Everglades City
by Patty Huff
Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 2, from noon until 5 pm!
The Everglades Society for Historic Preservation will once again sponsor this annual music festival to raise funds for the rehabilitation of the Bank of Everglades Building! This ambitious project has received the support of federal, state, and local community members as well as donors from around south Florida. We are happy that the permits have been submitted and a general contractor has been chosen. We will have more information about the progress of this project at the festival.

Photo courtesy of Diane Gallagher
The festival will be held at the historic Rod & Gun Club with lunch available from the menu beginning at 11:30 a.m. Barron Collier expanded the original home of George W. Storter in 1922, and after traveling in Europe, he hired Bavarian Chef “Snooky” Senghaas to manage the Rod & Gun Club which was becoming an international destination for dignitaries, fishermen and hunters. The restaurant continues to be a favorite dining place for visitors to Everglades City.
Before the music begins Pete Gallagher, who organizes the musicians every year, will host his weekly community radio show on the air from the Rod & Gun Club. Pete has been an invaluable supporter throughout the years of Everglades City and our Bank Building project, donating not only his time and talent but bringing together so many other artists to the stage. This year the lineup includes Ken Crawford of Tallahassee and former Director of the Florida Folk Festival, as well as The Florida Boys, Marie Nofsinger, Sarah McCulloch, Rita Youngman, Tim McGeary, Matt Hodge, Chuck Walston, and local artists Charlie Pace, Raiford Starke and Parker Ogelsby. A very impressive group that is sure to entertain.
In addition to great food at the Rod & Gun Club and entertainment, there will be arts and crafts vendors who attend our Arts in the Glades regularly. There will also be memorabilia commemorating the Bank of Everglades Building. Our annual silent auction this year will include one of Dick Jay’s Calusa masks, watercolors by Varick Niles, as well as other special art items, in addition to kayak and fishing trips, fishing gear, gift certificates to various restaurants in town and much, much more.
The $50 reserved seating will include a discount for lunch at the Rod & Gun Club, reserved seats in front of the stage shaded under a tent, goodie bags with water and more. General admission is $20 per person. For tickets and more information, call (239) 719-0020 or visit our ESHP website at www.eshp.org. We look forward to seeing you there!
