Historic Spanish Point, the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art - these renowned Sarasota attractions all have fascinating histories. And all of the histories have something in common - a woman played a major role in their creation.

Historic Spanish Point in Osprey was once the winter estate

St. Armands Circle

of Bertha Palmer, a Chicago native and one of the first "snowbirds" in the Sarasota area back in 1910. The socialite, art patron and businesswoman designed elaborate gardens at her bayfront estate, but took care to preserve the prehistoric Indian burial mound, two shell mounds and pioneer homestead on the property. Today, visitors can enjoy the gardens and nature trails as well as the well-preserved historic features.

The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota were created when Marie Selby willed her home and five acres of landscaped grounds to be developed as a botanical garden for the public to enjoy. And visitors to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art - the official State Art Museum of Florida - can also enjoy the Ringling's mansion, called the Cà d'Zan, as well as a circus museum and Mable Ringling's Rose Garden, which was completed in 1913.

Palmer, Selby and Ringling were instrumental in making Sarasota the destination it is today. And women leaders in all types of industries carry on the tradition. For instance, there's Kathy Baylis, President of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County; Melody Trimble, CEO of Venice Regional Medical Center; and Diane McFarlin, Publisher of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. But the strength of community and opportunity these organizations represent are just part of Sarasota's allure. On your visit, you'll also appreciate the impact

Euphemia Haye Restaurant & HayeLoft

of these leaders in hospitality and tourism:

Diana Corrigan, St. Armands Circle Association
St. Armands Circle, located steps from the beach, is an upscale shopping and dining destination in Sarasota. Laid out in a circle around a park are one-of-a-kind boutiques and art galleries, such as Dream Weaver wearable art, as well as a day spa and restaurants, including the Crab & Fin.

Six years ago, Diana Corrigan became the first full-time executive director of the St. Armands Circle Association. In her role, Corrigan represents the nearly 150 member businesses in the circle, plus many more associate members. She is responsible for promoting the circle and for coordinating the 32 special events held there each year, including Smooth Jazz on St. Armands, the Holiday Night of Lights and two annual art festivals.

Katherine Klauber Moulton, The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort
Katherine Klauber Moulton is the president and general manager of The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort, a luxury, full-service beachfront resort on Longboat Key that's perhaps known best for being ranked the nation's top tennis resort. It's also a top destination for family vacations, as well as for romantic getaways and weddings. Quite a feat for an independently owned hotel!

Moulton has served in her role since 1988. She's responsible for keeping the more than 320 employees energized, motivated and focused, as well as for keeping up to 1,200 guests happy. She is currently planning a major renovation of the nearly 20-acre, all-suite resort.

D'Arcy Arpke, Euphemia Haye Restaurant & HayeLoft
D'Arcy Arpke, along with her husband, Chef Raymond Arpke, owns Euphemia Haye Restaurant & HayeLoft on Longboat Key. The romantic restaurant offers fine dining, an eclectic menu and one of the area's most comprehensive wine cellars. The HayeLoft, upstairs from the restaurant, offers casual dining, desserts, a full bar and live music.

In addition to running the business end of Euphemia Haye and the HayeLoft, D'Arcy Apke is a founding member of the Sarasota-Manatee Originals, an association of more than 60 independently owned and operated area restaurants that promise freshly prepared meals using the best local ingredients. For a complete list of member restaurants, visit www.sarasotaoriginals.com.

If you go:
Historic Spanish Point: 941-966-5214, www.historicspanishpoint.org
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: 941-366-5731, www.selby.org
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art: 941-359-5700, www.ringling.org
St. Armands Circle: 941-388-1554, /www.starmandscircleassoc.com/.
The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort: 941-383-6464, www.colonybeachresort.com
Euphemia Haye Restaurant & HayeLoft: 941-383-3633, www.euphemiahaye.com


Originally posted 1/30/06