Welcome Home, Central Florida Volume 1: Issue 1

RV News To Use.

Volume 1 • Issue 1 • Nov/Dec 2021 YOUR RV RESOURCE FOR CENTRAL FLORIDA

WHAT’S INSIDE:

• Five Alive!

• Explore Dora • Blue Springs Magic Page 7

Page 11

Enjoying The Good Life!

• • • RV NEWS TO USE

Central Florida's Premiere RVers Newspaper!

Multimedia Advertising Packages Next Edition Early January 2022!

AD PLACEMENT IS JUST A CALL AWAY! 956.310.8953

todd@floridabywelcomehome.com • www.floridabywelcomehome.com.

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Camp On!

By Todd Breland, Welcome Home, Central Florida! General Manager RV there yet?! The time has come to put an informative and entertaining newspaper in the hands of Central Florida RVers. From weekend campers to seasonal residents to full-timers, we’re going to have fun ...together. Get ready for what we call fun news!

Life on the road is a trip, and I write from experience.

My family and I are permanent RVers right here in Central Florida. Our family of four live and love the RV life!

The “RV News To Use” concept is an expansion from Deep South Texas. Since 2008, Kristi Collier from McAllen, Texas has built a stapled masterpiece called Welcome Home, Rio Grande Valley. Kristi’s signature is “We’re just connecting the dots.” Knowing Kristi’s for over 10 years allowed us to connect on a publication company that has our team beyond excited.

Where to go, what to do, places to dine and more will be in your hands about every six weeks. Plus, all editions will be online at www.floridabywelcomehome.com. Be sure to check us out and follow us on social media. We’re here for the long haul!

We encourage businesses and organizations to explore our multimedia advertising packages. As a journalist and marketing advisor for over 30 years, I look forward to helping companies and customers connect. Reach out to me at todd@floridabywelcomehome.com, and our team will help create a marketing strategy that is both effective

and efficient.

We are thrilled to publish RV News To Use. Camp On, neighbors. We are Welcome Home, Central Florida!

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Table Of Contents Camp On! The Big Five Someplace Special Sunday Drive A Good Thing Island Juxtaposition How We Roll Charming Clermont Manatee Magic Bustling Beach Let’s Go! Home Care Jobs Cover Image Taken at Lake Magic RV Resort

VBR Staff 3 5 7 9 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19

Publisher Kristi Collier kristi@floridabywelcomehome.com General Manager Todd Breland todd@floridabywelcomehome.com Editorial Team Eryn Reddell-Wingert eryn@welcomehomergv.com Gretchen Losi letsgotxlosi@gmail.com Design Director John M. Hazlett artwork@floridabywelcomehome.com PO Box 136743, Clermont, Florida 34713 • 956.310.8953

www.floridabywelcomehome.com 5

Not Your Typical Top 5 List - It’s the Little Things

By Eryn Wingert

This ‘Top 5’ list includes the following: sponges, benches, the staghorn fern, boardwalks, and public art. The qualifiers for this list were simply this: they sparked joy. Central Florida has a way of encouraging one to slow down life’s pace, enjoy the moment. One way to do so is to take in the little things.

First up, sponges. Tarpon Springs - on the Gulf of Mexico side of the state - is a fascinating town known for its history as well as sponge harvesting. Boats draped with sponges show off their haul at the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks, it’s quite the site! Along the docks, if it’s not nailed down it might be wearing a sponge… smile.

On to benches. Florida is laid back, very laid back. It’s almost as if Central Florida takes pride in having perfected relaxing. That’s where benches come in. They are an open invitation to kick

A spongy happy face greets visitors at the popular Sponge Docks at Tarpon Springs.

(Eryn Reddell Wingert)

A couple takes in the view of Lake Minneola from a bench swing in Historic Downtown Clermont. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)

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back, take a load off, relax. Take in the people, the scenery. (Tip: Practice makes perfect!)

Ecotourism is a big draw - as it should be. But take a closer look - maybe while parked on a bench-with-a-view - at the staghorn fern. You can’t miss ‘em.

They grow them big in Central Florida!

Whether looming large as a focal point in front of a quaint little cottage near downtown Clermont, or hanging low from a sturdy tree at the Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park, the stately staghorn fern is a majestic thing of beauty.

Find a boardwalk to a beach and the rush to put your toes in the sand subsides. At the Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach, one can’t help but slow down, meander, while peering over the edge through the growth of thick palms. Take your time, the beach will wait.

Last, but nowhere near least, is public art. Murals, sculptures, mosaics depicting moments in Florida’s history and culture - they all command attention, providing even more opportunity to slow it down and take it all in.

A staghorn fern hangs heavy outside the greenhouse at Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)

Art abounds in Florida including murals depicting life and historic moments in the history of Tarpon Springs.

(Eryn Reddell Wingert)

A boardwalk tracks through the lush growth to the beach at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach.

(Eryn Reddell Wingert)

www.floridabywelcomehome.com

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Enjoy Mount Dora - By Land, Sea or Air

By Gretchen Losi

If you’re ready for that laid back country vibe, head over to Mount Dora. The slow paced lifestyle coupled with being one of the antique capitals of the world, make this a perfect spot to spend a day or two - or six.

Self promoted as “Someplace Special” - they nailed it. And they offer a plethora of ways for you to discover it on your own.

Depending on what part of town you want to discover first, you can pick your mode of transportation, that

can include a long leisurely New Orleans style paddleboat cruise, a flight on the seaplane, or cruise down Lake Dora and the Dora canal on a Catboat.

For the most comprehensive tour of the town one should consider a segway tour. It goes on for more than an hour and covers the lake, the historic business and residential district, Palm Island Park and of course the iconic lighthouse.

The 35-foot lighthouse in Granthan Point Park is the

only one registered in the state as an “inland aid.” It was created from “road rubble” and has become one of the area’s most famous landmarks.

Get your swampy-spooky time on with a Mount Dora Ghost tour. For over an hour you will be haunted by the town’s history as the dead come to life. And with so much history within the town, that’s sure to be a spooktacular time.

If you happen to be in town for the weekend, Mount

Sunlight peeks through a moss-covered live oak tree at Palm Island Park in Mount Dora.

(Eryn Reddell Wingert)

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Dora’s open-air farmers market is a treat offering freshness from over 40 vendors. The area is known for its blueberries so be sure to get some if you can. The local blueberries are so universally popular that each spring they hold an annual Blueberry festival to showcase their sweet jewels. This special event is loved and anticipated by thousands for its blueberry beer, wine and pie eating contest.

While in town you’ll want to stop and pay homage to its most infamous resident, “Old Joe.” Once a feared king among the banks of Lake Beauclair, in the 1800s Old Joe would spend his days lunching on local livestock and unsuspecting small animals.

Today the 15- foot long gator legend is still around as a 1,200-pound bronze statue standing as a proud and menacing reminder to stay vigilant and safe along Florida’s vibrant coast.

Mount Dora is also unique in that it holds festivals and events year-round thanks to its incredible weather.

Be sure to check out their calendar of events online so you don’t miss anything at www.whattodoinmtdora. com.

A couple sits bench-side to the inland lighthouse in Mount Dora at Grantham Point Park.

(Eryn Reddell Wingert)

A bronze sculpture of the legendary “Old Joe” stands guard near the water’s edge at Palm Island Park in Mount Dora.

(Photo by Eryn Reddell Wingert)

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Exploring Paradise - A Sunday Drive

By Gretchen Losi

The beauty and wonder that is Central Florida is quite literally, around every corner. So grab those keys and let’s hit the roads for some Sunday drives.

Like turning the pages of a fairy tale, each scenic street becomes more enchanting than the next. Whether on a motorcycle, minivan or convertable with the wind whipping your hair - a scenic drive in these parts can happen on any day ending in “Y.” The options are miles long but locals like to start on the Florida Turnpike.

It begins just South of Ocala in Wildwood and will take you all the way to Miami, which I am sure is stunning and beautiful - but it can’t be more charming than the central coast.

Along the turnpike you’ll find yourself entering scenic drives by the carefully placed signs. But even if you miss them you’ll realize it when you begin to notice the bountiful lush beauty suddenly surrounding you in small enchanting towns like Groveland and Webster.

Suddenly you’ll notice those long winding dirt roads laced with colossal trees stretching towards the heavens. These charming tree lined streets transport you back to a simpler time when kids were playing in

Central Florida was made for taking to the open road. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)

Hot tip: Always stop for oranges! Florida is known for producing delicious varieties and the bragging rights are well deserved. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)

10 www.floridabywelcomehome.com backyard forts and the milkman was your morning greeting.

If you go north to Ocala, one can expect to be mesmerized by the falling hooves of its horses amid the open fields and pastures. It makes you feel as though you are missing a mint julep in your hand on the way to the races. There are hundreds of thoroughbred horse farms peppering this glorious countryside. The homes aren’t too shabby either. Hollywood seems to agree, as many celebrities including John Travolta and Mel Tellis call it home.

A bit south of that and your Sunday drive will have you cruising through Winter Park where you’ll find a very different pace of scenery.

Winter Park is filled with the manicured beauty of multi-million dollar estates that still somehow maintain a personal charm in a small town of museums and culture.

Drive slowly and you might spot notable residents like Shaq or Carrot Top walking a casserole over to a neighbor. Orlando Magic basketball player Vince Carter is said to have recently purchased the most expensive home in the area at a whopping $9.92M for his 20,000 sq-ft. Winter Park home.

Most drives on the turnpike will land you near some fresh agriculture in the form of a farmers market or roadside fruit stand. Groveland has a great fruit stand that includes fresh pineapple. And Apopka has a cute little fruit and veggie store called, ‘Taters and Maters’ that boast the best boiled peanuts in town along with several unique Amish treats.

If you happen to be still driving at sunset, go find yourself a lake or spring to sit next to and enjoy the show. The Florida sunset bouncing off the water is a treat for anyone. The reflective colors dance and glisten creating a few striking moments of water ballet with the sunsets colors bouncing between the clouds on the water.

Cap off a Sunday drive with a gorgeous sunset view at one of the chain of lakes in Clermont.

(Eryn Reddell Wingert)

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Central Florida is Just Too Much!

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(and that’s a good thing)

By Eryn Reddell Wingert

You may have heard the complimentary term, “Oh, you’re just too much!” It’s a phrase used when someone goes above and beyond, or does/ gives more than expected. Well, that in a nutshell is Central Florida.

Florida immediately sparks images of sun-filled days, white sandy beaches, juicy oranges, and maybe even thoughts of meandering manatees, lush mangroves, and alligators around every corner. All true - well, there aren’t alligators around every corner - but when it comes to interesting sites, beautiful scenery, and friendly people - Central Florida has it all, and then some.

Take the St. Johns River, for example.

A leisurely boat tour along a stretch of Florida’s longest river - over 300 miles - and you will inevitably spot a multitude of birds, like bald eagles, egrets,

and herons. Not to mention reptiles such as sunbathing turtles, and alligators eyeballing you right back. During manatee season, November through April, you will most likely see serene portly manatees relaxing just beneath the surface. (Tip: The best way to spot a manatee, look for bubbles from their gas emissions. No, seriously.)

There’s so much to see and do in Central Florida, it can be overwhelming. But, when in doubt, ask a local. For example, your friendly roadside fruit stand vendor who excitedly offers up the idea of bioluminescent kayaking out of Titusville and the sweet local gentleman who didn’t hesitate to share his favorite nature parks and restaurants. One stop can help map out a whole day!

Central Florida is all just too much… of a really, really good thing.

A surfer calls it a day at famed surfing hotspot, Cocoa Beach. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)

Lily pads serenely float along the banks of Lake Lotus at the Audubon Birds of Prey Center in Maitland.

(Eryn Reddell Wingert)

A snowy egret hunts the shallows of St Johns River at Blue Springs State Park. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)

Sponges galore! A haul of sponges are displayed at the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks.

(Eryn Reddell Wingert)

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Merritt Island - The Out-of-This-World Refuge

By Gretchen Losi

Imagine if you will, a place where hundred year old turtles have sat to watch the building and launching of rockets to orbit the moon. It’s a unique place where butterflies and rocketfuel meet. Where birds spend their days atop a space shuttle’s fuselage before returning home to their untouched seashore just a stone’s throw away.

This is Merritt Island.

Eco-tourists heading towards the Space Coast need to carve out some time to spend at this incredibly special island.

The bounty of natural wildlife juxtaposed against an industrial rocket launch pad is a surreal moment to say the least.

The location is as unique as its residents. To the North of the park is the Canaveral National Seashore and to the South is Kennedy Space Station. Because the government has reach over so much of the area, it goes mostly undisturbed.

As a result, the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is a perfect spot to spend

On Florida’s Merritt Island, there’s plenty of seashore to go around. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)

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www.floridabywelcomehome.com the day with nature. The park welcomes you instantly with a very active butterfly field that bumpers up to an untouched coastline filled with waterfowl, seashells and horseshoe crab carcasses.

The refuge is filled with critters on land, sea and air including alligators, sea turtles, eagles, bobcats, salamanders and of course, manatees. In fact, they’ve documented over 1000 species of plants that attract mammals, fish and over 300 species of birds. So bring some binoculares and a camera along with your mosquito spray and sunscreen - you’ll thank us later.

The beach “sand” is actually tiny shells by the billions. The natural shoreline is absent of anything man made in exchange for natural elegant driftwood among the carcasses of horseshoe crabs that were feasted upon by the local wildlife. The waves gently glide up to greet hundreds of little sandpipers hoping for a cool wave to bring them a tasty snack.

The best way to discover this is Black Point Wildlife Drive. It’s a one way seven-mile maintained dirt road that winds through the refuge where cars often pull over to fish, picnic, hike and explore.

Merritt Island is home to nature and space exploration.

(Eryn Reddell Wingert)

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Surrounded by lush dense vegetation, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is nestled in the center of Merritt Island. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)

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Who We Are and What We Do

By Eryn Reddell Wingert

The Welcome Home, Central Florida! publication is part of the established Welcome Home Rio Grande Valley. Located in South Texas, Welcome Home R.G.V., as it’s locally known, has over 13 years of experience catering to retirees and visitors, to the tropical region of Texas.

Whether it’s for a three-week vacation or a six-month stay to avoid the cold winters up north, Welcome Home is the go-to resource for Winter Texans.

While we recognize the two regions - South Texas and Central Florida - are exceptionally different, expanding into Central Florida is a natural fit. Welcome Home has been connecting seasonal visitors with local organizations, attractions, dining establishments, retailers and service providers since 2008. Owner Kristi Collier leads a team dedicated to the mission of ‘connecting the dots’ between what a region has to offer and the tens of thousands who visit each year.

“It is a labor of love for all of us involved,” says Collier.

In it’s 13th year, Welcome Home is an established resource for RV park and resort managers and activity and tour

directors, through its website, seasonal weekly newspaper, social-media pages, and electronic newsletters. In addition, Welcome Home networks throughout the year keeping tabs and often leading the charge on how to market to seasonal visitors, such as RV-ers.

“I think its important-and our duty-to elevate the quality of information we provide and to share it in ways that accommodate for personal preferences,” Collier said. “We are constantly looking for the best ways to provide information and share it.”

Welcome Home not only caters to winter visitors, and RV travelers, but to those who have converted to southern living year-round. Seasonal and ‘converts’ have a direct impact on a local economy. Thus, Welcome Home strives to make ‘connecting the dots’ a great experience for the visitor or newly transplanted, as well as for local businesses and organizations.

“We are lucky to love the work we do and the people for whom we do it,” Collier says, “and the people we meet and the adventures we get to be a part of are just the icing on the cake.”

Welcome Home R.G.V. owner, Kristi Collier (pictured middle), is excited to expand into Central Florida with the Welcome Home, Central Florida publication to be distributed to 170 campgrounds and resorts.

(Courtesy)

The Welcome Home team has over 13 years of experience connecting seasonal visitors and RV travelers to businesses and organizations. It’s what we do and it’s... Just how we roll! (Courtesy)

www.floridabywelcomehome.com

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Eclectic and Charming Clermont

By Gretchen Losi

From a 226-foot tall tower to a 3-foot White House replica - Clermont has something for everyone.

It’s home to charming streets lined with mammoth trees reaching up to praise the heavens in-between historic architecture. There’s an abundance of lakes and parks and a few unusual roadside gems including one of the state’s first tourist attractions, the Citrus Tower.

The tower was built in 1956 as a tourist attraction.

The original plans were for a 75 foot tower but upon its completion, and after using 5 million pounds of concrete with 68 tons of reinforced steel, it stands at an impressive 226-feet with the tallest antena proudly poised at 500 feet above sea level.

The 22-story tower greets visitors eager to get a rare aerial panoramic view of central Florida. The glass encased observation deck offers exceptional views of the spring lakes and rolling hills around the area.

In its heyday the tower would greet some 500,000 visitors a year. That changed in 1964 after the Florida turnpike was extended north, away from the attraction.

The 80s weren’t very kind either, as three historic freezes decimated the area’s citrus.

If you have someone with you who isn’t a fan of elevators or heights, no worries. There’s a top shelf coffee shop on the main floor that serves up the tower’s signature Citrus latte that they can sip until your return.

Or- just head up the road a bit and you’ll find the Presidential Hall of Fame. This is a scale replica of

the WHite House that took some 40 years and 500,000 hours to complete. Each room is meticulously created with furnishings that were hand created by artisans using 1 inch to 1 foot scale.

These exhibits are each a fascinating labor of love, from several first ladies inaugural gowns to the automated Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt. Other replicas are worth noting as well including the Statue of Liberty and Lincoln Memorial. Outside one will also find a Mount Rushmore replica perfect for that cheesy vacation photo.

So far, over 500 million visitors have witnessed the impressive charm of the attraction that President Ronald Regan called, ‘a national treasure.”

There’s so much to see at this small attraction that, ‘Tommy the tour guide’ said, in all the years he’s been working there he still stumbles upon something new each day as he educates eager guests.

Once you’re done there grab your appetite and head downtown. There you’ll find Clermont’s Historic village with shops, parks, eateries and pubs. An interesting mesh of hip and historic with lots of activity can be found here.

Folks can be spotted out walking their dogs in the park or jamming to live music and entertainment on the water with friends. There’s also a few well maintained historic homes and businesses that adorn the village, some dating back to the late 1800s. Tours are offered where volunteers are happy to answer questions.

CITRUS TOWER FUN FACTS • Although the Citrus Tower is not the tallest building in Florida, with its raw height of 226 feet, plus more than 300 feet above sea level, the Tower is one of the highest observation points in all of Florida.

• In the elevator above the door, is a plaque with floor numbers on it. According to that plaque, the Tower is only 15 stories tall, this is inaccurate. The Citrus Tower is actually 22 stories.

• This is because the builders of the tower used an elevator from a hotel at the time.

• The Citrus Tower is privately owned.

• On a clear day at the top, you can see 35 miles to the horizon, 2,000 square miles, and 8 different counties.

SOURCE: Citrustower.com

The Citrus Tower, a distinct Clermont, Florida landmark.

(Eryn Reddell Wingert)

The show piece of the House of Presidents is the miniature White House. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)

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The Magic of Blue Springs

By Gretchen Losi

Nestled along the St. John’s river you’ll discover Blue Springs State Park, an eco-tourists dream come true.

Year round, Blue Springs crystal waters are straight from an enchanting fairy tale - and so are its inhabitants. But the park takes on some very special guests from fall to spring. This is when the waters bubble with delight once again as the park welcomes home their coveted guests - the manatees.

Usually spotted alone, in pairs or with a small group - they shouldn’t be missed.

The giant gray slow-paced giant can typically be seen just under the water’s surface. In the springs they are clearly seen and enjoyed and respected by hikers, kayakers and boaters. In the river it becomes a bit murkier - so look for the bubbles.

Yes- bubbles!

Apparently mammoth babies eat mammoth amounts of vegetation, leaving them terribly gassy at all times creating mini jacuzzis bubbling throughout the river. That’s your sign to watch your boat motor or kayak paddle and approach with care.

Blue Springs is a true healing oasis for these gentle giants. The park takes great pride in all they have done and continue to do for their majestic on-site royalty.

Thanks to their efforts the manatees’ numbers have exploded. Two years before the park was officially enstated, the area had 14 manatees. Today the number is close to 500.

As a result, you’ll likely spot a few that look tethered. They’re not. It’s a safe and efficient GPS tracker that newly released

manatees wear so staff can monitor their journey, eventually back safely into the wild. This is just one more part of the park’s efforts to maintain their safety.

The magical manatee isn’t the only captivating creature in this mystical slice of heaven on earth. The water is full of spotted gar, tarpon, frogs, snakes and a bountiful array of other aquatic critters including the all mighty alligator.

Look up and you’ll spot another special feast for the eyes - this one feathered.

The park is bursting with several varieties of wading birds including herons and ospreys but look a bit higher and you’re just as likely to spot a majestic eagle.

The park has a 4.5 mile Pine Island trail that is perfect for taking in the beauty found in the river and in the trees.

But you’ll still want to take a boat tour if possible. Here you can easily and safely spot several alligators while getting a crash course on local wildlife and native plants from the boat captain.

Perfecting the art of relaxing, three visitors converse on a park bench at Blue Springs State Park.

(Courtesy)

The St Johns River in Blue Springs State Park is the longest river flowing through Florida.

(Eryn Reddell Wingert)

Kayakers encounter a pair of meandering manatees in the St Johns River.

(Gretchen Losi)

Home Instead Clermont Home Care 1725 E Hwy 50, Suite C • Clermont, FL 34711 O: 352-717-5700 • M: 858-472-1905 F: 352-415-0919 cheryl.hernandez@homeinstead.com • HomeInstead.com/846

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Cocoa Beach - Home Of Genies Astronauts and Surfers

By Gretchen Losi

Cocoa Beach is a place where genies dream, astronauts fly and surf legends are born.

Once known as ‘Oceaus’ the town wasn’t established until 1925. It had a bit of a slow start thanks to the Great Depression followed by the war. In fact, around 1942 our government realized the city lights created a backdrop making the area a sitting target for German U-boats. They stepped in and asked for a blackout until the end of the war.

But by the 60’s it was popping. The world’s biggest surf shop, Ron Jon, had established itself in what is now a bustling city thanks to Kennedy Space Center that set-up just a few miles down the road, earning this side of Florida the title of ‘Space Coast.”

Today the world-famous Cocoa Beach pier is a popular tourist destination drawing in over a million visitors a year. You can’t miss the colorful pier lined with gift shops and restaurants that allow you to dine 800 feet out and above the Atlantic.

Locals sell their community as a place to see stunning views of the Atlantic with its gorgeous waves hitting sandy beaches under a warm sunny sky making it perfect for sunrises or sunsets. They aren’t wrong.

Surfers don’t have to sell it. They already know the consistent waves and warm shallow waters out past the breakers is why it has earned another title as ‘Surf

Capital of the USA.’ This title also comes with some real meat. One doesn’t have to look far for a spot to blast -off on their board. Cocoa Beach is home to over 100 of the best surfing spots in the East Coast.

Not a surfer? Cocoa Beach has you covered. Private surf lessons for all ages can run about $65 an hour and group lessons at $40. A short walk down the beach and your confidence will start to rise as you see kids as young as 3 learning alongside their grandparents in their 60s.

If surfing isn’t your thing - no fear.

There’s plenty to do in this iconic town including watching a space launch from the beach, observing animal species in their natural habitat, kayaking off the Banana River Islands, golf, shopping and of course great dining.

If you like Americana and have an affinity for nostalgia you’ll want to stop by ‘I Dream of Jeanie’ Lane. About a mile from the iconic pier is Lori Wilson Park where you’ll find the famous street.

While the beloved 60s tv show had Col. Nelson and Jeanie living their magical lives in Cocoa Beach, filming was all done in California. This was the city’s way to pay homage to the quintessential show.

So whether you’re hoping to hit the waves, dive into your 60’s pop culture, or shoot for the moon and stars - there’s something waiting for you at Cocoa Beach.

A blue heron struts the sea wall as sailboats float in the harbor in Cocoa Beach. (Eryn Reddell Wingert)

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I Dream of Jeannie Lane is a short avenue within Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach. (Eryn Reddell

956.310.8953 todd@floridabywelcomehome.com • www.floridabywelcomehome.com.

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Let’s Go! • Boat to Nowhere at Werner State Park

By Gretchen Losi

‘Ship’s ahoy!” Well, kinda sorta but not likely. It’s landlocked and handcrafted but with a little imagination the possibilities are endless. Still, this sweet little mullet boat is just begging to be boarded and explored. You’ll discover her just outside the parking lot of Werner State Park, Ritchie.

The park also makes for a great hike along well maintained paths that lead to impressive native species of plants throughout the exotic mangroves. There you’ll spot a variety of native birds and reptiles so watch your step as you never know where you’ll stumble upon a nest with eggs - or worse.

The natural spring is swimming with kayakers respectful of their surroundings which include a multitude of aquatic life and of course manatees.

A mullet boat handcrafted by staff and volunteers greets visitors at Werner State Park.

(Gretchen Losi)

IF YOU GO The park is handicap accessible with restrooms on the second floor. The small park is dog friendly and includes a snack trailer and kayak rental facility. º There are 3 entrances to the state park.

• The main entrance 8737 US Highway 19 North, Port Richey • 10333 Scenic Drive, Port Richey • Black Rail Trail Head at 6641 State Road 52.

Let’s Go! • Sweet and Tasty Roadside Fruit

By Gretchen Losi

Just hearing the word “Florida’’ instantly conjures images of fresh fruit. A drive down a rural road brings that image to life.

You don’t have to look far for a fresh fruit stand in Central Florida. Most that we experienced were family owned, some being generations deep.

While they each have their specialties most will offer the coveted Florida orange in various sweet, bitter, or juicy varieties.

Whatever your preference you can count on them always being vitamin packed.

You can count on being offered a tasting of the different varieties and if you’re lucky enough to find a family owned stand, you might get quite the education on all things Florida citrus from a proud grower.

Citrus isn’t all that’s sweet at the stand.

There’s typically a plethora of exotic and native treats including pineapple, coconut, berries and mango to name a few.

It’s a fun healthy stop where you can walk away with a bag full of Florida sunshine, make a new friend and support a local business.

This sweet stand offered us dinner and a show. The fruit she offered was better than anything we had from a store - ever. And being fourth generation, she was happy to tell us the history about the area around her farm near Groveland.

(Gretchen Losi)

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Home Care Job Opportunities Across Florida

Home Instead Full-time and Part-time Openings for People with Passion for Helping Seniors As the seasonal population of Florida grows during the winter months, there are job opportunities with Home Instead for those looking to stay active or add to their income.

Caregiving has become increasingly important during the COVID-19 pandemic as many older adults and their families have realized home is one of the safest places to be. In-home caregiving allows seniors to receive the care they need to stay healthy and safe.

This increase in the desire for home care means opportunities for individuals with a passion for caring for others. Across the region there are full-time and part-time job opportunities available. These positions offer competitive pay and flexible scheduling, making them a strong option for retirees or snowbirds looking to connect with their Florida community, help others and bring home a paycheck.

“Our caregivers enable aging adults to live independently and safely in their own homes,” said Cheryl Hernandez, owner of the Home Instead office in Clermont. “If you have a heart for seniors and a heart to help others – we can use you.”

In-home caregiving is a rewarding career experience. Professional caregivers

offer supportive care to older adults by providing companionship and conversation, performing light housekeeping, preparing meals, running errands, managing medications, and assisting with transportation and personal care needs. Many qualities and skills developed in other jobs carry over seamlessly into caregiving responsibilities, such as being reliable, attentive and a strong communicator.

“Caregivers make a direct, positive impact on someone’s life by simply doing things to enhance the quality of life for older adults and help keep them independent for as long as possible.” Hernandez said. “We like to say that it takes a special person to become a Home Instead CAREGiver, not a special degree. It can be a rewarding career for individuals from every walk of life and age group.”

Individuals interested in learning more about the job opportunities with Home Instead can visit https://www.homeinstead. com/home-care-jobs to see current job openings and job descriptions.

To learn more about Home Instead Clermont, local job openings, and the resources available, call the office at 352717-5700 or visit www.homeinstead.com/ location/846.

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