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More History of Marco Island

• History in Motion: July 18, 2008
• 30 years ago today: July 16, 2008
• History in Motion: July 11, 2008

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Fast facts:

The Marco Trolley was begun in the mid-1980s by Carl and Maureen Smith, and used to park at a service station at Town Center. It has taken part in numerous parades, and is used for tours of the island as well as shopping trips. The gaily painted trolley is also available for private functions, and has been used for weddings and “bar-hop” parities, among other things.

Raul and Vivian Rodriguez purchased the trolley in 2000 and still operate it in the same manner. Businesses can arrange to have the conductor point out their establishments, and advertising is available on the outside of the vehicle, as well as “Barron Collier” style car cards inside. The cost is still just $25 and you can ride all day for that with the hop on-hop off plan. To arrange for advertising or tours or for general information, call 394-1600.

What’s new with the Marco Island Historical Society?

Manatee Middle School students made history the subject of a mural for their cafeteria last week. Principal

Scholastica Choi gave Marco artist Stephen Muldoon a chance to work with students in grades 6 through 8 on creating and painting the project. On May 2, he talked with the group about how to create murals, showing them examples and going over each of their sketchbooks to give them pointers. He worked with instructor Ashleigh Koch and Jerry Masters, education chairman for MIHS, and says he was blown away by the talent the students exhibited.

On May 8 and 9, they executed the painting, which included three Calusa Indian masks among other motifs.

The students are: Jonatan Zamarripa, Reina Hinojova, Amaury Zaragoza, Salina Williams, Stephen Attilus, Jiovana Sierra, Lovely Rahman, Christian Orantes, Tanya Rocha, Angy Vasquez, Ana Hinojos and Ashley Hernandez.

The instructor in charge is Ashleigh Koch.

Stephen currently has a show at the Art Center of Marco on Winterberry Drive, and will be involved with the Food and Wine Festival of Naples next year, when he hopes to raise money for a substantial art program at Manatee. If you would like to donate, call Jerry Masters at 394-3917 or Marion Nicolay at 394-1254.