Pictures from the Boat Parade of Lights in Carrabelle

Christmas Village

Seasonal music

The parade

Awesome fireworks show

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A few pics from the Lighting of the Island lights on St. George Island

Wreaths are hung on the lighthouse with care...

Waiting to see the big guy

And daddy wants a new ipad...

Lights on...

the palms are lit

the inght is all Christmassy :)

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FWC approves draft changes to quota hunt rules

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission this week approved a draft rule that would expand hunting opportunities on private lands and on nearly 6 million acres of its public-hunting wildlife management areas.

Some of the proposed changes, which will get final approval in February, include allowing the use of air guns to take rabbits and gray squirrels, and making a slight modification to the boundary line between hunting zones C and D, south of Tallahassee.

Approved draft changes to the quota system would also adjust the bag limit on deer and spring turkey quota hunts on 39 wildlife management areas, to better accommodate guest hunters and would allow a quota permit holder the flexibility to take a different guest each day of a quota hunt.

Currently, the rule allows for only one guest permit during a quota hunt.

Another proposed change to the quota system is that hunters would receive reinstatement of their preference points only if they electronically returned their unused quota permit 10 days or more prior to the first day of their quota hunt.

This would allow such returned permits to be reissued to other hunters on a weekly basis, instead of once a month allowing that more hunters are able to participate in the hunts.

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FWC recognizes local Assistant State Attorneys

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recognized Franklin County Assistant State Attorneys Jarred Paterson and Robin Myers on Thursday at its Commission meeting in Apalachicola.

Paterson and Myers were selected as co-recipients of the Prosecutor of the Year award by the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement.

The Commissioners praised the attorneys, thanking them for standing up for Florida’s fish and wildlife and the local community.

Paterson and Myers have been instrumental on a wide range of cases including felony drug, driving and boating under the influence and misdemeanor wildlife cases.

They have also worked on recreational and commercial fisheries violations.

Col. Jim Brown, director of the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement said that Paterson and Myers consistently strive to communicate with FWC staff and better understand managing fish and wildlife. Adding that Their efforts include the prosecution of oyster poachers who threaten the legal oyster industry and the quality of products for which the area is known.

The FWC says Paterson’s and Myers’ proactive efforts are making the communities in northwest Florida a better place.

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FWC to create saltwater game fish and sport fish designations

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering creating saltwater game fish and sport fish designations and could approve a final rule on the issue in February.

The FWC this week approved a draft rule which it hopes will highlight and protect some of Florida’s premier recreational fish and encourage anglers to adopt voluntary conservation practices such as catch-and-release.

If the proposal is passed it would create a sport fish designation that would offer a higher level of protection than game fish by making selected species catch-and-release only, including no recreational harvest as well as no commercial harvest, possession or sale.

Before moving forward with the proposal, the Commission decided to remove a parameter that would have limited gear to hook-and-line only for both designations.

They also removed another parameter that was proposed for the game fish designation only that would have required captain and crew of for-hire vessels such as charter boats to have a bag limit of zero and not be allowed to take fish home for themselves.

Which fish species will be included under the game fish or sport fish designations will be decided at future meetings though the commission said it would not happen  at the February Commission meeting.

The commission is taking public comment on the proposal.

Public comment can be sent to Marine@MyFWC.com. 

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Monday, 12/10/12 SEAHAWK SCOOP

bulletin.12.10.12


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Agenda and Commissioners' packet for December 11th Gulf County Commission meeting

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Info 121112


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UF Oyster Recovery Team updates Apalachicola producers, leaders on recovery project

Filed under Announcements, InsideUF (Campus), Top Stories on Friday, December 7, 2012.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Apalachicola-area oystermen and community leaders received a progress report Thursday from University of Florida scientists working to remediate the area’s oyster population collapse.

Karl Havens, director of Florida Sea Grant and leader of the UF Oyster Recovery Team, told a crowd of about 75 in Apalachicola that data being developed will help local industry representatives make management decisions to protect the area’s world-famous shellfish.

“A good path forward will be one where scientists like us can give the community information to empower them to participate in the protection of the Apalachicola Bay system and its fisheries,” Havens said.

At the meeting, members of the locally based seafood industry self-help organization Seafood Management Assistance Resource & Recovery Team, or SMARRT, announced plans for a stakeholders’ group. Made up of oystermen, shrimpers, crabbers, guides, dealers and other industry personnel, the 15-member group would enable the local seafood community to “speak with one voice” in communications with management agencies and research teams.

Chris Millender, a SMARRT ad hoc committee member and chairperson of the Franklin County Seafood Workers’ Association, said he hopes that with local expertise and scientific support, Apalachicola Bay can be managed sustainably and the oyster fishery collapse won’t be repeated.

In early September, Gov. Rick Scott requested federal assistance to mitigate an expected decline in the area’s fall and winter oyster harvest, which began Sept. 1.

Shortly after, UF Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources Jack Payne announced formation of the interdisciplinary oyster recovery team. The team includes experts from such disciplines as mollusk biology, aquaculture, commercial seafood processing, food and resource economics, water chemistry, environmental toxins, marine ecology, public health and community resiliency. Though based in UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the team includes representatives from Florida State University and state agencies.

In addition to looking for causes of the current oyster decline, the recovery team scientists hope to find ways the industry can move toward a more adaptive and resilient approach to oyster management.

They expect to deliver recommendations in early 2013, Havens said. The team has already met several times with residents to get input on recovery efforts and outline proposed recovery team activities.

At Thursday’s meeting, team leaders presented information about the progress of the team’s six major divisions: contaminants and pathogens, water flow and salinity, nutrient inputs, oyster population dynamics, fisheries modeling, and food safety.

Some presentation highlights:

* The ongoing drought in the Southeast has reduced flow in the Apalachicola River, which provides freshwater to Apalachicola Bay. This has increased water salinity and cut nutrient availability, and most likely played a role in reducing oyster, shrimp and fish populations.

* Climate models predict more drought, meaning that the oyster industry must find ways to make production resilient to drought conditions.

* Scientists and producers discussed experiments that could help determine where oysters best survive under reduced water-flow conditions.

* One expert asserted that stricter policing of oyster size limits is needed to restore populations and ensure quality.

Havens noted that local involvement will continue to be critical in guiding scientific efforts.

“It may take us a long time to gather enough data to explain what happened,” Havens said, “but the community is energized to work with the team and find ways to preserve this historic industry and the area’s seafood resources.”

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ACF River Basin Newsletter

December 2012 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is extending the comment period for public scoping to January 14, 2013. We will be accepting public scoping comments through January 14, 2013 for the update to the Master Water Control Manual (WCM) for the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin (ACF) to account for significant new information resulting from a June 28, 2011, ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. The public scoping comments will be used to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) addressing the effects of the proposed manual updates. You can submit comments through January 14, 2013 by email at acf-wcm@usace.army.mil, online at www.sam.usace.army.mil or by regular mail at the address indicated below. Remember, the USACE recently launched a newly designed and updated website that impacts previously provided website addresses regarding this subject. All the previously provided information, and any new information, can now be found by visiting the Mobile District web page at www.sam.usace.army.mil and selecting the “ACF Master Water Control Manual Update” link on the right side of the page. Throughout the scoping and subsequent WCM update and EIS development process, the public can obtain information on the progress of the project from the Mobile District Web page at www.sam.usace.army.mil and by clicking on links from any area on our Web page where “ACF Master Water Control Manual Update” is referenced. How to Get Involved Agencies, organizations, and members of the public can submit scoping comments by email at ACF-WCM@usace.army.mil, online at the project website,www.sam.usace.army.mil, or by regular mail to Tetra Tech, Inc. 61 St. Joseph Street, Suite 550 Mobile, AL 36602-3521 Tetra Tech, a USACE contractor, will be collecting all information for the USACE, Mobile District. The deadline to submit scoping comments is January 14, 2013. When the comment period has ended, the scoping comments will be compiled, categorized, and summarized, and a scoping report will be prepared and posted on the project website. Other detailed information about the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin will also be available on the website. Corps Support The information collected from agencies, organizations, and the public during the scoping process will be used to Identify significant issues and resource areas of concern Identify stakeholders to assist in the evaluation process Identify information sources and data gaps Identify and focus on the alternatives to be evaluated Identify the conditions for comparing the proposed action and alternatives Identify tools to help evaluate alternatives and analyze the impacts Identify areas of limited concern to ensure the evaluation focuses on major issues identified for analysis Specific questions may be directed to Mr. Brian Zettle Environmental and Resources Branch Planning and Environmental Division U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District P.O. Box 2288 Mobile, AL 36628-0001 Telephone (251) 690-2115 Fax (251) 694-3815 Email brian.a.zettle@usace.army.mil

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Lots of Holiday Events Happening in Carrabelle!!!

Boat Parade of Lights

Holiday on the Harbor

Saturday – December 8^th

·       Santa will be at the Pavilion from 5-7 pm

·       Over 25 Vendors from 5-7 pm on Marine Street

·       Food – Unique Gifts – Arts & Crafts

·       Music at the Pavilion from 5-7 pm

·       Boat Awards at C-Quarters Marina After the Parade

·       Hot Dogs and Chili Dogs will be for sale at C-Quarters!!

·      Visit www.carrabelle.org for more details

·      Call the Chamber at 850-697-2585

·      See You There!

More Activities Holiday on the Harbor and

Boat Parade Info!!

Carrabelle is hosting its big Christmas event this weekend.  Holiday on the Harbor will be on Saturday, December 8  starting a 5 pm.  The festivities begin along Marine Streetaround the Pavilion.    There are great local groups doing hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken fingers and fish.  Bake sales and fair food.  We have a bunch of vendors selling one of a kind items.   Music and Santa are from 5 to 7pm, then boat parade starts at 7.  Its followed by  fireworks.  The parade and fireworks can be seen all along the river.

Please come down and join us for this local festival.  The weather looks great this year. Come early so you don't miss the two new exhibits at the Carrabelle History Museumwhich will be open til 8. 

A diorama depicting Carrabelle's only skirmish in the Civil War and our holiday display "Toys Through Time"

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Brick House

Open House on Saturday!

 Brick house on the corner of Tallahassee St. and Hwy 98 in Carrabelle

Is having an Open House Saturday from late afternoon into the festive evening - even tho there is still a lot to do before building is ready for business.

Will have some art, music, refreshments, etc.

Hope you will stop by!!

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Shop – By – Sea will be Open!!

Be sure and stop by the Shop – by – the Sea for gift ideas and Christmas wreaths Saturday evening!!  Located across from the Chamber Office and next to the World’s Smallest Police Station!

Great gift ideas and local artists!!

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Carrabelle Chamber Christmas Party!!

JOIN US!!

DECEMBER 13TH

Carrabelle Chamber of Commerce

Christmas Party

Thursday, December 13^th

5:30-??  Carrabelle Boat Club

B Y O B and bring an appetizer

Please bring canned goods or an unwrapped

toy to donate to

Carrabelle Cares for Christmas

Please R S V P

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Apalachicola Maritime Museum News

IN THIS ISSUE Events Calendar Just for Kids Wooden Boat School Update Civil War Exhibit Update ARTICLE HEADLINE Historical Viewpoint QUICK LINKS Visit our website Tour, trip, and course registration   Write a Review!  Event Saturday Night!            Adventures in Apalachicola Valley Archaeology Dr. Nancy White December 8, 2012 at 7 p.m.  $5. The fall segment of our lecture series wraps up this weekend with Dr. Nancy White. She will chronicle 12,000 years of human habitation in this region -- from native fishers, hunters, and farmers of different time periods through the first Old World intruders and early American traders and settlers. White will show where they lived and died, and how they used the lands and waters we now inhabit and enjoy. She will also describe the sometimes exciting processes of archaeological discovery in the field and lab.  White earned a Ph. D. at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and is a professor of anthropology at the University of South Florida in Tampa and Registered Professional Archaeologist. Her books include Grit-Tempered: Early Women Archaeologists in the Southeastern United States, Gulf Coast Archaeology, Archaeology for Dummies, and Late Prehistoric Florida. She has done fieldwork across the U.S. and in France and Mexico, and taught at universities in Italy and East Malaysia (Borneo).  For over 20 years she has studied the Apalachicola-Lower Chattahoochee valley region of northwest Florida/south Georgia/south Alabama.  The presentation will be preceded by a social starting at 6 p.m., and followed by a reception and low country boil on the docks.  See you there!     Events Calendar  Wooden Boat School Classes for the HolidaysDecember 28, 2012    The Six Hour Canoe will be a good boat building project for families or groups of friends.  When completed, the canoe is 15' 3" in length with a 31 ½" beam. It can be paddled with kayak or canoe paddles.  Inexpensive to build using ordinary tools and materials, the canoe gives everybody access to boat building and a boat. The course runs two days with an optional day of painting on the third day.  The courses are offered starting on November 19 and December 28 .  The AMM will provide all of the materials, tools, and instructors to keep you and your friends and family on the right course.  We will build up to four boats in a weekend and group size is limited to four.  The cost is $200 per group and you take the boat home with you on your car top or in the back of a pickup.  We have a great calendar of boat building classes coming up in the new year, for a variety of small vessels.  Email us for more information or to sign up!  The Corner of Our Country, by Homer Hirt, President of RiverWay South. January 12, 2013 Apalachicola Anchors Workshop  January 19, 2013   Religion Above and Below Deck in World War II, by Dr. Kurt Piehler, Director of the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience January 26, 2013 The Dog Island Shipwreck Survey, by Dr. Chuck Meide, Director of LAMP (Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program) in St. Augustine  February 9, 2013     La Florida and the Maritime World of Juan Ponce de León, by Peter Cowdrey, Exhibit Research Specialist at the Florida Historic Capitol Museum March 9, 2013 Sea Music by the St. Pete Shanty Singers!  A program incorporating history and maritime music of significance to the Apalachicola River and Bay. April 20, 2013 Apalachicola in the Civil War, by Ken Johnston, Executive Director of the Civil War Naval MuseumMay 17, 2013 Civil War Living History Weekend May 17-19, 2013   Events funded in part with support from:       New at the Museum, Just for Kids! Come Visit the ARCHAEO CART and get on the road to discovery! ARCHAEO CART is a portable public archaeology classroom that visits museums, libraries, and schools throughout Florida. Students and visitors can tour virtual displays or archaeology sites across Florida, uncover prehistoric and historic timelines, or discover what it takes to think like an archaeologist through an interactive touch-screen program and hands-on educational activites. The ARCHAEO CART will be at the museum through January. In addition to the kid-friendly information available anytime via the touchscreen, Outreach Coordinator for the Florida Public Archaeology Network Barbara Hines is available to present  educational programs at the museum for school classes and youth groups, using the ARCHAEO CART and accompanying lesson plans and fun group activities.  Advance appointments are required by emailing Barbara Hines or calling 850-877-2206. To learn more about ARCHAEO CART or archaeology in your area visit: www.flpublicarchaeology.org     Wooden Boat School Update by Ron Dierolf, Director     The boat shop saw new construction and the addition of a new staff member in November.  Jep Smith has joined  the shop staff.  Jep is a Carrabelle native and has worked on the water for many years.  His experience in the fishing industry and as a boat captain will be valuable additions to the school. November saw the construction of a new boat - a plywood canoe - which can be built in a weekend.  This is a great family project.  The boat is simple, yet solid, and is an ideal project for families with children.  The boat is suitable for use in protected waters by an adult, an adult and child, or a couple of children.  It can be paddled using canoe or kayak paddles.  The first canoe was built as a demonstration project during the Apalachicola Seafood Festival and drew lots of attention from passers-by.  The December session for building the canoe is full.  Sessions will be scheduled each month In 2013 so check the AMMFL web site for dates and details. A roofed outdoor addition to the shop was completed by Daniel Stewart,  Director of Operations, and his crew.  The addition is on the south side of the office and doubles the square footage of space available for building.    Sanding can now be performed in the outdoor area eliminating the primary cause of dust generation in the shop. A Safety Manual for shop operations has been published and all employees will be receiving a briefing on the manual and the safety requirements.  Students will also be required to receive a safety briefing prior to working in the shop.   Also, new safety equipment has been added including an eyewash station and a flammable liquids storage cabinet.    The changes will make for a safer and more pleasant work environment. Stop by the shop and check out the new addition.   Check the newsletter and museum web site for upcoming boatbuilding classes.  Or send us an email for more information.           Upcoming Civil War Exhibit and Living History Weekend Civil War era Naval weapons, acquired for our upcoming exhibit. Planning is underway for the first annual Civil War Living History Weekend, which will take place the third weekend in May, 2013.  Our keynote speaker will be Ken Johnston, Director of the Civil War Naval Museum. We are partnering with the Orman House, Apalachicola Historical Society, the St. George Lighthouse Association, the Apalachicola Center for History, Culture, and Arts, and other organizations to create a weekend full of activities, educational programs, living history demonstrations, and reenactments that will tell the story of the blockade and life here during the Civil War.  Although no major battles were fought in Franklin County, there are still many interesting and dramatic stories to be told, both military and civilian.  If you are interested in participating, please contact us.    Work is steadily underway on our Civil War exhibit. With the help of Civil War artifact expert Mark Parsley, a museum volunteer, we are procuring an impressive collection of items relevant to the blockade.  Recent acquisitions include several pistols that trace the evolution of weaponry used by Naval forces, a carbine, a U.S. Navy fuse box, used to hold paper fuses for lighting canon, a Midshipmans jacket, a Naval straw hat, which would certainly have been used by blockading sailors under the Florida sun, a ship's telescope, and a Civil War Naval Enlistedman's belt with original buckle.  A wooden box from the U.S.S Preble, which was part of the Gulf Blockading Squadron farther West, is another interesting piece. Mark is placing on loan a few outstanding items from his personal artifact collection including an authentic sailor's ditty bag, a pair of sailor's pants, a sailor's palm (tool used to push needles through canvas for stitching sails), a pipe, and a pair of sabers.     Life aboard ship will be depicted with Civil War era playing cards, currency, a sailor's shaving blade and mirror,and other personal items.  We are in the process of designing display cases for the exhibit. Upgrades to museum security, including video surveillance, are also planned. Stay tuned for more information as the exhibit work progresses. US Naval officers during the Civil War aboard the Mendoza. This photo shows white linen pants, three Naval straw hats and a carbine (in the center), items that will be part of our exhibit.  This vessel was not part of the Apalachicola blockade, but the image is a great representation of the uniforms of the period. Apalachicola Anchors  Anchors Aweigh! Help Record Local History!   Ever noticed how many old anchors are lying around in Apalachicola? Ever wonder about their history? Join us for a day all about anchors! The day will start with a presentation about identifying the parts of an anchor and what those parts can tell us about their history. Then, in the afternoon help us record the anchors around town so that they can be entered in the world-wide Big Anchor Project Database.     This project is a partnership with the Florida Public Archaeology Network and the Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research. Archaeologists Barbara Hines and Franklin Price are coordinating the event. The morning presentation is open to anyone, no registration required. Registration is required to help record the anchors in the afternoon and space is limited! Email Barbara Hines or call 850-877-2206 for more information, and to register. When: January 19th, 2013 Times: Lecture @ 10am, Anchor Recording @ 1pm   Historical Viewpoint: Scott's Massacre on the Apalachicola River    The scene of the attack. The most infamous battle of the First Seminole War was fought within sight of our campus 107 miles upstream at Chattahoochee Landing, which is just south of the Jim Woodruff Dam at Lake Seminole.  The event was called Scott's massacre, and it happened on November 30, 1817 as a flatboat tried to reach Fort Gaines, Georgia from Apalachicola. The boat was carrying forty soldiers (including twenty sick men), seven soldiers' wives, four children, and supplies to the frontier outpost. The group had departed Alabama on a schooner, arrived in Apalachicola, and then transferred to a flatboat for the trip upriver. Elizabeth Stewart was part of this group, and was headed to join her husband at his new post. Although Lt. Richard W. Scott, commander of the flatboat, had been warned that he may be attacked, he was apparently unaware of the level of danger: war had broken out between the United States and an alliance of Seminoles and Creeks.  Just one week earlier, the U.S. military had attacked the Creek Village of Fowltown in southwest Georgia in order to pressure Chief Neamathla, who had refused to surrender land claimed by the United States under the Treaty of Fort Jackson, Alabama.  The village was ravaged and several villagers killed, including women.  Although he did send a messenger overland to request assistance from the fort, he continued his journey upstream before help could be mobilized and reach him. Meanwhile, warriors from Fowltown, joined by other Seminoles and Creeks, planned to retaliate. They laid in wait at a sharp bend in the river.  They knew that the flatboat was coming, and that this place would be the ideal location for an ambush. As the flatboat approached the bend, the current pushed the vessel close to the river's east bank, where the warriors where hiding. Lt. Scott and many of his men were killed in the first hail of bullets.  As the women and children looked on in panic and terror, the warriors waded into the river and stormed the boat. When the fighting was over, Elizabeth Stewart found herself being taken captive.  All of the other women and children were dead.  Only six of the soldiers survived, four with injuries, some of whom evaded death by jumping overboard and swimming away from the boat.     Elizabeth would have to wait until spring for rescue. She was enslaved and moved between several villages during the months following her capture. The attack which became known as Scott's Massacre was met with further retaliation by the U.S. government.  Andrew Jackson's troops invaded Spanish Florida to battle the Creeks and Seminoles in 1818.  Elizabeth was with a band of Creeks attacked by this force at the Battle of Econfina Natural Bridge in April of that year, and was rescued by a Lower Creek warrior allied with the United States. It's not entirely clear if her husband was among those killed in the attack, or if he had been at the fort and died later. What we do know is that Elizabeth later remarried John Dill and spent the rest of her life in Fort Gaines. Two of their homes still stand there today. As an interesting footnote to the story, legend has it that during her captivity, Elizabeth collected paper currency left on the ground during attacks. The Indians had no use for the money, and ignored it in favor of tangible goods. By the time she was rescued she was purportedly a wealthy woman. She remained one of the wealthiest citizens of Fort Gaines throughout her lifetime.    These early years of American settlement on the frontier border along the Apalachicola and Chattahoochee Rivers saw conflict among the U.S, Spain, and the native peoples, as they competed for control of the territory. This topic will be examined in our January 12 lecture by Homer Hirt, President of RiverWay South, entitled "The Corner of our Country." This is a reference to the fact that at one time, the southwestern border of the United States was at the confluence of the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint Rivers at modern day Lake Seminole.  Joins us then to learn more.                                                                                                                                        A 19th century artist's depiction of Scott's Massacre. Staff Contacts George K. Floyd Founder & Chairman Augusta R. West Research & Education Director Daniel L. Stewart Operations Manager Ron Dierolf Wooden Boat School Director Museum Phone (850) 653-2500 www.ammfl.org

Day/Month/Year

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