Hometown Happenings 0526

Community Event

Brooksville Regional Hospital Auxiliary will sponsor a book and gift fair fundraiser from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 27-28, in Conference Room 2 near the cafeteria of the hospital located at 17240 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. A variety of books, toys, games and other gift items will be featured. Proceeds of the event will benefit the Auxiliary's scholarship fund. For information, call Pam at 352-442-0169.

Arts/Crafts

Spring Hill Art League will host an art reception for Karen Heidler, Frances Childs and Joe Galletta from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, at the Rising Sun Cafe located at 10 S. Main St., Brooksville. The featured artists will offer a visually interesting array of art in a variety of painting mediums and photography. The public is invited. For information, call the Café at 352-848-0090.

Embroiders' Guild of America, Sandhill Crane Chapter, will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, at Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 200 Mt. Fair Ave., Brooksville. A class on stitching a scissors fob 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.

Suncoast Ship Model Society will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 3, 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, June 5, at the Weeki Wachee Senior Citizens Club located at 3357 Susan Drive, off U.S. 19 and Toucan Trail, Spring Hill. A short meeting and monthly project in acrylics, oils, etc. will be featured. Virginia Conn will teach the one-stroke project. For information, call Andi at 352-666-9091, Jeanette at 727-857-1045 or Pat at 352-249-7221.

Seniors

Hernando County AARP Chapter 1026 invites its members to a meeting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 27, at Buffet City Restaurant, 13235 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. The presentation will be Randy and Maryanne Kerr of Southeast Guide Dogs, and service dogs will be in attendance. Firm registration is required and must be on a first-come, first-served basis. For reservations or information, call Bob at 352-596-0722.

Library Program

Hernando County Public Library System will show a movie at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 1, at the East Hernando Branch Library, 6457 Windmere Road, Brooksville. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Hernando County. For the movie title or information, call the library program staff at 352-540-6391.

Recreation

Elks Lodge 2582 is starting "Dime Jingle" at 10:30 a.m. every Monday, except holidays, at the Lodge located at 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. The game is similar to bingo except playing cards are used. Bring 14 dimes and two quarters. The event is open to members and the public. For information, call the Lodge at 352- 596-2582.

The $50 Investment Club will meet at 8:30 a.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Edward Jones office, 3296 U.S. 19, Spring Hill. New members are invited to attend. For information, call Ross or Wynn Keith at 352-596-2649.

Social

Brooksville Woman's Club will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, at its clubhouse located at 131 South Main St., Brooksville. Following the general meeting, an ice cream social and horse races game will be featured. The club will be closed for the summer and will resume the first Wednesday in September. The club is open for membership, and guests are welcome. Also, the club is accepting donations of children's books to be donated to local organizations in the community. New or used books in good condition can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to noon the third Wednesday of the month at its clubhouse or call Betty Ann McLaren at 352-666-9433. For information, call Ora Williams, club president, at 352-799-3834.

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 Mass and an annual picnic. The Lodge supports local charities and sponsors bowling, bocce and yearly trips. Membership is open to all; it is not necessary to be of Italian heritage. For information, call Gene Gesselli at 352-596-9456.

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.

State Clubs

Illinois Club of Spring Hill will meet at 1 p.m. Friday, June 4, in the fellowship hall of Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Southwest Florida Water Management District will offer a double presentation. Jason Mickel will present Water101 and Dave Arnold will speak on sinkholes. 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.

Wisconsin Club will meet at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 16, at the Spring Hill Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Featured speaker will be Toby Brewer of the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Following the meeting, coffee and dessert will be served, along with the club's ice cream social since this will be the last meeting until September. On Wednesdays, the club dines out at a preselected restaurant for its social night. The club also offers monthly travel opportunities. Annual dues are $8 per person, and anyone that has lived in Wisconsin at some time qualifies. For information, call Bob Stirm at 352-573-7171.

Political

Hernando County Democratic Club will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 5, at Southern Pines Condos Clubhouse, 8075 Southern Pines Drive, Brooksville. Guest speakers will be featured. 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, June 8, at the Deerfield Clubhouse, 15471 Atwater Drive, off Spring Hill Drive, Brooksville. A forum with Ty Mullins, Wayne Duke, and Bill Kingeter, candidates for the District 2 County Commission seat, will be featured. Refreshments will be served. For information, call Jack Wood at 352-666-5865.

Botanical

Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 8, in the Fellowship Hall at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 7922 State Road 52, Hudson. "Gardening for Butterflies" will be presented by Marilyn Smullen, Nature Coast Chapter member and past president of Pasco County Master Gardeners. Refreshments will be served. 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 or visit the Chapter's website at www.pasconativeplants.org.

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.

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.

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 information, call 352-797-7018.

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.

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.

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.

Also, the SPCA is seeking volunteers to assist in the care of the dogs and cats along with providing companionship to the animals 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) 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 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.