I thought it might be interesting to do a series about the places in Florida I’ve lived, to give everyone a flavor of the diversity of the state. I’ll start with the place I consider my hometown, Brooksville.

Brooksville is one of those places you either love or hate; there are few people in the middle. Those that don’t like it consider it too small, or the surrounding county too infiltrated with people from “up north”. These days, Brooksville is growing and it can be argued that development is out of control. In fact, negotiators for developers routinely outwit local politicians and staff in getting their projects approved.

Those that love Brooksville celebrate that small-town atmosphere. There are shaded, brick-lined streets with elegant southern homes in the downtown area. A continuously-improving downtown main street has evolved to provide for afternoon shopping trips. Most well-known, of course, is Rogers Christmas House, a fixture in Brooksville for decades. Many people make day trips to Brooksville, stopping at the Christmas house, then walking over to the Paper Porch and Westover’s Flowers & Gifts to browse and shop while waiting for a seat at the award-winning Mallie Kyla’s Cafe.

For the men-folk, however, there is another famous eatery, Coney Island Hot Dogs. Coney Island has recently been renovated and updated, and the new owner has improved the service while retaining the same great artery-clogging food. I’ve driven over 50 miles just to get a long-dog when the craving hits.

As for living there, Brooksville, and the surrounding county, offer neighborhoods and living options to suit most lifestyles. There are neighborhoods where children can play in the streets, and there are “adult” communities for retirees looking to live with those of a similar age with similar interests. There are well-maintained planned communities, and extensive neighborhoods with well-spaced lots, and even working farms and ranches. The people consist of a mixture of 5th and 6th generation families, to transplants from New York, to commuters from Tampa looking for cheaper cost of living and a family-friendly lifestyle.

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