Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Interior of the new Duncan Chapel at Mease Countryside Hospital, Safety Harbor, named to honor the late Richard Duncan.
Hospital's new chapel honors Richard Duncan
The Duncan Chapel opened at Mease Countryside Hospital, paying tribute to a longtime area educator.
The chapel was made possible by the Morton Plant Mease Foundation through a gift from the Ray and Nancy Murray family. The family wanted to name the chapel in memory of the late Richard Duncan, who retired in 2001 after a 30-year career with Pinellas County Schools, including the last 10 as principal of Seminole High School, and in honor of his widow, Holly Duncan, president of the Morton Plant Mease Foundation.
"The chapel is open to visitors, patients, employees and volunteers, and we're very pleased that we're better able to meet their spiritual needs," said Lou Galdieri, Mease Countryside and Mease Dunedin Hospitals COO and administrator.
The chapel design includes an exterior rock wall with five stained glass panels designed by local artist Kathleen Bromley. The interior is done in shades of blue and chocolate brown, wood paneling and a stained glass altar panel are focal points of the interior, and a continuous playing DVD system plays soothing instrumental music.
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The public is invited to the 24th annual "Lights of Love" celebration at 7 p.m. today on the front lawn of Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, 1395 S Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs. Bring a lawn chair to enjoy the festivities.
The event will feature music of the holiday season with presentations by the Tarpon Springs Middle School jazz band, the Tarpon Springs Elementary chorus, and vocal soloist William Touchton. Santa Claus and his reindeer will make a special appearance. A living Christmas tree and a "peace on earth" display with be officially lit during the ceremony.
The Helen Ellis Auxiliary will be accepting charitable donations to the Lights of Love program throughout the season. Donors will be recognized on a Lights of Love decorated tree in the hospital lobby. All proceeds benefit patient care services.
Free refreshments will be served to all in attendance.
Call (727) 942-5035, weekdays.
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Attend a free seminar on how low testosterone levels in men impact overall health and problems such as decreased sex drive and mood swings at 1 p.m. Friday at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, 1395 S Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs.
Dr. Paul Arnold, certified urology specialist, will detail the role of testosterone and provide information on the advances in therapy for low testosterone. Questions from the audience will be welcome.
Refreshments will be served.
Reservations are required. Call (727) 943-3600, anytime, 24 hours a day.
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The Hearing Loss Association of America, Clearwater chapter, will meet at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Morton Plant Hospital Complex's Cheek-Powell Pavilion, second floor, Room A, 455 Pinellas St., Clearwater.
There is no admission charge. Live caption and light refreshments provided.
For more information, call Barbara Emmons at (727) 799-0398 or e-mail bemmons@tampabay.rr.com. Visit hla-fl.com.
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A free seminar entitled, "Back Pain: Less is More," will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, 1395 S Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs.
The seminar, by orthopedic spine surgeon David Petersen will cover current minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat back pain caused by herniated disc, facet joint arthritis, and various other causes of spine pain.
Petersen will welcome questions from the audience.
Reservations are required and can be made by calling (727) 943-3600, any time.
Seminars, classes, support groups
NAR-ANON FAMILY GROUP MEETINGS: 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondays (except holidays) at Crystal Beach Community Center, 517 Crystal Beach Ave.; 7 p.m. Tuesdays at First United Methodist Church, Educational Building, second floor, 421 Main St., Dunedin; and 7 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Paul's Methodist Church, Room 102, 1199 Highland Ave., Largo. E-mail naranonfamilygroups@yahoo.com or visit Naranonfl.org.
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ALZHEIMER'S CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP: 9:30 a.m. Monday (meets weekly), Palm Harbor Community Center, 1500 16th St. Visitors are welcome. Open discussion. Call (727) 787-1837.
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The mid-pinellas brain trauma SUPPORT GROUP: 6 p.m. Thursday (meets the first and third Thursday of every month), St. Paul United Methodist Church, Christian Life Enrichment Center, Room 201, second floor, 1498 Rosary Road, Largo. Call Kathy Kiley at (727) 442-1819, e-mail katek1@verizon.net, or visit midpinellasbraintraumasupportgroup.com.