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Arts and Entertainment: M. A. Harley Exhibit Opens at Arts Center Gallery
February 9th, 2004

Arts and Entertainment: Arts Center Auction Draws Enthusiastic Crowd
February 1st, 2004

Arts and Entertainment: More Than Just Paint on Canvas - the Art of Travis Parks
January 31st, 2004

Arts and Entertainment: Watercolor Exhibit Opens at Arts Center Gallery
January 4th, 2004

Arts and Entertainment: Natural Inspiration - a Gallery and a Vision
January 2nd, 2004

Arts and Entertainment: Annual "Rock the Boat" Exhibit Draws Crowd
December 7th, 2003

Arts and Entertainment: The Wildlife Artistry of Rod Random
December 6th, 2003

Arts and Entertainment: A Good Old Fashioned Mystery
November 16th, 2003

Arts and Entertainment: FSU - UF Art Exhibit Opens at Arts Center Gallery
November 2nd, 2003

Arts and Entertainment: A View Under the Ocean with Artist Alda Leffew
October 27th, 2003

Arts and Entertainment: Frostproof Artists Paint Cedar Key
October 24th, 2003

Arts and Entertainment: Grammatical Wit and Wisdom
October 14th, 2003

Arts and Entertainment: Plein-Air Exhibit Opens at Arts Center
October 5th, 2003

Arts and Entertainment: Author Showcases Cedar Key
October 4th, 2003

Arts and Entertainment: Plein-Air Artists Visiting Cedar Key
October 1st, 2003

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Friends of the Refuges Annual Meeting Draws Huge Crowd

Friends of the Refuges Annual Meeting Draws Huge Crowd

Maureen Landress

"Cultures of Shell Mound" speaker Richard Warner gave his presentation before a packed house on Saturday March 5th. The presentation was part of the Friends and Volunteers of Refuges (FAVOR) annual meeting.

refuge

Mr. Warner is a generalist and manager in archeology for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, and is stationed at their Atlanta, Georgia office. Using slides and a tape showing artifacts found in the area, he gave a wide ranging overview of the Native Americans who once inhabited Florida. The State of Florida has the most prehistoric and historic sites in the Untied States. Warner explained how the complex geology of the area played an important role in the land's use. From about 500 BC to 850AD numerous shell mounds were created around the State by the indigenous local populations. These mounds, piles of shell and discarded pottery, changed the land surface and soil content, which in turn changed the flora and fauna that flourished on it.

He went on to describe the lifestyle of these early inhabitants; and the sophisticated infrastructure they developed. From comfortable houses, to dug out canoes used to harvest the ocean, they were diverse and complicated peoples. Though they left behind numerous shell mounds, little is known about their daily routines, as what they used came from the land and was returned back to it. Most mounds offer few relics to help date the site, or give insight into the people who left these intriguing structures behind. Following the presentation Mr. Warner answered audience questions.

Lower Suwannee Refuge Ranger Pam Darty, and FAVOR president Rebecca Roberts, were on hand with displays and brochures describing the local refuges and the role FAVOR plays in their success. The program also included presentation of certificates to several volunteers who helped make last year's celebration at the historic Seahorse Key Lighthouse a success; Toni Collins, who portrayed lighthouse keeper Catherine Hobday, Rebecca Roberts for her work on the program in many departments, and Rob Mattson for his portrayal of a Civil War era Navy sailor.

If you are interested in supporting our local refuges, enjoy getting outdoors and meeting interesting people, then you are just the kind of person that FAVOR is looking for! For more information on becoming a member contact: FAVOR, Friends and Volunteers of Refuges, P.O. Box 864, Cedar Key, FL 32625.

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