Fried mullet, cornbread, sweet tea and more strawberry shortcakes than people greeted Cortez Natives at their annual picnic on Saturday in the shade of the new chickee hut behind the Florida Maritime Museum at Cortez.

Neighbors and distantly related family members got reacquainted and reminisced about fishing and cooking seafood, like fresh steamed clams, baked oysters, and, of course, mullet, the Cortez staple.

Just before lunch, Blue Fulford warned that his Uncle Bill used to call him "dangerous" at mealtime because he had such a big appetite. But there was plenty of food and fellowship for all.