So Long, Farewell, Auf

Wiedersehen, Goodbye

It is time for us to go

March 6, 2020

Twelve years ago Roger and I moved to our recently completed house at the airstrip in Rosewood. The next week, CK Garden Club had a meeting and presentation that we attended where we met a lot of folks. Little did we know that many would become our mainstay acquaintances and future friends who would lead to us meeting others in the community. Before we knew what happened, we were involved in the Garden Club, the Arts Center, yoga, and the Friends of Refuges.

Roger took over the Pepper Busting that had been started by the Garden Club as it transitioned to the Refuge. For a few years it was a struggle to get enough volunteers, but recently there has been a turn around with work days seeing a dozen or so hard workers trying to mitigate the impact of the pesky Brazilian Pepper as it moves north with the rising temperature. During that time, he was also in charge of facility maintenance of the Arts Center and was instrumental in the construction of the extension that provides much needed and used studio space.

As president of the Garden Club, for too many years, he has worked hard to keep it limping along. The lemonade sales from the festivals now goes to support groups at the school.  

While Roger was busy with his activities, I served on the boards and as treasurer of the Arts Center and the Friends of Refuges.   Four years ago I had the opportunity to make a contribution to our community as a charter member of the Board of Cedar Keys Audubon, CKA. In that short amount of time, CKA has been very active and is best known for the local Bird Rescue, monthly presentations, and student art projects exhibited at both the Arts and Seafood festivals.  

Three and a half years ago, the Action Coalition of Cedar Key was formed and I was right there researching, tracking, and reporting to the group what is happening in our local, state and federal politics.  

I’ll especially miss the Tuesday / Thursday yoga sessions that have kept by muscles lubricated and soft tissues stretched.

Friends that we have made since coming to Cedar Key have welcomed us at thirteen different places throughout the country on our successful quest to get to all fifty states. Thank you for the hospitality: Mike and Bev; Joyce and Ed; Donna and John; Nita and Mac; Jean; Judy and Dan; Ann and Ron; Boyd and Linda: Peg and Russ; Ed and Sandi; Donna and Jay; Mary; and Millie. Travels out side the country to Belize, Cuba, Africa, New Zealand, the British Isles, Panama and Costa Rica were made richer when accompanied by local friends.

With the sale of our Rosewood house eighteen months ago and moving into town, we struggled to find a long-term rental that satisfied our simple requirements of three bedrooms, two baths, and a garage. Once we found a suitable place we figured we were here to stay for a while. But, six months into the year lease we were informed that the lease would not be renewed so the house could be sold. The hunt was on again. This time we headed south because there just isn’t anything for rent in Cedar Key that will work for us. We really don’t want to be saddled with maintenance of owning a house. This allows us to be closer to our medical providers, grocery stores, and the Tampa airport.

It is with a whole bunch of mixed emotions that we are leaving a community that we have come to love. I want to thank everyone for giving us the opportunity to make a small difference. We are going to miss you. All the heartfelt goodbyes were greatly appreciated. Stop by whenever you are in the neighborhood. As many of you have commented, it really isn’t that far. You might want to call, text, or email first to be sure we haven’t flown the coop on another of our great adventures.  

SO LONG

Libby Cagle

March 6, 2020

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