Hometown Happenings 1029

Community Events

Greater Hernando Chamber of Commerce will offer a free reception for newcomers from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park located at 6131 Commercial Way (intersection of U.S. 19 and State Road 50), Weeki Wachee. Newcomers to the area will be able to receive voter information; apply for a homestead exemption (upon presentation of necessary documents which can be obtained from the Hernando County Property Appraiser's Office 352-754-4190); and meet with many local public officials, including representatives from Superintendent of Schools, Sheriff Richard Nugent, Board of County Commissioners, Hernando County Property Appraiser Alvin Mazourek, Supervisor of Elections Annie Williams, and many others. Local restaurants will offer complimentary samples of their "signature item." The event is sponsored by Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative and is open to the public. For more information, call the Chamber of Commerce at 352-796-0697 Ext. 26.

Brooksville Senior FFA (Future Farmers of America), with support from United Way of Hernando County, will host a "Miles of Meals" food drive from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Hernando High School outdoor track located at 700 Bell Ave., Brooksville. Donors are requested to bring nonperishable food such as canned soup, vegetables, pasta, rice, cereal, and canned juices. Pet food for animals will also be accepted. Local businesses are welcome to participate by hosting a collection site for employees and then bringing the collected items to the event. Truckloads of food will be graciously accepted. Food pantries within the county that are interested in being a recipient of this day's event should contact United Way of Hernando County for registration at 352-688-2026. For volunteer opportunities or more information, contact Rick Ahrens at 352-797-7015 Ext. 239 or e-mail ahrens_f@hcsb.k12.fl.us.

Seniors

"Old Foggies" Third Thursday Breakfast Club will meet for a fish fry on Thursday, Oct. 29, at the main pavilion at Bayport Park located at 4140 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill. The group plans to be at the park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the fish fry will be served at 1 p.m. The fish fry will include grits, hush puppies, tea, coffee, plates, eating utensils, cups plus whatever favorite dish attendees bring, but it is not required to bring a dish. Bring old and new photos and other memorabilia plus a lawn chair. The club consists of old-time residents from the 1930s, '40s, and '50s, and their friends and loved ones. If interested in attending, RSVP to Leland and Barbara McKeown at 352-796-2808.

Hernando County AARP Chapter 1026 invites members to its meeting at noon Thursday, Oct. 29, 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. Marsha Reiniers will speak on the topic "Understanding Long-Term Care." A second presentation will be offered on the topic "Seniors Avoiding Falling Down," presented by Mary Castagne, a fall prevention case manager for Universal Health Care. 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 or Joyce at 352-688-6910.

Music/Dance

Mariner United Methodist Church will present its "Community Performing Arts Series" with the season's opening performance of Martin Preston in "A Tribute to Liberace" at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the church located at 7079 Mariner Blvd. Distribution of free tickets for this performance will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Nov. 3, or until all tickets have been depleted. If interested in becoming a subscriber, season tickets are available. For more information, call Phyllis at 352-544-1068.

Computer Club

Hernando Computer Club will present "Quicken and Quickbooks" by Pat Turek at 7 p.m. in the North Room; and "E-Frame Guide" at 7 p.m. in the South Room, both Thursday, Oct. 29, 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.

Library Programs

Hernando County Public Library System will show a movie at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the East Hernando Branch Library, 6457 Windmere Road, Brooksville. The biographical drama tells the true-life story of musical prodigy Nathaniel Ayers. The movie is rated PG-13 and runs 109 minutes. In addition, a movie will be featured 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.

Public Library System will offer a Teddy Bear Picnic 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.

Arts/Crafts

Embroiders' Guild of America, Sandhill Crane Chapter, will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, at Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 200 Mt. Fair Ave., Brooksville. The program will be an auction and table sale of a variety of stitching supplies, threads, patterns, kits and tools. All types of needlework are covered including cross stitch, needlepoint, crewel, and surface embroidery. Membership is open to anyone who is interested in stitching from experienced to those wanting to learn. Guests are welcome. For information, call 352-596-1415.

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.

Ethnic

German American Club will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Shriners Club of Hernando County, 13400 Montour St., off Sunshine Grove Road, Brooksville. For club information, call Rosemarie Koenig at 352-666-8525 or Jack Yaskulski at 352-688-3744.

Community

Hernando County La Sertoma Club will meet at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Guido's Pizza Café located at 7219 Forest Oaks Blvd., just off U.S. 19, Spring Hill. Guests are always welcome. In addition, the club will hold its annual pancake breakfast with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 6. For more information, call Cris at 352-397-4304.

Recreation

West Hernando Coin Club will meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, 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 "Racketeer Nickels." 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.

State Club

Wisconsin Club will hold its annual Oktoberfest picnic from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, at Delta Woods Park, 3400 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. The club will provide the brats, buns, condiments, and coffee. Each member is requested to bring a dish or dessert to share, a nonalcoholic beverage of choice, and own utensils and paper plates. Bingo will be played. For more information, call Carol Zellmer at 352-666-2974.

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 conduct its 3rd Great Waterfall Weed Out from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 7, at the waterfall entrance to Spring Hill located at U.S.19 and Spring Hill Drive. If interested in participating, bring gloves and garden tools to help prune, weed, and trim the numerous landscape beds. Refreshments will be provided. The Spring Hill Garden Club maintains the waterfall entrance as well as the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens and the plant nursery. Visit the gardens anytime during daylight hours. For more information, call 352-683-9933 or Deb Swanson at 352-686-2013. Visit online at www.naturecoastbotanicalgardens.com

Hernando Chapter of Florida Native Plant Society will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at the Hernando County Cooperative Extension Service, 19490 Oliver St., off U.S. 41, Brooksville. The program will be "A Guide to Florida Grasses" by Dr. Walter Kingsley Taylor, author, Professor Emeritus of Biology, UCF. Dr. Taylor will describe key grass characteristics. Monthly meetings and programs are held the first Monday of the month and are free of charge. The public is welcome. For information, contact the Hernando Chapter Board at hcfnps@gmail.com or visit its Web site at www.hcfnps.org

Brooksville Garden Club will meet Wednesday, Nov. 11, at First Presbyterian Church, 250 Bell Ave., Brooksville. A light luncheon will be served at 12:30 p.m., followed by a program on "Native Plants," spring, summer and fall bloomers. The club's purpose includes furthering the education of the public in horticulture, conservation and botany. Programs and field trips are planned for the upcoming months. For more information, call Mary at 352-345-8274, Louise at 352-799-3160 or Lorraine at 352-397-3157.

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.

Social

Sons of Italy, Nature Coast Lodge 2502, Order of Italy of America, holds a monthly dinner/business meeting the third Wednesday; a "social night" at a local restaurant monthly on the first Wednesday; three yearly dinner-dances; scholarship, Columbus Day and Christmas. In March, the Lodge sponsors a St. Joseph Day Community Mass and complimentary spaghetti dinner. Its annual picnic is held in September. Membership is open to all; it is not necessary to be of Italian heritage. For information, call Gene Gesselli at 352-596-9456.

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. the second Saturday of every month. Bring a covered dish and celebrate the month's birthday VIPs. A cover charge will not be charged, and the public is welcome. For more information, call the Post at 352-796-0398.

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.