A Message from the President

October 2020

Dear Members and Friends,

With fall coming upon us, this is the traditional time to welcome everyone back from summer vacations, travels both domestic and abroad, and a respite from the busy world of volunteering and activities.  As we are all still very aware, due to the worldwide Coronavirus Pandemic, some of us never left Venice or traveled anywhere or participated in many public or even family activities.  We are now living in our “new-normal” world, where to quote Alice, as she went through the looking glass to Wonderland, "Things have gotten very curious."

Many of our regular activities have been curtailed, beginning with our free and open-to-the-public lecture series.  This series, funded by the Dr. Bill Jervey, Jr. Charitable Foundation, will go on, however, just in a different way.  Watch your email for news and instructions about the lecture schedule and format.  

Our free docent-led tour schedule at the Historic Venice Train Depot has been on hold since March, due to the Pandemic.  As things progress, we will be looking for the safest way to proceed and get things "back on track."  To all our loyal, current and soon-to-be new volunteers, be of good cheer.  As we try to get a better handle on controlling the way we can deal with our interaction with the public, we will be calling you back to do your part in telling the story of Venice’s history.  In the meantime, don’t forget to keep your dues up to date and perhaps consider a little extra financial support for the Society.  With the forced shut-down on so many of our activities, our regular income has also been curtailed, but the need for meeting regular expenses continues.

And while we’re talking about the Depot, this would be a good time to tell you that it’s “full steam ahead” on the Circus Car project.  The interior construction is entering its final stages and we look forward to moving the car to the Depot campus very soon.

So you can see, my friends, it is not all doom and gloom.  Life does go on, just in a little different way than we ever thought we would see.  As we wait for the “all clear” signal, may I remind you once more to continue to extend support and kindness in any way you can … to your friends and neighbors, acquaintances, and even strangers.  Pay your way forward with a kind word, a smile, or some small act of encouragement.  Let us continue to make the best of life that we can until we are able to safely say again "Come, celebrate history with us!"

Sue Chapman, President