Editor’s Letter
It’s hot, it’s humid, but we’re feeling fi ne here in Florida!
I hope this issue of our magazine fi nds you feeling healthy, happy and a little bit back to normal. Do we even remember
what normal is? Are we starting to remember?
I think we are.
Times are certainly changing, though confusion still hangs heavy in the air. People still seem a little bit off, and stressed.
Even so, this is the time to stop and smell the fl owers, to enjoy the sunsets and to enjoy the semi-solitude that comes with
the hottest months when there are less people on the streets. It’s also a great time to be indoors, to re-arrange your home
and read those books you’ve been meaning to read (make sure to put our book review book, “Scavenger Tides,” on your
reading list). Just as people in the temperate states stay inside in the winter, we stay inside more during the summer.
It seemed appropriate, along that fl ower-smelling vein, to talk about orchids. There is something about those amazing
little fl owers that look so delicate, yet are so much sturdier than they look. They remind me of a lot of people I know.
We’re also talking about The Hermitage in this edition, and you will most likely learn some things you didn’t know
before. Our writer T Michele Walker sat down with local artist Carroll Swayze, whose mother was responsible for bringing the
historic building back from dereliction. She tells a fascinating story of its beginnings as a family home, and how it became a
haven for the homeless prior to being brought back to life. The programs that are held there now are some of the best in the
state, so if you’re interested in great art or music you
should research The Hermitage.
Our history piece is fascinating as well. Writer
Tonya Bramlage looked into the history of clothing
and fashion on the island, and how it has changed
over the decades. Can you imagine wearing a bustle,
numerous skirts and petticoats and high-button shoes
and collars on the beach? Did you know that fl ip fl ops
originated in the 1960s? It is a worthy read, and I
think enjoyable as well.
We also spoke with Capt. Marian Schneider about
the old bridgetender building that used to sit atop
the railroad trestle. It was at her old business just
off-island for many years, but was recently dismantled
and taken to her new place in Georgia. It was a big
piece of our railroad history, and thanks to her it has
been preserved.
Lastly, if you feel like the heat is just a bit much for
you and want to take a break from the state, think
about a road trip with your dog. We have provided
you with some travel tips for your furbaby, things you
might not have considered before, that will make the
trip a bit less daunting. There’s some boat tips, too, for those summer days when the water is the best place to be.
Stay well, stay sane, stay cool when you can and take care of each other and yourselves.
Marcy Shortuse
Editor-in-Chief, Gasparilla Magazine
14 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE • July/August • 2021