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VIDEO | The charm of a quiet fishing village in Aripeka, Florida

Judy Steffes
By Judy Steffes
2414
February 12, 2022 – Aripeka, FL – A day full of historic adventure and mermaid surprises while pedaling through Florida on the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s.

Mullet fishing has been a part of the region as far back as the Calusa Indians settlements.
Iconic stilt houses were built as fish camps to store the catch. Boats were emptied quickly to ensure a prompt return to fishing.
The stilt houses stand today as reminders of the once thriving Mullet fishing industry
Some fun facts:
During World War II, Florida provided over 55,000,000 pounds of mullet needed as part of the food supply.
Troops overseas received mullet packed in salt to preserve the meat.
The salt springs of Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park are believed to have produced salt during the Civil War era, also supplying meat to the troops.
The gulf coast of Florida has been responsible for close to 88.2% of the nation’s mullet harvest since at least the 1960s.
Some of the harvests was from the shores of Port Richey as commercial mullet fishing was a very popular industry locally.
Florida voters approve the constitutional amendment in 1994 banning the use of certain gillnets commonly used in Mullet  fishing which forced the industry to adapt to new gear or abandon net fishing for mullet.
The boat is an actual restored mullet skiff.
These large flat-bottom boats with a motor mounted near the front provided a large deck space in the rear and could easily skim across shallow waters often only 6 to 8 inches deep
The skiffs were often called bird dogs or well boats referring to the method of fishing where the captain would spot schools of mullet and then rapidly Circle them while an assistant fed hundred yards of net before hauling in the catch

mermaids Aripeka, Florida is a throwback to a simpler time of clothesline conversations, church on Sunday and family picnics.

The sleepy fishing community  featured visits by boxer Jack Dempsey and Babe Ruth who would cast a line in the off season.


Originally located in Hernando County, the post office was moved across Hammock Creek into Pasco county in 1921. It was designated an historic site by the Pasco County historical Preservation Committee on June 3, 1993.

Several families settled in 1886, establishing the community known as Aripeka.

According to a state marker the community “was named for the Aripeka Saw Mills Corporation which had adopted the name of an early 19th century Seminole leader.”

Exited the main highway and found a gem of a par all road headed north, the Old Dixie Highway.

Ruth first gained fame as a pitcher.

Although best remembered for swatting a prodigious 714 home runs and slugging .690, which remains a major-league record, Babe Ruth was one of baseball’s most dominant left-handed pitchers in the 1910s. He won 89 games in six seasons with the Boston Red Sox, including 24 in 1917, and helped the team win three World Series titles. Ruth only pitched five games for the New York Yankees as his position switched to outfielder after being sold by Boston before the 1920 season. Klein, C., (2014, July 11) 10 Surprising Facts You May Not Know About Babe Ruth history.com https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-babe-ruth

Have I not commanded you? …  Be strong and courageous. … Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

The 2022 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for music programming for seniors at Cedar Community, a 501c3, so all donations are tax-deductible.

Donate via the secure website through Cedar Community.  Donations should be marked “Amazing Ride 2021.” Click HERE to make a secure online donation.

Checks may be made payable to “Cedar Community Foundation” with “Judy Bike Ride” in the memo line and mailed to 113 Cedar Ridge Dr., West Bend, WI 53095

Be sure to include the Federal Tax ID Number for the Foundation: 39-1249432

You may also find a downloadable donation form HERE.

Cedar Community is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.

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