HERNANDO TODAY FAX: 352-799-5246

Social

Brooksville Women's Club will hold its monthly luncheon and meeting Wednesday, Jan. 2, at the club located at 131 South Main St. Luncheon will be held at noon, and general meeting at 1 p.m. The program will be "Hope" by Brandi Sanders. Lunch donation is $6 per person. For more information, call Joan at 352-796-8224. For membership information, call Janis at 799-7374.

St. Frances Cabrini Council of Catholic Women will hold its general meeting at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2, in Xavier Hall of the church located at 5030 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. At 7:30 a.m., the Council will meet in the church for the rosary and Mass. Guest speaker at the meeting will be Brenda Frasier, Hernando County community relations coordinator. For more information, call the church office at 352-683-9666.

N.Y.C.P.D. 10-13 Retiree Club of Hernando County will meet at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, at the new VFW Post 10209 located at 14736 Edward R. Noll Drive, off Anderson Snow Road, Spring Hill. All active and retired members of the New York City Police Department are invited to join. For more information, call 352-686-8238.

Botanical

New Port Richey Garden Club will meet at noon Wednesday, Jan. 9, at the Finnish American Club, 6016 Delaware Ave., corner of Delaware and Madison avenues, New Port Richey. Speaker will be Elizabeth Payne of the Pasco County Extension Office on the topic of "Winter protection for your garden." An opportunity drawing will follow the program. Guests are welcome. For more information, call 727-848-2292.

Recreation

Contract bridge lessons will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesdays at the Brooksville Enrichment Center, 670 S Broad St., Brooksville. Mary Ann DuFresne, a "life master," will offer the lessons at a cost of $3 per week. For more information, call Mary Ann at 352-592-4882.

John Brown Woodcarvers will meet at 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday at Faith Evangelical Free Church, 5338 Freeport Drive, off Northcliffe Boulevard, Spring Hill. All types of woodcarving and all levels of skill will be featured. A fee will not be charged, and everyone is welcome. For more information, call 352-688-7605 or 597-8061.

Sales/Flea Markets

St. Andrew's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 8064 Weeping Willow St., off State Road 50, Brooksville, has suspended its perogi and bake sales until Jan. 16. For more information, call Alyce at 352-688-1839.

Karen's Kit 'n Kaboodle (St. Andrew's Thrift Shop), 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill, is open from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The boutique-style shop features surprise special sales daily. Donations are appreciated and can be left in the shop during hours of operation or in the drop-off bin after hours. To volunteer or schedule pickup of large items, call 352-686-1114.

Dawn Center's Second Glance Thrift Store, 650 South Broad St., Brooksville, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For information, call the store at 796-4004.

Jericho Road Ministries has a new thrift store located at 16479 Wiscon Road, Brooksville, and also has an expanded book department at its thrift store located at 15319 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Both stores are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Clothing for adults and children, household items, furniture, kitchenware, toys, as well as numerous specialty items are available for sale. The thrift stores were established for the purpose of supporting the Jericho Road Men's Rescue Mission Shelter located at 1090 Mondon Hill Road in Brooksville. Donations are welcome and can be brought to the Wiscon Road thrift store during business hours or larger items can be picked up daily. For information or to schedule a pick-up, call 352-797-9009.

Genesis Thrift Boutique, 3636 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Gowns, jewelry, shoes, purses, men's suits, furniture and more are featured. Pickups for donations are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; call for an appointment. The boutique is tax exempt, and a receipt for all donations is available. Proceeds will help fund New Beginnings Life Center Shelter. For more information, call 683-5090 or e-mail genesis99@bellsouth.net.

Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store, 2035 Broad St. (U.S. 41), in the Airport Commerce Complex, Brooksville, is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Clothing for adults and children, furniture, household items, kitchenware, books and a holiday room are featured. Donations are welcome and can be delivered to the thrift store during business hours. Larger items can be picked up Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Volunteers are needed to work in the thrift store or in the office. Habitat established the thrift store to support the construction of decent and affordable Habitat houses for low-income eligible individuals who are willing to partner in the building of someone else's home and their home. For pick-up of large items or information, call 754-1255 or 754-1159.

Fraternal

Aripeka Elks Lodge 2520 holds bingo every Wednesday and Sunday at the Lodge located at 9135 Denton Ave., Hudson. On Wednesdays, bingo begins at 10 a.m. A potluck is held from 3 to 6 p.m.; bring a dish. Music will be provided for dancing. On Sundays, bingo begins at 4:30 p.m. Food will be available both days. For information, call the Lodge at 727-863-2520.

American Legion Post 99 holds bingo at 11 a.m. Wednesdays at the Post located at 208 East Fort Dade Ave., Brooksville. For information, call the Post at 352-796-9369.

Youth Activities

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is seeking new members to train in emergency services, counter-drug operations, homeland defense, cadet programs, air search and rescue, and aerospace education. Youth ages 12 to 18 who would like to enter its Cadet Program, and men and women over 18 who would like to volunteer as senior members are urged to contact the Civil Air Patrol headquarters at 352-799-4356. The squadron needs both air and ground team members and training is ongoing. The Hernando County Squadron meets at 7 p.m. each Tuesday at its headquarters located at 3151 Air Commerce Blvd., off Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Major Don Albanese is the Squadron Commander.

Seniors Programs

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) welcomes all volunteers age 55 years of age and older. Numerous volunteer opportunities are available, and the program will match your skills to the needs of the community. For more information, call 796-8117 or visit the RSVP Welcome Center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Mid Florida Community Services, Unit No. 3, located at 820 Kennedy Blvd., Brooksville.

Experience Works, a senior work force solution, provides information and assistance with employment and training to income eligible seniors age 55 and older. For information, call Amy at 352-200-3042.

Dance/Music

Recreation Department will offer line dancing for adults from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays at 306 Darby Lane, Brooksville. The program is for beginners and advanced, and the cost is $5 per person. For information, call Shirley Chapman at 352-684-5869.

Senior Activities

Senior Citizens Club of Hernando County offers the following activities at the club located at 7925 Rhanbuoy Road, Spring Hill: cards from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Thursday, and from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday. For information, call Barbara at 352-683-2440. For information regarding crafts and line dancing classes, call the club. Bingo will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Group road trips such as Biloxi, Sterling and Hard Rock plus cruises are periodically arranged for members and their guests. Club membership is $10 annually. For more information, call the club at 352-596-1095.

Youth Activities

St. Anthony Catholic Church will hold "Mommy & Me" from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the church located at 20428 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Children must be between 2 and 5 years old. The cost is $35 per child annually. For information or to enroll a child, call 352-796-2096.

Moms and Tots Playgroup meets from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Wednesday at First Lutheran Church, 30419 Park Ridge Drive, Ridge Manor. Mothers and their young children (up to 5 years old) can participate in painting, playing, singing nursery rhymes, etc. The group promotes self-confidence and positive interaction between the children. No registration is required; only a $1 donation for drinks and snacks. For information, call 796-9001.

Adoption Resources

Adoption Resources of Florida/MAPS International is a nonprofit domestic and international adoption agency licensed in Florida. The organization provides a free seminar at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month at 662 Key Royale Drive, Holmes Beach. For information or to attend the seminar, call 877-779-1632.