Rotary Happenings: Rotarians hear from island nature, shelling guide
Sanibel and Captiva are very proud of their islands’ history and conservation efforts as seen by the many educational nonprofits and for-profit businesses on the islands. Recently, the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club had the pleasure of hearing from Capt. Brian Holaway and his knowledge about the Calusa. He worked for Captiva Cruises for over 20 years as a captain and interpretive guide on its shelling trips to Cayo Costa State Park. Fascinated by the history, people and cultures of Southwest Florida, Holaway researched the area through extensive reading and learning from long-time residents of the islands. He reported, “I am always trying to keep the stories alive and learn from the past.” In 2016, Holaway chose to become a full-time independent nature, shelling and island guide.
The capital town of the Calusa was Mound Key, which is now an archaeological state park. It is estimated to have been inhabited over 2,000 years ago. Mound Key is a large mound that was built up of shells, bones and pottery. While the mounds were originally thought to be a trash pile, research has found that the mounds also served as territory markers and burial memorials. They were a complex society but a non-agrarian society. They relied heavily on fishing and hunting as their main sources of food and also gathered wild berries, roots and nuts. Holaway shared several artifacts from the Calusa showing their sophistication as a tribe.
Holaway’s goal is to allow guests “to experience and gain appreciation for the waters, islands, shells, plants, marine life, wildlife, history, and people of this unique area of Southwest Florida,” according to the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau. He received the coveted Junonia Award in 2018 and was described as “humble, quiet, and totally focused on telling the story of our exquisitely natural county through visual, historical, and common sense messages,” as well as an E-Award in 2014 and the Good Samaritan Award in 2015. Holaway has also earned the Florida Master Naturalist Certification through the University of Florida, served as a board member for the Friends of Cayo Costa State Park since 2013 and was designated as part of the Founders Circle of the Randell Research Center in 1996.
The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club holds a meeting on Fridays at 7:30 a.m. at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, and via Zoom; doors open at 7 a.m. To attend in person, email Bill Harkey at William.Harkey@gmail.com by the Tuesday before the meeting. For more information, visit sanibelrotary.org or www.facebook.com/sancaprotary.