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Arts and Entertainment: Art Center Hosts Gallery Show
November 5th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar Key Arts Center Workshops For November 2012
October 23rd, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Beginning Throwing with Clay 6 - 9
October 22nd, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Empty Bowls Event
October 20th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar Key Artist Wins Award
October 19th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Call To Artists
October 8th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar Key Arts Center schedule for October
September 1st, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Suwannee Valley Players Announce 30th Anniversary Season
August 24th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: DESIGN SELECTED FOR 2013 CEDAR KEY ART FESTIVAL
August 18th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: The Cedar Key Arts Center has once again turned out a talented group of young artists
July 30th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Summer Arts Program
July 4th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Spring Arts Festival 2013 Date Set New Arts Center Program Administrator New Event Coordinator Announced
June 25th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar Key Arts Center - Youth Art Education - Looking For Teachers
May 17th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Youth Song writing Workshop at the Bronson Public Library
May 17th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar Key Arts Center - Youth Art Program
May 17th, 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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