Charlotte Campus to host
Mar 23, 2012
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – The Peace River Center for Writers at Edison State College is providing area history enthusiasts a trip back in time with Old Florida in Film, Fact and Fiction.
The three-part series opened Monday, March 19 with Early Years (1900 to 1920s) that included the screening of the 1928 film “Scenes of the Everglades” and a reading from acclaimed poet Gianna Russo. Nearly 100 patrons filled the Edison State auditorium for the unique experience.
“It was a wonderful night to showcase both Florida’s history and the arts,” said John Pelot, an English professor at Edison State and president of the PRCW. “The film was fascinating and Russo’s poetry was a beautiful compliment; just a great time. The feedback we got from everyone in attendance was very positive and it’s only going to get better.”
The series is free to the public courtesy of a $2,000 mini grant from the Florida Humanities Council, which is funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. It’s the third consecutive year the PRCW has received a grant for such events with last year’s Celebrating the Native American in Florida and 2010’s Florida Contemporary Poetry: A National Poetry Month Writers Festival and Celebration.
Old Florida in Film, Fact and Fiction continues on Friday, March 30 with Middle Years (1940s and early 1950s). The second part of the series features the screening of “Florida: First and Last Frontier” and “Flower of Tampa” at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium along with award-winning author Rick Wilber.
“I’m excited to hear Wilber read; he wrote a piece of fiction about baseball that’s set in St. Petersburg after World War II that I’ve heard great things about,” Pelot said. “He’s also a journalism and mass-media professor at the University of South Florida, so it should be a very engaging and exciting discussion about the reading, the films and that time in Florida’s history.”
Middle Years begins with a workshop from 4 to 5 p.m. in room 203 of the Classroom Building at Edison State. While free, seating is limited and those interested are encouraged to make reservations with the PRCW at 941-637-3514 or prcw@edison.edu.
Old Florida in Film, Fact and Fiction concludes on Thursday, April 19 with the Later Years (1960s and early 1970s). The final installment also features a workshop from 4 to 5 p.m. in room 203 of the Classroom Building (seating is limited) followed by 6:30 screenings and a reading in the auditorium.
“The Adventures of X-14” and “When You Need It Bad, We’ve Got It Good” highlight the evening festivities along with Eckerd College professor Ray Eberling, a former Air Force Lieutenant Colonel.
“Eberling has a very unique background that I think most people will find fascinating,” Pelot said. “And I’m excited to hear about his dissertation on the selling of the Florida dream. It’s going to be an excellent way to conclude Old Florida in Film, Fact and Fiction.”
For more information about Edison State College Charlotte Campus and the PRCW please visit www.edison.edu/charlotte or call 941-637-5629.
Celebrating 50 years of excellence, Edison State College is Southwest Florida’s largest, most accessible and most affordable institution of higher education. Proud to be tobacco-free, Edison State serves more than 26,000 students per year in five counties and online. For more information please visit www.edison.edu.
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Last Updated: May 15, 2020
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