Archive for August, 2008

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Walk Through History

Photo by Gurry Chappel, The Chappel House

THE FIRST STEP in Florissant’s new Walk Through History program begin last Saturday when the first plaque was placed in the sidewalk in front of the Florissant Government Building. Unveiling the first plaque was Mayor Robert Lowery with assistance from Rosemary Davison and Council President Tom Schneider. Plaques honoring Florissant historical figures will be placed along rue St. Francois in Old Town Florissant. The first plaque honored Francois Dunegant dit Borosier who was actually the first leader of St. Ferdinand de Florissant.

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Florissant Council Has Concerns on Rezoning For New Pre-School

BY CAROL ARNETT

The Florissant City Council held three public hearings at Monday night’s council meeting. Topics ranged from a day care to new retail space to kettle corn.

In the first hearing, the council heard from Kathy Allen, who would like to rezone the property at 1410 Shackelford Road from R-4 Single Family to R06 Multiple Family to allow for a pre-school. The property adjoins St. Sabina’s property and was formerly used as a preschool.

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All Good Things Come To an End Even For Fascinating Olympics

BY RANDY GARDNER

Can you believe that so many things can come to an end in just a few weeks time? Lets first start off with end the end of the Olympic games. I was truly sad to see them come to an end. I sat and watched as much as I could, it was very exciting.

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Rare Open House and Tour of Casa Alvarez, City’s Oldiest House

Photo courtesy of Gurry Chappel of The Chappel House

An open house was held at Casa Alvarez on Aug. 24, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Florissant Valley Historical Society.

The current owners, Mark and Mary Rolwes, (left photo with Rosemary Davison) opened their home at 289 St. Denis for the gathering. Guests could tour the first floor of the house and have lemonade and cookies on the lawn and patio.

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Sanibel’s ‘Ding’ Darling is Richest Ecosystem on Earth

LEE COUNTY CONVENTION & TOURISM BOATD PHOTO

BY PAT LINDSEY
There are two distinct sides to Sanibel. The one that everyone sees most often is the island with the world-famous shelling beaches. But on its northeast side is the richest ecosystem on the planet, which is being preserved and studied in the back bay area of Sanibel in the J. N.”Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.

A forest of red, black and white mangroves and other plants create an illusion of land mass and a place for other plants and red fish to grow. The back bay estuary is responsible for 80% of all the shrimp and other fish and marine life. It is home to bullsharks, manatees, dolphins, osprey, bobcats, and raccoons.

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Returning to Captiva and Sanibel Islands After 20 Years


A family frolics on the beach on Captiva Island after one of those infamous summer rains leaving a reddish-pink beach sky and beach at sunset.
STORY, PHOTO BY BOB LINDSEY

Returning to a place you visited and cherished over 20 years ago, you expect to find many changes. Life on pristine Captiva and Sanibel Island on Florida’s southwest gulf coast has pretty much stayed the same—and that’s what makes it so appealing.

The drive through these two tropical island getaways seemed much the same as our last visit in 1986. Lush Florida foliage with bright flowers and several varieties of palm trees. Limited roadside signs and nothing obtrusive or in your face. It didn’t take long to figure out that while it all looked the same, there was a lot more shops, restaurants and new attractions. But they blend so nicely into the tropical setting to give an Old Florida feeling, as some visitors will tell you. Just like 20 or even 30 years ago.

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