Nokomis Now & Then
#25 - March 23, 2025 - Spring Break - Jesse Knight Memorial Cemetery
Spring Break season has begun! We expected the traffic to be a bit busier and the beaches and parking more crowded. Then the weather turned cool and windy. We watched last week’s high winds, full moon, and high tide drive a lot of our visitors off the shore. Parking lots were nearly empty. Then just as suddenly, the calm warm breezes returned. Last Monday’s St. Patrick’s Day (3/17) was a hoot, with all our restaurants and bars full and joyous. The crowds have since returned to our beaches; parking lots are jammed once again. TIP: Arrive early for the best experience.
A Brief History of a Historic Site
Much of the early community history of Nokomis (nee Venice) was centered around the site of this one-acre cemetery. Jesse and Rebecca Knight and their children were the original settlers of this area (circa 1868). With the arrival of more settlers, Jesse Knight donated land for a needed school. The school also served as the area’s church where Knight, an unordained Methodist preacher, delivered many of the Sunday sermons. Later, in 1903, Knight donated half an acre to build a Methodist Episcopal Church. Jesse Knight then donated this one-acre cemetery plot to the church. In 1904, the cemetery was known as Venice Cemetery and the church was known as Knight’s Chapel. Today this cemetery, still in use, is known as the Jesse Knight Memorial Cemetery. It is located at 515 Colonia Lane East, Nokomis, FL 34275.
[Sources: Venice and the Venice Area (Venice Area Historical Society, 2008) by George E. Youngberg, Sr., and W. Earl Aumann; and Historical Markers at the Jesse Knight Memorial Cemetery.]
Seen on the Water
Intracoastal Waterway
This past week, a commerical tugboat from Lockport, Louisiana arrived and docked at the Casey Key bulkhead adjacent to the Albee Road Bridge. This workboat, the Commander, was here to help move several of the barges tied up near the bridge for the past few months. Her length overall (LOA) is 20 meters and her width is 8 meters.
This effort is all part of the continuing clean-up of Casey Key and Sarasota County as a result of the damage and destruction left by Hurricanes Debby (August 5), Helene (September 26), and Milton (October 9) this past year.
The Beaches: Waves & Wind
A few blustery days kept all but the most hardy visitors off the beaches. Calm and warm breezes have returned, along with shorebirds, tourists, and the locals.
This Week in Nokomis
Monday - Friday (March 24-28): Hula Hooping. Exercise Fun with the Classic Hula Hoop on Nokomis Beach. 9-10 am. Get off the couch and join us!! Free admission. Free parking. Hula Hoops provided, or bring your own. Fun for all ages!
Monday, March 24th: The Sand Fleas, a unique ukulele orchestra featuring players armed with ukuleles, guitars, mandolins, violins, and harmonicas. Everybody sings together as well. The general public is invited to come and sing along. 8:30 am - 10:00 am. Rain or shine. Under the Nokomis Beach Pavilion, 100 Casey Key Road, Casey Key, Nokomis. Free admission. Free parking. Come join this Monday Musical Adventure!
March 24-28: Nokomis Daily Beach Yoga Group. Yoga benefits include improved balance, breathing, flexibility, strength, and spinal health. All ages welcome. Residents, tourists, and visitors welcome. Bring a large towel or blanket and a beverage/water. Daily Yoga sessions are held at 9:00 AM. On Nokomis Beach, just North of the Shark Tooth Concession. Free parking. Donations welcome.
Wednesday, March 26th:: Nokomis Drum Circle. On Nokomis Beach, 207 Casey Key Road, Nokomis. From 2 hours before and thru sunset. Drumming, singing, dancing. Family friendly. Everyone is welcome. Free admission. Free parking.
Thursday, March 27th: Sunrise Beach Walk. Today marks the last Sunrise Beach Walk of the season. Check-in from 8:00-9:30 am at Nokomis Beach Pavilion (100 Casey Key Road, Nokomis). For more information, call 311; visit sarasotacountyparks.com.
Thursday, March 27: Yoga & Crystal Bowl Sound Healing Sunset Event. 7:00 PM. Very relaxing. All ages welcome. Residents, tourists, and visitors welcome. Bring a large towel or blanket and drinking water. Sunset Event is held on Nokomis Beach, just North of the Shark Tooth Concession. Free parking. Donations welcome.
Saturday, March 29th: Nokomis Drum Circle. On Nokomis Beach, 207 Casey Key Road, Nokomis. From 2 hours before and thru sunset. Drumming, singing, dancing. Family friendly. Everyone is welcome. Free admission. Free parking.
Upcoming Author Event in Venice
Saturday, March 29th: Author’s Talk & Book Signing by Larry Humes, sharing stories from his new book, Venice: A Century on the Gulf. At The Island Bookshop (206 West Miami Avenue, Venice); 6pm.
Venice: A Century on the Gulf, written by Larry R. Humes, debuted at the Venice Book Fair on March 15.
Just Published!
First-time author and photographer, Lee Grace Mathews, has published her beautiful coffee table book, The Heart of Venice: Celebrating the Charm of Venice, Nokomis, and Osprey, Florida (Palm Printing, 2025). Next week, we’ll have a review, where to purchase it, and where the author will be talking and signing copies of her beautiful book. Stay tuned till then.
What I’m Reading this Week
In addition to reading Larry Humes’ new book, Venice: A Century on the Gulf, I’ve been immersed in these two non-fiction treasures that recount some history from films and TV.
Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood (Gallery Books, 2024), by Ed Zwick. Writer, producer and director Ed Zwick has succeeded in TV and major motion pictures over a 4-decade career. His hits have included TV shows thirtysomething and My So-Called Life. His many popular films include Glory, Shakespeare in Love, I Am Sam, Love and Other Drugs, and Traffic. He shares the ups and downs of the entertainment industry that balances star egos, budgets, weather, movie studio bosses, union crews, and more. Here’s an inside look at what it takes to succeed in this hard-charging business.
Who Put the Rainbow in the Wizard of Oz? Yip Harburg, Lyricist (University of Michigan Press, 1993), by Harold Meyerson and Ernie Harburg. Yip Harburg wrote the lyrics to Harold Arlen’s melody for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The song is one of the best known songs in history. It led off the 1939 MGM musical, The Wizard of Oz. It is just one of more than 500 songs that Yip Harburg, the focus of this book, wrote for films, stage shows, and popular singers. His talent and influence was far greater than that of just a lyricist. This book explores the fascinating back story of The Wizard of Oz and so many of the other contributions Harburg made to music and the entertainment industry over a 50-year career. The authors cover each of the periods of Harburg’s life and the key radio and TV shows, films, and musicals he played a part in.
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