Hometown Happenings 0312-13

Community Events

Jolly Ranchers 4H will hold a car wash and yard sale fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at Harold's Auto Center (the big, white dinosaur on U.S. 19), 5299 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. Suggested donation for the car wash is $5. For information, call 352-596-8225.

Cub Scout Pack 459 will hold its annual Pinewood Derby from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 12, at Elks Lodge 2582 located at 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Cub Scout participants make and race their own cars. It is anticipated that several of the Elks will be judges at the event for the best theme choice. For information, call Cubmaster Bob Ruboltz at 352-428-6177.

Cub Scout Pack 459 will hold a fundraiser spaghetti dinner from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at Elks Lodge 2582 located at 14494 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. The Lodge sponsors the Cub Scout Pack. The menu will include meatballs, salad and Italian bread; and the cost will be $5 per person. Proceeds of the event will help enable the Boy Scouts to attend summer camp. Tickets will be available at the Friday night dinners from House Committee chairperson Angie Balderson or Exalted Ruler Bill Balderson. Members and guests are invited to attend. For information, call the Lodge at 352-596-2582.

High Point Community will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a dance from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at its community center located at 12249 Club House Road, Brooksville. Music will be provided by Take Two. BYOB - complimentary coffee and ice will be provided. Ticket cost is $4 per person for members and $5 per person for non-members. For table reservations and tickets, call Laverne at 352-596-2827.

Recreation

Nature Coast Bridge Club will conduct a four-week supervised play course beginning at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 15, at the Senior Citizens Club of Hernando County, 7925 Rhanbuoy Road, Spring Hill. The course has been designed for advancing novice players. Each week, difficult or unusual situations will be highlighted. A brief formal lesson will be offered, followed by many challenging hands and a discussion about the bidding and play. The cost is $40 per person, and a textbook is not required.
In addition, the club will offer a four-week "Doubles" course at 9:30 a.m. Monday, March 14, at the Senior Citizens Club. The course will be presented by Mary Ellen Vanzler, and the cost is $40 per person plus $5 for the book. For information, call MaryAnn at 352-592-4882.

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. The March 14 presentation will be "Which Lens and Tripod are for me?" (zoom, prime, macro, cost, application, filters). 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.

Computer Club

Hernando Computer Club will hold a "Newcomer Orientation Brunch" at 10 a.m. and will present a "Computerized Sewing Workshop" by Norma Winner at 1 p.m., both Monday, March 14, at the Education B building of Grace Presbyterian Church, 8375 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Newcomers will be called for confirmation for the brunch. 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.

Education

Hernando County Extension Service will present Financial Management classes as follows: "Credit Management" at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive; and "Developing an Effective Spending Plan" at 3 p.m. Monday, March 21, at the Main Library, 238 Howell Ave., Brooksville. For information, contact the library at 352-540-6391 or visit the library's website at www.hcpl.lib.fl.us.

Library Programs

Hernando County Public Library System will host a demonstration of the "ReferenceUSA" database at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive. A representative from the Infogroup company will conduct the demonstration. The "ReferenceUSA" database includes information on over 14 million businesses and can be used to focus a job search. Attendees will learn how to search for jobs by industry, geographic location, and more; plus how to build and print own company lists and contact information. The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session and tips to make a job search easier. Registration is not required, and the program is free of charge. For information, call 352-754-4824.

Hernando County Public Library System will offer spring break movies at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive, as follows: at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, a movie about the age-old battle between cats and dogs featuring a crazed feline Kitty Galore. The movie is rated PG and runs 82 minutes; and at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 17, a movie featuring super villain Megamind. The movie is rated PG and runs 96 minutes. Registration is not required, and the program is free of charge. For movie titles or information, call the library at 352-540-6391.

Hernando County Public Library System invites residents to celebrate the Spring Hill Branch Library's fifth anniversary from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at the library located at 9220 Spring Hill Drive. Activities will include Tony the Balloon Guy, face painting, Friends of the Library book sale, children's crafts, and a downloadable e-Book demonstration. Special performers will include Nancy Lynn Cooper (children's songwriter/performer) at 10 a.m. and the Hernando Jazz Society at noon. The event will be sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Hernando County, and the children's crafts will be sponsored by Kiwanis of the Nature Coast. The event will be free of charge. For information, call the library at 352-540-6391.

Brooksville Book Discussion Group will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, March 21, at the Main Library, 238 Howell Ave., Brooksville. March's selection will be "Careless in Red" by Elizabeth George (a mystery novel). Discussion leaders will be Dora and Keith Furr. Each month, the "no guilt" book discussion group holds an informal discussion at the Main Library. Registration is not required, so visit the front desk of the library for a copy of the book. For information, call Ronette at 352-544-5669.

Arts/Crafts

Suncoast Ship Model Society will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 17, 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.

Spring Hill Art League, along with Easy Street Home Décor, will host an artist's reception to showcase the artwork of Diane Becker from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at Easy Street Home Décor, 100 N. Brooksville Ave., Brooksville. Refreshments will be served, and the public is invited to attend. For information, call 352-799-9690.

Hernando Porcelain Artists will meet at 9 a.m. Monday, March 21, at the LifeSouth Community Blood Center, 12395 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville. Judy Swanson will demonstrate how to design borders on porcelain plates. Visitors are welcome and anyone interested in learning the art of china painting. For information, call Judy at 352-592-4814.

Political

Hernando County Democratic Club will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12, at Southern Pines Condos Clubhouse, 8075 Southern Pines Drive, Brooksville. Guest speaker will be Arlene Gantz, attorney and past president of Democratic Club. For information, call Harvey Martin at 352-686-0686 or visit its website at www.hernandocountydemocrats.com.

Hernando County Democratic Executive Committee will hold its monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 17, at Temple Beth David, 13158 Antelope St., Spring Hill. A special election for the positions of vice chair and secretary will be conducted. The meeting is open to the public. For information, call 352-593-8220 or visit its website at www.hernandodemocrats.us.

Wellington Democrats will meet at 2 p.m. Friday, March 18, at the Wellington at Seven Hills Clubhouse, 400 Wexford Blvd., off Mariner Boulevard, Spring Hill. Speaker will be James Singer, chairman of the Hernando Democratic Executive Committee. All residents of Hernando County are invited. For more information, contact Gene Erich at WellingtonDemocrats@gmail.com.

Music

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 "St. Patty's Party" on March 15. Admission will be $2 per person, and any type of musician is welcome. For information, call Cathy at 352-686-0975 or Peg at 352-442-5574.

Hernando Harmonizers Men's A Capella Chorus will host a "Guest Night" at 6:45 p.m. Monday, March 21, at Nativity Lutheran Church, 6363 Commercial Way, just north of the intersection of State Road 50 and U.S. 19, Weeki Wachee. A variety of activities will include vocal warm-up exercises, group sing-a-longs, chapter quartets, and learning a simple song in four-part harmony. Light refreshments will follow. Bring a friend or spouse. For information, call Jay at 352-684-5267 or Art at 352-688-1182.

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.

Botanical

Buttonwood Bonsai Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 12, at The Key Training Center, 130 Heights St., Inverness. Club member "Bonsai Bob" Eskeitz will be creating a cascade-style bonsai from a large nursery juniper in the demonstration portion of the meeting. Meetings are open to the public, and visitors are welcome. For information, call Jim Stephens at 352-848-0102 or Clay Gratz at 352-563-2156.

Orchid Lovers of Spring Hill will meet at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at the Spring Hill Enrichment Center behind Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd. Megan Wilkerson, Ritter Tropic 1 Orchids, will speak on "Orchids from Birth to Bloom." She will offer orchids for sale. Refreshments of 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.

Spring Hill Garden Club will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. A potluck luncheon is planned, as well as a Chinese auction. Bring a dish to share and a place setting. 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.

Hernando Herb Society will hold its annual plant exchange at 1 p.m. Monday, March 28, at Nativity Lutheran Church, 6363 Commercial Way, just north of State Road 50, Weeki Wachee. Members will bring plant cuttings to exchange with other members and guests. Guest speaker will be Dennis Gretton of D&D Growers. Gretton will bring herbs he grows and will explain how to grow and propagate them. He has a wide variety of herbs and will offer them for sale. Gretton will also offer ideas how to use the herbs in cooking and will share recipes. The Herb Society's mission is to provide education and opportunities to share with other herbal enthusiasts through programs, field trips, and hands-on experience. Meetings are held the fourth Monday of the month September through May. Annual dues are $10 per person. For information, call Mary at 352-799-5717.

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.

Social

Latinos Unidos Social Club of Spring Hill will meet from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at its facility located in the Starck Plaza at 12528 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. The monthly social "Getting to know you" will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, March 12, at its facility. Dinner will be served, and music will be provided by disc jockey MP3. The club opens at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. 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.

Sons of Italy, Nature Coast Lodge 2502, will meet Wednesday, March 16, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 6193 Spring Hill Drive. Doors will open at 5 p.m.; and dinner of corned beef, cabbage, carrots and potato will be served at 6 p.m. Meeting will be held at 7 p.m., and coffee and cake will be served at 8:30 p.m. For information, call Eugene at 352-684-7460. For membership information, call Rose at 352-796-7714.

Long Island Club will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, 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, March 19, at the Brookridge Community located off State Road 50, just west of the Suncoast Parkway interchange, Brooksville. Bring personal snacks, beverage and ice, if needed; and the club will provide a disc jockey for dancing. Lessons will not be held. The event is open to the public. For information, call Norma at 352-397-6088.

Elks Lodge 2582 will hold breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, March 20, at the Lodge. The menu 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.

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.

Knights of Columbus St. Jude Council 6383 has a new chef (Chef Don) for its Friday night dinners at its facility located at 10470 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Dinner is served from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and a different special dish will be featured every week plus baked fish, two-piece fried fish, fish and shrimp - one piece, fish and three shrimp, baked chicken, shrimp - eight pieces. All dinners include homemade soup or salad, rolls and butter, vegetable, coffee or tea, iced tea and dessert including a homemade dessert. Music and dancing follows dinner and continues until 9 p.m. There is a special area for line dancing. The cost is $10 per person, and the public is welcome. For information, call 352-683-1227.

Sales

Spring Hill Regional Hospital Auxiliary will sponsor a jewelry sale from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, March 16-17, at the hospital located at 10461 Quality Drive, Spring Hill. Proceeds of the sale will benefit its scholarship fund and local charities. For information, call Pat at 352-666-8755.

Historical

Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at noon Thursday, March 17, at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue, Spring Hill. The meeting will feature a speaker from the Southeastern Guide Dogs. 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 your genealogy. For information, call Sharon at 352-796-7996.

Crime Watch

SHARP Crime Watch will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, March 14, at the Senior Citizens Club of Hernando County, 7925 Rhanbuoy Road, Spring Hill. The group 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 e-mail scrimewatch@tampabay.rr.com

Community

Hernando County La Sertoma Club will meet at 11 a.m. Monday, April 4, 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.

Military/Veterans

Navy Seabee Veterans of America meets at 10 a.m. the third Saturday of every month at VFW Post 9236 located at 3435 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando Beach. For more information, call 727-488-0153.

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.

Community Outreach

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.

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.

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.

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 e-mail Schatzan@aol.com.