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Arts and Entertainment: SUNNY & STEADY - The 48th Annual Old Florida Celebration of the Arts
May 1st, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Pastel Art From Citrus County
April 30th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Where’s Bo? A Happy Sad Story
April 28th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar Key’s 48th Annual Fine Art Festival
April 24th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Official 2012 Posters & T-shirts for Sale
April 19th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: VALERIE BRETL RECIEVES `BEST IN SHOW` AT INTERNATIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION
April 19th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Arts Festival - Food Map
April 16th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Join the Fun - Be an Old Florida Celebration of the Arts Purchase Award Patron?
April 9th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Henry Gernhardt and Kevin Hipe to exhibit at Cedar Key Arts Center
April 5th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Arts Festival - List Of Artists
April 5th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Arts Festival - Street Map
April 4th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Arts Festival - MENU
April 3rd, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Arts Festival - Entertainment Schedule
April 2nd, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: AND THE WINNER IS...
March 31st, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: ART THERAPY CLASSES
March 29th, 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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