Marco’s Marvelous Mothers

The Marco Island Historical Society honored Marco’s Marvelous Mothers, complete with proper period fashion and a formal tea in Rose Hall Auditorium. Each model represented a famous female figure important to the development of Marco Island as we know it today. Emcee, Edward Miracco, brought Marco Island’s rich history to life with intriguing real life stories about the impacts each Marvelous Mother made to our history and the hardships they endured while doing it.

Models included, Mary Lou Jankowski who portrayed Maggie Collier, the first wife of Captain Bill Collier. Maggie and Captain Bill had five daughters and 3 sons together. Maggie passed away in 1896 at the early age of 38. [Maggie married Captain Bill Collier. She had urged Captain Collier not to go on a fishing trip with their sons. Unfortunately, Captain Collier and their three sons perished in an ensuing storm.]

Model Cindy Henning played Mary Ramsey Collier, the second wife of Captain Bill. In 1898, she urged Captain Bill not to bring his three sons on a trip to Key West. He didn’t heed her advice and all three of his sons perished in an ensuing storm. They were 8, 6 and 4 years of age.

Donna Simon played Annie Collins Stephens. Annie was Tommie Barfield’s mother.

The crowd

was treated to our National Anthem sung by Taylor Olmsted during her portrayal of Orida Olds, while her sister Paige portrayed Saloma Olds and grandmother Sue Olmsted was Dr. Mary Olds. Saloma kept diaries and loved her Kodak camera. She supplied a lot of historical data to future generations with her hobbies. Dr. Mary Olds home schooled the girls and, with her husband, Dr. Charles Olds, owned and operated a successful business growing and selling fruit.

Marsha Crawford represented Aileen Weeks who became the area’s midwife delivering babies from 1910 up until the 1940’s [while her father fished.]

Laurie Carney portrayed Mollie Hamilton. Mollie answered a magazine ad while living in Georgia and became Marco Island’s own mail-order bride, marrying John Louis Hamilton in 1917. She owned and operated Mollie’s Place, a grocery store and bar.

Ann Todryk was Thelma Heath. Thelma was a teacher at the Scripps school and also was responsible for registering young men for the military, for selling war bonds, and assisting the local medical attendants during outbreaks of typhoid and diphtheria.

Patty Carnes portrayed Marie Smith Ludlow who married William Ludlow, the grandson of Frederick Ludlow, the owner of the largest pineapple plantation on Marco. Marie was responsible for raising her younger siblings after they left an orphanage.

Deb

Breeding had the pleasure to represent Marion Blomeier while Marion was seated in the audience. She was dressed in an elegant evening gown reminiscent of Marion’s younger years. When she was very young Marion fled the Russian occupation in Germany and escaped by hiding in a coal car and covering herself with coal dust. Marion was the owner of the Olde Marco Inn for many years and she generously donated the antique furniture the Historical Society used on stage. She is the creator of Christmas Island Style and is known as Lady Christmas.

Ginny Millio was honored for creating some of the costumes. Volunteers who put the event together received a round of applause. Catering was done by “Caterers Extraordinaire” a group of loyal friends and volunteers who are members of the Newcomer’s Island Girlfriends and the Marco Island Historical Society. The majority of the models were also members of this great group of ladies. This same group of women set the tables, served the food and made the center pieces that were donated by Joe and Michelle Sheehan. And, finally, we must also honor Kathy Miracco who was responsible for creating, organizing and successfully managing the entire event. The event was informative and entertaining and left the audience with eager anticipation for future events.