Mound House: Growing pains will be remembered
To the editor:
I’ve just finished reading the 21-page management plan for the Mound House – easily available for the asking from Town Hall. I’m more convinced than ever that not only are we approaching the finish line, but the angst and concern and the growing pains inherent in a project of this magnitude will someday be best remembered as an important chapter in this home’s history. We must keep our eye on the goal – a complete and magnificently well done, up and running property that we, as residents of Fort Myers Beach, can be proud of.
If you doubt the truth of these words, you need only talk with folks in other parts of the country who, at last, have their own historic properties visitor- ready. The worry over change, money spent, the time involved and community concerns these are not unusual. They’re actually part of the process of turning a historic home into something larger for the community and its visitors. It’s not at all unusual. It only needs to be worked through.
As a board member of the Friends of the Mound House, I’ve had the opportunity to see first hand how the community at large is responding to the Mound House and our efforts on its behalf. As a non-profit organization we have raised over $13,000 on a small beach in tough economic times. We’ve accomplished this with events such as our holiday teas, a vintage fashion and art show, and a chocolate and tea tasting. It is people from our small community that have attended, who have showered us with items for auctioning and who have asked, “What’s coming next?” and “How can we help?”
Even the most devoted of history lovers among us understand there comes a point where you must look forward. Look forward with us my friends. We’re so close. And we’re having a tremendous amount of fun. Join us. Play with us. Have a cup of tea.
We’ll serve.
Laurie Nienhaus
Fort Myers Beach