Hometown Happenings 1006

Arts/Crafts

Embroiders' Guild of America, Sandhill Crane Chapter, will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, at Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 200 Mt. Fair Ave., Brooksville. Two classes will be continued - beginning hardanger and a beaded broach. 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, Oct. 7, 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.

Ethnic

German American Club will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, at the Shriners Club of Hernando County, 13400 Montour St., off Sunshine Grove Road. Membership is open to the public; it is not necessary to be German. For information, call Jack Yaskulski at 352-688-3744 or visit the club's website at www.usaconx.com/germanclub/German-Club/germanclub.html

Social

Sons of Italy, Nature Coast Lodge 2502, Order of Italy of America, will hold its monthly social at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, at Kally K's Restaurant, 3383 U.S. 19, Spring Hill. For 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, Oct. 6, in Xavier Hall of St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 5030 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. Since October is the month of the Rosary, the group will celebrate the Living Rosary followed by a talk on Lay Carmelite Spiritually by Ed Lauriha. For information, call the parish office at 352-683-9666.

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) will hold a luncheon meeting at noon Thursday, Oct. 14, at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue, Brooksville. All active duty, retired, reserve, National Guard 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.

Long Island Club will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, at St. Stephen's Parish Hall, 5326 Charles St., New Port Richey. Coffee and cake will be served prior to the meeting. All New Yorkers are welcome. For information, call Vinny Scatturo at 727-869-0043.

Community

Miles for Midwifes 5K Fun Run will be conducted Sunday, Oct. 10, at Anderson Snow Sports Park located at 1360 Anderson Snow Road, south of Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Registration/breakfast will be held at 8 a.m., and the run/walk will begin at 9 a.m. The cost is $25 per person, which includes a T-shirt, lunch, and a goody bag. Proceeds of the family friendly, untimed walk/run will benefit the local Midwifery Chapter which helps support organizations for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, domestic abuse and many others. To register or for information, visit online at www.miles4midwivessh.info or call Michelle Hale, CNM, ARNP, at 352-442-8444 or e-mail milesformidwivessh@gmail.com.

Kiwanis Club of Spring Hill will hold a luncheon meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, at Evergreen Woods' Pool House located at 7030 Evergreen Woods Trail, off State Road 50, Spring Hill. Hernando County Schools Superintendent Bryan A. Blavatt will be the featured speaker. 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.

Seniors

NARVRE (Retired Railroad Workers) will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue, Spring Hill. Luncheon cost is $10 per person. NARVRE is dedicated to preserving the Railroad Retirement System. All retired and active railroad workers and their spouses are welcome. For information, call Lynn at 352-796-0477.
Hernando County AARP Chapter 1026 invites members and guests to an extra meeting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, at Buffet City, 13235 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Grace Memorial Gardens of Hudson will present "Final Arrangements - What You Need to Know." Following the presentation, full access to a complimentary buffet will be featured. Since seating is limited, reservations are required. For reservations or information, call Bob at 352-596-0722.

Botanical

Brooksville Garden Club will meet Wednesday, Oct. 13, at First Presbyterian Church, 250 Bell Ave., Brooksville. Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m., followed by speaker Marie O'Neill of the Hernando County Extension Service. The club has field trips planned and offers education on horticulture, conservation and the environment. For information, call Louise at 352-799-3160, Lorraine at 352-397-3157 or Robin at 352-799-2503.

Spring Hill Garden Club will hold its first meeting of its new division entitled "Night Bloomers" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14, at the club's nursery located at 1489 Parker Ave., just east of the waterfall entrance to Spring Hill, off U.S. 19. Attendees will receive advice about Florida gardening and learn about the unique plants found in Florida. Garden Club member Brian Feil will conduct a workshop on propagation in the club's new greenhouse. Prior to retirement, Feil served as director of the Bayard Cutting Arboretum for New York State parks for 31 years. He is the fourth generation of his family to work in the landscaping and nursery business. For information, visit the club's website at www.naturecoastbotanicalgardens.com or call 352-683-9933.

Orchid Lovers Club of Spring Hill will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Spring Hill Enrichment Center, 11375 Cortez Blvd., behind Oak Hill Hospital. The speaker will be world-famous Roy Tokunaga of H&R Nurseries, Hawaii. Tokunaga will discuss new Dendrobium culture and will offer orchid plants for sale. Guests are welcome. For information, call Linda Roderick at 352-597-3736.

Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, in the Fellowship Hall at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 7922 State Road 52, Hudson. "The Beauty of Florida's Sandhill Community" will be presented by Craig Huegel, Ph.D., member of Pinellas Chapter of FNPS and author of "Butterfly Gardening with Florida's Native Plants" and "Florida Plants for Wildlife." Dr. Huegel will provide an in-depth look at one of Florida's most beautiful natural communities, the Florida sandhill. 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.

Buttonwood Bonsai Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, at The Key Training Center, 130 Heights St., Inverness. An open workshop will be featured. Meetings are open to the public, and visitors are welcome. For information, call Clay Gratz at 352-563-2156 or Jim Stephens at 352-848-0102.

Computer Club

Hernando Computer Club will present "Animate Your Email" by Brigitte Haag at 1 p.m. in the North Room and "Linux Workshop" by Clint Pollitt at 7 p.m. in the South Room, both Wednesday, Oct. 6, at the Education B building at Grace Presbyterian Church, 8375 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The cost for lecture classes 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.

Education

Hernando County Extension Service will present a class titled, "Developing an Effective Spending Plan" at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, at the West Hernando Branch Library, 6355 Blackbird Ave., off State Road 50, near Weeki Wachee. Registration is not required. The class will be free of charge and will be open to the public. For information, call the library program staff at 352-540-6391 or visit its website at www.hcpl.lib.fl.us.

Pasco-Hernando Community College will host a resume workshop at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, in Room A-249 at the North Campus of the college located at 11415 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Brooksville. The workshop will cover the latest trends in preparing a successful resume and will offer tips regarding what employers value in this essential document. Attendees should bring a flash drive or other memory device. Participants will also receive assistance with drafting and updating their resume. The workshop is free of charge and is open to the public. Since maximum class size is 26 participants, registration is required. To register, call the Information Center at 1-877-TRY-PHCC (879-7422). For information, contact Barbara Russo, career and testing specialist, at 352-797-5174 or e-mail russob@phcc.edu.

Library Programs

Hernando County Public Library System will offer a preschool program at three of its branches - East Hernando, Spring Hill, and West Hernando. The programs offered will include Toddler Time (18-35 months old) and Storytime (3-5 years old). The sessions will conclude the week of Oct. 18. The schedule will be as follows: Toddler Time at 10 a.m. and Storytime at 11 a.m. Thursdays at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill; and Toddler Time at 10:15 a.m. and Storytime at 11:15 a.m. Fridays at the West Hernando Branch Library, 6335 Blackbird Ave., off State Road 50, near Weeki Wachee. The program will feature age-appropriate stories, fingerplays, songs and more. The program is free of charge, and registration is not required. For information, call the library at 352-540-6391.

Recreation

West Hernando Coin Club will meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, at the Community Center of The Heather located on U.S. 19, two miles north of State Road 50, Weeki Wachee. Educational speaker will be Guy Ventre, former club president, on the topic of "Inflation." Refreshments, educational speakers, door prizes and auctions will be featured. Children and beginning collectors are welcome. For information, contact Vincent at 352-678-7769.

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.

Genealogy

Genealogy Interest Group will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, at the West Hernando Branch Library located at 6335 Blackbird Ave., off State Road 50, near Weeki Wachee. For information, call Kathleen Marsh at 352-796-1623.

State Club

Wisconsin Club will meet at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Featured speaker will be Dave Lambert of Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative. Also, the club's social night will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the Crab House in Port Richey. 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 Stirn at 352-573-7171 or Carolee at 352-666-2974.

Community Outreach

St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church will offer a free soup-and-sandwich 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 for all those in need, and the next scheduled lunch is Oct. 14. 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.

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 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.

Hernando Harmonizers has openings for singers. Men who love to sing are invited to join the Hernando Harmonizers of the Barbershop Harmony Society from 6:45 to 9:15 p.m. every Monday at Nativity Lutheran Church, 6363 Commercial Way, just north of the intersection of State Road 50 and U.S. 19, Weeki Wachee. Singers have an opportunity to participate in community performances, annual show, competitions, etc. For information, call John at 352-666-0633 or George at 352-556-3936, or visit its website at www.HernandoHarmonizers.org.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thrift Shops

Karen's Kit 'n Kaboodle (St. Andrew's Thrift 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. 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.