One of the highlights of the Suwannee River Chamber’s Annual Meeting each January, is naming the recipient of the annual Eric "Eck" Bass Community Service Award.

This award, created in remembrance of Eric "Eck" Odlund Bass was first awarded in January 1999. Since then a deserving member of the community has been named nearly every year. In keeping with this annual tradition for this year’s meeting, held Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at the Suwannee Community Center, resident Mary Haufler was named as the recipient of the latest Eric "Eck" Bass Community Service Award.

Mary Haufler receives the Eric "ECK" Bass Community Service Award from Suwannee River Chamber of Commerce president Owen Prince on January 28, 2020

"The 'Eck’ Bass award is not big on strict, written rules or guidelines, but is instead big on heart," Chamber president Owen Prince said during his opening comments before making the award. He then went on to speak about Eric "Eck" Odlund Bass herself, who was born on Odlund’s Island where her parents had settled around 1910, and the reasons for having a community service award in her name. "She was a true Suwannee native who raised her family here, and served others through her care and concern," he said. He added that she also served as a founding director of the Suwannee Water Board and only retired when her health began to fail, after over thirty years of service on the board.

"Mrs. Eck had one of the 'greenest thumbs’ and always had time to listen to others’ problems," Prince added. "She was a wonderful example of a good citizen, mother and friend. The annual award is given by the Chamber to a Suwannee citizen who exemplifies her example."

In presenting the new award he said, "Mary Haufler is a perfect example of an individual exhibiting the qualities of the Eck Bass award. For years she has been a friend, mother, and confidant to many of the residents and friends of Suwannee. She started and maintains the 'boats’ of plants and flowers that decorate the entrance to town. Mary is truly a friend of Suwannee."

A plaque with the names of each recipient of the award is displayed in the Suwannee Community Center on the inside wall nearest the main entrance. Mary’s name is the 21st to be added.

 

 

 

The Suwannee River Chamber of Commerce will hold its Annual Meeting and covered dish meal on Tuesday, January 28 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Suwannee Community Center. Everyone is welcome to attend the event. The annual ECK Bass Award will also be announced during the meeting. Suwannee River Chamber was formed in 1994 and will enter its 26th year in January.

 

Vendors may now sign up for the Lower Suwannee Art & Nature Festival (previously known as the Suwannee Spring Art Festival) which will take place Saturday, March 14, 2020 from 10-3, Glen Dyals Park, 21354 SE 349 Hwy, Suwannee, FL 32692.

The festival is organized by Suwannee Library Technical Center, part of Dixie County Public Library, and is also supported by a number of local organizations.

We are actively looking for more artists, crafters, nature-based businesses and local food vendors. Non-profit vendors may also apply. Booths are only $25.00 for each 10 x 10 space. Those signing up before December 1, 2019 may choose their space from those remaining on the festival location map, which you can view at Suwannee Library.

For vendor applications or general information, contact Jane Connors at [email protected], or call 352-542-8320. Suwannee Library Technical Center is open Tuesday and Thursday 10-5, Wednesday and Friday noon-5 and Saturday 9-1.

 

 

Local resident Emily Asbell photographed this group of Roseate Spoonbill in late July. She snapped the shot near the entrance to the creek known locally as Double Barrel because of its two entrances. In the background, the rooftops of elevated houses in Suwannee are visible.

Roseate Spoonbill are resident year-round on the central and south coasts of Florida and can be seen in Cedar Key at certain times of year. However, they are rarely sighted around Suwannee.

Their candy-pink coloration and large spoon-shaped bills make them easily recognizable. They are usually seen feeding in shallow waters along creeks and in marshes, often with ibis and egrets nearby. Their pink coloration is due to a diet of crustaceans and other aquatic invertebrates which contain pigments called carotenoids. The Roseate Spoonbill is 1 of 6 species of spoonbills in the world and the only one found in the Americas.

 

The tournament took place from June 12th through July 12th, with winners announced Saturday, July 13th.

Under the tournament rules, fish had to caught while leaving from Cedar Key, Suwannee or Horseshoe and weighed in within 24 hours at Gateway Marina in Suwannee. Contestants were only able to weigh in three fish during the entire tournament and all fish had to be caught using a hook and line.

Winners shared in the proceeds from the entry fee with 30% going to first place, 15% to second and 10% to third. The remainder of the money, approximately $1,100.00, went towards the efforts to dredge McGriff Channel, an ongoing project of the Suwannee River Chamber of Commerce.

"We were pleased with how the tournament went especially since this was our first," said Marina Manager, Dana Collins. "We are very grateful to all who participated and invite anglers to stop by the marina with any comments and suggestions for our next snapper tournament."

Winners were:
1st - Mike White, Jr.
2nd - Trevor Hicks
3rd - Chris Charles (donated his winnings back)

Gateway Marina owner David Silverstein
and Marina Manager, Dana Collins

 

 

You don't need a GPS or cell service to follow the Lock Creek Trail. Just use your cell phone's location service, offline maps apps like Avenza and download this PDF map. More instructions are on the Friends of Refuges website.

 

Reporter Nancy Moreland wrote an article about her visit to Suwannee which was published in the Orlando Sentinel on May 6 in a special “Explore Florida” section. Read it online.