Month: December 2011

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Extra, extra, read all about it!

1882 Plain Dealer front pageI love to read contemporaneous accounts about history events, even if they aren’t directly related to Sarasota County history.

For example, to get a feel for what was going on the year that the Bidwell-Wood House was built, I found this 1882 Plain Dealer front page. And look what happened that day!

HistoryBuff.com is a volunteer effort by Timothy Hughes, dealer in vintage newspapers. Here, he’s assembled some of his collection, arranged by year.

Tip: Did you know, if you’re viewing the Internet on a PC, you can hit Ctrl+ to make the text larger, or Crl- to see more of the screen in a smaller font? Makes surfing a lot more comfortable, especially after a few hours!

Tip#2: Re-up your HSOSC membership today… everyone’s due in January.

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The artist within: a wonderful gift for others and yourself

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” –Pablo Picasso

Watercolor journaling classes at the Historical Society of Sarasota County, by Lucinda HathawayLucinda Hathaway found the watercolorist within herself late in life. Just three years ago, already a published author and grandmother, she discovered the joys of journaling with watercolors and brush in Maine while sailing on Penobscot Bay.

Now you can explore how to honor your journey through life with this easy, enjoyable technique. Join Lucinda, internationally known-water color journaling teacher, at the Historical Society’s Back Porch Classes in January.  Classes will be held all four Wednesdays (January 4, 11, 18 and 25) from 9:30a to 12n. Beginners always welcome. Join the group for one class or all four! Call the HS Office Mon-Fri between 10a and 2p at 941 364 9076 to reserve your spot. $30 per class per student. Casses are limited to 5-10 students for full advantage of Lucinda’s attention and instruction.

Give a class, or all 4, to yourself, a friend, or best of all, yourself and a friend. Will 2012 be the year you release the artist within?

Materials needed :

  • 140# watercolor paper as a sheet or in a journal
  • watercolors
  • waterproof ink pen
  • #6 brush
All are available at Art and Frame, Blue Line and Keeton’s. Blue Line , in support of the Historical Society, will give you a 10% discount if you mention this class.

Read more about our instructor Lucinda Hathaway here, and see how she inspires even the youngest here.

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Ever wished you could have been a guest at one of the Ringlings’ private parties?

UPDATE September 2012: This event was such a success, we’re doing it again. Get your reservation in early. See our Calendar of Events.

Well, now you can! Yes, the Historical Society of

Sarasota County has arranged for a private, limited-size tour of the magnificent Ca’ D’Zan mansion just for us, led by the Curator and Keeper of the House, Ron McCarty… complete with luncheon and a special slide show by Ron.

Details: Tuesday, January 24, 2012, 9:30am
Includes our private luncheon with choice of entrees at Treviso, known for its fine dining.
$50 per person. An extraordinary day and value for you, a fundraiser for HSOSC.

Ron is looking forward to showing us some places the public doesn’t get to see very often, such as the often-overlooked terra cotta decorative work. He’ll tell us about the architect and his scope in Sarasota and lead our small group through the 1st and 2nd floors with information not normally shared by the docents. Ron looks forward to showing us the 3rd floor with its incredible Willy Pogany ceiling. We’ll see, up close, the newly installed historic windows (they’ve been closed up since 1971!) and the 4th floor tower bedroom. Finally, we’ll enjoy the tower overlook together and celebrate the Ringling’s history in Sarasota. Then we will stop at the newly-opened Captain’s Cottage and then have lunch together, where Ron will proudly show many never before viewed images of John and Mable’s clothing and personal items. As Keeper of the House, Ron is excited for our HSOSC participants to celebrate the Ringlings’ 100 years in Sarasota.

Luncheon at the famed Treviso is included in our tour price. Please choose entree at time of booking. Meal includes soft drinks, coffee, tea and a sorbet. When you make your tour reservations, please indicate which of these entrees you would prefer:

  • Chicken Pecan Salad:  with Grapes and Candied Pecans Served on Toasted Raisin Walnut Bread
  • Caprese Panini: Fresh Mozzarella, Sliced Tomatoes and Genoa Basil on Buttered Brioche, Pressed and Served with a Cup of Soup and a Small House Salad
  • or the John R. Burger: Grilled Choice Ground Chuck, with Swiss, Cheddar or Provolone Cheese, with Lettuce, Tomato and Onion and a Choice of Fries, Fresh Fruit or Treviso Roasted Garlic Pasta Salad

Make your reservations now, as the group will be a small one. Tickets, including admission to the Ca’ d’Zan only, our special host Ron McCarty, plus luncheon and a private slide show, are $50 per person. Read the fine print, below, then call the Office at 941-364-9076 to charge your tickets, email: hsosc@yahoo.com, or send a check to HSOSC, PO Box 1632, Sarasota, FL 34230. This tour is expected to sell out quickly so don’t delay!

The small print: Please be advised that there are over 80 steps and no elevator for this tour. Parking is free. We will check-in at the visitors center after 9:30AM and then proceed to arrive at Ca’d’Zan promptly at 10:30 for the start of the tour.  Ca’ d’Zan: upper floors and tower weather permitting.  Since this is a private tour of the Mansion, non-Ringling members will not be able to enter any of the other buildings during that day.
 
Photo from Flickr under CC license, by uberphoto.
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Renew now to save, and speak up to have fun!

Members!!  Members !!  Members !!! 

News Alert –  2 Items:

Renew your membership in the Historical Society of Sarasota County

#1 – The Board of Directors voted for an increase in our membership dues beginning January 1, 2012.  Single membership will be $30,  Family membership, $50 and a Lifetime membership, $300.  Please send in your renewal  or call the HSOSC office at 941-364-9076, M-F 10 to 2, and charge your renewal quickly and easily.

#2 – Member Survey – Please fill out this form: Member Survey October 2011 at your earliest convenience and return to us.  We need to know for what our members would like to participate in to help us raise operating funds. Just print out the survey, fill it in, bring it to our next meeting or event, or drop it in the mail to us at: HSOSC, PO Box 1632, Sarasota, FL 34230.

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Trees – WOW

Crosley Mansion Tree by HSOSCWe hope you get a chance to visit the Crosley “Festival of Trees” and enjoy over 50 decorated Christmas Trees including OURS!!!  Our fabulous volunteer (soon to be a member?) Margaret Behrends did a splendid job using Margret Bering’s paintings from our 2010 calendar.  The tree is named “Historical & Whimsical” with each painting displayed and an adorable pink flamingo sitting atop with the flamingo sand dollars and colored candy canes. Click for info on the event.

AND in the Bidwell-Wood home our tree was decorated by Lorraine Orr – member and volunteer extraordinaire – with ornaments made from the nuts off the ground of the front yard!  Lorraine also donated the wreaths in front of the house and Museum Gift Shop.