Hometown Happenings 1112

Fraternal

Submarine Veterans Inc., Weeki Wachee Base, will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Marine Corps League Detachment 708 located at 8405 Sunshine Grove Road, off State Road 50, Brooksville. Regional director Steve Jackson will present the charter and install the newly elected officers. Membership is open to all Navy personnel who have qualified in submarines. For more information, call Robbie Roberts at 352-592-5161.

Community

United Communities of Hernando County will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at the Spring Hill Enrichment Center behind Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Guest speaker will be County Commissioner Jeff Stabins on the topic of current issues in the county. A question-and-answer session will be conducted following his presentation. For more information, call John Bloom at 352-686-1851.

Library Programs

Hernando County Public Library System will show a movie at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Two women meet online and share similar man troubles. They swap houses for the Christmas holiday and discover that a change of address really can change your life. The movie is rated PG-13 and runs 138 minutes. The movie is free of charge, and registration is not required. Light refreshments will be provided. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Hernando County. For the movie title or more information, call the Library Program staff at 352-540-6391.

Teddy Bear Picnic will be featured at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at the West Hernando Branch Library, 6335 Blackbird Ave., off State Road 50, near Weeki Wachee. The event is for children ages 2 to 5 years old; and stories, songs and an outdoor picnic will be featured. Children should bring a favorite teddy bear and a bag lunch. Registration is not required, but children must be accompanied by a caregiver. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For more information, call the Library Program staff at 352-540-6391.

Main Branch of the Hernando County Public Library will hold its book discussion meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, at the library located at 238 Howell Ave., Brooksville. The group will discuss "Atonement" by Ian McEwan. Registration is not required, but copies of the book are limited. Check out a copy at the Main Library to join the informal discussion. For more information, call the library at 352-754-4043.

Seniors

Grumman Retiree Club, Midwest Chapter, will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at Buffet City Restaurant, 13235 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. The buffet cost will be $13 per person paid in advance, and reservations are required. Guest speaker will be John Zacake of the Better Business Bureau. All retirees and guests of Grumman and Northrop Grumman are welcome to attend. For reservations or information, call Hank at 352-686-2735.

Hernando County AARP Chapter 1026 invites members to its meeting at noon Thursday, Nov. 19, 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 topic will be "What you need to know...Medicare 2010" presented by Jim McGrath of McGrath Senior Insurance or Betsy Vipond from her independent senior-oriented insurance group. 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 at 352-688-5606.

Arts/Crafts

Hernando Porcelain Artists will meet at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16, at the LifeSouth Community Blood Center located at 12395 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Local portrait artist and teacher, Diane Becker, will teach an "Introduction to Portraits" at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16. The group meets the third Monday of each month September through May. Visitors are welcome. For information, call Judy at 352-592-4814.

Rising Sun Café and the Spring Hill Art League will co-host an artists' reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the Café located at 10 South Main St., Brooksville. The artists are students of local wildlife watercolorist Ellen Snyder, and they will be on hand to discuss technique. Complimentary refreshments will be served. Donations of canned goods for Love Your Neighbor, a community outreach program, will be accepted. For information, call the Rising Sun Café at 352-848-0090.

History

Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at noon Thursday, Nov. 19, at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue, Spring Hill. The annual auction 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.

Old Hernando History Roundtable will hold its quarterly meeting Thursday, Nov. 19, at John's Corner Family Restaurant, 711 South Broad St., Brooksville. The meeting will begin with lunch at 11:30 a.m., and Louie Holt will present a program at 12:30 p.m. on the Cummer/Lacoochee sawmill. For more information, call Roger Landers at 352-796-5420.

Social

Soda-Licious, the local Precious Moments Club for Hernando and Pasco counties, will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at Giordano's Italian Restaurant, 10042 U.S. Highway 19, Port Richey. The purpose of the club, along with fellowship and Precious Moments news with members and guests, is to choose a charity to support. All club projects benefit charities. All are welcome. If interested in attending, call Kathy in Hernando at 352-688-0514 or Cyndi in Pasco at 727-934-1669.

Elks Lodge 2582 will hold its monthly steak shoot from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, 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, Elks 2582 will hold its Sunday breakfast from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Nov. 15, at the Lodge. Menu choice will be french toast, eggs of choice, omelets, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, bacon or sausage, along with coffee, tea and juice. The cost will range from $3.25 to $5.25.

Community

Hernando Historical Museum is seeking volunteers of all ages for many areas of expertise. A training workshop will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Museum located at 601 Museum Ct., Brooksville. For more information, call Virginia Rusk at 352-796-5398.

Recreation

Gulf Coast Conservancy will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Springs Coast Environmental Club, 9170 Cortez Blvd., Weeki Wachee. The meeting will begin with a tour of the facilities. Mike Orlando, of Fish and Wildlife Commission, will offer a presentation on the Florida Black Bear. An award-winning video, "No Room to Move" about the bear and a study in the Weekiwachee Preserve will also be shown. For more information, call Linda at 352-686-2598 or visit www.gulfcoastconservancy.org.

Nature Coast Bridge Clubs 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.

Computer Club

Hernando Computer Club will present "Introduction to Computers with Windows Vista," part two of four, by Ron Purkhiser at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in the North Room at the Education B building of Grace Presbyterian Church, 8375 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Lecture classes do not require registration, but hands-on classes require preregistration. The public is welcome. For information, visit the club's Web site at www.hcc.org or call the club at 352-592-0070.

State Clubs

New Hampshire Club will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at Buffet City, 13235 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. The Christmas party will be discussed. New members are welcome. For more information, call Ed Van De Walle at 352-683-5036.

Michigan Club women will meet at noon Thursday, Nov. 12, at Pizza Guy, 2284 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. For information, call Barb at 352-592-9663. Also, at noon, the men will meet at the Red Mule Pub, 1208 South Broad St., Brooksville. For information, call George at 688-4198. The club will meet at 3:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive. Dinner will follow at 4 p.m. at China One, 4241 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.

Botanical

Spring Hill Garden Club will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. John Korycki, Florida Yards and Neighborhoods coordinator for the Hernando County Extension Service, will speak on recent legislation that affects fertilization, irrigation and plantings that are encouraged for gated and deed-restricted communities. Members of the club maintain the plant nursery located at 1489 Parker Ave., off Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, the waterfall area at the entrance to Spring Hill on U.S. 19, and the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens adjacent the nursery. Visit the gardens anytime during daylight hours. Volunteers are needed to help on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings. To volunteer or for information, call 352-683-9933 or visit online at www.naturecoastbotanicalgardens.com

Buttonwood Bonsai Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at First Presbyterian Church, 1501 S.E. Highway 19, Crystal River. Club member Clay Gratz will offer a presentation on miniature bonsai. Meetings are open to the public, and visitors are welcome. For more information, call Sandi Seeders at 352-563-0221 or Clay Gratz at 352-563-2156.

Seminar

DivorceCare: Surviving the Holidays seminar will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 21, at Grace World Outreach Church located at 20366 Cortez Blvd. (truck route), Brooksville. Topics will include "What Emotions to Expect," "How to Plan and Prepare," How to Handle Uncomfortable Situations" and "Using the Holidays to Help you Heal." The seminar is for people who are hurting from the pain of separation or divorce and are struggling with the holiday season. The event will feature practical suggestions and guidance for holiday survival. The cost is $7 per person. Since seating is limited, reservations are required. Registration will be conducted on a first-come first-served basis. To register or for more information, contact the church office at 352-796-3685 or via e-mail at thereshope4u2@att.net.

Radio Clubs

Spring Hill Amateur Radio Club (SHARC) meets at 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of every month at the Oak Hill Hospital Enrichment Center 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 7:30 p.m. Anyone with a Ham Radio license is welcome to participate in both nets and attend monthly meetings. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Thrift Shops

Karen's Kit 'n Kaboodle (St. Andrew's Thrift Shop), 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill, 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. 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. 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.