Chessy Ricca Professor R. Arsenault Oral Histories David Reese: Palm Beach        The bar of the Sailfish Club on Palm Beach during a hot late summer afternoon is a dead zone. Ryan the bartender is watching a football game and I’m awkwardly sitting alone looking at the old man sitting across from me. A few local children play in the recently renovated pool that overlooks the intracoastal waterway, providing an excellent view of the sunset. I’m waiting to meet David Reese, one

Chessy Ricca Dr. Michael Francis October 22, 2018 Indian powers within the American south focused primarily on furthering their private agendas. Long before Spaniards, French, or English colonists arrived in the New World, Indian communication paths were interconnected over enormous distances. Gold and supplies were a top priority to these Spanish colonists, but the Indian itinerary was always movement, harmony, war, trade and territorial control. Any information involving th

Chessy Ricca Dr. Michael Francis September 19, 2018 The Myths and Legends of the early 16 th  century were the foundation for Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon’s Spanish exploration of La Florida and the land’s ultimate colonization in 1565. In Paul E. Hoffman’s book, A New Andalucia and a Way to the Orient , he discusses how those Legends were instrumental in inspiring the multiple expeditions of the early 1500s. The Chicora Legend lived by the writings of Peter Martyr, a man who neve

Its that time of the year where graduation is getting closer, I'm getting more and more excited about my future and I'm applying to grad school. In the 5 years leading up to this Spring 2018, I have walked the distance to get to know myself as an artist, an angler, a friend and an individual. I stumbled into my passion of Florida about a decade ago when I didn't know who I was or where I was going. History books enabled me to get lost in the past and dream about my ancestors

A friend introduced me to this location. Allapattah. We took a drive a few months ago and ended up taking a walk through time. The reason I went with my camera was to preserve the beauty the spring brings to Old Florida country. I knew then that I'd want to come back to paint the herds of cracker cattle that roam free.   "A drive across the Martin Grade is a drive through the beauty of Old Florida – through land that time seems to have forgotten.   To the east lie barrier isl

Tonight I will be painting (plein air) Testa's Restaurant at 221 Royal Poinciana Way. Testa's has been open and running for 96 years! I have a history there as well. I got sober there. I know that sounds weird, but the AA meetings they've had in the back has helped me get sober where I used to drink. The gas station next door was a piece of history too. I used to skateboard there and its where I bought my first pack of cigarettes.   I will be doing two paintings tonight. One

If you frequent Palm Beach County's Riviera Beach, I'm sure you've cruised along Broadway. What broadway has to offer is historically important but currently in limbo. It is in the process of turning a drug and hooker hub into a destination for tourists. New marina's, coffee houses, small business locations and Palm Beach's Inlet. For some reason, this process seems to be taking a long time.    Truthfully, I like Riviera Beach's current reputation. It gives PB county a person