Today's Features

Lillian Kathleen Bishop Baker, known simply as “Great” by her many descendents, celebrated her 85th birthday last weekend, surrounded by generations of family at the Cedar Key City Park.

Kathleen greeted well-wishers sporting a name tag that read, “Great.”

“All the grandchildren call her that,” said her daughter Rita Bishop. “Great” seems an appropriate word to describe the octogenarian: great grandmother Kathleen is the matriarch of a great big family that traces its ties to Cedar Key for a great many generations.

“You get out of education what you put into it,” said native Beth Davis who was recently sworn in for a third term as school board member of Levy County representing district 2 Cedar Key. “If you’re there to get an education, you’re going to get it.”

And Beth should know.

Island local Linda Cook Flynn is the feature artist this month at the Cedar Key Arts Center Members’ Gallery.

“This is joy,” said the multimedia artist regarding the opportunity to show at the Center.

Flynn, a native Floridian, found her calling with acrylic paints just two years ago, after studying watercolor for two years. She often uses mediums, a glue-like substance, to add texture and shape to her creations. Other texturizers she is fond of include burlap and linen cloth.

In 2002 a Mission Committee of the Cedar Key United Methodist Church invited representatives from other churches as well as community members to identify a need for assistance. Everyone agreed that the need was local and the Food Pantry was born.

Housed in the new Faith Center Building of the Cedar Key UMC on 2nd St., the Food Pantry is supported by a cross section of the community: part time and full time residents, area churches, local businesses, civic organizations, Cedar Key School, public agencies, and the proceeds of festival bake sales.