Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Reverend Ray Cortese is pastor of Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church located in Lecanto Florida. Photos of the main chapel and entrance monument are pictured here. I snapped these pictures on a clear Saturday morning while I was on my way to work at the ERA Inverness Real Estate office. I was parked in the parking lot and standing in the bed of my Ford Ranger Pick- up truck when I heard my name called. I turned and saw Jack Dumas whom I hadn’t seen in quite a while.

I explained my purpose and he said that wasn’t his reason for stopping, he just wanted to say hello and find out how I was doing. Jack Dumas is Area Executive for the Brannen Banks and the last time I talked with him he was assistant Fire Chief of the Crystal River Volunteer Fire Dept.

Jack told me he was elevated to Fire Chief when his father retired as Chief. I also wanted to know if the City of Crystal River had turned over their Departments fire fighting responsibilities over to the Citrus County Fire Dept. Even though there was talk of it a while back, He told me it never materialized. He did say recruiting volunteers, getting them trained and certified was getting more difficult as time goes by. It’s too bad because Volunteer fire Departments are a proud part of Historic Rural American Life that seems to be fading away due to construction and development. After a few minutes of conversation we shook hands and he left.

As a community service I plan in writing articles and posting pictures on my web site and blog about houses of worship, schools and other points of interest for visitors and people who are thinking of moving to our beautiful County. We are proud of our home town atmosphere with lots of friendly down to earth people.

Seven Rivers Church is an architecturally beautiful structure with a water fountain at the front of the main Chapel surrounded with ample parking and well maintained grounds and ball fields.

The school affiliate Is seven Rivers Christian School with classes from Pre-K to 12th Grade. The Email: srpc@sevenrivers.org for additional information and a well designed Web: http://www.sevenrivers.org/ with loads of pictures and information.
Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church (PCA)
4221 W. Gulf to Lake Hyway.
Lecanto Fl.
Phone: 352-746-6200
Fax: 352-746-6299
Services: (September thru May)
Saturday: 6:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 and 10:50 AM
Services: (June thru August)
Saturday: 6:00
Sunday: 10:00
Children’s Church and Nursery Available at all services. Youth Group Wednesday Various times for different age groups.
Other services offered are MOPS (Mothers for preschoolers) Teen MOPS, Bookstore, Counseling Services, Senior Ministry, Men’s discipleship Groups, Women’s Bible Study, Children’s/Celebrate Recovery.
Pastor: Ray Cortese
Assistant Pastor: Adam Jones
Assistant Pastor: Jamie Richard
Youth Pastor: Chad Turner
Blair Commons, Director of Business Operations
Information submitted by Linda Gangi, secretary.

St Benedicts Catholic Church

Citruscountyforsale.blogspot.com

St Benedicts Catholic Church
Located at 455 S. Sun coast Blvd. Crystal River Fl. 34429

While traveling north on Rt. 19 St. Benedicts Church is on the right side of the road, one traffic light before the cross street of W. Venable St and the south west end of the Crystal River Air Port.

St Benedict Church opened its doors in Citrus County in 1953 and the church pictured here was built in 1981. Reverend Ryszard Strodomski has been interim pastor and accordingly to Catholic tradition of the Catholic Churches in the United States he was officially installed Saturday February 27, 2010 after the 5:00 services with the reception scheduled afterwards at Hilgert Hall. Reverend Fr. “Richard” was transferred from his last assignment as pastor with the missions of Guatemala after serving nine years. Fr. “Richards” Uncle, youngest Brother, and Friend who attended the seminary with him, are also Priests and traveled here from Poland to join him in honor of this installation celebration.

The church sponsors several charitable and service ministries for the poor with food drives and helps the needy of the local community. There are special religious instruction classes for the children attending public schools on Sundays before the 10:30 services. The Organ Master is developing a first class Choir for the 10:30 Sunday services. The scheduled weekly religious service for the parishioners is held at 5:00 Pm on Saturdays and Sundays at 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM.

St. Benedict is one of six local parishes that contribute to the support of Pope John Paul 2nd Catholic School, the Web address is: http://www.pjp2.net/ and email address is office@pjp2.net. Visit the above web site or contact the School directly for additional information regarding class size, curriculum, special programs, sports, lunch menu, tuition and etc.

Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church

Yesterday was a dreary day with lots of rain and thunder storms that lasted well into late afternoon. However, in spite of the weather, I had a very pleasant meeting with the pastor of one of our local churches, Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church. I was on my way to work as a Citrus County Realtor / consultant at ERA American Realty in Inverness and decided to stop by the Church in hope to get some information for my Citrus County houses of worship page on www.CitrusCountyForSale.com.

Upon entering the Temporary Chapel set up in the Family Community Center I was met by a Parishioner after briefly explaining my mission, he introduced me to the Pastor, Rev. Fr. Demetrios Simeonidis, a handsome man with a speckled beard and welcoming smile. He is well spoken, personable and friendly, and not at all as I had expected. I found him to be down to earth, practical, and not like experiences I had years ago with the Pastor of a Greek Orthodox Church In New York City just a block away from the Theatre District at Broadway, near Times Square. The Pastor there was a Bishop, elderly and near retirement who planned on returning to a monastery on top of a mountain in Constantinople in Europe. But that's another unusual experience I probably write about sometime in the future.

The congregation was in the completion stage of building a new and beautiful Domed Church in Lecanto. The Pastor Fr. Demetrious explained they were planning to have the opening services and dedication on St Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2010. I am now planning attending the ceremony even though I am not a member of the Greek Orthodox Religion. I am looking forward to it because I have always been interested in different cultures, having been raised there, went to school and was a business owner located in New York City.

Farther Demetrious reminded me of the forth coming Spring Greek festival going to be held April 15th through to the 18th. My wife Sandy, daughter Nicole and I have attended several times. It is a very popular event because there are Folk dances with traditional costumes, music with authentic instruments, singing, food, cakes, beverage, gifts etc. It is well organized and truly a lively, colorful, cultural affair which I strongly recommend attending. Posted here are pictures of the new Church and Entrance sign to the church grounds. The address is 4705 W. Gulf to Lake Blvd. .Lecanto, Florida 34461 and their E-mail: priest@stmichaelgoc.org and web site is, www.stmichaelgoc.org.

Introduction to Explore Citrus County.

February 1, 2010

This is my first attempt at writing a blog and I hope you fellow blogger out in cyberspace find it interesting and informative. Also at some point I hope my writing will arouse your spirit of curiosity enough for you to want to come to visit this the most beautiful and unique county in the State of Florida. I am in the Real Estate Business and with hardship sales of homes which no doubt you heard about because of the news media. There are many great homes offered for sale at one third their true value. Don't misunderstand me stirring up business is not the purpose of this blog. It's just that my wife Sandy, 10 year old daughter Nicole and myself love it here along with a few thousand other people who also live here. I guess you already gathered that our county is sparsely populated. It's true, therefore we have plenty room for more. We might have to displace a few Cows, Horses Goats and Chickens to make room for you but it's do able.

The one thing that hasn't suffered because of the bad press is the natural beauty and natures wondrous resource of Lakes, Waterfront homes and sites, hiking trails, Parks, Habitat of Birds, wild life such of Turtles, Foxes and Bears etc. It borders on Sumter County to the East and extends from the lake region west to the Gulf of Mexico and about 50 to 60 miles north of Tampa. Check out my web site that specializes in Hernando homes and Inverness homes for sale including all of Citrus County. I have a lot of pictures and information posted besides our list of homes for sale and you will be missing out on insider information.

I might as well tell you now, I am from New York City. Born and raised there and still love it to this day. I have been living and working in Florida for over 20 years but I miss the smells, noise and hustle of the Big City. No matter how I try I can't get rid of my New York accent, walk or attitude.

By the way, I am a avid sail boat skipper and competed in many off shore races while living on Staten Island. Fished off Sandy Hook,and caught more than my fair share of Blue Fish and one Flounder. I enjoyed every thing else the big Apple had to offer including Institutes of higher education, culture, theatre, museums, parks, night life and People. Lots of People good, bad and different or is a better word indifferent? . Need I say more? I will end on that note.