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Sarasota News Leader January 4, 2013 Page 50 A deed for 12.8 acres on the key was recorded merged land from the state, but his vision of in her name the following year. developing the property did not materialize, the marker notes. Featuring modern amenities such as gas, electric lights and hot and cold water, the prop- In 1959, the Arvida Corp. bought 2,000 acres erty had its own dock, since access to the of Ringling property, including Bird Key. The island was by boat only, the release points city approved Arvida���s plan for a ���luxurious out. Although she planned much of the Geor- island residential haven,��� the release says, and gian-style home, Davie Worcester died before dredging and filling to enlarge the island to its completion in 1914, the release notes, but about 300 acres began, along with construcher husband, Thomas, lived there until his tion of the island���s infrastructure. death in 1918. Family members continued to reside there Enticed by sales incentives such as a Chris until John Ringling, the circus magnate and Craft cabin cruiser and a Lincoln Continental entrepreneur, purchased Bird Key in 1922. car, real estate agents quickly sold the first Ringling then constructed a bridge and cause- lots, according to the marker. way in 1925 to connect Bird Key and the outer Bird Key was connected to the city of Sarakeys of St. Armands, Lido and Longboat to the sota water system in 1964, and in 1960, Arvimainland, the release says. da built the Bird Key Yacht Club, which was According to the marker, John Ringling���s only transferred to residents in 1967. sister ��� Ida Ringling North ��� lived in the mansion from 1934 until 1959, when it was Members of the Bird Key Improvement Asdemolished by Arvida Corp. John Ringling had sociation applied for the historical marker. died in 1936, and his sister and his nephew, A brief reception sponsored by the Bird Key John Ringling North, were administrators of Yacht Club will be conducted immediately after the ceremony, the release says. his estate, which included Bird Key. John Ringling North formed the Bird Key For more information, contact the Sarasota Corp. and acquired about 280 acres of sub- County Call Center at 861-5000. NEW COLLEGE RANKED 7 ON KIPLINGER���S TOP 100 LIST New College of Florida once again has been recognized as a top value in America by Kiplinger���s Personal Finance magazine, placing seventh on the list of 100 best values in public colleges for 2012-13, the college has announced. schools ���delivering a stellar education at an affordable price,��� a news release points out. Kiplinger���s ranked New College No. 5 in 2012 and No. 11 in 2011. To determine the ranking each year, the editors at Kiplinger���s Personal Finance narThis marks the 10th consecutive year New row down a list of nearly 600 public four-year College has placed among the nation���s top 20 schools to about 130 schools based on SAT public colleges overall on Kiplinger���s list of or ACT scores, admission and retention rates,