Hometown Happenings 1225-26

Community

Kiwanis Club of Spring Hill will hold a luncheon meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Evergreen Woods' pool house located at 7030 Evergreen Woods Trail, off State Road 50, Spring Hill. Speaker will be Patricia McNeese of the Hernando County Planning Department. McNeese will discuss the county's Comprehensive Plan as it pertains to the county's growth and development decisions. Kiwanis Club of Spring Hill is dedicated to helping kids and the community. The public is invited to attend. For information, contact Sue Quigley at saffronbleu@hotmail.com or 352-442-2087.

Hernando County La Sertoma Club will meet at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 3, at Guido's Pizza Cafe, 7219 Forest Oaks Blvd., just off U.S. 19, Spring Hill. La Sertoma is dedicated to youth service recognition, fundraising for scholarships for needy and deserving college students, as well as special events for special needs children. For information, call LaVerne at 352-796-4657.

Rotary Club of Spring Hill Central will begin meeting on Wednesday evenings in January. The next meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Silverthorn Golf & Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue, Spring Hill. The club is involved in both local and worldwide service. Locally, some of their service projects include the Rotary dog park, Halloween harvest, People Helping People, and Crescent Clinic. For information, call Robin at 352-797-4645.

Seniors

Nature Coast Telecom Pioneers will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Mariner United Methodist Church, 7079 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. Guest speaker will be local author Jerry Cowling. Bring used stamps, community service hours, can tabs, ditty bag items, food for the needy, knitted baby caps, box tops for education, Campbell soup labels and used greeting cards. Membership is open to anyone interested in serving the community and fellowship. For information, call John at 352-596-4802.

Hernando County AARP Chapter 1026 invites members and guests to an extra meeting at 11:30 a.m., with a choice of meeting place - Thursday, Jan. 13, at Guido's Pizza Cafe, 7219 Forest Oaks Blvd., just off U.S. 19, Spring Hill; or Thursday, Jan. 20, at Pizza Hut, 2903 U.S. 19, Spring Hill. The topic will be "Long-Term Care Insurance" and will be presented by Frank Rojo of 21st Century Financial. Since seating is limited, reservations are required. For reservations or information, call Bob at 352-596-0722 or Rose at 352-688-5606.

Ethnic

German American Club of Spring Hill will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, at the Shriners Club of Hernando County, 13400 Montour St., off Sunshine Grove Road, Brooksville. New members are welcome, and it is not necessary to be German to be a member or attend. For information, call Jack Yaskulski at 352-688-3744 or visit online at the club's new website at www.germanclubspringhill.org

Italian American Club will meet at noon Saturday, Jan. 8, at Buffet City, 13235 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. A complimentary buffet will be featured for members only, and special guest speakers will also be featured. The object of the club is for fellowship, social activities, trips, picnics, games as well as interesting speakers 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 Theresa at 352-683-6712 or Cathy at 352-686-9526.

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; St. Joseph Day and an annual picnic. The Lodge supports local charities and sponsors bowling, bocce, Italian culture and classes, and yearly trips. Membership is open to all; it is not necessary to be of Italian heritage. For information, call Eugene at 352-684-7460 or Irma at 352-686-5946.

Social

Sons of Italy, Nature Coast Lodge 2502, Order of Italy of America, will hold its social at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Texas Roadhouse, 12935 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. For more information, call Camille at 352-684-2788.

St. Frances Cabrini Council of Catholic Women (CCW) will hold its general meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, in Xavier Hall of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 5030 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. A guest speaker from Hospice will discuss home care, hospital care, and how to become a Hospice volunteer. Bring a friend; everyone is welcome. For information, call the parish office at 352-683-9666.

VFW Post 10209 holds happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. every day at the Post located at 14736 Edward R. Noll Drive, off Anderson Snow Road, Spring Hill. Every drink is 25 cents off, except soda and bottled water. Also, a steak shoot is held from 1 to 3 p.m. every Wednesday. Everyone is welcome. For information, call the Post at 352-796-0398.

Arts/Crafts

Suncoast Ship Model Society will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, at the Weeki Wachee Senior Citizens Club located at the corner of Toucan Trail and Susan Drive in Spring Hill. All modelers interested in building model ships and boats are invited. For information, call Jim at 352-592-6419.

Nature Coast Decorative Artists, Chapter of the Society of Decorative Artists, will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Weeki Wachee Senior Citizens Club located at 3357 Susan Drive, off U.S. 19 and Toucan Trail, Spring Hill. A short meeting, white elephant sale, and soup and sides luncheon will be featured. For information, call Andi at 352-666-9091, Jeanette at 727-857-1045 or Pat at 352-249-7221.

State Clubs

New York State Club will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, at the Knights of Columbus hall located at 10470 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Annual dues will be collected, and new officers will be elected for the upcoming year. For tickets, call Carolyn at 352-684-6979. For bowling information, call Marge at 352-686-8015.

Illinois Club of Spring Hill will meet at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, in the fellowship hall of Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Guest speaker will be Robin Kocher, who will inform the club of the many activities of the Hospice organization. Following the meeting, coffee and dessert will be served. 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. Annual dues are $12 per person. 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 Pat Godfrey at 352-597-0346.

Botanical

Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, in the Fellowship Hall at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 7922 State Road 52, Hudson. "Florida's Incredible Wild Edibles" will be presented by educators from the Chinsegut Nature Center in Brooksville. Attendees will be able to taste a sampling of wild plants which are edible, most of which can be found locally. Meetings of the Chapter are free of charge, and interested parties are invited to attend. Bring questions and participate in the native plant drawing. For information, call Mary at 727-849-2335 or visit the Chapter's website at www.pasconativeplants.org.

Spring Hill Garden Club invites residents to visit the gardens and vote for their favorite tree. Envelopes for this purpose are at the entrance to the gardens, and each dollar donated will count as one vote. There are 30 Christmas trees in the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens that were decorated by various groups, organizations and businesses in the county during the club's "Holiday in the Gardens" event. The winner will be announced in early January. The botanical gardens are open from sunup to sundown every day of the year, and admission is free of charge. For information, call 352-683-9933.

Brooksville Garden Club will meet at noon Wednesday, Jan. 12, at First Presbyterian Church, 250 Bell Ave., Brooksville. A light luncheon will be served, followed by a program on "Right Plant, Right Place." The club has field trips planned and offers education on horticulture, conservation and the environment. For information, call Louise at 352-799-3160, Robin at 352-799-2503 or Lorraine at 352-397-3157.

Orchid Lovers of Spring Hill will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Spring Hill Enrichment Center behind Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd. Cheryl Finke will share her expertise on pest and problems in orchid culture. Refreshments will be served, and members will have plants for sale and a show table. Guests are welcome to attend free of charge. Annual membership is $17 per person or $25 per couple. For information, call Linda Roderick at 352-597-3736.

Sales

Hernando County Cooperative Extension Service announces that the 2011 Master Gardener calendar is available at the Extension Service office located at 1653 Blaise Drive, Brooksville. The cost of the calendar is $3 each. The calendar features month-by-month expert advice on the central Florida landscape. For more information, call the Extension Service office at 352-754-4433.

Youth

Boys and Girls Clubs are conducting a Car Campaign program to help underwrite its youth programs. Donations of unwanted cars are being sought, and cars do not need to be in running condition. To donate a car or for more information, call 800-246-0493.

Music

Spring Hill Acoustic Guitar Club meets from 6:30 to 8:30 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 Curt at 352-666-3951 or Ken at 352-684-6789.

Hernando Harmonizers has openings for singers. Men who love to sing are invited to join the Hernando Harmonizers of the Barbershop Harmony Society every Monday at Nativity Lutheran Church, 6363 Commercial Way, just north of the intersection of State Road 50 and U.S. 19, Weeki Wachee. Doors open at 6:45 p.m., and singing begins at 7 p.m. Singers have an opportunity to participate in community performances, annual show, competitions, etc. Guests are requested to call 352-556-3936 prior to planning a visit. For information, visit its website at www.HernandoHarmonizers.org.

Hernando Hills Hi-Lites will meet at 7 p.m. every Monday at Mariner United Methodist Church, 7079 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. The women's chorus invites women of all races and creeds who can carry a tune and love to sing. The chorus sings a cappella, four-part harmony. All are invited to rehearse Christmas music for the chorus' annual Christmas show in December. The Hi-Lites perform at many community functions, as well as private celebrations and are members of Harmony, Inc., an organization of over 20,000 outstanding women, and compete at area and international levels. For information, call Tessie at 352-686-4122.

Accordion Adventure will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. the third Tuesday of every month at Elks Lodge 2582 located at 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. The informal group consists of accordionists that are enthusiasts of all levels of performance. For information, call Cathy at 352-686-0975 or Peg at 352-442-5574.

Military/Veterans
Marine Corps League, Spring Hill Detachment 708, holds a steak shoot from 1 to 3 p.m. every Tuesday at the Detachment located at 8405 Sunshine Grove Road, off State Road 50, Brooksville. The Leatherneck Lounge and Gunny's Galley will be open for the purchase of food and beverages. The Gunny's Galley serves Sunday breakfast from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday (Fridays only until 2 p.m.), plus pasta night from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays; wing and basket night from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays; and seafood night from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays. The Leatherneck Lounge is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Daily specials are available from the Galley and the Lounge. The Detachment is open to all veterans and the public seven days a week. For information, call 352-597-7979 and ask for the lounge.

Community Outreach

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church will conduct a free bread and pastries giveaway for those in need from 9 to 10 a.m. every Saturday in the Parish Hall (side entrance) of the church located at 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. For information, call the church office at 352-683-2010.

St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church will offer an "In His Footsteps" soup-and-sandwich outreach program lunch from noon to 2 p.m. the second Thursday of every month in the Parish Hall of the church located at 13485 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The meal is free of charge. For information, call the church office at 352-688-0663.

Fraternal

Elks Lodge 2582 holds bingo from 4:30 to 10 p.m. every Thursday at the Lodge located at 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Food will be available which will include pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries, coffee and soda. The event is open to the public. For information, call bingo chairman Joe Damroth at 352-442-3664 or the Lodge at 352-596-2582. Also, pizza and wings will be offered at 6 p.m. in the lounge. A slice of cheese pizza will be $1.25, a slice of pepperoni pizza will be $1.50 and a full pie will be $10. Jumbo wings will be 50 cents. This will be available to members and guests. For information, call the Lodge.

American Legion Post 186, its Auxiliary and Color Guard host a fish fry every Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Post located at 12091 Cortez Blvd. Menu choices will include filet of fish, jumbo shrimp, chicken fingers, along with fries, cole slaw, and a roll. Combination plates can also be purchased. The price will range from $5.50 to $7. In addition, the Auxiliary will be selling items from a dessert table. Following the meal, karaoke will be provided from 7 to 11 p.m. The Post is open to members and their guests. For information, call the Post at 352-597-9995.

Crime Watch

SHARP Crime Watch is seeking day and night patrollers and dispatchers. SHARP Crime Watch has been in existence for 28 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.

Radio Clubs

Spring Hill Amateur Radio Club (SHARC) meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday 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 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 website 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.

Thrift Shops

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.

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.

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.

Also, the SPCA is seeking volunteers to provide companionship and assist in the care of the dogs and cats at the shelter. Day and hours are flexible. For more information, call the shelter at 352-596-7000. In addition, the SPCA of Hernando County is seeking a clinical microscope in an effort to reduce operating costs of the no-kill animal shelter. To donate a microscope, call 352-596-7000.

Karen's Kit 'n Kaboodle (St. Andrew's Thrift Shop) has a new furniture storage building offering a variety of furniture such as chairs, wall units, electric organs, artwork will be featured, including some sick room needs. The shop is 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 is located at 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill, and 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.

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.

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 11 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 at 352-596-1095. 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 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.

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 information, call John and Kathy Schatzan at 352-585-7014 or 352-263-4701, or e-mail Schatzan@aol.com.