We
can only be said to be alive in those moments
when
our hearts are conscious of our treasures.
Thornton
Wilder
Any time is a good
time to be conscious of what we have so this Thanksgiving remember
to
say thank you to those you love and appreciate.
NBYH
would like to express our sincerest appreciation to all of the city and
county
history organizations, sites and volunteers who
work on behalf
of our
community's heritage initiatives.
We
are proud to support you on our website.
~~~~
When NBYH
started out 4.5 years ago, Mrs. Gaynor's directive (rather empathic request) was
to save history. The 'how' was up to me. NBYH started with a "trust"
foundation by reading Steven Covey's "The Speed of Trust" and Malcom Gladwell's
"The Tipping Point". From that point on, we built a brand that is known for
collaboration, connectivity and love for our pioneers, their families and our
community. We love being called 'musuem-preneurs'.
Being up a tree isn't
necessarily bad - it gives one a broader perspective.
Sometimes
we are presented with an opportunity
that only in hindsight can we
see its importance.
Bringing
a NEW concept of "saving history" to fruition is never easy - but it is - at
times - most rewarding. Having someone acknowledge the vision is - well
-almost more than a heart can bear.
Last
week the Chair of Naples Oldtimers (more like guardian), Ray Carroll, whose
family came in the late 1880s, called to say he would be coming to an event.
He
then said, "Now I don't mean any disrespect (which of course makes anyone
hold their breath), but when you first started I did not trust (here is that
word again) you because I did not know what you were doing. You see, our
oldtimers are taken advantage of. People take their stories and then forget
about them. I have to say that you have surpassed any expectations I could have
had and I thank you from the bottom of my heart." Does
it get any better than this? I don't think so.
Old
Families: Jackie Sloan, Mary Prince Lipstake, Lal Gaynor, Sue
Smith
John
Kukk, architect for the 1921 Building (now on the Historic
Register)
This was
a benchmark weekend for NBYH demonstrating our collaboration - the key to
sustainability:
1.
The Lehman Legacy
Award was almost established - rescheduled for November 18th.
2.
We reopened the
Diamond Jubilee Bronze Marker Program with the city so the remaining sites can
be adorned with their markers. Tin City almost received its mock up
sign.
3.
The 2nd
Annual Stone Crab "Place Making" Festival was a great success this year and NBYH
was one of the founding members.
4.
The festival was
started by the Old Naples Waterfront Association, whose mission is in part to
promote the history of the waterfront. NBYH was a founding member and Mrs.
Gaynor is an honorary Board Member because without her father, Lester Norris,
our waterfront would look like -- well let's not go there. The ONWA association
became the 3rd downtown old Naples area (est March 2010).
Today
there are 5 business associations which in fact are heritage hubs. NBYH's
Heritage Trail map gave structure & meaning to these hubs/ districts which
now frame the City's Walking Map and City Fest
promotions.
This
little pause for the cause was to
demonstrate a few of our interconnecting accomplishments to illustrate the
depths NBYH will go "to save history' through connectivity and
collaboration.
We
hope to see you at one of our upcoming events and hope you will think of NBYH
this holiday season in your gift giving so we can continue to make history more
fun, more available and more meaningful.
Happy
Thanksgiving to you and yours.
