Along Sullivan Street During the Fall Craft Fair

Never Saw My Hometown Till I'd Been Away Too Long

It was the harbor that drew me here and the harbor that keeps drawing me back.  After seeing the magnificent harbor at Shanghai I am still enthralled whenever I return to Charlotte Harbor.   

Swimming Along

Some Serendipity

One of those Clouds

View of Punta Gorda from the Top of Herald Court

Police from all over Florida lead Deputy Sheriff Sgt. Mike Wilson's Funeral Procession

Difficult to choose which photo taken today best represented this tragic day -- but this one of the police from various parts of Florida heading over the Charlotte Harbor bridge with the flag drapped in the background stirred me the most.  Also note the officers standing atop the fire truck in the background.  

Charlotte County Mourns Fallen Officer -- Blue Ribbon outside the Event Center in Punta Gorda

Two of our Favorite Ugly Ducklings

The Quednau-Hindman House Looking Pretty all in Yellow at the History Park in Punta Gorda

The Quednau Hindman House was relocated from Goldstein Street to the History Park over a year ago.  The cottage was originally built for the Quednau family.   Fred Quednau, said to have been born in the house (still researching this one because dates don't jive)  was  one of three sons of a German immigrant (Fritz Quednau) who came to Punta Gorda in the late 1800s. Fred, originally a sea captain, married Belle McBean (he and Belle were the second couple to be married in the new Charlotte County). Belle often joined Fred on his sailing trips, along with their daughter Henryetta “Tosie”.

After Fred gave up his sailing, he ran a restaurant on Marian Avenue and later became Sheriff of Charlotte County. Tosie, who was born in the house and  grew up there , and frequently played in the halls of the old Punta Gorda Hotel. She married Jack Hindman, with whom she had two children. Tosie Quednau Hindman was Supervisor of Elections for over twenty years and well-known and respected in Punta Gorda. She died in 2009 in the cottage.

The house is a true Cracker ‍house with one huge middle room and smaller rooms off to the side. 

Ponce at Gilchrist

Harborwalk around the old Benedettos now Open

Last section of the Harborwalk opened quietly.  Now possible to walk from the Village all the way along the Harbor  to near the Hospital area.   Absolutely beautiful!

Fireworks over the Wyvern

Oh Say Can You See.. Flag over the Justice Center by the Dawn's Early Light

The Courtyard Cafe in formerly Cupcakes

The new cafe down the lane off Marion features breakfast and lunch. Crepes anyone?