Good morning, Crystal River, and happy Saturday! Expect partly cloudy skies with showers and a few scattered storms around today, with a high near 75, so keep an umbrella handy. It's also National Sweetest Day, and Citrus County Parks and Recreation is showing how it's done with a big thank you to Alice Mary Herden after her final hike. Who in your life deserves a thank you today?

In the news, the Friends of the Crystal River State Parks board meets Tuesday, October 20, and Halloween festivities are heating up across Citrus County. A summer feeding pilot delivered more than 128,000 meals to students' doors, Stop the Bleed kits are headed to Citrus County schools, and the Crystal River High swim teams topped Citrus High, with the boys winning 119-46 and the girls winning 120-37.

Plenty is on the calendar, too. Browse the Master Gardeners Plant Sale in Lecanto, grab a bite at the Gyro Festival, or bring the kids to Movie in the Park at Central Ridge Community Park, where a costume contest begins at 6:30 PM. Shift N' Gears Band plays The Buoy Bar tonight, Groove 41 takes over The Shed on Sunday, and Brooks Dockside Seafood and Spice Corner are the food trucks. No restaurant specials today, so tell us your favorite spot. Dodge the showers, save room for a gyro, and make it a sweet one!

Friends of Crystal River State Parks Board Meets Tuesday, October 20
Crystal River Preserve State Park
Want to know what the Friends of the Crystal River State Parks are planning? The group's next board meeting is Tuesday, October 20, at 4 p.m. at the Archaeological Park museum, according to Crystal River Preserve State Park.
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Citrus County Parks and Recreation Thanks Alice Mary Herden After Her Final Hike
Citrus County Government
Citrus County Parks and Recreation is saying a big thank you to Alice Mary Herden, who led her final hike as the county's Recreation Program Specialist on the Withlacoochee State Trail.
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Halloween Festivities Heat Up Across Citrus County
Citrus County Chronicle
Candy, costumes and plenty of fall fun! Halloween festivities are heating up across Citrus County, with trunk-or-treats, fall festivals, costume contests and family-friendly activities on the calendar, according to the Citrus County Chronicle. The full roundup has the details.
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No advisories or safety notices for the Crystal River area today.

Citrus County Delivered More Than 128,000 Meals to Students This Summer
Citrus County Chronicle
More than 128,000 meals were delivered right to students' doors this summer. Citrus County was the only Florida school district to see its summer feeding pilot program through to the end, according to the Citrus County Chronicle, which calls the results impressive. The full story has the rest.
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Stop the Bleed Kits Coming to Citrus County Schools
Citrus County School District
The Citrus County School District says Stop the Bleed kits are coming to Citrus County schools, in an effort it describes as helping save lives. The district's post has the details.
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Crystal River High Swim Teams Top Citrus High
Crystal River High School
The Crystal River High swim teams topped Citrus High School, with the boys winning 119-46 and the girls winning 120-37. The seniors were recognized at the meet.
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Crystal River High Holds Wrestling Informational Meeting Monday
Crystal River High School
Interested in wrestling? Crystal River High is holding an informational meeting on Monday for anyone who wants to learn more, according to the school's Pirate Country page.
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Master Gardeners Plant Sale
Saturday | October 17, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Citrus County Extension Services
The Citrus County Master Gardeners hold their annual plant sale in Lecanto.
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Fall Festival at Faith Lutheran Church
Saturday | October 17, 2026 | 9 AM – 2 PM
Faith Lutheran Church
957 S Crystal Glen Dr., Lecanto, FL 34461
Annual arts & crafts plus bake sale! We are seeking vendors to fill our Fellowship Hall. The vendor fee for an 8-foot table is $30.
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Citrus County Beekeepers Open House
Saturday | October 17, 2026 | 10 AM – 2 PM
Homosassa Learning Center
Citrus County Beekeepers invites the community to an open house at the Homosassa Learning Center.
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Rainbow Lakes Estates Lego Build & Chill Club
Saturday | October 17, 2026 | 4 PM – 7 PM
Rainbow Lakes Estates Community
4020 SW Deepwater Ct., Dunnellon, FL 34431
Looking for a fun, creative way to connect with the community? Come join us for our LEGO Build & Chill Club!
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Movie in the Park - Ghostbusters at Central Ridge Community Park
Saturday | October 17, 2026 | 6 PM
Central Ridge Community Park
592 W Lake Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, FL 34465
Citrus County Parks & Recreation invites you to join us for a night of family fun at our Movie in the Park featuring Ghostbusters. Costume Contest begins at 6:30 PM.
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Gyro Festival at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church
Saturday | October 17, 2026
Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church
Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church kicks off its Gyro Festival, a Saturday getaway of Greek food in Lecanto. Call 352-527-0766 for details.
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Citrus County 2050 Comprehensive Plan Open House
Monday | October 19, 2026 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Citrus County Building Division
Citrus County invites residents to an open house on the 2050 Comprehensive Plan. Stop by and share your input.
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Brooks Dockside Seafood Truck (Wild Caught Seafood)
Saturday | October 17, 2026 | 11 AM – 8 PM
Brooks Dockside Seafood
140 Elkins Road, Inglis, FL 34449
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Spice Corner (Indian)
Saturday | October 17, 2026 | 4 PM – 9 PM
Homosassa Distillery & Brewing Co
8759 W. Tradeways Ct, Homosassa, FL 34448
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Which local restaurant do you love and recommend to everyone? Reply to this newsletter and tell us, and we may feature it in a future issue.

Shift N' Gears Band at The Buoy Bar
Shift N' Gears Band
Saturday | October 17, 2026 | 6 PM
The Buoy Bar
10930 SE 201st Street, Inglis, FL 34449
Live Band
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Groove 41 at The Shed (Old Homosassa)
Groove 41
Sunday | October 18, 2026 | 2 PM – 6 PM
The Shed (Old Homosassa)
5300 S Cherokee Way, Homosassa, FL
The ultimate in waterfront dining, right on the Homosassa River.
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Lisa Kay & the GoldTop Band at Crump's Landing
Lisa Kay & the GoldTop Band
Sunday | October 18, 2026 | 2 PM – 6 PM
Crump's Landing
11210 W Halls River Rd, Homosassa, FL 34448
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LIVE Music! with Curtis Frazier "The Lone Rider" at Brooks Dockside Seafood
Sunday | October 18, 2026 | 5 PM – 8 PM
Brooks Dockside Seafood
140 Elkins Road, Inglis, FL 34449
LIVE Music with Curtis Frazier - "The Lone Rider"! Brooks Dockside Seafood Food Truck. Beer & Wine available at the Best Catch Club. Fans & Swamp Coolers Dockside.
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Sincerely,
Mark and the Inside Crystal River Team