Cedar Key Everlasting: Comm. Sue Colson Introduces Leslie Sturmer
On the evening of Saturday, April 14, 2012, Cedar Key had a elegant affair called Cedar Key Everlasting. The focus of the program was the new Cedar Key Everlasting: The Story of Shellfish and Aquaculture in Cedar Key, which is a well planned out and alluring publication. The booklet contains a collection of essays from various authors, including Dr. Michael Jepson, Greg Lang, Leslie N Sturmer, Commissioner Suzanne Colson, Dr. Chuck Adams, Dr. Sandra E Shumway, the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, Dr. David Heil, and Dr. John W Andrews, as well as many fascinating photos by Carlton Ward, Jr. and Eric Zamora.
Preceding the public event, the booklet's collaborators, those from the Florida Humanities Council, many from aquaculture associations, and political leaders had been invited to a tasty shellfish dinner. Those able to attend found themselves at roundtables within a lavishly furbished room, which had been decorated with the direction and help of the elegant Linda Seyfert, and included lighted panels with photos from the publication, and the black and white photography by Christian Harkness.
Leslie N. Sturmer, statewide shellfish extension agent, and Cedar Key Commissioner Suzanne Colson, started the event with much enthusiasm, and were sure to recognized the many who helped with the project and the event including the essay authors and collaborators, Linda Seyfert, Rose Campbell, and so many others. They also graciously introduced the keynote speaker.
The keynote speaker was accomplished journalist and author Cynthia Barnett, who read aloud her eloquent foreward, and also spoke a bit from research she did for her older, but appropriately relevant, book Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S.. With such discourse, she compelled her audience to question within themselves, "What would Cedar Key do without water, including the fresh water from the Suwannee River, just a short trip up the coast?" Ms. Barnett reminded the crowd how precious water is to the earth, and for those who dwell thereon. She called for water ethics, which, she felt not only should be non-partisan, but that should be taught in schools, in commission meetings, and even in churches.
Wait! Let's sidetrack here. Some think such a matter is only for or from those labeled "'green' people", "evolutionists", or "nature worshipers". But, in "churches"? ... Why not?! The church-goers believe in the GOD who created the "heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1), created humankind, and also gave instructions to humans to "tend and take care of it" (Genesis 2:15 NIV). Yet, some Christians fear that taking care of things on this planet, such as water, may make it appear as though they worship the gifts GOD has given them, more than the GIVER. Although, there is really no need to worry if one truly worships GOD. HE commanded taking care of the earth, didn't HE? So, if one truly worships HIM, then having water ethics should come naturally to those who truly worship the ONE who created the water. If not, perhaps, "truly" may not be in the equation.
Now, back to the event.
The evening ended not only with splendid dessert of cake and candies, but with the marvelous booklet itself being given to all in attendance. Many stood in line for autographs of Ms. Barnett. As well, numerous guests donated in order to have the Christian Harkness photos that had earlier graced the room. A pleasing end to a grand night in Cedar Key.
Cedar Key Community Center
Cedar Key, Levy, Florida
4/14/12
7:40:49 PM
IMG_027
web
Cedar Key Everlasting: Comm. Sue Colson Introduces Leslie Sturmer
On the evening of Saturday, April 14, 2012, Cedar Key had a elegant affair called Cedar Key Everlasting. The focus of the program was the new Cedar Key Everlasting: The Story of Shellfish and Aquaculture in Cedar Key, which is a well planned out and alluring publication. The booklet contains a collection of essays from various authors, including Dr. Michael Jepson, Greg Lang, Leslie N Sturmer, Commissioner Suzanne Colson, Dr. Chuck Adams, Dr. Sandra E Shumway, the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association, Dr. David Heil, and Dr. John W Andrews, as well as many fascinating photos by Carlton Ward, Jr. and Eric Zamora.
Preceding the public event, the booklet's collaborators, those from the Florida Humanities Council, many from aquaculture associations, and political leaders had been invited to a tasty shellfish dinner. Those able to attend found themselves at roundtables within a lavishly furbished room, which had been decorated with the direction and help of the elegant Linda Seyfert, and included lighted panels with photos from the publication, and the black and white photography by Christian Harkness.
Leslie N. Sturmer, statewide shellfish extension agent, and Cedar Key Commissioner Suzanne Colson, started the event with much enthusiasm, and were sure to recognized the many who helped with the project and the event including the essay authors and collaborators, Linda Seyfert, Rose Campbell, and so many others. They also graciously introduced the keynote speaker.
The keynote speaker was accomplished journalist and author Cynthia Barnett, who read aloud her eloquent foreward, and also spoke a bit from research she did for her older, but appropriately relevant, book Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S.. With such discourse, she compelled her audience to question within themselves, "What would Cedar Key do without water, including the fresh water from the Suwannee River, just a short trip up the coast?" Ms. Barnett reminded the crowd how precious water is to the earth, and for those who dwell thereon. She called for water ethics, which, she felt not only should be non-partisan, but that should be taught in schools, in commission meetings, and even in churches.
Wait! Let's sidetrack here. Some think such a matter is only for or from those labeled "'green' people", "evolutionists", or "nature worshipers". But, in "churches"? ... Why not?! The church-goers believe in the GOD who created the "heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1), created humankind, and also gave instructions to humans to "tend and take care of it" (Genesis 2:15 NIV). Yet, some Christians fear that taking care of things on this planet, such as water, may make it appear as though they worship the gifts GOD has given them, more than the GIVER. Although, there is really no need to worry if one truly worships GOD. HE commanded taking care of the earth, didn't HE? So, if one truly worships HIM, then having water ethics should come naturally to those who truly worship the ONE who created the water. If not, perhaps, "truly" may not be in the equation.
Now, back to the event.
The evening ended not only with splendid dessert of cake and candies, but with the marvelous booklet itself being given to all in attendance. Many stood in line for autographs of Ms. Barnett. As well, numerous guests donated in order to have the Christian Harkness photos that had earlier graced the room. A pleasing end to a grand night in Cedar Key.
Cedar Key Community Center
Cedar Key, Levy, Florida
4/14/12
7:40:49 PM
IMG_027
web