“A few, a very few, of these brave and unselfish people are still here bidding their summons to cross the Great Divide.” — Dr. Earl Baum In “Early Naples and Collier County,” Illinois physician Earl Baum writes that he was first drawn to Naples in 1922 by an article in Field and Stream magazine. In 1927, he purchased a home on the corner of Second Street (now Gulf Shore Boulevard) and 11th Avenue South (now Broad Avenue). Today, that house is about to make history in more ways than one.

“I would rather excel others in the knowledge of what is excellent than in the extent of my powers and dominion.” — Alexander the Great, from “Life of Alexander, bk. XIV” by Plutarch The notable Greek historian Plutarch was not so concerned with history in much of his writings as he was with the influence his character had on the lives and destinies of men. Where to store these writings was also influenced by the Greeks beginning with Clio, one of the nine muses, who became known as the patron of history; hence the word “muse-um” — a place connected with the muses of inspiration.

“The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.” — Benjamin Disraeli

An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in.

A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.

“Out with the old and in with the new” is the underpinning of every New Year’s resolution; but as most resolutions seems to go in one year and out the other, why bother at all?