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