CIHS releases events schedule for new season
The Captiva Island Historical Society recently announced its events for the 2021-22 season.
“We’re really excited to be able to return to some of our original formats and venues,” CIHS Board President Tom Libonate said. “We’re very excited to be back to what we’ve done in the past.”
He added that they maintain the same amount of concern and safety for attendees.
“We are kindly urging our guests to either be vaccinated or wear masks when they enter our indoor events,” Libonate said.
The season kicks off with “An Artful Look at Captiva History,” a collaborative art exhibit with the Captiva Civic Association, on Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. at the Captiva Civic Center. Captiva will serve as the basis for the pieces. There will be complimentary appetizers, soft drinks and water, plus a cash bar.
Admission is free.
Libonate credited past CIHS Board Member Molly Barbee for organizing the exhibition. He explained that the island has served as inspiration for many artists, including Robert “Bob” Rauschenberg.
He added that the CCA holds monthly exhibits.
“This is their kick-off event and one that we are sharing with them,” Libonate said.
On Dec. 5 at 4 p.m., the CIHS will support the Captiva Chapel by the Sea as it hosts Kristina Lindbergh, the granddaughter of author Anne Morrow Lindbergh, for a panel discussion about the impact of “Gift from the Sea.” The book by Anne Morrow Lindbergh was published in 1955.
Admission is free.
Libonate explained that Lindbergh’s time on the island was the inspiration for her literary work, and that the family has a connection to Captiva that dates back to around 1914.
“She is part of our history,” he said.
“Sentimental Journey, Captiva Island 1941-1945” will be held on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. in the South Seas Island Resort ballroom. The stage production is a salute to the World War II years on the island. Tickets are $12 and include complimentary dessert, soft drinks and water; there will be a cash bar available.
Libonate noted that the first two events have an art element to them — visual and literary.
“This is more theatrical, performing arts,” he said. “There will be narrative, there will be songs, there will be images from our archives.”
Tickets are complimentary for WWII veterans and spouses.
“So we’re hoping to have some World War II vets with us in the audience,” Libonate said.
On Jan. 11 at 7 p.m., the CIHS will host a Cart-In/Walk-In Movie Night for “Pink Gold” in the lot of McCarthy’s Marina. The WGCU documentary provides an in-depth look at the history and biology of pink shrimp and their impact on Southwest Florida. Sit in a golf cart or bring a chair. Tickets are $12.
“Last year, we did three outdoor documentary airings,” he said, explaining that the aim was to offer safe public events in the midst of the pandemic. “Sometimes good ideas come out of necessity.”
Libonate added that the community voiced interest in more of the events.
“It’ll be much like a drive-in movie,” he said. “And again, we have to thank McCarthy’s Marina and Captiva Cruises for giving us the use of their parking lot.”
“The Spirit Behind the Spirit of St. Louis” will take place on Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Captiva Civic Center. Author Ben Barrett will read excerpts from his book and and discuss it. Barrett’s grandfather, Harold Bixby, was at the core of a group that funded the transatlantic flight of Charles Lindbergh.
Tickets are $12 and include dessert, soft drinks and water. A cash bar will be available.
“Harold Bixby was one of the funders. He later became a Captiva resident,” Libonate said, adding that Bixby had an influential career in aviation. “The event is going to chronicle the influence Mr. Bixby had on aviation and also on that historical flight.”
On March 7 at 7 p.m., the CIHS will premier the ninth documentary in its Captiva Memories collection, “Tight Lines & Big Fish Stories: History of Angling on Captiva,” in the ballroom at South Seas. Tickets are $12 and include dessert, soft drinks and water. There will also be a cash bar.
“This is clearly our featured event of the season,” he said.
Libonate explained that some say fishing is what built the island.
“Many folks that come to our island are introduced to it because they fish,” he said, adding that others come for the beauty and solitude, then become fishing people. “I think fishing is part of our DNA.”
“Fishing was a very important part of Captiva,” Libonate said of its history.
He thanked the CIHS Producers Club for its underwriting support of the documentary.
The season will wrap up with “Highlight on Historic St. Augustine” on April 4 at 7 p.m. at the Captiva Civic Center. A speaker from the St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau will talk about the historic merits of St. Augustine, the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European and African-American origin in the United States.
Tickets are $12 and include dessert, soft drinks and water. A cash bar will be available.
“To be a Captiva history buff or someone who enjoys the history of our region and island, you have to kind of look at Florida as a whole,” Libonate said, noting that one cannot discount St. Augustine.
“It clearly is very rich in history,” he continued. “If you’re into Florida history, you have to know something about St. Augustine.”
The community is invited to take part in the events.
“We feel this is a very diverse and imaginative season,” Libonate said, explaining that the programs planned are intended to be “engaging, educational, enlightening and enjoyable.”
“We hope that folks are comfortable joining us at these venues,” he added. “We’re going to take every precaution we can to make sure people feel comfortable.”
The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company is the presenting sponsor again for the season.
“We thank the Trust Company for their continued support helping to underwrite our events,” Libonate said.
For more information or tickets, visit http://www.captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org and click on the “Events” tab; tickets are sold through Eventbrite. People can also call the CIHS at 239-472-2323.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email