Monetary, material and skill contributions have supported the Duval Preservation Trust Inc. to the point of near completion for the rehabilitation of the oldest remaining residency in Citrus County, the Historic Duval-Metz House. It is located at 7801 S. Old Floral City Road, in the heart of Floral City and across the street from the Heritage Hall Museum and Museum “Country” Store.

Many visitors at the Museum ask if the historic house is open for touring and the response is that it is not open on a scheduled basis. The Duval Preservation Trust Inc. owner and manager of the property is pleased to announce that the house will be open for touring on Friday evening, Dec. 2, of the Floral City Heritage Days “Candles, Carols ‘N’ Carriages” event. In addition, the Trust is sponsoring a special Heritage Days event for Saturday, Dec. 3, between 4 and 7 p.m.

“A Frontier Christmas at the Historic Duval-Metz House” will include a house tour, holiday tastings, silent auction and music. The purpose of this event is to increase public awareness of what this site was and how it can continue to contributed to the history of Citrus County.

The Trust looks to the public to gain support for the continued rehabilitation of the house and for the development of the grounds on which the house resides. The vision is to reflect the early history and pre-history of Floral City and the county.

The property consists of two acres and stretches from Orange Avenue north to Magnolia Street south.

That southern half is wooded and undeveloped. It is also located less than a block from the site of “Cho-illy-hadjo.” Before 1765, Seminoles had come to this area and established a village here. They called it “Cho-illy-hadjo.” A rendition of that village could be recreated on this site.

Prior to the Seminoles residing here, Hernando De Soto visited a native American village here in 1539. By 900 AD, the Timucuan village of “Tocaste” was located on the southern shore of the Floral City Pool of Lake Tasla Apopka and inhabited (at least seasonally) until the mid 1500s. Relying on the illustrations of the Frenchman Jacques Le Moyne from his 1564 Florida visit, a recreation could be constructed of the Timucuan lifestyle.

All of the work to date on the property has been accomplished by donations from businesses, charities and individuals except for a small initial grant from the State Bureau of Historic Preservation, Florida Department of State and assisted by the Historic Preservation Council.

Although the vision for the further development of an early homestead and recreation of Native-American villages is strong, the day-to day care and upkeep of a historic building can slow attainment of that vision. The Trust is grateful for all the citizens who have played a role with their support and now to proceed to that vision, the Trust presents its first fundraising event on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 4-7 p.m. at the Historic House.

Parking is available in the Floral City Town Center parking lot and off the pavement on Old Floral City Road. Entry to the property will be at the sidewalk location on Old Floral City Road.

There is no entry charge but participation in Donations Envelopes and the silent auction will be appreciated. A tour of the house, charcuterie board and wine tickets will be provided to the first 200 reservations.

Call 352-726-7740, text 352-634-4781 or email abeasely001@tampa bay.rr.com to reserve your time and place.

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Explore the small town charm of Inverness and Floral City in Central Florida

Just a short drive from the cities of Tampa and Orlando, there's an area of Central Florida that feels worlds away from the crowded outlet malls and theme parks. With quiet back roads and moss-covered trees, the charming small towns of Inverness and Floral City are brimming with hospitality.

Situated along the expansive Tsala Apopka chain of lakes, these picturesque and tranquil destinations invite visitors to take a step into the past and explore some of the area's hidden gems.

Travelers of all ages will enjoy this short road trip that features the perfect combination of outdoor adventure, relaxation and community – and much of it can be explored on two wheels!

Stroll around downtown Inverness

Start your weekend with a stroll around historic downtown Inverness. Although quite compact, this lively area packs a powerful punch with a surprising number of boutiques, restaurants and nightlife options. This includes several bars offering live music and a thriving community theatre, the Valerie.

At the heart of downtown is the Citrus County Courthouse. This iconic symbol of small-town America is famous for playing a central role in Elvis Presley’s 1961 movie, "Follow that Dream." Inside, you can learn more about the city’s history in the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum.

Sip a local brew at Nine State Brewery. It's family-owned and offers the quirky combination of delicious hand-crafted beer and authentic Korean delicacies. The dumplings are a local favorite. However, if wine is more your style, be sure to check out the nearby winery, Twysted Vyne.

Visitors as well as locals enjoy dining at Stumpknockers in downtown Inverness. Offering a slice of Old Florida, this restaurant features vintage memorabilia and hunting trophies displayed on their paneled walls. Popular menu items include traditional fare like ‘gator nuggets and fried catfish. Follow up with a delicious dessert at Pinecones Ice Cream Parlor with its fun, 1950s-style diner vibe.

Coffee lovers adore Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters. This local shop brews over 20 flavored coffee varieties, as well as fresh pastries and sandwiches. It's also a great cafe to visit on weekends, as they serve up a creative and delicious brunch.

Who was voted the best?: Best Southern Small Town (10Best Readers' Choice Awards 2023)

Bicycle the Withlacoochee State Trail

The Withlacoochee State Trail is one of Florida's longest paved rail-trails at nearly 50 miles — Photo courtesy of Skye Rodgers

Take advantage of the Florida sunshine with a cycling trip on the scenic Withlacoochee State Trail. This 46-mile rail-trail is easy enough for all levels of bikers and runs through both Inverness and Floral City. It's a fantastic way to explore the local park system, as it offers plenty of places to stop along the way and sightsee, eat and even shop.

You can bring your own bike or rent one at several local operators in Inverness and Floral City. If the distance is a little daunting, you can even rent an electric bike to travel the miles in minutes – leaving more time to explore the destinations along the way. Select E-Bike is centrally located and adjacent to the trail.

Begin your ride near downtown Inverness by enjoying the lovely views of Lake Henderson at Wallace Brooks Park. From there, travel south to Fort Cooper State Park. Take some time to explore the meandering trails of this 700-acre park, as it offers spots for relaxing, hiking, admiring nature and learning about Florida history.

The Ferris Groves produce stand is located in Floral City — Photo courtesy of Skye Rodgers

If you continue rolling south on the trail, you will arrive at a legendary roadside produce stand, Ferris Groves. An ideal place to rest and grab a snack, this family-owned citrus and strawberry farm is famous for its delightful milkshakes. This shop, open from November to mid-April, also offers a selection of seasonal fresh fruit and a variety of preserves, jams, jellies and other goodies.

Before you reach Floral City, be sure to veer off the trail and pedal down East Orange Avenue (known as "Avenue of the Oaks"). This historic street is shaded by exquisite ancient trees. Their branches are dripping with Spanish moss, which form a leafy canopy overhead. You can also visit the Floral City Heritage Museum and Country Store to learn about the area's historical significance (and browse local souvenirs). If another pit stop is in order, check out the Shamrock Inn, a casual landmark that serves Irish-inspired pub grub.

Visit country fairs and local markets

The Inverness Market at the Depot offers a variety of local produce and artisanal items — Photo courtesy of Skye Rodgers

Depending on when you visit, you may be lucky enough to run into a local event or market. Inverness hosts “Market at the Depot,” on several Saturdays each month in Liberty Park. Featuring scenic views of Lake Henderson, this market showcases a wide array of local produce and artisan products – including fresh-picked mushrooms, homemade jams and jellies, handcrafted jewelry, housewares and more.

In addition, there are many other local events to enjoy all year round. Some of these include the Floral City Strawberry Festival in the spring, July 4th celebrations in the summer, the Inverness Country Jam in the fall and Floral City Heritage Days in December. Throughout the year, there's food events, bass fishing tournaments and vintage car exhibitions. Be sure to check the local calendar before you travel to find out what’s happening during your visit.

Who was voted the best?: Best Small Town for Adventure (10Best Readers' Choice Awards 2023)

Spot wildlife from an airboat

Airboat rides are a great way to see local wildlife along the Withlacoochee River — Photo courtesy of Skye Rodgers

A trip to Inverness and Floral City would not be complete without getting out on the water. While you can kayak, canoe, pontoon or motorboat, one of the most exciting ways to explore the area is by airboat.

Since there are extensive wetlands surrounding the Withlacoochee River and Tsala Apopka chain of lakes, airboats are one of the most practical options to get around these waterways – and many locals rely on them. In fact, this area covers over 20,000 acres and includes 15 lakes, so there are numerous fishing spots and islands that can only be reached by airboat.

One way to get a taste of the airboating lifestyle is with a ride from Wild Bills Airboat Tours. Traversing the sawgrass swamps, the boats cruise slowly at first, allowing guests to spot local wildlife. On this boat ride, it's not unusual to see deer, alligators and waterfowl. On the return trip, things speed up – so passengers can enjoy the thrill of moving atop the water and through the narrow grassy channels.

After your adventure, check out the nearby Cove Pub and Grub that caters to airboat visitors. Located on Lake Henderson, there are scenic views to enjoy and some of the best chicken wings you’ve ever had. Try smothering them in their famous "Debbie" sauce!

Where to stay on your getaway

As an off-the-beaten path destination, there are few hotel or motel options to choose from. One affordable and convenient option is the Central Motel. This is a clean, friendly and well-maintained motel that is centrally located, only minutes from downtown Inverness. It's also adjacent to the Withlacoochee State Trail, which is ideal for bikers. Or you might opt for one of several RV parks and fish camps that offer more rustic accommodations.

Nestled in the gently rolling pasturelands south of Floral City hides an oasis of a community. Look fast as you cruise by on U.S. 41, or you just might miss it.

Tucked away from the traffic and city lights is Tarawood; a gated community for residents age 55 or older that is seeing more activity than it has in years.

Tarawood is experiencing a rebirth of sorts. Originally started in the late 1980s, the community has evolved over the years. Created as a planned development with private roads and central water/sewer, there have been several builders who have built homes inside the gates, but none have succeeded in generating many sales in the subdivision ... until now.

Through the combined efforts of the developer, Tarawood Community Developer LLC, and the builder, McLaughlin Construction, and a positive working relationship with the homeowner’s association, new construction in Tarawood has taken off.

Via an online portal at www.TarawoodFL.com, nonlocal buyers can tour the three models with videos, pictures and floor plans. Prospects in the area can make an appointment with the sales team to be given a guided tour of the completed, on-site model home and clubhouse facilities.

Buyers are provided with three floor plan options, the ability to choose their own homesite and enjoy a two-hour session to make the cosmetic selections to their new home. Those who have purchased see the construction progress with updates on the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tarawoodnewhomes.

Quality, affordable homes are being built with the cost of the homesite included in the total construction price and the builder is delivering a completed home in six to seven months.

Tarawood residents, both existing and future, enjoy low monthly HOA fees of approximately $180, which includes garbage collection, use of the clubhouse and facilities, security gate and most recently, Spectrum High Speed Internet and Platinum Cable package. The introduction of Spectrum services is a long-awaited and welcome inclusion for the community that only had satellite and dial-up internet as available options for many years.

Residents cite the quiet locale as a main reason why they relocated to Tarawood.

“Moving to Tarawood was the best decision I could have made,” said resident David Jones. “I traded a busy, congested life to be surrounded by nature, community, with a hometown feeling, peaceful nights with no sirens, and a night’s sky filled with as many stars as I can see!”

The homeowners association holds regular social gatherings and events and the residents all agree that Tarawood is truly “a nice place to live.”

With over 80 existing homes, 10-plus currently under construction and another approximately 150 to build, there are plenty of opportunities for folks to make Tarawood their new home. Based on all of the new construction activity and the rapid pace in which sales are occurring, it won’t be very long until the community is complete and a thriving social hub for its residents.

After decades of being unnoticed, Tarawood is now on the map.

For more information on Tarawood and the new construction homes being built there, call 352-726-9533.

Realtor Rob Tessmer Jr. is broker/owner with Coldwell Banker Investors Realty, 314 W. Main St., Inverness; 352-726-9533.

A Floral City man was arrested by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office on suspicion of hitting a woman with a gun in a domestic fight.

Theron Ashley Dunn, 46, was charged with one count of domestic aggravated assault with a weapon, one count of domestic aggravated assault with a weapon without the intent to kill and two felony counts of animal cruelty and neglect.

CCSO deputies responded around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, to reports of a domestic disturbance at a Floral City home.

Law enforcement made contact with the woman Theron was dating and living with since October, according to the arrest report.

An argument began after Dunn, who reportedly had been drinking, repeatedly called her expletives.

Dunn allegedly began yelling at her before walking toward her and throwing down a chair, she told deputies. He backed her into a corner of their living room while continuing to shout.

The woman was afraid Dunn would hurt her, so she picked up a large kitchen knife – in response, he pointed a handgun at her forehead and threatened to kill her.

She dropped the knife and Dunn hit her on the head with the gun, which she said knocked her unconscious onto their couch.

The woman woke up and felt the blood coming from her head on her arms. Dunn then shouted, “Look what you made me do,” before cursing her out.

Deputies reportedly saw the bloody wound on her head and entered the house through a side door – law enforcement found blood on the couch, droplets across the house and the knife, though no chairs were knocked over.

The woman was moved off the property.

When law enforcement returned to talk to Dunn, he shouted at deputies before shooting multiple times from the yard.

Dunn went to a barn on his property and stayed in it, ignoring deputies’ attempts to contact him through phone calls and the use of a speaker system.

CCSO called in its Crisis Negotiation Team, among others – after hours of talking with the CNT, Dunn left the barn and surrendered.

Dunn told law enforcement he “poked” her forehead with a gun out of a fear for his safety – though he also told deputies she didn’t do or say anything aggressive toward him.

Deputies later searched Dunn’s home and found six handguns, three rifles, a bulletproof vest, ammunition and two severely emaciated dogs, according to a press release.

Dunn was arrested and faces a risk protection order – which wouldn’t let him own any weapons or ammunition under mental health courts. A temporary order was granted Thursday morning.

While he was proud the situation ended peacefully, Sheriff Mike Prendergast said the isolating nature of local domestic violence cases require assistance from outside services like CCSO.

”I want to remind our citizens that you are not alone – if you or someone you know is living in an abusive relationship, please seek help. Our team is here to assist you at all times,” Prendergast said.

What were you doing in the year 2000?

If you were asking your parents for the new Play Station 2, renting your favorite VHS movies from Blockbuster, writing with scented gel pens and listening to boy bands on your iPod Classic – or even if you weren’t – mark your calendar for Nov. 4 for the Twistid Arts Initiative Walk of Arts 2023 at Floral Park in Floral City.

Twistid Arts Initiative recently announced this year’s lineup, which “promises to be one of the best yet, featuring an incredible mix of talented regional and national bands, along with exciting art competitions for youths and adults,” said event organizer Elisha Belden.

Bands scheduled to perform at the Walk of Arts 2023 include youth musicians CHS Breez and Landon Devon and regional bands Actual Bank Robbers, NightMayer Trio, and American Piracy.

The bands will be playing a mix of late 90s – early 2000s covers, setting the stage for the evening’s headliners: The Pop2000 Tour featuring O-Town, LFO, and Ryan Cabrera.

Attendees can expect an event filled with unforgettable music that will have them dancing and singing along.

The Walk of Arts 2023 will also feature a sidewalk chalk competition for youths, with more than $4,200 in prizes.

Judges include local award-winning artist Danny Belden and celebrity artists Aaron Is and Ryan Eternal from Paramount Network’s “Ink Master.”

Kids of all ages can unleash their creativity and compete for a chance to win some fantastic prizes. There will also be art and photography competitions for adults, as well as a cosplay costume contest and a variety of art and retail vendors, food trucks and more.

“We’re thrilled to bring the Walk of Arts back for another year,” Elisha Belden said. “This event is a celebration of art, music, and community, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone. We have an amazing lineup of bands and competitions that will make for an unforgettable event.”

The event is being hosted by the nonprofit Twistid Arts Initiative and Twistid Ink, in partnership with Citrus County Parks & Recreation, with sponsorship from Citrus County Chronicle and Deems Kitchens & Cabinets.

VIP tickets will be available for the headliners closer to the event date; however, general admission to the event is free.

For updates, sign up to be on the email list at the Twistid Art Initiative’s website: www.twistidarts initiative.org.

Vendor applications are open, and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Information can be found on the website. Contact: Elisha Belden at info@twistidartsinitiative.org

Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/4cfb75w9.

Nancy Kennedy can be reached at 352-564-2927 or by email at nkennedy@chronicleonline.com.