Hello everyone:
Happy New Year. It is the middle of winter already. Is anyone missing summer yet?
Looks like it will be a colder than normal winter this year.
Be careful this week as we may have ice and freezing rain. Be careful.
Again, thanks to all who helped put on the 51st Callahan Christmas Parade and craft fair. We are fortunate and honored to host Callahan's biggest one-day event and this year was a success, We need to continue to come together and help out that day if we want to continue to host this treasured event.
13th Nassau Art Show & Sale
Our 13th Nassau Art at the Callahan Depot art show and sale is this weekend. We have expanded to a three day show so it will be held on January 23-25.
Exhibit hours are: Thurs Jan 23, 6:30p to 8:30p reception; Fri Jan 24 from 2p to 7p with kids ice cream and awards reception; Sat Jan 25 from 10a to 1:30p with artist luncheon in the Callahan Pavilion from 12:00 p to 1:30 pm.
We have 21 artists AND 3 schools showing their art works plus lots of items in the art shop for sale. What a perfect St Valentine or Ash Wednesday gift for that special someone.
January Meeting
Our next meeting falls on the 4th Thursday which is January 23 which is the opening and reception of our 13th NACD art show. So, we will not be having the usual sit-down meeting. We will have finger foods and refreshments as we greet the artists participating in the show. We will be asking people to bring desserts that we can use either at the reception or at the artist luncheon scheduled for that Saturday Jan 25 at 12:30p.
February Meeting
We will have our first regular sit-down meeting on Thursday, February 27, with meal at 6:30p and meeting at 7pm. We have a very special guest speaker, Dahia Colon, of the Florida Humanities' Florida Speaks program. We will also be voting on a change of the bylaws concerning membership, so bring your membership dues then. We will also be printing membership cards as well as having badges at the meetings available for those who want to put their membership cards in the badges and wear them at the meeting.
Smithsonian Institute Exhibit
The West Nassau Historical Society was awarded a Smithsonian Institute exhibit in collaboration with the Florida Humanities Council. This a pilot program for the State of Florida as we will get to research, design, program, and exhibit an display on how Food has influence our local culture. It is an 18 month project with the exhibition dates being in 2026. We are looking for people to interview about their thoughts on food and gatherings centered around food. More details to follow as we canvas the county in search of those who have stories to tell about Food, how it is grown, distributed, and consumed.
2025 Dues
We are an all-volunteer nonprofit and and annual dues are due in January 2025. Journey with us as we explore and discovery the rich and diverse tapestry that is our history and culture of Nassau County. Help us document, celebrate and preserve our county's rich and diverse history and culture by renewing or joining today. Annual dues are: $20 single, $30 family, $100 single lifetime, $150 couple lifetime, plus we have corporate memberships for businesses who want to help us reach our goals. Download a membership form from our web site www.wnhsfl.org. Don't think of it as dues but as an investment in the future of our past. Those joining and those current members will be receiving membership cards at the first of the year. Those attending the monthly meetings can bring their membership card and place it inside a badge holder to wear during these meetings.
Planning your estate? If you are interested in remembering the West Nassau Historical Society in your estate planning, contact us for details.
Like our Facebook page so you can get the latest happenings and interesting history tidbits.
WE HAVE RRDAY TSHIRTS AND MUGS LEFT OVER, plus RR caps and whistles, for sale. Perfect gift for mardi gras.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, January 23 thru Saturday, January 25, various times. Nassau Art at the Callahan Depot art show and sale. Our annual county-wide art show has expanded to three days. More details to follow. This judged art show is open to all adult and middle-senior student artists living in Nassau County. Visit wnhsfl.org for entry form. No regular monthly meeting that Thursday. We will have an opening reception to our NACD art show. Exhibit hours are: Thurs Jan 23, 6:30p to 8:30p reception; Fri Jan 24 from 2p to 7p with kids ice cream and awards reception; Sat Jan 25 from 10a to 1:30p with artist luncheon in the Callahan Pavilion from 12:00 p to 1:30 pm.
Thursday, Feb 27
6:30 pm meal, 7pm meeting, monthly meeting; Special Guest Speaker: Florida Humanities' Florida Talks Series: Telling Florida Food Stories- Dalia Colon
Senior art classes in early March.
Thursday, March 27
6:30 pm meal, 7pm meeting, monthly meeting. Speaker: Marge Powell, part 2: UK railroad engines
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Our 20th annual Railroad Day festival and classic car show. Details to follow.
April, Hilliard video walking tour, date and time TBA
Thursday, April 24
6:30 pm meal, 7pm meeting, monthly meeting. Speaker: Clyde Davis, Nassau County Feuds, part 2. Annual elections.
Thursday, May 22
6:30 pm meal, 7pm meeting, monthly meeting. Speaker: Chip Kilpatrick,
Thursday, June 26
6:30 pm meal, 7pm meeting, monthly meeting. Speaker: TBA
Kids' summer art classes in mid July. TBA
Again, thanks to everyone for your continuing support of our group and our history.
See you soon. Stay safe.
John Hendricks, President
West Nassau Historical Society
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Abner McGehee
This page was last updated: January 21, 2025
