Area Events 1204

Festival of Trees begins today

BROOKSVILLE Festival of Trees annual display will be held Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4-5, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 20428 Cortez Blvd. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and is sponsored by the Brooksville Woman's Club and St. Anthony Church. Christmas shop for homemade crafts, Christmas towels, jewelry, baked goods, jams, candies, Avon, Mary Kay, candles and more will be featured, along with pictures with Santa. Entertainment of Christmas carols, the Little Dancers, plays, etc. will also be featured. For more information, call Yvonne Malone at 352-796-6026 or 352-848-7988 or Karen Reye Mullane at 352-796-2096 or e-mail ymalone@tampabay.rr.com.

Toy Run to Tampa Dec. 12

BROOKSVILLE The 20th Annual Toy Run for Shriners Hospital will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12. Participants will depart at 11:29 a.m. sharp from the parking lot at the southeast corner of Truck Route 50 and U.S. 41 for the toy run to the Shriners Hospital in Tampa. Participants should bring a new, wrapped or unwrapped toy for a kid. All bikes and clubs are welcome. For more information, call Hop at 352-597-2369 or Fred at 352-684-7251.

Wildlife fundraiser at Easy Street

BROOKSVILLE 100 Acre Wood Wildlife Rehabilitation will hold a fundraiser for wildlife from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at Easy Street Home Décor located at 100 North Broad St. (U.S. 41). Wildlife exhibit, silent auction, hors d'oeuvres, and beverages will be featured; and 100 Acre Wood merchandise will be available for purchase. Linda Christian, wildlife rehabilitator, invites the public to attend the fundraiser to facilitate the purchase of a heater for the otter pond at 100 Acre Wood. Admission to the event is free of charge, but donations will be accepted. The mission of 100 Acre Wood is dedication to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of all native Florida wildlife. For more information, call Easy Street Home Décor at 352-848-0177.

Arts Council to host gala

BROOKSVILLE Hernando County Fine Arts Council will host its second annual winter gala fundraiser at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at Rogers' Christmas House, 103 South Saxon Ave., off East Liberty Street. Hors d'oeuvres catered by the Central High School culinary arts department and desserts donated by Silverthorn Country Club and Chefs of Napoli restaurant will be featured. Wine will be served, and entertainment will be provided by Shawn and Jessica Doolittle, Hernando County Symphony, and Regina Aamacha and Jonny Maduro. The Doolittles are co-founders of the Kids Helping Kids organization, and they conduct a music and dance after-school program at J.D. Floyd K-9. Aamacha is a blues musician. Brian Brijbag, chairman of the Fine Arts Council, will be the master of ceremonies; and members of the Spring Hill Art League will donate works of art for a silent auction. Ticket cost is $20 per single and $30 per couple. Tickets are available at Easy Street Décor, Main Street Eatery, Rising Sun Café, all in Brooksville, and Spirit of the Hand Art Gallery in Spring Hill. For tickets or more information, call 352-754-4788.

'Holiday in Gardens' begins Dec. 5

SPRING HILL Spring Hill Garden Club will begin its third annual "Holiday in the Gardens" on Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens located at 1489 Parker Ave., off Spring Hill Drive. Clubs, organizations and businesses are invited to decorate an evergreen in the botanical gardens beginning at 9 a.m., and all will compete for the "Best Decorated Tree" award. Refreshments will be provided. To reserve a tree in advance, visit the gardens on Wednesday or Saturday mornings or call 352-683-9933. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree throughout the month of December and can view the trees through early January. The botanical gardens are maintained by volunteers and rely on donations, grants and fundraising events. The gardens are open to the public daily from sunup to sundown. Admission is free of charge, but donations are appreciated. For more information, call 352-683-9933 or visit the club's Web site at www.naturecoastbotanicalgardens.com.

'Light Up Ridge Manor' festival

RIDGE MANOR East Side Business Development Committee will present its second annual "Light Up Ridge Manor Christmas Festival from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at the Sunrise Plaza located at 31120 Cortez Blvd., one-half mile east of Interstate 75. Santa Clause will be on hand, and photos with Santa will be available for a donation of $3 each or two photos for $5. Holiday entertainment will feature Christmas caroling, face painting, a "Road to Bethlehem Walk" drama presentation, music by D.J. Bob Pepe of Lyfe Time Entertainment, food, games and prizes. Also, the festival will include a contest for the best decorated east side business. Proceeds from the event will benefit "A New Generation" teen support programs. The event is free of charge and is open to everyone. For more information, call 352-540-4521 or 352-796-9486.

Christmas dance at Brookridge

BROOKSVILLE Brookridge Social Dance will host a Christmas dance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at its Club House, 8150 Hampton St. Music will be provided by Mixed Bag; and coffee, hot tea and ice will be provided throughout the evening. Bring own beverages; doughnuts will be served at approximately 9:30 p.m. Ticket cost is $5 per person. For reservations or more information, call Dot at 352-597-0723.

Beach Club to hold dinner-dance

HERNANDO BEACH Hernando Beach Club will hold a Christmas dinner-dance on Friday, Dec. 11, at the club located at 3145 Flamingo Blvd. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. The Just Us Duo will provide musical entertainment. The cost is $13 per person for members and $16 per person for guests. Reservations are required by Friday, Dec. 4. Bring an unwrapped toy that will be donated through Kiwanis to needy children. The public is invited. For tickets or more information, call Judi at 352-684-3547.

Korean War vets to hold party

SPRING HILL Korean War Veterans and Ladies Auxiliary will hold their annual Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 12, at VFW Post 10209 located at 14736 Edward R. Noll Drive, off Anderson Snow Road. A buffet dinner, Kenn "E" Grube "Elvis on Tour" Tribute show, music for dancing by the Key Notes band, and door prizes will be featured. Table reservations for eight or more will be available. The cost is $22 per person, and a cash bar will be available. For table reservations, tickets or more information, call Rich at 352-688-7196.

Yacht Club seeking boats for parade

HERNANDO BEACH Hernando Beach Yacht Club is seeking boats for its boat parade to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, from the Yacht Club docks. Decorate your boat with lights, holiday scenes, etc. for the parade which will last approximately one-and-a-half hours. Boats will be safely led through the route by vessels of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 15-8. Entry fee is an unwrapped toy; and trophies will be awarded for original theme, best lit, and funniest. Following the parade, join the Yacht Club for a holiday karaoke songfest, hot dogs, chili dogs with all the fixings, plus a cash bar. To enter a boat or for more information, call Dan McCann at 352-200-5763.

Angel Program seeking donations

Christmas Angel Program of Hernando County serves children from infants to teens who are attending school or who reside in the county. Referrals are obtained from individuals such as counselors and others who have determined children are underprivileged. The organization is seeking working, used computers for children in special need and also for teens (middle to high school) and approaching college students. Donations of unused print cartridges or used "to be recycled" cartridges will be helpful. Also, used, working televisions are a "need" for families who cannot afford one. Pick-up of items can be arranged. Monetary donations will also be accepted to "fill in" the gaps for the children served by the organization. Such donations will be used to purchase clothes and at least one gift item requested by a child or teen. For more information, call 352-596-1552 and leave a message for Mary or Bill Scarff, coordinators.

Party to benefit Dawn Center

SPRING HILL Danielle's Hair Studio and Alice M. Pirola of Mary Kay Cosmetics will sponsor a block party fundraiser for the Dawn Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Spring Hill Retail Center Plaza located at Spring Hill Drive and Anderson Snow Road. Face painting, balloons, pictures with Santa, a disc jockey, Christmas tree lighting, and Two Chefs and Greek City Café food vendors will be featured. Guest speakers will be representatives from the Dawn Center, which is a domestic and sexual violence shelter in the county. A raffle for a 26-inch flat screen television will also be featured; and a goody bag of coupons to local county businesses and shops will be available for a donation of $10 to the Dawn Center. Raffle baskets provided by area businesses will also be available, and all proceeds will benefit the Dawn Center. For more information or to be a vendor, call Alice Pirola of Mary Kay at 352-686-9230 or Kimber of Danielle's Hair Studio at 352-799-6993.

Dinner to benefit seniors

BROOKSVILLE A-to-Z Adaptive Aids for Seniors and Visual Impaired will sponsor a benefit dinner and show Saturday, Dec. 5, in the Heather House of Cloverleaf Farms located at 900 North Broad St. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and showtime will be at 7 p.m. A live show starring Vic Thompkins and VTO will be featured. Ticket cost is $15 per person, which will include a spaghetti and meatball dinner, salad, bread, and tea or coffee plus the show. Advance tickets are required. Proceeds of the event will help provide adaptive aids for seniors in need. For tickets or more information, call Holly at 352-593-4063 or 352-263-5664.

Central JROTC to hold market

BROOKSVILLE Central High School Navy JROTC will conduct Ye' Mystic Flea Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the West Hernando Middle School parking lot located at 14325 Ken Austin Parkway. Arts, crafts, and local businesses will be featured. Games, face painting, food, etc. will also be featured. Vendors are being sought. The fee is $10 per outdoor space and $5 for each additional adjacent space. Set-up time will be from 7 to 8 a.m. All proceeds will benefit Central's Navy JROTC. For reservations or more information, call 352-279-3969.

Elks 2582 to hold dinner

BROOKSVILLE Elks Lodge 2582 will hold a Christmas dinner-dance on Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Lodge located at 14494 Cortez Blvd. Cocktails will be available from 4 to 5 p.m.; and dinner will be served at 5 p.m., with dancing until 8 p.m. The menu will consist of a choice of baked ham with pineapple or roast beef, veggies, potatoes, rolls and dessert. Music will be provided by "Take Two." Ticket donation is $12 per person and can be purchased from 5 to 7 p.m. Fridays or by calling Doris Cloman at 352-796-9784.

Christian Women to host luncheon

BROOKSVILLE Brooksville/Spring Hill Christian Women's Connection, affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries, will host a luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue. The feature presentation will be "Musical Melodies" by Mike and Lori Hafer. Inspirational speaker will be Ann Combs of Ocoee with the theme, "Decisions, Decisions - How to make Right Decisions." Complimentary nursery will be available. The inclusive cost is $13.50 per person, and reservations are required by Thursday, Dec. 3. For assured seating, early reservations are suggested. For reservations or more information, call Dolores at 352-799-3735 or Barbara at 352-796-5216.

La Sertoma to hold breakfast

SPRING HILL Hernando County La Sertoma Club will hold its annual pancake breakfast with Santa from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at Guido's Restaurant, 7219 Forest Oaks Blvd., just off U.S. 19. All-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, juice, milk and coffee will be served. A $3 donation per adult and child will be appreciated and can be paid at the door. Children ages 2 and under will be free of charge. There will be a surprise for children while supplies last, and raffle tickets for holiday prizes will be featured. The event is open to the public. The club holds fundraisers for scholarships for teens, holiday gifts for handicapped children in the county, and sponsors a child to Camp Endeavor, a summer camp for hearing-impaired children. For more information, call Cris at 352-397-4304.

After 5 to host dinner

SPRING HILL Spring Hill After 5 Connection invites women to a "Candlelight Christmas Dinner" from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, at Longshotz Sports Bar and Grill, 1320 Commercial Way, off U.S. 19. Guest speaker will be Barbara Gobbs with the theme "Out of Captivity into the Light." The feature will be music by Joyce Garland, who is a Florida native with many years of vocal training. The inclusive cost is $13 per person; and reservations are required by Wednesday, Dec. 9. For assured seating, early reservations are suggested. The event is sponsored by the Spring Hill After 5 Connection, affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries. For reservations or information, call Irma at 352-684-4547 or Marian at 352-666-1256.

Garden Club to plant poinsettias

SPRING HILL Spring Hill Garden Club will conduct its 20th annual poinsettia planting from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 12, at the waterfall entrance to Spring Hill located at the intersection of Spring Hill Drive and U.S. 19. Residents are invited to bring poinsettias, sign a memory book, and watch as members of the garden club plant the poinsettias around the waterfall. The tradition began 21 years ago when Don Kubiak, a past president of the club, planted poinsettias at the waterfall in memory of his parents. For more information, call the garden club at 352-683-9933 or visit the club's Web site at www.naturecoastbotanicalgardens.com.

Calvary Church to sponsor sale

SPRING HILL Spring Hill Calvary Church of the Nazarene Community Food Pantry will sponsor a yard sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4-5, at the church located at 235 Cobblestone Drive, at the corner of Landmark Drive. Household items, furniture, electronics, tools, toys, clothing and more will be featured. A refreshment booth will also be open. All proceeds will be used to restock the shelves of the community food pantry with necessary food items. For more information, call 352-683-0587.

Philippine Assoc. to host party

SPRING HILL Hernando County Philippine-American Association will host its annual Christmas party from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the SNPJ Lodge dance center located at 11383 County Line Road. Ticket cost is $15 per person for members, $18 per person for non-members, $10 per person for 6- to 15-year-olds and free of charge for children 5 years old and under. Dinner is included in the price of the ticket. For tickets or more information, call Aurora Rice at 352-848-1031, Cobbie Atienza at 352-666-5381 or Celia Sigua at 352-684-7464.

Sons of Italy to hold dinner-dance

WEEKI WACHEE Sons of Italy, Nature Coast Lodge 2502, will hold its annual Christmas dinner-dance from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at The Heather Club House. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Music will be provided by Marty and the Nice Guys, and dinner will be catered by Pizza Villa; BYOB. The Heather community is located on U.S. 19, approximately a mile north of State Road 50. Bring a toy or gift card for a needy child. Ticket cost is $10 per person for members and $18 per person for guests. Table reservations will be accepted. Tickets for the event will be available at Wednesday morning meetings or call Ross at 352-596-3503.

Filipino Club to hold dinner-ball

SPRING HILL Filipino-American Social Club (FASC) of Hernando County Inc. will hold its annual "Joy to the World" Christmas Dinner-Ball from 6 to midnight Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Heritage Pines Country Club Grand Ballroom located at 11524 Scenic Hills Blvd., off County Line Road. Live music will be provided by DJ Willie Matos of Professional New York DJ Entertainment. The highlight of the evening will be a holiday presentation by FASC members and a surprise appearance by Santa for the children. A full-course sit-down dinner and desserts will be served. A variety of Philippine native desserts, "Noche Buena Snacks," will be served after dinner. Ticket cost is $35 per person for adults and $10 for children 13 and under, with a special children's menu. Formal attire is requested, and the public is invited. The Filipino-American Social Club of Hernando is a social, cultural, and charity organization that combines social events with cultural tradition, civic awareness, and service to the community. For tickets or more information, call Anna Slaten at 352-382-4015, Clovis Cayunda at 352-346-7935, Lucia Rodgers at 352-397-8308, or Lisa Villanueva at 352-666-7686.

Woman's Club to sponsor tour

BROOKSVILLE Brooksville Woman's Club will sponsor its 10th annual Historic Tour of Homes on Sunday, Dec. 13. Three homes and the Brooksville Woman's Clubhouse will be featured, and hot apple cider and homemade cookies will be served at its clubhouse. Tours will be conducted at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., and ticket cost is $12 per person. For tickets or more information, call Yvonne Malone at 352-796-6026 or 352-848-7988.

Toys for Tots begins season

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program of Hernando County will begin its 2009 season with a registration program to serve children of the county. Children ages 6 months to 12 years old are eligible to participate. Registration will be conducted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Marine Corps League Detachment 708 located at 8405 Sunshine Grove Road, off State Road 50, Brooksville, on the following dates: Dec. 1-5, 7-12, and 14-16. Note that the registration office will be closed on all Sundays. To register a child or children, the parents or a legal guardian must bring the following: 1. Driver's license, current utility bill in your name showing that you are a resident of Hernando County, and your Social Security card; 2. A birth certificate and Social Security card for each child to be registered. A guardian, foster parents or grandparents of a child must also bring papers or a court order which shows that the child or children are in your legal custody. For more information, call 352-796-3666; but phone calls will only be answered during the registration hours and dates listed above.

Volunteers sought for Swamp Fest

HERNANDO BEACH The 17th annual Swamp Fest 2010 will be held March 6 and 7 at Linda Pedersen Park at Jenkins Creek located at 6400 Shoal Line Blvd. (County Road 595). The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Volunteers are being sought. If interested in volunteering or for more information, call Roger Davidson at 352-596-3987.