Hometown Happenings 0427

Seniors

AARP Chapter 1026 will hold its monthly meeting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 28, at the Knights of Columbus hall, 10470 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The cost of lunch will be $8.50 per person. Speakers will be Mary Maynard, Senior Medicare Patrol, and Steve Diez, Hernando County Planning, Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety. Members are requested to bring a nonperishable item for the needy. For reservations or information, call Steve Mattingly at 352-754-9404.

AARP workshop entitled "Long-Term Care - What is your plan?" will be offered from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, April 28 or Thursday, May 5, at the Enrichment Center at Brooksville Regional Hospital, Medical Arts Building, Suite 120, located at 17222 Hospital Blvd., off State Road 50, Brooksville. The workshop will include information on the basics of long-term care planning and the new Florida Partnership Long-Term Care Program, and a workbook will be distributed. The workshop will be presented by Marsha Reiniers, AARP-authorized agent for Genworth Life Insurance. The workshop is free of charge. For information, call the Enrichment Center at 352-544-6022 or Marsha at 352-684-1952.

Nature Coast Telecom Pioneers will meet at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at Mariner United Methodist Church, 7079 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. A pizza party will be featured. Bring used stamps, community service hours, can tabs, ditty bag items, food for the needy, knitted baby caps, box tops for education, and Campbell soup labels. Membership is open to anyone interested in serving the community and fellowship. For information, call Bonnie at 352-592-9856.

AARP Chapter 1091, Hernando County West, will hold its kickoff meeting for charter members, Chapter 1026 transferees, and for newcomers of the newly formed chapter at noon Monday, May 9, at Buffet City, 13235 Cortez Blvd. (State Road 50), Brooksville. The cost, with a senior discount, is $8 per person. Eligible members will vote their officers and board members into office at this organizational meeting. Additional business will be obtaining members' ideas for future meetings including how often to hold meetings, locations for meetings, and topics to be presented. Since seating is limited to 50 attendees, reservations are required. For reservations or more information, call Bob Williams at 352-596-0722.

Library Programs

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.

Community

Hernando County La Sertoma Club will meet at 11 a.m. Monday, May 2, 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. Guests are always welcome. For information, call Carol at 352-683-7935.

Computer Club

Hernando Computer Club will present "Get Started with your Computer," part two of two, by Norma Winner at 1 p.m. and "MS Excel 2007" by Pat Turek at 7 p.m., both Wednesday, April 27, 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. The public is welcome. For information, visit the club's website at www.hcc.org or call the club at 352-684-7171.

Music

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.

Social

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.

Elks Lodge 2582 will hold a Cinco De Mayo dinner from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, at the Lodge located at 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. The menu will include steak or chicken fajitas (buy one-get one free at a cost of $8), two beef tacos, Mexican rice, refried beans $3, cheese nachos $3, and beef or chicken nachos $4. Karaoke entertainment will be featured from 2 to 6 p.m. In addition, the Lodge's steak shoot followed by spaghetti dinner and the wings and things menu will be held Saturday, May 7. A Kentucky Derby celebration will also be held at 5 p.m. in the lounge. Wear a Kentucky Derby hat; a prize will be awarded for the best hat. Members and guests are welcome. For information, call the Lodge at 352-596-2582.

Brooksville Woman's Club will meet Wednesday, May 4, at its clubhouse located at 131 S. Main St., Brooksville. A luncheon will be featured at noon, followed by the general meeting at 1 p.m. Luncheon donation is $6 per person. The program will be "International Affairs." Guests are welcome, and the club is open for membership. For information, call Audrie Henson at 352-754-8627.

Elks Lodge 2582 will celebrate Mother's Day Sunday, May 8, at the Lodge located at 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Cocktails will be served from 3 to 4 p.m. The ceremony will be held from 4 to 4:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 4:30 p.m. with a choice of one entrée - either baked salmon or chicken francaise, prime rib with auju, or baked shrimp stuffed with crab meat along with salad, rolls, twice-baked potato, rice pilaf, veggie medley, and Key Lime pie or sherbet. Music and dancing will be provided by Take Two from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets will be sold at Friday dinners or call Darleen Keck at 352-688-5353 or the Lodge at 352-596-2582.

Grace Presbyterian Women's Gathering will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, May 9, in Fellowship Hall of Grace Presbyterian Church, 8375 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The program will be the installation of officers and a memorial program for past members. The hostess will be the Coordinating Team. For information, call 352-683-2082.

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.

Botanical

Hernando Chapter of Florida Native Plant Society will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, May 2, at the American Legion hall located at 208 E. Fort Dade Ave., Brooksville. The program will be "Bringing the real Florida home: Native plants for your landscape" by Rita Grant, Master Gardener and native plant nursery owner. Refreshments will be available. Admission is free of charge, and the public is welcome. For information, call Miki at 352-799-4839 or Brooke at 352-583-5085, contact the Hernando Chapter Board at hcfnps@gmail.com or visit its website at www.hcfnps.org.

Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, in the Fellowship Hall at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 7922 State Road 52, Hudson. "Fire in Florida: A prescription for Life" presented by Mary Barnwell, senior land management specialist at the Southwest Florida Water Management District, will be featured. Meetings of the Chapter are free of charge; and interested parties are invited to attend, bring questions and participate in the light refreshments and native plant drawing. For information, call Mary at 727-849-2335 or visit the Chapter's website at www.pasconativeplants.org.

Spring Hill Garden Club members 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.

State Clubs

Wisconsin Club will meet at 1 p.m. Monday, May 2, at Nativity Lutheran Church, 6363 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee. The speaker will be Sheriff Al Nienhuis, who will inform the club of his hopes and ambitions for improving Hernando County. Following the meeting, coffee and dessert will be served. The club dines out at a preselected restaurant for its social night; on Wednesday, May 18, social night will be held at 4 p.m. at China City, 3049 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. The club also offers monthly travel opportunities. Annual dues are $10 per person, and anyone that has lived in Wisconsin at some time qualifies. For information, call Carolee at 352-666-2974.

New York State Club will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at the Knights of Columbus hall, 10470 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Dinner and dancing will follow the meeting. Bowling is held at 11 a.m. every Monday at Spring Hill Lanes, 3447 U.S. 19, Spring Hill. For information, call Marge at 352-686-8015.

Illinois Club of Spring Hill will meet at 1 p.m. Friday, May 6, in the fellowship hall of Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Guest speaker Jim Moll of the Hernando County Extension Service will inform the club on topics such as spring planting, fertilizing, trimming and pruning. 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.

Ethnic

Italian American Club will meet at noon Saturday, May 7, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. Pizza will be served to members and guests at noon; the club requests that attendees arrive and be seated at 11:45 a.m. Following the pizza party, the meeting will be held at 1 p.m. The object of the club is for fellowship, social activities, trips, picnics, games as well as interesting speakers at its meetings. Dues are $20 per person per year, and it is not necessary to be Italian to join the club. If interested in attending as a visitor, call Theresa at 352-683-6712 or Lucy at 352-686-6294.

Education

CredAbility, nonprofit credit counseling and education, will present "First-Time Home Buyers Workshop" from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at Career Central, 7361 Forest Oaks Blvd., off U.S. 19, Spring Hill. Attendees will learn the ins and outs and helpful tips for buying a first home. Important questions will be answered about securing a loan, available tax credits, and more. The workshop is free of charge and is open to the public. If interested in attending, RSVP to 1-800-251-2227.

Arts/Crafts

Spring Hill Art League, along with Polly Wogg Gallery & Labyrinth, will host an artist's reception for local artists Leslie Duncan and Wanda McVeigh from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Gallery located at 18522 U.S. Highway 19, Hudson. Refreshments will be served. The public is welcome. For information, call Susan Wolding at 727-577-8755.

Suncoast Ship Model Society will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 5, 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.

Hernando Porcelain Artists will gather for its spring luncheon at 11 a.m. Monday, May 16, at Kally K's Restaurant, 3383 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. Visitors are welcome. For reservations or more information, call Judy by May 11 at 352-592-4814.

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. 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.

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.

Radio Clubs

Spring Hill Amateur Radio Club (SHARC) meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of every month at the Oak Hill Hospital Partner's Club, 11375 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. 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 two nets: a SKYWARN Weather Net at 7:15 p.m. and 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 Dave KB3GYN at 352-684-3925.

Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, April 25, at the Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club clubhouse, 6909 Tierra Verde St., Port Richey. Meetings are held the fourth Monday of the month. All HAM radio operators and those interested in HAM radio are welcome and encouraged to attend. Also, join the group on its club 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 Bill KI4QJK at 727-869-0784.

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.

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.

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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.