2020 Citrus County Scallop Season

Scalloping Season Dates: July 1st – September 24th

It’s almost that time of year again!

Many people in Florida look forward to July for the beautiful fireworks over the water every year, for the Independence Day celebrations around the state.

The locals in Citrus County have many more reasons to be excited for July, as the 1st of the month marks the start of the annual Scalloping Season along the unspoiled coast of Citrus County!

Rules

This underwater Easter-Egg hunt lasts almost 2 whole months along the Gulf Coast of Florida.

(It may be longer or shorter in other counties along the Gulf Coast.)

That being said, there are many fun times to be had while out scalloping with your friends and family, but there are also many guidelines and rules to follow to ensure a safe and legal trip out on the water!

If you’re planning on going scalloping this season, you want to make sure you don’t take too many scallops!

Like any other seasonal fishing, there are limits to how many you can take.

Each person is allowed 2 gallons of whole scallops (in their shell), OR 1-pint of scallop meat per day.

Also, there can’t be more than 10 gallons of whole scallops, or ½ gallon of scallop meat aboard any vessel.

You’re also only allowed to acquire scallops by hand, or with a landing or dip net!

Equipment

You may think it’s easy to just jump in the Gulf and grab scallops!

The truth is, you actually don’t need much to find them.

Usually you don’t need to dig too far to see their shells sticking out of the sand.

They’re even right on top of the sand sometimes!

Like and other fishing sport, there are some things you’re going to need in order to get your scalloping adventure started…

First and most important, you need a Saltwater Fishing License!

Time after time, this gets confused with something that does not require a license in Florida, but it does.

Second, you need a mask and snorkel to stay underwater long enough to find your scallops.

Third, you need some type of bag to put your scallops in.

Many scallopers will use a netted-bag and attach it to their wrist so they don’t drop it.

Last, it’s smart to bring a pair of flippers too!

These will not only help you move faster through the water, but you can cover more ground and find more scallops this way.

Popular Recipes

Cooking scallops can be as simple or complex as you choose!

Locals in Citrus County love to make their “stuffed scallops” and serve them right in the shell!

Others may just love them cooked in butter on the stove-top.

Here are a couple delicious recipes for you to enjoy this season….

1)      Stuffed Scallops:

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfXyyUimg_M

2)      Lemon Garlic Butter Scallops:

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFIjxsvRDbM

3)      Scallop Gratin:

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCXKmbN6OBU

4)      Creamy Garlic Scallops:

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQzL51vdLY0

This season will definitely be one for the books, as social-distancing regulations seem to be here to stay!

This is a great activity for you and your family to go out and stay safe from any crowded areas.

We’ll see you out on the water!

Using Your Equity to Build Your Dream Home in Citrus Hills

Many of us work our entire lives to have that one dream home in the perfect place.

You don’t have to settle for less, when there are plenty of ways to get exactly what you want, with the equity you already have!

Pictured Above: The Dali Pool Area

What is a Home Equity Loan?

A home equity loan can be one of the most cost-effective ways to borrow money.

Interest rates are lower on mortgages than on almost any other type of loan right now.

Taking out a home equity loan is also known as a “second mortgage.”

This loan uses your home as collateral and lets you borrow against your existing equity!

How Much Equity is Enough?

Most lenders want you to have 15% to 20% in equity in order to pull some of the money out.

Some lenders prefer a little more equity, in order to keep your total mortgage commitments to 80% or less of your home’s value.

Income & Debt Factors

Some lenders will look at your income against your debt as well, to ensure you can afford the new loan.

Typically, for a home equity loan, lenders like to see your debt-to-income ratio at less than 43%.

Some will allow your debts to make up a larger portion, depending on outside credit factors.

Credit Factors

Your payment history and credit score will also make up a large portion of qualifying for a home equity loan.

If your score is above 620, the better your chances will be, and the lower your interest-rate will be!

All in all, it’s a small price to pay to live the life you’ve always wanted, and in the home of your dreams!

Pictured Above: The Tiki Bar in Citrus Hills

Wild Florida Peacocks - Unique Florida

When Florida comes to mind, you may think of beautiful white-sand beaches, or sunshine every day!

One thing that may not come to mind is our unsuspecting neighbor, coexisting with us here in the sunshine state, the peacock!

“Peacock” is a general term used to describe all species, but the specific peacock species we see in Florida is actually called “Peafowl,” and females are called “Peahens.”

In numerous counties across Florida, it is not uncommon to see wild peacocks on the side of the road as you’re driving to/from work, or even in your front yard sometimes!

For many Floridians this is an exciting occurrence that we look forward to.

Neighborly or Nuisance?

Most communities in Florida seem divided on whether peacocks are a nuisance, or a bit of natural beauty for the community.

That being said, there’s no question of the appeal the peacock brings to the human eye.

Between the unique contrast of black and white lines marking their faces, to the hypnotizing feather patterns of their tail feathers, it’s hard to resist the exotic beauty they bring to your neighborhood.

Many people say they’re good to have around when small children are playing outside, as residents tend to drive slower to avoid hitting them in the streets.

On the other hand, many neighbors do not like waking up every morning to a new friend in their front yard.

Especially during mating season, when their loud squawks can be heard from blocks away.

If you’re trying to sleep at night, and a 13-pound bird is walking on your roof, scratching on the ceiling, I’d imagine it would be frustrating.

Dangers

Being 160 miles across, at its widest points, Florida has many natural critters crossing the roads at different times of the year.

We see everything from turtles coming inland to lay their eggs, sand-hill cranes, wild turkeys, flamingos, pelicans, and as you now know, wild peacocks!

Many of these creatures are trying to either reach the two substantial surrounding bodies of water, the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Others are trying to follow their natural instinct to travel in certain directions for migration, or scourging for food.

Floridians do try their best to protect the native creatures that cross the roads as much as possible, but that doesn’t mean they are always successful.

Traffic is a big threat to the wild peacocks roaming the streets, but it’s definitely not the biggest.

There are only few natural predators to these beautiful birds in the Florida area, such as coyotes or bobcats.

These threats don’t seem to hinder the population much at all, as there are no signs of these neighborly peafowl diminishing in numbers.

Reproduction

Peacocks in Florida usually mate between the February and July months, and lay an average of 6 eggs per season.

Peahens can not lay eggs until they are usually around 2 years old.

Peacock hatch-lings can usually be seen around this time as well, as it only takes 1 month on average for these hatch-lings to emerge from their eggs!

It’s an endearing sight to see the hatch-lings running around the community with their mothers watching close by.

Children love to go to local parks to feed baby peacocks treats like fruit, peanuts, or green vegetables, all of which directly contribute to a well-balanced peacock diet.

All in all, getting to choose where we want to live is easy when such unique wildlife surrounds our area.

Florida is already known for its wondrous beauty and amazing weather year-round.

The beautiful wildlife is JUST a perk!

Citrus Hills Tiki Bar Will Reopen Wednesday, May 13th!

As we begin to reopen some of our amenities and facilities, we do so with safety in mind.

We continue to consult governmental guidelines as we work to reopen facilities throughout the Club.

We plan to gradually reopen our closed amenities as governmental restrictions ease.

Please keep in mind; you are the best judge of which activities are appropriate for you.

If you are of the vulnerable population, or if you feel uneasy at all, we encourage you to continue to part.

Ultimately, you are your best safeguard against risks.

Please consult your physician if you have any concerns regarding your participation.

Below are the guidelines for the Tiki Bar that we have established for our members and staff, along with our expectations of your cooperation…

New Hours of Operation:

• 12-7 Tuesday - Sunday

• Closed on Monday for Deep Cleaning

• Takeout food will also be available; please call: 352-746-6855

• Capacity is limited due to 6-foot table spacing
  

Notes:

• Full alcohol and drink menu will be available

• A limited all-day menu will be served for the first several weeks, along with a few Chef Features

• The restrooms in the Tiki Bar will be open and available for use

• The Grille will not be open

• Bar seating will be closed per state guidelines

Precautions We Are Taking:

• We have thoroughly deep cleaned the facility, top to bottom

• All drinks will be served in plastic, disposable cups

• Condiments will be removed from all tables, and individual packets will be brought out by request

• All seats and tables will be disinfected before each use

• Temperatures will be taken for each employee at the start of their shift

• Employees will be sent home if they are exhibiting any symptoms

• Staff will routinely be disinfecting all touch points, doors, handles, counters and restrooms

• Employees will wear protective masks when delivering food

• Staff will be thoroughly trained in cleaning and disinfecting

Your Expected Cooperation:

• Enter and exit from the Tiki Bar sidewalkit to be seated

• No one should move or push tables together without management approval

• Be courteous and respectful to others by maintaining a 6-foot social distance between yourself and others

• Practice social distancing at all times, and refrain from long conversational gatherings

• Wash hands often with soap and water

• Avoid touching your face

• If you, or anyone in your household, are sick or have a fever or cough, please stay home

Menu:

5 Tips For Riding Out the COVID-19 Pandemic

Living through the COVID-19 Pandemic has changed the way we react to each other, and situations, when we’re in public.

We are all human beings, which means there may be a time where we need to leave our home for some kind of essential item.

We want to make sure you know your options, and are as safe as possible during this time.

We’ve put together a list of 5 Tips for Riding Out the Corona Virus.

1.       Do It Yourself: Hand Sanitizer

As you all know, stores are running extremely low on some essential cleaning products for us to purchase.

 A lot of stores all over the U.S. have reported being low, or completely out of a lot of some disinfecting Lysol products and sanitizing products are hard to come by in some areas.

Luckily, we have a sanitizing recipe that involves just 2 common household items, that will work as a disinfectant, and doesn’t require you to leave your home!

Ingredients:

1 cup Aloe/Aloe Vera Gel

3 Cups Isopropyl Alcohol

Directions:

Using a funnel, pour your Aloe Vera Gel into a large container

Add Isopropyl Alcohol

Stir or shake well

Store at room temperature, away from heat

Shake well before each use

Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6h-h67jv2s

2.       Do It Yourself: Face Masks

If you’ve been anywhere in the last month, you know it has become completely normal for almost everyone to be wearing some sort of mask.

Some masks you’ve seen out in public were made from some sort of household item as well, as most stores have been sold out of face masks for some time now.

Here is a helpful 2 minutes video that shows you how to make a face mask out of any cloth you may have around the house.

Supplies needed:

1 piece of cloth

2 hair ties or rubber bands

1 coffee filter

Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnBqwowZi5w

3.       Curb-Side Delivery/Online Shopping

Another amazing resource that many companies have given us are all of the “Curb-Side Pick Up” options.

Big names like Target and Walmart have stepped up their customer service in offering us a safe option for obtaining our groceries and essential items.

Other stores like CVS are offering FREE DELIVERY on orders $35 or above for the month of April 2020.

Best Buy is even offering curb-side for electronic purchases, for your convenience.

4.       Virtual Gatherings of Friends and Family

Since the COVID-19 Pandemic has begun, many of us have had birthday’s, and special holidays or events that have come and gone.

Easter 2020 was celebrated on April 12th, and for many families, it was hard to be away from each other.

There are many options to visiting with friends and family, without endangering anyone.

If you have an Iphone, you know that Facetime is a great FREE resource for video-chatting with your loved ones from a distance (as long as the other party has an Iphone as well).

If you’re an android user, here are 3 FREE programs that you can download and use for video-chatting in 2020.

Apps Available:

Facebook Messenger

Skype

Google Duo

All of these apps provide a FREE video-chatting platform for you and your loved ones to visit for hours upon hours, without risking each other’s health and safety.

5.      Taking Care of Yourself While Stuck at Home

Among other challenges the COVID-19 Pandemic has brought to us, being stuck at home is by far a big one.

Some people like to be alone, and find this time alone to be refreshing.

Others may not find it as easy, as we are social creatures!

It’s important to remember that staying home like this is only temporary, and there’s still many ways to be productive and live a full life in quarantine.

It’s important to make sure you’re taking care of yourself while you’re at home, not just physically, but mentally.

Here’s a short list for those of you who who are looking for some new ideas…

Pick up an old hobby

Try a new hobby of interest

Get lost on an interesting topic on Youtube

Stay in touch with friends and family

Practice better routines and habits

How’s your garden looking these days?

Find your “To-Do List” and get busy!

Deep clean your house and rearrange the furniture

Do the yard work you’ve been trying to get to

Listen to your all-time-favorite bands/albums and take a walk down memory lane

Read that book you’ve been meaning to pick back up

Binge-watch that Netflix show everyone’s been telling you about

Do something nice for yourself

Clean out that garage!!

Make a list of all the things you’re going to do when the COVID-19 Pandemic is over

Catch up on your sleep finally

Spend some quality time with the family dog

It seems needless to say, we have been given the tools needed to ride out this pandemic.

Just like you, we are all hoping this pandemic ends sooner, rather than later.

The key is to being safe and keeping others safe, which is why we felt compelled to writing this blog for you today.

We hope it helped some of you to feel more comfortable with the idea of staying home for a little longer.

We are all alone together, and that is how we will make it through to the other side!