A “Spectral” Guest at Lunch with Friends

It was all about history for the Senior Luncheon on August 19, held at the Marco Lutheran Church with about 120 guests attending. The popular lunch was sponsored by Tish and Rene Champagne on behalf of the Marco Island Historical Society (MIHS).

A big thanks to special guest Carolyn Rosenfeld for her solo performance and haunting as the Ghost of Julia Stockton Rush, as we continue to celebrate America 250. She has written this solo performance portraying Julia Stockton Rush, the wife of the well-known Colonial physician, Benjamin Rush, combining humor, history, and heartfelt storytelling. Carolyn Rosenfeld is a volunteer at the MIHS greeter desk, as a tour docent, and also for special events. For almost ten years now, Carolyn has been an active member of the historical society’s re-enactor troupe. She has portrayed Wells Moses Sawyer, the sketch artist for the Pepper Hearst Expedition. Recently, in conjunction with the Daughters of the American Revolution, she has performed plays to celebrate the Boston Tea Party and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Pat Rutledge, Chief Executive Officer for MIHS, thanked the guests for “being a part of our history. Everything we do at the museum is to preserve your story and the stories of the people who came before you, so that the ones that come after us will know about all the wonderful things that have happened here in Marco Island.”

Pat introduced the Historical Society and Museum Team as follows:

• Rebecca Mazeroski - Museum Manager on behalf of Collier County in a public-private partnership with the Marco Island Historical Society.
• April Bowden – Operations Manager at MIHS and probably the first smile you will see when you come into the administrative office.
• Lisa Consolo – Business Manager.
• Heather Otis – Curator of Collections. Her job is to preserve the history of the Island.
• Ivy Johnson – Museum Specialist was not able to join the luncheon.
• Ron Rutledge – Pat’s other half wears many hats and has been a volunteer extraordinaire for MIHS.
• Tish Champagne – President of the MIHS Board.

Pastor Jim Thelen, senior Pastor of the Marco Lutheran Church, added that “History is awesome, and if you look back at people who’ve gone before us, (they) paved the way and now we are paving our own way and we get to leave our mark on this world.”

Nancy Kot of Our Daily Bread Food Pantry (ODBFP) reminded the guests of the two raffle tickets and to hang on to both as the MIHS brought special gifts. August was a special birthday month for several guests who received birthday cakes to take home and share with family and friends. A warm acknowledgment to luncheon regular and special guest, Wanda Schmelzer, for donating two decorative pillows for the last 8+ years. A special shout-out to ODBFP volunteer Sue Block, who turned 90, and during the monthly luncheon, you can always find her with the reception team out front welcoming the guests as they sign in.

A big thanks to Chef Barb Canton for the delicious lunch and to all the volunteers and partners from ODBFP, Al’s Pals, Marco Lutheran Church, and YMCA of Collier County.

"The Ghost of Julia: A Revolution Tale" is a one-woman show performed by the Marco Island Historical Society that brings the American Revolution to life through the perspective of Julia Stockton Rush.

Julia Stockton Rush, who was only 18, had suggested that her brilliant but promiscuously opinionated husband—one of the youngest signers of the Declaration of Independence and now, at 32, surgeon general for the Continental Army’s most active battleground—needed to stop gossiping about George Washington, who was both his commander in chief and his friend. In letters and in conversation, Benjamin was repeating the military backbiting over Washington’s losses the previous year.

Julia Stockton Rush was a prominent figure during the American Revolution, known for her letters that provide a unique perspective on women's roles in that era.