veniceareahistoricalsociety.org

CONTENTS

• A Message from the President
• 2021 VAHS Events Calendar
• Circus Train Car Update
• Legacy Club
• Two Ways to Support VAHS
• Sarasota Centennial Events
• Historic Venice Paint-Out January 11 and 13
• VAHS Welcomes Our Newest Members
• Business Ads
• Membership Application

A Message from the President

January 2021

Hello Dear Friends,

Well, we’ve made it!  2020, the year we will never forget, has passed.  I don’t know about you, but personally, I’m mighty glad it’s over.  But just because it is a new year, does not mean that we can relax totally and immediately jump back into our old way of life.  We should still be doing the safe, sensible things we have been told…plenty of hand-washing, wearing our masks and keeping a fair amount of social distance.

Our lecture series continues “virtually,” and each lecture can be viewed online at the appointed monthly date.  You will be sent a notice telling you when, where and how to find it.  The lecture will then be archived on our webpage, so if you miss the date, you can always have a chance to enjoy it at your leisure. 

I’m sure you probably have heard that we asked Santa to deliver the long-awaited restored circus car to the Depot campus for Christmas.  Unfortunately that package was a little too big for his sleigh, but he did send a message that told us to keep our eyes open early in the New Year.  As the article below describes, the project is quickly moving to completion.  We will begin to install the interior exhibits soon, but for now, we all have to be just a little more patient.  And after getting through 2020, we have CERTAINLY LEARNED TO BE PATIENT, haven’t we?

The work of the Society goes on “behind the scenes” as your Board and all the standing committees have been meeting on a regular basis by Zoom, email and occasionally by phone.  Our end-of the-year financial appeal campaign was conducted by email using embedded “live” videos and a personal letter sent out to members.  I am happy to report that, thanks to many loyal and generous donors, we raised $8,300.00 (with a little more to come in just before the deadline).  THANK YOU ALL!  If you didn’t get a chance to make your contribution, please remember that with the DONATE NOW button, you can safely make a gift to the Society by credit card at any time.  Also, you can designate your donation to be set up as a recurring (monthly or quarterly) event.  Another feature allows you to donate in memory or in honor of someone. 

And so, my friends, we begin the winter season.  We look forward to cooler weather and better times.  Even though we can’t be physically together, we hope that you continue to remember Venice Area Historical Society, as we look ahead to a time when we can safely say…"Come, celebrate history with us!"

Let me leave you with these thoughts:

NOT EVERYTHING IS CANCELED

Sunshine is not canceled…love is not canceled…relationships are not canceled…reading is not canceled…naps are not canceled…music is not canceled…dancing is not canceled…imagination is not canceled…kindness is not canceled…conversations are not canceled…

HOPE is not canceled!

Sue Chapman, President

president@veniceareahistoricalsociety.org

2021 VAHS Events Calendar

*Betty Intagliata Lecture Series--"Celebrating 100th Anniversary of Sarasota County by Bringing Local History to You!"  Programs will be Video Presentations.  The link to each video will be on the VAHS website www.veniceareahistoricalsociety.org on the Education Page. You will be notified by email when each is available for viewing.

*January 19, 2021: "Creating Sarasota County" by Dr. Frank Cassell.  Dr. Cassell discusses the reasons for the 1921 split from Manatee County and the personalities involved.

Dr. Frank Cassell

*February 16, 2021: "Eagle Point" by Jim Middleton.  VAHS member Jim Middleton shares the history and personalities behind the development and evolution of Venice's Eagle Point.

Jim Middleton

*March 16, 2021: "Woodmere Lumber Company" by Harry Klinkhamer, Historical Resources Manager, City of Venice, Florida.  Mr. Klinkhamer presents the history of Englewood's Woodmere Lumber Company, including photographs.

Harry Klinkhamer

March 24, 2021 Virtual Annual Members Meeting

Stay Tuned for Details

*April 20, 2021: "Rose Phillips Wilson" by re-enactor Kathryn Chesley.  Ms. Chesley re-enacts the woman who ran the only newspaper in Sarasota in 1900.  Her editorials spearheaded many changes in the area, including the period when Sarasota became a county and women were encouraged to vote.

Kathryn Chesley as Rose Phillips Wilson

*May 18, 2021: "Bertha Palmer" by Kate Holmes, re-enactor.  Ms. Holmes portrays Bertha Palmer who, until her death in 1918, actively fought for the creation of Sarasota County.

Bertha Honoré Palmer

NOTE:  You will be notified by email when the presentations above are available for viewing.

*The Betty Intagliata Lecture Series is sponsored by the Venice Area Historical Society, with permanent funding provided by the Bill Jervey, Jr. Charitable Foundation.  All programs are FREE and OPEN to the public.

Circus Train Car Update

The Circus Train Car Project is entering its final stage!  Interior work at Uniglide has been completed, and three areas await the installation of exhibits after the car is delivered to the Depot campus—the area showing the living quarters of Chuck Sidlow and Peggy Williams, the area depicting the living room of Gunther Gebel-Williams and his family, and the central exhibit area displaying Venice’s circus history and circus legacy.  Some final work remains on the exterior of the car, and completion is somewhat dependent on the weather.  Fingers crossed for warm, dry, sunny days with light breezes rather than wind!

Preparatory work continues on the Depot campus.  Our contractor Ram Marine is working with Sarasota County and FPL to finalize the installation of electrical service for the circus car.  This work was made more complicated and costly with the discovery of several unanticipated and unidentifiable “structures” underground during the boring phase of the installation.  However, the boring was completed successfully, wires were pulled, and the hook-up will occur soon.  Ram Marine will also be responsible for building a walkway from the deck next to the caboose to the circus car, once the car is placed on the tracks.

Thank you to all donors, members, and friends of VAHS for your unfailing encouragement during this project.  Your support has been central to this effort to preserve Venice’s circus history and circus legacy!

Photos by George Miller 

LEGACY CLUB

Hi Everyone,

My name is Bill Jervey, and I’m a longtime member and supporter of the Venice Area Historical Society.  I’d like to tell you a little something about the VAHS Legacy Club.

The Legacy Club was formed several years back, and it’s easy to become a member.  All you have to do is make a provision in your will or in any form of your estate planning and share that information with a director of the Society. Your bequest can be kept as quiet as you like; but by wearing your Legacy Club lapel pin, you are showing your future support of VAHS.

I’m proud to display my pin and hope that many of you will choose to join me.  Every time I wear it, the pin reminds me that the future needs of the Venice Area Historical Society will be assured.

Bill

TWO WAYS TO SUPPORT VAHS

Use AmazonSmile

and Donate Now Button

AmazonSmile is operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice.

Also, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has provided a way for you to donate to VAHS online.  This can be a one-time or recurring donation.  Click on the green "Donate Now" button to see how it works.

VAHS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and has registered with the State of Florida to solicit contributions.  A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES AT WWW.800HELPFLA.COM OR BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN (800-435-7352) OR OUTSIDE (850-410-3800) FLORIDA.  REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.” Ch 32089

Sarasota Centennial Events

Be sure to check the Sarasota Centennial website for upcoming events designed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Sarasota County.  Click here or on the logo below to access the event list.

NOTE:  Due to the coronavirus, most of the Centennial events will be virtual.

Historic Venice Paint-Out

January 11 & 13

Painters from Peace River Painters, Venice Plein Air and SRQ Plein Air Painters will stage plein air painting events in Venice on Monday, January 11, and Wednesday, January 13, 2021.  

The two events will highlight the buildings and homes constructed in the 1920s as part of the John Nolen Plan, along with the need to preserve them.

The events begin at 8:30 AM each day.  The public is invited to explore Venice’s historic neighborhoods and look for the artists who will be painting the buildings of their choice around town.

For more information on the Plein Air organizations, click on the following links:

Peace River Painters   Venice Plein Air

SRQ Plein Air Painters

VAHS WELCOMES OUR NEWEST MEMBERS

Judy Davis

Sarah Davis

Jan Molen

Lois Yerxa

Jan Vertefeuille and Ben Abramson 

Patricia Wellington and Tom Reeves

VAHS MEMBERSHIP WOULD LIKE TO ADD OTHER NEW NAMES!

If you would like to have a personal chat to find out more about our goals, needs, and plans, or if you are unsure of your renewal date, please contact Carol Bailey, Membership Chair, at membership@veniceareahistoricalsociety.org.  You can also leave a brief message on the VAHS phone at 941-412-0151.

Support VAHS Business Members

Click here for a printable version of this application.