CLEWISTON — On Thursday, March 23, the Clewiston Museum presented the Florida Trail Gateway Communities Coordinator, Hailey Dansby, and her program about “Connecting People with Places: How Heritage and Hospitality Go Hand in Hand with Florida’s Outdoors.” Dansby spoke on the history of the trail, how it became incorporated into the National Scenic Trail, the history of Clewiston becoming the trails southernmost Gateway Community, and how the Clewiston Museum became involved as a Passport Partner.

Following the presentation, Dansby unveiled the newly updated Florida Trail/Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST) kiosk, which will be located in the museum’s lobby and then Dansby and Museum Director, Leigh Woodham, cut a special 40th Anniversary Florida Trail ribbon to complete the celebration. In attendance were about 35 museum members, volunteers, and guests, which included members of the local chapters of the Florida Trail Association that serve the counties surrounding Lake Okeechobee. All were treated to a delicious spread of refreshments after the program.

This program was the last of the museum’s 2022-2023 free Speaker Series, which included a musical program on Florida’s history, a storyteller with tales of Florida Folklore, a Seminole Tribe biologist with a program on our local wildlife, and an author and book signing which featured “The Railroads of US Sugar.” Also included in this season’s programming was Donnie Drake and his program on Clewiston and Riddle Field during World War II, which was presented during the museum’s Annual BBQ Steak Dinner in February. Look for the 2023-2024 season of programs to be announced in September!

Clewiston Museum is a private not-for-profit that relies on donations, grants, the support of its members, and fundraising events to remain in operation. It is located at 109 Central Avenue in Clewiston and the hours of operation are Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday hours are by appointment only. Contact the museum at 863-983-2870 or via email at clewistonmuseum@embarqmail.com.