What fun we had this weekend! I was so honored and thrilled by all the fantastic birthday celebrations Sarasota prepared for me last weekend. You all must really appreciate my contributions to the early development of Sarasota.

On Thurs., May 20 at Eagle Point in Venice some twelve residents of Eagle Point (originally built for me in 1916 as a hunting & fishing camp) honored my "historical interpreter," Betty Intagliata of the Venice Area Historical Society,  in the historic clubhouse with a birthday cake and punch.  WEDU's "Gulf Coast Journal" filmed the event and the segment will air on WEDU/PBS Thurs., August 26.

On my actual birth date, Sat., May 22, more than forty people heard Betty Intagliata again as my "historical interpreter" talk about her relationships with the descendants of pioneer families in Nokomis. The birthday honor was part of the Sarasota County's Historic Preservation Board's celebration of National Historic Preservation Month. Following awards to owners of restored historic properties in Nokomis, some historic homes were opened to the public.  Sarasota County videographer shot in the garden of one of the historic homes and you can watch your local Comcast or Verizon channel in July for this footage.

Here is a photo from City Commisioner Richard Clapp of a historic interpreter portraying me during my birthday celebrations at Historic Spanish Point. 

After the delicious cake graciously donated by Publix, I visited the Sara DeSoto DAR Chapter House in Pioneer Park for an amazing tea service and some of my favorite foods and music.

Here is a photo of Judith Leipold, center, as my historic interpreter alongside Jenna Norwood, far left, and DAR member Mary Lou McFate.

I've added several more photos from the DAR tea on my facebook page — click here to view the album.

Do you have photographs of my birthday celebrations? Post them on facebook or email them to veronica@visionprm.com and we will post them online as well! 

Again, I thank the entire city of Sarasota and the surrounding areas for all the lovely celebrations in my honor. It was a simply marvelous day.

Fondly,

Mrs. Palmer