Previous Events Information:
The Florida Anthropolgist (March 2019)
Features Little Salt Spring Treasure Trove
Archaeologist George Luer spoke about dating North Port’s past. He discussed relative dating (based on artifacts) and chronometric dating (using radiocarbon analysis). These methods have been applied to locations such as Warm Mineral Springs, Little Salt Spring, Nona Site, and others.
Sixty years ago, scientists began to obtain radiocarbon dates from North Port. The dates grew in number during diverse projects, and many were unpublished. Recently, George and fellow archaeologist Dorothy Block compiled them, putting 164 dates in standardized format for comparison and use, and publishing them in The Florida Anthropologist (March 2019). This information is valuable for present and future understanding of North Port’s past.
George and Dorothy are professional archaeologists who bring more than 60 combined years of experience in Florida archaeology. Both are Florida natives and members of Friends of Little Salt Spring.
Sixty years ago, scientists began to obtain radiocarbon dates from North Port. The dates grew in number during diverse projects, and many were unpublished. Recently, George and fellow archaeologist Dorothy Block compiled them, putting 164 dates in standardized format for comparison and use, and publishing them in The Florida Anthropologist (March 2019). This information is valuable for present and future understanding of North Port’s past.
George and Dorothy are professional archaeologists who bring more than 60 combined years of experience in Florida archaeology. Both are Florida natives and members of Friends of Little Salt Spring.
Friends of Little Salt Spring, Inc. public meeting April 17 -2018
“The Springs of North Port Florida – History and the Future” by George “Scuba” Guy
You are invited to the presentation, “The Springs of North Port Florida – History and the Future” by George “Scuba” Guy at the Friends of Little Salt Spring, Inc. at our public meeting at 7 PM on April 17th. The meeting will be in the Jockey Club Community Center located at 3050 Pan American Blvd, North Port FL.
The multi media presentation will include honoring the 10 explorers and scientist whom George personally knew who dived in Warm Mineral Springs and Little Salt Spring. The people to be honored include Bill Royal, Jacques Cousteau, and Eugene “Genie” Clark – the famous “Shark Lady” who founded Mote Marine. The multimedia presentation was created with the assistance of Brooks and Sean Paxton of Shark Brothers Multimedia.com.
According to Steve Koski, “George owned one of the first dive shops in Venice in the late 1960's, early 70's and took some of his classes to WMS and LSS. He certified Sarasota County Historian Dottie Davis and Bill Royal's Daughter to dive. George also gives presentations on diving, marine life, archaeology, including WMS and LSS to the middle and high schools in Missouri, where he lives for part of the year and has written articles for the Cousteau Society's student magazine.”
I think the presentation, which includes video clips of Eugene Clark that have not previous been seen, will be very informative and interesting. See more about George on the Board of Directors page.
The multi media presentation will include honoring the 10 explorers and scientist whom George personally knew who dived in Warm Mineral Springs and Little Salt Spring. The people to be honored include Bill Royal, Jacques Cousteau, and Eugene “Genie” Clark – the famous “Shark Lady” who founded Mote Marine. The multimedia presentation was created with the assistance of Brooks and Sean Paxton of Shark Brothers Multimedia.com.
According to Steve Koski, “George owned one of the first dive shops in Venice in the late 1960's, early 70's and took some of his classes to WMS and LSS. He certified Sarasota County Historian Dottie Davis and Bill Royal's Daughter to dive. George also gives presentations on diving, marine life, archaeology, including WMS and LSS to the middle and high schools in Missouri, where he lives for part of the year and has written articles for the Cousteau Society's student magazine.”
I think the presentation, which includes video clips of Eugene Clark that have not previous been seen, will be very informative and interesting. See more about George on the Board of Directors page.
6th Annual Little Salt Slough Clean-Up:
The Friends of Little Salt Spring had a very successful 6th Annual Little Salt Slough Clean-up!
The group photo is only about half of the people who came out to help as we split up for different assignments, and I was not able to get photos of the other groups. If you were there and didn't make it into the picture; we really appreciate your participation!
Lawry Reid, President
The Friends of Little Salt Spring had a very successful 6th Annual Little Salt Slough Clean-up!
The group photo is only about half of the people who came out to help as we split up for different assignments, and I was not able to get photos of the other groups. If you were there and didn't make it into the picture; we really appreciate your participation!
Lawry Reid, President
Little Salt Spring Appreciation Day
On February 1st the North Port City Commission presented the Friends of Little Salt Spring with a certificate declaring February 24th to be Little Salt Spring Appreciation Day, and the Sarasota County Commission followed suit.
Nov 2014 Meeting Presentation by John McCarthy: (View on YouTube - "Little Spring - Big Bang")
Our special guest in November was John McCarthy, former County Historian and former director of Sarasota County Parks and Recreation. Since the late 1970’s John has been active in studying local history and in sharing his research with numerous groups. In the early 1980s John became familiar with the archeological work going on at Warm Mineral Springs, and has maintained a three-decade interest in North Port’s archaeological treasures. In 2012 John retired from 32 years of service to Sarasota County government and has continued to be involved with local history. He has recently been lecturing on the role of heritage in defining community and how that also influences the local economy. John’s knowledge of Sarasota County’s history ranges from Newtown to North Port. In 2011 John shared the stage with Barbara Little in the New College Public Archaeology program’s Dialogues with Florida’s Past series and more recently served as moderator for the 2013 panel discussion regarding Warm Mineral and Little Salt Springs hosted by the Ancient Waters Foundation. In his presentation for the friends, John will share his experience learning about Warm Mineral Springs and Little Salt Spring and offer up his perspective on their influence
and role in defining North Port and Sarasota County.
and role in defining North Port and Sarasota County.
View on You Tube - (Ancient Waters Community Forum ,11-Jan-2014, Question and Answer segment)
Date: 11-Jan-2014
This video is part of the Question and Answers session that occurred during the 2nd half of the Ancient Waters Community Forum .
The Ancient Waters Community Forum was held on January 11th from 10am-2pm at the Morgan Family Community Center in North Port. Experts from various fields of study participated in an academic panel followed by a public Q&A. There is so much to learn about Warm Mineral Springs and Little Salt Spring, join us for the discussion and exploration of these significant sites. Additional information can be found on Facebook, Ancient Waters Foundation.
Date: 11-Jan-2014
This video is part of the Question and Answers session that occurred during the 2nd half of the Ancient Waters Community Forum .
The Ancient Waters Community Forum was held on January 11th from 10am-2pm at the Morgan Family Community Center in North Port. Experts from various fields of study participated in an academic panel followed by a public Q&A. There is so much to learn about Warm Mineral Springs and Little Salt Spring, join us for the discussion and exploration of these significant sites. Additional information can be found on Facebook, Ancient Waters Foundation.
Sarasota County Viva Florida 500 Time Capsule Dedication
TOP LEFT: This is the capstone for the plinth that the time capsules will be entombed in.
TOP RIGHT: Friends of Little Salt Springs Member Jodi Johnson is holding the piece of cable from Nick Wallenda's Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls Wire Walks donated by the Wallenda Family. Jodi is a Sarasota County Historical Commissioner and worked tirelessly on the Time Capsule this past year along with other Historical Commissioners, representatives from Sarasota County Library Systems.
BOTTOM LEFT: Lily and Bill Goetz are members of Friends of Little Salt Spring, Inc., and were both members of the Sarasota County Viva 500 Time Capsule Committee. Lily is holding one of the two time capsules being entombed in a plinth located outside of the Old Osprey Schoolhouse at Historic Spanish Point.
TOP RIGHT: Friends of Little Salt Springs Member Jodi Johnson is holding the piece of cable from Nick Wallenda's Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls Wire Walks donated by the Wallenda Family. Jodi is a Sarasota County Historical Commissioner and worked tirelessly on the Time Capsule this past year along with other Historical Commissioners, representatives from Sarasota County Library Systems.
BOTTOM LEFT: Lily and Bill Goetz are members of Friends of Little Salt Spring, Inc., and were both members of the Sarasota County Viva 500 Time Capsule Committee. Lily is holding one of the two time capsules being entombed in a plinth located outside of the Old Osprey Schoolhouse at Historic Spanish Point.
On December 14, Sarasota County's Viva Florida 500 Time Capsule will be interred during a celebratory ceremony at Historic Spanish Point. Three Friends of Little Salt Spring members (Jodi Johnson, Lily Goetz, and Bill Goetz) were on the Capsule Committee, and our youngest member, Lily Goetz, is one of the speakers, along with Nick Wallenda's mom Delilah Wallenda, and Sarasota County Commission Chair Carolyn Mason. Replicas of the two green stone pendants found at Little Salt Spring along with a visual description of them by Steve Koski (formatted and produced by our Membership Director, Janet Verdeguer), are included in the Time Capsule. Spanish Point offered will offer free admission and tours for all who attended.
Walk through Little Salt Spring Preserve Area
On November 17, 2013, the Friends of Little Salt Spring were invited by Steve Koski to walk through the County Preserve area near Little Salt Spring. During this walk it was noted that a clean-up was needed for this area. After the walk, Steve showed us some of the orchids on the Little Salt Spring property. |
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Ancient Water Celebration
The Ancient Waters Celebration was held January 27 at the Third annual Historic Preservation Coalition of Sarasota County social. This even twas co- hosted by Warm Mineral Springs / Little Salt Spring Archeological Society and the Friends of Little Salt Springs, Inc.
The Keynote speaker was Dr. John Gifford, University of Miami Director of Little Salt Springs, Dr. Gifford presented an outstanding overview of over twenty years of underwater research and the remarkable archeological discoveries at Little Salt Spring. Veteran archeologist, Steve Koski presented an introduction to the research and archeology of Warm Mineral Springs.
Over 100 persons attended and funds were raised to support the projects of the Friends of Little Salt Spring and the Warm Mineral Springs / Little Salt Spring Archeological Society
Dr. Gifford was presented a Green Stone Pendant, a replica of the one found in Little Salt Springs, that was created by Bill Goetz.
The Keynote speaker was Dr. John Gifford, University of Miami Director of Little Salt Springs, Dr. Gifford presented an outstanding overview of over twenty years of underwater research and the remarkable archeological discoveries at Little Salt Spring. Veteran archeologist, Steve Koski presented an introduction to the research and archeology of Warm Mineral Springs.
Over 100 persons attended and funds were raised to support the projects of the Friends of Little Salt Spring and the Warm Mineral Springs / Little Salt Spring Archeological Society
Dr. Gifford was presented a Green Stone Pendant, a replica of the one found in Little Salt Springs, that was created by Bill Goetz.
Little Salt Spring Preserve Clean-up
On February 23, we had a two hour clean-up at the Little Salt Spring Preserve area, a future Sarasota Preserve, near Little Salt Spring. Lots of trash was removed but more work is needed.
We were assisted by the Sarasota County Parks Dept and several other organizations, plus two local residents who are now members.
After the clean-up, Publix graciously provided a lunch and we all enjoyed a break before we returned to our other Saturday tasks.
