USO War Time cartoon by Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling
The 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor will be commemorated through a special production entitled “Sentimental Journey, Captiva Island 1941-1945,” presented by the Captiva Island Historical Society.
The program is a salute to and historical look back at the World War II years on the island through the use of narration, music and visual images.
“It’s something that we’ve wanted to do for some time. It’s an intriguing subject and a way to recognize what island life was like during World War II,” board President Tom Libonate said. “It’s history delivered through theater.”
Written by CIHS archivist Vanessa “Queenie” Viglione, the script for the stage production is based upon the children’s book “Tales of the Rain Barrel, the War Years.” The book was written by Ken Sushil and his sister, Rita Sushil Dilks-Wolfe, who as children lived on Captiva during World War II.
Singer-songwriter and frequent island visitor Austin Church will narrate the program. Pianist Terri Schafer of Fort Myers will provide the musical interludes at the keyboard throughout the production.
“Sentimental Journey, Captiva Island 1941-1945” will be presented on Tues, Dec 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the South Seas Island Resort’s ballroom at 5400 Plantation Road on Captiva.
Tickets are $12 and complimentary for World War II veterans and spouses. Admission includes desserIt, soft drinks and water; there will be a cash bar.
For more information or tickets, visit www.captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org/ and click on the “Events” tab; tickets are sold through Eventbrite. People can also call the CIHS at 239-472-2323. Note that veterans and spouses need to call the CIHS to reserve their complimentary tickets.
