Hometown Happenings 0901

State Club

Wisconsin Club will meet at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the Spring Hill Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Featured speaker will be Janet Clymer of Hospice. Also, the club's social night will be held Wednesday, Sept. 15, at the Margarita Grill, 10200 W. Halls River Road, Homosassa. 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.

Genealogy

Genealogy Interest Group will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, at the West Hernando Branch Library, 6335 Blackbird Ave., off State Road 50, near Weeki Wachee. For information, call Kathleen Marsh at 352-796-1623.

Library Programs

Hernando County Public Library System will show a movie at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country. The movie is rated PG-13 and runs 133 minutes. The program is free of charge, and registration is not required. Light refreshments will be provided. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Hernando County. For the movie title or more information, call the library at 352-540-6391.

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 session will begin the week of Aug. 30 and will conclude the week of Oct. 18. The schedule will be as follows: Toddler Time at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, at the East Hernando Branch Library, 6457 Windmere Road, Brooksville; 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 more information, call the library at 352-540-6391.

Seniors

NARVRE (Retired Railroad Workers) will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, 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.

Nature Coast Telecom Pioneers will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, at Mariner United Methodist Church, 7079 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. A welcome back meeting will be featured. Bring school supplies, 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 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. Thursday, Sept. 9, at Buffet City, 13235 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Frank Rojo of 21st Century Financial will discuss "Your Retirement...Is it really...Secure?" Following Rojo's presentation, full access to the complimentary buffet will be featured. Since seating is limited, reservations are required. For reservations or information, call Bob at 352-596-0722.

Botanical

Spring Hill Garden Club will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, at Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Kathy Grandoff of "Unbelievable Hibiscus" will speak and bring plants for sale. Members of the club maintain the plant nursery located at 1489 Parker Ave., off Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill, the waterfall area at the entrance to Spring Hill on U.S. 19, and the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens adjacent the nursery. The nursery is open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays and Saturdays. Visit the gardens anytime during daylight hours. For information, call 352-683-9933 or visit its website at www.naturecoastbotanicalgardens.com.

Buttonwood Bonsai Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at The Key Center, 130 Heights St., Inverness. Club member "Bonsai Bob" Eskeitz will be the highlight demonstrator. Tentative plans, which are subject to change, will be for Eskeitz to create a miniature forest planting. Meetings are open to the public, and visitors are welcome. For more information, call Clay Gratz at 352-563-2156 or Jim Stephens at 352-848-0102.

Arts/Crafts

Embroiders' Guild of America, Sandhill Crane Chapter, will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, at Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 200 Mt. Fair Ave., Brooksville. Two classes will be featured - beginning hardanger and a beaded brooch. 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, Sept. 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.

Social

Brooksville Woman's Club will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, at its clubhouse located at 131 South Main St., Brooksville. A potluck lunch will be featured at noon, followed by the general meeting. Luncheon cost is $3 per person with dish or $6 per person without a dish. The program will be "Education" by Chairman Caroline King. 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. For information, call Ora Williams, club president, at 352-799-3834.

Sons of Italy, Nature Coast Lodge 2502, Order of Italy of America, will hold its monthly social at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, at The Inn on the Gulf, 6330 Clark St., Hudson. For information, call 352-688-1889. The Lodge 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, 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.

St. Frances Cabrini CCW will hold its opening meeting at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1, in Xavier Hall of the church located at 5030 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. Meet the group at 7:30 a.m. for Mass and the Rosary. Guest speaker will be from the Hernando County Fire Department on the topic of "Safety in the Home." Annual dues of $8 can be paid at this meeting. All women of the parish are invited. Bring a friend. For information, call 352-683-9666.

Scottish Social Club of West Central Florida will meet at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, at First Presbyterian Church, 250 Bell Ave., Brooksville. A covered dish luncheon followed by entertainment and meeting will be featured. All of Scottish ancestry are welcome. For information, call Joan Kohler at 352-527-2439.

Long Island Club will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, at St. Stephen's Parish Hall, 5326 Charles St., New Port Richey. Coffee and cake will be served. The public is welcome. For information, call Vinny Scatturo at 727-869-0043.

Fraternal

Elks Lodge 2582 will hold its monthly steak shoot from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, 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 to be served from 5 to 6 p.m. will follow the event. Dinner cost will be $5 per person. For information, call the Lodge at 352-596-2582.

Also, the Lodge will offer wings and things at 6 p.m. every other Saturday in August and September, which began Aug. 14, in the lounge of the Lodge located at 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. The varied menu will include a choice of South Carolina jumbo wings, chicken tenders, chicken nacho platter, beef nacho platter, cheese quesadilla, chicken quesadilla, popcorn shrimp, homemade onion rings, potato skins and fries. This will be in conjunction with juke box Saturday night. For information, call the Lodge at 352-596-2582.

In addition, the Lodge holds bingo from 4:30 to 10 p.m. every Thursday at the Lodge. 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.

Computer Club

Hernando Computer Club will present "Best Entertainment Sites on the Web," by Don Karslake at 1 p.m. and "Linux Workshop" by Clint Pollitt in the South Room at 7 p.m., both Wednesday, Sept. 1, in 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.

Recreation

West Hernando Coin Club will meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13, 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 Jack Iaci on the topic of "Error Coins and Varieties." 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.

Elks Lodge 2582 holds "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.

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.

Community Outreach

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church will conduct a free bread giveaway from 9 to 10 a.m. every Saturday at the church located at 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. For information, call the church office at 352-683-2010.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 but will be closed on Saturday during August. 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.

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.