Here’s what we’ll be talking about at our monthly Conversations this coming season:
All Conversations take place at the Crocker Memorial Church, 1260 12th Street (Pioneer Park), Sarasota, FL. All conversations start at 7 p.m. For more information, call Linda Garcia at (941) 364-9076. Members, free; Guests, $10
October 8, 2013: Florida in Context. A photography exhibit and sale as well as a discussion about discovering forgotten landscapes, buildings and residences in Florida and the value of documenting them with all kinds of cameras. Conversation leader is award-winning artist and photographer, Virginia Hoffman. She is joined by historian John McCarthy photographer Matt Allison. They will lead a discussion about preserving precious parts of vanishing Florida through camera documentation. They talk about some of their favorite hidden Florida places and offer advice and insider tips to amateur photographers who want to advance historic preservation through pictures.
November 12, 2013: Up in Arms: Sarasota During World War II: Nationally acclaimed author/historian and expert on Florida during the War years, Dr. Gary Mormino, leads a lively discussion on how Sarasota was forever changed by World War II. He and fellow conversationalist historian Jeff LaHurd talk about the economic, social and cultural impact that local training bases had on the state and specifically on the Sarasota, Venice and Bradenton areas.
December 10, 2013: Circus, Circus! Deborah Walk, moderator. The curator of the Ringling Circus Museum gathers some friends together for a fascinating discussion about the Ringling Brothers Circus, but also the other circus enterprises that Sarasota has fostered as a result of the Ringling influence, such as Circus Sarasota and Sarasota Sailor Circus.
January 14, 2014: The Street Where You Live – The Fascinating Way Neighborhoods Evolved in Sarasota. Author and real estate junkie Bob Plunket invites a few knowledgable friends to talk about the history of enclaves, developers, famous people who lived here and how streets and public buildings got their names. Chances are Bob will talk about your neighborhood.
February 11, 2014: God By Many Names – How Sarasota Became Religiously Diverse: Kim Sheintal, author of a new book on the history of Jews in this part of Florida, leads a discussion about how and why Sarasota became such a religiously diverse community. Why are there so many churches in this town and who established them?
March 11, 2014: Batter Up: How Sarasota Became a Baseball Town. Sarasota has a passion for baseball and so does writer Charlie Huisking who is joined by sportswriter Doug Fernandez and baseball historian/author Ray Sinibaldi for an interactive audience-involving conversation. This trio of fans has impressive knowledge about how and why we became such a baseball mecca. Plenty of stories about the personalities, powerful people and loyal fans who made it happen.
April 8, 2014: Ken Thompson and the Making of Modern Sarasota. Everybody’s favorite historian Jeff LaHurd talks about his new book on legendary city manager Ken Thompson and gathers together a group of elected officials and politically influential people who knew and worked with Ken Thompson. Plenty of good stories here!
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