Hometown Happenings 0331

Community Event

Hernando Builders Association will hold a Builders Survival Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 13, at the HBA office located at 7391 Sunshine Grove Road, off State Road 50. Speaker Ann Hagen of Bonded Builders Warranty Group will present "Networking 101." The cost is $5 for HBA members and $10 for nonmembers. Since seating is limited, reservations are required. The public is welcome. For reservations or information, call the HBA office at 352-596-1114.

Public Meeting

CCA/Hernando County Jail will hold its first quarterly meeting at noon Wednesday, March 31, at its facility located at 16425 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Those who would like to tour the facility following the meeting should arrive at 11:45 a.m. to allow time to clear security procedures. Corrections Corporation of America (CCA)'s goal is to continue to play an active role in the community. Its most recent involvement is with the Hernando Youth Initiative Domestic Violence Committee. The Hernando Youth Initiative is designed to help increase graduation rates of youth by helping to remove the issues that have been determined to be obstacles. Many of the youth are subjected to being observers, if not victims, of domestic violence. The Domestic Violence Committee seeks out ways to educate youth and their families in ways that can help reduce this pattern of behavior. The reduction of domestic violence benefits all members of the community through the reduced utilization of community resources and the increased graduation rate of children. The public is invited. To RSVP or for more information, call Barbara Ferrara at 352-796-8559 Ext. 1022 or e-mail Barbara.Ferrara@correctionscorp.com.

Social

Filipino American Social Club of Hernando, Pasco and Citrus counties will hold its annual spring picnic from 11 a.m. to dusk Saturday, April 3, at the Bayport Park pavilion, 4140 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill. A potluck event will be featured, so bring a dish to share with everyone. Activities will include music, games, dancing, sports, food, prizes and more. Everyone is welcome. For information, call Lisa at 352-666-7686 or Estela at 727-242-3407.

VFW Post 8713 Ladies Auxiliary will hold its monthly fish and chips dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 2, at the Post located at 1681 East Jefferson St., Brooksville. The donation is $5 per person. In addition, the Post will offer a gourmet breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday, April 11, at the Post. The menu will consist of eggs, muffins, cinnamon rolls, sausage, bacon or ham, grits, potatoes, biscuits and sausage gravy, fresh fruit, coffee and juice. The donation is $5 per person. Also, the Post holds bar bingo at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday, and the Country Pride Band performs from 2 to 5 p.m. every Saturday. The public is welcome. For information, call the Post at 352-796-4449.

Brooksville Elks Lodge 2582 will hold its monthly steak shoot from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 3, in the Lounge of 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.

Brooksville Woman's Club will hold its monthly meeting and luncheon Wednesday, April 7, at its clubhouse located at 131 South Main St., Brooksville. Luncheon will be held at noon, and the general meeting will be held at 1 p.m. The program will be "Community Improvement Leadership" by Mary Elizabeth Preston. The donation will be $6 per person, and guests are welcome. For luncheon reservations or information, call Cherry at 352-799-3801.

St. Frances Cabrini Council of Catholic Women will meet at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 7, in Xavier Hall of the church located at 5030 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. Join the group for the Rosary at 7:30 a.m. in the church. An auction will be featured; items will be handmade by members. Everyone is welcome; bring a friend. For more information, call the parish office at 352-683-9666.

Florida Suncoast Retired New York City Correction meets at 6:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month, except July and August, at VFW Post 10209 located at 14736 Edward R. Noll Drive, Brooksville. Officers of all ranks, retired law enforcement officers and retired New York City workers are welcome. For information, call 352-796-0398.

Ethnic

German American Club will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 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 or visit its Web site at www.usaconx.com/germanclub/German-Club/germanclub.html

Italian American Club will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 3, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. Sloppy Joes will be featured for lunch. 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. Complimentary coffee and dessert will be served following the business meeting. If interested in attending as a visitor, call Theresa at 352-683-6712 or Augie at 352-666-4678.

Community

Nature Coast Telecom Pioneers will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, at Mariner United Methodist Church, 7079 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. Annual ice cream social and Chinese auction will be featured. 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 enjoying fellowship. For more information, call John at 352-596-4802.

Fraternal

Sun Viking Lodge 607 of the Sons of Norway will meet at 7 p.m. Friday, April 9, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6193 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. After the meeting, an "Easter Bonnet Parade" will be featured. There will be prizes for the funniest, most original and best looking hats decorated by members and guests. Coffee and cake will be served. Sons of Norway is an international fraternal society open to persons of Scandinavian background, affiliation by marriage or anyone interested in Norwegian culture. The public is welcome. For more information, call Clair at 352-596-2171 or Gail at 727-863-3145.

Political

Hernando County Democratic Club will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 3, at Southern Pines Condos Clubhouse, 8075 Southern Pines Drive, Brooksville. Guest speaker will be Dr. Joyce Hamilton Henry, vice president of the Tampa Branch of the ACLU. For information, call Harvey Martin at 352-686-0686 or visit its Web site at www.hernandocountydemocrats.com.

First Hernando Republican Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, at the Deerfield Clubhouse, 15471 Atwater Drive, off Spring Hill Drive, Brooksville. A guest speaker will be featured, and refreshments will be served. For information, call Jack Wood at 352-666-5865.

Arts/Crafts

Embroiders' Guild of America, Sandhill Crane Chapter, will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 7, at Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 200 Mt. Fair Ave., Brooksville. A class on making tassels will be featured. All types of needlework are covered including cross stitch, needlepoint, crewel, and surface embroidery. Donations of thread, fabric and embroidery supplies are always appreciated. Membership is open to anyone who is interested in stitching from experienced to those wanting to learn. Guests are welcome. For membership information, call 352-666-8350.

State Clubs

Illinois Club of Spring Hill will meet at 1 p.m. Friday, April 9, in the fellowship hall of Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. The annual white elephant sale will be featured; so members are requested to donate a wrapped, new or used, household item which will be auctioned. Proceeds will go to the club's treasury. 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.

Maine Club will hold its last meeting of the season with a picnic and auction from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 9, at Linda Pederson Park, 6400 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando Beach. Bring articles for the auction and a salad or dessert, along with own place setting. Hot dogs, condiments and coffee will be provided. A 50-50 drawing will be featured. Sign-in or dues will not be required; bring a friend. The club meets the second Friday of the month from November through April. All former and current residents of Maine are welcome. For more information, call 352-592-0741.

Botanical

Hernando Chapter of Florida Native Plant Society will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, April 5, at the American Legion hall located at 208 East Fort Dade Ave., Brooksville. The program will be "Florida's Wildflowers of Spring" by Sid Taylor, naturalist, Florida Dept. of Agriculture. Admission is free of charge, and the public is welcome. For more information, call Miki at 352-799-4839 or Brooke at 352-583-5085 or contact the Hernando Chapter Board at hcfnps@gmail.com or visit its Web site at www.hcfnps.org.

Brooksville Garden Club will meet Saturday, April 10, 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 for Spring Drought" by John Korycki of the Hernando County Extension Service. The club's purpose includes furthering the education of the public in horticulture, conservation and botany. For more information, call Nancy at 352-799-2042, Louise at 352-799-3160 and Lorraine at 352-397-3157.

West Pasco Rose Society will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, March 29, at the Cares facility, 12417 Clock Tower Parkway, Hudson. The topic will be "Arthritis and Roses." All are welcome to attend. For information, call 727-841-0101.

Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 13, in the Fellowship Hall at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 7922 State Road 52, Hudson. "Spring Blooming Wildflowers" will be presented by Sid Taylor of the Florida Department of Agriculture. Taylor is the resident park naturalist at Tillis Hill in Citrus County. Meetings of the Chapter are free of charge, and interested parties are invited to attend. Bring questions about your yard and participate in the native plant drawing. For information, call Mary at 727-849-2335.

Recreation

West Hernando Coin Club will meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, April 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 352-678-7769.

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 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.

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.

Thrift Shops/Sales

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.

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) announces a new feature - a small area known as La Boutique where unusual, trendy or special items will be available. The shop 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 and is located at 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. The boutique-style shop 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Adult 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.