Read Us Online FREE at Take Me IslandSunNews.com Home VOL. 9, NO. 9 From the Beaches to the River District downtown Fort Myers FEBRUARY 26, 2010 their tales. “When I see some- Arts For ACT Gallery thing that retains a link with the past, I’m drawn to it. My Opening Reception For The Artists aim is to open the viewer’s eye to history that is still in use in some fashion, and stir memo- ries.” Many Southwest Florida landmarks that Belling has put into limited edition prints have already been altered by storms or man. It’s been noted that he is preserving our unique past on paper. His limited edition prints of Southwest Florida landmarks decorate homes and busi- nesses along the gulf coast and beyond. Although he is a year- round Florida resident, Belling has found subject matter every- where he travels, with Alaska and Door County, Wisconsin his favorite destinations. After a successful career as a free- lance designer, and partner and creative director of advertising agencies, Belling now works 1st street by David Belling exclusively as a watercolor art- oin Arts for ACT Gallery in downtown Fort Myers on Friday, March 5 from 6 to ist. He has won many awards 10 p.m. for the opening reception and Art Walk for the March featured artists; and watercolor competitions. BluesTraveler by Lennie Jones JDavid Belling, Ken Kaminsky and Lennie Jones. His work is represented in Straightforward and welcoming, bold and realistic, Belling’s watercolor style captures major corporate and many the spirit of the timeless beauty he finds in nature and living history. The Fort Myers private collections. When weather permits, he can be found on location, surrounded by News Press says, “He is one with his subjects... arguably the region’s best known land- nature’s beauty – often finishing a painting in one sitting. Other times he draws inspira- scape painter.” It’s been said that his structures lean from the paper, yearning to tell tion from the view from his Cape Coral studio overlooking the Caloosahatchee River. continued on page 16 Symphony 50th Anniversary To Be Marked With A Juried Competition Cash prizes, courtesy of the sympho- ny, will be awarded to three artists, Best in Show $750 and two Jurors Choice awards of $500. Award winning artwork will be featured on the front of the 50th anniversary concert season programs dur- ing 2010-11. All pieces juried will also be displayed at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall on Saturday, March 27 for the symphony’s classical concert entitled Passion and Fury. Participating artists n celebratio of its 50th anniversary, will receive a complimentary ticket to this the Southwest Florida Symphony has concert. Ipartnered with the Alliance for the During the opening reception there Arts to present Framing the Past and will be the unveiling of an original paint- Inspiring the Future Through Music – A ing created by internationally acclaimed Juried Competition. The exhibit will artist Darryl Pottorf. The piece will be be on display at the Alliance March 5 available for auction March 5 through The River City Brass Band through 27 with an opening reception March 27. Final bids will be accepted and awards ceremony on March 5 from at the symphony’s classical concert on 5 to 7 p.m. March 27. Proceeds benefit the sym- River City Brass Plays At Shell Point The Southwest Florida Symphony phony. Orchestra and Chorus have provided hell Point Retirement Community’s 1981-1994), the River City Brass Band The Alliance for the Arts galleries are eighth annual Fine and Performing was the first professional concert band to the framework and foundation for clas- open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday sical music in Southwest Florida for the SArts Concert Series presents The be established in the United States in over through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 1 past 50 years. Chosen artwork illustrates River City Brass Band on Monday, 25 years. From California to New York, p.m. on Saturdays, located at 10091 March 1, at 7:30 p.m. and everywhere in between, River City the important role that orchestral music McGregor Boulevard, just south of continues to play in the cultural life of Founded in 1981 by the late Robert Brass Band has delighted audiences with Colonial Boulevard. Visit www.ArtInLee. Bernat (conductor and music director Southwest Florida. org for more details. continued on page 3 2 THERIVER FEBRUARY 26, 2010 Historic Downtown Fort Myers, Then And Now: Heitman-Evans Co. by Gerri Reaves his circa-1915 photo captures a celebratory moment in front of Heitman-Evans Co. T We can only speculate whether the serious motorists in the Warren-Detroit 30 automobile have just arrived in Fort Myers or are embarking on a momentous journey. Only the word “Tampa” on the side of the car is a clue. In those days before extensive, well-built hard-surface roads, driving was a demanding activity and therefore worthy of a photo opportunity. And what better place to pose for posterity than at the new modern Heitman-Evans store on the northeast corner of First and Hendry streets? Manager Edward L. “EL” Evans originally had run a hardware store located diago- nally across the intersection on the southeast corner. The store occupied the ground floor and Phoenix Hall, a community meeting space, occupied the second floor. That building was demolished around 1913 to build the First National Bank. Subsequently, in 1914, Evans’s business partner, Harvie E. Heitman, built the brick hardware store on that site, which had a commercial history going back to the 1870s, when JJ Blount opened his general store there. The modern Heitman-Evans Co. was a major step up from the somewhat ram- shackle wooden structures dating from the Blount General Store days. Constructed of pressed brick and equipped with a sprinkler system, the store was deemed fireproof. The ground floor functioned as the hardware store, and the upper floor was used The Heitman-Evans Co. store today, now the offices of Fowler, White, and Boggs on the for displaying farm implements and for storage. northeast corner of First and Hendry Evans, who managed Heitman-Evans Co. for many years, played a pivotal role in making Fort Myers a tarpon-fishing destination, attracting well-known people such as Zane Grey, Rex Beach and EA Pike. His office in the store was a veritable museum that testified to his expertise in fish- ing and tackle design. There, one could find mounted fish, autographed photographs, and anglers’ gear. Heitman-Evans advertised a wide array of goods, including building supplies, sport- ing goods, paint, cutlery, and appliances. Notice the “yacht supplies” sign at the store entrance, from which dangles a fish shaped cut-out. In the mid-1940s, Belk-Lindsey department store opened in the former hardware store. In the 1970s, it was renovated as Heritage Square, using materials from the demolished junior high school at Second Street and Royal Palm Avenue. Today, the offices of Fowler, White, and Boggs occupy the building where an out- standing hardware store opened almost a century ago. Walk down to First and Hendry, where for many decades, Evans dispensed expert advice on all things to do with fishing in Southwest Florida. Then visit the Southwest Florida Museum of History at 2031 Jackson Street, where you can see the exhibit Tutankhamun: Wonderful Things from the Pharaoh’s Tomb, and ask about the Historic Downtown Walking Tours. For information, call 321-7430 or go to swflmuseumofhistory.com. The museum’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Then explore the fascinating archives at the Southwest Florida Historical Society at 10091 McGregor Boulevard. Call 939-4044 or drop by on Wednesday or Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. Sources: The Story of Fort Myers by Karl H. Grismer, the archives of the Fort A motoring entourage attracts a crowd in front of Heitman-Evans Co., circa 1915. The man in the center of the doorway resembles manager EL Evans. Myers News-Press, and the archives of the Southwest Florida Historical Society. photo courtesy of the Southwest Florida Historical Society Read Us Online: www.IslandSunNews.com Contributing Writers Click on The River Jennifer Basey i} ÌÃÊ iiÌ>ÀÞ Advertising Sales Production Manager Photographer Kimberley Berisford >Ê«iÀ Ã>LiÊi`iÀÊ/ ià Stephanie See V >iÊi`iÀ Suzy Cohen Brian Johnson Ed Ibarra Jenny Evans Audrey Krienen Graphic Arts/Production Writers Ed Frank Scott Martell Co-Publishers Terri Blackmore Ann Ziehl iÀÀÊ,i>ÛiÃ]Ê* Ê Max Friedersdorf Ê->}}>Õ Lorin Arundel Office Coordinator Katherine Mouyos Anne Mitchell *ÀÃV>ÊÀi`iÀÃ`Àv Capt. Matt Mitchell and Ken Rasi *>ÌÀV>ÊÞ *>ÌÀV>ÊÞ Scott White ÊiÀ}i The River Weekly News will correct factual errors or matters of emphasis and interpretation that appear in news stories. Readers with news, tips, comments or questions, please call (239) 415-7732 or write to: The River Weekly News, 16450 San Carlos Boulevard, Suite 2, Fort Myers, FL 33908. Fax number: (239) 415-7702. E-mail: [email protected]. The River Weekly News reserves the right to refuse, alter or edit any editorial or advertisement. PRINTED ON RECYCLED `i«i`iÌÞÊ"Üi`Ê`Ê"«iÀ>Ìi`ÊÊÊUÊÊÊ "*9,/ÊÓä£äÊ/ iÊ,ÛiÀÊ7iiÞÊ iÜÃÊÊÊUÊÊÊLORKENÊ*ÕLV>ÌÃ]ÊV° PAPER THERIVER FEBRUARY 26, 2010 3 Young Artists Awards Winners Uncommon Friends Foundation he Young Artists Awards auditions Scholarships Available Twere held on Saturday pplications for 2010 Uncommon Friends Foundation scholarships, honoring January 23 and Saturday deserving individuals who have a financial need and the potential to succeed in January 30 at the Alliance Aschool, are now available.