Cedar Key Beach
and park visit provides insight

A seagull stands on Cedar Key Beach on Friday as the Gulf of Mexico sparkles with dots of sunlight seeming like flashbulbs from fish's little cameras lighting up as the fish take pictures of this seagull who is the star of the moment.

Story, Photos and Videos By Jeff M. Hardison © April 25, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
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     CEDAR KEY – A visit to the city park and beach in the City of Cedar Key on Friday morning (April 24) provided insight about this destination.
     The park and beach are just part of the many adventure areas of this destination in Levy County. Marine life is definitely under the water that is not able to be seen through in that part of the Gulf of Mexico, as demonstrated by the commercial fishing crews, as well as people who fish recreationally, and the pelicans and other birds that eat fish, crabs, clams, oysters and the like, which are active there. 

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VIDB – A couple of the many motorized boat in the area are seen here, as is one pelican dive-bombing for a fish and another bird appearing to outrace a boat going to the right. Click on the PHOTO  to see and hear the video. Video By Jeff M. Hardison – All Rights Reserved


Seagulls and sandpipers visit some fish parts on the edge of the surf. The wind is coming from the Gulf of Mexico to create the whole soundtrack of this relatively short video. Click on the PHOTO to see and hear the video.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison – All Rights Reserved



Two seagulls prepare to take flight.


Four seagulls stand after moments earlier all being cozily huddled into the sand and almost being unseen. Once notice, though, they stood.


A bird looks at some fish remains on the edge of the surf at Cedar Key Beach on Friday


Resting on a blue Croc for contrast, a ‘Mermaid’s Necklace’ is seen here. Whelk eggs are housed in a tough, leathery, spiraled string of connected capsules known scientifically as a whelk egg casing or whelk egg capsule string. These strings, sometimes called a ‘Mermaid's Necklace,’ can contain hundreds of capsules, each holding dozens of developing larvae. This was found on Cedar Key Beach on Friday.


Two birds that may be Short-billed Dowitchers (Limnodromus griseus) stroll on Cedar Key Beach.


Pelicans sit on pilings as one flies away.


Fifteen of the many pelicans waiting for human fishermen to come to land their boats and give them scraps seem to know Cedar Key is a good location for seafood.


A couple of paddleboarders enjoy the Gulf of Mexico on Friday morning after launching from Cedar Key Beach.


One of the commercial fishing boats in the area of Cedar Key on Friday makes its way through the water.

     The public beach at Cedar Key (often called City Park or Lil Shark Park) is a very small, intimate beach. It is a 300- to 400-foot-long sandy stretch that is not very wide. The water there is not clear. 
     On Friday morning, the park and beach were relatively empty and enjoyable. A number of children seemed to be enjoying the playground as their shouts of joy were heard on occasion.

Fifth graders accept gifted ukuleles

In the front row (from left) Jim Wilcox, Marci Wilcox and CKS Art Teacher Jonya Collins seen with students and a sign to note appreciation for Cedar Key’s Fraternal Order of the Eagles 4194.

Information and Photos Provided
Published April 24, 2026 at 8 p.m.    
     CEDAR KEY – Volunteer Jim Wilcox has continued the music program at Cedar Key School, and this year the 12 fifth grade students took home their very own new ukuleles with cases. 
     The presentation was made in the auditorium. The Cedar Key Eagles Club generously donated $1,000 toward the purchase. 
     Three other individuals donated $210 total. Each ukulele will have a label on the back regarding the donors.
     Wilcox presented the 12 CKS fifth graders each with their own ukulele.


Before presentation as gifts to the students, the instruments are seen awaiting their new owners.

     Ten of the 12 ukes were donated by the Cedar Key Eagles Club. Two other couples in the community each donated one.
     Since 2022, Wilcox has volunteered at CKS to teach ukulele and lead the children’s Christmas music performance. 
     “It warms my heart to think there will be music on our island, thanks to the donations from our friends and a little volunteer time from me,” he said.
     Wilcox noted he is appreciative of the support of CKS Principal Cheryl Allen and Art Teacher Jonya Collins.

County park closes
due to smoke in Levy County
Information Provided by Levy County Commission
Sent April 23, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Published April 23, 2025 at 2:15 p.m.
     BRONSON –The Levy County Board of County Commissioners in coordination with the Levy County Public Works Department, announced the immediate closure of Henry Beck Park, 3770 S.E. Levy County Road 343, in the Morriston area of unincorporated Levy County.
     This closure will be until further notice.
     The closure is necessary due to the Cow Creek Road forest fire and is being implemented out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of all residents, park visitors, and fire personnel.
     The Levy County Commission members appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation during this time as emergency responders continue their efforts.

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
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     LEVY COUNTY – It’s about the love of humans for one another. And it’s about the drive to conquer challenges.
     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.


Three 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 bounce 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.