|
|
|
|
WINTER 2024 SPECIAL HOLIDAY EDITION |
|
|
|
|
- President's Letter
- Calendar of Events
- Venice Train Depot Campus
- Giving Tuesday
- Annual Holiday Luncheon
- New Member Orientation
- Volunteer Opportunities
- VAHS Salutes
- Collection Acquisitions
- Name Game
|
|
- Christmas Memories
- VAHS Traveling Exhibition
- Betty Intagliata Lecture Series
- Speakers Bureau
- Around Town
- History: Did You Know?
- Certificate of Distinction
- Welcome New Members
- VAHS Business Members
- Membership & Volunteer Application
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This year's Annual Holiday Luncheon featured a special tribute to Betty Intagliata, the Founder of the Society (initially named the Venice Historic Preservation League, Inc.). VAHS member Mary Huba led the audience through the many contributions Betty has made over the past thirty-two years, both to the City of Venice and Sarasota County, in the cause of historic preservation. Mary illustrated her presentation with a plethora of photographs spanning the years. At the conclusion, VAHS presented Betty with a crystal vase inscribed: HISTORICAL SOCIETY PRESENTED TO BETTY INTAGLIATA IN RECOGNITION OF YOUR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS 2024
Afterwards, many well-wishers came forward to express to Betty their appreciation for her hard work over the years. We wanted the tribute to be a surprise to Betty - I think we accomplished that - and so we did not give advance publicity. To those of you who would have made a special effort to attend had you known, I apologize; if any of you would like to convey your appreciation of Betty, please send your thoughts to me at the email link below and I will pass them along to Betty. At the Annual Holiday Luncheon, VAHS Director Beth Gehring announced the Board established an annual VAHS Scholarship to be awarded to a graduating Venice High School senior, in the amount of $2,500, and in this first year to name it The Betty Intagliata Scholarship. The Board also established a fund to receive special gifts designated by donors to the VAHS Scholarship Fund. I'm pleased to report the USAAF Student Officers Club, which we featured in a gathering at the Club, has been added to the Venice Local Historic Register. You may recall this is the last surviving original structure at the Army Airfield. We continue with our popular impromptu "Pop-Up, Meet-Up" events, the latest being at the historic Schoolcraft Building, home of Venice Wine & Coffee Company. These events have been so much fun, we intend to do more of them. Stay alert - notice is given through an email blast to our members. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and best wishes for a Happy New Year! Sincerely, Frank Wright
President |
|
|
|
|
Calendar of Events
|
|
|
On Saturday, January 11th, 2025, Windjammers Unlimited, Inc. will be performing the "Venice Circus Train Car Museum Concert" at the 1927 Historic Venice Train Depot located at 303 East Venice Avenue, Venice, FL 34285 from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm. We hope to see you at this FREE concert! |
For upcoming events, future lectures, and tour dates for the Historic Venice Train Depot and the Circus Car, please click the website button below. |
|
|
|
|
Venice Train Depot Campus |
|
In the fourth quarter of 2024, VAHS welcomed over 800 "passengers" to the Venice Train Depot Campus, helping us to ‘Celebrate History’ through the eyes of this depot.
Our volunteer docents guide visitors through both the train depot and the circus car. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the docents covered nearly 200 hours of volunteer service during our regular public hours.
Did you know, we have hosted nearly 60,000 visitors since we started the tours of the Depot Campus in 2003?
Our seasonal schedule of tours are 10:00 am until 1:00 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
We are now actively enrolling new volunteer Docents to begin training. For more information, please click on the docent button below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VAHS celebrated GIVING TUESDAY on December 3rd, by requesting donations to assist in the general operation of the Depot Campus. The Depot Campus includes the Historic Venice Train Depot, the Circus Train Car, and the Caboose. We were very pleased with the responses and there is always time to make your year-end contribution! Click on the link below for our Donate page where you can make your contribution by credit card, check, or Venmo. Thank you for your generosity!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On December 9th, VAHS family and friends celebrated the holidays at the Annual Holiday Luncheon at the Plantation Golf and Country Club. A special celebration was held to honor our founder, former president, and long-time member, Betty Intagliata, for her dedicated community service. VAHS presented Betty with a crystal vase. |
|
|
Frank Wright, Bill Haberthur, Betty Intagliata
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mike Donnellan, New Members
|
On November 10th, VAHS hosted its semi-annual New Member Orientation Program in the freight room of the Historic Venice Train Depot. New members were welcomed by the Board and learned about VAHS, its history, its future, and the opportunities available to them with regard to volunteering and becoming active members. New members then toured the depot, the circus car, and the caboose. If you missed this orientation, the next opportunity to attend will be in the Spring of 2025. |
|
|
|
|
For an overview of volunteer opportunities available as a VAHS member, please click the button below. |
|
|
For more information, please click the email button below. |
|
|
|
|
VAHS Salutes - Prion Photography |
A special thank you to Petra and Harald Prion, owners of Prion Photography, for generously photographing and providing the VAHS Board of Directors with new headshots. Please visit their website by clicking the button below. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depot Holiday Decorations |
Over the years, many residents have donated items to VAHS for its annual Christmas and holiday decorations. This year was no exception. Thank you to Gary Youngberg for his donation of a Christmas tree. |
|
|
|
|
Can you accurately identify the VAHS Board Members from their vintage Christmas photographs? Please post your answers on Facebook with the corresponding number by clicking the Facebook thread button below. |
|
|
|
1. This mystery Board Member on the right received her first train set as a child in 1959 - what a treasured memory! Who knew she would be dealing with real trains and a depot as an adult.
|
|
|
2. This Board Member received his first train set in 1966. To this day, it still makes an annual appearance under his Christmas tree - a true collector! |
|
|
3. In 1964, did this boy in the back right have aspirations of one day being a stationmaster at a historic train depot? |
|
|
4. Excited with her new record player, this future Board Member will play a significant role in nonprofit fundraising. Any guesses? |
|
|
5. This board member got her first tricycle from Santa Claus in 1959. Her older brother is taking her for a spin.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Christmas Memories - Annual Holiday Parade |
|
|
Jan Vertefeuille, Tom Doherty, Brenda Holland, Robert Brooke, Sue Chapman, Dave Taylor, Bill Haberthur |
On November 30th, VAHS members marched in the Annual Holiday Parade - the official start of the Holiday Season in Venice! Thanks to Robert and Sue for driving a piece of Venice history - a 1929 Ford panel delivery truck! |
|
|
VAHS Traveling Exhibition |
The VAHS Traveling Exhibition displays its collection in various showcases throughout the community to greater illustrate Venice's history, the circus, KMI, and other historic memorabilia. Our current schedule for 2025 is as follows: January William H. Jervey, Jr., Venice Library May Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library June William H. Jervey, Jr., Venice Library December William H. Jervey, Jr., Venice Library & Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library If your organization is interested in having an exhibition at your location, please click the email button below. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Betty Intagliata Lecture Series
|
|
|
Barbara File Marangon, Betty Intagliata |
This season's lecture series began with author, lecturer, circus performer, and ballet dancer Barbara File Marangon recalling her one year of traveling and performing with the circus. She focused her talk on Venice specifically keeping her audience amused with anecdotes of life under the big top and riding the rails. |
|
|
|
|
Frank Wright, Bob Horne, Ron Smith |
Our second lecture started with Frank Wright introducing guest speaker Bob Horne of Bob's Train Restaurant in Sarasota and moderator Ron Smith. The conversation focused on the restoration of the JOMAR (John and Mable Ringling's private train car), Bob's massive collection and passion for the circus and its history, and his distinguished military career. So many stories, so little time! |
|
|
|
|
Jan 21st: Dr. Uzi Baram, "The Depths of History at Venice, Florida: Archaeology from the Most Ancient Past to the Venice Train Depot and Beyond"
Feb 18th: Clarissa Thomasson, "Venice Dreamers--Early Settlers of Venice"
Mar 18th: Dr. Frank Cassell, "Creating Sarasota County"
Apr 15th: Sue Chapman, "Meet Bertha Palmer, Founding Mother" |
|
The Betty Intagliata Lecture Series is sponsored by the Venice Area Historical Society, with permanent funding provided by the Bill Jervey, Jr. Charitable Foundation. All programs are FREE and OPEN to the public. Seating is limited. Please plan to arrive early.
|
|
|
|
Over the years, The Betty Intagliata Lecture Series has been filmed and is available for viewing on VAHS's YouTube channel. Please click on the button below and watch history begin to unfold!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sue Chapman as Bertha Palmer |
A woman of mystery, a socialite, and a noted philanthropist, Mable Ringling was one of the most glamorous settlers in the Sarasota area during the 1920s. Join Sue Chapman from the Venice Area Historical Society as she recounts Mable's intriguing life in-character as Mable herself! On January 17th, the Speakers Bureau will be presenting this lecture at the Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library located at 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice, FL 34293 at 1:00 pm. Seating is limited and registration is required. To reserve your seat, please click the library registration button below. |
|
|
Would your organization like to have one of our experienced lecturers speak about a particular historic subject or figure? If so, please contact us and we can arrange to provide a lecture which will educate, inform, and impress your audience. For more information, please click on the email button below.
|
|
|
|
|
Around Town
|
|
|
|
|
Several VAHS Board Members supported the Venice Area Beautification, Inc. (VABI) by purchasing a table at its annual Boat Bash fundraiser on December 7th. An enjoyable evening of food, friends, entertainment, and the the amazing flotilla of beautifully decorated boats. Most importantly, the evening supported all the wonderful work VABI does for our community. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This marker is located at the intersection of Barcelona Avenue and the Esplanade North. It reads:
"Although the “Sharks Tooth Capital of the World” has had few direct hits from a hurricane, this brief summary highlights some of the city’s least favorable history.
The hurricane of 1926 caused residents to evacuate to the San Marco Hotel, Nokomis School, and a steak house on East Venice Avenue while the storm demolished the Venice Area Chamber Building. In 1944, 80 to 100 mile per hour winds damaged homes along Warfield Avenue and Groveland Avenue and heavily damaged the Venice Army Air Base. In 1960, Hurricane Donna brought torrential downpours and flooding, damaging the Venice Yacht Club, homes in East Gate Terrace, Venice Bay Mobile Home Park, and caused widespread power outages. Hurricane Alma in 1966, Tropical Storm Keith in 1998, and Hurricane Jeanne in 2004 brought high winds that damaged structures in the Venice Municipal Airport area and along the coast.
Several no name storms have added to Venice’s storm history. In the early 1950’s, high storm surge and 4.6 inches of rain created a new canal 100 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 7 feet deep on Ocala Street. In 1992, heavy rains and high wave action washed out a dune crossover, sections of the Venice Beach parking lot, and concrete stairways. In March 1993, high waves closed Tarpon Center Drive and The Esplanade while damaging condominiums along Tarpon Center Drive.
Tornados, although not common in the area, are not unheard of. A 1985 tornado cut a path from the Venice Fishing Pier to Jacaranda Plaza damaging the old island wastewater plant (Brohard Park), airport and destroying at least 55 homes. In April 2005 several East Venice Avenue businesses, the city water plant, and manufactured homes were also struck by a tornado.
The highest storm surge ever recorded in the city reached the intersection at Armada Road and West Venice Avenue.
Regardless of its storm history, Venice usually offers sunny days, azure waters, and a kaleidoscope of art, food and historic sites to enjoy." |
|
|
Certificate of Distinction |
|
|
Bill Haberthur, Pastor Tom Hodge, Frank Wright |
Recently, VAHS instituted the Certificate of Distinction Program to honor organizations in the community celebrating significant milestones or anniversaries. Our first recipient is the First Baptist Church of Venice which is celebrating its 90th Anniversary this year. VAHS President Frank Wright, and Board of Director and Communications Chair Bill Haberthur presented Pastor Tom Hodge with the certificate. Congratulations! If your organization is celebrating a milestone anniversary, please email us so we may acknowledge the event.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome New Members
|
Nancy Daniels Dan & Amy Johnson Nancy Johnson Patricia Miller Dalton Reid Mark & Kathy Stankard |
VAHS MEMBERSHIP WOULD LIKE TO ADD YOUR NAME! To become a member, please click on the membership button below. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Membership & Volunteer Application |
|
|
Click here for a printable version of this application. |
|
|
|
|
Venice Area Historical Society PO Box 995 Venice, FL 34284-0995
unsubscribe
|
|
|
|
.jpg)
