Hometown Happenings 1124

Community

Hernando County La Sertoma Club will meet at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 6, 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.

Youth

Foster Parent Association is seeking donations to purchase Christmas gifts to fulfill the wish lists of 80 foster children. Gift cards or monetary donations will be appreciated. Gift baskets of food and a gift card to Walmart or Publix to purchase a ham for Christmas dinner is also being sought. For more information, call 352-754-0377.

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.

Seniors

Hernando County AARP Chapter 1026 will hold a meeting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, at Guido's Pizza Cafe, 7219 Forest Oaks Blvd., just off U.S. 19, Spring Hill. The topic will be "Final Arrangements Insurance, an Alternative to Funeral Financing Plans" and will be presented by Jim McGrath, one of the Chapter's insurance consultants. The "meet and eat" will feature a six-item luncheon menu - all priced at $5.99 each, but beverage will not be included. Members and guests are invited. Since seating is limited, reservations are required. For reservations or information, call Bob at 352-596-0722 or Rose at 352-688-5606.

Library Programs

Hernando County Public Library System will feature a visit from Santa at two of its branches as follows: at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive; and at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the East Hernando Branch Library, 6457 Windmere Road, Brooksville. Children of all ages are invited to visit and take a picture with Santa. The program is free of charge, and parents and caregivers are encouraged to bring a camera. Registration is not required, but parents or caregivers must remain on the library premises. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Hernando County. For information, call the library program staff at 352-540-6391 or visit online at www.hcpl.lib.fl.us.

Community Outreach

Second Chance Restoration Ministries will host a "Free Day for the Needy" at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at Restoration Ministries located at 19235 Cortez Blvd. (Killingsworth Plaza), Brooksville. Clothes, shoes, toys, electronics, etc. will be given to those in need. Refreshments such as hot dogs, chips and drinks will be served free of charge. For information, call 352-585-6083.

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.

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.

Social

Brooksville Woman's Club will hold a Christmas luncheon at noon Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue, Spring Hill. Luncheon cost is $15 per person; bring a $5 gift exchange. 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, 131 S. Main St., Brooksville. For information, call Betty Ann McLaren at 352-666-9433.

African American Club of Hernando County will hold its monthly meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Regency Oaks Civic Center, 4445 Breakwater Blvd., off U.S. 19, Spring Hill. Members are reminded to bring wrapped gifts for their Brooksville Head Start students. Instructions for distribution of these Christmas gifts will be given at the meeting. For information regarding Head Start gifts, call Irvin Homer at 352-597-4677.

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) will hold a luncheon meeting at noon Thursday, Dec. 9, at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue, Brooksville. All active duty, reserve, National Guard, retired and former commissioned officers and guests are welcome. Monthly luncheon meetings of MOAA are held the second Thursday of each month at Silverthorn Country Club. Reservations are required. For reservations or information, call LTC Mel Sweat at 352-666-9244.

Computer Club

Hernando Computer Club will present "Introduction to Computers with Windows XP," part four of four, by Steve Kirman at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24, in the North Room of the Education B building at Grace Presbyterian Church, 8375 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The cost for lecture classes of the club is $2 per person. 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 352-684-7171.

State Clubs

New York State Club will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Knights of Columbus hall located at 10470 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. For tickets and Christmas gift information, 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, Dec. 3, in the fellowship hall of Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. The scheduled speaker will be Dave Lambert of the Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative. 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.

New Hampshire Club will hold its Christmas party from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, at Brooksville Elks Lodge 2582 located at 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Bring an unwrapped toy. Reservations are required. For information or reservations, call Walt King at 352-596-3578.

Wisconsin Club will meet at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive. A presentation by Ruth Branson of Health Matters will be featured. The club will hold its Christmas party at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at Duke's Restaurant, formerly Long Shotz, 1320 U.S. 19, Spring Hill. Social night out will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Show Palace. 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 Carolee at 352-666-2974.

Ethnic

German American Club of Spring Hill will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, 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 www.usaconx.com/germanclub/German-Club/germanclub.html.

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.

Community Events

Brookridge Good Times Line Dance Social Club will hold a line dance social from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, at the Brookridge Community located off State Road 50, just west of the Suncoast Parkway interchange, Brooksville. Bring personal snacks, beverage and ice, if needed; and the club will provide a disc jockey for dancing. Lessons will not be held. The event is open to the public. For information, call Norma at 352-397-6088.

Brooksville Nights, a family friendly event, will now be held year-round from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. the third Saturday of each month in downtown Brooksville. Horse-drawn carriage rides through the historic district have been added. The event is teamed with the Love Your Neighbor Farmers Market, which features local produce, raw honey, homemade goat's milk soap, Amish food, organic dog biscuits and more. Brooksville Nights follows a country theme, where people come together and sell their wares in a family setting. This is a continuation and expansion of the Market on Main Street, a craft and antique fair that has been run for years by the Brooksville Business Alliance. Downtown stores and restaurants will be open during the event. For vendor information, call Lisa at 352-428-9275 or 848-0090.

Arts/Crafts

Suncoast Ship Model Society will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, 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, Dec. 4, 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. The chapter is involved in two charitable projects (treasure boxes for the children at the Shriners Hospital and dressing bears for breast cancer patients at Moffitt Cancer Center). December is the chapter's Christmas party for members and guests. For information, call Andi at 352-666-9091, Jeanette at 727-857-1045 or Pat at 352-249-7221.

Sales

Spring Hill Garden Club nursery will hold a 50 percent off sale on plants from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 4, at the club's plant nursery located at 1489 parker Ave., just east of the waterfall entrance to Spring Hill at U.S. 19 and Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The nursery will close on Dec. 24 for the holidays and will reopen Jan. 3, 2011. For more information, call 352-683-9933.

Hernando County Master Gardeners will have plants available for sale from 8 to 10:45 a.m. every Wednesday at the Master Gardener Nursery located at the former Hernando County Extension Office located at 19490 Oliver St., off U.S. 41, Brooksville. Plants will include trees, shrubs, ferns, ground covers, and perennials. The plants are specifically grown to tolerate local climate conditions, and all plants have been propagated and grown by Master Gardeners. Proceeds of plant sales will be used to maintain and grow the Hernando County Master Gardener Program. Florida Master Gardeners are University of Florida-trained volunteer teachers. They educate and provide information to Floridians about gardening and maintaining urban, suburban, and rural landscapes while promoting environmental awareness and protection. For information, call 352-754-4433.

Political Club

Hernando County Democratic Club will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at Southern Pines Condos Clubhouse, 8075 Southern Pines Drive, Brooksville. For information, call Harvey Martin at 352-686-0686 or visit its website at www.hernandocountydemocrats.com.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.