The Wall That Heals, a half size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC,  arrived in Marco Island Tuesday December 6 for a five day stay.   The truck moving the memorial was escorted onto the island by a motorcyclists from across Southwest Florida.  We hear from some of them as well from veteran Lee Rubenstein who was responsible for bringing the Wall to Marco.

Photos courtesy of Frank Steiger Photography.
 

After 9 years of construction, the Fort Myers Housing Authority will dedicate its new administration building today in honor of the late circuit court judge Isaac Anderson Jr.  It’s part of the largest affordable housing development project in the history of Southwest Florida.   Isaac Anderson was Lee County’s first African American judge.  He died in 2007 at age 61.

The Fort Myers native and Dunbar High School graduate was first appointed as a county judge in 1981 by former Florida Governor Bob Graham.  Housing Authority Executive Director Marcus Goodson describes Judge Anderson as an advocate for affordable, quality housing and says he’s excited Anderson’s name will grace the new Administration building.

“To dedicate such a really nice building, a nice edition to this community to someone who was born and raised in this community, had a huge impact in the legal community throughout Lee County and also had a huge impact in the Dunbar community just by his presence and just by the things he brought to the table in terms of promoting affordable housing,” he said.

The ribbon will be cut for two other new buildings in the complex, where residents can find assistance with education, job training and life skills.The new 80 million dollar project, paid for with federal grants and state tax credit programs, will be complete this time next year. There’s already a waiting list for the new buildings. 

One of Southwest Florida’s environmental icons passed away this morning.  Ellen Peterson served on the Agency for Bay Management, the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida, Save Our Creeks, the Responsible Growth Management Coalition, The Everglades Committee, the Environmental Peace and Education Center and the Sierra Club's Calusa Group.

She founded the Calusa group 30 years ago and remained the chairperson until her death.   

The Agency for Bay Management was formed as a result of a lawsuit about where FGCU would be built; Peterson was the only member who refused to sign off on the settlement agreement. She was responsible for saving Fisheating Creek and fought and won the battle to stop a coal-fired power plant from going into Glades County.  

Plans are being made for public services in Estero and at Fisheating Creek.

Ellen Peterson was 87 years old. 

 The Florida man perhaps best known for infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan in the   1940s died Friday in St. Augustine. Stetson Kennedy, also known as a folklorist and historian, was born in Jacksonville in 1916.

In 1937, Kennedy joined the WPA Florida Writer’s Project, travelling the state with African-American writer Zora Neale Hurston, recording oral histories. The discrimination Hurston encountered led to Kennedy’s involvement in civil rights. 

In the 1940s, he infiltrated the KKK, gained the leadership’s  confidence,  then provided information about the group to the Washington Post and Anti-Defamation League. Kennedy’s friend, former state lawmaker and historian Vernon Peeples said Kennedy exposed the Klan for what it really was.

“It took a lot of courage for him to do that but it was something he felt strongly about  and I think he did it successfully and his contribution for unveiling the Klan was significant, “ Peeples said. 

Kennedy wrote a number of books including Palmetto Country, based on material collected for the WPA.  He also spent time living on a bus with Woody Guthrie  and kicked up his heels in Paris.  Kennedy died at the age of 94.

Join Arizona Public Media, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, along with other invited guests as we begin the healing process with the people of Tucson, the nation, and the world to honor Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the many others who were injured or lost in Saturday’s tragic shooting.

This program will air live from the University of Arizona’s McKale Memorial Center, where thousands are expected to gather to share their sadness and hope for the future. The event will include a Native American blessing, a moment of silence, a poetry reading and the presentation of a chain featuring messages from members of the public.

8:00pm EST Wednesday, January 12 on PBS-HD6, KUAZ Radio and Online ondemand.azpm.org/live

Tuesday is the first day of winter.  It’s also the longest night of the year.  And, it's when folks across the country recognize Homeless Person’s Memorial Day.  WGCU’s John Davis reports.

A key player in the arts in southwest Florida passed away Saturday morning. Dick Westlake directed more than 100 productions during 24 years as the head of Edison Community College’s Theater Department.  Once he retired he maintained his stage presence in front of and behind the curtain. WGCU’s Amy Tardif has this remembrance.

Hundreds of Southwest Florida residents commemorated Martin Luther King, Jr., Day with a march in downtown Fort Myers this morning/Monday.  WGCU’s John Davis spoke with marchers and onlookers about Dr. King’s life and contributions to the civil rights movement.

An event celebrating the life and art of a longtime Fort Myers resident is being held Saturday night at 7:00 at the Lee County Alliance of the Arts campus in Fort Myers. Bruce Gora was an architect, photographer and musician…he designed the Alliance campus and several other well-known buildings in Lee County. The evening will feature Gora’s photographs, architectural and community accomplishments...as well as live music. Longtime friend and Alliance board member Katherine Boren is chairing the event…she told WGCU’s Mike Kiniry that Gora was truly a renaissance man…

The New Terminal at
Charlotte County Airport was officially renamed the Bailey Terminal
today/yesterday. The name honors seven African American Brothers born
in Punta Gorda  who all served their country in the military. WGCU’s
Valerie Alker reports.