Over 400 people visited the Calusa Heritage Trail at the Randell Research Center on February 21 and were treated to fabulous weather and a diverse offering of displays and activities.

The classroom had exhibits on archaeology, archaeobotany, and zooarchaeology by Donna Ruhl, Irv Quitmyer, Melissa Ayvaz, Krista Church, Gypsy Price, Ryan Van Dyke, and Austin Bell. In the Authors and Storytellers tent, presentations were given by Ed Winn, Gene Toncray, Tom Joseph, Roothee Gabay, D.L. Havlin, Robin Brown, Holly Moulder, and John and Mary Lou Missal. In the Art and Technology area, there were demonstrations by Merald Clark and Cyndi Moncrief, Felix Macaguani Rodriguez, Dick Workman, John Beriault, Robin Brown, Janelle Lowry, and David Lainko. Elizabeth Neily, Marty Haythorn, and Linda Davis exhibited their art works, and John McKinney made palm-leaf baskets and hats.

Karen Walker, Margi Nanney, and Janelle Havlin served “Calusa Tastings”— samplings of Calusa cuisine, such as fish, clams, peppers, and papaya. Mel Meo, Fred Lodsin , and Phil Schultz offered fresh-cooked food that was much appreciated by all. Guided tours were conducted by RRC docents Denege Patterson, Jim Cherfoli, and Mary Banks.

A visitor asks author Holly Moulder to sign her book. Photo by W. Marquardt

Young artists work on drawings in the children’s activity area, while sifting for artifacts is demonstrated. Photo by W. Marquardt

Janelle Lowry demonstrates the manufacture of stone tools. Photo by M. Nanney

Karen Walker offers visitors a sample of foods that were eaten by the Calusa Indians. Photo by W. Marquardt

Archaeobotanist Donna Ruhl and research assistants Melissa Ayvaz, Krista Church, and Gypsy Price talk with visitors about current research and curation activities related to the Pineland site. Photo by W. Marquardt

Florida Museum research assistant Austin Bell (right) explains how clam shells found in archaeological sites can provide information on past diet and climate. Also pictured is Florida Museum research assistant Ryan Van Dyke. Photo by M. Nanney

Artist-anthropologist Merald Clark explains his artwork and reconstructions of Calusa artifacts. Photo by M. Nanney

There were information tables hosted by many local environmental and eco-tourism organizations, a historical exhibit on the Ruby Gill House and Pineland Post Office by Gladys Schneider and Pineland Postmaster Gina Poppell, an information table manned by Steve Tutko, special activities for children organized by Diane Maher, and a demonstration of how archaeologists sift for artifacts staffed by David and Pat Townsend An overflow crowd of more than 60 heard featured speaker Donna Ruhl discuss Florida’s ancient canoes.

On March 1, with expert guidance from Robin Brown and John Beriault, we fired the pottery that had been made on Calusa Heritage Day. Special thanks to Michael Wylde, who organized this year’s successful events. Michael was ably assisted by Mark Chargois, Linda Heffner, and Nick Paeno. The Anthropology Club from Florida Gulf Coast University helped immensely with a variety of tasks.

Donna Ruhl speaks about Florida’s ancient canoes to an overflow crowd in the RRC classroom. Photo by M. Nanney

Ranger Linda Patton and volunteer Ann Wollschlager pose at the information table for the J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Reserve. Photo by W. Marquardt

Denege Patterson guides a tour of the Calusa Heritage Trail. Photo by W. Marquardt

Author Tom Joseph talks about his historical novel in the Authors and Storytellers tent. Photo by M. Nanney

Present-day Pineland postmaster Gina Poppell shows a display on the historic Ruby Gill House. Ruby Gill was Pineland’s postmaster from 1925 to 1957. Photo by M. Nanney

Visitors learn about Lee County’s “Great Calusa Blueway,” a marked canoe and kayak trail. The Calusa Heritage Trail is listed as a destination on the Blueway map.

David Lainko demonstrates how to throw a hunting dart using the atlatl (throwing stick). Photo by M. Nanney

John Beriault adds fuel to the fire that will harden the pottery. The vessels being fired were made by visitors and volunteers during Calusa Heritage Day the week before. Photo by K. Walker.

This article was taken from the Friends of the Randell Research Center Newsletter Vol 8, No. 1. March 2009.