Captivating adventures, vivid memories, and creative storytelling only begin to describe the book to be unveiled at the Floral City Heritage Museum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, September 15.

With 92 years of memories under his belt, Bob Metz hand-recorded into five spiral notebooks by pencil many of his memories of growing up in Floral City and Citrus County. Those pages of memories have been translated and edited by Jeanie Hodges of Homosassa and then entered into a printing-required format by Janet Donovan of Floral City, The printed paperback is being sponsored by the Duval Preservation Trust, Inc. (DPT), with all proceeds going to further development of the oldest residency in Citrus County.

As a DPT Support Group, the Floral City Heritage Council is pleased to announce this official unveiling of the book to the public and Bob will be available at the Museum to sign his book: “Memories of Growing Up in Floral City & Citrus County.”

Bob Metz unveils his Second Book, Memories of Growing Up in Floral City & Citrus County, at the Floral City Heritage Museum September 15

These memories stretch across Citrus County from exploring the caves south of Floral City to making a movable witness stand and jury seats for Judge Leonard Damron when he held court in City Hall at Crystal River.

Bob’s numerous creations as a teenager include the specially designed boat he still has, the first water skis to be used on Lake Tsala Apopka, and the diving helmet he and his best friend, Earl Bassett, made for exploring the old pilings of the steamboat landing at the end of Aroostook Way in Floral City.

To say vintage automobiles have played a large part in his life would be an understatement. Seems Bob was always working on a car, several of which he still has and can be seen driving. He wasn’t limited to rebuilding automobiles; he also rebuilt trucks, airboats, and even airplanes. Concerning the latter, he recalls the early days of the Inverness Airport before there was a paved runway and how he used his GI Bill after WWII to take flying lessons.

One gets the idea from his book that there is not much that Bob could not design or build.  If he saw a need, he found a solution. And he was never reluctant to try something new or unfamiliar to him, even if it was as simple as eating cane syrup on a biscuit for the first time.

This is one of those books that is difficult to put down once it is begun. If you are at all interested in how life was lived in the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s in rural central Florida, this will be a welcome introduction.

For more information about the book call (352) 726-7740, For information about the free Heritage Museum that is open every Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm call (352) 419-4257 and leave a message. Visit the Heritage Council’s website at www.floralcityhc.org, and visit Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.