Hometown Happenings 0415

Computer Club

Hernando Computer Club will present "Introduction to Computers with Windows 7," part three of four, by Joann Frucchione at 10 a.m. and "MS Word," part one of two, by Joann Frucchione at 1 p.m., both Friday, April 15, in the North Room at the Education B building of 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.

In addition, the club will hold its general meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, April 18, in the fellowship hall of Grace Presbyterian Church. Donations of supplies will be collected for the Dawn Center, a domestic violence shelter. The primary focus of the shelter is to provide a safe haven to women and children who have been victims of physical and sexual abuse. Needed items include nonperishable food, cleaning supplies, paper goods and personal care products. Two additional items of interest will be featured as follows: "Recycle electronics and help feed kids" and "Stroke: Warning signs nobody told you about" by Dr. S. Sidhu and "Special needs planning" by A. Bedi, CFP. Admission is free of charge, and the public is welcome. For information, visit the club's website at www.hcc.org or call the club at 352-684-7171.

Music

Opera Lovers Club will meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16, in the clubhouse of the Forest Glenn Retirement Village located at 1431 Friar Tuck Lane, off Osowaw Boulevard, Spring Hill. With the assistance of his students, Hattie Green, Kelly Paulin and Allegra Paulin, voice teacher Joe Tomaselli will present a demonstration on how singing voices are trained and perfected. For information, visit http://naturecoastwebsites.com/opera.htm, email jsquier1939@earthlink.net or call Kathy Hoover at 352-688-4741.

Brooksville Music Club will hold its presentation of this year's music scholarship awardees at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, at Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 200 Mt. Fair Ave., Brooksville. Admission will be free of charge. For club and event information, call JoAnn Hettel, club president, at 352-799-6448 or Alfreda Taft at 352-799-6448.

Botanical

Orchid Lovers of Spring Hill will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Partner's Club located behind Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd. Marian Twigg will speak on "Orchids from South America." Refreshments will be served, and members will have plants for sale and a show table. Guests are welcome to attend free of charge. Annual membership is $17 per person or $25 per couple. For information, call Linda Roderick at 352-597-3736.

Hernando County Extension Service will present "Irrigation 101" at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 20, at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive. In addition, "Controlling lawn insects" will be presented at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 18, at the Extension Office located at 1653 Blaise Drive, Brooksville. Classes are free of charge, and the public is welcome to attend. Registration is not required; but seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call the Extension Service at 352-754-4433.

Spring Hill Garden Club will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, at Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Carol Fernandes of Keller Williams Realty will speak about the "Festival of Fun Fundraiser" for the "Save Our Waterfall Campaign." 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. To help "Save Our Waterfall" or for information, call 352-683-9933 or visit its website at www.naturecoastbotanicalgardens.com.

Arts/Crafts

Hernando Porcelain Artists will not hold its regular meeting but instead will meet for a group tour at 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 18, at the Homosassa Butterfly Gardens, 6991 W. Cardinal St., Homosassa. Group rates will be available. If interested in attending, call Judy at 352-592-4814.

Suncoast Ship Model Society will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 21, 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.

Historical

Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at noon Thursday, April 21, at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue, Spring Hill. Speaker Elizabeth Huntoon Coursen will present how to write, organize, and publish an autobiography. Membership is open to women 18 years or older who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. The group can help with genealogy. For information, call Sharon at 352-796-7996.

Library Programs

Hernando County Public Library System will host a walking tour of Brooksville on Friday, April 15. The tour will begin at 10 a.m. at the Main Library, 238 Howell Ave. Local resident, author and storyteller Jerry Cowling will be the tour guide. The tour will include a discussion of the following historical/Brooksville topics: City Hall, murals, Alfred McKethan, Brooksville Raid and more. Registration for the tour is required. To register or for more information, call the library at 352-540-6391.

Spring Hill Branch Public Library will offer "Job Search Basics" at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 21, at the library located at 9220 Spring Hill Drive. The class will present an overview of the resources available at the library for the job hunter. Participants will learn how to use the Internet to hunt for employment, locate books in the library to help prepare for an interview, and write resumes and cover letters using the library's computers. Also, the class will present advice on filling out online applications, locating employment information on a webpage, and replying to a Craigslist want ad. Class registration is limited to 11 participants, so early registration is recommended. To register or for information, visit the library or call 352-540-6374.

Hernando County Public Library System will offer a class on Facebook, the social networking website, at 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 29, at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive. "Facebook for Beginners" will cover what Facebook is, how to use it, and the privacy issues involved. Assistance will be provided to participants who wish to set up a Facebook account. Advance registration is required. Class registration is limited to 11 participants, so early registration is advisable. To register, visit the library branch or call 352-540-6374.

Hernando County Public Library System will host a session of Children's Stories & Crafts Programs on Fridays through May 13 at the West Hernando Branch Library, 6335 Blackbird Ave., off State Road 50, near Weeki Wachee. The programs will be presented by the Kiwanis Club of the Nature Coast. The themed programs will consist of a variety of stories, songs, games and crafts. The programs for children 18-35 months old will be held from 11 to 11:30 a.m., and the programs for children 3 to 5 years old will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is not required. For information, call the library at 352-540-6391 or visit its website at www.hcpl.lib.fl.us.

Social

Elks Lodge 2582 will hold breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, April 17, at the Lodge located at 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. A variety of breakfast food will include french toast, eggs any style, omelets, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage, coffee, tea and juice. The cost will range from $3.75 to $5.75. For information, call the Lodge at 352-596-2582.

Long Island Club will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 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.

Brookridge Line Dance Social Club will hold a line dance social from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Brookridge Community clubhouse located at 8150 Hampton St., Brooksville. Bring personal snacks, beverage and ice, if needed; and the club will provide a disc jockey for dancing. Lessons will not be held; but instructors will be on hand to give assistance, if needed. The Brookridge Community is located off State Road 50, next to Register Chevrolet, just west of the Suncoast Parkway interchange, Brooksville. The event is open to the public. For information, call Norma at 352-397-6088.

VFW Post 10209 holds happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. every day at the Post located at 14736 Edward R. Noll Drive, off Anderson Snow Road, Spring Hill. Every drink is 25 cents off, except soda and bottled water. Also, a steak shoot is held from 1 to 3 p.m. every Wednesday. Everyone is welcome. For information, call the Post at 352-796-0398.

Latinos Unidos Social Club of Spring Hill opens at 7 p.m. every Wednesday, Fridays, Saturday and Sunday at its facility located in the Starck Plaza at 12528 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Bingo, dominos, cards, billiard table, music and a cash bar are featured. Membership is open to the public. For information, call Jenny Mojica at 352-688-1022.

Community

Hernando County Sheriff's Office has openings available for the evening session of its next Citizens Academy. It will be conducted from 6 to 9 p.m. and will begin Thursday, April 28, and will continue every Thursday through June 2. The Citizens Academy gives citizens an insider's view of the Sheriff's Office and the criminal justice system. Throughout the six-week course, citizens will observe demonstrations by K9 handlers, receive tours of the Sheriff's Office, and learn facts about forensics, uniform patrol, traffic unit, administration, investigations, vice and narcotics, communications/911, aviation and marine units, mounted patrol, SWAT and detention center. Graduates of the course will have the option of riding along with a patrol deputy, observe in the communications center, and/or tour the jail. The Academy is offered to adults 18 years of age or older. To attend or for information, call Barbara Renfroe at 352-754-6830 Ext. 53678.

Love Your Neighbor is teaming with Rev. Gilbert Abrueo in an effort to provide compassion services in south Brooksville. Night Runners Mobile Crisis Services and partners have recently acquired property in the Martin Luther King Jr. section of south Brooksville, which the group is naming Joseph's House. A food pantry, hot meals, support groups, training and other services will be provided. Rev. Abrueo is involved with the disaster relief and is in need of a warehouse with a forklift. He has necessary supplies and equipment committed, but on the condition that he has a building to store it and a forklift to unload it. Anyone that might be able to assist is requested to call Rev. Abrueo at 352-457-8282.

Community Event

Journey Christian Center will host a household/clothing items giveaway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the church located at 3233 Commercial Way (U.S. 19), next to the pink dinosaur, Spring Hill. All in need are invited to attend and pick up items. If interested in donating items for the event, the church will be accepting items from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 15. Clothes, furniture and toys will be accepted. For more information, call the church office at 352-597-7792 or Evelyn at 352-442-2757.

Political

Wellington Democrats will meet at 2 p.m. Friday, April 15, at the Wellington at Seven Hills Clubhouse, 400 Wexford Blvd., off Mariner Boulevard, Spring Hill. Speaker will be Tony Gilboy of Swiftmud on the topic of "Sinkholes." All residents of Hernando County are invited. For more information, contact Gene Erich at WellingtonDemocrats@gmail.com.

Hernando County Republican Executive Committee will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at the Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St., Brooksville. The meeting is open to registered Republicans who would like to become more involved. For information, call 352-585-6402 or visit its website at www.hernandorepublicans.org.

Hernando County Democratic Executive Committee will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at Temple Beth David, 13158 Antelope St., Spring Hill. A special election for the positions of vice chair and state committeeman will be conducted. The meeting is open to the public. For information, call 352-593-8220 or visit its website at www.hernandodemocrats.us.

Sales

Brooksville Farmers Market will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday along Main Street in front of the Hernando County Courthouse in downtown Brooksville. Local vendors, produce, crafts, food, dog treats, jewelry, honey and much more will be featured. If interested in becoming a vendor or for information, call Jodi at 352-232-4241.

Community Outreach

St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church offers an "In His Footsteps" soup-and-sandwich outreach program lunch for those in need 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.

Christ the King Full Gospel Worship Center will conduct a food and bread items giveaway for families in need from 10 a.m. to noon every Monday at the worship center located at 5111 U.S. 19, Spring Hill. No requirements, other than I.D. Tammy Bennett is in charge of the ministry. For information, call the church at 352-596-5366.

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.

Recreation

Spring Hill Camera Club meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month at the Brooksville Enrichment Center, which is located in the Medical Arts Building, Suite 120, of the Brooksville Regional Hospital campus, 17222 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Club business and an informative presentation are conducted on the second Monday, and a photo completion is judged each fourth Monday. Membership is open to all beginning and experienced film and digital photographers. For information, call Bill at 352-556-3708 or visit the club's website at www.springhillcameraclub.org.

Youth

City of Brooksville's Recreation Department will offer a "Play to Learn" indoor toddler program from 10 to 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday at the Jerome Brown Community Center, 99 Jerome Brown Place, off Darby Lane, Brooksville. The cost is $3 per class and is for toddlers ages 1-5 and their moms. For more information, call the Recreation Department at 352-540-3835.

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 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. The club is for those 55 years of age and older, and club membership is $25 annually. For information, call the club at 352-596-1095.

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.

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 or email scrimewatch@tampabay.rr.com

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.

Thrift Shops

Daystar Life Center Thrift Shop has announced the Thursday opening of its clothing thrift shop at its facility located at 7120 Hope Hill Road, off State Road 50, Brooksville. BOGO Day (buy one-get one free) will be featured, with the free clothing item being of equal or lesser value than the purchased clothing item. BOGO Day hours will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday. All of the Daystar Life Center thrift shops will be open from 8:30 a.m. to noon every Friday and Saturday including the clothing thrift shop. Furniture, housewares, books, small appliances, clothing, crafts, electrical items and a children's toy shop will be featured. The Daystar facility is located one-quarter mile behind St. Anthony Catholic Church. To schedule a pickup or for information, call 352-799-5930 or visit its website at www.daystarlifecenter.org.

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.

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) 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.

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.

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 email Schatzan@aol.com.