We were so proud and grateful to have our Mandarin Museum expansion covered by the Mandarin Newsline on page 1 of the January issue!

Click HERE to read the wonderful story written by Editor, Martie Thompson.

We have just recently started our campaign to raise funds for a much-needed expansion of the Mandarin Museum, to include a new Maple Leaf exhibit hall as well as an expanded archival work room. We welcome donations of all sizes from any individual or business. For more information click HERE.

Mandarin Newsline, a monthly paper that focuses on Mandarin activities and business, is available free to several Mandarin area zip codes. If you do not receive it by mail, you can pick one up at the museum in the future, as we will be having a stack of papers there every month. We depend on this local paper to help us get the word out on our programs and activities, so we ask you to return that support by reading it and by visiting the local businesses who advertise their services.

Winter Celebration - 2017

Board member Hope Ferrigno and volunteer Pheenie Dahl

We heard over and over again that the 2017 Winter Celebration was one of the best EVER! The weather was absolutely perfect, the crowds were larger, the activities were engaging and some of them new, and the music was wonderful! All in all it was a great day for families to come out and enjoy the beauty of the Walter Jones Historical Park and learn about Mandarin's fascinating history.

An event like this takes A LOT of manpower, as you can well imagine. We are planning and working on it for at least six months and then have 75 or so volunteers show up on the day of the event to make it come alive!

We are extremely appreciative of all those volunteers who come out to make this celebration so good - our own MMHS volunteers as well as those from the many non-profit community groups and individuals who participate.

But I would like to point out and thank two MMHS volunteers who work especially long and hard to organize and plan and execute this special event - Hope Ferrigno and Paula Suhey. And also, long-time volunteer Pheenie Dahl.

Hope is a long-time member and volunteer who has served on the Board as Program Chair for many years, with her biggest event always being Winter Celebration. Hope has done a fantastic job every year. However, she has decided that 2017 will be her last year in charge of this event. She is ready to pass the baton to a new person. If you see Hope, please join us in thanking her for her many years of service to Mandarin through her leadership of Winter Celebration. And, if you think you might want to take on her position, I know she would give you much support and guidance.

Pheenie and Hope are long-time and good friends who are often seen serving as docents together. Pheenie and her husband Bob exemplify the type of volunteers we have at MMHS - they are faithful, regular and always willing to jump in and help wherever and whenever we need them. People like Pheenie, Bob and Hope form the very strong foundation we have that makes it possible to fulfill our mission in Mandarin. Thank you, thank you for your commitment.

I also want to recognize and thank our Volunteer Coordinator, Paula Suhey. Paula is not only responsible for having MMHS volunteers in many many places during Winter Celebration, but she also recruits, manages and trains all the volunteers that we have at MMHS. We totally depend on our volunteers to open our doors every Saturday and educate our many visitors, and Paula is the one who makes sure the schedule is fulfilled with smiling folks every week. If you would like to join her happy team - shoot her an email at [email protected].

Volunteer Coordinator Paula Suhey

Sandy Arpen

 

 

Mandarin's "Frog Man"   

meets a huge goal!

 

This unbelievable story just keeps growing and growing. Two and a half years ago when this life-time Mandarin resident told us he wanted to raise $50,000 for the Mandarin Museum by making and selling his concrete frogs, we were grateful and excited - but we never in a million years dreamed that he could make this lofty goal. It just seemed way beyond reach.

But guess what? HE DID!!!!!! He has actually surpassed this goal and we have one Saturday left before the new year. He has accomplished this one frog, turtle and squirrel at a time. Making these molds, letting them set for 28 days, painting them and selling them at the museum. He also came up with the idea of the painting parties, which have been a huge hit with everyone. His frogs are all around the country now.

He has been so successful because he did it from his heart. He wanted to give a gift to the community - to make people smile and laugh - to gather people together. And he has done all of that and more. He did it because he has an amazingly strong work ethic - he has poured and painted almost every day of the week - all day - for over two years. At an average of $30 per creature, he has made and painted about 1700 concrete items. This is just phenomenal, really.

He was successful also because he is a tremendous salesman. He greets people every Saturday, shares a story or two, draws them into the fun of it - and people walk out happy and enchanted with their frog or turtle. He also gives small gifts to the children who visit, making them feel special. All in all, he is just a nice, nice guy.

Since the beginning he has not wanted us to publicize his name or show his face in photos - instead he is loving the fun and mystery of being the "Frog Man." Of course, if you bought a frog, you've most likely met him. But he continues with this purely out of fun.

So, what do you say to a man who has single handedly raised $50,000 for your organization - $30,000 of it going directly to the Museum Expansion Fund? There are no adequate words - except THANK YOU and WE LOVE YOU! When you see him, please thank him as well. His gift is for the benefit of the entire community.  

 

PS - The next frog painting will be Saturday, February 10 (weather permitting) from 10-12 at the museum. Reserve your spot please at  [email protected] or 268-0784.  24 frogs only. 

"Oakside" update  

 

Remember the beautiful painting of the "Barn at Oakside" by artist Naomi Stine MacNeill - recently donated to us? We were not sure where "Oakside" was located. And we asked for help.

 

And, we got that information from Cary Morrow, brother of Bill and Anne Morrow. Here is what Cary reported to Bill and Bill indeed confirmed:

 

 

"I just read the museum newsletter. There was an article about two paintings. One was of a barn at Oakside. At the end was a question about where Oakside was. I believe that was the barn on the Crane property about two houses west of you all. ( which would put it a couple lots west of the Church of Our Saviour on Mandarin Road ). I seem to recall a sign that said Oakside on that property when we were growing up. It also looks like I remember that barn looking. Could you confirm or maybe Bill can. The last thing I remember about that barn was that Larry Tanner's father set up a shooting range inside of it, and we went there and shot his 22 rifle once or twice before he died. Mr. Crane had a swimming pool. I believe that our mother went there to swim as a child. We also swam in that pool on a few occasions after the Tanners moved in."

 

So, thanks to the keen memory of Cary, we have the mystery solved. Thanks very much Cary.  

Changes being made

We recently learned that Mandarin resident and Miss Aggie Award recipient Emily Lisska will be retiring from her role of Executive Director at the Jacksonville Historical Society after over 20 years of service in this position.

It is a well-deserved retirement for Emily, but it is hard to even imagine the organization without her. Emily has provided constant wise leadership that has made it possible to preserve historic buildings, provide educational offerings and maintain a tremendous archival collection of documents and objects that are important to Jacksonville's history. She will be greatly missed in that role.

While giving up this post, we also see that Emily will be President of the Mandarin Community Club again in 2018, giving Susie Scott a well-deserved break from that important role. She brings great experience to that job as well.

Susie, also a Miss Aggie Award recipient has provided strong and steady leadership to the Mandarin Community Club, as well as heading up the annual Art Festival for many  years. Her efforts in tree preservation and zoning issues have been especially strong, for which we should all be thankful to her .

Bruce and Susie Scott

Thank you to both Emily and Susie for their many contributions and commitments to make Jacksonville a better city and Mandarin a better place to live.  We wish both of you continued success in whatever you choose to do in the future.

REMEMBER OUR REGULAR EVENTS 

 

 

Meet the Divers Day     

 

The monthly "Meet the

Maple Leaf Divers" day at Mandarin Museum in Walter Jones Historical Park. 

 

Look for the divers next on Saturday, January 6 - from 12-4.

Meet and talk with Dr. Keith Holland and the men who found the Maple Leaf shipwreck and recovered the Civil War artifacts from this National Historic Landmark site in the St. Johns River at Mandarin Point. This is a unique and special opportunity to learn about Civil War history. 

   

 

 

The old Mandarin Store and Post Office evokes memories of small town and village general stores across America. It was the hub of village life from the time it opened in 1911 until it closed in 1964.  

 "Under the Oaks" Music Jams  

 

The monthly "Under the Oaks" music jam will take a break in January, but will be back (weather permitting) on February 4 at Walter Jones Historical Park from 2-4. Bring an acoustic instrument if you would like to play - listeners are always welcome. Everybody bring a lawn chair. The Mandarin Museum and St. Joseph's Mission Schoolhouse for African- American Children will be open during this event.

SAVE THESE DATES

January 6 - "Meet the Maple Leaf Divers" 12-4

January 22 - Annual Meeting 6:30

January 7 - NO Music Under the Oaks community music jam

February 4 - Music Under the Oaks community music jam 2-4

February 10 - Frog painting party 10-12

February 15 - Third Thursday Lecture - Rita Reagan, Norman Studios

February 17 - "Meet the Maple Leaf Divers" 12-4

March 4 - Music Under the Oaks community music jam

March 17- "Meet the Maple Leaf Divers" 12-4

April 1 - Music Under the Oaks community music jam 2-4

April 19 - Rotary Club of Mandarin  "Laughs for Charity" event 

April 21 - "Meet the Maple Leaf Divers" 12-4 

  September 22 or 29 - Smithsonian "Museum Day LIVE!" with Meet the Maple Leaf Divers Day and all buildings open

December 1 - 19th Annual Winter Celebration in Walter Jones Historical Park

MISSION: Mandarin Museum & Historical Society shares the stories of Mandarin's history, culture and natural resources by providing engaging programs that educate, entertain and inspire.

VISIT. JOIN. VOLUNTEER

Mandarin Museum & Historical Society 

904-268-0784