1011 Hometown Happenings

Community

Ridge Manor Property Owners Association will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at the Ridge Manor Community Center, 34250 Cortez Blvd., Ridge Manor. Guest speaker will be Senator Paula Dockery, who will answer questions at the conclusion of her presentation. Door prizes and a 50-50 raffle will be featured, and refreshments will be served. For more information, call Carol Defilippo at 352-583-2556.

Hernando County Republican Executive Committee and Withlacoochee River Electric Co-Op will hold a joint town hall meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at VFW Post 10209 located at 14736 Edward R. Noll Drive, off Anderson Snow Road, Spring Hill. The effects of the proposed Federal carbon emissions legislation, known as "Cap and Trade," will be discussed. The meeting will feature a PowerPoint presentation on the impact that the legislation would have on electric rates. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

Computer Club

Hernando Computer Club will present "Vista After the Basics," part two of two, by Ron Purkhiser at10 a.m. in the North Room; "Keep your PC Safe" by Mike and Nancy Sexton at 1 p.m. in the North Room; and "Introduction to Computers with Windows XP," part two of four, by Ron Purkhiser at 7 p.m. in the North Room, all Monday, Oct. 13, 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.

Business

Ali Lassen's Leads Club Business Partners of Hernando will meet from noon to 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at Ercolano's Italian Restaurant, 4185 Mariner Blvd., at Northcliffe Boulevard, Spring Hill. Club members and visitors will order directly from the menu. Speaker will be Tom Burt, senior manager and independent contractor for Send Out Cards. 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 Lois Bleicher at 352-200-4809 or visit www.leadsfl.com

Botanical

Florida Native Plant Society, Nature Coast Chapter, will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 7922 State Road 52, Hudson. The topic will be "Fall Wildflowers" by Sid Taylor, Withlacoochee State Park naturalist. Interested parties are invited to bring in yard questions and participate in the native plant drawing. For telephone inquiries, call Mary at 727-849-2335 or visit the chapter's Web site at http://mysite.verizon.net/data2/naturecoast/

Brooksville Garden Club will meet Wednesday, Oct. 14, at First Presbyterian Church, 250 Bell Ave., Brooksville. A light luncheon will be served at 12:30 p.m., followed by a presentation on "Preparing Plants for Freezing Weather." The club's purpose includes furthering the education of members and public in the fields of horticulture, conservation and botany. The club supports environmental programs for adults and youth. For information, call Mary at 352-345-8274, Jean at 352-799-0602, Louise at 352-799-3160 or Lorraine at 352-397-3157.

Seniors

Hernando County AARP Chapter 1026 invites members and guests to its monthly meeting at noon Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Buffet City, 13235 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Frank Rojo of 21st Century Financial will present "Indexed Annuities." Admission will be free of charge, and 21st Century Financial will offer complimentary access to the buffet after the presentation. Also, during the meal, Laura Gamba of FMQAI will present "Medicare Appeal Process - Fast Track Appeal." Firm registration is required. For reservations or more information, call Bob at 352-596-0722 or Joyce at 352-688-6910.
Grumman Retiree Club, Midwest Chapter, will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at Buffet City Restaurant, 13235 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. The buffet cost will be $13 per person paid in advance, and reservations are required. Entertainment will be provided by Mike Mickalien from Metro Crime Prevention of Florida. All retirees and guests of Grumman and Northrop Grumman are welcome to attend. For reservations or information, call Hank at 352-686-2735.

Social

VFW Post 8713 will host a gourmet breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Post located at 1681 East Jefferson St., Brooksville. The menu will consist of eggs, muffins, sweet rolls, sausage, bacon, grits, potatoes, biscuits and gravy, and fresh fruit, along with coffee and juice. The donation is $5 per person, and cocktail drinks will be available at a cost of $2 each. The public is welcome. For information, call the Post at 352-796-4449.

Elks Lodge 2582 will offer a varied menu breakfast from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Lodge located at 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville.. French toast, omelets and eggs made to order, with bacon or sausage, and biscuits and gravy will be featured. Coffee, tea and juice will be included. The cost will be from $3.25 to $5.25. Members, families and guests are invited. For more information, call the Lodge at 352-596-2582.

VFW Post 10209 will feature karaoke with Rusty 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.

West Hernando-Spring Hill Hadassah will meet at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at Temple Beth David, 13158 Antelope St., Spring Hill. Speaker Janet Clymer will present a program on "What does Hospice do for the families of patients?" Refreshments will be served. For information, call Rose at 352-688-1686.

NARVRE (Retired Railroad Workers) will meet at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue, Spring Hill. The meeting will follow lunch. Guest speaker will be from Metro Crime Prevention. NARVRE is dedicated to preserving the Railroad Retirement System. All retired and active railroad workers and their spouses are welcome. For information, call Lynn at 352-796-0477.

Recreation

West Hernando Coin Club will meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12, at the Community Center of The Heather located on U.S. 19, two miles north of State Road 50, Weeki Wachee. 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.

Music/Dance

Opera Lovers Club will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Forest Glenn Retirement Community Center, 1431 Friar Tuck Lane, off Osowaw Boulevard, Spring Hill. The subject will be Lucia di Lammermoor and Aida, the two operas of the Tampa Bay Opera season, with audio and visual excerpts from previous performances. New members and visitors are welcome. For information, call Kathy at 352-688-4741, e-mail jsquier1939@earthlink.net or visit the club's Web site at www.naturecoastwebsites.com/opera.htm.

"Good Times" Line Dance Club of Brookridge is a newly formed club that meets from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturdays at the Clubhouse located at 8150 Hampton St., Brooksville. All levels of dancing such as beginner, intermediate and everything in between will be featured. A disc jockey will provide a variety of dances or bring a favorite CD. Requests will also be played. An on-site instructor will be available for assistance, but lessons will not be provided. Bring own snacks and drinks. The cost will be $4 per person. The Brookridge community is located on State Road 50, one-half mile west of the Suncoast Parkway. For more information, call Norma at 352-397-6088.

High Point Community ballroom dance lessons for beginners and intermediate dancers will be conducted from 2 to 3 p.m. every Wednesday, and the cost will be $5 per person per lesson. Practice and review will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, and the cost will be $4 per person. All classes will be held in the High Point Community Center, 12249 Club House Road, Brooksville. For more information, call instructors Ken and Margaret Hammond at 352-688-4867.

Arts/Crafts

Hernando Porcelain Artists will meet at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at the LifeSouth Community Blood Center located at 12395 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Member Kay Jacks, who is a nationally known porcelain artist, will teach a session on painting leaves. Bring fall colors and something to paint. The group meets the third Monday of each month September through May. Visitors are welcome. For information, call Judy at 352-592-4814.

Brooksville City Hall will host a fall art exhibit reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at its Art Gallery located at 201 Howell Ave., Brooksville. The event will be sponsored by the Hernando County Fine Arts Council. Meet the artists, hear storytelling by Jerry Cowling, author of "Sins of the Family" and "Lincoln in the Basement," and see how City Hall recycles art. The show will feature baskets by the Pine Needle Club, handmade quilts by Hernando Quilters, ship models by Suncoast Ship Model Society, photographs by the Spring Hill Camera Club, a new selection of poetry by members of Just Poets, various displays and entertainment. For more information, call Rhonda Hancock, art coordinator, at 352-540-3810 or e-mail rhancock@cityofbrooksville.us.

Nature Coast Decorative Artists Chapter of the National Society of Decorative Painters meets at 9 a.m. the first Saturday of each month at the Weeki Wachee Senior Center, 3357 Susan Drive (off U.S 19 and Toucan Trail), Spring Hill. The October project will be "Shepherds on a Hill" in acrylics taught by Pat Otto. A two-day seminar is planned for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, with national teacher, Jill MacFarlane. The Chapter features a short meeting, skill building demonstration and monthly projects in acrylics, oils, or watercolors. The group is involved in charitable projects (troops and treasure boxes for children at Shriners Hospital) throughout the year. For information, call Andi at 352-666-9091, Jeanette at 727-857-1045 or Pat at 352-249-7221.

State Club

Michigan Club will meet at 3:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive. Dinner will follow at 4 p.m. at VFW Post 10209 located at 14736 Edward R. Noll Drive, 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.

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.

History

Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at noon Thursday, Oct. 15, at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue, Spring Hill. Guest speaker will be Gloria Comstock on the topic, "Melody of Historical Quilts." 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 352-596-2457.

Public Meeting

Hernando 9.12 Project group, sponsored by the Department of Constitutional Protection, will meet at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 200 Mt. Fair Ave., Brooksville. Guest speaker will be Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite, who will offer her position and views on key issues of concern. Residents in Florida Congressional District 5 are invited. If interested in attending, RSVP to www.meetup.com/Hernando912PROJECT/ as early as possible. For more information, contact Jason Sager at Jason@theusdcp.com or 813-394-8720.

Fraternal

Submarine Veterans Inc., Weeki Wachee Base, will hold its organizational meeting at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Perkins Restaurant, 4685 Commercial Way (U.S. 19), Spring Hill. For more information, call Robbie Roberts at 352-592-5161.

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.

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.

Library Programs

Hernando County Public Library will offer preschool programs at three of its branches as follows: Toddler Time at 10 a.m. and Storytime at 11 a.m. at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring hill Drive; Toddler Time at 10:15 a.m. and Storytime at 11:15 a.m. at the West Hernando Branch, 6335 Blackbird Ave., off State Road 50, near Weeki Wachee; Toddler Time at 10 a.m. and Storytime at 11 a.m. at the East Hernando Branch, 6457 Windmere Road, Brooksville. The session will be held through the week of Oct. 19. The programs will include age-appropriate stories, finger plays, songs and more. Registration is not required. For more information, call 352-540-6391.

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.