im pMiil-msi ssciim>, pc;:ge $€ Wolf Blither speaks at Sanibei Harbour, page IOA JANUARY 28, 1994 VOLUME 23 NUMBER 4 island 3 SECTIONS, 44 PAGES REPORTER Old post office opens at historic village By Marianne Strickland Staff Writer With a little imagination, one could have been back in the 1920s, at an island social, adults chatting in groups, little kids hanging onto mom's skirts, older kids yelling and run- ning between the general store and the post office building with their schoolmates. But it was Saturday, Jan. 22, 1994, and the crowd gathered were there to celebrate the opening of the old Sanibei Reed Post Office as part of the Sanibei Historic Village and Museum. Sam Bailey, who was born on the island around the time the old post office was built in 1926, and is the living repository of much Sanibei history and lore, was master of cere- monies. He recalled that years ago he had envi- sioned a historical museum and village on the island and was pleased by each new addition. "I hope to get a church on the property, too," he said with' a grin. Introducing and thanking everyone he could think of who had contributed time, effort, and talent into the restoration of the little building sparkling in the noon-day sun. Bailey overlaid it all with a collage of reminiscence. Amanda Cross and husband W. J. Torpe, who owned the property on which the structure A mannequin of postmasterWiU Reed greets visitors at the newly opened post office at the had sat, donated the building to the museum. Sanibei Historic Village and Museum. Hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. "We used it as a guest house," said Torpe. "Our visitors liked sleeping in the old post office." Many islanders donated time to rehabilitate the post office once it was moved to the village, Manning speaks on Captiva and Bailey remarked it looked better than it had when it was originally in use. By Barbara Linstrom of the Captiva Civic civic center. In order to gain Will Reed, second postmaster of Sanibei, Special to the Island Association (CCA) last Manning began by more autonomy, the raised four daughters on Sanibei, only one of Reporter Tuesday night. reviewing impending county is pursuing a whom is still living. Carrie Reed Ebsworth,92 in Lee County Com- Approximately 80 change in the way in charter government February, at Shady Rest Nursing Home in Fort missioner John Man- Captivans listened which the county is structure to decrease Myers, remembers that her father was not only ning glided through attentively to his pre- managed. He cited the the hands-tied feeling postmaster but government census taker and brief responses1 to a sentation as they new budgetary pro- of state and federal express agent. list of Captivans con- sipped coffee and ate cess, privatization and mandates. Ebsworth had no children of her own, but cerns at the general cookies in the freshly charter government as After a quick review membership meeting renovated hall of the •please see page 2A issues that would of these county-wide affect all Lee County issues, Manning tried residents. to provide adequate County budgets will responses to a list, of Westall reflects on year as mayor be limited to 70 per- questions that was cent of their 1993 provided to his office By Marianne Strickland is not good for Sanibel's envi- budgets in order to by Gene Peck, county Staff Writer ronment, yet Westall felt these encourage wise spend- liaison of the CCA. He simply wanted to contin- same people would consider it ing. Any spending The questions re- ue focus on the agenda he had acceptable to have their island increases will be based flected concerns of always championed on home fronted by a nice green upon the justification islanders that Peck Sanibei—the environment. front lawn, fertilized and of 5 to 10 percent gleaned through her Mark Westall does not want to watered as needed to keep it increments. community involve- be remembered as the guy looking good. After mentioning the ment and her atten- who was mayor when "I'd like to see them go out budget, Manning re- dance at meetings of McDonald's was trying to get and get 12,000 signatures say- ported that Captiva the county commis- into town. ing we are going to try to out- provided $2.6 million sioners, she said. While Westall officiated as law insecticides, fertilizers, in property taxes last The list of concerns mayor of Sanibei In 1993, an and front lawns," said Westall, year out of a county related to evacuation unpaid honor, a substantial His concern regarding total of $130 million. routes, commercial number of people, not all resi- insecticides, fertilizers, and "Captiva definitely recycling, beach ero- dents, rose up in opposition to front lawns stems from the contributes a great sion, a sewer system the plans of fast food chain damage these ultimately cause deal," he said. and the movie that will McDonald's opening on the to the wildlife we, on the other Also related to more be shot on Captiva in island. The formation of hand, spend energy and efficient spending, the March. McSPOIL (McDonald's— money trying to protect. county is looking into With respect to Sanibellians Protecting Our Council member and former Westall said his wife, Janie, privatizing the opera- evacuation, Manning Island Lifestyle), bumper stick- Mayor Mark Westall lectures tried to explain to him that tions aspect of county assured the group that ers, petitions, outcries at on the environment. people come to the island to utilities. Privatizing the county has finally council meetings—the vehe- astounded; Westall. escape the craziness of life and could save the county closed out all major mence and money spent on The rationale used by $6 million, Manning access points on the was that McDonald's •please see page 4A making feelings known said. •please see page 2A ISLAND REPORTER • JANUARY 28, 1994 • 3A 2A • JANUARY 28, 1994 • ISLAND REPORTER -POST OFFICE •from page 1A a beer in his old Ford. Photographer and third-generation homesteader "necessities." A few of BEAUTIFUL SANIBEL BAYFRONT It was Herndon's honor to cut Captivan Charlie McCullough the postcards with commemorative Paul Herndon, son of her older sis- the red ribbon stretched across the donated two photos from his collec- stamp are still available for $1.50. • Desirable East End of the Island ter lives in Fort Myers and was pre- post office stairs. His grandchildren tion of the island scenes he has All of the buildings now gracing • Gorgeous Views of Bay, Sunsets & Causeway Night Lights! sent for the opening. Herndon lined up behind him and were the been recording for over 45 years. the museum village were located at • Builder's Former Residence with Many Extras! introduced children and grandchil- first visitors to step into the world The photos have been trans- the end of Bailey Road on Tarpon •$1,495,000 dren who were carrying the names of their great grandfather. ferred to postcards, one showing Bay when they were in use. That • Call JACKIE & RON MARTIN, GRI at 472-6015 Will and Reed into the sixth gener- the Sanibel ferry loaded down with location was the hub of island life ation. Island artists who contributed their talent to the memorabilia a homesteader's goods, another earlier this century. VIP REALTY GROUP He said the post office looked a joined in the festivities. CynD showing an assortment of antique lot smaller now than it did when he Jones sculpted the mannequin of was a kid. Rerd which stands behind the Recalling his grandfather, he counter in the post office. Lesley LOTS & COMMERCIAL said, "If he wasn't in the post office, Boney designed the commemora- SW FLORIDA'S PREMIER MARINA he was back in the garden he tive postmark stamp, depicting an Gulf of Mexico Access in Minutes • 5+/- Acres, Including loved, or sitting on the front porch old island map of Sanibel. The pic- 36,000 s.f. Boat Basin • Dry Storage wAVaiting List & Repair chewing tobacco and smoking a torial postmark will be available for Shop • Hi Volume Ship's Store, Fuel & Bait Sales • pipe." stamping at the Sanibel Post Office $7,400,000, MARLENE DONALDSON, 395-0371 Herndon remembered coming THAT'S RIGHT! $125,000... for 30 days said Robert Downs, • Corner location, CLEARED and ready to build! • Walk to home on leave during World War II current Sanibel postmaster. and taking his grandfather out for GULF BEACH! Established neighborhood! • Lot 23 East Rocks • Priced to sell at $125,000 • Call HAP CONNELLY at LAKE & WILDLIFE VIEWS 472-0005 "EXCLUSIVE SANIBEL SUBDIVISION" SANIBEL HISTORIC VILLAGE AND MUSEUM • Over 2500 s.f., 3BR/3BA Plus Apt.! PREMIER BAYFRONT LOCATION!!! • 3/2 Old Florida Style Home w/Beach Access At left is the post- vv Prime neighborhood of million $$$ homes! • Seawalled mark commemo- • White Tile, Berber Carpet, Lots of Decks • Open Floor Plan w/High Ceilings & So Much More ,. ••• •- »-< - „ t • Nature Retreat, Large Lot, Room for Pool BAYFRONT property! • Existing ground level 3BR home • > Large Lot w/Lush Landscaping, Gazebo, Pool, etc. rating the- Reed Reduce to $695,000 • Ask for HAP CONNELLY at 472-0005 • A Must See! t Priced at $349,000 post office, avail- • Only $249,000, Below Appraised Value! • Call VTV RADIGAN, GRI at 472-1902 GULF FRONT HOMESITE • Call Now! Ask for MIKE McMURRAY at 936-4112. able for a limited • Fabulous Possibilities/Western View • Over 4,000 sf Home + time from the "V' Pool Possible • 100 ft Gulf Frontage (Parcel Over 1 Acre) • Historic Village Offered at $750,000 • Call POLLY COSYNS 472-3269 and Museum and -1 f .