Charlotte County History Services is preserving the voices and memories of our area's past. We are grateful to all those who have shared their stories with generations to come.
The statements expressed in these interviews do not reflect the views of Charlotte County staff.
b. 1995
Chris Anders describes the days following the storm at his sports bar, End Zone, and his home in Englewood.
Full Transcript for Chris Anders Interview | Catalog Record for Chris Anders Interview Listen to Chris Anders Interview now
b. 1968
Kim Bradford describes the terror of riding out the storm at a friend's home in Port Charlotte and the utter devastation she and her husband, Ray, faced when returning home.
Full Transcript for Kim Bradford Interview | Catalog Record for Kim Bradford Interview Listen to Kim Bradford Interview now
Punta Gorda Police Chief Pamela Davis and Punta Gorda Fire Chief Holden Gibbs tell interviewer Neil Durrant about the experiences and responses of their agencies before, during, and after Hurricane Ian.
Full Transcript for Pamela Davis and Holden Gibbs Interview | Catalog Record for Pamela Davis and Holden Gibbs Interview Listen to Pamela Davis and Holden Gibbs Interview now
b. 1980
Max Doyle, owner of the Celtic Ray in Punta Gorda, compares his experience in Hurricane Ian with the destruction of Hurricane Charley.
Full Transcript for Max Doyle Interview | Catalog Record for Max Doyle Interview Listen to Max Doyle Interview now
b. 1954
Gus Kontos discusses how Hurricanes Ian and Charley affected his business, the All-Star Sports Grill in Port Charlotte, and reflects on the importance of the restaurant in the days following the storm.
Full Transcript for Gus Kontos Interview | Catalog Record for Gus Kontos Interview Listen to Gus Kontos Interview now
b. 1982
Amanda Martin describes the terrifying experience of riding out the storm in her trailer home in El Jobean.
Full Transcript for Amanda Martin Interview | Catalog Record for Amanda Martin Interview Listen to Amanda Martin Interview now
b. 1931
Alan Raynor talks about preparing for Hurricane Ian and the aftermath of the storm.
Full Transcript for Alan Raynor Interview | Catalog Record for Alan Raynor Interview Listen to Alan Raynor Interview now
b. 1992
Casey Silvers, a high school teacher, explains why she and her family stayed to ride out the storm and why she'd want to evacuate next time.
Full Transcript for Casey Silvers Interview | Catalog Record for Casey Silvers Interview Listen to Casey Silvers Interview now
b. 1939
Pat Spence, widow of the late Randy Spence, recalls her life as a military wife, moving to El Jobean in the 1980s, and her experiences with Hurricanes Charley and Ian.
Full Transcript for Pat Spence Interview | Catalog Record for Pat Spence Interview Listen to Pat Spence Interview now
b. 1939
Buddy Clark Alexander remembers his family and childhood, his time working for Ford in Michigan, and his time as Clerk of Circuit Court.
Full Transcript for Buddy Clark Alexander Interview | Catalog Record for Buddy Clark Alexander Interview Listen to Buddy Clark Alexander Interview now
b. 1947
Judy Anderson recalls her youth in the area, how she worked under Charlotte County's Supervisor of Elections Henryetta "Tosie" Hindman, and her own time as Supervisor of Elections.
Full Transcript for Judy Anderson Interview | Catalog Record for Judy Anderson Interview Listen to Judy Anderson Interview now
b. 1945
David Bartley recalls his youth in El Jobean, his family's carnival business, and his thoughts on local figures.
Full Transcript for David Bartley Interview | Catalog Record for David Bartley Interview Listen to David Bartley Interview now
b. 1952
John Bass relates stories from his youth, how he got into photography, and his memories of the Bass family, Eugenie Clark, and the Cookie House.
Full Transcript for John Bass Interview | Catalog Record for John Bass Interview Listen to John Bass Interview now
b. 1945 and b. 1948
Danny and Barbara Biehl discuss how Danny's family came to Punta Gorda and opened the Slip-Not Lounge and Mobile Home Park, Danny's time in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, how Hurricane Charley affected them, and their thoughts on Punta Gorda.
Full Transcript for Biehl Interview | Catalog Record for Biehl Interview Listen to Biehl Interview now
b. 1945 and b. 1947
Mike and Zoanna Broderick remember dating in high school, local bars and notable individuals in Charlotte County, and how they got back together after being apart for over 30 years.
Full Transcript for Broderick Interview | Catalog Record for Broderick Interview Listen to Broderick Interview now
1922 - 2019
Gilbert Butson discusses his service in the Navy during World War II, his time on the USS Cowell, and his retirement in Port Charlotte.
Full Transcript for Gilbert Butson Interview | Catalog Record for Gilbert Butson Interview Listen to Gilbert Butson Interview now
b. 1935
Fran Campbell discusses her youth in Michigan, how she met her husband, why she moved to Punta Gorda, and her involvement with Punta Gorda Historical Society.
Full Transcript for Frances Campbell Interview | Catalog Record for Frances Campbell Interview Listen to Frances Campbell Interview now
b. 1936
Leslie Caraher recalls how his father moved the family to Charlotte County for their motel business, how he spent his time growing up in the area, and how he got into folk music.
Full Transcript for Leslie Caraher Interview | Catalog Record for Leslie Caraher Interview Listen to Leslie Caraher Interview now
b. 1936
David Crafts discusses working on Gladioli Farm as a teenager, how he was drafted by the Army twice, and his thoughts on how Punta Gorda has changed over the years.
Full Transcript for David Crafts Interview | Catalog Record for David Crafts Interview Listen to David Crafts Interview now
1927 - 2020
Bill Crosland talks about growing up in Punta Gorda, his time in the Navy, and his family history.
Full Transcrip for Bill Crosland Interview | Catalog Record for Bill Crosland Interview Listen to Bill Crosland Interview now
b. 1926
Joined by his wife, Charlotte, Vic Desguin remembers how his family came to Punta Gorda, his management of the Charlotte Harbor Drive-In theater, and serving as the Charlotte County Tax Collector.
Full Transcript for Vic Desguin Interview | Catalog Record for Vic Desguin Interview Listen to Vic Desguin Interview now
b. 1952
Linda Fudala discusses her life before coming to Charlotte County, how she began her journalist career reporting on the county commissioners, and community theater groups in Charlotte County.
Full Transcript for Linda Fudala Interview | Catalog Record for Linda Fudala Interview Listen to Linda Fudala Interview now
b. 1943
Kathy Futch remembers moving to Southwest Florida, meeting her husband, Mark, the sea plane business the two ran, and celebrities in Boca Grande.
Full Transcript for Kathy Futch Interview | Catalog Record for Kathy Futch Interview Listen to Kathy Futch Interview now
b. 1931
Austin Goff remembers his youth in Placida, his time in the Korean War, working at the White House and Camp David, and his life after being discharged from the Army.
Full Transcript for Austin Goff Interview | Catalog Record for Austin Goff Interview Listen to Austin Goff Interview now
b. 1939
Tommy Grunwell reminisces about growing up in Punta Gorda, his career as a radio personality in Frederick, Maryland, and why he keeps visiting Punta Gorda.
Full Transcript for Thomas Grunwell Interview | Catalog Record for Thomas Grunwell Interview Listen to Thomas Grunwell Interview now
b. 1942
George Handlon shares about how he was constantly moving while growing up but saw the area as his home, his time in the Marines, his passion for music, and how he worked as a surveyor on Gilchrist Bridge and Fisherman's Village.
Full Transcript for George Handlon Interview | Catalog Record for George Handlon Interview Listen to George Handlon Interview now
1933 - 2021
Ken Haymans remembers his life before moving to Punta Gorda, why he moved here, his time as a lawyer and later as a judge, and his thoughts on regulation.
Full Transcript for Ken Haymans Interview | Catalog Record for Ken Haymans Interview Listen to Ken Haymans Interview now
b. 1932
Jo Ann Helphenstein describes moving to Punta Gorda, operating Palm Automotive Group, Inc. with her husband, and her experience with Hurricane Charley.
Full Transcript for Jo Ann Helphenstine Interview | Catalog Record for Jo Ann Helphenstine Interview Listen to Jo Ann Helphenstine Interview now
b. 1947
Arthur Hindman talks about his youth in Punta Gorda, prominent family members, how he met his wife, and thoughts on how Punta Gorda has changed over the years.
Full Transcript for Arthur Hindman Interview | Catalog Record for Arthur Hindman Interview Listen to Arthur Hindman Interview now
b. 1924
Wilena Hindman remembers her youth in Gainesville, meeting her husband, what the area schools were like, and what she thought of local figures.
Full Transcript for Wilena Hindman Interview | Catalog Record for Wilena Hindman Interview Listen to Wilena Hindman Interview now
b. 1924
Larry Houle tells about his service in the Marine Corps, his life after the war working on mail trains, and his retirement in Port Charlotte.
Full Transcript for Larry Houle Interview | Catalog Record for Larry Houle Interview Listen to Larry Houle Interview now
1935 - 2020 and 1937 - 2022
Joe and Shirley Huckeby share about growing up in the area, and Joe recounts his family history, time spent as a police deputy, and thoughts on how Punta Gorda has changed.
Full Transcript for Huckeby Interview | Catalog Record for Huckeby Interview Listen to Huckeby Interview now
1958 - 2019
Debbie Jamieson tells how she moved to Punta Gorda based upon letters from her great-great-grandfather, how she got involved in the folk music scene in southwest Florida, and her amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnosis.
Full Transcript for Debbie Jamieson Interview | Catalog Record for Debbie Jamieson Interview Listen to Debbie Jamieson Interview now
both b. 1937
Cousins Frances Joyner and Araitha Jones describe their clannish family, memories of race relations, their lives away from Punta Gorda, and their lives since returning to Punta Gorda.
Full Transcript for Joyner and Jones Interview | Catalog Record for Joyner and Jones Interview Listen to Joyner and Jones Interview now
b. 1954
John Lloyd, Jr. discusses his youth in Punta Gorda, school integration, and race relations in Punta Gorda.
Full Transcript for John Lloyd, Jr. Interview | Catalog Record for John Lloyd, Jr. Interview Listen to John Lloyd, Jr. Interview now
b. 1939
Interview 1: Jim Marshall shares about his migratory youth, employment challenges he faced, and why he returned to Florida.
Full Transcript for Jim Marshall Interview 1 | Catalog Record for Jim Marshall Interview 1 Listen to Jim Marshall Interview 1 now
Interview 2: Jim recalls his enlistment into the Marines and his tour of duty.
Full Transcript for Jim Marshall Interview 2 | Catalog Record for Jim Marshall Interview 2 Listen to Jim Marshall Interview 2 now
Interview 3: With his wife, Joan Marshall, Jim discusses marriage and the development of El Jobean.
Full Transcript for Jim Marshall Interview 3 | Catalog Record for Jim Marshall Interview 3 Listen to Jim Marshall Interview 3 now
b. 1948
Bill Massolio shares his recollections of Hurricane Donna, racial segregation in both Charlotte County and South Chicago, how the turbulence of 1968 led to him moving back to Florida, and how he became a teacher.
Full Transcript for Bill Massolio Interview | Catalog Record for Bill Massolio Interview Listen to Bill Massolio Interview now
b. 1954
Mary Kay Mechlin details her experiences growing up in Punta Gorda, attending a private school during desegregation, and the hurricanes that have impacted Charlotte County.
Full Transcript for Mary Kay Mechlin Interview | Catalog Record for Mary Kay Mechlin Interview Listen to Mary Kay Mechlin Interview now
b. 1939
Betty Nugent relates why she moved to Englewood, her purchase of the Lampp House in Englewood, and her involvement with local history groups.
Full Transcript for Betty Nugent Interview | Catalog Record for Betty Nugent Interview Listen to Betty Nugent Interview now
b. 1941
Joined by her husband, Charles, Paige Polk talks about growing up, how she dated Charles while they attended Charlotte Harbor High School, and furniture stores in Punta Gorda.
Full Transcript for Paige Polk Interview | Catalog Record for Paige Polk Interview Listen to Paige Polk Interview now
1930 - 2018
Interview 1: Edna Earl Smith Poppell recalls her childhood in Punta Gorda and desegregation.
Full Transcript for Edna Poppell Interview 1 | Catalog Record for Edna Poppell Interview 1 Listen to Edna Poppell Interview 1 now
Interview 2: With Sherra Poppell Simes, Edna Poppell and Audrey O'Rourke remember growing up, local individuals they knew, and their work as phone operators.
Full Transcript for Edna Poppell Interview 2 | Catalog Record for Edna Poppell Interview 2 Listen to Edna Poppell Interview 2 now
b. 1944
Eric "Rick" Popovich tells about his youth, moving to Charlotte County, Hurricanes Charley and Donna, and his barber shop.
Full Transcript for Rick Popvich Interview | Catalog Record for Rick Popvich Interview Listen to Rick Popvich Interview now
1923 - 2020
Dorothy Quednau remembers her father's work as a fisherman, her husband's bar, and her domestic life as a mother. She is joined by her daughter, Lyn Slack.
Full Transcript for Dorothy Quednau Interview | Catalog Record for Dorothy Quednau Interview Listen to Dorothy Quednau Interview now
b. 1931
Alan Raynor remembers growing up during the Depression and World War II, his military service, and pivoting from a career in real estate to work as an artist.
Full Transcript for Alan Raynor Interview | Catalog Record for Alan Raynor Interview Listen to Alan Raynor Interview now
1927 - 2018
Interview 1: Margaret Riggs and her son, Wayne, discuss Punta Gorda during the Great Depression, nearby bridges and landmarks, and interracial friendships.
Full Transcript for Margaret Riggs Interview 1 | Catalog Record for Margaret Riggs Interview 1 Listen to Margaret Riggs Interview 1 now
Interview 2: Margaret Riggs remembers her life in Punta Gorda during World War II and the Segregation Era.
Full Transcript for Margaret Riggs Interview 2 | Catalog Record for Margaret Riggs Interview 2 Listen to Margaret Riggs Interview 2 now
b. 1921
Dana Rodgers discusses life as a teacher before moving to Port Charlotte, her involvement with the Women's Coalition, and her association with Bernice Russell. She is joined by her daughter, Anita Caruthers.
Full Transcript for Dana Rodgers Interview | Catalog Record for Dana Rodgers Interview Listen to Dana Rodgers Interview now
b. 1921
Peg Stunkard remembers her childhood, World War II, losing her first husband, her time in the Red Cross after the war, and her life since she moved to Port Charlotte.
Full Transcript for Peg Stunkard Interview | Catalog Record for Peg Stunkard Interview Listen to Peg Stunkard Interview now
b. 1927
Janice Von Nick speaks about growing up during the Great Depression, her time as a dance teacher, her work in metallurgy, and her life in Charlotte County.
Full Transcript for Janice Von Nick Interview | Catalog Record for Janice Von Nick Interview Listen to Janice Von Nick Interview now
b. 1927
Don Witherall remembers growing up in Punta Gorda, his work as a teacher, and how the county has changed over time.
Full Transcript for Don Witherall Interview | Catalog Record for Don Witherall Interview Listen to Don Witherall Interview now
b. 1945
Judge Woodward recalls his childhood, moving to Florida, his time serving in the Army at the Korean Militarized Zone, and his career as a lawyer and judge.
Full Transcript for Wayne Woodward Interview | Catalog Record for Wayne Woodward Interview Listen to Wayne Woodward Interview now
After graduating with a B.A. in History from SUNY at Buffalo, Joe Guerzo volunteered to work on the Georgia-based Witness to War project, collecting war stories from aging WWII veterans. He also honed his interview skills as host of the television show This Week in Southern Hockey before joining the team at Charlotte County Libraries & History.
