0924 Hometown Happenings

Community

Nature Coast Children's Crusade will conduct a car wash from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at United Way's office complex located at 4042 Commercial Way, between IHOP and SunTrust Bank on U.S. 19, Spring Hill. Donations will be accepted; proceeds will benefit United Way of Hernando County. Refreshments will be available for a donation. Nature Coast Children's Crusade is a group of Nature Coast Technical High School students whose mission is to help those less fortunate than themselves. For information, call Patrick O'Grady, club sponsor, at 352-797-7088.

All About Kids Daycare will hold a fundraiser car wash from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Auto Zone located at 5391 Spring Hill Drive, just east of U.S. 19, Spring Hill. The donation will be $3 per car or van. Proceeds will help purchase school supplies for less fortunate children of the daycare. For more information, call 352-684-0074.

VFW Post 10209 will host a free community pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Post located at 14736 Edward R. Noll Drive, off Anderson Snow Road, Spring Hill. The public is invited to view the Post's newly dedicated 9-11 Memorial Garden which includes a piece of slate from the World Trade Center, a tile from The Pentagon, and an urn with soil from the Shanksville, Pa. crash site, plus a shell casing from the USS Cole. There is also a Veterans Memorial Garden honoring past and present veterans. The event is free of charge and is open to the community. For more information, call the Post at 352-796-0398.

Nature Coast Telecom Pioneers will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Senior Citizens Club of Hernando County, 7925 Rhanbuoy Road, Spring Hill. Guest speaker will be Jean Raggs of Social Services. Bring used stamps, community service hours, can tabs, ditty bag items, food for the needy, knitted baby caps and used greeting cards. In addition, school supplies will be collected over the next two months. Membership is open to anyone interested in serving the community. For information, call Ron at 352-592-9856.

Rotary Club of Spring Hill Central meets every Thursday throughout the year at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue, Spring Hill. Past Rotarians are welcome to visit. If interested in becoming a member, lunch with the group at 11:45 a.m. on Thursdays. For information, call Brooks Edwards at 352-666-4107 or Laurel Predmore at 352-796-0386 or visit its Web site at www.shcrotary.org

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.

Social

"Good Times" Line Dance Club of Brookridge will host a social from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Brookridge Clubhouse located at 8150 Hampton St., Brooksville. A disc jockey will provide a variety of music for dancers from beginner to intermediate. An on-site instructor will be available for assistance, if needed; 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.

St. Frances Cabrini Council of Catholic Women (CCW) will hold its general meeting at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, in Xavier Hall of the church located at 5030 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. The discussion will be titled, "Spiritual Mothers" by Cate Rosendale; and the Living Rosary will also be featured. Join the group at 7:30 a.m. for the Rosary and Mass. Bring a friend; everyone is welcome. In addition, the group's bake sale will be held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, in Xavier Hall of the church. The sale will be held after the 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Masses on Saturday and after the morning Masses on Sunday. For more information, call the Parish Office at 352-683-9666.

Workshop

Career Central will present a "Resume Writing Workshop" at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The topics will include six typical resume writing mistakes, what to and not to include in a resume, action verbs usage, questions and answers, and resume critique. For information, call the Library Program staff at 352-540-6391.

Computer Club

Hernando Computer Club will present "Getting Comfortable with your PC," part two of two, by Joann Frucchione at 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, in the North Room. "Organize, Improve and Share Photos with Picasa," part two of two, by Fred Wise at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, in the North Room. All will be held in the Education B building of Grace Presbyterian Church located at 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.

History

War of the Roses Chapter of the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE) will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Spring Hill Branch Library located at 9220 Spring Hill Drive. The brief business meeting will be followed by socializing, with tea and light refreshments. Any woman interested in learning about the Daughters of the British Empire is welcome to attend. The DBE is a nonprofit, nonpolitical and nonsectarian American organization that is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Membership is open to women who are British by birth, ancestry, or naturalization or whose husbands are British. Women who hail from or whose husbands come from any of the British Commonwealth countries may also join the DBE. For information, call Lucille at 352-540-9746.

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.

Political Club

Hernando County Democratic Club will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Southern Pines Condos Clubhouse, 8075 Southern Pines Drive, Brooksville. The club meets at 11 a.m. the first Saturday of each month at Southern Pines Condos Clubhouse. All registered Democrats of Hernando County are invited. For more information, call Harvey Martin at 352-686-0686.

Seniors

Hernando County AARP Chapter 1026 invites members to its monthly meeting at noon Thursday, Oct. 1, in the Great Room at The Atria at Evergreen Woods, 7030 Evergreen Woods Trail, off State Road 50, Spring Hill. A meal prepared under the direction of executive chef, Stephen Westoff, will be served at a cost of $7.50 per person. A speaker from AARP's Florida Speakers Bureau, Kathy Williamson, will present "Health Action Now," an AARP program. The presentation will be followed by an extended period for answering questions from attendees. Since membership exceeds available room capacity in the Great Room, seating will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. 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.

State Clubs

New York State Club will hold its welcome back meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, at St. Jude Council Knights of Columbus Hall, 10470 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Meetings are followed by a dinner with choice of entrée and live dance music. The dinner cost is $10 per person. For reservations or more information, call Barbara at 352-683-1469 or Carolyn at 684-6979.

Michigan Club women will meet at noon Thursday, Oct. 8, at Pit Boss Bar-B-Q, 2270 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. For information, call Barb at 352-592-9663. Also, at noon, the men will meet at Pizza Guy, 2284 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. For information, call George at 688-4198. The 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.

Illinois Club of Spring Hill will meet for a "picnic in the park" on Friday, Oct. 2, at the Delta Woods Park pavilion, 3400 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. The club will meet at 11 a.m., with lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. Brats and hamburgers will be provided by the club; just bring a dish to share and own place setting and beverage. Attendees should also bring a small, wrapped gift. The object of the club is to promote fellowship, social and fraternal activities for former residents of Illinois. In addition to monthly meetings, activities include eating out at a local restaurant each month and group travel opportunities. All former Illinois residents and their partners are invited to join the club or to come as a guest prior to making a decision to join. For information, call Patricia Godfrey, president, at 352-597-0346.

Library Programs

Hernando County Public Library will offer a Storytime program at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the Main Library, 238 Howell Ave., Brooksville. The program is designed for children 3 to 5 years old and is filled with age-appropriate stories, fingerplays, songs and more. The program is free of charge and will run approximately 45 minutes. Registration is not required. For more information, call the Library Program staff at 352-540-6391 or visit its Web site at www.hcpl.lib.fl.us.

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.

Music/Dance

High Point Community ballroom dance lessons for beginners and intermediate dancers will begin Wednesday, Oct. 7. The lessons will be conducted from 2 to 3 p.m., 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.

Spring Hill Acoustic Guitar Club meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of every month for a jam and song circle. All styles are welcome at all playing levels. The club's goal is to play together, have fun doing it and to provide encouragement and support for each other in an effort to become better players. Also, the club is available to perform at nonprofit and social club events. For information, call Ken at 352-684-6789 or Curt at 352-666-3951.

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 will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28, at its Clubhouse located at 6909 Tierra Verde St., Port Richey. All HAMS and those interested in HAM radio are welcome to attend. Also, the 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.

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/

Arts/Crafts

Brooksville Academy of the Arts will offer five weeks of free introductory art classes beginning Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Academy located at 22293 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Classes will be held for two age groups as follows: from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for ages 7 to 10 and from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. for ages 11 and up. Art classes will include basic drawing, pastels and watercolors; and will be taught by Mrs. Robyn Gray. Gray is a retired elementary teacher/administrator and holds a master's degree in education from Western Michigan University. The classes will continue for five consecutive Thursdays through October. Registration is required. To register or for more information, call 352-799-2614, visit its Web site at www.brooksvilleacademyofthearts.com or e-mail bdanceacademy@aol.com.

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, Oct. 1, at the Shriners Club of Hernando County, 13400 Montour St., off Sunshine Grove Road, Brooksville. For club information, call Jack Yaskulski at 352-688-3744. In addition, the Club will host an "Oktoberfest" dance on Friday, Oct. 16, at the Shriners Club. Doors will open at 5 p.m., with food served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and dancing from 7 to 11 p.m. Music will be provided by Manni Daum, and the dress code will be costume or casual attire. BYOB. Ticket cost will be $16 per person for members, $20 per person for guests in advance; and $18 per person for members, $22 per person for guests at the door. For tickets or information, call Lisa Yaskulski at 352-688-3744.

Italian American Club will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. Speaker will be Brian Karahalios of Wells Fargo, and his presentation will be about investments with tax efficiency. Following the meeting, members and guests will play bingo. Also, the club will hold a fall picnic on Oct. 17 at Crews Lake Park in Shady Hills. A catered lunch will be served at approximately noon. Several attendance prizes and many games will be featured. In addition, the club will be attending a showing of "Fiddler on the Roof" on Oct. 24 at the Show Palace in Hudson. 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.

Recreation

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.

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.

Sales/Flea Market

St. Andrew's Ukrainian Catholic Church, 8064 Weeping Willow St., off State Road 50, Brooksville, has resumed its 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.

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 during the summer from 9:30 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. Monday through Friday. 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 352-592-4709.

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.