Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/233139
Sarasota News Leader December 27, 2013 Page 57 the future so the indignities of the past would ring of "Myakka bog iron rock" was saved not be repeated. and redeployed. John Ringling himself had provided two statuary lions for the original The rehabilitation was as much a community project. They were found at J.D. Hamel Park collaboration as the original construction. in Sarasota and returned to their original site. The Selby Foundation provided some funding, along with 85 other donors and a grant from Work will continue to beautify the fountain the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota dedicated to the woman who beautified the County. Sarasota Military Academy students city. Park benches and more lights are part of and their families, among others, provided the plan. volunteer labor. Fifteen local contractors ensured the reconstruction was professional In a quiet ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 12, the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation and met all city codes. will formally rededicate the fountain to Mable The St. Armands Merchants Association vol- Ringling's memory. "She was integral to the unteered the use of a statue found behind a establishment of green space in this city," St. Armands Circle parking lot for duplication said Calvert. by Florida State University students. It is now So the next time you are stopped at the U.S. the centerpiece of the fountain. 41/U.S. 301 light at night, enjoy the show — or Pieces of the original construction were dis- drop by anytime, and say a nice word in memcovered during excavation. The perimeter ory of a beautiful lady. % FREE SUBSCRIPTION Don't have your own subscription to The Sarasota News Leader? Subscribe for FREE and receive a weekly notification when the latest issue is available online. QUICK TIP Share stories by clicking the icon in the menubar and choosing to share via e-mail, post to Facebook or Twitter, or many other sharing options.