

volcanic rock

56. In the center of

57. Focusing glass

60. Legislation

ACROSS DOWN

PUZZLE ANSWER PAGE 7

Professional tax

Preparation

Joanne ritz

34 years experience

352-583-4387

Out of state RETURNS

5

Jewels and Gemstones Find and circle all of the gemstones

that are hidden in the grid. The

remaining letters spell a secret

message.

AGATE

ALEXANDRITE

AMBER

AMETHYST

AMMOLITE

AQUAMARINE

BERYL

BLOODSTONE

CITRINE

CORAL

DANBURITE

DIAMOND

EMERALD

GARNET

HIDDENITE

IOLITE

IRONSTONE

JADE

JASPER

MALACHITE

MOONSTONE

MORGANITE

OBSIDIAN

ONYX

OPAL

PEARL

RUBELITE

RUBY

SAPPHIRE

SERPENTINE

SPHENE

SPINEL

SUGLITE

SUNSTONE

TANZANITE

TOPAZ

TOURMALINE

TURQUOISE

VARISCITE

ZIRCON

ZOISITE

PUZZLE ANSWER PAGE 7

Auction Dates Friday May 8th

204 S. Main St. Bushnell, FL 33513

Estate Auction 3 pm Preview 5:30 Auction

Saturday May 9th On-Site 2045 E. Steven St Inverness FL

off of Croft Rd Preview 9am Auction 10 am

Sunday May 10th 204 S. Main St Bushnell FL

Antique Auction 1pm Preview 2 pm Auction

See You at The Auction

OPEN SUNDAY 9 AM MONDAY - SATURDAY 10 AM

5025 Treiman Blvd (Hwy 301) Ridge Manor 352-608-4805

6

SPIVEY KARATE Rank from other styles & schools honored

12 mo. of training for $69

FREE Katana class Up to 6 classes a week:

Teaching in the area since 1978:

Certified 10th Degree Black Belt:

50 continuous years experience:

Call 583-3341

12240 S. 301, Dade City New students from Hernando/Sumter County only

Telemedicine with

Tri-City Walk-In Clinic See and talk with our provider live through video

call every Friday, Saturday, Sunday 9AM - 5PM

$60/visit (pay by credit/debit card)

Prescriptions will be called into

the choice of your pharmacy.

Call (850) 333-0889 now to make an appt.

7

The hidden message is: THE GOLDEN JUBILEE DIAMOND

WEIGHS OVER FIVE HUNDRED AND FORTY CARATS AND

IS THE LARGEST FACETED DIAMOND IN THE WORLD.

RIDGE MANOR AREA CHURCHES

All Faith United Church of Christ 34006 Cortez Blvd., Ridge Manor, FL. 33523

407-348-7795 Sunday @ 10:00 am

Brooksville Anglican Mission 6385 Windmere Rd., Brooksville, FL 34602

352-438-4847

First Baptist Church of Ridge Manor 34132 Ridge Manor Blvd., Ridge Manor, FL. 33523

352-583-4140

First Lutheran Church 30419 Parkridge Dr., Ridge Manor West

Brooksville, FL. 34602 352-796-8898

Grace Brethren Church, 6259 Faber Dr., Brooksville, FL 34602.

Hillside Community Baptist Church 27440 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34602

3522-799-0687

Lifestyle Church of God 21345 Sanderson Rd., Lacoochee Fl 33537

352-583-3354

New Life Church Ridge Manor 6375 Windmere Rd., Brooksville, FL 34602

352-444-4752

New Wave Church 34275 Cortez Blvd., Ridge Manor, FL. 33523

352-583-0007

Providence Baptist Church 9734 us 301 Bushnell, FL 33513

352-793-4062

Ridge Manor United Methodist Church 34350 Cortez Blvd., Ridge Manor, Fl. 33523

352-583-3770

St. Anne’s Catholic Church 4128 Treiman Blvd., Ridge Manor, FL. 33523

352-583-2550

Trilacoochee Church of Christ 20300 US Highway 301, Dade City FL 33523

352-583-2842

Ridge Manor Area Crime Watch Every 1st Wednesday @ 7 pm in the West Wing

RidgeManorAreaCrimeWatch@gmail.com

Ridge Manor Property Owners’ Association Board of Directors 6 pm 2nd Monday

General Meetings TBA

Community Center of Ridge Manor Every 2nd Thursday @ 10 am

Senior CareLine

352-797-3799

Ridge Manor AA Meetings Al-Anon call Carolyn @ 352-799-1513

AA 12 & 12 Sunday 7 - 8 pm

AA Big Book Tuesday 7 – 8 pm

AA Newcomers Thursday 7 – 8 pm

All meetings are held at the

Community Center of Ridge Manor

34240 Cortez Blvd. Ridge Manor, FL 33523

ACO'S

GLASS & DOOR

I

DO IT ALL ! ! ! > Glass Furniture Tops

> Mirrors & Shower Doors

> Patio Door Glass

> Fogged/Broken Windows Replaced

> Window Springs Replaced

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL DOORS

REPAIRED/REPLACED

352-232-1887 LICENSED - BONDED - INSURED

SLIDING DOOR ROLLERS &

TRACKS REPLACED