New Port Richey Milliner Lisa Maltese Takes Julep Hat Designs to Tampa Bay Fashion Week

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Local news, new openings, and events from around the Nature Coast.

Chloe Peters

Sep 8, 2026

Here's what's happening around the Nature Coast.

Trivia Question❓

What body of water, known for its crystal-clear springs and gentle manatee population, flows through the Nature Coast before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico near the town of Weeki Wachee?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

New Port Richey Milliner Lisa Maltese Takes Julep Hat Designs to Tampa Bay Fashion Week

Lisa Maltese of Julep Hat Designs is one of ten area designers selected to show work at Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2026, which runs Sept. 23 to 26 at Shear Media Studios in St. Petersburg.

Hope Services, a nonprofit job training and placement agency, has bought a former bank building at Bayonet Point in Hudson and plans to have its first west Pasco training center running by spring. The building, behind the Wendy's at U.S.

The Ice Cream Barr celebrates the grand opening of its newest counter inside Artisan Haven at 134 E Fort Dade Ave in downtown Brooksville with a four day party running Sept. 4 to 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. each evening.

Culver's is preparing to open a new restaurant at 30171 State Road 52 in San Antonio, next to the new Taco Bell. The location carries the chain farther north along SR 52 after its earlier Lutz and Wesley Chapel openings.

The 1st Saturdays Hernando Beach Front Porch Art Walk returns Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. along Shoal Line Boulevard. Local artists set up at the Silver Dolphin Restaurant and Country Store at 4036 Shoal Line Blvd.

Family and Friends Reaching for Abilities holds its Abilities Fine Art Gala, titled A Kaleidoscope of Color, on Friday, Sept. 18 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Art Center of Citrus County on North Annapolis Avenue in Hernando.

Quote Of The Day

From handcrafted hats heading to the runway to sweet scoops celebrating a grand opening, our Nature Coast community reminds us that creativity and opportunity bloom best when neighbors dare to dream out loud. Every new door that opens here, whether it holds a job, a scoop, or a vision, is proof that small towns carry big hearts.

Secret Little Hack

Dress for the Heat, Shine at the Event

Florida's Nature Coast summers linger well into fall, so when you are heading to any outdoor festival, grand opening, or community gathering, choose breathable, light-colored fabrics that won't wilt by midday. A wide-brimmed hat is not just a fashion statement here; it is genuine sun protection that keeps you cooler and more comfortable for hours on end.

Look for locally made or artisan accessories when you can, since small-batch crafters in this region often sell at farmers markets, pop-up shops, and downtown events throughout Pasco and Hernando counties. Buying local means your dollars stay in the community, and you often end up with something far more unique than anything you would find at a chain retailer.

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

The Weeki Wachee River

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