Florida History   

Perhaps no state or territory in the United States has changed as much as Florida has over the past century. In this talk, take a virtual trip around the state to look at how different areas and landmarks have changed. This pictorial journey will showcase well-known (and little-known) places, featuring photographs from "then" and "now." The talk will also touch on the historical or environmental significance of these places. Finally, those who want to visit these places will have the opportunity to ask questions about how best to do so. 

The COVID pandemic caused stunning and unprecedented changes in every aspect of our lives. School closings. Business shutdowns. Holiday gatherings prohibited or restricted in size. Nothing, and no one went unscathed. This includes our courts. Courthouses were closed. Hearings and trials were postponed. Looking backwards, we wonder how we survived it all. Attorney Jerry Colen will discuss the many ways that COVID put its stamp on our judicial system.

Since 2007, journalist Art Levy has traveled the state, interviewing prominent Floridians for Florida Trend, a statewide news magazine. Many of the interviews were compiled in a 2019 University Press of Florida book titled "Made in Florida: Artists, Celebrities, Activists, Educators, and Other Icons in the Sunshine State." His interviews dig deep into his sujects, and tell a larger story of Florida's culture, history and significance. Join Art as he reads from some of his more than 150 interviews and tells stories about Florida's most interesting people and places. During his Master the Possibilities presentation, he'll focus on iconic Floridians from across the state, including Marion County interviewees such as Ocala resident Albert "Chainsaw Al" Dunlap, a corporate turnaround specialist, and Don "Big Daddy" Garlits, a champion drag racer who also lived in Ocala.