Organizations Where HardisonInk.com Is A Member
CLICK HERE TO SEE MEMBERSHIP ADS

Tour of the Towns highlights
Inglis and Yankeetown businesses

WGA Chamber Board Member Janelle Akins puts balloons on a tent where the Chamber served mimosas, champagne or orange juice, or bottled water to visitors.

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © Jan. 24, 2026 at 7:45 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     INGLIS-YANKEETOWN – The Withlacoochee Gulf Area (WGA) Chamber of Commerce again hosted an event that combined participating business interests located in the Inglis and Yankeetown area of Levy County with a traveling fun adventure.

More Below This Ad

Click On Ad To Visit Website

     The 2026 Tour of the Towns happened Saturday (Jan. 24) as scores of motorists drove cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles and other vehicles to visit 15 different stops in Inglis and Yankeetown.
     It was big. Mimosas were plentiful, and there were cookies, punch, meatballs and more – all for free.
     At the end of the five-hour Tour of the Towns, participants gathered at the Driftwood Bar and Grill to hear if there tickets were chosen for many door prizes. 
     Interim WGA Chamber President Leah Gamble again headed the effort this year. A new president is potentially going to be chosen in the next three to six months.
     Meanwhile, the WGA Chamber Board of Directors is comprised of Interim President Gamble, and Board members Janelle Akins, Donna Brooks, Helen Ciallella, Glenn Brooks, Tim Haines, Sheryl Scott and Cery Logeman.


Chamber leaders (from left) Leah Gamble, Helen Ciallella and Donna Brooks create bags that had information for participants in the Tour of the Towns.


Stephen Thomas strikes a pose as Elvis at the area near to the Withlacoochee Area Chamber of Commerce office in Inglis on Saturday (Jan. 24). His website can be seen by clicking HERE.


Stephen Thomas opens the 2026 Withlacoochee Area Chamber of Commerce Tour of the Towns event at 10 a.m. as he sings the Elvis Presley song Follow That Dream. He performed that song, as well as I’m Not the Marrying Kind and Angel, which are all from the movie – Follow That Dream. Part of Levy County Road 40 West is named Follow That Dream Parkway. The movie was filmed in part -- right in this area. Thomas also performed other Elvis’s songs when requested. Click on the PHOTO to see and hear the video.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison – All Rights Reserved

     The 15 different stops were the WGA Chamber; Firefly Vintage; Wise Guys (a deli in the future-not open yet); Compass Home and Land (real estate); the South Levy County YMCA; Follow That Dream Daycare; 555 Vintage; Brooks Dockside Seafood; Nature Coast Inn & Cottages; Lollipop Café & Bakery; Pristine Properties; Yankeetown Traders; Old Florida RV Resort & Yacht Club; the Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve; and the Driftwood Bar & Grill.
     Participants visited each place and received a ticket, which they could place for a drawing of prizes at the bar and grill. That drawing started at 3:15 p.m. To win, the person with the winning ticket had to be present to win.


Ann and Jim Alexander, some of the vendors at Firefly Vintage. Here they are on the brink of creating the first of many mimosa drinks for participants in the Tour of the Towns.


Mary Marsh, owner of Firefly Vintage, holds a basket of treats – brown butter chocolate chip cookies and chocolate covered pretzels, which were among the free goodies there for people in the Tour of the Towns.


Michelle Goode and Kim Sibley stand near ingredients for mimosas, which they provided at Compass Homes and Land. Not only did they have that, but there were meats and cheeses; and it gets better, this company offered a basket drawing separate from the door prize set – and the winner need not be present to win it.


One of the stops was Follow That Dream Daycare. Animal crackers and fruit punch were the treats for visitors.


(from left) Joyce Schwing, founder and group fitness instructor at the South Levy County YMCA; Diana Pearson, fitness instructor and creator of the Tour of the Towns event; and Pat McLaughlin, fitness instructor, hold up weights. There are extensive offerings at this YMCA and other fitness instructors.


The Driftwood Bar & Grill is a full bar and has a nice menu as well. It is open seven days a week, starting at 11 a.m. each day. It closes at 11 p.m., except on Fridays and Saturdays, when it is open until midnight. The kitchen closes at 9 p.m. except on Fridays and Saturdays, when the kitchen is open until 10 p.m.


Key West Kevin performs the first verse of the song Asleep On The Beach, which was written by David Crawford of South Caroline. Kevin was one of two musicians performing at the Driftwood Bar & Grill in Inglis on Jan. 24. Kevin is scheduled to perform at various places in the area -- including at the Tipsy Cow in Cedar Key on Feb. 7 from 6-9 p.m. Click on the PHOTO to see and hear the video.


555 Vintage has an exceptionally good mix of items. Here are some that were outside on Jan. 24.


At 555 Vintage, are (from left) Julie Essman, Richard Durrett, Terry Witherell, Mary Durrett and Sheryl Scott. (Another mover and shaker at 555 is Freda Nichols - not pictured). 


Brooks Dockside Seafood was a stop again this year. Here, freshly caught fish is ready for purchase at the retail store on the site. There is a food truck there, and more. This is a place to visit beyond the Tour of the Towns event to best see all that is there.


Teri Paola (left) takes a moment away from sharing smoked mullet spread and two different kinds of smoked cobia spread with visitors at Brooks Dockside Seafood to provide a photo opportunity requested by a visiting journalist. Seen here are Ginny Shew (center) and Carol Dunbar, who were among scores of participants in the Tour of the Towns.


Some of the mny Southern Cruisers Motorcycle Club members are seen here parked near to Nature Coast Inn & Cottages -- and Lollipop Café & Bakery. There were many, many, many participants and vehciles this year. The idea of using tour buses is out of the question because there are so many people that love this annual tour. Still, with so many people and visitors at one time, it does cause some visitors to skip some of the tour, and even the door prizes at the end due to crowding and traffic.


'Pop' of Lollipop Café & Bakery (dark baseball cap) waits on people choosing which bakery item to choose as a sample. Popsicles is connected with Nature Coast Inn & Cottages – which was completely booked for the tour.

     This year was a little different than last year, even beyond the grand finale at Driftwood Bar & Grill of Inglis rather than at the Blackwater Restaurant. Buddy & Fred’s Hardware did not participate this year, and the local YMCA did, and there are more fine points.
     It was a fun event and people who do not visit this part of Levy County often found a chance to see changes.
     Tim Haines and the group of other local owners have made the Driftwood Bar & Grill a place to go for a great time. Yes, the Driftwood Bar & Grill is a destination! Drinks, food, live musical performances and even bean bag toss, which people call “cornhole” nowadays, are all part of that scene.
     All 15 of the stops provided insight in their own ways. The future may be bright for the up-and-coming deli to be named Wise Guys, even if they were not ready for people to tour the site for this Tour of the Towns.
     Levy County Road 40 West and the stops all seemed to become a bit too crowded this year, especially for any tourist who paused at a few places before moving on. And keeping the attention of any owner for many minutes was not possible. Tick-Tock!
     Still, it is as Diana Pearson, creator of the Tour of the Towns event said – this event has “successful sustainability.” It demands significant volunteer hours from people dedicated to the benefit the WGA Chamber of Commerce’s efforts for a healthy business climate -- to make this event to keep coming together annually in a successful manner.
     To see the Feb. 23, 2025 story, click HERE.
     To see the Dec. 23, 2023 story, click HERE.
     To see the Jan. 22, 2023 story, click HERE.
     To see the Dec. 23, 2021 story, click HERE.

W3C, Bronson Town Council
and Cedar Key Water & Sewer District
note monthly 2026 meetings
First monthly meeting set for Jan. 20
By Jeff M. Hardison © Jan. 17, 2026 at 3 p.m.
     LEVY COUNTY -- The Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative Board of Directors, as well as the Bronson Town Council and the Cedar Key Water and Sewer District Board of Commissioners announced public meetings for 2026.
     The purpose of these meetings is to discuss possible funding sources, adopt an interim budget, plan for the administration and financial management of the cooperative, and conduct other business at the discretion of the water and wastewater cooperative’s board of directors.
     Several members of the Bronson Town Council and the Cedar Key Water And Sewer District Board of Commissioners may be in attendance at the above described public meetings, and therefore notice is given here that such meetings shall also constitute public meetings of the Bronson Town Council and the Cedar Key Water And Sewer District Board of Commissioners.
     The Bronson Town Council and the Cedar Key Water And Sewer District Board of Commissioners Will not take official action at the above described meetings. This notice is given to ensure compliance with Florida Sunshine Laws.
     Any person with questions or concerns, is asked to please contact Waccasassa Water and Wastewater Cooperative Administrator Sherry Yost via telephone at 352-493-4808 or via e-mail at administrator@w3cfl.org.
     Persons with a disability and who need a special accommodation should contact Yost via the above-described contact information at least two days prior to the meeting.
    If any person decides to appeal any decision made by the Board with respect to any matter considered at the above-described public meetings, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
     All of the meetings are on the third Tuesday of the month, starting at 1 p.m.
     ● Jan. 20 -- Dogan Cobb Municipal Building, 660 E. Hathaway Ave. (U.S. Alt. 27), Bronson
     ● Feb. 17 -- Otter Creek Town Hall, 555 Second Ave., Otter Creek
     ● March 17 -- Cedar Key Water and Sewer District Office, 510 Third St., Cedar Key
     ● April 21 – Dogan Cobb Municipal Building, 660 E. Hathaway Ave. (U.S. Alt. 27), Bronson
     ● May 19 -- Otter Creek Town Hall, 555 Second Ave., Otter Creek
     ● June 16 -- Cedar Key Water and Sewer District Office, 510 Third St., Cedar Key
     ● July 21 -- Dogan Cobb Municipal Building, 660 E. Hathaway Ave. (U.S. Alt. 27), Bronson
     ● Aug. 18 -- Otter Creek Town Hall, 555 Second Ave., Otter Creek
     ● Sept. 15 -- Cedar Key Water and Sewer District Office, 510 Third St., Cedar Key
     ● Oct. 20 -- Dogan Cobb Municipal Building, 660 E. Hathaway Ave. (U.S. Alt. 27), Bronson
     ● Nov. 17 -- Otter Creek Town Hall, 555 Second Ave., Otter Creek
     ● Dec. 15 -- -- Cedar Key Water and Sewer District Office, 510 Third St., Cedar Key

Levy County Comprehensive Plan 2050
Survey closes Jan. 31
Information Provided By Levy County Commission
Published Jan. 15, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.
     BRONSON -- The Levy County Board of County Commissioners remind residents, businesses and community stakeholders that the Comprehensive Plan 2050 Survey will close on Jan. 31.     The survey will help guide future land use, conservation, infrastructure, and public investment decisions through the year 2050. Community input is essential to ensure the plan reflects local priorities.
     “We want to hear form as many people as possible before the survey closes,” said Levy County Development Services Director Bo Cox said. “Your input will help shape Levy County’s future.”
     Take the survey online at:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WNJYXHN
     Paper copies are available at the Levy County offices and public libraries. For accessibility accommodations, email planning@levycounty.org.
     For more information, visit https://www.levycounty.org/ or contact Levy County Development services at 352-486-5198.

Chamber hears pleas for help
from Dixie Education Foundation

(from left) Dixie County Chamber of Commerce Secretary Christy Roberts, Chamber President Debbie DeWeese and Chamber Treasurer Debbie Dembo are seen moments before the start of the regular monthly meeting Jan. 8 in the conference room of the Dixie County Public Library in Cross City.

Story, Photos and Video By Jeff M. Hardison © Jan. 10, 2026 at 11:30 a.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     CROSS CITY – Members and guests of the Dixie County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday afternoon (Jan. 8) enjoyed a delicious lunch of vegetable soup, cornbread muffins or cornbread muffins with jalapeño peppers with cookies as dessert, and soft drinks, tea or bottled water to drink.
     Beyond the consistently delightful monthly lunch, this luncheon meeting, as usual, included a presentation that was filled with information.
     Normally held with a start at noon on the third Thursday of the month, this one happened on the second Thursday this month. It coincided with a special meeting of the Dixie County Board of County Commissioners that day, where that County Commission normally meets twice monthly, on the first and third Thursdays.
     This year, the first Thursday was Jan. 1, a federal holiday.
     The lunch and featured program this month were provided and hosted by the Dixie Education Foundation (DEF).
     John and Tina Cherry are Chamber members who helped assure the lunch items arrived for everyone. 
     John Cherry is a member of the DEF Board of Directors. Central Florida Electric Cooperative, from which he retired relatively recently, is among the charter organizations that continue to help the DEF.
     Dixie County Chamber President Debbie DeWeese welcomed everyone, wished all a happy new year, and said she hoped everyone had a merry Christmas as she thanked the luncheon host organization, which was followed by applause from the crowd.
     DEF President Carol West is a charter member of that worthy organization, and she opened the presentation Thursday afternoon at the Chamber meeting.


(from left) Dixie County School District Career and Technical Education Coordinator Michele Burke, Dixie Education Foundation President Carol West and Tyler Latham, who is the contracted DEF employee who is in charge of its scholarship process.


Dixie County Superintendent of Schools Mike Thomas tells a group of students who are part of a program to help them, that like them -- he did not like school years ago, as a student. He found sports as his path to making the most of school, and he did not earn his degree in the education profession. He urged the students to find something they are passionate about doing, and to pursue that and to persevere – to stay with it. 'And trust in the Lord,' he added, 'and you will succeed. To see and hear the video, click on the PHOTO.
Video By Jeff M. Hardison -- All Rights Reserved

     This year heralds the third consecutive year, West said, where the DEF as a partner with its state affiliate attained the College and Career Readiness Grants. These grants students in kindergarten through twelfth grades, especially from low-income backgrounds, prepare for postsecondary education and careers through services like mentorship, academic support, career exploration and scholarships.
     This grant for Dixie County, and others, is funded by The Gates Foundation. The Gates Foundation was founded by Bill Gates and Melinda Gates. It works globally to reduce poverty and disease, and to improve education and opportunity. This foundation is a major philanthropic force using its vast resources to solve complex problems in health and poverty, believing that smart investments can create transformative change.
     The grant helps the Dixie County Middle High School’s efforts related to students obtaining certification in career and technical jobs such as welding, commercial vehicle driving, healthcare, hospitality and tourism-related services, criminal justice, automotive services, heating-ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) services, veterinary-oriented services and more.
     West noted finer points for Dixie County as she said this funding helps the school district focus on career exploration to let students understand their potential options for careers after public secondary education. Among the benefits of the program is to ensure that students take tests to assist them in knowing their strengths.
     The DEF uses the grant and other resources to work with the Dixie County Public School District to prepare students for further academics via college as well as to offer insight to other career paths, as the school faculty, staff, administrators and other members in the community help students prepare for life.
     As West spoke about the DEF, she mentioned that other DEF Board members in the room include John Cherry, Chamber Secretary Christy Roberts and Dr. Linda Stoddard, DVM, who is a founding DEF Board of Directors member. 
     The DEF was incorporated in 1998, West said, after starting its meetings in 1997.
     The DEF is composed of only volunteers, but it recently contracted with Tyler Latham, who is in charge of its entire scholarship process. 
     In May, there was $232,188 worth of scholarships for Dixie County students to further their education – including in technical schools – which were all handled by the DEF. West said she is grateful and happy to live in a community where people give so much to help further education for Dixie County students.
     West let people know that out of every 100 students who graduate from Dixie County High School, only 14 go on to attain an academic degree, or credentials in careers in fields such as healthcare, hospitality, technology, arts, manufacturing, public service and other areas.
     Dixie County School District Career and Technical Education Coordinator Michele Burke helped the people at the luncheon meeting learn about the advantages of learning academically and for careers after high school.
     During her presentation, she asked business owners and community members to help the Dixie County Middle High School Career and Technical Education program.
     People can help by:
     *Mentoring – volunteer to share career knowledge and experiences with students;
     * Job Shadowing – allow a student to observe professionals in action as they perform their duties for a day, or more; and
     * Internships – provide paid or unpaid hands-on learning experiences in the workplace.
     People who are interested in helping can contact Burke at micheleburke@dixie.k12.fl.us. 
     During the program, several students involved in the DCMHS Career and Technical Education program spoke about how Burke, Wendy Sanchez and others, including mentors, have helped them.
     For the person who is considering mentoring a student or providing a chance for a student to shadow them at work, or to have an intern, Burke said, this helps the effort for furthering education after high school.
     Students who take classes in welding, or as a commercial driver, or in any post-secondary career will enjoy higher lifetime earnings than those who stop after they obtain a high school diploma.
     These students who learn careers and move forward with that pursuit help reduce crime, as well as becoming future leaders and volunteers in the community. Another advantage to career and technical education is that it helps the learner contribute to the overall social value, as well as to cause a reduction in dependence on government support.
     Among the DCMHS CTE programs where students can earn certification are agrotechnology, applied robotics, criminal justice operations, fundamental welding, and nursing assistant and allied health assisting.
     This certification at the high school level, Burke said, is an entry into further certifications that result in jobs with significant income. She said she knows welders who earn more than she does, even with her academic degrees and years of experience in the education profession.
     Burke noted that DCMHS has dual-enrollment partnerships with the College of Central Florida (CF), Florida Gateway College, Big Bend Technical College and Riveroak Technical College.
     One DCMHS CTE student said he is enrolled at CF in its welding program and intends to earn certification this year.
     Burke told the Chamber members and guests present at the meeting that she wants them to help parents become aware of opportunities here, as well as to endorse business and community support for the efforts to help students become more ready for their lives after graduation from high school.


Mari-Michael Smith, who has taught in Dixie County for about 30 years now, speaks about the 100 students involved in the High School High Tech program funded by the ABLE Trust, as one of the students in the program stands next to her.


Mari-Michael Smith and Wendy Sanchez stand on either end of more than a half dozen students who are in the High School High Tech program. Each student helped listeners understand how this program helps them. There are 100 students in the program. Smith asked the Chamber members and guests to think about the other 700 students at the high school who can be helped by volunteers to mentor them as those students consider paths to follow after high school. 


After the meeting, Dixie County Superintendent of Schools Mike Thomas, Teacher Mari-Michael Smith and some of the students in the High School High Tech program pause for a photo opportunity.

     To see the May 14, 2021 story Dixie Education Foundation helps students, click HERE.
     To see the Dec. 13, 2024 story DCHS students excel in hospitality; Truth of Dixie Education Foundation's broad spectrum of service unfolds at Chamber meeting, click HERE.

 

New chairman and vice chairman
named for Levy County Commission
Commissioners choose appointments

Sitting in their positions for the last time at a meeting for 2025 are (from left) Commissioner Johnny Hiers, Vice Chair Tim Hodge, Chair Desiree Mills, and commissioners Charlie Kennedy and Rock Meeks. 

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison
By Jeff M. Hardison © Dec. 24, 2025 at 2:30 p.m.
All Copyrights Protected By Federal Civil Law
Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     BRONSON – As part of the annual processes for the Levy County Board of County Commissioners, a new chairman, a new vice chairman and various duties for each commissioner were decided.

     While this type of action normally happens at a regular meeting, this year it was at a special meeting.
     During the special meeting of Dec. 23, on a motion by County Commissioner Charlie Kennedy, seconded by County Commissioner Johnny Hiers, a 5-0 vote resulted in Vice Chairman Tim Hodge being named as the chairman for 2026.
     On a motion by Commissioner Rock Meeks, seconded by Vice Chairman Hodge, Kennedy was named to be the vice chairman of the County Commission in 2026.
     The first meeting of the Levy County Commission in 2026 is set to start at 9 a.m. on Jan. 6.
     A peaceful transfer of power is anticipated as Levy County Commission Chair Desiree Mills passes the gavel to incoming Commission Chairman Hodge.
     Hodge asked people to forgive him for any missteps he makes in his first appointment as chairman.
     After the choices for the two leaders of the County Commission in 2026, Chair Mills said she looks forward to finalizing all of the current projects and plans. She mentioned that she is looking forward to “a nice, stable year, next year.”
     The other members of the County Commission thanked Chair Mills for her leadership in 2025. 
     She responded that the successful changes brought about by the Levy County Commission resulted from all of the work done by people who are on the same team – commissioners, the county manager, department heads and staff members.


Levy County Supervisor of Election Tammy Jones explains to the County Commission about why there is need for alternate and substitute members from the County Commission on the Canvassing Board for Elections in Levy County for the  elections.

     The list of County Commission committee appointments for 2026 follows:
Chairman Tim Hodge
     ● Canvassing Board with Commissioner Johnny Hiers as a substitute if someone runs for Hodge’s seat or if Hodge endorses a local candidate in the election
     ● Citrus Levy Marion CareerSource
     ● Nature Coast Oyster Alliance
     ● Putnam Alachua Levy Public Libraries Board
     ● Transportation Disadvantage Board
     ● Value Adjustment Board
Vice Chairman Charlie Kennedy
     ● Canvassing Board Alternative - Primary Election
     ● Court Facilities
     ● Levy County Jail Diversion Planning Committee
     ● Small County Coalition
     ● Value Adjustment Board - Alternate
Commissioner Johnny Hiers
     ● Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
     ● North Florida Economic Development Partnership Board of Directors
     ● North Florida Regional Planning Council
     ● Resiliency Florida Board of Directors
     ● Transportation Disadvantage Board - Alternate 
Commissioner Rock Meeks
     ● Canvassing Board Alternative - General Election
     ● County Extension Agent Advisory Board
     ● Local Technology Planning Team
     ● Middle and Lower Suwannee River and Withlacoochee River Task Force
Commissioner Desiree Mills
     ● College of Central Florida Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus Advisory Committee
     ● Gulf Consortium
     ● Nature Coast Business Development Council-Disbanded (Now Economic Development)
     ● RESTORE Act Advisory Committee
     ● Tourist Development Council