Hometown Happenings 0319-20

Community Events

Congressman Rich Nugent will host a Veterans Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Nature Coast Technical High School, 4057 California St., Brooksville. The purpose of the resource fair is to provide information and assistance regarding veterans claims services, education benefits, employment services, housing/social services, medical and more. For more information, call Harrison Lewis at 202-225-1002.

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.

Library Programs

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.

Hernando County Public Library System will show a movie at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 24, at the Spring Hill Branch Library located at 9220 Spring Hill Drive. The warm-hearted drama depicts two sisters' struggle to find romantic happiness in an early 19th century English society obsessed with financial and social stature. The movie is rated PG and runs 135 minutes. The program is free of charge, and registration is not required. For the movie title or more information, call the library at 352-540-6391.

Botanical

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 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

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.

African American Club of Hernando County will meet at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the Regency Oaks Club House, 4445 Breakwater Blvd., off U.S. 19, Spring Hill. The guest speaker will bring information on financial planning. In addition, tickets will be available for the club's scholarship banquet to be held May 28 at Silverthorn Country Club. Ticket cost is $50 per person. For information, call 352-596-3694.

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.

Arts/Crafts

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.

Spring Hill Art League, along with Polly Wogg Gallery and Labyrinth, will hold an artist's reception for artist Virginia Phillips from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at the Polly Wogg Gallery located at 18522 U.S. 19, just south of County Line Road, Hudson. Refreshments will be served, and the public is welcome to attend. For information, call the Gallery at 352-577-8755 or visit its website at www.pollywogggallery.com.

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

Music

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.

Brooksville Music Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 23, at Christ Lutheran Church, 475 North Ave. West, Brooksville. Interested parties are invited for a music exploration and talk featuring whaling, scrimshaw and sea shanties. A light seafaring lunch will be served free of charge. Chef and whaling program will be presented by Aunt Hattie and twin sister Maurea Sleesman. For club and event information, call 352-666-4867.

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. A special class "Beginning Photoshop Elements" will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, March 21, and competition night will be held March 28. 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.

Genealogy

Genealogy Society of Hernando County will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at the LDS Family History Center, 21043 Yontz Road, Brooksville. Visitors are welcome. For information, call Kathleen Marsh at 352-796-1623.

Computer Club

Hernando Computer Club will present "PowerPoint for Fun" at 10 a.m. and "Genealogy - Family Tree Maker" by Charleen Scime at 1 p.m., both Monday, March 21, in the North Room at the Education B building of Grace Presbyterian Church, 8375 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. In addition, the club's general meeting will be held at 7 p.m. March 21. Admission will be free of charge, and the public is welcome. 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.

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.

State Clubs

Illinois Club of Spring Hill will meet at 1 p.m. Friday, April 1, in the fellowship hall of Forest Oaks Lutheran Church, 8555 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. The club will hold its annual while elephant sale, "No April Fools." Members are requested to donate a wrapped, new or used, household item which will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to the club's treasury. 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.

Wisconsin Club will meet at 1 p.m. Monday, April 4, at Nativity Lutheran Church, 6363 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee. The speaker will be Jim Moll of the Hernando County Extension Service. Following the meeting, coffee and dessert will be served. The club dines out at a preselected restaurant for its social night; on Wednesday, April 20, social night will be held at 4 p.m. at Cody's Roadhouse, 3101 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, April 7, at the Knights of Columbus hall, 10470 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Dinner and dancing will follow a short 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.

Military/Veterans

Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) will hold its monthly luncheon meeting at noon Thursday, April 14, at Silverthorn Country Club, 4550 Golf Club Lane, off Barclay Avenue, Spring Hill. All active duty, reserve, National Guard, retired, and former commissioned officers and guests are welcome. For information, call LTC Mel Sweat at 352-666-9244.

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.

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.

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.

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 e-mail 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 e-mail Schatzan@aol.com.