Hometown Happenings 1205

Community Events

Hill House Bed & Breakfast will host an evening of storytelling from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at the Hill House located at 406 East Liberty St., Brooksville. Local author Jerry Cowling will tell Christmas stories including familiar ones from literature and personal creations. Complimentary refreshments will be served, and admission will be free of charge. For more information, call 352-345-4466.

Kiwanis Club of Brooksville and the City of Brooksville will sponsor the 35th annual Brooksville Christmas Parade from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. The parade will begin at Varsity Drive, continue on Oakwood Drive to Howell Avenue onto Main Street, then will proceed to North Broad Street and will conclude at Bell Avenue. Admission to the event will be free of charge. For more information, call Ron Wheeles at 352-585-2021 or visit online at www.kiwanisclubofbrooksville.org.

Ethnic

Italian American Club will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. The club's annual homemade Italian cookie swap will be featured, and the election of club officers will be held. Santa and Mrs. Clause will also be featured. In addition, the club will hold its Christmas party on Thursday, Dec. 17; and a full Christmas dinner, floor show and dancing will be featured. 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.

Political

Hernando County Democratic Club will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Strong Tower Winery, 17810 Forge Drive, off Bowman Road, Spring Hill. A wine-tasting event will be featured. Ticket cost is $15 per person or two for $25, and tickets can be purchased at the door. For more information, call Harvey Martin at 352-686-0686.

Community Outreach

Love Your Neighbor will provide a free community dinner from 2 to 4 p.m. every Sunday at First United Methodist Church, 109 South Broad St., Brooksville (sharing the parking lot with the Rising Sun Café in downtown Brooksville). Note the new location effective Dec. 6; the entrance to the dinner will be on the Liberty Street side under the canopy. The food pantry will reopen the following Sunday (Dec. 13) with Behind the Stone Ministries providing their RV to distribute groceries. Love Your Neighbor is a grass roots benevolence ministry under New Beginnings of Tampa Inc., providing free hot meals, food, toiletries and other needs to the less fortunate of Hernando County. For more information, call John Callea at 352-428-9434 or Lisa Callea at 352-428-9275.

People Helping People of Hernando will serve food from 4 to 6 p.m. the second and fourth Sunday of each month at the Senior Citizens Club of Hernando County, 7925 Rhanbuoy Road, Spring Hill. The next meal will be served Dec. 13 and is free of charge to families and singles, alone or together, that are homeless or are struggling. The interfaith group has been formed to help feed the homeless and hungry of Hernando County. For information, call 352-573-4178.

Business

Ali Lassen's Leads Club Business Partners of Hernando will conduct a "Special Visitors Meeting" from noon to 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, at Ercolano's Italian Restaurant, 4185 Mariner Blvd., at Northcliffe Boulevard, Spring Hill. Club members and visitors will order directly from the menu. Laurie Versaggi, executive director of Leads Club Florida, will attend the special meeting and will be available to answer any questions. At club meetings, members describe their businesses and what they do to help their clients. Word-of-mouth advertising, positive referrals and networking are marketing tools to expand a business. Ali Lassen's Leads Club is open to business owners, professionals, salespersons, managers, etc. A membership fee is required to join the club. To attend or for information, call Dianne Hogg at 813-230-1728 or visit www.leadsfl.com

Seniors

Hernando County AARP Chapter 1026 invites members to its meeting at noon Thursday, Dec. 17, in the Great Room at The Atria of Evergreen Woods located at 7030 Evergreen Woods Trail, off State Road 50, Spring Hill. A special meal will be prepared by executive chef Stephen Westoff. There will be a nominal charge for the all-you-can-eat buffet meal, and the ticket for same will later be used for a door prize. The meeting will be the chapter's annual Christmas get-together with music provided by Midlife Crisis. Firm registration is required and must be on a first-come, first-served basis. For reservations or more information, call Bob at 352-596-0722, Joyce at 352-688-6910 or Rose Deorie at 352-688-5606.

Social

Long Island Club will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16, at St. Stephen's Parish Hall, 5326 Charles St., New Port Richey. Coffee and cake will be served before the meeting. Prospective members are welcome. For more information, call 352-683-3019.

Boy Scout Troop 459 will host a breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Elks Lodge 2582 located at 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. The Elks Lodge sponsors the troop, and a varied breakfast menu which includes coffee and juice will be featured. Donations will be accepted, and proceeds will help fund troop activities. For more information, call Angie Balderson at 352-585-2730 or the Lodge office at 352-596-2582.

NARVRE (Retired Railroad Workers) will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue, Spring Hill. Installation of officers will be held, and guest speaker will be Janet Klymer of Hospice. NARVRE is dedicated to preserving the Railroad Retirement System. All retired and active railroad workers and their spouses are welcome. For information, call 352-796-0477.

Elks Lodge 2582 will hold its monthly steak shoot from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Lodge located at 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Members and guests will have the opportunity to win steaks by participating in a bingo-type card game. Bonus and grand bonus of various meats can be won. A spaghetti dinner will follow the event, to be served from 5 to 6 p.m. Dinner cost will be $5 per person. For more information, call the Lodge at 352-596-2582.

In addition, Lodge 2582 will offer breakfast from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, which will include French toast, eggs to your liking, omelets, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage and coffee, tea and juice. The cost will range from $3.25 to $5.25, and members and guests are welcome. For more information, call 352-596-2582.

VFW Post 10209 is offering free pool all day on Saturdays and Sundays plus free hot dogs and a bucket of beer special during football games - Sundays after 2 p.m. and Monday night football. Karaoke with Rusty is held at 7 p.m. every Tuesday at the Post located at 14736 Edward R. Noll Drive, Spring Hill. A bucket of beer special will be featured. A karaoke bash is held the last Tuesday of every month featuring a karaoke contest. Bring a covered dish. Also, a steak shoot will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. every Wednesday in the canteen; and live music is featured from 8 to 11 p.m. every Friday. In addition, a birthday bash will be held at 5 p.m. held the second Saturday of every month. Bring a covered dish and celebrate the month's birthday VIPs. A cover charge will not be charged. The public is welcome. For more information, call the Post at 352-796-0398.

Out n' About Singles meets at 7 p.m. the first Saturday of each month at St. Andrew's Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. The club is a singles group for people 30-60 years of age living in the tri-county area of Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties. The group offers dining, picnics, listening to music, biking, walking, boating, going to movies and visiting area attractions and parks as well as supporting community and charity events. The group also meets for a meeting/social at 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday at Dunkin' Donuts in the Coastal Way shopping center, 13179 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. For information, call 352-797-6116.

State Clubs

Michigan Club women will meet at noon Thursday, Dec. 10, at China One, 4241 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. For information, call Marti at 352-596-3044. The men will also meet at noon Dec. 10 at Mighty Wings, 1252 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. For information, call George at 688-4198. Any former or current resident of Michigan is invited to join the club. For membership information, call Mary at 352-200-8072.

New Hampshire Club will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at Evergreen Woods, 7030 Evergreen Woods Trail, off State Road 50, Spring Hill. The club's Christmas party will be featured. Attendees are requested to bring toys. For more information, call Ed Van DeWalle at 352-683-5036.

Wisconsin Club will hold its annual Christmas party at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Kally K's Restaurant, 3380 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. Annual dues are $8 per person, and anyone that has lived in Wisconsin at some time qualifies. For more information, call Carol Zellmer at 352-666-2974.

Radio Clubs

Spring Hill Amateur Radio Club (SHARC) is celebrating its 25th year of service to the community and will honor past officers and directors at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17, at the Oak Hill Hospital Senior Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Club history, scrapbooks, photographs, and QSL cards will be on display, and cake and ice cream will be served. For more information or to RSVP if a past club officer or director, call the club PIO, Dave, at 352-650-0023 or e-mail KB3GYN@arrl.net.
In addition, the club meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of every month at the Oak Hill Hospital Enrichment Center. 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 7:30 p.m. Anyone with a Ham Radio license is welcome to participate in both nets and attend monthly meetings. For club information, visit its 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.

Genealogy

Genealogy Interest Group will meet at 10 am. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the West Hernando Branch Library, 6335 Blackbird Ave., off State Road 50, near Weeki Wachee. For information, call Kathleen Marsh at 352-796-1623.

History

Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at noon Thursday, Dec. 17, at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue, Spring Hill. The annual Christmas party with music by the D'Lites will be featured. Membership is open to women 18 years or older who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. The group can help with your genealogy. For information, call Sharon at 352-796-7996.

Arts/Crafts

Hernando Porcelain Artists will hold their annual Christmas luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14, at the Rising Sun Café, 10 South Main St., Brooksville. Reservations are required by Tuesday, Dec. 8. Guests are welcome. For reservations or more information, call 352-592-4814.

Weeki Wachee Woodcarvers Association will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Weeki Wachee Senior Center located at the corner of Susan Drive and Toucan Trail, Spring Hill. Anyone interested in woodcarving or its related activities such as painting, burning, mounting, environment, etc. is invited to attend. Demonstrations of all aspects of carving are presented. The club consists of carvers from novice to master. Members share advice and ideas with whoever needs it; and socializing, dessert and coffee are featured. Membership dues are $15 annually, and applications are available at club meetings. All ages can participate, and guests are welcome. For more information, call George Lytle at 352-666-5092 or Mike Rice at 352-683-9087.

Community

SHARP Crime Watch is seeking day and night patrollers and dispatchers. SHARP Crime Watch has been in existence for 27 years watching over the Spring Hill area. Patrollers are provided with radios and patrols his or her own area. Dispatchers keep close contact with the Sheriff's Department, Animal Services, Road Department, Code Enforcement, etc. SHARP makes daily calls to the elderly who live alone and will also watch someone's home when the residents are out of town. SHARP meets at 7 p.m. the second Monday of the month at the Senior Citizens Club of Hernando County, 7925 Rhanbuoy Road, Spring Hill. If interested in volunteering, attend the monthly meeting or call 352-683-5936.

Recreation

Nature Coast Bridge Club holds duplicate bridge games Monday through Friday at the Senior Citizens Club of Hernando County, 7925 Rhanbuoy Road, Spring Hill. Bridge players of all levels are welcome. For more information, call Millie Dabbs at 352-666-5891.

Thrift Shops

Karen's Kit 'n Kaboodle (St. Andrew's Thrift Shop) announces a new feature - a small area known as La Boutique where unusual, trendy or special items will be available. The shop will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and is located at 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. The boutique-style shop features a $5 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 pick-up of large items, call 352-686-1114.

Jericho Road Ministries has a 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. 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 352-540-5727.

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.

Education

HEART Literacy Adult Education Program is offering reading, math, language arts, free Pre-GED testing, Florida Ready to Work (work credentials for employment), and ESOL (English for Speakers of other languages). All classes are free of charge, and child care is also offered free of charge at most sites. An appointment is not necessary. To sign up, bring a Florida photo I.D. to any of the following sites: Career Central, 7361 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill, from 5:45 to 8:15 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; Northcliffe Baptist Church, 10515 Northcliffe Blvd., Spring Hill, from 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday and Wednesday; Grace World Outreach Church, 20366 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday; HEART Literacy, 801 North Broad St., Brooksville, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. For more information, call 352-797-7018.

Equine Rescue

Schatzan Ranch is a nonprofit horse rescue/rehab facility that is accepting donations of any kind, i.e. monies, time, supplies, or services. Donations are tax deductible and are all used for the horses. Appointments can be arranged to visit the ranch. For an appointment or more information, call John and Kathy Schatzan at 352-585-7014 or 352-263-4701, or e-mail Schatzan@aol.com.

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.

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.

Sales/Flea Market

St. Andrew's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 8064 Weeping Willow St., off State Road 50, Brooksville, holds perogi and bake sales from noon to 3 p.m. every Wednesday. Bapka, apricot, prune, poppy and nut rolls, cookies and perogi will be featured. Phone orders will not be accepted on day of sales. For more information, call Alyce at 352-688-1839 or the church at 352-597-5589.

Hernando County Fairgrounds conducts a flea market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first and third Saturday and Sunday of every month at the Fairgrounds located at 6436 Broad St., Brooksville. Vendors are needed. The cost is $10 per space each day or $15 per space for both days. For more information, call 352-585-1062.