CIHS presents lunch, learn cruise
The Captiva Island Historical Society (CIHS) hosted its season-opening event, “Lunch Cruise to Tarpon Lodge,” on Jan. 27 departing from McCarthy’s Marina on Captiva aboard Captiva Cruises’ the Santiva. During the history-on-the-water cruise around the Pine Island Sound, attendees learned about the history of hurricanes and their effects on area waters and the islands, narrated by historians Betty Anholt and Capt. Brian Holaway. Of particular interest was the narrative from Anholt and Holaway on the damage and impending repairs to the historic fish houses of the Pine Island Sound, which attendees got an up close look at. The cruise included dining at the Tarpon Lodge on Bokeelia, with commentary from owner Rob Wells about the history of the property and how it has been affected by hurricanes over the years. During the program, CIHS Board President Tom Libonate stressed that the organization is dedicated to bringing a sense of normalcy to the community that it serves in the aftermath of the recent hurricanes. The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company is the presenting sponsor for the 2025 season.