2011
January 13, 2011:
Demonstrators showed some old-fashioned skills -
such as candle dipping and butter churning. Attendees had a
chance to learn these traditional skills, too! Our January
Newsletter can be viewed here.
February 10,
2011:
Sandy Scott, director of the Cracker Trail Museum
in Pioneer Park of Zolfo Springs was our speaker. Our February
Newsletter can be viewed here.
March 10,
2011:
There was a “sneak peek” of the Seventh Annual
Pioneer Day and Barbecued Rib Cookoff! Our March Newsletter can
be viewed here.
April 7, 2011:
Our guests were Jacqueline Brown, the
Historical Coordinator for the Charlotte County Historical
Center, and Docents Audrey Beers, Judy Berger, Karen Jones,
Helen Searle, Keith Tracy, and Cathy Ball. They presented
“Florida’s Civil War Voices” with narration and readings from
primary sources, such as letters, journals, and ship’s logs that
Floridians wrote during the Civil War. Our April Newsletter can
be viewed here.
May 12, 2011:
Our speaker was Bob Allen, who spoke about the
early days of the telephone system. Our May Newsletter can be
viewed here.
June 2, 2011:
Our speaker was Phyllis Schwartz, a volunteer with
the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office, who spoke about the
Communities Against Senior Exploitation (CASE) program. Our June
Newsletter can be viewed here.
July 14, 2011:
There was a surprise patriotic speaker! Our July
Newsletter can be viewed here.
August 18,
2011:
Our speaker was Freddie M. Futch, who spoke about
the history of Gasparilla Island. His daughter, Marvine
Dethloff, told the Futch family history. Our August Newsletter
can be viewed here.
September 8,
2011:
There was a special film presentation, produced by
WGCU Public Television in 2004: "Untold Stories of Southwest
Florida, Nature's Fury: History of Hurricanes in Southwest
Florida." This presentation was compliments of
Superintendent Adrian Cline and the School District of DeSoto
County. Our September Newsletter can be viewed here.
October 13,
2011:
Eric Creviston of Grave
Groomers in Sarasota, Florida talked about restoring the
historic Coker Cemetery, northwest of Arcadia. Our October
Newsletter can be viewed here.
November 10,
2011:
Don Finkle will speak
about Carlstrom Field, the Army Air Force training there, and
other veterans. Our November Newsletter can be viewed here.
December 8,
2011:
At noon, the Society
will celebrate Arcadia’a 125th birthday with some history and
some birthday cake! (The Town of Arcadia was incorporated on
December 6, 1886.) Then we’ll have our annual auction to raise
funds for a scholarship for a graduating senior at DeSoto County
High School. Our December Newsletter can be viewed here.
2010
January 14,
2010:
Fred Carter introduced Charlotte Carter and
Martha Craven, who spoke about the new Mural Society in Arcadia.
Our January Newsletter can be viewed here.
February 11,
2010:
Dr. Barbara Carlton spoke about her new book,
written by Barbara Oehlbeck: This Was Nearly Mine:
A Journey Through Carlton Country. There were also copies
available. Our February Newsletter can be viewed here.
March 4,
2010:
Kay Higley and Bebe
Jackson, co-chairs of our Annual Pioneer Day and Barbequed Rib
Cookoff Committee, will give a "sneak preview" of this heritage
festival. Our March Newsletter can be viewed here.
April 8,
2010:
Carol
Mahler
and Guy LaBree gave a presentation about Mahler’s book,
Guy LaBree: Barefoot Artist of the Florida
Seminoles, published by the
University Press of Florida. Our April Newsletter can be viewed
here.
May 13,
2010:
Larry Hudson gave a presentation
entitled “The Hudson-Ryals Family History.” Our May Newsletter
can be viewed here.
June 17,
2010:
June Sowell spoke about "Historical
People of Fort Ogden". Our June Newsletter can be viewed
here.
July 8,
2010:
Frank Desguin spoke about how his
grandparents met in Nocatee, and Captain Louie Desguin spoke
about historical Peace River Tours. Our July Newsletter can be
viewed here.
August 12,
2010:
Jana Futch,
graduate student in Applied Anthropology at the
University of South Florida and an intern with the West Central
Regional Center of the Florida Public Archaeology Network
(FPAN), presented The Pine Level Project One Year
Later: What Have We Learned. Our August Newsletter can be
viewed here.
September 9,
2010:
Ed
Johnson spoke about the early history of the J. C. Johnson
and Joshua Lastinger families. Our September Newsletter can be
viewed here.
October 14,
2010:
Barbara
Oehlbeck, author and editor, spoke about her book Mama:
Root, Hog or Die!, written about her mother. Our October
Newsletter can be viewed here.
November 11,
2010:
Veteran Ed Kessler told how lessons
from a “Florida Cracker” saved his life in Vietnam! Our November
Newsletter can be viewed here.
December 9,
2010:
The DeSoto County Historical
Society’s regular monthly meeting was a Christmas Party at the
Family Service Center
Annex. Lunch was a potluck meal beginning at 11:30 a.m.,
and the meeting started at noon. (The Society provided paper
products and beverages.) Please consider donating the usual $5
fee for lunch to the Ingraham Seed House. Additional donations
are also welcome! Our December Newsletter can be viewed
here.
2009
January 8, 2009:
June Sowell spoke on the history of Fort Ogden. Our January
Newsletter can be viewed here.
February 12,
2009:
Frances Pooser and Carl Bradshaw spoke of
being teachers in DeSoto County. Mrs. Pooser also spoke of her
experiences as a student in DeSoto County. Our February
Newsletter can be viewed here.
March 19,
2009:
Retired educators Charlotte and Fred
Carter were our speakers. Our March Newsletter can be viewed
here.
April 9,
2009:
Robert Goff was our speaker. Our April
Newsletter can be viewed here.
May 21,
2009:
Mark Burrow was our speaker. Our May
Newsletter can be viewed here.
June 11,
2009:
Bill Sullivan was our speaker. Our June
Newsletter can be viewed here.
July 9,
2009:
Jeff Moates was our speaker. Our July
Newsletter can be viewed here.
August 20,
2009:
Bruce Neveau and Dennis Tyson were our
speakers. Our August Newsletter can be viewed here.
September 10,
2009:
Chester and Forest Johnson were our
speakers. Our September Newsletter can be viewed here.
October 8,
2009:
Tom Gaskins, Jr. was our speaker. Our
October Newsletter can be viewed here.
November 12,
2009:
W.G. Kayo Welles was our speaker. Our
November newsletter can be viewed here.
December 10,
2009:
Potluck Supper and toy drive for the
DeSoto County Sheriff's "Toys for Children Program". Our
December newsletter can be viewed here.
2008
January 10,
2008:
Our speaker was Carl Sharp, Florida's
Cowboy poet laureate and Cracker Cowboy Historian. Newsletter.
February 14,
2008:
Historical Society’s Black History Month
Program - Retired Educator Mrs. Verlene Stebbins Hickson and
friends will present a Black History Month program for the
DeSoto County Historical Society at noon to 1 p.m. on
Thursday, February 14, at the Family Service Center Annex
(old West Elementary School cafeteria) on North Orange
Avenue. The meeting is free and open to the public. Starting at
11:30 a.m., lunch is available for $5. At noon,
Society President Mitzie McGavic will conduct a short
business meeting. Afterwards, Program Director John
Reynolds will introduce Mrs. Hickson. Her program will be
based on Black History Month, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, and
the history of multiculturalism. Dr. Woodson is known as the
“Father of Black History.” In 1926, he began the
celebration of Negro History Week spanning the birthdays
of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Fifty years
later, it was expanded to include the month, and during
February, the focus on Black History by groups such as the
Historical Society is one of Dr. Woodson’s legacies.
Resplendent in their African costumes, head gear, and jewelry,
Mrs.
Hickson and 27 friends will sing a medley of
Negro spirituals, and she will talk about DeSoto County’s
African-American history, including the communities in
Nocatee, Fort Ogden, and Hull. Mrs. Hickson said, “It is a day
to be thankful for the African-
American contribution to
DeSoto County. . . . My family is part of this heritage,
and I am very proud of it.” Mrs. Hickson is currently working to
write down her extensive knowledge of DeSoto County’s
“Black History.” Much of that history she
learned in
the traditional way by listening to stories told to her
by friends and family. She said, “My people talked and
that’s how I learned.” Newsletter.
March 13,
2008:
Planning meeting for our 4th Annual
Pioneer Day. Newsletter.
April 10,
2008:
Our speaker was Guy Labree, "The Barefoot
Artist". Mr. Labree is an expert on Seminole lore, and spoke on
the life, legends and history of the Seminoles. We also had a
report on the Grant Committee trip to Tallahassee. Newsletter.
May 15,
2008:
Our speaker was Larry Luckey, Glades
County Property Appraiser, who spoke about pioneers and
settlements in the area of Glades County which was part of
DeSoto County before 1921. Newsletter.
June 12,
2008:
Our speaker was Jeff Moates,
archaeologist and historian of the Florida Public Archaeological
Network University of South Florida. He will speak on The
Archaeological Resources in DeSoto County: Evidence of
settlements by Native Americans as well as early pioneers,
especially the phosphate mine near the historic town of
Liverpool. Newsletter.
July 10,
2008:
This month's program was presented by Mr.
Spressard Stone, author of Hardee County: Its Heritage and
People, published by the Southern Heritage Press of Saint
Petersburg in November, 2007. He spoke about the events,
pioneers and settlements of the area that is now Hardee County,
but was part of DeSoto County before 1921. Newsletter.
August 21,
2008:
This month's program was presented by Mr.
Frank Cline, who served as DeSoto County Sheriff from 1966 -
1980. Newsletter.
September 11,
2008:
This month's program was presented by Mr.
Howard Melton and Mr. Coleman Brewer at the Pine Level Methodist
Church. Mr. Melton spoke about the pioneer families of Pine
Level, and Mr. Brewer spoke about the history of downtown Pine
Level - "a first-rate ghost town". Newsletter.
October 9,
2008:
This month's program was "Show and Share
our History: Unique Objects and Memorabilia of Arcadia and
DeSoto County". Newsletter.
November 13,
2008:
Our speaker was Adrian Cline, who spoke
about Franklin Delano Roosevelt: The Man in Public and Private.
Newsletter.
December 11,
2008:
Annual Christmas Party. Newsletter.
2007
February 8, 2007:
This is Black History month. Our speaker was
Coach Richard Bowers and he was introduced by Adrian Cline, the
Superintendent of schools. Mr. Cline was the first president of
the Historical Society.
March 8, 2007:
Roberta Dunn spoke about the Girls Academy.
There are 18 teenage girls in this school.
April 12, 2007:
David Bedell spoke about the history of the various
churches of DeSoto County.
May 10, 2007:
Leon Arthur, Commander of Camp 1452, The Sons of
Confederate Veterans, spoke on the Flags of the
Confederacy.
June 14, 2007:
Chaired by Vice President Kay Higley. Our
speaker was Barbara Oehlbeck, who spoke on "The Joy of
Old Garden Roses". Kathleen Kuhns also brought us
up-to-date on the recent grant we received for restoration of
the Ingraham House.
July 12, 2007:
Our speaker was Kathy Slusser of the Manatee County
Historical Records Library. She spoke on the workings, makeup
and funding of the library and how DeSoto County can start our
own.
August 16, 2007:
A
presentation by Luke Wilson - " A Montage of Memories"; a
special treat by Cub Scout pack 98.
September 13, 2007:
- Appointed a Committee to
review/amend by-laws.
- Update on the tribute dinner for
Howard & Velma Melton.
- Discussed Brownville School
repair.
- Discussed the Yard
Sale.
October 11, 2007:
- Review by-laws revision.
- Update on the tribute dinner for
Howard & Velma Melton, with reports on ticket sales.
- Report on Ingraham House grant.
- Discuss the Yard Sale &
Donations for same.
November 8,
2007:
Our speaker was Linda Williams,
retired DeSoto Correctional Institution Warden, who spoke about
doing prison time.
2006
January 12, 2006:
Our speaker was retired Judge William Hendry
from Okeechobee County. His topic was the family of
Charles F. Hendry, an early resident of Joshua Creek.
Judge Hendry's grandmother was born and attended school in
Brownville, Florida, but not in the building we are presently
using.
February 9, 2006:
Our speaker was Mr. Robert
Womack who told us about the building of Smith Brown School and
its history. Robert is a retired educator who grew up in
Arcadia. He help to build and then graduated from Smith Brown
School. He served his country during World War II, attaining the
rank of lieutenant. He is married to retired DeSoto County
School teacher, Ruby Faison.
March 9,
2006:
Our speaker was Nell
Gammage, Honorary member of the DeSoto County Historical
Society. She told us about a "Sleepy Little Village
called Arcadia", circa 1909. Her talk was based on an article
written by Mr. Spessard Stone. Nell is a former Arcadian from
DeSoto County pioneer stock who now lives in Lake Placid,
Florida and is very active in the United Daughters of the
Confederacy in that area.
April 13,
2006:
Our speaker was Coleman
Brewer, former Arcadia pharmacist and long time owner of
Koch's Drug Store. Coleman is from a DeSoto County pioneer
family who has filled his time in retirement by writing his
first book. Mr. Brewer says "Stinging Nettle Tea" is a
celebration of Florida Crackers and the role they have played in
Florida History.
May 11,
2006:
Our speaker was Winnie Duncan. She told us
about the history of the Arcadia All Florida Championship Rodeo
(The Grandaddy of ‘Em All!) Winnie was for many years the
wife of Mr. Rodeo, Jack Duncan.
June 8, 2006:
Our speaker was George Lempenau, owner of the Peace
River Campground and the property where the Chautauqua Grounds
were located in the 1920’s.
July 13, 2006:
Our speaker was Dr. Calvin Martin, who told the
story of “Little Tiger Tail”. Dr. Martin’s
Grandfather-in-law, Dr. Daniel Lafayette McSwain, performed the
first surgery ever done by a white man on a Seminole Indian in
1920. The surgery was done at Lee Memorial Hospital in Ft.
Myers.
August 10, 2006:
Our speaker was Aleda (Lee)
Kleckauskas, Patient Family Care Administration for the Venice
Hospice Home Team and Hospice of South West Florida, Inc.
Aleda is a Masters prepared RN with a varied health care
administration background. Before coming to Hospice, she
spent 5 years as Administrator of a group medical practice in
Sarasota. Prior to coming to Florida, she was
President/CEO of Health Management Services, Inc. in
Massachusetts. One of the companies under HMS was the 2nd
largest, as well as oldest, Visiting Nurse Association in the
state. Before her tenure with HMS, Inc. she was the
Executive Director for the Boston subsidiary of IVF America,
Inc., a for-profit infertility clinic which specialized in
in-vitro fertilization. In her current position, Aleda is
actively involved in community relations and activities in areas
served by TideWell Hospice and Palliative Care. Her
subject was “TideWell Hospice and Palliative Care: Past and
Future.”
September 14,
2006:
Our speaker was Lorna Ransom, who
spoke about her research on the Ziba King family, one of the
earliest of the DeSoto County pioneer families.
October 12,
2006:
Our speaker was John Lawhorne,
who works with the DeSoto Sun.
November 9,
2006:
There was not a monthly meeting.
All enjoyed the reunion on Saturday, November 18 at the Family
Service Center on Orange Avenue!
2005
June 9, 2005:
Our speaker was Kathleen Ingraham Kuhns, the
granddaughter of J. Morgan Ingraham, who spoke about the
Ingraham House.
July 14, 2005:
Our speaker was Shasta Grimes, producer of the
Hurricane Charley DVD which featured DeSoto County, who spoke
about saving photos to DVD.
August 11, 2005:
Our speaker was Jan McCormick, educator,
"History out of the Box" and presenter at our 1st annual Pioneer
day, who spoke about how to organize Educational Programs and
Fundraisers.
September 8, 2005:
Our speaker was Larry Roe, son of
A.I. Roe, Sr. owner of the Coca Cola
plant here in Arcadia.
Larry's brother Arthur was scheduled to speak, but was unable to
do so because of ill health. Arthur and Larry ran the
Coca Cola plant after their Dad died
until it was closed in 1984.
October 13, 2005:
Our speaker was Adrian Cline, Superintendent of Schools
of DeSoto County, Mr.
Cline is a descendant of DeSoto County pioneers and was the
first president of the DeSoto County
Historical Society. Mr. Cline spoke about
the beginnings of the DeSoto County Historical
Society.
