destin history & fishing museumdestinhistoryandfishingmuseum.org/newsletters/... · december 11...
TRANSCRIPT
SPRING BREAK IN DESTIN Most asked questions by Muse-
um visitors this year. Is it always this
cold? The unusually cool weather has
the Spring Breakers totally confused.
Most say, “I came to get a tan!” The
Snow Birds are also questioning the
weather. Bad weather for vacation-
ers...good weather for the Museum to
have visitors. The Museum is growing
in attendance and revenue. Due in part
to these visitors finding the Museum as
a great way to be entertained on days
too cool to spend time on the beach.
The first three months of 2013 Museum
revenue was up by a total of $1,000.
Now it is time to enjoy Destin’s spring
weather and to welcome our Summer
visitors
Jean
From the Staff
January to March 2013 Volume 7 Issue 3
Destin History & Fishing Museum
Here’s What’s Been
Happening At
YOUR Museum!
BOARD MEET-
I N G S F o r
2013 :January 9,
February 13, March
13, April 10, May 8,
June 12, July 10,
August 14, Septem-
ber 11, October 9,
November 13, and
December 11
Museum Visitors
2006: 2,095
2007: 3,527
2008: 4,561
2009: 5,804
2010: 6,368
2011: 7,131
2012: 8,300
January to March 2013
1,924 visitors
Calendar of Events January 26
Annual Gumbo Contest & Silent Auction
Destin Community Center
February 13
Museum Annual General Membership Meeting
Museum
February 13
Athena Marler Creamer
Book signing, “The Help of Destin”
February 20, 27, & March 13
Panhandle Flytie Club
April 3
Miss Destin Contestant’s
“Soda Party”
April 12
TDC VIVA Florida
Museum Tour
June 15
Fish Fry Fundraiser
Harry T’s Restaurant
Celebrating our “Blue Marlin”Life Members Generously Donating $1,001-$2,500 to the Museum Mission.
World Record
Red Snapper
46 lbs. 8 oz.
Oct.1, 1985
SUNRISE
E.Lane Nichols
Cubera Snapper
87.5 lbs. 51 “
June 18, 1977
MONTH AFTER MAY
Mrs. John Gray
*1st National Bank
*Dotty Bingham
*Capt. “Salty” & Sarah
Brunson
*Destin Fishing Fleet, Inc.
*Muriel R. Destin
*Guy & Helen Donaldson
*Donald & Betty Hefner
*Carol Kelly
*Ladie Bea Lackey
*Pat McIlroy
*Ed & Joyce Modica
*Camille Morgan
*Sarah “Sam” Seevers
*Ida Calhoun Scott
*Billie & Lisa Wilson
Page 2 Destin History & Fishing Museum
Gumbo Contest & Silent Auction
The Destin History & Fishing Museum held their annual Gumbo Contest & Silent Auction
Saturday, January 26 at the Destin Community Center. Ticket holders enjoyed a Silent Auction of
eighty-one packages, live music by FLASHFLOOD, and gumbo from local contestants including res-
taurant and individual divisions. There were fifteen restaurants and eighteen individuals registered in
the event. The competition was very close and the winners were: Individual Category 1st Place: Tom
Ogle, and Individual 2nd Place: Mike & Richard Fitzerald. Judging was equally close in the restau-
rant division. Restaurant Category 1st Place: Harry T’s Restaurant and Restaurant Category 2nd
Place: Pompano Joe’s Restaurant. The People’s Choice Restaurant Award voted on by the day’s
gumbo samplers was Pompano Joe’s Seafood Restaurant. The People’s Choice Individual Award
voted on by the day’s gumbo samplers was Alvin Claybrone. The Museum is very thankful to our
business partners, The City of Destin and Pepsi, and most appreciative to all that supported this fund-
raising event by their donations or participation. Special thanks go to the celebrity judges: Drew &
Todd Cooper from Infinite Lasers, Greg Fisher from Trip Shock!, Tracey Marsh from Cox Business
Services, Dan O’Byrne the TDC Director, Brenda Schoffner from Northwest Florida Daily News,
Aimee Shaeffer from Aimee’s Animal Magnetism & MC for many local non-profits, and Tommy
Usry from Graphic Illustrator & Design from Sandestin. Proceeds from this event will help pay the
upkeep and expansion of museum programs and exhibits.
This fundraising event net
over $14,000.00 !!!!
Preserving the Heritage of the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village ! Page 3
Edgar Oden Walter was born in 1910 in Caney, Kansas. Edgar’s parents were Edward Allison and
Florence Anderson Walter. Edward was a glass blower by trade and followed his profession across the
country, as glass plants closed and opened in new locations. In 1927, the family was living in Shreveport,
Louisiana when Edgar met his future wife, Eventhia Vera Maltezo. Vera was in Shreveport visiting her sis-
ter Cleo, awaiting the birth of Cleo’s first child. For Edgar and Vera, it was love at first sight and the couple
were married in Destin in 1928. The couple had three children: Harold, Bobby Lee and Connie Virginia.
While living in Destin, Edgar learned the fishing and boat building business from Vera’s family, the Malte-
zo’s and Marler’s. After Edgar’s father died in 1936, following tradition, he was offered his father’s posi-
tion in the Glass Factory and he accepted. After the factory closed, Edgar brought his family back to live in
Destin, making a living fishing and building boats. In 1947, Edgar joined the war effort and enlisted in the
Coast Guard. After serving six years in the military, Edgar purchased the fishing boat “Sweetheart” from
his brother-in-law and began his fishing career. Edgar built many boats for the Destin fishermen including
the “Miss Diana” for his son Bobby Lee. Since their marriage at 18, Edgar had dreamed of building his
own boat and naming it the “Miss Eventhia” after his lovely wife Vera (whose given name is Eventhia). At
age 60, Edgar realized his dream after building a party boat in his backyard on Hwy. 98. She was launched
in 1975 and christened the “Lady Eventhia” after his wife of 54 years. The boat was 65 feet long with a 24
foot beam. Edgar’s son Harold captained the boat after his father’s death in 1982.
Pioneers of Paradise Written by Jean Melvin
The Walter Family
“Lady Eventhia”
Captain Ed Walter
Pictured in Center
Photo courtesy of Walter Family
The “Sweetheart”
comes into the Destin docks
after a successful day of fishing.
Photo by Grey’s Photography
Documenting and sharing the complete history of Destin ! Page 4
T O U R S
Community Outreach
January 3: Kathy Blue gave presentation
to Destin Kiwanis
February 14: Dave Steele represented the
Destin History & Fishing Museum at the
Okaloosa County Museum Co-Op table
set up at the Convention Center for the
Snowbird Expo.
February 14: Niceville
United Methodist Church Senior
Sunday School Group
DeNure Tours: January
11, February 1,8,22, March 1, 8,
& 15th from Pelican Beach Re-
sorts with our winter quests.
February 16: Destin Cub
Scout Troup
Dave Steele was inducted as the new president of the
Destin History and Fishing Museum Executive Board .
He presented outgoing president Mike Long an apprecia-
tion gift for his service to the museum.
2013-2014 Museum Executive Board
Dave Steele: President
Dan Martin: Vice President
John Lefler: Treasurer
Kathy Marler Blue: Secretary
2013-2014 Board Members
Rick Derek, Dan Empson, Jim Green, Norm Hall, Tina
Harbuck, Hollis Lathem, Mike Long, Don Rogers, Lloyd
Taylor, and Russell Wamble
At the Helm
** BOOKSIGNING **
February 13
with author
Athena Marler Creamer
Page 5 Volume 7, Issue 3
AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar
hosted a Volunteer Recognition
Luncheon at the restaurant on February
13. The Destin History and Fishing
Museum volunteers were treated to a
wonderful lunch overlooking the pic-
turesque Harbor. Mayor Sam Seevers
presented award certificates to volun-
teers in attendance. Diamond Volun-
teers with 1,000 + volunteer hours in-
cluded: Dave Fraser, Mike Long, and
Dave Steele. These volunteers received
the Museum Diamond Volunteer cer-
tificate and their names included on a
perpetual Diamond Volunteer plaque
displayed in the Museum. Carole
Marler received the Silver Presidential
Volunteer Service Award and Museum
Silver Volunteer Award for 300+ vol-
unteer hours. Patricia Hardiman, Kelly
Marcus, and Nancy Shoults received
the Bronze Presidential Volunteer Ser-
vice Award and Museum Bronze Cer-
tificate for 100+ volunteer hours. The
President’s Award included a certifi-
cate, a letter from the President and a
lapel pin. Additional awards were pre-
sented to: A.J.’s Seafood & Oyster
Bar, Darlene Fraser, Scottie Griffith,
Laura Hall, Denise Ingram, John &
Judy Lefler, Sam Lombardo, Terry
Long, Dan Martin, Sheri McDonald,
Tona Newland, Dawn Pack, Wendy
Parker, Don Rogers, Erin Shoults,
Russell Wamble, Mary Ann Windes,
Sam Seevers, and Connie Walter. The
Museum appreciates the many volun-
teers that make a difference in their
support and work.
We Are Better At What We Do ,Because of You !
Preserving the Heritage of the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village
Recycle Ink
cartridges
and cell
phones at the
Museum
Tuesday - Saturday
10am to 4pm
Destin History & Fishing Museum
Museum Board of Directors
Executive Board President: Dave Steele Vice President: Dan Martin
Secretary: Kathy Marler Blue Treasurer: John Lefler
General Board: Richard Derek, Dan Empson, Jim Green, Norm Hall, Tina Harbuck, Hollis
Lathem, Don Rogers, Lloyd Taylor, Russell Wamble
Executive Director Jean Melvin Associate Director Kathy Marler Blue
Museum Docent: Dave Fraser Museum Volunteer: Carole Marler
Newsletter Writer and Editor Kathy Marler Blue
DHFM
P.O. Box 548
Destin, FL 32540-0548
Destin History and Fishing Museum is a non profit organization whose members are dedicated to
preserving, documenting, and sharing the complete history of Destin. There are limitless ways you, your friends, and associates can be part of realizing these efforts. Now more than ever we can use
your support. Your donation or membership is tax deductible.
Please fill out the form below and mail it to the museum.
Yes, I Give My Support! Name___________________________________________________________________
Address__________________________________________________________________ Phone________________________________________ E-Mail ______________________________________
Membership/Amount $20_______ $ 50________ $ 100 ________ $250 _________ $ Other ___________ Check # ______________ If you would like to pay by credit card please call the Museum and have
your credit card ready.
Mail to: Destin History and Fishing Museum P.O. Box 548 Destin, Florida 32540-0548
Thank you. Without your faithful and generous donations and efforts, the museum would not exist today.
Join or Renew Your Membership Today
Phone: 850-837-6611
Fax: 850-837-6609 E-mail: [email protected]
Website: destinhistoryandfishingmuseum.org
PLEASE MAIL YOUR
DONATION TO:
DESTIN HISTORY &
FISHING MUSEUM
108 STAHLMAN AVE.
DESTIN, FL 32541
Your recycled cell
phones earn $5-10 each
for the museum. Keep
them coming!!!
Admission: Adults: $5
Seniors & Military: $4
Students: $3
Kids 6 & Under
and Members : Free