provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The chill in the evening air did nothing to cool the warm feelings inside the tent erected at McCarthy’s Marina lot for the Betty Anholt Guardian of History Award dinner ceremony. This year the Captiva Island Historical Society honored Kristie Anders for her “lifetime achievement in interpreting and sharing history of the Islands.”
CIHS had arranged for Anders, her husband Red, and a few close friends to arrive at the event in a vintage fire truck, a reminder of their work as volunteer firemen on Upper Captiva. Board of Directors member Brian Holoway welcomed the large crowd, then turned the meeting over to CIHS Documentarian Ken Sneeden, the Master of Ceremonies.
Sneeden had assembled a video highlighting Anders’ lifelong interest in animals, plants, water quality, and the preservation of the environment. The attendees enjoyed meeting, in photographs, her childhood pets, including raccoons, monkeys, and other adoptees that she and her three brothers nurtured and loved.
The video also traced Anders’ career as a U.S. National Park Ranger and Educator, her 30-plus years the Education Director of the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, Realtors’ Educator, and faculty member of the Rauschenberg Residency on Captiva, for artists and scholars.
The video and the praise from multiple attendees made it abundantly clear that Anders is an accomplished story teller, teacher, and role model, much loved and respected by all who encounter her. Phrases like, “She’s an environmental hero,” a “guardian of humanity,” one who, along with her husband, “lives and teaches by power of example.”
Betty Anholt, also a Director of CIHS and namesake of the award, presented Anders with the etched glass symbol of the honor. Sneeden thanked Jenny and Bob Rando, and Brad and Leslie Junghans for providing the venue. Nathalie Pyle then cued everyone to belt out two verses of “This Land Is Your Land,” as they prepared to leave the warmth of the memorable event for their friend Kristie Anders.
The Captiva Island Historical Society is grateful for the support of the Sanibel Captiva Trust Company as the presenting sponsor for this season’s programs.
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