Florida Stories: A Literary Series

Due to coronavirus (COVID 19), the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center will be CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC until further notice in accordance with the latest CDC suggested guidelines. All indoor public and private events are cancelled at least through April 22. Please check back for updates, close/open, and event information at http://www.weedonislandpreserve.org/

Join us at Weedon Island Preserve for Florida Stories, a literary series that introduces readers to the authors and histories behind their favorite tales of Florida. Each author in this series will discuss their work listed below and the inspiration behind it.

March 29: Gary Mormino author of Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams: A Social History on Modern Florida

Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams ranges far and wide across the landscape and boundaries of a place that is at once America’s southernmost state and the northernmost outpost of the Caribbean. Mormino traces the themes of Florida’s transformation: the echoes of old Dixie and a vanishing Florida; land booms and tourist empires; revolutions in agriculture, technology, and demographics; the seductions of the beach and the dynamics of a graying population; and the enduring but changing meanings of a dreamstate.

Gary R. Mormino is the Frank E. Duckwall professor emeritus in Florida history at USF St. Petersburg. He presently holds the position of scholar in residence at the Florida Humanities Council.

April 26: John Capouya author of Florida Soul: From Ray Charles to KC and the Sunshine Band

Florida Soul tells the story of Ray Charles’s musical upbringing in Florida, where he wrote his first songs and made his first recordings. It highlights the careers of Pensacola singers James and Bobby Purify and their producer, Papa Don Schroeder. It reveals how Hank Ballard created his international hit song “The Twist” after seeing the dance in Tampa and profiles Gainesville singer Linda Lyndell (“What a Man”). Miami’s Overtown and Liberty City neighborhoods produced Sam Moore of the legendary duo Sam and Dave, Willie Clarke and Johnny Pearsall of Deep City Records, and singer Helene Smith. Miami was also the longtime headquarters of Henry Stone, whose influential company T.K. Productions put out hits by Timmy Thomas, Latimore, Betty Wright, and KC and the Sunshine Band. Stone’s artists and distribution deals influenced charts and radio airplay across the world.

John Capouya teaches journalism and nonfiction writing in The University of Tampa’s undergraduate Communication department, and teaches creative nonfiction in UT’s Creative Writing MFA program. During his journalism career he was an editor at Newsweek and SmartMoney magazines, as well as the newspapers New York Newsday, and The New York Times. Capouya’s most recent book, Florida Soul, won the 2018 Charlton Tebeau Award given by the Florida Historical Society.

This series is free of charge, generously sponsored by the Friends of Weedon Island, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports preservation and education of the Weedon Island Preserve. Become a Friend today!

Questions or concerns? Please contact the WIP Cultural and Natural History Center at (727) 453-6500 or weedonisland@pinellascounty.org.

Pinellas County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are a person with a disability who needs any accommodation in order to participate in this class you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Prior to two working days before the class, please contact the Office of Human Rights, 400 S. Fort Harrison Ave., Suite 500, Clearwater, FL 33756, (727) 464-4062 (Voice/TDD).

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/weedon-island-preserve-cultural-and-natural-history-center-1250121017