12-1 Spring - Flagler Beach Historical Museum

Flagler Beach Historical Museum
“From the Stone Age...
to the Space Age”
Spring 2012
Volume 12 - Edition 1
What’s New at the Museum
NOW OPEN SUNDAYS!
== Gail Wadsworth donated a scrapbook from the dedication
of the W.L. "Billy" Wadsworth Park on 12/5/1980.
== Diane Cline and Celene Cline Chalkley donated two
1999 color photographs and a framed ready-to-go display
of the cement plant. And Cleta Thompson donated seven
black & white photographs showing the construction of the
Lehigh Portland Cement Plant in the early 1950’s.
== Rob Creal donated a hard cover copy of "The History of
Flagler County" by Jack Clegg and a 1986 color photo of
the Flagler Beach Volunteer Fire Department. He also loaned
a plastic identification badge issued by Kaiser Cargo, Inc the
builder of the USS Flagler during World War II. Also Rob loaned
a circa 1929 brochure of Flagler Beach and Flagler County.
== Jim & Nancy Fitzgibbons donated a black and white
photograph “1943 Submarine Watch-Flagler Beach” of U.S.
Coast Guardsman Al Jacquay on a horse by the pier taken
in 1943. (See photo and a related story on page 6.)
== Preston Root donated the book “Gabby: A Story of
Courage and Hope” autographed by Gabrielle Gifford’s
astronaut husband and friend of the Museum Mark Kelly.
1st $1000 Dollar Donor:
Preston Root!
Meet
the Root
Family
~Page 5
Tourism’s Tom Rominger
Tom Opens
Museum on
Sundays!
~Page 3
== Fire Chief Martin Roberts donated 3 color group photographs of the FBFD from the early 1990’s.
== Donated and to be featured in the next newsletter: early
Palm Coast pictures from Art Dycke and the Palm Coast
Historical Society, and photos of the late Charles Turner of
Bunnell who played trumpet in Frank Sinatra's band, supplied
by Sisco Deen and the Flagler County Historical Society.
207 South Central Avenue
PO Box 2136
Flagler Beach, FL 32136
(386) 517-2025
Mon-Sat 10am-4pm
& 1st Friday Nights
flaglerbeachmuseum.com
WE
TREASURE
Meet Sally Horvath
~ by Nylah Rampersad
Sally Horvath roared into Flagler
Beach on the back of a motorcycle
during Bike Week in 1979, and was immediately charmed by the community’s
quaint small-town feel. Upon returning
to Peru, Indiana, both Sally and her
husband instantly missed Flagler Beach,
and decided to return to the special city
and make a new home.
Within a month they had sold their
restaurant in Indiana and moved to Flagler Beach. They bought an old diner and
transformed it into a beautiful ocean side
inn and restaurant - The Bridgetender
Inn. It became a place for people to kick
back and relax, enjoy a cocktail or two,
and even relearn the jitter bug.
Throughout the 80’s, Sally and her
staff played a big role in the history of
Flagler Beach, with the Bridgetender
Inn becoming not only a well-known
landmark but a much loved gathering
place. Sally also fondly remembers their
bright yellow school bus with the words
“Fun Bus” stamped on its side. A railing
along the roof provided lots of extra seats,
and free air-conditioning! “We would take
people down to the races, all of us piled
onto this bus – it was crazy and wild!”
recalls Sally.
Unfortunately, all good things must
come to an end. Many people in town
remember the night the Bridgetender
burned down. A sad day for the entire
town, Sally still gets teary eyed when
reminiscing about it… “We didn’t own
the restaurant anymore, but it still held
a special place in my heart.”
Afterwards Sally went back to Indiana, but couldn’t get Flagler Beach out of
her heart, so she came back, and opened
up another community landmark – Sally’s
Ice Cream Shop. Quickly, she fell back
2012 OFFICERS
President: Catherine Wilson
1st Vice President: Robert R. Creal
2nd Vice President: Kathy Feind
Secretary: Linda S. Jones
Treasurer: Patricia MacAllister
OUR
VOLUNTEERS
into the beach town routine, and found happiness in her life again. Shortly afterwards she wandered into the museum,
and fell in love with all the history.
Sally Horvath
Sometime after selling the ice cream
shop, Sally bumped into museum founder
Catherine Wilson and they reminisced
about the businesses. Sally promptly
inquired about a volunteer position, and
was soon conducting museum tours for
traveling tourists and locals alike. She
finds the history so interesting; Sally loves
the photographs showing the chronological progression of the city. She talks the
museum up to everyone, making sure
they stop in to discover all the wonderful
history behind Flagler Beach, including
her piece of the story.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Nylah Rampersad
I am a 21-year-old student whose 3 years of persistent educational endeavors
at Daytona State College will soon earn me a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising/
PR plus a Minor in Marketing. Before transferring to finish my senior year at U.C.F., I was
encouraged to take a semester off for a welldeserved break.
Never having been the type of person who
likes to just “hang out,” two weeks into my hiatus,
I began to get stir crazy. Rather than waste time,
I decided to contribute my energy to a project
of value. Quickly searching through Google, I
happened upon a volunteer website that led me
directly to the Flagler Beach Historical Museum.
Impatiently I filled out the application, then
eagerly awaited a response. Sure enough, Ms. Teri Pruden replied to my inquiry
within a matter of days. It wasn’t long before I was wandering through the Museum’s many exhibits, ooo-ing and ahh-ing over the brilliantly presented history.
I immediately wanted to be a part of the team that made all this possible.
Volunteering for the Museum has given me a number of opportunities to
strengthen my skills. New talents also developed as my knowledge of Flagler
Beach expanded, and writing assignments allowed me to commemorate those
who made this city the gem that it is.
I encourage one and all to donate just a small portion of their time to this admirable landmark, or at least stop in for a visit when you’re in town. I whole-heartedly
believe that my time off was well spent, and my hope is to continue contributing
my time and creativity to the Museum for as long as I can. ~Nylah Rampersad
Board meetings are open to our members
and the public. We meet most months on
second Tuesdays 2pm at the Flagler Beach
Fire Hall. Call Teri at 439-6262 for directions
and to confirm when the next meeting will be.
Museum Director: Teri Pruden
2
2012 DIRECTORS
Beth Mount
Cindy Dalecki
Mary Ann Ruzecki
Don Deal
Lea Stokes
Charles Helm
Lauren Swanson
Ed Moore
City Liaison: Jane Mealy
MUSEUM NOW OPEN SUNDAYS!
Tom’s Tale:
Languid and leisurely Sundays in downtown Flagler Beach
can mean a stop at the BeachHouse Beanery for a refreshing “pick-me-up”, a stroll through Veterans Park or a walk on
the Pier, and chilly dips in the ocean followed by a relaxing
bake on the beach under the glowing sun. Now it can mean
one more thing: a stop to cool off with a “walk back in time”
at the Museum.
That’s right; tourists, visiting friends, as well as all of us,
can now enjoy a visit to the Museum on any given Sunday.
Thanks for that goes to the county’s Tourism Development
Council (TDC) who advise our commissioners on the best
ways to utilize hotel and other accommodation bed taxes. A
seven days a week Welcome Center was championed by the
Chamber’s former VP of Tourism Peggy Heiser.
All of us are familiar with the Interstate Highway signs
that announce Visitor Center exits. Because of the stipulation
that those centers be open 7 days a week, and because the
Museum has been the Flagler Beach Chamber’s Welcome
Center 6 days a week for many years, Heiser saw a good fit
and proposed a Tourism Liaison position to the TDC last year.
They and the county commissioners approved, and early this
year, Heiser’s replacement in the VP post, Georgia Turner,
and Museum Director Teri Pruden formed an enthusiastic
partnership and put the plan in action.
Officially starting in April, our new part-time liaison Thomas
Rominger will be greeting Museum guests every Sunday from
10am - 4pm, as well as most Friday and Saturday afternoons,
hours that were often the most difficult to fill with volunteers.
Providing her own Museum coverage on Saturday mornings,
Pruden offered to utilize Tom during those hours on behalf of
all Flagler County Tourism partners.
She proposed, and Turner whole-heartedly agreed, that
Tom could be a true liaison by acting as an informational
conduit between the many Flagler County organizations that
tourists look for when they visit: historic, recreational, lodging,
entertainment, attractions, and more. As he shares information on events and breaking news between these groups, he
will also ascertain that the groups’ brochure inventories are
always up-to-date. Many of the tourism site leaders have
already responded enthusiastically that this will be a great
help to them and reduce redundancy of effort immensely. We
all look forward to utilizing Tom as the “go-to” expert on what
is happening to draw new visitors to Flagler County and to
keep them happy here once they arrive!
So schedule a Sunday visit to your local Museum soon to
welcome Tom and share your favorite county fun spots with
him. And join us as we give a hearty “Thank You!” to Georgia
Turner, the Flagler Beach Museum Board of Directors, the City
of Flagler Beach, the Flagler County Chamber & Affiliates, the
TDC, and our Flagler County Commission.
My life began on 25
January 1958, in Yonkers,
New York. I grew up in
the beautiful Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey. Upon
graduation from high
school in 1976, I enlisted
into the United States
Air Force and began my
career as a graphic artist.
Tom Rominger
A year later, my parents
relocated to Ormond
Beach, Florida and at first I remember feeling devastated. But
that quickly changed when I took my first vacation to Florida
and discovered why this had become my family’s new home.
Over the next twenty-four years I returned to Florida to
visit my family as often as possible, always pledging to myself
that this area is where I would one day settle. When the time
arrived for me to make the transition from the military to civilian
life I was full of optimism. My wife Helle and I determined that
we wanted to live in Flagler Beach. So in the year 2000 we
rented a nice house on Palm Circle Drive and from there we
started shopping for our dream home. Quickly the prices of a
home in Flagler Beach were out of our reach, so after a year
of idyllic Intracoastal living we settled in Ormond Beach. Our
year in Flagler Beach was full of great times with family and
friends and we have some wonderful stories forever etched
in our hearts. And in 2012 I have been given a new opportunity to return and share my love for the best kept secret in
Florida--Flagler Beach. ~Thomas “Tom” Rominger
You asked. We answered.
Flagler Beach FB Decals Are Here!
Calling all history buffs and friendly faces: Join a committee or help out as a Museum host. From as few as 3 hours a month to a few days a week,
the time you offer is greatly appreciated. There are even projects you can work on at home. For more information, contact Teri at 439-6262.
3
Thank You 1/01/12 - 3/21/12 New & Renewing Members!
Platinum
*Preston Root Family
(See feature opposite page!)
Gold / Silver
Bradley, Hallie
City of Flagler Beach
Helm Financial Services
In Loving Memory of
Ella & Harvey Shriver
Bronze
Grigas, Robert
& Josephine
In Loving Memory of
Raymond Pruden
Wilson, Catherine
Flagler Woman’s Club
Patron
Small Business
Aligood, John M.
Broderick, Dan &
Kalush, Margaret
Creal, Robert
Goedelman, Kent & Callie
Howell, Marv & Pam
Atlantic Mobile RV Service
BeachHouse Beanery
Flagler Fish Company
Nature Scapes
*Welcome
Our Newest
Members!
Family
Individual
Carney, Jim & Kim
Chapman, Shelley & Alex
Dalecki, Cindy
Duggins, Michael & Gail
Hadeed, Al & Maureen
Kovalyak, Joseph
MacAllister, Patricia
Miller, Frederick & Arlene
*Moore, Bill
Norris, Mary & David
Poldoian, Jim & Rosie
*Salinsky, Bill
Sili, Colman & Dorothy
*Babbitt, Bill
Brown, Mikki
Clark, Mary Ann
Davis, Patricia L.
Hayworth, Pauline
Lally, Kevin J.
*Nagle, Joe
*Quinn, James
*Raton, Alfredo
Rugg, Toni
Ruhl, Lorraine
*Williams, Anne
*McCraney, Charlie & Marjorie
Robinson, Brett
Rohrabaugh, Paul & Beverly
Rossi, Kathy & Dennis
Trivett, Danny
Wilson, Matthew G.
Down By The Sea Gifts
Flagler County Chamber
Flagler County Corvettes
Joseph Pozzuoli Architect
OceanShore Graphics
Members are the foundation of the Flagler Beach Historical Museum. Please continue your support
by spreading the word and renewing annually. Give a friend this newsletter -- if they join, we’d like
to thank you both -- so stop by with this page and receive gifts of appreciation for your support. Or
better yet, make their first year a gift from you by using the application coupon below.
BENEFITS OF MUSEUM MEMBERSHIP
LEVELS OF MUSEUM MEMBERSHIP
= Individual $12
= Family $20
= Small Business $24
LEVELS OF PREMIERE MEMBERSHIP
= Patron $50
= Bronze Member $100
= Silver Member $200
= Gold Member $500
= Free quarterly newsletter
= Recognition in newsletter
= Discounts on museum merchandise and special events
= Advance notice of new displays and upcoming events
= Free gifts for bringing in new members
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR PREMIERE MEMBERS
= Recognition in every newsletter and on Museum website
= Museum available for private or group tours
Membership Form
Make checks payable to Flagler Beach Historical Museum. Mail to: P.O. Box 2136, Flagler Beach FL. 32136
Name:______________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________________
E-mail: _ ____________________________________________________
!
ft!
i
G
Amount Enclosed: $__________
If this is a Gift: Your Name:____________________________________
Phone: _______________
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLLFREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-435-7352. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT,
APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Registration # CH-32919
4
Special Thanks to this year’s Premiere Members
Gold
Bronze
In Loving Memory of
Intracoastal Bank
Raymond R. Pruden JBirney Financial
Baxter, Doug
Keyt, Charlotte
Bayerl, Dan
Memory Lane
March, Susan Burke
& Pruden, Teri
Preferred Management
Ruzecki, Mary Ann
Campbell, Bruce
Services
Schneider, Uwe & Carol Flagler Beach Rotary
Carmel, Phyllis
Silver
Shupe, Marshall
DiFrancesco, Lida & Fred
S.E. Cline Construction
Taylor,
Anne
Creal
Elliott,
Carol
W.
Tee Times USA
Hallie Bradley
Wilson,
Catherine
Feind,
John
&
Catherine
In Loving Memory of Delores Kuhnlein
In Loving Memory of Ella & Harvey Shriver Grigas, Robert & Josephine Flagler Woman’s Club
Coquina Real Estate & Construction
Flagler Beach Compounding Pharmacy
The Museum now offers Premiere Member links from our
Helm Financial Services
website to yours! Call Teri at 439-6262 for more information.
Bank of America on behalf of Linda Jones
City of Flagler Beach
Publix Supermarkets
RBC Bank on behalf of Pat MacAllister
Patron
Aligood, John
Atack, Sharon
Babbitt Miller, Brenda
Bayer, Dennis K., Esq.
Boylan, Michael & Susan
Broderick, Dan
& Kalush, Margaret
Caldwell, Wayne & Martha
Creal, Robert
Deal, Don & Terri
Goedelman, Kent & Callie
Hammond, Kim
Hull, Richard D.
Hunter, Robert & Jean
Johnston, Gregory & Peggy
Kerns, Jay &
Rodriguez, Gustavo
Kormanyos, Connie & Ed
MacAllister, Patricia
McCraney, Charlie & Marjorie
Miller, Cindy
Miller, Karen L.
Moretti, Karen
Mount, Beth & Bill
Petty, Tim
Price, Rosmarie & Richard
Rohrabaugh, Paul & Beverly
Rossi, Kathy & Dennis
Sloan, Jeanne
Trivett, Danny
Wadsworth, Gail
Wilson, G. Matthew
BeachHouse Beanery
Cooksey & Associates
Down By The Sea Gifts
Flagler Animal Hospital
Flagler County Chamber
Flagler County Corvettes
Gerling Travel Group
Howell Homes
Intellaeon Corporation
JPA - Joseph Pozzuoli
Architect
Marina Bay Condominiums
Oceanshore Graphics
Strickland Sod Farm, Inc.
Your Name Here! 
Meet Your Fellow Members: The Root Family
First
$1000
Donation!
When the call came alerting Museum Director Teri
Pruden to expect an incoming $1000 donation, it was
somewhat disorienting. “We don’t have a membership level
for that. We will have to invent one.” Museum Founder
and President Catherine Wilson suggested calling it the
Platinum Membership. Problem solved. And what a great
problem to have!
At the time of his donation, Preston Root expressed
his ongoing enjoyment of the Museum and its value to
our community. Read on as he shares some of those
thoughts below.
The Root Family has lived in coastal Ormond and
Flagler Beach for almost 50 years. The most important
part of living in Flagler is that it has retained its heritage
and small town charm and friendliness. When communities lose their heritage they become nothing more than
a place to park.
Farming families like the Stefliks and surfing families like the Watsons are the folks who make our area
important. I don’t know anyone in Flagler who doesn’t
appreciate our history.
Our support of the museum is a lifelong commitment
to keep Flagler the community we all fell in love with. Re-
Preston Root with 10-year-old daughter Scenic, and wife Lynn.
membering your history is how you keep a community alive.
The museum reminds us all that our history is important and
we are lucky to live in such a rich area. When we tell people
we live in a quaint 50’s surf town they always say “That
sounds like a dream!!” ~Preston Root
Tell your story here. For information, call 439-6262 or e-mail:
[email protected]
5
The History Corner
Hi, Ho, Sand Pounders!
after four Nazi agents did manage to land on the Ponte Vedra
coastline, changing quickly into civilian clothes and burying
their uniforms in the sand. They also buried blasting caps,
detonators, and capsules of sulfuric acid.
Some fellow Nazi agents had landed a few days earlier near Amagansett, Long Island, both groups planted on
U.S. soil to sabotage key factories and railroads, disrupting
America’s support of the war. All were captured, though, after
one of the Amagansett agents gave himself up to the FBI and
told where the others could be found.
No wonder these mounted
guardians of our coast couldn’t let
themselves be distracted for more
than a few minutes of friendly conversation with either big or little girls
waylaying them on the beach.
Around town, though, more
leisurely encounters were possible.
When the first Coast Guards began
arriving, they were stationed in the
Moody Hotel across from the Pier,
then moved just a few miles down
A1A to the Fuquay House, which
had hot water.
My pretty teen-aged sister Joan
might easily have begun dating the
young man in white uniform she met
in the Post Office one day, had she
not had me along. First told by her
in high dudgeon when we got home,
this misadventure became one of the
“Guppy” stories retold laughingly in
the family.
Having enjoyed making eyes
at each other in line, these two
were exchanging smiling flirtatious
glances as we were all exiting, until
I piped up in a carrying treble voice,
“Oh, Sister! Did you see that silly looking Coast Guard with
the goony little moustache?”
A romance blighted, never to blossom.
Too bad he wasn’t leading his horse.
Editor’s Note: Welcome back to a favorite contributor and 12
year Museum docent Lorraine Ruhl. When this photo arrived
at the Museum, it sparked memories for Lorraine which we
are thrilled that she shared with us all.
In 1942, when U.S. Coast Guards, locally nicknamed
“sand pounders” began patrolling Flagler Beach shores on
horseback, my sister and I had very different designs on them.
My sister and her best friend - teen-agers Joanie-andJeanie - strolling along the beach at
carefully calculated times, hoped to find
a new boyfriend in one of the young
Coast Guardsmen so accidentally
encountered. How handsome they
looked, sitting tall in the saddle, sunbrowned faces, blue eyes or brown
looking down from under white uniform
caps, taking a friendly interest in the
two bathing beauties ambushing them.
My best friend and I - Chubby-andGuppy - had a different ambition. We
hoped one of these military cowboys
might miraculously let us ride his horse.
We had hopes especially of one young
Coast Guard we waylaid often on his
evening patrol. He would dismount
when he reached us, to walk and talk
with us while leading his horse. How
we longed to be lifted up into that
empty saddle! To be set astride that
tall, softly snorting, wonderful mount,
muscles rippling under the brown satin
skin, hoofs clopping into the coquina
sand alongside the bare feet of the
two little girls so eagerly awaiting him.
To my sister and me, a Coast Guard
presence on our beach meant only the
chance for some pleasing encounters.
We knew that “Over There”, World War II was being waged;
but as we drew the blackout curtains across our windows at
night before we turned on any lights, as we drove after dark in
cars with their headlights painted black, we felt only a patriotic
thrill, not fear. We never realized that the threat being guarded
against was out there, beyond the breakers.
Not yet a reader of newspapers like the Flagler Tribune, I
didn’t know that in 1942 German submarines were also patrolling the waters off our beaches, from Florida on up the east
coast of the United States, their purpose to disrupt shipping
lines by torpedoing unarmed transport ships. It was reported
that in just one month of that wartime year, in June of 1942,
Nazi U-boats sank 216 ships in Florida waters, more than
half of the total 274.
The sighting of a periscope projecting above the waves,
or even of German spies being slipped ashore, was a true
threat. The alertness of each man on patrol must have doubled
~ by Lorraine Ruhl
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Help Preserve Local History
A Flagler County history book and DVD series are in
the making. If you have stories or photos to share, or
know someone who does, please contact Teri at 386439-6262 or via email: [email protected].
For more history, visit our website:
www.flaglerbeachmuseum.com and
click on the History Tab
6
Museum
Partners
in
Preserving
History
e
Th Flagler County Historical Society
Presents:
Bunnell Centennial: Celebrating 100 Years!
James Fiske and Sisco Deen have shared the exciting
news that a Bunnell Centennial Committee is planning a 2013
year-long celebration of the city’s 100th birthday. The group
brainstormed many intriguing ideas to commemorate the occasion by engaging the community while enhancing the city.
Those included fire hydrant, mural, or water tower painting, city
landscaping, and other neighborhood improvement projects.
For entertainment, they will look at
the possibility of a rodeo, a gala, time
capsule burying, fireworks, barbecue
cook-off, parade, plus agricultural and
historic displays. Already underway is
a Centennial Celebration Logo Contest
with an April 27th deadline open to persons age 16 and older.
The winning logo will be used on promotional materials and
the City letterhead during 2013.
Future meetings will be held at 7 p.m. on the 3rd Thursday
of each month, at the city office in the Atlantis Building on North
U.S. 1. Join the fun at their next meeting on April 19th. For
more information about the contest, or ways to contribute to
the event, contact Bunnell’s Special Projects Coordinator Judi
Stetson at 386-437-7425 or email [email protected].
Join the FCHS for their quarterly meeting at the Hammock
Community Center. Rev. Frank Giddens and Mrs. Marian
Reddin will be giving a 30 minute program on the history of
black families in Espanola. Becky Harper and Dee Hall are
co-chairing this event.
Dinner will be Chicken Parmesan with pasta, salad, bread,
and homemade dessert. Water or tea will also be provicded.
The cost will be $17 per person.
FCHS Members will receive reservation forms in their next
quarterly mailing; others may contact Sisco Deen. Checks
can be made payable to Flagler County Historical Society and
sent to Sisco Deen, P.O. Box 637, Flagler Beach, FL 32136
. Reservations must be received by Monday, April 16th. For
questions or non-member reservation forms, call (386) 4392639 or email [email protected].
The Blue Fish Dinner
Upcoming Events - We’ll Be Open!
Black Families
of Espanola
April 19th 6:30pm
Two local chefs (and friends of the Museum) have announced a new venture called “The Blue Fish Dinner.” Of
course that would be Gary Maresca of Blue at the Topaz and
Chris Casper of Flagler Fish Company. They offer a new way
for locals to enjoy their amazing meals while also supporting
a favorite charity.
Donating diners can host parties of 12 in their own homes
with a fine meal prepared by Casper and Maresca. A four-hour
private dinner is $1,500, with 10 percent donated directly back
to the charity of your choice. (Flagler Beach Museum - Pick us!)
In the meantime, you can still enjoy the duo’s tantalizing
dishes here in Flagler Beach by visiting Blue at 1224 S. A1A
and Flagler Fish Company at 180 S. Daytona Avenue. Phone
the former at 386-439-4322 and the latter at 386-439-0000;
both have websites for more information.
First Friday’s Music in the Park
6-9pm Veteran’s Park in Flagler Beach
April 6: Folk music from the 80’s preceded by a 5:15 Easter Egg
Hunt, a sunset Teen Egg’stravaganza Flashlight Egg Hunt, and
“Shade Out Melanoma” Fashion Show.
May 4: Rock-n-Roll Fest with Navy Band “Pride” on the main stage
and local talent on the Songwriter’s Stage, plus Kid’s Bicycle Safety
Rodeo (free helmets) and the Wheels in Motion Car Club.
June 1: Music TBA, Cardboard Castle Building, and more!
5th Annual Turtle Fest - April 14th at Veterans Park
From 10am-4pm raise your Turtle Awareness and enjoy music, belly
dancers, prizes, exhibits, kids activities and giant tortoise races. For
information, call 386-763-0977.
Earth Day @Washington Oaks - April 21st & 22nd.
23rd Annual Earth Day Celebration at Washington Oaks Gardens
State Park, 6400 N.A1A, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy living history re-enactors, environmental education, photo contest, art/craft
vendors, bake sale, prepared foods and prize drawings. Contact
Melissa Kafel at 386-446-6783 or go to www.washington.oaks.org.
The Flagler Beach Historical Museum
thanks the County Commission and the
Flagler County Tourist Development Council
for their grant awards that help us fund operating expenses, promotion, & much more!
Writers/Researchers: Rob Creal, Teri
Pruden, Vickie Mathis, Nylah Rampersad, Lorraine Ruhl
Proofreader Extraordinaire: Mary Ann Ruzecki
Photography: Jason Ganser, Tom Rominger, Teri Pruden
Congratulations to the Museum for
winning their third consecutive state
grant from the Florida Dept. of Cultural
Affairs. We thank them for their support.
This newsletter is published quarterly and mailed free to
members. Address questions/comments to Teri at 439-6262
or [email protected]
Hi KJ. See you in the summer issue.
Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of
State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council
on Arts and Culture.
7
Museum Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
asked to convey appreciation to
several of his staff for their ongoing
pleasant assistance.
A special honor and thank
you was given to retiring 2nd Vice
President Shirley Putnam, who
resigned from the board after seven
years of service. She had contributed to the Museum’s success as
docent, Volunteer Coordinator,
Accessions Assistant, and so
much more. Shirley was a driving
Shirley Putnam
force behind the completion of
the Museum’s Downtown Historic
Walking Tour.
Earlier in the day, docents had posed for a commemorative photograph at the Museum (below) and be after lunch
they each took a moment in the spotlight to speak from their
hearts about the past year at the Museum. In addition to the
docents, other volunteers were applauded including Archive
Scanner Stewart Selden, photographer Bill Lepson, special
events coordinator Kim Carney, writer Nylah Rampersad
and publicist/graphics assistant Christine Speno.
“Thanks to our 26 dedicated docents plus numerous
volunteers doing fundraising, archiving, scanning, research,
events, and outreach,” announced Pruden, “in 2011 over 6700
visitors signed our guest book.
“Together we logged nearly 4000 hours in 2011.
And here is my favorite announcement of each year
-- the value of our volunteer hours provides an amazing
savings in salary hours to the Museum of $80,000!”
“So I thank all of you collectively and individually
for your teamwork and dedication. Because of all of
you, our doors are open, people can come in for a
short visit, a long visit, and hopefully a return visit.”
Pruden finished, “Our guests don't just leave with
knowledge of Flagler Beach history, they leave with
answers to their questions about our area’s past and
present. They leave with the true impression of having
made new friends.”
“We seem to have been celebrating so many 10th Anniversaries in the past year, and today is no different,” began
Museum Director Teri Pruden. “This year marks the 10th
Anniversary of our 1st Volunteer Luncheon held at the City
Hall Commission Chambers.” The group chuckled as she
reminded them that the Museum Board prepared the meal
for the Docent Team. “Which is exactly why we all want to
really thank Joseph Ortz for opening his restaurant today
especially for us.”
Joseph’s Italian Bistro aromas filled the room as Flagler
County Commission Chairman Barbara Revels installed
the officers (listed on page 2)including Kathy Feind who
agreed to serve an executive role as 2nd Vice President and
the newest director Lauren Swanson.
“This is my favorite event of the year, because it allows
me to thank all of you without whom the Museum would not
be such a success,” resumed Pruden as the group lunched.
“Like everyone said at the Oscars last night, ‘I have A LOT of
people to thank!’ Unlike the Oscars, if I talk too long, there is
no band to play me off!”
In addition to Revels, others on hand to honor the volunteers, and to be thanked for their own contributions, were
County Commissioner Milissa Holland who also represented the Tourist Development Council, Georgia Turner, the
Flagler County Chamber’s V.P. of Tourism, Flagler Beach Mayor
Linda Provencher, former Flagler Beach Commissioner John
Feind, and Flagler Beach Manager Bruce Campbell who was
Editor’s note: Many thanks go out to Aaron London
from the Daytona Beach News-Journal who joined
the celebration and wrote a wonderful story about
our volunteers for that week’s newspaper.
8
Photo Left (Left to Right:) Sally Horvath, Bev Zemlock,
Carol Schneider, Connie Kormanyox, Mary Calkins,
Sandy Siepietoski, Tom McKinney, Nylah Rampersad,
Rob Creal, Pat & Hal Mesnard, Lorraine Ruhl, David
Eichenberg, Loretta “LJ” Dunham, Ed Moore, Vickie
Mathis, Alita Peddle, Dick Dunham, and Bill Grady.
Docents not in photo: Mary Ann Clark, Dick Hull, Linda
Jones, Elizabeth Jones, Mike Jones, Ed Kormanyos,
Shirlee Lepson, Jan McKinney, Shirley Putnam, Stu
Rockett, and Catherine Wilson.