State Park to Host Book Release Events--Special extended version of memoir to be featured at park--DUNEDIN- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Honeymoon Island State Park and Caladesi Island State Park are celebrating the re-release of Yesteryear I Lived in Paradise by Myrtle Scharrer Betz with two events featuring the author's granddaughter. The memoir on Florida barrier island homesteading first appeared in 1984 and was embraced as a unique, home-spun tale of a vanished past. The book's release this month is an expanded edition published by Betz's granddaughter, Terry Fortner, and contains new material including a detailed timeline, an "appreciation" by renowned Florida artist Christopher Still and 130 historical photographs and illustrations, most never before in print. At the events, Fortner will present a brief program on the memory of her grandmother and will sign copies of the book, available for purchase at the two events. A portion of the book's proceeds will benefits Friends of the Island Parks Inc., the Citizen Support Organization that helps provide funding and volunteer help for projects at both Honeymoon and Caladesi Island State Parks. Please contact Honeymoon Island State Park at (727) 469-5942 or Caladesi Island State Park at (727) 469-5918 in advance of the events if you require a special accommodation to attend the book signings. These events will take place: 10 a.m., Saturday, November 3, and Sunday, November 18, at Honeymoon Island Sate Park, Caladesi Island State Park, Number 1 Causeway Boulevard, Dunedin.
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