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Arts and Entertainment: “CHICK SCHWARTZ, CEDAR KEY ARTIST,” OPENS AT APPLETON MUSEUM IN OCALA
January 29th, 2013

Arts and Entertainment: Fiber Artist Classes at Cedar Key Arts Center
January 5th, 2013

Arts and Entertainment: ACOUSTICAL AFTERNOON FOR THE ARTS FUNDRAISER FOR THE CEDAR KEY ARTS FESTIVAL
December 31st, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar Key Arts Center - January Events
December 25th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: CEDAR KEY ART FESTIVAL DEADLINE EXTENDED
December 21st, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar KeyHole Artists of the Month
December 10th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: December 1 - Gallery Opening at Cedar Key Arts Center
December 5th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar Key Arts Center - Holiday Mini Projects Party
November 29th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Florida`s Eden and Bev Ringenberg at the Arts Center Opening December 1
November 28th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Suwannee Valley Players - Open Auditions: "Little Shop of Horrors"
November 27th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: WEEKEND MUSIC SCENE
November 23rd, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Make a bowl for Empty Bowls event
November 22nd, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: CEDAR KEY CALLING ALL FINE ARTISTS TO DELIGHT AND INSPIRE!
November 19th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar Key Arts Center - December Workshops
November 14th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar Keyhole`s 35th Anniversary
November 12th, 2012

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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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