Diver’s helmet on display

Docent Bev Zemlock at Appreciation Luncheon

Postcard above is one of 150+ from Rob Creal’s Marineland postcard collection also at the museum for a limited time.

V o l u n t e e r & W r i t e r C h r i s t i n e S p e n o

What better way to kick off our second decade than with a new look for our newsletter?! As the idea took shape, we had two criteria: to represent our local identity and to incorporate our mission. The FBHM Life Preserver above accomplished both. With the Museum located just 1/2 block from the iconic Flagler Beach Pier, the preserver is a symbol of safety at our wonderful waterfront locale.

Even better, the new masthead declares the Museum mission. Through our newsletter, interviews, website, and displays, we are “life-preserving.” We safeguard the life stories, and histories of our home here in Flagler Beach, Flagler County, and Florida. Logo designer Carlo Cantavero took it a step further creating a masthead that hints at the sun rising into the sky over the ocean. See our original masthead and learn more about Carlo on page 3.

P R E S E R V E R

L I F E

Flagler Beach Historical Museum“From the Stone Age...

to the Space Age” Spring 2011Volume 11 - Edition 1

Springtime Salute to Volunteers

MarinelandHistory

207 South Central AvenuePO Box 2136

Flagler Beach, FL 32136(386) 517-2025

Mon-Sat 10am-4pm & 1st Friday Nights

Pages 2,3,8

Marineland Dolphin Adventure

flaglerbeachmuseum.com

New Look for Newsletter

Even before the recent excitement over Georgia Aquarium’s acquisition of Flagler County’s beloved Marineland, FBHM staff were documenting the attraction’s ever-changing history. Rotating exhibit coordinator Rob Creal worked with Marineland’s Joan Whittemore to borrow items for our temporary display area.

Now on loan from the “Marineland Dolphin Adventure” is the diver’s helmet pictured at left. (And wow, it is heavy!) Other items include programs from the park’s earlier days. Come visit and see this new display while you can.

Meanwhile, read the History Corner (p.6) to learn of the many twists and turns of Marineland ownership since 1938. And check out our Springtime Salute to Docents starting on page 2. No less important, we also want to thank the following colleagues who have been hard at work behind the scenes: Stewart Selden who has undertaken the museum’s vast scanning project, Tom Hury, Audit Committee chairman, and Dennis K. Bayer, Esq. Read more about these gentlemen in future issues!

Pages 6,7

Meet Your Fellow

MembersPage 5

2

was hard to miss. Director Teri Pruden shared with the group that they have

logged 3,875 volunteer hours in 2010. According to Teri, the State of Florida values these hours at $80,800!! Great job volunteers!

Some more good news that was shared at the lunch was the matching donations initiated by Linda Jones of Bank of America and Pat MacAllister of RBC.

These two employees challenged their employers to make mon-etary donations to match their volunteer hours.

For Linda’s 100 hours, the museum received a gift of $500 from Bank of America, and the same amount was received on behalf of Pat from RBC to the continued preservation of local history. What a great way to multiply volunteer efforts!

Thanks to everyone for making our museum possible and for sharing in this very special celebration.

Valentine’s Day 2011 held special meaning for the Flagler Beach Museum as board members, officers, and local dignitar-

ies welcomed museum volunteers to the annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. With February 14th being a traditional day to share warm feelings, it was particularly appropriate to celebrate with our volun-teers on this day.

The setting was Joseph’s Bistro on A1A where everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch of pizza, baked ziti, and salad with special sweets for dessert. The attendees also received a sneak-preview of the new

masthead for this newsletter that incorporates a “Life Preserver” logo signifying the museum’s mission to preserve the past.

After lunch, museum founding member and Flagler County Commissioner Barbara Revels assisted with the swearing-in cer-emony of two new board members, Karen Edmonson and Beth Mount. See more about Karen on the following page and watch for more about Beth in the next issue. Special thanks were also given to retiring board members Phyllis Carmel, Rosmarie Price, and G. Matthew Wilson, who is stepping down from his role as Board Secretary for the museum. The ceremony was followed by a trip around the room as everyone shared their special moments of being involved with the museum.

It was clear to anyone present and listening that each speaker holds a special place in their heart for the Flagler Beach Historical Museum. From the appreciation expressed by the county and city officials to the anecdotes of the board and officers as well as the volunteers themselves, a feeling of warmth and caring

WE TR EASURE OUR V O LUNTE ERS

Cindy Dalecki Don Deal

Karen EdmonsonKathy Feind

Museum Director: Teri Pruden2011 DIRECTORS2011 OFFICERS City Liaison: Jane Mealy

Charles HelmEd Moore

Beth MountMary Ann Ruzecki

President: Catherine Wilson1st Vice President: Robert R. Creal2nd Vice President: Shirley Putnam

Secretary: Teri PrudenTreasurer: Patricia MacAllister

Board meetings are open to our members and the public. We meet most months on second Tuesdays at the Flagler Beach Fire Hall. Call Teri at 439-6262 for directions and to confirm when the next meeting will be.

Join a committee or help out as a Museum host. From as few as 3 hours a month to a few days a week, the time you offer is greatly appreciated. There are even projects you can work on at home. For more information, contact Teri at 439-6262.

HISTORY BUFFS & VOLUNTEERS: HELP OUT & JOIN THE FUN!

~ Christine Speno

Help Wanted! Angie BlackMary Ann ClarkRob CrealLoretta “LJ” DunhamDavid EichenbergKaitlyn GoreDesire GourdinBill GradyLinda S. JonesMike JonesConnie & Ed Kormanyos Tom McKinney

Harold & Pat MesnardEd MooreAlita PeddleBrina PenningtonMisti PoiskerShirley PutnamRay RaimondoLorraine RuhlCarol SchneiderLinda SteigmanCatherine WilsonBev Zemlock

Thank you to 2010’s Dynamic Docents!

E d i t o r ’s N o t e : Learn more about Christine on page 4! Hurray for the luncheon’s raffle winners, especially Ed Moore who won Flagler Auditorium tickets from our good friend Lisa McDevitt! Teri Pruden

Hal and Pat Mesnard

Kim Carney Don Deal

Milissa Holland

Cindy Dalecki Bill Grady

Tom McKinney

We ♥ Flagler Auditorium!

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Karen is a 3rd generation Floridian who grew up in Palatka and moved here 27 years ago when she married Flagler County native Flynn Edmonson. Her son Matthew (31) is married,

living in Middleburg, and carrying on the family tradition of law enforcement at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. Here in Flagler County, her married daughter Katie Palmer (24) is a Personal Service Representative with Suntrust.

Karen has worked in a variety of fields – medical, legal, and administrative, most re-cently with the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce. She is a free-lance journalist whose local work has been enjoyed in the News Tribune, Flagler Times, Flagler Magazine (and all other Gage publications) and Flagler and Volusia Parent magazines. Many of her articles over the past 20 years reflect her deep interest in history.

Karen co-founded, with Rita Zimmerle, the Genealogical Society of Flagler County. During 18 years with the United Daughters of the Confederacy, she served 8 as Chapter

President; 2 as District Director and 6 as Division (State) Registrar. While Chapter President, the UDC restored a Palm Coast cemetery dating back to the Seminole Wars.

Creator of our fresh new mast-head and logo, Carlo Cantavero has been creating unique designs for the Museum for the past two years. Members have seen his work in this newsletter and his poster designs for our Gilli-Gala and the Beach Birthday Bash have been seen all over Flagler County.

Carlo had been working on our FBHM Life Preserver when we switched into gala gear. He remembered the opening of Gil-ligan’s Island with the cast framed by preservers and thought he could adapt the work in progress into our “Cast Away Your Cares at the Gilli-Gala” theme.

With all of the time he spent design-ing the preserver’s rope, it made sense to use it twice! But as you can see from the logos shown, they each have a unique spin. Born in Greenwich, CT, in May 1967, and trained in art and advertising at Bos-ton University, Carlo began his design career in 1989 at the “Greenwich Time” newspaper while also attending NYC’s School of Visual Arts.

His creative skills were utilized by a magazine publishing company and at numerous boutique ad agencies for over a dozen years as he added freelancing to his resume.

In 2006, Carlo was happy to “hang up his own shingle in Connecticut” especially to be “freed from the daily commute to the Big Apple.” But it was his dream to move south that brought Carlo’s creative talents to the aid of the Museum. As he courted companies and friends in Florida offering his services, he re-sponded to our quest for help on volunteermatch.com.

In our first email conversation with Carlo, we presented a lengthy laundry list of graphics that we needed, and encouraged him to visit our website. A quick reply came back, “I’m reminisc-ing about my first visit to Flagler Beach a couple years ago... a beautiful and unspoiled area.”

“Any print materials you’d like me to work on for openers,” he added, “I’m on board.” And a digital working relationship began! Carlo worked on rush jobs, pre-sented several versions of art for perusal, and has instilled the projects with his creativity -- even when we were floundering or on tight deadlines.

We are thrilled for Carlo to learn that within the past year, he has made a successful career transition to South Florida. With suitcases and a tennis bag in hand, he moved to West Palm Beach where he has worked and done pro bono work for some select companies like Macy’s, Newsmax Media, Keratin Com-plex, Star Brite, and JM Family Enterprises. His client roster has grown quickly, “I seem to have returned to commuting again,” he says with a laugh.

Not content to rest on his laurels, Carlo is always seeking exciting job opportunities in his new home state, along with recreation time for tennis and boating. He says, “I’m an avid sailor, licensed boater, amateur tennis player -- and when the weather breaks right -- an overall beach bum.”

WE TR EASURE OUR V O LUNTE ERS

Contact Carlo at or (203) 435-0607 cfcantavero@aol.com

Thank You to the Talented Carlo Cantavero

~ Teri Pruden

Then & Now: Ten years ago, the entire newsletter (see 1st Masthead at right) was prepared in a Word Document. Today we use Adobe InDesign CS5 for layout and Carlo (story below) utilized Illustrator CS5 to create the logo.

Meet New Board Member Karen Edmonson Also welcome Beth Mount to be featured in our next issue.

P R E S E R V E R

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Our history with the Flagler Beach Historical Museum hap-pened as a series of “domino effect” circumstances. Although my husband Angelo and I visited the museum several times in the last 5 or 6 years, it wasn’t until last year that we got involved. In June 2010, I received the sad news that The St. Augustine Record was dropping the Palm Coast Neighborhood News project. As editor and layout designer (and sometimes writer) for that publication, I found myself without a place from a professional perspective. Having worked very hard to learn and use Adobe® InDesign, I was determined to keep my skills fresh.

As I started exploring volunteer opportunities in the commu-nity, I learned that the museum was looking for someone to help with layout and graphic design and saw an opportunity. From there I began working with museum director, Teri Pruden, on the program and posters for the 2010 Gilla Gala. My husband and I then joined the museum. Teri and I often consult each other on writing and design projects.

Angelo and I relocated from Volusia County to Flagler County in 2005. At that time I worked for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Angelo’s drive to his job in Putnam County as Assis-tant Director of Public Works was long and getting expensive. As newlyweds, we found that Palm Coast and Flagler was a natural “compromise” for us as far as a location for our new home.

In 2008 I established WORDS Etc Writing & Editing, providing writing and editing services. Later I added layout services, and in 2010 I became a blogger and added that to my list of services.

Currently I write a semi-monthly column for The St. Augus-tine Record for the Palm Coast/Flagler Neighbors feature. I also

PatronAligood, JohnAtack, SharonBabbitt Miller, BrendaBoylan, Michael & SusanCaldwell, Wayne & MarthaCreal, RobertDeal, Don & TerriDemulling, Judi & RichGoedelman, Kent & CallieHammond, KimHunter, Robert & JeanKerns, Jay & Rodriguez, GustavoLefkovitz, Ellen

MacAllister, PatriciaMiller, CindyMiller, Karen L.Moretti, KarenPage, Bruce & IrenePhilhower, George & KeriPrice, Rosmarie & RichardReeves, Cheri & DixonRohrabaugh, Paul & BeverlyRossi, Kathy & DennisShuman, Patricia & WilliamSinclair, Alan & PattiSloan, JeanneTomlinson, Kathleen

Special Thanks to the Year’s Premiere ($50 plus) MembersSilver & GoldMichael & Rebecca Becker Hallie BradleyIn Loving Memory of Delores KuhnleinJeralyn LoweGerald and Wanda Upson

City of Flagler BeachCoquina Real Estate & ConstructionFlagler Beach PharmacyFlagler Woman’s ClubHelm Financial Services

BronzeBaxter, Doug & TracyBayerl, Dan & Pruden, TeriCarmel, PhyllisConklin, ColleenDelisi, DonaldDelisi, ThomasDiFrancesco, Lida Elliott, CarolFeind, John & CatherineHolland, Milissa

The Museum now offers Premiere Member links from our Website to yours! Call Teri Pruden at 439-6262 for more information.

Keyt, CharlotteIn Loving Memory of Raymond R. Pruden Putnam, ShirleyRuzecki, Mary AnnSchneider, Uwe & CarolTaylor, Anne CrealWilson, Catherine

Gerling Travel GroupMemory LanePreferred Management Services

Trivett, DannyWatson, James & RachelWilson, G. MatthewBeachHouse BeaneryBlue RestaurantCraig Flagler Palms Funeral Home & Memorial GardensDown By The Sea GiftsFlagler Animal HospitalFlagler County ChamberFlagler County CorvettesFlagler Fish CompanyGuiseppe’s RestaurantHigh Tides @Snack Jack

Howell HomesIntellaeon CorporationJoseph’s Italian BistroJPA Joseph Pozzuoli ArchitectMarina Bay CondominiumNature ScapesPier RestaurantRe/Max OceansideRocky’s PizzeriaStrickland Sod Farm, Inc. Tee Times USAWaffle Cone Old Fashioned Ice CreamYour Name Here!

Meet Your Fellow Members... Angelo & Christine Speno

We’d like to feature you here! For information, call 439-6262 or e-mail: museum@cityofflaglerbeach.com

freelance as a project manager and web content developer for Marlin Consulting Solutions of Palm Coast. I have many years of experience as a writer and editor, having worked in the legal field as well as higher educa-tion. I am also a member of Coastal Connections Flagler.

Angelo is a history buff (imagine that!) and we both enjoy biking on the weekends on the many beautiful trails in our area and take pride in being environmental-ists on many levels. We also enjoy cooking and currently I am working on a family cookbook/memoir.

We are both enthralled with all of the interesting people and events that have helped to develop the beautiful place that we call home. The Flagler Beach Historical Museum does an amazing job of preserving this history. ~ Christine Speno

Editor’s Note: Visit Christine’s website at www.wordsetec.info or her blog at www.wordsetcwriting.com

Angelo & Christine at 2010 museum “Gilli Gala” fundraiser. Save the Date 2011 - see Page 8.

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Membership Form Make checks payable to Flagler Beach Historical Museum. Mail to: P.O. Box 2136, Flagler Beach FL. 32136

Name:______________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________Address: ________________________________________________________________________________E-mail: _ ____________________________________________________ Amount Enclosed: $__________

If this is a Gift: Your Name:____________________________________ Phone: _______________

BENEFITS OF MUSEUM MEMBERSHIP= Free quarterly newsletter= Recognition in newsletter= Discounts on museum merchandise and special events= Advance notice of new displays and upcoming events = Free gifts for bringing in new members

LEVELS OF MUSEUM MEMBERSHIP

= Recognition in every newsletter and on Museum website= Museum available for private or group tours

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR PREMIERE MEMBERS

Members are the foundation of the Flagler Beach Historical Museum. Please continue your support by spreading the word and renewing annually. Give a friend this newsletter -- if they join, we’d like to thank you both -- so stop by with this page and receive gifts of appreciation for your support. Or better yet, make their first year a gift from you by using the application coupon below.

= Patron $50= Bronze Member $100= Silver Member $200= Gold Member $500

LEVELS OF PREMIERE MEMBERSHIP

= Individual $12 = Family $20 = Small Business $24

Gift!!

Thank You January-February New & Renewing Members!*A very special Welcome to our Newest Members!GoldIn Loving Memory of Delores KuhnleinUpson, Gerald & Wanda

SilverBecker, Michael S. & RebeccaHelm Financial ServiceLowe, Jeralyn

BronzeBayerl, Dan & Pruden, TeriDelisi, Donald & AdeleDelisi, ThomasPutnam, ShirleyRuzecki, Mary AnnWilson, Catherine P.In Loving Memory of Raymond Pruden

PatronCreal, RobertDonahue, JohnHowell HomesJoseph Pozzuoli ArchitectKerns, Jay & Rodriguez, GustavoLefkovitz, Ellen len LefkovitzMiller, Karen L.Price, Rosmarie & RichardRossi, Kathy & DennisTrivett, DannyWatson, James & Rachel

Small BusinessJarosz Roto-Reamer Service, IncRe/Max Oceanside

FamilyCarney, Jim & KimGray, Thomas & PaulineHury, Tom & BarbaraKovalyak, JosephMiller, Frederick & ArleneNorris, Mary & David*Root, J. PrestonShriver, EllaSpeno, Christine & Angelo

IndividualBourne, SuzanneBrown, MikkiClark, Mary AnnDavis, Patricia L.Facius, Barbara M.*Hanna, Alice B.Hatch, ChrisHayworth, PaulineLally, Kevin J.*Robles, Nicolas Rugg, ToniRuhl, Lorraine

U p g r a d e y o u r m e m b e r s h i p a n d b e l i s t e d o n t h e o p p o s i t e p a g e a s P r e m i e r e m e m b e r s i n e v e r y i s s u e !

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CON-SUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLLFREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-435-7352. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Registration # CH-32919

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For more history, visit our website:www.flaglerbeachmuseum.com and

click on the History Tab

A Flagler County history book and DVD series are in the making. If you have stories or photos to share, or know someone who does, please contact Teri at 386-439-6262 or via email: teri@visitmemorylane.com.

Help Preserve Local History

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The History CornerMarineland ~ Sisco Deen

Marineland, located on S. R. A1A, just south of the St Johns County line, opened in 1938 as the world’s first un-derwater motion picture studio. A new word, “oceanarium,”

was coined to de-scribe it; denot-ing a place where various species of marine life lived together, as they do in the sea, rather than kept segre-gated, as they had traditionally been in aquaria.

The found-ing group of “Ma-rine Studios,” the o r i g ina l name given the facility, included men who shared an interest in film making and exploring and who had ties to some of the great Ameri-can fortunes. W. Douglas Burden,

a great-great-grandson of Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, was a trustee of the American Museum of Natural History, author of “The Dragon Lizards of Komodo” and producer of a film on Indian life, “The Silent Enemy.” His cousin, Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, also a museum trustee, was chairman of Pan American Airways and involved in making the motion picture classic “Gone with the Wind.” Sherman Pratt, whose grandfather was one of the partners of John D. Rockefeller in Standard Oil, was connected with RKO pictures and an active member of the Explorers Club. Count Ilia Tolstoy, grandson of the Russian novelist, Leo Tolstoy, shared with his cofounders an interest in natural history and film-making.

These men were intrigued by the success of their friend Merian Cooper (best known for the movie “King Kong”) in obtaining scenes of wild animals for his movie Chag. Cooper had built a filming corral in the jungle sturdy enough to hold animals and spacious enough so as not to be visible on film and with it pioneered a new level of realism in motion pictures.

Burden and Vanderbilt believed something similar could be done with underwater filming and after seeking an appropriate location chose a remote spot on the Northeastern Florida coast between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach.

The site was recommended by its relative freedom from the destructiveness of hurricanes, the clarity of the coastal wa-ter, and its location near Matanzas Inlet and the Intracoastal Waterway, which would permit deep-sea specimens to be rapidly transported to the proposed facility’s aquariums.

The formal opening on June 23, 1938 drew over 20,000 people and within two years the facility was attracting nearly a half million visitors annually. It at once became the state’s premier tourist attraction, that is, a commercial facility designed expressly to appeal to visitors.

Although the advent of war soon forced Marine Studios to close temporarily, by 1951 it had regained its place as the state’s top commercial attraction. Eventually, Marineland, as the facility was re-named in the 1940s, was supplanted in popular-ity within the state by other attractions such as Disney World and SeaWorld in Orlando, resulting largely from changing travel patterns, but the significance of its contribution to the development of tourism in Florida, the state’s largest industry and one that presently attracts 36 million visitors annually, remains.

Eventually, the maintenance demands of the old park became too costly. Among the demolished casualties: the Circular Oceanarium (400,000 gallons), the Rectangular Oceanarium (450,000 gallons), the Quality Inn/Marineland with its Dolphin Room and Moby Dick Lounge, the Sandpiper Snack Bar, all of the park buildings west of Highway A1A, and the nearby Dolphin Restaurant whose clientele included Ernest Hemingway and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.

Editor’s Note: This is the 4th in a series of history articles written by Pioneer Family descendant Sisco Deen who serves on the Executive Board of the Flagler County Historical Society. These excerpts were first prepared in July 2008 for the Palm Coast Historical Society where Sisco is also a board member. History buffs can also check out his website at :www.flaglercountyfamilies.com

More on Marineland at top of opposite page.

~ Sisco Deen

Early program on display at Museum.

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Coming in next issue: == Gala 2011 ! == Media takes Downtown Walking Tour == Museum on Historic Cell Phone Tour circuit

Have Your Newsletters Emailed! == Save trees and printing/mailing expenses. == Call Teri @ 386-439-6262.

The Flagler Beach Historical Museum thanks the County Commission and especially the Flagler County Tourist Development Council for their grant awards that help us fund operating expenses, promotion, & much more!

Writers/Researchers: Rob Creal, Sisco Deen, Teri Pruden, Lorraine Ruhl, Christine SpenoProofreader Extraordinaire: Mary Ann Ruzecki Photography: Cindy Dalecki, Bill Lepson, Teri Pruden

This newsletter is published quarterly and mailed free to members. Address questions/comments to Teri at 439-6262 or teri@visitmemorylane.com Hi KJ. See you in the summer issue.

Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

Congratulations to the Museum for a ranking that resulted in a state grant for 2010-2011 from the Florida Dept. of Cultural Affairs. We are

thankful for this new source of support.

Befriend the Daleckis!

World’s 1st Oceanarium to Marineland Dolphin Adventure

For more information about Marineland and its dolphin adventures, visit their website at www.marineland.net

Marineland had been a good neighbor through all of its many incarnations. We thank Joan Whittemore for our current temporary display and also for the generosity always shown at the time of our annual gala and auction fundraiser. Meanwhile, meeting new general manager Kurt Allen was a pleasure and we welcome him to our ongoing historic preservation partnership.

Reportage of the recent acquisition by Georgia Aquarium follows a long tradition of headline-making news about the park. Actu-ally, the purchase and plans to rebrand the interactive dolphin experience as Marineland Dolphin Adventure was more upbeat than some past news reports. In fact, when the park closed in November, 1998, doubters feared that it might not survive. Orlando Sentinel writer Lesley Clark wrote:

“Marineland, one of Florida’s oldest tourist attractions, closed its gates Monday, weighted with a debt that leaves the future of its famous performing dolphins and historic buildings in limbo.

Marineland, which celebrated its 60th birthday earlier this year, closed after the last dolphin performance Monday. Once the Sunshine State’s No.1 tourist destination, the time-worn park has seen its attendance plummet and its luster turn to rust as Orlando’s attractions have grown in popularity and number.

Dozens of people paid their final respects Monday, snapping up T-shirts in the gift shop as trainers put the dolphins through their paces.”

One of those at Marineland that day was Jim Couch. Last month with his wife Helen and friends visiting from Virginia, he reminisced with us at the Museum about the park. Jim shared the fact that his late father and then Daytona Beach Mayor, Frank V. B. Couch, had joined local dignitaries at Marineland’s grand opening celebration on June 23, 1938.

Sixty years later, upon learning of the park’s closing, son Jim was compelled to head north to Marineland. His visit was reported by the Flagler Palm Coast News-Tribune: “Wearing a straw hat and wry grin, Couch made cynical observations about the unceremonious end of this sentimental favorite as reporters swarmed the park and a news helicopter whirred overhead, oc-casionally drowning out the crashing surf. Couch and others said they think government officials should step in and save the park.”

Jim still feels today that the park’s strength is in its intimacy. He said, “We are so close to Sea World but the show there is so different. Because this is a smaller show, it is much more personal.”

Marineland had been closed before -- during World War II. For 10 years, the U.S. Army commandeered the open aquarium and dolphin pools for research, and developed a shark repellent to be included in the sea survival kits of downed pilots.

Marineland pioneered the idea of entertaining the public with its “educated porpoises,” staging live dolphin shows between shooting films like “Tarzan” and “Revenge of the Creature.” Meanwhile their scientists developed a method of treating sea water which would control the algae growth in the tanks while preserving the marine life. Dolphin sonar “echo location” also

was observed there. During the ‘40s and ‘50s, the Dolphin

Restaurant was a popular part of Marine-land’s charm. The A1A restaurant was the perfect place for Ernest Hemingway to visit Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings when en route to his Key West home. (Rawling’s husband Norton Baskin owned the restaurant be-tween 1946 and 1952.) Also reported by the News-Journal, Rawlings could often be found sharing a drink at the restaurant with Thornton Wilder. Hollywood stars like Gypsy Rose Lee and Gloria Swanson

participated in Marineland’s guest porpoise feeder program. Even first lady Eleanor Roosevelt was reported to have visited Marineland on more than one occasion.

In 1988, Marineland was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Ten years later and just two weeks before the temporary November 1998 closing, high tides from Hurricane Mitch washed away Marineland’s boardwalk.

This past February, Marineland’s most famous resident turned 58. Nellie, a bottlenose dolphin, is the world’s oldest dolphin in captivity. In the wild, scientists have estimated the dolphin’s life span to be between 20 and 30 years. Born at Marineland in 1953, Nellie starred in a Timex commercial in the 1960s, and still performs in feeding and petting shows today.

L to R: Catherine Wilson, Jim & Helen Couch, Millie & Bob Albert, Daniel McDonald

~ Teri Pruden

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Looking for volunteer hours for school? Flagler Beach Mu-seum is an excellent place to gain those hours! Located on S. Central Ave.,this museum may be small but do not let its size deter you. It is full of rich facts about our county and the city of Flagler Beach, everything “from the Stone Age to the Space Age.”

My name is Brina Pennington; I’m a senior at Matanzas High School and have been volunteering here at the Museum for about two months now. In order to obtain scholarships and grants, I needed 70 volunteer hours by the end of the school year. After submitting my application, I received a response almost immedi-ately from the director Teri Pruden. Not only was Teri extremely nice, but she was eager to ge me started and to help me gain my hours. Upon entering the museum, I was welcomed by volunteer coordinator Linda Jones. I went through a quick training session, and was required to docent with a partner a few more weekends before I was ready to host on my own.

Everyone that I have come into contact with here at the museum has been both pleasant and helpful. I volunteer mainly on the weekends, and I thoroughly enjoy spending my time with the people of Flagler County and helping them get to know the rich history of our area. I have gained about 20 hours in the past few weeks, and I would encourage anyone in high school or even older to come and see the museum and to ask about being a docent. Even if you have no interest in docenting, you are more than welcome to become a museum member. I hope to see you soon!

Editor’s Note: Next issue will feature our other great student volunteers: Kaitlyn Gore & Desire Gourdin.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT!

Congratulations to the lucky Cindy Dalecki family for wining the 2010-2011 Week on the Beach raffle. The drawing earlier this year took place at our good friends and neighbors, the Gallery of Local Art. Be sure to stop by GOLA any time this month to see the results of their March “en plein air.” In May check out award-winning water-colorist Kathleen Mal-ing’s alligators at GOLA. For more info, go to www.galleryoflocalart.com

We join with our Week on the Beach sponsors, The Vil-lage Shops in welcoming new Museum neighbors: “Christmas Come True.” Don’t miss their April 15th Grand Opening at 5:30. Call 569-4429 or stop by the Vil-lage Shops for more information.

Our friends at the Village Emporium ask: “Have you al-ways wanted to run your own business?” You now have the op-portunity to overcome drawbacks

& SAVE THE DATE!Saturday,

Sept. 17th, 2011 Museum’s 10th Annual

Costume Gala To participate in the epic planning of our

2011 Gala, call Teri at 439-6262.

Museum “Week on the Beach” winners drawn @GOLA!

Did you miss 2010’s

Gilli-Gala?Just for you, we announce:

Gilla-Gala ReDux !

Join us for an evening that will include a local Cruise aboard

the Hurricane Queen.Tentative Date: May 14th

Call Teri at 439-6262 for details.

like large rent investments, credit card company deals, utility costs... with the Village Emporium as your busi-

ness incubator. From just $50-$200/month -- your dream can be-come real!! The Village Emporium will consign space to you for your products or services so you can test the market 1 month at a time to sell your handmade goods, art, crafts, or services. Call Marge Barnhill at 571-338-9480 (or e-mail m@valuecalc.com) or stop by the Em-porium (209 S. Flagler Ave.) and check it out.

GOLA fan Mark Long and Museum friend Angie Black draw the winning ticket.

D a v e a n d C i n d y D a l e c k i a r e t h e l u c k y w i n n e r s .