ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Historical Society hosted another successful Heritage Day celebration.
The annual festival was held on the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum grounds on March 15. The event began at 9 a.m. and continued until 2 p.m.
Heritage Day featured crafters and craft displays, a children’s scavenger hunt that took them through the crafters’ area, tours of the Historical Museum and historic Belle Haven Cottage, guest authors, live music, strawberry shortcake sales, ice cream sales, a food truck and the ceremonial capture, incarceration and release of Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy.
Set up toward the rear of the museum grounds along the wooded shoreline, the Heritage Day crafters included Catwalk Weavings owner Donna Stansbury.
“I am spinning sheep’s wool into yarn. I’ll ply two yarns together and weave it into blankets,” she explained while working at her old-fashioned, pedal-powered spinning wheel.
While serving as a docent in the Belle Haven Cottage, Julie Ray Spellissy pointed to one display and said, “This doctor’s kit belonged to Dr. Huth. He was the first doctor on the Island and his office was where The Doctor’s Office cocktail bar (in Holmes Beach) is now.”
She also pointed out a wedding gown on display in the cottage’s lone bedroom that was worn by four generations of Island brides.
At the scavenger hunt table, Historical Society board member Valerie Wilson said, “The crowd is much larger than we expected and we’re delighted that people are having a good time. I hope they gain an appreciation for what they have here on the Island and with this museum complex.”
Accompanied by her children at the scavenger hunt table, St. Louis resident Tiffany Kornmann said, “This is our first visit to Anna Maria Island. Mommy wanted to be someplace warm.”
Featuring Gene Zwolak, Ron Wedekind, Carolyn Wedekind, Howie Banfield and special guest Virginia Coggin, The Anna Maria String Band provided the musical entertainment.
City Commission Chair Carol Carter and Historical Society Board member Barbara Murphy sold strawberry shortcake and additional baked goods prepared by Society volunteers.
Carter said Hometown Desserts owner Cindy Tutterow provided the shortcake and the fresh strawberries, prepared by Historical Society volunteers, were purchased from the Tillman fruit stand on Cortez Road.
“We’re having a great time. We’ve got lots of visitors and the shortcake sales are fantastic.” Carter said.
According to Barbara Murphy, the strawberry shortcake sales raised $530 for the Historical Society. The fundraising activities also included raffle ticket sales and the sale of books, T-shirts and other items featured in the museum gift shop.
Mayor captured
Armed with a pirate’s sword, Anna Maria Island Privateer Roger “HooDat” Murphree captured the mayor in his office at city hall.
“Sir, you’re now a prisoner of the Privateers,” Murphree told the mayor, who was then transported to the museum grounds, shackled and placed in the Old City Jail until enough ransom was raised to release him.
Privateer Ron “Candyman” Fisher said, “We’re helping the Historical Society. It’s something we do every year. The Privateers have been on Anna Maria Island for 50 years now. We’re part of the city’s history and we want to help. One guy just threw in $20 to keep the mayor in jail.”
“I now know what it’s like to be an exhibit in a zoo,” the mayor joked.
On a more serious note, the mayor said, “It’s a great event. The Historical Society plays an important part in our community. They provide great introspect on the city’s past and that gives people a greater appreciation of the city and its history.”
Mayor Murphy’s capture and release raised $110 for the Historical Society.
Heritage Day visitors included a group of students from the Down by the Bay homeschool group. Founded by Brooke Svoboda, the homeschooling group meets weekly at the nearby CrossPointe Fellowship church.
“We wanted them to learn about the museum and the history of the Island; and Pastor Ed Moss gave a talk to the kids about what his life was like growing up on the Island,” Svoboda said.
In addition to touring the museum, the homeschoolers also visited the mayor in jail.
During the event’s final hour, Barbara Murphy, the mayor’s wife, said, “It’s been a successful and fun event. Our volunteers have done a super job and the city has been so cooperative in helping us.”
