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Newsletters & Press Releases
NEWSLETTER KEYNEWS!
A newsletter for our friends and supporters, the following quarterly KEYNEWS newsletters are provided in Adobe Portable Document format (PDF). If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat Reader, please select the button at the bottom and download the reader from the Adobe site -- IT'S FREE.
Please be patient as some of these files are large and may take a few minutes to download.
If you would like to receive KEYNEWS! at your home please call (352) 795-5541 ext 311 or 313, or email your mailing address to phkcf@keytrainingcenter.org.
PRESS RELEASES
REGISTER NOW FOR THE 8th ANNUAL CITRUS COUNTY BASS CHALLENGE ON THE WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER
Picture this… a beautiful spring morning, a pristine Florida river landscape, and the fish are jumping. Add a competition of 200 anglers looking to find the granddaddy of all bass and now you know the excitement of the early morning check in for the Citrus County Bass Challenge.
Saturday, April 28th is the date for the 8th Annual Citrus County Bass Challenge. Anglers from all over are signing up to be part of the picture. This annual competition has become a favorite of dedicated anglers, aspiring amateurs, and bass fishing fans from near and far. Anglers around the state are vying for the opportunity to catch the next “big one” on the Withlacoochee River, Lake Rousseau and the Rainbow River in Dunnellon, Florida. Particpants will enjoy a guaranteed payout of more than $10,000 in prizes based on a 100 boat field. Tournament anglers also receive great food through a Courtesy Tent provided by Beef ‘O’ Brady’s of Crystal River. Entry fee is $150 per two-man team. An optional Big Bass Pot is available at $10 per boat, with 100% of the pot going to the winners. Early registration is encouraged with flight times based on order of registration.
Since the Citrus County Bass Challenge began eight years ago, the annual competition has become a favorite of dedicated anglers, aspiring amateurs, and bass fishing fans from near and far. Many of our anglers are repeat competitors, having fished the event every year. According to them, each year, it gets better and better. Alan Williams who has fished the tournament multiple times says, “This tournament is as well run as one of the professional tournaments. I wouldn’t miss it.” Matt Beck, Tournament Director, states, “Over the last five years, we have had nearly 500 boats participate and we look forward to hosting this tournament in Dunnellon again. We are blessed with great bass fisheries in Florida and are very proud to bring fellow bass anglers, men and women, throughout the area for a day of fun, fellowship, and charitable giving."
The Citrus County Bass Challenge takes place on the Withlacoochee River at the Dunnellon City boat ramp on Highway 41 at City Hall. At the weigh-in there are drawings for fantastic prizes for some lucky attendees. If you don’t fish, be a spectator. You don’t want to miss the suspense and excitement of the weigh-in. Be there at 3 p.m. Come and watch the anglers bring in their catches, see who will come out on top in this event, and applaud the winners of the big cash and prizes. So, mark your calendars for April 28, 2012.
This event is made possible through eight generous and community minded businesses known as Key Center Partners: Bay Area Air Conditioning, Citrus County Chronicle, Curry’s Roofing, Dex Imaging, F.D.S. Disposal, Lassiter Ware Insurance, WTRS 102.3 FM, and WYKE TV. The tournament is sponsored by Burrell Engineering, Inc. Eagle Buick GMC, Mike Scott Plumbing, Millers Marine, and Williams Floor Store. Additional sponsors are welcome. Proceeds from the Bass Challenge benefit the Key Training Center, a non-profit organization, to ensure mentally challenged adults and their families have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of services including education, day training, vocational training, residential options, and community living support. For more information on registration or sponsorship opportunities, contact Pat Morgan at (352)795-5541 Ext. 311 or visit www.keytrainingcenter.org. Remember anglers will compete for cash prizes of over $10,000!
Put yourself in this picture… ready for blast-off at the 8th Annual
Citrus County Bass Challenge, April 28th on the Withlacoochee
River in Dunnellon. Anglers will compete for $10,000 dollars in
prizes based on a 100 boat field. For more information on
registration or sponsorship opportunities, contact Pat Morgan at
(352)795-5541 Ext. 311 or visit ww.keytrainingcenter.org.
Come and be the next big winner of this annual event! Entry forms are now available.
See Me First… See My Disability Second.
Each and every one of us should experience a public outing in a wheel chair. One Christmas, after I broke a bone and was not permitted to walk, my husband took me shopping in a wheel chair. People just looked right over my head and didn’t acknowledge the fact that I existed. They would smile at my husband or children who were pushing the chair, but never made eye contact with me. There were many places that we could not go because it was inaccessible to the chair. Can you imagine going through life like that?
Developmental disabilities are natural parts of the human experience that should not diminish the rights of individuals to live independently, enjoy self-determination, make choices, contribute to their community, and experience the economic, political, social, cultural and educational mainstreams of society. People born with developmental disabilities are a part of every community, socioeconomic class, religion, and country. Three percent of the entire population has some degree of developmental disability. That means that one of every ten families is directly affected.
People with developmental disabilities have skills, interests, and abilities. They are an asset to our community. This month is “Developmental Disability Awareness Month.” Let’s all make an effort to be an inclusive community. Here are some tips on meeting and working with individuals who have disabilities.
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Look at the person directly and converse in a normal fashion. Do not focus on visible injuries.
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If a person is in a wheelchair do not lean or brace yourself on their chair. Look at them straight on and do not speak to them from behind their back. They can not easily turn around to see you.
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Take time to listen to difficult speech. Ask the individual to repeat what he or she said if you do not understand. Repeat back what you think you heard.
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Do not assume that a person who has one disability has another.
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Be patient. Allow the person to take the time needed to finish the task. Do not assume the individual needs help. Always ask before rendering assistance. Independence is highly valued.
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Offer your friendship, companionship, and support. What you give you will return to you in great abundance. People with developmental disabilities do not need a hand up; they need someone to walk by their side.
The Key Training Center is seeking people who will volunteer one to two hours a week to walk along side of adults who have developmental disabilities. To learn how you can help, call the Key Center Foundation at (352) 795-5541 Ext. 313.
Saint Patrick's Day Dance
 
Labels Has Opened!
Don't forget to stop by the Key Center's new store, Labels, now open and ready for business.
 
 
 
 
 
For more information call (352) 795-5541 ext 142 or facebook.com/labelscitruscounty.
The Christmas Room has Opened
Wow! Come here, you’ve got to see this. It’s beautiful! The shoppers in the Christmas Room at the Key Center’s Super Thrift Store in Crystal River are having a wonderful time and raking in the bargains. The Christmas Room is filled with great decorations laid out in tasteful displays that inspire creativity for your own home or business. Yes, Christmas has come to the Crystal River Key Training Center Super Thrift Store. The newly redecorated room is a Christmas wonderland. Gifts, decorations, lights, serving dishes… if it’s Christmas, it’s in this room. Do you just love the lights, sparkle and glamour of the season? Then this room is a must visit. Are you having trouble with inspiration or getting in the spirit? Just spend some time in the Christmas Room. Get started with a fully decorated tree. Several are available for purchase. That would make anyone’s holidays easier. The Christmas Room is a delightful trip into the holiday season.
So, are you ready to decorate for the holidays with flair, style and a budget? Jacque Phillips and Suzy Paddock of Inglis visited the Christmas room recently. Jacque asked, while examining the displays, “Where can you find such beautiful things. Look at the quality. And the price is amazingly low. There are so many great ideas for decorating your own home. They make it so easy with baskets of ornaments presorted by color.”
There’s another good point to the Christmas Room. Do you have beautiful ornaments, wreaths, lights and other items you won’t be using this year? Just bring them to the Crystal River Key Store. They will find a new loving home this season.
The Key Christmas Room is open and ready for shoppers Tuesday through Saturday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The Key Training Center Super Thrift Store is located on US19 just south of the Ozello Trail.
If you love Christmas, the Crystal River store is looking for you. You can enjoy the spirit all year long preparing and staffing the wonderful displays in the Christmas Room. To learn more about volunteering in this special area or anywhere in the thrift stores, please contact Iris Whittaker at the Key Center Foundation at (352) 795-5541 Ext. 313.
Key Training Center Opens Boutique
It’s now open… a fantastic ladies boutique in the Key Training Center’s Super Thrift Store on Highway 19 a little south of the Ozello Trail. “The Key Center is always looking for ways to give back to the community,” says Tinker Bowen who oversees all the Key Center Thrift Stores. “That’s why we have a book store in Inverness and a Christmas Room here in the Crystal River Store. Our new Ladies Boutique features current, fashionable, gently-used, high end ladies apparel and accessories.” Looking through the elegantly decorated and arranged nook, reminiscent of high end shops in large cities, one can find many pieces that still have their original price tags attached. Clothes of all sizes are arranged by color pallet with cool colors together and warm colors on a different rack. Beautiful leather bags, wallets, shoes, and jewelry are tastefully displayed. Ms. Bowen also stated, “We designed this boutique with the working woman in mind. It doesn’t matter if you are a professional woman, a working mother, someone reentering the job market, or a young woman with your first job, the boutique makes it easy. You can come in, pick a few coordinating items from the racks, and have several professional looking, stylish outfits for a small price. It will save a great deal of time for the busy lady.”
CREST School students have helped put the boutique together by preparing the clothes for display. “The Key Center is collaborating with CREST to provide students with basic work experience. While there, the students work on many skills including following verbal and written directions,” said David Benthusen “They are developing relationships with Key Center consumers which will make it easier for them to transition to the Key Training Center when they graduate. Most CREST students continue on to the Key Center. By working in the thrift store, the students gain experience and references that will help them gain future employment.”
CREST students come the Key Center Thrift store five days a week. Under the instruction of teachers Maryellen Brown, Sky Sanger, and Ingrid Swanson with job coach Joni Kirshner, the students excel in learning and thoroughly enjoy the work day experience. They help sort, price, hang, and display donated items.
What a collaboration! Putting this all together helps everyone win: Key Center Super Store customers, working women, CREST students, and Key Training Center consumers (those who receive services from the Key Center).
Donations may be dropped off at the following store locations located on 820 S.E. Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River; 5337 W. Gulf to Lake Highway, Lecanto; and 1625 W. Main Street, Inverness. Donations are accepted during regular store operating hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. and Sunday, 12 noon to 4p.m.
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