0806 Hometown Happenings

Community Event

Cub Scout Pack 454 will hold a car wash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, in the parking lot of Grace Presbyterian Church located at 8375 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Donations will be accepted, and proceeds of the event will benefit the Pack's camping trip. For more information, call 352-200-0002.

Workshops

Hernando County Fair Association will host an informative series of workshops from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, at the Hernando County Fairgrounds located at 6436 Broad St., Brooksville. Workshops will be held to discuss the future improvements of the facilities at the Fairgrounds. Also, a public input meeting will be held at 7 p.m. All workshops will be open to the public. For more information, call 352-796-4552.

Library Programs

Hernando County Public Library System will feature award-winning, independent filmmaker Banks Helfrich at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Helfrich will present an array of short films and previews of his features. The genres will include comedy, documentary, romance and experimental. A question-and-answer discussion will follow. The previews are not rated but are suitable for children 10 years old and up.
Also, the Book Discussion Group will hold its next monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, at the Main Branch Library, 238 Howell Ave., Brooksville. The group will discuss "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers. The novel is a haunting, unforgettable story that gives voice to the rejected, the forgotten, and the mistreated. Even though registration is not required, copies of the book are limited. Check out a copy at the Main Library to join the informal discussion.
Library programs are free of charge, and registration is not required. Light refreshments will be provided. The programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Hernando County. For movie title or more information, call the Library Program staff at 352-540-6391.

Military/Veterans

VFW Post 8713 and Ladies Auxiliary will feature a fish and chips dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at the Post located at 1681 East Jefferson St., Brooksville. The donation will be $5 per person. The public is welcome. For information, call the Post at 352-796-4449.

VFW Post 9236 will offer a fish fry from 5 to 8 p.m. every Friday at the Post located at 3435 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando Beach. Fish and fries with all the trimmings will be served at a cost of $5 per person. Shrimp will also be available. Live music will be featured on most Fridays. In addition, the Post will feature steak night from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. A 10-ounce rib eye dinner with all the trimmings will be served, and the cost will be $10 per person. Everyone is welcome. For information, call the Post at 352-596-9236.

Social

VFW Post 10209 will feature karaoke with Rusty from 7 to 9:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the Post located at 14736 Edward R. Noll Drive, Spring Hill. A karaoke bash is held the last Tuesday of every month. Bring a covered dish. Also, a steak shoot will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. every Wednesday. In addition, a birthday bash will be held at 5 p.m. the second Saturday of every month, beginning Aug. 8. Bring a covered dish and celebrate the month's birthday VIPs. A cover charge will not be charged. For more information, call the Post at 352-796-0398.

Brookridge Social Dance will host a Hawaiian-themed dance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at its Club House located at 8151 Hampton St., Brooksville. Music will be provided by Marti Carroll. Bring own beverages. Ice, coffee and hot tea will be available throughout the evening. Doughnuts will be served at approximately 9:30 p.m. Ticket cost is $5 per person. Season tickets are also available and are less expensive than purchasing tickets monthly. For tickets or information, call Dot at 352-597-0723.

Brooksville Woman's Club will hold its first meeting of the new season at noon Wednesday, Sept. 2, at its clubhouse located at 131 South Main St., Brooksville. A salad luncheon will be served at noon. The cost will be $3 per person with a dish and $6 per person without a dish donation. For luncheon information, call Joan at 352-796-8224. The club's general meeting will be held at 1 p.m., and the program will be "Education." Guests are welcome. For membership information, call Cherry at 352-799-3801.

Recreation

Spring Hill Camera Club meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of the month at the Oak Hill Enrichment Center, located behind Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill. "Roundtable Discussion - Lenses and Camera Cleaning" will be featured at the Aug. 10 meeting. Topics will include choosing the right lens, doublers/converters, filters, and proper cleaning equipment and technique. Club business and an informative presentation are held the second Monday of the month. A photo competition meeting is held the fourth Monday of the month. Membership is open to all beginning and experienced film and digital photographers. Guests, visitors and new members are welcome. For information, call Strat Simon at 684-1850 or visit the Web site http://meckstein.com/shcc/Home.html.

West Hernando Coin Club will meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at the Community Center of The Heather located on U.S. 19, two miles north of State Road 50, Weeki Wachee. Educational topic will be "Love Tokens." Refreshments, educational speakers, door prizes and auctions will be featured. Children and beginning collectors are welcome. For more information, contact Vincent at westhernandocoinclub@live.com or at 352-428-4564.

Plastic Model Club of Spring Hill meets from 1 to 3 p.m. the second Saturday of each month at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The informal club is for those interested in building any kind of plastic models, such as ships, planes, armor, monster models, cars, trucks, etc. The group has a "show and tell" and discusses techniques. For more information, call Joe at 352-592-0635.

Botanical

Florida Native Plant Society, Nature Coast Chapter, will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 7922 State Road 52, Hudson. The topic will be "Operation Migration" and the Florida and Eastern U.S. Whooping Crane reintroduction project. Visitors are invited to bring in yard questions and participate in the roundtable discussion. Refreshments and a native plant drawing will be featured. For telephone inquiries, call Mary at 727-849-2335 or visit the chapter's Web site at http://mysite.verizon.net/data2/naturecoast/

Political

First Hernando Republican Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, at the Lake House, 1202 Kenlake Ave., Spring Hill. Speaker will be Sheriff Richard Nugent, and refreshments will be served. Members and guests are welcome to attend. For information, call Doris at 352-688-7986.

Ethnic

German American Club will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Shriners Club of Hernando County, 13400 Montour St., off Sunshine Grove Road, Brooksville. For club information, call Jack Yaskulski at 352-688-3744. In addition, the Club will host a "Hawaiian Night" dance on Friday, Sept. 11, at the Shriners Club. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. A hors d'oeuvres buffet will be featured from 6 to 6:45 p.m., with dancing from 7 to 11 p.m. Music will be provided by Alpen Diamanten, and the dress code will be Hawaiian theme. BYOB. Ticket cost will be $10 per person for members, $13 per person for guests in advance; and $12 per person for members, $15 per person for guests at the door. For tickets or information, call Lisa Yaskulski at 352-688-3744.

Italian American Club will meet at noon Saturday, Sept. 5, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. Members will also attend the luau sponsored by the Korean War veterans on Sept. 6. The luau will begin at 2 p.m. and will continue until dancing ends at 9 p.m. The object of the club is for fellowship, social activities, trips, picnics, games as well as interesting speakers plus occasional entertainers at its meetings. Dues are $20 per year, and it is not necessary to be Italian to join the club. If interested in attending as a visitor, call Joe at 352-799-5214 or Theresa at 683-6712.

State Clubs

Illinois Club of Spring Hill will meet at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Lance Clark will present a program on the topic of "Sleep Apnea." The object of the club is to promote fellowship, social and fraternal activities for former residents of Illinois. In addition to monthly meetings, activities include eating out at a local restaurant each month and group travel opportunities. Annual dues are $12 per person. All former Illinois residents and their partners are invited to join the club or to come as a guest prior to making a decision to join. For information, call David Trammell at 352-397-9844.

New Jersey Club will meet Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the Senior Citizens Club, 7925 Rhanbuoy Road, Spring Hill. Doors will open at 11 a.m., and the meeting will begin at 1 p.m. Wine, fruit and cheese will be featured. For club information, call Mary at 352-666-0533; and for tickets and trip information, call Annette at 352-683-8752.

Wisconsin Club will hold a social outing and dinner at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Chili's Restaurant, 3380 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. Also, the club has a trip planned to the Hard Rock Casino on Aug. 26. The bus is scheduled to leave at 11 a.m. from the parking lot of the Sweetbay supermarket located at the intersection of Mariner and Northcliffe boulevards in Spring Hill and return at 6 p.m. Anyone who has lived in Wisconsin at any time qualifies for membership. Annual dues are $8 per person. If interested in attending the trip or for more information, call Carol Zellmer at 352-666-2974.

History

War of the Roses Chapter of the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE) will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Spring Hill Branch Library located at 9220 Spring Hill Drive. The business meeting and talk is followed by refreshments and socializing. The British women's group meets the last Saturday of the month at the Spring Hill Branch Library. Any woman interested in learning about the Daughters of the British Empire is welcome to attend. The DBE is a nonprofit, nonpolitical and nonsectarian American organization that will be celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Membership is open to women who are British by birth, ancestry, or naturalization or whose husbands are British. Women who hail from or whose husbands come from any of the British Commonwealth countries may also join the DBE. For information, call Lucille at 352-540-9746 or Sheena at 352-688-6503.

Seniors Activities

Senior Citizens Club of Hernando County offers the following activities at the hall located at 7925 Rhanbuoy Road, Spring Hill: bingo will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday, and card games are held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Monday and Thursday. For information, call Barbara at 352-683-2440. For information regarding crafts, line dancing and Weight Watchers, call the club. Group road trips such as Biloxi, Sterling and Hard Rock plus cruises are periodically arranged for members and their guests. Club membership is $20 annually. For information, call the club at 352-596-1095.

Radio Clubs

Spring Hill Amateur Radio Club (SHARC) meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of every month in Cafeteria Room 2 at Oak Hill Hospital Building A located at 11375 Cortez Blvd. Anyone interested in Ham Radio is welcome to attend. Testing for an FCC license is conducted at 6:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at the same location. The club operates a 2-meter repeater on 146.805 MHz (no tone). Every Tuesday except meeting night, the club conducts a Club net at 8 p.m. Anyone with a Ham Radio license is welcome to participate in both nets. For information, visit the club's Web site at www.kf4ixu.org or call Ed at 352-684-7623.

Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club invites those interested in HAM radio to join the group on its radio net at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday nights on the club's repeater WA4GDN, 146.670 MHz and read the club's newsletter at www.gulfcoastarc.org. For information, call John at 727-848-7785.

Thrift Shops

Karen's Kit 'n Kaboodle (St. Andrew's Thrift Shop), 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill, will be open during the summer from 9:30 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. Monday through Friday. The boutique-style shop features a bag sale the second Tuesday of the month. 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.

Jericho Road Ministries has a new thrift store in the Winchester Plaza located at 5260 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, in addition to its stores located at 16479 Wiscon Road, Brooksville, and in the Sunrise Plaza at 31170 Cortez Blvd., Ridge Manor. An expanded book department is featured at its thrift store located at 15319 Cortez Blvd. (State Road 50), Brooksville. All 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 Ministry has a women's shelter, Mary's House, which is located at 1163 Howell Ave., Brooksville. The thrift stores were established for the purpose of supporting the Jericho Road Men's Rescue Mission Shelter located at 1090 Mondon Hill Road, Brooksville. Donations are welcome and can be brought to any of the thrift stores during business hours or larger items can be scheduled for pick-up daily. For information or to schedule a pick-up, call 352-797-9009.

SPCA Thrift Shop, 9075 Grant St., adjacent to the shelter, Brooksville, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Housewares, books, games, toys and clothing for the entire family are featured. All clothes are $5 a bag. All proceeds from the thrift shop benefit the care and upkeep of the animals at the shelter. Donations are welcome and can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursdays or Fridays, but large furniture or appliances cannot be accepted. To reach the SPCA shelter and thrift shop, take Sunshine Grove Road (off State Road 50) to Taylor Street, then turn left onto Grant Street. For information, call the thrift shop at 352-592-4709.

Daystar Lifecenter Thrift Store, 7120 Hope Hill Road, off State Road 50, Brooksville, is open from 8:30 a.m. to noon Fridays and Saturdays. Clothing, crafts, furniture, housewares, books, small appliances, electrical items and Christmas decorations are offered. The store is located one-quarter mile behind St. Anthony Catholic Church. To schedule a pickup or for information, call 352-799-5930.

Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store, 19450 Cortez Blvd., in the Brooksville Square Shopping Center, Brooksville, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 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 on construction. 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 information, call 352-754-1159.

Seniors Programs

Mid-Florida Community Services provides nutritious meals year-round to seniors age 60 and over. Seniors are welcome to visit any one of its four dining sites within the county. In addition, the Meals on Wheels program provides nutritious lunches five days a week to seniors who are homebound. The daily contact by the program's volunteers ensures a visit by someone who provides companionship, while checking on the person's health and well being. Volunteers are welcome, and donations are appreciated. For more information, call 352-796-1425 or 352-796-0485.

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.