CIHS honors Anders with Guardian of History Award
The Captiva Island Historical Society presented Kristie Anders with the Betty Anholt Guardian of History Award on Jan. 7 at a tented reception and dinner ceremony at McCarthy’s Marina on Captiva.
The award honored her “lifetime achievement in interpreting and sharing history of the Islands.”
The CIHS arranged for Anders and her husband, Red, along with a few close friends, to arrive at the event in a vintage fire truck — a reminder of their work as volunteer firemen on Upper Captiva.
Board Member Brian Holaway welcomed the crowd, before turning the evening over to CIHS documentarian and Master of Ceremonies Ken Sneeden. He showed a video that highlighted Anders’ lifelong interest in animals, plants, water quality and the preservation of the environment, which included her childhood pets of raccoons, monkeys and others that she and her brothers had adopted.
The CIHS reported that the video also showcased her career as a U.S. National Park Ranger and educator, 30-plus years as education director at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Realtors’ educator, and faculty member of the Rauschenberg Residency for artists and scholars on Captiva.
Namesake and Board Member Betty Anholt presented Anders with the etched glass award.
The CIHS thanked Jenny and Bob Rando and Brad and Leslie Junghans for providing the venue. It also expressed its appreciation to The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, presenting sponsor for the season.