Newsletter Archive

I was born in the old Sarasota Memorial Hospital that opened in 1926, what about you? Did you ever visit the Landmark Hotel on South Lido Key, or stay there as a guest? Are your knees wrinkly when you roll up your pants? Ever write a letter on John Ringling Hotel stationary? Do you remember choosing one of the 31 ice cream flavors at the old Howard Johnson’s on U.S. 41 near Wood Street? Those things and a gleaming ‘Drive by Gem,’ ‘Just Jane,’ and the ‘Where am I?’ quiz await you in our latest newsletter.

Lee and I would like to wish you a fun-filled and spooky Halloween. In honor of “All Hallows Eve,” we are featuring our video of Rosemary Cemetery. It is the burial place for many early Sarasota citizens, civic leaders, and entrepreneurs including Scotsman John Hamilton Gillespie, first mayor and local manager for Florida Mortgage & Investment Co., British land developers of the municipality. The cemetery was set aside in the "Town of Sarasota" plat, filed on July 27, 1886 and located in Overtown (today known as the Rosemary District). To view the video, just Click Here.

What printed cocktail napkin do you put your drink on? What downtown stylish apartment building was totally built in 60-days? Have you checked out McClellan Park homes lately? How did Sarasota get her name? What about those 1920s night venues on Lower Main Street? How is the new Quay proposal and the 20/20 Bayfront vision affect the view? Did National Airlines have a weight limit for big girls? Have you enjoyed seeing some of MacKinlay Kantor’s personal objects? And, of course we can’t forget ‘Just Jane’ and the “Where am I?” quiz. Can’t stand it any longer?

Cornerstones are all the rage; MacKinlay’s Scotch Whiskey takes a stand; a woman is a treasure trove; the Precision Porpoise Triple Jump trainer gives lip to a dead fish; how ‘New Pass’ got its name; a decorative element of a 50s home in Harbor Acres; the beautiful hyperbolic paraboloid in Venice; ‘Just Jane,’ and the ever-mysterious “Where am I?” quiz await you this week

A picturesque bungalow, stormy weather, sand battles, a nifty coffee brewer, a great place to be on trial, the 70th Anniversary of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, ‘Alley Oop,’ the Manatee River Maroons, and the sought-after, “Where am I?” quiz.

Do you miss ‘Dubble Bubble’ gum? What about the Olympics in Rio; in Berlin? How is Mid-Century Modern stacking up with you as opposed to a more traditional look? Ever heard of a marine supply firm that was located on South Palm Avenue? Do unearthed ancient canoes buried in the muck at the Celery Fields appeal to the Archaeologist in you? Ever play poker in the back room of the Plaza Restaurant? As a top-off, we have Just Jane, and the ever-challenging “Who was I” quiz. That and more is in store for you.

Are you a “Kissin’ Cousin?” Does your lawn have Chinch bugs? Were you part of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron in ’48? How advanced is your Optometrist's equipment? Do you have a Santa Claus beard? Is your buckboard ready to pick up supplies at the depot? Did you know that Marie Selby’s first name was Mariah? Those questions and much more are in store for you in this week’s newsletter including our ‘Who was I?' quiz.

Peekaboo, who are you? The lovely Hover Arcade, the missing Ben Stahl paintings, a fancy medal that belonged to John Hamilton Gillespie, “The March of Progress,” the illusive Spanish Point, more East-of-the-Trail excitement, the Bay Breeze Motel, an absent “Just Jane,” your editor’s mea culpa, and the ever-famous, “Where was I?” quiz. All this awaits you this morning; get your java ready and read on.