By Michele Miller
What’s What New Port Richey
Now is the time of getting out there – of making hay, so to speak – while the sun’s shining, but not so much that you feel the need to retreat. The days of summer hibernation are fast approaching, even pausing over us in occasional waves before dipping back into the 70s and another downright gorgeous day.
The worthy advice I figure as I gaze out on my blooming back yard thinking I’d rather be out there than in here, is to take advantage.
Photo | Michele Miller
Not that I haven’t already.
Florida’s early spring and the palatable temperatures helped to draw the occasional northern visitor, one we like to share the “real Florida” with, even if that entails taking in fantastical swimming Weeki Wachee mermaids that put on a performance so awe inspiring that watching the reactions of the gaped-mouth kid sitting next to you proves to be the best vantage.
Our Florida State Park pass included free tickets for two to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, which includes entrance to the Buccaneer Bay Water Park (that we passed on since slides are no longer my thing), and a brief tour-guided boat ride where we saw bald eagles and their nestlings, turtles, loads of fish – some jumping – and a baby blue heron wading the weedy shallows of the spring-fed river.
Blue herons, it turns out, are actually white at that stage, according to our tour guide.
And we learn something new….
Add to that day hikes that traversed west Pasco’s estuary coastline, the Pithlachascotee River, and Lake Tarpon, and a couple of hours spent under a shade canopy at Honeymoon Island State Park – just our second visit since the 2024 hurricanes decimated much of the place.
It was good to be back.
Earlier this month, we stopped by the annual Loquat Festival hosted by New Port Richey FarmNet in Sims Park. There, vendors were selling loquat-themed sundries – scones, tea, jams. NPR Environmental committee chair Dell deChant and Pete Kanaris of Green Dreams permaculture nursery were talking up the benefits of planting this accommodating fruit tree in home landscapes on the steps of Peace Hall.
There was a fair share of folks clamoring to purchase saplings, and it was pretty cool, I must say, to watch Kanaris graft a tree on the spot for a customer wanting a specific variety.
Another highlight – the 50th anniversary of the Pasco School’s Energy and Maine Center held on April 12 – a fun “blast to the past” experience that reminds us of how spectacular this facet of the public school system is, the importance of educating our youth (and adults) about the gulf coast, the Florida watershed and all its inhabitants, and and how to take care of these essential ecosystems and the future.
My kids spent some memorable times out there, as did I in my former life as a newspaper reporter. I was jazzed to get the community invite and be able to reconnect with some folks I’d met and written about over the years, and got to write about again for this little publication. (Link to the Story Here)
Still to come, I’m reminded of as I eye the boxes of dated bills and documents that have been taking up space and need to be sifted through so I can drop them off to be shredded. For free. At the annual Keep Pasco Beautiful’s Earth Day Celebration on April 26 at Crews Lake Park in Spring Hill.
Might want to check out what the Florida Native Plant Society has on hand, though, as I gaze out on the back yard again, I can see there’s not a lot of room. The ladybug release sounds fun, as do presentations from wildlife organizations that will be on hand.
A venture out to the lookout tower might be in order as well – see how the lake’s faring. Could make for good nature photos if that’s your thing.
PHOTO|MICHELE MILLER
Earth Day stretches in these parts as the NPR Public Library is hosting a full week of events – a local tree walk, a composting workshop, a concert in the park, and a presentation by urban, bio-intensive farmer Tanner Kauffman. The owner of Theo’s Harvest will give some insight into the importance of supporting and purchasing food from local farmers and how those practices benefit and strengthen our immediate community.
Note – Pack the camera. Notebook. Water. Sunscreen. Make a new commitment or adhere to one already made to be more thoughtful stewards. To leave the places we visit or live better than we found them, or at the very least, with nary a trace of our ever being there.
Something to think about. Something to learn about.
Now onward.
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