Wild Hog Canoe Race
runs racers through the wringers
Expanded fun
at finish line draws huge crowd

Robert Norman, 32, of Inverness is the first person to cross the log, which is the start of the short home stretch to the finish line on the Waccasassa River.

Story, Photos and Video By Jeff M. Hardison © April 19, 2026 at 11 a.m.
Except One Photo
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
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     LEVY COUNTY – It’s about the love of humans for one another. And it’s about the drive to conquer challenges.

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The Dixie County Anti-Drug Coalition Website.

     Beyond the moving forces resulting in the 49th Annual Wild Hog Canoe and Kayak Race that happened on Saturday (April 18), which ultimately is a fundraiser event for the Arc of Levy County -- there was the fun, fun, fun.
     And the fun spirit of the day carries forward in time with a positive set of actions.
     The Arc of Levy has been serving intellectually and developmentally disabled adults since 1976, as its predecessor organization was the Levy County Association for Retarded Citizens (LARC). For most years, LARC was operationally under the leadership of the late Betty Stockton Walker (April 17, 1946 – Feb. 25, 2019), who followed marching orders from a board of directors. “Miss Betty” would have been an octogenarian the day before this race, but her legacy continues from her historic part in this big picture. Likewise, there are countless others, like retired Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Lt. Sean Mullins and other members of the LCSO, who were leaders in the previous Ride To Provide – another annual fundraiser that used to happen for LARC. Now, (Ret.) Lt. Mullins appears to be continuing to be a fine artist and painter after his retirement from law enforcement.
     Speaking of the LCSO, there were six members of that agency participating in the race this year. They are Det. Cody Weaver, Sgt. Jeremy Dean, Det. Ryan Sullivan, Det. Blake Lanfair, Sgt. Tucker Gaffey and Cpl. Dean McIntyre.

Robert Norman is seen coming in as the first person to complete the 2026 Wild Hog Canoe And Kayak (and Paddleboard) Race.


In this video, Robert Norman is seen as he crosses the log. Then there are two clips of racers swamping their canoe after crossing the log and then hearing the announcement that they need to be in the canoe to cross the finish line. The final clip is of two canoeists on their inbound trek to the finish line. Click on the PHOTO to see and hear the video.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison - All Rights Reserved

     Meanwhile, back to the river and the racers of 2026, they are part of a mighty and worthwhile effort to help the Arc of Levy County, which provides living skills, adult basic education and other services, to allow its client to live their lives with dignity and respect. An educational foundation connected with Central Florida Electric Cooperative has donated significantly to the Arc of Levy County, too.
     This year’s 15-mile race was during one of “those years.” Yes, the drought of spring 2026 in Levy County must be among the worst. Hence, the Waccasassa River was at an extremely low point. For people like Wild Hog President Keith Maynard, and others who have raced in dry periods, they know there was some canoe, kayak or paddleboard carrying or dragging.
     President Maynard is the top leader of Gulf Hammock Wild Hog Canoe Race Inc. -- a domestic non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Florida. The business was filed on Nov. 29, 2012 and is currently listed as active with the Florida Department of State. The other Gulf Hammock Wild Hog Canoe Race Inc. Board of Directors are Justin Maynard, Daniel Maynard and Dave Kunkleman.
     The first third of the race route this year, President Maynard said, included people getting in and out of their boats and carrying them or pulling them along. One of the many very tough spots on the racecourse this year is at the rapids, he added, where rocks are bound to be jutting out of the water rather than being below the surface.
     The race started promptly at 9:30 a.m. At 6:13 p.m., the final boat crossed the finish line. Of the 131 boats with race participants paddling for fun, to help others and to compete, there were 11 boats that dropped out of the race before the finish line, Chris Marcic official race record-keeper noted. Chris and his wife Michelle have been helping racers know their finish times for several years now; and likewise, helped the daily news website share facts with the world.


Tree giant bounce houses are part of the free fun options for children at the event.


(from left) Marissa Owens and Joe Owens prepare to cook hotdogs and hamburgers. Jason Owens completed cooking 32 Boston butts the night before. They were among the cooks this year. This family has been a cornerstone for the event year after year.


The Orange Blossom Express sings bluegrass songs again this year. 


There were people at the event who want to be elected. The Honorable Levy County Court Judge Luis Bustamante, who worked at Publix from 1984 to 1990, is seen with Alex Rivera (center) and Chris Ranck of Publix as the two Publix workers were selling 50-50 tickets. People from Publix were significant helpers again this year.


There were people at the event who want to be elected. Seen here are Scott Tummond and his wife Darla Whistler. She is in the non-partisan race for Levy County Court Judge with Bustamante.

     Over the 49 years – yes, next year is the 50th – the finish line has increased in activity. 
     Fun abounded in the finish line area of the race. Finish line food items were part of the many great things from this year’s canoe and kayak race. There were hotdogs, hamburgers, swamp cabbage, at least 32 Boston butts smoked to perfection. And there were sweets as well as various drinks.
     Activities began at 10 a.m. at 3950 S.E. U.S. Highway 19, south of the Town of Otter Creek on the west side of the highway. The band – Orange Blossom Ramblers, consisting of Kenny Alhona, Randall Cook, Terry Haney, Amos Hatfield and Jim Peterson, with Sharon Hatfield operating the sound system performed bluegrass music. They sang and played instruments to a long list of songs including God on the Mountain, which was written by gospel songwriter Tracy Dartt in the 1970s. The song was popularized by The McKameys in 1988 and has been covered by numerous artists, most notably Lynda Randle of the Gaither Homecoming series.
     There were three large bouncy houses, and a “train” pulled by a strong ATV for children to enjoy. The vendors this year were plentiful. Among them was a face-painter. There was an auction – including several great items, one being a very desirable battery-powered Stihl chainsaw. There were raffles galore, too, including a 50-50 drawing. A cake auction, an extensive yard sale, a balloon dart board and other activities for children and adults provided a full day of enjoyment for everyone at this family-oriented fundraiser. 


Idle in this picture, this is the ‘train’ for children to ride in at the event.


Among the many vendors are Makayla Owens (left) and her mother Missy Owens. Makayla made crochet items for sale. Missy’s husband Chris Owens Jr., a carpentry teacher at Trenton High School and a preacher at Wekiva Run Baptist Church was in the canoe race with their son Chris ‘Tres’ Owens III. They placed third in the Recreation Class. Some of Pastor Owens’ artistic woodwork was for sale as well.


Family ties are strong at this event -- as shown by Keith Maynard (left) and his son Justin Maynard. They are two of the top leaders of Gulf Hammock Wild Hog Canoe Race Inc.  


Friendships are strong at this event, too, as shown by Jeff M. Hardison (left) and Keith Maynard. HardisonInk.com was among the gold level of sponsors this year.
Photo By Justin Maynard


The log where every race competitor is required to leave their vessel and cross and re-enter before crossing the finish line, is high and dry at high noon on April 18. The log is high. The water is low.


Sponsors like HardisonInk.com, the Levy County Visitors Bureau, Levy Abstract and Title, and Wade Custom Homes help the event in its goal of generating money to give to the Arc of Levy County.


Joe Canova Sr. calls out ticket numbers in raffles for prizes. Four of the nine children that he and Becky Canova have – Joseph Jr., Caleb, Samuel and Jedidiah – were in the race. J. Canova and T. Smith took first place in the Recreation Class.


Becky Canova, Joe Canova Sr.’s wife, holds a basket she won in a raffle that her husband called her ticket number. ‘Seriously?’ he said. This is a basket of items donated by Savannah’s Soap Boutique. There were several raffle item winners. This photo was serendipitous.


The Marcic Team of race time recorders – Chris and Michelle Marcic provide a photo opportunity when requested before the vessels begin crossing the finish line.


Levy County Fire Rescue had personnel and vehicles on the scene. Seen here (from left) are Firefighter-Paramedic Ryan Tietjen, Battalion Capt. Elysia Foran and Firefighter-EMT Devon Currie. Firefighter-Paramedic Tietjen also has the duty of being ‘out of class battalion captain’ when Foran is called away. As of 1 p.m., one person needed treatment in the ambulance for a minor injury.


A boy crosses back across the log having made it to the other side during a lull in race activity.


Some of the many, many people at the event are seen here.


A bicyclist on U.S. Highway 19 southbound looks down from the bridge over the Waccasassa River.


People crossing the Waccasassa River on U.S. Highway 19 may have noticed this on Saturday.


The fourth of 117 vessels to reach the finish line is seen here on Saturday.

     It was a relatively hot day at the finish line. At 10 a.m. that Saturday the temperature at the finish line was 77 degrees Fahrenheit and by 1 p.m., when the first four of the vessels had finally crossed the finish line, it was 90°F. (For the Celsius crowd that is 25 degrees and 32.222 degrees respectively, because {the number of degrees °F – 32} × 5/9 = the number of degrees °C). It may have become warmer, still, after 1 p.m.; however, temperature reading duties were finished for one publisher after 1 p.m. there that day.
     Speaking of 1 p.m. on April 17 on the Waccasassa River, just west of where U.S. Highway 19 crosses the river, there was a rubber duck race. These little rubber ducks were multicolored rather than just yellow. Like the duck race held by the Friends of the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve, this was a fundraiser, as well.
     There were people at the event who want to be elected. Among them was Emily Casey, who already won the primary election. She is in the Ecology Party, and there are no other ECO party candidates in this race. Casey will face one of the two Republican candidates after the Republican Party primary on Aug. 18. Those three people are the ones who have indicated that they want to occupy the seat currently held by Levy County Commissioner Rock Meeks, who is not seeking reelection.
Winners
     Racers in the 12 categories who earned first places with their times on April 18 are:
     ● Men's Kayak -- R. Norman 2:16:30
     ● Youth Team -- S. Canova and S. Smith 2:55:41
     ● Recreation Team -- J. Canova and T. Smith 3:02:15
     ● Women's Kayak -- S. Francavilla 3:06:06
     ● Experienced Team -- A. Fowler and B. Hendricks 3:10:21
     ● One-Man Canoe -- J. Edwards 3:10:27
     ● Women's Team -- C. Miles and R. King 3:18:18
     ● Parent/Youth Team -- R. Nico and R. Nico 3:18:49
     ● Senior Kayak -- D. Richard 3:28:26
     ● Mixed Team -- Z. Bedford and K. Meeks 3:34:38
     ● Paddleboard -- T. Gills 3:51:50
     ● Senior Team -- H. Harris and V. Harris 5:30:07
     Overcoming challenges is a theme for this year’s race. Many people have “I survived” the Wild Hog Canoe Race shirts from year after year. And even though some racers who registered and started did not make it across the finish line, they survived. This year’s race participants overcame obstacles caused by drought.
     There were 151 registered vessels. There were 128 vessels that started the race. There were 117 vessels that finished. There were 11 vessels that did not finish.
     This was another great year for the annual event that brings joy and energy to the efforts of people who endorse the philosophy of humans treating humans with love -- as shown by their actions.
     ● To see and hear the April 21, 2024 story, photos and video under the headline First racers cross the log in Wild Hog Canoe and Kayak Race; Winners are across the board, click HERE.
     ● To see and hear another April 21, 2024 story, photos and videos under the headline Love, hope, faith and fun come together at Wild Hog Canoe Race, click HERE.
     ● To see and hear the story, photos and video from the April 29, 2018 story under the headline Paddlers and others enjoy 41st Annual Wild Hog Canoe and Kayak Race (with updated with race results at the bottom, click HERE.
     ● To see the May 1, 2017 story and photos Wild Hog Canoe Race nets $21,000 for LARC, click HERE.
     And there were other stories, photos and videos related to the Wild Hog races and related events published on the 16-year-old multiple award-winning daily news website.
 

Sparse attendance seen at spring art show

Earning the Best of Show distinction this year at the Old Florida Celebration of the Arts are ‘Snowbirds’ Angela and Bill Kuhn of Boyne City, Michigan, and the city of Crystal River. Bill said he made the blade and point of this artwork by flintknapping Mahogany Obsidian – knocking off hundreds of flakes or chips of that volcanic glasslike rock. The colors molded with other parts of this art. This piece had a $1,000 price tag on it on Sunday (April 12).

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © April 13, 2026 at 11:45 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     CEDAR KEY – This year, there was the inaugural (or first ever) “un-fine arts show,” titled as “Unfine Artz Festival” on both of the same days of the more traditional juried art show and sale in Cedar Key on April 11 and 12.

     The new show and sale was listed as being at 12716 State Road 24 in Cedar Key.
     And there was a “Beer Garten with More Art” at the Fraternal Order of Eagles (4194), at 7010 B Street (corner of Third Stret and B Street – right next to downtown Cedar Key).
     The Fraternal Order of the Eagles is known for being “people helping people” in the United States of America and Canada since 1898. 
     The big and more traditional art festival event in Cedar Key this past weekend drew what appears to be fewer people than normal this year than in some past years. Perhaps, the United States helping start a war that caused fuel prices to skyrocket was impactful. Maybe, there was a different art show in this part of Florida. The “why” question goes unanswered, despite any amount of speculation.
     The Cedar Key Arts Center's presentation of the Old Florida Celebration of the Arts (OFCA) seemed to bring fewer people than anticipated this year to the annual two-day Old Florida Celebration of the Arts (formerly known under a different moniker), which was held on Saturday and Sunday (April 11 and 12).
     The Cedar Key Arts Center Inc. was founded in 1994 thanks to the creativity, generosity and vision of Catherine Graham Christie. Christie, a retired Canadian art teacher and multi-talented artist, co-founded the Cedar Key Artist Co-op in 1977 to provide an outlet for creative people in Cedar Key. Even before that, though, the island was a mecca for artists who were drawn to the island that was a working waterfront for fishermen and crabbers.
     This juried fine art festival showcases 100 artists downtown -- and it features local seafood as well, next to the city park and beach next to the Gulf of Mexico. The 2026 Old Florida Celebration of the Arts this year was organized by a Cedar Key Arts Center committee featuring co-coordinators Marci and Jim Wilcox -- alongside with members Mary Prescott, Faye Sanders, Ann Morgan, Deb Mann, Denise Feiber, Kathy O'Neall, Susan Rosenthal, Dawn Callahan, Rebecca Rittenhouse and Kim Standfield.
     The Old Florida Celebration of the Arts is recognized as one of Florida's oldest art festivals, operating at least since 1964 in the City of Cedar Key -- on the western end of northern Levy County, next to the Gulf of Mexico.
     The weather was perfect this weekend. The participating artists and others were there in full force. Visitors and art buyers seemed to not present as strong of a presence in numbers there as in some past years. Parking was as interesting as ever on the island, although there was a great place to park for $20 per vehicle, where the money spent to park there went to help the Cedar Key School Baseball Team.

Keith Martin Johns stands with a painting that captures the Cedar Key of old, as well as his many other works of fine art. His family ancestry includes fishermen from the old days of Englewood, Florida.


Juan Carlos Cahue of Ocala is seen with artistic jewelry he created and was selling at the event, as well as being among the competitors in the art contest part of the event.


Jim Sigle of New Market, Alabama, owner of Seagull Tables, stands with his woodwork that includes tables. He is among the artists and craftsmen accepted to compete in the juried art show this year.


Some years during this annual festival, it is not possible to see much of thew actual pavement of Second Street because there are so many visitors. On Sunday morning (April 12), soon after the second day of festival festivites started at 10 a.m., there were clearly more artists’ tents than visitors’ bodies on the street.

Winners
     ● Best of Show -- Angela Kuhn of Boyne City, Michigan -- Mixed Medium
     ● Best 2D -- Dacota Maphis of Clearwater -- Mixed Medium
     ● Best 3D -- Andrew Wender of Englewood -- Ceramics
     ● Arts Center Creativity Award -- Glen Purdy -- Mixed Medium
     ● Award of Excellence -- Michelle McLendon -- Fiber/Leather
     ● Award of Excellence -- Richard Burton -- Photography
     ● Award of Excellence -- Hoyt Childers -- Ceramics
     ● Award of Excellence -- Nancy Conners -- Drawing
     ● The Iris & Rick Austin Award -- Darlene Ferguson -- Glass
     ● Awards of Distinction -- Jami Childers, Painting; Elizabeth Lemoine, Mixed; Mari Lydic, Fiber/Leather; James Reed, Photography; Rose Sward, Mixed; Victoria Qualls, Jewelry; Melanie Rolfer, Sculpture; and Harry Welch, Ceramics.


Marci Wilcox, a key leader in the festival coming to fruition this year (left) stands with artist Cindy Eaton of Sebring, owner of Cindy Rose Nature Photography. The festival was a resounding success other than the number of visitors being a bit fewer than in some years past.


Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Jairus McConnell is among the law enforcement officers from the FHP, the Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) and the Cedar Key Police Department (CKPD), and perhaps other agencies, helping keep people safe at the festival. At about 11 a.m. Sunday (April 12), there appeared to be a crash on SR 24 on the island, where CKPD, LCSO and FHP diverted traffic around a two-block stretch of SR 24 on the island. Levy County Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.


Phyllis and Jon Rice are a husband-and-wife team of volunteers who are among the members of the Levy County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Citizens On Patrol (COP) group. COP members are screened individuals who help with traffic control at funerals, parades, and special events, and provide other services to help the LCSO and the community.


A few members of Levy County Fire Rescue stand ready to help people see why they may want to serve as a firefighter, EMT or paramedic. They also gave away souvenirs to promote the agency that sends people to fight fires and help those with medical needs.


Judy Johnson and Ron Kamzelski are seen under a tent connected to the Rover, a portable unit to help people learn about the Friends of the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges, and how the Friends help this federal natural resource for wildlife.


Musicians perform at the event. They are known now collectively as Shadetree. The overwhelming majority of the tunes played by these three people were folk songs created by other performing artists. Shadetree also announced sponsors of this year’s event.


On Sunday morning, the staff members from the Office of Levy County Supervisor of Elections at the park were Voting Systems Manager Jennifer Mathews and Frances Richburg, over services. Other members of that team were on duty the day before.


Kelly Claflin, Levy County Tax Collector’s Office Manager at the Williston office (left), and Levy County Tax Collector Michele Langford provided answers to any questions about taxes, passports, licenses and more during the two-day festival.


Lauren Adams, a Cedar Key School reading coach, holds her 1-year-old son Miles Adams, as she helps the Cedar Key School Safety Patrol. Cedar Key School Fifth Grade Teacher Kearston Andrews is the faculty member guiding and teaching the Safety Patrol members as well as helping the children in fifth grade at CKS learn. The safety patrol members walk through the festival and sell water to raise funds for their annual summer trip to Washington, D.C.
 

Mason Tysinger (left) and Augustus Adams, two members of the CKS Safety Patrol who were selling water Sunday to raise money for the annual summer trip to Washington, D.C., let a journalist interrupt their lunch for a photo opportunity. Miles Adams, 1, (lower right) notices the man taking photographs, again that morning after being a subject in a photo opp earlier. He appears to have Doritos chips in his hands.


UF/IFAS Master Gardener Volunteers (from left) Henry Quandt, Ketti Davison and Sue Lindhorst are among the people who helped children create bracelets with colorful beads as they learned about the movement of water through the environment – via solar energy, evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation and percolation of water through the soil. Quandt is holding a completed bracelet. Davison is holding the fact sheet for this lesson. This set of adult volunteers are part of the community who will teach the children well, so that generation will care about the environment by not littering, not polluting, and conserving natural resources – including one that is vital for life to continue – water. Keeping the atmosphere with enough of an oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen mix is critical, too.


Cedar Key Lions Club First Vice President Bob Piscura (left) and President Bob Belair are pulled away from their club’s bratwurst and clam chowder sales to grant a visiting journalist’s request for a photo opp. The bratwurst, by the way, was delicious and inexpensive.

     Among the many organizations at the event were the Friends of the Cedar Key Public Library; Levy County Supervisor of Elections Tammy Jones and staff; Levy County Tax Collector Michele Langford and staff; Wildlife Rehabilitation Education Network (WREN); Cedar Keys Audubon; the Friends of the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges; University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Master Gardeners; and the Levy County Department of Public Safety (aka Levy County Fire Rescue).


This dozen or so tents house the many groups selling seafood and drinks at the event. The crab cakes, shrimp and oysters were among the many delicious offerings of the day. Really, consumers buying anything from any of these vendors are winners because they are helping worthy causes while accepting excellent food.


Right in the midst of artists galore on Second Street in downtown Cedar Key on Sunday, the Information Tent was manned by volunteers Dick Grier (right) and Jerri Tulley, part-time Cedar Key residents. Some people live elsewhere during the warmer months.


Claire Ryan, a clerk at For Shore, a business at 495 Second St., is among the several workers in downtown Cedar Key on Sunday. This store sells art, items for home décor as well as other unique objects that may make good gifts. The store is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. A pet shop. a café, a hotel-restaurant combo and other businesses on Second Street were serving people on Sunday, too.


Confederate jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), also known as star jasmine, a vigorous, evergreen woody vine with fragrant white flowers and glossy green leaves is seen growing around the entrance to the Cedar Key Hotel and Restaurant’s outdoor dining and drinking area on Second Street. 


     Among the non-profit organizations selling food and drink were Cedar Key Oystermen’s association selling oysters, shrimp and clam strips; Cedar Key Lions Club selling Bratwurst, and Tony’s Cedar Key Clam Chowder; the Fourth Grade Class of Cedar Key School, selling grouper sandwiches; the CKS Class of 2027, selling clam fritters and coleslaw; the CKS Class of 2028, selling shrimp pasta salad; the CKS FFA, selling shrimp and grits; the CKS DECA, selling lobster salad rolls; The cedar key dolphin project, selling sweet corn and cotton candy; the Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce, selling Mrs. Thelma’s crab cakes; the Cedar Key Garden Club, selling lemonade; the Cedar Key Woman's Club, selling soda pop and iced tea; and the CKS Fifth Grade Safety Patrol selling bottled water.
     To see the April 9, 2016 story and photos under the headline Art magnet opens on Cedar Key; First day of two-day art festival rocks the island with artistic beauty, click HERE.
     To see and hear the April 2, 2019 story, photos and video under the headline Cedar Key Art Fest draws talent; Fleming Island artist wins Best In Show, click HERE.

 

Girls varsity basketball team honored
WMHS Red Devils Are State Champions

The winning team of basketball players, some of the coaches, the mayor of Williston, members of the Levy County Commission and perhaps other are seen here for the photo opportunity after the proclamation was read on April 7.
Photo Provided as a Professional Courtesy By Levy County Manager Mary-Ellen Harper

By Jeff M. Hardison © April 9, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
     BRONSON – Levy County Commissioner Johnny Hiers read a proclamation to honor the Williston Middle High School Red Devils Girls Varsity Basketball Team near the start of the regular County Commission meeting on April 7.
     The proclamation noted:
     ● the hard work, dedication, sportsmanship, talent and exceptional team chemistry of the 2026 Williston Red Devils Girls Basketball Team has enabled these student athletes to bring home their first Rural Class State Championship; and 
     ● winning the 2026 Rural Class State Championship game on Feb. 27 brought honor to Williston Middle High School, the City of Williston and Levy County, where that statewide championship title came after the team earned a winning season record of 22-2; and 
     ● Head Coach Willie Powers, team members, parents, faculty and the student body of Williston Middle High School were integral in guiding the team to victory through their 
unwavering support;
     Therefore, The Levy County Commission recognizes and congratulates the Williston Red Devils Girls Varsity Basketball Team for its tremendous achievement in winning the Florida High School Athletic Association 2026 Rural Class State Championship, which is the first state title in the school’s history for the girls basketball program.
     The proclamation was signed by each member of the County Commission – Chairman Tim Hodge, Vice Chairman Charlie Kennedy, and commissioners Hiers, Rock Meeks and Desiree Mills.
     As the proclamation was being presented, Commissioner Mills mentioned that Head Coach Powers was named as the FHSAA Coach of the Year for Rural High Schools.
     Mills added that Ashlynn Young of Williston is named as the Player of the Year.

FWC upgrading navigation markers
in Suwannee River
to improve boater safety
By FWC Communications
Published April 7, 2026 at 8 p.m.
     LAKE CITY -- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is replacing and relocating degraded aids-to-navigation markers in McGriff Pass, Alligator Pass and Salt Creek of the Suwannee River. The construction project in Dixie and Levy counties is expected to be completed by summer 2026.
     A comprehensive bathymetric reconnaissance survey conducted by the FWC in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard will result in the relocation and renumbering of several dayboards needed to assist vessel operators with the best route to minimize a risk of grounding. The channels being marked are not dredged, but the markers will improve channel delineation and better identify the most navigable routes for boaters based on the study results.
     Boaters are urged to use caution, particularly in narrow and shallow areas, while construction is under way.
     For more information about boating on Florida’s waterways, visit https://myfwc.com/boating/.
     To report navigation outages, issues or discrepancies, use the U.S. Coast Guard Discrepancy Report Form.

Cardboard Boat Race is on May 2
in Otter Springs Park and Campground
By Jeff M. Hardison © April 7, 2026 at 5 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     TRENTON – Whoops. Robert Wells, executive director of the Gilchrist Prevention Coalition, started "advertising" free entrance to Hart Springs Park and Campground for visitors on May 2 before the Gilchrist County Commission had agreed to that deal.
     Wells’ "ad campaign," though, was not as strong as the Wild Hog Canoe Race in Levy County or the Art and Nature Festival in Dixie County, which included paid ads in HardisonInk.com. He just sent a notice for the community calendar – which is now updated.
     At the April 6 regular twice-monthly meeting, after some discussion, it became clear that the Third Annual Ship Regatta - Cardboard Boat Race is scheduled to be during the Hope Fest at Otter Springs Park and Campground (Gilchrist County). 
      This cardboard boat race is open to local businesses, organizations, civic groups and churches. This is being hosted by the Gilchrist Prevention Coalition and others.
      Like the previous two years, when For Vets operated Otter Springs Park and Campground, all people entering Otter Springs Park and Campground will NOT be paying the entry fee to enter the park. 
     Otter Springs Park and Campground is not completely restored and ready for its grand opening yet. Commissioners believe this will give people a chance to see some of the improvements since the county took over the park again, from For Vets. Since Otter Springs is NOT officially open for camping, or completely ready to open for regular service, the entry fee for this event on May 2 is waived.
     However, future events at Otter Springs Park and Campground will require people to pay the entrance fee.
     Hope Fest has several groups partnering with the Gilchrist Prevention Coalition, including Meridian Behavioral Services, Another Way, the Tri-County Unit of the Florida Department of Health, and Lutheran Health Services of Florida. Wells said this will be another event to help uplift spirits of people.
     The County Commission did not grant the free pass for people entering Hart Springs that day because the county could lose thousands of dollars of revenue from the fees that would have been paid by visitors that one day.
     Wells said he thought he heard from County Administrator Bobby Crosby that the free passes into Hart Springs on May 2 would be OK for this non-profit group because it is before Memorial Day – the unofficial start of summer fun. Crosby told the County Commission that Hart Springs no longer loses money – because of proper management. It did not lose money, even when the spring was flooded, and even when the COVID-19 global pandemic hurt tourist destinations.
     Tri-County Community Resource Center Manager Beverly Goodman told the County Commission that as a member of the Gilchrist Prevention Coalition Board of Trustees for about a decade now, she sees it as a great value for the county.
     Nevertheless, the county leaders said “the slippery slope” of granting free passage into the springs by this non-profit will cascade into requests from churches, civic organizations and other non-profits who benefit the county. Crosby said the current policy at Hart Spring is for Gilchrist County Commission or Gilchrist County School Board functions, like a meeting of the Tourist Development Council or a conference for teacher, would provide free admission – at the park manager's discretion.
     The May 2 event at Otter Springs Park and Campground will not require entry fees to be paid. When the park opens, though, those fees will be collected.
     The cardboard boat line-up is at 10 a.m. and the judges' inspection is at 10:30 a.m. with the race slated to start at 11 a.m. Information about registering for the race and seeing rules are available on the Community Calendar under the May 2 listings. 

Deep space trip includes rocket launch,
sunset and pink moonrise photos

This is the Bode Galaxy’s light captured after 145 minutes of layering those photons that passed through space to land at The Ink Pad in Levy County. The light-capture smart telescope photo session wrapped up in the exceedingly early morning on March 22 at 12:41 a.m.

Story, Photos and Video By Jeff M. Hardison © April 2, 2026 at 10:45 p.m.
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     LEVY COUNTY – In the air above Levy County on March 21, 22, 31 and April 1 in the daylight and nights, opportunities to make space and air photos and videos occurred.     There was a galaxy’s light caught. The Artemis II launch was photographed. A video of one jet making a vapor trail was created. The sunset of April 1 was memorialized in a few pictures, and the Pink Full Moon of April 2026 was captured as it became eclipsed by clouds. And the Moon from the night before was seen through clouds as well as being photographed in detail.
     This set of upward pictures started in the third week of March.
     A cloudless night on March 21 and the clear sky early morning of March 22 was when a ZWO Seestar S50 Smart Telescope
was used to capture an image of Bode Galaxy over a 145-minute span.
     The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) notes that this galaxy was discovered by the German astronomer Johann Elert Bode in 1774. It is one of the brightest galaxies in the night sky. It is located 11.6 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major, NASA notes. The galaxy is best observed during April, NASA noted.

Artemis II Launch on April 1, 2026



     A rocket carrying four astronauts who plan to travel around the Moon and return to Earth launched on Wednesday evening (April 1).
     A Canon EOS Rebel T7 with a 75-to-300-millimeter lens was used to capture a couple of photos. Video was compromised due to too many particles of dust or pollen in part of the camera that were later cleaned when that was reviewed.
     On that same evening, NASA and other astronomical research sources noted the planet Mercury would be visible relatively low to the eastern horizon soon after sundown. Clouds precluded that view.
     Meanwhile, after years of practicing finding and photographing the full Moon for several different months over the years, the search was started for a fine April 1 picture of what is known colloquially as the Full Pink Moon of April, which happened that April Fool’s Day 2026.
     As he drove a 2016 GMC Terrain SLE from The Ink Pad toward a certain area for relatively good moonrise photos, the cameraman noticed two jets in the eastern sky leaving vapor trails (aka contrails) as they flew to the north and south simultaneously.
     Click. A photo using a Cannon PowerShot SX 500 that must be about 20 years old and was very inexpensive when purchased from CVS Drug Store of Chiefland (remember, that was about two decades ago) was used for that photo and all the rest of that evening.
     Using the video function of that telephoto camera, the northbound jet was followed.

This still shot shows two jets leaving separate vapor trails at the same time -- just before sunset on Wednesday night (April 1).

In the video that can be seen and heard by clicking on the PHOTO, the videographer follows one jet for 30 seconds or so, since the two at the start are going in opposite directions on April 1.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison – All Rights Reserved

     Then there was the sunset of April 1. Looking west from a vantage point on Levy County Road 347 (Northwest 60th Street) and Northwest 90th Avenue.

Sunset of April 1 as seen from one point in Levy County -- before the rise of the Full Pink Moon of April 2026.

     Driving south and north along a road where the Moon can be seen relatively close to the horizon as it rises, the roving reporter found a friendly neighbor who allowed him to park and watch for moonrise.
     Aha! This time, due to light refracted through dust, pollen and other floating particles, the sunlight reflected from the Moon to the Earth at that moonrise, made the Moon appear pink. The Pink Moon of this spring month is believed to be associated with the many flowers that bloom and are pink.
     And, as things turned out, an unscheduled lunar eclipse of sorts happened relatively quickly as the Moon became hidden while it rose and the that view of the Moon became obscured by clouds.

Moonrise pictures from Tuesday evening (April 1) show the Full Pink Moon of 2026, as well as some eclipsed Moon photos caused by cloud cover.

Moon photos from the night before (Tuesday, March 31), using the Seestar and PowerShot, showed clear pictures as well as hide-and-seek Moon shots. Here the Moon is obscured by clouds as well as being brought into focus with the crytal clarity that can happen with some equipment on planet Earth.