Drop The Puck: Your Tampa Bay Lightning Season Preview

After what has felt like one of the shortest summers ever, the Tampa Bay Lightning are back in action when the puck dropped on Thursday, October 13. And after falling just one game short of the Stanley Cup Finals last spring, that game didn’t come soon enough.  

The team that fell just short of beating the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins will be bringing back almost the exact same lineup this season, with a few notable upgrades. As long as they can stay healthy, there is championship upside in Tampa Bay next spring.  

Key Players to Watch This Year 

Steven Stamkos - After skating through trade rumors for more than a season now, Stamkos chose to stay with the Lightning and signed a massive free agent deal during the offseason. Look for the captain to be back in action anchoring the top line.  

Jonathan Drouin - Set to become a restricted free agent following this upcoming season, there is a lot of money to be made if Drouin can put together an entire season of scoring like he did in the playoffs last year.

Nikita Kucherov - As a restricted free agent that didn’t agree to a deal all summer, we have to worry that the status of Kucherov’s contract is creating a distraction in the locker room. It’s also possible that general manager Steve Yzerman could ship him out of town because of it.  

Tyler Johnson - TJ scored nearly 30 goals just two seasons ago, but something wasn’t quite right for pretty much the duration of the 2015-2016 season. He says that it was a lingering wrist injury and that all systems are go to get back to scoring goals for the second line this season.   

Ben Bishop - Expect Bishop to get the Stamkos treatment as this year’s “player in the last year of his contract.” Rumors are going to fly all season long, but as long as Ben is healthy and productive in the net, expect him to be the goaltender the Bolts look to in the playoffs.

Andrei Vasilevskiy - The Lightning’s uber-talented backup goaltender showed impressive form after taking over for an injured Bishop in the conference finals last spring. He then signed a 3-year extension this offseason. If anything happens to Bishop, this young goalie is more than capable of stepping up.

 Storylines to Watch 

In addition to the storylines that are related to individual players, there are three key things that are going to make or break the upcoming season for the Tampa Bay Lightning.  

First and foremost, the team needs to be more explosive with scoring, particularly on the power play. Tyler Johnson returning to form could be a big factor there, but look to see if the rest of the team can chip in as well.

The second major story to watch this season will be whether or not the Bolts are able to get any impact from their youngest players. Slater Koekkoek is the guy most people expect to contribute in his first full season, but watch for other young players to come up from their farm team, the Syracuse Crunch, over the year.  

Finally, the Lightning are going to have to do something about the fact that they have two outstanding goalies and the expansion draft is looming following the season. If the team is playing well, they likely will keep Bishop for another playoff run and risk losing Vasilevskiy in the draft. But if injuries slow this team down, there is a good chance Bishop gets traded for more young talent.  

Barring any major injuries, this Tampa Bay Lightning team is going to be a slight improvement on the outstanding team that took the Penguins to seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals last season. They should be thrilling to watch and make a run deep into the playoffs…so get ready for plenty of hockey nights in Tampa!

Bird's Underwater: A Highly Rated Local Tour Company

If you are looking for a tour company to take you and a group of friends out swimming with manatees or on a scalloping adventure, you are probably going to start your search using a website like Yelp or TripAdvisor.

Because those types of sites tend to attract people who are looking to complain more often than complement, we have all learned over the years that we have to take negative reviews with a grain of salt. But what if there was a company that had hardly any negative reviews? Wouldn’t that be the one you wanted to hire?

 Bird’s Underwater in Crystal River is that company!

At the time of this writing, they are rated 5 stars on both Yelp and TripAdvisor with virtually no negative reviews. In today’s eager-to-complain environment, that is really something special! 

About Bird’s Underwater Dive Center

Bird’s Underwater Dive Center is located right on Kings Bay in Crystal River. Bill “Bird” Oestreich and his wife Diane started it back in 1989. They have since grown the business to include a number of certified and insured “captains” that lead all kinds of tours, training classes, and other adventures.

In addition to being popular among local residents and regular vacationers, Bird’s Underwater has also been featured on TV shows like Small Planet, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, Lonely Planet, and The 700 Club.

But being featured on those shows is nothing compared to the way that customers talk about Bird’s Underwater. Here is what Kayecee G. had to say about her recent scalloping trip on Yelp: 

“I can't say enough good things about our trip."

Scalloping with Bird's Underwater was an amazing experience. On our drive home we had already decided we will be making a yearly trip from Daytona to Crystal River to go scalloping with Bird's Underwater.

Captain Cody was absolutely amazing! He even got in the water to help us since it was our first time. He went above and beyond by taking us out where the grassy beds drop off and we were able to see a huge variety of fish and coral that you don't find in the grassy area where you find scallops. As long as he is there we will always request to go out with him! He has made lifetime customers out of us!” 

Manatee Tours & Scalloping Trips

Swimming with manatees is probably the most sought after experience in the Crystal River area, and nobody delivers on that experience quite like Bird’s Underwater. They have tours leaving daily that seat anywhere from 6-11 passengers. You can also book private tours for parties of 6.

During scalloping season, another popular option is to head out on a Bird’s Underwater charter so that you can catch your fill of scallops without having to worry about getting a fishing license or bringing any equipment. Bird’s Underwater takes care of everything for you.  

Manatee tours can be booked right from their website, and scalloping tours can be booked over the phone during scalloping season.

The Dive Center

On top of delivering amazing tour experience, Bird’s Underwater is also your one-stop shop for all things diving in Crystal River.

Never been scuba diving before? That’s no problem, because Bill “Bird” Ostreich himself teaches regular dive classes right at the facility. With dive experience dating back to the early 1970s, Bird is a wealth of information and an excellent teacher.  

Devils Den

Bird’s Underwater also offers guided dives that will allow you to experience some of the best dive spots in Citrus County with a local expert guiding you through to all of the best underwater spots. If you are tired of hearing about places like Blue Grotto and Devil’s Den and are ready to see them for yourself, this is a great way to get there! 

As for any diving equipment needs, Bird’s is a Scubapro Platinum Dealer and an authorized Scubapro Service Center. So if you are already an experienced diver, they can fix you up with the best of the best equipment and make sure it is always in tip-top shape.  

Bird’s House Rentals 

If you are looking to really take your Bird’s Underwater experience to the next level, you might want to consider booking one of their two rental properties to stay at during one of their multiple day dive tours.  

One of the houses is located right on the Homosassa River, and the other is on the Halls River. Both of the Bird’s rental houses come with kayaks, TV and internet, and fully equipped kitchens.  

No matter what your level of experience, Bird’s Underwater has an amazing adventure that is perfect for you. So the next time you find yourself thinking about manatees, scallops, or scuba diving, stop thinking about it and book a tour with Bird’s. According to the hundreds of satisfied customers on Yelp and TripAdvisor, you will not be disappointed. 

A Day at the Beach: Pine Island Park Beach

One of the best things about living along Florida’s nature coast is that there are so many quiet little beachfront parks located up and down the coast along the Gulf of Mexico. Here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, we are within driving distance of quite a few excellent beaches, and Alfred A. McKethan Pine Island Park Beach is one of our favorites.  

Getting Out to Pine Island 

Pine Island is located about an hour away from the Villages of Citrus Hills in the southern half of the Chassahowizka Wildlife Management Area. Getting there is a breeze if you take US-19 south from Homossassa and then a right in Weeki Wachee.

Once you get close to the coast, you’ll make another right onto Pine Island Drive. From there, you will have the pleasure of cruising through a stunning natural habitat that feels like you’re driving across a Caribbean island or one of the Florida Keys.  

White Sand Beaches & Crystal Clear Water

As in most of the beaches along the nature coast, you are going to find yourself surrounded by beautiful white sand once you arrive at Pine Island Park Beach. Enjoying a few hours lounging in the sand is a great way to start your visit, but if you are feeling adventurous, head on out into the water where there are plenty of great swimming areas.

Because of its location, this isn’t the type of beach where you are going to be bothered by speedboats or jet skis flying past while you are trying to relax. Everything is calm out here, and that’s the way the people who visit like it.

Willy’s Tropical Breeze Cafe 

When you get hungry, there is a small cafe located right at the park that serves everything from burgers to seafood. They also have excellent coffee for their early morning guests.

Because Willy’s offers open air seating that is pretty much right on the beach, this is a very popular option for patrons looking for a sunset view during dinner. If you have the opportunity to stay for dinner, we highly recommend it.  

Picnicking at the Park 

In addition to Willy’s Cafe, there are also many picnic areas located throughout the park. So if you are looking to create your own amazing sunset dinner, you might want to think about picking up a few steaks and some charcoal on the way down. There are multiple charcoal grills available at each of the picnic areas.  

The Playground Area 

One other aspect that attracts visitors to the park is the large playground area for the kids. While the older visitors are definitely more impressed by the white sand beaches and gorgeous sunsets, the kids are all about diving headfirst down the slide.  

So when your grandkids are in to visit along with their parents, a day at the park out on Pine Island really does have something for everyone.  

With so many beachfront parks to choose from, it can take a resident here at the Villages of Citrus Hills years to explore them all. We encourage everyone to take their time and do exactly that, but after spending a day at Pine Island Beach Park, you might not want to go anywhere else next time.

Killer Deals: Our Favorite Local Flea Markets

One of the favorite pastimes for many residents of the Villages of Citrus Hills is bargain shopping. And between all of the local discount stores, craft boutiques, and antique shops in the surrounding area, there is an almost never-ending supply of options. But nothing feels quite like a good old-fashioned flea market…and we’ve got plenty of those too.  

Depending on the day of the week and how far you are willing to go, there is always treasure hunting here in Citrus County. These are a few of our favorite local markets.  

Howard’s Flea Market

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Fun, Food & Fabulous Finds

With more than 800 covered booths spread out over 55 acres, Howard’s is the largest flea market in Citrus County. This local treasure was started back in 1972 and has won a “Best of the Best” award from the Citrus Chronicle every single year for two decades now.

Bargain hunters will find a wide range of items available at Howard’s. In addition to all of the standard types of flea market items, there is also a great selection of gourmet deli foods. They are open every Friday from 7 am to 2 pm, and every Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 am to 2 pm, and parking is always free.  

You can find Howard’s Flea Market on Suncoast Boulevard right in Homosassa.  

Stokes Flea Market 

If you are looking for a good mid-week flea market, Stokes Flea Market in Crystal River is a great choice. They are open every Tuesday and Wednesday from 6 am to 2 pm, and Wednesdays are typically busier than Tuesdays.  

As you make your way through the booths at Stokes, you will find all of the typical guns, knives, and jewelry vendors under covered booths towards the front. But those open-air booths at the back are where it gets a lot more interesting. This is where you will find all kinds of random stuff…including some hidden treasures.  

Southern B’s Indoor Flea Market 

It doesn’t have to be a nice day to find some bargains at Southern B’s Indoor Flea Market. They are located right along US-19 in Crystal River, and you will find just about anything you can imagine under the roof here! 

This one is more of a vintage second-hand store than a true flea market, but there are still some amazing finds to be had here. They are open every day from 10 am to 5 pm, so if the weather tries to throw a damper on your shopping plans, Southern B’s is the perfect backup option.  

Webster Westside Market

If you are willing to travel about an hour southeast of the Villages of Citrus Hills, you will find yourself at the Webster Westside Market in Webster, Florida. This 35-acre market has been packed full of booths for more than 50 years now.

Webster Westside Market is a great place to search for those hard-to-find antiques, but they also have plenty of food vendors and two restaurants on site. They are open every Monday from 6 am to 2 pm during the summer, and then from 5 am to 3 pm from September through April.  

I-75 Flea Market

Another big weekend market is the I-75 Flea Market located off of I-75 just north of Ocala. They are open every weekend from 7 am to 2 pm on Fridays, and from 7 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sunday. 

 And if all of these flea markets aren’t quite enough, you might want to check out the massive Red Barn Flea Market in Bradenton or Renninger’s Twin Market in Mount Dora.  

Happy shopping!

Day Trip To Tarpon Springs

The historic town of Tarpon Springs is located about an hour south of the Villages of Citrus Hills right on the Gulf Coast, just north of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater.  

The town represents an interesting combination of rich history and modern culture with a dash of Greek heritage. If you are passionate about history, shopping for antiques, or excellent Greek food, Tarpon Springs will make an excellent day trip for you and your family. 

History of Tarpon Springs 

Tarpon Springs received its name when some of the first visitors to the town observed a number of Tarpon jumping out of the water out in the Gulf of Mexico.

As you can probably guess, the Tarpon Fishing here is excellent. But that wasn’t originally the most popular sea item in Tarpon Springs. 

Tarpon Springs is also known as “The Sponge Capital of the World” because its 51-mile coast was once filled with sponges. In the early 1900s, many Greek sponge divers made their way to Tarpon Springs to harvest these sponges, which led to Tarpon Springs having the largest Greek population in all of Florida. 

In 1947, just about all of the sponge fields around Tarpon Springs were destroyed, so most of the sponge industry was then converted to fishing and shrimping. However, “The Sponge Capital of the World” lives on in spirit with attractions like the Sponge Docks and Spongeorama.  

The first stop for any history buffs visiting Tarpon Springs should be the Tarpon Springs Area Historical Society’s Welcome Center and Museum. Other great historic sites include the Tarpon Springs Historic District, the Safford House, Old Tarpon Springs City Hall, and the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral.  

Tarpon Springs Attractions 

One of the most popular attractions in Tarpon Springs is known as The Sponge Docks. This wharf area is filled with boats, but has also become populated with great shopping and restaurants.  

You can stroll the docks, tour sponge boats, visit dozens of small shops, and find great authentic Greek cuisine, all in one central location. The Tarpon Springs Aquarium is also located right next to The Sponge Docks. 

Another popular attraction in Tarpon Springs is the Tarpon Springs Cultural Center. This former high school turned theater plays host to a wide variety of community theater and music events throughout the year. There is a lot of information about upcoming shows on their website, where you can find the perfect event to schedule your trip around. 

Wine drinkers will absolutely want to plan on stopping at the Tarpon Springs Castle Winery. This beautiful facility offers daily tours, information on how their handcrafted wines are produced, and plenty of tasting opportunities.

Dining in Tarpon Springs  

With its rich Greek heritage, Tarpon Springs is known for having some of the best Greek restaurants in Florida. If you are a fan of Greek cuisine, you will have more than your fair share of options in Tarpon Springs.

The most popular Greek restaurant is probably Hellas Restaurant and Bakery, but you will also find outstanding Greek food at Mykonos, Mr. Souvlaki, and The Original Mama Maria’s Greek Cuisine.  

While Greek food is obviously a staple in Tarpon Springs, there are plenty of other options as well. Rusty Bellies at the end of The Sponge Docks is known for serving great seafood, and the Tarpon Tavern has some outstanding pub-style cuisine. You might also want to try the Caribbean food at the Jerk Center and the pizza at Plum Tomato. 

The ideal day trip to Tarpon Springs would contain a little bit of history in the morning, followed by pizza or pub food for lunch. After that, you could plan an afternoon of shopping at The Sponge Docks, followed by a Greek dinner and a show at the Tarpon Spring Cultural Center.  

Even if you can’t find a show that sparks your interest, there is still plenty to do here, which is what makes Tarpon Springs a great place to spend the day!

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