Florida's Adventure Coast Round-Up for FOWA 2018

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Highlights and Milestones from the past year

Has it been a while since you visited Florida’s Adventure Coast?

Welcome back! Much has changed to enhance this area’s timeless charm. We’d like to share some notable news. Catch up with this round-up.

ATTRACTION NEWS A reborn General Store, a visionary Executive Director and a new performing arts venue highlight recent attractions news.

Chinsegut Hill Retreat and Museum Melissa Kehler recently took the reigns as Executive Director of Chinsegut Hill and welcomes visitors to this exquisite lodging and historical landmark. Recently relocated from the north, she is enthusiastic and full of plans.

Live Oak Theatre The thriving performing arts community long housed in a Brooksville church has a new home thanks to an ambitious fundraising campaign. Aiming to raise $300,000, the effort caught fire when a $100,000 donor promised to match whatever the theatre company could raise on their own.

The community rallied behind the arts and within six weeks, they met their goal. The new Live Oak Theatre has a full 2018-19 season of performances and classes.

Richloam General Store Founded in 1922, the original Richloam community store, post office and train depot closed for 81 years. Last year, The Richloam General Store was authentically restored and re-opened to the delight of history lovers. It is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Drop in to this country store and step back to a simpler time.

B ROOKSVILLE NEWS Downtown Brooksville is experiencing a boost in commerce and visitation, thanks to events new and reimagined, unique lodging, shopping and quality dining.

The Dolan House B&B Stay in the heart of historic downtown Brooksville. Elegant accommodations, delectable breakfasts and warm hospitality make the Dolan House an ideal lodging option. Hosts Mike Dolan and Tina Jarvis also offer guided biking and kayaking tours.

Events Brooksville Blueberry Festival Downtown is again home to a spring Blueberry Festival. The first annual Brooksville Blueberry Festival was a huge success, ensuring a return in 2019. This local-focused event featuring those tasty little blue dynamos returns April 27th and 28th. The Brooksville Blueberry Festival is planned as an annual staple the last weekend in April going forward.

Friday Night Live Presented by Brooksville Main Street, Friday Night Live is a monthly concert featuring major regional acts plus food trucks and beverages. Admission is free and draws large crowds to Hernando Park in Brooksville.

Dining The Bistro Formerly The Rising Sun Bistro & Market, it was rebranded to simply The Bistro.

Expanded hours, a new chef and dinner menus that change weekly are new.

The Broad Street Market A delightful upscale addition to the heart of downtown Brooksville, this restaurant menu features chef-prepared casual, urban fare of fresh-caught seafood and other locally sourced ingredients.

Un-Common-ly Artsy Also produced by the Brooksville Main Street organization, this monthly Saturday arts market is located behind City Hall.

Visitors are also welcome to tour the UpTown Art Gallery housed within City Hall.

Brooksville Farmer’s Market Another new Brooksville weekend draw is the Sunday Farmer’s Market. Local farmers and agricultural producers offer their finest produce, meats and seafood.

C OASTAL NEWS Focus on active care and ecological stewardship highlight recent news.

Artificial Reefs The past year was marked by several milestones for artificial reef deployments on Florida’s Adventure Coast. Last August one of our oldest offshore artificial reefs was tripled in size, followed by the creation of three new snorkeling reefs in midNovember.

Bayport–Linda Pedersen Paddling Trail Slip into a front row seat to tour our scenic saltmarsh on the Bayport–Linda Pedersen Paddling Trail. Launch your kayak, canoe or paddleboard and follow signs marking the 1.7-mile journey through this thriving coastal ecosystem. Have some more time?

Make it a round-trip or take the turn-off and explore Redfish Bayou, for advanced paddlers.

Hunter’s Lake Access Freed of its suffocating tussocks, those masses of matted floating vegetation, Hunter’s Lake in Spring Hill is again available for freshwater fishing. The lengthy lake restoration project involving large aquatic harvesters was recently completed.

Now the lake, as large as 430 acres when the water is high, is a popular destination for anglers.

Oyster Reefs As the first phase of a living shoreline initiative, an oyster reef was built in Centipede Bay. On a spring day, nearly 100 people and a dozen boat captains volunteered to position mesh bags filled with recycled oyster shells. Oyster reefs are vital for coastal protection, habitat, fisheries, nutrient cycling and water clarity.

This project, led by Florida Sea Grant, is part of a $29K grant awarded to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (UF/IFAS) from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Coastal Partnership Initiative.

New Pine Island Observation Deck Look out over the Gulf of Mexico for sensational sunsets or just to relax. The view from the elevated Pine Island observation deck, rebuilt after Hurricane Hermine damage, is back and better than ever.

Sea Turtle Rescue and Safety Florida Sea Grant and UF/IFAS, partnering with the Loggerhead Marine Life Center, expanded the Responsible Pier Initiative on Florida’s Adventure Coast.

Sea turtle rescue training was conducted, signage and monofilament tubes were placed throughout many coastal sites.

C RUISE , B REWS & C YCLING NEWS Now you can enjoy a sunset dinner cruise or Sunday brunch on the water. Later, sample some newly crafted adult beverages to supplement our growing Kegs, Casks & Corks culture.

Good Neighbor Trail completion Completion of the 10.3-mile long paved trail linking Brooksville to the 46-mile long Withlacoochee State Trail means bicyclists have a major motor vehicle-free touring option. Inviting in its scenery and downtown amenities, this smooth level trail traverses the Withlacoochee State Forest and will be a segment in the 250-mile long Coast-to-Coast Trail. October 14th marks the Inaugural Good Neighbor Trail Ride.

Island Rose Dinner Cruises Step aboard a riverboat replica, complete with paddlewheel, named the Marina Rose. Cruise out of Hernando Beach for an unforgettable sunset dining or brunch experience. Owned and operated by lifelong residents, Randall and Rosa Rossi, they follow their young daughter Marina’s advice to “take people out on the boat and show them a good time.”

Craft Spirits Brewing Recent additions to our craft beverage scene are a winery, brewery and distillery.

Sparacia-Witherell Family Winery hosts visitors in a beautiful country setting with music events and tastings of their line of sweet, light wines. Tidal Brewing is a popular new craft beer spot founded by a married couple of science teachers.

Copperhead’s Southern Distillery is home to hand-crafted, small batch moonshine infused with a spectrum of flavors.

Blueberry and Apple Pie & Cinnamon were award-winners at the Wine & Wholesalers of America Convention last year. Take our Kegs, Casks & Corks Tour to find out why so many of our establishments are awardwinners. Is it in the water? You decide!