Captiva History Project debuts “Captiva Memories” during April 7 fundraiser
On Thursday, April 7, a new organization — the Captiva History Project — will unveil a brand new film about the island’s colorful past and how residents can work together to preserve it for future generations.
Captiva History Project Committee Chairperson Stella Farwell said the idea for the project was born after she finished looking through the scrapbook of old island photographs that Captivan Louise Tuttle put together and on display at the Captiva Memorial Library.
“It has a lot of great information, and of course, the CCA has some documents and photographs, but we have an absolute treasure trove of island history, and we need to collect as much as we can electronically so we can preserve and safely store it,” Farwell said. “We live on a barrier island and you never know when a hurricane will come through and wipe it all away. But to organize all of these letters and photographs and stories, we need to hire someone to do that.”
Which means the Captiva History Project needs money.
“The project took on a life of it’s own and we really don’t know what the future holds. We’re talking about a participatory exhibit involving the library, Chapel By-the-Sea, the cemetery and the CCA — we really do have an ideal historical compound, and we want enhance the experience of people who come to explore the Chapel and the grounds,” Farwell said.
In order for the project to expand, Farwell noted, the community has to get behind it.
“It will only grow if people want it to grow. It’s up to the people that want to preserve our island’s history and it’s something positive we can all do together,” Farwell said. “I hope people get as excited about this as I am.”
The Captiva History Project committee — made up of Farwell and her fellow Captivans Mike Boris, Dave Jensen, Debby Mackenzie, Cindy Sargeant and Phill Urion — operate under the 501(c)(3) status of the CCA Foundation, and for the committee’s first project, they recruited island cinematographer Rusty Farst to put together a 25-minute movie about historic Captiva.
“It’s a new film of old memories and Rusty really captured some really great stories. It’s a fantastic film,” Farwell said of the short film, entitled, “Captiva Memories.”
Interviewees in the film include Chic Bruning, Dave Jensen, Leslie Kowalski, Nancy Oden, Shirley and Warren Stanton, Sarita Van Vleck and Queenie Viglione.
And to debut Farst’s collection of interviews, the Captiva History Project will host its first fundraiser on Thursday, April 7, at the Captiva Civic Center. The fundraising party is being supported by Debby and David MacKenzie, who were also interviewed for Farst’s film, Gaye and Jim Pigott and Sandy and Cliff Traff.
The party will begin with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at 5:30 p.m., and the viewing of “Captiva Memories” will begin promptly at 6 p.m., followed by more hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.
But the only way to purchase one of only 50 copies of “Captiva Memories,” a check for $250 must be mailed to the CCA before all 50 copies are spoken for. All donations to the Captiva History Project are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to “Captiva History Project — CCA Foundation.”
In addition to Farwell, Boris, Jensen, Urion, Sargeant, the MacKenzies, Traffs and Pigotts, founding supporters of the Captiva History Project include the Bruning Foundation, Jensen’s Twin Palm Resort and Marina and Jensen’s on the Gulf, Jean and Bill Kiser, Angie and Tony Lapi, Kathy and Victor Mayeron and Harry Silverglide.
Reservations for the Captiva History Project fundraiser on Thursday, April 7 can be made by calling the CCA at 472-2111 or by e-mailing CaptivaCivic@embarqmail.com‘>CaptivaCivic@embarqmail.com.
The Captiva Civic Association is located at 11550 Chapin Lane.