The Veterans History Project, Collier County Committee will launch their community initiative with a ‘Heritage Heroes Reception’ on Wednesday, October 31st from 4:30 pm-6:30 pm at the Naples Hilton, 5111 Tamiami Trail. Collier County’s VHP launch is coinciding with the East Coast Premiere of Honor Flight, the featured film at the Fourth Annual Naples International Film Festival.

The ONWA is committed to promoting the history and businesses on and around the waterfront. By combining individual voices into one collective voice we have established a much stronger presence in the community, with the city of Naples, and the state of Florida. It also provides a terrific platform to create, develop, and promote events to draw business and tourist dollars to the area.

“Sometimes an opportunity presents itself; and only in hindsight, can you see its importance.”

Albert Einstein stated that a problem could not be solved at the same level of thinking that created the problem. Perhaps this is why Women of Initiative, Dr. Lois A. Bolin and Lavern Norris Gaynor, have accomplished so much in so little time with Naples Backyard History Inc.

“Thank God! Now there will always be Our Keewaydin!”

Those were the parting words of John “Speedy” Rush in 1945, as he handed over the keys to the fondly remembered “Angels of Keewaydin,” Lester and Dellora Norris. Mr. Rush, the former director of all the Keewaydin Camps across America, had taken over Keewaydin Florida when it came upon financial difficulties in 1935.