from the KEY WEST ART & HISTORICAL SOCIETY 281 FRONT STREET, KEY WEST, FL 33040 295-6616 Fax: 295-6649
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On Tuesday, May 17th, ten residents of Bayshore Manor made a special trip to the Museum of Art & History at the Custom House to view the Mario Sanchez exhibit ?Listening to Our Ancestors. To see the Sanchez exhibit through their eyes is to see it come to life. "That's the grocery store where my brother George worked," said Martha Perez (nee Machin), pointing out Venancio's Grocery store in the Sanchez intaglio "Old Island Days No. 34". Perez, now 86, was born and raised in Key West. "This brings back such memories," she said, "I wish my brothers could be here to see this." Jane Rohrschneider, Education Consultant at the Key West Art & Historical Society came up with the idea of inviting Mario's contemporaries to see the show. A member of the Women's Club, she enlisted the help of fellow club members Ann Eid and Joan Sammy. "Everyone was so excited about the show," said Ms. Rohrschneider, "Martha Mathis, a CNA attendant at Bayshore Manor came in on her day off to help!" Assistance was also provided by Phyllis Squires, CNA attendant, and Bayshore Manor Senior Administrative Director Susan Scarlet. While not all visitors were Conchs, many traced their arrival in Key West 20 or 30 years back and enjoyed lively discussions on where the 5 & 10 or the old A&P had been. Harry Sawyer, another Conch Bayshore Manor resident shared memories of an idyllic Key West childhood; making kites, playing at Fort East Martello, or just hanging out in the water off Garrison Bight. It was a time when neighbors gathered to socialize and shared news of the day in Bayview Park while their children flew kites and chased fireflies. "To hear stories of the vibrant, colorful Key West of Mario Sanchez was a wonderful experience for everyone at the Custom House," said Claudia Pennington, Executive Director of the Art & Historical Society. "We hope they will come back again soon."
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