Hometown Happenings 0119

Library Programs

Hernando County Public Library System will offer a Movement and Music Program at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, at the West Hernando Branch located at 6335 Blackbird Ave., off State Road 50, near Weeki Wachee. The program is for children ages 3-5 years old, and participants will learn rhythm and movement through song and music. Registration is required; to register, call 352-540-6390. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Hernando County. For more information, call the library program staff at 352-540-6391.

Brooksville Book Discussion Group meets at 6 p.m. the third Monday of every month at the Main Library, 238 Howell Ave., Brooksville. On Jan. 24, the group will discuss any from a list of mystery books written by Philip R. Craig and/or William G. Tapply. Both authors are veteran mystery novelists and longtime fishing buddies. They succeeded in joining together to create two novels starring their respective series heroes, J.W. Jackson and Brady Coyne. Registration is not required, so visit the front desk of the library for a copy of the book of choice. For information, call Ronette at 352-544-5669.

Seniors

Hernando County AARP Chapter 1026 invites members and guests to a meeting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, at the Towne Square Mall (south entrance), 3021 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. Arrive before 11:30 a.m. for a "meet and eat" at a cost of $8.50 per person. Marsha Reiniers, an adviser on senior-related insurance and health subjects, will have information on how the recently enacted health care law has impacted long-term care insurance. For reservations or information, call Bob at 352-596-0722 or Rose at 352-688-5606.

Ethnic

Italian American Club will meet at noon Saturday, Feb. 5, at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 2301 Deltona Blvd., Spring Hill. A guest speaker will discuss "Whooping Cranes." 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 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 Cathy at 352-686-9286.

Community

Hernando County La Sertoma Club will meet at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7, 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 LaVerne at 352-796-4657.

Computer Club

Hernando Computer Club will present "What's New in Windows 7," part three of four, by Ron Purkhiser at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, 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.

Arts/Crafts

Hernando Porcelain Artists will meet at 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 24, at member Judy's home. The club will hold a "White Elephant" auction, so members are requested to bring a piece or two of unpainted porcelain to be auctioned off. For information, call Judy at 352-592-4814.

Spring Hill Art League will host an artists' reception to showcase the artwork of local artists Esther Pohl, Brenda Glenny and Carole Knudson from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, at the Rising Sun Café, 10 S. Main St., Brooksville. The artists' work will be on display during January and February at the Café. The public is welcome. For information, call 352-799-9690.

Suncoast Ship Model Society will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at the Weeki Wachee Senior Citizens Club located at the corner of Toucan Trail and Susan Drive in Spring Hill. All modelers interested in building model ships and boats are invited. For information, call Jim at 352-592-6419.

Nature Coast Decorative Artists, Chapter of the Society of Decorative Artists, will meet at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at the Weeki Wachee Senior Citizens Club located at 3357 Susan Drive, off U.S. 19 and Toucan Trail, Spring Hill. A short meeting, white elephant sale, and soup and sides luncheon will be featured. For information, call Andi at 352-666-9091, Jeanette at 727-857-1045 or Pat at 352-249-7221.

Hernando Quilters Guild will meet at 9:30 a.m. the fourth Thursday of the month at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6193 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. This is a new meeting location. Prizes can be won at monthly meetings plus trips are taken to quilt shows and shops - most of the group will carpool and make a day of it. Annual dues are $18 per person payable in January, and new members are always welcome. For information, call Barb Theriault at 352-597-8816.

Botanical

Spring Hill Garden Club will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, at Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Sue Bathauer, a master gardener, Audubon member, and volunteer at Homosassa Wildlife Park, will bring several birds of prey to the meeting. 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.

Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, in the Fellowship Hall at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church, 7922 State Road 52, Hudson. "Florida Native Shrubs," a PowerPoint presentation by Nature Coast Chapter member and Pasco master Gardener, Peggy Gretchen, will be featured. The presentation will be an introduction to some of the many Florida native shrubs useful for Central Florida landscapes. 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.
West Pasco Rose Society will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, at the Cares facility, 12417 Clock Tower Parkway, Hudson. A pruning demonstration of a rose bush will be conducted, and attendees can bring gardening tools to be sharpened. The public is invited. For information, call Diane at 727-841-0101.

History

Daughters of the American Revolution, Winding Waters Chapter, Spring Hill will meet at noon Thursday, Jan. 20, at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue, Spring Hill. Guest speaker will be Bobbie Schofield, NSDAR's VAVS representative. Membership is open to women 18 years or older who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. The Chapter can help interested parties with genealogy. For information, call Sharon at 352-796-7996.

Political

Hernando County Democratic Executive Committee will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at Temple Beth David, 13258 Antelope St., Spring Hill. The meeting is open to the public. For information, call the HCDEC office at 352-593-8220 or visit its website at www.hernandodemocrats.us.

State Club

New York State Club will hold an anniversary dinner dance at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, at the Knights of Columbus hall, 10470 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Tickets were sold at the last meeting. Bowling is held at 11:30 a.m. every Monday at Spring Hill Lanes, 3447 U.S. 19, Spring Hill. For information, call Marge at 352-686-8015.

Music

Brooksville Music Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, at Christ Lutheran Church, 475 North Ave., Brooksville. Kokomo Chris will be featured on the steel drums, with a preview of the March 6 "Land Locked Cruise Caribbean Adventure" fundraiser. Refreshments will be served at the meeting, which is free of charge. For club and event information, call 352-793-5697.

Accordion Adventure will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. the third Tuesday of every month at Elks Lodge 2582 located at 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. The informal group consists of accordionists that are enthusiasts of all levels of performance. The group will feature a "February Valentine's Fling" on Feb. 15. A full cash bar will be available. Admission will be $2 per person, and the public is welcome. For information, call Cathy at 352-686-0975 or Peg at 352-442-5574.

Hernando Harmonizers has openings for singers. Men who love to sing are invited to join the Hernando Harmonizers of the Barbershop Harmony Society every Monday at Nativity Lutheran Church, 6363 Commercial Way, just north of the intersection of State Road 50 and U.S. 19, Weeki Wachee. Doors open at 6:45 p.m., and singing begins at 7 p.m. Singers have an opportunity to participate in community performances, annual show, competitions, etc. Guests are requested to call 352-556-3936 prior to planning a visit. For information, visit its website at www.HernandoHarmonizers.org.

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.

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.

Social

Long Island Club will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, 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.

German American Club will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, at the Shriners Club of Hernando County, 13400 Montour St., off Sunshine Grove Road, Brooksville. New members are welcome, and it is not necessary to be German to be a member or attend. For information, call Jack Yaskulski at 352-688-3744 or visit the club's new website at www.germanclubspringhill.org.

African American Club of Hernando County will meet at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, at the Regency Oaks Club House, 4445 Breakwater Blvd., off U.S. 19, Spring Hill. The club will be celebrating Black History Month with a member-provided buffet dinner. Wallace Johnston, P.E., will present Black History information with handouts. In addition, tickets will be available for purchase for the club's Caribbean Carnival/Mardi Gras dance to be held from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, at the SNPJ Lodge, 13383 County Line Road, Spring Hill. Ticket cost is $20 per person and appropriate costumes/masks are welcome. For tickets or information, call 352-596-3694 or 352-597-8098.

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.

Sales

Hernando County Cooperative Extension Service announces that the 2011 Master Gardener calendar is available at the Extension Service office located at 1653 Blaise Drive, Brooksville. The cost of the calendar is $3 each. The calendar features month-by-month expert advice on the central Florida landscape. For more information, call the Extension Service office at 352-754-4433.

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.

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.

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 will offer an "In His Footsteps" soup-and-sandwich outreach program lunch from noon to 2 p.m. the second Thursday of every month in the Parish Hall of the church located at 13485 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The meal is free of charge. For information, call the church office at 352-688-0663.

Fraternal

Elks Lodge 2582 holds bingo from 4:30 to 10 p.m. every Thursday at the Lodge located at 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Food will be available which will include pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries, coffee and soda. The event is open to the public. For information, call bingo chairman Joe Damroth at 352-442-3664 or the Lodge at 352-596-2582. Also, pizza and wings will be offered at 6 p.m. in the lounge. A slice of cheese pizza will be $1.25, a slice of pepperoni pizza will be $1.50 and a full pie will be $10. Jumbo wings will be 50 cents. This will be available to members and guests. For information, call the Lodge.

American Legion Post 186, its Auxiliary and Color Guard host a fish fry every Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Post located at 12091 Cortez Blvd. Menu choices will include filet of fish, jumbo shrimp, chicken fingers, along with fries, cole slaw, and a roll. Combination plates can also be purchased. The price will range from $5.50 to $7. In addition, the Auxiliary will be selling items from a dessert table. Following the meal, karaoke will be provided from 7 to 11 p.m. The Post is open to members and their guests. For information, call the Post at 352-597-9995.

Crime Watch

SHARP Crime Watch is seeking day and night patrollers and dispatchers. SHARP Crime Watch has been in existence for 28 years watching over the Spring Hill area. Patrollers are provided with radios and patrols his or her own area. Dispatchers keep close contact with the Sheriff's Department, Animal Services, Road Department, Code Enforcement, etc. SHARP makes daily calls to the elderly who live alone and will also watch someone's home when the residents are out of town. SHARP meets at 7 p.m. the second Monday of the month at the Senior Citizens Club of Hernando County, 7925 Rhanbuoy Road, Spring Hill. If interested in volunteering, attend the monthly meeting or call 352-683-5936.

Radio Clubs

Spring Hill Amateur Radio Club (SHARC) meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of every month at the Oak Hill Hospital Enrichment Center. Anyone interested in Ham Radio is welcome to attend. Testing for an FCC license is conducted at 6:30 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month at the same location. The club operates a 2-meter repeater on 146.805 MHz (no tone). Every Tuesday the club conducts a Club net at 7:30 p.m. Anyone with a Ham Radio license is welcome to participate in both nets and attend monthly meetings. For club information, visit its website at www.kf4ixu.org or call Ed at 352-684-7623.

Gulf Coast Amateur Radio Club invites those interested in HAM radio to join the group on its radio net at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday nights on the club's repeater WA4GDN, 146.670 MHz and read the club's newsletter at www.gulfcoastarc.org. For information, call John at 727-848-7785.

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

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.

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.

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 e-mail Schatzan@aol.com.