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It's been a helluva year for us. How about you?
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NatureCoaster had over 247,000+ readers visit the magazine's website in twelve months of 2023. It's mind-boggling!
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We are preparing to celebrate ten years of NatureCoasting in April of 2024 and are entering the festival season, with booths planned at the Florida Manatee Festival, on Jan 12-13 in Crystal River and the Kumquat Festival on Jan. 27 in Dade City. More are planned throughout the Spring, but this will kick us off! Plan to stop by and pick up a sticker or area map and purchase a hat or mug.
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Meanwhile, thanks for being the awesome NatureCoaster that you are, and we hope you take the time to enjoy our top ten feature stories from 2023.
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Blessings and Joy from Diane Bedard, Sally White, Dorothy Pyritz, Pat Manfredo, Captain William Toney, Debbie Selsavage, Meagan Geopferich, and the many contributors to our publication
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The City of Crystal River has had big plans to revitalize their downtown area. We’ve seen the changes-the shiny street signs, the cool splash pad (no pun intended) and renovated downtown parking area. The freshly restored water tower casts a shadow over nice public restrooms, but doesn’t quite reach thewater fountain and glistening manatee statue that greets visitors and locals …
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Dragonflies dart across the sun-drenched field. They hover over the drying remnants of stormwater cradled in the shallow hollows in the grass. Clusters of yellow goldenrod and clumps of purple aster sway in the October breeze as butterflies dance between the blooms. A dark asphalt trail cuts through the manicured lawns leading from the cubist museum building and through the …
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Bob Brashear worked as a pharmacist for as long as his son, Jesse, can remember. “He worked for 20 years at Fedco in Inverness. When they were bought out by Eckerd, the things he felt were important to his profession seemed to lose importance to the store. Dad and Mom started their own retail pharmacy Brashear’s Pharmacy and his commitment …
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Have you seen Monkey Island? It's not a game. It's not a song. It's a real island in Homosassa with monkeys! Monkey Island Florida is one of the most unique sights along Florida’s Nature Coast. A small island in the Homosassa River, easily seen from the Homosassa Riverside Resort⑴, Monkey Island began as a solution to a sticky problem in …
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Gifts on the Nature Coast are often wrapped in salt marshes, cabbage palms, rivers, streams, creeks, fishing piers, and boat ramps. But, to me, the most amazing, often unwrapped gift is the history. Let’s peel away the paper and ribbon of Bayport, Florida. The unincorporated village of Bayport is in western Hernando County, six miles west on Cortez Boulevard (S.R. …
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It could be said that the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park began with one man’s admiration for the area’s natural beauty. In 1924, Mr. Bruce Hoover from Chicago made a trip on the Homosassa River and called it, "The most beautiful river and springs in the world." He had a bridge built over what is now known as …
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Jeremy Carpenter takes his job as president of the Central Pasco & Gulf Railroad very seriously. Well...sort of. “We're just a bunch of old guys who love playing choo-choo,” Carpenter dead-panned. “My job is to keep the cranky ones in line.” Carpenter joked that he was voted in at a meeting because he had the misfortune of not being there …
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Hudson, Florida is a hidden gem that’s too easy to miss while driving US19 along Florida’s Nature Coast. Located on the western side of Pasco County along the Gulf, the unincorporated modern-day coastal town has quite an interesting past. North of New Port Richey, Hudson started shaping up when Isaac Hudson and his wife Amanda moved their family from Alabama …
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A strange sound erupts from the mist filled cove. It’s a cross between a male turkey puffing and a whale blowing air from its spout. A grey mound breaks the calm surface of the water before sinking below the waterline- a flash. Just long enough of a change to make you aware and short enough to make you think you’re …
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The Little Mermaid, Jr.
Incredi-Bowl Zephyrhills
Spring Lake Memorial Classic Race - 10k/5k/2m
Florida MerCon Mermaid Festival
Rock N Roll Revival
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May 18, 2024
May 19, 2024
May 24, 2024
May 25, 2024
Please note that you can find the details of each event by clicking on the bar above or below the listings for this week. That will take you to the Events Calendar where you can choose the event for details.
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Our mission is to get more people involved in Florida's Nature Coast; particularly Citrus, Hernando & Pasco Counties. We do this by keeping you up-to-date on the area's places to go, things to do, and educational opportunities through our weekly publication, social media channels, and website.
Local businesses and events support us to connect with you. This important part of NatureCoaster.com funds the whole thing. Take a minute to bookmark the NatureCoaster directory and support these NatureCoasters who believe in what we're doing.
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